December, 2009

Exploring Ancient China with Abercrombie & Kent

Just as the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit sparked renewed interest in ancient Egypt,

a new exhibit at New York’s American Museum of Natural History is expected to generate interest in the fabled Silk Road that linked China with the Islamic world.  Ancient travelers trekked for months on foot or by camel, through inhospitable deserts and mountain passes, but Abercrombie & Kent takes modern-day adventurers behind the façade of modern China to experience the wonders along the Silk Road in luxury and comfort on Exploring Ancient China (fifteen days from $7,995).

Exploring Ancient China takes travelers from modern-day Beijing to the far reaches of the Gobi Desert and the capital cities of ancient dynasties, places that have changed little in the intervening years. While the ancient Silk Road was once unsurpassed in moving goods across entire continents, just as important was the exchange of cultures and ideas fostered by the camel caravans. Discuss these influences with scholars at the Dunhuang Institute, the leading research facility devoted to the study of the Mogao Caves, then join an expert guide for a tour of select caves (including some normally closed to the public) that heralded the rise of Buddhism in China. In the great walled city of Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its narrow streets dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, explore Buddhist and Daoist traditions at the ancestral Temple at Jinci. Travel to Zhengzhou to meet the warrior monks of Shaolin and meditate in the great Chan (Zen) Temple at the foot of Mount Song, the central pillar of the Daoist world. Later attend a private performance of Shaolin wushu (martial arts).

While Chinese Buddhist traditions are familiar to most people, the influences exerted by Islam and Judaism are not.  First constructed by Persian merchants who travelled to Xian via the Silk Road, the Muslim Quarter is home to the Great Mosque, the oldest and largest in China. Unlike mosques in Middle Eastern countries, it is Chinese in its construction and architectural style, with a series of serene courtyards leading to the mosque entrance.  Ancient Kaifeng is home to an unusual living legacy: a tiny Jewish community founded 1,000 years ago where you meet a local family and learn about their historic ties to the Silk Road.

A&K’s Private Travel specialists can also customize a private journey following in the footsteps of the traders, pilgrims and explorers of the past along The Chinese Silk Road (fourteen days from $7,090 per person double occupancy). For more information on Exploring Ancient China and The Chinese Silk Road visit www.abercrombiekent.com or call 800 554 7094 (North America) to speak with a destination specialist.

Take A Berlin Sightseeing Tour With Rail Europe

Rail Europe and the German National Tourist Office offer a bilingual sightseeing tour on a Hop on/Hop off open-air double-decker bus with 24 stops all around Berlin including the iconic sites linked to the fall of the Wall. Since the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 much has happened. Berlin has become one of Germany’s most popular vacation destinations for history buffs, culture seekers and adventurers. And there’s no better way to see all of it than the Berlin City Sightseeing Tour from Rail Europe. Start your travels with a full tour that takes you around before deciding the day’s itinerary, or freely hop on and off anywhere at stops all over Berlin. Just imagine, having the freedom to do what Berliners could only have dreamed of not that long ago. A 24-hour ticket is available for $22 per adult including live commentary in English on a Hop on/Hop off open-air double-decker tour bus and includes 24 stops throughout Berlin, with departures every 30 minutes. Groups of ten or more persons get a five percent discount on Berlin City Sightseeing Tour. More information at www.raileurope.com.

Minas Gerais Offers Brazilian History And Colonial Charm

Strolling down cobblestone streets past 18th century colonial churches and beautiful Baroque sculptures, visitors to the state of Minas Gerais might think they are in Europe.  And while most first timers to Brazil visit Rio, Iguassu Falls or São Paulo, interest in Minas Gerais is growing.  This jewel of a destination has a number of cidades historicas with arguably the world’s largest ensemble of Baroque architecture as well as stunning natural scenery.  Mineiro cuisine is revered throughout Brazil and its cachaça, Brazil’s home-grown “fire water,” is considered among the country’s best.  American Airlines and TAM fly from Miami to Belo Horizonte, and this winter, members of the Brazil Tour Operators Association are offering packages starting at $1,398 for three nights.

Minas Gerais has a rich history and its first “golden age” was in the late 1600s when gold was discovered.  The gold rush took place here more than 100 years before America’s, and by the mid-18th century, at the height of the boom, when New York was a mere backwater of some 50,000 inhabitants, Ouro Preto boasted 110,000 residents.  Today, visitors can follow the 870-mile Estrada Real to explore the colonial towns of Sabará, Mariana, Tiradentes and Diamantina.  Each cidade historica boasts beautifully preserved 17th and 18th century Baroque churches built from the gold discovered in this state named for its “General Mines.”  Renowned native son Aleijadinho created dramatic Baroque sculptures that adorn the state’s many churches.  Perhaps the jewel of all these is Ouro Preto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Brazil’s most visited destinations.

Belo Horizonte, or Cidade Jardim is the logical starting point for visiting Minas Gerais.  For culture lovers there are 20 museums and some 50 art galleries.  Also on display, the work of another native son, architect Oscar Niemeyer.  The city boasts many terrific restaurants, trendy bars and a lively nightlife.

Borello Travel & Tours’ “Gems and Colonial Treasures” package visits five historic towns in Minas Gerais.  The five-day, four-night package, valid through March 30,  costs $1,755 per person, double occupancy and includes: four nights’ accommodations in charming boutique properties; daily Brazilian breakfast, airport transfers, tours of Belo Horizonte and the colonial towns of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas, São João del Rei and Tiradentes, and hotel taxes.  In Tiradentes, guests stay at the charming 18-room boutique hotel Solar da Ponte set in luxurious gardens and in Ouro Preto at the Solar do Rosario, a carefully-restored mansion with beautiful public rooms and antique-filled guest rooms.  Borello Travel can arrange airfare from Miami for $561 and from New York for $837.*  The package is subject to availability, and prices are higher during the holidays and Carnival (February 12-17.) Call: 1-800-405-3072 or go to www.borellotravel.com .

For 2010, Abreu Tours is offering a six-day, five-night “Historical Cities of Minas Gerais” package starting at $2,169 per person, double occupancy.  The tour visits Belo Horizonte (Othon Palace);  Tiradentes (Pousada Villa Allegra); Congonhas, Mariana and Ouro Preto (Pousada do Mondego) and includes five nights’ accommodations, Brazilian breakfast daily, 11 meals, airport transfers, hotel taxes, half day city tours in all cities and towns and a full day tour of Ouro Preto.  Groups of four or more will receive a $500 per person reduction.  Prices are higher for Carnival and other major holidays.  Call: 1-800-421-5643 or go to www.abreutours.com.

SITA World Tours has a four-day, three-night “Discover Minas” package that starts at $1,398 per person double occupancy and includes accommodations at pousadas in Tiradentes and Ouro Preto, continental breakfast, three lunches, airport transfers, full-day tour of Congonhas and São João del Rei, entrance fees and hotel taxes.  The package is available through December 2010, except during holidays and Carnival, and SITA can arrange air from Miami and other gateways for $716 including taxes.  Call: 1-800-990-9762 or go to www.sitatours.com.

Note: Americans traveling to Brazil require visas.

Cycling Tours Offered To View German Cities In Depth

 There are few better ways to enjoy in-depth view of Germany's historic roots and present day offerings than by bicycle -- a country that prides itself as cyclist-friendly with more than 31,000 miles of signed bike paths.  And the varied locations and abundance of historic landmarks and scenic vistas makes member cities of Historic Highlights of Germany, (www.historicgermany.com), the focal point for many of Germany's cycling visitors.  Whether it is cycling along the Rhine, with a stop at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; discovering the ancient Imperial Baths in Trier while cycling along the Mosel River; taking a short break in one of Koblenz's original wine bars; or just enjoying a slow ride through the heart of Germany's oldest University town, Heidelberg, cyclists will be in a Historic Highlights of Germany city.

Historic Highlights of Germany has also partnered with BikeToursDirect, (www.biketoursdirect.com), a leader in European cycling tours.  This partnership makes it easy for visitors to arrange their travels on any of more than 50 bicycle tours in Germany -- whether self-guided or guided; individuals, groups or families; and from low-cost offerings to more upscale possibilities.

