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North America escorted tours: A great way to see the USA and Canada

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:22:22 +0000

Article by James Broddy

Long heralded for its many wonders, North America is home to some of the most influential countries in the world. From whale watching in Vancouver to the bright lights of Las Vegas, there is an amazing array of things to do and see in North America. You might be thinking that you can visit on your own and see everything there is, but the truth is that this is a really large continent and when there is so much to see, you might wind up getting lost in the planning. If you want to take a holiday that covers as many of the highlights of each country as you can find, there is no better choice than to take an escorted luxury North America tour.

When you choose to travel the United States, you’re going to be able to plan your trip the way you want to, but some things just come as standard. For instance, you can see The White House in Washington D.C., you’ll get to see the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline. You can plan to stay in the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel and then you can visit the Grand Canyon. Or, you can choose the part of the United States that you most want to see and you can plan your trip around that.

Now, if you want to visit Canada, you should know that you can plan North America escorted luxury tours and see all the wonders of this beautiful, wild, sophisticated and wonderful country and you can do it all your way. So, you can enjoy watching whales and then you can stop off in Quebec to see some of the most luxurious accommodations and finest dining anywhere on the continent.

When you want to see North America, it’s pretty easy to get lost in all of the wonders that this continent has to offer. There are different climates and regions. From deserts to constant cold, there are so many, many things for someone to see. Planning a trip that will help you to see it all can become very costly if you make all the stops on your own, but when you choose an escorted tour of North America, you’ll not only be able to enjoy all the sights you’re interested in, but you will find that you stay in the finest hotels, eat the best of North American food and get to enjoy everything that this continent has to offer you.

Travelling with Contiki Holiday Tours

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:27:22 +0000

Contiki holidays are aimed at 18-35 year olds who want to travel in an organized group to their desired destination.

Contiki travel is perfect for individuals who don’t want to travel alone. The pre-packaged tours take the stress out of planning a vacation, as transport and accommodations are included, but still allow for flexibility in the activities you want to participate in at each destination.

Contiki Tour Styles

Contiki offers camping, concept and timeout tours.

Camping tours are in 2-person tents in selected campgrounds; concept accommodation is a mix of cabins, hostels and hotels; and timeout tours are in hotels only.

Each tour type is priced differently, depending on the nature of the accommodations and each tour group has a maximum number of 50 people. With this many people, you are sure to make some great friends and meet people who want to share similar experiences on their trip.

What is Included in a Contiki Tour?

Accommodation is included for every night of your chosen tour type. If travelling solo, you will be sharing with another travelling companion of the same sex.

Camping and concept tour meals are cooked by your mobile chef or site representative, and timeout tours meals are usually provided at the hotel you are staying at or a special restaurant in the city nearby. Not all meals are included in the price of your tour to allow some flexibility in your day. All breakfasts are included and some dinners, allowing you to choose to have lunch wherever you happen to be exploring!

Transport is by air-conditioned coach with your very own Contiki driver and tour leader to answer your questions and point out important landmarks on your way.

Contiki tours can range from a few days to a few weeks in length. Tour highlights are included in the price of your tour, with optional extras available at most destinations, such as a Gondola ride in Venice or a Cabaret show in Paris. The optional extras have not been included in the tour price to give people flexibility to try other experiences if they desire and to keep costs down for those who can’t afford to do everything. You should budget to include some optional extras in your trip to make the most of your vacation.

Where Does Contiki Travel?

Contiki travels to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Asia. Contiki trips are very fast paced with usually only one or two days in each destination city, and long days to see as much as possible of the different cultures.

Contiki holidays are particularly good for getting a basic taste of a country, which allows you to decide if you would go back to spend more time in a particular location in the future.

Find More North America Travel Articles

Cheap Europe travel tours: plan your trip now!

admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 00:26:32 +0000

Traveling to Europe was never so easy and reasonable. The cheap Europe travel tours have made it possible for you to conveniently plan a holiday that too at affordable rates of interest. The beautiful country has so much for history lovers and nature lovers. The beautiful continent is the second largest continent and bestows so much. Every year Europe enjoys various tourists from all around the world and leaves keen visitors spellbound with magnificent and beautiful destinations.

Rome, Paris, London, Italy, Denmark, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain and Switzerland are some of popular countries of Europe that enjoy huge visitor rush. Intriguing cultures, wonderful sceneries and places of historical importance are common places. From Eiffel tower to Colosseum museum in Rome, you will be able to visit and see some of the world famous places at reasonable rates.

The contrasting culture and customs that you will encounter while moving on from one destination to other will be a totally unforgettable experience. You can take help of travel guide or itinerary can be consulted to plan your trip. You can easily find useful and reliable information about all the tourist spot and will enable easy navigation.

Cheap travel Europe is a complete tour package and is made available by many travel agencies. These travel agencies make all the arrangement from tickets to room reservation, food and transportation arrangement and various such things. These package tours are specially designed to provide complete insight of Europe keeping your budgetary allocations in mind. These agencies provide these services at affordable rates as they have tie ups with the hotels, transportation service providers etc and get discounts.

To access any information or to apply for cheap travel to Europe you can easily search online. Get information, compare various packages and select one that suits you.

North America Escorted Tours Include a Wide Variety of Destinations

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:39:05 +0000

If you want to experience the best that the United States and Canada have to offer, then an escorted tour is your best option. North America escorted tours can save you a lot of money. This is because tour operators can negotiate lower rates than what you would be able to obtain on your own. Since you will save money, you can afford to travel in style. Even if you don’t think you could afford a luxury tour, you will be surprised at how affordable they can be.

So, what can you expect on a holiday in North America? Well, it depends on where you want to go. Canada is the second largest country in the world by total area, and the US, although slightly smaller, is still several times larger than the UK. Both countries have diverse topography, including prairies, planes, mountains, forests, swampland, and deserts. And, of course, there are the major cities, such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal.

There are plenty of hidden gems throughout the continent. Many of these you probably wouldn’t think to discover on your own. This is why you should leave the planning to your guide. North America escorted tours can include visits to all of the well-known cities and sites, as well as small wonders off the beaten path. For instance, did you know that there are ruins of Native American cliff dwellers in Sedona, AZ? Do you know of all of the beautiful places to visit along the Utah and Arizona border?

There are also numerous wonders to be seen in New England. Visit some of America’s oldest towns during the autumn months, and you will be taken by the beautiful scenery. Some itineraries may include destinations in both the US and Canada. You can visit both countries during your holiday.

Niagara Falls can be seen in both countries. You can view the Falls in New York State and in Southern Ontario. Be sure to choose an itinerary that includes a boat ride along the Niagara River, through the base of the American Falls to the basin of Horseshoe Falls in Canada.

Another tour idea is to visit both the East Coast and West Coast, which would take you from New York City to Los Angeles. In between, you can experience the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, old Western ghost towns, Rocky Mountains, Native American ruins, and so on.

Whether you want to explore Canada and meet Mounties, or visit Amish Country in America, you can find itineraries tailored to suit your interests. There are a wide variety of North America escorted tours available, which include all of the best destinations.

Get a great deal on the best North America escorted tours, or browse the South America escorted tours available to you online before you book.

Cheap Europe travel tours: travel Europe within your budget

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 03:21:07 +0000

The second largest continent in the world is Europe and is considered to be a hub of holiday destinations and a continent with cultural diversities. It was never so reasonable to travel to Europe. It has now become possible and convenient to plan a holiday to Europe with the help of cheap Europe travel tours. This beautiful country has a lot to offer to its history lovers and nature lovers. It leaves the visitors from all across the world spell bound with its magnificent and beautiful destinations. Europe has numerous places of interest inclusive of World Heritage Sites as well as some of the Seven Wonders of the World; it has ample to share with its visitors in terms of history, culture as well as cuisines.

