7 Reasons to Rediscover Asia
by Geoffrey Ravoire, Travel and Marketing Director
Thinking about traveling around Asia? This vibrant part of the world has always fascinated me. Asia allows you to enjoy anything from a relaxing time on the beach to high-intensity city life to peaceful temples and landscapes, all in a single vacation. One guarantee: your experience promises to be vastly different from anything you know back home.
Whether you're looking for dreamlike tropical paradises, fascinating and immersive culture, gorgeous ultramodern cities, lands steeped in ancient tradition, incredible cuisine, or masterful works of art, Asia has it all! I was fortunate to live there for several years, and now, post Covid-19, I am happy to finally return.
Our Huffman Travel team is back touring Asia, and we can’t wait to plan your next adventure; please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. In the meantime, here are seven reasons to travel to Asia in the near future.
Unparalleled Service
Asian culture is deeply rooted in family values, and the level of service reflects that family-oriented approach. Guests should always feel at home and be served with "kindness and giving." It is no surprise that Thailand is called the land of smiles; glamourous Singapore is one of the cleanest and most orderly cities in the world; and Indonesia is home to some of the most luxurious and indulgent spa treatments. Asian properties also often boast the highest staff-per-guest ratio, ensuring efficient yet discreet service at all times.
Photo: Raffles Singapore
True Cultural Immersion
Asia consists of a patchwork of cultures, each manifesting beautifully in various ways. Even modern cities don't feel like home, as they are often a hybrid of a technology-focused ecosystem that also respects their heritage with Buddhist temples, mosques, and pagodas dotting the urban landscape. Outside of the cities is like a different world, with lush tropical forests, small villages on the banks of a river, or up in the hills above rice terraces, and ceremonies and rituals that transport you. From reiki practices to celebrating the lunar calendar to welcoming back ancestors who have long passed, Asia honors all the life and beauty that surrounds us.
Photo: Temples at Bagan, Myanmar
Pristine Nature
Southeast Asia captures the incredible beauty of what is a wonderfully diverse region, from ancient forests like the biodiverse forest in Borneo to miles of unspoiled beaches like Saud Beach, Pugupud in the Philippines. If snorkeling or diving is more your beat, immerse yourself in some of the world's most intricate hard and soft coral gardens, like the island of Misool in Indonesia. Southeast Asia truly counts some of the most beautiful wildlife in the world to observe, including iconic mammal and bird species such as tigers, Asian elephants, gibbons, orangutans, vultures, and ibises.
Photo: Indonesian Marine Life
Incredible Nightlife
Hungry or simply culinary curious? There is no better place for a foodie adventure than Asia. From the ultimate fine dining experience at Ise Sueyoshi in the heart of Tokyo to Odette, a priceless culinary jewel of Singapore, the region is one of the best culinary destinations in the world. When the sun goes down, and the parties start, Bangkok, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, offer a fun nightlife scene with something for everyone, from wild parties at chic rooftop bars and after-hour clubs to the magical night markets! Indeed, every city offers incredible spots to start with sunset views. And with every skyline being so different, it’s worth making the rounds! If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s nothing like a night food tour.
Photo: Sky Bar Bangkok
Traveling the Region is Relatively Easy
Asia offers a large density of sites, cities, and locals connected by reliable infrastructures, be it for trains or planes. Hopping around is easy and efficient. Everyone is always extremely accommodating and willing to help with directions or advice. So don’t be afraid of a multi-country itinerary! For the ultimate luxury train travel, Belmond offers some fantastic itineraries in Malaysia, a lesser-known yet captivating country. If traveling by private jet strikes your fancy, the Aman's Private Jet Expedition to Southeast Asia is another sensational way to explore the region.
Photo: Shinkansen bullet trains, Japan
Some of the Best Luxury Accommodations
Asia's luxury hotels and private villas are well known for their impeccable service, tasty fusion cuisine, and sublimely beautiful surroundings. Aside from the unparalleled offerings, the properties are stunning and treasures to witness. From the heights of the Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo is inspired by Japanese design tradition, with ikebana displays, washi paper doors, and engawa platforms. Capella Ubud, Bali, a unique tented camp, sits in harmony with the surrounding nature and is nestled in the heart of lush green forests. The iconic Raffles Singapore allows you to immerse yourself in the striking architecture for that unique feeling of being somewhere very special in the heart of the business and civic district. For a purely natural experience of a lifetime, preserving and sharing the breathtaking beauty of Sumba and the Marapu spirit on the island, NIHI Sumba was built by Claude and Petra Graves in 1988 to protect the way of life and attract custodians who honor and carry forth the heritage and stories of the Sumbanese people, past and present. To name but a few, of course.
Photo: Aman Tokyo
150+ World Heritage Sites
Asia boasts over 150 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Most sites fall under the cultural category and are open to tourists and the full list can be viewed here. We always encourage you to pair cultural sites with more lifestyle and relaxing elements, and Asia makes it easy to do so. Enjoy breakfast while the first magical rays of sunlight illuminate Angkor Wat. Walk the windy lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and enjoy the colorful shops of the old town; you might even stop by a lantern shop to see the skillful hands creating designs and patterns. Ride horses at the sacred Burkhan Khaldun mountains in Mongolia, considered the birthplace of Genghis Khan. And so many more unique discoveries.
Photo: Hoi An, Vietnam