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Explore Colombia

February 19 – March 7 2020
Price: $16,500 (approx) pp share twin

Be among some of the first New Zealand groups in recent years to explore Colombia, which is now safe for visitors and is definitely one of the jewels of South America. Come with me before the secret is well and truly out of the bag! My itinerary will reflect the rich diversity of Colombia’s attractions – from Tayrona, a Caribbean coast national park to 5000-year-old stone statues in the Andes mountains, the remains of an 11th to 14th century city, second only to Machu Picchu on the continent in its significance, Spanish colonial towns, the Zipaquira salt cathedral and Bogota’s legendary gold museum. Our national park visits, including Los Flamencos Sanctuary, will provide great opportunities to observe wildlife – the country has the highest number of bird species on the planet. This will be a small-group tour.

Iran from west to east

April 3 – April 22 2020
Price: $16,495 (approx) pp share twin 

The last time I went to Iran in 2018 I was sure it would be my last trip as I only ever work with my wonderful friend and guide Reza Mirkhalaf-Zadeh and since he emigrated to Canada some years ago circumstances keep changing as to whether he is able to guide back in Iran. But here we are again! This tour will include Tehran, Tabriz, Zanjan, Kerman, Rayen, Mahan, Yazd, Shiraz, Esfahan, Kashan and Abayaneh. Along the way we’ll be visiting the Armenian church of St Stephanos near Jolfa, along with Soltaniyeh and Persepolis. Iran always attracts superlatives from every traveller in my group, as does Reza’s exceptional knowledge of his country’s history and culture. It’s a wonderful friendly and very safe destination and we have excellent hotels and many opportunities to enjoy wonderful Persian food along the way.

Romania and the Balkans

May 3 – May 24 2020
Price: $11,495 (approx) pp share twin

This tour combines some of the very best of two previous tours that proved extremely popular with my travellers. We’ll be starting in Bucharest in Romania, exploring Transylvania (including Bran Castle, which is now inextricably linked with tales of Dracula) before crossing into Bulgaria, which always comes as a delightful surprise to travellers, especially the spectacular Rila Monastery. Then we’ll be travelling to two of the least visited countries in Europe – Serbia and Kosovo, the latter being Europe’s newest nation. These two countries will give us a true insight into the religious and historical complexities of the Balkan region. We then head to Albania, which has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, and finish our tour in Macedonia, which has a fascinating and complex history, past and present. A wonderful diversity of history, landscapes, cultures, food and wines is guaranteed on this tour, which offers European travel without the crowds.

The Pamir Highway

June 30 – July 19 2020
Price: $16,950 pp share twin

Join me on an adventurous journey of a lifetime through two of the most remote and rarely explored countries in Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. beginning in the Kyrgyz capital, we will explore the region’s high-altitude lakes and spectacular snow-capped peaks, visit families in their traditional yurts to get a feel for the nomadic way of life, attend demonstrations of cooking, felt-making, and yurt-building, and discover thrilling ancient horse games such as kok-boru, Kyrgyz polo. We then cross into Tajikistan, and set off on a breath-taking overland route through jagged mountains and plunging valleys along one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Pamir Highway. and experience the majestic and hauntingly beautiful landscape of the Wakhan Corridor, where Silk Road merchants and “Great Game” players used to tread. We’ll enjoy meals with Tajiks in their timeless mountain villages before descending down into the lively capital, Dushanbe. This will be an intrepid, small group tour, maximum 12 people.

Islands of the North Atlantic – The Orkneys, Shetlands and Faroes

August 1- August 23 2020
Price: TBA

These Islands hold a special fascination; isolation, wild weather, invasions and hardship have forged resilient communities with strong bonds. The island groups of Orkney and Shetland, despite being part of Scotland, have a history and culture which is far more related to a Norse rather than Celtic heritage. This means a tour that also includes a journey to the spectacular, far-flung Scandinavian archipelago of the Faroe Islands that lie to the north, is a perfect combination. This is a tour for those who love remote and mysterious places, especially islands which foster both a feeling of apartness from the rest of the world and a deep sense of community. This tour will include days on islands of both the Orkney and Shetland groups, where Norse roots have been blended with more contemporary Scottish influences. A highlight will be 5000-yearold Skara Brae (one of the best-preserved group of Neolithic houses in Western Europe), the bountiful birdlife including puffins and time to walk on lush green turf beside pristine coastline. We then fly to the Faroes, an utterly stunning archipelago of 18 volcanic islands, seemingly adrift in the North Atlantic. The Faroese with their distinct heritage, live among flocks of sheep in a landscape of fishing ports, verdant green valleys, waterfalls and towering basalt cliffs.

