signature collection 2012 - 2013 - trails of indochina...heli-tour shows off the city’s key...

MyanmarThailand BaliVietnam LaosCambodia

Signature Collection 2012 - 2013

Operations offices: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Bangkok, Yangon.

Follow our trail. Create your journey.

Introduction 3

Dear Travel Partners,

After twenty years in the travel industry and more than ten years developing Trails of Indochina into one of the leading specialty tour operators in the region, I would like to share with you my personal travel philosophy.

I believe travelers are curious individuals, open to new experiences and to connect with people from other cultures. I know, because travel is my life. When our team designs your travel itinerary, we do so with excitement in our hearts, confident that we can deliver an innovative program which offers a highly personalized experience.

One of my personal passions is to search for new opportunities to better present my country and its heritage. Most recently, I was involved in the rescue and renovation of five eighteenth-century garden houses in my hometown of Hue. In developing the Ancient Hue Cultural Complex, I am able to share with visitors the original architecture of the traditional wooden-house and a taste of fine Royal cuisine.

As you read these travel narratives, I’d like you to remember we share this journey together. Some time back, fate took my sight but through knowing in my heart what your eyes will see and what your soul will experience, I see again.

John Tue Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Trails of Indochina

4 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Introduction 5

Thailand 7 Myanmar 23 Vietnam 35Cambodia 57 Laos 73 Bali 83 Luxury Cruises 93

MYANMAR

CAMBODIA

MALAYSIA

VIETNAM

LAOS

Naypyidaw

Dkaka

Vientiane

Phnom Penh

Hanoi

Hong Kong

Denpasar

Eastern Sea

Gulf of

Tonkin

Gulf of

Thailand

Bangkok

BALI

INDIACHINA

THAILAND

SINGAPORE

Kuala Lumpur

INDONESIA

Signature Collection 2012

10 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Thailand 11

Most of Thailand’s population is Buddhist. In Buddhism, karma specifically refers to actions of body, speech, and mind that spring from mental intent that bring about a consequence. Which goes some way to explain why Thai people are renowned for being tolerent, warm and friendly.

Signature Collection, Thailand

Thailand 14

Signature Collection, Thailand

“We felt like royalty, from the moment we arrived in the land of smiles.”


In 2008, Bangkok ranked 3rd

behind London and New York

in Euromonitor International’s

list of Top City Destinations

with 10,209,900 visitors.

Bangkok

Glass towers and golden temples compete for the skyline prominence in Bangkok. Visually stimulating, adrenaline-inducing, foodie-satisfying Bangkok is a consumer and cultural mecca. Pick your transport—Skytrain, cab, tuk-tuk or riverboat—and go on an expedition of open-air bazaars, hip bars and street-food stalls. Or see it all in one fell swoop from the heights of a helicopter, one of the many tours Trails of Indochina can customize to help you navigate.

Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

The north lost its political dominance long-ago, but remains a region of significant cultural import. Founded in 1256 by a king’s wayward elephant, whose master trailed him to his resting place on the banks of the Mae Kok River, Chiang Rai is a cultural melting pot. Chiang Rai offers lookout points over the convergence of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos – the Golden Triangle. Southward, in the moated, walled and cobblestoned Old City of Chiang Mai, buildings are limited to three stories’ height, leaving the town a 700-year-old quaintness dating back to the former capital of the Lanna Thai. Surrounded by natural beauty and filled with intricate temples, the “Rose of the North” perennially blooms.

Southern Thailand: Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi

What they say about the Thai tropics is true. The Andaman Coast offers a great getaway for those wanting the combination of clear-water retreats and stunning national beauty. Krabi is the gateway to Than Bokkharani National Park; home to stunning emerald-green pools and wild gardenia. Not so far away are pristine sand and seas surrounding the isles of Samui and Phuket - a playground for the rich and famous, Trails of Indochina travelers alike escape modern day stress at some of the most luxurious resorts. Fly a zipline above Koh Samui, ride horses and elephants or sail around Angthong archipelago. The larger Phuket boasts excellent golf courses, unique Sino-Portuguese architecture and waterfalls aplenty. Paradise Found!

Thailand

Phuket

Krabi

Ayuthaya

Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai

Sukhothai

Koh Samui

MYANMAR

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

LAOS

Yangon

Vientiane

Phnom Penh

Hanoi

Gulf of

Tonkin

Gulf of

Thailand

Bangkok

THAILAND


Signature Days–Thailand

The Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok. Where dynasty and devotion meet: since 1782, it has housed the royal residence, throne halls and—within Wat Phra Keow—Thailand’s symbol, the glittering Emerald Buddha.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Bangkok. Set sail on small canals full of fruit- and vegetable-laden boats helmed by hundreds of Thai women, and pick fresh produce like a local at this uniquely Asian floating farmer’s market.

Bangkok City by Helicopter, A thrilling 50-minute heli-tour shows off the city’s key monuments and titanic temples. From your bird’s eye view, you’ll understand the intricate web that makes up this amazing capital of contrasts, from the ancient city to the modern infrastructure. Glide along the Chao Phraya River, eyes wide open—because what better way to get to know multi-faceted Bangkok than from above?

Learn to Meditate with Monks, Bangkok. Plunge into inner peace with monks who have spent their lives perfecting the art of meditation; soon you’ll find yourself calmer, more relaxed and exhibiting more grace under pressure.

James Bond Island, Phuket. You don’t have to be a daredevil spy for the island adventures offshore of Phuket, where you’ll spend a day kayaking, snorkeling, and on the trail of 007—visiting the isle from “The Man with the Golden Gun.”

Organic Farm Cooking Class, Chiang Mai. An organic farm in this fertile region is a foodie’s nirvana. You’ll learn to evaluate and make use of the ingredients that you hand-pick in the local Ruamchook market, plucked fresh from the chef ’s own garden. After this hands-on immersion home-cooking lesson, you’ll be an expert artist in authentic Thai curry and fresh-fruit dessert.


Perched atop the second tallest building in Bangkok, Tower Club at Lebua is full-on, five-star executive luxury. Take in breathtaking sights and lights of the city, including Chao Phraya River just below, from the private balcony of your plush suite, which is stocked with Bulgari products, sumptuously high-thread-count linens and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. From the Jacuzzi jet-filled, winding, open-air pool, test out the vibrant, Indian and Lebanese inspired Café Mozu. Or, Conde Nast Traveler-acclaimed The Dome rooftop dining complex stirs up a special flavor of its own through an extraordinary selection of different cuisines and

settings, including the world’s highest al fresco restaurant, Sirocco, and the seductive Sky Bar.

On top of these privileges, you’ll also have access to the exclusive Tower Club Lounge, where you’ll enjoy Continental breakfast, free flow of alcoholic drinks and canapés throughout the day amid lebua’s signature sweeping views.

Tower Club at Lebua, Bangkok

Lying along the peaceful banks of the Mae Ping River in central Chiang Mai, The Chedi epitomizes the best in urban resort living with its choice of 52 Deluxe Rooms and 32 Chedi Club Suites. Designed in contemporary Asian style, a fusion of East and West, every room and suite at The Chedi is equipped with private courtyard and spacious bedrooms connected to an open balcony offering vistas of the river and quiet mountain ranges.

The Chedi Chiang Mai also offers spa services, fine dining venues, business and recreational facilities as well as proximity to cultural attractions. It is an inspiring, modern retreat in the heart of Chiang Mai city.

