Category: Small Group Discoveries

Bhutan
Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Preserving a Kingdom: Bhutan’s Enduring Culture

on December 15, 2017

To enter Bhutan is to enter a world unto itself. Many have compared it to the mysterious Shangri-La, but there’s no mystery to how closely the Bhutanese safeguard their treasured traditional culture. With its doors closed to outsiders until 1974, and the flow of visitors still carefully observed, this kingdom of the dragon tucked between Tibet and India has lovingly preserved its glorious textiles, beloved national pastimes like archery, and its Buddhist serenity. From lush low-lying plains to Himalayan peaks rising a stunning 23,000 feet, its diverse ecosystems boast an epic beauty that is preserved with deep pride and the force of law.

All of this leaves the traveler with the indelible impression that they have, indeed, stepped into Shangri-La. But Bhutan is far better: It’s real.

Buddhism—The Heart of a People

For most of the nation’s history, Bhutan was closed off not only to travelers from beyond its borders, but to outside cultural influences as well. It wasn’t until 1999 that the government lifted its ban on television, though it still made clear that programming must be consistent with the most abiding Bhutanese values. Having been secluded from so much of the outer world, the people of Bhutan are nourished by their inner spiritual lives, most of them practicing Buddhism.

Across Bhutan, you can see ample evidence of nearly 1,500 years of that faith on display. One of the oldest temples in the country is the Temple of Kyichhu, which has beckoned worshippers since the 7th century. With its gleaming gold roof and elegantly carved wooden pillars, it’s a jewel-box of a temple, a suitable home for the heavily-ornamented Jowo Sakyamuni statue, one of the most valuable artifacts in all the land.

At Tachogang Lhakhang, the rewards of mindful practice are made concrete. The 15th-century monastery and its iron bridge were envisioned by a Tibetan yogi and saint who had paused at the riverside site for meditation.

At Chimi Lhakhang, the focus is less on the Zen of its monks and more on the love life of local worshippers who come here for its fertility-enhancing properties. Chimi Lhakhang was founded by a monk known as “the divine madman.” He filled the temple with phallic symbols and used sexual innuendo to deliver some of the tenets of Buddhism. Though his approach was highly unorthodox, he is considered a national hero.

Dzongs—Protecting a Kingdom

Bhutan’s fortress-like dzongs are every bit as impressive as its temples. These massive complexes were positioned for defense against invaders, but much more was hidden behind the high fortified walls. Guard stations shared space with dwellings, civic offices, courtyards, and temples. Like the fortified medieval villages of Europe, Bhutan’s dzongs were miniature cities within citadels.

Punakha Dzong we once the seat of government. Today, what it lost in terms of political power, it makes up for in beauty, with its gold, red, and black colors. Gleaming statues fill its Coronation Hall, where the Kings of Bhutan are still crowned to this day.

Ringpung Dzong, with its 14 shrines and chapels, is considered an architectural masterpiece in Bhutan. Visitors may recognize some of its features from the Bernardo Bertolucci film Little Buddha. Though Drukgyal Dzong has no cinematic pedigree, the pale stone fort built to commemorate a victory over Mongol invaders is nonetheless evocative, with an eerie silence surrounding the ruins of this once triumphant structure.

Nature—The Greatest Treasure

Fortresses may fall in time, but Bhutan does more than just about other nation on earth to make sure its natural treasures are never lost. Nearly a third of the land is preserved for national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation areas, and nature reserves. About 60% of the land is forest that may never be touched, and where building is allowed, sustainable development is a state requirement.

The result is a nation that remains a paradise for nature lovers: crystalline lakes…verdant valleys…flower-studded plains…and, of course, the watchful gaze of the snowcapped Himalayas. With so many different ecosystems flourishing here, it’s no surprise that the flora and fauna is equally diverse. The 6,000 species of plants, from the iconic blue poppy to hundreds of orchid varieties, are joined by a veritable safari’s worth of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, monkeys, and Himalayan “blue” sheep. Overhead, nearly 700 avian species take wing from treetop to treetop.

