Vivienne Tang in the warm Andaman Sea waters; all photographs courtesy of Destination Deluxe

Hong Kong-based Vivienne Tang is as passionate about travel as she is living well — after all, she covers both for her site, Destination Deluxe, which she describes as the “go-to well-being bible for the global nomad.” Here, as 2018 gets under way, she shares advice on how travelers can stay healthy and fit on the go — plus details her recent trip to Phuket.

The inspiration behind Destination Deluxe
I felt the need for a platform in the wellness field that also connects to travel. There were plenty of print magazines, but there wasn’t really much in the digital space. So I decided to launch Destination Deluxe, which is purely online.

I decided to focus on travel and wellness because…
Wellness has been a huge focus of mine for many years. Today, travel has become a huge component of wellness, and somehow the two tend to go hand in hand.

What brings me to Phuket this winter…
The new Rosewood Phuket hotel, which just opened its doors.

And what I love about it…
Phuket is so close to Hong Kong, and makes for a nice tropical weekend getaway.

Packing essentials…
Bikini, sandals and a caftan — they’re always part of my travel essentials. However, I always pack for every occasion and tend to bring more than I actually end up wearing.

A typical day includes…
Some snorkeling and beach time.

And a typical night…
Some delicious local food followed by drinks.

The best restaurant…
I hear good things about Ka Jok See, a hidden gem tucked away in Phuket Town. It’s famous for its delicious Thai food and its nightly after-dinner parties that last until the wee hours. Mom Tri’s Kitchen at Villa Royale combines fabulous cuisine with a divine al fresco setting.

First-time visitors must see…
The Similan Islands. If you drive up north from Phuket you get to Khao Lak. Get on a Liveaboard there and spend the next five days snorkeling and diving around the Similan Islands and sleeping on a boat.

My fitness tips for travelers…
Explore the offerings online. Back in Hong Kong I work several barre classes into my busy schedule, but when I’m traveling I often opt for Kundalini yoga in my hotel room — I stream it via YouTube. There are so many online classes and good YouTube videos these days, so there really aren’t any excuses anymore to avoid a home yoga practice. I also walk everywhere I possibly can, especially when I’m traveling.

And to stay healthy while on the go…
I supplement my food intake with healthy green juices to make sure I get all those nutrients. Often when I’m traveling I might not have three full meals every day, so I definitely need extra supplements.

My 2018 resolutions…
”Done is better than perfect.” I’m a total perfectionist, so it can take forever until a project is completed. But next year, it’s all about getting stuff done.

Tang in Phuket, wearing Tory’s Gemini Link plunge one-piece, photographed by Oliver Lau

Tang kicking back on the way to Coral Island

Tang at the Rosewood Phuket, wearing Tory’s Peggy wrap dress

Tang poolside at the hotel, wearing Tory’s Gemini Link plunge one-piece, photographed by Oliver Lau

On a jungle excursion with Rosewood Phuket