Organised by the Nara Foundation, the festival was once touted by CNN as one of the “Seven Wonders of Winter” and this year runs from January 6 to 28 in and around Hwacheon Stream, 120 kilometres northeast of Seoul.

As many as one million people will head to the town, which has a population of 27,000, to drop a line through a hole in the ice and catch “sancheoneo” – a species of trout that lives only in the very freshest of water.

Dressed in T-shirts and shorts, visitors will jump into the icy water to catch fish with their bare hands as the mercury plummets to a low of -10 degrees Celsius.

The festival’s success can be put down to two factors: first that the rivers freeze earliest in Hwacheon and second, the well-preserved nature that the sancheoneo inhabit.

Launched in 2003, the festival has retained the title of South Korea’s most representative festival for the fourth consecutive year. It has drawn more than one million tourists, including foreign visitors, for 11 years in a row, joining the list of the world’s four most famous winter festivals alongside Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival, China’s Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival and Canada’s Quebec Winter Carnival.

The 10-minute Musical Fireworks, which will be broadcast to the entire world via a satellite feed, will be presented at an unprecedented scale, spanning a 35-per-cent wider display area, and incorporating a fascinating collection of pyrotechnics, fireworks, sound and lighting effects.

The numerals “2018” will be displayed on the facade of the featured landmark Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, when palettes of pyrotechnics and fireworks will be launched from barges at the Victoria Harbour, and rooftops of buildings on the Hong Kong Island.

Launched at various elevations above sea level, the stunning fireworks display will turn the skyline into a variety of vibrant colours. It will also be illuminated with “Magical Star Dusts” by using the fireworks from a European award-winning fireworks maker for the first time. The scene is inspired by dancing fairies scattering magical star dust over the iconic Victoria Harbour, signifying New Year’s blessings to the city.

To steam up the festive mood on New Year’s Eve, the Australian performing arts group Strange Fruit will present a spectacular performance from 10pm at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier. The award-winning group has made appearances at various events worldwide and they will greet Hong Kong with a global debut of their brand-new performance “Deco-Sphere”. Performers will sway and dance with elegance on gigantic orbs of two-metres in diameter on five-metre poles, delivering an exotic feat incorporating theatrical, choreographical and circus entertainment

Members of the public will get a chance to “make a wish” upon the pyrotechnic “shooting stars” presented in four different colours, which symbolise love, health, happiness and wealth respectively. The sparkling stars will be launched every 15 minutes from 11pm onwards from the rooftops of five participating buildings on Hong Kong Island.

Find out more by logging on to http://www.DiscoverHongKong.com/countdown.

Statue Square Christmas Tree

Hong Kong’s skyline will shine with more glamour than usual as buildings get dressed up for the festive occasion.

Soak up the romantic ambience under the dazzling Statue Square Christmas Tree, standing in a forest of glittering skyscrapers in the heart of the city. Santa Claus and his friends will be making a number of visits that will delight the kids while Christmas choirs will be filling the air with classic carols.

Until January 1, MTR station Central, Exit K

Spectacular Light Shows

At Victoria Harbour, “A Symphony of Lights” is a magnificent display of dynamic lights synchronised to music. It was named the world’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show in Guinness World Records in 2005.

This year a new light show with music performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will be unveiled, with more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour erupting in a sensational spectacle.

In addition, for a magnificent splash of colour, the Hong Kong Pulse Light Show (until 28 December) is an exhilarating multimedia performance with spectacular lighting effects, 3D projection mapping, music and sound effects at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Open Piazza.

MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit L6 or J or MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit E, and follow the signs to the Cultural Centre

Hong Kong Disneyland

For children of all ages, you can’t miss a joyful visit to Disneyland. This breathtaking winter wonderland will be filled with Yuletide carols, magical lights, shimmering snowflakes and more.

Take selfies with your favourite Disney friends dressed in their holiday finery. This will also be an excellent chance to experience a White Christmas with festive Disney magic from day to night.

Until January 1, MTR station Disneyland Resort

Ocean Park Christmas Sensation

At Ocean Park, this year’s celebration will be marked by the first-ever virtual reality roller-coaster ride in Hong Kong, where thrill-seeking guests can don VR headsets and feel a surge of multisensory excitement during the ride. Several VR game zones have been set up to test the speed and strength of guests in action-packed game challenges.

Don’t miss the “Christmas Sensation”, with the park’s 40-foot tree, Santa’s Cottage, Garden of Romance and artificial snow, and the Christmas market, with its great gift inspirations. Catch the angelic choir performing classic carols and all-time favourites every night.

