Still, one of the most magical destinations on earth Ubud, a town in central Bali of around 75,000 people (2020), is far removed from the nightlife bikini scene in Seminyak and Canggu, and is regarded as the cultural centre of Bali. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to … Read More
Looking for off the beaten path, it’s Palau. They say the best things in life don’t come easily, and Palau is no exception, but that’s largely why the Micronesian archipelago is one of the world’s last remaining frontiers. Fly to Palau’s main city Koror (pop. 10,000) via Taipei, Honolulu, Guam, Manila or Brisbane. From Palau International Airport, Four Seasons Explorer … Read More
Derived from the Malay word bukit, or hill, Phuket was long known to European traders as Junk Ceylon, and a rich source of valuable tin. After an attack by the rival Burmese navy in 1785, which was repulsed by forces commanded by a local widow and her sister, Phuket rose to prominence as a regional administrative center, charged with running … Read More
