Asia

Once a lush sleepy corner of Bali, Ubud is now home to a thriving culinary scene.

If a getaway on your own makes you feel a little nervous, rest easy, because we've found five solo trips that are safe, affordable and brimming with bucket list experiences.  

If you're not sure where to travel to, but you know you want sun, surf, and plenty of relaxation, we have a few suggestions to make that decision-making process much easier.

An Aussie-born chef and Singapore local, Peter Smit has carved a unique place for himself with his nose-to-tail cooking style. We followed the Dirty Supper chef-owner, to uncover what he does to decompress when he's out of the kitchen and off the clock.

We’ve found a stack of elite Singapore stayover deals to kick-start your 2025. 

Singapore has so much to offer that even a short stopover becomes its own holiday. Uncover the hidden gems of this incredible country—you might just find that you want to stay longer. 

Whether you have a couple of hours airside transiting to your next destination or you’re lucky enough to make a day of it in Jewel, we’ve sorted your next layover at Changi Airport in Singapore.

Tucked away on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka thrives in the understated—a mix of old-world craft and neon-lit nights where every bite and every hidden corner convinces you to stay a little longer. 

Dragged yourself back into the office needing a holiday from your holiday? It’s no secret that the silly season can leave even the most festive-spirited feeling a little flat. Luckily enough, Singapore Airlines has just the solution. 

Elevate your Hong Kong dining experience at these top-tier restaurants and hawkers markets.

From thrilling theme parks and a captivating entertainment calendar to world-class dining and a choice of six luxury hotels, Resorts World Sentosa has it all.

If your dream getaway features an itinerary brimming with delicious food recs, then we’ve got seven truly tasty Southeast Asian destinations worth cashing in your annual leave for. 

 From island paradises and lush green wonderlands to achingly cool art hubs and Michelin-star eateries, forget everything you thought you knew about Hong Kong—because this city has so many under-the-radar gems to explore.

​​Vacays don’t have to be all about pounding the pavement to check off a list of tourist hotspots. Sometimes (read: often), it’s the perfect opportunity to slow down and recharge your batteries. Fortunately, Hong Kong is the dream destination for doing just that, with a slew of truly soul-nourishing experiences on offer. 

If an unforgettable luxury experience is calling your name, pack your bags, grab your passport, and book yourself the ultimate getaway at one of Hong Kong’s top hotels. 

Drawing visitors from around the world with its irresistible blend of culture, cuisine and adventure, the vibrant city of Hong Kong is so jam-packed with attractions it can be tricky for even the most discerning of travellers to know where to start.

If you’re yet to experience the otherworldly journey to Japan, perhaps 2024 is the year that changes. 

We all deserve to soar into the sunset as often as our jobs and lives allow, so this year, there’s a new plan of attack: staggered spending. 

The most efficient way to decide between a party-centric holiday and a relaxing getaway is to choose both, naturally.

We teamed up with our mates at Webjet and Zip to uncover some of 2024’s coolest travel destinations that will make all your mates jealous.

From Singapore to Tokyo, we're here to make your next vacay even sweeter with a bunch of international travel packages under $2000*—thanks to Zip and Webjet.

We've teamed up with TravaCalm to serve up some of 2024's hottest travel trends. 

While most flight sales give Perth the snub (looking at you, Virgin), Scoot—the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines—is coming in strong with a whole swag of sensational international flight specials to help make those 2024 travel plans a reality.

If you're looking to add a little extra sparkle to your holiday season, we've teamed up with Resort World Sentosa to serve up some of the biggest events around Singapore to level up your next adventure.

We’re always manifesting our next adventure here at Urban List, and it's no secret that we love a sneaky hack to help us get going without all the fuss—that’s where the Australia Post Platinum Travel Mastercard comes in.

Craving a luxe escape but the cost of living holding you back? Flight Centre’s got you covered. They’ve curated lush escapes without the eye-watering price tag for any vibe you’re after. With flights, accom and plenty of great extras included at huge savings, this is the sign you’ve been looking for to take the plunge and book that next trip.

Take your passport out of retirement and get ready to head global—we’ve teamed up with Flight Centre to bring you four incredible international escapes that’ll set you back less than travelling domestically this year. 

Dust off your passport—Urban List Vacays has arrived. 

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

Singapore Airlines’ extensive network of routes can make it hard to narrow down the travel bucket list, but with a new year and new annual leave to exhaust, it’s time to start planning that epic adventure for 2023. 

With a nightclub, rooftop pool, Mexican eats and plenty of tequila, MESA is ticking all our Bali boxes and then some.

We recently teamed up with the legends at Qantas to ask our audience to tell us their most on-point travel experiences, and you certainly did not disappoint—with a slew of love for the glorious bustling shores of Singapore. To build up your wanderlust, we’ve rounded up some of the most fabulous unmissable hotel stays in this stunning green luscious architectural city that our audience need to book, as determined by you guys.

For when you've seen the bright lights of Toyko and are ready to get back to nature. 

International travel is back in full swing, and you know what that means—checking into some of the dreamiest digs around the globe. 

Vacations are finally back on and we couldn’t be more pumped. Our bucket list has never been longer, and wanderlust is in full force. 

