The word city generally conjures up thoughts and images of hustle and bustle, flowing traffic, bright lights and busy night life. However, they can also serve as a peaceful retreat and the perfect place to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones, with some of the calmest and most spellbinding cities to be found in Asia.

Renowned for its exceptional hospitality, fascinating culture, delicious food and the most exclusive hotels, Asia has so much to offer the discerning traveler. So, if you are searching for some of the most relaxing places in the world, we at Luxury Gold have uncovered some true gems of tranquility to be found in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Japan.

Each peaceful haven gives you the chance to step away from the hectic rhythm of modern life, enjoy beautiful surroundings and spend a little time with yourself. Explore serene destinations steeped in Buddhist history, discover temples and monasteries, and take a walk through the well-preserved past. Maybe take the extra time to realign your chakras, practice some yoga or try meditation – a chance to focus on your mental health while enjoying a fantastic cultural experience.

These fascinating destinations are also guaranteed to take you on a mouth-watering culinary adventure. Core to Asian culture, street food is freshly prepared and exceedingly tasty and there are infinite options to try in even the quietest city. For starters we suggest that you try Pad Thai in Thailand, Pho in Vietnam and Amok Trey (fish curry) in Cambodia.

Vietnam – Hoi An

Located on Vietnam’s central coast, Hội An translates as “peaceful meeting place” and offers beautiful beaches, a laid-back attitude and an exquisitely preserved Old Town. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An was an important trading port from the 15th to the 19th Century and offers a step back in time for travelers, the perfect escape from the realities of modern life. The beautiful old town, closed to traffic and composed of small colonial style houses, is a bountiful canvas of color with architectural nods to its Japanese, Chinese, French and Vietnamese heritage. Though quiet and calm, Hoi An is a very tourist friendly city, and there is plenty to do. Admire the blanket of lanterns at the night markets and enjoy the local restaurants where you can soak up the unique ambiance of this charming city and savor tasty local cuisine.

Experience the very best of Hoi An on our Spirit of Vietnam luxury guided tour. With the help of a Local Expert, explore the former merchants’ homes, colorful communal halls, narrow lanes and traditional houses, as well as a top highlight, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. We’ll take you deep into the heart of this beautiful and tranquil city, and even introduce you to a special martial arts Master, to discover the art of healing through martial art, and to learn some steps.

Cambodia – Angkor Thom

Stepping into the captivating ancient city and temple complex of Angkor Thom is like stepping into a magical, mythical faraway land. Lose yourself among the endlessly fascinating myriad of temples, each one different from the next, and completely forget about the modern world.  Built around 1200 by King Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, a fortified city enclosing residences for the priest, officials of the palace and military, and the administrative buildings of the kingdom. The 360-acre site is built as a square, each side 3km long and surrounded by a 100m wide moat. Discover Angkor Thom, along with its famous neighbor Angkor Wat and other highlights of Cambodia on our Cambodia & Vietnam in Style and Inspiring Indochina luxury guided tours. You can’t fail to feel uplifted and peaceful when surrounded by such spellbinding architecture and natural beauty so, with its spiritual influence and so many perfect spots, why not take some time to practice a little meditation?

Laos – Luang Prabang

A traditional morning start in the charming city of Luang Prabang involves rising early and offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks, a living Buddhist tradition going back generations. Known for its Buddhist temples and monasteries, this charming, serene city in northern Laos is one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A particular highlight is Xiengthong, known as the Temple of the Golden City, and a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art for the locals. The city is partly located on a peninsula between the rivers Mekong and Nam Khan with mountains surrounding it as far as you can see, and a short walk to the top of Mount Phousi offers spectacular views.

Experience the best of Laos and Luang Prabang on our Sensational Vietnam & Laos 14-Day luxury guided tour. Stay at an exclusive hotel, The Luang Say Residence, a 5-Star boutique paradise. Stroll in its tropical gardens and enjoy stunning views and enjoy a private sunset cruise along the beautiful Mekong River.

Kyoto. Japan-ease

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a freshening oasis of calm and peace in an often crowded and busy country. Famed for its geisha’s and well-preserved architectural delights, the city is home to numerous Buddhist temples, shrines, gardens and palaces. Travelers can soak up the calm and meander through the city enjoying the local teahouses, lantern-lit restaurants and bars, and absorb the zen energy and atmosphere.

