Celebrating Chinese New Year with fireworks

Today is the start of the main Chinese festival, the Chinese New Year - also known as the Spring Festival. The Chinese calendar is made up of a cycle of twelve years, with each year representing a different animal. This year marks the start of the year of the Dragon, the only mythical creature in the Chinese calendar, and is looked upon as one of the luckiest of all the animals.

As the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, New Year’s Day can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February in the Gregorian calendar. Festivities begin with the new moon and last for 15 days, ending on the date of the full moon with the Lantern festival.

New Year customs and traditions vary widely throughout China and around the world, but one of the overriding themes is to remember the family and wish everyone peace and prosperity in the coming year. 

Take a look at other festivals and holiday ideas for January  

To book a tailor-made trip to China, call one of our specialists on 01993 838 220 or contact us online.

The instantly recognisable great white shark

Shark fin soup is a delicacy in many parts of Asia but it has also become highly controversial as it’s thought to be the major cause in the dramatic decline in global shark populations. Indeed, estimates for the number of sharks culled annually for the trade, range from a staggering 35-70 million, despite the fact that 30% of shark species are threatened with extinction.

Now, however, the Peninsula Hotels Group (we use their hotels in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bejing and Bangkok) will become the first major chain to stop serving it as of January 2012.

It’s a major breakthrough for campaigners who see the practice as cruel, unnecessary and unsustainable.

The ubiquitous smartphone: fast becoming the ideal companion when abroad

Today, there are literally thousands of travel apps (or applications) on the market for smartphones. I’ve picked my top 10, some of which are free to download.

Have a look and see if you agree?

If you have a favourite travel app which isn’t on this list, send it to us via the comments field!

1. Postagram Travel App

Take a photo with your smartphone and with the click of a button, Postagram will mail a physical postcard, along with a 140-character message of your choosing, anywhere in the world. It currently costs the equivalent of 99 US cents per postcard.

2. Off Exploring

There’s no need to lug a heavy laptop around anymore. With the Off Exploring app on your smartphone you can add your locations and photographs. You even get your own free web address so that friends and family can not only see what you’re up to, they can leave comments as well.

3. Google Translate

Often the most daunting aspect for many people when abroad is the language barrier. However, with Goggle’s Translate app things are now a whole lot easier. Type or speak into your phone and let it instantly translate into 17 languages. You’ll need to speak clearly though!  

4. GeoTipper
Tipping can be a bit of a minefield when abroad, sometimes leading to embarrassing situations. Geo Tipper works by giving you recommendations on how much you should add to your bill. It currently covers 42 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

5. Photosynth

Reviewing your photos often comes with a tinge of disappointment and the reason is often because you’re only seeing a part of what your eyes originally saw. With Photosynth, however, you can stitch together your photos to create real panoramic images. You can even send 360-degree views to friends and family while you’re abroad. 

6. TuneIn Radio

It’s comforting to take some old favourites with when travelling. With the TuneIn Radio app you can now take with you your favourite radio stations, music artists, sports and many more. It currently offers over 50,000 stations for you to choose from.

 7. Google Sky Map

Some locations in the world are perfect for the Google Sky Map app; if you’re in the middle of the Outback or Atacama Desert, simply point your phone at the night sky and it will show the planets and constellations.

8. Currency Exchange

We all need to know how much our money is worth when abroad. With the Currency Exchange app you can make sure you haven been short-changed, or are getting the best rate. This app is always up-to-date as well as it tracks currency changes around the world in real time.

9. Weather Pro

If you’re British, chances are you’ll be obsessed by the weather, so you’ll definitely want this app. It features seven-day forecasts and reports for over two million locations around the world, which includes Europe, America, Africa and Asia.

10. Trailhead

If your holidays are activity based then the Trailhead app could be for you. It finds walking/hiking trails and bike routes in your location, based on your GPS coordinates. It also tracks your route, distance, speed and elevation in real-time. You can then download this data onto a map to see exactly where you’ve been.

