Make 3 More Trips in 2024: When & Where to Travel
Half the year is over and the next thing you know, we’re going to be counting down to next year! But before you purchase those festive 2025 party glasses, don’t miss out on 3 more opportunities to travel in the second half of 2024.
You heard us right. There are still 4 more public holidays this year, tempting us to take a couple of days of annual leave and jet to destinations near and far for that change of scenery we so badly need.
In this article, we’ll remind you of exactly when to take advantage of the upcoming public holidays, and even throw in recommended travel destinations and all the fun things to do there.
So don’t let the next 6 months go to waste! Renew your passport if you have to, get your travel insurance, and start writing your “Out of Office” message already!
Travel Insurance Gets Better
Psst! The medical expenses coverage limit overseas for our DirectAsia Voyager 250 travel insurance plan increased from $200k to $250k per adult or child, which means even greater peace of mind while on your travels.
If you’re travelling with relatives, friends or co-workers without children, take advantage of our Group travel insurance plans, which now welcome up to 20 adults. Furthermore, we have extended our age limit to cover up to 80 years old. What are you waiting for? It’s time to send out those travel invitations in your group chats!
August: Kerala, India
When: 8-11 August (4 days)
PH: National Day (9 Aug)
Leave needed: 1 day
Getting there: Fly to Kochi, Kerala
(SIA has a direct flight, there are also budget flights with 1 stopover)
Kerala, India, fondly referred to as "God's Own Country," is a stunning travel destination renowned for its natural beauty, rich culture, and diverse attractions.
With its equitable climate, gorgeous shoreline, extensive network of water channels, and Ayurveda roots, Kerala has long intoxicated travellers even since the time of the Greeks. And it’s no wonder that Kerala, in particular, has made its way onto the “National Geographic Traveler” list of “50 Places of a Lifetime”, being recognised as “Paradise Found”.
The month of August is particularly enchanting in Kerala, as the region is lush and vibrant from the monsoon rains, making it an ideal time to appreciate its scenic landscapes.
Athirappilly Waterfalls, often dubbed the “Niagara of India”, is simply a breathtaking experience, surrounded by a most picturesque setting for family picnics, nature walks, and stunning photography. The magnificent falls are especially spectacular in August, when the monsoon rains enhance their flow and beauty. And the areas around the falls are perfect for birdwatching and observing local wildlife. It does require a 2 km trek to the falls, though, so it’s not recommended for the elderly.
Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach holds the honour of being the longest drive-in beach in Asia, where you can drive your vehicle directly on the sandy shores (watch the speed limit of 20km/h though!). Whether it’s for a beach picnic, building sandcastles in the sand, catching the sunset on the horizon, or taking a leisurely drive along the coastline, the gentle waves and expansive sandy stretch here make it perfect for families and kids.
For a touch of culture, head to the Alleppey Backwaters. Iconic for their tranquil houseboat cruises, the backwaters offer a unique way journey through serene canals lined with traditional villages, all while savouring delicious Kerala cuisine onboard. You can even stay overnight aboard the houseboat if you like!
For families seeking both adventure and natural beauty, the Banasura Sagar Dam — the largest dam in India — offers an exciting opportunity to ride an exhilarating speed boat across its vast reservoir surrounded by mist-covered hills and verdant landscapes. There’s also the possibility to zipline across if you dare! You can also take it slow with options for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-boating.
If that’s not thrilling enough, then head to Wonderla Kochi, a vibrant theme park that promises some of the most high-thrill rides, such as Recoil (reverse-looping roller coaster) and Maverick (multi-directional twister). Don’t worry, it also has milder kiddy attractions and fun water slides for the whole family.
And if you still have a bit of time in Kerala, consider driving out to the Periyar Tiger Reserve to take in the majestic Bengal tiger and herds of Indian elephants who call this UNESCO sanctuary home. You can embark on a guided jungle safari, go bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake, camp overnight in a watchtower, or sign up for a silent night trek to spot nocturnal wildlife out and about.
November: Taipei, Taiwan
When: 31 Oct - 3 Nov (4 days)
PH: Deepavali (31 Oct)
Leave needed: 1 day
Getting there: Fly to Taipei, Taiwan directly
November is exactly the perfect time to visit the area around Taipei, Taiwan. November brings a cool breeze but a low chance of rain, and stunning autumn foliage that transforms Taiwan’s natural landscapes into a warm, glowing tapestry. The first drops in temperatures make it just right for enjoying the region’s renowned hot springs, and the lower tourist season means fewer crowds and calmer explorations of the city and its tranquil surroundings.
Maokong Gondola & Taipei Zoo
A really awesome way to view the panoramic views of the autumn landscapes and golden brown forested hills is to ride the Maokong Gondola bright and early in the morning (before the lines get long!). Choose the line for the “Crystal Cabins” for the glass-bottom cable cars that will provide you an immersive experience of floating above the breathtaking scenery.
On the way back down, hop off at the gondola’s Taipei Zoo South Station (get the value-for-money Klook gondola + zoo combo package). The Taipei Zoo is unique for being built on a hill, so you can actually enter at this elevation and walk downhill through the zoo, past the sloths, pandas, and koalas, all the way back to ground level (and the MRT station).
Beitou Hot Springs
Whether travelling with older folks or kids, you should definitely make hot springs a must on your Taiwan travel itinerary. The rich mineral content of these white sulfuric waters (with an acidity that is safe for human skin) are said to improve circulation and boost the immune system, help relieve stress and soothe muscle aches, and even be therapeutic for conditions such as arthritis and dermatosis.
