Celebrating Lunar New Year at Luxury Destinations Across Asia

2026 is the Year of the Horse, and a fun-filled festival across many countries in Asia. Here is a compilation of hotel and resort options offering a little something special on Feb. 17 as they mark Chinese New Year and Tet in Vietnam.

Feast & Fire on Koh Samui

The luscious beachfront resort of Banyan Tree Samui is hosting a feast fit for a king - or at least a Khan, with a Mongolian -Chinese menu and an international barbecue on the evening of February 17. The delicious banquet will be complemented by a fire show and live music on the beach under the palm trees and the light of the full moon. The cost is 3,372 THB nett per person, from 7pm to 10pm. For more information and reservations, contact: samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.



Welcoming the Year of the Horse in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne

The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will usher in Tet with an array of dining, cultural, entertainment, recreational, and spa experiences. In the lead-up to Tet on Tues., Feb. 17, 2026, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will each stage a ceremony on Feb 10, 2026 to plant “Cay Neu”, a towering Lunar New Year bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits, followed by dragon dancing. From Feb. 16-22, 2026, both resorts will serve special family reunion Tet set menus that celebrate Vietnamese home-style cuisine at Lang Viet Restaurant, and host a series of lavish buffet dinners. In addition to dragon dancing and a calligraphy master writing lucky letters for guests, experiences at both resorts range from Chung cake making workshops to kids activities such as kite flying, traditional coconut leaf weaving and Pho pizza making. Tapas and cocktails at Saigon Bar and wellness experiences at The Anam Spa are also on offer. For further information or to make a booking, visit.theanam.com, email The Anam Mui Ne on info.mn@theanam.com and The Anam Cam Ranh on info.cr@theanam.com or telephone The Anam Mui Ne on tel. +(84) 252 628 4868 and The Anam Cam Ranh on +(84) 258 398 9499.



The Lunar New Year is Better Together with Family in Hong Kong

The Hari Hong Kong is marking the Lunar New Year with its “Better Together Family Package” replete with children-friendly in room amenities and a host of special touches. Featuring a Corner Room with a king bed with an adjoining Twin Room with twin beds, and daily breakfast for two adults and two children under the age of 12, package also features a “DIY Confetti Madeleines Set” for children in the room, “The Hari Puzzle Set” with The Hari branded tram, Star Ferry or The Hari mascot to keep the kids entertained, as well as early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. For further information visit https://www.thehari.com/hong-kong/, call +85221290388, or email askme@thehari.com.



Fusion of Thai and Chinese Cuisine in Chiang Mai

Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar on the 21st floor will welcome the Lunar New Year with a special a la carte menu accompanied by a selection of Chinese teas and vistas of Chiang Mai. Served from Feb. 17-23, 2025, from 6-11pm and priced from THB 220++ per dish, the “A Thai-Chinese Celebration Week” menu offers 12 items. Dishes include double-boiled chicken broth with dried mushrooms and wolfberries, steamed whole seabass with ginger-soy sauce, slow-cooked pork belly in soy sauce, wine and spices, grilled scallop with Shanghai chilli jam, and mango pudding. For more information or reservations, call +66 52 090 603 or email mairestaurant@meliachiangmai.com.



Family Celebrations on Cam Ranh Peninsula

Family resort Alma will usher in the biggest event on the Vietnamese calendar, the Lunar New Year, with a fun-filled program packed with cultural performances, hands-on workshops, wellness experiences, festive dining, and more. Encapsulating passion, freedom and unstoppable energy, the Year of the Horse sets the tone for Alma’s vibrant Tet celebrations that encourage guests to reconnect with loved ones and embrace new beginnings against the scenic backdrop of Cam Ranh peninsula’s Long Beach. From Monday Feb. 16 until Saturday Feb. 21, 2026, the 30-hectare beachfront resort will host daily Tet festivities spanning its Tet Village, Kids Club, Food Court, Alma Lounge, cinema, Le Spa and outdoor spaces. To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com.



Reflection and Resolve in Da Nang

The Year of the Horse is associated with passion, vitality and freedom, acting with purpose and pursuing our dreams. TIA Wellness Resort is embracing the spirit of the year ahead with a range of activities from reflection workshops to dragon dances. On February 16th the TIA team will host a "Reflection of the Year of the Snake" creative workshop where guests can reflect on the past year, express gratitude and move forward. That night an "Evening Wishing Lantern Ceremony" is on the agenda. Through the ritual at the resort’s lush tropical wellness garden, guests will set intentions. On February 17th there's "Sunrise Beach Yoga and Gratitude Meditation," set to the sound of the waves and the energy of nature. A traditional dragon dance will also be performed during the day. The age-old tradition is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. Visitors are invited to visit a local pagoda, a custom Vietnamese families practice each year as they pray for good fortune in the year ahead. On February 18th there's a “TET Wish Calligraphy,” where guests can put their wishes on paper using traditional Vietnamese calligraphy, along with a “Vietnamese New Year Culture Sharing” session, where the TIA team and fellow guests will gather to explore traditional TET sweets & customs. There are also several dining experiences, from tasting menus to a seafood BBQ buffet, during the holiday.



