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A Moment With My Friend: No Tears on Arid Crete

Phil Butler

It’s been three years now since my lifelong friend Johnny Courson told me about his illness during a getaway on Crete. It’s been two years since he and the other members of our tight group, Jay Thomas and Mike Parish celebrated a one year anniversary of our Crete adventure, and since we learned of Johnny’s chemotherapy battle. And about one year ago we all learned Johnny left the world the way he found it – better off for fascinating and luminescent people like him.

A Window Into the Russian Soul: An Epiphany 2017

Aleksandr Shatskih

“Where are we going to?” I asked my brother this morning, as he was driving in an unknown direction with a cheeky grin on his face. When no reply seemed imminent I asked; “Are you going to tell me?” Finally his response was; “To wash off our sins in the Volga”.

Nikki Beach Picks New President

Aleksandr Shatskih

This week Nikki Beach Worldwide named Thomas Brosig as president. The company also stated that Jack Penrod, founder of the lifestyle hospitality company, will continue to serve as chairman and CEO of the company. According to the news Brosig will work with Penrod to develop long-term strategies while overseeing the broad operation.

Russia’s Kitchen Bachelor: Coolest Cook This Side of Kamchatka

Phil Butler

Argophilia Travel News is launching a new feature series from one of Russia’s most interesting media/culinary celebrities, the producer of Russia One’s most popular “Sunday Time”, and founder of Kitchen Bachelor (Кухня Холостяка), Evgeny Maruskin.

Diipa Khosla’s fashionable Prague

Aleksandr Shatskih

Last month Argo Travel News caught up with web celebrity and fashion model Diipa Khosla after a photo shoot with influence startup Bebang* in Prague. Diipa helped reveal for Bebang, and for brands there, the power and value of influence marketing. More importantly though, the digital call for “experience sharing” instead of broadcast advertising, catches hold.

Top 10 Best Travel Blogs to Follow in 2015

Argo Contributor

Nowadays, the sophisticated traveler does far more than just check travel guide sites and book travel services online. Modern day travel requires a higher degree of sophistication and more documentation. We use digital maps, we check online review sites and more. One particularly interesting phenomenon in the travel industry is the activity of travel blogging.

Vote for Airbnb’s best hosts led by VanGos Tsourlakis

Phil Butler

Everybody knows about Airbnb by now. What started as a vacation rental website like 1000 others, has now taken the hospitality world by storm. The world’s leading vacation stay booking destination is now paying tribute to the hosts that make guests’ holidays special. Join me in celebrating my friend VanGos Tsourlakis today, by voting for […]

Yelena Baturina confidence: Can entrepreneurship save Europe business?

Phil Butler

With doubt cast over European business amid east-west tensions of late, finding a business person positive about growing in this market, it’s pretty rare. The latest investment/development made by Russian entrepreneur Yelena Baturina, owner of the Grand Tirolia hotel in Kitzbuhel, Austria, bears scrutiny today, if for no other reason than shining a ray of hope on European progress.

President, or Not, Hillary Clinton Demands the Treatment

Phil Butler

If your business or organization plans on featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a speaker, get ready for some steep demands. According to the New York Post, Clinton is not above demanding the Presidential Suite when she stays at hotels. The wife of former President Bill Clinton also demands to be ferried to the destination via private jet.

Priceline Group Stretches to Deliver China

Phil Butler

In another expansive move, Priceline Group, the largest online travel agent in the US, will invest $500 million in China’s biggest online travel entity Ctrip.