Out of the many places we considered, we settled upon the Tad Xai waterfall at Ban Hatkhai in Borikhamxay province, which lies within the Phou Khaokhouay National Protected Area.

Reached by travelling on Road 13 South, it’s near the border between Vientiane and Borikhamxay province, and is about three hours drive from Vientiane.

We chose this place because we heard that trekking guides are available, which we thought was a good idea because we were by no means experienced trekkers.

I have been to Tad Xai a few times before, but mostly just to have a picnic and enjoy the waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful of the many that are to be found in the national protected area. This was the first time I would be able to explore the area more fully.

We arrived at Ban Hatkhai around 10 am where a local tourist officer was waiting to guide us on the walk. The fee for each of us was 45,000 kip. It was several kilometres from the village to the park itself and some sections of the road were quite rough. Drivers would need a vehicle with good clearance or four-wheel drive.

We arrived at the parking place which was shaded by large trees and bordered by a stream which burbled through various shaped rocks. It would make a good picnic spot and you could also have a dip as the water was not at all deep. A sign pointed the way to Tad Xai waterfall, which could be found at the end of a 400 metre path.

But we were intent on having a long walk so we went in another direction along a small trail which passed through woods, so the tree canopy protected us from the hot sun.

We quickly became immersed in our environment and stopped to look at the unfamiliar plants and flowers that we encountered in profusion.

Our surroundings were so enjoyable that we walked slowly and took loads of photos, forgetting that the purpose of the expedition was to get in training for the strenuous Vangvieng Trail. Never mind, the whole experience was all part of the goal, we told ourselves.

After a while we heard the unmistakable sound of a waterfall, which soon came into view. The water cascaded down from a high cliff, so it is aptly named Pha Xay waterfall, or cliff waterfall. It was one of those hidden gems that you would only encounter by walking deep into this scenic area.

After lingering for a while to enjoy the view and taking more photos, we continued on our way through more oddly-shaped trees and plants and then came to an open field of green grass interspersed with rocks.

Then we were back in the forest again, walking through small and large trees, listening to the sounds of insects and birds against the backdrop of faraway waterfalls, and observing the strange plant life around us. We became engrossed in our surroundings and never had time to feel tired. Now and again we saw groups of colourful butterflies, and stopped to relax near a small stream.

The many streams that traverse the park meant we sometimes had to walk across wooden bridges and near the end of the trail we came upon a mass of different sized boulders piled up on top of each other alongside a large stream overhung with dense foliage.

The tall thick trees were a wonderful sight and created a calming atmosphere so we took a long break and breathed in the smells. We felt we had earned a rest as this was the first trek we had made in this kind of environment.

From here we took a different path back, which led us to the main Tad Xai cascade where most people come to enjoy a picnic.

The waterfall has seven levels over which pours a torrent of foaming white water on its way through Phou Khaokhouay, creating a spectacular sight.

This made another great rest stop and we loitered here for some time before making our way back to the parking area, deeply satisfied with our achievement and our decision to visit this awe-inspiring area.

The Hong Kong Cyclothon is the third and final race in the International Hammer Series after stops in Stavanger, Norway and Limburg, the Netherlands in May and June, respectively.

Launched in 2017, with a recent announcement that one more stage would be added in Colombia in 2020, the Hammer Series is unique team vs team race format with no individual rider rankings.

The Hammer Hong Kong is designed to maximise spectator excitement, with close-up views of 12 UCI WorldTour teams and other professional teams in two thrilling disciplines: the Hammer Sprint and the Hammer Chase.

The all-out races take place on a 3.8km circuit in Tsim Sha Tsui, in the heart of Hong Kong, which serves as spectacular arena for the fast and furious action. The team that crosses the finish line first in the Hammer Chase will win the Hammer Hong Kong, while the team that accumulates the most points in all three Hammer Series races will be crowned overall Hammer Series 2019 Champions.

In addition to the Hammer Series, amateur cyclists from around the world can participate in the equally exciting 30km or 50km rides, and enjoy a breath-taking ride through the diverse cityscape of Hong Kong. Streaking on a bike across Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge and Stonecutters Bridge is a “must-do” for cycling lovers and professionals alike.

Moreover there will be a new riding event, called the Fancy Dress Bike Party. The participants are encouraged to dress in eye-catching outfits (with helmets) to enjoy riding without any limitations, adding a joyous atmosphere to the intense competitions.

The 30km and 50km rides are open to all cyclists. Online registration will be available from 9am on August 7 (Thailand Time). Please visit register.hongkongcyclothon.com

More information on the Hong Kong Cyclothon can be found at www.discoverhongkong.com/Cyclothon.

