Photos: Taiwan

Taiwan is a land of hot springs where steam billows over calm waters. A land of deep gorges and serrated peaks where wisps of mist float. A land of lakes where the sounds of cicadas cuts through the silence. And all of this can be experienced from a bicycle saddle. Taiwan is extremely bike friendly, with hundreds of miles of bike paths networking the country, and plenty of opportunities to rent bicycles. Among the numerous bucolic green spaces that are a must for cyclists is Sun Moon Lake that’s especially atmospheric if you visit in the early morning.

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Photos: South Korea

Networked with bike paths, South Korea is one of the most bike friendly countries in the world.  On a two-week trip, I pedaled on mostly paved dedicated bike path from Damyang to Mokpo, taking my bike first on a ferry to Jeju Island and then to tiny Udo Island.  Along the way, I found lush landscapes, verdant agricultural lands, primeval forests, and scenic waterfronts where older female divers freedive for abalone and conch and then serve the shellfish raw on a seaside table.  One morning, I walked through a Metasequoia Forest where only foot traffic is allowed. Another day, I hiked Halla Mountain, the country's highest peak that rises over 6,000 feet above sea level. (It's on Jeju Island, off the south coast.)  Udo Island , a wee island, can easily be visited on a day trip from Jeju Island. Cycling there is idyllic with nothing but seaside and verdant vistas interspersed with small cafes and accommodations.

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Photos: Hanoi, Vietnam

Though many trips to Vietnam involve journeying to beachfront areas, I, instead, chose to center on Hanoi, not visiting tourist-thronged sites, but rather focusing on contemporary art galleries and bucolic parks and gardens. Though these are all steps away from a chaotic traffic scene where you take your life in your hands, these are pockets of tranquility by just attempting to cross the street, each of these are pockets of serenity. For example, the
little visited Botanical Garden is a delight. In one section, a web of roots emanating from a 19th-century tree becomes a magnet for those who want to meditate. And circumnavigating around West Lake, you'll find a section blanketed with lotus blossoms.

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Three Luxe Properties In Sri Lanka That Are All About Giving Back

All three of these Sri Lanka-based properties (below) are owned by Resplendent Ceylon, a company that revolves around doing the right thing, whether it's protecting the environment or giving back to the local community.

This is one of the many placid and scenic spots to lounge at the luxe colonial-era bungalows at Ceylon Tea Trails.  When staying at either the upscale Summerville or Castlereagh bungalow, one never tires of this view: lake, mountains and fields covered in tea plantations. The days can be spent lounging pool side or mountain biking or trekking through the plantations, perhaps stopping at one of the other three colonial-era bungalows for high tea or maybe a game of crochet. 

When staying at the innovative Wild Coast Tented Lodge property, you have the opportunity to be enwrapped with nature -- it's adjacent to Yala National Park -- while also indulging in ultra contemporary architecture and design. These two organic, bamboo-clad structures house the restaurant, bar and den. 

At Cape Weligama, villas huddle in colorful gardens, and guests can take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool and gaze at the Indian Ocean in the distance.  Since I’m enchanted by gardens, I fell in love with this property. 

Check out more about each of these three properties in my recent article for Forbes.

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Sri Lanka in Pictures

The three properties in Resplendent Ceylon's collection reflect the variety of treasures Sri Lanka offers.

At Cape Weligama, one of the three Resplendent Ceylon properties in Sri Lanka, villas huddle in colorful gardens, and guests wake up to this scene where they can take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool and gaze at the Indian Ocean in the distance.

The architecture and design at Resplendent Ceylon's Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Sri Lanka is stellar. But what's even more impressive is how the company upskilled the local fishermen, teaching them how to construct these netted bamboo structures that are covered in recycled teak shingles. Now, when they're not fishing, they have another source of income -- there's lots of interest in these types of structures that are ultra strong and light on the environment.

When staying at either the upscale Summerville or Castlereagh bungalow that are part of Resplendent Ceylon's Tea Trails, one never tires of this view: lake, mountains and fields covered in tea plantations. The days can be spent lounging pool side or mountain biking or trekking through the plantations, perhaps stopping at one of the other three colonial-era bungalows for high tea or maybe a game of crochet.

This YouTube video slideshow provides a window into these three properties as well as excursions in the surrounding areas.

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Luxe Sri Lankan Hotels That Are Socially Responsible

Staying at the innovative Wild Coast Tented Lodge property in Sri Lanka, you have the opportunity to be enwrapped with nature -- it's adjacent to Yala National Park -- while also indulging in ultra contemporary architecture and design. These two organic, bamboo-clad structures house the restaurant, bar and den. This is one of three Sri Lanka-based properties owned by Resplendent Ceylon, a company that revolves around doing the right thing, whether it's protecting the environment or giving back to the local community. (The other two properties are Ceylon Tea Trails and Cape Weligama. Check out my recent article for Forbes where I interviewed the Managing Director Resplendent Ceylon.

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South Korea In Pictures

South Korea recently has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. But this is a country webbed with a sophisticated network of bicycle trails, many that are completely segregated from traffic. I recently bicycled from Damyang, south of Seoul and then took the ferry with my bicycle to Jeju Island. I found South Korea to be a country of lush landscapes, verdant agricultural lands, primeval forests, dense stands of bamboo, and scenic waterfronts where older female divers free dive for abalone and conch and then serve the shellfish raw on a seaside table. This YouTube video slideshow provides a window into my adventures.

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