Exotissimo is watching with great interest the events that are unfolding in Myanmar and all our offices are in close contact with our office in Myanmar. The situation is changing daily, if not hourly, and our Yangon team has temporary halted non-essential functions for the near future.

All Exotissimo tourists currently in Myanmar are traveling as much as possible as planned and we are taking care of their safety and avoid being involved in the demonstrations. Our offices in Inle, Bagan and Mandalay are taking care of our guests already in the country. They are monitoring the situation as it develops, and keeping our clients away from any potential dangerous areas.

Due to recent curfews and flight schedule changes, there will be changes in itineraries and our teams have adjusted accordingly. Likewise, tourists will dine in their hotels to prevent any problems with the curfew.

Please understand that due to the situation, there will be a delay in answering questions and comments made to Exotissimo Myanmar. Our priority now is to ensure the complete safety of our clients and our staff in the country. We are taking care of all Exotissimo staff to make sure they are safe and we hope that it will be resolved in a peaceful way.

Clients who planned to arrive in Myanmar within the coming days will have to change their reservations and consider visiting Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos instead (or plan to visit Myanmar at another time). Please contact the Exotissimo office you made the booking with to change reservations or contact Exotissimo Thailand (edwin(at)exotissimo.com) in case you can not reach the Exotissimo office in Myanmar.

Thailand has many national parks worthwhile visiting and in order to increase revenue for protection of the forest the ministry of forestry has announced that the entrance fees will be increased starting from October from 200 THB per person to 400 THB per person.

Exotissimo offers various tours in national parks, for example Khao Yai National Park (3 hours drive from Bangkok) or 2 or 3 days of trekking through Huay Nam Dang National Park in Northern Thailand. Exotissimo will continue to honor old quotations, but all new quotations will refelct the price increase.

Bangkok Airways is lobbying hard for the creation of a Mekong Visa, to make traveling throughout the region much easier. Instead of having a variety of different visas, visitors to our part of the world will instead just use one visa and one air ticket.

President and CEO, Mr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, said the airline had been in talks with government bodies in the five Mekong countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – to formulate the initiative, “We expect to complete our route network connecting Thailand with at least three cities in each Mekong country by the end of next year.”

At the moment, the airline already covers three cities in Laos – Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse – and two cities each in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Cities in the pipeline are Sihanoukville in Cambodia, Danang in Vietnam and a beach resort town in Myanmar.

However, the closest thing to a Mekong visa so far is the single-visa policy to be offered by Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia’s tourism minister, Dr Thong Khon, said that the two kingdoms’ single-visa pack would be in place by the end of 2007.

Three words describe the sumptuous luxury of Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa’s luxury offerings – bliss, bliss and bliss!

The new Sheraton takes maximum advantage of the natural landscape with the wide panaromic views, designed to relax the body and refresh the soul. Guests are sure to enjoy sipping cocktails from a private balcony or lounging in the 200-meter lagoon-style swimming pool.

Satisfy your taste buds at any of our six dining and entertainment venues. Or let the skillful hands of our professional therapists put you at ease in our extensive day spa which boasts a health club and 12 treatment rooms. Yet, several world-class golf courses are only minutes away; water sports and sightseeing tours can also be arranged.

A new sense of welcome and comfort await guests at this stylish new resort, where your need is everywhere anticipated with a smile and the making-guest-feel-at-home way. Because you don’t just stay at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, you belong.

The new Evason Hideaway on Koh Yao island has recently opened to much fanfare. Located in Phang Nga Bay, this resort is the ideal escape with stunning views of the bay’s crystal blue waters. The accommodations provide generous personal space and appointed with an eye towards the opulent, balancing innovation with elegance.

Do not hesitate to contact us for your next getaway at the Evason Hideaway on Koh Yao Island!

Whether for business or leisure, the Park Plaza Sukhumvit, the newest hotel in Bangkok, will exceed your expectations.

Developed by Thailand’s, Asoke Park , the Park Plaza Sukhumvit prides itself for excellent service and hospitality and as a serene retreat from Bangkok’s hustle and bustle. Nevertheless, the hotel is conveniently located on Ratchadaphisek Road and within walking distance of some of the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment outlets, as well as the Skytrain and subway lines.

The Park Plaza Sukhumvit offers 95 full equipped rooms with state-of-the-art amenities, including an executive workstation, LCD TV, and wireless high-speed Internet access. Of course, the exceptional lounge, bars and restaurants provide everything for your visit to this dynamic city.

In Myanmar, there is no place more peaceful and tranquil than Inle Lake. Its vast waters team with life, including its indigenous aquatic life and the native ethnic people who make the lake their home.

This tour will include visits to the floating villages of the local ethnic peoples, the floating market and the vegetable farms on the Inle Lake. Visits to silk-weaving looms, intricate silversmith workshops and traditional fishing sites offer unique insight on traditional Myanmar life.

For gourmets, the traditional food of the Intha, the ethnic people of the Inle Lake, is well worth trying. Chinese cuisines are also available and can be ordered by a la carte or buffet.

The fishermen of Inle Lake are the signature attraction. Traditionally, the Intha row with their legs! The traditional regatta is a wonderful spectacle, and it is normally held during the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival. However, the traditional boat race can be arranged on your request during your stay in Inle Lake, Myanmar.

If you are seeking for a unique tour program, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for the itinerary and price.

Imagine traveling some place with an expert, not merely a tour guide but a prestigious scholar with deep knowledge about this place. For those who seek knowledge, this is a rare opportunity.

Cruises on the great Ayeyarwaddy River have been arranged as a ten-night expedition from Mandalay to Yangon. These cruises will be accompanied by Professor Donald M Stadtner . The professor is a well-known figure in the field of Burmese Arts, History and Archaeology. A former professor at the University of Austin, Texas, he is also a regular guest Lecturer with Swan Hellenic and the Smithsonian Institution.

Professor Stadtner will give lectures on board the cruises. The topics of his lectures will be:

1. The Golden Land: A Sacred Landscape
2. Buddhism: The Buddha’s Mission to Burma and Monastic Life
3. The Temple City of Pagan: A Buddhist Plain of Merit
4. Colonial Burma: George Orwell’s Burmese Days
5. Mandalay: The Last Burmese Capital

This cruise takes you beyond Myanmar’s stunning sites and charming peoples. Stadtner will take you on a journey through the country’s rich history, providing you with a unique understanding of this wonderful land.

The 18th February 2008 departure is already full but few cabins remain for 2nd March 2008. Please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for further details.

Recently opened to the public, the caves in Viengxay district are now significant historical site. The caves are recently well-known by lots of tourists to Laos. Come to the caves, tourist will have a great chance to visit the area where Lao revolutionary leaders took refuge against American bombing during the Indochina war.

Kep is known for its quiet beach, the colonial villas that dot the coast and surprisingly its great accommodation. For such a small city, Kep has much to offer tourists, from natural resorts to 5 star private residences.

Located right in front of the Gulf of Thailand on a quiet inland road, the Champey Inn recently re-opened its doors after an extensive renovation and is now the proud owner of several well decorated bungalows around a nicely garden setting with pool. All bungalows have hot water, AC and a private outdoor bathroom.