Until January 1, MTR station Ocean Park

Christmas in the Air at Harbour City

One of the top attractions during the season is the annual Christmas lighting display at Harbour City. With this year’s extraordinarily colourful theme “Christmas in the Air”, a giant Santa airship 20 metres long and seven metres high and with more than 2,000 LED lights shining in its body will be welcoming everyone to go on board and receive warm greetings from Santa.

Harbour City invited Hong Kong’s unmanned aerial vehicle expert George Chan to design the city’s first aerial-drone show, combined with the LED violin band and a hoop-dance performance.

Until January 1, MTR station Tsim Sha Tsui, Exit A1 or L5

New Year Countdown

Ring in 2018 with fireworks. A party atmosphere will take over the entire city on New Year’s Eve as throngs of revellers take part in the countdown. When the clock ticks down to midnight, “Magical Star Dusts” from fireworks and pyrotechnics will light up the skies and illuminate beautiful Victoria Harbour.

Grab this chance to “make a wish” upon the pyrotechnic “shooting stars” presented in four different colours, which symbolise love, health, happiness and wealth.

Here are some of the best vantage points:

* Along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, including the Cultural Centre Open Piazza and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

* The Central Harbourfront area, including Central Piers 9 and 10

* Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai

Instead, why not check out the street parades in the Bahamas, take part in the largest mass kissing event in Venice or ring the old year out bell in Japan?

Freeport, Bahamas

Escape to the Bahamas this New Year’s Eve not just for the sun, sand and sea, but to immerse yourself in the wonderful Bahamian celebrations of Junkanoo. Tourists and locals alike gather together in colourful street parades to eat, drink, dance and celebrate a Bahamian take on Mardi Gras. Travellers will be in awe of the elaborate costumes and will want to dance along to the enticing beat as they are dazzled by street performers celebrating Bahamian arts and culture this New Year’s Eve.

Where to stay: The luxurious Dolphin Cove apartments boast an outdoor pool, a private marina and an ideal location just a short stroll from a sandy-white beach. After a fun-fuelled night of seeing in the New Year, travellers can relax on the terrace whilst enjoying beautiful marina views, cook up a storm with the onsite BBQ facilities or take a trip to Lucayan Beach where an array of restaurants and bars can be found.

Madrid, Spain

The lively and vibrant capital of Spain is a must-do for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Normally known for its delicious Spanish cuisine and electric nightlife scene, but when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve make sure you have a dozen grapes in hand instead of an alcoholic beverage. This is part of the nation’s unique tradition and superstition of grape eating, where Spaniards will eat a grape for each stroke of midnight, representing good luck for each month of the coming year.

Where to stay: Stay in the heart of Madrid at the trendy Home Select Gran Via Apartments offering a rooftop terrace, seasonal outdoor pool and fitness centre. Enjoy a selection of bars and restaurants, rent a bicycle to explore the bustling streets or take a short walk to Puerta del Sol, one of the best known and busiest places in the city.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro is like no other, from the magical beachfront fireworks along the iconic Copacabana Beach, to trendy cocktail clubs, swanky roof-top bars and mega nightclubs. But aside from the energetic nightlife scenes, Brazil maintains several New Year’s Eve traditions and superstitions. Celebrate New Year’s Eve like a local by wearing white (a superstition said to bring peace and prosperity) and honour the Goddess of the Ocean by jumping seven waves whilst making seven wishes at midnight. But be careful what you eat as this is believed to reflect your luck for the coming year; lentils supposedly bring good luck, however avoid tucking into turkey or crab on December 31 as both are considered unlucky.

Where to stay: The vibrant Injoy Hostel is located just a short stroll from Botafogo Beach and Copacabana Beach, perfect for celebrating New Years. Guests will appreciate the hostel’s 24-hour front desk and the fresh daily breakfast to help recover from the night before. Relax in the hostel’s shared lounge and garden and tick off the other sites with a trip to Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue, both just a short drive away.

Tokyo, Japan

Japan’s New Year’s Eve celebrations (also known as Shogatsu) are a time for quiet reflection, unlike many Western-style festivities. Locals will partake in Hatsumode to mark the first shrine visit of the New Year, with popular temples such as Meiji Jingu receiving thousands of visitors to have their prayers heard by the gods. Head to Tokyo’s Buddhist temples to experience the “Joya No Kane” ritual of 108 bell rings at the stroke of midnight to have your heart, mind and soul cleansed.

