Did you know that in September, all you need to do is take 3 days of leave (12, 13, and 14 Sept) to enjoy a 10-day holiday streak? With this rare long holiday, it’ll be a waste to not make use of it for a much-deserving holiday. Malaysians, after all, are a vacation-deprived bunch!

Whether your budget allows for a local or overseas getaway, here are several itinerary ideas to maximize your holiday to these 10 different destinations:

Local Destinations

1. Penang and Ipoh

If you love food, it would be a crime not to go to Penang. Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is a host to many fun attractions – perfect for a week-long getaway. You can explore the town the old-fashioned way – on a trishaw or hail a ride, either way, you will fall in love with Penang.

After your food coma in Penang, head on over to Ipoh. Not many will tell you this, but you can find the coolest theme parks and most thrilling attractions there. With your 10-day getaway, it ample of time to explore the most majestic and unexplored parts of West Malaysia. Whether you love nature, adventure, theme parks, or historic sites, Penang and Ipoh has plenty in store for you.

Penang

Day 1: Kek Lok Si, Fort Cornwallis, Penang Town Hall, Penang Hill

Day 2: Trishaw ride around the UNESCO Heritage site, Pinang Peranakan Museum, Mural-hunting, Gurney Drive

Day 3: ESCAPE Adventureplay, The TOP Komtar

Day 4: Batu Ferringhi, Monkey Beach/Turtle Beach

Day 5: Museum-hopping, Depart to Ipoh

Ipoh

Day 6: Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS)

Day 7: Full day of food hunting around Ipoh

Day 8: Royal Belum State Park

Day 9: Lost World of Tambun

Day 10: Kellie’s Castle, Tempurung Cave, depart for home

2. Sabah

We all know Sabah for their amazing seafood. But that’s not all they have to offer – they have some of the most idyllic beaches and unbelievable vibrant-hued sunsets! Snorkel in crystal clear blue water and explore the underwater world of beautiful coral reefs or take a cruise and relax over a buffet dinner while you watch fireflies light up the night.

You can also visit the famous Mari Mari Cultural Village. Enjoy an authentic experience, learn about the 5 indigenous Malaysian tribes, sample different cuisines and watch traditional performances!

Day 1: Food hunting at Gaya Street and Filipino Market, Sunset at Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu Night Market

Day 2: Spend a day in Kundasang, Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Spring

Day 3 to 5: Mount Kinabalu hiking expedition

Day 6: Rest and have a relaxing day in the city

Day 7: Island day trip to Mantanani Island, Fireflies tour with Kawa Kawa River Cruise

Day 8: Island day trip to Manukan and Sapi Island

Day 9: Mari Mari Culture Village, Jesselton Point

Day 10: Feast on seafood, last-minute shopping, depart for home

3. Langkawi

Known for its duty-free goods like mounds of chocolate, booze, appliances and more, Langkawi’s beautiful landscapes and seascapes are not to be missed! It is, after all, home to 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. Did you know that Langkawi is also one of the only places in Malaysia you can rent a yacht for a sunset cruise!

On top of kayaking through the Kubang Badak Mangrove River, you can also island hop around Langkawi’s most popular islands by boat or a jet ski (if you’re cool like that). Make sure to get your best swimwear ready for an unforgettable trip!

Day 1: Island hopping tour (by boat or jet ski), sunset dinner cruise

Day 2: Day trip to Pulau Payar (snorkel and fun dive), dinner in Cenang Beach

Day 3: Zipline Adventure tour, Seven Wells Waterfall

Day 4: Langkawi Cable Car, Underwater World Langkawi, Zon Duty-Free and Coco Valley, Cenang Beach

Day 5: Kayak at Kubang Badak Mangrove River, Kuah Town

Day 6: UNESCO Global Geopark, Dataran Lang

Day 7: Spend a day at the beach, Cenang beach, Tanjung Rhu beach, Pantai Tengah

Day 8: Langkawi Wildlife Park, Crocodile Adventureland, Skytrex Adventure Langkawi

Day 9 to 10: Shopping for duty-free goods, final seafood feast, depart for home

4. Melaka & Johor

History, heritage, and food – the three things people think about when they hear “Melaka”. What’s better than being to eat to your heart’s delight at Jonker Street. Then, take a ride on a trishaw, explore the famous A’Famosa while recovering from your food coma. It’s gonna be hot and sunny, so prepare a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes!

