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December 2006 |
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Hi Tucan Travellers,
It's never easy planning your first visit to Latin America. The region offers an incredible variety of things to see and do. Central America is characterised by Caribbean beaches, ruins, jungles and diving, while many travellers choose South America for its stunning Andean scenery, incredible trekking, diverse culture and vast landscapes. Deciding where to go will undoubtedly be the hardest part of your holiday!
As we approach Christmas and the New Year with our new brochure in full swing, full of fresh new tours and Independent Travel itineraries, this month's Tucan Traveller takes a look at some great options for first time visitors who are new to what Latin America is all about.
Don't forget we've entered the second phase of our Early Bird brochure launch discounts: get 10% off any group tour until 31 January 2007!
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Michelle Scavone
Tucan Traveller Editor
michelle@tucantravel.com
P.S. Have your say and WIN!
Complete our online survey and go in the draw to win a £500 (or equivalent) tour voucher! |
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BONUS EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS!
Book any Peru Completed tour departing before May 2007 and get an extra 5% off!
DON'T FORGET TO ENTER OUR IMAGE COMPETITION!
Put yourself in the picture and go in the draw to win one of four tours in Peru, Vietnam, Europe or China!
Enter now!
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 1. Peru Completed
An ideal introduction to Latin America
Tucan Travel's Sales & Marketing Manager, Richard Leonard, believes if you haven't visited South America Peru is the ideal place to start.
"Peru encompasses the true essence of Latin American culture and flavour. Our Peru Completed tour offers many major highlights that first-timers have on their 'must-see' lists, such as the Inca Trail trek, Machu Picchu, the Amazon Jungle, Lake Titicaca, Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines."
About the tour...
This epic adventure offers a rare insight into all of the allure, mystery and excitement that characterises Peru. We begin in Lima, the fabled City of Kings, where impressive tree-lined plazas and great museums provide the perfect introduction to this incredible country. We then spend two nights absorbing the ‘lungs of the earth’, the mighty Amazon Jungle, enjoying activities such as piranha fishing and evening caiman (alligator) spotting.
Following on, we visit the ancient Inca capital, Cuzco, and the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. You can hike the 4 day Inca Trail Trek and arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate to see the sun rises dramatically over the citadel. We travel to Lake Titicaca for an overnight home stay with local Indians, and then visit colonial Arequipa, overlooked by the beautiful El Misti volcano.
Finally, we make our way back to Lima with trips to the mysterious Nazca Lines, the Huacachina desert Oasis, and the magnificent Ballestas Islands, teeming with exotic bird life and sea lions. Absorb Peru’s majestic spirit completely on this all-encompassing journey.
15% off until 31 January 2007 for departures before May 2007!
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UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAVEL SHOWS
AUSTRALIA
3-4 February 07 Flight Centre Expo
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
...more shows
US & CANADA
13/14 January 07 Maritime Travel "Vacation Superstore" Expo, Halifax
World Trade & Convention Centre
1800 Argyle Street Halifax, Nova Scotia
...more shows
UK & EUROPE
12-14 January 07 The Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show
Olympia Exhibition Centre, London. Stand No: H16
Book your tour at this show and get 10% off the tour price!
Visit www.adventure
show.co.uk or phone 0870 161 2122 and quote the code "exhib1" for a discount of £2 off the advanced ticket price.
...more shows
Want comp tickets for UK shows? Email us for details
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2. Staff Firsts
Our Latin American experts had to begin somewhere too!
Before we were Latin American experts, we were just like any other traveller, taking our first steps into the bustling crowds surrounding Lima’s taxi zone, clutching each other for dear life! Experienced travellers will (jokingly) rue the days before their eyes were opened up to all of the amazing places in our great world, but we’ll always remember the first time we hiked the Inca Trail, saw Machu Picchu, and sailed across Lake Titicaca. Even with more travellers on the road, and small secluded towns turning into tourist havens all the while, one thing will always be certain: nothing beats a first impression.
Tucan Travel's Australian Reservations Manager, Kara Rushton, shares her first impressions of the Nazca Lines.
"Nazca is one place I had be wanting to go to for years, so to actually be there and see the beauty of the Nazca Lines and their people was a bit surreal. After boarding a very small p*** we buckled up and set off on our 45 min flight over what would have to be the most famous etchings that constantly have scientists baffled to this day.
"It was a bizarre feeling flying over these lines. You really start to think about what it may have been like back when they were created and why are they still there! It’s a perfect start into the history of the different civilisations of Peru."
Staff on the Move
Tucan Travel's Sydney and London staff are on the move over the Christmas and New Year holiday period! We'll be following their adventures as they join some of our most popular tours in the coming months:
- Kara Rushton, Australia Reservations Manager, Cuban Rhapsody
- Arturo Tapia, UK Reservations Consultant & Luz Angela Cortes, Latin American Reservations - Mexicana
- Maria Garcia, UK Reservations Consultant - Iguana
- Rowena Byrne, UK Reservations Manager - Rio Carnival
- Richard Leonard, Australia Reservations Manager, Patagonia
- Rebecca Whiffin, UK/EU Sales & Marketing Manager & Leonie Fraser, Reservations Consultant - Classic Antarctica
View our staff pages online...
With such a diverse range of travel experience floating around our offices, you can be sure that your booking is in the hands of a Latin American expert!
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Visit the Amazon Jungle on our new Iquitos & Jungle Independent Travel Option!
...find out more |
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3. Patagonia
Unusual features make for lasting impressions
Snow-capped peaks, brilliant blue lakes, and spectacular sunsets over towering, jagged mountains -these are common natural features of a variety of places: New Zealand, Canada, and of course South America. But as Tucan Traveller Dorothy Chalmers discovered, Patagonia's unique attributes are what make lasting impressions - and there is certainly no shortage of those!
"As a Latin American destination, Patagonia had always appealed to me more than Peru or Brazil, because I love the outdoors, trekking, mountains and snow.
"What really made Patagonia stand out in my eyes were its distinct features. Everything seemed 'Patagonian', from unusual rock formations, to glaciers still growing, and interesting animals living in the wild.
"The sheer remoteness of the expanse made me feel like I was somewhere different, and it was a totally unique feeling. I've travelled a lot, but this was something else. As I looked around I felt like I was close to the edge of the world - well, I was near the most southerly town!"
Read more traveler testimonials
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Patagonia Discovery Tours
Mara
12 days - Santiago to El Calafate
Penguino
12 days - El Calafate to Ushuaia
Moreno
17 days - Bariloche to Ushuaia
Villarrica
21 days - Santiago to Ushuaia
...Don't forget, 10% off until 31 January 2007!
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4. The First Chicken Bus
Central America's celebrated mode of transport
First-time visitors to Central America love immersing themselves in the colourful culture, vibrant market activity, and general hustle and bustle. But Tucan Travel's Leonie Fraser can testify that nothing makes a more lasting impression than your first experience on a chicken bus!
"You'll be sharing your seat with a family of five Guatemalans, nursing the children on your lap while people push their way up the aisles selling food, drinks and handicrafts. And just when you think that they can't possibly pack another person on the bus, 20 people will get on at the next stop.
"You really feel like you're amongst the colourful culture - because you're literally squashed between it!"
Experience Guatemala on these tours:
...Don't forget, 10% off until 31 January 2007!
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Have your say and WIN!
Complete our online survey and go in the draw to win a £500 (or equivalent) tour voucher!
Your feedback enables us to design holidays and adventures that better meet your needs. We take your comments and opinions very seriously, as they are the most important tools we have to ensure we maintain our consistently high standard and quality of service.
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© Tucan Travel Ltd
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