Thailand is a country of many contrasting facets, with glorious beaches as well as forests, jungles and mountains. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe or explore the wildlife, a family holiday in Thailand will never be dull.If you're looking for seaside relaxation, visit the beaches and bay of Hat Karon in Phuket with sand dunes and palm trees. The island of Ko Tao has coral reefs and is the place to go if you want to learn to dive, but you can also go mountain biking or just sunbathe on the beach. The Royal Barge National Museum in Bangkok houses several barges built for Thailand's kings; the beautifully detailed carving is quite breathtaking. Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park in Chiang Mai has a wealth of flowering plants and ferns as well as three hundred species of birds. If you're in the mood for a quiet spot, try the town of Sangkhlaburi; from there you can set off on an elephant trek or jungle tour. For mountains and forests, visit the north-western province of Mai Hong Son.

You’re on a gorgeous island off the coast of Thailand—it doesn’t get much better than this. Spend the day on a lively, popular beach, or explore the Ang Thong National Marine Park’s secluded lagoons. Looking for romance? Choose a luxurious five-star resort, a simple, secluded bungalow or pretty much anything in between.

Soak up the sun and some Vietnamese culture on Phu Quoc Island, where white sands and tropical waters entice beachgoers from all over the globe. Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing are the most popular water sports here, though jet-skiing, wind sailing and squid fishing—yes, squid fishing—are also at your holiday-making fingertips. Check out the early-morning Duong Dong Market for an authentic local experience.

From the cosmopolitan metropolis of Cebu City and the white-sand beaches of Mactan to the electric-blue waters of Kawasan Falls and the whale sharks of Oslob, it’s easy to see why Cebu Island is one of the Philippines’ top destinations.

Located just off Boho Island (the Philippines' largest), Planglao is home to pristine beaches and luxurious hotels. The island's Alona and Dumaluan beaches in particular serve up the white sands and turquoise waters that have become a trademark of the Visayas region.

Ko Chang means “Elephant Island,” and indeed, if you’d like an up-close-and-personal encounter with the world’s largest land mammal, you can do that here—you can even swim with them at Ban Kwan Chang, an elephant preserve recommended by TripAdvisor travellers. In the past few years, the island has experienced a huge boom in tourism, so new hotels and restaurants abound.

The jungles and monsoon forests of Vietnam are diverse ecosystems that are alive with unique wildlife. Trekking is a popular activity here, particularly the mountains of Sapa and the primeval landscape of Cuc Phuong National Park. For a more urban escape, take a guided food tour of Ho Chi Minh City, making sure to squeeze in visits to the historic Hoi Truong Thong Nhat palace and the intricately adorned Emperor Jade Pagoda.

Yogyakarta boasts stunning architecture and a truly spiritual sensibility. The ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan look like hand-drizzled sand castles, while the Sultan's palace is reminiscent of a gilded music box filled with jewels. Known for its arts and handicrafts, Yogyakarta is a cultural hub, a nerve center for traditional and modern puppetry.

Nomadic tribal heritage and modern society co-exist in the UAE, a federation of seven emirates at the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Look beyond the desert that consumes four-fifths of its area and you'll find UAE capital Abu Dhabi, an oil-rich city of skyscrapers, parks and malls, and Dubai, with its split personality of luxury resorts and covered marketplaces, upscale boutiques and local artisans. For a break from urban sprawl, journey over rolling red sand dunes into the Hatta Mountains, where the 200-year-old Sharia Mosque sits amid 30 restored buildings of sandalwood and mud.

The natural beauty of Yilan flows like an enchanted river. The surrounding county is lush with waterfalls, lakes, rivers and botanical gardens. You can spend your vacation immersed in a watery paradise, swimming, surfing, white water rafting or simply taking in the scenery. If you prefer to soak up culture, Yilan offers museums that highlight traditional crafts and natural wonders, including Bei Guan Leisure Farm, known for its head-scratching exhibits of live crabs that live in boiling volcanic springs. A street snack from the Luodong Night Market is simply a must.