Jetsettersblog

Trans-Siberian Express With The Classic Traveller

The Classic Traveller (0800 988 5843, www.theclassictraveller.co.uk)  has introduced a holiday aboard the Trans-Siberian Express – the world’s longest rail service – to its extensive range of escorted tours. The 15-day odyssey from Moscow to Beijing costs from £2,699 per person, with a choice of five departure dates over the course of the summer.

The Trans-Siberian Express is a monumental feat of engineering that passes through some fascinating places and stunning natural scenery on this 8,000km journey from Moscow to Mongolia. After a city tour exploring the Russian capital’s many highlights (including Red Square, iconic St Basil’s Cathedral and the finest of the strangely palatial metro stations), the journey aboard the famous train begins, with guests enjoying exclusive use of a private rail carriage for the duration of the trip.

From Moscow, the train travels to the east through rolling countryside and seemingly endless birch forests before crossing the Ural Mountains to reach the city of Yekaterinberg, where a sightseeing tour reveals the spot where the Romanov family – the last of the Russian Tsars – was murdered in 1918. The route continues into Siberia and across the Siberian steppe to Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake that’s home to a unique species of freshwater seal. Here, the journey breaks for an overnight stay in a traditional Siberian guesthouse on the shores of this beautiful lake, fondly known as the ‘Pearl of Siberia’

Continuing through Asia, the train crosses the Mongolian Plateau and the Gobi – wide, open landscapes once terrorised by the infamous horsemen of Genghis Khan – to Ulaanbaatar, the world’s most remote capital city where traditional lifestyles meet the 21st Century in an intoxicating mix of old and new. After taking in the city’s main attractions, the focus changes to the spectacular wilderness of the Terelj National Park and an opportunity for guests to stretch their legs while looking out for moose, bears and any of the park’s 200 species of birds. A particular highlight here is an overnight stay in a ‘ger’, the typically round tent favoured by Mongolia’s nomadic tribesmen.

Leaving the train in Ulaanbaatar, the tour continues by plane to its final destination, Beijing, for a visit to one of the best-preserved sections of the magnificent Great Wall of China. A full city tour also discovers some of Beijing’s most famous sights, including the vastness of Tiananmen Square and the incredible Forbidden City, a former imperial palace that dates from the early 1400s. In all, this wonderful experience offers a true voyage of discovery that merges the best of East and West with exciting cities, unbelievable scenery and the distinctive comfort of a truly unique rail journey.

Keen pricing is synonymous with The Classic Traveller and, as with all the company’s holidays, the Trans-Siberian Express adventure promises exceptional value for money. The trip costs from £2,699 per person (departing 18 October, 2008), to include return flights from London Heathrow; all in-resort transfers; eight nights in a private rail carriage (with shower) aboard the Trans-Siberian Express; four nights’ accommodation in first-class hotels; one night in a traditional Mongolian ‘ger’ tent; one night in a Siberian guesthouse; most meals; various sightseeing excursions; and the services of an English-speaking tour guide throughout. Insurance and visa costs are not included.

For more information or to book, call The Classic Traveller on 0800 988 5843 or visit www.theclassictraveller.co.uk

Overlands Adventure in Central Asia

For travellers with a thirst for off-the-beaten-track adventure, look no further – Dragoman Overland still has spaces left on Central Asia overlands following the legendary Silk Route.

Travel through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, exploring remote areas, ancient cities, unique architectural and archaeological sites, or through the fertile plains of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley and the Altai Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, staying in the yurt homes of Kyrgyz shepherds by Son Kul Lake – book NOW for an unforgettable summer expedition.

Mountain Kingdoms of Krgyzstan

15-nights, from Tashkent to Bishkek next departing 5th July 2008. (Code KYR38)

Dragoman rate this journey as ‘challenging’, exploring both the heartland of Uzbekistan, including historic Kokand and Fergana City, and its neighbour Kyrgyzstan, with much of the adventure spent traversing some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The journey offers a real insight into the lives of rural Kyrgyz, a mountain people renowned for their hospitality, and includes time spent staying in traditional yurts amongst local shepherd families – and even having a go at traditional ‘ulak-Tartys’ (goat polo).

