The Perfect Introduction

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1 Activity Level: Recreational Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights The Perfect Introduction Experience Cambodia & Vietnam RECOMMENDED AGE: 12+ We don t simply allow kids on trips designed for adults, we design unique trips just for families. The activities on our Cambodia to Vietnam Family Biking trip are designed for children age 12 years and older. Please call us for more information. After more than 15 years travelling in South East Asia, we know it like our own backyard. We ve biked everywhere, made hundreds of friends, compared hotels, explored tombs, studied the culture and then done it all again! The result? A trip that we feel is at the risk of sounding immodest perfect. It introduces you to the best of the best in this incredible land, including UNESCO sites, colonial gems and historic must-sees one bike ride, friendly wave and encounter with a local at a time. Come let us show you how B&R does Cambodia & Vietnam IN GOOD COMPANY Each of our trips in Vietnam features a local guide. Travelling and biking with us every day, they add enormously to the depth of our experience in this magical country. 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 & 3 The Temples of Angkor TODAY WE BIKE INTO THE HEART OF THE CAMBODIAN countryside to explore the local Khmer temples of present-day Cambodia. Our activity gives us a great appreciation for modern Cambodia before we delve into the ancient kingdom this afternoon. During the morning ride, you ll have the opportunity to visit a local school before heading back to the hotel. After our escape from the midday sun, we head into the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, where our local guide describes this aweinspiring temple that has defied time and nature for more than 700 years. At nightfall, we will head into town for a sunset cocktail and dinner at our favourite local restaurant. The next day, we will head to Bayon to visit this exquisite Buddhist temple before hopping on our bikes to explore the park on two wheels. Our bike trails are lined by a jungle of silk cotton and strangler fig trees. We will then head back to our hotel to enjoy lunch. This afternoon we will head back into the park to visit the now famous temple Ta Phrom. This temple is part strangler fig tree, part rock masterpiece and as the last rays of light dance through the leaves of the jungle, you might just find yourself transported to another century. Dinner is on your own tonight,there are many options to choose from and your guide will be happy to make recommendations. working closely with the World Monuments Fund; a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of heritage sites all over the world. Thanks to B&R s partnership with WMF, we will get an in depth tour of this temple (which is currently being restored) and gain access to parts of the park that are hidden from other wandering tourists eyes. We bike from here through the park, passing the temples of Bayon, Angkor Wat, the Elephant Terrace and the gates of Angkor Thom one last time on our way back to the hotel for an early lunch. The afternoon is yours to unwind before tomorrow s journey onward to Vietnam. Opt to wander into town or enjoy the hotel spa; there are also plenty of contemporary art galleries, artisanal workshops and boutiques to visit if shopping is on the agenda. Tonight we, once again, head into the heart of Siem Reap for a contemporary dining experience. HOTEL Park Hyatt, Siem Reap Situated nearby the renowned 12th century ruins of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Park Hyatt Siem boasts 109 guest rooms and suites and features two restaurants, a bar and a bakery, as well as a relaxing spa and two tranquil pools. THE ACTIVITY Day 1: A 20 km (12 mi.) ride through the Cambodian countryside. Day 2: In the morning, an easy going 27 km (18 mi.) bike ride along flat roads. In the afternoon, a flat 17 km (11 mi.) ride. Day 3: An easygoing 16 km (10 mi.) bike ride along flat roads. On our final day in Siem Reap we head out early to explore the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. We meet with a park archeologist this morning who is

