• Discover the finest view in Bandar Seri Gegawan, the capital, from the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which stands in the middle of its own artificial lagoon.

• Still in the capital, don't miss the Brunei Museum and the Malay Technology Museum showing traditional crafts.

• Walk around the wooden walkways between the houses (which combine traditional architecture with modern facilities such as Internet connections) in Kampong Ayer, a water village on the outskirts of the capital, reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations in the world.

• Enjoy free modern amusements right next to the beach just outside the capital, within the Brunei-Muara district - Jerudong Theme Park (website: www.jerudong-park.com) is best reached by road.

• Find more beaches at Muara, Serasa, Kuala Belait and Lumut Beach near Tutong, where watersports are popular.

• Try out traditional sporting activities, such as gasing, a game involving highly polished giant tops, and kite flying.

• Take a half-day boat tour to Pulau Selirong, a mangrove island 45 minutes from Muara by boat, where wildlife includes proboscis monkeys, macaques, kingfishers and eagles.

• Drive out to Tasek Merimbun, Brunei's largest lake. Located in a hill resort in the Tutong District just over an hour's drive from Bandar Seri Begawan, peaceful picnicking, birdwatching and jungle trails await.

• Take a tour to the Ulu Temburong National Park, which has forest canopy trails on wooden walkways. Trips can include rafting and swimming.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.