Emirates flies to more than 140 destinations across six continents. From the bustle and energy of New York to the tranquillity of the Maldives, you can discover the world with Emirates.

At a press launch,  Paul Fleri Soler - Emirates Malta Manager talked about five of these Far Eastern destinations.

These are: Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia

Stretching from Japan all the way to Indonesia each of these destinations promises something new to the traveller.

J A P A N

Emirates operates daily flights from Dubai to Tokyo International Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport and to Osaka on its state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Japan is a country that fascinates travellers.

From sushi to animated cartoons to technology to ancient temples to springtime blossoms, there's not a single aspect of the place that you won't find a visitor raving about.

The best place to begin is Tokyo

Tokyo's architecture is predominately closely-packed sky-scrapers, but its magic lies in the fantastic design and diversity of its interiors. With the city expanding vertically, the buildings tend to house a variety of experiences - everything from restaurants and shopping malls to even sports stadiums and amusement parks!

It's easy to pack a day full of cultural activities, visiting the Meiji Jingu Shrine or the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, or wander the streets of Yanaka in search of traditional Japanese homes and shops.

Lively neighbourhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku attract countless tourists from all over the world. The concentration of art museums and galleries is not to be missed, as is the breathtaking night view of Tokyo from a skyscraper. There are so many ways to enjoy Tokyo depending on what one is after-shopping, fashion, culture or cuisine.

Many people visit Tokyo just to eat. Sushi is one of the most popular, and tourists make it a must to try the sushi bars for some of the world's most delicious food.

Hotels in Tokyo are abundant and there are many options for every taste and budget, including traditional Japanese guesthouses.

Visitors can also take day trips to Mount Fuji, visiting Hakone, noted for its beautiful mountain scenery and natural hot springs, and enjoy a boat cruise on the picturesque Lake Ashi.

Osaka

If you want to experience a bustling cosmoplitan city offering vibrant shopping districts, picturesque urban parks and architectural marvels, Osaka is well worth a visit.  Osaka is the third largest city of Japan and is famous for its eclectic dining culture and its reputation as Japan's friendliest city.

To discover the many faces of Japanese culture, one must visit the numerous museums and cultural attractions scattered across Osaka. The neon-clad streets come alive at night with their vibrant markets and underground shopping arcades.

Umeda Sky Building has an observation deck on the 40^th floor.  Here visitors can enjoy amazing breathtaking views of Osaka's skyline, particularly at night.

Osaka is a destination for food lovers. You will be spoilt for choice. There is no shortage of fine dining restaurants, inexpensive 'hole-in-the-wall' restaurants, and street side vendors. The Dotonbori district is one of the best places to enjoy street food in the city. 

Osaka's location also makes it a perfect base for day trips to nearby cities such as Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and Himeji (20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes by train, respectively).

T H A I L A N D

When it comes to destinations in South East Asia, you could say that Thailand is the gateway to them all. And because it's such a big part of the backpacker trail, Emirates flights to Thailand are frequent, and it's one of the easiest destinations to navigate, with well-established tours, resorts and roads.

Emirates connects Dubai to Bangkok six times a day, and from next month (December 2015) four of these will be operated by its flagship A380 aircraft.

Emirates also flies between Dubai and Phuket. Phuket offers its own unique cultural attractions, a fascinating mix of beaches, range of activities and a vibrant nightlife. The island is a favourite with families, backpackers and lovers of great outdoors.

Bangkok is one of the most visited capitals in the world - guaranteeing an unforgettable trip. The city has been welcoming people for decades - from backpackers to luxury travellers drawn by the amazing Thai cuisine, fascinating temples and party scene.

As for accommodation there is plenty in the city centre and by the Chao Phraya River. Some places are livelier and if one looks for tranquility, there are many hotels on the outskirts of the city.

Visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha, is a must-see. The busy street Khao San Road was made famous in Alex Garland's novel The Beach - it is a magnet for backpackers - so its bookshops, boutiques and restaurants cater to those on shoestring budgets.

