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View the fantastic pictures from our 2008 tour by Ed Orsborn

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THIS IS NOT THE FULL BROCHURE

We invite you to call Sarah or Gwen at 1-800-762-4216 to request the full brochure. The brochure will include Important Traveler Information (and answers to most questions) and a Reservation Form. We can send the brochure through the Postal Service or as a PDF attachment. If you would like to receive a PDF, probably the best way to keep the message from going into a SPAM filter is to send a message to sarah@serioustraveler.com. If you are already on our mailing list, no need to complete the entire brochure request form.

January 5 – 17, 2009 • $4860 from Los Angeles via Cathay Pacific

Hanoi • Halong • Hue • Hoi An • Danang • Cholon • Saigon • Cu Chi

Dear Friends and Fellow Travelers,

Those who remember the 1960’s and ‘70’s have an indelible impression of Vietnam that includes conflict and social and political chaos (both ours and theirs). In the years since, many of us have had the opportunity to get to know people from Vietnam who left their homes and brought their families to live in our communities in the United States. Through exposure we have learned to appreciate the traditions of this fascinating part of the world and perhaps the finest of these is the delicious and healthy Vietnamese cuisine.

One of my favorite things is to combine great food with history and adventure. Vietnam is physically a very beautiful country and on this tour you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities because you’ll see much of it from the ground. From Hanoi to Saigon you’ll tour by Xich-Lo (cyclo) and travel over land and water by deluxe junk, dragon boat and private coach. You’ll shop in local markets, learn cultivation techniques in a vegetable village, absorb Vietnam’s diverse cultures in museums, and contemplate the spiritual side of life in ancient pagodas and temples. You’ll converse with water puppets in Hanoi and explore the regal former Imperial city of Hue. You’ll discuss life and rice and vegetables with monks, and learn the culinary secrets of Hanoi, Hue and Saigon from celebrated local chefs. And of course, you’ll eat fabulously!

And there’s a bonus! The optional extension we’re offering will take you to some fascinating historic sites in Cambodia and Laos, like the Kmer ruins at Angkor Wat and the inscrutable temple of Bayon where you’ll ride an elephant! You’ll have additional opportunities to learn about Kmer cuisine in Siem Reap, and to shop and cook with Chef Chandra of Tum Tum Cheng Restaurant in Luang Prabang (northern Laos - Luang Prabang is a temple town of unspeakable beauty!) – hard to pass up.

I’m really excited about this trip – it’s obvious Gwen Erwood and her colleagues in Vietnam have provided a unique opportunity for a culinary and cultural learning experience that most visitors to the Far East aren’t able to access.

Dana Hill

Click image for larger view

 Discovery Highlights
  • Fly roundtrip from Los Angeles’ LAX via Cathay Pacific with add-ons available from many US cities
  • Indulge yourself in the wide spectrum of culinary excellence that Vietnam has to offer
  • Enlighten your cultural understanding with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology
  • See a time-honored water puppet show
  • Learn from the best! Several cooking demonstrations with several popular experts and locally renowned chefs
  • Learn how to pick the finest & freshest ingredients at different local markets
  • Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay on a traditional, deluxe junk boat while being spoiled with many native seafood delicacies
  • Wander a local farm and visit with local farmers to learn how they traditionally cultivate, harvest & prepare their goods
  • Reveal the mysteries in Cu Chi district where gorilla fighting once took place
  • Cruise Halong Bay and spend the night on a customary Ginger boat while enjoying swimming, dancing and dining
THIS IS NOT THE FULL BROCHURE

We invite you to call Sarah or Gwen at 1-800-762-4216 to request the full brochure. The brochure will include Important Traveler Information (and answers to most questions) and a Reservation Form. We can send the brochure through the Postal Service or as a PDF attachment. If you would like to receive a PDF, probably the best way to keep the message from going into a SPAM filter is to send a message to sarah@serioustraveler.com. If you are already on our mailing list, no need to complete the entire brochure request form.

THIS IS NOT THE FULL BROCHURE

We invite you to call Sarah or Gwen at 1-800-762-4216 to request the full brochure. The brochure will include Important Traveler Information (and answers to most questions) and a Reservation Form. We can send the brochure through the Postal Service or as a PDF attachment. If you would like to receive a PDF, probably the best way to keep the message from going into a SPAM filter is to send a message to sarah@serioustraveler.com. If you are already on our mailing list, no need to complete the entire brochure request form.

