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China Vacations Information - Thai Restaurants In Beijing

This article is about the China vacations and Beijing travel. You can find some useful information in it if you are planning your Beijing travel now.

The Thai food is lots of people's favourite food and you can find many good Thai restaurants in Beijing. If you are not very familiar with the menus in Thai restaurants, you can try the house specails. They are the dishes recommended by the Thai chef and you will not be disappointed with them.

1. Red Basil Thai Restaurant:
Address: 8 Xinyuanli Nanxiaojiejia Street, Beijing.
How to get here: Take the Line 403, 302 or 300 city bus to the station named "Niuwangmiao".
Capacity: 100 people.
House specials: Thai fried prawn cutlets (60 rmb), Thai hot and sour soup (40 rmb), Thai fried fish cutlets (60 rmb), Thai ginger flavor chicken soup ( 40 rmb ).
Some comments: One of my friends said that the Red Basil Thai Restaurant is the best Thai restaurant in Beijing. In my point of view, this restaurant is not a bad choice for a Thai food fan but it is a little bit expensive. This restaurant has been in good business for a long time now. It is close to the Nanyin Mansion and Yansha Mansion. The good location helps it to attracts more and more customers.

2. Water Lily (Hehua) Thai Restaurant:
Address: Guomao Center West SB124A, Beijing.
Tel: 65055386.
Capacity: 50 people.
House specials: Curry dishes (48 rmb), Thai hot and sour shrimp soup (66 rmb).
Some comments: You can find the native Thai food here and the delivery service is also available here (with reasonable price).

3. Saigon Inn:
Address: Gloria Plaza Hotel, Chaoyang districe, Beijing.
Capacity: 108 people.
House specials: Red Lion-head with Single Narial Bouquet (48 rmb), The peacock spreads its tail feathers (298 rmb), Sixiwanzi (98 rmb).

4. Asian Star Restaurant:
Address: 26 Dongsanhuanbeilu Street, Chaoyang district, Beijing.
Capacity: 150 people.
House specials: Kashao Tofu (28 rmb), Indian Ka Chicken (35 rmb), Masalaka (35 rmb).  ( more info about the China vacations, Beijing flights and Lhasa travel at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM )

5. Panqumei Thai Restaurant (South-east Asian Dishes, sea food):
Address: 25 Xiaoyunlu Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
How to get here: Take the Line 300 city bus to the station named "Jingxin Mansion".
Capacity: 40 - 50 people.

6. Changtaiyuan Thai Restaurant (South-east Asian Dishes):
Address: 8 Fangzhuanglu Street, Fengtai District, Beijing.
How to get here: Take the Line 63, 12, 112, 52 to the station named "Fangzhuang".
Capacity: 120 people.
House specials: Curry Chicken (30 rmb for the small dish and 40 rmb for the big dish), Xianglanye Fried Chicken (38 - 48 rmb), Hot and sour shrimp soup (68 - 88 rmb), Thaizhishadie (39 - 45 rmb).
Comments: The food here is the native Thai food and all the spices are from Thailand. The chef here is one of the top 10 Thai food chefs in Thailand. This place is your good choice if you wanna have some real Thai food in Beijing. ( Useful info for your China vacations if you are a Thai food fan.  :-)  )

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About the author:Shane Lee.More flights,airfares info at:cheap flights,non-stop flights,direct flights,china travel.And:airlines with non-stop flights san diego to florida.And:cheapest flights from san diego to minneapolis may 14.

Travel To Thailand More Than 90 Days? New Visa Rules From October 1, 2006

Have you been in Thailand before? Thailand has many of the best beaches and islands in the world. The culture is unique and people are friendly. Many of foreigners are relocating to Thailand for several reasons.

In the town, Bangkok, has all the civilize and technology. Convenient transportation by Bus, Sky train and underground transportation. There is also boat transportation for the river, Chao Praya River, which is in the center of capital city.

Night life in Bangkok is very crowd of people. There is pub and bar for straights and gays on the same road in Silom and many areas.

Before October 1, 2006, get Thailand visa is very easy. Many countries can have visa on arrival for 30 days. Then just leave at any border and get in again you will get another 30 days waive visa stamp.

Now all change!

"On October 1 the Kingdom of Thailand introduced a new visa policy to restrict the number of times a foreigner can enter the country during a certain period of time.

The policy states that one can only stay in Thailand for 90 days in a period of six months, after which one must leave the country and stay outside for another 90 days before they can re-enter."

This mean you will still get 30 days visa on arrival and if it going to expire, you just leave at the border and get in again you will get another 30 days. If you already stay in Thailand for 90 days, you need to leave the country or stay outside for another 90 days!

