Honkers or Singers? Which Asian megacity is more appealing to foreign businesses?
AI company ImageDeep was the latest to open its Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong, citing the city’s strategic global position and involvement in the Greater Bay initiative as its reasons for expanding into the 852. The decision came as a surprise to some, as while there is a long history of financial firms expanding into Hong Kong, tech companies have increasingly been reaching for Singapore instead. ImageDeep’s move has thrown up the age old debate: Hong Kong vs Singapore, which of these two Asian mega-cities has the edge for modern businesses?
Fairs fair, both are extremely attractive to western businesses and remain the two most popular options for Western businesses wanting to get a piece of the ever-growing Asian market. Both being port towns Hong Kong and Singapore already have a great geographical advantage and their international airports, tap into a vast yet quickly navigated network of nearby countries and educated multilingual workforce mean businesses are spoilt for choice when it comes to hiring time. The government allows foreigners to own all of their shares, there is no mandate to have a native director on the company’s board and taxes are low with multiple exemptions available.
Hong Kong’s well-founded history of financial success, far reaching travel links and low low tax rates have been attractive to overseas entrepreneurs for decades. Singapore has easier access to the growing Indian and Sri Lankan markets and boast their super clean streets, mega high living standards and highly engineered public transport system as an absolute win over Hong Kong, where pollution has long been a problem. But what Singapore sees as its greatest strength might just be its downfall when it comes to incoming Westerners. Many expats living in Hong Kong revel in the varied landscape and diversity in people and they think Singapore a little bit too homogenised. While the two can boast strong legal systems which protect the business interests of foreign business owners a few think the Singaporean system might be a little too eager. Hong Kong’s procedures might take a little longer but it’s generally agreed that this is in the interest of making sure everything is done in the most just manner possible.
For the sake of diplomacy we’ll continue to call it a toss-up. For some Singapore’s spotless streets are utter paradise and for others the rolling mountains and gleaming spires of Hong Kong spell an irresistible adventure.
Text: Alice Duncan
Dreaming of a Green Christmas: The Most Luxurious Forest Destinations
Globally and historically, frosty Evergreens has been a shared symbol of solace, hope, and everlasting life to many cultures. This Christmas we present the most luxurious travel destinations surrounded by the most gorgeous National Forests, frosty or not.
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Nestled away on the edge of Costa Rica’s National Park, an old 1965 Boeing 727 has been completely revamped from an aircraft to an one-of-a-kind, two-bedroom jungle canopy, perched on a 15m high platform and expertly furnished with hand-carved furniture from Java, Indonesia, to resemble a suite at The Ritz, London. Celebrate the holiday season with a glass of wine in hand, in what is surely an unforgettable destination that brings you the best of modern technology and primitive nature.
Hampshire, United Kingdom
Located deep within the New Forest National Park, The Rhinefield Hotel is an impeccable country hotel, surrounded by one of England’s most enchanting forests. This quaint hotel offers its visitors a magical Christmas destination, with its combined décor of Tudor and Gothic architecture. Built in 1887, The Rhinefield may just transport you to Victorian England with its festively themed afternoon tea and pampering.
Colorado, United States
Although certainly colder than our other recommendations, the ultimate glamping experience of Dunton Hot Springs is worth the less-than-tropical environment. Stationed in the San Juan Mountains, it’ll be impossible to not enjoy the great outdoors at this small, exclusive resort, with its offer of tranquility coming courtesy of its hot springs, pampering massages and the irresistible charm of America’s Old Wild West.
Sun City, South Africa
Located in South Africa, The Sun City Resort is the perfect holiday escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy work schedules. Bordering the Pilanesberg National Park, this resort offers plenty of attractions that are sure to keep your mind off from the stresses of day-to-day life. Take your pick from safari adventures, hot air balloon rides, golf games and, of course, everyone’s favourite pastime of lounging next to the gorgeous pools.
Text: Bailey Atkinson
China Unbound: Where are ultra-rich Chinese travellers jetsetting to?
