Nothing inspires more than exploring a new destination. With a few long weekends in 2022, our friends at Scott Dunn and the team at Travel Wanderlust have put together some of the best long weekend getaway destinations and experiences for your consideration.
READ MORE: Here are 5 luxury train rides you should consider
Why long weekend getaways?
If we really need to sell you why you need to take a trip in the first place, then you might be on the wrong website. We love to travel and a long weekend getaway is the best way to destress.
I personally prefer shorter holidays in general, because planning a long vacation is bound to be stressful. A three- to four-day trip is not that difficult and given the fact, there are a lot of restrictions and procedures required to travel nowadays planning something simple might ease your stress.
On a shorter trip, I also find it easier to unwind because there isn’t much chance of a full inbox or missing out on work emergencies.
So, while there are so many options out there, we have selected some amazing options for those who want to take a short flight around Asia. These include exploring Hoi An’s charming car-free streets on foot, to a thrilling affair watching the world’s largest marine animals off Sri Lanka’s South Coast or relaxing on a serene beach along Malaysia’s coast, here are 4 destination recommendations for those looking for long weekend getaways in Asia.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Astonishingly exotic and graced with some of the finest temples on earth, Cambodia is a small country with an intoxicating history and a compact set of highlights, making it easy to tick off all the main places to visit in a short trip.
For a weekend getaway, head to one of Cambodia’s most chic and charming towns, Siem Reap, where you can experience the majesty of temples such as Angkor Wat or explore untouched villages that pepper its landscape.
Your days can be filled with experiences such as a private sunrise yoga session amongst the intricate, mist-shrouded temples, cruising through the picturesque Cambodian countryside on a quad bike, to a romantic twilight dinner in a traditional Khmer Village House set at the centre of the Angkor Archaeological Park.
The UNESCO protected Angkor Archaeological Park on its own is huge, so let us know what you are interested in and we’ll match you to the right experience. It can get busy during certain times of the day but our guides are experts in getting you away from the crowds while taking you to explore hidden corners.
Best Time to Visit: November to mid-April
Hoi An, Vietnam
While there are many fascinating places to visit in Vietnam, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Hoi An, which has escaped vigorous development found elsewhere in parts of Southeast Asia, features numerous car-free streets, making it a delight to explore on foot or by kayak as you drift along the Thu Bon River.
The town’s unique charm is evident in its rich heritage displayed through well-preserved Japanese houses, Chinese tea-warehouses and colonial Dutch and French architectural styles which sit side-by-side in a beguiling mix.
During your visit, drop by one of Hoi An’s silk centres to get an insight into the production of silk from silkworm to the finished fabric and watch Champa women use ancient looms to make silk textiles. Hoi An is known for its many tailors, so you may just leave with a new wardrobe of perfectly tailor-made clothes.
For the foodies, delve deeper into Hoi An’s vibrant food scene as you visit one of the local morning markets, shopping for ingredients to use in a hands-on cooking class with a well-known local chef to whip up some Vietnamese delicacies including a steaming dish of Com Ga Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice).
We suggest that travellers should always get Vietnamese coffee when travelling through the country. It’s the best when made locally, you can really taste the difference and is a great way to start your long weekend.
Did you know that Vietnam is the number one producer of robusta beans in the world? Robusta beans often have earthier flavour notes like chocolate and nuts with deeper mouthfeels.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round but January to May is recommended as there tends to be less rain.
Galle, Sri Lanka
For such a bijou island, Sri Lanka delivers on all fronts, offering a diverse mix of historic attractions, cultural heritage, natural splendour, national parks brimming with elephant and leopard, idyllic palm-fringed beaches and luxury accommodation.
On your short getaway to Sri Lanka, head to Galle, a 17th century Dutch Fort and a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island’s South Coast. Take advantage of Galle’s close proximity to the Indian Ocean and head out on a private catamaran to spot some of the world’s largest mammals like whales and dolphins. The best time to go whale watching is between December and April when the sea is calm and these spectacular creatures traverse the Sri Lankan waters.
With some of the world’s finest cinnamon produced in this region of Sri Lanka, upon your return to land, visit a working cinnamon plantation where you can have a hand at helping to peel cinnamon and indulge in a cinnamon-infused meal at the end of the tour.
Or, stroll the laid back streets of the Fort, popping into the stylish boutiques and stopping for a reviving G&T in the shaded veranda of a converted colonial home.
Although the majority of Sri Lanka’s tea is grown in the Hill Country, during your long weekend stay along the South Coast, you may also visit a tea plantation and have a factory visit, learning about the way in which tea is grown and produced.
Best Time to Visit: Generally a year-round destination
Desaru Coast, Malaysia
This Malaysian beach resort is home to pristine beaches with clear, warm blue water and it’s perfect for the few long weekend getaways that we have. You will be spoilt for choice by the number of resorts and hotels.
Aside from the beautiful beaches, the resort is best known for golf with a full 18-hole course along with three different nine-hole courses located along the coastline. This gives you even more reason to take a short tip up there. There are excellent facilities available, so you’ll have a great time.
For those looking to take advantage of the beach area, it is also a popular surfing and snorkelling spot, offering a range of water sports to visitors.
A good pro-tip would be to combine a trip to Singapore with a short drive or ferry ride up to the Malaysian coast during the long weekend to bag two birds with one stone.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Desaru Beach is between April and October, with June to August being the busiest months.
