HISTORY'S LOST CITIES 2009 PRIVATE JET
ITINERARY:
OCTOBER 8 & 9, 2009
Depart U.S.A./London, UK
Depart on commercial flights to London. Meet fellow travelers,
lecturers, and expedition leaders at a festive welcome dinner at
our hotel.
OCTOBER 10, 11 & 12
Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan
In the morning light, pass through a narrow passageway to
experience the ancient power and glory of this 2,000-year-old
city’s hidden rock-carved tombs, temples, and treasury. e next
day, travel on a 4x4 expedition into the lunar landscape of Wadi
Rum. Petra Mövenpick and Mövenpick Resort Aqaba If you have
previously visited Petra, we would be happy to arrange an
exploration of the beautifully preserved Greco-Roman ruins in
Jerash, with accommodations at the Mövenpick Dead Sea Resort and
Spa.
OCTOBER 13 & 14
Udaipur, India
Our time in this fabled “City of Lakes” is spent exploring its
fascinating history in the City Palace, wandering through the
old town, and enjoying the rich collection of folk art in a
local museum. Celebrate your visit with a grand, private
Rajasthani dinner. Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
OCTOBER 15 & 16
Angkor, Cambodia
Visit the Khmer empire’s greatest creations: Angkor Wat, one of
the wonders of the world; the Bayon with its collection of
enigmatic faces; and Ta Prohm, where towering trees intertwine
with immense stones. La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap
OCTOBER 17, 18 & 19
Vientiane & Luang Prabang, Laos
Laos represents old Southeast Asia at its friendliest and least
hurried. Explore Vientiane’s lovingly preserved colonial
architecture, grand royal palaces, and soaring stupas. In Luang
Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discover magnificent
ancient temples, and see members of hill tribes on their way to
market. Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, and Pansea Phouvao Hotel,
Luang Prabang
OCTOBER 20 & 21
Kathmandu, Nepal
Choose to spend a night at a cozy mountain lodge with sweeping
views of the Himalayas. Or travel to the former royal hunting
grounds of the maharajas in Nepal’s Royal Chitwan National Park.
Together we explore the scenic and cultural riches of the
Kathmandu Valley. Club Himalaya or Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge;
Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu
OCTOBER 22 & 23
Paro, Kingdom of Bhutan
Board a charter flight for tiny Bhutan, where untouched alpine
vistas, pristine rivers, and fluttering prayer flags all
contribute to a classic Himalayan experience. See mountaintop
Buddhist monasteries, terraced rice fields, and massive white
dzongs (fortresses). Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro
OCTOBER 24 & 25
Samarqand, Uzbekistan
Tales of the glory of Samarqand have drawn travelers to this
jewel of the Silk Road for centuries. Today, Samarqand stands at
the crossroads of Asia. In the footsteps of history’s great
explorers, we discover the city’s grand monuments and vibrant
markets. President Hotel, Samarqand
OCTOBER 26 & 27
Butrint & Gjirokastra, Albania
e gorgeous seaside city of Saranda is a picturesque base for our
exploration of once- orbidden sites like the UNESCO World
Heritage hillside town of Gjirokastra and the untouched forested
Roman ruins of Butrint. Hotel Butrinti, Saranda
OCTOBER 28 & 29
Return to London/Depart for Home
Relax at our London hotel, then transfer the next day to the
airport for commercial flights homeward. The Dorchester, London
WORLD HERITAGE SITES
UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited on History’s Lost Cities
2009
UNESCO World Heritage sites are places of extraordinary and
universal cultural and/or natural value that have been chosen
for special protection from damage and destruction. When a site
is selected by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, it is
inscribed onto the official World Heritage Site List and
receives ongoing aid and technical support from the World
Heritage Fund.
JORDAN
Petra
Inscribed: 1985
Inhabited since prehistoric times, this Nabataean caravan
city was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and
Syria-Phoenicia. Petra, half-built, half-carved in the rock
within a ring of mountains and riddled with passages and gorges,
is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world,
where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic
architecture.
CAMBODIA
Angkor
Inscribed: 1992
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in
Southeast Asia. Stretching over some 248 square miles, including
forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the
magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer
Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the
famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon
Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set
up a wide-ranging program to safeguard this symbolic site and
its surroundings.
LAOS
Town of Luang Prabang
Inscribed: 1995
Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of
traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those
built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th
centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape
illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct
cultural traditions.
UZBEKISTAN
Samarqand -- Crossroads of Cultures
Inscribed: 2001
The historic town of Samarqand is a crossroads and melting
pot of the world's cultures. Founded in the 7th century B.C. as
ancient Afrasiab, Samarqand had its most significant development
in the Timurid period from the 14th to the 15th centuries. The
major monuments include the Registan Mosque and medressehs, Bibi
Khanum Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda compound and the Gur Emir
ensemble, as well as Ulug Beg's Observatory.
ALBANIA
Butrint
Inscribed: 1992
Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site
of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a
period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a
brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the
late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present
archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each
period in the city's development.
