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THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
Saturday/Sunday, September 8 - 9, 2007
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Special Advertising Section
GreatEscapes
A
s the leaves begin turning color and the geese
start winging south, think about planning your
own getaway. To China, where the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will put Asia center stage.
Or Israel, where the milder climate is perfect
for cycling and zip-lining from the Manara Cliffs. Raise a
stein at Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest. Explore the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico. Experience the historic walled
city of Istanbul and the modern skyscape of Seoul. Or
pamper yourself with luxury at one of the Caribbean’s exclusive beach resorts and spas. Autumn is one of the year’s
best times to travel.
“For me, it’s all about the weather,” says Devry Boughner, an executive with a U.S.-based agricultural firm who
frequently does business in Asia. “Fall is nice in most places
across the globe. You’re either at the end of the summer in
the northern hemisphere or the beginning of spring in the
southern hemisphere — both delightful times of the year.”
“You don’t get as many weather delays,” adds Joel
Widzer, a travel strategist and business consultant based in
Los Angeles, who logged more than 235,000 airline miles
in 2006.
Another appealing factor is that airfare, hotel rooms,
even restaurant prices tend to be lower in the shoulder season. This summer, Widzer had business in Bucharest and
Lithuania, but has put it off until after Labor Day. “The
prices of flights and hotels are considerably less,” he says.
With many people bound to their children’s school
schedules, fewer are able to travel in the fall, making destinations less crowded. “It’s a special luxury to take a fall
trip,” says Steven Bloom, a senior executive with a New
York-based stock market. “No matter how old you are —
from the teen to the twilight years — September means
back to school, back to work,” Bloom says. “It’s a great
time to stretch out one last vacation before the doldrums
set in.”
Contents
Fall: Season of Surprises
3
Discovering the Caribbean’s Off-Season Delights
6
2007 Fall Festivals and Fairs
8
Global Gems: The World of Heritage Travel
10
See You in Asia
13
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DISCOVER YOURSELF
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A Letter from the American
Society of Travel Agents
Although our wonderful summer experiences are
fresh in our minds, it’s time to plan a fall vacation.
Traveling during the fall is not only an escape for the
senses, but it can be a true change of pace. The summer crowds have all gone home and although the days
are shorter, there is no shortage of natural beauty.
The bright, crisp leaves have yet to drop and the bitter winter wind has yet to arrive. Tourists will seize
the warm days and cool nights of autumn and experience a new world.
Fall and early winter are great times to think
about all of the places you want to go, exciting things
you want to do and people you want to meet. Almost
every day we are bombarded with destination and
travel offers that are attractive and compelling. Now,
with easy access to information via the Internet, more options than ever can be explored and
more ideas considered. Travel agents not only know how to interpret what you have uncovered,
but can reassure you about the things you may question.
ASTA travel agents realize that today’s travelers desire to explore new cities, countries and
cultures. No longer do we limit ourselves to places close to home. Traveling has never been
easier or more exciting, and with a little imagination, tourists can now visit just about anywhere. Travel agents have a thorough understanding of all the pitfalls of a “do-it-yourself ”
vacation. Life does not offer many guarantees, and the same is true with travel. The best way
to protect your money is with travel insurance. However, ASTA agents work diligently, using
the most current information and responsible travel planning methods, to help you fulfill your
lifelong travel dream.
You might decide to view historical architecture in the heart of Europe, wade in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean or venture out on an African safari. However, it’s a jungle out
there, and you’ll need an experienced guide. ASTA agents comply with a strict code of ethics
and have the backing of one of the world’s oldest and largest travel industry associations. With
guidance from a knowledgeable travel agent, you will live your dream vacation. At ASTA,
travel is not between places, it is between people. An ASTA agent is there for you before, during and after your trip.
Have fun planning your trip and consider using the services of a travel professional. You
will have a meaningful vacation and an ally at home. Return home safely as a more experienced
citizen of the world and share your experiences with friends and family. Remember, without
an ASTA agent, you’re on your own.
Travel Responsibly.
Cheryl Hudak, CTC
ASTA President and CEO
The Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
Planning a trip today can be both time consuming and confusing because of the
overwhelming number of sources for travel information (the Internet, television,
newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, etc.). Now, more than ever, the services of a
professional travel agent are valuable. A travel agent not only arranges the various
modes of transportation, but also may be able to save you money with early booking
discounts, special fares, accommodation details and travel advisories.
Key Benefits:
Add Value: There is so much more to a trip than just the price. An ASTA travel agent
will ensure you have access to all the best options in airfare, car hire, insurance, cruise
accommodations, activities, admissions and hotels. It’s our business — we do it every
day. Protect your travel purchase by hiring a travel consultant who not only knows the
destination, but your individual needs.
Traveler Advocates: Your best interests are the priority. The American Society of Travel
Agents (ASTA) has a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights and ASTA
member travel agents are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. To choose an
ASTA agent, visit www.travelsense.org.
Convenience: The
ASTA membership includes travel agents across the country
and throughout the world, most of which offer one-stop shopping for all travel
arrangements.
Service: ASTA member travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry. The
Society provides education, training and resource materials to its members, equipping
them with the tools they need to offer the highest quality of service.
Agents Will Go the Extra Mile: Agents work for you and will do everything they can to
meet your travel needs. Some agents literally go that extra mile to help their clients.
One ASTA-member agent even went to Ethiopia to escort two adopted orphans to
the U.S.
Clarifying the Fine Print, Such as Cancellation Penalties and Restrictions: Again, the benefits
of a professional’s experience can save you money and headaches.
Getting Problems Resolved: Travel agents serve as the consumers’ advocate in the event
something inadvertently goes wrong. A travel agent is with you before, during and
after a trip.
In choosing a travel agent, be as selective as you would in picking a doctor or lawyer.
Get advice from friends and relatives who use agents they trust. Since travel choices
are personal decisions that reflect individual desires and lifestyles, you will want to
visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs. Consider everything from the appearance of the office to the agent’s willingness to listen and answer
questions. The best agents want to establish a long-term relationship with a client,
not just make one sale.
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Fall: Season of
Surprises
Autumn is the ideal time to combine
history with outdoor adventure in many parts of the
world. In areas with extreme climates, the post-summer season brings milder temperatures, sparser crowds
and lower prices. Why postpone your explorations until the winter or summer travel seasons, when so much
is on tap now?
Mountain Escapes
Skiers who don’t want to wait for December to hit the
slopes of New England or Colorado can hop a plane to Argentina or Chile and satisfy the urge immediately. Ski season in
South America extends well into the fall. The Chilean Andes are
known for deep powder conditions, and top-ranked resorts such
as Valle Nevado, Portillo and La Parva are open June through
Northerly Adventures
By Cathleen McCarthy
Cli Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada
October and offer cross country, heli-skiing and paragliding,
along with more conventional ski slopes.
Ski season begins as early as October in the Lapland region
of Finland, yet it’s still warm enough through September for
quad bike safaris and Nordic walks to see the reindeer. It’s also
a great time to take in a bit of history. Situated on the Gulf
of Bothnia, Rauma is a World Heritage site that is one of the
oldest harbors in Finland. Built around a Franciscan monastery,
where the mid-15th-century Holy Cross Church still stands, it
is an outstanding example of an old Nordic city constructed
in wood. The impressive Fortress of Suomenlinna was built in
the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of
islands located at the entrance of Helsinki’s harbor.
While catching the sights, shopping and nightlife in Helsinki, don’t miss a unique culinary adventure: eating poro, better known as reindeer, at the acclaimed Eat & Joy Festival from
September 13 to 23. Other taste-tempters at eateries and bars
around town will include fresh berry cocktails, whitefish sushi,
Baltic herring, and of course, Scandinavian meatballs.
Fall color is peaking now in Canada’s Northwest Territories,
making this a perfect time to camp and hike in the Yellowknife
region and Nahanni National Park. Nights in this northern wilderness lengthen in late fall, bringing a natural light show as the
aurora borealis becomes more visible in the night sky. Dog-sledding, skiing and snowmobiling doesn’t start until December, but
fall is ideal for fishing and hunting trips. Arrange to be shown
the ropes by experts from one of three aboriginal groups in the
NWT: the Inuvialuit, Dene or Metis. These experienced guides
can show you how to combine ancient hunting and fishing techniques with Western technology and, in the process, provide an
intimate look at their fascinating culture and traditions.
High season is ending in Iceland but temperatures are still
comfortable and fall daylight lasts several hours — a happy medium between the 20 hours typical in May and the three twilight
hours of early January. Yet the cost of flights to Reykjavik are
dropping, making a trip there far more affordable from now
through October.
For a taste of Iceland, Reykjavik makes a perfect year-round
base of operations with its bustling nightclub, dining and shopping scene and easy access to the natural wonders of this volcanic island. On a three-day weekend in Reykjavik recently, Cara
Levinson spent half a day soaking in the hot springs, the other
half exploring lava fields on horseback. “It felt like we were riding
horses on the moon,” says Levinson, a healthcare marketer from
Philadelphia. “The landscape in Iceland is unlike anything I’ve
seen anywhere, and you can get a good taste of it on day trips.”
Most hotels will arrange van transportation
to and from these adventures, including hikes to
Gullfoss, the most famous
of Iceland’s many waterfalls, about an hour east
of the city. Locals typically dine around 10 p.m.,
just in time to hit the livemusic clubs.
If you have a few
extra days and are an experienced rider, consider
joining one of the fall
roundups in Iceland, a
festive country tradition
Blue Lagoon Spa, Iceland
available now to adventurous travelers. For centuries, Icelandic farmers have left sheep
and horses to graze in the highlands during the summer in order
to preserve their hay harvest. Sheep are rounded up in mid-September, horses in early October, and the evenings after a day’s
ride involve singing, feasting and long soaks in the hot tub.
(continued on next page)
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Jungle Journeys
Sometimes a multi-sport trip is the best way to experience
every layer of ancient cultures and exotic wilderness. September
and October are good times to explore the tropical rainforest of
the Peruvian Amazon via foot, river raft and mountain bike. A
two-week tour will take you through the colonial city of Arequipa, the markets and archeological wonders of Cuzco, the fabled
ruins of the Inca empire, up the ice-capped mountains on the
way to Machu Picchu, and canoeing along the Tambopata River
surrounded by monkeys and macaws. Whitewater rafting down
the Urubamba River, hot air balloon rides over the Sacred Valley, and guided horseback rides to picturesque Andean villages
are also wonderful ways to explore the Amazon region.
Equally as exotic and entrancing is Papua New Guinea,
tucked in the South Pacific far from mass tourism. While it is
home to some of the world’s best scuba diving, surfing and fishing, PNG has intrigued explorers and anthropologists for years
with its widely diverse cultural and political groups, largely unaffected by western civilization.
On the Sepik River, dubbed the Amazon of the Pacific,
people live much the same as their predecessors did hundreds of
years ago, hunting crocodiles and making flour from their staple
crop, sago palm. Depending on how rugged you are,
you can get there, literally,
by boat or by float, aboard
air-conditioned ship or
dugout canoe. Stay at the
remote Karawari Lodge
and observe traditional life
in the surrounding jungle
with the comfort of rustic
luxury.
The Highlands of
Papua New Guinea vary
from moist tropical rainforests and grassy landscapes to the snow-capped
Ambua Lodge, Papua New Guinea
peak of Mt. Wilhelm. The
secluded Ambua Lodge is an inspiring mix of local architecture,
breathtaking views and deluxe accommodations 7,000 feet above
sea level. From there, you can catch a glimpse into the culture
of the ornately decorated Huli people as well as 150 species of
birds and the astounding high-altitude orchids and rhododendrons that grow with abandon. The dense forest canopy provides
a preternatural setting and an eternal spring climate for venturing
along the nature trails and traditional vine bridges.
Desert Treks
For many desert attractions, fall marks a lull before the
snowbirds descend, a period when heat and crowds recede, along
with air and hotel fares. Many of Arizona’s finest resorts and
destination spas, which can cost $600 per night in January, are
far less expensive in the fall. It’s a perfect time to tour the desert
via Jeep, horse or foot. Mountain biking in the desert provides a
similar intimacy with the sage, mesquite and cacti-covered hills,
not to mention free range of the canyon trails, but is recommended for serious athletes only.
Outdoor pursuits also offer
the best way to experience Israel,
where new activities surface regularly. When New Yorker Betsy Braun
returned last year, for the first time
since 1993, she found Israel had
transformed into an adventure paradise. “There is so much more to do
now,” says Braun. “Along with swimming in the Dead Sea, tubing on the Bicycling tour in Israel
Jordan River, climbing Masada and touring the Holocaust
Museum, people were scuba diving in Eliat, rappelling over waterfalls and canyons, and mountain biking in the desert. You can
even explore the ancient tunnels under the Wall now.”
A week-long cycling tour in Northern Israel takes you from
Golan to Galilee. Along the way, you can climb volcanoes, deep-sea
kayak from the Hellenistic harbor of Dor to the Roman capital
Caesarea, and try zip-lining from the Manara Cliffs. Cycling tours
also take off from Jerusalem, after a few days exploring its many
biblical sites, and end up at Eliat
for snorkeling and scuba diving
near the border of the Sudan.The
ultra-adventurous may choose to
continue on to Jordan or Egypt.
Marmaris and Istanbul, these comfortably furnished boats are
equipped with motors as well as fully functional rigging. Most
can accommodate between eight and 12 people and include individual accommodations, amenities, entertainment and morethan-hospitable crew members.
Timeless Transport
At one time, traveling in and of itself was an adventure. Now
you can experience the Golden Age of Railroads, when private,
elegantly furnished passenger trains with Pullman accommodations were the only way the well-heeled crossed the country.
A multi-car train with private cabins takes passengers on trips
to some of America’s top destinations. GrandLuxe Rail Journey’s
Great Northwestern National Parks itinerary visits four majestic national parks: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier and Mt.
Rainier. Another of its popular vacations continues through the
Rockies and Sierras, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks,
Salt Lake City, Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley, running between
Denver and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Vacations feature a variety of luxury options including leisurely five-course dinners, live music in the lounge car, informative talks
from expert lecturers, guided tours, and butler and porter service.
For those looking for shorter getaways, GrandLuxe will offer seven
two- and three-day itineraries starting in November.
Historic Sails
When you think sailing,
Turkey may not be the first
place that comes to mind. But
the azure waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and
Black Sea surround Turkey to the
south, west and north, creating a
treasure trove of quaint coastal
villages, coves, inlets, beaches and
sheltered bays where you can see
mountain peaks rising to almost
10,000 feet above the sea level.
A cruise on the Mavi Yolculuk,
or BlueVoyage, travels these parts
to the private beach of Cleopatra, the eternal fires of Mount
Olympus and the remains of ancient civilizations. But the greatest adventure is the unique and
intimate experience of sailing on a gulette, Turkey’s indigenous
sea-going vessel.
Constructed mainly in the shipyards of Bodrum, Bozburun,
Sailing on the Blue Voyage, Turkey
Cathleen McCarthy is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. Her travel
stories have appeared in The Washington Post, More, Arizona Highways, Hemispheres and the guidebook, Escape Plans.
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Special Adve
Travel in high style
Four Fall U.S. History-and-Adventure Trips
Spa at La Quinta Resort & Club
Pennsylvania
wrote several film scripts here, including the 1934 classic “It Happened One
Night,” whose leading man, Clark Gable,
was also a La Quinta regular. Avid golfer
Katharine Hepburn came, no doubt, as
much for the nine-hole golf course and
picture-perfect views as the schmoozing. Now there are 90 holes, 640 casitas,
41 pools and 53 whirlpool spas, but La
Quinta Resort & Club still attracts celebrities. You can explore the desert and
foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains
on bike, horse and Jeep, or ride the Palm
Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of
Mt. San Jacinto, a thrilling 8,516-feet ascent accomplished in 15 minutes, without breaking a sweat.
can combine fall foliage,
outdoor thrills and architectural history if you head toward Ohiopyle in the
south-central part of the state. Frank
Lloyd Wright’s residential masterpiece,
Fallingwater, designed in the thirties over
a woodland stream, recently underwent
a major renovation. Constructed in the
architect’s signature cantilevered style, the
house defined “sustainable design” long
before the term was invented, integrating
natural stone outcropping and the stream
itself, which runs literally underfoot. For a
more thrilling experience of the local waterways, whitewater rafting trips run regularly on the nearby Youghiogheny River.
Phoenix
is home to another Wrightinfluenced design; a student of his was
the architect behind the Biltmore Resort
& Spa. The obvious inspiration was the
surrounding expanses of the Sonoran
Desert, which you can tour by Jeep or
western-style horseback rides. The 39
acres of Phoenix Mountain Preserve at
the Biltmore, with its lush gardens and
landscaped grounds, is a popular hiking
area. After a day of adventure, visitors
can golf, relax by one of the eight pools
or pamper themselves with luxurious spa
treatments.
New York City is an adventure unto it-
self, especially in the fall, when Central
Park’s foliage is at its most glorious, the
Broadway season opens its new shows,
and the holiday shopping bonanza
starts as soon as back-to-school season
ends. For the uber-adventurous, try the
Trapeze School New York, where you
take a nerve-rattling plummet from a
platform 23 feet above the ground as
you learn how to swing and knee-hang
in mid-air. Then, head off to relax at
one of the city’s historic treasures, the
Waldorf=Astoria. Rich in history and
lore, with its famed Art Deco design and
distinctive Park Avenue address, it’s still
a city “must-stay” for diplomats, celebrities — and the rest of us.
La Quinta is a California desert oasis that
began as 20 casitas built in 1926 to lure
Hollywood’s glitterati to a peaceful hideaway outside Los Angeles. Frank Capra
Recreate the
Golden AGe
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way to travel. Try a 2-3 day trip
this Fall between Washington DC
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enjoy a 7-10 day trip through the
American West or National Parks.
Fares start at just $789 per person.
Call GrandLuxe or your professional travel agent today
for more information!
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Stop Dreaming. Start Living. Experience Iceland.
Horse around. Hike through ancient glaciers and lava fields.
Savor the freshest seafood and lamb this side of heaven.
Feel the heat of Reykjavik’s pulsing nightlife. Rejuvenate in
Iceland’s healing geothermal pools. Experience it all in a
country that will take your breath away and restore your spirit!
Visit www.icelandair.com for great savings on exciting adventure packages.
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42 Harvest Wheat
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Fall is bigger here. Take a Pennsylvania roadtrip
and take in more colors than you could ever possibly count.
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Discovering the Caribbean’s
Off-Season Delights
By Iyna Bort Caruso
Jamaica is a lot more layered and complex than its reggaeand-rum reputation lets on. The undeveloped South Coast area
is a jumble of rugged coastline. Soft adventure dominates the
agenda — boat tours down the Black River to YS Falls, mountain biking and manatee watching among them. Visitors who
prefer to see their own set of footprints stake a claim here. Says
Jamaica travel guide writer Darwin Porter, “Sometimes on an
October day, for example, you’ll have an entire beach strip for
your own private use.”
Throughout the Caribbean,
Americans descend by the millions each year for the
million-dollar views and serene beaches that seem to
have the power to transform even the most worldweary visitor. But shoulder seasoners know they have
the inside edge. The kids are in school. The beaches are
private playgrounds. And world-class hotels are ready
to deal. From St. Lucia and Jamaica to the U.S. and
British Virgin Islands to the “Mexican Caribbean”
resort area of Cancun, the charms of fall travel get
under your skin and between your toes.
Fantasy Island
What can you say about the entrancing St. Lucia? The Atlantic laps at the eastern shoreline of the mango-shaped island,
the Caribbean at its western coast. Wild orchids perfume the
air. Necklaces made from a beautiful seed called dedefouden are
plucked from the soaring trees and sold at local craft markets,
alongside baskets woven from climbing foot palms and hanging
roots. A central mountain range runs the length of the island,
dominated by forests and crisscrossed by 29 miles of trails.
The island’s most famous landmarks are the Pitons, twin
volcanic cones jutting out of the sea. You can spot them from
miles away. At Soufriere, the island’s oldest town, its gingerbread-style marketplace and colorful murals would be enough to
warrant a visit, but a rare drive-in volcano with bubbling pools
of sulphuric waters makes it must-see territory. The island is
equally famous for its delicious seafood, curries and pepperpot
stews, which can be sampled at the Friday night block party
at Gros Islet near Rodney Bay. Every week this fishing village
transforms itself into a carnival with speaker-pounding soca and
reggae music and deep-into-the-night street dancing.
Anse Chastanet is one of those forget-the-world resorts located on a 600-acre tropical estate. Forty-nine individually designed rooms provide guests with a sense of seclusion. The resort
Pitons and Soufriere
features two silver sand beaches, great snorkeling, a scuba center,
12 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails as well as the full
service Kai Belte Spa.
Last year, Jade Mountain opened at Anse Chastanet as a
resort-within-a-resort. Each of the 24 sanctuaries has its own
in-suite infinity swimming pool and is missing the fourth wall to
enjoy commanding views of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea.
Need service? Simply pull a bell cord to summon assistance.
Cancun Wonders
Cancun, which recently underwent a $2.4 billion renovation, is a favored destination among North American tourists.
Part of its popularity is ease-of-travel — it has the newest airport of any in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and
has direct flights from most U.S. capitals and main cities.
Jamaican Adventure
In Jamaica, some people just can’t wait for sunset.
When twilight sinks into nightfall, gutsy souls head into
a Jamaican jungle outpost to begin an off-hours and off-beat
adventure. In the treetops, some 250 feet high, they’re harnessed
onto a zip-line traverse with just a headlamp for illumination.
And then they jump. It is the first of five leaps off platforms
that plummets them deeper and deeper into the forest recesses.
Welcome to the Twilight Canopy Tour.
Truth is, it takes far less than extreme jungle jumping to get
the most out of this good-time capital. Just liming (that’s lying
in Jamaican patois) on a beach of impossibly blue waters makes
Jamaica an instant attitude-adjusting destination. The island reverberates with a sweet beat, rewards with indigenous charm and
refreshes with trade winds that cool its visitors all year long.
beaches & shores
Ruins with view of the beach, near Cancun
But the real lure of Cancun is its astounding abundance of
activity. In one day, you can discover a subterranean sinkhole,
indulge yourself with a spa treatment, visit the Mayan ruins,
and still have the time (if not the energy) for the nightlife of
mountains & trails
golf & leisure
metropolitan
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Throughout the British Virgin Islands, Blue is much more than simply
a color - it is a full spectrum of adventure set in a beautiful mosaic of
sixty Caribbean islands waiting for you to discover. From the endless
azure waters surrounding them to the brilliant sky above, Blue always
knows your favorite color.
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Ninety years ago, the Danish West Indies became the U.S.
Virgin Islands when St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas and some
50 other islands and cays were transferred from Danish to U.S.
hands. Shoppers have been smiling ever since, converging on
Charlotte Amalie in St.
Thomas to enjoy sales
or luxury tax-free spending on items like watches,
cameras, fine jewelry, china and leather goods. For
U.S. citizens, the dutyfree allowance of $1,600
is twice that of any other
Caribbean island.
St. John is the smallest of the U.S.V.I. trio.
Cruz Bay is its main town
of art galleries, bars and
restaurants, a tranquil
counterpart to St. ThomShops at Sopper’s Hole, Tortola
as’ Charlotte Amalie. In
1956, American financier Laurance Rockefeller donated large
tracts of land to the National Park Service to keep St. John “a
thing of joy forever.” The park now protects about two-thirds
of the island and 5,600 acres of offshore marine habitats. Selfguided trails lead to wondrous surprises of nature.
St. Croix is the largest of the three islands, lying entirely in
the Reef Bay shores. An elegant touch is the sumptuous, silver-service picnic lunch served on a secluded beach at this very
private, 1,800-acre resort.
And if just being in a private island resort isn’t enough to
fulfill your tropical fantasies, there is always the option of renting a whole island. From November 1-December 17, you can
have Guana Island entirely to yourself — and up to 31 of your
friends — at a special pre-season rate of $19,500 per night.
Sea Escapes
The waters around the U. S. and BritishVirgin Islands are a virtual theme park for underwater explorers. Some of the best:
The beauty of the British Virgin Islands is in its glitzless
appeal. Homes are no higher than the nearest palm tree and dirt
roads are often the way to go. There are dozens of islands, most
uninhabited, others with only a single hotel.
Tortola, the biggest city in the isles, is the charter boat capital of the Caribbean. Norman Island is said to be the setting for
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Nearby caves once hid
pirate-plundered riches. The white coral island of Anegada, a
rarity among the hilly, volcanic
Virgins, is surrounded by one
of the world’s largest reefs;
great for divers, not so great for
sailors. Scores of shipwrecks
lie on the sea floor. The island
of Jost Van Dyke, named by an
early Dutch settler reputed to
be a pirate, has a lively little bar
scene and is a favorite of the
yachting set. Electricity only
made its way here for the first
time in 1991.
In Virgin Gorda, a series
of granite boulders strewn
across white sand beaches,
Diving off the shore of Virgin Gorda
form exotic pools, grottos and
swim-through caves. Scrambling to the top of the rocks is a
workout — but worth it for the stunning views.
Rated one of the top 20 islands in the world, there is plenty
to explore and experience on Peter Island: Swim at five sugary
sand beaches and 20 secluded coves; kayak and windsurf the
turquoise waters; and dive at the Wreck of the Rhone, just off
Iyna Bort Caruso writes on travel, art and history. Credits include Consumers Digest, American Way, Alaska Air, Amtrak’s Arrive and
the Yellowstone National Park Expedition Guide audio tour.
Top Dive Sites:
Reefs and Wrecks in the Virgin Islands
Wreck of the RMS Rhone, Tortola: This 310-foot cargo ship
sank in an 1867 hurricane, yet is still preserved right down
to its cannon, crow’s nest and bowsprit.
The Chimney, Virgin Gorda: A winding tunnel blanketed with
living sponges and rainbow coral leads to a chamber, lit
from above by the sun and populated by spotted drum fish
and friendly nurse sharks.
Alice in Wonderland, Tortola: This dreamy underwater garden
of sea fans and pillar coral is home to colorful marine
characters such as the yellowhead wrasse and snout-nose
butterfly fish.
The Indians, Tortola: A set of four giant rocks that descend
50 feet below the surface attract a variety of miniature reef
creatures.
The W.I.T. Shoal, St.Thomas: This 400-foot freighter lies upright in 90 feet of crystal blue water. The ship’s smokestack
provides entry to passageways.
The Cartanza Sr., St.Thomas: A coral-encrusted World War II
cargo ship that sits 35 feet below the surface.
Buck Island Reef National Monument,St.Croix: One of only two
underwater national monuments in America and the only
one occurring naturally.
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Virgin Territory
the Caribbean Sea. Its small art galleries and studios showcase
beautiful Crucian paintings, furniture, jewelry and crafts.
Caneel Bay in St. John is set on its own private 170-acre
peninsula. The eco-sensitive resort is at the tail-end of upgrading its 166 rooms in a retro beach-chic style. The renovated
landmark “Cottage 7,” once the private estate house of Laurance Rockefeller, has long been the accommodation of choice
for celebrities and politicians.
For those who prefer lodging in the rarified confines of a
private estate, Ultimate Resort Club’s multimillion-dollar residences are a chance to live large. Spacious, beautifully appointed
homes feature three to five bedrooms, chef ’s kitchens and spalike bathrooms. Many also offer private pools, hot tubs and
oceanfront living. Its destination club property in St. Thomas
features the 18-hole Mahogany Run Golf Course and a five-star
concierge service that will do everything from stock your kitchen
and wine cellar to make your dinner, spa and activity reservations. There are Ultimate Resort’s residences at other destinations throughout the Caribbean as well as Mexico, Europe and
the U.S.
