Malaysia's gift to relaxation: 99 duty-free islands (even chocolate at free-port prices) and a UNESCO Geopark of half-billion-year formations. Cenang for base life, the Sky Bridge cable car as icon, Kilim's mangrove-and-eagle boat tours, and the island-hopping day. Rent a car without hesitation — cheap, easy, and half the joy; November-April brings the clearest sea.