Antarctica. A custom trip planner prepared for Cary Travel Express Escorted Tour. By Neelie Kruse with Cary Travel Express

Transcription

1 Antarctica A custom trip planner prepared for Cary Travel Express Escorted Tour By Neelie Kruse with Cary Travel Express

2 Welcome Cary Travel Express Escorted Tour to Tauck's Antarctica Trip Planner! Storytelling is at the heart of every Tauck journey. And when it comes to stories of life on our planet Earth, natural history offers some of the most inspiring narratives. How you see the world matters and our partnership with BBC Earth, nature s premier storyteller, brings you this Earth Journey featuring custom-made BBC Earth on-tour film vignettes and, when the opportunity arises, the use of field equipment. An expedition to Antarctica is unforgettable, from the first morning you awaken to the sounds and sensations of your ship entering the Antarctic Archipelago. Explorers throughout the centuries have written about how their captivation with the ice lured them to the Antarctic... repeatedly. Today, you are that Antarctic explorer to whom the the seventh continent beckons. And with all gratuities to your Tauck Directors, guides, naturalists and ship staff and just about every travel expense included, Tauck Value makes your dream a reality. Tauck has carefully choreographed each day of Antarctica. Your cruise aboard L'Austral or Le Soléal is accompanied by onboard naturalists sharing their expert insights. You'll enjoy lectures during Drake Passage crossings; Antarctic shore excursions guided by naturalists, ornithologists, historians or oceanographers; and guided city sightseeing in Buenos Aires including a tango dance performance and demonstration. Tauck Directors provide warm, caring, thoughtful service throughout your cruise, taking care of every detail so you connect ashore with people and places, cultural traditions, and daily life. Aboard ship, bar and restaurant beverages are available throughout the day, including house wine and spirits. In your Trip Planner, you ll find just about everything you need to know to make your decision to visit Antarctica and Argentina with Tauck. You ll find a day to day itinerary, destination information, hotel details, practical tips, useful advice to prepare for your trip, and more Tauck s expertise is right at your fingertips. I encourage you to make your reservation soon to be sure to get the departure date you want space is filling quickly!. I look forward to having you join us on one of the world's most compelling travel experiences! Sincerely, Daniel W. Mahar, CEO

3 YOUR PERSONALIZED QUOTE Antarctica Earth Journeys, created with BBC Earth... Floating castles of ice glisten in the warmth of the austral sun... glacial mountains rise from the sea, framed against a radiant sky... in an instant, a bright sun illuminates a floating regatta of ice formations... Explorers throughout the centuries have been captivated by the ice... Today, you are that Antarctic explorer. Few experiences can compare to the feeling you'll have as you head off on an expeditionary Antarctica cruise and immerse in the Earth Journeys experience, featuring custom-made BBC Earth on-tour film vignettes and, when the opportunity arises, the use of field equipment. Your adventure begins with two nights in amazing Buenos Aires, Argentina. Then it's all aboard L'Austral for a cruise to a magical wonderland where the locals, from penguins and seals to seabirds, welcome you ashore with friendly curiosity. Learn about their life and icy habitats from onboard naturalists who educate and inspire. And at night, enjoy informal chats, onboard lectures, documentary films and warm camaraderie with fellow explorers, captain and crew. QUOTE: CARY TRAVEL EXPRESS ESCORTED TOUR'S TRIP, DEPARTING ON DECEMBER 7TH, 2019 Room 1 - Double - Superior Cabin - Deck 3, LE SOLEAL Tour Cost: $11,690 USD per person Cruise Protection Plan: $765 USD per person Room 2 - Double - Superior Cabin - Deck 3, LE SOLEAL Tour Cost: $11,690 USD per person Cruise Protection Plan: $765 USD per person Room 3 - Double - Superior Cabin - Deck 3, LE SOLEAL Tour Cost: $11,690 USD per person Cruise Protection Plan: $765 USD per person Due Dates Deposit Due Date: February 24th, 2018 Balance Due Date: September 8th, 2019 Totals Deposit Total: Booking Total: $14,790 USD $74,730 USD Note: Above quote was compiled based on the information available to us at the time you ordered this Trip Planner. It is not an offer to sell you the tour at the quoted price. Although not expected, prices in this quote may be subject to change due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of

