Travel has returned, and new hotels that were hindered by an unfortunate launch at the start of the pandemic or had to delay opening due to restrictions are back in force. “Many beautiful new properties are now open in desirable locations that are still quieter than before and need tourism support,” explains LUCY JACKSON, founder and director of Lightfoot Travel. Here, she reveals some of the best offerings for 2023 around the region, including hotels in Bangkok, Bali, the Maldives, India and more! New Hotels in India Raffles Udaipur, Rajasthan Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio opened it ..read more

We wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve heard of the Portugal Golden Visa (GV) – it’s the most popular residency-by-investment scheme in the world giving access to an EU passport. Here, the team from Property Smith tells us more about it. The Portugal Golden Visa Programme Since 2012, more than 10,000 investors and a further 17,000 qualifying family members of international investors have obtained residency through the GV programme. Almost €7 billion has been raised over the last 10 years. A Portuguese passport and property isn’t necessarily about moving to Portugal; however, it is one of the few r ..read more

Thailand’s a favourite among us at EL for a quick getaway. Now travel is back on track, here are some great places to head to! Bangkok The Thai capital is one of my favourite places to visit. You get delicious food, amazing spas at every corner, and the shopping is great, too. On top of that, if you’re a fan of Muay Thai like I am, there are lots of gyms in the city (and beyond) to check out. I really enjoyed my stay at Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok, a serviced apartment located just 10 minutes by foot from Asoke BTS station. Bangkok city is easy to navigate via the BTS and MRT systems, and yo ..read more

Thinking of planning a holiday in Australia? Popular destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, the Whitsundays, Tasmania, Byron Bay and Alice Springs. Before you head off do a bit of research and know the do’s and don’ts. It’s worth a visit, so here’s our mini guide to help you plan your trip: when to go, what to say, what you need before you go and more! The basics Population: 25 million Capital: Canberra Religion: Predominantly Christian Emergency number: 000 Fact file Australians eat both animals that feature on their coat of arms: the kangaroo and the emu. The world’s large ..read more

Ever suffered from desynchronosis syndrome? Of course you have; it’s the scientific term for what we know as jetlag. What causes jetlag? Jetlag results from changes to the body’s circadian rhythms caused by transmeridian jet travel. Translation: travelling long distances east or west changes the timing of outside light patterns, the cue that sets our body clocks. Jetlag is a relatively new condition, as air travel in the ‘olden days’ (before passenger jets) didn’t go far enough or fast enough to cause too many problems. Travelling north-south doesn’t stress the body but going east you lose tim ..read more

If you’re a regular reader of Expat Living, you’ll know that we enjoy following the travel adventures of the HER Planet Earth team as they explore some of the world’s farflung corners. This time, they journey across Greenland – by bicycle! There’s no doubt that traversing the full length of Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail at the heart of winter on a bike will stand as one of the most extraordinary and unique experiences of my life. The journey saw the HER Planet Earth team push our limits to the brink of exhaustion on multiple occasions in extreme conditions and temperatures, across one of the ..read more

Christine Amour-Levar of HER Planet Earth goes on an adventure of discovery and learning – sailing in the Philippines. Our journey They say the best journeys run deep and reconnect us with what it means to be human. Our sailing expedition to one of the most remote and astounding corners of the Philippine archipelago, Palawan, turned out to be exactly that; a deeply inspiring and revitalising voyage of self discovery and exploration. We spent an adventurous week sailing on a stunning traditional 74-foot paraw sailboat, the largest in the Philippines, which is a revival of an almost forgotten Fi ..read more

For many families, finding the right school is one of the most crucial decisions to make when moving to a new country. If you’re considering relocating to Singapore for your next expat post, the following guide is full of information and advice on international schools, including case studies of four schools, and interviews with others who’ve relocated from Hong Kong and are living in Singapore. Singapore’s international schools With Singapore being such a popular destination for expats from around the world to live and work, it’s no surprise to find a thriving international school scene. In f ..read more

While Repulse Bay is probably Hong Kong’s most famous, the city is home to a surprising number of beaches if you’re looking for a bit of swimming and sunbaking. Here’s a guide to some of the top Hong Kong beaches. Always check the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website for updates regarding beach closures. Repulse Bay is one of Hong Kong’s most famous beaches#1 Repulse Bay This crescent-shaped beach is popular with locals and tourists alike and is easily the most recognisable beach in the city, making it one of the top Hong Kong beaches. Once you have had your fill of surf and sun, y ..read more

Whether you’re a tourist looking for the best attractions and places to visit in Hong Kong, or you live here and want a refresher on HK attractions, we’ve got all sorts of must-visit places in this giant list! There are so many things to see in Hong Kong – from iconic tourist spots to fantastic nature areas, including places that are definitely worth a re-visit if you haven’t been for a while. Plus, plenty of the top sights in Hong Kong are free (from light shows to hikes, to views from the Peak!). *Keep in mind that some activities in HK may be affected by current restrictions. Hong Kong Tou ..read more