A sample of these cycling tours include:

-- Rhine Bikeway from Mainz to Cologne -- for those who have always wanted to spend time in the Rhine Valley, or come back to it, this 128- to 150-mile ride promises a wonderful opportunity for in-depth exploration.  The six-night, Rhine River itinerary takes in two Historic Highlights of Germany cities - beginning the journey in Mainz, where participants can time their visits to coincide with one of numerous events -- from May's Open-Ohr-Festival, a youth festival with concerts, theater, films, workshops and children's programs, to the Wine Markets in late August/early September.  Koblenz, reached after cycling through the towns of Rüdesheim and St. Goar, also offers a litany of festivals during the summer months including a festival in the Old Town in July and "Rhine in Flames," where more than 80 ships and 140,000 spectators join in for a spectacular fireworks display.  The trip ends in Cologne.  Self-guided rates start at €499 ($749*) per person, double; guided tours are offered on July 4 and Aug. 1 at €680 ($1,020*).

-- From the Neckar Along the Historic Middle Rhine -- for those who wish to take in even more history, this six-night itinerary includes three Historic Highlights of Germany cities.  Setting off on the 130-mile journey, participants explore the romantic hillside city of Heidelberg, with time to visit some of its centuries-old buildings; Mainz, with its aforementioned Gutenberg Museum, dedicated the life and work of the inventor of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg; and Koblenz, where fortress walls, castles and palaces offer a peek into its turbulent history.  Other stops include Rüdesheim, Boppard and Zwingenberg.  Self-guided rates start at €589 ($884*) per person, double.

-- The Mosel Bike Path -- the six-night, 130-mile route begins in Trier, Germany's oldest town and home to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Riders then make their way through Germany's oldest wine growing region, passing terraced vineyards, medieval castles, nature reserves and picturesque villages with opportunities to sample wines along the way.  Some of the historic towns visited along the Mosel include Bernkastel Kues, Cochem and Enkirch before ending in the historic city of Koblenz, where the Mosel enters the Rhine. Self-guided and guided rates start at €452 ($678*) and €682 ($1,023*) per person, double, respectively.

-- Castles on the Rhine & Neckar -- this seven-night, 140-mile cycling trip combines both cycling and another popular mode of transport in Germany, river cruising.  Participants ride and explore by day, and spend their evenings on board the MS Fluvius, a traditional river boat.  The guided itinerary takes cyclists past picturesque homes in Mainz, through the historic streets of Heidelberg, and to Koblenz, where participants can take in Stolzenfels Castle and other romantic castles set just outside the city on the Rhine's steep slopes.  Other historic towns include Worms, Eberbach and Bad Wimpfen.  Rates, which include the cruise and all meals on board, start at €799 ($1,199*) per person, double.

Additional information on each city’s offerings and highlights may be found at www.historicgermany.com .  Historic Highlights of Germany is a tourism consortium consisting of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Münster, Osnabrück, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg - cities rich in history and cultural.  Contact Historic Highlights of Germany at info@historicgermany.com.

* US  price quoted pegged to $1.50 rate of the Euro

November 2009

Ride the Rails to Malmø and Beyond

Traveling by train a cross the Øresund from Copenhagen to Malmø, Sweden, is a pleasure - a 35-minute ride from city center to city center that includes a glorious trip

over the Øresund Bridge (photo). For travelers who want to continue on from Malmø to other parts of Sweden, there are positive changes in store. Malmø's central station is being expanded with a new underground station for through train service, set to open in December 2010. Building it involves the construction of two parallel tunnels nearly four miles long that have been dug beneath the city center using special tunnel boring machines. A major project such as this is bound to excite the "Bob the Builder" in everyone. If you can't resist the lure of bulldozers and giant tunnel boring machines, a visit to the Citytunneln exhibition will satisfy your curiosity about what's going on beneath the surface in Malmo

Citytunneln is a railway project that will benefit Malmö, Skåne, the Öresund region and the whole of southern Sweden. The Citytunneln project will create a fast and effective link between the major rail routes, comprising the Southern Main line and West Coast line to the Öresund Bridge and the Ystad and Trelleborg lines.