If you are looking to make a splash while in Melaka, don’t forget to go to the A’Famosa Resort, home to a few of Melaka’s most exciting theme parks and shopping mall. But the fun doesn’t stop there. It’s time to head to Johor and enjoy the wonders of Legoland, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, and so much more!

Melaka

Day 1 to 2: Visit UNESCO Heritage Site, historic city sights, explore Jonker Street, food hunting

Day 3: Klebang, A’Famosa Safari Wonderland, A’Famosa Old West Cowboy Town Theme Park

Day 4: A’Famosa Water Theme Park, Freeport A’Famosa Outlet

Day 5: Melaka River cruise, depart to Johor

Johor

Day 6: Legoland

Day 7: Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and Thomas Town, Johor Premium Outlets

Day 8 to 10: Johor Zoo, food and cafe hunting in Johor Bahru, depart for home

Overseas Destinations

5. Tokyo

Some say going to Tokyo is like entering a whole new world. Ask any experienced traveller and they’ll tell you even a month is not enough to cover what Tokyo has to offer. When in Tokyo, go to the world-famous Tokyo Disneyland and relive your childhood dreams! Meet Mickey Mouse and all of your other favorite Disney characters, enjoy exciting rides and wind down the day with Disneyland’s brilliant fireworks show.

Don’t forget to see the Robot Restaurant too. High-tech laser displays, multi-coloured lights, and bizarre dance routines are exactly what you will get at the Robot Restaurant. Some describe it as the greatest show on earth!

Day 1: Shibuya crossing, spend a few hours in an onsen

Day 2 and 3: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Day 3: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Takashimaya Times Square, Roppongi Hills

Day 4: Tsukiji Fish Market, Hamarikyu Gardens, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Akihabara

Day 5: Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai, Robot Restaurant at Kabukicho

Day 6: Ghibli Museum, Tokyo SkyTree, Asakusa, Ueno Park

Day 7 and 8: Mount Fuji and Hakone Trip, Fuji Q Highland

Day 9: Shopping in Shibuya and Shinjuku, Tokyo bar hopping tour

Day 10: Ginza, depart for home

6. Bangkok

People call Bangkok, the Venice of the East for a reason. Besides being the capital of Thailand, it sports a vibrant street life and is one of the most popular destinations. Go on a day trip and see the iconic Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most popular market in Thailand. Try the local delicacies and watch a train pass through the middle of the market!

One cannot go to Bangkok without watching their infamous cabaret shows. Don’t miss the Calypso Cabaret Show and be dazzled by the burlesque performances by Bangkok’s finest performers.

Day 1: Bangkok Grand Palace, River Cruise sightseeing, food hunting at night market, massage

Day 2: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Calypso Cabaret Show, food hunting at night market

Day 3: Maeklong Railway Market, Amphawa Floating Night Market

Day 4: Spend the day at Chatuchak Weekend Market

Day 5: The Marvel Experience Thailand, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, Madame Tussauds
Food hunting at night market

Day 6: Day trip to Khao Yai

Day 7: Ayutthaya Day Trip, Yaowarat (Chinatown) in Bangkok

Day 8 and 9: Shopping in the city (Platinum Mall, MBK, Siam Center, etc.), massage, Khao San Road

Day 10: Lumpini Park, depart for home

7. Hong Kong & Macau

What can we say about Hong Kong? It has the nostalgia of heritage and the variety of a city. If you are looking for the best view of Hong Kong, look no further than boarding the iconic Peak Tram to get you there. This wildly popular ride will get you to Victoria Peak where you will get an unforgettable 360-degree panoramic view of Hong Kong.

Go for a romantic evening sail along Victoria Harbour and watch the famous Hong Kong skyline illuminate at night. Feels as though you are starring in a Hong Kong movie while cruising in a traditional Chinese junk boat, complete with quaint decor and a complimentary cocktail.