The Chedi, Chiang Mai


Reached by river boat, in Thailand’s exotic bamboo jungles, where three countries meet, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers an unforgettable experience in luxurious accommodations. All-inclusive adventures cover every detail: enjoy hours interacting with elephants–training and trekking to Golden Triangle excursions; formal campfire dinners; and riverside drinks in the stilt-top bar.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle Chang Rai


A truly magical place uniquely nestled amidst tranquil rice paddy fields, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is located in the lushly beautiful Mae Rim Valley, and minutes from the artistic and cultural heritage of Thailand’s northern capital. From the exclusive Thai cooking school to the acclaimed spa and flawless service, enjoy a signature Four Seasons experience within spacious Lanna-style pavilions and pool villas with backdrop of majestic mountains.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

An away-from-it-all hillside resort on the mystical Gulf of Siam. Spacious Thai villas are wrapped in tropical gardens, conserved coconut groves and the amphitheatre of sky, sea and islands. Enjoy the forest spa. Dine at hillcrest or beachside. Splash in the private bay. And explore a pristine world of beaches, reefs, rainforest and sunshine. Revel in the many faces of Thailand.


Thai Wellness– A Bespoke Journey

Steady your breathing, quieten your soul, and spend two invigorating weeks in Thailand learning diverse and age-old paths to holistic well-being—while also seeing the country’s important sites.

What better place to experience Thai massage than its birthplace, with a two-hour treatment at Wat Po in Bangkok? What better teacher of meditation than a monk? Live a day in a monastery, meditating, chanting, giving alms, performing rituals and communing with nature. Visit The Middle Way retreat, vision of the Great Master Luang Pu Wat Paknam and the Most Venerable Phrarajbhavanavisudh, who will train you in Buddhist teachings, meditation and the skills essential to continuing your practice in everyday life.

Master organic, farm-fresh Thai gastronomy with a local chef. An unforgettable day bonding with gentle-giant elephants near Chiang Mai will soothe your spirit. A snorkeling and kayaking adventure among the marine life, sea tunnels, coral gardens and white-sand beaches of Angthong Marine National Park will get your blood pumping—as will sessions of stress-reducing yoga. Claudia Jones, wellness director at Samahita Yoga Thailand, guides you through a yoga retreat filled with home-cooked meals, fresh juices, nutritious supplements, and classes on cooking, self-massage and reflexology.

Throughout (and especially at the famed Four Seasons Chiang Mai) there will be ample time for relaxing spa treatments and massages. You’ll even take a tutorial in massage therapy, that way you can carry Thai wellness with you wherever your path ahead leads.

Thai style massage involves

stretching and deep pressure.

It is usually performed on the

floor and no oils are used.

It is known in Thailand as

“nuat phaen boran” translated

as “massage the ancient way.”

Thailand is a country of infinite possibilities; here is just one journey.


W Retreat, Koh Samui

Thai-influenced modern design has never looked this cool. An ultra-chic and cutting-edge aesthetic featuring beloved W whimsy is awaiting you at the secluded and exclusive W Retreat Koh Samui.

For the ultimate relaxation, turn to the “Beach Ambassadors,” who ensure you never lift a finger or toe; or the spa, which has the only Mexican Temascal-inspired therapy in a hotel within Asia.

The 73 all-private-pool residences, bounty of restaurants and beachfront bars, and trademark Wherever/Whenever service offer anything you could possibly search for.

So turn your attention to attractions like the nearby Big Buddha, local Thai kickboxing exhibitions and the stunning sunrises and sunsets found on this unhurried, uncrowded, unspoiled north shore of the island. The curtain is going up in paradise, and you’ve got front-row deck chairs.

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The Chinthe is a leogryph, lion-like creature. Often seen at the entrances of pagodas and temples in Myanmar, the Chinthe is featured prominently on the kyat, the national currency. The Chinthe is almost always depicted in pairs, and serve to protect the pagoda. They typically appear as animals, but are sometimes found with human faces.

Signature Collection, Myanmar

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Signature Collection, Myanmar

“All apprehension disappeared after our master guide lead us off the beaten track.”


“Mandalay” is a famous poem

by Rudyard Kipling that was

first published in 1892. The

Mandalay referred to in this

poem was the sometime capital

city of Burma, which was

a British colony from 1885

to 1948. The British troops

stationed in Burma were taken

up (or down) the Irrawaddy

River by paddle steamers.

Rangoon to Mandalay was a

700km trip each way.

Mystical Myanmar, with its stilt-houses, oxcarts and ardent Buddhism, is largely the same Burma Rudyard Kipling waxed lyrical about a century ago. Yes, this is partly due to its years of political and economic isolation. But in the past several years, the tourism industry has prepared itself for enhanced global exposure, and private citizens are more eager than ever to engage with international guests.

Just a few hundred thousand foreigners visit Myanmar every year, making a trip there, first, automatically off the beaten path and, second, a membership card to a small club of adventurers who have borne witness to this warm, unique and ancient society. Ancient, like the gleaming gold and diamond-crusted Shwedagon Pagoda, said to be 2,500-years old and holding relics of four Buddhas, that looms over Yangon’s crumbling colonial architecture and city of pagodas. Or like Bagan’s acres of Angkor Wat-like temples and extinct volcano, Mt. Popa—both best seen from the basket of hot-air balloon. “This is Burma,” as Kipling wrote, “and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.”

Myanmar

Ngapali

SittweBagan

Mandalay

Inle lake

Heho

MYANMAR

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

LAOS

Yangon

Vientiane

Phnom Penh

Hanoi

Gulf of

Tonkin

Gulf of

Thailand

Bangkok

INDIACHINA

THAILAND

Naypyidaw


Myanmar– A Bespoke Journey

tin, lead, marble and iron-brick. Those hairs rarely make public appearances, but the 76-carat diamond atop the now fully gilded stupa is just as precious.

In Bagan, the capital of several ancient Burmese kingdoms, a different kind of majesty calls, with about half the area’s original 4,400 ancient temples still standing, and Mt. Popa climbing into the clouds. Our expert in Burmese history, who assisted in restoring many of the temples, will guide you through this transcendent landscape.

Yangon is a charming city founded on a gleaming shrine, therefore, a perfect metaphor for devout and developing Myanmar itself. Among the draws of this former capital are the 2,200-year-old Sule Paya, the enormous reclining Buddha and the chaotic Indian quarter. But it’s the golden mountain of the Shwedagon Paya that dominate the skyline— and the imagination. Two and a half centuries ago, it is said, King Okkalapa enshrined eight hairs of the Buddha in a temple of gold, enclosed, Matryoshka-like, in succeeding temples of silver,

For the largest concentration of those seeking inspiration, head next to Mandalay, home to more than 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. You’ll also see the stunning 200-year-old teak U Bein bridge, the stone tablets comprising the world’s largest book, and the gallery of a well-known painter who will discuss with you the life of an artist in contemporary Myanmar.

After a leisurely horse-carriage ride in Mandalay, take an even more serene boat trip on Inle Lake, where you can see up-close the agile skill of leg-rowers, a tradition native to this place. There are interesting ethnic minority groups to meet, and a peripatetic market to track down. The location changes every five days, so your guide will lead you there—yet one more of Myanmar’s mysteries Trails of Indochina helps you unlock.

Min-ga-la-ba, and welcome to Myanmar!


The Strand, Yangon

Colonial charm doesn’t come any lovelier than The Strand in Yangon. This Victorian beauty in the heart of the city will whisk you back to 1901, when it opened, with its valuable private collection of local art and antiques, rattan furniture, stately chandeliers, marbled lobby and flawless staff. The exclusive all-suite hotel has just 30 rooms—ensuring each guest receives meticulous service from the team of butlers at your disposal 24 hours a day. The rooms epitomize timeless elegance, showcasing high ceilings with slow-whirring black lacquer fans,

teakwood floors and spacious living areas in which to relax. The grand Strand Suite boasts a private verandah overlooking the river. The Strand Grill is one of Yangon’s most elegant dining rooms. Another namesake, the legendary Strand Sour, makes for required tippling at—where else?—the lively Strand Bar. There’s also an art gallery, a spa, a business center and boutiques for beautiful Burmese jewelry, textiles, lacquerware and handicrafts.


