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far east: cities & beaches 47


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From Ho Chi Min to Hong Kong the countries of the Far East offer a guaranteed adventure packed with a variety of memorable attractions and experiences, says Ben Lerwill


T


he ‘Far East’ is a vast region that packs in a giddying assortment of cultures, cuisines and coastal retreats. From


Tokyo skyscrapers to Thai jungles, from Beijing markets to Bali beaches and Cambodian temples to Korean islands this is a part of the world that offers an overwhelming amount of choice. All of which makes it a natural destination


for a twin- or multi-centre holiday. The range of accommodation options and inter-regional transport links is more comprehensive than ever, whether you’re looking at a classic Bangkok-and- beach package or a more adventurous break in somewhere like Vietnam or the Philippines. And with Barack Obama visiting Myanmar,


celebrities like Jessica Alba holidaying in Southeast Asia and the BBC’s Mekong with Sue Perkins series drawing positive reviews, there’s growing awareness of what the constituent parts of the region offer.


By twinning different elements of the Far East on one trip – most typically an all-action city followed by a laid-back resort – clients can effectively have two holidays in one. Charlie Cooper of China Links Travel sums up the region’s built-in advantage. “The appeal of a city and beach stay is in combining complete opposites,” he says. “It makes the bustling cities even more


enjoyable when you know that in a few days you’ll be able to put your feet up for some serious relaxation. There are unspoilt beaches on the Gulf of Thailand, the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, and cities like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Shanghai and Hong Kong are all within a few hours’ fl ight.” In many cases, it’s


even possible to build an itinerary full of contrasts that


doesn’t involve boarding a plane. sellingtravel.co.uk


“Visit Myanmar between June and September – it’s quiet, the paddy fields are green, it’s not too hot or dusty and you have


most of the sights for yourself” EDWIN BRIELS, GENERAL MANAGER, KHIRI TRAVEL MYANMAR


“Somewhere like Indochina gives you


three countries in one destination,” says Jack Bartholomew of Khiri Travel, highlighting a part of the Far East with a growing number of classy resorts around its coast and countryside. “Together, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam


give an exotic fusion of cultures, foods, languages and customs, and you can easily make use of convenient river crossings and overland border crossings.” James Mundy of InsideAsia Tours, which specialises in countries like Japan as well


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