Explore Kyoto on our 11-Day Majestic Japan luxury guided tour with the help of the boundless knowledge of your Travelling Concierge. One of the city’s most iconic sights is the tiered golden temple of Kinkaku-ji, known as the Golden Pavilion (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Surrounded by a large pond and beautifully sculptured garden, the temple pavilion is coated in mesmerizing gold leaf that glistens in the sun. We’ll invite you to a special performance by a Maiko, an apprentice geisha. Central to Kyoto culture, geishas are highly skilled entertainers, specializing in classical music, dance, conversation and games, a fine art that has evolved over many centuries.

So, are all these good vibes inspiring you to take a journey to Asia? We certainly hope so. Or maybe we have awakened past dreams of visiting this vast and beautiful continent. Whatever your motivation, we at Luxury Gold guarantee you an unforgettable experience on our luxury guided tours, with magnificent hotels, VIP Experiences and truly exclusive travel with your every need taken care of throughout. Why not take a look through our new brochure for 2022 & 2023 for travel inspiration?

For more information on the stunning tours mentioned in the blog please follow the links:

• Sensational Vietnam & Laos
• Spirit of Vietnam
• Cambodia & Vietnam in Style
• Inspiring Indochina
• Majestic Japan

April 1 is known as April Fools’ Day in many countries across the world, from Japan to Brazil. It’s simply a bit of fun to most but in many places certain traditions have emerged that define it for that country. If you like a practical joke, then perhaps you’d like to take a holiday to Odessa, Ukraine, where a whole festival is held around April Fools’ Day? Otherwise, simply soak up the quirky traditions that a variety of cultures perform on or around this date.

It’s difficult to pinpoint how or where April Fools’ Day began. There are several theories, many of which seem plausible and all pointing to Europe as the place where the day took on this funny meaning.

Origins in Poetry or Fishing? 

The earliest possible known reference to April 1 and playing a prank is in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”, written in the late 14th century. In the poem, a vain hen is tricked by a fox on “syn March bigan thritty dayes and two”. Readers took this as March 32, which would mean April 1. However, scholars have argued that Chaucer states the sun is “in the signe of Taurus” for the events, which could mean it was 32 days after March.

Over one hundred years later, French poet Eloy D’Amerval referred to “poisson d’avril” in 1508, the name which the French call their April Fools’ Day and some suggest that he may be recounting the events of the day.

Concrete accounts about April Fools’ Day emerged from France and Holland around this time, indicating that it may have been a northern European tradition that spread through the Celts. The fishing season began on April 1, but if a fisherman hadn’t brought back a great catch that day, sometimes they lied about how much they had caught. If they were found out, they were the fool.

While we may not know where it originates, it is certainly celebrated in many places now. It is a time that even the national media like to prank their citizens, so before calling “fake news”, remember it’s just a bit of fun!

For the jokers among you, we’ve collected some facts and fun pranks from around the world for this April Fools’ Day.

France 

Paris-France

The French shout “poisson d’avril” for April Fools’ Day. Children draw and make paper fish at school, and people stick them to each other’s backs for fun. If you stop by any patisserie, you’ll find fish-shaped treats to tempt you.

The French media love to catch the unsuspecting public out with their own April Fools’ jokes. In 1986, Le Parisien newspaper ran a story about moving the Eiffel Tower to the site of the new Disneyland Paris. They added credibility to the story by saying that a new Olympic stadium would be built on the site that the iron masterpiece had left.

Last year, when the coronavirus pandemic had much of Europe under full lockdown, there were many news articles about nature reclaiming the streets. So, the Twitter team for the town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer had a little fun by posting some giraffes who were apparently roaming the streets of their town.

Embrace the French joie-de-vivre onLuxury Gold’s French Vogue tour. 

Italy 

Venice- Italy

Despite sharing a 515-kilometer border, the Italians and French have distinct traditions belonging to each country. However, the Italian name for April Fools’ Day is similar – Pesce d’Aprile. In Italy, the most common prank is taping a paper fish to someone’s back, the same as in France. The Italians make a game of it, where everyone in the room is asked who has seen the Pesce d’Aprile? Of course it takes some time for the person wearing the fish to realise!