Chill out on one of the sandy beaches surrounding Lake Issyk-Kul (Hot Lake), aptly named, as despite its high altitude, the lake never freezes. Hike in Ala Archa Gorge, an area of outstanding natural beauty and explore the stunning mountains at Djety Oguz, before arriving in Kyrgyzstan’s capital city Bishkek, set in the foothills of the snow-capped Tien Shan (Celestial) Mountains, on the ancient Silk Route.

The tour costs from £695 p/p plus USD$290 (~£147) kitty including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s Mercedes Benz vehicle, hotel, yurt homestay and wildcamp accommodation (55%/45%), all camp meals, Dragoman Overland’s two person crew and a local guide.

Caucasus & Trans Caspian

25-nights, from Ashgabat to Istanbul next departing 20th July 2008. (Code TCT38)

Begin in Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity in a desert sea of antiquity and home to perhaps the world’s most spectacular local market – the Tolkuchka Sunday Bazaar. From the vast Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan, cross the Caspian Sea aboard an ex-Soviet ferry.

In Azerbaijan, spend a night at a well-preserved ancient Caravanserai, visit the remote metal-smith village of Lahij, the Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan, the fortress towers at Mardyakhan and, if time permits, a Zoroastrian Fire Temple at Surakhany. Enter the Caucasus - spectacular mountain scenery, orthodox churches and monasteries, traditional homestays, great feasts, copious local wines, hundreds of years of history, culture and religion plus ancient sites, all characterise the wonderfully friendly destination of Georgia.

Travel to the moonlike landscape and underground dwellings of Goreme Valley in Turkey’s Cappadocia, before reaching Istanbul - the only city in the world that straddles two continents.

The tour costs from £955 p/p plus USD$700 (~£355) kitty including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s Mercedes Benz vehicle and local ex Soviet Ferry, hotel, homestay and camp accommodation (55%/45%), all camp meals, Dragoman Overland’s two person crew and local guides.

Flights are not included but are available through Dragoman Overland.

Dragoman Overland
01728 861 133
info@dragoman.co.uk
www.dragoman.com

TURKMENISTAN TO UZBEKISTAN OVERLAND

Tamerlane the Terrible, central Asia’s most influential military leader of the 14th century, would be celebrating his 672nd birthday this week…luckily for the 21st century he is not. The Turkik Mongol conqueror spent his life wreaking destruction across Central Asia and is legendary for his ruthless savagery and lack of mercy, massacring entire populations, then building towers out of his victims skulls… his aim was to make his capital, Samarkand, the most impressive in Asia. To see if Tamerlane succeeded, join Dragoman Overland on its 14-night Samarkand & Tamerlane’s Testament, next departing Ashgabat 21st June 2008 (Code STT28). (Or v.v from Tashkent 7th July and 15th September 2008).

From Turkmenistan’s modern city of Ashgabat, the journey begins along the Silk Route, travelling over 500kms through the inhospitable Karakum Desert - meaning the ‘Black Desert’ because of its harsh and bleak atmosphere. At Kunye Ugench, visit the Kunye Urgench Historic Preserve and the decorated Kutluk Timur minaret, the tallest in Central Asia at 62-metres. In Darwasa, visit the huge gas crater - approximately the size of a football pitch, ablaze with fire fed by natural gas vents.

On to Uzbekistan, and Central Asia at its most exotic. Visit Khiva, an intact Khanate whose ancient walls provided sanctuary for Silk Route travellers - the old town inside is beautifully decorated in classic turquoise tiles. At Bukhara explore the spectacular Ark Fortress, the Ismail Samanid Mausoleum and the Kalyan Minaret (Death Tower). On to one of the two great Central Asian Deserts, the Kyzylkhum or the ‘Red Desert’.

