Hot escapes during the cold, harsh months of winter

Tired of the bone-crunching chill of a bitter winter? Time to escape with these heart (and bone) warming trips.

Spice Islands

Yes, they are as exotic and magical as they sound. Janet DeNeefe, the queen of Ubud who moved from Melbourne to Bali more than 30 years ago, has taken her famous hospitality skills to sea.

I was lucky enough to join Janet as she hosted an extraordinary boat trip to the fabled Spice Islands, the scenes of bloody battles three centuries ago between the English and the Dutch over control of the highly lucrative market for nutmeg and other spices.

If you love history and food – and you’re keen for an adventure on the open ocean – you will relish this trip. With a small group, it will take you to still extremely remote places with the knowledge of history and, of course spices, shared daily by the redoubtable DeNeefe.

The area today seems as remote as it was when in 1667 the Dutch swapped the tiny nutmeg-rich Run Island for Manhattan, which the English happily accepted. The visit to Run Island – about three kilometres long and one kilometre wide – is poignant in witnessing the simple life its residents enjoy, and its fascinating place in history.

The trip is immersed in history. The boat sails through the Banda Archipelago, a network of small islands once the world’s only source of nutmeg and mace. But there are also wonderful meals shared on the boat, and some in hand-picked restaurants on the islands. There is also some superb snorkeling.

A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a chance to visit a part of east Indonesia you otherwise may never get to see.

Spice Islands Tour from Ambon to Banda Neira, Indonesia, with Janet DeNeefe, from November 10-18. Eight nights’ accommodation, including all meals, guides, cooking classes, snorkeling: $4450.

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Hong Kong

Finally, I get to fill an embarrassing gap in my visits to the world’s great cities – by experiencing Hong Kong. All those endless images of stunning cityscapes towering over Victoria Harbour have to be seen for yourself.

The new Murray Hotel in Central is the perfect Hong Kong kick-off spot. With its deluxe rooms and ideal location (between Garden Road and Cotton Tree Drive), the Murray has been transformed from an office building into a luxury destination.

We move at a fair clip through the best of Hong Kong. Lunch at Mott 32, a contemporary Chinese restaurant in Central, is in that category, as is Ho Lee Fook, a more casual funky Chinese kitchen.

Access the views of Hong Kong through rooftop bar Sevva (10 Chater Road). Take a trip on one of the last remaining traditional Chinese junks and watch A Symphony of Lights, the multimedia show that dazzles the harbour every night.

We are taken on a tour of Sham Shui Po on the Kowloon side, one of the earliest developed areas in Hong Kong and now an emerging neighbourhood where modern cafes sit alongside traditional eateries and old stores. It’s a world away from the wealth and glitz over the water. And, we hiked on Lamma Island with its fishing villages and bushland scenery.

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Nihi Sumba Island

This extraordinary experience is on the list of every surfer with the dream of escaping the crowds in the water (the excellent surf break is reserved for guests).

On the remote Nihi Sumba Island in south-eastern Indonesia – a 50-minute flight from Bali – the various styles of villas are set right on the famous left-hand wave, known locally as “Occy’s left” after the Australian former world champion Mark Occhilupo. It’s a piece of coast with a reputation as one of the best left-hand breaks in the world.

But the wave has been described as “double overhead on an average day”, so it’s not for beginners, although a surfer friend has told me “regular” surfers can usually find a wave that’s not too challenging.

Nihi Sumba is more than a luxury resort, it’s a “culturally immersive enclave” encompassing active adventure, “barefoot luxury”, superb food from their own gardens and a beach club. Activities include fishing, horse riding, yoga and wellness, a spa and kids’ activities.

Some villas are close enough to the beach that you can check the surf break from your bed. The “Kasambi” villa is the one you might consider – it overlooks the wave and is regarded as the surfer’s “villa dream”.

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Bali

To the more than one million Australians who visit Bali each year, there’s some news – there’s a new kid in town.

It’s Malaysian full-service carrier Malindo Air, and I experienced the first flight on the new Melbourne-Denpasar route on June 8. Malindo Air has taken up the route vacated last year by Tigerair, and will offer strong competition to Jetstar.

We landed happily in Denpasar to access a list of hot Bali entertainment options; some new and some older favourites. Try Bikini restaurant, the next venture of Melbourne-born restaurateur Adam McAsey, who opened the ever-reliable Sisterfields cafe (next door) in 2014. The two share a courtyard dining space.

Another ex-Melburnian Maurice Terzini has Da Maria (pictured), a fun and funky modern Italian, part-osteria, part-pizzeria, part-bar, that features a DJ each night after 10.30. Da Maria is a collaboration with Sydneysider Adrian Reed, who has the party-time diner Motel Mexicola.

Bali in the ’80s was a party island but has evolved into serious culinary destination, and Terzini’s new place has developed a strong following.

Still abuzz is Saigon Street (in Petitenget) serving delicious casual Vietnamese and a visit to Mama San in nearby Kerobokan is imperative.

•  Peter Wilmoth travelled to Hong Kong courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to Bali courtesy of Malindo Air and was a guest of Janet DeNeefe on the Spice Islands tour.