Teacher-turned-luxury tour operator Daniel Fraser began his love affair with Southeast Asia after being invited to teach the children of Thailand’s Royal Family at Chitralada Palace. While backpacking and hiking opportunities were plentiful, Fraser recognized a market gap when it came to upscale touring choices and founded Smiling Albino (the name is a nod to the sacred albino elephants kept by the royal family). Fraser’s fluency in both local language and culture help provide unique insight and experiences, such as lessons on how to navigate densely-crowded attractions. The company provides bespoke itineraries in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Nepal. With expansion plans into other Southeast Asian countries is underway, two new trips created this year feature a conservation-themed journey via kayak and bicycle to less-explored areas of Cambodia, and an art and culinary expedition to Vietnam. The Cambodia itinerary includes the ancient ruins of Angkor and its secret lake. In Vietnam, highlights include sampling culinary delicacies and perusing art and architecture with local insiders.