Beguiled by lands of eastern promise
SPIRITED cities, intriguing temples, remote hill tribes, elephant sanctuaries, floating markets and street food – there’s a lifetime of adventure to be found in the Far East, not to mention an incredible line-up of world-class sights.
Exotic and beguiling, this beautiful part of the world also offers discerning travellers some of the richest experiences and best value for their holiday pound.
Outstanding destinations include China, where the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall are just the start of the bucket-list wonders.
And Thailand, the Land of Smiles, has long been the queen bee of south-east Asian tourism, renowned for its superb service, miles of pristine white sand, impossibly turquoise sea and exhilarating jungles.
An escorted tour is by far the easiest way to explore the highlights and hidden gems of these captivating countries, taking the pressure off finding your way around and providing highstandard hotels and many meals.
Those in search of a carefully crafted itinerary should take a look at the options offered by award-winning Hayes & Jarvis. Each trip is expertly designed and operated under the wing of a friendly and knowledgeable tour manager, assisted by insightful local guides.
EXCITING CHINA
ESCORTED touring is the obvious choice for a seamless journey around exciting China, where the ancient meets the modern.
Start your unforgettable journey in Beijing with a stroll through vast Tiananmen Square into the awesome Forbidden City, where emperors and empresses lived and ruled from 1420 to 1924.
You’ll also see the Great Wall snaking across the mountains at less-busy Mutianyu, north of Beijing, where a cable car can whizz you up to walk between towers and drink in the breathtaking views. And the thousands of Terracotta Warriors at Xian are truly mesmerising. The level of detail amazes – the expressions, hairstyles, armour and even the tread on the footwear are all unique.
Chengdu offers adorable panda encounters, while a Yangtze River tour takes you through gorgeous gorges and on a peaceful diversion into timeless Shennong Stream – a narrow fjord where the scenery is pure ‘old China’.
Stunning Shanghai showcases the former French and British trading areas, as well as the designer shops in Nanjing Road and the dazzling new Pudong district, the ‘Chinese Manhattan’.
EXOTIC THAILAND
BANGKOK is a city where the familiar and the exotic collide like the flavours on a plate of pad thai. Sample the street food, visit a floating market, take an exciting ride on a tuk-tuk and visit a temple to offer food to saffronrobed monks.
The capital combines perfectly with a trip to the lush mountains and rich cultures of northern Thailand. Around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the jungle landscapes bring elephantcentre adventures, hill tribe encounters, visits to revered temples on panoramic peaks, relaxing boat journeys on traditional long-tail boats, and colourful night markets.
There is also the chance to see the once-infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet.
An experience-rich six-day tour could be rounded off by an optional extension amid the pearly white sands, turquoise seas, limestone stacks and emerald rainforests of Phuket or Koh Samui.
Alternatively, simply make a four-day tour part of your holiday amid the magnificent temples of tranquil Chiang Mai.
A perfect companion to your stay, it offers everything from hill tribe and pottery village visits, to a look into Thailand’s own version of the Grand Canyon.
Explore caves, see delicate orchids, discover a traditional way of life at a cultural village and visit a local ‘walking street’, full of eateries, bars and street food.
All these magical holiday options are available through Hayes & Jarvis, which, with 65 years of experience and numerous accolades, has the know-how to offer you an exceptional tour of Thailand or China full of memorable highlights.
The charm and wonder of the Far East just have to be experienced. Why not make 2019 the year you discover this incredible region for yourself?