Chinese New Year Getaways: Where to travel for the lunar festivities

If you’re still not worn out by the excitement and jet lag from your Christmas travels, you’re in luck as there’s still time to plan your trip for the next big holiday – Chinese New Year, which falls at the end of January. From the tropical beauty of Saipan to the romantic Renaissance charm of Venice, here are our top picks for Chinese New Year getaways.

Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

The beautiful Micronesian island Saipan – tucked away into a remote corner of the Pacific Ocean – is a perfect juxtaposition of the picturesque beauty of land and water. This can be seen from the peak of Mt. Tapochau, one of the isle’s must-visit destinations, where you can get a 360-degree view of the entire island and the languid waters beyond. There is also the Forbidden Island, a destination you can reach by trekking for less than an hour from the main road. This hike further serves to highlight the inherent natural beauty of Saipan’s verdant greenery and azure seas. Moreover, the aquatic scenes of the island is accentuated with its famous Grotto, an underwater limestone cave where you can enjoy activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, diving and more.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Known for its iconic Bauhaus architecture, the Israeli city of Tel Aviv’s artistic scene is ubiquitous wherever one may roam. For the athletically inclined, countless bike friendly lanes makes it easier for you to experience these visuals. For art enthusiasts, there is the Tel Aviv Museum of Art with current art exhibitions like A New Age: The Spiritual in Art on display until February 2, 2020. With mysticism and spiritualism as the themes of the exhibition, you can see the work of artists like Emma Kunz, Maxime Rossi and more. The city’s largest park ‒ HaYarkon Park is worth a day on your itinerary with its water park, bird sanctuary and zoo.

Venice, Italy

A city that is synonymous to a romantic vibe easily tops any destination list for Chinese New Year getaways. Be it strolling navigating the Floating City’s countless bridges or riding the gondola on the Grand Canal with a view of the beautifully arched Rialto bridge, you will feel like you have been transported into a paradise. History buffs could do far worse than visit the Doge’s Palace, which housed La Serenissima’s ruling dukes for centuries, while, for people who admire the work of Renaissance artists like Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, there is the Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia. For those enamoured with contemporary art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection should also feature high on your itinerary.

Bristol, England

From stumbling upon the artwork of now-popular graffiti artist Banksy to spending a day at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the UK city of Bristol is sure to impress. Moreover, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Bristol Cathedral are a testimony to the port’s rich heritage and palpable history. A visit to the art and science centre We The Curious will be entertaining with events like Winter Stargazing 3D and Solar System Odyssey happening currently. More importantly, you can also indulge in a one-of-a-kind experience by hot air ballooning ‒ the city’s most famous activity – to gain a whole new perspective on this vibrant city.

Nainital, India

Located on the foothills of the towering Himalayas, Nainital is a very serene and aesthetic city to visit any time of the year. In fact, the place takes pride in its view thus having special spots to admire it. For instance, there is the Snow Viewpoint and the Naini Peak where you will get a mesmerising sight of the City of Lakes. If you are a fan of horse riding, you can ride one to the Naini Peak like many others or you can trek too.  Besides, with mountains forming a panoramic view around the Naini lake, you can enjoy a boat ride or a ropeway ride, all without breaking a sweat, making this perhaps one of the more relaxing Chinese New Year getaways on our list