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Spring Vietnam Discount — Book Now!

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Journeys Within is having a sale on spring trip to Vietnam…

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Bangkok is no longer Southeast Asia’s only destination hub — as demonstrations continue in Thailand’s capital city both Saigon and Hanoi are open and ready for business! As some travelers choose to steer away from protest plagued Bangkok, Vietnam has ramped up business at their airports and is ready for travelers looking for a care-free Southeast Asian adventure.

To celebrate, Journeys Within, the premier boutique Southeast Asia tour company and a leader in philanthropic travel, has just announced discounts on their Vietnam Spring Tours for 2014!

A hefty 14% discount is available to all guests who book a Vietnam Spring Tour in 2014. Take advantage of our discount on either the Vietnam Active Spring Tour or the Vietnam Family Spring Special.

Work your way through Vietnam’s beautiful landscape, getting off the beaten path along the way or take your family on a spring vacation holiday they will never forget.

If you have any questions on the Spring specials or the latest on the Bangkok situation, please give us a call at 877-454-3672 or visit archive.journeys-within.com for more information.

Thanks so much!

Andrea Ross

 … Read more »

A letter from Brandie Joy and family

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

Journeys Within were happy to accommodate when Brandie Joy chose us to help her plan a recent trip to Siem Reap for her lovely family. After returning home she shared this adorable family photo and her thoughts on their time away — a review too sweet not to share …

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The staff at Journeys Within are amazing.

We were given a recommendation by a friend and I’m so glad I contacted them. Our trip to Siem Reap was booked at the last minute, a chance to escape the hustle of Kuala Lumpur for a long weekend.

I emailed Anna and she was able to accommodate us on such short notice on the days that we had available.  Our guide and driver were excellent and provided us a lot of information and answered all of our questions along the way.

Being able to get into an air conditioned van with water and wet towels was nice too, especially traveling with kids.

I will be telling all of our friends about Journeys Within for their upcoming trips and can’t wait to work with them again!

— Brandie Joy… Read more »

Phare — Cambodia’s circus

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  2 Comments

The Journeys Within team heads to Phare’s newly erected tent to take in an evening performance of The Adventure …

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As a new generations of Cambodians come to age, the country and its social landscape are changing along with them. There is no better, or more exciting way to experience this transformation that to take in a show cutesy of Cambodia’s circus, Phare.

A seamless blend of traditional and modern theater — one that includes music, dance, juggling and some impressive tumbling — Phare performances  offer a beautifully choreographed interpretation of life and civil society in Cambodia.

The Journeys Within team had the pleasure of taking in The Adventure, the story of a young man from an ethnic tribe who leaves an abusive household in search of a better life. Boarding a bus to Phnom Penh, he soon finds out the big city and bright lights aren’t all they are cracked up to be.

Phare, the Cambodian Circus is the brain child of Phare Ponleu Selpak, a Cambodian non-profit, non-governmental association that aims to promote the Khmer arts and culture. Founded in 1994 by eight young Cambodians ex-refugees artists, the Battambang-based organization helps disadvantaged youth learn lifelong skill and sustainability.

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Working under a strict budget means improvising — here the cast use their ingenuity to improvise a make-shift car.

While Phare’s cause and choice of story lines may be serious business, the performances themselves are fun-filled affairs. A delight to both the children and the adults in the audience — JW staffers included — the circus uses a playful humour and daring athleticism to wow the crowds.

And like any good, family-friendly story, The Adventure had a happy ending — the young boy finds a troupe of misfits who build his self confidence and give him the skills to survive, making this one story where art imitated life.

Since moving to Siem Reap, the circus has been putting on nightly shows. They have also recently acquired a big-top tent to make the shows available even in the rainy season.  A on-site cafe is also in the works, which will make the circus grounds a soon to be hot-spot for tourists and locals a-like.… Read more »

Have kids, will travel … to Asia

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

Parents looking to plan a family holiday no longer have to resign themselves to the screaming crowds of Disneyland. With an abundance natural wonders, cultural experiences and kid-friendly activities, Southeast Asia is attracting more families than ever.

