|
|
SPEND THE EASTER AND PASSOVER HOLIDAYS IN ASIA WITH REMOTE LANDS
|
Easter and Passover this year fall around the same time as some fascinating festivals throughout Asia in 2019. In Thailand there’s Songkran (April 15 – 17) in which the entire country turns into a fun and friendly water fight, and much the same is going on in Myanmar with Thingyan. It will also be New Year for many countries on the Buddhist calendar, including Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and Nepal on the 14th of April; India will be celebrating the birthdays of the Indian Emperor Ashoka and God Rama as well as the Sikh festival, Vaisakhi. Where will you be for Easter and Passover in 2019?
To find out more about these fascinating destinations, and more, call us toll free on +1-800-828-5438 or email [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
For travelers who want an ultra-luxe Songkran, what better way than by private jet? This incredible 10-day adventure takes travelers from large cities to an exotic island via private jet, so visitors spend less time traveling and more time experiencing. From the buzz of the capital Bangkok and the northern charm of Chiang Mai to the jungles of Chiang Rai and the tropical paradise island of Koh Samui, this is the very best of Thailand distilled into one ultra-luxe trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not forgetting about Thingyan, this trip takes travelers from Thailand’s capital of Bangkok to Bagan – with a little Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia mixed in the middle. This quintessential Southeast Asia journey is for the ultra-luxe only: a 12-day journey through the greatest sites on the continent. Travelers walk the streets of emperors in Vietnam, visit old-word temples scattered across Southeast Asia, and explore the wonder that is Bagan by hot air balloon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With a population that is more than 18 percent Christian and a temple in the old Jewish Town of Cochin, Kerala is a magic destination around Easter and Passover – especially with all of the other Indian holidays around the same time. Travelers can enjoy a relaxing, lavish holiday, floating down India’s picturesque rivers, marveling at its opulent palaces, and strolling along its beautiful sandy beaches. Fly on a private jet to Cochin, Mysore, and Hyderabad, and then wind down in the beach town of Goa. Travelers will take in stunning cathedrals, rich Indian culture, incredible views, and unforgettable sunsets on this 10-day journey through India’s hidden waterways, palaces, and beaches.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get a taste of Buddhist New Year and Songkran with this 11-day itinerary, visiting Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Travelers get the chance to take in the height of Southeast Asia’s spiritually influenced culture with adventures into jaw-dropping sacred sites, including Luang Prabang’s Pak Ou caves, the famed “Hell Garden” of Bangkok’s Wang Saen Suk Monastery, and, of course, the Angkor Wat wonder of the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With one of the only truly historic Jewish synagogues in Southeast Asia, Yangon would make an excellent Passover stop before and during the Thingyan water festival. Travelers can experience Buddhism and Myanmar’s enriching heritage on this 12-day expedition across the country, whether it’s a breathtaking sunset at the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, marveling over the carvings decorating the walls of the Kawgun Cave, or discovering Buddhist meditation practices at the Pha Auk Forest Monastery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standing on a polished stone floor, between two antique wooden bench seats, I’m staring up at a ceiling, admiring its intricate, handcrafted motifs. These designs are bathed in a palette of warm colors by a nearby stained glass window, through which the blazing midday sun is streaming. It’s blisteringly hot outside and I’ve taken refuge in the most beautiful building in this timeworn corner of Yangon. It is not a gilded Buddhist temple, a commanding Mosque, or a splendid Christian church. It is the city’s only synagogue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In August 2018, floods devastated Kerala. Many around the world for the first time found themselves staring at a small corner of South India, wondering how all of this could have gone so wrong. In the wake of the worst flooding in a century, Kerala’s travel season began in October. Local groups, the authorities, donations from other provinces and the world, and even tearjerker videos from travel and luggage companies have all tried to come to Kerala’s rescue. All of them have the same message: Kerala is back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just east of Pakse is the Bolaven Plateau. It’s certainly not convenient to the more popular Laos pleasures further north – Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, the Plain of Jars. However, here, the waterfalls are magic. The famously landlocked Laos doesn’t have the beaches of its neighbors, but water falling from the sky makes for impressive jungle adventures. For luxury travelers on their way to Champasak and Don Khone for the 4,000 famous islands of the lower Mekong, the waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau are worth the short trip from Pakse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just South of Siem Reap’s ancient Angkor Wat is a world of permanent flood. Tonle Sap is distinctive among Southeast Asia’s lakes, and not just because it’s the biggest. Here, Vietnamese and Cambodian live in a freshwater sea of giant snakeheads and flamboyant longtail boats, the waterfowl turn the green wetlands white, and the mighty Mekong reverses the flow of a river and floods 16,000 square kilometers. Here the houses, schools, fire stations, and convenience stores have given up on dry land; so too have the hotels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
