Celebrity Life

Travelling may not be on the cards right now but we can surely dream.

As travel restrictions remain, it seems my dreams of travelling have become more vivid; transporting me to scenes I've never seen or been to. From far flung cities and hidden kingdoms, to soft sandy beaches and ski slopes, my plans to travel are well and truly in action and I'm sure yours are too. Ahead, is my bucket list of dream destinations so that you may also feel inspired to dream and travel further, when we can.

1. Marrakech, Morocco

Offering a unique mix of history and traditions; landscape and nature; on top of its varied cuisine, the Red City is something of a hot spot for many to enjoy in luxury. Think balloon flights with champagne breakfasts, private treks through the Atlas mountains and even luxury camps in the deserts and dunes. Not to mention all the souk shopping and Moroccan food to indulge in.

2. Santorini, Greece

The iconic blue and white vistas, dramatic caldera landscapes and sunsets over the azure Aegean Sea, are but a few reasons to visit Santorini -- especially if you are a photography enthusiast. And we didn’t even get to the remarkable Hellenic wines or volcanic produce yet. So slow it down and head on over to this idyllic Greek island to inject a little Santorini magic in your lives.

3. Dubrovnik, Croatia

It might just be an unhealthy obsession with Game of Thrones, but we are all quite infatuated with Dubrovnik. Whether or not you recognise it as the set for King’s Landing, this picturesque city has it all. Look past the ancient medieval walls and go explore stunning architecture, gorgeous beaches, crystal waters, waterfalls and one of the most vibrant summer festivals in the Mediterranean together.

4. Negril, Jamaica

Most of us don’t need much convincing to head to the Caribbean, but if you were wondering why you should choose Negril in Jamaica -- picture yourself on the uninterrupted sand and turquoise waters of Seven Mile Beach, exploring lush jungles and the country’s most impressive waterfalls, and enjoying live reggae with rum cocktail in one hand and jerk chicken in the other. Negril, here we come!

5. Levi, Finland

Christmas almost always evokes a sense of magic and romance, so why not just create the same festive feels in Finland. Visit reindeers, go husky dog sledding and freestyle down the ski slopes, before snuggling up in a glass igloo whilst viewing the Aurora Borealis. 

6. Cappadocia, Turkey

As if discovering the surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys and cities carved in stone wasn’t enough. The number one thing to do in Cappadocia is bound to take your love to new heights, quite literally. One can enjoy spectacular views high up in a hot air balloon at sunrise -- a fairytale sight with hundreds of them dotted in the sky. It doesn’t get any more memorable than that.

7. Havana, Cuba

Havana is a destination for those who love all things retro. Drive a vintage car through the atmospheric streets lined with colourful wall murals, or discover the city’s unique architectural mix and you will be transported to a different era. Then wind down like a true local and salsa with your partner while sipping on mojitos until the sun goes down.

8. Bhutan

Take the scenic route to peace and serenity and you’ll end up in Bhutan -- the last standing Buddhist Kingdom in the World -- which is known to locals as Druk Yul, or Land of the Thunder Dragon. And it really is a mystical as it sounds, with its jaw-dropping landscapes, ancient monasteries and fortresses, it really is an adventure of a lifetime.

9. Amalfi Coast, Italy

If you're searching for la dolce vita, look no further. You'll find it on the Amalfi Coast. If the charming fishing villages or cascading cliffs over shimmering bays don’t get you, the fresh seafood and limoncello will. It’s also home to some of the best luxury hotels and restaurants in Italy, not to mention photogenic Positano and its well-known clifftop view.

10. Tel Aviv, Israel

It’s one of the most happening yet historic cities in Israel, and still so underrated. Not only will you find the oldest port in the world, sandy beaches, Bauhaus-style buildings, a myriad of museums, galleries, and a fantastic food scene, but the nightlife also gives Ibiza a run for its money. If you’re going to discover something together, let it be Tel Aviv.

The post Travel Bucket List: The 10 Destinations to Dream of Visiting Next appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With its splendid museums, historic palaces, leafy avenues, vast plazas and gourmet restaurants, all built on the site of an ancient Aztec capital, Mexico City has the verve and cultural panache to be mentioned in the same breath as the world's great cities.

When I mention my plan to spend a few days exploring Mexico City on my own, the general reaction is one of concern. What about safety? What about the warring drug cartels, ask friends and family. So by the time I check into my hipster hotel in the central historic neighbourhood of Zocalo, all my senses are on high alert. My first reassurance comes from the hotel clerk who laughs at my questions. “On some days, we have more cops than tourists on the streets,” he says.

