There’s nothing better than finding the perfect souvenir on vacation. Getting that little something special can help you fondly remember this particular trip for years to come. But, rather than pick up any old bauble, why not make it something … fancy? For that, you’ll have to head to the city that was just named the world’s best for luxury shopping — and no, it’s not Paris or Milan.

Lartisien, an agency offering bespoke travel experiences, unveiled its list of the top 10 best cities in the world for luxury shopping. To come to its conclusion, the editors at Lartisien crunched the numbers on who had the most designer stores across “cities with prestigious reputations.” After parsing the data, it ranked Tokyo as No. 1.

Tokyo is the best destination for luxury shopping

“Tokyo’s fashion reputation — spurred by the inspiring street style and Rakuten Fashion Week — constantly attracts shopping lovers to the city,” the team wrote in the findings. “According to our research, Tokyo is the best city in the world for luxury shopping. We found that Japan’s capital had 217 designer stores — the most in our analysis — with Armani having the biggest presence.”

The findings noted that many of the city’s high-end designer shops reside in Ginza (fitting, as the name “Ginza” means “silver mint” in Japanese), including the must-see seven-floor Louis Vuitton and the upmarket shopping complex, Ginza Six.

As for the second-best city for shopping, that honour went to Hong Kong, which Lartisien noted has 211 designer stores. “The choice is plentiful for shoppers in Hong Kong, from the Landmark and Elements malls to the many flagship stores,” it wrote, adding that while the city doesn’t have as many shops as Tokyo, it is home to the highest number of “ultra-high-net-worth individuals” on Earth, who are more than happy to shell out big bucks for designer duds.

Lartisien named  Seoul, Paris, and New York City its third, fourth, and fifth-best spots to shop. So, are you ready to find that special — likely very expensive — souvenir? Check out the website’s entire top 10 spots to shop at lartisien.com.

(Feature image credit: WhitcombeRD/Getty Images) 

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: The Ultimate International Shopping Guide for Shopaholics!

If you’re planning a winter getaway to Europe, brace yourself for the chilly reception of extremely cold weather. Popular destinations such as Germany, Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and France are currently experiencing freezing temperatures, with heavy snowfall in some regions. The weather in Europe for December 2023 has resulted in significant travel disruptions, and travellers should come prepared with plenty of warm clothing.

Behind the chill: Understanding Europe’s December weather 2023

This winter in Europe kicked off with abundant snow and cold temperatures, catching many off guard with the sudden extreme weather. French meteorologist Nahal Belgherze shared on X (formerly Twitter) that this could be the “snowiest start to a meteorological winter since 2010” in Europe.

As Europe is likely experiencing its snowiest start to a meteorological winter since 2010, now seems like a good time to remind everyone that we can still expect cold-air outbreaks and snowstorms in an overall warming world. Weather isn’t going away.

Look at the trends though. pic.twitter.com/lM7FSvSgZv

— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) December 3, 2023

The Met Office UK has issued a Status Yellow low-temperature and ice warning nationwide. Additionally, the UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold-health alerts, covering all regions of England. Widespread sharp frost and icy patches have been reported in Ireland and Scotland.

☂️ Heavy rain over England and Wales will gradually ease through Tuesday morning

🧊 Take care of icy stretches for those travelling across northern Scotland pic.twitter.com/EV4uIlVZZm

— Met Office (@metoffice) December 4, 2023

Several flights and trains have been postponed or cancelled due to heavy snowfall, leading to extensive delays for travellers in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and the UK.

Southern Germany, particularly Munich, experienced massive snowstorms, while France faced heavy rainfall over the past week, with some regions on alert for flash floods.

Bulgaria declared a state of emergency due to snowstorms, leaving over 1,000 villages without power. Sub-zero temperatures, reaching as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius, were recorded in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

Snowfall is expected throughout December in France, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, parts of Italy and some regions of Spain. To navigate Europe’s December weather, pack plenty of sweaters, jackets, and raincoats.

(Feature image credit: Shutterstock)

Related: A Taste Of Winter Luxury: Guide To The World’s Finest Ski Resorts

Bluetopia at the newly opened Airside Mall in Hong Kong bills itself as the world’s ‘first’ digital aquarium. Twelve different creative units from around the world are joining hands to bring a multi-sensory journey of the ocean through digital art.

During the exhibition period, Airside will also broadcast the works of Bluetopia’s contributing artists on all screens at the shopping mall three times a day. So, the experience extends beyond just the aquarium and into the mall itself.

Bluetopia, the world’s first digital aquarium, makes its way to Hong Kong

The exhibition space spans 3,000 square feet and showcases research data that have been converted into immersive underwater artworks. Visitors will be able to explore the five different zones, which are built according to the unique characteristics of different ocean layers.

Some of the highlights include ‘Symphilia’, a large-scale coral reef installation that fuses Mixed Reality (MR) with the art of crochet. This shows the mutual symbiotic relationships present in the ocean. There’s also ‘Colourful Jellies’, a giant interactive light installation that stimulates the light from jellyfish when they sense other species. You also get a chance to unleash your creativity at Phillip Artus’ interactive installation, ‘Aquatics’ and create entirely new species.

The digital aquarium also has an educational space called ‘Hidden’. Visitors can unlock underwater secrets thanks to the work of Hong Kong’s only marine research facility: The Swire Institute of Marine Science. Visitors can learn more about marine ecology and stories about the ocean such as 52Hz, the world’s loneliest whale.

Admission is free but make sure to register for a spot via the NF Touch mobile app. Only a limited number of spots are available for on-site registration daily. The entire tour lasts about 45 minutes and participants must follow the instructions of staff on-site.

A range of retail and cultural experiences at Airside

Airside Mall opened in Kai Tak in September this year, boasting 700,000 square feet of space. The mall is also home to a 32-storey Grade A office building in addition to the shopping mall filled with dining, retail, and lifestyle brands.

Since its opening, it has been adding new cultural experiences for visitors to enjoy. This includes the opening of the largest Bouncetopia by Kiztopia. The mall also champions a sustainable approach, tapping into the concept of ‘wholeness’ and the connection between people and nature.

In fact, Airside is the first building in Hong Kong to receive seven of the most recognised green and smart building certifications. So, it’s no surprise that the world’s ‘first’ digital aquarium is also calling the mall home during its exhibition period.

This story first appeared here.

All images credit: Airside

Related: Hong Kong Is The Most Expensive Retail Destination In Asia; Third In The World

Fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are in for a treat as Warner Bros. Pictures, in collaboration with Booking.com, unveils “Wonka’s Sweet Suites”. These limited-edition, one-night-only rooms, inspired by the whimsical world of Willy Wonka, promise an enchanting stay with chocolate bar beds and cotton candy clouds.

To celebrate the release of the highly anticipated film Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka, Booking.com is offering a unique opportunity to book these exclusive suites in New York and Los Angeles. The movie hits theatres on December 15, and a fortunate few can secure a stay in these fantastical suites.

Unlock the magic: All you need to know about your stay at ‘Wonka’s Sweet Suites’

Two suites are available — one in Park Lane New York in New York City, and the other in Viceroy Santa Monica, Los Angeles. Booking opens on December 13 at noon ET on Booking.com with reservations processed on a first-come, first-served basis in partnership with Highgate Hotels. Priced at only USD 12.15 (HKD 94.91), the package includes an overnight stay from December 15 to 16, itineraries, airport transfers, movie tickets, and exclusive Wonka merchandise.

The Conservatory Suite at Park Lane New York and the Palmetto King Suite at Viceroy Santa Monica will be transformed into “Wonka’s Sweet Suites”, immersing guests in a candy-coated haven. According to an official statement, guests will be greeted with limited-edition Wonka© Magic Hat Gummies and delectable chocolate treats upon arrival. The rooms, inspired by the new film Wonka, feature cotton candy clouds, chocolate bar beds with fluffy marshmallow pillows, and a replica of the confectionary tree from Wonka’s candy shop — providing an unforgettable journey into Willy Wonka’s enchanting adventures.

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

(Feature image credit: Booking.com)

Related: Explore Must-Visit Filming Locations in Romania from Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Series!

Starting December 7, 2023, Hong Kong passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry to two more countries — Angola and Kyrgyzstan.

According to a statement shared by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), both the governments of the Republic of Angola and the Kyrgyz Republic have affirmed that HKSAR passport holders can enter the countries without a visa.

Angola allows a stay of up to 30 days, with a maximum of 90 days per year, while Kyrgyzstan permits Hong Kong passport holders to stay for up to 30 days if they enter through Manas International Airport in Bishkek with a return air ticket. If they enter again after 30 days from their departure date, another 30-day stay is granted.

Hong Kong passport claims 17th spot among world’s most powerful passports

With this announcement, Hong Kong passport holders now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 countries.

Hong Kong moved up the Henley Passport Index recently and is now the 17th most powerful passport in the world. Additionally, Malaysia extended the 30-day limit for HKSAR passport holders to a maximum of 90 days of stay in the country without a visa.

Regarding the recent development, a spokesperson from the immigration department said, “Angola and Kyrgyzstan are along the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, the relevant visa-free arrangements will bring greater travel convenience to holders of HKSAR passports and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the places,” as mentioned in the release.

(Feature image credit: The Big World/ Shutterstock)

Related: Henley Passport Index: Singapore Has The Most Powerful Passport; Hong Kong Ranks 17

In a setback for remote employees in search of stunning workspaces, Greece will no longer consider digital nomad visa applications from individuals already residing within the country. This update in the visa policy will take effect from January 1, 2024.

With its digital nomad visa, Greece offers an idyllic package featuring picturesque islands and beaches, allowing remote employees to legally stay in the country for a year (with an extension option of three years) while working for companies or clients outside Greece.

Greece tweaks digital nomad visa requirements for foreign professionals

Under the updated rules, foreign nationals must apply for Greece’s digital nomad visa from their country of citizenship or residence. The application processing period and document requirements will vary from country to country. To be eligible for this digital nomad visa, applicants must be citizens of non-EU nations and meet various requirements, including proving their status as digital nomads, having a valid work contract registered outside Greece, and earning at least Euro 3,500 (HKD 29,533) per month. To explore the complete list of requirements for the Greece digital nomad visa application, click here.

Greece is steadily ascending the hot list of digital nomad destinations. According to Ekathimerini, Greece welcomed 595 digital nomads in 2022, compared to only 10 in 2021. Remofirst even included Greece in its ‘Best Countries For Digital Nomads In 2023’ list. The birthplace of the Olympic Games and home to over 2000 islands, Greece is undoubtedly a promising option for remote employees. Earlier this year, the MIT Enterprise Forum released research stating that if Greece attracts 100,000 digital nomads annually with an average stay of six months, the country will reap profits of over Euro 1.6 billion. This amount roughly equals the revenue generated by 2.5 million visitors staying in Greece for a week.

It’s no surprise that the Ministry of Tourism in Greece launched the digital nomad visa scheme in multiple locations, including Ermoupolis, Heraklion, and Kalamata. Several other countries, such as the Netherlands, Norway, Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, and Romania, have also introduced digital nomad visas.

(Feature Image Credit: Izabela23/Shutterstock)

Related: Digital Nomads, This Is The Most Affordable Country For You To Work From!

Mongolia and Japan recently encountered a rare phenomenon that draped portions of these countries in blood-red skies. Although this peculiar natural occurrence may appear eerie and unsettling, the rationale behind the “red aurora” is not what one might anticipate.

While Mongolia is lovingly known as the “Land of the Blue Sky” and Japan as the “Land of the Rising Sun”, an unusual event unfolded as the skies turned red due to a rare red aurora. This may sound surprising, given our familiarity with the myriad blue, green, and violet skies associated with the Aurora Borealis, which commonly graces nations like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Crimson conundrum: Decoding the mystery of Japan and Mongolia’s blood-red sky

Northern lights/Aurora borealis today in Mongolia 🇲🇳
Aurora appears crimson red when solar particles react with oxygen at high altitudes of over 241 km, where the air is thinner. Red is considered the rarest colour of the Northern Lights.#ТуйлынТуяа #bloodaurora #полярноесияние pic.twitter.com/Sh6sHnPn1O

— Bileg (@eebileg) December 1, 2023

The aurora is a natural light display that occurs at night along the Earth’s poles due to the interaction between solar storms and the atmosphere. Solar storms disrupt the magnetosphere, and the resulting charged particles manifest as auroras. This celestial event unfolds at extremely high altitudes in the sky, where the atmosphere is thin.

On December 1-2, three geomagnetic storms transpired, leading to the most robust aurora displays in the southern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. The red auroras are associated with the collision of solar particles with oxygen at higher altitudes. Due to the lower density of oxygen at great heights, collisions are infrequent, resulting in red auroras. Reports indicate that the red aurora was visible to the naked eye in Hokkaido, Japan, and parts of Mongolia.

A red aurora has been observed in Hokkaido, with the phenomenon visible to the naked eye for the first time since October 2003. https://t.co/QGHPYeEENR

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) December 2, 2023

The aurora can manifest in various hues, including green, violet, blue, yellow, pink, and red, with red being the rarest colour. The intensity of the geomagnetic storm caused by solar winds determines the likelihood of witnessing the red aurora. When the aurora occurs in the North, it is termed Aurora Borealis; in the South, it is referred to as Aurora Australis.

(Feature image credit: Bileg/X)

Related: Here are the 12 best places around the world to see the Northern Lights.

Good news for K-pop fans! More artists will be coming to the city next year. So, make sure you plan ahead! Girls’ Generations’ YoonA has confirmed the dates and cities for her upcoming Asia fan meeting in 2024. It will include a stop in both Hong Kong and Macau in January and February 2024 respectively.

