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My Top 10 Favourite Places to Stay in Laos

Laos is a stunning country to visit especially if you are after a unique travel experience. Laos is rich in culture with several places such as Luang Prabang being designated as world heritage sites. The country is very safe and the people are incredibly hospitable.

Accommodation is improving and Laos has some excellent places to stay whether staying in the city or a secluded hideaway far away from it all in the mountains or on one of its many rivers. The Capital Vientiane and the world heritage city of Luang Prabang have some great quality hotels some with exquisite colonial charm and all with a genuine friendly service. Getting away to countryside offers stunning views of the countryside. This list is not in any particular order as different hotels offer different experiences some offering the best facilities and others offering the best views. Here are my favourite ten places to stay in Laos taking in a varied selection from across the country.

Seng Arun Bungalows

Set on the banks on the Mekong on Done Khone Island these are small family run bungalows, they are pretty basic in western terms as there is still no electricity on the Island, but the wooden styled bungalows are comfortable, all with en suite showers. They overlook the old French Railway Bridge, with their excellent balconies the day could be spent relaxing on a hammock with a book and enjoying the great view.

La Residence Phou Vao

Set in the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang the city is full of old colonial charm and La Résidence Phou Vao Hotel complements this charm, built in the 1950's and renovated in 2001 it is set at the top of Vao hill. The hotel gives stunning views of the surrounding mountains of Luang Prabang as well as Phou Si Temple and the town. It also offers first class facilities and amenities such as a spa and swimming pool. The hotel uses traditional rosewood, cotton and silk so that the modern facilities and rooms do not lose their tradition feel.

Vansana Resort

Vang Vieng is a truly great town lying on the Nam Song River with stunning limestone karsts to its west. Vang Vieng was previously known as a backpacker town with cheap basic accommodation and lots of adventure activities to choose from. There are now however more upmarket places to stay now inviting a different class of tourist. The Vansana Resort is one of these on these built on the banks of the Nam Song River and boasting excellent amenities. The rooms are excellent with private balconies where you can enjoy the view of the mountains. Or enjoy one of the facilities on offer such as a traditional massage a meal on the balcony on the river or a swim in its top rate swimming pool.

Pakbeng Lodge

A few years ago when travelling between the Thai / Laos border town of Chiang Khong / Houei Sai to Luang Prabang the two day boat trip involved a very uncomfortable overnight stay at Pak Beng. This was an unavoidable stop when taking the slow boat. Recently however the opening of the Pak Beng Lodge has changed all of that, with great views of the Mekong and great facilities it has made the two day journey to Luang Prabang and unforgettable one in the best possible way.

Chan-a-Mar Resort, Nong Khiaw

Probably one of the only luxury bungalow's in this part of Laos, set in Nong Khiaw amidst a backdrop of mountains and two rivers this place truly gives the feel of the real Laos. The owners are also set on preserving and promoting textiles of locally grown and made textiles through the GreenHeart Foundation. The bungalows have been individually designed with local materials, each with its own bathroom, hot shower and private balcony offering stunning views.

Kingfisher Lodge

This lodge is set in the stunning Xe Pian National Protected Area about 60 Km south of Pakse in Champasak Province. It has marketed itself as being an eco-lodge, and its wooden bungalows blend in with the lush forest. There is also plenty of opportunities to explore the Xe Pian National Protected Area taking an elephant ride to Ban Pho Pho or enjoying a two day trek to Ta-Ong where you will hear and maybe even see rare Gibbons and excellent birdlife.

Senesothxeun Hotel

Senesothxeun is one of the newest places in Southern Laos, taking the accommodation options on Don Khong Island to a new level, with old charm and the great aura it gives out, it is a remarkable place to stay. The rooms are all luxury with mod-cons and private balconies, this is the place to stay if you are after luxury in the heart of the natural wetlands of Si Pan Don.

Settha Palace

The Settha Palace is set in the heart of Vientiane and has to be one of the best places to stay in Laos an old colonial style hotel build in the early 1930's, the hotel has been restored and is a true masterpiece, with an abundance of old colonial charm. Facilities and service is second to none with landscaped gardens and a swimming pool where you can cool off.

Maison Souvannaphoum

This was the former home of a Lao prince, a boutique hotel set in Luang Prabang it blends in a traditional and modern style excellently. The interior design leaves no compromise with rich silk textiles draped on the walls and ceilings. The facilities are first grade with a spa, swimming pool all set amidst tropical gardens, the food is excellent with top class French and Laotian cuisine and the views from the private balconies unmatched.