Sure enough, in Mexico City, I find not just oodles of colour and culture (as expected), but also warmth and friendliness from the most unexpected sources. From the lady at the street market who leaves her stall unattended to take me all the way to the nearest train station. From the ticket seller at the Palacio de Bellas Artes who lets me in five minutes after closing time, simply because I’m leaving town the next day and can’t bear to miss this stunning museum. And from the young man at the taco stand who offers me generous tastings when I hesitate over unfamiliar ingredients such as huitlacoche (fungal growth on ears of corn) and nopales (the flesh of the prickly pear cactus).

[caption id="attachment_155079" align="alignnone" width="2832"] The Palacio de Bellas Artes.[/caption]

Even at first sight, Zocalo reminds me of Europe. The open plaza at the heart of the city was built by the Spanish conquerors over what was once the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. The square is now lined with magnificent palaces that serve as the seat of local and national political administration, ruins from several centuries ago that once housed both religious temples and sacrificial sites, and a huge cathedral that eclectically marries architectural styles from different periods. In turn, these rub shoulders with bars and cafes that are buzzing with boisterous tourists, high on mezcal or life -- or quite possibly both.

[caption id="attachment_155081" align="alignnone" width="4016"] A Pegasus sculpture by Agusti Querol Subirats at the Palacio de Belles Artes.[/caption]

At my first stop, the Palacio Nacional, there are more than a dozen security guards in ceremonial uniform strutting about the premises. I imagine they are there to protect the important politicians who work in these offices. But the tourists who throng this 16th-century palace are not here for a glimpse of the Mexican president, but for a look at artist Diego Rivera’s vibrant murals that spread across the winding staircase and corridor walls of the Grand Courtyard building. Painted between 1929 and 1935, they showcase the ancient and modern history of Mexico. Gawping at the brilliance of these stories expressed through art, I’m once again struck by the fact that all this is available for free.

[caption id="attachment_155082" align="alignnone" width="4608"] A fresco by Diego Rivera in the Palacio Nacional.[/caption]

In fact, that defines my Mexico City experience in a nutshell: a wealth of artistic and cultural riches strewn right across the city. Some of them are hidden inside imposing, even intimidating, façades such as the white-marble, high-domed Palacio de Bellas Artes, where murals coexist with a concert hall, an arts centre and an architecture museum. And others, such as the Museo Frida Kahlo, halfway across town, are small and charming, drawing eager devotees and curious visitors alike. Popularly known as Casa Azul, this museum is an ode to the private life as well as the evocative art of the gifted but troubled artist who was married to Diego Rivera while pursuing a liaison with Leon Trotsky.

In this city, the air seems to be perpetually filled with the sounds of jazz and peppy salsa in equal measure. A walk along the pedestrian-only shopping street of Avenida Francisco I. Madero, or simply Madero, is a great way to get a sense of how locals eat, shop and shoot the breeze. [inline_related_article article_id="147519"]

Strolling along lazily one evening, I take quick detours into the lanes branching off the main avenue to admire the blue-and-white tiles on the outer walls of the Casa de los Azulejos mansion, and the grand staircases, gleaming marble floors and gilded dome ceiling at the 112-year-old Palacio de Correos de México -- even the main post office occupies a former palace in this city with a surprise at every corner.

All these apart, Mexico City’s greatest cultural offering is perhaps the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, a sprawling complex where an entire day is simply not enough to check out the priceless collections of Mexican and Latin American art and artefacts from across the centuries. The highlights here include the impressive Aztec sun stone, Piedra del Sol, which weighs nearly 25 tonnes, and a replica of the resplendent feathered crown of Aztec ruler Moctezuma II. The exhibits spill outside into the museum gardens, where ancient temples and piazzas have been recreated with great care.

In my short time in Mexico City, I also discover that food is as much a part of its cultural fabric as the art museums and the baroque cathedrals. Creative chefs who are giving traditional Mexican cuisine a global twist are considered artists in their own right, and are as revered as politiciansand poets. And as many people queue up in front of restaurants such as Enrique Olvera’s Pujol and Jorge Vallejo’s Quintonil, as along roadside taquerias and churrerias.

[caption id="attachment_155083" align="alignnone" width="4032"] Get the best churros at El Moro.[/caption]

Mexico City is a place to explore at your own pace. For the young and the restless, there are the mezcal dive bars and the sports stadiums, the hipster boutiques and the vegan cafes; for travellers who wish to savour the city slowly, there are the 150-plus museums, the public parks and gardens, and the gondolas in the Xochimilco borough.

People have been squabbling for a while over whether Mexico City is the next Paris or the next New York. Meanwhile, it marches on, heedless of these speculations, carving a stylish niche of its own in Latin America.

The post One of the World’s Great Cities, Mexico City Offers a Wealth of Artistic and Cultural Riches appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

By now you've no doubt heard about the highly anticipated remake of the beloved 1994 Disney movie The Lion King, which features highly lifelike, computer-generated visuals and a star-studded cast of voice actors including Beyoncé, Donald Glover, James Earl Jones and Seth Rogan. With the film's Hong Kong release happening this week (Thursday, 25th July), you might be feeling inspired to take a trip to meet the king of the beasts in real life on a wildlife safari. So whether you prefer a luxury excursion or unique expeditions off the beaten path, here are our top picks for the most incredible safari adventures to experience right now.

Scott Dunn’s Lion King Adventure

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The Safari: 7 days through Nairobi and Laikipia in Kenya (from HK$49,100 per person)

This adventure starts off at the iconic Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, where there are -- you guessed it -- plenty of giraffes. The fun part is that you can wake up with them poking their heads through the windows looking for breakfast. Afterward, you’re off to the untouched natural haven of Laikipia, where you’ll stay on the Borana Conservancy, which is home to Pride Rock and a rhino sanctuary and where you can jump on an open 4x4 vehicle or horse to explore the African bush. Finally, this safari will take you to one of Africa’s most famed reserves, Maasai Mara, to spot safari royalty otherwise known as the 'big five': lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and cape buffalos.

Singita’s Adventure to the South

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The Safari: 12 days through the South African bush, Cape Town and Antartica (approx. HK$523,435 per person)

This safari is probably the most unique of them all: With a series of wildlife encounters from South Africa to Antartica, it’s an adventure that takes you from the bush to the ice. It begins in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where you’ll likely find wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, zebras, leopards, cheetahs and, of course, lions. The next stop is more of an urban safari, where you’ll explore Cape Town’s food, culture and history before being whisked off by private jet to Earth's southernmost continent: Antartica. Here, you'll enjoy glamping at White Desert Antarctica’s Whichaway Camp before witnessing a rare spectacle: Emperor penguin chicks taking their first steps across the ice.

Finch Hattons and Mahali Mzuri's Flying Safari

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The Safari: 7 days through Kenya (price on request)

This dual experience takes you on not one, but two luxury safaris, the first of which is located in Tsavo West National Park, set around natural fresh water springs and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. During this more luxurious and relaxing safari, wildlife fans can enjoy spectacular views -- think impalas, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, lions and cheetahs -- before heading back to wind down at their camp spas and swimming pools. As you move on to Mahali Mzuri, meaning ‘beautiful place’ in Swahili and located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, you'll have a front row seat to the rich wildlife on display and can have guided experiences led by local Maasai guides.

From Wildlife to Winelands with Ulusaba

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The Safari: 7 days from the Sabi Sand reserve to Mont Rochelle’s Vineyard (price on request)

Combining wine and wildlife, this safari takes travellers from Sir Richard Branson's private safari game reserve to the heart of the South Afria's winelands at Mont Rochelle. Located in the Sabi Sand reserve, the Ulusaba Hills offer a top vantage point that displays the surrounding terrain like no other, allowing for some incredible sightings. What’s more, the game drives come with experienced rangers and trackers to make the most out of your safari. After your adventure, you can unwind with a glass of new world wine in the Mediterranean-like climes of Mont Rochelle, where you can sit back and reminisce about your safari while sipping on their best vintages.

Track Lions on Foot with Warriors on Airbnb Adventures

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The Safari: 3 days through Nairobi (HK$4,023 per person)

Curated by Airbnb Experiences, which allows daring explorers to venture off the tourist trail, this safari is made for the real adventurers. Here, you can observe lions in their natural habitat while also helping conservation professionals conduct field work. Highlights include learning about African wildlife and local Samburu culture around an evening campfire, going on a ramble to encounter lions and other animals with a guide who personally knows the prides, and assisting the Lion Warrior Project, which employs Samburu warriors to help conserve, educate and ensure a future for Kenya's lion population.

The post Meet the Real Lion King on These Thrilling Safari Adventures appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Where and why we want to visit these top destinations over the next twelve months.

The post Where to Travel in 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.