Classic Tour

Escorted 12-day Tour - Departs June 30th, 2005
Beijing • Xi'an • Guilin • Shanghai • Suzhou

If you are interested in joining the tour, please contact
[email protected] for more details.

China holds a special place in the imagination. Children across North America grow up believing that if they dig a deep enough hole in their backyards, they eventually will wind up in China. Small wonder, then, that everyone dreams of visiting this exotic, mysterious, and magical place. What would you find when you travel to China? You would discover a vast, diverse country that holds many of the world's most famous and spectacular sights. You would marvel at the modern world's longest continuous civilization (over 5,000 years) today quickly reemerging into contemporary life. You would see a billion smiling faces from all generations, and hear "hello" in a dozen different languages and dialects--including English. You might stay in some of the world's most luxurious hotels. And you would feast in the manner of the emperors. Now is the time to visit China and enjoy your stay there.

June 30, 2005: U.S. to BEIJING

Fly transpacific aboard United Airlines wide cabin 747 jetliner.

July 1, 2005: ARRIVE BEIJING

Welcome to China's capital, Beijing. You are greeted and escorted to check in to the Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven.

July 2, 2005: BEIJING

Today's tour introduces Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City's Imperial Palace, with admission to the living quarters, museum and jewelry sections. After lunch, sightseeing at the Summer Palace with a cruise on placid Lake Kunming.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

July 3, 2005: BEIJING

A highlight of your visit to China today: the awesome Great Wall. After lunch, walk along the Sacred Way to the Ming Tombs and Chang Ling Exhibition Hall.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

July 4, 2005: BEIJING to XI'AN

Morning free; you may wish to shop at Lido Market. Then fly to historic Xi'an, ancient capital of China, and check in to the Xi'an Garden Hotel.
MEALS: American Breakfast

July 5, 2005: XI'AN

View the extraordinary life-sized terra-cotta army, no two alike, buried for over 2200 years; Circle Vision Movie; Bronze Chariot and the collections at Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

July 6, 2005: XI'AN to GUILIN

Today's flight takes you to Guilin, set amidst a valley of dramatic peaks that have inspired artists through the centuries. Check in to the Bravo Hotel. Afternoon touring shows Reed Flute Cave and Fu Bo Hill's dramatic rock formations.
MEALS: American Breakfast

July 7, 2005: GUILIN

Today brings a delightful cruise on a deluxe air-conditioned boat along the tranquil Li River. Cruise past a breathtaking landscape of dramatic peaks to the market town of Yangshuo, where you've time to browse.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

July 8, 2005: GUILIN to SHANGHAI

A change of pace as you fly to Shanghai. Tour emporium-lined Nanjing or Huai Hai Road and sightsee the colonial-era Bund, then check in to the Grand You You Hotel.
MEALS: American Breakfast

July 9, 2005: SHANGHAI

Today a sightseeing tour shows the glories of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum and Jade Buddha Temple. Then see a charming performance at the Children's Palace.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

July 10, 2005: SHANGHAI to SUZHOU/SHANGHAI

This morning, travel by motorcoach* to Suzhou, noted for its legendary ancient gardens. Tour the Embroidery Research Institute, North Temple Pagoda, Pan Men City Gate and the Garden of the Master of Fishing Net.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch
*Travel to Suzhou by train if group is less than 6 tour members

July 11, 2005: SHANGHAI to the U.S.

Fly homeward today aboard United Airlines' wide-cabin 747 jetliner or choose to extend your tour with our 5 day extension to scenic Huangshan, click here for details.
MEALS: American Breakfast

PRICES

Air/Land from San Francisco/New York City: $1,999
U.S. departure tax: $45
Fuel surcharge: $50
Security fee: $10
China airport tax: $30 (total of 4 airports)
Passenger facility charge: $18

Land Only: $1,369
China airport tax: $30 (total of 4 airports)

Single Supplement: $320

Optional travel protection policy: $129

ADD-ONS

If you are not departing from San Francisco or New York City, please click here to see if there is any add-on charge.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Sometimes the unexpected can happen and force you to cancel the trip of a lifetime. To protect your travel investment, or yourself and your property while traveling, we strongly recommend the purchase of the Travel Protection Insurance for $129.

TRIP CANCELLATION/INTERRUPTION-UP TO TOTAL TRIP COST
Covered reasons for cancellation/interruption include illness, injury or death to you, a traveling companion or a covered family member. Other covered reasons for cancellation or interruption of your trip include you or your traveling companion being required to serve jury duty or subpoenaed, having a home damaged by a natural disaster, or being directly involved in a traffic accident en route to departure.

More than just cancellation protection, the plan also provides coverage for:

Schedule of Coverage:	Maximum Per Person Benefit Amount, Up to:
Trip Delay	$500
Emergency Evacuation	$15,000
Repatriation of Remains	$15,000
Accident Medical Expense	$3,000
Sickness Medical Expense	$3,000
Baggage/Personal Effects	$1,000
Baggage Delay	$300
Travel Accident Protection Air Common Carrier Any Other Circumstance	$30,000 $10,000
24 Hour Worldwide Emergency Assistance	Included

Please contact us for a more detailed description of coverage and frequently asked questions.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

BOOKING PROCEDURES (1 through 6, see below)

1. RESERVATION REQUEST: Upon receipt of your deposit, written confirmation/invoice and Passenger Information Form will be sent.

