Finding hidden gems on our travels is a major Kotur hobby. From little known corners of bustling cities to far away rural retreats, unexpected corners of the world are always, always a joy to come across. Recently, we found another to add to our list. Nestled in the North of the South East Asian country of Laos is Luang Prabang. Once the (pre Communist) Royal seat of the country, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for it’s beautiful architecture, lush surroundings and extremely relaxed way of life, Luang Prabang is quite simply a heavenly place to go.

Visitors flock to Luang Prabang mostly for its temples. Small the city may be, with the old part consisting of just a few streets nestled in between the banks of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, but there are intricate temples at almost every turn, ranging from the new and rather flash to the old and handpainted, each filled with statues of Buddha and, between them, home to thousands of monks. Around the temples has sprung some lovely architecture. Remnants of Laos’ French colonial days are evident in lovely shuttered villas complete with verandas and balconies that seem frozen in time. Higgledy piggledy side streets full of climbing bougainvillea and traditional Laotian houses are peaceful, quiet and completely charming to wander through.

Hotel options are plenty. There are endless guesthouses throughout, ranging from the cheap and cheerful to the more upscale Villa Santi, owned by the last King’s daughter. The super luxe Aman group have opened a hotel here, but for a perfect blend of Laos living and luxury, the Residence Phou Vao where we stayed would be pretty hard to beat. A small hotel that was all mosquito nets and flowing white linen, dark teak floors and beautiful views, it gave a stay that will be hard to forget. Restaurants in town are simple, outdoorsy and completely charming. Two highlights of our trip were the french bistro L’elephant and the Blue Lagoon Cafe, one specialising in more fusion Asian food. By night, it’s all about the market, where people from the North pedal their wares – embroidered cushions and clothes, hand tooled silver artifacts and paintings are all on show.

So, next time you’re looking to check out for a little, wanting to head somewhere different for a total break from life, think of this. For peace, quiet, beautiful surroundings and a total getaway from city life, it doesn’t get much better than magical Luang Prabang.

http://www.residencephouvao.com/web/plua/la_residence_phou_vao.jsp

http://www.amanresorts.com/amantaka/location.aspx

http://www.blue-lagoon-cafe.com/contact.htm

http://elephant-restau.com

Pictures: All taken by Kotur