No matter how many temples you’ve seen in Asia, nothing prepares you for the startling, gilded majesty of the temples of Myanmar. Starting in the intricate, immense complex of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the country’s most sacred place of worship dating back 2,500 years, you’re surrounded by hundreds of statues and stupas. Inside the various […]

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Genoa, a port town in the Liguria region of northern Italy, may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of culinary destinations in Italy, but that means fewer tourists and lots of hidden gems. Genoa’s culinary tradition is rich and vibrant. The city is best-known as the birthplace of pesto, but […]

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Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India, has a long history and tradition of beautiful decorative arts. One of the best places to appreciate the many local styles and techniques in Udaipur is at the City Palace. Over the centuries, local maharanas (princes) brought the most skilled craftsmen to decorate the palace with intricate carvings, detailed […]

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An interesting part of any trip to Peru is exploring the country’s rich history and culture through its fascinating arts and crafts. Beautiful handmade textiles are among the most famous Peruvian crafts. They’re also among the most ancient: The oldest fabrics discovered in Peru have been dated to around 10,000 B.C. Artisans of Leisure Peru […]

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Perched on the edge of a deep gorge high in the Al Hajar Mountains of northern  Oman, the luxurious Alila Jabal Akhdar resort offers spectacular views and easy access to soft adventure activities and cultural touring in the surrounding region. Incorporating native rock and timber, the Alila Jabal Akhdar buildings are a contemporary take on ancient […]

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If you’re visiting Japan, we recommend venturing high into the foothills of Kyoto to visit Kou-an, a glass teahouse by renowned Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka. The clear glass roof, floor and walls of Kou-an teahouse are held together by a thin metal frame, creating a fragile, transparent structure. The teahouse lacks any of the traditional […]

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For travelers looking to go off the beaten track in India without sacrificing luxury, Artisans of Leisure can arrange in-depth cultural and nature experiences in Ladakh, a beautiful region in northern India with rugged landscapes, living Buddhist culture and rural villages hemmed in by the high peaks of the Himalaya and Karakoram mountains. This Tibetan-inflected […]

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Chefchaouen is a traditional town nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. Established in 1471, it became a refuge for Jews and Muslims fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in Europe. Today, Chefchaouen—or Chaouen, as the locals call it—is best-known for its beautiful and unmistakable medina, an accretion of alleys, stairs, houses and doors painted in […]

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