Continuing in its exclusive relationship with Victoria Cruises (http://www.victoriacruises.com), Tauck World Discovery (http://www.tauck.com) has unveiled the 2009 edition of the trusted tour operator’s China, The Yangtze River & Hong Kong itinerary, which will feature Victoria Cruises’ newest ship, the luxurious Victoria Jenna, scheduled to make its inaugural journey in April. Victoria Cruises operates the largest fleet of five-star vessels on the Yangtze River with the coveted rating from the China National Tourism Administration – and the Jenna will be its new flagship.

“At Tauck, our primary objective is to exceed our guests’ expectations. We want to be sure that every component of our land journeys, river cruises and ocean cruises is comprised of the finest quality and complemented by the best possible service, and there isn’t a single cruise line on the Yangtze that fits this criteria more perfectly than Victoria Cruises,” said Tom Armstrong, Corporate Communications Manager for Tauck.

“Tauck is one of the oldest, most respected suppliers of escorted tours in the industry, with a much-deserved reputation and a name that is synonymous with quality and experience,” noted Larry Greenman, manager of customer service and public relations for Victoria Cruises. “Tauck’s dedication to creating small and intimate escorted experiences can be seen in the smiles of their guests as they board our cruise in Chongqing,” added Greenman.

Tauck’s escorted 16-day China, The Yangtze River & Hong Kong itinerary features a luxurious four-day sailing along the Yangtze River on the brand new, five-star Victoria Jenna; accommodations in several world-class properties, including the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong, Peninsula Beijing, Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel in Xi’an, Sheraton Guilin Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai. Also included in the tour price are 15 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 12 dinners; on-tour air; and a multitude of shore excursions and cultural sightseeing, including:

Hong Kong:

A tram ride to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of Hong Kong.
A boat ride on a traditional sampan through the Aberdeen harbor in Hong Kong, home to a unique community of people who have lived on the water their entire lives.
A visit to Stanley Market and plenty of time to wander the market-lined streets of Kowloon for serious bargain shopping – Hong Kong style.
A tour of local fish markets.

Beijing:

A visit to Tiananmen Square with a tour of the 15th century palace at Beijing’s Forbidden City.
A rickshaw ride through the hutongs of Old Beijing, stopping for tea at a private home.
A cable car ride in Beijing to the highest point of the Great Wall, followed by a walk along the ancient ramparts.
A tour of Beijing’s Summer Palace, once a retreat for the Forbidden City emperors, including a lake cruise.
A visit to the 15th century Temple of Heaven in Beijing, a round, three-tiered structure considered one of the best examples of traditional Chinese architecture.
A cocktail reception followed by dinner at the guest’s choice of hotel restaurant.
A special culinary experience featuring Peking Duck.

Xian:

Sightseeing at the Wild Goose Pagoda in Jianfu Temple.
An opportunity to experience the walls of Xi’an, one of the best preserved city walls in China.
An outing in Xian to observe the Terra Cotta Warriors, an army of more than 8,000 life-sized 3rd century statues.
Guilin:
A private boat ride along the Li River in Guilin, where picturesque surroundings are reminiscent of Chinese scroll paintings.
A visit to one of the most impressive caves in the Guilin region.
A demonstration of the ancient art of reflexology to rejuvenate the feet and counteract any soreness.

Yangtze River:

A four-day Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang aboard the luxurious Victoria Jenna – Victoria Cruises’ newest five-star vessel.
A spectacular view of centuries-old pagodas and temples nestled along the mist-shrouded Yangtze.
Many onboard activities such as Tai Chi lessons and a host of nightly entertainment options.
An excursion to the impressive Three Gorges Dam Site in Sandouping, an extraordinary feat of engineering and major highlight of the river cruise.
An additional excursion, such as a tranquil journey through the Yangtze’s scenic Daning or Shennong River tributaries to the Small Gorges.

Shanghai:

A sightseeing tour of Shanghai, including the classical Yu Gardens, featuring over 30 pavilions.
A spell-binding performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobat Troupe.
A chance to explore Shanghai’s best preserved ancient town, Zhu Jia Jiao, which dates back 1,700 years and boasts willow-lined streets.
A farewell dinner and cocktail party.

Pricing for Tauck’s 2009 departures of its 16-day itinerary begins at $5,990 per person, double occupancy, plus international air. (Selected 2009 departures of China, The Yangtze River & Hong Kong feature smaller group sizes with a maximum of 26 Tauck guests, and are priced from $6,130 per person plus air.) For more information or to book, consult your local travel agent or contact Tauck at 800-788-7885. Visit Tauck on the web at http://www.tauck.com.