ULTIMATE

Itinerary Prepared For Distinguished Guests RICHMOND BALLET – CHINA MAY 2015 FOLLOW THE DANCERS – , DEZHOU, ,

Rosemary Hodges at Covington Travel

1 WHY COVINGTON TRAVEL

When selecting a company to manage your travel needs, we understand that you have a number of options available to you and that it can be difficult to distinguish between the services. We strive for the best and below are some aspects that make our company stand out from the others.

Covington Moments "Everything seemed to happen without any Our ambition is to give guests at least one "wow!" experience each day. By developing relationships with a broad range of specialists across the effort: flight reservations, country and negotiating private access at prestigious sites, we created a hotel check-in, rolodex of exclusive experiences. sightseeing and time for shopping – everything made to order for us, China Host knowing perfectly to The China Host is part cultural attaché and part traveling concierge. accommodate our He or she is a Westerner who has been living in China for many years different interests and and speaks Chinese fluently. This gives you the best of both worlds. needs. Many thanks to Your China Host knows where you are coming from and helps create the experience you seek in China. our China Host – who made the difference between Excellence and Hotels Perfection.“ Hotels are selected for their facilities, design, spaciousness, service and location. Our long-standing relationships with the best hotels and hoteliers result in preferential treatment for our clients in terms of “I have to say that the room choice, service and amenities. Imperial Tours logistics were first class. Good clean spacious buses, and Restaurants for once someone who For most, dining is an integral part of any travel experience. Our understands that you restaurants are the best available in the destination and can introduce a don't cram 7 people in a vast array of experiences and flavors. Taking into account any dietary minibus. Well- chosen preferences you cite, we will design the menus throughout your stay to introduce you to popular dishes and regional styles so that you will get rooms, great selections of the most out of each and every meal. restaurants.”

"Your attention to detail Private Car Service provided many extra- We provide the best available vehicles in each city. Our smallest vehicle is a Buick or Toyota Alphard 7 seat MPV of high quality. Using special moments & gave Chinese and lesser quality vehicles is how other companies can cut us a priceless gift: an costs, but we feel your comfort and safety should not be compromised. introduction to China we Upgrades to Mercedes, BMW or Rolls Royce vehicles are available. will always cherish..”

Shopping "We have traveled to all Most people traveling to China will be directed to one commission paying tourist factory after another. We cannot abide by this practice. seven continents Instead, we keep abreast of the newest and most unique designers, including organized tour showrooms and shops and relay this information to you. Ask your requirements to places China Host for advice. such as but not limited to Antarctica, , Botswana, Galapagos Islands, Israel, Jordan, South Africa, Turkey & Zambia - it bears repeating, you are the BEST!" 2 Ultimate China YOUR QUICK VIEW ITINERARY

Beijing

Jinan

Shanghai

May 21 Thursday Arrive VIP Airport Pickup (1 group) Beijing Transfer to Raffles Hotel (1 group) May 22 Friday Beijing Hutong Tour Tian’anmen Square Richmond Ballet Performance May 23 Saturday Beijing Great Wall with Private Banquet Richmond Ballet Performance May 24 Sunday Beijing [Embassy Event – TBC]

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May 25 Monday Beijing High Speed Train to Jinan Jinan Transfer to Melia Hotel May 26 Tuesday Jinan Jinan highlights (, ) Drive to/from Dezhou for Richmond Ballet Performance May 27 Wednesday Jinan Day trip to May 28 Thursday Jinan Day trip to Tai Shan () Richmond Ballet Performance May 29 Friday Jinan High Speed Train to Shanghai Shanghai Transfer to Four Seasons Puxi Hotel May 30 Saturday Shanghai Shanghai Museum Yu Gardens Richmond Ballet Performance May 31 Sunday Shanghai Transfers to Airport (1/group)

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ARRIVE B E I J I N G RAFFLES HOTEL B E I J I N G Established in 1905, Raffles Beijing Hotel has long stood as an icon of Beijing’s colonial heritage in the heart of the city. The French– inspired colonnade façade looks onto the northern section of the Legation quarter.

