Posts in ‘Things to do in Asia’

How about a quick get-away this Easter holidays by hitting the beaches? And enough of the Spain sun this or Spain that; or other European destinations for that matter. Why not hit the wild Asian beaches for a change? Below are the top 5 Asian Beach Tours we have selected for you this summer 2012:

1. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia: One of the three Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan is situated in northern Lombok. The place has become easier to reach thanks to speedboats that cover the journey from Bali in 90 minutes. Here, you can go snorkelling in its sparkling clear waters or soak up the sun.  It also provides excellent opportunities for underwater photography.
2. Koh Larn and Pattaya, Thailand :  Located in the gulf of Thailand, Koh Larn has a warm, inviting sea with silver-sand beaches. And at the beautiful seaside resort of Pattaya, you can explore the colourful coral reefs, go snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, skiing and para-sailing.
3. Goa Beach, India: Another awesome beach escapade, Goa Beach in India is famous for its sun-kissed beaches and exotic sea food. Lay back and enjoy the calm and beauty of the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, whilst sipping coconut water.
4. Phang Nga Bay and Lawa Island Cruise, Thailand: Also known as James Bond Island for being featured in the James Bond Film, ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, Phang Nga Bay is bounded by Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi provinces of Thailand, and covers more than 100 islands. You can enjoy swimming and snorkelling, or/and sunbathing at the beautiful Lawa Island.
5. Pa-La-U Waterfalls, Thailand: A 15-level waterfall along a creek stretching out to the Burmese border, the Pa-La-U waterfalls is the ideal destination for a perfect family get-away. The waterfall is surrounded by a forest of over a thousand years old and is filled with rare wild animals as well.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now and explore the wild Asian Beaches this Easter!

As the sun sets over the Singapore Safari, a four-legged creature stirs from its daytime drowse.  Although short and dense in stature, there’s something that makes this horned animal standout.  At first glance, its slate grey coat seems normal.  Upon a second look, however, a bluish tint shines through.  Can this be?

Inside Singapore Zoo’s Night Safari, the Himalayan blue sheep is one among the more than 1,000 animals that begin their day as the moon appears.

The world’s first wildlife park for nocturnal animals, Night Safari houses 120 species of endangered wildlife.  The park is divided into eight distinct geographical zones, each of which is featured on the Night Safari tour.

As the open-air tram carefully maneuvers between the safari’s physical features—flowing rivers, lush trees, and dirt paths—its inhabitants remain undeterred.  The glowing moon illuminates the strong Cape buffalos that play in the fields, African bongos that feed in grassy fields, and striped hyenas that prowl within the 40 hectares of tropical forest.

Following the four-hour tour, the Night Safari continues with a guided trail walk.  Offering an in-depth look at these nighttime critters, the trip features flying squirrels and bats that glide from tree to tree, and leopards that stalk their intended prey.

What promises to be an evening adventure chockfull of awe and animals, Singapore Zoo’s Night Safari will be a memorable experience.

York Manor - Indigo Goat

T is for Tallinn, Estonia: Though it’s got one of the smallest populations of the EU nations, there’s still plenty to see in this Baltic city. Tour the area’s two well-preserved old towns, Toompea, and, well, Old Town. Estonia is also home to beautiful marshlands, forests, and hiking trails, visit Lahemaa National Park, and talk a walk around.

U is for Utrecht, Netherlands: Utrecht serves as the religious centre of the Netherlands, and home of the Archbishop of Utrecht. It is also the home of the Netherlands largest university (Utrecht University), and has a huge variety of museums for its tourists to choose from.

V is for Vienna, Austria: Though Vienna is Austria’s largest city, things here still move at a relaxed pace. Once you’ve toured the city’s highlights, visit a Viennese café for some of the city’s famous coffee. The city is also home to the Vienna Boys’ Choir, one of the most well-renowned in the world. continue reading

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland - conner395

A is for Athens, Greece: Not only is Athens the largest city in Greece, but it’s one of the oldest in the world, with plenty of ancient monuments to show for it. An afternoon of sightseeing will undoubtedly take you to the Parthenon on the Acropolis; just don’t forget that there are canals, tombs, sanctuaries, and beaches to explore too!

B is for Berlin, Germany: Though once thought to be home to little more than war ruins, Berlin has become a thriving cultural city. Festivals take place throughout the year, and the city is home to the original technicolour Love Parade. Visit one of the many art museums or galleries around the city, take a historical tour, or see the famous Blue Man Group.

C is for Cádiz, Spain: Located at the very southernmost tip of Spain, Cádiz is home to some of Spain’s most beautiful beaches. Come for the Carnival of Cádiz, one of the world’s most famous fiestas, and once you’ve had enough song, music, and dance, it’s easy to take a day trip to Morocco via ferry or bus! continue reading

A beautiful region that is defined in both ancient Christianity and modern tourism as a site of natural wonders, the people of Cappadocia have made the most of their surroundings. It is home to the people who Biblically heard the gospel in their own tongue during the Pentecost and later resisted the rule of Alexander the Great. Current draws to the region are “fairy chimneys”, dovecotes, rock carvings and underground cities.

