The word city generally conjures up thoughts and images of hustle and bustle, flowing traffic, bright lights and busy night life. However, they can also serve as a peaceful retreat and the perfect place to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones, with some of the calmest and most spellbinding cities to be found in Asia.

Renowned for its exceptional hospitality, fascinating culture, delicious food and the most exclusive hotels, Asia has so much to offer the discerning traveler. So, if you are searching for some of the most relaxing places in the world, we at Luxury Gold have uncovered some true gems of tranquility to be found in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Japan.

Each peaceful haven gives you the chance to step away from the hectic rhythm of modern life, enjoy beautiful surroundings and spend a little time with yourself. Explore serene destinations steeped in Buddhist history, discover temples and monasteries, and take a walk through the well-preserved past. Maybe take the extra time to realign your chakras, practice some yoga or try meditation – a chance to focus on your mental health while enjoying a fantastic cultural experience.

These fascinating destinations are also guaranteed to take you on a mouth-watering culinary adventure. Core to Asian culture, street food is freshly prepared and exceedingly tasty and there are infinite options to try in even the quietest city. For starters we suggest that you try Pad Thai in Thailand, Pho in Vietnam and Amok Trey (fish curry) in Cambodia.

Vietnam – Hoi An

Located on Vietnam’s central coast, Hội An translates as “peaceful meeting place” and offers beautiful beaches, a laid-back attitude and an exquisitely preserved Old Town. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An was an important trading port from the 15th to the 19th Century and offers a step back in time for travelers, the perfect escape from the realities of modern life. The beautiful old town, closed to traffic and composed of small colonial style houses, is a bountiful canvas of color with architectural nods to its Japanese, Chinese, French and Vietnamese heritage. Though quiet and calm, Hoi An is a very tourist friendly city, and there is plenty to do. Admire the blanket of lanterns at the night markets and enjoy the local restaurants where you can soak up the unique ambiance of this charming city and savor tasty local cuisine.

Experience the very best of Hoi An on our Spirit of Vietnam luxury guided tour. With the help of a Local Expert, explore the former merchants’ homes, colorful communal halls, narrow lanes and traditional houses, as well as a top highlight, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. We’ll take you deep into the heart of this beautiful and tranquil city, and even introduce you to a special martial arts Master, to discover the art of healing through martial art, and to learn some steps.

Cambodia – Angkor Thom

Stepping into the captivating ancient city and temple complex of Angkor Thom is like stepping into a magical, mythical faraway land. Lose yourself among the endlessly fascinating myriad of temples, each one different from the next, and completely forget about the modern world.  Built around 1200 by King Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, a fortified city enclosing residences for the priest, officials of the palace and military, and the administrative buildings of the kingdom. The 360-acre site is built as a square, each side 3km long and surrounded by a 100m wide moat. Discover Angkor Thom, along with its famous neighbor Angkor Wat and other highlights of Cambodia on our Cambodia & Vietnam in Style and Inspiring Indochina luxury guided tours. You can’t fail to feel uplifted and peaceful when surrounded by such spellbinding architecture and natural beauty so, with its spiritual influence and so many perfect spots, why not take some time to practice a little meditation?

Laos – Luang Prabang

A traditional morning start in the charming city of Luang Prabang involves rising early and offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks, a living Buddhist tradition going back generations. Known for its Buddhist temples and monasteries, this charming, serene city in northern Laos is one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A particular highlight is Xiengthong, known as the Temple of the Golden City, and a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art for the locals. The city is partly located on a peninsula between the rivers Mekong and Nam Khan with mountains surrounding it as far as you can see, and a short walk to the top of Mount Phousi offers spectacular views.

Experience the best of Laos and Luang Prabang on our Sensational Vietnam & Laos 14-Day luxury guided tour. Stay at an exclusive hotel, The Luang Say Residence, a 5-Star boutique paradise. Stroll in its tropical gardens and enjoy stunning views and enjoy a private sunset cruise along the beautiful Mekong River.

Kyoto. Japan-ease

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a freshening oasis of calm and peace in an often crowded and busy country. Famed for its geisha’s and well-preserved architectural delights, the city is home to numerous Buddhist temples, shrines, gardens and palaces. Travelers can soak up the calm and meander through the city enjoying the local teahouses, lantern-lit restaurants and bars, and absorb the zen energy and atmosphere.

Explore Kyoto on our 11-Day Majestic Japan luxury guided tour with the help of the boundless knowledge of your Travelling Concierge. One of the city’s most iconic sights is the tiered golden temple of Kinkaku-ji, known as the Golden Pavilion (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Surrounded by a large pond and beautifully sculptured garden, the temple pavilion is coated in mesmerizing gold leaf that glistens in the sun. We’ll invite you to a special performance by a Maiko, an apprentice geisha. Central to Kyoto culture, geishas are highly skilled entertainers, specializing in classical music, dance, conversation and games, a fine art that has evolved over many centuries.

So, are all these good vibes inspiring you to take a journey to Asia? We certainly hope so. Or maybe we have awakened past dreams of visiting this vast and beautiful continent. Whatever your motivation, we at Luxury Gold guarantee you an unforgettable experience on our luxury guided tours, with magnificent hotels, VIP Experiences and truly exclusive travel with your every need taken care of throughout. Why not take a look through our new brochure for 2022 & 2023 for travel inspiration?

For more information on the stunning tours mentioned in the blog please follow the links:

• Sensational Vietnam & Laos
• Spirit of Vietnam
• Cambodia & Vietnam in Style
• Inspiring Indochina
• Majestic Japan

We don’t know about you but for the team at Luxury Gold breakfast is our favorite meal of the day. We’d even go one step further than that and say that nothing beats a luxury hotel breakfast. Imagine you wake up in your extraordinary room ready for a full day of sightseeing with your traveling concierge, you need a meal that will set you up for a day of touring. With Luxury Gold you can enjoy complimentary room service or go down to the hotel restaurant where your senses will be awakened with fresh juices and fruits. Follow that up with any number of local delicacies. Are you ready to go on a journey to find your golden breakfast?

English Breakfast on British Royale

Rubens at the Palace in London

Receive the full royal treatment at the Rubens At The Palace Hotel, located opposite London’s famous Buckingham Palace. Celebrate the very best of British culture in five-star luxury, from the red tail-coated doormen to themed bedrooms and a traditional English Breakfast.

At the Rubens At The Palace Hotel your English Breakfast is a sight to behold and a delicacy to savor. This substantial cooked breakfast comes with your choice of bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding and the quintessential tomatoes and mushrooms. There is some discussion within the team if baked beans should come as standard to dip the rest into but that is a blog post onto itself. Don’t forget to add a side of toast!

If you’re a vegetarian the Rubens caters for you too with a vegetarian option of the English Breakfast. Although we would recommend their avocado toast with a poached egg. Simply put, delicious!

American Breakfast on The Sumptuous Soul of America

American Breakfast. Photo by Chad Montano

You’ll need a good and filling breakfast before you explore Chicago with a 90-minute architectural river cruise to discover how the Great Fire of 1871 paved the way for the birth of the skyscraper. In the United States breakfast often consists or either a cereal or an egg-based dish. However, a stack of pancakes with copious amounts of butter and maple syrup are also a firm favorite. If pancakes don’t tickle your taste buds perhaps waffles with fruit? Cranberry juice is also an American staple at breakfast.

Biscuits and Gravy

When traveling in the South you’ll see biscuits and gravy on the menu in many restaurants. The biscuits are a type of small baked roll with a crumbly interior. The white gravy is often made using pork sausage crumbles and dairy-containing ingredients, such as butter and heavy cream. This creates a rich and hearty savory breakfast that has become a classic.

Japanese Breakfast Majestic Japan

Japanese Breakfast

With over 100 years of hospitality experience, the five-star Imperial Hotel Osaka places you along the Okawa River in the heart of vibrant Osaka. Stay in the midst of one of Japan’s best cherry-blossom-viewing locations and enjoy a traditional Japanese Breakfast.

