Trip Reviews
SOUTHEAST ASIA
planned by Sandy Ferguson and Ethan Crowley
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“From planting seaweed to other herbs and vegetables along with rice, it was a highly educational and a fun experience.”
We just returned from a one month trip to SE Asia with three weeks in Vietnam. This is the 2nd trip to SE Asia that Sandy has planned for us and it was wonderful and full of surprises. Sandy and Ethan did a great job of putting together a very memorable trip, with one or two areas that were more off the beaten path and glad we did not miss them (more on the later). Thankfully, his colleague Corbin acquired our visas, which is quite a process from what we heard from many travelers who did not have that service.
We started on a stopover in Singapore and WendyPerrin.com’s Brook was kind enough to give me past recommendations of tour operators in Singapore that other people had used. The one we selected was fantastic. From the communication with Yock Song to the private guiding for several days, we were very pleased with their services. A shoutout to Cranky Concierge for lining up the Fullerton Bay Hotel (was not built, nor the Marina Bay District the last time we visited Singapore). The Blacklane car service was flawless and it really helped going to and from Changi Airport.
Now onto Vietnam, which was one of the few countries we had not been to in Asia, and we were wowed by the beauty, people, culture and history of this fabulous country. Did I mention the food—street food or restaurant was fantastic! We wanted to traverse the country from north to south and Sandy recommended March, which was spot on as we got very little rain in the Hanoi area. With three microclimates (North, Central, South) it is tricky to go through the country and have good weather. We primarily worked with Ethan and he was excellent to partner with giving us his thoughts on what would give us the most diversity in going to must see places, along with unique experiences that were somewhat off the tourist trail. We had changed the agenda several times and it was perfect by the time we were done.
We flew into Hanoi for 3 nights at the Sofitel Metropole which was a beautiful hotel with a rich history. Sandy recommended to go on the weekend, which was perfect since the circular road around Hoan Kiem lake is closed off to vehicles until Sunday evening. Our guide Mike was really energetic and such fun to tour with in Hanoi/Ninh Binh. Thousands of families were out on Friday night and it was the best people watching we have seen in a long time. We also went to Hoa La prison (aka the Hanoi Hilton) and the history, especially when the French controlled Vietnam, is something that everyone needs to see and witness.
We had a great foodie night with Mike, and Bun cha is one of our favorite northern Vietnamese dishes, and Mike delivered—great food and egg coffee! We love Vietnamese food and we gave Ethan a list of dishes we wanted to have in all three areas of the country! The next day we went to Ninh Binh which was beautiful with the limestone karsts and shallow water to boat through. It is known as the “Halong Bay” on land. Unfortunately, steps in Vietnam are not always paved and my husband fell and Mike was amazing in taking us to the hospital to get Art treated and never left our side. We were so grateful to him.
Luckily our next stop was Halong/Lan Han bay and my husband had 3 days to stay off his feet on the beautiful, luxurious Ylang boat. We had a gorgeous spacious room with a balcony to witness Halong Bay, which is spectacular. I took a hike on Cat Ba island and there were two other couples who were traveling with Sandy’s company also—what a small world!
We returned to Hanoi and caught a flight to Quy Nhon for 5 nights at Zannier Bai San Ho, which was a beautiful resort on a pristine coastline with fantastic food. It took a little more time as it was a little out of the way but so happy that Ethan suggested this property to us. We don’t like crowds and while a little remote, it fit the bill perfectly for relaxing. We were one of the few Americans at this small resort.
Ethan suggested that we take the Vietage train to Hoi An, which is a carriage that is hooked onto a Vietnamese train. We took the 6 hour journey at night so didn’t see much, but we were the only people in the carriage and they had two bed berths that we took full advantage of, along with the great food and drinks they served. It was a very bouncy ride as the tracks weren’t modern, but still was a unique and relaxing way to travel, rather than being in a car for six hours.
Our excellent tour guide Ngoc met us at the station in Danang and off we went to Hoi An. We did a lot of exploring in the town of Hoi An (the Japanese bridge, Chinatown, Japantown), crowded with all of the shops selling the usual trinkets. We stayed at the Anantara Hoi An since it was close to town; however, we did not like it at all. I will just say it needs some TLC and a new chef. We personally gave that feedback to Sandy and he tried to get us into the Four Seasons but they were booked out. However, the silver lining for the town of Hoi An was so many places to get a message for almost nothing. Ngoc, our tour guide, recommended one place and it was fantastic! We also toured the Marble Mountains, which is a group of five limestone peaks with beautiful views of Da Nang, along with caves, temples and beautiful statues and carvings.
Neither Art nor I had any idea of what we would be doing in the “eco experience” with Jack Tran’s group, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip! We had a blast seeing the local culture and their farming techniques. From planting seaweed to other herbs and vegetables along with rice, it was a highly educational and a fun experience. Of course, we tried our hand at some of the farming techniques they used and it was tough. After the farm experience we traveled to a boat near the sea and we got onto basket boats in the middle of a wind and rain storm, and had a great time back in the palms that lined the bay where it was a little calmer. I also learned how to cast a fishing net and other unique things like riding a water buffalo! I first said no, and then 5 mins later ended up on the water buffalo. What an amazing day! We also went to the Cham ruins of My Son and to us it was like a mini Angkor Wat with the mountain ringing the area for a backdrop. Too bad so much of this UNESCO Heritage site was damaged from the war.
We were then off to Hue for 3 nights at the Azerai La Residence, which is a beautiful French colonial hotel with a kind of an Art Deco vibe. The ride to Hue was breathtaking through “pass of the clouds.” Even though it was foggy the views were so scenic. Hue had some of the best food in Vietnam and was once the religious, and cultural part of Vietnam. Ngoc toured us through the purple forbidden city, a citadel which was modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden city where a lot of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors are buried. We were lucky to see a fantastic Kung Fu demonstration by all the clubs in Hue in the citadel. We toured a beautiful pagoda and really liked Hue, including the rickshaw ride that our guide Ngoc arranged for us in the sea of traffic, had lunch with a local family and had the best bun bo we have ever had at a restaurant that Ngoc suggested—Ancient Hue. We went back there twice it was so good. Ngoc also took us to a husband and wife who are master calligraphers and musicians. We tried our hand at calligraphy and it was not as easy as we thought. One thing to note on the hotel: the government is building some sort of dock/structure and the noise was unfortunate—think dynamite to sink pilings. The folks at the Azerai showed us other rooms that were on the street side of the hotel and one was an upgrade which was quieter than hearing construction. Unfortunately, the hotel has no control over the construction.
We then drove to the DMZ/toured Khe Sanh, the Rockpile area, and we could have skipped that, which we told Ngoc. We did not realize it would be an 8 hour car ride and were very tired when we arrived at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This area is totally off the beaten track (backpacker heaven) but has the largest caves in the world. We never stayed in a “homestay” before but Victory Road Villas was quaint, had a great view of the limestone karsts and Son River, and had very good food. This homestay would not be appropriate for anyone who can’t climb stairs, as the bedroom is on the 2nd floor. Also, if one is not fit I would not recommend going to Paradise Cave, as it has many steps and undulating paths. We are older adult travelers and we were fine with both Paradise Cave and Phong Na cave, which is a huge river system running through the cave. We loved the rural area and met many local villagers, and saw them fertilize and plant the rice fields. It is a stunning park with limestone karsts. One of the most beautiful areas we saw in Vietnam.
For the last part of our trip we flew to Saigon and stayed at the beautiful Park Hyatt. Our guide Thuy was delightful. She recommended the ancient medicine museum, which was fascinating. We took a speedboat on the Mekong Delta to one of the villages, where I rode on the back of a vespa while Thuy drove through the village. We then stopped at a local villager’s house to see how she and her husband make rice whiskey and sampled the brew at 11 AM! Sandy met us at the Hyatt for dinner which was so much fun, and we gave him a mini synopsis of our trip. The last night we took a fun vespa ride through the streets and alleyways of Saigon for a food tour.
We like doing diverse things on vacations, and the agenda that Sandy/Ethan put together, along with our wonderful guides, made this trip utterly fantastic in this beautiful country of such kind people. The team made this 2nd trip flawless and we are even thinking of revisiting some of the SE Asian countries in the future.
Carol Zuckerman and Barry Goldstein at a private cooking class in Vietnam.
We just returned from nearly three weeks in Vietnam, traveling to Hanoi, Nimb Binh and Ba Vi in the north, Hue and Hoi An in Central Vietnam, and Can Tho/Mekong Delta and Saigon in the South. The trip was amazing due to the rich history and culture, kind people, varied and beautiful landscapes, and terrific food. Sandy, Ethan, and Corban’s team were indispensable as travel consultants from the first moment we spoke with them, through the planning of our itinerary, choice of wonderful local hosts in the different parts of the country, suggestions and flexibility, and impeccable planning of every detail and logistic so that our days and travel from one place to another were seamless and stress-free. Suffice it to say, we would not have had the experience we had without their meticulous planning.
We were in Vietnam in February and, unfortunately, the weather in the north and central part of the country was rainier than expected so we had to pivot from the plan on some days. For example, rather than hiking in Ba Vi in the rain and mud, our guide Trang took us to a yogurt manufacturing shop in Ba Vi and then arranged a visit to a local village with lunch in a historic village home. In Hue, our guide Ngoc suggested a rickshaw ride, arranged a visit to a calligrapher’s home where we were able to try the art on our own, and we loved our private cooking class at a hotel restaurant. He also was instrumental in pointing us to the right tailor for sport coats to be made in a day in Hoi An. In Can Tho, when we asked our local host Sue An to recommend a restaurant where mostly locals go, she pointed out a place close to our resort and was kind enough to come there with us in the evening to order for us and make sure we ate food that wouldn’t make us sick. The impromptu visit she planned to a cacao farm with a tour by the owner also was a real treat. And in Saigon, the Cu Chi tunnel visit, which we reached by a speedboat ride on the Saigon River, and the evening Vespa Food Tour throughout the streets of Saigon, were some of the trip’s most memorable highlights.
We highly recommend experiencing Vietnam with the assistance of Sandy, Ethan, and Corban. We weren’t sure what to expect with the flexibility built into the itinerary, but the spontaneity it allowed clearly enriched our trip. It allowed us to visit art galleries, shops, an herbal medicine museum, and several markets on the last-minute recommendations of our local hosts or just because we passed by a place that seemed interesting. We cannot say enough about this team and the value they added to our Vietnam adventure.
These planners were outstanding partners for our recent trip to Southeast Asia. The pre-planning was a good combination of our desires and their subject matter expertise. And, when we got on the ground, the local guides were outstanding—knowledgeable, flexible, and fun.
Hoi An, by far, was our favorite city. We were there for two days and wished we were there for four. On the other hand, our time in Ha Long Bay was somewhat disappointing. We went with a top-rated cruise line and were hoping that with a two-night cruise we could see and experience more of the Bay and Cat Ba National Park. We didn’t. As comfortable and extravagant as the cruise was, I would opt for a one-night cruise as opposed to a two-night cruise.
Traveler Amy Johnston and family enjoying a lunch they helped prepare with a family in Hue.
We recently enjoyed an amazing trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, planned by Ethan and Sandy, and couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. My husband and I traveled with our two children, 13 and 17, and my parents. Everything was fantastic, including the guides, hotels, and activities that were planned each day. We felt that each location was special, and we really appreciated the variety of activities. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and able to pivot to meet our needs in the moment.
When planning the trip, we knew we would have limited time due to traveling during a school break, and worked with Ethan to maximize what we could see in each location. We were able to hit all the highlights, and much more. Some favorite activities included the Vespa tour in Saigon, lunch with a family in Hue, wandering the streets of Hoi An, and a visit with many small craftspeople during a village day and amazing dinner in Cambodia. We were able to see Angkor Wat, the Mekong Delta, and find time to taste an amazing amount of local food.
The best part of this trip was how personal it felt. We met local families and had lunch at their homes, once in the Mekong Delta and again in Hue. We were able to meet with a monk in Siem Riep, took a morning meditation class, and learned to better understand the Buddhist religion. While we expected to love the big sites like Angkor Wat, it was really the personal feel and meeting local people that made the trip special.
We could not be happier with the preparation and planning that went into this trip.
In January, we had the most wonderful 23-day trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, planned by Ethan and Sandy. Fourteen years ago, their company planned a honeymoon for our daughter and her husband. I had read about them in Wendy’s column about travel specialists. They had such a great time that I knew we wanted to use them when we were ready to take our own trip to Southeast Asia. During our initial Zoom meeting, we asked about the best timing for our trip, and January was the month that worked well for traveling to all four countries. We had sun every day except for one, and spring- to summer-like temperatures everywhere we went.
Our trip went very smoothly, and we always felt well prepared and supported in every destination. We had a wide variety of experiences during a very comprehensive itinerary that covered everything that we wanted to see and more. We loved all of our guides, and felt an extra bond with several of them. They always went out of their way to provide us with the best possible experience. A great guide makes all the difference!
We wanted to stay in both the boutique and larger hotels that were special for each location. We thought that Jaya House was perfection! Once we arrived, we were offered the tuk-tuk around Siem Reap for any additional transportation and given our own cell phone to contact the hotel for return trips. We also enjoyed taking advantage of the complimentary massages and laundry service and being greeted with refreshing hand towels when returning to the hotel. The grounds and accommodations were lovely, as were the other hotels that we stayed in, including the Sofitel Metropole, Anantara Hoi An, 137 Pillar House and the Mandarin Oriental.
There were many highlights throughout the trip. In addition to the local sights such as the temples and landmarks that you would expect to see, we had experiences in villages that were off the beaten track where we were able to meet and sometimes dine with local families. We visited local markets, had picnics, boat rides, farming and fishing demonstrations, private demonstrations of music, calligraphy and crafts, a private cooking class, personal meetings with monks, and an overnight boat cruise on Halong Bay. We enjoyed the fun dining experience around Saigon riding behind our drivers on the Vespas, as well as the walking Foodie Night street food tour around Hanoi. We also dined with the family of one of our guides in Laos and enjoyed meeting with her extended family for a blessing ceremony. We were so glad that we had an opportunity to spend time at the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary in Luang Prabang. Feeding and then walking with the elephants through the jungle was truly memorable. We loved our WOW Moment in Hue. We had a delicious private dinner cruise with signature cocktails on the Perfume River, and we felt quite pampered with the included side-by-side leg and foot massages.
Our trip planned by Sandy and Ethan’s team provided so many wonderful experiences in a part of the world that we felt so fortunate to visit.
Barbara and David relaxing on a Halong Bay cruise after vigorous days of sightseeing. Photo: Traveler David Katz
We’re experienced travelers, recently back from an amazing trip to Southeast Asia, beautifully arranged by Ethan who worked with us closely every step of the way—even helping us to negotiate an international departure slightly delayed at the last minute by a major snowstorm in the eastern US. (Yes, always make Day 1 of any trip a day at leisure. This is the second recent international trip we’ve taken where we’ve done so—and on which our initial arrival abroad was delayed, that time by a local airline workers strike! As with this trip, arriving a day late didn’t prevent us from seeing or doing anything that had been planned.)
We wanted to cover the highlights of four countries—Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia—independently and with opportunities to meet people who live and work where we’d visit, to walk and hike through beautiful landscapes, see wildlife, and eat delicious food, in roughly three weeks at a reasonably easy-going pace. Impossible, right?
Somehow, Ethan was able to put it all together for us, enlisting a network of charming, veteran guides at every stop who whisked us through transfers, knew exactly when and where to arrive at every point of interest and activity for immersive experiences without long waits or crowds, and provided uniquely personal experiences through their extensive local contacts. Our guides became friends and seemed to know instinctively exactly when we’d be hungry and when we needed to rest all along the way. Accommodations were exactly what we love when we travel—smaller, boutique-type hotels, locally owned, perfectly located, inviting, comfortable, restful—and within our budget.
Highlights from an unforgettable trip: A fascinating private conversation with a young Buddhist monk at beautiful mountain top monastery; quiet walks among temples shining in the light of a full moon; hikes—to a stunning waterfall near a moon bear rescue, up countless steps to breathtaking views of mountains, rivers and rice paddies (multiple massive steps seem to be a Southeast Asian thing!); walking through the jungle with rescued elephants roaming free; rowing, paddling and cruising Vietnam’s mysteriously beautiful bays, lakes and rivers, where we learned how to properly cast a fishing net and enjoyed a delicious lunch of fresh fish and vegetables on board a small boat; navigating the bright, bustling streets of Hanoi, Saigon and Bangkok (festooned for the upcoming Lunar New Year) while sampling local dishes and treats; visiting the home of retired teachers who served us tea, played traditional instruments, and allowed me, a singer, to try my hand at a tranh while singing solfeggio with our hostess; a ceremony celebrating the full moon with song and dance at the home of one of our guides along with his extended family; a candlelit dinner for two at sunset and under the stars at a beautiful remote location—transported there by ox cart; and sunrise—incredibly, away from the crowds—at Angkor Wat.
We arrived home feeling that we’d seen and done everything we’d hoped for and more. We recommend Ethan and his crew enthusiastically and without hesitation!
Travelers Chris and Lisa Wollan worked alongside an organic farmer near Hoi An in Vietnam.
Our 22-day trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand was truly a once in a lifetime adventure! We worked with Ethan (and later Corban). We’ve traveled a fair amount and have done lots of planning but have never had such a seamless trip. From being met at airports, getting our visa in Cambodia, transfers between hotels, cars, tuk tuks, meals, entrance into sights, being flexible and accommodating us when we had a request, all went without a visual hitch. We know this took TONS of planning beforehand and lots of coordination by our planners, guides, drivers, etc. It was amazing!
We appreciated the guides’ openness and their different views of history, including social and political life that resulted from their experiences. Their openness gave us a comprehensive view of a complicated history that extends to current life. All day every day, we asked questions. Each and every guide was knowledgeable, friendly, easy to be with and open to us and our questions. By the end of our time with each guide, they felt like friends.
There are so many highlights, it’s hard to narrow it down. We saw the typical tourist sights (which were amazing), but also were given access to behind-the-scene experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia that we couldn’t have done on our own. We’ve watched Anthony Bourdain travel segments and commented on how it would be cool to have such unique experiences like he did. This trip was filled with them. From meeting an organic farmer and working on her farm, to getting a glimpse into the life of the floating villagers near Tonle Sap, to morning meditation with monks are just a few of the examples. Other favorites were the Jack Tran Eco tour, Vespa night tour in Saigon, night food tour in Phnom Penh, all the activities on the day that ended with dinner at Villa Chandara. Coming out from watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat, we had a table set with China in a field for breakfast. Nearby three local kids were singing happy birthday to us and giggling when we interacted with them. A very nice touch planned by the team.
The hotels were first rate, our favorite being the Jaya House River Park in Siem Reap. Food was delicious including some multicourse lunches that were part of our package.
Our wish and goal for our trip was to get a deeper understanding of the countries we visited, their history and the lives of the people who live there. We came away with that and much more. We can’t say enough nice things about the whole experience.
Our recent journey to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam was nothing short of extraordinary. Every detail was impeccably planned by our team, and each destination left us with unforgettable memories.
Thailand
We started with two nights in Bangkok, where our local host, Pablo, made the city come alive for us. From indulging in delicious street food to exploring vibrant pop-up markets, he ensured we experienced Bangkok like locals. A highlight was attending a Thai boxing match in the evening, which was such an energetic and cultural treat. Staying along the river was a brilliant choice—avoiding the infamous traffic and soaking in the serene views. We also loved visiting the Jim Thompson House, which was a fascinating dive into Thai history and art.
Laos
From Thailand, we traveled to Luang Prabang, Laos, where we stayed for three incredible nights. Our host, Paan, was so sweet and knowledgeable, giving us deep insights into the local culture. A highlight of this leg was giving alms to the monks at 5am at Paan’s temple—an incredibly humbling and spiritual experience. Another unforgettable moment was the time we spent at the Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary. Walking through the jungle with these magnificent creatures and feeding them was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our accommodations in Laos were equally impressive, with a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation. We loved how centrally located our hotel was, making it easy to explore the charming town. Dinner at Paan’s House was another highlight, and meeting her family added such a personal touch to our time in Laos.
Vietnam
Our journey continued in Hanoi, where our animated guide, Mike, made every moment a joy. We adored the food tour, exploring the bustling night scene, and boating through the stunning landscapes of Ninh Binh. A day at Halong Bay was equally breathtaking, offering us a serene escape.
In Hue, our local guide, Sam, took us on a memorable bike ride along the riverbanks, followed by the most incredible lunch with a welcoming local family—the best meal of our entire trip!
Then we drove to Hoi An, where we were enchanted by its charm. New Year’s Eve on the river was magical for the kids, and having custom clothes made in just 24 hours was such a fun experience. An unexpected highlight was reconnecting with a guide from a previous trip during the Jack Tran experience—such a delightful surprise!
We ended our Vietnam adventure in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), which was so dynamic and vibrant. Our last night was spent on a Vespa food tour, and it was such a unique and fun way to experience the city.
Overall
Our travel planners did an incredible job organizing this seamless, multi-country trip. Each guide brought their own unique charm, and our accommodations were all exceptional. The balance of activity, culture, relaxation, and fun was perfect for our family. We cannot thank our team enough for crafting such a magical journey filled with unforgettable moments. Highly, highly recommend!
We just returned from a 15-day vacation spent in Vietnam and Cambodia. Ethan and Sandy created an itinerary that ensured it was one of the most special vacation experiences we have ever had. Their support team and local guides were fabulous.
We had so many fantastic experiences that is difficult to single out one or two. We are so happy that we agreed to the overnight cruise on Ginger on Halong Bay, as I’d questioned the 3-hour round trip drive for one night. The ship was special, the views stunning, and the staff superb. We also enjoyed our rowboat experience through caves and the fjords. Our tour in Hoi An with Jack Tran was a lot of fun…rode our bikes through the country, took a boat ride on the river, went fishing, rode a water buffalo, and learned to paddle a basket boat.
Cambodia was an unexpected delight. Jaya House in Siem Reap, Cambodia was our favorite hotel. There are 36 rooms and the staff were exceptional, making you feel like you were the only people they were serving. The temple complex at Angkor Wat in Cambodia was amazing. We thought we had enough of temples and pagodas in Vietnam, but we are glad we went to Angkor Wat as it was totally different than anything else we saw. Last, but not least, was the Vespa ride experience in Saigon. That was a blast, and we questioned our sanity of this excursion after we saw the traffic in this heavily populated city, but another thing that Ethan and Sandy added that I would have never considered.
I have planned a lot of trips on my own, and there was no way I could have planned anything this special without the help of Ethan and Sandy. Our family will never forget this trip.
Our trip (myself, my husband and our 19-year-old son) to Southeast Asia was beyond amazing. We are very experienced travelers but had never been to this part of the world. Ethan and his team planned a great three-week itinerary covering Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangkok. The trip was amazing and truly mind-expanding and adventurous in the best of ways. The hotels were wonderful (particularly Jaya House River Park in Siem Riep, where a daily massage was included and you could drop your dirty laundry into a basket and it would be returned same day) and Four Seasons in Bangkok. All the guides were great, spoke English well, and were very flexible with the itinerary. All practicalities like visas and transportation were handled extremely smoothly.
Vietnam highlights for me were exploring pagodas of Hanoi, cruising Halong Bay, taking a boat into limestone caves in Ninh Binh, wandering the Inperial City in Hue in pouring rain (added to the atmosphere!), wandering the night market in Hoi An all lit up with thousands of lanterns, the amazing museum filled with Cham sculpture and Marble Mountains with caves used by VC. We also had a silly fun day “riding” water buffalos, throwing fishing nets and riding in traditional circular boats. Finally in Saigon we rode on Vespas for an amazing foodie night experience.
In Cambodia we traipsed through ancient temples followed by monkeys and amazed at the beauty of the art. We had a sunrise at Angkor Wat and an afternoon being led by a famous Cambodian archeologist that was simply priceless. In Laos we had an amazing elephant experience that we will remember forever, swam under a waterfall, and saw moon bears at a rescue. We also participated in a sunrise almsgiving to the Buddhist monks and visited many temples. This country is truly different from anything we experienced anywhere else. Our last day in Bangkok was amazing as we were introduced to this vibrant city with its historic wonders like the Grand Palace.
As for advice I would probably suggest people slow down a bit—this was completely our fault as the guides were completely flexible, but everything sounded so interesting and exciting that we kept on the go all the time. I would suggest explicitly reserving a morning or afternoon every other day for relaxation without scheduled activities.
In any case no regrets—we loved it!
We had a wonderful trip across SE Asia—Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia—arranged by a WOW List recommended planner. We usually travel independently, but we realized that for this complex trip in countries where we don’t speak the language, we needed guides and help in creating and implementing the itinerary. What made the company’s approach such a great fit for us is that the “hosts” (guides) on the ground are empowered to change things up to address the interests of the guests. So if we realized at some point that we wanted to see something not originally planned, the hosts were fantastic about making adjustments.
The itinerary Ethan and Sandy planned got us to places we didn’t know anything about that turned out to be highlights of the stay. And the hotels! Every one was unique and wonderful. Here are just a few of the highlights: Watching the sun come up over Angkor Wat (at a perfect location picked by our guide); a 2-night cruise in the stunning Halong Bay; a wild ride on Vespas in Saigon; a deep-dive street food tour in Phnom Penh; meeting and being blessed by a monk in Luang Prabang. I would definitely recommend Ethan and Sandy’s company to anyone traveling in SE Asia—you will not be disappointed.
Floating through Vietnam’s coconut flower groves on a bucket boat.
We planned our trip with Ethan and Sandy—we told them where we wanted to go and they took it from there. They suggested the timetable, flights, sights, hotels, and scheduled the most amazing hosts in each location. Everything was well coordinated and at the same time flexible to our requirements. As we traveled and experienced flight delays or lost luggage, Ethan and Sandy—as well as our local hosts—were on it. They went above and beyond, having a host meet us at arrival in the local Saigon terminal to walk us 10 minutes to the International terminal, confirm we were checked in, and on our way back to the USA. We can’t thank Ethan and Sandy’s company enough. They were terrific to work with from start to finish.
We explored places and people and dealt with traffic and heat. All good and part of the experience. Warm friendly people, exotic temples, superb boutique accommodations, and new food flavors and tastes. We started our trip in Bangkok, flew to Chiang Mai and learned about rescuing the elephants and feeding these incredible loving creatures in Laos, as well as making paper and weaving silk or making a batik. Very hands on.
From there we picked up a Viking River Cruise in Hanoi. Stopped in Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat, sail down the Mekong River and end up in Ho Chi Minh City. Although we saw a lot and enjoyed the river cruise, we preferred the smaller more intimate touring with local hosts.
Some of the most memorable experiences included visiting the Hmong people, meeting our host’s families and being blessed by the Uncles and Aunties, seeing their homes, experiencing their lifestyle, and enjoying a home cooked meal. Some of the best meals. The tour in Hoi An was fabulous. We biked the rice fields, said hello to the water buffalo, learned about farming from an 86-year-old farmer, tilling the dirt, planting the lettuce, watering the plants. Then hopping on a boat, catching fish with nets, and venturing through the coconut flower groves on the bucket boat. So much fun!! And a new appreciation for the people and their hard work.
We’ve traveled many places, but this was the trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to work with Wendy Perrin again.
We had an amazing trip to Cambodia with the aid of Ethan and his assistant, Corban. Each aspect of the trip was handled with great attention to detail. Consequently, our trip ran smoothly and was most enjoyable. The team planned an excellent itinerary for us and directed us to a lovely hotel. Our guide could not have been more pleasant or informative. Their company is a cut above other travel agencies that we have used in past travels.
Two months removed from an astounding travel adventure to Vietnam (the southern part) only enhances our memories of the adventure. Planned according to a tailored experience from my days 57 years ago as a medevac pilot with the 1st Air Cavalry Division (15th Med Battalion), my wife and I retraced my tour by visiting virtually every geographical location to which I had been assigned, beginning with Camp Evans north of Hue traversing through Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Qui Nhon, An Khe, Cam Ranh Bay, Nha Trang, and finishing up in Saigon. We were accompanied by our guide (Nhoc) and our driver (Vu) who were knowledgeable, attentive, gracious and patient. For eleven days they introduced us to local families for several meals and great conversation, led us to bases long since overgrown with vegetation, showed us the emerging economy and growth of this modernizing nation, and fed us extraordinary cuisine.
At each location where we traveled, we were met and accompanied by local, experienced guides and were impressed with the open, friendly and welcoming Vietnamese people. Quick to respond to our whimsical changes in the itinerary, we could not have asked for more from this tour. Thanks to Ethan, Sandy (and Wendy Perrin) in particular for fashioning a memorable, emotional and gratifying trip, BUT most important thanks to the guides and the people who made it happen.
We are still basking in the glow of our fantastic 3-week trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe how happy we are with our destination and trip planner. As neither country has recovered to pre-Covid tourism levels, we experienced far fewer crowds, even at Angkor Wat. The locals were gracious and welcoming, even thanking us for making the long journey.
From the onset of planning through execution, Sandy and Ethan delivered every step of the way. Ethan was immensely patient with my questions and provided a wealth of insight to help us narrow down various options. After reading another traveler’s review, I had hoped to incorporate a few additional experiences into our itinerary but was afraid it was too late in the process. Ethan reached out to his in-country contacts and was able to add all three experiences. I was thrilled! Beyond meticulously coordinating every element of the itinerary, Ethan triple-checked that we had enough pages available in our passports; provided line-by-line info required for completing the online Vietnam Visa application; and arranged for someone to expedite the Cambodian Visa process upon our arrival in Siem Reap. His attention to detail was greatly appreciated.
Our itinerary combined five-star creature comforts with authentic local experiences. Some of the more noteworthy experiences included:
• Spending a few hours with a Vietnamese family in their home, during which we paged through their photo album while being regaled with family stories; were invited into the kitchen to watch the hostess and her mother prepare our lunch; helped to assemble the appetizer; and savored the multi-course homemade lunch with our host. Their hospitality was beyond measure, and our time together was invaluable.
• Meeting the North Vietnamese fighter pilot who was the first to shoot down an American fighter jet
• Sampling authentic street food in Hanoi
• Enjoying a leisurely sampan ride through caves in Ninh Binh
• Being invited by a local Hoi An shop owner into her home to admire her family’s altar, a testament to their reverence for ancestors
• Crawling through the Vinh Moc and Cu Chi Tunnels…such eye-opening experiences
• Cooking Vietnamese crispy pancakes with a grandmother in her family’s home “restaurant” and then enjoying a multi-course, homemade lunch
• Eating mouth-wateringly good, fresh-picked mangoes and drinking coconut milk straight out of coconuts that had just been picked from the family’s orchard
• Riding on the back of Vespas through the side streets and back alleys of Saigon, and on the back of motorbikes through villages in the Mekong Delta
• Visiting the War Remnants Museum, which provided a powerful, evocative, gut-wrenching view of the war and the horrors inflicted by the use of Agent Orange
• Crossing the streets in Saigon by ourselves and living to tell about it!
• Walking into the Majestic Hotel in Saigon and being enveloped by warm, welcoming staff who encouraged us to join in their annual Earth Hour celebration
• Stumbling across a free outdoor concert in Saigon, complete with a huge stage production, and enjoying the vibe as young locals sang along with their favorite pop stars
• Visiting a Saigon grocery store to find fun food gifts
• Riding in an ox-cart along a rural road in Cambodia, being greeted with countless smiles and waves from children going about their everyday lives along the route
• Holding a Hero Rat as we gained invaluable insight into the efforts to detect and remove land mines and explosive devices throughout the Cambodian countryside
• Meditating with monks at Phnom Krom Pagoda
By no means is that a comprehensive list of all of the noteworthy experiences throughout our trip. There seemed to be countless memorable moments, such that capturing them all in this review would turn it into a novel. Many elements of the trip provided sobering insights into the harsh realities of war. One of the goals of our trip involved delving into the war and learning about each country’s storied history. Our hosts definitely delivered what we sought. They provided us with invaluable insights into Vietnam’s and Cambodia’s people and culture, both past and present. In so doing, we were reminded of how simple life can be, and that people everywhere strive to do the best they can with what they’ve been given.
Vietnam and Cambodia captured our hearts. We are forever grateful to Sandy and Ethan for designing such an impactful trip to a unique part of the world. Although it was our first time to Southeast Asia, we certainly don’t want it to be the last.
Mike and Lindsay Lanaux—and no one else—at Angkor Wat at sunrise.
My husband and I took an incredible 3-week trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in March. After listening to the way that we like to travel, Sandy and Ethan planned a trip that catered to our interests in history, architecture, culture and food. Each of our guides was knowledgeable, friendly and flexible. All of the hotels were outstanding.
We started in Hanoi where we stayed at the Metropole. We really appreciated the history and architecture of the Metropole as well as the bunker tour of the hotel suggested by our guide. In Hue, we were simply awed by the Imperial Palace and the Tombs of the Emperors. Lunch at the home of a local family was one of the highlights of the trip. It was fascinating to see the kitchen where they cooked and to talk to the host about his family history. It truly was one of the best meals of the trip.
In Hoi An, we loved our hotel situated on the river. Watching the boat traffic at night was magical. We also enjoyed our eco tour where we got to ride bikes through the rice paddies and try farming and fishing Vietnamese style. In Saigon, we loved the rooftop bar at our hotel and the history associated with it. The powerboat ride down the Mekong River to the Cu Chi tunnels was fascinating. But the highlight had to be the nighttime Vespa tour exploring the back alleys of Saigon and eating some great street food.
Ending the trip in Siem Reap was a dream come true. The Jaya House River Park Hotel is an excellent mix of luxury and intimacy. Another rooftop bar and spa treatments every day. Our guide was able to time our sunrise visit to Angkor Wat so well that we thought we had the temple complex to ourselves. But the most outstanding experience was being blessed by a 19-year-old monk at his temple and being able to talk with him afterwards.
It was truly an exceptional trip that we will always remember. Thank you so much Sandy and Ethan.
Our trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand arranged by Ethan was really magical. We were so pleased with how smoothly everything went. No issues with connections, flights, logistics — which always makes for a peaceful vibe. All of the local hosts were wonderful, thoughtful, well-informed, and all different personalities. We always felt so well taken care of. Our experiences matched our interests, as communicated to Ethan. Super well done.
The room selections at all of the hotels were fabulous. In particular, the room with the terrace on the pool floor at the Park Hyatt in Saigon made a great difference (after very hot days of sightseeing). Ethan’s suggestion of a stay at Shinta Mani Wild in the Cardamom mountains of Cambodia was a highlight.
Our trip reflected the work of Ethan’s team and the talents of the local host guides. Highly recommended.
We just returned from a 16-day trip to Vietnam and Cambodia planned by Ethan and Sandy, and we were thrilled with our experience. My husband and I traveled with our two kids (aged almost 5, and 7.5) and we all had a blast.
The best part of the trip, by far, was the quality of the guides that we encountered. In every stop, we felt the guides were like family, and they were so dedicated to ensuring we had the best trip possible. They went out of their way for us—offering to carry my youngest child or my bag, taking photos for us without me asking, always reachable by WhatsApp, and showing their favorite parts of their cities. They were happy to watch our kids when my husband and I wanted to do a bit more exploring (ex: climbing the temples at Angkor Wat, or visiting the War Remnants Museum in Saigon), and they truly knew the best way to see the areas—and to avoid crowds, when possible. They were super flexible and were fine with things changing on the fly, which is crucial when traveling with small children—if we shifted a lunch to a dinner or moved touring from one day to the next, there was never any complaining. They also knew all the tricks—in Siem Reap, for example, our guide Dey knew that there were monkeys near one of the temples that liked eating lotus plants, so he stopped at a stand selling lotus plants and got some so the boys could feed the monkeys, which they loved. Small things like that we would never know to do on our own, but that all of us enjoyed.
We had numerous wonderful experiences throughout, but a few highlights: The Vespa food tour through Saigon was so much fun! You absolutely must do it when there. My husband enjoyed it so much that I encouraged him to offer one of the Vespa drivers some cash to take him out on a separate ride after (since we had young kids with us during the tour we wrapped a bit early); the surprise to all of us was that my 7-year-old also wanted to go along! The two-night cruise through Lan Ha Bay was great (thanks to Ethan for leveraging his connections to get the boat to flex on age requirements for my youngest, who wasn’t quite yet five); we also loved our time at the Four Seasons Nam Hai and found the staff there to be exceptional. Ethan also got us great tickets to Phare in Siem Reap, and my boys really enjoyed that—my older one asked to see another circus! And, while not a highlight, our guide in Hanoi, Mike, was truly wonderful about taking me to the doctor when I woke up on our first day in Vietnam and discovered I had pinkeye.
The way Ethan and Sandy do their trips, with complete flexibility toward your schedule, is something that I didn’t fully appreciate until I was actually on the trip—and now I feel spoiled. Being able to change your plans in-the-moment is so wonderful—and knowing we have a driver and guide for whatever we decide to do was key. We had a few times where the kids (or adults) were exhausted and just wanted to swim or relax in our room—so we pivoted and moved things around, making a lunch a dinner or moving touring to a different day, and it was just so wonderful to have the flexibility and not feel like we had to do something then because it was scheduled and paid for. It truly made it so that every day of our vacation was OUR vacation, and we appreciated that.
Overall, it was an incredible trip and we would highly recommend Ethan and Sandy and their team to anyone. Vietnam and Cambodia are fabulous countries and I hope we have the chance to go back and explore each of them further, and when we do we will certainly use Ethan and Sandy for their expertise (and to request our guides!).
Sharon Theroux and her husband were hosted for lunch by a local family near Siem Reap.
My husband and I just returned from our second trip to Southeast Asia, both of them through Sandy and Ethan’s office. We chose Sandy and Ethan because they were recommended by Wendy Perrin’s WOW List, and because we wanted to have a more authentic and less “touristy” experience. Because both Sandy (Founder) and Ethan (Trip Planner) have lived in Southeast Asia, they are very knowledgeable about the local people, their customs, and their way of life.
