With the ease of travel restriction, are you ready for your long-awaited vacations? Start planning your travel plans for 2023 now! Continue reading and you will find tips on how to take advantage of public holidays and spend your vacation wisely.

Before you head off, check if you have roaming data. Besides accessing general information, restaurant details and maps, you’ll certainly want to take photos and post them on social media for all your friends. Also, mobile phones need to be charged! The travel charger is vital for charging your mobile phone especially after constant navigation GPS use, e-payments, or taking hundreds of photos. And don’t forget to bring an adaptor. Because different countries like Japan, Korea and Europe - but not the UK - use different power sockets to Hong Kong.

April: 3 for 10 days vacation - Sakura and Onsen road trip in Kyushu, Japan

There are only 3 days apart between Ching Ming Festival (April 5th) and Easter Holidays (April 7th - 10th) this year, you can DIY a 10-day long vacation by taking 3 days annual leave only. Speaking of spring, we bet that cherry blossom, also known as sakura, is the first thing that pops up in your mind!

Japan is expecting cherry blossoms starting in late-March and hitting peak in April. You will find the best sakura scenery in cities in Kyushu. The best experience is to go for a road trip - Land in Fukuoka, pick up a rental car and make your way to Kumamoto to see the beautiful Aso Volcano and Kumamoto Castle.

Onsen, hot spring in Japanese term, is an important culture in Japan to relax one’s body and mind after a long day. Check in to an onsen hotel in Oita or Yufuin, which are onsen resourceful, you can enjoy onsen after a day-long driving, and have delicious Japanese cuisine in a yukata (Japanese-style bathrobe) afterwards.

Imagine immersing yourself in cherry blossoms during the day, enjoying onsen at night, are you ready to book the flight? Don’t forget to stay 2-3 days in the city of Fukuoka for shopping and Japanese gourmet before your flight back. If you are also interested in Japanese history, don’t miss out on Hashima, one of the World Heritage sites.

To capture blooming sakura and this long-awaited Japan visit, bring a handy and compact camera with you to snap every moment.

May: 1 for 4 - Festival in Busan seaside

Both Labour Day (May 1st) and The Birthday of the Buddha (May 26th) land on Monday this year, you can have a long weekend by taking one Friday off!

Busan is well-known as the seaside city in South Korea, and owns the magnificent scenery by the sea and beach. Check out an exclusive experiential festival in Busan - Haeundae Sand Festival, which is the only sand-themed festival in Korea and held in May every year. Spectacular sand sculpture created by world-renowned artists is built on the sandy beach of Haeundae, creates a vast outdoor museum to present artistic transformation of sand and brings unforgettable beach experience to visitors.

Various experience-based programs are also happening in the festival, including sandboard and sand treasure hunt, as well as parade, flea market and music performance.

Don’t forget to bring your outdoor essence with you, e.g. waterproof bag to keep your smartphone and belongings dustless, sun protection to prevent sunburn and mosquito repellent products to keep you in good shape.

June: 1 for 4 - Eat, Relax, Repeat in Thailand

What is better than kicking off your summer with a trip to a tropical country? Tuen Ng Festival falls on Thursday (June 22th) this year, which is another great chance to get a weekend trip by taking only one day leave.

Gem hunting in local markets is always a mystery fun. Explore JJ market and Asiatique The Riverfront in Bangkok, you can find different Thai-styled handcrafted goodies, vintage clothes, and street food. Get your tummy filled while shopping at the same time!

It is undeniable that a spa is the best key to heal your body and soul, relaxing the body and clearing the mind are the ultimate goals of getaway. Thai massage, stone massage, oil massage… you name it, can all be found in Bangkok in a good deal.

While everybody is being more hygiene conscious in post-COVID life, you may want to use your own personal care items instead of using what is provided by the hotel, e.g. towel, toothbrush, slippers. It is also suggested to secure your personal belongings with anti-theft measures to enjoy the trip without worrying.

September: 1 for 4 - Breezy getaway in Tokyo

The National Day (Oct 1st) falls on Sunday this year, so the following Monday is a statutory holiday, so you know the Friday before (Sep 29th) is the day! Flight and hotel in September will usually be on a better deal compared with July and August too. Take a break to Tokyo for fancy shopping and mountain getaway in the countryside nearby.

Karuizawa is a straight shot from Tokyo Station by JR within one and a half hour, the majestic landscape is perfect for an escape from the sweltering city. Karuizawa is a great place to be explored by bike, where you can find several rental shops near JR station. Riding to Kumoba Pond, nicknamed Swan Lake, you can enjoy the fall colors being reflected vividly in the water. There’s a cafe next to the pond where you can spend some time and chillax.

St. Paul's Catholic Church, Karuizawa Kogen Church and Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church are the popular spots in Karuizawa - St. Paul's Catholic Church will make you feel like you are in an European small town with its classic European architectural style, while the Stone Church is built with stones in its unique style. You will not want to miss these.

It might be difficult and unsafe to take pictures with your smartphones or cameras during your ride. A compact action camcorder can be put on your backpack or the bicycle to capture the journey with your hands free.

October: Fall in love with maple leaf in Seoul

While it is still hot in Hong Kong in October, make yourself a way to feel the autumn breeze in Korea. Taking advantage of the Chung Yeung Festival (Oct 23rd, Monday), you may have a weekend getaway by another 1 for 4.

Maple leaf and Ginkgo play a romantic musical in Korea in autumn, you can see the crossover of red and yellow anywhere in the city. N Seoul Tower and Namsan Park are two very popular spots in Seoul, where you can see the city view in epic fall colors from a height.

Nami Island, which is one hour away from the city centre, is a quick getaway from the city to enjoy the maple leaf in nature. The Garden of Morning Calm is located near Nami Island, different types of flower can be found in the 330,000 square metre garden. The floristic design also attracted some korean drama filmings in the garden.

A check of “Shopping list” is certainly needed for a trip to Seoul. Korean fashion, skincare products and snacks are the best souvenirs for your family and yourself. To get home safe with your spoils, you need an expandable, double wheels suitcase with TSA-friendly lock design, which offers you a worry-free shopping experience for your trip!

Luggage belt and scale can also help you to manage the weight of the luggage and secure the suitcase in a closed condition throughout the journey.

Finale: Christmassy Winter Market in the UK and White Skiing Christmas in France

The holidays ring your door! Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year fall on weekdays (Monday and Tuesday), and you will not want to miss the chance to get a 10-day trip by just taking 3 days leave. And you know, nothing beats the Christmas market in December.

Sightseeing the Christmas lights in Piccadilly Circus in London, visiting Christmas markets, getting mulled wine while walking in the snow. Your christmas vibe starts from here!

As most of the shops are closed during Christmas, it is the best time to enjoy the white winter in The Alps in France. There are a couple of ski resorts in The Alps area, suitable for all levels of skiers. It is a breathtaking view for the skiers certainly.

(Tips: It is only a 2-hour train from London to Paris, you can save some commuting time from plane for your touristing)

Winter in Europe is usually much colder than Hong Kong with the temperature going down to minus, you will probably have to bring down jackets, parkas, sweaters and scarfs, which are taking lots of space in your suitcase. It is recommended to pack your clothes in a vacuum bag, compress it, and save space. It is also a good idea to bring a hand warmer to keep both your palms warm in the freeze.