March 2nd, 2011
sitka.net
Just in case you still need another reason to consider a Crystal Symphony sailing to Alaska this summer, how does helping rebuild the state’s famous salmon population sound? As part of the line’s You Care, We Care program, interested guests will visit the Sitka Sound Science Center and help with the operation and/or maintenance of the salmon hatchery or marine-life exhibits. The hatchery is the only of its kind in Alaska and provides training for hatchery professionals and releases up to 2.5 million fish, including four species of salmon each year. (The grizzlies will appreciate the efforts too!)
February 24th, 2011
Nature lovers of all ages are invited to explore the wildlife found in the Himalayas this Saturday through the paintings, sculptures, and other objects on display at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York. After seeing all the species which call the diverse terrain home, guests are welcomed to sculpt their favorite animal of the day as part of a collaborative installation.
Want a preview? Sikkim is home to the endangered red panda, snow partridge, Himalayan cuckoo, snow and clouded leopards, and over 650 species of butterflies, while Ladakh has native populations of red fox, ibex, snow leopard, Tibetan gazelle, and Chiru antelope. Kumaon is within the Corbett National Park and the natural protected habitat of the snow leopard, blue sheep, and mountain goats. Shakti can arrange walks through each of these areas for the best chance of spotting these animals in their natural habitat.
Food for thought, the likelihood of seeing the peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain, is the same as seeing a tiger in the jungle… about 70 percent.
February 22nd, 2011
Huffington Post recently blogged about the The Most Stunning & Challenging Treks In The World with a lineup that includes the GR20 in France, Inca Trail in Peru, Overland Track in Australia, Haute Route in Switzerland, and the high altitude desert of Ladakh in India. While all can clearly guarantee some show stopping scenery, Ladakh promises to be the most unique on the list.
Where else can travelers experience a truly untouched landscape? Only accessible during the summer months, the surface area is approximately 17,375 square miles dominated by mountains, lakes, and a number of rivers. For many years, the only visitors were well-trained backpackers, but Himalayan experts Shakti enables guests to experience this culturally rich area with gentle walks and homestays in village homes. Travelers can hike along trails, raft along the Shayok River in the Upper Indus Valley, visit local monasteries, learn archery, attend lectures on Buddhism and cooking lessons, and explore local markets. Happy (untouched) trails!
February 8th, 2011
Panama Canal Adventures
The time is now to see this engineering masterpiece, virtually unchanged since 1914 when it transited its first ship, before it undergoes a major expansion beginning early 2011. Connecting two great oceans, it is one of the world’s most sophisticated engineering marvels. Come and see it before the changes happen. Crystal Cruises’ five sailings in 2011 provide a unique opportunity to experience one of the greatest construction feats of the 20th century.
What’s cool: From ground breaking historical achievements to the rapid-fire progress of today’s technology, experts share insight and guidance into navigating the vast and evolving world of science.
Calls: on sailings from 11-19 days, ports can include Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, Tortola, Cabo San Lucas, St. Barts, St. Martin, Aruba, Caldera, Miami, San Diego, Los Angeles and New York City.
Pacific Coast Adventures
Seven days of coastal exploration and western sunsets are the highlights of these newly introduced itineraries. Four Pacific Coast sailings will travel along the spectacularly beautiful West Coast in April and November. This spring and fall, these 7-day sailings cover the “American Riviera” from as far south as Ensenada, MX to as far north as Vancouver, BC and everything in between!
What’s cool: Snow-capped mountains and manicured gardens meet the glitz of Hollywood and the purity of nature. Lively progressive cities follow idyllic coastal towns along with other treasures of the West Coast.
Calls: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Astoria, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Ensenada, San Diego, and San Francisco.
Alaska – The Final Frontier
Crystal Symphony returns to Alaska this summer for the first time in six years, offering nine 12-day voyages traveling round-trip from San Francisco, making Alaska virtually a drive-in summer holiday idea! Sailings run May 9th through August 25th.
What’s cool: traveling the Inside Passage; walking on a glacier; ziplining in Haines; or rafting on Mendenhall Lake with the glacier towering over you. Especially cool is the Mind, Body & Spirit themed sailing (May 9th) with celebrity trainer Joel Harper. Joel’s unique workouts have been seen on programs such as Oprah and The Dr. Oz. Show, and featured in publications like O magazine and Esquire.
