Bill s Excellent Vietnam Adventure

Transcription

1 Bill s Excellent Vietnam Adventure Hanoi Halong Bay 5th -10th October 2016 (returns 14 th October with Danang/Hoi-an extension) As Hanoi is the cultural capital and the heart and soul of Vietnam, so is Halong Bay among the most majestic of the world s natural wonders. Nice description don t you think? I found it on the Internet. So, for all you awesome would-be adventurers, here are the travel arrangements now locked in place for Bill s 2016 Vietnam Adventure. A cheeky few days away to forget the fact I m turning 50!!

2 As it turns out, hardly anyone of the 50 or so coming on our group so far have been to Vietnam before, so what a great opportunity to all go somewhere different and misbehave! The trip that s been planned begins at Brisbane International Airport around midnight on October 5 th. The core trip (incorporating a 3 day/2 night cruise) isn t very long, so most adventurers are heading to the historical city of Hoi-an for a few more nights afterwards. Each of us has the option to add pre or post tours to the core itinerary, and good for you if you do. Getting There Singapore Airlines will get the group to Hanoi in comfort. For those wanting to partake in the group travel shenanigans of a midnight flight to the Orient, the itinerary is as follows: 05 October Wednesday Singapore Airlines Flight No: SQ246 Depart: Brisbane At: 2335 Depart: International Terminal 08hr 20min Arrive: Singapore at: 0555 Arrival Date: 06 October - Thursday Singapore Airlines Flight No: SQ176 Depart: Singapore At: 0920 Depart: Terminal 2 03hr 20min Arrive: Hanoi at: 1140 Arrival into Hanoi Group coach transfer from Airport to Hotel The cost of these flights (including return airfares) is currently around $995 AUD through The Travel Agent Caloundra. Reward seats and standard bookings are available until sold out.

3 Hanoi Halong bay Package (3 nights) October is considered the best time of the year to visit North Vietnam. The region s low rainfall and mild autumn climate is in contrast to the wet and humid environs further south. Hanoi is where the party starts with 32 Premium Rooms at the five-star Metropole Hotel having been pre-booked. With an early afternoon arrival expected, there will be loads of time for drinking, exploring, shopping and drinking. Breakfast the following morning is included to soak up the poor choices from the night before. The first night away is often a biggie! Just saying. On Friday morning, the team from ÂuCơ Cruises, collect us for our transfer to Halong Bay. For the next nights, we sail in luxury on the five-star ÂuCơ Cruise around Halong Bay s most exclusive locations. All meals, transfers and activities are included until our return to Hanoi on Sunday afternoon. Only beverages and spa treatments aboard ÂuCơ are additional. Here s the itinerary: 06 October Thursday Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Own arrangements Premium Room including breakfast 07 October Friday Departure by coach for Halong Bay from Hanoi with a break stop midway. Board Cruise - Welcome lunch on board Cruise. Cruise to Ba Trai Dao for swimming and kayaking. Welcome dinner on board.

4 08 October Saturday Breakfast on board. Tai Chi session on sundeck Cruise to Vung Vieng, sampan ride to visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village. Back to the boat for lunch on board Cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Cycling in Viet Hai fishing village in Cat Ba, visit organic farm. Cruise to Ho Dong Tien area, swimming and kayaking. Birthday party on a private island beach. DJ, the works! 09 October - Sunday Breakfast on board. Transfer back to Hanoi by coach The above package has been pre-booked for the maximum 64 passengers. Bookings are secured through The Travel Agent Caloundra with a $500 AUD deposit and places are available until sold out. Metropole Premium Room & ÂuCơ Suite (40m²) 4 available Metropole Premium Room & ÂuCơ Cabin (20m²) 28 available Metropole Premium Room & ÂuCơ Cabin single supplement $1750 AUD p/p twin share $1300 AUD p/p twin share $950 AUD p/p twin share Click here for the ÂuCơ Beverages Price List Click here for the ÂuCơ Day Spa Price List There's about 15,500 Vietnamese Dong to the Aussie dollar, so around $4.50 for a beer. NB: As with most luxury ships, some cabins are more exclusive than others. Even the ÂuCơ standard cabins are amazing but as a bit of fun, I am planning a game of chance to allocate cabin locations when the cruise is sold out. Stay tuned.

5 Danang/Hoi-an Extension (4 nights) Graceful, historic Hoi-an is Vietnam s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage. It s where the 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent. I found this description on the Internet too. As a base from which to explore Hoi-an, I m booked in to stay 4 nights at the Pullman Danang, before returning to Hanoi. The cost is around $250 per night incl. breakfast. The Pullman is beautiful. It s described as a luxury beachfront resort nestled near two of the finest golf courses in Southeast Asia - Greg Norman s Danang Golf Club and The Montgomerie Links. The world-famous Hoi An Ancient Town is just moments away, whilst the resort gives easy access to Danang City, The Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills entertainment and the World Heritage Sites of My Son Sanctuary and the Imperial City of Hue. Hoi An is also known as the culinary capital of Vietnam. We can catch a shuttle bus from the resort to Hoi-an (it takes about 15-minutes). Here is the confirmed group itinerary for anyone interested. 09 October Sunday Vietnam Airlines Business Class VN 173 Depart: Hanoi 1555 Arrive Danang 1715 Transfer to Pullman Danang October (4 nights) Pullman Dangang Superior Room incl. breakfast daily

6 13 October - Wednesday Transfer from hotel to airport Vietnam Airlines Business Class VN 164 Depart: Danang 1305 Arrive Hanoi 1425 Own arrangements from Hanoi to wherever. The current cost of the Danang/Hoi An extension through the Travel Agent Caloundra is approximately $1050 per person twin share. This includes business class return airfares. For bookings and final prices on airfares, the Hoi-an Extension or and other travel requirements, please feel free to make contact with the coordinating travel agent. Tiffany Halstead The Travel Agent Caloundra Address: 27 Bulcock Street. Caloundra, QLD, 4551 Toll Free: Ph: tiffany@thetravelagent.net.au Note: Visas are required for travel to Vietnam and travel insurance is highly recommended. All booking terms and conditions for The Travel Agent Caloundra apply to reservations made for this itinerary. Tiffany also has a list of all travellers to assist singles arrange twin share rooms if required.