SOUTHEAST ASIA
SOUTHEAST ASIA EXPLORER
Craft Capitals & World Heritage Sites
February 9-25, 2008
SAIGON STOPOVER — February 25 - 27, 2008
A trip with great depth and breadth embracing a number of Southeast Asia’s most notable World Heritage Sites and historic cities, and including the heartland of crafts in each of the countries we visit. Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos are just one hour flights from one another, making this diverse trip a seamless experience. The tradition of friendliness and hospitality in each of the countries we visit is palpable and a significant part of this special experience. Stay in unique luxury hotels chosen for their history, location and ambiance (i.e. Vietnam’s renowned Metropole in Hanoi, built by the French in the early part of the 20th century, whose architecture is a window into the country’s history). Rooms double occupancy, private baths • 16 nights
Register by June 1 • Save $100! • Accommodations, Meals (as noted in GENERAL INFORMATION), Excursions & Private Guides, Ground Transportation: $3365 • (optional international air package from U.S. available, plus intra-Asia flights) • SAIGON STOPOVER: $495
NOTE: 2009 Itinerary to be announced spring 2008 and to include Vietnam (plus 2 of the following: Laos, Cambodia, Bali, Yunnan Provence in China, Thailand, Burma)
VIETNAM, THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
VIETNAM A recent NEW YORK TIMES article cites Vietnam as one of the most alluring and peaceful places a traveler could imagine. The country’s spectacular scenery, its fabulous food (a mélange of French and Asian cuisine), its vast array of crafts, and most of all, the gracious friendliness of the Vietnamese people makes this trip most memorable. Our trip embraces a sampling of north, central and south (each region quite different) — from romantic Hanoi, where French bread sold on street corners and morning tai chi intermix with a riot of motorbikes … to 2 gorgeous World Heritage Sites — the royal city of Hue and lovely town of Hoi An, overlooking the South China Sea. And on to Saigon, our STOPOVER capped by a stunning day- long boat trip up the majestic Mekong enjoying the floating markets and many villages that dot its shores.
THAILAND Ancient Siam — Thailand — its array of dazzling Buddhist temples, plethora of splendid crafts and hill-tribe cultures…here is a country that is mesmerizing to the visitor. Our trip highlights the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, the crafts capital of Thailand — home to a staggering wealth of arts and the Night Bazaar, one of Asia’s great street markets. Chiang Mai’s “spirit” reflects an exotic blend of cultural traditions — combining Buddhism, the hill-tribe influences, and the impact from the proximity of Laos and Burma on the region’s history. The city is a wonderful base for a rich array of explorations, as far flung as a mountaintop village of Hmong hill-tribe weavers, towns of basket makers and potters, gorgeous Buddhist temples and even an elephant camp!
LAOS Our Laos stay focuses on both Luang Prabang and Vientiane. The serene and exquisite town of Luang Prabang can only be described in superlatives. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is nestled at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, amidst picture-book mountains and studded with remarkable Buddhist temples. The town is a small gem — one of the few Southeast Asian cities that has yet to succumb to commercialism, with great care taken to preserve its historic and ecological treasures. Monks in colorful robes stroll the streets and the Hmong night market stretches along the main thoroughfare — a marvelous low-key craft extravaganza. Larger than Luang Prabang, Vientiane sits on the banks of the Mekong with a quiet and expansive, French colonial grandeur and home to some of the most superlative silk weavers in Southeast Asia – a wonderful treat to visit!
CAMBODIA Cambodia and, particularly the extraordinary temples at Angkor Wat, has been reborn. At peace after 3 decades of civil war, this beautiful country and the wonderful Cambodian people are open to the world. The stunning capital city of Phnom Penh is home to a myriad of significant monuments from the Royal Palace, to the Silver Pagoda, to the National Museum – an architectural treasure itself and with one of the world’s formost collection of Khmer sculpture. Angkor Wat is truly a World Heritage Site — here the remnants of the Khmer Empire stand, a city of spectacular stone temples rising out of a lush, green landscape which we’ll visit with an eminent, private guide. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and Cambodia’s spiritual and cultural heart. This lovely town is also home to Artisans of Angkor — we’ll visit a “silk farm,” worms and all, and have the opportunity to talk with weavers immersed in their craft. A sunset boat trip on the Tonle Sap — Southeast Asia’s largest lake and home to myriad floating villages, caps our stay in Cambodia.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit Phnom Penh, the wonderful capital city of Cambodia, called by the NEW YORK TIMES, “the new Prague”
- Experience Cambodia’s stunning Angkor Wat accompanied by one of the country’s most distinguished guides
- Visit gorgeous Hue, Vietnam, with an Imperial City inspired by China’s and a fantastic open air market
- Take the lovely Cai Be Princess traditional wooden rice boat up the Mekong Delta for a wonderful day on the river — SAIGON STOPOVER
- Visit a Thai Hmong hill-tribe village and weavers in the mountains of northern Thailand
- A half-day cooking class in Thailand – a culinary AND cultural experience!
- Introduction to one of Laos’ most prominent textile designers whose silks are internationally famous
WANT A MORE DETAILED ITINERARY? Please e-mail us! or call 413-367-9200