La Folie Lodge

On the Island of Don Daeng near the World Heritage site of Wat Phu, this resort is top class giving you the best of both worlds, excellent facilities with a swimming pool and a great sandy beach on the Mekong but you are also on a secluded Island with a great beach on the river! You can explore the island by bicycle or by foot and there are even some old ruins to see on the Island.

Hotel and Tour bookings for these and other hotels or tours in Laos can be made through http://www.xplore-asia.com/ tour specialists in South East Asia.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/my-top-10-favourite-places-to-stay-in-laos-460251.html

After traveling in South East Asia for several years and falling in love with the area in particular Laos. Xplore-Asia was formed with the aim of promoting tours to increase responsible tourism for the local people and show the world the beauty of this area. After setting up operations in South East Asia, Xplore-Asia expanded into the UK and is Directed by Alex Aziz.
 

Amazing Laos Surprises yourself

Thought of as the most enigmatic of the three French Indochina states, Laos is definitely the sleepiest. At least for the moment. After years of isolation, Laos is now slowly opening its doors to the world - mainly a result of the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River linking Vientiane with Thailand. these days you have to actually look both ways before crossing the road in Vientiane and the main road in Lung Prabang is lined with western restaurants. Having said that, tourism (and life!) is remarkably low key even on the tourist axis of Vientiane, Vang Vien and Luang Prabang. Off the axis life is much the same as it has been for years.

Vientiene, the capital, is emerging from hundreds of years of slumber and the centre now even boasts a number of restaurants and bars. The hotels aren't much with the exception of the Villa Manoli - a beautiful old villa in a sumptuous garden. It even has a small swimming pool - all for about $20 a night.

After a day's wandering around the magnificent temples, there is nothing better than strolling up the river bank to the stilted restaurants and enjoying a great Mekong sunset over a cold Bia Lao and a spicy pork Laap (minced meat salad) or sizzling Mekong catfish.

Vang Vieng has become something of a backpacker centre in recent years. Positioning has probably been the key to its popularity as it is half way between Luang Prabang and Vientiane and is therefore used to breakup an otherwise long day on the road. It is also prettily situated on the Nam Song river, the focus of the town. There are a few riverside places (bars would be too flash a name) to buy a beer and watch people float by - either in inner tubes or canoes. There is also a small market and a few stalls off the river selling handicrafts and some travel agents who can organise day trips up the river or to local caves.

Luang Prabang is the jewel in Laos' crown and has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1995. It has recently seen a sudden influx of tourists resulting in an explosion of restaurants and handicraft shops along the main drag. Five star hotels have also started appearing along the fringes of town. Despite this, there are so many temples to see they are never crowded. In addition, the back streets are usually deserted and if you are lucky enough to happen upon a temple festival you are more than likely to be one of only a few foreigners present. There is also the timeless view of the Mekong River, behind which the untamed jungle goes on into the distant hills.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/amazing-laos-surprises-yourself-534650.html

Laos is the least populated of the Indochinese countries. The landscape is dominated by mountains, jungles and of course the Mekong River, which runs for 1800km along the western border of the country. A devoutly Buddhist nation, Laos has opened up to provide travellers with an opportunity to experience the diversity, tradition and natural beauty of the country.

Laos Travel Tips

Business Hours
Banks: 08:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:00 to 16:00, daily
Markets: 06:00 to 17:00, daily
Government Offices: 07:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday Cautions
Despite being a friendly and laid-back Buddhist country, Laos has a few unique hazards which visitors need to be aware of before arrival. Violent crime against foreigners is rare, but petty theft happens as often as you leave something unattended. Laos is an impoverished country, and desperate times create desperate people. Keep your valuables with you at all times, as even your guesthouse room should not be considered safe. Lately, bag snatchers have been plaguing Luang Prabang, so be extra careful after dark when walking around.

Political tensions are very mild in Laos and even major festivals and religious events rarely see any outbreaks of violent. Most visits are completely trouble-free, but buying travel insurance will cover any unforeseen incidents of theft.

Police: 191
Electricity: 220v/50Hz

Health
Visitors don’t need any special vaccinations to enter Laos, but it’s wise to ensure you are up to date with standard inoculations before you arrive. Hepatitis B is pervasive across the country, and dengue fever, tuberculosis and Japanese encephalitis often appear. Some rivers and lakes contain leptospirosis and schistsomiasis, so use care when swimming in fresh water.

The water in Laos is not safe to drink, with the exception of bottled water. Use bottled water for everything, even brushing your teeth. Bottled water is very cheap and can be found everywhere. Contaminated food is another thing to watch out for. Street food can be unclean, so make sure it’s been thoroughly cooked. The popular spicy papaya salad is tasty, but uncooked. Even the locals occasionally get stomach pains after eating this popular Laos dish.

