NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY JOURNEY

TO

THAILAND, VIETNAM AND THE FAMED ANKUR WAT TEMPLE OF SIEM REAP CAMBODIA

Friday December 26^th 2008, - Friday January 9^th, 2009

 

        

 

Join us for a New Year’s getaway you will never forget. Enjoy 2 weeks of Asian treasures in 3 fascinating countries.

Spend 4 nights in lively Bangkok Thailand, including New Year’s Eve, in this home to one of the greatest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world, plus fabulous temples and legendary nightlife.

Enjoy 3 nights in Chang Mai, the scintillating hub of Northern Thailand, where we will enjoy the unique experience of an elephant back safari, bamboo raft float excursion and a visit to the scenic wonders of Doi Suthep National Park

 

Next its on to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where you will be amazed by the famed Ankur Wat temples.

Lastly, we will spend 3 nights in lively Ho chi Minh (Saigon) Vietnam.

Enjoy sumptuous and scenic dinner cruises along the rivers in Bangkok and Saigon, plus tours of Bangkok’s famed floating market and the historic Bridge Over the River Kwai.

 

Escape the winter blues and enjoy warm temperatures throughout our 3 country tour

 

ENJOY THESE TRIP HIGHLIGHTS included in our New Year’s Holiday Journey

• Round trip air on Singapore Airlines, The #1 rated airline in the world for customer satisfaction, service and comfort
• All flights within Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia
• 4 nights at the 5 star Sofitel Silom in Bangkok  (Dec 28-Jan 01)
• 3 nights at the 4 star Holiday Inn Chiang Mai - formerly the Sheraton (Jan 01 - 04)
• 2 nights at the 4 star Angkor Century Hotel in Siem Reap (Jan 04-Jan 06)
• 3 nights at the 5 star Marriott Renaissance Riverside in Saigon (Jan 06-09)
• Breakfast daily
• Round trip transfers to/from hotel to airport
• 1/2 day city tour of Bangkok and Saigon
• 1/2 day Floating market tour in Bangkok
• Full day River Kwai tour from Bangkok
• Dinner cruise in Bangkok on New Year’s Eve
• Elephant Trek in Chiang Mai
• Bamboo raft and hill tribe visit  in Chiang Mai with lunch
• 1/2 day Doi Suthep National Park tour in Chiang Mai
• full day tour of Angkor Wat and surrounding Temples
• Saigon Dinner cruise

 

TRIP ITINERARY:

 

Friday December 26^TH -  Depart San Francisco at 11:55pm on Singapore Airlines, the #1 airline in the world for customer satisfaction, service and comfort

Saturday December 27^th – Cross the international dateline in flight.

Sunday December 28^th – Arrive Singapore at 11:40am and connect to our Singapore Airlines flight at 2:10pm, arriving Bangkok at 3:35pm.

Upon arrival, after clearing customs, we will be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel,
the 5 star Sofitel Silom Hotel.

This Sofitel Bangkok hotel is ideally located on Silom Road, in the heart of the commercial, financial, and diplomatic districts. This 38-story property is the first true five-star Bangkok Thailand hotel on Silom Road. Enjoy a short stroll to countless local attractions and the Chong Nongsi station - home to the Bangkok Skytrain and Silom underground station. 

Location
The Sofitel Silom Hotel is a blend of Thai and French design, located on the prestigious Silom Road, in the heart of Bangkok's tourist and entertainment district.  It is a short walk to the Sky Train, giving you easy access to virtually anything you wish to see or do in Bangkok.  The hotel is also very close to the popular nightclubs of Patpong.

 

Restaurant
You can dine at any of the 4 onsite excellent restaurants that feature local and international cuisine. The club lounge is a peaceful place to enjoy a drink after working hours.  Room service is also available 24 hours a day.

Our Bangkok accommodations feature contemporary Thai design, with floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden flooring, and breathtaking views.  Click the following link to see more details of this hotel

http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/3616/fiche_hotel.shtml

The balance of the day is at your leisure.

