We all yearn to escape. But when you have reached a certain station in life, you deserve to escape in the very finest style. This special collection of exotic journeys has been painstakingly tailored to blend sophisticated adventure with absolute comfort and luxury, in some of the world's most romantic and exciting destinations. So pack your bags and prepare yourself for the journey of a lifetime... your very own Great Escape.

The introduction above is the opening paragraph for Royal Orchid Holidays latest travel promotion called “The Great Escape, the journey of a life time.” This 32-page booklet, a work of art in itself, explains the raison d’etre behind this unique travel offer. In today’s world of travel we not only want to go to places that spell romance but we want to go there in luxury, a luxury that Thai Airways offers.

Indeed, the research team at ROH scanned Thai Airways’ destinations around the world—there are 72—and interviewed many hundreds of travellers to reach this unenviable list of more than a dozen great escapes. I have listed them here as they appear in the booklet, with some of my own comments added  to a few of them.

Bali. Blessings of a Bounteous Isle. Allow yourself to be seduced by the lushness and luxury of the world’s favorite island.

I guess it’s only fitting that Bali heads the list, an island as the Balinese claim, that was chosen by the gods. Bali offers a luxury all its own, and you feel it to its fullest with Bali’s backdrop of soft gamelan music, flutes in the night, and the incredible arts of Bali everywhere, even looking down upon you in the seclusion of your own bedroom.

Bhutan. Mysteries if a Magical Mountain Kingdom. Unsurpassed adventures in the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.”

Bhutan was a closed kingdom until a few years ago when the Bhutanese government turned to Thai Airways to help open the country to travellers. I was fortunate to be part of the group to travel to this Himalayan Kingdom to report on the aspect of future travel there. It is, truly, Shangri-La rediscovered.

Greece. The Allure of the Azure. Be swept away by the vibrant and dazzling hues of a land as old as time.

Greece itself is vibrant and yet the place to relax in the sun is the key word. And the food, along with the arts!

Lijiang. Wonders of a World Heritage Site. Beneath snowy peaks, through a valley of jade, flows the “beautiful river”, while Shangri-La beckons beyond.

The beauty of China is found in its great walled cities and its ancient arts but the serene beauty is found in the mountains of the south, and as ROH declares, a living Shangri-La.

Maldives. Pampered in a Pristine Paradise. Lose yourself in luxury. Find yourself in heaven.

Years ago I fell in love with Tahiti. I have now fallen in love with the Maldives, thanks to ROH that makes it possible. The two are similar in beauty but, in aspect, almost totally different with Tahiti being a high island and the Maldives being a collection of atolls just above the surface of the ocean.

Milan. Inspirations of Passions and Fashions. Indulge your senses and shop until you drop in Europe’s creative capital.

Travelling to Milan, and Florence, to me is like charging my batteries. The city brings into focus the great heritage of the Western world.

Rajasthan. Myths, Marriages and Maharajas. Enter a land of golden sands, shimmering lakes and impossibly splendid palaces.

What Milan does to some travellers, Rajasthan does to others. It’s the culmination of arts and the beauty of an ancient world brought to life by modern luxury living in hotels that dazzle the imagination.

South Africa & Victoria Falls. Come to Where the Wild Things Are. Spread your wings in wide open spaces and get close to Africa’s amazing animals on safari.

There is little that needs to be added to the above. But what is remarkable is how ROH brings not only a thrill but also romance to a wild life safari.

Sweden. Ultimate Fantasy of a Frozen Wonderland. Rug up and chill out in one of the world’s most stunning, unique hotels.

When it comes to a Great Escape that’s far out, ROH has succeeded. Where else but in the Frozen Wonderland of Sweden can you sleep in a bed of ice?

Thailand. There’s something about Thailand. Something alluring. Vibrant. Mesmerizing. Beneath the famous smiles and the post card clichés, lies something deeper, more mysterious, layered. A collection today of ancient kingdoms and great deeds; a land with a simmering sense of itself. In Thailand you can lose yourself at once in luxury and history. It’s a land that rewards explorations and meditations. A place where one might truly escape, indeed.

Bangkok.  Feast for the Senses in the City of Angels. Cocoon in the lap of luxury, as you explore the city of excitement.

In luxury and easy living, Bangkok has more to offer than one can imagine. Its spas, for example, are world renowned. And its restaurants and nightlife go unequalled.

Chiang Mai. Float Away in the land of Lanna. Experience all the delight of this historical Northern city.

The land of Lanna that we find in Chiang Mai is a land of dreams and wishes that become reality. Those lanterns the Thai set off into the sky are real, as are the weddings on elephant back. That is what they mean when they say romance.

Phuket. Luxurious Luster of the Pearl of the Orient. Be pampered to perfection in a tropical island paradise, amidst luxury that really pushed the boat out.

