A continental migration will occur once again this December with Australians and Europeans flocking across the oceans to see their friends and family and Malaysia, smack bang in the middle, is the perfect place to stop along the way.
With over 25,000 seats a week direct to Kuala Lumpur (KL) on Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia X, Emirates, Malaysia really is an unsung hero when it comes to stopover experiences.
Above all else, Kuala Lumpur is a great value destination. This year, Malaysia was listed as one of the best value destinations in the world by Lonely Planet and in 2009 Malaysia ranked as the 4th most price competitive country in the world according to the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitive Index.
Without breaking the bank, stay in luxurious accommodation (Kuala Lumpur has plenty), shop and spa to your heart's content, gorge yourself on delicious Malaysian cuisine and discover the sites of the city.
Even the transport from the airport is deluxe, convenient and unbelievably well-priced. For around $12.00 you can take the 28 minute non-stop ride to KL's Sentral Station on the KLIA Ekspres, Malaysia's clean and efficient high speed train. For some extra indulgence try the KLIA Ekspres VIP service and take a limousine from Sentral Station to your accommodation for only $45.00 extra.
Indulging is easy to do in Kuala Lumpur with an ever-increasing inventory of luxurious hotels. From established five star properties like the Ritz Carlton and Shangri-La to new boutique developments like Hotel Maya, Piccolo Hotel or the recently refurbished Carcosa Seri Negara with all its 'old school' colonial charm.
In the centre of KL, somewhere like the new Hilton Double Tree is perfect if you want to be right in the thick of it or if being out of town is more your style, the new Golden Palm Tree in Sepang offers over the water bungalows just 40 minutes from the centre of Kuala Lumpur.
If you can draw yourself away from your plush hotel, there are plenty of things to make the stopover unforgettable. Get a bird's eye view of the city from the Petronas Twin Towers, take a walk around the beautiful Lake Gardens, visit Buddhist temples in China Town, spend a morning at the famous Batu Caves or wander around the bustling markets and streets of China Town, Malay Kampung Baru and Little India.
Along the way, it is irresistible to spend some time taking part in Malaysian's favourite pastimes; shopping and eating. Heading out for a Gucci, Armani, Jimmy Choo, Zara or Top Shop fix is a must. Mix in a couple of great meals sampling Malaysia's multi cultural cuisine including Malaysian hawker food, Chinese dumplings and Indian curries and then refresh before your onward journey with some divine spa treatments.
AirAsia X offers Premium Economy flatbed seats one-way to London via Kuala Lumpur from:
Perth to London (Stansted) from $1673
Gold Coast to London from $1873
Melbourne to London from $ 1923
For bookings and more information visit www.airasia.com
Creative Holidays offers land only packages to Kuala Lumpur such as three nights' accommodation at the 5-Star Renaissance in a Deluxe Room, breakfast daily and return private transfers for $329*. To see more packages visit www.creativeholidays.com.au/malaysia
For more information about Malaysia visit www.tourism.gov.my
*Valid for travel from 11 April and 30 November 2011 and for sale from 30 November 2011
