The Perfect Introduction

Transcription

1 Activity Level: Recreational Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights The Perfect Introduction Experience Laos & Vietnam It would be difficult to find two destinations so geographically near, yet so completely different. Arriving in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, we ll cycle for two days through tropical countryside the atmosphere as charming and picturesque as the first time we visited here more than a decade ago. We finish in Laos, discovering a UNESCO-protected city filled with colonial architecture, a Buddhist legacy and miles of Mekong-side riding. Seeing both of these countries by bicycle is the perfect way to connect in an intimate and memorable way. If you choose, continue on to our Cambodia post-trip to explore Siem Reap s ancient Khmer temples of Angkor and the overwhelmingly friendly people of Cambodia. WHY TRAVEL WITH B&R Each of our trips in Southeast Asia features a local guide. Travelling and biking with us every day, they add enormously to the depth of our experience in this magical region. As we always work with the same guides, over the years, they ve become an extension of our B&R family. Call us at the journey p.2 view > / notes from the road p.6 view > / the details p.7 view > / next steps p.8 view >

2 The Journey The Name Vietnam is derived from two separate words; Viet and Nam. The word Viet refers to the country s largest ethnic group, while Nam is the word south. 2 the journey Days 1 & 2 Ninh Binh TODAY, WE TAKE A SHORT DRIVE OUT OF THE CITY TO NINH Binh. Along the way, we ll stop for a ride through some of the local villages, getting a taste of daily life in rural Vietnam. Most of the ride is spent on quiet local roads in the area of the Red River Delta. We then continue to our home for the next two nights, a gorgeous hotel with the stunning limestone mountains of Tam Coc surrounding us. HOTEL Emeralda, Ninh Binh Neighbouring Ninh Binh s Van Long Nature Reserve, the lush grounds of Emeralda offer breathtaking views of the surrounding tropical forest and mountain range. The resort supports its local roots, designed with traditional Vietnamese materials and offering fresh local produce at all three restaurants. THE ACTIVITY Day 1: A 30 km (18 mi.) ride through villages and gardens on levees near Hanoi. Day 2: A 45 km (28 mi.) ride through farmland and villages with options for more biking in the afternoon. Known as the Ha Long of the Land, our ride this morning takes us through the lush countryside and farming villages of Ninh Binh. Lunch is in Hoa Lu, the 10th and 11th century capital of Vietnam, where a local family hosts us for a lunch of regional favorites in a setting not soon to be forgotten. This afternoon, we ll have the opportunity to either continue cycling toward our hotel or a take late afternoon boat ride in a limestone-walled nature preserve. Tonight we sleep and dine at the hotel, a spacious resort boasting the Van Long Reserve as its backdrop.

3 The Journey Ancestor worship is a very serious tradition and one of the most unifying aspects of Vietnam. 3 Day 3 Ninh Binh - Ha Long Interior Today after breakfast, we cycle out of the resort toward a pristine village temple, passing idyllic countryside and crossing quaint little bridges along the way. After threading a path through the heart of Ninh Binh s mountains, we will enjoy lunch en route to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you ll have the opportunity to choose your own adventure; head out into the old quarter for some shopping therapy, enjoy the Metropole s infamous hospitality, or head to a museum for a cultural experience. HOTEL The Metropole, Hanoi Built in 1901, this gorgeous French colonial-style accommodation is located in the heart of Hanoi. It offers colonial and modern rooms complemented by a choice of three restaurants (French cuisine, Vietnamese specialties and Italian flavours), three bars, lush and relaxing gardens, a heated swimming pool, health club and the luxurious Le Spa du Metropole. THE ACTIVITY Day 3: A 60 km (37 mi.) ride at the best of Nihn Binh s mountains. Days 4, 5 & 6 Luang Prabang, Laos You might choose to wake up early this morning, as the entire city seems to do just that! A walk around the lake observing the morning Thai Chi feels like a dream. After breakfast, we will head out on foot for a tour through the Old Quarter, one of Vietnam s most lively and unusual places, where you can buy anything from a gravestone to silk pajamas. Packed with charming colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Old Quarter is Hanoi s major commercial district. The maze of back streets is fascinating and the area is known for its narrow tunnel or tube houses, which were developed to avoid taxes calculated by the width of their frontage onto the street. In the late afternoon we fly to Laos. We will arrive just in time for a nightcap or two in the courtyard of the hotel. The next morning, we re back on our bikes for a gentle day of riding. From the hotel entrance, we cycle north out of town. The road gets quieter and more scenic with every kilometre we leave behind us, the Mekong by our side the entire time. After conquering a few rolling hills we are rewarded with a lovely boat ride toward the nearby Pak Ou cave, once inhabited by a hermit who achieved