February 9-26, 2009 • $4820 from the West Coast

Preliminary Day by Day Itinerary

08 Feb 09: Meet on West Coast
Gather at the airport for departure just after midnight on Cathay Pacific

 

09 Feb 09: Depart U.S.A.

Monday- Depart via Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and on to Saigon

 

10 Feb 09: Arrive in Saigon

Arrive at Saigon airport, you will met and transferred to your hotel. Check in hotel. Have lunch on Bonzai Boat cruising on Saigon River. The balance of the day is free for leisure. Dinner at Chateau restaurant. Overnight at Bong Sen hotel. (B,L,D)

 

11 Feb 09: Saigon - All day city tour

After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour including: Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Hall (ex- President Palace), History Museum, Thien Hau Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. Have lunch at  Com Nieu restaurant. PM. History Museum, Thien Hau Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. Have dinner at Liberty restaurant. Overnight at Bong sen Hotel.(B,L,D)

 

12 Feb 09: Saigon - All Day Trip to the Mekong Delta

Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and then leave Saigon for Cai Be with a stop at a bonsai garden for tea. From Cai Be, take a motorized sampan for a cruise to the floating market, and visit nearby popcorn cake and rice paper making workshops. Have a delicious lunch in a garden restaurant including dessert of an astonishing variety of fruit. Visit brick and pottery villages on your way back to Saigon by car. Have Dinner at Rex hotel. Overnight at Bong Sen Hotel.(B,L,D)

 

13 Feb 09: Saigon  - Hue: VN 252/11:30 – 12:40/

Morning, you will be taken to Saigon airport for the flight to Hue. Arrive at Hue airport, you will met and transferred to your hotel. Checking in hotel. Have lunch Phuoc Thach restaurant in Hue. And then you will take a dragon boat across the triangle of the Perfume River, stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. The balance of the day is free for leisure. Dinner at Tropical Garden restaurant. Overnight at Pilgrimage Village Resort. (B,L, D)

 

14 Feb 09:  Hue - City Tour  all day

After breakfast, with your guide visit the old capital city, a World Cultural Heritage site and Dong Ba market. Have lunch at Vuon y Thao restaurent. In the afternoon, you will visit the Royal Tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. Dinner and  Overnight at Pilgrimage Village Resort. (B,L, D)

 

15 Feb 09: Hue - Danang - HoiAn by road

After beakfast, Drive to Danang where you will visit the Cham Museum - which has the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world and the famous Marble Mountain and then enjoy a fantastic views of the countryside and China Beach  and have lunch at China Beach. Continue to HoiAn, a picturesque riverside town 30 km south of Danang that was one of South East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th, 19th centuries.Visit the old Quarter of HoiAn. Have dinner at Pho Hoi restaurant specializing in Hoi An delicacies like White Rose.  Overnight at Hoi An hotel (was upgraded to four star hotel). (B,L, D)

 

16 Feb 09: HoiAn - MySon - Lunch at guide’s family

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to My Son, a fascinating archeological site with ruinous temples featuring both Hindu and Buddhist influences. Walk through the beautiful park where a stream flows through the center and various temples dot the landscape. Your guide will explain many of the temples and point out interesting features. When you are done return to HoiAn and head to a local families home for lunch. Here you will enjoy traditional Hoi An delicacies made by the family. Your guide is happy to act as a translator if you have any questions. Take a walk around the village and see how the Vietnamese live today. Dinner at Nam Long restaurant. Overnight at Hoi An hotel. (was upgraded to four star hotel).  (B,L, D)

 

17 Feb 09: HoiAn - Cooking Class at Cargo Club

After breakfast at you hotel. You will be taken to meet a famed local chef of HoiAn at 107 Nguyen Thai Hoc st and then you will embark on an interesting market tour with the chef at a local market to enjoy the bustling atmosphere of local daily life at HoiAn market. Here you will have an opportunity to learn how to choose the freshest ingredient. After buying the goods, you will be assisted with cooking your lunch and eat what you have prepared. Return to your hotel. Dinner at Go Da restaurant. Time at leisure. Overnight at Hoi An hotel. (B,L, D)

 

 

 

18 Feb 09: Danang  - Hanoi: VN 314/14:20 – 15:40/

You will be taken to Hue airport for your flight to Hanoi where will be met and transferred to hotel. Check in hotel. Have lunch at Seafood restaurant. And then, you will take one hour tour of this charming Capital city through the Old Quarter by cyclo. Dinner at Ha Hoi restaurant. Overnight at Thang Long Opera hotel. (B,L,D)

