On the Loose in Toulouse

Though not a popular destination for native English-speaking tourists, Toulouse—situated about 100 kilometers... [Read more]

The Wonders of Israeli Wine

New York: July 24, 2007 - August at the Scots hotel is dedicated to the Israeli Wine wonders. During the weekends guests are invited to wine work shops, gourmet meals accompanied by wines, tours to the vineyards and to the Golan Heights wineries. All activities will be accompanied by Jazz music played by the best Israeli... [Read more]

Merdeka Day in Malaysia

LOS ANGELES -This August, come and be apart of the celebrations and happiness that
Merdeka Day has to offer. Cap off an exciting Merdeka Month with Merdeka Day
Celebrations on August 31st in the beautiful city of Putrajaya.

Merdeka Day welcomes in Malaysia’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain, but
more importantly, the stupendous... [Read more]

The 25th Jerash Festival in Jordan

The Greco-Roman city of Gerasa will host the silver jubilee celebration of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts starting July 25. The South Theatre will be the venue for official opening, featuring Jordanian vocalists accompanied by the National Jordanian Orchestra, Lubna Far, acting general manager of the festival, announced. The festival, which will run through August... [Read more]

Ireland in Touch

Feeling the effects of silly season? Where better to indulge in something weird and wonderful than magical Ireland….

1) Kayaking through biolumiscence at night in County Cork
In remote south-west Ireland lies a lake that offers an aquatic version of the glorious Northern Lights. Join international... [Read more]

Deluxe Riverboat on Russian Waterways

This July, the Russian waterways will see its first truly deluxe riverboat, the Volga Dream, make its way from Moscow to St. Petersburg, stopping in the Golden Ring cities of Uglich, Yaroslavl, Goritzy, and the picturesque island-town of Kizhi, as well as the villages of Mandrogy, and Valaam. Exeter International is proud to introduce this ground-breaking vessel to travelers... [Read more]

Hilton New Tours in Paris

PARIS – July 12, 2007 – This summer, travelers to the City of Light can explore world-famous monuments and discover unknown local treasures in an eco-friendly way with Hilton Hotels’ new “Paris en Bicyclette” package. With the recent “Paris Breathes” initiative, cycling around France’s capital has taken off... [Read more]

El Surf en Nicaragua (Español)

Recientemente nuestro país participó en el 1er Campeonato Centroamericano de Surf, el que se realizó en Playa Esterillos, Costa Rica, donde el Equipo Nacional de Surf de Nicaragua, se colocó en el 2do lugar, gracias al esfuerzo de todos los miembros del equipo, quienes dieron lo mejor de cada uno, demostrando que Nicaragua además de ser un destino de gran atractivo... [Read more]

Boutique Hotel Opening in St. Lucia

July 10, 2007, Cap Estate, St. Lucia, West Indies - Situated at the northern tip of St. Lucia, Cap Maison is set atop an ocean bluff above a secluded sandy beach with long views to historic Pigeon Island and across to the neighboring island of Martinique. Its elevated setting, between the calm waters of the Caribbean... [Read more]

Camera Talk: The HV20 and a Tripod

I finally had the opportunity to use the Canon HV20 in an actual travel setting while bouncing around Stockholm and then Copenhagen (ITKT readers can expect several articles and/or videos on each destination over the next few months.). In this addition, I look at the need for a tripod.

The camera performed well as both tripod mounted and hand-held. However, for pans I will still have to get either a tripod or monopod... [Read more]

Travelocity Mexico Launches

Travelocity has launched Travelocity Mexico to serve residents of Mexico and its Spanish-speaking customers in North America. Great news for traveling to and from Mexico!