Located in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park features more than 200 rare animal species from around the world, including the giant panda, golden money, white rhinoceros and antelope.

The park has three main sections – a pedestrian zone, a water adventure facility and a drive-through area.

According to park authorities, the new sanctuary will allow visitors to view the animals in action as many of them, such as the tigers, lions, raccoons and giant anteaters, sleep during the day and forage at night.

Besides viewing the animals, visitors can also participate in animal performances, family activities and purchase souvenirs at the stores.

The water adventure facility, which is the first in China to offer nighttime viewing of aquatic creatures, as well as the Ferris wheel, which is the largest in Shanghai, will also be open during the trial operation period.

A problem that many flyers often experience is flight delays, and it is an issue that costs customers valuable time and money every single year. Traveloka hopes to address one aspect of this problem with a new insurance option.

Flight delays are often unavoidable and apart from the time lost, passengers may also have their vacation or business disrupted.

According to Transportation Ministry data on the on-time performance of airlines in the first half of 2018, out of the 415,961 flights taking off during that period, 21 percent (87,509) were delayed, Traveloka said in a press release.

The high number of flight delays prompted Traveloka to offer On-Time Protection, an insurance product that will compensate passengers if their flights are delayed for more than 90 minutes.

Traveloka’s head of global partnership, Yady Guitana, said in a statement that the company wanted each consumer to have a seamless traveling experience, and it would constantly innovate through various features and services.

For the remainder of July, passengers can purchase On-Time Protection with their booking for the price of Rp 9,900 (US$ 0.70) and receive a compensation of Rp 600,000 for flight delays of more than 90 minutes.

Eligible passengers will automatically receive an SMS notification or email for them to submit their claim online.

The research reinforces that travellers of all ages are embracing an eco-escape and Gen Z (those between the ages of 16 and 24) are no exception, the company said

“They, too, plan to be conscious travellers with a desire to ‘give back’ – whether that’s to the communities they visit, or by making decisions designed to help protect our planet,” the company said.

“Gen Z are determined to give back, making them the generation most interested in volunteering as a travel experience (37 per cent versus 31 per cent of global average). Meanwhile 53 per cent of Thai Gen Z is interested in volunteering. More than half (57 per cent) of Thai Gen Z travellers that haven’t volunteered before would be open to doing it on a future trip (62 per cent female versus 53 per cent male) and six in ten of Gen Z stated that they believe it is important to them to give back to the local community when travelling (59 per cent).

“When planning their next trip, Gen Z indicated that they are mindful of the planet and the effect their decisions have on it, with over two-thirds (69 per cent) stating that the environmental impact travelling has on destinations is an important factor that needs to be considered when travelling.

“What’s surprising, though, is that Gen Z is actually slightly lower than other generations. When looking at over-tourism specifically, 67 per cent of Gen Z would consider not visiting a destination if they knew it was threatened to be damaged due to over-tourism, meaning baby boomer (those aged over 55, 70 per cent) and Gen X (those aged 40-54, 69 per cent) and millennials (those aged 25-39, 68 per cent) ranked higher.”

Some 67 per cent of Thai Gen Z travellers have good intentions, stating that when it comes to planning and booking travel they would want to stay in a green/eco-friendly accommodation.

“However, this is actually the lowest when compared to older generations as baby boomers are the most likely (85 per cent) to opt for an eco-mmodation, followed by millennials (79 per cent) and Gen X (75 per cent),” the company said.

“Over half (51 per cent) of global travellers of all ages would choose to reduce their carbon footprint by limiting the distance travelled and this number increases further once Gen Z have arrived, as 63 per cent state they would use more environmentally friendly means of transportation, such as hybrid / electric rental cars, public transport, walking or biking, once they are at their destination. This good intention even more for Thai Gen Z (68 per cent). Although accelerating in the right direction for sustainable travel, older generations in Thailand are ahead again with 82 per cent of baby boomers, 75 per cent of millennials and 70 per cent of Gen X likely to choose sustainable travel options when planning and booking their travel.”

Although Gen Z is a generation of good intentions and aware of the impact their travel could have on the environment, they have big shoes to fill as this Booking.com research reveals that in some aspects of travel it is older travellers who have sustainable travel more figured out.

Related story: Gen Z aims to fly solo

The company will launch two new operations in the Kiwi market in late 2020, with the launch of Swiss-Belhotel & Residences Queenstown, and the younger, more value-conscious brand Zest Queenstown by Swiss-Belhotel both opening at the same time.

Swiss-Belhotel International already operates 10 Zest properties in Indonesia and this will be the first Zest to open in New Zealand.

