AVANTI UNVEILS FIRST INDEPENDENT TRAVEL OFFERINGS IN 6 ASIAN COUNTRIES; $100 BOOKING BONUS THROUGH FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Chicago, IL, December 3, 2015 – FIT tour operator Avanti Destinations today unveiled at a press briefing during the 2015 USTOA annual conference the company’s first offering of 22 customizable independent travel itineraries and more than 30 city stay packages in China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Sold exclusively through travel agents, all Avanti’s Asia vacations include local private guides from the moment the traveler arrives. There are nine suggested itineraries in China, three each in Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, two each in Cambodia and Laos, and two itineraries combining Southeast Asian destinations. Agents may combine several city stay modules with add-on activities and services to create custom-tailored unique packages.

Avanti is offering agents a $100 bonus for each Asia booking made through February 29, 2016. To qualify, bookings must be for a minimum of seven hotel nights.

First FIT Asia vacations

"These are the first Asia vacations designed from start to finish for independent travelers," explained Mark Grundy, Avanti’s Managing Director of Asia and former head of Wendy Wu Tours.

"Other tour operators to Asia emphasize group packages, not FIT. Because ours are independent, guided vacations, they are exceptionally flexible, so clients can decide when they travel, what time their day starts and ends, when they take a break and whether they want to modify the suggested itinerary to take a longer lunch break or see a different sight. Why travel with a group of strangers when you can travel with you family or friends?" said Grundy.

Clients can select from a wide range of first class and deluxe hotels, including Conrad, Marriott, Peninsula, Rosewood, Shangri-La, Sofitel and others.

Activities only possible with FIT

The new FIT products include experiences not possible with large groups: visiting local families, bicycling near China’s scenic Li River, having a spontaneous lunch in a small restaurant favored by locals, sushi making lesson in a typical Tokyo home, private lesson in calligraphy, origami or flower arranging in a Kyoto home, painting and lantern making class in Vietnam, jungle trek and beach relaxation break in Cambodia, among others.

  • China Essentials – 9 days/8 nights – Beijing, Xian, Shanghai. Affordable introduction package featuring: visits to local family, main and less well known sights, lunch at a restaurant serving hand-rolled noodles, pedicab tour of traditional Hutongs (alleyways), dumpling banquet, multi-media acrobatic performance, beautiful water town of Zhujiajiao, near Shanghai. Starts at $ 3,535* per person, double occupancy.
  • Southern Charm (China) – 11 days/10 nights in Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai. Highlights: visits with local families in Beijing and a small village on the Lijiang River, bicycling in Yangshuo, bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, and a boat ride in the water town of Zhujiajiao. From $ 4,495.
  • Japan Discovery – 14 days/13 nights in Tokyo, Hakone/Mt. Fuji, Takayama, Shirakawago, Hiroshima, Kyoto. Highlights: scenic train ride through mountains and gorges, exploring the old town of Takayama and the quaint village of Shirakawago with its steep thatched-roof farmhouses, Kenroku-en garden in the castle town of Kanazawa, private kappo cooking lesson in Kyoto. From $ 8,375.
  • Beautiful Thailand – 12 days/11 nights in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phuket. Highlights: elephant ride through jungle, exploring Chiang Rai by tricycle, the old city of Chiang Saen, swimming and snorkeling breaks during speed boat tour of Phi Phi Island. From $3,345.
  • Vietnam Discovery – 12 days/11 nights in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, Can Tho. Highlights: Hanoi water puppet show, the Imperial Citadel of Hue, spectacular coastal views driving from Hue to Danang, caves and shrines of the Marble Mountains, ancient ruins at My Son, visiting a lantern making workshop, the Cai Be and Cai Rang floating markets, exploring the Mekong River Islands by boat. From $2,625.
  • Cambodia: Siem Reap – 4 days/3 nights, including visits to the fortified city of Angkor Thom, jungle-shrouded Ta Phrom temple, 10th century Banteay Srei temple, Chong Kneas floating village, and Angkor Wat. From $ 435.
  • Laos Essentials – 6 days/5 nights in the tree-lined capital city of Viente and Luang Prabang, overflowing with historic temples and colonial buildings. The spectacular Wat Xieng monastery has exquisite mosaic and gold-stencilled murals on many of its buildings walls. From $ 845.

Avanti’s new Asia FIT products may be booked now on the www.avantidestinations.com website, where agents can also pre-order the 68-page Essence of Asia brochure which will be available January 4, 2016.

Background on Avanti

Since 1981, Avanti has been selling independent travel products and customizable vacations in Europe, as well as Central and South America, and now Asia, exclusively to travel agents. The tour operator offers air, rail, rental cars, hotels, sightseeing/attractions, transfers and hard-to-find experiential options, plus the newly announced line of select river cruises and small escorted tours. Avanti specializes in hand-picked, locally-owned hotels in both large and small cities, as well as connecting all the components of complex, multi-destination itineraries.

To book customized FIT travel, river cruises or small group escorted tours, log onto www.avantidestinations.com or call 1-800-422-5053 to speak with a travel specialist.

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NOTE: Rates quoted are per person based on double occupancy and subject to change, based on availability. For up-to-date prices and additional specifics, visit www.avantidestinations.com. Roundtrip airfare from North America may be added to any itinerary.