(Strategies) 07.10

TRAVEL BY NUMBERS Let’s face it: group trips can be a headache, especially for travelers who value their independence. But they can also bring huge rewards. Here, T+L offers up ways to make group travel easier to plan, less painful to execute and even, dare we say, fun. By LILI TAN Illustrated by WASINEE CHANTAKORN

TRAVELANDLEISUREASIA. COM | JULY 2010 25 strategies | group travel

■ RENT A VILLA Private, luxe accommodation EMERGENCY GUIDE suddenly becomes affordable when you’re sharing costs

with a crowd. On Bali, skip • PASSPORT ISSUES If someone forgets to get a visa, or their the Kuta cowboys and head travel document has less than six months before it expires, fi rst inland toward cultural capital call your travel agent, in case they can rush an order. Booked the Ubud, where nearby Villa trip yourself? Contact your closest embassy or consulate; Embassiesabroad.com lets you search by country and location. Bukit Naga (Banjar Selat, Desa Samplangan, Gianyar, Bali, • LOST DOCUMENTS In case someone loses their travel Indonesia; 62-361/941-118; documents, make sure everyone has two copies of their passport villabukitnaga.com; villas from and driver’s license or other ID. Designate one responsible person to keep a copy of everybody’s, and ask each person to keep a US$1,100 per night) sleeps 13 copy separate from their passport. If you’re traveling with two and boasts three houses with families or couples, swap a set of copies with the other party for safekeeping. Travelers without them will need to go through the two infi nity pools overlooking Crystal Cruises welcomes groups. a sacred valley. For a nominal hassle of proving their citizenship, which can take a few days. fee, a car and driver will take • ILLNESS Even if everyone is insured, coverage may not apply you into town to gallery-hop, and three chefs—including ■ ROCK OUT outside your home country. Luckily, travel insurance is usually while 15 sweet staffers will Reuben Kimber from This month, grab your fellow cheap and requires less hassle than with your regular insurance company. Compare prices at Travelinsurancereview.net, organize balé-side yoga Somerset’s historic Babington music lovers and head north. or jot down the location of the International SOS hospital sessions with renowned House—as well as an on-site Two of the biggest rock (internationalsos.com) closest to your destination. The instructor Sri Jane, or whip masseuse and yoga teacher. festivals in Asia take place in representatives there can help with most expatriate health-care Villa Bukit Naga, in Ubud, Bali. up authentic Balinese or July. First, hit up South scenarios, including air-lifting you home. macrobiotic cuisine. For ■ CRUISE TOGETHER Korea’s fi fth annual • PICK-POCKETING Keep a copy of both sides of your credit somewhere über-extravagant, While voyages at sea are Pentaport (July and debit cards along with your passport copy. So if you fi nd your make a beeline for Samui’s usually thought of as family 23–25; Incheon Dream Park, wallet has been stolen, you can call immediately to cancel them. File a police report — even if the cops don’t recover your goods, YL Residence No. 17 (117 affairs, cruises allow for big Incheon, South Korea; it will be easier to claim insurance later. The nice thing about GOT COMPANY? Moo 2 Tambon Maret, Ko Samui, groups of friends to venture pentaportrock.com; one-day passes traveling with a group? Ample friends around to spot you until Whether you’re traveling with friends or a whole other family, Thailand; 66-84/356-2388; out on day trips, break apart KRW50,000). At press time, your replacement cards arrive. ylresidence.com; whole residence for onboard activities and the 2010 lineup was still to be combining people usually means confl icting personalities. So • FLIGHT DRAMA Group discounts can have their pitfalls: when from