In the world of theme parks, one of the most anticipated events of the year is the opening of “Pandora–The World of Avatar” in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. Beginning on May 17, park guests can fly on the back of a mountain banshee during an exhilarating 3D ride; journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs; and hike amid floating mountains and glowing flora and fauna.
The 2009 movie epic, Avatar, was the highest-grossing film of all time, and revolutionized the 3D film experience. Bringing the fantastical world of Pandora to life has been several years in the making. Creative director Joe Rohde talks about the logic and process of adding the world of Avatar to Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
Experience Pandora for yourself this summer, and save up to 25% on rooms at select Walt Disney World resorts from May 28 – August 31, 2017. Discount valid most nights, but rooms must be booked by July 14.
For more information, contact Susan Hickman at Distant Lands Travel.
Bhutan & Nepal with Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Small Groups
Tigers Nest Monastery Bhutan
Discover Bhutan and Nepal, seeing Tiger’s Nest Monastery; embarking on an elephant-back safari in Chitwan National Park; and taking a rickshaw ride to Durbar Square.
Experience Bhutan’s age-old ways, discovering its rich artistic and cultural heritage
Feel the spirit of Bhutan on a hike to the spectacular Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Learn about the culture and lifestyle of local farmers by visiting a farmhouse
Embark on an elephant-back safari in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park for a unique view of wildlife
Enjoy a lesson in Nepalese cuisine during a Chef’s Table event in the home of a local resident
Witness a debate among nuns at the Kopan Nunnery, an unforgettable, age-old tradition
Ride Like a Local when you travel by rickshaw to visit Durbar Square and Teleju Temple
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi, India
Arrive in Delhi, where you are met and transferred to your airport hotel.
Day 2: Paro, Bhutan/Thimphu | Welcome to Bhutan
Fly to Paro and receive a tashi khadda (traditional welcome). In Thimphu, visit the National Memorial Chorten. Later, see the Tashichhodzong Fortress, a 13th-century Buddhist monastery and fort, and then gather to attend a welcome dinner. Meals: B L D
Day 3: Thimphu | Fine Weavers at Work
Thimphu, Fine Weavers at Work
Visit the Folk Heritage and National Textile museums and view Buddhist literature at the National Library. Meals: B L
Day 4: Punakha | The Divine Madman
Drive over the Dochula Pass, seeing the colorful prayer flags en route to Punakha. Stop at Punakha Dzong, continuing to the Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of the Divine Madman). Return to Thimphu for dinner. Meals: B L D
Day 5: Paro | Monasteries, Rivers and Relics
Rinpung Dzong Monestary
Journey overland to Paro, stopping en route in Chuzom to view the religious thankga (scroll) paintings and the natural history collection at the National Museum. Continue to Rinpung Dzong, a monastery and fortress along a mountain river. Then, visit a traditional farmhouse to learn about local farmers’ way of life. Meals: B L D
Day 6: Paro | Ascent to the Tiger’s Nest
Hike to the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, spending the day with the monks. Later, visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred shrines. Meals: B L D
Day 7: Kathmandu, Nepal | Historic Durbar Square
Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fly to Kathmandu. Ride by rickshaw to Durbar Square and Teleju Temple, see the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari) and stroll through the bazaar, old city and Swayambhunath. Meals: B L D
Day 8: Kathmandu | Learn Nepalese Cooking in a Local Home
Travel to Kirtipur and visit the temple of Adinath, the Chilamcho Stupa and the temple of Bagh Bhairav. Attend a Nepalese cooking class in a local home. Then, visit Patan, the Golden Temple and Krishna Mandir. Stop at Patan Museum to explore Nepal’s history. Meals: B L
Days 9-10: Chitwan National Park | Elephant-Back Safari
Chitwan National Park
Fly to Bharatpur and set out on an elephant-back safari. Attend a briefing from a resident naturalist. Start the next day with an early morning nature walk with trained guides. Enjoy an ox-cart ride through the village. Later, canoe down the Rapti River, and watch the sunset while enjoying a Scenic Sundowner along its banks. Meals: B L D
Days 11-12: Kathmandu | A Spirited Nuns Debate
