Meet Tina Hrast, a travel director with Insight Vacations

April 10, 2023 No Comments

by Wendy McClung

Outgoing, energetic and friendly, Tina Hrast has met many travellers in her 18 years as a travel director with The Travel Corporation’s luxury brand, Insight Vacations.

Arriving in Zagreb, Croatia for the company’s first Christmas markets tour of Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Austria, our group was greeted by a welcoming Tina, who clutched a binder that looked too important to let out of her sight.

After a few important ground rules were laid out, Tina provided a brief overview of what the next few days had in store for us. Tina, who is fluent in more than one local language, is from Ljubjana, Slovenia and has led tours in the Central and Eastern Balkans (16 countries) as well as Christmas markets in Poland, Prague and Germany.

We were in good hands.

Planning the perfect trip

There’s so much more that goes into planning a tour than meets the eye.

Travel directors like Tina provide insight into what happens behind the scenes when we are back in our rooms at night, fully content from the day’s activities and experiences. An energetic leader who loves her job and is fascinated with the people she meets and the places she goes to along the route, Tina shows her gratitude with little gifts of chocolate, mulled wine from market vendors and samplings of local fare on the go.

Keeping things humming along, she has been known to break into song for her guests while travelling by comfortable motorcoach from city to city, country to country. These places, new to most on the trip, bring a host of heady aromas and unsuspecting sounds that feed our senses day and night. It’s just Tina preparing the next day’s spreadsheets that record every meal, attendance, record changes and endless notes.

Every colour coded page is enveloped in a clear, protective cover and slipped into ‘the binder where each section is separated by defined tabs. There are at least 40 in total, sometimes more, depending on the size of the group and length of the trip.

It is this seamless organization and a sometimes obsessive attention to detail that makes the tour run smoothly. It starts with the first outing on the luxury motorcoach as seats are assigned in a rotational manner.

A unique experience

Tina’s role as a travel director is one that her passengers rely on for comfort of travel. Each guest wants something unique from the experience, whether it’s historical reference points, culinary or cultural experiences or simply adventure and activity away from home.

Directors like Tina find the time to get to know each individual, what their wish list includes, and adjust their schedules accordingly. Just ask and she will personalize your journey with suggestions for your free time.

Booking restaurants and optional tours for the group are many times her responsibility. Her binder is full of lists of acceptable vendors complete with comments, allowing her to use it as a reference point for additional tours.

Local experts only

Tina feels the most at home in Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. Even though she could lead the local city tours, Insight has a policy to employ local experts who specialize in that area.

And Tina gets it; it’s just another indication of the company’s focus on servicing the client in the best possible way.

At the end of our eight days, we said goodbye to Tina and her binder as she went off on her much deserved two-week break to be with her family.

Time to refuel, relax and rehearse some new songs for her next unsuspecting group of travellers!

Day & Night: See the best of Tokyo, Japan any hour of the day

April 3, 2023 No Comments

Tokyo is a world-class city known for its impressive culinary scene, endless shopping promenades and eclectic nightlife. You can feel the energy and excitement of Tokyo on the streets, but you can also find plenty of ways to relax, whether in the parks or way up top on sky-high roofs. We wander the neighbourhoods of Tokyo to unpack some of the best ways to explore Japan’s bustling capital city, day and night.

CHECK-IN

There are roughly 3,600 hotels in Tokyo that offer just about any type of accommodation you can imagine, from inexpensive, small capsule rooms to grand luxury in the form of massive suites. In Ginza, the mid-priced Marriott Courtyard is an optimal choice, given it’s a 10-minute walk to the Tsukiji Market and less than 10 minutes to the Ginza Metro (subway), the major shopping areas and the Kabuki Theatre.

For a five-star experience, indulge in Hoshinoya Tokyo, where sake tasting, hot spring bathing, luxury dining and attentive concierge services elevate the experience. For those who prefer elegant beauty and nature, request one of the suites at the Hotel Chinzanso overlooking the beautiful historic garden and the 700-year-old Pagoda.

ITADAKIMAS!

