Asia

High-speed trains, irridescent laneways, endless ramen and underground izakayas—time to get booking.

Singapore is one seriously indulgent place. The buzzing cosmopolitan city is a melting pot of culture, excellent food and even better bars. Whether you’re a frequent Singapore visitor or are tackling this epic spot for the first time, we’ve curated the perfect booze guide just for you.

The future is now and a hotel in Japan is leading the way, replacing staff with holograms and robots. At the Henn-na Hotel, located in Tokyo’s buzzing Ginza district, you’ll be greeted by anything from a friendly ninja (who can speak five languages no less), to an even friendlier dinosaur who is pretty damn excited to meet a human. 

Private butler and sandbank workstation included.

Jump on this hop-on-hop-off bus tour, taking you through 18 countries in 70 days.

While it’s been nearly two decades since the first Harry Potter flick hit the big screen, our love for the teen wizard and his magical world runs deep so we’re absolutely buzzing that a brand new Harry Potter world is set to open in Tokyo. Before you cry, ‘but we can’t fly anywhere’ the “Making of Harry Potter” attraction isn’t expected to be completed until early 2023—aka when we will hopefully be back to normal overseas travel.

I don’t know about you guys, but Sri Lanka was sitting at the top of the 2020 bucket list for just about everyone I know. But then COVID-19 came along and the thought of checking out the jaw-droppingly beautiful island seemed like a distant possibility. But, with so many countries recording fewer cases of corona these days, borders are slowly beginning to re-open and—insert happy dance here—Sri Lanka is one of them!

There’s about 1,000 reasons why we’re so obsessed with Japan. The food, the culture, the people, the snow, the food… you get it. With Japan being so close to us, it’s always been a favourite holiday spot, but with a little thing called COVID-19 tearing up our getaway plans the thought of a trip the Asian island seemed unlikely.

We’re all dreaming of a holiday right now, and once international travel is opened back up you’ll be needing a destination that ticks all your wanderlust boxes on a post-corona budget. Add these amazing countries to your itinerary and make those hard-saved dollars really count. 

COVID-19 is quite literally taking over the world and if you’re one of the hundreds of thousands who had planned to travel in the next little while, you’re most likely re-thinking or are being forced to postpone your trip. 

Vegan or not, you’ll want to book yourself a spot at Tanaman, Bali’s newest plant-based restaurant next time you’re in town.

Not so long ago it was pretty simple to navigate Niseko’s foodie scene, mostly because there was nothing but a few ramen shops, bakeries and one or two more upmarket spots to treat yourself after a long week on the snow. In the last few years though, there has been an influx of international powder hounds and the restaurants, cafes and bars have done a top job of keeping up with demand. 

2020 might be a brand new decade filled with endless new opportunities, but some things stay the same. Holidaying for the ‘Gram—is there any other way?—is still a key criterion when it comes to booking that next adventure, so we’ve done you a solid (as always) and rounded up your next ‘gram worthy destination.

The central Vietnamese city of Da Nang is home to unique cultural sites, a gorgeous coastline, and a burgeoning restaurant and bar scene. The harbourside is abuzz with nightlife—its centrepiece a 250m long golden dragon bridge that breathes fire and spits water on Friday and Saturday nights.

Hanoi is an eating paradise where the range of delicious options is overshadowed only by their absolute affordability. On any given day, you could buy crispy, just-fried spring rolls stuffed with pork and prawn, follow it with Hanoi’s famous grilled fish in the bustling Old Quarter, finish with a potent Vietnamese coffee and still have change left over from $10

In a world first, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is giving travellers the chance to experience something truly incredible. Perched on a hill overlooking the Mekong and Ruak rivers, you can spend the night in one of two Jungle Bubbles.  

Seeing as forest bathing is our new favourite wellness activity, we thought we better find a way to incorporate it into our travel plans for 2020. From tropical rainforests to 1000 year old trees, here are 10 of the world’s most incredible forests that are ready for you to bask in their glory.

