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Banh Cuon Viet — a taste of traditional Vietnam

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

 Andrea gets a taste of fresh rice rolls in Hanoi made the old-fashioned way…

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Located on a busy corner in the Old Quarter of Hanoi sits a new restaurant that is a must-visit for anyone heading to the city. Started by Ms Le Thi Thanh Thuy, this little restaurant is a wonderful hidden gem. Banh Cuon Viet features a very simple menu of traditional Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls, but the best part is that you can be part of the action. The chef actually sits at the front of the restaurant and makes these little delicacies for all to see. You can choose the ingredients — everything from a simple spring onion roll to a pork or shrimp roll. If you really want to be challenged you can take the hot seat and try making your own rolls.

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Watch the fresh rice paper being made for traditional spring rolls — or better yet, make it yourself!

Ms Thuy is a lovely host and because of her many years of being a tour guide she has no problem explaining the menu, the restaurant or just chatting in flawless English. Her reason for leaving guiding and getting into the restaurant business? Her love of steamed rice rolls, of course. She remembers having them as a kid and decided to go back to her home town to learn how to make them in the traditional way before bringing those skills back to Hanoi.

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Fresh spring rolls in Hanoi.

It’s the perfect light meal and a great way to enjoy some local flavor!… Read more »

Andrea’s hotel reviews from Luang Prabang – The Kiridara and the Mekong Riverview

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  2 Comments

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The Kiridara is not in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old town area in Luang Praband, but there are plenty of redeeming qualities that make up for their location. The rooms are large and have great views towards town and of course, they reap one the biggest benefits of not being in old town – they can have a pool!

The infinity pool is a life saver on hot days and the Kiridara spa is another great way to spend a couple of relaxing hours. Free transfers to town make the out-of-the-way location easy to overlook.

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Andrea with the friend staff from Kiridara.

More than anything, I think the best part of this property is the staff who are always willing to help out, give advice and offer countless smiles. Everyone from the manager to the front desk staff have positive attitudes, making you feel so welcome.

Insider tip: With connecting rooms and the pool, this hotel is a great option for families.

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View from the dining area of the Mekong Riverview in Luang Prabang.

The Mekong Riverview

This is one of those properties that you are genuinely sad to leave when it is time to continue on your journey. Not only does it have a stunning location at the end of the Luang Prabang peninsula, but it also truly embodies the feel of the city.

Your days at Mekong Riverview start with an amazing breakfast overlooking the joining of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. The attentive staff are all smile and the vanilla crepe is amazing. More than likely at breakfast you will be greeted by Urban, the owner of the hotel and a huge supporter of Luang Prabang – it is because of him that the adjoining park has been completely restored and is now a lovely place to relax.

After breakfast you’ll head out for touring, but on your return in the evening they offer free tea, coffee and snacks in lobby. The team at the Riverview is happy to take you for dinner or to the night market in the hotel gold cart. At night, you can enjoy a final gaze at the Mekong from your balcony before getting into the incredible imported beds!

This hotel and the amazing service they offer their guests is exactly what we look for in a signature hotel.

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Mekong Riverview room overlooking the river.

 … Read more »

Siem Reap’s dining option expand with the opening of Chanrey Tree

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Luxury diners have a new option in Siem Reap, with the opening of the river-side restaurant Chanrey Tree. Located north of the Trade Center, directly across from the river, this stylish new venture is now serving up their take on modern Khmer cuisine.

With classic appetizers like chicken and banana blossom salad, and main courses featuring frogs legs, Khmer beef and roasted chicken cooked familiar local spices, this restaurant is part of an emerging trend of restaurants offering a high-end twist on local fare.

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This restaurant has al fresco dining options as well as stylish indoor options. Housed in a two story Khmer-styled home, the manicured grounds and out door seating areas compliment the wood design.

One of my favourite features of the newly-opened restaurant is the large window that gives a view directly into the kitchen. Centrally located, the glass pane offers a rare view into a Southeast Asian kitchen at work — it also shows off the impressively shiny stainless steel kitchen.

