ASIA

Onboard comforts extend to shore at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa. Inspired by Flores’ spiderweb-shaped Lingko rice fields, Ta’aktana builds island tradition into every detail—woven textures, hand-carved wood, and warm local hospitality. Unwind beside the turquoise pool, sip champagne at the overwater bar, or take in the tamarind-scented breeze from a shaded terrace or sandy beach. Yet Ta’aktana offers more than relaxation alone. Set on the western tip of Flores Island, it’s also an ideal gateway to Komodo—home of the famous dragons and the UNESCO-recognized national park.

Lombok may be lesser known than its big-hitting neighbor Bali, but it’s no less compelling. The island is a treasure trove of tradition, where daily life carries on much as it has for centuries. Head south from the harbor through tobacco fields and rice terraces to Sukarara, and find a women’s weaving community that continues the tradition of threading vibrant songket patterns by hand. A trip inland brings you to Sade, a heritage village that has been inhabited by the same community for 15 generations, as well as Ende, a Sasak village where homes are built from clay and bamboo.

Few places on Earth feel as ancient or as alive as Komodo. The island is home to its legendary namesake dragon, whose low, muscular gait seems like something from another time. Join a local ranger for a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park to look for these prehistoric lizards, while also keeping an eye out for deer, wild boar, and rare, endangered birds. If you prefer to do your wildlife watching underwater, head to Pink Beach, a beautifully photogenic and uncrowded stretch named for the microscopic coral organisms that give the sand its blush color.

Cebu is one of the Philippines’ most dynamic islands, with coral reefs fringing the coast, mountain ridgelines shaping the interior, and city life moving with busy purpose. As the country’s primary trading hub, Cebu City’s energy is palpable; street food stalls sizzle, students spill out onto university plazas, and cafés and galleries reflect a growing creative scene. The city is dotted with 16th-century landmarks, including the must-see Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, home to Magellan’s Cross, and the triangular Fort San Pedro, today a garden and museum.

Feel the quiet strength of a proud, island-born Japan in Naha. Located over 950 miles southwest of Tokyo, on Okinawa’s southern coast, Naha is the cultural heart of the Ryukyu Islands, and once the royal seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom. A morning walk will take you to the vermilion gates of Shurijo Castle, originally built in the 14th century and recently restored, then shop for hand-dyed bingata—a textile once reserved for royalty, still used in ceremonial kimono. Traditional izakayas line the streets, so step into their shade to sip awamori, a distilled rice spirit unique to the region.