Viva Vientiane

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and an erstwhile French trading port is a delightful mix of different cultures. Built along the curve of the Mekong river, life in the city moves at a languorous pace. Crumbling French villas stand beside art deco Russian buildings, with the golden spires of Buddhist temples poking through. Get a croissant from one of the many French bakeries found across the city, and amble down tree-lined avenues.

During the cooler part of the day, hire a bicycle or jump onto a tuk-tuk, and head to Pha That Luang, four kilometres northeast of the city centre. This golden stupa and surrounding complexes are an important national monument and a revered symbol of Buddhism.