International travel is finally back on the table, and our wanderlust hearts couldn’t be more full. We’re so ready for all of these feels; the excitement of trip planning, anticipation of flying, and the thrill of landing in a new place. 

With WA's borders finally reopening this Thursday 3 March, Scoot has wasted no time relaunching their direct flights to Singapore, with flights taking off daily for as little as $159 from this Thursday on their new Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) service.

Choosing the destination for your next overseas trip won’t be one that is taken lightly, and if you’re looking for a country that’s going to tick all of your boxes, look no further than our close neighbour, Papua New Guinea. 

Perth has a plethora of salons committed to sustainability and minimising their environmental footprint, so we’ve gone ahead and wrapped up some of the absolute best. 

So you want to fly to Japan. Sweet choice! You’ll probably want to spend a week in Tokyo and a few nights in Kyoto—that’s a given. But what about everything else? Sure, you can follow the crowds to Nara, Hiroshima, Hokkaido and Osaka (they’re all popular for a reason), but Japan has plenty of other spots to explore. We’ve picked three of our favourites here: Okinawa, Koyasan and Kanazawa. See them now, thank us later.  

Wanderlusters, meet Lombok—a secluded island all about leisure and taking things slow.

We’re not going to lie, opting to spend only 24 hours in Tokyo is damn near impossible—no matter how many times you’ve visited there are endless amounts of things to do and Japanese cuisine to discover. However, there’s also the rest of Japan to get out and explore, like Okayama, Matsue and Tottori or Sapporo, Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Osaka, and in that case a short stopover is better than nothing.

​Whether you’re a big business boss, full-time freelancer or a small-time side-hustler, sometimes you need to get away from the responsibilities of your home life to focus on a big project, come up with new ideas or just to stretch that ol’ creativity muscle. You can always go bush, get off the grid and rent a shack somewhere but if you want to learn from other worker bees, meet some like-minded legends and explore a new corner of the world at the same time, you might want to consider a business retreat. 

If you've been looking for a reason to check out the world's tallest indoor waterfall, now's your chance.

Yes, you read that right. AirAsia has launched a bunch of budget friendly prices on some awesome holiday destinations, so get booking. 

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.

This stunning boutique hideaway is the perfect place to unwind and chill out.

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.

Bet you thought those hours between flights were for handy-wipe showers and napping in a corner didn’t you?

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.

If you needed another excuse to escape winter and head to Bali, Tropicola is it. The brand new beach club from the guys behind Seminyak's iconic Motel Mexicola will be sitting pretty on Seminyak Beach by August 2018—giving Mount Agung plenty of time to settle down so we can actually get there!

Hopeless Ramen-tic’s listen up. The Japanese staple of ramen reigns supreme in Toyko. 

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.

Greenie globe-trotters, you can now sleep with a sound conscience in Thailand’s capital.

Real Indonesia, a sustainable tour company determined to give you an authentic and life-changing travel experience, promises to immerse you in the heart and culture of Indonesia. They offer a couple of customised tours which take you across rural Bali, giving you a taste of what everyday life in Indonesia looks like, and showing you a beautiful side to Bali which often escapes the travel pamphlets. 

Sitting a comfortable distance away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and Seminyak, Uluwatu is your glimpse into the true beauty of Bali: spanning vistas, incredible landscapes and crystal clear oceans. While once upon a time the Bukit Peninsula was mostly about cheap and cheerful warung eats for the surfers, the cafe and cocktail scene has been blowing up for the last few years.

Bali’s new 700 square metre beachside bar is perfect for your next vacay.

Luxe doesn’t even begin to describe this one.

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

Start wiping those tears with your Woolies receipts, this is how the other half travel.

Holidays are often seen as a luxury. And we get it, we really do—those things are expensive. But, here at The Urban List we are super thrifty, and we’ve managed to hack our way to two international holidays a year…without sacrificing UberEats and plenty of vino along the way.

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

It’s that time of year. Love Actually is on TV, you’ve brought the fake tan back out, and you shake your head every time you see the Christmas decorations up at the shops already. Yep, it’s Christmas time. And that means holiday season is upon us—hooray!

Fact: everything is sweeter when it’s cheaper. 

We’re getting Dewy Decimal headaches just looking at this thing. Welcome to the new ‘Eye of Binhai’ in Tianjin, China—1.2 million books, 5 storeys and thousands of stories (...ahhh, puns).

Keeping up with new places in Bali is like keeping up with… actually, it’s unlike anything else. 

Penang might not be the first place you think of when you’re dreaming up your travel bucket list, but when you hear that a spot has been named one of Asia’s top street food destinations, you listen. Well, I do anyway.

No matter how many times you've been to Bali, the cheap airfares, luxe accommodation and incredible bars and restaurants will draw you back again and again. While Seminyak has been getting busier over the past few years, it's still home to some of the best eats and drinks in Bali, so divide your time between the hot spots in Seminyak and the quieter Canggu and you'll be in for a seriously lavish weekend.

Aside from being Air Asia’s hub to the east, Malaysia is a melting pot of culture, colour and cuisines. It’s got the high rises of Singapore, the traffic of Bangkok, the grit of Siem Reap and the glamour of Hong Kong, all rolled into one.

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.