Laos

Laos, the "Kingdom of a Million Elephants", opens up to ecotourism. The generous nature of this very mild country has not yet been fully explored, but now many wonders await the tourist.

Board a boat at Ventian, after seeing Asia's last walkable capital, and embark on a leisurely ride down the Mekong. Climb up the river to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remembering to stop at the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall.

Before heading south, stop for a while at the enigmatic archaeological site of the Jarres Plain, home to hundreds of megalithic specimens. Continue through the Thakhek region, famous for its magnificent karst mountain ranges, and take a tour of the grottoes, along the bottom of which underground rivers flow.

Then stop at Khmer Wat Phu, the grandest, before a final foray into the primeval forests of Bolaven, refreshed by vigorous waterfalls. Then sit back and enjoy a plate of glutinous rice served with a variety of flavorful dishes as you enjoy a day full of unforgettable memories.