Travel beyond the headlines - Political Tours...Eastern Europe. He has lived in Budapest since 1986. He has been Central Europe Correspondent for the BBC since 1996. Dr. Gershon Baskin

Travel beyond the headlines2020

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Our Tours

Dates for 2020

US Primaries – Iowa 30 January – 5 February 8Experts Weekend 6 – 8 March 9Hungary 13 – 18 March 10Lebanon 28 March – 5 April 11Putin’s Russia 5 – 12 May 12The Baltics 16 – 24 May 13Ukraine 13 – 20 June 14Israel & Palestine 5 – 13 September 15Southern Italy 3 – 11 October 16US Elections 28 October – 4 November 17South Africa 28 November – 6 December 18Cuba 5 December – 12 December 19

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Time to Travel

For anyone who has not yet joined one of our tours – you are in for one of the moststimulating and challenging trips of your life. Our journeys are more like a documentaryfilm than a typical group tour – you go off the beaten track, meet incredible people andhave a top journalist or academic guiding you along the way.

And for travellers with an enquiring mind, this is quite a year. The US primaries will givean indication fairly soon of who will challenge Donald Trump. We’ll be in Iowa for thecaucuses and then Michigan and DC for the presidential election itself.

Populism abounds in Europe: We have trips to Putin’s Russia, Hungary, Ukraine andItaly. We are running private tours that look at the fallout from Brexit and its impact inNorthern Ireland. We return to South Africa, the Middle East and Cuba. We will also beholding a weekend of discussion to look at all these issues with some of our leadingspeakers in one of England’s best-known country houses, Cowdray Park.

Remember if our dates don’t work for you, just call us and we can arrange a private tour.

Nicholas & Karen Wood – Directors of Political Tours

T +44 (0)843 289 2349 E [email protected] www.politicaltours.com

“I thought it was beyond excellent – anexceptional introduction to and portraitof a complex, multi-faceted country injust a week. I had high expectations ofthe tour, having been on a PT before, andthere is always a consequent risk that thenew tour will not be as good. But it was…and possibly better.” AN, Lebanon

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Our Tours

Political Tours really is one of a kindNicholas Wood first had the idea for Political Tours while working as a correspondent forthe New York Times in the Balkans. A hitchhiker from California followed him in Serbiaand Kosovo for four days while Nicholas was writing a story and was gripped by theexperience. After leaving the paper he went on to found the travel company in 2011. Sincethen he has been joined by his wife, Karen Davey, a former South African doctor, andtogether they have led tours in over 30 countries. They are delighted to have IsobelRoberts, recently appointed Sales and Marketing Director, onboard.

Based near Oxford in the UK, Political Tours is the only travel company in the world tospecialise in news and current affairs and has been recognised for its ground-breakingwork, with Nicholas repeatedly winning Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist award.

You get to ask your own questions and make up your mind about some of the mostfascinating areas in the world. It’s unique, exciting and stimulating; an experience you willnever forget. Our customers frequently say it is something they could not do on their own.

What to Expect Our tour experts accompany groups throughout.

Our groups really are small, normally 8 – 10 people, providing for a moreintimate travel experience. Rarely more than 12.

Most meals are included as well as all local transport and stays in centrallylocated hotels.

Our prices do not include flights but they do include almost everything else!We are a land-only tour operator and our customers fly from all over the globeto join our tours. If you need help with travel arrangements please ask.

Fellow TravellersWe attract a wide range of customers with half coming from Australia, New Zealand andthe United States, in addition to travellers from the UK and Europe. Many would notnormally travel on a group tour but find that Political Tours enables them to see the worldin a way they never could by themselves.

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Group or Tailor-Made Tour?As well as our small scheduled group tours we provide tailor-made tours. If you are unableto join one of our group tours, this option may be for you. Be it for yourself, your family oran institution, we have vast experience of personalising our itineraries and creating newones to meet your needs.

On all tours you are accompanied by a leading political journalist, author or academic.Together with your tour expert you will meet a range of speakers, analysts and ordinarypeople with a huge range of views and experiences.

