Luxury Travel Blog

Luxury travel to a variety of destinations worldwide need not be out of reach for those wishing to experience the luxury of a private car, private driver, and private guide accompanying you to all of the sites within the customized itinerary. A journey to Southeast...

A milestone birthday forthcoming, the hourglass of time well into its autumn years, I carefully scanned the remaining choices on my bucket list of travel adventures and excitedly chose to make it one of comfort and leisure. I chartered a 6-passenger vessel, crewed by...

The year 1970, the setting, the departure lounge at Don Meaung International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, the destination, Siem Reap, Cambodia, site of the ruins at Angkor. The decade of the mid-60’s to mid-70’s was an idyllic time for international travel. It was the...

A word to the wise about future availability for camps and accommodations given that previously scheduled tours for the first 3/4 of 2020 have been cancelled or postponed, and as a result it will become extremely difficult to acquire confirmed reservations even now...

Tiger's Nest, located in Paro Valley, Bhutan, "Land of the Thunder Dragon," a country wedged in between its two giant neighbors, India and China, is secluded by the mountain ranges that surround it. There is little wonder why this fascinating kingdom remains so...

Luxury safari camps abound in Africa, albeit there are distinct differences. The most notable are those located within private concessions, which at most will allow safari vehicles to go off road and into the bush seeking and tracking animals. Camps not on private...

Luxury accommodations, river boat passage from landing field to your encampment in the heart of the delta is just the beginning of a marvelous adventure exploring the magnificence of the Okavango Delta. A choice of campsites designed for the wildlife enthusiast, the...

A milestone birthday forthcoming, the hourglass of time well into its autumn years, I carefully scanned the remaining choices on my bucket list of travel adventures and excitedly chose to make it one of comfort and leisure. I chartered a 6-passenger vessel, crewed by...

A flight across the Andes lands you in Cusco (Cuzco) Peru to visit the remnants of the Inca Empire and your gateway city to Machu Picchu.  Cusco, capital of the empire, flourished long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, and neither they nor natural...

Elephants have long been used within the timber industry in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and in Myanmar (Burma). With environments efforts increasingly successful at saving the forests within vast regions of the world, it had a corollary impact on the...

Of the many wonders that one finds when visiting Myanmar (Burma), the Shwedagon Pagoda is truly of of the more fascinating sites to visit. Not simply for the beauty and grandiose edifice itself, layered with mounds of gold leaf and encrusted with thousands of...

One of the finest journeys on rail is passage from Pretoria to Cape Town, South Africa. For Rovos Rail passengers, a highlight of their journey is a visit to the private station at Capital Park, Pretoria. The once bustling hub of steam locomotion in what was the old...

Travel across the desert sands to the land of the Bhatti princes and the ancient capital city of Jaisalmer. The oldest and by far the most beautiful of capital cities of old Rajasthan, Jaisalmer will captivate you with both its natural and man-made beauty.  Wander...

Luxury travel to Vietnam would have seemed unfathomable to those who ventured forth in the early post-war years during the 90's when the infrastructure within the country was a in ruins, due both to the war torn nature of the years of conflict and the result of...

Luxury on safari to Africa is meaningful in every sense of the word. Choice of the proper camp is meaningful in a variety of ways. One must touch the canvas to realize that a tent is your accommodation for the night. Newer Land Rover vehicles that provides greater...

Luang Prabang, Laos, former provincial capital of the nation, maintains an air of innocence, which is becoming far more difficult to find worldwide in this 21st century. Of the 58 surrounding small villages, which showcase rather remarkable shrines and temples, linked...

Luxury travel to India, with private car, private driver, and private guide assures the traveler the very best use of their time in a country that offers a wealth of diverse manmade and natural treasures. One such treasure is the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The Golden...

Varanasi, (Benares), known as the city of light is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Dating back to the 11th century B.C., it is known as the spiritual capital of India,. Year long, and especially at times of festival, the city draws Hindu...

Having reached the quaint town of Bariloche, Argentina, a haven for sports enthusiasts in all seasons, it is a friendly town with swiss-styled chocolates a local specialty, favored among both residents and visitors. A true highlight of your visit will be to board the...

Tokyo, a city of some 10 million inhabitants welcomes you to a variety of sensory delights with its sleek skyscrapers and vivid neon colors of the Ginza District. Japan displays a stark contrast between its slice of ultra-modern Tokyo and the serenity of its...

