Jetsettersblog

For a very different Christmas and New Year escaping to the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas for a truly unique experience, Bhutan offers the perfect respite from today’s hectic lifestyle and a chance to explore this hidden kingdom and culture in surprisingly mild temperatures, under the guidance of Uma Paro’s specialist team.

Uma Paro has put together an exclusive seven-night programme over the festive season, which culminates in memorable events on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, inclduing a menu created by Chef Jillene Slui, an archery tournament and traditional music and dance performances – a unique memory to take home from this culturally rich adventure.

The seven-night programme (which can begin on any day between the 20th and 29th December 2008) incorporates the region’s most inspiring sights. These include visits to Paro town, the Haa Valley and the capital city, Thimphu. There are also insightful trips to local Dzongs. The highlight will be a visit to the magnificent Taktsang Goemba (the Tiger’s Nest) Monastery.

Guests will be accompanied by their personal, English-speaking guide and driver, and offered the perfect combination of action and downtime to enjoy the resort’s COMO Shambhala Retreat and a relaxing Hot Stone Bath.

The Christmas and New Year Package is available from US$3,419 per person (based on two sharing), including all taxes, government fees, full board, guiding and airport transfers.

For reservations or more information please visit

http://uma.como.bz/paro/default.asp?page=1142§ion=254

In conjunction with Children’s Day, Singapore Airlines has begun serving children’s meals with specially designed lunch boxes adorned with highly popular characters from Cartoon Network shows such as PowerPuff Girls and Ben 10. Junior travelers will also be able to take their lunch boxes home with them at the end of their flight.

Available on all flights lasting seven hours or more, the special lunch box contains burgers, chicken nuggets and spaghetti with meatballs, which are available on Singapore Airlines children’s Book-The-Cook program, Yummy. In addition, drinks will be served in an attractive, children-friendly paper cup, also dressed in Cartoon Network livery.

The lunch box is already available on flights leaving Singapore and will be available on flights departing from all other destinations from Nov. 1.

Children will also continue to enjoy the much-loved Cartoon Network giveaways available on all Singapore Airlines flights (with the exception of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur services). The giveaways, which include activity kits and plush toys, are catered to various age groups. Further enhancing their in-flight experience is the wide range of entertainment options available on the new KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system.

This includes the especially dedicated Young Ones section, featuring Cartoon Network shows such as Ben 10, Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends, Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi and many others. Junior flyers can also tune in to the children’s audio channel and listen to audio stories as well as the latest selection of children’s music, which include albums such as Camp Rock and The Jonas Brothers.

They can also watch the most current children’s movies such as Speed Racer and Kung Fu Panda. In addition, they can enjoy one of the largest games selections in the sky, which include popular games such as Bookworm Deluxe! and Mojo Muncho.

For more information, visit www.singaporeair.com

Jet Airways is happy to announce a Jet Value Pass - a scheme wherein you can purchase the pass and travel in Club Premiere or in Economy class. This scheme is valid until further notice.

Jet Value Pass in Club Premiere:

No of Coupons Passenger Type Booking Class Base Fare
04 Coupons Adult I USD 1,100
06 Coupons Adult I USD 1,550
08 Coupons Adult I USD 1,950

Jet Value Pass in Economy:

No of Coupons Passenger Type Booking Class Base Fare
04 Coupons Adult U USD 500
06 Coupons Adult U USD 700
08 Coupons Adult U USD 850

Website: www.jetairways.com

Purchase with MasterCard,

Traveling within the period of 2008/4/1~2008/12/31, purchase with MasterCard on www.evaair.com flights from 20 Asia Pacific cities will enjoy 5% additional exclusive discount.

Traveling within the period of 2008/4/1~2008/12/31, purchase Economy Class flights with MasterCard on www.evaair.com from New York or Los Angeles to Taipei will enjoy 5% additional exclusive discount.