The overall aim is to give you a nuanced and comprehensive overview of the country youare in, and an exceptional one at that.

You don’t have to be an expert in politics or foreign affairs to travel with us. Mostcustomers are not. Everyone has an inquiring mind.

Tailor-Made TravelYou can choose any destination on the website or a place of your own choice – we have a great array of contacts around the world and can arrange anything from a day tour to several weeks of travel.

We frequently arrange trips for families, small groups of friends, and individuals. We alsodo tours for schools, universities, businesses and other organisations.

Our tailor-made tours are created to suit your dates of travel. The itinerary combineselements to include your specific interests. Whether it’s a family holiday in Greece orRussia, a day tour in Havana or Johannesburg, a college trip in Northern Ireland or Bosnia,a business looking at the fallout of Brexit – we can create a unique experience for you.

Just call Nicholas, Karen or Isobel to discuss where you would like to go.

Value for MoneyWith all of the things we pack into each journey – research, guidance, meetings anddifferent places we visit – regular Political Tours customers say we are great value for money.

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Dr Michael J.BustamanteCubaMike is AssistantProfessor of LatinAmerican History atFlorida InternationalUniversity, specialising

in modern Cuba. He is a frequentcommentator for Foreign Affairs and a regular speaker on NPR, the BBC, Al-Jazeera America, and ABC Radio Australia.

Claire BoobbyerCubaClaire Boobbyer is atravel writer and Cubatravel expert. She hasbeen exploring theisland for more than 16years and writes features

on Cuba’s culture, nature, history andtourism for the international press. She is also the author of Frommer’s EasyGuideto Cuba.

Nicholas BlanfordLebanonNicholas has lived inBeirut since 1994 and isan acknowledged experton Hezbollah. He is theauthor of Warriors ofGod: Inside Hezbollah’s

Thirty-Year Struggle Against Israel andKilling Mr Lebanon: The Assassination of Rafik Hariri and its Impact on theMiddle East.

Billy GrahamNorthern IrelandBilly Graham is a veteranreporter who covered theduration of The Troublesfor the Belfast Telegraph,Irish News, and was aspecial correspondent for

the LA Times and The Times.

Nick ThorpeHungaryNick Thorpe is a writerand award-winning BBCjournalist, specialising inEastern Europe. He haslived in Budapest since1986. He has been

Central Europe Correspondent for the BBCsince 1996.

Dr. Gershon Baskin Israel & PalestineGershon Baskin is thefounding Co-Chairman ofIPCRI, the Israel PalestineCenter for Research andInformation, a columnistfor The Jerusalem Post

and the initiator and negotiator of the secretback channel for the release of Gilad Schalit.He has recently written a book that takes a behind-the-scenes look at his thirty yearswork on the peace-process.

Our Experts

Political Tours Experts

and covering the fall of communism inEastern Europe.

Dr Dahlia ScheindlinIsrael & PalestineDahlia is a public opinionexpert and an internationalpolitical and strategicconsultant. She conductsextensive public opinionresearch on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the

peace process, and issues of democracy,human rights, minority relations and foreignaffairs for a wide range of NGOs.

Prof. Avi Shlaim JordanAvi Shlaim was born inBaghdad in 1945 and grewup in Israel. Ever sincethen he has studied theArab-Israeli conflict andwas most recentlyProfessor of International

Relations at Oxford University. Hisbiography of King Hussein is widely regardedas the best study of the King’s life and role inthe region.

Peter SullivanSouth AfricaPeter edited The Star,South Africa’s premierdaily newspaper, from1993 to 2000 – throughthe country’s transition todemocracy. Now retired

he is still regarded as one of South Africa’sbest-known reporters.

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Tobias JonesItalyTobias Jones is theauthor of five works ofnon-fiction, including the bestselling The DarkHeart of Italy and Bloodon the Altar and three

crime novels set in Italy. His latest book hasjust been published: Ultra, The Underworldof Italian Football. He has worked with theBBC and RAI, the Italian state broadcaster.A former columnist for the Observer andInternazionale, he writes regularly for theBritish, American and Italian press.

