28/12/2025

ON SUNDAY December 28, 2025 theSunday Special IX

Sri Lanka

Uzbekistan

Sri Lanka: Tea hills to turtle beaches Sri Lanka is a compact hit list of experi ences. Land in Colombo, then take a train into the misty tea country of Ella or Nuwara Eliya for scenic rides and cool weather. If sand is your vibe, base yourself near Bentota or Galle on the southwest coast. KL–Colombo has direct options on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, so you’re on the beach or in the hills quickly after touchdown. For deals, watch airline sales around major Malaysian holidays or during the travel fair season. Packages that combine airport transfer with a driver for D GD\ RU WZR FDQ EH VXUSULVLQJO\ D̆ RUGDEOH when booked through exhibitors at the fair. H RZHYHU GL̆ HUHQW UHJLRQV LQ 6UL /DQND H[SHULHQFH GL̆ HUHQW PRQVRRQ VHDVRQV For year-end travel to Sri Lanka, aim for the south and west coasts for the best weather. Oman: Desert drama with city polish Muscat is one of the Gulf’s most photoge nic capitals, with alabaster architecture framed by craggy mountains. Spend a morning at the Grand Mosque, then drive the coastal road for blowholes and secluded coves. SalamAir operates direct ÀLJKWV EHWZHHQ ./ DQG 0XVFDW ZKLFK makes a long weekend realistic. Malay

sians are visa-exempt for stays of up to 14 days if they meet basic entry conditions. Oman is great for self-drives, but even a short guided excursion to Wahiba Sands or the fort towns around Nizwa will scratch the adventure itch. Scan airline promos DURXQG \HDU HQG WR WULP ÀLJKW FRVWV WR WKLV usually premium destination. Uzbekistan: Silk Road cities made easy I I \RX ZDQW VRPHWKLQJ GL̆ HUHQW ZLWKRXW a crazy itinerary, Tashkent is the new gateway to a trio of stunners: Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Good news for time SRRU WUDYHOOHUV WKHUH DUH GLUHFW ÀLJKWV between Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent on Uzbekistan Airways and Batik Air Malaysia. Additionally, AirAsia X has announced a new direct service starting 15 October 2025. Malaysians get a 30-day visa-free entry. 7KHUHIRUH ZHHNHQG SODQQHUV FDQ À\ LQWR Tashkent and hop high-speed trains to the historic cities without paperwork drama. Check the national carrier’s site for route updates and occasional baggage promos that make shopping for Suzani textiles a little easier on the return leg. Nepal: City energy and Himalayan air in one go Kathmandu packs a lot into a short stay: Durbar Squares, rooftop cafés with mountain views and easy day trips to

Nepal

Kerala, India

Bhaktapur. The great part for Malaysians is connectivity. As of this year, there are multiple direct options between KL and Kathmandu on Nepal Airlines and other carriers, with W\SLFDO ÀLJKW WLPHV XQGHU ¿YH KRXUV 7KDW makes it feasible to zip in for three or four nights and still feel you’ve truly “gone somewhere.” Pick a boutique stay in Thamel or Patan, then add a sunrise trip to Nagarkot RU D VKRUW ÀLJKWVHHLQJ UXQ LI WKH ZHDWKHU cooperates. Use airline sales to lock in fares a few weeks out. Kerala, India: Spice coast with postcard backwaters For a mellow escape that still feels rich, head to Kochi. Fort Kochi’s pastel lanes, street art and waterfront promenades make for slow days on foot and the famous Kerala backwaters are an easy day-trip away. AirAsia flies direct from KL to Kochi, which keeps travel time manage able for a long weekend. If you have an extra day, add Mun nar for cool tea-scented hills. Watch for airline discount periods and bundle a homestay with a simple backwater cruise to keep costs predictable. India’s shoulder months around year-end are pleasant, with fewer peak-season crowds in this part of the country. How to hunt deals without losing your weekend Time to buy: Travel sellers cluster promos around big fairs. The MATTA Fair in early September is primed for early year-end shoppers. Go with a rough date window and a shortlist of destinations so you can

compare on the spot. Cross-check airline hubs: AirAsia’s SURPR SDJH DQG 0DOD\VLD $LUOLQHV¶ R̆ HUV VHFWLRQ DUH WKH IDVWHVW ZD\ WR FRQ¿UP LI D sale is live. Some deals stack with bank promos, which is handy if you have local cards. Batik Air Malaysia’s Merdeka season promos are also worth a peek. B H ÀH[LEOH RQ DLUSRUWV )RU 7DLZDQ WU\ both Taipei airports when you search. For Nepal, look at mid-week departures. For Uzbekistan, watch the new services rolling out in October as capacity often triggers competitive fares. R HDG WKH YLVD ¿QH SULQW 7DLZDQ UH mains visa-free for Malaysians for up to 30 days. Uzbekistan grants 30 days of visa-free travel. Oman waives visa requirements for up to 14 days if you meet the entry conditions. Always verify the latest notices before you pay, as rules can change. Airport, here I come! Sure, you can opt for a quick escape to Bangkok or Bali. But why not try something beyond the usual “Malaysian WUDYHO GHVWLQDWLRQV´" :LWK GLUHFW ÀLJKWV expanding to places like Tashkent and long-standing ease of access to Taiwan, Brunei and Sri Lanka, you can squeeze UHDO WUDYHO LQWR MXVW D IHZ GD\V R̆ 6FRXW the fair, click through the promo hubs, WKHQ OHW \RXU ODVW VWUHWFK RI ¿QLVK with a stamp or two in the passport.

Oman