Category Archives: News

Wrapping up the Year with Absolute Travel!

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Dear Friends,

What a busy year for Absolute Travel – so much has happened, it’s difficult to know where to start! Perhaps the most important aspect of the year was that it marked our 20th anniversary in travel, a big achievement for a company that started in the New York City studio apartment of its founder!

Our staff had many too adventures this year to mention them all, but highlights included Brooke’s unforgettable journeys to Mali and Chile, Sasha’s exploration of Oman and Dubai, Katie’s visit with Uganda‘s lowland mountain gorillas, Chloe’s time in China, and Jessica’s whirlwind trip through India. Additionally, we opened the doors of our brand new office in Cape Town, South Africa, and happily welcomed two tiny new travelers to our team: Leslie debuted fabulous Fergus in April and Daniela introduced adorable Vesper in June. And though we were sad to say farewell to some of our longtime staff members, we supported their decision to pursue new paths and they will always be part of the Absolute Travel family. We are also thrilled to soon be welcoming several new staff members who share our passion for travel.

Absolute Travel also continued to be active in supporting charitable causes in 2009. While in Uganda, Katie became involved with Conservation Through Public Health, an organization that works to save the lowland mountain gorillas. We have been so inspired by Katie’s passion for this cause and the energy she has put into spreading their message. Ken also continued his longtime involvement with the Program for Survivors of Torture, which provides a healing community for survivors of politically motivated torture; we are very glad that he actively supports this important work. In the coming year, we hope to continue our involvement with organizations and people that are so tirelessly working to improve the world.

As part of our foray into “new media,” this year we also launched a blog to further chronicle our adventures and a Facebook page. We will be updating these frequently and invite you to visit both for the latest news and information about Absolute Travel!

In closing, we’d like to toast to a happy holiday season for you – and, hopefully, 20 more years in travel for ourselves!

Hangzhou on our Minds

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The Amanfayun in Hangzhou

The Amanfayun in Hangzhou

We were so thrilled to learn that Amanresorts will be opening a new property in Hangzhou, China, next month! We have long admired Amanresorts’ enthusiasm for local architectual detail and impeccable service, and the Amanfayun looks like it will not disappoint. Surrounded by tea fields and a verdant forest, the resort is a 20-minute drive from the center of Hangzhou. The 42 rooms, suites and villas are located in original dwellings that have been updated to incorporate modern amenities like radiant underfloor heating while still maintaining their authenticity and classic charm.

It is exciting to see Hangzhou gaining recognition and we hope that travelers will start considering it as a destination worthy of several days. Readers may recall that in our May 2009 e-newsletter, our intrepid travel specialist and China expert Chloe Marsala encouraged China-bound travelers to consider adding Hangzhou to their itineraries. During her time there, Chloe feasted at Dragon Well Manor, an exclusive private dining venue and serious foodie favorite; took in Zhang Yimou‘s Impressions West Lake performance; and saw an albino peacock on a bicycle ride around West Lake. She also inspected Hangzhou’s other luxury property, the Fuchun Resort, and was quite impressed.

We will continue to follow Hangzhou’s blossoming reputation as a luxury destination for visitors to China – the Amanfayun will surely help cement its status as a new must-do!

The World Cup Draw!

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Bafana Bafana, the South African team

Bafana Bafana, the South African team


As a fairly new resident of South Africa, I was excited to attend the FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, December 4, when the 32 participating national teams get drawn into 8 groups of four. This is an important development from a travel planner’s perspective, because now travelers coming to South Africa for the event will know where and when they want to be to see specific matches – and travel planners begin the mad dash to secure accommodations and transportation for them.

I was expecting the streets of Cape Town to be crowded but they were absolutely packed – and not surprisingly, most of the attendees seemed to be fans of the South African national team, as they were proudly decked out in Bafana Bafana shirts. There was a huge street festival on Long Street with screens that projected the draw live and an enormous stage featuring top South African bands playing all day to create an even more festive atmosphere. Artists included Freshly Ground, Jimmy Dludla, Cassettee, TKZee, and Francy Galanda. There were also lots of cultural performances throughout the day but most people were focused on the draw. Though many of the streets were closed and there were tons of people, it was a very peaceful and enjoyable event.

Cape Town was looking absolutely gorgeous and very cosmopolitan already! In many ways, this felt like the “kick-off” for the World Cup activities and all of Cape Town seemed to want to be a part of the action – families with kids, fashionistas, music lovers…everyone descended on Long Street and had a great time. The World Cup is a huge deal for South Africans, who are very proud to have the opportunity to host such an important event. For my part, I was very excited to obtain tickets to the Italy vs. Paraguay, Portugal vs. Korea and England vs. Algeria matches. Being Italian, I am of course most looking forward to the Italy vs. Paraguay match. Now the countdown to the event begins!!

Philanthropic Travel

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I recently attended the World Savers Congress as part of my duties as a Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist for 2009, and a hot topic was how the travel industry is promoting philanthropy. Edward Norton spoke of his work in Kenya, which focuses on the social and cultural support of the communities around protected areas and was inspired by his own travels to the region. It made me think about how Absolute Travel tries to incorporate and promote philanthropy.

A baby gorilla Katie met on her journey.

A baby gorilla Katie met on her journey.

One of the efforts we have made is encouraging our staff to pursue their own independent philanthropic interests throughout our destinations. Katie Losey took an extended leave in Uganda and Rwanda to work towards gorilla conservation. Volcanoes Safaris was integral to her experience, as through them she was introduced to Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, the founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH). CTPH is an initiative that achieves gorilla conservation by enabling humans, wildlife and livestock to coexist through improving primary healthcare in and around Africa’s protected areas. When Katie returned we all shared in her adventures and her passion for the work she had done. As a result Katie and our webmaster worked with CTPH to develop a website for their project so they can have greater exposure for their amazing work. Photos from Katie’s adventures are on our website and will hopefully get our clients excited and thinking about what they might want to do while traveling. We can’t always control what our clients want or will do, but we can embrace our own passions for our destinations and work to preserve the communities and places that we love!

- by Leslie Overton

Fashionable Cape Town

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Stylish hostesses Trinny and Susannah

Stylish hostesses Trinny and Susannah

Last night I attended the Style in the City event in Cape Town hosted by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine from the BBC series What Not to Wear [in the U.S., they have a show called Making Over America]. This was the most prestigious black tie fashion event in town and it took place at the V&A Waterfront Style Studio. The dress code was formal black with a touch of red and most people took it quite seriously — I wore my Catherine Malandrino little black dress and Faryl Robin red shoes, in an attempt to bring a bit of New York fashion to South Africa!

The event was a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa and 8 top South African designers presented collections (most of them quite impressive) – each also designed a red dress that was modeled by editors of magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, O, Glamour, etc. The red dresses were auctioned at the end of the night.

My favorite designer by far was Gavin Rajah and I definitely have my eyes on a couple of his dresses! Another favorite was Marianne Fassler, who is definitely the Betsey Johnson of South Africa – she may even be more extravagant and outrageously original!!! Trinny and Susannah had everyone in stitches (aside from the 10 girls they picked from the audience and critiqued on stage). Overall it was a fashion-filled evening that finally made me feel like I’m “in” the Cape Town fashion scene!!!! I look forward to many more events….

- by Daniela Bonanno