Celebrity Life

There are about a hundred different reasons to visit London: the Queen, the culture, the copious amounts of biscuits and tea, and the 2,000-year-old history, just to name a few. So whatever you prefer — a little culture, sights or to shop until you drop — there’s something for everyone. It wasn’t easy to whittle down our list, from West End musicals to Anglican cathedrals and one of the best food markets there are. But here it is, the London city guide of our favourite things to do, places to see, as well as where to eat, drink and stay in the British capital.

The post Next Stop: London appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Not that we need another excuse to visit Japan's capital, but with the 2020 Olympics commencing in Tokyo this year, we do. From the traditional, cultural and historic, to the fun, contemporary, and bustling sides of Tokyo, there is so much to explore in this eclectic city.

It wasn't easy to whittle down the list of what to do and see, or where to eat, drink and stay, But here it is: our guide to one of Asia's, if not the world's, most fascinating travel destinations.

The post Next Stop: Tokyo appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Everything you’ve heard about Rotorua’s lush landscape, rich indigenous Māori culture, somewhat distinctive aroma, and bubbling geothermal activity is all true -- and it’s absolutely stunning. No wonder the North Island of New Zealand is considered one of the country’s most beautiful city and lakes districts. Plus, there’s also some great wine to drink, so if you have yet to consider it for your travel bucket list, read on for our top picks in this unique destination and discover what to see and do in this breathtaking natural wonderland.

See: Waimangu Volcanic Valley

A hotbed of volcanic activity, Rotorua is home to several geothermal attractions, one of which is Waimangu ('black water' in Māori), Volcanic Valley. Created by the devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, Waimangu is now the world's youngest geothermal site and the ecology adventure you’ve been looking for. Whether you prefer to walk, hike or cruise through the valley, the mysterious views of steaming craters, the world’s largest hot spring at a scorching 55 degrees (we recommend not to swim), and turbulent geysers are sure to keep you immersed. Make sure you download the Waimangu App on your phone to uncover hidden info about the valley as you tour through.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley, 587 Waimangu Road, Off State Highway 5, Rotorua 3043, New Zealand; +64 7 366 6137

Do: Tamaki Māori Village

It begins with hongi -- a traditional and meaningful Māori greeting where two people touch their noses and foreheads together -- before you really get to grips with New Zealand and its indigenous people. If you really want to immerse yourself in its deep-rooted heritage, then head to Tamaki Maori Village, an award-winning cultural site situated in the thick of an ancient Tawa forest. They offer travellers a peek into the world of the Māori with some incredible performances depicting its ancient warriors, ceremonial rituals such as the haka war dance, storytelling and hāngī, or cooking in an underground pit oven.

Tamaki Maori Village, 1220 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua City, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand; +64 7-349 2999

Stay: Treetops Lodge & Estate

Exuding a rustic elegance in the centre of 2,500 private acres of native forest and rolling hills, Treetops Lodge & Estate is the ultimate wildness retreat in Rotorua. The villas themselves are undeniably charming and surrounded by a private game reserve as well as seven trout streams and four lakes to explore. There are also numerous outdoor activities to choose to partake in, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, or even hunting -- it’s all doable at Treetops. But if watching wildlife is more your bag, it’s recommended to trek through the estate on horseback and catch a glimpse of wild deer, buffalo, alpacas, pheasants and more as they freely roam the estate.

Treetops Lodge & Estate, 351 Kearoa Road, RD1, Horohoro, Rotorua, New Zealand; +64 7 333 2066

Eat: Local Produce (and Urbano Bistro)

In all honesty, the restaurant scene in Rotorua isn’t exactly thriving, but there is some fantastic local produce to try -- even at the lodges or estates you stay at. Don’t forget to sample fresh venison, lamb, lake trout and honey, just to name a few of them. If you're in need of an off-property dining destination, then we recommend Urbano. With a casual café set-up by day, and bistro-style vibe by night, the restaurant is a welcome spot with some alfresco seating serving up coffee, burgers, hearty mains and generous breakfasts.

Urbano, 89 Fenton St, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand; +64 7-349 3770

Drink: Volcanic Hills Winery

There are many reasons to love this New World wine country, and some of these reasons include sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris, and merlot. If you are a lover of fermented grapes, we suggest you drink at the Volcanic Hills Winery in Rotorua. The wine at Volcanic Hills is made at the base of the hill from grapes sourced across New Zealand’s main wine regions. You need to take the skyline gondola to reach the tasting room, but when you get there it’s worth it. You’ll not only be able to sample a selection of its best vintages, but you’ll also be able to take in incredible lake views from above, too.

Volcanic Hills Winery, 176 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand; +64 7-282 2018

Travel Tip:

There seems to be an endless list of natural attractions to visit in Rotorua, but another that is an absolute must is Huka Falls. Here, you’ll not only see the powerful phenomenon of this waterfall, but you’ll also hear its thundering roar from afar. And for the thrill-seekers, there are even jet boats that can take you up close, too.