5210757
Cancun with its ultra-modern, five-star beachfront hotels, restaurants and clubs.
The stretch known as the Riviera Maya is in the middle
of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of
Quintana Roo. Here, the
towns are smaller and there
are fewer tourists, with miles
of solitary virgin beaches.
Two of the must-do’s when
visiting are exploring the
Great Maya Reef, the second largest reef system in
the world, and investigating
the unique and complex underground river system with
magical caverns, caves and
cenotes (sinkholes).
A 45-minute ferry ride
from the Riviera Maya brings
you to Cozumel’s Palancar
Climbing the Great Pyramid at Chichen
Reef, an incredible underwater
Itza, near Cancun
paradise teeming with painted
fish and a visibility of at least 150 feet. Jacques Cousteau referred
to it as the “best diving area in the world.”
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2007 FALL FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
SEPTEMBER
Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival
September 25
Singapore
Potsdam Jazz Festival
September 8 – 15
Berlin, Germany
This music fest, encompassing both classical and new
jazz, holds concerts at some unusual venues in Potsdam
and Berlin: the Waschhaus, an old military laundry; the
Franzoesische Kirche, or French church; and the Nikolaisaal. Open-air performances take place at the Volkspark
Potsdam and around Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.
Neelemperur Padayani
September 11
Neelemperur, India
Annual festival that displays the ancient folk art form
of padayani in all of its ritual splendor. Dancers wearing
huge, colorful headdresses dance to the rhythm of chenda
drums, cymbals and singing. A spectacular nighttime procession leads costumed devotees carrying effigies of mystical characters to the Palli Bhagavathy Temple, where worshippers dance around a raging bonfire.
Carthaginians & Romans Festival
September 14 – October 7
Cartagena, Spain
The Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival commemorates China’s freedom from Mongolian rule.
Extravagant parades and performances, and of course,
delicious moon cakes and beautiful lanterns light
the way. The best places to celebrate are Chinatown,
Albert Mall and Orchard Road, around the Singapore River
and the Chinese Garden.
Oktoberfest
Munich, Germany
Six million visitors each year attend Oktoberfest, one of
the most famous festivals in the world. This year promises
the same great food, the same great beers and lots of great
entertainment. The lord mayor of Munich opens the event
by tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. (Arrive early
to the official opening ceremonies — it’s quite common for
visitors to come around 9 a.m. to secure good seats.) Other
highlights include the Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s
Parade on Sept. 19.
Dublin Theatre Festival
Dublin, Ireland
Elaborately staged re-enactment recalls the founding
of the city by the Carthaginians in 223 B.C. and its capture by the Romans in 209 B.C. Armies march through
town in spectacular historic displays of military pomp, the
main parade taking place on the penultimate day of the
festival. There is a Roman circus, Roman wedding, chess
tournaments, plus musical and food-and-wine events.
lin Theatre Festival is the oldest English-speaking theater
festival in the world. Throughout the city, the festival will
present 221 performances with 33 shows from 13 countries, showcasing plays by O’Neill, Chekhov and Doyle as
well as contemporary and avant-garde works.
Peñafrancia Fiesta
September 16
Naga City, Philippines
Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival
September 25
Hong Kong, China
Renowned celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, patroness of the Bicol region. The highlight is the
grand “water-borne”procession carrying the image of Our Lady
along the river.The week preceding the procession includes civic
and military parades, a sports fest, exhibits, a regatta, cultural
shows, a beauty pageant and other colorful competitions.
OCTOBER
Jagalchi Festival
October 10 – 14
Busan, South Korea
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Dub-
Visitors can sample fish they’ve never even heard of
before, surrounded by cooks creating some of the finest
Korean food in this charming seaport city. Events include
fireworks, ferry rides, a foreigners’ cooking competition, eel
races, a slug-throw competition and a swellfish soup-eating
contest.You can even try to catch a fish with your bare hands,
although most consider the real treat to be eating them.
Fiesta del Maíz
October 12
Upala, Costa Rica
Taking place all over Hong Kong, this Chinese equivalent to the West’s Harvest Moon Festival is one of the
At the center of this traditional celebration of the
most beautiful celebrations of the year. During the festival
people eat sugary sweet yuek beng (moon cakes) and parks staple crop corn is a colorful parade where local beauty
are dramatically lit with thousands of lanterns in all sorts queens don imaginative costumes made entirely from corn
husks, grains and silks.
of unique shapes and sizes.
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OCTOBER continued
Takayama Matsuri
October 9 – 10
Takayama, Japan
Old Harbour Fish & Bammy Festival 2007
October 14
Kingston, Jamaica
to street vendors and in billowy white tents set up especially for the event.
This two-part festival is to remind people of changing seasons. Yawata Matsuri, in the fall, reminds people to
prepare for winter. Its sister festival, Sanno Matsuri, in the
A variety of seafood and traditional Jamaican dishes spring (Apr. 14-15), is to welcome the warm season after
are available at this annual festival that highlights Jamaica’s severe winter days in Takayama, the old city that was deculinary heritage. Visitors can participate in cooking dem- veloped as the base of a shogun in the 17th century. Both
onstrations and enjoy entertainment and storytelling ses- festivals have more than 10 floats parading through local
sions for adults and children.
neighborhoods. Each float has different themes, music,
dances and puppet shows, all of which reflect the beauty
Pharaonic Wedding Festival
of arts and traditional entertainment from 400 years ago.
October 15 – 20
Karnak, Egypt
Cancun International Film Festival
November 14 – 18
Cancun, Mexico
The inaugural Cancun International Film Festival is
dedicated to supporting and awarding aspiring and noted
filmmakers, screenwriters and actors from Mexico and the
Americas. Movie premieres, emerging filmmaker showcases, panel discussions and forums will occur throughout the
five days.
NOVEMBER
Should you want to exchange or renew vows in a
memorable way, this intimate festival may be for you. Held
Feira do Rio Antigo
twice a year at the sacred site of Karnak temple, up to 40
November 3
couples get to tie the knot just like Egyptian kings and
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
queens did more than five thousand years ago. The cerOn the first Saturday of every month, the Rua do
emony still reflects the ancient rituals, featuring traditional
Lavradio transforms into a bustling antiques market.
wedding dresses, make-up and dances that are believed to
Browse through the 100 stalls and enjoy outdoor dining
bring the gods’ blessing and eternal happiness.
at bars and restaurants with live bands playing the sounds
Rio is famous for: Samba and Choro.
Puck International Festival
October 22 – 27
Cluj, Romania
In the heart of Transylvania, there is Cluj — a city that
boasts a puppet theater acclaimed for its artful puppets
and equally skillful puppeteers for more than half a century. Ten Romanian marionette troupes — as well as seven
from throughout Europe — will be entertaining children
and adults with 20 performances of traditional stories and
fairy tales in four languages.
Newtown Diwali Festival
October 27
Johannesburg, South Africa
Phimai Festival
November 9 – 11
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
An annual festival held for more than a century, the
traditional long-boat race at Phimai Historical Park draws
thousands of visitors. There’s also a hefty dose of local art
and cultural performances, fun-filled competitions, sales
of local wares and exhibitions.
San Miniato Truffle Fair
November 10 – 11, 17 – 18, 24 – 25
San Miniato, Italy
The Pisa province of Tuscany produces as much as a
With a record of over 40,000 festival-goers last quarter of Italy’s revered white truffles. During the peak
year, the annual celebration of Diwali, the Indian fes- gathering season, the medieval town of San Miniato celtival of lights, spotlights Indian culture and customs in ebrates with displays, theater, marching bands, and of
the forms of dance and music by local and international course, fine dining featuring the “food of kings.” Truffletasting is everywhere — from elegant restaurants and palazzis
Afro-Indian artists.
Sukhothai Loy Kratong “Festival of Lights”
November 21 – 25
Sukhothai, Thailand
As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month lights
up the night sky throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds
of thousands of ornately-decorated banana leaf floats are
set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual
called Loi Krathong — the “festival of lights.” This is one
of Thailand’s oldest and best-preserved traditions. Nowhere is this more spectacular than in Sukhothai, the first
Thai capital, where this annual tradition originated. Watch
fireworks displays, cultural performances, folk dances and
a dramatic light and sound presentation.
Event details and dates can change. Please check with your travel
agent before making travel arrangements.
one meal at a time.
be a traveler.
Bourdain in Hong Kong – where whatever it is on the end of your chopsticks – is nearly always good!
veer off the beaten path.
explore a culture.
Anthony Bourdain:
© 2007 The Travel Channel L.L.C.
No Reservations
Mondays at 10pm e/p
for more Tony, visit travelchannel.com/bourdain
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GLOBAL GEMS: EXPLORING THE WORLD OF HERITAGE TRAVEL
In a remote village of China,
farmers drilling for water on an early spring day in
1974 accidentally stumbled on what would turn out
to be one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the
20th century. They unearthed thousands of life-size,
terra-cotta soldiers standing guard over the tomb
of Emperor Qin, the first unifier of China. When
the emperor died in 210 B.C., this formidable clay
army of six-foot-high swordsmen, archers, spearsmen and charioteers was conscripted to defend him
for all eternity. And when the imperial complex was
recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in
1987, it became a cultural treasure for all mankind.
W
orld Heritage sites are natural and cultural
jewels, of universal value, that deserve to be
part of a global heritage and safeguarded
from natural disasters, war, negligence, pollution and uncontrolled development.
The terra-cotta warriors’ complex in Xi’an is one of 35
World Heritage sites in China and 851 worldwide on an evergrowing list. By the end of the decade, the number is expected
to top 1,000. Sites range from national parks, glaciers and waterfalls to petroglyphs, ancient cemeteries and castle remains,
some still half-buried, their secrets yet to be revealed. Heritage
sites also include entire cities — Venice, Jerusalem and Prague,
to name a few. Most people with some frequent flyer mileage under their belts have been to a site or two — the Statue
of Liberty, the Grand Canyon and Independence Hall, for instance. But other destinations require a measure of doggedness
to reach — rugged, overland routes where you follow not the
footsteps of crowds but the tracks of dust. They’re places consecrated in the Bible, in history, in folklore and in mystery.
“To visit [a World Heritage site] makes people understand
that they are part of something really big and beautiful,” says
Emmanuel Burgio, president of Blue Parallel, a company specializing in World Heritage travel. “These sites are universal and
belong to everybody, past, present and future.”
Bet Giorgis Church, Lalibela
Man-Made Marvels
into flames). Aksum is the site
of a once-great civilization, and
rising from its ruins are fields of
obelisks — soaring, four-sided
monuments — each sculpted
from a single piece of granite
and erected some 1,700 years
ago. Thought to mark graves of
the elite, the obelisks have been
called lightning rods to heaven.
One in particular, the muchtouted Aksum obelisk, was
shipped to Italy in 1937 on orders of Benito Mussolini, where
it was raised in Rome’s Piazza di
Porta Capena. After decades of
negotiation, the obelisk was cut
into three pieces and repatriated
to Aksum in 2005 near its original location. Ethiopians plan to
re-erect the monument as part of their millennium celebration.
The country rings in the new year of 2000 (based on the Julian
calendar) on September 11th, 2007.
Another spectacular feat of human ingenuity and engineering are the Banaue Rice Terraces, located in Northern Philippines. Constructed 2,000 years ago with the
bare hands of the mighty Ifugao people, it
is probably the only ancient monument that
was created without employing any slave
labor. Covering an area of roughly 4,000
square miles extending thousands of feet
upwards, the rice terraces, with an ancient
irrigation system still operational today, is a
living testament to the Filipinos’ mastery of
nature.
Ethiopia, whose tourism infrastructure has started to come
into its own in the last 10 years, has eight World Heritage sites
to its credit. The collection of rock-hewn
churches of Lalibela is considered one
of Orthodox Christianity’s great historical settlements. Despite its remoteness in
mountainous terrain, Lalibela has been
attracting pilgrims since the 16th century. The 11 medieval churches, some in
trenches, others in open quarries connected by a warren of tunnels, aren’t carved
into pink bedrock but, rather, freed from
it like sculptures. Bet Golgotha is one of
the Lalibela’s holiest sanctuaries and the
best place to see examples of indigenous
Clock Tower, Sighisoara
There’s something about standing on the
Christian art. In its Selassie Chapel, a
moveable stone is said to cover the most clandestine of plac- grounds of a once-flourishing civilization that borders on the
es — the tomb of King Lalibela himself. According to legend, a sacred. Chichen-Itza on the Yucatán peninsula is a humbling experience that surrounds you with awe and transforms you from
visit assures your place in heaven.
There are man-made monuments that stop you dead in traveler into pilgrim.
Chichen-Itza was one of the great Mayan centers and reyour tracks and make you wonder how these creations were even
conceived, such as those found in Aksum in Ethiopia. Many mains among the best preserved. Still surviving is the Temple of
know it as a walled compound that purportedly houses the Ark Warriors, the circular observatory known as El Caracol and the
of the Covenant (which, according to local beliefs, can only be step pyramid of El Castillo. On September 23, the fall equinox,
seen by the monk who guards it. Others who try instantly burst the late afternoon light will mix with shadows on the facade of
Lost Civilizations
Fly Ethiopian Airlines and Discover
Our 8 World Heritage Sites
Lalibela 11 medieval monolithic cave churches
carved out of solid rock
Simien National Park wild and rugged land
home to rare animals found only in Ethiopia
Fasil Ghebbi Gondar Region, 16th & 17th
Century Fortified City
Aksum Monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal
tombs and the ruins of ancient castles
Lower Valley of the Awash
sites, Lucy’s home
palaeontological
Lower Valley of the Omo prehistoric site near
Lake Turkana home to many fossils
Tiya 32 carved stelae the remains of an ancient
culture whose age not yet determined
DDB Travel & Tourism - Photo : Denys Vinson
Heritage is our legacy, what we live with today, and what we
pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage
are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.
