If your idea of a great vacation involves making a journey to the past, dining on sublime food, witnessing breathtaking scenery and engaging in out-of-the ordinary shopping, then Laos is the place for you. 

 Perhaps you never considered it before, but this small gem on the Asian crown has become the ideal destination for unforgettable experiences.  

The best time to visit is between the months of November and May when the weather is cool and dry or from March to May when it’s warm in many areas of the country.

If you begin your adventure in Luang Prabang, you’ll begin your days with the sounds of bells from the temples around.  This area is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but a center of culture and astounding beauty.  Bring your camera along to capture striking wats (temples), majestic mountain ranges and picturesque waterfalls.  Put on your walking shoes for you won’t want to miss places like Wat Xieng Thong considered one of the most impressive.  It houses an array of Buddha images and a number of urns containing the remains of members of the Royal Family.  And don’t leave without a visit to Wat Mai Suwannapumaram said to be so amazing that even the Chinese decided not to destroy it upon invading the country. 

Travel to Vientiane, a capital city that remains dormant in the past.  View the sacred 16th century That Luang Buddhist monument or the Wat Sisaket the only sanctuary that the Siamese did not burn down in the 1800s.  Spend an afternoon relaxing in the Buddha Park near the Mekong River and take in the array of religious sculptures.  

If you decide to explore the Champasak region on the border with Thailand and Cambodia, you’ll encounter plantations of the world famous Arabica coffee.   

And no matter where you are in Laos, delight in the flavors of superb gastronomy influenced by the traditions of French cuisine.  Sample the variety of ethnic foods found in locations like restaurant row on the edge of the Mekong.     

Shop at open markets or studio shops for antiques, silks, elaborate handicrafts and amazing carvings.

Discover Laos, a country that answers to the demands of any world traveler.