Terms and conditions apply. During promotion period (“Promotion Period”) from 2008/4/1 to 2008/12/31, MasterCard® branded credit cards primary and supplementary cardholders who use MasterCard® branded credit cards (issued by MasterCard Worldwide) at www.evaair.com and satisfy the eligibility requirement are eligible to receive offers provided by EVA Airways Co. To meet the eligibility requirement for program participation, each transaction has to be made in full by a MasterCard® branded credit card. To meet the eligibility requirement for program participation, cardholders must purchase tickets to Taipei, Taiwan or transfer at Taipei, Taiwan to other cities flied by EVA Airways at www.evaair.com during the promotion period and departure from the following countries (cities):

Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, Chitose, Miyazaki, Komatsu)、Korea (Seoul)、Hong Kong、Macau、Singapore、Thailand(Bangkok)、Vietnam (Ho Chi Ming City)、Philippines(Manila)、Cambodia(Phnom Penh)、Indonesia(Djakarta, Bali, Surabaya)、Malaysia(Kuala Lumpur).
To meet the eligibility requirement for program participation, cardholders must purchase Economy Class tickets to Taipei during the promotion period and departure from the following cities in U.S.A:

BR 31/BR 32 from Newark airport of New York,
BR 167/BR 168 from Los Angeles airport and transfer at Osaka,
Internet booking conditions:

This benefit is limited for e-ticket on internet booking except class H and R.
This benefit only applies to tickets booked through internet booking system for the itinerary provided in this program and departing within the designated period. Tax (including airport tax、security check tax fuel tax) is not included for this benefit.
This benefit can not be combined with other promotion.
Other terms and conditions provided by EVA Airways should apply.

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts for the first time is extending its popular Exotic Vacations package to include the peak season time frame of Oct. 1 to 31 and Nov. 16 to Dec. 19, 2008.

The “Oberoi Exotic Vacations” package offers a great opportunity to experience some of the best hotels in the world and enjoy exceptional value. Priced at $4,194 for a six-night stay and $2,796 for a four-night stay, the package includes accommodation for two persons, breakfast and dinner daily and return transfer from the nearest airport or railway station.

Valid from Oct. 1 to 31 and Nov. 16 to Dec. 19, 2008, this package is available at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur; The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore (the package is priced at $4,644 for a six-night stay and $3,096 for a four-night stay in a Luxury Tent). Booked independently of the package the room tariff for a night’s stay for two persons starts from $656.

For more information or reservations, call 800-562-3764 or visit www.oberoihotels.com

Pacific Delight Tours grouped five of its most popular tour packages in one easy-to-read “2009/10 Quick Guide,” with offerings suitable for every level of traveler. To kick off this new brochure, Pacific Delight is giving early-booking savings of up to $500 per couple for bookings made by Dec. 31.

Program choices include major highlights of China: magnificent Yangtze River scenery on three- and four-night cruises; imperial Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City; the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs; Shanghai’s Shanghai Museum and Jade Buddha Temple; Xi’an’s famed legions of terra-cotta warriors; Lhasa, Tibet’s mountainous capital; and the vibrant city of Hong Kong.

Prices range from $1,588 to $7,588 per person, double, before the early-bird savings. One of Pacific Delight’s most sought-after trips is the 17-day Classic China & Yangtze River Gold Experience — an intimate, one-of-a-kind perspective into the country’s ancient history and culture, escorted by knowledgeable guides exclusive to the company.

This deluxe vacation, limited to just 16 guests, features accommodations in Asia’s best hotels; Junior Suites with balconies aboard Victoria Cruises’ newest and most luxurious ships; private shore excursions; superb meals; front section seats to many performances; and exclusive sightseeing. Cities include Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong.

Land-only prices are $6,788 to $7,588 per person, double, with 12 departures between April and October 2009; early-bird savings are $500 per couple. With no more than 26 participants, the upscale, fully escorted 13-day Historic Cities & Yangtze River Imperial Experience, provides an in-depth view of each city visited: Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Great Wall and a pedicab ride through Beijing’s old Hutong area; Xi’an’s 2,200-year-old terra-cotta warriors and horses, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which includes a Pacific Delight exclusive – a white-glove handling of treasures in the private artifact room; and Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum and renowned acrobatic show.