Someone once said, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” That couldn’t be more true about our experience. This year, we spent one week in Saigon, followed by one week in Siem Reap. Unlike last year, where we had a guide with us every day, we felt a little more comfortable taking a few days to ourselves to explore on our own. In Saigon, we stayed at the Majestic Hotel, which was a perfect location on the Saigon river and at the heart of the city. Sandy and Ethan were able to get us the same room on the same floor we had last year, # 317, which had an outdoor garden where we had coffee in the morning. So beautiful. Like last year, Thuy was our guide for the boat excursion to Can Gio. Thuy is so warm and friendly, she feels like family. From finding someone to do our laundry, to making sure we have a fresh morning breakfast of exotic fruit and croissants on our boat, she was superb. We also were treated to have Sandy and his wife come along for the day! After two years of planning these trips, it was so nice to connect with them, face to face! The ride up the Saigon river to Can Gio nature reserve was relaxing, and provided a well-needed “Nature Bath” while boating through mangroves, hiking through jungles, and feeding crocodiles and monkeys. What a major de-stressor and complete departure from our day-to-day life back home! On our free days, we ventured out into the streets of Saigon, a very large but safe city to walk around in, and language was really not much of a barrier. We went to the War Remnants museum, which I believe is a “must see” for all, particularly Americans. We also did the Vespa Night Out, where we traveled on the back seat of Vespas, with drivers who took us to different places for appetizers and dinner. I have a shellfish allergy, and Sandy and Ethan made sure that the hotel and Vespa drivers chose places that were able to accommodate someone who loves fish, but can’t have shellfish. A difficult feat in Vietnam!
Our next leg of the trip was the Jaya House at Siem Reap, which is where we stayed last year. The Jaya House is one of my favorite places on earth. From the rich dark wood accents, to amazing art sculptures and paintings, to the lush tropical landscaping, to the amazingly comfortable bedding, we felt like we were in heaven. Upon arrival, we met with Christian, the property manager, who greeted us with a glass of wine and a cool, moist towel. After giving us an introduction to his facility, he made sure we were scheduled for our daily massage. After recently experiencing a running injury, I was very happy to take him up on that offer! Those daily massages really helped me to heal from injury, as well as reduce a year full of stressors from back home. And I can’t say enough about the staff there. They were so warm, friendly, and extremely attentive without being obtrusive. I believe they actually have a full-time flower person. Our hotel room always had fresh flowers and fruit, a very nice touch!
Cambodia does not require a visa prior to arrival, and Sandy and Ethan made sure we had someone to meet us at the airport to secure our visa. Nice touch! Once out of the airport, we were greeted by our guide, Silen Truy, who we had requested from our visit last year. Silen was a pleasure to be with. She seems to be a genuinely happy person who was very flexible with us, particularly with our preference to start a bit later than typical. Her smile is contagious. We took an excursion to the margins of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Cambodia. On this boat tour, we traveled back in time to see a floating fishing village, where people survive with very little, some without electricity. And yet, the people there smiled and waved at us as they went about their life, and we saw the children happily playing with each other and swimming in the water. I learned that if they could be happy with so little, I don’t need to sweat the small stuff at home. And the lunch they had prepared for us, hosted by a lovely Cambodian family on their floating dock, was amazingly delicious with a charcuterie that rivaled that from NYC! So primitive and civilized at the same time.
One of my favorite experiences was the bicycle tour to the temples of Ta Prohm and Bayon. I really can’t get over the beauty of these temples created in the 11th century, and how nature actually enhanced their beauty by growing into the temple rock when they were abandoned. What a wonderful inadvertent collaboration of man and nature! The Bayon temple is not to be missed, which has 49 towers, each of which has 4 edifices which face in each direction. We were told the 4 faces on each tower represent the 4 components to true love, maitri (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (empathetic joy), and upeksa (equanimity). I know this may sound strange, but walking among the towers and seeing the sculptures of faces that appear peaceful and happy, I felt a sense of connection and acceptance; like I was among friends. It is striking, if not surprising, that we found the people of Cambodia to embody these four components. Something to emulate, for sure.
The next day, Silen took us to Phnom Krom Pagoda, where we met and meditated with 3 Buddhist monks. The Pagoda sits on a hill overlooking Tonle Sap Lake. Sandy and Ethan have a wonderful tradition of giving prepared “care packages” (on our behalf) to the monks we sat with, to thank them for allowing us foreigners to meditate with them. Another very nice touch! After the meditation, we were offered the chance to ask them questions, with Silen acting as interpreter. I learned a valuable life lesson from this interaction, which enables me to accept things at home that I had been struggling with for awhile. What a gift! And not to mention the surprise breakfast on the temple premises after the meditation…lovely!
The last couple days we spent on our own, where we ventured out to the Angkor National Museum and Apopo facility. At Apopo, we were educated in how African rats are trained to sniff out landmines that were placed all over the country from 1975-1979. I now see rats in a whole different light! Their trained ability to sniff out TNT is more efficient than metal detectors, and they have helped to prevent the loss of life and limb to thousands of farmers in the area. Amazing. They continue to work to this day.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend traveling to Southeast Asia in general, and with Sandy and Ethan more specifically, if you are looking for a truly authentic, immersive, and life enhancing experience.
My husband and I just returned from a fabulous trip to Vietnam and Cambodia planned by Sandy and Ethan. In Vietnam, we visited Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon, each of which was fascinating in its own way. The temples around Siem Reap, particularly Angkor Wat, are truly awesome and should not be missed if visiting this part of the world. We were met by local hosts in every destination who not only took great care of us, but also helped make the trip more meaningful. By sharing their deep knowledge of the area and their own personal experiences, we learned much more about these fascinating countries than we possibly could have with a large group tour or on our own.
Sandy and Ethan offered several optional experiences and we very much enjoyed the ones we decided on. We loved riding around on Vespas in the crazy traffic in Saigon, seeing its backstreets and alleys, and sampling some delicious street food. We also enjoyed the “eco experience” in Hoi An where we rode bikes through the rice paddies, learned about local organic farming and went out on a fishing boat. And visiting a small village in the Mekong Delta where we met a tofu maker who made us a delicious lunch with his just-made tofu was very interesting and a lot of fun. This was one of the most memorable trips we have taken and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about a very different culture.
My wife and I recently returned from a 2 1/2-month trip to India and SE Asia, which was the first time we had visited that region. One of the most memorable parts of the trip was the part arranged by Sandy Ferguson and Ethan Crowley. We had spent some time working with them on setting up where and when we would be traveling, and they made all the arrangements for us. They contacted us just before their portion of the trip, to make sure all was in place, and that we knew who our hosts (guides) would be, and something about their backgrounds. We were met at each city by our hosts, and they guided us and took care of us the entire time we were with them. Their English was very good, and they were very personable and accommodating.
Part of what made it so memorable was that our hosts gave us such a personal look at their country, and that we got such an in-depth look at the local culture. SE Asia is a very Buddhist area, and we got a real appreciation of the religion and its effect on their life and culture. One very memorable experience was in Laos, where we sat with our host at 5 AM on the sidewalk, with a pot of sticky rice, giving small portions to the monks from the local temples as they walked by, as part of their breakfast. Our host did this every morning, and offered to include us. It was a great experience. There were many other unique and personal experiences that we had with our hosts, which contrasted greatly from the group tours that we had on much of the rest of our trip.
We can’t say enough good things about our experiences arranged by Sandy and Ethan, which were the most memorable times of our entire trip.
My husband, sister, brother-in-law & I recently just got back from a fantastic 28-day trip throughout SE Asia. This trip was postponed back in April 2020 due to COVID. We traveled to Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. We had 9 flights that Sandy and Ethan booked flawlessly. The guides throughout all of the countries were knowledgeable, spoke English, & very personable. I cannot pick one single experience that stood out over all of them. I enjoyed every single day! But things like the MandaLao elephant sanctuary, meeting, eating and getting blessings from Paan’s extended family in Luang Prabang, touring the Mekong by boat at sunset after seeing the Pak Ou Caves, touring Hanoi and seeing Ho Chi Minh, the overnight aboard the Heritage Ginger in Halong Bay, getting a foot massage in Chaing Mai after all the temple steps, exploring Saigon on a Vespa through the crowded roads and alleys, and visiting and touring the amazing Angkor Wat. It was a great mix of culture, temples, touring, history, scooters, boats, and food. Thank you Sandy & Ethan! This was a trip of a lifetime.
My wife, 22-year-old daughter, and I visited Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia during the last two weeks of January. We worked initially with Sandy but most of our interaction was with Ethan. We were very pleased with them. They were responsive, on top of everything, provided high-quality guides, and gave us frequent updates/reminders as the trip neared. Prior to our trip, we received a detailed packet with everything we needed to know, including our itinerary and guides, cultural information and practical tips about each country. We felt fully prepared. The local guides arranged by their office in each country were all very good. They were knowledgeable, eager to take family pictures for us, and easy to work with as we tweaked some of the details of our itinerary as our trip progressed.
Our itinerary: We started in Chiang Mai, Thailand, then took a short flight to Luang Prabang in Laos, then another flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia, then a flight back to Bangkok for 2 days before returning home. Sandy and Ethan arranged our 3 flights within Asia and our airport transfers, which were all smooth.
January is a good time to visit SE Asia. It’s the dry season and not too hot; it was almost cool in Laos, although Bangkok was quite hot and humid. The majority of farmers haven’t yet started to burn their fields so there wasn’t a problem with smoke/air pollution, which we had heard from friends is a problem in the early spring.
Here are some of the highlights we recommend to other travelers:
In Chiang Mai we went on a beautiful 2-hour hike on the Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail in the Doi Inthanon National Park. There was a river with multiple waterfalls along the way. We were led by a local naturalist who was very friendly, engaging and knew everything about the flora and fauna. The hike ended at a pretty farm in the hills with water buffalo roaming around, where we had a cup of locally grown coffee and a nice lunch at a small restaurant. Speaking of food, the Khao Soi curry in Chiang Mai was one of our food highlights.
In Laos, our guide had excellent knowledge of Buddhism and relationships with local Buddhist monks, so we spent time with the monks learning about their religion, sitting with the monks as they chanted, and participated in the custom of giving alms (making merit) where we provided the monks with their morning breakfast before sunrise. It was unique and educational. Our guide also hosted us at his family house for a wonderful dinner and Buddhist ceremony attended by numerous members of our guide’s extended family. We also visited some villages to see how local farmers and craftspeople live, including talking with women making papadam and men distilling local moonshine, both of which we tasted. We also had a lovely and relaxing and scenic private boat ride down the Mekong River returning to Luang Prabang from the Pak Ou caves as the sun gradually set. The final highlight in Laos was the MandaLao elephant sanctuary, a truly unique experience that allowed us to get up close to feed and touch the elephants and to meander with them through the jungle.
In Siem Reap, Cambodia, we attended the roughly hour-long Phare “circus,” a high-energy, very entertaining, and unique experience, and it’s for a good cause. Of course, we visited the massive ancient Angkor temples, which are incredibly impressive, and each one was different. The Ta Prohm temple with the massive trees growing on it is a must-see. One of our more special moments in Cambodia was when our excellent guide arranged to take us out on two small boats (just a bit bigger than large canoes) on one of the “moats” (really a manmade lake) just before sunset. A local paddler gently moved the boats across the calm waters as our guide mixed gin and tonics for us and provided snacks. We were the only ones there, drifting through the lily pads watching the birds and sunset. It was beautiful and peaceful. Finally, we went to Villa Chandara for dinner. It is entirely outdoors in a lovely rural setting. We started with cocktails and a foot massage. The staff was very friendly, and the food was all excellent. Unfortunately, we had to leave a bit early before the end of the meal because one person in our party started to have a modest allergic reaction to something, which was unusual. We were in the middle of nowhere and didn’t know if the reaction would get worse, so we deemed it prudent to head back to the hotel where we had Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to calm the reaction, which it did. Lesson learned, keep Benadryl in the backpack, not just the hotel room!
Wrapping it up in Bangkok, even though we were a bit “templed-out” by the end of the trip, the huge golden Buddha and reclining Buddha are both worth seeing. And one must spend a little time wandering through the massive night market to fully appreciate the huge size and energy of Bangkok. Another way to experience that energy is to stay along the Chao Phraya River, with the constant flow of commercial barges, ferries/taxis, and party boats.
The travel plan/package Ethan and Sandy put together for us was amazing. Great hosts, fun tours, delicious food & drink, beautiful countries, and most of all, amazing hospitality!
I can’t say enough.
The only problem is that I’m having Tom Yum Goong withdrawal.
My wife Lee and I had a great trip to southern Vietnam over the holidays. I loved working with Sandy Ferguson and Ethan Crowley. We actually planned and revised this trip three times, first with Sandy for 12/20, then rescheduled for 12/21 (both canceled b/c of Covid) and finally with Ethan. Both Sandy and Ethan are very knowledgeable, and both really listened to our likes, dislikes and idiosyncracies, and helped craft a trip that was great for us, even when some of it was probably different than what most of their clients would want. I also really liked their approach of having a suggested itinerary, but the flexibility to make last-minute changes, depending on the weather, how we felt, what we’d heard, etc.
As for unusual experiences, I’d recommend (1) the Vietage train ride, a luxurious 6-hour train ride from Danang to Qua Nhnon; (2) the evening Vespa tour to local restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City; and (3) Bai San Ho, a relatively new resort in a remote, gorgeous area. Amanoi is also exceptional, but that’s pretty well known.
When we decided we wanted to go to Vietnam over the 2023 year-end holidays, we immediately turned to Sandy, who had planned a fantastic family trip for us to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos 10 years ago. And, just as before, we made the absolutely right choice!
We started planning in early 2023, knowing that it could be busy at year end. Both Sandy and Ethan provided valuable input at the outset. Our ten-day trip started in Hanoi and worked its way south to Ho Chi Minh City. We had three different guides covering the north, central and southern areas. All were terrific, knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs and tastes. Highlights included an overnight on Lan Ha Bay (Ha Long Bay is very crowded so this was a better alternative), lunch with a local family in Hue, a fun private cooking class in Hoi An, a 4:30 am trip to see the fishermen bring in their night’s haul for sale to local market merchants and an amazing New Year’s Eve vespa/food tour in Ho Chi Minh City.
We had four days of rain in Central Vietnam and had to cancel several activities. Nevertheless, Ethan and Sandy made some adjustments to our itinerary that worked out perfectly. The weather did not dampen our fun!
Ethan and Sandy are great to work with — their tremendous knowledge and love for SE Asia and their desire to share that with clients made them the perfect choice for our trip…again!
Sunset on a lake near Cambodia’s Angkor Thom. Photo: Pheakday Sieng
Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia was truly a trip of a lifetime! Sandy and Ethan planned and selected our charming knowledgeable guides who shared their respective locales, enriching the actual sites and history. In addition every hotel was a treasure in itself.
Each stop proved to be special. Standouts for us were Luang Prabang, which held a spiritual essence thanks to our guide “Paan,” a former Buddhist nun who shared her country’s culture and religion. From rising early one morning offering alms/sticky rice to the saffron-robed monks to our visit to the MandaLao Elephant Preserve, it was magic.
Our cruise at Halong Bay aboard the Ylang was both beautiful and restorative after several active days in Hanoi and should not be missed.
In Hue our guide “Aster” was a treat. The Old Imperial City and Citadel were far beyond our expectations. A enormous complex of opulent structures with stunning gardens and incredible bonsai’s.
Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, is a bustling metropolis with more scooters and motorcycles than you can imagine. A real treat and one our guide “SueAnn” had to prompt us to attempt was the “Vespa Experience”! It’s an evening ride hanging on tight as you wind your way with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and a show through the streets and alleyways of town, an amazing experience!
Siem Reap and Angkor Wat is truly a wonder of the world. Our guide “Dey” made it and all the incredible temples and their history come alive. In addition, our night at the circus was absolutely unique, a mini Cirque de Soleil.
Finally Bangkok, with “Kat,” she took us to a Michelin-starred street food restaurant where we picked out our own lobster and crab. The food throughout our trip had been very good but this was over the top! In addition to the Grand Palace and a visit to Wat Pho, the shrine of the reclining Buddha, a standout was a visit to the Cabbage House. The onsite guide was so enthusiastic and engaging, don’t miss it!
Obviously I could go on, but these days in SE Asia will be treasured memories for years to come.
My husband and I traveled to SE Asia for 25 days in December 2023 on a trip designed by Sandy Ferguson and Ethan Crowley. While we have traveled to over 50 countries, Asia was a continent we had barely touched and one we decided we could use assistance in visiting. While Vietnam was the centerpiece, given the journey required to get there, we included 3 other countries as well — Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. The trip had a total of 14 flights on 4 different airlines and 9 airports. The most challenging air transit was connecting international flights on different PNRs in Bangkok, where without assistance we might still be figuring it out. Sandy and Ethan were easy to work with and all but one of the local hosts they arranged were personable and joys to spend time with.
At each stop, we had a local host and driver. The problem we had with them all was getting them to believe we were serious about wanting to walk and walk a lot — it seems we were not typical! We were able to convince most of them that we were serious walkers and not troubled by the heat and humidity, although we had to add walks on our own in each city visited to get near our usual daily distance! Walking in the cities (other than Bangkok) was an adventure as motorcycles and cars do not stop for pedestrians. You just walk slowly and steadily across the lanes of traffic and the vehicles go around you — not for the faint of heart. And walking on sidewalks is often not possible as vehicles park on them and vendors set up shop.
Our favorite experience of the trip was the visit to the elephant sanctuary in Laos where we got to feed the elephants and spend an hour walking with them in the woods. Such beautiful creatures. In Laos, our lovely local host Paan educated us about Buddhism, a religion we were quite unfamiliar with. We enjoyed a delightful evening at her home with her family and neighbors where we participated in a blessing ceremony.
Another highlight was arranged by our wonderful local Hanoi host Mike — we got to meet a former North Vietnam fighter pilot trained to fly in Russia. He shot down the first American fighter in the War and was later shot down by an American pilot. The 3 met in the 1990’s and still remain in contact. We met in his home where he showed us pictures and we learned not only about his war experience but about his family and his life post-war. In Saigon, our most excellent local host Candy joined us at the Lex Hotel where we learned about the “five o’clock follies” when the South Vietnam officials provided daily updates about the War to journalists. Candy did a great job explaining about how North Vietnam infiltrated South Vietnam and got weapons in. She took us to a house where NV soldiers and ammunition were hid in a basement bunker. She also took us to the post office and helped us mail cards to friends and see the kindergarteners, dressed in Santa hats, learn how to mail their letters to Santa.
In Cambodia our passionate and delightful local host Sokros delved into the Cambodia genocide with us, as we had requested. We visited the “prison” Pol Pot established in a high school in Phnom Penh and the associated “killing field” a few kilometers from the city. We discussed the recently concluded judicial inquiry into the genocide crimes and met one of the 7 (out of 20,000) survivors of those imprisoned in the prison. On a happier note was a visit to Oudong with its ancient ruins and the, relatively, new mausoleum housing Buddha relics given to Cambodia by Sri Lanka. The National Museum of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh should not be missed.
We finished the trip in Bangkok where local host Kat was a treasure. She guided us on an enjoyable walk from the grounds of the royal palace to the Chinese market. We enjoyed two wonderful lunches with her where she chose a variety of delicious Thai dishes for us to sample and shared stories about life in Thailand. On our last day, we visited one of the ancient seats of power of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. They were much busier than the ancient ruins in Cambodia but quite impressive.
