| |||||||
| |||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | ||||
|
|
Trip Overview |
|
Explore 3 fascinating cultures An illustrated itinerary of one of our many gay travel adventures. This information supplements our A delight for senses and a joyful journey for the mind, our Splendors tour is designed with both first time and returning visitors in mind. Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are each rich in culture and history, and as we explore these three diverse lands we'll be treated to a lovely variety of sights, sounds, and tastes. We'll travel comfortably with an intimate group, allowing plenty of time to stop and enjoy an awe-inspiring views. We'll be led by an experienced Hanns Ebensten Travel Tour Leader, supported by gay-friendly English-speaking local guides. If you have never been to Southeast Asia, or wish to return for a more personal and enriching experience, our Splendors tour is right for you!
|
|
|
For our Splendors of Southeast Asia tour, we have carefully selected a wonderful mix of the region, beginning in Thailand, we'll see the colorful sights of Bangkok, then continue onto Viet Nam, a surprisingly beautiful land with a fascinating history. We'll complete our Southeast Asia Splendor with a visit to Angkor Wat, truly one of the most mystical and mesmerizing historical sites in the world. For two weeks, we'll explore cities and countrysides, we'll wander through temples and ruins, sail in a junk on Halong Bay and relax on the white sand beaches of Hoi An.. We'll meet friendly locals in Cambodian villages, feast on French-Vietnamese cuisine in Hanoi, and relax in first class accommodations.Splendors is the perfect journey for anyone who wishes to explore the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia and rejuvenate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1-3: Bangkok, a land of smiles
North American travelers will cross the International Dateline. Many of us will arrive in Bangkok in the late evening. We will transfer to our Bangkok hotel for a three-night stay in this luxurious hotel in the heart of Bangkok, close to evening attractions. After breakfast at the hotel, we will set out for the main sights of Bangkok. First we visit the Grand Palace, the former home to Thai Royalty. Inside the Grand Palace grounds we see the exquisite Emerald Buddha. Next to the Palace is the majestic Reclining Buddha, measuring over 110 feet! This evening we will enjoy dinner on “The River of Kings” a lovely dinner cruise on the Chao Phaya River with the twinkling lights of Bangkok as our background. In the morning we will proceed for a full day tour of Ayutthaya journeying by motorcoach and returning by boat. Ayutthaya, a former capital of Siam, is an exquisite example of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture combined in the extensive ruins that dominate the city. This evening will be free to explore Bangkok. Perhaps we will visit the famous Patpong area, noted for its gay clubs.
|
|
|
4-6: Good Morning Vietnam: Hanoi
After an early morning flight to Hanoi, we check into the grand Hotel Sofitel Metropole for a three-night stay. This distinctive hotel, well situated in the heart of the city, was recently renovated to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Hanoi, a Paris-inspired gem, is resplendent with classic French colonial architecture, lovely city parks, art studios and of course fine cuisine. After lunch, we will have a city orientation tour. Tonight our dinner will be at one of Hanoi’s most famous restaurants, “The Emperor.” After breakfast the next morning, we will devote the day to touring the city and learning of Ho Chi Minh’s heritage. We will start at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, where lines of respectful admirers and curious visitors wait to view his remains. We’ll see the presidential palace, and then look into the more humble personal home of the former leader, where he did most of his writing. We’ll see the One Pillar Pagoda and visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum. We will also stop at the Fine Arts Museum with its wonderful collection of lacquer paintings. Lunch will be at the“Wild Lotus.” The afternoon is free to relax, shop, or sightsee on your own. This evening we attend Hanoi’s famous water puppet theater. Dinner will be on your own. Our final Hanoi excursion will be a trip to Halong Bay, where spectacular limestone outcroppings (over 3000 of them) create a serene and surreal world of water and stone. We’ll sail in a traditional Chinese junk, pause to explore one of the small outcropping islands, and enjoy lunch on board. We will arrive back in Hanoi in the late afternoon/early evening and dinner will be on your own.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7-8: Danang and Hoi An
This morning we fly from Hanoi to Danang. We’ll make a stop at the Cham Museum. Hindu in origin, the Cham people left a legacy of excellent sculptures, now housed in the only museum of its kind in Vietnam. From there we head to Hoi An with a photo stop to enjoy the Marble Mountains. Our accommodations for the next two nights are at the Victoria Hoi An Hotel, a lovely resort on a beach, three miles from the main town. This quaint but elegant hotel is the perfect place to pause and enjoy the natural beauty of Vietnam: white sand beaches, the South China Sea, and a lovely town still poised between the old Vietnam and the new. In the morning, we will take a boat ride to the village of Cam Ha. Due to its remote location this ancient village has retained its ancient traditions and has escaped much of the modernization that we will see elsewhere. The aftrenoon is free to explore Hoi An, a World Heritage Site with architecture reminiscent of a bygone era. The influences of Japanese, French, Chinese, and Indian traders are visible in the beautifully preserved ancient houses. Cars are not allowed in Hoi An, so it is an excellent village to take a stroll and peek at the many interesting shops.
