DISCOVER WORLD'S HIDDEN GEMS

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 With a central location in the region bordering Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, it’s ideally located for exploring. No visit would be complete without seeing the ancient and extensive temple complex of Angkor Wat. The capital Phnom Penh is wonderful chaos of scooters, rickshaws, trucks and cars interspersed with reminders of Cambodia’s colonial past and the country’s more turbulent and moving recent history. You’ll find an attractive riverside district with shops and bars, and you’ll meet friendly people who genuinely love to welcome visitors. There are excellent beaches along the Gulf of Siam, ideal for relaxing for a few days after busy sightseeing. 

 A city which never fails to impress visitors, by night the neon skyline spills its colours across the harbour and by day there’s the frenetic buzz of ferry boats servicing outlying destinations. You’ll find vibrant street markets selling everything from fashion to food and ultra-high end malls with exclusive brands at sky high prices. Don’t miss a trip on the world’s steepest funicular railway to Victoria Peak to admire the view and of course the symphony of lights is not to be missed. Ideal as a stopover destination en route to somewhere else or as a short break, with shopping, great food and lively nightlife you’ll always wish you could stay longer. 

 A vast and timeless land with an incredibly varied landscape from the rugged Himalayas to the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean and just about everything else in between. Whether you’re looking for a cultural holiday visiting palaces and temples, a relaxing beach stay or a wildlife adventure India offers this and much much more. This is the land of Maharajah’s and tigers, the Taj Mahal and the mighty river Ganges, fiery spices and cool green hill stations,  a country which will inspire, enlighten and infuriate you in equal measure but one which will give you fantastic memories which will last a thousand lifetimes. 

 Scattered across the Indian and Pacific Oceans the Indonesian Archipelago is home to over 17,000 islands and is probably the most populous and varied country in the region. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach of Bali or explore the wonders of Java there are many adventures to be had. Don’t miss the incredible temple of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world or the incredible dragons of Komodo, truly the stuff of legend.  Whichever part of the country you choose you’ll find the people welcoming and the sheer diversity of culture and scenery will almost take your breath away. 

 Tucked between its more famous neighbours and crossed by the Mekong River this mountainous country is renowned for its French colonial architecture, hill tribe communities and delightful Buddhist monasteries. The laid back capital Vientiane is a charming place to spend a day or two with temples and monuments, galleries and museums to visit. Whilst Luang Prabang is famous for its Buddhist temples and historic district it is said to be one of the prettiest spots in South East Asia, the city was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1995.  There’s a fabulous night market where you can pick up local handicrafts. Combine Laos with Cambodia, Vietnam or both for wonderful far eastern experience. 

  A blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures Macau sits across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. An overseas territory until 1999 the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’ today has huge casinos where you can try your hand at the tables by night and by day explore the extravagant shops or take in the sweeping view from the top of the 338 metre high Macau Tower.  Away from the modern there are some fabulous old colonial style buildings and distinctive black and white cobblestone pavements and squares. As you’d expect the food is a fusion of styles, don’t miss pork chop buns followed by Portuguese custard tarts. 

 An interesting blend of people and cultures which makes for an exciting mix of holiday styles whether you’re looking to relax on a beach, explore the jungles or head out in search of wildlife. The vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur is not to be missed with excellent shopping and dining, the famous beaches of Penang or Langkawi are ideal for some relaxation.  For real adventures head to Borneo where you might be lucky enough to see Orang-utans at close quarters to say nothing of countless species of bird and maybe even the strange looking proboscis monkey. Whichever your choice there is plenty to see and do in Malaysia. 

 Only recently opening up to tourism this beautiful country stands at the crossroads where the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia meet.  This is the land that enchanted Rudyard Kipling and has been the subject of countless fairy tales and legends. You’ll find fabulous temples, steeped in history, magical Inle Lake, cruises along the Irrawaddy River and so much more besides. The sheer diversity of scenery here is extraordinary from the peaks of the Himalayas to the long Indian Ocean coast.  A country which still holds and air of mystery and is home to places whose names are as evocative the scent of spices in the air. 

 Sitting in the Pacific, just above Australia, PNG is a country like no other, it’s a world away from the ordinary with more than 1000 different tribal groups who between them speak more than 800 different languages. Each tribe maintains its own particular traditions and ways of ceremonial dress and if you’re lucky enough you may get to witness a traditional ‘sing sing’. Combine the Highland region in the centre of the country with time on the coast or visiting an island and you’ve just scratched the surface of this charming and engaging country which will stir your soul and invite you back for adventures time and time again. 

  With its rich history, friendly, happy go lucky people and beautiful coastline with over 7000 islands this country will amaze and intrigue you in equal measure. Influences from Spain, China and the USA fuse themselves together in this rich tapestry of a destination. Wonderful sun drenched beaches are the perfect spot for relaxing, there’s miles of reefs and underwater adventures for divers and snorkelers, swimming with whalesharks, birdwatching and simply jaw dropping scenery are waiting to be experienced. The food is absolutely delicious too and Filipino’s love to eat! Be sure to try some local delicacies on your holiday from street food to fine dining you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

  An island city where east truly does meet west, futuristic sky scrapers rub shoulders with traditional Chinese shop houses.  Explore the glitzy shopping malls and roadside flea markets, the mix of old and new are a recurrent theme in this melting pot nation where you can eat your way around the world from outdoor hawker stalls to cool high end restaurants. Don’t miss a visit to the famous Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling, the perfect way to start an evening and a trip on the Singapore Flyer is a must for a bird’s eye view.  Whether your visit is a short stopover or a longer stay you’ll have no trouble filling your time. 

 Whether your choice is for some adventures in Thailand’s north or you simply want to ‘fly and flop’ this multi layered destination epitomises what exotic holidays are all about. With beach resorts to suit all ages, tastes and budgets combined with fantastic temples, tranquil retreats and delicious food, a holiday to Thailand is a heady combination of experiences. Start in the hectic capital Bangkok before heading down to the coast or discover Chiang Mai and north of the country with its hill tribes, elephant adventures and simply breath-taking scenery. The Thai people will delight in showing you their country and will welcome you with smiles as warm as the sunshine.