ASIA Inspirations
Tailor-made travel by Wendy Wu Tours
Call 0844 8566 811 or visit your preferred travel agent

Discover Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has an enormous amount to offer from history and culture to adventure and relaxation. Walk in the steps of ancient civilizations, meet ethnic minority groups, enjoy picturesque scenery and unwind at a beautiful beach resort. With such diversity there is something for everyone and each visit to this fascinating region brings new discoveries.

Fascinating History

Southeast Asia has a long and varied history with numerous civilizations having left their mark on the region. The Khmer civilization constructed the amazing Temples of Angkor in Cambodia which is one of the most extensive and well preserved historical sites anywhere in the world. Another spectacular array of temples is at the Bagan Plains in Burma where over two thousand buildings still survive.

Evidence of a flourishing history is everywhere: from the trading port of Hoi An to the imperial capital of Hué in Vietnam; and at the culturally significant cities of Chiang Mai in Thailand and Mandalay in Burma. However some aspects of modern history have not been kind to the region and you may discover more about this in Saigon and Phnom Penh.
Temples of AngkorBaganMandalayChiang MaiHueHoi An

Beautiful Scenery

The most picturesque landscape in the region is possibly Halong Bay where limestone karst hills rise from the water forming around two thousand separate islands. Also in northern Vietnam is Sapa where the highest mountains in the country and the surrounding rice terraces provide stunning vistas. Spectacular mountain views can also be found in northern Thailand around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Laos has some alluring scenery especially the Kuang Si Falls and Mekong River near Luang Prabang, which is itself one of the most beautiful towns in Southeast Asia. In the south of the country visit the pretty area of Four Thousand Islands. Also discover Borneo with its rainforests, mountains and abundant wildlife.
Northern ThailandHalong BaySapaLuang PrabangFour Thousand IslandsBorneo

Local Culture

One of the best ways to really understand a country is to meet and interact with the people. A great way to do this is to visit the hill tribes at Sapa in northern Vietnam or Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Here you can encounter the H’Mong, Dao and Akha minority groups. Walk through the small villages to see the local people in their traditional costumes and meet them at home and at work.

Another good place to observe local life is in the Mekong Delta where much of Vietnam’s local produce is grown. See people working in the fields and trading in the markets. For a taste of a more religious way of life visit the monks in Luang Prabang or Mandalay; and for tribal culture visit ethnically diverse Borneo.
Thai HilltribesSapaMekong DeltaBorneoLuang PrabangMandalay

Time to Relax

There are plenty of opportunities for relaxation in Southeast Asia. Thailand is rightly famous for its popular beach resorts including Ko Samui, Phuket and Cha’am but there are many other opportunities across the region. Vietnam is one of our favourites with beautiful sandy beaches at Mui Né and Nha Trang, Langkawi in Malaysia is a popular choice and for somewhere a bit different try the seaside resort of Sihanoukville in Cambodia.

A great way to take it easy while travelling is aboard a Pandaw River Cruise on the Mekong or Irrawaddy rivers. These luxury ships are replicas of colonial steamers and combine character with comfort for relaxation, although the itineraries provide plenty of opportunity for adventure as well. Also consider one or two nights aboard a junk boat in beautiful Halong Bay.
Mui Ne Beach StayNha Trang Beach StayThai Beach StaysMekong CruiseIrrawaddy CruiseHalong Bay CruiseSihanoukville Beach Stay

When to Travel

The best time to visit Southeast Asia is generally from October to March when the weather is warm and relatively dry, although it can be cold in the mountains of the north. From April to June temperatures and humidity start to increase, while in high summer from July to September it may be very hot and wet.

There are also local weather patterns which interact with the general regional climate, so please call one of our specialists for advice.

Suggested Itineraries

Be inspired by our comprehensive suggested itineraries to Southeast Asia
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Your Personal Itinerary

Please call one of our tailor-made specialists on 0844 8566 811 to discuss your travel plans so we may answer your questions and give further advice.

We will then provide a detailed and individually tailored itinerary that will include a price that is specific to you.

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