Museum-City of Gjirokastra
Inscribed: 2005
The old city of Gjirokastra is a rare testimony to a
long-lasting, and almost disappeared, society and lifestyle
influenced by the culture and tradition of Islam in the Ottoman
period. The historic town, in the Drinos river valley in
southern Albania, was built by farmers of large estate. The
13th-century citadel provides the focal point of the town with
its typical tower houses (Turkish kule). Characteristic of the
Balkan region, Gjirokastra contains a series of outstanding
examples of kule, a type of building which crystallized in the
17th century. But Gjirokastra also features some more elaborate
examples from the early 19th century. The kule has a tall
basement, a first floor for use in the cold season, and a second
floor for the warm season. Interiors feature rich decorative
details and painted floral patterns, particularly in the zones
reserved for the reception of visitors. The town also retains a
bazaar, an 18th-century mosque and two churches of the same
period.
 London,
UK – Days 1 & 2
 Petra
& Wadi Rum, Jordan — Days 3, 4 & 5
 Udaipur,
India — Days 6 & 7
 Angkor, Cambodia
— Days 8 & 9
 Vientiane
& Luang Prabang, Laos — Days 10, 11 & 12
 Kathmandu,
Nepal — Days 13 & 14
 Paro
& Thimphu, Bhutan — Days 15 & 16
 Samarqand,
Uzbekistan — Days 17 & 18
 Butrint
& Gjirokastra, Albania — Days 19 & 20
London,
UK and Return Home — Days 21 & 22
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Journey to ancient centers of commerce and culture in Asia,
Europe, and the Near East on a 22-day expedition by private jet.
Overview: History's Lost Cities 2009
Petra & Wadi Rum • Udaipur • Vientiane & Luang Prabang • Angkor
• Kathmandu • Paro & Thimphu • Samarqand • Butrint & Gjirokastra
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DATES & RATES |
PRICES
from $59,950 Double
from $63,250 Single TRIP DATES
October 8, 2009 - October 29, 2009
*Itinerary and prices are subject to change.
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INCLUDED |
PRICE OF THE EXPEDITION INCLUDES
- All hotel accommodations, meals, group transportation,
excursions and other group activities from arrival in London
on October 9, 2009, through departure from London following
breakfast on October 29, 2009
- Airport transfers at beginning and end of trip
- Transportation by private jet (or other conveyance)
according to the itinerary, including meals, beverages,
wine, beer and liquor on board our private jet
- Complete program of special events and activities
- Enrichment program of lectures and presentations by a
team of experts
- Professional expedition staff and physician to assist
you throughout the trip
- Bottled water throughout the expedition
- Baggage handling abroad
- All gratuities
- Amenities package
- Comprehensive medical evacuation insurance.
PRICE OF THE EXPEDITION DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Roundtrip airfare and taxes between home cities and
London (see airfare section below)
- Passport fees and visa charges
- Accident/baggage/cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses such as immunizations, laundry,
telephone, fax charges, taxis
- Liquor except as noted above.
AIRFARE
Because travelers originate from a variety of home cities,
airfares will vary. We are happy to reserve flights in the class
of service you prefer, and to arrange for your airport transfers
and pre- or post-trip hotel accommodations.
EXPECTATIONS OF TRAVELERS
We consider this a fast-paced, strenuous program. Walking and
climbing stairs are required to board and disembark the jet at
most airports, to get around in hotels and to participate in
many excursions. Riding in four-wheel-drive vehicles on rough
terrain or unpaved paths can aggravate back conditions.
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PRIVATE JET INFORMATION |
Private Jet Information
Private Jet Travel is Safe, Comfortable and Convenient
Our private Boeing 757 offers unmatched safety, long-range
capabilities, access to smaller airports, and an interior
customized for maximum comfort. Not limited by regular
commercial routes or schedules, we fly direct, bypass busy
airports and avoid layovers, crisscrossing continents and
countries with ease. We enjoy special privileges, including
expedited boarding, luggage handling, and Customs and
Immigration formalities. Because we set our own schedules, we
fly during the day, arriving refreshed and ready to explore.
NEW, Spacious Leather Seats Fit Like a Glove
We have reconfigured our Boeing 757 jetliner to accommodate just
74 guests in new VIP leather seats. Made with a patented, dense
foam core, the seats automatically adjust to a wide range of
body types and provide heightened comfort, flexibility and
improved circulation. Each seat has an individual power source
for laptops, digital cameras and other equipment. The cabin has
24 flat-screen monitors.
We Control the Quality and Safety of Our Transportation
The Boeing 757 is unsurpassed among today's jetliners for safety
and has a 99 percent reliability rate for operating without
mechanical delays. Our private jet is operated and maintained by
First Choice Airways, founded in the United Kingdom in 1987.
Carrying more than seven million passengers on more than 30,000
flights a year, First Choice Airways is one of the U.K.’s
largest airlines and is consistently recognized for its high
level of safety, performance and service.
First Choice Airways monitors access to the jet and baggage at
all times. Every piece of luggage is screened and identified
with a security tag and remains under the watchful eyes of our
staff and security officers. Find out more about our safety and
security program.
