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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