Jacinta Fabricius

The gold standard in safe and ethical interactions between humans and animals. Langkawi Wildlife Park has over 45 species of animals from Malaysia and across the globe, many of which wander freely in semi-open enclosures for visitors to feed from purchased feeding packs. Most enclosures have been constructed to mimic the animal’s natural habitat. Successful breeding programs with several species are a sure sign Langkawi Wildlife Park receives the animals’ tick of approval.

Welcome to Paradise. Whether your idea of bliss is relaxing on a day bed with a cocktail, snapping Instagram-worthy photos, or the adrenaline rush of watersports, you’ll find it at private island, Paradise 101. Only 1km from the shoreline of Pantai Kok, Paradise 101 enjoys exquisite views of the turquoise Andaman Sea from its white sandy shore. The island provides the ultimate hub for watersports, sunbaking, and indulging your taste buds.

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Beachy vibes meet classic rock anthems at Hard Rock Hotel Penang. Hear catchy tunes throughout the complex and see tributes to legends like The Beatles at every turn. The action centers around the freeform lagoon pool, the largest swimming pool in Penang. Daily activities entertain while wide-ranging hits perpetually play in the background. Music continues in your room with complimentary electric guitar hire through the Picks program. This is one rockin’ vacation you’ll never forget.

A stay at Rebak Island Resort & Marina Langkawi is the definition of luxury. Eat like a king or queen with in-house chefs specializing in Indian, Malay, and Thai cuisines, then relax on the private beach. The resort is split into 2 wings, the first with traditionally-inspired wooden chalets while the second is more modern but still fitted with Malay-style wooden furniture. Guests in both wings wake up meters away from waves gently lapping at the shore. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Explore Langkawi from Aloft’s convenient location by the shores of Pantai Tengah. If clear, turquoise shores are what you’re chasing, take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary beach buggy service to the soft white sands where watersport vendors await. All guest rooms come with a complimentary mini-bar and added extras like a balcony, beach towels and flip flops and your choice of jungle, pool, or ocean views.

Experience Langkawi’s rice-farming history by sleeping above rice paddies at Gemalai Village. 6 traditional stilted kampung huts are connected by wooden boardwalks above water-filled paddy fields within the Laman Padi complex. Guests experience a taste of village life without sacrificing modern comforts like air-conditioning, a comfy bed, hot showers, and breakfast delivered to your room.

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Scroll through our hand-picked list of the best places to eat in Penang.

Browse our hand-picked list of the best places to eat in Ubud.

Taste, hear, and feel Bali when you dine at Bale Udang. A series of private bamboo huts, called bales, surround a central koi pond. Diners are led to a private bale where their feet dangle centimetres above the water at a bottomless table. Staff let diners enjoy their privacy, leaving a wooden bell to ring for attention or when you’re ready to place your order. A large portion of menu items contain seafood, but some meat and vegetarian options are also available.

A traditional Balinese warung so small only 8 tables fit in the semi-open dining area. These tables book out days in advance by diners eager to indulge in Melting Wok's authentic curries. Dishes scrawled on humble blackboard menus are few in number, usually 2 main curries and a daily special, meaning chefs focus on quality over quantity, preparing mouth-watering curries worthy of the wait.

One of Bali’s first health-focused restaurants, Bali Buda uses hand-made ingredients and all-natural processes to create the highest possible quality of food, in terms of nutrition and taste. The diverse food menu caters to most dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan. Meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant’s cozy dining area, or delivered to your accommodation via the Gojek app.

A short walk from Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest Sanctuary is this jungle-themed restaurant serving Asian-Fusion cuisine. Indonesian and Balinese classics, like gado gado, nasi campur, and nasi goreng feature on the menu alongside Western favorites like pasta, and burgers. There’s plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians too, all listed on a ‘vegan’ page in the menu.

Alongside Ubud's urban center is a section of pure jungle, home to over 1,000 Balinese monkeys. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located on spiritually-significant ground, constructed around 3 Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century. While tourists delight in watching the furry critters frolic and get into all sorts of mischief, measures are in place to protect visitors and also preserve the monkeys’ natural way of life.

Known as Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud is located in the mountainous highlands and has become a beacon for budget-seeking backpackers. The town is best known for its local art village, traditional culture, nature walks, and relaxing yoga retreats. If you want to be at one with nature, Ubud is the place to visit. Surrounded by lush jungle, wonderful waterfalls, and plenty of picturesque rice terraces, you can experience the region’s best attractions without breaking the bank.