Pagodas and Palms

Yangon, with its historic architecture and tranquil setting, is simply beautiful. Its main attraction is the impressive gilded Shwedagon Pagoda: considered to be one of the most sacred Buddhist sites, it is made from a staggering 60 tonnes of gold. Visit the People’s Park, with its flower gardens and ornate fountains, which has stunning views over Shwedagon. Equally compelling is the Karaweik Palace, which sits on the serene Kandawgyi Lake.

The Savoy Hotel is positively regal, showcasing a classic colonial style, with antique furniture and marble features. During your stay, enjoy authentic Burmese exhibitions and music shows, and dine al fresco on the terrace of the Kipling restaurant.

Marco Polo described Bagan as ‘a gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks’ robes’. Once the base for 13,000 temples (with 2,000 still standing today), architectural buffs will have a field day exploring the religious sites, each one as unique and impressive as the next. A city of many faces, the Nyaung U market, with its lively hustle and bustle and vivid sights and sounds, provides a contrast to the serene temple settings, and you can look down on Bagan and the hills beyond from the sacred monastery at the top of Mount Popa, an extinct volcano: on your way to the summit, it's likely you'll be joined by playful monkeys.

After exploring Bagan, retreat to the grand The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate, where stylish interiors, pretty gardens and a pool await. 

The city of Mandalay is an intricate blend of old and new Burma. The magnificent Royal Palace imposes itself on the landscape, and north of the city you’ll find stupas and monasteries at every turn. The Hotel by the Red Canal is a romantic hideaway in the historic centre: styled like an oriental palace, its tribal-themed suites showcase Burmese fabrics and quirky artefacts, and you can unwind with an Ayurvedic treatment in the spa - all just a five-minute walk from the Royal Palace.

The ethereal Inle Lake is home to fishermen who row with one leg, ethnic tribes including the Intha community (who live in bamboo-stilt houses on the water) and floating gardens. This wetland ecosystem, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is also home to a variety of wildlife, from water buffaloes to several species of birds. There's no better way to immerse yourself into local life than by sleeping in one of the bamboo bungalows, built on stilts, at Inle Heritage House, where you can learn to cook traditional Inle cuisine and relax on your private deck, watching the longtail boats drift by.

Palm-lined, with shimmering waters and pristine white sand, Ngapali is one of Burma’s most unspoilt regions. Remote and peaceful, this fishing village has a laidback vibe. Take it all in from your private bungalow, nestled amidst palm groves, at the Amara Ocean Resort – or if it all gets a bit too quiet for you, you can head downtown and experience the lively hubbub of the markets. Back at the resort, linger over fresh seafood and signature cocktails under the stars.