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10 reasons why Phuket should still be on your travel bucket list

One of the most common misconceptions about travel in Southeast Asia is that Phuket is too developed and travelers need to look elsewhere for their beach vacations.

While parts of Phuket are overly developed  and to be frank, pretty gross  Phuket is a big island and there are still plenty of gorgeous beaches and clear waters to explore. Below are my 10 reasons why Phuket should still be on your travel bucket list.

  • Quiet beaches – Not all of Phuket island is Patong beach. For a quieter beach experience, head to one of Phuket’s less developed beaches – Kata Noi, Karon, Bangtao.
  • Top rated island by travelers – Phuket was just listed as #7 of the Top Ten Islands in Asia by Travel + Leisure. There are a lot of islands in Asia – there’s a reason why T+L voters named Phuket as their favorite – because travelers love their time in Phuket.  
     
  • Island hopping – Phuket is the best place to base yourself to explore some of the more remote islands and snorkel spots for the day, and come back to your hotel and have options for dining and nightlife.
  • Ethical Elephant experiences – The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary recently opened on the island. A home for retired elephants, you can visit these incredible creatures in an ethical way, feeding and bathing them, with no riding offered at the park.
  • Great value –  You can stay at some of the best hotels in the world, for a much better value than a beach vacation elsewhere.
  • Destination for active travelers – sea kayaking, hiking, yoga, stand up paddle boarding – Phuket is the place for those who want to do more than sit on a beach and tan.
  • Thai food – Thai food + beach vacation = yes please! Most Southern cuisine is inspired by the fresh sea food ingredients readily available on the island.
  • Thai massages – $10, one-hour massages on the beach. Need I say more?
  • Easy flights  You can fly into and out of Phuket with just one stop from the states (same as if you were flying into and out of Bangkok)
  • #1 reason – Phuket is picture perfect.
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Last Minute Luxury Getaway for Less – Four Seasons Chiang Mai 10% off for January Travel

Now that every thing has started to calm down after the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to plan your Winter getaway. While the weather starts to become cold, wet or maybe even snowy, wouldn’t it be fabulous to skip off to a tropical region where it’s warm and sunny? It’s not too late to plan a trip to Thailand, in fact, now is actually the best time to book a stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Chiang Mai, as we are offering 10% off accommodation booked now for travel during January 6-31st, 2018 in a Residence type room.

The Four Seasons Chiang Mai is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful properties, not only in Thailand but in the whole of South East Asia. Located about 30 minutes out of town, everything, from the service and design of the hotel to the extensive gardens and surrounding rice paddy fields, is flawless. Once you’re there, you won’t want to leave! And that’s okay because we recommend booking an extended stay and using the Four Seasons as your base to explore. During the days, Journeys Within can plan you personalized experiences, such as playing with the baby elephants or trekking to a local village and you can add in some free days to explore the resort, use one of their free bikes to explore the surrounding area or even learn how to plant rice.

Contact April or Andrea to start planning your Winter Escape to Chiang Mai now!… Read more »

Travel lingo: What’s the difference between a Tour Operator and a Ground Operator?

Like any specialized industry, the travel world can be full of confusing insider lingo that’s difficult for ordinary people to understand. It can get so bad that even we often have to Google some of the terms and acronyms that get thrown around, and we’ve been at it for 15+ years!

Two questions we get asked quite often – which are particularly relevant given Journeys Within’s recent decision to give away our ground operations businesses in Southeast Asia to focus exclusively on being a tour operator – are…

Journeys Within's Ground Operations team
The Ground Operations team of Journeys Within’s Cambodia office.

What’s the difference between a Tour Operator and a Ground Operator?

Tour Operator: An agent or agency that designs tour packages for travelers. Normally a package will include: airfare, ground transportation, accommodations and guide services (which the Tour Operator will book through local ground operators). Tour Operators book and pay for services on behalf of their clients, working with multiple agencies, and clients pay the Tour Operator for the full package.

Journeys Within has been a Tour Operator from the very beginning, and will continue to be as we transition away from our Ground Operations units.

Ground Operator: A local agency that provides services such as transportation and guide services. Generally, Ground Operators work with Tour Operators, but at times will work directly with clients.

In the beginning, Journeys Within also played the role of a Ground Operator for our clients, with local offices in the countries we serve. This was out of necessity at first, because we wanted such a high level of control at the local level to ensure our clients had incredible experiences while on tour. However, as our local staff has grown into leadership roles, we are now confident that they will be able to continue providing the incredible service levels our clients expect without the direct oversight from the U.S. office (of course, we’ll still be in close contact).

Andrea, her kids, and Narla on an inspection of new touring options in Cambodia.

Why would a traveler want to work with a Tour Operator vs. a Ground Operator?

A Tour Operator’s focus is creating the full tour that the guest is looking for. We understand the guest’s needs and can translate that into the trip that they’re looking for.

