Asia is an amazing continent to travel in, with stunning cultures, experiences and environments around every corner. The only struggle is trying to narrow down all the different options into a viable trip. Below are 3 of our favourite spots which you should consider to include on your journey through Asia.
India
India is often high on travellers’ lists and rightly so. You could spend years just exploring India itself and forget about the rest of Asia, still without touching every corner of this enchanting country. The obvious popular spots will continue to attract tourists from around the world; Agra and its incredible shrine the Taj Mahal, the tropical beaches of Goa, the towering Himalayas. Then there are the frantic cities of Delhi and Mumbai, where life runs at 1000mph and seeing a cow walking down a dual carriageway is a common occurrence. However, much of India’s beauty is in getting off the beaten track and discovering some of the places which aren’t packed with tourists. Ooty is a charming village in the hills which is fantastic for trekking and surrounded by tea plantations. Despite being off the main tourist route, hotels in Ooty are plentiful and you won’t struggle to get there. Then there is Hyderabad, which loses out in the city stakes to Delhi and Mumbai with most visitors, but is the IT hub of India and is rich in history and tradition. Take some time on your holiday through India to stray from the usual route and you won’t be disappointed.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh is a city which has recovered from much torment, though now represents a fantastic place to visit in its own right. It offers something very different to the other key capitals in Asia like Bangkok or Tokyo, with a much more relaxed feel and a true insight into the culture and history that the city has seen.
When visiting Phnom Penh there is plenty to do, though a lot of the focus will probably be on the city’s history and the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Trips to the killing fields give a sombre insight into the atrocities that happened here. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as there is plenty to enjoy about the city now it has recovered, not least the Mekong river, which is host to the Mekong islands which are certainly worth a visit. One of the best things about PP though is going about daily life with the locals, enjoying the local food and discovering more about the Buddhist religion and the general way of life. It’s a fascinating place, and one worthy of a stop in any trip around Asia.
Phuket, Thailand
For all the historical fascination that Phnom Penh provides, Phuket is quite the opposite, but it is still brilliant in its own way. Phuket is all about paradise islands, the backpacking scene and forgetting about your worries. The city itself isn’t the most attractive, though it is still home to some wonderful beaches and blue seas. Phuket’s genius is in its location though, playing gateway to the hoards of paradise islands which lay off the coast. Book into one of Phuket’s luxury hotels and then use it as a platform to go and visit the many incredible islands nearby. From Koh Phi Phi, famed for its appearance in the film The Beach, to Koh Yah Noi, there are more paradise islands than you can shake a stick at. Once you’ve sampled all your favourites you can go home happy, content that you’ve experienced paradise. Some don’t make it that far though, and simply pick their favourite and never leave.
Asia is an immense continent, packed with treasures for an adventurous traveller, but these 3 places stand out for us, and shouldn’t be missed if you’re lucky enough to tour this incredible place.
This is a guest post from Tom at Malta Holidays, Europe’s own little pocket of paradise…
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