Hong Kong

Day 1: Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for sunset, Peak Tower, Madame Tussauds, The Peak Galleria

Day 2: Hong Kong Disneyland

Day 3: Ocean Park

Day 4: Ngong Ping 360, Tai O Fishing Village

Day 5: Sky100, Food hunt in Kowloon, AquaLuna Evening Sail

Day 6:  Day trip to Sai Kung (kayak, hike, cliff jump etc.), Macau

Day 7: Arrival in Macau, The Venetian Macao, Gondola Rides, Golden Reel Ferris Wheel

Day 8: Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, St. Dominic’s Church, Taipa

Day 9: Macau Tower (bungy jump, skywalk, etc.), food hunt around Macau

Day 10: Sunrise at Hac Sa Beach, depart for home

8. Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island

Plan the perfect getaway to the land where all your favourite K-Pop and K-Dramas come from – Seoul. From thrilling theme parks, shopping havens to picturesque scenes, it’s easy to see why this city is one of the top of many travellers’ must-visit list.

Aside from the city life, plan an escapade to the port city of Busan and the volcanic wonder of Jeju Island. With plenty of things to see, eat, do and experience in South Korea, you won’t have a dull moment. Bring a power bank to make sure your phone is juiced up to take all the pictures you need!

Seoul

Day 1: Myeong-dong, N Seoul Tower, Gangnam

Day 2: Namdaemun Market, Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Village, Insa-dong, Itaewon, Hongdae

Day 3: Nami Island, Petit France

Day 4: Everland / Lotte World

Day 5: Gwangjang Market, Ehwa Women’s University, Dongdaemun, depart to Busan

Busan

Day 6: Gamcheon Cultural Village, Jagalchi Fish Market, Taejongdae, Seomyeon

Day 7: Haedong Yonggungsa, Gijang Busan Lotte, Gijang Crab Market, Gwangalli Beach, Jeju Island

Day 8: Arrival in Jeju Island, Seogwipo market

Day 9: Jusangjeolli, Camellia Hill, Yongmeori Coast, Sanbangsan

Day 10: Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, Seongsan Ilchulbong, depart for home

9. London & Paris

If you’re looking to maximise your 10-day holiday overseas, Europe is a must go for you. Within 10 days, you can take Europe’s highly efficient high-speed trains to go city-hopping. Being in UK’s vibrant city, London and then make your way to the romantic city of Paris.

With these two of the most visited cities in the world, even 10 days may not feel like it’s enough.
Among the unmissable attractions includes the iconic Buckingham Palace in London and Eiffel Tower in Paris!

London

Day 1: Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben

Day 2: Camden Town, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Soho, Leicester Square, Chinatown

Day 3: Borough Market, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, The Regent’s Park

Day 4: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Covent Garden

Day 5: National Gallery, depart to Paris via Eurostar

Paris

Day 6: Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, Jardin des Tuileries, Notre Dame, Pantheon and Jardin du Luxembourg, Saint Sulpice, Latin Quarter

Day 7: Day trip to The Palace of Versailles

Day 8: Eiffel Tower, Rue Cler, The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay

Day 9: Paris Catacombs, Rue Mouffetard, Montmartre, Moulin Rouge

Day 10: Enjoy a breakfast at a Parisian cafe, depart for home

10. Melbourne and other day trips

If you would like to travel overseas without squeezing in lines to visit attractions, Australia might be a great option for you. The months of July till September is considered an off-peak travel season for Australia.

Melbourne is among the hottest spots to visit when in Australia and the city is often dubbed as the country’s ‘cultural capital’. Get wonderfully lost in the web of Melbourne’s laneways or go on an adventure with day trips to nearby destinations.

Day 1: Queen Victoria Market, St Paul’s Cathedral, Parliament House, Royal Exhibition Building, Chinatown

Day 2: Hosier Lane, Degraves Street, Collins Street, AC/DC Lane, Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Market

Day 3: Spend the day in St Kilda

Day 4: Melbourne Zoo, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Day 5: Day trip to Yarra Valley

Day 6: Day trip to Great Ocean Road

Day 7: Day trip to Phillip Island

Day 8: Day trip to Grampians Grand Canyon

Day 9: Southbank and Arts Centre Melbourne, Blender Lane, Hardware Lane, Union Lane, Tattersalls Lane, Crossley Street, Duckboard Place

Day 10: Flinders Street, depart for home

Written by Jeremy Chew from iPrice Group.