Walk on the Wild Side; Family Adventures in Thailand and Laos

With their stunning national parks, exciting wildlife and elephant escapades, the tropical nations of Thailand and Laos are excellent destinations for fun-filled, family-friendly adventures. Exotissimo has a range of educational, exciting and exotic tours to ensure everyone in the family has the time of their lives.

Home to the famous River Kwai Bridge, the Thai province of Kanchanaburi is steeped in history, boasts massive expanses of tropical forest, and is a great destination for an action-packed family holiday. Discover the fascinating history of the province and its world-famous bridge in the JEATH museum and explore the rugged beauty of Erawan National Park with its spectacular seven-tiered waterfalls, elephant jungle trekking and exhilarating white water rafting.

For a walk on the wild side, monks at the province’s Tiger Temple offers visitors a unique chance to get up close and personal with their domesticated brood of big cats rescued from poachers in the nearby Thai-Burmese border jungle. The adventures continue with kayaking trips down the mighty River Kwai Yai, an informative visit to Hell Fire Pass or even a magical trek into the heart of the impressive Wang Badal and Thum Kra Sae caves.

For jumbo-sized fun, our new “Living like a Mahout” program in Laos allows you and your family to experience life as a Lao mahout (elephant trainer) at our Elephant Park Project and make some larger than life friends in the process!

In this exciting package, which is unique in Laos, participants work directly with the resident mahout team at the park and learn to feed, wash, care for and ride their elephants, follow elephant trails and even guide the elephants out of the jungle. Get a fascinating insight into these magical creatures with your family while enjoying the luxurious accommodation at the Elephant Park Lodge and the stunning scenery of Northern Laos. Eco-projects like this one help secure a future for the region’s domestic elephant population and their hard-working mahouts, and are an elephantastic opportunity for a unique and inspiring holiday and one el’ of a good time!

Living like a mahout?

Taking the Plunge : Wet and Wild Family Adventures in Vietnam

With the excellent trekking, canyoning and kayaking opportunities that abound in the area, the former colonial French hill station of Dalat in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam is the ideal location for an outdoor family adventure holiday.

Originally the playground of the French who built villas in the clear mountain air to escape the heat and humidity of the coast and of Saigon, Dalat’s lush landscape, temperate climate and stunning waterfalls have made the town a popular holiday destination since the turn of the last century. Today, visitors still flock to experience the natural beauty of Dalat, and Exotissimo’s family water adventure tour is a great way for kids and teenagers to make a splash and have a great time.

On the first day, explore the many inlets and secrets spots of Ho Tuyen Lam, one of the most beautiful lakes on the Langbian Plateau, aboard sturdy, purpose-built kayaks and enjoy a picnic-style lunch of locally produced delicacies in the shade of the lake’s jungle canopy.

The wet and wild adventures continue on day two with an exhilarating introduction to abseiling (rappelling) in one of Dalat’s spectacular canyons. Once you’ve mastered the basics of knot tying, harness wearing, hardware, and proper rappelling technique with our trained guides at the practice slope, you can take the plunge into spectacular waterfalls and streams and enjoy the thrill of the canyon’s natural water slides. No previous experience is necessary for this action-packed trip of hiking, rappelling, swimming, and sliding down the falls; all you and your family need bring is a love of water and a sense of adventure!

View Family Adventure in Dalat, Vietnam

Traveling with Children in Southeast Asia

One of the most striking aspects of a trip to Southeast Asia is the welcoming attitude to children. The smiles and indulgent reception given to pint-sized visitors is wonderful, and travelers to the region can expect to be treated better with kids, than without!

The sincere respect for the family unit inherent in many Asian cultures means that children in Asia are adored - to the extent that adults will often give up seats on public transport for youngsters - and families traveling in the region can expect a universally warm welcome. Friendly locals will shower attention on your children at any opportunity, friendly local kids make ready playmates and temporary nannies are on hand at virtually every corner.

Another plus is that opportunities for low-cost meals and lodging in Asia abound, and with relatively cheap jet travel, affordable family accommodations and favorable currency exchange rates, the term ‘family values’ has real meaning in Southeast Asia. Worried about young eaters? For those with a fussier palate, international kid-friendly cuisine is also readily available and most restaurants welcome children so eating out isn’t a chore. Indeed, with shared dishes, patient and attentive staff and hands-on regional grub, dining in Asia can often be great fun for families.

Exotissimo Travel offers a great selection of exciting adventures featuring a wide variety of activities for the whole family. From elephant riding and mahout training to jungle trekking and canoeing and rappelling adventures, regardless of where you want to go, we’ll find you comfortable, child-friendly accommodation, and plan your trip to ensure that each member of your family has the time of their lives!.

Have a look at Family Jungle Escape in Kanchanaburi for your family trip to Thailand.

Cycling Cambodia

Most true adventurers are well aware that cycling is really one of the best ways to explore and experience a new place. There are no barriers to separate you from the environment that surrounds you which makes for an experience that is pure, energizing and magically engaging. Combining this essential mode of travel with Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and charming friendliness, travelers will be rewarded with a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.

