Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2015 i Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau

travelandleisureasia.com THIS MONTH ON TRAVELANDLEISUREASIA.COM BRAND-NAME BALI Bali’s Bukit Peninsula is booming these days and, with new and ever-more luxurious resorts crowding onto these coveted shores, there’s a room for everyone 5 PRIVATE ISLAND RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES Out of the 7,107 islands in this archipelago, these are some of the best to enjoy absolute peace and privacy. ECO-GLAMPING IN TIBET T+L heads to a land of windswept prairies and ancient traditions for an experience on the wild side of Asia that is as luxe as it is sustainable. DOWNLOAD US T+L TABLET EDITIONS Available on iOS, Android, Win 8 and Zinio Desktop Reader. FOLLOW US TWITTER.COM/TRAVLEISUREASIA FACEBOOK.COM/TRAVELLEISUREASIA PINTEREST.COM/TRAVLEISUREASIA INSTAGRAM.COM/TRAVELANDLEISUREASIA KEEP UP WITH US Sign up for our newsletter for monthly highlights and offers from T+L Southeast Asia. TANDL.ASIA/NEWSLETTER CONTACT…

BURNING QUESTION What is “dynamic currency conversion,” and should I use it? In recent years, travelers have been given a choice both by ATMs and merchants to select what’s called “dynamic currency conversion”: an option to convert the amount of your bill or cash withdrawal to your home currency on the spot—instead of your bank doing it later. The benefit is knowing right then exactly how much you’re spending in your usual currency, but the risk, says ThePointsGuy.com founder Brian Kelly, is overpaying because of a worse conversion rate, not to mention a fee for the service that is often undisclosed to the customer. “You could be adding up to seven percent to your purchase,” he says. The final word: Always choose to be charged in the local currency, and use…

COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FOOD scene in Paris is like saying your private plane doesn’t have enough seats. But if you’ve been to Auckland or Melbourne or Singapore—or anywhere, really—and visited restaurants that are casually rustic, locally driven and generally modern in feel, then Paris’s reigning bistronomie trend can give you a sense of déjà vu. Frenchie and its successors remain popular and great, but it’s time for a new era in Parisian dining. A forward-thinking group of chefs is looking to modernize haute cuisine, with its labor-intensive sauces and elaborate plating, and make it a sophisticated but not stuffy experience. And no one nails it quite like David Toutain, whose namesake restaurant in the Seventh Arrondissement serves just two menus: nine courses for €72 and 15 for €105. If you’re…

We know what gets you excited about travel: personal interaction with locals, off-the-beaten-path adventures, the thrill of the unexpected. But we also know that making those things happen isn’t always so easy. Which is why we’re introducing T+L Journeys—a new series of tailor-made vacations that delivers all these things, and more—which you can book quickly and easily. On the following pages are 20 trips spanning the globe, from Morocco to Mongolia, that our editors have created in partnership with Black Tomato, a leading travel company with offices in London and New York that’s known for providing insider access and experiences. Read on for a snapshot of the itineraries; for full day-by-day outlines and information on how to book, go to tandl.me/journeys. MORE DETAILS ABOUT T+L JOURNEYS ARE ON PAGE 99.…

LENGTH 11 NIGHTS, 12 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $3,780 WHY GO Because relaxation doesn’t come in purer form than in Kerala, with its ancient wellness culture and lush landscapes. From the minute you arrive at Purity, a striking modern villa on the shore of Kerala’s Lake Vembanad, you’ll begin to breathe a little deeper. The horizon stretches away endlessly in front of you, and the only sound is the dipping of boatmen’s oars out on the water. In contrast to much of India, relaxation is part of this southern coastal region’s culture. A daylong backwater cruise in a kettuvallam, or houseboat, is immersion in the calm simplicity of waterfront life. For four nights, you’ll stay in jaw-dropping hotels, from the grand, historical Brunton Boatyard in the port of Cochin…

