4/09/2007 at 11:00 AM
Tags: Trains, Package Tours (all tags)
Crossing Russia on the Trans-Siberian should really be about long days with nothing to do, sharing cabins with unusual locals and learning to share your vodka. But a new train set to hit the rails next month is trying to spoil all that.
The new Golden Eagle train will have the largest cabins available on the Trans-Sib route, and each will include ensuite bathrooms, plasma TVs with DVD players and underfloor heating to enhance your comfort as you journey for two weeks from Moscow to Vladivostok.
The thing we really hate is that you'll mostly travel by night (missing out on most of the amazing views of Siberia), and the scheduled day trips sound like they're designed to give the least possible contact with the locals--even the tour of the Kremlin in Moscow is described as private. And please: if you wanna watch all those DVDs on your plasma, couldn't you just stay at home?
[Photo: chill]
Related Stories:
· To Russia With Love (And Underfloor Heating) [Times UK]
· Drinkin' and Stinkin' on the Vodka Train [Jaunted]
by amandak
1/18/2007 at 1:08 PM
Tags: Abercrombie & Kent, Package Tours (all tags)
Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is expanding its footing in Papua New Guinea. Even the tour-averse (and we are) should take note, because PNG is a place where it couldn't hurt to travel with an escort. While we'd basically run free in Rio, we might not do the same in Port Moresby
In addition to the "Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea" tour, A&K is offering "
The Nature Conservancy: Papua New Guinea" this June for a cool $5,192. The itinerary covers places like Port Moresby, Mt. Hagen, Ambua, and Kimbe Bay, and it's lead by an expert from the Nature Conservancy. This one sounds strictly for the most outdoorsy among us, though the "monkey-faced flying foxes" you'll supposedly spot could be enough to lure anyone.
A&K also offers private packages in PNG for those who need some assistance but limited social interaction. Going at it completely alone is also an option, but you will need some balls.
[Photo:
Eric Lafforgue]
by djk
10/19/2006 at 10:02 AM
Tags: Package Tours, Papua New Guinea, Luxury Travel, Adventure Travel, Abercrombie & Kent (all tags)
This year luxury tour operator
Abercrombie & Kent introduced a new flavor of trip to its group of travel "series." The "Explorer Series" promises "real, rugged exploration" in "remote" destinations, for the "truly adventurous." A&K will book you into luxury where it lives, but with the Explorer Series, they'll also be ready to stuff you into a yurt if that's what's available. Though we are tour skeptics ourselves, we did love that
50 Tours of a Lifetime feature in National Geographic Traveler.
We are also gonna go ahead and tentatively endorse A&K's Papua New Guinea tour, which is one of the last Explorer packages listed on their website for 2007. That's one trip we'd rather take escorted. PNG is not a place where you want to risk getting sliced up, period. Here's a run-down of how they're packaging it:
Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea: Sixteen days through Madang, Mt. Hagen and, um, Port Moresby. Emphasis on culture and nature walks. You will "learn about the diversity of the country and its people through theboundless assortment of tribal art, ritual masks, and statues." You will take a charter flight over glorious, rugged landscapes. You will be in a group of "10-16," which means "16, but 10 sounds better." You will also get to veg out
here--add one to the beach lust file. Prices start at a cool $7,990, not including airfare.
[Photo:
Eric Lafforgue]
Related Stories:·
Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea [A&K]
by djk
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