Amazon and The Nile with Bales Worldwide

Luxury Amazon Cruise from £3,595pp

Peru is one of several South American countries with sizable areas of land in the Amazon Basin, and the Pacaya Samiria Reserve offers pristine rainforest wildlife, yet is easily accessible from the city of Iquitos. Only in Peru do you have the opportunity to explore this terrain aboard the M/V Aria, the newest luxury river boat cruising anywhere in the Amazon. With expert local native guides, you will explore the wildlife and culture of this unique part of the world. This itinerary sees you visit Lima, the ‘City of Kings,’ before you fly north to cruise the Amazon and its tributaries on a four night cruise – a superb introduction to the jungle.

Nine day Luxury Amazon cruise with Bales Worldwide including four night cruise on the M/V Aria and three nights in Lima. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis. Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on select departure dates from July to December 2012. To book: Call 0845 057 0600 or visit www.balesworldwide.com.

Nile Cruise:

After 15 years of part-closure, the Egyptian Government has announced that they are opening up the great Nile from Cairo to Aswan. This iconic 600-mile journey was one of Bales Worldwide’s most popular holidays prior to closure and the company is thrilled to announce plans recommencing this luxury voyage again, aboard its exclusive Dahabiyya sailboats, from this October. Some of only a handful of boats allowed to make this timeless journey; Dahabiyyas are fully inclusive and cater for just 12 passengers. Each sailing is accompanied by an Egyptologist, making it the ultimate way to discover Egypt’s rich cultural heritage whilst passing through the breathtaking views, dreamy vistas and riverside towns.

During the journey guests can explore the lesser known sites of Middle Egypt, such as the rock-cut tombs of Beni Hasan, Tell el-Amarna and Abydos; a must for those who are fascinated by the history of Egypt. However the greatest highlight of all may just be rediscovering the River Nile aboard one of Bales Worldwide’s luxurious and traditional Dahabiyyas sailboats.

Bales Worldwide has been arranging luxury tours to Egypt for over 50 years and will start these unique and exciting cruises in the cooler months of autumn after the new 600 mile itineraries have been finalised and to celebrate the company’s 65^th Anniversary. Whilst departure dates and new operational elements of this tour are being completed, Bales Worldwide is offering those interested in the opportunity to pre-register interest online and be one of the first to receive finalised dates and prices for this unique experience.

For other fascinating Egypt holidays visit www.baleworldwide.com

Te Nile and amazon with ITC

The Nile, Egypt

Oberoi Zahra

Offering the most spacious accommodation on the Nile and the exceptional standards of service and hospitality that Oberoi Hotels and Resorts is renowned for the elegant Oberoi Zahra is the perfect way in which to unravel the mysteries of five thousand years of Egyptian culture. The 25 Luxury Cabins are elegantly appointed and feature large windows through which you can marvel at the changing scenery. For a little additional space and comfort choose one of the 2 Luxury Suites, each equipped with a separate living room, private terrace and Jacuzzi. Dining on board is an international experience and, as you would expect, the cuisine is a la carte and offers daily variety and choice.

Small enough to ensure a level of exclusivity and comfort that is unmatched in the region, at the same time the Oberoi Zahra is large enough to offer a variety of facilities. She has the only full service spa on the Nile, featuring four therapy rooms, and there’s surely no finer way to enjoy a spa treatment than while enjoying uninterrupted views of the Nile. The little things have been thought of too and one special treat is to use one of the on board telescopes to take in spectacular views of the Egyptian night sky. Choose to sail from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa on a 7 night itinerary, with shore excursions en route to a variety of magical sites. The Oberoi Zahra has arranged private docking, making for a relaxed experience each time you disembark and each excursion is by luxury coach and is accompanied by an English speaking Egyptologist.

