First Class Holidays unveils Phileas Fogg-inspired round-the-world trip

The journey takes in First Class’s four core destinations – Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand – as well as its latest addition South Africa, which it will launch in June.

Other stops include some of First Class’s most popular add-ons, including Hawaii and Mauritius, with the journey spanning 25 locations in six countries across three continents.

First Class says the trip includes everything from towering waterfalls and soaring mountain peaks to idyllic beaches, iconic rail journeys and some of the world’s greatest cities.

Managing director Dan Gathercole said the 80-day itinerary had been designed to showcase the very best of the operator’s portfolio.

“This tour highlights all our destinations in a way that we’ve never featured them before and showcases the breadth of experiences available across our portfolio of five of the world’s key holiday destinations for discerning travellers,” he said.

The tour starts in New York and eastern Canada before heading to the Rockies and onwards to the west coast of Canada and the US. A stop in Hawaii bridges the journey over the Pacific to New Zealand where the itinerary includes three iconic rail journeys.

Guests will explore the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, Australia, before stops in Melbourne and Sydney. Finally, the long return journey includes a week-long beach retreat in Mauritius, stops in Cape Town and Johannesburg, a Garden Route self-drive and all-inclusive stay at a safari lodge.

The tour leads in from £19,999pp departing Heathrow on 8 January 2020 including flights, seven rail journeys, nine days’ car hire and 77 nights’ accommodation as well as some meals, transfers and sightseeing.

The trip can also be completely tailor-made. “It’s a great opportunity for agents to showcase what they can offer to their clients,” Gathercole added.

“When the team told me the details and price, I couldn’t believe the value. Yes, its £20,000pp, but it’s an 80-day round the world trip in decent accommodation with a real mix of product.”