The street we stayed in. There are so many beautiful places to stay, but we found a guest house opposite a temple from which the monks emerged around six each morning, prompted by gongs, and proceeded past our balcony on their route to collect alms from the devoted Buddhist population.

It was an impressive, understated, beautiful experience to watch the silent progress of these young men each morning and to talk to them later in the day, stretching their English, modest, talkative and very approachable. Luang Prabang may be slowly turning into a must visit tourist venue - or even quickly - but that does not make it any less a must visit place. We did not want to leave. The gentle, modest young Lao people, the Mekong, the temples, the excellent food, the slow pace, the friendly welcome, the clean and simple places to eat and stay.

Even if you have never heard of the place - go there and treat it with quiet respect. What a beautiful country. Ride a bus through it. Buy the produce, drink the beer and relax. Also learn a bit about the history and think hard about what the west does.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

We always like to find some local or national art.

Victor Vasarely was the founder of Op-Art and has a museum devoted entirely to his work - very vivid and in many styles and media. I found this much more interesting than I thought I would and would recommend it. The only sad thing was that there were no postcards or catalogue - a marketing opportunity missed.

Within walking distance was the exhibition of the contemporary sculptor Imre Varga. An intimate collection, well described by a welcoming guide who spoke German and some English. A wide variety of styles of sculpture by this artistic national hero in the gallery and the garden.

Both places were reached by a short HEV train ride from Batthyany ter towards Szentendre

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A brilliant library with facilities and a collection that many library visitors in the UK would give their right arm for. Excellent free internet facilities and - while you wait - a great selection of English language fiction to browse. For those of an impressionable nature, there are transparent lifts to play with - oops, that was me!

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends