Have you ever planned a solo trip, stepping beyond the rigid schedules and compromises of group travelling? Solo travel is a leap into adventure, where every turn unveils a fresh surprise. A solo trip for the first time is an enriching experience that amalgamates excitement and caution.  While the thrills of exploration are immense, it is crucial to prioritise safety and preparedness. With thoughtful planning and an open mindset, solo travel can be a transformative journey. Here are some tips that will help your first solo journey be safer and much more enjoyable.  Ways to Stay Safe for the First Time Solo Travellers Preparation is Key Efficient planning can make your trip easier and less stressful. Before you start your journey, it is a good idea to create a checklist of important things you will need.  Make sure to gather all your travel documents like your passport and tickets. Packing suitable clothes for the weather at your destination is mandatory. Do not forget any medications you might need. Book flights, and hotel rooms ahead of the trip. Besides these, take local currencies and credit cards for travel expenses. Read more: 10 Most Affordable Destinations in Indonesia: Winter retreats on a budget Share Information with Trusted Ones Keeping safe during solo travel is important. Try to share your travel plans with someone you trust, so they know where you will be. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in new places.  Choosing Safe Accommodations When selecting places where you are planning to stay alone, explore different options like hostels, or guesthouses. It is suggested to pick a spot that feels safe and fits your budget.  Checking reviews is important to ensure that the staycation is secure, especially at night. It would be wise to pick accommodations in well-lit areas and places with good security measures.  It is essential to choose accommodation that makes you feel comfortable and secure during your solo trip. Furthermore, keep an eye on your belongings to avoid theft.  Read more: Best Asian Alternatives to the Maldives: Affordable Island Getaways Stay Connected  One may consider buying a SIM card from the place they are visiting. This helps one stay connected and reachable. With a local SIM, one can use maps and stay connected even without Wi-Fi. Having a local number allows people to access local services and make calls easily during their solo trips. Moreover, stay active on the internet during your trip. Having a reliable means of communication helps you stay connected and feel secure while travelling solo. Stay Emotionally Strong While travelling alone, you may sometimes feel lonely. Staying positive and staying open to new experiences helps keep your spirits high while travelling solo.

Asia is often considered the most diverse continent in the world. From winter escapades to tropical retreats, Asia offers a vacation experience unlike any other. To complement these retreat options, there are thousands of hotels and vacation stays available across countries. In this article, let's take a look at 25 of the best hotels in Asia and the amenities that await travellers.  Best Hotels in Asia According to Tripadvisor This list will focus on ratings taken from Tripadvisor, one of the leading websites for hotel reviews. The platform takes reviews and ratings from thousands of users based on their experience and aggregates them to create their list. Let’s start from the bottom.  #25 Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong  The last on the list is Four Seasons Hong Kong. The hotel is situated right across the famous Victoria Harbor adjoining the Hong Kong financial district. Visitors can conveniently access the Hong Kong metro and the famed Star Ferry Terminal. The specialty of his hotel is the incorporation of several world-leading features into their service. The most notable of them are the two Michelin-starred restaurants: Caprice and Lung King Heen. The latter is also the first authentic Chinese restaurant to receive this honor.  Read more: These are the countries you can visit visa-free with a Bangladeshi passport in 2023 There is also their award-winning spa experience on the rooftop adjoining the infinity pool overlooking the Hong Kong skyline. 

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen met Monday with a delegation of U.S. Congress members in a further sign of support among American lawmakers for the self-governing island that China claims as its own territory. Taiwanese media showed the delegation arriving for the talks, but details of the meeting were not immediately released. It comes less than two weeks after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which prompted days of threatening military exercises by China, including the firing of missiles over the island and into the Taiwan Strait. China has also sent warplanes and navy ships across the waterway’s median, which has long been a buffer between the sides that separated amid civil war in 1949. China regards formal contacts between U.S. politicians and the island’s government as support for its independence from Beijing. China says it wants to use peaceful means to bring Taiwan under its control, but its recent saber rattling has emphasized its military threat. The five-member delegation is led by Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and is to meet with other government and private sector representatives. Reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and investments in Taiwan’s crucial semiconductor industry are expected to be key topics of discussion. The other members of the delegation are Republican Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, a delegate from American Samoa, and Democrats John Garamendi and Alan Lowenthal from California and Don Beyer from Virginia. Read: More US lawmakers visit Taiwan 12 days after Pelosi trip A senior White House official on Asia policy said last week that China had used Pelosi’s visit as a pretext to launch an intensified pressure campaign against Taiwan, jeopardizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region. “China has overreacted, and its actions continue to be provocative, destabilizing, and unprecedented,” Kurt Campbell, a deputy assistant to President Joe Biden, said on a call with reporters. “It has sought to disregard the centerline between the P.R.C. and Taiwan, which has been respected by both sides for more than 60 years as a stabilizing feature,” he said, using the acronym for the country’s full name, the People’s Republic of China. China accuses the U.S. of encouraging independence forces in Taiwan through its sale of military equipment to the island and engaging with its officials. The U.S. says it does not support independence for Taiwan but that its differences with China should be resolved by peaceful means. China’s ruling Communist Party has long said that it favors Taiwan joining China peacefully but that it will not rule out force if necessary. The two split in 1949 during a civil war in which the Communists took control of China and the losing Nationalists retreated to the island of Taiwan. Campbell, speaking on Friday, said the U.S. would send warships and planes through the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks and is developing a roadmap for trade talks with Taiwan that he said the U.S. intends to announce in the coming days.

