Explore the captivating country of Malaysia

20 May 2024

If, like us, you’ve been glued to your screen watching Race Across the World Season 4, you may have been inspired by Episode 6, when contestants had to make a 2000km journey ahead across Malaysia – a spellbinding part of South-east Asia that many travellers don’t know a huge amount about. In this blog. We’ve showcased a couple of Malaysia tours that will really give you an idea about the fantastic sights and experiences that await you there.

Explore the captivating country of Malaysia

Classic Malaysia

You’ll start in UNESCO-listed Malacca, with its heritage houses, canal-side cafés and array of cuisines from restaurants and hawker stalls – traditional Malay dishes as well as treats influenced by visiting traders over the past 2,000 years. Sample the likes of asam pedas (fish stew), ad cendol (a dessert of coconut and caramelised palm sugar), Indian tandooris, Chinese dim sum, Peranakan food influenced by Cantonese, Portuguese and Malay ingredients and methods, and even warm Portuguese tarts.

Malacca was a trading post on the Malacca Strait and has substantial Portuguese and Dutch influences. Sights include the oldest remaining European architecture in South-east Asia, A Famosa, the Stadthuys (former Dutch City Hall), Temple Street with its temples and mosques, restored Peranakan buildings, and Baba-Nyonya Museum of Peranakan culture.

In Kuala Lumpur, your tour will include Thean Hou Buddhist temple, the modern National Mosque, the old train station built by the British, the ancient city with its typical colonial/Malay-style houses, the Central Market, Chinatown, and of course the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. You’ll also head to the outskirts of the city to see the Batu Caves, a pilgrimage site for Hindus.

From here you’ll transfer to Labu Sentral jetty to board a wooden longboat for a two-hour ride to your jungle lodge, where you’ll enjoy a nocturnal guided night walk, trek beneath the high-density rainforest canopy and along a canopy walkway, and boat upstream on the Tahan river with its rapids, to reach a waterfall and swim in a natural pool.

You’ll then travel to the Cameron Highlands, long regarded as a refuge from the lowland tropical heat, with tea plantations to visit and the Mossy Forest of Gunung Brinchang, where a nature guide will enlighten you about the medicinal plants that grow here and the eco-system of the rainforest.

Your final destination is UNESCO-listed Georgetown on Penang, where colourful sights include the Thai Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Burmese Temple, Khoo Kongsi Chinese clan house, and Kek Lok Si Temple, Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple.

West Coast Malaysia – Self-Drive

This tour allows you to discover many of Malaysia’s highlights under your own steam, starting out in Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll visit Chow Kit Market, Kampung Bahru traditional neighbourhood, Masjid Jamek at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers (birthplace of Kuala Lumpur), Little India, Sze Ya Taoist temple, and the nearby Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple.

From here, you’ll tour Malacca, have jungle adventures in Taman Negara, enjoy the Cameron Highlands (including a three-hour trek in the Montane rainforest), discover Ipoh with its Heritage Walk including its Railway Station, Town Padang Mosque, and Birch Memorial clock tower, and explore Penang, including a visit to Khoo Kongsi to learn about the practice of ancestor worship.

Having dropped off your hire car, you’ll hop aboard the public ferry from Penang Jetty to Langkawi for tropical-island relaxation and exploring the likes of the Kilim Geopark of mangrove forests, lagoons, and beaches, populated by monkeys, hornbills, cobras, sea eagles, and more.

To book your Malaysia tour, call your Travel Counsellor today.

Experience seamless travel with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines

20 May 2025

For a travel experience that combines sophistication, comfort, and impeccable service, look no further than Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines. These two iconic airlines have joined forces to elevate your flying experience, offering the perfect blend of innovation and renowned hospitality. Whether jetting off for a relaxing holiday or embarking on an important business trip, this partnership ensures that every detail of your journey is carefully curated to meet your needs. Through their collaboration, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines make transatlantic travel effortless. Together, they present an impressive network of routes, linking some of the UK's most convenient airports with cities across the United States. Across every destination on offer, you can travel with the confidence that both airlines have leveraged their expertise to deliver a seamless door-to-door experience.

Make memories together at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

19 May 2025

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort isn’t just a destination; it’s an invitation for families to step into a world of unforgettable luxury. Located in the beautiful Dhaalu Atoll, this private island paradise is a haven for families. Relax in expansive villas with panoramic ocean views, plan days filled with bespoke adventures curated by your dedicated butler, and watch your little ones delight in special surprises crafted just for them. From tranquil escapes for parents to fun-filled activities for kids and teens, The St. Regis Maldives is where families come together to create cherished family memories.

Domes Zeen Chania: A Grecian getaway designed for pure bliss

19 May 2025

This boutique resort offers a sanctuary of elegance and comfort, all set against a backdrop of turquoise waters and sun-dappled olive groves in Crete. Whether you’re dreaming of tranquil afternoons by the pool or enchanting evenings in Chania's old town, Domes Zeen Chania caters to every whim.