A Fair World to visit Northern Thailand

Where

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand

When

October 29 – November 11, 2010

From October 29, 2010 to November 9, 2010 join A Fair World  for fourteen days in Northern Thailand and the Thai rainforest (3 days in travel across oceans).  The tour features visiting individual artisans and artisan cooperatives in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and the surrounding villages and hill districts.  We will spend two days seeing the highlights of Bangkok and visiting day and night markets on arrival:

Temples, palaces, river rides, outdoor markets, wonderful food, and your choices.

While visiting artisans in the north, you will see them work, you can buy Fair Trade, and you will see how the live in a multiple of environments. You will visit hill tribe villages and meet friendly children, an orphanage, a school, and a coffee farm. You can see an orchid farm and visit an eco elephant camp. Many adventure experiences will be offered, such as, river rafting, trekking days, and visits to outdoor markets. Needless to say, you may see all the temples you wish and you will get to make some choices.

You can enjoy the inexpensive pleasures of swimming in the hotel pool and getting an evening massage, riding your bicycle, or walking the fascinating streets.

Everyone knows how fantastic Thai cuisine is and we will dine in medium priced restaurants for the finest Thai food on earth. In Northern Thailand, we will have our own tour guide and our own van. We’ll see handwork of all kinds: wood, silver, umbrellas and hand painting, embroidery, silk weaving, and batiking. If there is something you are looking for, we will arrange that meeting in advance.

The estimated price is $1500 plus transportation to Thailand, double occupancy room, breakfasts, and in-country transportation. You should bring an extra $500, in case you want to do some things “luxury-5 star.” Final figure will be known by July 1. We will travel by overnight train to Chiang Mai and return by air, probably on the eve that you fly home.  Eight people maximum.

Notes: Private room will add approximately $600. Flight from east coast today (Washington, DC to Seattle) is $260 round trip. It would be much the same for Los Angeles and San Francisco.  Tickets today from Seattle to Bangkok are $870, for example.  You can use Frequent Flier tickets, if you wish, but hurry.

If you want to go, send a $300 deposit to Linda Edwards at A Fair World, 1717 Cloister Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23238. But first do call Linda, 804-338-4524.