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Selective Asia

Selective Asia is a bespoke travel specialist based in Brighton, UK.

Selective Asia offers tailor-made holidays and privately guided adventures across Asia for the independently minded, discerning traveller seeking a unique experience, not just a run-of-the-mill holiday. Our range of unique, tailor-made holidays and privately guided adventures will take you to Vietnam, Borneo, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. We are not a

n automated online business – your calls and website enquiries are dealt with by our experienced UK-based travel consultants who have a thorough knowledge of the countries they specialise in. All have travelled extensively in the region, and continue to do so on a regular basis, to bring you the very best each country has to offer: exciting, unique and interesting experiences, hotels that have been personally inspected, and carefully selected local guides who will show you Asia through their eyes. Our passion for Asia is reflected in the holidays we offer, where the emphasis is on quality at a competitive price.

26/02/2025

Today, on the 26th of February, the most extraordinary event reaches its culmination, and the grand finale, with the final bathing ceremonies: Maha Shivaratri.

Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest peaceful gathering on the planet, is coming to an end, and we’d like to say a few words about the mind blowing scale of the festival.

Maha Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years, and is deemed the most important out of the Kumbh Melas occuring every 4 years. This year’s event, however, was even more significant (and rare) due to a specific planet alignment that can only be witnessed once every 144 years.

Festivities last 45 days, and this year’s visitors number has reached 400 million people, an unprecedented amount that’s never been recorded before.

Festival grounds cover over 15 sq mi; bathing ghats over 7mi long has been constructed for the pilgrims to take holy baths; there was a huge number of community kitchens spread around the grounds, each able to serve 50,000 people at a time; a tent city has been constructed to accommodate pilgrims, and will be taken down after the festival ends.

The festival has been recognised by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity”.

21/02/2025

In the whirlwind of new discoveries and excitement, when exploring a new destination, or even a familiar one, we sometimes almost forget to breathe. Emotions take over, and lead us on this journey, full of surprises, making us crave more and more: to see, to experience, to try. We often give in, and sacrifice whatever little time we’ve set aside for relaxation, in favour of another experience, or a site without a doubt worth getting up for at sunrise.

We’ve all been there and done it. Human nature, no matter how hard you try, it’ll play you, time and time again. The only way of winning this game is making relaxation a part of your itinerary. An unamendable part.

For this very purpose, we’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to hotels. Some are hidden amidst the dense jungle, some set atop a cliff with the best sea views you can imagine, and some resemble a secret paradise escape.

This new gem that’s getting ready to welcome its first guests this coming April has got everything to become that cherry on top of your adventures around Cambodia. A part of the South coast islands, the hotel is only a short boat ride from the mainland, yet the sense of seclusion is remarkable. With no other hotels on the island, your neighbours being the sea, and the tropical forest, you’ll have no choice but to unwind, slow down, and reminisce about your recent discoveries. Perfection.

16/02/2025

Food plays central role in many Asian cultures, where it is much more than just sustenance: food preparation and consumption are deeply tied to cultural values, spiritual practices, and social bonds. Family meals can last for hours, and spreads prepared for special occasions would turn any western head.

Today, we’ll talk about Indonesia, where food is steeped in deep cultural and spiritual significance, and serves as a link for the nation spread across more than 17,000 islands. Rice, a staple in Indonesian cuisine, is often seen as a symbol of life, prosperity, and fertility. And its preparation and consumption reflects connection to the land, and roots.

In Bali, food plays a crucial role in rituals: offerings of rice, fruits, and flower arrangements are presented to the gods during religious ceremonies as a sign of gratitude and devotion.

Javanese culture is all about communal meals, where dishes are shared among family and neighbors, providing a sense of unity.

In Sumatra, no ceremony is held without “Nasi Tumpeng”, a cone-shaped mound of rice surrounded by a variety of side dishes. This shared platter has a deep background: rice symbolises the mountain, which represents a connection between the earth and the divine.

