morocco tour chan brothers

11Days 10Nights Enticing Morocco

Morocco is the land of a thousand contrasts. With its diversity of landscapes, exceptional cuisine, and breathtaking nature, coupled with an extraordinary cultural and human heritage, Morocco is enticing. In Morocco, nature has given free rein to its imagination. From the Atlas to the Rif Mountains, from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean shores, from the wide sandy bays to small isolated rocky coves, from the southern large golden dunes to green oasis, the charm is boundless.

Day 1 : SINGAPORE - CASABLANCA - RABAT  (-/-/D)

Departure from Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Casablanca, the most vibrant and largest cities of Morocco.

Arrival into Casablanca airport, your dedicated driver will pick you up and drive an hour north or the capital city of Rabat. You’ll be staying at the in an the former post office building that has been beautifully converted into the airy and modern Riad Zyo. After checking-in, take some time to relax and refresh before having your first Moroccan meal at the hotel’s excellent restaurant. After dinner, have a good rest for an early set-off the next day.

Overnight in Riad Zyo or similar.

Day 2: RABAT - CHEFCHAOUEN (B/L/-)

After an early breakfast, you’ll head out to see two Rabat monuments before heading to Chefchaouen . First off, you’ll stop at the Chellah necropolis. Established originally as a Phoenician colony, the ruins feature remnants of Roman settlements from the 2nd century, and early Arab rebuilds as early as the 7th century.

From the Chellah, you’ll head to the Yacoub al-Mansour Esplanade is home to two must-see monuments: First, the King’s Mausoleum , which was built in 1971 and which houses the remains of the late king Hassan II, Prince Abdallah, and their father King Mohamed V. In front of the Mausoleum, you will find the Hassan Tower , an incomplete red sandstone minaret which began construction in 1195AD. From the mausoleum, you’ll get a light lunch and head out for the 4 hour drive to Chefchaouen.

Upon arrival at Chefchaouen , you’ll check in at Lina Ryad. Dinner is not included this nights but we are happy to recommend a few of our favorite spots around the village.

Overnight in Lina Riad or similar.

Day 3: CHEFCHAOUEN - FES  (B/-/-)

This morning will be your discovery of Chefchaouen! Known for its signature powder-blue walls and its calming charms, the village was founded in 1471AD. You will be met by our favorite local of Chefchaouen , Adnane, who will be with you for what should be a great morning of discovery and photography! Adnane will lead you to his favorite haunts as well as the signature locations of Chefchaouen, starting with the Kasbah in the center of town offering breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the tower. You can also meander up the town’s waterfall, where locals meet to chat and do laundry, where you can relax with your toes in the water at one of the river bank’s small coffee shops! From there, you can take the short walk up the hill to the old Spanish Mosque and observe the sunset over the charming Blue Village. Throughout your morning, Adnane will unlock the village with his photographer’s eye, showing you how to take gorgeous shots and taking several pictures of you as well!

After lunch, you’ll head out to Fes (a 3.5 hour drive), where you will check into Palais Amani, your heavenly retreat tucked into the old medina. The former home of an old noble family in Fes, Palais Amani has been painstakingly restored with great care by its current owners, and you’ll be impressed by the expert craftsmanship in the riad’s plaster, tiles, and woodwork! Enjoy a welcome mint tea followed by a light introductory tour of the Fes Medina. You’ll be on your own for dinner this night, but we will be very happy to make recommendations for a tasty meal.

Overnight in Palais Amani or similar.

Day 4: FES (B/-/D on street food tour)

After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide once again for a more in-depth exploration of Fes. Your day will also include stops at the medina’s Jewish quarter, the medersas, and the legendary tanneries, where ancient techniques are still used to prepare Moroccan leather which is then used in a variety of goods from clothing to bags and other handicrafts. In addition, you’ll also stop by the world’s oldest and longest operating learning institution, the University of Al Quaraouiyine , founded in 859AD. Lunch this afternoon is not included, but we’ll be happy to make a recommendation about where to eat.

Dinner this evening will take place as part of the Tasting Trails of Fes tour . You’ll join an expert local culinary leader and story-teller for a truly unique look into the world of Fessi cuisine and culture. The tour will include stops at three different food souks allowing the chance to try traditional Moroccan street food including dried meats, milawi, harsha, briwats, spicy sardines, spicy potato cakes, soups, olives and more. At the honey souk we’re you’ll be able to taste an array of delicious wild honeys, discuss their flavors and health-giving properties and find out why honey is so important in Moroccan cooking and Islamic culture. We’ll investigate traditional cooking methods by visiting a furnace where the water for the communal bath house ‘hammam’ is also heated, and a 400 year old ‘furan’ or communal oven and bakery. The evening will conclude with a stop at a tea seller shop to discover the world of spices and secret to preparing Morocco’s signature drink.

Day 5: EXCURSION TO VOLUBILIS AND MEKNES (B/L/-)

After breakfast, you’ll depart at 9am for the 1.5-hour drive to the splendid roman ruins of Volubilis . Imagine Morocco in the 1st Century: an epoch of tumultuous transformation, where people from all over the Mediterranean and Northern Africa were migrating to the fertile Middle Atlas Mountains. Volubilis, located about 30 kilometers from Fes, is an ancient Berber and Roman city considered by many as not only the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania but also the administrative center of Roman Africa. On this morning, you’ll wander among the dramatic ruins up-close-and-personal through the homes, temples and public buildings of the Greek, Syrian, and Jewish city dwellers. Exceptionally well preserved, the ruins offer beautiful and colorful mosaics adorning many of the floor spaces, and you can just picture what it was like to wander the cypress-lined city in its Golden Age!

You’ll leave Volubilis by 1pm to sit down for lunch and a tour of the stunning imperial gates that dot the neighboring city of Meknes (45 minutes away from Volubilis).

Upon returning to Fes, you’ll have the afternoon at leisure to do some exploration of the medina on your own, or just relax at the hotel. Dinner this evening is not included, but we’ll be happy to provide some recommendations of excellent restaurants.

Day 6: FES - SAHARA DESERT   (B/L/D)

Your day begins as you embark an early morning scenic drive that will lead you to the golden dunes of the Sahara! With several panoramic vistas as well as a lunch break en route, your drive will take a total of roughly 8 hours hours and will lead you to the very end of the paved roads where you’ll hop out from the car and onto the camels that will take you on a beautiful path through the tall sand dunes arriving into your luxury camp. Mint tea will be served as you arrive, after which you’ll have some time to enjoy the camp and contemplate the peaceful quiet of the Sahara. Dinner will be served at your convenience, followed by a campfire and some live music by the camp’s staff who will perform tribal music for you. You can then enjoy the starlit sky before going to the sleep in the comforts of your well-appointed tent.

Overnight in Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 7: SAHARA DESERT - DADES GORGES (B/L/D)

Fresh from your Saharan adventure , this is the day you’ll explore the mesmerizing rock formations and twisty roads of the gorges of the Atlas Mountains ! Your day begins with an optional sunrise over the dunes in your luxury camp, followed by a hearty breakfast and a departure from your camp around 9am heading towards the Todgha Gorges (a 3 hour drive). Located in a small canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas near the town of Tinerhir, the Todgha Gorges were carved out by rivers running through cliff-sided canyons on their final stretch through the mountains. The last 600 metres (1,969 ft) of the Todgha gorges are the most spectacular - you’ll see how the canyon narrows to a flat stony track, in places as little as 10 metres (33 ft) wide, with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160 metres (525 ft) high on each side. After a lunch near the Todgha gorges, you’ll continue onto Chez Pierre (1 hour) where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

We wouldn’t usually dedicate a new paragraph to a meal, but this is a special exception - as you’ll understand when you get to the gorges, you will be in a very remote and rural part of the country, so you ordinarily would expect a wholesome but standard meal. Instead, the brothers who run Chez Pierre have made an art of their meal service, crafting creative dishes based on locally-sourced ingredients, and we’re willing to bet that this dinner is one you’ll remember! Pro tip: Leave room for a delicious breakfast the following morning, where you’ll have a selection of jams made from fruits that grow in the gorges!