Calls: San Francisco, Victoria, Vancouver, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Ketchikan
North Cape Voyage
North Cape Panorama: June 13 -27, 2011 – spend the longest day of the year onboard Crystal Serenity while sailing the incredibly scenic Norwegian Sea. Enjoy the sight of the towering fjords at sunset – at midnight!
What’s cool: A spot in this world where a picture is worth 1000 words! Witness stunning fjords and the mystical beauty of the Norwegian archipelago as you travel beyond the Arctic Circle into the land of the midnight sun. A new Steig Larsson-themed shore adventure!.
Calls: Copenhagen, Helleysyit, Honnningsvag, Longyearbyen, Alesund, Bergen, and Stockholm
…to the shores of Tripoli
In a very first, with Libyan authorities lifting its ban on American tourist visas, Crystal Serenity has added the North African capital city of Tripoli to its November 16 “Italian Splendor” Mediterranean cruise. The ship will spend a day in Tripoli, offering a rare opportunity to explore the city and its environs, which represent a true crossroads of cultures, past and present – an experience no world traveler should miss.
What’s cool: everything! While shore adventures have not been finalized, it may be possible to venture to the frontlines of the Sahara! However, highlights will include the ancient ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, the Medina for shopping; the Red Castle Museum, old “khan” hotels and mosques, and tribal culinary arts.
Calls: Venice (overnight), Dubrovnik, Tripoli, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Florence, and an overnight stay in Barcelona.
January 17th, 2011
Man and beast have always had a special bond, but at the Elephant Camp at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Saen, Thailand, the two have collided to form a unique (and melodic) pair. Mahout ‘Khun Lord’ has a special technique of handling the gentle giants through song, as he begins training elephant calves when they are between two- and three-years-old and have an uncanny ability to learn commands. Khun Lord, however, discovered that the little guys responded even better to song. While the other mahouts stared, he continued to sing his lullabies – and he thinks the melodies sunk into his elephant, Lychee, subconscious as she slept.
The results: a very well trained elephant and a bond between the pair that you have to see to believe… and maybe to fully grasp. Encore!
January 14th, 2011
Cartagena, Colombia
Crystal Cruises is excited about their new You Care, We Care initiative now available on every sailing… and even more so after the first was such a success! Guests aboard Crystal Serenity stopped in Cartagena, Colombia on Saturday to help the Foundacion Granitos de Paz plant local organic gardens and general facility repairs.
All participants enjoyed the ability to better interact and learn from the local community – more than one typically gains from just disembarking for the afternoon. Bravo! Upcoming You Care, We Care programs are:
Lima, Peru – Brightening the environment of the children at the ANQUIEM Burn rehabilitation center with arts & crafts
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Assisting the PEACE organization in beach cleanup and community beautification, including possibly helping in light construction at a local green space.
Santa Lucia, Uruguay – Contribute to the SOS-Children’s Village–an NGO village which provides a family-based infrastructure for raising children without parental care—via cookie-baking, handcrafting, painting, or gardening.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Join RIOVOLUNTARIO in engaging local orphans in recreational activities such as face painting or traditional Brazilian games
Marigot Bay, St. Martin – Help the St. Maartin Pride Foundation’s conservation of local culture and historical landmarks via painting a school or community center
Honolulu, HI – Learn about local geology and preservation of ecosystems via weeding at Makapu’u Beach Native Coastal Plant Preserve
Astoria, OR – Assist “Friends of Fort Stevens” with the restoration and cleaning efforts of the grounds, trails, and camping sites at the much-revered, 84 year-old Fort Stevens State Park
December 23rd, 2010
Anantara’s artist-in-residence Christopher Hogan led local orphans in arts and crafts lessons this week at Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa in the Maldives. As part of the company’s ongoing collaboration with the local community, ten children created works that will be sold at the resort over the holidays. All profits will be donated to the Children’s House, the best kind of souvenir!
December 22nd, 2010
You can’t consider yourself a true jetsetter until you’ve caught sight of a Whale Shark on its annual circumglobal path. The gentle giants swim in tropical and warm temperate seas (rich in plankton) – for geography junkies, usually between latitudes 30° N and 35° S – and for laymen anywhere from Australia to Belize, and the Maldives to Madagascar.