No first time visit would be complete without visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha - a collection of buildings with traditional Thai architecture.

For those who want to venture further afield, each of Thailand's islands offers something different: Koh Phangan attracts the clubbers to its legendary Full Moon Party, while the luxury hotels in Koh Samui make it a good choice for couples. Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts love laid back Koh Tao, where the ocean is full of life. Then there's calm Koh Lanta, a true hidden gem that's often overlooked by the tourist crowds. Whilst Chiang Mai is one of the oldest cities and home to hundreds of temples.

No doubt, that even here we must mention Bangkok's dining scene. There are loads of options from fine Thai cuisine to street hawkers, or you could pick up some fresh produce at the traditional floating markets.

And when the sun goes down, the city puts on its neon light show, and you would see many locals and tourists hustle to get to their favourite restaurants or nightlife venues. Bangkok is truly a vibrant city.

Following a new codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways, Emirates is offering passengers more choice and flexibility to 14 different cities in Southeast Asia, including Koh Samui and Chang Mai in Thailand.

V I E T N A M

Flanked by Cambodia and Laos with Thailand within easy reach, Vietnam is again one of the highlights of the backpacker trail.

Emirates flies daily from Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City in the South of Vietnam on its Boeing 777-300ER.  

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant commercial centre and an attractive tourism destination.

Once known as Saigon, the city has developed into a dizzying metropolis, but still maintains its unique culture and French colonial influences.

Bustling streets, charming markets, artisan quarters, lakeside pagodas and grand shopping malls give a rich cultural melting pot.

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best places to learn more about Vietnam's history, with cultural attractions such as the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

Another interesting sight is the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is within walking distance from the Saigon Post Office.

Visitors rave about Vietnam's warm and friendly people, and of course Vietnamese food.  The street food in Vietnam is some of the best in the world - thanks in part to the use of fresh noodles, vegetables and meat.

Vietnamese are obsessed with Pho. Pho is a pretty much the typical Vietnamese dish. In simple words it is a noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat and served with either meat or chicken.

Ho Chi Minh City also has a vibrant nightlife with countless bars, cafés and clubs to enjoy. A good place to experience nightlife is Pham Ngu Lao Street.  You will find lots of backpackers who mingle at the many street cafes here.

Beyond Ho Chi Minh City, there are many other interesting places to visit, such as taking a domestic flight to Da Nang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, or escape the city life and head to Mekong Delta which is 60 minutes away from Ho Chi Minh City. It is home to floating markets and villages surrounded by rice paddies.  Here, you will see how villagers make honey and coconut candy. 

M A L A Y S I A

The next country is Malaysia - another remarkable diverse travel destination.

With a mix of jungles, rugged mountains, idyllic beaches and pulsating cities, Malaysia is blessed with balmy weather all-the-year round. Malaysia is a land of cultural fusion - you will find the indigenous Malays, Chinese, and Indian and European influences.   This means even the cuisine is deeply diverse.

Emirates operates four non-stop daily flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia including a scheduled A380 service.

Many Maltese like to travel to this exciting city of Kuala Lumpur, home to the famous Petronas Twin Towers, as well as a vast array of high-end restaurants, luxury hotels and super malls.

Merdeka Square's beautiful 19th century colonial buildings stand in the shadows of some of the biggest and boldest architecture in the world - none bigger or bolder than the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, once the world's tallest building.

The architecture is somewhat eccentric from 100-year old mansions to awesome skyscrapers, all within meters of each other.

Many locals speak English and they are very friendly and quick to help with directions.

Among Malaysia's many charms is the cuisine - a treat for taste buds and an adventure in itself.

The best restaurants in KL (as known with locals) include everything from street food to fine dining, and there's something to suit every budget.

But for the true KL experience, you must head to a night market and sample all of the sights, sounds and smells of the city. You will find bargains in Chinatown or at Brickfields, home to Little India, and one must try out the banana leaf rice restaurants.

