Travel, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews
masjid putra in putrajaya
A melting pot of cultures, Malaysia is a wonderful destination for those wishing to have a good balance between modern creature comforts and a bit of the unfamiliar. As a rapidly industrializing country, Malaysia may not be as exotic as other Southeast Asian nations such as Myanmar or even its neighbor, Thailand, but its natural attractions, colonial towns and accessible street food are a major draw for most travelers.
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The capital of a once mighty empire, Vienna today seems to have more similarities to the grand and imposing capitals of modern powers such as Beijing, Moscow or Rome rather than of a small country of barely 9 million people. Despite having gone through two world wars, the capital of Austria retains much of its imperial charms, with stately palaces and cathedrals that continue to dot the landscape. Similarly, hotels in Vienna have been more than happy to oblige to this reputation with rooms that seem to evoke the grand palaces of Europe. It is literally possible to live like a king here.
vienna street scene from the albertina
It was in Vienna that I started my 3-week long trip around Europe, where I happened to land on a weekend and had to sprint my way around the city in just 3 days.
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“Where is Olomouc?” For most people, the sheer beauty of its ever so popular capital, Prague has essentially overshadowed any other place in the Czech Republic. Ask any regular Euro-tripper and they’d be hard-pressed to name more than one city in the Czech Republic – much less one in the east – which is a shame as the country has so much to offer.
turtle fountain in horni namesti in olomouc
One of those less-known destinations is the town of Olomouc, in the traditional region of Moravia. This town has mostly been under the radar, even when considering it against other secondary cities in the Czech Republic such as Cesky Krumlov and Karlovy Vary. In its free downloadable guide, Lonely Planet actually lists this town as the most overlooked destination in Europe! Despite this apparent lack of awareness among travelers, I found Olomouc to be a really beautiful city. I stopped here for a day on my trip between Wroclaw and Budapest and found it to be a more manageable town to navigate in, but just as captivating as the other great cities of Europe.
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keong saik road when i visited in 2013 just after tong ah eatery closed down in its original location
The southern part of Singapore’s lively Chinatown district has come a long way from its dilapidated and red light past. I remember passing by only two years ago and the place was still filled with karaoke bars. What were ones seedy brothels have become hotbeds for a fairly unrelated and somewhat juxtaposing bunch. On one hand, you have all these speakeasies and fine dining restaurants catering to the business and society set, and at the other end you have these fiercely independent establishments- some of which can only be entered with a password – that are more attuned to hipsters and creative types.
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Poland may be a country that is firmly on the tourist trail but for some reason, most make it only as far as Krakow. Warsaw is another well known destination, but that is likely due to its status as the country’s capital. Few would ever mention Wroclaw, much less know how to pronounce it (apparently it is pronounced as vrochwav). I came into this relatively prosperous Silesian town not knowing what to expect (and not knowing how to pronounce the name) but I left duly smitten by its charms and the refreshing warmth of its people. In a span of a few days, it became my favorite city in Poland, thanks to the majestic old town square, architectural marvels and old-fashioned quirkiness.
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incredible sunset in lake sebu
The enchanting Lake Sebu, in the Allah Valley in South Cotabato, is a contender for the Philippines’ most exotic destination. The vibe here around one of Mindanao’s iconic lakes is quite unlike mainstream Filipino culture – from the unintelligible cacophony of the local language to the intriguing practice of horse fighting – it certainly is not like the Philippines that I am familiar with. And then there are the T’boli, the local tribes people best known for their colorful costumes who have a real knack for decoration and music and who fought very hard to preserve the traditions of their ancestral homeland. All this makes Lake Sebu a really beguiling destination which I had been longing to visit for years.
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If ancient monuments are your thing, then coming to Southeast Asia is a must. Offering a plethora of (not so) lost cities, and Buddhist and Hindu temples that are almost a thousand years old, there’s no better evidence of the complexity and sophistication of Southeast Asian culture than these architectural marvels. Places such as Angkor Wat have virtually become must-sees, with ensembles like Bagan trailing not very far behind.
There are in fact easily more than a dozen of these sites – some much more spectacular than the rest. Here, I shortlist the ten best, in no particular order. If you liked Angkor, here are some more places to consider!
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The Intercontinental Hotels Group continues to expand in Singapore – opening its sixth Singapore hotel through the new Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay. This is the second “no frills” property of the group, after the successful Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road which opened around a year ago.
futuristic-looking lobby of holiday inn express singapore clarke quay
The hotel hosted me for a staycation less than two weeks after it opened its doors. Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is located around a block or two from the Singapore River, a stone’s throw away from the clubs and dining options at Clarke Quay. This makes the hotel a great location for those planning a late night out on the town.
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