Vacation on the Malaysian Peninsula

Fly to Malaysia’s vibrant and eclectic capital, Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll spend three nights at tranquil Villa Samadhi. Villa Samadhi is a peaceful city-oasis with a real “zen” feel (just what you’ll want after all the buzz of your wedding) and on your first evening you’ll have dinner at their award-winning restaurant, Tamarind Springs. After this, your guide will introduce you to the city with its fascinating melting-pot of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures: starting off at the futuristic Petronas Towers (where you’ll have amazing views of the skyline) and heading on to Indpendence Square with its drowsy colonial grandeur.

Following your nose to the colourful Indian markets, you’ll sample traditional flat-breads and see how they’re made, and for a sneaky preview of the Cameron Highlands’ finest blends, you’ll also stop off at a Chinese Tea House for a demonstration and sampling. For your final day in Kuala Lumpur, we’ve lined up something really special; just outside of the city is the tiny coastal village of Kampung Kuantan, and here you’ll be taken by boat to a mangrove lagoon for a magical dinner surrounded by thousands of glowing fireflies.

It’s an early morning private transfer to the Cameron Highlands (where you’ll stay for three nights), and along the way we’ll stop off at the stunning Batu Caves which are filled with ornate Hindu deities. The Cameron Highlands couldn’t be more of a contrast to chaotic Kuala Lumpur, and here you’ll get to relax in the most beautiful of settings. Sitting amidst lush tea plantations, and undulating hills, the Cameron Highlands Resort is a colonial property with a wonderfully genteel, nostalgic English feel.

Having woken up to views of the mountains, and the freshest possible cuppa, one of the nicest ways to explore the tea plantations is by bike. This can be as relaxed or energetic as you like, but along the way you’ll pass locals harvesting vegetables and weaving their bamboo baskets; pass through flower markets, and stop off for a picnic with champagne and fresh strawberries from the surrounding farms. Spend your last day exploring this quaint British outpost, with its rose gardens and butterfly farms; hike the mountains for amazing views of jungle waterfalls, and pay a visit to the night market before heading on to Taman Negara National Park.

Having been transferred from the Cameron Highlands Resort to the Kuala Tembeling Jetty, you’ll board a traditional long-tail boat and approach the Taman Negara National Park by the river. Backed by misty mountains, this stunning rainforest park is one of the most expansive in Malaysia, and whilst the wildlife is not on a par with that found in Borneo, you’ll be totally immersed in the sights and sound of the jungle.

For three nights you’ll stay at Mutiara Taman Negara Resort, and having kept your eyes peeled for long-tailed macaques and slow loris from your terrace, you’ll head out for amazing wildlife experiences. One of the most exhilarating is walking just beneath the rainforest canopy on the world’s longest rope bridge, and seeing the amazing variety of birds which flutter all around you. You’ll also be taken on a spine-tingling night walk to see nocturnal wildlife; have a fun rapids adventure on the river, and visit the Orang Asli Aborigine village.

From the Taman Negara National Park, you’ll be driven to Malaysia’s less-visited East Coast, and here you’ll be treated to four nights of total relaxation at the renowned spa resport, Tanjong Jara. As well as the gorgeous stretch of pristine golden sand, we love the traditional Malaysian feel at Tanjong Jara, and things like the weekly market on the beach which give you a real opportunity for culture.

Facing the South China Sea, you’ll wake up in your gorgeous suite – either to the sound of waves, or scents from the exotic gardens – before heading to the spa village for a day of pampering and couple's massages. After this, you can walk along the huge stretches of sand in search of turtles; cycle to the nearby fishing villages, or take a boat trip to Pulau Tenggol which is known for its amazing diving and snorkelling. Enjoy a final candle-lit dinner above the river, before flying home the following day.