Overnight in Chez Pierre.

Day 8: CHEZ PIERRE - MARRAKECH  (B/L/-)

Enjoy a morning at leisure at Chez Pierre, before departing at 11am for the hour drive to the ancient fortress of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (a 3 hour drive). A UNESCO world heritage site located in the foothills on the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains, the fort of Ait-Ben-Haddou is a striking example of southern Moroccan architecture. The fort is a mainly collective grouping of dwellings, with imposing defensive walls that are reinforced by angle towers and pierced with a baffle gate. It is an extraordinary ensemble of buildings offering a complete panorama of pre-Saharan earthen construction techniques. You’ll have the option to take an ATV tour of the Kasbah or just walk around if you prefer.

After lunch near the Kasbah, you’ll continue towards Marrakech on one of the most scenic drives you’re likely to take in your life, venturing through the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas mountains and back down on the other side into the dry flat plains of Marrakech. You’ll arrive in the early evening to La Maison Arabe, your home base in Marrakech. After checking-in you’ll have the chance to unwind with a l uxuriating 90 minute Royal Hammam and Spa Treatment where you will delve into the complete ritual of Moroccan Wellness.

Hammam means “spreader of warmth”, and walking into a Hammam is like walking through time in a spacious and ornate sanctuary, a quiet retreat in an atmosphere of half-light, silence, seclusion and heat. Silence is an integral part of the cleansing process and helps the body and spirit liberate itself from excess and the superfluous. The Hammam traditional ritual involves several steps to cleanse, detoxify, and help you relax. You’ll experience one of the world’s most ancient traditions, a black-soap cleanse, followed by a cascading cold-water rinse. This prepares your skin for an invigorating scrub, which leaves you soft and free of accumulated toxins and impurities. After another rinse, a Ghassoul mask of Moroccan volcanic clay is applied to the body, face and hair. The last step of this centuries-old practice of purification is the relaxing massage using pure oils, Morocco’s precious youth elixir!

Diner this evening is on your own, but we’ll be happy to make a recommendation of our favorite spots in Marrakech.

Overnight in La Maison Arabe or similar.

Day 09: MARRAKECH - Sightseeing in the Ochre City (B/L/D with cooking class)

We won’t judge you for wanting to linger at La Maison Arabe’s fantastic breakfast table, but we hope you’ll be ready to go by 9am to tackle your jam-packed day of sightseeing in Marrakech! Your day will break up into a morning and afternoon block, with a hearty lunch in between. In the morning, you’ll see the Koutoubia Mosque (the iconic sight of Marrakech), the Bahia Palace  (a stunning example of traditional Moroccan architecture), and the Saadian tombs .

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the medersas or religious schools and delve into the myriad pathways of the Souk.

In the later afternoon, you’ll return to La Maison Arabe for a tagine cooking class at their world-class culinary school . In this immersive experience, you’ll learn how to prepare every element of a typical Moroccan meal, including bread, mint tea, salads, the Tagine, and even delicious sweet almond paste cookies that you’ll enjoy for desert. The class ends with a dinner where you eat your very own masterpiece, and you will have the rest of the evening to relax at the property or go explore more of Marrakech.

Day 10: MARRAKECH - Free day to explore the Gardens, Tagines, and Souks! (B/-/D)

There is no set schedule on this day, so it is up to you to choose if you have a relaxing morning or get going early.

There are numerous things to explore around Marrakech but our top recommendation is to visit the Majorelle Gardens. They are in their most pleasant state when they’ve just opened so aim to go right at 10am. Global fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent made his home in Marrakech for many decades, and his vision drove every detail behind the lush Gardens, accompanied by a small but must-see Berber Museum. The Yves Saint Laurent museum is located right next door and for any fashion or design lovers, it is a must see. (own expenses)

In the evening you’ll be picked up at La Maison Arabe and take a horse carriage ride around the city as the sunsets. Then you’ll arrive to the incredible Kasbah for a magical farewell dinner . Start by walking through the scented gardens lighted by traditional Moroccan lamps before being seated poolside surrounded by hundreds of candles. You’ll dine on a gourmet feast of Moroccan foods and the meal will be accompanied by music from a traditional Andalusian musical trio.

