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Remote Lands, the New York and Bangkok-based ultra-luxe Asia private tour operator, is now offering customized trips to the ultimate travel frontier – the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – where currently the Mass Games, which eclipse the Beijing Olympic ceremonies in size and spectacle, are taking place through October 10, 2010.

In the past year, Remote Lands’ co-founders Jay Tindall and Catherine Heald have made multiple tourism reconnaissance missions to DPRK. “Visiting North Korea, which is the ne plus ultra for the über-well traveled, is a completely mind-blowing experience,” said CEO Heald. “Our trips are not in any way an endorsement of the country’s government, but a unique experience that can shed light on a seemingly impenetrable land.” COO Tindall added, “Traveling to North Korea is safe, it’s easy and it’s surreal – and it’s also seamless with Remote Lands.”

No other country has cut itself of quite so completely from the international community as DPRK; its isolation also makes it one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. From the grand spectacle of the Mass Games to the mind-boggling tomb of the Great Leader, Kim Il Sung, to whom citizens show total devotion, it is an extreme contrast in cultures that exceptionally few outsiders ever have the chance to experience. While anti-Western propaganda is prevalent, it is directed not at ordinary citizens but rather government policies. North Koreans are generally rather warm to visitors, and the country is absolutely safe, clean and surprisingly beautiful.

Atop Remote Lands’ must-see itinerary highlights in our North Korea tours is a performance of the Mass Games, the larger-than-life extravaganza featuring more than 100,000 performers in synchronized gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, and folk songs, which runs until October 10 this year. The performers’ backdrop, which at first appears to be a giant LCD screen, is in fact 20,000 children flawlessly changing colored cards every 15 to 30 seconds to create different scenes. The two-hour show is performed in the 150,000-capacity May Day stadium, the world’s largest.

The Kumsusan Memorial Palace, more commonly known as the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung, is a surreal experience of the people’s reverence for the Great Leader and a must-do on any trip to Pyongyang. After a rigorous entry procedure that involves donning sanitary slippers and passing through a “clean room” to remove dust off you, an elaborate procession leads you through enormous palatial halls until finally you approach the transparent sarcophagus. You will be required to bow on three sides of his body – it is advisable not to visit DPRK if you are not willing to obey their strict rules.

Remote Lands also recommends a trip to the DMZ, the 2.5-mile-wide strip dividing the two Koreas and the most heavily fortified border in the world. While Western tourists flock to the South Korean side to spy a glimpse of the North, it is infinitely cooler to experience the DPRK DMZ, looking south toward Seoul. You can chat with North Korean soldiers, some of whom are adept at English and quite friendly.

In DPRK, the seemingly prosaic is in fact mind-boggling. A 30-minute stroll from the Arch of Triumph (taller than Paris’s) to the 65-foot tall Mansudae Grand Monument of Kim Il Sung is a great way to witness daily life in the capital. A visit to a Pyongyang secondary school offers unique insight into North Korean culture and the education of its youth today, while a visit to a propaganda-filled “fun fair,” or amusement park, allows a glimpse at leisure activities for citizens of the capital.

Due to popular demand, Spirit Journeys has scheduled a second Journey to Egypt in 2011. Their first Journey to Egypt in early April of 2011 sold out and has a waiting list.

Spirit Journeys is a gay travel organization that specializes in spiritual travel, retreats and workshops, primarily for the Gay Community. Their travel journeys however, such as the Journey to Egypt, are open to everyone, gay or straight.

This journey is not removed from the “real” Egypt. You will journey into the wonders, mysteries and the people of Egypt by going behind the scenes. Your time in Egypt will be filled with expeditions to temples and sacred sites beginning at the Giza Plateau, then traveling the Nile from Luxor to Aswan and culminating back at the Giza Plateau.

