the little book of longhaul holidays · an award-winning travel specialist if you’re planning a...

www.escapeworldwide.co.uk

the little book oflonghaul holidays

Escape WorldwideLonghaul travel specialists

An award-winning travel specialistIf you’re planning a longhaul holiday, there’s no better place to start than atEscape Worldwide, winner of Kuoni’s ‘Specialist Agent of the Year’, on-line,on the phone or in person.

We can help you with holidays from Australia to Zanzibar, whether it’s for a special occasionsuch as a honeymoon, anniversary or retirement, or just for a week away in the sun, all atthe best price possible.

Escape Worldwide is an independent travelagent based in East London that specialisesin longhaul holidays - our basic principle is tovisit the places we feature to get to knowthem in person, so we can share ourknowledge and passion with you. It's atough job, but someone's got to do it!

Welcome

Longhaul TravelSpecialists


Escape Worldwide are proud to have beenrecognised by Kuoni, the UK’s leadinglonghaul tour operator, as their ‘SpecialistAgent of the Year’.

Our holidays are fully ATOLprotected for complete peace ofmind. Your security is a priorityof ours, and your protection is atits highest possible level bybooking with us.

SPECIALIST AGENTOF THE YEAR

Our top 5 beaches

1 Kata, Thailand2 Kuramathi, Maldives

3 Diani, Kenya4 Copacabana, Brazil

5 Mui Ne, Vietnam

As a member of the Global TravelGroup, all monies paid to us arefinancially protected by way of aClient Account.

We work withmany UK touroperators, to offeryou the bestholidays available.We're proud towork closely withsome of theleading names in

travel, and have great contacts around theworld. This means that if we haven’t been toa particular destination ourselves (but aswe’ve visited 60 countries between us it’sunlikely!) then we’ll know someone who has!

Darren's been at EscapeWorldwide since DayOne - he’s travelledextensively over the yearsand has visited most ofthe longhaul destinationswe feature. He tends tobe always planning hisnext trip!

Karen has worked atEscape Worldwide for 10years and has seen muchof the world in that time.She loves the Far Eastbut has also been to theCaribbean, Africa, MiddleEast and Indian Ocean.

Mark started EscapeWorldwide in 2002 withDarren - he's beentravelling since he leftschool, over 20 yearsago! Mark wins the 'howmany countries have youvisited' game in the office.

Meet The Team . .


Holiday Ideas

Call020 8989 0970

Not sure where to go on your next longhaul holiday? Here’s a quick look at some of the bestplaces to visit throughout the year, from beach holidays and city breaks to exotic adventuresaround the world.

Goa Gloriously laidback beaches

Sydney Australia at itsmost vibrant

Cuba Beautiful, colourfuland fascinating

Koh Samui Idyllic beaches &a fiery cuisine

Las Vegas America's full-onplayground

Tanzania Africa’s ultimatewildlife destination

Grenada Mountains, beach,forest & spices

San Fran History, dining& iconic sights

Borneo Beaches, scenery& orang utans

Hawaii Fun-filled beaches& stunning inland

Singapore A blend of Eastmeets West

Kenya See the Big 5 onannual migration

Zanzibar As exotic as thename suggests

Saigon Charming, chaotic& full of life

Canada A country ofdramatic contrasts

Sri Lanka Miles and miles ofglorious gold sand

Dubai Opulence, wealthand architecture

Thailand Charming, friendly& incredible valueN

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Maldives Picture postcardbeach paradise

Cape Town An iconic settingwith a cool vibe

New Zealand Enchanting andnaturally beautiful

Mauritius A marvellous mixof influences

New York Top attractions,shops & nightlife

Brazil Natural wonders& samba rhythms

Mexico Central America’sfinest beaches

Vancouver Canada’s beautifulcosmopolitan city

Indonesia Glorious scenery& intricate culture

Egypt Incredible divingjust 5 hours away

Hong Kong Asia’s vibrantaction-packed city

Australia The ultimate longhaul destination

Antigua A beach for everyday of the year

Bangkok The world’s mostvisited city

India Stimulate yoursenses

Nha Trang Vietnam’s leadingbeach resort

Beijing Unique sightseeing& amazing history

Malaysia Cities, countryside,adventure & beach

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One of our favourite resorts isHua Hin, a less commercialoption that’s not too far fromBangkok, so it’s easy to getto. The town is popular withthe Thai royal family, andhas an excellent nightmarket and superbseafood. Further south,Krabi is set on one of themost beautiful stretches ofcoastline imaginable - another favourite!

