Travel
Logged out: in the footsteps of the teak wallahs in northern Thailand
The early 20th century teak industry left northern Thailand scarred but also peppered with magnificent examples of local architecture, seen on its ‘teak trail’ that starts in Chiang Mai.
Reflections | When powerful Malacca began decades of exchanges with Ming dynasty China
Seeing Malacca in Malaysia today, it is hard to imagine the extent of its territory hundreds of years ago. The influence of its European colonists is well known, that of imperial China much less so.
Rooms with a view: the Philippines’ rebuilt Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery
The recently rebuilt and reopened Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery offers amazing views of Manila Bay, enticing food and cocktails, even a tour of the Philippine capital in the hotel’s 1951 Buick.
‘Giving nature space’: how rewilding efforts in Scotland are paying off
Rewilding in the Scottish Highlands has seen the return of long-absent species, and efforts to save wild animals such as wildcats. It’s not just their numbers that are growing; ecotourism is blooming, too.
Underground attractions: 7 of the world’s best caves and man-made sights
Underground tourist attractions include the Paris Catacombs, which store the remains of 6 million people, the site of the amazing rescue of that Thai youth football team, and the world’s largest cave.
‘I was always a water baby’ – German in Hong Kong made diving his living
Simon Lorenz, a Hong Kong-based underwater photographer, diving instructor and owner of a dive travel company, tells Kate Whitehead the benefits of an alternative lifestyle and why you need to stay flexible.
Destinations known | ‘Russian annexation of Bali’: social media abuzz over Instagram post
When an Instagram account posted a map on which Canggu had been renamed ‘New Moscow’, others jumped in with comments on the influx of Russians in Bali since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
World’s longest walk? 24,262km from South Africa to China
Russ Cook’s epic run across the length of Africa inspired Post Magazine to try devising the world’s longest walk. Here’s the result, including what to see on the way and countries to avoid.
The Spanish Philippines: what is there to see in Manila, Cebu and beyond?
Natural disasters and war have destroyed many of the buildings erected in the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule. But in historical areas of the archipelago, impressive examples still stand.
Destinations known | Swap New York for Seoul? ‘Destination dupes’ trend is getting silly
Destination dupes – places similar to others that are suffering from overtourism – might be the hot travel trend in 2024, but some of the suggestions are plain ridiculous.
Then & Now | Shopping, sedan chairs, seeing China – tips for 1930s Hong Kong tourists
Pearl of the Orient, a city of myriad lights – Hong Kong was promoted to 1930s visitors by China’s Nationalist government much as it would be for decades afterwards. No sedan chair rides these days, though.
Aman, Como, Six Senses and more – the best luxury resorts in Bhutan
How many other countries have five Aman resorts but no McDonald’s? We travel around Bhutan to find the best luxury accommodation in all the main tourist centres in the Himalayan kingdom.
As naturists intended: 8 of the world’s best nudist beaches
Public nudity is generally taboo in Asia, but for those who wish to sunbathe in their birthday suit, here are 8 of the world’s best nudist beaches, from Haulover Beach, Miami to Mar Bella, Barcelona.
Destinations known | Cash or cashless, China lets foreign tourists know it wants them to spend
With overseas visitors struggling to go cashless in China, mobile payment app providers have worked to make it easier for them, and the central bank has told businesses to still accept cash payments.
Then & Now | Good luck finding expert guides to tell tourists truths about Hong Kong
Tourists to Hong Kong have long been fed rote-learned clichés about its history by uninspiring and uninspired guides. In today’s new normal, who would dare risk offering them anything different?
A hike that’s not for the faint of heart: adventure in Italy’s Dolomites
A hike through Italy’s soaring Dolomites is an occasionally terrifying reminder of our fleeting time on Earth, but comes with some jaw-dropping views.
Suddenly abandoned or gradually emptied, 9 of the world’s ghost towns to see
From an abandoned diamond mining town in Namibia to a Hong Kong village where ghost ‘sightings’ have been reported, to a town in Ukraine emptied by nuclear disaster, 9 ghost towns to see.
Destinations known | Why all travellers will pay a price for Dubai flights chaos after floods
Hundreds of cancelled flights, huge queues for new ones, a lack of staff – Dubai airport was brought to its knees by flooding. Expect travel insurers to react by increasing prices and reducing cover.
Reflections | The pitfalls of travelling on passports issued by Malaysia and Singapore
Passports issued by Singapore and Malaysia don’t separate first and last names, confusing airline computers and online apps. Why the constant demands to state a surname when none is defined?
Hong Kong Star Ferry chief coxswain on steering an icon of the city
Head of the Star Ferry fleet Kwok Cho-tai tells Kate Whitehead about growing up ‘very poor’ but happy on a boat in Aberdeen Harbour, rising through the ranks, and missing the daily ferry commuters.
