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It was so fascinating to discover and taste these vibrant fruits I’d never heard of…and learn about their uses from vendors.
If you’re looking for recommendations for things to do and places to see in Southeast Asia, most people will probably point you towards the sprawling ruins of Angkor Wat, the towering karsts of Halong Bay, the bustle of cities like Hanoi and Siem Reap, or the exceptional cuisine found throughout the sub-continent. However, there’s one special highlight that I love recommending to visitors, and it’s not one that shows up in most guidebooks: go grocery shopping.
Markets in Southeast Asia are an unforgettable experience. Often open-air, with hodge-podge aisles of stalls carrying everything from produce and fresh spices to live chickens, these bustling bazaars are one of the best ways to experience local culture in the region. Chatting with vendors (through our bilingual local guides), you can find out about unique delicacies, strange fruits, and much more. Need examples? Here are a few things I’ve discovered in Southeast Asian markets.
Experience incredible Pho
A floating market
To discover the delicacies of Southeast Asian Markets on a small-group guided walking adventure, Country Walkers offers active, immersive travel experiences on their nine day Vietnam and Cambodia: Trails of Indochina guided walking tour, where you will experience the interplay between geography and culture, and the many bodies of water encountered in these regions of Indochina serve as a gateway to the beauty and mysteries of this area. Walk among some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth, from sylvan forests dotted with terraced fields and lotus ponds to misty undulating hills carpeted with hand-harvested tea bushes.
Or try their eight day Sri Lanka: Ancient Trails and Tea Trails guided walking tour. Walk among some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth, from sylvan forests dotted with terraced fields and lotus ponds to misty undulating hills carpeted with hand-harvested tea bushes.
For more than 38 years, Country Walkers has led small-group walking tours where guests enjoy superb local cuisine, first-class guides, fine accommodations, and authentic cultural and natural encounters.
For more information on Country Walkers, visit countrywalkers.com or call 800.234.6900.
Or perhaps you’d rather encounter a market by bike, boat or rickshaw on VBT’s 13 day Journey Through Vietnam small group biking tour. On this magical tour VBT grants you access to experiences with local people in their treasured temples and exceptional restaurants.
VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is the value leader in active biking vacations and has been rated among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for seven years. VBT offers over 55 deluxe, small group Bicycling, Walking and Barge & Sail vacations in 29 different countries and 10 U.S. States.
For more information on VBT, visit vbt.com or call 800.245.3868.
Consider exploring small ports and up-close, local experiences on a small ship cruise. On the Icons of Southeast Asia 14-day cruise, you visit the market in Hoi An to collect your local ingredients followed by a hands-on cooking class. Windstar Cruises, recognized by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler on the 2016 Gold List of Favorite Cruise Lines and by USA TODAY readers for Best Boutique Cruise Line, offers multiple small luxury cruises in Southeast Asia with just 148 to 300 passengers.
For more information contact your travel professional or visit Windstarcruises.com.
Another way to experience Vietnam and Hong Kong is on a guided motorcoach tour with Holiday Vacations. Expert guides will escort you through the iconic cities, fascinating history and unique culture, and the 13-day tour includes a market experience, cooking school and dinner at the residence of the former US Ambassador to South Vietnam. Holiday Vacations is one of America’s most reputable tour companies, with over 44 years of experience featuring unique and popular rail, air, cruise, and motorcoach guided tours to 65+ destinations worldwide.
To learn more, visit holidayvacations.com or talk to a friendly Tour Consultant by phone at 800.826.2266.
For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Parks & Resorts and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/explore.
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