WOW seems like too weak an accolade for Sandy and Ethan’s magical trip suggestions and planning expertise in Vietnam. We have exquisite memories of a wonderful country and its people.
Starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon worked perfectly and really felt like the right direction for us. Hanoi felt like what I was mostly expecting from Vietnam. It was charming and delightful. And then the following stops in Ha Long Bay and Hoi An were totally different and unique, upending any expectations. And then ending in Saigon felt like re-entering the modern world. There is clearly so much to see and do. And all of it is interesting and important and beautiful. So even though we had an abbreviated time in each of the spots, all of the activities were perfect. And just made us excited for a return trip some day.
For some granular reflections…
Hanoi
We loved the Hotel Metropole! A beautiful old hotel with such history! The Bambu Bar is my new aspirational decorating aesthetic. And we’re so glad we were there on a weekend night to be able to experience walking around the lake with all of the local families and people enjoying the various entertainment. And then our guide Tony was wonderful. We had a really nice time with him and he worked really hard to incorporate things we had expressed interest in as well as dealing with various buildings/museums being closed on a Monday. What a great guy! We really enjoyed visiting the lacquerware shop (as noted by the amount of souvenirs we brought back)…very interesting and beautiful. We definitely loved the Water Puppet Show. Totally unique! And then of course walking around the Old Quarter and trying street food was delightful and delicious!
Ha Long Bay
WOW! Absolutely spectacular. I might run out of adjectives/descriptive words. Staying aboard the Ginger was such a treat. Sandy and Ethan’s upgrade to the King Suite made a special stay that much more special! Sitting on a deck chair, drinking (yet another) Vietnamese iced coffee, and staring out to sea is my new mental screensaver. We were lucky and had perfect weather and only half-capacity people on board. And wow, the gourmet food!!
Hoi An/Hue
What special places! The Anantara was beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly located in town for exploring. Now knowing where the beach is in relation, this was definitely the right choice. Our guide Tu was also wonderful. He did an amazing job trying to cram as many things in as possible. I know he really fretted over trying to make sure we had the perfect itinerary in only one-and-a-half days. And I can’t believe all of the things we saw and did. What a gorgeous area with so many historic places we had (sadly) never even heard of. We were blown away by My Son and the Imperial City!! In another standout memory, we told Tu about Thanksgiving and we ended up having dinner with him in a small, local restaurant and had a proper feast of amazing Vietnamese food, sharing stories of family and our lives. It was really special.
Saigon
The week FLEW by and we found ourselves in Saigon finally. Our guide Thuy was absolutely delightful! She was so funny and warm and caring. And she had the same problem…trying to make sure we saw and did as much as possible. She was really great about listening to our likes/wants. She introduced me to all her favorite coffee spots, so I was definitely happy (and buzzing!). I think the Hotel Caravelle was the only one that was a 99 instead of a 100 for us. Which is really hard to say, because obviously it was lovely and comfortable and totally nice. I just think that it felt like such a modern, Western, updated/renovated hotel, despite its historic age. It just had a hard comparison against the Hotel Metropole. The sightseeing standouts in Saigon were definitely the boat ride and exploring the river delta/smaller towns. Super fun and super interesting! And then obviously the motorbike exploring at night! What a singular experience!! I was actually a bit nervous about it, but the guy who led the experience and our two drivers were very friendly and nice and put us at ease. Plus, a few beers certainly helped. The food stops were all great and super delicious! And my only complaint was I wish we could have listened to the live music longer/all night…that was so cool!
This was everything and more that we wanted out of a Thanksgiving break in Vietnam. We really appreciate the time and hard work it took to bring all of this together. These kinds of trips are the ones that stick with us the most…the ones where we have a chance to get a bit off the beaten track and have a chance to connect with local people (now friends).
We hired Sandy and Ethan to plan our three-week trip to South East Asia and were so glad we did. From the first Zoom phone call with them to start planning the trip, we were so impressed with their incredible knowledge of the area and all the interesting ideas they had for us. Both of them have lived for long periods of time in Asia and it really gives them incredible insight and great contacts in all the countries we went to.
I can’t say enough about how wonderful this trip was, we are very active travelers and this was probably the most organized and well-executed trip we’ve ever been on. We went to four different countries and took several flights to cities within those countries; at every stop there was a guide and driver at the airport welcoming us and whisking us off to a beautiful hotel. When available, Sandy and Ethan got us expedited travel through immigration and customs at the airports, which was wonderful and such a time saver.
All our guides were amazing, very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Sandy and Ethan also gave us great advice on things to do that we might have not done on our own. For example, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to Laos; it just didn’t seem like there was a lot there that would interest me, but Sandy really encouraged us to include Laos and I’m so glad he did; it turned out to be one of our favorite places we visited. Another highlight of the trip was a three-day cruise in Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Sandy and Ethan picked out the best boat in the harbor and we had one of the nicest rooms on the boat; it was such a treat and we enjoyed that so much. Another highlight of the trip was a day we spent in Vietnam doing local things in the countryside; we rode water buffalo, went fishing in a small boat with nets, met local rice farmers and learned how they grow their crops. It was such a special day meeting real people and learning about their lifestyle, and it would be something that we would’ve never been able to do on our own.
I’m afraid Sandy and Ethan have spoiled us for future trips and that we will expect everything to go as smoothly and seamlessly as it did on this trip to Asia. I can’t recommend them enough for travels through Asia.
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex is filled with intricate carvings. Photo: Traveler Joe McBrine
Ethan and Sandy put together our 2.5-week trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. Without them we would have been hard pressed to have the amazing variety and depth of experiences which allowed us to really experience Vietnamese and Cambodian culture. In Vietnam we watched a water puppet show in Hanoi, biked on Cat Ba Island in Ha Long Bay, took a speedboat along the Mekong Delta to a remote village where we biked again, dined with a welcoming Vietnamese family in Hue, and had a private nighttime Vespa food tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Each experience forced us out of our comfort zone as passive tourists and made us engage in the best possible way. We travel to see the world, experience other cultures, and meet those who live like us but only differently. Sandy and Ethan provided us with the opportunities to do that. And from these experiences the best type of memories are made.
As far as unique experiences there were too many to count. Two stand out. The Vespa tour of Ho Chi Minh City was beyond. At first I was a bit anxious at the thought of getting on a Vespa. It was hot and I was worried we might have a collision—or worse—I’d fall off. However the drivers were expert and put us instantly at ease. Once we set off and felt the breeze against our skin, took in the beautiful twinkling lights, and smelled the aromas of this city—including all the delicious food we tried at the three different restaurants we stopped at—we were in heaven. One particularly memorable moment occurred as we zipped down a small alleyway passing by residents cooking their evening meals, eating, and socializing—a site familiar no matter where one is in the world. Amazing. Additionally the flower market was also especially beautiful at night. After the food we stopped at an intimate bar for wonderful live music, and then capped the evening with a visit to famed local chocolatier Maison Marou for probably the richest and most delicious hot chocolate I’ve ever had.
In Cambodia one of the highlights of our trip was getting up before dawn and being able to enjoy sunrise at the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. Seeing this beautiful and immense temple complex appear out of the mist as the sun rises is an experience too ethereal and intense for words. Along those lines we visited a Cambodian Buddhist monastery for blessings and prayers with a young Buddhist monk. Our guide in Cambodia, Thuy Silen, was beyond lovely and informative during our travels there. I won’t forget her smile and laugh.
Truly a trip to remember and we owe that to Sandy and Ethan. Bravo.
In my 85 years, I have seen a lot of the world. This trip to Vietnam was among the most wonderful journeys I have undertaken. It was eventful, enlightening, and altogether happy. I am very grateful to Wendy for referring me to Ethan Crowley and Sandy Ferguson. They meticulously coordinated every detail of a packed agenda. They had wonderful ideas about how an older person like me could get the most out of the trip. As a result, it went off without a hitch—smooth sailing all the way. The hotels were all excellent, with an array of amenities. The food was an adventure in and of itself. It varied slightly from region to region but was pretty phenomenal everywhere. The weather was hot but tolerable, with almost no rain.
All my guides were great. Each brought their own perspectives and personal style to the job, which made things interesting; but they were uniformly competent, knowledgeable, accommodating, resourceful—even funny. From them, I learned things I did not know about Vietnam. For example, I did not realize that Vietnam is in some ways still a divided nation. I was very glad that my guides were candid about the contradictions and tensions between North and South. It was important to learn from them both how far the country has come in its long struggle for peace and independence and how much still needs to be done. I came away richer for that knowledge.
The beauty of the country is simply astonishing—water everywhere; flowers in abundance; the grandeur of Ha Long Bay; the backdrop of mountains and the natural grace of the landscape. The richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture and its history were evident everywhere, from the old city of Hanoi to Chinatown in Saigon. Bustling markets, temple after beautiful temple. And then the Maison Centrale (aka the Hanoi Hilton), a quaint name given by the French to a horribly brutal prison. On the other end of the spectrum, Ho’s tomb was uplifting. Though it was closed for renovation, it was moving to see the changing of the guard and the grounds surrounding the tomb where Ho lived and worked.
In the beautiful city of Hue, my guide did a good job of keeping the WOW Moment secret until we arrived at the home of Bon and Tchi (I’m sure I am misspelling their names—doing it from phonetic memory). Their hospitality was amazing, and the meal we shared was really good! Their grandson proved to be an excellent waiter; and their son was a pleasure to talk to. I very much enjoyed exploring their overgrown backyard, which contained everything from chickens to the elaborate tomb of Bon’s father. What a trip, in the 60s sense of the word. Thanks a million for setting that up!
There were unexpected “off-road” moments. In Hanoi, a visit to a gallery of (very impressive) contemporary Vietnamese painting; in Hoi An, a dinner at home with my guide, his wife and two boys; in Saigon, a serendipitous trip through back alleys to an orthodox Jewish Chabad, on the sabbath no less. Though I was not able to do any daredevil Vespa-riding, I did have a spin on the back of a bike in small villages on the Mekong. I even managed to cross the street all by myself—six times if my recollection is correct.
These are just some of the most memorable experiences I had. I have bored many friends and colleagues with reams of detail. I have also sung your praises. Again, my thanks to Wendy, Ethan and Sandy for a memorable trip. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Aerial view of temple ruins by helicopter. Photo: Jeannie Mullen
On a lark, and with spot-on advice and counsel from Wendy about where to go on short notice, I booked a three-week trip to Southeast Asia. Most of my travel is solo and private, so I rely on travel planners to make everything seamless and as problem-free as possible. I also like a lot of detail in advance. Wendy put me in touch with Sandy and Ethan, and just as she said they would, they were able to turn on a dime. They put together a very detailed, interesting and diverse trip for me with just a little over three weeks’ notice (and that included securing expedited travel visas). I don’t think I’ve been to that many UNESCO sites in one single trip, ever. I cannot say enough about this part of the world, the food, the people and the culture. So different than what I am used to and so very interesting. Every planning detail, including Fast Track airport service (where available) for arrivals and departures, was taken care of with great care and attention. There was also an extended layover in Seoul, South Korea at the beginning and end of the trip for which they helped arrange hotel and transport. And I can say the same thing for the guides, drivers and logistics while in each of the three countries … there was always great attention to detail, a willingness to be flexible, and prompt responses to each and every request.
Vietnam was so special and different … Hanoi and Saigon such busy, eclectic places with great food, shopping, museums and live evening performances … lots of war history, which I found fascinating. I got the biggest kick out of enjoying a street-food tour on the back of a Vespa scooter in rush-hour traffic … being at street level and driving through the backstreets, alleys and neighborhoods added an entire new level to the experience … Contrast these experiences with very different low-key rural locations and experiences in areas like Ninh Minh (a hike and a relaxing float trip), a relaxing one-night cruise on Halong Bay among gorgeous limestone islands, several nights in the provincial town of Hue to explore the Citadel, garden houses and quiet streets and a boat ride on the Perfume River, followed by several days in the ancient town of Hoi An to discover the distinctive blend of cultures and architecture in the old quarter.
Siem Reap, Cambodia … the place around which the entire trip was planned … was phenomenal … traipsing in and around the temple complexes and experiencing sunrise at Ankor Wat was a major bucket-list item. Major shout out to Silen, my guide and Ethan’s friend, for her attention to every detail and working our way into and out of the temple complexes in such a way as to avoid other tourists. She was also a master at pacing the day so as to provide relief from the heat and humidity. Surpassing those experiences was the day that I flew by helicopter to the even more remote and off-the-radar locations of Preah Vihear and Prasat Banteay Chhmar with Po-Thai Khan, a renowned Cambodian archaeologist. Walking these temple complexes with Thai was one of those pinch-me experiences … he was so interesting, engaging and affirming. And the temples were totally without tourists. Something I will never forget. On the way back to Siem Reap, as we skirted a massive thunderstorm, we flew through a full-circle rainbow … how did Wendy manage THAT WOW moment? I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention an idyllic outdoor candlelit dinner that I enjoyed that same evening at Villa Chandara.
Luang Prabang, Laos … another UNESCO site … was its own kind of special. My guide, Ek, who considers Sandy family, was born and raised in the community and was known by everyone we encountered. In addition to knowing Luang Prabang like the back of his hand, he is also a wonderful cook who puts homemade sweets in your hand every time you turn around. Highlights of this portion of the trip included communing with elephants at Mandalao Sanctuary, visiting ethnic minority villages on the outskirts of town, wandering through the many local morning markets, being hosted at Ek’s home with his extended family for a baci ceremony and giving alms the following morning at Ek’s local temple.
These were just some of the highlights. Looking back, I cannot believe that I did so many things and saw so many sights in three weeks. Thank you so much to Sandy and Ethan, and all of their family and friends in SE Asia, for turning a spur-of-the-moment trip idea into a reality for this solo wanderer.
My husband and I traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia from May 3 to 21 with the help of trip planners Sandy and Ethan. This was our first trip through Wendy so we are not eligible for a “WOW Moment,” yet we felt like we had one amazing moment after another on this trip. Traveling so far was stepping out of the box for us and Sandy and Ethan really made us feel comfortable. They helped us plan where we might want to visit. The hotels they suggested we choose from were all amazing, so we knew we couldn’t go wrong. They let you pick what level hotel room in each hotel but I said to them, you know our budget, so can you please pick the appropriate room to fit that. All of our hotel rooms were amazing and perfect. The Zoom meeting we had with them shortly before our trip made us feel very confident. We were able to ask all of our questions and they gave us great advice.
We chose to go in a shoulder season, so it was not crowded but it was very hot. Our guides, who spoke very highly of Sandy and how he takes care them, always made sure we had cold water and the air-conditioned cars were wonderful. Though it was hot and humid we thought this was the perfect time to be there, because nothing was crowded and our pictures are tourist-free. Some of our favorite memories are visiting Train Street and walking around the Old Quarter sampling amazing food in Hanoi with our guide. Kayaking and having lunch, just the two of us, on a floating “pirates club” in Halong Bay. Having lunch cooked for us by a lovely family in Hue and enjoying rice wine with Mr. Bo. Riding on the back of a Vespa in Saigon. Riding through alleys and seeing families sitting outside enjoying the night. Sitting in a boat in Cambodia and our guide making us gin and tonics. On our last day in Siem Reap we walked through a village and talked with an 82 yr old woman making a basket. She was so sweet and interesting to talk with. We were blessed by a monk in a pagoda, we rode a boat across a reservoir as the sun went down, and then we ate dinner at a beautiful farm with candles burning all around us. Don’t these all sound like WOW Moments?
I can’t leave out the food. The food we ate everywhere was amazing. Our guides made sure we tried all of the area specialties and we ate at some amazing restaurants. We really enjoyed when our guides took us to different street-food places. We also liked when they gave us a name of a restaurant and we made our way there on our own. Our guides were all available to us at any time. Sandy makes sure he has the best guides and they are able to pivot and change things to fit what you want to do. We told our guide in Saigon that we didn’t want to go to the War Remnants museum and she understood and ended up taking us to a natural medicine museum because we are both in science, and it was great. In Siem Reap we were supposed to go to Angkor Wat for the sunrise but I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t sleep enough to be up at 5. We let our guide know at 4:30 am and decided we would meet at 8. We still were able to see everything and we had an amazing day. We highly recommend Sandy and Ethan. We hope to go back someday and we will be calling them.
I traveled to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in May 2023 with an itinerary designed by Sandy Ferguson and Ethan Crowley, and the trip truly surpassed my expectations. I specifically visited the cities of Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh, and the private Cambodian island of Song Saa. For years, I’d wanted to visit Angkor Wat and surrounding archeological sites, and that was the standout that I expected it to be. An unexpected highlight was visiting the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary in Laos, where I got face-to-face with the enormous gentle animals and spent time feeding them and walking through the forest with them. This was a recommendation from Sandy and Ethan, not something I envisioned doing. Another highlight was attending an all-day Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai where I surprised myself by learning to cook 5 excellent Thai dishes. We made everything from scratch under the direction of an expert Thai chef whose English was excellent. Lastly, I loved spending five nights of luxurious relaxation at a private island resort, Song Saa, off the coast of Cambodia. In planning my trip, I asked Sandy and Ethan for a stop at a resort in southern Thailand, simply because I was more familiar with them, but the logistics of getting me there given the rest of my itinerary made Song Saa a more convenient choice. I can’t imagine that I missed anything by not going to a Thai beach resort. Song Saa was everything I was looking for: quiet, private, tranquil and luxurious. And because I visited during the low season it felt as if I had the island all to myself. I never would have known about it had it not been for Sandy and Ethan. I would happily spend another week there. At each stop (except for Song Saa), I had a private local tour guide (personally vetted by their office) and driver who handled all the logistics of permits and entry to the various sites. Each spoke English remarkably well and treated me like a family member. Each was eager to show me the best of what their city had to offer but allowed me to adjust the schedule and itinerary to suit my own needs. They never forgot that it was my vacation, not theirs. I would definitely recommend this team for anyone planning to travel to Southeast Asia. I suggest contacting them as far in advance of your planned dates as possible, even if you’re unsure of exactly everything you’d like to see and do. I found the communication from them clear and consistent with reminders, for example, about passports and visas and international flights (which they do not arrange). They were also in touch during the trip when one of my intra-country flights was cancelled and I had to adjust my itinerary slightly—the only hiccup in the entire 18-day trip. Overall, I couldn’t be more satisfied with Sandy and Ethan, and my trip.
Amazing Sandy Ferguson trip from 3/15/23-4/3/23 to Vietnam/Cambodia. Guides took care of everything and shared so much of themselves. Hotels were perfect. Best was our ability to customize the plan every day. There was nothing we could ask for that the guides would not try to facilitate. Small restaurants “on the street” were spectacular. We felt so well taken care of, and we feel like we did not “miss” anything. For Sandy and Ethan this is personal. Response time to my many emails was great, with reassuring explanations explaining their recommendations. Go ASAP…the people are so happy to welcome you.
We just returned from a fabulous three-week plus trip to Thailand, Laos, Viet Nam, and Cambodia organized for us by Sandy. While we have traveled a great deal, this trip was among the best, if not THE, best trip we’ve taken. The diversity and specialness of our experiences made it stand out.