US$4,000 per night). The then come together for mega confi rmed, but previous years your ticket is attached to another person’s, some airlines like what happens when someone strays from the herd, a couple gets expansive, 10-bedroom villa meals. Plus, being on a ship featured top-caliber acts like Cathay Pacifi c require you to travel together. So if one person into a fi ght or people just can’t stop themselves from behaving property spans fi ve hectares means no one gets lost—at the Deftones in 2009, the pulls out because of a last-minute work request or illness, it’s likely badly? To help you plan—and make it through—we’ve come and employs 20 full-time staff, least, not for too long. Crystal Chemical Brothers and OK you’ll have to buy a whole new ticket. Find out if your agent can plead your case; if not, they can at least help book a fl ight that up with the following ideas to please parties from two to 10. including butlers, bartenders Cruises (crystalcruises.com; two- Go in 2007, and gets in roughly at the same time as your friends. As for lost cost, week cruise from US$8,665 per and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in if your companion is traveling for business, their company should person), from Sydney to Bali, 2006. The following week, reimburse your original ticket, plus the cost of your new fl ight. and Singapore to Mumbai, head to the Fuji Rock Festival TRAVEL WITH… • BEHIND BARS Drugs are the main reason people get offers up Experience of (July 30–August 1; Naeba Ski arrested abroad, but drunken or disorderly behavior can get you Discovery theme cruises, Resort, Japan; fujirockfestival.com; locked up too. No matter which country you’re in, be respectful, 10 FRIENDS including fashion-geared one-day passes ¥16,800), the especially if you don’t speak the local language, and remember to say you’re sorry — a lot. Authorities will be more receptive to your There are plenty of ways to being retreat, you’ll excursions with personal largest outdoor rock event in requests, whether you’re asking them to contact your embassy to travel with a group of friends automatically attract people consultations from sought- Japan. Though last year’s arrange a local attorney, or inform the rest of your group about without splitting up, getting with the same interests and after designers and stylists, crowd-surfi ng campers were your predicament. lost or hurting someone’s holiday objectives. So while wellness-focused vacations disappointed when headliners • MISSING PERSONS Before your trip, ask everyone to make feelings. Remember, larger you may not be traveling with with yoga and other fi tness canceled their Asia sure they have mobile-roaming capabilities, or else pick up a local numbers mean better prices your BFFs, there will at least itineraries, and golf-centric leg, festival-goers are bound SIM card on arrival and have everyone save your new number. and more people to share be less bickering over where cruises guided by PGA pros. to be satisfi ed by this year’s Before a crazy night out, grab business cards from your hotel so that everyone has one handy, in case people get separated or accommodation costs. The to go and what to do, and With cruise company Costa 200-plus lineup of Japanese don’t show up at a designated meeting spot. If your buddy doesn’t key? Choose the activity more time to get to know (costacruisesasia.com), expect and international musicians, turn up eventually, make sure she’s not with anyone else before before picking the crew. In peripheral friends. Read on affordable island hopping in including groups such as the calling the embassy, which can check hospitals and contact local authorities in case you need to fi le a missing-person’s report. other words, if you’re heading for surefi re ways to make YL Residence No. 17, on Ko Samui. places like the Philippines , and

