{"id":5949,"date":"2021-06-09T19:34:08","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T19:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/?p=5949"},"modified":"2022-08-04T23:21:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T23:21:53","slug":"six-extraordinary-secret-journeys-for-the-historical-time-traveler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/art-architecture\/six-extraordinary-secret-journeys-for-the-historical-time-traveler.html","title":{"rendered":"Six Extraordinary Secret Journeys for the Historical Time Traveller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Step Back in Time with These Time Warp Journeys<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What if time travel were possible,\nwhen and where would you visit? How many of you would jump at the opportunity\nto explore the ancient world? Time travel remains, as yet, out of our reach but\ntravel can provide a sense of journeying through time in the contrasts that it\ncan share with us as we experience cultures and destinations so very different\nto our own.  In many ways, travelling allows\nus to experience the amazing passage of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asia, a land rich in its variety\nof living cultures and ancient civilizations, has long been attracting history-lovers\nto explore and experience its enigmatic ruins and monuments, and the myriad of living\ncultures seemingly unchanged for centuries. Every destination has fascinating\nstories to tell, the history often writ clearly in stone and wood in the structures\nand architecture that make up the towns, cities and villages. And with the\nheart and soul of the culture preserved within the temples, palaces, mausoleums\nand the architecture of belief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the incredible Tulou Earth\nBuildings of Fujian, China, all the way across the continent to the Amber Fort\nin Jaipur, India. Asia brims with countless such historical journeys that offer\nan intriguing insight into the unique experience of life in these wonderful\ndestinations. Embarking on one of our Secret Journeys will share with you an\nall too rare chance in our busy modern lives, to enjoy a wonder-filled sense of\ntravelling through time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secret Retreats is looking to\ntake you on a journey on the path less travelled, to lesser-known places and\nexperiences in Asia. So, forget about Angkor Wat\u2026 well, actually, you should\nstill DEFINITELY visit the breathtaking Angkor Wat, truly a wonder of the world!\nBut the Secret Journeys we recommend in this edition will unveil for you an\nAsia unchanged by time, sharing with you, the traveller, thought-provoking and\nenriching experiences that will at once stimulate and revive you, as you\nre-discover your world through fresh eyes. This is the miracle of travel. This\nis, Secret Journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provincial Sojourn<\/strong>
3 Days \/ 2 nights <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoy your stay at a two-suite private villa set on the\nbanks of the Tha Chin river in Suphanburi with a swimming pool, staff to take\ncare of you and your own river boat for excursions. Observe local life, visit\nlocal temples and meet the monks to exchange stories about how Buddhism helps\npeople here navigate life. Take your boat upriver and discover the stories of\nthe river life as you cruise serenely past the local scenery. And simply relax\npoolside at your villa, contemplating Slow Life, Central Thailand style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this journey you will enjoy a chance to visit the ancient\ncapital of Siam, Ayutthaya. A city that once ruled a rich and powerful kingdom\nof more than a million inhabitants, with a culturally rich society that celebrated\nart and literature. All that remains of the original city today are brick\nremnants and enigmatic ruins of the palace and the city\u2019s many temples; the\ncity was sacked by the Burmese more than 250years ago. Over a period of 400\nyears, Ayutthaya went from a prosperous trade and political capital to a\ncompletely defaced city \u2013 plundered, burned and abandoned to ruin. Exhibiting\nsophisticated techniques and styles, Ayutthaya\u2019s architectural heritage is an\namalgam of Lopburi, Sukhothai, Dvaravati, U-Thong, ancient Khmer and Persian\nstyles. Today, Ayutthaya\u2019s temple and palace ruins serve as a powerful reminder\nof Siam\u2019s glorious past as well as haunting memories of one of the darkest\nperiods in Thai history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover Provincial Sojourn Journey<\/a> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lao Essential<\/strong>
6 Days \/ 5 nights<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On this journey, you will get to discover 2 capitals of Laos,\nLuang Prabang and Vientiane. Luang Prabang is the cultural capital of Laos\ntoday, and Vientiane the country\u2019s modern capital city. Located amongst the\nmountains of Northern Laos, Luang Prabang is a delightfully picturesque town\nencircled by forested mountains, with the old town, which was founded 700 years\nago, set on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers. Its\ncharming character, deep history and picturesque setting have made the town one\nof the most attractive sites in Laos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 1354 until 1563 Luang Prabang was the capital of the\nLan Xang Kingdom, a powerful Laotian Kingdom that finally split into three kingdoms\nin 1707. The town is named after the Phra Bang Buddha image, the most highly\nrevered Buddha image in the country which in 1353 was gifted by the King of\nAngkor to Fa Ngum, the first King of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Buddhism remains\ntoday of great importance to the daily life of the people of Luang Prabang, and\nthe ancient temples and monks\u2019 morning alms round populate the memories of all\nwho visit this ancient town. With the coming of French Indochina to Laos in the\n19th<\/sup> century, and the country regaining its independence in 1953, the\ntown\u2019s history is retold by the buildings on its storied streets. From the\nancient temples to the once royal residences to the dwellings of the townspeople,\nthe mix of traditional Lao and French colonial architecture is picture postcard\nperfect and preserved for generations to come by its UNESCO World Heritage\nstatus. Our journey will share with you the stories of both the modern-day\ncapital, Vientiane, and the ancient world of Luang Prabang. Connected by the\nMighty Mekong River, the itinerary can start or end in Vientiane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover Lao Essential Journey<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Taste of India<\/strong>