Like Napoleon’s army, we travel on our stomachs and the food we had on this trip was extraordinary. One evening in Laos we went to the home of our guide who Sandy has worked closely with for years. We helped prepare dinner, were blessed by the family elders in a baci ceremony for success on our journey, ate the delicious food we had helped cook, and danced and sang with the family. Another night in Cambodia, we ate at a local village restaurant. With travel to Cambodia down due to the pandemic, it’s a great time to visit and we were the only people at the restaurant. After a foot massage and passion fruit mojito, we were escorted to our table overlooking vibrant green rice fields while being serenaded by lovely music. In Hanoi, we went to Bun Cha Sinh Tu and had the famous soup it’s known for. It was table-pounding good. And our Vespa food tour of Saigon which Sandy had strongly suggested was both delicious and terrifying. Driving a motorbike in Saigon should be an Olympic sport and we just rode!
Our excellent guides in Laos and Viet Nam shared with us the experiences of their families during the War and recounted working with American veterans who returned years later as well as a reporter who had covered it. These personal and moving stories touched us and helped us better understand the profound effect of the War on the people who lived through it.
In Cambodia, we went to a Buddhist temple at 5:30 in the morning and meditated. Afterwards, we were showered with lotus petals as part of a blessing ceremony and had breakfast at the monastery as the sun rose. Early one morning in Laos, we gave sticky rice to saffron-robed monks who extended their begging bowls to us. Through this daily ritual, the monks demonstrate their vows of poverty and humility. Our guide took us to a quiet place where her family normally gives alms, avoiding other tourists.
It’s hard to encapsulate all we saw and did because there was so much — seeing the temples of Angkor, kayaking in Halong Bay, boating on the Saigon River, biking through Hoi An. Part of what made this trip so good was the flexibility we had in determining what we would do and not do each day. We had great guidance and suggestions from Sandy but he emphasized this was our trip. We did make last-minute adjustments. For example, on the spur of the moment we decided we wanted to see the Bamboo Circus in Saigon and our guide helped us get tickets four hours before the performance. (I would, however, recommend booking earlier.) Thoughtful planning and flexibility helped make this the trip of a lifetime.
This trip was exceptional. Sandy Ferguson and staff made everything easy for us, down to his guide to Southeast Asia that answered all our how-to questions. Sandy guided us before the trip to make sure we had trip insurance and visas to both countries to save time, and that we brought the right items with us, while also discouraging lots of luggage.
We had the best rooms in each hotel and knowledgeable (and kindest) tour guides, drivers that took care to ensure we had water and a cold washcloth every time we returned to the car, as well as navigating the motorbikes and cars in busy cities. Our guides met us without any hitches at the airport and were always on time to pick us up. They took us to local restaurants that we would never have found and explained the history of the location to us, as well as being very willing to tell us about their lives and how they lived. It was an immersion that we could not have done on our own. Each guide confirmed our air reservations, which was helpful.
The itinerary was well-planned, with the ability to change anything at any time to meet with our interests. We were able to see much more than we anticipated and fit in so many things, while also having some down time to go to the beach in Hoi An and a few-day cruise.
We could not have taken such an awesome trip without Sandy’s guidance and we appreciate his staff for a flawless trip.
My husband Armand and I just returned from a truly memorable trip to Vietnam, planned by Sandy Ferguson. This was our first journey in Vietnam, and Sandy and his colleagues took the time to carefully plan a flexible itinerary that was exciting as well as comfortable.
First, our guide. Aster, a young, kind, lively, and intelligent woman who introduced us to the religous, political, and economic history of Vietnam in a marvelous, storytelling fashion. Aster was a delight, and always offered us options to add or subtract activities from the day. She introduced us to delicious “street food” at casual restaurants and secured the best tables (balcony tables with views) at more upscale restaurants. We learned about Vietnamese family life too, and Aster shared her own family’s history.
One particular highlight: a delicious homemade lunch with a Vietnamese couple in their home. They were in their 60s (my age) and in one of our conversations they talked about their experiences during the “American war.”
Another highlight: our own private sunset boat cruise in a lovely boat down the Perfume River in Hue. Seeing sights from the water always gives a different perspective and the cruise was romantic as well.
Sandy also secured the best rooms in our room category in each of the hotels we stayed: the Azerai La Residence in Hue, and the Four Seasons (heavenly!) outside Hoi An. Our rooms had great views, were quiet, and were in the primo locations at each hotel. Both had pools, which we made good use of.
In the COVID era I find myself worrying more about diseases of all kinds. Rest assured, Aster and Sandy’s team made sure that every place we visited had high health and cleanliness standards. When, at times during drives between the cities, we needed to use a rest room, Aster and our driver always found us a clean bathroom.
In a country where one doesn’t speak the language, a guide is essential. Aster and Sandy gave us an introduction to Vietnam that makes us want to return to this beautiful country–and turn to Sandy’s office again for an unforgettable trip.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Photo: Seng Sophea
Our two-week trip in December to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia was a wonderful first visit to the region. There were so many highlights! Starting in Chiang Rai, our favorite stops were the White Temple, any food from street vendors, Golden Triangle and Princess Mother’s chalet-style villa and garden. And then sunset at a tea plantation was so picturesque. In Chiang Mai I highly recommend 137 Pillar House hotel. It is a beautiful oasis in the center of town. The street food, markets, cooking school, mountaintop temples and hikes there were all amazing in Chiang Mai. Northern Thailand has so much to offer we could have spent our whole two weeks there.
During our incredible two nights in the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang we enjoyed a dance performance, an up-close walk in the woods with the elephants at the MandaLao sanctuary and then swimming in the crystal blue Kuang Si waterfalls. The visit was then topped off with a special dinner and blessing ceremony with our guide’s family and making merit with the monks before daybreak.
Angkor Wat was our next stop and did not disappoint. The vast grounds were impressive and our guide did an excellent job sharing the art and history of that site as well as the culture and livelihood of the surrounding area. We ended our stay with a few nights in Bangkok, with a spontaneous visit to an outdoor high-rise rooftop bar at sunset, and the hotel along the river with a balcony was an ideal spot to stay.
Sandy’s guides, who have all been with him for many years, truly made this visit come to life. Their adeptness at crafting exciting, varied activities each day, sharing their own stories, and imparting the countries’ history and culture made for an excellent trip. When I look back at our itinerary, I am amazed at how many experiences we enjoyed and it never felt rushed or harried. We would have never been able to craft such a rewarding itinerary on our own. Highly recommend Sandy’s team and scheduling no shorter than two weeks to capture it all.
My husband & I recently returned in November from a Covid-postponed trip to Southeast Asia utilizing the services of Sandy Ferguson. Originally we had requested assistance with travel in Laos but extended our travels to include additional time in Thailand.
Sandy made numerous Zoom calls to discuss options and listen to our concerns (a second time, after planning an April 2020 trip that was cancelled at the beginning of the pandemic) and put together a wonderful itinerary that allowed us to travel efficiently through four separate regions in Laos. We initially entered Laos after a brief visit to Northeastern Thailand in the southern Champasak Province, then traveled north by plane to the capital city of Vientiane. From there we took a high-speed train to the charming city of Luang Prabang and then traveled further to Pakbeng with a private boat up the Mekong & into Northern Thailand.
We were met at the Laos border & escorted throughout Laos with the delightful guide Paan, who provided us with interesting destinations & memorable experiences. She never met a stranger and was effortless in her ability to introduce us to the uniqueness of her country. We particularly appreciated her willingness to include us in some wonderful family moments, including an engagement party for her cousin in Vientiane. We learned some of the customs and protocol of significant family events; meeting many of her family & friends was the highlight of our trip. We also participated in a blessing event with a monk at her own private home with other members of her family. We always felt as if we were traveling with a friend who wanted us to see the real Laos. Even though we visited many of the tourist highlights, we were able to mingle with the locals in a more authentic environment.
We found the lodging choices in Laos spot-on, in excellent locations for our day trips in each region & felt Covid safe during all of our travels.
The additional travel in Thailand rounded out our previous trips in this country, including a few days around Bangkok and Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen in Northeastern Thailand near the border of entry with Laos and the Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle area of Northern Thailand. The Thailand guide in the Bangkok area, Kat, along with the private guide & driver, Chen & Whitia, in Khon Kaen & Chiang Rai, were also excellent professionals that added immensely to the time spent in each area. They quickly became trusted allies in showing us their country & we thoroughly enjoyed their company each day.
We usually handle our travel itinerary personally but know that we would not have had such a well-guided and personal experience in this part of Southeast Asia without the expertise of Sandy Ferguson and his fellow staff. We were fortunate to not have any issues during our month-long trip but knew we would be taken care of efficiently if any medical or travel-related problem occurred. We highly recommend contacting Sandy Ferguson for travel assistance in Southeast Asia!
PANDEMIC TRAVEL We had a terrific trip to Vietnam and Cambodia arranged by Sandy Ferguson in early May 2022. Our original plan was to go in March but Vietnam was still getting its act together regarding visas. As it was, we got the visas a few days before we left. So we were among the very first American travelers to arrive in Vietnam after 2 years of Covid closure. They were very happy to see us. We went to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hue, and Saigon, and then to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Having come of age in the Vietnam War protest era, we were especially interested in history. Although our guides were born after the war, they shared family stories and experiences with us. We were also invited into the homes of former North Vietnam soldiers, sharing tea and rice wine. Their perspective was that the war was between governments and not people. As with all of our WOW List travels, the guides were intelligent, educated, interesting and personable. It was a pleasure to get to know each one of them and to have an ongoing information exchange about our respective countries and cultures. Being the first tourists was mostly a good thing. A few things were closed. But we had many places practically to ourselves. Angkor Wat draws thousands of visitors daily, during normal times, but we were able to see the temples with just a handful of others.
People were very conscientious about masking in Vietnam. In Cambodia it was optional. The food was excellent. We learned that coffee is big in Vietnam, and Vietnamese iced coffee is an amazing treat.
Sandy and team did a wonderful job of coordinating everything on the trip and juggling the few Covid-related snafus (couldn’t fly into Siem Reap, so we were picked up and driven 5 hours from Phnom Penh).
This review is long overdue. In December of 2019, I left a job and had a small break before starting my next gig. My husband and I decided we should take a last-minute trip. We have traveled extensively but had never traveled to SE Asia. I’m particular, so I’ve always planned our vacations to ensure I could control the experience. Unlike previous trips, I did not have months of time to plan or perfect my trip, and I knew that I needed to call in a pro. As a matter of fact, we only had three weeks from the date we started planning the trip, to the date we wanted to leave.
I started researching online and found Sandy mentioned by Wendy Perrin. After doing my research and reading all of his reviews, I was intrigued. We had a call with Sandy, he was (miraculously) willing and able to work with us, and we decided to hire him.
Sandy worked miracles to not only plan a great vacation in three weeks, he truly planned the trip of a lifetime. We already had round trip flights from San Francisco to Singapore when we called Sandy. He booked the rest of our trip. Our itinerary was:
San Francisco to Chiang Mai, Thailand (via Singapore)
Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang to Siam Reap, Cambodia
Siam Reap to Phuket
Phuket to Singapore
Singapore to San Francisco
Every part of this trip was memorable. Sandy set us up with knowledgeable local guides in each location. He took care of every detail on the trip and constantly surprised us along the way. I travel for work, so I’ve been fortunate to stay in some of the nicest places in the world. Sandy gave us options at multiple prices and his hotel choices are now some of my absolute favorites.
Trip Highlights
In Chiang Mai, we explored temples, visited local markets, and did shopping away from the tourist zones with our guide, a local artist in Chiang Mai. She was very knowledgeable and a joy to be around. We received a monk blessing, cooked with local farmers, visited the hill villages, and hiked to waterfalls. We took a meditation class with a Buddhist monk at a royal temple built in the 14th century. This class will forever change our meditation practice and our lives. We had amazing food, stayed at a world-class hotel, and soaked up the local history, religion, and culture. This city is fabulous and our guide was best-in-class.
After Chiang Mai, we flew to Laos. The scenery is stunning and despite the devastation caused by the Vietnam War, the people are warm and welcoming, We visited an elephant rescue center and did a half-day hike in the jungle with elephants. We also visited temples, markets, and local villages. We participated in Alms giving at dawn and had a blessing with monks. We climbed caves and swam in waterfalls. We took a three-hour boat ride and watched the sunset over the Mekong River. We visited the Hmong tribe, spontaneously attended a Hmong funeral (no joke!), and attended a Baci ceremony that was given in our honor at the family home of our fantastic local guides. I cried when I left Laos. Our guides, a husband and wife team, were amazing. They welcome us into their home like family. I wish I could give them a hug today, as we sit worlds away.
After Laos, we headed to Siem Reap. It was hot and dusty when we arrived, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. And then, we arrived in our new home, the Jaya House River Park. This may be my new favorite hotel in the world. It is casually elegant, sustainable, and staffed with the most amazing people I have ever met. During our stay, we saw the sunrise over Angkor Wat, one of the wonders of the world and the largest religious monument in the world. We visited the circus and saw many temples. They are all spectacular. It was hot, but our exceptional guide knew the right time to maximize our visit without ever getting overheated.
We had many magical moments in Siem Reap, but on our last night, we had one of the most unique dates I’ve ever experienced. It included a local village tour, a private palm frond weaving class, and an ox cart through local villages and through the countryside. We hiked to a local lake and took a boat across the lake at sunset. After the sunset, we feasted on a candlelit five-course dinner in a beautiful garden by the rice paddies. I’m so grateful we had this experience – it was truly once in a lifetime.
If you have a chance to work with Sandy, he is the best in the business. He created memories that will forever change our lives. As I write this, most of us are not able to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I can’t wait to travel again. And when I can take my next adventure, Sandy will be the very first person I call.
Incredible experiences last a lifetime. Sandy – we thank you for making our dreams come true.
Sandy Ferguson and his team exceeded our high expectations from our first communication to our departing flight from Viet Nam.
We travelled as three couples. We outlined for Sandy in a conference call what we enjoy in travel and what we hoped to experience in Viet Nam. He considered our conversations and proposed an itinerary with detailed descriptions and multiple options if we decided to revise any proposed daily event or activity.
Our local guides, who accompanied us with drivers everywhere, were outstanding: knowledgeable, interesting, flexible and responsive. One learned of our love of flowers and suggested that we visit the Hanoi market, open from 2:00-6:00 am. He slept in the van outside our hotel so he would be ready for us at the agreed 4:00 am meeting! Others arranged meetings with tailors, provided deep personal perspectives on various cultural practices and traditions, learned our tastes in art and directed us to the perfect studios.
Our itinerary was extensive and varied. We visited cultural monuments and museums, ate on sidewalks and in 5 star restaurants, immersed ourselves in Tet preparations, enjoyed Viet Nams finest hotels, experienced rural living in fields, rice paddies and local dwellings, biked, hiked, rode Jeeps and Vespas, speed boats and a yacht–all in memorable settings.
Our days and most evenings were filled with interesting activities. We enjoyed Viet Nam’s stunning landscape from Hanoi to Saigon, learned much about Viet Nam’s reverence for ancestors and its history, particularly its experience during the Viet Nam war, marveled at the local peoples ingenuity, work ethic and capitalist drive, reveled in the colorful and festive week leading to the Tet celebration.
Viet Nam is a bountiful country filled with peaceful, hardworking people. The country has virtually no crime, every meal was made with the freshest ingredients which are ubiquitous and plentiful.
Go to Viet Nam. If you want to ride bikes in the countryside and enjoy hidden gems everywhere, if you want to relax and learn, if you enjoy delicious food or studying history, if local markets and varying religious histories and practices fascinate you, if you want the perfect vacation without hassle, then contact Sandy Ferguson. We intend to return soon, and would not consider doing so without involving Sandy for every detail.
Sandy Ferguson has a formula for a great trip to southeast Asia. The hotels he chose were extraordinary from the service to the design to the amenities. We were surprisingly rarely among other Americans. This was a truly personalized engagement. Each guide met us at the airport and whisked us to our destination all the while explaining details of the region and our upcoming activities. The drivers were friendly and safe. There was always bottled water and cold towels to refresh us when we retuned to our luxury vehicle. We had cell phone numbers for each of our guides and they were available to us, on call, what felt like 24/7. Prior to our trip we had hard-copy, detailed, itineraries with suggestions for additional activities. The trip was mostly culturally and historically focused. Our young adults were a bit bored with all the temples we visited and ceremonies we sat through. Our only complaint was that we wanted to experience new trend-setting dining options and unfortunately, our guides felt old-school.
Our trip to Hanoi was superb, and well beyond our expectations! We could never have had the experiences we did without Sandy’s assistance. The cruise to Ha Long Bay was memorable, as was the multi-generational dinner we had with a Hanoi family. The people were so lovely and welcoming, we treasured the time we spent with them. We also had an amazing stay at the Hotel Metropol. Although the hotel itself is magnificent, the history, including a tour of a bomb shelter buried in the basement of the hotel, was unforgettable. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Sandy’s itinerary was perfect!
Sandy is an Asia travel expert par excellence. There’s no question that we couldn’t have done this trip without him. If you want a luxurious, authentic, personal trip with extraordinary experiences, Sandy will deliver.
I love to travel, and over the past several years have used a number of different specialists to help plan and execute my trips. Thus, I have experienced some trips that were great, and some not as much, sometimes due to the specialist. They simply can make or break your trip for many different reasons; from choosing guides, understanding your wishes, keeping in touch during the trip, and having the ability to be flexible and of assistance. I can say, without the slightest bit of hesitation, that Sandy Ferguson and his team have shown me exactly how to do it perfectly! From the beginning, when I spent time on the phone with Sandy discussing what I was looking for in a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, to suggested itineraries, to confirming details, to excellent hosts (guides), to the continuing reminders that everything was flexible (which was very important to me as I like to be flexible and have encountered guides that do everything in a “cookie-cutter” manner), and, at one point completely changing my final day in Vietnam, Sandy’s team delivered. A special kudos to Christina, the specialist based in the US. She responded professionally and promptly to all of my requests, and was always full of cheer and great information.
My trip took me to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Siem Reap, and then Saigon. Everything and everyone were magical; the trip was absolutely amazing, all due to Sandy’s group. I have already decided to book another trip, likely back to Cambodia, and then on to Laos, Thailand, and Burma sometime in 2020. Needless to say, I will go through Sandy and his team! I cannot reiterate how excellent this team is, and how wonderful they are to create the perfect trip. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
From the first exploratory conversation with Sandy Ferguson, my husband and I had a feeling of his caring, interest, knowledge and love for the area of Southeast Asia. He took the time to discuss the countries we were interested in visiting and exploring and outlined different options, including Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong. During the decision-making process until we finalized our trip, Sandy was helpful and asked numerous questions regarding our likes and dislikes which enabled him to coordinate a trip resulting in the types of activities which reflected the core of our discussions. An example included our enjoyment of being on the water and boats; Sandy scheduled us on a specific tour by boat vs. by car, which provided not only a scenic route but avoided a long, tedious car ride in rush hour traffic. We met people on an excursion, who we ran into during our trip, as they had a similar itinerary to ours, which differed in arrival/departure dates. They were able to offer their opinions regarding stops, activities and options, such as the one I outlined above. Sandy paired us with wonderful Hosts who had a vast knowledge of their specific city along with a good knowledge of other areas of the country. Traveling between countries was seamless; all arrangements were confirmed and the Hosts were all well versed in the airlines’ requirements to take the burden away from us. The multiple suggestions regarding tipping, clothing, packing, etc. were extremely helpful. The trip met our every expectation and we were exhausted, but energized at the same time!