This desert is home to Kakaz and Uzbek nomads and travellers spend a night amongst the dunes staying in a yurt camp with an option of a camel ride into the desert. Next, the 2,750-year-old nomadic city of Samarkand, one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities.

Most noted for its central position on the Silk Road between China and the west and as an Islamic centre for scholarly study, the UNESCO World Heritage site is labelled as a ‘Crossroads of Cultures’. Here, experience the impressive majolica and azure mosaic-decorated Medressas in Registan Square, explore the Oriental Market and Shakh-I-Zinda Complex, a street of tombs for Timur’s family - one is said to be that of the prophet Muhammad. Arrive in Tashkent, once the fourth largest city in the Soviet Union, explore the city markets including Chorsu Bazaar, now offering a vast array of Soviet ephemera, ranging from entire Soviet stamp collections, old paintings of Lenin, to Military uniforms, before the journey concludes next day.

The overland costs £640 p/p plus kitty from US$370 (~£185) including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s customised Mercedes-Benz truck, hotel, yurt homestay and wildcamp accommodation (80%/20%), all camp meals plus the expertise of Dragoman’s two person crew and local guides as neccessary.

International flights are not included but are available through Dragoman.

Korean Air Eyes Central Asia

Korean Air and Uzbekistan Airways sign Letter of Intent

Korean Air is reaching into the Central Asia region through a cooperative relationship with Uzbekistan Airways.

According to the LOI, the two companies shall; i) jointly participate in the construction of an international logistics center at Navoi International Airport; ii) seek Uzbekistan Airways’ Associate membership in SkyTeam, and; iii) shall support to increase the air travel capacity between Korea and Uzbekistan. The two companies agreed to form a joint task force group which will pursue the tasks in detail.

The building of an international logistics center based in Navoi International Airport is rooted in the Uzbekistan government’s long-term plan to make the Airport a transcontinental hub. For the logistics center, Korean Air will provide technical support and know-how for the operation at Navoi Airport, as well as sales support for Uzbekistan Airways. Uzbekistan Airways, in turn, has agreed to assist in procuring necessary approvals, funds, etc to develop the infrastructure at Navoi International Airport.

Also, Korean Air has agreed to reinforce Uzbekistan Airways’ efforts to join SkyTeam as an Associate member, and also aid its joining process. SkyTeam is currently composed of 11 member airlines and three Associates, and Korean Air is a founding member since 2000.

As part of its vision to become a global leading carrier, Korean Air is innovating its cabins and upgrading fleet with next generation aircraft such as Boeing 787s and Airbus 380s, strengthening its position as a carrier providing premium service and enlarging the global network to reach new markets such as South America and Africa.

About Korean Air

Korean Air was named the Best First/Business Class Airline and the Best Frequent Flyer Program in TIME Readers’ Travel Choice Awards 2006. In April and July 2007 respectively, the carrier was named the Best Economy Class in the OAG Airline of the Year Awards and the Skytrax 2006/7 World Airline Awards. It was voted Best Airline in Asia by Business Traveler magazine in 2007. With its excellent financial performance in 2005, Korean Air received the “Phoenix Award” from Air Transport World (ATW) for its success in overcoming challenges in the global airline industry.

Korean Air, with a fleet of 126 aircraft, is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, and operates almost 400 passenger flights per day to 115 cities in 37 countries. It is a founding member of SkyTeam, the global airlines alliance - partnering Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM and Northwest Airlines to provide customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. More on Korean Air’s programs, routes, frequency and partners is available at www.koreanair.com

Asia Transpacific Expands trips

Asia Transpacific Journeys is expanding its product line in several areas. The operator is looking westward with new planned roll-outs for programs for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.

