The South Korean city of Busan is home to the world’s largest department store, Shinsegae, which also houses one of Korea’s largest spas, Spa Land, catering for up to 1,500 people at a time. This is not a spa for those with inhibitions because many of the areas within the spa require patrons to be naked. But for those willing to embrace Korean culture and go naked with the locals, a visit to Shinsegae Spa Land might well be one of the most memorable experiences of a trip to South Korea.
The stunning Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon inspires awe in almost anyone who visits it. It lies at the heart of the city, both geographically and spiritually, and its striking presence on the city skyline helps define Yangon in a way that few monuments in other cities can. The city’s rich history and vibrant present provide plenty of interest, not least for older travellers keen to learn more about the country’s distinctive culture and traditions.
Yabbiekayu is a small eco-resort near Yogyakarta, Indonesia, that offers older travellers the chance to relax and de-stress in a rural environment of sustainable living. It provides the opportunity too to learn a little about Javanese culture and visit some of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage listed places such as the Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu temple of Prambanan.
Volunteering is a rewarding way for older travellers for whom traditional sightseeing no longer appeals, but who want to experience new places and new cultures — and especially for those interested in biodiversity, environmental and wildlife conservation issues. It’s an ideal way to meet people of different nationalities who share the same interests, and to see parts of Asia that are well away from the usual tourist haunts.
South Korea’s capital city, Seoul, has a lot to offer the older traveller with many historic places and cultural events to see, unusual foods to try, beautiful parks and urban walkways for leisurely strolls and fascinating markets in which to browse or buy. This guide to one of the most the vibrant cities in East Asia will ensure you don’t miss out on the best places to visit or experiences to enjoy.
A circumnavigation of the northern island of Luzon is considered by many to be the grandest of road trips that can be undertaken in the Philippines. It takes about a month to do properly and is generally done in two circuits – one to the north of Manila and one to the south. This comprehensive guide to the northern circuit will help those wanting to do the trip to plan their itinerary and not miss any of the most interesting sights along the way.
South Korea is not often thought of as a wine-producing country. But it does have one large winery producing some surprisingly good wines. And then there’s soju — the world’s top selling spirit — which comes in a range of fruit flavours and can be drunk like wine. This comprehensive guide to Korea’s wines and spirits will help those visiting the country to choose a drink that will most suit their palate.
Older travellers may not rush around as much as they did in their younger days, but they still seek adventure – and Asia has excitement a plenty to offer. Here’s a look at how travel can help people stay young at heart even in their golden years.
Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world. There are times that the presence of tourists may feel overwhelming, and you may want to escape for a day or two and enjoy the feel of ‘small town’ Thailand. The riverside town of Mae Khlong is one such place, and it’s only 80 km from Bangkok, so is ideal for either a day trip or an overnight stay.
For visitors to Tokyo with an interest in the city’s past, the Edo-Tokyo Museum has much to offer. It charts Tokyo’s history, culture and growth since its founding in 1603 under the name Edo through to the modern era. Considered one of Japan’s best museums, its spacious atmosphere and its range of exhibits and amenities is likely to appeal to many older travellers.
Many older travellers to the tropical countries of Asia like to keep fit whilst they are on holiday. One way to do this is through running or jogging. However, if you normally run only in temperate climates, there are some precautions that you need to take in the tropics. This guide contains some practical advice from a Thailand-based ultra runner on how to maintain your fitness regime in a tropical climate, and also some important tips on personal safety.
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations year-round. During the rainy season, there will be some wet days, but these need not spoil your visit. There’s lots to do and see on Phuket Island whatever the weather. Here are our recommendations for things to do in Phuket on those rainy days.
The Philippines is a country rich in history. For those interested to learn more about its heritage and culture, there are a number of destinations that are particularly suited to older travellers as they provide the opportunity to visit historic landmarks at an easy pace. This comprehensive guide to what these places have to offer, how to get there and what to see, will assist travellers contemplating or planning a ‘heritage holiday’ in the Philippines.
Once a colonial hill station, the city of Dalat in Vietnam’s Central Highlands is today a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. It continues to offer an escape from the year-round tropical heat that blankets much of the country. Surrounded by hills and pine forests, it’s likely to appeal to senior travellers who want to spend a few days at a relatively unhurried pace. But they shouldn’t expect a well-preserved hill station of old.
Thailand has many Buddhist festivals throughout the year, but some of the most interesting for visitors to the country to experience are the colourful candle festivals held at the start of the annual rains retreat. The parades are held on both city streets and waterways and feature the transportation of candles to the temples ranging from individual offerings in floral displays up to massive wax carvings on motorised floats that take up to a year to make.
Bangkok is one of those cities to which travellers return many times. If you’ve done the Grand Palace, the Temple of Dawn and the floating markets on previous trips, and shopped until you dropped at MBK and CentralWorld, then it’s time to slow down the pace and savour the many other attractions that Bangkok has to offer. Here are eight places and experiences you should include on your next visit to the Thai capital.