 

19 Feb 09: Hanoi - All day city tour

After breakfast take a morning sightseeing tour to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his House on Stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Have lunch at KOTO, a restaurant benefiting at risk youths, and in the afternoon visit the Fine Art Museum and Temple of Literature. Dinner at Thien Thai restaurant. Overnight at Thang Long Opera hotel. (B,L,D)

 

 

20 Feb 09: Hanoi - Hoa Lu Temples - Tam coc Caves tour all day

Enjoy a 80 km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital - HoaLu, situated on the edge of the Red River Delta in narrow valley surrounded by limestone mountains. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, Have lunch at And Dung.  In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing ride on small sampans as you are rowed along winding rivers cutting through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred TamCoc Caves. Return to Hanoi. Dinner at Season restaurant.  Overnight at Thang Long Opera hotel. (B,L,D)

 

21 Feb 09: Hanoi - Halong

You will take a private coach with driver to Halong Bay. Arrive in Halong Bay and board a Vietnamese “junk” (boat) where you will have lunch.  Then take a  fantastic cruise in Halong Bay, where the cast limestone islands rise vertically out of the water and you will wonder if you are dreaming or sailing into a movie set. Visit Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog, and Snail Islands before continuing to Sung Sot cave.  Jump in for a swim at Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on the boat followed by optional fishing and drinking of Vietnamese wine before heading to your air-conditioned cabin. Overnight on board. (B,L, D)

 

22 Feb 09: Halong - Hanoi

After breakfast on the boat continue cruising this area known as one of the 'Wonders of the World' to Man’s Head and Tortoise Islands.  A small bamboo boat will take you to Luon Cave, then off to Bai Tu Long Bay, Toal Island, Bai Tho Mountain.  The boat will then make its way to Halong City as you enjoy your last lunch aboard.  Return to Hanoi in a private car, stopping en-route at Dong Trieu Pottery. Dinner at Tara restaurant. Overnight at Thang Long Opera hotel. (B,L,D)

 

23 Feb 09:Hanoi - Luang Prabang: VN 869/9:00 – 9:55/

Transfer to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight - Laos Airline to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Have the afternoon at leisure exploring Luang Prabang and don't miss the night market. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Manoluck hotel. (B,L,D)

 

24 Feb 09: Luang Prabang - City Tour

Wake up early to see monks receive morning alms.  Return to your hotel for breakfast after which your guide will take you on a city tour including Phousi Mount, the National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visun, and Wat Sen.

Enjoy lunch in town followed by an afternoon free. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Manoluck hotel.(B,L,D)

 

25 Feb 09: Luang Prabang - Day on the Mekong

After breakfast, take a long tail boat crossing to the right bank of the Mekong and the pottery making village of Ban Han.  From here take a thirty minute walk to Wat Long Khoune village.  Another boat will take you from here up river to the rice-wine distilling village of Ban Sang Hai followed by a visit to the Pak Ou caves famous for hundreds of miniature statues of the Buddha.  Return to Luang Prabang by longtail boat in the late afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Manoluck hotel.(B,L,D)

26 Feb 09: Luang Prabang – Bangkok: PG 944/14:10 – 15:55/

Time at leisure. You will be met and transfer to Luang Prabang airport for the flight to Bangkok.

Bangkok-Hong Kong-West Coast- check CX flight schedule.

 

THIS IS NOT THE FULL BROCHURE

We invite you to call Sarah or Gwen at 1-800-762-4216 to request the full brochure. The brochure will include Important Traveler Information (and answers to most questions) and a Reservation Form. We can send the brochure through the Postal Service or as a PDF attachment. If you would like to receive a PDF, probably the best way to keep the message from going into a SPAM filter is to send a message to sarah@serioustraveler.com. If you are already on our mailing list, no need to complete the entire brochure request form.

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© 2008 Travel Concepts International, Inc. CST 2005743-40

Travel Concepts International, Inc.
Cultural Tours to Better Understand the World and Its People

5500 Bucks Bar Road • Placerville, CA 95667 U.S.A. • Tel 1-530-621-3007
Tollfree in U.S.A. 1-800-762-4216 • Fax 1-530-621-3017
Gwen@SeriousTraveler.com • Web site www.tci-travel.com or www.SeriousTraveler.com