MAHER BREATHE TOUR VIETNAM - 2019 WWW.MAHERTOURS.CO.NZ
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2019
MAHER BREATHE
TOUR VIETNAM
WWW.MAHERTOURS.CO.NZ
Creating memories through travel for over 40 years Maher Breathe Tour Vietnam 2019 • 1
MAHER BREATHE TOUR VIETNAM OVERVIEW: A new addition to our Maher Tours, Maher’s Breathe tours are slightly more physically Tour Departs: 8 September 2019 adventurous, just 2 weeks away from your busy lives, yet give Tour Length: 14 Days you the chance to truly escape, explore, be inspired… and breathe again. We chose Vietnam for our first Breathe trip because it takes your breath away with its beauty, deeply challenges it with its history of human atrocity, inspires you with its peoples’ courage to not only overcome adversity but choose kindness and humanity…then returns your breath to you to fuel your next journey. On this trip, you will experience the landscape, the people, the art, food and culture of Vietnam and have the time and space away from your every day to gain a different perspective on your life. HIGHLIGHTS: Experience art, cycling, walking, food and if you like, golf in the following parts of beautiful Vietnam, a land of natural beauty and stunning landscapes, of bustling energy and wonderful culinary delights, and especially a land of warm and welcoming people. • Hanoi, the nation’s capital, a mixture of colonial charm and city hustle and bustle with a breathtaking art tour. • Mai Chau, an idyllic off the beaten track valley, home to many hill tribes and perfect for trekking and cycling in the beauty and peace of Vietnam’s countryside. • Cruise magical Lan Ha Bay, the tranquil part of Halong Bay, and stay overnight on the majestic Halong Perla Dawn. • Hoi An, Lit by silk lanterns, this beautiful old town is completely inspiring with its food, tailored clothes, jewellery, golf and reminder of humanity. 2 • www.mahertours.co.nz Call now to find out more about this tour: 0800 500 518
TOUR COSTS: Share Twin or Double Room / Cabin: $7,000 Supplement for Single Room / Cabin: $1,500 ACCOMMODATION: While the itinerary is full of daily highlights, just as important is your comfort on tour which is why we have selected an excellent range of First Class hotels, as good as you will find anywhere. To complement the accommodation all meals have been includ- ed. Many of these will be enjoyed at local restaurants to allow you to enjoy not just the fine cuisine but also the local surroundings. COSTS INCLUDE: COSTS EXCLUDE: • Economy Class travel from Auckland, • Any meals and sightseeing not specifically Wellington, Christchurch mentioned in the itinerary • Upgrade to Business Class available at • Travel insurance – advice and assistance additional cost offered • Prepaid government and airport taxes, • Visa fees security and fuel surcharges • Items of a personal nature such as • First Class accommodation throughout room service, laundry, drinks, telephone • Meals as indicated in the itinerary charges etc. • Air-conditioned coach transportation for all • Golf, if interested. touring • Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary • English speaking local hosts and guides in each country • Baggage handling of one suitcase per person • Tips to local guides and coach drivers • Fully escorted by a Maher Tours Leader Creating memories through travel for over 40 years Maher Breathe Tour Vietnam 2019 • 3
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Sunday 8 September Tuesday 10 September
Home – Singapore – Hanoi Hanoi (B. L. D) – Culture and Art
Suggested early morning walk around Hoan
Monday 9 September Kiem Lake (Lake of Restored Sword) and
Hanoi watch the locals practice their Tai Chi. Then,
On arrival into Hanoi we are met by our local walk back to your hotel for breakfast.
hosts and transferred to our hotel for a 2 night
stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure Morning cycle tour of the Old Quarter: Start the
until we go to dinner at KOTO restaurant, tour of Hanoi with a cyclo ride (a three-wheeled
specially set up to train the under-privileged bicycle taxi) through the Old Quarter, the best
youth of Hanoi in restaurant skills. way to explore the picturesque area of the Old
Quarter also known as the “36 Streets District”
that was once the thriving commercial centre
of Hanoi. Each of the 36 short lanes used to
specialise in a particular trade represented by
one of the guilds eg Silk Street, Gold Street and
Fish Street.
