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Tailor-made diving and adventure holidays to the world’s most remarkable places
Great Escapes Diving Holidays is a UK based Tour Operator, run by a team of professionals with over 45 years combined experience in the dive and travel industry. We are passionate divers and travellers and we have first-hand knowledge of many of the destinations we feature, so please do contact us for impartial and expert advice.
We can take care of all aspects of your holiday, including flights, transfers, diving, guided land tours and city stopovers. We are ATOL Licensed, giving you full financial protection when booking with us.
Jacada was founded in 2008 by Alex Malcolm, who wanted to show people the side of a country that not everyone gets to see. While working in Brazil, he was lucky enough to travel the country with local friends who took him to places and shared things he would never have experienced on his own. He felt there was a space to create these unique travel experiences with a personal, human touch for others – and flew back to the UK to start his own company. Though we started out just selling trips to Brazil, Jacada has now grown into an international travel company, selling trips around the world; and despite our growth, Alex’s vision still remains. Personal is how we began, and that’s how we continue to be.
Jacada travel provides three tour packages to Papua New Guinea;
THE JULES VERNE DIFFERENCE
That sense of adventure to discover the world is at the heart of Jules Verne. Established in 1978, our innovative small group escorted tours offer authentic travel with a twist for people who love to see the world. Packed with special touches and little extras, our expert guides will show you the true character of each destination and take you beyond the norm, whether your chosen destination is closer to home or far-flung. Fully ABTA and ATOL bonded and winner of many travel awards, our expert staff organise every detail so you can book in complete confidence.
Jules Verne Sightseeing
This most important of Key Features indicates that sightseeing is tailored just for our group, taking into account your preferences and our experience over many years and not combining with other visitors. Sightseeing is undertaken by expert local guides and escorts who we consider to be the best source of information. A few programmes such as cruise or rail programmes will show ‘Excursions Included’, indicating that sightseeing may be shared with non-Jules Verne guests.
Special Events
To enhance the experience of Jules Verne travellers, we arrange exclusive and memorable special events, illuminating the country and peoples you are visiting. Attend a special ceremony, performance, meal or drinks party at characteristic and spectacular locations; learn about cooking and the local way of life; discover less-visited corners or special locations not normally open to the public.
New Tour/Improved Itinerary
Following our customers’ feedback from our questionnaires and other sources, we improve itineraries and introduce new tours, taking into account special opportunities and changed accessibility.
Specialists in real adventure travel
Here at KE, we’ve been creating real adventures for more than 35 years.
We’re all about sharing our experiences. It’s how we started, back in the 80s in the heart of the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan, and it’s how we operate worldwide today. Originally running expedition-style trips, we now also offer walking, trekking, cycling and family adventures in over 80 countries. All of our trips have an element of physical activity, so whether you’re exploring Europe’s most breath-taking destinations on foot or taking on a two-week trek in some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges, we guarantee we’ll get you moving. We are a fun, friendly and caring bunch, from our passionate team in the UK to our expert leaders worldwide, with a wealth of experience in all aspects of adventure travel and the outdoors.
Ornitholidays is the longest established birding company in the world, having started in 1965.
It has grown gradually over this period to offering around 70 tours a year. From 2018 Ornitholidays will be managed by SKUA Nature Group s.n.c., an Italian company that has collaborated with the old Ornitholidays managers for years.
The new management, as the old one, is perfectly able to guarantee the best safeguards for your money.
Tours
Our tours range from short breaks in Europe to 3 weeks holidays further afield.
To enjoy these holidays to the full, all you need is a love of birds and wildlife and the desire to travel.
The vast majority of our holidays are run at a relaxed pace, anyway you will find a big variety of proposals: from the most adventurous ones – as the tour to Kyrgyzstan – to the most easy ones – as the Portugal tour at leisure; from birdwatching and wildwatching tours to specially-organized wildlife photography expeditions; from holidays that combines birds and culture – as Birds&Wine tour in Italy – to short breaks to focus on specific species – as the Kerkini tour for Pelicans.
