b'Private Lunch withFrancis EngelmannLuang Prabang, LaosLeave Luang Prabangs centre for a private lunch attheMekong-sidehomeofFrancisEngelmann,Frenchwriterandlong-timeUNESCOconsultantwho helped secure the citys World Heritage status.In his restored pavilion and tropical garden he sharesstoriesofroyalcourts,quietmonasteriesandeverydaylife.Browsehiscollections,thenenjoyasimpleseasonalLaolunchbeforecruisingbacktotown by private boat.Ubud Naturalist& Bird WalkBali, IndonesiaAccompaniedbyalocalnaturalist,guestsfollowquietvillagetrailsthroughUbudshighlandcountryside,wherericeterracesandcoconutgrovesframethegentlewalk.Therouteshiftswiththeseason,withchancestoobservekingfishers,heronsandothertropicalbirdlife,alongsidebutterflies,insectsandmedicinal plants. As they wander, the guide weaves ininsightonBalinesecosmologyandvillagelife,revealinghownature,ritualandagricultureremainclosely intertwined.'