ASIA
CAMBODIA
Once known as the Khmer empire, Cambodia is perhaps best known for its monumental temples, especially that of Angkor Wat – finalist in the election of the new 7 wonders of the world in 2006. It is without doubt a country of incredible beauty, scattered with these temples, fertile rice fields and a rich and interesting history. For this reason it is unsurprising that Cambodia has taken a firm place on the tourist map. Having been a protectorate of France for almost 100 years, the country gained its independence in 1953. Following this however, Cambodia experienced years of civil war, turmoil and political corruption, as well as suffering from its involvement in the Vietnam war.
Despite holding this dark history, Cambodia really is an extraordinary country and has prevailed due to what has been described as the unbreakable spirit of the Cambodian people. The people here are known for their friendliness and their smiles.
CHINA
China covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometers making it the 2nd largest country by land area. It is not only the country with the largest population in the world but it is also one of the largest economies laying claim to being the world’s largest exporter and 2nd largest importer of goods.
It is a country of incredible cultural history boasting one of the earliest ancient civilisations dating back to around 2800 BC. Its landscape is equally rich in diversity, ranging from its forest steppes, its deserts in the north and subtropical forests in the south to its 14,500km long stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline. All of this makes China an incredible and exciting place to be, both in what it has to offer today and the story of its past
INDIA
India is known for its pyramid-like temples, its colorful streets and it’s crowded cities. This country represents one of the most vivid and the largest cultures in the world. From the golden triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra to the coast where Ayurveda medicine was born, India offers a 360 degree journey through the most magical of lands. Known for being the second most populated country in the world, India will show you the faces of thousands of Hindu gods in its very vast collection of temples all throughout the country. The land of colors and smiles is ready to take you on your next adventure whether road tripping or helping out in local communities, this sub-continent will amaze your senses. India will shift the way you see the world.
India’s literacy rate is around 60% for women and 80% for men. The principal language is Hindi and English is also commonly used in all major cities. New Delhi, the capital of India, is what many would call the real deal when travelling through the country. It is one of the biggest and most populated cities in the whole world with up to 25 million citizens. New Delhi is known for its amazing cuisine and its new modality of “street food”, which means restaurants with every specialty you can imagine are available to you all throughout the city! Chennai is another of the biggest cities in India, known as the “Detroit of India” for its automobile industry. If you are looking for a quieter spot Kerala is the centre of lifestyle, art, architecture, language and literature in all of the country!
INDONESIA
Bali:
Dubbed the Island of the Gods, Bali is one of the more than 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. Due to its location off the coast from the mainland and unique culture and religion from the rest of the country, Bali is often treated as a destination of its own, “if you’ve only been to Bali, you’ve never been to Indonesia”.
With its pristine beaches, its unspoilt waters ideal for surfing and diving, its lush mountains, its never-ending rice terrace and volcanic hillsides, its spiritually-infused culture and more, Bali has quickly become a must-visit and it often makes its way on everyone’s bucket list.
Flores:
Flores is located in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It has adventure, eco-tours, and mountain climbing interspersed with visits to prehistoric heritage sites, traditional villages and cultural events. It has some of the world’s most exotic marine life. And if you want to see the famous Komodo Dragons alive, this is the only place in the whole world which gives you the experience. You can visit the Komodo dragons in their natural habitats in the Komodo National Park islands. Here you will witness the natural treasures still trying to survive in their purest forms.
Flores is a multi-religious and multi-cultural island where 60% of the people are Christian, 20% Islamic and 20% Hindus and Buddhists. The holidays for Flores are similar to the general Indonesian calendar.
Flores, though one of the main islands in Indonesia, is still trying to keep up with the rest of the country. Evidently, its exceptional natural treasures need more care and its warm hearted people need more support.
ISRAEL
Despite its small size, Israel boasts an unbeatable amount of things to do that will delight every traveler’s senses. From religious sites and archaeological wonders to lively cities packed with history and nightlife and breathtaking natural landscapes that will leave even the pickiest of visitors awestruck.
Israel has the highest number of museums per capita in the world. Moreover, Tel Aviv was ranked as the top ten city for nightlife and described as the “capital of Mediterranean cool” by Lonely Planet. This tiny country is the Holy Place of Jews, Muslims and Christians and many biblical places concentrate here. Float in the Dead Sea, get lost in infinite deserts, discover Jerusalem, enjoy Tel Aviv – Israel has something to offer to anyone’s tastes.
