Recommend December 2013 - (Page 57)

Tara Schreiner, v. p. of sales and marketing at Super Value Tours (supervaluetours.com) agrees. Her company, based in El Monte, CA, is one of the leading tour operators in North America and the highest volume tour operator to Japan. It specializes in what she describes as "once-in-a-lifetime tours to Asia" serving destinations like Japan, China, Taiwan, Cambodia and Vietnam. "Kyushu is really special and an area not a lot of travelers have been to," she says. "For those who love experiencing Japanese culture, Kyushu offers its own sub-culture, similar in many respects to Japan but also unique. It truly is one of Japan's best kept secrets." Super Value Tours offers an 8-day Kyushu Exploration tour. Sch- reiner describes this tour as "an exploration that will leave you feeling refreshed and tranquil. There are natural hot springs, one-of-a-kind sand baths, immaculate landscapes and an active volcanic center. You haven't experienced everything that Japan has to offer without having visited Kyushu." kyushu by rail Perhaps the most signifi cant 2013 development in Kyushu is the introduction of a different way to see the wonders of the island- by train. This truly-and pricey-Japanese indulgence was unveiled in October when the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) (jrkyushu. co.jp) inaugurated Seven Stars, a sleek train that, with its purple and gold livery, is rapidly becoming a fi xture in Kyushu. Japanese trains are fabled for their cleanliness, speed, safety and punctuality, but this rail journey ups the ante when it comes to luxury train travel. It outshines legendary train journeys in Asia, like Ultimate 8 Day Top End Outback Self Drive - $2517* 12 Day Perth to Monkey Mia Self Drive - $2629* 13 Day Melbourne to Adelaide Coastal Drive - $2438* 15 Day Sydney and Great Barrier Reef Self Drive - $2795* India's Maharaja's Express and Singapore's Eastern & Oriental Express. I have found delights in every region in Japan, but I am convinced that the Seven Stars is the most spectacular way to see Kyushu-or any Asian destination for that matter. The train is a splendid blend of Western and Japanese designs, with shoji paper screens, rotating chairs, live music in the lounge and superb Kyushu delicacies in the dining car. Departing from Hakata Station near the port in Fukuoka, Kyushu's largest city, Seven Stars meanders through rolling hills and magnifi cent coastlines before skirting Mount Aso, one of the world's largest volcanoes. It stops in unforgettable, serene and beautiful locations like the hot springs of Yufuin and Kirishima. From there, it continues to the southern city of Kagoshima where views of Sakurajima volcano simply astound, before returning to Hakata. As I mentioned in the March 2013 onsite review, the 7-car train is made up of two deluxe suites in one passenger car, as well as 12 suites spread through four passenger, lounge and dining cars. A highlight of the all-suite service is the end car's Deluxe Suite A, a 226-sq.-ft. rolling palace with a 5-ft. panoramic window overlooking the tracks. It is the dominant feature of the swanky suite. Depending on the direction of travel, passengers can see distant views up and down the track. It's fully booked until June. myanmar When friends ask which is my favorite country in Asia, I normally admit my weakness for Myanmar.  ® Road Trips or visit www.goway.com Call 888.469.2934 *Prices are per person, twin share for departure from Los Angeles. Taxes included. december 2013 57 2016613-20 2016613-20 DOWNUNDER Earn up to 15% Commission! http://www.supervaluetours.com http://www.jrkushu.co.jp http://www.goway.com http://www.goway.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Canyon Ranch
Tour Talk: Insight Vacations
17th Annual Recommend Readers' Choice Awards Winners
Cruising 2013
Discovering North America
Caribbean Trends
Anguilla Travel Agent Specialist Program
Asia & The South Pacific in the Rearview Mirror
Mexico 2013
Latin America in 2013 and Beyond
Africa + The Middle East Continue to Make Stides
Nostalgic for Europe

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