Enjoy the world's 'HighLights' with Voyages Jules Verne

New Limited Edition range of escorted tours offers affordable alternatives in Europe, Africa, India, the Far East and the Middle East .

Long renowned for its innovative approach to escorted travel, specialist tour operator Voyages Jules Verne has introduced ‘HighLights’ – a new range of Limited Edition itineraries offering exciting destinations at affordable prices.

Featuring a choice of cost-conscious tours in Europe, Africa, the Far East and the Middle East, ‘HighLights by Voyages Jules Verne’ distils the essence of the company’s popular World of Wonders and Classic Resorts & Weekends programmes into shorter, more affordable options of seven and eight nights’ duration. Thoughtfully designed to reflect the financial and time constraints faced by many people planning to travel next year, each HighLights tour nevertheless retains the essential sights, sounds and atmosphere of the countries visited, offering solo and accompanied travellers alike the chance to explore the world in small groups alongside like-minded companions and expert guides.

‘Highlights by Voyages Jules Verne’ offers nine tempting yet competitively-priced itineraries for 2012 departures, many of which also offer the option to extend the experience for a small additional cost:

In Europe:

• HighLights of Poland – this seven-night tour takes in the unforgettable sights of Cracow and Warsaw including walking tours of both cities and optional excursions (additional cost) to the world-famous Wieliczka Salt Mines and the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Price is from £565 pp*.

• HighLights of Turkey – explore Istanbul, including the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, before moving on to discover Canakkale, Kusadasi and Bursa on this week-long Turkish delight with optional Bosphorus cruise and visit to ancient Ephesus (additional cost). Price is from £695 pp*.

An optional two-day extension to this tour, staying at Istanbul’s four-star Hotel Oran, costs £95 pp.

In Africa:

• HighLights of Egypt – let country specialists Voyages Jules Verne guide you around ancient Egypt’s most notable landmarks on this seven-night itinerary encompassing Luxor, Aswan and a Nile cruise as well as escorted visits to the Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple and more. Price is from £695 pp*.

Extend your Egyptian experience with a visit to Cairo, staying at the five-star Mövenpick Cairo Pyramids. Three nights cost £245 pp including excursions to the Pyramids & Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Citadel and bazaars.

• HighLights of Morocco – Casablanca, Fez, Erfoud, Ouarzazate and Marrakech are the must-see stops on an eight-night discovery of this intoxicating country, staying in four-star accommodation throughout. Price is from £695 pp*.

Indulge in an extra four nights at Marrakech’s four-star Hotel Golden Tulip for just £185 pp.

• HighLights of Tunisia – combine two nights in historic Tunis with five nights in Port El Kantaoui on this tour featuring Carthage, the Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said village, Dougga and the Ribat of Sousse as well as relaxing stays in lovely four and five-star hotels. Price is from £495 pp*.

Extend your stay by four nights at Port El Kantaoui’s four-star El Hana Palace for just £95 pp.

In India:

• HighLights of India – highly placed on most people’s ‘bucket lists’, the iconic Taj Mahal is among many memorable excursions during a week’s tour of India that also includes the Amber Fort at Jaipur, Delhi and the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Price is from £895 pp*.

A four-night optional extension on this tour includes travel on the Shatabdi Express and ‘Toy Train’, and a tour of Shimla with three nights at Hotel Springfield, Shimla and the last night in Delhi.

Price is £295 pp.

In the Far East:

• HighLights of China – tick off the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Forbidden City and Tian an Men Square on this week-long escorted itinerary that also includes a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and the Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu. Price is from £995 pp*.

• HighLights of Vietnam & Cambodia – increasingly popular with intrepid UK travellers, the top spots of these two fascinating countries needn’t take an age to experience. VJV’s new itinerary includes Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City in just eight nights. Price is from £1,145 pp*.

Combine an optional extra night in Ho Chi Minh City with six at the Allezboo Beach Resort & Spa for just £295 pp.

In the Middle East:

• HighLights of Jordan – allow the enigmatic rose-red city of Petra under your skin on a seven-night tour that also visits Amman, Aqaba and the Dead Sea with optional excursions (additional cost) to ancient Jerash, Wadi Rum and a Red Sea Cruise. Price is from £795 pp*.

*According to the itinerary selected, prices are based on two sharing and include air travel and taxes, transportation, accommodation, some meals, excursions and the services of guides and local representatives. A programme of additional sightseeing excursions is available on all tours (extra charges apply).

For a copy of the new ‘HighLights by Voyages Jules Verne’ pamphlet, call 0845 166 7035, email sales@vjv.co.uk, or click here to view online.

Voyages Jules Verne was voted among the top three travel companies in the Best Tour Operators (Large) category at the 2011 Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk Travel Awards.