The popular countries of Europe such as Rome, Paris, London, Italy, Denmark, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain and Switzerland are some of popular countries of Europe that enjoy huge visitor rush. You will be able to visit and see some of the world famous places at reasonable rates from Eiffel tower to Colosseum museum in Rome. The wonderful sceneries, intriguing cultures and places of historical importance are common places. While moving from one destination to other it will be a totally unforgettable experience to encounter the contrasting customs and culture. With the help of this you will easily find useful and reliable information about all tourist spots which will enable easy navigation for you.

Cheap travel Europe is a complete tour package which is made available by many travel agencies. All the travel agencies make all the arrangements from tickets to room reservation, food and transportation arrangement and various such things. These package tours especially provide complete insight of Europe within your limited resources. Services provided by these agencies are of affordable rates. You can easily search online to compare various packages and apply for the one which suits you for a cheap travel to Europe.

Find More Europe Travel Articles

New Africa Tourism Packages for 2009 and Beyond

admin — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:33:32 +0000

By James Asudi(CEO – Victoria Safaris)

Tourism is a dynamic profession and an ever changing field. I ever in tourism” despite several cancellations of already booked and confirmed trips in the African continent. With the diminishing numbers of wildlife due to global warming and human / wildlife conflict for the limited natural resources, Victoria safaris is putting its effort in creating New Africa Mountain hiking packages, Beach Holidays and Bush Safaris, Community and Cultural tourism packages and Adventure Travel in the Eastern Horn of the African continent which includes; Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. These packages have limited visits to the Wildlife sanctuaries and are more oriented to the Communities living and co existing in the African wilderness.

Wildlife and Human Conflicts over Limited Natural Resources

World over, there is a shortage of land and water. This has resulted in human beings encroaching into the wildlife territory for land and water. God created man, Fauna and Flora and expected all to co exist on Earth. To day, man has over populated the earth and is destroying with impunity the Flora. The effect is that there is limited rain fall and as such in Africa, the destruction of tropical forests by man has led to serious famine and lack of water for the African populace and wildlife.

Imagine if the wildlife would be talking, in which court would we be sued on earth. Imagine if the wildlife had the ability to make ammunition to fight man, what world war would be on earth between the wildlife and humans? Let us respect our Fauna and Flora. The Laureate Prof. Wangare Mathai said; “If you destroy Nature, Nature will destroy you”

In view of the above, Victoria Safaris is encouraging Eco tourism in Africa and emphasizing in creation of new tourism packages leading to Africa Adventure Tours, Community and Cultural tourism plus beach holidays with limited visits into wildlife sanctuaries. Among the new packages that Victoria safaris have come with for the year 2009 and beyond include the following packages.

The activities that we offer for this year and beyond are also wide ranging and apart from the traditional wildlife viewing tours our clientèle are able to go on the following adventures: -

