Explore Travel/Destinations/International

Already been to Japan? This is the new Asian hotspot to put on your radar

The cherry blossom season here is just as spectacular.

South Korea is growing in popularity.

Updated April 1, 2025, first published November 13, 2024

Travel to South Korea is scaling new heights. Data from the South Korean government shows an all-time high of 198,000 Australians travelled there last year, and 2024 is set to break the record again. By September this year, 170,000 Australians had already visited the country - that's 24 per cent more than at the same time in 2023 and a 37 per cent increase on pre-pandemic figures.

If you're planning to visit South Korea in the new year there are many tours to choose from. Sign up for Intrepid's nine-day Cycle South Korea package to get your heart racing as you wind your way through scenic countryside and visit locations such as the seaside city of Gangneung. Or join Crooked Compass's 19-day Cherry Blossoms and Nomads tour if you want to explore the country's seasonal spectacle in northern spring next year with departures on April 1 and 19. And if you want to truly immerse yourself in the country's timeless culture and customs, you can't look past Tomato Travel's seven-day Ancient South Korea journey, which visits traditional villages and historic temples and palaces. intrepidtravel.com; crooked-compass.com; tomatotravel.com.au

Aussie hotels among world's best

Fodor's Travel has just released its 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World in 2025 list, with seven Australian properties making the cut. That's no mean feat, considering there are about 700,000 hotels in the world, according to Fodor's, which worked with 750 globetrotting experts to compile the list.

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Southern Ocean Lodge in South Australia.

Bullo River Station and Longitude 131 in the Northern Territory; Capella hotel in Sydney; Lizard Island Resort, Qualia and Pelorus Private Island in Queensland; and Southern Ocean Lodge in South Australia are the homegrown stars among international heavy-hitters, which range from the Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui, in Thailand to Gaya Island Resort in Malaysia.

'Tis the season

Heading to NSW's Hunter Valley this festive season? Don't forget to drop in at Hunter Valley Gardens, where Christmas Lights Spectacular - the largest Christmas lights display in the Southern Hemisphere - has just kicked off (until January 26).

Christmas Lights Spectacular

Set on 3.2 hectares, the attraction features more than four million lights, 10-metre-high Christmas trees and rides that range from a traditional Venetian carousel to a Ferris Wheel with bird's-eye view of the colourful installations. A range of family-friendly food stalls complete the picture. And you can make a weekend of it, with both Mercure and Harrigan's hotels nearby offering special packages. huntervalleygardens.com.au

Tours to go

From water to rail, APT is aiming to offer truly immersive tours in New Zealand, with its new calendar of holidays for 2025 and 2026. Experiences range from the 11-day New Zealand Coastal Expedition aboard a small ship to the 19-day New Zealand Rail and Cruise Discovery package, which allows travellers to experience some of the country's most scenic rail routes.

Explore New Zealand with APT.

Wendy Wu has just launched its new south-east Asia brochure, with exciting destinations like Cambodia, Laos and Borneo. Majestic Whale Encounters has also unveiled new tours for 2025 for different types of travellers - from budding photographers to thrill-seekers - in places such as Antarctica and Norway. aptouring.com.au; wendywutours.com.au; majesticwhaleencounters.com.au

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Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.