This is the former capital of the Khmer Empire, which ruled this region between the 9th and 12th centuries. Angkor Archaeological Park evokes the rich historical, architectural and cultural past of the Khmers. The majestic Angkor complex offers temples galore, which is a marvel to explore. Each temple is unique, from the grandeur of Angkor Wat to the beauty of Banteay Srei, this dynastic ’village’ is spellbinding. You need a minimum of two days to explore. As the temples are spread out, transportation is required. Bicycles, motorbikes, tuk-tuks and air-conditioned cars are at your disposal. Guides can be sought through most hotels and guesthouses.

Another beautiful and relaxing beach, Psili Ammos, on the south side of the island of Samos, boasts calm, clear waters and a soft sandy beach.

County Kildare is home to the windswept Bog of Allen, and to a leisurely section of the restored Royal Canal. There’s a masterpiece of an 8th-century High Cross in Moone. Maynooth Castle anchors the leafy university town of the same name. Kildare is also home to one of Ireland’s great driving routes. Following the course of the Gordon Bennett Cup, which saw racing daredevils whizz through Kildare, Carlow and Laois in 1903, the 104-mile circuit recalls a time when Ireland’s speed limit was just 12mph. The county is a marvellous mix of old and new, of natural landscapes and precisely manicured gardens, of horseracing competitions and stylish fashion events.

Mansion Xanadu is a refined hotel that sits next to a vast, 18-hole golf course. The building itself was once commissioned by a moneyed American entrepreneur, who ordered it be built with the use of top-notch quality materials, such as marble. The mansion was later expropriated by the government, only to become known as the single lavish, Spanish colonial-style hotel in the area.