Pedaling across sandy beaches and hidden trails, ‘saddle travel’ gives you exciting access to the remote wonders so often bypassed by trains and buses. Travel the dirt roads and dusty trails to experience the untold adventures of the nation’s northern forests and the magnificent splendor of Cambodia’s Khmer temples and all at your own pace.

Acknowledged as the most exquisite example of ancient architecture in Southeast Asia, the Angkor ruins of Siem Reap are the spiritual and cultural heartbeat of the country and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

What better way to discover these magical ruins than by cycling through the grounds, stopping to clamber through the fascinating ruins at your leisure. Cycling is also the ideal way to fully experience Cambodia’s stunning and diverse scenery. Whether pedaling through orchards or rainforests, gliding along the Mekong or spectacular coastal trails in the south, or rising to the challenge of a hilly stretch, cycling in Cambodia is a sensory overload of scenes, smells and even tastes that just can’t be replicated in the confines of a car.

The freedom of biking also allows for a uniquely intimate interaction with the Cambodian communities you encounter as you ride. Weaving through temples, market crowds and villagers, you can pause at any time to chat and interact with locals, take a well-earned breather and experience the customary warmth (and tasty delicacies!) of this relatively unexplored land.

Explore Cambodia, pedal through it!

Pranburi International Triathlon 2007

The southern Thai town of Pranburi will host its first major international sporting event on Saturday 20th October 2007, when the Pranburi International Triathlon is to be held at Evason Six Senses Resort & Spa.

The inaugural race, which will take place on the beaches in front of the five-star resort and on the backroads of Pranburi, is planned to become an annual event and an essential fixture in the Asian triathlon calendar.

The race will be professionally managed by international race organizers and will consist of a swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, a bike course close to Sam Roi Yot National Park, and a run through the fishing villages and along the coast of Pranburi with a beach finish.

International professional athletes will compete with local triathletes in the Olympic distance elite race, while a sprint distance short course is set to attract corporate racers and fun runners.

With an abundance of beautiful natural scenery, including the spectacular Sam Roi Yot National park and long stretches of sandy beaches, the race will be scenic as well as challenging. And located just a three hour drive from Bangkok and a short drive from the busy tourist centres of Hua Hin and Cha Am, Pranburi is ideally situated to host an international sporting event.

The race is mainly the result of an initiative by forward-thinking tour operator Exotissimo Travel, and according to Hamish Keith, Managing Director of Exotissimo Thailand, their main goals were "to promote tourism to Thailand and to create a long lasting quality race that will attract both professional and top age group athletes".

Proceeds from the triathlon will be donated to the Royal Project Foundation of His Majesty King Bhumibol, and H.S.H Prince Bhisatek Rajani has confirmed his presence at the event on 20th October.

The Big Deep : Scuba Diving in Vietnam

Once the preserve of playboy adventurers, scuba diving is now one of the planet's fastest-growing and most accessible adventure sports activities. With its beautiful coral reef, spectacular marine life, calm, warm waters and mild conditions, the tropical seas of Southeast Asia attract thousands of divers each year. The waters of Vietnam boast some of the best dive sites in the region and sites in Con Dao and Nha Trang are now emerging as leading diving destinations.

Used as a penal colony by the French up until 1975 and one of only two Marine National Parks in the country, Con Dao is a 16 island archipelago situated 180 kilometers off the Southeast coast of Vietnam. Con Dao has largely escaped the exploitation and destructive fishing that have been the fate of other reefs in Vietnam and is now considered to be one of the best examples of marine conservation in the country.

With over 1,000 hectares of stunning coral reefs teeming with a colorful array of marine life, Con Dao supports a high level of biodiversity and over 1,300 marine species have been identified so far. Con Dao's sea grass meadows support a small population of globally endangered dugong, there are also resident hawksbill turtles that nest on the islands and even playful dolphins.

Nha Trang is another scuba centre in Vietnam, and although big animals are hard to find there (apart from the local morays), the abundance of other marine life makes for fascinating diving. Indeed, Nha Trang is renowned for its vibrant nudibranchs and extensive coral biodiversity, and over 350 species of coral can be found at dive sites there.

For advanced divers and beginners alike, Vietnam offers a stunning opportunity to experience the serenity and beauty of the sub-aqua world.

Thailand has the Art of Golf down to a tee

Every year more and more savvy golfers are swinging by the balmy shores of Thailand for memorable games on some of the world’s finest fairways. Currently boasting over 200 courses, Thailand’s tropical climate, low green fees and highly-trained, service-oriented caddies attract the lion’s share of the region’s golf tourists and was recently voted “Best Golf Destination in Asia” by the respected golfing bible Asia Golf Monthly.

Many of the Kingdom’s inbound golf tour operators are seeing business double year-on-year and the market is rapidly expanding with a new course opening almost every month. Many of these excellent championship courses have been designed by golfing legends including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Robert Trent Jones Jr. and boast wonderfully varied terrains.

Indeed, one of the most fascinating aspects of golfing in Thailand is the broad diversity of locations and environments in which the courses are situated. From the urban excitement of Bangkok and the seaside charms of the eastern seaboard, from the pristine paradise of Phuket in the south, to the verdant hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand offers a veritable tapestry of golfing delights.

One such outstanding facility with an exceptional location is the Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa, is set on 250 acres right on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, a lush tropical forest two hours outside Bangkok that is home to elephants, tigers, and more than 300 species of birds.

This exclusive 18-hole championship golf course – designed by Jack Nicklaus – is beautifully set within natural surroundings and features panoramic views of Khao Yai's lush greenery and mountains. The course features ranges from 4,875 yards to an incredible 7,115 yards and has an innovative single-track layout.

In addition to tee times, Kirimaya's concierge can organize rafting, mountain biking, bird-watching, animal safaris and tours of the Angkor Wat–like ruins at Phi Mai, two hours north. So for both golfers and lovers of the great outdoors, a trip to a Thai golf resort is more than par for the course. Check a golf package at Kirimaya Khao Yai.

Adventuring in Style

For well-heeled thrill seekers, Southeast Asia boasts an exciting range of exotic adventure holidays that come complete with lavish comforts and a splash of champagne. Camp in luxury, sight-see from the sky and safari in style with these extravagant adventure options.

Experience the under-canvas comfort of an Eastern safari in the magnificently appointed tents at Elephant Hills in the lush Khao Sok national park, and Four Seasons Tented Camp set in the heart of the Golden Triangle. These luxury jungle camps combine the tented concept of African national parks with a Thai tropical forest environment for a uniquely lavish adventure.

Both camps are palatial havens of unrestrained luxury with tailor-made tents featuring custom-made furnishings reminiscent of 19th century adventure expeditions. And with canoe trips, elephant riding and spectacular trekking routes on offer, there’s certainly no shortage of activities for contemporary adventurers either!

At the eco-friendly, yet similarly sumptuous Lisu Resort in Myanmar’s Kachin State, tents are decorated with bamboo and wooden furniture and feature private bathrooms and solar powered hot water and electricity. The camp is a comfortable base from which to explore Putau, and the focus of this exclusive lodge is on natural and cultural adventure.

For the ultimate in stylish sight-seeing, experience an adventurous aerial view on a romantic hot-air balloon ride over Bagan. Guided by gentle winds not exceeding 15mph, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Bagan’s 2,142 temples and pagodas as you glide over forests of glittering stupas laid out like a mystical chess board below. Romantic sunrise and sunset champagne flights are available from October to March, so you can raise a glass to adventuring in style!

Colonial Chic - Swishful Thinking

Like a living museum, Asia’s grand colonial hotels are the lavish legacy of the region’s colonial past, and provide a glamorous window into a time when the expanding empires of France and Britain in particular cut mighty swaths across the globe.

Wealthy traders and entrepreneurs like the famous Sarkies brothers, flocked to exotic new outposts in the Far East and were quick to leave their imprint on the occupied territory, importing familiar customs and, above all, familiar architecture to the native landscape.

Mostly built early last century, these plush properties like The Oriental in Thailand, Hanoi’s Sofitel Metropole, Vientiane’s Settha Palace and The Strand in Yangon, provided a decadent refuge for the rich and privileged in a very foreign land. Lofty ballrooms, exquisite dining halls, sweeping stair-cases and luxurious suites all supplied the lush backdrop to an endless round of parties and intrigues.

But more than simply a grandiose tribute to imperial decadence, these institutions set high standards in luxury and architecture that their current owners take pains to preserve. Though most are now in the hands of luxury hotel chains, such as Sofitel, Raffles and GHM, which have the funds necessary to maintain them, many of their historical traditions, such as high tea, Tiffin and classical French cuisine, happily live on.

From the rattan furniture and potted plants, to the marble floors and brass fittings, these great colonial hotels still evoke the wonderful opulence of their golden days in the 1920s and '30s. They all offer welcome despite from sterile, modern and often charmless hotels and give us the chance to experience the un-adulterated glamour of a bygone era.

The Asian Spa : Well ahead on Wellness

The concept of traveling for wellness and spa treatments is certainly not a new one; Ancient Greeks traveled to Epidauria, Roman patients traveled to Bath, and from the 18th century, wealthy Europeans traveled far to visit spas from Germany to Egypt. Today, however, relatively low-cost jet travel and favorable currency exchange rates have taken the industry beyond the wealthy elite and spa and wellness tourism, especially in Asia, is booming.

President of the Spa and Wellness Association, Dr Theresa Chew, believes it is Asia’s unique heritage and culture that have enabled the market to flourish. Indigenous Asian therapies such as Indonesian Jamu, Chinese Tui Na, Thai massage and Indian Ayuverda, coupled with a traditional emphasis on preventative medicine and a service-minded culture, all make Asia the undisputed hub of the international spa and wellness industry.

As consumers worldwide are becoming more health conscious, the demand for healthful holiday options is growing. Increasingly travelers are including a detoxifying stay at a destination spa or health retreat in their Asian itineraries, and with the region boasting some of the finest destination spas in the world, it’s little wonder that they do!

The Shinta Mani is a beautiful boutique property located in the center of Siem Reap, and is a member of the socially-minded Sanctuary Resorts group. The hotel’s award-winning ‘Sanctuary Spa’ features luxurious single and couple treatment rooms and offers a range of treatments to relax and rejuvenate.