In Japanese, this literally means “I humbly receive”, but it’s the standard wish of “bon appetit” before enjoying a meal. Dining takes place in restaurants, called izakayas, which are informal eating and drinking establishments. Stand-up seafood bars and Yakitori stalls are also popular choices, and it’s not uncommon to find an eatery inside a chic department store!

In the early morning, visit Onigiri Marutoyo in the Tsukiji Market to pick up some fresh rice balls (onigiri) stuffed with cod roe, salmon egg, sea urchin, or shrimp tempura. For lunch, head to Toranoman Yokocho and walk the “alleyways” alongside 28 small restaurants featuring local and international cuisine. You can enjoy sushi at the counter in the food court at the Matsuya Ginza Department store or a more refined sushi experience at the famous Kyubey Ginza, which played a significant role in shaping the sushi scene in Japan.

EXPLORE

The best way to discover this city of nearly 14 million people is to immerse yourself in its neighborhoods. Daikanyama is known for its upscale, strolling vibe. It’s home to cafes, shopping and art galleries. Shimokitazawa features narrow streets, second-hand clothing shops, vinyl records and craft beer. Head to Shinjuku, (home of the 3D Calico Cat billboard), Ginza and Omotesando for high-end shopping and interesting architecture.

Other neighbourhoods to explore include Shimbashi, Rappongi, Ningyocho, Kappabashi, and Otemachi, each with its own unique personality.

DINE UNDER THE STARS

Tokyo shines bright at night time, and not just because of the abundance of neon signs. Start with a cocktail at one of the city’s best restaurants. In 2022, Michelin gave out 263 stars to Tokyo restaurants, more than any other destination worldwide. Three-star dining includes Joel Robuchon’s Chateau Restaurant in Ebisu. Two-star excellence can be found at Daniel Calvert’s Sézanne at the Four Seasons Hotel in Marunouchi, and 149 one-star restaurants include a range of cuisine: Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian.

As night falls, the yokocho, or alleyway, is an intriguing venue to eat and drink at. Traditional alleyways consist of a concentrated maze of small, kiosk-sized izakayas and bars. These include Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya, Omoida Yokocho in Ueno, and Harmonica Alley in Kichijoji.

ARTS & CULTURE

After dinner, head to the neighbourhood of Ginza and take in a play at the Kabukiza, a theatre that specializes in airing kabuki, which is a heavily-stylized, classical form of Japanese dance drama. Or, visit Suigian in Nihonbashi where you can dine on Kaiseki (multi-course) cuisine while watching noh theatre, another traditional Japanese dance drama that originated in the 14th century.

About a 10-minute taxi ride away from Ginza, in Ueno, one of Tokyo’s biggest tourist attractions, the Ameyoko Shopping Street, is open 24 hours a day. It’s crowded and noisy almost all the time, with lots of restaurants, bars and inexpensive shopping. Those energized by being with hundreds of others will enjoy Ginza at night time, with advertising signs, bright lights, stunning architecture, shopping, and traffic!

HEIGHTSEEING

Like any major city, Tokyo is sometimes best seen from above. Sunset helicopter rides are a popular choice, with many tour operators offering various routes over the city. Swoop down on the brightly lit Tokyo Tower, visit the Sumida River area, circle the Tokyo SkyTree and return to base near Tokyo Disney World.

But if helicopters are not your thing, you can find a place way above the crowds at the Tokyo SkyTree, which stands at a towering 634 metres. And there are other noteworthy observation decks including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo City View, next to the Mori Art Museum in Rappongi Hills, and at Shibuya Sky overlooking the famous street crossing, with great open air views of the city.

For more ways to experience Tokyo, or to plan your trip, visit www.japan.travel/en/ca/.

The ultimate hidden beach destinations to visit in 2023

March 20, 2023 No Comments

The tourism industry rebounded in 2022, reaching 70 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels globally. Airlines continue to add new international routes, hotel refurbishments and new builds are well underway, and now more than ever, travellers, especially affluent ones, are willing to pay more for a one-of-a-kind holiday. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up four of the best places to go for an unforgettable beach vacation.

