Asia: South Korea, Hong Kong & Thailand

Travel to Seoul and discover its 5,000-year-old heritage amidst the ultra-modern high-rises. Visit the magnificent 14th century Gyeongbok Palace and stone pagoda, the National Museum and the bustling antique district. Or spend a day in the serene atmosphere of a Zen Buddhist temple and a historic Korean village. Tour the DMZ and rediscover the drama of recent history. Or simply wander the fish market and promenade at Inchon.

Enjoy the scenic countryside, WWII memorials, magnificent limestone caves and a reconstructed Ryukyu village where the islands heritage and crafts are on display. Take home exquisite Bingata fabric, handmade paper, colourful tsuboya-yaki pottery and other craft items. Youll also find foods to suit any palate, but traditional Okinawan cuisine blends influences from Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Keelung City is a port city near Taipei, in northern Taiwan. Surrounded by mountains, it’s known for its sheltered harbor. Near the waterfront, street-food stalls at Miaokou Night Market offer traditional snacks and seafood. Several forts around the area include hilltop Ershawan Fort, with cannons and a Chinese-style gate. Both Gongzi Liao Fort and Dawulun Fort offer views over the harbor and ocean.

Colonization by the Dutch in the 17th century has left an ample architectural legacy, as did Taiwans rule by Japan from 1895-1945. Grab a coffee at the former British Consulate, a landmark overlooking the bay. Art lovers can enjoy the outdoors and contemporary sculptures at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Park, and for a spiritual experience, a visit to the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Centre, with the worlds largest sitting Buddha, is highly recommended.

This former British colony brims with modern skyscrapers, ancient traditions and incredible food. A shoppers paradise, local shops and markets offer everything imaginable, from silk to jewellery and electronics. The highest point in the city, Victoria Peak, offers sweeping views of this vibrant city. Hollywood Roads temple and antique shops are worth exploring, or take a junk cruise and explore the magnificent bay. As Asias culinary capital, your gastronomic desires are sure to be fulfilled.

This former British colony brims with modern skyscrapers, ancient traditions and incredible food. A shoppers paradise, local shops and markets offer everything imaginable, from silk to jewellery and electronics. The highest point in the city, Victoria Peak, offers sweeping views of this vibrant city. Hollywood Roads temple and antique shops are worth exploring, or take a junk cruise and explore the magnificent bay. As Asias culinary capital, your gastronomic desires are sure to be fulfilled.

Situated on a picturesque bay, Nha Trang is known for its sandy beaches and one of the longest cable cars in the world. At two miles long, the cable car to Hon Tre Island offers an amazing, mobile view over the bay. If history calls you, a visit to the Po Nagar Cham Towers dating to 781 is in order. Also compelling is the Long Song Pagoda, with its intricate architecture, mosaics and garden. Linger on the grounds, then climb 150 stone steps to the 70-foot-tall White Buddha at the top and enjoy a panoramic view of Nha Trang.

Discover the rich heritage of Saigon and the Mekong Delta. You wont forget a ride on a cycle rickshaw, known locally as xích lô (“sick-low”). Sit back as your driver whisks you past pagodas, colonial architecture and vibrant markets. A nice contrast to the city is the lush countryside of rice paddies and tiny villages along the Mekong. The freshness of the food is highlighted by the phenomenal fusion of local cuisine, a unique blend of Asian spices and French cooking styles.

Bangkoks glorious golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade, are must-sees for any visitor. The riverside Temple of Dawn is also stunning and worth seeing. The Royal Palace, a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings, is familiar to many as the setting of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam – and is still used by the royal family today. Bangkok will heighten your senses and fuel memories for a lifetime.

Bangkoks glorious golden temples and palaces, the royal barges and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade, are must-sees for any visitor. The riverside Temple of Dawn is also stunning and worth seeing. The Royal Palace, a massive complex of carved and gilded buildings, is familiar to many as the setting of the true story of Anna and the King of Siam – and is still used by the royal family today. Bangkok will heighten your senses and fuel memories for a lifetime.

Feel like Thai royalty as you ride an elephant then see these clever animals show their work skills. Ko Samui is an idyllic, forested island with pristine sandy beaches, but venture inland and see majestic cascading waterfalls or a plantation where monkeys harvest coconuts. Back in town, shop for Thai silk, elegant resort clothes and handicrafts. Dont leave the island without sampling the spicy local fare, which will pleasantly jolt your taste buds.

Explore a compact, fascinating city-state thats truly global. A onetime British trading post, its diverse past is reflected everywhere, from its old Chinese quarter and colourful Hindu temples to its modern skyscrapers and common language, English. Take a short cruise along the Singapore River or a pedicab ride through town, or enjoy the quiet at the National Orchid Garden. Interested in Asian medicine? A special medicinal restaurant can prescribe just the menu to help you feel your best.