With official spa figures currently over 800, Thailand is the current market leader for spa and wellness, and so unsurprisingly the Kingdom has a range of excellent health-minded resorts. Ko Samui’s Kamalaya is a complete wellness sanctuary which provides cleansing detox programs, yoga synergy retreats, holistic spa treatments and customized wellness packages in a in a natural beach-side setting.

The regal Thai beach town of Hua Hin is a veritable hub of wellness, boasting several luxury destination spas. The AKA Hotel Resort & Spa offers luxury villas inspired by Thailand’s meditative traditions, and even features a scenic jogging trail around the resort grounds in addition to its excellent spa facilities.

Also in Hua Hin is the exclusive health retreat of Chiva-Som. Nestled within seven acres of lush tropical gardens, the famous resort offers extensive fitness, spa and holistic health facilities and features over 120 holistic and medical treatments.

Six Senses Resorts and Spas group also have a destination spa in Hua Hin, as well as several other award-winning spa properties around Thailand and Vietnam. Each of their resort spas offer an impressive selection of holistic and signature treatments, while their fitness centers and Tai Chi and Yoga pavilions help guests play their way into good health.

All aborad! Seriously Stylish Cruising in Southeast Asia

The flowing waters of Southeast Asia form some of its most spectacular geographical features. Mighty rivers flow from the highlands in the heart of the region and run outward in all directions to meet breathtaking bays. Experience these natural wonders in styles aboard luxurious vessels that are almost as spectacular as the waters they cruise!

Thailand’s Chao Phraya is often dubbed ‘The River of Kings’ and Manohra’s lavishly converted rice barges offer a truly regal river experience. The 20-metre-long barges feature warm teak, Padua and mahogany woods throughout, custom designed furniture and sophisticated Southeast Asian art, and can be hired by couples or groups for private charter.

In the northeast of Vietnam, just a three-hour drive from Hanoi, is the stunning World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, a dense cluster of almost 2,000 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation rising spectacularly from the ocean. Cruise the bay in the style of yesteryear aboard the Emeraude, a luxuriously appointed replica colonial paddle steamer with a romantic history to match the polished wood and brass fittings!

Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River is the life-line of the nation and flows through the centre of the country for almost 2000 km. Cruise its mighty waters in comfort aboard the RV Pandaw 1947, an original Scottish-built colonial steamer, commissioned at the end of the Second World War. With sixteen beautifully appointed cabins, elegant dining hall, saloon and sun deck, Ayravata Cruises offer cultural and exploration cruises in comfort.

Or enjoy the timeless landscapes of Southern Laos from your luxurious vantage point on “the river-borne boutique hotel’ of Vat Phou. The beautiful 34-metre steel hulled craft features a charmingly appointed interior and gives leisurely cruises along the mighty Mekong. On a different stretch of the Mekong in nearby Cambodia, Mekong River Cruises offer a unique experience of a fascinating country in serious style!

So why not embark on the trip of a lifetime with our Emeraude Experience Cruise.

Visit Exotissimo at ITE, Hong Kong

Exotissimo Travel will be gracing the ITE MICE trade show in Hong Kong this year. As part of the Vietnam Meeting and Incentive Club (VMIC), we will be working with Vietnam Airlines, Saigontourist, Caravelle Hotel, Celadon Hue, Rex Hotel, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Furama Danang, Sheraton Hanoi, Sheraton Saigon, Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, Melia Hanoi and Saigon Phu Quoc Resort to demonstrate why Vietnam is one of the region’s fastest growing MICE destinations.

Come visit Mr. Paul Robinson at booth 2A 301 to discuss Exotissimo’s MICE offerings, in Vietnam and also our other destination countries.

Raise a Glass to Aythaya Wine -- Myanmar

When people think of Myanmar, wine is probably the last thing that springs to mind, but Bert Morsbach, CEO of Myanmar’s premiere vineyard, is one of many ‘new-latitude’ vintners who hope to change that.

Back in 1997, Morsbach founded his vineyard, Aythaya Wine, among Buddhist monasteries on the slopes of Aythaya’s Taunggyi Mountains, and aimed to create a wine that could compete with the top vintners from the world’s classic wine-producing countries.

Producing wine in a tropical climate is no mean feat, and Morsbach faced many challenges and obstacles. “Had I not been convinced that we could make a quality wine up in our mountains, I would not have started the project,” he admits. And after two failed crop seasons, Aythaya Wine was finally able to present its first wine, the ‘Aythaya Red’, at Yangon’s Le Planteur Restaurant in December 2004.

Aythaya wines are part of the “new latitude wines,” which are created in places far from the traditional centers of Europe, California, Australia and South America.

In terms of wine-making, countries like Brazil, India and Thailand hope to someday stand in pride next to France, Australia and Chile and Morsbach is one hopeful contender in the movement.

The German-born vintner plans to eventually retire in Myanmar, and sees the Aythaya Vineyard as a labor of love. As part of developing the surrounding area, the vineyard has renovated a local Buddhist orphanage, earning it the name the “orphanage vineyard.” They are also currently in the process of expanding their tourist facilities, which already include five guest rooms, a restaurant and swimming pool.

Why not add a visit to the Aythaya Vineyard to a tour of Myanmar? Exotissimo Myanmar makes stops at the Aythaya Vineyard on the way to Inle Lake, where you can indulge in some wine tasting and have lunch in an intimate setting. Interested in a glass of Burmese wine? Have a look at our Essential Myanmar tour.

