With the opening of several new boutique hotels in Siem Reap, there are now increased options for a stylish and personalized stay while touring the temples of Angkor.

The new, intimate Villa Kiara features 8 suite rooms and 9 deluxe rooms within a lush Cambodian village setting. Room interiors are decorated with natural products and traditional handicrafts. Each unit opens into either a balcony or a private garden. With a restaurant, bar, spa and swimming pool, Villa Kiara is a charming place to stay. Free shuttle services to the town center and airport are provided.

Providing the utmost privacy, the stylish One Hotel offers one suite only. Located in the old market area in the heart of Siem Reap, guests are pampered with deluxe treats such as a two-person granito bathtub with underwater lighting, private rooftop terrace, in-room spa treatment as well as the services of a private chef. A personal iBook, iPod and mobile phone are also provided for guests’ use.

Sister hotel Hotel Be across the alley offers similar personalized “design experiences”. Each of the three rooms � Saffron, Bamboo & Sepia – was decorated by local contemporary artists. Both One Hotel and Hotel Be seek to provide an all-encompassing and personalized stay complete with gallery, shopping and fine dining opportunities.

The lifeblood of Myanmar, Irrawaddy River is intricately linked to the country’s history, culture and people’s livelihoods. A cruise along the Irrawaddy is highly recommended for visitors to Myanmar. We have created several cruise tours along the Irrawaddy for clients who wish to experience the stunning views and ethnic villages along this mighty river. For details, contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Elephant Hills, our preferred partner in Thailand’s south, has launched fantastic new deals to stimulate tourism to Thailand and Khao Sok National Park. Starting from 1 May 2009, the following promotions will be available:

* Amazing Summer 2 for 1: Pay for one person and bring another person for free for the months of May and June
* No Single Supplement from 1 May 2009 through to 30 April 2010
* Family Summer Specials: With any full paying adult, the first child will receive a 50% discount whereas the second and third child will be charged 25% of the adult’s price.

Our Elephant Hills programs have been updated to reflect these special promotions. They are: Elephant Hills Nature Safari – 2 Days / 1 Night and Elephant Hill Jungle Safari – 3 Days / 2 Nights.

Bangkok Airways (PG) will operate two daily return flights between Bangkok and Luang Prabang from 29 March – 10 May 2009:

* PG941 BKK 09.30 – LPQ 11.30
* PG943 BKK 11.40 – LPQ 13.40
* PG942 LPQ 12.10 – BKK 14.15
* PG944 LPQ 14.20 – BKK 16.25

During the low season from 11 May – 24 October 2009, the daily return flight frequency will be reduced to one:

* PG 943 BKK 11.40 – LPQ 13.40
* PG 944 LPQ 14.20 – BKK 16.25

The winter schedule will be released later this year.

From 28 March 2009, Shanghai Airlines will be the first carrier to operate direct flights between Hanoi and Shanghai. Using Boeing 727-800 planes, the airline will fly from Hanoi to Shanghai on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Shanghai to Hanoi on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Self Drive in the Scenic South – 7 Days / 6 Nights is one of our many unique itineraries developed in southern Thailand. In this program, Exotissimo Thailand will make all necessary arrangements, including accommodation, car rental and a road map with suggested routes and activities. Our Thailand Product Manager Soonie says, “Once you get behind the wheel, you will be enthralled by the sweeping views, amazing wildlife, superb Thai cuisine, friendliness of Thais and much more. Simply an unforgettable road trip!” Contact thailand@exotissimo.com for more details.

A private home-cooked dinner or cooking class in the home of a local Vietnamese is the perfect way for travelers to gain deeper insights into the country’s culture and cuisine. A host family, residing in the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) suburbs, will whip up delicious dishes and sit down to enjoy the meal with their foreign guests. As for the half-day cooking class, the client will first visit a local market well off the tourist trail escorted by a local university student, before proceeding to the host family’s house for the cooking class. An opportunity to learn how the locals really live and eat, such intimate interaction is sure to leave lasting memories for your clients! Note: the half-day private cooking class in family home is inclusive of lunch. For inquiries, contact vietnam@exotissimo.com.

Since 6 March 2009, a new train service now connects Vientiane with the Thai town of Nongkhai. Extending the Bangkok – Nongkhai railway across the Thai – Lao Friendship Bridge, the train service will terminate in Laos at Tha Naleng (approximately 12km from Vientiane). Passport-stamping services are available at both the Nongkhai and Tha Naleng stations. The VIP compartment seats 4 passengers while the standard compartment seats 40.

Exotissimo Cambodia has launched three exciting regional tours (linking Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam) with a particular focus on Cambodia.

The 15-day South Vietnam and Cambodia Unveiled tour leads travelers from the bustling Ho Chi Minh City to the tropical gem of Phu Quoc Island. From there, continue to the former beach resort of Kep via Ha Tien, a border crossing that was only recently opened. Other trip highlights are Kirirom National Park, the vibrant city of Phnom Penh and the magnificent jungle temples of Sambor Prey Kuk en-route to Angkor. The tour finishes in Bangkok. The itinerary can be viewed here.

Coast to Coast Cambodia takes guests on a 17-day journey from metropolitan Bangkok to the scenic Cambodian countryside via Pailin and Battambang and onward to an in-depth exploration of the Angkor temples. Continue to Sambor Prey Kuk and Phnom Penh, explore the dense jungles at Kirirom National Park before transferring to the island of Koh Kong. Returning to Thailand, the tour culminates with a beach break on the beautiful island of Koh Chang. Click here to view the itinerary.

Setting off from Bangkok, Journey Across Cambodia: Bangkok to the Mekong Delta ventures into the heart of Cambodia, including Angkor, Sambor Prey Kuk, Phnom Penh and the tropical beaches of Cambodia’s southern coast. Moving on to the colorful Mekong Delta and the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the 15-day program immerses the guest in a fascinating journey of Khmer and Vietnamese cultures. View the itinerary here.

We have added an extensive list of specially negotiated deals and reduced price packages on our Travel Trade Section. Of particular note, several hotels in Phuket are now running great promotions, such as the Indigo Pearl Hotel which is offering an attractive ‘pay 5 nights stay 2 extra nights free’ promotion. Don’t miss out these specials by clicking on Thailand Hotel Special Promotions and Thailand Hotel Rates 2009 to view discounted rates for your clients.