April 29, 2013

An Interview with Emeric Harney of Harney & Sons Fine Teas

We recently caught up with Emeric Harney of Harney & Sons Fine Teas to discuss tea, travel, fashion, food and more.

Emeric HarneyQ: What makes Harney & Sons unique?
A: Harney & Sons is a tea company that is committed to making quality tea an everyday luxury. We pride ourselves on providing education on proper tea brewing methods as well as information on the teas themselves.

Q: How did your family get started in the tea business?
A: My grandfather had graduated from the Cornell School of Hospitality and was managing inns around Connecticut. The food and beverage industry is intertwined with any hospitality venture, and so my father met a gentleman named Stanley Mason, a purveyor of loose leaf teas. At this moment, John Harney was managing the White Hart Inn. Stanley Mason was a third-generation tea importer and had started a company called Sarum Teas. Stanley saw in my grandfather great passion and charm, and John saw in Stanley an opportunity to learn from a master tea blender. My grandfather apprenticed with Stanley Mason and eventually, in 1983, started his own business.

tea and mistQ: What made you want to continue in the family business?
A: I went into college with illusions and dreams of lights, fashion, fame. I became bored with each institution and eventually created my own photography business. Asked by my family to do some images, I found myself on a tea estate in China. It was there, sipping tea with farmers and learning more about tea, that I realized I was overlooking something just because it was too close to home.

Q: What is your position at Harney & Sons?
A: It’s hard to say exactly what my position is! In a family business you wear so many hats. I’m the general manager of the flagship property in SoHo, New York City. I’m a buyer, traveling to the different countries to taste and buy teas and merchandise. I work in product development and sales, brand management, marketing and PR.

Q: How do you source your teas?
A: We use a combination of relationships directly with farmers and estates, as well as working with brokers who help us to screen through the large amount of teas produced each season.

tea plantationQ: How often do you travel for work? Where do you go?
A: Each of the Harneys usually takes one major trip a year, as well as other trips for shows and promotions. In the past few years I’ve been to China, visiting the Zhejiang, Hunan and Fujian provinces. I also traveled to Assam and Darjeeling in India, as well as to Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Tokyo last year. We aim to visit popular tea-producing countries, and I personally enjoy traveling to lesser-known tea-producing countries. Our other trips take us to metropolitan areas to do promotions at hotels, trade shows, etc.

tea pickingQ: Are there any tea museums, places or experiences around the world that you highly recommend for travelers interested in tea?
A: In Hangzhou, China there is a fantastic museum of tea that actually houses one of our blends. We’re the only Western tea company to have tea in this museum! Otherwise, I highly recommend afternoon tea at some of the hotels we provide tea to in England, including The Dorchester and Claridge’s.

tea pickingAnd if one ever gets the opportunity, traveling throughout Sri Lanka is an experience not to be missed! The island isn’t too large, and it is truly a marvel to travel from one coast to the other, taking in the beautiful beaches that rise up into the highlands where delicious black teas are made, and higher still into the mountains where exquisite, unparalleled white teas are handcrafted.

tea leavesQ: Do you have any favorite tea houses or shops that you would recommend to travelers?
A: Apart from our own, I really enjoy Samovar Tea Lounge in San Francisco, Radiance Tea House & Books in New York City, and Mariage Freres in Paris. All these shops provide high-quality teas, and Radiance even has one of my favorite menus for lunch and dinner!

teaQ: Do you have a favorite tea?
A: As the years roll on in the tea industry, I’ve found that my favorite changes more often than I ever expected, depending on season, crops and, of course, my mood! However, right now I’ve been really enjoying one of our Taiwanese oolongs, Wenshan Baozhong. It’s a beautiful, twisted oolong that evokes strong floral notes of Lily of the Valley and gardenia, and whose body is smooth, sweet and creamy.

teaQ: How do you like your tea?
A: I drink my tea straight!

Q: What do you like to drink your tea out of?
A: I drink generally out of ceramic or porcelain.

teaQ: Do you have a favorite spot for afternoon tea?
My favorite spot for afternoon tea here in New York City is the Crosby Street Hotel, which is part of the Firmdale group of hotels. Their afternoon tea service is spectacular, especially when you request the addition of Ruinart Champagne. The acidity of the champagne really helps to get your taste buds activated for the sweets and tea to come.

tea tastingQ: Where do you like to travel and why?
A: I travel mostly for work, but I have to say the location that sticks out the most in my mind is India. Visiting India is a humbling experience that makes you appreciate what you have, and working in the tea industry, it lightens my shoulders knowing that the career I’m in provides opportunities to Indian citizens that they wouldn’t otherwise get. The people there are so friendly and willing to share everything with you, a trait that isn’t always seen in the world. And certainly not last, the countryside is stunning! From the mountains of Darjeeling to the flatlands of Assam, and even down to the coast in Nilgiri, the country displays vibrant colors and magnificent landscapes.