Leonid RagozinThe Baltics, UkraineA former BBCcorrespondent from theregion Leonid nowcontributes toBloomberg, The NewRepublic, The Guardian,

Time, Politico, Al Jazeera, Slon.ru, andMorgenbladet, as well as BBC WS, ABC(Australia) and several other radio stations.He is author of the Lonely Planet guides toMoscow, the Baltics, Greece and Ukraine.

Angus RoxburghRussiaAngus has extensiveexperience of working inRussia, both as the BBC’sMoscow correspondent,and as a reporter for theSunday Times.

Highlights of his career include being kickedout of Moscow in a tit-for-tat spy scandal,

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Our Tours

“A sociological and political eye opener of a tour.” VH, US Elections 2016

“Frankly every expert/speaker we met andwith whom we discussed theelection/politics was first class/top notch.The variety was also superb: from unionleaders to journalists, researchers toacademics, politicians to political operatives,local constituents to campaign phonecallers.” SH, US elections 2016

US Primaries

Thurs 30 Jan – Weds 5 Feb2020

Des Moines, IowaLed by US-based correspondents

Cost: £3950.00 Single Supplement: £500.00

6 nights

Our US election tour has long been ourmost popular. For 2020 we are introducingour first tour in the primary season – andwe have chosen the Iowa caucuses.

Any Democratic hopeful needs to do well inIowa. It is the first out of the blocks for theprimary season and it’s long been thoughtthat if you fail to do well here and in NewHampshire you’ll struggle to regain steamin time for the Democratic convention inthe autumn.

From our perspective what’s great aboutIowa is that the caucuses give you anopportunity to see the candidates and theirsupporters in the flesh.

This six-night tour gives you access to the campaigns of several Democraticcontenders as well as analysis from leadingjournalists and polling analysts. There havenever been so many contenders for theDemocratic nomination – so it should be a fascinating time to be there.

Our US election tours sell more rapidlythan any of our other tours so it would bewise to book soon!

NEW TOUR

Photo: Alan Chin


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Experts Weekend

Fri 6 – Sun 8 March 2020

Cowdray Park, UKTour experts and invited speakers

Cost: from £700.00, excluding accommodation. Details on request.

2 nights

We are bringing together some of our topspeakers for a weekend of discussion anddebate in one of England’s most famouscountry houses, Cowdray Park.

It is a fantastic opportunity to catch up withexperts from tours you may have joined,meet your fellow Political Tourists, and getfirst-rate insight into global developments.

We will confirm our panel of experts inJanuary 2020. A range of guest speakersand analysts will be looking at key issues of our times.

There will be an introductory dinner on theFriday, lunch and dinner on Saturday, andlunch on Sunday, all with speakers andguests.

We have exclusive use of the house which isset in 16,000 acres of land and is home tothe famed annual Royal Polo tournament.It is conveniently located an hour fromHeathrow, 50 minutes from Gatwick andan hour’s train ride from London.

This is the third year in a row we have runthe Expert’s Weekend, which has proved aresounding success each time. Pleasecontact us for further details.

Invited speakers include the leadingIslamist expert, Dr Elisabeth Kendall, Re-Elect Trump campaign manager andformer Republican Party co-chair, BobPaduchik, and the economist ShankerSingham. Other speakers will be announcedshortly.

“The location was superb. We had theexclusive use of the main house and movedaround different rooms, the last of whichwas that used a number of years ago by theleaders of the G8.” HG, Experts Weekend

“An absolutely wonderful weekend. It gave amost useful up-to-date summary of recentkey developments with North Korea, Russia,America and the Middle East.” LK, Experts Weekend

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Our Tours

Hungary

Fri 13 – Wed 18 March 2020

Budapest, Szeged Led by Nick Thorpe


5 nights

A new breed of populist politician isemerging across Europe, and Hungary’sViktor Orbán is foremost among them. Oncea liberal opponent of communism, he is nowat the vanguard of an anti-immigrantnationalist movement that seems unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Our five-day tour takes us south to therecently constructed fence with Serbia,designed to keep out the waves ofimmigrants that once crossed Hungary’sborders. We meet the large numbers ofsupporters in the towns and countrysideswept up by Orbán’s brand of nationalism.His party, Fidesz, is accused of ridingroughshod over basic democratic rights – but appears unchallenged at the polls.