LENGTH 23 NIGHTS, 24 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $14,175 WHY GO Because this is your oncein-a-lifetime chance to go rogue for nearly a month in a country where tribal culture still thrives. Though you're just north of Australia, being in Papua New Guinea feels like you’re way out there. This is a trip that requires mental and physical preparation (don’t expect room service). The reward, however, is complete disconnection from technology and some of the most memorable hiking and intense local encounters of your life. Begin with two nights at the Grand Papua Hotel in the capital, Port Moresby, where you’ll explore the city’s markets and play highland darts with locals before flying to the village of Fogomaiyu, deep in the rain forest. For the next three weeks, Black…

LENGTH 7 NIGHTS, 8 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $6,300 WHY GO Because, combined, the two offer a slice of unspoiled wilderness and exciting urban life that’s off the typical tourist track. Sunny. Under the radar. Both Nicaragua and Panama are emerging as Central America’s “It” destinations. Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, where the pristine beaches are marked only by their rolling waves, now lures a fashion-forward, eco-conscious crowd. They, like you, are checking in to Mukul, the country’s top resort and the vision of local billionaire Carlos Pellas. All 37 rooms overlook the Pacific; for four nights, you’ll be in a modern bohio (tree house) that was built from sustainable teak and pine. Fill your days with surfing lessons and seaside dinners. Or a private guide can lead you to Ometepe,…

LENGTH 10 NIGHTS, 11 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $7,560 WHY GO Because the stunning Dalmatian Coast conjures the Mediterranean of yesteryear—the setting for your own private Odyssey. With their cobblestoned alleys, intimate restaurants, storied palaces, and secluded caves, Croatia’s beautiful islands—places like Vis, Brač, Biševo and Hvar—have, surprisingly, been off the radar. Yet they offer all the charm of the Greek Cyclades or Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and are great to sail to and from with friends or family. Over a weeklong islandhopping jaunt—with a crew on hand to navigate, of course—you’ll swim in crystal-blue seas, taste local wines too delicious to ever be exported, and eat fresh local food at konobas (taverns). When you’re not relaxing under an umbrella, you’ll go on private tours of a medieval castle and cathedrals,…

LENGTH 9 NIGHTS, 10 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $8,820 WHY GO Because this is a place where you can have it all— incredible history, luxe hotels, flavors you’ve never tasted and as much shopping as your luggage will allow. Morocco is sensory overload in the best way possible: it’s accessible yet exotic, urban yet completely wild, distinctly North African with a global, cosmopolitan edge. There’s nothing more glamorous than lying by the palm-tree-shaded pool at Marrakesh’s La Mamounia, a hotel that has drawn the glitterati (everyone from Marlene Dietrich to Jennifer Aniston) for nearly a century. And few experiences are more humbling than driving up a twisty, narrow, two-lane road through the High Atlas Mountains, trekking with nomads in the Jebel Saghro range, or landing in the desert—arguably the…

WHAT TO PACK __ Go light on the clothing. Follow this formula: three tops for every bottom. (Trust us, you can get away with repeating pants or skirts.) As for footwear, limit yourself to sneakers and two pairs of shoes—one casual and one that’s more formal. __ Choose wrinkle-repellers. Blends containing nylon, Lycra or polyester can be pulled out of your suitcase relatively unscathed. If you prefer natural fibers, go for wool or stretch cotton. Textured fabrics (ruched jersey, seersucker) and busy prints also help mask fold marks. __ Bring a just-in-case kit. Prepare for emergencies (of the wardrobe variety) by bringing Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus and Tide to Go stain remover. __ Keep tabs on your bag. Use a luggage tracker like LugLoc (US$70; lugloc.com) to locate your suitcase…

WHETHER YOU WANT TO CREDIT CARPE DIEM, sweet serendipity or the power of Poseidon, a Crete tapestry of blue and white has floated ashore in the Flores Sea. The blue you see has always been here, but the white is a new addition, courtesy of Crete-native Yannis Vlatakis. Vlatakis was kicking around the idea of retirement last year when he stumbled upon Seraya Kecil (Little Seraya), one of hundreds of volcanic islets orbiting Komodo Island. Within half an hour, he had tracked down a landowner and bought a strip of beachfront. “The second I saw this place, I fell in love with it,” Vlatakis says. “It reminded me of the Greek Islands before they were developed.” He then got to work pouring his 50 years of experience in hotel construction…