Sharing meals, cooking, and eating together, as a community, is a much cherished tradition across the archipelago. It strengthens bonds, creates new ties, and forms and shapes this sense of togetherness the Western world is often lacking. A simple need of feeding our body turns into a beautiful celebration of unity and strength, bringing people closer, building trust, and providing this sense of safety and acceptance we feel while being with family.

To delve deeper into the mesmerising world of Asian cuisine, and learn about some of the best (in our opinion) food markets in Asia, follow the link to our blog: https://www.selectiveasia.com/blog/asia/best-off-beat-street-food-markets-and-hot-spots-in-asia

29/01/2025

Today marks the beginning of the first lunar cycle of the year, and the arrival of spring, widely celebrated across Asia. In Vietnam, this festival is known as Tet, one of the biggest celebrations in the country.

Homes and streets are decorated with peach blossom, kumquats, and plenty of red lanterns, banners, and flags. Families come together to wish each other a happy and prosperous year, and enjoy a festive meal together.

Towns and cities are drowning in marigolds, symbolising wealth and good fortune; streets are bursting with pop-up markets, filled with colourful stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, and more street-food than one can imagine.

Celebrations last for 2 weeks, culminating with the Lantern festival that marks the end of Tet. This is the time of joy, hope, and new beginnings.

27/01/2025

Come see us at Destinations Travel Show in London Olympia this week! Our team will be there to talk all things Asia, Thursday to Sunday (stand AP-21).

On Sunday the 2nd of February, at 11:15, our founder Nick will be giving a talk about his incredible rail adventure from Brighton all the way to the iconic Taj Mahal. Find him at the Meet the Experts theatre to hear his epic stories.

To redeem your complimentary tickets, use the code from our latest newsletter (sign up if you haven’t already) https://mailchi.mp/selectiveasia.com/the-best-of-2024

We look forward to seeing you all in just a fewdays!

24/01/2025

Today, we’ll reveal two more travel trends of 2025, both of which we can’t recommend enough.

Untouched tourism. This may sound similar to off the beaten track travel, but there is a significant difference: you don’t need to go out of your way for untouched tourism. It’s everywhere. Think of the runner ups, second bests, the underdogs of the travel world. Or simply the places that have been overlooked by the mass tourism for one reason or another, but offer just what you’re after, and some peace as a bonus. Sa Pa in Vietnam is a world known hiking spot, but you’ll get similar (if not better) views, and hardly see any foreigners in Mu Cang Chai. Swap Ubud for quiet Sidemen, surrounded by terraced rice fields, and with temples just as stunning. Skip Ella and make your way to Haputale, hidden between the emerald hills in Sri Lanka. There is no backpackery buzz, or hipsters cafes. Just nature, birdsong, and stunning views everywhere you look.

Off-season travel. Finally catching up with the rest of the escapism-driven travel ideas, off-season travel is the kind of trend that does a lot of good, to everyone. Local businesses get a steady stream of income without the need to rely on a short peak. Travellers can enjoy the slow pace of life, lack of crowds, and much better prices. And that priceless feeling of being less of a tourist. If anything can fight over tourism, then off-season travel might be the step towards it. For years we’ve been promoting travelling to the destinations outside of peak times, and seeking beauty in “imperfections”: an occasional rainy day, rough sea, less frequent transport, colder (or hotter!) evenings. And it feels so right seeing this idea gaining popularity.

Would you travel off season?

10/01/2025

In the next part of the travel trends series we’ll talk about two more trends that aren’t new to us personally. More than that, they very much outline the essentials of a great adventure, and highlight our own beliefs. Here they are:

Off the beaten track adventures. True travellers’ deep desire for unexplored lands isn’t new, but with time it’s become more of a trend than a rare occurrence. Tying in with all the previous trends we’ve already mentioned earlier, it highlights the necessity of a real escape for modern people, and their wish to swap urban jungle for rural landscapes, exploring the great outdoors, enjoying the scenery, uninterrupted by the high rise buildings. This doesn’t mean going back to basics either: many hospitality experts have recognised this tendency ahead of time, meaning there are quite a few stunning properties waiting for you in the middle of nowhere.

