Peaceful Town

Nan

After Pai, it was Chiang Khan. And after Chiang Khan, it will be Nan. For those constantly searching for tranquil towns that haven’t yet popped up on the radars of Bangkokians, the Lanna capital is the new go-to destination. If you’re in town, apart from Wat Phumin where you’ll see the legendary love story depicted in the “Pu Man Ya Man” wall frescoes, don’t forget to park yourself at Baan Khun Luang Cafe (Pa Kong Rd., 081-998-1127), just across the street, for a cup of coffee with a view of the temple. And if you can afford it, stay at the newly renovated Pukha Nanfa Hotel (www.pukhananfahotel.co.th, from B2,500 a night), a cute all-wood house.
Why now: The year-end is when the green hills of Khun Sathan National Park turn pink due to the Phaya Suea Krong flower blossoms. It’s also the time when pale pink Pukha flowers, that only grow here, will blossom at Doi Pukha National Park.
Getting there: Nok Air started operating daily flights between Bangkok and Nan this year. A round trip ticket is from around B4,000.

Green Voyage

Mon Cham, Chiang Mai

It’s the new darling of TAT commercials, travel blogs and Thai webboards. This lush hilltop plateau nestled within the Nong Hoi Royal Project in Chiang Mai is incredibly picturesque. So picturesque in fact that a Royal Projects team recently set up the Moncham Camping Resort, where tourists can enjoy camping in a tent, lodging in bamboo huts while having meals cooked fresh from Royal Project ingredients or just enjoying the view with a cup of warm coffee.
Why now: The cool winter weather allows for misty morning views—the ultimate romantic setting.
Getting there: Mon Cham is in Maerim district in Chiang Mai. Nok Air, AirAsia, Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways fly daily to Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai Town, it’s less than an hour’s drive. Use Chiang Mai Fang Road (No. 107) and turn left to Route No. 1096. Turn right at Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden and go straight for around 6km .

World Heritage

Bhutan

The headline news that the charming king of Bhutan is getting married in October has brought this tiny country back into the spotlight of Thailand’s media. Bhutan is known for its unspoiled culture and nature, with the Tiger’s Nest Temple and The Valley of Paro as highlights. It’s also known for only allowing “quality tourists” (no backpackers), which means a stay here will cost you dearly.
Why now: Apart from the royal wedding, note that the US$200 daily spending requirement will be raised to US$230 next year. (This does include your tour package featuring a hotel room, all meals, all transfers and an English speaking tour guide, so is actually what you’d normally spend in any large city.)
Getting there: Druk Air flies direct from Bangkok to Bhutan’s Paro Airport. Bhutan doesn’t allow individual travelers so you need to book through a tour operator, though. See a list of registered operators at www.tourism.gov.bt.

Sacred Spiritual

Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar

Forget the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and the sea of chedis in Bagan: the junta’s political detente has brought a swarm of tourists to those places. Turn your eye further afield to the remote Kyaiktiyo in Mon State. One of the most sacred places in Myanmar, it’s where a few brave travelers clamber up (or decadently have themselves carried in litters) to witness the sacred golden rock teetering off the edge of a cliff. You need to get there from Yangon by either bus or taxi, then get on a truck, and then walk for 45 minutes to reach the entrance of the temple.
Why now: Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is another 1.5-km uphill walk away, so the best time to go is during winter, from Nov-Feb, when the weather is cooler. But if you hurry, the annual Buddhist Lent period ends Oct 2, and is the occasion for a grand festival when pilgrims do a long 18-km walk from the base camp to the hilltop. Read about our recent journey here.
Getting there: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia fly daily to Yangon; roundtrip tickets are B12,000, B9,000 and B4,000, respectively.

City of Dreams

Songdo, South Korea

From Hangzhou to Dubai, new city spaces are being dreamed up all over the globe—some more successfully than others. Songdo International Business District is clearly one of the more exciting utopian visions in Asia. American investor Stan Glen started his project from a barren 6-sq-km lot of reclaimed waterfront land in Incheon almost ten years ago. When completed in 2015, Songdo will be home to several high-rise residential complexes and business buildings sitting next to giant green spaces, a golf club, a cultural center, a shopping mall, a hospital, an international school and three hotels. Residents will be transported on bicycles and by public transit and WiMax (a faster Wi-Fi) will be available everywhere. Many constructions are already completed, as is half of the bicycle lane network, and people have been moving in since 2009. If you want to see contemporary architecture in the making, this is one hot destination.
Why now: Songdo is changing every day. And when South Korea hosts The Expo at Yeosu in 2012, you can expect things to get seriously crowded.
Getting there: Thai Airways (from B26,000), Asiana Airlines (from B30,600), Korean Air (from B21,000) and Jin Air (from B16,600) fly direct from Bangkok to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport daily. Rates are for a roundtrip ticket. Songdo IBD is connected to Incheon Airport by a 12.3-km bridge.

Cool Metropolis

Melbourne, Australia

Regularly voted the world’s most livable city, Melbourne boasts a perfect combination of modern urbanism, classic European ambiance, low population density and strong natural preservation. In recent years, Melbourne has also become a more multicultural city with a lot more art events happening all year round. You’ll see a mix of ethnicities hanging out in cool cafes hidden inside tiny alleys, exciting performances and cutting-edge exhibitions. Melbourne is also in the limelight thanks to a bunch of new hotels and restaurants that include Australia’s largest hotel, the Crown Metropole with 658 rooms, three hip Art Series hotels, modern Chinese restaurant Spice Temple as well as the artsy Vue de Monde, which just relocated to the 55th floor of the city’s first skycraper.
Why now: Hate cold temperatures? December till February is Australia’s summer so it means you will enjoy exploring Melbourne’s streets in tank tops and board shorts.
Getting there: Jet Star and Thai Airways fly daily fom Bangkok to Melbourne with a roundtrip ticket from B25,600 and B55,220, respectively.

Cultured Europe

Barcelona, Spain

We were there this summer (read the story here) and Barcelona is a city you never want to leave. Are you a foodie? Amazing Michelin-star chefs cook seven-course wonders for under B2,500. Are you an art snob? Picasso and Miro both have huge museums there—not to mention the National Museum’s extensive collection spanning the centuries. Architecture? Don’t even get us started. Or do you just want to have an affair in a foreign land? Because, let’s face it, the combination of late, late night living, amazing tapas (enjoyed with booze), beaches and, well, good genes, means what we love best about Barcelona is the people.
Why now: Because Spaniards are Roman Catholics, Christmas actually means more than well-decorated malls here. Cool (but not freezing, thanks to the sea) weather. Lower hotel rates (this is low season).
Getting there: There’s no direct flight from Bangkok. Air France gets you there the fastest (15.5 hours) via Paris starting at B40,000 roundtrip. On the other hand, Finnair gets you the cheapest deal (from B32,245 roundtrip), but that means a 25-hour flight via Helsinki.

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