|
|
|
9-10: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
After breakfast we will fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, we’ll check into the Caravelle Hotel for the next two nights. We’ll spend the afternoon sightseeing including: the former Presidential Palace, the War Crimes Museum (now known as the “History Museum” due to more open diplomatic relations) and Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral. Dinner will be at one of the city’s finest Vietnamese restaurants. In the morning, we head to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This former Vietcong network of tunnels runs 250 km and was like an underground city, though extremely diminutive. We will be invited to inspect the tunnels (not for the claustrophobic!) and learn more about the history of the war. Lunch is at a typical Vietnamese restaurant. The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy Vietnam’s major commercial city. Dinner is on your own. Try one of the Italian restaurants for a break from Asian food, or look for one of the fine French Vietnamese cafes popular with locals. In the morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cambodia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
11-13: Cambodia and Angkor Wat
After arriving at the Siem Reap airport, we will transfer to the Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel. This lovely five star resort will be our home for the next three days, and offers a variety of services and amenities (including spa treatments) which you may want to indulge in during your stay. After lunch, we will head out to watch the sunset over the main temple of Angkor Wat. The Angkor Wat complex of building and temples covers a vast area and we’ll explore several of the most interesting and important sites. We’ll visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, an imposing stone edifice with fifty-four towers, each carved with the four faces of the Bodhisattva. We’ll tour the Terrace of the Elephants and the Khmer Royal Palace. One highlight will be a visit to Ta Prohm Temple. Virtually untouched by man, it seems to be held hostage by the trees, and is a reminder of the precariousness of nature. One afternoon we’ll take a break from temple hopping to enjoy a boat ride on Lake Tonle Sap. The charming lakeside fishing village is a bridge between primitive life and modern ways. Peek into one of the boat homes and you may see the blue image of a television screen, blue because the auto batteries on which they run their power may not have enough energy to generate full color! We’ll celebrate our Farewell Dinner on our last night in Cambodia.
|
|
|
14: Bangkok
We transfer to the airport for our flight back to Bangkok and one night at a hotel near the Bangkok Airport. Some travelers may be continuing on our Luang Prabang extension the following day. Others may be flying home, or perhaps taking a few extra days in Bangkok, or at one of the nearby beach communities. Wherever you travel next, bon voyage! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
15-18: Laos Extension
Those not on the Laos extension will depart for home (or other destinations). Laos Extension participants will fly from Bangkok to Luang Prabang, Laos, the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom, the "Land of a Million Elephants." We'll spend four nights here, allowing plenty of time to leisurely explore the area. Sightseeing in Luang Prabang includes the national museum, which was formerly the Royal Palace, and historic temples, including Wat Mai. We'll take a boat trip upstream on the Mekong to the renowned caves of Pak Ou, which house hundreds of Buddha statues. We'll venture into the countryside by road to visit Kuangsi Waterfall and Ban Phanom, a local village which specializes in weaving. We'll also take a full-day excursion to Ban Long Lao village of the Hmong ethnic group. This village is located on the side of a mountain, where we also see the beautiful Tadsae Waterfall.
|
|
|
19-20: Bangkok and Departure day
Today we fly back to Bangkok from Luang Prabang for one last night before flights home.
|
|
|
| ||
 |
 |
 |
|
Trip calendar | HOME | Reserve a trip Copyright © 2003-2007 by Hanns Ebensten Travel, Inc. | |
| ||
| ||