If you apply for visa at any Thailand Embassy, you will get 60 days single entry visa and then you can extend only another 30 days for 1,900 Baht. ($ US 50)

Vsa expiration date as shown on the visa, is called visa validity.

The Expiration Date for the visa should not be confused with the authorized length of your stay in Thailand, given to you by the immigration officer at port-of-entry. The visa expiration date has nothing to do with the authorized length of your stay in Thailand for any given visit.

More information, please call
Thai Immigration, Bangkok. Head office: +66 2287-3101 to 10
website: www.immigration.go.th

Medical Tourism, Medical Treatment and Travel in Thailand

Medical tourism continues to show strong growth around the world as costs of healthcare, and often waiting times, in developed countries also continue to rise. Potential health care recipients are turning outside their own countries, in ever increasing numbers, and Thailand is one of the main countries to benefit from this trend.  Thailand, considered by many to be the global leader in providing healthcare for medical tourists, has seen robust growth in this market over the last ten years.  Widely used estimates suggest that the number of medical tourists has risen from 500,000 in 2001 to over 1.4 million in 2009.  Most of this increase was achieved in the last five years and is currently generating an income to Thailand of around billion.  The most important markets for the industry in Thailand are the Middle East and Europe.  With The Middle East accounting for over 50% of this total, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is currently involved in setting up several initiatives to further develop this market.

The number of hospitals and clinics to choose from in Thailand, along with treatments provided, is extensive.  Further, patients can choose to undergo their surgeries from any one of the hospitals located in the world class destinations of; Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.  Some of the most popular procedures include; cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, cosmetic surgery and dental care.  The actual cost savings on these procedures can be huge.  For example, the cost of a heart bypass or valve replacement, can typical cost between 0,000 to 0,000 in a developed country.  In contrast, the same surgery, performed to the same standard, would cost around ,000 in Thailand.

Thailand has long been a favorite medical tourist destination for a number of reasons.  Firstly, the actual facilities and equipment available is world class.  Historically, Thailand was the first nation in the region to receive ISO 9001 accreditation for one of its hospitals, and with significant investments made by the medical industry; many other hospitals have now achieved similar status.  Equally as important, the training of the medical staff is commonly to the same standard as the West.  Thai doctors not only undergo a first class education within their won country, but additionally, often undertake specialist training, usually either in the United States or Europe.  Of course, along with state of the art facilities, well trained staff, and huge discounts available compared to their native countries, medical tourists are also attracted to Thailand for its many attractions as a world class tourist destination.

Thailand has long remained one of the top holiday destinations worldwide and for a recuperating patient has potentially much to offer.  There are beautiful exotic beaches, large areas of National Park, splendid historical and cultural attractions, excellent cuisine and equally first rate shopping.  Another lure for potential visitors are the many wonderful spas available throughout the country, which provide the perfect way to relax and recover, before returning home. Additionally to this, if staying in Bangkok, a visitor can enjoy the excitement and international facilities of a city, again voted World's Best City by Travel and Leisure magazine.  Regardless of the what medical treatment is required, it‘s easy to see why ever increasing numbers are attracted to Thailand, as a way of reducing medical costs, whilst receiving world class treatment, combined with being able to enjoy the many attractions Thailand has to offer.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand has now proudly launched its new medical portal website www.ThailandMedTourism.com to provide useful, legitimate and up-to-date advice about medical tourism and medical providers in Thailand for international patients who are interested in getting world class healthcare in the kingdom from plastic surgery to treatments for more life threatening illnesses.

Vietnam Classic Tour

Vietnam Classic Tour

Code: VN01 Routes: Saigon - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang -Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue - Hai phong -Ha Long - Hanoi Duration: 11 Days

Itinerary in brief
Day 1:  Saigon - Arrival
Day 2 : Saigon
Day 3 : Saigon - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang
Day 4:  Nha Trang
Day 5 : Nha Trang - Danang - Hoi An
Day 6 : Hoi An - Hue
Day 7:  Hue
Day 8:  Hue - Hanoi
Day 9 : Hanoi - Halong
Day 10 : Halong - Hanoi
Day 11:  Hanoi - Departure

