AUTUMN 2011 NEWSLETTER
Just Back:
Istanbul & Ephesus in Turkey
’Tis the Season: Europe During the Holidays
Just Back: Botswana's Kalahari Desert
Travel Gluten-Free, Kosher, Nut-Free, Vegetarian & More
Escape to Southeast Asia This Winter
Articles on our Blog: Great Food in Mexico City & The Alhambra in
Spain
Departures Magazine Names Artisans "Outfitter to Note"
& Other Accolades
Just Back: Istanbul & Ephesus in Turkey
We've just returned from Istanbul and
Ephesus—two of our favorite, must-see destinations in
Turkey.
One of the world’s most interesting and atmospheric cities, Istanbul is infused with a fascinating blend of European and Asian cultures. We never tire of touring its magnificent monuments and meandering backstreets with our insider guides, who are well-versed in the city’s historical sites, culinary highlights and sophisticated treasures. Our Istanbul tours reflect the latest and best in the city, including ultra-luxurious hotels, the vibrant contemporary art and design scene, and restaurants serving some of the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten.
The spectacular archaeological site of Ephesus was another highlight of our recent trip.
Both destinations are featured in our private Turkey tours, including our Istanbul & Ephesus tour. Contact one
of our expert Turkey travel specialists for more information.
'Tis the Season: Europe During the Holidays
We love visiting Europe during the
holiday season between Thanksgiving and the start of the New Year. Most
destinations are less crowded, and there’s nothing like touring along
cobblestone streets trimmed with festive decorations or stopping in
holiday markets to sip hot mulled wine and
shop for handmade crafts. After a long day of touring and shopping, it’s
always a pleasure to relax in front of a roaring fire back at your
luxury hotel.
A few of our favorite tours for this special time of year are
Highlights of Berlin & Prague, Luxuries of
England & Scotland, Highlights of Italy,
Best of Paris, London in Depth and
Highlights of Austria.
Just Back: Botswana's Kalahari Desert
We have just returned from our most recent trip through Botswana, where we toured the Kalahari
Desert.
Highlights of our trip were seeing the end of the migration of wildebeest and zebra, getting close to a colony of meerkats, having breakfast in the Makgadikgadi Pans during an early morning game drive, staying in vintage style at Jack’s Camp, meeting local San Bushmen to learn how they survive in the harsh yet beautiful environment of the Kalahari, and taking in the stunning and dramatic desert landscapes.
We highly recommend combining the arid Kalahari with the lush
wetlands and wildlife-rich islands of the Okavango Delta, as in our Essence of Botswana. This
popular tour features the most exclusive safari lodges in three very
different ecosystems—wet, dry and desert—and ample opportunities to see
an incredible array of wildlife, such as lions, elephants, hippos,
giraffes, rhinos and colorful birds.
Botswana is one of our most popular safari destinations. Visit our
website to view our favorite itineraries in Botswana.
Also, be sure to see the slide show from our
earlier trip to Botswana, South Africa and Victoria Falls, and visit our
blog to read about the Top 5 Safari Experiences in the Okavango
Delta.
Artisans of Leisure also arranges safaris in the South African Kalahari Desert, including a stay at Tswalu Kalahari, an exclusive lodge and private game reserve.
Travel Gluten-Free, Kosher, Nut-Free, Vegetarian & More
More and more of our travelers are living with dietary restrictions and require gluten-free, vegetarian, allergen-free and other types of special meals.
Because many of us at Artisans of Leisure also have dietary restrictions, we understand how difficult it can be for those on special diets to find suitable meals when traveling overseas. That’s why we have been proactive in helping our travelers access the foods they need while on their Artisans of Leisure tours.
We communicate with restaurants and hotels in each destination to arrange special meals and ensure that specialty food items are available. We also provide specialty restaurant recommendations and reservations, as well as menu translation and ordering assistance.
We also arrange unique culinary experiences around the world that can be customized to special diets. Examples include a gluten-free dinner with geisha in Japan, a vegetarian dinner at an ancient monastery in Vietnam, kosher meals during a safari in South Africa, arrangements for children with severe nut allergies, a vegetarian lunch at an organic farm in India, and a gluten-free pastry lesson with a chef in Paris.
Contact us for further information.
Escape to Southeast Asia This Winter
Southeast Asia’s tropical climate makes
it a great destination year-round, though it’s perhaps most welcoming
during our colder months. What better way to travel in this immensely
rewarding region than with Artisans of Leisure, the recognized experts
on cultural travel in Asia (see our recent press
mentions, below)?
Our tours include your own guide and driver, luxurious hotels and
resorts, and personalized activities such as private cooking classes in
Vietnam, riding elephants in Thailand,
donating alms to monks in Luang Prabang, scuba diving
in Indonesia, exploring spectacular ancient temples in Burma, and seeing fascinating contemporary architecture in
Singapore.
Articles on our Blog: Great Food in Mexico City & the Alhambra in Spain
Visit our blog for lots
of great ideas for your next Artisans of Leisure tour.
A recent article about the Alhambra in Spain outlines
what makes it among Europe's most enchanting destinations.
Another recent article is about El Cardenal, one of our favorite
restaurants in Mexico City.
Departures Magazine Names Artisans "Outfitter to Note" & Other Accolades
We're honored to be named an "Outfitter to Note" in Departures magazine's October 2011 destination issue entitled “The New Asia.” The magazine included us in their Insider’s Guide, calling Artisans of Leisure “a deep specialist on Asia whose custom tours...span the continent and include intelligent cultural encounters with artists and designers.”
Other major publications who have recently lauded our tours include Travel+Leisure, which recommended our culinary tours of Spain in their September 2011 issue, and Afar,
which noted our special touring access in Bali in their
September/October 2011 issue.
Visit our Press page to read more.
Contact your preferred travel consultant or call 1 (800) 214-8144.
Website: www.artisansofleisure.com
Blog: www.artisansofleisuretraveler.com
E-mail: info@artisansofleisure.com
Tel: 1 (800) 214-8144 or (212) 243-3239
© 2011 Artisans of Leisure