Travel

TRAVEL WELL with Kate Springer

If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this year - or simply love any excuse to plan a getaway - there’s no better gift than a new adventure. From a meditative tea ceremony in Tokyo to a private beach picnic in El Nido, I’ve shortlisted a few romantic experiences that will beat a box of chocolates any day.

The Grotto

CYCLE AT SUNRISE IN ANGKOR WAT There’s nothing more spectacular than watching the sun crest over the ancient spires of Angkor Wat. Guided by the experts at Grasshopper Adventures, experience this magical morning moment on foot, then hop on bikes to explore Angkor Archeological Park before the crowds roll in. On this half-day excursion, you’ll stop for a private breakfast in the jungle, cycle around forgotten temples, and visit must-see marvels like the many-faced Bayon temple and Ta Prohm. For night owls, Grasshopper Adventures also offers a private Twilight Tour - picture a bike ride at sunset followed by a traditional dragon boat ride around Angkor Moat with a bottle of bubbly on board! grasshopperadventures.com

DINE IN A CAVE IN RAILAY Perfect for adventurous couples, Railay, a remote peninsula on the southwestern coast of Thailand, is synonymous with caving, rock climbing and hidden lagoons. It’s also a hotspot for romance; after a day of adrenaline-pumping activities, sink your toes into the sand at The Grotto. Sitting on the water’s edge, this limestone cave doubles as an atmospheric bar and restaurant that offers a front-row seat to Railay’s famous sunsets, not to mention lots of healthy dishes and premium bubbly to boot. rayavadee.com/en/the-grotto.php

TRY A MODERN TEA CEREMONY IN TOKYO To get some quiet time in buzzing Tokyo, check out Sakurai’s contemporary Japanese tea experience. Helmed by tea master Shinya Sakurai, the meditative wooden tea bar promises all the ceremony and precision of a traditional tasting but with sleek contemporary interiors, English-speaking staff, modern teaware and more than 50 types of green tea - much of which is sold in the adjacent atelier should you be in the market for a memento. sakurai-tea.jp

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Pangulasian Island

ENJOY A PRIVATE ISLAND PICNIC Famed for its cinematic scenery, El Nido - located on the northern tip of Palawan in the Philippines - is one of the most romantic destinations on earth. If you book a beach villa at eco-conscious Pangulasian Island resort in Bacuit Bay, you can easily explore the adjacent marine sanctuary, nearby lagoons and secret beaches as you please. Having just reopened after five months of renovations, the hotel arranges all kinds of couples’ experiences, including ultraromantic beach picnics, private dinners on deserted sandbars, and sunset kayaking. elnidoresorts.com/pangulasian-island Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

BOOK A JUNGLE MASSAGE IN CHIANG RAI Just a few kilometres from the Golden Triangle - where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand converge - the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle turns up the romance with luxe cliffside tents, private terraces and a remote spa that’s set in the heart of a bamboo jungle. Better yet, you can enjoy a treatment on your tent’s private deck where you’ll be fully immersed in nature. For Valentine’s Day, relax together with a 120-minute-long Long Rak Chiang Rai “Couples Connect” journey, which includes a salt scrub, a relaxing massage, and an alfresco rose bath for two fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

Kate Springer is an Asia travel expert who contributes to Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, CNN, BBC Travel, Forbes Travel Guide, Fodor’s, Vice, and more. Follow her travels on Instagram @katespringer. Send travel news to kate@kate-springer.com

MACAU News and deals from our sister SAR

RAIL BLAZER After 10 years of anticipation, Macau finally has a public rail system! The Macau Light Rapid Transit, commonly referred to as Macau Light Rail or just LRT, is a low-carbon mode of transport that’s easily the most ecofriendly way to get around the city (besides walking, of course.) The single line route has 11 stations, starting at one end of the Taipa peninsula and ending at the other, at Taipa’s ferry terminal. For anyone who has ever struggled to get a cab or make their ferry on time while on a trip to Macau, this is life changing! It’s also a super affordable way to navigate around all the hotels, old Taipa Village, airport and much more. Normal tickets start at MOP6 for trips up to three stations, and the price changes depending how far you go, with discounts for the elderly and children. Opening Monday-Thursday, 6:30am–11:35pm; Friday-Sunday and public holidays, 6:30am-00:19am. mtr.com.mo/en

SWEET TOOTH Macau is famous for its Portuguese egg tarts, but there are two new pastries at pastelaria Ramalhão that deserve your attention. With delicious and authentic desserts all the way from the historic town of Sintra in Portugal, it’s only been open a few months and is already a local favourite. Famous for their queijadas (cream cheese pastries with a golden crusted top) and travesseiros (a pillow-shaped pastry filled with sweet almond and egg custard), these Sintra pastries are the new must-try snack on a trip to Macau. Drop in for one with coffee, or take away a box to tuck into on the ferry back to Hong Kong. They also serve egg tarts, for the traditionalist in your party. 36 Rua do Dr. Pedro José Lobo, Macau, +853 6208-5315, facebook.com/ramalhaodocariatradicional.

COCOA POWER Chocolate lovers, rejoice! A decadent new chocolate beauty treatment has launched at The Sofitel Spa. The treatment starts with a chocolate body scrub to gently remove dead skin, followed by a chocolate body wrap. The wrap is packed with vitamins A, E and antioxidants which regenerate and moisturise your skin, as well as boosting circulation to improve its appearance. After a warm bath to wash it all off, guests enjoy a calming hot stone massage, and are treated to a cup of hot chocolate to cap off this indulgent experience. A 90-minute “A Sensory Chocolate Journey” is available until the end of February for MOP888++ or MOP1,550++ per couple. Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16, Rua do Visconde Paço de Arcos, Macau, +853 8861-7801, sofitelmacau.com

Sally Victoria Benson grew up in Macau and is the publisher of macaulifestyle.com, the city's leading lifestyle platform. She's passionate about sharing Macau's hidden healthy side and everything happening in the city.