TRAVEL GUIDE 2017

UPFRONT

Indochina’s FabFour Indochina–SoutheastAsia’smaincontinental peninsula – is an exotic, multi-facetedplace, with some of the best travel destinations on theplanet.We askedbespoke travel experts Country Holidays to recommend its most spectacular experiences.

Vietnam With its array of

Myanmar My anma r bo a s t s

Cambodia Angkor Wat and its

Laos Laos is still in its

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attractions and street-food aromas, Vietnam will blow your mind. Brush shoulders with hill-tribe locals in Sapa; discover traditional Hanoi; feel the romance of a Halong Bay cruise; explore the cultural hub of quaint, ancient Hoi An; wander the forbidden city of Hue; meander through the markets of the Mekong Delta; and view the flamboyant colonial facades of Ho Chi Minh City.

some spectacular sites, including Yangon’s 98-metre Shwedagon Pagoda, covered with 60 tons of pure gold; the world’s oldest and longest teakwood bridge in Mandalay; an amazing array of stupas and temples in Bagan (best viewed from a hot-air balloon); and Inle Lake, home to several ethnic minorities, where you can go hiking or biking.

temples are Cambodia’s main lure, and with this appeal come the crowds. At Country Ho l i da y s , we f ocus on uncommon timings and less- known routings to provide a unique experience. We also discover less-visited gems: a river eco-lodge in Koh Kong, with remote waterfalls and mangrove kayaking; charming rural Battambang and its colonial architecture; and the beach retreat of Sihanoukville.

tourism infancy, so you’ll be treated to some unique, off- the-beaten-path destinations. Take a glimpse inside some of the biggest Laotian temples in Vientiane; rise early and join the locals in offering alms to monks; catch a traditional long-tail boat trip up Mekong River; and join mahout elephant training in Luang Prabang.

Country Holidays offers bespoke holidays to Indochina destinations and beyond, with English-speaking guides, private vehicles and flexibility to suit families or couples. Contact their specialists at 6334 6120 or enquiries@countryholidays. com.sg, or visit countryholidays.com.sg.

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TRAVELGUIDE2017