India and the Far East

Bangkok has changed into a modern, vibrant city over the past decade. Visitors are offered all the amenities of a world-class city without having to miss its unique cultural identity.  It has a seemingly endless number of attractions - the city is dotted with 400 beautiful Buddhist temples, grand palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and a mind blowing array of restaurants. These offer not only Thai food but also Indian, Arabian, European, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican – you name it , it is there! – covering a wide range of prices levels.

One can see examples of the traditional ways of life, especially along the Chao Phraya River. A trip along its waters will reveal a network of canals and the old Bangkok, which lives on in its floating markets. The Silom Night Market and Chatujik Weekend Market are other major attractions. If you wish to spend some time there and then enjoy exploring the country, or fancy a beach holiday as well, contact our specialist consultants who will be pleased to tailor a holiday to suit your preferences.

The Langkawi archipelago off the north-western coastline of peninsular Malaysia is becoming an increasingly popular resort destination that has holidaymakers taking notice. The bulk of the forests that blanket its 99 islands remain untouched wilderness, and long may it remain so.

The statistics speak for themselves: 99 islands (maybe 104, depending upon the prevailing tides), of which only three have any settlement to boast of; Southeast Asia's oldest rock formations; a total of just 50,000 inhabitants; extensive untouched forests and vast wetlands; some unique wildlife and picture-postcard scenery, which avid film-goers will recognise as the backdrop to Anna and the King.

The closest beach to Kuala Lumpur, and several hundred kilometres to the south (50 minutes' flying time), Langkawi is within convenient weekend-break distance for residents of several regional capitals – a feature that could spell disaster for many eco-lovely destinations, but seems to work here. What makes Langkawi special is that island authorities clearly realise the island's natural beauty, as seen in their efforts to protect it. This is no Phuket or Bali, but a destination that remains, for the most part, untouched – and its inhabitants are keen to keep it that way.

Langkawi is basically a community of farmers and fishermen who have seen the benefits that accrue from tourism. This development has happened over the past decade, and while Langkawi could be considered regionally to be a late developer, it has superb infrastructure, from an international airport capable of handling 747s, to an extensive array of resorts, none of which dominates the natural landscape. This is where Langkawi sets itself apart from other regional tropical resort islands.

At the Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa for example, they have set about incorporating eco-friendly technology into all renovations, such as microbe treatment of the waste water so that it can be safely recycled as irrigation water for their extensive gardens. The resort hopes soon to become a regional resource for other hotels to model themselves upon.