4 The Journey Laos contains the Plain of Jars, which is home to nearly 6,000 stone jars, each of which weighs a couple of tons. 4 enlightenment. The upper and lower sanctuaries contain more than 4,200 wood and gilded Buddha statues. From the caves, we reboard our vessel for a gentle cruise down the Mekong and lunch along the way, arriving back at the hotel in the afternoon. After some time to relax or perhaps a plunge in the pool, we venture out for a walking tour of this unparalleled UNESCO World Heritage Site. You ll see the town s famed mix of stately temples and vestiges of French colonialism. A definite highlight is Wat Xieng Thong, a beautiful temple dating back to the 16th century. The roof of the main chapel sweeps low to the ground and coloured-glass panels adorn its walls. Tonight for dinner, you can choose from the mass of culinary superstars that make up the diverse food scene in Luang Prabang as we slow things down a bit and let you experience town on your own. Luang Prabang is at its prime just after dawn when the gongs chime to signal the end of morning prayers. More than 600 saffron-clad monks emerge from the temples and silently proceed through town to collect alms. We rise early today to witness and even join in this extraordinary ritual. When it s all over, we walk through the morning market and then head to the picture-perfect, multi-tiered cascades of the Tad Kouang Si waterfalls for breakfast. Our ride leaves from the falls and traverses rolling terrain mostly downhill initially, then uphill near the end. We finish pedaling once we ve arrived back in town for lunch, and then have the option to stay in town to explore and shop, or ride back to the hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a well-wishing Baci Ceremony as our farewell to Laos. HOTEL Sofitel Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Built upon a UNESCO site, this former Governor s mansion is a beautifully redesigned oasis of calm. Twenty-three tastefully designed suites, in addition to a spa and pool, form the heart of this hotel, which is a blend of classic colonial design and contemporary Asian style. This is serenity and magic in the heart of Luang Prabang. THE ACTIVITY Day 4: An optional morning bike ride outside of Hanoi. Day 5: A moderate 30 km (18.5 mi.) bike ride through the hills north of Luang Praban. Day 6: A moderate 28 km (17 mi.) bike ride through the hills south of Luang Prabang. Day 7 Fond Farewells Enjoy breakfast at your leisure this morning before being driven to the airport in time for your departure.

5 Notes From the Road 5 Intro to Indochina By Nathan Lane The very term Indochina conjures up all sorts of romantic images, from regal colonial hotels to jungle-covered ancient temples. The smiles of happy people, whose culture, history, food and languages are a delight to discover, are infectious. Our journey begins in Ninh Binh an inland extension of Ha Longs s majestic limestone backdrop. Then onto Laos; with a rich history and charming blend of colonial and local architecture, Luang Prabang is picture-perfect. Boasting glorious gardens and numerous (and increasingly famous) Buddhist temples, Luang Prabang is perched on the banks of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, making it a real joy to discover by bike. We invite you to continue onto Siem Reap with our Cambodia Biking Post-Trip. Explore not only the famous Angkor Wat but also some of the lesser visited temples of Cambodia s beautifully preserved Angkor. Cycling through local villages, modern day Cambodia is also a joy to behold, particularly when you have friends seemingly at every turn. Indochina may no longer exist, but its magic and mysticism certainly does if you know where to look. Luckily for you, we ll show you where. B&R REGIONAL EXPERT Nathan Lane After guiding more than 100 trips for B&R in his own inimitable way, Nathan Lane transitioned into an award-winning Trip Designer he was named Vietnam s Top Travel Expert by Condé Nast Traveler. And yes, he knows he shares his name with someone famous (we tease him about it all the time).