Signature Stay–Ngapali

Myanmar couldn’t properly claim its place in oceanic Southeast Asia without white-sand beaches. You’ll find them in Ngapali, just a quick flight from Yangon. Yes, this is the country’s seaside hotspot, but don’t expect rowdy beach bars and noisy hawkers. With oxcart tracks in the palm tree-studded sand, it’s the perfect place for bungalow-dwelling relaxation. Go snorkeling, have a boat-trip BBQ, and find inspiration at Lontha bay, where Kipling is said to have written the “The Jungle Book.”

The Bay of Bengal’s

turquoise waters deliver

some of Myanmar’s finest

seafood bounty.

Myanmar 4332 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection

Signature Stay– Mrauk U

Even among the intrepid visitors to Myanmar, its far-western reaches remain off the beaten path. The region’s gateway is Sittwe, accessible only by plane and proffering panoramic views across the Bay of Bengal.

The once-fearsome, seafaring Rakhaing dynasty empire had its capital at Mrauk U, to which you’ll sail up the Kaladan River. It’s a living museum of an archaeological site, whose landscape is wondrous because of not just the 700 ancient temples and palaces dotting it but also the goat-herders and farmers who live and work in their shadows. The Chin, a nearby minority group, also keep the past alive, in the tattooed faces of their women. The old tradition is credited to mothers who disfigured their daughters to prevent the king from taking them as concubines. Their elaborate visages—like the whole of your visit to this enigmatic place, will be unforgettable.

Originally a small fishing

village, Sittwe became an

important seat of maritime

commerce, especially as a port

for the export of rice after

the British occupation of

Arakan, now known as

Rakhine State, following the

First Anglo-Burmese War.

44 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Vietnam 45

Dragons are symbolic creatures in the folklore of Vietnam. According to an ancient creation myth, Vietnamese people are descendants of a dragon and a fairy. To the people, the dragon brings rain, essential for agriculture. It represents the emperor, the prosperity and power of the nation. 2012 is the year of the Dragon.

Signature Collection, Vietnam

46 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection 47 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Vietnam 48

Signature Collection, Vietnam

“Our guide was uniformly flawless every step of the way.”


Vietnamese vocabulary

originated from Chinese, and

it was formerly written using

a modified format of Chinese

characters. A byproduct of

French colonial rule, the

current written language is

an adapted version of the

Latin alphabet, one of the few

Southeast Asian countries

using roman script.

Vietnam The Vietnamese enthusiastically embrace foreigners. Nowhere is this more apparent than Trails of Indochina’s unparalleled network of on-the-ground experts who will impart to you a deep familiarity with this magical country.

Centered around lovely Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi is said to be protected by its 600-year-old resident turtle—just one reason Vietnam’s thousand-year-old capital retains a mythical aura. If the traditional shop-houses, majestic opera house, and adorable cafes hidden in the Old Quarter don’t transport you to another time, try a first-class cruise on nearby Halong Bay, whose wondrously imposing limestone karsts feel positively prehistoric.

Two windows to the past sit a mere 65 miles apart on the central coast. The seat of the Nguyen Empire, Hue maintains the ruins of its ‘Forbidden City’ and the reputation of its imperial cuisine. The perfectly preserved riverside Hoi An town—full of flowers, lanterns, tailors and shoemakers—might just be the prettiest little place in Vietnam.

The best time to visit the vibrant business center Ho Chi Minh City is now, while it remains rooted in the past, despite zooming atop ubiquitous motorbikes and into the future. Bright lacquer, brighter neon, bustling markets and luxury stores share the tree-canopied boulevards of French-colonial architecture that, above the din of traffic and commerce, keep Saigon so romantic.

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

LAOS

Eastern Sea

Gulf of

Tonkin

Gulf of

Thailand

CHINA

THAILAND

Halong Bay

Hoi An

Danang

Hue

Con Dao Island

Phan Thiet

Nha Trang

Ho Chi Minh City

Hoa Lu

Vinh Long

Quy Nhon

Dalat

Lao CaiSapa

Chau Doc

Phu Quoc

Cu Chi

Mekong Delta

Yangon

Vientiane

Phnom Penh

Hanoi

Bangkok


Vietnam– A Bespoke Journey

Touch down in electric Ho Chi Minh City, on the brink of the future even as it maintains the symbols, lifestyle and moniker (locals still affectionately call it Saigon) of its storied past. Admire the French-colonial influences, from the grand Opera House to the fragrant baguettes. You will fall in love with Vietnamese iced coffee, see women wearing the traditional “ao dai” – and marvel at the motorbikes, motorbikes, motorbikes!

Get a glimpse into how Vietnam has endured, artistically and militarily. Spend a delightful evening with a family of talented traditional musicians. During a moving visit to the Cu Chi tunnels, a former Viet Cong soldier will guide you through the subterranean system the guerrillas used against the French and Americans.

Then it’s a trip to the rice bowl, the country’s lush agricultural heartland in the Mekong Delta, where you’ll cycle through the countryside and be rowed through canals, meeting people who make their livelihood off the river.

In Hanoi, more home visits await: that of acclaimed artist Dao Anh Khanh, and of Ho Chi Minh himself, whose private residence holds his Mausoleum. Other attractions in this pretty, tree-lined capital city include a thousand-year-old university – Vietnam’s oldest – and the lovely labyrinth of the Old Quarter.

An overnight train transports you to the magnificently terraced fields of Sapa, in whose mountains dwell ethnic minority groups with traditions quite apart from their compatriots. The polychromatic fabrics and windowless buildings of people like the Zay, Red Dao and Black Hmong demonstrate some of Vietnam’s diversity.

Water is integral to life in Hoi An, the lantern-lined World Heritage-listed old port town where Chinese, Japanese and European traders left their architectural marks. Culinary connoisseur Mr. Neville Dean and relics conservationist Ms. Uyen Ho will guide you through the local delectable flavors and preserved sites.

Nearby Hue, dominated by the Nguyen Dynasty’s majestic royal citadels and tombs, is at the confluence of royalty and religion. The resident monks at Ba La Mat pagoda will invite you to a prayer ceremony, and you’ll enjoy special access to the beautiful home of an emperor’s daughter, Princess Ngoc Son.

Xin chao and welcome to Vietnam!


Signature Stay–Hanoi

Hanoi has not always been

the capital of Vietnam.

It was eclipsed by Hue during

the Nguyen Dynasty, but

regained its primacy in French

Indochina from 1902 to

1954. October 2010 officially

marked 1000 years since the

establishment of the city.

On this occasion, Hanoi was

named by Frommer’s travel

guide as one of the

world’s Top Destinations.

Vietnam’s thousand-year-old capital is steeped in charm and history, which is brought vividly to life to you by scholar Dr. Tran Doan Lam. His introduction to three millennia of Vietnamese history will provide you with a fascinatingly thorough knowledge base from which to explore Hanoi.

And there’s much to see, from the pretty lakes (like central Hoan Kiem and its ancient turtle) to the rich artistic tradition, including painting and water puppetry. Lose yourself in the winding roads of the Old Quarter as you search out the adorable cafes secreted down its alleys and up the back stairwells.

Fully immerse yourself into the city’s storied woodwork by staying at the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, an award-winning French-colonial structure in the heart of town, featuring a lovely central courtyard with swimming pool, several dining and bar options, a luxurious spa, health club, and the excellent service of the old world represented today.

Your last stop is other-worldly: the stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters of Halong Bay, the overwhelming landscape depicted in the film Indochine, starring Catherine Deneuve. After a drive from Hanoi, set sail on a first-class wooden junk for an overnight cruise of gourmet meals, caving and even tai chi. It’s a voyage for all ages.


La Residence, Hue

Step back in time. Bask in serenity. La Résidence

Hôtel & Spa Hue is an enchanting boutique hotel on the banks of the Perfume River overlooking the former Imperial Citadel.