COVINGTON AMENITIES Beijing Airport Forbidden City -Buffet breakfast for two -In-room Wi-Fi internet DAY 1 DAY 2 access THURSDAY MAY 21 FRIDAY MAY 22 B/L

LOCATION Upon arrival at Beijing International We start the day with an intimate tour Within walking distance of Airport, you will be met at the gate by through Beijing’s traditional alleyways (or Tian’anmen Square and the airport VIP staff , holding a sign with your hutong). This is one of the rare chances Forbidden City. name, who will lead you through that you will see Chinese people in their ROOMS immigration, baggage claim and customs everyday setting. If you wish, you will have 171 (1/group ). Your China Host will then meet the opportunity to visit the home of a www.raffles.com you after you have claimed your luggage and Chinese family and ask them questions passed through customs. The China Host about their way of life. will accompany you during the remainder of your stay in China (our China Host acts Whether by force of irony or expediency, as a personal concierge to you throughout China’s government has been located in the your stay in China, allowing you to make same area continuously for over six hundred changes as you see fit…this may mean years. You will walk back in time; strolling adding a site or taking out a site, changing a across Tian’anmen Square , one of the restaurant or booking a foot massage!) largest squares of the modern era, you will pass the Monument to the People’s Heroes - Upon transferring to the hotel, you will - dedicated to the ravages of the hundred have the remainder of the evening at leisure year long Opium War -- and finally enter (no other services included this evening). the ancient epicenter of Imperial Power, the Pricing is based on one transfer per group . Forbidden City . Additional transfers will be subject to an extra charge. (Raffles Hotel – Business Room) Richmond Ballet performance in the evening (7:30pm: National Centre for the Performing Arts) .

B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and dinner

5 Ultimate China DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

B E I J I N G B E I J I N G

Summer Palace Great Wall

DAY 3 DAY 4 SATURDAY MAY 23 B / L SUNDAY MAY 24 B/L

Today, you will visit the Great Wall of The Temple of Heaven was once the China . Built to protect China from the center of a square world where the leader incursions of predatory nomads, the of a Confucianist superpower performed utility and meaning of this fortification sacred sacrificial rites to a circular heaven . has been contested for centuries. The The “noblest example of religious unprecedented scale and unexpected architecture in the whole of China” was charm of the Great Wall may inspire you. the place where the emperor came to The section that we most highly mediate in the affairs of God and man. recommend is the furthest away, about Today the 10 acres of ancient trees 2.5 hours drive, but is generally surrounding the marble terrace altar serve considered one of the most beautiful as a public park, free for pensioners and sections of the Great Wall. popular with amateur Peking Opera performers. Once there, you will be treated to a private banquet on the Wall itself Afterwards, we take a tour of the Imperial (weather permitting). Lunch is catered Summer Palace , a retreat said to have inside a turret which will be hired out been given to the privately for this group. Lunch itself is a in return for political favors. Whether or white linen affair complete with wine, not you believe the popular demonization gourmet food and a scrumptious of this female leader, she certainly had chocolate cake! After lunch you will be taste. Her enchanting mansion, set on given some time for a stroll along this 700 acres of land, incorporates stunning most magnificent of sites. temples, arched bridges, capacious pavilions and the world’s longest covered National Centre for the Performing Arts You will then be transferred back to corridor, all within a landscape crafted Beijing in time to get ready for the according to the dictates of fengshui. Richmond Ballet performance in the evening (7:30pm: National Centre for the Performing Arts) .

B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and dinner

6 Ultimate China DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

B E I J I N G JINAN JINAN MELIA HOTEL J I N A N

LOCATION Near West High Speed Railway station; Near Shenghui Grand Theatre; Approx. 20 minutes away from the city centre and major tourist attractions

www.melia.com

Jinan Grand Theatre Baotu Spring

DAY 5 DAY 6 MONDAY MAY 25 B/L TUESDAY MAY 26 B/L/D

This morning will be at your leisure . This morning we will explore Jinan’s highlights, the Baotu Springs , an artesian After lunch, you will be transferred to karst spring, and Daming Lake , fed by the Beijing South Train Station in time to board area’s springs and dotted by historical a High-speed Train** to Jinan (G17; 15:00- buildings and pavilions. 16:32). Seats will be in the first class section. We will then drive (approx. 2 hours) to ** Clear passport scans will be necessary Dezhou , in time for the Richmond Ballet to book each passenger’s ticket . performance in the evening (7:30pm: Dezhou Grand Theatre ). ** Please note that the group may be split among several carriages . We cannot guarantee that the group will be seated After the performance, you will transfer together . back to your accommodation in Jinan . ** At train stations, please note that porters cannot be guaranteed .

You will then be transferred to your accommodation (no other services today). (Melia Hotel – Guest Room)