Tiger’s Nest—Symbol of a Nation

Nature, culture, and faith all come together at the monastic retreat of Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest. Ancient legend says that the 8th-century Guru Rinpoche, considered the second Buddha, flew through the skies of the Paro Valley on the back of a magical tigress looking for a place to meditate. He landed on this small outcropping of a cliff 2,700 feet above the valley floor. Despite its seemingly impossible location, the site became the home to a temple in his honor in 1692.

For more than 250 years, Tiger’s Nest endured the cycle of seasons and powerful winds with little change, but two fires in the second half of the 20th century destroyed its main building. At the dawn of this century, the government invested millions of dollars in restoring it, spending five years to painstakingly recreate its beauty.

When it was reopened in 2005 in the presence of the King, it was a great source of national pride. The care given to the cultural treasure was a perfect embodiment of the Bhutanese belief that the dragon kingdom will endure as long as it preserves and protects its heritage

Experience the wonders of Bhutan for yourself, small-group style, during Gate 1’s 18 Day Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan guided tour!

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Elevate Your Discoveries: Explore Switzerland!

on October 25, 2017

Switzerland is a nation measured as much by the many cultures that shape its multi-layered identity as by its steepness and elevation. Here, on the white roof of Europe, alpine splendor, shimmering lakes, and emerald valleys lead to cutting-edge cities, charming alpine towns, and lively resorts that equally embrace the past and future. Long celebrated as a destination for Europe’s jet-setting sort, it is also a haven for hikers, culture vultures, and culinary aficionados.

Given its rugged, breathtaking terrain, most Europeans once considered Switzerland too secluded and even uninhabitable. That is … until the early-19th-century Romantic Era injected the continent with a love of the great outdoors. Following in the footsteps of great poets like Byron, Shelley and Wordsworth, adventurers descended on the spectacular Alps and haven’t stopped swooning since.

“The Very Poetry of Nature”

Journeying among the Swiss Alps, you cannot help but get a sense of the infinite. Jagged peaks rise like gigantic white diamonds, carefully crafted with Mother Nature’s architectural precision. Vertical walls soar to dizzying heights, great monolithic hulks of granite shoved skyward by the epic tectonic shifts of eons past. Luminous sunlight reflects off the great sheets of snow and glaciers that spill toward narrow valleys. British Romantic writer Mary Shelley called it “the very poetry of nature.” We think you’re sure to feel inspired to write a stanza or two.

But the Alps did not always tug at the heart of poets. For centuries before Shelley, European detested the mountain range. The endless range of peaks was seen as a blister on their otherwise perfectly laid canvas of creation. They were, at worst, an ugly eyesore. At best, they were inconvenient; a roadblock that cordoned cultures off from each other and prevented free passage across the continent. Consider the legendary story of Hannibal, the Carthaginian commander who led his troops through the Alps to gain advantage over Rome. Before Hannibal could defeat the Romans, he had to consider the Alps as an equally formidable foe.

As travel for the sake of experiencing new places took hold, Europe changed its tune about Switzerland. Poets and philosophers grew rhapsodic about its infinite vistas. Many, not satisfied with merely glancing upon the mountainous glory, bravely strapped on walking boots and knapsacks so they could immerse themselves in nature’s magnificence … just because. With its staggering beauty, it seems only right that it was Switzerland that witnessed the invention of mountaineering.

The French called the long walk in the alpine wilderness le grande randonnée, or “the great wandering.” Traversing slopes and valleys and settling in to warm, inviting inns for home-cooked fare, these new sportsmen elevated outdoor trekking – once confined to flat pastures and small hills – to new heights. Tourism (and infrastructure) grew. Switzerland still attracts some of the world’s most skilled mountaineers.

Swiss Cattle: Beyond Milk and Cheese

Switzerland owes much of its geographic and cultural character to its livestock. If you’re wondering how cows and goats can help shape the terrain of a nation, consider this: For centuries, farmers have moved their livestock with the seasons, herding them to highland pastures in the summer and down into the valleys for winter so they can graze on the most fertile grounds year-round. This tradition has prevented forests from growing in the valleys while simultaneously giving birth to traditional alpine culture.

