TraderDaily: Three-Dog Night in Norway

My latest travel article has been posted to TraderDaily.com. If you have the cash (this one’s from Alexander & Kent, too), you can go dogsledding in northern Scandinavia for more than a week.

This is not a luxury experience, despite the exclusive pricing. The trek involves lots of camping and plenty of cold nights, but you’ll get the chance to experience something that others will only hear about … probably from you.

Read about the trip >>

Book the trip >>

Time to go to Quebec

Hotel Clarendon, Quebec, Canada

It’s getting to be the perfect time of year to go up to Quebec. I went up just shy of a year ago, and it was amazing. There was a pleasant chill in the air. This year should be even more exciting, as Quebec is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

The place to stay is the Frontenac Hotel, which is a Fairmont property. But, it is priced like a Fairmont, so be ready to invest in your taste of luxury. If you’re on something of a budget (as I was), check out l’Hotel Clarendon. It’s inside the city walls and has large guestrooms that are clean and comfortable.

Something to keep in mind: L’Hotel Clarendon does offer a limited spa service. You can get in-room massages from an absolute professional. But, do note that this is arranged through a partnership with an independent masseuse, so you may have to schedule in advance. Plan ahead; it’s worth the effort.

Asia Travel Company Announces Travel to China’s New UNESCO Site

Specialists Provide Access to Remote Area

It’s not on everyone’s must see list, but it will be. Asia Transpacific Journeys is once again on the forefront of travel to Asia, this time trailblazing the way to spectacular, remote Sanqingshan National Park in China, recently designated a natural heritage site of exceptional significance by UNESCO on July 8, 2008.

“This area hosts dozens of peaks and 90 fantastically shaped granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes,” says Marilyn Downing-Staff, CEO of Asia Transpacific Journeys, which has specialized in Asia and Pacific Rim destinations for 21 years. “There is also a 1,600-year-old Taoist temple complex, containing hundreds of priceless cultural relics.”

• Sanqingshan National Park is located in China’s Jiangxi Province, within driving distance of Nanchang city.
• Domestic air routing is through Shanghai, with daily flights to Nanchang.
• Accommodations range from local style, very basic hostels to 3 and 4 star properties in Jindezhen and Nancheng,

“We can customize a private journey for a family or group of friends to this new area. Go now, it won’t be a secret for long,” she adds.

Asia Transpacific Journeys can arrange a visit to Sanqingshan National Park for clients on a custom, private basis to include both the famous, classic sites and those hidden jewels known to the few that seem destined for fame. Custom Journeys feature expert guides, and typically beautiful boutique hotels in authentic style. Land cost per person/per day starts at $350 per person per day for Custom China Travel.

A 19-day sample itinerary could highlight the following:

Day 1-2
En route/Shanghai
Day 3-5
Shanghai/Zhujiajiao
Day 6-8
Sanqingshan National Park
Day 9-11
Chongqing/Yangtze River Cruise
Day 12-13
Ping An
Day 14-15
Guilin/Yangshuo
Day 16
Xian
Day 17-18
Beijing/Great Wall

About Asia Transpacific Journeys
Asia Transpacific Journeys is a Boulder, Colorado based Asia travel company and Asia tour operator specializing in Custom Journeys and Small Group Trips to Asia and the Pacific region since 1987. Outstanding service, long-standing connections in Asia and deeply insightful cultural interpretation make them the Asia travel company of choice for the American Museum of Natural History, The Harvard and Yale alumni associations, the World Wildlife Fund, as well as discerning individuals, their families and friends.

http://www.AsiaTranspacific.com

Maverick Business Adventures™ Announces “Gold Medal Winter Games”

Plus Six New Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventures
For Successful Entrepreneurs in 2009

POTOMAC, MD, Sept 16 – Maverick Business Adventures™, the business networking group for high-adrenaline CEO’s and entrepreneurs, announces its own Lake Placid winter games in late 2008 plus six new adventures on its 2009 calendar.

“Gold Medal Winter Games” Dec. 12-15 in Lake Placid, NY, is MBA’s fourth group outing for 2008. Up to 28 guests who pay $8,824 each will compete for the Gold at the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. Participants will enjoy the Olympic bobsledding course, snowmobiling, luge / skeleton, curling, biathlon target shooting, skiing, hockey and more. Unique business sessions will be conducted at the site of the famous ‘Miracle on Ice’ 1980 Olympic hockey rink. The rate includes single-occupancy accommodations, most meals, transportation during the adventures, Albany, NY airport pick-up and return plus access to the winter sports competitions.