Ready yourself for peak nostalgia—and the age-old debate of who is better… Mario or Luigi?—because the world is about to score a Nintendo theme park and it includes a life-size Mario Kart track! Super Nintendo World is set to open in 2020 (just in time for the Tokyo Olympics) at Japan’s Universal Studios in Osaka and will feature a bunch of your childhood faves like Peach, Yoshi and Bowser. And we’re crossing our fingers for a possible run in with the likes of Pikachu, Link and Zelda.

One of the world’s great culinary cities, the Thai capital never disappoints on the food front. Read on for our top-10 places to eat out, from humble hawker stalls to Michelin-starred dining rooms. 

If you’ve ever found yourself in Bali during school holidays or hoiking your suitcase up 100-year-old staircases in Europe during a heatwave, you’ve probably learned that choosing where to travel is just as important as deciding when to go.

Is there anything better than lounging poolside on a lush tropical island, cocktail in hand while the stresses of daily life slowly melt away? Absolutely not! Koh Samui might just be the answer to all your island holiday needs. Sure, it’s a little further than Bali but the beaches are all filled to the brim with white sand and there are (at least for now) less tourists. 

From the Summer Olympic Games to cultural extravaganzas and hot hotel openings, there are dozens of reasons to plan a holiday for 2020. Here are the cities and countries to add to your travel itinerary in the New Year. 

While we hate to play favourites, we’re going to go ahead and say straight up that Hiriketiya is our favourite spot to hang out on the south coast of Sri Lanka. We won’t try and tell you it’s off the beaten track—those days are over—but the kind of travellers you find in Hiriketiya are the good ones; obnoxious tourists just don’t seem to be attracted to this place. Plus, the influx of people has meant that seriously good cafes, restaurants, bars and accommodation options have popped up; so you get to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere but still pour back a silky smooth flat white every morning. 

There’s nothing better than a good waterfall with the thundering flow of water, dramatic rock faces and bright blue foamy water. Whether you want to admire one from afar, swim below one or climb down one, there’s sure to be a waterfall for you not too far away. While it’s a hard list to narrow down, we’ve found 10 of the best waterfalls in the world, from the world-famous to the lesser-known gems.

There are few places left off the beaten path. Anywhere you want to jet set, it’s just a hop, skip and Insta search away. Enter Azerbaijan. Azer…wha? Yep, that’s right, it’s the country you’ve never heard of. Well, that is unless you are a diehard Eurovision fan or follow the Formula 1.

We all know that eating like a local is key to a good holiday, but why limit yourself to a single restaurant at each meal when you can taste everything under the sun if you get your timing right. Whether you want something tried and true like pizza and chocolate or you’re after something a little wilder, there’s a food festival somewhere in the world for you. 

Kuala Lumpur (KL) has always moved at slightly breakneck speed. Chinese and Malay tin miners carved out the original settlement in the 1850s, and it only took the British a few decades to turn KL into the capital of Peninsular Malaysia. These days the city is like some crazy historical mash-up, where Mogul-style domes and colonial relics run head-first into hawker carts, street markets, steel skyscrapers and air-conditioned mega-malls like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC. This is where Malaysia comes for a good time. And there’s definitely no shortage of stuff to see. 

​Ever wanted to eat chocolate covered things two or three times a day and not feel guilty about it? Then hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is definitely the thing for you. Every tough moment of hiking is rewarded with the knowledge that no matter how often you sit around in your pyjamas binging Netflix, nobody can call you lazy ever again. Tell anyone you’re hiking in Nepal and they’ll assume it’s Everest Base Camp. However, the Annapurna Circuit offers much the same, if not more, with less crowds and more culture. A seven to 16-day trek, depending on where you start and finish, will wind its way around the tenth tallest mountain in the world. It takes you through small rural Nepalese villages, valleys filled with horses, and finally over the Thorong La Pass. 

​Sometimes it’s nice to give up the gas guzzler for a big city holiday, but if you’re the kind who likes to explore beyond the beaten path, there’s no better way to do it than with your own set of wheels. From one day spins to month-long hauls, it’s time to fire up the playlist because these are the best road trips in the world.

​We are very fortunate in Australia to experience a generous portion of Vietnamese culture. Just head to Cabramatta in Sydney’s west, the south Brisbane suburb of Inala, or drive a mere half an hour south-east of Melbourne to Springvale, and salty wafts of pho will have you salivating long before you step inside the bustling restaurants. 

