By James Shillinglaw It wasn’t quite the sight I would have expected. Heavy wet snow was falling on Beijing as we walked along Chang’An Avenue, the main boulevard that leads to the famed Tiananmen Square and the entrance gate to the Forbidden City. This ancient complex of palaces, courtyards, gates and gardens, perhaps Beijing’s greatest attraction, was turned into a winter wonderland that seemed to surprise even the city’s residents. After nearly 20 years in travel,  » Read more »

CONTACT: Hilari Graff at Strategic Vision Tel: 914-881-9056/9020 Imperial Tours Expands Product Offerings With New Experiences, Destinations In China SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 24, 2010) – Imperial Tours (www.imperialtours.net) is expanding its portfolio with the launch of ‘China Escapades,’ a new FIT product targeted to more independent and adventurous travelers seeking greater autonomy and a lower price to explore China’s intriguing sights, sounds and culture.  » Read more »

By Brook Wilkinson Scoring a cheap flight and a discounted hotel room is relatively easy these days. But a simple Web search isn't going to gain you entrée to a Masai village in Kenya, where you'll sleep in a traditional cowhide bed. Nor can it help you grab a spot atop one of the most popular floats during Brazil's Carnaval, so you can shake your booty in front of thousands. Or secure you a ticket to St.  » Read more »

By James Shillinglaw Imperial Tours offers an upscale way to understand this giant country. When Guy met Nancy, it was love at first sight. Indeed, it was a common love of China that brought them together in Beijing 12 years ago—and eventually led them to create Imperial Tours, a boutique tour operator that specializes in high-end China experiences. Guy Rubin is British, with a background in financial services, but he recognized early on that China was a boom market,  » Read more »

reported by Maria Shollenbarger We know what you’re thinking: with flights and hotels just a click away, it’s never been easier to plan your own trip. But at the moment when your time and money matter more than ever, a trusted travel expert can take all the hassle out of travel planning-whether you’re looking to snag that seat on a sold-out flight, book that elusive corner room with a view,  » Read more »