Getting to Burma is a breeze, but planning travel within the country can still be a headache. Earlier this year it was a challenge to reserve flights on Burma’s domestic carriers unless you were actually in Burma, but the launch of FlyMya (flymya.com) in June ushered in a new era. The online booking service offers ticketing for six local airlines for flights to a total of 27 cities. “There’s been a tourism boom in Myanmar,” says founder Mike Than Tun Win, “and I realized it was tough for foreign visitors and locals alike to book their domestic flights.” Win, who returned home to Burma in 2011 after spending most of his life in Singapore, says his vision is to haul even more of the country’s travel logistics onto a digital platform.…

LAOS Venture into the jungles surrounding Luang Prabang in search of tasty hidden treasures and roaring waterfalls. laostravel-agency.com. CHINA Prized matsutake and porcini mushrooms in all shapes and colors grow in the rich soil of Yunnan province. Scour the woods for precious fungi, then gorge on your glorious harvest. (See feature story on page 142.) shaxichina.com. THAILAND A true immersion experience, this five-day homestay in the rural Isan town of Koh Phet will have you hunting and eating frogs, insects and lizards, as well as more conventional plants. Intrepid travelers can brag to their friends about combing for water beetles and scorpions, although the faint of heart— or stomach—should steer clear. thailandhomestay.com.…

WHEN YOU’RE THE DANCER Storyboard P, life keeps you moving. “It’s a voice,” he says, describing what he feels when he dances. “It’s this inner momentum that’s motivating the direction I go, how long I hold a move, when I should change it, what should come out.” At the age of 25, Storyboard has already made a name for himself performing on and off the streets of Brooklyn, where he grew up. He’s the king of flex, an improvisational style of dance that’s equal parts balletic grace and strong hits, marked by contortionist stunts and smooth footwork. Recently his moves have landed him roles in music videos, with hip-hop stars such as Jay Z, and a performance at Mass MoCA, the prestigious modern arts outpost in western Massachusetts. So who…

MOTORINO | SINGAPORE The Move The Clarke Quay party district gets a branch of New York’s cult Neapolitan pizza joint—open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The Translation This is the first Motorino with outdoor seating. Naples’s San Gennaro Cathedral inspired the marble floor, and the chairs are from a Belgian flea market. The Draw The Soppressata Piccante pie is made with Italian salumi that’s illegal to import to the U.S. motorinopizza.com. CATCH | DUBAI The Move The Manhattan seafood hot spot has opened in the Fairmont hotel in Dubai. The Translation It’s about half the size of the three-story original, but graffiti-covered brick walls and industrial fans convey a distinctly American vibe. The Draw Only-in-Dubai dishes include the Land & Sea sushi roll (made with miso lobster and Wagyu…

This month, Davy Jones’s locker is spilling open onto Third Street in Sai Ying Pun with the opening of Fish School seafood restaurant. “Hong Kong began as a fishing village and seafood continues to be a unique pillar of its local culture,” says Hong Kong-born chef David Lai. “As a chef there is no better inspiration than these pristine gifts from nature.” Lai is designing the menu at the intimate 50-seater restaurant where the catches of the day—think fish, shrimp, lobster and crabs—are primarily sourced from small, family-owned fishing boats. Sea to serving platter, courtesy of mom and pop, oh and one of the top-rated chefs in Hong Kong. 100 Third St., Sai Ying Pun; 852/2361-2966; fishschool.hk.…

ALAIN DUCASSE AU PLAZA ATHÉNÉE The room resembles a Marie Antoinette version of Miami. The cheapest lunch menu costs €215. And it’s mostly vegetables. Strictly for those willing to indulge on (truly remarkable) carrots and artichokes. alainducasse-plaza athenee.com. CLOVER The latest from star chef Jean-François Piege—who worked at the Hôtel de Crillon—and his wife, Elodie. The tiny St.-Germain spot serves light plates like quinoa wafers and marinated fresh tomatoes that seem almost Californian in style. clover-paris.com; dinner prix fixe from €58. SPRING Opened by American chef Daniel Rose, it’s now one of Paris’s top affordable dining experiences. For €84, his team serves refined takes on dishes like chicken bouillon and squab with sweet-breads. springparis.fr. RESTAURANT GUY SAVOY Go at lunch, when the chef offers a €110 carte of updated classics—raw…

