Artisans of Leisure

Infobox Company
company_name = Artisans of Leisure
company_
company_type = Private
foundation = 2003
location = New York City, USA
key_people =
industry = Travel, Tour operator, Tourism, Hospitality
products = Private luxury tours
homepage = [http://www.artisansofleisure.com www.artisansofleisure.com]

Artisans of Leisure is a luxury tour operator offering private cultural tours in international destinations.

The company is recognized as a leading provider of luxury, access and culture for travelers seeking private, highly personalized tours. [Maier, Kathryn & Wilkinson, Brook (December 2006). “The Fabulous 50: 50 Experiences that Only Insiders Can Deliver.” "Condé Nast Traveler", pp. 180, 182, 186] [Thrasher, Paula Crouch (July 25, 2004). “Premium Travel: More are Willing to Pay for Service.” "The Atlanta-Journal Constitution", pp. K1, K6]

Artisans of Leisure caters to an affluent international clientele.

History

Artisans of Leisure was founded in 2003 by Ashley Isaacs Ganz. "Food & Wine" magazine has named Ganz a luxury travel “tastemaker,” [Abdelnour, Salma (December 2004). “Luxury Travel’s Road Scholar.” "Food & Wine", p. 144] and "Departures" magazine featured Ganz in their "Explorers" issue. [Khanna, Nandita (July/August 2008). "Artfully Asian." "Departures", p. 62]

Many of the company’s staff members have graduate degrees and backgrounds in academia, journalism or the arts. [ [http://www.artisansofleisure.com www.artisansofleisure.com] ]

The company has been recognized as a leading luxury travel specialist for many destinations worldwide, [Reiber, Beth (2006). “Escorted Tours.” "Frommer’s Japan" (8th ed.). p. 49. ISBN 0-471-76391-8] [Kelly, Margaret (Ed.) (2007). “Guided Tours” and “Culinary Tours.” "Fodor’s China" (5th ed.). p. 732. ISBN 978-1-4000-1731-7] [“Vietnamese Cuisine,” (2007). In Dupont, Ellen (Ed.), "National Geographic Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips". p. 247. Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society. ISBN 978-1-4262-0125-7] [Barberich, Christene: “Luxury Travel Experts,” "Four Seasons Magazine", Summer 2005, p. 74] as an upscale family travel planner, [Edwards, Yolanda (July/August 2007). “Best of Family Travel.” "Cookie", p. 73] [Glusac, Elaine (Fall 2007). “The New Face of Family Travel.” "Celebrated Living", p. 92] and as an innovative company offering a variety of one-of-a-kind and special interest activities and tours. [Maier, Kathryn & Wilkinson, Brook (December 2007). “The Dream List: 40 One-of-a Kind Experiences and How to Get Them.” "Condé Nast Traveler", pp. 207, 216, 218] [Nagie, Kelsey (July 2006). “Artisans of Leisure: The Posh Lifestyle Goes Global.” TangoDiva.com] Artisans of Leisure tours have been recommended by "The New York Times", "Condé Nast Traveler", "Travel + Leisure", "Forbes", NBC’s "Today" show, CNN, "Frommer's", "Fodor’s", and other major newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, affluent market studies ["HNWIs’ Pursuit of “Passion Investments” Is Not Deterred by Economic Volatility: Luxury/Experiential Travel" (June 24, 2008). "Merrill Lynch / Cap Gemini World Wealth Report 2008", p. 25] and trade publications.

Products and services

Artisans of Leisure specializes in independent (FIT) luxury travel and arranges tours with a cultural focus in over 30 countries, including Japan, China, India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Peru, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Russia and Morocco. [ [http://www.artisansofleisure.com www.artisansofleisure.com] ]

The company also offers special-interest tours focusing on various themes, [Chessher, Melissa (December 2006). “Customized Culture.” "Hemispheres", p. 32] such as culinary tours, [“Traveling with Taste.” (March 2005). "Bon Appetit", p. 30] [Gordon, Alice (September 2006). “Become an Expert.” "Travel+Leisure", p.136] [Holliday, Taylor (April 10, 2005). “Savoring the Bounty of Vietnam.” "The New York Times", Section 5, p.1] family tours, [Edwards, Yolanda (July/August 2007). “Best of Family Travel.” "Cookie", p. 73] art and architecture tours, spa tours, and religious heritage tours. The company also designs one-of-a-kind international honeymoons [“Custom-Made Escapes.” (August/September 2007). "Modern Bride", p. 172] [“A Year of Honeymoons.” (Winter 2006). "InStyle Weddings", p. 99] and offers a honeymoon registry. [“Q & A Travel: Is it possible to register for our honeymoon?” (Spring/Summer 2008). "The Knot". p. 430] [“10 Surprising Registry Ideas.” (Spring 2007). "InStyle Weddings", p.235]

