We have some old ideas about what makes great travel experiences. We’re interested in history, architecture, art, food – the stories – and the incredible changes under way around us. We like to keep learning things and prefer to be walking than sitting in a coach.

We’re a boutique company in every sense – offering in-depth walking tours of Saigon and Sydney, tours around books and other special interest tours and customised travel advice.

Vietnam by the Book is our first long tour in Vietnam. There are more to come – including Sydney by the Book  and Australia by the Book.

These are unique itineraries created for active cultural travellers.

For more on our by the book tour series, join this mailing list

Creator Mark Bowyer publishes the travel website www.rustycompass.com. He’s been photographing, filming and writing about travel in Vietnam, Asia and Australia for decades.

Mark has been immersed in Vietnam’s incredible history, culture, language, architecture and the process of economic development since he arrived in the 90s. Mark’s love of the country imbues the tours he designs.

All the photos on this website and on Rusty Compass were shot by Mark.

Read more about Mark in this New York Times profile