Bespoke travel. Well, it would sound a bit odd if we weren’t all for bespoke travel. The benefits, to us, are obvious, the main being freedom (and who doesn’t love that amazing feeling?). Tailoring a well-deserved holiday (let alone, an exciting adventure) to your needs is, in our opinion, a great idea. See what you like, do what excites you, challenge yourself (or spoil yourself), all on your own terms, at your own time and pace. What’s the downside, you ask? We doubt there is one. You will still meet plenty of people along the way, if you’re after new friendships, or a casual chit-chat, yet see the country through your own lenses.

07/01/2025

Let’s continue exploring this year’s travel trends. The ones we’ve got in store for today we had mentioned a little while ago, but the picture wouldn’t be full without them. Here comes the next pair.

The joy of missing out. While everyone is familiar with the term FOMO (or fear of missing out) that has almost enslaved humanity, causing countless mental health issues, JOMO is a far less known concept that we think should be way more popular. It promotes the ability to disconnect with the modern world, slow down the pace, go off the radar, and focus on yourself, your loved ones, and the simple things around you. It might be one of the best versions of escapism, which helps us to reconnect with what’s really important, and focus on the present. Remote locations with patchy network, no wifi or huge TV screens, are the best places to practice JOMO, even if for a few days.

Quietcations. Not the silent retreats you might have thought of, but restful holidays aimed at slowing down, recharging, getting away from the buzz and pace of everyday life. If you really want to embrace this trend, you might even take it further, and swap domestic flights and busy airports for alternative transportation. Quiet train berths, or boats slipping down the waterways. These might not be the quickest ways of getting from A to B, but remember, it’s all about slowing down and avoiding the crowds. As with the previous trends, this one takes you away from the tourist trails, to less discovered locations, closer to nature, where the sound of buzzing traffic can no longer reach you, and instead you can hear the birds chirping at sunrise.

06/01/2025

In the spirit of soft travel, off the beaten track adventures, and quietcations, which are all (finally) becoming mainstream, let’s talk about one of Asia’s less visited, and less crowded destinations, a perfect place to embrace these trends.

The land of saffron-robed monks, ancient temples lost in the jungle, and dreamy beaches has been reclaiming its popularity for quite some time, after a horrifying dark patch in its modern history. It hasn’t made it to the leaderboard yet, remaining low-key, charming, and blissfully unassuming, just as it was intended. Waiting for a curious traveller, ready to discover a new welcoming destination beyond the famous landmarks.

It’s Cambodia’s time to shine, and we’ll show you just how much it has to offer➡️

04/01/2025

While the world is busy with New Year’s resolutions, we are looking at all things travel, and what the future has in store for us. Each year, travel trends make a slight shift towards what we hope is a more sustainable approach to adventures, healing for our planet, and for our souls. Don’t we all crave some balance? A harmonious mix of excitement and relaxation. It’s with a very warm feeling that we see emerging (and well-established) travel trends leaning towards preserving the beauty of our planet, being closer to nature, exploring the unseen, and embracing what comes our way with an open mind and heart.

Today we’d like to start a series of posts about some of the travel trends that are predicted to dominate 2025, and, we’re certain, will stay with us for much longer.

Soft travel. Putting our own wellbeing first has finally become trendy, and holidays allowing travellers to connect with themselves, find inner peace, properly unwind and recharge, are on the rise. Even if it’s a few days out of the whole trip, aimed at rediscovering yourself, and looking after your body and soul, this mini-break within an adventure might be as powerful as a dedicated retreat. Think open-air baths, SPAs, yoga and meditation, long walks or stargazing, being out in nature, really slowing down, and listening to yourself. It feels as magical as it sounds, and is totally achievable on every holiday you take.

Slow travel. This isn’t new, but we love the idea of properly immersing yourself into the new culture, and really uncovering the destination so much, we just can’t miss this one out. Rather than rushing through to tick off the tourist hot spots and snap a few selfies on the way, slowing down and taking in the vibe of the place (and everything that comes your way) is really the only way to travel we can agree with. On top of being environmentally friendly, slow travel allows you to feel like a real explorer, and that’s one of those feelings that are hard to beat.