The tour title, ‘Younite’ combines her name, YoonA and the word ‘unite’, symbolising her unity with her fans. Attendees can expect different kinds of segments in the fan meeting including performances, behind-the-scenes talks, and games.

YoonA’s fan meeting in Asia: Dates and cities

The fan meeting will kick off in Seoul on January 6 and 7. Then, she will head to seven other Asian cities, including Hong Kong and Macau.

The actress and singer will hold her fan meeting in Hong Kong on January 13 and in Macau on February 3. Afterwards, she will make her way to Yokohama, Bangkok, Manila, and Jakarta.

Mark your calendar for the dates of YoonA’s fan meeting in Asia.

January 2024

01.06-07 – Seoul
01.13 – Hong Kong

February 2024
02.03 – Macau
02.04 – Taipei
02.12 – Yokohama
02.24 – Bangkok

March 2024

03.01 – Manila
03.29 – Jakarta

As of now, no ticketing details have been announced. So, stay tuned for the latest information.

 

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A post shared by 임윤아 Lim Yoona Official (@limyoona__official)

A top artist and actress

YoonA or Im Yoon-ah is a member of the girl group, Girls’ Generation. They are one of the best-selling artists in South Korea and one of the most popular girl groups. YoonA was cast through an Open Casting Audition and spent five years training before her debut.

Besides her music career, YoonA also ventured into acting, receiving further public attention. She starred in K-dramas such as Love Rain, The K2, The King in Love, and Big Mouth. Most recently, she was in King the Land. YoonA also starred in the movie Confidential Assignment 2: International, which performed well at the box office. For her performance, she received her first Best Supporting Actress award at the 58th Grand Bell Awards.

This story first appeared here.

All images credit: limyoona__official/Instagram

Related: Lollapalooza To Knotfest: Have A Blast At These Unmissable Music Festivals In 2023

For many Lord of the Rings fans, New Zealand, with its rolling hills and valleys, epitomises the landscape of the fictional Middle-earth. The movie was filmed in over 150 locations across the country. 

While the Hobbit holes have long been a major attraction for tourists, the interiors were mostly off-limits. Now, the Hobbiton movie set is open to the public for the first time, and fans can finally venture beyond the iconic round doors of the Hobbit holes and explore to their heart’s content. 

A magical adventure inside the Hobbit holes

Only two of the Hobbit holes, furnished by the decorators and illustrators who worked on the movies, have opened to the public, becoming a highlight of the Hobbiton tour hosted at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata 3472, New Zealand. Visitors can choose to explore either of the Hobbit holes, with groups of 40 being divided into two groups of 20 each to ensure ample space for movement and exploration. While both Hobbit homes boast distinct interiors and decorations, they offer visitors similar immersive experiences.

Each meticulously decorated Hobbit home replicates nearly everything seen in the movies. From the entry hall and parlour to the pantry and kitchen, from the bedroom to the dining room, and from the winding hallways to the bathroom, all areas are open for exploration. A crackling fire creates a cosy atmosphere, and a pantry stocked with Hobbit food and various knick-knacks ensures an authentic experience.

The tour of the Hobbiton movie set is priced at NZD 120 (HKD 577) for adults and NZD 60 (HKD 288) for children below 17 years of age. 

Disclaimer: Currency conversions were done at the time of writing

(Feature image credit: hobbitontours.com)

Related: VIDEO: Why New Zealand Is the Ultimate Self-Care Vacation Destination

Peru is sharply boosting access to its top attraction Machu Picchu, officials said on December 2 (Saturday), in an effort to revive tourism that has yet to rebound from the pandemic.

More about the steps being taken to revive tourism in Peru

Access to the Inca citadel has been increased to 4,500 per day “and on very specific dates may be increased to 5,600” from January 1, a Culture Ministry statement said. The site currently allows 3,600 to 3,800 visitors per day.

Last September, Peru temporarily closed three sectors of Machu Picchu due to the impact of the heavy volume of visitors at the site. Machu Picchu, 130 kilometre (80 miles) from Cusco, was built in the 15th century at an altitude of 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) on orders from the Inca ruler Pachacutec.

It is considered a marvel of architecture and engineering and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. Tourism is key to Peru’s economy, with the country attracting about 4.5 million visitors prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It’s expected to finish this year with about half that, 2.2 million.\

Known as “the lost city of the Incas,” Machu Picchu was stumbled upon in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. On the silver screen, the character of the adventurer Indiana Jones is partially inspired by Bingham.

This story was published via AFP Relaxnews

Featured Image Credit: Photography MARIANA SUAREZ / AFP©

Related: Explore And Work: Peru Paves The Way For Digital Nomads With Visa Offering