For details see www.maverickbusinessadventures.com/wintergames/.

Yanik Silver, founder, has been successful in expanding the MBA membership and is on track to hit 100 members by the end of 2008, just nine months since its inception. A major benefit of membership is the opportunity to participate in high-adrenaline programs that intersperse action with business building and brainstorming sessions on everyday issues and solutions.

The annual MBA membership fee is $10,000. The average cost of an all-inclusive multiple-night adventure ranges from $6,000 to $9,000. “Just one good idea, one new resource or one powerful connection would pay for the trip 100 times over,” says Silver. “And since the trip and MBA memberships may qualify as tax deductions, one’s cost is significantly less in real dollars.”

Part of the MBA mission is also to give back and help empower future entrepreneurs. MBA gives money and provides live and virtual educational products and programs for aspiring entrepreneurs sourced in communities where adventure trips are held.

There’s also a celebrity factor built into each trip where members have the chance to interact and learn from inspirational entrepreneur celebrities. These celebrity superstars participate in adventures as well as informal business sessions. A yet-to-be-named business or Olympic icon will attend the Lake Placid event. Past celebrity guests have included Jesse James, founder of West Coast Choppers; NFL champions and entrepreneurs Darren Woodson and Carl Banks; Dr. Peter Diamandis, Founder of the X-Prize, action sports superstar Tony Hawk, and visionary real estate developer Frank McKinney.

Maverick Business Adventures’™ just announced 2009 event schedule includes:

Jan. 28 – Feb. 2: “Maverick Ultimate Baja Race Car Experience and Super Bowl Party” – Northern Baja, Mexico. Guests take private helicopters round trip from San Diego to the world-famous Horsepower Ranch near Ensenda, Mexico, for three outrageous days of Baja racing over sections of the famous ‘Baja 1000’ race route. There will be one full day of business sessions and playing on the Sea of Cortez in San Felipe, MX, plus a celebrity VIP Super Bowl party with a former NFL great.

April 1 – 5: “Maverick Hang 10 Experience” – Oahu, Hawaii. This Hawaii immersion incorporates experiences on land, sea and in the air with paragliding, kayaking to the Mokulua Islands, swimming with wild dolphins and surfing the Banzai Pipeline, all with private group instruction.

June 4 – 8: “Maverick Road Rally & F1 Experience” – Manhattan to Montreal. Participants drive their own luxury, classic or exotic car from Manhattan to Montreal taking part in the exclusive Maverick Road Rally & Poker Run. Once across the border guests receive exclusive VIP access to the world famous Montreal F1 Race with behind-the-scenes time with the Johnnie Walker F-1 race car.

Aug. 5 – 9: “Ultimate Maverick Viking Expedition” – Iceland. This adventure includes snow kiting, snowmobiling, exploring ice caves, dog sledding and scuba diving to the “center of the earth” in the clear waters of Silfra Ravine, located directly on top of the rift between the continents of N. America and Europe.

Oct. 22 – 25: “Maverick Great Whites & Wine Experience” – Northern California. Guests will come face-to-face with the some of the ocean’s fiercest predators while cage diving with the Great White Sharks off the Farrallon Islands. The adrenal high continues with Formula Race Car driving school, hot air ballooning and mountain biking. There’s also behind-the-scenes access to a celebrity vintner.

A self-described “adventure junkie,” serial Internet entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, Silver has found that his own life-changing experiences such as running with the bulls, bungee jumping, sky diving, exotic car road rallies and Zero-Gravity flights have brought a profound sense of accomplishment and led to breakthroughs in ideas, focus and business thinking.

New Trader Travel Article: Adventure in South Africa

Check out my latest travel article for TraderDaily.com. In “Air, Land and Water– Live Risk in All Elements,” you will live on the edge. Fly in a fighter jet, drive a Formula 1 race car and SCUBA dive with sharks. If you are rich and desperate for a thrill, this is where you’ll find it.

This is an Alexander & Kent Extreme Adventure trip, so it’s far from cheap. But, for those with the means, it should not be missed.

