Columbia

I recently returned from a visit to Colombia, where I escorted a group of art collectors. We traveled from September 28th to October 3rd, 2015 and we attended Arbo, the international art fair of Bogota. Bogota is the capital of Colombia and is the largest city in the country. This city is filled with Art, delicious food and warm hospitality. I can't wait to return, and I invite you to experience this destination!

Beautiful Bogota

Bogota has surfaced back onto the travel radar in a new light. Given its history of violence this city has in a very short time, succeeded in transferring itself into one of the trendiest, and affordable new hot spots to visit.

Artbo Art Installation

Small flower shop

Green surrounds you in Bogota

Casual Dining

The Streets of Bogota

In Bogota, we stayed at the Sofitel, Santa Clara. I highly recommend this hotel, it is in a great location and have gracious service. 

My new favorite restaurant is one by Chef Rafael Osterling. He is the most well-known peruvian chef and has a number of restaurants around the country. While in Bogota, we dined at his restaurant, “Rafael’s”. Here you can enjoy a wonderful Seafood Curry and delicious salads. Everything was exceedingly fresh! 

We proceeded to the city of Cartagena, Colombia. A fishing village on the caribbean coastline. Here we viewed colonial architecture and explored the quaint city. We stayed at the Sofitel, this location is a virtuoso property surrounded by gardens and steeped in history. This is a famous stop with the cruise lines. 

For dinner we dined at La Vitrola. It was a fantastic dining experience. The ambiance was small and cozy, yet refined. Another restaurant I highly recommend.

Cartagena

The most beautiful Colonial Architecture.

Admiring beautiful surroundings in Cartagena.

Interacting with a singing parrot.

Highly recommended new destination: Colombia! Affordable, tropical, easily accessible.

Contact me to visit Colombia!

JOYCE KRICHMAN

TRAVEL PLANNER

A proud member of Virtuoso

joyce@travelwithjoycek.com

Direct: 619.546.8075

Toll Free US/CAN: 888.546.8075

www.travelwithjoycek.com

Istanbul

Istanbul: a city where east and west live in harmony.

The city's history stretches back years and present day Istanbul thrives on visitors seeking a connection to the past and culinary adventures including enjoyment of mezes (numerous small dishes), an abundance of restaurants available both in the old and new cities, and cafes filled with multiple generations enjoying being together and sipping traditional Turkish coffee or tea.

I had the good fortune of dining at various restaurants:

• Mikla, a Mediterranean restaurant with an emphasis on Turkish fair. With a bird eye's view of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, Mikla is ideal for both couples and families.Chef Mehmet Gurs is a celebrated chef in the Istanbul culinary scene.

• Nar Restuarant is full of local Turkish and Mediterranean appetizers. I recommend going for lunch and is ideal for visitors of all ages.

• Vogue serves international cuisine with a great view of the Bosphorus is one of the most popular places to eat in Istanbul because of its elegant atmosphere.

• Nisantasi Brasserie is ideal for people watching, given the popular among locals. Delicious salads are a highlight of Nisantasi's menu.

Istanbul offers an array of options to delight every shopper. Traditional bargaining is expected and welcomed. My recommendations for shopping include:

• Spice Market, where I loved finding leather belts and bags.

• Grand Bazaar, where the jewelry is amazing, good quality pashmina scarves, and ceramics are found in abundance.

Contact me at joyce@travelwithjoycek.com to book your next Turkish adventure.

Featured Article: Travel Age West

I was recently approached as an Asia specialist by Travel Age West to provide my insider knowledge and tips on Bali, Indonesia.

Read the entire article here: www.travelagewest.com/News/Industry-Interviews/Travel-Agent-Talk--Joyce-Krichman/#.VOPs_8J0w3E

Rancho La Puerta

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Rancho La Puerta, which I found to be more than a spa resort. Rancho La Puerta is renewal for the spirit and body.

Located just an hour and a half from the San Diego airport, Rancho la Puerta is in Tecate, Mexico and very easily accessed via the ranch exclusive transfer offered to all guests.

The ground of the ranch are expansive, covering a farm, vineyards, numerous pools, all of the accommodations, and a number of well lit fitness, yoga, spin, and pilates studios. Ranch activities are taught by top notch instructors and vary in difficulty and are diverse in nature. Activity highlights for me were the hikes, led by instructors who have been with the ranch for years and gladly shared with guests tidbits on the history of the land.

I am able to offer both new and former guests to Rancho La Puerta a special offer for the first three weeks of September.

Please contact me at joyce@travelwithjoycek.com to book this special offer.

Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

The Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, which magnificent views of the city, the Peak, or the world famous Victoria Harbour, is ideally and directly linked to the Pacific Place shopping mall with many dining options, including my personal favorite being Basil, lighthearted Thai nouvelle cuisine. This restaurant is edgy and appeals to a cross section of ages.

Pacific Place is very accessible to the MTR (the underground train system). The station that one uses for the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong is Admiralty.

Hong Kong is a fantastic gateway into numerous countries within Asia, as one of my honeymooning clients just recently experienced on their way to South East Asia. Due to their exceptional product and service, I recommended the Island Shangri-La to this couple, and thanks to my direct relationship with the hotel’s leadership, my clients were upgraded and sent a fabulous  in room amenity, as pictured below.

By booking the Island, Shangri-La, Hong Kong directly through me, I am able to offer you:

• A next room category upgrade at time of booking
• Daily breakfast for up to two in-room guests a the Restaurant Petrus
• Complimentary one-way private airport transfer from the hotel to airport
• Early check-in/ check-out based on availability

For Executive Suite bookings, I am happy to offer a round-trip transfer with the hotel limousine.

To book, contact me at joyce@travelwithjoycek.com.