Tourists have charged back to Europe but there appears to have been no similar rush to Asia. It's high time to reacquaint ourselves, writes WanderWithBrian, and here's how TravellerAU
In Asia, you can encounter orang-utans and snow leopards, plunge into raucous cities or escape to tranquil islands, immerse yourself in wilderness or in old and sophisticated cultures. You can find balmy climates and warm waters, world-class hotels and bargain resorts, outrageous festivals and nightlife. Who hasn't missed the restaurants, the street stalls and the food markets?
Asia is closer and cheaper than most other destinations and, sans Chinese and Russian tourists, agreeably uncrowded. It remains a continent Australians love, and for persuasive reasons. It's high time to reacquaint ourselves and here's how. You will now receive updates from Traveller Newsletter Traveller Newsletter Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox.
TOP SPOTS Long a staid domestic destination, beautiful beach-flanked Quy Nhon has acquired hipster mojo and is tipped as the next Da Nang. Also becoming better known is Ninh Binh, which has terrific limestone outcrops and World Heritage grottoes amid lush rice paddies. Dalat, former colonial summer retreat of the French, has elegant architecture amid pleasing scenery and attracts Vietnamese honeymooners and is also excellent for adventure sports such as trekking, mountain biking and rafting.
WHAT'S NEW Qantas now flies Melbourne-Delhi, with Sydney-Bengaluru starting from September 14. There's been no shortage of luxe hotel openings including Hilton Goa Resort , The Connaught in Delhi , Raajkutir in Kolkata and, in Rajasthan, the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar and Six Senses Fort Barwara . Indian Railways first introduced glass top Vistadome tourist trains in 2018 and there are now 45 in the fleet, the most recent being the Shatabdi Express from Mumbai.
TOP SPOTS It's time to look beyond Seoul. The rollicking port city Busan has a renowned foodie scene, historical temples and scenic beaches, Gangneung is a cultural hotspot, Jeonju has heritage architecture and great street food while the city of Andong has an excellent folk village. TOP SPOTS Gardens By the Bay has Kingfisher Wetlands showcasing a mangrove environment and the Active Garden with an outdoor gym and sensory trail. ArtScience Museum now has a cinema with free screenings and a new virtual-reality gallery that gives you the feel of an astronaut in space.
ESSENTIALS May-August is best in Bali and western Indonesia, October perfect further east. See indonesia.travel ESSENTIALS The weather doesn't vary hugely but March-May avoids the worst humidity. See malaysia.travelTHE LOWDOWN The Philippines reopened to fully-vaccinated tourists on February 10. You must show a negative PCR test 24 hours before departure unless you've had a booster. You'll also need to register three days before departure and obtain a QR code. Masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors, although the outdoor ordinance is disputed by some regional governors.
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