Little Nusa Lembongan lies just under 10 miles off the southeast coast of Bali. For years it’s been something of a chilled baby bro to the Isle of the Gods, offering snorkeling in colorful reefs, boat trips to frothing surf breaks, and rustic bamboo cabanas by the shore. Things are changing, though. There’s now a … Read more
Book yourself a well-earned R&R session on the island of Siquijor, a place that’s fast becoming the hammock and cocktail haven of the Central Visayas. From the aquamarine waters of Tubod Beach to the softly sloping sands of Paliton Beach, this is a world of perfect shores with bath-warm seas. Then you delve into the … Read more
Bohol has long drawn the spotlight with its amazing Chocolate Hills, cascading Cambuyo Rice Terraces, wild riverways, and tarsier conservation forests. But there’s also plenty to be said for Siquijor. It remains a more off-the-beaten-track Philippine island, set just 22 miles to the southwest of Bohol’s capital in Tagbilaran City. Come here to wander the … Read more
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is a journey that a lot of travelers look to make in Cambodia. It links up two of the country’s must-see draws. You’ll start with a romp around the UNESCO-tagged Buddhist and Hindu temple complexes of Angkor Wat, one of the wonders of the ancient world. From there, you’ll cross … Read more
Koh Rong is an island of many faces. It flaunts sugar-white beaches and turquoise seas. Koh Rong also has rambunctious party strips and hedonistic party hostels. It’s got laid-back yoga retreats on its less-trodden west coast, along with sprawling honeymoon hotels on its hidden northern shores. Thousands flock to Koh Rong to get their hit … Read more
Once you’ve finished haggling your way through the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and wondering at the spinning prayer wheels of Doi Suthep Temple why not slow the pace of your travels a little by heading up to Pai? This is Thailand’s laid-back mountain town, where bamboo shacks line the Pai River, chilled reggae bars pop … Read more
Koh Chang is the perfect antidote to the heady parties of Pattaya town. A remote island in the Thai Gulf, it’s closer to the Cambodian border than to Bangkok, comes strung with pebble-dotted, coconut-strewn sands down its western shoreline, and backed by a massif of jungle-covered peaks. Chilling is the number one thing to do, … Read more
A four-mile wisp of sugar-soft sands and idyllic beaches on the side of the Sulu Sea, Boracay is still firmly up there with the major R&R draws of the Philippines. People flock from far and wide to laze on the coves, snorkel in the turquoise bays, and crank up their chill factor in the lux … Read more
The Gili Islands are a trio of tropical gems that speckle the seas just off Lombok, the large island that’s right next door to Bali. They each have a different character. There’s Gili Air, for the yogis and the meditation buffs. There’s Gili Meno, primed for honeymooners. There’s Gili Trawangan, for the partiers and hedonists … Read more
There are loads of reasons why you might want to make the trip from Phuket to Surat Thani. Most notably, it’s the way to the ports that connect to the legendary islands of the Thai Gulf, meaning it’s your ticket to paradise isles like Koh Samui and the diving mecca of Koh Tao. It’s also … Read more
Halong Bay is one of the undisputed must-sees of Vietnam. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, it encompasses 600 square miles of the South China Sea with its rugged karst islets and glimmering beaches. Millions of travelers each year drop by for luxury junk boat cruises and sea-kayaking expeditions. The good news is that the … Read more
Thousands of folks make the trip from Pattaya to Bangkok each year. It’s a route that links one of the biggest party resorts in the Land of Smiles with the sprawling capital. From Pattaya to the endless street-food bazaars, mystical Buddhist temples, and enthralling hipster neighborhoods, not to mention all the long-haul and short-haul flight … Read more
Going 140 miles from Phuket to Koh Samui is about going from the largest island in Thailand and the gateway to the Andaman region across to the hub of the Thai Gulf in the east. The two destinations reign among the most coveted places in the whole of the Land of Smiles, touting more gorgeous … Read more
Sanur is the best port to leave from if you want to escape Bali for a couple of days of exploring the jaw-dropping island of Nusa Penida. The vast majority of the public ferries that connect the two run from the pier in Sanur. This bustling resort is on the southeastern side of the Isle … Read more