VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations Announces Debut of 2014 Catalog
Bristol, VT (PRWEB) September 03, 2013 -- VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations has published its extensive 2014 catalog featuring 58 active vacations to 27 different countries including 6 new biking, 8 new walking and 2 new U.S. cross-country skiing vacations – both of which will include a select departure for beginners only. The catalog also features the addition of QR codes linking to more information online, including new vacation videos and traveler testimonials and photos. As part of VBT’s commitment to value, 2014 air prices include all airline surcharges and government taxes and fees and 2014 land-only prices are lower than or equal to 2013’s prices. VBT has also improved its Refer-a-Friend program, added special Culinary and President’s Tours and vacations to 11 National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites including Yellowstone, Zion and Acadia to its 2014 offerings.
“We are building upon our core objective of offering excellent active vacations to all corners of the world, while maintaining the unmatched value and quality travelers have come to expect from us,” VBT President Gregg Marston said. “The land-only price for all of our vacations, except for New Zealand biking, is lower than or equal to last year’s prices even when we are introducing an unprecedented amount of new destinations to choose from.”
Marston said that he is very excited about the possibilities that VBT’s recent acquisition by Xanterra Parks & Resorts has opened. “We’re now bringing our travelers to new, exciting places within the National Parks System like Death Valley’s beautiful desert landscape, the natural wonders of Yellowstone – in both summer and winter – and the awe inspiring panoramas of the Grand Canyon” Marston continued, “and by taking advantage of Xanterra’s world-class accommodations we can pass even more savings on to our travelers and enhance their experience by staying right in the heart of the parks.”
VBT’s new bicycling vacations for 2014 are: Lake Garda to Venice: Cycling Italy’s Veneto; Holland in Springtime Bike & Barge; Bicycling France: Normandy & Brittany; Lake Constance: Germany, Austria & Switzerland; Winter Sun: Cycling California’s Death Valley and Biking Southern Vermont: A New England Idyll.
VBT’s new walking vacations for 2014 are: Italy: The Quiet Pathways of Tuscany; France: Slow Road through Provence; Spain: A Walking Tour of Basque Country; Walking New Zealand: Splendor of the South Island; Walking Vietnam: The Trails of Indochina; Coastal Maine: Walking Acadia; Walking the American West: Zion & Grand Canyon and Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Walking America’s Wilderness.
Also for 2014, VBT has introduced two new domestic cross-country skiing vacations: Yellowstone in the Winter: Skiing America’s First National Park and A New England Winter: Cross-Country Skiing in Vermont. One departure for each cross-country ski vacation – including each of the 3 existing vacations – will be dedicated exclusively to beginner skiers.
Full itineraries for all of VBT’s 2014 vacations—40 biking, 13 walking, and 5 cross-country skiing—can be found at http://www.vbt.com. The vacations are set in 27 countries on 5 continents.
VBT has announced a variety of special tour departures for 2014 as well. Five Culinary Tours have been designated which include enhanced culinary experiences such as cooking classes, food and wine tastings, market excursions and conversations with chefs. The select Culinary Departures for 2014 are The Amalfi Coast & Capri (3/26/14), Spain: Under the Andalusian Sky (5/9/14), Tuscany by the Sea (9/26/2014), Burgundy: the Wine Route (9/4/14) and Journey through Vietnam (11/18/14).
Also, four departures in 2014 will be President’s Tours with Gregg Marston and his wife. “Caroline and I are looking forward to getting back out on the road with our travelers,” Marston said. “For us, the opportunity to travel with our guests allows us to share in a VBT experience first-hand and gain insight into the operations that we just can’t get from our home in Vermont.” The select departure dates of President’s Tours for 2014 are Argentina: Walking in Patagonia (1/22/14), Holland in Springtime Bike & Barge (3/27/14), Biking Southern Vermont: A New England Idyll (6/29/14) and Lake Garda to Venice: Cycling Italy’s Veneto (9/7/14).
A new feature of VBT’s 2014 catalog is the addition of QR codes in the pages to enhance the interactive experience. With the aid of their smart phone, readers will be able to access additional information about select topics on VBT’s website, including photos, traveler testimonials and new vacation videos of trips to Tuscany, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Vermont, Puglia and The Amalfi Coast & Capri.
VBT is also offering additional incentives for its Refer-a-Friend program in 2014. Travelers who refer a friend who books a vacation will now receive $150 in Traveler Credits after the friend has returned from their vacation. The referred friends will also receive $75 per person in savings on their first reservation.
Earlier this year, VBT was voted #4 in the Travel + Leisure magazine annual readers’ poll, marking the fourth consecutive year that VBT has been ranked among the World’s Best in the Tour Operator category. VBT received a score of 94.42 out of 100 in this poll.
Founded in 1971 by a Middlebury College professor, VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling, walking and cross-country ski tours worldwide, including destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Argentina, Canada and the United States. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities, and full van support for biking and walking vacations. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes roundtrip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities for all overseas vacations.
For reservations or more information, and to receive our new VBT catalog, call 1-800-245-3868 or visit http://www.vbt.com and click on VBT’s Request a Catalog page.
Paul Williams, VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations, http://www.vbt.com, (802) 453-4811 3414, [email protected]
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