Japan’s Golden Route:

The ‘Golden Route’ traverses clients through Japan’s most distinctive sites from the neon lights of Tokyo to the soaring heights of Mt. Fuji. The 9-day program offers tremendous insights into the both the old and new faces of the country, demonstrating how these coexist together. Discover the epic beauty of Mt Fuji and Hakone National Park; participants will also get the opportunity to bath in an onsen – a synonymous Japanese experience. The tour concludes in the cultural capital of Kyoto, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites just waiting to be explored. To view a full itinerary of this tour please, click here.

Art and Culture Japan:

Arguably more so than any other country, Japan conjures up ideas of art and design. Home to a rich and influential artistic legacy, this 12-day exploratory tour traverses clients through the country’s leading galleries and museums. The perfect choice of vacation for the culturally curious and art enthusiast, Art and culture Japan begins in Osaka before continuing on to Hiroshima and Kyoto, culminating in Tokyo. This Japan tour offers a comprehensive insight into the fascinating traditional and contemporary art of the country. To view a full itinerary please, click here.

Kyushu and Shikoku Explorer

Taking travelers on an adventure into two of Japans less visited islands, Kyushu and Shikoku, this 17-day tour offers extensive insights into this weird and wonderful country. A seamless blend of cultural exploration, stunning natural scenery and soft adventure the program promises a great introduction to Japan. Revealing both past and present cultural pastimes it serves to both educate and entertain. Clients will have the opportunity to experience traditional accommodation option and indulge in the world-renowned Japanese cuisine. To view a full itinerary of this tour, click here.

Our new Chiang Mia Bike and Adventure programs make for the perfect addition to a Thailand tour. Traversing the diverse and scenic landscape of Chiang Mai alongside a local guide, travelers will be immersed in the unique cultures that inhabit the region while enjoying some soft adventures en-route.

Best of Chiang Mai by Bike - 3D2N

Cycle through the elating scenery of Chiang Mai on this 3-day soft adventure that goes in search of tumbling waterfalls, elephant camps and rustic village life. Ascend mountain roads and be rewarded with sensational panoramas. Gain authentic insights into life in the remote hinterlands of northern Thailand when you weave your way through villages admiring the flora and fauna en-route. On this Best of Chiang Mai by Bike Tour clients will cycle along the Ping River, visit ancient ruins and leave the experience with a better understanding of the misty mountains and colorful hill tribes that equate to charming Chiang Mai. To view this tour please, Click here

East of Chiang Mai by Bike - 2D1N

Beginning in Chiang Mai, travelers will embark on an adventure into the diverse sceneries of rural Thailand that include mountainous backdrops, lush forested plains, tranquil green rice paddies and everyday scenes of rustic living. Visit local markets, revered temples and natural mineral springs. Guests can look forward to comfortable accommodation and a beautiful riverside lunch. For more information on this tour, click here.

Sri Landa National Park Biking Adventure – 2D1N

Our 2-day Sri Lanna Biking Adventure explores the diverse terrain of northern Thailand by bike, kayak and an exhilarating long tail boat ride. Beginning at the tumbling Bua Thong Waterfall, the adventure continues past fruit orchards and emerald green rice paddies while soaking up the sprawling panoramas of the rich fertile valleys. Spend the evening on a floating raft . Awake to one more day of intrepid adventure as you leave Mae Taeng to continue back to Chiang Mai along the Ping River. To view a full itinerary please, click here.

Northern Family Adventure- 6D5N

This 6-day Chiang Mai Northern Family Adventure has been designed to enthrall both adults and children alike. Fusing an action-packed itinerary consisting of soft adventure, cultural immersion and architectural and scenic exploration offering an unmatched opportunity for families to experience the great outdoors together. To view a full itinerary please, click here .

After a period of repair, the tethered helium balloon at Angkor has been reinstalled and has been operating as normal since the 29th March. The 15 minute balloon ride takes you 200m straight up for an amazing aerial view of Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. To find out how you can work this into an Exo itinerary please contact, Cambodia@exotissimo.com

Beginning in Luang Prabang, travelers can use their time here to better acquaint themselves with the ethnic populations inhabiting the country with a visit to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center. Take the time to absorb the faded grandeur of the city that fuses traditional Buddhist architecture with provincial French to mesmerizing effect. Time spent in the spiritual capital affords travelers omnipresent Laotian experiences including the feeding of the alms to the monks, temple exploration and local exhibitions.
Leaving the charm of Luang Prabang behind, the tour takes an intrepid twist in heading north to Nong Khiaw, a rustic town on the banks of the Ou River. Absorb the tranquil rhythms of river life that surround the town, idyllically squeezed in between some of the most visually spectacular limestone mountains to be found north of Vang Vieng. A definite highlight of this 8-day itinerary is the excursion to the ‘Hidden City” in Viengxay. During the Vietnam War locals took refuge here, establishing everything from hospitals to schools inside a network of caves. To see more about this fascinating tour please, click here.

