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Archive for category Asia

PRIDE Travel Continues Support Of Thailand Travel, Remembers Lessons Learned Last Year

May 29

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, News & Press Releases | No Comments

PRIDE Travel, a full service travel agency focusing on the GLBT or Gay and Lesbian travel segment, announced it will continue to sell travel packages and customized individual travel to Thailand, even after recent escalation of violence between the government and opposition.

Amazing_Thailand_logoTwo days before the news broke about escalating violence in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, PRIDE Travel owner Marc R. Kassouf was putting the finishing touches on a premier ad to launch the new marketing campaign in San Francisco’s theatre district. By many accounts, a resolution to mounting tension was being reached in negotiations with incumbent government officials and the demonstrating “Red Shirt Army” opposition movement. The advertisement, a full color page featuring a Thailand Gay Group with multiple departures throughout the end of 2010 and beyond, was to be PRIDE Travel’s debut into the San Francisco market in print advertising and is slated to run for four weeks in May and June. What better product to feature, thought Kassouf, than a customizable program to the Land of Smiles, where warm gracious hospitality sets the bar for the world to follow, and a destination that has been welcoming the gay traveler warmly for decades. But, when the news two days later reported the death and purported assassination of one of the opposition movement’s key figure, PRIDE Travel’s management was faced with several difficult decisions.

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Tags: bangkok, gay travel, pride travel, protest, thailand, travel, violence

PRIDE Travel Receives Telly Award for Amazing Thailand Commercial, Marking Second Award

May 28

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, News & Press Releases | No Comments

telly awardsIn announcing the winners of the 31st Annual Telly Awards, the Silver Council recognized PRIDE Travel with one of its highest awards, a bronze Telly Award, for the independent in-house. The commercial was produced in-house by PRIDE Travel’s owner and CEO Marc R. Kassouf using only readily-available media tools found on a standard office PC. The original footage was provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Mr. Kassouf initiated the project last year in order to promote the destination with a short commercial video at trade shows and events, and add it to other similar destination videos. “We’re very excited that PRIDE Travel has won a Telly for the Amazing Thailand commercial” said Kassouf, adding “this makes the second major creative industries award that the video has won, including a Gold Davey Award last year. The Amazing Thailand commercial is available for online viewing on YouTube directly via the following URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0NG8Q2i9k

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Tags: award, bronze telly, pride travel, silver telly, telly, telly awards, thailand

The World’s Weirdest Restaurants

Feb 5

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, Eat, Europe, North America, See, TripClips | 4 Comments

Even for those of us who aren’t self-professed gastronomes, many of travel’s most vivid memories are made at mealtime — we remember so well that skin-melting madras curry in Southern India or that al dente spaghetti in squid ink in Venice. So while there’s nothing inherently wrong with grabbing yet another sandwich at an international chain, sometimes solidifying the travel experience means picking the two-pound, 8,000-calorie cheeseburger or spicy silkworm larvae instead.

You can sink your teeth into these tasty dishes and a wealth of other outlandish offerings at the restaurants we’ve selected as the world’s weirdest. “Weird” is, of course, a matter of taste — as one man’s sheep’s penis is another’s Korean hot pot served in a toilet. Regardless, there’s no denying that travelers won’t soon forget eating at a restaurant devoted to a single ingredient (apples) or one that employs tiny monkey waiters. Read on to learn about nine of the world’s most unusual restaurants — happy perusing, and bon appetit!

kayabukiya tavern macaque monkey Kayabukiya Tavern: Utsunomiya, Japan
At first glance, there’s nothing particularly striking about Kayabukiya Tavern, a seemingly run-of-the-jungle Japanese sake house. Food is of the Asian comfort variety — barbecue chicken, fried dumplings and rice dishes, all washed down with a no-frills selection of beer and sake. “What’s so odd about this place?” you wonder — until a tiny, fleet-footed monkey server politely hands you a customary pre-meal hot towel.

In lieu of human servers, who are costly and sometimes prove impossible to train, the owner’s pair of macaque monkeys efficiently work the gig. Dressed in open shirts and short pants, they scamper about, delivering bottles of beer and collecting tips of edamame (steamed soy beans) for their efforts. Animal rights regulations dictate that the simians can only work a total of two hours a day (the monkeys are fighting this rule), so make sure you call ahead to avoid homo sapiens servers. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: bizarre, food, novel, odd, restaurant, restaurants, strange, unique, weird, world, world's

A Culinary Revival in Istanbul — The city’s Ottoman restaurants rediscover a legendary cuisine with cosmopolitan roots

Jan 8

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, Asia, Eat, Europe, Middle East, TripClips | 6 Comments

By J.S. MARCUS – Wall Street Journal

Istanbul

[OTTOMAN1]
Photo: Tugra, in the Ciragan Palace Kempinski hotel (Kerem Uzel for The Wall Street Journal)

Elegant restaurants along the Bosphorus prepare fish beautifully and plainly, in a Mediterranean style similar to that of Italy or Greece. In Beyoglu, Istanbul’s nightlife hub, tables are cluttered with tavern food in tapas-like portions. It’s all delicious, of course—and a little familiar.

