The Travel Snob

Heading to Thailand? Know Where to Go for the Best Handicrafts. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Adorable ceramic elephants from Lampang - available at ExporThai.com.

According to a recent survey conducted by Visa International Asia Pacific and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), more than 50 percent of travelers are considering Asia as their next travel destination, and the country that topped the list? Thailand.

Blessed with beautiful beaches, magnificent mountains, and friendly folks, Thailand has long been popular with the backpacking set and international beach bunnies. However, it's the culture that lures many, and with so many traditional arts & crafts to choose from, shopping is a significant part of any visit. Most of the silks, woodcarvings, gifts, home decor, and handmade paper items come from Chang Mai, but if you know where to look, you can pick up fab souvenirs either at the source, or in Bangkok.

Shopping Chiang Mai:

• NIGHT BAZAAR The area of Chiang Mai next to the river transforms itself nightly to a street market offering all sorts of delightful handicrafts. This is the first place to go in Chiang Mai, since artisans from all over Northern Thailand show their products here. For indoor shopping, there are two large handicraft malls on either side of the main street -- Vieng Ping Night Bazaar and Kalare. Best Kept Secret? Kalare has continuously running cultural shows -- and they are free.

• BAN TAWAI About twenty minutes from Chiang Mai City by car, Ban Tawai is the center for handicraft decor and furniture items. Most of the "antiques" here are not much older than an Ikea sofa, but the designs are traditional and the makers are expert at aging them. Best Kept Secret? Savvy shoppers go past the main area another half kilometer to see the articles being made, talk to the artists, and get the best prices.

• BO SANG Outside Chiang Mai on the SanKamPaeng road is an entire village whose inhabitants are dedicated to the making and trading of Thai handicrafts. Walking the main street of Bo Sang gives a sense of the variety available, but bargain hunters duck to the back rooms to find the real treasures. Best Kept Secret? Factory direct prices for hand made mulberry paper are in a remote part of Bo Sang called Ton Bau. This is where the makers are, and all have shops for browsing.

• SUNDAY MARKET Every Sunday evening, the streets from Thai Pae Gate to Wat Pra Sihng are closed to traffic. Vendors from all over Thailand lay out blankets and sell striking and original items at bargain-basement prices. Best Kept Secret? Many of the temples in the walking area also provide space for vendors. Shoppers find bargains while viewing temples at a time they would not normally be open to the public.

Shopping Bangkok:

• CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET Chatuchak Weekend Market is the undisputed center for buying Thai Handicrafts of all kinds. Now it's easily accessible by both subway and Sky Train -- se when time is limited, this is the place to go. Mixed in with knock-off jeans and cheap sneakers are some outstanding Thai products. Best Kept Secret? Chatuchak is open on Fridays as "wholesale day", but all are welcome. Avoid the weekend crowds and get the best bargains.

• NARAYANA PHAND THAI HANDICRAFT CENTER Travelers with a very tight schedule go to the Narayana Phand Thai Handicraft Center located across the street from Central World Shopping Center in Pratunam. Beautifully presented Thai handicrafts from all over the country are sold at fixed prices. Many items from Royal Projects sold here support Hill Tribe, disabled and elderly artisans. Best Kept Secret? The basement shops are independent sellers, selling many of the same items as in the main shop at greatly reduced prices.

• SILOM ROAD/PATPONG At night, the financial district of Bangkok becomes a market packed with every type of product, legal and illegal. Shoppers who brave the crowds and the touts can discover budding artisans staked out selling unique designs - from delicately carved soap flowers (warning - these fade in the sun!) to hand-made sandals. Best Kept Secret? Most "Thai Silk" sold on the street is really polyester. Genuine silk catches on the fingers, and the ends of any fringe will have fibers of varying sizes, including very fine ones.

• SUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR The days of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar are numbered. Soon to be replaced by a condominium complex, this treasured shopping experience is home to all sorts of independent sellers -- many of whom design and make their own home decor designs. It's just down the road from Lumpini Park, convenient for spending a whole evening dining, shopping and generally having a pleasant time. Best Kept Secret? Next to the Bazaar at the Lumpini Boxing Stadium is a small shop selling genuine Muay Thai (Thai boxing) paraphernalia -- not tourist knock-offs. Don't miss the boxing glove key rings.

Or simply stay at home & shop there: try ExporThai.com, one of the most established online vendors of Thai Handicrafts.

- The Travel Snob

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Remote Lands' First Private Jet Journey to Asia to Feature Gael Greene and Simon Winchester. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Learn about Asian culture through its food on a two week adventure that will take travelers to five countries as part of the newest trip on the roster of Asian luxury "bespoke travel specialist" Remote Lands.  High flying activities include dining with members of the Thai royal family; visiting Yekshenba Bazaar, the world's largest open-air market located in Kashgar; savoring dinner with the Maharaja at his palace in Udaipur; enjoying a wedding ceremony in a charming Bhutan village; and observing a private young-monk ordination and ritual head-shaving in Burma.   

As part of the  Passionate Epicures and Insatiable Travelers private jet journey, scheduled for October 13-26, 2007, you'll be whisked through five countries, stay in splendid hotels, and indulge in spa treatments and magnificent cuisine. Celebrated food critic and best-selling author Gael Greene and award-winning author and Asia expert Simon Winchester will be along as raconteurs for the trip.

Remote Lands Passionate Epicures and Insatiable Travelers Jet Journey:

• COUNTRIES VISITED Thailand, Burma, Bhutan, India & China
• MODE OF TRANSPORT luxury Boeing Business Jet outfitted with just 40 first class seats
• LIMITED SPACE no more than 15 - 20 guests
• CELEB SPEAKERS author Simon Winchester & food critic Gael Greene
• TRIP DATES October 13-26, 2007
• COST $50,000 per person (double occupancy) with a $5,000 supplement fee for single occupancy

On an earthy-friendly note, Remote Lands donates five percent of its profits directly to local charities in Asian countries for continued development of tourism projects. They also support geotourism, which sustains and enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents - that helps build a sense of national identity and pride.

- The Travel Snob

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Independent Travellers Heading for Southeast Asia Can Travel Lighter with a Downloadable PDF Guide from Travelfish . TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

This week, down-and-dirty travel site Travelfish launched their downloadable PDF guide to Ho Chi Minh City, the latest in their growing stable of snappy insider guides, and their first for Vietnam. "We want travellers to navigate their way through Southeast Asia's top destinations without being weighed down by out-of-date guidebooks containing way more information than they need," says Travelfish founder and veteran traveller Stuart McDonald about the concise but comprehensive guides; they print out to A4 size paper before the trip or on-the-go at Internet cafes. "Travellers can simply choose Travelfish guides to the places they are actually going -- each usually costing far less than an airport cab in the city they're travelling to."

While heavy, bulk print guidebooks can take more than six months to reach shelves after a researcher has been on the ground, Travelfish guides are up-to-the-minute. "The writing is on the wall for the legacies [traditional guidebooks]. There is a whole new way of travelling for the latest generation of backpackers -- and flashpackers -- thanks to the internet." says McDonald, who spent years backpacking in Southeast Asia and has now lived in the region for a decade. "Travelfish is at the forefront."

Each Travelfish guide is thoroughly researched on the ground by experienced travellers who do their best to conceal their identity and never accept freebies, to ensure their readers get realistic, warts-and-all reviews of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, bars and sights:

• Cambodia: Siem Reap & Angkor Wat with Phnom Penh launching in two weeks
• Laos: Vientiane, Champasak & more off-the-beaten-track destinations in remote southern Laos
• Thailand: Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, Bangkok; diver's paradise Ko Tao on the way
• Coming soon: 24 titles by the end of 2007, including Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon & Central Highlands

For more info, visit Travelfish.org.