 

Monday December 29^th – This morning we will enjoy a city tour of Bangkok, featuring many ornate temples and palaces that will amaze you with their intricacies.  The highlight of the tour is the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.  This “must see” attraction features the incomparable Emerald Buddha, one of the greatest manmade wonders of the world.   Within its enormous grounds, is the most ornate & exotic Buddhist temple in the world and at the heart of the temple is a fabulous Buddha image carved from one piece of jade, the holiest of objects in Thailand.

It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates back to 1782, when Bangkok was founded

                      

Adjacent to the temple of the emerald Buddha is the Grand Palace, once the official house of the kings of Siam.  You will also see the Royal Coronation Hall and Royal Funeral Hall.

 

 

This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the famed Floating Market.  The market features small canals, filled with flat boats, piled high with goods to sell and locals ready to bargain . It’s a colorful and most fun activity for any visitor to Bangkok.  Our ride to get to the floating market, is aboard a long boat, passing through canals where we will witness locals going about daily routines of life in Thailand.  Our long boat ride will take us past orchards, teak houses and the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.  Upon arrival, ample free time will be afforded to all to explore the many alleyways, stalls, and other markets, offering foods of many varieties, as well as gifts and handicrafts.

The original canals which now make up the Floating Market were built in 1866 on demand of His Majesty the King of Thailand to help ease communication in the province. The actual Floating Market started in 1967 and today thrives with as an immensely popular attraction for tourists from all over the world.

                    

Returning to our hotel approx. 4pm, we will have the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax, or soak up the sunshine at the hotel pool.

 

This evening we will enjoy a scenic and relaxing dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River, often called the River of Kings.  This luxuriously appointed cruise takes all for a dining and entertainment experience to remember.  Relax in comfort and style while you dine on a variety of Thai dishes while we slowly cruise past sites such as the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and the Grand Palace, illuminated in brilliant lighting.  Watch a glorious sunset at sea and life along the river as it unwinds. 

The fabulous buffet style dinner offers a great variety of dishes for us to dine, while being entertained by local musicians performing traditional Thai music. (option may be offered for passengers to move their dinner cruise to New Year’s Eve for a supplemental cost if desired)

 

Tuesday December 30^th – Today we will enjoy a full day tour of the famed Bridge over the River Kwai.  Internationally famous due to the 1957 film the Bridge Over the River Kwai, it was constructed as part of the Japanese Siam-Burma ‘Death’ Railway during World War II. An estimated 16,000 Allied prisoners of war died, forced to endure back-breaking work under terrible conditions to complete the railway, and large numbers of troops perished during bombing raids on the iron structure by the Allies in 1945. The moving JEATH War Museum (JEATH representing the first letter of Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland, the countries who lost soldiers in the region) is located in the provincial capital, Kanchanaburi and features photographs and various other memorabilia from World War II.

Fascinating, nostalgic and memorable sums up this tour. The famous bridge and the aptly named Death Railway are a chilling reminder of the Thousands of POWs who lost their lives here in forced work camps building the bridge at the hands of their captors in WW II.

A visit will be made to one of the Allied War Grave cemeteries, providing an emotional experience, before visiting the JEATH museum.

An exhilarating long tailed speed boat ride will then take you down river to the famous bridge itself where all will have free time to explore at their own pace the surroundings, giving all a chance to gather their own impressions of a place that is simultaneously a beautiful sight and a horrific site, accounting for all that took place here.   A ride on the train in existence on site today is included to close out our tour.

 

 

Tonight, enjoy another opportunity to explore Bangkok’s scintillating nightlife

 

Wednesday December 31^st – Today is a full free day to relax, or sightsee at your own pace. 