This is not an ordinary vacation to Egypt. Spirit Journeys makes special arrangements to be allowed inside the Great Pyramid and to stand between the paws of the Sphinx (access inside the Great Pyramid and to the Sphinx are off limits to the general public and have been for many years). Also included is a private visit to the Isle of Philae and the Temple of Isis at sunrise. These are just some of the many opportunities that wait for you on this incredible travel adventure.

The journey starts in Giza, with a stay at the historic Mena House Oberoi Hotel. This palatial hotel, in the shadow of the Pyramids, has enchanted guests since 1869. Located on forty acres of jasmine scented gardens, the Mena House Oberoi has played host to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities.

This journey also includes seven nights/eight days sailing the Nile on your own private dahabiya (a luxury sailing yacht). This is a very relaxing way to experience Egypt. A dahabiya is river-going sailboat, much like what would be called a sailing yacht these days. They were common in Egypt in the days of the monarchy (1920s-40s) when aristocrats and sophisticated travelers loved to cruise the Nile in style. With no motor (and the associated noise and diesel fumes), a dahabiya provides a leisurely pace, with time to drink in the landscapes and peruse the monuments and villages on the riverbanks. There are only 10 cabins onboard, so the maximum group size for this journey is only 16 participants. Typical Nile river boats have 50 cabins or more, so this is a wonderfully intimate approach to sailing the Nile. Also, because a dahabiya is so much smaller than the usual large river boats that cruise the Nile, you can sail much closer to the banks of the Nile, bringing Egypt right to your finger tips as you lazily drift by. The size of a dahabiya also allows stopping at many places too small for river boats to dock.

Conscious travel through the ancient land of Egypt and her wondrous archeological sites provides maximum opportunity for disconnecting from daily life and concentrating exclusively on the spiritual aspect of life. This pilgrimage is designed to provide a backdrop for continuing spiritual advancement with like-minded people in a supportive nurturing environment. To support this end, simple rituals are held at various locations to bring deeper understanding into the core of your experience. The group periodically joins in meditations and ceremonies to access the hidden mysteries of these powerful sacred sites. There is no place like Egypt, and no doorway into her mysteries like a Spirit Journey.

For additional information on this special gay travel, or any other events, contact Howie Holben or visit www.spiritjourneys.com .

The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle®, a Southern and Central California wine tasting tour company, today announced its consistent number one ranking with TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index for Things to Do in Temecula, Santa Barbara, and Paso Robles. The company ranked number 1 out of 33 attractions in Temecula, 1 out of 62 attractions in Santa Barbara, and 1 out of 33 attractions in Paso Robles, respectively.

Companies like TripAdvisor™ provide unbiased reviews, articles, recommendations and opinions on companies like The Grapeline. Some of the previous Grapeline guests using TripAdvisor made comments like, “This Grapeline Wine tour was the most FUN that I have had in years” or “Santa Barbara wine tour that’s not like a tour” or “Would definitely use Grapeline again in the future.” The comments made on Web sites like TripAdvisor.com are posted by independent parties who have had first-hand experience with the company they review.

“We are very excited to see how well we are ranking with TripAdvisor, particularly since we put so much emphasis into providing our guests with top notch service every time they visit wine country with us. This number one ranking in the three largest cities we serve is quite an honor,” says Kim Kelliher, co-owner and current Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. “We believe independent review sites like TripAdvisor allow prospective guests to get an accurate picture of the great service they can expect on a Grapeline tour.”

The Grapeline has been providing tours in wine country since 2002, providing guests a safe and unique way to experience wine country. They offer tours seven days a week ranging from public tours to private charters. The all-inclusive “Vineyard Picnic Tour” is their most popular tour, offering wine tasting at four wineries and a picnic lunch.

About The Grapeline

Established in 2002, The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle® offers wine tasting tours throughout Southern and Central California including Temecula Valley, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles. Serving individuals interested in a full day of wine tasting, as well as private groups desiring chartered wine country events, the company operates 7 days a week, 362 days per year, and serves about 1,800 guests per month. Headquartered in Temecula, California, The Grapeline is a privately held corporation and was named by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce as the 2005 Sterling Business of the Year. For more information visit www.gogrape.com or call (888) 894-6379.