Jill’s Significant Birthday Party and Greek Island-Hopping Tour

September 14 – October 4 2020
Price: $14,950 pp share twin 

As my birthday falls in January, I’ve never had a celebration on tour but this year, even if it’s not on the exact date, I’m going to mark the occasion! We’re going to start this tour in Athens then island-hop our way across the Aegean Sea, first to Mykonos, then on to Crete where we will spend several days exploring its wonderful archaeological and cultural sites before visiting Santorini and then Rhodes. Along the way there will be a full-on Greek-style birthday party dinner for me but also on another night there’ll be a party organised for anyone else in the group who has a significant birthday or anniversary in 2020. So, if 2020 is a landmark year for you how better to celebrate it than in the Greek Islands? This is not a cruise but an island-hopping tour using flights, ferries and land-based touring.

Ethiopia

October 24 – November 14 2020
Price: $16,450 (approx) pp share twin

Due to many requests I’m heading to Ethiopia, which I visited some years ago. Ethiopia is truly astonishing, from its plateaux, mountains and lakes to its ancient Christian heritage. It has some of the very best wildlife viewing in Africa but is also home to an incredible diversity of ethnic groups. My tour is going to focus on Ethiopia’s northern historical circuit and the Rift Valley with an optional extension to the tribes of the Omo Valley. The main tour will include Addis Ababa, the Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana monasteries, Gondor’s medieval castles, Simien and Awash national parks, Axum’s stele, Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches, Dire Dawa walled town and hyenas and the tribal villages of Dorze and Zonso. This will be a small group tour.

Patagonia and Antarctica

November 25 – December 11 2020
Price: TBA

This great combination will show you some of the most stunning scenery in Patagonia, taking in both the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile with its breath-taking alpine scenery, Magellanic forests and lakes and then cross into Argentina to visit Perito Moreno glacier, one of the most spectacular in South America and one of the few glaciers that is still advancing. We then travel to Ushuaia to board the ship Sea Spirit for a 12-day cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. There will be the opportunity of several continental landings and even a chance to spend a night camping on Antarctica. There are enormous penguin colonies, whales and scenery that is absolutely stunning. I know this ship well and have many friends among the expedition team and ship’s crew. There are limited cabins available on the cruise section of this tour.

What clients who have travelled with Jill before have had to say:

Jill Worrall Tours Feedback

"It was a fabulous tour...it was a delight" K and A, Mongolia, 2019.

"What a great trip. Croatia exceeded expectations on all fronts. An awesome country. We both had a blast." KW and DW, Croatia, 2019

"A big thank you again for taking us on yet another exquisite adventure." MC, Croatia, 2019


“Jill is an exceptional leader and we felt very comfortable and happy being taken care of by her, knowing that the tour would happen as expected and any problems dealt with. We had a wonderful trip and the attention to detail was excellent. The local people were friendly, cheerful, happy to answer questions and sort things out with grace. What more could you wish for?” Graham Ingram-Monk, Zambia and the Zambezi, August 2017.

“An absolutely wonderful, amazing, thought-provoking tour. Jill is an amazing tour leader and her ability to take control to sort/fix in a crisis is breathtaking.” Liz – North Korea, July 2017.

I had a fabulous trip to Cuba in April with Jill….Jill made it such fun – Philippa Sargent

“I don’t do group tours!” Well, that has been the case until now. Friends and previous travellers with Jill recommended if I was to travel then this was the woman I should travel with and I was not disappointed – Marg Palmer, Cuba 2017.

Jill is passionate about what she does and her enthusiasm is contagious. I am booked in a tour for next year already – Lisa Gullen, Central America 2017.

If it’s time for a new adventure I recommend packing your bags and travelling with Jill Worrall Tours. You will not be disappointed – Gaylene Marinkovic, Croatia Cruise and Walk 2017.

“I have travelled with Jill on four tours and enjoy the way she manages them . She is meticulous about all the details of touring , and great fun as well. She gets to know all her travellers well and is very supportive in every situation.” JJ Vintage Europe 2016

“Great Trip! Great Tour! Great Group! And Exceptional Tour Leaders!” Jay, Adriatic Explorer 2016

"THANK YOU so very much for an awesome tour. Had one of the very best times ever. LD Jordan Odyssey 2015".

"Loved every minute of it" Tina, Adriatic Explorer, May-June 2016

We have thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for all the treats and surprises. The cruise was superlative" Steve and Rosie, Adriatic Explorer, 2016

"Amazing value. Thoroughly enjoyable" Anita, Adriatic Explorer, 2016

"Great tour, great company" Nola, Adriatic Explorer, 2016

"Marvellous, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A lovely mixture of nature and historical interest. Our last night was superb" Maureen, Adriatic Explorer, 2016

"Jill and Zlatko provided a great tour with their care and attention to detail. Thoroughly enjoyable" Janette, Adriatic Explorer, 2016

"Loved it" Adrienne, Adriatic Explorer,, 2016

"Amazing tour overall and a great value, stress-free holiday and such a fun, relaxed group to tour with" Jill and Barry, Adriatic Explorer, 2016.

"Every minute was fantastic. The cruise in particular was a stand-out for me" Tracey, Adriatic Explorer, 2016.

"I had an awesome time" Kim, Adriatic Explorer, 2016

THANK YOU so very much for an awesome and interesting tour. I had one of the very best times ever on Tour.
LD Jordan March 2015

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