Vietnam Vacations, Tailor-made

Vietnam Vacations, Tailor-made

This fascinating 14-day itinerary travelling through Vietnam can be tailored to your interests and customised to your preferences. Travel from North to South to see the varied faces of this wonderful country – its history, culture, beautiful landscapes, rural traditions and much more – and interact with the local people of cities, towns and hamlets throughout the holiday.

Begin in Hanoi, exploring the Old Quarter or opting for a back street art tour, then spend a day in Ha Long Bay, sleeping on a traditional boat which cruises the waters. In Hue, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, King Minh Mang’s Tomb and Dong Ba market, the Imperial City and the antiquity museum. From here, travel to the ancient town of Hoi An before visiting Ho Chi Minh City, where you can take a cruise on the Mekong River and visit the Cai Be floating market.
As this is a tailor made holiday, all these options are simply suggestions. One of the significant features of this kind of tailor made trip is that you can work with a personal local tour operator to arrange your itinerary. You can make as many changes as you wish, not just before your tour begins, but also while you are in Vietnam.

Internal flights, transfers, transport by private vehicle, guides, boat cruises and breakfasts are all included, and there’s a choice of hotels, from mid-range to first class.

This Vietnam holiday can be designed for a group, a couple or a single traveller. You don’t have to be tied to other people in a large group and your departure date is whenever suits you. You don’t need to worry that this personally designed Vietnam holiday will be too expensive. Our policy is to offer good value for money and the price for a private tour for two people is competitive with standard group tours from other tour operators, with the restaurants and hotels featured often better quality.

From your arrival in Vietnam to the time you leave, your tour operator will monitor what is happening and check all arrangements in advance to ensure that every part of your holiday runs smoothly and effortlessly.

Sri Lanka Tour and Beach Vacation

Sri Lanka Tour and Beach Vacation

Lush, tropical Sri Lanka is packed full of culture, history, wildlife, and natural beauty, especially given its diminutive size. In fact, explorer Marco Polo once described it as “undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world”. This Sri Lanka tour and beach holiday will take you on an unforgettable journey to the country’s beaches, heritage sites, and National Parks.

This holiday is based at two different beachside hotels depending on the prevailing monsoon season: Jetwing Sea on the west coast from November to April and Trinco Blu by Cinnamon on the east coast from May to October.

Jetwing Sea is a contemporary coastal resort that blends the finest of tropical luxury with traditional Sri Lankan hospitality on the buzzing beach strip of Negombo. The hotel is committed to several sustainable initiatives which empower the local community, harness the potential of the surrounding environment, and deliver a fulfilling experience of responsible tourism.

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon is located in Uppuveli just north of Trincomalee on a protected white sandy beach on the island’s east coast. The resort opens directly onto the beach to the shallow calm clear waters of the Indian Ocean from its private grounds, which include an infinity swimming pool, two restaurants, and a bar. A variety of water sports are available, including a PADI-certified dive center.

As well chilling out on the beach, you’ll also get to explore the Cultural Triangle, visiting Kandy, the Dambulla cave temples, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, and Lion Rock at Sigiriya, all World Heritage Sites. A jeep safari in Minneriya National Park is also on the agenda, and here you’ll see a myriad of birds and beasts including elephants, leopards, toque macaques, purple-faced langurs, sloth bears, sambar, and spotted deer.

Sri Lanka lies just north of the equator so temperatures remain almost constant throughout the year (around 27C around the coast). The best time to visit the west coast and the Cultural Triangle is from November to April after the southwest monsoon has finished, while the east coast is best from May to October.

However, even during the monsoon season, the rain passes through quickly, although the sea is rougher than during the dry season. The advantage is that there are fewer tourists on the island, and the traditional and generous Sri Lankan welcome is always there!

Laos Vacation, Tailor-made

Laos Vacation, Tailor-made

This 12-day tailor-made holiday takes you from the golden temples of Bangkok to Chiang Rai, within the Golden Triangle, from where you’ll continue your travels into Laos en-route to a community-run guesthouse, overlooking the Mekong River, in the forested realm of Nam Ha National Park.

From your lodgings, you’ll be invited to explore the surrounding area on foot, by bike, or paddling on a kayak as you find out more about the local Hmong and Lahu communities making the most of the natural world in the far reaches of northern Laos.

Your next mode of transport is a traditional long-tail boat that takes you along the Nam Ou River through dramatic limestone valleys to offer a unique perspective of life in Laos away from the more typical tourist trail along the Mekong.

This final leg allows you to witness the lesser-visited areas of Laos that align the river banks with smiling, waving children, surprised to see visitors, making for a more authentic experience to reflect upon as you head towards your final destination Luang Prabang, the country’s cultural capital.