Artisans of Leisure is noted for incorporating specialized experiences into their tours, such as philanthropic activities, [Alsever, Jennifer (December 9, 2007). “When a Luxury Vacation Cultivates Philanthropy.” "The New York Times", p. BU 6] specialized shopping excursions, [Dean, Josh (July/Aug 2007). “Special Agents.” "Blueprint", p. 72] [Lee, Denny (June 11, 2006). “Turning Souvenir Shopping Into an Art.” "The New York Times", p. TR2] [Sealover, Denise Jobin (Spring 2007). “Sophisticated Shopping.” "Wachovia Renaissance Magazine", p. 6] special lessons and classes such as Japanese tea ceremony and Italian cooking, [Gordon, Alice (September 2006). “Become an Expert.” "Travel+Leisure", p.136] and innovative activities for families, couples and groups of friends. [Morales, Natalie & Orwoll, Mark (August 21, 2006). “Five Life-Transforming Trips.” NBC "Today"] [Slon, Steve (June 13, 2007). “First Class Passage to India.” Forbestraveler.com]

Notes and references

* Aarons, Felice & Kelly, Shannon (2007). “Guided Tours” and “Culinary Tours.” "Fodor’s Shanghai" (1st ed.), p. 257. ISBN 978-1-4000-1745-4
* “The Art of Exploration.” (September 2006). "Luxury Travel Advisor", p. 64
* “The Art of Luxury Travel.” (December 2007). WordofMouse.com
* Bennett, Andrea & Bunting, Chris (March 15, 2005). “The A-Team.” "New York Post"
* “Budapest: Bottoms Up.” (June 2007). Fodors.com
* Chessher, Melissa (February 2007). “Oh, Fudge.” "Continental", p. 56
* Connelly, Marjorie (August 21, 2005). “Leaf Peeping in Japan and Luggage Service *Along Hadrian's Wall Trail.” "The New York Times", Travel section
* Cormier, Ray (March 7, 2004). “Design and Gardens in Japan.” "The New York Times", Travel section
* Donelson, Sophie (Spring 2007). “Travel Intell.” "100 Thousand Club", pp.94-95
* Dunkin, Zach (April 22, 2007). “European Tours.” "The Indianapolis Star", Travel Notebook
* Ford, Elise Hartman (February 3, 2008). “Tour Operators: What they do, how to find them and why you want one.” "The Washington Post", p. 10
* Johansen, Heidi Leigh (Ed.) (2007). “Guided Tours.” "Fodor’s Beijing" (1st ed.), p. 241. ISBN 978-1-4000-1739-3
* Jordan, Michele Anna & Brady, Susan (2006). "The World is a Kitchen: Cooking Your Way Through Culture – Stories, Recipes, and Resources". pp. 268, 277, 279. Palo Alto, CA: Travelers’ Tales. ISBN 1-932361-40-5
* Kaplan, Michael (Fall 2006). “Savoring the World.” "Celebrated Living", pp. 96, 98
* “Keeping Luxury in your Family Travel.” (Jan 29, 2007). Childofleisure.com
* Roberts, Chuck & Motamed, Nilou (August 31, 2006). “Trips That Will Change Your Life.” CNN "Headline News"
* Reiber, Beth (2006). “Escorted Tours.” "Frommer’s Tokyo" (9th ed.). p. 35. ISBN 0471763926
* Runice, Jackie (April 16, 2007). “Let a private tour operator organize some action for your vacation.” "Daily Herald"
* Sardone, Susan Breslow (November 2007). “Honeymoons/Romantic Travel: Top 5 Tour Operators.” About.com
* Sherman, Lauren (February 21, 2008). “Asia’s Sumptuous Resort Spots.” Forbes.com
* “Spectacular Spain.” (January 2006). "Luxury Travel Advisor", p. 52
* “Tips & Trips: New for Newlyweds.” (August 20, 2004). "The New York Sun", Travel, p. 1
* Willis, Gerri & Cole, Jennifer (September 30, 2006). “Artisans of Leisure Immerse Guests in Local Culture.” CNN "Open House"

External links

* [http://www.artisansofleisure.com Artisans of Leisure website]