Author: matthewhong

Armagnac bottles in Gascony

Savor the gastronomic and oenological delights of Gascony on this food-and-wine focus journey. You spend time on the important stuff – having fun, relaxing and enjoying vacation, while discovering a culture and thousand years of traditions through the eyes of the most passionate Gascon native, Ariane Daguin.

The week-long tour includes cultural discovery, gourmet food experiences, hands on culinary classes, private artisan visits, winery tours, VIP wine and Armagnac tastings, visits to specialty workshops, and historic villages, and so much more.

Unique culinary voyage to Ariane’s authentic region of Southwest France Armagnac, Gascon Wines & Foie Gras

glass of armagnac

Ariane DAGUIN | D’ARTAGNAN

New York Times article — March 2017

Is Gascony the Most Delicious Corner of France?

“Gascony is not merely distinct from Provence and the Côte d’Azur. It is, in my estimation, better”

“Also — interesting fact — the humans who do live there live a long time”

“Gascon cooking…. is a cuisine best eased into…”

“Gascony is fundamentally a rural place, and to imbibe its true essence you have to leave the towns behind and venture deep into the countryside…… Such excursions are in my opinion the best possible way to work up your appetite.”

ducks at a market in Samatan in Gascony
The farmers market of Samatan

 

 

 

 

 

Leapard on a tree in Tanzania

 

Leapard on a tree in Tanzania

Introduction

As one of the most enchanting wildlife parts of the world, Tanzania is the ultimate safari destination offering unparalleled game viewing experiences. Out of the seven selected Natural Wonders of Africa, three of them are in Tanzania: the Kilimanjaro National Park (Mount Kilimanjaro), the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Ngorongoro Crater) and Serengeti National Park (Serengeti Migration). Indeed, from the snow-covered Mount Kilimanjaro and the fascinating crater of Ngorongoro to the heat of the great plains of Serengeti park and the beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania is an exceptional destination for nature and animal lovers.

Safari and Game Tours in Tanzania

Through experienced local contacts, we provide tours through the world famous Tanzanian national parks including Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Mikumi, Ruaha, the Selous and many others, in the best conditions. We offer classic safari tours which involve accommodating guests in lodges, permanent tented camps, and more adventurous mobile camping safaris, and also high-end tours complete with exclusive accommodation facilities and specially appointed vehicles.

Safari camp tent with elephant tanzania

The safari vehicles are predominantly 4-wheel drive with passenger cabin configuration of 6-window seats and an extra seat with no direct window access, plus a seat in front next to the driver. The cars are all designed to provide for comfortable sight-seeing, photography viewing, with sliding windows and a pop-up roof.

Part of the tour fees go directly to the conservation and management of these nature reserves.

Safari Itinerary in Tanzania: Wildlife Camping Trip

This 11-day tour of tour of Tanzania’s wildlife and parks will mesmerize you. The tour will include stops at Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Lake Eyasi, Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and a visit to the Hadzabe tribe,  one of two remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania.

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    Serengeti National Park

  • Lion VT
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    Serengeti National Park

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    Serengeti National Park

  • Serengeti National Park 2 VT

    Serengeti National Park

  • Giraffe VT
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    Serengeti National Park

  • Tanzania VT
  • Hotel Jungle VT
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    Ngorongoro Conservation Area

  • Serengeti National Park VT

    Serengeti National Park

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    Serengeti National Park

  • Serengeti Lion VT
  • Lion VT
  • Tanzania Olivier 3 VT
  • Tanzania Olivier 1 VT
  • Serengeti National Park 2 VT
  • Giraffe VT
  • Tanzania Olivier 2 VT
  • Tanzania VT
  • Hotel Jungle VT
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Serengeti National Park VT
  • Serengeti National Park 3 VT

 

 

 

 

Until recently, vacationing in Hawaii had never been an option, having grown up on the East Coast with family in Europe. I’d always thought of the rainbow state as an extension of the US, a few hours beyond California. I did not realize how exotic Hawaii is for us “mainlanders”.

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LA, the City of Angels, is a big and daunting place, often disappointing to visitors who expect a paradise of palm trees and star-filled streets.

The city is in fact a big suburban sprawl interconnected with freeways and big boulevards packed with cars, and doesn’t resemble much of a city, in the traditional sense of the term, aside from perhaps Downtown.

