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Sunday, January 10, 2010

When will I receive my tour documents ?

Clients often ask when they will get “more” information about their tour. I always tell them after final payment is made, they will receive their documents delivered to their home by UPS and not to expect anything from the tour operator in the interim. In certain cases, especially the luxury travel tours, preliminary documents are sent, as well as personal registration forms to be filled out.

What Day Does My Tour Start ?

Just thought of another confusing question among clients. Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is “always” the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 – this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

Be Flexible – it will save you money!

I would advise clients to try to be a little flexible in their planning a trip. Sometimes by simply shifting a departure date we can find special promotions that offer additional benefits. We can also look at comparable suppliers for a similar itinerary to see if there is additional value added.

Each Operator may have a different policy. Please check the operator site for more details. Operators: Abercrombie and Kent Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Enjoy Japan’s culture, food  & traditional performing arts. Here are some of the things you can experience

Take a moment and simply admire the sheer beauty of Kinkakuji, the Golden Temple, in Kyoto, Japan.  Surrounded by water, rock gardens & manicured trees, its still reflection is certain to make a lasting impression on you.

Experience the traditional values or wabi (elegant stillness,) and sabi (antiquated elegance with calm,) which is essential to Japanese art.  a Tea ceremony is a means of training concentration or spirit and of learning manners. There are a number of school in Japan, each presenting their own style of tea ceremony. The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan. It is common to be asked to remove your shoes before entering a tea ceremony. 

Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, which is famous for its principal sanctuary built on a steep cliff. The Temple was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994. The 139 zelkova pillars that support the balcony are over 12 meters tall. It commands a wonderful view of the city of Kyoto. Expect a considerable amount of walking from the parking lot to the temple.

Geisha have to undergo intensive training. Geisha are trained in a number of skills: traditional Japanese dance, singing, playing instruments like shamisen (three stringed instrument), flower arrangement, wearing kimono, Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy, conversation, alcohol serving manners and more.

Japanese Kaiseki is a traditional, multi-course dinner.  Kaiseki-ryori uses the fresh ingredients of the season and are cooked in ways that enhance the original taste of the ingredients, and include anywhere from 6 to 15 different types of food including soup, vegetables, grilled fish, rice and dessert.

Shabu-Shabu is a popular beef dish in Japan.  It is basically boiling meat in a broth…healthier than using oil at the Melting Pot! Some restaurants offer a Maiko performance during dinner.

Visit our Asia website for a selection of Japan travel packages.

Each Operator may have a different policy. Please check the operator site for more details. Operators: Abercrombie and Kent Globus Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

How far would you go to get the ultimate rush, and how much are you willing to pay? In the past few years, the extreme adventure travel market is growing.

Experiencing nature's most demanding landscapes can reveal exactly who you are, testing your physical, psychological and maybe even spiritual selves. Extreme adventures cover a breadth of activities ranging from mildly demanding to profoundly challenging. These adventures can take you from the world's highest peaks to its most remote terrains, from the polar ice caps to the sun-bleached deserts of Africa and all points in between.

Brave the planet's harshest environments, come face to face with its most exotic wildlife and blaze paths where humans rarely venture. Return from your journey a different person from when you embarked into the power of nature and your ability to overcome it.

In man versus machine, you can experience the rush of speed from the driver's seat of a Formula One racer to the cockpit of a supersonic fighter jet. Go to the edge of the earth visiting the North or South poles. Reach the South Pole on skis or find the polar bear in its Arctic habitat on rugged polar adventures. Land within 50 feet of the emperor penguin nesting areas in Antarctica to see as many as 3,000 Emperor Penguin chicks. Take an extreme safari. See Africa's wildlife by canoe, on foot, on camelback or even from a helicopter. Reach Mount Everest Base Camp or the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, two of the world's most challenging mountain treks. Dive into the waters off Belize for up-close encounters with its extraordinary sea life, including the elusive whale shark. Explore the rainforests via ATV, riverboat or by foot. Track the elusive puma and jaguars. Experience life in the unforgiving desert following the path of Lawrence of Arabia in Jordan or exploring Egypt's White Desert.

Luxury tour operator, Abercrombie and Kent is banking not only that people will want to go to the extremes, but that they are willing to pay big bucks for the right experience. Prices start at around $5,000 up to $14,000 per person, double occupancy depending on the length of the trip and the destination.

Whatever extreme adventure you choose, just make sure you book with a reputable and knowledgeable tour operator, so that you are ensured the best experience for your money.