Huè, Vietnam is one of the most picturesque cities in all of Vietnam, known for its beauty, historical importance and scholarly eminence. It is a city not to be missed while touring the country. One of the more interesting visits will be to the royal tombs scattered...

Primarily a Buddhist nation, landlocked between its neighbor giants, India and China, this cloistered nation of less than one million inhabitants has its focus on the preservation of its gross national happiness. As was viewed on the chalkboard within a neighborhood...

While on safari, awaken to the brilliance of an African sunrise. The richness of color sets the forest afire with the glowing reds and shimmering yellows of the newborn day. It is this experience of sight, sound, and emotion that causes so many to return and some...

One of the more difficult preparatory decisions to be made prior to departure on holiday is whether or not to purchase travel insurance and if so, for what amount. Few would argue that once the floodwaters rise, only the insured would have a peaceful feeling. With the...

The year 1963 was a tumultuous year. It was the year that we lost our beloved President Kennedy. With vivid memory, I recall landing that year with ten other Marines into Tan Son Nhut airport in Saigon. We would soon be heading north, just south of the DMZ...

Travelers may recall the early years when napkins first appeared at the dinner hour and plumbing actually disposed of waste efficiently or perhaps when the majority of the populace wore Mao-styled jackets and in-country flights were often delayed or cancelled. All has...

"Our tour to Southeast Asia with First Cabin was the finest luxury tour that my wife and I have ever taken." - Marty Colby, La Jolla CA Some of the highlights on this extraordinary journey include arrival into Hanoi where a cyclo ride whisks you across the...

Not only is it possible to acquire a travel visa upon arrival at certain destinations, for some countries within Southeast Asia, you may also acquire an eVisa, both of which come with great savings. When considering doing so, the first question to ask is whether the...

First Cabin welcomes our clients to make an apple to apple comparison of our private luxury tours with any reputable tour operator in the marketplace, which will show in clear detail why travelers are finding the benefits of private touring so beneficial and so...

The wonder that is Angkor is exemplified by the magnificence of the setting at Ta Prohm temple, where the jungle growth has been sculpted to allow for easy access while maintaining a scenic wonderland of forest and temple grounds. Angkor, the former capital city of...

Although there are areas that remain off limits, it certainly is safe for travel and remains one of the few global venues where innocence among the populace maintains a foothold. Large hoteliers have invested heavily and there are some grand choices for those seeking...

The year 1981 was my first entry into China with a group of 18 travelers anxious to experience what unequivocally would be deemed a new-world adventure. Relatively few were allowed access to this cloistered society and it was any wonder what to expect upon arrival....

Jan 11 / Arrival Bangkok ~ VIP treatment from the start ~ Early am arrival ~ whisked away to our accommodation, a former 1920’s residence converted to a beautiful hotel in 2009. David, the owner, joined us for breakfast and provided a wealth of local knowledge. On...

Vast and beautiful, Inle Lake stretches some 9 miles in length and 4 miles in breadth. It is here that you will find the unique "leg rowers" who, while standing atop their longboat, wrap the lower leg around the oar and paddle both passenger and product to the...

First Cabin's expertise began in 1963 when its owner Robert Kenyon began his tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps in Southeast Asia, His resulting passion for exploration and travel led him eventually to open First Cabin Travel intent on offering the...

Join your private boatman and guide as you embark on a daylong excursion up river on the Mekong to Ben Tre province, Vietnam, famous for its coconut plantations and peaceful waterways. Upon arrival, enjoy a "Xe Loi" (cyclo) ride through the local village of Huu Dinh,...

Location of the Safari Camp: Camps can be found on private concessions, which to many are considered the finest because the number of travelers is so few. Some camps are located outside of park areas and require passage to the entry gate and check-in prior to Safari....

Bhutan may be as close as it gets on this planet to the fictional Shangri-La. Ruled by a benevolent monarchy since 1907, goverance since 2006 is shared with an elected parliament. Fortuitously located on the southern (monsoon) side of the Himalayn Range,...

First Cabin Travel, since 1989 has offered the finest in customized luxury travel to destinations worldwide, with the majority of bookings derived from repeat clientele and their ever-so-enthusiastic referrals. Robert Kenyon, owner of the corporation first traveled to...

In recent years, with the loosening of economic regulations within the formerly restrictive countries in Southeast Asia, local entrepreneurs have invested their monies into local, family run hotels and inns, providing travelers with an excellent choice when seeking a...

