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Mumbai is not the place to go if you’re looking to escape crowds and chaos, but there are peaceful moments to be found and a number of other reasons to visit. Take a stroll across the sand at Chowpatty Beach, visit Mani Bhavan, once the home of Mahatma Gandhi. Sample the street food where you’ll find varied, spicy and delicious cuisine and delicacies on nearly every corner. Shopping is an adventure here – meander through the charming stalls bursting with beautiful embroideries and colorful silks to capture the magic of India. Taking a guided tour of Dharavi, made famous by the film “Slumdog Millionaire,” will provide a fascinating glimpse into what life is really like in Mumbai for the nearly one million people who live here.

This city on the central Vietnamese coast is one of the coolest towns in Southeast Asia, with its center a national heritage zone, which means no motorized vehicles are allowed. Stroll the cobblestone streets lined with charming shops and cafés, lit with lanterns and loaded with history. Once a month, during the full moon, the town trades its electric lights for traditional colored lanterns, while performers and musicians fill the streets with song. Hoi An is also the home of some of the best tailors in the entire country – bring a photograph of something you like and they’ll whip it up for you in a matter of hours, at almost unbelievably cheap prices too.

Nepal’s capital is surrounded by a valley filled with practically an endless number of historic attractions  – in fact, there are seven UNESCO world heritage sites here, including the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur, as well as the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Visitors can enjoy mingling with locals and animals among the monuments of Durbar Square or join mountain trekkers in the Thamel District and shop for cashmere, pashmina and wool scarfs, carpets and paper prints, created by local artisans. Don’t miss sampling the mouth-watering Nepalese dumplings while you’re here.

Terelj National Park in Nalaikh is less than 40 miles from Mongolia’s capital city and offers a glimpse into nomadic Mongolian life without having to journey for days over rough, unpaved road. While you can take a day trip, one of the best ways to experience it is by staying with a local family and sleeping in a traditional yurt dwelling known as a ger. From there, this vast, largely uninhabited region can be explored on horseback or on foot. Just a few minutes away, you can watch Mongolian cowboys herd their sheep and break wild horses.

The tranquility of the village of Ubud is a mecca for those who are looking to immerse themselves in nature and culture, with its unspoiled beauty and some of the best spas in all of Asia. Enjoy a famed Balinese massage, aromatherapy, acupressure or reflexology, and take in Ubud’s vibrant arts scene, with a number of fantastic museums and galleries. At nearby nature reserve Monkey Forest Park, you’ll find hundreds of mischievous long-tailed macaques.

Singapore, with a cityscape that looks as if it was ripped right out of the pages of a sci-fi book, has become an economic powerhouse over the past half century, with a high standard of living and numerous reasons to visit. It’s considered a shopper’s paradise with its numerous malls, though it also offers magnificent architecture, culture and amazing public art along with a slice of horticultural heaven with its Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Botanic Gardens. Many visitors come for the incredible food, with the melding of cultures, cuisine and natural beauty evident in every area of the city. Feast on nasi lemak, a Malaysian dish of coconut rise, anchovies, cucumber and chili paste; bak kut the, a clear Chinese soup cooked with pork ribs and five spices and even delectable British crumpets for tea.

Filled with contrasts, in Taipei you’ll find peaceful parks encircled by hectic streets and traditional markets right next to some of the trendiest boutiques. It’s old enough to have a fascinating history, yet modern enough to get Wi-Fi coverage everywhere you go.Food lovers will be in heaven, as not only can you eat well, but you can eat very cheaply. Even in eateries that don’t exactly look sophisticated, you’ll find the quality of the food is superior and there are almost an overwhelming number of options. In addition to local Taiwanese dishes, you’ll find regional cuisines from across China along with outstanding Japanese, Indian and even Italian fare.

Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, is one of the world’s leading financial, banking and trading centers and a gateway between East and West. You’ll find amazing dim sum, floating islands and a one-of-a-kind skyline. Enjoy tea in the elaborate lobby of the Peninsula Hotel, accompanied by music from a string ensemble, view traditional Chinese architecture in Ngong Ping village and then take the tram to the top of Victoria Peak for unparalleled views. The city alsohas more than 200 offshore islands, like Lantau Island, which offers a rare glimpse into the life of rural Hong Kong. After dark, take in the real-life version of Disney’s Electric Light Parade, when Hong Kong skyscrapers come to life at 8 p.m. every night in a magical show set to a stirring soundtrack.

In Tokyo, traditional collides with pop culture, offering everything from belting out a song at a karaoke bar to reverently wandering through ancient temples. While it’s chaotic, crowded and expensive, everything is incredibly clean and the people are extremely polite.  “Cosplay” is popular among young people, and they often use it to pay homage to favorite anime, movie, or comic book characters, which means you’ll see some intricate and impressive ensembles, especially in the hip, edgier Harajuku District. There are more Michelin-starred restaurants here than in Paris – the food is fresh, rich, and delicious – indulge in as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi as your belly can handle.