Unpretentious, the sitting areas are comfortable and airy — a great space one of Siem Reap’s warm evenings, whether sampling a cocktail and appetizers or a digging into a full three course meal.

If they can maintain both the service level and quality of food, I have no doubt Chanrey Tree will become a fixture for both residents and travelers alike.

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Going All-Inclusive in Chiang Rai

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After some time in the Golden Triangle Andrea is reassessing her view of all-inclusive holidays…

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Let me start this by saying that I’m generally not a fan of all-inclusives. For me this just means restrictions and limited options. When I travel I like to have all opportunities open to me. I like nice hotels, but I also like to get away from nice hotels and have “real” cultural experiences. Knowing that, it came as quite a shock when I realized that in Chiang Rai my advice for guests would unequivocally be to go all-inclusive. We recently stayed at Le Meridien near Chiang Rai town and while we had a good stay and town was okay for a night out, the area just doesn’t offer enough for a good exploration. Then we experienced the Anantara Golden Triangle and the Four Seasons Tented Camp.

Both of these amazing properties are all inclusive…meals, activities, spa treatments, it’s all included! And for this area and the experiences available these properties is totally the way to go! Personally I love the Anantara, with it’s infinity pool overlooking three countries and it’s amazing fine dining restaurant as well as great Thai cuisine, everything from the cooking class to their wonderful elephant foundation is done well. If you stay here you can enjoy one activity a day from their activity list; a spa treatment, a tour across the border into Myanmar and of course a day with the elephants.

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Anantara elephant experience — get up close and personal with these magnificent beasts from the comfort of this luxury resort.

The rooms are spacious and well designed and you could easily spend four days here having some fun adventures and just enjoying a chance to relax.

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Comfort and attention to detail make Anantara’s rooms the perfect base to enjoy everything this all inclusive property has to offer.
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Anantara’s gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the Golden Triangle.

Four Seasons Tented Camp is also just around the corner and it has won more awards for it’s service and experiences than probably any hotel in Thailand. Here you will experience a more personalized and exclusive stay with amazing views, a chance to spend a day with the elephants and the fantastic service that Four Seasons is known for.

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One of the Four Season’s luxury tents — this all-inclusive option takes camping to a whole new level.
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Know for their service, the Four Seasons staff are sure to make any stay a comfortable, relaxing experience.

In Bangkok, Chiang Mai and honestly the rest of the region I recommend staying in or near the city and exploring on your own or with our guides each day, but here in Chiang Rai, the best option is really one of these amazing all inclusive properties that give you the experiences of Northern Thailand and none of the hassle! From now on we’ll be including both these properties and the experiences that go with them into our Northern Thailand tours!

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Journeys Within partners with Chiang Mai’s Pantawan Cooking

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Journeys Within is excited to be partnering with Pantawan Cooking – a new cooking school experience in Chiang Mai.

Pantawan cooking was started when Khun Pan – a former Four Seasons concierge – realized that Chiang Mai was missing a truly unique, luxury cooking school.

As a result she established Pantawan, which is now located on her family property about half an hour outside the city of Chiang Mai. The beautiful old-style, wood building is in a lovely setting that celebrates both Thai architecture and the amazing mountain feel of Chiang Mai.

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Pantawan is not your standard cooling class, and each day the menu changes from such creative dishes as spicy grilled beef salad, fried snapper with sweet and sour sauce and Northeastern Thai style grilled chicken.

Guests learn how to prepare the dishes from the experienced chef and then head to their cooking station to put the lessons into practice. A wonderful team is on hand to help answer any questions and ensure that your own preparation runs smoothly. This also happens to be my favourite kind of cooking, as they do all the cleanup!

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Journeys Within will be offering Pantawan as part of our Northwestern Thailand tour. We are excited for our guests to experience Northern Thai cuisine in such a lovely environment – and to hear about how impressed their friends and family are when them make them dinner on their return home!

 … Read more »