Bespoke luxury travel operator Orient-Express
recently pioneered its first-ever train crossing over the
Friendship Bridge connecting Thailand with Laos.
The Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) made
history on 25 February 2010 with its inaugural 'Voyage to
Vientiane'. The unique four day-three night tour departed Bangkok
two days earlier. Previous tours into Laos were aboard the E&O
only up to the border, with onward travel by road. The opening of the
Friendship Bridge in 2009 has now paved the way for E&O journeys
into the heart of beautiful and mysterious Laos.
The thrilling
adventure first wound through north-east Thailand, stopping at the
UNESCO World Heritage temple of
Phimai, and a vineyard in the
picturesque Khao Yai valley for tasting “New Latitude Wines”.
Crossing the mighty Mekong River into Laos over the Friendship
Bridge, the new itinerary included a day in the Laos capital of
Vientiane, with lunch at the historic Settha Palace Hotel. As with
all E&O adventures, the 'Voyage to Vientiane' includes all table
d'hôte meals on board and sightseeing tours.
The gleaming green and cream E&O evokes the
great age of luxury train travel and a world of opulence -
harking back to the 'colonial' age of rattan chairs on the
veranda, linen suits, and tea dances coupled with the adventure of
a unique train journey.
Orient-Express also features unique luxury
spa packages in Laos, at the 5-star La Résidence Phou Vao Hotel in
the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.
See recent travel news from:
Travel News Asia,
Orient-Express,
Laos
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