While the monsoon rains down on Sri Lanka’s more visited southwest coast, take time to explore the east coast and find less tourists, glorious beaches, wildlife in lush jungles and Sri Lanka’s aromatic cuisine. Conveniently, the best time to visit the east coast is over the UK summer holidays, so it makes a great opportunity for an exploratory family adventure. A softer entry to Asia than India, Sri Lanka and its people are incredibly friendly and welcoming and travelling around the teardrop isle is easy, always with something exciting to look at out of the window.

What also stands out about Sri Lanka is the sheer diversity you can experience on holiday, which also means there is something for everyone. Children of all ages will love seeing elephants in the wild in Wilpattu National Park alongside sleeping in nature in a safari-style tent. Cultural sightings are high too including exploring cave temples and ancient rock fortresses. Finishing on the beach is a win-win for all the family, staying in a hotel clasped by coconut trees and opening out onto golden sands, lapped by the green-blue Indian Ocean.

Although technically the monsoon season, visiting Ladakh in July is actually a great time to experience this mystical Buddhist kingdom. Firstly, the roads open up after winter, and although snow starts to melt, white-dusted peaks are still visible. Short bursts of rain bring a carpet of wildflowers to the valleys, and with sunny blue-sky days, trekking this region is a delight.

However, it’s the colourful local festivals which really bring the mountains alive in July. Traditional methods of storytelling show the enchanting customs of Ladakh. In early July, a high-altitude heritage polo festival takes place accompanied by music and dance, then mid-July sees the famous Hemis cultural festival at the Hemis monastery to celebrate the birth of 8^th century Buddhist master Guru Padmasambhava. Expect devil dances and plenty of masked monks. At the end of July, the Phyang Tsedup Festival, smiling monks are in brightly coloured costumes join a vibrant dance drama at the monastery.

We’ve been advocating for a while travelling to Angkor Wat over summer months.  The moat around the main temple complex fills up, offering even more impressive and mesmerising reflections. Crowds are noticeably thinner, so you’re more likely to have some time alone to explore the carved stone temples. The jungle springs into life, entwining with the temples, giving it a real undiscovered feel. Nearby, the Tonle Sap lake is full, so you can glide around the floating villages by boat.

Becoming ‘templed-out’ is a real phenomenon so we recommend a beach break afterwards. Fly direct from Siem Reap to Danang in Vietnam. There are some gorgeous hotels with fantastic low season deals that roll out onto the beautiful sandy beaches. You’re just a stone’s throw from Hoi An, a beautifully preserved ancient riverside town. Sample the town’s noodle specialities or enjoy a street side DIY BBQ before discovering its differing styles of architecture from China, France and Japan.

With three parts to this trip you’ll experience buzzy Bangkok, evergreen rainforests and emerald lakes plus island life on Koh Samui. Start in Bangkok where culture clash will stave off any jet leg as you explore gold-glimmering buddhas and temples, busy markets, street eats and roof top bars which give amazing views over the urban metropolis. Stay in a comfortable hotel with pool to cool off after exploring Thailand’s capital.

Fly down to Surat Thani and enjoy the all-natural paradise of Khao Sok where you can trek the pristine jungle, swim in lakes and spot wild elephants, monkeys and tapir among many others. Sleep in a jungle lodge surrounded by the sounds of nature. Onwards to Koh Samui, an island on the east coast of Thailand which you will access by ferry. Here enjoy the pleasure of a tropical island, staying at stylish hillside villas Samujana which will be a luxurious and relaxing finish to your holiday in Thailand.