Special meals include a Beijing Duck welcome dinner, Defachang Restaurant dumpling lunch and Tang Dynasty dinner and show. March 2009 to March 2010 departures are $2,918 to $3,688 for land only; early-bird savings are $300 per couple.

Two of Pacific Delight’s Deluxe SuperValue Tours, offering value and variety, are highlighted in the Quick Guide. The 12-day Historic Cities & Yangtze River provides travelers with an affordable way in which to delve into China’s Imperial cities — Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing — and receive a strong understanding of the country’s history, art, archeology and architecture. The land portion of the tour is complemented by four nights of Yangtze River cruising aboard Victoria Cruises’ Premier Series five-star fleet, sailing the most spectacular portions of this legendary waterway. Land-only prices are $1,588 to $2,288 for departures between March 2009 and March 2010; early-bird savings is $100 per couple.

The 11-day Golden Route SuperValue is similar to the Historic Cities & Yangtze River but substitutes the Yangtze River cruise with a two-night stay in Guilin, a city set among some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. While there, guests visit the magnificent rock formations at Reed Flute Cave and Fu Bo Hill and take a cruise on the Li River, passing lush green landscapes and picturesque villages.

The land-only prices range from $1,648 to $2,188 on year-round departures; early-bird savings is $100 per couple. Pacific Delight’s China Escapade Series of vacations offer off-the-beaten-path itineraries to some of China’s most exotic regions. The 15-day Tibet & Yangtze River Escapade is an escorted journey that takes adventurous travelers to Tibet’s 1,300-year-old capital city of Lhasa, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level.

Guests explore the many monasteries and palaces, including Norbulingkha, Sera or Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple, and the greatest architectural structure in Tibet, the 1,000-room Potala Palace, once the living quarters of the Dalai Lama. A Tibetan dinner and show includes the traditional Yak Dance. Other special sites include the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, with its Imperial Vault of Heaven; the terra-cotta warriors and Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an; and the Giant Pandas at the Chongqing Zoo.

A three-night Yangtze River cruise and three nights exploring Shanghai conclude the adventure. Land-only prices for the April-October 2009 departures are $3,918 to $4,388; early-bird savings is $100 per couple. The programs include pre-confirmed hotels, intra-Asia air/land transportation, most meals, sightseeing, local guide or tour escort, transfers, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling. Transpacific air is available at attractive rates. Prices are subject to change. Pacific Delight Tours offers escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia.

For more information, call 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com

Bales Worldwide is launching its new ‘India and the Subcontinent’ programme for 2009/10 with particular focus on experiences that are ‘off the beaten track’ with opportunities to really get under the skin of this fascinating area. New options include tailor made itineraries to the little visited Orissa region, a cruise adventure in the Sunderbans National Park and a new eco friendly resort in Northern Kerala.

A wide range of countries, cities and experiences are offered within this vast subcontinent, from the mighty Himalayas to the gem that is Sri Lanka, Maharajahs palaces to luxury safaris, and bustling cities to rural retreats. Countries covered by the brochure include India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. There are a total of 37 group and independent travel itinerary suggestions within the new programme. Prices start from £1,670 per person for the 12 day ‘Taste of Kerala’ journey, taking in the best of this enchanting region and including a backwater cruise aboard the RV Katherine houseboat.

The full programme is available as a printed brochure, as well as to read online via www.balesworldwide.com.

CRUISE THE SUNDERBANS

The mangrove landscape of the Sunderbans National Park is one of the most unique settings on earth. This natural and cultural gem is only accessible by water and what better way to experience it than by opting for Bales’ ‘Cruising the Sunderbans’ itinerary.

This new nine day trip (from £2,245 per person) takes you from the fascinating streets of Kolkata (Calcutta) to the watery forests of this unusual land. Spend three nights in the former capital of the British Raj, experiencing the best of this bustling city.

