South East Asia Cultural, religious historic sites Trips

It feels busy, but it is called a whirl for a reason. When you stop and look back at what you saw and experienced in that short amount of time - it's quite overwhelming - and amazing. The 'be my guest' experience in Tuscany was amazing!

This trip was a follow-up visit to Vietnam after a 30-year break. The country still has the charm, interest, and friendly people that I remember. This is despite it now being an industrialised nation instead of the totally rural economy that it was. There has been a great deal of improvement in the infrastructure that makes travelling around much easier. The trip was very comprehensive with a packed itinerary giving a good insight into Vietnamese life. Our guide Tien worked tirelessly to make sure that the trip ran smoothly for everyone and ensured that the group was happy and well fed. Her knowledge of the country, its history, customs, along with her personal insights enhanced the basic facts of the place that we visited. The hotels were all an excellent standard, if a bit corporate and international on a few occasions. The junk for the cruise around Lan Ha Bay was of an exceptional standard. My favourite hotel was The Little Oasis in Hoi An. Hoi An was also my favourite town. We opted out of the cooking class to spend more time exploring the town. Perhaps this cooking activity should have been an option rather than inclusive. There are other things to do in and around the town that would have made a better option for me. The transport was clean and comfortable except for the Hue to Hoi An section. The vehicle had broken air vents, cup holders, seat belts were hanging on the floor, and the suspension was poor. The transport over this section needs upgrading. My only disappointment was the water puppet show. I have seen the show before. After a 45-minute drive to the rural location the exclusive show was very amateurish, lacked live music and had no atmosphere. The Hanoi city theatre version that I had seen previously was much more enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit to Vietnam and would have no worries about recommended this trip to either a first or return visitor to Vietnam.

The trip was great and our tour leader Woody made it an unforgettable experience. Very varied itinerary, good mix of temples, ruins, culture, wildlife and nature, history, contact to locals, markets and food. Only the optional Thai cooking course was not offered in Chang Mai which was a pity, it would be good if that could be integrated into the tour.

Outstanding trip that was well worth the investment. was an absolute standout as our Travel Director. While Trafalgar already has a strong reputation, she truly put her own personal stamp on the trip and made it exceptional from start to finish. She built genuine, easy connections with guests and made everyone feel seen and cared for. Her positive energy, professionalism, and warmth showed through in both group settings and one-on-one moments. Thanks to , the trip felt not just well-run, but truly special. I could easily list countless thoughtful things she did and said throughout the trip, but one moment especially stayed with me. I mentioned in passing that my daughter loves cats (almost as much as does), and later that evening during her free time, I received a WhatsApp message from her with a photo of a cat sweater she’d spotted in a local shop, asking if my daughter might like it. What meant the most to me was knowing that this was personal time, and she still took a moment to follow up on a simple conversation we’d had earlier. People like are special. I hope Trafalgar knows what a gem she is!

Absolutely fabulous trip. Our trip leader Raquel was superb. I can’t speak highly enough of her. She was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the landscape and led us on many varied walks sharing her extensive knowledge. The trip was well organised with good accommodation and private transport for the most part. It was also interesting to experience the public transport on the mountainous roads and see some local towns and villages. Dining options were good and we experienced both local and world cuisine. The group size was ideal and we were extremely lucky to have a great group of fellow walkers. The grading of the holiday was accurate in our view, with both easier and more challenging elements. It was our first holiday with Explore but will definitely not be our last. Excellent.

A fabulous trip for those who are a little adventurous in their travels - the itinerary is a really good mix of insights into the history and culture of both countries as well as the beautiful nature reserves and abundant birdlife. Our tour leader was caring and organised and enhanced our experience by sharing personal experiences.