Best of Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia

Phnom Penh is the most populous city in Cambodia and supposed to the most beautiful French built city in Asia. Abandoned during the Khmer Rouge period and with very little development until the 21st century, Phnom Penh has avoided the mass modern high rise development of other cities in the same area. The city maintains a unique vibrancy and provides a fascinating contrast between old and new. For many visitors, Phnom Penh is a transit stop before hopping on to Siem Reap, nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons to linger in the city. From the historical significant sites to understand what happened in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot years to the astounding temples and palaces to explore the classic Khmer architecture that make Phnom Penh an excellent location to spend a few days before heading into other parts of the country. Aside from sightseeing, Phnom Penh has a range of options for nightlife options and restaurants, including some great rooftop bars. There are a plethora of street stalls where you can fill up on noodle dishes, filled baguettes and fruit shakes. The bustling riverfront and Sisowath Quay are lined with cafés, restaurants and bars serving cuisine from all over the world. Boeung Keng Kang is also packed with swish cafes, restaurants and bars. The restaurants are reasonably priced, and many visitors end up lingering in Phnom Penh for the restaurant scene.

Siem Reap is the gateway to Cambodia’s vast and spectacular temples of Angkor undoubtedly one of the world's greatest archaeological sites. Constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries, these magnificent temples were once the grounds for the Khmer Empire’s capitals. The Angkor Archaeological Park covers around 400 sq km, and the largest, most well-known temple is Angkor Wat. The mysterious architectural techniques used to construct these temples still amaze the world today. Apart from the temples, one can take a Vespa ride and weave through the streets with a local guide on a street food tour. Head into the countryside for a cooking class, cycle or even ride a quad bike along the backroads, passing villages, paddy fields and taking in a more peaceful side to the city. Further afield is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake - the Tonlé Sap. Cruise past the villages of stilt houses rising from the lake, such as Kampong Phluk town that soars above the water in the dry season and sits on top of the water in the rainy season. Welcoming 2.6 m tourists annually, Siem Reap is one of the biggest tourism hubs in Southeast Asia. From exploring ancient temples and floating villages to indulging in exquisite Khmer cuisine and relaxing in luxurious resorts, the town promises an unforgettable experience that blends cultural immersion with modern comforts.

Kuala Lumpur is a diversity cultural melting pot, where jade-topped Chinese gates open out onto palm-lined squares, Indian restaurants serve banana leaf curries in marigold-scented alleyways, and old-fashioned Malay villages lie squeezed between the skyscrapers. Founded in 1857 under British rule as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and does not have the rich history like Georgetown or Malacca. After a couple of decades of fluctuation, Kuala Lumpur began to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896. Today, Kuala Lumpur is the capital of one of the economic powerhouses of Asia. Kuala Lumpurites come in all sorts. Malaysian and Chinese make up 80 percent of the population, and about 7 percent are Indians. Among the rest are offspring of intermarriages between races. Most Kuala Lumpurites speak at least two languages, one of which is Malay, or Bahasa Malaysia, the national language; some speak up to five – including Chinese and Indian dialects.

Cameron Highlands is a gorgeous hill station situated in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. The area is named after William Cameron, a British government surveyor who discovered the area in 1885 during a mapping expedition. During the colonial occupation era, Cameron Highlands gained fame due to its cool climate, attracting the British for a perfect summer retreat. Consequently, this hill station retains a quintessentially old English atmosphere with mock Tudor hotels serving tea in the afternoon and gin and tonics in the evenings. Cameron Highlands is well known for interesting hiking trails that are well kept, making things very easy experts and beginners alike. One of the most popular is the mystical Mossy Forest, the oldest forest in the area. It is known for the convoluted trees covered in moss that gives it an enchanted forest look. The paths have been mostly covered by wooden bridges making it quite an easy trek. For adventure lovers, there is a network of jungle trails taking in most of the major attractions and when combined with the roads will allow you to walk through most of the best areas from town to town. Most of the trails start, end, or can be combined with other trails to bring you to and from Tanah Rata. Cameron Highlands is also home to numerous agricultural farms where visitors can obtain fresher-than-fresh produce. One can visit a sweet-smelling strawberry plantation, a sprawling tea estate, or a prickly cactus farm for sightseeing.

Penang is a state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Geographically, the state consists of Penang Island, and Seberang Perai, the mainland strip facing the island, which are separated by a small stretch of the Strait of Malacca. Penang is rich in culture and history, with a unique mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influences. Visitors will find Penang brimming with charming historic buildings, ornate religious sites, sandy beaches, kampungs surrounded by rice paddies, vast unbeaten jungles, all topped with a splash of bustling city life. The unique way in which cultures have melded in Penang may be best represented in the food. Frequently voted among Asia’s top locations to eat street food, the blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European culinary traditions makes for an unforgettable banquet of taste sensations. Once was a British colonial holding, Penang has an abundance of classical Victorian architecture, particularly in the capital city, Georgetown. History buffs and architecture lovers in particular will appreciate the colonial-era Penang City Hall, Fort Cornwallis and the Penang State Museum. Part of Penang’s charm is that within minutes of admiring colonial architecture you can be wandering among the colorful statues of the Burmese Buddhist Temple or admiring the peaceful geometric patterns of the Kapitan Keling Mosque. Don’t miss the superb Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthy Chinese Straits families has been recreated with antique furnishings from all over the world. If you enjoy getting back to nature, take a hike in the Penang National Park. Visit the nearby Penang Butterfly Farm for a colorful adventure the entire family will enjoy. And don’t miss the tropical spice garden, one of Malaysia’s premier eco-tourism attractions with more 100 herbs and spices growing wild.