Thailand also has a host of hideawayresorts such as Phi Phi, Koh Phangan andKoh Samet, so if you want a really relaxedstay, these options are ideal. Keep an eyeout too for pool villas, which Thailandexcels at - having your own private pooldoesn’t have to cost a fortune in Thailand.

All in all, there’s such a myriad ofholiday options in Thailand, combiningdifferent parts of the country or also taking inother areas of the Far East - it’s sometimeshard to know where to start, so why not popin and discuss options with us - it’s our mostvisited country, so if we haven’t beenrecently we’re bound to be about to go!

Thailand is one of our favourite countries, and it’s certainly our most visited, as everyone atEscape Worldwide has been several times! It’s a very varied country, with bustling cities andremote villages, lively nightlife and deserted islands, plus superb value for money too.

Most trips to Thailand start in Bangkok, andwe’d suggest 3 or 4 nights here - it’s a hecticcity so don’t stay too long, but don’t rush iteither. Bangkok has superb hotels at lowprices, so it’s a great place to upgrade for asmall amount extra. Our top tip is to stayclose to the Skytrain, the best way of gettingaround this hectic city!

It’s then a case of working out where togo next, and there are so many options.Many visitors head north to Chiang Mai fora few days exploring the temples, marketsand countryside here, or further north to theGolden Triangle, where elephants and hilltribes are found. Alternatively, head to thebeach - and there are plenty to choose from!

Thailand’s beach resorts vary hugely,so it’s important to pick the right one for you- or visit more than one, just to be sure!Pattaya is perfect for a lively holiday of nightlife and shopping, while Phuket and KohSamui offer this in abundance, but alsohave much quieter areas that are perfect fora more relaxed stay. That’s one of the bestthings about these resorts - if you fancy abig night out it’s there for you, if you want abeach almost to yourself it’s there too.


Thailand


BANGKOK & BEACH

Spend 3 nights in Bangkok atthe riverfront 5* Royal OrchidSheraton, plus a week inrelaxed Hua Hin at the 5*Sheraton Hua Hin.

THAILAND THREE CENTRE

Combine Bangkok, thenorthern city of Chiang Maiand the beaches of Phuketwith this flexible triple centreholiday.

HONG KONG & THAILAND

Start with 3 nights in HongKong before moving on toThailand for 4 nights inBangkok and a week inbeautiful Krabi.

10 nights from £1169 pp5* Bed & Breakfast



Darren at Wat Po,Bangkok

The Far East is a real mix of cultures and history, scenery and people, and our holidays tothis region are really flexible in terms of destination, hotels and durations - pretty muchanything is possible! We’re huge fans of the Far East, and are always planning our next trip.

Malaysia is a charming country with plentyto see and do - most visitors start with a fewnights in Kuala Lumpur, a vibrant city withhighlights including the Petronas Towers (goearly to get your free ticket for the viewingplatform later in the day) and Petaling Streetmarket (great bargains!) Then head to thebeach, with the resort of Penang offering agood mix of relaxation and activities, whileother areas such as Langkawi and Pangkoroffer a more chilled atmosphere.

It’s easy to combine a stay in the citiesof Singapore and Hong Kong with a biggertrip to other areas of the Far East, as bothare served by excellent flight connections topretty much anywhere. Mark has been toSingapore five times while Karen is a hugeHong Kong fan.

Bali is popular for its mix of beaches,culture and scenery, with rice terracescovering the lower slopes of its volcanicinterior, while temples are at the heart ofeach and every village. Get away from thecoast to really get to know this charmingisland. It’s then just a short hop to Lombok,which Mark first visited over 20 years agoand still has a soft spot for to this day!