230139_500Q: Where will you travel next?
A: This is still being decided, but it’s looking to be between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia or Colombia, Argentina and Peru.

Q: What’s your favorite meal when traveling?
A: Anything native to the country I’m visiting.

tea tastingQ: If you weren’t in the tea industry, what would you do?
A: Before working for the family, I worked in fashion. I think I might still be in that industry, but more and more I find myself drawn to yoga and personal fitness. I think I’d make a strong advocate and teacher because of my passion and drive to better myself and help those around me.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A: I love to go to museums, see shows, hike with my dog, go running, try new restaurants.

Q: What are your favorite restaurants in New York City?
A: I’m a big fan of the Norwood, Tipsy Parson, Le Zie and Izakaya Ten.

matchaQ: What are you reading now?
A: Continuing in my Japanophile ways, I’m currently reading the series of books written by David Mitchell. I’m almost done with Ghostwritten. Just before this I was reading Shogun by James Clavell, possibly my favorite book. It inspired five tattoos!

 

Tags:  Asia, books, ceramics, China, Emeric Harney, England, Europe, fashion, food, France, Harney & Sons, history, hotels, India, Kenya, London, museums, New York, NYC, Paris, restaurants, Rwanda, shopping, SoHo, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, tea, tea activities, tea tastings, tearooms, travel, yoga

April 24, 2013

Iconic Image: The Floating Torii at Miyajima, Japan

Miyajima

 

One of Japan’s most iconic images is the floating torii, a red Shinto gate that rises out of the water of the Seto Inland Sea just off Miyajima Island (near Hiroshima). The gate marks the entrance to beautiful Itsukushima Shrine, a centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage Site noted for its traditional Japanese religious architecture and scenic location where the forested mountains meet the sea.

Clients of ours have kindly shared this image of the floating torii taken during their recent Artisans of Leisure Japan tour. A visit to Miyajima Island and Itsukushima Shrine is a highlight on several of our private Japan tours, including Treasures of Japan and Family Tour of Japan.

 

Tags:  architecture, Artisans of Leisure, Asia, Asia tours, Itsukushima Shrine, Japan, Japan tours, Miyajima, religion, scenic locations, Shinto, UNESCO

April 19, 2013

Read the lastest Artisans of Leisure newsletter – Spring 2013

Amalfi Coast toursThe latest version of the Artisans of Leisure newsletter is now online.

Highlights include:

Interview: Summer Travel in Greece & Turkey
Italy: A Few of Our Favorite Places
Peru beyond Machu Picchu
A Luxury Journey through Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Oman (slideshow)
Exclusive Switzerland
The Best of Normandy, France
New Holland & Belgium Tours

 

Visit the Artisans of Leisure website to read the complete newsletter.

 

Tags:  Abu Dhabi, Artisans of Leisure, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, Belgium, Dubai, Europe, family vacations, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, luxury tours, luxury travel newsletters, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, newsletter, Normandy, Oman, Peru, private tours, private travel, South America, Switzerland, travel experts, travel slideshows, Turkey, UAE, United Arab Emirates

April 9, 2013

An Interview with Ashley Isaacs Ganz on Greece & Turkey

Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz has spent the past few summers touring in the Mediterranean region, including Greece and Turkey. Here are a few of her favorite places and experiences.

Ashley Isaacs Ganz

Q: What’s the one place in Turkey that every visitor should see?
I never tire of Istanbul. It’s one of the great cities of the world: layers and layers of history, one of the world’s best dining scenes, great shopping, great people, and fantastic hotels. For most travelers, Istanbul really warrants 4-5 days.

Bosphorus-boat-ride

Q: How about in the Greek Islands?
Santorini is a must for its quintessential Greek scenes: whitewashed villages, blue-roofed churches, the deep blue sea. The visual stimulation is hard to beat!

Santorini toursQ: What if travelers don’t have time to visit the Greek Islands?
There are great luxury resorts just outside of Athens–these properties are ideal for families who want a proper resort experience and to do cultural touring in Athens.

Family resort near AthensQ: What are some of your favorite experiences in Athens?
I love the museums, especially the Acropolis Museum and Benaki Museum. I also really like to walk through the ruins of the Agora. And it’s always memorable to dine with the Acropolis as a backdrop.

restaurant with Acropolis viewQ: What do you like to buy in Greece?
I love browsing antiques shops in Athens to find old paintings, especially of boats, which are a staple of Greek folk art. Paintings of water scenes appear everywhere, from local tavernas to luxury hotels.

