International Traveller •

Where to stay in Taiwan: the must-stay districts in Taipei to Kaohsiung

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen. One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, wi...
International Traveller •

What to do in Taiwan: cutting-edge cities, marble canyons & hawker night markets - International Traveller

Rising from the western Pacific like a dragon’s spine, this scenic land of 23 million was once best-known as a manufacturing hub. It has since blossomed into one of the region’s most alluring destinations, and for good reason. Whether you’re looking to take in the views and explore the alleys of its capital, Taipei, or marvel at the marble canyons of Taroko National Park, Taiwan punches well above its weight when it comes to the variety of things to do and see. This is a place where modern urban...
International Traveller •

From Taipei to Kaohsiung: this is what and where to eat in Taiwan - International Traveller

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen. One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, wi...
The Metropolitan Review •

Life on a Tube Filled With Seamen

Military life has long served as reliable fodder for American literature, which should come as no surprise: something about stories of men from all corners of the country facing danger as a team is inherently dramatic. From Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage to Norman Mailer’s The Naked and the Dead, authors have mined the ups and downs of military life not just to shine a light on what makes those institutions — and the people who work them — tick, but also the American experience as a wh...
The Telegraph •

How to visit Mongolia, the world's least crowded country

In this age of smartphones and social media, the world has begun to feel like a much smaller place. Viral videos lead to crowds and the headaches of overtourism, but there are still plenty of places that the hordes have yet to trample – if you’re willing to put in the effort to reach them. For this, look no further than Mongolia, the landlocked country that can accurately be described as one of the world’s last frontiers.
Beyond •

The Dynasty of Design

OVER THE PAST two decades South Korea – once a relatively neglected corner of Northeast Asia – has blossomed into an alluring destination, with a recordbreaking 18.5 million visitors arriving in 2025 alone. Many are attracted to the country’s hyperkinetic vibes and ultra-modern splendours as seen and heard in its pop music, TV dramas and films. But some come seeking a quieter, older and perhaps more elegant version of the country, as found in a hanok stay.
The Telegraph •

South Korea is the fastest-growing tourism destination on the planet, but it comes at a cost

Polly Faber had never intended to visit the Land of Morning Calm. “I had some interest in holidaying in Japan one day,” she told The Telegraph, “but none in South Korea.” However, while trying to occupy her mind during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic, she came across the Korean drama Crash Landing on You – and was soon hooked. Over the next six months, she watched at least 30 more K-dramas – “over 500 hours of telly,” by her own admission – some of them several times through.
The Telegraph •

The secrets of the world’s ‘best’ airline – and how BA measures up

The consumer website AirlineRatings.com recently released its 2025 ranking of the World’s Best Airlines and, to the surprise of some, Korean Air was crowned king. This comes after several years of dominance by Qatar Airlines, a brand widely recognised for its top-notch business- and first-class cabins. Korean Air – while internationally respected – is often seen as more of a well-oiled workhouse than a high-end brand.AirlineRatings.com, however, uses a wide range of criteria to balance out the s...
The Telegraph •

Why now is the time to discover South Korea’s charming second city

Where Koreans are concerned, the dynamic seaside city of Busan has long been South Korea’s best-kept secret. Now, however, the rest of the world is starting to catch on.Home to 3.4 million people, this pint-sized port city is famous for its wealth of beaches, making it one of the nation’s top summer getaways – though there’s plenty to it beyond sand and surf. It’s also a kinetic, 21st-century Asian metropolis home to ancient mountains, buzzing street markets, labyrinthian hillside neighbourhoods...
National Geographic •

Take a journey to Busan's sacred temples to uncover South Korea's spiritual side

A spring breeze blows in from the sea, carrying the scent of kelp and the faint taste of salt. The gentle wind passes through my hair and rustles the pines, which stand over the rocks and deep blue water like evergreen sentinels. A wispy cloud drifts across the sky, temporarily obscuring the sun before its rays pour down once again, warming my face. I almost forget I’m sitting within the city limits of Busan, a modern metropolis that’s home to nearly 3.5 million people. And though there's much t...
koreatimes •

Busan film fest brings cinema magic, star power to Korea's 'second city'

Last Friday saw the wrapping up of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), that electric time of the year when Korea’s oft-neglected second city is temporarily transformed into the most glamorous spot on the peninsula. This year’s fest was a resounding success, drawing industry folks, aficionados, media and festival organizers from across Asia and beyond for 10 days of movies, events, boozy soirees and enough schmoozing to power all of Los Angeles for a good month.
Wanderlust •

Art and architecture in Roppongi area, Tokyo: 5 must-see buildings - Wanderlust

When it comes to urban design, Tokyo is a treasure trove, though the sheer number of amazing structures can be overwhelming, making it difficult for architecture fans to know where to start. With this in mind, the upscale and artsy Roppongi neighbourhood is a good place to focus your exploration, as it possesses an incredible mix of both ancient and modern sites. Here are five must-see buildings in the area.
Travel + Leisure •

This Massive Lake in Mongolia Has Caribbean-like Blue Waters — and It's an Outdoor Lover's Dream

With rugged hills, pristine rivers, and impossibly vast spaces, Mongolia is gaining ground as a destination with travelers thirsty for adventure. This large, landlocked Asian nation offers natural splendor in massive doses. And though getting there may take some effort, the payoff is well worth it. Simply put, Mongolia is an outdoor lover’s dream — and Lake Khovsgol National Park is the perfect place to soak it all in. Situated in the country’s far north and surrounded by mountains, rocky shor...
The Telegraph •

The 50 best beaches in the world

The question of what constitutes the world’s best beaches will always prompt a subjective answer. There are beaches for pure indolence, where you want nothing more than to snooze under a blue sky. There are beaches for play, where families set up sun-tents and sandcastles are constructed. There are beaches for fun, where bars line the promenade and a party is never far away. There are beaches where you will not meet another soul.
National Geographic •

A neighbourhood guide to Busan

South Korea's southeastern city of Busan is a lively modern metropolis, home to the country's largest port. This once rough-and-tumble maritime hub has developed into a bustling centre for commerce, culture and technology — pockets of the old port town, however, remain thriving neighbourhoods where the past rubs shoulders with the bright, shiny and new. From colourful hillside villages to bustling beachside strips, each of Busan’s local districts offers its own unique flavour and a window into what makes the city tick. Combine this with fresh seafood and an emerging restaurant and bar scene, and it’s no wonder people are starting to take notice of Busan. Here are four of the city’s most exciting districts .
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