Day 11: DEPART MARRAKECH (B/-/-)

Free at leisure till your departure transfer to Marrakech airport for your flight back home.

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Chan Brothers Travel Agency

• Best for Asian country tours
• Established Since 1965
• Address 150 South Bridge Road, Fook Hai Building Level 1 and Level 7, Singapore 058727
• Phone +65 6438 8880
• Opening hours Mon to Fri 10:00 - 19:00 Sat 10:00 - 18:00 Sun & PH 12:00 - 18:00
• Website Chan Brothers
• Email [email protected]

If you are looking for a reputable and well-established travel agency in Singapore, Chan Brothers is highly recommended. This travel agency has won people's hearts with high quality and value-for-money tours, including package tours, free & easy tours, cruise tours, and private customized tours.

• One of the most reputable travel agencies in Singapore: Since its inception over 49 years ago, Chan Brothers has proved to be the No.1 travel agency with plenty of prestigious awards like Best Travel Agency awards awarded by Travel Trade Gazette Asia and Travel Agency Of The Year awards awarded by Singapore Tourism Board.
• Offering the largest number of tours: Chan Brothers offers a wide selection of tours to Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and long haul tours including Europe and America destinations, as well as unusual locations like Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.
• Over 300 business partners worldwide :  Their extensive network of worldwide associates ensures that customers have the most enjoyable and memorable experiences, no matter the type of tour or destination.

PACKAGE TOUR DESTINATIONS:

• Central Europe
• Eastern Europe
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• South America
• South Korea
• United States

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FREE & EASY DESTINATIONS:

• Philippines

FEATURED DEALS under FREE & EASY TOURS: 1. 8D Perth to coral coast escorted campervan convoy with 96.3 hao FM DJ Jingyun :

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SPECIALIZED TOURS:

• Asia/China tours with English-speaking guide
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CRUISE LIST:

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Travel During the 1960s-90s: Around the World with Chan Brothers Travel

Text by Chong Wen Xiu Trina (NTU History Programme)

Pre-COVID, Singapore ranked among the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. The Singapore Tourism Board (formerly Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) had taken deliberate efforts to attract visitors to the little red dot. But from the 1980s, Singapore was just as notable for its outbound tourism, having seen more than 500,000 tourist departures in 1986. Have you ever wondered what travelling was like for Singaporeans during the 1960s-90s?

Travel, especially for leisure, did not gain much traction in the first decade of Singapore’s independence. The economic challenges of unemployment and shrinking entrepot trade meant that many Singaporeans could afford neither the time nor money to go on a holiday. Leisure tourism was thus a luxury that only a minority of Singaporeans had access to. Contrastingly, short trips to neighbouring Malaysia were popular especially during the Lunar New Year. 

For the lucky ones, securing a train or air ticket to a foreign country was just the start. A successful trip required elements such as accommodation, food and transport to places of interest. Yet in the 1960s-early 1970s, sources of information that tourists could rely on were limited and disparate. Travel guidebooks by Lonely Planet and tourist maps informed Singaporean travellers about the history, customs and attractions of various destinations. These formal resources were supplemented by word of mouth from experienced travellers with useful tips to impart to their less experienced counterparts. Nonetheless, the scarcity of such resources made it a hassle to plan trips. 

It was in this context of ‘information underload’ that tour agencies rose in influence. In a modest pre-war shophouse at Cecil Street stood Chan Brothers Travel, a three-staff company that initially sold air and train tickets to nearby countries. The company was founded in 1965 by Mr Chan Liang Choy who recognised the potential for growth in the travel and tourism industry as Singapore’s economy developed. Born in China’s Fujian Province in 1924, Mr Chan Liang Choy had worked for several years in Myanmar and Singapore before starting a business in his family name at age 41. The business soon began selling guided tour packages. Several years and many successful tours later, Chan Brothers Travel moved to Fook Hai Building and became a household name. 

