There are travel moments that stay with you long after a journey ends, a view, a feeling, or a small ritual that feels deeply personal. At Tokyo Skytree, the city’s soaring 634 metre landmark, that moment takes the form of a postcard written far above the streets of Tokyo. Not in a café or station, but high in the sky, surrounded by the city’s layered geometry of neighbourhoods, waterways, and glowing grids.

At 345 metres on the Tembo Deck, visitors will find a bright red post box shaped like the tower itself, a charming detail that feels both nostalgic and unexpected. Here, guests can purchase exclusive Skytree postcards and stamps, write a message in the calm hum of the observation deck, and post it directly from the clouds. It is a simple act, yet one that blends whimsy, memory, and place in a way few attractions manage.

The experience begins with the high-speed elevator ride, where softly lit interiors rise swiftly towards the sky. Within moments, Tokyo opens up below, revealing temples, parks, expressways, and tightly packed lanes stretching far into the distance. On clear days, Mt. Fuji appears on the horizon, quietly framing the city. Against this vast backdrop, choosing a postcard, selecting a stamp, and writing a note becomes a reflective pause, whether it is a memory, a wish, or a message for someone back home.

For families travelling with children, the experience feels especially magical. Spotting familiar landmarks from such a height sparks curiosity and excitement, and posting a card from “so high in the sky” feels like an adventure in itself. Children also enjoy the Tembo Galleria at 450 metres, where a spiralling glass walkway creates the sensation of walking among clouds.

Beyond the postcard ritual, the Tembo Deck invites visitors to linger. Floor-to-ceiling windows, angled viewpoints, and photo zones encourage guests to take their time, often staying to watch the city transition from daylight to dusk and finally to a sea of lights. Writing a postcard during sunset, as Tokyo turns golden and the sky softens into lavender hues, feels especially poetic.

A visit typically begins at the 4th floor of Skytree Town, where tickets are collected before ascending. Booking in advance is recommended, as online reservations offer better pricing and save time. From the deck, visitors can explore multiple levels before stopping by the Skytree Shop to find postcards and stamps.

When the postcard finally slips into the red post box, it becomes part of a quiet tradition. Each card carries a special Skytree postmark, transforming it into a keepsake. Once back on the ground, Skytree Town offers more to explore, from dining options to themed shops, along with nearby attractions such as the Sumida Aquarium and the Postal Museum. Tokyo Skytree is not just about height or views, but about moments that feel heartfelt, elevated, and uniquely your own.

As Singapore wraps up its landmark 60th anniversary celebrations, the momentum continues into 2026 with a calendar that reflects the city-state’s cultural depth, global outlook and evolving lifestyle scene. For travellers from India and across the world, the year ahead offers a compelling mix of art, festivals, sport and hospitality-led experiences.

One of the most visible symbols of Singapore’s evolution remains Orchard Road. Stretching across 2.5 kilometres, the iconic boulevard mirrors the city’s own transformation, from spice plantations to a polished global hub. Adding fresh energy to this district is The Singapore EDITION, a design-led urban resort discreetly located off the west end of Upper Orchard Road. Entering 2026, the hotel introduces a refreshed rooftop experience centred around its infinity pool, alongside a vibrant brunch offering and a luxe new micro-club with a rotating calendar of events.

The hotel also caters well to family travellers, with Double Rooms featuring queen-sized twin beds that comfortably accommodate up to four guests. Its Bed & Breakfast package, starting from USD 464 per night for two adults, includes breakfast at FYSH, making it a practical yet indulgent base for exploring the city.

On the cultural front, the Singapore Biennale, running until 29 March, brings art into everyday spaces across the island. Installations are spread across historic landmarks, green spaces, residential neighbourhoods and shopping centres, allowing visitors to explore the city through self-guided routes, cycling trails or curated runs. The Biennale turns the city itself into a living gallery.

February ushers in the festive spirit of Lunar New Year, celebrated on a grand scale across Singapore. In 2026, the festivities fall on 17–18 February, with vibrant decorations, parades and food traditions filling Chinatown and beyond in the days leading up to the holiday. Seasonal favourites like yusheng salad, pineapple tarts and bak kwa take centre stage during this period.

