Which region delivers the most for holidaying Australians when it comes to food, transport, service and spectacular sights? Read on to find out.
Let me guess: you’ve been thinking about heading to Japan. Or perhaps you’ve just returned from the land of shrines, shinkansen, ramen, and onsen. It seems everyone has been gripped by Japan fever lately, and those who haven’t are busy googling airfares to the Philippines or that old favorite, Bali.
It’s no accident that so many of our travel compasses have been swiveling due north. When our borders reopened post-pandemic, many of us headed straight for Europe, hungering for a hit of Italy or France, Spain or Greece.
Now it’s the turn of our other favorite destination, Asia, a continent that is much closer than Europe and where the exchange rate tilts more firmly in our favor. No wonder so many of us get our first taste of overseas travel in Asia and keep returning.
As for me, I’ve always been torn between these two continents. With my German heritage, Europe feels like home, a place that has helped shape me since childhood. Yet so many of my favorite travel memories were formed, and keep being formed, in Asia, from my early backpacking adventures to more recent indulgent experiences.
The question remains: which one is the better holiday destination? Being German, I decided to try a methodical analysis, ranking the continents across a range of travel-related categories. Read on to find out who won this clash of the continents and why.
Natural wonders
The case for Asia
It’s the endless variety of Asia’s natural landscapes that is so astonishing. Some are sweltering, like the Borneo jungles where orangutans swing gracefully through the trees. Some are icy, like the soaring peaks of the Himalayas. And some are both in turn, such as the shifting sands of the Gobi Desert. If you like to get active in the fresh air, Asia offers plenty of choices. Hike the Annapurna Circuit trail in Nepal or climb Pinatubo in the Philippines. Love the underwater world? Dive into some of the world’s healthiest coral reefs in the Raja Ampat region west of Papua.
The case for Europe
It’s taken us a while, but Australians are finally starting to look beyond the Swiss Alps and the Scottish highlands and explore more of Europe’s great outdoors. Swipe through the Instagram pages of Australians overseas, and you will find them sailing on Norwegian fjords, discovering Iceland’s geysers and glaciers or delving deep underground in Slovenia’s awe-inspiring Postojna Cave. The more you look, the more you will discover, from Croatia’s forest-fringed Plitvice Lakes, 16 glittering pools that cascade into each other; to France’s mighty Gorges du Tarn river canyon, studded with picturesque villages such as Les Vignes and La Malene.
The winner: When you want to go wild, Asia is the place to go.
Beaches + islands
The case for Asia
Two words for you: palm trees. Two more: white sand. A wise person once said, “Never try to impress Australians with a beach,” but Asia is the one continent that can rival us for seaside fun. Most of us have a favorite stretch of sand in Asia, whether it’s the cave beaches of Bali, Thai beaches where you dance all night in the light of the full moon, or the Maldivian islands where translucent blue waters meet powdery sands. The beauty of Asia is that there is always a new place to discover, from Phu Quoc in Vietnam to the surprisingly scenic beaches on Japan’s underexplored Goto Islands.
The case for Europe
Beach chic is a European invention. All along the French Riviera, Sardinia’s wave-washed shores and the party island of Ibiza, summer-season beach clubs dial up the sophistication with a soundtrack of cool beats and fabulous food and drinks delivered to your sun lounger. It’s not to everyone’s taste, of course, but if you prefer deserted beaches and crystal-clear waters, there are plenty of those too: thousands of them in Greece alone, with more to be found along the Adriatic and Aegean beaches of Croatia, Montenegro and Turkey. And if you prefer long walks along windswept beaches under lowering skies, Scandinavia has plenty of what you are looking for.
The winner Better beaches, more choice and much better weather make Asia the slam-dunk winner.
Food + wine
The case for Asia
Satay. Samosas. Yakitori skewers. Chicken rice and steaming bowls of pho. If you love street food, Asia is the place to go. But there is more to Asia’s dining scene than streetside snacks. From dishes sizzling with spice to plates fragrant with aromatic herbs, some of the world’s most mouthwatering cuisines are native to Asia: think Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and the many regional delights of India and China. The Japanese also make for skilled and accomplished French and Italian chefs, with the Continent’s own cooks long turning towards the Land of the Rising Sun for culinary inspiration. Looking for something to wash it down with? Beer fans have been clued into the delights of Asian brews for years, and now Australians are starting to appreciate local drops such as sake and soju. Finally, Asia’s nascent wine industry, while no rival to Europe, is now producing quality drops in locations as far-flung as India, China and particularly Japan.