Pandas head to Edinburgh Zoo from China

With all the bad news that appears in the press normally, it’s nice to come across a positive, heartwarming story once in a while, and this is exactly what I found when having a look around the BBC news site yesterday.

Two pandas, named Sunshine and Sweetie, are on their way to Edinburgh Zoo from their home in China, in the hope that they will breed. Panda reproduction is notoriously difficult as females are only fertile for one day a year and, as Wei Ming explains in the video, there also needs to be a mutual attraction!

It is costing Edinburgh Zoo a whopping £700,000 a year for each bear, plus another £70,000 to feed their bamboo habit. They will be staying in Scotland’s capital for 10 years and the zoo hopes they will prove so popular that their visitor numbers double.

Visit the BBC website to watch this video and find out more about China’s panda conservation effort.

Prawn and tuna sashimi in Japan

The culinary king is dead. After a constant struggle for the top spot, France has this year been toppled by the gastronomically-blessed Japan, with the country now home to the highest number of three-star Michelin restaurants in the world!

And it’s not just the country’s capital, Tokyo, where great food can be enjoyed in abundance – Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara have also been described as having, “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.” Just one more reason to visit this wonderful country!

Japan will be officially recognised as the ‘culinary capital of the world’ in the 2012 edition of the Michelin Guide, which is due for release very soon.

To find out more about visiting Japan on a tailor-made holiday with Audley to try out the culinary delights for yourself, please take a look at the Japan section of our website. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our Japan specialists directly on 01993 838 210.

Fujiya Hotel, Hakone, Japan

I’ve just received an email from our Japan Regional Manager, Laura, who passed on this encouraging feedback from an employee of the Fujiya Hotel, a property that we love in Hakone and one that we always like our clients to experience if they are in the area:

“I have worked at Fujiya Hotel in Hakone, Japan for nine years now. As the only native English speaker at the hotel I have the privilege of welcoming almost all the guests from abroad. There is something special about the guests that have used Audley Travel. In my opinion, those guests are more relaxed and enjoy their trip more because of the information you have prepared for them. When I see that black binder organised by location with all the pamphlets, directions and tickets, I know that those guests are going to enjoy their trip.

I have also met all the Japan sales specialists at Audley Travel because they stay at the hotel, complete a company inspection form and research the Hakone area. I don’t know of another company that does that so thoroughly.

I just wanted to tell you of the great service you provide for your customers. You may not see it or hear it over there, but on this side of the world I notice it with every guest from Audley Travel.

All the best for your continued success!”

It’s always nice to read such positive feedback!

If you would like more information on visiting Hakone as part of a tailor-made trip to Japan, please visit the Japan section of our website.

Audley Food Festival 2011

Friday 23rd September 2011 was the date of the first ever Audley Food Festival and, as with anything food related at Audley, the event was tipped to be a merry affair!

With each department given the task of cooking food from their region of the world and decorating their stands accordingly, the pressure was on to outshine the rest. More importantly, the event was being attended by Masterchef runner-up (and brother to Ben Whitaker, one of Audley’s India specialists) Tom Whitaker, whose job it was to taste test all of the food on offer before choosing a winning department.

For those of us who do not cover a specific area of the world, we were able to pick another country or region not covered by our programmes. The Ticketing department chose to represent Italy, while the Upper West Wing, which consists of e-Commerce, Marketing, I.T, Finance, HR, Commercial, Operations and Journey Desk, went with a USA theme, or more specifically, the TV programme, ‘The West Wing’.

With a fine spread on offer, the tasting began and not surprisingly it didn’t take long for the rest of the company to follow suit, tucking into such delights as Hoth’s Khmer curry and a tasty North African tagine.

After Ticketing and Upper West Wing were crowned the overall winners by Tom, it was time for the Masterchef contestant to give a select few employees a lesson in butchery and knife skills before the two winning teams went head-to-head with a Ready, Steady, Cook style omelette making competition. After some more taste testing by Tom, who was faced with some very dodgy-looking omelettes, the Ticketing department finally walked away with the prestigious title of ‘Winning Stand’.

