Si Phan Don

If you've made it as far south as Champasak, then a visit to the Si Phan Don area—celebrated for its 4,000 Mekong River islands and freshwater dolphins—is a must. Don means island, and two of them in particular are worth visiting: Don Khong and the similarly named Don Khon, both of which are accessible by boat. Neighboring Don Det, connected to Don Khon by a bridge, attracts the backpacker crowd. Don Khon is the most scenic of the two, combining river life with proximity to waterfalls and dolphins. The area's most romantic lodging option is the Sala Ban Khon. Don Khong has some lovely open countryside and rice fields, and is very photogenic. Know that most lodging options are not very attractive.