While beach towns like Positano, Cinque Terre and Amalfi get plenty of attention during the summer months from tourists, on the island of Sicily lies a sleepy medieval town worthy of the same fanfare. Home to just under 15,000 people, Cefalù is a coastal town that hugs the Tyrrhenian Sea. Every summer, when blue and white-striped parasols dot the beaches and sun bathers turn golder by the hour, millions of tourists flock here.

The main draw is the town itself, which is home to architectural wonders that date back nearly 1,000 years. In Piazza del Duomo, visitors will come across the Cefalù Cathedral, a Norman structure built in 1131 characterized by two unmistakable bookended towers. A welcome escape from the sweltering sun, inside the church, visitors can marvel at an ancient mosaic depicting saints and prophets.

As the town itself is quite small, it’s easy to explore by foot. The Piazza del Duomo is an ideal spot to enjoy a glass of wine on a back terrace, or enjoy a gelato from one of the nearby cafes. There are several high-end hotels in the area, including Club Med Cefalù, which opened in 2018. Those up for a stroll can actually walk along the coast from the resort straight into town in roughly 45 minutes, either by following the seawall or sticking to the main road.

To reach Cefalù, Canadians can fly into Palermo, Italy. For travellers in Rome, non-stop flights to Palermo are available, at a duration of just one hour.

Geographically located directly across from Bari, Italy, at 2,500 years old, Budva, Montenegro, is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea. For travellers who have previously visited the medieval city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Budva is surprisingly familiar—for starters, it’s a mere two-hour drive away.

Budva’s Old Town, characterized by its red clay rooftops, is enveloped by defensive, medieval stone walls and rests on a rocky peninsula. The rest of the city is characterized by multiple high-rise apartment buildings, plenty of public, sandy beaches and a backdrop of hilly green mountains found throughout Montenegro.

Budva’s Old Town is home to several beautiful, sandy beaches, but many are found outside of it. Jaz Beach, west of Budva’s centre, is home to many restaurants and is a popular spot for musical events, festivals and nightlife. Mogren Beach, perhaps the best-known one in the region, is less than a ten-minute stroll from the Old Town. If it’s architecture and history you’re after, all four medieval churches can be found in the Old Town’s public square, including Santa Maria in Punta Church which dates all the way back to 840 AD. There’s also a 15th century monastery roughly a 30-minute walk from the town square.

Part of a chain of 32 smaller islands, Canouan is a mere 5.6-by-2 kilometre destination that is part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In fact, the destination is so tiny, it’s not visible on Google Maps without zooming out significantly! Though the island’s population is less than 2,000, it’s home to a multimillion dollar marina, a runway for private jets, and plenty of luxury hotels and villas for the affluent clientele who flock here.

The easiest and fastest way to reach Canouan is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines directly—the flight time is just 15 minutes. Ferries to the island also operate daily, and the journey takes roughly three hours.

Not too long ago, there were no paved roads or running water on the island, meaning wildlife flourished and at one point, Canouan was home to more sea turtles than people!

Adventure-seekers can enjoy crystal clear waters and protected reefs that offer incredible snorkelling opportunities. Canouan’s most popular beach is located at Carenage Bay, within Mandarin Oriental Canouan, the island’s most famous hotel. Along with lavish villas and a breathtaking swim out pool, the resort is home to the Jim Fazio-designed 18 hole championship golf course.

Once a humble fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now one of the busiest commercial port cities in Tanzania. With a population of just over six million, it’s the largest East African city and is situated right on the shores of the Swahili Coast on the Indian Ocean.

Though Dar Es Salaam has plenty of sandy beaches in the northern Msasani district, some of the best ones can be reached by ferry. Bongoyo Island, accessible by boat from the luxurious Hotel Slipway, is an uninhabited island that is a popular day trip option for tourists and locals alike. The journey from the mainland takes approximately 30 minutes.

With a distinctive elongated white sandbar peninsula surrounded by dense forest, the ultimate draw here is swimming, snorkelling or sunbathing for hours on end, interrupted by crowds. A handful of small restaurants provide refreshments and dining options, but the majority of Bongoyo is deserted with limited facilities, so be sure to pack the essentials before heading back to Dar es Salaam for the evening.