In the heart of Southeast Asia, magical Laos retains its timeless rural characteristics. Stilt houses gather next to might rivers, ancient rice fields layer the rolling green hills, and golden pagodas sparkle in the evening sun. A luxury holiday in Laos offers a chance to explore this ageless and unspoiled landscape.

Laos is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the region bringing lots of flavours and influences to the country. Known as the Land of a Million Elephants, you'll find equal diversity in the landscape. Trek through protected jungles in search of elephants and monkeys, climb karst rock formations for panoramic views and wander gold leaf temples for a healthy dose of spirituality.

At Vientiane, the capital city, wide boulevards lined with trees frame the city's centrepiece, the Pha That Luang golden Buddhist stupa. Beyond this stunning landmark, you'll find that that traditional temples, colonial architecture, and fascinating museums all vie for space in Vientiane. Discover shops and boutiques throughout the city selling local handicrafts, or bargain for wares at the morning market of Talat Sao.

If you have time, you must also visit Buddha Park, a vast garden lined with massive stone statues. Nestled at the confluence of the majestic Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is a historic place renowned for its temples such as Wat Xieng Thong and for its breathtaking landscape of jungles, mountains, waterfalls and vertical karst rocks. Elephants roam the grasslands and monkeys run amok in Monkey Forest. Meanwhile, 33 of the villages in Luang Prabang comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feature the beautiful and traditional wooden stilt houses.