30/12/2024

Bhutan — often called the Land of Happiness, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, or the Last Shangri-La — goes by many names, but it’s its deep commitment to sustainability and preservation that truly sets it apart. Whether it's limiting the number of tourists or protecting its forests, Bhutan always puts its land, culture, and nature first.

How can a tiny, almost fairytale-like kingdom, lost between the snowy peaks, be so successful in resisting globalisation?

Bhutan is the world’s only carbon-negative country, with more than 70% of its forests preserved and protected as National Parks. It’s a sanctuary for wildlife, and home to some of the world’s most endangered species, like the black-necked cranes, which find refuge in its vast valleys, knowing they are safe and welcome here.

Its rivers, among the cleanest in the world, are a lifeline to the people. The majority of Bhutanese live in rural areas, and the government carefully manages the water to keep it pure and plentiful for generations to come.

Spiritually, Bhutan goes even further. The climbers are banned from some of its sacred peaks, including Gangkhar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain on Earth. All to respect the spirits.

In a world that’s increasingly connected, Bhutan’s unique culture still thrives. The secret? A nation-wide effort to protect traditions, an unwavering respect for the past, and a deep, almost mystical connection to the land. There’s a quiet magic here, where nature and culture blend in ways that feel timeless.

19/12/2024

At Selective Asia, we believe that travel should leave a meaningful and positive legacy. That’s why, with every booking, we contribute to the Securing the D’ering-Dibru Saikhowa Elephant Corridor project, in partnership with the World Land Trust. We’d like to take the opportunity to share more about this important initiative, and explain how your travels help make a real difference.

The D’ering-Dibru Saikhowa Elephant Corridor, nestled in the Eastern Himalayas Biodiversity Hotspot, is a key wildlife corridor in India. This vital project aims to restore a natural migration route for elephants, tigers, leopards, and other wildlife, ensuring they can move safely between habitats. Spanning over 500 hectares, the initiative plays a crucial role in both safeguarding wildlife, and supporting local communities through sustainable employment.
The corridor also provides a vital sanctuary for the critically endangered Bengal Florican, a rare bird that depends on this unique ecosystem. The project not only focuses on conservation, but also empowers local populations by creating job opportunities tied to the preservation of the land and its wildlife.

When you choose to travel with Selective Asia, you’re not only discovering new places, but helping to protect them. Your booking directly supports the preservation of some of the planet’s most precious habitats and the wildlife that call them home. And we want to thank you for trusting us to create a better, and more sustainable way of travelling that makes a difference and makes an impact.

18/12/2024

To continue the theme of travel trends for the coming year, let’s look beyond the obvious (destinations), and into the travellers habits.

There’s an emerging concept that we find particularly appealing, and cannot agree more with. The so-called “soft travel”: the kind of travel that embraces simplicity, and encourages travellers to look after themselves, take a deep breath, really let everything go, relax, and find that inner peace, well hidden behind the daily lists, lost in the crazy pace of modern life, and almost forgotten by the society of overachievers.

We’re finally seeing more and more people actively (and consciously) looking after their mental health, and seeking serenity, peace, and respite from the modern world. Soft travel offers exactly that: looking after yourself, taking a break, catching a breath. Watching sunsets, aimlessly strolling through the serene landscapes, breathing in sync with the ocean waves. The famous Italian “dolce far niente”. Or, as some researchers suggest, “JOMO”: the joy of missing out.

Although this concept differs from the well established slow travel, which promotes immersing into the destination, spending more time taking in the culture, and not rushing around, both are about time, whether it’s time to unwind, or time to absorb.

We think, it’s about time we adopt both these travel styles, and integrate them into our adventures. Maybe, that’s what 2025 will be about?

10/12/2024

And…tick!

14 countries / 38 trains / 13,277km / 234 hrs onboard

What a wonderful ride. 🚂❤️

05/12/2024

It’ll be a wonder if I have any friends left when I return from this trip….

I’m beyond overflowing. 🤯🫠🙏🏼❤️

29/11/2024

Oh hello! That’s me stepping off my final train in my penultimate country. Day 49 and 11,583km of travel under my belt.