10 Days \/ 9 Nights<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Join for a veritable feast of a tour as you journey from\nbustling Delhi through colourful Rajasthan. You begin by visiting the city of\nAgra and the amazing monument to love, the Taj Mahal. Then continue to the\niconic cities of Jaipur and Udaipur and also stay for two nights in a lovely\nretreat in the rural Indian town of Barli. Along the way you will discover many\nfacets of Indian culture, including the country\u2019s rich, varied, colourful and delicious\ncuisines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you go footloose in the charming complex of the Amer Fort\nmade of pink and yellow sandstone, you will witness the regal finesse of R\u0101jput\u0101na.\nA timeless and majestic beauty resides in the pink city of Jaipur, steeped in\nan otherworldly charm, this city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in\n2019. And the Jaigarh Fort atop the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) where the\nviews and experience are simply magical. Then continue your journey through\ntime in majestic Rajasthan, with a stay in Fort Barli, a 350year old\npalace-fort that is today a stunning heritage hotel. Experience rural India and\nits wonderful wildlife from the comfort of your regal home. And Udaipur, known\nas the city of lakes surrounded as it is by seven lakes. Founded in the 16th<\/sup>\ncentury, in the days of the British Raj it was considered by the British as the\nmost romantic spot on the continent of India because of its beautiful\narchitecture, deep culture and wonderful natural scenery. All this and more\nawaits you on a Secret Journey in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover A Taste of India Journey<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Discover Angkor and Siem Reap<\/strong>
4 Days \/ 3 Nights<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world. Spread\nover 160 hectares in the jungles near Siem Reap, its construction started in\nthe middle of the 12th century, with its temples first dedicated to the Hindu\npantheon, and later dedicated to Buddhism. Located on the shores of the Tonle\nSap Lake, the greatest freshwater reserve in the whole of Southeast Asia, the\nancient Khmer\u2019s water management was what gave rise to the development and\ngrowth of the city of Angkor. The nearby town of Siem Reap, which literally\nmeans \u201cSiamese defeated\u201d in reference to the victory of the Khmer Empire over\nthe army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century, offers a combination of\nactivities ranging from visits to the vast archeological sites and iconic\ntemples, exploring the lake and discovering the unique lifestyles of the people\nwho literally live on the lake in the homes on stilts, and enjoying the\nsurrounding nature in the jungles and National Parks to the north of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover Angkor and Siem Reap Journey<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Earth Buildings of Fujian<\/strong>
4 Days \/ 3 nights<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A 4-day 3-night all-inclusive experience to discover the cultural\nheritage of the Hakka people of Fujian, embodied in their truly unique communal\nhomes, the Tulou. Fujian Tulou were built in the Song and Yuan Dynasties and\nhave a history that dates back more than 1,000 years. Large circular buildings\nset around a central shrine, they are built of earth, sand, lime and fired\nbrick and are typically 3 or sometimes 4 stories high. Built to house a clan,\nthese are large structures, that at one time confused the spying West during\nthe cold war who thought they were missile silos. Today these earthen buildings\nare protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in the unspoilt Taxia village, your Secret Journey\nwill take you to experience the culture of the Hakka. Your heritage hotel home\noffers a truly luxurious stay set within a village that has a history of more\nthan 600 years and includes many well-preserved original Tulou buildings. Get\nlost in culture and forget the time as you take tea in the tea rooms and\nobserve the people and their unique lifestyle. Join in a pottery workshop or\nlisten to the traditional Hakka music while admiring the timeless scenes that\nsurround you and the mountains beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover The Earth Buildings of Fujian Journey<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Last Shangri-la<\/strong>
7 Days \/ 6 nights <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Kingdom of Bhutan, a small, land-locked country of only about 760,000 inhabitants, it is often called the happiest country in the world. Bhutan\u2019s values provide for a unique intersection of tradition, spirituality, and development, making it like no other place in the world to experience. This Secret Journey across a magical Himalayan kingdom will open your eyes to a unique philosophy on national wealth, development and well-being. Bhutan is a country where the Gross National Happiness (GNH) of the people \u2013 measured as a right balance between economic well-being and emotional well-being – is valued more than the more typically important, and commercially motivated metric, GDP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bhutan is also the world\u2019s only carbon negative country with over 70% of the country forested, and where living sustainably and in harmony with the environment comes as second nature to the people. A deeply spiritual culture, based on Buddhism, the religious calendar is the symphony of daily life for the Bhutanese, a life where spirituality is reality, and where one would consider the stresses of the modern world are a truly alien concept \u2013 it\u2019s worth noting that this is also a country that functions fine even without traffic lights, imagine the stress that would generate in Paris, London or New York! Fiercely protective of conserving both the environment of Bhutan and the local culture, this is not a destination for mass tourism. Numbers of tourists allowed to enter the country are controlled to ensure that only a limited number of tourists are touring the country at any given time. Exclusive, yes, but for good reason. Discover a real world Shangri La on our Secret Journey to Bhutan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover The Last Shangri-la Journey<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Contact our Concierge on dream@secret-retreats.com for these,\nand more, Secret Journeys that will share with you timeless experiences off the\nbeaten path as our team Unveils the Essence of Asia to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Step Back in Time with These Time Warp Journeys What if time travel were possible, when and where would you visit? How many of you would jump at the opportunity to explore the ancient world? Time travel remains, as yet, out of our reach but travel can provide a sense of journeying through time in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27,25,1,251,26],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nSix Extraordinary Secret Journeys for the Historical Time Traveller - Secret Retreats Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/general-info\/six-extraordinary-secret-journeys-for-the-historical-time-traveler.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Six Extraordinary Secret Journeys for the Historical Time Traveller - Secret Retreats Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Step Back in Time with These Time Warp Journeys What if time travel were possible, when and where would you visit? 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