48 hours in Jakarta

Home to more than 10 million people, Jakarta is a vibrant melting-pot of culture and religion, and boasts a wealth of attractions to squeeze into 48 hours. The best way to round out two days in the Indonesian capital? Soaking up bird’s eye views from a helicopter.

Jakarta is a sprawling city home to a wonderful blend of people with roots from across the world, ranging from local Javanese to European and Chinese. As capital of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, Jakarta also sees a wealth of other religions harmoniously live side-by-side, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.

The tolerant city houses a range of restaurants, lively bars and night spots, as well as an ever-growing collection of attractions that showcase Jakarta old and new. Traffic is the city’s main bugbear, with huge swathes of the road network gridlocked. This makes hiring a helicopter to enjoy aerial views of the bustling city from the sky a must.

Day 1: Morning

No trip to Jakarta is complete without a visit to Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque and the third largest Sunni mosque in term of capacity – its six floors can accommodate up to 200,000 worshipers at one time. The vast national mosque was built to commemorate Indonesian independence and named "Istiqlal", Arabic for "independence". It opened in February 1978 and sits close to the National Monument, making that the ideal next stop after a tasty local lunch at one of the many eateries that dot the area.

Day 1: Afternoon

The National Monument is a must. Standing proud as the country’s symbol of independence, the 132-m tall landmark sits in the center of Merdeka Square and is popular with visitors who flock there to take a lift to the top to soak up the spectacular 360-degree panoramas. The base of the monument houses a museum detailing Indonesia’s fight for independence, with a well-manicured park surrounding the monument.

Day 1: Evening

Spend the evening on a high and head to 56-story BCA Tower. Sitting on its top floor is stylish SKYE, dubbed a lifestyle resort in the sky. The exclusive rooftop restaurant and bar boasts a sumptuous menu comprising a blend of Southeast Asian, Japanese, Italian and Mexican dishes accompanied by breath-taking city views.

Day 2: Morning

Start the day delving into Jakarta’s rich heritage at Kota Tua, which sits as the capital’s Old Town. Kota Tua is home to a collection of Dutch buildings that give a glimpse into Indonesia’s colonial days. The area is home to Jakarta History Museum aptly on the site of the original town hall, which was the capital of the Dutch East Indies in the 17th century and served as the epicenter of the Asian spice trade during the time.

Day 2: Afternoon

After visiting Jakarta’s main attractions by foot, skip the traffic and take to the skies to enjoy unparalleled views of the city sprawling below. There are several sight-seeing helicopter tours that take in outlying neighborhoods of the vast city and beyond. Alternatively, private helicopters can be booked through Yugo for hand-curated itineraries. Either way, forge unforgettable memories and spend the final afternoon exploring Jakarta from the sky.

48 Hours in Manila

There’s plenty to fit into 48 hours in the vibrant Filipino capital of Manila. From soaking up the city’s rich culture and heritage, to strolling through the world’s oldest Chinatown and feasting on fine local food, Manila has it all. The perfect way to cap two days? A helicopter tour.

The vibrant capital city of Manila is where old and new collide. Famed for its diverse culture and history, while embracing a new modern world, the capital is a heady mix of Spanish colonial architecture and striking contemporary skyscrapers. With plenty to pack into 48 hours, here’s how to explore some of the city’s top attractions.

Day 1: Morning

Take a step back in time and explore Manila’s walled city, Intramuros. The most common way is by foot, strolling along the cobblestone streets at your own pace. Alternatively, ride a kalesa – horse-drawn cart – to explore the historic area that sits at the heart of old Manila. The walled city houses the famed citadel Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, St Agustin Church and various colonial houses.

Day 1: Afternoon

After lunch at one of the delightful eateries that dot the area, spend the afternoon museum-hopping. The National Museum of Fine Art is home to a range of artifacts and historic artworks. Close by sits the informative National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of Anthropology. Sprawling Rizal Park is within walking distance and spans 58 acres, making it one of Asia’s largest urban parks.

Day 1: Evening

Shopaholics will be in their element in Manila, with the city sprinkled with malls. Head to SM Mall of Asia and browse the shops before heading to the Sunset View Deck to watch the sun sink into Manila Bay. The area is also home to a delightful collection of food stalls serving a variety of local dishes. Sampling Manila’s seafood dampa is a must. This involves buying fresh seafood and handing it over to the small kitchens that populate the area to have it cooked up as you like.

Day 2: Morning

Awaken the senses and spend the morning exploring lively Chinatown. Binondo holds the title of the world’s oldest Chinatown and is home to a colorful network of shopping streets. Save some space after breakfast, because this bustling trading hub is where locals flock to buy authentic Chinese food and ingredients. The area is peppered with food vendors, small eateries, and restaurants.

Day 2: Afternoon

Round out your time in Manila and hire a helicopter. There are several tours that offer a range of unparalleled bird’s eye views of various landmarks in the vast city. There is also the option to enjoy a sunset helicopter tour over Manila Bay, or charter a helicopter and set your own itinerary to ensure you leave Manila on the ultimate high.

