Malaysia
A vibrant land of art, culture and colour, Malaysia is a compelling place to visit with stunning scenery in the form of tropical rainforests, cityscapes, beaches and mountains. A hugely diverse multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society, Malaysia offers its visitors an exciting insight into the lives of some of the world’s friendliest people.
The west coast of Malaysia without a doubt offers the best beaches and tranquil landscapes, while the more central Cameron Highlands are a lush green getaway for visitors heading out of the humid rainforests in the south. The extreme contrasts of the country’s landscapes and cultures give rise to a variety of activities and events which take place throughout the year. The Malaysians are renowned for their love of a party and are always socialising with hundreds of colourful festivals all year round. Make sure you take advantage of any that are going on when you visit.
Those of you with an adventurous spirit will be delighted to discover that Malaysia is one of the leading dive destinations in the world. With one of the richest marine environments in the Indo-Pacific Basin – where better to explore the underwater world than from white sandy beaches, beautiful islands and clear warm waters? Other outdoor activities such as caving, hiking, jungle trekking, white water rafting and rock climbing are also on offer to everyone who visits Malaysia. You really could spend months exploring everything that this magical place has to offer, even before you get into the cities and towns.
Kuala Lumpur
Perhaps its most famous landmarks are the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers together with the Menara Tower – the epitome of modern design. These are perfectly counterbalanced with the hustle and bustle of Chinatown and the characteristic hawker stalls scattered about the city selling fantastic traditional noodle, rice, soup, meat and fish dishes.
Penang
At the north western tip of the peninsula, Penang is Malaysia’s only ‘island state’, reachable via the iconic Penang Bridge or by ferry. Its capital is George Town, a bustling, modern city with an eclectic mix of high rise buildings, cathedrals, mosques, temples and bazaars. George Town is a fantastic sight-seeing city thanks to its labyrinth of meandering lanes and passageways which are lined with unique cafes and fabulous eateries – some of the best in Malaysia. Penang boasts a host of superb restaurants serving food from all cultures represented in Malaysia, from Japanese, Korean, Italian, French, Chinese, Indonesian and Thai! Many of these are open until the early hours of the morning so you can literally feast on rice, noodles and curry around the clock.
Melaka
