ASIA EPIC TOURS DESTINATIONS
ASK AN EXPERT
Lesley Wright,
LEFT: Thailand
BELOW: Angkor Wat, Cambodia
is a natural combination and is certainly a bucket-list ticker for those wanting to explore all three countries in one trip. A longer tour offers great value for money, with just one international air fare, as well as the opportunity to build great friendships during the three weeks.” It’s less common to see
Thailand included in Indochina tours, although Bangkok or the islands are popular pre and post-tour add-ons. A notable exception, however, is Contiki’s 25-day Big Indochina Adventure. Appealing to its 18 to 35 demographic, many of whom might be travelling independently for the first time, this is a good introduction to the whole
region with the reassurance and camaraderie of a group.
w DIGGING DEEPER If anyone said they were going to tour the whole of the US in less than a fortnight, they’d be
laughed at, and rightly so. Yet it’s not uncommon for clients to think they can pack all the highlights of China – only marginally smaller than the US – into that kind of time frame. That’s where a tour of more than two weeks can come in handy. Clients still won’t be able to see everything, but with an extra few days to play with, they can immerse themselves in the culture with homestays, local transport and more in-depth activities, rather than just skimming the surface. Wendy Wu Tours has added a
28-day tour, China: The Big One, for next year, which spends as much time exploring rural regions and quirky ancient towns as
general manager – commercial, Insider Journeys: “Asia is ideal for longer tours. It is
easy and inexpensive to combine destinations to create a longer trip, with short and convenient flight connections. Yet it is equally possible to focus on just one country in-depth. Epic tours allow clients to immerse themselves in the culture, and see beyond the highlights, visiting more remote locations and experiencing local life.”
John Parker,
Japan product manager, Premier Holidays:
“A longer tour allows you to
explore deeper into a country and get a better feel for its culture, tradition and values. For example, in Japan, most visitors want to tick off Tokyo and Kyoto, but spending longer there allows you to experience other parts of the country such as Kanazawa and Hiroshima, each of which has different influences and history.”
Colin Wilson,
group sales director, Travelsphere: “Longer holidays allow customers
to feel part of the country they are visiting. They get used to the customs and learn a little of the language, which helps them interact with the people that call the destination home. In terms of their fellow travellers, we have seen close friendships develop, and people going on holiday with those they have travelled with previously.”
8 October 2015
travelweekly.co.uk 47
PICTURE: COSMOS TOURS & CRUISES
FAST FACT
Riviera Travel’s 16-day Vietnam & Cambodia tour is its most popular long-haul itinerary
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