48 Hours in Phnom Penh

From history buffs and foodies to shopaholics and partygoers, there’s something for everyone in Cambodia's capital of Phnom Penh.

The city has been transformed in recent years with an explosion of developments & improved infrastructure but still retains pockets of its historical and cultural charm. Phnom Penh is also increasingly easy to reach on international and regional flights, while it's the perfect launching pad to explore the country,

Here’s how to spend 48 hours exploring the vibrant city at the heart of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Day 1: Morning

The early bird catches the worm, and the capital springs to life at dawn. Join the fitness conscious crowds that head to the riverside's esplanade (with a marked running track), Hun Sen Park, or Olympic Stadium and start the day with an exercise class, complete with pumping music.

The range of people is fascinating and many start their day early with joggers, cyclists, martial arts classes and more.

Markets form an integral part of daily life in Cambodia and are at their most vibrant in the early morning, when locals compete to snap up the freshest foods. For an authentic market experience, visit Phsar Kandal and watch fish flapping in pans, dodge slabs of beef hanging from hooks and gaze in awe at the rainbow selection of fruit and vegetables.

A less frantic alternative is Central Market (Phsar Thmei), which caters more to the tourist crowd. Beneath the iconic Art Deco dome, which dates back to 1937, stalls sell everything from souvenirs, household goods, clothes and food, to flowers, shoes, bags and everything in between.

Having worked up an appetite, head to the historic French quarter – home to a stunning collection of colonial architecture that includes the grand Post Office. Khéma La Poste is located in a restored former French villa and serves a selection of fine French food, while a cross-section of restaurants has also taken up residency in the photogenic buildings.

Day 1: Afternoon

The Royal Palace Phnom Penh

The riverside area is home to many of the national museums and tourist attractions. Delve into Cambodia’s past at the National Museum, home to relics that date back to the pre-Angkorian period. The neighbouring Royal Palace still serves as the King’s official residence. However, parts of the sprawling grounds are open to the public. Manicured gardens contain a variety of ornate temples and structures.

The adjacent Silver Pagoda also welcomes guests – although photos of its decadent interior are not allowed. Inside sits five tonnes of silver spread across 5,000 tiles, an Italian marble staircase and life-sized gold Buddha draped in 2,086 diamonds.

The Wat Ounalom Pagoda is also a short walk away and is considered the centre of Cambodian Buddhism, with the stupa housed the alleged eyebrow hair of Buddha himself.

To sample Khmer fine dining, Malis is a must-visit although the dining options in the city are fantastic. Set up by revered master chef Luu Meng, the restaurant gives traditional dishes a contemporary twist. Crowned Asia’s top chef, Meng has been championing Khmer cuisine internationally, winning him prestige at home.

Other new additions to the city's gourmet dining such as the FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar at the Hyatt, which opened in 2021, and has fantastic sunset views looking over the Royal Palace and the confluence of several rivers.

For a nightcap, head to Street 308 and Bassac Lane, with an entertaining maze of back streets and alleys that in recent years has transformed into a hub of lively boutique bars and eateries.

Day 2: Morning

Take a sobering step back in time to the brutal Khmer Rouge regime at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Under the Pol Pot-led regime that ruled from 1975 to 1979, the former school served as a political prisoners’ camp known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). Only an estimated seven prisoners survived. The rest were tortured and killed there, or sent to their deaths at nearby Choeung Ek killing fields.

You can follow this up and explore the revered temple and the capital’s namesake, Wat Phnom, which sits atop a 27-metre-high hill. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was built in 1373 to house four statues of Buddha discovered by Lady Penh in the Mekong River. The temple is surrounded by a small but well-manicured park.

For lunch, head to Friends Future Factory. It was operated by the non-governmental organisation Friends International, which provides vocational training for underprivileged young people.

There are restaurants on-site, run by students putting their newly learned skills to the test under the supervision of skilled mentors, but the new space also has art areas, cafes and the Friends 'n Stuff shop selling goods made by the NGO. These include souvenirs and premium crafts often creatively made from recycled goods.

Day 2: Afternoon

Spend the last afternoon in Phnom Penh on a high and hire a charter helicopter to soar the skies above the city. After viewing the capital from the ground, get an alternative perspective and enjoy stunning bird’s eye views of the city sprawling below from the comfort of a helicopter.

There are several organised helicopter tours from Yugo that offer passengers aerial views. Alternatively, helicopters can be chartered for private hire to hover above iconic landmarks of passengers’ choice.

In keeping with the views from above, head to Rosewood Hotel which occupies the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower and provides pristine city views, excellent service and meals. Enjoy stylish sundowners from its Sora Skybar on the 37th floor before heading to one of the many delightful dining options the hotel is home to.

You can even venture out and head off to Siem Reap or the tropical with chartered flights.