Oriental Express - AST20
Duration: 16 Days
Start/Finish: Chiang Mai to Singapore
Countries Visited: Thailand - Malaysia - Singapore
*LAST MINUTE DEAL: The following departure is currently 20% OFF
10 Sep 2011
Introduction
Join us as we travel from Chiang Mai to Singapore, on a tour that includes seven memorable train journeys through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as idyllic islands and vibrant cities. We discover the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and historic Kanchanaburi. We stay at a floating raft lodge with the opportunity to go bamboo rafting, take an elephant ride or explore a Mon minority village. In complete contrast, we spend time in the bustling city of Bangkok and visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. We relax on Koh Hai Island with its mountains, forests and beautiful sandy beaches, and take a boat trip to Emerald Cave. Next stop Penang, with its Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, and then Kuala Lumpur with its colonial buildings interspersed with modern skyscrapers. In Malacca we see the imprints of the British, Dutch and Portuguese, before our journey finally ends in Singapore at the southern end of the Malay Peninsular.
Itinerary
Day 1 Join Chiang Mai Day 2 Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep Temple, Old City Wall Day 3 Train to Uttaradith. Transfer to Sukhothai UNESCO Site – Historical Park, Wat Sri Chum Day 4 Drive Phitsanulok, Train Ayutthaya. UNESCO Site - AyutthayaDay 5 Drive Kanchanaburi – Train across the Bridge over River Kwai to Hell Fire Pass, Long-tail Boat to Floating Raft Lodge Day 6 Floating Raft – Mon Minority Village. Optional Elephant Ride, Bamboo Rafting Day 7 Transfer to Bangkok Day 8Bangkok – Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya River Boat Trip. Overnight Train to Trang Day 9 Ferry to Hai Island – Boat Trip to Emerald Cave, Snorkeling Day 10 Hai Island – Free Day. Optional Visit Rok Islands Day 11 Ferry to Pakmeng, Drive into Malaysia to Penang Day 12 Penang – Snake Temple, Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas Temple, Teluk Bahang, Penang Hill. Overnight Train to Kuala Lumpur Day 13 Kuala Lumpur – Chinatown, Merdeka Square, Masjid Jamek Mosque, Central Market, Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple Day 14 Train to Tampin, Transfer to Malacca – Guided Tour including Fort Day 15 Train to Singapore Day 16 Singapore – Tour Ends After Breakfast
Top 5 Highlights
There are many amazing places that you will visit on your Oriental Express tour. Here’s what we feel are the Top 5 places guaranteed to blow you away!
1. Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep: Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand. In recent years Chiang Mai has grown, although with a population of 200,000 it is still a comfortable size and you will find that people here are relaxed and easy going. We take a road trip up the mountains to the Doi Suthep temple, a pilgrimage sight in Northern Thailand. From here you will see spectacular views down the mountain to Chiang Mai.
2. Ayutthaya: Capital of Siam until the 18th Century, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stunning complex of palaces, shrines, stupas and monasteries. We will spend the afternoon visiting the main sights including Wat Chaiwatanaram, Si Sanaphet and Mongkol Bophit.
3. Bangkok City Tour: A city tour includes a visit to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and a boat trip. The Chao Phraya river, has been the lifeline of Thailand’s ancient kingdoms and agricultural sustainability. There are traditional houses still perched at the edge of the river and its canals. We visit one of Thailand’s greatest visual wonders, the Wat Phra Kaeo, or the Grand Palace.
4. Hai Island: We board a ferry to Hai Island and take a boat excursion to visit Emerald Cave. By swimming through the tunnel (80 metres) to the other end, it opens onto a beach surrounded by high cliffs. The boat trip also includes snorkeling at Chuak Island or Maa Island.
5. Penang: In Penang morning we take an excursion which includes the Snake Temple, Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas Temple, Teluk Bahang and to the top of Penang Hill by funicular. There is free time to explore the city’s contrasts – visit the Jami Masjid Mosque or the Hindu Temple, shop in Chinatown with its apothecaries, jewellers, snake charmers and fortune tellers, or perhaps see a game of cricket on the Padang – a very British scene with a sublime backdrop of Moorish styled buildings!
What’s Included
• 13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners • All Activities and Entrance Fees as per Itinerary • Escorted Tour - English Speaking Local Tour Leader and/or Local Guides • UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Sukhothai, Ayutthaya • River Kwai & the Death Railway • Idyllic Islands of Ko Hai & Penang • 7 Train Journeys through Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore
Accommodation & Transport
• Hotel (11 Nights), Sleeper Train (2 Nights), Floating Raft Lodge (2 Nights)
• Private Vehicle, Train, Ferry, Long-tail Boat, Bicycle, Funicular and on foot
Call the office to reserve your spot on this tour now!