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J I N A N J I N A N

Confucius Temple - Qufu Tai Shan

DAY 7 DAY 8 WEDNESDAY MAY 27 B/L THURSDAY MAY 28 B / L

Today we will set off early to drive (approx. Today again we will set off early to drive 2:30 hours) to Qufu , the hometown of (approx. 2 hours) to Tai Shan (Mount Tai), Kong Zi , known in the West as . one of the Five Great Mountains, sacred to both Taoist and Buddhist believers . During The city’s numerous historic palaces, thousands of years of worship, the five temples and cemeteries are related to the mountains became ingrained in Chinese story of the Kong Family. The three most culture, both as natural landmarks and as famous cultural sites of the city, collectively the ritual sites of imperial worship and known as "The Three Confucian Sites", are sacrifice by various emperors. (The hike to the Temple of Confucius (Confucius the top of the mountain is strenuous and former dwelling), the Cemetery of requires 5-6 hours. We will ascend and Confucius (home to the original tomb descend by public shuttle bus and cable car .) erected in memory of Confucius) and the Kong Family Mansion , where Confucius’ (Please note that facilities in this area are descendants lived for centuries. These three not of international standard . The level of sites have been listed as a UNESCO World restaurants and service in Taishan is also not Heritage Site since 1994. comparable to what you will experience in Beijing or Shanghai.) (Please note that facilities in this area are not of international standard . The level of We will be back in Jinan in time for the restaurants and service in Qufu is also not Richmond Ballet performance in the comparable to what you will experience in evening (7:30pm: Shenghui Grand Theatre). Beijing or Shanghai.)

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JINAN SHANGHAI SHANGHAI FOUR SEASONS HOTEL (PUXI) Conveniently located in the city's Puxi , in the centre of the Shanghai's business, shopping, entertainment and cultural areas.

COVINGTON AMENITIES -Buffet breakfast for two -In-room internet access The Bund Shanghai Shikumen LOCATION DAY 9 DAY 10 Within walking distance of the shopping areas of FRIDAY MAY 29 B/L SATURDAY MAY 30 B / L Road and French Concession. Today you will take the high-speed train** Today we take you to visit the Shanghai ROOMS to (G13; 11:34/14:55). Seats will , one of the most modern in the Shanghai Museum 402 be in the first class section. (Packed lunches country. Arranged by category rather than www.fourseasons.com will be provided .) according to a chronology, its collection introduces and elucidates the gamut of ** Clear passport scans will be necessary Chinese arts from ceramics to jade and ivory to book each passenger’s ticket . carvings to paintings. ** Please note that the group may be split among several carriages . We cannot We will then visit the Yu Gardens , one of guarantee that the group will be seated the best examples of traditional Chinese together . garden design in the country. Afterwards, ** At train stations, please note that you will have some time to stroll through porters cannot be guaranteed . Shanghai’s Old Quarter.

Shanghai will take your breath away. Since Richmond Ballet performance in the the early 80’s this city has been growing like evening (7:30pm: Shanghai Art Theatre) . no other, the Pudong waterfront becoming as emblematic of economic prowess as that of Manhattan or Hong Kong. (Four Seasons Hotel (Puxi) – Deluxe Room)

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DEPART DEPART SHANGHAI SHANGHAI

Shanghai Museum Pudong Skyline

DAY 11 SUNDAY MAY 31 B

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your international flight home. Pricing has been priced based on one transfer per group . (Additional transfers will be subject to an extra charge .)

10 Ultimate China TOUR INFORMATION

Please note that touring on most days starts at 9 am and ends at around 4:30-5 pm. This will give you time to rest and freshen up prior to the evening’s events.

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE *Please note that this non-RMB price uses the - 10 nights accommodation in outstanding five star hotels exchange rate of August 18, 2014. Since foreign - 10 breakfasts (buffet breakfast), 9 lunches and 1 dinner (including local mineral water, soft drinks exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, the and local beer) price in your home currency will be determined -Services of 1 Western bilingual China Hosts travelling with the group throughout China and 1 local by the exchange rate on the day of payment, tour guide in each city using the official exchange rate supplied by - High-speed train in First Class (Yi Deng) (Beijing/Jinan, Jinan/Shanghai) www.xe.com/ucc/. Please note that all credit - All land transportation (as listed on the itinerary). Except on international arrival and departure cards will be charged in U.S. dollars (USD). We days, vehicles are available until 10 pm each evening for transfers from the performances and/or accept checks drawn on bank accounts in the group dinners (except on the Jinan/Dezhou night, vehicle available as listed on the itinerary). United States. Wire transfer payments may be - Entrance fees to all tourist sites (as listed on the itinerary) made in your home currency. - China Host, local guide and driver gratuities - City and hotel taxes Please note that the China Host will eat with you during lunches and dinners Please note that, where available, porterage for luggage throughout the trip has been included. Likewise, throughout the trip. This is to ensure that tips to bellboys at all hotels have been included so no need to look for loose change. Please note, though, that you are receiving the best possible service. at train stations porters cannot be guaranteed .

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE -International airfare to/from China, visa processing fees, travel insurance B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and -Dinners (except on May 26, night of the Dezhou performance) dinner - Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, imported mineral waters, excess luggage fees, telephone charges, room service and laundry charges

Please note that no arrangements have been made and are not guaranteed until Imperial Tours receives a deposit.

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