Shanghai is China’s largest city as well as its most cosmopolitan, providing the chance to experience the past, present and future all at the same time. It’s also the nation’s most prosperous city and one of its greatest economic and cultural centers. The Huangpu River splits it into two districts: Pudong and Puxi. The Pudong skyline looks like a scene from “The Jetsons,” with its bulbous Oriental Pearl TV and Radio Tower. On the Puxi side, stroll the Bund riverside district to get a taste of old Shanghai. As a sleepless city, you’ll find plenty to do after dark, including everything from night clubs and bars that are open until dawn, cinemas showing both Chinese and foreign films as well as theaters featuring dance, drama, opera, acrobatics and puppets. Shangai is a shopper’s paradise too, with a wide variety of shopping areas selling anything and everything imaginable.

Bangkok is the perfect blend of old and new, East and West, along with the romance of the Chao Phraya River, which is intertwined with the city it flows through. Golden palaces, floating markets and magnificent porcelain-laid spires are just a few of the other reasons to visit. The Grand Palace is a must, as a compound of palaces and temples where you’ll discover Thailand’s most important relic, the Emerald Buddha, a fifteenth-century sculpture that’s actually made of jade. Unwind in the European-style gardens of Dusit after hitting up Siam Square or Pratunam for shipping and don’t miss visiting Phra Nakhon, which hosts the Wat Pho temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Seminyak boasts some of the most glorious beaches in Bali along with legendary sunsets. It caters to those who are looking for a luxurious experience with numerous fashionable, upscale eateries and bars along with a sophisticated, laid-back atmosphere. While the smooth stretches of sand are the biggest draw, visitors are also enticed by the indulgent spas and practically endless shopping opportunities. The city seamlessly merges with Kerobokan, immediately to the north, with the many restaurants combining to give visitors some of the greatest variety of style and budget in Bali.

The charming Vietnamese capital is different than other Asian capitals as a graceful collage of cultural influences from the French and Chinese, yet still retaining local Vietnamese ways. It’s aged well, with the well-preserved Old Quarter, a maze of streets more than 1,000 years old set between the city’s famed Hoan Kiem Lake, the Red River and the few walls that remain of the Hanoi Citadel along with monuments and colonial architecture sitting alongside modern developments. Hanoi has not forgotten its past, as the only city in Southeast Asia with an embalmed leader on display – the body of Ho Chi Men lies preserved in a mausoleum, against his own wish to be cremated. Pretty parks, lakes, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of Hanoi, which can easily be explored by taxi.

Beijing offers a vibrant mix of modernity and history, and as China’s capital for over 800 years, it’s also home to some of the finest remnants of the country’s imperial past. Its wealth of history includes the ancient, such as the Ming Tombs, a mausoleum of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty; Forbidden City, The Great Wall, originally built between 220 and 206 BC by the first Emperor of China, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, as well as more recent relics like Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world, and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.  The city has several shopping districts offering a mind-boggling variety of goods. In addition to its traditional shopping districts, like Wangfujing Street and Qianmen Street, the lively outdoor markets should not be missed, though the Dirt Market offers the best experience as compared to the touristy Silk Market.

Siem Reap has been called the “perfect destination” for first time travelers to Asia. This capital city in northwestern Cambodia is easy to get around, and you’ll find attractions on nearly every corner, with friendly people, lots of history, culture, nightlife, museums, markets and opportunities for relaxing as well as taking part in adventurous activities. When the morning light washes across the temples and ruins of Angkor Wat, the city looks like a breathtaking painting come to life. Its ancient structures are found within one of the largest religious complexes in the world, with this complex and the 12 century Angkor Thom royal city, an expression of the true genius, considered the main reasons to visit. You can also get a fascinating lesson in national history at the Cambodian Cultural Village.

The Philippines’ proximity to China has meant that Chinese cuisine has always been readily available in the Philippines, but the Ching Palace offers one of the finest, authentic experiences of Chinese food on Cebu. Surrounded by aquariums and colorful birds, customers can select their own seafood dish before it is cooked to guarantee its quality and freshness whilst being seated in the opulent surroundings. With specialties such as the seafood soup, which brings together all manner of ingredients including jellyfish, and stir-fried shrimp chop suey, the Ching Palace is a great find for fans of oriental cuisine.

Hands down the best value for money family-style Filipino restaurant on the island. Established in 2004, Smoke has two branches in Boracay: the first located in D’Mall market, while the second sits across a Freestyle Kitesurfing school along Bulabog Beach. Popular with locals and travellers on a budget, this is the place to go if you want to sample authentic no-frills Filipino cuisine. Try their ultimate hangover-curing bulalo beef soup, paired with some freshly grilled fish of the day.

From the owners of Sunny Side Café in Boracay, expect high quality and good times at Spice Bird. Conveniently located inside D’Mall, this BBQ restaurant offers a refreshing change from the wealth of seafood on the island. It offers great value for money with large portions, presenting an array of barbequed pork and chicken, which are soaked for 36 hours in their signature piri piri (bird’s eye chilli) marinade. The mains are served with hearty sides and fiery homemade sauces to elevate your dining experience.