Is Ornitholidays Right For Me?
There are a large number of factors that have to be considered when booking an escorted holiday, especially one that Involves birdwatching or wildlife photography
Tour leaders
Our tours are escorted, so your leader is a very important ingredient of the holiday.
There are many companies offering escorted holidays, but few use full-time leaders. Ornitholidays has a group of professional guides, expert birders who spend their whole year taking birding parties around the world – most of them have led over 150 tours and some over 250. Their job is to make sure you enjoy your holiday and see the wildlife.They are not taking their annual holiday, but are well paid, highly motivated and dedicated leaders who are there for you and you alone. Most of our tour leader are exellent all-round naturalists, having a very deep knowledge about other groups of animals too (insects, reptiles, etc.) that add an important plus to the tour itself.
Not to mention our local guides in some destinations, the best experts on their land, among which we mention editors of Birding and Wildlife guides.
When booking a holiday consider the advantages of being led by such a leader – there is no choice really! On many holidays we also employ local guides to accompany the group, providing valuable insight into their country, its history and traditions, as well as its birds and wildlife.
Prices
What about the cost of the holiday – why are some companies cheaper than others for a similar itinerary? When you compare holidays think about what each company is providing.The accommodation we use is often the best available, our tour leaders have years of experience and a very deep knowledge on the destinations and their fauna.
Wildlife Expeditions: a new section for Ornitholidays
The new management, apart from offering new exciting birding tours, added a new specialised selection of tours to the 2019 brochure: wildlife photography expeditions.
Thanks to our other SKUA’ big project, the INNATE Network, we manages several private and public (with entrance restrictions) estates specially developed for nature tourism, with a special focus on wildlife photography.
Estates are located in several countries of the World and are now destinations of our photo expeditions. In addition to those we also offer short breaks photo tours for people that haven’t so much time free from the job but do not want to loose opportunities to fulfill their passion.
Our leaders for the photographic session are skilled photographers, able to help you getting the best out of your photographic holiday.
In conclusion…
We have been organising holidays for a long time, so we know the best ground agents to use and the best areas to visit. How many other companies can boast they have been visiting many destinations for over 53 years?
ABOUT US
PELORUS puts the focus on the experience, designing individual itineraries according to the client’s brief. We work exclusively with a network of industry leaders, who allow us to consider areas and experiences that most travel companies do not give a second thought. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, creativity and due diligence, designing extraordinary experiences for those seeking something truly different. We’ve even won awards for our exceptional, boundary-pushing ideas.
WHAT IS A ‘PELORUS’?
A pelorus was the navigational tool used to maintain the bearing of a sea vessel back in the golden era of travel and discovery – it is responsible for mapping much of the world as we know it today. In a similar vein, PELORUS is on a mission to become the world’s leading experiential travel and yacht expedition specialist.
TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY
At Pelorus we wholeheartedly encourage travelling responsibly, promoting and supporting in sustainability efforts and pioneering research across the globe whenever we can. We work closely with specific organisations and charities, which help us gain access to the most unique and biodiverse regions in the world, working alongside them to continue protecting these environments.
About peoplestravel
A Communities Travel Unit (CTU) of Emerald Global Ltd, peoplestravel is backed by over 35 years of industry experience serving UK holidaymakers.
For additional peace of mind, we also recommend travel insurance and we are an Appointed Representative of PKC Associates Ltd t/a Journeys Travel Insurance which is authorised and regulated by FSA ref 312339. We also have specialist travel consultants who will assist you with booking your dream holiday – see below for reviews from some of our happy customers*.
peoplestravel store
Our flagship travel ‘venue’ is conveniently located at 56 Baker Street, a five-minute walk south from Baker Street tube station. To make the most of our 2,000 sq feet plus of open-plan space, our retail design and fit-out was done by Cotton Thompson Cole, Construction and Design Consultants whose clients include Credit Suisse, RBS, HSBC, Signature, Strada and Wagamama.