JAPAN
Japan is an East Asian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 6852 islands, but the vast majority of its size and population are made up of only 4. Neighboring countries include the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, North and South Korea, the Philippines, Russia and the Northern Mariana Islands. Japan is an extremely homogenous nation with 98.5% of its 127 million person population being of Japanese descent. That being the case, Japan is a country steeped in tradition and cultural heritage. They have great respect for the past, and honor their elders. At the same time, modern Japan is a powerhouse in the region and the world. They have one of the highest levels of education in the world and many of their companies are leaders in technology. Japan’s economy is strong and they import and export goods globally, which makes them a great presence around the world.
LOAS
Once known as the ‘land of a million elephants’, Laos is the only landlocked country in Asia, bordered by Burma, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. It became a French protectorate in 1893 and finally became an independent country in 1953 with a constitutional monarchy. This monarchy however was shortly ended by a long civil war. Today Laos is a single-party socialist republic whilst remaining strongly influenced by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Vietnam People’s Army. The Laotian people make up roughly 60% of the population whilst indigenous groups and hill tribes account for 40% of the Laotian population.
It is a country that has a lot to offer whether it’s the underground river caves, the white-water rapids and jungle zip lines for thrill seekers, the beautiful forests for trekkers and nature lovers or the wonderful cuisine for the foodies!
MALDIVES
The Republic of Maldives is a chain of islands located in the Indian Ocean. Compared to other South Asian countries, Maldives is the smallest, and spans around ninety thousand square kilometers. It also bears the smallest population among the Asian countries. Maldivians mainly practice Islam. Even the legal system of the country is shaped by their practice of Islam.
Due to the stretch of atolls, Maldives is also considered as one of the most dispersed countries in the world. It has a total of 26 atolls. Your visit to this country will be a memorable experience as you will be lucky to enjoy in the golden beaches and crystal waters, travel from island to island and experience the unique lifestyle of the Maldivians.
Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate, and it is also popular for its rich variety of coral reefs and diverse range of fish, whales, dolphins and other forms of sea life. Due to these reasons, Maldives has become one of the top attractions among travellers worldwide.
NEPAL
Namaste and welcome to Nepal, a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. Located between 80 12' east longitude and between 26 22' and 30 27' north latitude, Nepal extends along the south slopes of the Himalayas in central Asia.
Although Nepal is small, it has the greatest latitudinal variation of any country. The land rises from the southern plains of the Terai, barely above sea level at 70 meters, to the top of the Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth at 8848 meters above sea level, in a distance of less than 200 km.
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is made up of a total of 7,107 islands, only 2000 of which are inhabited. The islands are broadly categorized under 3 main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It is the 7th most populated country in Asia and the 12th most in the world.
As a newly industrialized country, the Philippine economy which was once founded upon its agriculture is now moving towards an economy based on services and manufacturing.
It is unsurprising that the Philippines attracts tourists due to its incredibly rich biodiversity found across its islands. The mountains, rainforests and diving spots as well as its impressive cultural heritage all add to the reasons why the Philippines is such an incredible place to experience.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s over 2000 years of history and culture can still be seen in every corner of its cities and the details of its ever-beautiful ancient temples. With eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and its short distances between the main sights, Sri Lanka is a country that, despite often being overlooked in itineraries, has left travelers filled with awe.
Visit the sacred home of the world’s oldest living tree in Anuradhapura, wander around the colonial architecture of Colombo, get sun-kissed at the untouched beaches that enclose the territory, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, head to the hills for a cooler temperature and get surrounded by lush natural vegetation, visit two thousand year-old temples or get overawed at the sight of hundreds of elephants in Minneriya.
While traveling through Sri Lanka you will experience adventures from the highest and chilliest mountains like the famous Adam’s Peak – a stairway mountain considered sacred in three different religions, through the elephant shelters, to the most peaceful beaches up north near Trincomalee and their tiny- one floor- hostels facing the calm sea.
THAILAND
From trekking in the beautiful mountains of the north to enjoying the glorious beaches in the south and experiencing the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Bangkok, Thailand is certainly not a country that lacks variety.
Whilst it really is at the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, its cultural identity remains very unique. As the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid European powers, the Thai are proud to refer to themselves as ‘The Land of the Free’ and many tourists might also know it as ‘The Land of Smiles’ due to its friendly people.
VEITNAM
Vietnam is currently the world’s 13th most populous country and occupies 331,211 square kilometers. Today, although scarred by its past, Vietnam is a fast-growing economy helped by tourism that its interesting history and beautiful sights draw in.
One frequent thing to hear is that it has not yet been subjected to the western influence that Thailand and, to an extent, Cambodia have been. The Vietnamese still tend to prefer their traditional cuisine to the fast food chains that seem to be taking over the world.
Aside from the beautiful countryside of the north, rice fields and beaches, Vietnam is a country that is very much on the move. Roads are being upgraded, new hotels are opening everywhere and its cities are fastly developing.