Yodeling, for instance, arose from the need for farmers and herders, often separated by vast slopes and valleys, to keep in touch with each other. The yodeler varied his pitch or pattern to communicate specific messages. His livestock, too, could identify the multi-pitched call of their owner. The first written mention of a yodel was recorded in 1545. The alphorn, too, though awkward to drag up and down mountains, was used as a signaling tool. The horn, with its long neck and wide mouth that rested on the ground, was carved from local wood and today is one of the alpine region’s most enduring symbols.

Another lasting piece of Swiss culture allowed cows to communicate to their owners. To the trained ear, the ubiquitous brass cowbell can deliver messages to the farmer from miles away and thousands of feet down a mountainside. The cadence of a healthy cow, for instance, creates an even peal in its bell. The farmer can rest easy when the tempo of his cow’s bells are steady. Should an animal get injured, its gait will shift. The resulting uneven pattern will alert the farmer that one of his cows needs attention.

One Nation, Many Cuisines

Of course, cattle are central not only to Switzerland’s farm culture, but also to its cuisine. Gruyère cheese, goat cheese, and (of course!) Swiss cheese are all staples of the diet. To sample cheese in one of the country’s most popular dishes, gather around a fondue pot burbling with the melted stuff, perfect for dipping just-baked bread. And you can be sure that other cheeses figure prominently in a culinary roster influenced by Switzerland’s French, German, and Italian cantons.

French dishes prepared in a Swiss kitchen might include a meringue made with double cream from Gruyère cheese; raclette, or potatoes covered in hot cheese; papet vaudois, a filling dish of leeks and potatoes often served with cabbage sausage; and malakoff, or fried cheese balls.

As you might expect, German cuisine in Switzerland features an array of sausages. The veal-based kalberwurst has a mild creamy flavor, often prepared with onions and gravy. Landjäger is a semi-dried sausage often enjoyed by hikers as a snack on alpine trails. Rosti resembles American hash browns and holds a beloved place as a favorite dish. In alpine regions, herdsmen invented älpermagronen, a frugal macaroni dish prepared with whatever is hand, from potatoes and bacon to cheese.

Dishes from the cantons bordering Italy tend to be more grain-based. Polenta is as common to the table here as it is in northern Italy. Risotto, too, often finds its way onto plates. And pizzoccheri, a short tagliatelle pasta, is prepared with greens and potatoes. Barley soup is beloved as a comfort food. For those with a sweet tooth, local versions of bündner nusstorte, or nut cake, are on every menu.

From its soaring majestic peaks and alpine traditions to its delicious cuisine, Switzerland offers some of the world’s richest and most memorable travel experiences, particularly when you travel with Gate 1!

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Lovely, Lakeside Lucerne

on October 23, 2017

Lucerne is one of Europe’s great storybook cities, gloriously huddled between its namesake lake, soaring alpine peaks and the lilting Reuss River. Little wonder that German composer Richard Wagner wrote of this Swiss gem, “I do not know of a more beautiful spot in this world!” Johann Goethe and Queen Victoria were similarly smitten when they had occasion to visit. Today, Lucerne still seduces with its invigorating blend of Old World charm and vibrant culture.

It is said that an angel shone a light on this heavenly location, pointing the way to the first settlers who established the lakeside city. Over the centuries, residents erected half-timbered houses and built a fortress on an adjacent hill. The fort’s eight impressive watch towers still keep an eye on the city. It gained notoriety as a stop on a major European trade route and, by resisting the rule of the Habsburgs, laid the foundations for an independent Switzerland.