Eco Tourism in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Family Community tours in Africa – Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania
Museums and Archaeological tours in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania
Home Stays in Urban and Rural set up in East Africa- Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
White Water Rafting on River Nile and River Tana
Bungee Jumping on River Nile
Gorilla Eco Tracking in Uganda and Rwanda
Boating and Fishing on Lake Victoria
Cultural tours and Safaris around the Great Lakes
Community Development tours in Western Kenya
Wildlife Eco Lodges and Camping Safaris in East Africa
Wildlife Eco Safaris and Beach Holidays in East Africa Coastline
Bird watching Eco tours in East Africa
Birding Eco tours inside and around lake Victoria
Maasai Mara Wildebeest Annual Migration Eco Safari
Aquaculture tours in Africa – Kenya.
Youth tours and Volunteerism tours in Africa – Kenya.
Sports Tourism in Africa – Kenya
Golf tours in Africa – East Africa countries
Scuba Diving and Dhow sailing along the Kenyan coast.
Snorkeling and surfing on Lake Victoria and the Kenyan Coastal Beaches
Marine Parks tours along the Kenyan Coast in Malindi, Watamu and Mombasa
Educational, Research and Study tours in Africa – Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Conference tourism in Africa – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
Helicopter tours in Africa – Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Disability and wheelchair Access Tours in Africa
Mountain Climbing on Wheelchair tours on Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Health Tourism in Africa Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Herbal Medicine (Alternative Medicine) Research and treatment in Kenya.
Health & HIV/Aids Community tours in Africa.
Photographic and Filming Eco Tourism Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Bicycle (cycling) tours in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzanian.
Corporate Team Building tours in Africa – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Rock Climbing tours in Africa -Kenya
Walking(Trekking) tours in Africa – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Solo Women tours in Africa.
Agro and Agricultural Tourism Africa – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Pro poor tourism Africa – Kenya
Slums Charity tours in Kenya
Kibera Slums tours in Kenya
Corporate and individual Incentive and Team building tours and Safaris
Western Kenya tourism circuit tours and Kogelo village tours.
Kogelo Village Community Tours.
Transit(Layover) Tourism in Africa
Environment Tours in Africa -Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Beach Holidays in East Africa coastal Beaches
Balloon Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania wildlife Sanctuaries
Cultural Wedding and Honeymoon adventures in Africa.
Kogelo Village and Kisumu city Excursions
Kogelo Charter Flight (Flying) tours
Kogelo chopper(Helicopter) tours
Kisumu city Car Rental and Car Hire Services
Nairobi City Car Rental and Car Hire Services
Mombasa City Car rental and Car Hire Services
Kisumu City Excursions, Tours and Safaris
Nairobi City Excursions, Tours and Safaris
Mombasa City and Malindi Excursions, Tours and Safaris

With the above packages, Victoria Safaris is Eco friendly and encourages Adventure Travel, Eco tourism, Cultural and Community tourism in Africa for the benefit of both the Fauna and Flora.

Victoria safaris

www.victoriasafaris.com

Taking a Bite out of Transylvania for Halloween

admin — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:34:47 +0000

We watched TV’s Anthony Bourdain do his very best not to look bored as his camera crew followed him around the banquet hall. Had it not been for his unexpected arrival, we might have been bored, too. Regardless, it was All Hallow’s Eve in Transylvania, the locals were trying to keep us entertained, and we were determined to have a good time.

It isn’t coincidental that everyone looking to party on Halloween in Dracula’s homeland ends up at the same corny gathering in the Hotel Dracula in Brasov. Its the only thing going in Transylvania on the most Transylvanian night of the year. For a set price, you get spooky decor, a nice dinner, tacky party games, and a DJ from hell.

We sat quietly, like Great Aunts at a wedding reception, as a contrived Transylvanian knighting ceremony dragged on and on. I considered the possibility that we’d been brought here as a feast for vampires who would burst into the room at any moment and devour us alive. But then, suddenly, I found my right hand uncontrollably reaching for a dinner roll and lobbing it across the room towards Anthony Bourdain’s head. I guess you could say the Devil made me do it.

Fortunately, I missed. But the strategic move did get a laugh from my little group, and I felt better knowing they would now have a memorable tale of Halloween night in Transylvania. The monotony was broken, and we decided we were ready to head back to our inn for some sleep.

Travel in still-emerging Romania can definitely have its ups and downs, as the story of our Halloween party suggests, but the good news is that tourists in search of spooky places, dark legends, frightening castles and fascinating medieval atmosphere will not be disappointed. Despite the failure of a small village in Transylvania to meet our expectations for the biggest the night of the year, the rest of our trip could not have been more thrilling.

Journeying to Romania for Halloween and Dracula first requires the spooky enthusiast to accept the difference between real history and literary fiction. There was indeed a vicious, evil man who murdered thousands of people in the dark ages of Transylvania, but he wasn’t a bat and he wasn’t superhuman. He was royalty.

The story of Dracula begins when King Sigismund of Hungary created a secret order of knights known as the Order of the Dragon. These knights were ordered to uphold the Christian faith and defend the empire. Prince Vlad II of Wallachia was admitted to the order in 1431 and chose the emblem of a dragon as his royal insignia. His son, Vlad III, later assumed rule. So violent and bloodthirsty was his reign, that he became known as Vlad the Impaler.