Greek folk paintingI also really like buying pomegranate objects and antique paintings featuring pomegranates. The fruit symbolizes abundance and fertility, and pomegranate imagery is found throughout the region. Pomegranatesantique Greek paintingQ: What do you like to buy in Turkey?
Where to begin! Istanbul is a shopper’s dream. Markets and upscale boutiques overflow with beautiful local products such as clothing, kilims, glassware, art, jewelry, textiles and tilework.

kilimQ: What’s one of your favorite lesser-visited locations in Greece?
The island of Rhodes is extremely worthwhile–it’s one of my favorite places in Greece for cultural touring. The main city, also called Rhodes, has a wonderful Old Town filled with Venetian and Ottoman architecture, an old Jewish quarter, and a cosmopolitan feel among its courtyard cafes and small shops. Other highlights of Rhodes are interesting ruins, great beaches and the picturesque whitewashed town of Lindos.

RhodesRhodes rock patternsRhodesQ: There are so many ruins in this region. What’s the one must-see archaeological site?
The ruins at Ephesus in Turkey are spectacular.

Ephesus

Q: What’s your favorite hotel in the region?
I love the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus–especially in the summer.

Ashley Isaacs GanzIt’s a true resort and a great place to relax by the pool or enjoy a meal while watching life go by on the Bosphorus.

Four Seasons BosphorusQ: What’s a fun, hands-on activity for kids?
A glass-blowing lesson to learn to make an eye-shaped glass amulet, a popular symbol throughout Greece and Turkey that is believed to ward off evil.

glassblowing lessonQ: Do you have a favorite market in Istanbul?
The Spice Bazaar is one of the best markets anywhere. It’s a highlight for photographers and anyone who wants to see where locals find the best spices, the freshest produce and the best quality Turkish delight.

market tours in IstanbulWhile there, I also like to visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque to see the gorgeous tiles.

Rustem PashaQ: Where do you recommend experiencing a Turkish hammam (bath)?
The hotels offer great hammam experiences, but for a special experience, I recommend the historic Hurrem Sultan Hamami at Ayasofya in Istanbul.

Aya SofiaQ: What are some of your most memorable meals?
Long, beachside lunches anywhere in the Greek Islands are a highlight of summers in Greece. Crete, in particular, has delicious fresh seafood, Greek salads with rusk bread, grilled halloumi cheese, marinated vegetables, and zucchini fritters.

lunch-locationIn Turkey, I’ve never had a bad meal, but I always love having dinner at the Four  Seasons Bosphorus during Ramadan, when the city’s affluent come out for the nightly break-the-fast meal. It’s an enormous buffet (prepared by one of the city’s best chefs) that features rich vegetable dishes and a variety of Turkish sweets, among other things.

bread-and-fruitI also have had memorable meals near Ephesus at restaurants where the incredibly fresh and varied produce is grown on site and the bread is brought out of the ovens as you dine.

bakerQ: Istanbul has so many palaces. What are your favorites?
Topkapi Palace is a must, especially the tilework in the harem.

Topkapi PalaceI also love Dolmabahce Palace and its beautiful surrounding gardens.

Dolmabahce Palace gardens

Topkapi PalaceQ: Many travelers are surprised to discover that Istanbul has a thriving contemporary art and design scene. What are your favorite  spots for catching up on the latest?
Istanbul Modern and santralistanbul are two of the best museums for seeing interesting contemporary art. I also love exploring Istanbul’s sophisticated design districts, fashionable restaurants, and smaller museums.

art tours IstanbulQ: What’s a quintessential Istanbul experience that really captures the atmosphere of the city?
A private boat ride on the Bosphorus to see the beautiful homes, waterside villages, and the gorgeous skyline.

private cruiseDepartures Magazine recognized Artisans of Leisure as a Mediterranean insider for our “standout experiences across the Mediterranean.”

Visit our website to see our recommended itineraries for Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean destinations, including Italy and Sicily, Israel and Spain.

Click here to view travel slideshows of Greece & Turkey.

Tags:  antiques, art, Artisans of Leisure, Ashley Ganz, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, Athens, cooking classes, Crete, Departures Magazine, Ephesus, Europe, Europe luxury travel, Europe tours, exclusive tours, experts, family travel, family vacations, food, Greece, Greece and Turkey tours, Greek Islands, insider, Istanbul, Istanbul tours, luxury Greece tours, luxury resorts, luxury tours, luxury travel, luxury travel experts, luxury Turkey tours, Mediterranean, Mediterranean tours, paintings, private boat charters, private tours, Ramadan, recommendations, ruins, Santorini, shopping, shopping tours, suggested itineraries, Turkey

April 3, 2013

A Private Cruise on the Mekong River in Luang Prabang

A visit to Luang Prabang, Laos is incomplete without spending time on the Mekong River. Our favorite way to enjoy this legendary waterway is on a private boat.