Lucerne is perhaps most renowned for its bridges that span the Reuss River. The most famous, the pedestrian Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, strikes a fairytale pose with its stalwart Wasserturm, or water tower. The oldest covered bridge in Europe, it was initially built in 1333, though much of it was destroyed by fire in 1993. Today, it exudes its original glory and beauty, adorned with 17th-century panel paintings that tell the story of Lucerne. Downriver, the Spreuer Bridge zigzags across the Reuss. This fascinating structure was built in 1408 and it is also decorated with paintings; but rather than depicting the life of Lucerne, they memorialize the city’s plague years. The bridge’s Dance of Death series leads the visitor to a small chapel in the middle of the bridge.

Another memorial, the city’s famous Lion Monument, is tucked away in a small park off Lucerne’s Löwenplatz Square. Mark Twain called this bas-relief carved into a rock wall “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” Indeed, it conveys with somber poetry the sorrow felt by the city when Swiss Guards were massacred by an armed mob during the French Revolution.

Switzerland’s neutrality during wartime notwithstanding, the country has long pledged to protect its citizens. During the height of the Cold War, a 1963 federal law proclaimed the government would provide nuclear shelters for the entire population. One result of that decree was the Sonnenberg Bunker—two motorway tunnels bored into a mountainside. When they were completed in the 1970s, each tunnel could accommodate 10,000 people; a seven-story cavern between them housed a hospital, radio and telephone equipment, and even prison cells.

Thankfully, Lucerne’s plague, Swiss Guard tragedy, and nuclear shelters have been banished to history. Today, the city is a vibrant and thriving culture center that embraces its past in a remarkably preserved Old Town and looks to the future with its modern architecture and arts scene. Experience it all for yourself with Gate 1 Travel on a tour to Lucerne today!

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

A Spectacular Train Journey Into an Alpine Wonderland

on October 20, 2017

There is no more awe-inspiring way to take in the Swiss Alps than aboard the Glacier Express. Despite its name, it is not a speedy train at all. And you’re sure to be delighted that it takes its sweet time traversing spectacular landscapes, climbing alpine hills to dramatic passes, spiraling around mountainous slopes, and crossing the most magnificent arched bridges in the world. In short, it’s a journey that will take your breath away.

Named for the nearby Rhône Glacier, the massive ice sheet that is the source of the Rhône River, this epic engineering marvel makes its way along some of the world’s most challenging terrain. During its early years, deep winter snows at the highest elevations restricted the train’s operation to the summer months. Today, two tunnels and advanced technology allow the train to operate year-round.

The railway’s opening changed the face of Switzerland. Before the turn of the 20th century, there was limited access to the southern and secluded regions of the country. Over time, hoteliers and businessmen proposed the construction of ambitiously laid tracks that would be able to traverse the alpine terrain, delivering tourists to remote resorts more easily and moving goods among the country’s various cantons more efficiently. The men behind the railway’s design devised a system of curved tunnels, vertiginous bridges, and spiral tracks that wound around hills like threads on a screw. By its completion, 291 bridges soared over valleys and gorges and 91 mountain tunnels had been dug.

During our unforgettable journey, you will board an all-glass observation car and set off from St. Moritz. Just outside your window, ice-capped peaks pierce the sky and stone villages dot green valleys. Thrill to the spiral tunnels that bore under Albula Pass (at 7,595 feet). Cross the dizzying span of the curved Landwasser Viaduct, a six-arch limestone span 213 feet above the valley floor. Also impressive, the Schmittentobel Viaduct stretches across seven arches.

From the town of Chur, you will trace the banks of another of Europe’s great rivers: the Rhine. Ride through the stunning Ruinaulta gorge before an ascent of more than 4,000 feet to Oberlap Pass (at 6,706 feet), the source of the Rhine. This is one of the continent’s great passages, crossed by traders and adventurers for centuries. Still today, it links the eastern and western cantons of southern Switzerland, but today the journey is accomplished far more comfortably—in a rail car or an automobile.

The alpine town of Andermatt is the terminus of our journey, spectacularly set in the wide Urseren Valley overlooked by hulking peaks.

Experience one of the world’s most astonishing rail journeys with us! We look forward to seeing you on our new Swiss Alpine Jewels trip.

