16 - Holiday like a Korean on Jeju Island
Experience a slice of domestic tourism on this little adventure island.
Korea's favourite island is so much more than a beach destination
The largest of Korea’s thousands of islands is also the country’s favourite holiday destination, and it’s not difficult to see why. Jeju boasts a balmy climate, juicy tangerines, beautiful beaches, Korea’s highest mountain, and a rich, indigenous culture all of its own.
Firstly, though, let's be clear: secret escape Jeju is not. Jets touch down from Seoul as frequently as every five minutes - making it the busiest flight path in the world.
But, with its startlingly beautiful countryside - steep mountains, volcanic cliffs, and lava caves - Jeju is an adventure playground just waiting to be explored.
The communities that live there are fascinating, too, and you'll find people like the haeanyeo, which translates as 'sea women'; female divers who harvest mollusks, seaweed and other sea life from the ocean, and form part of the island's semi-matriarchal structure.
In recent years, in an effort to protect its natural beauty, Jeju has invested heavily in its sustainability efforts - and you'll find several zero-waste initiatives across the island.
"There are great museums alongside plenty of seasonal exhibitions and events showcasing talented Korean artists on Jeju Island, and it's also the Korean hub for sustainable living and vegetarian/vegan options. A great, eco-friendly destination."
Robert K - Inside Travel Group team
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Seoul
Spend a week in Seoul, and you’ll most likely come away feeling that you’ve barely scratched the surface – this hyperactive, endlessly beguiling megalopolis somehow feels uber-cool, hyper-modern, charmingly traditional and historically fascinating, all at the same time.
Mokpo
This once-hidden treasure is now served by the high-speed KTX train, making it easily accessible from the capital. Mokpo boasts a bounty of natural attractions and is the gateway to Dadohaehaesan National Park, a whole host of islands (about 1,700!) that stretches into the distance off the coast.
Can't do June?
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 Jeju Island?
17 - Meet working buffalo at a farm stay
For a slice of Thailand's rural life, traditions that haven't changed in years.
Living with a local doesn't get more fun than this
The Doi Mae Salong mountain, an hour’s drive from Chiang Rai, divides Thailand from Myanmar. The area is diffused with the Chinese tradition, culture and cuisine, feeling apart from the rest of Thailand for more reasons than its far-flung northern location. The mountain is famous for the rolling Oolong tea plantations that shapes its landscape, Akha hill tribe villages and Lanna cuisine – hearty, bold, punchy food that reflects the cooler climate of the north.
Experience it all at Ahsa Farm Stay, in the mountain’s foothills. Hosts Thoo, Aong, their adorable children and their head farmer will introduce you to all aspects of local and farming life. Meet the buffalo, learn about rice growing, tap rubber trees, shop at the market or collect ingredients from their organic garden and learn the art of Lanna cookery. They also offer guided treks to a nearby Akha hill tribe village – with a forest BBQ en-route.
In the morning, take a walk to the local temple to bring morning offerings to the resident monks. Called the Dak Bat in Thai, this morning offering creates a spiritual bond between the laypeople who provide the physical sustenance and the monks, who provide the spiritual guidance.
Round off your days in the spa, surrounded by rice paddies, with a Thai massage or Ahsa style Herbal Sauna.
“There's something special about the landscape and way of life in Northern Thailand; it feels like you've been let into a closely-guarded secret.”
Beth - InsideAsia team
Where in the world is Doi Mae Salong?
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Chiang Rai More than just a base for excursions into the northern hills or river cruises down the Mekong to Luang Prabang (though it’s that too), Chiang Rai is Thailand’s unofficial capital of offbeat travel.
Can't do June?
Northern and central Thailand’s dry seasons run from November to May. There will be little or no rain during this time. November and December temperatures tend to be relatively cool, with daily averages getting as low as 17-20C in the mountains From mid-January things start to heat up, with temperatures in the high thirties (and even the low forties) becoming the norm throughout March, April and May.
An iconic cultural landmark revived as a community hub
Kuala Lumpur is a true cultural melting pot, where jade-topped Chinese gates open out onto palm-lined squares, Indian restaurants serve banana leaf curries in marigold-scented alleyways, and old-fashioned Malay villages lie squeezed between the skyscrapers.
In the heart of the city's downtown, you'll find REXKL, a community and cultural hub that occupies one of the country's first theatres. The building's rich history - marred by fire and reincarnation - culminates in the purpose it serves today: an attempt to rejuvenate a 'forgotten' part of Kuala Lumpur by injecting new businesses, cultural agenda, and creative programmes into an otherwise dilapidated spot.
Visit for events, exhibitions, performances, shopping, bookshops, food and beverages - including the city's proud speciality: lemongrass beer.
Sleek, clean, and plugged-in – yet still bursting with flavours, aromas and humid tropical heat – KL is modern Asian city living at its best.
Where in the world is Kuala Lumpur?
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Malacca
With a history stretching back through colonial rule and the Age of Exploration, Malacca’s Portuguese fortress and lantern-strung Chinese temples make it one of the best places to get a sense of Malaysia’s long and turbulent past.
Tioman Island How many desert islands do you know who’ve won an Oscar? Perhaps that’s stretching it a bit, but there’s a good reason Time Magazine named Tioman the most beautiful island in the world in 1970 – and it hasn’t lost any of its charm for us.
Can't do June?
Kuala Lumpur experiences moderate climate throughout the year, but the best months to visit are December to January and June to August due to the popular festivals during this time.
March is the hottest month with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and the coldest is January at 27°C (81°F). The wettest month is November.