Perhaps quite rightly described as the sleepiest and most laid back capital city in the world, Vientiane is only just starting to find its feet as a tourist destination. So far so good though!

It can’t be claimed that Vientiane is brimming with “must-see” attractions, but there is plenty here to justify a short stop on a tour through the region. Wat Si Saket, Pha That Luang & Haw Phra Kaew, to name just a few, are all exceptional examples of traditional Laotian architecture, while the 25km trek out to Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park), with over two hundred Hindu & Buddhist statues is a justifiable, if somewhat bizarre, trip.

But it is the multitude of new restaurants situated along quiet, tree-lined boulevards that offer some of the finest food in Indochina, at ridiculously low prices, that is starting to make this most captivating of cities a real, travellers’ favourite.

Without doubt, the finest way to arrive, or depart, this great city is now aboard The Eastern & Oriental Express from Bangkok, offering a thrilling journey through north east Thailand to the stunning Angkor-style temple of Phimai, across the Mekong and on to Vientiane. Now, who said the romance of travel was dead!