WITH THE air pollution in Bangkok at its highest, I unfold my map and search for a place where I can breathe more easily. My usual refuge of Chiang Mai seems to be even more affected than the capital city, so I opt for the Philippines, picking the diving paradise of Malapascua Island for a well-earned winter break.

We land at Mactan International Airport on Cebu Island then grab a cab to take us on the three-hour drive to Maya Port. From there, it’s an easy crossing to the island on a traditional Filipino Bangca boat, a long thin vessel with a central hull and a solid, buoyant wooden outrigger made from bamboo sticking out from both sides.

The beach is dotted with colourful Bangca fishing boats in late afternoon. 

Even with the light drizzle, the emerald waters are so clear that we can clearly see the coral reefs that seem to stretch for miles. The sun comes out just as our boat drops anchor at Malapascua Island off Cebu’s northern tip, where we have booked ourselves an exclusive four-day programme of scuba diving.

Spread over two square kilometres, this idyllic island is covered with flatlands to the south while the northwest is home to a cape and small green hills. Its name translate as Bad Easter and legend has it that some Spanish sailors found themselves marooned on Lagon Island after a storm sank their ship on Christmas Day in the 15th century and, presumably because they were stuck there until at least Easter, renamed it Malapascua.

In the 1980s, the first underwater explorers discovered a gigantic submarine plateau called the Monad Shoal, which was home to a wide variety of marine creatures and coral reefs at depths from 14 to more than 100 metres, making it a world-class diving destination.

Focusing on sustainable tourism, the diving shops are careful in their management of marine tours and take good care of both the environment and the tourists who come to admire it.

A thresher shark appears to greet visitors at Monad Shoal. 

We’re up before first light and clamber aboard a boat for the 30-minute cruise to Monad Shoal. Equipped with air tanks, our group of divers jumps into the water and finds the best spot to watch the thresher sharks as they enjoy a relaxing spa session.

We hold on to a long rope that’s stretched around the underwater cliff and kneel down in the indicated positions just a few metres away from the teeming marine life. A lot of blue streak cleaner wrasses and moon wrasses are busy cleaning the thresher sharks’ mouths and getting rid of parasites and dead cells.

An ancient species, the long-tailed thresher-like sharks are considered predators. Also known as the fox shark and ninja shark in a nod to their big round eyes and sly behaviour, the threshers have been in existence for 49 million years and are found in all temperate and tropical oceans though Monad Shoal is the only place where visitors can spot the pelagic thresher sharks that can grow up to three metres in length.

We look up to the surface and spot manta rays, eagle rays, turtles and squids, while the thresher sharks wave their fins and meander behind us.

A shoal of blue streak cleaner wrasses and moon wrasses groom the thresher sharks.

Returning to Malapascua in the late morning, we have breakfast and prepare our equipment for the next dive. This is located to the far north of Malapascua and is a 45-minute boat ride away. The area is known as Gato Island – the name coming from its resemblance to a cat crouched low on its haunches.

A lofty limestone cliff towers above us as we dive through a tunnel to a mysterious sea cave, which is home to skeleton shrimps and on this occasion, three white tip reef sharks taking a nap. The seabed is blanketed with diverse corals in different colours around which schools of blue- ringed octopus, colourful frogfish and sea snakes feed and play.

Other popular dive sites in the area include Kemod Shoal where it’s possible to catch a glimpse of hammerhead sharks and devil rays and Kalangaman Island, which boasts a pristine beach popular for picnics.

A little Bobtail hunts for his dinner

Back at our resort on Malapascua Island, we rest up for the next dive, a sunset excursion to Lighthouse Reef, a 15-minute boat ride from Bounty Beach.

Under the beam of a dim red light, we observe mandarin fish mating – the females releasing some eggs and males fertilising them. We also spot a school of seahorses in yellow, red and brown floating amid hard coral reefs.

Next morning, we wake up to spectacular sunrise over the turquoise waters and hire bikes to cycle around Malapascua to admire the local life. The narrow lanes lead us to the white sand beaches and the Lighthouse, a perfect backdrop for selfies.

Standing alongside its namesake beach, Guimbitayan village is inhabited by local fishermen, who stick to the old traditions and a simple way of life. They still interweave fishhooks by hands and build and repair their own boats with traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.

A fresh market is set up in the middle of the hamlet, selling a wide range of seafood and local dishes at reasonable prices. The island might be remote but the villagers have access to public utilities and education. And with the number of tourists steadily growing, boutique resorts, guesthouse, restaurants, diving centres, schools and even a health care centre have sprung up, making this a perfect destination for families as well as backpackers.

