What’s New in Asia

With nearly all our destinations either currently open for tourism, or gearing up to reopen in the near future, travel is returning to Asia in a big way in 2022 -and we couldn't be more excited!In the time that travel was on hold, a lot has happened. To help bring you up to speed so you can better plan trips to Asia in 2022 and beyond, here are some new or rebranded hotels in our destinations. SUMMARY Malaysia Indonesia Thailand Cambodia Singapore Vietnam Malaysia ANANTARA DESARU COAST RESORT & VILLAS​ONE&ONLY DESARU COAST Indonesia BUAHAN – A BANYAN TREE ESCAPETHE LANGHAM JAKARTA Thailand MELIÁ PHUKET MAI KHAO​BANYAN TREE KRABICAPELLA BANGKOKSINDHORN KEMPINSKI BANGKOKKIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOKTHE STANDARD HUA HINCIELO SAMUI BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA – RENOVATEDINTERCONTINENTAL KHAO YAI – OPENING SOON Cambodia HYATT REGENCY PHNOM PENHBAITONG HOTEL & RESORT PHNOM PENHLA PASSION BY ACHARIYAKEDEN BEACH RESORT Singapore THE CLAN HOTELRIVERSIDE HOTEL ROBERTSON QUAY (BY ASCOTT) – REBRANDINGHILTON SINGAPORE ORCHARD – REBRANDING Vietnam CAPELLA HANOIHOIANA HOTELS & SUITESZANNIER HOTELS – BAI SAN HONEW WORLD PHU QUOC RESORTCROWNE PLAZA PHU QUOC STARBAY MALAYSIA Desaru Coast is an up-and-coming destination in Malaysia that's only around a 2.5 hour drive from both Malacca and Singapore. With a…

EXO Public Holidays

The month of January kicks off to a festive start, with the beginning of 2019. In addition to having all ten of our destinations having a public holiday on Jan 1, there are also a few other notable holidays in the month of January. Date Destination 24 Hrs Customer Care for Travellers  Tue 1 Jan: International New Year's Day   Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore Operations Dept.: +66 (0) 81 867 2806 Fri 4 Jan: Independence Day Myanmar Myanmar Operations team: +95 (0) 9 4488 5151 9 When in Myanmar dial: 09 4488 5151 Sat 5 Jan: Kuningan Two & Siwa Ratri Indonesia Emergency number 24-hours: +62 (0) 81 239 166 909 / +62 (0) 81 239 809 528 / +62 (0) 81 239 902 658 When in Indonesia dial: 081 239 166 909 / 081 239 809 528 / 081 239 902 658 Mrs. Trisna Agustini (Managing Director): +62 (0) 81 2376 2801 When in Indonesia dial: 081 2376 2801 Mr. Eric Meriot (General Manager): +62 (0) 81 337 332 334 When in Indonesia dial: 081 337 332 334 Mr. Brice Taussat (Operation & Adventure Manager): +62 (0) 81 237 709 899 When in Indonesia dial:…

EXO Active Tours – Best of Outdoors & Relaxation

More travellers are in search of holidays that involve more than just checking off a list of highlights or lounging by a pool. EXO Active tours are specialised travel experiences designed for travellers who want to feel the pulse of a destination while filling their lungs with its air. By walking, hiking, biking and multi-sporting through destinations, EXO Active brings travellers straight to the soul of a destination while reserving plenty of time to check out highlights and relax along the way. We supply the equipment, expertise, ground support and logistics, travellers supply the passion for adventure, and Asia supplies the gorgeous backdrops and charming local cultures. Thailand: The Magic of Muay Thai  Thailand’s ancient martial art of Muay Thai presents the perfect opportunity to showcase what EXO Active adventures are all about. While undeniably physical in nature, Muay Thai is steeped in ancient traditions which date back hundreds of years. Under the guidance of a professional Muay Thai trainer, guests are introduced to the history, traditions and rituals of Muay Thai before being baptised in the sport, learning fundamental moves and maneuvers. They’re then treated to a series of exclusive encounters starting with a backstage visit at the world-famous…

Family Fun in Asia

Despite its headlong rush into the future, Asia remains deeply rooted in traditional values. This contrast is a major part of what makes Asia such a magical place for travellers. As traditional values go, nothing is more vital to the ethos of Asian society than family. Nearly everything of cultural importance stems from this fundamental base. Consequently, families on vacation in Asia find a culture and people uniquely receptive to them. Those with young ones will often find themselves the subject of admiring looks from friendly and curious locals. Kids will be dazzled by the huge number of activities that are in store for them on thoughtfully created tours that put their interests at their heart while keeping the rest of the family entertained as well. Trips like our Family Cycling in Hue and Hoi An Tour combine historical highlights of the Imperial City of Hue, which will be sure to enchant older members of the family, with jaunts through the surrounding countryside where kids can release their energy while exploring green-washed fields still ploughed by ox-carts. The tour winds down on the wind-swept beaches in Hoi An where kids can build sand castles next to traditional basket boats or,…