If done in earnest, searching for a tour operator or an agency to handle the all-important services required upon arrival in country can be an arduous task. Given the wealth of opportunities on-line from the very large, well-established firms to the cyclo driver...

Present day travel to these newly opened destinations, where the infrastructure will take months if not years to improve, will certainly offer a real challenge to those who choose to avail themselves of the opportunity. But with that challenge comes the grand reward....

Best Priced Luxury Tour by First Cabin is a sampling of our finest destinations proven over the last 27 years to be the most popular. These exciting itineraries, offered at our lowest price point ever, could best be described as an incredibly fine, unexpected bargain....

One simple way to lower the cost of a tour, yet enjoy the exact same First Cabin excellence of service in transport, reliability, comfort and expertise in choice of itinerary and guiding services is to choose a lesser Star hotel. Choose either a 3 - 4 Star hotel and...

An incredible journey set to unfold this coming fall highlights the major battlefield sites of Vietnam, known historically for their notoriety, with equal interest allotted to the many cultural sites found north and south across the country. Hanoi will be the gateway...

For more than thirty years, travelers to Myanmar were few in number and hoteliers found themselves well pleased to have rooms three-quarters filled during the busiest of times. Not only was it easy to find an accommodation; it could be found well below the standard...

How many times does one visit Africa, if at all? That visit is a once in a lifetime experience for the majority of travelers and twice perhaps, for the very lucky few. Should that trip not be planned then in a manner that makes your dream safari a masterpiece, each...

It is now some twenty years passed that I first met Rohan Vos.  The occasion was his inaugural promotional tour in California. I was one of many in the travel business who were invited to dinner for a first hand presentation of the newly christened “Pride of Africa,”...

Most imagine that Kathmandu, gateway city to Mount Everest to be mountains high, yet in reality, stands at 4,500 feet. Find me a traveler who cannot handle that altitude. Kathmandu (you recall Cat Stevens), Patan, its sister city, and perhaps the true wonder, the city...

Hoi An, located some 10 kilometers from the city of Da Nang, centuries ago gained notoriety as a trading post along the Silk Road. It took on importance as a seaport during the golden age of the Cham Kingdom between the 9th and 12th centuries and increasingly so...

Little doubt may there be that one of the finest accommodations in the world of luxury travel is the Mandarin-Oriental in Bangkok, Thailand. Those who have enjoyed the pleasure of a stay at the Oriental might point to the unparalleled excellence of cuisine at their...

However enjoyable and exciting a holiday tour may be, particularly when traveling through Third World countries, come the end of the journey, one can feel a bit worn, however grand the experience. On most occasions, should ones schedule allow, it is wise to extend the...

If one were to Google Custom Luxury Tour, there are about 340,000,000 reviews to consider, First Cabin being somewhere near the top selection. Can it be that all these millions of reviews truly offer a "Luxury" tour as the word would best be described. Why, there...

A single supplement added to the tour cost is certainly not well-received nor generally considered fair in the mind of a single traveler, however, hoteliers decided that the cleaning of a room used by a single occupant is nearly as time consuming as doing it for a...

Lucky to be in Kowloon and convenient if in Central. Lucky in Kowloon because one has the opportunity to enjoy passage by Star Ferry to Central, proceed up the ramp, turn right and walk a mere three blocks to the main bus terminal. Should one already be in Central,...

For most if not all, there comes a modicum of anxiety while preparing for a holiday tour to the Third World about the possibility of contracting a case of "Delhi-Belly." No doubt, one should avoid certain foods such as dairy products and uncooked vegetables, however,...

Upon arrival into the wonder that is India, one begins to sense a pulsating rhythm that seemingly orchestrates this multi-tiered democracy of over one billion inhabitants. Clearly, it is impossible to look in a single direction and capture all of the colors, sights or...

Today one can walk the marble tiles surrounding the magnificence of the Shwedagon Pagoda, finding a mere handful of visiting tourists, traverse the plains at Bagan amidst the hundreds of chortans, pagodas and temples, remnants from the time when this site was the...

1. King _________ continues his rule over __________, the land of the Thunder Dragon. 2. The __________ Delta located in Botswana comprises ____________square miles of waterborne wilderness. 3. Mount Fuji, located in __________, stands at ____________feet and is...

Most foreigners look upon travelers not just as individuals, but also as the representatives of the country they call home. Excuse the pun, but it comes with the territory. The good news is that of all western travelers, Americans are likely to be most welcome. While...