Visit the Victoria Memorial, sip drinks at the Bengal Club, take a heritage walk of Dalhousie Square and explore hidden Kolkata. On day four you will board the MV Paramhamsa for your cruise of the Sunderbans. This 55 metre boat has air conditioned cabins, a bar and restaurant, and even a gym, sauna and massage rooms. Its open sun terrace offers the perfect location for relaxing and nature watching. Visit local villages, keep an eye out for estuarine crocodiles and marvel at this fertile jungle landscape.

ECO HEAVEN IN KERALA

Bales Worldwide is one of the first operators to offer the new Neeleshwar Hermitage hotel in Kerala as part of its tailor made options - prices start from £1,155 per person for seven nights, including flights. This stylish 5 star hotel and spa is set on twelve acres of lush grounds beside the Arabian sea, near Mangalore.

With just sixteen rooms in cottages scattered around the beautiful gardens, it offers a peaceful retreat from the modern world. Located on the Malabar coast, the resort has created an environment where you can regain your balance - relax at the ayurvedic Priya Spa, try a spot of yoga or take a bike ride around the nearby paddy fields and temples. The hotel has also implemented a number of eco initiatives, including recycling natural waste to provide bio-energy, water harvesting, solar panels, organic gardens, minimal plastic and landscaping to attract birds.

TAILOR MADE ORISSA

New for 2009/10, Bales is offering tailor made itineraries to the lesser known area of Orissa in Northern India - perfect for Indophiles looking for somewhere new to head in this incredible country. Sandwiched between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, Orissa is home to some amazing cultural highlights, including the magnificent Sun Temple at Konark, and the largest collection of ethnic tribal groups in India. Stay in the region’s capital, Bhubaneshwar, which is awash with Hindu temples, relax on the beach at Puri, and spend a day visiting the tribal villages of the interior for a unique insight into local culture and tradition.

NEW LODGES FOR LUXURY INDIAN SAFARIS

In 2009/10, Bales’ 12 day ‘Luxury Indian Safari’ itinerary (from £3,545 per person) will include stays in two brand new luxury lodges set to open in October 2008. The lodges, run by Taj Safaris, are Pashan Garh and the Banjaar Tola – the former comprises 12 decadent cottages in the heart of the Panna National Park, while the latter is an encampment of luxury en suite tents on the banks of the Banjaar River in Kanha National Park.

These both offer sumptuous accommodation from which to enjoy your ‘Jungle Book’ experience. Spend your day spotting leopards, bison, an array or birdlife and hopefully the majestic tiger, before retreating to your luxury lodges for an evening of fine food and relaxation.

NEW FREQUENT DEPARTURE – INDIA WITH A DIFFERENCE

Bales has launched a new frequent departure itinerary - ‘India with a Difference’. This trip combines the classic Golden Triangle sights with more unusual activities. The 10 day holiday (priced from £1,870 per person) takes in Delhi, Agra, the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur and Samode. Your journey will be by foot, jeep, rickshaw and even elephant, as you voyage deep into India’s Golden Triangle and see sights often ignored by other UK operators.

Take a walking tour through Delhi’s colourful Chandni Chowk bazaar, visit Dera Amer elephant camp near Jaipur for a ride through the surrounding forests, and travel by jeep between the Amber Fort and the Samode Palace to fully experience the beauty of rural Rajasthan. The itinerary includes stays in majestic heritage hotels.

THE GOLDEN CHARIOT – TRAIN JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHERN INDIA

Looking for a new and unique rail adventure? Then board the decadent Golden Chariot which started operation in May 2008, for a breathtaking journey through Southern India. This luxury train is the latest to launch on the sub continent and joins other great Indian rail experiences, such as the ‘Palace on Wheels’ in Rajasthan, and the ‘Deccan Odyssey’ in Maharashtra. The train, named after a famous stone chariot at the World Heritage Site of Hampi, starts and finishes its journey in Bangalore, and takes in a wealth of cultural and historical sites. From resplendent palaces and ancient temples, to wonderful wildlife and golden beaches – this is a journey through the very best that the Karnataka region has to offer. Prices start from £2,560 per person based on two sharing, including 7 nights on the Golden Chariot and 1 night at the Taj West End.