The case for Europe
Remember when you were either Team France or Team Italy? Either you waxed lyrical about the French, with their rich sauces and refined wines, or you championed Italy’s regional cuisines, where polenta and arancini rank as highly as pasta and pizza. These days, of course, we have a much greater appreciation of Europe’s diverse culinary riches. From Copenhagen’s pace-setting restaurants to the joy of freshly grilled fish at a Greek taverna, from Spain’s vibrant dining scene to the pleasures of Swiss fondues and the rich tortes served up in Germany, Austria and Hungary, there is so much to feast on. And that’s before we raise a glass to breweries that follow centuries of traditions and winemaking regions that include not just France, Italy and Spain but also Greece and now even England.
The winner
It’s a closer-run thing than you might imagine, but Asia wins out for its dazzling culinary diversity.
Man-made wonders
The case for Asia
The Taj Mahal, the temples at Angkor Wat, the Great Wall of China and the terracotta warriors in Xian are all on many people’s must-see lists, but many of Asia’s other outstanding monuments get a lot less press. Until they arrive in Kyoto, few visitors realize what a staggering collection of shrines and temples the city actually has. Java’s Borobudur Buddhist temple and the nearby Hindu temple of Prambanan astonish with their intricate carvings, while Sri Lanka’s imposing Sigiriya Rock Fortress sits in splendid isolation atop its outcrop. As for India, its collection of splendid monuments is simply bewildering, from the Hindu and Jain temples at Khajuraho to Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal palace, its red- and pink-sandstone façade honeycombed with almost 1000 windows.
The case for Europe
Where to start? The Eiffel Tower? The Colosseum? The Louvre, Westminster Abbey, the Parthenon, Prague’s Charles Bridge or Granada’s Alhambra? Stick a pin at random into a map of Europe, and you’ll find an amazing site to explore. In Istanbul, once the opulent heart of the Ottoman Empire, the Aya Sofia mosque, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are just the start. Croatia has not just the walled town of Dubrovnik but also Diocletian’s Palace in Split, a Roman ruin reborn as the city’s liveliest quarter, packed with bars, shops and restaurants. And, of course, Europe’s glorious array of churches includes not just the big names like London’s Westminster Abbey and St Peter’s in Vatican City but also lesser-known gems like Helsinki’s subterranean Temppeliaukio Rock Church and the Church of St George in Oplenac, Serbia, with magnificent mosaics made with 40 million pieces of glass.
The winner It’s a tighter fight than it may at first seem, but we’re giving this one to Europe.
Hotels + resorts
The case for Asia
Whatever style of trip you are planning, Asia’s hotels are always best-in-class. Upscale city break with immaculate service? Raffles Singapore, Mandarin-Oriental Bangkok and The Peninsula Hong Kong (peninsula.com), with its fleet of green Rolls-Royces, take some beating. Relaxing retreat by the sea? It’s hard to go past seaside getaways like Joali Maldives (joali.com) with its indulgent villas and treetop dining options or Indonesia’s beachcomber-chic Bawah Reserve (bawahreserve.com). From Japan’s minimalist ryokan to the over-the-top splendor of India’s palace hotels, there is one commonality: outstanding service.
The case for Europe
If you have a soft spot for old-school elegance, Europe five-star flagships show others how it’s done, from Paris’ Hotel Plaza Athenee, where the doorman greets you by name even on your first visit, to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons outside Oxford, where there are no coffee machines in the room – just call room service and they’ll promptly deliver a quality cuppa to your door. But what we really love about European hotels is the sheer diversity of the lodgings. For heritage lovers, there are historic properties like Spain’s magnificent paradores, including Parador Castillo de Santa Catalina, a 13th-century Moorish fortress in northern Andalucia. Prefer contemporary chic? Boutique retreats like Forestis, where the pared-back interiors take a back seat to the astounding Alpine views, are equally stunning.
The winner This one really is neck-and-neck. Both continents have plenty of amazing properties; what tips it in Asia’s favour is the always immaculate service.
Transport
The case for Asia
Tuk-tuks in Thailand, jeepneys in the Philippines, Hong Kong’s famous StarFerry. If you love a colourful local transport option, Asia has you covered. But it’s the continent’s efficient mass transit systems that really set it apart. Cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul move huge numbers of people every day – 11 million trips a day in Hong Kong alone. And then, of course, there is Japan’s super-efficient train system, which includes Tokyo’s Shinjuku station, the world’s busiest, where 3.6 million passengers sweep through every day. Asia is also home to some of the most high-tech, user-friendly airports in the world, including Singapore’s Changi and Seoul’s Incheon airports.
