The Beitou area of Taipei is renowned for its high concentration of thermal spa centres. There are establishments to fit any budget, from the low-priced open-air Public Hot Spring (modest swimwear required) to private hotels and resorts uphill, all offering hot spring baths at various price points. One option most resorts offer is renting a private room with a large bath that can be filled with hot spring water. The Spring City Resort in Beitou is a great mid-range option. A session here includes access to about a dozen thermal pools of varying water temperature (from seemingly boiling-hot to rather chilly), plus robe, towel, and slipper rental. They even offer a free shuttle bus to the metro station. For a luxurious spa treatment, look into the offerings of Hotel Regent Taipei, for example. Wellspring Spa offers a wide range of relaxing treatments including massages, body wraps, skin polishing and facials. Take the elevator to the top floor and unwind at this urban sanctuary.

At Deauville’s 1400 metre-long beach many choose to rent one of the colourful parasols and keep to the sands, where celebrity spotting is the most popular activity. The beach has all the amenities and facilities you could want: seaside tennis, recreation clubs for children and teens, a swimming pool, thalasso spa and a water sports centre where you can rent boats and boards.

Banana Reef is a favourite local diving and snorkelling site in the North Male Atoll that has shallow and deep areas for both novice and experienced visitors. The underwater world here holds a wealth of treasures, and is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.