1. Surf

Australia is just ideal for the holidayer eager to spend most of her time in the water or by the water.  Most of Australia’s cities border on the ocean or rivers due to its desert interior.  No matter where you choose to stay, you can probably be at the beach in an hour or less.  This also means that fabulous restaurants, museums, and shows are also within your reach if you book a luxurious villa near the ocean.  Many Australians love the ocean and you almost certainly won’t be the only one surfing or swimming at any given time, plus there are plenty of places to rent equipment if you don’t own any.

2. Sand

As I just mentioned, Australia’s interior is mainly untouched desert with frontier towns spotted here and there.  It’s perfect for backpackers and nature lovers, with stunning views of untouched raw natural beauty.  If you’re uncertain heading through the Outback on your own – it is a huge desert, after all – many companies will offer tour packages and guided hikes.  This means that your safety is guaranteed and you know you’ll be treated to the best vistas that Australia has to offer, with stays in luxury hotels at the evenings.  The desert isn’t the only part of the country to explore either; Australia’s varied climate means that you can also explore a rainforest and experience both ends of the country’s natural spectrum in one holiday.

Besides all that, Australia’s animal kingdom is hugely different from that found in Europe or the United States.  Why not seize the chance to see a kangaroo in the wild, or listen to a kookaburra for the first time?

3. Sun

Perhaps the most compelling reason to visit Australia in the cold winter and early spring is the reversal of seasons.  When the ground over there in the UK is freezing and you’re worrying about snow, Australians are basking in the summer sunlight and heat.  I know I’d love to escape to a warmer climate for a couple of weeks during our winters, so it only makes sense for it to be reversed!  Knowing that your friends are bundled up in coats and scarves while you can lounge on the beach in a swimsuit is absolutely priceless.

So why not come visit us in Australia?

With remarkably clear water and reefs, the islands are fantastic for those who enjoy snorkelling and diving. Trang, on the other hand, offers peaceful seclusion and stunning scenery on the western coast, while Koh Chang, along the Gulf of Thailand, will delight nature lovers with its rainforest, waterfalls, and the opportunity to ride on an elephant. In the north, around Pai, thrill-seekers can float down river on bamboo rafts, imbibing lush green views along the ride. Ready for some chill out time? Choose from the pretty island of Koh Lanta, in the south, for picturesque beaches or the slow pace of rural Issan in the northeast.

Day 2: Halong – Hanoi
Travel by vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Take a 4-hour boat trip Halong Bay. Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay. Then travel by vehicle from Halong to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi
Enjoy full day sightseeing in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda which was built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Then proceed to Temple of Literature. Next stop is Hoan Kiem Lake. Right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star. After that visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. Following Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the Opera House, a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. End the tour in Hanoi at St. Joseph Cathedral and Bao Tang Lich which exhibits artefacts from Vietnam’s turbulent history including some from prehistoric times, proto-Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. Overnight in Hanoi.

Vietnam

Day 4: Hanoi – Hue
Transfer to airport to catch a flight from Hanoi to Hue. Transfer from airport. Start a sightseeing tour in the Old Imperial City located in the Citadel. It was built in the early 19th century and modelled on the Forbidden City in Peking. Then proceed to Ngo Mon Gate, the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, facing the Flag Tower. Thai Hoa Palace and the Halls of the Mandarins are next. Before the tour end, you will drop by the Nine Dynastic Urns followed by the Forbidden Purple City. The Forbidden Purple City was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. Next, visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and Dong Ba Market. Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue – Danang – Hoi An
Enjoy an excursion on Huong Giang River to the Thien Mu PagodaDanang; Vietnam’s fourth largest city that marks the northern limits of Vietnam’s tropical zone, boasting a pleasant year-round climate. Start the day in Danang with a sightseeing tour. Visit to find out why the open-air collection of Cham sculpture is the finest in the world. Then head toward . It was made famous in the American TV series of the same name, it stretches for many kilometers north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the war, American soldiers were airlifted here for ‘rest and relaxation’. Stop at Marble Mountains. Travel by vehicle from Danang to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An – Danang – Saigon
Sightseeing in Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Stop at Quan Cong Temple, Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tran Family Chapel (built for worshipping ancestors). Visit to see exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history and Quang Dong Pagoda, a small Chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statues. Transfer from Hoi An to Danang Airport and catch a flight from Danang to Saigon. Transfer from airport. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 7: Saigon
Spend approximately 4 hours for sightseeing in , a huge Chinese neighbourhood to the west of the city in District 5. Cholon means ‘Big Market’, a good indication of the importance the Chinese have traditionally played in Vietnam’s economy. Visit Binh Tay Market and Thien Hua Pagoda. Thien Hua Pagoda was built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of the most active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases. Last stops are Nghia An Hoi Pagoda and Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda.

Day 2: Dambulla Rock Temple
After breakfast transfer to Habarana visiting Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla is the most impressive of Sri Lanka`s cave temples. Extensive wall paintings and over 150 images of the Buddha occupy five separate caves. Enjoy a late afternoon elephant ride in Habarana. Overnight at the Cinnamon Lodge.

Day 3: Anuradhapura
Following breakfast leave to explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka`s grandest ancient city. There are numerous areas of interest to visit including the Runanweli Seya dagoba, the Samadhi Buddha and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple. Return to Habarana. Overnight at Cinnamon Lodge.

Day 4: Sigiriya/Polonaruwa
After breakfast depart for Sigiriya Rock Fortress. A stairway allows access to the top of the rock and the famous frescoes to be found enroute. Proceed to Polonaruwa, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. Historic artefacts and monuments include the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihara Buddha statues, the Shiva Temple, the Galpotha and the remains of the former Temple of the Tooth. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Kandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy visiting a spice garden enroute. Enjoy an evening Cultural Dance show. Overnight at the Chaaya Citadel.

Sri Lanka

Day 6: Pinnawela/Kandy
After breakfast visit , home to abandoned or orphaned elephants. Witness the bottle feeding of baby elephants and watch them bathe in the river. Visit the Kandy Lake, the town, the bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Overnight at Chaaya Citadel.

Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
Following breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya visiting a tea factory and plantation enroute. Enjoy a city tour of Nuwara Eliya upon arrival. Overnight at The Tea Factory in Kandapola.

Day 8: Yala National Park
Following breakfast you will leave for Yala National Park. Overnight at Yala Village.

Day 9: Yala National Park
Following breakfast take a jeep safari of Yala National Park, home to extensive Sri Lankan wildlife. Check-out of your hotel and either transfer to the airport for your departure or continue with your onward arrangements in Sri Lanka.

Day 2 Phnom Penh
Full day sightseeing tour in Phnom Penh. Begin with visits to Wat Ounalom and then continue on to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Russian market. Tuol Sleng was formerly a high school and later became the Khmer Rouge’s torture and interrogation centre. It was also known as Security Prison 21 or S-21. The afternoon is spent at the Killing Fields. Return back to the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3 Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Arrival in Siem Reap. Transfer to the city center for a visit to Les Chantiers Ecoles or the Artisans d’Angkor. The Les Chantiers Ecoles is a vocational centre where approximately 650 apprentices a year are trained in fine arts and crafts trades. Then transfer to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 4 Siem Reap
Take a full-day tour to Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei temples. First stop is the famous Angkor Wat, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The next visit is to the Angkor Thom Temple, where you will visit 6 different temples in the area. The Angkor Thom is a fortified Royal City. It has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. In the center of the walled city are the city’s most important monuments namely, Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure. Before retiring back to the hotel, you will enjoy a quick stop at the Angkorian Temple to watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside. Overnight in Siem Reap.