One popular day tour is a visit to Coral Island and Pattaya

Only two hours from Bangkok, the beautiful beaches of Koh Larn - an idyllic island located just west of Pattaya - make a perfect day-trip.  Known as Coral Island and covering an area of about 3 square miles, you spend the day swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.  Enjoy the abundant coral and underwater world, either from the glass-bottom boat or by diving in or snorkeling.  Beach activities such as ski diving, scooter riding and parasailing are available for purchase.   Tour includes travel to and from Pattaya, transfer by speed boat to Koh Larn, beach chair for sunbathing and Thai lunch

Coral Island, Pattaya Thailand

 

Another  is a visit to Khao Yai National Park (Thailand's second largest and a World Heritage Site) is famous for its dense virgin forests, streams, waterfalls and high-altitude plains. Such a rich landscape makes it a haven for wildlife, including elephants, tigers, gibbons and deer, and over 300 bird species. After visiting a local market and exploring its trails, you'll visit a breathtaking three-tiered waterfall, which cascades from a 200-meter cliff onto the plains below. Enjoying lunch at a nearby restaurant, you'll then enjoy a one-hour trek through the jungle terrain on elephant back.

 

For those wishing just a half day tour, a popular choice is the Jim Thompson House Tour:

This half-day tour visits James H.W. Thompson's house, the American ex-military officer who revived the craft of Thai silk-weaving. His classic teak houses contain rare Asian art and antiques, and appear how he left them before mysteriously disappearing in 1967. Next up is Suan Pakkad Palace, a complex of five teak houses once belonging to Princess Chumbot and her husband. Now a museum, highlights include Thai musical instruments, furniture, pottery, Buddha images and a Khon (Thai masked dance) museum.

 

For those wishing to  spend the day exploring on their own, you may wish to visit Bangkok’s many interesting museums, monuments or visit the Ancient City, where Monuments, traditional houses, and temples taken from Thailand's past, then reproduced with lots of detail, give you a feel for the Siam of a hundred years ago. Many are almost as big as the originals. Other attractions include a street full of old handicraft stalls, royal barges, a sculpture garden and an old market town.  

Set in 320 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Bangkok, its success or failure in this lofty ambition is not clear. What is, however, is that it succeeds at preserving Thailand's singular heritage, its wonderful art, customs and culture for future generations.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Grounds mimic the precise shape of Thailand, featuring replicas of the country's most historically significant structures, albeit usually down-scaled in size. Each of the over 116 monuments is in their proper geographic position, and include chedis, palaces, bell towers, pavilions, temples, halls, floating markets, Buddha images and shrines. Many buildings are reconstructions of sites that no longer exist, others originals rescued for their historical significance.

Highlights are hard to pick out. However, a garden of stupas reveals how deep rooted Buddhism is in Thai culture, with all the different styles they've appeared in since ancient times. A recreation of an ancient Ayutthaya-era theatre pavilion showcases the artistic grandeur of the time, with elaborately carved and gilded motifs. The serene Garden of the Gods presents a lively three-dimensional tableau of Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva cast in bronze - a great place for physical refreshment and spiritual nourishment. These and many more embodiments of Thai culture, customs and architecture, make it a great place to see Thailand in a day.   Open: 8:30am to 5pm.

 

Tonight, join in on the celebrations across Bangkok to ring in the New Year in this town known for its legendary party spirit.

 

Thursday January 1^st – This morning is at leisure to relax.  We will be transported in the late morning to the airport for our mid day nonstop flight to Chang Mai, the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. 

It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality of its own. In addition, it's been blessed with much majestic beauty in nature.

The people themselves are an unforgettable part of Chiang Mai. Handicrafts of silk, silver and wood are timeless souvenirs for visitors from all over the globe. Along with all this, a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment all help to make Chiang Mai one of Thailand's prime tourist attractions.

Shopping is great, be it for handicrafts, clothes or luxury items. Everything can be found at great prices  A visit to the famed night markets of Chang mai is an experience to behold.

Our 3 day stay in Chiang Mai will feature an exciting Elephant safari, a relaxing and scenic float tour on a Thai bamboo raft  & a visit to a beautiful national park.

Our mid afternoon arrival will be followed by a transfer to our hotel, the 4 star Holiday inn (formerly Sheraton) Chiang Mai.

The Holiday Inn Chiang Mai is a haven of comfort and style located in Northern Thailand’s most fascinating city. The hotel is only minutes from some of the city’s most famous temples and the renowned night bazaar. Rooms are the largest in Chiang Mai and have been designed with every comfort in mind. Many have beautiful views over the idyllic Mae Ping River and on toward Doi Suthep, the sacred mountain.

