Laos

A country that has wormed its way into our travelling hearts, Laos is one of the most underrated countries in South East Asia and a must on anyone’s itinerary!

Undoubtedly our favourite city in the country is Luang Prabang, which we reached after cruising down the Mekong river for two glorious days. Luang Prabang is the ideal fusion of French flair and Asian culture, and we wish we could have spent a few weeks there, just soaking in the atmosphere.

From it’s fascinating temples to watching the sun set across the river, or visiting the Kuang Si waterfalls (tip: go early!), there is no place like Luang Prabang. It also offers up some of the best international cuisine that we have had in South East Asia, including thin crust pizzas and French cuisine that wouldn’t be out of place on a European menu.

We also really enjoyed our time in Vang Vieng. The town offers a great mix of natural beauty and party scene, as you can hike in the mountains but also take an inflatable tube down the Nam Song river, stopping along the way to down a vodka orange (or five), and meet fellow travellers from around the world. Hire a jeep or an all terrain vehicle and explore the hills and villages outside the main town – you’ll thank us for it!

We weren’t too enamoured with Vientiane, the capital city, but it’s usually the entry or exit point into the country, so a key point on any Laos itinerary. If you do head there, we suggest the Buddha Park; our only real to do in this town.