Boudhanath Stupa – Kathmandu, Nepal
Fly to Kathmandu and enjoy a lecture by a Mount Everest summiter before dinner. The next day, visit Boudhanath, site of the world’s largest Buddhist shrine. Proceed to Pashupatinath to meet a local artisan, and stop in Bhaktapur. Tonight, visit Kopan Nunnery to witness a spirited debate among nuns, before your farewell dinner. Meals: B L D
Days 13-14: Depart Kathmandu or Delhi
On Day 13, either fly to Lhasa to begin your post-tour extension or fly to Delhi, where you enjoy the use of a dayroom, available through early morning on Day 14, until you depart. Meals: B
Limited to 16 guests
Days: 14 | From: $7,495
If you would like more information or would like to book this journey, call: Susan Hickman: 626 449-3220 or E-Mail: Susan@distantlands.com
The BritRail South West Pass gives you the option to choose rail travel on most rail services operated by First Great Western, South West Trains and Heathrow Express trains with your choice of first or second class rail travel for 3, 4, 8, 15 or 22 days or 1 month consecutive travel within a one-month period, or a flexi-pass offering rail travel any 3, 4, 8, or 15 days within a one-month period.
While the BritRail South West Pass sounds very specific, it sure covers a lot of great territory in southwest England and parts of Wales. You’ll find its popular destinations include London, Bath, Oxford, Windsor Castle, Salisbury Cathedral, and King Arthur’s Winchester. Still, rolling hills and castles aren’t the only things southwest of the UK. Southwest England is also home to seaside resorts and charming waterfront towns such as Torquay, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, St. Ives, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance.
Though the real charm of this pass is the unbelievable opportunity it gives the most seasoned traveler to avoid high gas prices, lines at local ticket counters, and fumbling with foreign currency.
Here’s what you get:
The BritRail South West Pass is valid on most rail services operated by First Great Western, and South West Trains)
Consecutive pass available in 3, 4, 8, 15, or 22 days, or 1 month consecutive travel
Flexipass lets you choose from 3, 4, 8 or 15 days within 1 month for travel
First or second class available. First class prices take into account regions where only standard rail is available.
Valid for the Heathrow Express. Use of this airport transfer will use a travel day on your validated pass.
Discounted offers:
Special Family Pass: For each adult or senior traveler, one child (ages 5-15) travels free (not applicable with a saver pass).
Child rates are valid for children ages 5 -15.
Children under age 5 travel for free when they share a seat/bed with an adult/senior.
Saver pass option for 3 or more adults traveling together.
Reservation Requirements with a BritRail South West Pass:
The BritRail South West Pass allows for travel on most trains that are operated n most rail services operated by First Great Western, South West Trains and Heathrow Express.
When reservations are required, they are an additional cost to the rail pass.
Seat reservations are required on the Eurostar train when traveling with this ral pass. Tickets can be requested up to 180 days in advance and will not require the use of a travel day on your rail pass.
Many regional trains do not require reservations, and so travelers can simply board with their passes and take any open seats.
At Distant Lands we issue passes on the spot!
If you would like more Information or would like to order a pass contact Susan Hickman at 626 449-3220 or E-mail: Susan@distantlands.com
Three fascinating and diverse countries. One complete rail pass
Explore the length and breadth of three fascinating European countries at a leisurely pace. With the Eurail Austria-Croatia-Slovenia Pass, make use of travel days all in a row, or scattered throughout a two-month period. Slovenia and Croatia (once part of Yugoslavia) are two of Europe’s best-kept secrets, boasting spectacular countryside and coastlines.Travel to 1,000-year old Bled, once considered the most beautiful “health spa” of the Austrian empire. Its lovely climate, lakes, and thermal springs attract recreational buffs from all over the world. In Croatia, begin your travel in the capital of Zagreb and then head to the sparkling Adriatic with its pristine beaches for some fun in the sun. Pair this journey with a trip to melodious Austria, home to Mozart, the Vienna Boys Choir, and the von Trapp Family (not to mention the setting for “The Sound of Music.”)