Endowed with opulence, excellence, and warmth, this former Governor’s residence has been painstakingly restored and converted into an exceptional design hotel. The hotel’s distinctive bowed façade, long horizontal lines and nautical flourishes are hallmarks of the 1930’s streamline moderne school of art deco architecture.

La Résidence Hôtel & Spa is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Buffered by nature, and blessed with a rich heritage, the hotel offers visitors a warm welcome and a chance to relive the pleasures of a bygone age.

Signature Stay–Central Vietnam

As Trails of Indochina signature expert Ms. Uyen Ho, of the relics conservation center, will show you, Hoi An is a World Heritage-listed hodgepodge of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese cultures—all bathed in the romantic glow of the city’s trademark silk lanterns. Its tailors and cobblers are among Vietnam’s finest, and fastest; many offer 24-hour turnaround from measurement to delivery at your hotel. Which is only steps away at the well-appointed Life Heritage Resort, featuring obliging staff and a Viennese café, and sitting riverside in the heart of the adorable ancient town.

In 1999, the ancient town of

Hoi An was declared a World

Heritage Site by UNESCO as

a well-preserved example of a

Southeast Asian trading port

of the 15th to 19th centuries,

with buildings that display

a unique blend of local and

foreign influences.


The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Soothingly tranquil and surprisingly understated, The Nam Hai embodies Vietnam’s increasing popularity as a luxury destination for discerning travelers looking for a quiet retreat beyond the usual hip and glam found in other Asian destinations. Hugging a dramatic coastline, the resort features 35 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens dotted by 100 standalone villas, all reflecting the distinctive melding of contemporary comforts with aesthetics inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture. The Nam Hai’s exquisite Pool Villas offer guests a choice between one to five bedroom accommodations, each with private butler service and perks such as daily

buffet breakfast, afternoon tea service, pre-dinner cocktails and more. Additionally, the resort features three separate swimming pools – all overlooking beautiful Ha My Beach, two distinctive restaurants, a bar, an exquisite spa, a fitness centre, four tennis courts and its very own organic vegetable garden.

With three UNESCO World Heritage Sites nearby, The Nam Hai presents the ultimate destination from which to experience Vietnam’s rich cultural and culinary offerings.


The Ocean Villas, Da Nang

Located along the stretch of pristine white sand on Vietnam’s Central Coast, The Ocean Villas are the perfect launching pad from which to explore the surrounding wonders. The gorgeously preserved, lantern-lit Hoi An town is just minutes away, as is bustling Danang city and its international airport. Ancient Cham ruins and the imperial city of Hue are also easily accessible. Beautiful sights are available at home, too—in your private-pool villa with giant picture windows looking out onto blue seas, green islands and the piece of coast once nicknamed China Beach—and throughout Danang Beach Resort,

to which The Ocean Villas belongs: a five-star resort community featuring a Greg Norman-designed golf course, pools, a spa, and an upscale entertainment complex with multiple dining and nightlife options. Come relax at the crossroads of it all.


Life Wellness Resort, Quy Nhon

Nestled in a picturesque private cove, the award-winning Life Wellness Resort boasts a hilltop spa with al fresco treatment rooms where you’ll be lulled by the sound of rolling waves. Take those massage techniques home after a lesson from the spa manager. Classes in yoga, tai chi and meditation round out the relaxation.

Tucked between verdant mountains and islands on the central coast, the resort makes quite the first impression: take in the tiled infinity pool overlooking the beachfront dotted by basket boats and cheerful fishing vessels, and all your tension will sail away.

Mia Resort, Nha Trang

The brand-new Mia Resort Nha Trang is a chic and chill boutique resort on the sparkling Eastern Sea. All of the resort’s 50 airy and modern villas and condos have ocean views; many come with their own private pools. After relaxing in the spa or playing water sports, the cliff-hanging Mojito’s and the beachfront Sandals are scenic and fulfilling dining and imbibing options. Tucked privately off a mountain pass just 20 minutes from the perfect parabola of Nha Trang, it’s unlike most luxury resorts in the area: you don’t have to take a

boat to access its sophisticated style and private beach. Mia exudes the cosmopolitan yet casual vibe long-beloved in its sister Sailing Club properties.


An Lam Ninh Van Bay Villas

Every ingredient for an indulgent time-out has been brought together to create An Lam Ninh Van Bay

Villas – a new luxury haven of serenity and peace in Vietnam’s iconic Ninh Van Bay. Accessed only by private boat transfer, the resort has a total of just 35 individual guest villas that blend modernity with traditional Vietnamese touches, every detail addressed to ensure comfort and a sense of wellbeing.

The service is unobtrusive, with your personal butler providing as much or as little attention as requested. The surroundings are inspiring: a tropical forest cascading from the bay’s mountainous backdrop down to a lagoon and the Eatern Sea, massive granite boulders strewn throughout the landscape, and a long sandy beach just waiting to be rediscovered.

Signature Stay–Mui Ne

Wind-swept Mui Ne became accidentally famous for its excellent kite-boarding conditions after a 1995 eclipse brought thousands of gawkers to its lengthy beach outside the city of Phan Thiet. Now enthusiasts come from the world over to perform their aquatic acrobatics, while landlubbers find the giant, saffron sand dunes equally surf-able. Blue Ocean Resort’s large garden grounds are an oasis in the center of the shore strip that, with its plethora of bars and restaurants and its laid-back beach-town vibe, is a favorite weekend getaway for Ho Chi Minh City residents and internationals visitors alike.


Signature Stay– Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s commercial center and, with more than eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, a city that never sleeps. You can still find, however, the grace and beauty that gave the city its romantic reputation.

Stroll down tree-canopied Dong Khoi, formerly the Rue Catinat depicted in “The Quiet American.” Boutiques both luxury and traditional share tile-roofed French-colonial edifices, of which the most enduring examples are the majestic Opera House, the proud Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Gustav Eiffel-designed Central Post Office.

Just around the corner sits the InterContinental Asiana Saigon, one of latest luxury hotels in town. It’s known for personalized service, excellent dining and great views over Saigon. The centrally located hotel is also a convenient base from which to reach the retrospective Presidential Palace, the farther afield Chinatown and, in an easy day-trip, the Mekong Delta.

Here, traveling by boat, you’ll see stilted houses, fish farms and orchards in this rice basket that feeds the country. But Vietnam thrives also because of its cultural and religious traditions. Spend a delightful evening with a multi-generational family of talented traditional musicians. And perhaps visit the temple of Cao Dai, a hybrid place of worship of varying world faiths… yet another example of this city’s fascinating contrasts.

Ho Chí Minh City was the

capital of the French colony of

Cochin-china and later of

the independent state of

South Vietnam. In 1976,

Saigon was officially renamed

Ho Chí Minh City in honor

of the late leader.


Six Senses Con Dao, Con Son Island

Located in the south-east of Vietnam, Con Son Island - part of the Con Dao archipelago of islands a short 45 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. In the mid 1990’s, the islands became Con Dao National Park, home to the endangered hawksbill turtle and green turtle, and ecosystems that include seagrass meadow and mangroves.

Lounge luxuriously in any of the 50 pool villas and choose from single-level to duplex of one, three, and four bedrooms all with indoor-outdoor bathrooms.

The arrival and main guest area of Six Senses Con Dao recreates a Vietnamese village with a local market, and features truly innovative concepts. At the Vietnamese kitchen guests can enjoy a traditional Pho while they can absorb the evening feeling at the Vietnamese coffee shop and bar.

Furthermore, there is a Deli, Six Senses Gallery and Six Senses Spa offering a menu of therapies for rejuvenation, revitalization, and pure relaxation.

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Apsara Dancer. Robam Tep Apsara (Dance of the Apsara Divinities) is the title of a Khmer classical dance created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in the mid-20th century under the patronage of Queen Sisowath Kossomak. The apsara is played by a woman, sewn into tight-fitting traditional dress,whose graceful, sinuous gestures are codified to narrate classical myths or religious stories.