Tomorrow I’ll say goodbye to Pakistan 🇵🇰 and hello India 🇮🇳, stepping across a border that so few nationals from either country can.

Whilst I can’t wait to start exploring Amritsar, Dharamasala and beyond, I wanted to take the opportunity to shine a light on all that is wonderful about Pakistan.

Interested? Of course you are…now all you have to do is visit the ‘Brighton to the Taj Mahal…by rail’ blog. 🪧Link in the bio.

27/11/2024

When you mention big mountains, most people’s minds instinctively drift to Nepal and Mt Everest.

Well, think again, because the real action is in # Pakistan. At the confluence of three major ranges over boasting over 5000 un-named peaks of 6000m and higher. Now that’s BIG.

26/11/2024

“Where to go for the winter sun?” is a question frequently asked now, as we’re heading towards the darkest time of the year. To help you find the answer, we’ve selected some of the best places to be this coming winter!

For more inspiration, regularly delivered to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter (you’ll find the link in our bio)

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A small flavour of Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj. Set high in the foothills of India’s Himalayas, and where compassion and spirituality seemingly flow out of the foundations. 🔝Hey, behold, I’ve shared an article about returning to Dharamshala after 30 years on the Brighton to the Taj Mahal…by rail blog. Link in the profile. I know I’ve already well and truly spilled the beans, but it’s probably still well worth a read, right? Do pls share your thoughts on the Joy v Danger of revisiting any of your travel greats. #tajmahalbyrail #tagskryt #selectiveasia #india #dharamshala #mcleodganj #unfollowtheherd

Nowhere demands your attention quite like India. The final leg of Nicks journey from Brighton to the #tajmahalbyrail is underway and what a place to start. Amritsar’s Golden Temple. #tagskryt #india #railtravel #responsibletravel #amritsar #goldentemple

Is anything else as atmospheric as south Asia’s railways? Yes they’re grubby, the stations hectic and at times maddening. However, lurking just beneath the surface is a level of structure and organisation that our friends at Southern* Rail can only dream of. So I say embrace the madness. Grab a chai, carefully peak your head out of the open door of the now moving train or kick back and enjoy the ride. *replace with your chosen flavour of UK train provider #tagskryt #tajmahalbyrail #traintravel #pakistan

🇮🇷😢❤️➡️ 🇵🇰👋 A final montage of Iran, this time a flavour of the mesmerising landscapes I passed amongst (and honestly I’ve barely scratched the surface). I had hoped to be filling the screen with tantalising images of Pakistan by now, however there’s been something of a delay m. 4 days to be precise. Im confined to a guarded compound at the Taftan border whilst necessary security is arranged to accompany us through Baluchistan. I’d been warned that travelling through this region was challenging and ill-advised, but that’s where the train tracks go so I was stuck with it. Heightened tensions continue since the very sad events in Quetta last weekend. #iran #tajmahalbyrail #landscapes #nofilter

All change please! So here we are, in just the space of just a few days we crossed into Asia at istanbul AND I bid farewell to Sarah, who’s heading home. We go our separate ways with bags overflowing with special memories, and I venture on through Turkiye and beyond. 🇹🇷 Upon setting off eastwards today, the change in landscape has been immediate. Vast arid planes, speckled with small villages sat baking in the afternoon sun. It’s great to be back in Asia, the smells, sounds and terrain are all that more familiar to me. Although almost all of the route for the next 5 weeks, until I hit northern India, is new to me. Exciting times ahead. Bye for a while Sarah, I’m really going to miss sharing a window with you x #tajmahalbyrail #tågskryt #türkiye #railtravel #selectiveasia

Sailing across the ocean is another kind of pleasure, and doing it aboard a traditional, beautifully restored pinisi boat takes it to the next level. Take a peek at what one day aboard this stunning spice vessel looks like, and be enspired to island hop in style. #exploretheworld #unfollowtheherd #selectiveasia #exploreindonesia #komodoisland #sailingadventure #indonesia #beatravellernotatourist