Tell us what you want
Our thoughtful experts are ready with ideas, inspiration and advice for your next journey.
Where to go
Collections
Search
More
Honeymoons
Family Holidays
Safari Holidays
Hotels We Love
Small Group Tours
Popular Collections Right Now
Start planning your perfect trip
Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry.
1 item added to my ideas
Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry.
Open today until 6pm
Call +44 (0) 20 7978 7333
- Monday:
- 9am until 6pm
- Tuesday:
- 9am until 6pm
- Wednesday:
- 9am until 6pm
- Thursday:
- 9am until 6pm
- Friday:
- 9am until 6pm
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
My Ideas 0 Enquire or call +44 (0) 20 7978 7333
Opening Hours
Far East: An Overview
As with so many things - regions are subject to the whims of fashion. While Africa remains a perennial favourite, the likes of Latin America are now appearing far more on the travel radar, and competing with the Far East for travellers' affections.
Why we think you’ll love it
- Did we mention the food?
From the gallery
Our guide to holidays in Far East
Well, as far as we at Original Travel are concerned the Far East (comprising South East Asia, China and Japan) is somewhere particularly special. For the most part it represents extremely good value for money (OK, maybe not Japan), is filled to the brim with spectacular land- and city-scapes, and boasts heritage galore and food to die for. Finally, there's that great clincher - excellent service.
So, where to start? We're big on Borneo at present thanks to its combination of abundant wildlife, indigenous tribes, excellent hotels and great diving. It works perfectly for honeymooners and families alike, and certainly fits the 'original' bill. At the far end of the spectrum both mentally and stylistically, Japan is somewhere to wallow in a culture that feels completely 'other', and using a tour operator who knows the lie of the land (like us, for instance) is highly recommended.
Top picks for Far East
SeaTrek Cruises
Flores & Komodo
Set sail around the Indonesian archipelago aboard either the Ombak Putih or the Katharina. The billowing sails of these traditional Phinisi boats powers an adventure to some of the more inaccessible - and beautiful - places in Indonesia.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Sail the Mergui Archipelago
Mergui (Myeik) Archipelago
With only a handful of the 800 islands being (sparsely) populated, Mergui is a region where you can sail for days and not meet another soul, except perhaps a passing fisherman in his dugout canoe. And sailing is exactly how you should explore one of the planet’s most unspoilt destinations.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Si Datu Bua
Indonesia
Silolona's little sister boat is every bit as impressive and luxurious as our favourite yacht, and the perfect vessel from which to experience some of the most unspoilt islands on earth and best diving spots.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Explore Indonesia by Luxury Yacht
Indonesia
Indonesia is an increasingly popular destination, with attention turning beyond Bali to the fascinating islands of Java and Lombok and further afield still to Sumba and Komodo. But there’s more - much much more - to see in this beguiling destination, including Raja Ampat in the very bullseye of the Coral Triangle, the so-called 'epicentre of marine biodiversity'.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Tiger Blue
Indonesia
Tiger Blue liveaboard is an immaculate and newly built 100ft traditional phinisi sailing boat, and as a new build, she is one of the faster boats under power, an important consideration when you visit destinations like Raja Ampat where the distances from north to south are not inconsiderable. As well as Raja Ampat,Tiger Blue operates in the Banda Islands and Komodo/Flores and is available for both private charter and set-date departures throughout the year.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Vietnam
Far East
The 20th century saw Vietnam successively fighting off the French, the Americans and the Chinese, and it is now one of the most appealing destinations in South-East Asia, welcoming a new invasion – tourists, this time – with open arms.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Cambodia
Far East
Cambodia is sandwiched between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam in the very heart of South-East Asia, and ideally explored in combination with some of its neighbours.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Skiing in Japan
Japan
Japan is just starting to appear on European skiers’ radars, and with very good reason. The powder is reliable, the resorts run like clockwork, there are hot springs to dip in to and volcanoes to ski on and what’s not to like about après-ski sushi? Even better, there are a mere 600 resorts to choose from on the main island of Honshu and the northerly Hokkaido island, so there’s likely to be somewhere to suit every type of skier. This being Japan there are no particularly budget options, granted, but if you want super original, and Original, skiing, Japan is the place to head.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Tonle Sap Lake Trip
Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
As a day trip from Siem Reap a visit to Tonle Sap Lake is highly recommended.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
City Tour of Hanoi
Hanoi & Halong Bay
Take a private guided tour of the city’s main sights, including temples, museums of the country’s recent and ancient history, traditional old quarters and more recent tree-lined boulevards with their French colonial architecture.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Tamarind Village
Chiang Mai & The Golden Triangle