Abroad, Orbán envisages a shake-up of theEU, with less power in Brussels. There isroom too, he says, for an illiberal state onthe continent. Brussels in turn has sought to sanction Hungary for its breach of EUvalues. It is far from clear who will prevail.

For an insight into some of the most criticalissues dividing Europe at the moment, it is

“Nick Thorpe was an excellent leader of thegroup. He was friendly, engaging, andbecause he was the BBC’s InternationalCorrespondent for Central Europe, andlives in Budapest, he certainly knew his wayaround both the country and the politicalscene.” CB, Hungary 2018

“Nick Thorpe was outstanding. Not onlywas he fluent in Hungarian, knowledgeableabout the issues and culture, but graciousin his approach to all of us political tourists,not all of whom shared the same views orenjoyed the same efficiency of getting placeto place. He could ask tough questionsdiplomatically yet not be put off without hispoints being addressed. An impressiveexpert all the way around.” ME, Hungary 2018

a tour not to be missed. The tour expert isveteran BBC correspondent, Nick Thorpewho has lived and worked in Hungary sincethe mid-1980s.

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Lebanon

Sat 28 March– Sun 5 April2020

Beirut, Tyre, BaalbekLed by Nicholas Blanford


8 nights

Glamorous and challenging, scarred by warand yet remarkably stable, Lebanon defiesall expectations.

This tour delves into the country’s recentpast, explores the impact of the conflict in Syria and looks at the balance of powerbetween its diverse religious groups.

Our journey starts in Beirut and then windsits way down the Mediterranean coast to Tyre in the south. After visits to fortsboth ancient (Crusaders) and modern(Hezbollah) we view the border with Israeland then head north through the Bekaavalley and its vineyards. From Baalbek we return to Beirut for talks with some of the country’s leading figures.

Despite huge pressures Lebanon seemscalm. We look at what is keeping thecountry together, how it is coping with itsrefugee crisis and how young people arestriving to give it a better future. It is alsohome to some great food and a boomingwine industry.

The tour is led by Nicholas Blanford, oneof the world’s leading experts on Hezbollahand the region, as well as Leena Saidi, aBritish born Lebanese journalist.

“The Tour was excellent, and I loved it. Iwould recommend it to others and havealready been doing so. Leena was anoutstanding tour leader. Not only did sheensure that all the arrangements wentsmoothly but her flexibility and personalinteraction with the group by sharing herown experiences and contacts wereexcellent.” RC, Lebanon 2019

“I have taken many tours during the past 10years. However, this was unique in that itscore consisted in a series of interviews withpolitical leaders and others involved in thepolitical life of Lebanon. The tour morethan satisfied my interest in politicalmatters in Lebanon. It was in many waysthe most interesting tour I have evertaken.” SS, Lebanon 2019

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Our Tours

Putin’s Russia

Tues 5 – Tues 12 May 2020

Moscow, YekaterinburgLed by Angus Roxburgh


7 nights

Vladimir Putin’s Russia has regained muchof its standing lost during the years of chaosin the 1990s and has emerged as a majorchallenge to Western governments.

We examine Russia’s recent history, itsperspective on relations with NATO, theconflict in Ukraine as well as Putin’sincreasingly firm grip on power at home.

The tour starts away from Moscow inYekaterinburg, on the border betweenEurope and Asia and arguably at the heartof Russia. It’s an ideal place to examinerecent history and life away from Moscow.

Our tour then takes us to Moscow formeetings with members of the President’sown party, the opposition, media anddiplomats. With Russia’s intervention inUkraine, east-west relations have been attheir lowest ebb since the Cold War. Wewill be in Moscow for the May Day militaryparade.

