Welcome to Southeast Asia
Dotted with rainforests and bounded by spectacular beaches, studded with ruins of lost civilizations, steeped in the spiritual traditions of the past while embracing modern skylines of urban expansion: this is Southeast Asia.
Stunning Scenery
The first thing you will notice in Southeast Asia is the natural elements: mighty volcanoes and raging rivers have carved the landscape, coral reefs have formed islands, and the annual flooding of rivers double as super-highways through impenetrable jungles. In this region of rivers, oceans and islands, you're as likely to travel by boat as by road, following trade routes that were old when the great powers of Europe were young.
Spiritual Spaces
You cannot explore Southeast Asia without touching on the spirituality that surrounds the area. Every aspect of life here has a spiritual dimension, from the food people eat to the religious design that dictates the layout of centuries-old mosques and temples. Whether it's observing monks flooding the streets to gather alms in endless monochrome chains, hearing the call to prayer rising in a chorus above rooftops, or inhaling the morning air thick with incense smoke, everywhere you turn you will be surrounded by the spiritual side of the region.
Urban Adventures
Southeast Asia's megacities are stepping boldly towards the future with one foot planted firmly in the past. Skyscrapers soar above streets, while at street level, traders hustle, food-hawkers hawk, and temples bustle with devotees toting their offerings. For many travelers, the first taste of the region is the urban chaos of Bangkok, or the organized modernity of Singapore, but all of Southeast Asia's capitals have their own unique character, defined by religion, culture, geography, and in most cases by centuries of colonialism and feuding dynasties. Learning the rhythms of each is part of the magic here.
Epicurean Encounters
Southeast Asia is a melting pot and a cooking pot, where the flavors of some of the world's greatest cuisines melt into one another. The region's spices were once valued more highly than gold, and combined with one notable import – the South American chili – they've created a cooking palette that inflames the senses and leaves the taste buds begging for more. This is a region where humble hawker stalls come with Michelin stars, and where a meal at a roadside canteen or night market can be as memorable as a five-star dim sum banquet.*
There is so much to explore in Southeast Asia – let us help you plan your adventure.
*Lonely Planet guide to Southeast Asia