Christmas Markets of Germany Tours Include Airfare

 Immerse yourself in the festive Christmas markets of Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich. Also, wander through charming streets and narrow alleyways of Bamberg, see baroque palaces of Potsdam and relax with a world-famous Bavarian beer. This 12-day trip includes round-trip air fare, airport transfers, 10 nights accommodations in comfortable, well located hotels with breakfast, 4 three course dinner, English speaking tour, city tours in Berlin, Potsdam, Dresden, Bamberg, and Munich, as well as transport by private motor coach. The offer starts at $2399 and is bookable throughout the year.  www.goaheadtours.com

New China Guide Offers Insights Into Real Chinese Cuisine

The China Guide (http://www.thechinaguide.com) is taking travelers to good local restaurants on all of their China-wide tours. Food is a large part of China's culture with many flavors and ingredients to experience; all restaurants included in The China Guide tours are personally selected by the staff and guides. The guides escort travelers to restaurants in local neighborhoods and make recommendations while helping with the ordering. Restaurants and ordering are kept flexible to client's tastes as there are many types of cuisines from all over China.

Meals include unlimited dishes so that travelers can sample as much as they like. Standard drinks are also endless including local beer, which is commonly enjoyed with most meals in China. The China Guide encourages clients to try unusual things such as lotus root or sea cucumber, which are not commonly available in the West. For clients with a special interest in Chinese cuisine, The China Guide offers trips to local food markets as well as cooking classes. Dumpling making classes are very popular with travelers and great for kids as well.

The China Guide is a Beijing based travel agency, American owned and operated. Specializing in service, quality and hassle free web bookings, they work with clients to customize tours that match their travel style. Operating only in China, they have up to date knowledge and offer exciting experiences for travelers including their famous Sleep on the Great Wall tour. The China Guide avoids the common factory shopping stops that are not reflective of the true China.

American Airlines  To Launch New York/Madrid Service

 Great news for American travelers and Spain aficionados!  American Airlines will launch service from New York to Madrid, Spain next year. Beginning May 1, 2010, American will inaugurate daily nonstop flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) aboard 182-seat Boeing 757-200 aircraft in two-class configuration.

American Airlines’ flight #94 will depart New York JFK at 5:40 PM, arriving in Madrid at 7:20 AM the following morning. The return flight on American #95 will depart Madrid at 10 AM, arriving back at JFK at 12:30 PM the same day.

This is third scheduled service between Madrid and the U.S. and follows the successful launch of the Madrid-Dallas/Fort Worth service last summer.

Ciao Italia With Gutsy Women Travel

Book any of Gusty Women Travel’s 2010 Italy tours by December 18, 2009 and save up to $200 per person.  A leading operator of experiential tours for women, Gutsy Women Travel offers a comprehensive Italy Program that takes ladies throughout the country exploring its cuisines, wines, regional specialties, iconic sights and off-the beaten-path treasures. All ladies need to do is decide if they want to experience the splendors of the Tuscany region, the stunning Amalfi Coast or the delights of Venice and Lake Como, and reserve their spot with a $250 deposit to go on their dream trip to Italy next year.

Eight-Day Montecatini: Super Tuscany Plus Cinque Terre

Ladies can immerse themselves in all that is Tuscany on this tour that goes throughout the Tuscan countryside and the exciting cities of Florence and Bologna.  From a home base in the renowned spa town of Montecatini, they'll journey to Siena, Pisa, Modena, the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Lucca, and the quaint Ligurian villages of Cinque Terre. Trip highlights include a visit to a traditional farm that produces wine and extra virgin olive oil, sightseeing in the sophisticated and stunning city of Florence, a walking tour of Lucca and Pisa, lunch at the famed Hotel Brunelleschi which is mentioned in The Da Vinci Code, and much more! 2010 Departures: March 21, May 23, October 24

This trip starts/ends with pick-up/drop-off at the Florence Airport; Priced from $2199 per person, double occupancy, for bookings made by December 18, 2009; Single Supplement is $500.  Bookings made after December 18 are priced from $2399.

Eight-Day Amalfi Coast Discovery

There's nothing in the world like the Amalfi Coast, the rugged mountains with their spectacular cliffs edging Italy's western coast from Sorrento to Salerno. Ladies will stay in picturesque Sorrento and be perfectly situated for excursions to Capri, Ischia, Pompeii, Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Paestum. Trip highlights include a full-day speedboat excursion to the Isle of Capri, a private Neapolitan cooking demonstration, a visit to a working farm for a tasting of the famous wines of Mt. Vesuvius, a country estate tour to see how true Mozzarella di Bufala Campania is made, and much more!

2010 Departures: April 18, June 13, October 10

This trip starts and ends in Naples; Priced from $2599 per person, double occupancy, for bookings made by December 18, 2009; Single Supplement is $700. Bookings made after December 18 start from $2799 per person.

