Vietnamese property developers are turning Phu Quoc island into a tourist mecca by building replicas of Mediterranean towns, theme parks, resorts, hotels and condominiums, but in the process they are destroying some pristine tropical environments and replacing them with artificial landscapes. The new facilities are impressive, but does the island have much to offer older travellers, and will the lack of eco-tourism destinations turn travellers away?
Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad, is the country’s safest city, and the gateway to the spectacular western Himalayas in the north of the country. Many governments advise against travel to Pakistan, but by flying in and out of Islamabad you can avoid the dangerous areas and spend a few days sightseeing around a green and well-planned city that has enough to keep most travellers occupied for 2-3 days.
The Ancient City (Muang Boran), also known as Ancient Siam, is an historical park and open-air museum in Samut Prakan province, not far from Bangkok. It features ancient buildings that have been relocated from other parts of Thailand and meticulously constructed replicas of temples and palaces from the country’s different regions. It provides an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Thailand if you don’t have time to travel the whole country.
The Mae Hong Son Loop is Thailand’s most well-known scenic drive. It’s a 600 km roughly circular drive around the mountains to the west of Chiang Mai. The driving time is about 12 hours, but most people do the trip over four days so that they can stop to admire the scenery and waterfalls or spend time in the national parks along the way. The route provides many options for interesting side-trips as well.
Most travellers to southern Thailand dismiss the city of Surat Thani as nothing more than a jumping-off point to Koh Samui. However, the province of Surat Thani abounds with many unique experiences from exciting cave tours to floating bungalows on the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake, and off-the-beaten track attractions from scarcely known lookouts to authentic riverside markets.
The island of Palawan is an eco-tourism destination which has good roads, beautiful scenery, and uncrowded beaches. It’s one of the few places in the Philippines where it is safe for visitors who don’t have a lot of driving experience in Southeast Asia to hire a car for a self-drive holiday. Here’s a suggested 7-day itinerary that will enable you to see the best of what Palawan has to offer.
One of the most unusual of the historical attractions in the ancient city of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. This underground water storage facility is a gigantic architectural and engineering feat which can again be visited since it reopened last year after structural renovations. With a new light show now incorporated into the experience, it’s been described as both magical and mystical.
Luang Prabang was once known as Southeast Asia’s best kept travel secret. But now with high-speed rail links bringing in tour groups from Thailand and China, and direct Airbus flights from regional capitals, the tourist crowds in this former French colonial outpost with its UNESCO World Heritage listed old town are becoming unsustainable. So, is it still worth making the trip?
The Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, a Buddhist temple area southeast of Khao Sok National Park, in Surat Thani province, Thailand, is well off the beaten track for both international and domestic tourists, but those who make the effort to visit are enthralled at its beauty and magnificent setting surrounded by rainforest-clad limestone karst mountains.
With its rich history and mix of cultures, Melaka is one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations. Like most cities that rely heavily on tourism, it was hard hit by the Covid pandemic. Although it is well on the road to recovery, now is a good time to visit before the pre-pandemic crowds return. One of the best ways to explore this historic city is on foot.
Busan is a charming and trendy coastal city and is cheaper than South Korea’s capital, Seoul. It’s possibly one of the most underrated cities in Asia with a lot to do and see for older travellers. You’ll find stretches of spectacular sandy beaches, beautiful mountain surrounds, and tranquil nature reserves ideal for hiking.
Asia is home to many superstitions and beliefs, some of which date back centuries. Whilst many Westerners may scoff at the rituals that supposedly bring health, wealth and happiness, millions of people continue to follow traditions to bring luck that have been handed down through generations. We take a look at some of the rituals you’ll likely come across in the coming months.
The most economical way to travel in Cambodia is by bus. It’s cheap and provides an opportunity to see parts of the country that would be missed when travelling by air. But sometimes a ticket sold for what you expect to be a journey in a comfortable coach might turn out to be a cramped seat in a minivan. It’s important to research in advance what the mode of transport will be before buying tickets to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The hamam is the Turkish version of a Roman bathhouse, but the modern-day hamam offers so much more than bathing for both men and woman. It provides the opportunity to enjoy a unique cleansing ritual in beautiful historic buildings. With massages available to supplement the traditional services, a session in a hamam might well be the most relaxing experience you can enjoy on a visit to Turkey. The pampering you will receive is guaranteed to sooth the soul.
Northern Thailand has two excellent botanic gardens that are within an easy hour’s drive of the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. They can provide a relaxing nature break from a busy touring schedule and are highly recommended to anyone interested in tropical or sub-tropical gardening, or to travellers who want a safe place to exercise that is cooler than the cities of the provinces in which they are located.
The Erawan Waterfall in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province is well known as one of the country’s most picturesque waterfalls and for its 1.75 km forest trail to the top level of its seven tiers. For older travellers, that hike can be quite challenging unless they are very fit because the seventh tier is 800 metres above the bottom tier. This detailed illustrated guide to the hike will assist you to decide whether it is something you should tackle when visiting the Erawan Waterfall.