4 ITINERARY Antarctica TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, naturalists and ship staff On-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts Includes two on-tour flights Field equipment may include FLIR thermal imaging cameras and shotgun microphones Cruise aboard one of Tauck's sleek sister ships, L'Austral or Le Soléal, accompanied by onboard naturalists who share their expert insights Your cruise may be a shared ship experience with non-tauck guests onboard as well; all Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests, and your itinerary will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions Tauck provides you with a special, water-repellent hooded parka that you will receive aboard ship; this parka is yours to keep Shore Excursions to islands in the Antarctic Archipelago that are guided by expert naturalists, ornithologists, historians or oceanographers Two nights in a premium hotel in Buenos Aires in the heart of the city Guided city sightseeing in Buenos Aires includes a tango dance performance and demonstration Aboard ship alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day aboard ship including house wines and spirits; premium spirits and wines are available at extra cost. Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 34 meals (12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners) including a welcome dinner with entertainment in Buenos Aires Day 1 - Your Antarctica trip begins in Buenos Aires Tauck's Antarctica cruise begins at 2:00 PM at the Alvear Art Hotel or the Hilton Buenos Aires. A transfer is included upon arrival at the Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport to the Alvear Art Hotel or the Hilton Buenos Aires. Your exploration of Buenos Aires begins with a city tour that includes Avenue 9 de Julio, renowned as the world s widest avenue; Plaza de Mayo, site of Argentina s most important historical events; and charming neighborhoods like San Telmo and La Boca, where history plays out along streets lined with antique shops, decades-old restaurants and tango halls. Return to the hotel for this evening's welcome reception and dinner featuring live music, tango dancers and lessons. Meals: D Lodging: Alvear Art Hotel and Hilton Buenos Aires Day 2 - Spend the day exploring Buenos Aires Your discovery of Buenos Aires continues today with more city sightseeing featuring a visit to famous La Recoleta Cemetery and Evita Perón s grave. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore on your own. Meals: B, L Lodging: Alvear Art Hotel and Hilton Buenos Aires Day 3 - Fly to the tip of South America for your Antarctica cruise Let your imagination soar as you fly down to Ushuaia, the southernmost point of South America, for the start of Tauck's Antarctica cruise. An afternoon visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park provides a closer look at the landscapes of this frontier town including lush forests, waterfalls, glaciers and mountains and promises to whet your appetite for the expedition to follow. Your luxury yacht is docked here, and your 10-night Antarctica cruise begins. On-board amenities include all outside staterooms, two restaurants and lounges with evening entertainment, a fitness center, and multiple observation areas. Service charges, applicable fuel surcharges, taxes and porterage

5 ITINERARY Day 4 - Cruising the infamous Drake Passage Find your sea legs on a two-day crossing of the Drake Passage, named after 16th-century explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters back in the late 1500s. While there is no land in sight during this part of your Antarctica cruise, you will have an opportunity to spot whales, dolphins and petrels from the observation decks of your yacht. You can attend on-board lectures from your naturalist team whose specialties include oceanography, ornithology and more. You may also take the time to visit the spa or the gym, curl up with a book from the ship's library or visit the bridge to chart your ship's progress. Day 5 - Getting closer to Antarctica One more day to go until you spot your first sight of the Antarctic Peninsula islands. Once part of a large Equatorial land mass, these islands broke off on their own more than 180 million years ago and are now home to glacial landscapes and wildlife that are awe-inspiring in every way. If you haven't yet watched one of the ship's collection of documentaries, today might be a good day to do so. Day 6 - Feel terra firma, Antarctic-style, under your feet Wake up to a glacial wonderland. For the next four days, you'll be able to join an expedition team leader for a Zodiac excursion to any one of a number of Antarctic islands. Due to changing weather and shifting glacial patterns, your day-to-day itinerary will vary; each new day aboard this Antarctica cruise brings something different. Be on the lookout for seals on ice floes along the shore. Look up to spot seabirds flying against a cloudless blue sky. Look down in the waters where marine animals may be seen. At night, share stories during the daily cocktail hour and enjoy the camaraderie with fellow explorers. Day 7 - Explore the world of the penguin If conditions permit, take a shore excursion to a polar village populated by fascinating and very amusing penguins. Walk softly among them on the beaches where their rookeries are found. See them waddle and wave as they make treks into the sea and back with food for themselves and their families. Your naturalist guide will share expert insights with you about these locals! Day 8 - Cruising the Archipelago Dramatic icebergs, masterfully carved in all manner of shapes and sizes by the elements, don technicolor coats of blues, greens and snow whites and are the main event here in Antarctica. Get a closer look as you cruise among them and watch their transformation with the changing light of day. The sun never completely sets at this time of year so you can stroll on the deck late into the night and still enjoy an amazing glacial show. Day 9 - Seabirds of different feathers By your fourth day cruising the Antarctic Archipelago, you may have passed by Penguin Island, blessed with diverse wildlife such as chinstrap and Adélie penguins, southern giant petrels, Antarctic terns and skuas, and Hannah Point, one of the best places to see gentoo and macaroni penguins, blue-eyed shags, and Wilson's storm petrels, with the occasional fur seal or elephant seal among them. Don't worry if their names sound confusing; you will soon become a pro at identifying them with some help from your on-board ornithologists.

