Many are familiar with the Mekong River from visits to Thailand and maybe Vietnam. But there's another Indochinese country just higher up the river: Laos.

Head to an exotic locale with Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao in Laos' Luang Prabang. The luxury hotel and spa has a whole itinerary mapped out with a full-day Mekong River cruise that ends with a gourmet picnic against the Luang Prabang Mountain Range; a Lao cooking class with dinner on the hotel grounds with traditional Laotian music; a traditional Baci ceremony with blessings given by a local Shaman; and an early morning alms-giving to Buddhist monks.

It doesn't come cheap at $638 per night for Garden View Junior Suites, but you do get round-trip airport transfers and a daily buffet spread while you're there.