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Introduction

Discreet, yet charming and beautiful, Slovenia is a true hidden gem. Tucked away between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, Slovenia offers mesmerizing landscapes for nature lovers. Here, you will find anything that you need to enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable vacation. The capital, Ljubljana dates back to the Middle Ages, rebuilt under the Austrian Empire, renovated by the famous Slovenian architect Plecnik, and dotted with touches of Art Nouveau architecture.

Located on the border of the Austrian Alps, Bled and its majestic lake are the entryway to the “Triglav” national park, which lies at the heart of the mountain and valleys. The town of Piran, also known as “the Italian”, brims with Venetian charm on the Adriatic Sea.

It is a real pleasure to spend a holiday in Slovenia at any season. The choice of activities to enjoy while here is endless: biking, sailing, golfing, hiking in the mountain, skiing and many cultural excursions.

Itinerary in Slovenia

A Week in Slovenia via Trieste

Travelers will depart for Piran, Slovenia, from Trieste, a historical town–also known as “the last city of the North East” of Italy, and arrive on the 47-kilometer Slovenian coastline, bordered by Italy, and Croatia. Located to the north of the Adriatic and at the heart of the Slovenian Istria, the ancient city of Piran will seduce with its charm and authenticity. The tour will include a visit to the heart of the country to the Karst region, where you will visit caves and the Predjama Castle, flanked on a mountain. The week will end with a visit of the capital Ljublijana, the political, administrative, and commercial capital of Slovenia.

 

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    Sečolje

  • Bled   Slovenia

    Bled, Slovenia

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    Ljublijana, SLovenia

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    Predjama Castle

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  • Slovenia Piran VT
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  • Portorož VT
  • Bled   Slovenia
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  • Ljubljana  Slovenia
  • Slovenia Capital VT
  • Predjama VT
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  • Slovenia Parasols VGT

 

 

 

Introduction

South Africa is the ideal destination to mix various themes as a safari, cosmopolitan cities, diverse art, culture and history , golf, beaches, excellent wine and food and stunning scenery.
South Africa is a land of contrasts blending traditional ‘African ways’ with those that are more current and European. With an abundance of activities and full range of lodging styles from five-star and boutique hotels to luxury tented camps and world class spas, South Africa truly is the ideal destination for those seeking variety in their journey to Africa.

The Cape and Cape Town

Probably the most beautiful city in Africa, Cape Town is a splendid jewel encircled by the sea and mountains at the tip of the continent. The dominating and sumptuous Table Mountain opens wide on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and extends to the east by harmonious landscapes covered with lakes and vineyards.

Cape Town a city that is proud of its cultural heritage. Thus, you might notice that even its more modern buildings are softened by the Cape Dutch style of the many historic buildings punctuating the streets. A city that fully takes advantage of being on the ocean and all that leisure that comes with it, Cape Town is total relaxation, with its outdoor, gourmet and festive activities.

 

Your Guide to Wine-tasting in Cape Town

Wine tasting is one of the best ways to spend a day in Cape Town. Combine the delicious wines with some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, century old architecture, and awe-inspiring food, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of Cape Town’s most beloved activities for visitors and locals alike. Wine estates are a dime a dozen, so it can be hard to know where to start. Contact Veronictravel for the complete guide to wine-tasting in Cape Town and get ready to enjoy the finest wines of the region!

Pilanesberg Safari Park

Located about 150 km north of Johannesburg in the Bophuthatswana region and at the bottom of a crater, the Pilanesberg National Park encompasses parts of the Kalahari Savannah and the Transvaal. With more than 6,000 animals from all over the country, Pilanesberg was originally a wildlife re-planting project in South Africa. The lions are particularly well acclimated and present in large quantities, but we can also approach elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles. As you visit Pilanesberg, you will end up the heart of an old volcano where there is a lake.

  • Pilanesberg Salt Lick VT
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  • Pilanesberg Salt Lick VT
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  • South Africa Elephant
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  • South Africa Antilopes VT

Visit the Capital Johannesburg


No need to search for a European-style city center here. Rather, imagine a Los Angeles without the ocean but with its panoply of buildings, billboards and residential luxury. Joburg is a city constantly reinventing itself: Houghton, the old white district, now hosts the black middle class, the Black Diamonds, who ride a sports car, play golf and dance in chic clubs. Newton, a former industrial area, is now the center of thriving cultural activity. Braamfontein is a student district crowded with art galleries. The Buppies meet at the Fashion District. This wind of modernity does not sweep away the historical dimension of Joburg, which can be discovered by following the footsteps of Gandhi, Mandela, and the Apartheid Museum, to record the nation’s most tragic hours.