NEW LUXURY HOTEL ADDED TO BHUTAN ITINERARY

Set amid the stunning panoramas of Bhutan’s Dragon Kingdom, the Amankora Bumthang is the newest hotel in Amankora which opened last year, and is now available as part of Bales’ ‘Bhutan – the Amankora’ itinerary. This idyllic property is set amidst a landscape of orchards in the Choskhor Valley, with wonderful views of palaces and monasteries.

Each of the 16 suites is stylishly decorated, and comes with its own wood-burning bukhari. The hotel is beautifully appointed, offers exceptional comfort and is the perfect place from which to explore this remote Shangri-la. This 14 day Bhutan itinerary costs from £5,425 per person and takes in Kathmandu, the Thimpu Valley, the Gangtey monastery, the Bumthang Valley, the picturesque village of Wangdue and the famous ‘Tigers Nest’ monastery at Paro.

For a copy of the new brochure or for reservations please call 0845 057 0600

or look online at www.balesworldwide.com

Passengers have ranked EVA Air’s Elite Class cabin to be the Best Premium Economy Class in Skytrax’s annual World Airline Survey 2008. UK based Skytrax invited 15,500,000 airline passengers from over 97 countries to participate in its annual airline ranking survey. This is the first time Skytrax has ranked premium economy classes.

Participating passengers were surveyed by telephone, email questionnaires and through Skytrax’s website during an 11-month period. Respondents rated airlines’ class categories on cabin comfort, including cleanliness and amenities, airport and cabin-staff service. The survey examined the smallest details of air travel, asking passengers about inflight safety procedures, catering and onboard shopping as well as specifics relating to seats and service. The overall survey listed more than 170 airlines.

EVA Air was one of the first in the industry to create a distinctive premium economy cabin in-between economy and business and to give its passengers an attractive, affordable and very comfortable travel option. The airline launched this innovative cabin on its first flight to North America in 1992 and further upgraded the cabin as Elite Class in 2005 with the launch of its first brand-new Boeing 777-300ER. EVA’s Elite Class is comparable to many domestic carriers’ business class in service, comfort and amenities, yet typically costs only about 25 per cent more than the price of economy.

As early as 1992, every one of EVA’s premium economy passengers had individual, adjustable, seatback-mounted entertainment systems. Today, the personal touch screen audio/video on demand (AVOD) entertainment systems in Elite Class have expanded 8.4-inch touch-screens offering movies, features, music, video games and shopping.

Fully adjustable ergonomic seats in Elite Class are 18.5 inches wide and have a roomy 38-inch pitch. The also have leg and footrests, moveable headrests, tray tables that fold into extra-wide armrests and added conveniences such as personal coat hooks.

For more information on Skytrax World Airline Awards visit www.worldairlineawards.com

Far East tailor-made specialists Bamboo Travel have recently moved offices to Clapham Common, and are planning to expand their portfolio of countries in the Far East over the next 6 months to cover even more adventurous and exotic destinations in the region including the Philippines, Mongolia, Indonesia and Taiwan.

Founder of Bamboo Travel, Tim Milner, says “many of our clients who fell in love with the region after visiting Thailand independently came to us for expert advice to plan more adventurous tours of the less developed countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Although Indochina remains one of our core markets, we are reaching the stage where we need to broaden our horizons within Southeast Asia to cater for the increasing numbers who have covered Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and are left wanting more. We are sending out members of our team to develop fresh and innovative travel ideas in both the Philippines and Indonesia, which will be added to our programme in the coming months.”

Catering for a surge in demand after such a damp and miserable British summer, Bamboo Travel are also launching their “Adventures in Style” programme, focussing on areas of Southeast Asia where the weather is at its best in the period between November and Easter, aimed at travellers wanting to beat the winter blues. These well balanced private tours travel at a leisurely pace in areas of natural beauty, focussing on the culture and lifestyles of the local people mixed with a splash of adventure, and feature several new luxurious properties that are opening up areas previously restricted to the budget travellers.

