20 days in Malaysia & Medan Itinerary

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.

Highly industrialized and urbanized, the island of Penang sits off the western coastline of Peninsular Malaysia and boasts a rich cultural heritage blending Chinese, Indian, and European influences. Although most visitors come for the beaches and fishing villages, no tour of Penang is complete without a stop in World Heritage-listed George Town. This cosmopolitan island capital boasts a diverse architectural heritage, its oldest sections packed with 19th-century mosques, churches, temples, and colonial buildings. Another highlight of Penang tourism are the many festivals, showcasing cultural diversity and offering foreign visitors a chance to soak up the atmosphere of the "Pearl of the Orient."