Most travellers to southern Thailand dismiss the city of Surat Thani as nothing more than a jumping-off point to Koh Samui. However, the province of Surat Thani abounds with many unique experiences from exciting cave tours to floating bungalows on the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake, and off-the-beaten track attractions from scarcely known lookouts to authentic riverside markets.
The island of Palawan is an eco-tourism destination which has good roads, beautiful scenery, and uncrowded beaches. It’s one of the few places in the Philippines where it is safe for visitors who don’t have a lot of driving experience in Southeast Asia to hire a car for a self-drive holiday. Here’s a suggested 7-day itinerary that will enable you to see the best of what Palawan has to offer.
One of the most unusual of the historical attractions in the ancient city of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. This underground water storage facility is a gigantic architectural and engineering feat which can again be visited since it reopened last year after structural renovations. With a new light show now incorporated into the experience, it’s been described as both magical and mystical.
Luang Prabang was once known as Southeast Asia’s best kept travel secret. But now with high-speed rail links bringing in tour groups from Thailand and China, and direct Airbus flights from regional capitals, the tourist crowds in this former French colonial outpost with its UNESCO World Heritage listed old town are becoming unsustainable. So, is it still worth making the trip?
The Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, a Buddhist temple area southeast of Khao Sok National Park, in Surat Thani province, Thailand, is well off the beaten track for both international and domestic tourists, but those who make the effort to visit are enthralled at its beauty and magnificent setting surrounded by rainforest-clad limestone karst mountains.
With its rich history and mix of cultures, Melaka is one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations. Like most cities that rely heavily on tourism, it was hard hit by the Covid pandemic. Although it is well on the road to recovery, now is a good time to visit before the pre-pandemic crowds return. One of the best ways to explore this historic city is on foot.
Busan is a charming and trendy coastal city and is cheaper than South Korea’s capital, Seoul. It’s possibly one of the most underrated cities in Asia with a lot to do and see for older travellers. You’ll find stretches of spectacular sandy beaches, beautiful mountain surrounds, and tranquil nature reserves ideal for hiking.
Asia is home to many superstitions and beliefs, some of which date back centuries. Whilst many Westerners may scoff at the rituals that supposedly bring health, wealth and happiness, millions of people continue to follow traditions to bring luck that have been handed down through generations. We take a look at some of the rituals you’ll likely come across in the coming months.
The most economical way to travel in Cambodia is by bus. It’s cheap and provides an opportunity to see parts of the country that would be missed when travelling by air. But sometimes a ticket sold for what you expect to be a journey in a comfortable coach might turn out to be a cramped seat in a minivan. It’s important to research in advance what the mode of transport will be before buying tickets to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The hamam is the Turkish version of a Roman bathhouse, but the modern-day hamam offers so much more than bathing for both men and woman. It provides the opportunity to enjoy a unique cleansing ritual in beautiful historic buildings. With massages available to supplement the traditional services, a session in a hamam might well be the most relaxing experience you can enjoy on a visit to Turkey. The pampering you will receive is guaranteed to sooth the soul.
Northern Thailand has two excellent botanic gardens that are within an easy hour’s drive of the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. They can provide a relaxing nature break from a busy touring schedule and are highly recommended to anyone interested in tropical or sub-tropical gardening, or to travellers who want a safe place to exercise that is cooler than the cities of the provinces in which they are located.
The Erawan Waterfall in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province is well known as one of the country’s most picturesque waterfalls and for its 1.75 km forest trail to the top level of its seven tiers. For older travellers, that hike can be quite challenging unless they are very fit because the seventh tier is 800 metres above the bottom tier. This detailed illustrated guide to the hike will assist you to decide whether it is something you should tackle when visiting the Erawan Waterfall.
Booking train, bus and ferry tickets in Asia can be difficult if you are not familiar with the routes and transport operators, but online booking apps and websites can make the task much easier. But with hundreds of such online ticketing platforms vying for your business, how can you tell which are the best ones to use. We take a look at reviews of these sites to determine which are the most reliable.
Myanmar’s brutal military junta have reopened the country to tourists because they need foreign currency. Tourism Myanmar is paying travel magazines and social media influencers to produce content to attract tourists back to the country despite most governments advising citizens that it is not safe to travel there. Niko Samaras was a regular traveller to Myanmar and offers his take on whether you should visit or boycott Myanmar.
Kanchanaburi is a province in Thailand that is best known for its World War 2 memorial sites and national parks. But it also has many hot springs along the valley of the River Kwai which may help you to ease any aches and pains that you may acquire on your travels. This comprehensive guide to all of the hot springs in the valley and their mineral water pools recommends the best ones for international travellers to visit and which ones to avoid.
Many older travellers to Cambodia like to understand what local life is like off the usual tourist track. Finding an English-speaking tuk-tuk driver who is prepared to take you to places that tourists normally don’t visit can be a rewarding experience. It’s a relaxing way to learn about the local culture and discover daily life in rural communities.