The evening’s festivities continued with a bake sale and more food and drink before the sun went down.

Many thanks to Tom for popping along to teach us a thing or two about cooking, as well as judging some appealing (and not so appealing!) dishes! A big pat on the back also to Audley’s social committee for arranging such a successful social event, I certainly hope we will get to indulge again next year!

St Basil's, Moscow

If you’re going to be passing through Moscow airport any time soon, why not give the Sleepbox a go?

Designed to offer travellers a place to lay their head for an hour or two during long periods of waiting at the airport, this free-standing, mobile wooden box comes complete with a bed, luggage space, WiFi, electrical sockets and an LCD TV.

However, as the name suggests, the Sleepbox is only 1.4 metres wide, two metres in length and 2.3 metres in height, making it sound more like a coffin that a space in which to relax to me!

The designers of the Sleepbox plan to expand and locate these wooden boxes in train stations, expo centres and in busy offices.

Perhaps, this invention will offer a bit of respite for those who find themselves with a lengthy delay or connection, but I’m not sure it’s something I’ll be trying any time soon!

British Airways plane in flight

Beijing has recently started building what it hopes will be the biggest airport in the world, estimating that over 370,000 passengers could pass through its doors every day.

Born out of an ever-increasing demand on the city’s existing airport that handled 73 million travellers last year, the new Beijing Daxing airport could see up 120 million passengers p.a., making it the world’s busiest aviation hub.

The airport is set to open in 2015 and will be complimented by a new, high-speed train that will mean travellers can get from the airport to the city in 30 minutes. However, the new construction hasn’t impressed everyone, with environmentalists warning about the effects the higher volume of air traffic will have on the country’s pollution problems and high greenhouse gas emissions.

To find out more about tailor-made holidays to China, visit the China section of our website, or speak to a specialist directly on 01993 838 220.

Geisha in autumn, Japan

A city in Japan is doing all it can to keep up traditional geisha culture after numbers in the area dropped significantly from 200 to five in just 30 years.

Shimoda, a small seaside city in Shizuoka prefecture, has announced it is to launch a scheme paying young women to learn the traditional ways of the geisha in a bid to save this dying art.

The image of a geisha shuffling down a lantern lit, cobbled street is one of the most iconic symbols of Japan, however, a common misconception is that geisha are a form of prostitute. In truth, these elusive and graceful women simply entertain their clients, male and female, with conversation, dance, music and drink pouring.

As part of the scheme, three trainee geisha will receive payment from Japan’s central government employment subsidies for a six-month period, during which they will be trained fully in traditional singing, dancing and instrument playing. After this training period, the geisha will take part in an annual city festival.

What a great way of keeping such a treasured piece of Japanese heritage alive!

You can take part in a walk around the geisha district of Kyoto to learn about this ancient culture and hopefully spot one of these beautiful women in the flesh, as part of a tailor-made trip to Japan with Audley.

Alternatively, call one of our Japan specialists directly on 01993 838 210 to discuss your ideas further.

The Great Wall of China

You have until 20th November 2011 to visit Cultural Revolution: State Graphics in China in the 1960s and 1970s, a fascinating exhibition currently being held at the Ashmolean museum in Oxford.

The exhibition opened its doors to visitors in March of this year displaying recent acquisitions of Chinese graphic art from the period of the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976).

Here is what they Ashmolean website has to say about the exhibition:

“The visual world of China during the 1960s and ‘70s was largely state-controlled, and even images without overt political content were produced within state-owned publishing houses, factories, and work units – all run in accordance with political directives.

Images of Mao Zedong abound, with other subjects ranging over revolutionary figures bearing slogans; industrial and agricultural achievements; and scenes from the revolutionary operas controlled by Mao’s wife, Jiang Qing. Images also played a part in public educational campaigns, promoting literacy and health, with Soviet ‘socialist realism’ art as a clear source of inspiration.”

To find out more about this exhibition, please visit the Ashmolean website.

