Epicopia

A Fresh, Delicious and Surprising Culinary Adventure

We invite you to travel with us and return home not just with stories about the food you learned to cook and savor but with stories of the people you met, the temples that left you breathless, and the perfect yoga session on a tropical beach at sunrise. Underlying it all is the glorious Thai and Lao food as the foundation of deeply cultural and memorable experiences.

Join us for this Thailand and Laos Experience to begin creating your stories beyond the plate.

Straight off plane in Bangkok, you are spirited to an intimate resort on the Andaman Sea where you have your first hands-on cooking experience. Visit a New Latitude winery viewed from the perspective of an elephant’s back! Return to your beach resort to relax facing a tropical sunset with a glass of local wine.

Stroll local markets, meet the people and marvel at the array of fresh, exotic foods. Enjoy the fun of recognizing dishes you shopped for and helped prepare.

In charming Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North, you experience the small, vibrant walled city, perfect for food. Stroll the streets appreciating the distinctive Lanna style architecture and meet the local people. Your cooking class in Chiang Mai introduces you to the authentic Northern Thai dishes.

A highlight will be your visit through the huge Night Market where every floor reveals more local crafts. Perhaps you will return often to the Night Market to select the perfect treasure to return home with.

Experience the essence of Buddhism and its importance to Thai culture in a special visit with monks in residence at one of Thailand’s most beautiful Temples.

Relish being involved with the cycle of food from farm to table on a leisurely trip North to Chiang Rai. Experience close encounters with indigenous people in a Thai tribal village where you share in a half day cooking lesson on the veranda overlooking the verdant vistas beyond the village. It’s the perfect experience to bid farewell to the amazing Thai culture and anticipate the peoples of Laos.

Laos has recently been featured by leading magazines and the New York Times as one of the “must see” destinations.

Seduced by the ever changing landscape and the Mekong River as you gently float along in a converted rice barge, you will have a distinct feeling you have just dropped back in time. Your nose will guide you to the galley where the chef will demonstrate preparation of signature Lao dishes before serving your meals on deck.

It doesn’t get any better than the beautiful, exotic scenery, the wonderful food and wine, with the added pleasure of good company.

Soak up village life in Northern Laos where you stay overnight in an absolutely unique eco-lodge with the pleasure of having your own deluxe private tent. But this is just the back drop for the truly memorable part of your stay. You will have the opportunity to roll up your pants and help villagers plant rice, or fish for your dinner, maybe a walk in the lush forest, or just hang out with the village residents.

At the end of the day, sit down with your hosts to a feast of local dishes. When you finally do retire, you will be lulled to sleep by the soothing sounds of tropical Asia.

After two full days on the River and several visits ashore, you dock in Luang Prabang. You suddenly realize we may have saved the best for last. Luang Prabang is a precious jewel and historically the seat of the Northern Lao Kingdom. The entire town is now protected as a World Heritage Site.

Lost in time Luang Prabang has over 40 temples, well worn earthen streets, friendly people and lodging in distinctively Lao small hotels. Awake each morning to the sound of drums and chanting. Take the opportunity to observe and participate as monks make their morning “alms” round. Enjoy the peacefulness of river walks and a rural excursion. Try your hand with the magic of Lao silk weaving and discover why Lao textiles have a well deserved reputation among the most exquisite on our planet.

All along the way, but particularly in Luang Prabang, match your slowed down pace by exploring on your own or with your Experience Director in places where you can be totally comfortable and are very likely to have the kind of peak experiences only possible when you take advantage of spontaneous opportunities.

An adventure like this would be incomplete without a leisurely farewell dinner featuring royal court cuisine, graced by Lao musicians and dancers. It’s a chance to reminisce about the immersive two weeks of shared and individual special memories and an opportunity to raise more than a few glasses to an amazing adventure. And we bet you’ll also talk about where next you might want to Explore Culinary Asia.

Let the adventures continue!

Epicopia invites you to join Nancy for this unique and memorable adventure as you Explore Culinary Asia through the Sensory World of Thailand and Laos. A detailed day-by-day itinerary of your experience is available.

Call today at 972.771.3510 or 877.661.3844 or email for information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dates:

• 2010 February 22 to March 9  Departed
• 2011 January 16-30 Reservations now open/full itinerary available

Land Price from: $4795.00 per person two sharing

Single Supplement: $1725.00

Deposit required: $1,000 per person

(Balance will be due 60 days prior to travel. Full information and Terms and Conditions are provided with Detailed Itinerary.)

Experience Price Includes:

• 15 nights’ accommodations in locally inspired hotels based on twin sharing with breakfast included
• All hotel tax and services
• Domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• All sightseeing and transfers by private air conditioned vehicles
• English speaking local guides
• All guided sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary
• 4 hands on cooking classes and 2 demonstration classes
• Meals listed as included in itinerary (32 out 45, beverages optional)
• Luggage handling from arrival through departure
• Experience Director throughout

Price excludes:

• International airfare to Bangkok and return from Luang Prabang
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Passport fees (required for all travel)
• Visa and visa fees (required for Laos)
• Travel insurance and cancelation protection is highly suggested
• Personal expenses
• Optional sightseeing not included in itinerary

Call today at 972.771.3510 or 877.661.3844 or email for information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .