October 12, 2010

Just Back: Luang Prabang & Vientiane in Laos

Read about our most recent private tour of Laos, including visiting the best of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Artisans of Leisure customizes private tours throughout Southeast Asia.

Destinations: Asia, Laos, Southeast Asia

Tags: Amantaka, artisans, Buddhism, buddhist temples, cooking class, culinary tours, Lao tours, Laos, Luang Prabang, luxury Laos tours, luxury Southeast Asia tours, markets, Mekong River, Mount Phousi, Southeast Asia culinary tours, textiles, Vientiane, Wat Xieng Thong, wats

October 7, 2010

Culinary touring in Laos

Part of what makes Laos such a unique destination is its cuisine. Travelers can expect to enjoy typical Lao dishes such as Mekong river fish steamed in banana leaves with ginger and coriander; laap, a spicy dish of minced meat or fish marinated with spices and herbs, such as mint; and Luang Prabang Salad, a […]

Destinations: Asia, Laos, Southeast Asia

Tags: Asian cuisine, cooking classes, cuisine, culinary, culinary tours, culture, food, luxury, markets, private, tours

October 1, 2010

A Nile Cruise—One of the Best Ways to Experience Egypt

Taking a luxurious cruise down the Nile is the stuff of legend, reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, and evocative of a time when traveling by ship was de rigueur. There are now faster ways to travel from Aswan to Luxor, but none are as memorable or beautiful as a Nile river cruise. There are […]

Destinations: Africa, Egypt, Middle East

Tags: Aswan, cruise, Luxor, Nile

September 1, 2010

Must Stay: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

We love the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London–it’s a hotel that gets it right on every level. It has a perfect location in Knightsbridge, just steps from some of the city’s best shopping spots (including Harvey Nichols, Harrod’s, Walton Street, The Kings Road, Sloane Street and Sloane Avenue), beautiful Hyde Park and the Chelsea […]

Destinations: England, Europe, UK

Tags: hotels, London, Mandarin Oriental, restaurants

July 20, 2010

Just Back: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a great reason to travel to Ecuador, and the culturally rich towns and diverse landscapes of mainland Ecuador—including Quito, Otavalo and Guayaquil—also hold many wonderful experiences.

Destinations: Ecuador, Galapagos, South America

Tags: cruises, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos tours, Guayaquil, hacienda, horseback riding, markets, Otavalo, Quito, Spanish colonial, wildlife

July 10, 2010

Family Travel at Its Best

Artisans of Leisure arranges incredible family vacations customized to families of all sizes and age ranges.

Destinations: Egypt, England, Europe, France, Middle East, UK

Tags: family travel, family vacations

June 10, 2010

A conversation with an expert ranger at Singita, South Africa

Singita safari lodges are among the most exclusive and acclaimed luxury safari experiences in Africa. We recently visited Singita Boulders and caught up with Marc Alkema, one of the head rangers we use for game drives in Sabi Sand. Q: Why did you decide to become a ranger? A: I was on a family holiday at the age […]

Destinations: Africa, South Africa

Tags: adventure, lodges, luxury safaris, Sabi Sand, safari, Singita, wildlife

March 3, 2010

Luis Barragan: Modern architecture in Mexico City

Luis Barragan (1902-1988) is considered one of the greatest architects of the 20th century, and his buildings in Mexico City are a must-see for aficionados of art, architecture and design. Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Barragan studied engineering in his youth, but soon gravitated toward architecture. While traveling in Europe, he was inspired by […]

Destinations: Latin America, Mexico

Tags: architecture, architecture tours, art, artists, Casa Barragan, design, interior design, landscape architecture, Le Corbusier, Luis Barragan, Mexico City, modern art, Moorish, mosaics, Pritzker Prize, tours, travel, UNESCO