FROM 4345 PER PERSON. TEXTILE TREASURES OF THAILAND & LAOS with Janice Gunner 14 February nights

Transcription

1 FROM 4345 PER PERSON TEXTILE TREASURES OF THAILAND & LAOS with Janice Gunner 14 February nights

2 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Enjoy the company and expertise of Janice Gunner as you explore Thailand and Laos where you ll discover a wealth of textile treasures intricately interwoven within the fascinating cultures of these two south-east Asian gems. In the vibrant cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang admire extraordinary temples and visit lively local markets. Head off the beaten track to small villages where you ll see locals weaving and dyeing before trying your hand at the age-old techniques. Spend time at renowned textile centres and artisan institutions, which give fascinating insight into the region s ethnic handicraft heritage. Soak up the extraordinary scenery as you cruise along the mighty Mekong River and experience the serene ambiance of traditional ceremonies that are still very much a part of everyday life. Mekong River ITINERARY DAY 1 - LONDON / BANGKOK (D) Meet Janice Gunner and your Arena tour manager at London Heathrow for the overnight flight to Bankgok. DAY 2 - BANGKOK (B,L,D) Upon arrival you will transfer to your hotel. This evening s welcome dinner is a chance to get to know Janice and your fellow stitchers. DAY 3 - BANGKOK (B) Today you ll visit some of Bangkok s most remarkable historical landmarks including Wat Phra Kaew, the most important temple for Thais. Standing in the grounds of the Grand Palace, it is home to the revered image of the Emerald Buddha. The breathtaking perfection of the Reclining Buddha is one of more than a thousand Buddha images you ll see in Wat Pho. Enjoy a guided tour of Jim Thompson s house. The traditional wooden house that belonged to the father of silk is today a museum housing a vast collection of fascinating artefacts that belonged to the great American entrepreneur and collector. DAY 4 - BANGKOK / CHIANG MAI (B) Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai where you will drive the winding road up Doi Suthep to the wondrous and holy temple of Wat Phra That. Here you ll enjoy a unique private blessing and see the monks chanting before returning to the city and your hotel. DAY 5 - CHIANG MAI (B,L) Studio Naenna is a weaving workshop that supports the local community and creates jobs for local weavers. Enjoy an introduction to the dyeing and weaving techniques used at the studio before trying them for yourself during a hands-on workshop. DAY 6 - CHIANG MAI (B,L) This morning you ll visit local quilting expert Siripan Kidd. Siripan will show you some of her contemporary quilts and give a talk on her work including silk and how to handle silk in quilts. Lunch is served in Siripan s garden. In the afternoon you ll drive to a village to see the handicrafts of the local Hmong tribe. DAY 7 - CHIANG MAI / PHRAE (B,L) Today s journey from Chiang Mai to Phrae includes a stop at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a phenomenally impressive Buddhist temple built in the Lanna architectural style dating back to In the afternoon you will meet renowned Thai designer Sakchira Wiengkao (nickname Chang). During a unique workshop Chang will share his ideas and knowledge and help you create a beautiful hand-painted scarf. DAY 8 - PHRAE / NAN (B,L) Your day starts with a visit to the remarkable rock formations of Phae Muang Phi, known as mushroom rocks because of their top-heavy shapes that have an almost organic likeness. You ll then drive to a small rural community on the outskirts of Nan city. The history of the region goes back many centuries and the ancient kilns found in the area bear witness to this. You will make your own typical Northern Thai sausage Sau Ua and have lunch in a local house. In the afternoon you will meet the local weaving group for a tie dyeing workshop before checking in to your hotel in Nan for an overnight stay. Tuk Tuk driver in Bangkok

3 DAY 9 - NAN / PAKBENG (B,L) Thanks to its relatively remote location, Nan is less developed than many of the provincial cities in Thailand and has managed to keep its authenticity and cultural heritage that traces back many centuries and is heavily linked to that of Luang Prabang in Laos. Visit the lively morning market and small but beautiful Wat Phumin. On the way to the border with Laos you ll visit Wat Nong Bua in Tai Lue. After crossing the border into Laos you ll drive to Pakbeng, a meeting point for local hill tribes including Hmong, Lue and Khamu. After checking in to your lodge you have the chance to explore on foot or simply sit back and enjoy sunset over the Mekong River. DAY 10 - PAKBENG / LUANG PRABENG (B,L,D) Today you will cruise through the beautiful and often changing landscapes along the Mekong River, which lies at the bottom of a steep sided valley with tropical forests invading its banks where from time to time a village and its inhabitants will appear. Along the way you will stop to visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou that shelter hundreds of statuettes of Buddha. Your day of Mekong River cruising ends in Luang Prabang, an ancient capital city of the Lane Xang kingdom and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After checking in to your hotel enjoy traditional Lao cuisine in a local restaurant. DAY 11 - LUANG PRABANG (B,L) Nong Kiaw is a small, rustic town, some 3-4 hours drive from Luang Prabang towards the border with Vietnam. The little settlement on the Namou river is blessed with some of the most attractive natural scenery in Northern Laos. In Nong Kiaw, under the guidance of southeast Asian textile expert Dr Linda McIntosh, you will learn about the weaving and dyeing techniques used in the indigenous handicrafts of Laos. Lunch is a home-cooked meal in a local house. Luang Prabang DAY 12 - LUANG PRABANG (B,L) Learn about Luang Prabang s history, architecture and culture as you explore what is one of the most beautiful cities in South East Asia. Visit two of its most emblematic temples, the splendid Royal Palace Museum and TAEC, which is home to a significant collection of traditional clothing, domestic textiles, jewellery, household items, handicraft tools, baskets, religious and ritual objects representing over 30 distinct ethnic groups. In the afternoon take a boat trip to a local house to attend a Baci ceremony, one of the most popular traditions in Laos that accompanies important life events such as weddings, funerals and births. After the ceremony enjoy a presentation of famous Lao dances and traditional music where the performers will wear different kinds of traditional dress. DAY 13 - LUANG PRABANG (B,D) This morning starts early with a visit to Vat Nong temple to see the Tak Bath ceremony where the devoted residents of Luang Prabang kneel on the sidewalk bearing food in their hands, which they offer to the monks as they walk by in procession in their orange robes. After this serene and humbling experience, you ll visit a local market, which is in contrast a very animated place to be in the morning. Today s breakfast is soup in a local restaurant on the banks of the Mekong river. The Ock Pop Tok Textile Centre is one of the significant textile and artisan institutions of Laos where you ll discover the beauty and secrets of Lao textiles. In the afternoon Janice Gunner will host a private workshop in a nearby hotel. Tonight, you ll enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the city s best restaurants. DAY 14 - LUANG PRABANG / LONDON (B,D) After a morning at leisure you ll check out of the hotel for the flight from Luang Prabang to the UK via Bangkok. DAY 15 - LONDON Arrival into London Heathrow airport. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Please note: A good degree of mobility is required for this holiday as it involves a fair amount of walking, including some walking uphill to shrines etc.