2. DEPOSIT: All Deposits and Travel Protection Insurance Fees may be paid by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express), with signed credit card authorization form, or by check.
a.) Receipt of deposit confirms your reservation and is applied toward final payment.
Deposit ............................................................US $300.00 per person
b.) Travel Protection Insurance payment (non-refundable/non-transferable) is due at time of deposit and is in addition to deposit amount.

Rates subject to change without notice. Travel Protection Insurance is recommended. Pre-existing conditions exclusion is waived when insurance is purchased at time of deposit.

3. CHINA VISAS: U.S. Passports with a six month validity AFTER the date of return should be sent to our office 45 days prior to departure date with a completed and signed Visa Application Form with an official passport-size color photo, including payment by credit card or check and is non-refundable once the visa is issued.
Visa………………………………………US $80.00 per person

If you are applying for your own visa: Photocopies of valid passport must be sent with deposit in order to process the booking. Passenger names must be as listed on the respective passports; any corrections required are subject to a $10.00 change fee.

4. FINAL PAYMENT:
a.) Air/Land Payment: Due 75 days prior to departure and may be made by check or credit card, with signed authorization form.
b.) Land Only Payment: Due 75 days prior to departure and may be made by check or credit card, with signed authorization form.
c.) Late Payment Fee: $50.00 per person if payment is not received by 75 days prior to departure.
d.) Reservations made within 75 days: While booking early ensures the widest choice of availability, we welcome your spontaneous travel plans. Final payment on bookings made less than 75 days prior to departure is due within three days of receipt of invoice to avoid the late payment fee, and is accepted by certified check or credit card, with signed authorization form.
e.) Administrative Handling Fee: A nominal $50.00 per person administrative handling fee will be assessed on new reservations made within 30 days prior to departure.
f.) Promotional Discounts: Valid only if final payment is received at least 75 days prior to departure. Discounts cannot be used towards deposit.

The tour operator, reserves the right to cancel bookings not paid in full by the due date. During peak travel periods, it may be necessary to request your final payment more than 75 days prior to departure date, or to modify your tour arrangements to accommodate unforeseen circumstances due to the high demand for air, cruise and hotel space. You will be notified immediately should this situation arise.

5. REVISION FEES: A per-person fee for each revision will be assessed for any changes in air and/or land arrangements after the booking number has been issued and is under deposit. From initial reservation through issue date of documents/tickets:
US $15.00 per person (plus supplier's penalties)
Once documents/tickets are issued, changes are not permitted and air tickets are non-refundable.
A change in departure date, or from one tour to another, is considered a cancelled trip and cancellation penalties will apply.

6. CANCELLATION FEES: All tours:
75 days or more before departure…………………...……US $300.00* per person
74 to 45 days before departure…………………………....US $350.00* per person
44 to 16 days before departure………………………..…..US $400.00* per person
15 to 1 day before departure…………………………..…..US $500.00* per person

*Plus any charges assessed by land suppliers, cruise companies and airlines, in addition to any revision fees.

On or after departure date………....100% forfeiture of the tour price per person

AIR INFORMATION:

The tour operator will provide air transportation in conjunction with all land tours, based on the applicable air fares on United Airlines and participating carriers, subject to the rules and regulations of the class, fare and service of the individual airline. Tours that are published inclusive of air utilize contracted net fares in effect at time of printing (October 1, 2004) and are subject to change by the airline. Due to special contracted net agreements, supplements or credits for air deviations may not be equal to published air fare differentials.

Domestic carriers provide air transportation in China and Asia. Air fares are subject to change and any increase in air fare is not included in the tour fare.

Depending on air fare class used, the air fare may be non-refundable and subject to full cancellation penalties. Tour fare does not include any increase in air fare due to increase in fuel cost and/or for any other reason. Tour extensions may incur weekend surcharges. The tour operator endeavors to follow the itineraries precisely; however, if flights are not available at the scheduled time, we reserve the right to modify the air and land arrangements for smooth operation of the tour.

BAGGAGE: Baggage allowance differs for the transpacific and China sections of your tour. US transpacific allowance is two pieces of checked baggage. Maximum weight/size for each piece is 50 lbs./62 inches (sum of three dimensions). One carry-on not to exceed 45 inches (sum of three dimensions) is allowed. Baggage allowance within China is one piece of baggage not over 44 lbs. per person, plus a carry-on. Baggage in excess of one piece per person will result in excess baggage fees to be paid immediately upon demand. The tour agent does not assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or passenger's belongings. It is at passenger's risk throughout.

LAND INFORMATION:

REFUND ON UNUSED OR CHANGED TOUR ARRANGEMENTS: Portions of land arrangements, hotel accommodations or any other service or feature of the tour which are not used are neither refundable nor exchangeable. Travel Protection Insurance and Visa handling fee is nonrefundable. Refund claims must be made in writing within 20 days of the termination of the tour. A written statement from the Tour Manager certifying the exact services not rendered must be attached to this claim.

International and domestic air schedules are subject to change at any time. If you make your own flight arrangements, the tour operator will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellations, delays, or changes in flight schedules.

Note: All tour fares shown are based on the present value of foreign currencies in relation to the US dollar in effect on October 1, 2004 and in current tariffs on the same date and are subject to change. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure for any reason. In such case, a full refund of all payments will constitute full settlement with the passenger.

The airlines concerned are not held responsible for any act, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The passenger's contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Any and/or all transportation companies herein mentioned shall have or incur no responsibility for liability to any traveler aside from their liability as common carriers. The carrier's international tariff is available for inspection by the passenger and will govern all aspects of the air transportation.