Bhutan

Nestled among the picturesque forested foothills of the eastern Himalayas, the tiny medieval Kingdom of Bhutan is sandwiched between Tibet and India. An enigmatic, welcoming and thoroughly charming country, Bhutan embraces Buddhism and the unique principle of Gross National Happiness. It's easy to imagine that happiness isn't a problem for the hospitable and courteous Bhutanese people; they are surrounded by a landscape unspoilt by pollution and daunting in its beauty.

Despite its compact size, Bhutan offers the modern-day visitor a wealth of remarkable attractions and experiences. More than forty percent of the Kingdom's lands comprise protected National Parks and wildlife reserves which provide habitats for a diversity of exotic birds and animals. Bhutan's towns and villages, meanwhile, are steeped in tradition and exquisite Buddhist architecture. But Bhutan is not entirely rooted in the past, as the intriguing blend of ancient and modern culture presented by its unmissable capital city, Thimphu, amply demonstrates.