Leave your best clothes behind and head to these destinations that may turn messy, but will provide fantastic memories, as recommended by Lightfoot Travel
Play with elephants in Thailand
If you’re going to get muddy, do it with some of the most magnificent creatures on Earth. At Anantara’s Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand,you can get up close to the elephants as they play in their natural habitat, feed them and bathe them under the watchful eyes of expert guides, and learn fascinating facts about biology, behaviour and conservation. A totally unique experience for all the family.
Stay. You’re literally living with the elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle with stunning views, landscaped gardens and top-notch amenities.
Try tunneling in Vietnam
Dark, dirty and claustrophobic, the historic Chu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam were built during the Indochina conflict in 1948 and served as a base from which the Viet Cong - National Liberation Front could operate while hiding from the French attacks. Descending underground and crawling the network might sound daunting, but it’s very well maintained and well worth it to witness these concealed living quarters. Up on land you can see the weapon factories, command centres and hidden trap doors.
Stay: Villa Song in Ho Chi Minh City has a boutique feel, fabulous facilities and a lovely luxurious and laid-back feel.
Go biking, boating & kayaking in Myanmar
Get some bikes, boats and kayaks, add them to Inle Lake in the Shan State of Myanmar, and you have all the ingredients for outdoorsy fun for couples and families. Start with a bike ride departing from Inle lake which leads you onto forest tracks and narrow paths submerged within flowerbeds; next, set off on a boat ride, sailing into the rice paddies and floating villages; after lunch, try a spot of kayaking among the murky waters, stilted houses and tomato gardens. Tours can be arranged.
Stay: Make Inle Princess Resort nestled within the blue mountain ranges, your sanctuary.
Get artsy in Indonesia
There’s something about Ubud in Bali that makes you want to get all creative. Along with ambling through the paddy fields, visiting the temples, going shopping and sampling the local Nasi Goreng, there are numerous arts & crafts centres available teaching the likes of painting, mask-making, ceramics and sculpture. We recommend getting messy at the Bali Center for Artistic Creativity which offers workshops for children and adults.
Stay: Four Seasons Bali at Sayan is a total paradise, plus its kids’ club – located at the Rice Bran Tree House in the jungle – offers a great schedule of arts and crafts activities.
Fly through the sky in Siem Reap
Cambodia may be home to one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, but Angkor’s dense jungle is also famous for providing an epic landscape for a zipline experience. Flight of the Gibbon Angkor is located inside the Angkor protected area and the course includes 10 ziplines, 21 treetop platforms, four skybridges and an abseil finish. We can guarantee messy hair, mud, much squealing and a rush of adrenaline that may well see you returning for a second round.
Stay: Park Hyatt Siem Reap combines Khmer heritage with modern design and makes for a wonderful unique hideaway.
Trek the rainforest in Borneo
Borneo is a brilliant choice for families who love adventure and wildlife. Head off on the spectacular Tree Top Canopy Walkway, suspended 30-metres above the ground with strong boardwalks and breathtaking surrounds. Walks usually take place with a guide and are suitable for children who love searching for bizarre plants, birds and hairy millipedes. If the river is at the right level, you can float downstream on a giant rubber tyre, watching the jungle pass by.
Stay: Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a lovely jungle escape, surrounded with wildlife and offering a romantic feel.
Lightfoot Travel is a luxury tour operator with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai, specialising in designer holidays around the world. Contact here
