Courtesy: Hotels.com
Even as everyone heads out as couples this Valentine's Day, here are four destinations where you can get some me-time... and who knows perhaps find love too!
Single and available this Valentine's Day? Don't fret; you can still have a lot of fun on your own. Take time off candle-lit dinners and walks on the beach and let Hotels.com show you how to explore Southeast Asia as a solo traveller instead.
Hotels.com suggests four really cool places to stay and recover for a short, 3-4 day solo getaway that promises priceless memories and doesn't damage the pocket.
Vang Vieng, Laos
Image: Sven Blom / Wikimedia Creative CommonsAdventure playground by day and party town by night, Vang Vieng, set on the banks of the Nam Song River, is the destination to unleash pent-up adrenaline.
Travellers can choose from a slew of activities such as kayaking, mountain and cave climbing, hiking, hot air ballooning or tubing.
Unwind at night with Laos' version of bar hopping with uncommon activities like slides, rope swings and zip lines, or if you're up for some company, get acquainted with some like-minded types at sanctioned socialising decks.
Not many know this, but a Lao-style steam sauna and massage is the perfect remedy to soothe those sore muscles after a long day of activities and a night out on the town.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Image: Halong Bay, VietnamPhotographs: Efendi Kwok / Wikimedia Creative Commons
For soul-searchers and those looking for the ideal destination away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a few nights' stay on a 'junk', a refurbished vintage wooden sailboat in the middle of the mystical Halong Bay should seal the deal.
The idyllic limestone karts and islands, together with a thin layer of mist above the lakes caused by the chilly February weather create a breathtaking sight to behold – perfect for nature lovers.
Water activities such as kayaking abound within the bay, and travellers can choose to venture out individually to explore the smaller nooks that cruise ships are unable to reach.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Image: Angkor Wat, CambodiaPhotographs: DragonWoman / Wikimedia Creative Commons
Few locations in Southeast Asia can boast of being in a Hollywood blockbuster, but Angkor Wat certainly can, having risen to worldwide fame after it was selected as a film backdrop for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
Fame aside, this ancient temple that was rediscovered in the 1880s provides much to marvel about, not to mention its long history as holy ground.
A fantastic location for solo travellers to explore at their own speed, you can wake up to catch the sun rise in between the peaks of the Angkor Wat, scale the steep steps of the Bayon Temple and examine the stone carven motifs on the ruins. This could take up to days for real enthusiasts!
Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Image: Ko Phi Phi, ThailandPhotographs: et / Wikimedia Creative Commons
For some, a solo trip could mean cutting off contact with the world to bask in some glorious me-time. If so, why not do it underwater -- the pristine waters of Ko Phi Phi offer vibrant marine life and spectacular coral gardens. Diving in Phi Phi promises the opportunity to frolic with delightful small creatures and frequent sightings of turtles and sharks.
Not a diver? First-timers can pick up their licenses under the talented diving instructors at Ko Phi Phi. One simply has to shop around the beach for a diving school and sign up for a PADI certified course.
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