5 Days in Beijing
As the capital of modern day China and many of its past dynasties, Beijing has a long and rich history dating back over 3,000 years. Constantly reinventing itself over the centuries, this great city is as compelling as it is complex.
Amazing Salar de Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni in the Bolivian Andes, the world’s largest salt flat, is an other-worldly experience that has to be seen to be believed.
8 Days in Morocco
Morocco, also known as the Western Kingdom, is a fascinating country with a blend of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European culture.
2 Days to Phang Nga
Phang Nga Bay (Thai: อ่าวพังงา) is in the Strait of Malacca between the island of Phuket and the mainland of the Malay peninsula of southern Thailand. Since 1981, an extensive section of the bay has been protected as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. Most of the park consists of an area of the Andaman Sea studded with numerous limestone tower karst islands. The best known of these islands is Khao Phing Kan.
3 Days in Sydney
Sydney, Australia’s largest city, is known for its beautiful harbors, relaxed lifestyle, ideal climate, and friendly locals. The city is a multi-ethnic hub of business, culture and creativity. The Opera House, Sydney Tower and the Harbour Bridge have become the city's famous landmarks to international visitors.
3 Days in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Sapporo (札幌市) is the largest city on the Hokkaido island, located north east of Japan. Before its establishment by the Meiji government in the late 1800s, the area was home to a number of indigenous Ainu settlements. Today Sapporo is known outside Japan for having hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics and home to the famous Sapporo Brewery.
4 Days in Tanzania Safari Wilderness
Tanzania is a country in Eastern Africa. Its unspoiled national parks rival any in the world. On Tanzania's Serengeti plain, white-bearded wildebeest and other mammals participate in a large-scale annual migration. This itinerary includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
2 Days in Da Lat
Known to the early residents as "Little Paris", Da Lat (also spelled as Dalat) is a blend of hillside rural Vietnam and European alpine town. It is the capital of Lam Dong Province, the local weather stands in contrast to the country's tropical climate. Mist covering the valleys almost year-round leads to its name "City of Eternal Spring".
1 Day in Kandy
Kandy is located at the centre of Sri Lanka 125 km away from Colombo and is generally recognised as the island nation's cultural capital. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A Long Weekend in Toronto
Toronto, also known as T.O. or Queen City, is the largest city in Canada and widely recognized as one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural cities in the world.
Vientiane (Lao: ວຽງຈັນ) is the capital and largest city of Laos, on the banks of the Mekong River. It became the capital in 1563. Vientiane is noted as the home of the most significant national monument in Laos: That Luang, which is the symbol of Laos and an icon of Buddhism in Laos. Other significant Buddhist temples in Laos can be found there as well, such as Haw Phra Kaew.
Vientiane
Pha That Luang (Lao: ທາດຫຼວງ) is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre Vientiane. It was said to be originally built as a Hindu temple as early as the 1st century, according to local people. It was destroyed multiple times in history. It was reconstructed after the end of the World War II. It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol.
Patuxai (Lao: ປະຕູໄຊ, literally meaning Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph) is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane, which was built between 1957 and 1968. The Patuxai is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. The monument has five towers that represent the five principles of coexistence among nations of the world. They are also representative of the five Buddhist principles of “thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honor and prosperity”.
The Lao National Museum was founded as the national museum highlighting the revolution of the 1970s and is located in a French colonial building. The museum, which was originally built in 1925 as the French governor’s residence, presents the history of Laos, highlighting the Laotian people’s struggle to free the country from foreign occupiers and imperialist forces.
Wat Si Saket is a Buddhist wat. It was originally built in 1818 on the order of King Anouvong. The French colonial government restored the temple in 1924 and again in 1930. It features a cloister wall with more than 2,000 ceramic and silver Buddha images. The temple also houses a museum.
Haw Phra Kaew (Lao: ຫໍພະແກ້ວ), also written as Ho Prakeo, Hor Pha Keo and other similar spellings, is a former temple in Vientiane. It is located to the southeast of Wat Si Saket. It was first built in 1565 to house the Emerald Buddha, but had been several rebuilt a few times. The interior now houses a museum of religious art and a small shop.
Vientiane
Talat Sao (Lao: ຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ) is a morning market open daily from 7AM until around 4PM. The market is a popular tourist destination. It consists of many small shops, restaurants, fruit and vegetable vendors, jewellery, silk, wooden crafts, etc.
Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is a sculpture park located 25 km southeast from Vientiane by the Mekong River. Although it is not a temple (Wat), the park may be referred to as Wat Xieng Khuan (Lao: ວັດຊຽງຄວນ), since it contains numerous religious images. The name Xieng Khuan means Spirit City. The park contains over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues.
Anouvong succeeded to the throne in 1805 and led the Lao rebellion (1826–28) as the last monarch of the Kingdom of Vientiane. In 2010, to coincide with the 450th Anniversary celebrations of Vientiane, the Laos government created Chao Anouvong Park, complete with a large bronze statue of the locally revered ruler.
