Highlights of a romantic, luxurious private tour of Bali, including top luxury resorts and cultural experiences in Jimbaran Bay, Ubud and eastern Bali.

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Artisan of Leisure travel specialist Sashie MacNaughton shares her unique insider perspective on family travel in Asia.

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The Golden Triangle in Thailand is an incredible tour destination for travelers interested in beautiful landscapes, traditional culture, luxury lodges and wildlife.

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A great way to experience the cultural and scenic highlights of Thailand is with a private tour that combines three of our favorite luxury resorts.

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The vast Angkor complex in Cambodia—the capital of the ancient Khmer empire—is one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world and a must-see destination in Southeast Asia.

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Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia is a must for travelers who prioritize luxury, design and adventure.

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Enchanting Luang Prabang on the banks of the Mekong River in Laos is one of our favorite towns in Southeast Asia for deeply traditional culture, well-preserved historic architecture, gilded Buddhist temples and flavorful cuisine.

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Vietnam offers something for everyone—incredible food, ancient traditions, beautiful scenery, beautiful resorts, and endless opportunities to explore historic and cultural sites.

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One of the things we love about traveling is the food! Here are some of the meals and culinary treats that Artisans of Leisure travel experts are dreaming about for when we’re able to travel again.

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Indonesia is an ideal summer holiday destination, featuring incredible scenery, great food, exclusive resorts and fascinating, deeply traditional culture.

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Interview with Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder & CEO of Artisans of Leisure, about her most recent trip to Thailand with her family.

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A luxury river cruise on the Mekong River is a great way to explore unique stilt villages, scenic farmland and beautiful floating markets in southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

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Artisans of Leisure arranges exclusive private tours of Singapore focusing on its fascinating history, culture, architecture, cuisine and more.

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Artisans of Leisure’s private Cambodia tours feature the breathtaking Angkor complex and the cultural highlights of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, as well as top luxury resorts in the mountains and along the coast.

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The glittering Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok is considered the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand and is a must-see for the stunning architecture, craftsmanship, and layers of historical and spiritual significance. Artisans of Leisure arranges expert-led private tours of the complex, which […]

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A private scenic flight over Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best ways to experience one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

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Luang Prabang’s quiet charm, local Buddhist traditions and relaxed ambiance make the Laotian city a perfect complement to Southeast Asia’s other top destinations. Artisans of Leisure arranges private, customized tours in Laos and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

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Artisans of Leisure is known for our private culinary tours in Vietnam, and we’re always looking for interesting new food-related activities to offer our travelers in the country. That’s why we’re excited about the new Cooking Academy at Four Seasons The Nam Hai, Vietnam. Want to learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, […]

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For its impressive scale, beautiful carvings and exemplary Buddhist architecture, Borobudur Temple in Central Java is one of our favorite cultural sights in Indonesia. The largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur is a stone pyramid comprised of nine tiers with 72 stupas clustered around a central stupa on top. Each stupa contains a small […]

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One of our favorite destinations for a culinary adventure is Singapore. The blend of cultures—Chinese, Indian, Malay and Peranakan (mixed Chinese, Malay and/or Indonesian)—that come together in this island nation make it a rich source of gastronomic experiences. One of the best places to sample the range of Singaporean specialties is at a hawker center, […]

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As anyone who has spent time with elephants knows, these massive creatures have great sensitivity, and they develop close relationships with each other and their mahouts (handlers). A particularly rewarding experience when traveling in Thailand is interacting with elephants as their mahouts do. We arrange many different types of elephant experiences, including mahout training, in […]

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Colonized by France in the 1880s, Vietnam fell under French influence in many aspects of its culture, including art, architecture, fashion and cuisine. Even after Vietnam attained independence in the 20th century, those influences remained, and they are in evidence still, often in a fusion of Vietnamese and French styles known as Indochine. The French […]

