Asia

Dust off your passport—Urban List Vacays has arrived. 

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. 

We’ve waited oh so patiently, and finally our wanderlust prayers have been answered—international travel is back on the cards, baby! Put this on your radar because the countown is on to dust off the passport and dig out your suitcases, because Euro summers and snow seasons in Asia holidays are back on the menu.

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. 

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.  

​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. 

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 time to trade crowded beaches for hidden mountain hideouts, yoga classes for meditation sessions, acai bowls for vegan multi-course meals, and experience “wellness” how it has been done for thousands of years. Here is the ultimate guide to wellness in Japan, from someone who actually lives there. 

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.

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!

It’s time to chat about Bali; you’ve all been there once or twice in your lifetime. You’ve probably ticked Seminyak off your bucket list, and perhaps Ubud, Uluwatu and Canggu, too. But, what if we were to name-drop a little place called Nusa Lembongan? Would that ring any bells or are you more likely to think; ‘Nusaywhaaat?’.

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!

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.

Sitting a comfortable distance away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and Seminyak, Uluwatu is your glimpse into the true beauty of Bali.

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Bali, here at The Urban List. In case you’re new to the family, it seems we’re a little bit addicted. So, in an effort to have something more than Friday lunch in the calendar to look forward to, we’ve rounded up the best places to go in Bali gems to add to your wishlist.

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

Luxe doesn’t even begin to describe this one.

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.

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. 

Want to avoid the Bintang singlets and bogans? Use our handy jam-packed Bali bucket list before getting your sunburnt ass onboard your flight home.