In addressing the second question, I would stress that when initially discussing preferences for travel, including physical activities, water activities, biking, walking, etc. that the travelers be as specific as possible. As I mentioned, we discovered that other travelers with Sandy’s company who were on a similar tour had a different travel experience, by car and not by boat, which they mentioned changed their feeling for the day. In one particular city, we felt that we had an unfortunate experience where a laundry vendor who was recommended by the Host, used a scale which doubled the weight of the laundry. Both to our eye and using the scale in our hotel room, we felt that we were overcharged by double the amount of the laundry. Based upon discussion with the host, we felt that he may have been duplicitous, but we have no proof, but left us with an uneasy feeling.
Thank you and we will be contacting you in the future.
We had a specific objective for this trip. We had been to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangkok some years ago and seen what are probably the highlights of Southeast Asia. We wanted to return to the area, but go only to places where we had not already been. So by definition we were going to end up with a trip that omitted the blockbuster attractions in the area. We also told Sandy that we had heard that beaches in southern Thailand had gotten so crowded that we did not want to go there.
Sandy spoke with us, understood our objectives and the constraints we were imposing, and came up with an itinerary and hosts (guides) that met our objectives. We ended up going to Chiang Mai and vicinity, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle, a two-day boat trip down the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, southern Laos (Champasak, 4,000 Islands, and Bolaven Plateau), and eastern Thailand near Khongjiam.
The four hosts were knowledgeable, and made interesting additions to Sandy’s itinerary, such as a cooking class near Chiang Mai, the cave near Chiang Rai where boys were stuck and miraculously rescued in 2018 (which amazingly has already become a big visitor attraction with a small museum), and the beautiful modern Sirinthorn Waradam meditation temple in eastern Thailand. And the ceremony and dinner at the home of two of our hosts, Paan and Ek, was very special and memorable.
After we booked the trip, one of us had some health issues, and Sandy and the hosts went out of their way to accommodate our new constraints. We were well taken care of, and we saw and learned a lot.
Sandy and his team were knowledgeable, interested, friendly and most importantly, flexible in the planning of the trip. The execution was precise. Our special interests were planned for in detail. The logistics went without a hitch. When there was a minor issue toward the beginning, they responded quickly so there was no recurrence. I would use Sandy’s group again and have already recommended them to friends.
Our travels started in northern Thailand (Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai), down the Mekong river to Luang Prabang Laos, Angkor Wat, and ending in Bangkok. It was flawlessly arranged and accomplished. Sandy has many great reviews and deserves them. Sandy and the tour guides know each other. He has personally picked them. This is what makes Sandy different. We have never had guides better than the ones from this trip. What makes them good are the following qualities. Beyond being very knowledgeable, which is a basic expectation, they all love their country and love their job. They also had dynamic friendly personalities. And finally, they are not locked into a set itinerary. Adjustments were made for the type of interactions that we were seeking. For example, driving to a Buddhist royal temple in Chiang Mai to participate in an evening chanting and prayer recession that was occurring because it was a full moon. Walking out on a rice patty to talk to the farmers. Stopping at a school in the country side in Laos to sing with the children. None of these events were on the set itinerary. But Sandy encourages his guides to add and adjust things on the ground.
We just got back from a 2.5 week trip to Vietnam and Cambodia arranged by Sandy. The short of it is the trip was wonderful and we highly recommend Sandy and his team. To begin with, the hotels and boat Sandy picked were fabulous. Particular favorites were the Metropole in Hanoi, the Antara in Hoi An and the Au Cu cruise. The guides and drivers Sandy arranged for us in each of our destinations were wonderful — knowledgable, helpful and flexible. We learned so much about local culture and religion, current and historical. And the special events Sandy knew about and directed us towards were unforgettable, lunch and meditation in a Zen garden, a visit to an orphanage, a private dinner at a secluded, extraordinary place in Siam Reap, a Vespa tour, sunrise at Angkor Wat, and the list goes on. The trip was not to be missed, and Sandy and his team are the ones to arrange it for you.
Sandy Ferguson was outstanding. We told him we wanted to go to Thailand with our 19-year old son and that we wanted to visit our former exchange student in Bangkok and that young man join us in Phuket. Sandy made everything run seamlessly. The guides he had for us were AMAZING and our guide in Bangkok, Pablo, was the epitome of a diplomat. He showed us amazing things while also guiding our exchange student and his non-English speaking parents. The elephants and the cooking class in Chiang Mai were remarkable and our guide there, Nikki, was terrific. The resort in Phuket was gorgeous! The highlight of the trip though may have been Luang Prabang, Laos, a place we didn’t even know we wanted to go! Our guide Paan was remarkable. She was so open and she shared her life with us. We had dinner at her home with her aunties and uncles. The food in Laos was superb. The Rosewood property was more than we could have hoped for in a hotel. We enjoyed every moment. I highly recommend Sandy Ferguson. We plan to use him in the future to go back to Asia to visit Cambodia and Vietnam.
We just returned from a three-week trip to northern Thailand, Laos and Viet Nam. Reading the comments from Sandy Ferguson’s previous clients, all we can see is…AMEN!
Never in our lives have we enjoyed such an enriching trip. Neither my wife nor I had been to Southeast Asia, and given the language and geographical challenges, having an experienced planner and local guides was essential. The six guides who accompanied us were universally knowledgable, easygoing, responsible and eager to share their insights. Some had worked with “Uncle Sandy” for a decade or more.
Given the region’s history, it was fascinating to hear about the guides’ family stories and their perspective on the Viet Nam War. They all seemed to speak candidly, they held diverse opinions, and we were given historic context we never would have received otherwise. By learning about the region’s history, we gained new insights into our own country’s past.
Given the richness of Thai, Lao and Vietnamese beauty, culture, food and history, it is true Sandy has a lot of material to work with. That said, he makes the most of things. He put us into situations – such as a daylong visit to an elephant refuge or a nighttime Vespa ride through the insane streets of Ho Chi Minh City – we almost certainly would not have pursued on our own. His hotel choices were spot on.
We visited Lao and Thai villages , and met families who welcomed us into their homes, cooked for us, and shared their stories. We witnessed extreme poverty in some cases, and were humbled by the grace and warmth of our hosts. We were not expecting to encounter quite so many Buddhist temples, but the reality is the Buddhist religion is very strong in the region, and our interactions were informative and moving. In Chang Mai and Luong Probang, we bowed to the monks, gave alms, and kneeled before the Buddhas. This is not something that comes naturally for me. Being open to the culture took me out of my comfort zone, and was an eye and heart-opener. This feeling of connectedness contrasts with the emotional distance one often feels when visiting the giant religious monuments in other parts of the world.
The guides helped us navigate through the many chaotic markets. They gave us space when we needed it, and were there for us virtually any time of day or night. Sandy worked us pretty hard – hardly .a day went by when we didn’t have a mind-blowing experience or two.
Soon after our return, I spoke to a friend had visited Viet Nam several years ago. As we compared notes, it began to sink in that we had very different experiences. We both enjoyed our trips, but I found myself holding back, because I simply didn’t want to gloat.
Thank you, Sandy, for helping make our trip so special.
Cambodia and Vietnam. November 2018.
The second time we have used Sandy (the first was around 2011). This trip we contacted Sandy to tack on a 10-day visit to Vietnam and the temples in Cambodia following a stop in China to visit our son. I sent Sandy a proposed itinerary and he very politely responded with “are you sure you want to spend that many days in these locations? Might I suggest these alternatives?” Of course, his alternatives were far superior to my original plan. That is what makes a great travel agent. They take the time to understand what you want and push back when they have better ideas than the ones you come up with. Great experience working with Sandy and he connected us with great guides in each of the cities we visited.
Four bits of specific advice I would have for anyone visiting Cambodia and Vietnam:
1) Pace yourself at the temple complexes around Angkor Wat. Sandy had us on a two-ish temple a day pace with a midday break to enjoy the hotel. Great way to avoid temple fatigue and actually appreciate what you are seeing.
2) I had heard Ha Long Bay was crowded and overrated. Sandy convinced me to put it on the itinerary, booked us on the boat GINGER, and we had a spectacular time, one of the highlights of the trip.
3) TripAdvisor highly rated the AO show at the Saigon Opera House. I booked it on my own one of our nights in town. If you have ever seen a Cirque de Soleil, you will be underwhelmed.
4) Conversely, Sandy set us up with a Vespa tour of Saigon which I was skeptical of. What a wonderful experience. Don’t miss this if you visit Saigon. It will really help you understand the rhythm and dynamics of the city.
This trip was planned flawlessly. It had a variety of activities and the guides were very good. We very much appreciated having lunch provided each day and the flexibility of the guides to also go out with us to the night markets. The hotels had all our requests in place and we were given beautiful rooms. I would highly recommend Sandy Ferguson.
Sandy and his team did a fantastic job taking care of every little detail of our almost one month long trip to Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. We stayed in small boutique hotels that were simply marvelous and the local guides made the trip great. They were always eager to meet our needs and change the itinerary at a moments notice. I’d highly recommend Sandy for any trip to Southeast Asia.
Sandy Ferguson organized our first ever trip to Vietnam (3 weeks) in March 2018. Wow!! It was simply fabulous! Every detail was flawlessly arranged. Our hotels, guides, drivers, locations we visited just superb. Having Sandys guides at each location made all the difference. They were local, took us to interesting places, were fun to be with and had incredible knowledge to share. Because of our guides, we were able to have two very interesting interactions with local families who invited us into their homes. Without interpreters, it simply would not have been possible. It was one of the MANY highlights of our trip. I can’t recommend Sandy highly enough. We would use him again in a heartbeat!
Sandy planned a fabulous, well-rounded trip to Vietnam and Siem Reap. It was filled with a variety of cultural and fun experiences, sights and cuisines. Our local hosts were superb. There was not a question we asked they did not know the answer to. Beyond their knowledge and efficiency, they were warm and wonderful people who looked after us and were able to satisfy our every wish. We saw places we would never have found on our own and had experiences we never, ever would have planned on our own (Vespa night in Ho Chi Minh City–so much fun!). The hotels ranged from very good to divine. All in all, an exotic trip of a lifetime.
Sandy and his team listened to what kind of trip we wanted and planned it exactly according to our interests. Every place we stayed was amazing. All the guides highly qualified and all the logistics went off without a hitch. The pre-trip communication was excellent as well.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Sandy and his team.
Sandy did a great job planning our trip. He spent time with us on the phone ahead of time to find out what we wanted. He arranged private guides and drivers in each of the places we visited. The guides were all very good. Nikki in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai was one of the best guides we ever had. She was very willing to switch things up as the days went on. We said we liked hiking, so on one day notice she rearranged the days itinerary to include trekking to a remote Akha village and having lunch at the trekking guides house and then hiking to a waterfall and through a tea plantation. It was a highlight of the trip. Sandy also suggested we do the Vespa Rouge tour in Saigon – which wasn’t even a part of the trip he was planning. This also was a highlight of the trip. Sandy also suggested we use Cranky Concierge for our plane flights and they were exceptional – I would use them again for any of our complicated plane reservations. Giving alms to the monks was a very interesting part of the tour – lots of Sandys recommendations were good. I really liked most of the hotels he suggested. The 147 Pillar House in Chiang Mai was special and we really liked the location and feel of the new Azarai in Luang Prabang. I’d highly recommends Sandy to others.
Travel Dates: November 2017
I contacted Sandy to arrange a private tour following a week-long conference in Danang. We exchanged very informative emails and a phone call; Sandy had many suggestions for us and was happy to accommodate our keen interest in history, both French colonial, and American War. We had been to Vietnam once before so we had some idea of what we wanted, but working with Sandy definitely enhanced our options.
From the moment we were picked up in Danang, all of the logistics were excellent: comfortable cars, pleasant drivers, guides; everyone was on time and at our service (even offering to help after official hours if needed). Hotels were excellent and when our hotel in Hoi An was damaged in a monsoon (before we arrived), Sandy and his team took care of it – we received an email from them explaining the situation and confirming a different hotel (that we liked very much!).
I think what makes Sandy and his team special are:
a) the flexibility they allow with the day’s plans even after you arrive
b) the unique experiences we were offered that we could never have orchestrated on our own. The Zen House in Hue, a day bicycling in Hanoi (with terrific bikes and a professional bicycle coach as a guide), and private meetings with two scholar-authors (Hue and Hanoi) for hours of conversation about the French colonial years, Communist government, American War and periods thereafter.
While one of our guides did not meet all of our expectations (he was very kind and eager to please, but had some communication and knowledge gaps), our guide in Hanoi (Ken) was one of the best guides ever. Energetic, fun, willing to spend a lot of time talking over coffees and beers, and always pointing out something that we would have missed on our own. In summary, Vietnam is now our favorite country in Asia and we believe that’s because of the trip Sandy and his team organized for us.
After an excellent experience using Sandy for our three-week trip to Vietnam early in 2017, we reached out to him again when my wife had to go to Southeast Asia at the end of Sept. on business. The plan was for me to meet her in Bangkok once her business was complete, tour the city for two days, then off to Luang Prabang, Laos. There, the local host was phenomenal, with the highlight being a dinner with the elders of her family. A great experience! The next morning was Bun Ok Pansa, the day of the October full moon and the end of the monks’ fast, which we celebrated with them by providing them alms. That evening was a night of lights and celebration.
From Luang Prabang, we flew to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and spent a day with elephants (walking with, NOT riding them) and Sunday evening at the large local street market. It was a fantastic one-week trip and I would heartily recommend Sandy and his hosts for travel in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. His local contacts and hosts in these countries are unparalleled.
Sandy Ferguson arranged a wonderful trip for my daughter and me to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, and Beijing. The arrangements and the hotels were perfect and the particular destinations, generally suggested by Sandy, were great. Our guide in Luang Prabang took us to her house for dinner with her aunts and uncles, and they performed a Buddhist ceremony that was fascinating and gave us insights into the culture.
I can’t recommend Sandy Ferguson and his team highly enough. He was absolutely wonderful to work with. Everything we wanted to see (& more!) was on our itinerary. The hotels that we stayed in were top notch and the guides that he arranged for us in each city were the best that we’ve ever had! This was our first extended length trip (total of 33 days) and not once did we think that we were ready to go home early. The key is that Sandy worked with us and our budget, and listened to our interests and preferences and made sure that they were incorporated into every aspect of our trip. Having total flexibility in our itinerary was key and we worked with each of his guides to tweak the itinerary as desired or needed. When the monsoon wiped out our hotel in Hoi An, Sandy immediately booked us into a delightful alternate hotel that actually was much closer to the old town. I wish that Sandy worked in other areas of the world because we would work with him everywhere! If anyone is considering visiting Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam I would say Sandy and his team are the ones for you!
Trip of a lifetime!
My husband and I had the trip of a lifetime that was perfectly planned and executed by Sandy and his team. We visited Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia for two weeks. The planning alone with the number of internal flights, hotel and guides was flawless. Sandy gave us so much planning material on each country before the trip so we were well versed in all three countries.
We have been using Wendys Travel Advisors for ten years and Sandy had the most detailed travel pre-planning material we have ever seen and was super responsive to our many questions before the trip and also was very accessible during the trip than anyone we have used to date. That is saying a lot since we have had very good /excellent experiences with all the travel planners, however, Sandy listened to our needs and matched us perfectly to hotels, guides, etc.
We loved our first guide through Thailand (Niki)-I felt we knew each other in another life! Touring Thailand was phenomenal, especially Chang Mai. 137 Pillars is a beautiful boutique hotel-Ann and her team at Pillars were nothing short of amazing. We really appreciated when Sandy acted so quickly when the Chang Rai accommodation did not work out–we were thrilled to go back to Pillars and with an upgrade! Between Nikki and I praying in three of the wats, making merit—especially Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Sthep and Chedi Luang it was an experience of a lifetime to feel that connection to the culture and Buddhism. Patara and the elephants was incredible, the night market really grew by 1000x since I last saw it at CM and was a lot of fun. We went to see how silk was made and of course, we had a shopping bonanza with Niki!
We loved the view from the Golden Triangle and we wanted to see the hill tribes in Chang Rai which were almost lost in time and Niki was very flexible in taking us there since we did not pre-plan that event. I can’t even name everything we saw and we cataloged all 1,000 of our pics and 40 videos. The hall of opium was really interesting and we had a late lunch at Antara tented elephant camp and the view/ food was fantastic in the Chang Rai area.
The most touching gesture was Nikki gifting us for our anniversary a set of beautiful spoons on the last day of our journey with her. She is a kind and loving person and took such good care of us-an amazing guide that fit us perfectly.
Luang Prabang was nothing short of delightful and Paan was a fantastic guide and host. The Mekong cruise was stunning to the Buddha caves and to her village and the food Paan made was delicious for our boat trip. Sandys pick of Manda De Laos for our anniversary dinner was perfect. The Lao waterfalls was beautiful and fun. I knew I was serious when I got up at 5 AM and sat in the street (no chair!) and it was magical in giving alms (sticky rice) to the monks from the 12 monasteries. One of the biggest highlights of this trip to Laos was helping cook Paans family dinner at her house. Her family was nothing short of amazing in welcoming us—the food was delicious and the rice whiskey was fantastic. The dinner really got interesting after that!
Paan, like Niki, was so kind and generous and she also gave us two embroidered small weaves for our anniversary.
We really liked Cambodia. Siem Reap is a hopping place and the Park Hyatt was lovely. We loved Kanha, our guide or as my husband called him “KO”. He was a great guide through Angkor Wat and kept us away from all the tourists and his knowledge of AW was astonishing. Both my husband and I got up at 5am-( we think it was 5 am as we both had no clue it was so dark) and went to the Monastery on the hill before sunrise with the monks and Khana. We had a private blessing from the monks and a breakfast outside the temple as the sun was rising, An unforgettable experience. Khana also treated us to a sunset boat ride after a day of touring AW, with drinks and snacks around the AW wall which was lovely and relaxing.
Khana also recommended a fantastic restaurant (Malis) where the special dish is wild black hill pigs that Cambodian farmer raise. Fabulous food!!! He was a great host, took amazing pics for us and of us and even taught us how to use the pano function on our iPhone correctly.
By the time we got to Bangkok we were greeted by our 4th guide Pablo, who was great and we wished we could have spent more time with him but we were only in Bangkok for 2 nights. The Mandarin Oriental is a stunning hotel and was right on the river. Probably one of the 10 best hotels we have stayed at and the staff was outstanding. Pablo took us on a boat ride on the river which was really interesting to the royal palace. My husband wanted to go to the Muay Thai fights which are the national sport of Thailand. I was “meh” on the Muay Thai, but Sandy recommended we go and I am glad we did. It was a lot of fun and the crowd in the stadium who were betting on each fighter was hilarious. Pablo was explaining the whole nature of the rituals and sport to us which was very helpful.
All in all, the planning, care, and execution was superb, and a life experience that we will cherish forever. We met so many interesting people from all over the world and did not watch the news back in the US which was liberating because we were so busy having fun. We are hoping to go back to other parts of Thailand and visit Vietnam once we accumulate enough air miles with Sandy!