Princess Cruises has announced that smoking will no longer be allowed in passenger staterooms or on balconies, effective on all sailings departing after Jan. 15, 2012.
The new policy reflects changing customer preferences and the move around the globe – from North America to Europe – to further restrict areas where smoking is allowed, according to the line. “Our consumer studies now show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers, and that the large majority of passengers value having their primary living space onboard smoke-free,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice-president.
Swartz added that balconies are included in the new policy because they are a hallmark feature of Princess ships and the line believes it’s important to keep that peaceful space clear of smoke. She added that Princess still welcomes passengers who smoke, and will continue to provide special venues around the ship to accommodate them.
Smoking will continue to be allowed in the Churchill’s cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino, and a portion of the open decks. Booked passengers are being notified of the new policy, which is also being communicated widely throughout the line’s informational materials.
This just in from the folks at Air Canada:
AT AIR CANADA, WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO TAKING CARE OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
Dear customer,
We are very disappointed that an agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) leadership has not been reached, leading call centre and airport customer service agents in Canada to take strike action.
How will this affect your travel plans?
Rest assured that we will continue to operate our regular schedule, and have implemented a contingency service plan to minimize impact to our customers. Existing bookings will be honoured and future bookings welcomed.
Use our self-service tools
We apologize for the inconvenience. We look forward to welcoming you on board while we work things out on the ground.
For up-to-date information visit aircanada.com.
Air Canada
If you have been to the airport in the last ten years you know what I’m talking about when I say that going through security is a tedious exercise. On top of which, most experts say is ineffectual at best. There has to be a better system!
I just found this article from the blog “Travel Industry News” which outlines a new security system that could scan a passenger in as little as five seconds.
“A new airport screening “tunnel” could see passengers clearing security in as little as five seconds. It would mean no undressing, no shoes off, no unpacking computers, no guilt at finding that errant coin in your pocket. Just walk on by.
The 21 feet long smart tunnel combines all existing and imminent security technology in one place and would slash the time passengers wait at airports. Travellers simply walk the length of the tunnel while they are scanned.
The downside - while a version is expected to be on trial within 18 months, it could five years before it is rolled out for general use at major airports.
IATA unveiled a prototype of the new technology in Singapore yesterday.
It features screening methods which are either already in place at airports – such as body scanners – and those which are expected to be introduced soon, including liquid detectors.
The IATA system would divide passengers into three categories, who would initially be identified by an iris-recognition system before entering the arches.
So-called “known travellers” who have been pre-screened would only face an x-ray, metal and liquid detector.
“Normal travellers” would also have their shoes scanned automatically and pass through an explosive trace detector.
Anyone whose behaviour raised concern – such as a passenger buying a one way ticket in cash – would go through a different channel which would also feature a full body scanner.”
I don’t know about you, but this technology could not come sooner.
Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world and this is a great special for first time visitors to this amazing place! Call the office to book today!
Call the office for more details on this awesome Boomerang Tours offer to Fiji
If you are a fan of cruising or Holland America - then get on your phone and call the office or better yet, stop by.
Alaska Cruises and Cruise Tours are 50% off select cruises
Caribbean Cruises are 50% off select cruises
European Cruises are 50% off select cruises
This sale only last 3 days - so don’t hesitate!
China has always been a nation of superlatives, and it just added another to the list: world’s largest museum. The National Museum of China in Beijing is the result of a decade-long, $380-million project that combined the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. The more than 1 million artifacts in the museum’s collection provide an epic survey of Chinese history, from Yuanmou Man, who walked the land 1.7 million years ago, to current president Hu Jintao. With over 2 million square feet of galleries to cover - three times the size of the Louvre in Paris - better bring your walking shoes and plan ahead what you want to see!
The rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits as Porter Airlines inaugural flight to Windsor, Ontario, touched down yesterday morning, marking the airline’s 15th destination.
If you haven’t tried Porter yet - then be prepared for something that other airlines seemingly have forgotten - SERVICE. Porter flights include complimentary in-flight wine and beer and extra legroom on their fleet of 70-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Add to that complementary computers and wifi, free snacks and drinks and a nice modern setting at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Almost makes you want to fly again.
Due to popular demand - the Kumuka sale has been extended to Wednesday April 13, 2011