Pacific Delight Tours unveils Transpacific Air Specials from $399*

Oct. 31, 2009 - PRLog -- NEW YORK, NY (Nov. 2, 2009) – China & Asia specialist Pacific Delight Tours (http://www.pacificdelighttours.com/) has unveiled a special air program under which travelers can enjoy international airfare to China from just $399 per person (additional taxes and fees apply and are additional) in the 2010 spring season. The promotion is available on bookings received by Dec.15, 2009 in conjunction with select Pacific Delight
itineraries, including the 12-day Historic Cities &Yangtze River SuperValue.

“Our purchasing power as one of the few operators still bringing a significant amount of travelers to China despite the economic crisis has made it possible for us to offer these never before seen rates for international airfare,” said Larry Kwan, President of Pacific Delight Tours.

“While international air to China from $399* is an unbeatable bargain in and of itself, the value continues once visitors arrive in China to experience the Pacific Delight brand of style and elegance at a total cost that is well within even the most modest of vacation budgets,” noted Kwan.

The special airfare promotion is available for travel from Los Angeles or San Francisco (add-on fares available from other gateways) throughout March (from $399* per person), April (from $499* per person) and May 2010 (from $599* per person), and can be used in conjunction with Pacific Delight Tours’ 12-Day Historic Cities & Yangtze River SuperValue.

With land-only pricing starting at $1,699 per person, based on double occupancy, Pacific Delight’s 12-Day Historic Cities & Yangtze River SuperValue includes all intra-China air/land transportation, airport/hotel transfers (when international air is purchased through Pacific Delight Tours), seven nights at five-star New World Hotel properties in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, and a four night cruise along the Yangtze River on a lavish, five-star Victoria Cruises vessel.

The program includes most meals as well as baggage handling, port charges, hotel taxes, service fees, and the following escorted sightseeing with knowledgeable, English speaking expert guides:

SHANGHAI
   * A journey through Shanghai’s colonial past with a stroll through The Bund, a riverside promenade often referred to as Asia’s version of Wall Street in the 1940s.
   * A visit to Shanghai’s Old Town with time to explore Yu Garden, considered the region’s most lavish garden first established in the 16th century.
   * A tour of the Shanghai Museum to peruse cultural relics spanning 5,000 years of history.
   * An opportunity to experience Shanghai’s ultra-modern Xintiandi, featuring shopping, nightlife and culinary delights.
   * An educational tour of one of Shanghai’s renowned Silk Carpet Factories.
   * A chance to travel through time at the Urban Planning Exhibition Center, where visitors can catch a glimpse of the future of city development (may be substituted with Children’s Palace depending on departure date).

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
   * A four-night cruise from Yichang to Chongqing aboard a luxurious, five-star Victoria Cruises ship with spectacular views of centuries-old pagodas and temples nestled along the mist-shrouded Yangtze River.
   * A scenic experience sailing through the massive Three Gorges, known as one of China’s most visually stunning natural treasures.
   * An excursion to the impressive Three Gorges Dam in San Dou Ping, an extraordinary feat of engineering and major highlight of the river cruise.
   * A tour to the 400 year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda at Shibaozhai.
   * One additional excursion such as a tranquil sampan journey through the Yangtze’s scenic Daning or Shennong River tributaries to the Small Gorges.
   * Many onboard activities such educational lessons on the Yangtze’s history, Chinese language, calligraphy and Tai Chi, as well as the captain’s cocktail party and a farewell banquet.
   * A host of nightly entertainment options including cultural performances featuring traditional Chinese music and dance.
   * Upon disembarkation in Chongqing, travelers will enjoy a tour of the Chongqing Zoo including a memorable and educational Giant Panda Encounter.

XI'AN
   * An unforgettable outing in Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors, an army of more than 8,000 life-sized statues buried with China’s first emperor for over 2,200 years.
   * A movie depicting the history of the emperor and the Terra Cotta Warriors filmed using Circle Vision technique providing a panoramic 360° view.
   * A tour of the well preserved Xi'an City Wall, dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

BEIJING
   * A walk in the footsteps of emperors along the ancient ramparts of the renowned Great Wall of China, where visitors can marvel at magnificent vistas and the incredible manpower that went into the wall’s creation, dating back to the fifth century, B.C.
   * A visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest public area in the world, with a tour of the 15th century Imperial Palace at Beijing’s Forbidden City, where the jewelry section is a major highlight.
   * A tour of the elegant Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the world’s largest imperial garden and more than 3,000 historical structures including pavilions, towers and arched bridges surrounding Lake Kunming (includes boat ride if weather permits).
   * A visit to a Cloisonné factory to observe skilled artisans as they create intricate designs.
   * An opportunity (if traffic allows) to photograph the iconic “Bird’s Nest” – Beijing National Stadium – host to many spectacular events of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
   * A delectable Peking Duck Dinner party to sample the local specialty in the city of its origin (Beijing was formerly known as Peking).

Pricing for 2010 departures of Pacific Delight Tours' 12-day Historic Cities & Yangtze River SuperValue begins at $1,699 per person, based on double occupancy, plus airfare which is available from $399* per person on March 2010 departure dates with bookings received by Dec. 15, 2009 for travel from Los Angeles or San Francisco. Add-on fares are available from other gateways.

For more information or to book, consult your local travel agent, contact Pacific Delight Tours at 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com.

* $399 airfare on select Pacific Delight programs are for March 2010 departures only. Airfare for April and May 2010 is slightly higher (from $499 and $599, respectively). Must be purchased along with tour code: T0YS12VU

All Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability. This program includes air on Air China from gateways noted. Price includes fuel surcharges, but does not include up to $120 in government-imposed taxes and fees, including the September 11th security fee, which apply and are additional. Additional baggage charges may apply. For details, please check with website(s) of cooperating airline(s). Please call for add-on airfare from other U.S. cities. The final airfare and land tour price is guaranteed when the air schedule has been confirmed and full deposit has been received. Please note Air China international tickets are non-refundable. All prices subject to change without notice. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Passports, visas, gratuities for guides/crew, optional travel protection premium or any items of a personal nature are additional.

All Pacific Delight Tours vacation packages are backed by the USTOA $1 million travelers assistance program.

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For over 39 years, Pacific Delight Tours has been America’s leading tour operator to China and Asia. The company has three main program offerings: its Award-winning Gold Experience Program caters to the ultra-luxury, exclusive clientele; the Escapade Adventures provide an off-the-beaten path program for the more active traveler, and the popular SuperValue Programs provide the best value in escorted tours in Asia.

Pacific Delight Tours is the winner of the 2008 and 2009 Travel Age West WAVE Award, 2008 Agent@Home Reader’s Choice Award and 2009 Travel Weekly Finalist for Best Tour Operator in Asia. The company is also a long-standing proud member of the United States Tour Operator Association.