Southeast Asia Cuisine

Nam pla is a sauce based on preserved seafood, normally anchovies, but at times they also use dried shrimp. It is found in most Thai or Vietnamese kitchens and is a vital ingredient for hot and sour soup.

Toasted sesame oil is common in Vietnamese cooking for a fresh sauce, added to fresh lime juice, a dash of soy sauce, some chopped fresh green chili and scallions along with a pinch of sugar.  It goes especially well with spring rolls and lettuce wraps.

Rice is an essential accompaniment to most southeast-Asian meals. Try adding sweet rice vinegar as a condiment to the rice.

Coconut milk, lemon grass, chili and kaffir lime leaves are widely used. Thai basil is also popular, and has a very different flavor than Mediterranean basil.

Keep in mind that Southeast Asia covers Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, so food does vary from one region to another. Thai food is the most popular cuisine coming out of this region.

For more information about our Asia tours please click here: http://www.escortedasiatours.com/

Kyoto, Japan

Enjoy Japan’s culture, food  & traditional performing arts. Here are some of the things you can experience

Take a moment and simply admire the sheer beauty of Kinkakuji, the Golden Temple, in Kyoto, Japan.  Surrounded by water, rock gardens & manicured trees, its still reflection is certain to make a lasting impression on you.

Experience the traditional values or wabi (elegant stillness,) and sabi (antiquated elegance with calm,) which is essential to Japanese art.  a Tea ceremony is a means of training concentration or spirit and of learning manners. There are a number of school in Japan, each presenting their own style of tea ceremony. The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan. It is common to be asked to remove your shoes before entering a tea ceremony. 

Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, which is famous for its principal sanctuary built on a steep cliff. The Temple was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994. The 139 zelkova pillars that support the balcony are over 12 meters tall. It commands a wonderful view of the city of Kyoto. Expect a considerable amount of walking from the parking lot to the temple.

Geisha have to undergo intensive training. Geisha are trained in a number of skills: traditional Japanese dance, singing, playing instruments like shamisen (three stringed instrument), flower arrangement, wearing kimono, Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy, conversation, alcohol serving manners and more.

Japanese Kaiseki is a traditional, multi-course dinner.  Kaiseki-ryori uses the fresh ingredients of the season and are cooked in ways that enhance the original taste of the ingredients, and include anywhere from 6 to 15 different types of food including soup, vegetables, grilled fish, rice and dessert.

Shabu-Shabu is a popular beef dish in Japan.  It is basically boiling meat in a broth…healthier than using oil at the Melting Pot! Some restaurants offer a Maiko performance during dinner.

Vist our Asia website for a selection of Japan travel packages.

Chongqing, China

Chongqing  is a large, hilly city on the banks of the Yangtze. Among Chongqing’s attractions are the three-story wood River View Pavilion, the Sichuan Fine Arts Academy, Renmin Hotel which was built in the style of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, Wangjianglou Park and the Chongqing Zoo.

Chongqing Zoo is famous for its Panda Bears.   You see plenty of Giant pandas, Lesser pandas, Golden hair monkeys & the rare South China Tigers.

Hotpot is Chongqing’s culinary specialty.  Meats such as beef, pork, duck and vegetables are cooked in a spicy broth.

Many itineraries spend two nights in Chongqing, so there is time to travel to Dazu which is about 150 miles southeast of Chengdu. Dazu is listed as a UNESCO World cultural heritage site and are a series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings dating back to an estimated 7th century A.D.

Jordan Travel Tips

When to Go:  The best time to travel are the Spring & Fall where temperatures are more moderate and there are less crowds.

Documents: American travelers require a Visa which can be obtained when you arrive for $15 USD. Many tour operators & cruise lines include the Visa as part of their package.

Must See:  Petra – Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 & is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Dead Sea Resthouse; Jarash (Roman ruins); Mount Nebo; Dead Sea 

Best Value Packages:  6 day Jordan Experience from $1,035 pp, 8-day Ancient Pathways to Petra from $1,349 pp  or the 11 day Jordan & Egypt in the Bible from $1,769 pp

Yangtze River Cruise

Jonathan Siskin, one of America’s most widely published travel writers, recently wrote an article for our travel consortia, Ensemble Travel on Yangtze River Cruises.  He noted that there is an old Chinese saying states “If you haven’t traveled the Chang Jian (Long River,) you haven’t been anywhere.” Jonathan added that a Yangtze river cruise ranks high on the A-list of “must do” cruises.