Where to stay: The elegant APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi Ekimae offers guests a luxurious stay for the New Year, with spa facilities and an onsite restaurant. Conveniently located with a short walk from the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, guests can experience the “Joya No Kane” ritual first-hand and beat the crowds to partake in Hatsumode.

Venice, Italy

Want to ring in the New Year like a Venetian? Make sure you wear something red, and even better if you wear red underwear, as it will supposedly bring good luck for the coming year! For money and good fortune, be sure you dine on lentils and for richness of life try a spicy campione sausage. Once the feast is over, head to St Mark’s Square for huge celebrations with music, dance and fireworks and when the clock strikes twelve, pucker up for the mass kissing tradition.

Where to stay: A former monastery, the Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio offers a pretty courtyard and garden, fresh daily breakfasts and an ideal location with just a short walk from St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

WITH MAGNIFICENT Baroque beauty and many more examples of a rich cultural heritage on every corner, Vienna can’t help but remind visitors of the bygone glories of the vast empire of which it was so long the capital.

It’s crucial, in seeking to know all about Vienna, to learn about its Habsburgs rulers, who, from the Imperial Palace and over the course of more than seven centuries, guided Austria to greatness.

It was history we hunted as we began a tour at Schonbrunn Palace – one of Europe’s most beautiful Baroque complexes and part of the Habsburgs’ holdings since 1569.

Tourists flock to Schonbrunn Palace, one of Europe’s most beautiful Baroque complexes.

Their former summer residence is utterly impressive with its ceremonial rooms and magnificent gardens. This was home half the year to Empress Maria Theresa and later Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.

The palace began as a hunting lodge, explained Jezz, our Thai guide, who’s lived in Vienna for more than a decade.

Theresa and her husband, Francis Stephen (Franz Stefan), set out in 1743 to remodel it as their summer residence, adding the gorgeous gardens in mimicry of the grounds of Versailles outside Paris.

The palace, now a Unesco World Heritage site, contains 1,441 rooms, 45 of which are open to visitors. While most of the design is Baroque, the high ceilings and other interior features follow the Rococo style.

A chart hangs on one wall showing the Hapsburg family tree, on which Jezz traced the imperial dynasty. It was interesting to note how two empresses stood out, rather than any one emperor, as is usually the case in other European locales.

Theresa was the only female ruler of the Habsburg hereditary lands and oversaw the conquest of much of Europe. She was the second child of Emperor Charles VI and came to the throne because there was no surviving brother.

Theresa and her husband Francis I, the Holy Roman Emperor, had 11 daughters, including the last queen of France, Marie Antoinette, who was to die on the revolutionaries’ guillotine soon after her mate, Louis XVI.

Theresa’s other daughters went on to become the queen of Naples and Sicily and the Duchess of Parma. Among her five sons were two who succeeded their father as Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II and Leopold II. With such lineage it was easy to see why she’s referred to as “the grandmother of Europe”.

Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz is a Yuletide delight.

“Her children got married without ever being in love with their spouses, only for political purposes,” Jezz said.

Portraits of Theresa and her husband hang on the lovely Blue Staircase, and in the Round Chinese Cabinet Hall was a genuine surprise – a secret room where Theresa conferred clandestinely with her chancellor. The floor pops up and down.

In the Convention Hall is a painting of tulips, significant as a reminder that in 1771 Theresa introduced the flower buds as a trading commodity, a system that famously became the precursor to stock exchanges. (There was even a tulip market “bubble” that caused havoc.)

The empress championed women’s greater role in society by giving them opportunities to work and by making it mandatory for every child to attend school – and for free, at that. The policy she introduced remains in place in Austria to this day, Jezz said.

From the summer residence to the winter residence, Hofburg Palace, the level of visitors’ amazement isn’t diminished by the change of seasons.

The Habsburgs lived in the Hofburg for more than 600 years, during which time it served as the centre of the Holy Roman Empire.

It boasts the Sisi Museum, named for the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I – Elizabeth, who was known by that nickname. Born into the royal Bavarian house of Wittelsbach, Elisabeth spent her childhood in relative freedom and never got used to the rigid protocols of the Habsburg court.

Hofburg Palace is illuminated by night.

Early in the marriage she was at odds with her mother-in-law, who believed the king’s consort had only one duty – to produce an heir to the throne. The birth of a male heir, Rudolf, improved her standing at court considerably, but her health suffered under the strain, and she often travelled to Hungary to relax. Her affection for that country helped bring about the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867.