SLEEPY IPOH IS WAKING UP. The Malaysian city still has all the charm and elegance that wealth from its former life as a 1930s colonial tin-mining center once afforded, but until recently, it has been stuck in the past. Even the multicolored Chinese shophouses that line the charming lanes of Old Town seem to lean against each other, like they too have succumbed to the languid ebb and flow of time in the tropics, and nothing much seems to have changed in the way local shopkeepers tend to their century-old crafts. Much like the ore that put Ipoh on the map, the city had tarnished with age, but new flights from Singapore on Tiger (tigerair.com) and Malindo (malindoair.com) plus a spate of recently opened hotels and dining options have the dreamy destination…

LENGTH 11 NIGHTS, 12 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $12,600 WHY GO Because the country is on the cusp of major change, following the end of a 49-year military rule. Mass tourism hasn’t descended on the temples, mist-covered hills, and rural villages—yet. As you spend a few days in each of Burma’s most compelling corners, what will fascinate you most are the people and their distinctive culture. In the bustling city of Rangoon, men still wear traditional longyi (floor-length wraparound skirts) and women cover their faces with thanaka to protect their skin from the sun. Fly an hour north to Heho, drive to the colonial town of Kalaw, and set out to see remote mountain communities. Here, locals go about their daily chores, carrying wood on their backs and preparing…

LENGTH 16 NIGHTS, 17 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $26,775* WHY GO Because it is filled with unsung frontiers—beautiful, vast and pure, where wildlife far outnumber people. An adventurous and lavish crosscountry trip spans Canada. Start on Vancouver Island for North America’s version of an African safari—deluxe tents with antique rugs, oil lamps and heirloom china included. During four days at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a luxurious camp set among oldgrowth forests, the routine is blissfully simple; look out for black bears foraging onshore and whales breaching in Cow Bay. A stop in Vancouver, with its dynamic restaurant and nightlife scene, is a perfect urban jolt before almost a full week back in the wilderness, this time in northern Manitoba. Seal River Heritage Lodge on Hudson Bay—where you can track beluga…

LENGTH 8 NIGHTS, 9 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $4,920 WHY GO Because, as the doors open for U.S. travelers, now’s the time to go, before chain hotels appear and those ’57 Chevys vanish. There’s no denying the country’s fascinating time-capsule quality, with its gloriously crumbling cobblestoned plazas and beautiful faded facades in Old Havana. But this trip will show you that the city’s revitalization is in full swing. You’ll see it in the sophisticated apartments for rent, like Penthouse Ydalgo, your base for three nights in the leafy Vedado neighborhood, or in the spate of new paladares (private, family-run restaurants) popping up in unconventional spaces like neglected tenements and refurbished factories. You’ll encounter aspiring musicians at Fabrica de Arte Cubano, a renowned cultural venue, and artists at the Instituto…

LENGTH 8 NIGHTS, 9 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $10,435 WHY GO Because Madrid and Seville offer high fashion, serious art and incredible food—all of it experienced with the country’s connected insiders. Arrive hungry. You’ll be eating your way through Madrid and Seville for more than a week. An excursion to Madrid’s gourmet market Platea, with Michelin-approved chef Ramon Freixa—followed by a cooking class and dinner prepared by Freixa himself—kicks off the trip in proper style. Don’t worry: you’ll work off the paella as you shop with beauty queen and Bilbao-born model Ines Sainz and tour the masterpieces in the Prado and Reina Sofia. In Seville, you’ll see the Real Alcazar by night: Black Tomato has opened the doors after hours, just for you. And after a day at Granada’s…

