A TRAVEL club has just returned from its latest adventure - a three-week trip to south east Asia.

It was organised by Sharon and Ian Dixon who run Dixon Tours - formally known as Chiseldon Travel Club.

Sharon, 60, of Draycott Road, Chiseldon, had to miss the trip for the first time in 28 years after breaking her shoulder days before the group was due to leave.

But she said the tour party of 20, aged between 25 and 75, had a brilliant time exploring during their adventure holiday.

The group visited the Royal Palace in Bangkok and took a rice barge cruise and a speedboat trip along the Chaophraya River.

They also flew to Siam Reap, Cambodia, to see the world heritage site of Ankor Wat, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Sharon said: "Although I missed out on going they all had an absolutely wonderful time out there. It always seems worthwhile when you spend ages planning a trip to hear how much people enjoyed it.

"We have well and truly been bitten by the travel bug and to think so many other people have too because of the trips we organise, then that can only be a good thing.

"It's a hobby and a great pleasure for us to show people different cultures and the beautiful world in which we live."

Dixon Tours is a non-profit organisation that began in 1981. It is run with no membership fee and aims to bring people together to explore the world.

Hundreds have benefited from the Dixons' willingness to organise these exotic holidays.

She added: "To be able to pass some of our knowledge and experience back to those in the community for whom these things are generally dreams rather than a reality is a great personal satisfaction for us and gives us tremendous pleasure."

The highlight of the trip for many was seeing the sunrise and sunset riding on the back of elephants at Siam Reap.

They also spent a week travelling on the luxury Pandaw Ship travelling along the Mekong Delta before ending up in Saigon, Vietnam, for two nights.

Monica Thompson, 58, of West Swindon said: "The trip was fantastic. It was interesting to see how the people out there live and work. I have to say my favourite part of the three weeks was visiting the temples in Siam Reap's National Park. To think they were discovered under so much jungle is amazing."

Dixon Tours has previously visited many far-flung locations including New Zealand an astonishing eight times - with another visit planned for January.

Plans are already in place for trips later this year to the United States to visit New England and, closer to home, Normandy and Versailles in France.

If you would like to find out information on future trips, call Sharon or Ian on 01793 741210 or email sharian@clara.co.uk.