Go Ahead Tours Launches ‘Special Event’ Tours

Combines Popular Itineraries with Unique Events & Authentic CulturalTraditions With NPR Tour of Europe, Italy’s Eurochocolate Festival

Cambridge, Mass. (January 24, 2008) – Go Ahead Tours, a leader in cultural discovery through guided tours and global journeys, has launched three tours with departure dates that coincide with unique events and special itineraries.  From Germany’s Oktoberfest and Italy’s Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia, to a National Public Radio ‘Listeners Tour of Europe’, these special event departures will enrich the travel experience with special cultural authenticity.

“Each departure combines itineraries from very popular tours, and departure dates that coincide with special festivals, events and traditions that only occur once a year or once every multiple years, making for a truly unique and out-of-the-ordinary travel experience,” states Go Ahead Tours’ VP of Marketing Cyril Lemaire.  “Our customers not only want active, culturally-rich itineraries, but also the experience of local tradition and special celebrations.  Our ‘Special Event’ itineraries provide unique access to annual events and exceptional activities.”

Highlights of the Special Event Departures:

Eurochocolate Festival:  October marks the annual Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia, Italy – the European Capital of Chocolate.  For nine days each year Perugia is transformed into an open-air celebration of tastings, cooking classes, expos, banquets and everything chocolate.  The Festival coincides with October 11^th departure of the Taste of Tuscany tour, which offers a 10-day culinary exploration of Italy’s cuisine and culture, from the Renaissance treasures of Florence and the grape-laden vineyards near Siena, and of course, the chocolate hub of Perugia.  While Italy’s world-renowned cuisine warrants a trip on its own, this tour of Tuscany and Umbria also highlights the rich history, culture and unforgettable scenery of these breathtaking regions.  From $2,894 including airfare and fuel surcharges.

Oktoberfest:  This 16-day festival, from mid-September to the first Sunday in October, attracts six million visitors to Munich to partake in the world’s largest fair known for its beer and regional delicacies.  Go Ahead offers two itineraries that put travelers right in the heart of Oktoberfest, Historic Germany:  Berlin to Bavaria (September 18 departure) and Wine, Waltzes & The Rhine (September 17 & 24 departures).

·         Historic Germany is a 12-day tour highlights Berlin’s evolution from Cold War divisions to its current splendor; World War II history in Dresden; the rich German heritage of Bamberg’s medieval past; and the renowned festive and charming traditions of Munich.  From $2,879 including airfare and fuel surcharges.

·         Wine, Waltzes & the Rhine is a 14-day tour featuring some of Europe’s most romantic cities and regions, including Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting of ‘The Sound of Music’; medieval Heidelberg’s rose-colored castle and cobbled Marktplatz; Lucerne’s Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) and covered bridges; Innsbruck, city of the Hapsburg empire and site of two Winter Olympics; and Munich.  From $3,279 including airfare and fuel surcharges.

Public Radio Listener’s Tour of Europe:  In partnership with Boston’s National Public Radio affiliate, WBUR, Go Ahead Tours offers a ‘Public Radio Listener’s Tour of Europe’ version of the 11-day London, Paris & Rome city stay tour, with a special September 17^th departure date.  The itinerary features a visit to London’s BBC, the world’s largest broadcasting corporation; dinner with NPR’s senior correspondent in Rome, Sylvia Paggioli; and insightful journalists’ perspectives on Europe’s political and culture landscape.  The London stay features sightseeing tours of Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. James’s Palace Changing of the Guard and St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Paris offers the celebrated boulevard Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Left Bank and the Louvre.  Rome features tours of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, ruins of the Colosseum and the Roman Catacombs.  From $3,399 including airfare and fuel surcharges.

Go Ahead Tours is donating $400 from each reservation to support WBUR and National Public Radio.

About Go Ahead Tours

Established in 1990, Go Ahead Tours offers high-quality cultural travel experiences and global journeys at an unbeatable value to adult travelers.  With more than 60 itineraries to over 35 countries across the globe, Go Ahead offers a wide variety of guided tours including walking tours, cruises, independent city stays, safaris, food and wine tours and spa getaways.  All tours include roundtrip airfare, all accommodations, and the services of a professional, bilingual Tour Director, and start at just $120 per day.

Committed to providing superior quality and value, Go Ahead offers comprehensive packages and a “Best Price Guarantee” on all of its tours.  Go Ahead Tours’ parent company, EF Education, was founded in 1965 and is the world’s largest private educational travel company.  For more information call (888) GO AHEAD, or visit www.goaheadtours.com.