Order of the Day - Dining with a Conscience in Southeast Asia

In a region famous for its delectable cuisine, several Southeast Asian restaurants are now also dishing up opportunities for the local community with their socially responsible policies and vocational training programs.

In Siem Reap, Le Jardin des Delices is the training restaurant of the famous Paul Dubrule Hospitality & Tourism School and was established to provide young, underprivileged Cambodians with an opportunity to train in the skills of the hotel, restaurant and tourism industry.

Delicious Khmer and European fusion cuisine is served on a terrace fronting a lush exotic garden. But the tastiest aspect of all is that while you enjoy the savoir faire of the students, you are also contributing to the sustainability of a vital educational project.

In just five years, the Hanoi based KOTO (Know One, Teach One) has grown from a small sandwich shop to a 120-seat restaurant and an internationally accredited hospitality program that is breaking the cycle of poverty amongst street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam.

The young people in the KOTO program study hospitality skills and English, while gaining practical skills working at the KOTO restaurant. Indeed, KOTO boasts a 100 percent success rate in placing its graduates in their first job in the hospitality industry.

In Thailand, the popular restaurant chain Cabbages and Condoms was founded by the kingdom’s leading philanthropist and former Minister of Health, Meechai Viravaidya, in an effort to make condoms as common - and as accepted - as cabbages.

The food is consistently delicious (and ‘guaranteed not to cause pregnancy!’) and all proceeds from the restaurants are used to fund the social programs of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), a non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Meechai himself.

Choosing to eat at socially responsible restaurants such as these can make a big difference to the most vulnerable sectors of the local community. In a region that traditionally suffers from child prostitution and exploitative labor, a socially responsible service industry is now becoming the order of the day.

On your next trip to Southeast Asia, why not sample the delicious fare of these restaurants and support their valuable work? Join the ten-day Best of Vietnam tour and visit KOTO Restaurant in Hanoi and experience Vietnamese hospitality.

Eco-logical Tourism

Exotissimo is committed to supporting environmentally and socially responsible tourism projects and we strive to incorporate our philosophies of sustainable travel into all our programmes wherever possible.

In line with this commitment, Exotissimo developed the Sustainable Tourism Department; a team entirely dedicated to pursuing environmental protection and economic and social justice through tourism. Two of the sustainable tourism projects in Laos which we are proud to be involved with are The Kamu Lodge and The Akha Experience.

A three hour upstream cruise from Luang Prabang, The Kamu Lodge offers ‘an exclusive and ecological experience with zero impact on the environment’ at its tranquil, rural centre. Built entirely from natural products and featuring thatched tents and solar-powered energy, guests at the lodge can learn about the traditional farming and fishing techniques of the Kamu villagers, as well as trek through some of the region’s dense jungles and forests.

In 2005, Exotissimo also began working closely with eight tribal villages around Muang Sing to create a sustainable way for visitors to experience tribal life. Muang Sing is a small town 10km from the Lao-Chinese border famed for its abundance of local ethnic minority groups. The Akha Experience is an authentic and responsible tour on which travellers can enjoy a fascinating insight into the village life of the Akha, while helping to fund important community development.

Supporting projects such as these is part of our attempt to encourage sustainable tourism that helps to fight poverty and support environmental and cultural preservation. For more information on these sustainable tours, check out this detailed itinerary of The Akha Experience and review of The Kamu Lodge Eco-Resort.

Khao Sok National Park

Imagine walking through a 180 million year old rainforest, the morning filled with the sound of gibbons calling across the canopy above. You reach a clearing and your guide tells you to be quiet and look to the sky. There you see a hornbill flying low as it searches for food in the jungle below. In Khao Sok this experience an almost daily occurrence.

Khao Sok National Park is the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. It predates the Amazon and can be traced back in time as far as 180 million years when it was part of a great river delta protected by a coral reef six times longer than the Great Barrier Reef.

Part of a protected area that covers almost 4,000 sqm of south Thailand, Khao Sok is home to some of Asia’s rarest flora and fauna including the world’s largest flower, the rare Rafflesia Kerrii. Trekking is the best way to experience the beauty of the area. Several trails lead from the park headquarters into the jungle following jungle paths that take you to waterfalls or caves. Walking under the shade of giant fig and rattan trees, your guides will be on the constant look out for gibbons, hornbills and other wildlife, while monkeys are seen often.

Deeper into the park you will find Chao Lam Lake. Created in 1982 when the Rachabrapha dam was built, Chao Lam is famous for the giant limestone Karst Mountains that rise mystically from the water to heights of over 100 meters. Part of a topographical chain that stretches from Phang Nga Bay near Phuket to Guilin in China and also occurs in Vang Vieng in Laos and Halong Bay in Vietnam, the mountains of Chao Lam are one of the travel world’s best kept secrets. A longtail boat ride across the lake in the early morning is an unforgettable experience as the waters reflect the giant limestone mountains creating magical memories.

When the area was flooded, several villages were lost and 100 metres below the waters are complete communities. As part of the national park, there are no permanent buildings around the lake but the original inhabitants were allowed to build floating raft houses and adventurous travelers can spend the night in the simple bamboo huts in the middle of the lake.

