Award-winning travel brand offers new insights and more authentic Signature Experiences

Insight Vacations Global Brand Ambassador enjoying a Signature Experience at Sergio Dondoli's Gelateria di Piazza in San Gimignano, Italy

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As 2014 comes to an end, Insight Vacations (http://www.insightvacations.com), the leader in premium and luxury escorted journeys, launches its Signature Year with some of the top travel trends for 2015. With international travel from Canada up 10 per cent* from 2013, Insight guests can embrace their wanderlust by saving up to 10 per cent** ($867 per couple) to Europe with when booking by January 15, 2015.

"Each year, we carefully curate our trips by what is catching travellers' attention, and with that we see 2015 as a milestone year, which is also our Signature Year, in order to commemorate a number of significant events around the world while still retaining our Signature hallmarks," said Cris David, president, Insight Vacations Canada. "Our past passenger surveys indicates that Europe remains the top destination for Canadians and we are proud to offer more than 100 handcrafted journeys including our luxury Gold Europe collection which is now all-inclusive."

Authenticity

The idea of authenticity continues to top the list when it comes to travellers' wishes. Insight believes a 'signature' is a mark of authenticity and so bases its travel offerings on the idea that their guests can have off-the-beaten-track experiences in the destinations they go to including meeting locals and artisans to tasting food and wine from their signature regions throughout Europe. Insight's new 10-day Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany escorted journey treats guests to a Signature Experience in Orvieto where they will meet Etruscan chef Lorenzo Polegri, who shares his pasta making secrets and hosts a gourmet lunch. Guests can save 10 per cent* ($585 per couple) if they book this trip by January 15, 2015.

Photography Trips

Scenery topped Insight's 2014 past passenger survey as the number one interest for travel, with an almost 85 per cent response from survey participants indicating this as a must during their travels. Insight Vacations' special escorted 19-day journey, Picture Perfect Italy, is an idyllic getaway with plenty of opportunities to capture the moment. This leisurely paced trip features the most spectacular scenic landscapes in Italy - from Venice to the Dolomites, down to Portofino, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Umbria, Positano and then to Rome. This special tour departs September 21, 2015 and seats are limited, so guests are encouraged to book now!

Top Destinations for 2015

Britain & Ireland: Britain and Ireland continue to be the most travelled-to destinations among Canadians, and specifically Insight past passengers. In 2015, the Magna Carta will celebrate 800 years since it was first signed and is sure to be a draw to the United Kingdom, since many countries charters were based on this first agreement. On Insight's 11-day Scenic Britain escorted journey, guests will join a local expert for a visit to Edinburgh Castle, home of Scotland's glittering crown jewels. They will also drive to the Royal Mile to see Holyroodhouse Palace. Guests can save 10 per cent* ($653 per couple) if they book this trip by January 15, 2015.

Spain & Portugal: Spain and Portugal are also on the rise among travellers for 2015. In Lisbon, Insight guests on the 10-day Amazing Spain & Portugal will tour the spacious avenues and elegant squares; see the Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower; and visit Jeronimo's Monastery, built during the city's Age of Discovery. In Toledo, guests will enjoy a Signature Experience visiting a damascene workshop to watch and learn from the skilled craftsmen. Guests can save 10 per cent* ($475 per couple) if they book this trip by January 15, 2015.

Croatia & The Dalmatian Islands: Since the first airing of Game of Thrones in 2011, the popular TV show has gained a cult following of fans. With season five set to hit screens in 2015, Insight's 15-day Country Roads of Croatia provides travellers with the chance to visit Dubrovnik, where many scenes from the show were set. Guests will spend three nights in this beautiful city. In Split, guests will embark on a Signature Experience exploring the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace. Guests can save 10 per cent* ($867 per couple) if they book this trip by January 15, 2015.

For more information, please visit http://www.insightvacations.com or contact your local travel agent.

About The TreadRight Foundation

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than USD 2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.

TreadRight's past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society's inaugural "World Legacy Awards," WildAid and inspiring wildlife advocates like Terri Irwin.

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.

About Insight Vacations

For more than 35 years, Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com) has been designing the world's finest escorted travel itineraries. Insight offers 113 journeys to more countries across Europe than any other operator and provides the same legendary service across North America, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Morocco, Egypt and Israel.

Insight guests enjoy The Art of Touring in Style with business-class legroom aboard customized luxury coaches, intimate groups of just 40 travellers and the services of an experienced Tour Director who acts as 'travelling concierge.' Each expertly planned itinerary includes a range of Signature Events for a unique and authentic look into the history and culture of each destination. Throughout their trip, guests will stay in handpicked hotels that are centrally or scenically located and have the perfect balance of guided and independent exploration.

For more information, visit us at http://www.insightvacations.com, on social media at http://www.facebook.com/InsightVacations, http://twitter.com/InsightVacation, and join the conversation using the hashtag #InsightMoments.

- ENDS -

*Statistics Canada. 2014. Travel between Canada and other countries, August 2014. International Travel, Advance Information, Vol. 30, no. 8 (Catalogue number66-001-P). Version updated October 20, 2014. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/141020/dq141020b-eng.htm (November 11, 2014)

**Terms & Conditions: Applies only to tours featuring the 'Early Payment Discount' in the price panel - see the new 2015 Europe & Britain brochure. Not applicable to departures marked with an asterisk '*' which operate as per Insight's 2014/15 Winter Europe brochure. The $867 per couple savings is based on the 10% 'Early Payment Discount'. Savings reflect the 03 July 2015 departure of the 15-day Country Roads of Croatia tour. A $200 per person deposit is required within 3 days of booking and final payment is required by January 15, 2015.

Media Contacts:
Michelle Lee Hoy
PR & Digital Media Specialist
The Travel Corporation | 33 Kern Rd., Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
(416) 322-8468 ext. 7295 | michelle.leehoy@travcorp.ca

Marie Anne MacRae
Global VP, Strategic Partnerships
The Travel Corporation | 33 Kern Rd., Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
(416) 915-7016 | marieanne.macrae@travcorp.ca

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