Chan Brothers Travel provided a one-stop solution for travellers who lacked the know-how and/or patience to settle their travel arrangements. The direct links the company enjoyed with airlines, hotels and overseas agents enabled it to streamline the booking process while providing its customers with reliable, affordable services. A tour booking typically started with a trip to the Chan Brothers Travel office at Fook Hai Building, where one would be handed a collection of travel brochures indicating the prices and itineraries of available packages. Albums that compiled photographs taken by Chan Brothers Travel tour leaders on previous trips were also used as a sales tool to pique the potential customer’s interest in destinations on offer. A week or two before the trip, mass pre-departure briefings would also be conducted in mini theatrettes in the Chan Brothers Travel office.

By the 1980s, Chan Brothers Travel tours not only covered Asian destinations like Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines, but also distant countries in Australia, Europe and North America. The diversity of destinations indicated Chan Brothers Travel’s success, which was related to Singaporeans’ growing appetite for travel. 

Indeed, the 1980s saw a significant boom in the outbound travel market. Rising income levels coupled with the opening of Singapore Changi Airport in 1981 made travel easier and more affordable. Singaporeans redefined the value of travel: as a necessary respite from the monotony of work, a family bonding experience and even a retirement reward. But as travellers became more seasoned, their expectations and traveling styles also evolved. This led Chan Brothers Travel to expand and differentiate their product offerings. 

In 1983, the company introduced the “hotel-on-wheels” concept which brought Singaporeans on tours around Europe in double decker buses fitted with sleeping berths and a kitchen. The tours resembled a camping trip since travellers were involved in the cooking and cleaning. A Free and Easy Travel department was also set up to render travel assistance to those who preferred to travel independently. Other available itineraries included romantic trips for couples, school trips and incentive trips. Evidently, travel preferences shifted over time and tour agencies like Chan Brothers Travel had to adapt to these changes in order to remain relevant and competitive. 

Tour leaders put on many hats. Ms Koh, a former tour leader at Chan Brothers Travel shared that besides managing the group and explaining sites of interest, tour leaders also needed to respond effectively to unforeseen situations like injuries or flight delays. Some travellers might even request special arrangements such as flowers or a cake for their wedding anniversaries. 

Recognising the significant role played by tour leaders, Chan Brothers Travel embarked on a consultancy project with the National Productivity Board (predecessor of the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board or SPRING Singapore) in 1990 to provide customised employee training. The first of its kind in the travel industry, the project was extended to all of its 150 employees, from tour leaders to front desk salespeople. In line with their business philosophy of “Always, service with a smile”, in-house training on counter sales and telephone techniques were prioritised. The reigning Miss Hong Kong, Ms Pauline Yeung, was invited to officiate Chan Brothers Travel’s 1988 in-house courtesy campaign which aimed to promote the importance of courtesy in the service industry.

Chan Brothers Travel’s heavy emphasis on its people serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable human element of engaging brick-and-mortar travel agencies. Even if online travel agencies (OTAs) can complete the same tasks that brick-and-mortar travel agencies can, they arguably cannot replicate the personalised, real-world customer experience that the latter excels in. 

The start of post-pandemic travel spells exciting opportunities for tour agencies like Chan Brothers Travel which have been directly affected by global travel restrictions. For travellers who are unconfident about navigating the hodgepodge of COVID-19 guidelines, the services of brick-and-mortar tour agencies may prove immensely valuable. 

About Partner

The NTU History Programme strives to be a leading centre for researching and teaching interdisciplinary, Asian, and world/transnational history, while pushing innovative and immersive approaches to learning about and exploring Singapore's past and heritage. It welcomes students, scholars, and interested members of the public to join them in these endeavours.

Find out more about their programmes, research, and events at http://www.soh.ntu.edu.sg/Programmes/history/Pages/Home.aspx or find them on Twitter (@NTUHistory).

