Gaze out of the aeroplane window as you come into land for your Langkawi holiday, and you’ll at once grasp the delights that await you. Archipelago islands – 99 of them, no less – stretch as far as the eye can see, separated by a turquoise sea. Take a moment to imagine that word: turquoise. Now Intensify it a hundred times – and you’re still not even close.
The main island of Langkawi is Palau Langkawi (other than on airport screens, you’ll always just hear it referred to as Langkawi). It’s a tourist hotspot, with glorious beaches of powder-fine sand fringed by swaying coconut trees, while the interior boasts lush paddy fields and intact jungle. Despite its popularity, Langkawi is still largely unspoiled and if, like us, you avoid the main beaches, you will find traditional villages and a laid-back atmosphere amid scenery to die for.