As well as trekking through the park, kayaking on the lake or down the Sok River are other ways to discover the area. Located almost half way across peninsula Thailand, Khao Sok is easily reached from Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani or Khao Lak and should be an essential part of all visits to South Thailand. View our Gibbon's Call in Khao Sok for your Khao Sok trip.

Zen and the Art of Cycling

Most true adventurers are well aware that cycling is really one of the best ways to explore and experience a new place. There are no barriers to separate you from the environment that surrounds you which makes for an experience that is pure, energizing and magically engaging. When combining this essential mode of travel with Southeast Asia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and charming friendliness, you will doubtless be rewarded with a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.

Pedaling across sandy beaches and hidden trails, ‘saddle travel’ gives you exciting access to the remote regional wonders so often bypassed by trains and buses. Explore the ancient kingdoms of Bagan and Ayuthaya, the ethnic tribal towns of Vietnam, or the scenic villages of Bangkok’s undiscovered “Urban Jungle”, and all at your own pace.

Cycling is also the ideal way to fully experience the region’s stunning and diverse scenery.

Whether pedaling through orchards or rain forests, gliding along the Mekong or spectacular coastal trails, or rising to the challenge of a hilly stretch, cycling is a sensory overload of scenes, smells and even tastes that just can’t be replicated in the confines of a car!

The freedom of biking also allows for a uniquely intimate interaction with the communities you encounter as you ride. Weaving through temples, market crowds and villagers, you can pause at any time to chat and interact with locals, take a well-earned breather and experience the customary warmth (and tasty delicacies!) of the region.

Ready to get in gear? Why not experience the adventure of cycling through Vietnam with our five day Meandering the Mekong Tour.

Tribal Nations - Living the High Life

Along the borders of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China, there are dozens of mountain-dwelling semi-nomadic people collectively known as ‘hilltribes’. Although they do share an elevated lifestyle, these colorful communities actually represent a diverse myriad of languages, cultures and belief systems.

The Akha, one complex hilltribe group in the region, are closely related to the Hani of China’s Yunnan province but speak their own distinct language which comes from a branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. The Akha are traditionally subsistence farmers, and Akha Zang (The Akha Way) combines animism, ancestor worship and their deep relationship with the land.

Also originally hailing from Yunnan, the Lisu have primarily earned their name as a tribe alive with color, and are considered to use the greatest variety of colors of all the hill tribes. Their confident decision-making and independence is reflected in the way the Lisu use powerful combinations of colors to decorate their costumes.

The Karen are one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of about three million spread throughout Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Famed for the ‘long necks’ of their women, the Karen now live at relatively low elevations in permanent villages, and have developed environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields.

The Lahu are a strongly independent and very diverse ethnic group. In Thailand alone there are no fewer than six different Lahu tribes, some of whose languages are not mutually intelligible. Although primarily subsistence farmers, the Lahu are also proud of their hunter-warrior heritage and are strongly committed to principles of unity and working together for survival.

This brief look at just a few of these fascinating groups illustrates the complex diversity of Southeast Asian hilltribe communities.

Experience these remarkable ethnic groups for yourself on our Shan Homestay in Tham Lod.

Visit Exotissimo at ITB & IMEX

From 7th March to 11th March in Berlin, Exotissimo will attend ITB 2007 in Berlin. Mr Richard Craik, Director of Marketing of the Exotissimo Group, George Ehrlich-Adam, General Manager of the Exotissimo Travel Myanmar office, and Pantanida Jantsakool, Manager of our German Operations department. You can find us at Hall 26B, Booth 214.

Mr Erik Meriot, Director of EXO Travel Paris and Ms Carine Battajon, MICE Manager, will attend IMEX from 17th April to 19th April in Frankfurt. Please feel free to stop by and visit with them.

For more information or to make an appointment in advance, please contact marketing@exotissimo.com.

The Beach with the Golden Sun!

The availability of elephants, exotic jungle, relatively low production costs and a mature film industry, all make Thailand an attractive location for cinematographers. But it is the kingdom’s astonishing coastal scenery, with its pristine beaches, swaying palms and rugged capes that is the real movie magnet.

Calm, inviting waters, colorful marine life and lush forests of wild coconut palms and mangroves are just some of the natural charms of the southern Thai islands that have played backdrop to famous blockbusters. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Roger Moore, was shot on location in Thailand, and famously features the stunning sands of Phang Nga Bay in Phuket.

Scaramanga, (“He's not like other men... he has three...”) the film’s triple-nippled ace hitman, has his island hideout on a tiny jungle-covered limestone pillar called Koh-Ping-Kan in the remote and picturesque bay. More recently, The Beach (2000) based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Alex Garland and starring Leonardo Di Caprio, also featured the tropical shores of the Andaman Coast for its island escape.

The film-makers of The Beach scouted locations in Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines before finally settling on Phi Phi Le island in Krabi. Surrounded by stunning limestone karsts, the tropical paradise of Maya Bay provided the perfect setting for the film’s fictional hidden Utopia.

Today, long after the film crews have gone home, both locations are still a major draw for tourists who flock to see the magical natural beauty that inspired their favorite flicks.