This serene boutique hotel in Chiang Mai's old town, accessed down a bamboo-lined entrance, is set up around a series of quiet courtyards, the main one of which is home to a 200-year old tamarind tree.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Japan
Far East
Quite possibly the most 'other' destination on Earth, and in our humble opinion a must for everyone's bucket list.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Silolona
Indonesia
If you want the ultimate in luxury yachts then look no further than Silolona. Sailing the seven seas (or any sea, for that matter) really doesn’t get much better.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Thailand
Far East
Thailand is a vibrant blend of cultures and breathtaking natural scenery and, understandably, the most popular destination in South East Asia.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
MesaStila
Java
This chic and cheerful boutique retreat is by far one of the best out of a, let’s face it, pretty good bunch of places to stay in Indonesia. Encircled by volcanoes MesaStila sits in a coffee plantation in Losari, a place which is ripe in jungle and simply stunning scenery.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Soneva Kiri
East Coast Thai Beaches
The beautiful Soneva Kiri is set amidst lush tropical rainforest on Koh Kood island, just a short and scenic seaplane flight from Bangkok, but feeling a world away from the bustle.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Capella Ubud
Ubud & Central Bali
Due to open its doors in December 2017 Capella Ubud is sure to be a popular choice for 2018. With a nod to the spirited European explorers that first settled in Bali in the 1800’s, the camp is a luxury tented camp combining a real immersion in the rainforest with Bill Bensley designed luxury accommodation.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Boat Trip on the Perfume River (Hue)
Hoi An & Hue
Original Travel can organise a private guided boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Malaysia
Far East
With a vibrant and distinctive blend of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures (and the resulting excellent cuisine) this is a place well worth considering.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Alexa
Indonesia
The fad for phinisi liveaboard boats in the waters off Indonesia’s islands shows no signs of running out of steam (or sail), and the arrival of the Alexa only ups the ante higher.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Hue by Bicycle
Hoi An & Hue
Discover the hidden backroads of Hue by bicycle on a day trip spent meandering along country roads past craft villages, shrines, tombs and pagodas and taking a local ferryboat across the Perfume River with the locals. The route starts with a visit to Dong Ba food market, then along the northern bank of the Perfume River to the old town of Bao Vinh and to the famous Citadel and Imperial Museum to learn about the lifestyle of the royal family and aristocrats of the Nguyen Dynasty. Next up is one of the finest examples of garden houses of Hue, the An Hien garden and finally the Heavenly Lady Pagoda, one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Mongolia
Far East
At 603,908 square miles, Mongolia is one big country, and one that's mostly empty. Even more startling than the country's size is the population - or lack of it. Mongolia is home to a mere three million people, making this the sovereign state with the lowest population density in the world. The stats keep coming - 30% of the population are nomadic and 8% of Mongolian men are direct descendants of Genghis Khan, now immortalised in a 120ft tall equine statue just outside of the capital Ulaanbaatar from where the great Mongol warrior glares down on his people.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Irrawaddy & Chindwin River Cruises
Myanmar (Burma)
Cruising the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers is a sublime way to see the sights and sounds of Burma.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Tugu Lombok
Lombok
With postcard-perfect white sandy beach, gorgeous blue waters and tropical foliage – Tugu Lombok ticks all the boxes for a luxury Indonesian getaway.
Where to stay
Add to Ideas+
Myanmar (Burma)
Far East
Myanmar (Burma) is a country of history, culture, and incredibly beautiful landscapes, and we are delighted to be offering holidays there
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Singapore
Far East
Singapore offers travellers the sights and smells of Asia, combined with the efficiency and modernity of one of the worlds leading cities - a must stop on your travels East, basically.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Adopt an Elephant
Thailand
Children can become a zookeeper for the day and adopt their very own elephant.
What to do
Add to Ideas+
Laos
Far East
Laos is the oft-ignored backwater of what was once French Indochina, and as a fortuitous result retains much of the traditional charm and feel of a bygone era.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+
Indonesia
Far East
The Indonesian archipelago consists of a sprawling chain of tropical volcanic islands comprising one of the most diverse and exotic nations on Earth.
Where to go
Add to Ideas+Start creating your tailored trip today
Build a tailored itinerary
Working with you we'll craft an unforgettable trip and tailored itinerary.
We've got you covered
We're here to help with everything while you're away from the smallest to the biggest request.
Our enthusiastic experts are seasoned travellers with the inside track on the most memorable adventures.
Call us on +44 (0) 20 7978 7333
Find more inspiration
Other places you may like
Related Collections
Newsletter Sign-Up
Get the latest travel advice, information and inspiration in our weekly newsletter.
Brochure Sign-Up
Our beautiful, free brochure is packed with insider information
and incredible travel ideas from every corner of the planet.
Get the brochure