TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS TO ASIA

Bhutan

Mysterious and deeply fascinating - this isolated kingdom lies deep in the heart of the Himalayas, sandwiched between the economic powerhouses of China and India. Fiercely independent, Bhutan has remained largely insulated from Western influences. Indeed it is one of the most corners of the planet - rural and mountainous, with landscapes unchanged for centuries. Mysterious and deeply fascinating - this isolated kingdom lies deep in the heart of the Himalayas, sandwiched between the economic powerhouses of China and India. Fiercely independent, Bhutan has remained largely insulated from Western influences. Indeed it is one of the most corners of the planet - rural and mountainous, with landscapes unchanged for centuries. MORE

Burma

There is no greater reward than discovering a nation as it opens up to the outside world. That time is now for Burma. A complex history is told through ancient cities, swathes of jungle fall from the Himalayan foothills to pristine beaches and central plains flank the mighty Irrawaddy. More than her breath-taking sights, it is the charm of Myanmar's people which creates the most lasting memories. There is no greater reward than discovering a nation as it opens up to the outside world. That time is now for Burma. A complex history is told through ancient cities, swathes of jungle fall from the Himalayan foothills to pristine beaches and central plains flank the mighty Irrawaddy. More than her breath-taking sights, it is the charm of Myanmar's people which creates the most lasting memories. MORE

Cambodia

Renowned for the architectural wonders of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s charms extend far beyond her temples. After decades of civil war and genocide under the Khmer Rouge in the 20th century, Cambodia is seeing in a new, peaceful dawn. Stay in charming boutique hotels in Phnom Penh, floating lodges in the Cardamoms or in beautiful coastal villas on the Gulf of Thailand. Renowned for the architectural wonders of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s charms extend far beyond her temples. After decades of civil war and genocide under the Khmer Rouge in the 20th century, Cambodia is seeing in a new, peaceful dawn. Stay in charming boutique hotels in Phnom Penh, floating lodges in the Cardamoms or in beautiful coastal villas on the Gulf of Thailand. MORE

China

China, heavily steeped in antiquity bounding into the 21st century, is as much an education as a holiday. With a culture and heritage so unlike our own, exploring China's 5000 years of history is mind-blowing, with iconic sights ranging from the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall to the magnificent karst peaks of Yangshuo and the Yangtze River. China, heavily steeped in antiquity bounding into the 21st century, is as much an education as a holiday. With a culture and heritage so unlike our own, exploring China's 5000 years of history is mind-blowing, with iconic sights ranging from the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall to the magnificent karst peaks of Yangshuo and the Yangtze River. MORE

India

At once chaotic and colourful as well as impossibly romantic, nowhere gets under the skin quite like India. Where else can you visit ancient Mughal cities, spot tigers in jungles made famous by Kipling, visit pristine tea plantations and watch as the sun rises over unimaginably high mountain ranges? All of life is in India and it should be visited at least once in a lifetime. At once chaotic and colourful as well as impossibly romantic, nowhere gets under the skin quite like India. Where else can you visit ancient Mughal cities, spot tigers in jungles made famous by Kipling, visit pristine tea plantations and watch as the sun rises over unimaginably high mountain ranges? All of life is in India and it should be visited at least once in a lifetime. MORE

Indonesia

Noted for excellent cuisine, world class hotels, fine beaches and awe-inspiring temples, Indonesia’s diverse archipelago offers enough to satisfy everyone from the adventurer climbing volcanoes or seeking dragons in Komodo to the indulgent pleasure-seeker enjoying the beaches of Bali or sailing aboard a magnificent phinisi on the Banda Sea.  Noted for excellent cuisine, world class hotels, fine beaches and awe-inspiring temples, Indonesia’s diverse archipelago offers enough to satisfy everyone from the adventurer climbing volcanoes or seeking dragons in Komodo to the indulgent pleasure-seeker enjoying the beaches of Bali or sailing aboard a magnificent phinisi on the Banda Sea.  MORE