EGYPTIANS OFFER YOU THEIR MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE: THE SUN
The light of the Sun brings out the full majesty of the Pyramids,
plays with sparkling exuberance on the ancient and illustrious
cities served by the Nile, and caresses the luxurious beaches of
the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Beneath the waves, the Sun’s rays
highlight the glowing colors of the many sea creatures and corals.
You will find the Sun’s light and warmth reflected in the open smiles
and friendly greetings of the Egyptians themselves. Welcome
to the land that first worshipped the Sun. www.egypt.travel
Harar Jugol fortified ancient historic town
To learn more about Ethiopian Airlines and
our World Heritage Sites and Tours visit:
www.seeyouinethiopia.com
Egyptian Tourist Authority - 630 Fifth Avenue - Suite 2305 - New York - NY 10111 - Toll Free Number 877-77-EGYPT
P2JW251034-4-R01000-1--------XA
Ethiopian Airlines proudly offers direct flights from
Washington-Dulles International to Addis Ababa five days a week.
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ANGKOR, CAMBODIA: The five-star Hotel de la Paix in Siem
Reap equips each of its 107 rooms with a pre-programmed
iPod featuring music and narratives on the history of Cambodia and the temples of AngkorWat. Angkor is one of the most
important archaeological parks in Southeast Asia, containing
the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer
Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.
ROBBEN ISLAND, SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Grace, a luxe 121-
room property on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, is a perennial winner in “best of ” polls. It’s just steps from the ferry
that transports visitors to Robben Island. The one-time maximum security jail for political prisoners like Nelson Mandela
during the days of apartheid, Robben Island was recognized as
a World Heritage site in 1999.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON, U.S.: Set within
the park, Kalaloch Lodge is perched on a bluff overlooking
the Pacific. This rustic retreat features 44 cabins with ocean
views and another 10 rooms in the historic main lodge. The
1,400-square-mile park not only encompasses snow-capped
Mount Olympus, glaciers, alpine meadows and rocky Pacific
Mountain coastline, but also one of the few temperate rain
forests in the world.
MACHU PICCHU, PERU: The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
is the only hotel located within the sanctuary of the Inca citadel
of Machu Picchu. The 31-room property overlooks the preColombian kingdom 8,200 feet above sea level as well as the
magnificent peaks and the river valley below. Guests have an opportunity to tour the five-square-mile site with a local shaman.
ALTO DOURO WINE REGION, PORTUGAL: The Aquapura
Douro Valley Resort opened this summer with a decidedly hip
design flow. The resort weaves a spa, 21 villas, 50 rooms and
suites and a 19th century manor house into the traditional
landscape of northern Portugal. Wine has been produced by
landholders in the Alto Douro region for some 2,000 years
and its main product, port, is world famous for its quality.
This long tradition of viticulture has produced a landscape of
exceptional beauty.
Eastern Europe: A Past Preserved
Romania’s well-preserved medieval fortress town of Sighisoara
is perched on a hill in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania.
The region, of course, is most associated with one man — Prince
Vlad Dracul, the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s gothic classic.
The realVlad never drank blood, but he was known for impaling his
enemies alive on stakes.The HouseVlad Dracul, where it is believed
Pyramid of the Sun, Teotehuacan
he was born, is among many of Sighisoara attractions. One of its
El Castillo to create the effect of a serpent slithering down the most striking is the 14th century Clock Tower. Each day a different
365 steps to the base. The light show will be repeated on the first wooden figure emerges from the belfry on the stroke of midnight.
day of spring.
Elsewhere in Romania, the seven painted churches of BucoviMexico’s repository of ancient and colonial marvels makes it na, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, comprise another imfertile territory as aWorld Heritage-rich destination.The country pressive World Heritage site. Their gorgeous exterior frescos have
has a layered history of thriving civilizations. Twenty-seven heri- somehow managed to withstand centuries of rain, heat and snow.
tage sites dot the landscape. The historic cenThe most famous of the group is the Voronet
ter of Mexico City, with five Aztec temples,
Monastery, often called the Sistine Chapel of
the continent’s largest cathedral and extraorthe East. Biblical scenes that include Judgment
dinary 19th and 20th century architecture,
Day, the Siege of Constantinople and Genesis
is a showplace of achievement. Northeast
were intended to teach the faithful about Orof the capital, the holy city of Teotihuacan
thodox Christianity.
— “the place where men become gods” — is
For those looking to go the road less trava breathtaking collection of palaces, temples
eled — and willing to make the trek – there are
and pyramids, built between the 1st and 7th
two heritage sites in the remote Eastern Europecenturies A.D. One pyramid, the Pyramid of
an country of Albania. “Albania was like a dream
the Sun, is the third largest in the world.
rising out of the mist,” recalls Kyrian Corona, a
In Giza, Egypt, stand another group of
Los Angeles public relations executive. Corona
monumental pyramids, arguably three of the
took a 10-day cruise down the Adriatic Sea, arAncient town in Cappadocia
most recognizable icons of ancient civilization.
riving in the southern Albanian coastal town of
They, along with the Great Sphinx, serve as an eloquent back- Sarande. From there, she rode a bus along narrow roads to the intedrop to the historic city of Cairo, which was founded in the 10th rior and then hiked to get to her journey’s destination: Butrint.
century and quickly became the center of the Islamic world. The
Butrint was ruled successively by the Greeks, the Romans and
mosque and madrasa (religious school) of Sultan Hassan is one the Venetians before being abandoned in the Middle Ages. An arof Cairo’s finest examples of early Mamluk architecture and one cheological windfall of ruins remains: temples, ramparts and baths.
of the largest religious buildings in the world. It is said work be- “Around every turn, there were magical sights to discover — the
gan on the mosque in 1356, funded by the estates of people who remains of buildings, reservoirs filled with water and plants, and
died in the Black Death that struck Cairo in 1348.
the magnificent mosaics that Butrint is famous for,” says Corona.
Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is another famous ar(continued on page 23)
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Spending days at a World Heritage site among ruins and rugged terrain doesn’t mean spending nights in makeshift accommodations under a web of mosquito netting — or sharing a
bathroom down the hall. Rest assured, coddling accommodations can often be found close by.
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Stay in Style: Heritage Site Hotels
chaeological site, located in northwestern Turkey. The excavation
is actually not one ancient city but the ruins of at least nine different settlements, one built on top of the other, dating back to
the early Bronze Ages. Immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, Troy
has captured the world’s imagination ever since.
Far less known are the remains of a little-known people that
can be found at Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of
Cappadocia in the midwestern part of Turkey. The extraordinary
landscape was formed millions of years ago, the combined work
of lava-spitting volcanoes, wind and water. Besides the natural
phenomenon, there is a network of excavations and tunnels in
the volcanic formations that form hew rooms, chapels — even
whole villages — out of the rocks. Religious Byzantine paintings
can be found on the walls of the churches and monasteries, where
human occupation can be traced back for at least 16 centuries.
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Asia
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A
By Barbara A. Noe
Asia’s Autumn
Treasures
mericans set their travel sights on Asia in record
numbers — climbing 11 percent to 5.2 million in
2006 over 2005, with the first quarter of 2007 spiking at 14
percent, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, and Office of Travel
andTourism Industries. As the 2008 Beijing Olympics approach,
the trend is projected to accelerate still. Not only are the number of visitors to China, and Beijing in particular, expected to
rise, but so will those to pan-Asia as well. The Olympic Games
are proving to be a grand debutante ball of sorts, as Americans
— and the world — recognize Asia and all it has to offer.
Take a safari to one of India’s 400
wildlife sancturaries, some of which are
home to the majestic Bengal Tiger.
Pudong, Shanghai
Indian Dancers, Kerala, India
the region. Much of the boutique-ing of hotels, marked by small
properties, vernacular design and five-star ratings, is taking place
in Asia, especially Thailand. More recently, China and Vietnam
are following suit. Service levels have been raised drastically,
including hiring English-speaking hotel staff. State-of-the-art
airports are cropping up and roadways are being added, widened and paved. Major airlines are adding more long-haul flights
between the U.S. and Asia, and many low-fare regional airlines
are being introduced for easier, economical transport, including
AirAsia, Jetstar and Tiger. Travel to Asia could not be easier.
As the fall season approaches, now is the perfect time to
plot a trip to this beguiling region. The more temperate countries display spectacular leaf-changing colors, while harvest and
thanksgiving festivals abound. Travelers are fewer, the weather
agreeable, and despite Olympic fever, you can find some great
deals. What are you waiting for?
ENIGMATIC, VAST, ITS FUTURE LOOMING LARGE, China commands increasing attention. Indeed, the world awaits with bated
breath as this 5,000-year-old civilization, its economy afire,
preps for its grand coming-out party at precisely 8:08:08 p.m.
on 8/8/2008 with the opening of the Games of the 29th
Olympiad in Beijing. Auspiciously, the number 8 signifies wealth
or profit among the Chinese.
Among the structures transforming the capital city’s cranefilled skyline are some uber-contemporary creations: Paul Andreu’s National Grand Theater, dubbed The Egg, is a blob of
an opera house floating on an artificial lake that lacks obvious
doors (you enter through two tunnels underneath a moat). Rem
Koolhaas’s 54-floor China Central Television Building, the first
of 300 new towers in the new Beijing Central Business District, is essentially an upside-down U with right angles. Face-lifts
for temples and palaces, brand-new hotels and restaurants, and
clearing the air of its notorious pollution are in full swing.
In preparation for the Olympic Games, other changes are
underway throughout China as well. Its railways are being up(continued on next page)
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From China to South Korea to the Philippines to India,
and all the countries in between, each place offers an intoxicating submersion into a completely different world, with its
own intriguing history, culture, cuisine, festivals and landscape. You have glitzy metropolises, each charged with a different energy — exotic Bangkok, financial Hong Kong,
futuristic Shanghai, sophisticated Delhi — and peaceful
mountain retreats that imbue local landscapes and traditions. Ritzy, five-star hotels abound, each suffused with local
flavor, as well as unique local inns, such as Japan’s traditional
ryokan. There’s plenty for nature lovers to do: hike up Mount
Fuji, ride elephants in Thailand’s northern highlands or kayak
Vietnam’s legendary Ha Long Bay. Take a safari to one of India’s
400 wildlife sanctuaries, some of which are home to the majestic Bengal Tiger. If culture is what you’re looking for, highlights
include Hanoi’s water puppet shows, Beijing’s opera, Thailand’s
classical dance, and the renowned Shanghai Ballet, where you
can delve into a nation’s heart and soul.
Affordability is also a lure. In an age when the euro and
pound sterling are pinching Americans abroad, Asia is extremely
reasonable, especially China and Southeast Asia. Eighty U.S.
dollars can buy you a five-star suite in Southeast Asia, and for
the price of a hardcover novel, you can stay at a good hotel on
one of Vietnam’s breathtaking beaches.
Taking the cue, governments throughout Asia are frenetically developing their tourist infrastructure. Hotel construction
is at an all-time high, with all the major chains investing across
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graded and a highway network based on the U.S. interstate system is being built.
continued
Cities are expanding rapidly,
with new roads, expressways
and high-quality accommodations. It’s a marvelous time to visit
this captivating land, as ancient past and future juxtapose in the
nation’s whole-hearted push to dominate the global stage.
Asia
SeeYou in
The world awaits with bated breath as
China preps for its grand coming-out party
at precisely 8:08:08 p.m. on 8/8/2008
with the opening of the Games of the
29th Olympiad in Beijing.
section of the Great Wall, about an hour northwest of Beijing,
featuring 11 houses designed by contemporary Asian architects.
With mountain-ringed views of the famed 4,000-year-old wall,
a luxuriant spa and a personal butler on call, what more could
you desire?
Another scintillating city, Shanghai, has embraced the forces
of business, design, art and the high life all around. It’s China’s
wealthiest city, after all, with (according to the government) the
nation’s highest per capita income. Just take a look at the futuristic architecture of Pudong, highlighted by the Oriental Pearl
Tower, with its pearl-like modules, and you’ll understand where
the city is headed.
Korean Dancers
While Beijing boasts its up-to-the-minute glitz, its
allure — as is true throughout China — is also its splendid vestiges of the past. In the heart of it all is Tiananmen Square, the
world’s largest square (more than 100 acres), where children fly
kites and couples stroll hand-in-hand, in contrast to the student
uprising staged here in 1989. On one end stands the hulking
mausoleum of Mao Zedong, where the communist leader rests
in eternal embalmed peace. Nearby, wander the vast maze of
courtyards, ornamented gardens and ornate ceremonial halls of
the Forbidden City, a 9,999-room palace complex built in the 15th
century during the Ming Dynasty. The Summer Palace, Temple of
Heaven and nearby GreatWall are must-see sights as well.
Fisherman on the Yangtze River, China
Lunch on the terrace at the Commune by the Great Wall
After a day of touring, choose from a bounty of new hotels.
Ritz-Carlton opened a Beijing property this year in the city’s
new financial district, a glass-and-chrome tower with ultra-sleek,
ultra-big (beginning at 538 square feet) rooms and its signature
platinum service. Park Hyatt comes in late 2007, its most sumptuous outpost yet. Or for something truly special, check into the
Commune by the Great Wall, a deluxe hotel near the Shuiguan
Indeed, Shanghai lets you live the good life at world-class
restaurants (Jade on 36, T8, M on the Bund), luxury shopping
palaces, and chic night clubs. Boutique hotels are the newest arrival, notably Philippe Starck-designed Jia Shanghai, with its minimal décor mixing chinoiserie and funky accents; and the Mansion
Hotel, in a renovated French villa. But nothing surpasses the thrill
of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, the world’s highest hotel, located
on the 53rd to 87th floors of Pudong’s Jin Mao Tower. Corner
rooms on floors 60 through 65 offer the most dramatic views.
Don’t neglect Shanghai’s fascinating past: A spoil of the
1842 Opium Wars, the city was carved into British, French and
American concessions and, later, it roared through the belle epoque in the height of style. See where the golden age tycoons
operated along the Bund, taking in the stretch of gorgeous colonial-era buildings that once housed banks, hotels, trading firms
and private clubs. In the French Concession, Shanghai’s trendiest
colonial neighborhood until communist rule, tree-shaded boulevards, colonial mansions and art deco confections shelter some
of the city’s best shops.