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No matter how many temples you’ve seen in Asia, nothing prepares you for the startling, gilded majesty of the temples of Myanmar. Starting in the intricate, immense complex of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the country’s most sacred place of worship dating back 2,500 years, you’re surrounded by hundreds of statues and stupas. Inside the various […]

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Once considered merely a stopover en route to other destinations in Southeast Asia, Singapore has blossomed into a stand-alone highlight of the region thanks to its diverse culture, outstanding cuisine and cutting-edge architecture. In 2015, Singapore celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence. We recently returned to revisit the many diverse places that make this […]

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We’ve recently introduced a number of exciting new activities in Southeast Asia. All of the experiences—including culinary, active and art options—can be incorporated into our private luxury tours. New Artisans of Leisure experiences in Southeast Asia include: Culinary Touring •    Learning to prepare pho (noodle soup) and banh mi (baguette sandwiches) in Vietnam •   Taking […]

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There’s so much to love about beautiful Thailand, a highlight of Southeast Asia. Here are images of a few of our favorite places and experiences.

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Highlights from our most recent private tour of Vietnam, including highlights of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and the Mekong Delta. Artisans of Leisure arranges private, customized tours of Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia.

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Because Vietnam is such a great foodie destination, one of the most frequent requests we receive is to arrange private cooking lessons during a tour. This popular activity provides an introduction to the local food culture as well as a fun (and delicious!) learning experience. A typical cooking class begins in the market, where you’ll […]

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Highlights from a private Myanmar (Burma) tour featuring timeless traditions and the latest developments in Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Ngapali Beach.

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A visit to Luang Prabang, Laos is incomplete without spending time on the Mekong River. Our favorite way to enjoy this legendary waterway is on a private boat. We especially recommend a private boat excursion to the Pak Ou Caves, about 25 km north of Luang Prabang. Accessible only by boat, these natural caverns house […]

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Song Saa is a great option for travelers wanting a Southeast Asian island retreat that’s off the beaten path. Cambodia’s first (and only) luxury island resort sits on a pair of private islands in the Gulf of Thailand among beautiful, untouched nature. In addition to relaxing on the beach and in the spa, Song Saa […]

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Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a spectacular temple that should be on every cultural traveler’s must-see list. However, many travelers don’t realize that Angkor Wat is just one part of the vast ruins of the ancient Khmer civilization. Covering 77 square miles of the jungle and plains around the town of Siem Reap, the Angkor […]

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Want to learn to make mozzarella by hand on the Amalfi Coast? How about a private karate lesson in Kyoto? A surfing lesson in Bali? Would you like to paint porcelain in Austria or assist on an archaeological dig in Israel? We offer hundreds of such learning experiences that can be incorporated into our private […]

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Many travelers on Artisans of Leisure tours like to shop for items that are unique to the destinations they are visiting. Myanmar, a.k.a. Burma, is one of the best places in Southeast Asia to find high-quality crafts, decorative items, and traditional objects that are used for everyday use. We are particularly fond of Burmese lacquerware, […]

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Hanoi is one of our favorite food destinations. We love exploring the city’s Old Quarter and enjoying traditional Hanoi pastimes such as stopping for strong Vietnamese iced coffee at fashionable cafes, tasting local specialties such as flavorful grilled fish at Cha Ca La Vong, and wandering the backstreets to see baskets overflowing with spices, specialty […]

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Read about our most recent private tour of Laos, including visiting the best of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Artisans of Leisure customizes private tours throughout Southeast Asia.

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Part of what makes Laos such a unique destination is its cuisine. Travelers can expect to enjoy typical Lao dishes such as Mekong river fish steamed in banana leaves with ginger and coriander; laap, a spicy dish of minced meat or fish marinated with spices and herbs, such as mint; and Luang Prabang Salad, a […]

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Artisans of Leisure travelers share photos of highlights of their private luxury tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, including the Mekong Delta, Hue Angkor Wat and Lake Tonle Sap.

