A personal guide to authentic experiences
from a veteran travel journalist
Authentic Luxury Travel
[promoslider id="my_id" category="topbanner" height="200px"]
  • Home
  • About Elizabeth
    • Published Articles
  • Authentic Luxury Travel
  • Book A Trip
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Advertise
    • Contribute a Guest Post
    • Keep in Touch
    • Leave a Comment, Ask a Question
    • Plan a Getaway “Contest”
    • Send a Photo
    • Share a Travel Book or Movie
    • Write a Trip Report
  • Map of Posts by Location
  • Trip Planning
  • Africa
    • Botswana
    • Safaris
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Zambia
  • Air Travel
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
    • Bhutan
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Myanmar
    • Vietnam
  • Australia
    • Great Barrier Reef
    • Sydney
  • Authentic Travel
  • Canada
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
      • Vancouver
    • Newfoundland
  • Central America
    • Costa Rica
    • Guatemala
    • Mexico
  • Cruises
  • Europe
    • Czech Republic
    • England
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Poland
    • Scotland
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Turkey
  • Hotels
  • India
  • Islands
    • Bermuda
    • Caribbean
    • Fiji
    • French Polynesia
    • Hawaii
    • Ibiza, Spain
    • Maldives
    • Palau
    • Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
  • Middle East
    • Abu Dhabi
    • Dubai
  • New Zealand
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
  • Special Interest Trips
    • Ancestry travel
    • Bucket List Travel
    • Classic Car Adventures
    • Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
    • fall colors
    • Family Travel
    • food tours
    • garden visits
    • Golf Vacations
    • Learning Vacations
      • Cooking schools
    • national holidays
    • Performing Arts
      • concerts
      • opera
    • Pet-Friendly Travel
    • Rafting
    • Recipes
    • Romantic Destinations
    • Shopping
    • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
    • Spa Vacations
    • surfing
    • Walking vacations
    • Wildlife Watching
    • Winter Holidays
    • Women's Travel
  • Staying Healthy
    • Dealing with Illness and Discomfort
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Insects
    • Mind and Spirit
    • Packing
    • Problem Prevention
    • Travelling with Kids
  • Travel Experts
  • U. S. Travel
    • National Parks
    • USA Eastern States
    • USA Midwestern States
    • USA Southern States
    • USA Southwest
    • USA Western States
      • Alaska
      • Central California
      • Montana
      • Northern California
      • Oregon
      • Southern California
      • Utah
      • Washington
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Voluntourism

Tag: tours

Authentic Tuscany in a Day with Km Zero

Authentic Tuscany in a Day with Km Zero

Authentic Tuscany…Before I read this guest post, I thought exploring Tuscany was, by definition, a multi-day event. However, I now realize I thought that because I’ve always driven around on my own and not really known where to go. In contrast, the author of this post toured Tuscany with two very connected locals. They knew […]

October 26, 2015 | Updated: November 21, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Local Photographer’s Santa Barbara Food Tour

Local Photographer’s Santa Barbara Food Tour

This Santa Barbara food tour trip report is brought to you by Jessica Roy who – as you’ll read below – had a great time sampling local culinary specialties as a guest of Eat This, Shoot That! Her guide and ETST owner Tara Jones is an expert foodie and a crash hot photographer. Tara attended Brooks Institute of Photography in […]

October 22, 2014 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Spain – Best Local Private Guides

Spain – Best Local Private Guides

I’ve spent more time than you might imagine deciding what to call this post. “Travel Spain Like a Local” had a nice ring to it, but after great deliberation (and several cups of tea), I decided it wasn’t quite right. I also discarded “Experience Spain…,” “Private City Tours in Spain…,” and settled on “Spain – […]

September 2, 2014 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 5 Replies More
La Jolla, California – Best Things to Do

La Jolla, California – Best Things to Do

La Jolla – San Diego’s favorite coastal community – is known for beautiful beaches and great dining options. I’ve lived in La Jolla most of my life and love walking on the beach and having drinks or a meal with a water view. I also know that our community offers many unique activities that first-time visitors […]

