Celebrity chef RICK STEIN's latest culinary adventure saw him exploring some of Asia's most exciting destinations. Here, he gives us a flavour of the region's exotic sites and tastes

CAMBODIA
Cambodia  is a beautiful country with fragrant food. The nation is still recovering from a black phase in its history when the Khmer Rouge ruled in the early Seventies, and the destruction they caused is still evident when you visit places like the seaside town of Kep on the south-east coast.

Wandering around the ruins of the beautiful art deco houses and villas you get an idea of the exclusiveness that once existed.

A great place to stay here is the hotel Knai Bang Chatt, which is made up of 11 rooms and three villas with large terraces open to breathtaking views of the sea and islands.

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A must-see destination is Angkor Wat in Angkor, a stunning temple complex, reputedly the world's largest religious monument, built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. The beauty of this magnificent structure, alive with intricate sculptures, can be particularly appreciated by catching it at sunrise.

Make sure you sample fish amok, the country's most famous dish, and loc lac, beef with lime and black pepper dipping sauce.

Wendy Wu Tours (0844 499 3899/ www.wendywutours.co.uk) offers a 16-night package to Cambodia and Vietnam from £2,890pp (two sharing). The price includes return flights from Heathrow, four-star accommodation, transfers, all meals and excursions including a tour of Angkor Wat.

VIETNAM
Fabulously sophisticated food and breathtaking sights combine in this country of enormous contrasts. Its most beautiful destination and one of the world's natural wonders is Halong Bay, where thousands of steep-sided limestone islands rise straight out of the water along the 74-mile coastline of Bai Chay Beach.

A boat trip around the bay is the perfect way to take in its beauty.

Hanoi, the capital, is also a great place to visit, a blend of East and West with Chinese influence from centuries of dominance and French design from its colonial era.

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The Hotel Majestic in Ho Chi Minh City is where Graham Greene penned the first draft of The Quiet American, his novel about America's involvement in Vietnam. You should try a cocktail at its famous roof bar and take in the fine views along the river.

Food to enjoy is beef pho or pho bo, better known as beef noodle soup, a Vietnamese favourite.

Expedia (0871 226 0808/ www.expedia.co.uk) offers seven nights' room only at the five-star Hotel Majestic Saigon from £929pp (two sharing), including return flights with Cathay Pacific from Heathrow.
Departs May 19.

THAILAND
This is a country alive with colour and vibrancy and, in Bangkok, boasts one of the world's greatest food cities. One of the main sights in this bustling place is the Chow Kai River, which runs through the centre of the capital.

The area is teeming with life as people go about their business on the waterway. You can take a trip to the floating food markets where goods are sold from small wooden boats.
A mouth-watering dish to try here is Thai mussaman beef curry, which includes black cardamom, giving it a lovely smoky flavour, and combines Indian and south-east Asian influences.

Bales Worldwide (0845 057 0600/ www.balesworldwide.com) offers a nine-night package to Bangkok and Northern Thailand including two nights at the Millennium Hotel, Bangkok, four nights at Anantara Golden Triangle and three nights at Rachamankha in Chiang Mai, all B&B from £1,745pp (two sharing). Price includes return flights with British Airways, transfers and excursions.

MALAYSIA
A country of immense cultural diversity, it is home to some of the world's most fascinating food.

Visit Malacca, about an hour from the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Small but steeped in history, it was founded by a fleeing prince from Sumatra in the 14th century and developed into a major trading port for spice ships from India and China.

Jonker Street has shops selling everything from furniture and antiques to bric-a-brac and clothes, and is living proof of Malacca's rich heritage as buildings are immaculately constructed with elaborate carvings on pillars and walls.

A great way to explore the country is to take a boat or canoe trip through mangrove swamps where you can catch a glimpse of snakes and crocodiles.

Popular food in Malaysia is crab, especially in Malacca, which is famous for its black pepper crab.

Just You (0800 112 3311/www.justyou.co.uk) offers a seven-night Malaysian Charms tour, including three nights at the Dorsett Regency Hotel in Kuala Lumpur and four nights at the Paradise Sandy Bay in Penang, full-board from £1,699 (sole occupancy). Price includes return flights with Malaysia Airlines from Heathrow.

SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is often described as the jewel in the Indian Ocean because of its diamond shape. It's just that.

you can't fault its stunning food and intriguing destinations. A visit to a tea plantation is a serene and interesting experience and a great opportunity to learn more about the precious leaves.

An ideal place to stay is one of the hotels designed by the late Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most influential architect and a world force in creating the "tropical modernism" style, whose work can be seen throughout the country, including its Parliament building.

One of his earliest and most famous works is the Lighthouse Hotel on the south coast at Galle, a place also known for its historic fort.

If you were a vegetarian living here you'd be happy as there is plenty of choice including Sri Lankan vegetable curry, a favourite of mine.

Expedia (0871 226 0808/www.expedia.co.uk) offers seven nights' room only at the four-star Lighthouse Hotel from £1,072pp (two sharing), including return flights with bmi from Heathrow.
Departs March 24.

Rick was talking to CHARLOTTE CIVIL

Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey is available now on BBC DVD