6 The Details 6 CHINA LAOS Hanoi MYANMAR LAOS HANOI Luang Prabang Ninh Binh South China Sea THAILAND VIETNAM VIETNAM Andaman Sea CAMBODIA South China Sea 2018 Price: From $6,995 *Price is inclusive of domestic flights. ($1,000 single supplement) Single supplement is based on the most affordable rooms within B&R s allocation. Upgrades often available. Duration 7 days / 6 nights Please see our website for list of departures. Start Hanoi, Vietnam Sofitel Metropole Hotel Early morning Finish Luang Prabang, Laos Sofitel Luang Prabang After lunch MALAYSIA the details HOTEL TYPE Signature Hotels Hotels on our Signature trips are unique expressions of the region. Often times that means they ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case it means they offer both an exceptionally comfortable stay and a taste of the region s culture. Best of all, we re friends with our hoteliers. (Translation? Preferential treatment for you.) WHAT S INCLUDED All breakfasts, all lunches and six dinners, including wine Services of B&R guide(s) and support vehicle All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees Use of a bicycle and helmet Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All transportation from rendezvous to dropoff, including flights, vans and boats All baggage transportation All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service Visa to Laos LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Recreational This trip is rated Recreational. The longest ride is about 60 km (37 mi.). The riding in Laos is gently rolling and the temperature should be quite comfortable. In Vietnam, the rides in Ninh Binh will be generally flat, with a few hills on day three. MORE INFO How do I get to Hanoi? We recommend arriving in the region a couple of days prior to the start of your trip to ensure you have adjusted to the change in time and climate. Hanoi is a fun city to explore and well worth visiting on your own or of course we can help make arrangements for you. Our rendezvous hotel is the Sofi tel Legend Metropole Hanoi, a gorgeous French colonial-style hotel located in the heart of Hanoi, the Metropole is a hotel with a history. Built in 1901, it has welcomed politicians, business leaders and artists. It is a true landmark in colonial Hanoi. THE SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE, HANOI Built in 1901, this gorgeous French colonial-style accommodation is located in the heart of Hanoi. It offers 364 guest rooms & suites, complemented by a choice of three restaurants (French cuisine, Vietnamese specialties and Italian flavours), three bars, a lush and relaxing rooftop garden, a heated swimming pool, health club and the luxurious Le Spa du Metropole. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.

7 Your Next Steps 7 Weather: Hanoi your next steps month high low Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec Laos month high low Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec At Butterfield & Robinson, the guiding starts while you re still at home. We make sure you know everything you need to know before you ve even left your living room. READY TO BOOK? Call or a Travel Advisor (or your travel agent) with any remaining questions, and to reserve your space / Reserve your flights to and from the region. Book your hotel accommodation for the night before your B&R trip. Make sure your passport is up to date. Enquire after travel insurance. Begin steps to secure a visa for Vietnam. Once you are confirmed on a B&R trip, you will receive a Confirmation that links to tons of information to help you prepare for your trip. Then, about a month before you leave, we will send you a list of your fellow travellers, final rendezvous instructions and your hotel contact numbers. YOUR BIKE We pride ourselves on having the very best equipment for each activity and locale, maintained by expert staff and custom tweaked just for you. Visit us at to learn about our biking equipment and see pictures of what you ll be riding. And don t forget that we will modify your bike to accommodate most special gear requests. Just ask. STAY IN TOUCH! Sign up to receive The Slow Road our newsletter that is full of travel news, unique offers and B&R insider info. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your B&R experience big, small or downright quirky please call a Travel Advisor. We are always happy to help. FIND US ON FACEBOOK ButterfieldandRobinson Like B&R on Facebook and get the latest news and photos from the road, updates from guides and more. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.