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Beirut is reborn as a glitzy playground for tourists

Jan 22

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Do, Middle East, See, TripClips | No Comments

By Veronica Gould Stoddart, USA TODAY
BEIRUT — On a mild Tuesday evening in downtown Beirut, the city’s young and beautiful are bellying up to the hottest night spot, the bohemian Gemmayzeh neighborhood. Model-chic Beiruti women, sporting skinny pants, stiletto boots and cascading tresses, cluster in groups or with dates inside the hip bars, pubs and restaurants that line this milder Middle East version of Bourbon Street.

Not far away, in the Old World-style Albergo boutique hotel, visiting Michelin-starred chefs from France are dishing out meals for a sold-out crowd that takes Beirut’s sophisticated dining scene for granted.

PHOTO GALLERY: Beirut bounces back

During the summer, the trendy flock to swank rooftop clubs — Noir, Sky Bar or White Bar, where Champagne bottle service can run $10,000 — to dance till dawn.

Call it Sex and the City meets South Beach.

Beirut’s sizzling nightlife, from gritty to glam, helped drive a record tourism year in 2009. Overcoming a reputation as a Middle East trouble spot, Lebanon welcomed nearly 2 million visitors last year, a 39% increase over 2008. It was the No. 1 destination for tourism growth in the world, according to the World Tourism Organization.

‘Joie de vivre’ draws Arabs, Westerners

“Lebanon is back,” Nada Sardouk, Lebanon’s tourism director general, told the Middle East news agency AMEInfo.com in December. “We’ve had 80% to 90% hotel occupancy this year. But it’s more than about just numbers. … It’s about the joie de vivre.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Beirut, Beyruth, Beyruthe, Current, Lebanon, Rebirth, Update

Americans Show Increased Interest in “Voluntourism”

Sep 23

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Do, TripClips | No Comments

(NewsUSA) – When Rose Blondin, 19, chose her vacation destination last year, she opted for hiking boots and T-shirts rather than bikinis and shades.
Blondin, a sophomore at Boston’s Emmanuel College, decided to spend her time working on a trail project with American Hiking Society (AHS) in the Smokey Mountains. “I learned so much about the environment when I went on hikes with the park ranger,” said Blondin. “The trip was a lot of hard work, but if you have a good attitude, you can really have an awesome experience.”

Blondin is not alone in pursuing non-leisure activities during vacation. The Travel Industry Association of America first noted that “voluntourism” was becoming more popular in 2005. Today, the practice has become more mainstream. Travelocity.com, a travel-booking Web site, surveyed over 1,000 travelers, and 38 percent expressed an interest in voluntourism. Some travelers make voluntourism a way of life. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: eco, ecological, tourism, volunteer, voluntourism

PRIDE Travel’s Japan Journey Begins! Our Day 0 Itinerary

Sep 5

Posted by Nathan, Owner/Manager & COO in Asia, Do, TripJournals | No Comments

Marc and I are ecstatic about our trip tomorrow. We’re going to Japan, an exotic land of historic culture, multitudes of attractions both modern and ancient, diverse locales and natural wonders, and cuisine that is world renowned. What follows is only a taste, a pu-pu platter, if you will, of our journey to come in the following days. Our Journey Begins! The itinerary of the Kanto Japan Journey, and what we get to look forward to is:

Day 1 • Depart North America for Tokyo, Japan

Day 2 • Arrive in Narita, Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s largest metropolis! Upon arriving at the airport, you will be escorted to your nearby hotel by a Super Value representative where you can take time to explore Narita or rest for tomorrow’s sightseeing.(Dinner)

Day 3 • Tokyo• Kamakura • Atami

We begin the tour by passing through Tokyo Bay Aqua Line, a bridge-tunnel across the Tokyo Bay that connects by Umihotaru, a man-made island where we will be touring and Mt. Fuji can be seen on a sunny day. Afterwards we will be heading to Kamakura, an only ancient town close to Tokyo and where we will be visit Tsurugaaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Wakamiya Street, Komachi Dori, and the Daibutsu to partake the long histories of the town. Then, we stop by Odawara to pay a visit at the historic Odawara Castle, the only fortified tower remains relatively intact in Tokyo. After check in at New Akao Hotel in Atami, you will be experience the famous ocean view hot spring, change into your Yukata and enjoy the delicious Kaiskei dinner along Karaoke singing specially arranged by Super Value Tours! (3 meals) Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Atami, Hakone, Itinerary, Japan, Journey, Kamakura, Kanto, Tokyo, travel, Trip