Highlights of Vietnam & Thailand

Contemporary 21-story hotel located in the city centre of Hanoi, in the heart of the business & diplomatic district, near government offices & tourist attractions.

Melia Hanoi Hotel has 306 well-furbished rooms. From its 22 stories, guest can enjoy the view of the city which boasts many parks, rivers and lakes.

All rooms and suites are furnished with full-length windows, air-conditioning, large working desk with executive chairs, IDD telephone and fax line, spare connection line, Wireless Broadband Internet outlets and power points for your computer, voice mail and message light, alarm clock, remote controlled colour satellite television, in room safe, bathroom with bathtub and shower, bathrobe and slippers, hair-dryer, well stocked mini bar and refrigerator and complimentary tea/coffee making facilities, local English newspaper.

Meet with your driver at your hotel lobby for a safety briefing before your adventure of the real Hanoi on a private vintage Soviet Era GAZ69 jeep. Drive through parts-unknown of the city in the maze of tiny alleyways located among local houses, schools, and markets. Along the way, experience the local's bustling daily activities & authentic lifestyle. Later on, drive passing by the iconic highlights of the city including Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the first University of Vietnam -- Temple of Literature; the quaint old quarters, the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, and the historic cantilever Long Bien bridge. En route, you will stop at different authentic eateries and food stalls to sample typical specialties like the way locals do. Transfer back to your hotel and keep your fun memories alive.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

On arrival, you will transfer to a cruise for your journey on Halong Bay. Sailing through emerald waters and past rocky islets and lush islands, a delicious lunch will be served on board.

Halong Bay is blessed with numerous grottoes, hidden pools and mystical islands and this afternoon, there will be the opportunity to disembark the boat and explore the region further. Off-boat excursions are usually by ship's tender. Visits to nearby caves or sandy beaches may also be on the agenda and of course there is always the option to remain on board and take in the glorious vista from the spacious sundeck.

As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Enjoy the view from the sundeck before sitting down to a leisurely dinner which will be served inside the dining room depending on the vessel.

Early risers may have the opportunity to witness sunrise over the bay. Then enjoy a breakfast, before disembarking the boat once more for further discovery. On the return journey to port, there is the opportunity to savor the glorious scenery of Halong Bay one final time.

Pilgrimage Village is a beautiful boutique resort located in Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. The charm of this unique Vietnamese property is its tranquility and design, a sense of the past in an updated rustic village setting. The resort offers a harmonious balance of natural environment and local culture, modern art concept and traditional style. Pilgrimage Village is located in the tranquil countryside, which is 20 minutes by car from Hue airport and 10 minutes from Hue city centre.

This excursion begins with an interesting boat ride along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Consisting of seven stories, the pagoda is the tallest religious building in Vietnam and within its grounds is the Austin car in which Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk who demonstrated against the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War, was driven to Saigon prior to his widely reported self-immolation in 1963.

Continue to the Imperial Citadel. Built between 1804 and 1833, this heavily fortified structure is still very much the heart of modern-day Hue and despite a chequered history, the fortress remains superbly intact. There will be time for exploration before moving on to Long An Palace. Situated outside the citadel walls and only reopened to the public in 2012 after four years of extensive renovation, this baroque-influenced palace is now home to the Royal Fine Arts Museum. Inside this highly rated museum are several thousand antiquities including porcelain, silverware and paintings, many of which belonged to the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Depart Hue and travel overland through the most beautifully scenery in Vietnam as you traverse the Hai Van or 'Cloudy Pass' to reach Lang Co Fishing village where you will enjoy a tour.

The four star Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa is situated 30 km (18 miles) from Danang International Airport and only 5 km (3 miles) from the ancient town of Hoi An, along a unique private beach of white sand. The resort replicates a traditional fishing village with small streets, water ponds and village houses with clay-tiled roofs, providing a warm and restful environment.

Located 30KM south of Danang, the sublime riverside town of Hoi An is a feast for the eyes. Devoid of most forms of motorised transport, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of this ancient port is ideal for exploring on foot. Discover beautifully preserved old merchant houses, atmospheric temples and lively markets as you stroll through the back streets of this enchanting destination. You will visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the busy waterfront, where colourful fishing boats bob up and down on the Thu Bon River. There will also be time to peruse the numerous boutiques and galleries that line the narrow streets and perhaps make a purchase or two. During the walk, a quick visit at the market to find out well-known local cakes in Hoi An market such as Banh It la Gai or Banh Dau Xanh.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Located at the heart of historic Chiang Mai is Tamarind Village which is a unique boutique property that serves as the perfect base for exploring the city's ancient temples and shopping districts. The name Tamarind comes from the 200-year-old tree that gives shade to the hotel, creating a cool and relaxing ambience.

Bond and care for Asian elephants in a perfect paradise located on a secluded hill in the jungle of Chiang Mai. Learn from mahouts how to communicate, bathe and feed them. Then, spend some quality time interacting with these lumbering gentle giants.

This morning you'll be met at your hotel and transferred to the Elephant Discovery Camp which is located on a hill in Mae Wang district. Have a fun experience on a short bamboo raft cruising up to the camp.

Upon arrival at the camp, meet an elephant mahout, be introduced to the elephants, and learn about their story and daily lives. Interact and play with the elephants under the mahouts' supervision and watch them play in the mud pond. Learn to communicate with them and how to prepare nutritional food using various natural ingredients. Also, have fun bathing and soaking the elephants in a big pond. Lunch will be served at the camp.

