The great escape to brave new worlds

WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going - on holiday. It was a tough 2019 for the world as it reeled from the effects of civil strife, climate change and the power of Mother Nature. Go-to places became no-go places but somehow, it still never stopped people from indulging in one of their greatest passions - travelling the world.

Indeed, statistics say that some 1.3 billion people travel each year and 46 per cent of all travellers go to just 100 destinations. That means chronic over-tourism in many places, but less chance of overcrowding elsewhere. With that in mind, Friday's issue of Weekend Magazine takes you out of your comfort zone to visit places that might not have come under your radar. With no guarantee that the start of a new decade will be any better, the theme for our travel recommendations this year revolves around recovery, rejuvenation and inspiration. From a wellness or spiritual getaway in India or Japan, to the Puna desert in Argentina or Star Wars land in Ireland's Skellig Michael Island, your great escape awaits.

We also drop in on singer-actress Lea Salonga, forever entrenched in our minds as Kim in Miss Saigon, but now all grown up as a veteran actress who still reigns as musical theatre's most famous Asian star.