Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand

[handbagsatdawn33]

We're fairly new to package tours, & really don't know how to pick a good company.

We've had bad experiences with Saga(& therefore Titan), Wendy Wu, & Croisi Europe.

We're thinking of a Mekong cruise & hotel stay.

Any recommendations, please?

Freedom Asia.

We did Vietnam with them in 2017 and they were fantastic. It was our first time and we wanted everything done for us but not a tour. They booked everything, and picked us up from the airport, delivered us to hotels etc, but then left us alone.

Really, really loved Vietnam

It is really easy to book everything yourself. I have been to all of these countries multiple times and with trip advisor, booking.com and lonely planet, a bit of research it's all quite easy.
Travel fish is a good website too.
I sometimes look at itineraries on Selective Asia too and then adapt and plan my own route.
If you do want someone to plant the trip for you, then I recommend this company
www.odynovotours.com/
we used them for a trip to Bhutan - very knowledgeable

Are you 100% sure you want to do a package? All of those countries have quite well developed tourism industries so are easy to get around by yourself. I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost.

Explore!

What was the issue with Wendy Wu?

Thanks for your replies.

@zebra22

Started with being taken to the wrong hotel in Beijing; we were eventually met by our guide who thought it was funny !!

At our final dinner in a cheap & nasty caff in Shanghai, there was a cockroach in one of the dishes.

There were many other problems in between, I won't bore you with them all.

I eventually got about 10% of the cost refunded by Wendy Wu. I wanted more, but the process was very wearing & I gave in.

@ShanghaiDiva @beguilingeyes

Thanks for the info, they do look very interesting.

We do usually explore on our own, but with multiple destinations we like to know that everything is taken care of. And being able to read the language is a must for me.

Selective Asia are really excellent and competitively priced. Used them twice and found them through personal recommendation.

We have just returned from Vietnam and Cambodia Odyssey tour with Mercury Travel. It was excellent and I would highly recommend them as a company. Others on our tour said they were the best company they had traveled with and excellent value for money

Another 2 to look at ! Many thanks

Audley Travel sorted us out a brilliant itinerary in Vietnam. Couldn't have been any smoother if they tried! Really recommend them.

Just done the above with intrepid a real mix of people 16 of us .. Awaiting flight home as we speak

We used Trailfinders but we had already planned our itinerary and got them to price it. It cost the same as us doing it ourselves but with added protection.

Another vote for Freedom Asia - sensible pricing and fabulous service, both before and during the holiday.

We are going to Cambodia and Vietnam for 3 weeks next month which we have booked through a Hanoi based travel agent following a recommendation from friends. We have a tailor made trip with everything included plus our own personal guides and all airport/hotel transfers for £1500 less an any other quote for the same 4/5 * hotels.

Might see you there @MissFritton65

Same here, two weeks tomorrow, but two of us going self planned. Stansted - Ho Chi Minh - Siem Reap - Phnomh Penh - Danang/Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi and home. 18 days, flights between each place as time is short, hotels and transfers from booking.com, total of £900 each plus visas. Can't wait!

@MissFritton65 Could you pm the travel agent details? We are looking to book a tour, but want to tailor it to suit dc. Have used travel bag etc before, but a local agent would keep more tourist income in the country.

@PunkAssMoFo I've sent them.
Good luck!

Another Audley fan here, they were great in Vietnam with us.