FAMILY SUMMER ESCAPE Sample Itinerary Speak to an expert today!

FAMILY SUMMER ESCAPE Sample Itinerary

Speak to an expert today! Call us: 01242 253 073

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First-hand Knowledge | Sensible Prices | Honest Opinions

CONTENTS Map / Overview Your Itinerary Your Accommodation Price Examples Next Steps

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MAP AND OVERVIEW Hanoi

Halong Bay

Ninh Binh

Hoi An & Danang

Explore the best bits of Vietnam travelling North to South at a relaxing pace and with plenty of fun activities to keep the whole family entertained. This suggested itinerary is also ideal for couples or friends looking for a 2 week holiday to Vietnam over the Summer months of June, July, August and September. Far from the normal family vacation, we give you the chance to interact with the locals, discover the outdoors and learn about different cultures as you travel through Vietnam with your family friendly guide.

Saigon Mekong Delta

This is just a suggested itinerary; you can either book it as it stands, or use it as a starting point and tailor it to fit your exact requirements. Please contact us to discuss the trip in more detail.

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1

Flight to Hanoi - you can take a direct option with Vietnam Airlines or a 1 stop flight via another Asian hub with a choice of airlines including Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, BA and more

International flights included. Day 2 Arrive to Hanoi this morning, where you will be met at the airport by your driver and guide. Head to your hotel, check in and enjoy time to relax. In the late afternoon your guide will take you to a local Water Puppet Theatre for a traditional show. Afterwards, take a stroll around Hanoi's Old Quarter

Temple, Hanoi

Stay: Hanoi Day 3

Your day begins with a leisurely breakfast and a well deserved lie in. Later this morning take a guided tour to visit the "Hanoi Hilton" (Hoa Lo Prison) and explore the city - stop for a local coffee, explore the markets and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure Local Market, Hanoi

Stay: Hanoi


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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 4 Today leave the city behind and head into the beautiful countryside around Ninh Binh. Enjoy a scenic drive through this lesser visited part of Vietnam and on arrival we have included a choice of activities; cycle through paddy fields, enjoy a sampan boat ride or take a walk to the Bich Dong Pagoda. Alternatively, just enjoy the afternoon to relax Stay: Ninh Binh Day 5

Cave, Ninh Binh

A day at leisure in Ninh Binh - we recommend a visit to the Van Long Nature Reserve for some Monkey spotting! Stay: Ninh Binh Day 6 Transfer to Halong City, where you will board your traditional Vietnamese junk for an overnight cruise around Halong Bay. Your cruise will include a range of sightseeing such as cave visits, private beaches, kayaking, squid fishing and cooking demos. Alternatively just sit back and relax on the deck and soak up the stunning views!

Halong Bay

Stay: Halong Bay


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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 7

Wake up to witness the sunrise over the bay and then continue the cruise, before docking at Haiphong and flying down to Central Vietnam. Transfer to your hotel in Hue to check in and enjoy an evening at leisure. Stay: Hue Day 8 Full day at your leisure to relax on the beach Temple, Hue

Stay: Hue Day 9 Another full day at leisure - Hoi An is the best place to get some new clothes, so visit the tailor or head out to the Cham Islands for some snorkelling or diving Stay: Hoi An Day 10 Full day at leisure - we recommend a morning cooking lesson or cycle tour of the countryside, or even a traditional fishing lesson

Boats, Hoi An

Stay: Hoi An


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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 11 Your final full day on the beach - if you don't fancy lounging around visit the My Son ruins by Jeep or take a day trip to Hue Stay: Hoi An Day 12 Fly from Danang south to Saigon. This afternoon we have included a fun street food walking tour but for the more adventurous we highly recommend upgrading this to a tour by vintage vespa!

Bridge, Hoi An

Stay: Saigon Day 13 This morning you can enjoy an option visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels to practice your skills with an AK47 or climb through the tunnels, or alternatively spend the day at leisure and exploring the city at your own pace Stay: Saigon Colonial Building, Saigon


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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 14 Today you will get to escape the city and head into the heart of the Mekong Delta. The Delta is a great place to relax and enjoy your last few days in Vietnam in beautiful peaceful surroundings. From your lodge you can enjoy local sightseeing such as cycle tours, cooking classes, boat trips or lovely walks around the local villages Stay: Mekong Delta Local Fisher, Mekong Delta

Day 15 A full day at your leisure in the Mekong Delta Stay: Mekong Delta Day 16 Your driver will collect you to transfer you back to the airport for your return flight to the UK

International flights included. Midtown, Mekong Delta


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SAMPLE ACCOMMODATION These are some recommended hotels from a 3* to 5* rating within Vietnam to give you a taste of what is on offer…..

