34 - Make your own traditional Korean rice wine
Learn the age-old art of makgeolli making.
Have a go at making South Korea's favourite tipple
The country's oldest brew, makgeolli - a type of fermented rice wine - is a uniquely Korean beverage, steeped in history and part of the fabric of daily life.
Once brewed by farmers and served in bright yellow kettles, records suggest Koreans have been making and drinking the slightly fizzy, slightly sour rice wine from as far back as the Goyreo Dynasty (which ended in 1392). That's a lot of time to perfect a craft.
To understand the nation's favourite tipple, jump into a makgeolli making experience, where you'll learn all about the stages of fermentation, the different tastes you can cultivate, and the best ways to store it (tip: don't transport it in a glass jar in your suitcase - it gets lively!)
Once you're a certified makgeolli brewer, take the opportunity to sit down and pair the wine with the sort of hearty, spicy Korean fare you'd expect - think kimchi pancakes, fresh tofu, and savoury seafood. You can take classes all over the country, including Seoul.
"This was seriously interesting, especially learning all about the yeast they use to make the sparkling wine and the steps involved."
Samantha - InsideAsia team
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Incheon Korea’s arrivals lounge to the rest of the world, Incheon is often ignored thanks to the presence of Seoul just to its east. However, the place has some fascinating historical strings to its bow, plus one of the best Chinatowns outside China itself.
Read more Suwon Head to Suwon to take in the delights of a splendid, World Heritage-listed old fortress, and to delve into Korea’s rich folk traditions – and, for carnivorous sorts, there’s the chance to savour Korea’s best barbecued meat on the way around.
Can't do December?
Korea has four distinct seasons: spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September-November) and winter (December-February). Most people visit in spring or autumn, when temperatures are great. Summer is very hot and humid, while winter is very, very cold - although if you love snow, illuminations and winter festivals, it's brilliant.
Where in the world is Seoul?
35 – Celebrate South Asian cinema on Laos' silver screen
Watch the stars of the screen at Luang Prabang's annual festival.
Outdoor screenings against a jungle-covered mountain backdrop
Little Laos has made a name for itself as a luscious green paradise, teeming with wildlife, stunning vistas, and the churning waters of the Mekong. Getting up close and personal with Laotian nature is number one on most visitors' lists, and rightly so.
Most visitors begin and end their encounter with Laos in the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. It’s a magnificent place to start: an architectural chocolate box of glittering mosaics, glowing rose-pink walls, sweeping golden roofs and pretty, wooden-shuttered shophouses.
But if you time it right, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Laos' up and coming creative arts scene, too - with the city's annual film festival.
Running since 2009, Blue Chair is a non-profit cultural organization that champions Southeast Asian film, as well as the growth of local and regional film communities. Bringing together storytellers and their films from across the continent, all Blue Chair screenings are free and open to the public. Take a seat on one of the 800 iconic blue chairs at the main outdoor venue, or jostle with eager audiences as you move between screenings.
It's a fascinating insight into the nascent film industry in Laos - and a curious slice of culture to soak up against a lush backdrop of jungle-covered mountains.
Where in the world is Luang Prabang?
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Pakbeng It’s the views that make Pakbeng more than just a convenient stopover: this is part of one of Asia’s most stunning river journeys, with lush and verdant mountains rising either side of the broad, coffee-coloured waters of the Mekong.
Read more Muang La Gently rolling hills and picturesque farmland dotted with ethnic minority villages and hot springs: Muang La is a place to unplug and sync up with the rhythms of countryside life.
Can't do December?
With no coastline, Laos has a simple climate. There are just two distinct seasons which are experienced at roughly the same time throughout the country: wet (May to September) and dry (October to April). At all times of year, highland areas are noticeably cooler than lowland – and you will need something warm to wear in the evenings and early morning.
36 – Bring in the new year with a beach-front sunset
Watch the sun go down in Vietnam’s paradise.
Usher in the new year with beach-front views
It may no longer be Vietnam’s best-kept secret, but Phu Quoc is a desert-island gem in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand — and it’s still one of our favourite spots for some much-needed (northern hemisphere) winter sun.
Just a 40-minute flight from the urban sprawl of Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc is a mountainous and densely forested island renowned for its secluded bays, amazing seafood, and magnificently clear waters rich with opportunities to dive and snorkel.
There may be a few more luxury resorts now than there were, but Phu Quoc remains as beguiling as it was two decades ago. On the mainland, the north and east coast is largely untouched by tourism, while the ever-busy Long Beach makes for a fun evening of bar-hopping and fresh seafood with a spectacular sunset backdrop.
Meanwhile, there are some real gems to be found among the tiny islands of the nearby An Thoi Archipelago: think palm-lined coves, empty beaches, and warm, shallow waters teeming with blue spotted rays, bamboo sharks and neon-bright nudibranchs.
The perfect way to end your year.
"Time on the island is a welcome break to take stock after the mayhem of the mainland." Beth - InsideAsia team
Where in the world is Phu Quoc?
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Ho Chi Minh City
The yin to Hanoi’s yang, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon to its friends) offers a more internationally minded counterpoint to that northern bastion of tradition — not to mention an exciting base from which to explore Vietnam’s most interesting war sites.
Read more Con Dao
A short flight south from Ho Chi Minh City brings you to the remote and spectacular Con Dao Archipelago, a chain of 16 islands ringed with white sand beaches, coral reefs and sparkling azure seas.
Can't do December?
The southwest coast of Vietnam and Cambodia experience their most welcoming months during dry season (November to April). The temperatures are relatively consistent all year-round, though slightly cooler in the northern hemisphere's winter: November to April sees a minimum and maximum averages of roughly 25°C / 77°F and 30°C / 86°F respectively, with February being the driest month.