MONTREAL — A total of 30 new itineraries are included in Air Canada Vacations’ newly launched 2020 Europe Collection, which features 145 vacation packages to 21 countries.

New for next year are two Seaside Escapes in Paestum, Italy as well as a new Independent Escape called ‘Portugal Explorer’. Independent Escapes allow guests to wander Europe at their own pace while still enjoying ACV’s pre-booked ‘More Moments’ inclusions.

The tour operator has also ramped up its Costa del Sol program with a new itinerary called ‘Madrid. Andalusia. Arriba!’ along with a large selection of hotels featuring options for long stays ranging up to 28 days.

In addition, there’s a new Guided Rail tour in the Puglia region of Italy, plus options in Barcelona, Matera and Saint-Émilion in France.

Polignano a Mare, Puglia, southern Italy.

“Filled with packaged vacations to countless vibrant European cities steeped in history and culture, our 2020 Europe Collection has a dream escape for every type of traveller,” said Nino Montagnese, Managing Director at Air Canada Vacations. “With various travel experiences, partnerships and collaborations, our newest collection positions us as a significant player for leisure travel to Europe.”

Other highlights for 2020 include Island Hopping packages that explore several Greek islands, and Guided Vacations offered by Trafalgar and Insight, booked directly through ACV. Also, ACV’s exclusive partnership with Ferreira Group is back by popular demand with ‘Flavours of Portugal’ and ‘Taste of Northern Portugal’, two independent Escapes inspired by the Ferreira family and their hit web-series, ‘Portugal Gourmand’.

The collection also includes over 500 cruise itineraries, including ocean and river cruises sailing in the Mediterranean, the Baltics, Northern Europe, and Transatlantic sailings. All can be combined with an Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge. Cruisers can take advantage of ACV’s Europe Cruise Offer, which includes a $50 deposit per person and free CareFree, which includes standard seat selection applicable to new bookings made through a travel agent between Oct. 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, for departures through to Dec. 31, 2020.

To complement the 2020 Europe Collection, Air Canada is offering newly added nonstop flights, including year-round, 5x/weekly service between Montreal and Toulouse on an Airbus A330-300 starting June 4, 2020, and a nonstop route departing 5x/weekly between Toronto and Brussels on a 787-8 Dreamliner starting May 1, 2020.

ACV has several incentives to entice clients, including an EBB that allows clients to save up to $1,000 per couple when booking six months prior to departure. When booking four months prior to departure, clients can save up to $500 per couple. This means that agents must book their clients this month to maximize savings for April departures. The offer is valid on bookings made as of Sept. 3, 2019 until Sept. 2, 2020, for travel from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2020.

For groups, ACV is offering the 16th traveller’s flight free, a group rate secured two years in advance, a $500 future travel credit, free standard seat selection and more.

Those booking a Trafalgar Guided Vacation ahead of time can save $1,000 per couple between Sept. 3, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2019, for travel between May 21-Oct. 31, 2020, based on double occupancy.

Plus, if agents find a better price for their clients’ Europe adventure, ACV will reduce the price by $250 per person. This Best Price Guaranteed offer is valid for bookings made from Sept. 3, 2019 and Aug. 21, 2020, for travel between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2020.

Lastly, ACV’s ‘Europe Promise’ includes value-added offers at all times, including Early Booking Savings, an exchangeable deposit of $250 per person up to 45 days prior to departure, the chance to connect clients’ Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge European flight from 63 Canadian airports starting at $49, and one free checked bag per person when booking with ACV.