Once, long ago, the world was the playground of well-to-do Europeans, with wealthy wanderers jetting out from Monaco or setting sail from Southampton. Later, the baton passed to a new generation of New Worlders, with the bankers of Boston and the commercially-successful Californians bestriding the globe with all the confidence of the nouveau nomads they clearly were. Now, the world has turned once again.
Today, it’s the vacationing Vietnamese, the sojourning South Koreans and, most of all, the high-end holidaying Hongkongers and luxury berth-booking Beijingers that are off to see the world. In 2016 alone, outward-bound mainland Chinese travellers took 136.8 million trips abroad. More than 50 percent of these travel-minded Middle Kingdomers are millennials.
If you think their comparative youth is reflected in a willingness to rough it, you couldn’t be more mistaken. According to the 2017 Chinese Luxury Traveller Report, produced by the Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute, some 28 percent of all Chinese travellers looking solely for five-star luxury accommodations.
But premium accommodation isn’t the only thing money-is-no-object mainland jetsetters are willing to ever splash out on. According to Nielsen’s 2017 Outbound Chinese Tourism and Consumption Trends Survey, Chinese tourists allocate a whopping 25 percent of their total holiday budget solely to shopping. Accordingly, the combined annual overseas spend of such travellers is around US$300 billion.
With luxury shopping pretty much a staple of every Western capital, Chinese travellers are somewhat spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the best place to have a Union Pay splurging spree or two. Nevertheless, leaving the allure of the many popular destinations within Asia aside, there are five faraway foreign locales that checked in to be travelling mainlanders’ particular favourites…
Coming in at number five is Germany, the European country that just 73 years ago was pretty much intent on world domination. Now, though, with all such unpleasantness all but forgotten, visiting mainland tourists can explore its many malls and historic treasures, though goose-stepping down certain thoroughfares with a pretend moustache can still bring out the worst in the locals.
Coming in at number four is France. Chinese travellers recent overtook their US counterparts to become the biggest-spending overseas contingent in Paris, the French capital, which is so rightly famed for its galleries, its Eiffel Tower and the ease of access it offers to terrorists of Middle East extraction. If you’re stocking up on your D&G collection while in town, best have a gander at its new Kevlar line. You just never know.
Coming in at number three is the Maldives, a tiny island nation comprising 26 atolls and set within the abiding deep blue splendour of the Indian Ocean. Give its population is 100 percent Islamic and that alcohol, bathing suits and public displays of affection are illegal within its boundaries, it’s perhaps surprising that the resort ranks quite so highly. Maybe they bribed someone.
Definitely less controversially, the US is a shoo-in for the number two slot. Given recent political difficulties, visiting mainlanders are advised to keep the amount of aluminium or steel they bring with them on any America-bound excursion to an absolute minimum, else there could be a bit of a scene at customs.
The number one slot is also a bit of a mystery. Coming so soon after finding that the beer-and-fun-free Maldives is apparently the third best place in the world for holidaying Hangzhouans to head off to, the very probity of the research seems to be brought into question by Australia peremptorily topping the list. With a little bit of a muse, however, this does somewhat land on the understandable side.
For many Chinese travellers, the cultural snobbery of the Great European nations (and Germany) can seem a little off-putting. At the same, the overly-entitled sense of world ownership that can be detected from a typical American from at least 20 yards away can seem equally unwelcoming to a tired Tianjin traveller after 20-plus hours in the air.
Not so those destined to arrive in Australia – the very lack of culture keeps any sense of cultural inferiority wholly at bay, while the fact the country’s territorial ambitions have never strayed beyond taking possession of the nearby Norfolk Island (population three, two of them possums) makes it totally unthreatening, world-conquest wise. They haven’t even overrun New Zealand and that’s there for the taking. Strewth.