Beach Barbecue Party in Krabi

With a spectacular location on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, Banyan Tree Krabi provides an idyllic venue for an evening of barbecue, live music and a fire show on February 17 this year. Under the gentle sway of the palm trees and with majestic views across the Andaman Sea, the resort’s beachfront lawn plays host to a Chinese New Year BBQ Night, priced at 2,988 THB per person, including a complimentary welcome drink. Hotel guests also receive a 200THB voucher per booking. For more information or reservations, contact +66 075 811 888 or email krabi@banyantree.com.



Timeless Tet Celebrations in Hanoi

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the 125-year-old luxury icon in the Vietnamese capital, is set to welcome the “Year of the Horse” with a host of special Tet celebrations, including a captivating programme of cultural activities and experiences. From a lively lion dance and puppet shows to a traditional painting exhibition and hands-on Chung cake and tea workshops, Metropole’s Tet activity programme, which runs from Feb. 6-8, invites guests to discover the richness and beauty of Vietnamese heritage, history and traditions, all while immersing themselves in a spirited Tet atmosphere. The “Reawakening Lien” series celebrates the revival of the calligraphy art of Hue, which had been lost for over a decade. This cultural tribute begins with an insightful opening talk on Feb. 6, followed by a curated showcase and interactive workshops with master artisans each afternoon.



Wellness and Luxury Across Vietnam

To mark the Year of the Horse, Fusion Resorts and Hotels has introduced a potpourri of promotions at its wellness-inspired venues across Vietnam. Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang’s activities include festive cuisine, live music and family experiences. Guests are invited to join in traditional New Year celebrations, including fun for kids with lantern-making, coconut-leaf art, sack races and a monkey bridge challenge. For a complete holiday escape, the Fusion & Togetherness package includes a 20% savings on room rates, dining and spa treatments, and is available for stays between Feb. 15-21. Other Fusion properties with exclusive Tet festivities include Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion, Maia Resort Quy Nhon, The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon, Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, Fusion Suites Vung Tau and others. Travelers are also encouraged to join Fusion’s customer loyalty program, Fusionlife, helps travelers find the best rates and other benefits, including discounts up to 25% off.



Lunar New Year Stay Package in Cambodia

Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, invites guests to celebrate the Lunar New Year in timeless Raffles style with a special stay package available from Feb. 14 to March 13. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodation, indulgent dining and special privileges designed to make their stay unforgettable, with a 15% discount off the best available rate. The offer includes daily breakfast for two, a $100 credit to be used for food and beverage and spa per stay, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) and a second room at 50% off (room only). For more information, visit the hotel’s Lunar New Year page here.



Celebrating the Year of the Horse in Style

Azerai Resorts in Vietnam usher in the “Year of the Horse” for Tet with a host of festive experiences that blend traditions with understated elegance. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas oceanside resort located east of Ho Chi Minh City, will offer revitalizing and fun-filled activities including yoga at dawn, beach football, Tet-themed coloring for kids, bodyboarding in the sea, a Tet-themed afternoon tea, and a Tet special traditional dinner, among other family-friendly activities. Meanwhile, Azerai La Residence, Hue, situated in the former imperial capital overlooking the fabled Perfume River, will offer a special excursion to vibrant local flower markets, activities to learn the art of making Banh Chung, special Tet dining, classic cocktails infused with Tet-inspired flavors, vibrant lion dances and much more.



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Horsing Around the World: It's the year for it

The Year of the Horse kicks off with experiences spanning wildlife conservation, indigenous culture, luxury ranch getaways and major cultural celebrations.

Rare ponies roam Okinawan beaches, Hong Kong hosts a glittering Chinese New Year parade with international performers, and working ranches invite guests to saddle up for cattle drives in Colorado. There's also the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota and a Paniolo-inspired cocktail bar in Portland.

Let's go on a virtual equine road-the-world tour!

WC Fields: "Philadelphia, wonderful town, spent a week there one night."

W. C. Fields, real name William Claude Dukenfield, the famous American actor, comedian, juggler and writer active in the early 20th century, was well-known for his dry humour and cynical wit. Born near Philadelphia in 1880, he often referred to his birthplace in funny but disparaging remarks. One might wonder how, if prompted, he might have written a travel story that gives some clue to his true impressions. So, we asked him.

Valentine’s Venues in Hong Kong & SouthEast Asia

Fine Dining Accompanied by Live Pianist

The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will each host remarkable dining experiences to mark Valentine’s Day this year. The Anam Cam Ranh’s fine-dining restaurant The Colonial will serve a seven-course set tasting menu, accompanied by a live pianist, from 7-10pm, Highlights include ‘Satsuma Wagyu A4 tenderloin with multicolour beetroots, butternut squash, XO condiment and caviar’ and ‘Apple terrine with hibiscus ice cream, macaron crumble and caramelised sauce’. The Anam Mui Ne, meanwhile, will host a romantic buffet experience for couples at their own outdoor table by The Indochine Restaurant’s waterfall. The feast includes a surf and turf buffet for two, one lobster each, one bottle of rosé wine, and a specially plated dessert set for two.