This article was developed for Singapore Heritage Fest 2022

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Reader Recommendations: Morocco Expert Tours a worthy adventure

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Two friends and I just returned from an amazing 14-day tour of Morocco. It was a pleasure to leave details to knowledgeable, in-country experts and brothers Hamid and Youssef of Morocco Expert Tours. Although the value of a wonderful adventure is immeasurable, I saw a similar itinerary this month for group travel at several thousand dollars more than the $2,400 we paid for our trip. Morocco Expert Tours also does day trips and custom itineraries.

Morocco Expert Tours; https://www.moroccoexpertours.com

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Chan Brothers to take legal action for live-streamed statements about private Europe tour

SINGAPORE – Chan Brothers Travel, one of Singapore’s biggest tour agencies, on Monday said it would take legal action against “public figures” for statements made on Facebook.

Chan Brothers did not name the individuals, but netizens on public forums made the connection to getai performer and digital content creator Wang Lei and his entourage, who recently conducted a live stream making complaints and allegations against a travel agency. 

In its statement, the agency said it had received feedback on a private Europe tour it organised for “some public figures”.

“We actively sought to address their concerns and invited them to meet in person upon their return to Singapore, so that we could deal with matters in the aftermath directly and thoroughly,” said Chan Brothers.

These parties, however, took to “multiple Facebook live streams” to make statements about the trip, the agency added.

Wang, who has 1.4 million followers on Facebook, had gone live on the social media platform on July 16 at 8.29pm, with an accompanying caption in Chinese that said he would be talking about the travel agency behind the tour.

In the almost 30-minute live stream, which was carried out in Hokkien and Mandarin, the 62-year-old, flanked by three women, including getai singer Anderene Choo and comedian Tay Yin Yin, made several allegations against the travel agency, but did not name it.

Later, two men also joined the live stream, which had more than 280,000 views as at Wednesday evening.

A subsequent Facebook post the following day indicated that he had been on a 16-day tour around Europe and had travelled to Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.

Chan Brothers said it had made “careful consideration” and sought legal advice before deciding to move forward with action.

“As we must be accountable to our stakeholders and customers, our firm response is crucial for a fair resolution and to set an example for responsible digital conversations,” it added.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a representative of Chan Brothers Travel said the agency has already commenced legal action, but was advised not to disclose specific details about the case so as not to interfere with the legal process.

“On the one hand, we appreciate the importance of being able to express our thoughts freely on the Internet,” said the representative. “After all, we depend on open dialogue and feedback to constantly improve our services.”

“But on the other hand, we felt a strong need to protect the brand we have worked hard to build, from false and unfair allegations by anyone, which can tarnish our reputation and mislead the public,” he added.

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You Can Now Have A Fuss-Free Overseas Holiday & Feast Your Way Around The World — Here’s How & Where To Go

How to travel safely and explore eats around the world.

If you’ve found yourself reminiscing about the sweet flavours of fresh king crabs in the Arctics, indulging in Florentine steak or tasting delectable ice wine in Canada, you probably aren’t alone.

After all, if there’s one thing we miss about our pre-pandemic travels, it’s the authentic taste of local food — there’s just no better way to get to know a place than to wine and dine like the locals. Now that leisure travel is getting back on track, it’s time to start planning for an epicurean adventure that’ll satisfy both your wanderlust and taste buds.

Plus, when you book a tour with Chan Brothers Travel, you’ll get to travel with ease — think smaller group sizes, free cancellation and flexible refund policies — and can count on their dedicated team to prep you for everything.

Now all you’ll have to do is to jet off to your long-awaited vacay on one of these deliciously fun tours across the globe.

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A toast to Germany

German pork knuckle

A crisp pork knuckle pairs perfectly with an ice-cold beer — and where better to get your fix of malt beers than in the city of Bamberg in Franconia? Sip on (or gulp, if you wish) Bamberg’s famous smoked beer — malted barley is dried over an open flame to achieve its dark hue and distinctive smoky flavour.

Carb lovers will also appreciate munching on maultaschen , or German ravioli. Originally found in the region of Swabia, the hearty dish is accentuated with various herbs and spices for an explosion of flavours with every bite.

Meat up in Italy

Juicy Florentine steak

Experience the fine life in France

Arcachon Bay oysters

Taste some of the best wines in France

Stir up some Swiss cheese

Switzerland

The taste of passion in Spain

Seafood paella

Savour some more tapas , or small plates, in Granada. Traditionally, these were complimentary bar snacks that would accompany beer or wine.

Spanish suckling pig

Finland’s freshest flavours

Movies, music and memorable eats in USA

Niagara Falls

Hard Rock Cafe , another pitstop on the tour, probably needs no introduction. The famous American-owned brand combines the best of rock-and-roll, music memorabilia and American-style diner fare. If there is one F&B entertainment venue that represents America’s enduring mix of music memorabilia, hospitality experience and rock relics, it’s Hard Rock Cafe.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Comfort nosh and cosy feels in Canada

Also, you can’t say you’ve been to Canada without trying its iconic ice wine — it’s the world’s largest producer of the indulgent dessert wine after all. Made from grapes frozen while still on the vine, it’s often referred to as "liquid gold", and is best enjoyed with dessert or as a sweet conclusion to the end of a meal.

Click here to find out how you can have a fuss-free holiday and feast your way around the world with Chan Brothers Travel.

Or follow Chan Brothers Travel on socials so you’ll never miss out on a fabulous promotion: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

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6 minute read

Finding Career Aspirations? Read about Chan Brothers Group’s Journey

The travel industry had faced some turbulent times during the covid-19 pandemic. here’s how chan brothers group bounced back..

At the stroke of midnight on 23 March 2020, Singapore did the unheard of — closing its borders to tourists and short-term visitors.

In the run-up to those days, Chan Brothers Group Executive Director Chan Guat Cheng describes that time as “an absolute nightmare”. It was the early days of the spread of Covid-19. For the 60-year-old, it meant going into crisis mode. This translated to coordinating with tour managers to repatriate groups stuck overseas. Her team members stayed awake all night, trying to grab the next available seat on fast-dwindling flights.

For the first time ever, Guat Cheng had to seek assistance from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for a group of tourists in Morocco, while the tour leader sought assistance from Singapore’s Honorary Consulate General in Casablanca.

Of her experience, Guat Cheng says, “The borders started to close, flights were limited and customers from all over the world were cramming into airports. Somehow, we managed to get masks for our staff and clients. Safety was paramount.”

Looking to grow your team? Tap on our 500,000-strong talent pool of Singaporeans by posting your jobs on MyCareersFuture today.

It should come as no surprise that many customers were immensely grateful to the company for their efforts. Guat Cheng prides herself on the premium customer service the company has built to differentiate itself in the already crowded travel agency space in Singapore.

The business was first started by Guat Cheng’s late father Chan Liang Choy together with a relative in 1965. At that time, selling air tickets and train tickets to Malaysia was the mainstay. This grew to include tours to other Asian countries and when the Chan children started running the company, the repertoire grew to include Top Deck Bus Tours to Europe, new destinations like Australia and New Zealand, and later, the Star Guided tours in collaboration with MediaCorp.

According to Guat Cheng, the company’s strength came from offering innovative products and providing premium customer service.

Manpower challenges

At the height of tourism, Chan Brothers Group saw sales growing from $7 million dollars in the 1980s with 11 staff to $200 million dollars (pre-Covid) supported by a staff strength of more than 200. Over the years, Chan Brothers Group diversified its business and grew to a group of 20 companies, providing services covering travel and tour management, real estate development and wholesale.

Those were the heydays until Covid-19 hit and sales plunged 90%. Throughout the circuit breaker period and Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), sales, if any, came from cruises and the odd intracountry domestic flight bookings.

As a result, staff headcount reduced by half to only around 100. It was an emotionally trying time for Guat Cheng as she worked very hard and tried her best to protect staff from the fallout of the pandemic.

“When they left, they kept telling me to remember them when things got better.”

She also told remaining staff that now they were #WFH, it is ideal to use this downtime to upgrade their skills because the company expects the way they work to be transformed in the future. When Chan Brothers Group decided to redesign the employees’ jobs roles and enroll them into Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) programmes, it was well received by the employees.

One of these was WSG’s Career Conversion  Programme for Digital Operations Tourism Executives for the Hotels, MICE, Attractions and Tour & Travel (HMAT) sectors, which was curated in partnership with Singapore Tourism Board’s Tech College and Republic Polytechnic’s School of Hospitality.

What was relevant for Chan Brothers Group was how t he programme sets out to equip employees with digital operations capabilities and facilitated the implementation of digital solutions (either Robotic Process Automation or a ChatBot) at the workplace.

With that, the company’s efforts became squarely focused on being ready to welcome travellers into the fold and allow travellers to enjoy a better holiday experience.

Itching to  t ravel

Guat Cheng is pleased to hear that her regular customers are contacting the company once again. Still, Chan Brothers Group adds a word of caution.

“We foresee industry recovery to be cautious and considered at the beginning when travel resumes. That said, with Singaporeans’ appetite for travel, we are confident the industry will recover steadily and tourism companies that can continue to maintain a healthy liquidity, robust corporate strategy, resilient outlook, innovative mindset and consumer trust will do better in the recovery curve.”

But the question is, will the traveller now become a different creature making new travel demands?

Pandemics can well do that – demands are constantly evolving and parameters may change as well. Health and safety are of top priority in this new era. Travellers will count on personal experiences (testimonials from trusted and personal sources) and advice from experts (this is where an established travel agent can step in) to guide them through the travel decision process.

The next normal t ravel l er

Chan Brothers Group anticipates these upcoming changes as travel demands kick in. Initially, some form of vaccination passport may be needed. Other safety measures which have been in place will continue, like safe distancing and the wearing of masks. Some clients are also keen to know about the cleanliness of hotel accommodation and coaches.

Because the whole opening of borders is a shifting goal post, clients will want to be continually updated on border restrictions and regulations.

The company has looked at some travel trends that could emerge in the upcoming season:

• Nature and outdoors will be key desired experiences for Singaporean travellers, driven by the comparative lack of such tourism assets here .
• Off-the-grid experiences will be a trend to look out for. While Singaporeans have a penchant for their favourite destinations and cities, they may look to couple them with visits to surrounding cities or hinterlands for a more immersive holiday.
• With travelling being considered as a national hobby and key bonding activity between families and friends, the concept of “together ness ” will be a motivating factor for the Singaporean traveller more than before.

As the economy gradually opens, what seems to be evident in the travel industry is that communication and trust are vital.

Chan Brothers Group highlights the fact that the tourism sector most likely will face a more complex travel landscape, where travellers are looking for clear and transparent answers to better inform their decision-making process. Hence, trust-building, extensive communication and a clear flow of accurate information are key to spur confidence in travel and retain customer loyalty.

All this will only be possible if companies and employees are ready for the change and are prepared to meet the travellers’ new expectations.

Follow us at go.gov.sg/t- wsgtd for the latest jobs and skills updates for lifestyle and hospitality sector employers. Or contact us at go.gov.sg/ hmat for more information on Tourism Career Conversion Programmes .

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Live streamer apologises to Chan Brothers for damning videos

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In July 2023, Ms Jayner Teh Qiao’Er joined a group of live streamers on a private tour of Croatia and Austria organised by Chan Brothers.

The live streamers encountered issues while on the tour and aired damning videos on social media platforms.

In a statement by Chan Brothers, it is said that Ms Teh had reached a private settlement with the travel agency over a series of allegations made in the live streams.

Ms Teh also posted a public apology on her Facebook page on April 15, retracting the comments she made about the Chan Brothers tour.

"I hosted and/or appeared in various Facebook live streams on July 15 and 16, 2023. I made statements against the services rendered by Chan Brothers and its operations," she said in her apology.

"I have deleted the live streams with objectionable content.

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"I also promise not to publish or say anything else related to the tour that is untrue or can be seen as negative about Chan Brothers."

The statement by Chan Brothers also indicated that there is an ongoing lawsuit against the other live streamers who were involved in the incident.

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