The Romanian word for dragon is “drac” and “ul” is the definitive article. Vlad III’s father was ”Vlad Dracul,” or “Vlad the dragon.” In Romanian the ending “ulea” means “son of.” Vlad III was therefore Vlad Dracula, or “the son of the dragon.” And so was born the name “Dracula.”

Vlad Dracula, the Impaler, ruled what is now Transylvania with an iron fist. Enemies and his own subjects were impaled on long sharp wooden poles and left to die slowly. It is said that he was so feared, he once left a golden chalice in the center of a village and and returned a week later to find it untouched!

Bram Stoker melded these historical facts with his own imagination to create the modern vampire we all know as Count Dracula. But our excitement came from visiting locations associated with the real Prince Vlad. Our travels would take us from his birthplace to his tomb, with a drive past the ruins of his real castle on our way to see another medieval castle marketed to tourists as his.

In the little town of Sighisoara, we had a fabulous lunch in the house where Vlad was born, complete with gypsy singers and storytellers. That afternoon, a witch trial was reenacted for us in the town square of Sibiu. A highlight stop on our trip was Peles Castle, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914.

Driving through the magnificent Carpathian Mountains and stopping in little villages to see the Orthodox church or the local market added a lot to our trip. It is very common to still see rickety old horse-drawn wagons traveling down the highway here, and generally speaking, people are still very poor, so some of the towns can be quite visually depressing. But the vibrant, colorful people more than make up for it.

We all enjoyed touring “Dracula’s Castle”, which is actually called “Bran Castle” and has very little to do with Prince Vlad. The Dark Prince’s real castle is on a rocky outcropping of the dramatic Borgo Pass, but nothing is left of it today except for a few small stone ruins.

Probably the most rewarding Dracula moment on this trip was our visit to the Snagov Monastery, wherein lies the real tomb of Prince Vlad the Impaler. It was a fun day because it was cold, dark and rainy, and the only way to get to Snagov is by boat, as the monastery is located in the middle of a vast lake. We braved the choppy waters and freezing winds and had the island, church and tomb all to ourselves! It was wonderful!

I would absolutely recommend Romania to anyone interested in the legend of Dracula. The scenery, history and sincerity of the people make it a destination you will not soon forget!

Blue Mountains Travel – Blue Mountains Accommodation, NSW

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:35:54 +0000

The Blue Mountains, just 2hrs from Sydney, is an area of vast wilderness, romantic and peaceful accommodation, fine dining, indulgent shopping, awe-inspiring caves and magnificent national parks. With numerous lookouts, you can enjoy the elegant scenic views of towering escarpments and plummeting waterfalls. The start of the Blue Mountains includes the beautiful villages of Lapstone, Blaxland, Glenbrook, Springwood and Lawson. This area features lovely waterfalls, swimming holes, national park walks and art & craft galleries. On the far reaches of the Blue Mountains, Lithgow & Oberon provides the gateway to the wonders of New South Wales Explorer Country and hosts the Jenolan Caves and Kanangra Walls.

Our wide range of Blue Mountains accommodation lets you explore all the area has to offer: From bushwalking and horse riding, to abseiling and rock sports; from vineyards, to culinary delights; from art galleries, to beautiful scenery and places of Aboriginal cultural significance. We have Blue Mountains luxurious hotels, bed and breakfasts, retreats, health spas, self-catering apartments, and guest houses to suit every budget and holiday need.

Whether taking a bushwalk or the Scenic Skway cable car, our Blue Mountains accommodation is a great base for exploring the breathtaking natural beauty of the area, especially the Jamison Valley, which includes the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls and Mount Solitary. The rugged pristine environment can also be enjoyed and appreciated by taking a paddle wheeler cruise along the scenic Nepean gorge or an abseiling or adventure tour in The Jenolan Caves. Our Blue Mountains accommodation, cottages and holiday homes also make a perfect base for appreciating the art and culture of the area: from antique centres, to arts and crafts displays; from the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum, to Casey’s vineyard, which specializes in cool climate wine.