Finding the perfect beach isn't a mission impossible...

Along the Perfume River

After a visit in 1981, the then Director General of UNESCO proclaimed Hue to be "a masterpiece of urban poetry". Famous for school girls in their white Áo Dài - Vietnamese national dress, and Nón Bài Tho - a conical straw hat hiding a secret poem, to the Vietnamese, Hue has ever been synonymous with romance and all that's beautiful.

Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hué was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. Today the majestic Perfume River meanders past the remains of the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, as well as the tombs of several former emperors.

The stunning Tu Duc Mausoleum with its triple arched gateways, lotus filled ponds and pavilions, reflects perhaps the somewhat whimsical character of its host. Emperor Tu Duc was by all accounts a self-absorbed and romantic ruler, preferring to hide away amongst the tranquil gardens and pine trees of the Imperial grounds.

He also apparently partook of a delicately fragrant tea made from the dew of lotus blossoms and penned no less than four thousand poems, perhaps to amuse his one hundred wives and harem of concubines.

Harems and wives notwithstanding, Tu Duc’s tomb is just one impressive relic of Hué’s Imperial past to be found along the Perfume River.

Discover the ancient tombs, pagodas and forbidden citadels of Hué and the quaint, old town of Hoi An in this 5-day Hoi An & the Last Imperial Citadel tour.

An Eastern Promise

The traditional wedding gown in China is not white but bright red, which symbolizes luck for the new couple, and you can expect lots of noisy firecrackers at the wedding to scare off evil spirits.

In Japan, purple is the color of love. A young bride may choose to wear a silk kimono covered in purple iris-flowers on her big day.

If you think you’ve got seating problems take heart: In Indonesia it is not uncommon for more than 1,000 guests to be invited to the wedding reception and it is customary for the bride and the groom to greet each guest in a long receiving line before festivities can begin!

A fortune-teller, known as a kung-hap, traditionally looks into a couple’s future in Korea before they are married. A harmonious union is important as gifts alone for a traditional Korean wedding can cost upwards of $40,000.

An early Filipino custom required the groom to throw a spear into the front steps of his intended-bride’s home as a dramatic statement to everyone that she had been spoken for, though nowadays a gold band will usually suffice.

Carefully observing traditional customs is an important facet of marriage worldwide – Some even say it can be a matter of wife or death!

And after the rice and spears are thrown, what better way to celebrate together, than on a Perfect Thai Honeymoon for two blissful weeks?

Lazy Love in Luang Prabang

"Luang Prabang is in reality a love, a dream, a poetry of naive sensuality which unfolds under the foliage of this perfumed forest". So penned Marte Bassene in his 1909 Laos travelogue, and a century later surprisingly little about this picturesque idyll has changed. Indeed, after their initial survey, UNESCO proclaimed Luang Prabang to be the "best preserved city in South East Asia."

But nestled at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers and encircled by green mountains, Luang Prabang is also one of the most enchanting cities in the region and a destination that seems custom tailored for romance.

A leisurely stroll through Luang Prabang feels like a walk through history. Crumbling colonial architecture gives way to ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries; towering palm and banana trees shade the dirt lanes; novice monks in saffron robes pad down narrow alleyways and simple, narrow cargo boats drift up the Mekong.

Passing lazy mornings in the faded, but still splendid, colonial hotels is a wonderful luxury, but I dragged myself out of bed to witness the sacred ‘takbat’. This early morning spectacle involves food offering to hundreds of orange-wrapped monks who stream out the cities temples in a stunning sea of saffron.

Food is an important aphrodisiac and Luang Prabang is packed with fantastic restaurants. Several excellent French bistros serve quality wines (so often a rarity in Asia!), and what better way to end a dreamy day than a candle-lit dinner and shared sunset over the Mekong.

Experience the magical romance of this forgotten city with our Romantic Walk Through Luang Prabang tour.

All aboard the Victoria Express!

Travel to Sapa in real style on the 10 hour overnight Victoria Express train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, and enjoy one of the world’s greatest rail experiences.

Located 380 km northwest of Hanoi among the Hong Lien mountain range near the Chinese border, Sapa is one of the most spectacular and unspoilt regions of Vietnam. The Victoria Sapa Resort, a low-rise French chalet-style property high up on a mountainside, is the only luxury hotel in the region, and the perfect base to explore the many local hill tribe minorities.

And what better way to get to this stunning colonial resort, than on board its luxury locomotive?

Elegant wooden carriages with plush seating and luxurious sleeping cabins hark back to colonial-era travel and offer guests traveling to the Victoria Sapa Resort a uniquely romantic and memorable journey. A comfortable night’s sleep is guaranteed in the train’s luxury sleeping carriages, each of which has five superior cabins (four berth) and two deluxe cabins (2 berth). All cabins are air-conditioned and wood paneled, with individual reading lights, baggage storage and toilets. Cabins also feature oversized windows allowing guests to really enjoy the lush, verdant scenes rushing past.

Speeding through the exotic landscapes of North Vietnam, between the charming cities of Hanoi and Lao Cai, passengers can admire the view comfortably from their seats, snooze in their cozy sleeping carriage, or wander down to Le Tonkin restaurant car for a fine selection of wines and traditional Vietnamese and Western dishes. All food served is freshly prepared, and French-trained Executive Chef, Alain Nguyen and his staff, offer a gourmet, 4-course meal. You can even bring your own wine along, so why not pick up a bottle in Hanoi before boarding?

