 |
|  |
| |
|
| |
Two great tours, three delicious options and four fascinating countries. |
| |
Celebrate New Year's on the Mekong!
Join us in the mountainous retreat of Laos, plus Cambodia's ancient temples of Angkor. Then meet us in Vietnam, visiting the former southern capital of Ho Chi Minh/Saigon and the idyllic island of Phu Quoc. |
|
We have personally selected restaurants and hotels that specifically focus on training and educating at-risk and disadvantaged local youth. You will be excited to taste the fruits of their efforts, and impressed with the quality of work! There is no stinting on our part -- but you are doubly rewarded knowing your tourism dollars are supporting important projects rewarding local communities. |
| Our December and January tours to Southeast Asia are especially designed for the food lover. Great hotels, delicious foods -- that is the Globetrotting Gourmet winning recipe. |
|
 |
|
| |
| DAY BY DAY ITINERARY |
Laos & Cambodia Epicure Dec 29 '08 -Jan 7 '09 |
www.asianfoodtours.com |
|
| |
 |
Monday 29 December |
|
O/N Bangkok |
 |
|
| |
| You are personally met at Souvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and transferred to the 5-star Sofitel Centara Grand hotel, with guaranteed upgrades to deluxe room status. This property is specifically chosen because of its convenience -- there is an attached shopping mall with connections to the BTS Sky Train and MRT Subway; plus the hotel boasts seven restaurants and is quick driving proximity to both airports. |
| Note: Please advise if you require earlier arrival, as we offer a great rate for additional nights in upgraded deluxe rooms, including airport transfers. North American travellers: as you will be crossing the International Date Line you add an extra day in transit. Typically, departures ex North America on Saturday 27 December arrive on Monday 29 Dec, but exact arrival times depend on your carrier's schedule and connections. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Tuesday 30 December |
|
O/N Siem Reap - Cambodia |
|
|
| |
| Meet us in the hotel Chatuchak Café for a group breakfast to get acquainted. Afterwards, the hotel chef escorts us to nearby Aw Taw Kaw market, to learn about Southeast Asia's market groceries, and fresh produce. Time magazine listed this market as one of the 10 great undiscovered sites of Thailand, and we couldn't agree more! Back to the hotel for a quick freshen up, then check out for flights to Siem Reap, ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Tonight's dinner is a great introduction to Cambodian dishes. |
| We visit Angkor Wat in relative peace from the tourist hordes. Most groups come early morning, and again before dusk, but we've timed our visit during the slowest period, and also entering through its least visited entrance to the East. What more can we say about this spectacle, except that it is truly a vast, awe-inspiring, breathtaking experience. Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, and its volume of stone equals Cheops Great Pyramid in Egypt. Unlike all other Khmer temples, it faces West (where our group will exit), and was constructed in the 12th century originally under Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylised on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build, and is generally believe to have been a funeral temple for the king. Intricate bas reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides each telling a story. The most celebrated of these it the "Churning of the Ocean of Milk" locate on the east wing. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
Wednesday 31 December |
|
O/N Siem Reap - Cambodia |
|
|
| Today we begin a day's touring of the famed Angkor complex. We begin at Ta Phrom from the West, also known as "trees" as the overgrowth on this temple has been retained to show visitors how the temples appeared before French exploration in the late 19th century. Surrounded by jungle its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stones like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm: |
| Entering the court yards one comes into a new kind of vegetable world; not one of the branches and leaves with which one is familiar, but that of roots. Ta Prohm is an exhibition of the mysterious subterranean life of plants, of which it offers an infinite variety of cross sections. Huge trees have seeded themselves on the roofs of the squat towers and their soaring trunks are obscured from sight; but here one can study in comfort the drama of those secret and conspirational activities that labour to support their titanic growth. Norman Lewis -- A Dragon Apparent 1951 |
|
|
| We then walk past Wat Thit Pradit Khadij to a small man-made lake to regroup, then continue to the ancient walled city of Angkor Tho, literally "Great City" Built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII,, Angkor Thom contains the Elephant and Leper King Terraces. You will face the South Gate to catch the last rays of light as they filter through the trees. Return to hotel. |
