Once a little mountain kingdom, Laos’ skyline is punctuated by small temples, French-Indochinese villas and the fronds of exotic palm trees. On street-level, saffron-robed monks wander, the smells of spicy foods float up from street stalls and restaurants, and the air fills with the sound of other-worldly chants. Its capital, Luang Prabang, is still serene (thanks to sage laws that have allowed for wide streets, banned buses and trucks etc.) and even has a midnight curfew that guarantees peace and quiet at night. Here, we’ve compiled a bucket-list of must-see destinations within this often-overlooked slice of South East Asia that no serious traveler should leave without experiencing.

One of the best things about traveling is getting the opportunity to try new foods and experience local specialties, which is why Insight Vacations places food at the center of its itineraries. Whether it’s a Moroccan banquet spread on low tables and accompanied by exotic belly dancers; a classic Tyrolean mountain supper of smoked sausage, horseradish and bock; or a Spanish tapas extravaganza of chopitos, olives, cheeses and croquetas, our culinary experiences are a feast for all the senses. Here are five of our greatest signature experiences for food lovers, from tasting Peruvian dainties in the Andes to sampling the divine goose liver of Budapest.