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Flip Key travel blog recently listed Phuket, Thailand and Nha Trang, Vietnam among their top five family destinations in Asia. While we couldn’t agree more these vacation spots will be a hit with parents and children alike, they aren’t the only destinations for those families looking for fun-filled adventures.

Our country directors weigh in on some of the most child-friendly options from across the region.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The temples of Angkor aren’t just for historians. The well-worn ruins hold enough wonder to keep both young and old in awe. Complete with a kids club, the Journeys Within Boutique Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Siem Reap and surrounding area. There are plenty of other activities to test out after the little ones exhaust themselves playing Tomb Raider.  Families can check out the country side on bicycle or quad-bike trips or enjoy some arts and culture with hands-on pottery classes. There is also a local Fun Fair (read carnival, complete with rides and carnie games) down highway 60 — a hotspot for locals and their kids on Sunday nights. A few hours drive from Siem Reap is Phnom Kulem National Park, where outdoorsy families can day trip to check out the lush forest and natural waterfalls.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Not the most child-friendly of Southeast Asian countries, Laos is still accessible to the more adventurous parents. Relatively untouched by modernity, Luang Prabang presents the opportunity to unwind, de-stress and take in lush landscapes. Small and easy to navigate, Luang Prabang is the perfect Southeast Asian town to navigate by bicycle — many shops cater rentals to younger cyclists.

Surrounded by pristine environments, nature-lovers will find no shortage of  out-door activities — from trekking and boat rides to waterfall exploration, fresh air is in abundance in Laos. Check out the Julianna Hotel, Villa Santi Resort or Luang Prabang View for hotels with large pool for chilling out by after a day of touring.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Our experts agree that the coastal city of Nha Trang is Vietnam’s ultimate family destination. With its great weather and soft sandy beaches the ocean provides enough fun filled days to please both youngsters and their parents. Those looking to be further entertained can head to the Vinpeal Amusement Park, a mini Six Flags complete with rides, carnival games and musical shows. Accessible by ferry or by cable car — an attraction in and of itself — the park is popular with locals and tourists alike. For an educational day out try the Cham towe and Institute of Oceanography, where budding biologists will get to check out live aquariums as well as a 8,000-specimen exhibit. Afterwards, why not head to nearby Monkey Island is an excellent spot to check out to snorkel and check out coral ecosystems firsthand.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

For those looking for a cultural and adventurous holiday with their loved ones, look any farther than Chiang Mai; from tree-top trekking and animal adventures to traditional Buddhist rituals this northern city has it all. Spend the day learning from the earth’s largest land animals at the Patara Elephant Farm is sure to create lasting memories, as well as a life-long friend — after all an elephant never forgets. High flyers can check out Flight of the Gibbons where guests climb, trek and zip-line their way across the jungle’s tree tops or instead head into Doi Inthanon National Park to Thailand’s highest summit. Adrenaline kicks aside, the city also offers the opportunity to learn more about Buddhism by joining locals in offering morning Alms to monks.

Want to do it all? We’ve got it covered.

For families with children old enough to get out and enjoy the sites, who are looking to create a lifetime of memories, Journeys Within has prepared a month long itinerary that has it all. The Epic Family Journey will have your family trekking, kayaking and floating through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. This is a chance to experience Southeast Asian culture first hand by getting off the beaten track and into the homes of locals — an epic experience that is bound to keep your family talking for years to come.

Preparation, the key to success.

There is no doubt that traveling with children presents some unique challenges — long plane rides, unexpected health issues and “weird” food complaints — it also presents children the opportunity to learn about a new culture, separate from their own. Traveling in Asia is an opportunity to learn about new traditions and experience diversity first hand, taking children out of their comfort zone helping foster tolerance, empathy and compassion for those different from themselves.

Here is a letter CEO Andrea wrote from one mother to another filled with honest commentary and great advice.

From around the web — Tips on flying with young children, TSA rules on flying with infants and from planning to execution — 50 tips for traveling with kids.

 … Read more »

Traveling with kids in Luang Prabang

Posted by Andrea on  |  1 Comment

By: Nicole Long – Laos country director 

Traveling to Laos and experiencing new and enlightening cultures and customs can be a great adventure for the whole family.  Now that most countries in SE Asia have modern conveniences, families can feel safe and comfortable to travel with their youngest.

