Brunei

Tiny, tropical, and packed full of biodiverse rainforest, Brunei is a country which combines fascinating heritage with breathtaking areas of natural beauty. Visitors can’t miss Kampong Ayer, the world’s largest floating village, the twenty-nine golden domes of Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and opportunities to spot rare wildlife such as the proboscis monkey.

The country is a Muslim sultanate, with a centuries-old monarchy and a rich culture. Capital Bandar Seri Begawan is known for the opulent Istana Nurul Iman royal palace, home to the country’s ruler, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a 20th-century building with elegant marble minarets, built in a shallow lagoon. Its full name, Brunei Darussalam, is Arabic for ‘abode of peace’, and you’ll certainly feel peaceful in the country’s lush green forests and laid-back towns, built with the wealth from South East Asia’s largest oilfields. Brunei is also known for its magnificent beaches and opportunities for diving amongst beautiful fish, stunning underwater landscapes, and eerie shipwrecks.