10 exciting reasons to leave town soon
It’s a new year—and Chinese New Year is coming up soon—so better get planning on those long weekends and annual vacations.
It's a new year, and if your resolution is to travel more, you'll know that there's lots to do within the region. From adventures off the beaten track to new hotel openings, here's what you can expect in 2016. Check these out:
Bespoke travel operator Chickenfeet Travels, specializes in South East Asian off-the-beaten-track trips. Among the itineraries is a four-day trek to Sumatra's Gunung Kerinci through tea plantations and wetlands ($492 per person). Prices exclude flights and insurance.
The 58-suite boutique hotel Katamama is designed by Indonesian architect Andra Matin (known for his AM Residence) and is adjacent to the Potato Head Folk beach club. Suites are a mix of Balinese exteriors and vintage European furniture. Facilities include the Akademi bar by London with bartending legend Dre Masso and restaurant by Australia-based Spanish restaurant group MoVida.
World Expeditions is bringing back itineraries to the Manaslu Mountains and Langtang National Park from Mar 2016. Of note is the 17-day Langtang & Gosainkund Lakes Trek (about $2,948) from Apr 2-18 where travelers will visit the Kyanjin Gompa Buddhist monastery and the sacred lakes of Gosainkund.
Keemala Phuket is a new all-pool villa resort overlooking Kamala Village and the Andaman Sea. The resort's 16 clay pool cottages, seven tent pool villas, seven two-story tree pool houses and eight bird’s nest pool villas are joined together by a network of jungle walkways. Rates start at about $562 per night.
The Treasury is now open along Cathedral Avenue in the Central Business District. Designed by Singapore firm Kerry Hill, the 19th century building has been restored with dormer windows. There's the rooftop Wildflower restaurant, and Post, serving Australian dishes with a French twist. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, and a spa with a wellness center for Pilates and yoga.
Created by Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and new online tour operator Halal Trip, a new Muslim-friendly guide (ow.ly/WdhI2) details what to do and includes locations of prayer facilities and halal places to dine at in the country, Australia and Jeju Island. So far, only the guide to Indonesia is available in both English and Arabic. Book flights, hotels and other packages with Halal Trip to destinations as far as Sarajevo, the Maldives and South Africa.
SurfGuide will help you plan your next surfing trip, tailored to your preferred type of swell size, consistency, air temperature and water temperature range. Options include nearby schools and public pools, accommodation and free Wi-Fi. The website will then give you a list of recommendations so you can hang ten.
Tour operator Albatros Travel is gearing up for its annual Great Wall Marathon on May 21, faturing a full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.1km) and a 8.5km fun run. The run is part of a seven- or six-day package (about $1,804-2,100) respectively from either May 17 or May 18 onwards with the run being the last thing you do. International flights are not included, but it’s a pretty thorough introduction to Beijing.
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