Luxury Treks and Tours

Rice barge river cruising in Bangkok

 
One of the highlights of our time in Bangkok on my recent holiday to Thailand was the river cruise and dinner experience we had though Loy Nava Dinner Cruises. With a spectacular front-of-boat seat on Loy Nava's traditional rice barge, we enjoyed gorgeous night-time views of Bangkok in lights, and a relaxing river cruise down the 'River of Kings' (Chao Phraya River) to wind down from the journey from the UK and jet-lag. 

Loy Nava is owned by a Dublin-born business man called Derek who tired of the rat race and of commuting around the world, and came to Thailand some 15 years ago. As he said to us on the night, little did he think at the time that he'd end up earning his living by running a river cruising rice barge business in Bangkok!

The food was great - and just kept on coming. It was a perfect introduction to a Thai menu and we were stuffed after many courses, including tasty seafood and spicy Thai curries. I like spicy, but you can opt to have dishes toned down if you prefer. When the fruit and dessert plate came, I also tried for the first time ever Thai 'rose apple' - a very delicately (almost imperceptibly) flavoured fruit which has a delectably crispy texture (the middle fruit on the picture of the dessert).

On board, there are traditional Thai dancing girls and there is 'kim' music - played with a Thai xylophone. Beautiful to listen to while sailing down the Chao Phraya River. Two cruises each evening operate, the Sunset Cruise which departs at 6pm, and the Bangkok At Night Cruise at 8.10pm. Transport to and from your Bangkok hotel is included with your ticket, should you wish for that t o be arranged.

The cruise lasts for 2 hours, and is well worth doing on your first night in the city when you don't want to go to bed early, but are too tired to go out. Though my partner was falling asleep while we were being served our food (shame on him), he finds it hard to stay awake on any moving vessel, whether jet-lagged or not! All in all, an excellent start to the holiday.

More information:

Loy Nava Dinner Cruises

Bangkok Tourist Information

Tourism Thailand

Top tips on managing your money for travel

If you're a seasoned traveller, you have probably pretty much got it sussed when it comes to down to 'what's what' with your travel money, such as how to stay safe with it and protect against fraud.

But, I think everyone can learn something new, so here are a few 'top tips on managing your travel money' (some slightly adapted from the Foreign Office website) which could help you when you next go on holiday or even travel for business:

Updated page on Wren Elite Travel main website for travel features

I've have just updated the Features & Community page on the main website. There is still a lot of development work to take place here, but I thought you might be interested in reading a small selection of travel features that I've written in the past in my work as a journalist, while I get that page together.

I'll add more - though it's hard to remember where they all are! - and will be writing fresh articles specifically designed for the website, as soon as I have some time placed aside for that. Hope you enjoy them!

The plight of the Tasmanian Devil

It's not very often you get the chance to stroke a Tasmanian Devil. Having got back from Australia's southern-most island state of Tasmania just over a week ago, I'm still chuffed to bits at the fact that I got up close and personal with one of these endangered and furry little creatures at a conservation project called devils@cradle. My assumptions were that they are somewhat vicious, but with humans, not at all. They are actually very shy and timid, and incredibly cute.

Top Ten Activities on Hamilton Island, Australia

HAMILTON ISLAND is a beautiful year round resort found in the heart of the Whitsundays - the group of 74 tropical islands - more or less untouched - in the Coral Sea between the Australian Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef. Hamilton is the largest of the inhabited islands, 5 kms north to south and 3.5 kms east to west, and is easily reached by a range of direct Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Qantas Link flights from Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Over 70% of Hamilton Island remains in its original natural state, offering unspoilt beaches and pristine nature trails. Cars are prohibited on this 5kms x 3.5kms island, so guests get around in golf buggies or by foot.

Beach slumming in an Italian jet-set style

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The ‘air of elite’ is immediately apparent when arriving in the resort, partly due to the expensive togs everyone is wearing, but also down to the design of the town.

Are you afraid of flying? How to overcome your fear

Aerophobia is the term used to describe the fear of flying (as well as an irrational fear of breezes and fresh air - I can understand why a gale-force storm might induce fear but a little summer breeze?), and while it just makes a flight a very uncomfortable experience for some people, it completely stops others from getting on a plane at all.

If you suffer from a fear of flying and would like to overcome in it in order that you can see the world, then you may be pleased to know that there are a number of courses and resources to help people do just that.

Top tips for safe travel in a foreign country

Many problems encountered overseas can be avoided if some simple precautions are taken. Follow Jana Jordan 's overseas travel tips to be well on your way to having a hassle-free journey.

Travel News - Check the latest travel news for your destination and subscribe to receive e-mail notification each time travel advice for your country is updated. You always want to take steps to keep yourself out of hazardous situations so a good idea is to monitor the news for any instability from the country that you will be visiting.