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Andrea makes Wendy Perrin’s WOW List

Websites and apps are great, but for those people who love a human approach to travel planning, Wendy Perrin has released her own list of go-to experts.  A guru in all things travel and a writer on the subject for more than 20 years,  Perrin has included Andrea as a top planner for all things Southeast Asia on her recently released WOW List…

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There are experiences can’t be found online or in travel books, something we here at Journeys Within know. With her Wow List — a listing of top travel experts by region — Wendy Perrin is tipping her hat to those who help others plan a dream vacation with their firsthand knowledge. After a decade working in Cambodia, and having travelled the surrounding countries extensively, we aren’t surprise, but we are honoured, that Andrea has made this list.  Across six countries, the Journeys Within team is so proud to stand behind Andrea’s vision of individualized trips that make that enrich both the guests lives and the communities visited.

In Perrin’s words:

During the ten years she lived in Cambodia, Andrea founded Journeys Within and traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, opening additional offices in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Her network keeps her up-to-date on the newest and best hotels, restaurants, and experiences, and her close relationships with the region’s hotels ensure that her clients get the best rates and the best care, regardless of their travel budget. She specializes in family, experiential, and philanthropic travel, and founded the nonprofit organization Journeys Within Our Community, which operates education and poverty relief initiatives in Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Andrea meets with each of her guides every two years to ensure that they offer the highest caliber of service, and is proud of the philanthropic opportunities that Journeys Within offers to travelers who want to make a difference to the communities that they get to know when they travel. Contact Andrea to plan an extraordinary trip, and read her Insider’s Guide to Angkor Wat and Siem Reap.

A big thanks to Wendy for recognize the good work that Andrea does and an even bigger thanks to Andrea for leading a team we are all proud to be part of!

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Bagan Balloon Tour — View from Above

A new Balloon tour operator in Myanmar is helping temple-viewers and travelers get a fresh glimpse of the country. Originally operating out of Bagan, Oriental Ballooning is expanding into other parts of the country this fall. As everyone knows, sometimes all you need is a little perspective…

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Since last November, Oriental Ballooning has been in operation in Bagan and have now expanded their operation to Mandalay and soon to Inle Lake as well. The season for soaring is generally from October to March, when the rains can be avoided. The balloons take flight in the morning when the weather and air pressure is most stable.

Bagan : 5 balloons with 8 passenger capacity

Mandalay : 2 balloons with 4 passenger capacity

Inle Lake : 1 balloons with 4 passenger capacity

Hot air balloons fly with the wind so the distance traveled depends on the wind speed but a typical trip will travel between 5 and 10km. Your pilot will alter the height that the balloon travels at throughout the flight to give you the best views. At times you will glide along at tree-top height and at others you will be given a panoramic views from 600 meters up.

Balloon rides are well known popular in Bagan but some people say ballooning in Mandalay may offer an equally gratifying experience. The balloon lands in small villages where it is warmly welcomed by locals — something very exciting for all! The view over Irrawaddy River and changing scenes, from villages to daily life on the water, are new to most people.

Click on the photo gallery above to get a better glimpse of the kind of views that can turn a good trip into a trip of a lifetime!

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