The Shanti Travel team

Traditional life in the village of Wae Rebo in Flores. Sharing a coffee with a local family who taught me how to weave local ikat while the fog enveloped the conical mbaru niang houses.

However far east or west I travel through Indonesia, Bali is the island I always come home to. The day I finally saw a mola mola diving off Nusa Penida, then explored the island afterwards with my rescued dog Muku, is still the trip I measure every other one against.

Kalpitiya! A true haven of authentic peace, far from the crowds. Between the wild beaches, dolphin watching, and the joie de vivre of the kite surfers, this peninsula truly holds a special place in my Sri Lankan heart.

Without a doubt, the immersive show at the Phare circus in Siem Reap! Here, Cambodia's history and culture are told through moving acts performed by artists with incredible energy… a special moment on any trip to Cambodia.

Discover the hidden murals in the streets of Penang living pages of history. It is the perfect opportunity to take in the city's spicy aromas and meet the people of Penang.

My favourite way to end the day is walking the black sand beaches of Amed as the volcano catches the last light, or sinking into a beanbag at Warung Bobo with a drink in hand. If I want to slow down completely, it's a melukat water purification ritual at a secluded jungle spring led by a local priest, unlike anything else on the island.

Laos! Luang Prabang won me over with the serenity that surrounds the town. I loved living there: going to Wat Wisunarat temple, listening to the monks' chanting, wandering through the lush rice fields, stopping at a little coffee shop or simply taking the time to watch life go by. And then there are the Kuang Si waterfalls, whose sound still seems to echo inside me at night when I go to bed. Laos taught me to slow down, to let go and to live and travel differently, without trying to fill every moment. A peaceful destination where you are naturally carried along by the rhythm of daily life.

Meditating in the Silver Temple of Kurunegala. A less known place on the road between Colombo and Sigiriya, offering a breathtaking view of the jungle.

Sri Lanka's lush hill country, where the art of tea-making meets breathtaking scenery, is a true paradise: strolling through the green tea plantations with the invigorating scent of tea leaves in the air, then enjoying a hot cup of Ceylon tea on a cool evening in Nuwara Eliya, is a real blessing for any traveller.

All of Tokyo is a favourite for me! Between the serenity of the temples, the buzz of karaoke bars and festivals, and the surprising calm of its streets, every moment becomes an exciting adventure.

Discovering Bali means slowing time down: following the rhythm of the rice fields, letting the daily rituals carry you and deliberately getting lost off the beaten track.

Diving into the depths of Tubbataha Reef, I found myself facing a living wall of fluorescent corals and butterflyfish moving in perfect harmony. In that moment, I understood why this Philippine sanctuary is considered an untouched jewel of the ocean.

What I love most about India and Nepal is the sheer diversity of experiences they have to offer, from the peaceful stillness of ancient temples and the warmth of their people to the buzz of colourful markets, vibrant festivals, and streets alive with stories, or simply taking in the beauty of the landscapes.

Diving is what I look forward to most, especially out around the atolls where the reefs are still full of life. Malé is where every trip usually starts for me, brief but useful, a good way to get a feel for local life before heading out to the islands. Baa Atoll is where I'd send anyone hoping to swim with manta rays, and Addu Atoll, further south, is my pick when I want fewer crowds and a slower pace.

In Thailand, visiting Wat Pha Lat temple in Chiang Mai, tucked into the forest above the city. In Laos, learning traditional fishing in a breathtaking setting in the village of Muang Ngoi. In Indonesia, admiring the mighty Tumpak Sewu waterfalls on Java. In Vietnam, gliding in a rowing boat through the stunning "Halong Bay on land". In the Philippines, relaxing in front of an unforgettable sunset on one of the beaches of Siquijor…

If I had to pick, orangutan trekking in Bukit Lawang and a liveaboard trip around Komodo are the two experiences I keep sending guests back for, nothing else in Indonesia quite compares. For adrenaline, Telaga Waja is my go-to river for white-water rafting, and if you want to just switch off for a few days, book into the Jungle Kayon Resort, it's the best stay I've had on the island.