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The Nam Hai is the best luxury resort in Vietnam and is a must for anyone in search of luxury, relaxation (beach and spa time), and plenty of activities (including some of Vietnam’s best cultural touring). The resort is located on a beautiful white-sand beach in Central Vietnam. Guests at the Nam Hai stay in […]

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Luang Prabang is a wonderful place to experience the rhythms of a traditional Buddhist culture. The atmospheric town in northern Laos sits on the banks of the slow-moving Mekong River, and traditional wooden houses, French colonial architecture, abundant palm trees, and a lack of high-rise buildings give it a low-key, unspoiled charm. Dozens of modest […]

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It’s not everyday that you have a chance to talk to an elephant, let alone that you get a response. Yet that’s just what we offer our travelers during a private, hands-on day of working with and riding domestic elephants in the forests of northern Thailand. During this special activity, our travelers visit a private […]

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Our travel experts have created a list of our Top 5 favorite romantic destinations–these locations are perfect for honeymooners or anyone seeking a special romantic getaway. 1.) Morocco Our favorite way to experience the most luxurious and romantic side of Morocco is to stay in Marrakesh for several days at luxury resort such as the […]

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Many travelers visiting China often ask us how they can add on a few days at a luxury beach resort after their cultural touring in mainland China. There are several recommended options nearby. For an extraordinarily luxurious and spectacular beach experience, we recommend the Amanpulo resort, located on a private island in the Philippines. A stay at Amanpulo can […]

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Photos from one of our clients from her private Artisans of Leisure culinary tour of Vietnam, including the highlights of Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An.

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I grew up in Bangkok as a little girl and I’m always amazed at how much the city changes every time I return. Even with the constant modern expansion, it’s always possible to find the city’s deeply traditional culture, customs, and hidden cultural gems if you know where to look. Whenever I return, I enjoy […]

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The founder of Artisans of Leisure, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, recently met up with cookbook writer and Asian food expert Corinne Trang. Ashley assisted Corinne with her extensive travels and culinary arrangements in Asia when Corinne was doing research for her acclaimed cookbook Essentials of Asian Cuisine. Q: You started your food career at Saveur Magazine […]

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Lombok has been one of our favorite cultural travel destinations for quite some time. Easily accessed by hydrofoil or plane from the neighboring island of Bali, Lombok offers deeply traditional culture and pristine beauty: a volcano, beautiful beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling, waterfalls, and lush terraced rice fields. Our private tours of Lombok include a […]

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Many of our travelers like to complement cultural touring with soft adventure activities. The following tours in Asia, South America, the Himalayas, the South Pacific and Africa have just the right balance of soft-adventure and culture—and they all include private touring and the best luxury hotels in the world. 1). Journey Through Morocco A highlight […]

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We love to introduce our travelers to the special people we know around the world.  It makes the travel experience so much richer, and is a great way to get an insider’s view of the local culture and people. One such person is our good friend, Ann (pictured above), who lives in Inle Lake, a beautiful […]

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Artisans of Leisure has developed a real following with honeymooners who want our expertise when planning their unique, totally customized, once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons. We asked our travel specialists for their tips: Q: What advice do you give honeymooners? A: Don’t try to do too much (or too little)! We find the best honeymoons have a perfect balance of […]

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Something I like to do when I travel is try the local version of a traditional British afternoon tea. Usually this is found in countries that have a history of British occupation, but not always. One of my favorite versions is at The Peninsula in Hong Kong. Held in the hotel’s elegant lobby, the menu […]

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Artisans of Leisure travelers visiting Southeast Asia—especially Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia—take luxurious, flexible tours that are focused on the cultural highlights of the region (including the ruins of Angkor, markets, temples, elephant camps, historic sites, art and cuisine). More and more travelers are asking us to incorporate philanthropic experiences into their private Asia tours. The most popular […]

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The first thing I want to do whenever I arrive in Thailand is to have a traditional Thai massage. There is no better way to work out the kinks and re-energize the body after a long international flight. Nad pan borarn, as it is called in Thailand, has been practiced by monks for over 2,500 […]

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