- The Travel Snob

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Why Not Plan to Travel India by Truck with the Fam this October? TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

After a colorful city tour through the labyrinthine streets of Old Delhi and the leafy boulevards of Delhi, venture beyond the hustle & bustle to the Rajasthan Desert for a two-night stay in a village of mud brick cottages; camel  rides through the spectacular desert scenery and village walks in local Rajasthani communities are on the agenda. Next comes a farmstay in the countryside around Jaipur, with a city tour, a traditional evening with music, and an overnight stay in a small Maharajah's palace. Agra follows, with a guided rickshaw ride through sleepy Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a guided tour of the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, and a visit to the royal city of Fatehpur Sikri. And lastly, head through Uttar Pradesh to the Himalayan foothills and Corbett National Park, where exciting tiger and wildlife safaris by jeep and elephant-back top the itinerary. Conclude the affair with a celebratory Indian feast - with enough chapatis to feed a Maharajah's elephant!

"It's a package we've been working on for some time, and we're very excited about it. We know from the popularity of our African family adventure travel packages that there is real demand for family overland truck based travel that is not as physically demanding but still as memorable as our traditional packages,"  explains Charlie Hopkinson, marketing director at Dragoman Overland. " Having brought true overland truck travel to families visiting Africa (check out our family holidays at Dragoman.com) it's great that we can now offer the culture and wildlife of India to younger people, whilst still using our popular Dragoman Overland trucks."

Dragoman Overland's unique 10-day family adventure tour departs either on October 17th or December 21st. This overland truck adventure is suitable for children aged 7 and upwards. For more info, go to Dragoman.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Find a Travel Needle in a Haystack with Lonely Planet's Newest Accommodation Booking Website. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

If you're the adventurous sort who enjoys your travel off the beaten path, but still digs excellent accomodation, Lonely Planet's Haystack is serving up a unique 'invitation only' booking service that features only properties that have been chosen, visited, reviewed and recommended by a Lonely Planet author.

"Whenever you go checking places out grumpy hotel owners say "Why do you guys come at such difficult times?" and that's exactly why we do it. We want to see places at their best and worst," explains one of Lonely Planet's intrepid authors. "First thing in the morning when people are checking out is always a good time to see how people handle being busy, plus there's always a helpful cleaner who might let you see a room that you might not otherwise have caught on the grand tour. The most important thing is to avoid the "official tour," where the people at the desk get the manager and you get shown how light switches work or invited for a cup of tea. Sometimes this can mean sneaking around the front desk or talking to people who are staying there or even just breaking up that tour by saying "What about these rooms?" You have to review against what you're being shown, which often means being pretty annoying to hotel staff." Adds another of their authors: "I don't really jump on beds, but I do look closely to see that the bedspreads are clean (I hate gunky-looking patterned bedspreads), suss out the bathrooms for water pressure and mould, test the windows to see if they can be opened and open wardrobes to look for wire coat hangers (yuck!). I often check minibar prices to see if they're extortionate, and I like to look at communal areas to see how guests and guests of guests are treated. I like to say hello to the people who clean the rooms to, you can tell a lot about a place by the greeting that's returned - and I think everyone in a hotel/motel or wherever should be happy to be there, even if it's for work."

In fact, many of their properties were not previously bookable online through any other service. "We are inviting our favorite properties from around the globe to join the service -- whether it's a backpackers in Sydney, an eco-resort in Yap, or a boutique hotel in Rome," says Dan Christian, Lonely Planet's Haystack Product Manager. "Haystack is a unique service in that every property listed is recommended as a great place to stay. Every property review is 100% independent and written by an experienced travel writer." Currently, Haystack boasts over 1000 properties in more than 58 countries, and more are being added all the time. "Haystack will continue to grow daily as more destinations and properties are added to the site throughout 2007 and beyond."

For more info, visit Haystack.LonelyPlanet.com.

- The Travel Snob

Don't Let Your Single Status Impede Your Wanderlust. Singles Travel International Has a Trip for Almost Any Destination. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

    

A swingin' single in Costa Rica.

Let's face it, having a fellow travel fanatic to share adventures with on the road is fun! Singles Travel International (SinglesTravelIntl.com) caters to singles with the travel bug, specializing in luxurious trips all over the world. They boast a 75% repeat clientele, who enjoy fun-filled adventures plus amenities like an escort for groups of 20 or more (available 24/7). Travelers are encouraged to spend as much or as little time with the group as they like, and age-specific excursions are available so you can share your experience with others just like you. While it's a fun way to meet people, it's not a dating service...thankfully.