Before stepping foot in Saudi Arabia, President Joe Biden knew there would be trouble. Biden was risking criticism by visiting a country he had vowed to make a “pariah” for human rights abuses, and there was no guarantee the visit would immediately yield higher oil production to offset rising gas prices. He decided to face the blowback anyway, hoping to use the visit to repair strained ties and make clear to wary Arab leaders that the United States remains committed to their security and the region’s stability. His visit to Saudi Arabia was occasionally uncomfortable but, in Biden's view, ultimately necessary. Although he's been focused on confronting Russia's invasion of Ukraine and limiting China's expanding influence in Asia, those goals become far more difficult without the partnerships that he was tending to here. Read: Biden says US ‘will not walk away’ from Middle East “It is only becoming clearer to me how closely interwoven America’s interests are with the successes of the Middle East,” the president said Saturday at a summit in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. It was a belated recognition of geopolitical reality that, for nearly a century, has kept the United States deeply invested in the energy-rich region, most recently with ruinous wars that stretched over two decades. Biden tried to turn the page on those conflicts while insisting that the U.S. would remain engaged. “We will not walk away and leave a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia or Iran,” Biden said. “We will seek to build on this moment with active, principled, American leadership.” The summit, where Biden announced $1 billion in U.S. funding to alleviate hunger in the region, was the final destination on Biden's four-day trip, which included stops in Israel and the West Bank. His travels were shadowed by a steady stream of grim news from Washington, where Democratic plans to address climate change floundered on Capitol Hill and there was fresh evidence that inflation had reached historic levels. And at every step along the way, Biden confronted a far different region than existed when he served as vice president. Read: Biden meets with Arab Gulf countries to counter Iran threat President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal reached under President Barack Obama, and Tehran is believed to be closer than ever to building a nuclear weapon. The threat, which Biden has struggled to address through renewed negotiations, has deepened coordination between Israel and its Arab neighbors, who have found common cause in confronting Iran. The budding ties have also opened the door to greater economic and security integration, recasting the Middle East's fractious politics at the same time that Arab leaders were fearing the U.S. had become a less reliable ally. They distrusted Obama's outreach to Iran and Trump's erratic behavior, then viewed Biden as neglectful toward the region once he took office. Biden's challenge has been to recognize the shifting landscape and persuade leaders in the Middle East to remain aligned with U.S. interests — without being dragged back into a corner of the world that the American public has largely turned away from after the end of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although Biden expressed a renewed commitment to the region by saying “the United States is not going anywhere,” he also seemed to acknowledge its limitations. “The United States is clear-eyed about the challenges in the Middle East and about where we have the greatest capacity to help drive positive outcomes," he said.  Also: Biden tells Dems to quickly pass pared-down economic package Besides announcing the new funding for hunger relief, he met individually with several of his counterparts, some for the first time since he became president. He also invited Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who recently became president of the United Arab Emirates, formalizing his role at the helm of major policy decisions, to visit the White House in the coming months. It was another effort to smooth ties that have become strained, in part because of Biden's actions. For example, although the U.S. has played a key role in encouraging a monthslong cease-fire in Yemen, the Emiratis have criticized his decision to reverse a Trump-era move that had listed the Iran-backed Houthis as a terrorist group. The centerpiece of Biden's outreach in the Middle East was his first meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia and heir to the throne held by his father, King Salman. The encounter began Friday with a fist bump outside the royal palace in Jeddah, a chummy gesture that was swiftly criticized because of Prince Mohammed's history of human rights abuses. In addition to cracking down on his critics in Saudi Arabia, the prince, according to U.S. intelligence, likely approved the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi nearly four years ago. Biden rejected the notion that he was abandoning human rights by meeting with the crown prince, and said he brought up Khashoggi's murder during their conversation. The topic created