The result was a ‘travelshop’ with a difference. We do not have walls of brochure racks, cluttered windows and impersonal desk structures. Instead, the emphasis is on people, with comfortable discussion nooks and interactive touch-screens giving clients immediate access to the perfect holiday.
White walls line the room acting as large-scale movie screens. You’ll be inspired by the sights and sounds playing around you, featuring images from a wide range of destinations. Step over to the permanent blog wall; a massive map of the world covered with tips, suggestions and inspiration from other peoplestravel customers. Or for instant access to information including hotel room photos, tourism destination information and a whole lot more, use one of the touch-screens to instantly click on the information you want.
Our operation is designed to give clients the best in customer service. Staff come from a wide range of backgrounds with expertise in everything from cruising through to honeymoon and gay and lesbian travel.
Instead of going to the desk, staff bring the desk to you in the form of a high-speed laptop that can be accessed from anywhere in the store. Browse from the comfort of one of the brightly coloured sofas, curl up and watch a DVD on the plasma-screen television or just have one of the sales staff give a few personal tips based on their experiences. It’s all about choice – and the choice is yours.
We were both bitten by the travel bug back in 1996 whilst we were based in Germany as exchange students. Since then, we have travelled to well over a hundred countries, being particularly drawn to remote places where local customs and cultures had not been impacted by tourism. Due to the difficulty with arranging logistics and, in some cases, permits, it was clear that the majority of tour operators stayed away from such remote destinations. Hence Travel The Unknown was born – with the aim of helping you to discover these unspoilt hideaways in some of the most off the beaten track locations on Earth.
We are aware of the environmental downside of larger tour groups. For this reason we consciously keep our ecological and cultural footprint as small as possible. By operating in smaller groups, we can deliver the benefits of tourism without the negative aspects of mass tourism. We make use of locally owned accommodation, eateries and vehicles as well as supporting local community projects; this way locals will always benefit directly from our tours. As a team, we have personally crafted each one of our tours, and take great pride in ensuring that our strict standards are adhered to. By sourcing the most professional and friendly guides available, with strong local knowledge, you are sure to have the trip to remember. So come with us, and take the road less travelled!
In today’s digital world, too many people are living vicariously through others. We believe in letting the traveller’s imagination run wild on what is possible on our beautiful planet and then making it happen for them. Sit back and enjoy the journey.
Why Steppes Travel?
Your travel should reflect you: individual, creative and considered. Our rich expertise, vast collection of on-the-ground partners and friendly, personal service will open up the world in a way that is completely unique to you.
What matters the most?
We leave no stone unturned when it comes to what’s important to you. We take the time to chat and connect with you – on the phone or in our friendly office – to create an itinerary which truly resonates with your passions.
Join us for the ultimate snorkeling adventure. Our small group tours and safaris are designed exclusively for snorkelers, taking you to a collection of the world’s finest snorkeling destinations. Choose from a wide range of experiences including resort and boat based safaris to photography and shallow water freediving workshops – all guide led by a member of the Snorkel Venture team.
Land Based Snorkeling Tours
Our multi-destination safaris allow us to explore a variety of snorkeling sites in one complete tour. We’ll stay in a collection of remote resorts with ease of access to the very best snorkeling on offer.
Live Aboard – Pure Snorkeling Safaris
Stay on board one of our exclusively chartered live aboard yachts (strictly no divers allowed). We’ll safari between remote atolls and islands in search of pristine reefs and big fish.
Resort Based Snorkeling
We’ve carefully selected our favourite resorts to feature in this collection. Expect truly awesome snorkeling and lots of it, plus some of the best house reefs you’ll find from any resort on the planet.
Snorkeling & Overland Touring
Looking to combine your snorkeling with the regions top land tours and overland adventures? These tours feature wildlife like Orangutans and Komodo Dragons, plus rainforest hiking & cultural highlights.