An Expedition Physician Travels With Us
An experienced expedition physician accompanies each journey and
is on-call to passengers 24 hours a day.
An International Crew and Fine Create a First-Class
Expedition Experience
Accompanying our journey is an experienced, international crew,
including eight cabin attendants, three pilots, two engineers,
an airport liaison officer, and two chefs. The flight crew
remains with us throughout the trip. Experienced expedition
leaders also accompany the group.
In-flight meals are graciously served on china and linen.
Carefully chosen menus and wine lists accommodate a range of
tastes. Dishes are prepared with the freshest ingredients and
special emphasis is placed on food safety by our chef and
catering assistant.
Seminars in the Sky Prepare Us for Adventures on Land
Our lecturers deliver in-flight presentations, using a public
address system and conveniently placed overhead monitors. An
on-board library of books and publications relating to each
destination is available during flight.
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ACCOMMODATIONS |
Hotels featured on History's Lost
Cities by
Private Jet 2009:
Hotels featured on History’s Lost Cities 2009
UNITED KINGDOM
The Dorchester, London
With views across Hyde Park, this grand 1931 hotel blends
old-world style with 21st-century comforts. Guest rooms are
richly furnished and accented with paneling, thick carpeting,
and polished woods. Immense marbled baths include deep tubs and
walk-in showers. The elaborate health club offers an excellent
gym, health and beauty treatments, saunas, tanning beds, and
whirlpools.
JORDAN
Mövenpick Hotel, Petra
Located a two-minute walk from the Petra entrance gate, the
Mövenpick blends Middle Eastern craftsmanship with Western
design in one of the country's most luxurious hotels. Notable
features include an excellent gym and hammam (Arabic steam
bath), opulent restaurant, well-stocked library and spacious,
contemporary guest rooms.
- OR -
InterContinental Hotel, Aqaba
Situated on Jordan’s Red Sea, the InterContinental Aqaba has its
own private beach. All guest rooms have balconies with
spectacular views overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba. On site are
several restaurants, as well as a spa, 24-hour gym with ten
cardiovascular machines, Jacuzzis, steam room, squash court, and
outdoor pool.
INDIA
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
With views over Lake Pichola to the City Palace, this hotel
resembles a palace itself with fountains and pavilions, ornate
carving and inlay, landscaped gardens and private courtyards.
All guest rooms have huge bedchambers with large private
terraces and are appointed with exquisite hand-crafted
furniture, hand-knotted rugs and Indian textiles.
CAMBODIA
La Résidence d'Angkor, Siem Reap
Surrounded by trees, this intimate Khmer-style hotel is set
within a leafy walled garden. Spacious guest rooms are
exquisitely decorated using traditional hardwoods, bamboo, and
natural textiles. Wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and
balconies with chaise longues exude tranquility. Enormous baths
have oversize terrazzo tubs and sinks, and amenities in locally
made pottery and baskets. Enjoy the hotel's well-shaded
freshwater pool, or in-room spa and beauty services.
LAOS
Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane
The tallest building in town, the luxurious Lao Plaza is
decorated in local style and offers complete modern facilities.
It is used for the most important guests of the Lao Government,
official state visits and social events. Located near the Lao
National History Museum, it was renovated in 2003, when a new
fitness club and spa were added.
- AND -
Pansea Phou Vao Hotel, Luang Prabang
Sitting imposingly atop Phou Vao (Kite Hill), this luxurious
French-managed hotel is surrounded by gardens and has stunning
views of the city below. The huge guest rooms are finished in
spare, modern, Asian style and feature four-poster beds, large
baths, day beds and shaded balconies.
NEPAL
Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu
This city resort hotel is set on 37 acres overlooking
Bodhnath Stupa, the most holy of Tibetan Buddhist shrines
outside Tibet. The courtyard lobby features replicas of nine
11th-century shrines. Hotel amenities include floodlit tennis
courts, a high-tech fitness center with jogging track and a
complete spa with Ayurvedic massage.
BHUTAN
Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro
Elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful
stonework coexist with state-of-the-art technology and
under-floor heating at this boutique property. All guest rooms
overlook forests and mountains, and feature oak floors,
hand-knotted rugs, and rich furnishings. Guests can relax in the
sauna, steam room, gym, and traditional Bhutanese outdoor
hot-stone bath. The hotel also features a full-service spa,
archery and dart ranges, a tea house, and a meditation house.
UZBEKISTAN
Domina President Hotel, Samarqand
This hotel is close to the historic old city. The comfortable
guest rooms are outfitted with modern conveniences, Jacuzzi
tubs, and balconies. Recreational facilities at the Domina
President include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and outdoor
tennis courts.
ALBANIA
Butrinti Hotel, Saranda
The finest hotel on the entire coast, the Butrinti features
an impressive resort-style outdoor pool area, complete with
poolside bars framed by Doric columns. The fitness area includes
a sauna and basketball court, and jogging and bike paths follow
the Ionian Sea coastline. Guest rooms are modern, spacious, and
air-conditioned.
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