Signature Collection Operations offices: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Bangkok, Yangon.

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1 Signature Collection Operations offices: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Bangkok, Yangon. Thailand Myanmar Vietnam Cambodia Laos Bali

2 Follow our trail. Create your journey.

3 Dear Travel Partners, After twenty years in the travel industry and more than ten years developing Trails of Indochina into one of the leading specialty tour operators in the region, I would like to share with you my personal travel philosophy. I believe travelers are curious individuals, open to new experiences and to connect with people from other cultures. I know, because travel is my life. When our team designs your travel itinerary, we do so with excitement in our hearts, confident that we can deliver an innovative program which offers a highly personalized experience. One of my personal passions is to search for new opportunities to better present my country and its heritage. Most recently, I was involved in the rescue and renovation of five eighteenth-century garden houses in my hometown of Hue. In developing the Ancient Hue Cultural Complex, I am able to share with visitors the original architecture of the traditional wooden-house and a taste of fine Royal cuisine. As you read these travel narratives, I d like you to remember we share this journey together. Some time back, fate took my sight but through knowing in my heart what your eyes will see and what your soul will experience, I see again. John Tue Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Trails of Indochina Introduction 3

4 Signature Collection, Cambodia Apsara Dancer. Robam Tep Apsara (Dance of the Apsara Divinities) is the title of a Khmer classical dance created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in the mid-20th century under the patronage of Queen Sisowath Kossomak. The apsara is played by a woman, sewn into tight-fitting traditional dress,whose graceful, sinuous gestures are codified to narrate classical myths or religious stories. 69 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 70

5 Our journey will stay in our family s hearts forever. Signature Collection, Cambodia 71 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection 72 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 73

6 Cambodia The capital, Phnom Penh, is a mélange of Cambodian and French colonial influences oriented on the Mekong, and you ll be able to take in all the bustle of daily life from a rooftop restaurant or sidewalk café, or the seat of an open-air tuk- THAILAND tuk. You can also bear witness to history, learning about the black days of the Khmer Rouge and the country s resilience in their wake. Bangkok Gulf of Thailand Angkor Wat Battambang Siem Reap CAMBODIA Phnom Penh Sihanoukville Song Saa Ho Chi Minh City Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia and is practiced by more than 95 percent of the population. With an estimated 4,392 temples throughout the country, there is a close association between Buddhism, cultural traditions and daily life. With lovely beaches less touristed than its neighbors, Cambodia has five-star resorts in low-key seaside village retreats and newly developed stunning offshore isles. The areas around Kep and Sihanoukville will welcome you with clear waters, tropical fish and fascinating remnants. The delightful Siem Reap boasts proximity to the majestic Tonle Sap lake, a colorful night market, full nightlife and pampering hotels, some of which date back to the golden age of luxury adventurers who made pilgrimages to the re-discovered temples of Angkor a century ago. It s here where you ll feel like a kid again, clambering around the awe-inspiring, intricately carved capital of the Khmer empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Ascend to temples in the clouds via the wee, steep stairwells in the heart of Angkor Wat, or the back of a friendly elephant on his way up Phnom Bakheng. Not much in these 1,000 Buddhist and Hindu tributes is out of bounds, so explore away. It may feel like an ancient religious playground, but one of the wonders of Angkor is the reverence of the saffron-robed monks who still worship here as they have for a millennium. 58 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 59