a “frosty” start to the meeting, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the private meeting and insisted on anonymity. The Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news network, citing an unnamed Saudi source, reported that Prince Mohammed responded to Biden’s mention of Khashoggi by saying that attempts to impose a set of values can backfire. He also said the U.S. had committed mistakes at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, where detainees were tortured, and pressed Biden on the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during a recent Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin. Also read: Biden’s Saudi visit aims to balance rights, oil, security The atmosphere between the two eventually became more relaxed, the U.S. official said, as they spoke about energy security, expanding high-speed internet access in the Middle East and other issues. The regional summit in Jeddah and Biden's visit provided Prince Mohammed with the opportunity to showcase his country's heavyweight role in the Middle East, and his position at the helm of the world's largest oil exporter. He hinted that the kingdom could pump more oil than it currently does, something Biden wants to see when existing production quotas among OPEC+ member countries, which include Russia, expire in September. “I’m doing all I can to increase the supply for the United States of America, which I expect to happen,” Biden said Friday. “The Saudis share that urgency, and based on our discussions today, I expect we’ll see further steps in the coming weeks.” He also tried to draw Arab nations onto his side over the invasion of Ukraine by releasing satellite imagery indicating that Russian officials visited Iran in June and July to see weapons-capable drones that it could acquire. The disclosure appeared aimed at drawing a connection between the war in Europe and Arab leaders' own concerns about Iran. So far, none of the countries represented at the summit has moved in lockstep with the U.S. to sanction Russia, a foreign policy priority for the Biden administration. If anything, the UAE has emerged as a sort of financial haven for Russian billionaires and their multimillion-dollar yachts. Egypt remains open to Russian tourists. Meantime, there are sharp divisions on regional foreign policy among the heads of state who attended the summit. For example, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are trying to isolate and squeeze Iran over its regional reach and proxies. Oman and Qatar have solid diplomatic ties with Iran and have acted as intermediaries for talks between Washington and Tehran. But before ending his speech at the summit, Biden expressed hopes for a new era of cooperation. "This is a table full of problem solvers," he said. “There’s a lot of good we can do if we do it together.”

There’s nothing quite like a retreat to the beach. Whether it’s the sandy coastline or the deep blue sea, the calm and incessant waves are sure to be relaxing and unwinding for many. Beaches always had a priority in people’s vacation lists, and that paved the way for many hotels and resorts on our coastline. But are all of them good? In this article, we will take a look at the 8 best beach resorts in Bangladesh in 2021 so that you can plan your next retreat with ease. Top Bangladeshi Beach Resorts to Spend your Vacation with Family Grand Beach Resort Cox’s Bazar The first on our list is the Grand Beach Resort Cox’s Bazar. Located less than a mile from the Sugandha Beach point, the Grand Beach Resort is located right between the sea beach and the central Cox’s Bazar. The resort comes with its parking area, so you won't have to worry if you’re traveling on private transportation. The facilities of this hotel are fairly standard. You get free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a sofa, and access to the balcony. The bathroom is fitted with all the necessary amenities. The price for a one-night stay starts at 3000 BDT and goes all the way up to 4000 BDT. Read Best Resorts near Dhaka for Day out or Weekend Away Long Beach Hotel Cox’s Bazar If you’re looking for a 5-star experience on the beachside, the Long Beach Hotel Cox’s Bazar is the destination for you. Founded in 2018, the resort is located just a 14-minute walk from the beach at a very picturesque location. The view from the balcony is something that you will enjoy. The room comes with its minibar and everything from the beds and sofa to the bathroom has a touch of luxury in them. If you opt for one of their suites, you’ll have access to a separate kitchenette and living room. In addition to that, the resort offers a complimentary buffet, sauna, and gym access. The price for a night’s stay for two starts at 6300 BDT and goes all the way up to 8300 BDT. Read Also: Best Honeymoon Destination in Asia Praasad Paradise Hotel & Resort The next one on our list is another beachfront resort. The Praasad Paradise Hotel & Resort is a 3-star luxury resort situated at the heart of Cox’s Bazar sea beach. If you are an international traveler or fly by plane, there is a complimentary airport shuttle