For more on Mexico at ITKT
Back to the... [Read more]

Buenaventura Grand Hotel Renews

Puerto Vallarta, MEXICO– July 24, 2007 – Destination for play. Haven for serenity. The new Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa has completed renovations which have been underway since November 2006. The hotel formerly known as, Buenaventura Hotel & Beach Club was re-named, Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa reflecting the hotels’ top to bottom transformation... [Read more]

El Arte del Getty Center (video podcast)

En este video, Maryl platica son Sandy Rodriguez, una representante del Getty Center, quien se especializa en el arte del museo que contiene parte de la impresionante coleccion del difunto petrolero J. Paul Getty. Sandy nos muestra como decifrar los detalles... [Read more]

Argentina en Español

Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Fernando Brun sobre Argentina y todo lo que este pais tiene para ofrecer. Estas entrevistas son parte de una serie que se grabo en el Long Beach Convention Center... [Read more]

Singapore Airlines Gets Bigger

LOS ANGELES, July 10, 2007 – Beginning today, passengers flying Singapore Airlines’ new B777-300ER service from Los Angeles will experience the airline’s $360 million investment in innovations – designed to provide passengers in all three classes with more space, comfort and control of their in-flight experience. Highlights of the new First, Business and Economy... [Read more]

The New France Festival in Quebec

Under the unifying theme “games and entertainment”, the 11th edition of the New France Festival will take place from August 1 to 5, 2007. The kick-off will be on Wednesday, August 1 with a large opening parade in Old Québec. Giants and other oversized characters will be on the streets. The pilgrimage From One Basilica to the Other, held on August 5, is a walk along Route de la Nouvelle-France,... [Read more]

Virgin America Starting to Fly

Wouldn’t you love to fly on an airline with low fares, excellent service, and cutting-edge in-flight entertainment? What about leather seats, massage chairs and mood lighting? Virgina America is ready to provide such things as they set to take off and return flying to the relaxing and exciting endeavor it once was.

Virgin America is about to change the face of U.S. air travel starting right now. The upstart airline... [Read more]

Peru en Español

Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Aelin Perez R. sobre Peru... [Read more]

Scenic Walks with Go Ireland

KILLORGLIN, IRELAND – July 2007 – Go Ireland has announced an attractive, feature- and value-filled portfolio of tours for exploring Ireland on foot this year. Always very attuned to the needs of single travelers, this organization offers single rooms at a... [Read more]

Central Europe with Simplon-Orient

New York- July 3, 2007:- The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is forging a new route this Sunday, July 8th as it departs Venice en route to Krakow. The Central European Grand Tour is an exciting and enriching seven-night tour taking the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express across five countries, unveiling Slovakia’s picturesque countryside and Poland’s... [Read more]

Villa del Arco Opens in Cabo San Lucas

San Diego, CA (July 3, 2007) – The Villa Group announced today that the Villa del Arco Beach Resort and Desert Spa is slated for a July 13 Grand Opening in Cabo San Lucas. Stretching along the white sands of El Médano Beach - the safest swimming beach in the popular Baja destination - the upscale, family-friendly property lies adjacent to the ultra-luxurious Villa La Estancia and active Villa del Palmar Beach Resort... [Read more]

Puerto Rico en Español

Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Vanessa Lugo y Yolanda Figueroa sobre Puerto Rico... [Read more]

Luxury Vessel and the Peruvian Amazon

Iquitos, Peru (July 13, 2007): The M/V Aqua, the Peruvian Amazon’s first truly luxury expedition vessel, will set off on its virgin voyage January 12, 2008 from the port city of Iquitos, Peru, to explore some of the more remote and pristine areas of the Amazon River and its... [Read more]

El Arte de Getty Villa

En este video Maryl platica con Veronica Alvarez, una representante de la Villa sobre una de las piezas favoritas del coleccionista J. Paul Getty, localizada en el Getty Villa. Titulada Heracles, la obra se caracteriza no solo por su majestuosa cara,... [Read more]

Lion Safari in Kenya

PRESS RELEASE – The tail end of the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra occurs in November in Kenya. Wildlife Safari is offering an 8-day Lion safari in Kenya with two departures, November 12 and November 19. Land cost at US$ 1995 per person sharing. This tour features one night at the Nairobi Hilton Hotel,... [Read more]

Celebrate at Bodysgallen Hall and Spa

Everything is coming up roses, now that Summer has arrived at Bodysgallen Hall, arguably the most beautiful hotel in the British Isles.