Experiencing the local cuisine is usually the number one priority for us when on holiday, and there’s no better place to do it than at a local market. Whether you’re after ready-made deliciousness to dig into on the spot or you want to check out the local produce from the area, here are the best food markets around the world.

Following a more than two-year long renovation, Singapore’s oldest hotel, Raffles, has officially reopened its doors. The iconic property closed for renos back in February 2017, but after a peek inside, we can confirm it was well worth the wait.

When you’re thinking about an overseas holiday away from the tourist hordes, Bali is probably the last place that springs to mind. And while it’s true that highly popular spots like Ubud and Seminyak are still likely to provide the respite you so desperately need, there are many beautiful and tranquil areas of Bali delightfully free from crowds just waiting to be explored.

If you’re looking for a zen dining experience, you might want to check out the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong.

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Bali. So, in an effort to have something more than Friday lunch in the calendar to look forward to, we’ve rounded up the latest Bali gems on our wishlist, just for you.

Bali can do no wrong. The people are lovely, the massages are cheap and the weather is amazing.

 Baba Beach Club will transform into a music-lovers’ hotel and will play host for five days of tunes, wellness and art.

Cliff top oasis and Bali beach club Ulu Ciffhouse has been redefining beachside nightlife since it opened its doors in 2017. With direct access to the beautiful beaches of Uluwatu, this beach club boasts a 25-metre infinity pool, resort, music recording studio, art space, world class food and drinks, and an oceanside deck that hangs above the waves.

Christmas has come early for Harry Potter fans everywhere thanks to the legends at Changi Airport in Singapore. They've teamed up with Warner Bros to turn the entire airport into a wonderland dedicated to all things Harry Potter and The Fantastic Beasts.

Between its urban interior and playful Mexican-fusion menu, Two Fingers feels more like New York or Melbourne than the tropical cafes or warungs of Bali. It’s a good example of what makes the island such an impressive culinary destination. One minute you’re amongst the chaos of the streets—the lawless scooter riders, packs of street dogs and temple ceremonies that spill out into traffic—and the next you’ve stepped into a sophisticated dining experience that feels like a world away.

Bali. The gift that keeps on giving.

Crafted with the exemplary vision of the Brett Group (the guys behind Fishbone Local, in case you were wondering), Mason should be on top of your to-do list next time you’re in Canggu. Think modern Australian cuisine with organic ingredients and traditional cooking methods, and you get the magic that is Mason. 

Will travel for good coffee.

Baiii Bintang.

Tax deductible holidays are the best kind of holidays

Sri Lanka is the destination on everyone's travel lips at the moment, and with so many things to do in Sri Lanka we knew we had to stretch this one out as far as it could go.

Luxe doesn’t even begin to describe this one.

Crack open your diary and make room for one of these epic trips in 2018

These mythical creatures have given humans the warm fuzzies since time began.*

Whether you’re chasing cultural experiences, some relaxation and rejuvenation or just want to party for 48 hours straight, Siem Reap in the north-west of Cambodia is the destination for you! From temples, circus shows and bike tours to cute cafes, shopping and day spas, Siem Reap has a little something for everyone.

Spend a few hours in El Nido, at the very northern tip of Palawan, and you’ll understand what they mean by paradise found. 

When you’re in need of a little R&R there’s no better place to go than Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud—you know, where Julia Roberts learned to love in Eat, Pray, Love!

Here’s 19 of our fave healthy hot spots for next time you visit the Island of Gods, plus the best places to stay to enjoy them. Now put down those Pringles…

I geddit, you’ve been to Bali more times than you can thrown a (satay) stick at and have spent countless days running around Waterbom Park as a kid and drinking Bintangs on the beach as an adult, not to mention numerous weddings, hens and bucks parties, family trips and general I-need-to-get-the-hell-out-of-Australia-it’s-freezing getaways.

If you’re looking to avoid the Bintang singlets and bogans and delve a little deeper, here is our jam packed list of everything you need to do before you get your sunburnt ass on-board your flight out of Denpasar.