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Top 7 Reasons to Visit Switzerland

on October 13, 2017

The Swiss are renowned for many things: their neutrality during World War II; their invigorating blend of French, Italian, German and distinctly Swiss cultures; their precision of timing as embodied in carefully made Swiss watches; and of course the stunning scenery. Discovery Tours introduces you to this intriguing and magnificent nation during our new Swiss Alpine Jewels itinerary. Here are just seven reasons for you to join us on this unforgettable trip:

Treasures of Chillon Castle. Nestled on an island in the eastern waters of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle is brimming with legend and lore. Beloved for more than its scenic setting, it is a bastion of history that stretches back to the Roman Empire and the Counts of Savoy. Its six stalwart turrets strike a stately pose on the lake’s shores and its interior tells fascinating stories of dukes and their prisoners.

Breathtaking alpine vistas. The Alps stretch across Central Europe like a massive geological spine, from France to Slovenia. But the Swiss Alps are the tallest.

Its most famous pinnacle is the Matterhorn, soaring to 14,700 feet over the alpine town of Zermatt. Other snow-capped peaks that scrape the sky include Dufourspitze (15,200 feet), the Dom (14,900 feet) and the Weisshorn (14,800 feet). You will take in one of the world’s most dramatic mountain views when you journey over the legendary Simplon Pass.

Shimmering lakes. Switzerland’s glass-like lakes add to the pristine allure of Swiss beauty. Not only that, but they also double your fascination. Just when you thought the panoramas couldn’t be more magnificent, you can look to their pristine surface and see spectacular mirror images reflected in the waters.

Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge. Perhaps one of Switzerland’s most charming sites, the 672-foot Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, is a covered pedestrian footbridge over the River Reuss. The span is the world’s oldest truss bridge, named for the city’s St. Peter’s Chapel. It is Lucerne’s most beloved monument, built around 1365 as part of a military fortification. But what really sets it apart are the 17th-century triangular paintings that adorn the bridge’s interior, lovely depictions of Lucerne’s history.

Delectable chocolate. From truffles to pralines, Switzerland is rightly known for its delicious chocolates. Production began in the 17th century and in 1819, one of its most famous chocolate factories was founded by François-Louis Cailler after he learned the fine art of chocolate making in Turin, Italy. In our Discovery Tours small group, we will visit this historic factory site, owned by Nestlé since 1929.

Dazzling Zermatt. Spread out at the foot of the Matterhorn, the alpine town of Zermatt boasts some of the cleanest air of any town in the world. Accessed by cogwheel train, the car-free city began as a village for mountaineers looking to scale the heights of the Matterhorn. Today, the town is a stroller’s dream, a delightful tapestry of chalet-style architecture, inviting cafes and stunning vistas.

Fantastic fondue. With so many lush green valleys and grazing cows, Switzerland is one of the world’s largest producers of cheese. And for the Swiss, there are few dishes as satisfying on a cool alpine evening as a caquelon, or fondue pot. The dish, in which diners dip bread into a communal pot of melted cheese, had its origins in the 1930s. Over the decades, fondue has expanded to included fruits dipped in chocolate and meats dipped in broth.

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Borneo! Rich History, Primeval Beauty & Warm Smiles

on September 27, 2017

It’s been said that the wildest, most untouched corners of the world are home to the most welcoming people. Surely that must be said of Malaysian Borneo. There is magic here—high in the treetops, infused in the walls of tribal longhouses deep in the jungle, in the inviting kampong, or coastal villages, surrounding Sarawak and Sabah, and in the dark and dewy eyes of the Bornean orangutan. And you can experience it all during our new Borneo, Nature, Diversity & Grace tour.

First, a Bit of Geography

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. Many imagine that it is a nation unto itself. Instead, the island is shared between three nations. Indonesia controls the southern three-fourths or so. The tiny nation of Brunei (about 1% of the landmass) hugs the north central coast. The rest—a strip of forest-draped land that seems to want to shove Brunei into the South China Sea—belongs to Malaysia. Our adventure focuses on Malaysian Borneo.