The countries of Indochinahave gained hugepopularity in the last fewyears, with Vietnamleading the way - it’s oneof our favourite countries,full of interest and stunningscenery. It lends itself toeither an escorted tour, or aholiday taking in two or threedifferent areas. Mark hasbeen several times and loves the town ofHoi An, a real gem of a destination.

Elsewhere in Indochina, the Temples ofAngkor in Cambodia are another ‘must see’and is easy to combine with other areas ofthe country, or as an add-on to Thailand orMalaysia. Laos and Burma receive fewervisitors but are fascinating with their intricatecultures, long histories and beautiful scenery.

Darren is a huge China fan, so if you’reconsidering a trip here pop in to have a chatwith him. From modern Shanghai and thesights of Beijing to the casinos of Macau andthe skyscrapers of Hong Kong, he’s been tovarious parts of this ever-changing countryand loves planning trips here.


The Far East

Call020 8989 0970

Mark at Ho Chi Minh

mausoleum, Hanoi

KL, BALI & SINGAPORE

Combine 4 nights in vibrantKuala Lumpur, a week on thebeach in Bali and 3 nights inSingapore with this flexiblemulticentre holiday.

VIETNAM CITY & BEACH

Start in Saigon with 4 nightsat the well located DuxtonHotel, before heading topeaceful Mui Ne and 8 nightsat the Anantara Mui Ne.

CHINA ESCORTED TOUR

A fascinating escorted tour ofa truly unique country takingin the main highlights ofBeijing, Shanghai, Xi’an,Guilin and Yangshou.

14 nights from £1425 pp4* Room Only


9 nights from £2165 pp4* Half Board

South Africa is one of our favourites, andlends itself perfectly to a fly-drive or escortedtour with its mix of history and culture,breathtaking scenery and superb food &wine - start an adventure in Cape Town,one of the world’s most magical cities.

Nearby Namibia combines incrediblenatural beauty with excellent wildlifeopportunities, and again lends itself well to afly-drive option. Elsewhere in SouthernAfrica, Zambia is home to the incredibleVictoria Falls, which should be on anyone’s‘must see’ list, while Botswana is one ofAfrica’s friendliest countries and offersextraordinary wildlife experiences such ascanoe safaris. Sometimes its hard to knowwhere to start with an African adventure,so we’d be delighted to help!

A good safari willcombine differentareas to give you avariety of wildlifeand landscapes. Adriving safari is greatvalue and reallyopens up a country,while a flying safari makes easywork of long distances by light aircraft.

A safari in Kenya is like working yourway through a guidebook of game, while thenational parks of Tanzania are incrediblyvaried. Hot air ballooning is possible in somelocations. It’s easy to follow most itinerarieswith a stay on the beach, with the likes ofMombasa and Zanzibar being perfect for abeach break with or without a safari!


Africa


Africa is a real passion of ours - we’ve all been, and there’s nothing like being on the MasaiMara at sunrise, exploring the dunes of Namibia’s Sossusvlei or experiencing the Serengetiduring the annual wildebeest migration. From Cape Town to Zanzibar, we’re hooked!

Darren on theMasai Mara

SAFARI IN KENYA

A 7 night safari covering Samburu, the GreatRift Valley, Aberdares and the Masai Mara -add a stay on the beach if you wish!

6 nights from £1895 pp5* Full Board

7 nights from £1795 pp5* Full Board

SAFARI IN TANZANIA

A 6 night safari taking in the Serengeti, theNgorongoro Crater and beautiful LakeManyara, with an optional beach stay.

SOUTH AFRICA FLY-DIVE

A great destination for a fly-drive holiday,our suggestion is to combine Cape Town,the Garden Route and the game reserves.

10 nights from £1565 ppHalf Board


BEACHES OF ZANZIBAR

4*+ Sea Cliff ResortA beautiful resort with excellent facilities, ina peaceful setting that’s handy for exploring.

There’s nowherequite like Egypt foraccessible history,unique sights,amazing diving andguaranteed weather,and its all just a 5 hourflight away! While it’sseen its fair share ofchange in the last few years, once Egypt isback on its feet it will return to its place asone of the world’s best visitor destinations.