Standing in over 200 acres of its own parkland, with spectacular views of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle, Bodysgallen Hall provides all that is best in country house hospitality.

At this time of the year the extensive gardens are a riot of flowers, with the birds and the bees... [Read more]

Camera Talk: Picking Sides

I don’t know how it happened, but I have become a Canon person. True, I use Canon cameras — have for years. Actually, I had started with an old Rebel SLR. When I bought a new camera, I just took my old lenses and got a new camera bodies. I didn’t think much about it. Of course, then there were Nikon users, they had a rich and glorious photographic history behind them. As I recall, it was what the pros... [Read more]

New Tower for the MGM Opens

LAS VEGAS – In celebration of The Signature at MGM Grand officially opening its third and final 576-suite tower today, guests booking now through September 9, 2007 at prevailing room rates can enjoy the Summer Splash Package. The package includes two complimentary cocktails at The Signature’s Lobby Lounge, a 15-percent discount on spa services at MGM Grand’s renowned Grand Spa and a $25 entertainment card that can... [Read more]

Denmark and Sweden Here I Come

This Monday I will fly from Los Angeles, stopping in Chicago before landing in Stockholm, Sweden. I will take in the sites of Stockholm, both great and small before continuing to Copenhagen, Denmark. It has been years since I have been in either country — not by choice. The opportunity eluded and time went on its merry... [Read more]

Berlin’s Fall Plans

Los Angeles, June 25, 2007 – Always offering up something new and exciting to its visitors, Berlin Tourism Marketing today announced a new list of highlights for Fall 2007, complementing the expansive list of current offerings in and around the German Capital. Featuring GDR retro chic and top value, Berlin’s newest hotel aims to attract travelers looking for unconventional accommodations located close to the trendy... [Read more]

Intrepid Travel en Español

Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Summer M. Davis sobre Intrepid Travel y todo lo que... [Read more]

Nicaragua en Español (video podcast)

Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Ana Azalea Zavala sobre Nicaragua y todo lo que este pais tiene para ofrecer. Estas entrevistas son parte de una serie que se grabo en el Long Beach Convention Center... [Read more]

St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands

As I drove through the countryside of St. Croix, the first sight that caught... [Read more]

El Getty Center (video podcast)

Maryl y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de visitar el Getty Center, uno de los museos mas populares e imporantes de Los Angeles. Una de las joyas de la metropolis, el Getty Center contiene la mayoria de la coleccion de arte del difunto petrolero J. Paul Getty,... [Read more]

El Getty Villa (video podcast)

El Getty Villa abre sus puertas despues de 10 años de renovaciones para darnos un tour privado de la estructura cuya arquitectura esta basada en los planos de una casa de veraneo italiana. La Villa contiene las piezas mas antiguas de la coleccion de J. Paul Getty,... [Read more]

Our First Spanish Video

I suppose I was supposed to write this in Spanish, but I did not want to offend our future Spanish readership by abusing their language. In The Know Traveler is launching a new Spanish language section to our site. Clearly the 800 million Spanish speakers worldwide are an integral part of what makes travel so important. We feel it only fitting to reach as many eyes and voices that help unite this wonderful world community.... [Read more]

L’alliance de forêt tropicale (podcast visuel, video)

Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Federico Solano sobre Rainforest Alliance... [Read more]

Wedding on the Links

Going to a church wedding this summer? While you anticipate sweating in your suit in amongst the creaky pews, your mind is sure to wander to where you really want to be - on the golf course. Why not hit the fairways for your upcoming nuptials? Weddings and golf courses go together like Tiger Woods and green jackets. So end your swinging single years with a swing of a different kind, and put the smiles back on the faces... [Read more]

Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne News

Cultural Highlights in Amsterdam - Summer / Fall 2007

Just Opened, New Museum!
The Museum of Bags and Purses, which opened in June, is a unique museum that through its collection of over 3500 bags and accessoriesshows the history of the ladies bag in Western culture. The museum is located in a magnificent 17th century building along a canal.
www.tassenmuseum.nl

July 13 - 15, 2007... [Read more]

Chichen Itza one of the New Seven Wonders

The announcement of the selection of Chichen Itza by the New7Wonders Foundation was made during a spectacular ceremony at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light. The list of new world wonders includes The Great Wall of China, Petra (Jordan), Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Machu Picchu (Peru),... [Read more]

Bordeaux Getaway

Fall into the ultimate French getaway – luxuriating in Bordeaux’s renowned wine country and imbibing inimitable wine, food, music and guests on this, their most splendid tour, a sumptuous autumn escape to Bordeaux. This week-long getaway includes a rejuvenating grape-treatment spa, delectable haute cuisine, world-class wines (of course!), and best of all, mingling with... [Read more]

Spanish Language Page Coming Soon…

Hi everyone,

In the Know Traveler is about to launch an exciting new section of the site: Spanish language posts and pages on many of our featured articles, as well as a series of Spanish language podcasts. Our very own Maryl Celiz will be assisting us in getting this off the ground, and our hope is that we will be able... [Read more]

Announcing the New Seven Wonders of the World

A worldwide popular vote has been underway to select the New Seven Wonders of the World, sites to be listed alongside... [Read more]

Purposeful Adventures in Aotearoa New Zealand

Santa Monica, CA, June 25, 2007 – Follow in the adventurous footsteps of one of the world’s travel pioneers on the 11-day “New Zealand: Adventure With Purpose” designed by Mountain Travel Sobek. Inspired by the company’s co-founder, author and extreme river rafter Richard Bangs, the trip retraces Bangs’ April 2007 journey through New... [Read more]

Explore the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland

A performance of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a guaranteed highlight of the Scottish Dream vacation (for departures July 28 through August 18), offered by CIE Tours International and priced at $1,758 for land-only or from $2,464 via British Airways from JFK or Newark; or from $2,720 via British Airways from San Francisco or Los Angeles.
In addition to coveted seats at the Tattoo, this 9-day/7-night vacation... [Read more]

From Tijuana to Cancun with AeroMexico

For those looking for another way to get to Cancun, starting July 7 AeroMexico will offer a new regularly scheduled flight from Tijuana to Cancun. While at first, this might not excite many travelers on the West Coast of the U.S. with LAX being a major airport with direct flights to Cancun and around... [Read more]

Four Romantic Rivers in Europe

ST. LOUIS, MO, June 25, 2006 – INTRAV’s 14-night cruise exploring the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel rivers is, above all, a voyage of great cultural and scenic diversity. From bustling Budapest and grand Vienna to medieval Passau and Regensburg, majestic Bratislava and romantic Koblenz, beautiful landscapes and historic towns appear around every bend on “Europe’s... [Read more]

The Luxury Cruise on the Nile

New Delhi: Continuing the tradition of offering the highest standards of hospitality and experiences that are unique and memorable, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts will unveil The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser in October 2007. This all-suite cruiser will offer the most spacious accommodation among boats on the Nile, with the 25 Luxury Suites spread over 323 square feet and the two Grand Suites over 538 square feet. ... [Read more]

Tradition, Ritual, and Ancient Japan

BOULDER, CO, June 2007 – The pace of modern life would seem to afford precious little time for contemplative ceremonies or stylized rituals.

