Asia

Raja means ‘king’ and this grand title is easily justified: those in the know describe this sprinkling of exotic Indonesian islands as one of the most divine archipelagos in Asia. Packed with white-sand beaches, lush jungle and unusual mushroom-shaped islets,

The awarding of Unesco World Heritage status to Melaka's historic core in 2008 put it firmly on Southeast Asia's tourist map. Since then, scores of heritage buildings have benefitted from makeovers, blossoming into boutique hotels,

Since the 17th century, Takayama hasn't changed much. Every morning, the deshi (disciples) of ‘temple town’ sweep, rake stones and open shoji (sliding doors), letting sunlight in; artisans and grocers greet shoppers at the asa-ichi (morning markets),

Take a scenic train to Sri Lanka's idyllic Hill Country for a wonderfully temperate escape from the nation's humid coasts. Kandy is an ideal introduction to the region: its lakeside location, sacred Buddhist sites and botanical gardens make it a delight to explore.

As you fly over Kazakhstan’s seemingly endless, empty steppe, a glimmering city suddenly comes into view. A mirage of glass and steel with a stained-glass pyramid, golden skyscrapers and the world’s largest