Prices start from approx. £2500 per person however for an exact cost do let me know as ITC Classics will package this up for you. To book call ITC Classics 01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk

Amazon, Peru

Aqua Expeditions

Aqua Expeditions is the first adventure company to introduce five-star luxury cruises on the Peruvian Amazon. The 24-passenger M/V Aqua launched in 2008 and due to high demand M/V Aria (capacity of 32) launched this year. Each generously sized cabin comes with king-size bed, sitting areas and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, that provide an incredible viewing experience. The service is superb, the food gourmet with a Peruvian flair and the wine list the very best South America has to offer - but it’s the access into the world’s last great wilderness that makes it truly ultimate. Three- four- and seven-night cruises leave from Iquitos and sail through the Pacaya Samiria National Park, which is the size of Belgium, and a place where you can see squirrel monkeys, pink dolphins, Caimans and a rich bird life. Fish for piranhas, enjoy night river trips and visit the riberenos (riverside villages cut off from modern life) and smell of air in a world without pollution, because this is one of the last pristine places on earth, and fear not: Aqua Expeditions is as green as they come. Listed by Condé Nast Traveler US as a ‘World Saver’ (using travel to improve the planet) whether in education, poverty, wildlife, preservation and health, Aqua is on the ‘doing it all’ list!

Prices start from £4799 per person. To book call ITC Classics 01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk

Nostalgic Nile - saving up to £800

The Nostalgic Nile - Luxor-Aswan

Recapturing the golden age of 19th century cruising, these exclusive journeys sail the waterways between Luxor and Aswan aboard beautifully crafted dahabiyyas; elegant wooden sailing ships that afford the chance to experience the Nile without the usual crowds. With expert guides, small groups and 7 nights aboard to fully appreciate the classic landscapes, this exceptional and best selling itinerary offers antiquity and ambience in equal measure.

The Nostalgic Nile from £1,545– Saving up to £800pp

Eight day The Nostalgic Nile itinerary with Bales Worldwide, including scheduled flights and accommodation on The Amber, a traditional ‘dahabiyya’. Trip includes English-speaking guides on board who will also take care of tipping, private air conditioned vehicle for transfers, a sightseeing itinerary (including entrance fees), and exclusive ‘dahabiyya’ cruise. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis (including seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners). Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on 21 April departure date.

To book: Call 0845 057 0600 or visit www.balesworldwide.com

The Sphinx is calling again: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises start in September

After a break to avoid the heat of high summer, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises resume their 2011 Egypt itineraries in September, with a new more luxurious hotel partner in Cairo – the Four Seasons Nile Plaza.

Departures for the 12-day Splendours of the Nile experience start on 3 September and will feature two nights in Cairo at both the beginning and the end of the 7 day cruise, staying at the hotel which is located on the Corniche on the banks of the Nile, affording panoramic views across the river to the island of Zamalek and beyond, or towards the 12th-century Citadel. It boasts ten restaurants and lounges offering a variety of international cuisine and also a state-of-the-art spa, the largest of its kind in the city, with 14 treatment rooms including a couple's treatment room, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, cold plunge, a serene relaxation area and indoor swimming pool. It also has three outdoor pools.

The hotel matches the level of comfort and service that guests can expect on board the River Tosca, which is where guests will spend 7 nights of the itinerary, sailing the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Highlights of the whole itinerary include a visit to the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx as well as the Karnak and Luxor Temples in Luxor, and Temple of Hathor in Dendera, one of Egypt’s best preserved temples. No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple as well as Aswan’s gems such as the High Dam, the Philae Temple and the Botanical Gardens. Throughout all this, you’ll be accompanied by highly skilled and knowledgeable Egyptologists, as well as a host of supporting guides.

The River Tosca is an intimate all suite ship, with a capacity for 82 guests, blending old world elegance with modern amenities. Each beautifully appointed suite has a French balcony and comes kitted with iPod docking stations, flat screen TVs and both a bathtubs and shower in the private bathrooms. The public areas include a stylish lounge with full-service bar, a cosy library, elegant restaurant, sundeck with cabanas and a swimming pool, plus a fully equipped gym and massage room.

For more information and to book please visit http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or call 0845 678 8558