This is the best of the world's best in just two weeks. From Europe to the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent to Africa, these six highlights are global marvels. From the hidden desert city of Petra to the ever-changing metropolis of Dubai on the Persian Gulf, witness the contrasts between ancient and modern. Discover the height of human artistry and ingenuity as you explore the Taj Mahal and the temples of Luxor.

Private Jet Travel is Safe, Comfortable and Convenient

Our private Boeing 757 offers unmatched safety, long-range capabilities, access to smaller airports, and an interior customized for maximum comfort. Not limited by regular commercial routes or schedules, we fly direct, bypass busy airports and avoid layovers, crisscrossing continents and countries with ease. We enjoy special privileges, including expedited boarding, luggage handling, and Customs and Immigration formalities. Because we set our own schedules, we fly during the day, arriving refreshed and ready to explore.

NEW, Spacious Leather Seats Fit Like a Glove
We have reconfigured our Boeing 757 jetliner to accommodate just 74 guests in new VIP leather seats. Made with a patented, dense foam core, the seats automatically adjust to a wide range of body types and provide heightened comfort, flexibility and improved circulation. Each seat has an individual power source for laptops, digital cameras and other equipment. The cabin has 24 flat-screen monitors.

We Control the Quality and Safety of Our Transportation
The Boeing 757 is unsurpassed among today's jetliners for safety and has a 99 percent reliability rate for operating without mechanical delays. Our private jet is operated and maintained by First Choice Airways, founded in the United Kingdom in 1987. Carrying more than seven million passengers on more than 30,000 flights a year, First Choice Airways is one of the U.K.'s largest airlines and is consistently recognized for its high level of safety, performance and service.

First Choice Airways monitors access to the jet and baggage at all times. Every piece of luggage is screened and identified with a security tag and remains under the watchful eyes of our staff and security officers. Find out more about our safety and security program.

An Expedition Physician Travels With Us
An experienced expedition physician accompanies each journey and is on-call to passengers 24 hours a day.

An International Crew and Fine Create a First-Class Expedition Experience
Accompanying our journey is an experienced, international crew, including eight cabin attendants, three pilots, two engineers, an airport liaison officer, and two chefs. The flight crew remains with us throughout the trip. Experienced expedition leaders also accompany the group.

In-flight meals are graciously served on china and linen. Carefully chosen menus and wine lists accommodate a range of tastes. Dishes are prepared with the freshest ingredients and special emphasis is placed on food safety by our chef and catering assistant.

Seminars in the Sky Prepare Us for Adventures on Land
Our lecturers deliver in-flight presentations, using a public address system and conveniently placed overhead monitors. An on-board library of books and publications relating to each destination is available during flight.

Travel with superb lecturers and leaders.
Expert lecturers help create a rich context for your journey, increasing your awareness and knowledge of areas like art, history, geography and politics.

Professional expedition leaders take care of every detail, leaving you free to immerse yourself in every amazing destination.

World Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited on Around the World Islands 2009

UNESCO World Heritage sites are places of extraordinary and universal cultural and/or natural value that have been chosen for special protection from damage and destruction. When a site is selected by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, it is inscribed onto the official World Heritage Site List and receives ongoing aid and technical support from the World Heritage Fund.

Accommodations
Hotels featured on World Highlights 2009

United Kingdom
Claridge's Hotel, London
This Art Deco masterpiece is among London's most lavish classic hotels. Claridge's palatial public rooms shine with inlaid marble floors, fluted pilasters, chandeliers, and museum-quality seating, and its famed restaurant and bar host London's Èlite. Guest rooms feature spacious foyers, linen-swathed beds, sumptuous fabrics, a wide array of technological amenities, and huge baths with enormous tubs and stall showers. The elegant health club has a gym, steam showers, and treatment rooms.

Morocco
Sofitel, Marrakech
Bridging the charm and romance of A Thousand and One Nights with modern conveniences, the Sofitel welcomes each guest with a glass of traditional mint tea in its Moorish lobby. Guest rooms feature large marble combination baths and balconies overlooking the luxurious pool, terraces, and the Atlas Mountains. Fitness facilities also include a heated indoor pool, Turkish bath, and clay tennis courts.
                                              
Egypt
Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor
This stylish, seven-story hotel on the riverfront combines marble, laser-cut hieroglyphics, royal cartouches and etched images of Ramses and Tutankhamen in its common areas.

Recreation includes an elaborate pool and a luxurious spa with gym, sauna and hammam (Arabic steam bath). Elegant, spacious guest rooms have ornate molding, burnished paneling and thick drapes.

United Arab Emirates
Grosvenor House Resort, Dubai
Towering over the Dubai Marina, this stunning property boasts innovative architecture. Its luxurious guest rooms combine Arabian influence with contemporary design and the very latest technology. Butlers are on call round the clock to attend to guests' needs.

A beautiful, serene spa is finished in dark woods and soothing accents.

India
The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
This resort resembles a small Rajasthani fort, with stone sculptures, walking paths and a lily pond around a Hindu temple. Near the tile pool, terraces lead to stone elephant fountains and lounge chairs sit beneath Rajasthani tents. Guest rooms combine colonial and Rajasthani styling with high ceilings, wooden canopy beds and breathtaking marble baths.

Jordan
Mövenpick Hotel, Petra
Located a two-minute walk from the Petra entrance gate, the Mövenpick blends Middle Eastern craftsmanship with Western design in one of the country's most luxurious hotels. Notable features include an excellent gym and hammam (Arabic steam bath), opulent restaurant, well-stocked library and spacious, contemporary guest rooms.

Price of the Expedition Includes

• All hotel accommodations, meals, group transportation, excursions and other group activities from arrival in London on February 27, 2009, through departure from London following breakfast on March 11, 2009
  
• Airport transfers at beginning and end of trip
• Transportation by private jet (or other conveyance) according to the itinerary, including meals, beverages, wine, beer and liquor on board our private jet
• Complete program of special events and activities
• Enrichment program of lectures and presentations by a team of experts
• Professional expedition staff and physician to assist you throughout the trip
• Bottled water throughout the expedition
• Baggage handling abroad
• All gratuities
• Amenities package
• Comprehensive medical evacuation insurance.

Price of the Expedition Does Not Include

• Airfare and taxes between home cities and London (see airfare section below)
• Passport fees and visa charges
• Accident/baggage/cancellation insurance
• Personal expenses such as immunizations, laundry, telephone, fax charges, taxis
• Liquor except as noted above.

Airfare
Because travelers originate from a variety of home cities, airfares will vary. We are happy to reserve flights in the class of service you prefer, and to arrange for your airport transfers and pre- or post-trip hotel accommodations.

Expectation of Travelers
We consider this a fast-paced, strenuous program. Walking and climbing stairs are required to board and disembark the jet at most airports, to get around in hotels and to participate in many excursions. Riding in four-wheel-drive vehicles on rough terrain or unpaved paths can aggravate back conditions.

All members of the trip are expected to be in good mental and physical health.