Saiful wants to check out Akihabara in Tokyo one day. — PAT KRUPA/Unsplash
In this digital era, it is easy for children to learn about new cultures, experiences and places. In fact, anyone with an Internet connection can virtually visit any destination around the world, sometimes even in real time.
Because of this, many teenagers are eager to start travelling – either by themselves, with family or with friends – and explore places they’ve only ever seen on their screens.
We asked three teenagers to tell us more about their dream destinations.
Yong Sin hopes to experience French culture and try real French cuisine. — KONG YONG SIN
History buff
Johor-born Kong Yong Sin, 15, wants to explore the diverse cultural offerings in France, and hopes that an opportunity to do so will soon arise. From majestic castles to inspiring museums, the teenager said France has long captured her heart.
“I have read a lot about the beauty of France. I would love to visit the Louvre, as well as the Palace of Versailles. Formerly a royal dwelling back in the 1600s, the palace has been transformed into a museum since the late 1900s. I have heard wonderful stories about this magnificent building from my aunt who visited it many years ago when I was a kid,” said Yong Sin.
She added that the splendour of French architecture at Versailles is not to be missed, citing its Baroque style and opulent interiors featuring tall columns and geometrical patterns.
Yong Sin also shared that other French landmarks that she thinks would be equally captivating to see are the Palace of Fontainebleau and Chateau Gaillard, where Richard the Lionheart reigned.
Aside from historical buildings, another exciting allure of the country is its cuisine. Some French delicacies will surely entice curious palates. Imagine strolling down the cobbled streets of a charming old French town, with the aroma of freshly baked goods wafting out of the shops – surely a priceless experience that money can’t buy.
“I have eaten French food once in Singapore and instantly fell in love. But I have not yet gathered the courage to try escargot or snail, which is popular with the French and often served as an appetiser,” said Yong Sin, who wants to travel solo one day as she enjoys the freedom of exploring places by herself.
The Palace Of Versailles is a stunning museum in France. — Pixabay
“I also dream of visiting the glamorous French Riviera and spending a couple of weeks lazing about in Cannes or St Tropez ... that sounds like the perfect getaway for me,” she said.
The French Riviera, which lies on the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast pocket of France, has some of the most lauded islands in the country. The region is popular among the affluent and even Hollywood celebrities.
Yong Sin recently set foot in England for the first time in 2023 and was stunned by its grandeur. “Although I’m not much of a fan of the chilly weather, the place was absolutely breathtaking.”
Meanwhile, Singapore has been a frequent destination for her family. “I visit the neighbouring country quite regularly, perhaps twice a year. There is always a never-ending slew of activities and cuisines to try out, all condensed in one place.
“Another aspect I love about Singapore is that it is incredibly accessible,” she said.
Saiful is a big anime fan, and his dream destination is Japan. — SAIFUL NIDZAM
That anime life
Meanwhile, being an avid anime fan has led 14-year-old Saiful Nidzam to put Japan, the birthplace of anime, on his dream destination list.
His first stop, of course, would be the “electronics town” of Akihabara in Tokyo. This is the place where one would go to check out electrical and electronic products such as computers, cellphones and even something super random but kawaii (cute) like a Hello Kitty-shaped calculator. Also, Akihabara has endless shops dedicated to anime and manga.
“Anime holds a special place in my heart, hence, as an otaku (enthusiast), I want to discover all there is to see and do in Akihabara. From massive anime billboards to adorable figurines and collectibles, and unique anime-themed cafes, this is where anime comes to life,” Saiful said.
“I recently discovered that Tokyo is a metropolitan prefecture, meaning it is both a city and a state. Not only do I want to see Mount Fuji, but also experience the vibrant scenes in Shibuya, which is famous for its scramble crossing – the Shibuya crossing.”
(Mount Fuji is about three hours away from Tokyo city via inter-city train or bus.)
Saiful wants to visit Kyoto, where he feels that the iconic torii (or gates) at Fushimi Inari Taisha is worth checking out. “The path up to the peak of the 233m-tall Mount Inari is a traverse through the long tunnel of gates, and there are over a whopping 10,000 gates! I hope I get to see it for myself some day,” Saiful said.
Another reason why Japan is interesting to him is because it is a clean country, or at least that’s what most tourists have said about it. Japan has established itself as the cleanest nation in Asia and Saiful learnt that history is somewhat a key player in its “hygienic culture” today.
“It is said that the people’s clean practices partly stem from Buddhism,” he said.
Saiful is eagerly looking forward to exploring different parts of the globe, while gaining knowledge about other cultures. “I believe this can help us better appreciate and respect each other,” he said.
Benjamin loves surrounding himself in nature. — BENJAMIN SHIRAJ
Nature’s embrace
After a trip to the Philippines, Benjamin Shiraj, 18, has set his heart on visiting the world’s largest archipelagic state – Indonesia – with his family some day.
“The Philippines is known as the Pearl Of The Orient Seas for having over 7,000 beautiful islands. My family and I got to see the country’s many traditions when we vacationed to its capital state of Manila in 2019. We went to Makati City and enjoyed various cultural shows,” Benjamin said.
In the City of Tagaytay, the family caught sight of the Taal volcano, which sits on Taal Lake. Located in Cavite Province about 60km from Makati City, Tagaytay is brimming with jaw-dropping natural landscapes.
Benjamin was taken aback by the volcano, which he learned is still active. “It was my first time seeing a volcano, I couldn’t believe my eyes!”
He is certain that Indonesia would offer similar experiences. The island of Bali, for example, is famed for its beaches, quaint villages and culture.
The beautiful Lempuyang Temple in Bali is a popular spot with tourists, mainly because of pictures like this one on social media. — Unsplash
“I want to witness first-hand its rich cultural heritage – which is reflected in their food, clothing and traditional crafts. Hence, the island of Bali would be a great place for me to explore. The island is home to many historical temples as well, namely the Lempuyang Temple famous for the Gate of Heaven, Uluwatu Temple and Tanah Lot.
“Uluwatu is an ancient temple situated on the edge of a hill, and visitors get to watch the Balinese Kecak dance there. My dad saw the dance during his trip to Bali many years ago. He said that the Kecak dance is performed by a group of 50 to 100 men wearing chequered sarongs,” he said.
As someone who loves sports, Benjamin said he would try the different water sports in Bali, like parasailing and diving. “I would also love to try the ‘Bali swing’ when I am there,” he said of the viral, man-made photo spots that were set up specifically for tourists.
