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Jan 23, 2012 marked the beginning of the Year of the Dragon and Goway Travel celebrated in true festive spirit. The office was adorned in red lanterns, hanging paper dragons and bright lights while staff snacked on traditional dumplings, spring rolls and various sweets. There was even a prize for a hand-made origami dragon as well as gold coins offered for good luck.

“I have read recently that the Year of the Dragon is considered to be the luckiest of the Chinese Zodiac so what better reason to celebrate,” says Diane Molzan, general manager of Asia by Goway. “It’s fantastic to have our entire office come out to join in on our festivities. It reminds us that we are a truly global company.”

Chinese New year, which traditionally lasts for 15 days, is the longest and most important Chinese holidays beginning on the first day of the month in the Chinese calendar. Also known as the Lunar New Year, this holiday is celebrated in other Asian countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Korea among others. It is a special occasion where families reunite, give gifts, light incense and generally just have a good time watching street festivals and firework shows. Goway wishes everyone a Happy New Year… Sun Nin Fai Lo!

Goway offers travellers the ability to stay in traditional, one-of-a-kind accommodations that will create truly memorable experiences. These travel ideas are recommended for those who are adventurous or willing to try something totally different. Either spend a day with Mongolian nomads staying in a traditional Ger or sip tea and enjoy a steam bath in a traditional Japanese Ryokan. Share a home in a Hilltribe village in Northern Thailand or float slowly down a river in your own private Indian houseboat, the opportunities are endless with Goway’s top unique Asia accommodation experiences.

When travelling to Japan, experience a Traditional Japanese Inn called a Ryokan. It is an old-fashion Japanese-style inn, designed using paper doors and offers travellers a real Japanese cultural experience. Guests must leave shoes at the door and follow traditional customs. Experience relaxation in a steaming antique cedar tub then get wrapped in a Yukata (robe), later indulge in a meticulously prepared and artfully served meal. Goway offers a 3 day traditional Japanese Inn experience in Kyoto or Hakone from for $1355 CAD per person and twin share.

For the spiritual traveller, Goway offers a Korean Temple Stay. Visitors get a unique and amazing insight into a special aspect of Korean worship. Guests can drink tea with monks and discuss Buddhism. At dawn, worship before the image of Buddha and awake to the sound of the moktak (wooden block) then read Buddhist scriptures with the sanga (Buddhist family) for meditation. Goway offers 2-3 day Korean temple packages including return train tickets Seoul/Gyeongju, return transfers to the temple, accommodation with private facilities, and Temple program from $429 CAD per person.

True nomads seeking a real unique accommodation, can stay in a Mongolian Ger which is a traditional dwelling made of felt and wood where Mongols have lived inside for generations. Even in major cities, most Mongolians continue to live in gers. Locals will explain the many traditional, religious and superstitious rules and customs associated with gers. Four of Goway’s Mongolia travel ideas offer the ability to stay in Ger, starting from $1369 CAD per person for a 5 day tour.

Travellers planning to trek the jungles of northern Chiang Mai, Thailand, can stay in a Thai Hilltribe Village, have dinner and stay overnight in a village home. Accommodation is modest and consists of sleeping on a mat on the floor of a wooden home. This experience allows for an authentic glimpse of village life in Northern Thailand. Goway offers a 2 day Chaing Mai Adventure Trek for $235 CAD including an elephant ride and bamboo rafting trip.

Indian Private Houseboats in the Backwaters of Kerala in Southern India are slow-moving, exotic barges used for leisure trips. In earlier days these boat were used to carry rice and spices. Guests who stay on board Goway’s Private Houseboat will sleep in comfortable private bedding, have a private chef and enjoy relaxing while taking in the incredible scenery. Five days aboard the Indian Houseboat with 1 night in Cochin is from $669 CAD per person.