Angus Roxburgh is exceptionally placedto explain Russia’s recent history. He firstlived in Moscow in the 1970s, and afterworking as the BBC correspondent advisedPresident Putin on his media strategy.

Like all our tours there will be plenty oftime to sample some of the very best ofRussian cuisine and hospitality, from localhomes to great cafes and restaurants.

“I was astonished by the first speaker onthe first morning in Yekaterinburg being socritical of Putin. The last day, at the dacha,was also remarkable for being hosted insuch a friendly way by a retired GRUofficer.” JK, Russia 2018

“Political Tours is like a deep immersionstudy tour leaving your brain bothstimulated and exhausted from all theinformation, sights and experiences. Andthis experience stays with you.” CF, Russia 2018

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The Baltics

Sat 16 – Sun 24 May 2020

Vilnius, Ignalina,Daugavpils, Riga, TallinnLed by Leonid Ragozin

Cost: £4700.00Single Supplement: £550.00

8 nights

With the US-NATO alliance in question anda resurgent Russia on their doorstep, theBaltic states are understandably nervous.Our tour looks at relations with theirformer Soviet ally, tracks tales of espionageand examines the uneasy situation with theregion’s Russian minority. There will bemeetings with senior politicians, diplomatsand members of the intelligencecommunity for their views throughout.

We start in Vilnius where a newgovernment has increased militaryexpenditure and is one of the most vocalopponents of a resurgent Russia. Theanimosity isn’t new. Lithuanians andRussians will give us differing accounts of Soviet times.

In neighbouring Latvia we find possiblythe most nervous of the Baltic nations, with its large Russian minority. A visit toDaugavpils, the most Russian city in theEU, illustrates worries on both sides.

We end in Estonia, one of the most web-savvy nations in the world with its beautifulOld Town in Tallinn, where we explore thepossibility of a different kind of relationshipwith Russia.

Leonid Ragozin, former BBC Russiancorrespondent, leads the tour withcontributions from leading journalists in each state.

“What a team you are! How you producedall those politicians, soldiers and nuclearplants I simply can’t imagine.” LA, Baltics

“Leonid Ragozin impressed me as he has in the past with his knowledge andunderstanding of how Russia and itsneighbours interact.” ME, Baltics

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Our Tours

Ukraine

Sat 13 – Sat 20 June 2020

Kiev, Kharkiv, SlovianskLed by Leonid Ragozin


7 nights

Ukraine has been living through turbulenttimes. Following the 2014 revolution it wasinvaded by Russia, with Russia occupyingthe Crimean peninsula and igniting theconflict in the eastern region of Donbas.

With the conflict still simmering, thecountry has just entered a new political cyclewith the election of a young standupcomedian Volodymyr Zelensky as itspresident.

Prior to his political career, Zelensky starredin a comedy series (available on Netflix)about a schoolteacher who accidentallybecomes a president. Largely comprised ofpolitical novices, Zelensky’s party hassecured a constitutional majority in theparliament and embarked on sweepingreforms, raising a huge amount ofcontroversy.

With exceptional access, this tour coversboth the capital Kiev and the eastern citiesof Kharkiv and Sloviansk. Tour leader,Leonid Ragozin, has covered the MaidanRevolution and its aftermath extensively.There is an optional extension toChernobyl at the end of the tour.

“These trips bring real, usually politically-connected, people to the table. All of us arefree to ask whatever we want and to followup with tough questions. Reading aboutsituations isn’t even close to finding outthings first-hand. There is nothing like beingon the ground, face-to-face, with people whoare making or impacting policy.” ME, Baltics

NEW TOUR

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“It introduced me to some interestingpeople (including fellow travellers); it tookme to places and to people I would havenever accessed as an ordinary tourist.” MS, I&P 2017

“The tour gave me an insightful glimpseinto the complex issues of theIsrael/Palestine situation. Hearing firsthand from people closely involved and wellinformed from both sides was, in my view,exceptional. The tour revealed to me manythings I would never ever have known if Ihadn’t had access to people so involved inthe situation.” CF, I&P 2017

Israel & Palestine

Sat 5 – Sun 13 Sept 2020

Jerusalem, Ramallah,Bethlehem, Tel AvivLed by Gershon Baskin


8 nights

2017 marked the 50th anniversary of theSix Day War and Israel’s capture of EastJerusalem and the West Bank. Despite thelapse in time the Israeli-Palestinian conflictremains one of the most intractabledisputes in modern history.