Art lovers will find January especially rewarding with Singapore Art Week (22–31 January). As one of Asia’s key visual arts platforms, the city hosts over 100 programmes across museums, galleries and public spaces. During this time, The Singapore EDITION becomes a creative hub, hosting artist interactions, music-led evenings and large-scale installations, alongside Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary Art Auction, where over 60 works by leading artists will be on public view.

Sport and entertainment also feature prominently in early 2026. HSBC SVNS Singapore, part of the global Rugby Sevens circuit, returns on 31 January and 1 February with fast-paced matches set against a carnival-style backdrop. Shortly after, from 6 February, Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA arrives at Singapore’s bayfront, bringing together high-energy acrobatics, striking visuals and family-friendly storytelling.

With its blend of global culture, cutting-edge hospitality and year-round events, Singapore in 2026 positions itself as a destination that feels both familiar and constantly new. For travellers seeking variety without compromise, the Lion City makes a strong case as a must-visit in the year ahead.

In the Maldives, the ocean is more than a backdrop; it is a living force shaped by ancient migratory paths, thriving coral reefs and extraordinary biodiversity. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, this reverence for the sea has guided a long-standing commitment to marine conservation, one that began well before sustainability became a global priority. Today, the resorts operate among the most comprehensive and future-focused marine conservation programmes in the Indian Ocean.

At the centre of these efforts is the Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) at Landaa Giraavaru. Established in 2001, the MDC was one of the first on-island research facilities of its kind in the Maldives. It is staffed by a team of 13 full-time marine biologists, supported by interns, apprentices and collaborations with Maldivian government bodies, including the Ministries of Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture. The centre functions as a bridge between science, education and guest engagement, integrating conservation directly into the luxury resort experience.

Guests are invited to participate in coral propagation activities, observe turtle rehabilitation efforts, and attend marine presentations held five evenings a week. These sessions provide insight into the Maldivian archipelago’s rich marine life before guests head out on guided snorkelling excursions alongside marine biologists, transforming observation into meaningful understanding.

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has also played a pioneering role in reef restoration. The Reefscapers programme, launched in 2001, was the country’s first large-scale coral propagation initiative. To date, more than 9,000 reef structures have been transplanted, contributing significantly to reef resilience while allowing guests to actively take part in rebuilding coral ecosystems within the resort lagoons.

Another cornerstone initiative is the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, opened in 2010 as the Maldives’ first facility dedicated to injured sea turtles. Nearly 500 turtles have been treated here, with more than 280 successfully released back into the wild. Complementary monitoring and photo-identification programmes further enhance research, often involving guests in data collection and conservation awareness.

The Fish Lab extends conservation beyond reefs and turtles by breeding ornamental fish with the long-term goal of supporting sustainable alternative livelihoods for local communities, linking marine protection with socio-economic responsibility.

Among the most globally recognised initiatives is the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP). Founded in 2005 by Senior Marine Biologist Guy Stevens, with support from Four Seasons and Save Our Seas, MMCP has grown into one of the world’s most important manta ray research projects and is the founding initiative of the internationally respected Manta Trust.

Over two decades, MMCP has identified nearly 6,000 individual reef manta rays from more than 90,000 photo-identification sightings, making it the largest known manta population study globally. Research spans behavioural patterns, population dynamics, and the impact of environmental conditions and tourism on manta movements across the archipelago.

In the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, MMCP scientists are also decoding the environmental conditions that trigger plankton blooms in Hanifaru Bay—knowledge that enables more accurate prediction of large-scale manta feeding events. For guests, this research translates into experiences such as Manta On Call, where real-time sightings prompt immediate departures for encounters in open waters.

Innovation further enhances education through the Maldives’ first Hologram Room at Landaa Giraavaru. Hosted at the Marine Discovery Centre, the immersive experience allows guests to virtually swim alongside life-size holographic manta rays, created using real scientific data from the surrounding waters. Complementing this is the Manta Ray App, developed with The Manta Trust, offering a VR-led journey into manta life cycles, behaviours and habitats.

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, marine conservation is not an add-on but a philosophy seamlessly embedded into the guest journey. Visitors arrive drawn by natural beauty and depart with a deeper sense of responsibility, having contributed to the protection of one of the planet’s most remarkable marine ecosystems. In safeguarding the oceans, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives offers not just memorable stays, but a lasting commitment to preserving paradise for generations to come.