Text: Robert Blain Photos: AFP and Imagine China
Suite Nothings: Travel Club Mr & Mrs Smith’s Reveals The World’s Sexiest Bedrooms
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, travel curator group Mr & Mrs Smith is launching the most irresistible of coffee table books – The World’s Sexiest Bedrooms.
From far-away cosy hideaways to the most immersive luxury suites, the book reveals the hottest hotel rooms around the world, all tempting you to get into a bed you just don’t want to leave.
As Mr & Mrs Smith co-founder James Lohan explains: ‘We wanted to mark our anniversary in the best way we knew how – paying tribute to the most romantic rooms we’ve discovered in proper, unputdownable print.”
So here’s a sneak peak into ten of the world’s sexiest bedrooms – just perfect for your next romantic getaway…
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Each copy of The World’s Sexiest Bedrooms comes with a redeemable HKS310 Mr & Mrs Smith voucher. There are also five ‘golden tickets’ giving lucky recipients HK$10,363 to spend.
Hotel review: Unearthing The Slate, a hidden gem in Phuket
Tucked away on the beaches of Nai Yang, bordering the Sirinat National Park in Phuket, The Slate is the very definition of a luxuriously-crafted boutique resort inviting visitors to rejuvenate in its lap.
As any traveller to Thailand’s famous beach town would be aware, Phuket is ceaselessly dotted with self-proclaimed ’boutique’ hotels, all desperate to beckon tired travellers by claiming to be immersive luxury experiences. Should such one-upmanship leave you bewildered about which hotel to book for your next vacation, then the relatively less ostentatious The Slate may just be the place for you. Inspired by Phuket’s long-lost tin mining heritage, each nook and corner of the hotel tells the story of Phuket’s past traditions and unique culture, thanks to its carefully curated industrial design by Bill Bensley, one of Southeast Asia’s leading resort architects.
As Prakaikaew Na-Ranong, co-owner of The Slate, explains, “At The Slate, we are celebrating the history of Phuket, and every corner is a conversation. Here guests encounter tin from our own mines and you can just feel the flavours of the past.”
Just a 10 minutes drive from the Phuket International Airport will transport you to this tropical heaven spread across 35 acres, offering 177 accommodation choices, seven exquisite private pool villas, eight dining venues, three swimming pools, an award-winning spa and a host of other facilities.
Of the motley accommodation choices you’d be faced with – from the 132sq.m one bedroom Pearl Shell Suites to the 1,020sq.m two bedroom private pool villas – most of them come with their own en-suite spa treatment rooms, your very own oasis of relaxation and recuperation. Here trained masseurs from the hotel’s award-winning Coqoon Spa will dispel all fatigue from your muscles at the complete privacy of your own suite. Alternatively, you can choose to be pampered within the plush interiors of Coqoon Spa’s signature treatment room or at the alternate spa Nest, hand-woven and suspended among centuries-old banyan trees.
No visit to The Slate can, however, be complete without taking a dip in one of their three swimming pools – the Family Pool with an adjacent paddle pool, and the adults-only swim-up Pulley Bar and the Infinity Pool. If you’re seeking some quiet time, hanging out by the Infinity Pool with your favourite cocktail while the sun sets in the horizon may just be the most beautiful moment of your vacation.
In terms of gourmet culinary experiences too, The Slate far from disappoints. Of the eight dining venues, the authentic Thai restaurant, Black Ginger, is easily the most exclusive. Set in a private island accessible by a raft, the exotic ambience is fittingly matched by its fulsomely flavourful southern Thai cuisine. For a more casual dining experience, the newly opened Japanese cuisinary Rivet may just be the place to go. Keeping with the industrial-chic design theme that runs through the entire property, the decor here is minimalist and functional. However, the menu curated by renowned Chef Toshiyuki Koike more than makes up for any cravings for indulgence that you may have – both the five-course Rivet degustation menu and the four-course Sakura menu offer the very best and freshest of Japanese cuisine with signature seasonal ingredients.
