Ultimate Grand Tour of Indochina

The first stop (and first country) on your holiday is the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang, stretched along the banks of the Mekong. The former royal capital retains a regal air, and is home to ancient Buddhist temples and historic French-colonial mansions, against a lush green backdrop of mountains and valleys. Discover its highlights on a walking tour, enjoy a private guided tour of the Buddhist archive of photography, witness the serene sight of the monks receiving their alms at dawn and get under the skin of Luang Prabang’s unique spiritual identity.

Your hotel, the luxurious Belmond La Residence Phou Vao, sits on a hilltop with incredible views over Luang Prabang and the surrounding mountains. Visit nearby caves and waterfalls, and unwind after your flight with a swim in the beautiful infinity pool or a blissful herbal treatment in the spa.

After dipping your toe in Laos, it’s on to Vietnam and its capital, Hanoi, a showcase of colonial buildings, temples and colourful food markets that showcase the city’s reputation as one of THE culinary destinations in Vietnam, while the opera house and galleries are a testament to its vibrant arts scene. Discover more about Hanoi’s history and culture with a talk by historian/writer Dr Doan Tran Lam.

In the historic Old Quarter, you can browse the handicrafts as the tempting aromas of the street food waft through the air. In the evening, sample the best of the street food with your local guide, and at dawn, visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, where pagodas dot the shoreline and the locals practise tai chi as the sun rises over the city. Have a go at tai chi yourself and learn all about this ancient art with a local master.

The Sofitel Legend Metropole in the heart of Hanoi combines colonial grandeur with contemporary elegance, with many of the city’s sights just a stone’s throw away.

Experience one of Vietnam’s – and the world’s – most spectacular natural wonders for yourself. Sail on Halong Bay’s emerald waters in style on the Heritage Line Violet, a traditional junk boat that makes a luxurious floating hotel – with just a handful of cabins, each one with its own personal butler, you are guaranteed an exclusive experience.

Glide your way leisurely around the distinctive limestone karsts, hidden inlets and floating villages where you can watch fishermen hard at work. There are plenty of opportunities to get off the boat and explore - see caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, kayak around the limestone crags, and walk on trails around hidden islands for vantage bay views and relax on beautiful secluded beaches.

Back onboard, take in the panoramic ever-changing scenery from the deck at sunset, accompanied by a cocktail, followed by a feast of delicious freshly-caught fish.

Saigon, Vietnam’s capital, is home to wartime landmarks and ornate and serene Buddhist temples. Explore sights such as the Independence Palace, the Notre-Dame cathedral and the 19^th-century Post Office, and discover its hidden secrets on a fascinating city tour. While you’re in Saigon, you’ll also get to experience a Buddhist blessing ceremony, aimed at bringing you health, happiness and good luck.   

Stay at the aptly named Reverie, where you can unwind after exploring Saigon with a visit to the blissful spa.

Get back onboard another luxurious boat for a 3-night cruise to your next country, as you travel from Saigon in Vietnam to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, via the Mekong Delta. Your boat (and accommodation) for three nights will be The Jahan, a regal vessel which was named after an Indian emperor.

As you glide along the Mekong River, experience Cai Be’s colourful floating market on a traditional sampan boat, explore a remote village on the island of Binh Thanh and visit the stilted houses and fish farms of Tan Chau, near the Cambodian border. Back onboard, take in the panoramic sunsets as night falls, and at dawn, practise your new found skills with tai chi on the deck as the sun rises over the water.

Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, an impressive spectacle which dates from the 12^th century. As well as enjoying the obligatory sunrise/sunset views, get up close to see the elaborate carvings of apsaras (heavenly nymphs) on the walls and explore the sprawling Angkor Archaeological Park, whose ruins are all but taken over as the jungle takes hold. Discover the secrets of Angkor Wat with a Khmer scholar, explore the temples on a grand circuit that avoids the usual crowds, and enjoy a half-day tour of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer empire.

On your first night in Siem Reap, enjoy a gourmet dinner and a traditional apsara dance performance.

Your hotel, Phum Baitang, is modelled on the style of a traditional Cambodian village, and sits tranquilly amongst rice paddies just outside Siem Reap, yet is only a 20-minute drive from Angkor Wat.

Your final country is Thailand, where you’ll head straight to the beautiful island of Koh Kood and the equally beautiful Soneva Kiri, for some A-list beach relaxation. Have lunch in a giant ‘coconut’ dining pod suspended high in the trees (or a moonlit dinner on the beach if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground), watch a movie at the open-air cinema, whose screen rises above a lake, and enjoy some spectacular night-time stargazing.

If you can drag yourself away from your villa, your private pool and the pristine white sand beach, venture into the tropical rainforest, swim under pure waterfalls and explore the nearby (and equally idyllic) islands by private yacht.