Whether you want to get active, explore tribal villages, discover sacred sites or simply chill-out, South East Asia has something for you. Not only is it a great part of the world for adults - it is also extremely child-friendly, making it ideal for a Family Adventure.

We've been visiting Thailand ever since Explore was founded in 1981, and it's still one of our favourite and most popular destinations. It sounds a bit like a cliché, but the Thai people really are some of the friendliest and most gentle you'll come across. All our tours in Thailand are led by local Thai tour leaders, most of whom have worked with us for many years now. All will be able to give you a very special insight into their wonderful country.

Join us on a cultural journey, visiting the ancient capitals of Old Siam, exploring exotic temples and travelling by local train and rice barge.

For those after a real jungle adventure - give Active Thailand a go. Not for the faint-hearted, this tour involves trekking, biking, rafting and wild-camping in some of the most remote jungle areas Thailand has to offer. You'll also spend a couple of nights with a family in their home, giving you the opportunity to share in their daily routine.

If exploring tropical islands - swimming, snorkelling and chilling on the beach - is more your thing, head south. The people here are a mixture of Thais, Chinese and Malay, making for a colourful and varied culture and some great food!

Many of our Thai tours can be combined with a visit to Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam - or even all three. Look out for our new Bangkok to Saigon Overland journey!

Scattered throughout this region are some of the most beautiful and intricately decorated temples, or wats, to be found anywhere.

The styles vary tremendously - from the intricate gold-leafed designs of the Thai temples, to the beautiful painted temples of Luang Prabang in Laos, and the bold designs of the Buddhist and Hindu temples at Borobudur and Dieng Plateau in Java, Indonesia.

But nowhere are the temples more impressive than at mighty Angkor. Built by the the Khmer kings over a 400-year period, this is now the world's largest temple complex. Scattered throughout the Cambodian jungle, Angkor really is a must-see for anyone travelling to this area.

It's not only ancient history that fascinates in this part of the world - a journey through Vietnam has constant reminders of the Vietnam war in the 60s. A particularly poignant experience on our visit is crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels, the underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops based just outside Saigon.

In Cambodia we are reminded of the atrocities of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge when we visit the 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - another moving and sombre experience.

But above all, the region is a wonderful mix of warm and gentle people, tropical jungle, abundant wildlife, idyllic islands and exotic food. Here are a few more ideas to whet your appetite:

• Explore the dense jungle areas of the Taman Negara Reserve in Malaysia or the deep cave systems of the lowland jungle of Sarawak in Borneo.
• Take a climb up South East Asia's highest peak, Mount Kinabalu, at sunrise and watch the mist rise over the steamy Borneo jungle below. Enjoy spotting Proboscis monkeys and see the Orang Utans at Sepilok.
• In Indonesia, enjoy the great highlights of Java - the stunning volcanoes at Mount Bromo and the temples of Borobudur, then relax in the lush terraces of Bali - or head to the beach!
• Alternatively, cruise the 'Archipelago of the Gods' on board our traditional Buginese schooner - discovering remote Indonesian beaches. They may feel like paradise on earth, but keep an eye out for the Jurassic man-eating dragons on Komodo!