18. Seoul – Korea
The Korean capital is a city of contrasts. Fourteenth-century city gates squat in the shadow of 21st-century towers, while the expansive Han River is back-dropped by Granite Mountains rising in the city centre—complete with alpine highways speeding around their temples. Fashionable youths battle for sidewalk space with fortune-tellers and peddlers, while tiny neighbourhoods of traditional cottages share space with identical apartments. Daytime visits to palaces and museums are balanced with 24/7 nightlife. Shoppers can splurge across ritzy department stores or venture into labyrinthine markets; gourmets can indulge in garlicky barbequed ribs or the vegetarianism of Buddhist cuisine. It’s the Mayfair of Seoul, the high-rise district of the city just south of the river. Gangnam is an upmarket shopping area, home to the enormous underground COEX mall. Fizzing with the energy of its ten million people, this sprawling metropolis is one of millennial Asia’s most exciting—but least visited—cities.
Where to stay – Overlooking the beautiful Han River in central Yeouido, the 5-star Conrad Seoul occupies one of the four towers of the renowned International Finance Center in Yeouido Business District. The luxury hotel offers a year-round indoor swimming pool, pampering spa treatments and a fitness center. The outdoor rooftop garden is ideal for private parties, and business functions. The contemporary 37 Grill & Bar offers a gastronomic experience in a refined and sophisticated environment. Zest, the Conrad Seoul’s stylish all day-dining restaurant serves an exciting and innovative array of food, and features exciting live cooking actions with great interactive service. The Italian restaurant, Atrio boasts an authentic Italian cuisine. The spacious and luxurious 434 guestrooms offer stunning views of the Korean capital and come with Apple entertainment systems. Deluxe toiletries from Aromatherapy Associates are placed in the expansive bathrooms.
17. Colombo – Sri Lanka
Colombo displays the best and worst the country has to offer. Sri Lanka’s Capital Colombo, a port city, with a rich colonial heritage, on the Western coast is a potpourri of races, religions and cultures. The city is a contrast itself, with mansions, lush gardens, fine dining options, shopping malls packed with expensive designer brands standing next to urban slums; diesel fumed congested roads and street markets. Despite its small size just 37.31 km² Colombo offers a varying selection of experience ranging from taking a tuktuk ride, a visit to Pettah market and eating Kottu to playing a round of golf and having high tea at one of the colonial style hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean. With many boutiques filled with international brands and local art and fabrics Colombo is the best place to do the last minute shopping and then it’s best to retire to Galle face, Colombo’s playground for some Kottu or Wade.
Where to stay – Taj Sumadra offers rooms overlooking the Indian Ocean or city skyline situated a 5-minute drive from Fort Railway Station. It boasts an outdoor pool, 7 dining options and tennis courts. Bright and airy, elegant rooms have classic wood furnishings and comfortable seating areas. enjoy traditional dishes at Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant and Navratna Indian Restaurant. Other dining highlights include the 24-hour Ports Coffee Shop and a steak house.