Japan LENGTH 10 NIGHTS/ 11 DAYS PRICE $ 9,840 PER PERSON Japan is defined as much by its hypermodernity as by its heritage, and you can see the best of both worlds. In Tokyo, stay at the serene new Aman hotel, tour pulsating Shibuya and visit Senso-ji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. In Hakone, dip in onsen and taste kaiseki cuisine before bedding down in a ryokan. End by hopping the bullet train to Kyoto, where you’ll stroll the Gion geisha district and seek inner peace at the tranquil rock garden at Ryoan-ji. Colombia LENGTH 6 NIGHTS/ 7 DAYS PRICE $5,860 PER PERSON This South American jewel is ripe for exploring. You’ll walk the colorful streets of Cartagena, taste local coffee on a lush plantation, float along the Vieja River…

FOR ME, AS FOR SO MANY BEFORE ME, Hong Kong has been a haven. This destiny was written into its name, a rough transliteration of the Cantonese words for “fragrant harbor.” Safety smelled to me like stinky durian and sweet lychee, exhaust and sweat. I can still feel the backs of my eight-year-old legs sticking to the vinyl seat of a double-decker bus (upstairs, always). I can still hear my relatives’ voices, their rapid-fire Cantonese swelling and ebbing as they processed the rises and falls of the day’s stock prices. This was, in a manner of speaking, home: my parents had emigrated from Hong Kong to America in their twenties, and I was born in California. They carried with them their culture—hence my bowlcut hair, my fried-rice-and-pot-sticker lunches, my sense…

A palpable excitement brightens the damp mist that hangs over a patchwork Bai minority village beneath Langwoshan, or Wolf’s Den Mountain. I’m in Heqing, Yunnan, China’s southwesternmost province and have been up since dawn. At 3,800 meters—the altitude giving name to Yunnan, which means Southern Clouds—I’m lightheaded from both the steep climb into this thin air and the thrill of foraging headfirst into the start of mushroom season here. Lush lands hedged by majestic mountains have carved lively villages, home to 26 minority groups, though this part of Yunnan is dominated by the Bai and, on higher ground, the Yi. Their diverse cultures revere and cultivate what seems like every possible type of the fungus. It is generally believed that more than 800 varieties grow in Yunnan and, from late…

I HAD NEVER BEEN SEDUCED BY PIERRE SOULAGES. His paintings fetch the highest prices at auction of any living French artist, and the current president of France has called him the greatest living painter in the world. But Soulages paints largely in black, and black art had always left me cold. That was before I found myself one sunny morning in the Musée Soulages in the medieval town of Rodez, where the artist was born 95 years ago. The museum is a succession of five steel blocks meant to rust over time, both blending with and sitting boldly apart from the red-gray stone of the town’s centuries-old structures. Windows that rise to the ceiling offer views of the town and the hills beyond. Perched on a bench in front of…

relish, and the answers often fall into one of two categories: that once-in-alifetime experience or a return to a favorite foray. Our look at dream trips (“A World of Possibilities,” page 87) involves far-flung adventures in Mongolia and Papua New Guinea, as well as can’t-miss stops around Burma and Japan. Also this month, writer Jeff Chu visits Hong Kong (“Generation HK,” page 120), leaving me with a sense of déjà vu. He tours the Chinese village I called home for many years. He hikes across trails I know intimately and, through his story, I can feel the humidity that slaps and wraps the southern Chinese city and all who visit during the summer months. Chu uncovers an artistic side of Hong Kong, proving there’s more to it than the pursuit…

BANGKOK Angelini Wunderkind Enrico Bartolini of Devero Restaurant, just outside of Milan, is the youngest chef to be awarded two Michelin stars in Italy, and he’s bringing his artful Italian classics to Bangkok’s riverfront. HONG KONG Petrus, Island Shangri-La Expect dishes bursting with contrasting flavors, courtesy of two-Michelinstarred Mirazur’s chef Mauro Colagreco, flown in straight from the Riviera, at this French restaurant with great views of Victoria Harbour. Summer Palace, Island Shangri-La Iconic Chinese cooking techniques take center stage as Ip Chi Cheung, the resident chef, showcases his Cantonese staples. Shang Palace, Kowloon Shangri-La Chef Mok Kit Keung rolls out an innovative tea-and-Cantonese-cuisine pairing menu for the festival. SINGAPORE The Waterfall Massimo Bottura, of Osteria Francescana in Modena, treats diners in Singapore to fresh twists on Italian favorites. SHANGHAI Calypso,…

