ANAHEIM, CALIF., Aug. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Travelers eager to visit Asia but concerned about language barriers and going it alone have discovered that a Trafalgar guided vacation is the ticket to discover more alluring places, especially if they have already explored Europe or the Americas. Every trip features an expert local Travel Director who speaks the language, and takes care of all the details removing the worry of visiting far-away places so adventurers can simply immerse in each destination, creating brag-worthy memories to share.
Asia's diversity is revealed through local friends on 14 perfectly-planned vacations across China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and for the first time, Myanmar, recently named by Travel+Leisure as the Destination of the Year. Every guided itinerary includes exclusive Insider Experiences guests would not find on their own, hand-picked hotels, luxury transportation, VIP entry to major sights, baggage handling, gratuities and taxes.
The top ten Insider Experiences for an unforgettable vacation to Asia include:
1. Enjoy a hands-on cooking class in Myanmar - Secrets of Myanmar - 11 days from $3,507^
Enjoy a hands-on cooking class at Inle Lakewith a local chef and prepare a traditional Burmese dishes using fresh vegetables from the organic garden. Scattered with gilded pagodas and rich with history, culture and ancient traditions, Myanmaris the emerging travel hotspotin 2016. Delve into the localway of life from Yangon to Bagan, Mandalay to Inle Lake.
2.
Join a local family for dinner in Japan - Splendors of Japan - 9 days from $3,578^
Be welcomed inside a traditional ryokan home built in 1932 nestled in the peace and quiet of Mt. Yoshida for a special Be My Guest dining experience where guests taste kaiseki cuisine and learn local Japanese customs. Japan is one of the world's most breathtaking countries regardless of season. Energetic cities, traditional villages, snow-capped mountains and coastal beauty are all combined on this culturally-infused trip.
3.
Learn ancient history from a Khmer scholar - Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia - 15 days from $3,363^
Discover Cambodia's ancient Khmer culture and mystical Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. Join a passionate renowned Khmer scholar Local Specialist who brings to life the Khmer Empire while strolling through the elaborate carved hallways, hearing the stories contained in each of the bas-reliefs and murals.
4.
Dine in a royal historical home in Vietnam - Highlights of Vietnam - 12 days from $2,753^
Get a taste of the royal treatment inside the former home of an emperor's princess at Ngoc Son Garden House, maintained by the owners largely in its original form, for a special Be My Guest experience. Vietnam is known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. See it all with ease including Ho Chi Minh City , Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi.
5.
Insider's view of the Three Gorges in China - Highlights of China and the Yangtze - 11 days from $3,893^
Discover an insider's view of the Three Gorges with a Local Specialist while exploring the mighty Yangtze River on a relaxing three-night cruise. Famous for its unrivaled scenery, be mesmerized by the colorful temple of Shibao Pagoda and beautiful landscape of Wu Gorge. For adventurers seeking a deep and enriching Asian experience, China ticks all the boxes. China is home to eclectic cities that mix modern architecture with historic sites.
6. Step back in time on a secret island - Secrets of Hong Kong and Mainland China - 10 days from $3,146^
Experience another side of Hong Kong on a ferry ride through the vibrant harbor over to Cheung Chau Island. Step back in time on this peaceful car-free island. Totally pedestrianized, the locals rely entirely on bikes. Explore the quaint little shops and roadside stalls, see the intriguing Cheung Po Tsai cave and visit Pak Tai Temple with its gold-plated woodcraft dating from the Qing and Song Dynasties.
7.
Visit a local school - Treasures of Thailand - 10 days from $2,446^
Those looking for a deeper and more authentic local experience can give back to rural communities with a visit to a local school for village children from the Hmong and Lahu hill tribes. Guests interact with the children as part of the #TrafalgarCares, an initiative giving insight into the life of the local people while enabling them to protect their traditions and way of life for generations to come. Thailand evokes images of beautiful beaches, crystal-blue waters, year-round tropical weather and incredible shopping.
8.
Grab a dash of opulence in Singapore - Singapore Experience Mini Stay - 3 days from $446^
The glamour and eclectic culture of Singapore makes it the perfect stop-over. Snap a picture with The Merlion, the mythological creature that is part lion and part fish, appreciate Singapore's oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples and stop into Little India filled with the scent of joss sticks, jasmine and spices.
9. Revel in a traditional Japanese festival in Takayama - Splendors of Japan - 9 days from $3,578^
The Takayama Festival is one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals alongside Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri. Held twice a year in spring and autumn, the festival attracts a large number of spectators eager to see the elaborate floats and exquisite traditional costumes donned by the Japanese. Available on April 10, 2016 (spring festival) and October 5, 2016 (autumn festival) departures.
10.
Join a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony - Secrets of Myanmar - 11 days from $3,507^
Be mesmerized by the glistening golden hues on sunset while taking part in a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony at the Swedagon Pagoda. One of the most important festivals in Yangon, join local priests and Buddhists who will ignite small oil lamps before finding a peaceful moment in the flowing of time. Symbolic for moving out of the darkness towards a brilliant future, this special ceremony is part of the #TrafalgarCares initiative to ensure the ongoing upkeep of the Swedagon Pagoda and its surrounding areas.
Clients can save up to $1,345 per couple to Asia across Trafalgar's 2016 Exotics collection with 10% Early Payment Discounts when booked and paid in full by Nov. 19, 2015*. Past passenger discounts of 5%‡ per person (land only) are also available for guests who have previously traveled with The Travel Corporation's (TTC) family of brands.
Backed by almost 70 years of experience, Trafalgar is the only guided vacations company to share live, unedited guest reviews on their website by independent review company, Feefo, with an overall guest satisfaction rating of 97%. By bringing guest experience to the forefront, travelers can use over 12,000 independent reviews to get inspired.
Example of independent guest reviews:
"Excellent in every way: itinerary, hidden treasures, restaurants, hotels and our Travel Director was AMAZING," Heather, Splendors of Japan
About Trafalgar
Trafalgar is a member of the family-owned The Travel Corporation (TTC), renowned and trusted for its outstanding quality, service, value, reliability and financial stability. The world's most award-winning guided vacation company, Trafalgar offers over 250 exceptional quality and value itineraries across a diverse range of travel styles in Europe and Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central and South America, USA and Canada. With nearly 70 years of experience and unrivaled local expertise, Trafalgar's perfectly-planned, hassle-free itineraries each feature a unique collection of authentic Insider Experiences, revealing the real side of each destination. Join the Insider conversation at: Trafalgar.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
About The TreadRight Foundation
Trafalgar is a proud supporter of the TreadRight Foundation. Created as a joint initiative between TTC's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has helped support more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities.
TreadRight's past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society's inaugural "World Legacy Awards," helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.
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Terms and Conditions:†Guest ratings from independent review site Feefo as shown on Trafalgar.com as of 7/10/15. ^Prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy, vary by departure date, reflect the 10% Early Payment Discount (EPD) savings and are subject to availability. *Save up to 10% EPD (land only) on new 2016 Asia vacations when booked and paid in full by 11/19/15. Sample savings of $1,345 per couple based on Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima departing 11/27/16. Savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability. EPD does not apply to mini stay vacations. Not valid with other promotional offers; may be combined with most brochure discounts featured in the 2016 Asia brochure. ^Prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy, vary by departure date, reflect the applicable 10% EPD savings and are subject to availability. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Other conditions apply. For full terms, ask your Travel Agent. CST#2077132-20