Top 5

Top 5 - Malaysia

Kick Back in Malaysia

Situated in the heart of South East Asia, Malaysia is made up of twoparts: Peninsular Malaysia, home to the capital, Kuala Lumpur and the tropical resort islands of Penang, Pangkor, Langkawi, Redang and Tioman; and East Malaysia consisting of the states of Sarawak and Sabah on the exotic island of Borneo. All these places make Malaysia a diverse and multi-racial culture to visit, complete with unspoilt beaches, breathtaking highlands, tropical rainforests, an incredible variety of flora and fauna and modern, cosmopolitan cities.

Malaysia is home to some of the finest beaches in the world and can cater for a romantic break or a diving adventure. Langkawi is ideal for couples and honeymooners, while the former spice-trading island of Penang is perfect for those looking for an idyllic beach break with a cultural edge.

The capital, Kuala Lumpur or ‘KL’ is where most people will start their trip. It’s a bustling and vibrant city best known for its most famous landmark, the 452-metre high Petronas Twin Towers. From here the idyllic islands await with their fabulous beaches, interesting wildlife and laid back ambience. Whether you want one of the more popular resorts in Langkawi or to discover a secret hideaway in one of the least spoilt areas of Malaysia along the East Coast, Malaysia is a great holiday choice.

Top 5 places to Visit

Kuala Lumpur is a modern capital that offers five star luxury and great shopping, combined with a more traditional way of life with open street markets, two-storey shop houses and coffee shops. The main tourist attractions and hotels are within the ‘Golden Triangle’ area including Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. Shoppers can get great bargains, including local produce at the night markets.

On the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi is an ideal retreat for couples and honeymooners. It is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is surrounded by clear emerald waters making it a great place for scuba divers and snorkelers. Wildlife lovers will be in for a treat with the wide variety of wildlife on the island.

Linked to the mainland by a bridge, Penang is known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’. It was once a port for traders in search of spices and is a great place for a true taste of the east with its beaches, temples, markets and colonial history.

Pangkor has a charming mix of fishing settlements and resorts. Pangkor can be reached by a 40 minute boat ride from the Town of Lumut. Berjaya Air also flies five times a week from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport outside Kuala Lumpur. The award winning resort of Pangkor Laut is set on its own private island.

Sabah or Malaysian Borneo is synonymous with exotic eco tours, wildlife and five star resorts. It’s the dense jungles and forests with the orang-utans that live there that draw many visitors and to be amongst them at the Sepilok centre is a magical experience. Sabah has many waterways and a tour through the jungle by boat is a must.

Climate

The best time to visit Malaysia is between April and October. The climate is tropical; it is hot and humid year–round with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C, even at night, and often climbing to 30°C or more during the day, with bursts of rainfall possible through out the year. Humidity sits around 90%, but the cooler hill stations in the highlands can provide a welcome escape from the heat.

The East Coast’s and Sabah’s rainy season is marked with the arrival of the monsoons between October and February. The wettest month on the West Coast of the peninsula is between September and December however generally the rain will only interrupt the sunshine briefly, falling in short, strong bursts, rarely raining all day.