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Malaysia
Malaysia is a destination that plays host to a variety of ethnicities, cultures and traditions. This makes Malaysia the perfect setting for a luxury holiday. With its steamy equatorial climate and exotic wildlife it is no wonder Malaysia has been a key destination for travellers for the last 5,000 years - since the ancestors of the Orang Asli, the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, first settled there.
Malaysia's rich local culture is a reflection of its tempestuous past. The first Muslim empire in Malaya, based on the trading port of Malacca, was formed under the rule of King Parameswara in the 15th century. Then in the 16th century the Portuguese moved in and captured Malacca. Sultan Mahmud, the ruler of Malacca, was unable to recapture it - so his successors made an alliance with the Dutch to expel the Portuguese in 1641.
The British acquired Melaka from the Dutch in 1824, although it wasn't until September 1963 that Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah, and Singapore united to form Malaysia. It was only then that this country acquired the name that so many know and love.
In terms of religious tradition, evidence of a Hindu-Buddhist period in Malaysiah history can still be found today in the temple sites of the Bujang Valley and Merbok Estuary in Kedah. In the 13th century the spread of Islam brought the Hindu-Buddhist era to an end. Islam was established as the religion of Malaysia and still is today.
Home to a wealth of hotels, museums, entertainment centres, and famous landmarks, Kuala Lumpur is a stunning first stop on any itinerary, with its unique blend of cosmopolitan sophistication juxtaposed with olde-worlde charm. First stop ? the Central Market, situated at the edge of Chinatown. The Central Market is home to some of the city's best shopping. The Central Market is also a treasure trove of local arts and crafts.
If absorbing local culture is of interest to you, the riverside amphitheatre located outside the market features regular performances, demonstrations and batik painting. Free cultural performances such as Malay Traditional Theatre, Shadow Play, Chinese Opera, and Indian Traditional Theatre are held on weekends. The Central Market is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
The Sri Mahamariamman Temple is another must-see for the wayward traveller. Dating back to 1873 and fronted by a massive gate tower, this temple is Kuala Lumpur's main Hindu temple. It houses a large silver chariot that is taken out and paraded to the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival at the beginning of each year.
To cap off your luxury holiday Pangkor Laut is the 'piece de resistance'. Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island located off the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and home to the eponymous 5 star luxury resort. This resort is pampering personified - offering guests luxury accommodation in an atmosphere of natural beauty to engender an environment of extreme relaxation.
After Kuala Lumpur, Penang is another popular destination. Affectionately known as the 'Pearl of the Orient,' Penang is situated 370 km from Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia's north-western coast. Penang used to be the oldest British settlement in Malaysia but today it is one of Malaysia's biggest tourist attractions.
Penang's rich history is personified by Georgetown, the biggest city on the island, with its places of worship, city communities, bazaars, guilds, retail shops and trishaw peddlers. Georgetown is the result of a history of peaceful religious co-existence and exchange among the followers of the faiths of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, as well as the Chinese religions of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
While in Penang, be sure to include a trip to the Snake Temple, a traditional temple swarming with poisonous pit vipers. It is thought these poisonous snakes are made drowsy by the smoke of the burning incense. The 33m long reclining Buddha is the main attraction in Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple and is believed to be the 3rd largest in the world.
Selangor is another must-see item on the travel checklist. Nicknamed the 'Industrial Hub of the Nation' it is the country's premier state due to its natural resources, well-developed communications networks, industrial estates and skilled workforce. Selangor's state capital, Shah Alam, is the home of modern architecture while Klang serves as a reminder of the old sultanate.
For water-sports enthusiasts, Langkawi is paradise. Lying off the north-western coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is the first of an archipelago of 99 islands. Langkawi is home to the world's most pristine rainforests, limestone formations, stunning underwater caves and white sandy beaches washed by jewelled waters that team with a multitude of marine life ? perfect for diving and snorkelling.
Plan your own luxury holiday to the jewel of Southeast Asia's exquisite crown.
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