That Festive Feeling: Winter Warmers Around Asia
Winter in Asia is full of magic. Sure, you won’t find much in the way of carol-singers or Santas — except perhaps in a Bangkok shopping mall. Instead of festive perennials, the region offers all manner of different Yuletide tableaux. For instance, you might find yourself high in the Himalayas marveling at the snow-capped peaks shimmering in the brilliant winter sun. Or you might prefer to indulge in some beach or dive time in The Maldives, Sri Lanka or Indonesia. Here’s a selection of options that we’ve gift-wrapped for the season.
THAT FESTIVE FEELING: WINTER WARMERS AROUND ASIA
Winter in Asia is full of magic. Sure, you won’t find much in the way of carol-singers or Santa Claus — except perhaps in a Singapore or Bangkok shopping mall. Instead of festive perennials, the region offers all manner of different Yuletide tableaux. For instance, you might find yourself high in the Himalayas marveling at the snow-capped peaks shimmering in the brilliant winter sun. Or you might prefer to indulge in some beach or dive time in The Maldives, Sri Lanka or Indonesia. Here’s a selection of options that we’ve gift-wrapped for the season.
READ MOREDOUBLE ISLAND DELIGHT
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka the southern beaches and destinations like the ancient walled city of Galle are monsoon-free. Other great options include the revered tea country, an area ripe with golden shower trees, banana palms, and powdery angel trumpet flowers, complemented by a perpetual mist that only adds to the country’s mystique. Sri Lanka has several truly world-class accommodations scattered around the nation. Ceylon Tea Trails, Cape Weligama, and Wild Coast Tented Lodge form an enchanting 'route de bonheur' from tea fields to clifftop beach and safari lodge. Other favorite resorts in the country include Amanwella and Amangalla. Sri Lanka combines well with the equally inviting Maldives, which enjoys some of its best weather during the festive period, making it the ideal time to snorkel or dive in its cerulean, coral-rich waters. The Maldives is replete with exceptional resorts including Patina and One&Only Reethi Rah (main image).
HIMALAYAN HEIGHTS
Annapurna, Narchyang
Nepal is a great festive option for visitors who don’t mind a touch of winter’s chill in the higher altitudes. Having said that, Nepal is similar in latitude to Rome and Miami so Kathmandu is surprisingly warm (averages around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius in winter). The country’s great trekking routes — such as the Everest trail and Annapurna Circuit — offer epically stunning vistas in December with the snow-capped peaks framed against a cobalt-blue sky. It might be a little too cold for comfort for some, but nothing a little quality insulation won’t fix. Away from the trails, the Kathmandu Valley shines. The cradle of ancient Hindu and Buddhist civilizations has many UNESCO World Heritage sites and fine accommodation options like Dwarika’s resorts in Kathmandu and Dhulikhel — a prime vantage point for nearby peaks such as Everest. Further afield, winter is a great time to visit Royal Chitwan National Park on the sub-tropical Terai lowlands. The dense forests and grassy plains are home to amazing wildlife like Bengal tigers and one-horn rhinos.
MAGIC IN MALAYSIA
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Occupying the southern section of the Malay Peninsula, peninsular Malaysia offers various types of winter wonderland. Here you'll find enticing cities such as Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia's space-age capital with stunning hotels like the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental — and Malacca, a former trading port with some of the region's best-preserved heritage architecture. It's a paradise for beach lovers too. Established superstars such as Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Tioman, and the Perhentian Islands continue to wow old and new fans alike. Another standout is Penang with its colorful history as a hub of trade that can be easily appreciated in the city of George Town. The island's main city revels in a sensual mélange of influences where watermarked Chinese shophouses sit cheek by jowl with shops selling Indian spices and grand mosques. Stay options here include the classic Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
SOUTH INDIAN SPICE
Kerala Backwaters
A trip to Kerala can be viewed as the Indian equivalent of coming up for air. While the rest of India is rarely anything less than mind-blowing, the nation’s more challenging aspects (bureaucracy, lack of personal space and pollution to name three) can grind down even the hardiest of traveler. It’s not like that in the nation’s southern idyll. Sure, the cities of Trivandrum and Kochi are plenty buzzy, but the rest of this lush state exists in its own laid-back, tropical continuum. From the beaches of Varkala in the south to the historic colonial charm of Fort Cochin and the cool mountain enclave of Munnar further north, the state abounds with natural beauty and possesses one of India’s most developed infrastructures for tourism. Choice stays in the state include Brunton Boatyard in Fort Cochin and Leela Palace in Kovalam.
INDONESIA’S SPECTACULAR SNORKELING
Raja Ampat
With over 17,000 islands in total, Indonesia is tailor-made for sea travel. Indeed, an ocean-bound expedition in the nation will invariably feature numerous unforgettable highlights spanning sightings of tropical fish, sea turtles and other fantastical wildlife to deserted beaches perfect for splashing around on. Charter a traditional Indonesian phinisi schooner to explore these alluring and hard to reach destinations such as the incredibly diverse marine biosphere, Raja Ampat, a world-class scuba diving location.
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