Thailand Beach and Rainforest Vacation

Thailand Beach and Rainforest Vacation

This itinerary uncovers some of the more unusual and unseen parts of Thailand, getting you away from the established tourist trail. The trip makes the most of Thailand’s diversity with time in the buzzing city of Bangkok, a national park, and on one of the country’s quieter beaches at a charming boutique hotel.

Exploring with experienced guides, you can discover some of Thailand’s hidden spots with a city safari through Bangkok and trekking through the dramatic jungle and hills of Khao Sok National Park. Finish your trip by relaxing on the unspoiled beaches of Khao Lak where you can snorkel at the nearby Similan Islands, enjoy fresh and delicious seafood, or simply relax by the sea.

Family Adventure Vacation in Thailand

Family Adventure Vacation in Thailand

No more ‘mum I’m bored’ – this fascinating and highly varied Thailand family tour ought to keep travellers of any age enthralled as you journey from the Chinatown backstreets and vibrant canal-life of Bangkok to the lush rainforests and spectacular scenery of the Peninsula and on to an unspoilt tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand.

On our 2-week tour of southern Thailand you’ll sleep in jungle tree houses, floating raft houses, a night train and chalets at a beachside resort; meet some of the exceptionally friendly residents and sample plenty of the world-renowned food in the markets and pavement cafes where the locals eat.

A few of the many highlights include taking a local train over Kanchanaburi’s Bridge on the River Kwai and along the infamous ‘Death Railway’ followed by a kayaking trip down the river itself. Heading south we’ll spend 3 days exploring spectacular Khao Sok National Park with a jungle nature hike, bathing with elephants, river tubing and travelling by boat through the awe-inspiring karst scenery of Cheow Lan Lake. Our tour finishes on secluded and unspoilt Koh Thalu – a pristine tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand – where snorkelling, hiking, sailing and sea kayaking are just some of the menu items.

An exciting tour of authentic Thailand that combines both the famous sites and ‘hidden secrets’ while offering plenty of varied activities at a relaxed pace. Please note that the tour is a private family tour, for a minimum of 4 persons, and as such departure dates are at your own convenience while programme details are fully flexible according to your family’s likes, dislikes and age group.

Features:

1. Discover Bangkok – famous sites, temples and markets as well as the hidden parts that few visitors ever see
2. Train ride across the Bridge on the River Kwai and a kayaking expedition down the jungle-lined river itself
3. Stay in a jungle treehouse, floating raft houses on the River Kwai and a beach resort on a tropical island
4 Trek through the tropical rain-forest and check out the lush flora and fauna of Khao Sok National Park
5. Stay on the secluded and unspoilt tropical island of Koh Thalu on Thailand’s sheltered Gulf coast
6. Sample the superb Thai food in street stalls, markets, jungle picnics and local restaurants where Thais eat!

Optional extensions

1. Extend your tour with a few days exploring Thailand’s northern capital, Chiang Mai
2. Add on a day to visit the ancient Siamese capital, now World Heritage site, Ayuthaya
3. Fly Bangkok to Siem Reap for a detour via the fabulous ruined temples of Angkor

Note, this is a private family tour for a minimum of 4 persons and includes certain meals (local-style), local flights and accommodation in boutique-style 3* hotels.

Taiwan Small Group Vacation

Taiwan Small Group Vacation

Taiwan is rapidly earning a reputation as a major Asian destination, and this small group adventure covers a lot of ground. Packed with fascinating experiences from start to finish, the tour begins in Taiwan’s electrifying and densely populated capital Taipei. Get your bearings with an aromatic visit to the Ningxia night market, or a soak in the hot springs of nearby Yangmingshan National Park.

You’ll visit Sweet Potato Mama, learning how this social enterprise helps women start their own small businesses. You’ll meet the bustling entrepreneurs in the merchant zone, help prepare lunch at an aboriginal village, and stop at a spring onion farm, discovering how one of Taiwan’s favourite foods is grown, and how to prepare them in a pancake for a delicious snack.

On a boat trip out to Turtle Island, depending on the time of year, you might see hundreds of dolphins, or whales. There are many more dramatic landscapes to enjoy, such as the vast Qingshui Cliff in Taroko National Park, Danong Dafu Forest Park with its chattering birdlife, and the iconic Sun Moon Lake where you’ll trek the scenic Ci’en Pagoda trail.

Other highlights include a tour of the island’s only whisky distillery, a chance to have a soothing foot massage at a historic temple, and a chance to roll your own black tea leaves at a farm visit. Oh, and did we mention the food? There are plenty of night markets to wander throughout Taiwan, where you might sample fish balls, molasses cakes, coffin bread and even the famous ‘exploding’ chicken rolls!

