Since 1990, the number of tourists visiting Laos has increased by more than 20 percent. 2010 is expected to bring some 2.2 million visitors to the Southeast Asian nation, with increases continuing for the foreseeable future. What does this mean for the traveler? Get to Laos now! It is still a quiet, peaceful, and pristine destination and one that will offer unforgettable memories.

Laos was named by the New York Times as the number one vacation destination in 2008. Almost three years later, the country remains an alluring treat for nature lovers and those who want to escape the bustle of the world. The people of Laos make any stop in the country worthwhile with their friendly, open demeanor. One of the most stunning sights that you will see is the monasteries of Luang Prabang. Nestled between the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers are vistas that take your breath away. Here you will find temples and monasteries with saffron-robed monks, crumbling French colonial architecture, and diverse inhabitants. Relax in the area’s spas, visit the temples, shop, and enjoy local dining.

Vang Viengis another worthwhile destination and one that is attracting more and more visitors every year. Here, you will find yet more of Laos’s incredible views. You may come for the views, but you’ll stay for the chance to explore tunnels, caverns, and limestone cliffs, to kayak in the Nam Song, and tour the city by bicycling. Vang Vieng is not as isolated or quiet as Luang Prabang and some say it is becoming too “touristy.” Let the views of pristine water and dramatic mountain peaks convince you.

One needn’t worry about finding the land that time forgot when traveling to Champasak. Located in the southwest of Laos, Champasak is a picturesque retreat that highlights the rural way of life on the banks of the Mekong. The unspoiled province offers beautiful waterfalls, and the Mekong houses a small number of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin. The ruins of Wat Phou, the small villages which largely forgo electricity, and the dot of sandbank islands are shrouded in mist, lending a mystical feel to this quiet region. It is easy to think you’ve left the world behind when you visit Champasak; if you let them, the remarkable views will carry you away.