Celebrate New Year in Southeast Asia with Orient-Express

  • March 4, 2011
Celebrate New Year in Southeast Asia with Orient-Express
Songkran will be celebrated between 13-15 April this year and will manifest itself in a huge water fight which will take place on the streets.

Orient-Express' hotels in Koh Samui and Luang Prabang have each created a special 'Water Festival' package, available between 4-22 April, to celebrate Songkran. Each package includes complimentary round-trip airport transfers, and full daily breakfast, as well as additional extras unique to each resort.

From April 4-22 Napasai by Orient-Express, a beautiful beach resort in Koh Samui, will be offering a dedicated Songkran package. As well as including luxury accommodation at the resort, the package will include a relaxing one hour Thai massage for two at the newly renovated spa and a complimentary lunch at either the recently opened beach BBQ restaurant, which serves fresh local seafood, or the Lai Thai restaurant, which offers French specialities and Thai dishes. Set on a hillside within 17 acres of lush tropical land, Napasai boasts the largest stretch of private beach on the island and has recently completed the redesign of 16 of its Sea View Villas. Rates for this package start from 175 GBP per room, per night.

As part of their Pi Ma, or Water Festival, package, tranquil spa hotel La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang will arrange a unique New Year Baci ceremony (traditional blessing) for its guests at New Year, as well as a complimentary city tour by local tuk-tuk. Guests booking with the Pi Ma package will also be offered a guaranteed room upgrade. Laos is deeply rooted to its Buddhist culture and this is reflected in its art, language, and many temples. The country's many unspoilt national parks and mountainous terrain offer visitors an array of outdoor activities such as trekking, kayaking and caving and Luang Prabang's two markets, which are famed for their fresh fruit, vegetables, and spices as well as their silk and linen garments, are a must see for tourists who want to take away a souvenir from the country. Prices for the Water Festival Package at La Résidence Phou Vao start from 187 GBP per night.

The ritual of throwing water at Songkran symbolizes the renewal and cleansing of the spirit and stems from a tradition where people would try to catch water used to gently cleanse statues of Buddha. This blessed water was then presented to the elderly for good fortune and to bring prosperity for the New Year. Over the years, the tradition has evolved into a water festival where people joyously throw water over each other using buckets and water guns. More information: Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises