Luang Prabang€™s temples Monks accepting the morning alms (Shutterstock)Cobbled streets, saffron-robed monks, mile-long markets, and a riverfront with stunning sunsets backed by magnificent karst scenery. It€™s hard not to feel peaceful in spiritual Luang Prabang. With 33 wats in this sleepy city, you could spend days just exploring the temples alone.Rise at 5am to watch tak bat, where Buddhist monks walk the streets for the morning alms giving. Climb Mount Phu Si for 360-degree views over Luang Prabang. Walk around the back of the mountain to find giant Buddhas etched into the cliffs. Peep at Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham before walking towards Sakkarin road marvelling at the many temples lining the street every 100 metres or so. Soon you€™ll reach the sacred spot where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. Here you€™ll find Wat Xieng Thong, the city€™s most awe-inspiring temple with its layered roof just shy of touching the floor and a mosaic-encrusted back wall displaying the tree of life

Kayaking down the Nam Song River (Shutterstock)Hidden among green-carpeted karsts and pockets of jungle, ruggedly beautiful Vang Vieng is no longer the party town that gave it its bad reputation, but a lot of fun can still be had here. For full-on adventure, kayak down the Nam Song at white-water rafting speeds. Pull up at the river€™s edge and swap paddles for a harness for a zipline experience taking you above the tree-tops, finishing with a steep descent that makes you certain you€™ll plunge into the river below.If you prefer being underground to flying through the air, explore Vang Vieng€™s best caves. Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) is home to ancient Buddha statues, a Buddha footprint and an elephant-shaped stalactite. Tham Hoi and Tham Loup also house Buddha statues along with the names of 100 people who hid in the cave during the wars. To explore Tham Nam (Water Cave), jump in a rubber ring and tube through the dark, water-filled cave with only a headtorch and rope for guidance.Conti

Patuxai is a war monument dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France (Dreamstime)Formerly a French colony, charming Vientiane is South-East Asia€™s answer to Paris. Visit Laos€™ own Arc de Triomphe (Patuxai), built with concrete given to them by the US

A for a new airport runway. Wander up the commercial district for a view of €˜the vertical runway€™ before climbing to the top for stunning views over Vientiane. Descend the monument and continue to Pha That Luang. Said to be the most important national monument in Laos, this gold-leafed temple is believed to have a piece of Buddha€™s breastbone encased in the stupa.For an insight into the tragic history, visit the COP

When is the best time to visit Laos? The small, landlocked country of Laos is best visited between October and April, when the weather€™s warm and dry throughout. River travel is best between November and January, when high water levels make passage easy along Laos€˜ main waterway, the Mekong River.