But when you encounter a delicate rice pilaf flavored with clarified butter, or a perfect slice of baklava, the dozens of pastry layers dissolving one by one on the tongue, it’s a reminder that Istanbul is home to another cuisine, one as complicated and sophisticated as contemporary Turkish food is simple and sustaining.

The cuisine of the Ottomans, whose empire once stretched from Baghdad to Budapest, was perfected in Istanbul in the 15th and 16th centuries in the kitchens of Topkapi Palace, home of the sultans for 400 years. Ottoman control of the spice trade was at its peak, and the cuisine’s hallmark is its deft mixing of sweet and savory flavors. Today, dishes such as delicately stuffed Black Sea mackerel and sea bass flavored with mastic, an aromatic resin usually reserved for desserts, are appearing on menus at some of the best restaurants. A chef in the classical Ottoman period might have devoted his whole working life to one dish; modern-day chefs have special training and often base their interpretations on archival research.

The cuisine’s revival comes as many people in Istanbul are becoming more interested in their Ottoman heritage. The flowering of Ottoman restaurants is among the most visible results. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: cuisine, culinary Istanbul, culinary Turkey, food, good places to eat, great food, Istanbul, ottoman, Turkey

World’s Coolest Pools –Travel+Leisure

Dec 19

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, Asia, Australia & Oceana, Europe, Latin America, North America, Play, See, TripClips | 1 Comment

Get wet at these wild and wonderful swim spots.

From Travel+Leisure Magazine, December 2009 By Jimmy Im

Sally Randall Brunger, creative director of men’s knitwear line The Brungers, traverses the globe for inspiration for her collections—and she knows a cool pool when she sees one. “I can’t imagine anything more fun after a day of meetings than to toss off my heels and dip into a pool where I can swim to the bar and order my favorite cocktail.”

For the notorious “it” girl from the glamorous ’80s club era, the pool at the Grace Hotel in Times Square fits the bill. The midtown hotel has one of the most talked about pools in New York City. With two swim-up bars, live DJs, and a projector screen, it’s at the heart of the action—complete with half-naked guests.

Pools are fast evolving from background scene-setters to the main attraction. The 21st-century pool has blossomed from mere swim spot to an imaginative work of art that flaunts a “wow” factor—be it a pool elevator, a whitewater slide, hidden grotto, or interactive aquarium. With all these bells and whistles, who cares about a diving board?

Of course, a buzz-worthy pool doesn’t just happen overnight. “The interesting aspects of cool pools are in the choice and use of materials,” says Cool Pools and Hot Tubs author Vinny Lee, “and its shape should complement the surroundings and landscape.”

“It’s all too easy to design a pool that looks good, but to make strong and powerful connections to a place, a climate, a landscape, an atmosphere or a feeling—now that’s cool because it’s unrepeatable,” says Marwan Al-Sayed, one of the designers of the pool at the stunning new Amangiri resort in the Utah desert, which is built around a natural stone outcropping.

Other pools are more of a novelty attraction. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: best pool, great pool, largest pool, pool, pools, World's Best Pool

Top Ten HotSpots for High Tea — A Global Tour

Dec 14

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, Africa, Asia, Eat, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America, TripClips | No Comments

From :

SINGAPORE – Fancy a cuppa? From highbrow salons to highland plantations, the world’s best places to have tea.

1. London, England

Ladies, don your gowns; gents, start pressing your ties. Afternoon tea at the Ritz is a splendid formal affair: silver pots and fine china chink at 4 p.m. sharp under the vaulted glass and chandeliers of the Palm Court. It’s not cheap, but you’ll be in good company — this venerable hotel has served exotic infusions to everyone from King Edward VII to Charlie Chaplin. If the budget won’t stretch, try alternative institutions: the organization Classic Cafes champions the formica-countered greasy spoons of the 1950s, a dwindling number of which are still serving brews in vintage surrounds. Tie not required.

2. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia/Central Asia
Nonstop, the epic Moscow-Beijing train journey takes over six days. The best way to spend them is befriending your carriage mates — Russian businesspeople, Mongolian traders, Buddhist monks. Each car has a samovar, a hot-water urn where you can top up your mug to ward off the Siberian chill. Samovars are more than kettles: entrenched in Russian society, they’re made for communal drinking. The local saying ‘to have a sit by the samovar’ means to talk leisurely over endless cups of tea. Fill your flask — and those of your new-found friends — and watch Europe roll into Asia.