Here’s what you get:
Unlimited train travel on the national rail networks in Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia.
Choice of 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 days of unlimited train travel within a 2-month period.
Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively.
Free map with pass.
Discounted offers:
Discount for travelers under 26 years of age.
Discount for 2 to 5 people traveling together.
Up to 2 children (ages 4-11) ride free with each adult traveler.
Reservation Requirements with a Eurail Austria-Croatia-Slovenia Pass:
This pass covers trains that are operated by the national railways of each country listed on the pass.
Feel free to hop on and off most trains in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia. When traveling with a Eurail Austria-Croatia-Slovenia Pass, travelers may be required to purchase a reservation for some trains including international and overnight trains.Travelers with a rail pass may be required to purchase a special reservation for the portion of the journey that isn’t covered by their rail pass.
Reservations are an additional cost and can be requested within 90 days of your travel date.
Reservations are required when taking the some trains between Zagreb/Rijeka/Osijek/Cakovek in Croatia and overnight trains.
Reservations are recommended when traveling on high-speed trains like the Railjet within Austria, which are popular and can fill up quickly.
Most regional trains within Austria, Croatia and Slovenia do not require reservations. You can simply board with your rail pass and take any open seat.
At Distant Lands we issue your pass on the spot.
If you would like more information contact Susan Hickman at 626 449-3220 or E-Mail: Susan@distantlands.com
Belgium, The Netherlands (Holland), and Luxembourg have more in common than a royal heritage. They have the Eurail Benelux Pass, giving you extensive travel on the national rail networks of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, with your choice of any 3, 4, 5 or 8 days of rail travel within a one-month period. This pass offers saverpass discounts for 2 or more traveling together and you can also decide whether you’d prefer those travel days to be consecutive or non-consecutive.
Choose to see Belgium by rail, or relax during train travel in Holland. Trains in Luxembourg are also designed to be stress-free and adventure-ready. Put them all together and you not only have an extraordinary travel experience in the Benelux countries, but a journey that’s 180° from the hassles of airports and the deciphering of road signs.
The train also allows you to enjoy the locals as much as the scenery, and immerse yourself in the culture you came to visit. It starts with rail stations that leave you right in the city center, ready for action. Visit the enchanting (and tiny) city of Bruges, is brimming with architectural and artistic finds. Stop in Amsterdam to view the masterworks of the Dutch masters. Looking to “refuel” in Rotterdam? Its nightlife rocks with an abundance of bars, swanky clubs, and quirky galleries. Stop in castle-rich Luxembourg, home to the Grand-Duke. And no journey through Benelux is complete without a peek at the Brussels Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe. Did I say Brussels? What a great time to mention all the travel discounts that sprout up with your pass, too– including deals on hotels and attractions.
The Eurail Benelux Pass is available from Distant Lands on the spot.
For more information contact Susan Hickman at 626 449-3220 or email susan@distantlands.com
Rüdesheim am Rhein is one of the famous wine making
towns along the Middle Rhine Valley, with a romantic hillside setting on one of the more scenic parts of the river. It makes a good base for
hiking in this beautiful region. Rolling hills and great views.
Day 1 ~ Arrive Rüdesheim:
The town sits on the east bank of the Rhine. Find your hotel, the 4-star Rüdesheimer Schloss, near the main road along the river. You’ll receive a welcome cocktail when you check in. Rüdesheim has a charming old town, particularly the Drosselgasse, a walking street, easily reachable from your hotel. Explore the shops and cafes of this charming town, but be sure to return to your hotel for the Four-Course Dinner this evening.
