For centuries European artists, especially painters, have been coming to Bali to soak in the heady air of complete artistic dedication that is the unique character of the Balinese people. Nowhere else will you find such a diversity of creative skills expressed by so few -- and the "Island of the Gods" could not be a more conducive location.

More of a challenge than a gentle holiday, the Bangkok to Saigon Cycle Challenge is an exceptional 18 day, 1,200km mountain bike journey through three of South East Asia's most exotic countries, Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam.

Northern Laos especially presents many great trekking opportunities. Not only is the terrain very mountainous and largely swathed in forest, it is also home to a dazzling array of highly colourful minority tribal people who still pursue the traditional slash and burn (swidden) farming methods, unchanged for a thousand years.

In Thailand's north east, the Mighty Mekong River forms a border between the country's least developed and most unspoiled region, Isaan, and the exotic landlocked country of Laos.