If you would like to find out more about visiting China on a tailor-made trip of the country, visit the China section of our website, or speak to a China specialist directly on 01993 838 220.

Russia has announced plans to build a hotel in space

Forget space travel, that’s old news. For those with a thirst for adventure, Russia has unveiled plans to build a hotel in space, officially called the Commercial Space Station!

The hotel, which is due to open in 2016, will include four cabins that can house seven guests, who will spend two days aboard a Soyuz rocket to reach the hotel.

A five-day stay will cost £100,000, on top of £500,000 for the journey, so it’s not for those looking for a budget holiday, but would certainly offer some interesting holiday snaps!

The iconic Hong Kong skyline

2012 will be the Year of the Dragon and to celebrate the Hong Kong Tourist Board will be hosting a number of events in London throughout September.

With a focus on food, a street festival will take place on Molton Street from 12th to 18th September. This will include live street entertainment and displays as well as an information stand from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

From 12th to 25th September at Mews of Mayfair, Lancashire Court, HKTB will be hosting a food promotion, where diners can enjoy a specially crafted menu inspired by one of Hong Kong’s top Michelin starred chefs.

For more information on this event, visit the Hong Kong – Live in London Facebook page.

To find out about tailor-made trips to China, including a city stop in Hong Kong, visit the China section of our website. You can also stop over in Hong Kong as part of a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Tuna auction at the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo

Tokyo‘s famous Tsukiji  fish market has recently re-opened to the public following months of closure due to the earthquake that hit the country in March.

Well-known for its tuna auctions, the market is a hit with many travellers to Tokyo, whose early morning visits are rewarded with a frenetic and fast-paced atmosphere in the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.

The market can be visited as part of a tailor-made trip to Japan with Audley, however, group sizes have now been reduced to 60 and time allowed viewing has been reduced to 30 minutes as the market is first and foremost a business. No trip to the market would be complete without a sushi or sashimi breakfast before leaving though, which comes highly recommended by our Japan specialists!

To find out more about tailor-made trips to Japan, visit the Japan section of our website.

One of Mr Fleming's photos from his recent China trip.

Two Audley clients, who recently returned from a trip to China have sent in some of the photos they took along the way.

Mr and Mrs Fleming, who travelled to China along with their son in August, returned with some wonderful images which we are keen to share.

To take a look at all of Mr Fleming’s photos, visit his Flickr page.

If you would like to find out more about tailor-made trips to China, please visit the China section on our website.

Stars of the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

After five long years of reconstruction, Moscow‘s famous Bolshoi theatre is due to reopen this October with a grandiose gala concert.

This iconic theatre, world-renowned for its ballet and opera performances, has rebuilt it’s main stage on which a first season premiere of ”Ruslan and Lyudmila” by Glinka will be presented.

Throughout the 2011/2012 season, world premieres will be performed on the renovated main stage along with the renewed masterpieces of Russian ballet and opera.

If you would like to spend an evening at the Bolshoi as part of a tailor-made holiday to Russia, please visit the Russia section of our website.

Mixed sushi

How would you like to see your very own sushi creation on a restaurant menu in London? Well, now you can!

Tsuru, which has three branches in London at Bankside, Mansion House and Bishopsgate, is giving sushi enthusiasts the chance to send in their very own sushi recipes. Five lucky finalists will then be invited to attend a sushi making session at Tsuru where an expert sushi chef will create the finalists’ rolls before voting on their favourite, alongside Tsuru’s owners. The overall winner will receive a magnum of Bollinger and will be able to bask in the glory of having their creation added to the Tsuru menu!

If you would like to enter Tsuru’s competition, send the name and ingredients of your maki roll (ingredients to go inside your roll and on the outside) to sushi@tsuru-sushi.co.uk  by 8th August 2011. Find out more about Tsuru on the Tsuru website.

To discover more about Japanese food, read our Japanese Cuisine travel guide.

“Having been to Japan many times before, I was expecting it to feel different this time, given the circumstances. However, Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima all felt very “normal” and the Japanese people were as welcoming and friendly as ever. As usual, everything ran like clockwork on the trip and served to remind me how fun it is to travel in Japan.