7 Cambodia A Bespoke Journey Many foreigners fall in love with free-spirited Cambodia. In Cambodia s capital, Phnom Penh, ochre buildings, As we drive through the countryside, take in a 12th Our destination is the beach: first, the white-sand The capstone to any Cambodian adventure is Siem trendy cafés and frangipani-lined boulevards create an century temple, the Damrei Mountains, the occasional islands offshore from Kep, and then the lovely, Reap, gateway to the mystical temples of Angkor. atmosphere unlike anywhere in Southeast Asia. cow wandering onto the road and the smell and taste relaxed resort town of Sihanoukville, which boasts The elaborate complex of Angkor Wat, the jade-hued Join a French anthropologist long-based here on a of Kampot pepper, among the world s best. colorful coral, a cascading nearby waterfall and multi-faced Bayon, and the overgrown Ta Prohm will tour offering sharp insights into important sites. scrumptious fresh seafood. amaze as will the fitting special meals we ve arranged. Enjoy a private picnic on temple grounds, a Khmer BBQ featuring Apsara dance, and a home-cooked dinner at the residence of a brilliant local historian and archaeologist, also your guide to the temples. It s Cambodian hospitality at its best. 60 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 61

8 Signature Stay Phnom Penh Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, it has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the heartbeat of economic, industrial, political, economic, and cultural activities. In friendly and busy Phnom Penh, angular Khmer architecture blends seamlessly with French-colonial. Your first stops are the still-inhabited opulent Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda, made of 5,329 silver tiles. There will be free time aplenty to shop for Cambodia s famous hand-woven silks, explore the colorful markets and witness the talented local artisans at work. In commune with the city s soul, you might admire the sunset from a charming restaurant overlooking the romantic Mekong River, or choose to reflect on the capital s infamous history with a visit to Tuol Sleng Museum. Walking you through the city and the country s layered back-story will be a French anthropologist and historian who has long called Phnom Penh home. Our knowledgeable guide offers sharp insights into the most important sites as well as how the spirited Khmer people emerged from their relatively recent dark past. 62 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 63

9 Song Saa Private Island In the sapphire waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia s islands nestle like dazzling natural jewels, as brilliant as their more famous Thai neighbors but as yet untouched. Song Saa Private Island lies secluded in this magnificent seascape, just 30 minutes by boat off Sihanoukville. Most of the islands remain undeveloped: deserted oases of virgin rainforests, tropical reefs and glistening white beaches. As a guest, you ll be among the first to experience this beautiful, natural world, where you ll share the balcony with only the rare hornbills that land there. The balcony, that is, of your private overwater, beach or rainforest villa, with its own pool and magnificent sea views. With a simple Always Included policy, everything you consume, drink and do during your stay is already incorporated in the room rate meaning all you have to worry about is losing yourself in this intimate, intrusion-free, unspoiled paradise. 64 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 65

10 Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh La Résidence D Angkor, Siem Reap From 1929, visitors rested from their travels along the Mekong River at Raffles Hotel Le Royal a custom revived in 1997 with the re-opening of the chic Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Restaurant Le Royal offers a tantalizing menu of Royal Khmer and fine French cuisine, while Café Monivong has succulent buffet and a la carte selections. For relaxation, the Raffles Spa is unmatched in the city. The only authentic luxury heritage hotel in Phnom Penh, Raffles captures the ambience of French Colonial Art Deco architecture, with stylish and comfortable accommodations overlooking two swimming pools and tropical gardens. You ll find a haven in the bustling capital city, once known as the Pearl of Asia, now undergoing a renaissance in the new millennium. On the banks of Siem Reap s tree-lined river, La Résidence d Angkor is an enchantingly secluded resort in the heart of town. Built of natural woods in the traditional Khmer style, with a saltwater outdoor pool nestled in a tropical garden, this intimate hotel perfectly complements your surroundings: the bountiful Tonle Sap lake and the nearby temples of Angkor. The dining rooms serve up superb royal Khmer and international cuisine. With 54 light and airy rooms each reflecting a genuine sense of place, eight suites offer a more contemporary design. The award-winning Kong Kea spa on-site and splendid facilities including an indoor pool and fully equipped fitness center ensures La Résidence d Angkor embodies everything you ve come to expect from an Orient-Express Collection hotel. 66 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 67

