Vietnam
       &
Cambodia
A Cultural Tour for food-minded
Travelers  March 24 - April 4, 2009

Individual departures throughout
the year can also be arranged

In recent years Saigon has blossomed into a vibrant lively city where food is high on the list. Going out to eat has become a favorite pastime and the Vietnamese expect quality whether they dine in a roadside stall or one of the new upscale restaurants. You can dine on such local specialties as Pho, the soup that is the unofficial national dish of Vietnam, or canh cua, a delectable soup of noodles, cilantro and crabmeat, or elect to eat French at Le Gordon Bleu or in the rooftop restaurant at the Sofitel. On this tour we have combined the best restaurants both Vietnamese and French, and have added 4-day visit to Siem Reap in Cambodia to see the astonishing complex of Angkor Wat, and dine at Chef Serge Rigondin's elegant "Mouhot's Dream" and the romantic candle-lit Cafe Indochine.  Great sights and great food make this a true "foodies dream tour".

ITINERARY

Day 1  - Depart the U.S. for your flight to Vietnam.

Day 2 - Arrive in Saigon where you are met by a guide and transferred to your suite at the historic Hotel Continental located directly adjacent to the colonial Opera House. The Continental was the first French Grand Hotel in Saigon and has in recent years undergone major renovation. After being checked in the remainder of the day and evening is on your own. 

Day 3 - This morning you will meet your Posh Journeys hosts and your Vietnamese guide. We will then take you  on a city tour visiting the famous sights of Ho Chi Minh City, the official name of Saigon, as well as some places not seen by all tourists. The morning sightseeing ends with lunch at Pho 24, the best place in town for Pho, the traditional beef noodle soup. In the afternoon visit a Vietnamse Buddhist Pagoda and enjoy a beautiful performance of traditional music on old instruments by a local family. Dinner this evening is in one of Saigon's best Vietnamese restaurants.  B L D

Day 4 - After breakfast embark on a scenic tour of the Mekong Delta. Visit one of the islands where exotic fruits are grown, and to enjoy a delicious fruit snack.  At another island a horse-drawn carriage ride will take you to a bee farm where you can taste the honey they produce and candies made from fruit and honey.  Later sail through the narrow jungle bordered canals of the Mekong Delta to relax over a lunch of grilled fish in a romantic little pavilion set in a sea of water lilies.  Before returning to Saigon visit the tow of Mytho and the Vinh Trang Pagoda, time permitting.  After returning to the hotel the there is time for a drink at the hotel's beautiful roof top lounge before a fine Vietnamese dinner at Mandarin, perhaps the most famous of Vietnamese restaurants in the city with a guest list of who's who. B L D

Day 5  -  This morning visit the infamous Chu Chi Tunnels from where the Viet Congs (short for Vietnamese Communists) launched their Tet Offensive in 1968 which was the real beginning of the Vietnamese War. Sections of the tunnels are open so that you can crawl through them, and we mean crawl, even some which have been made larger for western tourists are to low to stand up in. After returning to Saigon enjoy a lunch of such specialties as canh cua, a delectable crab noodle soup and Vietnamese crepes. The remainder of the afternoon is on your own to go shopping, explore the nearby exotic spice and flower market or just relax for a while. Dinner today is at Le Gordon Bleu where food is French and delectable. B L D

Day 6 - Transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia to visit the spectacular 8th century ruins of Angkor Wat.  After arrival check into your deluxe room at the pleasant Casa Angkor before setting out to enjoy a boat ride through a floating community on Cambodia's largest lake. Afterwards return to the hotel to have dinner in the pretty open air dining room of the hotel. The restaurant serves some of the best stir fry dishes we have ever tasted and have carta blanc to order whatever tickles your fancy.  B L D

Day 7 - This morning you will begin exploration of the ancient city of Angkor by entering  Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Continue the journey by viewing the ruins at Bayon, Aaphous, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace. After a noon hour lunch break at the hotel visit the epic Angkor Wat, viewing its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. After returning to the hotel relax over a cold drink before dinner at Chef Serge Rigodin's famous traditional Cambodian restaurant Mouhot's Dream set on stilts in the center of a small lake in the lush gardens of the Sofitel. B D

Day 8 -  After breakfast embark on a day to visit  the Angkor Complex. Visit the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva, Bateay Srei and the Banteay Samre Temple. On your way back stop at the three-tiered Pre Rup Temple of Hell to see the Baney Kkei with its rarely seen sculpted female deities. You will also visit the Lake of Srah Strang and the impressive Prom Temple which is dramatically shrouded by vines and jungle growth. Later in the afternoon return to the hotel for time out which is followed by dinner at the romantic thatched roofed Cafe Indochine in the center of the little town of Siem Reap. B D

Day 9 - Linger over breakfast before embarking on a morning visit to the eerie Banyon Tree Temple whose ruins have been clawed by the powerful roots of banyan trees. Afterwards continue to the airport past several minor temples for your flight back to Saigon. After arrival the evening is on your. B

Day 10 - Today you will embark on an excursion into the country to visit the curious and very unusual Caodai Temple in Taynin, some 50 miles north of Saigon. The Caodai are a religious sect like no other. They have rolled Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism all into one religion. It was invented by a civil servant who elected himself Pope and his cardinals were all female. Their saint is Victor Hugo. The temple is a wedding cake fantasy in pink, light blue, white and gold. Victor Hugo, Christ and Buddha are looking down from the roof of the temple along with dragons and snakes. It is a Disney fantasy at its very best. You will be able to walk through the temple then attend a short service which is as bizarre as the temple. Dinner this evening is in a romantic old villa serving specialties of southern Vietnam. B L D

Day 11 - The day is free to shop and pursue personal interests. In the evening we meet for dinner at the rooftop restaurant at the Sofitel which is one of the best French restaurants in Vietnam.

Day 12  - After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight. B

LAND TOUR COST:  $3150.00 per person in double occupancy
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $620


INCLUDED: 10 deluxe and first class hotel accommodations, daily western buffet breakfast, lunches and dinners as per itinerary, all including mineral water, coffee or tea, private driver and English speaking guides, the flight to Cambodia, private sightseeing throughout, all entrance fees to included attractions, airport transfers, and the services of knowledgeable English speaking local guides and the services of Posh Journeys.

NOT INCLUDED: International air fare and any expenses in conjunction with it, domestic and international departure tax, visa costs, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks with meals if not part of a featured meal, tips to your driver and guide, and any item not specifically mentioned in this itinerary. 

AIRFARE:  You may do your own air fare, use frequent flyer miles, or contact us for the lowest available air fare. 

Posh Journeys
530 E. Patriot Blvd. #172
Reno NV 89511
Tel./Fax: 775-852-5105
E-mail:  contact@poshjourneys.com