Exotissimo Myanmar has developed two new programs based around Burmese cuisine. The itineraries not only focus on food-related visits but also ensure a greater understanding of the local culture.

Yangon for Foodies is a half day trip which starts with a visit to one of the busiest morning markets in town. It then traverses the city in search of the best local delights, from the sweet (homemade donuts) to the more unusual (a famous stall for le pet thoke, fermented tea leaf salad) and concludes with lunch at a popular local curry house. Along the way travelers get to experience the daily lives of the local people, the importance of food in their culture and a traditional Burmese tea shop. Click here to see the full itinerary.

Culinary Delights of Myanmar is an 8-day program blending classical touring with food-related adventures. Highlights include dining in local spots such as Yangon’s Chinatown, a curry house in Bagan and a night market in Mandalay, visiting cottage industries making local delights in Bagan and two cooking courses — one with a local family and one in a well-known Burmese restaurant. Click here to see the full itinerary.

Please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information

Exotissimo is pleased to announce a 10 day join-in culinary tour of Vietnam departing on 11th Oct, 2011. Led by Daniel Hoyer, the author of Culinary Vietnam as well as four other cookbooks and has resided in Hanoi Vietnam for nearly three years. His enthusiasm for Vietnamese food and the people is contagious and you are sure to enjoy this gastronomic exploration. Using food as the focus and a window into the culture, Daniel will lead you through Vietnam from north to south.
Hoyer’s experiences and insight into this exciting culinary destination allow you to experience Vietnam from a unique, intimate and well-informed perspective. The tour is not soley about food, it uses food as a catalyst for understanding the people and eating great food will benefit from this tour. You will interact with locals in each location and even stay in an ethnic minority home in Sapa. For more info on this program please, click here.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening of Hotel de l’Opéra Hanoi has been delayed until June 2011. The hotel will not be taking any bookings until this time. Hotel de l’Opera is a 5-star boutique property comprising of 107 rooms with 4 Food and Beverage outlets including banquet facilities. The hotel occupies a prime location on Trang Tien Street halfway between the Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake, in close proximity to shops and restaurants. With its central location and boutique style the property brings a much needed addition to Hanoi’s 5-star hotel range. For more information please contact Vietnam@exotissimo.com

Check out are special promotions for the Elephant Hills Jungle package and explorative introduction to southern Thailand. The perfect opportunity to escape the beach and head to the forested interior of Thailand’s south. Get up close and personal to these gentle giants; partake in a trek through the pristine rainforest, passing limestone Karsts and exotic wildlife. Alternatively, have the unique experience of caring for an elephant for a day – this includes feeding, bathing and learning the secrets of the mahout.

From January, 2011 Cruise Halong whose fleet includes the Jasmine, Ginger and Violet Junks now feature exclusive candle-lit cave dinners in all programs. The cave, which has not been opened to public before, features a wooden platform where tables are arranged surrounded by stalactites. The diner set is buffet style featuring seafood, meat and vegetable dishes. There are bathroom facilities at the cave and tender boats will be on hand should dinners wish to return early to their respective junks.
For longer 2 night programs the second dinner can be arranged either on the junks or back in the cave depending on passenger’s requests. Cruise Halong will also be changing their cruising programs slightly by adding Bai Tu Long Bay into all their itineraries. Situated just to the north of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long is a far quieter part of the Bay with few tourist boats venturing this far. All Junks departure/return times to Halong City remain the same.

Exotissimo Cambodia now offers ‘A Touch of Adventure’ to add some exciting details to otherwise classic tours with our six soft adventure modules. The half day to full day modules range from cycling tours to Banteay Srei and Phnom Krom for sunset over the Tonle Sap. As well as Bike and Jeep tours to Phnom Bok, Bike & Boat to Roluos and Kampong Phluck, trekking at Phnom Kulen to exploring the temples of Angkor on foot during a trekking tour over hidden back roads. This is a chance to see Angkor from a new perspective and to explore the picturesque countryside around Siem Reap in an authentic and low impact way.