Indonesia

Fondly bestowed the name the ‘forgotten island’, Sumba has sat contentedly in Bali’s shadow for a long time. Twice the size of the Land of the Gods, one of the oldest cultures in the area is deeply rooted here, still evident in the traditional peaked thatched houses of the villages and the adoration of the island’s sacred horses.

The notorious Seminyak is the front cover of Bali, but as with most places, keep turning the pages and there’s a lesser-known world to discover; like the traditional crafts and dances of cultural capital, Ubud, the rice paddy medleys and volcanic peaks of Tabanan, and the island’s best surf spots of the south.

Famous for its dragons, Komodo is part of the East Nusa Tenggara island group (along with Sumba). A slow travel saviour, visitors are compelled to sit back and cruise between the islands at a leisurely pace. Diving the red coral reefs and lounging on pink sands one day and swimming between two oceans the next.

One for the culture vultures, Java’s landscapes gift more than just the beans for the world’s favourite beverage. Ancient temples, traditional villages and pretty pastures soften a volcanic visage, the nutrients of which enrich the soil to aid a thriving culinary scene.

Not just a pretty beach, there’s a richness of heritage and natural sights in Lombok. Seemingly a world away from Bali despite being next door, it’s managed to hide away from the flocking tourists, delivering a more laid-back and reserved approach.

Cambodia exudes a mysticism that’s hard to emulate, the not-so-secret ingredients of which come in the form of its extraordinary jungle ruins, Khmer villages, buttery beaches and cities of old-meets-new.

Going way beyond its famed cuisine, Hong Kong serves up a feast for the senses; from the fascinating skyline and lively street markets to a surprising amount of green spaces.

If there’s a satiating ingredient to inspire a zest for life, India’s got the whole recipe. But let the chaos quickly subside and even one of the oldest cities of all time might reveal its vivacious energy starts with a little something called community.

Step back to a time of oxen-pulled ploughs and sleepy market towns within the pretty panoramas of Asia’s best kept secret.

With a fusion of Asian cultures, rainforests that mingle with beaches and two skyscrapers standing watch over the capital city, the answer to where to find it all is surely Malaysia.

In the time that it takes to utter its name, Singapore’s probably transcended your idea of the future; but what makes it all so special is its consistent attention to tending the roots that it came from.  

Bringing everything from timeless temples and caramel-scented tea fields to its very own Big 5 favourite, this admirably humble teardrop country is making much more of a splash in the ocean.

Its popularity has risen like the tallest temple tower and images of its Buddha-flanked streets, corrugated rice paddies and otherworldly beaches are bountiful. So it could be argued that, nowadays, Thailand is in no need of an introduction… perhaps.

Historically, travellers may have unwittingly overlooked Vietnam for its neighbour across the Gulf of Thailand, but with its mesh of bustling cities, hill tribe communities and beautiful coastlines, this resilient country is turning the tables.