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AARP Selects Grand European Tours As a Preferred Tour Operator

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP and Grand European Tours today announced a new relationship giving AARP's nearly 40 million members access to a discount on first-class escorted tours and river cruises offered throughout Europe and the world. AARP members will receive a $100 discount off the price of any Grand European Tours escorted tour or river cruise.

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AARP members who book through Grand European Tours also will receive a copy of the book Smart Packing for Today's Traveler by Susan Foster.

"Baby boomers might be retiring, but they aren't slowing down," said Tim Fitzgerald, senior director of the AARP Travel Program, a member benefit program managed by AARP Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AARP. "Tour and cruise vacations are particularly popular among AARP members and so, as the economy picks up and people begin traveling more, we are pleased to be able to connect our members with Grand European Tours."

Grand European offers more than 40 first-class escorted tours across Europe and the world including destinations in North America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

"For the past 31 years, we have focused on providing outstanding service to our guests by providing them with exceptional memories and showing them the world," said Hans Sohlstrom, president of Grand European Tours. "And each year we strive to make our tours even better and offer new and exciting activities and destinations to enhance our guests' experiences."

Each tour is specifically designed to maintain a sense of balance between guided sightseeing and free time for individual exploration -- immersing travelers in the local culture while providing first-class accommodations, food and visits to the top attractions and sites. All of the visits are pre-arranged, ensuring access to many popular sights.

Grand European Tours escorted travel packages include:

    --  VIP door-to-door transfers from over 40 cities throughout the
        continental U.S.
    --  First-class accommodations
    --  All breakfasts, many lunches, dinners on most travel days
    --  Experienced tour directors as well as local city guides
    --  Personal in-depth experiences with locals
    --  Entrance fees to attractions, arranged in advance to avoid lines
    --  Top-of-the-line touring coach with panoramic windows and reclining seats

    --  Stylish Grand European Tours travel wallet, travel planner and map

To make a reservation or request a brochure, AARP members can call Grand European Tours' dedicated line at 1-866-847-3858. Information can also be found at www.getours.com/aarp. AARP members should request member benefits at time of the reservation.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

ABOUT AARP SERVICES, INC.

AARP Services, Inc., founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight of the wide range of products and services that carry the AARP name and are made available by independent providers as benefits to AARP's almost 40 million members. The provider offers currently span health products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; pharmacy services; legal services; and long-term care insurance. AARP Services also engages in new product development activities for AARP and provides certain consulting services to outside companies. In 2005, AARP Services founded AARP Financial Inc., a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary that manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight for the financial products that carry the AARP name, including credit cards, auto and home, mobile home and motorcycle insurance, and life insurance and annuities. AARP Financial also provides access to proprietary investment products and services, including mutual funds and financial guidance, designed to meet the needs of investors at any life stage.

ABOUT GRAND EUROPEAN TOURS

Grand European Tours, founded in 1979, offers guided tours for active travelers from English speaking countries. Grand European's tours are excellent for those accustomed to independent travel, but enjoy the insight of a professional guide as well as those who are embarking on their first trip abroad. Grand European Tours ensures that their guests may actively discover a region and experience the true culture of an area all while enjoying first class accommodations and service. With Grand European Tours each guest travels through beautiful landscapes at a comfortable pace, gets to visit and explore historic sights such as castles and ruins, sample regional cuisine and local wines and rest in charming hotels. Each season many of the guests are repeat Grand European Tours travelers and Grand European Tours offerings grow each season to keep guests returning year after year. Grand European Tours is headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

SOURCE AARP