Luxury Styled Travel Since 1989 – Owner’s Remarks.
So a private car, private driver, private guide, including hotel, breakfast and lunch averaging $425 per day is for real?
In Southeast Asia and India, absolutely it averages that amount per day. Although we no longer offer planned itineraries to Africa, we certainly can put together a customized itinerary for safari. What needs to be considered is that those camps that offer the very best comfort and best animal sightings are quite pricey. Having said that, how often does one plan to go on safari to Africa, thus it makes best sense to choose an itinerary that allows for great rewards. It does not have to be the very top of the line, but certainly it should not be at the bottom.
You focus on Southeast Asia, India, China and Myanmar, all Third World countries?
What should a traveler expect in accommodations? At certain Third World destinations, the accommodations and service would rival and even surpass what could be found in Europe. There are safari camps where one would have to touch the canvas to confirm that it was a tent they were assigned for the night. The accommodations in India are palatial, in a literal sense as hoteliers have refurbished former palaces. In Hoi An, Vietnam, the Nam Hai Resort would compare favorably with any resort along the California coast.
Early on in my business, I would only use five-star properties for my clientele. In recent years, most governments in the Third World have encouraged a free economy and the infrastructure has truly improved dramatically. I now offer some four-star boutique hotels that are perfectly clean and comfortable. Travelers need decide whether they prefer the luxurious amenities of a five-star property, which in itself can be a highlight of the journey, or whether they want to focus on spending the majority of the day exploring and thereafter use the accommodation simply for a respite from touring.
By using small boutique hotels, we can substantially reduce the cost of the holiday. For instance, an 18-day tour to Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, with a private guide, private vehicle with driver, breakfast and lunch daily, and accommodation is priced at $427 per person a day, double occupancy – rather phenomenal price given the exclusivity of private travel.
Conclusion: Join First Cabin, since 1989, with the majority of bookings derived from repeat clientele and their enthusiastic referrals.