Autumn’s most promising new books offer a complete getaway—to places both real and imagined. The Big Green Tent, Ludmila Ulitskaya’s ambitious, newly translated Russian novel, tracks the lives of three young Muscovites from the death of Stalin to the fall of the Iron Curtain. Garth Risk Hallberg’s page-turning mystery City on Fire is set in the New York City blackout of 1977, where he examines the lives of the fortunate and the frustrated. Just as riveting is Mary Gaitskill’s intimate The Mare, a love story about Velvet, an abused Dominican girl, and the scarred horse she learns to tame. Any traveler will enjoy Rick Moody’s bizarre and often hilarious Hotels of North America, the fictional “writings” of an eccentric hotel reviewer. And lastly, Patti Smith returns, after the success of…

UNIFORM When I travel, my navy blazer is my briefcase. I put everything in the pockets: my passport, wallet, mobile phone, chargers and business cards. I get custom suits made at (1) Eredi Chiarini (eredichiarini.it), in Florence. CARRY-ON My memoir, American Dreamer (Random House), comes out next March. Every time I flew, I would take a hundred pages or so with me to edit while on the plane. It occupied a huge amount of time; I definitely didn’t sleep as much as I should have! ART FIX I met Andy Warhol when I moved to New York in the late 1970s, and have always been attracted to his work. I have a deep understanding of it, because I was very entrenched in that pop-culture scene. My favorite piece is (2) Grace…

THE BARE WALLS AND QUIET CORRIDORS SET MY MIND RACING. What will this space look like when it is alive with art and teeming with tourists? There is a visceral sense of urgency as curators, videographers, construction workers and cleaners stride purposefully about the National Gallery Singapore the day I’m taken for a “naked” museum tour (seeing the museum without its exhibits). Its official opening is on November 24, and as the largest visual arts venue in Singapore, at 64,000 square meters (a little larger than Musée d’Orsay in Paris), it has expectations to live up to. Judging by first impressions, this gallery doesn’t have much to worry about. Housed in the former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings, two national monuments with towering Corinthian and Ionic columns, the National…

DROR BENSHETRIT | DESIGNER | Istanbul For buildings like New York’s SoHo Synagogue and for products for Tumi, Target and Alessi, the Israeli-born Benshetrit finds inspiration in symmetry and geometry. Both are in ample supply in Turkey’s largest city, where his firm, Studio Dror (studiodror.com), has a major architectural project under way. “The heritage of the Ottoman Empire, mixed with European and Asian influences, makes the city so diverse,” he says. The designer picked up these keepsakes from the Grand Bazaar (istanbulgrandbazaar.org) and at shops in Karaköy.…

IT’S 8 P.M. ON A WEDNESDAY at the Rooftop Bar of Dublin’s Dean Hotel, a 52-room property set in an 18th-century Georgian building. But it feels like midnight on a Saturday. Groups of twenty- and thirtysomethings are eating pizzas topped with Parma ham and sipping Jameson cocktails, fueling up for a night in Grafton Street’s clubs. Since opening less than a year ago, the Dean has established itself as a haven for artists, creators and fresh-faced entrepreneurs. But it’s the corridors James Earley wants to show me. The 33-year-old designer and graffiti artist is giving me a tour of the impressive art collection—which he knows well, since he handpicked all 270 works. Aside from a single neon Tracey Emin sign, every piece is by a young, homegrown artist. “I just…

LENGTH 9 NIGHTS, 10 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $9,055 WHY GO Because it really is possible to see how the great khans lived and traveled, and to sleep under the stars in pristine wilderness. You don’t go to Mongolia unless you’re up for two things: horseback riding and glamping—some of the best in the world. Barely an hour outside the fastgrowing capital of Ulaanbaatar, buildings give way to wildflower-filled meadows and green valleys, where nomads still raise horses and sheep. For nearly a week you’ll be bedding down in a private ger (tent), complete with amenities like heated showers, sundowners and personal chefs, and diving into the tribal lifestyle. After a native horseman shows you the correct way to saddle up, you’ll ride for hours on end, even into…