service available. The rooms are spacious with all the necessary amenities. You’ll be getting a complimentary oriental buffet breakfast in this resort. There is access to free Wi-Fi, room service as well a lounge area. Check-in starts at 12:00 PM and the last time for check-out is 11:30 AM. The price for a one-night stay starts at 4500 BDT. Read Sylhet Tourist Places – Where to Go and What to Do Mermaid Eco Resort Mermaid Eco Resort isn’t your typical beachside resort. The cottage bungalow-type resort situated at Dhoapalong is a luxury retreat between the nature and the sea. The interior of the bungalows is designed in a rustic way. You can book an entire cottage which comes with a river view and garden view options. There is complimentary room service and standard amenities as you would expect from a 3-Star bungalow. The resort also offers an airport shuttle service. You can also avail of the on-spot parking service available right beside the resort. The continental breakfast is another great addition to their service. The serene environment with outstanding service makes this resort an easy pick for many tourists. The price one-night stay starts at 6000 BDT and goes all the way up to 11000 BDT for studio bungalows. Read Also: Singapore Tourist Attractions: Best places to visit and craziest things to do Exotica Sampan Another touristy resort right beside the sea beaches of Marine Drive is the Exotica Sampan. This relatively new establishment has made its name due to quality service and amenities at an affordable price range. Situated in Marine Drive, the resort offers a unique view of the mountain and the sea unlike any you’ll find in the area. The in-house amenities are right on par with the price with soundproofing, toiletries, TV, and 24-hour room service. All of the rooms have a sea view balcony which is an additional plus point. You get access to in-house restaurants and BBQ facilities. Overall, this can be a cozy and luxurious option for those of you looking for a quiet retreat among the mountain and the sea. The price for a night’s stay for two starts at 6900 BDT and goes up to 10800 BDT for four. Read Rangamati Tourist Attractions – Where to Go and What to Do Ocean Paradise Hotel and Resort Ocean paradise is another high-end luxury resort at the heart of Cox’s Bazar sea beach. The resort offers an amazing view of the sea from its balcony which is sure to mesmerize you. As a 3-star hotel, the service is exceptional. You get 24-hour room service and access to in-house facilities like indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym and oriental restaurants. The air-conditioned rooms are perfectly crafted to exquisite taste. The staff does an excellent job of preparing the room pristinely. The check-in time starts at around 12 PM and the last time for check-out is 11:30 PM. You can also avail of the private shuttle service offered by the hotel subject to additional charges. Per night stay for two starts at 6500 BDT and can range up to 11000 BDT depending on the suite. Read Top 3 Staycation Spots in Bangladesh Sayeman Beach Resort Credited as the first private beach resort of Cox’s Bazar, Sayeman Beach resort was founded in 1964 and later redeveloped in 2015 to its current state. Situated on the beaches of Marine Drive, Sayeman Beach Resort offers an oceanfront view like no other. This luxury resort is a choice of many thanks to its location and service. Their infinity pool is quite an attraction for the tourists looking for a luxury serene retreat. You also get access to their Casablanca restaurant and Tararom Spa, both of which add to the essence of quality service. There are special offers all year round and currently, they have Ramadan and Eid package which starts at 11000 BDT for 2 people. The quality experience and service easily make Sayeman one of the best beach resorts in Bangladesh. Read Best Khagrachhari Tourist Spots to Explore in Your Vacation Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa When it comes to absolute luxury by sea, the Royal Tulip easily makes it to the list of the best ones. Founded in 2015 by the Sea Pearl Group, the Royal Tulip offers a European-style 5-star luxury stay at the heart of Inani beach. Nestled between the hills and the endless stretch of sea, the Royal Tulip offers all the luxurious amenities you can think of in their 15-acre area. From the water park to tennis courts to 3D movie theatres, the resort has it all. The suites are designed not only to be aesthetic but also to carry a distinct signature that speaks of quality and comfort. There are special packages available year-round with the base one starting at 10900 all-inclusive. Read Also: Visit Sadullapur Golap Gram, Rose Village at Savar for Day Tour Final Words These are some of the best beach resorts in Bangladesh and you’ll have a memorable experience regardless of the ones that you choose from this list. The pricing that we mentioned here is subject to change based on demand and availability. And, it is recommended to follow the associated safety rules and regulations while roaming any beach area. So, are you ready for your next beach retreat?