Luxury is not confined to city streets and chic boutiques; it can also be found in quite surprising locales, making it all the more enthralling. Luxury can be found in the depths of rugged, intriguing Africa, where exotic animals roam and fascinating cultures people the land. This continent is a wealth of natural resources, culture, and allure. Discover its underrated, brilliant gems.

You do not have to rough it on safari in Kenya, Tanzania, or Egypt. These fascinating countries offer a wealth of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes for the intrepid visitor to explore in luxury and comfort. While these destinations have gained in popularity in recent years, they still remain less traveled than their European counterparts. What can you expect on a tour of beautiful Kenya, Tanzania, or Egypt?

Expect to be awed by wildlife, free in their natural habitats. Travel through plains inhabited by leopards, lions, buffalo, elephants, and rhinoceros in Kenya’s Masai Mara game park. See ten-foot crocodiles lounging by the Nile, or sand cats and camels in the deserts of Egypt. Visit the most bio-diverse country in Africa, Tanzania, and witness the wealth of orchids, rare birds, and endemic species. There is no zoo that can compare to the wonder of seeing these animals in their natural element. They are sights of unparalleled beauty.

Expect rich and vibrant cultures, from Kenya’s Samburu people, with bright clothing and beaded jewelry, to the Spice Island and coastal region of Tanzania. This is home to the Swahili people, who will give you an intriguing glance into African life. You will see languid marketplaces of the Swahili coast or the teeming cities of Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor. Visit Jerash or Jordan and gaze at historic sites. See the Sphinx and the famed pyramids. The cultural offerings are unending, and unceasingly enchanting.

Expect luxury. Whether your stay brings you to one of the lavish resorts on the banks of the Dead Sea or to one of the beautiful Serena hotels that dot the most remote and exotic locales of Africa, you will find unbelievable views, indescribable beauty, and unexpected pleasure in the comforts you will receive even in the midst of untamed wilderness.

Luxury safaris are gaining in popularity, but these stunning areas are still much less trodden than other premiere destinations. You will have the privacy and solitude to enjoy picturesque vistas and awe-inspiring beasts. Before booking your next vacation, consider departing from the ordinary path and explore Africa.

Whenever you are planning a long haul trip it can be difficult to know where to begin when organising transport in and around your chosen destinations. South East Asia has recently opened itself up to a huge global travel market and as such transport possibilities are evolving and improving all the time. There are, however, a few rules of thumb that might just help to make your life a little easier.

The first big journey is what you want to book first. The biggest and best connected airports in South East Asia are to be found in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh (though the airport still uses the city’s former name, Saigon), Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Depending on your onward trajectories and how long you wish to spend in your city of arrival, these cities will all offer you a range of possibilities for onward journeys. Furthermore, they all offer direct flight services from selection of airports across the UK, eliminating the need for tiresome and time-consuming connections.

Once you are in South East Asia you usually have the choice between travelling by internal flights within the region or taking a bus. In Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Thailand, rail travel services are also available.

Useful airlines to remember are Jet Star – Singapore’s budget airline, connecting a range of South East Asian cities – and Air Asia – another cheap and cheerful choice, operating mostly out of Kuala Lumpur. If you are in any doubt about the services you are reserving, check out online reviews and air traffic safety sites for the latest information.

Overland travel is, of course, more time consuming, but it may allow or inspire you to make a few interesting stops along the way. It will give you a glimpse of many different kinds of South East Asian societies, away from the bustling, and comparatively affluent, cities. When travelling by bus, be sure to take plenty of water, insect repellent and, where possible, a well charged iPod. You will never get a straight answer when you ask how long your journey might take.

It’s obviously not possible here to list tips like this for every major tourist destination in Asia. But the general drift of it is that each place has its own laws and customs, so the best Asia travel advice that can be provided here is that visitors should know beforehand what is acceptable and what isn’t. Most destinations are quite friendly and welcoming, but it’s important to show some respect for local sensibilities.