Fond of shopping? Go to Hong Kong! Where’s Hong Kong you say? It’s a beautiful region, a miniscule group of islands beside China. Hong Kong is a special administrative region released from British sovereignty in 1997. With a startlingly diverse range of population, from Filipinos and Malaysians, to Europeans, Americans, and Indians, Hong Kong truly is a city endowed with the best of both the East and the West.
Aside from its towering city heights and lovely harbor views, Hong Kong is best known for its tourist spots. The newly built Disneyland as well as the newly renovated Ocean Park are sure to attract your vacation eye for a well needed time out.
While a trip to Afghanistan surely does not sound like a very appealing vacation holiday to your average tourist, taking the time to discover one of Asia’s forgotten treasures will definitely strike a chord in the heart of a genuine explorer. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, the Minaret of Jam is said to be the holy grail of travel in Afghanistan. Located by the Hari River in the Shahrak District in Ghor, the 65-metre high minaret is built of baked bricks and is finely adorned with brick, stucco and glazed tile decorations patterned by kufic and nakshi calligraphy, geometric shapes and verses from the surat Maryam of the Holy Qur’an. The Minaret of Jam is an excellent example of Islamic brick architecture and is used by muezzins to call for prayers.
Geographically speaking, Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan, which is located in Panay, one of a cluster of islands that constitute the central section of the Philippine archipelago.
Boracay can be reached from Manila by daily flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air. Caticlan is nearer the island, but the airstrip is short and narrow, and only the smaller planes of Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air can land on it. The larger aircraft of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines fly to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. From Caticlan it takes about 15 minutes by boat to Boracay; from Kalibo, an hour and a half by bus plus the 15-minute boat ride.
A city as small as Singapore can be toured in just three days, many would say, but to see all the highlights and get beneath the skin of this charming place definitely warrants a longer stay. A tour planned around the major districts allows one to appreciate its history, people and rich cultural diversity in an optimal period of time. Here is the best of Singapore not to be missed.
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From the outside, the Burj al-Arab architecture looked liked it was carved out of a painting by Picasso. Its style was so contemporary one would wonder how it could stand so sturdily on soiled seas. Dubai’s ingenious work of art was compelled the world to raise the usual five star ranking to a shocking seven just so that its beauty and majesty could be given justice. There are 202 duplex suites in the hotel. Each suite, no matter the class, has a floor- to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the Persian Gulf. Another first for the over achieving Burj al-Arab is the fact that at 321 meters (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building to be used as a hotel alone. It stands on a man made island, 280 meters (919 ft) from the popular Jumeirah beach. This fact alone continues to flabbergasts tourists all over the world. Burj al-Arab is connected to the rest of Dubai through a private bridge. The Arabs, without a doubt, outdid themselves this time through the Burj al-Arab architecture.
Phnom Penh is a lovely, laid-back old city. Once the jewel of French Indochina, it still has a particular crumbling grace and beauty not found in other Asian capitals. It is divided up by a few major thoroughfares�Monivong and Norodom Boulevards going north-south and Pochentong and Sihounouk boulevards going east-west. These, along with major wats, markets and monuments, form the skeleton of Phnom Penh from which the city grows. Whether you are off to explore cultural highlights, take in the nightlife, eat a hearty meal, or just find a place to sit and watch the bustle of the city, most places can be found if you know the nearest landmark.
Shanghai’s relatively small city center makes it easy to navigate. It consists of two basic districts, Pu Xi (western town) and Pu Dong (eastern town), which face each other across the Huang Pu River. As a general rule, Pu Xi embodies “Old Shanghai” and Pu Dong represents “New Shanghai.” This is characterized by the stark contrast of the modern and historical architecture that like on either side of the river, namely the early 20th century architecture of the Bund on the Pu Xi side and the most conspicuous modern architecture of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the
This little corner of paradise is 25 km southeast of Don Sak .. where the car ferry departs for Ko Samui.
A series of beaches nestled among the limestone and shale mountains of Northern Nakorn Si Thammarat province offer the lover of quiet beauty a great destination.
And beaches are not Khanom’s sole attractions.
The primary attractions might be the area’s simplicity. No go-go bars, no discos. And no touts, hawkers or hookers. You can ride a bicycle around Khanom and the locals will smile and wave.
If you are staying in Tokyo for more than a few days, a wonderful way to get a taste of the real Japan is to stay in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, which couldn’t be more different than the usual Tokyo hotels. There are a few Ryokans to be found in busy Tokyo (in very unexpected places!), but getting out of the metropolis makes all the difference – especially if you have views of Mount Fuji! Most importantly, it is highly recommended for those needing some serious rest and relaxation.
Hakone, with it’s close proximity to the capital is a great choice, also because it offers unparalleled views of the majestic Mount Fuji. Just half an hour away by train (try the famous Shinkansen or bullet train!), lovely Hakone is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, with picturesque mountains, lakes and hot springs.
There are several ryokans to stay in Hakone, the most famous (and expensive) being the Gora Kadan, pictured above,which offers sweeping views of Mount Fuji and a large onsen or hot springs. Taiseikan is another good option, is more secluded and has its own tram, which is fun if you are bringing the kids along. It also boasts the oldest spa in Hakone, which is a mere 600 years old!!
Ruins have always been a source of awe and inspiration to us – the mere fact that ancient civilizations were able to make such breathtaking structures without the use of modern technology is enough to blow our minds.
One such example is the Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It has a rich history, being originally constructed as temple and city capital complex for King Suyaverman II in the earth 12th century. Over the years, it has been used by various religions, becoming home first to Hindus (who dedicated the temple to Vishnu), and then to Buddhists, who now use the temple. What sets Angkor Wat from all other Khmerian structures is its elaborate designs and bas-reliefs which portray numerous guardian spirits that adorn its walls, seemingly to protect the whole city. Angkor Wat is a major source of pride for Cambodia, and is the country’s biggest tourist attraction.