A holiday in Malaysia is a holiday in a nation of great diversity. Malaysia has quietly evolved into a thriving destination with its distinctive offerings of vibrant big-city lifestyle, exotic tropical jungle adventures and fantastic beaches and resort living.
A country of two halves – the Malay Peninsula below Thailand and the Eastern provinces of Sabah and Sarawak in Northern Borneo, Malaysia is split by the South China Sea. This duality adds to the cultural and geographic richness that makes Malaysia such a thrilling holiday destination.
Any thought that Malaysia is a second rung holiday option is immediately banished at the sight of Kuala Lumpur’s (KL) landmark Petronas Towers. A modern and clean capital city with a passion for life, KL is booming in reputation as a financial and transport hub and a shopper’s paradise. From gleaming malls to bustling street markets, KL’s popularity with retail junkies is legendary.
Penang is a thriving island city reached by causeway from the peninsula mainland. With the historic quarter of Georgetown at its heart and a string of international brand 5 star resorts along its shores, Penang is immensely popular with family holidaymakers and singles alike for it’s diversity in landscape and charming villages.
Another popular island off the mainland shores is Langkawi, recently given eco-park status for the lushness of its mangrove parks and dense tropical rainforests. Holidaymakers are also attracted to the exciting local cuisine and the luxury of its resorts. As a relaxing getaway, it’s up there with the best.
Sabah & Sarawak are the two Borneo states and offer a brilliant blending of ethnic cultures and modern-day western diversions; think pottery and textiles mixed with world-class golf resorts and scuba diving over teeming reefs. The national parks swarm with tropical wildlife, including Orang Utans and proboscis monkeys, and visits to remote water villages will inform of a tropical lifestyle of amazing simplicity.
For a flash of ethnic cultures, spiced with an amazing multicultural cuisine and the utmost resort luxury, Malaysia is a hard destination to beat.
Malaysia fun facts
Clearwater Cave of Malaysia is the longest cave in Southeast Asia, stretching over 100 km
Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are the world’s tallest twin buildings and were the tallest buildings in the world until Taipei 101 took over
Malaysia comprises of over two hundred islands and its coastline spreads over an area of approximately 4,675 km
Malaysia: Langkawi & Kuala Lumpur
Friday 7th May 2010
Travel Counsellor: Christine Jenkins
A truly beautiful country with something to offer everyone.
It was a quick and flying visit but we saw and did so much. Our base in Langkawi was at the Westin Langkawi. A beautiful resort set in a natural location with incredible views of the Andaman Sea, especially from the bar area where the Margaritas are cold and refreshing! Open the doors from your balcony and take in more of this lovely area, but please do not feed the monkeys!
We managed to see some of the local attractions, including a ride in the cable car. If you can get over the enormous heights the cable car travels, the views are stunning and worth the fright! The views of Langkawi are amazing and south Thailand is just a stone’s throw away.
There are resorts that will cater for everyone’s tastes and needs. However one in particular stood out for me. If you would like the experience of staying in a Malay antique wooden house, a villa house from Penang or maybe a Chinese Temple, then a stay at the Bon Ton Resort is a must.... view full story
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