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Detail Itinerary

Day 1:  Saigon - Arrival
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life.Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2 : Saigon [ B]
Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)8 hrs
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life visible everywhere. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is District 5, the huge Chinese neighborhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883 and set in the heart of Saigon's government quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.CENTRAL POST OFFICE: a French-style building with a glass canopy and iron frame, situated next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the largest post office in Vietnam.CITY HALL: completed in 1908, also known as “Hotel de Ville”, and located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With its ornate gingerbread façade, it looks like the town hall of a French town. (May be viewed from the outside only).OPERA HOUSE: built around the turn of the century and first renovated in the 1940s, the building housed the lower division of the National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal Theatre and also known as the Saigon Concert Hall. (May be viewed from the outside only).JADE EMPEROR PAGODA: was a key meeting place for Chinese secret societies. It has very colorful and mysterious ambience.
REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on 30 April 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state.WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century.
BEN THANH MARKET: the central market of Saigon, its surrounding streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used by the average resident of Saigon is available here.GIAC LAM PAGODA: the oldest pagoda in Saigon, built at the end of the 17th century. Because the last reconstruction here was in 1900, the architecture, layout and ornamentation remain almost unaltered by the modernist renovations that have transformed so many other religious structures in Vietnam. Ten monks live in this pagoda, which also incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism.
BINH TAY MARKET: Cholon's main marketplace, much of the business conducted here is wholesale.THIEN HAU PAGODA: built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of the most active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases.Overnight in Saigon

Day 3 : Saigon - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang [ B]
By vehicle from Saigon to Phan Thiet
Located in Binh Thuan province, Phan Thiet is 198 km from Saigon and it lies south of Cam Ranh bay on the southernmost stretch of Central Vietnam.Phan Thiet is best known for its nuoc man (fish sauce) and fishing industry.The population includes descendents of the Chams, who controlled this area until 1962. Mui Ne Beach is famous for its enormous sand dunes and is located twenty-two kilometers east of Phan Thiet, near a fishing village at the tip of the Mui Ne Peninsula. Journey north along the coast and Highway 1 past Phan Rang, Lam and Dien Khanh. Ninh Tuan Province, where Phan Rang is located, is home to tens of thousands of descendents of the Cham people.PO KLONG GARAI CHAM TOWERS: the four brick towers constructed at the end of the 13th century, during the reign of the Cham monarch Jaya Simhavarman III, were built as Hindu temples and stand on the top of a crumbly granite hill.Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 4:  Nha Trang [ B]
Excursion by boat to various islands and the seawater aquarium
EBONY ISLAND: just south east of Bamboo Island, it is known for snorkeling.
HON TAM: southwest of Bamboo Island, Hon Tam is similar to the nearby Ebony Island.SEAWATER AQUARIUM: Mieu Island has an important fish-breeding farm where over forty species of fish, crustaceans and other marine life are raised in three separate compartments.Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 5 : Nha Trang - Danang - Hoi An [ B]
Transfer from Nha Trang to Cam Ranh Airport
Flight from Nha Trang to Danang
Sightseeing in Danang, China Beach and the Marble Mountains
Vietnam's fourth largest city marks the northern limits of Vietnam's tropical zone, boasting a pleasant year-round climate.CHAM MUSEUM: founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, the open-air collection of Cham sculpture is the finest in the world. Many of the sandstone carvings are breathtaking.CHINA BEACH: made famous in the American TV series of the same name, it stretches for many kilometers north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the war, American soldiers were airlifted here for 'rest and relaxation'.MARBLE MOUNTAINS: five stone hillocks, once islands, made of marble. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as Hindu shrines.Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.Sightseeing Hoi An by cyclo Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It is best to visit some of the following sites of Hoi An by walking around and/or by cyclo.QUAN CONG TEMPLE: founded in 1653, the main altar is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilded statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the contruction and repair of the temple. The temple was open to all Chinese traders or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau â€" it’s a small chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary.PHUOC KIEN PAGODA: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen).
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun.TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles.SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history.PHUNG HUNG HOUSE: one family has been living here for already 8 generations. The house is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese style.Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6 : Hoi An - Hue [ B]
By vehicle from Hoi An to Hue
Journey north along Highway 1 past Danang, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass.
HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views. LANG CO: a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many kilometers of beachfront facing the South China Sea.IMPERIAL CITY: located in the Citadel, it was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum.NGO MON GATE: the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, facing the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond. THAI HOA PALACE: built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns.HALLS OF THE MANDARINS: these buildings, in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies held in the Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977.NINE DYNASTIC URNS: these were cast in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiseled into the sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign. FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY: this was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. (Today the site is in ruins).Overnight in Hue.

Day 7:  Hue [ B]
Sightseeing Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip
THIEN MU PAGODA: just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation.TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG: a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs.
TU DUC TOMB: once the Royal Palace of Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, this tomb consists of pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.DONG BA MARKET: a local market near the Imperial City.Overnight in Hue.

