I will have just over 2 weeks after arriving in Bangkok. I will be meeting a friend who will have spent 2 weeks in Cambodia. I would like to either book a tour but not a Globus type thing..ie would like the operator to be locally based. (I travel extensively..have back packed for 4 months but this is my first time to Asia other than Japan and I dont have the luxury of time). I don't want to see 10 cities in 10 days..ie I would like to see maybe 2 areas. I was thinking of Luang Parang and the Mekong for 3-4 days then ?N. Thialand..??Myamar or a small area of Vietnam. I am not looking for a "beach" holiday rather scenery, history ect (and I am not interested in Vietnam war sites). 2 specific questions. Does anyone know of this sort of tour company and specifically any travel agent in Toronto, Montreaql or even NYC who could help us organize and secondly I'd be interested in your favorite areas and why (withthis time frame).

Diethem travel is a good agency that handles southeast asia. I believe their main office is in Bangkok but I could be wrong. They have package tours but will also do a custom packages for you. You can check out their website at : http://www.diethelmtravel.com/

If you want to go to Burma, use myanmartravel. They are excellent.

If you are not interested in the war I would not go to Vietnam

I would either spend the two weeks seeing the north and northeast of Thailand -- you can have a great time getting off the typical tourist path that

Otherwise I would spend the two weeks in Burma and make sure you spend at least 5-6 days in the Shan State

with 2 weeks i would spend my whole time in thailand...start in bkk for several days, then go north to Chiang mai and then further north to the golden triangle and then back to bkk for a few days...

you really haven't told us what you are looking for and on what range budget??

someone like ratt in bangkok and her sister in northern thailand might be just the type of thing you would want...do a search on her name using both rat and ratt...you will see how we all have used her in the past ....her sister is poon in chaing mai....

if you do not want a globus type thing then you are wasting your time with an american or candian agency as this is what they will supply unless you want a top dollar type it....

TravelBunny, I know a very good agent in NYC that specializes in Southeast Asia. They also have an office in Bangkok, so you get all the advantages of local negotiations for best hotel pricing and guides but can easily communicate with the NYC staff. They only handle individual travelers and itineraries...no Globus bus tours or anything of that type (yikes!). Agent name is Chip Cooper and his e-mail is [email protected] is great with all budgets and styles. Might be worth contacting for some quotes and itinerary ideas. Cheers! Nancy Vreeland

..re budget..the tourist equivalent of a honda accord..I was thinking max $200 per day each (we will be sharing a hotel room)..I very much want a LOCAL tourist agent and have already searched those recommended by Gloria..They look great and was just the sort of info I wanted. The idea of limiting trip to N-NE Thialand very much appeals. I dont want to rush around and see nothing of everything. I want to get off the usual tourist cicuit..I love to wander but would like to see some achitecture and historic sites.Will search Ratt..thanks again and will have many questions as I start reading more,

In Canada try:
toureast.ca
chinapac.com
silkholidays.com

Should be able to put together something with one of these companies..I have used them all.

just a small point...thailand is very different from europe....you don't just sort of wander around and pop in on a fabulous little town because you saw a tall steeple off in the distance...outside of the major towns it is quite rural really..

take the golden triangle for instance...you drive along for miles and see sort of boring houses and fields with nothing of note really.,..there often are not nice little restaurants where you can stop to eat....you really need to have a plan imo...thailand is really more destination orientated...lets go to the wat, lets go to the market, etc...

from what you wrote i wasn't sure if you knew that...

..thanks rhk..wander was a bad word..I meant to say sight see as opposed to beach or cocoon in a four star..I do realize that Thailand is quite rural and that there will be no McDonalds in site(thank goodness!).

for $200 ($400 for 2) 8000 baht per person.. thats more like mercedeez benz money this is NOT JAPAN. south east asia is very cheap.. 30 to 60 doller hotels are the same as $100 places in the states and europe and if your smart and grab a serviced apartment for your costs go down even more.. if you come over you can check the bangkok POST there is always deals too cambodia for less then what you'd pay back home..

If you are travelling to Myanmar, I have a very good travel agent's address, which I used. The trip organisation and the dialogue during the preparation were flawless. They also take well care of your visa issue. The email address is
[email protected]
Have a look at my trip report which I posted on Nov 13

hit www.smilingalbinos.com for a private adventure tour of Thailand.
We were with them in Bangkok and then went cycling and motorcycling through the mountains north of Chaing Rai into the golden triangle.
The owners are 2 Canadian guys, 30 years old who started their tour company 5 years ago. They even speak Thai.
I read an article in the Globe (sounds like your from Toronto too)It was a great time. Because they take off road excursions, no bus tour here, the accommodation was mediorce. We upgraded in Chaing Rai to the Legend, ($32US a night)a new boutique hotel that just opened up, and then booked into the Anantara Resort & Spa ($120US
and worth every penney!)
We got great rates for these two hotels
along with the Peninsula on line.
I still have the web sites bookmarked.
If you are interested you can email me
at [email protected] for the websites.