IF YOU GO

>> Several airlines operate direct flights from Bangkok to Cebu Island. Visitors can travel to Maya Port by bus or taxi. Prices ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 pesos (Bt1,830 to Bt3,100).

>> The Maya New Port provides Bangca boat transfer to Malapascua Island. The fare starts at 100 peso (Bt60) per person.

>> Find out more details at http://www.TourismPhilippines.com.au.

BUTTERFLIES FLUTTER around centuries-old olive groves in Vinci, the Tuscan village where Leonardo da Vinci was born and honed his inventor skills as a child by studying the local flora and fauna.

Locals preparing to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death say little has changed among the vineyards, lush fields and brooks that appeared in his art.

A general view taken from the Conti Guidi castle (Castello dei Conti Guidi) shows the Santa Croce church in Vinci, the Tuscan village where Leonardo Da Vinci was born./AFP

The Renaissance polymath, whose most famous works include the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper but whose vast range of talents is legendary, drew lifelong inspiration from his humble rural upbringing, according to experts.

“The landscapes, impressions and interests that influenced Leonardo throughout his life remain almost intact,” says Roberta Barsanti, director of the Leonardian Museum of Vinci.

“From his native house, set away from the village, we can still see the view he reproduced in ‘Landscape’, his earliest-known drawing, which he dated August 5, 1473,” she said.

Born on April 15, 1452, from an illegitimate liaison between a notary and a teenage peasant girl, Leonardo was raised by his grandfather and uncle.

A Leonardo Da Vinci look alike, left, is pictured in Vinci. /AFP

It was with them that he explored the surrounding countryside, studying and sketching insects, animals, plants and flowers.

The natural world was a rich source of ideas for the prolific and imaginative inventor, who designed machines that would only be built centuries later – from tanks to telescopes, flying machines to scuba gear.

Da Vinci was fascinated by the mills around Vinci and the various rivers that fed them.

The Tuscan master, who left Vinci and moved some 30 kilometres away to the city of Florence as a teenager, would go on to study hydraulic energy and its mechanical applications, as shown in his many drawings on this subject.

Da Vinci, who would draw himself in self-portraits with a stern brow and flowing beard, also developed a passion for anatomy, architecture, music, painting and sculpture.

People visit the Leonardo Da Vinci museum in Vinci./AFP

Experts say the rhythms of Vinci life – and even the colloquialisms of the rural inhabitants – echo throughout his later works. “Leonardo is the expression of a territory. He has internalised many things about this land, starting with the world of peasants,” says Nicola Baronti, president of the “Vinci nel cuore” (“Vinci in the heart”) association.

“When he draws his inventions, he uses the language of Vinci’s peasants, and has thus immortalised terms still used in engineering world-wide,” he adds.

Tourists who visit Vinci can walk the paths he trod five centuries earlier, and gaze upon the same waterfalls or vineyards.

Baronti, a local history buff, says numerous devotees had been drawn to Vinci over the centuries, including many eccentric inventors who feel an affinity with the Renaissance pioneer.

A tourist looks at a souvenir shop in Vinci./AFP

A few years ago, he says, an American dressed all in white wandered the streets of the village claiming to be in contact with da Vinci, who died on May 2, 1519.

The village takes its name from the “Vinchio” willow tree, whose soft branches were used by farmers to tie their grape vines.

The pattern of the knots typical in Tuscany since the 11th century is a familiar artistic motif – plaster peeling off the walls in a nearby church in San Pantaleo recently revealed the ancient design beneath.

“These interlacing threads, which recall the wicker braids specific to Leonardo’s native village, can be found in his paintings, even on the corsage of the Mona Lisa,” Baronti says.

“It is the master’s secret signature, as if he were telling us ‘I left, that is true, but this is where I come from’.”

Spring has long been the best time to visit South Korea for Thais, not only because the cool weather offers a welcome respite from the searing heat back home but also because it bathes the country in lights and sights that are a real treat for sore eyes.

So it came as little surprise during a media familiarisation trip organised last month to bump into large groups of Thai tourists at several tourist attractions.

For this reporter, one of the biggest delights of the trip was the chance to admire the cherry blossoms known as sakura in Japanese and beojkkoch in Korean that paint the capital Seoul and its surrounds a delicate pale pink.

