February 27, 2009

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong

We arrange a lot of very interesting tours in and around Hong Kong. One of our favorite excursions is to Sha Tin, one of the New Territories, to visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. The monastery is situated on a high hill and is accessible only by foot, so travelers need to be in relatively […]

February 19, 2009

Zhongdian in China is a cultural Shangri-La

For repeat travelers to China, or for those who enjoy more off-the-beaten-track cultural travel, I often recommend Zhongdian (“Shangri-La” or “Gyalthang”) in Yunnan Province. Zhongdian is located near the Tibetan border and is populated by ethnic Tibetans, so the food, architecture and culture are Tibetan, and quite different from what travelers experience in the rest […]

February 13, 2009

Padua: a perfect day trip from Venice

Known as the City of Frescoes, Padua is a compact historic town less than an hour from Venice. It has a lively university atmosphere, great outdoor cafes and a wealth of cultural treasures well worth seeing. In fact, fitting all of them into one day can be a challenge! For our travelers, we take care […]

February 12, 2009

A visit to Egypt’s magical Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is one of the most breathtaking monuments in Egypt, and high up on my list of favorite places in the world. Located by the border of Sudan in southern Egypt and facing Lake Nasser, it is comprised of two temples carved out of solid rock in the 13th century BC: the Great Temple […]

February 10, 2009

The Lodhi Gardens: an urban retreat in Delhi

When in Delhi, we always recommend making the time to visit the Lodhi Gardens. A favorite of affluent residents in New Delhi, the gardens are a peaceful oasis and a favorite spot to do yoga, have a picnic lunch, or read a book. There are incredible 15th century ruins scattered throughout the gardens. Our private […]

February 10, 2009

Takamatsu: Isamu Noguchi’s Studio & Ritsurin Garden

Many of our tours include Benesse Art Site on Naoshima Island, and one of the activities we arrange from there is a private excursion to nearby Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku. The excursion can be done in just half a day and is recommended for anyone interested in Japanese art and culture. We arrange […]

February 5, 2009

A gourmet hideaway in Lisbon’s botanical garden

Estufa Real Lisbon Estufa Real is located in Lisbon’s botanical gardens and was one of our most memorable dining experiences during our recent visit to Lisbon. The cuisine was innovative yet unpretentious, featuring fresh ingredients and herbs picked from the garden out the window. After dining, it’s worth strolling through the gardens. A driver is […]