It is expanding its Lifelong Learning programs with new packages focusing on cooking and Buddhism. Newly introduced are cooking programs in Thailand and Vietnam created in cooperation with Peggy Markel, the creator of Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures. The company is also planning for a new product line for travel to India. Asia Transpacific’s new programs in Buddhism will focus on Zen Buddhism of Japan, Theravada Buddhism of Laos and Mahayana Buddhism of Tibet.

The programs will show how the religion informs the culture of these countries and how their cultures in turn inform the religion. The programs will be led by a professor of Buddhism from Naropa University. There will be a soft launch in October and will take off in earnest in May 2009.

For more information, visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com/

Bmi mid-haul expansion

Bmi is to lease two Boeing 757-200 aircraft to further expand its mid-haul network from Heathrow.

The aircraft will be used to increase capacity and improve schedules to the existing destinations of Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Freetown, Sierra Leone.

They will alsohelp the airline increase capacity on its new Heathrow to Tel Aviv service, starting on March 13. This will initially be operated on an Airbus A320, but will upgrade to 757 shortly after the route is launched.

From May 1, non-stop links from Heathrow to both Almaty in and Freetown will be introduced.

This will reduce flying times to Almaty by two hours each way, while journey times to Freetown will be reduced by over an hour and a half.

Bmi is also adding an extra flight to Freetown, taking the schedule to four flights a week.

Bishkek, previously operated via Yerevan, will now operate on the larger B757 and will fly via Almaty, reducing the onward flight time.

The introduction of the two 757s will also allow bmi to increase capacity to existing Airbus A321 operations.

Services from Heathrow to Ekaterinburg and Yerevan will now not operate to destinations beyond, increasing their point to point capacity and improving flight schedules.

A daily schedule between Heathrow and Tehran will also be introduced.

But the changes will result in the suspension of services between Heathrow and Dakar.

Chief executive officer Nigel Turner said: “The delivery of suitable Airbus A330 aircraft is a little way off and we do not want to delay the range of service enhancements unveiled today.

“By leasing the two Boeing 757s, pending the sourcing of suitable A330 aircraft, we are able to accelerate our Heathrow growth and ensure that we can maintain the momentum of our mid haul route strategy, laying strong foundations for future developments in this important market.”

BENIKEA Hotel Chain In Korea

BENIKEA a name created around the four words ‘Best Night In Korea’. The new brand reflects the first ever Hotel chain that has been specifically designed to meet the demands of travellers visiting Korea with a mid-range budget. Authenticated by the Korea Tourism Organization and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, BENIKEA will allow tourists to stay in comfortable, well located and above all cost efficient properties.

The Korean tourism industry has identified a gap between the top-end luxurious hotels and the budget-inns such as ‘Yeogwans’ that cater very well for travellers at either end of the market but leaves a gap in between for the mid-range hotel demand. BENIKEA has brought together a group of properties that can supply quality rooms and service for competitive rates, thus enhancing the countries tourism infrastructure and maintaining a domestic brand that will evolve into a major hotel chain force in Korea.

BENIKEA is seen as a positive step toward attracting and accommodating 10 million tourists by 2010.

For more information go to http://www.tour2korea.com/

DISCOVERING WESTERN CHINA’S SILK ROAD

Includes a Total Solar Eclipse
July 15-August 5, 2008

The name “Silk Road,” introduced to the intrepid traveler’s vocabulary over a century ago by the German geographer and geologist, Ferdinand von Richtofen, conjures up images of desert caravans, lush oases, snow-capped mountains, and colorful markets where exotic goods change hands amid the cacophony of exotic languages. Where many destinations promise enchantment and adventure, travel on the Silk Road through China is one of the few that really delivers.

A highlight of the trip will be viewing a total eclipse of the sun which will take place on August 1, 2008, and will pass diagonally through Russia and Western China along the border with Mongolia. Few phenomena have so inspired and humbled humans throughout the ages as a total solar eclipse. Standing under the shadow of the moon as it races across the face of our planet is a rare and breathtaking experience. With fewer than 70 total eclipses per century, the chance to see one is a memorable event.

