Vietnam — South East Asia — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

SOUTH EAST ASIA Ref XX LAOS " VIETNAM " CAMBODIA The banks of Nam Song, Vang Vieng Jewels of Indochina 28 DAYS HOTELS/HOMESTAY AN IN-DEPTH JOURNEY THROUGH INDOCHINA Ref HIC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Life on Tonle Sap Lake/Greg Thurston A comprehensive tour combining Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. In Laos, we take in the Royal city of Luang Prabang, a place of spellbinding beauty and tranquility and spend time on the Mekong. Vietnam is explored from North to South the old cities of Hanoi and Hu� with their ville francaise ambience contrasting with the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta. Vientiane & Luang Prabang Sleepy Laos is arguably the most serene of South East Asias nations. In the charming capital, Vientiane, we stroll along the wide boulevards and admire the many wats (temples) which adorn this friendly city. Vang Vieng is a beautiful, quiet village on the banks of the Nam Song; we spend time relaxing or cycling through the countryside. We continue north to Luang Prabang, a royal city placed on the confluence of two great rivers and surrounded by high mountains. From here we board a motorised craft to the Pak Ou Caves, where hundreds of Buddhas are crammed into the rocks. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh Crossing into Vietnam, we have time to explore the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, then take a cruise among the spectacular limestone islands of Ha Long Bay. Boarding the Reunification Express to Hu� we explore the former Imperial Palace and ride a boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. Theres time to relax in the old colonial seaport of Hoi An before heading to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Old Saigon), where we take a trip to the infamous Cu Chi tunnels, the Viet Congs underground wartime base. We will also take a boat trip in the Mekong Delta where we spend the night at the home of a local family. Phnom Penh & Angkor We then travel to Cambodia, a country with one of the richest cultural legacies in South East Asia. Our first stop is the capital, Phnom Penh, where we visit the National Museum of Arts, the Royal Palace the horrifying Tuol Sleng museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. From here we drive to Siem Reap, our base for exploring the ancient and spell-binding city of Angkor built by the Khmer kings some 800 years ago. This site has the greatest concentration of religious monuments in the world. Cambodia Extensions Inside Vietnam + Cambodia Extension HO CHI MINH CITY Ref VNC FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 to 13 Same as Ref. VN. 14 Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; drive Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 15 In Phnom Penh; city tour including the National Museum, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. 16 Drive to Siem Reap via Tonle Sap Lake. 17 to 19 Full sightseeing programme including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei. 20 Fly London. 21 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 16nts hotel, 1nt sleeper train, 1nt homestay; 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. 21 DAYS HOTELS/HOMESTAY HANOI TO Experience the vivid contrasts of Vietnam north to south. Then discover the charms of riverside Phnom Penh and Angkor, one of the most aweinspiring temple complexes in the world. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Vientiane. 2 Arrive Vientiane. 3 City tour; PM optional trip to Buddha Park. 4 Drive to Vang Vieng. 5 In Vang Vieng; optionals. 6 Drive Luang Prabang; sightseeing. 7 In Luang Prabang; slowboat to Pak Ou Caves. 8 In Luang Prabang; visit waterfalls, optional bike rides. 9 Fly Hanoi. 10 In Hanoi; city tour. 11 AM Free; PM drive Ha Long Bay. 12 Cruise Ha Long Bay; drive Hanoi, overnight train to Hu�. 13 & 14 In Hu�; boat to Thien Mu Pagoda. 15 Drive Hoi An via Danang and China Beach. 16 & 17 In Hoi An. 18 Drive Danang; fly Ho Chi Minh City; walking tour. 19 Drive to Vinh Long via Cai Be. 20 Explore the Mekong Delta; drive to Ho Chi Minh City. 21 Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; drive Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 22 In Phnom Penh; city tour. 23 Drive to Siem Reap via Tonle Sap Lake. 24 to 26 Full sightseeing programme including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei. 27 Fly London. 28 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 23nts hotel, 1nt sleeper train, 1nt homestay; 24 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Boats/Flights as itinerary. Comment: We include the major sights of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leaders (one for each country) plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. Vietnam Explorer + Cambodia Extension Ref VEC FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 to 20 Same as Ref. VE. 21 Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; drive Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 22 In Phnom Penh; city tour including the National Museum, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. 23 Drive to Siem Reap via Tonle Sap Lake. 24 to 26 Full sightseeing programme including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei. 27 Fly London. 28 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 20nts hotel, 3nts overnight boat, 1nt longhouse, 1nt sleeper train; 24 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners included. See insert p2. 28 DAYS HOTELS/BOATS/VILLAGE HOUSES ON THE HO CHI MINH TRAIL Enjoy a comprehensive exploration of Vietnam from the bustling cities to tranquil villages, Central Highlands to the Mekong Delta. Then discover Phnom Penh and the fabulous temples of Angkor. Royal Palace, Phnom Penh/C. Phillips Bakong temple/Greg Thurston Sunset over Angkor Wat/Kate Plummer Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement 185

South East Asia contd… Vietnam