| In the late afternoon, we've scheduled a break from the temples, to the Vietnamese floating village on Tonle Sap. Here, catch a view of Cambodia's most famous lake by dusk, plus its floating ethnic Vietnamese village. We will be seeing the lake at mid level, just a few months after the rainy season. Contrary to all laws of nature, the mighty Mekong annually flows blackward intot he great lake, enriching the locals with a bounty of fish and irrigation water. |
| Sunset along the Mekong, a fitting way to adieu '08. Our celebratory dinner begins at 9 p.m. tonight. |
|
|
| |
|
Thursday 1 January |
|
O/N Siem Reap - Cambodia |
|
|
| Mercifully, we've left the morning free, but regather for lunch and more touring of Khmer temples.. |
| Banteay Samre is a fine example of small scale Angkor-style architecture. its relatively small size permits the visitor to closely appreciate the intricacies that are often dwarfed by the immense size of larger monuments like Angkor Wat. Seldom visited, this temple can be wandered through peacefully at your own pace. |
| Late afternoon, visit Preah Kkah, "The sacred Sword" an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. It is one of a group of temple complexes situated on a small "Baay" pr water reservoir including the temples of Neak Pean and the monastic complex Ta Som. Together these structures constitute one of Angkor's major axial arrangements and hydrological complexes. Preah Khan is the site of the World Monuments Fund "prime" Asian project, a painstaking renovation whilst maintaining is mysterious allure and superb original structure. |
| In the evening, we've scheduled a dinner theatre, complete with khmer traditional dancing. The spread is one of the largest in town, but truthfully, come for the spectacle, not the victuals! |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
Friday 2 January |
|
O/N Pakse - Laos |
|
|
| For early risers, we've scheduled an optional pre-dawn temple visit to Bayon. This is an adventure you do not want to miss -- as we arrive at twilight, pitch black. Flashlights/torches will aid our climb to the temple itself, then sit quietly as the jungle awakens -- first with the rush of flying foxes returning to their cavernous haunts, and then the sounds of birds and insects awakening. You can see the lichen come to life on the temples. Afterwards, explore Bayon, and our guide will translate the reliefs depicting everyday life and food gathering in the 13th century. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest, then a late morning departure to Laos. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Saturday 3 + Sunday 4 January |
|
O/N Pakse - Laos |
|
|
| |
| The city of Pakse is a commercial hub, both with trade from Thailand, and also Laos' rich Bolaven Plateau to its East, and Asia's tastiest coffee. We first visit local Pakse sites, then lunch, and finally our arrival at our stunning French accommodation on an island on the Mekong. |
| Our resort hotel is too good to miss. Consequently, we've scheduled plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings, but still not omitting local highlights. In the morning, a brief excursion to the nearby Khmer site of Le Vat Phou, then and in the afternoon, a cooking demonstration of southern Lao specialties, followed by an early dinner. Lunch not included. |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Monday 5 + Tuesday 6 January |
|
O/N Vientiane - Laos |
|
|
| |
| After breakfast, an early morning flight to Vientiane, the charming and laid back capital of Laos. Afterwards, an orientation of the city, and luncheon at a restaurant training program for street children and their families. The menu is described as "Nouvelle Lao" or "Fusion" but we truly think its new takes on classic dishes is the gastronomic future. The remaining afternoon is devoted to Vientiane's vast central market for shopping. Dinner is French colonial grandueur, then we've organized a one hour cyclo (or pedicab) tour of the quiet capital streets after dark. |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Wednesday 7 January |
|
|
|
|
| |
| For those finishing the journey, your flight includes complimentary return passage to Bangkok at noon, allowing you convenient connections to your on-going flights home. If you plan to stay longer in Bangkok, we are happy to arrange additional hotel nights (guaranteed upgrade to deluxe rooms!) and transfers to the Sofitel Centara Grand in Chatuchak, plus private day guide services in Bangkok. |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| DAY BY DAY ITINERARY |
Vietnam Delta Epicure Jan 8-13 '09 |
www.asianfoodtours.com |
|
| |
|
Thursday 8 January |
|
O/N Saigon - Vietnam |
|
|
| |
For those continuing with us to Vietnam, today we fly to Saigon.
