TRAVEL SPECIAL ..... Priceless Asian Holidays

Priceless Asian Holidays

2018 is soon going to end and a new year is looming on the horizon. Have you taken that vacation you promised yourself this year? If not, get ready to get on an airplane for a year-end vacation. You deserve that break after a year of hard work and we are right here to give you a small push to Southeast Asia where umpteen experiences to pamper yourself await you.

Carry home some exotic memories

The best way to pamper yourself is to make happy memories when you travel. Sail through the rainforests of Taman Negara in Malaysia, visit the Komodo Island in Indonesia, have breakfast with Orangutans in Borneo, relax on the beach with crystal clear waters in Koh Samui, and savour some local delicacies, to suggest a few.

Rejuvenate Yourself

Southeast Asia is home to some of the world's best spas, particularly specialising in different types of massages, pampering treatments, and holistic wellness. Get pampered in some five-star, isolated resorts located above stunning beaches, forests or on private islands. This is the best way to detoxify, unwind and wash away the blues of the year gone by and to prepare yourself for a new one.

Ring in the New Year the Thai way

Though full moon parties happen typically during the full moon at Koh Phangan, which possibly is the most popular open-air nightclub in the world; December is an exception, when it will be held thrice, on the 22nd, 25th and 31st. Ring in the new year with over 30,000 revellers from all around the world who begin to party when the moon makes its appearance over the silver sands, right into dawn and beyond. The beach explodes into a dancing frenzy to the tunes of world class DJs, great food and spirits! A mustgo if you are a party lovers.

However, if you have two left feet and are not interested in dancing away the last night of the year, you can head to Chiang Mai and experience the magic where thousands of candle-lit lanterns are released into night sky each year, carrying away all old year unhappy things and also lucky wishes for the new year. Of course, this will be accompanied with plenty of drinks, live music and Thai dancing to keep you entertained.

Book and live these experiences with your Mastercard, which is a safe option. There’s no risk of having your cash stolen and your card issuer won’t make you pay for fraudulent purchases. So, make Mastercard your travel companion as it is not only the safest way to pay, but is also accepted at over 40 million outlets, in over 200 countries of the world. The added advantage is that you can avail fabulous offers right from the time you book your tickets, till the time you do last-minute souvenir shopping for family and friends at airports.

Pallavi.Gaitonde@timesgroup.com

ETTR 6DEC18