Hong Kong is a year-round festival destination but nothing matches the warmth, colour and spectacle of seeing the city celebrate Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year celebration takes place from 17 Jan – 6 Feb 2012, and Hong Kong will come alive on January 23rd ushering in the Year of the Dragon.

There will be a Night Parade that features more than a dozen colourful floats accompanied by spectacular international and local performing groups, bringing excitement and enjoyment to visitors and local residents. The fabulous floats will be on display after the Parade making this the perfect opportunity to take a close-up look at all these impressive creations as well as a spectacular firework’s display.

Goway’s Vibrant Hong Kong 3 day package offers visitors their choice of selected accommodation, roundtrip airport transfers, a half day sightseeing tour as well as free time to take advantage of all the festivities to bring in the new year in Hong Kong.

Guilin, the most picturesque city in China and considered a world famous destination, is a place like no other. The city is surrounded by two beautiful flowing rivers, four lakes and many dramatic karst mountains. Home to the tranquil Li River, which winds through spectacular limestone formations, steep hills and lush green fields. This unique placehas inspired many artists to travel here with its amazing breathtaking scenery. Many traditional Chinese paintings use the image of Guilin.

Goway offers a relaxing cruise through this mystical landscape to and from Guilin, with a stop over in Yangshuo, which takes a full day. For those interested in seeing more of the charming town of Yangshuo, it is possible to add an extension

Goway also offers an add-on tour to the Reed Flute Caves, Fubo Hill and Elephant Trunk Hill. The Reed caves derive its name from the abundant reeds growing outside of it, and from which people use to create flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition. Fubo Hill, another of Guilin’s scenic spots, reaches a height of 213 meters (698.8 feet) and emerges 62 meters (203.4 feet) above water. Half of the hill stands in the river and the other half on land. The nearby Elephant Trunk Hill is a symbol of the Guilin landscape. Originally named “Li Hill”, “Yi Hill”, and “Chenshui Hill”, Elephant Trunk Hill has a history spanning 3.6 hundred million years.

Guilin experiences a comfortable sub tropical climate with four mild seasons year round. Anytime of the year is a good time to visit, except for during Chinese New Year, which books up well in advance.

Goway’s 2 day package to Guilin is priced from $247 CAD and includes accommodation with private facilities, roundtrip transfers, breakfast daily, and a full day Li River Cruise with lunch.

The lovely destination of Thailand has certainly seen its share of unfortunate events over the past few years. Whether it be the political demonstrations of 2010 to the recent flooding in the central areas that has garnered front page attention in the media, the country is certainly no stranger to the importance of remaining positive and in fact, Thailand has proven to be one of the most resilient destinationsfor an exotic and cultural getaway.

The areas to the north and south of Thailand have been flood free, so they are still very safe to visit. “Goway has experienced very few cancellations for Thailand and bookings are still going strong as travellers are still keen to visit,” says Diane Molzan, Goway’s General Manager of Asia. “Many of Goway’s travellers spend little time in Bangkok, so even though there are areas within the capital city that have experienced flooding, there hasn’t been much of an impact on our sales.” It’s important to note that only some areas of Bangkok were affected by the floods but the main international airport and many of the key tourist attractions are still operating as normal.

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and considered the pearl of the south. This location is a premier tourist vacation spot that boasts powdered white sand beaches surrounded by hills as a backdrop and the clear blue ocean. Not only is it a naturally beautiful place, its town is filled with unique Sino-Portuguese architecture. There is also much to see and do from Thai boxing, night markets, elephant riding, water activities and much more. Whether you prefer the party atmosphere found on Patong Beach in Phuket or prefer a romantic getaway on the island of Krabi, Thailand offers the perfect escape for you.

Goway offers Thai Beach Escapes in Phuket or Samui for 7 nights; including twin share accommodations and  breakfast daily from $236. There are a range of accommodations from moderate, first class and deluxe resorts. Escape this winter and indulge in the Thai sun and spectacular scenery. There is still space for this holiday season so book now.