to a or a well- everyone content. 17 NO. OF YL RESIDENCE COURTESY OF VILLA BUKIT NAGA; COURTESY TOP: FROM CRUISES OF CRYSTAL COURTESY and Indonesia. LCD Soundsystem. »

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Universal Studios Singapore teenage orangutans rescued ■ GO GREEN TRAVEL WITH… (65/6577-8899; rwsentosa.com; from circuses and palm-tree From all-inclusive resorts to one-day passes S$66), the adults plantations to survive in the boutique hotels, places are TWO FAMILIES can relax at six different wild. To see baby orangutans, starting to cater to youngsters’ hotels run by the newly go to the Shangri-La Rasa higher consciousness. The opened Resorts World Ria Resort (Pentai Dalit Beach, InterContinental Bali’s Sentosa. For starters, enjoy Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia; 60- Planet Trekkers (62-361/ lavish rooms with an edge 88/79-2888; shangri-la.com; 701-888; intercontinental.com; (and a famous souvenir shop, doubles from RM520), where a rooms from US$210) is a mini- BEST WEBSITE of course) at the Hard Rock nature reserve is incorporated resort that offers children a …TO GAIN CONSENSUS TRIPPY sites.google. Hotel, escape for a treatment into the resort compound. confi ned area to play in, while The latest from Google allows friends com/site/ at Spa Villas or, if you’re The Shangri-La also boasts a teaching them to be socially from near and far to collaborate and trippysite/ plan their next reunion in real time. lucky enough to receive an quiet beach and Dalit Bay responsible travelers via green home Everyone needs Google Wave to use invite, live it up at the Golf Club & Spa, which has an activities. Your kids may not it, but adding the extension is easy if luxurious, Michael Graves– 18-hole course. For more initially appreciate the you already have a Gmail account. Family Friendly From top: The application utilizes content from award-winning travel guide designed Crockfords Tower. diverse creature contact, fl y absence of televisions at the Fun with Mickey at Disneyland Hong Kong; at Lonely Planet to easily fi nd places to stay, eat and sightsee wherever into Phnom Penh, Cambodia Cassia Cottage Hotel & Inn the Shangri-La Rasa Ria you’re planning to go. Each person can add their must-do's and must- ■ GO WILD and head south to the Phnom (Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam; 84- Resort, in Kota Kinabalu. sees to an itinerary, as well as vote and comment on everyone else’s Educational and fun, Sepilok Tamao Wildlife Rescue 4/3928-4973; cassiacottage.com; choices. After everyone has their say, just print or share the results The InterContinental Bali has a kid’s club. via e-mail. A mobile web and Android app will follow in the near Jungle Resort (Jln. Rambutan, (855/1287-5413; forestry.gov. doubles from US$65), but this future for on-location use. Sepilok Mile 14, Sandakan, kh). More than 1,000 rescued family-run, plantation-style Inviting another family on a ■ PICK A THEME Sabah, Malaysia; 60-89/ animals—including villa has distractions like a …TO SCORE DEALS trip can help quell spats, take A theme park, that is. On 533031; sepilokjungleresort.com; elephants, clouded leopards private beachfront and VALUPEDIA the pressure off an overkill of Lantau, Disneyland Hong rooms from RM28 per person) sits and sun bears—reside in this gardens to keep the young When traveling to Hong Kong, check “family time” and provide Kong (park.hongkongdisneyland. in a protected forest and helps 2,500-hectare park. ones busy. out Valupedia for great group deals » valupedia.com on Cathay Pacifi c travel packages, extra entertainment for the com; HK$350 for adults, Liberty travel insurance and trendy kids—which means more HK$250 for children) offers a hotels in the city. They have relaxation time for adults. compact, easy-to-manage everything from spa discounts to Choose a place that’s self- taste of the Magic Kingdom. exclusives with local jewelry brands, with plans to expand into the mainland China market soon. contained, large enough for For a cheaper alternative on children to run around but Hong Kong’s south side, hop …TO FIND SOMETHING DIFFERENT HOLIDAY PAD small enough that parents on a cable car at the recently This specially curated travel blog has don’t fret over their revamped Ocean Park a special tag for groups. The site’s offspring’s whereabouts. But (852/3923-2323; oceanpark. editors comb the Internet and print publications, as well as review reader fi rst, get everyone together com.hk; admission from HK$125). submissions, and then compile the holidaypad.net before booking to see how In Singapore, with the kids best ones. They promise usual, both families interact and diverted by the movie-themed unusual and especially unique ideas foresee any possible issues. rides and attractions at for vacations at beach huts to tree houses to underwater hotels. At Cassia Cottage, in Vietnam. …TO DO SOME GOOD WORLD EXPEDITIONS For trekking and adventure-travel worldexpedition. holidays, World Expeditions has com been assisting groups in planning their all-inclusive journeys since 1975. The company now has up to 500 creative and distinct itineraries, including cycling, walking and cultural journeys, and is famous for its responsible-tourism initiatives that have helped improve the living conditions of some of the world’s most far-fl ung communities. FROM TOP: COURTESY OF INTERCONTINENTAL BALI; COURTESY OF CASSIA COTTAGE COTTAGE OF CASSIA COURTESY BALI; OF INTERCONTINENTAL COURTESY TOP: FROM RIA RESORT OF SHANGRI-LA RASA COURTESY HONG KONG; OF DISNEYLAND COURTESY TOP: FROM

