T R AVEL TALK ASK THE EXPERTS


NEED ADVICE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP? ARE YOU AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS, TIPS AND GUIDANCE? OUR EXPERTS HAVE THE ANSWERS…


THE EXPERTS


Marco Ferrarese Freelance travel writer


Sue Bryant Cruise editor, The Times and The Sunday Times


Carolyn Boyd Freelance travel writer


Louise Murray Head of products, Dream Escape


From left: Kuala Lumpur is alive with markets after dark; Kaysersberg Castle offers some of the best views on the Alsace Wine Route; the Gold Room at Ballyfin Demesne


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Can you suggest an itinerary for a week-long culinary tour of Malaysia? Shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, Kuala Lumpur provides the ideal introduction to Malaysia’s multilayered gastronomy. Start exploring at Kitchen by OpenHouse, which serves up pan-Malaysian dishes such as asam pedas (fish in an aromatic sweet-sour stew) inside the capital’s international airport. From here, take the airport express train to Chinatown and sit down for homey Peranakan-style classics in Old China Cafe. Try the chicken with nasi lemak (spicy coconut rice) or pop around the corner to The Hungry Tapir for a vegan-friendly spin on staples such as satay meat skewers with peanut sauce. The rooms at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur offer stunning city-centre views. From RM820 (£138), B&B.


NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL


openhouse.my oldchina.com.my facebook.com/thehungrytapir shangri-la.com Two hours north by train, Ipoh,


the state capital of Perak, is one of Malaysia’s most charming food cities. From the pearlescent Moorish train station, it’s a short walk to the Old Town and the buzzy cafes of Concubine Lane. Drop off your bags at boutique property Belakang Kong Heng by Dreamscape — covered in a tangle of climbing plants — and sit down for Portuguese egg tarts and Ipoh white coffee at Nam Heong, the coffee house where the popular brew was invented. From RM100 (£17), room only. facebook.com/ belakangkongheng instagram. com/namheongipoh Hop back on the train and carry


on north to Penang. The island is a pilgrimage site for food-lovers,


thanks to its revered multi-ethnic cuisine, perhaps best exemplified by nasi kandar (richly spiced curries served on a bed of rice). Don’t be fooled by the scruffy exterior — Tajuddin Hussain, on Little India’s Queen Street, is one of the best restaurants to try it in George Town. After you’ve explored the capital’s produce markets and learnt how to craft your own nasi lemak during a cooking class with Nazlina Hassin, wind down at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, overlooking the glimmering waters of the Penang Strait. From RM700 (£118), B&B. East Travel has food-focused


private tours leaving from Kuala Lumpur and ending in Penang from £1,185 per person, excluding flights. nazlinaspicestation.com eohotels.com eastravel.co.uk MARCO FERRARESE


IMAGES: GETTY; ALAMY; BALLYFIN DEMESNE


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