Cambodia: Angkor to the Beach – 18 Days from £2,695
This diverse private tour of the Khmer Kingdom combines Angkor’s history with glimpses of local lifestyles, a taste of Indochinese colonial charm and glistening beaches. Start with a well structured exploration of the Temples of Angkor, including an overnight temple safari to the remote Koh Ker staying in a luxurious African style safari tent.

From Siem Reap the tour continues by boat across Lake Tonle Sap to Battambang, one of the most beautiful stretches of water in the Kingdom, to stay at a lovingly restored French colonial villa. From Battambang take a ride on the rustic bamboo train to a nearby village through beautiful landscapes of rice paddies, before continuing overland to the capital Phnom Penh via the ancient Khmer city of Udong. After experiencing the lazy yet lively capital, head a few hours south to the exclusive Knai Bang Chatt in Kep sur Mer on Cambodia’s South Coast, a luxuriously renovated villa built by a Khmer protégé of Le Corbusier in the 1960s. From Kep explore the abandoned hill station of Bokor and the charming seaside town of Kampot before finishing with a relaxing stay at the Sokha Beach Resort located on Sihanoukville’s finest white sand beach.

Prices from £2,695 per person includes international flights with Malaysian Airlines, 16 nights’ accommodation in 4 star and boutique style hotels, an overnight temple safari, private guides and vehicles, and comprehensive sightseeing.

Laos & Samui in Style– 18 Days from £2,795

This is a classic “Adventure in Style” to beat the winter blues - enjoy lush mountainous and riverside landscapes whilst tuning into the local pace of life in Laos, before spending some quality time on Koh Samui.

Start with a short stay in buzzing Bangkok, before flying to Pakse in Southern Laos to stay at the stylish new La Folie lodge facing the ancient Khmer temple of Wat Phou, and explore the Four Thousand Islands region of the Mekong.

After a brief visit to the capital Vientiane fly to Muang La, a remote part of northern Laos previously off the radar until the recent opening of the exquisite Muang La Resort, an elegant lodge blending French style and Lao charm. After exploring the area’s hill tribes, and relaxing in the hot springs, travel on a magnificent boat trip down the Nam Ou River to the Laotian cultural heartland of Luang Prabang, and spend 3 days soaking up the atmosphere of the Mekong’s most historic and laid back towns. To complete this ultimate winter escape the next stop is a 5 night stay in a boutique style beach bungalow on a quieter part of the Thai Island of Koh Samui to enjoy the sunshine, seafood and Singha that abounds on this fun filled tropical island.

Prices from £2,795 per person includes international flights with Thai Airways, 16 nights’ accommodation in 4 star and boutique style hotels, private guides and vehicles, and comprehensive sightseeing.

Treasures of Vietnam – 20 Days from £2,995

The ‘Treasures of Vietnam’ tour takes you from the capital Hanoi, in the north of the country, through some of the most scenic landscapes in Southeast Asia as you head south ultimately ending up on the golden sands of Phu Quoc, one of the most idyllic and unspoilt islands in the Gulf of Thailand, to relax.

On arrival in Hanoi you will step into a bygone era of colonial elegance as you check into one the region’s most famous hotels – the Sofitel Metropole. This will be your base in Hanoi as you explore the city and from here you will take overnight excursions to the wondrous karst landscapes of Halong Bay, to cruise on a traditional junk, and also the breathtakingly beautiful hillside scenery of Mai Chau where a comfortable lodge set in stunning surroundings awaits. As you leave the north of Vietnam you venture into the centre of the country and the former Imperial city of Hue where the Emperors of Vietnam used to hold court.

Here you will learn the fine art of Imperial Vietnamese cuisine and take a boat ride along the Perfume River to visit ancient royal tombs. From Hue your journey continues south to the old town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most enchanting places in Vietnam.