Pak Ou caves in LaosWe especially recommend a private boat excursion to the Pak Ou Caves, about 25 km north of Luang Prabang. Accessible only by boat, these natural caverns house thousands of Buddha sculptures in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and poses.

private Mekong cruises Artisans of LeisureBuddhism permeates Lao culture, and the Pak Ou Caves are one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Laos. For centuries, local people have donated their old or damaged Buddhist figures to the caves, resulting in the current accumulation of icons.

On the journey back down the Mekong, take in views of rural landscapes, small villages and the leisurely pace of life along the river: children swimming, fishermen tending to their lines, and people hanging laundry out to dry.

Laos foodPerhaps even stop at a village that makes lao lao, a local spirit distilled from rice.

Enjoy cocktails and canapes as the sun sets, reflecting its pink rays across the water.

Mekong River One of the most relaxing experiences we arrange for our travelers in Laos, a private boat cruise on the Mekong River can be incorporated into any of our Laos tours.

Tags:  art, Artisans of Leisure, Asia, Asia travel experts, Buddhism, countryside, exclusive excursions, Indochina, Laos, Laos tours, Luang Prabang, luxury cruises, luxury Laos tours, luxury travel Laos, Mekong cruises, Mekong River, Pak Ou Caves, private tours, Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia tours, villages

March 27, 2013

Song Saa: a Private Island Retreat in Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa is a great option for travelers wanting a Southeast Asian island retreat that’s off the beaten path. Cambodia’s first (and only) luxury island resort sits on a pair of private islands in the Gulf of Thailand among beautiful, untouched nature. In addition to relaxing on the beach and in the spa, Song Saa offers several options for exploring its natural world—including rainforest and a marine reserve—at a leisurely pace.

Kayaking and snorkeling are ideal ways to experience the marine conservation area, which is filled with coral, tropical fish, giant clams, seahorses and other sea life.

Other activities include rainforest walks, bird-watching with naturalist guides, private yoga lessons, visits to local communities, spa treatments, and activities to learn more about Buddhism and Buddhist culture in Cambodia.

Cambodia luxury resort Song SaaA stay at Song Saa nicely complements cultural touring elsewhere in Cambodia, including the spectacular temple ruins of Angkor and the historic sites in Phnom Penh.

Song Saa Private Island is featured in Artisans of Leisure’s Romantic Cambodia tour, and can be incorporated into any of our other luxury Cambodia tours.

Tags:  adventure travel, Angkor Wat, Artisans of Leisure, Asia, Asia luxury travel, Asia tours, birdwatching, Buddhism, Cambodia, Cambodia tours, exclusive island resorts, honeymoon destinations, honeymoons, hotels, island retreats, kayaking, leisure, luxury, luxury resorts, luxury spas, luxury tours, luxury travel, private, relaxation, resorts, romance, snorkeling, Song Saa Private Island, Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia tours, spa, travel, wildlife, yoga

March 7, 2013

Must Try: A Tea Tasting in China

tea experiences in ChinaTea is an essential part of daily life in China, and learning about the many varieties of tea and the role tea plays in Chinese culture is a highlight for many travelers visiting China.

In atmospheric settings ranging from historic tea houses in Shanghai and Hong Kong to tea plantations in Hangzhou, Artisans of Leisure can arrange private tea tastings that introduce travelers to different types of Chinese tea, such as pu-erh, longjing, oolong, lotus blossom and chrysanthemum tea. During the tastings, travelers can also learn the proper way to brew and drink Chinese tea.

Another important aspect of tea culture in China is presentation, and a highlight of a tea tasting is the opportunity to see beautiful teapots, tea cups and other tea utensils.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional tea-related activities such as tours of tea plantations, visits to teaware museums, and shopping at the most noted tea and tea accessory shops.

Tags:  Asia, Asia tours, China, China tours, luxury tours, museums, private, shopping, tea, tea experiences, tea houses, tea museums, tea plantations, tea tastings, tea tours

February 28, 2013

Our latest luxury travel newsletter — Winter 2013

Saruni SamburuThe latest version of the Artisans of Leisure newsletter is now online. Visit our website to read the complete newsletter.

Highlights include:

Tags:  10th anniversary, Africa, Argentina, Artisans of Leisure, Asia, Basque Country, Belgium, best of Africa, blog, Chile, China, culinary tours, Easter Island, Ecuador, Europe, family travel, food, Galapagos, hiking, Himalayas, Holland, Israel, Kenya, Latin America, luxury safari lodges, luxury tours, luxury travel, luxury travel experts, luxury travel newsletter, Middle East, Netherlands, newsletter, Peru, Portugal, safari, South America, summer vacations, Tanzania, Tibet, travel news, travel press, travel slideshows, Virtuoso, wine