 

Hotel Amenities

·         Outdoor Pool

·         Iron / Ironing Board

·         Coffee Maker

·         Health/Fitness Center On-Site

·         Hairdryer in each of its 526 guest rooms

Click the following link for more details:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/160/en/hd/cnxcm?_requestid=134396                                      

star rating rooms 526 location Chiang Mai - Riverside

 

The balance of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure.  If you wish, visit the popular night markets of Chang Mai for a culturally diverse experience unlike any other.

 

Friday January 2^nd -   This morning we will enjoy a tour of Chang Mai highlights.

Our tour begins with a visit to Doi Suthep, home to the 600 year old temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.  After a scenic drive up the mountain, the final ascent to the site is via an enormous mythological Nagas (Dragon headed serpent), or in other words, a spiral staircase of 306 steps (or, for those wishing to avoid the climb - elevators are available).

Inside, the cloister is an intriguing copper plated chedi (a spiral dome), topped by a 5 tier gold parasol, which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha.  On a clear day there are incomparable views over Chiang Mai from the temple grounds.

Other temples visited on this tour include Wat Suan Dok, whose large central stupa contains Buddha relics which were said to ‘self multiply” and Wat Chedi Luang, containing an impressive chedi that is nearly 200 feet total.

After returning to our hotel, the afternoon is at leisure.  Passengers may sign up for an optional afternoon tour to Doi Intanon National Park.

At over 7600 feet high, Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and its surrounding areas are designated as the Doi Inthanon national park. The park itself lies roughly 90 minutes' drive southwest of Chiang Mai and is popular for its magnificent waterfalls, flora and excellent views.  On the way to the peak, driving up from Chom Thong, there are numerous waterfalls on both sides of the road to explore. The most spectacular may be Mae Yai Falls, which drop 100m in cascade form. Mae Klang waterfall is the most accessible, found right beside the park entrance at the bottom, and is hugely popular with picnicking Thais on weekends. It's certainly worth stopping for.

There is also a Karen weaving village, Ban Pha Mon, which is well worth a visit for textile lovers. For those bird-watching enthusiasts, there are several signs for bird-watching sites before you get to the ranger station or park headquarters. There are also plenty of well-signposted walking trails to enjoy in the park as well.

Tonight, enjoy another evening at your leisure.  Visit the fabulous night bazarre for great shopping bargains and a unique cultural experience.

 

Saturday January 3^rd – Today we will enjoy a full day tour featuring some of the most identifiable and exciting activities, representing Thailand.  Today we will enjoy an exciting Elephant Safari ride, a relaxing, smooth water raft trip aboard a unique Thai Bamboo raft and a visit to native Thai hillside Indian tribe.

 

Approximately 30 miles north of Chiang Mai, situated at the banks of the Ping River is Chaing Dao Elephant camp.  In an unspoiled setting, marvel at these colossal animals as they perform amazing feats of strength and skill at the behest of their “Mahout” masters.

Next, we will have the chance to enjoy an exhilarating ride aboard these gentle giants, as we trek through the Thai jungle, passing bamboo trees and hanging creeper trees.

While you may get the chance to ride an elephant in a zoo or a city theme park elsewhere, nothing can compare to the experience of riding an elephant through the jungle here at Maesa, where the experience is as authentic as they come. 

By far the most authentic of the elephant camps in and around Chiang Mai, the Chiang Dao Elephant Training Centre enjoys the most natural jungle setting

On this trip you will witness the traditional techniques still used in the training process. You will wonder at the delicacy and precision of such gigantic creatures in action.

For centuries elephants have been used for transportation through the thick jungles of South East Asia, and here at Maesa, alongside waterfalls, streams, mountains and jungle, you will experience the adventure of a lifetime

Our ride culminates with a visit to a remote village where we will visit the Lisu Hill Tribe.  The Lisu tribe began in Tibet and their villages are usually located in the mountains.

 

Lunch is provided here, making for a unique cultural experience.  We'll have lunch in the restaurant at the camp with a spectacular view over the river with the arriving elephant convoys and departing bamboo rafts.