Unlike many other kinds of breakfast you’ll experience, a traditional Japanese breakfast consists of foods that make up a complete meal. Usually savory, the breakfast could conceivably be enjoyed at lunch or dinner. Typically made up of steamed rice, miso soup and a protein such as grilled fish with side dishes that vary. Some favorites being tsukemono (Japanese pickles), nori (dried seasoned seaweed), natto (fermented soybeans), kobachi (small side dishes which usually consist of vegetables).

Although the above might seem like a lot of food, portion sizes are small and the meal is not intended to be heavy or overly filling.

Iberian Breakfast on Spain & Portugal in Style

Photo by Mateusz Feliksik

Both in Spain and Portugal breakfast tends to be small, though not of course for our guests in hotels as there’s a smorgasbord of choice. For locals however, a croissant or other sweet bread with cafe con leche (milk coffee Spain) or meia-de-leite (milk coffee Portugal). There could also be bread, cheese and cold-cut slices of meat. In Spain that meat would be cured ham otherwise known as jamon.

In Spain a popular ‘breakfast’ is actually elevenses or a midmorning snack. In Spain this may involve tostada con tomate: toasted bread with crushed fresh tomato and olive oil added to it. Some people even rub garlic on the bread. Simple but very tasty. And of course, with another coffee. Another favorite for this time is a big slice of tortilla, the Spanish omelet with potato and onion inside.

Another drink that’s often consumed at breakfast in both countries is fresh orange juice, as Spain and Portugal grow lots of oranges. In cafes, oranges are put through a juicing machine and the juice is served in a glass often with a sachet of sugar at the side so that it can be sweetened to taste.

South African Breakfast on Spectacular South Africa 

Photo by Melissa Walker Horn

In Kruger National Park, adventure out on a private open-air safari in search of the Big Five. Led by professional trackers, this once in a lifetime experience unfolds the largest game reserve in South Africa. You’ll definitely want to have had a good breakfast so you can be alert when seeking out the wildlife!

Situated in the Sabi Sands, which boasts one of the planet’s highest concentrations of animal species, the Lion Sands Lodges offer exquisite treehouse-style rooms, luxury suites with private decks and plunge pools, and an open-air lounge and dining area, overlooking the Sabie River.

Here you will be able to enjoy the South African twist on an English Breakfast with boerewors, a local sausage, replacing the traditional pork sausage in England. Or a more simple but just as satisfying bowl of porridge. South Africans use a malted sorghum grain which brings a rich flavor and high amount of energy to start your day.

Story by Takumi Sato

My inspiration to become a master brewer came from the former owner of the kuromato (brewery) here in Oirase, part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. He had a phrase that translates roughly as, “local sake is the crystal of local food culture.”

I know how special this location is and I believe that our sake represents that in a particular way. We capture the essence of Oirase at the brewery and that’s how we share it with others. This is my personal motivation – letting others feel that magic.

I began making sake in 1990, but I did not become a toji (master brewer) until 2004. Becoming a toji is not simply about passing the examination. Personally, I believe that you must understand how sacred sake is and be mindful of the traditions that have been passed down through generations. I have pursued these traditions with a particular devotion and will continue to do so every day until I die.

Sake is the national drink of Japan, not simply because we like drinking it, but because we see it as a blessing from the gods. It is inherent to our culture and way of life, from the religious rites of thousands of years ago to the dinner table today.

We commemorate every occasion with sake, from births and weddings to New Year celebrations, Memorial Day and funerals. Some people drink sake every day, and of course you can, but it is usually served with meals and enjoyed with others. When you drink sake with friends or family, you must not pour it for yourself. First serve others and then someone else will serve you.

The unique flavor of our sake is a direct result of the environment here in Oirase. Here, you’ll see we’re near the lake, and the water that flows through the Hakkoda mountain range to Oirase is some of the purest on Earth. Not only is the landscape breath taking, but the sake produced here is at the highest level. It reveals the distinct umami in dishes.

When you travel through the Towada-Hachimantai National Park to Oirase, you can immerse all five senses on your journey. The Japanese culture will enrich and enthral you. I personally look forward to welcoming you here and sharing with you our sacred drink from the gods.

Takumi Sato, a master brewer of sake, takes you under his wing for a special guided visit to his brewery in Oirase, describing the history and importance of sake to Japanese culture.