Should you get a stomach bug, there are basic pharmacies in most of the larger towns. If anything more serious befalls you, it is suggested that you catch the next plane to Bangkok or Chiang Mai for treatment. Medical care in Laos is primitive, and often unavailable outside o the capital or Luang Prabang. There is one 24-hour medical clinic in Vientiane named Mahosot Hospital which is your best option in the capital. Travel insurance is an excellent way to cover the cost of any unexpected trips to the hospital.

Mahosot Hospital: +856 21 214022
Emergency services: 195

Language
The national language in Laos is Lao, which is similar to Thai. Those Lao who work in tourism industry can speak English, but once you get into the countryside only Lao is spoken. Some of the older Laotians can speak French, due to the colonisation of Laos by France in the 1950s. Currency

The official currency in Laos is the kip. Banknotes come in denominations of 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 kip. There are no coins in Laos. In addition to kip, almost every business will accept Thai baht and US dollars.

Currency Exchange
With a currency exchange rate that consistently hovers around 10,000 kip to 1 US dollar, visitors should be careful not to exchange too much cash at any time, unless they want to be carrying around brick-loads of kip banknotes. Laos is primarily a cash country, so you won’t be able to use your credit or ATM card very often. Only travel shops in large towns and big name hotels accept credit cards. There are a couple of international ATM machines in the capital Vientiane, and one ATM in Luang Prabang but few others around the country. Don’t count on using your card at all during a trip to Laos.

The best place to exchange cash is at the bank or one of the bank-sponsored currency exchange offices. Many travel shops and guesthouses will exchange money as well, but at whatever rate they choose. Since you can use US dollars and Thai baht as easily as local kip, it’s smart to keep a variety of small bills on your person. Try and keep small bills, because shopkeepers commonly don’t have change for anything larger than US$2.

Customs
Visitors to Laos may bring: 500 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol and two bottles of wine; and as much money as they want into the country. Customs officials are very lax, but keep in mind that you are not allowed to take any Buddhist relics or certain antiques out of the country. Etiquette
Laos people are some of friendliest you’ll ever meet, but due to language barriers it may be hard to get to know any of them intimately. Despite the country’s brutal wartime past, Laotians are eager to open up to the outside world and welcome foreigners.

It will go a long way if you learn a few local social rules before visiting Laos. The first thing to remember is that Laotians are very conservative people. You will rarely see a Laotian baring skin above the elbow or below the calf. Long shorts and t-shirts are acceptable for foreigners, but anything too revealing will be considered rude.

Public displays of affection are also taboo in Laos. Reserve the hand holding, hugging and kissing for the privacy of your room. Women need to be very careful when dealing with monks. A woman of any nationality is not permitted to touch a monk of any age, or even hand something directly to a monk. These are serious rules, so try and avoid any physical contact with monks if you are a woman. Striking up a conversation with a monk however is fine.

When you enter a temple or someone’s home in Laos, remember to remove your shoes. The traditional greeting in Laos is the wai, similar to the Thai greeting. Most Laotians don’t shake hands; they put their hands together at chest level and slightly bow their head. The feet are the lowest part of the body, and the head the highest. Don’t ever touch someone on the head, even children. Don’t use your feet to point at something or raise them higher than the floor. Pointing with your finger is also considered rude; use your palm to indicate something.

Laotians take great pride in keeping a cool head in any situation. You will inevitably encounter a frustrating moment during your travels due to communication barriers, social customs or the heat. Getting angry only makes things worse; relax and deal with things calmly. Laos moves at a glacial pace, so leave your impatience at home. Fortunately, Laotians are very tolerant people, so even if you make a major social mistake, a wai and a apology will smooth things over.

Dining Etiquette
There are very few rules when it comes to eating in Laos. Meals are usually shared among people at a table or on the floor. Each person will get their own basket of sticky rice, but the main dishes are put in the middle of the table for communal use. Dining Lao-style is a wonderful way to try more than one dish. Tipping is beginning to catch on in the big cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Leaving your change as a tip is always a safe bet. Otherwise, 5 to 10 per cent is considered generous.

Visa and Passports
Unless you are a citizen of an ASEAN country, you will need to purchase a tourist visa for your visit. A 15-day tourist visa can be arranged upon arrival at all airports and most border crossings. If you want a 30-day visa, you’ll need to apply ahead of time at your nearest Lao embassy. Most travel shops in neighbouring countries such as Thailand can also provide this visa service for you. It takes between three to five days to complete the process. Tourist visas can be extended twice but extensions can only be made in Vientiane.