With extensive visits throughout the WestBank and Israel, our tour looks at viewsfrom both sides, from right-wing settlers to Palestinian militant groups and themainstream political parties. We examinethe remaining obstacles to a two-statesolution, including Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem,Israeli concerns over security and the rightof Palestinian refugees to return.

With little progress in decades, groups on both sides now advocate a one-statesolution for both nations, but just wherewould that lead?

We meet with leading political figures andanalysts as well as ordinary people as weexplore one of the most complex issues in the world.

The tour is led by Gershon Baskin, one of Israel’s best-known commentators on the peace process. The founder of a jointIsraeli-Palestinian think tank, Gershon alsohelped to negotiate the release of the Israelisoldier Gilad Shalit from captivity in Gaza.

We are also joined by Dahlia Scheindlin,a leading Israeli political strategist.

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Our Tours

Southern Italy

Sat 3 – Sun 11 October 2020

Calabria & Naples Led by Tobias Jones


8 nights

Italy’s black economy represents almost afifth of the country’s entire economicoutput. For most people those figuresconjure up two words: The Mafia.

But while Sicily’s Cosa Nostra continue tobe highly influential, the country’s biggestorganised crime group is actually basedelsewhere – Calabria. Known as theNdraghetta they have surpassed the Mafiaas one the most powerful criminal groupsin the world.

Tobias Jones, the award-winning authorand Italian resident takes us on a journeythrough the region speaking withpoliticians, businesses, ordinary Italians aswell as former criminals and prosecutors.We will also visit Naples, Italy’s thirdlargest city, home to another criminal clan,the Camorra.

Our aim is to expose the truth as well as themany myths surrounding the groups thatcontinue to hold such a large grip on Italiansociety.

“It was a terrific tour, and as always, youwere gracious thoughtful and frighteninglycompetent. Tobias Jones was terrific as anexpert – knowledgeable and fun to bewith.” JE, Italy 2019

NEW TOUR

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“The experts were brilliant – this was thereal strength and unique aspect of theundertaking. The tour leaders were efficient,charming and on top of their game!”SH, US elections

“The highlight of the tour was the Trump rally, because it overturned allpreconceptions about those who would votefor Trump. We should have realised thenthat his appeal was so wide.” VH, US Elections 2016

US Elections

Wed 28 Oct – Wed 4 Nov2020

Michigan & Washington, DCLed by US-based correspondents


7 nights

We return to the United States to cover ourthird US presidential election, and this timeit’s Michigan that’s in the spotlight. Oncethoroughly Democratic, Trump won it in2016, and it’s a crucial state for anyonehoping to win the White House. We thenhead to Washington, DC for the final daysof the campaign.

From as far out as 18 months before thepresidential election Democratic hopefulshave been focusing on Michigan instead of neighbouring Ohio, the traditionalbellwether state.

We’ll be looking at the get-out-the votecampaign in downtown Detroit and lookingat its amazing regeneration which isongoing, visiting working-class white votersin suburban Motown, as well as meetingcore Republican groups across the statewho voted for Trump last time.

Michigan with its auto sector, large blackpopulation (Detroit is the US’s largest blackcity) used to be reliably blue. Trumpchanged history when he won here in 2016

with a majority of just 10,704 votes. But thenarrow state-wide margin of his victorydisguises how widespread his support was.He won 75 out of 83 counties. So while theDems did well in Michigan in the mid-terms, they know that they cannot afford torepeat Hillary Clinton’s mistakes and wouldignore Michigan at their peril.