August 2, 2014 | Updated: January 29, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Best Vietnam Travel Company

Best Vietnam Travel Company

I love hearing from travelers who have enjoyed the services of the Travel Experts I endorse on this site. Here’s a testimonial from Charles E. Flam of Montreal. “You asked whether I would write a testimonial about Vietnam Alive and my experience with them. It is a pleasure to do so. “I have dealt with Vietnam […]

December 1, 2013 | Updated: February 10, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Lots To Love About Coronado, CA

Lots To Love About Coronado, CA

Coronado, California is a popular travel destination located between the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay in the southwest corner of the state. It is connected to the much larger city of San Diego by a beautiful arching bridge. Most visitors arrive via this four-lane iconic structure, however cyclists and pedestrians have the option of […]

October 28, 2013 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Vietnam Alive

Vietnam Alive

Vietnam Alive is easily the best travel company in Vietnam. They excel at planning customized trips for families, couples, individuals and small groups of friends or colleagues. Van Nguyen, founder of Vietnam Alive, works with guests to create an itinerary based on their interests, available time, and budget. He and his staff of travel specialists […]

October 23, 2013 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
One of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns

One of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns

I minored in English and taught school for ten years, so you’d think I’d be able to write instructions clearly – but apparently not. I’ve heard from several Authentic Luxury Travel followers who assume they are automatically entered in the “La Jolla Getaway” because they are subscribers. Not so. The way our system handles contests requires […]

January 11, 2013 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Visit Downton Abbey

Visit Downton Abbey

The third season of the massively popular TV series Downton Abbey premieres in the U. S. on January 6, 2013. Finally, we’ll find out if Lady Mary and Matthew get married, and we’ll meet Lady Grantham’s mother, played by actress Shirley MacLaine. If watching the show makes you want to visit the garden and the […]

December 30, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Luxury China Tours with an “Insider”

Luxury China Tours with an “Insider”

Luxury China tours with an insider John Locher loves to talk about China. The Southern California-based marketing and business development consultant attended the 2008 Beijing Olympics and became enamored with all things Chinese. He’s returned seven times – and now takes small groups of visitors with him on luxury China tours When we chatted, I […]

August 18, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Personalized Tours: In Eastern Europe On the Trail of Franz Kafka

Personalized Tours: In Eastern Europe On the Trail of Franz Kafka

Tyn Church on Prague’s Old Town Square Authentic travelers are adventurous. Unlike tourists, we’re open to the unexpected and crave out-of-the ordinary experiences. It’s not that we never go on tours; it’s that we don’t go on “normal” tours that race from one “top attraction” to another. I’ve already shared with you one Personalized Tour: […]

December 7, 2011 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 2 Replies More
December 10 – One-Day Luxury Travel Auction

December 10 – One-Day Luxury Travel Auction

“ONCE IN A LIFETIME AUCTION” FROM ABERCROMBIE & KENT As I’ve mentioned before, I’m deluged with press releases on travel bargains, and most of them aren’t all that exciting, but this one-day auction could prove to be quite a good deal. A&K is a luxury tour operator with a great reputation. I included them in […]

December 8, 2009 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More

Subscribe

Join me and discover the joy of authentic travel experiences. Subscribe here. Watch your inbox for an activation email.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
[jr_instagram id="2"]
Let our Boutique Hotels inspire you
Discover the ancient and magical culture of  Peru
Discover Vietnams hidden treasures with the help of a private tour guide
Spectaular Italian Villas and homes for rent

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

I enjoy helping travelers plan custom itineraries that wander off the beaten path instead of following the well-worn trail of tourist sites. Elizabeth Hansen
Find out how I can help .

"I truly want to thank you for helping to make our trip a joyous adventure. We will always be grateful to you for enhancing our experiences." —N. Higgins, Black Mountain, NC

Find Authentic Luxury Destinations

Click the map to find articles and travel tips about your favorite destinations.

Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn
© 2023 Authentic Luxury Travel. All rights reserved. Design & Development by Acorn Interactive.