We don’t know about you, but we desperately need a break from all the madness and thankfully, Malaysia Airlines is giving us the right opportunity to get just that with low-season deals.
There’s really no better time to pack your bags and head off for an adventure, be it climbing to the top of the mountains, spending time with nature and our animal friends or just eat your way through a new country.
Don’t know where to start? Worry not; we’ve got a list of travel experiences you can try this year:
#1 Catch a glimpse of the Bengal Tigers
Where: Bangladesh
Bangladesh is not a country that’s usually on many Malaysians’ lists, but we are missing out on a beautiful country that is also rich in history.
There’s plenty to see and here. One of the must visit places is the Sundarban National Park, a UNESCO world heritage centre. The national park borders India and Bangladesh, and is home to many endangered species such as the Bengal tigers and estuarine crocodile and Indian python.
You can go on a safari and see how many animals you can spot!
Besides being a sanctuary to many endangered animals, Bangladesh also has many historic places that will change your preconceived idea of the country. History enthusiasts should visit the Buddhist remain in Pahapur and the 15th-century mosques in Begarghat - both of which are UNESCO heritage sites.
The river is an important part of the lives of the locals and traveling by boats is a norm. Check out some ‘water villages’ and markets while you’re there.
#2 Get in touch with your spiritual side
Where: New South Wales, Australia
India and Indonesia might come to mind when one mentions spiritual retreats, but Australia is fast catching up with both the countries. For someone who goes on such retreats often, this might even be a nice change of scenery.
Let go of all the stress of daily life and the world that seems to be going bonkers. Find you calm and center yourself before coming back home ready to face reality.
There are many types of retreats available here, most of the involving yoga of some sorts (no beer yoga, though) but you can choose to do other activities as well.
The best part about these retreats is that all you have to do is, pick a package and let the others arrange everything for you - from nutritious food to activities to refresh your body and minds.
Of course, Australia is also a great place to visit even if you don’t wish to go on a spiritual retreat. Just pick from the many great and famous tourism destinations to add to your trip.
#3 Climb to the top of the mountain and enjoy the view from a distance
Where: Nepal
Nepal is a great place to visit for nature lovers especially, even if you don’t particularly want to hike all the way up to the Annapurna Base Camp or Mount Everest, which is what many people go to the country for.
There are plenty of other easier and scenic hiking routes such as those in the Dolpo region. Here, you can hike through hidden valleys, run into yak caravans, discover the unique culture of locals who live in some of the highest altitudes in the country, visit shrines such as the Shey Gompa and enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Phoksundo and the Himalayan range.
If you love to watch animals in their natural habitats, Chitwan National Park would be a great addition to your itinerary. You can go on a Jeep Safari, by boat or even on foot to discover Bengal tigers, rhinos, elephants and many other wildlife. The rich and varied flora here is just as impressive and worth exploring.
For the adventurous, there are plenty of activities that’ll give you an adrenaline boost. From mountain biking to rafting and canyoning, there are plenty of activities to choose from!
#4 Eat and eat and eat until your heart is full
Where: Taiwan
Don’t worry, you’ll probably burn all the calories you consume travelling through the cities, as well as the outskirts of Taiwan.
Taiwan is well known for its yummy food - be it the traditional kind or the more innovative new flavours.
Don’t forget to try the stinky tofu, which is said to taste amazing despite the name and the smell, the beef noodles, boba i.e. bubble tea, shaved ice and much more. Shilin Night Market is probably the easiest place for you to get as many of the famous delicacies as possible at one time.
In between your food explorations, don’t forget to visit some of the famous sites in Taiwan.
Taipei 101 is a must visit for those who love checking out architecture. It was once one of the tallest buildings in the world and has stood through many earthquakes and the passage of time.
Built in the 18th century, the Longshan Temple is a perfect example of the Southern temple design. It has survived the World War II bombing and development, which many other temples around it didn’t, making the temple home to statues from all the others that did not survive.
Taiwan also has many scenic places for you to visit such as Taroko Gorge, Yushan National Park and Sun Moon Lake, to name a few.
#5 Explore caves and dramatic peaks
Where: Miri, Sarawak
You don’t have to go far to have a great holiday. Our own country has many places worth exploring especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where you can still find natural wonders that have yet to be sacrificed in the name of development.
Take a flight to Miri, a booming city thanks to the abundance of oil in the area, and make your way to the Niah National Park where you can explore caves, trek across dense jungles and get a peek at the lives of local tribes.
The caves are especially interesting, not only because of the varied flora and fauna found there, but also for its archeological site where human remains dating back more than 40,000 years were found.
Besides the Niah National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park is also a must visit for its unique and dramatic peaks. You won’t see such natural rock formation in many places and as such the trip to Miri will not be complete without a visit here.
While you’re there don’t forget to check out the Saberkas Weekend Market, Tusan Cliff and the Petroleum Museum as well. Of course, there’s plenty more to see, but that will all depend on how much time you have but you can start with what we’ve suggested first.
Book your tickets today
Have we awakened your travelust yet?If the answer is yes, get your credit cards ready because Malaysia Airlines has just launched their Travel Fair with mind-blowing discounts on fares to international and domestic destinations.
From now until 23 March, you can snap up awesome flight deals and holiday packages with up to 55 percent off!
Yep, you can have 100 per cent of the fun for more than half the price off!
Head over to Malaysia Airline’s website before 23 March and book your holiday to the destinations mentioned and more!
Don’t say we ‘tak payung’ yeah, guys.