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JOURNEYS magazine
Volume III, 2016
FEATURE
For a comfortably paced tour of India, Insight Vacations’
Luxury Gold 14-day tour of classical India with Nepal
takes you on a journey into a wonderland of the exotic
and enigmatic, full of strange fascination — from the
temples of Khajuraho and the splendid Taj Mahal, to the
ashy presence of Hindu holy men and the world’s only
official living goddess. These two countries move in their
own mysterious ways, often inundating the senses, so it’s
comforting to know you will be in the expert care of
Insight’s Luxury Gold Traveling Concierge and enjoy a
superior level of quality, comfort and service.
The Beauty of China
Despite its mighty economy, China is a gentle, genteel
giant and a historically important country where
ancient customs and gentle politeness are particularly
significant — and where even making a cup of tea is a
sacred art form. Must-see cities like eclectic Beijing,
buzzing Shanghai, and historic Xi’an are mixed with its
must-do experiences, like cruising down the iconic
Huangpu River at night.
Bordered by mountains on three sides, Beijing is a flat
metropolis and home to more than 20 million people.
But no amount of steely modernity can hide its status as
China’s former imperial capital. The sights are world
famous and include the Forbidden City, a 250-acre
complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions and gardens,
the emperors’ palace, and, of course, the Great Wall.
In Shanghai you can look beneath the surface of
China’s most dynamic and westernized city and find
an array of temples, street markets, classic Chinese
gardens and ancient monasteries. Here you can admire
the varied architecture on the Bund, explore the old
town, a little known treasure trove of winding streets,
and visit a silk museum.
Asia is a continent so full of adventure and intrigue that
one could spend years traversing its many countries and
cities and still not experience all its fascinating sights,
sounds, and flavors. With so much to explore and
experience, we’ve chosen some of our favorite bucket
list adventures that will make you fall in love with Asia
and its countless wonders.
Exotic India
With its exotic temples, splendid palaces, incredible
wildlife and enticing cuisine, India promises to be a place
you’ll never forget. Here one can explore a diverse land
that combines the traditional and modern with surprises
around every corner.
At one side, India boasts the immense Himalayas,
while on the other, it enjoys miles of exotic beaches.
Every landscape will inspire and you’ll be welcomed by a
culture of fascinating traditions and warm smiles. If you
enjoy traveling a bit off-the-beaten-path, consider
exploring India’s great royal cities and palaces of the Raj,
the wilds of the Ranthambhore National Park, the deserts
and colorful forts of the west; and journey south to
historic temples, tropical forests and exotic coastlines.
India boasts a colorful calendar of festivals and
fairs. Packed with fun and excitement every season
brings with it new celebrations. The birthdays of gods
and goddesses, saints and prophets, historical events
and the advent of the New Year are all depicted in
vibrant festivities.
From squidgy South Indian idlis (fermented rice
cakes) to zesty north Indian curries, foodies can look
forward to savoring a seductive smorgasbord of
specialties. There are regional specialties, and staple
ingredients in each state combining to create a diverse
and thrilling cuisine.
Beautiful and frenetic, sublime and sometimes unpredictable, Asia’s vast
tapestry of ancient cultures and brilliant landscapes have delighted
travelers for centuries – and there couldn’t be a better time to experience
five of its most fascinating countries for yourself
