Laos is a magical country to explore, with beauty to be found absolutely everywhere, though some of the highlights of the country include the incredible Kuang Si waterfalls – harmonious and tranquil, though sometimes busy with local families and those rare tourists that are in the know, the riverside city of Luang Prabang – colourful and charming, UNESCO listed and beset with beguiling aesthetics such as the surrounding mountains, French provincial architecture and a collection of golden Wats (temples), and finally the capital Vientiane which is surprising in its simplicity and calm – nestled close to the Mekong River and resplendent with vibrant Wats and home to a thriving tourism industry, it’s now seeing a rise in good quality restaurants, bars and shopping in the city.