Expansion in Australasia will see the company take investment positions through property ownership, management rights and leases, as well as management contracts. The group is currently working with several international investment funds to grow the capital structure of Swiss-Belhotel International. This will enable the group to take advantage of further investment opportunities in growing markets, such as New Zealand and Australia.

These developments are part of the continuing strategic expansion of Swiss-Belhotel International in New Zealand, supporting the growing tourism numbers in this market.

“We have real confidence in the tourism industry in New Zealand – particularly in Queenstown, which requires new infrastructure to keep up with visitor demand,” Gavin M Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International wrote in the recent press release. “We are committed to looking at further opportunities in the local market.”

The hotel management company is also in discussion with developers in Australia and will be making announcements regarding hotel developments within the next six months.

Owned and operated by New Zealander Gavin Faull, Swiss-Belhotel launched its first hotel in Queenstown in 2013 with Swiss-Belresort Coronet Peak. It then expanded into Auckland in 2016 with the opening of Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park and further with the acquisition of Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown in 2017. The new properties will increase the company’s Australasian offering to eight hotels.

Swiss-Belhotel International currently has 150 hotels and projects in 22 countries around the globe. With five properties in New Zealand expected by the end of 2020, the local market is currently a critical part of the group’s development.

The New Zealand-owned otel management company offers a unique proposition in New Zealand and one that is attracting the interest of developers and investors. It is also internationally placed with a corporate head office in Hong Kong – ensuring it has a lot to offer when attracting international tourists to New Zealand.

With Queenstown visitor numbers reaching three million annually, the new hotel properties will deliver an additional 437 rooms to Queenstown, ensuring the popular tourist destination can keep up with increasing visitor numbers.

Summer means one thing beyond all else: vacation season.

The good news for BTS fans around the world traveling to the Korean Peninsula to visit the septet’s homeland is that there are many great “BTS destinations” to hit.

Earlier this month, the Korea Tourism Organization announced the top 10 BTS-related locations fans want to visit, based on a poll conducted with 22,272 fans from 137 countries.

Here are the top 10 places to start checking off your list. Plan ahead for your BTS pilgrimage now.

1. Hyangho Beach bus stop

A bus stop overlooking Hyangho Beach in the Jumunjin district of Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is a special place, accruing 21.8 percent of votes in the poll.

Dubbed “Bangtan Bus Stop,” BTS shot the album cover here for You Never Walk Alone in 2017. The romantic spot, which is not a real bus stop, was initially built just for the album. But after an influx of fans, the city set up the faux bus stop by the beach for fans and tourists to reenact the scene in their own photos.

Besides the bus stop, Jumunjin is a perfect place for summer vacation to swim, surf and enjoy the sandy beach. Hyangho beach is relatively clean and less crowded than other popular beaches around the East Sea.

2. Dadaepo Beach

Dadaepo Beach in the southern port city of Busan ranked second with 12.2 percent of votes.

Located in the hometown of Jimin and Jungkook, the serene beach is where Jimin walked around and filmed a vlog in January 2016 while he was visiting friends and family back home.

“I heard the sunset is really pretty here so I came. It’s really beautiful,” said Jimin in the video, showing viewers the scenic shore and sunset. He also made a wish, hoping the band would get whatever they wish and become famous. He wished for the band’s Army, the BTS fandom, to be healthy and happy.

Make sure to check for the sunset time when visiting the beach, and enjoy great seafood in the city.

3. Metasequoia road

The beautiful Metasequoia tree-lined road in South Jeolla Province, which earned 12.1 percent of votes, is where BTS leader RM visited in March this year. The wide beautiful path located in Damyang is known as one of the most scenic roads in Korea, thanks to a state-run project that planted Metasquoia trees, aka dawn redwoods, along the 8.5-kilometer stretch in the 1970s.

The street is especially popular during the summer season for its lush green leaves and in fall, when it turns red and yellow. RM was spotted enjoying his break riding a bicycle around the area, eating cotton candy and posing in the bamboo forest that the city is known for.

4. Line Friends flagship store in Itaewon

For BTS fans who want to stock up on merchandise of BT21, the collaborative character series created by BTS and Naver’s Line, check out the flagship store in Seoul’s bustling Itaewon district. Inside the three-story store, cute and charming BT21 characters — designed after each of the band’s members — are everywhere, with photo spots, cafes and BTS music on in the background.

After shopping, check out the Itaewon district known for its cultural diversity, trendy restaurants, bars and shopping spots.