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Chiang Mai Thai Cookery ■ MILE-HIGH CLUB School (11/29 Moo 1, Chiang There are two things couples Mai Floraville, Doi Saket, Chiang can do in the air: jump or get Mai; 66-53/399-036; married (OK, some might say FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP thaicookeryschool.com; classes from they’re the same thing). Take Bt990), the fi rst cooking a break from gambling Ready to take group travel to the globally recognized asset- with boutique properties across school in this northern city. among Chinese mainlanders, next level? Fractional ownership management and hospitality the region. “Timeshare implies allows friends to split ownership of consultancy, fractional ownership only having a week at a resort or hold your signifi cant other’s a property. If you fi nd a place or is the “sleeping giant” of Phuket’s getting dragged in by your ■ GO GLAMPING hand and sky jump from the destination you all love and keep property industry, with shared- grandmother for a presentation. Luxury camping is the perfect 223-meter-high observation going back to, this asset-sharing ownership sales on the island Fractional ownership is a much compromise for adventurous deck of the famous Macau concept lets people buy in at a hitting two billion baht in 2008 more upmarket product and allots lower price and offers the benefi ts and totaling more than 22,000 for much more time at the home couples who still crave Tower (853/2893-3339; of owning a vacation home, minus customers. “The emergence of — a few weeks to three months comfort and amenities. Sleep macautower.com.mo; sky jumps the upkeep costs (maintenance is fractional ownership ... is each year.” in a fancy tent at night and go from M$988, maximum combined split between property holders). becoming a notable component While Asia’s fractional industry on wildlife adventures by day weight 120 kg). Then retreat to Buying a fraction of the property of the real-estate sector,” says is still immature, McClean sees and fi nding out that someone else entitles owners to a designated managing director Bill Barnett. plenty of opportunity for growth. gets the place for Christmas.” So with Leopard Safaris a secluded, all-inclusive stay number of days’ stay, so your “[We expect] shared ownership to “Southeast Asia has a lot of if your particular unit isn’t free, TRAVEL WITH… (leopardsafaris.com; from US$325 like the Westin Resort, Macau group can split the place for increase market share during the repeat visitation. In Thailand, it’s say, there’s the option of taking per person), which offers mobile (1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, bonding time or have it on an next 12 to 24 months.” 60 percent, and Australians have another apartment with the same camping safaris in three of Sri Coloane, Macau; 853/2887- individual basis as well. However, fractional ownership an affi nity for Bali,” he notes. layout and décor, which your TWO COUPLES While this has been going on “is not the same thing as a Another attraction is fl exibility. belongings can be moved into. Lanka’s national parks— 1111; starwoodhotels.com; doubles for years in the yacht and private- timeshare,” says Brendan “Gone are the days where you The upshot of all this? If you do The movie Couples Retreat— ■ RECIPES FOR Yalla, Uda Walawe, and the from HK$1,400) for pool time aircraft sectors and in housing McClean, business-development know what you’re doing a year decide to go the fractional route, starring Vince Vaughn and ROMANCE Wilpattu and Knuckles or 18 holes of golf next door markets in the Americas, the manager for LaTour Hotels & out,” McClean says. ”Fractional you’ll have a place to host your Kristen Davis—may have Teaching everything from mountain range. Or head to at the Macau Golf & Country concept for properties is picking Resorts (latourhotelsandresorts. ownership has a sophisticated friends as well as enough weeks in up speed in Asia. According to a com), which plans to introduce reservation software and rotation the year to enjoy the vacation made multi-couple traveling authentic Balinese to sous-vide the world’s fi rst fl oating tent Club (853/2887-1188; recent report by C9 Hotelworks, a the concept to Southeast Asia calendar — there’s no ringing up home on your own. Mozaic

look unappealing, but don’t dishes, classes at (Jl. resort, on Cambodia’s Tatai macaugoldandcountryclub.com; golf CHANTAKORN WASINEE worry, there won’t be any Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, Bali; River. 4 Rivers (Koh Andet rates from HK$1,550). 6 A.M. relationship-building 62-361/975-768; mozaic-bali. Island, Tatai Village, Koh Kong, In 2009, gay-friendly Nepal’s sessions on these getaways. It com; from Rp750,000 per person) Cambodia; 855/2321-7374; supreme court approved helps if both couples enjoy incorporate fresh Asian ecolodges.asia; tents from US$87) same-sex marriages, and a similar activities and want to ingredients with traditional sits entirely on water and is LGBT tourism agency called spend roughly the same French techniques. Both surrounded by thriving Pink Mountain (pinkyatra.com) amount of money. Worrying couples can learn to chop and jungle. Accessible only by is helping visitors take the about fi nances or spending balance fl avors in a state-of- boat, the resort boasts 12 next step in the country. For substantially different the-art Miele kitchen while luxurious standalone tents, a starters, couples can enjoy a amounts can make things picking up tips from world- bar, a restaurant and a marriage ceremony at Mount awkward, so make sure renowned chef Chris Salans, library, all connected by Everest’s base camp, 5,360 everyone’s on the same page. who earned Mozaic the only fl oating walkways. meters above sea level. ✚ Grande Table du Monde Pair Pleasures Clockwise accolade in Southeast Asia. from top: Outdoors at 4 Rivers; high up on the Macau For the secrets of Thai Tower; a dish by chef Chris cuisine, head to Chiang Mai Salans at Mozaic. and take a 20-minute cab ride to Kaohom Thai Culinary Cooking School (180/1 Mae Rim Rd., Moo 1, Chiang Mai; 66-53/862-967; classes from Bt1,300), set in the idyllic countryside. For longer culinary experiences, try one- to three-day packages at the CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF 4 RIVERS; COURTESY OF MACAU TOWER; COURTESY OF MOZAIC COURTESY TOWER; OF MACAU OF 4 RIVERS; COURTESY COURTESY TOP: FROM CLOCKWISE

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