The largest concentration can be found at Incheon Grand Park, the city’s biggest park boasting wide walkways, a botanical garden, bicycle trails, a lake, sledding hill and a children’s zoo, and whose long line of cherry trees gives the Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival at Yeouido Park a run for its money. Both parks are packed this time of year with both local and foreign tourists.

Seoul has many hip areas to visit and this time, I am taken to Songwol-dong Fairytale Village, a hidden gem in Incheon adjacent to Chinatown. This village is part of the government’s plan to revive dilapidated housing areas just as it has with Gamcheon Cultural Village in Busan.

Arriving at the village’s vibrant rainbow-coloured gate, there’s a sense of travelling back in time to childhood and the world of fairytales and stories. Murals featuring a myriad of characters including the Disney Princesses, the Wizard of Oz, and the animals on Noah’s Ark, cover every surface – walls, lampposts, pipes, stairways and the ground.

Equally trendy is Ikseongdong Hanok Alley, home to a wide selection of cafes decorated in both traditional and modern styles from which emanate the fragrant aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread and cheesecake. Interspersed with the coffee shops are restaurants and a few fashion boutiques.

We rise early the next day to board a bus that takes us out of Seoul City to Yongin. This city of one million is home to South Korea’s most popular amusement and water parks Everland and Caribbean Bay, as well as to the Korean Folk Village and Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park, an outdoor film set owned by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation.

With the Korean Wave, or hallyu, still riding high, the country’s movie industry has grown into one of the world’s largest and busiest movie markets, as evidenced by the size of the park, which is so immense that visitors would do well to ask the ticket office for a map. I walk up the hill towards the traditional entrance and head to the studio set of the famous drama, “Dae Jang Geum” (“Jewel in the Palace”), about a small peasant girl named Jang Geum, who became a famous king’s cook and a doctor. The set is large, boasting an office, kitchen, giant spice storage jars, a supersize pantry, a pavilion used for sleeping and a room for servants as well as standees of Jang Geum and other characters.

Continuing up the hill, I come across the complex featuring permanent sets. This has everything from houses, palaces, marketplaces selling vegetables and fruits, tools, musical instruments to paper umbrellas and tea sets, city walls, gates, gardens, ponds, even prisons as they looked in the Samguk, Goryeo and Joseon kingdoms. Among the dramas filmed here are such big names as “The Scholar Who Walks the Night”, “Empress Ki”, “Arang and the Magistrate”, “Dong Yi”, “The Moon Embracing the Sun”, “Jumong”, “Queen Seondeok”, and “Flower in Prison”. The Anyangru Pavilion used for “The Great Queen Seondeok” in 2009 sits at the top of the hill and offers a panoramic view of the whole complex.

Leaving the park, we head to Yangsuri Strawberry Farm where we’re invited to pick the fruit and sample them as well as rice cakes and jam made of strawberries.

After a much-needed night’s rest, we’re back on the bus, this time heading to Pyeongchang, site of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. A popular film location, it starred in the popular K-drama “Dokkaebi” (“Goblin: The Lonely and Great God”) and is home to the ski resorts of Alpensia and Yongpyong as well as Woljeongsa Temple, which is located in Odaesan National Park.

Woljeongsa Temple, meaning “Moon Vitality Temple” in English, sits on the eastern slopes of Odaesan and with thousands of needle fir-trees is a popular hiking spot.

A stone bridge straddles the stream on the path to two temples, Sangwonsa and Seonjaegil. We pass through the splendid dancheong of the Ilijumun gate at the entrance of Woljeongsa and walk through a tunnel of colourful lanterns.

The national park contains a number of important cultural heritage sites such as the octagonal nine-storey stone pagoda at Woljeongsa Temple, which stands alongside a seated stone Bodhisattva making an offering in front of the main worship hall. Other sights well worth admiring include Manjusri, the bronze bell, the wooden statue of a seated child at Sangwonsa Temple, and documents written during its restoration.

Our last destination of the day is Yongpyong Ski Resort, which is hosting the three-day April Snow 2019. The event features a sledding competition, a hanbok (traditional Korean costume) experience and a Korean food workshop and has drawn several groups of Thai tourists easily identifiable by their excited chatter.

I go sledding twice before boarding the cable car for the 20-minute ride to Dragon’s Peak. Alighting at Yongpyong Alpine Centre, the first thing I see is a picture from a scene of world-famous K-drama “Winter Sonata”, which aired more than 10 years ago.

It’s chilly outside the centre and the thrill of seeing snow but the breathtaking view from the summit of Balwangsan Mountain make the shivers worthwhile.