6 ITINERARY Day 10 - Whales and seals of Antarctica The wildlife experts on your ship are eager to point out the region's fur seals and elephant seals who share the frigid waters with penguins and humpback whales. You may find a fur seal or two languidly sunning or sleeping on ice floes, their faces endearing with natural smiles, in large part because there are few native predators like polar bears here. Southern elephant seals, so named for their massive sizes and trunk-like noses of the males, prefer to hang out in beach parties; look for them on rocky island shores. As your captain skillfully navigates your yacht around Lemaire Channel, you'll have a good chance to see humpback whales, always a breathtaking sight. The evening colors are spectacular too! Day 13 - Fly from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires & home Your Antarctica cruise ends when you disembark ship today in Ushuaia for your flight back to Buenos Aires. A transfer to Buenos Aires' (Ezeiza) Ministro Pistarini International Airport is included. Tour ends: 5:30 PM at Buenos Aires' (Ezeiza) Ministro Pistarini International Airport. You should allow three hours for flight check-in. Meals: B Day 11 - Back through the Drake Passage Your ship begins its voyage back through the Drake Passage today, making it the perfect time to record the experiences you had during the past week. Your private ship log might include your thoughts about the array of icebergs and the Swedish expeditioners' hut you saw in Hope Bay, or the old whaling station you encountered near Neptune's Bellows and that dip you were tempted to make in the hot geothermal springs there. You may have had an opportunity to meet the researchers and scientists of King George Island or explore the history of Elephant Island, linked to Ernest Shackleton and his men. Your stories will make great reading back home! Day 12 - Enjoy the last day of your Antarctica cruise Savor your last day of your Antarctica cruise as you cross the Drake Passage again. Activities include on-board lectures that enrich your new-found knowledge; spa treatments that keep you relaxed and refreshed; work-out equipment that invigorates; and card games or chess tournaments with shipmates. Your last evening aboard ship is a perfect time to toast your expedition, and celebrate what for many travelers is their "seventh continent."

7 ACCOMMODATIONS Antarctica Alvear Art Hotel and Hilton Buenos Aires Night 1, 2 - Buenos Aires, Argentina Alvear Art Hotel, Buenos Aires The Alvear Art Hotel emerges as an innovative proposal in Buenos Aires, backed up by the tradition of the landmark Alvear Palace Hotel. Set among impressive trees, this new example of the Alvear Experience opens the doors of its modern building in the heart of the financial, commercial, and cultural area of the city, offering excellent service, warm hospitality, sophisticated comfort and the most advanced technology. Located in historic San Martín Square just steps away from elegant Santa Fe Avenue and famous Florida Street, the hotel is just a few minutes from Buenos Aires new corporate district in Puerto Madero. An expression of stylish and contemporary design, guest rooms are decorated with warm color fabrics and natural wood paneling, and furnished with comfortable armchairs, a king-size bed, a desk, large double glazed windows, and a splendid marbled bathroom with jacuzzi and shower box. Each is equipped with 42-inch LED TV, Egyptian cotton bed sheets, Nespresso coffee maker, in-room safe, bathrobes and slippers, minibar, weight scale and more. Dining options include Contraluz Restaurant a unique space featuring decorative themes with objects d art as a common factor and Artesano, offering a wide selection of spirits and signature cocktails that pair with an excellent choice of local bites. Hilton Buenos Aires Situated in Buenos Aires elegant, riverside Puerto Madero district, Hilton Buenos Aires is within walking distance to the city s top attractions and best restaurants. As iconic as it is impressive, the hotel s spectacular glass atrium lobby is a star in itself, chosen as a location for several movies that have been recorded in the space. Also notable for the views of the Argentine capital enjoyed from its rooftop pool, the hotel has captured five World Travel Awards in the last four years, and has been named to the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame. Spacious, contemporary guest rooms offer a bright and airy atmosphere featuring wood and leather accents; queen-sized bed; large work desk; in-room safe; 32-inch LCD TV; and walk-in-closet. Three stylish hotel dining options include El Faro Restaurant, featuring Chef Emiliano Sabino's cuisine adding an Argentinean flare to international dishes; the Mosto Wine Bar, the perfect place to enjoy afternoon drinks or a refined wine from a walk-in wine cellar; and the Panadero Take Away, offering coffee with homemade pastries, breads and a touch of Paris.

