• Archives
  • Jan6

    swiss chocolateWhen you think of chocolate and cheese, Switzerland often comes to mind. Its savory chocolates and cheeses are like no other treats in the world. One of Switzerland’s secrets is that they do not pasteurize their milk, so their cheese and chocolate begin with velvety, full-flavored (and full-fat) milk and cream.

    Over 400 varieties of cheese are produced in Switzerland, and cheese is made continuously with only fresh milk and cream. Cattle are typically grass fed, and depending on the area, they have easy access to wildflowers and herbs that give their milk distinctive flavors. In fact, Swiss law mandates that cattle be outside foraging for food most days of each month.

    Overall, Swiss cheesemakers run small, local operations and do not export much of their cheese. In any village, you can find cheesemakers who will be happy to show you their operations and allow you to sample their wares. One factory, located in the Engelberg Monastery, carries a large selection of regional cheese and is Switzerland’s only show cheese factory. Read More | Comments

  • Dec16

    international holidaysJust as Christmas is a magical, happy holiday in the U.S., it’s also a special time in other countries. Today, we’re exploring Christmas in Germany, Australia, and England.

    Germany

    Who can resist Germany’s Christmas markets with their festive stalls that sell everything from wooden marionettes to silk clothes to fine jewelry? The markets, which open after Thanksgiving and run every day until Christmas Eve, are a surefire way to get in the Christmas spirit and find unique and beautiful gifts for everyone. Read More | Comments

  • Dec2

    Image to the left taken from the Kristiania Lech website.

    Cozy hotels are those that make you feel right at home, treasured, and pampered. Following are some of the coziest hotels you never heard of. We love these hotels and hope you will too.

    Kristiania Lech (Lech, Austria)

    Nestled in the Austrian Alps, Kristiania Lech feels more like a cozy home than a high-end hotel. Near the center of the ski resort town of Lech, the hotel sits in a perpetual winter wonderland. With 29 lavishly decorated rooms with original art, the hotel has plenty of charm along with spectacular views of the Alps. Read More | Comments

  • Nov25

    Image to the left taken from KraftBrands.com.

    One of our favorite parts of traveling with our clients is introducing them to new food and drink. Sometimes sauces and condiments cause a little confusion at first but end up being favorites of our travelers, so we’re going to discuss a few of them in this post.

    Vegemite and Marmite

    Closely related, these two sandwich and cracker spreads are made from yeast extract and spices—and for some travelers, take a little getting used to. Both are thick brown pastes that have a distinctive flavor and are spread with a knife. Australian vegemite is salty, malty, and tastes similar to our beef bouillon. Marmite, typically found in the UK and South Africa, has a stickier texture, is gluten free, and has an even stronger salty flavor than vegemite. Read More | Comments

  • Nov11

    Image to the left taken from StarwoodHotels.com.

     

    Featured on the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List, the St. Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet is a luxurious pampering experience that begins the moment you arrive. The first glance at this imperial, beautiful hotel will take your breath away. The vibrant colors and use of rich, warm wood and gold throughout the St. Regis Lhasa make it a traveler’s paradise.

    Every guest suite is elegantly styled, with luxuriant linens and rich furnishings. Bathrooms have a relaxing rainforest shower and plush bathrobes and slippers. You’ll enjoy your picturesque lakeshore or garden view while sipping your choice of drink from the minibar or dining in your room. An in-room massage adds a new dimension to your relaxation, and butler service is available 24 hours a day. Your butler will unpack your luggage, arrange tea or coffee service for your room, assist with garments that need pressing, turn down your bed each night, and draw your shades each morning. Read More | Comments

  • Oct28

    travel giftsAs the holidays are fast approaching, we’re making our gift lists and preparing to go shopping. We realized that we offer one of the best presents available: the gift of luxury travel and distinctive journeys.

    Why give travel to your friends and family?

    You literally give your loved one the world.

    We’ve always heard that expression, “I’d give you the world if I could.” When you give a luxury vacation, you can. Your family member or friend can choose practically anywhere on earth to visit, and we can accommodate his or her wishes. Read More | Comments

  • Sep19

    We recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing JoAnna Haugen, a former Peace Corps volunteer, full-time freelance writer, copywriter and editor with work published in nearly 40 online and print publications! JoAnna is also the author of one of our favorite travel blogs, Kaleidoscopic Wandering.

    See below for our interview, where JoAnna shares all about her adventurous travels (*NOTE: All images in this post are owned and provided by JoAnna Haugen):

    1. We absolutely love your travel blog, Kaleidoscopic Wandering. Tell us a little bit about this blog and what you hope site visitors get from reading it.

    Kaleidoscopic Wandering is a comprehensive travel blog with travel tips, destination-specific activity and hotel reviews, interviews with travelers and photo essays. I have experienced everything I write about, and all of my travel tips and suggestions come from my own experiences. It isn’t a travelogue or diary but rather a compilation of travel experiences that also provide helpful information. I’m honest with my readers, and my goal is to provide insight beyond what travelers will find in marketing materials or guidebooks.

    Read More | Comments

  • Aug5

    Dining is one of the best parts of travel. For many people, it’s why they travel. It’s about enjoying your favorite foods and trying new foods from other cultures. However, visiting other cultures can sometimes be a challenge when it comes to following proper dining etiquette. China is a destination that offers a unique dining experience, but here are a few things to keep in mind to make your trip that much better.

    Leave your tea cup empty. Also known as tea tapping. Enjoy that cup of tea, but don’t let it run dry. And when it does, tap the table for a refill. This is an expression of gratitude to the host. You’ll typically be following this etiquette at a large group dinner and as you see the other guests tapping the table for a refill, do the same.

    Read More | Comments