Cambodian departure tax of US$15 is payable in cash, Visa or Mastercard at the airport. Your Cambodia-Vietnam flight is complimentary on our designated airline if you join both tours, as well as return to Bangkok from Vietnam. Otherwise, meet us in the southern capital Ho Chi Minh City.
|
| Afternoon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City, or the former Saigon. This is Vietnam's largest city, and home to nearly 7 milllion persons, but still tame and manageable by Bangkok standards. Tonight's dinner is a celebration of simple southern Vietnamese food -- all washed down with bia hoi fresh beer. You will revel in the informality. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Friday 9 January |
|
O/N Saigon - Vietnam |
|
|
| |
| Breakfast at the hotel, then it is off to Pham Van Hai market shopping for provisions for today's cooking class. We're heading to where Vietnam's next generation learn the art of cooking and hospitality, the School of Hotel and Tourism. Madame Van and her staff have arranged a hands on class of typical southern Vietnamese dishes, followed by lunch. Time permitting, if there is interest, we can stop at one of HCM's best lacquer ware factories enroute back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free, then meet for one of Vietnam's most celebrated street fare dishes: Banh xeo, or sizzling rice crepes. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Saturday 10 January |
|
O/N Saigon - Vietnam |
|
|
| |
| Following breakfast we drive down to the port of Vung Tau on the South China Sea. After a brief orientation tour (and time permitting, a visit to one of emperor Bao Dai's many palaces) we lunch at the place from where all the other restaurants buy their seafood. It's not flashy with oceanfront views, but the freshness of the catch is well worth the trade off. Afterwards, we take a hydrofoil back up the Saigon River. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free for shopping, packing or just to relax, or simply to indulge yourself. There is so much to choose from in HCM, from boisterous seafood eateries to ultra chic fine dining restaurants. We provide a dining and shopping guide to help you decide where. This is truly the country's best city for fine dining options, and we will provide you a great list of the city's best. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Sunday 11 January |
|
O/N Phu Quoc- Vietnam |
|
|
| |
| Today we fly to the far southern island of Phu Quoc. Once part of Cambodia, the island was bestowed on the Vietnamese emperor as a bridal dowry. In the French colonial period it served as a penal colony, but now if for its famed vine-ripened peppercorns and the country's best fish sauce. This is truly an idyllic paradise, and our accommodation is the island's newest and best! |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Monday 12 January |
|
O/N Phu Quoc- Vietnam |
|
|
| |
Early mornings are best to discover Vietnam's local markets, so we depart early today for a tour of picturesque Dong Dong market. We'll also stop for a quick breakfast of pho noodle soup -- quintessentially the country's national dish. En route back a typical lunch of local seafood, plus stops at a fish sauce factory and pepper grove. Although we strongly suggest you stock up on Phu Quoc's delicious pepper, fish sauce cannot be transported on flights off the island. This applies to both checked and carry on baggage. Fortunately, select fish sauce brands are available in the airport after check in and security search.
|
| We've left plenty of time for you to enjoy our resort this afternoon and evening, with dinner on your own. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Tuesday 13 January |
|
|
|
|
| |
| We've left the morning free to relax at the resort, prior to our mid- afternoon return to Ho Chi Minh. For those joining us for both tours (Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam) your return flight to Bangkok is in late afternoon, leaving you time to connect with night departures home. If you require additional nights in Bangkok, let us arrange extra nights and transfers at the Sofitel Centara Grand in LadPrao/Chatuchak. Likewise, ask us about a private tour extension to other Vietnam locations. We are happy to oblige. |
| Note: if you are flying home directly from Vietnam today, please ensure sufficient time for your connection. You will need an evening departure, to do so. Consequently, if you require an additional night in HCM/Saigon, plus airport transfers, please specify this on the order form. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
 To those with a passion for great food and good company, this is your opportunity to join Mekong Epicure, our next food tour to Southeast Asia. Globetrotting Gourmet® has scheduled two itineraries back-to-back, to offer you a delicious entry to Asia. Fly with us to the Laos capital Vientiane to usher in the New Year, travel to Pakse in southern Laos, then the grandeur of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. |
In Vietnam tour the mighty Mekong delta, then fly to idyllic Phu Quoc island, the country's most southernly extremity. It is famed for its peppercorns and also production of the country's finest grade fish sauce. Daily breakfast, most meals, private coach throughout, all hosted personally by cookbook author Robert Carmack and textile designer Morrison Polkinghorne. Delicious food, great company, sumptuous hotels. That's our Globetrotting Gourmet(r) winning recipe. |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
Tour price includes airport transfers, 5-star hotel accommodation, internal transportation, daily breakfast and most meals, cooking demonstrations and market tours. Exclusive of airfares to and from Asia. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| www.asianfoodtours.com |
