Hand-picked tea in Hangzhou

Discover China's contemporary architectural masterpieces

China is undergoing a major transformation, and our China specialists stay on top of the rapid changes and make sure our tours include the very best the country has to offer. Many of our travelers want us to incorporate special activities, such as private meetings with tea sommeliers, tai chi masters, art consultants, chefs, reflexologists and more.

Our China tours also feature world-class luxury hotels—and architectural showpieces—in evocative locations, such as the Fuchun Resort, which is set among tea plantations, and Commune by the Great Wall (see photo above right), where our clients stay in the property's exclusive original villas, each a work of art designed by Asia's leading architects. Throughout China, our outstanding guides provide an insider's perspective on the most interesting cultural sites and on the changes currently unfolding throughout China.

Mexico is an incredible cultural destination and a great value. We're excited to announce that we now offer luxury Mexico tours, and we will be posting our favorite itineraries on our website in the near future. We introduce travelers to the best of this wonderful country: colorful Spanish colonial towns, noted artisans, incredible museums and galleries, the most renowned cooking schools and instructors, ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins, and exclusive beach resorts.

Please contact us for more information.

San Miguel de Allende

Walid, one of our exceptional Egypt guides

Our guide Walid is one such expert. The son of a diplomat, he was born in Copenhagen and grew up around the world. Walid completed a dissertation on jewelry making in ancient Egypt, and learned to read and write the ancient Egyptian language on his way to becoming a renowned Egyptologist. He's equally comfortable discussing the history of Christians and Jews in Egypt, the state of contemporary art in Cairo today, and the best place to shop for fine Egyptian linens and bespoke clothing. Walid takes our clients to fascinating but little-visited sites such as spectacular Dra Abu el-Naga (a recently opened tomb) and Queen Nefetari's tomb (closed to the general public), and he also has access to the Pyramids when they are not open to the general public.

Many families want us to arrange for them to spend a day with elephants, visit hill tribe villages, attend evening cultural performances, and go hiking or white-water rafting through lush landscapes. Honeymooners love the private candlelit dinners we arrange in romantic locations, the side-by-side spa treatments we book in advance, and the private sailing excursions we charter for them. Other travelers like shopping for beautiful and high-quality decorative items, listening to monks chanting at sunrise, learning about Buddhism, and experiencing Thai massage. Foodies appreciate learning to prepare a full Thai meal during a private cooking class, and visiting floating markets near Bangkok that are popular with locals but little-known to tourists.

A mahout (elephant trainer) and his elephant

Authentic local cuisine in Asia

Our ever-popular culinary tours take foodies, chefs and anyone else who loves to eat into the world's kitchens, and introduce them to authentic flavors and ingredients at local markets and specialty shops. Travelers on these tours also learn to create typical regional dishes in cooking classes and private homes, and taste local wines at award-winning vineyards and wineries.

Vietnam for Foodies remains our most popular culinary tour, with Culinary & Art Tour of Spain a close second. We can customize any cultural tour, family vacation or honeymoon with cooking classes and other culinary experiences, and our travel specialists are always ready to recommend (and reserve) the best local restaurants.