The pioneering spirit of the great land can be appreciated at the Megalong Australian Heritage Centre, which is a celebration of Australian rural life where you can learn how to crack a whip, muster, milk a cow and shear a sheep. The Zig Zag Railway is also a stunning monument to the pioneering spirit. Built in the 1860s to enable travelers to be taken to Sydney from the Blue Mountains, the railway was regarded as one of the engineering wonders of the Victorian age. Our Blue Mountains accommodation acts as a great base for exploring the area’s rich Aboriginal cultural history. The history behind the Three Sisters rock formation is explained by Aboriginal dreamtime myth of three sisters of the Katoomba tribe who fell in love with three brothers of the neighboring Nepean tribe. The unions, where was not permitted under tribal law, and so when a tribal battle broke out a witchdoctor turned the three sisters to stone in an effort to protect them. The spell was unable to be reversed after the witchdoctor was killed and the rock formations of the Three Sisters stand as a reminder of the battle to future generations.

Our Blue Mountains accommodation is great for enjoying one of the area’s various festivals: From the celebration of the change of seasons in late June, the Winter Magic Festival; to celebrations of music, the Blue Mountains Music Festival featuring folk, roots and blues and the Kowmung Music festival, which features chamber music and jazz in unusual venues like limestone caves and cattle sheds.

BookBlueMountains.com.au offers different styles and varieties of accommodation: Whichever you choose, the style is warm, welcoming, and refreshing – the service friendly and informal. So book your accommodation online through our site to receive the best rates available on the web!

Booking a Holiday, Tour or Vacation in Laos

admin — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:34:16 +0000

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am often asked about the destinations I have been to. I try to give a good opinion on those places and offer some helpful advice. Here then, are my top suggestions for sites to take in during your holiday in Laos.

When you visit Laos you will notice immediately how important the culture, heritage and Buddhism are to its inhabitants. Laos is located between Vietnam and Thailand in the south east of Asia. It is a beautiful country with many rivers, rugged mountains, forests, plains and plateaus. Laos has been isolated from outside influences so the tourist gets a unique view of traditional Southeast Asian life. With its fertile lowlands of the Mekong River valley and the rugged Annamite highlands, Laos has got to be one of the highlights in Asia.

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with the rainy season during the months of May to November and the roads can become washed out & the dry season starting from December to April. The weather is not too hot and there is less rainfall between November and February. The most popular time that tourists actually visit Laos are December to February but the good thing is there are not too many during these times.

For trekking or visiting the mountains, May and July are good, warm, dry months to experience them.

One of the most beautiful places in Laos is Luang Prabang and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is a magical ancient city that seems to have stood still in time surrounded by its mountains.

In the centre of the city of Laos is Mount Phousi. From this amazing standpoint you will witness stunning views of the hills and temples that surround it.

Khone Phapheng is considered to be the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia and with this in mind makes it an amazing place to experience. You will find this waterfall at the southern end of Si Phan Don home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

The Pak Ou Caves are an absolutely spectacular sight to behold. One of the caves is filled with hundreds of statues of the Buddha which can be seen through a rugged hole in the cliff face.

If you want to see this amazing scene up close then it is possible to climb out onto the dock where the beautifully carved stones will lead you up to the entrance of the cave. There are statues of Buddha’s absolutely everywhere that you look, balancing on stone shelves, lining the stairs and in the nooks and crannies in the cave.

Pilgrims and kings have gone to the caves to worship for at least the last 500 years.

Pha That Luang is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Laos which was built in the 16th century. The temple was destroyed by a Thai invasion but has since been restored to its former glory. There are some people that believe that relics of the Buddha are housed in this temple. This temple has become a symbol of Lao nationalism due to the architecture including the Lao people’s culture and identity.

There is a wonderfully unique place known as the Plain Of Jars, located in the remote north east of Laos, where you will find hundreds of huge stone urns. These stone jars cover an area of several square miles and have become a great crowd puller. The urns are one of the most enigmatic ancient sights in Asia. To this day the many jars have kept their secret from the many historians who have tried to date them and discover what they actually signify.