Signature Collection, Cambodia

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Signature Collection, Cambodia

“Our journey will stay in our family’s hearts forever.”


Theravada Buddhism is the

official religion of Cambodia

and is practiced by more than

95 percent of the population.

With an estimated 4,392

temples throughout the country,

there is a close association

between Buddhism, cultural

traditions and daily life.

Cambodia

The capital, Phnom Penh, is a mélange of Cambodian and French colonial influences oriented on the Mekong, and you’ll be able to take in all the bustle of daily life from a rooftop restaurant or sidewalk café, or the seat of an open-air tuk-tuk. You can also bear witness to history, learning about the black days of the Khmer Rouge and the country’s resilience in their wake.

With lovely beaches less touristed than its neighbors’, Cambodia has five-star resorts in low-key seaside village retreats and newly developed stunning offshore isles. The areas around Kep and Sihanoukville will welcome you with clear waters, tropical fish and fascinating remnants.

The delightful Siem Reap boasts proximity to the majestic Tonle Sap lake, a colorful night market, full nightlife and pampering hotels, some of which date back to the golden age of luxury adventurers who made pilgrimages to the re-discovered temples of Angkor a century ago.

It’s here where you’ll feel like a kid again, clambering around the awe-inspiring, intricately carved capital of the Khmer empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Ascend to temples in the clouds via the wee, steep stairwells in the heart of Angkor Wat, or the back of a friendly elephant on his way up Phnom Bakheng. Not much in these 1,000 Buddhist and Hindu tributes is out of bounds, so explore away. It may feel like an ancient religious playground, but one of the wonders of Angkor is the reverence of the saffron-robed monks who still worship here as they have for a millennium.

Sihanoukville

Angkor WatBattambang

Song Saa

Siem Reap

CAMBODIA

Phnom PenhGulf of

Thailand

Bangkok

THAILAND

Ho Chi Minh City


Cambodia– A Bespoke Journey

In Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, ochre buildings, trendy cafés and frangipani-lined boulevards create an atmosphere unlike anywhere in Southeast Asia. Join a French anthropologist long-based here on a tour offering sharp insights into important sites.

As we drive through the countryside, take in a 12th century temple, the Damrei Mountains, the occasional cow wandering onto the road—and the smell and taste of Kampot pepper, among the world’s best.

Our destination is the beach: first, the white-sand islands offshore from Kep, and then the lovely, relaxed resort town of Sihanoukville, which boasts colorful coral, a cascading nearby waterfall and scrumptious fresh seafood.

Many foreigners fall in love with free-spirited Cambodia.

The capstone to any Cambodian adventure is Siem

Reap, gateway to the mystical temples of Angkor. The elaborate complex of Angkor Wat, the jade-hued multi-faced Bayon, and the overgrown Ta Prohm will amaze—as will the fitting special meals we’ve arranged. Enjoy a private picnic on temple grounds, a Khmer BBQ featuring Apsara dance, and a home-cooked dinner at the residence of a brilliant local historian and archaeologist, also your guide to the temples. It’s Cambodian hospitality at its best.


Signature Stay–Phnom Penh

In friendly and busy Phnom Penh, angular Khmer architecture blends seamlessly with French-colonial. Your first stops are the still-inhabited opulent Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda, made of 5,329 silver tiles. There will be free time aplenty to shop for Cambodia’s famous hand-woven silks, explore the colorful markets and witness the talented local artisans at work. In commune with the city’s soul, you might admire the sunset from a charming restaurant overlooking the romantic Mekong River, or choose to reflect on the capital’s infamous history with a visit to Tuol Sleng Museum.

Walking you through the city and the country’s layered back-story will be a French anthropologist and historian who has long called Phnom Penh home. Our knowledgeable guide offers sharp insights into the most important sites as well as how the spirited Khmer people emerged from their relatively recent dark past.

Phnom Penh is the capital

and largest city of Cambodia.

Located on the banks of the

Mekong River, it has been

the national capital since the

French colonized Cambodia,

and has grown to become

the heartbeat of economic,

industrial, political, economic,

and cultural activities.


Song Saa Private Island

In the sapphire waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia’s islands nestle like dazzling natural jewels, as brilliant as their more famous Thai neighbors but as yet untouched. Song Saa Private Island lies secluded in this magnificent seascape, just 30 minutes by boat off Sihanoukville. Most of the islands remain undeveloped: deserted oases of virgin rainforests, tropical reefs and glistening white beaches.

As a guest, you’ll be among the first to experience this beautiful, natural world, where you’ll share the balcony with only the rare hornbills that land there. The balcony, that is, of your private overwater, beach or rainforest villa, with its own pool and magnificent sea views. With a simple ‘Always Included’ policy, everything you consume, drink and do during your stay is already incorporated in the room rate–meaning all you have to worry about is losing yourself in this intimate, intrusion-free, unspoiled paradise.


Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh

From 1929, visitors rested from their travels along the Mekong River at Raffles Hotel Le Royal—a custom revived in 1997 with the re-opening of the chic Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Restaurant Le Royal offers a tantalizing menu of Royal Khmer and fine French cuisine, while Café Monivong has succulent buffet and a la carte selections.

For relaxation, the Raffles Spa is unmatched in the city. The only authentic luxury heritage hotel in Phnom Penh, Raffles captures the ambience of French Colonial Art Deco architecture, with stylish and comfortable accommodations overlooking two swimming pools and tropical gardens. You’ll find a haven in the bustling capital city, once known as the “Pearl of Asia,” now undergoing a renaissance in the new millennium.

La Résidence D’Angkor, Siem Reap

On the banks of Siem Reap’s tree-lined river, La Résidence d’Angkor is an enchantingly secluded resort in the heart of town. Built of natural woods in the traditional Khmer style, with a saltwater outdoor pool nestled in a tropical garden, this intimate hotel perfectly complements your surroundings: the bountiful Tonle Sap lake and the nearby temples of Angkor. The dining rooms serve up superb royal Khmer and international cuisine. With 54 light and airy rooms each reflecting a genuine sense of place, eight suites offer a more contemporary design. The award-winning Kong Kea spa on-site and splendid facilities including an indoor pool and fully equipped fitness center ensures La Résidence d’Angkor embodies everything you’ve come to expect from an Orient-Express Collection hotel.

Cambodia 8568 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection

Amansara, Siem Reap

Follow in the footsteps of former French President Charles de Gaulle and American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and stay at this royal retreat. Once known as Villa Princière, the Amansara was built in 1962 as a guesthouse for King Sihanouk, and retains its quintessentially ’60s character, with cool, low-slung chalets spaced around an irregular-shaped swimming pool and a shady lawn. Situated on the edge of Siem Reap just 10 minutes from the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site, Amansara derives its name from the twinning of two Sanskrit words

– “aman” (peace) and “apsara” (the heavenly nymphs of ancient Hindu mythology). Help yourself to home-baked cakes in the lounge, or the range of alcoholic beverages, herbal drinks and snacks in your room’s complimentary mini-bar. Recline on the roof terrace or peruse the dining room’s walk-in wine and cheese cellar. The 24-suite resort has the ambience and amenities of a stunning private home, in a simply stellar location.


Signature Stay– Siem Reap

Voyage to Cambodia for one of the wonders of the world: the mystical temples of Angkor. Devoted to Buddhist and Hindu deities and built between the 9th and 15th centuries, their power endures, almost tangibly, today. Marvel at the omniscient Bayon, with its jade-colored faces looking out in all directions. Clamber around the gorgeous trees spouting seemingly on purpose from the crumbling Ta Prohm. Be awed by the towering vastness of Angkor Wat, with its courtyards in the sky and its functioning shrines.

