CLASSIC INDOCHINA

Upon arrival in the Laotian city of Luang Prabang, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel and former residence of Prince Souphanouvong.

Surrounded by mountains at the confluence of Mekong and Khan Rivers, Luang Prabang is a beautiful city rich in temples, religious monuments and deep cultural heritage. You’ll have three nights to immerse yourself in the wonders of this ‘jewel’ of Indochina and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Head out on foot or hire a bicycle to explore the dozens of temples in the atmospheric old quarter, stopping for lunch at one of the restaurants perched along the banks of the Mekong. Highlights include the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong and 16th century Wat Visoun – the oldest temple in the city. Make time, too, for the UXO Laos visitor centre for an insight into the devastation of the Vietnam War, as well as the National Museum (former Royal Palace) with its impressive collection of valuables and artefacts.

Spend the evening wandering the bustling H’mong Night Market, before climbing the 328 steps of Mount Phousi to catch a beautiful sunset over the temples and hillsides. Rise early the following day to witness a traditional alms-giving ceremony before taking a boat along the Mekong to visit the incredible Pak Ou Caves – repositories for thousands of Buddha images.

Stay: Three nights in a Deluxe Room at Satri House – including breakfast

Today you’ll fly across the border to Hanoi in Vietnam, transferring to your stylish hotel in the heart of the historic Old Town.

Over the next two days you’ll be able to appreciate the recent history of this involving country, with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the botanical gardens surrounding the Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho’s humble stilt house. Other sights include the One Pillar Pogada and Vietnam’s first university – the Temple of Literature.

In the afternoon a trip to the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison provides a stark contrast to a bicycle ride through the charming 11th century Old Quarter of Hanoi with its famous 36 streets, culminating at the Ngoc Son Temple on the banks of the Lake of the Restored Sword.

Stay: Two nights in an Executive Room at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be – including breakfast

A road journey of over three hours gives you plenty of time to appreciate the beautiful countryside on the way to Halong Bay; scene of thousands of sculpted limestone peaks rising like green-cloaked ghosts from the placid waters. Here you’ll board your luxury vessel for the night, the Heritage Line ‘Ginger’ junk.

Your stylish floating home sets sail around midday. Enjoy lunch in the light-filled dining room whilst drinking in panoramic views of the passing scenery – including a 100-year-old French-built lighthouse. The first part of your cruise explores Lan Ha Bay, a beautiful part of Halong Bay that recently opened to the public. Relax on the sun deck and soak in the fascinating scenery of this surreal seascape. At the village of Viet Hai on Cat Ba Island, you’ll disembark to explore the area by electric car (or bicycle), a chance to meet the locals as they go about their daily work and school life.

Head back on board for an interactive cooking class as the Ginger pulls into a tranquil anchor spot for the night.

Stay: One night in a Junior Suite Twin Cabin aboard the Halong Ginger Junk – including breakfast 20.818029

After an early morning Tai Chi session on deck, you’ll continue your cruise to secluded Frog Lake where you can swim and paddle through the dreamlike landscape in kayaks. Just before midday, you will arrive back at the pier where you will disembark and be driven to the airport for your flight to Hoi An.

Beautiful Hoi An was one of Asia’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the city’s centre remains much the same as it was in its heyday.

After breakfast you’ll get a glimpse of Hoi An’s illustrious past in the World Heritage-listed Old Town, whose narrow lanes are ideal for exploring on foot. A walking tour will reveal old merchant’s house with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation. Not forgetting the colourful market stalls brimming with silks, handicrafts, antiques and paintings – perfect for souvenir shopping!

The remainder of the day is free for leisure. You might like to visit nearby Cua Dai Beach, popular with locals and visitors for its soft sands, warm sea and seafood stalls.

Stay: Two nights in a Deluxe Junior Suite at La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa – including breakfast

This morning you’ll fly to Ho Chi Minh and check in to your hotel at the heart of the city. Tthe Old Saigon Post Office, partly designed by Gustav Eiffel (Notre Dame Cathedral), the Palace of Reunification and Dong Khoi Street all form part of a city tour that will also reveal the Chinese district of Cholon and the Thien Hau Temple.

Stay: One night in a Deluxe Room at the Hotel Des Arts – including breakfast

Today you’ll journey across the border to Siem Reap in Cambodia, arriving in the afternoon. Your hotel, beautifully situated along the Siem Reap River, is just a short drive from the astonishing temple complex of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of this cornucopia of temples, huge statues, decorative carvings, soaring towers and enigmatic stone heads. Stupendous places like the 12th century Bayon – a temple with 54 towers – the Baphou, the Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace greet you as you’re guided around the 162-hectare site

Dream-like images abound, like the causeway flanked by statues of gods and devils, the man-made temple of Ta Prohm that seems to be locked in a struggle with the natural jungle – the all-powerful roots of massive trees inexorably pushing aside huge blocks of stone. Even more astonishing; if you rise early you can watch the sun rise over the world’s most impressive ruin.

On your final day in Siem Reap you’ll discover a different aspect of Cambodia with a trip to Kompong Khleang, a quiet village untouched by mass tourism. Here you can see traditional stilt houses, meet a family who breed crocodiles and take in jaw-dropping views of the floodplains, rice paddies and waterscapes.

Stay: Three nights in a Deluxe Room at the Jaya House River Park – including breakfast

After a day at leisure, you’ll transfer in the evening to Siem Reap Airport to begin your return journey home.