Day 2 ~Rüdesheim:
After breakfast, pick up your walking sticks and backpack,
and get ready to explore the many options for hiking. One of the best is the Rheinsteg, an almost 200-mile trail on
the east side of the Rhine. To head north, take the cable car from Rüdesheim up to the Niederwald Monument above
the town, where you can join the trail. It leads along the vine-covered hills, with many great views of the river. You’ll
pass the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle before the path leads down to the charming riverfront village of Assmannshausen. The trail crosses several small valleys before you can enjoy another classic view
of the Rhine at the Drei-Burgen-Blick viewpoint. From there, you can take an afternoon Rhine River boat back to
Rüdesheim—the boat ride takes about 1 ½ hours, or you can come back morequickly by train. This hike is about 14 miles long, and will take about 7 hours.
Day 3 ~Rüdesheim:
After breakfast, you have options: you could take a morning
train or boat from Rüdesheim to Lorch, and continue hiking the Reinsteg as far as the town of Kaub. Much of this walk
will be along the Rhine river, with views of Bacharach on the other side and of Burg Stahleck Castle which sits above the town. Another option is to take the cable car up to the Niederwald again and headsouth on the Rheinsteg. This section of the trail leads through vineyards towards the Abbey of St. Hildegard, founded bythe legendary Hildegard of Bingen. The trail also takes you past two other abbeys to Schloss Johannisberg, one of the most famous wine-making estates in Germany and the main producer of Johannisberger Riesling. This hike is about 7 miles and
will take about 3 hours; however, it is about a half-hour’s walk from the trail to the Johannisberg estate, if you choose to visit.
Afterwards, descend the hill to the town of Geisenheim, where you can catch a train for the short trip back to Rüdesheim. In the late afternoon, enjoy a wine tasting at Georg Breuer Winery, located a short distance from your hotel, on Geisenheimer Strasse. Founded in 1880, the family-run Breuer estate produces excellent and well-known Rieslings.
Day 4 ~Depart Rüdesheim:
After breakfast at your hotel, take a last look around the town before you hop the train to your next Avanti destination!
If you are interested in more information please contact Susan Hickman at 626 449-3220 or email susan@distantlands.com
Charming seaside villages, mysterious landscapes and a ton of Game of Thrones locations, Northern Ireland is the place to be if you’re a fan of the hit HBO series. Explore the real-life Westeros with caves, castles, forests and the famous Dark Hedges used as the location for the Kingsroad. Explore the locations at your own pace, knowing that all of your travel plans are taken care of.
Your Self-Drive Vacation Includes:
Private Airport Arrival & Departure Transfers
1 night in Dublin at 4-star Camden Court Hotel
2 nights in Belfast at 4-star The Europa Hotel
1 night on the Antrim Coast at 4-star Ballygally Castle
1 night in Coleraine at the Breezemont B&B
1 night in Londonderry at the 4-star Maldron Hotel Derry
1 night in Dublin at the 4-star Camden Court Hotel
Hertz Car Rental Standard Automatic – based on Group G rental for 6 days
Full Breakfast Daily
Sightseeing Activities: Dublin City Walking Tour, Guinness Storehouse, Belfast City Sightseeing Hop on Hop off bus tour, Titanic Experience, Londonderry City Walking Tour
Interested in finding out more about the epic Game Of Thrones® filming locations? Here’s a quick guide to all the spectacular locations in Northern Ireland.
1) Dragonstone, Downhill Beach, Co. Londonderry
Downhill Beach on the Causeway Coast
Downhill Beach is used in the filming of Game of Thrones as Dragonstone, where the Seven Idols of Westeros were burned and Melisandre, flames dancing into the night sky, proclaimed: “For the night is dark and full of terrors.”