The flat countryside around Hoi An makes this perfect cycling territory and you will witness some of the traditional scenes of Vietnam as you cycle through the neighbouring villages and paddy fields. Leaving central Vietnam you fly south to the bustling metropolis that Saigon is rapidly becoming. Here enjoy the fast pace of life and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels made famous by the Viet Cong during the ‘American War’.

From Saigon the pace of life changes as you head into the Mekong Delta to travel along the waterways of this amazingly fertile region. After seeing some of the spectacular floating markets that the Delta is famous for the formal sightseeing ends and it is time for some well earned relaxation on the island of Phu Quoc. Unwind by the sea for a few days and perhaps treat yourself to a massage at the hotel spa.

Prices from £2,995 per person includes international flights with Thai Airways, 17 nights’ accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels, private guides and vehicles, and comprehensive sightseeing.

COX & KINGS ANNOUNCES 67% GROWTH IN MIDDLE EAST AS IT LAUNCHES ITS NEW BROCHURE TO THE REGION FOR 2009.

Cox & Kings has launched its new Far East brochure for 2009, featuring a comprehensive programme of escorted group tours, private journeys and tailor-made holidays throughout China, Japan, Mongolia, South East Asia and Indo-China.

China continues to be the company’s biggest seller in the region, and Far East Product Manager Yaow Butwisate predicts another strong year in 2009: “Now is a great time to visit China. The country’s tourism industry is booming, and there has been a definite increase in interest amongst British travellers following the wonderfully successful 2008 Olympics, the new Mummy film set in China and the recent display of the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum.”

For 2009, Cox & Kings has launched a new 14-night private journey that explores traditional China. China’s Ancient Heartlands (Page 22) starts in Beijing, with stays in the ancient hutong (back street) district and unique Chinese guesthouses, and visits Chengde and the well-preserved city of Pingyao en route to Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors.

The tour then travels to the summit of the sacred Huang Shan to take in the magnificent peaks that have inspired generations of Chinese painters. Take a cable car up the mountain and spend a full day walking through the scenic area. Continue to Hangzhou in the Yangtze River Delta and end the tour in vibrant Shanghai. From £2,845 per person including flights with British Airways, accommodation with breakfast and lunch, transfers and all excursions.

Yaow also expects to see an increase in Yangtze cruises in the run up to the final stage of the dam flooding in September 2009. “While the flooding is not expected to detract from the stunning natural beauty of the area, the water is set to rise by 100 metres in some places, submerging a greater proportion of the limestone peaks. 2009 will be a popular time to visit while the scenery is at its most dramatic”.

After China, Cambodia is Cox & Kings’ second-biggest selling Far East destination and the company has reported an increase in clients travelling on tailor-made itineraries that venture beyond the typical sites of Angkor Wat. “The country is jam packed full of culture, and has plenty to lure second and third time visitors back to see more once they have ticked off Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.”

In response to this trend, Cox & Kings has launched a new private journey for 2009 that travels away from Cambodia’s beaten track and includes stays in de luxe tented camps close to the little known temple sites of Kor Ker, Beng Melea and Preah Vihear, recently announced a World Heritage Site. Jewels of Cambodia (page 53) is a 13-night private journey that also includes a stay in Kep and the beaches of Sihanoukville. From £3,995 per person including flights with Thai Airways, accommodation with most meals, transfers and all excursions.

NEW: Hidden Treasures of Japan Cruise (page 36): This 11-night itinerary explores the Inland Sea, dotted with more than 3,000 islands. Visits are made to the islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoko to discover castles, gardens and temples in some of Japan’s most historic towns and cities, including Kurashiki, Hiroshima and Hagi. Prices from £4,495 per person.

NEW: Grand Asia Cruise (Page 36): This epic 17-night voyage starts from Japan’s Inland Sea, and travels to South Korea’s tropical island of Jeju, across the Yellow Sea to Shanghai, past Suzhou and Xiamen to Hong Kong. From here, set sail for the South China Sea and Danang in central Vietnam, and visit Hoi An and Hue before ending in the spectacular scenery of Halong Bay. Prices from £5,695 per person including flights, accommodation with breakfast (full board on the cruise) transfers and all excursions.