Your Guide, an Exciting Journey Of DiscoveryPrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
The new Royal Orchid Holidays, 82-page booklet, DISCOVER THE WORLD 2009-2010 opens with the words: “Let Royal Orchid be your guide on an exciting journey of discovery.”
Here is a booklet, a complete guidebook in fact, that anyone who is planning a trip anyplace in the world should have and it comes free of charge and is available at most Thai Airways offices around the world. Until readers can obtain a copy let me quote from the booklet. Here is everything you need to know and may wonder about in planning your next vacation.
At Royal Orchid Holidays our aim is to turn your dream holiday into memorable reality. We can take you to 31 countries on 4 continents and introduce you to hundreds of exotic destinations and fun filled activities. And, we give you the choice and flexibility to plan your itinerary just the way you want it to be.
For your traveling pleasure, we offer first class hotels and relaxing resorts in some of the most romantic and exciting places in the world.
ASIA
A magical region of stunning contrasts, where ancient traditional cultures still co-exist beside ultra-modern cities; it's home to over half the world's population and yet full of picturesque deserted beaches and quiet mountain retreats. Escape to the foothills of the Himalayas or enjoy the peaceful serenity of Laos. Laze on the soft sands of Bali and Langkawi or swim with the fishes in the Maldives. Explore the man-made wonders of Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. Take a ferry across Hong Kong's incredible harbour, shoot the rapids at Pagsanjan in the Philippines or enjoy a cable-car ride to Singapore's Sentosa Island. Shop for gold in Dubai's Souk, fashion in Tokyo's Ginza and electronics in Seoul. Asia is a different world, and it's waiting to be discovered afresh.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Lush farmlands, barren deserts, warm blue seas and frozen glaciers, the islands of Australia and New Zealand offer contrasts of a different kind. If you're looking for a fun adventure in the great outdoors, there's no better place, especially if you love animals. There are penguins at Phillip Island, sharks and stingrays in the Brisbane Oceanarium, and kangaroos just about everywhere. Plus, thousands of miles of welcoming beaches and breathtaking coastline. Over the waters in New Zealand, you can spend time down on the farm, fly up the Tasman Glaciers or cruise Milford Sound and marvel at waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys. A holiday 'down under' is a real breath of fresh air.
EUROPE
Here are some of the world's most spectacular cities, oldest civilizations, and incredible scenic wonders. Marvel at the royal palaces in London, Munich, Paris and Madrid; the ancient historic monuments in Athens and Rome. Shop along the Champs Elysees in Paris; in the fashionable boutiques of Milan or London's Regent Street. Enjoy the alpine landscapes around Zurich, the canals of Copenhagen or the islands of Stockholm. Taste pasta in Italy, tapas in Spain, moussaka in Greece, and don't forget the fine wines of France. Whatever you decide to do in Europe, you won't have a dull moment.
AMERICA
Make your debut in Hollywood. Spend a day at Universal Studios, take a trip to Disneyland and say hi to Mickey Mouse, shop in Beverly Hills and dine in one of LA's fashionable restaurants. If it's glitz and glamour you're looking for, Los Angeles, on America's west coast, is the place.
ALL YOU NEED IS THIS BROCHURE AND A LITTLE IMAGINATION
We've brought together in this brochure all the elements needed to plan your dream vacation—countries, cities, accommodation, tours and activities. They can be combined in whichever way you choose to create a holiday that matches your tastes and meets your expectations.
Start with your THAI airways destination of choice, add the hotel package that best meets your needs, and finally choose the tours that offer the sights and activities that you want to experience. It's that easy! And once you've created your plan, relax and leave the details to us. Check out our full range of holiday options and services:
BASIC STAY
This provides the accommodation around which you build your vacation. Royal Orchid Holidays 'Basic Stay' offers a choice of hotels, with or without breakfast, for periods of one night onwards. For families, or long stays, rooms with kitchenettes are available. You can also include optional airport transfers and optional tours.
STAYOVER
Just in transit or catching your breath before the next leg of your journey? Royal Orchid Holidays 'Stayovers' provide a choice of hotels with breakfast and airport transfers. For longer stays, rooms with kitchenettes are often available.
MINIBREAKS
Get a taste of a city, or attraction, without committing to a full holiday in just one place. You can string together as many * 'Minibreaks' as you like to create your ideal vacation, or, if you prefer, combine them with a full 'Discovery Tour'. A Royal * Orchid Holidays 'Minibreak' also includes airport transfers and optional sightseeing tours.
EXTENSIONS
Lasting from one to five days, 'Extensions' add an extra dimension to your holiday, taking you to historic sites and natural wonders that are within easy traveling distance of your main holiday destination. There are options for most countries included in this brochure, so why not check them out.
DISCOVERY
If you really want to get to know a country, choose a 'Discovery' tour. It gives you the flexibility to choose a variety of personalized options and the time to really see the countryside and meet the people. Royal Orchid Holidays will take care of all the arrangements, leaving you free to enjoy the excitement of discovery.
OPTIONAL TOURS
Wherever you choose to go, get the most out of your trip by adding 'Optional Tours'. These can be anything from a trip to the Tower of London to an exciting night safari in Singapore. Wherever you decide to go, we have a choice of full and half-day tours to make your visit truly memorable.
TRANSPORT
This you can leave to us. From flights and airport transfers, to tours by rapid train, boat, coach, car, canoe, funicular railway, four-wheel-drive or cable car, you'll find us there, ready and waiting, to transport you to a different world.
ACCOMMODATION
We offer a wide choice of hotels, specially selected to both reflect the atmosphere and flavour of the country and provide you with all the amenities you could possibly need. No matter what your budget, no matter what hotel or resort you choose, you're assured of quality service, great value and, above all, a memorable stay.
Next week I would like to tell readers about the Phuket Marathon that takes place on June 15th,an event you may not want to miss even if you are not a jogger.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERSQ, 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 you 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 (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. | 