Today, head out to take a closer look at Chiang Mai's rich traditions with an early morning tour with monks. Set off at first light and drive to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Located on a mountain top, this temple is one of Chiang Mai's most sacred sites. Arrive in time to see the monks emerge from their monasteries for the daily alms collection. Witness the saffron-robed monks shuffle silently down the streets, collecting offerings from local Buddhist residents. This serene ceremony is the perfect introduction to Chiang Mai's spiritual side. Climb up the massive staircase to the top of Doi Suthep, admiring the Golden Naga images that line the stairs. Take a stroll around the golden stupa that sits at the centre of the pagoda and admire the sweeping views of the city.

Continue along the spiritual trail with a visit to tranquil Wat Umong. Dating back to the 14th century, this sacred temple contains a network of mysterious tunnels and caves. In one of these quiet corners, receive a special blessing from a local monk.

Following this introduction to the spirituality of northern Thailand, head to a popular local restaurant for a snack. Order a bowl of khao soi, Chiang Mai's most famous dish which combines crispy noodles and coconut curry sauce. Slurp up the delicious noodles while reflecting on the magical morning then return to the hotel.

The Pullman Bangkok Hotel G combines the international sophistication of Accor's Pullman brand with the edgy style of Hotel G. This stylish lifestyle hotel in the heart of Bangkok features 469 contemporary rooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Bangkok's skyline. There is also a wide range of cutting-edge food and beverage options, 12 meeting spaces, a fitness centre, open air swimming pool and a spa.

Today, look beyond the crowded streets of the capital and discover a more local side of Bangkok. Take advantage of the city's network of public transportation, seeing the main sites but also getting a closer look at the traditions and lifestyles of the Thai people.

The first leg of today's adventure is on the Skytrain (BTS) and/or Underground (MRT) system, depending on your hotel location. The Skytrain is an elevated train line, which is busy in the morning with business people and school kids who avoid the traffic of the streets for a faster, air-conditioned commute. On arrival at BTS National Stadium Station, take a short walk to Jim Thompson House. Enjoy an insightful tour of the compound's tranquil gardens and traditional buildings, which showcases the history of the famous and mysterious American silk merchant.

Then board a 'bus boat' through the city's canals. Rarely used by tourists, this ride provides an up-close look at the ways of life of the local people who live alongside the canals. Sailing to the terminal station, you can basically see the transformation from rich to poor as you cruise along to another neighborhood. On arrival at the terminal station, hop aboard a tuk-tuk (Thailand's famous three-wheeled vehicles) used by locals throughout the country. Zip through quieter city streets to Soi Ban Batra. Visit a family-run workshop that produces monks' alms bowls. Witness the artisans at work and learn about the daily lives of the Buddhist monks who wake early to collect alms offerings from the city's residents.

Next board your second tuk-tuk of the day to visit Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Spend some time exploring these two remarkable sites at a time of day which should be less crowded than the morning. Learn about the country's regal history and the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of its people. After this use Bangkok's extensive public transport network to work your way back to the hotel with the help of our local friendly guide.

Learn the secrets of Thai cuisine with a cooking class at Blue Elephant, Bangkok's most reputable cooking school. Join one of their chefs for a culinary adventure, selecting exotic locally-grown ingredients, learning traditional kitchen techniques and using authentic recipes to prepare a delicious and memorable meal.

You'll start by heading off to Blue Elephant to meet with one of the chefs to head out to one of the capital's many morning markets for an introduction to Thai food culture. Browse the stalls learning about the various ingredients on sale, watching the scenes of local life and selecting fresh items to be used in the cooking class.

Afterwards, return to Blue Elephant for an insightful culinary class. The chef will distribute a recipe book then demonstrate the preparation methods, giving detailed commentary about the process before it's time for the hands-on experience. At your individual cooking station, use the recipes and the techniques demonstrated by the chef to prepare a selection of dishes. The chef and other local assistants will be available to help or offer advice.

After the meal is prepared, sit down and enjoy the delicate flavours of authentic, home-cooked Thai cuisine. Say farewell to the Blue Elephant team, departing with a full belly and a better understanding of traditional Thai cuisine.

Following your class, you'll be returned to your hotel.

Wora Bura Hua Hin Resort and Spa creates the ambiance of cultured elegance and dreamy nostalgia as it welcomes guests. It combines the truly unique concept of both luxurious colonial styles and tropical seaside resort, designed to represent a beautiful city reflecting the atmosphere of 19th century Thailand when his Majesty King Rama V made his formal visit to Europe.

Spend the day exploring the south's wild landscapes on this tour of Sam Roi Yot National Park. Meaning 'Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks', Sam Roi Yot was Thailand's first coastal national park and covers an expansive stretch of wetlands, limestone mountains and beaches. Today's visit covers a mix of sights, giving a taste of the wonderful diversity of this part of the country.

Set off from Hua Hin on a scenic drive to the south. After passing through the park's entrance, you'll visit a pineapple plantation and learn how these tasty fruits are grown and harvested. Continue onwards to Bang-Pu, a thriving fishing village for a glimpse into the lives of the fishermen. Then board a motorboat and cruise away from the shoreline to enjoy fabulous views of the ocean and coast.

After 20 minutes, the boat will dock at a beautiful stretch of beach. Walk to the nearby entrance of Phraya Nakhon Cave where a longer, 430-meter walk awaits. Although called a 'cave' Phraya Nakhon is actually a sunlit cavern formed by two sinkholes. Travel deeper into the earth, enjoying the surreal landscapes before reaching the center of the cavern. Be amazed at the site of a royal pavilion, surrounded by dripping stalactites and illuminated by the sun filtering through.

Return to the beach where a delicious lunch awaits. The afternoon is free to relax on the pristine sands and swim in the warm sea before returning to Hua Hin and being transferred back to your hotel.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.