Sherman's Travel

In Chun’an County, Zhejiang, China, you’ll come across one of the most beautiful man-made reservoirs in the world. Thousand Island Lake (Quiando Lake in Chinese) is one of the best scenic attractions in the county. Quiando gets its name from the 1,078 islands that exist across the lake. Read more

If you’re like me and had no clue there were even deserts in China, then you’re probably even more surprised at seeing this amazing oasis! The striking juxtaposition of a lake, lush greenery, and Asian architecture in the middle of a desert makes this scene so incredible. Read more

It’s hard to dream up a place like the floating Hallelujah Mountains from Avatar. Luckily, the producers and directors didn’t have to look too far afield, just to China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The stone peaks covered in vegetation tower high into the air – some are over 3,000 feet tall. Located in the northern part of the southeastern Hunan Province of China, the mountains are quite strikingly covered in dense vegetation due to the moist weather year-round.  Read more

The Yuanyang Rice Terraces line the slopes of southern China. It’s said that 1,000 years ago, the local Hani people sculpted these rice terraces with their bare hands! Together, they transformed the then-barren valleys into a profitable and plentiful rice-baring Eden. Read more

Jiuzhai Valley National Park, or locally known as Jiuzhaigou (Chinese for “Nine Village Valley” because there are nine Tibetan villages scattered throughout the park), is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Sure, that’s a lofty phrase, what with the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, but it’s true (and we have the photos to prove it). With over 220 species of birds, countless endangered plants and animals (like the giant panda!), the national park has plenty to see other than just the landscape. Read more

We’ve all been through our fair share of airports. Generally, I’m either running through them or waiting impatiently for my zone on my next flight to be called. But, according to CheapFlight.com‘s recent list, we should be taking a few extra moments to step back and enjoy our airport’s offerings. Read on to find out the awesome services right around the corner from your gate and read our list of top 10 airports for shopping! Read more

The first time I stayed at the Peninsula Hong Kong, in spring 2011, it seemed pretty great. A weather station on the roof dispatched temperature and humidity readings to the rooms, front-desk messages arrived by silent fax, and a “valet box” allowed freshly shined shoes and newspapers to be delivered inside rooms each morning without even having to open the door. Of course, there was also the fleet of 15 chauffeured Rolls-Royce Phantoms, including a vintage one from 1934, to assist with departures or arrivals (unless you preferred using the hotel’s twin helipads). Inside the oldest hotel in Hong Kong – and the first in the small luxury chain – my room overlooked the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Kowloon and faced the skyscrapers across Victoria Harbour. It was hard to complain. Read more

For many travelers, having plentiful amenities within arms reach makes for a great trip. Those who travel abroad would rather not squander downtime – or cash – trying to hunt down a bite to eat or a place to relax. For lovers of art, hearty meals, and fat wallets, guests at Beijing’s EAST hotel may find their business trip to be, dare we say, fun.

With the admittedly strange slogan of “a business hotel with a life,” Swire Hotels’ EAST, Beijing opened on September 24 in the Jiangtai area of the Chinese capital’s Chaoyang District. Rooms range from 323 to 753 square feet, with walk-in rain showers and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Through December 31, rooms are $128, plus a 15-percent service charge. Read more

While we’d all love to travel more than we do, silly things like money, jobs, children, and crippling anxiety keep us trapped in one place (often our homes that are filled with old newspapers). Thankfully, modern technology allows us to experience the world more easily than ever before. We can Skype with our friends on other continents, tour museums on our phones, and experience just about anything online. But what if you want to explore other cultures and places more tangibly and can’t hop around the globe like Indiana Jones? Well, if you have space in your yard (and don’t mind your home resembling the SkyMall Tuesday headquarters), then SkyMall has everything you need to bring the world to you. Rather than break the bank and exhaust all of your vacation days on constant travel, why not surround create a menagerie of handsome lawn sculptures that allows you to live internationally without ever leaving your house? Read more

When you think of “Gay Travel” certainly gay cruises, circuit parties, or clothing-optional guesthouses come to mind. But what about the ancient city of Varanasi? The Zambezi or Victoria Falls in the heart of Africa? Or a spiritual retreat high in the mountains of Tibet? Newly launched Wilde Travels is set out to change that – and offer a 10 percent savings to first-time customers through August 31, 2012.

Following the Miami-based company’s soft-launch in April, owner Jacob Marek – a former marketing manager for the Kenya Tourist board and a Patagonian tour company – officially pressed the “Go” button on the luxury tour operations with an emphasis on gay and gay-friendly guides, boutique accommodations, and above all customization. No gay group tours here (for now).

Read more