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How
do you do an issue on “favorite places?” Whose favorites? My knowledge is
too limited to do the theme justice; I
just haven’t been everywhere yet, but I’m certainly trying! So I asked our
staff, our contributors
and our tour hosts to help. A few of this month’s articles and the companies below are really close
to my heart.
Two
cities which I have lived in are represented – Florence and New York – yet
there are tons of places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting that are not here:
Queensland, Australia, Istanbul and, of course, London. There is also a host of
places I have yet to experience, such as Kyoto, St. Petersburg, anywhere in
South America and the wonders of China.
Luckily,
we have some wonderful writers and tour hosts that can speak for these
destinations and introduce us to the wonders of their favorite places.
This
month's tour hosts review:
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Welcome to Renaissance
Pick of
the Month |
| Specialty:
Art, History and Culture and all things Tuscan |
| Why
We Like Them: Providing
in-depth seminar tours focusing on the art
and culture of Tuscany and Umbria. Sam Hilt and Pam Mercer, the company’s
founders, both teach courses on Italian Renaissance art when they’re not
leading trips to their second home. In addition to art history, they offer an
art workshop and a hill town tour. Their article gives fantastic insights into
Italian culture.
|
| Article:
"Tuscany:
the Genius of the Familiar" |
|
Latitude Cultural Center |
| Specialty:
Cultural and Educational Center in SW France |
|
Why
We Like Them: E.
Barbara Phillips, the center’s founder, has created a space where people from
many lands, as well as the locals, can enjoy seminars and courses ranging from
baroque art, astronomy and yoga to the culinary and social history of the
region. Located in rural southwestern France, the property features a
14th-century mill and an ex-tobacco hanging barn as lodging.
|
| Article: "The Lot: an
off-beat, off-the-beaten-track French destination" |
|
Pantiacolla |
| Specialty:
Nature tours of the Manu National Park |
| Why
We Like Them: Dedicated to
preservation of Peru’s Manu region and the native Yine Indians who inhabit it,
Panticolla offers a series of trips to explore one of the finest ecotourism
destinations in the Amazon basin. Whether you enjoy bird watching or camping, or
desire to study the Spanish language or rainforest ecology, this company is an
expert in this great destination.
|
| Article:
"An
Ancient Rainforest Community In the Peruvian Jungle"
|
|
Imperial Tours |
| Specialty:
China |
| Why
We Like Them: A great
resource for planning a trip to China. Its web site is filled with useful
information, including photos, articles and theme-oriented reasons to visit
China. Tour themes include a culinary tour, family trips, furniture, ceramics,
architecture and even opera. A selection of short city tours and custom-designed
individual tours are also offered.
|
| Article:
"The
Silk Road’s Mogao Caves: A Study in Harmony" |
|
French Links Tour
|
| Specialty:
Everything Parisian! |
| Why
We Like Them: Whether you
seek a walking tour focused on art, literature, food or shopping, Rachel and her
staff have a perfect trip. With this company’s in-depth knowledge of Paris,
any request is its command – from shopping for antiques or discounted couture
to reservations for the best restaurants, this team can get it done.
|
| Article:
"Why
Paris Still Remains My Favorite Shopping Destination" |
 Whether you’re returning to
your favorite destination or looking to discover a new favorite, Cultural
Travels can help you find the perfect tour company to plan your experience.
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