Indonesia

As the largest archipelago on earth, Indonesia is one country with many different faces. Ancient tribal traditions hold on in remote pockets, while modernity has found a firm grip in the country's powerhouse capital of Jakarta. Volcanoes have played a part in forming much of the islands' dramatic landscapes, with sleeping volcanoes crowned by crater lakes and clothed in thick jungle, and rich volcanic soil responsible for the plentiful rice farming that has turned the foothills into pretty green terraces. The lush rainforests and island reefs of Indonesia boast some of the richest biodiversity in the world, with orangutans and komodo dragons among the stars of the show. As you would expect, this nation of islands has boundless beaches, many untouched by tourism. For a small slice of paradise, the islands of Bali and Lombok are a good place to start.

Though Indonesia is a secular democratic state with a majority Muslim population, centuries of shifting religions and ruling dynasties have left behind myriad palaces, temples and ancient marvels. The fascinating Hindu temples at Prambanan and the world-famous 9th-century Buddhist stupa complex Borobudur are chief among the country's sights. Signs of the country's Dutch colonial past can be seen in the architecture of cities such as Makassar and Yogyakarta and unique Indonesian structures such as the traditional high-roofed wooden houses of Tana Toraja can still be found across the islands.