In Japan, however, many aspects of ancient life permeate an otherwise hectic society. Whether participating in a three-hour tea ceremony, lodging at a ryokan (classical guest house in the Zen tradition) or indulging in the cleansing... [Read more]

Stay Longer at Pan Pacific Bangkok

From now until the end of this year, Pan Pacific Bangkok will provide a Long Stay Promotion for guests staying for extended periods of time at the hotel. In addition to the everyday hospitality, amenities and world class dining that the hotel offers its guests, long-term guests will also enjoy special discount rates and discounts on services. Guests staying at least 14 consecutive nights at the hotel will receive a special... [Read more]

Memories of Delicious Greenland

They may do Starbucks in the mornings, I thought, but most of the time... [Read more]

The New Nam Hai in Vietnam

(Hoi An, Vietnam, July 5, 2007) — Vietnam’s most luxurious new oceanfront resort, The Nam Hai, Hoi An, is celebrating its first six months of operation with a line-up of top accolades from readers of the most influential international travel and lifestyle publications.

The Nam Hai, which opened in December... [Read more]

Summer Package at Indigo Pearl in Phuket

(Hong Kong, 5 July 2007) – Indigo Pearl, a unique new luxury “industrial chic” resort in Phuket inspired by the island’s 100 year-old tin mining industry, is offering an activity-filled three day and two night package including Thai cooking lesson, spa pampering and even Thai boxing, perfect for weekend getaways.

The “Three Days Many Ways” is headlined by a day’s tuition in the fine art of Thai... [Read more]

No Smoking on Deilmann

NEW YORK, June 18, 2007 – Peter Deilmann Cruises is expanding the no-smoking restrictions on its European river fleet to include all areas inside the vessels without exception beginning in 2008. The policy will become effective at the start of the river cruise season in March 2008, the cruise line announced today.

Peter Deilmann Cruises, which operates a fleet of nine river vessels, first extended the smoke-free... [Read more]

Getty Villa: A Castle in the Sky (video podcast)

After years of hiding in the Malibu Hills the Getty Villa recently reopened its doors to art lovers around the world — not only for the stunning masterworks inside its galleries, but also for its impeccable grounds surrounding them.... [Read more]

Camera Talk: Going High Definition

In preparation for an upcoming trip to Denmark and then Sweden I wanted to bring a new camcorder with me. But not just any camcorder, I wanted a killer (think, something far more sophisticated than I would ever be able to fully use). Of course, a killer might cost a small fortune (think, more money than I have). I ended up going with the Canon HV20. It is a single chip (think, not great in low light and contrast), high-definition... [Read more]

Food in Sri Lanka

As diverse as its ethnicities, is the variety of food available in Sri Lanka.

From Aubergines, to a host of green leafy vegetables, and papaws and bananas from home grown garden plots, to delicious four course menus to suit the most discerning; Sri Lanka has it all.

To experience a gourmet adventure and... [Read more]

Win a Trip with Trafalgar

Because of the incredible response to the 2006 online photo contest, Trafalgar Tours has decided to bring it back for 2007.

Judging by last year’s entries, our passengers are a pretty creative bunch. So this time around we’re upping the stakes and asking entrants to submit a short journal or story along side a photo from one of their previous Trafalgar tours.

Trafalgar Tours USA President John... [Read more]

New Stay Packages in Singapore and Shanghai

NEW YORK, NY - The award-winning 653-room Orchard Hotel Singapore is one of the city-state’s premier hotels featuring luxurious accommodations, amenities and some of the region’s finest restaurants. Its sister property, the 369-room Millennium Hongqiao Shanghai, China, which opened in September 2006 is a 5-star international... [Read more]

The LPGA in France

The Evian Masters, in Evian-les-Bains, which will take place July 25 to 29, started in 1994 and became part of the LPGA in 2000. Always considered a premier tournament, just behind the US Open, the Evian Masters offers a $3 million purse and is one of the ten winner events of the LPGA 2007 Playoffs.

The tournament will kick off this year with the first Evian Masters Juniors Cup. Players under age 14 from 12 countries... [Read more]

Food and Art in Barcelona

Wellfleet, Mass., June 27, 2007: “Barcelona’s genius loci is unexportable,”
said the New Yorker art critic, Peter Schjeldahl, after viewing “Barcelona &
Modernity” this spring at the Metropolitan Museum.

The show was the first American exhibition of the artists who positioned the
Barcelona as Spain’s cultural... [Read more]