A Brief History

The Dayak people are some of Borneo’s original inhabitants. As Asia’s more advanced people took to the seas, they descended on the island for camphor, ivory, beeswax, rattan, edible bird’s nests and other exotic goods for trade back home. During its early years, Indians and Javanese also found their way here. Later, India and China operated trading posts on Borneo for some 800 years.

The colonial era witnessed the coming and going of Portuguese, British, Spanish, Dutch, American and even German interest. But it was the British and Dutch whose presence had the most lasting impact, with today’s border between Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively, closely resembling the one formed in the 19th century by those colonies. Indeed, British Borneo (today’s Malaysia) fell under the Crown until the Japanese waged a cruel campaign and occupation during World War II.

At war’s end, it was the Australians who helped locals take back Borneo from its occupiers. The island was liberated in 1945. During the second half of the 20th century, the road to becoming part of the Malaysian confederation was long and fraught with intrigue, strained alliances, and populous uprisings. In 1963, the Malaysia Agreement was signed, wrapping the former British territory into the Federation of Malaysia.

Rich Cultures, Unspoiled Beauty

Today, the states of Sarawak in the south and Sabah in the north comprise Malaysian Borneo.

Sophisticated Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, retains many of its British and Chinese accents, from the Tua Pek Kong Temple to the St. Thomas Cathedral. But it is most renowned as the gateway to some of the island’s most breathtaking natural beauty. The magnificent tropical forests of Batang Ai National Park surround a 9.3-square-mile lake, a tranquil habitat for orangutans, gibbons and hornbills.  Farther north, the spectacular Gunung Mulu National Park, a true equatorial rainforest and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its countless caves carved over millennia into dramatic karst formations. Our small group ventures into the Deer & Lang Caves, home to many bat species, the Wind Caves with its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, and the Clearwater Cave, the largest cave system in the world.

In the north, the coastal city of Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah state. This important Malaysian city was named for Mount Kinabalu. Its jagged peaks tower over Kinabalu Park, one of the world’s most biologically diverse spots. More than 5,000 plant species and 90 mammals thrive here and it is recognized as a Center for Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia. A visit to the Mountain Garden showcases some of rarest species in the world, including the Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid.

A Glimpse of Traditional Living

One of the most remarkable experiences in Malaysian Borneo is visiting a longhouse, a traditional tribal dwelling that could be many yards in length. These structures, able to accommodate an entire village under one roof, appear simple on the surface but were actually quite genius in their design for jungle living. Because they are raised off the ground on stilts, livestock can be sheltered underneath and, with fencing, be protected from predators. During flooding, the living quarters stay dry and canoes can easily be launched. Circulation is provided by open areas underneath the home and by breezes coming into the elevated spaces.

Inside, a long wall extends the entire length of the building, creating a corridor on one side and individual living quarters, or bilik, each accessed by its own door, on the other. The kitchen, or dapor, is often in a small separate building, accessed from each apartment by a bridge, to prevent fires from spreading. Residents can sleep along the outer wall of the public corridor. Off the corridor, an open-air terrace might overlook the outdoors. You can witness one of these fascinating structures firsthand when you visit the Mengkak Longhouse of the Iban people.

There is much to explore in Borneo, from a gripping past to some of the most staggering natural beauty you’ll ever see. We hope you’ll join us uncover it all during our new Borneo, Nature, Diversity & Grace tour.

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

The Plight of the Bornean Orangutan

on September 25, 2017

Peering into the deep, dark eyes of a Bornean orangutan, you’re likely to see a bit of yourself. It’s not your imagination playing tricks on you; this remarkable primate shares 97% of its DNA with humans. And though it’s unlikely that you’ll spot them in the wilds of Borneo (it is, sadly, on the critically endangered list), you will encounter them at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.

The “old man of the forest,” as the orangutan is called for its sage-like countenance, is the largest tree-dwelling animal on earth. Its rust-red coat is often shaggy, with hair that drapes long to the ground. Its arms can be as long as five feet and its facial expressions and body movements are famously human-like. And there’s another quality they share with us: intelligence. They might use spears to try to catch fish, leafy branches to swat away bees or to protect themselves from the rain, or a stick to scratch their backs.

Centers like Sepilok exist largely as a response to the deforestation of Borneo. Since the 1960s, forests have been stripped for timber and for palm oil, leaving the orangutan population decimated. Palm oil (used as a biofuel and in cooking oils and food and personal care products) is one of the most contentious issues on Borneo: Though its impact on the environment and on local species is clearly destructive, farmers rely on it as a basic source of income, providing employment to a large sector of Malaysians on the island. There are no easy answers to the issue that will satisfy both farmers and environmentalists, and governments have been slow to offer solutions. Some anthropologists believe that, if this trend continues, it is just a matter of a couple of decades before the Bornean orangutan is extinct.

Of course, Sepilok wants to prevent that. It opened its doors more than 50 years ago, in 1964, as the first rehabilitation center of its kind. Its naturalists rescue orphaned infants from logging sites and palm oil plantations, or they are taken in after they’ve been discovered to have been kept illegally as pets. After much day to day survival training in the reserve, they are released into the wild.

As awareness of this urgent issue increases, it is Sepilok’s hope that the Bornean orangutan population rebounds. Until then, its dedicated team does all it can to sustain this magnificent primate.

Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center during Discovery Tours’ new Borneo, Nature, Diversity & Grace tour.

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Borneo’s Primeval Splendor

on September 22, 2017

Birdsong transforms the canopy of the Borneo lowland rainforest into a symphony. Around you, the lush jungle foliage of Asia’s last great rainforest whispers in a Java Sea breeze. Home to 15,000 types of flowering plants, 3,000 kinds of trees, and 420 species of birds, this is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, spanning some 140 million years. But these aren’t the only superlatives that define Borneo: About 440 species of fish swim in its rivers, streams, and lakes and 221 types of mammals roam the forest floor. Since 2007, more than 100 new species have been discovered here. And its most famous resident—the Bornean orangutan, affectionately known as “the old man of the forest,”—shares 97% of its DNA with humans.

Here is the most profound observation we’ll share about Borneo: Exploring Batang Ai, Gunung Mulu, and Kinabalu National Parks, you will feel as if you are stepping back countless thousands of years. Indeed, the primeval world lives and breathes here still. Limestone spires reach to the skies like outreached fingers. Forests are dense with trees and other vegetation you’ve likely never seen. And primates sit or swing high in the canopy. If you can put aside the feeling that you are somehow out of place—or out of time—it is pure privilege to explore here.

And explore you will, during Discovery Tours’ new Borneo, Nature, Diversity & Grace tour. In our small group, you will have ample opportunity to get as close to this magnificent world as you’d like. Follow a plank boardwalk through a rainforest to the ancient Deer Caves, where if you’re lucky you will watch as a cloud of bats emerges from within. Walk among the dramatic stalagmites and stalactites of the Wind Caves. Explore Clearwater Cave, part of the largest cave system in the world, a network that stretches 138 miles.

You will also have the chance to meet some of the incredible creatures that call Borneo home. Meet the proboscis monkeys at a sanctuary in Labuk Bay, 400 acres of mangrove forest preserved for their protection. Endemic to the island, the unusual looking primate sports an oddly long nose. Long ago, their large bellies reminded locals of the Dutch colonizers, and so the monkeys earned the nickname orang belanda, or “Dutchman.” At the Sun Bear Conservation Center, see the world’s smallest bear. Only found in Southeast Asia, these adorable bruins are rescued and rehabilitated, threatened by deforestation and hunting.

Join us, and experience the spectacular natural world of Borneo for yourself!