A Nile cruise is a superb option fortaking in a few thousand years of history incomfort, while the Pyramids and Sphinxshould be on anyone’s ‘must see’ list. Diversflock to the Red Sea and it’s easy to seewhy, plus there’s loads for non-divers too.

Dubai has firmly established itself as one ofthe world’s leading destinations over the lastfew years, and offers an incredible range ofluxury hotels, endless shopping opportunitiesand plenty to see and do, including theworld’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa -Darren visited the viewing platform near thetop recently, and found out that you can feelit sway a little! Dubai is also one of theworld’s best connected cities, so worksbrilliantly as a stopover on the way to otherdestinations across the Indian Ocean andFar East.

Other areas in the Middle East such asOman and Abu Dhabi are also developingfor tourists, with quality hotels, interestingculture, great food, plenty to see and do -and a genuinely warm welcome.

DUBAI

5* Atlantis The PalmLuxurious & award-winning, with a plethoraof facilities for adults and kids alike.

OMAN

5* Shangri-La Al BandarA favourite of ours, set on a stunning beachjust a short distance from historic Muscat.

DUBAI & MAURITIUS

Combine 3 nights exploring Dubai with aweek on the beautiful island of Mauritiuswith this flexible twin centre.


Egypt & the Middle East

Call020 8989 0970

The countries of the Middle East offer a wealth of interest to the visitor, from the incrediblehistory of Egypt to the modern metropolis of Dubai. With guaranteed sunshine, top qualityhotels and short flight times, it’s no wonder this region is so popular.

CAIRO, LUXOR & SHARM EL SHEIKH

Flexible three centre holiday with 3 nights inhistoric Cairo, 4 nights in fascinating Luxorand a week on the beach in Sharm.

10 nights from £1899 pp5* B&B / All Inclusive


4 nights from £975 ppBed & Breakfast


Karen at the Pyramids &

Sphinx, Cairo

Sri Lanka is a particular favourite of oursand we’ve all been several times - to ourmind the best way to see this island is withyour own private car & driver, to explore theinterior before heading to the beach - oronwards to the Maldives. Sri Lanka is one ofthe friendliest destinations you’re likely tovisit, with an incredible history and beautifulscenery.

The nearby islands of the Maldives arejust dots on the map, but their beauty reallydoes take your breath away. Each island isindividual so getting the right one isimportant - some have loads of facilities,some are total chill-out. Our favouritesinclude stylish Velassaru, Kuramathi Islandwith is range of dining options, and chilledReethi Island.


The Indian Ocean


The islands of the Indian Ocean are amongst the most beautiful in the world, and we’re hugefans of this region having visited most parts of it over the years. From the castaway beachesof the Maldives to the culture of India & Sri Lanka, this is a truly fascinating part of the world.

The beautiful island ofMauritius offers qualityaccommodation includingsome of the best familyfacilities in the IndianOcean. The island itselfis well worth exploringfor its scenery andinteresting culture,although we struggle tobe dragged away from thebeach!

The Seychelles are the epitome ofisland paradise, where rainforest comesdown to the beach and the emphasis is onrelaxation rather than exploration - theperfect destination for a special trip such asa honeymoon or anniversary.

Mark at KuramathiIsland, Maldives

SRI LANKA by CAR & DRIVER

Explore with a car & driver for a week,staying in Habarana, Kandy and NuwaraEliya, with a week on the beach afterwards.


MAURITIUS

5* Long BeachHuge rooms and quality facilities set on oneof the best beaches on the Island.

14 nights from £1549 pp4* Half Board

THE MALDIVES

4* Kuramathi Island ResortSuperb dining, great snorkelling and a hugesandbank make this a favourite of ours!


7 nights from £1649 ppAll Inclusive

DUBAI & THE MALDIVES

Combine 3 nights in vibrant Dubai with aweek chilling out in the Maldives with thisflexible twin centre holiday.


Australia & New Zealand

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It’s a long way to go to Australia or New Zealand, but we think it’s well worth the effort!There’s so much to see and do in both countries that you should allow more time than usual,but with our knowledge we can help you plan the perfect trip to either - or both - countries.

