Penang

Five to seven days are enough for George Town, the hill, the temple and the beach. Three days is the minimum for the town alone. For the food set aside at least two evenings to taste the hawkers.

December to March, when there is least rain and humidity is lowest. From September to November it is wet, and in summer there is often haze from fires. Penang is hot all year at around thirty-one degrees.

Citizens of the EU can enter Malaysia without a visa for ninety days, but must register before arrival on the digital arrival card, MDAC, no later than three days in advance. The passport must be valid for at least six months. Conditions change, so check them.

Yes, most hawkers are clean and cook in front of you. Choose stalls with a queue of locals and where food is prepared fresh. For a sensitive stomach it is wise to skip raw vegetables.

By Rapid 401E bus for two and a half ringgit or by Grab for roughly forty ringgit. The journey takes half an hour to forty minutes depending on traffic. A private transfer costs about twenty euros.

George Town is better for food and monuments, Batu Ferringhi for beaches and resorts. Many people choose two nights in George Town and the rest at a resort. The sea at Batu Ferringhi is often murky.

Muscovado sugar, dried tropical fruit, batik and tea. Buy sweets and coffee in local shops. Bargain only at markets.

Yes, children are interested in street art, the train up Penang Hill and the animals at the zoo and in the tropical garden. Heat and humidity must be respected, so plan breaks in air conditioning. For swimming, hotel pools are better than the sea.