Before the earthquake and tsunami, Japan was booming as a tourist destination and we had seen a huge increase in enquiries compared to last year. We have recently seen interest coming back, with clients now feeling confident in returning to Japan. We had several clients visit Japan in the aftermath of the disaster, who have returned with glowing reports on their trips. You can see more on this on our post ‘Travellers are returning to Japan’.

Now is the perfect time to be booking travel for October and November to see the stunning changing colours of the autumn leaves, or for spring next year to time your visit with the famed cherry blossoms.”

To find out more about tailor-made trips to Japan visit the Japan section of our website, or call on of our Japan specialists on 01993 838 210 to discuss your ideas further.

One of the photos included in Skye's fundraising efforts

You may remember that a couple of months ago I wrote a blog about a photographer called Skye Hoffman who, after living in Japan for five years, felt inspired to help the country after this year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

As a professional photographer, Skye decided to sell some of her Japan prints, with all proceeds going towards the Red Cross efforts in Japan. Photos were also donated by Canadian photographer Kate Inglis and Japanese photographer and blogger Ai.

I have just received an email from Skye and am delighted to report that her efforts have generated over $600 to this worthy appeal.

If you would like to contribute you can still purchase a print or two on Skye Hoffman’s website. They really are beautiful, and what better way to support the cause?

Congratulations once again to Skye for raising such a substantial amount of money for a very worthwhile cause.

The McCurdie family celebrate Christmas Day in the Masai Mara, Kenya

“Our visit to Malacca was an intriguing end to our visit to Malaysia, a country where numerous traditions, religions, cultures and cuisines meet and blend harmoniously.”
Nigel Wright, Malaysia

“Our heads and hearts are full of the images, sights, sounds, and smells, but perhaps the most lingering image of all is the one of the Cambodian people.”
Valerie and Raymond Gatward, Cambodia

“To have spent the time with the wonderfully friendly people of the Governor’s Camp among the enchanting wildlife of the Masai Mara made it an experience we shall treasure forever.”
Dr Ian McCurdie, Masai Mara in Kenya

These are just some of the comments we have received and which you can read in full in our Client Stories section of the Audley Magazine.

How to send us your Audley travel stories
It’s easy, if you’ve been on a trip with us simply click on this link and upload your text and photos. If you do you’ll also have a chance to win a £50 Bobbooks’ photobook voucher.

Gotokuji temple in Tokyo

When a tsunami struck the coast of Japan at the start of March the rest of the world could only watch as one of the country’s worst natural disasters began to unfold. Then, the news came of the damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant and it seemed things couldn’t get any worse for Japan.

Perhaps understandably, this devastating news put many people off travelling to Japan and with daily updates appearing in the world’s media, who could blame them?

But as the media hype dies down, so do many people’s worries, and slowly travellers are returning to this popular destination. Indeed it would seem that many Audley clients are not letting Japan’s recent issues deter them from travelling here. Our Japan Group Tour, which departs in October, is now fully booked.

One Audley client, Emlyn Jones, did not let Japan’s recent issues stop him from travelling to the country, and he visited in April 2011 along with his wife. He had this to say:

“My wife and myself visited Japan in April, spending 16 nights in various locations. We travelled to Japan 4 weeks after the Sendai tragedy. The decision to travel was difficult, not because of any imagined danger but just wondering what would be best for the Japanese people. The holiday truly was one of a “lifetime”.

The Japanese people were a pure delight to meet, the country is full of pleasurable surprises. Had we not known in advance that there had been a catastrophe we would never have guessed. All facilities and infrastructure were first class and the arrangements made by Audley Travel were seamless. A very happy time for us.”

Ann enjoying the blossom

Bob Robinson and Shirley Smith travelled to Japan with us in March and had this to say:

“We went skiing in Japan for two weeks at the beginning March then onto New Zealand to visit parents, returning on the 4th April for a further three weeks. The skiing conditions in March were perfect; fresh snow most nights and blue skies during the day. Most Japanese only ski in January and February and then go back to work in March. The hotels were fairly quiet and the restaurants most welcoming. Despite all the ongoing problems at the time everything still worked like clockwork.