The train departs six times a week and can accommodate 48 passengers. Reaching Sapa has never been more appealing.

Interested in jumping aboard? Have a look at our 5-day Sapa Mountain Retreat & Ethnic Market tour.

Victoria Express Train Schedule

Beginning 1st January 2007, all departures will be in the evening, and there will be no trains running on Saturdays. Departures from Hanoi to Lao Cai is at 22.00, while departures from Lao Cai to Hanoi is at 21.15. For more information, please contact us.

Bagan Ancient Lunar-cy :: Ananda Pagoda

The Ananda Pagoda, is said by many to be the finest, largest and best preserved of all Bagan’s 2,000 holy temples and monuments, and in January each year, hundreds flock to the site for the epic, 23 day celebrations.

The Ananda Pagoda, also known as Ananda Pahto, was built by King Kyansittha in the early Bagan Period (circa 12th Century), and is said to symbolize the limitless wisdom of the Buddha. The annual Ananda Pagoda Festival is a highlight of Myanmar’s cultural calendar, and is a spectacle that attracts locals, pilgrims and tourists from all over Bagan and beyond!

Like a country-fair, you can see locals roll up to the temple with bull carts and horse carts, and remain there for the duration of the festival. Red-robed monks line up with their alms bowls to receive rice and crops from merit makers. A lively market fills the temple’s grounds, and evening performances of ‘Zats’ and ‘Anyeints’ , traditional variety and slap-stick comedy shows, keep the crowd entertained.

Undoubtedly, the busiest and most interesting day of the celebration is the full-moon day of the lunar month. This special day, called Pyartho, is the main focus of the festival, and the consecration is a big crowd puller.

This year, the Ananda Pagoda Festival runs from 26th December until 17th January. It’s a great opportunity to witness a fascinating Buddhist ritual, and get a real insight into the living ancient culture of Myanmar.

Experience the beauty of Myanmar's famous temples and much more besides on the Mystical Myanmar tour, one of the most selective tours by the leading tour operator in Asia, Exotissimo Travel.

Lakes and boulevards - Hanoi, Vietnam

The phrase 'faded grandeur' could have been coined specifically for the city of Hanoi. Nowhere in is the architectural heritage of the past so well preserved.

Many of the grandiose villas and palaces built by the French are still in use today, mostly as government buildings. Wide, tree-lined boulevards skirt the misty lakes of the city and amongst it all are ancient temples and busy markets. is a truly fascinating and charming destination and few who visit fail to fall for the romance of the city.

The day begins in long before dawn as traders bring their goods into the city by bicycle and handcart, stocking the markets for the morning trade. The highlight is the impossibly colourful and vibrant flower market, a truly unforgettable experience for the early riser.

As the watery sun rises over the city and mist rises from the lakes, seemingly the entire population of the city takes to the lakesides, parks and streets for their morning exercise. Elderly citizens display astonishing suppleness and control as they practice Tai Chi in the dawn light.

As the sun warms the city, the real business of the day begins – business. The ‘Old Quarter’ of has been a shopper’s paradise since the 15^th century, when the 36 streets of 36 Guilds were first created. The guilds of craftsmen sold rice, silk and even gravestones in those days, but today you are more likely to find boutiques selling exquisite silk clothing, intricately embroidered table cloths, hand-painted wooden sandals or a fine art gallery. Many travelers to regard foraging for bargains around the Old Quarter as a highlight of their trip to Vietnam.

Hanoi has a burgeoning scene of trendy, up-market boutiques and designers, most of whom can be found around the carming Nha Tho (Church) Street. Modern day beatniks lounge in hip cappuccino bards while shoppers hunt for interesting finds in the small, independent boutiques like Ipa Nima, Song and Mosiäque. Almost all of life in is lived out on the street, and this is a wonderful area ofr people watching. You can even see traders who, like characters from Oliver Twist, call out their traditional songs of goods for sale.

After a few days, visitors may even begin to distinguish between the song of the noodle vendor, the shoeshine boy and the rat catcher!

Having explored the shops, the markets, the temples, the lakes and the cafes, what’s next? Lunch, of course! is a delight for the epicure, with thousands of delicious secrets to discover. Bobby Chinn’s offers some of ’s finest fusion cuisine, while the Press Club and le Beaulieu tempt fans of fine French food. But is famous for one dish above all others – ‘Cha Ca Hanoi’. This spiced fish is a cultural legend in Hanoi, and must rate as one of the world’s most unusual dishes, delicately flavoured as it is with a couple of drops of perfume extracted from the scent gland of a water beetle!

Dusk again brings a wonderful atmosphere to the city as young couples congregate beneath lakeside trees and the air is filled with delicious smells as street hawkers do a brisk trade in steaming noodle soup, plump dumplings and spicy sandwiches made with fresh warm baguettes.

If you would like to go and get a taste of this romantic atmosphere in this city or other seductive cities in Vietnam, may we recommend you to view sample tours by Exotissimo which may help you get an idea of your next trip?