| The mystery and intrigue of Asia has long | | | | traditional culture and modernist luxury at hand. |
| attracted crowds of curious visitors. But the | | | | Skyscrapers sit side by side here with hill treks, |
| shabby chic and flea markets which characterised | | | | jungle tours and elephant rides, with the facilities |
| the backpacking trail of the 1960s now blend | | | | and soft sheets of a lavish hotel never far away. |
| seamlessly with a rather more indulgent style of | | | | 3. Bali, Indonesia |
| travel. | | | | The tropical azure seas and soft white sands of |
| Designer shopping, lavish hotels, modern comforts | | | | Bali will never fail to disappoint a visitor to Asia. |
| - all the hallmarks of great luxury travel can now | | | | Despite becoming increasing popular, Bali hasn't |
| be found among Asia's best cities and islands. | | | | lost its idyll and unspoiled nature. Surrender your |
| Here are five of the very best destinations for | | | | mind, body and spirit to total tranquillity at one of |
| luxury travel in Asia. | | | | the five star spa hotels which the island now |
| 1. Seoul, South Korea | | | | enjoys. |
| Recently named one of the top three cities to | | | | 4. The Maldives |
| visit in 2010, Seoul is an increasingly cosmopolitan | | | | If Bali isn't quite remote enough for your tastes, |
| and modern city. If labels are your thing, shopping | | | | The Maldives has the answer. A string of tiny |
| here is heaven - Myeongdong is packed | | | | coral islands each circling a lagoon - known as |
| shoulder-to-shoulder with boutiques. The shiny | | | | atolls - scattered across the Indian Ocean, this is |
| Coex Mall is another fine sight, situated in the | | | | the place for travellers who are seeking total |
| most desirable residential area in the city. | | | | privacy and isolation. This doesn't mean forgoing |
| When you've worked up an appetite at the | | | | comfort, however - many of the islands are now |
| shops, the Samsung Tower in Jungno-Sam-Ga | | | | private luxury resorts designed for indulgence. |
| offers both a lavish menu and interesting city | | | | 5. Singapore |
| views. Seoul also boasts a fabulous boutique hotel, | | | | A firm favourite amongst the rich and glamorous |
| The W at Walkerhill. Inside, the clean-cut red and | | | | for its clean living and sleek modernist |
| white décor contrasts the opulence of | | | | architecture, Singapore is still one of the best |
| Bosch soundsytems, Jacuzzi bathtubs and the | | | | destinations for shopping and dining in Asia. Rivalling |
| longest bar in the city. | | | | Milan and New York as a fashion-forward city, the |
| 2. Chiang Mai, Thailand | | | | Takashimaya and ION malls are home to every |
| Forget Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand's 'New City' - | | | | designer shop imaginable, from Cartier to Gucci. |
| the meaning of Chiang Mai in English - has both | | | | |