Afternoon guided tour of art galleries in Hanoi:
Hanoi is known as the culture centre of the
country. Little wonder then that there are more
than 250 art galleries in this small city and
almost every street has an art cafe.
Contemporary Vietnamese art has a touch of
freshness and mysticism about it, blending in
elements of both east and west. Our first visit is
the Fine Arts Museum for an overview of
contemporary art and its development.
Followed by a visit to the home and studio of
artist Dzung who specializes in painting and art
engraving on wood. He has some remarkable
exhibitions in Japan and the US. The studio lies
in a small lane in the old quarter. Get an in-
depth view of the old quarter with mossy roofs,
4 • www.mahertours.co.nz Call now to find out more about this tour: 0800 500 518
tube houses and narrow alleys. Following, tribes including the Dzao, Muong and Thai.
we will visit Apricot gallery, An Khanh’s
home-studio and 54 traditional Art. Relaxing afternoon bike or walk: A 2-3 hour
walk in the hills around Mai Chau that goes
Wednesday 11 September through local villages and evergreen rice
Hanoi - Mai Chau (B. L. D) – Nature and paddies. This nature work out will allow you to
Strength experience all that is going on in the fields as
Depart Hanoi after breakfast for the scenic you pass by, from buffaloes ploughing to locals
drive to Mai Chau for the next 2 nights, taking planting or harvesting the latest rice crop.
around three hours passing fields of
tapioca, sugar and rice paddies. Arrive in Evening attend traditional Thai dance show:
Mai Chau in time for lunch on the terrace of This evening, you may want to attend a
the Lodge overlooking the rice paddies. Mai traditional dance show at the lobby of the
Chau is an idyllic valley home to many hill lodge. The Thai are well known for their folk
Creating memories through travel for over 40 years Maher Breathe Tour Vietnam 2019 • 5
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
dances in traditional costumes. Be
mesmerized by the traditional dances
performed by the Thai villagers. A brief
explanation of each dance is given
before the start that states what the
dance symbolizes in their culture.
Thursday 12 September
Mai Chau (B.L.D) – Nature and Space
This morning cycle to explore Mai Chau’s
beautiful ethnic villages including Na Thia,
Nhot, Pom Coong, Lac and Chieng Chau
villages. Be welcomed by the friendly local
people, talk with them and discover their
traditional culture. Total cycling time is around
2 – 3 hours on flat village paths. Breathe deeply
and take in the spectacular scenery of Mai
Chau and the relaxed rhythm of local life.
This afternoon you can join a trek or cycle or
yours to enjoy in the beautiful
surroundings of our lodge.
Friday 13 September
Mai Chau – Hanoi - (B.L.D)
Nature and You
Morning at leisure: You have time to
relax at the lodge or explore the local area
independently. After lunch we will get back on
the road to Hanoi for another night and dinner
at a local restaurant
6 • www.mahertours.co.nz Call now to find out more about this tour: 0800 500 518
Saturday 14 September Hanoi – Hai Phong - (B.L.D) - Relax and Explore This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and for the 2 hour drive to Hai Phong for our overnight Lan Ha Bay Cruise on Halong Perla Dawn. Lan Ha Bay is a tranquil part of the famous Halong Bay in Vietnam. Perla Dawn has only 18 large suites, all naturally light-flooded and with well-sized balconies. It is designed perfectly in inspiration of Indo- chinese-Vietnamese style. This cruise runs through the less touristy areas in Lan Ha Bay to enable you a chance to breathe in this heritage site. We will have fun on a bamboo boat, visit Bright Cave, a serene round lake surrounded by lush trees and high stone cliffs and have the opportunity to enjoy swimming in the private emerald water. Return to the Perla Dawn Sails for sunset on the top deck. Relax with Massage and Spa treatment, always available upon request. Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner on the top deck of your boat, all while floating in the center of serene Lan Ha Bay. Overnight on board. Sunday 15 September Hai Phong – Da Nang - (B.D) Discover Enjoy an early start with Tai Chi on the Creating memories through travel for over 40 years Maher Breathe Tour Vietnam 2019 • 7
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
sundeck, otherwise sleep in until breakfast approximately 2 hours drive. Arrive in Hanoi,
is served. This morning, you will experience be transferred to the airport for your flight
kayaking to discover the lovely Tra Bau area. to Da Nang.
