by Hilary Stafford-Clark Once in China it becomes obvious that for all but the most intrepid first-timer, a guided tour is almost essential. There is just too much to see, too much to absorb, in this vast country where 5,000 years of history are colliding head-on with the 21st century. Guidebooks, particularly those to Shanghai, are mainly out of date; few people speak English; and signs, except in the cities,  » Read more »

By Margarent Loftus For that special trip – whether it's soaking up the sun in the Sychelles or crossing the Gobi Desert on horseback – you'll need more than your standard, surf-the-Internet sort of planning. This is a good time to call in an expert, someone who has traveled extensively in a region, nurtured local connections, and whose affinity for the place is infectious. The best ones plan a trip with you in mind,  » Read more »

Reported and edited by David Jefferys and Nathan Lump, Illustrated by Gelman Who needs a travel agent? Who doesn't? Whether you're planning a honeymoon, a cruise around the world, or just a long weekend, a good agent can help you find the perfect place, the perfect rooms, and the perfect guides – all at the right price. For T+L's 2004 A-List, we conducted hundreds of interviews with top agents to find the ones whose knowledge,  » Read more »

Unhygienic restaurants, surly service and endless stops at "tourist-designated" shops? Fear not, luxury-lovers, for China's top-end travel market is coming of age.  by Guy Rubin, Managing Partner of Imperial Tours Few luxury tourists landing at Beijing International Airport are prepared for what they will encounter in the Middle Kingdom. The critical tenor of western media typically filters out favorable perspectives of China's development in favor of sensationalist stories,  » Read more »

Edited by Nathan Lump, Reported by David Jefferys and Shane Mitchell 125 Travel Super-Agents They're the ultimate travel experts – the super-agents who can tell you the subtle differences between Amandari and Amankila, who know whether this is a better time to go on safari in Tanzania or Botswana, who can set up a private viewing of the Terracotta Army with a single phone call. For T+L's annual A-list,  » Read more »