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Happy Hug Day, Korea
‘Airport of the future’ to make flying fun again
Barbie suites, chocolate exhibitions and crazy parties: Happy holidays at Seoul hotels
Superhero weekend, Shanghri-La road trip, airport of future
Trapped in Shangri-La: Seven days of (mis)adventure
东京确定一定以及肯定的正宗忍者“秘穴”
全球最佳聖誕市集

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 11:20 PM PST

Hugs are dangerous things.

They can get you sued, banned or -- worst case scenario -- caught on camera in awkward poses that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

‘Airport of the future’ to make flying fun again

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 09:56 PM PST

Imagine an airport with no immigration queues, speedy security checks, showrooms -- not shops -- that deliver to your home and no check-in luggage. In short, an airport that is fun and efficient, not frustrating and tedious.

It could be here by 2025.

CAP Strategic Research, an aviation research and consultancy company, has predicted the dramatic changes as a response to traveler demands.

"Passengers no longer enjoy air travel, especially those based in Europe and the U.S. They regard flying as expensive, stressful, time-consuming and uncomfortable," the report said. "Airports -- and airlines -- will need to adapt to meet these market developments."

Barbie suites, chocolate exhibitions and crazy parties: Happy holidays at Seoul hotels

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 08:58 PM PST

As Seoulites, we are forced to admit that we don't really have an authentic Christmas tradition. Most of it is borrowed, and much of it is, frankly and unashamedly, capitalist sales mongering.

Festoon that department store all you want with glittering Christmas lights and twee nativity scenes.

It's still a house of shopping.

But tradition or no tradition, Seoul's hotels are nonetheless great at building a mood, and the holiday season is admittedly a good excuse to pamper yourself at a hotel with one of their packages, parties, or other promotional deals.

Superhero weekend, Shanghri-La road trip, airport of future

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 08:28 PM PST

Newsletter Date:

14 December 2011

Newsletter Contents

By City:

Thai Airways launches Asia's first commercial biofuel flight

OK the resort's green, but is it good?

Thailand calls in 'Dancing Matt' to promote tourism

Samantha Leese: Air travel needs to get its groove back

Hong Kong hot pot: Gourmet gimmicks we can't resist

Best Hong Kong bands to rock out with

iXiGO app: On-the-go travel booking in India just got a lot easier

11 Indian hotels to visit in 2012

Maharashtra's trains are crime central

Longjing Manor: Hangzhou's most famous restaurant

Watch out, Jamie Oliver: The Chinese are coming

Shanghai Hot List 2012

3D travel portal offers a virtual trip to Everest

Changi Airport: Keeping a nanny state watch over your luggage

2011 safest year for air travel since 1945

Japanese island overrun by rabbits, tourists

Deck the halls at the best Tokyo men's outfitters

So, what do three Michelin stars really taste like?

10 most ridiculous Australian place names

Newcastle: 25 fast and fabulous facts

Stay on a luxurious farm in Australia

And the most beautiful village in Korea is ...

The Korean girlfriend gift guide

Korea's largest mall opens at Gimpo Airport

Trapped in Shangri-La: Seven days of (mis)adventure

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 02:00 PM PST

Our drive starts out calmly enough.

The plan is to rent a SUV from the scenic town of Zhongdian -- also called Shangri-La -- in northern Yunnan province, China, with a local driver for three days to circumnavigate the majestic Meili Snow Mountain range.

Then we would head over to the Tibetan-Yunnan border town of Deqin before bearing south to end our trip in the hyper-commercialized ancient town of Lijiang.

But like most adventurous trips, almost nothing goes to plan -- we veer far off our anticipated route.

And our trip is all the better for it.