Classic Journeys Debuts Island-Based Tours of Galapagos

Guests to spend more time exploring, less time dealing with daily logistics

La Jolla, CA (September 2011) – In the Galapagos, everyone island-hops. The question for travelers is this: should they base themselves on one of the many cruise ships that ply the local waters? Or settle into a spacious, seaside eco-lodge where they're free to explore the islands at will?

Classic Journeys, award-winning operator of 70 cultural walking tours worldwide, opts for the island-based approach on its Galapagos walking tour and Galapagos family vacation, new for 2012.

"Enjoying upscale accommodations on shore hasn't even been possible until recently, and the advantages are huge," observes Edward Piegza, president and co-founder of Classic Journeys. There's no hassling with daily ship-to-shore transfers, and access to the creatures everyone wants to see most increases tenfold when you're based on the islands themselves."

Guests of Classic Journeys' Galapagos tours stay on three distinctly different islands, meaning there's not a blue-footed booby, giant tortoise or curious Galapagos penguin to be missed. On short strolls to the beach or into town, and on longer treks to inland lakes, lagoons and even a volcanic caldera, the company's naturalist guides bring the essence of the islands to life.

Yet it's not all about the nature hikes. The new Galapagos tour itineraries build in plenty of time for snorkeling, sea kayaking, a private tour and tasting at a family-owned coffee plantation, and a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Center to rediscover the theories of natural selection that first put the Galapagos on the map.

Classic Journeys' Galapagos walking tours will depart nine times throughout the year in January, February, March, April, June, October, November and December. Prices begin at $3,995 per person (double occupancy, land only), plus internal flights of approximately $465 per person and a $100 Galapagos entry fee priced separately from the land tour.

Like all of Classic Journeys' family vacations, a price break applies for younger guests: when sharing a room with two full-paying guests, kids up to age 16 receive discounts ranging from $500 to $1750 off the regular adult price, while kids sharing a room with one full-paying guest receive a discount of $250.

Readers wishing to learn more about Classic Journeys' new, island-based Galapagos itineraries for 2012 may click on www.classicjourneys.com/galapagos or www.classicjourneys.com/galapagosfamily, or contact a Guest Services Coordinator directly at (800) 200-3887.



About Classic Journeys:

Classic Journeys offers cultural walking tours, culinary tours and family vacations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. Guests enjoy luxury accommodations and gourmet meals that reflect the best of each region, coupled with soft adventure activities, daily interactions with locals, and native guides who make countries and cultures come alive. Tours are six to 12 days long with two to four hours of easy-going walking per day. Land-only tour prices range from $2595 to $8895 per person (with discounts for small groups and children traveling with parents). Average tour size is 10, limited to a maximum of 18 guests per departure. Full details and links to itineraries are available at www.classicjourneys.com.

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