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I’ve been in London for nearly three weeks and I’m finally ready to dig into some of the more touristy adventures that the city has to offer! But as I’m preparing to board the world-famous London Eye, I find out that its already been beaten! That’s right, London’s not the only place to import tons upon tons of steel and glass in order to reconstruct a huge, spinning wheel that flies (slowly) skyward…sure, I’ll stand in the winding queue of tourists waiting for an unbelievable view of the city, and, sure, it will be beautiful and majestic, but what about its rival? The Eye is unbelievably tall, but the Singapore Flyer, pardon my pun, just flies a little higher.

I must admit that ever since watching Anthony Bourdain’s episode on Singapore, I’ve been dying to go! Yes, I just admitted to loving both the Travel Channel and Anthony Bourdain, but don’t knock ’til you’ve tried..er…watched it! Bourdain does an amazing job of discovering the local cultural and culinary hot-spots of each city he visits, and Singapore’s no exception. Not only does the Republic of Singapore provide a rich combination of Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian cuisines, but also a huge variety of tours, activities, and sites to keep even the pickiest tourist (like myself) entertained! continue reading

Shining like glow worms in the darkness of this year’s world recession are heart warming tales of hope and triumph. One of the brightest is perhaps the story of movie Slumdog Millionaire, the low budget Indie with no major stars that stormed the Oscars and carried off no less than eight coveted awards. And as we all now know, this film, which stunned everyone by its unlikely success, is a story of outside chance – the boy from the hovels of Mumbai who routed his enemies and found his lady love by winning a TV quiz show.

And Slumdog Millionaire’s grand slam is likely to have all sorts of knock-on effects. According to industry pundits, Mumbai – the pulsating city where the movie is set – may have a tourist boom this year despite the economic gloom.

If you loved the movie and can make the trip, you must go too. It’s well worth it. With sensations and surprises around every corner, Mumbai provides the kind of full-on experience that makes you feel truly alive. continue reading

Travellers taking Macau tours over the coming months will have plenty to remember their trip by as the destination plays host to a number of unusual events.

One of the highlights will be the Feast of the Drunken Dragon, a tradition based on an old Buddhist tale that will be held on May 2nd.

Local fishermen participate in the festival by performing a ‘drunken dance’ with wooden dragon heads and tails as part of a procession that leads from Senado Square towards Macau’s inner harbour.

The 20th Macau Arts Festival will take place between May 2nd and 30th this year and will feature orchestral concerts, exhibitions, dance shows, Chinese opera and more than 70 performances by artists from Europe and the UK.

Bringing the month of May to a close on the 28th will be the Macau International Dragon Boat Festival, which will see local and foreign teams competing against one another on the Nam Van lake.

Macau is one of the two special administrative regions of China, the other being Hong Kong.

Hong Kong – Part mystical Chinese city, part 21st Century metropolis, Hong Kong combines temples and skyscrapers.

Singapore – an exceptional blend of eastern and western culture, Singapore offers once in a life-time experiences in a safe and family-friendly environment. Whether going on a night safari or viewing the city from 165m up, on the Singapore Flyer, travellers can experience jaw-dropping sights.

Who can refuse the chance to sip Chinese medicinal herbs before watching the night lights give the colourful city a new life after dusk?

Try one of these exciting tours to experience the real Singapore:

FunVee Night Safari Shuttle Tour - For a once in a life-time experience explore the jungle under the glow of the moon. This all-inclusive tour takes you on a tram ride through habitats of some of the most elusive creatures of the night.  As the world’s first night safari, participants will have a tale for home none of their friends can top! continue reading

People who enjoy learning about the history of their holiday destination can visit a fascinating exhibition of photography during Dubai tours this year.

Entitled Dubai 1962, the display will be open at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre from May 6th to 26th.

It showcases a series of photographs that were taken by a Japanese reporter 47 years ago, offering a fascinating look at a location that would grow into one of the world’s most dynamic and groundbreaking cities.

The images provide a narrative for the reporter’s journey as he visited the local fish market, took a boat ride on the creek and encountered Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai.

According to the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, a "harsh but vibrant way of life" is explored in the black and white pictures, presenting a stark contrast to the destination that so many travellers are familiar with today.

During their tours of Dubai, visitors can appreciate the scale of the city’s achievement in recent decades by taking in sights such as the iconic Burj al Arab hotel and the under-construction Burj Dubai, which is already the world’s tallest structure.

Dubai – A true modern metropolis Dubai boasts a fine range of tourist facilities including the refined Burj al Arab hotel.