South-east Asia is one of our favourite destinations both for a dose of winter sun and for year-round magic; our thrilling, customisable itineraries in the region include once-in-a-lifetime holidays in Bali, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.
A great way to get to South-east Asia is with award-winning Qatar Airways, which serves not only its Middle Eastern home but also further-flung destinations. Having celebrated its 25th birthday in 2022, this airline is renowned above all for its excellent levels of service.
Also in 2022, Qatar was voted Skytrax Airline of the Year for a record seventh time, as well as receiving the awards for Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East and Best Business Class Airline Lounge Dining. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are voted for by travellers across the world.
The array of options open to you in South-east Asia with Qatar Airways and Travel Counsellors includes the following wonderful itineraries.
Our eight-day Bali Explorer trip invites you to discover the best of this enchanting island, from its ancient temples and villages and its rainforests and crater lakes to the cultural hub of Ubud. Highlights include trekking to a village of the Bali Aga (the island’s first inhabitants) to learn all about their traditional lifestyle and customs, experiencing authentic local life during a morning in Marga village when you’ll join farmers in the fields and help them to collect coconuts, and receiving a blessing from a Balinese Hindu priest at Pura Lempuyang, ‘The Highest Lantern’, which is one of Bali’s most sacred temples.
Our nine-day Classic Malaysia tour leads you to Penang via Malacca, taking in bustling street markets, tranquil countryside including highlands tea plantations, and the wildlife-rich jungle of Taman Negara with its river, waterfalls and wild swimming. En route you’ll spot the Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and other influences that make Malaysia the culturally rich wonder that it is today, as well as visiting religious marvels including Kek Lok Tong cave temple with its remarkable Buddhist figures.
Our Thailand itinerary is a round-trip from Bangkok, and as well soaking in the cultural delights of the country’s hectic capital, you’ll discover such gems as Ayutthaya on an island between three rivers. Once capital of the Kingdom of Siam, it now contains the ruins of the old city in its Ayutthaya Historical Park complete with palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. Other highlights of this magical tour are the underrated province of Uthani Thani, Sukhothai with its stupas and temples, Lampang the ‘horse-cart city’ and Chiang Mai with its temples in a stunning mountainous setting.
Starting in the buzzing capital, our intense 20-night round-trip gives you a taste of the vast array of experiences this archipelago has to offer, which include the Banaue Rice Terraces – a UNESCO World Heritage Area and global landmark in historic civil engineering – Cebu with its marine wonders to discover on a snorkeling trip by motorised outrigger banca, and the paradisiacal island of Boracay with its famous beaches. Along the way, you’ll meet local artisans, market stall holders, farmers, schoolchildren and others, and in doing so get under of the skin of this unique destination.
Over four days, our Iconic Explorer trip covers all the major sites of Singapore, including the futuristic Gardens by the Bay with their Supertrees and Flower Dome and the old ethnic enclaves of Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown, where temples and mosques stand side by side. You’ll also get to hop aboard an authentic bumboat ride down the Singapore River and indulge in the local favourite dish of chilli crab, as well as sample some of the city state’s world-famous street food while rubbing shoulders with locals at its renowned hawker centres and its craft beer stands.
There are so many great reasons to experience certain destinations in the shoulder seasons – that sweet spot between a region’s peak season and off-season. Think fewer crowds and queues for major attractions, better-value flights and other travel, and a more authentic experience of the destination. We’ve put our heads together to share a few of our favourite places that can be just as good or even better outside of high season.
Discover a slice of paradise that’s perfect for everyone at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort. Nestled on Portugal's serene Algarve coast, this resort offers the ultimate combination of luxury and entertainment, ensuring both kids and adults have an unforgettable stay. With spacious accommodation overlooking picturesque scenes and separate zones catering to privacy, relaxation, and family fun, Anantara Vilamoura is the epitome of a luxury haven.
Explore the USA with Aer Lingus with seasonal flights from Dublin. Experience the hustle and bustle of New York, the sandy beaches of Miami, or the art and culture of San Francisco. Whether you are looking for a fun-filled family holiday or a romantic getaway, the USA has something for everyone.