Most of the destinations are chosen for the adult traveler, but when you have the whole family in tow it’s important to remember that the younger ones might want to do something different. One of our amazing travel consultants (who have families of their own) can direct you to choices during your booking process that would make for a fun and safe adventure for everyone.

Once you finally reach your travel destination, where do you go when you have down time after the day’s tour?  Or what restaurants have menus specifically catered to children?  Where can you take the kids so they can interact with other Lao kids?

Below are places in Luang Prabang that we have found to cater to the whole family. If you are traveling with younger ones then you will receive a Kids Cheat Sheet with these suggested destinations upon your arrival. Don’t forget your local guide and Journeys Within Country Director are available for expanding on this list and providing more information and suggestions to meet your family’s specific needs and requests!

RESTAURANTS

La Residence Phou Vao  (Phou Vao Rd) – One of the best restaurants in town with stunning mountain top views shall make the whole family happy. This 5-star hotel not only offers exquisite menu options for the adults, but also has something for the young ones. Children’s Menu items consist of pasta, pizza, burgers, fries and mashed potatoes. The kids should also love the fairytale lights that illuminate the entire hotel and gardens.

Rama Hotel (Visounnarath Rd) – This little lunch spot is great for families for a few reasons. They offer a kids menu (hot dogs, meatballs, chicken and fries combo, mashed potatoes and steamed veggies), cheap dishes for the parents (pastas, sandwiches, Indian, etc.) and has a little padded play room with legos and story books!

JoMa Bakery Café (Chao Fa Ngum) – They may not have a kids menu per say but, this western café has boundless kid-friendly food options. They offer waffles w/ whipped cream, French toast, bagels, pizza, pastries, shakes, brownie sundaes, cookies and much more.   They are also one of the only spots in town with A/C!

Roots and Leaves (Kingitsarath Rd, outskirts of main part of town) – The whole family can enjoy the atmosphere here with outdoor seating that surrounds a lotus pond and shows a traditional Lao dance and music show for free.  This would only be for the families that seek a little adventure in cuisine. The menu consists of traditional Lao and Thai foods. Shows run Mon.-Sat 7-9pm.

ACTIVITIES

Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (Setthathirath Rd, near Dara Market) – This museum is focused on exploring and educating on some of the multiple ethnic tribes living in Laos today. While the adults go on a guided tour the children are given handouts related to their age group. Fun activities range from a riddle identification worksheet to an item hunting worksheet to coloring pages. They also have a wonderful souvenir shop that has fun dolls and bags for kids.

Big Brother Mouse (Phayameungchan Rd)  – BBM is the first children’s book publishers to make books in Lao with English translations.  Not only do they create this rarity found in Lao, but they also have an outreach program that goes to schools in the countryside to give out books and create libraries. Help support their cause and stop in to buy some books to take home. They have many western classics along with traditional Lao tales. A story book in Lao and English would make for a great show and tell!  If the young traveler is old enough then you might want to stop by their open conversation time, Mon. – Sat. 9am-11am. Allow them to communicate with other Lao students wishing to improve their English speaking abilities.

Children’s Cultural Center (Sisavangvong Rd, near Hmong Market) – Young Lao students come here after school (4pm) to engage in supervised activities like games, song, dance, etc. Bring your young ones by to have a look or join in the fun. There is also an US funded library that they might be interested in checking out.

Swimming – If your hotel does not have a swimming pool, we can recommend you taking a trip to Villa Santi Resort or Paradise Resort to soak in the sun. Give the office a call and we can help to arrange this for you.

Old Stadium (Deun That Luang) – Throughout the year a traveling fair comes through Luang Prabang. They have a big bouncy room and slider, carnival games and bumper cars. If interested, ask your guide or contact the office and we will see if it’s in town.

Peninsula Beach– In the winter season (Oct-April), when the water levels are down in the rivers, there is a bamboo bridge at the tip of the peninsula from the main part of town to across the Nam Khan River. Once you cross you will find a beach area where the Nam Khan and Mekong meet. It is a great spot for kids to run around, dip their feet in the water and watch the sunset.… Read more »