Exo’s popular join-in tour extended until April 2011

Our popular 9-day Join In Tour of Vietnam (‘Seat in Coach’) has been extended until 16 April 2011. Starting in Hanoi and traveling south to Ho Chi Minh City, the itinerary showcases the highlights of Vietnam including a city tour of Hanoi and an overnight boat trip on Halong Bay in the north, touring of Hoi An and Hue’s main sites in the central region and a full day tour of Ho Chi Minh City as well as an excursion to the Mekong Delta.

The trip departs every 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month (see dates below). For departures from now to 16 April 2010, the price is 599 USD per person in First Class hotels and 834 USD per person in Superior Class hotels. Departures from October 2010 to April 2011 are 650 USD per person in First Class or 840 USD in Superior Class. These rates include all domestic flights, entrance fees and accommodation in a shared twin or double room.

Departure Dates 2010: 20 Feb, 06 and 20 Mar, 03 and 17 April, 01 and 15 May, 05 and 19 June. 02 and16 Oct, 06 and 20 Nov and 04 and 18 Dec

Departure Dates 2011: 03 and 15 Jan, 12 and 26 Feb, 05 and 19 Mar & 02 and16 Apr

For full details, itinerary and pricing, click here. To make a booking, please email vietnam@exotissimo.com.

Set for August and September this year, our popular Agent Familiarization trips are the perfect way for you to learn more about our destinations and our best products. Each program is mixes innovative touring with hotel inspections to give you a thorough introduction to Exotissimo’s Asia.

This year we are offering a mix of classic itineraries as well as some off the beaten track destinations that are quickly emerging as traveler favorites. Each itinerary is uniquely Exo with our signature excursions and Exo Touches filling the programs. The trips are listed as below and on our Travel Trade website:

For more information and full program details, click here: http://traveltrade.exotissimo.com/famtrip

To book, please send a request via our Travel Trade website or email marketing@exotissimo.com.

Located in the town of Hpa An in Kayin State, the 24-room Zwekabin Hotel offers the area’s best accommodation. The hotel is situated near its namesake, Mt Zwekabin, and offers a convenient base for exploring the natural and cultural sites of the Kayin State. The twin and double rooms are housed in villa-like buildings with expansive balconies from which to enjoy the views and feature televisions, en-suite bathrooms and ample space. The staff are helpful and welcoming and an on-site restaurant serves local specialties and some international dishes. Click here to download the hotel fact sheet. The hotel details can be viewed here. Zwekabin Hotel also makes a great base for our Hidden Treasure of Myanmar: Mawlamein and Hpa An tour. To view program details, click here.

Recently opened in downtown Bangkok, the Glow Trinity Silom Hotel is situated a short stroll to the Chong Nonsi BTS Station with easy accessibility to the city’s business, shopping and entertainment districts. The 104 rooms include Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite and Executive Suite categories. The hotel boasts of in-room Wi-Fi access, a Thai restaurant and Japanese tapas restaurant. Guests also have complimentary access to the rooftop pool, gym and sauna facilities in the adjacent Trinity Complex. Click here to view the hotel factsheet. More hotel details can be viewed here.

For travelers looking to explore Phuket’s tropical waters in a different way, our SUP Adventure is a great eco-friendly alternative. Originating in Hawaii, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is a variant of surfing which allows surfers to move through the water and sightsee while standing on a surfboard. This half-day trip begins with a transfer to a calm sea location where guests will receive a guided demonstration on how to paddle and steer a SUP board. They will spend the next few hours paddling around the waters or, if requested, through mangrove forests and lagoons. Our instructor will be at-hand at all times and a lifejacket is provided. As SUP is an easy sport with no waves requited, this is a fun and unique adventure suitable for all ages. For more information, click here.

During the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet), Exotissimo’s Vietnam offices will be closing at noon on 12 February (Friday). The offices will fully re-open at 9AM on 18 February (Thursday). During this time, our operations staff will be working as usual and our 24-hour emergency phone numbers will be in effect to handle any urgent issues. Sales staff will be present, but replying only to urgent matters. Emergency numbers are as follows: Hanoi/North (Mrs Thuy +84 9 1323 7135) Hue/Hoi An/Central (Mr Quang +84 9 0544 3009) and Ho Chi Minh City/South (Mr Long +84 9 1380 1350)

In Siem Reap, Hotel de la Paix has created a new dining option in the Cambodian countryside. Guests will enjoy a romantic dinner of Khmer barbequed specialities in a traditional gazebo while a team of chefs and waiters is at-hand to provide personalized service. Priced at USD 300 for two, the package includes a tuk tuk transfer (return by private car), a Khmer barbeque dinner, champagne on arrival and a bottle of wine from the hotel’s wine list. This unique dinner experience can be included as an option in Exotissimo’s Angkor Romantic Escape, a 3 Days / 2 Nights program specially designed for couples in mind. Click here to view the program details.

Two charming boutique hotels have recently opened in Phnom Penh, adding to the growing hotel collection in the Cambodian capital.

Located just round the corner from the Royal Palace, the 18-room Mysteres & Mekong is an inviting boutique property set in a restored colonial villa in the center of the city. Surrounded by gardens in a quiet neighborhood, Mysteres & Mekong offers a calming escape from the city and boasts ample amenities including a swimming pool, wireless internet and in-room satellite television. The spacious rooms and relaxing atmosphere make Mysteres & Mekong a good base for travelers of all types and with cots and connecting rooms available, families are also welcome at this property. For more hotel information, click here. To download the hotel fact sheet, click here.

River 108 is a stylish boutique hotel situated right by the bustling riverfront of Phnom Penh. Overlooking the Tonle Sap River, each of the 12 rooms features art-deco interiors with modern amenities including free wireless internet and large flatscreen TV. The property boasts a café and a restaurant next door, while several popular markets, restaurants and bars lie within walking distance. For travelers looking for a stylish stay in the heart of the city, River 108 is an ideal option. For more information, click here. To download the hotel fact sheet, click here.

Our latest Bangkok excursion, The Silk Route of Jim Thomspon, offers travelers a great opportunity to learn about Southeast Asian art. This half day trip starts at Jim Thompson House, a beautiful teak mansion which once belonged to the legendary American businessman Jim Thompson. A tour around this museum allows visitors to learn about his fascinating life story and his pivotal role in reviving Thailand’s silk industry. Then cross the canal to Baan Krua, a Cham Muslim village whose inhabitants used to weave for Jim Thompson. Visitors are welcome to observe the artisans at work and interact with the local families. For more information, click here.