ODASIE: the adventure of a French couple who redefined family travel
A Frenchman, Nicolas and a Belgian, Véronique, also parents and passionate about diving, chose to build their lives on the other side of the world, in Thailand, more than 20 years ago.
After crossing paths as diving teachers in Kao Tao, the couple founded their travel agency, ODASIE, 15 years ago.
Over the years, their perception of travel evolves.
They now understand the challenges of being parents on vacation.
These intrepid adventurers have overhauled the way they organize their own vacations.
That’s when they shifted their focus to tailor-made trips for families and honeymoons.
"
We realized that we liked the family aspect more. What excites us is creating trips that suit us, in places where we know the hotels perfectly, where we have found the best guides that we have trained in our image. People appreciate our approach to travel, because they follow an intuition and a feeling that brings them closer to their personal idea of travel
,” explains Nicolas.
An itinerary punctuated by children's naps, adolescents' vitality and parents' need to escape
What exactly should you expect when it comes to tailor-made family trips to Southeast Asia?
Among other things, to ensure that the itinerary adapts to your desires, your travel dates, and above all to the experience you want to have in Southeast Asia.
The ODASIE team immerses you in Asian culture, and transforms culture shock into carefully orchestrated wonder.
Every detail is considered, from toddler naps to thrilling adventures for teens.
ODASIE invites nature lovers to explore the old forest of Kao Sok, reminiscent of the universe of Pandora in Avatar, and families made up of teenagers bursting with energy, to venture into “fun and punchy” activities. », specifies Véronique, like ziplining in Chiang Mai.
ODASIE knows how to thrill each member of the family.
A 15-20 minute conversation is enough for the team to understand each traveler's aspirations, unearth their passions and create an itinerary that transports them.
Guided by local experts, travelers discover each city and region accompanied by a new guide, meeting authentic locals and their families, making each stop a unique and enriching journey.
Ethical and sustainable trips to the other side of the world: from scooters in rice fields to cooking classes in the jungle
Committed to ethical travel around the world, our environmentally conscious explorers make a point of rethinking the impact of each adventure.
Much more than a commitment, the responsible approach has always been part of the DNA of our two travelers.
“
It’s almost by default that we offer it, because it has always been obvious to us to travel this way
,” Véronique is almost surprised.
Respect for animals is therefore naturally a top priority, manifested in the avoidance of sanctuaries mistreating elephants and places involved in animal abuse.
The sustainable approach is reflected in the promotion of eco-lodges, hotels favoring short circuits and the use of the train, which is increasingly popular.
It offers unique journeys, such as the Bangkok-Phatthalung night train journey where travelers arrive in the early hours of the morning in the middle of this “
Thai Camargue”,
as Nicolas calls it: Phatthalung immerses you in a decorum composed of millions of lotus, water lilies and migratory birds.
A haven of peace that encourages you to settle comfortably in a floating bungalow, observing the evolving nature and the birds passing by.
Nicolas and Véronique also offer cooking classes using bamboo to cook in the middle of the jungle with rangers, to show another side of Thai culture.
As well as cruises where you let yourself be carried along the Mekong, from the Chiang Rai border towards Luang Prabang, a UNESCO heritage site.
Or tours through the rice fields on electric scooters!
“
We must visit, continue to find new places, without degrading them.
Venturing to places off the beaten track, such as Koh Phayam, this small island where the moken, the sea gypsies, live, but while respecting the environment of the populations who live there and the surrounding nature
,” explains Véronique.
Good deals on the ODASIE Plus ODASIE application
Discover ODASIE’s good deals in Southeast Asia
Recently, ODASIE developed ODASIE Plus, an application which lists all the good deals discovered by the couple over the last twenty years, from restaurants on the islands to spots for sunsets, including the best scooter rental companies.
This application creates an interaction between ODASIE tips and the nuggets discovered by travelers.
Addresses that ODASIE hastens to check by asking their friends and teams on site to go and try this “famous khao pad thai” that a traveler speaks of.
A pleasant way for the ODASIE network to collaborate on the development of this guide.
The agency also set up ODASIE Miles, allowing its community to earn points by participating, sharing plans or referring friends.
Through this application, miles can be transformed into local currency in order to donate them to charities, such as Safe Child, and NAT Krabi school of a mother who lost her daughter during the Tsunami, which ODASIE supports on a personal basis.
“
The idea for ODASIE emerged from our own experiences as parents.
Travelers recognize each other through our needs and us through theirs
,” Nicolas shares with us.
A passionate approach that extends to Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia and other destinations.
An experience that ODASIE plans to extend to South America, in order to continually offer returning customers new sensations.
An adventure to follow, therefore.