At night KL truly comes alive, providing party-loving tourists and locals a perfect excuse to mix. The best place to let it all hang out is the 'Golden Triangle', the area around the Petronas Towers of the city centre, which hosts a great variety of bars and modern cafés.

KL also serves as the perfect base to tour the rest of the enticing Malaysia, such as the tranquil islands of Langkawi and Penang, both ideal for honeymooners and couples seeking a relaxing break.

I N D O N E S I A

Bali

For many travelers, a trip to Indonesia begins in Bali.

Emirates commenced its daily flights from Dubai to Bali this year in June. The airline also flies twice daily to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

Bali is synonymous with beautiful beaches, friendly residents and a rich and fascinating culture. Lots of people head to Bali in search of either the laid-back surfer lifestyle or the party scenes of Kuta - and sometimes both.

Whether you want to party on one of Bali's beaches, seek peace and tranquility in a rainforest or explore sacred temples, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained.

Padang Bay in eastern Bali is a great diving spot.  Here, divers will see many beautiful tropical fish including black snappers, cardinal and damsel fish.  One can learn to surf on Kuta Beach, with the help of popular surf schools while experienced surfers could head to Uluwatu.  It has some of the best surfing waves in the world and hosts many competitions.

As for accommodation there are hotels for every tastes and budgets. Most travellers choose from the larger resorts to the south of the island. Kuta Beach tends to draw the party-going crowds, for sunbathing and water sports during the day and socialising all night. Nusa Dua is a more sedate area known for its luxury hotels and high-end lounges and restaurants, so it's perfect for a romantic break in Bali and a popular choice with honeymooners.

Culture lovers can opt for Ubud as their base. Located in central Bali, this charming town has been drawing backpackers and culture vultures for decades. This is the best place to see traditional Balinese dance and pick up some local arts and crafts. It's also a fantastic wellness destination, with an abundance of yoga studios, meditation classes, and vegan and vegetarian restaurants to choose from.

Bali's cuisine is rich in local herbs and spices. Rice is a staple food on the island.  For a street food snack, the mouth-watering meat or chicken skewers are very popular.

Emirates Holidays

Needless to say that the tour-operating company Emirates Holidays offers tailor-made holidays to all Emirates' destinations with a vast selection of five, four and three star hotels. Details can be found on www.emiratesholidays.com

On a daily basis travellers from Malta can stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, or continue their trip to Dubai on Emirates scheduled daily flights on A330 - 200 in three class configuration - First Class, Business Class and Economy Class.

Emirates operates the world's largest fleets of the iconic A380 and the popular Boeing 777s.

These advanced and modern jets are efficient to operate, and enable Emirates to install the latest onboard features such as: mobile phone services and free Wi-Fi for travellers to stay connected on the go, live TV including the latest sports tournaments, and an unmatched breadth of entertainment content via its ice inflight entertainment system. 

Emirates A380 features its signature First Class Suites, 14 luxurious private cabins, giving passengers the most exclusive inflight experience which includes access to the world's only onboard  ShowerSpas.

Another world first on the Emirates A380 is the On-Board Lounge where First Class and Business Class passengers can socialise at 40,000 feet up in the sky.

Economy Class comes without compromise. Travellers can sit back in comfortable seats and enjoy the attention to detail that makes our flights unique.

They can relax to latest tunes or explore new worlds with our award-winning ice inflight entertainment with over 2,000 channels of movies, TV programmes, music and games.

Emirates' trademark service is delivered by its team of international cabin crew who come from over 130 countries and speaks over 60 languages; its inflight dining experience features great food inspired by the regions and countries it serves and a superb wine offering that includes some of the most exclusive vintages. 

On the ground, the airline has invested in its own global network of 38 Emirates Lounges, and chauffeur drive services, offering frequent flyers and premium customers a seamless Emirates experience. 

The luxury lounges offer an extensive open buffet of gourmet dishes and complementary full-bar service. Travellers can also use the lounge to get some work done at the Business Centre or simply freshen up with a shower and relax.