Photo: Alan Chin

NEW TOUR

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Our Tours

South Africa

Sat 28 Nov – Sun 6 Dec 2020

Durban, Rural KZN,Johannesburg, Cape TownLed by Peter Sullivan


8 nights

This wide-ranging tour takes us across thecountry from KwaZulu-Natal’s valley of thethousand hills and the battlefields of theBoer War, to the melting pot ofJohannesburg. It finishes in the Cape,tucked beneath Table Mountain.

We assess the legacy left by Nelson Mandelaand the challenges that remain. Still admiredfor its peaceful transition from apartheidrule to a multi-party democracy, SouthAfrica is now struggling with more familiarproblems: corrupt politicians and a slowingeconomy. Can it turn itself around?

First-rate speakers brief us on the latestissues affecting the country and ordinarySouth Africans of all backgrounds give their perspective, as we ask if the countrycan keep Mandela’s dream of a united,prosperous and democratic South Africaalive. Local communities help us get to gripswith the issues South Africans face daily.

With fantastic food and great hospitality in KwaZulu-Natal, urban Johannesburg and the stunning Cape winelands, this touris one of our favourites.

The tour is led by the inimitable PeterSullivan, one of the best-known journalistsin South Africa and former editor of TheStar newspaper.

“Speakers gave us a good overview both ofthe political and economic aspects of SouthAfrican life, and especially of the socialaspects. Peter Sullivan’s participation in thetrip enhanced it enormously – hispersonality and depth of knowledge werewonderful.” JB, South Africa

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Cuba

Sat 5 – Sat 12 Dec 2019

Havana, VinalesLed by Michael Bustamante & Claire Boobbyer


7 nights

It seemed like Cuba was on the cusp ofsignificant change as Washington andHavana restored ties. But then DonaldTrump was elected to the White House.

We ask what lies ahead now for one of thelast communist regimes in the world as itcontinues along a path of faltering reforms.It is also an opportunity to see a part of theworld many westerners have never been to.

We travel across the country from thebackstreets of Havana to the tobaccoplantations of Vinales, visiting many placesnot usually seen. Local communities helpus get to grips with the issues Cubans facedaily. We talk with farmers, cigar rollers,and Cuban dancers in fashionable bars.While change is coming, many ordinaryCubans also want to hold onto the benefitsdelivered by the revolution.

Journalists and academics share theirinsight, alongside diplomats andinternational political analysts.

From 4-star authentic hotels in OldHavana, to home stays in the lush Vinalesvalley with great food in local cafes andbars, this tour is an exhilarating getaway.

The tour is led by Cuban-Americanacademic Michael Bustamante andBritish journalist Claire Boobbyer, bothof whom have spent over a decade workingand reporting in Cuba.

“The itinerary evolved effortlessly thanks to tour leader Claire. Tour expert Michaelwas brilliant. Had all the answers, passionateabout his subject but also a good listenerand brilliant translator.” EL, Cuba

“Every moment was special.” PJ, Cuba

“I enjoyed the breadth and depth of thespeakers, meeting a cross-section of thepopulation in a very authentic way.” GH, Cuba

2020

Travel beyond the headlines

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T +44 (0) 843 289 2349

E [email protected] www.politicaltours.com

Bloxham Mill, Barford Road,Bloxham, Oxfordshire, OX15 4FF, UK

All our travel arrangements are covered bythe UK’s package tour regulations and arefinancially guaranteed. We are a land-onlytour operator. Flights are not included.

“Political Tours gets me into corners I wouldn’t otherwise find, be it Karadzic’s wateringhole in Belgrade, a courtroom in Pristina to witness an appeal hearing, the lounge in thehome of an Italian-Israeli settler in the West Bank or, this time, coffee with Luis Clerge, a mate of Che’s.” GH, frequent traveller with Political Tours

“It was in many ways the most interesting tour I have ever taken. I only wish that it hadlasted longer. I have even thought of retaking it so that I could ask further questions andengage in longer discussions. Seriously.” SS, Lebanon

Documents

Travel beyond the headlines - Political Tours...Eastern Europe. He has lived in Budapest since 1986. He has been Central Europe Correspondent for the BBC since 1996. Dr. Gershon Baskin