Visited Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia
Nov/Dec 2017
As an organized person who has a lot of attitude about where I go/stay on vacations, I don’t want to spend precious time and $ on travel mistakes. I also love for someone else to do the organizing. I’ve found My Man with Sandy Ferguson.
The trip we just went on with Sandy (Nov 2017) to Vietnam and Cambodia was flawless, and my saying that is rare. I gave Sandy our time constraints and “must do’s,” including breaking off from his plan for 3 days for a Mekong River boat trip, and he hit all of our goals plus more with a quality and cohesion that I couldn’t have managed. He knows the cultures and the expertise of the guides so that flexibility and education are built into every day. One guide even stayed overnight in the area when we were on another boat in Ha Long Bay just to make sure she didn’t run into weather or traffic problems retrieving us when we returned.
Our group of four couldn’t even choose our “most favorite thing” at the end of our trip because there were too many winners. If you’re looking for a seamless, high quality vacation that gets you away from the hordes and gives you insights and experiences into the culture you’re visiting, Sandy’s your man.
Every detail was taken care of. The trip was spectacular from start to finish – from guides to accommodations to making last minute changes in our itinerary to meet our whims. We had the trip of a lifetime.
My daughter and I traveled to Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia in May, 2017. Sandy Ferguson and his team did a fantastic job to make our trip memorable. They know all the best spots for dining and sightseeing so you don’t waste your time waiting in lines or viewing something that was not worthwhile. They also provided great experiences which went beyond traditional sightseeing to include visits with monks, Buddhist blessing ceremonies and a family dinner which included helping in the kitchen. We will never forget this amazing vacation thanks to Sandy.
My girlfriend and I just returned from 9 nights across Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia under Sandy’s guidance.
Trip of a lifetime. As someone who has a tough time outsourcing anything, it was tough for me/us to put this “big” trip in the hands of someone else – but what Sandy put together was nothing short of great.
The best part about working with an agent like Sandy are the unique activities that you get to experience ONLY because you worked with them. Makes it well worth it. Our guides were also incredible and made the trip that much more cultural and authentic.
Living in Vietnam for part of the year, Sandy Ferguson has an excellent knowledge of the country and was very helpful in narrowing our focus in the planning our 3-week trip. His in-country hosts were all fantastic. Do Chu Hung in Hanoi has an encyclopedic knowledge the area. He easily struck up conversations with local residents which led to very interesting conversations. Tran Day Ngoc, who was with us for Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang is very charming and knowledgeable. Duong Huynh Hoai Chau (“Buffalo”), also very knowledgeable, went the extra step to help us locate the location of the old Victoria Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. My late father was in that hotel in 1966 when a truck bomb exploded outside, collapsing the hotel wall. The build still stands and is now a dormitory. On the last day of our trip, Sandy had added a private art tour. We thought it was going to be at the Fine Arts Museum, but instead, we went through several private artists and collectors highlighting the history of Vietnamese art.
Our travel time to Vietnam was limited (11 days, including fly time from the East Coast), but Sandy put together an itinerary that allowed us to experience the best that the country had to offer. From the traditions of the Old Quarter in Hanoi to the sleekness of Ho Chi Minh City, with beautiful countryside vistas and relaxing beach time in between, our trip was amazing! In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, the local guides he lined up were warm and personable and gave us a personal insight into Vietnamese culture. We highly recommend working with Sandy and his team!
During the planning process, Sandy listened to what was important to us when travelling, and was able to provide important feedback based on his experiences in SE Asia. Our trip to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia was exactly what we wanted. His guides are some of the best we have had, and we have traveled all over the world. They were prompt, courteous, attentive and extremely knowledgeable. We really appreciated their flexibility as well! We were able to change the plan based on our energy levels, etc. His guides in Laos brought us to their home for dinner ( we assisted with the meal prep of local Laos dishes) and afterwards many of their family members joined us to give us a wonderful and very memorable Buddhist blessing ceremony. It was a highlight!
I will definitely use Sandy and his team in the future when we travel to SE Asia! I would highly recommend Sandy and Asia Desk to other travelers!
We just returned from a 6 week introduction to Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Northern Thailand and Myanmar. Our objective was to get an authentic taste of the region that took into account our age (70’s) and curiosity. Sandy with his suggested destinations, activities in each and team of guides and providers delivered the goods wonderfully! The best things we got from our trip were valuable learning (history,cultural differences, etc) and a more comprehensive understanding of the economic and cultural dynamics of the region. Thank you Sandy.
Just returned from 3 weeks in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Sandy is extremely knowledgeable about SE Custom designed travel with personal guides and drivers. Recommendations were right on. Seamless arrangements. Guides were all local and very knowledgeable and able to make us “feel” the culture of the country. First rate in every respect. Highest recommendation.
We returned from our 2 week trip to Northern Thailand, Camobodia and Laos arranged by Sandy Ferguson and his team. We had initially scheduled the trip a year previously but due to scheduling conflicts had to postpone a year. That allowed us the time to really spend some quality time with Sandy to focus on how to optimize our experience in the 2 week period. His recommendations made a significant impact on the quality of the trip. We could have never have planned the trip without Sandy in having the outcome we experienced. Way beyond our expectations in respect to destinations, guides and our ability to connect personally with them added to the experience. The boutique properties were awesome and made a huge difference in comfort and experience. We typically make our own arrangements on many of our journeys to provide the freedom of exploring without any restrictions but in this case having Sandy guide us made the trip a home run. The people, countries, cultures and experiences were truly magnificent.
We just returned from a two week trip to Northern Thailand, Laos, Siem Riep and Bangkok & vicinity planned by Sandy and his team. It was an amazing experience that including all very knowledgeable private guides and drivers and beautiful unique hotels. We especially liked the Mekong two day cruise to Luong Prabang , a city that was a highlight of our trip. Our tour guide grew up there and provided special experiences with family and friends that we will always remember. Also our tour guide at Angkor was wonderful – navigating the site so for the most part, we missed the tourist crowds. Bangkok was our least favorite – a day in town is all you need, though our hotel on the river was nice and unique, their attention to detail made all the difference.
In Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, Sandy Ferguson planned extraordinary experiences! He did what other agents did not do: he listened carefully to what we wanted to see and planned a truly custom trip for us. He cautioned us about places that were crowded with tourists, and instead he sent us to lovely villages where people were planting vegetables, running fish farms, and weaving with river grasses. Those unique visits on dirt paths lined by simple homes (most without running water or electricity) were exactly what we requested.
His guides in every spot were intelligent, informed, and enthusiastic about their histories. Sandy encouraged us to make a stop in Hue, which gave us the opportunity to see this historical city that was an elegant capitol city and that is being restored to its original beauty by UNESCO. Sandy’s guide helped us understand all the history of the country as well as the Buddhist philosophy as represented in the temples and in everyday life.
Every hotel property was beautiful and well-located with stunning furnishing and welcoming staffs. He scheduled our stops around the cruising dates on the Mekong River so that we could see much rural life during three days, with fascinating side trips each morning and afternoon from our boat, the elegant Aqua Mekong.
At Angkor Wat his guide paced each visit so we had enough time at each fabulous sight, seeing the very best temples at a relaxed pace, while avoiding times that mobs of tourists were present. Each day seemed better than the previous one and left us thinking it “couldn’t get better!” Sandy knows each city because he lived in the area for years–so he is invested in sharing the best and most fitting experiences for clients of all ages.
We were careful during our search for an agent because we were investing a substantial sum in this trip. And he delivered everything he promised. Each arrangement he made for us–internal air flights, entrances to all sights, delicious lunch stops, and quiet rooms– was smooth and well-organized. We departed from the USA on Thanksgiving 2016 and spent 18 days without a single worry. Anyone who trusts Sandy with their travel plans will undoubtedly be thrilled with their experiences.
We just completed a Laos/Thailand trip, our third Southeast Asia tour with Sandy. As always, the guides (almost like family), hotel selection (with detailed room selection) and flexible venues were excellent.
Our recent trip to Southeast Asia, arranged by Sandy Ferguson, was spectacular.
Everything about this trip more than met our expectations. I would say that it greatly surpassed our expectations. Neither of us had ever been to Asia although we have travelled extensively in South America and somewhat in Africa and Europe. We were in awe of the sights that we saw, the people that we met—especially our guides—and the food that we ate. I have been working to put some order to the thousands of pictures that we brought back and I’m only as far as the Mekong Delta, which is about only a week and a half into the trip.
We were very impressed with our eleven flights that comprised the trip. Cathay Pacific was exceptional, so much better than the American airlines that we have travelled. Our Vietnam Airline, which we used for most of the internal flights, were all exceptional, as was Thai Airlines. We could not believe the level of service on even just an hour flight. In business class we always got linen placemats and napkins and some form of a regular meal. In the states, we would have had to bring our own bag of peanuts.
Although the trip from JFK to Hanoi for long and exhausting, it was manageable. One point about the schedule that I’d like to make is that although we often landed in a new city after nightfall and dark, we could get a full night’s sleep before going out exploring early the next day.
We both feel that we learned so much—primarily because of our guides’ expertise—that it was almost like taking a college course in the history, culture, architecture, traditions, religions, and cuisines of the places that we visited.
We started in Hanoi with Ken, who did a great job of acclimating us to Southeast Asia. We both found what we learned about the “American War” from the North Vietnam perspective eye-opening. One of the highlights was visiting the bunker under the Metropole Hotel where Joan Baez took shelter during one of the bombings. All of the places that we visited were fascinating, including the Old Quarter—our cyclo ride was most memorable—the Ethnology Museum, the water puppets performance, which I would not have chosen on my own to attend but that turned out to be fascinating, and the Ho Chi Min Monument.
One really special part of the trip that you arranged were the local lunches with the various guides. We have travelled with several private tour companies but none of them did the local lunches. What a great way to really experience a country/region like the locals. We loved having the Obama Combo at the very first place that Ken took us to. About the only suggestion I might have would be to put some comment into the itinerary about how it’s okay to try food at these local places. Every piece of information that we have gotten prior to these exotic adventure trips warns about eating local food. It took me a while to realize that no guide was going to suggest that we try food that he thought might make us ill.
The seaplane ride to Halong Bay was very cool even though it was a cloudy day. We’ve never landed on water before. The Au Co cruise was exceptional, especially the people who took care of us on board. Speaking of the people that we met, both Greg and I continue to comment about how nice everyone was, how much they wanted us to like their country and culture and food, how hard they worked to make our experience so pleasurable and memorable.
Our second guide, Ngoc, accomplished a truly impressive feat—he made us forget about the downpour during our first day in Hue. The weather was not great while we were in Central Vietnam but Ngoc helped us to maximize the time that we spent there, including our ride on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Citadel, the Forbidden City, and the Imperial Museum. Danang and Hoi An were both great too. We especially enjoyed Morning Glory, a local restaurant that Ngoc recommended. Our trip to My Son was very informative and got us ready for the Angkor Complex later in the trip. We also managed to see a Hindu dance/theatre performance that was very impressive especially since we saw it out in the jungle. One of the highlights of the entire trip, though, was our visit with Ngoc to the Zen Meditation Hose in Hue where we had a fantastic vegetarian lunch followed by a most tranquil meditation ceremony. Neither of us had ever experieinced such a session before. In addition, the house and grounds were beautiful.
Ho Chi Min City was a very different experience because it was such a bustling metropolis. On our second day, we discussed with Henry about doing the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta. Since we had visited the caves in the Marble Mountain in Danang with Ngoc, Henry suggested the Mekong and we are very glad we took his advice. We got to visit quite a few small villages, traveling by boat and horse-drawn carriages. It was very informative and fun.
Visiting Angkor Wat was really the genesis of this trip. I had wanted to see those ancient temples since I was young. It was right up there on my list with the Pyramids and Machu Picchu, so I was a bit concerned about my inflated expectations. No need for that. Our stay in Siem Reap was more than spectacular. I think the main reason for that was Ken Ya’s knowledge and experience. He knew when to go where for the three days that we were with him. His recommendation that we get up before dawn to experience the special Buddhist meditation ceremony at Phnom Krom. Your itinerary was definitely correct about its uniqueness.
Greg and I are still commenting that Ken Ya’s suggestion about the direction to visit Angkor Wat made that site so great because we came in opposite the way all the crowds were coming. And the sunlight was perfect for picture-taking, which, of course, will make my job of sorting photos from Siem Reap so much more difficult!
Other highlights form the Angkor Complex were enjoying drinks at sunset on the moat of Angkor Thom—Ken Ya really pours a gin and tonic!—and our tuk-tuk carriage ride out to Ta Prohm, Ta Nei, and Ta Ken our first morning in Siem Reap. After visiting Ta Nei, Ken Ya and our tuk-tuk driver arranged for a short break of local foods and beverages out in the jungle before heading on to another temple. We loved the longan berries that we had there and several other places. Every temple that we visited was different and beautiful in its own special way.
I had no preconceived notions about what we would see in Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai. I had never heard of either city before I saw your itinerary. What great times we had in both places. All our guides were wonderful but Ek was a standout. He simply went far beyond the usual expectations. For example, on our excursion to the waterfall, he brought us some delicious flan that he had made. All the places we visited with him were interesting and his steady stream of information was very helpful and really gave us a sense of the culture and history of Laos. Obviously, dinner at his and Paan’s house and his family’s Baci ceremony were a once-in-a-lifetime experience as was our visit to the All Lao Elephant Camp at Ban Noun. I had expected a short ride on the elephants, but our 45-minute trek, including crossing in the river, was outstanding.
Chiang Mai was exceptional as well. Just when I thought that I had seen enough temples, Nikki brought us up the mountain at sunset to Wat Pra Borommathat Doi Suthep and the next day to Wat Pra Singh the “Silver Temple” where we had a special blessing by the primary monk under a canopy of strings. Nikki also surprised us with a great trip on another horse-drawn carriage to Wiang Kum Kam on our way to the airport.
Pablo did an excellent job of taking us to see the highlights in a whirlwind trip of Bangkok, including the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace, a long tail boat ride on the Chayo Phraya River, the Reclining Buddha Temple, and our day-trip to Ayuthaya.
When we got home, our friends asked us what was the highlight of the trip. We both said that the entire trip was the highlight! I would cite, though, that the people that we met were the real highlights. They made us feel welcome and a very real part of their culture and country.
Accommodations were terrific. I especially liked the Pillars House in Chiang Mai. Our “butler” there, Toto, was exceptionally helpful. Its setting was spectacular, as was La Residence, Anantara, the Park Hyatt Siem Reap, and the Luang Say Residence. And having dinner at a window table in Lord Jim’s in the Mandarin Oriental overlooking the bustling river Bangkok was unbelievable. Starting our trip in the historical wing of the Metropol in Hanoi was a great way to begin the trip. The only accommodation that I had a less than stellar opinion was the Caravelle in Saigon. While we were upgraded to an apartment suite, I didn’t think the service nor the view from our window was up to the level of the other accommodations.
Still, this was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Northern Thailand, Laos, Cambodia (Siem Reap), Bangkok
When you have traveled a lot, to say that a trip may be the most remarkable you have ever taken is a pretty big statement. That four seasoned travelers, who have worked with many guides and specialists, agree wholeheartedly says even more. Wondrous aptly describes the countries we visited, but it was the high caliber planning and quality of the local hosts (guides), led by Sandy Ferguson and executed by the Asia Desk team, that resulted in 16 spectacular days. We highly endorse working with them.
Here are some reasons why:
Sandy grew up in and has lived all over the region. It is in his blood. He is not just sitting back and rolling out tried and true itineraries. He wants to open up this part of the world to you in the most fulfilling way possible. This is clear from the outset. We had numerous phone and email exchanges from which Sandy well synthesized the specific trip goals of four adults. Several draft itineraries were crafted from these conversations to get to our final one. This was not just a schedule of stops; it yielded many “wow” experiences.
The level of detail of the itinerary is exemplary and includes information about not only where you are going, but also photographs of each of the guides with their cell phone numbers and bios. There is a definite willingness and flexibility to change the itinerary at a moments notice depending on your desires or energy level on a particular day.
This is feasible in large part because of the quality of the local hosts who are part of the Asia Desk extended family and not random subcontractors. They are enthusiastic, responsive, warm, unique, and special. They welcomed us into their homes and spotted many reasons to stop spontaneously for a must-see experience. They love what they do.
We are so pleased with Sandy and Asia Desk that we already recommended them to friends and family for recent trips to Thailand and Vietnam. All returned raving about this team.
We worked with Sandy to coordinate a trip to Vietnam for two weeks in late December through early January. The trip exceeded our exceptions. Everything was coordinated perfectly and unique to us. The guides were fantastic and they made the trip special. The last night riding around Saigon on a Vespa tour set up by Sandy was one of the highlights of our rip. We will definitely be going back to Southeast Asia and look forward to working with Sandy again.
Sandy and his team arranged travel for 21 days beginning with Hanoi and finally, Saigon, Vietnam including private tours as well as travel plans and accommodations with weeks stay at island beach resort off Krabi Coast in Thailand and weekend in Bangkok.
He also suggested going to Thailand after our Vietnam segment and discouraged us from visiting the beaches in the Philippines due to the potential for weather problems. Boy, he was “right on” as a typhoon crossed through the Philippines during our Vietnam visit so we appreciated his honesty! He recommended resort island we had not considered before- called the Pimalai in Koh Lanta Thailand — it was 85% of the experience of Aman resort at 1/3 the cost of Aman! (We told Sandy, we were Aman junkies ) he tried to offer a new place with the same high quality of experience! We loved it!
Our three guides were very thorough- friendly- and extremely focused on making us happy!
In hindsight, we probably would not have booked as many days with guides ( we were played out on history) and just needed more relaxation time! The guides took that feedback and helped us another way like making restaurant recommendations and also booked spa facilities! His guides love him and they do right by him!
In route, Sandy also informed us about city and country wide changes in Thailand with the Kings passing– likely closure of some palaces and temples that would have been normal tours. We had been to Bangkok a number of times, so we delighted in going places that are NOT the typical first tour! We definitely like the more unique exclusive places to visit and to meet the people !
Sandy was extremely thorough and very organized! Very fast on all follow-up and extremely knowledgeable about the region! He grew up in Bangkok! I would highly recommend Sandy!
If you want to visit Southeast Asia and don’t make you arrangements with Sandy Ferguson you are making a big mistake . Just returned from a most magical trip. We were cared for and informed at every part of our journey. Ready to do another.
My initial desire to go to Thailand was to interact with elephants. The experience suggested by Sandy Ferguson, Patara, exceeded my high expectations! It was a wonderful day interacting with elephants and their mahouts. Sandy also suggested we begin our trip on Ko Pha Ngan, which turned out to be a great way to adjust to the time difference and get introduced to Thailand. Our guide in the North, Nickie, was the best!
I have enjoyed many trips enhanced by wonderful guides (and some made a little less perfect by guides who were not up to par). The most amazing guide I have ever had, however, was one who took every request into consideration, and listened to conversation to learn more about us and what we wanted to experience. We were teamed with Le Thi Hang for the Northern portion of a trip to Viet Nam, a trip arranged by Sandy Ferguson and his team (AWESOME!) Hang actually stopped our driver in the middle of the road in Dien Bien Phu when she saw an engagement procession on a side street. We got out of the car, watched and followed as she explained the traditions to us. Some of the young men spoke with her and before we knew it, we were invited to the engagement party, and were honored guests! This is just one example of her willingness to go beyond the itinerary, and off of the schedule to make our trip more than we could ever imagine.
