Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand Adventure

Singapore is a dynamic, multicultural city-state known for its stunning skyline, world-class attractions, and blend of modernity and tradition. Home to a population of Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities, the diversity of this destination is reflected in the culinary scene, festivals, and the coexistence of Hindu temples, mosques, Christian churches, and Buddhist temples in the same city. As a safe and friendly destination, Singapore is ideal for families with kids to experience a unique mix of “concrete jungle and real jungle” and plenty of interesting activities like educational tours, science centers, and zoos.

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.

Buzzing, humid and energetic, Bangkok is the city where magnificent temples, historic markets, skyscrapers and rooftop bars create an intoxicating vibe that's hard to resist. The city is a mesmerizing blend of old and new, East and West, and dizzying contradictions. Historical sites next to vibrant nightlife areas, bustling markets near modern shopping malls, and street food vendors close to world-class restaurants. Hence, the city is still fascinating for its traditional culture. Saffron-robed monks weave among the morning rush hour to collect alms; communities dwell in stilt houses by the Chao Phraya River, eking out a living using centuries-old skills. A city tour in Bangkok often begins in Rattanakosin, drawn by the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It's here the Chao Phraya River separates the city proper from its old capital Thonburi, a spot where quitet, narrow canals and floating markets illustrate why Bangkok was once called 'Venice of the East'. East of the canals is modern Bangkok, a hive of activity with countless businesses, markets and shopping malls handily connect by the BTS Skytrain. As a city that feels alive day and night, Bangkok is the destination for all, from foodies, shopaholics, culture seekers, history lovers, urban explorers, even party animals. That makes the well-known Southeast Asian gateway one of the world's most visited cities.

Kanchanaburi, located about 150 kilometers away from Bangkok, is a popular escape for those hoping to lose the crowd. This lush province and its pleasant capital is rich in rivers, waterfalls and outdoor adventure. It also occupies a tragic place in World War II history when Kanchanaburi region was the home of a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Popularized by the book and movie 'The Bridge on the River Kwai', the infamous bridge and railway is a notable part of the Kanchanaburi landscape. During World War II, Japanese forces used allied prisoners of war (POWs) and conscripted Asian laborers to build a rail route from Thailand to Burma (Myanmar). War cemeteries, museums and the chance to ride a section of the so-called 'Death Railway' draw numerous visitors to this quaint town. As a beautiful town with plethora of diverse attractions, Kanchanaburi is stacked full of great day-tripping opportunities. You can refresh yourself with a swim in one of the many sparkling pools at Erawan Falls; take a stroll down the city's heritage walking street for a look at the different Sino-Portuguese, Thai and Chinese building styles, or explore the famous temple caves built into the limestone hills surrounding Kanchanaburi.

Ayutthaya, short for Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam. It not only plays an important role in Thai's history but was also made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Founded in 1350 and became the biggest city in the world by 1700, its wealth generated by trade with countries from all over Asia, the Middle East and Europe. However, it all came to an end in 1767 when war with Burma led to the devastation of the city. It was almost burnt to the ground and the capital of Siam moved to Bangkok. Nowaday, most of the ancient remains are on the western half of the island called the Ayutthaya Historical Park. There are temples, royal palaces, museums and more which are easy to explore on foot, by bike or tuk tuk. The most iconic sight of Ayutthaya resides in Wat Mahathat or the Temple of the Great Relic. Its signature is the tree root with a Buddha head embraced in it and no one knows exactly how it was made. Also worth a visit is the royal temple of Wat Phra Si Sanphet which was the original home of the Emerald Buddha, now located in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the largest and one of the most famous temple in Ayutthaya which was once used for royal ceremonies and contained the ashes of royal family members. For an overview of Ayutthayan-style art, visit the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, which holds well-preserved statues recovered from the ruins. There are beautiful bronze Buddhas dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, 17th- and 18th-­century door panels with religious, traditional or floral carvings, and a hoard of 15th-century gold jewellery.