Laos

Colonists have left their mark on Laos – most noticeably, the French left wide boulevards and a penchant for croissants and baguettes - yet it retains its unique, beguiling character. Saffron-hued monks still collect alms at dawn and minority people maintain their traditions in remote towns and villages. The mighty Mekong traces an age-old route visited by few. Colonists have left their mark on Laos – most noticeably, the French left wide boulevards and a penchant for croissants and baguettes - yet it retains its unique, beguiling character. Saffron-hued monks still collect alms at dawn and minority people maintain their traditions in remote towns and villages. The mighty Mekong traces an age-old route visited by few. MORE

Malaysia

Journeying through Peninsula Malaysia takes you from sleepy plantations to tenacious traders amid towering skyscrapers. Across the South China Sea the rainforests of Borneo create the best wildlife destination in Southeast Asia. Whether retracing colonial footsteps or blazing a trail through the rainforests, you are never far from a breath-taking beach. Journeying through Peninsula Malaysia takes you from sleepy plantations to tenacious traders amid towering skyscrapers. Across the South China Sea the rainforests of Borneo create the best wildlife destination in Southeast Asia. Whether retracing colonial footsteps or blazing a trail through the rainforests, you are never far from a breath-taking beach. MORE

Nepal

A tiny country of delicious contrasts, Nepal is probably best known for its dramatic Himalayan peaks, but there's much more besides. It is a place where Hindus and Buddhists have lived side by side for centuries, worshipping at whitewashed stupas and ancient pagoda temples. And where tigers and Asiatic rhino roam through the jungles of spectacular forests. A tiny country of delicious contrasts, Nepal is probably best known for its dramatic Himalayan peaks, but there's much more besides. It is a place where Hindus and Buddhists have lived side by side for centuries, worshipping at whitewashed stupas and ancient pagoda temples. And where tigers and Asiatic rhino roam through the jungles of spectacular forests. MORE

Sri Lanka

The teardrop of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has everything from stunning beaches to tea plantations, wildlife, fort towns and incredible food. With a long multicultural history mixing Buddhist traditions with Hindu religion, Muslim culture and British rule, the island is dotted with temples, statues and colonial hill stations, age-old ruins and stunning national parks. The teardrop of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has everything from stunning beaches to tea plantations, wildlife, fort towns and incredible food. With a long multicultural history mixing Buddhist traditions with Hindu religion, Muslim culture and British rule, the island is dotted with temples, statues and colonial hill stations, age-old ruins and stunning national parks. MORE

Thailand

Wake up to monks chanting over a vast reclining Buddha, lunch on fiery Som Tam and spend an afternoon elephant-trekking through dense jungle or luxuriating in a world-class spa. Enjoy dinner with the sand between your toes or explore night markets. Every guest in Thailand, from families to honeymooners, is warmly welcomed by the same beaming smiles and humble bows. Wake up to monks chanting over a vast reclining Buddha, lunch on fiery Som Tam and spend an afternoon elephant-trekking through dense jungle or luxuriating in a world-class spa. Enjoy dinner with the sand between your toes or explore night markets. Every guest in Thailand, from families to honeymooners, is warmly welcomed by the same beaming smiles and humble bows. MORE

Vietnam

Far more than just a battleground between East and West, variety is the joy of modern Vietnam, from designer boutiques and the buzz of motorbikes in Saigon to the old world conservatism of Hanoi. Peaceful fishing villages such as Hoi An and emerging resorts line the coast of central Vietnam and the mighty Mekong bustles with life at its delta. Far more than just a battleground between East and West, variety is the joy of modern Vietnam, from designer boutiques and the buzz of motorbikes in Saigon to the old world conservatism of Hanoi. Peaceful fishing villages such as Hoi An and emerging resorts line the coast of central Vietnam and the mighty Mekong bustles with life at its delta. MORE