The island of Langkawi off the northwestern coast of Malaysia is a popular destination with both locals and foreign visitors. Aside from its beautiful beaches, island-hopping trips and many tourist attractions, it’s also an island where you can get close-up with nature and find peace and quiet, making it an ideal destination for older travellers into slow travel, as this Malaysian retiree found out on a one-month long stay.
If you’ve always wanted to do a multi-day Himalayan trek but feel your fitness levels won’t cope with the very high-altitude treks, the Langtang Valley in Nepal may be an alternative for you. It’s closer to Kathmandu than other trekking destinations and the daily increase in altitude is lower, thus reducing the risk of suffering altitude sickness and making it a more suitable trek for older travellers.
If you are visiting India and have Kolkata on your itinerary, and you are a traveller who enjoys getting off the beaten track, then a side-trip to Odisha state will provide a respite from the urban crowds and enable you to experience one of the natural wonders of Asia. The ocean floor at Chandipur Sea Beach on the Bay of Bengal is so flat that the tide recedes up to 5km twice a day. It’s a phenomenon that is locally called ‘The Vanishing Sea’.
Penang Island off the northwestern coast of Malaysia is a popular destination for tourists. Colonial architecture, shophouses, clan temples, street art and food stalls provide one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding urban experiences. Yet this island changes character once the road crosses the central hills. On the western side in Balik Palau, a once-global spice survives in orchards, roadside stalls and everyday local food. This is where travellers can discover nutmeg, and a quieter part of Penang’s identity.
The island of Bali in Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations. However, the southern beaches of Bali and the cultural hub of Ubud have been suffering over-tourism for more than a decade causing severe traffic congestion and a trash disposal crisis across the island. Many visitors are deferring return trips to the island in favour of quieter destinations within the region, but are there still parts of Bali that might appeal to older travellers who want to avoid tourist crowds?
After a lifetime of travelliing the world at a sometimes hectic pace, this Malaysian traveller who is approaching retirement found a way to slow down and spend more time in one place. She discovered that travel wasn’t just about seeing as many places as possible, but it was a way to build meaningful relationships and embrace the rhythm of everyday life in a different culture.
Many boutique hotels in Asia start out offering great value for money when new, but after they’ve been in the market for a few years and become more popular leveraging their good reviews, prices rise and some slip in service standards. Here’s one hotel in Phnom Penh that’s done the opposite: it has expanded and is still as impressive as when we first reviewed it and room rates are still affordable.
The Lanna countryside around Chiang Mai in Thailand is mostly flat providing opportunities for easy cycling tours for older travellers looking for a relaxing ride without climbing hills. From funeral-house workshops and village markets to rice fields and woodcarvers, a half-day tour offers a glimpse into everyday life beyond the city.
The island of Penang has long been a favourite destination for older travellers in Southeast Asia. Its natural beauty, cultural heritage and food scene are some of the reasons that make it perfect for either a weekend getaway or a week of relaxation. After 15 years absence, we make a return visit to see if things have changed.
Taichung, on the western central coast of Taiwan, is known as the birthplace of Taiwan’s famous bubble tea, but it’s rarely on the radar of international visitors. That’s a pity because Taichung is a relaxed city with a wide range of attractions that will appeal to art and culture lovers, nature seekers and hikers, as well as having the only Michelin-starred ice cream parlour in the world.
The Thuy Xuan Incense Village on the outskirts of Hue, Vietnam, is a place where colours, scents, and the laughter of local artisans collide. It’s a dreamy place for photographers where you can observe a living tradition. And if you feel like rolling up your sleeves and trying your hand at making incense sticks, you can do just that and have some unique souvenirs to take home.
Kampot, a charming river town in southern Cambodia, is a destination which many older travellers find appealing because of its laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals. Restored French colonial façades line the riverside, while weathered shophouses have been lovingly transformed into upmarket restaurants, coffee shops, bars and welcoming guesthouses.
Kep West, an upmarket hospitality and wellness destination on Cambodia’s southern coast, is a perfect escape for those seeking both adventure and calm. Travel warnings relating to the border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia are keeping some people away, but those incidents have been confined to a region over 400km to the north and are not keeping experienced travellers away.
The lunar new year is a festive time in many Asian countries. In Vietnam it is known as Tet. One of the traditions of Tet is the giving of sticky rice cakes as gifts, many of which are made by families at home. Joining a family Tet celebration in Vietnam is a unique and memorable experience, but if you can’t do that, savouring Tet cakes - which can be savoury or sweet - is the next best thing.
Japan is synonymous with cherry blossom season but there are many other countries in Asia where cherry blossoms can be viewed, and many places where the usual sakura crowds can be avoided. Planning an Asian spring visit to see cherry blossoms can be rewarding experience for older travellers, but chasing cherry blossoms is never just about ticking off places – it’s an adventure in nature and culture.
Many travellers transit through Doha on their way to or from Asia, but few break their journey there - perhaps unaware of what Doha has to offer. Qatar Airways offers attractive stopover packages to encourage travellers to spend a few days in their home base. We take a look at whether it’s worth breaking the journey to spend some time in Qatar’s capital.
