SE Asia 4 Star Spa and Cultural Tour: Southeast Asia still provides some of the best prices at the 4 and 5 star level. In addition, this is a top solo travel destination to explore this Southeast Asian ancient culture.

Danang’s History:

Danang is the largest city in South Central Vietnam and one of the five largest in the country. It has an ancient history dating back to the second century AD. Although Danang was made famous as the center of intense fighting in the 1960’s Vietnam War, it is a paradise destination for tourists in the 21st-century. This coastal city is Vietnam’s fifth largest. European explorers arrived in the 16th century. The first being the Portuguese followed by the French i n the 19th century. In 1887, Danang became one of the five largest cities in “Indochina”.  The French were later defeated in 1954 at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

 SE Asia 4 Star Spa and Cultural Tour

Things to See and Do Nearby:

• Take a local day tour of Vietnam’s famous Son Tra Peninsula, near three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Hike the natural forest, and see an array of unique plants and animals.
• Photograph the diverse local architecture from pagodas to Gothic cathedrals and French colonial buildings
• Trek the Marble Mountains and foothills.
• Visit the nearby Son Tra (Monkey) Mountains. See the Linh Ung Pagoda built the 18th century.
• Go for a swim in the outdoor pool, or enjoy a variety of water sports.
• Dive in the local bay.
• Sign up for boating and fishing.
• Try out a mountain bike.
• Take a cooking class.
• Relax in the spa.
• Be a beachcomber at the popular Non Nuoc or My Khe Beach.
• Go spelunking in nearby caves.

4 Star Son Tra Resort & Villas:

Reopened in recent years, the Swiss-Belhotel Son Tra Resort & Villas is approximately 6.6 miles from Danang’s city center. It is also only a 20 minute drive from the Danang International Airport. Although conveniently located, it is set in a quiet spot  beside a bay away from the bustling urban area.

• It has a private beach surrounded by forest mountain and greenery.
• Free parking and breakfast are included.
• The air-conditioned guest rooms in the Son Tra Resort are large. Each room has  tea/coffee makers, flat screen TV and wireless internet access. Certain of the rooms have a private pool and kitchen facilities. Check to see what is available and the price range.
• This Son Tra Resort has a main swimming pool and tour desk plus the private beach.
• The staff can arrange water sports and other activities.
• Unwind at the elegant spa and afterwards enjoy local cocktails at the bar.
• Both international and Vietnamese dishes are available at the restaurant with a view of the setting sun.  Beyond tasting  local cuisine, the resort can arrange cooking lessons.  This is an ideal way for solo travelers to meet other guests.

Ways to Extend Your Trip through SE Asia:

I planned my trip to SE Asia starting with a Mekong Delta River Cruise. They are very inexpensive even at the five star level. (See our river packages for more information.)

• A typical starting point is in neighboring Cambodia. You can fly into Siem Reap via Beijing, Hong Kong or Bangkok.
• Cambodia was a very easy place to travel. English was widely spoken, and dollars accepted.  Day tours focus on Angkor Wat. I started there, of course, but took a day trip throughout the area with a private driver, Mr. Phao Lem. (To connect, go to www.CambodiaTour.guide.)
• One of the other special temples is Ta Prohm.  It is best known as having trees growing out of the top. Movie buffs may also recognize it from Angelina Jolie’s film “Laura Croft Tomb Raider”.
• Fashionistas will be pleased to find that Cambodia has even better prices than Thailand on silks and jewelry. (Sapphires are especially a popular local gem for tourists.)
• After boarding your river cruise, the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh will be one of the first stops. It has a mix of French colonial and SE Asian architecture.
• When you cross over into Vietnam, you will see more river villages and local markets.
• The next stop I recommend is Ho Chi Minh City. (Also known locally as “HCMC” and Saigon.) Like Phnom Penh, HCMC combines French-style wide boulevards and Colonial architecture.
• “Foodies” will find block after block of restaurants to sample Vietnamese cuisine.
• An easy extension Bangkok. I flew Vietnam Air for a five day stay in the heart of the City. It was right after New Year’s. However, Christmas trees were still everywhere giving a real festive feeling to my trip.  My hotel hd a rooftop swimming pool and cafe/bar. It was a great vantage point to see the sunset each evening from 30+ stories above. (Even 5-star hotels were very well-priced.)
• A half-day city tour of Bangkok covers the major highlights fairly quickly if your time is limited. That included the best known Buddhist temples. First was the Wat Arun followed by the memorable, the Wat Pho.  That frequently photographed temple houses a room sized golden Reclining Buddha.
• A very popular full day tour starts with Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital. This 14th century site was largely destroyed during the 18th century. The highlight, however, was the half-day tour of the Summer Palace. One surprise?  The typical architecture was mixed with very European style buildings overlooking the river.
• The best way back is via a river boat providing a different view of the city.
• Before leaving Bangkok, be sure to save at least a half-day at the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in the city center. I recommend taking either the public boat taxis or if your budget allows, a “James Bond Boat”. (As with all temples and royal palaces in the region, all visitors must dress modestly.)

• For more information on this SE Asia 4 Star Spa and Cultural Tour, click the link. For other options up to 42% off, return to our home page. Use our Booking.com search box. Be sure to check out the verified solo travel reviews.