Sandy planned a honeymoon trip for me and my bride to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand (southern islands and Bangkok) in February – March of 2016. The experience he crafted was perfect – perfect in concept, orchestration, imagination and detail. I say this as a veteran traveler – I speak french and spanish, have worked and lived in Paris and have traveled throughout Europe, south and central America and to Hong Kong. Sandy’s work was the best I’ve had yet, and his in-country guides are thoughtful, dedicated folk who add their own magical touches to the experience. It is clear that he is very close to them and their families and cares a great deal about them. It is also very clear that he worked closely with them to make our experience into the adventure we’d hoped for. I thought it might be helpful to describe a few of his guides that met us along our journey.
Kheleur, our guide to Angkor Wat and Cambodia – welcoming, gentle, accommodating and masterful in his plans. Subject matter expert in the temples. We loved how he created seamless transitions between touring and our wild events (for example, candle-lit dinners on rural tropical estates, sunset cocktails on the water about Angkor Thom) as much as we loved the archeological tours, evening cruises and dinners themselves. The boat tour and the villa dinner merit special praise – he made them appear as if magically created. The midday respite to allow for physical training (and swimming and napping) was brilliant.
Ek and Paan, our guides in Luang Prabang and the Laos countryside – warm, kind, absurdly welcoming. We were treated as family – I felt unworthy! They gave us love and generosity. Ek sparkles with goodwill and joie-de-vivre. He also seems to know every single person in town. When we through a wrench the plans he had made for us (we changed a lunch site and some afternoon touring) he cheerfully accommodated – and facilitated – our wishes as if it were nothing at all.
Pablo, our guide in thailand and Bangkok – we loved Pablo. Enthusiastic, a careful listener, an eager and engaged teacher of Thai culture and history, a gentleman whose goodwill and blithe spirit are as radiant as his smile. I am sure he has brought hundreds to the same five temples, has taken the same longboat cruise every week for years, and could apply for permanent citizenship at the flower market. You would be unable to tell – at each stop of the white van, he would genuinely brighten as he shared our discovery of each new scene.
Truly, the journey Sandy crafted for us was educational, exciting, restorative. Cannot recommend highly enough.
We had an incredible experience visiting Northern Thailand and an additional day in Bangkok. In Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai our tour guide, Nikki, brought us to sights and restaurants we would never have dared to venture to on our own. Her enthusiasm and love for country was evident throughout our visit. Nikki was attentive, could almost read our minds, and made our trip most memorable. From taking us to tiny specialty restaurants to arranging massages for us and even getting our laundry done after a day with the elephants, Nikki certainly contributed to our enjoyment of northern Thailand. We also enjoyed our brief visit to Bangkok and learned a great deal from our guide Pablo. Asia Desk did an outstanding job putting together this trip for us.
Truly awesome 16 days in Southeast Asia (December, 2015)
Words cannot describe our 16-day “trek” through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, all professionally arranged through Sandy and his team. We generally like to plan our trips independently, however, trying to navigate Southeast Asia and fit everything we wanted to do in a somewhat limited time-frame would have been challenging, especially in unfamiliar countries. From our very first email encounter with Sandy to the many subsequent phone conversations with him assisting us with planning, to our wonderful in-country hosts in each of 5 different locations, every activity, every detail was executed flawlessly. We were concerned that we had created about an overloaded itinerary, but everything went smoothly and without a hitch. Having a private car made hopping from site to site extremely efficient, and we enjoyed the personalized tours and historical/cultural discussions everywhere we went. All the hosts were welcoming, enthusiastic and knowledgeable in their individual regions. While historical sites were important to us, the local food culture was equally important. We wanted to dine where the locals dined, and our hosts pointed us in the right direction. In Hội An, our host even arranged for us to take a Vietnamese cooking class. (This past week, we made the Phở that we learned to make in Hội An!)
Sandy’s great customer service and expertise made our SE Asia trip an extremely positive experience. We highly recommend him!
From the beginning, Sandy Ferguson really listened to what we said we wanted for our multi-generational trip – and made terrific suggestions to complement our must-dos.
Here’s one of the things I liked best: When you’re traveling with 12 people, age 10 to 78, and are extremely jet-lagged (13-hour time difference for most of our trip), it’s helpful to have someone who has listened what what is truly important, and has designed plans that accommodate everything from allergies to injuries to complete exhaustion.
Here’s the other thing I loved: The planning was flawless. There were no problems with internal flights, errant guides or drivers, hotel reservations that somehow disappeared. All of the arrangements worked like clockwork, which (having had a very different experience on other trips) was deeply appreciated.
The guides were, for the most part, excellent. While I wasn’t wild about our guide for the Cambodia part of the trip (he was okay, but not great), our guides in Thailand and Laos were memorable and added immeasurably to the overall experience.
Sandy and his team know their stuff. If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, you couldn’t ask for anyone better!
Our family had a fantastic two weeks in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos thanks to Sandy. We would highly recommend him.
We are just back from a wonderful two weeks in Vietnam, all arranged by Sandy Ferguson. It was everything we hoped for and more. My husband and I enjoyed the planning process, picking places to go, amount of time spent in each, and discussing hotel alternatives. Sandy’s recommendations were perfect. Our guides were amazing and made great restaurant suggestions as well. For a trip perfect in every detail, call Sandy!
We recently returned from an 11 day trip through Thailand which was developed and executed for us by Sandy Ferguson at Asia Desk. From our initial email and phone inquiries and through the process of planning of the itinerary, we found Sandy to be very friendly, open and engaging and with a wealth of information and advice that ultimately translated into a very memorable trip. Our initial stop in Bangkok was coordinated for me along with a conference which I was there to attend and providing local activities for my wife and daughter. We especially appreciated Sandy’s early on advice to ditch the conference hotel and to book our stay at the Oriental – just incredible and well worth the small inconvenience in travel. The following week we traveled to the north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Our local guides in each city graciously and enthusiastically managed every aspect of our itinerary while in Thailand, from our airport meetings and departures, through the planned tours and transportation to local venues and advice and various recommendations. We would highly recommend Sandy and Asia Desk and hope to have the opportunity to engage their services again with future travel in the region.
Sandy and his team are fabulous in organizing and executing a trip that is literally without a flaw. The guides are extremely knowledgeable, most accommodating and a pleasure to be with. The whole experience was outstanding from beginning to end. Most highly recommend.
My wife and I engaged Sandy to arrange a trip for us to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, Can Tho, and Angkor Wat, for two weeks in November 2015. We had an extraordinary trip that we will never forget. It all revolved around our hosts at each destination, selected by Sandy’s team, who were unfailingly helpful, kind, and entertaining companions, able to adjust to our interests and lead us to experiences we would never have found on our own. Beyond that, the planning was impeccable and the accommodations excellent (and, in the case of the Metropole in Hanoi, in a class of their own).
My wife and I relied on Sandy to plan a two week trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos for October 2015 and it is hard to describe how great an experience it was. We had never worked with a travel agent before and quite frankly weren’t sure it would be worth it or be our style. But, Sandy planned a trip we never would have been able to put together on our own, but yet felt like exactly what we wanted. For example, we asked for him to arrange for us to tour some of the major sites, such as Angkor and the Grand Palace in Bangkok, with academics. He arranged for true leaders in their field to spend days with us discussing the sites and the surrounding communities. Their love of and connection with these places made the visits so much more rich. Moreover, the local hosts know exactly what you should see and how to avoid being there when everyone else is trying to see the same site. There were numerous times at Angkor when it was just us and our guides. Our host in Chiang Mai took us to Doi Suthep just as the sun was setting and everyone else was leaving, which turns out is the exact right moment to listen to the monks begin their evening prayers and watch the temple turn on the lights, which sparkle off the pagoda. Because the hosts live in the area full time, they also greatly add to the experience. They can take you to their favorite artisans, markets, and food vendors so that you actually engage with the community and get a sense of what “real” life is like. In Laos, a highlight was cooking in our host’s home and dining with her extended family, which was just wonderful (and delicious!). I won’t describe it as a trip of a lifetime, but that’s only because we really hope to work with Sandy again.
We just returned back from our most memorable vacation to South East Asia – Sandy & team: THANK YOU for planning our perfect journey! We visited Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Saigon, Siem Reap and Bangkok — so much to see but we were happy to touch so many beautiful and different cities and cannot say enough good things about each place.
Everything was flawless – the hotel choices, our incredible guides, the exceptional levels of service, and the amazing places we visited – we truly would not have changed a thing.
We absolutely loved the unique and local touch in each city. Our guides treated us not like tourists but like family. We only wish we had more time to continue exploring this exceptional part of the world with Sandy’s guidance. It was the trip of a lifetime!
Sandy and his team at Asia Desk arranged a trip for my wife, son and myself to Vietnam and Cambodia. Unfortunately we had a 12-day time restriction so what we could do and where we could go was limited. That said, what they arranged surpassed our wildest expectations. From Hanoi and Halong Bay in the north to Hoi An and Hue in central Vietnam, to Saigon and the Mekong Delta in the south, the trip was first class. The accommodations were superb, the food fantastic and the cultural experiences more than we’d hoped for. None of this would have been possible without our guides. Simply said, they are the best. Their knowledge, willingness to taylor to our needs and genuine love of what they do is first class. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we moved on to Cambodia and Siem Reap and it did! Once again, to Sandy and his entire team, a heartfelt Thank You. We will return to visit what we missed.
Vietnam May 2015 — Wendy, Sandy’s done it right! Our trip to Vietnam was more than we could have possibly imagined. And all due to Sandy’s hosted approach to travel. Having a host (guide) escorting us around and explaining things not only “showed us the sights” but also gave us insight through personal perspective in the country’s way of life. Big groups don’t always work for us, so we found this one-on-one approach that Sandy put together for us was exactly what we needed. We are already thinking of how we can use him again. Thanks, Sandy, we loved it. George and Jill.
Sandy planned our honeymoon of a lifetime! We couldn’t have asked for a better travel expert to work with, and every detail of our trip was perfect. Sandy was knowledgable yet flexible during the planning process, and he worked with us to fit our itinerary to our budget and interests. He made both the planning and travel process stress-free. Before leaving for Thailand and Cambodia, Sandy’s detailed itineraries and guides provided us with all of the information we would need while on our stay, allaying any worries about traveling to the other side of the world.
Upon arriving in Asia, not one stone was left unturned, and every aspect of the trip not only met, but exceeded our expectations. Our guides in each location were all amazing. They were friendly, knowledgable, flexible, and professional, and they really made the experience something truly unique. The hotels that Sandy put us up in were all gorgeous with top quality staff and customer service. Further, Sandy had let each hotel know that we were on our honeymoon which made us feel extra special!
Our honeymoon was the trip of a lifetime, and it wouldn’t have been the same without Sandy being involved in the process. We would recommend him to anyone planning a trip to Southeast Asia and hope to go back someday and use Sandy again!
I have to say that we had the most amazing trip ever to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The owner, Sandy, has lived in Thailand and is married to a Vietnamese lady. Sandy speaks fluent Thai and English. Talking to him is like having a history lesson every time you have a conversation. We were gone for 3 1/2 weeks to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Sandy and his staff developed the most amazing itinerary complete with guides, hotels, transfers, planes, daily activities, and more. Sandy spends time in these countries every year developing relationships and seeking out the best places for his guests. These relationships mean the best possible trip for you. And believe me, they look after you. We were surprised and pleased at the level of detail that went into organizing our trip. We were so spoiled on this trip, saw so much, learned so much. It was truly an amazing experience. Thank you Sandy, Christine, Jackson, and anyone else that was involved.
Khob Kun Na Ka for all that you and your staff did to make this a truly amazing and remarkable experience. We would definitely recommend you and your company to anyone wanting to travel to Southeast Asia.
We have just returned from a 3-week trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The holiday was perfectly organized and it was full of special and unexpected moments. The hosts were knowledgeable, informative and attentive. Not only did they ensure that we saw all the important sights, they also took us to places and events that were obviously not on the tourist trail. This added enormously to our experience. Thank you Asia Desk for a magical vacation.
It is hard to describe how much we LOVED our two-week trip to Thailand and Cambodia in February 2015, facilitated by Sandy and his team! From our initial planning call to the time we departed Thailand for home, everything was extremely well-organized and pleasant. As someone with a busy schedule, it was so nice to know we had a reliable and skilled team taking care of our itinerary and trip details. With Sandy’s expertise, we felt like we were really able to make the most out of a two-week window in seeing beautiful Thailand and Cambodia. While all of the locations/activities and hotel properties were amazing in their own right, the personalized attention and service from Sandy’s local guides was really what impressed us the most. Each went above and beyond to make sure we had a special experience and a first-hand view of their culture–whether it was taking us down for a walk in a rice paddy in Northern Thailand, witnessing a special temple ceremony, or helping us order some delicious Thai food at the best local restaurants! It is apparent that they take tremendous pride in what they do and want to give clients a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All in all, we couldn’t have asked for a better trip–we will hopefully be back in contact with Sandy in the future to plan a trip to Vietnam which is also on our list of places to see!
My wife and I — plus a friend — completed our second trip to Southeast Asia in the past six years using Asia Desk and were very happy with Sandy’s arrangements and attention to detail. In each case, we spent almost a month — the most recent trip took us to Northern Thailand, Myanmar, Hanoi and Siem Reap — and wished we had spent longer. His guides are terrific, knowledgeable and — important to us — happy to talk about their backgrounds, life, country and social issues. Even more important is Sandy’s ability to react and fix things such as he had to do in Myanmar when one of the airlines we were using stopped flying for several days. He and his staff were able to re-book us without any significant change in our plans. We have also recommended him to friends who have used him and were very satisfied as well.
We traveled to Thailand and Cambodia for our honeymoon for 3 weeks in January 2015. It was a trip of a lifetime made possible by Sandy and his team at Asia Desk! We chose Sandy because of his extensive experience and his own personal passion for this area of the world. We knew we would have insights and service that would allow us to really be immersed in the culture and also enjoy some of the luxuries we were looking for on our honeymoon!
Our trip was impeccably planned from the beginning and after all our wedding planning, it was nice to rely on Asia Desk to take care of all the details. It was convenience and luxury all the way and we never worried about any of the logistics. From the moment we landed we were worry-free and were able to truly enjoy our trip with all the incredible food, people, history and activities. Our 3 weeks were planned perfectly, allowing us to enjoy busy days in the city of Chiang Mai and Bangkok and a completely unplugged week on the magnificent beach at Pimalai. Siem Reap was much more touristy than we thought but still worth every minute of stepping back into ancient history with all the beautiful ruins. One of our favorite things was going to the Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai, and spending an entire day with our own elephant. Incredible experience!
Our hosts were a very important part of our experience in each city. They were very informed, professional and flexible, allowing us to make adjustments to our itinerary along the way. We loved getting to know them and appreciated them for not just being tour guides but truly hosts of their home towns.
This is a trip we will never forget! We would highly recommend Sandy and Asia Desk to our friends and family!
My husband and I just returned from our first trip to SE Asia. In 21 days we went to: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong, in Thailand; a lodge along the Mekong River one night on the way to Luang Prabang, Laos; Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Bangkok, Thailand. The entire trip was expertly planned by Sandy and his team. I just can’t say enough good things about the service he provided starting a year out, helping us to decide which cities and countries to visit and how many days we needed to see what we wanted to see. In order not to miss the Chiang Mai night market, he told us which day to leave the US, (Worth it! We wouldn’t have known to do that). I remember one decision point where Sandy convinced me we should take a two-night Ha Long Bay cruise instead of the one-night one and I’m so glad I trusted him!
Everything he recommended we do was well worth our time. In fact, with a private guide and driver, it’s possible to be very efficient and see quite a lot in a few short days without getting overly tired. Each guide was local to the area and very knowledgeable. Because we had a driver at each location as well, our guides were free to talk to us while we were driven around. Without exception, everything went smoothly, from guides, to hotels, to flights between the countries. We had flexibility to change our daily itineraries which was wonderful. Also, we did Sandy’s special experience, sunrise at Phnom Krom Pagoda in Siem Reap, and it was amazing! I give Sandy and Asia Desk 5 stars for sure!
Sandy Ferguson helped my husband and I take the 2 weeks during the Christmas Holidays and turn them in to the trip of a lifetime. We went to Thailand and Cambodia. Hotel selection, guides and sites toured were just what we were looking for. We knew very little about the area yet he took our two weeks and helped us pick interesting places and had expert guides and drivers make viewing everything smooth and interesting. I would highly recommend using his services.
Sandy and his team organized a two week trip in Vietnam in December, 2014, for myself and two adult children. He did a great job, discussing options with us and setting up every detail. He knows the territory, and his guides in country were relaxed, fun to talk to, but also totally on top of everything. Even when weather forced a cancellation of our second night on Halong Bay and an emergency return to port, Sandy’s crew was there at the dock to meet us, ready with new reservations and arrangements.
This was the trip of a lifetime. We can’t thank Sandy and the Asia Desk enough for the amazing hosts and drivers as well as all his assistance with our complicated itinerary….South East Asia is a must to visit!
With Sandy planning the trip my wife and I took, we were able to stay comfortably in luxurious hotels while exploring the heart all of Thailand. From Ko Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and everywhere in between we were treated very well, slept very well, and fed very well. The local guides were very friendly and knowledgeable throughout the entire trip, with expertise ranging from history to the best local cuisine. I would recommend Sandy to anyone who wants to visit the very best that Asia has to offer.
I have never posted a review, but in the case of Sandy Ferguson of Asia Desk, it feels like a must. Sandy arranged a spectacular Vietnam/Cambodia vacation for my husband and me. The trip was exquisitely planned and executed down to the tiniest of details. His guides are superb and local so they are able to make suggestions that don’t make you feel like a tourist. Can’t recommend Asia Desk highly enough!
Vietnam North to South – What a marvelous country and a superbly coordinated trip – everything functioned like a fine Swiss watch – great venues, great hotels, great food, the friendliest and most knowledgable guides you will ever find – can’t wait to have Sandy help me with my next trip – absolutely superb
Flawless trip, everything went very smoothly. In countries which were so exotic with so many things to see, Sandy (and his outstanding guides on the land) were able to help us see all of the can’t-miss things and still help us do what we wanted to do.
Absolutely outstanding and pleasant experience and would do it again! (Hopefully we can someday!)
We have used Asia Desk with Sandy Ferguson for Thailand and Vietnam. Well organized but not too rigid, venues that entail great hotels, (often with specific room selections), and gracious, keenly knowledgeable energetic English-speaking guides. Their Southeast Asian smile is forever etched in my mind.
I have used Sandy twice. The first trip was with my adult daughter to Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. He listened to what I wanted, then offered great suggestions. His guides took great care of us, and we even went into one of their homes for a neighborhood blessing. The second trip several years later was with a girlfriend visiting Thailand. We both were very pleased. Hotels were awesome, great value for the money. If I go back to Asia I wouldn’t hesitate at all using his services. Only wish he did more countries, because it’s tough to find such a great agent.
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I’m not a travel agent—I’m a journalist who has spent the past 30 years reporting on how to travel smarter. To maximize your experience, click to Ask Wendy for a personalized recommendation for trip ideas and custom-trip designers, tailored to your location and preferences.
