Langkawi lures you with promises of duty-free shopping and wows you with its gorgeous beaches, mysterious caves and legends. This archipelago of over 90 islands is made up of legends. If you love stories, you will love Langkawi.

Langkawi was left undiscovered by tourists for a long time. A long time ago Mahsuri was executed for adultery though she was not guilty and she cursed the island and said it would lie desolate for seven generations. Seven generations later the Malaysian government declared Langkawi as duty-free. Mahasuri's Tomb is still on the island and while you are visiting tombs, don't miss the Ancient Tomb that just popped out of nowhere.

If the very Thai looking Summer Palace surprises you, it is because it is the set that was used for Anna and the King. Langkawi was under the rule of Thai for a short period and its influence is still evident. You can even spy Thailand from the Skybridge at Gunung Mat Cincang, which you can reach in a cable car. Thai cuisine is as popular as the Malay food. Tea at The Loaf is extra delicious with cheese cup cakes. The seafood specials are mouth-watering. Most eateries are around the beaches.

Pantai Cenang, Pantai Kok and Pantai Tengah are popular beaches with loads of water activities that keep you occupied from dawn to dusk. The bars and clubs are laidback with quite a few bars belting out reggae music.

The many secrets that peek out at you on Langkawi sweeps you away and you'll almost forget what brought you here: duty-free shopping! With cigars, alcohol and chocolates at great prices and some batik, sonket pouches and mengkuang boxes in a shopping bag, you are good to go.

Perched on the mountain top, Genting Highlands is Malaysia's vision of a world with no worries. Set atop the Titiwangsa Mountains, its hilly surroundings are lined with entertainment centres and world-class resorts. Located between the states of Selangur and Pahang, the road from Kuala Lumpur to this hilly paradise is frequented by those who are in dire need of a break. Genting takes its role as the entertainment zone of Malaysia quite seriously.

Genting is a world of its own. For one, you will be amazed to know that there are no real streets here, only huge buildings linked with a sizable maze of underground ways, tunnels, elevators and lifts. At any turn you may come across a casino, a karaoke act or a rock concert. When you are tired, catch a rock show at entertainment areas like Arena of Stars or Genting International Convention Centre. There is no better way to spend the evening than to simply let rock 'n' roll drive your gut.

Aside from the gambling, Genting has a number of theme parks that invite people to enjoy leisure rides, adventure and fine dining. Feel the thrill of flying high in rides like the Space Shot. Set in the backdrop of lush hills, Genting makes for an exhilarating family experience. Brace yourself and enter the Dinosaur Land in the Genting Outdoor Theme Park, an exquisite time machine journey to the Lost World. Let yourself be tossed or suspended in the air. Dive into chill waters at the Genting Water Theme Park perched at an altitude of 6000 ft. All it takes is for you to come winding along the curves and slides with a humungous splash to a wave pool to wonder if time stopped for a moment.

Fondly called KL by most regular visitors, Kuala Lumpur proudly flaunts its East Meets West lifestyle with a little arrogance and oodles of attitude. This shining concrete paradise was once a humble tin-mining centre in the 1850s ravaged after the Selangor Civil War, and two World Wars. Yet, with the steady inflow of Indian Chettiars (money-lenders), Muslim traders, Chinese merchants and the slow but constant development process, KL rose to prominence as the capital of the Federated Malay States.

Although Kuala Lumpur means muddy confluence (as it was at the muddy confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers), there is hardly a trace of any mud in the city. High-tech modern buildings, skyscrapers and glitzy hotels so much so meet and greet you with a 'welcome to the future' vibe than anything else. Temples, mosques and little pieces of history, however, are carefully hidden behind this facade for those who want to take a stroll down time.

The gleaming lights of Petronas Twin Towers with its museums, shops and eateries; the drowning vigour of Chinatown; sprawling Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana); the Central Market with its brimming handicraft stalls, artistry and colours; the National Museum, a perfect place to brush up on your history; and the beautiful depths of Batu Caves - Kuala Lumpur asks you to live and let live without pushing you to the limits.

Get wild at a ritzy lounge or shop all day at one of the city's magnificent malls. There is no end to things you can do here. To get a feel of the city, climb the giddying heights of the Menara Kuala Lumpur Observation Deck, after snacking on some tasty Curry in Petaling Street. Here, heaven-high and foreboding, you can see the city lie before you as a sparkling treasure chest. The view encapsulates the feel of one of the greatest cities in Asia, and there is no denying it.