GreatVillage

Holidays

An itinerary of the senses.

The best things happen when you take the road less travelled. . .

Why choose Great Village Holiday.

17 years experience operating tours and arranging international travel.

New Zealand owned and operated.

Backed by our experience in hospitality, hotels and restaurants, we have each spent over 30 years ensuring you receive the very best customer service.

You will be well looked after from the moment you contact us and right throughout your entire holiday.

We have lived in many parts of the world and have that insider knowledge of where you are visiting.

We like to make the tours as personal as possible, talking to you about your trip to tailor your holiday experiences.

We are Ian and Ali Metcalfe and we’ve been exploring exotic locations around the world for many years now. We design boutique tours that are unique, invigorating, relaxing, educational, memorable and great value.

Travel with us as we take you to the picturesque sites and cities of Europe, Asia, North America, and amazing Africa. Stay in small villages, sample local food and wine, and open the doors to each country’s unique culture.

“ We ducked off the street to take cover from a sudden shower to discover a tiny bar, barely two people wide stuffed to the ceiling with wines and liquors. . .

. . . The outfit weighed 40kg but this was the man to carry it off ! We fell about as he was loaded with bells and sheepskins to keep the Devil away. . . then there was the mask. . .

. . . A unique wine from a unique vine - 500 years old - a survivor of the phylloxera epidemic. We savour a taste from a wine that is made only here. . .

. . . An impromptu cook school one morning high above the Riviera. . . gnocchi light as air and tossed in fresh tomato sauce with generously sprinkled parmesan. . .”

“ We follow a track that climbs steep bluffs and seems to go nowhere, with our friends wondering just what we are up to. Pressing on, we smell the smoke from a wood fire. . .

. . . The shepherds played music and we danced, having eaten a fabulous barbecue high up in the mountains, cooked on an open fire using local herbs. . .

. . . Piles of Carta di Musica were spread with fresh goats cheese and served dripping with bush honey. . .

. . . Friendships forged on our tour have continued long after our return home. We meet again to tell tales of our journeys and experiences and to renew bonds.”

The beautiful Villages of EASTERN FRANCE

26 days

Reims to Vence

Departs August 1st 2017

Ends August 26th 2017

France’s history and lifestyle bewitchesFrance offers a lifetime of travel experiences and exploration. Our tour ventures into Eastern France starting from ancient Reims, through Verdun with its poignant WW1 history, on to Strasbourg where we join the Saône Canal.

A change of paceWe take time to savour rural France, floating slowly along the canals, enjoying a slower pace. With locally sourced food we dine sumptuously on board, ride bikes, wander the canal paths and explore the local markets and villages.

The contrasting faces of FranceLe Puy-en-Velay presents an opportunity to step on the path of the pilgrims who have made the journey to Santiago de Compostela since the Middle Ages, followed by an alpine lakeside stop at Annecy. Our final few days take us through the staggering beauty of the Gorge du Verdon down to the South of France and home via Nice.

26 days

Reims to Vence

Departs August 1st 2017

Ends August 26th 2017

The beautiful Villages of ITALY & SARDINIA27 nights

Rome to Lake Como

Departs May 31st 2017

Ends 27th June 2017

Italy – colourful, loud, exuberant, all-embracing, life-affirming!Since the time tourism began, travellers have raved about Italy, and to be honest the country really does have it all: one of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in Europe; the world’s greatest hoard of art treasures (many on display in fittingly spectacular cities and buildings); a climate that is on the whole benign; and, most important of all for many, a delicious and authentic national cuisine.

If there is a single national Italian characteristic, it’s to embrace life to the full, often in a colourful and chaotic way.

Our journey together covers thousands of years of civilization’s greatest feats – from the Alps of Northern Italy to the ancient city of Rome, from the treasures of Tuscany and Lazio, to the spectacular Amalfi Coast and beyond to the rugged yet beautiful island of Sardinia.

From the Greek Islands to PragueCENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE28 nights

Athens to Prague

Departs 27th April 2017

Ends 26th May 2017

Fall in love with eastern EuropeCome away with us to Middle Europe, fall in love with its people, culture and way of life. Cobblestoned streets, fairy tale forests, enticing wine regions, medieval towns, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, ancient ruins, secluded islands, cosmopolitan capitals, exotic food markets and ruggedly beautiful Alpine mountains.

Anyone for an adventure?Spend an unforgettable 27 days among the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.The Dalmatian coast from Split to historic Dubrovnik and Cavtat then cruise the Aegean Sea among the Cyclades Islands by luxury motor sailer on crystal blue waters, visiting hidden coves and learning the ancient history.Observe the last thousand years of culture in ‘the little Paris of Middle Europe’, Budapest. Then visit Europe’s historical & cultural capital, Vienna; romantic, beautiful music, theatre and the Arts. Hallstatt, shimmering lakes and towering mountains, is Austria’s oldest village. Finally, to Prague in the Czech Republic, the jewel in the crown of central Europe, ‘city of a hundred spires’.

Moran Brenn

“The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it” Rudyard Kipling

“I am not a great cook. I am not a great artist. But I love art, and I love food. So I am the perfect traveller.” Michael Palin

Kenya, Tanzania & Western CapeMAJESTIC AFRICA

19 days

Nairobi to Cape Town

Departure 08 October 2017

Ends 26th October 2017

The experience of a lifetime… three tours as one!First it’s Kenya on Safari following the ‘Big Five’. Our second Safari is in Tanzania to witness the Great Migration - the endless quest. And last, but certainly not least, The Western Cape’s coastal beauty beckons.

What makes this tour even more special?Comfort, security and authenticity have always been the cornerstones of GVH tours. We have made it a holiday to savour and enjoy with a serene, untrammelled spirit.The safaris chosen offer the best of creature comforts, even in the middle of the wildest wilderness. Excellent catering, immaculate service, fine wines, and of course very comfortable accommodation.Majestic Africa is also a culturally and environmentally responsible tour. We only safari on conservancy land - owned by the local tribes who directly benefit from these tours. Most of our guides and staff are local tribesmen which makes for a much more authentic experience.

Not escorted - but very well looked afterCAMBODIA & VIETNAMMade easyWeekly departures

Explore with confidenceNot fully escorted – just really well looked after... Travel with your own chauffeur driven car and English speaking guide between destinations.

See the best Cambodia and Vietnam have to offerYou will only visit the best of Cambodia and Vietnam on this independent tour, staying in carefully selected quality hotels approved and inspected by Great Village Holidays. Our aim is to design a memorable holiday by day, whilst at night providing safe and secure lodgings in a unique setting.

Trusted English-speaking Tour ManagersWhile visiting Cambodia and Vietnam you will be looked after by Anh (pronounced Arn) and our team. Anh and our trusted English- speaking staff, all of whom are trained guides, will ensure you have a relaxing, trouble free holiday whilst experiencing the very best these beautiful countries have to offer.

“. . . a unique and enjoyable experience in every place we visited.”

“. . . that we have chosen to travel twice with the same company speaks for itself. Ian and Ali went the extra distance to make our trip truly memorable.”

“This is what we love about travelling with you two; always full of special surprises, this musical evening at the castle is going to be a wonderful experience. Just like the wonderful nights of fine dining we had at the Château and the dinner at Nostradamus’ brother’s magical country estate.”

“The emphasis with Great Village Holidays is on the traveller rather than the tourist and this means you get to see people and scenery tourists can only dream of.”

How to book

To avoid disappointment book as early as possible by completing the Great Village Holidays registration form, which includes the full details of booking conditions. We can post you one or they are available on the website at www.greatvillageholidays.com

Thinking of extending your tour?We are able to help with further travel to other areas nearby if you wish. The options vary with each tour so please talk to us about your specific requirements.

Vehicles - travelling in style and comfortGreat Village Holidays always use high specification, quality vehicles chosen for their comfort and appropriate for the terrain we will be touring.

Hotel AccommodationGreat Village Holidays choose only 4 and 5 star hotels, centrally located, always in the best area for exploring the places we are staying.

FlightsGreat Village Holidays are able to provide very competitive rates through our TANZ registered brokers, for all international flights, just ask us.

DepositA deposit is required per person to secure space, on European, African and American tours minimum numbers are required for each tour to proceed - please check the tour details on the website for deposits.

The quotes used are taken from testimonials given by clients who have travelled with Great Village Holidays - the full text can be found on our website.

GreatVillage

Holidays

www.greatvillageholidays.comToll Free: 0508 384 384. +64 3 343 3910PO Box 3839, Richmond 7050, Nelson

New Zealand