LUXURY HOLIDAYS TO ASIA

Far more than just a battleground between East and West, variety is the joy of modern Vietnam, from designer boutiques and the buzz of motorbikes in Saigon to the old world conservatism of Hanoi. Peaceful fishing villages such as Hoi An and emerging resorts line the coast of central Vietnam and the mighty Mekong bustles with life at its delta.

Colonists have left their mark on Laos – most noticeably, the French left wide boulevards and a penchant for croissants and baguettes - yet it retains its unique, beguiling character. Saffron-hued monks still collect alms at dawn and minority people maintain their traditions in remote towns and villages. The mighty Mekong traces an age-old route visited by few.

There is no greater reward than discovering a nation as it opens up to the outside world. That time is now for Burma. A complex history is told through ancient cities, swathes of jungle fall from the Himalayan foothills to pristine beaches and central plains flank the mighty Irrawaddy. More than her breath-taking sights, it is the charm of Myanmar's people which creates the most lasting memories.

The teardrop of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has everything from stunning beaches to tea plantations, wildlife, fort towns and incredible food. With a long multicultural history mixing Buddhist traditions with Hindu religion, Muslim culture and British rule, the island is dotted with temples, statues and colonial hill stations, age-old ruins and stunning national parks.

Mysterious and deeply fascinating - this isolated kingdom lies deep in the heart of the Himalayas, sandwiched between the economic powerhouses of China and India. Fiercely independent, Bhutan has remained largely insulated from Western influences. Indeed it is one of the most beguiling corners of the planet - rural and mountainous, with landscapes unchanged for centuries.

A tiny country of delicious contrasts, Nepal is probably best known for its dramatic Himalayan peaks, but there's much more besides. It is a place where Hindus and Buddhists have lived side by side for centuries, worshipping at whitewashed stupas and ancient pagoda temples. And where tigers and Asiatic rhino roam through the jungles of spectacular forests.

Japan fuses the ancient with the contemporary whilst retaining its singular character as the rest of the world marches towards homogeneity. Learn meditation at a Buddhist monastery, enjoy a floating hotel on the Seto Inland Sea to retreat to an onsen resort on the island of Kyushu.