There are some superb examples of the Italian media playing tricks on the public on April 1. In 1961, Milan’s “La Notte” newspaper reported that all horses would need to be fitted for signalling and brake lights for riding through the streets and surrounding countryside. Some people brought their horses to mechanics with the instructions to do so.

Join in the jokes on the Ultimate Italy tour in April next year.

Sweden 

Sweden

If you’re visiting Sweden around April 1, then you should learn one phrase “April, april dun dumma sill, jag kan lura dig vart jag vill,”. It means “April, April, you silly herring, I can fool you anywhere I want to.” Whenever the person who has been pranked realizes the jokes on them, you must say this, or the April Fool is incomplete.

In 1965 an unknown prankster delivered leaflets throughout Stockholm claiming that the water company would soon switch off the water. Households were encouraged to fill up their bathtubs and as many containers as possible to store water. The culprit of this prank was never discovered. In 2004, a Swedish newspaper reported that mobile phone owners could access 3G simply by shaking their phones – that was probably funny to watch on the day.

England 

London Guards

The one thing to remember on April Fools’ Day in England is that you must play the joke before noon, or else the joke is on you! Presumably this is to catch people out before they even realise the date.

The British media commonly take part in pranking on April Fools’ Day. In 1957, the broadcaster BBC brought in a special report about a record spaghetti crop in Switzerland, even showing Swiss workers pulling noodles from the trees.

The cutest April Fools’ joke came from Cambridgeshire police force, who introduced their drug sniffer bunny Benni to the world via Twitter.

Scotland  

Just north of the border, the Scots used to have two days for playing jokes and pranks on friends and neighbors. April 1 was called Huntigowk day, where gowk meant foolish person. The gowk would be handed a sealed message to bring to someone, that read “Dinna laugh, dinna smile, hunt the gowk another mile.”  On receiving the message, the recipient would tell the gowk to deliver another sealed message to someone else, which read the same. This would continue until the gowk realised there was no message at all and he had been tricked. April 2 was a continuation of festivities called Tailie day, where tails would be pinned on people’s backs. The “kick me” that you stick to someone’s back can be traced back to Tailie day.

Discover the great wit of British noblemen on the British Royale tour.

India

April Fools’ Day has been around for centuries in India, as a result of British influence. It has always been known as a day for light hearted joking, where children were allowed play small pranks without getting into trouble for them. These included things like replacing sugar with salt for tea or cooking, causing frustration to their parents.

More recently, the younger generations now post pranks on social media, such as making up silly news stories or trying to catch out their friends with jokes. It is not as widely celebrated as elsewhere, but many children enjoy the fun of the day.

Ukraine, especially Odessa 

If your favorite day of the year is April Fools’ Day, then it’s worth putting a trip to Odessa to coincide with April 1 on your travel list.

Since 1973, Odessa has held the festival of Humorina around April Fools’ Day. A large parade takes place in the city center with comedians, musicians and clowns putting on performances. People dress in costume to join the parade and plentiful pranks are a given. It’s a joyous event organized by comic troupe, “Masks” who used to have a popular TV show in the country.

The city’s main buildings and monuments are often dressed in funny clothing to mark the event.

Russia 

Russian’s love to have fun on April Fools’ Day. People dream up ways to trick their friends and family, from calling up their neighbors to tell them that their car is being towed (and getting the instant reward of seeing them run outside to check) to swapping their co-worker’s desk family photo for a movie still, and wondering when they’ll notice.

Learn more Russian jokes on the Remarkable Russia tour in 2022. 

Greece 

Cyclades – Greece

The Greeks believe that there is good luck to be had from pranking people on April Fools’ Day. They believe that if you successfully play a trick on someone, that it will bring you good luck for the rest of the year. Farmers believe that a couple of good pranks will bring a bountiful harvest that year, so plenty of neighborly joking occurs on April 1.

Another belief in Greece is that any rain that falls on April 1 has healing properties, so it’s the ideal time to dance in the rain.

Brazil 

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

In Brazil, April 1 is called “o dia das mentires”, meaning “day of lies”, so white lies are commonly told, with no harm meant. It has been celebrated in the country since 1828, when a satirical paper called A Mentira announced that the emperor and founder of Brazil, Don Pedro, had died. This could have been taken quite seriously, but Brazilians that believed it weren’t angry when they discovered the truth. They like to make light of things, because they believe it’s the solution to the ills of modern life. So, take anything you hear in Brazil on April 1 with a pinch of salt, in the spirit that it’s meant.

