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Shafik Meghji

Adam Wright

Amy Russell

Instead of Tokyo, go to … OKINAWA

Why? Japan's southernmost chain of islands, Okinawa has a sub-tropical climate, year-round diving, plus a distinct "Ryukyuan" culture that sets it apart from Japan's capital. It's also the birthplace of karate.
What? Explore uninhabited beaches, learn snatches of the local language, tour temples and enjoy the peaceful wilderness. Winter diving is possible, and you (and the fishes) will have the oceans to yourself.
How? Hong Kong Airlines has a daily direct flight to Naha, the capita l of Okinawa. Dragonair has four per week. Flights take around two and a half hours. Nick Taylor
 

 
Instead of Langkawi, go to … PENANG

Why? If you're not into beaches, you'll probably be bored to death in Langkawi. Instead try Penang, Malaysia, where a long history in the spice trade has left it with a wonderful multicultural character and some architectural gems.

What? Take a tour of the unique architecture in the Unesco World Heritage site of George Town that blends British, Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and Islamic influences. And gorge on the famous local street food, which you'll never forget.
How? Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Hong Kong, but several carriers such as Malaysia Airlines fly the one-hour route from Kuala Lumpur every day. Adam Wright
 

 
Instead of Angkor Wat, go to ... WAT PHOU


Why? Although far less famous than its counterparts at Angkor Wat, Cambodia, the striking Khmer ruins of Wat Phou ("Mountain Monastery" in Lao) are older, receive fewer tourists and occupy a beautiful setting at the base of the Lingaparvata Mountain.
What? Accessed via a stone causeway, this evocative complex of temples and shrines, also a Unesco World Heritage site, was once a Hindu place of worship but later became associated with Theravada Buddhism.
How? There are daily flights between Bangkok and the Laotian city of Pakse, an hour's drive from the town of Champasak, gateway to Wat Phou. Shafik Meghji
 
 

 
Instead of Koh Samui, go to ... KOH SAMET

Why? It's more laid back and less developed, and thankfully devoid of red-light areas and general tackiness. Popular mainly among weekend visitors from Bangkok, it's one of Thailand's best-kept secrets.
What? Chill on perfect white-sand beaches without being bothered by vendors, snorkel in crystal-clear water, go island hopping, stuff yourself with delicious and cheap Thai food.
How? It's a two-hour bus ride (faster by private taxi) south to Ban Phe from Bangkok and then a 30-minute ferry trip to the island. Due to recent unrest in the Thai capital, you are advised to consult your travel agent before flying. Adam Wright
 

 
Instead of the Maldives, go to ... SRI LANKA'S SOUTH COAST


Why? Sri Lanka is affectionately known as the "pearl of the Indian Ocean", and for good reason. Recently opened up for tourism following its decades-long civil war, it's a tropical paradise rich in history and culture. The beaches on its south coast are tranquil, with white sands and turquoise waters.
What? If surfing's your thing, then the south coast offers plenty of great spots. There's long, expansive beaches like Hikkaduwa, and more intimate ones like Mirissa. There's also the colonial city of Galle to explore, whales to watch, iconic stilt fishermen and colourful boats to observe, and ancient, sacred sites to visit.
How? Cathay Pacific and Sri Lankan Airways fly to Colombo via Bangkok, and Singapore Airlines flies to Colombo via Singapore. From Colombo, hire a driver; or, if you don't mind standing and want a more authentic experience, brave the slow and rickety old trains. Amy Russell
 

 
Instead of Taipei, go to ... KENTING

Why? While most tourists head for the capital, the Taiwanese prefer to visit Kenting: a small beach town on the south side of the island. It offers all the charms of Taiwan plus the relaxation of a proper beach vacation.
What? Kenting's beaches, while not Koh Samui, are deservedly famous in the region. Kenting is also home to a lush national park perfect for hiking. By night the charming main street transforms into a full on night market with hundreds of food stalls and tiny themed bars.
How? Direct flights are easily available to Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second biggest city. From there it is a car ride of a few hours to Kenting's main drag. Trains also leave regularly from downtown Kaohsiung. If you're on a budget we recommend looking for a car in the train station parking lot where there are always lots of travellers willing to share a ride. Charley Lanyon
 

 
Instead of Shanghai, go to ... CHENGDU

Why? The capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu, prides itself on having the finest and most fiery of foods in China. It's also surrounded by mountains and forests, which host 80 per cent of the world's giant pandas.
What? Try local specialities such as mapo dofu, dandan noodles and, of course, hot pot, then enjoy Chengdu's ancient tea culture, before slipping out of the city to visit Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve, the biggest of its kind in the world.
How? Daily flights on Dragonair, Air China and Hong Kong Airlines take about two and a half hours. The panda reserve is 130km from the city by bus or taxi. Nick Taylor
 

 
Instead of Goa, go to ... KONKAN COAST

Why? The relatively undiscovered Konkan Coast in Maharashtra, India lies just north of Goa and has similarly idyllic beaches, but few of the crowds and hassles that afflict its more famous neighbour.
What? If you've had enough of relaxing on the empty, white-sand beaches backed by casuarina trees and coconut plantations, visit the imposing, 16th-century Janjira Fort, 5km south of the Konkan village of Murud-Janjira and can only be accessed via quaint "hodka" sailboats.
How? The easiest way to reach the area is by hiring car and driver in Mumbai or Pune. The alternative is a lengthy catamaran, train and bus journey. Shafik Meghji
 

 
Instead of Hanoi, go to ... HAI PHONG

Why? Located 100km east of Hanoi, the cosmopolitan port city of Hai Phong has a similar feel to Vietnam's capital, but with a more relaxed pace of life and far fewer tourists.
What? Explore the city's crescent-shaped historic quarter, which is filled with tree-lined avenues and well-preserved colonial-era architecture, including a stately cathedral and an opera house, as well as a clutch of interesting museums. If you fancy a change of scenery, Ha Long Bay is close by.
How? Hai Phong is a two-hour drive or train journey away from Hanoi, and is linked by daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City. Shafik Meghji
 

 
Instead of Bali, go to ... LOMBOK

Why? Long in the shadow of nearby Bali, Lombok, Indonesia, is now fast making a name for itself, with stunning beaches, tranquil islands and dramatic landscapes, as well as fewer tourists and far less traffic.
What? Snorkel, scuba or free dive off the beautiful Gili Islands, surf the breaks in Kuta Bay, trek through the rice paddies and forests near Tetebatu, or scale the 3,726m Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia's second-tallest volcano.
How? Daily flights connect Lombok with Bali, Jakarta, Malaysia, and Singapore. Numerous ferries, speedboats and catamarans travel between mainland Lombok and the Gili Islands. Shafik Meghji
 

	Expert tips
Maggie Chooi-Walton is the regional manager Asia for TravMedia, the world's largest online portal for travel news, and an avid traveller. We asked her to share some insider secrets for enjoying an affordable last minute holiday.
Instead of travelling just before the holidays, try flying on the actual holidays. Flights on December 25 are usually much cheaper, for example, and many airlines promote special fares for holiday travel.
Check out Facebook. A lot of hotels and airlines use their official Facebook pages to advertise special deals and discounts.
Try to book yourself into brand new hotels. Many new hotels offer special rates when they have just opened, and there are plenty of new hotels opening during November and December. You can also consider joining members' rewards programmes. You can get great perks or upgrades after you sign up.
Cross the border and fly out of Shenzhen. It is only an hour's bus ride away from Hong Kong, and since they don't get Christmas holidays in China you won't be fighting for a seat. Also, trips from China are often much cheaper and Shenzhen offers flights to lots of great vacation destinations like Bangkok.
Don't forget cruises. There are often great last-minute cruise deals for boats leaving from Hong Kong. Cruises are all-inclusive so no need to worry about flights, meals, or hotels. Plus you get a chance to experience multiple cities on one vacation. Cruises are great around Christmas and New Year, because the ships pull out all the stops to give passengers a good time. Charley Lanyon
 
 


Escape the holiday crush with our guide to last-minute destinations

Okinawa, Japan. Photos: AFP, Corbis

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48 Hours

Last-minute getaways can be complicated and expensive, especially during holiday season. So why not dodge the crowds and find bliss in one of the region’s less obvious destinations


Last-minute getaways can be complicated and expensive, especially during holiday season. So why not dodge the crowds and find bliss in one of the region’s less obvious destinations.
