Imperial Tours is offering an eight night luxury Culinary Tour of China, covering Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Highlights include a white linen banquet atop a little known section of the Great Wall, an exclusive meal in the home of Chairman Mao's personal chef, a private cooking lesson given by the Executive Chef of the prestigious Whampoa Club, a traditional tea ceremony and tasting, a visit to one of China's largest seafood markets, amazing meals at world class restaurants,  » 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 »

by Wendy Perrin Twenty years of interviewing travel agents and tour operators for “The Perrin Report” and other Condé Nast Traveler articles has given me a well-thumbed directory of the most trusted insiders – people who offer the best combination of specialized knowledge (based on firsthand travel experience), local connections, user-friendliness, and value for your dollar. Each year my team and I evaluate hundreds of new applicants to this list,  » Read more »

reported by Scott Goetz There are far more than seven potential wonders of the world for elite travelers. Ancient as well  as modern sites, natural as well as man-made creations—they all hold appeal. But how do you  decide which seven are must-visits? Our list of top wonders not only takes into account the spot’s  beauty and rarity, but also the level of opulence and exclusivity.  » Read more »

by Richard David Story I’ve never been one to take birthdays or anniversaries all that seriously, but, well this time around I couldn’t resist. Despite the fact that there’s no fuchsia-colored bow or special banner packaging or a 20-page portfolio of biggest hits, the September 2009 issue marks the 20th anniversary of DEPARTURES. Do we call it “anniversary,” or is it just a birthday?  Who cares…you get the point… Departures &  » Read more »