2) The Stormlands, Larrybane, Carricka-Rede, Co. Antrium
Larrybane was the dramatic spot chosen for Renly Baratheon’s camp in Season 2. This is where Catelyn Stark agrees a treaty with Renley on Behalf of her son Robb.
3) Pyke, The Iron Islands , Ballintoy Harbour, Co. Antrim
This pictureque coastal nook is where Theon Grejoy arrives back in the Iron Islands and where he later admires his ship, the Sea Bitch. This is also where he first meets his sister Yara.
4) Storm’s End, Murlough Bay, Co. Antrim
Murlough Bay, N. Ireland
Murlough Bay becomes the Iron Islands in Season 3. This is the spot where Theon Greyjoy rides on the horse with his sister Yara. It’s also the spot where Davos Seaworth is shipwreked after the battle of Blackwater Bay.
5) The Stormlands, Cushendun Caves , Co. Antrim
In Seaon 2, Crushendun is where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow baby after being brought ashore by Davos Seaworthy.
6) The King’s Road, Dark Hedges, Co. Antrim
Dark Hedges, Ballymoney, N. Ireland
The Dark Hedges live up to their haunting name in Season 2. These spectacular trees line the King’s Road as Ayra Stark makes her escape from King’s Landing.Disguised as a boy, Ayra travels with Yoren, Gendry, Hot Pie and all the others off to join the night watch.
7) Winterfell, Castle Ward, Co. Down
Castle Ward is the prime location for Winterfell and the lands surrounding Winterfell in the North. This is where King Robert Baratheon and his retinue arrive and are met by the Starks in Season 1. This is also the place where Bran and Osha’s scenes in Season 1 take place.
8) Robb Stark’s camp, Audley’s Field Strangford Lough
Audley’s Field was used during Season 1 as King Robert Baratheon and his retinue arrive at Winterfell. It’s the backdrop of Robb’s camp in Season 2 and the place where he first meets Talisa. Later on, Audley’s Field is where Alton Lannister is imprisoned with Jamie ( and doesn’t live to tell the tale).
9) Riverrun, River Quoile, Co. Down
River Quolile, N. Ireland
The River Quolie features at a couple of key points in Season 1. This is where Robb’s army needs to cross the Trident, so Catelyn Stark goes to bargin with Walder Frey to seek permission. In the next episode, it’s the place where Catelyn and robb learn of Ned’s beheading and declare ” We will kill them all”.
10) The Haunted Forest, Tollymore Forest Park, Co. Down
You might remember this haunting forest from the scene in which a member of the Night’s watch rides through the snowy forest and stumbles upon dismembered Wildling bodies. It’s also where ed Stark and his boys come across the gored stag and find direwolf pups.
Between the green zoo and the urban jungle, designer Werner Aisslinger and his team have created 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin. Half of the rooms look out over the ape and elephant enclosure in Berlin Zoo, while the otherhalf enjoy a stunning view of one of Berlin‘s most history-laden landmarks,the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. On the tenth floor, enjoying aphenomenal panoramic view, NENI Berlin and the Monkey Bar serve aneclectic mix of world cuisine in collaboration with trendsetting Austrianrestaurateur Haya Molcho.
Urban M Room
149 rooms • Mini-bar • Safe • iHome Sound Dock • Free Wi-Fi throughout
Urban l Bike
the building • Free MINI rental • Free bicycle rental • NENI restaurant
Berlin Bikini Rooftop
with 360° views of Berlin and roof terrace • Monkey Bar • Function areafor 100 people • Jogging corner •
Jungle Sana @ Berlin Bikini
Sauna & fitness room with viewsof zoo •
Woodfire bakery • Design kiosk • Living room with DJ corner •
Burger de Ville @ Berlin Bikini Hotel
Burger de Ville
If you would like more info Contact: Susan Hickman (626) 449-3220 or e-mail @; susan@distantlands.com
DISTANT LANDS TRAVEL SERVICES 
