A former royal capital, the delightful town of Luang Prabang sits in a quiet valley on the edge of the Mekong and is the highlight of most visits. Start by walking up to the highest point above the town, Mount Phousi, which gives a good panoramic view of the simple layout.

At dawn, monks collecting alms can be seen walking through the narrow streets; temples, with their graceful roofs, are everywhere and many French houses and shops have been preserved. From Luang Prabang, you can travel by boat to see the caves at Pak Ou where literally thousands of Buddha statues have been placed by the locals over the centuries. The drive between Luang Prabang and Vientiane via the town of Vang Vieng is spectacular.