The adage “one picture is worth a thousand words” is fact when one looks at a sailboat crossing the wonderful blue waters of the Andaman Sea that surrounds Phuket.

For these Great Escapes, Royal Orchid Holidays packages are sold in conjunction with Thai Airways International First, Royal Silk and Economy Class tickets, and are arranged at the same time flight tickets are purchased. Royal Orchid Holidays packages can be purchased by passengers travelling from Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South Africa on services operated by THAI, partner airlines and non-partner airlines. Passengers travelling within Thailand must fly by THAI or associated domestic carriers to those destinations not served by THAI.

The quoted tour price includes transportation, transfers, accommodation, some meals, service charge, government tax, tours, etc., as outlined in each tour description. Tour price is based on a minimum participation of two members. For one person travelling alone a surcharge, as detailed in the price list, will be levied,                                      

Expenses other than those specified in each tour itinerary, e.g. airport taxes, meals, sightseeing, cost of passport, visas or other documentation, laundry, liquor, excess baggage charges, tips, personal or baggage insurance, cable, telephone or communications charges, or any items of a personal nature are not included in the price quoted.             

Children's Discount. One child under 12 years is generally granted a reduction of 50% of the tour price, provided that he/she is accompanied by at least two full-paying adults and stays in the same room. As some tours vary, please check the exact details with THAI or your travel agent before any reservations are made.

Accommodation with bath and/or shower and air-conditioning is provided at hotels listed under the Royal Orchid Holidays tour programme according to their category or standard. Accommodation is in a shared twin bedroom, with a supplementary charge for single occupancy. For a third occupant sharing the same room, a roll-away bed will be provided. Please note THAI cannot guarantee accommodation in a particular hotel and reserves the right to substitute a hotel of similar standard should the situation require it. In large cities and major beach resorts the quality of every aspect of Thailand's hotels is up to the highest international standards, across the range of prices but,  in more remote locations and adventure destinations, first class hotels offering the fullest range of facilities do not always exist. In these situations, Royal Orchid Holidays will arrange the best standard of accommodation available in each category.

All Royal Orchid Holidays include American breakfast. Some itineraries also include other meals, as shown in each description. Meals are indicated in the text by: B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner.

Private cars. Microbuses or motor coaches are used for passengers awaiting commencement of the tours and transfers depending on number of participants travelling on the same day. In all major destinations, tours and transfers are on a seat-in-coach/car basis.

Free baggage allowances are 40 kgs/88lbs per person for First Class passengers, 30 kgs/66 lbs for Royal Silk Class and 20 kgs/44 lbs for Economy Class passengers, as per IATA regulations.

Extension of Stay Expenses. Stopover expenses, accommodation, etc., for passengers awaiting commencement of their chosen tour, after terminating or while awaiting onward connections, are not covered in the tour price. In most cases, however, THAI can arrange for accommodation and other services at the point of arrival or departure at special, favourable prices.

Tour Escort. Royal Orchid Holidays are not usually accompanied by a tour escort. All sightseeing tours and most transfers, however, which are operated on a seat- in-coach basis, include the services of a local English-speaking guide.

Departure Days. Royal Orchid Holidays begins on days when THAI has a scheduled flight to the destination covered, except for tours where a specific departure day or date is mentioned. Participants travelling on the same date to the same destination are considered as one group. Transfers and tours are therefore operated jointly.

Adventure tours featuring trekking are unsuitable for children and the elderly. Travellers should be reasonably fit. Travel may be by mountain bike, open mini truck or 4WD, while accommodation may include simple forest lodges without private facilities. Routes are liable to change with seasonal variation. Tours featuring river rafting may not operate during dry season months, February-June. Take a backpack for daily needs, a hat, sun glasses, swimsuit , and waterproof camera bag, if rafting.

Next week I will tell readers more about some of the Great Escapes and what makes them so special.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Dear ROH. I am very interested in your Fly-drive programme. I see that there are many different types. Would it be possible to rent a car in Bangkok and drive all the way thought Malaysia to Singapore? Thanks you. Jane Samson, Seattle, WA,

A: Dear Jane, I am sorry but that is impossible. Both Avis and Budget vehicle are licensed only for Thailand. It is possible however to drive to Hai Jai, drop your rental car off there, and catch a shuttle bus to Penang and rent a car there to drive to Johore across from Singapore. Singapore these days has some tough restriction on vehicles entering the country. Rental cars cannot enter but once yu9ou are in Singapore you can ran a car there. You can leave your car in Johore and get a bus across the causeway into Singapore. It is a bit moiré complicated but it is possible  Good travelling. —HS

Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail:   ROH Weekly Travel

Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited.

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