Food Tour in South Korea

Food Tour in South Korea

Korean cuisine has long been unfairly overshadowed by that of its regional neighbours, but the country is now starting to emerge as one of the world’s most exciting foodie destinations. This fun and informative gastro tour takes you from the capital, Seoul, to Jeonju, home of the country’s signature dish: bibimbap, via traditional markets, martial arts and meditation in a working monastery, and a classic South Korean barbecue. Pack your appetite, because you’re going to need it.

Sample the local favourite: chi-maek or Korean Fried Chicken, washed down with a refreshing glass of Soju; learn how to whip up an iconic Korean side dish, kimchi, and tour the enormous seafood market at Busan before savouring a clam bake lunch overlooking the ocean. In Jeonju, which many consider foodie central in South Korea, you can snack on sushi rolls before heading to a restaurant famed for its bibimbap, the quintessential rice dish here, best accompanied by a locally brewed cloudy rice beer.

Another highlight is sure to be an overnight stay at the Bulguska Monastery in Gyeongju, renowned for its many temples, pagodas and palace ruins. You’ll enjoy a typical vegan meal with the monks, watch a fascinating display of sunmodo martial arts, and be invited to join an early morning meditation session.

Finally returning to Seoul, say goodbye to your group in the best way possible, with a mouthwatering Korean barbecue, as high-grade cuts of beef are sizzled on the table right next to you.

Do you want to know the best bit? We’ve only just scratched the surface with this description. By the end of this tour, you’re certain to be a convert to South Korean cuisine.

South Korea Vacation

South Korea Vacation

From bustling, neon-lit metropolises to rolling countryside hills, long sandy beaches to temples in the mountains, and even a visit to the historic Demilitarized Zone on the border with North Korea, our adventure leaders will take you off-the-beaten-track and show you life like a local on this unforgettable South Korean experience.

What’s included?
• All transportation within South Korea, including all inter-city transfers and all
transportation to and from included activities.
• All accommodation in dorms in hostels as standard
• All taxes and charges.
• South Korean bilingual tour guides.
• All entrance tickets to attractions listed on the itinerary, unless marked as
optional.
• The following unmissable activities:
*Welcome dinner of Korean barbeque (Seoul)
*Demilitarized Zone (Seoul)
*Night at Jjimjilbang the traditional bathhouses (Sokcho)
*Overnight stay at Golgulsa Temple: meditation and chanting services, traditional arts performance and Sunmudo lesson, drink tea with a
*Enjoy traditional Buddhist meals (Gyeongju)
*Haenyeo Divers Experience (Jeju)
*BBQ party by the beach (Jeju)

Langkawi Vacation Malaysia with Singapore Stopover

Langkawi Vacation Malaysia with Singapore Stopover

Big city sights and tropical island relaxation combine on this Langkawi holiday in Malaysia with a Singapore stopover. Begin by spending three nights in Singapore, a dynamic melting pot of a city, home to Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Europeans. Here, an exciting food culture flourishes, and glittering skyscrapers tower over handsome buildings from the city’s colonial past.

You’ll be staying at the celebrated and iconic Raffles hotel, in the center of the colonial area, with a free guided tour of the hotel available to all guests. Enjoy three nights here before transferring to beautiful Langkawi Island, the largest island off the west coast of peninsula Malaysia. Your base is The Datai, a luxurious hotel in a quiet, isolated spot. It sits amongst a rainforest brimming with wildlife which leads down to a pristine beach. From here, gaze out to the many tiny islands that dot this beautiful bay. There is a pool for families and one for adults only, a spa, and a watersports center which organizes kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing. There is also a golf club just five minutes drive away. While here you can stroll through the rainforest, guided by the hotel’s in-house naturalist, or go horse riding, trekking, and mountain biking, so you can get to know the whole island. Boat charters for island hopping, diving, and deep-sea fishing are also available.

Philippines Vacation, 16 Days

Philippines Vacation, 16 Days

The suggested 16-day tailor-made itinerary below takes in the highlights of the Philippines including the regions of Luzon, Visayas, and Palawan.

Beginning in the capital city, Manila, you will uncover the historic center of Intramuros before heading north to the spectacular Ifugao province.

Spot the Tarsier (one of the world’s smallest primates) on Bohol before finishing up in El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago.

This 16-day island hopping trip is ideal for anyone looking to explore both on land and underwater with ample opportunities to snorkel, trek, and explore, off the beaten track, bound to resonate with adventurous travellers and beach seekers alike.