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Tags: afternoon tea, afternoon tea recommendations, best afternoon tea, best high tea, best places for tea, best tea, cream tea, formal tea, High tea, high tea recommendations, tea

PRIDE Travel Returns from Korea Discovery and Seoul City Journey, Finds New Exciting Destination for Clients to Explore

Nov 1

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, HotSpots, News & Press Releases | No Comments

Pride TravelParticipants in the Seoul Tourism Organization sponsored and hosted event return home with a fresh perspective on the fascinating culture, attractions, and exotic cuisine that form the facets of Asia’s sparkling jewel, Korea. The familiarization tour included five fast paced full days split between Gwangju, Korea’s southern culinary capital, and Seoul, it’s vibrant cultural and thriving metropolitan heart. Connecting the two cities, Korea’s KTX fast train serves as an international model of civility, hospitality, and technology in transport.

PRIDE Travel owner and Chief Operations Officer S. Nathan DePetris participated by special invitation of the Seoul Tourism Organization, joining delegates from US tour operators, journalists, travel writers, food critics, and even renowned chefs and foodies. Highlights of the trip in the southern region include visiting the eco preserve at Suncheon Bay, nearby folk village of Nagak Eup Seong, the Gwangju Design Biennale, visiting the spectacularly serene Bo Seong green tea fields, and making his own Kimchi at the Nam Do folk food museum. In Seoul, just a few of the many facets sampled were tours and stays at world-class ultra luxury hotels and resorts such as the Grand Hyatt Seoul, the W Hotel Walker Hill, and the JW Marriott, with cultural visits to the Gyeong Bok Palace, Nanta show performance, TODES performance, and a cultural cuisine kaleidoscope experience at the Korean House center.

“I was surprised,” said Mr. DePetris, referring to the many pleasant experiences had on the trip, “but not by how rich the culture and heritage is in Korea and Seoul… rather that it remains an undiscovered part of Asia by most Americans”. Restaurant owner and Chef Tommy Klauber was caught on many occasions raving about the uniqueness of the cuisine and cooking in Korea; words such as “Full” and “Rich” were often heard paired with “Unique” or “Delicious”. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Asia, gay, Korea, Seoul, tour, travel

Day 5 – Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Toyota MegaWeb, Asakusa, and Ginza

Sep 10

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, TripJournals | No Comments

Rested and relaxed from an unintentionally early sleep, we are awakened by a pleasant wake up call. Last night’s bed was such a contrast to the tatami mats of the night prior, I slept soundlessly and am fully recuperated from the wonderful activities of my Japan adventures.

Today is a full day; we are slated to check out of the hotel after breakfast this morning, tour around several areas of Tokyo, including the Imperial Palace area, Ginza, and then head over to Narita back to the Hilton for an overnight and to prepare for our flights home, thus completing the circle much like the spiritual Zen enso comes around full circle. Breakfast today is another welcome western retreat… although I would have welcomed more authentic traditional Japanese options, I have come to appreciate that breakfast at most hotels will be catering heavily to western palettes, of course, with the obligatory Miso soup and rice, and other Japanese breakfast items. The contrast of cuisines will be welcomed by first-time travelers to Japan and serves as an anchor to ‘reset’ the culinary senses for another day of exotic sights, tastes, and smells.

After our breakfast, we are greeted by the hotel’s staff, to see us off and wish us well. Although porterage of baggage has not been typically included so far (and we’re unsure if the Kao Plaza was supposed to do it, or simply did it out of courtesy), we are surprised by the helping hands that graciously sweep our luggage to our awaiting chariot (bus) with the same grace and hospitality that they did upon our arrival the afternoon prior.  One of the benefits of being conveyed by bus is Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Asakusa, Ginza, Imperial Palace, Japan, Meiji, Meiji Shrine, Shinto Shrine, Tokyo, Toyota, Toyota Mega Web, Toyota Megaweb

Day 4 – Atami to Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise, and Tokyo Shinjuku

Sep 9

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, TripJournals | 1 Comment

3:30am I am awakened numerous times and am in bad wear from sleeping on the Tatami Mat. During one of these sleep intermissions, I decide to use the bathroom. Somehow, I manage to groggily don the appropriate shoes and sit on the john. But, no sooner than my tush has touched the porcelain shrine’s seat than I get accosted by the Possessed Japanese Toilet from Hell. Some nondescript (remember, I’m still two thirds asleep) Japanese folk music starts to play from the control console, the seat begins to rumble with the ‘Auto on heat’ feature, and a jet of water wooshes from the toilet to places best left unmentioned. Yes, I was most definitely in a foul and grouchy mood now. I return to my mat after deciding that automatic toilets are most definitely a bad idea, or at the very least lacking an ‘auto safety’ timer that turns off all functions during the groggy hours for those of us lacking hand-eye-foot coordination before our morning tea or coffee.

