India

Opulent by name and opulent by nature, there’s a reason The Golden Triangle remains northern India’s most recognisable crowning jewel. Intermingling the dazzling ruby and quartz-hued architecture with the addictive modern-day bazaars, the blending of past and present is so intriguing, the story doesn’t need to end with a sighting of the Taj Mahal.

Where the wild things are. Discover your inner Mowgli in this inspiring birthplace to the ‘Jungle Book’ in this eminent land of national parks. One of the best places to find a tiger in the wild, there are also monkeys, swamp deer, pythons and elephants that are sure to bring all your favourite characters to life.

The go-to girl for her butter-soft beaches, Goa puts India’s softer side right at its centre; where spiritual yoga sessions are only secondary to its spice-infused flavours. While just an hour’s flight up coast, all energy conserved is quickly made up for in contrasting Mumbai, with its epicentre of fashion, Bollywood, and proudly pulsating lifestyle. 

In a country so brimming with joy, you’d almost think it’s cheating to name a city after it. But what makes Kolkata so deserving of the title is its unfettered enthusiasm for culture, which peppers throughout everything they do from food to literature. And in applying that same kindness to its surrounding areas, the national parks make homes to rhinos, while Darjeeling is the spot for catching up over some of the world’s best chai.

It’s not often that a human hand can craft such insurmountable beauty it holds its own against Mother Nature herself. But with the gleaming palaces and ancient ruins of Karnataka casting a bewitching spell that could even beat Kerala’s beach-side beauty spot, there’s just something about the South that exceeds expectations. 

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.

Where rice paddies trip down hills and a gateway to wellness is opened to all; the secrets of sacred peace are whispered throughout the land in Indonesia.

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.