If scenery is more your thing, take a boat trip from
Chongqing along the celebrated Yangtze River and glide through
the spectacular Three Gorges. From an observation platform you
can watch work progressing on the controversialThree Gorges Dam
which, when completed in 2009, will flood a section of the gorge
and local villages, displacing untold numbers from their homes.
Centered around another legendary river, the Guilin
landscape has inspired painters and writers with its dramatic
limestone pillars thrusting up from the gentle green-and-gold
countryside. A boat cruise down the Li River lets you drift past
scenes from a time gone by — fishermen angling from bamboo
rafts, women washing clothes along the pebbly shore, water buffalo lazily chomping on watercress.
The opportunities to explore seem endless: Visit Suzhou’s
illustrious gardens, ride a gondola in the ancient water town of
Zhouzhuang, and discover Lijiang’s picturesque old town in the
shade of Jade Snow Dragon Mountain with its quaint Naxi
houses and canals. If you can, make sure to drink tea at a neighborhood Sichuan teahouse before heading back home.
IF YOU’RE SEEKING A HEAVEN of trekking, skiing, snorkeling
or scuba diving, you’ll surely find it in Korea. This compact nation, just an hour by plane from north to south, packs a bounty
of natural delights: luminescent rice fields, serrated peaks famed
for autumn beauty, bewitching islands with golden beaches.
Against this natural backdrop, Korea is well on its way to
taking the global throne as Asia’s IT leader. In the crux of it
all is neon-flashing, skyscraper-spiked Seoul. Asia’s most widely
wired city, Seoul boasts the world’s second highest broadband
penetration rate (after Iceland). As part of its push for tech
supremacy, the government has promised a robot in 10 or 15
years to every Korean household.
A sure sign of the city’s moving and shaking is its healthy
dose of world-class institutions, design-centered museums, art
galleries, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels. Glitzy Apgujeongdong, on the northern edge of Gangnam-gu, is Seoul’s answer
to Rodeo Drive. Samcheong-dong, a tree-shaded neighborhood
Welcome to China
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Shanghai 2010 World Expo
A fusion of past and present, East and West,
where revered treasures from an ancient civilization
exist alongside world-class shopping and cuisine.
Visit China and discover the experience of a lifetime!
www.DiscoverChinaForever.com
China National Tourist Offices:
550 North Brand Boulevard
Suite 910
Glendale, CA 91203
toll free: 800.670.2228
fax: 818.545.7506
email: [email protected]
5210764
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350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6413
Empire State Building
New York, NY 10118
toll free: 888.760.8218
fax: 212.760.8809
email: [email protected]
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in the old
town, hosts
dozens of
continued
trendy galleries. And
in Hongdae, fashionable boutiques and hip
music clubs occupy prewar wooden buildings.
And there’s Leeum, the state-of-the-art museum showcasing lotus celadon vases and ancient
Buddhist art as well as works by Rothko and
Warhol.
Scratch beneath the surface, however, and
you’ll sense Seoul’s expansive historic past —
the nation’s capital since 1394, its flock of palaces, old-style gardens and traditional markets
transport you back to Chosun times. Among
the best is Gyeongbokgung Palace, originally
built in 1395, destroyed by the Japanese in
1592, and rebuilt as it was during its heyday.
Fast-forward to the present, with regional
tensions on the decline, and you’ll see that economic success has fueled a bounty of first-rate
Asia
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FROM BANGKOK’S PULSATING DISCOS to the
quiet hilltribe towns of Mae Hong Son, from
the waterfall-dotted jungles of Kanchanaburi to
the palm-shaded beaches of the Andaman Sea,
Thailand lives up to its motto: The Land of
Smiles. Indeed, you’ll be smiling as you travel
this land with its irresistible blend of natural
beauty, ancient temples, hospitality, cuisine,
colorful festivals and fun shopping.
At its heart and soul is Bangkok, the humming capital city with gleaming skyscrapers
and capacious shopping complexes, sumptuous
restaurants and unbeatable hotels. It’s true it’s
overcrowded, smoggy and annoyingly noisy, but
give this seductress of the Southeast a chance.
In unexpected places you’ll discover its hidden
charms, such as an enchanting little temple just
off car-clogged Sukhumvit and Jim Thompson’s rich silk fabrics. Even the succulent fruits
of mango, mangosteen, guava and the common
pineapple are somehow sweeter and juicier in
this land of the sun.
Seoraksan National
Park, a wonderland
of grand mountains,
waterfalls, hot springs
and magnificent
hiking trails, is a
favorite choice —
especially in the fall.
Macau
Hong Kong
Hong Kong and Macau, two of Asia’s most culturally-fascinating destinations fuse rich
histories into two distinct, but equally alluring personalities.
Hong Kong thrives as a “living culture” with a unique East meets West tradition.
Bustling city streets lie within easy reach of scenic outlying islands. Art galleries,
museums, theaters, symphonies…all flourish within this “Live it-Love it” gem of a city.
Four-hundred years of Portuguese influence have given the island of Macau its own
unique East/West fusion flavor. Extraordinary Portuguese-inspired architecture preserves
a culture both Asian and European.
Bangkok’s core has always been the Grand
Palace, the former royal residence, and Wat Phra
Kaew, the gilded temple-residence of the sacred
Emerald Buddha, a 22-inch-tall statue sitting
high above worshippers on a gilded altar. Other
sights well worth seeing: Jim Thompson Thai
House Museum, an assemblage of authentic
teakwood houses with exquisite Thai antiques;
16th-century Wat Po, aka Temple of the Reclining Buddha; andWat Arun, theTemple of Dawn,
with its porcelain-encrusted prangs (spires).
Retire to the legendary Oriental Hotel,
consistently voted the world’s best hotel. Stay
in one of the Authors’ Suites, decorated to reflect the celebrated writers who have stayed here
through the years: the romantic Barbara Cartland suite and the British-proper Noel Coward
Hong Kong
www.DiscoverHongKong.com/usa
HONG KONG & MACAU FROM $828!
Our special Hong Kong plus Macau package includes round-trip airfare from San Francisco to
Hong Kong and Macau on Cathay Pacific Airways, 3 night hotel accommodations in Hong Kong,
1 night hotel accommodation in Macau, round-trip airport/hotel transfer in Hong Kong, round-trip
ferry/hotel in Macau, Hong Kong Museum of History pass, Macau Museum pass and Hong Kong
Meet the People cultural activities. Optional tours include the Macau Heritage Tour, the Hong
Kong Island Tour and more. Call: 1-877-956-8886. E-mail: [email protected].
Or go to: www.aberdeentours.com
Prices are per person and based on double occupancy for travel from San Francisco/Los Angeles Mon-Thu in both directions.
For Fri-Sun travel, please add $25 each way. Other cities add on available. Prices do not include airport taxes, government
fees related to air travel and fuel surcharge (approximately $184.00 per person). Valid for travel through Dec. 31, 2007.
Supported by
suite, for instance. For a modern twist, try the
all-suite Lebua at State Tower, high above the
romantic Chao Phraya River.
Beyond the capital hub, Ayutthaya, 53
miles north of Bangkok, is a popular day trip.
For 417 years, the ancient island city, with
its regal palaces, wide moats and expansive
temples, flourished as one of Southeast Asia’s
Macau
Spa, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Hong Kong is the epi-center of ultimate shopping and fine-dining in Asia. With over
10,000 restaurants featuring the finest Asian and international cuisine, every night
sparkles in Hong Kong. And the city’s reputation for shopping continues to speak for
itself, from street markets to designer boutiques to world-class shopping centers.
Greatly influenced by Portugal and seasoned with a little Africa and India, Macau has
developed its own special cuisine, well worth the experience. Macau offers an exciting
mix of restaurants, and for those who live to shop, the local merchants offer a wide
variety of tempting international wares at bargain prices.
www.DiscoverHongKong.com/usa www.macautourism.gov.mo
AMAZING HONG KONG WITH SPLENDID CHINA! GET ONE NIGHT IN MACAU FREE!
Join us for a unique 2008 “Pre-Olympic” itinerary to China’s great cities, including 3 nights in Hong
Kong. See the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a sneak preview of Olympic main venues and a special
visit to Beijing Sports University, where many of China’s gold medalists train. Plus a commemorative
Olympic lapel pin. Limited departures. Ask for “Splendid China” or “Golden China” and get a free
night in Macau! Book Now for our Early Bird Discount: Save up to $400 per couple!
Or celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong with Iron Chef on a very special Chinese New Year
package. 7 days from $1,018 including VIP seats for the parade and a harbor cruise to see the
fireworks! Call 1-800-899-8618 or go to: www.ChinaTravelService.com
Price is per person based on double occupancy, round trip air on United from SFO or LAX. Domestic add-on fare from
other US cities available. Exclusive of air taxes and surcharges. Weekend surcharges or supplemental surcharges may apply.
Supported by
largest empires. After being sacked by Burmese
invaders in the late 1700s, there’s not much
left of the original metropolis. Rather, you’ll
find a picturesque grouping of crumbling ruins and headless Buddha statues surrounded
by three serene, lotus-bestrewn rivers. Amazingly, most of the temples still stand.
In the far north, moat-bordered Chiang
Mai is the darling of the mountains, possessing spectacular scenery, centuries-old temples
(more than 300 of them) and the ever-popular frenzied night bazaar. There, you can find
everything from designer goods (real and
fake), handwoven fabrics and silver jewelry
to — believe it or not — a cup of Starbucks
coffee. Don’t miss Doi Suthep, the region’s
most famous temple, dating from 1383 and
perched a mile above the city.
As the North endeavors to become the
gateway to Myanmar, Laos and western China, posh resorts are springing up. Nothing
beats the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi,
a northern Thai royal city, complete with
temple-style buildings, giant Buddhas and
water buffalo-dotted rice fields. Four Seasons has opened up a resort tent camp near
Chiang Rai, where 15 exquisitely appointed
tents decorated in the style of colonial adventure expeditions sit secluded in a bamboo jungle. Among the offerings: campfire dinners, an
elephant trek and indulgent spa treatments.
Thailand is justly famous for its paradise
islands, and one of the best is Ko Samui. You
can revel on the island’s lively Chaweng Beach
but still get away from it all at the latest trendsetter, the elegant, minimalist, eco-friendly Library. For a truly remote escape, head for the
island’s north coast. Here, you won’t go wrong
checking into the Sila Evason Hideaway, with
luxurious, yet completely natural, villas enriched with shimmery silks.
Entwining the ancient traditions of holistic health wisdom with the Buddhist sense
of inner peace, Thailand’s spas have trailblazed
the world’s 21st-century spa boom. From posh
resorts to health retreats to simple village massage centers, there’s something for everyone,
with good value to boot. Among the country’s
most touted spas are Chiva-som International
Health Resort Spa in Hua Hin, a beautiful,
secluded retreat with seven acres of lush gardens to help you detox and de-stress. The spa
at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai features
outdoor showers, private herbal steam rooms
and outdoor soaking tubs. Two of the suites
have tropical rainshower massage tables.
ISOLATED FOR 300 YEARS until the
1860s, imperial Japan has not hesitated to
make up for lost time. At once a place of ancient deities and mores, it’s also on the cutting
edge of modernity and a driving force in the
world’s auto industry. With a wonder economy
that has risen from the ashes of two atomic
bombs, Japan is brimming with sushi, chi-chi
fashion and Sony electronics. An archipelago
of dramatic landscapes and electrifying metropolises, Western-style fashions and lavish
kimonos, high-tech department stores and ancient shrines, Japan seamlessly blends East and
West, old and new, tradition and transition,
or so it seems. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll
see that this is a land entrenched in age-old
rituals, while holding a strong cultural identity,
making it one of the world’s most fascinating
countries and cultures.
First stop is, of course, the singular traffic-clogged, frenetic, financial marketplace of a
capital city. Sprawling 55 miles east to west and
15 miles north to south, Tokyo doesn’t have an
outstanding skyline but rather an assemblage
of distinct contiguous neighborhoods. Its vast
range of attractions are an amalgam of past,
present and future. There’s the flashy Ginza, a
mix of New York’s fashionable Madison Avenue and Times Square glitz; the 7th-century
Buddhist Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, the heart
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Hong Kong and Macau, two of Asia’s most fun-filled destinations, combine the best
of what everybody loves to do on vacation—shop, eat and party.
www.macautourism.gov.mo
5210765
hotel offerings. One of the latest talks-abouttown is the W Seoul-Walkerhill, the hotel
chain’s first Asia outpost. The 14-story glass
tower has dreamy views of the Han River from
floor-to-ceiling windows. In the fall, the surrounding trees ignite with color.
No trip to Korea would be complete without a dose of nature. Seoraksan National Park,
a wonderland of grand mountains, waterfalls,
hot springs and magnificent hiking trails, is
a favorite choice — especially in the fall. For
beach lovers, look no farther than Cheju, South
Korea’s favorite holiday island, with lava tube
caves, sandy beaches, scuba diving and all the
fare seafood lovers crave. On nearby Udo Island, haenyeo (female divers) still gather seafood from the ocean floor.
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of old Edo; Ueno’s many
museums and historic sites,
especially the Tokyo Nationcontinued
al Museum; the Harajuku
and Omotesando fashion districts; and the Kabuki-cho’s nightlife. Take in the city’s blanket of lights from an ultra-sophisticated room in the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, a skyscraper in
the middle of Shibuya, and you’ll see Tokyo at its sparkly best.
Tokyo’s favorite escape is Hakone, less than 60 miles southwest of Tokyo and long lauded for its volcanic hot springs, restorative mountain air and, above all, jaw-dropping views of
Mount Fuji. Stay at the acclaimed Gora Kadan, a traditional yet
sumptuous ryokan-style hotel near Hakone Ginyu.
nificent temples and shrines, each surrounded by a meticulously
tended garden. Its cuisine is considered the country’s most refined, and
tiny lanes and hidden corners make wandering a delight.Top-list sights
include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, fabled for its grand views; the simple,
two-story Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion); and Kinkaku-ji
(Temple of the Golden Pavilion), dazzling in gold leaf. Ryoanji Temple’s 15th-century Zen rock garden is famous throughout Japan.