3 The Journey Ancestor worship is a very serious tradition and one of the most unifying aspects of Vietnam. 3 checking out the culinary scene in Saigon for a long time and have some great gems to suggest within walking distance of your hotel. HOTEL Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City This beautiful new hotel is centrally located on Lam Son Square, near the elegant Opera House in downtown Ho Chi Minh City and within walking distance of businesses, shopping, entertainment and main tourist attractions. The Park Hyatt is a 25 minute drive from the airport and just a 5-minute walk to the famous Ben Thanh Market. THE ACTIVITY Day 4: Afternoon market stroll either on foot or by vespa - your choice! Days 5, 6 & 7 Hoi An Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam s Metropolis Goodbye Siem Reap, hello Ho Chi Minh City. We say good-bye to enchanting Cambodia with a short flight to southern Vietnam. Where our individial vespas and drivers await! We ll whisk into town and explore the best of Saigon on a different kind of two wheels. We arrive in time for a late lunch and afternoon visit to the local market. Tonight, you have literally thousands of restaurants to choose from for another meal on your own as a family. Lucky for you your guides have been We fly North this morning to Danang. Our bikes await in the outskirts of the city, where we will begin a ride through the countryside passing dykes that help irrigate an enormous plain of rice paddies. A short drive takes us into Hoi An, a charming little trading post town that will take us back in time. Once a vital seaport on par with Macau, the now-tranquil Hoi An has been incredibly well preserved. Its fascinating medley of architecturally diverse 400-yearold buildings and totally intact streetscapes has merited it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. You may choose to do some shopping in this garment mecca a tailor-made suit or dress is the usual call, or you can simply take in the sights of this magnificent little town. We ll enjoy dinner in the city tonight, in a riverside restaurant that was inspired by a friend of ours mother s cooking (we can all appreciate

4 The Journey Betel leaf chewing causes the teeth and gums to become stained which is was considered attractive and a sign of beauty in traditional Vietnamese society. 4 that)! Get ready to be delighted by the sights and sounds of the town as we dine on the terrace watching the streets of Hoi An play out in front of us. The next day you may choose to head into the market early in the morning to watch the local women haggle over the day s fresh fish catch, or visit the stalls offering the freshest vegetables in Hoi An. Both promise to stimulate all your senses and provide some of the best photo memories in your trip scrapbook. Then we head out by boat for a great ride that starts in the local pottery village and loops around Hoi An, passing through traditional rice paddies and fish farms interspersed with ancestral tombs, water buffalo and hundreds of smiling children. We ll finish at our favourite cooking school in a beautiful river setting for a mid-morning cooking class that will keep us entertained, trained and well fed. Afterwards we will head into Hoi An via riverboat, watching the local fishermen cast their nets and bring in their catch. In the afternoon, we re off with the kids through town to try our hands at silk lantern making. For the adults, the afternoon is yours to bespoke with a choice of more shopping and exploring or a tour of some of the oldest temples in the village. Either choice will bring this old trading post town to life. Dinner tonight will be on your own with recommendations from your guides. our evening with a cocktail or two at our friend Duc s restaurant. We will taste this culinary wizard s signature lemongrass infused martini (adults only, of course) and then sit down for a tasting of Vietnam s best fusion cuisine.this evening will be impossible to forget! Day 8 Farewells We say goodbye at the hotel this morning after breakfast. Flights from Danang connect you to Hanoi, Saigon, and many cities in China, should you wish to extend your journey. HOTEL Anantara Hoi An Resort, Hoi An The Anantara Hoi An Resort is set in a tropical garden on a tranquil river, a few steps away from a charming ancient town. The resort combines the elements of French colonial, Japanese, Chinese and Dutch cultures with warm hospitality. THE ACTIVITY Day 5: A 20 km (12 mi.) bike ride through fishing villages and rice paddies. Day 6: A 24 km (18 mi.) ride around the flat countryside surrounding Hoi An. Day 7: 27 km (16.7 mi) south loop ride through Hoi An Our final day together has us leaving by bicycle from the front gates of our hotel. We head to the south side of Hoi An to discover bamboo bridges and smaller, more quaint local villages, ferry rides, and war memorials this ride is a must-do, so bring your cameras and prepare to be charmed. We finish the ride back in Hoi An where you ll have a free-flow lunch and time on your own to explore as a family perhaps a trip to the beach is in order? Tonight, we dine riverside once again beginning

