The Metropolitan offers an oasis of calm and cool (both in terms of temperature and hip factor), from the hot hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Located near the CBD and embassy district, it is close to the city’s major attractions and is home to a COMO Shambhala Spa and acclaimed Australian chef, David Thompson’s Nahm restaurant.

I recently travelled to beautiful Uma Paro in Bhutan to write a story for Australian Yoga Journal. I was there to do a five-night “Yoga, Culture and Camp Retreat” hosted by Uma Paro’s resident yoga teacher, Marie Baker. On top of five hours of amazing yoga, Pranayama and meditation every day, I also had the opportunity to visit monasteries built in the 17th Century, be blessed by monks in a long life puja (blessing), have lunch at a local farmer’s house and do a two-day trek to the famous cliffhanging monastery, Tiger’s Nest (pictured).