This day-trip is a perfect choice for culturally curious first time visitors to Java with excursions to local villages and the world’s biggest Buddhist temple, Borobudur. As always, no trip to Yogyakarta would be complete with am early morning visit to Borobudur to watch the sunrise, comprised of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, the temple took over 75 years to build! Our Borobudur and Candirejo day-trip immerses travelers in rural Javanese life with a trip to a local village and market. Take a light trek to Watu Kendil where spectacular panoramas of the 5 surrounding volcanoes and the entire Borobudur temple complex are revealed.

Discover the historic monuments and architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the Perfume River in Central Vietnam. On this tour travelers will cycle through the backstreets of Hue and explore the rich traditions and culture of this region. Meet friendly locals, have lunch with a Vietnamese family in the ancient village of Phuoc Tich in a 200 year old house. Note that the route takes place over flat terrain and is not too strenuous and can be enjoyed by those of all fitness levels.

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.

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.

We have teamed up with a renowned professor of Vietnamese history, Mr Douglas Jardin, to create several half day excursions in Hanoi. Each tour is focused on a certain aspect of local culture or a particular period of Hanoi’s history, including the French Colonial era, the communist uprising or the ancient Chinese-influenced architecture. Travelers can choose to be led by Mr Jardin himself or opt for a local university student who has received special guide training for these tours.

For a more immersive tour, we have combined these excursions into a four-day Celebrate 1000 Years of Hanoi package. The tour covers the past millennium, from the mighty Ly dynasty of 1010 to present-day events, and how this diverse era is reflected in the city’s architecture and culture. The first day is free for guests to spend at their leisure. The second day is spent on a walking tour of the city’s French colonial architecture, such as the Long Bien Bridge, the Opera House, the Chinese-influenced Van Mieu and Ngoc Son Temple. On the third day, the tour focuses on recent Vietnamese history with visits to iconic sites affiliated with the August Revolution, including the hideouts of the Communist leaders and Hoa Lu Prison, followed by a tour of the ‘new’ Hanoi to explore recent architectural styles. The last day is free at guests’ disposal. Click here to view the detailed itinerary or contact us at vietnam@exotissimo.com. The tours will be offered throughout 2010.

The canopy zip-line tour at Tad Sae Waterfalls is the latest soft adventure offering in the outskirts of Luang Prabang. Consisting of 19 platforms on a 1-km journey, this zip-line tour provides stunning views of the surroundings with the last stretch over the Tad Sae waterfall as the most spectacular. After the ride, clients can enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the waterfall or trek across the jungle on an elephant. Priced at 29 USD per person and 15 USD for children below nine years old, this thrilling ride is ideal for families and travelers looking to add a touch of adventure to their time in Luang Prabang. For more information, please click here.

Bangkok Tasty Treats is a unique half-day tour that goes in search of the city’s finest markets and street food. Traveling with a guide and private vehicle, the program starts in the morning with a visit to Samyan Market for a Thai fresh market experience. Strolling through the market, clients get to meet locals on their morning shopping jaunts, learn about the ingredients used in Thai cooking and sample some tropical fruits. Continue to the century-old Nanglerng Food Market, one of the oldest markets in inner Bangkok with a wide variety of food available and old-style wooden architecture. A short drive takes guests to a small but famous local restaurant near Bangkok City Hall for lunch. They will have the opportunity to sample sarim, a popular Thai dessert made up of colorful thin vermicelli served in savory coconut milk. Click here to view the program details.

Helicopters over Phuket features the ultimate way of sightseeing in Phuket – by helicopter. In this program, there are two options for clients’ selection.

Option A: Helicopter Flight over Phuket is a 30-minute ride over the island’s west coast which provides a bird’s eye view of the long sandy beaches and turquoise waters dotted with fisherman boats. Flying around the island, passengers will see the various beaches from the luxurious Surin to the bustling Patong and the white sandy beach of Karon. Before touching down, the helicopter will pass by Big Buddha, one of the island’s iconic landmarks, offering a unique view rarely seen by other tourists;

Option B: Helicopter Flight over Phang Nga Bay provides views of the breathtaking scenery of Phang Nga Bay in a 30-minute ride. Taking off from Phuket, the helicopter will fly over the island’s shores, shrimp farms and mangroves before entering the pristine Phang Nga Bay. Soar over towering limestone cliffs and turquoise waters and enjoy spectacular views from every direction. Dip down to view a floating village and coast above famous ‘James Bond Island’ before returning to land.

Click here to view the program details.

Exotissimo is growing our collection of day trips in Chiang Rai. From tracing the Opium Trail on a 4WD in the region’s infamous Golden Triangle to visiting authentic authentic hill tribe villages in remote mountains to a Thai cooking class, there are many ways to discover Thailand’s northernmost province. Click here to view all Chiang Rai day trips.

Better known as Uncle Nam, Huynh Van Chia is a Cu Chi native who fought in the Cu Chi Tunnels for 12 years during the Vietnam War. This retired military war veteran is now available as a tour guide for the Cu Chi Tunnels, offering visitors a personal, first-hand account of his war experience. For more information or to book Uncle Nam’s services, please contact vietnam@exotissimo.com.