Singles Travel International 2007 trip schedule:
(Note: *rates are per person based on double occupancy)

MARCH

• Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale (March 16-18,'07) - Starting at $469*. Stay at Bahia Mar Beach Resort on the ocean and check out the St. Patrick's Day festivities on Las Olas Boulevard
• Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Jewel (March 18-24,'07) - Starting at $525*. Visits Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman - for 30s & 40s

APRIL/MAY

• Caribbean Cruise on the QM2 (April 2-10,'07) Starting at $994* with $100 upgrades. Celebrate the Easter & Passover holiday at sea and visit Eastern Caribbean (Bonaire, Grenada & St. Kitts)
• Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure (April 14-22,'07) Starting at $2,295*. Experience hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, canoeing, snorkeling and more.
• Galapagos & Optional Ecuador Extension (April 20-May 5,'07) Starting at $4,345*. Make like Charles Darwin at visit these isolated islands and their rare creatures aboard the Celebrity Xpedition
• Ecuador All-Inclusive Multi-Sport Adventure (April 28-May 5,'07) Starting at $1,923*. Stay in the center of the Andean heartland, and enjoy river rafting, mountain trekking and climbing.

MAY/JUNE

• Liberty of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-Jun 2,'07) Starting at $1,030*. Visit Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Private Island in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
• East African Safari (June 15-24,'07) Starting at $2,795*. Journey to the wide open wilderness and enjoy animals galore in their natural settings in Kenya. Have a bush dinner with the Masai Mara.
• Norwegian Odyssey Cruise on QM2 (June 16-26,'07) Starting at $1,599*. View the Fjords of Norway aboard the Queen Mary 2

JUNE/JULY

• New York City Weekend (June 30-July 2) Starting from $995*. 3 nights of action and romance with a Sex in the City Tour, dinner and salsa lessons in Soho, a singles party with the locals, bike ridge through Central Park and first class hotel accommodations. Add the QM2 4th of July cruise for a full week of excitement.
• QM2 4th of July in the Bahamas (July 2-6,'07) Starting at $899*. Experience a spectacle to remember on the "Greatest Ocean Liner of Our Time" the Queen Mary 2.
• Spectacular Spain for Singles in 30s & 40s (July 21-29,'07) Starting at $1,286*. An exciting 10 day vacation that allows time to experience a lot of Spain in a single visit including Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, and Cordoba.

AUGUST

• Italy's Great Cities for Singles in 30s & 40s (August 1-8,'07) Starting at $1,626*. Enjoy museums, cathedrals, vineyards, and olive groves.
• Heart of Alaska Cruise and Tour (August 13-24,'07') Starting at $1,919*. Experience Alaska's wilder side in this 11 day journey, with a combination of grand class cruising, and luxury, spend 2 nights in the #1 wilderness lodge south of Denali National Park.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

• Mediterranean Medley Cruise aboard QM2 (September 10-22,'07) Starting at $2,129*. Discover a cache of treasures on this 12 day cruise from Southampton England to Rome, Barcelona, Portugal, French Riviera
• Transatlantic Crossing on QM2 (September 22-28,'07) Starting at $1,029*. From Southampton England to New York, it's like a 5-day visit to a luxury spa with no interruptions.
• New York Splendors of Fall Cruise aboard the QM2 (September 28-October 7,'07) Starting at $1,729*. A fall colors cruise from New York to Quebec, with stops in Newport, Boston, Halifax and Bar Harbor.
• Five Star Imperial Jewels of China (October 2-11,'07) Starting at $2,858*. View China's most imperial treasures, an exciting 3 night tour along the legendary Yangtze River, stay in Beijing, spend a night in Xian, and enjoy the skyline of Shanghai.
• Peruvian Paradise (October 7-12,'07) Starting at $1,795*. Mountain bike and raft through spectacular river canyons, and hike the ancient Inca Trail to the famous Lost City by way of beautiful stone paths, ancient stairs and mountain tunnels. Extensions available to the Peruvian Amazon and stunning Lake Titicaca.
• Greek Island Cruise (October 20-27,'07) Starting at $749 Departs Venice, Italy on the Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas, and visits the fascinating Greek ports of Athens, Mykonos, Katakalon, Corfu, Split, and Croatia

DECEMBER/JANUARY

• Holiday Cruise (December 20-January 3,'07) Starting at $3,182* Cruise the holidays like a star aboard one of the grandest vessels afloat. Visit the unique ports of Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas. Round-trip from New York.