River, which runs for 1800km along the western border of the country. A devoutly Buddhist nation, Laos has opened up to provide travellers with an opportunity to experience the diversity, tradition and natural beauty of the country.

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Phone: +84 4 9446230 | Fax: +84 4 9446231

Vietnam travel | Laos tours | Cambodia travel

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/laos-travel-tips-518060.html

Laos is the least populated of the Indochinese countries. The landscape is dominated by mountains, jungles and of course the Mekong

Laos – Special Unique of Asean..!

Considered by many seasoned travellers to be the untapped gem of Southeast Asia, the diverse landlocked country of Laos is full of surprises. From the mountainous northern highlands to the 4,000 Islands of the Mekong, this nation of just six million has an incredibly diverse geography to match its colourful culture.

Buddhism is the dominant theme of this communist nation, followed closely by the animistic traditions of the hill tribes. These ethnic minorities are a big part of what makes Laos so unique. It takes a long time to travel from the north of the country to the south, where the lengthy Mekong River flows into Cambodia. However, thanks to the steady growth of national airline Laos Airways, many urban centres in Laos can be easily reached by plane.

Top Things to See
There are so many amazing things to see in Laos, including beautiful temples, natural highlights, ethnic villages and rustic towns. It can however take days of bus travel to get from Luang Prabang to Pakse, so visitors with limited time may want to concentrate on one area of Laos. Of course, you can always opt to take a plane from the north to the south if you want to see both parts.

Ban Phanom Weaving Village
Even though it has become a bit commercialised, Ban Phanom is still one of the best villages in the north to see how Laos weaving is done. A visit here makes for a fun and easy excursion from Luang Prabang, and you can pick up great deals on silk and cotton textiles.

Lao National Museum
If you want a better understanding of the colourful history of Laos, make a visit to the country’s main museum, housed in a lovely old French colonial mansion in the capital. Photos, relics and items used by both the royalty and the communist party are on display. Phone: +856 21 21 2462.

Luang Prabang
This UNESCO World Heritage site was once the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom, and remains one of the most romantic and charming places in the world. Temples, monks and French colonial architecture greet you at every turn. With dozens of nice boutiques, guesthouses and the best shopping and dining in Laos, this town is a destination in its own right. It also makes an ideal base for further explorations of northern Laos.

Luang Prabang Night Market
The most charismatic market in Laos is open every night along the main street of Luang Prabang, which is closed to traffic in the evenings. Hundreds of vendors emerge from their villages to sell handicrafts, artwork and souvenirs.

Morning Market
If you are in Vientiane, get up early and head to the Talaat Sao, or Morning Market, where the capital’s residents do their shopping every day. Besides the fascinating, bustling scene, visitors can buy everything from pirated DVDs to antique items.

Pak Ou Caves
If you visit Luang Prabang, take the short boat ride along the Mekong to check out these natural caves carved out of the sheer limestone cliffs along the river. Over the centuries, Buddhists have come here and deposited small images of the Buddha, resulting in an amazing display of icons. Visiting this unique site is a popular excursion.

Phra That Luang
The most important stupa in Laos is a national icon rising 44 metres high in the capital. Several structures have been built on the same auspicious site since the first Khmer temple here in the 12th century. This is a great place to witness it any Buddhist event in the capital.

Traditional Lao Dancing
Traditional Lao dancing resembles traditional dancing in Thailand and Cambodia, and is one of the most graceful displays of human movement you’re likely to see. A great place to experience a special performance is in Luang Prabang at the Royal Theatre, which re-enacts the Ramayana several nights each week.

Vang Vieng
One of the most picturesque little towns in Laos lies midway between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, making it an ideal stopover. Limestone karsts form a backdrop, as do the surrounding rice fields and a lovely river that flows through the valley. Tubing, caving and other fun outdoor activities are big draws of this town, which has emerged as a major stop on the tourist trail.

Waterfalls
Laos has lots of water, and some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. In the north, don’t miss a day at Kuang Si Waterfall, just outside of Luang Prabang. Aqua blue water and swimming holes make this a great excursion. The southern Bolaven plateau has even more waterfalls, as rivers roll off the plateau on all sides, resulting in the country’s highest falls among the dozens of beauties.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/laos-special-unique-of-asean-509885.html

Laos is the least populated of the Indochinese countries. The landscape is dominated by mountains, jungles and of course the Mekong River, which runs for 1800km along the western border of the country. A devoutly Buddhist nation, Laos has opened up to provide travellers with an opportunity to experience the diversity, tradition and natural beauty of the country.

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