 Join us for this exciting 22-day tour along this most ancient of Eurasian trade routes. Traveling by plane, train, bus, jeep, and camel, we will visit such legendary sites as the Thousand Buddha Caves of Dunhuang, where Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, and Mediterranean religion and art met and mixed in the first millennium AD; the oasis town of Turpan, with the ruined city of Gaochang and the spectacular murals at the Bezeklik caves nearby; Kashgar, home of Central Asia’s most fabulous bazaar; and archaeological ruins from 2,200 years ago at Kucha and Khotan, remote outposts of the Han dynasty keeping lonely vigil still on the rim of the formidable Taklamakan desert. It’s sure to be the trip of a lifetime.

The trip will be led by Dr. Anthony DeBlasi, a specialist in Chinese history and East Asian Languages. He is not only enthusiastic and knowledgeable but engaging and will easily make the sites we visit come alive.

TRIP DATES: July 15-August 5, 2008

TRIP COST: $7,695.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes five domestic flights in China; all hotels, meals as noted in the brochure, entry fees, and land transportation. The cost does not include the international flights to/from Shanghai . FAR HORIZONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL TRIPS, Inc
. PO Box 2546
San Anselmo, CA 94979 USA
(800) 552-4575, (415) 482-8400
journey@farhorizons.com
http://www.farhorizons.com/

The Genuine Silk Road Pajamas. WAS 159.95 NOW 59.95 Made from 100% silk charmeuse, renowned for its pearly satin finish and milky-smooth feel, these Chinese silk pajamas breathe to remain cool in warm weather and provide comfort during cooler temperatures. The silk comes from Zhejiang province along China’s famed Silk Road, renowned as a source for the world’s finest silk since Marco Polo’s trade expedition in 1271. This two-piece pajama set has a sleeveless top and elastic waist pants with a drawstring and stores in a flat, gold mesh bag that fits unobtrusively in a suitcase or overnight bag. Dry clean or hand wash; air dry. Specify Ivory or Teal. Available in women’s sizes S (6-8), M (10), L (12), XL (14). Imported. (5 oz.)

Europe and Asia with Flexible Essential Tours

SEATTLE— MIR Corporation has finalized their 2008 small group and private rail tour offerings, and visitors to their Web site (http://www.mircorp.com/) have immediate access to the new schedules - before the catalogs are back from the printer. Visitors can browse the site by region, or use the Trip Finder tool to browse for a perfect tour by dates of tour or by tour type. New for 2008 — MIR has added the “Flexible Essential” style of travel. The itineraries feature all of the area’s highlights and are scheduled in a compact, well-designed format — great for solo travelers, couples or small groups. Flexible Essential Tours are led by local MIR guides on a traveler’s choice of dates and are available in Georgia, Iran and Uzbekistan. MIR Corporation believes that this region — at the crossroads of Europe and Asia — is one of the last great adventure travel frontiers, and is home to many unsung cultural, architectural and geographical wonders. More information on the 2008 tour itineraries is available at www.mircorp.com and in the annual MIR catalog (available in November.)

http://www.mircorp.com/

ATS Tours Publishes 2008 Asia Brochure

Join Asia FriendFinder the Largest Asian Dating Site on the Web for FREE! ATS Tours published its new 2008 ATS Tours Asia brochure of its new product range to Asia, including destinations such as China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Malaysia. The 35-year-old specialist in travel to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific offers a wide selection of touring opportunities from fully customized arrangements, off the beaten path and special interest itineraries to escorted tours. The company will tailor vacations from airline and hotel reservations to private or unique small group touring. Call ATS Tours’ Pacific and Asia specialists at 888-781-5060 or email info@atstours.com  for more information.

The new Asia eBrochure, as well as multiple package offers to all of Asia appears on the ATS Tours website at http://www.atstours.com/ Asian Cruises