Amongst of the newest frontiers for adventurous divers in Indonesia are the many islands of the Laut Maluku - the Maluku Sea - that lies between Sulawesi's northern peninsular and the now famous dive sites of Raja Ampat on West Papua's Birdshead Peninsular.

With more than a thousand limestone peaks rising out of its crystalline, emerald waters, Halong Bay is is rightly viewed as one of the natural wonders of Vietnam, and is one of the country's five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lesser known, and therefore less touristed are the equally stunning Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long Bays.

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.

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.