FamWatch

Beijing

  • Various departure dates

Chinapac International is bringing back the tour that “made Chinapac popular all across Canada,” it’s eight-day “Regal Beijing” fam in partnership with Four Points by Sheraton. Attendees will get to visit the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, as well as enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Cloisonné Factory. Land-only cost is $319 p.p. departing on Nov. 19, Dec. 2, or Feb. 18, 2010; or $349 p.p. departing on March 12 or March 19, 2010. For more information, call 1-800-661-8182 or e-mail info@chinapac.com.
(www.chinapac.com)

Canada

  • April 15-20, April 23-28

Anderson Vacations is offering two fam tours in Canada: the “Ontario and Quebec” fam from April 15-20, featuring the best of the St. Lawrence region; and “Mountain Madness” from April 23-28, focusing on the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Agents will be taken to Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal as part of the former tour, with stops at Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, the Rideau Canal, and the walls of Old Quebec. On the latter tour, agents will visit Calgary, Edmonton, Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise, and get to see Sulphur Mountain, Banff Hot Springs, and the Columbia Ice fields in an Ice Explorer. (www.andersonvacations.ca)

Dubai, Oman, Bahrain

  • March 26-April 3

Agents are invited to participate in Unique World Cruises’ eight-day agent cruise with stops at Dubai, Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, from $1,698 p.p. The rate includes air from New York on Air France, airport transfers, accommodation on board the Costa Luminosa, six meals daily, welcome and farewell dinners, and nightly entertainment on the ship. Spouse rate is the same and companion/guest is $1,798. Contact Unique World Cruises & Tours for more information at 1-800-669-0757, or e-mail uwc@uniqueworldcruises.com. (http://www.uniqueworldcruises.com)

Egypt

  • Various dates through April

Agents can experience Universal Travel’s nine-day “Classical Egypt” tour from $595 p.p. (land-only). Included in the cost is a four-night cruise along the Nile, sightseeing tours, meals, entrance fees to top attractions, transfers and hotel accommodation in four- and five-star properties. Emirates, Etihad and Egypt Air currently have special fares for full-time agents. For more details, contact Rafiq at 1-604-669-0110, or by e-mail at rafiq@universaltravel.ca. (www.universatravel.ca)

Italy

  • April 30 - May 8

Toronto-based tour operator Alitours is offering an off-the-beaten-track fam to Italy’s Amalfi coast and Cilento, what it describes as “uncharted territory” for visitors. Highlights of the trip include a trip to the archeological site of Velia, trekking on Mount Castelluccio, a visit to Cilento National Park, and a panoramic drive on the Amalfi coastline. The cost is $999 p.p., double, with taxes, and includes roundtrip air on Air Transat from Toronto, motorcoach transportation, accommodation in four-star properties, daily breakfast, seven dinners and six lunches. (www.alitours.com)

Polar Bear Express

  • July 5-9

Ontario Northland is inviting agents on a “one-of-a-kind adventure” – a July 5-9 fam on the Polar Bear Express, offering participants an opportunity to connect with Canadian history, Aboriginal culture and the landscape of the North. The rail excursion travels 298 kms to the “edge of the Arctic and back, through Ontario’s most pristine and spectacular scenery and over the mighty Moose River. The train winds its way through some of the most fascinating, culturally significant areas in Canada. Along the way, passengers have an opportunity to see the majestic Abitibi River, the main fur trade route of bygone days, now enjoyed by modern adventurers.”
Participants can begin their journey to the James Bay coast at the home of the Polar Bear Express, Cochrane, or in Toronto or North Bay with connections on the Ontario Northland motor coach or Northlander passenger train service. Experience the history and culture in Moosonee and Moose Factory, overnight at the Cree Village Ecolodge, learn more about the town of Cochrane, visit the largest art gallery in Northern Ontario, step back in time at the Heritage Village, and swim with the polar bears. The cost from Toronto or North Bay is $349 (plus applicable taxes), double occupancy; $299, double occupancy, from Cochrane; and $179 for the Polar Bear Express portion only. Space is limited. Contact Dawn Elliott or Christine Blais at 1-800-268-9281 for more information.

Russia

  • April 24-May 1; May 1-8

The glories of Russia will be showcased on Canadian Gateway’s upcoming “Highlights of Russia” fam from April24 to May 1. Agents will get to see the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral on the fam to both Moscow and St. Petersburg, priced from $1,499 p.p. The company is also offering “Moscow and the Golden Ring” from May 1 to 8. Agents will get to discover the chain of villages northeast of Moscow; from $1,565 p.p. Prices include accommodation, airfare, transfers, meals, and more. (www.canadiangateway.com)

Thailand

  • May 3-14

Silk Holidays is taking agents to some of Thailand’s most popular destinations, including Chiang Mai, Thaton, Kanchanaburi, Rayong, Koh Samed and Bangkok, on an upcoming fam this spring. Sponsored in partnership with China Airlines and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the fam trip costs $999 p.p., double. This includes economy-class air to Chiang Mai from Vancouver and return from Bangkok with China Airlines, hotel accommodation, tours, daily breakfast and other meals, and more. Single supplement is $399. To register, e-mail completed application form and photocopy of IATA card to Kenny by Feb. 26 at kennyfan@silkholidays.com.

Uzbekistan

  • March 21-29

Agents are invited to educate themselves on what Vancouver-based Bestway Tours & Safaris describes as “the most prominent of Central Asian countries” on its eight-night fam to the destination that will include visits to four UNESCO world heritage sites. The land-only fam costs US$475 p.p. (single supplement US$100). International air on Turkish Airlines is available from US$431. For more details, contact Azmina Pirani at 604-264-7378 or toll-free at 1-800-663-0844. (www.bestway.com)

Various destinations

  • 2010 dates

Collette Vacations is inviting agents and their travel companions on one of six fams for 2010. The tour operator will be hosting fam trips to destinations such as Kenya, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand and Italy. Agents can qualify for a 100% rebate on fam trip costs by booking the same tour or a tour of higher price within 12 months of participating on a fam, materializing 15 or more passengers. The rebate is applicable to the agent-rate cost of the land portion of the FAM trip. (http://www.collettevacations.com/agents)