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Clara Lock

Assistant Life Editor

Clara is assistant Life editor at The Straits Times and helms the travel section. She views travel journalism as a window to socio-cultural issues, such as climate, community and gender, and believes in harnessing the power of tourism as a force for good. She was a journalist fellow at the Reuters Institute at Oxford University and is the author of Stay Gold: An Almost Healthy Boy In A Mostly Healthy World, a biography of her late best friend.

Latest articles

When you start missing the good times before they actually end

Feeling prematurely wistful about an ending can bring melancholy, or allow one to savour a moment more deeply.

How to skip the crowds and see a local side of Rome

95 per cent of international tourists to Italy visit just four per cent of its sights, said the country’s tourism minister in 2025. Go beyond the main attractions and there is lots to discover about capital city Rome.

Rail travel, hotel rewards and more: 5 trends to shape your next vacation

Travel trends in 2026 include the rise of luxury train journeys, travelling for racket sports like padel and pickleball, and Chinese hotels expanding their footprint across South-east Asia.

What to eat in Kunming: Savoury cocktails, wild mushrooms and China’s version of prosciutto ham

Cocktails at Suma Bar (left) and mushrooms on sale at Zhuanxin Farmers' Market (right).

Going on a holiday soon? 5 ways to upgrade your packing game to maximise your trip

Pack smart and save space for the goods that really matter on holiday with reliable duffel bags, packing cubes and more.

Batam’s top eats: Cafes, the best kueh lapis and a kelong worth travelling to

Batam's new establishments include Itsumo Tart, which sells high-quality tea-based desserts in an industrial-chic setting.

7 Singapore snacks that make perfect gifts for family and friends overseas

Snacks from Singapore brands feature flavours inspired by local dishes and snacks with a hit of spice and complexity in tastes.

Are sexual offenders on our trains giving Singapore a bad name?

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Credit: Clara Lock

Weekend Trip: Sip on craft cocktails under $10 at Jakarta’s best bars

Jakarta's up-and-coming cocktail scene offers tremendous value, with happy hour cocktails going at less than $10.

Drive three hours from Jakarta for Korean fine-dining? It is a culinary journey worth taking

Jung Chan Dining in Bandung is a 12-seater private dining restaurant that regularly draws diners from Jakarta.