| WHY GO |
| Colonised by the French in the 19th-century, bombed by the Americans during the Vietnam War, this South-East Asian country might be expected to treat Western visitors with suspicion. Less than a decade ago, it was more or less unknown to Western travellers, however in the past few years, Laos has become much more accessible to foreign visitors. Visa prices have come down and restrictions on travel have been all but lifted. Although essentially a very poor country, it is extremely beautiful, and its people are hospitable and gracious. Make sure you visit the elegant colonial capital Vientiane, the ancient Khmer temples in Champasak and the historic mountain kingdom of Luang Prabang. |
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