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Designed by an Argentine architect as the headquarters of the oil and gas firm Petronas, this iconic pair of buildings looks as sleek as the day it was completed in 1998. The facade of glass and steel was inspired by Islamic art motifs, and the structures’ five tiers represent Islam’s five pillars. At 452 meters (1,483 feet), they are the world’s tallest twin towers. The 370-meter-high (1,213-foot-high) observation deck on the 86th floor is one of KL’s most popular sites.

American entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who began his Thai silk business here in the 1940s, built himself a residence in 1959 by assembling six traditional teak houses brought from other parts of Thailand. Today, Thompson’s former abode is a museum that displays his extensive collection of rare Asian art and antiques. The gift shop sells high-end silk clothing (including darling children’s wear) as well as bags, scarves and home goods such as cushion covers, plus postcards and books.

My ideal habitat is a warm day on a tropical beach. I’m also a sucker for beauty in all its most unusual forms (part of the reason I’m on the Board of Burning Man). So, when I heard about the Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival in northeast China (Manchuria meets Siberia: that just sounds frozen!), my initial reaction was, “How far would I travel and how cold would I get all in the name of experiencing an aesthetic phenomenon?” So, after 90 degree humidity in Malaysia, two planes delivered me to this cursed, desolate part of China (20 degrees below zero). Amidst the Siberian wind gusts and short days of daylight, Harbin is a revelation, a place where the light of collective aesthetic joy is experienced by 800,000 visitors annually for the Ice & Snow Festival (90% from China as this is one of the country’s top winter destinations). Oddly, I kept having Burning Man flashbacks...night being preferred over day due to the psychedelic visuals enhanced by the dark, the fact that thousands of artists (15k in Harbin) labor 15 days around the clock to create something out of nothing only to know that these beautiful structures will either melt (Harbin) or burn (Burning Man), and, finally, the sense that no picture or video can capture the sensory overload of being surrounded by spectacle. Think: “You had to be there.” Remember the spectacle of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony? I heartily recommend this trek that takes place late December through February.

The Ya Kun experience is a must for foodies looking for an authentic Singaporean breakfast. Ya Kun Kaya Toast started as a humble coffee shop in Singapore’s business district, but it’s since morphed into a café chain with an impressive number of outlets in Singapore and other Asian countries. Ya Kun’s signature dish is its kaya toast, which consists of kaya (a coconut-based jam) spread on a thin slice of toast and served with soft-boiled eggs and freshly brewed coffee (the beans are wok-fried in butter and sugar, strained through cloth, and served with some condensed milk). If coffee isn’t your cup of tea (sorry, couldn’t resist), Ya Kun also serves teh tarik, a Malaysian sweetened-tea-and-milk beverage popular among locals.

Top Chef finalist Tiffani Faison showed off her versatility in opening Tiger Mama, her second restaurant, as an un-Americanized Asian-fusion concept—wildly different than Sweet Cheeks Q, her Boston barbecue joint. What’s similar is Tiger Mama’s Fenway location and its creative take on traditional preparations, in this case Thai, Malaysian, and Vietnamese dishes grouped under general headings (like Cold & Fresh, Crispy & Spicy, Rich & Earthy, and Noodles & Rice) to aid in navigating the maybe-unfamiliar names of dishes. The short-rib crudo is the go-to starter; “pig rice” is a typically generous portion of rice mixed with bacon, tasso ham, and Isaan sausage, sprinkled with pork floss; and the tiki drinks will flow as the sharing plates are passed.

Atop St. Paul’s Hill sit the ruins of St. Paul’s Church, built by the Portuguese and consecrated in 1521. Malaysia’s oldest church was first Roman Catholic, then Dutch Reformed and ultimately used by the British to store gunpowder. Missionary St. Francis Xavier was briefly interred here (after three weeks his remains were sent to Goa, in India, where they can be found to this day); an open grave marks the spot where he was buried. Adjacent to the church is the Porta de Santiago, all that’s left of the Portuguese fortress A Famosa; built in the early 16th century after the Portuguese took control of Malacca, the fortress was used by both the Dutch and the British.

