Virtuoso® unveils new itineraries from its VAST (Virtuoso Active and Specialty Travel) program to address the increasing demand from travelers who seek equal parts luxury and adventure in their excursions.
The collection of authentic experiences, offered exclusively through Virtuoso advisors, will immerse visitors in the world’s most captivating destinations and cultures while supporting sustainable tourism. Walk on icebergs in Canada’s arctic islands, marvel at the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon, visit one of the world’s greatest dinosaur fossil sites in Mongolia, see the cave temples on Mumbai’s Elephanta Island, and explore the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Highlights of Virtuoso’s 2015 VAST catalogue follow; see a complete list here.
Explore Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, and Byot Island in Northern Canada with Arctic Kingdom
Observe the rare tusked narwhal, polar bears and bowhead whales; journey by snowmobile to traditional Inuit hunting grounds; and kayak and snorkel under the 24-hour daylight of the Midnight Sun in the height of Arctic summer.
Experience America’s stunning landscapes with National Parks Revealed
Hike a narrow Native American slot canyon, pedal along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim for astounding views of what took Mother Nature millions of years to create, and see the arches – ribbons of free standing rock – at Zion National Park.
Dive into the culture of the Kazakh Berkutchy – the Eagle Hunters – in the vast plains in Mongolia with Nomadic Expeditions
Visit the Flaming Cliffs, where fossilized unhatched dinosaur eggs were discovered in 1923, and witness cultural performances and colorful parades at the annual Golden Eagle Festival in the isolated Altai mountain range.
Immerse in the heritage of India, the historic sites of Sri Lanka and the natural beauty of Sri Lanka with Zegrahm Expeditions
Cruise aboard a locally crafted houseboat through the backwaters of Cochin near the Arabian Sea; wander through Goa’s ancient streets past colonial architecture; visit the Temple of Tooth, a sacred Buddhist site; and visit traditional fishing villages on some of the Maldives’ less-visited islands.
Trek the mountains of Peru with Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Embark on a private excursion, hiking past natural caves and sculpted caverns to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built during the 15th century.
Adventure travel was named the number three trend in Virtuoso’s 2015 Luxe Report, an annual survey of the network’s elite travel advisors, and it has appeared as a top trend for the past five years. Adventurers wishing to book their own journey can contact a specially trained Virtuoso VAST travel specialist. For more information on Virtuoso, go to www.Virtuoso.com.
Photo: blog.luxetravel.com
