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While Imperial Tours is primarily known for its luxury private tours, this fall we are offering our Majestic Tour, a 10-night small group tour (maximum 16 people) covering Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou and Shanghai. This is a great way for people who prefer the camaraderie of other travelers to experience must-see China…in style. Highlights include: VIP Meet & Greet upon international arrival 4 nights in Shangri-La’s Beijing China World Summit Wing Executive Room Exclusive access to a private section of the Forbidden City not open to the public White linen banquet on a little-visited section of the Great Wall 1 night at the Xi’an Hilton in a Deluxe Room 2 nights in the Hangzhou Four Seasons Deluxe Room Private tea ceremony and tasting in a traditional tea house 3 nights in a Deluxe Riverview Room at the Peninsula Shanghai Expert-led walking tour of Colonial Shanghai 10 breakfasts,  » Read more »

My good friend Ling, a successful Chinese-American business woman, recently spent a whole night on the internet during her travels organizing her onward air tickets.  She wanted to get from Beijing to Lombok in Indonesia to join us for a vacation, and then fly on to Vienna.  I asked her the obvious question, “Have you thought of asking a travel agent to do that for you?” She hadn’t and many of her generation think similarly,  » Read more »

In an era of DIY vacations, travelers have more tools—online travel agencies, review sites, booking apps—at their fingertips than ever before. But when it comes to expert advice about a destination and customization, you can’t beat a good agent. “Today’s agents provide insider access, learn and understand your desires and personality, and are there for you 24/7, before, during, and after your trip,” says Kimberly Wilson Wetty, co-president and co-owner of Valerie Wilson Travel.  » Read more »

Joan Jonat, a China travel specialist at Protravel International based in Harrison, N.Y., loves working with clients who already know the country and are ready to visit areas they haven't seen previously.  If they are experienced, she said, there is more flexibility, and "we will do some tourist sites and we will include something that is just fun."  "Just fun" for one family this June will be participation in the annual Shangri-La Horse Racing Festival in Yunnan province near the Tibetan border.  » Read more »