Joanna James
While the world is full of bucket-list-worthy destinations for all manner of thrill-seekers, these up-and-coming vacation stops have the exact blend of diverse enticements that most post-covid travellers dream of. Here are some holiday hotspots that should not slip under your radar.
Research shows that most people pick no more than eleven dream destinations and hope to visit at least seven of these during their lifetime. The Indonesian Isle of Bali is most certainly making the cut for this exclusive list, perfectly balancing tranquillity, and adventure with its attractive assortment of jungle trekking, waterfall jumping, scaling active volcanoes, and swinging high over exquisite rice terrace vistas. After an eventful adrenaline-rich day, you can unwind in the island's boho-chic urban enclaves, sampling decadent kopi luak, binging on the locally iconic susu pies, and browsing for unique souvenirs at the art markets, street-side shops, and hip designer stores gemming the city.
An atmospheric cosmopolis shimmering with avant-garde personality, Melbourne is an Alice in Wonderland-esque rabbit hole of striking art-spattered laneways, gorgeously quirky cafés, camouflaged designer boutiques, and repurposed vintage façades full of contemporary bohemia. If you vibe with impromptu coffee tours, wildlife-rich rambles, unconventional museums, and gourmet chefs who humour you with delicious off-menu creations, Oz's most diverse city should be high up on your bucket list!
A heritage dreamscape caught between jewel-toned Gulf and wind-whipped dunescapes, Abu Dhabi is an ultra-modern oasis firmly rooted in enriching tradition and hosts a myriad of nuanced record-breaking escapades. From propelling past shimmering skyscrapers on a wakeboard and 'bashing' behemoth towers of desert sand in airborne ecstasy to gaping at the architectural majesty of Sheikh Zayed mosque and hitting the many exhilarating theme parks and transporting culture villages, Abu Dhabi leaves nothing more to be imagined.
While Bangkok draws in millions with its kaleidoscopic spirit of fun and cutting-edge glamour, with its bijou night markets, irresistible eat streets, and mesmerising vintage-meets-modern aesthetic, Thailand's largest island steals the show for satisfying every brand of wanderlust. Whether it's the untouched beaches hidden in the shadow of lush mountains, spanned with rustic boardwalks, glitzy restaurants, and adorable beachside stalls serving iced coffee and local delicacies, the quaint enchantment of Old Phuket Town, or the expeditions to neighbouring isle havens across jewel-toned waters, there's something extraordinary for everyone to savour.
While Sri Lanka, the tear-shaped emerald of the Indian Ocean, is full of astoundingly diverse terrains of unique allure, from the epic cloud forests of Horton plains to the cobblestoned Galle Fort with its colonial graces and tropi-cool vibe, there's something about the surreal simplicity of Ella's verdant plantations, hilltop villas, and forested peaks hiding delicious waterfalls that lull the senses while sparking the spirit of adventure.
With its themed interactive realms fuelled by new-age technology, titanic horticultural masterpieces, Instagram-worthy art districts, and gourmet multi-cultural cuisine hawked in bustling street bazaars, Singapore exudes a harmonious balance between high-tech advancement and welcoming heritage. If you're seeking sophisticated serviced apartments & hotels in this dynamic cityscape, venture no further than properties offered by the likes of Discover ASR.
An island full of authentic tropical wonders and delightful old-world eccentricities, from jungle-clad water parks and botanic gardens inhabited with the likes of dusky leaf monkeys and Cannonball Trees to butterfly farms and a storybook tram roller-coasting the world's steepest tunnel track, the whole of Penang is an artistic theme park canopied in lush rainforest.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