EuropeMediterraneanSmall Group DiscoveriesTravel Tips

Curious Facts about Greece

on September 20, 2017

When we think of Greece, we quickly picture the Acropolis perched upon its rocky outcropping overlooking the city below. Or the azure domes of the Greek Islands hovering over whitewashed buildings. These sweeping views stir the soul. But when you look behind these magnificent canvases, a more intimate picture emerges, offering rich insight into the day to day details that make Greece so unique. Herein, we offer a collection of interesting facts – just the type that a Discovery Tours small group is likely to reveal.

Greece Through the Ages

  • Ancient Greece comprised about 1,500 city-states called poleis, each of which had its own laws and army. Athens was the largest. Poleis sometimes went to war with one another, and some of these conflicts were chronicled in classic works of literature that are still read today.
  • The Olympic Games debuted in Greece in 776 BC. Its first champion was a modest cook by the name of Coroebus; he won the sprint. During each Olympics, 100 bulls were sacrificed to Zeus.
  • Some of Greece’s olive trees have been producing the coveted fruit here since the 13th century.
  • Many doors, church domes and windowsills are painted a turquoise blue shade that is locally called kyanos. It has been believed for centuries that this color keeps evil spirits away, which might explain why the word “cyanide” is named for the color.

Greece’s Splendid Geography

  • About 80% of the country is mountainous, and it has no navigable rivers.
  • Every geographic spot in Greece is within just 85 miles of water. The country has 9,000 miles of coastline.
  • Of the more than 2,000 islands under the Greek flag, 170 of them are populated.
  • Greece enjoys 250 days of sunshine a year.

Today’s Greece

  • More travelers visit Greece each year than there are Greek citizens living there.
  • If you don’t cast your vote on Election Day in Greece, you’re breaking the law. All citizens 18 years and older are required to go to the ballot box.
  • Around 7% of the world’s produced marble comes from Greece.
  • Birthdays in Greece are not given much thought; rather, people celebrate the “name day” of the saint for whom they are named.
  • It is considered rude to wave in Greece with the fingers extended; rather, Greeks wave with the palm closed.
  • The blue color of the Greek flag stands for the sea and the sky; the white represents the purity of the Greek struggle for freedom.
  • Despite its poor soils, the island of Santorini produces some of the country’s most popular wines. Vines are grown unstaked and kept low to the ground in a basket shape. Huddled close to the earth, the grapes are thus protected from fierce winds and heat.

Get the insider’s view in a Discovery Tours small group during our Greece, The Birthplace of Civilization tour.

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Malaysia’s Magnificent Capital: Kuala Lumpur

on September 15, 2017

It doesn’t take long to understand why Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s robust capital, is one of the most visited cities in the world. First, there is its remarkable diversity—a mix of Mughal, Moorish, Tudor, Neo-Gothic, Asian, Islamic and modern architecture. Then there are its charming shophouses, historic and colorful two-story structures in which merchants once sold wares on the ground floor and lived on the second with his family. As for culture, the city is awash with arts, from dance to sculpture and painting. But rising above it all is the city’s main draw and glittering centerpiece—the Petronas Twin Towers, soaring postmodern skyscrapers resembling a pair of rockets preparing for liftoff.

It is a spectacular achievement that a city so young could develop so quickly. KL, as it is sometimes called, was founded by a Malay chief with help from Chinese tin miners around 1857. Back then, just a few houses and shops lined the jungle-dense shores where the Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang Rivers meet. (To give you an idea of the city’s modest beginnings, its name translates into “muddy confluence of rivers”). The British ruled from the late 1800s, overseeing railway construction and spurring rapid growth. The harvesting of rubber in the early 1900s—used primarily to outfit the newly invented automobile—bolstered the city’s wealth and vitality further. Kuala Lumpur, except during the stagnant Japanese occupation during World War II, became an economic force, unbridled even more by its independence in 1957.

Today, Kuala Lumpur is unlike any other city in the world. This dizzying metropolis is renowned for its emerald-draped parklands dotted with banyan trees, gleaming skyline that conceals gigantic shopping malls, reverent mosques and temples, and sizzling street food served amidst incense-laced markets. One could say that KL is many things to many people, a rich amalgam where tradition and custom remain very much alive despite the pull of modern technology.

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