Like the threads woven into the finest fabrics, Asia is a melting pot of vibrant colours, incredible architecture, frenetically-paced streets, divine food, friendly locals and an overpowering onslaught to the senses. It's brash, and it's beautiful. Asia is bursting at the seams with captivating journeys that offer thrilling adventure or inner peace and solace. Asia will continue to bewitch its visitors, just as it has for centuries. 

Southeast Asia map - highly detailed vector illustration | Credit: By Porcupen on Shutterstock

Asia has earned the right to boast about its ancient cultures and the dramatic trading routes that have carved out entire empires as communities shared philosophies and goods throughout the region. Its ambitious people haven given rise to some of the world's most revolutionary ideas and technology that are still called upon today. There are ancient wonders and prominent places that yearn discovery from the extraordinary temples of Bagan and Angkor Wat, the outlandish Great Wall of China or the lesser-known magic of Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Phuket, Thailand

Big buddha | Credit: Mingmongkolphuket

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand is much revered by many. It possesses a distinctive blend of theatre, peace and history that makes it the perfect location for holidaymakers and expatriate residents that enjoy the blend of western offerings and Asian culture. Although the island is developing at a rapid pace, it still retains much of its historic charm that dates back to the Chinese settlers and the times of tin mining.

The island is made up of mature rubber plantations, ancient jungles and pine or palm tree-lined beaches. There are some divine hotspots dotted around the island that includes Phuket Old Town for its eclectic art and café scene. Nai Harn has peaceful beaches, Kata and Karon possess a buzzing nightlife and Cherngtalay is renowned for its refined wine bar scene. Phuket truly offers an impressive fusion of traditional Thai and contemporary Asian living conveniences for residents and tourists seeking a harmonious living.

Penang, Malaysia

Visit The Kek Lok Si Temple In Penang – Malaysia | Credit: Omnivagant

Another of Home In Phuket's island favourites is Penang which is famed for its twinkling waters off Batu Ferringhi Beach and its bountiful historical sites. The island's cuisine is an amalgamation of delicious Chinese, Tamil, and Malay influences which result in an array of devilishly fiery curries, flavour-intense noodles and a plethora of bizarre street cuisine. 

Georgetown is instantly recognisable by its colourful, old-fashioned colonial-era mansions, clan houses, ornate temples, a Little India, and many Chinese shop lots. It is a fine example of a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Da Nang, Vietnam

Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills | Credit: th.airbnb

The Vietnamese are irrefutably some of the friendliest souls in Asia. They always have a beaming smile for visitors. Vietnam is a relatively small country that is surrounded by China, Laos and Cambodia. The impressive Mekong River flows from the high canyons of China,  meanders across country and eventually flows out to sea through Vietnam. 

The city of Da Nang has a great outdoors beach vibe. It has 30km of white sandy beaches that are endlessly lined with palm trees. For visitors and residents with an adventurous streak, My Khe Beach and Lang Co are the favourites and offer lots of watersports.

Only 20 minutes drive away is Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a perfectly preserved Asian trading village. Further north is Hue, Vietnam's ancient ex-capital city; it holds incredible history and sites of phenomenal importance. The city has a clean environment in which to live, a stable infrastructure and exceptional living standards. Within the last decade, it has won the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award.

Bali, Indonesia

Top 7 Reasons To Visit Bali | Credit: Forbes

This tropical island is known for its Instagrammable beaches, meandrous rivers, infinite jungle scapes, temples and holistic, slightly hippy living. There are many activities for the intrepid explorer including whitewater rafting, diving, waterfall hikes, rice terraces and Handara Gate.

The island can be likened to a jigsaw, and various areas are suitable for differing ex-pats and travellers. For beach lovers, then Denpasar and Seminyak are better bets; accommodation here is upscale and off the party-route. The beaches are clean and calm. For the hipsters that love healthy food, yoga, surfing and a bustling nightlife, then Canggu is the place to be. Ubud is further inland and surrounded by rice plantations and jungle, it's been brushed with the reputation of being the spiritual town of the island.