In “Origins”, the latest novel by popular American novelist Dan Brown featuring Robert Langdon, a professor of religious symbology, two main questions are posed: "Where did we come from?" and "Where are we going?" They, as well as the setting, have inspired thousands of readers, myself included, to visit Spain, and more specifically Barcelona, home to many of the architectural works of Antoni Gaudi, among them his most famous, the church of the Sagrada Família. 

Leading accommodation site Booking.com offers more 98,000 listings of alternative accommodation such as homes, apartments and unique places to stay across Thailand, among them Pickbaan, a small hostel in Lamphun where visitors from all around the world can revel in the ambience of a local home.

Today is the start of Buddhist Lent or Vassa and Thais around the country are taking part in rituals and cultural activities to mark as this annual retreat. We take a look at the major events.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect on my first trip to Yangon in Myanmar but I certainly didn’t anticipate feeling special and unique throughout the trip. That feeling started from the moment I walked out of my front door to a limousine that would take me from my home not far from Don Mueang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The driver was impeccably dressed even though the sun had yet to rise and apart from a few polite words, left me alone to ponder my upcoming journey.