Pacific Delight Tours has created a gluten-free tour series,
which kicks off with a 17-day escorted tour of China this spring.
Departing on May 12, the tour will include a Yangtze River
cruise onboard Victoria Cruises' 378-passenger Victoria Jenna. Additional
highlights are a visit to the Great Wall, as well as to the city of Dali in
China's southwestern Yunnan province, where guests will participate in a
gluten-free Chinese cooking class. The itinerary also includes morning tai chi
exercises in the park, visiting pandas at the Chongqing Zoo, exploring the
Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an and gluten-free dim sum at a Shanghai teahouse.
"Gluten-free dietary needs are becoming increasingly
common, while many patrons choose to cut gluten consumption as an optional
lifestyle choice," said Charmaine Lau, operations manager for Pacific
Delight Tours. "Navigating remote areas of the world can be intimidating
for travelers with special dietary needs. Our unique tours enable
gluten-intolerant passengers to travel with confidence and peace of mind."
Bernadette Sheridan, a China travel expert who has hosted
celebrity chefs touring China and has guided numerous gluten-free groups on the
Yangtze River and throughout China, will escort the first departure. Sheridan
currently resides in the U.S. and works in food science, exploring recipes and
ingredients for gluten-free and healthy-choice diets.
The fully escorted gluten-free tour starts at $6,795 per
person, based on double occupancy, and includes roundtrip air from Newark on
Cathay Pacific, all intra-China flights and transfers, deluxe accommodations, a
private balcony superior stateroom on the Yangtze River with daily excursions
operated by Victoria Cruises, English-speaking local and national guides,
sightseeing and cultural performances, taxes, service charges and porterage. A
$2,075 single supplement applies to solo travelers.
The program includes stays at Shangri-La properties in
Beijing and Xi'an, and the Regal International East Asia Hotel in Shanghai.
An early bird discount of $1,000 per couple applies to reservations
made by Jan. 31.