Asia

Cambodia is defined by the extraordinary temples of Angkor, but Phnom Penh, rural landscapes and its southern coast reward longer stays.

Best time: November–February.
Perfect for: History, culture, adventure and Southeast Asian combinations.
Interesting fact: Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument by area.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Give Angkor several days and explore beyond the best-known temples.

Thousands of islands make Indonesia enormously diverse, encompassing Bali's temples and resorts, Java's volcanoes, Lombok's beaches and the remarkable wildlife of Komodo.

Best time: Generally April–October for many popular islands, although regional patterns vary.
Perfect for: Honeymoons, culture, beaches, wellness and adventure.
Interesting fact: Indonesia stretches across thousands of islands between mainland Asia and Australia.

Bali

Temples, rice terraces, beaches, wellness retreats and sophisticated hotels make Bali one of Asia's most versatile islands.

Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine the coast with Ubud or another inland location.

Java

Java offers some of Indonesia's greatest cultural monuments alongside volcanoes and energetic cities.

Velvet Hippo recommends: Build an itinerary around Yogyakarta, Borobudur and the island's volcanic landscapes.

Lombok

Lombok is a quieter alternative to neighbouring Bali, with attractive beaches, surf and the dramatic presence of Mount Rinjani.

Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine Lombok with the nearby Gili Islands.

Komodo Islands

The Komodo region combines extraordinary marine life, beautiful islands and the chance to encounter the famous Komodo dragon.

Interesting fact: Komodo dragons occur naturally only on a small number of Indonesian islands.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Explore aboard a high-quality private or small luxury vessel.

Landlocked Laos offers a wonderfully slow pace of travel, with Luang Prabang's temples, the Mekong River and lush landscapes providing its greatest appeal.

Best time: November–February.
Perfect for: Culture, slow travel and Southeast Asian combinations.
Interesting fact: Laos is Southeast Asia's only landlocked country.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine Luang Prabang with Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam.

Malaysia combines cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur, heritage cities, tropical islands and the wildlife-rich rainforests of Malaysian Borneo.

Best time: Depends strongly on coast and region.
Perfect for: Families, food, wildlife, cities and beaches.
Interesting fact: Malaysia occupies territory both on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine peninsula and Borneo for two completely different experiences.

With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers exceptional beaches, diving and dramatic landscapes alongside a warm, distinctive culture.

Best time: Generally December–April for many popular destinations.
Perfect for: Beaches, diving, adventure and island hopping.
Interesting fact: The Philippines is one of the world's largest archipelagic nations.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Choose two or three islands and allow sufficient time between them.

Singapore is compact, sophisticated and remarkably diverse, bringing together exceptional food, striking architecture, gardens and some of Asia's finest hotels.

Best time: Year-round.
Perfect for: Stopovers, food, families, shopping and luxury city breaks.
Interesting fact: Singapore is both a city and an independent country.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Give it two or three nights rather than treating it simply as a flight connection.

Thailand combines Bangkok's energy with northern culture, tropical islands and some of Asia's most accomplished luxury resorts.

Best time: November–February for many regions, though islands have differing weather patterns.
Perfect for: Families, honeymoons, food, beaches and wellness.
Interesting fact: Siam, as Thailand was formerly known, was never formally colonised by a European power.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine Bangkok or Chiang Mai with one carefully chosen beach destination.

Vietnam stretches from Hanoi and spectacular northern landscapes through historic central cities to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City and tropical coastline.

Best time: Regional climates vary significantly, making itinerary planning particularly important.
Perfect for: Food, culture, families, adventure and multi-centre journeys.
Interesting fact: Vietnam's long, narrow shape gives different parts of the country markedly different climates at the same time.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Travel north to south — or vice versa — rather than visiting isolated destinations.