IF YOU GO

– For package details, call the Korea Tourism Organisation Thailand at (02) 611 27312, or visit http://www.Kto.or.th and its Facebook and Instagram walls.

Does the prospect of waking up to an endless horizon of azure waters, imposing mountain peaks or rolling verdant hills make you want to pack your bags and plan the perfect escape? If so, you’re definitely not alone – 86 per cent of Thai travellers say that outstanding natural scenery is one of their primary motivations for picking a destination for an upcoming trip.

Outstanding natural scenery, according to the survey of Booking.com, is one of the primary motivations for picking a destination for an upcoming trip of tourists. Six sensational stays that have been specially designed to make the most of the picturesque locations are thus recommended. From glass cabins to desert domes, these unique getaways magically merge with their surroundings and blend the borders between accommodation and nature, so that nothing stands between you and the breathtaking landscape that inspired you to travel in the first place.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

 The barren wilderness of Wadi Rum is made up of craggy canyons and orange earth, so pockmarked and rugged that it resembles the surface of the moon. The best way to immerse yourself in these stunning surroundings is to stay in a geodesic dome at the base of one of the desert’s many dazzling rock formations. Sun City Camp is a great base to explore the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum. Their “Martian tent” will provide you with a unique camping experience and panoramic views that you’ll never forget.

Bois Cheri, Mauritius

Located at a historic and picturesque spot along the Mauritian Tea Route, Bubble Lodge Bois Cheri is a transparent oasis in the middle of a working tea estate. Surrounded by lush foliage, the bubble rooms are all decorated in earthy tones and natural fabrics. Whether gazing at the myriad of stars that are visible through the rain forest canopy or simply daydreaming amongst the leaves, every moment is a tranquil treat in the heart of this tropical paradise. You can also visit the nearby tea factory to learn everything about tea production in Mauritius and savour one of their delicious signature tea blends for yourself.

Baa Atoll, Maldives

For uninterrupted 180-degree views of sparkling turquoise water as far as the eye can see, the private villas at Milaidhoo Island Maldives are the stuff that dreams are made of. This boutique luxury escape even has its own coral reef and is located in a Unesco-protected biosphere reserve. Bedecked with abundant tropical greenery, the island is fringed with wide, white sandy beaches with crystalclear waters that are ideal for snorkelling and diving. Best of all, with the barefoot informality that you’re afforded at this secluded getaway, you can laze away the hours on your private sundeck waiting for one of many epic sunsets over the Indian Ocean that you’re sure to enjoy during your stay.

Waipara, New Zealand

Magnificent conditions for stargazing and uninterrupted views of the pristine New Zealand countryside await at Greystone PurePod, a luxury glass eco-cabin set high above a beautiful organic winery in the Waipara Valley. Made of heavy-duty glass, this fully self-contained, solar-powered, environmentally sustainable holiday home enables you to enjoy awe-inspiring panoramas of the rural landscape from every direction, all from the comfort of your bed.

Guilin, China

Known for its iconic limestone hills and winding waterways, Guilin is a magical, must-see area of the Guangxi region in southern China. With giant windows that provide floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding countryside, Heshe Hotel is a hidden gem. It’s also just steps away from one of the region’s most popular natural attractions, the Reed Flute Cave. At over 180 million years old, the stalagmites, stalactites and other rock formations in the cave have been attracting visitors for more than 1,200 years – at least according to the earliest inscriptions that still adorn its walls in ink.

Nordskot, Norway

Set in a remote location on the tiny island of Manshausen off the northwest coast of Norway, the minimalist sea cabins at this Nordic retreat (Manshausen Island) feature sleek sitting rooms encased entirely in glass on three sides. Perched over the edge of the water, they create an illusion akin to floating in mid-air, completely surrounded by sea, sky and the rugged hills of the other small neighbouring islands. The ultimate in seclusion and serenity, the property features an openair hot tub to soak away your stress. And if you visit in winter, you can almost guarantee a spectacular frontrow seat to enjoy the Northern Lights dance across the distant horizon.

Travellers can enjoy special rates starting from Bt2,265 one way for booking and travelling from now until October. Taichung is at the centre of Taiwan and is known as a city of arts and Taiwan’s cultural hub.

Discover the culture around the city by visiting the National Taiwan Museum, one of the largest museums in Asia or learn more about the people of Taiwan by visiting the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. The biggest night market in Taiwan ‘Feng Chia Night Market’ is also a major attraction of this city.

Check out the flight timings at http://www.VietjetAir.com.