The death of Rudolf and his mistress in an 1889 murder-suicide was a blow from which Elisabeth never recovered, Jezz told us. She withdrew from court duties and travelled more widely, obsessively seeking ways to maintain her legendary youthful appearance. While in Geneva in 1898, though, she was stabbed to death by an Italian anarchist.

These are the stories related in a museum exhibition – her rebelliousness, her escape into a “beauty cult”, her athleticism and her gift for poetry.

There are 300 personal objects on display, from Sisi’s parasols, fans and gloves to her beauty preparations, a milk glass in its own travelling case, and even the original death certificate.

Upstairs are the imperial couple’s private and official chambers. Elisabeth’s fame as the most beautiful queen in Europe is more easily understood in her Dressing Room and Exercise Room, where Jezz said her days began at 6am with a hairdressing ritual that would last at least three hours. She’d go on to do a routine of gymnastic exercises, somehow keeping her coiffure undisturbed.

Belvedere Palace, a particular must-see for art lovers, was the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was as successful at collecting art as he was in military campaigns. There are two parts to this architectural jewel – the Upper and Lower Belvedere. The Upper houses one of Austria’s most valuable art collections, with works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.

Gustav Klimt’s famous painting “The Kiss” is on view in the Upper Belvedere Palace.

In fact it holds the world’s largest collection of oil paintings by Klimt – 24 in all – including two masterpieces from his so-called Golden Period, “Judith” and “The Kiss (Lovers)” from 1908-09, the latter showing the artist and his friend posing as a couple deeply in love.

Three days are definitely not enough time to fully appreciate all that the capital has to share. For us, though, we at least felt fortunate to be there at the start of the winter festive season, with all the Christmas markets appearing in the pretty city squares.

Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz next to City Hall is the biggest and loveliest. A huge tree adorned with lights glitters over 150 colourful stalls selling gift items, handicrafts, food, sweets and warming drinks.

As we left Vienna, an early Christmas gift arrived for us. The first snow of the season was falling.

The writer travelled to Vienna courtesy of THAI Airways International and the Vienna Tourist Board.

When in Vienna, eat like the Viennese

TRADITIONAL VIENNESE coffeehouses are famous for their friendly good cheer, a concept known in German as gemutlichkeit. It’s so unique to Austria that it was recognised by Unesco in 2011 as a form of intangible cultural heritage.

You can typically get all kinds of coffee, fantastic pastries and newspapers from around the world. There’s nothing to compare with leisure time spent over coffee and homemade cake at the charming Cafe Central near Hofburg Palace, though the queue to get in can be long.

Cafe Sperl has been a popular dining spot since 1880.

For lunch in a proper Viennese atmosphere, Cafe Sperl on Gumpendorfer Strasse, founded in 1880, is wonderful. The interior is authentic 19th century, even if the pool tables are more recent additions.

Don’t fail to order Wiener schnitzel, the breaded, fried cutlets, and follow that up with unbeatable apple strudel.

IF YOU GO

>> Thai Airways International (THAI) has four round-trip direct flights per week, on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The journey takes about 10 hours.

The beach and pool villas have direct access to the shimmering turquoise lagoon in a tropical paradise. Romantic dining options include a candlelit dinner on the beach, a sunset cruise, a private picnic on nearby Dream Island, the romantic Champagne Pavilion at the ocean villa jetty and the scene stealing 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, as well as the Aquarium Restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean and Canneli Restaurant for all day dining. All set the perfect scene for popping the question or redeclaring your love.

Hurawalhi’s overwater Duniye Spa also offers a range of treatments inspired by ancient and modern expertise from around the globe with a strong influence from the healing traditions of Asia and Africa, including the use of local ingredients and treatments inspired from traditional cultures.

For activity seekers there is tennis, badminton and beach volleyball, a sports fishing boat for deep-sea fishing excursions. A diver’s paradise awaits, with guided diving and snorkelling boat trips available and a complete PADI training centre. Water sports options include jet skis, para-gliding, water skiing wakeboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaks and catamarans.

Hurawalhi is offering a Romantic Valentine’s Getaway which includes round trip seaplane transfers from Male to Hurawalhi for two; four or five nights’ accommodation in an Ocean Pool Villa, Signature Him & Her Couples Spa Treatment at the over-water Duniye Spa including Champagne and romantic bath experience after treatment; private Ppcnic on Dream Island, private sunset dolphin cruise by Ocean Water Sports, private turtle snorkel trip by Ocean Water Sports, four course lunch in iconic 5.8 underwater restaurant; and a 30 minute photo shoot by the hotel’s residential professional photography team for the souvenir shots.