A TROPICAL PARADISE EMBRACING MORE THAN 7,000 ISLANDS,
of which only 2,000 are inhabited, the Philippines is a splendid archipelago that is just waking to tourism. At long last, the
world is getting wind of its lush jungles, palm-fringed beaches
(the Philippines is widely recognized as Asia’s beach capital), and
crystal-blue waters crowded with colorful coral reefs. Settled by
the Spanish four centuries ago, though under U.S. control between 1898 and 1946, the Philippines possesses an Iberian flair,
reflected in its colonial-infused architecture and cuisine. Still,
local traditions remain strongly ensconced. Filipinos are vibrant,
friendly and fun-loving, which explains the extraordinary number of festivals that occur throughout the year.
Few places can match the unspoiled
beauty of Palawan, once described by
Jacques Cousteau as the most beautiful
place he’d ever explored.
Ginza, Tokyo
For anyone who’s read James Clavell’s Shogun, the historic
town of Nikko, 80 miles north of Tokyo, will ring a bell. Here,
among a sprawling complex of shrines and temples, stands Toshogu, the daunting shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the real-life shogun of the 1600s on whom Clavell’s fictional shogun was based.
The extravagant cluster of buildings and courtyards — meticulously carved, brightly painted and lacquered, shimmering with
2.5 million goldleaf sheets — befits the warlord who unified
Japan in such a show of military force that his ancestors ruled for
the next 250 years. High above town, Nikko National Park summons with crystalline lakes, snow-capped peaks, thick forests and
hot springs. Spend a day hiking, camping, boating or taking in
the spectacular fall foliage. The historic Nikko Kanaya is a good
choice for an overnight stay; ask for a river-view room.
For those yearning to see traditional Japan, Kyoto does not disappoint. The former imperial city possesses regal charm in its mag-
FALL FOLIAGE
Asians are fanatical about their fall foliage, and no wonder —
there’s no prettier sight than formal gardens, temples and lotus
ponds set against a backdrop of the scarlets, golds and auburns
of the autumn season.
Japan reigns in its show of kouyou, the foliage. In Tokyo, good
Your first stop will be Manila, the chaotic, teeming capital
city, notorious for its smog and traffic jams. Alas, that’s all there,
but so, too, is charming Intramuros, the ancient walled city that
was the exclusive preserve of the Spanish ruling classes. Most of
the buildings have been rebuilt since being flattened by bombs
during World War II, though the Spanish colonial San Agustin
church has remained intact since 1599. At the grim Fort Santiago, José Rizal, the father of Philippine independence from
Spain, was imprisoned and executed in 1896. A small museum
tells his story.
But the islands — these are
the Philippines’
true untouched
gems. The word
has long been out
about Boracay; indeed, many claim
that its 2.5-milelong White Beach
Rice Terraces, Northern Luzon
is the world’s finest. Few places, however, can match the unspoiled beauty of
Palawan, a spangle of emerald isles southwest of Luzon once
described by Jacques Cousteau as the most beautiful place he’d
ever explored. Stay in the spectacular Amanpulo Resort, an idyllic tropical haven with 40 casitas modeled after local abodes.
places to admire the changing leaves include the Rikugien, a
traditional Japanese garden, and the Hama-Rikyu, the garden
of a feudal lord during the Edo period, now with a spectacular
skyscraper backdrop. Jingu Gaien Street has a glorious double
line of golden ginkgos running between Aoyama and the Meiji
Kaigakan art museum. Beyond the city, the fabled autumn pilgrimages include Kyoto (mid-November), Hakone (first half of
November) and Nikko (early to mid-November).
South Korea puts on an exalted autumn show. If you’re in Seoul,
the place to go is Samcheong-dong Road along the outer stone
wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where gingko trees burst into
gold. The palace grounds of Deoksugung and Seoul Forest are
also acclaimed for their leaf-peeping. Beyond town, at Seoraksan
National Park, jade-colored waters ripple against a blazing backdrop of crimson and orange in mid-October.
China extols
the autumn foliage as well. In Beijing, people
swarm to the former emperor’s summer retreat at Fragrant Hills,
15 miles north of the city, where deep-red smoke trees cloak a
steep hillside in late October and early November. Smoke trees
are the featured sight also at the Great Wall at Badaling, where,
from the top beacon tower, fiery red leaves in October stretch as
far as the eye can see.
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Bohol, a
60-milewide island
continued
just east
of Cebu, is rapidly emerging as a major ecotourism destination. The place to go is Alona
Beach on tiny Panglao Island just off Bohol’s
southern tip, a paradise of glittering sand,
ultramarine waters and busy coral reefs. And
while the scenery may be primordial, the accommodations are not. Among several new
resorts is Alona Palm Beach, with 12 luxury
villas and a 4,800-square-foot pool.
A trip to the Philippines would not be
complete without a visit to the Banaue Rice
Terraces, a spectacular feat of human ingenuity
and engineering, located in
Northern Philippines. Constructed 2000
years ago with
the bare hands
of the mighty
Ifugao people,
it is probably
the only ancient
monument
that was created without
Coastal area, Bohol
employing any
slave labor. Covering an area of roughly 4,000
square miles extending thousands of feet upwards, the rice terraces with an ancient irrigation system still operational today is a testament to the Filipinos’ mastery of nature.
BOOMING AND BLOOMING, yet retaining
its seminal charm, Vietnam is a beguiling dichotomy of old and new: an ancient culture
with sublime pagodas and venerable temples,
a cosmopolitan society with trendy restaurants
and cafes. Add into the mix its beautifully diverse landscape from the Red River Delta in
the north to the Mekong Delta in the south,
along with cloud-ringed highland peaks, legendary Ha Long Bay, divine beaches, and acres
and acres of lime-green rice paddies tended by
women in conical hats, and you’ll understand
why rave tourist reviews now shower upon this
emerging nation.
Begin with Ho Chi Minh City — aka Saigon — in Vietnam’s steamy south. Colonial architecture bespeaks of bygone times, the finest
examples of which are the Opera House, Hô-
R17
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tel de Ville, the country’s most photographed
structure, and Continental Hotel, made famous by Graham Greene in The Quiet American.
Taking you back to a different time and
place is the Reunification Palace, whose eerily
deserted halls have been preserved exactly as they
were on the last day of the Republic of Vietnam
in 1975, before a tank came crashing through
the front gate, thereby ending the Vietnam War.
TheWar Remnants Museum commemorates the
war’s victims with striking photos. On a lighter
note, head to Ben Thanh Market, a cacophonic
extravaganza of booths purveying everything
from scorpions and exotic fruits to chopsticks
and lacquered trays to coffee and tea.
Its soothing blend of placid
olive-hued lakes, shaded
boulevards, bustling old quarter
and splendid French colonial
architecture casts a powerful spell.
Today’s Ho Chi Minh City is a modern
economic powerhouse, evident in the gleaming
presence of five-star hotels (Park Hyatt Saigon,
Sofitel Plaza Saigon, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, to name a few), upscale boutiques,
art galleries and fine restaurants featuring nouveau-Vietnamese cuisine along with international fare. Enjoy a marvelous meal at Le Bordeaux, the classiest restaurant in town. Before
that, stop by the Hotel Rex. The former war
correspondents’ hangout recently completed a
$19-million renovation to earn the property
five stars. Enjoy a cocktail at the atmospheric
rooftop garden, with a great city view.
In contrast, Hanoi in the north, the nation’s capital since A.D. 1010, has emerged
in the 21st century with much of its nascent
charm intact. Its soothing blend of placid olive-hued lakes, shaded boulevards, a bustling
old quarter and splendid French colonial architecture casts a powerful spell. The magnificent Temple of Literature is Vietnam’s first
university, founded in 1070; a rare example
of traditional Vietnamese architecture, its five
tranquil courtyards lead one to the next, with
colorful temple buildings all about. Just to
the north of Hoan Kiem Lake, delve into the
old quarter, with its narrow tubehouses, lively
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Asia
SeeYou in
Come explore the land of over 5,000 years
of culture, where one day you will see the
ancient terra-cotta warriors of civilizations past and the next day you’ll sail past
skyscrapers in which the world’s future is
taking place. Let Champion Holidays make
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the best of China, exclusively for you.
phisticated civilization is a dynamic nation abounding in points
of interest and culinary extravagance.
Unexpected experiences are one of the lures — and those
you’ll have at a new breed of “heritage” hotels cropping up. Former maharajas and aristocrats are opening their palaces, hunting
lodges, forts and cozy family homes, offering a unique glimpse
into a bygone way of life to India’s visitors. Some of the best:
Wildflower Hall, at 8,350 feet in the Himalayas, is Lord Kitchener’s rebuilt country house with jaw-dropping views. Ananda
in the Himalayas, once the home of a maharaja, rates as one of
the world’s top spa destinations.
Sophisticated Delhi in north India, the capital of the world’s
largest democracy, is the natural place to start. Old Delhi, the
walled city built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (of Taj Mahal
fame) in the 17th century, is a heady mix of mosques, forts and
monuments that depict India’s Muslim history.Top draws include
the beautiful Jama Masjid, reputedly India’s largest mosque; the
hulking Red Fort; and bazaars galore. A patchwork of imperial
Mughal monuments, urban villages and British-built bungalows
define the modern, imperial city of New Delhi. Here, stop by
awe-inspiring Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century red-and-white
confection. It’s said to have inspired the Taj Mahal.
India’s emblemic image, the Taj Mahal, located 125 miles
southeast of Delhi in Agra, is often declared the world’s most
beautiful building. Built as a symbol of eternal love toward his
favorite wife, who died in childbirth in 1631, Shah Jahan assured
that every facet of the Taj Mahal be perfect. Arrive at 6 a.m. and
in the dawn light watch the white marble change soft hues minute to minute. The essence of the place, however, is best experienced from the extravagant Oberoi Amarvilas hotel, where every
single room has its own private, magnificent view of the Taj.
Within rupee-toss distance awaits Rajasthan, a visitor’s paradise with crenelated forts and impregnable palaces that epitomize
food stalls and aromatic
incense wafting from ancient temples. Catch a
continued
show at the Thang Long
Water Puppet Theater, where skilled puppeteers manipulate
wood puppets in the telling of tales of lore.
Stay at the colonial-era Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, built in
1901 and charmed with its wooden ceiling fans, teak shutters
and a palm-shaded pool. Ask for a room in the Metropole Wing
for the full Indochine experience. If you can, make a reservation
at Restaurant Bobby Chinn that serves up a mix of California and
Asian cuisine, with signature dishes, including green tea smoked
duck. The ambience, however, is what it’s about, with white rosebuds hanging from the ceiling, modernVietnamese artworks, and
private dining spaces divided by sensual silk partitions. Its club is
a popular late-night stop.
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with international airfare, hotel,
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Halong Bay, Vietnam
Plan your journey today.
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Fabled Ha Long Bay is heralded for its romantic karst topography. Its thousands of tiny islands jut out of jade-green
waters in a scene straight out of a Chinese watercolor painting.
Take a tour on a re-created Chinese junk or spend the night
on the elegant, colonial-era Emeraude and you will feel lost in
another place and time.
The languorous chimera of Indochina is redolent in the ancient imperial city of Hue. Here the Nguyen kings reigned from
the Forbidden Purple City, and the seven-story tower of Thien
Mu overlooks the peaceful Perfume River. About 9 miles south
of town rest the grandiose royal tombs of the Nguyen emperors,
laid out according to the ancient Oriental art of feng shui and
complemented by palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens.
If you’re lucky enough to have more time in this mythical
land, don’t miss Sa Pa and its spectacular mountain scenery and
the ancient town of Hoi An, renowned for its old merchant houses. Another not-to-be-missed opportunity: Unwind at one of the
many palm-fringed, pristine beaches, notably around Nha Trang.
MYSTICAL, STEAMY AND SPICE-DRENCHED, India is like no
other destination you’ve ever experienced. A subcontinent showcasing 4,000 years of history, with a retinue of festivals, customs, sights and sounds, it sideswipes you with sensory overload. Emerging as an economic powerhouse rivaling China on
the world stage, this slowly awakening heir to an ancient and so-
Built as a symbol
of his eternal love
for his favorite wife,
Shah Jahan assured
that every facet of
the Taj Mahal be
perfect.
India’s romance. Explore the majestic city of Jaipur, known as
the pink city for the ocher-pink tint of its buildings; ascend the
Amber Fort on an elephant’s back; visit the Royal Palace Museum; and go shop-crazy at the teeming markets and bazaars.
Retire to the Oberoi Rajvilas, set on 13 acres of gardens, pools
and fountains, its lavish rooms fit for a Rajput prince. In nearby
Jodhpur, you’ll find the lofty Mehrangarh Fort and Museum,
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From festivals and events to
geography and how to get around
www.SeeYouInAsia.com
is your online resource for
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And if you’ve got tickets for the Olympic Games next summer Let’s Travel China is waiting,
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arguably Rajasthan’s most
impressive fort, enclosed
by thick, imposing walls.
continued
For a different perspective, head to South
India, acclaimed for its beaches, Ayurvedic spas, ancient Dravidian temples and sophisticated seaside towns. Less traveled than the
north, this is the real India, virtually undiluted by Mughal and other
waves of invaders. The top destination is the state of Kerala, showcasing lush greenery, spicy food and heart-stirring coastline.Thanks
to its calm climate and abundance of herbs and medicinal plants,
it’s a hub of Ayurvedic treatment centers as well. In Tamil Nadu, at
India’s southern tip, you’ll find the country’s finest Dravidian temples, along with the former French coastal enclave of Pondicherry,
its beaches lapped by the aqua-clear waters of the Bay of Bengal.