Then comes the time for your relaxing bamboo raft float trip along the Ping River, enjoying the lovely forest scenery, and brilliantly colored butterflies.

Following our raft excursion, we will visit a scenic Orchid farm, before we return to our hotel in Chiang Mai.

 

The remainder of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure to explore the restaurants and marketplaces of Chiang mai.

 

Sunday January 4th – Mid morning flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the home of the famed temple of Ankur Wat.

We will transfer to our hotel, the 4 star Angkor Century Hotel.

 ·  Located in the city center and situated facing the Summer Royal Residence of the King, this resort is 2 blocks away from Central Market.

·  Guestrooms overlook the pool or the tropical gardens and offer cable/satellite TVs and kitchens.

·  Guests can relax by the pool, purchase a handcrafted souvenir from the craft center in the lobby, or unwind with a massage at the spa.

 

The 190 rooms and suites at Angkor Century Hotel at Siem Reap offer both security and comfort. The rooms are well furnished with all modern convenience such as individually controlled air-con and cable TV network. There is a mini bar, IDD phone, a safe deposit box, tea and coffee making facilities.  There is a swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery. Other facilities are Jacuzzi, Sauna and a Steam Room

The pool at the Angkor Century Hotel in Siem Reap

 

Dining at Angkor Century Hotel in Siem Reap

For dining, Angkor Century Hotel of Siem Reap offers a wide range of catering services. There is a Mediterranean Restaurant, "The Olive Tree", which has been specially conceived for guests who wish to enjoy a candle-lit dinner. It is also a good venue for holding a business dinner.

The Cubana Club, another good venue for dining, is located near the Lobby. Its cozy atmosphere makes your meals a feast

This afternoon and evening are at your leisure.  Relax by the pool, dine in one of the hotel restaurants, or explore the town at your leisure.  The Red Piano is a popular spot for dining and local entertainment.  A fabulous shopping bazzare in town where you can bargain for great deals, is also a great diversion tonight.

 

Monday January 5^th   Today we will enjoy a tour of the world famous Ankur Wat Temple complex.

 

ANGKOR WAT is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150.  It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.  In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site.

We will also visit ANGKOR THOM, a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers) built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201.  The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide.  In the center of the walled city are the city’s most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure.

 
The Spectacular Ankur Wat Temple complex.  A  UNESCO World heritage Site.

 

Angkor Wat is the best preserved example of Khmer architecture in Cambodia and is so grand in design that some rank it among the seven wonders of the world. It appears on the Cambodian national flag, a very rare instance of a flag incorporating an image of a building

 

Other sites visited on our tour of the Ankur Wat temple complex today include:

BAYON: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces.

BAPHUON: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor Thom.

PHIMEANAKAS: near the center of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendour.

FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing remains today except two pools that were used by royalty for washing.

TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience hall.  The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls.

TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’.  On the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries.

TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

 

This evening, relax by the pool, dine in one of the hotel restaurants, or explore the town at your leisure.

 

Tuesday January 6^th – The morning is at your leisure to relax by the outdoor pool if you wish.  A late morning transfer to our mid day flight beings us to Ho chi Minh (Saigon) Vietnam.

Arriving mid afternoon, we will be transferred our hotel, the 5 star Marriott Renaissance Riverside

Click on the link below to view more about this hotel

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sgnbr-renaissance-riverside-hotel-saigon/

 

The Renaissance Riverside Hotel offers first-class amenities and hospitality. From our spectacular hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy incredible views of the Saigon River and stroll to museums, galleries and area attractions.

Relax at our poolside terrace or enjoy a leisurely dinner at Kabin, known as one of the finest Chinese restaurants in the city. Take a dip in our rooftop pool and visit our Health Club for an invigorating workout with the latest gym equipment

                                     

Renaissance Riverside Hotel – exterior view.                                    Renaissance Riverside Hotel  - rooftop pool                                      Renaissance Riverside Hotel   - guest rooms

 

Wednesday January 7^th – This morning enjoy a tour of this fascinating city.