8 ACCOMMODATIONS Antarctica L'Austral or Le Soléal Night 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - Cruising coastal waters L'Austral, a sleek yacht launched in 2011, is small enough to provide a truly intimate cruise experience; her size makes her ideally suited for visiting ports that bigger ships can t reach. Tauck welcomed her sister ship Le Soléal to the fleet in Both vessels sport 6 decks that include Le Restaurant Gastronomique, the elegant main dining room serving French and international cuisine; the casual Le Grill Restaurant; three lounges offering evening entertainment, bars and access to the open decks; Le Théâtre hosting informative lectures and entertainment; a Fitness and Beauty Corner; a Medical Center; and multiple observation areas. Elevators serve all passenger decks. Staterooms (ranging in size from 200 to 210 sq. ft.) and suites (ranging in size from 301 to 398 sq. ft.) have ocean views; 95% have private balconies. Staterooms are decorated by French designers, offering individually controlled air conditioning, two twin beds converting to a king-size bed (or a sofa converting into a queen-size bed), DVD / CD player, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, electronic safe, hairdryer, ipod dock and minibar.

9 EXTEND YOUR JOURNEY Antarctica Many Tauck travelers prefer arriving at their destination a day before their Tauck journey begins, or often extend a stay at the end of their trip. As a service, Tauck will make hotel reservations before and after your journey. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost is added to your tour cost. Call Neelie Kruse with Cary Travel Express at (847) to book your hotel with Tauck. Arrive Early: Alvear Art Hotel Buenos Aires, Argentina The Alvear Art Hotel emerges as an innovative proposal in Buenos Aires, backed up by the tradition of the landmark Alvear Palace Hotel. Set among impressive trees, this new example of the Alvear Experience opens the doors of its modern building in the heart of the financial, commercial, and cultural area of the city, offering excellent service, warm hospitality, sophisticated comfort and the most advanced technology. Located in historic San Martín Square just steps away from elegant Santa Fe Avenue and famous Florida Street, the hotel is just a few minutes from Buenos Aires new corporate district in Puerto Madero. An expression of stylish and contemporary design, guest rooms are decorated with warm color fabrics and natural wood paneling, and furnished with comfortable armchairs, a king-size bed, a desk, large double glazed windows, and a splendid marbled bathroom with jacuzzi and shower box. Each is equipped with 42-inch LED TV, Egyptian cotton bed sheets, Nespresso coffee maker, in-room safe, bathrobes and slippers, minibar, weight scale and more. Dining options include Contraluz Restaurant a unique space featuring decorative themes with objects d art as a common factor and Artesano, offering a wide selection of spirits and signature cocktails that pair with an excellent choice of local bites Hotel Room Rates Double Single Triple January 1 - December 31 $270 $260 $305 Stay Later: Alvear Art Hotel Buenos Aires, Argentina The Alvear Art Hotel emerges as an innovative proposal in Buenos Aires, backed up by the tradition of the landmark Alvear Palace Hotel. Set among impressive trees, this new example of the Alvear Experience opens the doors of its modern building in the heart of the financial, commercial, and cultural area of the city, offering excellent service, warm hospitality, sophisticated comfort and the most advanced technology. Located in historic San Martín Square just steps away from elegant Santa Fe Avenue and famous Florida Street, the hotel is just a few minutes from Buenos Aires new corporate district in Puerto Madero. An expression of stylish and contemporary design, guest rooms are decorated with warm color fabrics and natural wood paneling, and furnished with comfortable armchairs, a king-size bed, a desk, large double glazed windows, and a splendid marbled bathroom with jacuzzi and shower box. Each is equipped with 42-inch LED TV, Egyptian cotton bed sheets, Nespresso coffee maker, in-room safe, bathrobes and slippers, minibar, weight scale and more. Dining options include Contraluz Restaurant a unique space featuring decorative themes with objects d art as a common factor and Artesano, offering a wide selection of spirits and signature cocktails that pair with an excellent choice of local bites Hotel Room Rates Double Single Triple January 1 - December 31 $270 $260 $305

10 Double Pricing - December 07,2019 Superior Cabin Deluxe Cabin Prestige Cabin Prestige Cabin Prestige Cabin Deluxe Suite - Prestige Suite Prestige Suite - Deck 3 - Deck 3 - Deck 4 - Deck 5 - Deck 6 Deck 6 - Deck 5 - Deck 6 $11,690 $12,390 $13,090 $13,540 $13,990 $16,490 $18,990 $19,790 *Antarctica