Paluto, meaning ‘to have someone cook’ in Tagalog, is a standard service offered in well-known seafood markets across the Philippines. The goal at D’Talipapa wet market is to purchase the freshest shrimps, crabs, fish or whatever takes your fancy and have one of the many small, family grill restaurants cook it for you. Check the scales and don’t forget to bargain! Any shellfish stir-fried in butter, garlic, and fresh chillies is a sure hit.

Looking to impress a date with something a little more glamorous? Splash your cash by pre-booking a table at the Solana Shangri-la, which offers impeccable service, great food and a stunning view of Boracay’s sunset. The resort-restaurant features a large wooden terrace based on a cliff, offering a luxurious view of their private beach, with open-sided cabanas, outdoor lounges and tables that rest around a fire pit. Indulge in a variety of cocktails and international and Filipino-style seafood dishes. Start with a refreshing appetizer, ‘kinilaw na tanigue’, which is a local version of ceviche. Raw narrow-barred Spanish mackerel is marinated in local vinegar and lemons, chilli and other spices.

If there’s such a thing as affordable haute cuisine in Boracay, Prana fits the bill. It is the signature restaurant of the Mandala Bay and Spa, who use local produce from their urban farm. The farm is located approximately 100km from Boracay, which in hand supports local producers. Headed by Executive Chef Peter Montemayor, who lived in Thailand and Bali, the spices and tastes of these two countries have been added to Filipino dishes. Cool off with a refreshing Calamansi mint slushie, made from a local citrus that is plucked straight from the garden. Follow this up with the Asian Tuna Tartare starter, that presents freshly-sourced tuna seasoned with lemongrass, ground toasted rice, bulgogi sauce and dried coconut. The menu stays away from red meat and focuses on fabulously presented healthy dishes, with a few that are also vegan-friendly.

Meaning ‘a mouthful’ in Tagalog, Subo is not your typical Filipino restaurant. It steers away from tradition and comes up with creative combinations to give Filipino food a fresh feel. Try the hot and sour broth soup called shrimp sinigang, similar to a Thai tom yung that features prawns, tomato, heaps of vegetables and batwan, a local Visayan fruit which serves as a souring agent instead of tamarind. The restaurant’s interiors feature antique Filipino-Spanish styled furniture, wooden floorboards, and windows made of capiz shells. The massive space can accommodate large groups, who can enjoy their meal while serenaded by local guitar players and traditional folk dances.

This refreshing open-sided venue inside the D’Mall offers all-day Filipino and American breakfasts, healthy salads, and homemade pastries and breads. The perfect place to recover after a night of debauchery – order brunch and go for the classic eggs benedict.

Before exploring the sandy beaches of Boracay, start the day right with breakfast or brunch at Sunny Side Café. The venue offers all-day contemporary breakfast dishes, achieving the perfect fusion of Filipino and American cuisines. The relaxing café sells delicious artisan coffees that you can pair with fluffy pancakes or a brilliant twist on the grilled cheese sandwich served with bacon and mango. All their breads and pastries are freshly baked each day. Walk along Station 3 in White Beach to find it.

Nonie’s is owned by married couple Patrick and Shria Florencio, who quit their corporate jobs to work with food and the community. The trendy restaurant is named after Patrick’s mom, focusing on carefully crafted healthy Filipino meals. The sustainable enterprise highlights locally-sourced produce and the freshest ingredients from suppliers in the community. Nonie’s has great options for vegetarians and specialize in a wide array of smoothies and pressed juices. Try their elegant pumpkin soup followed by a plate of bao sliders – which also has a vegan option. End the meal with the guilt-free flourless chocolate cake.

This family-run restaurant serves rustic and unpretentious Filipino-Castilian dishes. Dos Mestizos, meaning ‘two mixed-raced men’ in Spanish, is the brainchild of Jose Carlos Remedios and his friend, the late Jose Ramon Nieto, both of Filipino-Spanish descent. Established well over a decade ago, it is one of the most successful restaurants in Boracay – serving a selection of soups, tapas and five types of paella that blend Spanish and Philippine influences flawlessly. Their famed tapas night (which happens every Saturday), offers a hearty sampling of small platter bar chow. Don’t forget to visit their newly opened delicatessen Gusto y Gustos, which serves deli sandwiches using freshly baked breads – filled with succulent meats, Cubano and smokehouse grills and European cheese, smothered in the best condiments and organically grown vegetables from Remedio’s farm in Aklan.

This dark and divey cocktail lounge in a former historic funeral home is what dreams are made of — if those dreams are of high-end whiskeys and craft cocktails, that is. Owls Club owner Patricia Schwabe, who also owns Penca Restaurant, tapped her own star bartender Bryan Eichorst to develop the cocktail menu. With its shortened pews for booth seating and awkward nooks for quiet, more intimate conversation, Owls Club is the spot to hit downtown for those looking for something just off the beaten path.