Saffron Travel is a boutique travel agency providing a full range of tourism services to in-bound visitors and travellers to South East Asia.

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1 NEWSLETTER May 26 NEWS Saffron Travel News NEW TOURS Travel Philanthropy 03 DESTINATIONS Your Travel Wish Lists 04 FEATURES Hotel & Restaurant Of The Month 05 FOOD CORNER Lemongrass Lychee Martini Saffron Travel is a boutique travel agency providing a full range of tourism services to in-bound visitors and travellers to South East Asia.

2 NEWS New International Direct Flights To Vietnam See latest travel news on our website: There will be 5 direct flights a week from Istanbul, Turkey to Vietnam starting from June 27 26; 3 flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and 2 between Istanbul and Hanoi. The number of flights will increase to 7 flights per week starting from October Bangkok Airways also announced its own plan to open a new route from Bangkok to Danang starting on May The Return Of Train Travel In Cambodia, After A 14 - Year Wait The 266km line linking Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville started operating again in April. The train can carry 400 people in five carriages ranging from fan equipped standard carriages to air-conditioned VIP carriages. There will be 2 trains per day, one in each direction. A private charter service is also available. The journey takes about 8 hours both ways.

3 NEW TOURS New tours recommended by Saffron Travel Travel Philanthropy Across South East Asia These days many travellers look for ways to give back to the country or the communities that welcome them during their holidays and Saffron Travel is happy to assist in organizing meaningful philanthropy across South East Asia. Here are some ideas about how visitors can give back. Volunteer Expeditions In Myanmar Volunteer to help the poorer communities in the rural areas surrounding Inle Lake such as the remote villages of Inn Tine, Pan Pat and Myae Nae Lay. Guests will join a local organization and provide support with various tasks such as house building, renovating local schools or even constructing bridges and roads connecting the villages. These activities not only are of great help to the villagers themselves, they also provide an excellent way for visitors to get to know more about the real lives of the rural communities living in Myanmar today. Mountain Exploration With A Humanitarian Heart In mountainous northern Vietnam children often have to walk nearly 30km to the nearest school to attend a class. It s no wonder the literacy rate remains low. In this program, guests can not only enjoy exploring mountain towns and villages, but also get involved in meaningful volunteering activities at local schools by giving lessons to the student and even local households by joining hands in building or fixing the houses for better living conditions. It s a great way to meet and interact with several hill tribes, experience their diverse cultures and understand more deeply the challenges they encounter every day.

4 DESTINATIONS Saffron Travel arranges philanthropy tours across South East Asia Loikaw And Kayah State, Myanmar Sleepy And Less Visited State Located 17 hours drive from Yangon and 16 hrs from Mandalay, Loikaw and Kayah State is a sleepy area and one of the least visited states in the country. It is home to the beautiful Kayah Hill and a large number of distinctive tribal cultures such as the Kayan whose long necked womenfolk have a tradition of sporting coils around their necks. Visit Kyet Cave located 15km east of Loikaw by car and after spending time exploring this impressive cave, guest will have the chance to meet and interact with a local monk whose hut is right inside the cave. He is a fun character, keen on showing visitors around and happily offers high tea at this unique place. Luang Nam Tha, Laos There s Much More To Explore Nestled in the mountainous northern Laos, Luang Nam Tha is a wonderful destination to experience rich ethnic diversity and natural wonders at the same time. It s also a great place for trekking and kayaking. Tourist infrastructure has been improved yet the town retains its own charm. An interesting stop guests should make while travelling here is Akha village located near the main town. This is a good chance for exploring the culture and the way of life of the people living here. Having some personal interactions with the villagers provides guest a true insight about life here. Most of the women in the village have to walk up to 30km to a local market to sell their weaving products.

5 FEATURES Hotel and Restaurant of the month recommended by Saffron Travel. Hotel Of The Month: Shinta Mani Club Siem Reap Situated in the leafy French Quarter between The Royal Gardens and the Old Market area and just 15 minutes from Angkor Wat, Shinta Mani Club boasts 39 contemporary rooms drawing on Angkorian-inspired designs. Each room is a reflection of the images of Angkor whilst maintaining an overall contemporary, chic atmosphere. In addition, the hotel features 2 bars (1 indoor, 1 open air), 1 meeting room, Kroya Restaurant and Shinta Mani Spa. Book a room here and you contribute to the welfare of the poorest people with the goal of creating a lasting and positive impact for Cambodia as the hotel donates USD 5 of the nightly room rate to its Foundation Open Doors, Open Hearts. Restaurant Of The Month: Hummingbird Yangon After weaving through the maze of Yangon, savour one of the city s most interesting dining experiences at Hummingbird, an elegantly refashioned colonial building reputed to have the best cocktails in town. Yangon s fast changing dining scene is incorporating local and global influences and Hummingbird is a good example. The restaurant serves an unusual combination of Latin and Burmese cuisine. Guests can chill out on the roof terrace enjoying some seared salmon with mango, chilli and salsa while gazing out on street views through arched windows.

6 FOOD CORNER Lemongrass Lychee Martini South East Asia is home to some of the most delicious and colourful cocktails so this month we want to highlight a beverage, instead of a dish, in our regular Food Corner. The classic Lemongrass Lychee Martini. The classic Lemongrass Lychee Martini. Ingredients: Lemon Grass Simple Syrup: - 1 cup sugar - 1 cup water - 4 stalks lemongrass, cut into thirds For each Lemon Grass Lychee Martini: - 2 ounces vodka - 1 ounce Lemon Grass Simple Syrup - 1 ounce lychee juice (from canned lychees) - 1 lemon wedge - 1 lemon twist Preparation: - For Simple Syrup, mix sugar, water and lemon grass pieces in a small saucepan. - Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until the sugar is completely dissolved. - Refrigerate for 2 hours. Strain. - Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. (This makes enough simple syrup for 8 martinis.) - For each Martini, fill the cocktail shaker half full with cracked ice. - Add vodka, simple syrup and lychee juice; shake until well mixed and chilled and strain into a martini glass. - Add juice from a lemon wedge, rub the lemon twist around rim and then drop it in the glass.