Cooking Class in Beijing (Half Day)

For those keen on discovering the intricacies of authentic Chinese cuisine, this half-day experience offers some practical insight. Heading down one of Beijing’s iconic hutongs (traditional alleys), take part in a hands-on course learning to either prepare traditional dumplings from scratch or how to prepare dishes unique to three different regions.   Under the guidance of a local chef, ball, knead and roll out dough, learn how to make natural dyes from fresh vegetables and discover just how this delicacy became one of China’s most prized foods. Alternatively, learn about the differences between China’s regional cuisine and discover what makes each region’s offerings so flavourful and unique. After the course, enjoy eating the day’s creations. An additional benefit to this experience is its location. Being based in Beijing’s hutongs, guests can enjoy the unique feeling of being in one of the city’s last traditional areas. Either before or after the course, enjoy wandering these narrow neighbourhoods for a veritable walk through Beijing’s history.   For further information, get in touch with one of our expert travel consultants at [email protected] or view the full itinerary here.

Private Half Day Cooking Class Tokyo (Half Day)

A private cooking class in Japan offers true immersion into the country’s world-renowned cuisine. Also known as washoku, this experience offers some insight into why UNESCO classifies Japanese cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Based in central Tokyo, this half-day experience walks guests through some of the nation’s most beloved dishes, creating a delicious, multi-course meal.   Using all fresh ingredients and traditional cooking tools, discover the precise methods used to prepare sushi rolls, savoury pancakes (okonomiyaki), Japanese-style omelets and other delicacies. After crafting the meals, learn a bit about Japanese food traditions and etiquette, and how wasabi and ginger are used to enhance flavours. Finally, enjoy the best part of the day: eating! Indulge in the day’s creations and depart with the practical knowledge of how to craft some of Japan’s favourite foods.   For further information, get in touch with one of our expert travel consultants at [email protected] or view the full itinerary here.

Cambodia: Jungle Wildlife and Temples 8 Days / 7 Nights

Discover a more verdant side of Cambodia. This 8-day excursion combines some of the classic visits of the kingdom with an element of nature and wildlife. Begin the journey in the grips of Angkor, touring around the region's most famous sites on both two (cycling) and three wheels (local tuk tuk). Follow up the Angkor visits with a step into the beautiful Cambodian countryside, meeting and interacting with a local farming community. Top off the experience with an evening street food Vespa tour, sampling the uniqueness of Siem Reap at night. To give the Cambodian outing an entirely different feel, the latter three days of the trip are filled with wildlife sightseeing experiences. Alongside a professional guide, discover some of Cambodia's beautiful indigenous fauna, including the endangered Giant Ibis, Cambodia's National Bird. As many portions of the wildlife tour cross through abandoned temples and dense jungle, a sense of mystery and wonder pervade throughout the trip.   For further information, get in touch with one of our expert travel consultants at [email protected] or view the full itinerary here.

Harbin & Bali: A Tale of Ice and Fire 8 Days / 7 Nights

Take off on a journey of contrasts to the northernmost regions of China and the tropical enclaves of Bali, Indonesia. This tale of fire and ice begins with a visit to one of the world's most unique spectacles: Harbin's Ice and Snow Festival. Running from January 5 until February 28, this sprawling collection features larger-than-life frozen sculptures crafted to match the year's chosen theme. In addition to the winter-themed visits, there are also some particularly interesting visits to be had in the city itself, which will precede the festival explorations. Escaping the frozen tundra, the journey heads south towards the equator with nearly 5 days of island fun. Balinese cultural encounters, sunrise mountain treks, coastal relaxation, and culinary adventures are the perfect end to this idiosyncratic trip of opposites.   For further information on this unique experience, view the full itinerary here.

Our thoughts are with our EXO Thailand family, and all the people of Thailand in these very sad times.  Rest in peace His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Update on Earthquake in Myanmar

Today at around 5pm local time Myanmar experienced an earthquake that was centred close to the Bagan temple area, at 6.8 on the Richter scale. Although not frequent, earthquakes can happen in Myanmar. At the moment, the situation is stable. This is the latest information: Some of the ancient temples in Old Bagan have been damaged, including some often visited by tourists. No personal injuries have been reported. No hotels or other buildings have been reported damaged. Other areas further away, like Mandalay, have reported no damage to buildings.