The district of Beitou, at the foot of the famous Yangmingshan, hosts the only natural thermal hot springs in Taipei that are metro-accessible — simply change from Beitou station on the red line to Xinbeitou on the pink line.
- There are many hot spring spots in Beitou, such as:
Millennium Hot Spring — cheapest (enough said) - Longnice Hot Spring — oldest running, and features a traditional Japanese bath house setting
- Phoenix Pavilion — famous for Taiwanese TV shows shot here, but kids are not allowed
- Spring City Resort — best for families with kids, with 9 different types of hot springs including a waterfall pool, floating pool, and private rooms
While you can’t soak here (no hotels use this water either), make a stop at Beitou Thermal Valley (also known as Hell Valley) for a most amazing sight — bubbling green springs giving off clouds of rising sulfuric steam in an utterly mesmerising manner.
Things to Do in Shilin
You just can’t say you’ve been to Taiwan without visiting their world-renowned night markets. The most famous night market in Taiwan is none other than Shilin Night Market. It’s also the largest, with more than 500 food vendors (including a Michelin rated stall!). That also makes it the most touristy and crowded, so try to go in the late afternoon around 5-6pm to avoid the crowds that will start from 7pm.
While in Shilin, don’t miss the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park for all your favourite kiddie carnival rides, including a roller coaster and 40m Ferris wheel. (For a crazy 95m rooftop Ferris wheel, head to Miramar Entertainment Park in neighbouring Zhongshan district, which also boasts one of the biggest IMAX theatres in Asia).
For some hands-on fun, make sure you book in advance to make your own pineapple tarts at the Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry in Shilin (classes are held twice a day).
Taipei Cafe Culture
Lastly, it feels almost wrong to visit Taiwan without experiencing a little of the unique cafe culture here. For cafes that really are like no other, you absolutely should check out Taipei’s Modern Toilet Restaurant, Capybara Cafe, Meerkat Cafe, and Alpaca Cafe.
Taiwan Travel Tip!
Since last year, Singapore passport holders now enjoy faster immigration clearance via the e-gates when landing at Taiwan’s airport. First-time travellers to Taiwan will need to register and have their photo and fingerprints taken before being able to use the e-gates. Families may want to queue as per usual, as kids under 12 are not able to use the e-gates.
Lapland, Finland
When: 21 Dec 2024 - 1 Jan 2025
PH: Christmas (25 Dec) and New Year (1 Jan)
Leave needed: 6
Getting there: Fly to Helsinki, and then to Rovaniemi
Meet Santa
With such a lavishly long Christmas vacation period, where better to go to get into the spirit of the holidays than Lapland, the hometown of Santa Claus himself?
Sure, it’s quite a trip to even get to Lapland, but your kids are going to think all that travel was worth it when they get to Santa Claus Village and meet jolly ol’ Santa in person! Yup, despite a very busy schedule, Santa greets all the little kiddos that visit him every single day of the year — be they naughty or nice!
Visit the very real post office where children’s letters to Santa from all over the world end up, go for a reindeer sleigh ride in the snow, and learn just what it takes to be Santa’s little helper at the Elf Academy (diploma upon graduation!).
Meanwhile, it’s always Christmas at Santa Park, a secret underground cavern beneath the Arctic Circle, where Santa and his elves also work out of. Here, you can also meet Santa, ride the magic train, decorate your own gingerbread, and catch the elves at their acrobatic antics!
For the ultimate experience, sign up for a group or private programme with Santa Claus Secret Forest — Joulukka, and experience the magic of Christmas outdoors, hanging out with Santa’s elves in the enchanting surroundings of the Lappish forest.
Aurora Hunting
What’s probably THE most popular reason why people come from all over the world to the northernmost points of Finland? Why, to witness the mesmerising Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, dancing across the Arctic night sky, of course.
If you think there’s only one way to experience the beauty of the Northern Lights, think again. In this Lapland blog article, you could have a go at floating in ice cold water, staying in an igloo on a frozen lake, going on a wilderness safari, or gathering some huskies to take you across the snow to where the lights magically dance.
November to February is the best time for aurora hunting, as you can expect clear skies and no clouds. According to local advice, the best latitude to be at is around Kilpisjärvi, with a 75% chance or three-out-of-four-nights chance of seeing the auroras.
Snow Activities
While in Lapland, it’s definitely your chance to tick off bucket-list activities, such as:
Ice fishing (more waiting than catching, but drilling the hole through ice might be a novelty)
Going on a reindeer sleigh ride
Embarking on a husky safari
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoeing
Enjoying a wood-fired Finnish sauna (you know how the Finnish love their saunas!)
Cooking lunch over an open fire in the snow
Having drinks at an ice bar
Visiting a zoo full of arctic animals (Ranua Zoo)
There are plenty of travel operators who offer these activities bundled in special packages, so pick and choose which appeal the most to you and your family.
Even More Travel in 2024!
Though the bulk of the year’s public holidays are already over, you still have a chance to make the most of the next three public holidays, and experience an unforgettable vacation that will look as good in your memory bank as it will on your Instagram.
Don’t forget to book your travel insurance ahead of time — at least 30 days before you fly off — to truly take advantage of the pre-travel protection your policy can offer, even in the event of delays or cancellations.
And if you have plans to travel in early 2025, it might make more dollars and sense to pick up an annual travel insurance plan for the whole family. Your kids can even enjoy being insured for FREE if you and your spouse sign up.
Wherever you choose to jet off to, enjoy your travels!
