Routes through the region are as varied as the rag-tag bunch that travels them. With the many convenient air connections, you can really just choose your destinations and connect them as you like really, but here are a few suggestions.

Indochina Tour

Clockwise or counterclockwise routes starting in Bangkok and including northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia are popular and avoid boring backtracking. Connecting northern Thailand with Laos by boat is popular, and flying from Vientiane, the Lao capital, to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh is a better choice than the rough overland route (which also leaves you in the middle of the north-south route where a flight will get you to a terminus). After a sweep down the coast of Vietnam, connect with Cambodia overland (or by boat from the Mekong Delta) and on to Angkor Wat by bus/boat/plane. There is frequent air service between Angkor Wat and Bangkok.

Length -- This can take anything from a few weeks to 6 months, depending on your inclinations.

Highlights -- These include the historic temple towns of Thailand, hill-tribe treks throughout the region, sleepy Luang Prabang, busy Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, all of the stops along coastal Vietnam (historical and recreational), and, of course, Angkor Wat. After a trip like this, you'll have earned your time on the beaches of Thailand, Malaysia, or Bali.

Down the Malay Peninsula

Starting in Bangkok and heading south, you can connect the major resort destinations of southern Thailand with a tour down the length of Malaysia to Singapore and end in Bali.

Length -- This can take anywhere from a fly-by-night week to a few months.

Highlights -- These include pristine beaches (maybe even The Beach) in Thailand; great food, affordable cosmopolitan comforts, and unique cultural stops in Malaysia; "shop-till-you-drop" in Singapore; and the tranquil beaches of Bali.

Start from a Hub

From Bangkok, Singapore, or other major urban centers, travelers can make short forays into the countryside or to the resort of their choice from a comfortable, familiar base in a big city with all the comforts of home. Many visitors aim for the cultural and historical sites recommended by UNESCO -- cities like Luang Prabang (Laos); Hoi An, Hue and Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), or Sukhothai and Ayuthaya (Thailand); and the temples of Angkor Wat (Cambodia), all reached via larger cities. Or start in a comfy hub and connect with local outfits for short adventure trips before coming back to hot showers and room service.