A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands alongside colonial buildings and traditional temples; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense.  Begin your tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling along DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. 

 

Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE.  Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style palace was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.

 

After returning to our hotel, the afternoon is at leisure.  If you wish, take our optional tour to see the historic Chu Chi Tunnels:

The tunnels of Cu Chi, just 40 miles North West of down town Ho Chi Minh City, is a well-known historical vestige of the Vietnamese revolution. The cobweb-like tunnel complex, built in the early 1940s during the war against the French but became famous for being used as a hideout for surprise attacks against the American and their allied troops in the Vietnam War, is a network of underground dug-outs of over 120 miles long, consisting of many layers and turnings with meeting, living and fighting quarters. The Cu Chi Tunnel represented the will, intelligence and pride of the people of Cu Chi and symbolized the revolutionary spirit of Vietnam.

 

Thursday January 8^th – Our final day in Vietnam is a full free day to explore Ho Chi Minh further at your own pace, or take a tour outside the city to visit other sites.  You may wish to take a flight excursion to Hanoi, and its scenic Halong bay or to tour the surrounding historic sights.

 

Tonight, we will enjoy a farewell dinner party aboard a scenic cruise along the Saigon River.

Experience the vibrant city lights of Ho Chi Minh City when we set sail for a memorable, 2-hour dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

The captain will welcome you aboard and introduce you to the specialties, both European and Asian, which have made this Ho Chi Minh City dinner cruise a must-do culinary experience while in Vietnam. On board, you will be able to relax on the deck and enjoy the panoramic view of the city lights

For dinner, you can select from a range of traditional dishes as we toast farewell to our Asian holiday journey.

 

Friday January 9^th -  We will be transferred to the airport for our flight aboard Singapore Airlines, #1 rated flight service.  We will connect in Singapore and then fly nonstop back to San Francisco, arriving the same day.

 

ENJOY THESE TRIP HIGHLIGHTS included in our New Year’s Holiday Journey

• Round trip air from San Francisco on Singapore Airlines, The #1 rated airline in the world for customer satisfaction, service and comfort
• 4 nights at the 5 star Sofitel Silom in Bangkok  (Dec 28-Jan 01)
• 3 nights at the 4 star Holiday Inn Chiang Mai - formerly the Sheraton (Jan 01 - 04)
• 2 nights at the 4 star Angkor Century Hotel in Siem Reap (Jan 04-Jan 06)
• 3 nights at the 5 star Marriott Renaissance Riverside in Saigon (Jan 06-09)
• Breakfast daily
• Round trip group transfers to and from the airports in each city on the trip itinerary, with local guide
• All domestic flights within the countries listed on the trip itinerary
• 1/2 day city tour of Bangkok and Saigon
• 1/2 day Floating market tour in Bangkok
• Full day River Kwai tour from Bangkok with lunch
• Dinner cruise in Bangkok
• Full day tour with Elephant Trek, Bamboo raft and hill tribe visit  in Chiang Mai with lunch
• 1/2 day Doi Suthep National Park tour in Chiang Mai
• full day tour of Angkor Wat and surrounding Temples
• Saigon Farewell Dinner cruise
• ALLSINGLESTRAVEL TRIP ESCORT ON ALL FLIGHTS, TOURS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
• BILINGUAL LOCAL GUIDE ON OUR TOURS

 

TOTAL TRIP COST $3549 + TAXES OF $520 (taxes subject to change)

 

Pricing includes free roommate matching, based on age, sex, and smoking or non smoking preference.

Optional single supplement for anyone not wishing a roommate is $1199

Entry into Vietnam requires a Tourist Entry visa.  The cost of this Visa is approx. $50 and can be purchased through the Vietnamese consulate by contacting any of their 3 US offices:

San Francisco office -  phone : (415) 922-1707   from 8:30am-12:30pm PST  http://www.vietnamconsulate-ca.org      

New York office:   (212) 644 0594     from 9am-6pm EST

Washington DC office:  (202) 861 0737   from 9:30am-5:30pm EST

A deposit of $250 holds your space.  Deposits are refundable if cancelled by August 5th.  Final payments are due October 1^st.