For those wanting to propose on the most romantic day of the year, Hurawalhi’s Romance Team is also able to arrange a unique proposal setting for your preferable choices. Among the options are underwater proposal at the resort’s undersea 5.8 restaurant when divers unroll a “Will you Marry Me Banner at the magic moment; underwater proposal with an underwater banner during a private diving session; dinner for two on the beach or on the private deck of your villa; secluded sandbank proposal on Dream Island; sunset proposal at sea during a cruise; private villa proposal over a romantic dinner overlooking the ocean or beach; and champagne pavilion proposal at prime sunset watching spot.

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Package rates start from USD6,884 (Bt225,000) for four nights and USD7,984 for five nights. The package is valid from January 6 to April 15.

Book your romantic break by emailing reservations@hurawalhi.com or visit http://www.Hurawalhi.com.

The bar, the first permanent PDT outside the Big Apple, will serve a wide range of creative cocktails developed by renowned mixologists Jim Meehan and Jeff Bell, along with their talented team.

Following in the tradition of the original, guests will enter the Hong Kong space through a hidden entrance disguised as a phone booth in the hotel’s MO Bar. The interiors flow from the pen of n of Hong Kong designer-of-the-moment, Nelson Chow, and will be a playful mix of vintage and modern classics, with a nod to the bar’s New York roots seen in the selection of eclectic taxidermy on the walls.

The bar also introduces a creative culinary partnership with the city’s leading and most acclaimed chefs, which will be rotated each season. The inaugural free-range pork, chicken and beef hotdog has been created by the hotel’s celebrated culinary director, Richard Ekkebus and further food offerings will be his take on American comfort foods.

Find out more details at http://www.MandarinOriental.com/landmark.

SEEKING FRESH ideas for the next holiday trip? You can check what’s coming up for travels and which are the emerging destinations in 2018. Here are our predications that might help make your vacation planning easier.

BUCKET LIST

This might be the year to make that dream true for travellers who have a “bucket list” of must-see destinations in mind. Staying overnight in a five-star beachfront villa or gazing at the borealis phenomena in the Arctic or Antarctic are not out of reach.

“We found that more than half of millennials surveyed (54 per cent) would rather complete their bucket lists with partners than anyone else, followed by their parents,” Jessica Chuang of Hotels.com said to The Nation.

Paris remains among the top five destinations for Thai travellers, who spend their time soaking up the art and the romantic environs./AFP

“They’d like to take a road trip with friends or family through small towns rather than following main travel routes (39 per cent), try local street foods (also 39 per cent), and move abroad for a year to work or study (31 per cent).”

Paris and London remain among the top five destinations for Thai travellers, while staying overnight in a treehouse or an underwater hotel is a must-do item before they die.

GO LOCAL

A good way to experience the local life is to live like a resident. In the coming year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is introducing some of 159 charming communities in five areas – Chiang Rai, Buri Ram, Ang Thong, Trat and Phang Nga.

“The Creative Tourism campaign will bring more income to villages around the country,” says Sujitra Jongchansitto, deputy governor for tourism products and business of TAT.

“The word ‘product’ doesn’t mean only a commodity – it also refers to a way of life. We add value to communities by helping villagers develop landscapes and activities such as workshops on rice farming and silk weaving to welcome tourists, both Thai and foreign. Meanwhile we aim to maintain the ways of rural life and our cultural heritage.”

Sanuan Nok in Buri Ram is drawing urbanites with its ecocultural tours and handicraft workshops.

One locale is Ban Sanuan Nok in Buri Ram, a peaceful village ready to share its sericulture and weaving wonders with homestay guests.

There, the day begins at 5.30, when offerings are prepared for monks. During the day visitors can go on eco-cultural sightseeing tours of the village. Residents conduct interesting workshops on how to weave silk, how to cook authentic Isaan delicacies and how to craft animal-shaped coconut dolls and hardwood bells like those that clatter around buffalo necks.

GO IT ALONE

With advanced technology, people can take inspiration for their holiday from social media and travel bloggers, but not everyone has time to draft their own itinerary and look for accommodations.

Now, private tours with more flexible, customised activities are becoming an option for middle-class travellers. They can select the destinations, dates and activities to fit their lifestyle.

“People today prefer to customise their own holiday trips rather than buying a package tour that gives them only a few minutes for sightseeing,” says Natthapol Limtrakul, whose Friend Tell Pro Facebook page has almost 800,000 followers.