- The Travel Snob

 

The Orbitz Insider Picks this Year's Seven Under-the-Radar Travel Hotspots. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

From celebrating our nation's past, to exotic destinations, to hearing the crack of yacht sails as they race for the oldest active trophy in international sport, the Orbitz Insider unearths up-and-coming hotspots before they register on the mainstream radar:

• New Orleans, Louisiana Continuing its remarkable comeback after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is once again bustling and thriving. Events are plentiful in New Orleans in 2007 as the city welcomes travelers back for its always-outlandish Mardi Gras celebration in February and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April. The French Quarter Festival, also in April, is another excuse to stroll down Bourbon Street, with music on 14 stages and booths teeming with famous Cajun cuisine.

• Jamestown, Virginia This year marks the 400th anniversary of this historic city, the first English settlement in the United States. To mark the occasion, they are hosting America's Anniversary Weekend Celebration, May 11-13. From concerts to children's events and fireworks, this town and event make for the perfect educational and fun family vacation. History buffs can explore the life-size re-creations of the colonists' fort, a Powhatan Native American village and three replicas of the ships which sailed from England to Virginia bringing settlers to the United States. For more historic parks & family activities, historic Williamsburg is only a short drive away.

• Cruising to Alaska Wildlife, glaciers, mountains, as well as whales, fjords, and maybe some Grizzly bears - all in the course of a single day. And adventures aren't just confied to the ship; serious adventure excursions are a fun option, such as helicopter touring, glacier trekking and sea kayaking, where you can get up-close and personal with Alaska's extreme -- and extremely beautiful -- landscape. The season only runs from May to September, so it's advisable to book far in advance.

• San Juan Islands, Washington For sea kayaking enthusiasts, this is the spot. Located about an hour and a half north of Seattle, kayakers from novice to expert can explore the San Juan Islands' beautiful landscape and wildlife, which includes Orca whales, seals and a variety of birds. The Islands also boast outstanding scuba diving as well as fishing and sailing. As a great day trip destination from Seattle, ferry lines can be long, so purchase tickets in advance to avoid a long & boring wait in the passenger toll lines.

• Valencia, Spain With roots dating back to 138 BC, the architecture of this Mediterranean coastal city is rich with history. It's also known for its excellent sailing conditions, and this year from  June 23 and July 7, they will be hosting the 32nd Annual America's Cup final, the world's premier sailing competition. And you don't just have to watch. Learn to sail through the school organized by the Comunidad Valenciana Sailing Federation, where would-be mariners from the age of nine up can learn to sail and race in the same conditions as the America's Cup sailors.

• Krakow, Poland Often referred to as the "new Prague," Krakow is considered the cultural center of Poland. Krakow is known for its museums and its extremely well-preserved architecture, including castles and cathedrals dating back to the Medieval and Renaissance periods. However, while its roots are deep, Krakow isn't stuck in the dark ages. This city has a vibrant social scene, with one of its most notable events being Carnival -- a two-month non-stop party in January and February with events at restaurants and nightclubs throughout the city. And don't forget to purchase a European rail pass so you can take advantage of the great rail system with short trips to neighboring countries such as Germany and the Czech Republic.

• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  For a glimpse of a country on the verge of opening up to the world, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling blend of the modern and the traditional. Upscale restaurants and entertainment keep company with traditional Vietnamese street markets and sidewalk cafes; the Ben Thanh Market sells everything from flowers and seafood to fabrics and glassware; and the Museum of Vietnamese History features an extensive collection of Vietnamese antiquities. For a taste of the countryside, Ho Chi Minh City is a great launching point to the area's many beautiful beaches as well as the Mekong Delta, one of the richest agricultural areas of Vietnam.

For more info, visit Orbitz.com & check out the Orbitz Insider.

- The Travel Snob

(photo: ibiblio.org)