December 3rd, 2010
Opening mid-January, Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives has been accredited with a Green Globe Certification, an international symbol for environmental responsibility. Established in 1993 from the ISO 19011 Guidelines Holding, Green Globe has very strict requirements to join the ranks. Anantara Kihavah Villas is proud to carry the title, becoming the fifth Anantara property to do so.
Guests can lounge guilt-free by private in-villa pools knowing their impact on this stunning and natural setting will be minimal!
December 2nd, 2010
Shakti offers private, guided walking tours through three distinct regions of the Indian Himalayas
Travelers to India know well the guidebook “circuit” of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Mumbai, staying in familiar five-star hotels and barreling from one destination to the other by car or train. What is missing from these itineraries is a chance to comfortably see the most remote and staggeringly beautiful Himalayan region of India’s North. It’s now possible to do that with Shakti, which offers transformative village-to-village walking experiences in three distinct awe-inspiring regions: Sikkim, Kumaon, and Ladakh. Guests overnight in village houses that have been adapted for Western comforts, sleeping under Egyptian cotton sheets, wrapped in cozy wool throws, and enjoying delicious, freshly prepared meals from a personal chef. While all the modern conveniences are in place, the real luxury is in the very simplicity of these experiences and the chance to engage with the homeowners, monks, and other village locals. Take advantage of the opportunity to unplug from the technological matrix and relish the downtime to read and meditate.
The expertly guided journeys, tailored to the individual or group, are offered in:
Sikkim: breathtaking virgin forests aflutter with prayer flags, colorful monasteries, and the hulking presence of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. Orchids, anyone? Sikkim is home to over 400 species. 4-night stays start at $1,880 per person, based on two to three adults.
October 1 – April 30
Kumaon: stunning views that include the snow-tipped twin peaks of Nanda Devi, India’s second highest mountain. Walk through forests of grey pine, cedar, and rhododendron, and pass through villages and by small shrines to Hindu gods. 3-night stays start at $1,245 per person, based on two to three adults.
October 1 – April 30
Ladakh: known as ‘Little Tibet,’ a bastion of Buddhist calm amidst a dramatic moon-like landscape. Stay in village houses, camp out under stars, learn local customs, and experience Himalayan mountain life up close and first hand. 7-night stays start at $3,535 per person, based on two to three adults.
May 15 – September 30
Rafting through the Shayok River valley is also available as a three-day, two-night camping expedition that can be added on to the Ladakh village experience (August – September only).
Prices for the Shakti village experiences are inclusive of all taxes, accommodations, meals and beverages, activities, English-speaking, well-educated local guides, porters, a private chef, and vehicles when necessary. Prices depend upon the specific itinerary and number of travelers in the group; flights are not included.
Additionally, Shakti runs a four-room hotel, Shakti 360˚ Leti, at 8,000 feet in the Kumaoni foothills surrounded by rhododendron forests, soaring vistas and snow-capped peaks. The region is so remote that guests must hike the final 90-minutes to reach the hotel. Shakti 360˚ Leti is available to guests from October 1 – April 30. There is no Internet, no cell coverage, and only solar power — a real opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature. A minimum stay of three nights is required for Shakti 360˚ Leti, and a 3-night, 4-day package starts at $1,825 per adult, based on double occupancy. Rates include accommodations, all meals and beverages, activities, English-speaking guide and porters, and all taxes, and return transfers between Shakti Kumaon Village Experience and Shakti 360˚ Leti. Flights are not included.
See more of India with Shakti’s sister company, Banyan Tours & Travels, that can arrange onward travel throughout the rest of India and Sri Lanka, with their expert consultants and travel specialists making every effort to customize the itinerary to a traveler’s specific interests.
Founded by visionary and seasoned traveler, Mr. Jamshyd Sethna, Shakti was created from Sethna’s passion to share his beloved Himalayas with travelers looking for authenticity within luxury. With his love for nature and the mountains, Sethna created an experience far beyond the luxury hotel circuit, finally making it possible for travelers to venture into unexplored territory in total comfort. He is also the owner and founder of Banyan Tours & Travels.