Luang Prabang is a tonic for the soul. The former royal capital taps into the senses in a way few other cities can. It’s thick with the perfume of pearly frangipanis and the enticing flavors of high-quality Asian and European food. The greens of the giant shade trees contrast with the burnt siena robes and bare-foot silence of countless Buddhist monks and novices collecting alms. And the gleaming temples, French-era palace and villas, and the multiethnic peoples who live here give Luang Prabang a romantic and relaxed feel that can captivate even the most jaded travelers.