Singapore

​

As a region, Indonesia stands out from the crowd – so it isn’t surprising that its Grand Prix is diverse one too. Hosted at the Marina Bay Circuit in the heart of Singapore, the track hosted racing’s inaugural night race on its 2008 debut and has never looked back. An authentic street circuit setup delivers some sublime views of the Singapore skyline, as well as a grandstand that sees drivers actually pass directly under it on each lap. Away from the spectacle itself, race-goers can take a spin on the Singapore Flyer – a huge ferris wheel which offers outrageous views of the wider city. It’s also easy to quench thirst with a Singapore Sling or two from a wide range of on-course bars. When race weekend arrives here, it truly is party time.

This fascinating region most certainly merits more exploration outside of the track, though. Combining futuristic glamour with stripped-back natural beauty, Singapore is a global leader in environmental sustainability. This is best showcased in their phenomenal Gardens in the Bay; a botanical project which has benefitted from over $1 billion of investment. Made up of three gardens stretching across 101 hectares of land, millions of visitors now flock here annually to bask in this phenomenal open space and admire the wondrous views it provides.

Kyoto (Suzuka)

​

Hosted at the Suzuka Circuit since 1987 (barring a brief alternation with Fuji in the mid-2000s), the Japanese Grand Prix remains a firm favourite with race fans. Officially now one of the mainstays of the Formula One calendar, the race typically holds a late slot in the schedule which has led to no less than 13 World Champions being crowned directly at this venue. As if that guarantee of drama wasn’t enough reason for a trip, the proximity of this circuit (slightly off the beaten track) means those who travel can opt to take in both Kyoto and Tokyo rather seamlessly. As far as two major cities go, it truly is chalk and cheese.

Few cities epitomise their nation’s historical and cultural roots quite to the extent Kyoto. This ancient former capital is a majestic throwback to Old Japan, with pristinely kept temples, exquisite gardens of natural beauty and artisan works helping to preserve this ancient corner of an ultra-modern nation. Home to a whopping 17 (yes, seventeen) UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s not uncommon to witness fully robed monks scurrying around the streets and large groups of locals collecting for meditation sessions. As far as de-stressing goes, there aren’t many better locations.

​

If the stripped-back Kyoto offers a look into the past, then Tokyo certainly proves the flip side of that coin. With a tube map often said to resemble a serving of noodles, the Japanese capital is one of the world’s most highly populated cities to scale of size – but that doesn’t mean that getting around is a chore. Far from it in fact, as this pioneering metropolis continues to develop at a startling rate. Art, fashion and food all salute Tokyo as one of their global keystones, whilst technological advancement continues to fly the flag in a number of spheres. With so much to offer, any visitor can pull together their own completely unique itinerary and enjoy an experience completely different to those who have gone before them.

Be it an Oriental adventure or a bid to break new ground a spiritual search – the light can always be discovered in the Land Of The Rising Sun.

​