Discover the biodiversity of Tonle Sap Lake and the fascinating residents who call its floating villages home. As you set sail in Trails of Indochina’s boutique wooden vessel, “Sarus”, named after the breed of cranes which flock to the lake, enjoy a glass of wine while you listen to your guide and watch the lake’s beauty unfold. Over the course of a three-day stay, based at any of the hotels carefully selected by Trails of Indochina, you’ll feel the past come alive through a brilliant local historian and archaeologist who narrates your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap

A byword for luxury in Siem Reap, Raffles Grand

Hotel d’Angkor is renowned for the warm welcome offered to all its guests, who enjoy the colonial themes that pervade this stylish hotel. At Le Restaurant Le Grand and Café d’Angkor, you’ll enjoy Khmer and international cuisine paired with an award-winning wine list. Afternoon tea at the Conservatory is a special treat, not to be missed.

The largest swimming pool in Cambodia and Raffles Spa Amrita are perfect places for rest and pampering after exploring the temples of Angkor. Originally opened in 1932 for the first generation of taste-making adventurers flocking to the newly re-discovered Angkor Wat, the hotel is now meticulously renovated, recapturing the grace of the by-gone era of the golden age of travel.

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The god Erawan is taken from former Laos Royal Standard.The white elephant is a common royal symbol in Southeast Asia, Laos’s three– headed pachyderm refers to the three former kingdoms, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Champasak that made up the country.

Signature Collection, Laos

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Laos Full bleed gatefold panoramic

Signature Collection, Laos

“Tranquility and calm marry here in Laos”


Laos is landlocked; its thickly

forested landscape consists

mostly of rugged mountains,

with some plains and plateaus.

The Mekong River forms

a large part of the western

boundary with Thailand,

whereas the mountains of the

Annamite Chain form most of

the border with Vietnam.

Lovely Laos can at times feel uncharted, with its pristine nature and minimal tourist traffic. You’ll feel magically transported back in time, to a place where cars remain few and far between and markets, not malls, cover all earthly needs. The delightfully simple, home-cooked native cuisine, which emphasizes fresh, bold flavors will excite your palate. Off-the-grid adventures in the caves of Vang Vieng, the 4,000 Islands in the Mekong and the lost temple of Wat Phou will inspire your imagination.

One of the sleepiest capitals in the world, Vientiane is awash with leafy boulevards, century-old temples and beautiful colonial structures. It also hosts a calendar-full of fun and fascinating festivals. Time your trip to the boat racing or full-moon festivals, for example, and get excited for cultural immersion in these age-old traditions.

Luang Prabang is made for walking, relaxing and quiet contemplation, a world away from the frenetic pace of the modern daily grind. Wake up early and observe the awe-inspiring Tak Bat, the daily alms offering to the monks. Take a short drive into the jungle for a play-date with elephants. Beneath a skyline dominated by lush Mount Phousi, the pretty side streets, intimate spas and shady temples will revive your weary body and soul.

Laos

LAOS

MYANMAR

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

Yangon

Vientiane

Phnom Penh

Hanoi

Eastern Sea

Gulf of

Tonkin

Gulf of

Thailand

Bangkok

THAILAND

Vang Vieng

Luang Prabang

Pakse


Laos– A Bespoke Journey

We begin in Thailand’s far north, near its border with Myanmar and Laos, a mysterious area known as the Golden Triangle—where two rivers and three countries dramatically meet. Once infamous for producing much of the world’s opium, the area today is home to dozens of distinct ethnic minorities and is an important trade hub for gems and jade.

After crossing the river into Laos, you’ll board the Luang Say cruise for an overnight sail to quaintly Luang Prabang, where time seems to have stood still. Ascend to sweeping views from mountain-tops—which contain the perfect air and soil for some of the best coffee-growing in the world. You’ll meet a local expat who has devoted a decade to helping the hill tribes produce a rare highland Arabica bean that provides an alternative livelihood to opium-farming and brews the most-delicious Luang Prabang Espresso.

You’ll be honored with the Baci Ceremony, based on the ancient belief that humans are a union of 32 organs and the “kwan” (soul). The chanting village elders will summon your kwan and restore your equilibrium, imparting blessings for good fortune. The mysteries continue with a visit to the remote and enigmatic Plain

of Jars, where 1,500-year-old stone urns fill the landscape.

The holiest site in Laos, the golden That Luang, is found in quiet Vientiane. Some of the country’s most talented artisans, too–just ask Sandra Yuck, a Canadian whose workshop here produces high-quality home accessories handmade by local woodcarvers. Your goodwill visit today will also include a donation to a worthy Non Government Organization of your choice.

Then it’s back to the river, where for three days long-tail boats and the luxury Wat Phou Cruise transport you to temples pre-Angkorian and hidden in a forest, the untamed paradise known as the 4,000 islands and the remnants of an old French railway. Cap your trip at the “Niagara of the East,” the rushing Khong Pha Peng

waterfall whose stunning hydropower perfectly sums up your Laotian overwater adventure.

Our journey through Laos is dominated by the mighty Mekong,


The Luang Say Residence, Luang Prabang

Venture back in time to a life of old-world luxury at the grandiloquent Lang Say Residence, a tropical garden refuge in Luang Prabang. The expansive property contains just 24 suites in six pavilions, connected by a walkway spanning a series of lily- and palm-dotted ponds. Sweeping mountain views and refreshing high-altitude breezes are ushered through balconies and large terraces.

Recline on your drawing-room divans and king beds elegantly draped in white netting, and pen your postcards from antique style wooden writing desks.

Take in the local flavor at 1861, the cocktail lounge appointed with hunting trophies, historical books and botanical displays, and at the aptly named sumptuous restaurant, La Belle Epoque.

La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang

The pioneer of luxury in Luang Prabang, La Résidence

Phou Vao is a peaceful sanctuary boasting breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and Phou Si temple. Poised enviably atop a hill just five minutes from the heart of town and nestled within three hectares of lush gardens, its 34 spacious suites reflect the heritage of Lao architecture, emphasizing local styles and materials: shimmering rosewood, rich fabrics and freeform marble baths.

One of the highlights of your visit will be a dinner al-fresco or in the restaurant, with French-influenced local cuisine. This Orient-Express hotel is beloved for its open-air spa beside a water-lily pond and its infinity-edge pool, which is nothing less than spectacular. Soak up the atmosphere and relax in a resort of utter tranquility, whose ambience perfectly echoes that of the sleepy World Heritage–Listed town spread out below.


Amantaka Resort, Luang Prabang

In the heart of Luang Prabang, immaculately renovated colonial villas make up the peaceful Amantaka Resort. With only 24 suites, most with pools, the hotel named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List prides itself on maintaining intimacy and the highest level of service. A beautiful blend of French and Lao influences, “Amantaka” is derived from aman, Sanskrit for ‘peace’, and Tipitaka, meaning ‘the teaching of the Buddha’ —and it’s the sheer definition of harmony.

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Balinese Mask. Topeng or Mask dance is performed during ritual processions, drawing upon episodes of Balinese history as the theme. The dancer changes the mask according to the character in the story.

Signature Collection, Bali

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Signature Collection, Bali

“The luxury of seclusion… I was completely lost for days after staying at your recommendations.”


Bali’s highest mountain

Mount Agung, known as the

“mother mountain,” which is

actually an active volcano.

The island is surrounded by

coral reefs. Beaches in the south

tend to have white sand,

while those in the north and

west have black sand.

“The Island of the Gods” is home to a devout and friendly people, a deep traditional legacy, intricate sandstone carvings, world-class dining and, of course, the most beautiful beaches. The jewel of the Indonesian archipelago, Bali is more than a pretty face. Chinese, Hindu and Indian influences over the past two millennia have created a rich local culture that thrives today as much in performing arts and special celebrations as in daily life.