Here’s a reason to consider seeing Japan in its winter glory: the Sapporo Snow Festival.
This festival has grown from its humble beginnings when high school students would build snow statues in Odori Park to become one of Japan’s largest winter events.

The Festival attracts a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad – approximately two million people each year. Visitors come to Sapporo to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures which line Odori Park, the grounds at the Sapporo Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino.

These statues and sculptures turn Sapporo into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow. It will be held next year for seven days from February 6th-12th, 2012 in Hokkaido’s capital Sapporo

Goway’s 3-day Sapporo package includes accommodation for 2 nights in your choice of hotel with breakfast daily, return airport transfers and a half-day city sightseeing walking tour to Odori Park, the Old Hokkaido Government Buildings and finally, Tanukikoji Shopping Street.

Other popular Japan travel ideas with Goway includes the 8-day Essential Japan, which includes Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Hiroshima and more.

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Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is one of the most popular festivals in South Asia.The 5-day festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival vary across India.

Goway celebrated this occasion in their Toronto office on Thursday, October 27th in true festive spirit. Staff enjoyed delicious traditional snacks, such as Samosas, sweet cashew rolls, crunchy Bhel mix, tasty Khaman Shokla, and lentil Kachoris. Goway’s Vancouver office celebrated in a similar way with their colleagues on the previous day.

Many staff dressed in beautifully adorned Saris and other traditional Indian wear. Bollywood videos played on the projector, enticing everyone to break out their dances moves! Everyone received a chocolate coin, a symbol of good fortune and good luck.

Goway president Bruce Hodge, who was seen wearing a red Kurta claimed that “Goway recognizes many types of festivities throughout the year, especially those that focus on the destinations in which Goway specializes.” Goway’s Asia division is delighted that this will now be an annual celebration, spotlighting some of the wonderful foods and traditions of India.

Goway wishes everyone a Happy Diwali!

For even the most adventurous trekkers, the option to reach the summit of Mount Everest by foot is not feasible…however, the ability to see the tallest Mountain on Earth is still possible through a Flight Seeing Excursion, a one hour mountain flight by plane or helicopter through the panoramic Himalayas. Goway offers this excursion as an extension idea to their 3-day Kathmandu stopover.

Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the Tibetan Plateau and appeal to all travellers, especially those who are restricted by time or don’t have the opportunity to go trekking.

These once in a lifetime Mountain flights operate daily and take in the entire range of the Himalayas. Clients can choose from either a private helicopter excursion or a small plane and it takes approximately 3 hours to the landing spot of Shyangboch and back (including a short break at Shyangboche). Flights operate out of Kathmandu, making it a convenient addition to any Nepal itinerary.

For clients wishing to stay longer in Kathmandu and Nepal, Goway’s offers a 5-day Impressions of Nepal . More adventurous clients can choose one of Goway’s trekking ideas, and get up close to Everest with Goway’s 16 day adventure program to Everest Base Camp.

Goway Travel has added another incredible rail experience – the new high speed train that travels 1318km between Beijing and Shanghai. This brand new rail journey, which opened June 30, 2011, offers clients an efficient and relaxing way to travel between these two exciting cities.

Trains are quickly becoming the preferred way for both tourists and locals to travel within China, since they can avoid some of the hassles of air travel, including lengthy and costly airport commutes, long check-ins, and flight delays. The rail stations of both Beijing and Shanghai are centrally located and connected via the city subway.

The journey takes just 5 hours, half the time of the regular trains, and operates at speeds over 300km per hour. Regular departures operate every 20 minutes in each direction during peak travel time between 7am and 5pm.

Travellers can opt for First Class and Second Class tickets, with on-train dining provided in the dining car. Goway offers both first and second class tickets priced from $132 CAD per person (second class). This rail experience combines perfectly with Goway’s 4 day Beijing-Great Wall and 3 day Legendary Shanghai programs.