It’s such a vast country that you can’t expectto see all of Australia in one trip - unlessyou have lots of time to spare! From excitingcities to the sheer vastness of the Outback,Australia is a very diverse country and eachtrip here is different. Knowing where to startplanning a trip is a job in itself!

For a first time visit, there are some key‘must see’ locations to include in youritinerary, such as Sydney, Ayers Rock andthe Great Barrier Reef. It’s a good idea notto try to do too much as distances are vast,and if you’re planning on driving then allowyourself plenty of time. Driving for at leastpart of your trip will really show you quitehow vast Australia is, and it’s a great idea ifyou have the time.

Certain routings for a holiday to Australiawork better than others, taking advantage ofairline networks to give you better value formoney and easier flight connections. It’s oneof those destinations where anything ispossible, but pop in for a chat to see whichoptions are likely to work best for you!

When Mark visitedNew Zealand hewas blown away bythe sheer beauty ofthe place - his trip wasa bit of a whirlwindfrom Christchurch toAuckland, but even in afairly short trip he tookin glaciers, winelands, sea lions, sulphursprings, snowy mountains, bustling cities,remote villages, art deco towns and so muchmore - even a brewery (if there’s a breweryto be visited, Mark will find it!) Allow yourselfmore time than Mark did, and you’re likely tosee even more besides. This is a perfect fly-drive destination as traffic is light and there’salways a photo opportunity to stop for.

Getting to the other side of the world isa long journey, so it’s worth considering astopover on the way or way back - it tendsto be a good value way to break the journey,especially in the Far East where costs canbe low and you’re roughly half way!

DRIVE NEW ZEALAND

Whether it’s a campervan,motels or plush hotels, NewZealand is a great drivingdestination - our suggestiontakes in both North & SouthIslands, starting in Aucklandand finishing in Christchurch,with car and hotels included.

TOUR AUSTRALIA

An escorted tour of thehighlights of Australia, with 3nights in Melbourne, a nightin Alice Springs, 2 nights atAyers Rock, 3 nights inCairns and 3 nights inSydney - the perfect trip forthe first time visitor.

CITY STOPOVERS

It’s easy to include a stopoverin a variety of cities on yourway Down Under - popularoptions include Bangkok,Hong Kong, Singapore, KL,Dubai and Los Angeles, butthere are other options too -just ask!



3 nights in Bangkok5* from £149 pp

Darren at Ayers Rock,

Australia

There are lots of different styles of holidaysto the USA, with fly-drive options beingpopular, especially in Florida and California.Driving is straightforward and cost-effective,so it’s a great way to explore at your ownpace - we’ve even been on a fly-drive trip toHawaii! Driving down the Florida Keys oralong California’s Pacific Highway makes fora truly memorable trip.

Distances can be daunting so if youwant to take in different parts of the Countrythen a multicentre holiday will fly you fromplace to place. Pretty much any combinationof locations is possible as the domestic flightnetwork is vast, or pick up a car and drive toyour next destination before flying onwardsfrom there. In the USA, anything is possible,so just ask!


USA & Canada


The USA & Canada offer a huge variety of holiday options, from the theme parks of Floridaand the bright lights of New York to the beaches of Hawaii and the mountains of the Rockies.Planning a holiday here can be daunting as there’s so much choice, so let us help you!

Canada has variousoptions for anescorted tour takingin iconic locationssuch as the Rockiesor Niagara Falls.Travelling through theRockies by train is aspectacular way to seeone of the most beautiful areas of this vastcountry.

Wherever you’re looking to visit in NorthAmerica, or however you want to do it, wecan offer a near-endless number of optionsand itineraries to get you there. With a hugenumber of flight and hotel options, too, wecan offer options to suit all budgets andtastes.

Mark at the Kona Brewery

Big Island, Hawaii

LAS VEGAS & SAN FRANCISCO

Combine 5 nights in fun-filled Las Vegaswith 5 nights in San Francisco, one of theUSA’s most enjoyable cities.