Day 8:  Hue - Hanoi [ B]
Flight from Hue to Hanoi
Visit Old Quarters by cyclo
OLD QUARTERS: they have well over a thousand years of history and remain one of Vietnam's most lively and unusual places, where one can buy anything from a gravestone to silk pyjamas. Exploring the maze of back streets is fascinating and there are endless things to buy wool clothes, cosmetics, gold and silver jewellery, silk clothes and herbal medicines. WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 9 : Hanoi - Halong  [ B]
Sightseeing in Hanoi (half day)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia.
ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom. TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment. HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star. HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. (Closed Mondays and Fridays).
OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only).
Visit Chua But Thap Pagoda
By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Journey east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province and around Halong Bay.
Overnight in Halong.

Day 10 : Halong - Hanoi [ B, L]
Boat trip Halong Bay (4 hours)
This four-hour boat ride explores Halong Bay, passing the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates). Stop at one of the islands and visit of one of the following caves.HANG DAU GO: a huge, three-chambered cave, which is reached via 90 steps. The cave derives its Vietnamese name from the third of the chambers, which is said to have been used by Trang Hung Dao during the 13th century to store bamboo stakes used against the Mongol invaders. BO NAU: the "Pelican" caves. THIEN CUNG: "Heaven Palace."
By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi
Journey around Halong Bay to Hai Phong and west along Highway 5, across Hai Hung Province.

Day 11:  Hanoi - Departure [ B]
today we have free time until transfer to airport for your flight to your home .

Explore Hill Tribes By Bike Tour

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Bac Can
Day 3: Bac Can - Ba Be National Park
Day 4: Ba Be - Bac Me
Day 5: Bac Me - Ha Giang
Day 6: Ha Giang - Heaven gate pass - Hoang Su Phi
Day 7: Hoang Su Phi - Xin Man - Bac Ha
Day 8: Bac Ha - Sapa
Day 9: Sapa - Than Uyen
Day 10: Than Uyen - Tu Le
Day 11: Tu Le - Nghia Lo
Day 12: Nghia Lo - Yen Bai
Day 13: Yen Bai - Hanoi
Day 14: Hanoi - Departure

Detail Itinerary
Day1: Hanoi Arrival
we are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ?s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits  we embark on a cyclo for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi

Day 2: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Bac Can. (B, L, D, ~80km)
We take bus transfer to Thai Nguyen. Bike ride to Bac Can. First day easy ride up and down hill, scenery of palm trees with village of Tay and Nung a long the way. O/N Bac Can.

Day 3: Bac Can - Ba Be National Park. (B, L, D, ~78km)
Morning ride 20 km outside Bac Can and up hill, turn off highway 3 to a quiet road, great view small village of Tay and Thai on the opposite of the river. Later afternoon we take our boat cruise on Ba Be lakes and walk around Pac Ngoi village. O/N Ba Be national park.

Day 4: Ba Be - Bac Me. (B, L, D, ~ 80km )
Morning boat cruise with our bike to waterfalls, then we start a cycling adventure on a small trail to Bac Me (no jeep support). O/N Bac Me.

Day 5: Bac Me - Ha Giang. (B, L, D, ~ 63km )
Good paved road along Gam river. O/N Ha Giang.

Day 6: Ha Giang - Heaven gate pass - Hoang Su Phi. (B, L, D, ~106km)
Easy ride 45km down highway 2 to Tan Quang where we turn left and up hill to the mountain again. Best mountain view today, chalenge climb through the Heaven gate pass to Hoang Su Phi town. O/N Hoang Su Phi.

Day 7: Hoang Su Phi - Xin Man - Bac Ha. (B, L, D, ~70km)
Some part of the road is bad, but great view along Chay river. This is totally a new road - built on the former trail of the flower H'Mong tribes. O/N Bac Ha.

Day 8: Bac Ha - Sapa (B, L, D, ~ 80km)
A relaxing day promenade around Bac Ha Sunday market, see a market day for all tribes: Tay, Nung, Dao, Flower H?Mong, Giay, and Phu La etc? Afternoon we ride bike around H'Mong village. O/N Sapa.

Day 9: Sapa - Than Uyen. (B, L, D, ~ 95km)
From Sapa we start the day’s ride with a 15kms climb to the top of the Tram Ton Pass, stopping on route to visit the “silver waterfall”. Then it’s a 26kms plunge down to Binh Lu junction. From here we continue along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, there are a number of hard climbs but the magnificent landscape makes the hardship all worthwhile. We finish with a 20kms descent to Than Uyen.

Day 10: Than Uyen - Tu Le (B, L, D, ~ 88km)
We follow the valley out of Than Uyen until the road begins to wind up into the hills. This rugged terrain of dense vegetation brings us into contact with the Black Hmong and the mysterious White Tay people who are famed for their folk music, poems and songs. We end the day at Tu Le.

