Pakse is a quiet town in southern Laos that’s slowly gaining a reputation as a traveller’s paradise. The main draw is the easy access to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled scenery in Southeast Asia. The Mekong River flows right through town, and from there it’s a short hop to the Bolaven Plateau, home to dozens of stunning waterfalls, coffee plantations and hill-tribe villages. Pakse is also a great base for exploring the 4000 islands, and there are plenty of chilled-out places to relax in town when you need a break from the jungle.