Blog

Peninsular Malaysia has a lot to offer any traveller, from the curious backpacker to the 5* luxury seeker. And unlike some countries in Asia, it is possible to experience the whole range of what Malaysia has to offer without skimping on comfort.

If you've ever dreamt of island hopping, surrounded by warm blue waters and relaxing on white sandy, palm fringed beaches without a care in the world then the southern islands of Thailand are definitely the place for you.

Arguably the most stupefying, glitziest, and at some points in its' history the seediest city in Asia, nowhere embodies modern China more than Shanghai. The Paris of the East is next up in our '5 things' series. 

From 1 August this year, Hai Au Aviation will commence a Cessna seaplane transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay, reducing the journey time from over three hours (by road) to 30 minutes, and providing spectacular views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the same time.

Continuing our focus on Myanmar, we’d like to direct the spotlight onto points north and east from Mandalay, tracing the British-built Burma Road up to China. 

As Myanmar continues its slow and steady process of opening up to the world, we can expect to see numerous areas - formerly an outright no-no for foreign tourists - become available for exploration. One such is the Kayah state capital Loikaw, home to some fascinating tribal areas and the midway point of a fantastic loop from Kalaw and up through to Inle Lake.

A journey to Rakhine State, in the west of Myanmar, is a fascinating affair taking in fishing villages, ancient ruins and landscapes that really haven't changed much in the last 50 years. As the plane touches down in Sittwe you know things are different as you walk across the tarmac into a tiny arrivals hall where your luggage is brought to you by one of a bevy of ‘tip hungry' local porters. 

‘I do like to be beside the seaside' is a song made popular during the last vestiges of the music hall era. Its catchy sentiment still rings true today although many of us now tend to look for our beach thrills overseas, rather than on the English sands of Blackpool or Clacton on Sea.

One of the Bamboo Travel team (Ewen) recently returned from a research trip to Sumatra's Lake Toba, and loved the relaxed atmosphere of Samosir Island.

We are delighted to report that Bamboo Travel recently won the ‘Best Tour Operator' category in the Wanderlust Magazine Awards for the second time, with an overall approval rating of 100%.

With over 7,000 islands stretched over an area of nearly 300,000 square kilometres, the default mode of transport in the Philippines is on the water. Two new options have emerged to explore this expansive tropical archipelago.

Taiwan is one of Asia’s best kept secrets and its stunning natural beauty makes it a superb destination for the active traveller and those who love the great outdoors. We've put together a brand new tour showcasing the best the Ilha Formosa has to offer.