Embrace the belief of Brazilians on the Classic South America tour with Luxury Gold.

During the seemingly endless winter days, our minds turn to travel more than ever now, as many of us have had our plans restricted in the past year. There is more than a beam of light for the travel industry this year and while certain adjustments need to be made, we can take you on some exclusive tours of the most colorful cities in the world, simply from your armchair.

Whether you need inspiration for your next city break or want to know more about our luxurious tours that let you truly experience these destinations, dive into our list and let your imagination journey through the technicolor barrios of Buenos Aires, Argentina to the soothing cerulean shades of Jodhpur, India.

Venice, Italy

Whilst visiting one of the most romantic cities in the world, cruise with Luxury Gold to the island of Burano, one of the six neighborhoods’ that make up Venice. The pretty multi-colored houses that line the canals will catch your eye as you approach and the area is very relaxing to stroll around.

The tradition of painting houses in different colors in Burano actually stems from a long line of fishermen who populate the community. When returning from a day’s fishing, the fishermen often found it difficult to pinpoint their home from another in deep fog, so they began painting their homes in different, bright colors to distinguish them. Now residents follow governmental guidelines when painting their homes so it remains as picturesque as ever.

Burano is also known for its homemade lace, and many of the colored buildings now house lace shops, with different stitches representing different women. Groups of women sit together to make each piece, continuing a centuries-long tradition of working together and keeping each other company on the long days their husbands were away fishing. This sense of support infuses the atmosphere of Burano, adding to the quaint feeling of the place.

Warsaw, Poland

The capital city of Poland is a striking place to visit, and not just for the abundance of historical monuments there. The architecture of the city tells its own story, rising from the ruins of past battles, with the triumphant pink-hued Barbican, rebuilt with bricks from old buildings to the classic Soviet Palace of Culture and Science, the juxtaposition of different styles is a marvel, even to the untrained eye. On one of Luxury Gold’s luxurious tours, Harmony of Central Europe, travelers can join a Local Expert to explore the charming Old Town, which has been lovingly restored and is now a hive of activity. See the red brick Royal Castle that has witnessed some of the most dramatic scenes in the country’s history, from demonstrations to uprisings, and even the setting for a rousing speech by former President Bill Clinton.

Wander through the bohemian Praga district to admire the modern artwork on its walls and see the contrast of older buildings brought to life by gigantic portraits, flags and even recreated battle scenes. Krakow is the Polish city people talk about most, but Warsaw is slowly becoming more appreciated by visitors to the country.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Perhaps there’s something about the winter weather in Europe that inspires the citizens to reach for the more vivid shades of a palette? No matter what time of year you visit Copenhagen, it feels like walking through a fairy tale. That would explain where one of the world’s most famous storytellers, Hans Christian Anderson, found his inspiration right here in his home town.

On the Timeless Scandinavia tour with Luxury Gold, it’s a joy to land in Copenhagen airport. This is one of the greenest cities in the world, where residents rate highly on the index of the world’s happiest people. Who could blame them? A stroll through the beautiful harbor area of Nyhavn, with its well-preserved 17th century houses lining the canal is a natural mood boost, and the chance to see the well-crafted wooden ships on the water. Grab a coffee in one of the pretty cafés and watch people go about their day the Danish way.

Copenhagen is not just picturesque by day. Step into the magical Tivoli Gardens by night to explore one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. You’ll find pagodas, dragon boats, places imagined from legend and a spectacular light show every evening.

Walt Disney visited the park several times, and it’s plain to see how he created Disneyland in its image, although it’s a far cry from any other theme park you’ve ever visited.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The enchanting city of Buenos Aires comprises several vibrant neighborhoods, with each blink taking in its ambiance and creativity. From the elegance of Belgrano, that suddenly segues into the neon lights of Chinatown, every corner offers a surprise for the curious traveler. Luxury Gold guests get a chance to learn more about this fascinating metropolis from a Local Expert. Explore the upmarket Palermo that has a real buzz around its designer stores and trendy bars. You’ll also see the blooming rose gardens of the Bosques de Palermo. San Telmo is famous for its pastel buildings, many dating from a colonial era. The area is steeped in history and has a lively Sunday Fair that is popular with the youth of the city.

