Singapore may be one of Asia’s wealthiest and most advanced countries but it has taken care to preserve memories of its colourful past as a British colony. This is particularly true of the pivotal role it played in World War II. Older travellers with an interest in history are likely to find a visit to the country’s only surviving coastal fort, Fort Siloso, absorbing. Built on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, the fort is today a military museum focusing on the tumultuous events of the war.
It’s always enjoyable to do something new in a city you’ve visited before. This is especially true when it offers the opportunity to get out of the city centre and travel into the surrounding countryside. One such attraction in Nepal is the Chandragiri Hills cable car on the outskirts of Kathmandu, which opened in 2016.
Visiting the colourful provincial festivals in the Philippines can be a stressful experience for senior travellers because of the distance, heat, crowds and noise. But there is one festival close to Manila that can be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace, and still offers all the elements of the larger ones — colour, tradition, culture and local foods to sample.
India has hundreds of trekking destinations from the Himalayas in the north to the bottom end of the Western Gnats in the south, but not all are suitable for older travellers. Manmohan Singh describes his five favourites that are ideal for over-50s and other travellers who like to do their trekking at a slower pace.
The fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April 2019 has revived memories of how accidents and natural disasters have devastated sacred buildings in other countries. We take a look at similar tragedies in Asian countries, and how the authorities have handled them.
Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, is surely one of Asia’s oddest-looking animals. It appears to be a combination of several creatures, including a goat, a cow, a moose and a muskox. Its origins puzzle experts, who have placed it in a species category of its own. The best place for visitors to see these unusual animals is a wildlife preserve in the hills on the outskirts of the capital, Thimphu.
From experiential art installations to raptors and turtles, the emirate of Sharjah in the UAE offers a plethora of things to do and places to see for the senior traveller. Guest author, Ambica Gulati, describes her 4-day visit to this destination on the Persian Gulf that is growing in popularity with visitors from overseas.
TripAdvisor has unveiled its 25 top destinations for 2019 and, not surprisingly, they include many places in Asia. Its annual Travellers' Choice Awards are based on the reviews and ratings of TripAdvisor users around the world. Here’s a look at the 10 Asian destinations that made the list and what they have to offer older travellers.
Kathmandu’s main tourist area is the bustling district of Thamel. It’s a busy place, full of hotels, restaurants and shops, and its narrow alleys are crowded with visitors. But this wasn’t always so. When backpackers began discovering Kathmandu in the 1960s and 1970s, most stayed in an area further south, around the historic Durbar Square. It’s one of the many ways Kathmandu has changed over the years – and some of the changes have been dramatic.
Thailand is one of the 10 most visited countries in the world, and the third in Asia after China and Turkey. Whilst it’s a magnet for younger tourists seeking sun, sand, bars and nightlife, it also has a lot to offer older travellers with its cultural sites and festivals, regional cuisines, tropical island hideaways and cool mountain regions that are accessible all year round. And for those into shopping, Bangkok has many world-class malls.
For travellers who enjoy exploring Asian cities on foot, a covered walkway in central Kuala Lumpur provides a relaxing way to walk between two of the city’s main tourist areas. It’s clean, safe, air-conditioned and enticing for senior travellers who want to escape the city’s stifling tropical heat. And it offers the chance to stop and take in popular attractions along the way.
RVing is a popular pursuit in many parts of the world, but in Asia there are only three countries where campervans can be rented, and only one country – namely Japan – where campgrounds or RV parks are on a par with those in the West. Japan is also one of the safest countries in the world to tour in a campervan.
For those who enjoy a tipple, one of the pleasures of travelling in Asia is sampling some of the locally-produced drinks. A wide selection of alcoholic drinks is available, with many countries producing not only their own beer and wine but a sometimes surprising range of spirits.
Malacca’s long history as a colonial trading port has shaped it indelibly as a city. More than 450 years of rule by the Portuguese, Dutch and British are still reflected today in its ethnic mix, its architecture and its blend of cultures. This is true of its religious heritage too. It has some of the oldest churches, temples and mosques in Malaysia, most of them still functioning. Here’s a look at some of the finest.
Looking for the best value beach resorts in Asia? Identifying those that might qualify for that title can be quite a challenge. Online searches are dominated by commercial listings and fake travel blog posts. Room rates and resort reviews can change from good to bad in only a few years. Here are some tips to help you search for places that offer value for money for senior travellers.
Mumbai’s Victoria Terminus is one of Asia’s great railway stations. The 130-year-old building, now called the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, is a creation of British rule that has become a treasured symbol of modern-day Mumbai. It handles at least 3 million passengers a day, has featured in many Bollywood films and has even come under terrorist attack. It has a lot to offer any visitor interested in India’s colonial heritage.