A dazzling selection of beaches awaits: reef-rimmed, cliff-lined, some of black sand, others snow-white. Witness perfect sunsets over Kuta. Gorge on Jimbaran Bay’s famous fresh seafood. Ascend to Uluwatu Temple, perilously located on the tip of a steep cliff. Dive to the legendary shipwreck off the coast of Amed. Admire frolicking dolphins from the glistening black-sand beach of Lovina.

Then take a topographical detour to serene Ubud, whose lime-green foothills and cascading ravines hold rich history and inspire artistry. Said to have been founded by a Javanese priest who meditated at its two rivers, Ubud is a mecca for spiritual and artistic pilgrims. Home to white-water rafting, beautiful music and painting, and fantastical stone carvings, not to mention those surreally verdant rice paddies, it’s Bali at its most breathtaking.

For a different kind of awe, head to neighboring Lombok. It lies just across the Wallace Line from Bali, meaning crossing a mere 35 km-wide strait lands you in an entirely different ecosystem, more Australian than Asian. Look out for Lombok marsupials and cockatoos. One thing that doesn’t change is the beauty of the beachfront.

Bali

Candi Dasa

Java SeaSingaraJa

Lovina Beach

Nusasari

Nusa DuaUluwatu

Jimbaran Bay

Kuta BeachLegian

SeminyakSanur

Gilimanuk

Denpasar

Ubud

BALI

MYANMAR

CAMBODIA

MALAYSIA

VIETNAM

BALI

THAILAND

SINGAPORE

INDONESIA


Bali– A Bespoke Journey

For an island known as the “Garden of Eden” what better introduction to Bali than lush, charming Ubud, the island’s cultural heart? To toast your arrival, you’ll be greeted with champagne, chocolates, fresh fruit and flowers. The first of many thoughtful, aphrodisiac accoutrements, from private breakfasts to candlelit dinners. Ubud is synonymous with the unbelievable Tegallalang rice paddies, fields so magnificently terraced you might think you walked into a fantasy world, if you didn’t know they were also functioning farmlands. A local artist will welcome you to his home and regale you

with stories of Bali’s artistic evolution. A nearby village will delight you with a traditional dance performance.

Spend a day road-tripping in style, in an open-top VW 181. It’ll give you panoramic views of the island’s verdant interior and ferry you the 1,700-meters-above-sea-level Kintamani the crater-lake Batur, which fuels an underground network of streamsand hot springs.

What could be a more ideal destination for your honeymoon?

Emerge onto Bali’s legendary coastline at Amed, a remote fishing village with fabulous diving, a submerged shipwreck waiting to be discovered, and stretches of empty beaches fit for frolicking. Nearby Candidasa is a haven of tranquility and not far from the island’s finest white-sand beach, Amlapura. Bali’s newest luxury destination, Uluwatu is marked by cliffs that tower over the sea, a divine spot for a temple and a sunset. In Jimbaran, your private butler waits to serve up an indulgent seafood dinner on the beach.

Between beach towns, you’ll visit the maze of pools, fountains, gardens and carvings comprising the Water Palace; the nine-directional temple Pura Lempuyang Luhur; and the “Mother Temple,” at the foot of Bali’s highest volcano, Mount Agung. Here, a Hindu priest will offer you a blessing as protection against illnesses and other bad spirits and an inducement of prosperity, longevity and happiness.


Signature Days– Bali

Underwater World Experience. No scuba experience required for this day of full submersion. Frolic among fish and coral while sporting a special sea helmet, and snorkel Bali’s most kaleidoscopic underwater spots.

Birds and Beasts. One look at the magnificent formations of Kokokan birds, and you’ll understand why the Petulu villagers call them sacred. One meeting with the painting elephants of Taro Park, and you’ll wonder if their skill is divine.

Balinese Daily Life. Immerse yourself in the village of Tunjung, where you’ll visit a school, work with a farmer, witness coconut-tree climbers and learn about the Balinese kitchen that prepares you a home-cooked meal.

Bayad Eco-Trekking. A 6-km walk through Bayad yields an overindulgence of caves, waterfalls, flora and fauna, plus the Hindu statues of the Goya Maya. You may choose to plant your own tree, nurturing this most-spectacular scenery and leave your legacy to nature.

Mt Batur Sunrise Trek. Start hiking pre-dawn to make the striking sunrise from atop 1,717-meter Gunung Batur. The surrounding volcanoes, Lake Batur in the distance and the mystical hot springs make this an experience not to be forgotten.

Bali’s Craft, Cuisine and Culture. The artisans of Singapadu village create marvelous wooden, gold and silver handicrafts. In Mas you’ll visit a local woodcarver’s workshop, and partake in a hands-on cooking class to make your own delectable Balinese lunch.

Rice and Coffee. The Balinese have traded rice and coffee for centuries and today export both the world over. Visit a farmer in his landscaped paddy and a coffee plantation, learning the history and process behind Arabica and Robusta.

White-Water Rafting. With abundant beautiful gorges, valleys and untamed rivers, rafting is one of Bali’s most popular adventure activities. Enjoy the scenery on the quiet stretches and the thrill of exhilarating white-water rapids.


Jimbaran Puri Bali, Jimbaran Bay Ubud Hanging Gardens, Ubud

For a breathtaking Balinese beach experience, search no further than Jimbaran Puri Bali by Orient-Express, set along a crescent of sparkling azure waters. A little village full of warmth, with 42 cottages and 22 lavish private-pool villas, it features a horizon-edged pool with cascading water fountains and sublime spa bookings available waterside or in your room. Simple

yet supremely romantic, Jimbaran Puri Bali’s talcum-soft sands have everything that travelers dream of in an exotic escape: a vista of the evening sun slipping beneath the horizon, fishermen out at sea, and two restaurants beside the water where the scent of grilling fish entices you to your table. Kick back and let the spirit of the island come to you.

Terraced into a high hillside, Ubud Hanging Gardens

is a haven of peace and tranquility among the smoky volcanoes and emerald rice fields in the heart of Bali. This Orient-Express hotel perches on a plunging gorge with an exquisite temple on the opposite cliff and the lush rainforest all around. The spa draws on the vitality of the Ayung River and the fertility of the tropical

jungle, using local ingredients and ancient techniques in its holistic approach to well-being. Stay in one of its 38 luxury pool villas, built in traditional style as if in a Balinese village, each with a heated, private infinity pool, and truly feel a part of this gorgeous destination.

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Signature Luxury Cruises

Junk Boats. Junks were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages. They incorporated numerous technical advances in sail plan and hull designs that were later adopted in Western shipbuilding.


Luxury Cruises

Sail away through Southeast Asia on a Trails of Indochina adventure where the journey is also the destination, where what you get is all that you can see from your luxury state room and the comfortable decks. These cruises boast first-class service, gourmet fare and action-packed itineraries that also leave plenty of time for quiet reflection, a lazy drink and, on some boats, relaxing at the pool or spa.

Be awed and humbled by the towering karsts and magical landscapes of Halong Bay. Immerse yourself in Burmese culture with traditionally significant on-land adventures and on-board amusements. Cross borders with ease, and get a little-seen view to the intimacies of daily life along the famed Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Cambodia. And think of the convenience, not to mention pure wonder, of sailing nearly to the doorstep of the temples of Angkor. It’s no surprise river cruises are the fastest growing piece of the worldwide cruise industry. More and more intrepid travelers like you, are looking to deeply explore these fascinating foreign lands while only having to unpack once...

Relish the journey,

not just the destination.


The Jahan

An ideal floating retreat for couples or small groups, Heritage Line’s latest vessel is a colonial throwback, British-Indian style featuring attentive concierge and butler staff, sunrise ‘Tai Chi’ and delightful cooking classes. Among the delicious on-board meals is a festive BBQ with Apsara dance music for entertainment with the moon and stars for companions. From My Tho to Angkor, a week aboard The Jahan reveals the many inventive ways Vietnamese and Cambodians live on the water.