Read also: Hyangho Beach bus stop dubbed BTS fans’ number one destination

5. Iryeong Station

This closed train station in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, is a popular spot for BTS fans wanting to visit the scene of the “Spring Day” music video.

In the clip, V walks into the middle of a snow-capped railway, leaning down to the ground to listen. Try planning a visit when it snows to get a close view of the quiet station just like in the music video. The rusty signboards and faded slate roof lend to a vintage retro ambience.

6. Yoojung Sikdang

This must-go restaurant for BTS fans is located in Gangnam in southern Seoul, close to the dance studio where BTS would spend their days practicing. The bandmates came to eat almost every day for nearly two years beginning in their trainee days.

BTS memorabilia is now on display, coming from fans from all over the world visiting the eatery. Popular dishes here are bibimbap, stir-fried spicy pork and sausage stew, among others. On dish earned the nickname “Bangtan Bibimbap” because the band loved the option so much.

One of the tables is also marked with stickers for where the bandmates would sit.

7. Schools attended by BTS

From elementary school to middle school, high school and even university, the schools that the members of BTS attended across the country were selected with 4.5 percent of votes. The list is as follows.

RM: Baekshin Elementary School, Ohma Elementary School, Shinil Middle School, Ilsan Daejin High School, Apgujeong High School, Global Cyber University

Jin: Bosung Middle School, Bosung High School, Konkuk University, Global Cyber University, Hanyang Cyber University Graduate School

Suga: Taejeon Elementary School, Gwaneum Middle School, Kangbuk High School, Apgujeong High School, Global Cyber University

J-Hope: Seoil Elementary School, Ilgok Middle School, Gwangju Gukje High School, Global Cyber University

Jimin: Heodong Elementary School, Yoonsan Middle School, Busan High School of Arts, Korea Arts High School, Global Cyber University

V: Changnam Elementary School, Geochang Middle School, Daegu First High School, Korean Arts High School, Global Cyber University

Jungkook: Baekyang Elementary School, Baekyang Middle School, Shingu Middle School, School of Performing Arts High School, Global Cyber University

8. Hyangiram

RM visited this small Buddhist temple at the very southern tip of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, earlier this year.

Visitors can walk around the historic hermitage located high the cliff that provides one of the best views of the South Sea. The temple offers the best sunrise and sunset views overlooking the panoramic ocean. RM, during his visit, wrote two wishes: “BTS going to Grammys” — that came true — and entering KAIST graduate school.

9. Laundry Pizza

The pizza place in Gangnam is where BTS shot their concept photos for the Love Yourself: Her album in 2017.

The laundry-themed restaurant’s colorful interior and unique concept has attracted many other K-pop groups and celebrities for photo shoots as well. The eatery sells both slices and whole pizzas, including popular options of cheese, pepperoni, potato, mac and cheese and spinach bacon.

Inside the restaurant, visitors can see BTS pictures that were taken at the very location.

10. Banpo Hangang Park

This popular local attraction by the Han River was featured in “BTS’ Life in Seoul,” a short promotional video of Seoul created by the capital city.

In the footage, which highlights some of the city’s hottest attractions, BTS enjoys a picnic with delivery foods like pizza and chicken at the park overlooking the river. “People in Seoul turn park into restaurant if there is something they want to eat,” the band says in the clip.

There are many activities for everyone, including cycling on the bike paths, jogging, camping and a famous water fountain show from the Banpo Bridge in the evening.

For those inspired by the adventures they see on screen and want to explore the circle of life off-screen, Booking.com has curated a list of safari stays for anyone who’d like to admire the wildlife in their natural habitat.

Laikipia County in Kenya, which inspired the original film, is home to a community of various endangered species including black rhinos, grevy’s zebras, wild dog packs and more than 2,000 elephants. Not only are there a variety of safari options to choose from, but the area also boasts various conservation and education programmes where travellers can learn about wildlife conservation. Stay at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club for a safari experience with a luxurious touch. Located in lush green surroundings on the outskirts of Mount Kenya National Park and a short walk from Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, it’s perfect for those travelling with youngsters as the club also hosts a children’s play area, tennis courts and cycling for all ages.

Or you might choose South Africa’s Amakhala Game Reserve. Located on the Eastern Cape, he reserve is a unique conservation initiative that allows animals to be re-introduced to the area where they once roamed freely, making a contribution to the conservation of the area’s natural heritage. Guests can stay in different properties within the reserve, enjoy day safari excursions and visit the craft centre where unemployed members of the local community are given an opportunity to generate an income on site by creating souvenirs and gifts. Check out the Mapito Tented Camp Serengeti with its luxury style tents surrounded by panoramic scenes for a truly wild experience, making your trip to Serengeti an unforgettable one.

