Places to stay

The Strand Yangon, set in the vibrant old city, surrounded by grand colonial-period buildings, is recently refurbished, but still steeped in tradition from the colonial era, with delicious high teas and fine-dining, whirring ceiling fans, a smoking bar and butler to unpack your clothes. See www.hotelthestrand.com

Blue Bird Hotel Bagan, in a verdant garden, with swimming pool and al fresco restaurant, is an oasis, on a dust road in a village which is a walking distance from some of the extraordinary temples of Bagan. Local people are employed and sound eco-friendly principles are practised here. See www.bluebirdhotelbagan.com

Hotel by the Red Canal, Mandalay, is a boutique hotel in a welcoming space enclosing a lush garden with water features. It has a striking pagoda-style roof, red teak furniture and lavish amenities. See www.hotelredcanal.com

The Strand Cruise is the perfect way to get from Bagan to Mandalay in pure luxury, enjoying excellent food, exploring fabulous temples and local life along the Ayeyarwady river, with musical and puppet shows by local artists, plus demonstrations on how to wear a longhi and facial thanaka paste. See www.thestrandcruise.com

Sanctum Inle Resort is tranquil and elegant, with high ceilings and selected teak furniture, set in a large garden including tamarind trees, with views over an infinity swimming pool to paddy fields and the Inle Lake, with the Shan mountains. It is well sited for taking day boat trips to water villages. See www.sanctum-inle-resort.com