[Nathan] After a wonderful night’s sleep on the tatami mats (Marc said it was the most uncomfortable night that he has spent) I was up at 4 AM to watch the sunrise, however the weather was not cooperating with me. Rain had arrived, driven to the island nation from a typhoon swirling somewhere out in the middle of the Pacific. Instead of braving the elements, I cozy up in the small sitting area and channel surf for a little while. I left the sound off the television, focusing on the sound of the waves crashing into shore through my open window.

This trip has been very interesting for me so far, I am typically a night owl, sleeping in as late as possible. However, the shifting of time zones has worked out in my favor this trip. I am up early each morning, and am amazed at watching how the world starts it’s day. While sitting next to the window, I notice a small fishing fleet leaving Atami Harbor, heading out to sea. This scene is reminiscent of one that you would see while watching a classic Japanese Drama film. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Atami, Blackened Eggs, Hakone, Hakone Ropeway, Keio Plaza, Lake Ashi, Onsen, Oto Oto, Owakudani, Owakudani Valley, Shinto Shrine, Tokyo, Tokyo Shinjuku

Day 3 – Narita to Kamakura’s Cultural Treasures and Atami Hot Springs Onsen

Sep 8

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, TripJournals | No Comments

Our automated wakeup call this morning was timely and funny: the heavily accented words “Good Morning” repeated over and over again with the tinny notes of Fur Elise playing gingerly in the background; unexpected, but effective in tickling the funny center of the brain and eliciting our wakeup. We are well rested and anxious to experience the cultural treasures that Kamakura will offer us on today’s walking tour, and the anticipated respite and refreshing soaks into the hot spa resort hotel in Atami. As we prepare for breakfast, Nathan notices that we have two navy patterned robes, in addition to the western terry cloth robes. Japanese style and design can be seen in the little indicative details, such as the H –presumably for Hilton- in the cotton lounging Yukata robes provided by the hotel that Nathan wore this morning.

Breakfast was a delicious table spread of continental and hot American breakfast, with a selection of Miso soup for Japanese breakfast takers; although I’m definitely one for trying new things, I passed on the hot seaweed broth for breakfaast and stuck with the western hot breakfast. On offer were many fruits and grains, yogurt, scrambled and made-to-order eggs, potatoes, sausages and bacon to name just the basics. And pastries were divine, made with true butter, not lard, which was such a pleasant surprise on par with French or Italian pastry chef delicacies. Unbelievably, even after two filling meals onboard Singapore Airlines and the comfort porridge dish last night, we were quite nosh; we enjoyed the opportunity to top-up and recharge our energy for full day ahead.

As we get underway, our tour guide Maiko outlines our trip this week and for today, Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Atami, Bath, Hot Spring, hotel, Japan, Journey, Kamakura, Kanto, Land Rising Sun, Onsen, ryokan., Tatami, Tokyo, Tokyo Aqua Line, traditional, travel, Trip

PRIDE Travel’s Japan Journey: Day 1&2 – Los Angeles to Tokyo on Heavenly Airlines (aka Singapore Airlines)

Sep 7

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in Asia, TripJournals | No Comments

Our first day’s itinerary involves getting ready for our afternoon flight, which for us entails packing and getting ready for the flight (the easy part) and taking care of last minute business details, the unending forgotten chores that pop up (the hard part), all with the sole end purpose of boarding our flight smoothly. We are able to achieve that smooth embarkation, but not as expected.

As we are traveling on special tickets arranged for us by the Japan National Tourism Organization and Super Value Tours, we do not have seat assignments; something we would never normally tolerate for ourselves or our clients winds up being a boon in disguise as we learned a few days ago that the flight is really about 70%-80% full. At check-in, however, we are not able to find our preferred seating, but have to settle for aisles across from each other. While some travelers may prefer aisles, both Nathan and I actually abhor them as inescapable bumping zones where one misstep and you can wind up with your knees bruised and arms battered. Nonetheless, we graciously accept our offered seats and plan to check the gate for changes. Perseverance pays off: while my first attempt to obtain seating does not bear fruit, I am instructed to check back shortly after commencement of general boarding. Lo and behold, we are now assigned a window and an aisle with no one in between us. Moreover, the manner and professionalism in which the seating assignment was handled would be an indicator of the great service to come. Service on Singapore Airlines is Legendary, even in coach class. So having our expectations already quite high, it is hard to believe that they were exceeded. Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Hilton Narita, Itinerary, Japan, Journey, Kanto, Land Rising Sun, Narita, Rice Bowl, Rice Porridge, Tokyo, travel, Trip

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