Artisan of Leisure travel specialist Sashie MacNaughton shares her unique insider perspective on family travel in Asia.

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First-time visitors to Hong Kong are often surprised at how much serene nature surrounds the dense, fast-paced city.

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Enjoy this interview with Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder & CEO of Artisans of Leisure, about her most recent visit to China with her family. Q.) What inspired this trip to China? The country is changing so quickly, and I wanted to revisit some of my favorite cities to focus on new hotel, culinary and cultural […]

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Artisans of Leisure arranges tickets to James Turrell’s Gathered Sky in Beijing as part of our private, customized tours of China.

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It’s hard to imagine the vastness of Xian’s Terracotta Army of Warriors and Horses, one of the most significant archeological excavations in the world, until you see them in person. These warriors were created in 246 B.C. as part of the 20 square mile tomb of Qin Shi Huang Di, the first emperor of the […]

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Dim sum—the small bites usually served for breakfast or lunch from steaming bamboo baskets piled on rolling carts—is taken very seriously in Hong Kong. You’ll find different types of dim sum restaurants throughout Hong Kong, from crowded holes-in-the-wall, such as Tim Ho Wan in the Kowloon district, to elegant dining rooms with spectacular views, such […]

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We recently attended a wonderful luncheon in honor of the city of Suzhou, China, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. An ancient city not far from Shanghai, Suzhou is crisscrossed with narrow canals lined with the whitewashed walls and tile roofs of Ming dynasty architecture. Suzhou is most renowned for its traditional […]

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Yunnan Province is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich destinations in China. The region, which borders Tibet, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, is also home to diverse culinary traditions, making it a great destination for travelers interested in culinary touring. Visiting Yunnan in late summer and early autumn provides the opportunity to enjoy Yunnan’s […]

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Seeing pandas is the main reason most of our travelers visit Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, China. However, they are often pleasantly surprised to find that the city offers much more, including an up-and-coming vibe, spicy cuisine, interesting cultural touring and easy access to Lhasa, Tibet. We explored all of these options during our […]

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The spectacular karst formations along the Li River in southern China constitute one of the country’s most iconic landscapes. Mists swirl around the craggy, foliage-covered hills as they rise out of rice paddies and tea plantations, recreating Chinese ink paintings in three dimensions. Artisans of Leisure arranges day cruises on the Li River from the […]

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Highlights of our most recent trip through China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xkan, Guilin, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Artisans of Leisure arranges private luxury tours of China and Tibet.

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A private day trip to the spectacular terraced rice fields of Longsheng, near Guilin, is one of our favorite excursions in southern China. Longji Titian or “Dragon’s Backbone” is the local name for the undulating mountain landscapes, where the shimmering, water-filled terraces are said to resemble dragon scales. Built over centuries, the rice terraces have […]

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Tea is an essential part of daily life in China, and learning about the many varieties of tea and the role tea plays in Chinese culture is a highlight for many travelers visiting China. In atmospheric settings ranging from historic tea houses in Shanghai and Hong Kong to tea plantations in Hangzhou, Artisans of Leisure […]

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Remote Tibet is a captivating destination where a deeply traditional Buddhist culture thrives amid the rugged beauty of the Himalayas. Once a destination primarily for intrepid travelers, Tibet has become more accessible and comfortable in recent years. In fact, our private Tibet tours feature luxury accommodation at the St. Regis Lhasa with the option of […]

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Artisans of Leisure travelers recently returned from an incredible private tour of China and have shared photos of highlights of their trip, including favorite destinations such as Beijing, the Great Wall, Shanghai and Guilin.

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When taking a luxury cruise, a great way to make the most of your time in ports of call is with private shore excursions and private overland tours. Artisans of Leisure has a vast network of expert guides and drivers in cruise destinations around the world, and we work with sophisticated travelers to customize private […]

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Highlights from an incredible private China tour, including Shanghai, Xitang, Hangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong.

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For centuries, Hangzhou has been regarded as one of China’s most beautiful and relaxing destinations. The region’s charms—scenic West Lake, ancient Buddhist temples, and abundant tea plantations—have changed little since Hangzhou was the imperial capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The emperors may be long gone, but a luxurious lifestyle remains. The Fuchun Resort—one […]

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Many travelers visiting China often ask us how they can add on a few days at a luxury beach resort after their cultural touring in mainland China. There are several recommended options nearby. For an extraordinarily luxurious and spectacular beach experience, we recommend the Amanpulo resort, located on a private island in the Philippines. A stay at Amanpulo can […]

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The founder of Artisans of Leisure, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, recently met up with cookbook writer and Asian food expert Corinne Trang. Ashley assisted Corinne with her extensive travels and culinary arrangements in Asia when Corinne was doing research for her acclaimed cookbook Essentials of Asian Cuisine. Q: You started your food career at Saveur Magazine […]

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Many travelers ask us to incorporate people, places and activities of Jewish significance when they are traveling internationally with us. We can incorporate Jewish touring into any of our tours around the world, from Sydney to Shanghai and most places in between. Many travelers simply want us to incorporate some Jewish-related sightseeing in Europe, Asia, […]

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

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Many of our China tours include an overnight stay in Xian, one of the four great ancient capitals of China and the terminus of the ancient Spice Route. While the main draw for travelers to Xian is the incredible Terracotta Warriors, there are other compelling reasons to visit—most notably the food! Xian is known for […]

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John is one of the travel experts based in our New York City office. He’s passionate about art and architecture, and helps design our tours around the world. Q: What are your favorite travel destinations? A: Each destination is fascinating in its own way, and I love exploring new places and discovering what’s distinctive about them—local […]

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

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Something I like to do when I travel is try the local version of a traditional British afternoon tea. Usually this is found in countries that have a history of British occupation, but not always. One of my favorite versions is at The Peninsula in Hong Kong. Held in the hotel’s elegant lobby, the menu […]

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Most of our China tours include a private day tour from Beijing to the Great Wall of China. During that excursion, we typically include a stop for lunch at Commune by the Great Wall, a hotel complex that includes villas designed by some of Asia’s leading contemporary architects. For travelers who have the time, we […]

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