4 INCLUDED IN THE PRICE ACCOMMODATION Return flights from London to Bangkok & from Luang Prabang to London (via Bangkok) Domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai 12 nights hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis Welcome and farewell dinners Dinner on arrival in Luang Prabang and 8 lunches during the tour Private coach transfers and guided sightseeing Entrance to museums and temples as detailed in the itinerary Cruise along the Mekong River Full programme of local textile visits with talks & hands-on workshops Visit to the studio of local quilt expert Siripan Kidd - Chiang Mai Half-day workshop with Janice Gunner The services of an experienced Arena Tour Manager PRICES (INC FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS) Twin room: 4345 per person Single supplement: 565 Deposit: 400 Hmong Tribe Luang Prabang Wat Phra That Rembrandt Hotel, Bangkok This modern, stylish 4-star hotel is centrally locted in the Sukhumvit Soit 18 district offering easy access to Bangkok s major shopping areas, parks and city landmarks. The hotel has a fully equipped fitness centre, pool bar and international standard restaurants. Bodhi Serene - Chiang Mai Lying within the old city walls of charming downtown Chiang Mai, this unique boutique hotel exemplifies a fusion of Lanna tradition and culture with modern conveniences. The hotel has an outdoor pool, poolside bar and restaurant serving both eastern and western cuisine. Huern Na Na Boutique Hotel - Phrae With just 28 guestrooms this air-conditioned boutique hotel has a restaurant, outdoor pool, 24-hour front desk and free wif-fi in both the rooms and public areas. Nan Boutique Hotel & Resort - Nan Standing within its own tranquil gardens this 3-star hotel offers simply furnished, airconditioned rooms rooms with terrace or balcony. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, restaurant, swimming pool, spa and wellness centre. Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge - Pakbeng Sitting on the banks of the Mekong, the remote Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge is an oasis of tranquility. The bar and restaurant are positioned to make the most of the landscape and the comings and going of the boats on the river. As evening falls you may see the elephants from the camp across the river, or the herd of water buffalo that come to drink and bathe in the cool waters of the Mekong. Rooms are decorated with bamboo, Hmong wall hangings and parquet floors of rosewood. Le Sen Boutique - Luang Prabang This 3-star boutique hotel with simple, yet stylishly furnished, modern rooms is built in the traiditonal Laotian style. It has 24-hour reception, a fitness centre, swimming pool and shuttle service to Night Market Street in downtown Luang Prabang. The restaurant serves traditional Laotian dishes as well as international cuisine. Rembrandt Hotel Bodhi Serene Huern Na Na Boutique Hotel Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

5 WHY BOOK A STITCHTOPIA HOLIDAY? Hand-picked expert will accompany you throughout the tour Experienced Tour Manager Good quality accommodation, usually in 4 star hotels Workshops included on most tours; with our own expert and with local experts where applicable Exclusive behind closed doors visits where possible Small, intimate group sizes Single guests welcomed and looked after Textiles in Hmong THE STITCH TOGETHER PROGRAMME For single travellers who are interested in our trips, but don t have a friend able to come with them why not join our Stitch Together programme to help with the costs of a single occupancy room? We have designed a way for you to find someone to share a room with on any of our Stitchtopia Holidays. Please call us for more information. NON-CRAFTERS Why not bring a non-crafting partner with you? If a non-crafting family member or friend wishes to accompany you on any of our holidays, and is sharing a room with you, then a reduction will apply to the price the non-crafter pays. Please call us for more information. MEET US THERE Stitchtopia Holidays are designed with all crafters in mind, wherever you live in the world! If you would like to make your own flight arrangements and meet us at our first hotel, please let us know we would love to tell you more about our meet us there holiday discounts. To book or for more information, please call us on Arena Travel, Explorer House, 2 Betts Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 3RH Please see our website for our terms and conditions