Visiting the haunted Z Ward at the former Glenside Mental Hospital

 Stepping into Z Ward is like entering a different era. The exterior's polychromatic brickwork and ventilation flues hint at the building's original purpose – a maximum-security facility for South Australia's "criminally insane" from 1885 to 1973.

Inside, the corridor stretches out with single cells on either side, some still with original doors and fixtures. The "Ha Ha Wall" is a striking feature – a clever design for security without a prison-like appearance. Guides share stories of infamous patients like John Treffene and the harsh treatments they endured, like lobotomies and electroconvulsive therapy.

The atmosphere's heavy, with a sense of the desperation and despair that once filled the ward. Yet, there's also a sense of history and a glimpse into the evolution of mental health care. The National Trust offers guided tours, bringing the stories and architecture to life.

A WARD SET APART

Built by W. Pett & Son between 1884 and 1885, Z Ward was completed for £8,960-a significant investment in the era's approach to mental health and public safety.

Opened in 1888 as part of the Parkside Lunatic Asylum, Z Ward (originally called L Ward) was purpose-built to hold patients considered criminal or dangerous. Positioned at the rear of the site, it kept these individuals separated from the wider asylum community.

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

Z Ward was designed by South Australia's Architect in Chief, E.J. Woods the same architect behind Adelaide's General Post Office and Parliament House. His signature polychromatic brickwork, using contrasting colours to create intricate patterns, is clearly visible on the ward's exterior.

Surrounding the building is a rare example of a ha-ha wall: a six-metre barrier formed by a high outer wall and a deep inner trench. The design restricted escape while preserving views from inside the grounds. Z Ward's ha-ha wall is the last complete structure of its kind in Australia.

BUILT FOR SECURITY

Inside, small cells line both levels of the building, reflecting its role as a secure institution. Patients were locked in their cells at night but could spend time during the day in a shared dayroom or exercise yard. Security features - from barred steel entry doors to reinforced windows - ensured constant containment.

Throughout most of its history, Z Ward housed up to 45 male patients considered dangerous or linked to serious crime. While the wider Parkside Asylum included many people convicted of minor offences - from drunkenness to disorderly behaviour - Z Ward was reserved for those viewed as a threat to themselves or others.

WHO STAYED IN Z WARD?

People were sent to Z Ward for three main reasons:

• They were judged too dangerous for the general asylum population
• They became mentally unwell while serving time in gaol
• They were acquitted on grounds of insanity and detained "at the Governor's Pleasure"

Criminal records show a wide range of offences among those admitted, from receiving stolen property and larceny to indecent assault, shooting with intent, and even murder.

Life inside Z Ward must have been quite bleak. The Cells are small, poorly lit and would have been cold in winter.

A day room with a fireplace allowed patients to meet and socialise, while an airing court or exercise yard at the rear enabled patients to go outside and walk around the building.

Inside the ward, cells on both the ground and upper floors give indication of the types of patients that Z Ward housed. While restricted to their cells at night, the dayroom on the ground floor and an outside courtyard gave space to move and interact. Attention to security can be seen through the two barred steel doorways on entrance to the ward, and the use of steel framed windows.

DIAGNOSING THE MIND

When patients arrived, doctors recorded their symptoms according to the limited medical understanding of the era. Many were given broad diagnoses such as "general weakness of mind" or "general paralysis of the insane.

More specific behaviours were sometimes noted, offering a glimpse into both the patients' experiences and the attitudes of the time:

• "Delusions connected to religion"
• "Wants black clothes to go to a funeral"
• "Leans out of bed to listen to people under the floor"
• "Delusions as to being pursued by the other prisoners"

These records remind us that behind every diagnosis was an individual - confined within a system still learning how to understand and care for mental illness.

The Penfold Story

In 1844, toward the end of the Australian winter, the barque Taglioni anchored at Largs Bay in South Australia. The vessel, of about 350 tons, had been built four years earlier at Ramsey on the Isle of Man. It was classed A1 at Lloyd’s and was owned and commanded by Captain V. Black. Despite being well equipped for its time, a voyage of more than 13,000 miles by small sailing ship in the mid-nineteenth century was demanding. 

Europe’s 20 top trending hotspots for 2026

Europe remains firmly on Australians’ travel bucket lists in 2026, with 1 in 4 Australians planning a trip to the continent in the next year, according to Omio’s annual NowNext report. Notably, as travellers plan ahead, 34% say they’re actively seeking out less-crowded, under-the-radar destinations - particularly across Europe.

Capital cities continue to feature prominently in travel plans, though European travel patterns are showing signs of diversification. In addition to established city destinations, some travellers are increasingly considering smaller and less well-known locations. Booking data from multi-modal travel platform Omio indicates this shift, aligning with findings from its annual NowNext Report produced with YouGov.