In the province of Champasak you will find an amazing mountain Temple dating back to the 5th century which is known as Wat Phu, is an impressive ruin of Khmer style. There are a number of carved rocks above the temple site, each of them resembling different animals including a cobra, an elephant and a crocodile. Some believe that these rocks may have been used for human sacrifice in times gone by.

Asia Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:33:54 +0000

1.MOUNTAIN TREKKING, SAPA, VIETNAM

Mount Fansipan is Vietnam’s highest peak located in the far north just outside of Sapa. Mt. Fansipan is a very steep mountain that gets a lot of moisture. Those looking to climb it should be in good shape and prepared to to have muddy wet feet. The scenery is incredible so travelers should remember to bring a camera. For most of Vietnam having a rain coat is a little excessive because it is so warm. On the mountain having a rain coat is not a bad idea especially at night. The trails around Sapa are a lot of fun. Travelers will get the chance to go through some minority villages if travelers have the time to explore. There are well-marked trails, both long and short, for all skill levels.

When it is the best time? October to May are the best months

Book it: Active Travel Vietnam (00 84 4 3573 8569; www.trekfansipan.com) offers a year-round, four-day guided mountain-trekking tour of Vietnam from $ 219 including hotel accommodation, some meals and travel gear rent. Flights are extra

2. MOTORCYCLING HO CHI MINH TRAIL, VIETNAM

The legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line where it is used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, weapons and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that it is covered Vietnam’s mountainous border with Laos.

When it is the best time? October to April

Book it: Active Travel Vietnam (info@activetravelvietnam.com; www.activetravelvietnam.com) offers a 18-days with 11-days motorcycling guided trip from $1,951, including accommodation, all meals and transfers. Flights are extra.

3. KAYAKKING HALONG BAY, VIETNAM

Ha Long Bay (also “Halong Bay”) is in northern Vietnam, 170 km east of Hanoi. The bay is famous for its scenic rock formations

If travelers thought the hideout in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” was spectacular, travelers can imagine a place where there are 3,000 such limestone islands clustered together in the East Sea of Halong Bay. Paddle through caves into secret lagoons, drift down channels are surrounded by cliffs and forest and sail out into the open sea.

When it is the best time? October and early January

Book it: Kayak Halong Bay (info@activetravel.asia; www.kayakhalongbay.com) offers a 3-day trip from $ 299 including meals, accommodation and transfers

4. EXPLORE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

A holiday in Vietnam would be incomplete without a trip to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Popularly known as one of the ‘Rice Baskets’ of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is located in the South Eastern region of Vietnam, where the Mekong River meets the sea. A pride of the Vietnamese and the one of the most popular of the Vietnam tourist attractions, the Mekong Delta is exceptionally rich in scenic beauty. It is a place unique in itself.

When it is the best time? October to June

Book it: Active Travel Asia (0084-4-3573-8569; www.activetravel.asia) has a 4-day tour with over 3-day biking from $ 312 including full-board accommodation and transfers. Flights extra

5. CYCLING ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA

Travelers will discover the world’s remarkable awesome historical site through this adventure trip and grasp the reasons why the Tomb Raider’s film maker team chose the Angkor Complex in Siem Reap for its screen backdrops. Also experience the biodiversity of Tonle Sap listed as the World Ecological Wonder.

When it is the best time? October to June

Book it: Active Travel Cambodia (info@activetravelcambodia.com; www.activetravelcambodia.com) has a 7-day tour with 5-day cycling from $ 685 including full-board accommodation and transfers. Flights extra

6. CYCLING LAOS

Cycling is a great way to get off the beaten track in this increasingly popular country. Start in Luang Prabang, in north central Laos, and head to Hanoi, in North Vietnam, travelers are going to travel along the banks of the Mekong River and past the intriguing Viengxay caves.

When it is the best time? October to March

Book it: Active Travel Laos (info@activetravellaos.com; www.activetravellaos.com) has a 17-day tour with kayaking, trekking, biking and elephant riding Luang Prabang to Hanoi cycling trip from $ 1,553 including most meals, bike hire and sightseeing. Flights extra.