5 Notes From the Road 5 Eat Fast, Walk Slow, Laugh Often By Nathan Lane My friend and guide Anh once told me, the Vietnamese eat fast, walk slow and laugh at everything. I laughed, but sure enough, this observation, while light-hearted in context, turned about to be as true as everything else he has told me. During my 15 years in Vietnam, I have learned much about the Vietnamese: they are industrious; they have incredibly strong family values; they are creative and hard working. They love spicy food and don t need to go to the pagoda too much because almost everybody has an altar at home. They have an amazing appreciation for fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. They can carry anything and everything on the back of a motorbike (a family of five with two live pigs strapped on back is my personal record). But I prefer things to be simple. I think Anh knew that when he told me this, and his quote is a wonderful simplification of this fascinating and complex country. The Vietnamese eat fast. Fast and constantly. The roads in Vietnam are like one big dining hall: every other shop is a restaurant, usually serving the local noodle. I haven t gotten a good count yet, but it seems to me that the noodle variations here rival those of Italy. They walk slow. This country is growing fast, but the people haven t forgotten how to slow down and enjoy life. Perhaps it s because the sidewalks are so full of action its hard to walk fast, but I think there s more to it. Wandering the streets, I often find families having little reunions and cyclo drivers chatting with friends. Vietnam is full of magical small corners, and you have to slow down to see them. The Vietnamese laugh at everything. When we ride our bikes down the small streets, I feel like the greatest comedian that has ever lived. The kids love us; they smile and wave and scream with joy. But it s not just them: it s also the lady picking the rice and the old man on the porch. They are all laughing. When I try to buy something in a store, it always begins with my earnest attempts to speak Vietnamese and ends with both the shopkeeper and I smiling and laughing as we cheerfully banter from opposite sides of the language barrier. I always leave with a smile. It s hard to not love Vietnam. With everybody laughing and smiling all the time, it just makes sense. B&R REGIONAL EXPERT Nathan Lane Originally born in Lebanon, New York, we first met Nathan while he was guiding walking tours through Rome in his own inimitable way. Since then he s guided 100+ trips through locales as varied as Puglia, Southeast Asia and Spain, and crafted dozens more as one of our expert trip designers.

6 The Details 6 CHINA MYANMAR LAOS VIETNAM South China Sea THAILAND VIETNAM Hoi An Andaman Sea CAMBODIA South China Sea Siem Reap CAMBODIA Ho Chi Minh City MALAYSIA 2017 Price: From $6,995 ($1,500 single supplement) *Please call for kids pricing Single supplement is based on the most affordable rooms within B&R s allocation. Upgrades often available. Duration 8 days / 7 nights Please see our website for list of departures. Start Siem Reap Park Hyatt Early morning Finish Hoi An Anantara Hoi An Resort After breakfast 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 hotel accommodation All breakfasts, seven lunches and four dinners, including wine Services of B&R guides, local guides and support vehicles with drivers Use of a hybrid bike equipped with handlebar bag and helmet All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off, including van support, coach transfers and internal flights All baggage transportation Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Recreational The daily distances for bike rides range from 20 to 50 km (12 to 31 mi.); some days offer longer/ shorter option rides. With the level of support on this trip, there are always options to shorten routes for kids. The activities on this trip are geared for children 12 years old and up. MORE INFO How do I get to Siem Reap? Your B&R trip starts in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Depending on the airline you are flying with, you will probably hub through Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong. All of these cities have hotels near the airport with easy access to downtown areas should you want to have a stopover. We also have relationships with the best hotels in each city (the Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula, the Raffles, etc.), so let them know you are travelling with Butterfield & Robinson. PARK HYATT, SIEM REAP home.html Situated nearby the renowned 12th century ruins of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Park Hyatt Siem boasts 109 guest rooms and suites and features two restaurants, a bar and a bakery, as well as a relaxing spa and two tranquil pools. 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 Siem Reap 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. PHOTO CONTEST While on your trip, keep in mind you can win some great prizes with the B&R Photo Contest. We ve created three categories that capture the true spirit of B&R adventure: Faces, Places and Moments. Send in your top shots and show us how you see the world with Butterfield & Robinson. Visit for full details. 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 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.