Visit a fishing farm and socialize with the
resident fishermen to know more about life On arrival, you will be met by your guide
here and how the people work every day. and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An for
Pack your luggage and check out of your check in and dinner at local restaurant.
cabin while cruising towards the port. Join
a cooking demonstration before enjoying an Monday 16 September
extraordinary buffet lunch served on board. Hoi An - (B.D) -Tailors and Exploring
Disembark the junk late this morning. This morning we will wander around the
narrow streets to soak up the atmosphere of
On arrival at the quay you will be met by your Hoi An’s old town. We will make our first visit
guide and transferred back to Hanoi to Cass’ favourite Tailor, B’lan, who will create
8 • www.mahertours.co.nz Call now to find out more about this tour: 0800 500 518
beautifully fitting clothes from pictures or bring choose with a fitting of your clothes at B’lan’s
your favourite items to be copied using before midday. Lunch will be taken at a local
different materials B’lan has in her shop. You restaurant.
will have the option to visit heritage sites,
including temples, old houses, pagodas and Private Deluxe cooking class with visit Organic
the Japanese-covered Bridge to introduce an Farm - Tra Que Village: This afternoon, meet
insight of Hoi An architecture and history as up with your chef at Red Bridge Restaurant &
well as the restoration plan being implemented Cooking School at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai
by UNESCO. Lunch will be taken at a local Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town) in the old
restaurant. town for a brief introduction and a welcome
drink. Travel by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que
Tuesday 17 September Organic Village and walk through the market
Clothes and Cooking in Hoi An or Da Nang - gardens where local farmers work their fields
(B.L.D) using the traditional methods of hundreds of
This morning is time for you to spend as you years ago - no electrical machinery here. We
Creating memories through travel for over 40 years Maher Breathe Tour Vietnam 2019 • 9
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese freshen up before beginning our class. mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying Working together with our Red Bridge Chef a special herbal drink at a local home. To the we learn the traditional ways of preparing and local village market and with shopping list in cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, the freshest ingredients and including star anise, cardamom, sesame traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use rice paper, water spinach and banana flower. today) we cook 4 famous dishes, including the Arriving at Red Bridge Cooking School we have national dish ‘Pho’. After the class we sit down a chance to and a chance to savour the dishes 10 • www.mahertours.co.nz Call now to find out more about this tour: 0800 500 518
we have prepared. Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An, where you will return back to your hotel or explore Hoi An at night. Wednesday 18 September Hoi An free day - (B.D) Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to explore the charming tour of Hoi and surrounding area independently or relax at the nearby beach. Tours and excursions can be arranged locally, including playing golf, cycle in some beau- tiful countryside, a day trip out to see the famous ruins at My Son or see your tailor for a final fitting and collection. We all en- joy a farewell dinner together tonight. Thursday 19 September Morning at leisure: (B) Morning is at leisure in Hoi An to explore independently until check out of your room. Private transfer: At the appropriate time today you will be collected from your hotel by your guide, and transferred to Da Nang international airport in time for your onward flight. If you would like to continue onto Cambodia please let us know and we can customise something for you personally. Creating memories through travel for over 40 years Maher Breathe Tour Vietnam 2019 • 11
ESCAPE, EXPLORE, BE INSPIRED
AND BREATHE . . .
WITH MAHER BREATHE TOURS
2019 BREATHE TOUR
VIETNAM
NEW ZEALAND
P: 0800 500 518
E: info@mahertours.co.nz
www.mahertours.co.nz
12 • www.mahertours.co.nz Call now to find out more about this tour: 0800 500 518You can also read
