Goeje Island in South Korea has a lot to offer the older traveller with its nature attractions, scenic coastline, hiking trails in forested mountains and botanic gardens. The island has western eating options as well as a myriad of Korean seafood restaurants and many coffee and dessert shops down its east coast. Here’s how to get around the island using its excellent local bus network.
Kazakhstan is a country that will appeal to travellers who like to get off the beaten track and away from throngs of tourists. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, impressive natural landscapes, and hospitable people, most travellers will find something to their liking here. There’s plenty of interest for history and architecture enthusiasts as well as those looking for active recreation and ecotourism opportunities.
Many western governments have issued travel warnings cautioning their citizens about travelling to Hong Kong since the China crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2020. The travel warnings suggest that tourists may be subject to arbitrary arrest and detention. Are these warnings overblown or are they real? We travel to Hong Kong to find out.
The re-election of Donald Trump to the US Presidency has caused rumblings over the future of Taiwan. Will China move in soon to take over? This writer was spurred to visit the island in case it does. And while there he spoke to locals on the issue.
Penang Island in Malaysia has a lot to offer the older traveller interested in history, culture and nature. From the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city of George Town to the many festivals and events of the multi-ethnic population, and the nature retreats of Penang Hill and the island’s National Park, it’s a destination that will appeal to those who want a more laidback alternative to the nation’s busy capital of Kuala Lumpur.
The 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival was a colourful affair with rainy skies unable to dampen the enthusiasm of the many thousands of participants. Bringing a captivating blend of tradition and innovation, carrying lanterns during the lantern festival has evolved from a simple folk activity into a breathtaking international tourist attraction.
Koh Lanta has become one of Thailand’s most popular islands for those wishing to avoid the high prices on Koh Samui or the traffic congestion on Phuket. Its western beaches offer a full range of accommodation options from five-star down to one-star, but for budget travellers looking for a quieter, back-to-nature experience, there are some excellent options on the east coast around Lanta Old Town including this hippy-like establishment in a tropical garden where you can rent a tent for 300 baht per night.
Phuket’s western beaches are home to several big budget shows that cater to the thousands of international tourists who visit the southern Thailand island every year. But for those who may be looking for a more intimate theatre setting, there is a lesser-known option in the middle of the island. The Junkyard Theatre offers cabaret-style shows, twice a week, of music, dance and comedy sketches that parody the Thailand visitor experience.
Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, is one of Asia’s most off-the-beaten-track tourist destinations. For years it’s been considered primarily a backpacker destination, mainly for those island hopping their way between Bali and Australia, but for those seeking a more upmarket hotel experience, Dili now offers some surprisingly good accommodation options.
Visitors to Danang and Hoi An on the Central Coast of Vietnam are often bombarded with offers from taxi drivers to take them to the My Son Sanctuary, about an hour ‘s drive inland. It’s one of the oldest archeological sites in Southeast Asia, and UNESCO World Heritage-listed, but it’s not large. So is it worth the half day that it takes to visit?
Timor-Leste is an Asian destination that many have not heard of – let alone visited. However, for those who enjoy getting off the beaten track, this island nation offers unspoiled tropical beaches, pristine waters full of sea life and colourful corals, bucolic towns, a friendly population and some surprisingly upmarket accommodation options in its capital Dili.
The iconic Tudor-style Grand Hotel at Nuwara Eliya in the central highlands of Sri Lanka is nearly 200 years old. It looks like it has been plucked directly from the English countryside and oozes old-world charm and sophistication. With luxury accommodation, elegant lounges. and world-class food and beverage outlets, it's the ultimate place to stay when visiting Nuwara Eliya.
Older travellers heading to Lombok, Indonesia, for the first time often ask which is the best of the Gili Islands to stay on. Many travel blogs recommend Gili Air because it’s a compromise between the livelier Gili Trawangan and much quieter Gili Meno. But there are reasons why that may not be the best advice.
The Eastern & Oriental Express is known as one of the world's most renowned luxury trains, and probably the best known in Asia. It's 5-star dining all the way with exotic cocktails and unlimited French champagne, but at over US$3,400 per person for four days and three nights, is it really worth the financial outlay? Here's what to know about what you will get for your money.
Thailand's Phang Nga province is not as well known to overseas visitors as Phuket to its immediate south, but for older travellers to the region it offers a quieter alternative and an opportunity to get away from Phuket's traffic and tourist crowds. For nature lovers, there are some real gems to be discovered in Phang Nga in the form of deserted beaches, nature trails, and picturesque waterfalls.
Sri Lanka is warm and welcoming country that is well known as an affordable backpacker destination but it is also home to some ultra-luxurious resorts that cater to those who wish to enjoy its rich food and diverse cultural experiences in style. Not only is it a destination that caters for travellers on all budgets, it offers an eclectic mix of old and new, with a distinctive character that is unlike any other Asian country.
