38 days in Cambodia, Malaysia & Philippines Itinerary

For over six centuries, the mighty Khmer Empire flourished in Cambodia, a scenic land of majestic temples, pristine waterfalls, and dense jungles. A protectorate of France between 1863 and 1953, the country suffered under the Khmer Rouge, a ruling party remembered mostly for its part in organizing the bloody Cambodian genocide of the 1970s. Today, a trip to Cambodia will reveal the region's troubled history, but also some of Southeast Asia's most significant archaeological sites. Few tourist attractions in Cambodia match the splendor of Angkor Wat, a World Heritage-listed temple complex that represents the biggest religious monument on the planet.

An unusual blend of a developing nation and the modern world, Malaysia ranks as one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia, its prosperity largely resting on thriving high-tech industries. Malaysia vacations remain a more affordable alternative to the expensive tourism in some neighboring countries. Take a trip to Malaysia to explore busy cities filled with colonial-era architecture, tranquil tea plantations supporting a large portion of the local population, and dozens of scattered islands happily evading the worst aspects of mass tourism. While there may be fewer visitors, there's no shortage of fine beaches, mangrove estuaries, and verdant rainforests filled with exotic wildlife.

Encompassing over 7,600 islands, the Philippines offer plenty of vacation ideas for active travelers. Though the island chain's location leaves it vulnerable to typhoons and earthquakes, it also endows it with plenty of natural resources and biodiversity. For most visitors, a Philippines holiday includes outdoor adventures like kitesurfing, mountain trekking, spelunking, and volcano hiking. Those with a taste for something more relaxing can build a Philippines itinerary around beaches, local fiestas, and the island cuisine, which blends influences from around the world and serves up dishes at once sour, salty, and sweet.