STAID, RESERVED, EFFICIENT, URBANE SINGAPORE has long
reveled in its reputation as a world economic power, albeit a buttoned-up antidote to the rest of fun-loving Southeast Asia. But
this former trading post for the East India Company is letting
its hair down: Table-top dancing and bungee jumping are now
legal, as are Cosmopolitan (albeit in shrink wrap) and Sex and the
City. Indeed, the minute you step foot in this tiny city-state you’ll
note that efforts everywhere are being made to boost its image
as a fun city.
One of the great pleasures of Singapore is its food scene, a
staggering mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay and European dishes.
The iconic gastronomic experience occurs at hawkers’ stalls,
where tasty tidbids — chilli crabs and fishhead curry among
them — are purveyed. Singapore’s allure as a shopping mecca
has stayed intact, the
heart of which is Orchard Road, with its
limitless chrome-andglass shopping plazas.
While Singapore
may be pigeonholed as a
sleek, modern metropolis, you’ll be pleasantly
surprised to discover
its more down-toearth ethnic neighborhoods — Chinatown,
Little India and the
Arab Quarter — where
shops filled with mysterious goods, exotically
designed temples and
Financial District, Singapore
mosques, and aromatic
eateries conjure images of distant homelands. And don’t forget
the zoos and gardens that have been built in response to the nation’s lack of natural greenery: The Singapore Zoo, with its open,
natural-habitat enclosures, and the Botanic Gardens, showcasing
the spectacular National Orchid Garden, are world renowned.
After dining at one of the city’s many fine restaurants, fall
Asia
SeeYou in
into the soft sheets of the historic Raffles Hotel, the grande dame
of colonial hotels, or the luxury Fullerton Hotel, fashioned from
the city’s old General Post Office (request a Quay room). It won’t
take long before you agree with most visitors that this compact
city of just 267 square miles packs quite a punch.
While Singapore may be pigeonholed
as a sleek, modern metropolis, you’ll be
pleasantly surprised to discover its more
down-to-earth ethnic neighborhoods.
LONG MALIGNED FOR ITS STATUS as a technology-focused
workhorse, Taiwan is, au contraire, a subtropical island replete
with breathtaking landscapes. From mist-shrouded peaks to
aquamarine, reef-filled waters to pine-shaded lakes, this little island nation easily lives up to its Portuguese name, Ilha Formosa,
or Beautiful Island.
You might not get this upon first glance of the capital city.
Frenetic, congested and busy, busy, busy, Taipei has leapt into
the throes of modernity with abandon. Indeed, it boasts the
world’s tallest building (at least for now), it has Wi-Fi coverage
over more than half the city, and a speedy subway (the most
extensive of any in Asia) gets you to your destination fast.
But Taipei also retains the traditions of ancient China, most
apparent in its exquisite cuisine — based on southern Chinese
cooking — as well as its rich cultural heritage. See this firsthand at the National Palace Museum, which contains one of the
world’s foremost collections of imperial China treasures: jade
carvings, calligraphy, ceramics, paintings and bronzeware that
span some 8,000 years of history. Seek out the Jade Cabbage,
considered to be Taiwan’s Mona Lisa. Other atmospheric places
include Longshan Temple, one of Taiwan’s oldest and most important temples; and the spirited night markets, where you can
buy anything from snacks to computers. The largest, Shihlin,
has 380 vendors; seek out the oyster omelettes.
For a veritable Ming-dynasty experience, check into the
Grand Hotel, Taipei’s must-stay institution, built to resemble
Beijing’s Forbidden City.
To truly get to know Taiwan, however, you must travel away
from Taipei. Along the eastern coast you’ll find Taroko Gorge,
where over the centuries the winding Liwu River has whittled
through rough granite cliffs, leaving behind a wonderland of
natural splendor. The gorge attains its peak of beauty at the
Tunnel of Nine Turns, where cut-out windows offer astounding
views of tiered waterfalls, the raging river and the folded and
faulted marble banks.
Sandy beaches, coral gardens and lush tropical uplands await
at Kenting National Park, at the island’s southernmost tip. Book
a scuba-diving trip at Kending Beach to investigate the vast underwater world just offshore, for instance, or relax at the relatively
secluded Baisha Beach, a sweep of glittering white-gold sand.
Chinese Pagoda Temple, Taiwan
Along central Taiwan’s west coast, hop aboard the narrowgauge Alishan Forest Railway at Chiayi village, near sea level, and
travel high up into the alpine magnificence of Alishan, crossing
77 bridges and passing through 50 tunnels along the way. A
mystical mountain aerie celebrated for its mountain vistas, Alishan is most enchanted at sunrise; take the short train ride to
Chusan, where, surrounded by mountains stretching as far as
the eye can see, the rising sun appears between two jagged peaks
above a billowing sea of clouds.
Not far away, picturesque Sun Moon Lake is a favorite
among Taiwanese honeymooners. And no wonder — the misty,
aquamarine lake, surrounded by forested peaks, renders a scene
straight out of a Chinese watercolor. Stay at the five-star, ultramodern Lalu, sitting on the water’s edge, and you’ll think that
you’ve discovered paradise.
Barbara A. Noe is a travel editor and writer whose stories have appeared in the
Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun and National
Geographic Traveler.
Encounter Old and New
Discover Mind and View
As the gateway to Asia, Japan is the
country of a unique culture: With the
centuries-old tradition, the country has
been leading the global economy and
technological invention. In the 21st
century, Japan is still the land of the
rising sun – just like the view from the
top of Mount Fuji.
© Mark Edward Harris
www.JapanTravelInfo.com
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TOP HOTELS FOR TEA LOVERS
The great teas of the world come from Asia — China, India, Taiwan (Formosa), Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Japan. Explore
Asia’s great tea plantations and then, on to civilized high tea in
one of Asia’s greatest cities.
Banyan Tree Lijiang – Yunnan, China
Tea has its genesis in China around 2737 B.C.Today, you can
visit Yunnan, one of the great tea-growing regions of the world,
and stay in a stunning new resort opened in May 2006. Adjourn
to Banyan Tree’s Tea Lounge to learn about the fascinating array
of brews and try some of the finest selections. An outdoor stage
will entertain and introduce you to the local culture. Delightful
villas of various sizes have secluded gardens, private pools and
views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Inside, these villas are
cocoons of luxury and, of course, there is the Banyan Tree Spa,
famous for its signature treatments and products.
Ceylon Tea Trails – Sri Lanka
The verdant hills of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, are
planted with world class tea. In central Sri Lanka lies the Bogawantalawa Valley, known as the Golden Valley of Tea, and
home to old Ceylon, replete with rolling green hills, plantation
bungalows, high tea and exquisite service. At an elevation of
4,000 feet lies Ceylon Tea Trails, four classic colonial bungalows
built for British tea estate
managers in the days of the
Raj. These historic houses
have been restored to offer
guests the unique experience of life on a working
tea estate. Unwind in the
beautiful English gardens,
plunge into the swimming
pool, enjoy a spa treatment,
visit a tea factory or spend
an adventure-filled day biking, trekking and rafting. Enjoy tea on
the lawn, with Dundee cake, scones, strawberries and cream, and
a 180-degree view of the viridian lake and mountains behind.
Gora Kadan – Japan
Gora Kadan is located in one of the secluded valleys of
Hakone National Park, at the foot of Mount Fuji. Discover
the natural wonders of ancient Japan here — the former summer residence of the imperial family. This noble residence, set
in idyllic surroundings, offers beautiful Tatami-style rooms with
cypress baths, sumptuous open-air baths, pool and jacuzzi.
Rooms feature forest views of cherry, pine and bamboo, and inside your desk is a lacquer writing box containing paper, ink and
a traditional bamboo brush, in case you feel inspired to write
a haiku. After a visit to the nearby Japanese Botanical Gardens
or the Art and Tradition Museum, savor traditional Japanese
tea. Like no other culture or nation, Japan has elevated the art
of preparing and serving tea to a spiritual experience. For dinner, you are escorted to a private dining room where you’ll be
amazed by a multi-course Kaiseki feast, masterfully prepared.
Glenburn Tea Estate – Darjeeling, India
Today, India produces the greatest amount of tea in the world
with numerous tea-producing regions, the most well-known of
which is Darjeeling, high in the foothills of the Himalayas of
northern India. Visit Glenburn Tea Estate
for one of the ultimate tea experiences.
Here, at elevations of up to 6,000 feet,
one of the world’s greatest teas is grown.
Considered by many to be the best, Darjeeling teas are referred to as the Champagne of teas. Scottish planters developed
this working 1,600-acre estate, high in the
Himalayas near Sikkim, in 1860. Their
home, lovingly restored, is now run as an
all-inclusive resort by current owner and
General Manager Husna-Tara Prakash
(the Prakashes are India’s leading teaplanting family). The Planter’s Suite, with
working fire and historic East India Company maps, looks across
to Sikkim. All rooms have stunning mountain and valley views,
embroidered linens and Darjeeling Green Tea toiletries.
The Lalu – Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
The Lalu is located in
the geographic center of
the island of Taiwan (once
known as Formosa). Teas
produced here are referred
to as Formosa Oolong
Teas — one of the world’s
rarest and most delightful cups of tea. Set amongst
the beautiful scenery of the
mystical lake, the Tea House
atThe Lalu specializes in dim sum and assorted snacks along with
a range of locally grown and Chinese teas. The Lalu is considered
to be the most exclusive property in Taiwan and was once the
favorite summer getaway for President Chiang Kai Shek. Its architectural design emphasizes the utmost simplification of Zen style,
constructed with four primary building materials: wood, stone,
glass and iron. The hotel also features Taiwan’s longest heated
swimming pool (197 feet) and The Lalu Spa with an extensive
range of organic treatments.
The Peninsula – Hong Kong
Nestled in lush, tea-covered hills, and inspired by the classic
14th century Chinese landscape painting, “Dwelling in the Fuchun
Mountains,” The Fuchun Resort was designed by Amanresorts’ architect Jean-Michel Gathy. This idyllic, pretty-as-a-picture, rural
haven is located just 150 miles from Shanghai. Romantic pavilions sit by a glassy mountain lake and private villas lie in the
surrounding hillsides with a backdrop of mountain peaks — a
peaceful setting for savoring a cup of tea. Luxurious interiors
combine modern and classic Chinese design elements — bathrooms are huge and some of the villas even come with their own
indoor pools. The resort’s Lake Lounge overlooks a stunning
18-hole golf course sculpted from the hills of the surrounding
tea plantation.
Known as the “Grande Dame of
the Far East,” The Peninsula serves a
world-renowned, afternoon high tea.
This is a Hong Kong “must,” where
you sit in the glorious, columned
lobby and are entertained by a threepiece jazz band in an upper gallery.
The lobby is one of Hong Kong’s
premier meeting places — a busy,
but relaxed, all-day drinking and dining venue. Its classical grandeur is the
epitome of all that is great about this
legendary hotel. Guests have a choice
of accommodations in either the historic main building or the more contemporary floors of The Peninsula
Tower, with commanding views of
the harbor and the city. The hotel’s
spa comes complete with a huge swimming pool opening onto
the hotel’s sun terrace, providing an incredible view of Victoria
Harbor and Hong Kong Island.
Photos courtesy of: (top) The Fuchon Resort, China; (left) Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka;
(upper right) The Lalu, Taiwan; (lower right) The Peninsula, Hong Kong
Source: LuxuryTravel Magazine (www.luxurytravelmagazine.com), an online magazine showcasing the world’s most exclusive escapes and providing expert recommendations and inspiration for discerning travelers.
The Fuchun Resort – Hangzhou, China
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West Coast: Mango Tours (866) 262-6452; Rajah Tours(415) 397-0303; Travel International(310) 327-5143; City Tours and Travel (213) 487-1227;
East Coast; Pacific Asia Leisure (212) 661-3270; Orient Tours(800) 545-5540; Midwest: Amazing Vacations (630) 544-4990; A & M Travel (314) 344-1959.
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Whether you’re running late for a meeting or just can’t understand the menu, chinaONEcall ensures that you’ll never be at a
loss for words in China — literally.
Travel Planning Made Simple
Too hard to figure out all the details of an Asian adventure? Well, you’re not alone. Language barriers, planning an itinerary,
where to go with a limited amount of time — it all gets to be a bit much. Jetabout Asia Vacations (www.jetaboutasiavacations.
com) can help smooth the way. Its latest brochure features a selection of independent packages, small group touring and city
Discovery packages for destinations throughout Asia, including exotic itineraries to places like Malaysia and Vietnam. Customized
trips are also available. Visit Jetabout’s Web site for more information.
The Undiscovered South Pacific
EXPERIENCE the South Pacific’s most mysterious
island nation with friendly colorful people
whose ancient cultures have little changed.
IMMERSE yourself in the world renown scuba
diving, surfing, fishing, birding and trekking.
INDULGE in the five-star wilderness eco-lodges or
a deluxe expeditionary cruise on the legendary
Sepik River or to the Torbriand Isles.
DEPART from the ordinary into the exotic, step
back in time and visit Papua New guinea, untouched by mass tourism.
Ph: (949) 752-5440 Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pngtourism.org.pg
Before You See Asia, See This Helpful Web Site
So you’re ready to visit Asia. You may even have a date and
travel agent in mind, but just need a little more background
information: a sense of what to see and where to go that covers
more than just one country, because you’ll probably want to
visit China along with Japan, or Thailand and Vietnam. Where
do you go for a one-stop introduction to the region?
H ISTORY W ILL B E M ADE
I N B EIJING I N 2008
Witness the evolution of another 5,000 years of history
in Asia. Enjoy three-day pre-and post- Beijing Olympic
Games tour programs in...
The “See You in Asia”Web site (www.seeyouinasia.com)
is a co-operative effort, supported by the tourism offices,
airlines, hotel companies and tour operators who provide
travel to destinations in Asia. Everything on the site has
been optimized for the North American traveler. It only
provides links to trusted resources that are members of
the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
The Web site offers easy-to-use profile pages on
leading destinations from China to India to Papua New
Guinea and everything in between. Each destination profile page features helpful information, including entry requirements,
itineraries, attractions, climate, flight times from Los Angeles and New York, landscape, local currency and more. The site also
provides a dynamic listing of the latest and greatest travel offers to the region, so you can get a good idea of the going rates for
vacation packages. Visit www.seeyouinasia.com to help ensure that your next Asian vacation is a successful one.