Travelers seeking to experience the ‘scenic’ side of China including historic palaces and temples, picturesque river views, and a cosmopolitan landscape can book the Ritz Tours 12-day China Scenic Deluxe Series adventure from $1,907 per person, offering a savings of up to $850 per person (off regular season rates). New departure dates are Dec. 8, 2010 and Feb. 23, 2011.

China’s rich history and man-made wonders are rivaled only by its extraordinary natural landscapes. When journeying on this China tour, travelers will admire Guilin’s idyllic scenery as they cruise along the emerald waters of the Li River, indulge their cultural curiosity in Beijing and ancient Xian and stroll along Shanghai’s Bund while marveling at the port city’s futuristic skyline.

Redefining the escorted group travel experience, Ritz Tours’ Deluxe Series programs feature a maximum group size of 32 people, five-star or local best hotels chosen for their central location and excellent service, the services of a tour manager to accompany travelers throughout the tour for groups of 10 or more, and a special gift in Beijing and Shanghai.

Priced from $1,907 per person, based on double occupancy, the China Scenic tour features roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco; intra-China air transportation; hotel accommodations (Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong in Beijing; Hyatt Regency Xian Hotel in Xian, Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel in Guilin, and Swissotel Grand Shanghai in Shanghai); sightseeing in air-conditioned motor coaches; meals and entertainment per the itinerary; and the services of knowledgeable tour guides. Rate quoted includes $250 fuel surcharge and $108 taxes and fees. Single supplements cost an additional $400.

Airfare is based on departure from LAX or SFO but is also available from additional gateways nationwide (including, but not limited to, New York, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago and Dallas) and with prices ranging from an extra $100 – $350 per person.

To help travelers protect their vacation investment and offer an increased savings, Ritz Tours provides Travel Protection Insurance at no additional cost on every 2010 brochure tour series program that is paid in full 60 days prior to departure.

CHINA SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS

The China Scenic itinerary begins with several days in Beijing. Tour participants will be able to explore the ancient Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the elaborate Temple of Heaven. And, no trip to Beijing would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world.

Several days in Xian provide visitors with the chance to see Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s famous Terra Cotta Warriors (discovered during an archeological dig in the 1970’s), the ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Next on the tour program, visit Guilin, a charming destination highlighted by the gentle Li River and intriguing sites such as Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill.

After Guilin, the group will travel to Shanghai, a bustling, cosmopolitan port city known for its blend of old and new, the lovely Yu Garden, immense shopping opportunities, and the picturesque riverfront Bund area. Leisure time allows for exploration and optional excursions designed for travelers to truly encompass the Shanghai experience.

For those looking to extend their travels in Asia, Ritz Tours offers a four-day/three-night Hong Extension tour package beginning at $420 per person. Enliven your senses with a trip to the booming metropolis of Hong Kong. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now a gateway between East and West, where ancient traditions exist in an ultramodern city. Here, visitors can marvel at the dazzling views afforded from Victoria Peak, sample some of Asia’s finest cuisine and visit the open-air Stanley Market.

Renowned for offering the “best quality tours at the most affordable prices” with specially-designed, distinctive travel itineraries, Ritz Tours currently offers more than 20 Premiere, Deluxe and Asia Series tours and three Deluxe programs for Europe.

Every Ritz Tours vacation experience ensures travelers the following: Reliability (for providing enjoyable and memorable trips), Integrity (a commitment to package pricing at the very best available rates), Trustworthiness (building on its long-standing reputation for excellence), and Zeal (enthusiasm in maintaining the highest level of customer service).

For more information, see your local travel agent or contact Ritz Tours at (800) 900-2446/(626) 289-7777; fax: (626) 281-0117; or visit http://www.RitzTours.com.