Travel agents with clients looking to explore the Mediterranean region in the coming year have a number of new hotels and tour packages to consider.
Hilton Worldwide inked a franchise agreement with Proma to operate a Doubletree by Hilton property in Olbia, Sardinia. The property, to open next fall, is the brand's first foray on the island. The 124-room newbuild will feature a restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace, an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi.
Four Seasons is set to open the 230-room Four Seasons Hotel Beirut in Lebanon in December. Highlights include a rooftop lounge, full-service spa and guestrooms with private terraces.
The Rocco Forte Collection was tapped by the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels to manage the Shepheard Hotel in Cairo. The hotel will be closed for extensive renovation. It is scheduled to reopen in late 2012 as a 275-room, five-star Rocco Forte Collection hotel.
Rocco Forte is also due to open hotels in Abu Dhabi and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2010 and a resort in Marrakech in 2011.
Tours on tap
Butterfield & Robinson created a bike tour of Jordan, to debut in 2010. Participants ride from Amman in the north down to Aqaba on the Red Sea, taking in Roman ruins and ancient Christian sites. The trip, set to depart Oct. 7, is priced at $9,995 per person, double. Visit www.butterfield.com.
Through March 31, Israeli carrier El Al is offering economy-class, roundtrip fares to Israel starting at $906 per person from New York and $1,274 per person nonstop from Los Angeles. Business-class, roundtrip fares from $2,704 per person also are available. Visit www.elal.com.
Key Tours unveiled a seven-night Wonders of Egypt tour starting at $1,999, including air from New York. It includes five nights at the Ramses Hilton in Cairo and a four-night Nile cruise to Luxor, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
A 13-night escorted Glories of Turkey tour stops in Istanbul, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Cappadocia and Ankara, and is priced from $1,599. The rate includes roundtrip airfare from New York, accommodations, daily breakfast, 11 dinners, transfers and sightseeing. Departures are weekly through March 24. Visit www.keytours.com.
Variety Cruises is poised to add a free pre- or post-cruise land program in Venice or Split, Croatia, to its summer Tales of the Adriatic cruises. The add-on features two nights in a four-star hotel and a half-day sightseeing tour, valid for select sailings June through August. The seven-night cruise explores Venice and Croatia along the Adriatic Coast aboard the refurbished 46-passenger Pegasus megayacht.
The special is valid for all category cabins for bookings paid for by Feb. 1. Rates begin at $2,690 per person per week, double. Visit www.varietycruises.com.