Seven-Day Enchanting Venice & Lake Como

The trip offers a remarkable historical, architectural, cultural, epicurean and sybaritic exploration of Northern Italy.  Ladies will visit the region's most compelling sites and discover the local specialties each town is famous for including Murano glass, Burano lace, Modena's balsamic vinegar and Venetian glass. The trip starts in Venice, with visits to the Doges' Palace and Saint Mark's square before going off-the-beaten-path to visit Marco Polo's house and the Fenice Theater. A boat excursion explores the Venetian Lagoon islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano. In Soave, they'll tour an early 10th-century castle and enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at Cantina di Soave. The trip is capped off with a stay in the celebrated lakeside town of Como to bask in the relaxing, serene setting and sail along beautiful Lake Como. 2010 Departure: May 16.

This trip starts in Venice and ends in Milan. Priced from $2799 per person, double occupancy, for bookings made by December 18, 2009; Single Supplement is $1000.  Bookings made after December 18 are priced from $2999 per person.

Website: www.gutsywomen.net

Travel Services Offered By The China Guide—By Train Or Auto

The China Guide, an American managed Beijing-based travel Company, has launched a new online Train Ticket Booking Service for China. The database driven system is designed to clearly show travelers schedules, pricing and seating options. Popup photographs show various types of seats visually. For convenience, train schedules may be sorted by departure time or length of trip.

Trains offer inexpensive travel between Chinese cities, however without a system like The China Guide's, tickets are hard to book and schedules are very unclear for tourists. Unlike Europe, the USA and other regions with large train systems, China does not have a centralized train ticket booking system.

The new train booking service includes routes for the most popular cities in China. Short distance train bookings are available such as Shanghai to Suzhou, which takes under an hour and is a popular day trip for tourists. Long distance train routes, by day or overnight, are also available at discount rates. Travelers can choose their train preference by time and by seat selection. Photos are accessible on the website so that users can see the train layout and seating options which can include private sleeping cabins, soft and hard sleepers and different seat classes.

Train tickets are not easy to arrange in China as there is no computerized system. Tickets only go on sale 5 to 20 days in advance depending on the route and time of year. Sometimes the tickets sell out in minutes. Communication can be a big problem for travelers trying to purchase at ticket windows, especially as tickets are in Chinese and sellers usually do not speak English.

For train schedules, visit http://thechinaguide.com/tcg2/tours/trains/index.php; for China tour itineraries visit http://www.thechinaguide.com.

New Beijing Expressway Improves Access to Hiking on the Great Wall

Beijing's new JingCheng Expressway has now been completed making hiking trips to the Great Wall much more convenient for travelers. The new motorway stretches south from Beijing to Chengde and passes the base of the Jinshanling Great Wall, where the most famous hike begins from there to the Simatai Great Wall. The China Guide, will now use the new JingCheng Expressway to get visitors to the famous hiking destination in a safer and timelier fashion.

The hike from Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall is famous for its picturesque mountain scenery, renowned to photographers. This Great Wall section stretches along the mountaintops and hikers pass through more than thirty watchtowers along the way. The China Guide describes the hike as moderately difficult in some places but achievable and fun for all travelers aged eight and older. Huang adds, "Hiking from Jinshanling to Simatai is the best and most beautiful option and just 2 hours out of Beijing. Hikers get an authentic experience and aren't surrounded by other tourists as the destination is more remote. On most days, hikers will only see a handful of photographers capturing the famous scenery."

Hikers can enjoy the local village atmosphere at the base of the Wall before heading up the mountain. The hiking time from Jinshanling to Simatai is between 3 to 5 hours, depending on the pace. The hike can be done at a relaxing speed with many stops along the way for the endless photo opportunities. Sunrise and sunset are the ideal times for photographers and hikers are eager to catch this portion of the day.

The China Guide offers hiking day trips from Jinshanling to Simatai that include transportation using the new expressway, private guide and driver, tickets and a good local lunch at the Simatai Wall when finished. Overnight trips are also available during the warmer months, March to October. Travelers have the option to stay overnight in a Jinshanling courtyard hotel or camp out on the wall under the stars, making it ideal to catch the morning sunrise. Website: www.chinaguide.com