In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, take relaxing sampan tours of a boisterous floating market, hyacinth-laced

canals, floating villages, a catfish farm and a Cham Muslim community. In Cambodia, we’ll visit Phnom Penh, the entirely stilted “waterworld” of Kampong Chhnang, and villages notable for their silk weaving, their hand-made houses and their beautiful Khmer pottery. Test your mettle crossing a rickety 2-km bamboo bridge. Engage with monks at the pre-Angkorian Wat Hanchey. Laugh with children or join for a swim in the tea-colored waters. Your Jahan cruise ends on Tonle Sap lake at Siem Reap… but, here touring the temples of Angkor, another adventure begins.


The Jayarvarman

Inspired by the Golden-Age cruise-liner Normandie, The Jayavarman perfectly marries avant-garde French colonial design with enchanting Indochinese architecture. The region’s first boutique river-cruise ship, it has 27 expansive and carefully designed staterooms with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding-glass doors opening onto

private French balconies. With four spacious decks, a pampering spa and Heritage Line signature Vietnamese and Cambodian cooking classes, The Jayavarman offers both privacy and matchless luxury. Embark from Phnom Penh for a lazy day crossing into Vietnam on the Mekong Channel. Meet the sizable

Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities as well as farmers who hand-feed their catfish in the wonderfully diverse Chau Doc. Ride a sampan to Binh Thanh Island, whose man-made canals facilitate its inventive water-hyacinth economy. Delight in the colors and sounds of the Cai Be floating market, clambering aboard vendors’ boats to sample their fruits up-close.

Finally, dock at My Tho, reluctant to say goodbye to the comforts of your water-borne home, giddy with anticipation for the hustle, bustle and beauty of nearby Ho Chi Minh City.


The Au Co Halong Bay

Defiantly exclusive, this first and only cruise ship in Halong Bay and The Gulf of Tonkin allows guests to visit places like the bay of Lan Ha, the bay of Bai Tu Long, the national park of Cat Ba and of course, the magnificent Halong Bay. An Au Co cruise will leave you hard-pressed to fit in all the adventure during the three-day/two-night journey. After taking your pick of diversions unique to and inspired by these magical surroundings—biking, bamboo basket- and row-boating, cave discovery, culinary and cooking classes, kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, trekking, Tai Chi and yoga.

Relax with a well-deserved spa treatment, recline on the sundeck, or unwind with a drink at the panoramic bar or a fine-dining experience. Retiring to your state room will be just as rewarding: the 32 bright and airy luxurious cabins are all above-deck with private balconies, so you can be enchanted by Vietnam’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site in utter peace.


Ginger, Jasmine, & Violet– Halong Bay

limestone islands as you leisurely float past. Partake in an intimate candle-lit dinner in the Jasmine restaurant, or throw a party on the terrace with the stars for mood-lighting and the neighboring karsts numbering among your guests. Either way, Halong Jasmine is the perfect way to enjoy the bay.

Violet

The stunning five-star Violet features a boutique dining room, library and lounge, spa and gym. Six individually themed cabins are fitted with marble bathrooms, Jacuzzi tubs and balconies to provide the

utmost comfort, relaxation and privacy. To further ensure that you have an unforgettably personal experience, your two-night cruise will ferry you even farther off the beaten path to untouched areas of the bay where you can kayak and experience the waters in an up-close and active way. Sunbathe among the enigmatic ancient islands, fall asleep under the stars. The bay is awe-inspiringly majestic and on a Violet cruise, you’re royalty.

Ginger

Marked by signature sails, Cruise Halong’s custom-designed wooden junk Ginger features three decks, an elegant restaurant, a lounge, two bars, a library and 10 luxurious sleeping cabins. After all, you want to sail aboard a vessel worthy of its magnificent surroundings. Welcome to Halong Bay, a jaw-droppingly magical wonder of innumerable towering, tree-flecked limestone islands. From your welcome lunch of sumptuous fresh seafood to a caving adventure through the stalactites and stalagmites of Tien Ong, throughout this overnight journey you’ll find it impossible to

divert your eyes from the shimmering emerald waters and the thousands of beautiful karsts rising from them to kiss the sky.

Jasmine

With 24 bedrooms, big-sister junk Jasmine boasts a spa, a restaurant, bars and ample communal space all decked out with rich 1930s Indochine-style wooden décor and exquisite ornamentation. Cruising adventures, like on the Ginger, include caving, visiting a remote floating village, taking a cooking class—and, of course, being mesmerized by the otherworldly


Road To Mandalay

There’s no more pleasurable way to tour Myanmar than from a berth on the Road

To Mandalay, an impressive vessel offering all the comforts of a five-star hotel, while transporting you on an itinerary that maximizes your appreciation of this largely unknown country. You wouldn’t expect anything less of an Orient-Express journey.

There’s a “rooftop” pool, the Wellbeing spa and fitness center, and daily diversions all anchored by a full sampling of the regional cuisine served with Burmese courtesy. Lunches, for example, come in seven different themes: Burmese, Shan, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and European. At night, retire to the Piano Bar for performances by local entertainers, including Burmese marionettes and amazing acrobatic feats. Extend your knowledge of Burmese culture with lessons from our experts: learn to tie a longyi sarong and apply thanaka face power. Those are just the amusements on-board. Embark at temple-laden Bagan, where you’ll meet the artisans of Myanmar’s famous lacquer ware. Sagaing is considered the living center of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar; it’s also famous for the silversmiths who ply their craft in much the same way their ancestors did. Be charmed by Maymyo, a colonial hill station, with a cool climate, English-style houses and beautiful botanic gardens. The pinnacle of your trip is trek up a covered walkway to Mount Popa, on whose craggy summit sits a picturesque complex of monasteries, pagodas and shrines, and is thought to be the sacred home of powerful nats (spirits). Perhaps they’re the ones responsible for these simply sublime views. Combine your trip on Road to Mandalay with a stay at The Governor's Residence by Orient-Express in Yangon, an imposing luxury teak mansion hotel dating from the 1920s, set within lotus gardens in the Embassy Quarter close to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda.

106 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection

Choosing Trails of Indochina

Trails of Indochina was established in 1999, the realized vision of Mr. John Tue Nguyen, current CEO, Founder and sole owner. Without a specialty operator based in Vietnam focused on bringing to life the standards expected of our global audience–particularly in the area of luxury travel that was not being catered to at the time, John sensed a unique opportunity for his native country.

We have grown considerably since our inception, stretching our legs outside of Vietnam and currently employ more than 160 staff across six destinations in South East Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Bali. Our positive growth has come through increased demand from a list of loyal industry partners and their clientele to further explore this still somewhat undiscovered region.

Our range of Signature Experiences, something that differentiates us from our competitors, keeps us absolutely at the forefront of the industry. This, coupled with our unrelenting focus on consistency and reliability in delivery, is a potent combination.

Our determined voyage has seen Trails of Indochina develop into a globally competitive, multi-award winning organization that has never shifted from its vision: to deliver absolutely unique and completely tailored signature experiences in Southeast Asia to the highest possible global service standards.

Follow our trail. Create your journey.

Headquarters

10/8 Phan Dinh Giot StreetTan Binh DistrictHo Chi Minh City, VietnamTel (84 8) 3844 1005 Fax (84 8) 3844 [email protected] North America Sales Office 4100 Birch StreetNewport Beach,CA 92660, USATel (1) 888 444 0212Fax (1) 949 486 5913 [email protected] Australia Sales Office

PO Box 4045 Maroubra South NSW 2035, AustraliaTel (61 2) 8003 4595Fax (61 2) 8347 [email protected]

United Kingdom Sales Office

67 Old High StreetOxfordOX3 9HT, UKTel: (44) 7882 [email protected] Mexico Sales Office

Av. Tintoreto 119-2Col. Ciudad de los DeportesMéxico DF 03710, MéxicoTel (52) 5598 [email protected]

www.trailsofindochina.com

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