Reviewed 22 Apr 2011 by Matthew Blank
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable parts of our trip must be the crazy cyclo tour through the streets of Saigon and eating insects in a bar overlooking Phnom Penh!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with an open mind, embrace the bargaining, the food and the culture.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our trip used local guides everywhere we went, including a homestay and dinner with a local family. We were also able to eat at quite a few restaurants for good causes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Thoroughly recommend the tour operator to anyone from any walk of life. It was such an amazing trip and we would never have been able to take it all in without the help of our leader.
Reviewed 27 Mar 2011 by Peter Heath
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were so many that it is difficult to pick any one experience above others. Scary, hugging a tiger, awesome scenery in Halong bay, the dignity and grace of the people, relaxing along the Mekong, crossing the road in Hanoi, the glory of Ankor Wat and not wanting it to end.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I found the quality of the accommodation to be high, I expected more basic sleeping arrangements. We even had air con in most places. Do not take a lot of clothes etc because you can buy everything you need while there.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely, the tour guide was very good on this we felt that we were able to help by buying ethically and eating in the right places.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
There wasn't a day that didn't excite. The differences between the four countries was fascinating, the language, food customs and culture ensured that there were always new things to experience. The insight into the history of S.E.Asia was sad but enlightening. The local guides did have good knowledge and were very helpful. The tour guide, Bouna, was outstanding, everything was brilliantly organised and all the activities, transport, accommodation were of a very high standard definitely a 5 star experience.
Reviewed 10 May 2011 by Anthony Sweeting
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
So many to choose from, however I would go for gently cruising down the Mekong River in Laos. Visiting one of the local villages there and meeting the children who were delighted with the photos we took of them. Although the local cookery classes I took come a close second.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do not arrange a transfer from the airport via the tour operator. I was ripped off almost £50 doing this when the hotel where you begin will arrange it for 500 Baht (about £10), which I consider slightly more than an admin fee. This was a very souring note to this holiday and makes me question where else I was ripped off. Chatting to others on the trip, I am not alone. Very disappointing.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. Our guide explained many things that would help as we travelled (Including where giving makes things worse). Plenty of business for what seemed like local family affairs.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Splendid. A very fine adventure all told.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting some of the smaller temples at Siem Reap at sunrise and shortly afterwards when few people were around. The views were beautiful and the local kids engaging. Breakfast at a local stall watched by the kids who had been trying to sell us coffee for the previous hour was memorable, and my husband will never forget the look of sheer delight on the face of one of the little boys when he finally said he would buy a coffee from him.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy the variety. The peaceful pace of life in Laos, and the chaotic traffic in Vietnam. A lovely river boat on the Mekong and the more basic train from Hanoi to Hue. The chilly weather in Hanoi and the heat of Cambodia. But friendly people throughout.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The tour operator’s foundation supports work in all the countries we visited. We visited a number of training restaurants that are supported by the foundation and they were excellent. We were encouraged to dress appropriately for local standards even when other westerners clearly weren't. Staying with a local family was fascinating and we were welcomed into their homes. Our main guide and all our trip guides were local which added another dimension - for example, learning about the Khmer Rouge from someone whose mother had lost 6 siblings to the regime. Some local transport used instead of flights which is both environmental and fascinating.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A great introduction to these fascinating countries.
Reviewed 07 Feb 2009 by Berta Panes
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Halong Bay, Angkor Wat.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
All your packing advice is exact except for the water container.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great!!!