September 22 is officially the last day of summer. While the rest of the world mourns the end of long, hot sunny days, Americans couldn’t be more excited about the arrival of Autumn — or “Fall” as the season is known to Americans.

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Imagine thousands of years of continuous history: woven like the most exotic embroidered silk tapestry (reminiscent of the trade routes of the Silk Road), steeped like the finest tea – deeply rich in heritage. From the days of antiquity: from warlords to emperors to kingdoms, these lands have lived through destinies of dynasties – each with its own cultural & historic significance. Its mystical ancient splendor mixed with the vibrant modernity of its key urban centers gives China an energy and complexity that is unrivaled by any travel destination.

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A fascinating city to discover all year round

Discovering New York for the first time is like being in a movie. New York, the city that never sleeps, with its fantastic atmosphere, its diversity and its mood, is fascinating to discover all year round.

Under the snow, New York is lit up by thousands of lights and decorated windows for the holiday season. In the spring, the city gets new life with the blossoming of flowers in Central park, open air cafés in Bryant Park, and roof-tops scattered throughout. In summertime you might want to escape from the heat and humidity by heading over to the Long Island beaches or to the beautiful countryside overlooking the Hudson River for some fresh excursion.
In the Fall, the Indian summer illuminates the woods of Connecticut, the Catskills or the Adirondacks and invites you to admire this incredible nature.

New York is also unique for its diversity, which turns the city into a sort of puzzle. From Harlem to Brooklyn, the history of New York is rich and attractive. The atmosphere will vary widely from the majestic 5th avenue to the narrow streets of Soho. But depending on the visitors’ interest, this great city has so much more to offer, a huge variety of museums, art galleries, music, secret gardens, mansions, and much more.

Central Park in the snow in winter

 

New York Central Park Summer

New York Central Park Fall trees

Itineraries in New York City

HISTORICAL NEW YORK CITY

This itinerary will walk you through some of the Big Apple’s most famous highlights, while giving visitors a real glimpse of what life must have been like immigrating to America in the 19th century. From visits to the world-famous Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge to lesser known gems of New York, including a visit to the historical Morris Jumel Mansion and the Saint John the Divine Cathedral (an architectural wonder) in Harlem, this three-day tour will show new and old visitors an unforgettable perspective of the city that never sleeps.

  • Brooklyn Bridge2   VeronicTravel

    Brooklyn Bridge

  • Statue Of Liberty  NYC VT
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    Morris Jumel Mansion

  • Sain John The Divine NYC VT

    Saint John the Divine

  • Brooklyn Bridge2   VeronicTravel
  • Statue Of Liberty  NYC VT
  • Morris Jumel Mansion VT
  • Sain John The Divine NYC VT

NEW YORK CITY ART AND ARCHITECTURE TOUR

New York a mecca for art. This three-day tour is a unique way to discover this city peppered with its art from all over. From world famous art museums like the Met, the Cloisters, and the Whitney museums, to East Village historical homes, trendy art galleries and the Highline, and architectural feats like Grand Central and the New York Public Library, this tour gives you a New York, even some New Yorkers might not know about.

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    New York Public Library

  • New York Art Galleries  VT
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    Cloisters Museum

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    Grand Central

  • New York Public Library   VT
  • New York Art Galleries  VT
  • The Cloisters Museum  VT
  • Grand Central   VT

 

 

If you are looking for the perfect ski getaway with a unique cozy atmosphere, look no further than the French Alps. Here you’ll be able to soak up the French “joie de vivre” atmosphere, mind-blowing views, and incredible skiing at a surprisingly reasonable price.

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For me, San Francisco is one of the few cities where it was love at first sight. There are so many cities I have grown to love, but with San Francisco, I didn’t need to grow into it, I loved it immediately.

With the breathtaking views of city by the bay at nearly ever hilltop, charming neighborhoods filled with boutiques and delicious restaurants, parks, San Francisco just hits the spot every time.

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ski slovenie

As winter settles in, the first snowfalls will make anyone dream of an escape to the mountains. Ski resorts vary a lot between America’s East and West. It can be hard to choose, but finding a ski resort in the Rockies is more enticing for the experienced skier.

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Travel is a year-round option. Everyone picks & chooses their travel dates to suit their needs and desires to optimize their experience. However, the most ideal perfect “voyage” journeys that fulfill dreams take planning – the true landmarks of Véronique at Veronic Travel – her diligence and expertise.

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