Read the full article on TraderDaily.com >>

Go straight to the horse’s mouth >>

Tough, but Fair

I have to be honest; the Hotel Helix sucked. So, I gave it two stars on TripAdvisor, because that’s what the hotel deserved. Life’s a bitch. They need to step up their game if they want me to come back.

 

Read about the Hotel Helix on TripAdvisor >>

Read the Wandering Blogger’s coverate of Hotel Helix >>

Sheer Insanity from the Leading Hotels of the World

This is fucking nuts. Hotel chain “Leading Hotels of the World is offering a deep discount to celebrate its 80th anniversary– think 1928. For 80 minutes on October 1, guests will be able to log in and book a room with this companies properties for the low price of $19.28 per night. No bullshit. I doubt everyone will get a taste, but at least we all have a shot. I’m gunning for a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Check it out for yourself >>

New Trader Travel Article: On the Edge in New Zealand

Check out my latest article on TraderDaily.com– it covers the New Zealand “Adrenaline Adventure” from Alexander & Kent. This is one crazy experience, with hang gliding, bungie jumping and other stupidity.

Again, this is A&K, so you know it costs an absolute fortune. But, for those with no love of life and plenty of cash to fuel their demises, this gig would be absolutely ideal. I wish I’d been able to go on this one rather than write about it from the comfort of my desk … despite being deathly afraid of heights.

Eh, such is the writer’s poverty …

Check out the full article >>

Kenya: Vacation + Rifle Support

This was a fun excursion to cover for TraderDaily.com. While I wasn’t able to go– and wrote the articles from secondary materials and interviews– I did find the entire concept to be nothing short of fascinating. If you have the inclination (and the means) to go on this trip, I’d definitely suggest doing so. I sure as shit would.

The Kenya experience, which includes a rifle-toting guide to protect you from the wildlife, is one of many programs offered by A&K Extreme Adventures. These guys deliver thrills to the wealthy, quite simply. So, if you have one of those jobs where you have to work your ass off in exchange for fantastic pay, this is where you need to be.

Have the bucks to pull this off? Check out the whole experience at A&K Extreme Adventures, Kenya >>

Read the review in TraderDaily >>

Raffles Hotels & Resorts Extends Its Presence to Los Cabos, Mexico

Raffles Cabo San Cristobal scheduled to open in 2011

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced that it will manage a new resort at Mexico. Cabo San Cristobal is located along Mexico’s coastline, about a 2-½-hour flight from Los Angeles, and features stunning scenery, pristine beaches and exceptional weather all year long. 

Raffles Cabo San Cristobal will be spread over 80 acres of beachfront property, offering guests breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.  The resort will feature 130 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each one exuding the luxury and residential charm that Raffles is renowned for, and a range of exquisite dining and bar options for celebrated dining.

State-of-the-art meeting facilities will make Raffles Cabo San Cristobal a splendid destination for executive retreats and corporate incentive programs.  Travelers seeking an enchanting spa experience can look forward to pampering treatments at a spacious RafflesAmrita Spa, a signature component at all Raffles hotels and resorts.

Raffles Cabo San Cristobal will have a wide selection of leisure activities, including golf, scuba-diving, snorkeling, romantic sunset cruises, as well as some of the best sports fishing in the world.  The resort is a short drive from the town of Cabo San Lucas, which is renowned for offering spectacular whale-watching opportunities when massive gray whales from the Bering Sea in Alaska return to the warm waters of Southern Baja California.  The area also plays host to some of the world’s most prominent sport fishing events, including Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament and the Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament. 

Raffles Cabo San Cristobal is a short distance from Los Cabos International Airport, which is served by several international airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines and Continental Airlines offering flights from North American gateway cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.

Said Albert Maes, Managing Director, Cabo San Cristobal Resorts, “The name Raffles enjoys tremendous recognition within the niche luxury segment and we are very pleased to be introducing this prestigious brand to Mexico.  We look forward to working with Raffles Hotels & Resorts on this project.”

Diana Ee-Tan, President, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, commented, “Los Cabos is one of the fastest growing resort destinations in Mexico, favored by affluent travelers.  We are delighted to be part of this growth and are extremely gratified Raffles has been entrusted with managing this luxurious resort in this renowned leisure destination.”