Day 11: Tu Le - Nghia Lo (B, L, D, ~ 65km)
Today we pass large white limestone mountains as we explore the “real Vietnam”. We will cycle through meandering roads before we finally end the day in Nghia Lo. It sits on a mountain ridge overlooking the Red and Black River and is home to the Thai, Nung, H’mong, La Ha and Ma peoples.

Day 12: Nghia Lo - Yen Bai (B, L, D, ~ 74km)
The route today day takes us on the back roads to Yen Bai. A spectacular road through undulating terrain of tea plantations, lush forests, rice fields and gum trees.

Day 13: Yen Bai -Hanoi (B, L, D, ~ 38km)
Our last day in the saddle takes us back to paved roads through the rolling terrain of tea plantations lush forests, rice fields and gum trees used for paper production. We finish cycling early in the afternoon, then transfer back to Hanoi.

Day 14: Hanoi - Departure (B)
There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure

ATT

Make The Most Of Luxury Travel - Understanding Local Customs And Etiquette At Your Destination

Until recently not many would've thought of luxury travel as an agent of world peace and understanding. Even now this aspect of travel hasn't quite rung a bell, generally speaking. Are tourists responsible for more than their luggage when they travel? Yes, of course, a whole range of things from toddlers to passports. But, world peace? Surely you can't hold them responsible for something so intangible and more at home in the realm of political diplomacy, especially when all they want is to leave responsibilities behind and have some unrestrained fun. Well, luxury travellers are certainly not expected to transit in the Middle East and start negotiations before they continue to the warm tropics to work on a tan. The point here is that an understanding of the people and the culture you would be interacting with at your luxury travel destination is a great way to enhance the trip.

These are the days when luxury travel to exotic foreign locales is a matter of routine for most people. Oddly enough the search for the exotic often takes one to far flung corners of third world cultures totally alien to the visitor in terms of language, customs, and etiquette. Some take it in their stride and blend in effortlessly with an open mind and have the time of their lives. They are eager to learn more about the host culture and come away enriched and enlightened in more ways than one; go native, as it were. There might even be an invaluable exchange where the host steps out from behind their cultural curtain and greets you with a hand shake as you bow with a wai greeting. Worlds meet and a relationship is born. It might not be a momentous occasion marked by clashing cymbals and trumpet calls. But from the perspective of luxury travel this may easily be considered an achievement that bodes well for us human beings who sojourn in troubled times.

People are different. What makes them different is not colour or creed, but customs and culture. This is indeed a difference to be celebrated. How horribly boring would it be if the whole world had toast for breakfast and wore black suits? It is the unique customs and culture of a people that gives them an identity and sets them apart. It is an understanding of these mutual differences that bring people together. The easiest way to achieve this would be to wise up on local customs and etiquette while browsing for top attractions and things to do at your luxury travel destination. It can be quite a revelation.

Differences in culture and customs become more pronounced as your luxury travel presses eastwards. With the changing landscapes come strange etiquettes which will certainly throw the first timer. For instance, in Thailand and in most Southeast Asian countries which are popular luxury travel destinations, it is considered awfully rude to touch anyone on the top of the head. Even brushing against a head by accident entails profuse apologizing. Same applies to pointing your foot at anyone while seated. It is an insult; plain and simple. Thais shake hands as greeting, but it would be a loose, limpid clasp rather than a warm grasp. Any form of aggressive hand shake is considered extremely rude; think arm-wrestling. So think twice before you grab hold of a Thai hand and pump enthusiastically.

Travel broadens the mind as well as your circle of friendships. Chances are high that while on vacation at your luxury travel destination, you might come across some individual or family who went out of their way to help you, befriend you, or save you from dire straits. It is only natural that you want to show appreciation by presenting a gift. An expensive watch, perhaps, or a bottle of wine? An exquisite leather handicraft should do nicely to convey warm appreciation. Think again. You do not gift clocks, watches, or any time pieces to Chinese people; it's supposed to bring bad luck. You do not gift wine to Muslims; they do not imbibe. You do not gift leather to Hindus; the cow is sacred to them. Well, there's always chocolates!

Often luxury travel isolates tourists from local culture or presents them with a highly sanitised or anglicized version that might lack authenticity. This can only be considered a huge loss as far as cultural enlightenment is concerned. You have been fed a bite-sized version of what could've been a delightful gourmet experience. The chance to learn and understand various cultures and why they do what they do is invaluable and to be grasped with both hands when available. It is a chance to lay down prejudices and see with new eyes. For beneath the various skin tones, we're indeed driven by the same needs, foremost among which would be the need to be understood.