“Meanwhile, Thais are paying more attention to photography and want to get beautiful pictures as keepsakes. All this has inspired bloggers to provide customised services for private groups – for people who have money but no time to arrange their schedule and hotel bookings.”

Wonder Wander arranges customised photography tours with professionals. 

Wonder Wander is gaining popularity with both rookie and veteran travellers who are keen on photography. You just choose your dream destination and join a small group – no more than 16 people. All programmes are flexible, but the idea is to get out and photograph breathtaking scenes under the guidance of professionals, who share their tips.

POP CULTURE

Based on 128 million guest reviews and surveys of 19,000 travellers in 26 countries, Booking.com has determined that television shows, movies, sports and social media are having an increasingly significant sway in travel planning.

Reading blogs and watching YouTuber recommendations will spark ideas for four in ten travellers, and on-screen locations from television, film or music videos will win over 36 per cent of travellers in the coming year.

London capitalises on popculture trends, such as seeing the locations where TV series “Sherlock” is filmed./EPA-EFE 

The top TV-show locations travellers want to visit in 2018 are Croatia, Spain and Iceland, inspired by “Game of Thrones” (29 per cent); London, as seen in “Sherlock” and “The Crown” (21 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively); New York and Manhattan from “Billions” (13 per cent); and Los Angeles as viewed in “Entourage” (10 per cent).

Meanwhile Hotel.com also notices that users search for accommodations at destinations seen in movies or music videos. Las Vegas drew attention from travellers when the Oscar-winning “La La Land” began screening in theatres, and 45 per cent of travellers have flocked to Puerto Rico since the hit song “Despacito” topped the charts.

VISA-FREE EASY

Visa exemptions are a powerful magnet in drawing travellers. Taiwan, for example, became one of most popular holiday gateways in 2017 for Thais, and will continue that success in the next year with its wealth of nature, history and culture on view.

Recognised as the land of golden pagodas, Myanmar is a beloved destination for Buddhist pilgrims with its beautiful architecture and sacred ceremonies conveying luck and success.

In 2018 Japan will take advantage of this trend by introducing flights to Sapporo on Air Asia, while NokScoot is also increasing flights to Japan.

Taiwan’s visa exemptions lure Thais to explore the island’s rich culture. 

“We’ve seen a strong destination-search increase from 2015 to 2017 after the Taiwan government relaxed its visa in August 2016,” says Jessica Chuang at Hotel.com.

“Our most recent data this year shows that Japan has remained a top destination for Thais every year since 2015. One possible reason is the visa-free policy for Thai tourists.”

KOREA BECKONS

Beyond its array of K-pop idols and settings for romantic TV series, South Korea will be a hub for professional athletes as its first Winter Olympic Games take place in the ski resort of Pyeongchang from February 9 to 25.

A South Korean ski resort will host the Winter Olympics./EPA-EFE 

The Games will feature 102 events in 15 exciting sports, including four new disciplines – big-air snowboarding, mixed-doubles curling, mass-start speed skating and mixed-team alpine skiing.

Visitors can take a ring-side seat to witness the sportsmen showing their skills in jumping and skiing on snow dunes and gliding around the skating rinks.

TUMMY TOURS

Apart from sampling tantalising street food in Yaowarat, travellers in Bangkok now have a new mission – trying all the Michelin-star kitchens.

The inaugural Michelin Guide Bangkok awarded 14 restaurants a star each, emphasising the quality of local cuisine. Jay Fai is famous for Thai-style crabmeat omelettes, Gaggan, Le Normandie and Mezzaluna all earned two stars for their excellent cuisine.

More convenient for both local epicures and foreign tourists to design their gourmet trip, the Thailand Tourism Map application will navigate the way and is already available to download at http://bit.ly/TATmap.

This year’s edition also features 35 restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand, a distinction as popular with chefs and Michelin inspectors, representing good value for money with top-quality meals on offer for no more than Bt1,000.

GET INNOVATIVE

With travellers looking to technology to help better understand a destination or accommodation before they book, artificial intelligence and digital technology are helping turn the corner when it comes to smart destination intuition.

Almost a third of global travellers surveyed by Hotel.com said they’re comfortable letting a computer plan an upcoming trip based on their previous travel history.

Sixty-four per cent said they wanted to “try before they buy” with a virtual-reality preview. Taking all the hard work and stress out of decision-making, in 2018, technology will continue to guide us seamlessly to find the best stays and experiences for us.