The chill of autumn is just beginning to make its presence known Down Under, reminding us that while winter isn’t right around the corner just yet, it’s certainly waiting in the wings. Though some cherish the colder months, for most of us winter is just something we endure until the warm rays of summer roll around again. But there is a better solution than just hunkering down and pulling on another jumper. While the cold descends on the southern climes, our Asian neighbours are basking in the heat of summer. Escaping to an Asian destination can have you shaking off the chill of winter in no time at all, though it can be a little tricky to find the right spot that isn’t too hot and humid. That’s why we’ve collected some of the very best places in Asia to flee an antipodean winter below! Peruse your options and start plotting your epic escape today!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Many Asian cities are visited with heavy rainfall and stifling humidity during their summer months but in the shining city of Kuala Lumpur, June is actually the driest month of the year with July following not far behind. Even when it does rain, KL has all the modern infrastructure in place to ensure that it causes as little inconvenience as possible. While July is one of the heavier months for visitors in Kuala Lumpur, if you start booking your accommodation and travel now it’s likely that you’ll find some very good deals. Although KL prices aren’t quite as low as many other Southeast Asian destinations, that’s because this is a particularly cosmopolitan city with heaps to do and (oddly) some of the most affordable 5-star hotels in the world. If you’re hunting for a little urban luxury, KL could be for you - just make sure you have a car rental booked in Kuala Lumpur so you can explore this amazing city to your heart’s content.
Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Although it’s technically part of the same country, you’d be hard pressed to find a summer vacation spot further removed from the sparkling skyscrapers of KL than Sarawak. You don’t have to go far from Sarawak’s capital city Kuching to find yourself a richly diverse natural world. You might have to deal with the occasional thunderstorm, but overall Sarawak enjoys relatively dry weather at this time of year. Whether you’re browsing the exotic goods at Kuching’s Sunday market, discovering the traces left 40,000 years ago by some of our early neolithic humans or delving deep into enormous cave systems, it’s not hard to find utterly amazing experiences in Sarawak. What a way to escape the ordinary!
Singapore
Singapore may not be one of the first places that you think of when it comes to a winter getaway but it really should be. For one, this is a city with a multitude of recreation and entertainment options. Animal lovers will be thrilled by the island nation’s night time safaris, foodies can devour their way along a gastronomic trail of local cuisine, while those with kids should definitely put Universal Studios Singapore on their itinerary. This time of year is also fantastic for festivals. Singapore Food Festival is on in July and August, bringing the very best Singaporean dishes to plates all over the city. For a more unique experience, schedule your trip for August to catch the Hungry Ghost Festival. A little like a Chinese version of Halloween, this is a time when people honour their deceased loved ones with food offerings, live stage performances, bawdy stand-up comedy and the burning of paper replicas of whatever earthly goods the ghosts may be missing.
Central Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the leading choices for holidaymakers headed for Southeast Asia but if you’re not careful about where exactly in the country you stay, the weather might be a little overwhelming. Central Vietnam is a rare exception to the region’s summer monsoon schedule (the rains come in autumn instead) meaning that southern sunshine seekers are in luck here. Nha Trang is a classic Vietnamese seaside resort with very reasonable prices - if you’re here to relax on the beach, this is pretty much perfect. Hoi An provides a more culturally diverse experience to the inquisitive traveller. The city still retains many of its historical features from its days as an important regional trading port - and if you’re in town on the 14th day of any lunar calendar month, you’ll be treated to the sight of the entire town trading electric lights for traditional coloured lanterns!
Bali, Indonesia
There’s no way we could leave Bali off a list like this. Largely free from the heavy rain and oppressive humidity that often characterises the region at this time of year, Bali is a firm favourite with Down Under winter escapees. This certainly isn’t the place to go if you’re looking to get away from the crowds, but there are many fantastic reasons for Bali’s popularity - to ensure you have the freedom to take advantage of any that take your fancy, remember to pick up a Bali car rental. Snorkeling or diving among the island’s spectacularly diverse reefs, sampling local dishes like slow-cooked spiced chicken in banana leaves and spit-roasted pig, jumping into adrenaline fueled adventure activities or savouring a romantic evening on a private beach - Bali allows visitors to indulge in all of these things and far more.
No matter where you choose to shake off the cold, make sure you have the freedom to explore at will - AirportRentals.com helps you find the best car rental deal possible for your trip.
They may be slightly more subtropical but Australia and New Zealand also present great holiday destinations. Choose from pick up locations including Christchurch, Cairns, Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide and grab a car hire with Airport Rentals today.
No matter where you choose to shake off the cold, make sure you have the freedom to explore at will - AirportRentals.com helps you find the best car rental deal possible for your trip.
They may be slightly more subtropical but Australia and New Zealand also present great holiday destinations. Choose from pick up locations including Christchurch, Cairns, Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide and grab a car hire with Airport Rentals today.
