Krabi is located on the west coat mainland facing the Andaman Sea, and Koh Lanta is linked by car-ferry and/or speedboat. Both are wonderfully tropical, with limestone islands emerging from the generally turquoise waters. Krabi is more developed and has a lively nightlife scene at Ao Nang. Koh Lanta is quieter, with just a couple of good hotels, offering a glorious and real sense of escapism.
Phuket Thailand is the most developed of the resort islands in the south of Thailand, one hour flight from Bangkok. Good infrastructure, with many top-class hotels and restaurants, and tourist attractions both on land and at sea.
Essentially you have two parts to Malaysia. On the peninsula, running from the southern border of Thailand down to Singapore, you have the lively capital city of Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands and Taman Negara National Forest and just off the west coast the famous resort islands of Langkawi, Penang and Pangkor Laut. On the much more sedate and tranquil east coast of the peninsula you have the resort town of Kuantan with the island of Tioman just off shore and further up the coast the even more rural and escapist appeal of Tanjung Jara, close to Kuala Terengganu in the north east corner.
Vietnam is a fantastic country to explore, with so much rich culture, fascinating ancient and more modern history, and scenic contrasts. Weather wise it is split into three sections, each with their own climate pattern. The north, essentially Hanoi/ Halong Bay can be cold and misty particularly in the months of November to early February, so you need to pack accordingly. It starets to warm up from mid February onwards, and the spring months are generally very pleasant, as is September. July & August can be hot and humid.
Mauritius is a large sugar island, with towering peaks and fringed by golden sand beaches. A wonderful melting pot of cultures and influences, with Indian, Africans, Chinese and Europeans all blending their skills to present something uniquely Mauritian.
The capital Port Louis is a lively city with some excellent shopping. For something very different, go to the horse racing, a real fun day, with a weekly meeting each Saturday from May through to November.
Flying time from UK is approximately 12 hours.