LENGTH 9 NIGHTS, 10 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $13,780 WHY GO Because the country’s stark desert landscapes and traditional bedouin camps give you a glimpse of the Middle East as it was centuries ago. Nearby Dubai gets all the ink but Oman, a destination that couldn’t feel more different, deserves share of the glory. In the city of Muscat, the skyscrapers are mountains; the best shopping is found in the winding Muttrah souk, where you can bargain for gold, frankincense, and antique coins. Which is not to say this thriving metropolis, where you’ll spend two days, doesn’t have its modern charms: there’s the 14-year-old Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the few places of worship open to non-Muslims. (See that Persian carpet? Six hundred women spent four years weaving…

LENGTH 9 NIGHTS, 10 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $5,515 WHY GO Because few places can thrill both epicureans and nature lovers quite like this South American country. Ask any number of big-name chefs where they’re looking for inspiration these days, and many will point their knives toward Chile. Santiago is the undisputed culinary hub, with its abundance of fresh seafood, exotic ingredients (for those, head to the Mercado Central, where the peoplewatching is as good as the eating), and talented young chefs. You’ll spend two days grazing your way through the city before heading north for a total scenery swap: in the desolate Atacama Desert, the only things reminiscent of high-rises are the curious geological formations in the aptly named Moon Valley. With just eight elegant adobe and thatched-roof…

LENGTH 7 NIGHTS, 8 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $9,450 WHY GO Because Milan and Lake Como are one glamorous getaway, combining la dolce vita by the water with of-themoment culture and fashion in the city. Lake Como’s vibe can be summed up in two words: no pressure. Sure, there are mustvisit landmarks like Bellagio, a hillside village lined with pastel villas; Comacina Island, a tiny spit of land, perfect for a champagne picnic; and Villa Sola, an 18thcentury Baroque estate where the dukes of Serbelloni would summer. But the beauty of Como lies in exploring without rushing, and just reveling in its splashy fabulousness. Black Tomato has organized leisurely trips to all these locations, as well as a drive (on your own, at your own pace) in a vintage…

LENGTH 14 NIGHTS, 15 DAYS COST PER PERSON FROM $14,960 WHY GO Because these often overlooked countries offer safaris for safari purists—without the tourist hordes. When it opened in May, Wilderness Safaris’ Linkwasha Camp introduced Botswana-level luxury to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. Elephants, lions, southern giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs—you name it, and you’ll probably spot it on twicedaily drives through the rolling floodplains. And at the eco-chic Ruckomechi Camp, you’ll lose count of how many hippos and crocodiles emerge during unhurried canoe tours along the rushing Zambezi River. It’s a marvel to see, all the more so because there are so few other visitors— the destination is only now establishing high-end tourism. Its neighbor Zambia often gets passed over,…

SUPER SAVER Away Koh Kood, Thailand Your escape to this border island in the Gulf of Thailand will help you find balance without giving up luxury. It includes breakfast for two and a 10-percent discount on food and beverages. The Deal Buy One Get One Free: two nights in a Duplex Bungalow, from Bt4,248 for two, through October 31. Save 50%. awayresorts.com. CITY SEOUL Imperial Palace Get you Gangnam groove on at this European-style art space in the city’s posh shopping and entertainment district. Its collection of 400 artworks worth more than US$1.2 million, spacious mirror-lined guest rooms and daily laundry service will keep you looking smart and Psy-lish. The Deal Seoul Searching: seven nights in a Standard room, from US$945 for two, through December 26. Save up to 30%. preferredhotels.com. CHINA…

If the U.S. were a pantry cupboard and the states its stock, northern New England would be the bouillon cubes: reliable, sustaining, distilled. This is territory where information is need-to-know, expressions are pointed, and small talk means a minimum of words. Just look at the iconic slogans. Compared with “Vermont, naturally” and New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die,” Maine’s “The Way Life Should Be” is almost effusive. Not that a Mainer would ever make such a declaration. The belief in letting hard work speak for itself—paired with that ruggedly beautiful coast and its balsam-scented air—has drawn me here time and again over the years. And today, stepping from an ever-faster-spinning world into one where the brakes are so consciously applied makes the destination more intoxicating than ever. On my most…