Tour Operators understand travel from the traveler’s perspective.

With a Tour Operator, you can pick up the phone and call someone in the U.S. to plan and discuss your trip details.

As a Tour Operator, we have traveled the region extensively, so you get the on-the-ground knowledge of a ground operator, but the service of a local travel agency.

When booking through an accredited Tour Operator, you know that you have the security of the U.S. travel regulations protecting your travel investment.

A Ground Operator is generally less expensive, but they are harder to reach as they are based locally, so you have to deal with time differences and often have limited English-speaking office staff.

Ground Operators tend to focus on working with Tour Operators who are their main clients vs. individual travelers.

Ground Operators focus on a local region. Therefore, if you’re looking to travel to multiple areas within one trip, you’ll need to book through multiple ground operators and coordinate the transfers between those regions on your own.

April Cole is the Vice President of Sales for Journeys Within Tour CompanyRead more »

Ticket Prices are Rising at the Angkor Complex

Andrea, Callie and Couper at Angkor Wat
Andrea, Callie and Couper admiring Angkor Wat – Courtesy of Anna Bella Betts Photography

By Courtney Ridgel, Junior Tour Consultant

The entrance fees to the Angkor Temple Complex will be rising come February of next year. Here are the new rates that visitors can expect in 2017:

1 day pass – $37.00 per person
3 day pass – $62.00 per person
7 day pass – $72.00 per person

Although some are concerned that the fees may hamper tourism, this is really a reflection of the Cambodian government taking steps to ensure that Angkor Wat is protected and preserved. Keen-eyed observers may have already noted the new and improved ticketing and registration booth, and new trash cans around the Angkor Complex to encourage visitors not to litter. The ‘Angkor Code of Conduct’, which has long been in place, is now being enforced by the Apsara Authority to make sure that these sacred sites remain peaceful places of worship, rather than being simply overrun by scantily-clad selfie-takers. $2 of each entry fee will be donated to the Kantha Bopha Foundation, to help provide medical treatment for underprivileged Cambodian children. More information about this transition can be found in the Khmer Times and at Conde Nast.

Andrea, Callie and Couper enjoying a quiet early morning at Angkor Wat
Andrea, Callie and Couper enjoying a quiet early morning at Angkor Wat – Courtesy of Anna Bella Betts Photography
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Connecting Across Continents

Gerald and Lesley Robinson in Luang Prabang, Laos

By Courtney Ridgel

Journeys Within strives to provide personal connections with every tour experience and we love it when our guests return home feeling they have truly made a connection on their trip.

Such was the case for guests Gerald and Lesley Robinson when they traveled to Laos last November as part of their Southeast Asia adventure. Near Luang Prabang they visited the village of Ban Xing (the “Lion Village”) and met with the local elders. As part of their visit they participated in a traditional baci blessing ceremony in the home of Mr. Bouaphan.

After their visit we received the following message from Gerry and Lesley:

How have you been? Lesley and I still talk about our trip; it truly was a trip of a lifetime, thanks to all of you. All our guides were wonderful. They were personable and knowledgeable. We felt like we were with old friends the whole time.

We would like to have the name of our guide in Laos since we have forgotten it and how to contact him. Lesley promised to send some items to him for his children. Also, she has some items for the family we met at a village ceremony, which was a definite highlight. We really bonded with the village elder and his family.

Thank you very much.

Gerry/Lesley Robinson

Gerry Robinson and Bouaphan
Gerry Robinson and Mr. Bouaphan in his home

Happily the timing worked and Andrea was able to carry their gifts in her luggage during her last trip to Laos.

BOuapahn 2 (2)
Mr. Bouaphan receiving gifts and photos from Gerald and Lesley.
Bouaphan (2)
Mr. Bouaphan wearing a necklace sent by Gerald and Lesley

Phaeng and Sone from the Journeys Within Laos Office delivered the gifts in person to Mr. Bouaphan. He was very moved and wanted to write back to Lesley and Gerald to thank them. Here is a copy of his very sweet letter:

Hello Gerald and Lesley!

Long time ago that you were gone from Laos, even that we are still thinking of both of you. First of all I need to say thank you very much for your gifts that send to me and my family, I had received that on 24.March.15 that delivered by Mr. Phaeng and Sone from Journeys Within. I’m very glad to get those gifts from you, even though you are so far but you still charitable me and my family. So I don’t know how to reward anything for your kindness besides say Thank you so much and we will remember you and your family in our hearts forever and if you have time to come back Laos again please come to visit us, we really honored to welcome you and your family to our village. Finally I need to wish you and your family have a good health and successful with your work and life.

Best Wish,
Bouaphan.

Thank you Gerry and Lesley for your thoughtfulness and we were so glad to help facilitate this bonding across the continents and cultures.… Read more »