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A Fine Romance
Few places in the Arab world can match the allure of Jordan, a land of great beauty and even greater history in the heart of the Middle East.
Brisbane Beckons
Long a poor cousin to Sydney or Melbourne, Queensland’s capital is casting off its image as a sleepy subtropical backwater. Will a new wave of chefs, restaurateurs, artists, and designers transform Brisbane from hick to hip?
For the Record
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul in the 1950s, ’60s, And ’70s was also a city in the midst of a profound transformation from tradition to modernity.
Natural Selection
Phuket and Krabi may draw the crowds, but just down the coast in Trang, savvy travelers are beginning to discover another, gentler side of southern Thailand.
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| > | Departments | | | Letters from Readers | | | Publisher's note | | | Gypsy Tales| | Train Travel
Bridging The Gap
Lodgings Update
Following a 20-month makeover, the Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta (Jl. M.H. Thamrin; 62-21/3983-8888; mandarinoriental.com; doubles from US$219) has reopened with 272 rooms and suites decked out in an earthy palette of chocolate, beige, and caramel; the best command views over the Indonesian capital’s iconic Welcome Monument. Six entertainment outlets, including the MO Bar and Chinese and French restaurants, round out the offerings.
Traveler's Check
Foodies visiting China’s second city will want to pick up a copy of the new Shanghai Eat & Drink Guide (silkguides.com), an independent compilation showcasing everything from the best bars to restaurants with top Bund views, kid-friendly eateries, and local artisanal producers. Guides can be ordered online and will be delivered to your hotel for free.
Restaurants
Thrice as Nice
Three new hotel restaurants in Hong Kong are wooing guests and locals alike. In Tsim Sha Tsui, Whisk (852/2368-1111; themirahotel.com) at The Mira is building its reputation on the imaginative French and Chinese cuisine of Singaporean chef Justin Quek.
Museum
Nezu redux
It may not have the size or status of other Tokyo galleries, but the Nezu Museum (81-3/ 3400-2536; nezu-muse.or.jp) now has the style thanks to a three-year makeover at the hands of celebrated Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
Trend
Mixing it up
Forget coffee and tea: hotels around the region are now offering liquid wake-up calls of a different variety.
Hotels
Bali’s New Beauty
It’s been more than a decade since Banyan Tree last managed a resort in Bali—but judging from the looks of the new Banyan Tree Ungasan (62-361/ 300-7000; banyantree.com; doubles from US$780), the Singapore-based hotel group is making up for lost time, and then some.
Hot Spot
Burlesque is More In a city famed for its oversupply of splashy nightspots, Shanghai’s newly opened Gosney & Kallman’s Chinatown (471 Zhapu Rd.; 86-21/6258-2078; chinatownshanghai.com) has already stolen some of the limelight.
Golf
Long Links
The Nullarbor Desert—200,000 square kilometers of arid wasteland—is not exactly ideal golfing terrain.
Spa
House Call
Just when you thought Singapore’s spa scene was becoming staid, Spa Esprit founder Cynthia Chua has retooled her Dempsey Hill outlet as a supermarket-inspired beauty playground.
M Marks the Spot
Escape the crowds and admire Beijing’s historic heart from above at Capital M (2 Qianmen Dajie; 86-10/6702-2727; m-restaurantgroup.com), the latest venture from Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut.
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| | | Calendar | | | | | Dec. 10–17
Spin, twirl, and turn your way to the Turkish city of Konya for the spectacular Mevlana Festival (Dec. 10–17; mevlana.net),
Dec. 31
In Kyoto, the New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing (Dec. 31) ceremony at Choin-in temple creates quite a buzz.
Until Jan. 3
Forget silent night—Singapore’s vibrant Christmas in the Tropics (Until Jan. 3) is all about making noise.
Through Jan
Expect a chilly reception at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (through Jan.; english.visitkorea.or.kr), South Korea’s largest winter celebration.
Jan. 9–30
From Al Green to Shakespeare, there’s something for everyone at the Sydney Festival (Jan. 9–30; sydneyfestival.org.au).
Jan. 11–15
Go nuts at the Coco Festival (Jan. 11–15; sanpablocity.net) in the Philippine city of San Pablo, a two-hour drive from Manila.
Jan. 21–31
“Organized chaos,” is how the World Buskers Festival (Jan. 21–31; worldbuskersfestival.com) is often described.
Dec. 3–7
P.S. Thailand International Balloon Festival, Dec. 3–7; Sinulog, Philippines, Jan. 12–20; Galle Literary Festival, Jan. 27–31
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