We flew back to Tokyo for our second visit to “chase the cherry blossom” as it opened across the countryside. Audley’s itinerary took in the principal sights from Tokyo westward to Kanazawa, via the Kiso Valley, various castles onto Kyoto and finally to finish off the holiday a few days on Miyajima Island. It was simply wonderful. Although we met only a handful of Europeans, the Japanese were so friendly, accommodating and genuinely pleased to see us. The ryokan and hotels went out of their way to be as helpful as possible and the restaurants greeted us like long-lost friends and provided the most amazing delicacies.

Having travelled most of the world, we would rate this as one of the most memorable, relaxing and fascinating holidays; we cannot recommend Japan enough.”

Bob and Shirley travelled to Japan in March 2011

Of course, Japan’s north is still experiencing some difficulties but the reality is very few tourists would normally visit this area anyway. The situation outside of these specific areas has largely returned to normal and most visits are trouble-free. The FCO is currently advising against all but essential travel to those areas in northeast Japan most affected by the 11th March earthquake and tsunami. The website also states that “although the situation at Fukushima will remain of concern for some time, the risks are gradually declining as facilities to stabilise the reactors are established.”

At 490 metres the Ritz-Carlton takes up floors 102 to 118 of  the International Commerce Centre on Kowloon and offers stunning views of Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour. The hotel has six dining options available, from a roof-top bar to an Italian restaurant, as well as a spa, gym and infinity pool. All guest rooms offer either a harbour or city view.

An impressive addition to one of the world’s most recognisable skylines, it will be interesting to see how it fares against Hong Kong’s legendary hotels such as the Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental.

China is a wonderful place to holiday with a family

When thinking about where to go on a family holiday I am sure a number of Audley’s destinations instantly spring to mind: Canada, a safari in Africa, Australia perhaps? Well, what about a family holiday in China?

Perhaps not a destination traditionally considered ‘family-friendly’, but don’t let this misconception put you off. In fact, China has a lot to offer family members of all ages. From Kung-Fu demonstrations and the Beijing Aquarium (one of the largest in the world), to meeting the giant panda and cycling through the Guilin countryside, there is plenty to keep the kids occupied and happy. 

To find out more about travelling to China with your family, take a look at our country guide.

Supporting Japan

With the world still reeling from the horrific events that have unfolded in Japan this last week, our thoughts have turned to how we as a company can help. Last Friday’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami is fast becoming one of the worse natural disasters Japan has ever seen, and we are keen to do everything we can to offer our support.

One of the ways we can help is to back fundraising events directly supporting the relief efforts in Japan. One such event is being organised by Skye Hohmann, a photographer who lived in Japan for five years. Skye will be organising a print sale of Japanese images, with all of the proceeds being donated to the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.  

To find out more about the print sale, please visit Skye Hohmann’s website. You can also donate to the British Red Cross through our homepage.

The tiger is the largest of all the big cats but unfortunately one of the most endangered.

Okay, they haven’t somehow migrated from Asia or even been released by mistake, they are in fact being reared there – or should I say ‘trained’ there - for a very good reason.

Unfortunately, the Chinese sub species of tiger (thought by some naturalists to be literally the mother of all tiger species) is highly endangered. In fact, their numbers are so low many believe it’s just a matter of time before the species dies out altogether.

It’s against this background that a plan was hatched to relocate several captive tigers to the Laohu Valley Reserve in South Africa, so that they can learn how to hunt and live in the wild, as well as to hopefully breed.

This programme has been going on since 2004 and the first of these South Chinese tigers bred in South Africa are due to be re-introduced to reserves in China in just a few months time – the target is April this year for the first stage.

We hope to update you with news of how this goes later in the year.

If you would like to see tigers in the wild on a tailor made trip with Audley, then visit the India section of our website.