For even more culture, Recoleta is packed with museums and galleries so art-lovers will be spoiled for choice. Of course, it is also home to the famous cemetery, where the legendary Eva Peron rests. Little streets of tombs are framed by stunning sculptures and mausoleums, making it one of the top tourist attractions in the country.

La Boca is truly where the color of Buenos Aires comes to life. Every building resembles a Fauvist painting palette. Here, visitors will find tango studios alongside steakhouses, and many will notice the European flavor of the old port area, which is a great place to see work by local artists. Another highlight of the neighborhood is La Bombonera, where the famous football team, the Boca Juniors, play every week.

Valparaiso, Chile

In a continent that is alive with hues, Valparaiso stands out as one of the most colorful cities. It is a wonder to explore the hilly port city – it stands like an open-air gallery spread across miles. Exclusive tours such as Classic South America let guests explore the historic UNESCO protected streets and admire the natural Ampitheater setting.

The walls are decorated with the work of numerous local street artists, reflecting the culture and heritage of central Chile. Spot the murals that depict local life and the huge animal caricatures that joyfully play along the street walls. The government encourages local artists here, so they can often be seen at work with their spray cans, bringing their creativity to life on the side of a building.

The houses are all painted in pretty colors too – it seems that everyone is in on the arty vibe of the city. Many streets open on to fantastic Pacific Ocean views that further enhance the beauty of Valparaiso. Even the stone steps have poetry or song lyrics painted on them, making every footstep an adventure.

Ascend by funicular to the Museo a Cielo Abierto to find out more about local artists, or visit the barrio (neighborhood) of Cerro Concepcion to see mosaic stairs and grab coffee at a local café. La Sebastiana is another must-see, once home to the famed Chilean author and poet, Pablo Nerudo. Step out onto the terrace where he would watch the fireworks over the city on New Year’s Eve.

Jodhpur, India

Situated in the dusty desert of north Rajasthan is the Blue City of Jodhpur, aptly named for the shades of its buildings. There are many theories as to why most of the old part of the city is painted blue – some suggest that it deters termites, other that is cooling and some even say that it is a sacred color, associated with the god Shiva.

The most spectacular view of the city is from the Mehrangargh fort that sits 30 meters above the city on a perpendicular cliff. Luxury Gold guests can take in the panorama from the fort and discover more about imperial culture in the well-stocked museum of Jaswant Thada. The detail in the white marbled building is mesmerising. There’s also a merry tuk-tuk ride through the brightly-colored streets of Jodhpur to the Sadar market, where locals sell pashminas in every shade and rich fabrics.

Although some of the blue houses are certainly on the modest side, there are many interesting buildings to see in the city. Umaid Bhavan Palace, once home to the Maharaja, ruler of Jodhpur, is now a luxurious resort that was recently voted the world’s best hotel. The rose-pink turreted structure showcases multiple styles of architecture, but the result is truly impressive.

Cape Town, South Africa

It’s not just the turquoise of the ocean against golden sands, or the arresting lush landscape that spreads out from the city that makes Cape Town so colorful. It’s the culture, the food, the music that has sprung up from the grassroots here. As a Luxury Gold guest, you can explore this delightful city from the exquisite Twelve Apostles, situated right above the Atlantic Ocean. Travel to central Cape Town to discover the Bo Kaap neighborhood. The area is full of color and cheer that was borne out of hope and resilience. Dating back to the 1760s, the Dutch East India company housed many of their slaves from Malaysia and Indonesia in the houses and everything was painted white. It wasn’t until Nelson Mandela came to power that slaves had the power to buy their houses here, and painted them in bright colors to declare their freedom. The oldest building in the city is now home to the Bo Kaap museum, which is a great place to discover more about the history of Cape Town.

Bo Kaap has been inhabited by the same families for over a century, so many residents have deeply personal links with the history of the area. It is a fantastic place to explore and enjoy a typical Cape Malay meal, which is an aromatic fusion of Middle Eastern and Dutch cooking and taste the specialty cardamom tea. The area is an important heritage center for residents of Cape Town.