They say first impressions last, and mine begins ...

(whatever your budget!)

Bodin Hon and Dilara Kan Hon of Studio Yellowdot give us a tour of the places they treasure most – plus a hotel to stay at

From island-hopping in southerly Okinawa to farm experiences in rural Aomori and skiing in far northern Hokkaido, this diverse archipelago offers intriguing local culture, ancient history and epic wilderness experiences around every corner — and deeper exploration reaps huge rewards

The Australian city’s home-grown food scene is going from strength to strength, with in-water oyster experiences and garden bush-tucker tours on offer, plus a new-look Sydney Fish Market on the horizon

A RETRO REVIVAL, ‘TICKET TRAVEL’, INDIGENOUS FIRSTS — THESE ARE AMONG THE KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS SET TO INFLUENCE THE YEAR AHEAD. WORDS: QIN XIE