Needless to say, there are many boutique hotels and villas in Phuket that would be at par with The Slate in terms of the luxury experience. But what sets The Slate truly apart is its roots which are deeply entrenched in Phuket’s local history, paying a knowing tribute to the region’s heritage, culture and cuisine.
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Amazing Amsterdam: The insiders’ guide to the never-dull Dutch capital
When it comes to the best places to live in the world, there are only five that appeal more than the Netherlands, particularly its capital Amsterdam. As that particular accolade bears the imprimatur of the United Nations (as detailed in the body’s 2018 World Happiness Report), that’s pretty much as official as you are going to get.
Anyone minded to uncover why the Netherlands has developed such never-leave-ability should start their investigation in Amsterdam, the national capital. Here, among the ‘Exhibit A’s’, are historic monuments, trendy hipster cafes, quaint canals, a world-class red light district and more museums than you explore in any one trip.
The city, itself, dates back to the late 13th century, when a dam-cum-bridge was built across the River Amstel to protect local inhabitants from the ever-present danger of flooding. The nearby settlement eventually became known as Amsterdam.
Although a relative youngster compared to such venerable Dutch cities as Rotterdam and Utrecht, Amsterdam soon flourished, quickly emerging as one of the region’s key commercial ports. Later, during the 17th century Dutch Golden Age, the city became an economic powerhouse, boosted by such innovations as the establishment of the world’s first stock market.
Before long, it was seen as the world’s wealthiest city. Its affluence and influence only grew as its trading network extended across North America, Africa and Asia. Buoyed by the success of the semi-state-owned Dutch East India Company – now considered the world’s first transnational conglomerate – it then went on to annex both Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Today, although such glories are long gone, the city remains as one with its waterways, once the commercial arteries that ferried the finest goods from across the world into its very heart. Its 165 canals and 1,281 bridges, in fact, all constitute parts of one of UNESCO’s most singular World Heritage Sites.
Without a doubt, though, many of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions can be found very much on dry land and, more particularly, within the Museumplein (Museum Quarter), home to innumerable historical repositories of the very finest examples of Dutch historical and cultural artefacts.
A good place to start would be the Big Three – the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk. Perhaps the biggest of these is the Rijksmuseum. Originally constructed 100km away in 1800 in The Hague, it settled into its current location in 1885. Within the imposing exterior architecture is a veritable treasure trove of works from many of the Dutch Old Masters, the majority of them created during the region’s Golden Age.
A total of 8,000 pieces are on display, including such celebrated pieces as The Night Watch (Rembrandt), The Milkmaid (Vermeer) and The Meagre Company (Hals). Discerning visitors tend to arrive early and head straight to the second-floor Gallery of Honour where most of these masterworks are to be found.
Almost directly adjacent to the Rijksmuseum is the Van Gogh Museum, an institution solely dedicated to the life and works of this magnificent Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. Opened in 1973, it boasts the world’s largest collection of the uni-lobed artist’s paintings and correspondence. For the most fulfilling experience, opt for the informative audio guide facility as you peruse your way across Van the Man’s finest works.
For those intent on uncovering more contemporary cultural icons, look no further than the nearby Stedelijk. Boasting more than 90,000 of the 20th and 21st centuries’ artiest artefacts, virtually every significant cultural movement from modern times is represented here, including Pop Art, De Stijl and Neo-Impressionism, often by their very finest manifestations.
Further away, tucked in an unassuming canal-side construction is Anne Frank House, one of the city’s most chilling repositories of remembrance, It was here that Anne Frank, a 13-year-old Jewish girl, hid from the Nazi pogroms that blighted the city at the height of WWII before being caught and transported to the German concentration camps claimed her life. Her now-famous diary, which recorded her time in hiding, did survive and remains a powerful condemnation of the horrors of the time.
The original hidden annex where Anne and six others took sanctuary for two long years is now open to visitors. For many, it remains a place of pilgrimage and sombre reflection. Afterwards, should you have the appetite, drop by Pancakes Amsterdam next door and sample the Netherlands’ unique take on this classic breakfast offering. Or, for a spot of probably desperately-needed cheer, meander down the canal-hugging Prinsengracht for a spot of retail therapy.
If your quota of museum meanderings is yet to be wholly filled, there are still plenty more to choose from. Amsterdam, after all, boasts more than 75 different museums, dedicated to everything from houseboats to household pets. After that, you probably deserve a bit of a sit down and the opportunity to explore those intriguing aromas wafting from many of the city’s curiously full cafes. Enjoy.
Text: Tenzing Thondup Images: AFP
In Bruges: Four reasons to visit the picturesque Belgian town
For most, the Belgian town of Bruges may be most familiar as the setting for the 2008 action thriller In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson. But what all but the most well-heeled traveller may be unaware of is that this tiny village is actually a star in its own right.
Despite having a population of just 117,000 permanent residents, this verdant city punches well over its weight in tourism figures. In 2017 alone, it drew over 16 million visitors, a number that represents the culmination of Bruges’ ever-increasing must-see-ability on the part of eager explorers around the world. It’s also a whopping 50 percent increase from the number of in-bound travellers just five years previously (11.8 million).
So what, exactly, is enticing these millions of Belgian-bound tourists to make the two-hour excursion outside of its capital city Brussels? Well, these four reasons may have something to do with it…
Historic monuments
Bruges’ history dates all the way back to the 9th century, when it was first founded by roving Vikings. Intervening centuries saw it grow into a important trade hub and financial centre. A happy by-product of this legacy is the countless well-preserved historical monuments that punctuate the city’s acreage.
Perhaps the most famous of these is the Belfry Tower, perfectly positioned in the Historic Centre of Bruges, a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another must-see site is the neighbouring Historium museum, which allows visitors a 3D flashback to the city’s Golden Age (12th – 15th centuries).
Verdant greenery
Unlike most urban cities, Bruges retains a tranquil aura thanks, in large part, to the high percentage of greenery that can be found within its boundaries. The most spectacular example of this is the Minnewaterpark, which hugs its southern walls. Those seeking a bit of romance should definitely meander along the rectangular lake here, appropriately dubbed the ‘Lake of Love’.
Beer
Belgian beers are amongst the most sought after in the world, a fact that local Bruges denizens have been keen to take advantage of. Dozens of tiny pubs and bars ring the roads surrounding the central Market area, including the Instagram-famous The Beer Wall, replete with an actual wall-sized display of beer bottles. If you visit the establishment, ask for a Westvleteren 12, a rare ale brewed in limited quantities by Trappist monks.
Canals and bridges
Much like Venice, Bruges boasts countless canalways and medieval bridges that criss-cross its landscape. Hop aboard one of the manycanal boats to gain a new perspective on this historic town. After all, these waterways were once at the heart of the city’s maritime trade network.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
A Weekend in Venice: Ferretti Yachts marks 50th anniversary in spectacular style
Ferretti Yachts, that purveyor of ultra-luxury yachts that have charmed royalty and Hollywood icons alike, put-paid to the rumours that nobody throws a party quite like the Italians earlier this summer. As the sea-faring brand hit the bit 5-0, it pulled out all the stops to host a no-holds-barred extravaganza in the beautiful city of Venice.
Esteemed owners of Ferretti Yachts from across the globe and the veritable who’s who of Italian high society descended on The Floating City to help celebrate the marque’s golden jubilee, which marked the culmination of five decades of dedicated, precision yacht-building.
The Italian brand’s story first took root in 1968, when it was founded by siblings Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti as a small family business building bespoke luxury yachts for the social elite of the day. Succeeding decades saw Ferretti Yachts grow to an international scale, soon spreading branches across Europe, North America and Asia, and claiming such luminaries as Brigitte Bardot, Richard Burton and Sophia Loren among its exclusive clientele.
Little of its originally humble family roots were evident across the weekend-long celebration, which kicked off at the Palazzo Ducale. Built in 1340, this well-preserved monument overlooks the touristy Piazza San Marco and was once the residence of the Doges of Venice, who ruled over the long-standing republic from this magnificent Gothic structure until 1797, when Napoleon conquered the city-state. Since then, it has acted as administrative offices for various bureaucratic and governmental bodies before finally being transformed into a museum in 1923.
On this particular evening, however, the palace served as the stage for the inaugural night of Ferretti Yachts’ 50th anniversary festivities. Arriving just as the sun began to set, guests were ushered onto the first floor balcony, with its Gothic ogival windows offering prime panoramas of the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront. The positioning could not have been more perfect. Resplendently lined along the directly adjacent harbour were a fleet of eight of its latest models, shown off splendidly in the waning sunlight.
The pièce de résistance, though, came as in the form of an unexpected overhead fly-by courtesy of Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale Frecce Tricolori, the Italian air force’s superbly able acrobatic demonstration wing. Flying in tight formation, nine fighter planes soared past the Palazzo Ducale and over the Venice lagoon, painting the sky entirely in Italy’s unmistakable green, white and red. It was the first time this legendary aerial team had flown over La Serenissima in 25 years – a perfect opening act.
Once suitably recovered from the spectacle, attendees commenced the wining and dining portion of the evening in the expansive Sala del Maggior Consiglio, the original meeting hall of the Grand Council of Venice. It was the first such gathering in this august venue since the last Doge passed away in the late 18th century. Surrounded by a veritable treasure trove of Italian art, most notably Il Paradiso by Tintoretto – the world’s largest canvas painting – and Triumph of Venice crowned by victory by Paolo Veronese, guests enjoyed culinary delights and musical performances late into the night.
After a well-deserved rest, Ferretti Yachts launched head-long into the second day’s itinerary at the historic Arsenale di Venezia complex. First constructed in 1104, this network of shipyards and armouries seeded the rise of Venice as a major regional naval and economic power. During its heyday, the complex churned out one entire ship per day, all without any leg-up from modern-day technology, electricity or machinery.
These days, however, the Arsenale is usually strictly off-limits to the public, but thankfully, the Italian navy in this case deigned to loosen this restriction over the weekend especially for Ferretti Yachts’ 50th anniversary. Visitors were invited to partake in a tour of the historic venue, engage in a host of fun-filled activities and explore upcoming products from the yacht manufacturer’s brand partners along the marina, including a first look at Maserati’s latest cars and Emirates’ new First Class Suite on the Airbus A380 airplane.
But without a doubt the biggest attraction was centred at the Darsena Nuovissima – the Arsenale’s central docking area. Berthed here and making its international debut was the Ferretti 670, the first-ever flybridge whose exteriors and interiors were designed entirely by Ferretti Group, with the help of renowned Italian architect Filippo Salvetti.
Boasting a roomy 25 square metres of space including a capacious front bow area, the 670 features a sumptuous master bedroom along with a well-appointed study, with potential owners free to customise its exact specifications according to their own needs.
Alongside this debuting model, moored like so many ducks in a line, were 10 additional specimens of the marque’s luxury fleet, ranging from the more down-to-earth 45-foot 450 to another all-new introduction – the 95-foot, four-bedroom 920, a true statement piece for today’s well-heeled millionaire.
After touring the various ships, lunch – a well-curated sampling of the finest modern Italian cuisine – was served at Terrazzo Danieli. The high-end eatery occupies an open patio within Hotel Danieli, A Luxury Collection Hotel – the partner hotel for the event, and one of the city’s landmark accommodations. Cinephiles may well recognise this establishment as it’s something of a Hollywood icon in its own right.
The unambiguously charismatic venue, which encompasses three historic palazzos including the 14th century Palazzo Dandolo, has been the set for such notable silver screen outings as James Bond’s 1979 adventure, Moonraker, Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr’s 1994 rom-com, Only You, and more recently, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie’s adventure/thriller, The Tourist.
Suitably satiated, there was nothing more to do but wait for the final chapter of the day. And finally, as dusk fell once more, the grand finale of Ferretti’s 50th birthday bash got underway as guests returned to the Venice Arsenale. The ancient Byzantine architecture of the iconic establishment was given a completely 21st century make-over, with strobe lights, an impressive sound system and a fully kitted stage awaiting the 200-plus attendees.
Catered to by none other than that most acclaimed of Italian eateries, Cipriani, guests enjoyed a tasting menu that showcased the very best of Tricolori cuisine. Capping of the night was a performance by Umberto Tozzi, one of the nation’s most famous singers. He took to the stage and performed renditions of his greatest musical numbers, including his 1979 hit Gloria, drawing Ferretti’s 50th festivities to a close on the highest of notes.
Ferretti Yachts’ 50th anniversary proceedings against the picturesque backdrop of Venezia were, in a word, epic. The weekend-long celebrations of its golden jubilee, not only paid homage in spectacular style to its Italian heritage, it also afforded the yacht-maker an opportunity to ably demonstrate its ability to deliver flawless luxury experience with absolutely no boundaries – both in hosting an exclusively extravagant party and in the delivery of its achingly beautiful, super-luxury yachts.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Golden Opportunity: Top 4 places to visit during October’s Golden Week
The first of October marks the 69th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s founding and the start of what has come to be known as Golden Week. Each year, thousands of travellers use this public holiday to escape the city’s confines and do a spot of well-deserved vacation. If you’re one of these lucky individuals, perhaps these enticing destinations may be exactly what you need. Here are our top 4 recommendations for a long weekend getaway during October’s Golden Week.
Tokyo, Japan Temperature: 15-22 degrees Celsius Major Attractions: Tokyo Disneyland, the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple Why visit during Golden Week: While cherry blossom season may be a distant memory, visitors will be treated to Tokyo’s spectacular fall foliage, washing the entire city in swaths of reds, oranges and yellows.
Bagan, Myanmar Temperature: 25-38 degrees Celsius Major Attractions: Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, hot air balloon rides Why visit during Golden Week: Ditch the crowds heading to more bustling metropolises and find inner peace amidst the countless Buddhist monuments and rolling plains. Better yet, hop aboard a hot air balloon at sunset to get a birds-eye view of the ancient ruins and to snap that perfect Instagram shot.
Chiang Mai, Thailand Temperature: 22-32 degrees Celsius Major Attractions: Mountain-top Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, Elephant Nature Park, Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls Why visit during Golden Week: Fancy channeling your inner explorer? Chiang Mai offers fantastic hikes dotted with well-maintained temples and hidden waterfalls. It’s also great for families, with a visit to the famed Elephant Nature Park sure to thrill your little ones.
Kandy, Sri Lanka Temperature: 24-30 degrees Celsius Major Attractions: Tea plantations, Knuckles Mountain Range, Temple of the Tooth Why visit during Golden Week: If you’re sick and tired of beach holidays and city getaways, perhaps it’s time for a driving vacation. Hit the road and avoid the crowds as you wend through picturesque tea plantations, steep mountain ranges and rolling green landscapes. (See also: A roadtrip guide to Sri Lanka)
Sunken Treasure: World’s first undersea residence at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island continues its journey on the path less travelled with Muraka, the world’s first undersea residential villa in Maldives.
Fresh from the success of its first underwater restaurant, Ithaa, Conrad Maldives pushes boundaries even further, undertaking the mammoth task of installing a two-storey villa on water, with a living room, bedroom, gym, kitchen, bar and dining area on the upper level, above the sea, and a more private king-sized bedroom, lounging area and bathroom in the lower level, completely submerged in the sea.
Named after the corals in Maldives, this exclusive experience will be open for private booking from November of this year. Speaking about the experience that awaits guests at Muraka, Stefano Ruzza, general manager of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, says: “We are excited to present Muraka’s unique sleeping experience to our future guests, providing them with an extraordinary seascape of the Maldives from an entirely new perspective.”