Have you always wanted to travel to the Far East but assumed that its exotic delights were beyond your reach? Whatever your reason for travelling, be it the stunning landscapes or the nightlife, you will be pleased to discover that visiting this part of the World has never been easier, with the vast array of cheap flights available from all major airports, whatever time of year you wish to travel.

Take Thailand as an example. Upon arrival, you will find there's any number of different hotels available, ranging from extravagant five star delights to smaller modest affairs. And whatever your choice of entertainment, Thailand has it all, and its cultural lures will leave you spoilt for choice. Exploring them is easy and with plenty of car rental facilities in the country, you can go wherever you wish.

Of course, visitors should take in the capital, Bangkok: it's a rich and diverse city. There are plenty of cafes in which to relax, and shops to browse, plus a number of museums.

Thailand's second city, Chiang Mai, is a very different experience. Chiang Mai boasts over 300 Buddhist temples to visit, its most famous being Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. If you're lucky enough to visit the city at the right time, your trip may happily coincide with one of its many festivals, where beautiful paper lanterns are often released in huge numbers, dotting the night sky with their fiery flight.

If you'd prefer somewhere more rustic - equally as charming and beautiful, of course - then there are some spectacular Laos tours available. The landlocked tropical country is a stunning, rugged region; it is a place not to be missed and is well known for its relaxed style of living. Laos offers visitors a true look into Asia's unspoilt natural beauty, their traditional customs and beliefs and the gentle way of life that has remained unchanged for generations; which helps explain the emerging popularity of Laos honeymoons.

In the north-west of the country, the Oudomxay region is very mountainous and affords breathtaking views, with altitudes of 1,800m at its peak above sea level. It's newly discovered cave, Chom Ong, is, as the Laos tourism slogan suggests, simply beautiful, and is also now confirmed as being the largest cave in northern Laos. If caves are not your thing, then you can take a Lao cookery course, or a workshop in traditional papermaking.

Vientiane, the main city of Laos, is situated on the Mekong River and is known for its superb gastronomy. It is a small city but boasts many tourist delights, including Buddhist temples and a Golden Stupa, which is an impressive 45m tall. This is a most important cultural monument and is a definite must see for any visitor. It is very hard to believe that as a national capital, Vientiane still holds the languid simplistic lifestyle that typifies the whole country.

So, why not live the dream on Laos holidays and enjoy one of the most spectacular places on Earth? Whichever way you choose to go, it is a lot cheaper than you imagined, well within your reach and its rich history and culture is waiting to be discovered.