Three-star options

Anise Hotel, Hanoi

Medallion Hotel, Hanoi

Sanouva Saigon, Saigon

Victoria Beach Resort & Spa, Hoi An

Ancient House, Hoi An

Apricot Hotel, Hanoi

Heritage Line Mekong Cruises

Four-star options

Topas Ecolodge, Sapa

Five-star options

Orchid Cruise, Halong Bay


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PRICE Price Options:

Our prices are normally based on 2 people sharing and include international flights. The exact costs for your holiday can vary a lot depending on availability, special offers and airfares, so please contact us to put together an itinerary for your exact dates with an exact price.

Price Includes: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

International flights return to Hanoi All accommodation as stated in the itinerary Daily breakfasts & additional meals as indicated in the itinerary Local English speaking station guide Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle Domestic flights as mentioned in your itinerary including taxes Entrance fees to all sites mentioned Cold water and refreshing towels on touring days


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NEXT STEPS Perfecting Your Holiday: We know you want this holiday to be exactly right for you, so nothing in this sample is set in stone. The next step is to get in touch and we can work with you on any tweaks, changes or amendments you’d like to make; this is also a great opportunity for us to answer the many questions you’ll undoubtedly have now that the trip seems a little more real! You can either give us a call on 01242 253 073 or fill out our quick quote form online found here: Booking Your Holiday: Once you’re completely happy with everything we’ll check availability and hold provisional reservations of the flights, hotels and services for your trip. Only at this point, when we know everything is available and being held for you, will we take payment of the deposit (except in rare circumstances). You can pay the deposit for your trip by card over the phone (*), bank transfer or cheque (unless we require cleared funds quickly in order to secure certain services). We’ll also send you a booking form to complete and return at this stage. We can then wrap up your invoices and confirmation documents and get them sent out to you. * There are no card processing fees charged when paying your deposit. When paying the balance of the cost of the holiday, MasterCard and Visa credit cards will attract a 1% processing fee and AMEX cards a 2% processing fee, which is marginally less than the full processing fee we are charged by our card payment system provider. Debit cards never attract any processing fees. Approaching Your Holiday: We require payment of the final balance of the holiday 10 weeks prior to departure. About a month before you leave you’ll get our travel documents through the post; this is the essential stuff like flight e-ticket references, as well as additional information and tips from us to help make the most of your trip. During Your Holiday: At all times before you go, you can call or email us with any questions you might have. Whilst you are away on your holiday, you’ll have office numbers for both us and our local agents, as well as 24hr emergency contact numbers for both us and our local agents: you’re completely covered in any eventuality.


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ABOUT HOLIDAY ARCHITECTS We’re a company of dedicated and experienced professionals, averaging over ten years each in the industry and with countless trips to Vietnam under our belts. We use that experience to give you honest advice and plan your individuallytailored itinerary. We like to push the boundaries a little bit, getting you away from the crowds and enjoying excursions that are crafted to your interests, as well as smaller, more characterful hotels and guest houses. We’re committed to fair pricing, believing tailor-made travel should not be a luxury; all of which means you can experience the true Vietnam and not the Vietnam most visitors buy off-the-shelf.

Meet the team: Sophie Rowley - Vietnam Specialist

Call us: 01242 253073

Sophie’s passion for travel developed at an early age after being lucky enough to jet around the world on long haul holidays with her adventurous family. Realising the rewards of travel, Sophie later studied International Tourism Management at university and moved to New Zealand to live, work and travel the country by campervan. Not long after she was off again, this time landing in India to begin a solo journey throughout South East Asia. Her travels have seen her cycling through the fabled temples of Angkor, living in jungle lodge tree-houses in Thailand and evening training to be a mahout in Burma. After falling in love with South East Asia, Sophie has been lucky enough to travel through Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia & Burma. She continues to return to Asia on a regular basis to scout out the best hotels, guides and excursions to keep our product on the quirky side!

Financial Protection…. Every Vietnam holiday is fully bonded through the ATOL scheme and the Travel Vault. All our holidays are 100% financially protected through either our ATOL bonding (for all holidays where we are providing flights to / from the UK) or through the Travel Vault.

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