The case for Europe
When it comes to continental connections, Europe has it sewn up. Many of the major cities offer a multiplicity of public transport options – train, bus, tram – and the long-distance train networks are the best in the world. France, Italy, Germany and, increasingly, Spain all offer high-speed trains, and a growing number of cities are introducing free public transport, including the Estonian capital of Tallinn, Montpellier in France and the Maltese capital Valletta. The picturesque funiculars of Lisbon and Budapest are great fun (as well as saving your leg muscles), while journeys such as Norway’s Bergensbanen, passing peaks, fjords and canyons on the way from Oslo to Bergen, and the narrow-gauge Bernina Express from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, are simply breathtaking.
The winner All of those cross-country and continent connections win it for Europe.
Wellness
The case for Asia
If you have ever entrusted your feet to a Chinese reflexologist, you will know the ecstatic blend of pleasure and pain they deliver. The same goes for Thai massages and Japanese shiatsu. Asia’s ancient wellness traditions, including India’s Ayurvedic practices, are unmatched when it comes to balancing your body and calming your soul. Whether it is mind-easing meditation or the simple pleasures of a good soak as exemplified by Japanese onsen and Bhutanese hot stone baths fragrant with herbs, in Asia a great wellness experience is always within reach. No wonder, then, that the world’s best wellness retreats – like Thailand’s RAKxa or Bali’s COMO Shambhala Estate – are here.
The case for Europe
It’s in Belgium, you know. The town of Spa, that is – the place for which all those indulgent wellness resorts are named. Moneyed Europeans were having “spa treatments” in mineral-rich waters centuries ago, so it’s no surprise that the Continent has plenty of places to give yourself a reboot. Whether you go old-school at the thermal spring resorts of Baden Baden in Germany, home to more than 10 spa hotels, or try a more contemporary approach at Spain’s SHA Wellness Clinic or Six Senses Ibiza), which combine evidence-based high-tech treatments with plenty of relaxation, serious pampering awaits.
The winner Outdoor massage pavilions, pre-treatment foot washing, post-treatment tea: Asia sweeps this category in style.
Shopping
The case for Asia
Long before the advent of Hong Kong’s multi-storey air-conditioned malls or the architectural showpieces that are the boutiques of Tokyo’s Omotesando Road, Asia already excelled at retail therapy. Take the continent’s markets. Seoul’s lively night markets, the floating markets of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and the dizzying, fragrant spectacle of Calcutta’s Mullick Ghat Flower Market – to name just a few – offer more than bargain prices: they are heady experiences whether or not you buy anything. Bonus points for the fact that in many Asian countries, extended opening hours often mean you can get whatever you want, whenever you want it.
The case for Europe
Forget the high-end boutiques on the Avenue Montaigne: for a more atmospheric Parisian shopping trip, head for the 19th-century arcades in the second arrondissement. It’s not just Paris, of course. Almost every European capital has its own artisanal shopping experiences, often stretching back centuries. From Vienna’s seventh-generation bespoke shoemakers Rudolf Scheer and Sohne (scheer.at) to Lisbon’s Caza das Vellas Loreto candle makers (cazavellasloreto.com.pt) or Florence’s Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella (smnovella.com), which dates all the way back to 1221, these stores are a trip back to another time.
The winner Window shopping is all well and good, but it’s much more fun if you can afford to take something home with you. That is why we’re giving this one to Asia.
The overall verdict
I’ll admit I’m a little surprised by the outcome of this exercise. Adding up the scores, Asia is way ahead, taking out six of the eight categories. Throw in the fact that getting there is much easier than the long haul to Europe, as well as the more forgiving timezone factor, and it’s clear that Asia takes the crown.
Five more Asia versus Europe contests
Safety
Some things are universal. Head to a big tourist city, and you risk getting your pocket picked; smaller places are generally safer. What sets Asia apart is the number of places – from Japan to Bhutan – where lost items are returned promptly.
Traffic
If the thought of driving in Italy, especially the cities, makes you break out in a cold sweat, you’re not alone. Even scarier, though, is the idea of trying to drive in Asia megacities such as Bangkok, Mumbai or Jakarta. We’ll stick with Europe, thanks.
Clean air
It’s something we take for granted until we don’t have it. Only then do we realise you can’t have a great holiday unless you are breathing clean air. According to the latest World Air Quality Report, 99 of the 100 cities with the worst air pollution are in Asia (83 of them in India).
Value
Each continent has its pricey pockets and its cheaper destinations, not to mention seasonal variations. You can’t compare a London stay with a trip to Bulgaria in the off-season or a week in Japan with a week in Laos. As generations of backpackers have discovered, however, in Asia, your dollar almost always goes further.
Service
There’s no contest on this one. You can attribute it to centuries of social stratification or say it comes down to economics and the cheaper cost of labour, but the superior quality of Asian service is evident everywhere you look, from airlines to restaurants and hotels.