10 nights from £1239 pp4* Room Only / B&B

NEW YORK & MIAMI

A classic USA combination, with 3 nights inthe ‘Big Apple’ and 5 nights exploring thebeaches and nightlife of Miami.

CALIFORNIA FLY-DRIVE

A classic fly-drive route from Las Vegas viathe national parks to San Francisco, thendown the Pacific Coast to Los Angeles.



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Hawaii is one of our favourite parts of theUS - spend 5 nights in lively Waikiki and 5nights on Big Island at Kona.

Cuba has to be our favourite island in theCaribbean, with its mix of stunning beaches,colonial cities and beautiful countryside - getaway from the main areas to the likes ofTrinidad and Pinar Del Rio to really getunder the skin of the Island. Havana is oneof our favourite cities in the world so allow afew days here to explore.

The beaches of Mexico’s Caribbeancoast are as stunning as you’ll find anywhereplus the country has a wealth of interestinland too - explore the fascinating YucatanPeninsula on a fly-drive for something a littlebit different!

Jamaica is waiting to be explored, withwaterfalls and rainforest away from thebeach, and the vibrancy and charm of theisland is almost infectious.


The Caribbean

Call020 8989 0970

The islands of the Caribbean are perfect for a relaxing beach break, but many have a greatdeal more besides. Explore Cuba’s unique culture, the flora & fauna of Tobago, the beautifulscenery of St Lucia or the nightlife of Barbados. Or just stay on the beach!

The smaller islands of the Caribbean are allquite different, each with its own characterand appeal. For a relaxing beach holiday tryAntigua or Grenada, both of which aredotted with beautiful beaches and a distinctlylaid-back atmosphere.

For a little nightlife head to Barbados orParadise Island in the Bahamas, whereglamour and glitz mix with quality hotels andexcellent dining. Nature lovers should headto Tobago or Saint Lucia for their stunningscenery, forest-clad interior and uniquewildlife.

Elsewhere, the likes of Turks & Caicosand St Kitts are mere specks on the mapbut each offers charm in abundance andbeaches that are just crying out to belounged around on!

CUBA THREE-CENTRE

Spend 3 nights in fascinating Havana, 2nights in historic Trinidad and 5 nights beingpampered on the beach in Varadero.

10 nights from £1895 pp4* All Inclusive

10 nights from £1599 pp4* B&B / All Inclusive

ST LUCIA & ANTIGUA

Two holidays in one with a twin centreholiday taking in two of the Caribbean’smost beautiful islands.

JAMAICA

4* Hilton Rose Hall Resort & SpaLeisurely and lively in equal measure, with afabulous water park with lazy river.

7 nights from £1129 ppRoom Only

7 nights from £1299 ppAll Inclusive

BARBADOS

4* Accra Beach HotelA fabulously central hotel, perfect for bars,shops and restaurants on the doorstep.


Start planning your longhaul holiday today!There are hundreds of holiday ideas on our website, or pop in and see us tohave a chat with one of the team to see what we can do for you - we’rehere to help!

Call 020 8989 0970Click www.escapeworldwide.co.ukEmail [email protected] 21 Cambridge Park, E11 2PU

We’re located opposite George Green, twominutes from Wanstead underground stationon Cambridge Park - we’re just aboveSelective Recruitment!

Get in touch!


SPECIALIST AGENTOF THE YEAR

Our top 5 cities

1 Bangkok, Thailand2 Havana, Cuba3 Cape Town, SA4 Sydney, Australia5 Miami, USA

Prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing a roomand are subject to availability and change. For exactdetails of the holiday suggestions featured, includingdeparture dates and hotel information, just ask. Pricesinclude all flights, accommodation and transfers (exceptUSA). Credit card transactions are subject to a 2%surcharge whereas debit cards do not incur a surcharge.

We offer impartial, independent advice

Holidays are fully ATOL protected andfinancially secure

We love to travel and have first handexperience of many destinations -travel is our passion!

We work with all leading holidaycompanies

Our top 5 beers

1 Beer Lao, Laos2 Long Board, Hawaii

3 Serengeti, Tanzania

4 Bintang, Indonesia5 Phoenix, Mauritius

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