• Seoul and Temple Stay Tour Package • Seoul and DMZ tour
• Transit Tour Programs at Incheon International Airport
Contact Co-Sport, official Olympic tour operator and ticket
agent for more information at 1-877-45-RINGS
CoSport
From the world’s tallest shopping and commercial
building, to one of Asia’s most diverse collection of
traditional Chinese art and music, to the latest in
modern Asian arts, Taiwan will entertain, challenge,
excite, and enlighten all your senses.
BEYOND YOUR
EXPECTATIONS
See Taiwan and beyond. Contact your travel agent or these tour operators today:
3-Day Taipei City Tour and more
3 Treasures of Taiwan Tours
From $1399
From $191 (Land only)
From $338 (Land only)
1-800-387-8850
www.goway.com/orientasia/taiwan
1-800-282-8321
www.aberdeentours.com/tw
P2JW25103F-4-R02100-1--------XA
1-888-288-7170
www.uv-asia.com/taiwan
All prices may subject to change
and availability. Please check
with your travel agent or the
listed tour operators for details.
5210771
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DESTINATION PROFILES
JAPAN
HONG KONG AND MACAU
With sixth-century temples, sacred shrines, bullet trains, gleaming skyscrapers and pop
culture, this postindustrial giant in East Asia impeccably mixes the modern and traditional.
How to get there:
Travel time from LAX:
Travel time from JFK:
Climate:
Most popular festivals:
American Airlines, ANA (All Nippon Airways identify themselves
as ANA now), Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines,
Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Tokyo’s
Chiba Narita airport is the hub for most international flights.
12 hours
14 hours
Varies from tropical in south to temperate in north.
Sapporo Snow Festival (February 5-11): One of Japan’s largest
winter events featuring multiple giant snow sculptures ranging
from world-famous architecture to celebrities. The festival started
in 1950 and the lanes of snow sculptures are colorfully lit up
along Odori Park, the main boulevard in the city of Sapporo.
Hong Kong is a dazzling blend of 5,000 years of Chinese heritage and 150 years of
British colonial influence. After 400 years of Portuguese rule, Macau is a tranquil
fusion of well-preserved heritage balanced with rapid growth.
How to get there:
Climate:
Hong Kong Shopping Festival (June-August): This shopper’s
paradise goes on sale, with extra values and late-night shopping
and dining for all.
Gion Matsuri (Kyoto, July): The spectacular month-long festival
involves street fairs, festival food (such as takoyaki, egg-battered
octopus) and parade floats. Festival-goers dress in yukata (summer
kimonos) and geta (elevated wooden shoes).
Must-sees:
Annual Macau Grand Prix (November): Macau literally comes
to a standstill for a series of car and motorcycle races.
Must-sees:
Spiritual Macau: Taoist Temples from the Ming Dynasty,
baroque churches from the 18th century and hilltop fortresses
from the 17th century.
Mount Fuji: The highest mountain in Japan and its most climbed.
Nearby Hakone offers breathtaking views and hot springs.
Nightlife and Dining: Hong Kong is known for both its fivestar fusion fare and local Cantonese cuisine. Enjoy the spectacular laser show, A Symphony of Lights, from a night harbor
cruise, or visit the hot spots in Lan Kwai Fong or SoHo. Macanese gastronomy is truly a unique and international experience.
Kyoto: The imperial capital between 794 and 1868, it’s home to
more than 1,600 temples and shrines.
Nagasaki: A bustling metropolis infamous for being the second
atomic bomb target; the A-bomb museum is one of its draws.
www.japantravelinfo.com
Hong Kong Island: View Victoria Harbor from the newly-renovated Peak Tower.
New Territories: See Hong Kong’s more traditional side at the
Man Mo Temple and Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.
Tokyo: Japan’s energetic, fast-paced capital with historic sights,
world-class museums, shopping and entertainment galore.
Web site:
16.5 hours
Cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through
summer, warm and sunny in fall.
Chinese New Year (February 7): Fireworks over Victoria
Harbor and light displays on skyscrapers are part of the grand
festivities. Macau also offers a celebration not to be missed.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival (May 9-12, 2008): A colorful
street procession featuring costumed children on stilts; unique
to Hong Kong.
Sanja Matsuri (Tokyo, mid-May): The festival of Asakusa Jinja
Shrine, which dates back to the Edo period, features a grand procession with traditional musicians, performers and dancers.
Awa Dance Festival (Tokushima City, August 12-15): A famous
traditional dance festival celebrated during the Buddhist observance of obon.
New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the main gateways
to Hong Kong. Macau is a one-hour hydrofoil ride away.
14.45 hours
Web site:
www.discoverhongkong.com/usa and www.macautourism.gov.mo
THAILAND
PHILIPPINES
A realm of tropical splendor, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, is one of those countries that has
it all: history, cultural and natural majesty, plus a rich culinary tradition, fantastic shopping, pristine beaches and sophisticated hotels and restaurants.
Legendary Filipino hospitality, a growing number of ecotourist destinations, accommodation that caters to all types of budget, splendid tropical islands, and widely spoken English
add to the appeal of the Philippines.
How to get there:
Airlines serving Thailand include Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines,
EVA Airways, Korean Air, China Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines. Bangkok’s new
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the hub for most international flights.
How to get there:
16 hours
Airlines serving the Philippines include Cathay Pacific, China
Airlines, Northwest Airlines, EVA Airways, Korean Air, Air
France, Asiana Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Singapore
Airlines. Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila is the
hub for most international flights.
16 hours
Climate:
Tropical; rainy and warm (mid-May to September); dry and cool
(November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and
humid.
Climate:
Songkran (April 13): Nationwide water fight rooted in traditional Buddhist cleansing ceremonies.
Sinulog Festival (Cebu City, January): A nine-day fiesta honoring the child Jesus.
17 hours
Bangkok: Thailand’s exotic capital on the Chao Phraya River,
whose No. 1 sight is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home
of the Emerald Buddha.
Butanding Festival (Donsol, April): Parades, fairs, concerts,
swimming races, fashion shows, fireworks and sighting of the
whale shark (butanding).
Ratchaburi: Largest floating market 60 miles west of Bangkok
with lively and colorful boat vendors trading agricultural products
every day at dawn.
Pahiyas Festival (Lucban, May): An extravagant week-long festival with cultural and culinary events pays tribute to San Isidro
Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.
Nakhon Pathom: Thailand’s oldest city harbors the world’s tallest Buddhist monument, the Phra Pathom Chedi, towering 416
feet high.
Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts (Vigan, May): Colorful binatbatan street dancing, a calesa (horse-drawn vehicle) parade, religious
rituals, and trade and food fairs take part in one of the North’s
biggest cultural events.
Chiang Mai: Thailand’s second-largest city, in northern Thailand,
boasts more than 300 temples and fabulous mountain views.
The Islands: Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi in the Andaman Sea, and
Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Samui and Chang in the Gulf of Thailand,
serve up paradise with white sands and posh resorts.
Unique Thai experiences:
Kadayawan Festival (Davao City, August): A week-long thanksgiving celebration for nature’s bountiful harvests of fruits and orchids.
Must-sees:
Trek through the north’s jungly terrain and meet up with unique
hilltribe cultures along the way. Learn to cook Thai — Blue Elephant is Bangkok’s best cooking school. Pick up massage techniques at Bangkok’s Wat Po. Snorkel among the enormous coral
gardens of the Andaman Sea. Immerse in unique Thai spas and
indulge in traditional handicraft shopping.
www.tatnews.org
Mount Pinatubo: Hiking is popular on this active volcano that
erupted in 1991; a popular trek is to the 1,760-foot summit.
Donsol, Bicol Province: Swim with whale sharks, the largest living fish species. Peak months are February through May.
Palawan: Dive among sharks and manta rays at Tubbataha Reef.
Bacuit Archipelago is a fantastic seascape of jagged limestone
islands and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a fascinating riverine underworld.
Web site:
www.experiencephilippines.ph
For more information on travelling in Asia, visit seeyouinasia.com
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Web site:
Tropical marine; cool and dry (November to April); rainy and
warm (May to October). Lowland areas hot and dusty (March
to May).
Ati-Atihan Festival (Kalibo, third week of January): Considered
the biggest highlight of all Philippine festivals held in honor of
the Santo Nino with colorful parades for three days.
Loy Kratong (November): Beautiful festival-of-light ceremony during which Thais send lotus-shaped boats down rivers and canals.
Must-sees:
22 hours
* * * *
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GLOBAL GEMS (continued from page 11)
Cities Restored
To look at Old Town in Warsaw today, one would never
think it had once been little more than a pile of burned out
buildings and rubble. During the Warsaw Uprising in August
1944, more than 85 percent of the Polish city’s beautiful historic center was destroyed by Nazi troops. A five-year campaign
by its citizens resulted in today’s meticulous restoration, with its
splendid churches, palaces and marketplace. It has been placed
on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites as “an outstanding
example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century.”
Another city, now in the process of a restoration coordinated by UNESCO, is the Old City of Dubrovnik in Croatia. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, this
“pearl of the Adriatic” managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic,
Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and
fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, this
stunningly beautiful city on the Dalmatian Coast is a top tourist destination, admired as much for its Old World charm, clear
blue vistas and burnished stone streets as it is for its present-day
shopping and nightlife.
Exotic Sites of Natural Splendor
Laguna Bacalar, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world, Sian Ka’an is an
adventurist’s paradise. There’s catch-and-release tarpon, bonefish
and snook fishing in the flats of Ascension Bay; snorkeling at the
coral reef; visiting Punta Allen, a sustainable fishing community;
and guided tours of the poisonous, medicinal — and sometimes,
hallucinogenic — value of endemic plants.
It is also a model of sustainable tourism and economic development. Through a partnerships with UNESCO, the United Nations Foundation, Expedia, Inc., and other organizations, training
programs for nature guides and ecotourism promoters were conducted to build the communities’ capacity for local ownership of
the tourism sector. The result is Community Tours Sian Ka’an, an
alliance of three tourism operators who are committed to low-impact practices to conserve the Reserve’s bountiful natural resources
Have you ever heard the expression, “What’d you think? It
fell down from the sky?”Well, at this World Heritage site you can
say it really did. Situated near Johannesburg in South Africa, twobillion-year-old, 236-mile-wide Vredefort Dome is the world’s
oldest and largest meteorite site. It’s also the site of the world’s
greatest single-known energy-release event;
the meteorite impact here caused devastating
global change, according to some scientists.
For those who prefer things more down
to earth, Iguacu National Park in Brazil may
just fit the bill. It shares with Argentina one
of the most spectacular waterfalls in the
world, with an astounding diameter of 1.67
miles. Surrounded by sub-tropical rainforest,
this natural habitat houses more than 2,000
species of plants and out-of-the-ordinary
wildlife including tapirs, giant anteaters, giant otters, howling monkeys and ocelots.
Another designated site of exceptional
species diversity can be found on the eastern coast of the Yucatán. The Sian Ka’an
Biosphere Reserve comprises more than 1.3
million acres and 70 miles of coastal reefs,
tropical forests, mangroves, savannahs and a
beautiful Caribbean coast. Home to thousands of species as well as endangered creaIguacu Falls, Iguacu National Park
tures from jaguars to manatees to rare birds
and beauty. The consortium employs local guides, and contracts
with local hotels, restaurants and other services to keep as much of
the income generated by tourism within the community.
“Because these sites are among the world’s most cherished
places, preserving them for generations to come is a mission in
which we all share,” said Erika Harms, executive director for Sustainable Development at the United Nations Foundation, which
operates a partnership with UNESCO and Expedia, Inc. to protect
and preserveWorld Heritage sites. “Oftentimes, local communities
hold the key to discovery of these magical places — they have a
vested interested in preserving the environments in which they live,
and they can provide a firsthand introduction to the cultures and
customs of the places that make World Heritage sites so special.”
— Iyna Bort Caruso
Travel Extensively; Tread Lightly
Feel free to explore the world — but minimize
your footprint — so the world’s cherished destinations can be enjoyed for generations to come.
That’s the crux of responsible travel.
This year’s addition of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, NiokoloKoba National Park in Senegal, and
Samarra in Iraq, brings the number
of endangered sites to 30, according to UNESCO.
Today, over-tourism and aggressive immigration imperil the fragile ecosystem. Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park is threatened by poaching
and plans for a nearby dam. And continued warfare endangers the ancient city of Samarra, which
was added to both the heritage list and endangered
list simultaneously. Being inscribed on the list of
World Heritage in Danger sites generates worldwide attention with the hope to generate the neces-
sary resources from UNESCO as well as governments and others to preserve the sites.
As for you? Here are steps you can take to preserve the world’s treasured sites and the regions that
surround them:
> Support local services, shop in local markets and eat
native dishes
> Stay in hotels that are committed to sustainable practices
> Use tour operators who take an eco-friendly approach
to tourism
> Lessen the impact of your travel by reducing, reusing and
recycling
> Respect the sites you visit. Stay on designated trails and
never remove archeological artifacts.
Give back to World Heritage sites. Learn
how at www.friendsofworldheritage.org. Visit
http://whc.unesco.org to learn more about
UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Linger here to admire Ortakoy Mosque’s majestic serenity as well as the breath-taking view of the
Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. This vista leaves the most lasting impression on visitors. It is no
wonder that this spot has also been a popular point of attraction for artists since 1853.
1-877 FOR TURKEY or visit www.tourismturkey.org
New York: (212) 687 — 2194 / email: [email protected]
Washington DC: (202) 612 — 6800 / email: [email protected]
Los Angeles: (323) 937 — 8066 / email: [email protected]
5210773
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1-800-874-8875
www.thy.com
Welcome to the country where
history has its own reflection.
* * * *
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Contents - Partner Concepts LLC

Transcription

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