Rampant inflation in Türkiye has pushed prices up so much in the past five years that it is no longer a cheap destination for budget travellers. We take a look at how much prices have risen between 2020 and 2025 to determine whether Türkiye is still an affordable destination for those travelling on a budget.
Bali is a large island and travelling from one side to the other can easily take 3-5 hours. Deciding where to base yourself can therefore be challenging if you are not familiar with the island. Here are three areas that are ideal for older travellers looking to either immerse themselves in real Balinese culture or seeking quieter refuges from the glitzy resorts and party beaches.
Busan is one of the most captivating cities to visit in South Korea with a wide range of sights and activities to interest older travellers. In addition, it can serve as a good base for day trips to nearby cities and several heritage and nature destinations. Here are some updates to our previously published Busan travel guide and travel tips for those planning a trip there.
Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, still has another six weeks to run before it closes on 13 October. The next World Expo won’t take place until late 2030 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. So, if you don’t want to wait another five years to attend an Expo, a trip to Osaka is your only option. But Expo 2025 has come in for a lot of criticism. We take a late trip there to see if that criticism is justified.
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.