The third largest river in the world, the Yangtze River winds 3,900 miles through the country from west to east cutting through 10 provinces before disgorging its water into the Yellow Sea. The Upper Reaches are the most attractive part to cruise with wild mountain ranges, unbroken ravines, and charming landscapes. Along this 130 mile stretch, the river passes through the Three Gorges. There’s plenty of time to unwind and plenty of opportunities to see the sights and the history of Magical China.

We suggest at least 12 days to enjoy a few nights before and after a Yangtze cruise in cities such as Shanghai, Xian & Beijing, although the cruises are normally only 3 or 4 nights.  Prices begin as low as $2,400 per person, not including airfare. There are trips as long as 23 days, but this is to spend more time in Asia, not a longer cruise experience. Visit www.escortedasiatours.com to see a great selection of packages.
Great video overview of Yangtze River Cruising.

Princess Asia Cruises

Princess Cruises will transform the Tahitian Princess into the Ocean Princess in time for the 2009-2010 Asia season. The ship’s new itineraries will include two 16 day cruises between  Singapore & Shanghai, four 16 day cruises Shanghai & Bangkok & two 14 day cruises between Shanghai & Tokyo. 

Seven of the 11 new ports Princess will be visiting in the 2009/2010 cruise season are in Asia & Pacific Regions:  Yangon, Myanmar; Qingdao, China; Fukuoka, Japan; Phillip Island & New Castle, Australia; Picton, New Zealand & Halong Bay/Hanoi, Vietnam.

Excellent past passenger offers, as well as for those new to Princess, including a reduced deposit & ship board credits on all Asia sailings. Offer valid through Deceber 15th, 2008.

EXCLUSIVE CIRCLE MEMBER SAVINGS UP TO $200 PER PERSON†

50% of Princess® Vacation Protection costs covered by Princess: - Plus, Platinum & Elite Members get an upgrade to Platinum Vacation Protection when you purchase the standard Vacation Protection program. Oct. 12, 2009 $100 Shipboard Credit per stateroom Nov.22, 2009  $100 Shipboard Credit per stateroom Feb. 21, 2010 $100 Shipboard Credit per stateroom Mar 29, 2010  $100 Shipboard Credit per stateroom

Book an Exotic cruisetour and receive onboard credit of up to $200 per stateroom† Complimentary bottle of winer per cabin Share this offer with friends and family (up to two staterooms, four people) and they will receive the same savings. Bonus Amenity Package: - 8″ x 10″ photo voucher (one per stateroom) - Reduced deposit amount (waiver of one person’s deposit)

River Cruise Specials

It’s a buyers market! Viking River Cruises is one of the many suppliers offering booking discounts and incentives for 2009 travel. Here is their latest promotion:

If you reserve now for 2009, you can get great value for your cruise dollar. Plus, with our new Ocean Cruisers Savings, if you have ever taken an ocean cruise, just tell us when and with which cruise line to save $500 per guest ($1,000 off per couple)! This is in addition to the up to $2,000 per couple Early Booking Discount for a total savings of up to $3,000 per couple.

Discount offer applies to the Grand European 15 day Amsterdam to Budapest; the Romantic Danube 8 days Budapest to Nuremberg; 13 day Waterways of the Czars St. Petersburg to Moscow & Imperial Jewels of China 12 day Beijing to Shanghai.

Offer valid through December 19.

General Tours in Asia & South America

General Tours’  small group escorted tour to exotic Southeast Asia is a rich & leisurely way to explore this distant land. Its unique inclusions are visiting Singapore with a private guide, a deluxe overnight cruise on Ha Long bay, two full days of expertly guided sightseeing at Angkor Wat, and a night on the Mekong Delta.

Visions of Vietnam & Angkor Wat with Singapore is a 17 day package starting from $5,999 pp land only. Price includes luxury hotel accommodations, overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, most meals, all sightseeing & on-tour transportation including flights within Vietnam & Cambodia.

Exclusive offer: Book by December 31st, & receive a complimentary lunch at The Line, a restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.  A 14 day itinerary is available without Singapore from $3,599 pp

In South America, discover the rich cultural legacy & sophisticated charms of two of the continent’s great capitals. Explore Mendoza, Argentina’s best wine region, and staisfy your lust for magnificent scenery with a spectacular overland journey across the mighty peaks of the Andes. Excursions include wine tastings, a tango lesson, and a cooking class will provide an insider’s point of view.

Traditions & Flavors of South America is an 8 day package from $2,379 pp Rates include deluxe hotel accommodations, many meals, sightseeing at 2 estate wineries in Mendoza & all on-tour transportation & internal flights.

Exclusive offer: Booking by December 31st and receive complimentary private airport transfers on land-only bookings.

AARP Members receive up to $200 off per couple.