In Tanzania, Arusha is located at the base of volcanic Mount Meru, and the city’s national park is home to buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and baboons. Within the park, visitors can find Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, and if lucky enough, can catch a glimpse of Africa’s Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and Cape buffalos) in their natural habitat. As well as being a gateway to safari destinations, the city itself is known for its vibrant nightlife and is home to its own National Natural History Museum. Mambo Arusha Hostel is the perfect base for those returning from a day of adventuring on safari. This quaint hostel boasts a beautiful outside garden, a shared lounge and a mixture of shared dorm rooms and private rooms. The hostel is also just a short drive from the city, with bikes available to rent for those keen to explore the area on two wheels.

Namutoni in Namibia is perfect for those for an authentic safari stay. Located within Etosha National Park, visitors can experience being the other side of the fence, with the King Nehale Waterhole offering a unique vantage point, with people being fenced in and the animals wandering around freely. Stay at Mokuti Etosha Lodge, a short drive from the eastern Von Lindequist gate entrance of the Etosha National Park. Adorned with Namibian crafts and rich fabrics throughout the spacious accommodation, the place offers visitors two outdoor pools, tennis courts and a spa. The open-air Boma Restaurant onsite serves African grill delicacies in a magical setting with its thatched roof and chandeliers.

Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa is among the largest of the parks in South Africa. Just two hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the park is a popular destination for those hoping to catch a glimpse of Africa’s Big Five. Visitors can explore nearly 200 kilometres on self or guided game drives, with several hides along the way to allow visitors to feel even closer to the action. African Elegance Tented Lodge is an alternative accommodation option in Boshoek. These luxury tents, which are equipped with a seating areas and private bathrooms, are the perfect base to explore the Lesedi African Cultural Village, a flagship cultural tourism destination for visitors interested in learning more about South Africa’s traditional culture.

Population rebounds

Tsurigasaki Beach in Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture, is crowded with beachgoers and surfers in summer. The “Surfer Street” along the coast, lined with shops and restaurants, is a famous surfers’ gathering spot that attracts 630,000 visitors a year. However, with enthusiasts describing it as “not as well known as Shonan” — a popular surfing area in Kanagawa Prefecture — lack of recognition was seen as a weak point.

Now the Tokyo Olympics is attracting attention to the town. In 2016, when surfing was officially added to the Olympic program, the town launched a special website, ichinomiya-surftown.jp. That year, the beach was chosen as the 2020 Olympic surfing venue. The town touts its waves as stable throughout the year, saying they can be enjoyed by beginning surfers as well as advanced ones.

To attract people to visit or live in Ichinomiya, the town government established a community planning company in August 2016 in cooperation with the private sector. It rented vacant shops in the center of the town and invited some businesses, including a ramen shop, from outside the town. In 2018, it began renting surfboards, and bicycles equipped to carry boards to the beach, at a tourist information center in front of JR Kazusaichinomiya Station.

The decline in the town’s population was reversed in 2018. The number of children at an elementary school near the seashore increased by 20 percent to 148 this spring. The challenge is to ensure that more residents settle down in the area in the future. “It’s necessary to take measures to allow people to settle down for good, instead of just having temporary popularity,” a town official said.

From snow to cement

Murakami, Niigata Prefecture, is aiming to become a “sacred place” for skateboarding, which also was officially approved as a new sport in 2016.

Murakami is the hometown of snowboarder Ayumu Hirano, 20, who won silver medals in the halfpipe at two consecutive Winter Olympics. When Hirano announced that he would try for the Tokyo Olympics in skateboarding, there was a growing sense of excitement in the local community.

This spring, the city built an indoor facility, Murakami City Skate Park, at a total cost of about ¥1.55 billion. The facility has a bowl-shaped “park” designed for international competitions, and a “street” with stairs and pipes. In May, the National Championships were held there, and in June, the Indonesian national team used it for a training camp.

More athletes are being trained there, and use by the public has expanded. “It’s an enriched environment. I want to practice a lot and participate in a big competition,” said Mundo Sato, a first-year junior high school student from Niigata city, who took part in a trial class.

Big-time biking

In October 2018, the town government of Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, built a facility for BMX cycling and other sports, called Pumptrack Samukawa, in a town park. In April this year, an international sports event including BMX races was held there, attracting 25,000 visitors in three days, a figure equivalent to more than half of the town’s population. The municipal government succeeded in attracting the event, previously held in Kobe, by promoting the Pumptrack.

Some townspeople are seen as promising candidates for the Tokyo Olympics. The town plans to increase the number of participants by offering classes and events for beginners.