"We have had growing requests for a wide range of Latin American experiences which clients can combine with our Antarctic cruises, so this has been the driving force for our expansion," Bentours sales & marketing manager Teresia Fors said. Fors said the module packages to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Easter Island and Tahiti were flexible and could be combined to incorporate the particular destinations, and time frame, wanted by the client.
New tours include an eight day escorted tour of Brazil, 'Sabor do Brasil', priced from $2690, which travels along the lush south eastern coast from Sao Paulo to the island of Ilhabela (the sailing capital of Brazil) and then onto the colonial Portuguese seaside town of Paraty and the highlights of Rio de Janeiro.
In Bolivia there is a three day 'Focus on La Paz' priced from $230 twin share and a four day 'Grand La Paz' from $796. The three day tour includes a city tour and a visit to Moon Valley while the four day tour also includes Lake Titicaca known as 'the cradle of Inca culture'.
For Ecuador there is a three day 'Focus on Quito' tour from $243 twin share and a four day 'Grand Quito' from $363. Both include a half day colonial and modern Quito tour while the 'Grand Quito' includes a day tour to La Mitad del Mundo' – where the northern and Southern hemispheres actually meet.
"Our collection of Antarctic cruises has also been increased to meet an increased demand from this market with Quark Expeditions the latest member of our cruising range; we now have the largest ever 'experiential cruise' selection," Fors said.
Cruise product for 2008/09 includes 'Land of Fire & Land of Ice', a 19 day trip ex Santiago through Chilean Patagonia and across to Antarctica; 'Shakleton's Antarctica', 21 day ex Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn cruising for 17 days around Antarctica, and, 'King Penguin Odyssey' – an 18 day trip ex Buenos Aires cruising from Ushuaia to the Falklands and across the Great Southern Ocean to Antarctica.
For further information contact Bentours, phone 02 9247 3381, or 1800 221 712 email scandinavia@bentours.com.au or visit www.bentours.com.au
Bentours is cruise specialist and wholesaler specializing in travel product to Scandinavia, the Nordic region, Russia, The Baltics and Antarctica. MyPlanet Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Bentours (wholesale) and MyPlanet Australia (retail), is the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Hurtigruten Group, Icelandair and Gota Canal in Australia and New Zealand.
