10 must-visit Asia destinations

1. Tibet

Tibet is a place so breath-taking (literally – thanks altitude) that you won’t want to leave, even after a 24-day trip. Start your journey in the picturesque city of Kunming in China, and spend time visiting local sites like the Stone Forest, an awe-inspiring symphony of limestone. Fly to Lhasa, Tibet’s ancient capital, where the temples are your primary port of call. You can also spend time getting to lesser-known places like Shigatse city, and the ultimate high – Everest Base Camp. Finish your trip with a visit to see real live pandas in Chengdu, before heading homeward. (The bears stay in Chengdu though guys; you can’t take them with you.)

2. China

You wouldn’t think that a 14-day holiday could show you a great big chunk of China, but as long as it’s well-planned, it’s actually possible. Make time to visit the busy metropolises of Shanghai, Xian, Beijing and Guilin, while also getting to see remarkable sights like Yangshuo village (experienced from a boat on Li River, no less), the vibrant green rice paddies of Yangshuo, and of course, the Great Wall itself.

3. Ancient Lands of Central Asia

Spend 28 days exploring some of the most magnificent sights Asia has to offer. Find yourself camping beside Darvaza Crater in Turkmenistan, a flaming, 80 metre natural gas crater that has stayed alight for over 40 years. Eat local cuisine in the ancient cities of Bukhara, Tashkent and Samarkand in Uzbekistan, before visiting Kazakhstan and the peaceful lake of Tian Chi in China.

5. India

India’s mammoth northern regions are jam-packed with thousands of incredible sites, but getting to see them all on one trip isn’t an easy feat. With a bit of preparation however, take in-depth tours of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi and Varanasi (where you will welcome in the day with a boat ride on the holy River Ganges), see the Taj Mahal at Agra, the temples at Khajuraho and even spot some local wildlife on a bespoke safari.

6. Sri Lanka

For some reason Sri Lanka looks a lot smaller on the map than it actually is (perhaps because of the enormity of India, right next door). It’s a big island with mostly pretty basic roads, so it can take a long time to see the highlights. Go from the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, to the holy relics of Kandy and historic Galle Fort, and of course, to the tea plantations that made this island country so famous.

9. Vietnam

In Saigon you will experience the city’s colonial past, even encountering its famous Cu Chi Tunnels, where many resistance activities took place during the Vietnam War. Cruise down the Mekong Delta, experience the picturesque beauty of Halong Bay and see the beautiful Po Nagar Cham Towers of Qui Nhon.

10. Nepal

Home to 10 of the world’s 14 tallest mountains, Nepal has got to be on your bucket list. Spend a day in Kathmandu acclimatising to the Himalayan altitude before getting to grips with local markets, ornate temples and traditional dancing. You should even take the opportunity to visit traditional Newari houses in Dhulikhel, which is why you do a tour, really – for the sort of experiences you won’t get anywhere else.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

From Tokyo Bay by boat to Nepal like a local and ancient discoveries from Tibet to Sri Lanka, there’s no end to the rich experiences and adventures that Asia has in store .

1. Tibet

2. China

3. Ancient Lands of Central Asia

4. Japan

5. India

6. Sri Lanka

7. Cambodia

8. Laos

9. Vietnam

10. Nepal

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