Laos

It’s often overlooked in favour of its more popular neighbours Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But make no mistake – Laos’ Luang Prabang can’t be missed.

From the jungles of Central America to the beaches of Southeast Asia, here’s where you should be travelling during January.

Although the demand for elephant rides has declined in recent years, the practice is alive and well. The problem isn’t travellers; the responsibility is on the businesses profiting from it.

From its richly decorated temples to its quaint French-Indochinese architecture, you’ll soon realise why Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonder.

South East Asia has all the ingredients you could want in an overseas adventure: awesome beaches, super-cheap food, and all the temples and ruins you could ask for.

Did you know Laos holds the biggest waterfall throughout Southeast Asia? And that’s just the beginning…

Here are 9 Southeast Asian spots about to take pride of place on your bucket list. Prepare yourself for lesser-known gems, unique experiences and more.

The country boasts cities full of temples and a strong French influence, yet also smaller villages and the ever-present Mekong River. By morning you can be totally immersed in culture, and by lunch find yourself way out in the jungle.

His name was Vitoon. I’d been watching the sunset from his temple on a hill when he walked up to me in his marmalade robes and asked if he could practice his English…