The post Next Stop: Rotorua Is New Zealand’s Natural Wonderland That You Need to Visit appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Located in the rainy environs of the U.S.'s Pacific Northwest, three hours south of Seattle, the city of Portland, Oregon has so much more going for it than just wet weather. First, it's a junction of natural wonders: Just a short drive away from downtown, there are ocean beaches for cool dips in the summer, not to mention picturesque mountains where you can hit the slopes in winter. Elsewhere, the hipster-y old town is a destination for free spirits and art lovers -- this is the only city in the US with an art tax to help preserve and foster local talent, after all.

Happily, Portland is a place where everyone can be anyone they want without any judgment. The city has only one request if you wish to experience its unique culture: While you’re there, do your part to keep it weird -- it’s kind of their thing. If a bit of Portland-style eclecticism sounds like it's up your alley, read on for our picks of where to stay, what to eat and more.

Stay: Heathman Hotel

An iconic landmark of the city, the Heathman Hotel has been a cultural fixture since it first opened its doors in 1927. The hotel pays homage to the history, culture and art of Portland, with pillars composed of coins (to echo the story behind the name of the city) in the lobby, paintings decorating the halls and rooms commissioned by local artists, plus a lounge which doubles up as a library. Inside this literary cove is a collection of over 3,000 titles, each and every one signed by authors who were guests of the hotel. When the PDX weather doesn’t hold up, drop in here to take in the artwork or get lost in a book.

[caption id="attachment_149042" align="alignnone" width="1440"] Heathman Hotel[/caption]

The interiors of the Heathman Hotel have recently been renovated. The rooms are light and airy with décor in a minimalistic style of soft neutral tones and dark wood flooring. Beds come with standard hotel pillows, but if that’s not what you’re accustomed to, a menu of specialty pillows is available for you to choose, ensuring you feel at home as much as possible. The minibar is also worth checking out as it's locally inspired and features tastes from some of Portland’s favourite purveyors.

Heathman Hotel, 1001 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon, USA; +1 (503) 241 4100

Eat: Southpark Seafood

[gallery ids="149044,149047,149061,149062,149045"]

If there’s one thing you have to order here, it’s oysters. With the largest selection in all of Portland, the oyster bar here is 100% sustainable, mostly sourced from the Pacific Northwest and the menu changes every single day. Southpark’s reputation did not make its name on its vast variety alone, but also its creative presentation. The freshly shucked molluscs on the half shell are piled over ice and served with wedges of lemon and mignonette for a sweet and refreshing burst of the ocean. Their cooked oysters are also worth a try: miso butter with Calabrian chili and furikake, herb aioli with tobiko and scallions, ‘nduja butter with chives or kale Rockefeller-style with bacon and breadcrumbs -- which got us ordering round after round, three to be exact.

Southpark Seafood, 901 Southwest Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon, USA; +1 (503) 326 1300

Drink: Loyal Legion

[caption id="attachment_149049" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Loyal Legion[/caption]

If you ask any Portlandian, they’ll proudly tell you that they live in the greatest beer city in the world. It’s hard to disagree, since Portland did pioneer the craft-beer movement in the early '80s and now has over 70 breweries and counting. Check into brewpub Loyal Legion for a tap list that’s representative of the Pacific Northwest beer scene for a cold one or two. Loyal Legion was born to celebrate the Oregon craft brewing tradition, so it comes as no surprise that they have the best beer tap system in the country and serve the most Oregon beers on tap -- 99 beers on the wall to be exact. How do you go about approaching such a large list? Well, the menu is carefully dissected so you can browse by style, sub-style, brewery, region, taste, growler, super cold, and nitro. Otherwise, the knowledgeable taptenders are there to guide you to an ale, lager or stout to your liking.

Loyal Legion, 710 SE 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, USA; +1 (503) 235 8272

See: Rose Test Garden

Nicknamed the City of Roses for good reason, Portland is known countrywide for its beautiful blossoms. These blooming buds have been around for a century, first landing during World War I in hopes to preserve species of European roses in case they became damaged or extinct. Fast forward 100 years later and Portland’s Rose Test Garden is the oldest official test garden and home to over 10,000 flourishing rose bushes of over 500 varieties, and you'll find history, nature and social-media-ready backdrops all in this one garden. The best time to visit is in June, but it's open from April to October from 7:30am to 9:00pm daily.

Rose Test Garden, 400 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, Oregon, USA; +1 (503) 823 3636

Travel Tip

Traffic can get pretty insane during rush hours, so do try to explore the city on foot. Downtown Portland is a great place to wander around as many iconic spots are within walking distance. It also rains around 280 days out of the 365 (that's 77% of the time!), so pack rainproof gear, especially footwear. It’s quite like the downpours we get during Hong Kong summers, but it does drizzle -- a lot.

The post Next Stop: Portland, Oregon appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A guide to the bright lights of Malaysia's capital city.

The post Next Stop: Kuala Lumpur appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A guide to the entertainment capital of Asia.

The post Next Stop: Macau appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A guide to the colourful Malaysian capital of old and new.

The post Next Stop: George Town, Penang appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A guide to the charming fort city.

The post Next Stop: Galle, Sri Lanka appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.