11 Amansara, Siem Reap Follow in the footsteps of former French President Charles de Gaulle and American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and stay at this royal retreat. Once known as Villa Princière, the Amansara was built in 1962 as a guesthouse for King Sihanouk, and retains its quintessentially 60s character, with cool, low-slung chalets spaced around an irregular-shaped swimming pool and a shady lawn. aman (peace) and apsara (the heavenly nymphs of ancient Hindu mythology). Help yourself to home-baked cakes in the lounge, or the range of alcoholic beverages, herbal drinks and snacks in your room s complimentary mini-bar. Recline on the roof terrace or peruse the dining room s walk-in wine and cheese cellar. The 24-suite resort has the ambience and amenities of a stunning private home, in a simply stellar location. Situated on the edge of Siem Reap just 10 minutes from the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site, Amansara derives its name from the twinning of two Sanskrit words 68 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 85

12 Signature Stay Siem Reap Raffles Grand Hotel d Angkor, Siem Reap Voyage to Cambodia for one of the wonders of the world: the mystical temples of Angkor. Devoted to Buddhist and Hindu deities and built between the 9th and 15th centuries, their power endures, almost tangibly, today. Marvel at the omniscient Bayon, with its jade-colored faces looking out in all directions. Clamber around the gorgeous trees spouting seemingly on purpose from the crumbling Ta Prohm. Be awed by the towering vastness of Angkor Wat, with its courtyards in the sky and its functioning shrines. Discover the biodiversity of Tonle Sap Lake and the fascinating residents who call its floating villages home. As you set sail in Trails of Indochina s boutique wooden vessel, Sarus, named after the breed of cranes which flock to the lake, enjoy a glass of wine while you listen to your guide and watch the lake s beauty unfold. Over the course of a three-day stay, based at any of the hotels carefully selected by Trails of Indochina, you ll feel the past come alive through a brilliant local historian and archaeologist who narrates your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. A byword for luxury in Siem Reap, Raffles Grand Hotel d Angkor is renowned for the warm welcome offered to all its guests, who enjoy the colonial themes that pervade this stylish hotel. At Le Restaurant Le Grand and Café d Angkor, you ll enjoy Khmer and international cuisine paired with an award-winning wine list. Afternoon tea at the Conservatory is a special treat, not to be missed. The largest swimming pool in Cambodia and Raffles Spa Amrita are perfect places for rest and pampering after exploring the temples of Angkor. Originally opened in 1932 for the first generation of taste-making adventurers flocking to the newly re-discovered Angkor Wat, the hotel is now meticulously renovated, recapturing the grace of the by-gone era of the golden age of travel. 70 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Cambodia 71

13 Choosing Trails of Indochina Trails of Indochina was established in 1999, the We have grown considerably since our inception, Our range of Signature Experiences, something Our determined voyage has seen Trails of Indochina realized vision of Mr. John Tue Nguyen, current CEO, stretching our legs outside of Vietnam and currently that differentiates us from our competitors, keeps develop into a globally competitive, multi-award Founder and sole owner. Without a specialty operator employ more than 160 staff across six destinations in us absolutely at the forefront of the industry. This, winning organization that has never shifted from its based in Vietnam focused on bringing to life the South East Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, coupled with our unrelenting focus on consistency and vision: to deliver absolutely unique and completely standards expected of our global audience particularly Myanmar and Bali. Our positive growth has come reliability in delivery, is a potent combination. tailored signature experiences in Southeast Asia to the in the area of luxury travel that was not being catered through increased demand from a list of loyal industry highest possible global service standards. to at the time, John sensed a unique opportunity for partners and their clientele to further explore this still his native country. somewhat undiscovered region. Follow our trail. Create your journey. 106 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection

14 Headquarters 10/8 Phan Dinh Giot Street Tan Binh District Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel (84 8) Fax (84 8) North America Sales Office 4100 Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660, USA Tel (1) Fax (1) United Kingdom Sales Office 67 Old High Street Oxford OX3 9HT, UK Tel: (44) Mexico Sales Office Av. Tintoreto Col. Ciudad de los Deportes México DF 03710, México Tel (52) Australia Sales Office PO Box 4045 Maroubra South NSW 2035, Australia Tel (61 2) Fax (61 2)