At 185 acres, the Montréal Botanical Garden is less than a third the size of Mount Royal Park, but it manages to fit a remarkable collection of some 22,000 plant species and cultivars into that space, organized into 20 thematic gardens and including 10 exhibition greenhouses (ideal if you are looking for some tropical warmth in the depth of a Montréal winter). Everyone will have his or her own favorites when it comes to the different spaces—Alpine, Chinese, Japanese—but the First Nations garden stands out. Wandering alongside its pond and following its forested trails, you’ll feel like you are far from the city and instead in the northern reaches of the province of Québec—at least until you catch sight of the swoop of the nearby Olympic Tower, with its distinct incline. You can continue the naturalist itinerary at the Biodome, also nearby, where five different ecosystems of North America are re-created with flora and fauna—auks, lynx, penguins, and more.

For a unique Malaysian dining experience, head to Pia’s the Padi, where panoramic views of vibrant green rice fields and distant mountains are as sumptuous as the food. Inside the restaurant, huge windows open onto the fields, creating a lovely terrace. Indulge in samosas, chicken butter masala, beef rendang (a favorite), and other traditional dishes. Order à la carte or from a set menu; you can even ask for the chef to prepare something special just for you. When it’s time for dessert, a popular choice is the mango kulfi, a creamy frozen treat. To recreate the dishes at home, sign up for the daily cooking class that begins at 2 p.m. Call ahead for restaurant and class reservations.

Malacca was under Dutch rule from 1641 to 1795 and then again from 1818 to 1825, and the buildings along Dutch Square reflect this history, all painted in terra cotta—the square is also often called Red Square, because of the color of the buildings that sit on it. Just behind the square’s clock tower, the Stadthuys was built in 1650 as Malacca’s city hall; it continued to serve this purpose even after the British took control of Malacca. It’s believed to be the oldest Dutch building in Southeast Asia. The large but simple building has white wooden shutters and a tiled roof. Today, the Stadthuys houses several museums, including the History and Ethnography Museum.

There may not be an assembly line at My French Factory, but there are griddles that turn out delectable crepes. Helmed by two Parisian chefs, this café in Pantai Cenang offers a number of sweet combinations, including homemade salted caramel and almonds, raspberries and white chocolate, and fresh lemon juice and sugar. You can also savor a galette, a buckwheat crepe that can be stuffed with such fillings as mushrooms and tomato sauce or ham, egg, and cheese. Whether it’s a crepe or something else, just don’t leave My French Factory without trying a dessert. Other worthy candidates include Nutella milkshakes, tiramisu, and ice cream-topped waffles.

The Rock Spa at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa is a full service world-class spa offering a wide variety of services: facials, body treatments, hair, manicures and pedicures, and massages. The day I visited I was in search of the Synchronicity massage which is one of the new Rhythm and Motion services offered at the Rock Spa. Like many people, I carry a lot of tension in my back. So, I love a good massage. I also use music and aromatherapy for relaxation. And in the Synchronicity massage I got all three experiences rolled into one. It combines deep relaxation massage, music, and natural organic essential oils and aromatherapy. I relaxed on a comfortable massage table with a gel memory foam surface that easily adjusted to a number of different position that provide optimal comfort for my somewhat finicky back. Where the “rhythm” part came in was with a special playlist of music piped in through a small dome that hung above my head. The beat also vibrated up through the massage table. I was surrounded by the music and the sweet smells of essential oils at the same time as relaxing under the experienced hands of my masseuse who moved her hands with the flow of the music. I felt like I was floating away on waves of sound. Seriously. There is more to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa than just high-energy gaming and entertainment, excellent eating, and comfortable hotel rooms. There is a place where the world recedes and peace and beauty move in. That place is the Rock Spa. The Synchronicity massage and Rhythm and Motion Services are also available at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Fl and a number of other Hard Rock Hotels in the US, Mexico, and Malaysia.

On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Aislyn Greene is joined by Kathryn Romeyn to talk about Penang’s UNESCO‑listed George Town, from hawker‑stall laksa and Peranakan kitchens to weekend art markets, street murals, Penang Hill hikes, and new boutique hotels; they share tips on timing, etiquette, and how to experience the island like a resident.

In this episode of Unpacked, we delve into the spooky stories that are inspiring a community of outdoor travelers.

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, Jeff Jenkins—host of the National Geographic show Never Say Never—reminds us that life begins where our comfort zone ends.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, points and miles expert Paul Rubio shares the secrets to gaining airport lounge access. Tip one: Use a credit card.