What’s Happening in the U.K. & Europe?

60 years ago Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne; 200 years ago Charles Dickens was born; 95 years ago Canadians fought & died at Vimy Ridge and 70 years ago they did the same at Dieppe.

Welcome to DHTour’s 2012 selection of travel ideas and tours which include all the above anniversaries.

For most people in Britain the main event of 2012 will not be the much vaunted Olympics but will be the celebrations around the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, during the first week of June. You can be there to join in the party, to witness the historic Thames River Pageant and to also explore this land of Shakespeare and Dickens. Our “Tour of the Year” in 2012 could only be “The Diamond Jubilee” and you can find complete details of this exclusive and enriching experience on this web site or in our brochure on pages 18 &19.

Be part of the greatest celebration in a generation

Do not be put off of visiting London or the rest of the U.K. because the Olympics are on in July and August. We will have hotel space even at those times but, more importantly, there are so many other options and dates for you to pick from. In May we are repeating the hugely successful “Wales – Land of My Fathers” as well as offering Holland’s Floriade coupled with a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show. You can get away to South West England, Cornwall, Devon or the Channel Islands or explore Wales, Ireland and Scotland. In Europe, France and Tuscany beckon as does Italy and an in depth exploration of Pompeii and the events of AD79. The “Crossing” on the Queen Mary II remains the classic of cruises and this year you could go to England and back without flying!

We are proud to be Canadian agents for the unique and eclectic Back Roads Touring Company. Some of their tours will still be packaged with add-on nights etc. in our regular program but now you can browse all the Back Roads itineraries right here plus we have a separate brochure we will send you on request.

What’s new with DHTour?

The biggest change in this year’s brochure is that our published pricing is for the land/cruise product only and, with the exception of the Queen Mary Crossing, does not include air. We were reluctant to go this route but the varying prices and ever changing air taxes & fees led us to this decision. We guarantee to search and find you the best air to suite your needs and below we have tried to give you some idea of costs and the choices you have.

Airlines

British Airways remains our preferred airline to the U.K. but Air Canada and Air Transat both have flights from various Canadian cities direct to London’s Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Air Canada and Air Transat also have direct flights to Paris and other European cities (tip:- if you are thinking of visiting London and Paris, fly into one and out of the other). Other international airlines also have direct flights to their own countries.

Air Transat, officially still a “charter” airline, has, in our opinion, improved their service tremendously over the last few years. On their transatlantic flights they have modern aircraft, similar leg room and luggage allowances as the scheduled airlines and are usually priced $200- 300 less. They also offer a Club Class, with larger seats etc. at prices comparable with the regular economy pricing of BA or AC.

On some of our tours we book group rates on BA or AC and we will always offer their current seat sales if available when you book. We will not be undersold on the air prices we offer you.

Price examples, Toronto – London return:

BA and AC’s current published prices range from $530 in the winter months to $1,117 in the Summer – current air taxes are $590 for totals of $1,120 - $1,707. Seat sales wil reduce these prices by $150 -250. BA offers its World Traveller Plus service for approx. $650 more.

Air Transat (into Gatwick) is usually priced $2 – 300 less.