Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Situated on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia,  Terengganu is an ideal holiday getaway. It has the longest coastline in the country, with stunningly beautiful islands that sparkle like gems in the South China Sea. Many are gazetted as Marine Parks. The state is characterized by a strong Malay culture, laid-back lifestyle, tranquil coastal towns and rustic villages. Traditional pursuits such as kite-flying and top-spinning are highlights here. Kuala Terengganu is its capital city.

Kuala Terengganu features a tropical rainforest climate that borders on a tropical monsoon climate. Kuala Terengganu does not quite have a true dry season month, a requirement for it to be classified as having a tropical monsoon climate. However the city’s driest month, February, averages 60 mm of precipitation annually.

Pasar Payang or the Central Market of kuala Terengganu is no less than an interesting place to visit. This double storey market houses all kind of goods that you can find, ranging from poultry to sea products, utensils to bed sheet….almost like ‘you name it, you get it’.

Many traditionally prepared Malay cakes (kuih) are sold in Kuala Terengganu – among other places, in the Pasar. Keropok lekor, a kind of fish sausage served with chili sauce, is a must-try. You can ask the receptionist for the nicest keropok lekor in the town. Nasi Dagang is the most famous dish in Terengganu itself, often served as breakfast or lunch at small stall and restaurants. The delicious, sweet but spicy sauces with glutinous rice is traditionally originated here.

Primula Beach Hotel in Kuala Terengganu may be best known as a premier business accommodation. But apart from the state-of-the-art meeting rooms and an extensive business centre, this 4-star lodging is a luxuriant tropical sanctuary with crisp-green trees and a view of the glistening waters of South China Sea.

El Nido – the Philippines’ last frontier

El Nido is a protected area located in the northernmost part of Palawan mainland, Western Philippines. Its ecosystem contains 250 million year-old limestone cliffs, 888 species of fish, 447 species of coral, 114 species of bird, 5 species of marine turtle and 2,645 hectares of mangrove forest.

It has 3 major archeological excavation sites: Pasimbahan Cave in Bgy. New Ibajay, Sibaltan Open Site in Bgy. New Ibajay. The annual excavations led to the discovery of 14,000 year-old human remains, 9,000 year-old cremation sites and 11,000 year-old tiger bones in New Ibajay and a Pre-Hispanic trading community in Sibaltan.

Breathtaking views of nature are the main reason to visit El Nido. The pristine waters of El Nido offer beautiful coral reefs, while its beaches are uncrowded unlike the popular Boracay, exploring the lagoons by kayaking is a great way of visiting the islets, coves and caves are also abundant. Inland El Nido springs and waterfalls are also found. Bacuit Bay composes of limestone islands, where it’s possible to either dive, snorkel or hike. The easiest way to see the Bacuit Bay is on an island hopping boat.

Why settle for a beachfront hotel when you can stay right over the ocean in a cottage on stilts? And why settle for any old dive site when you can snorkel in an orchid-walled lagoon? El Nido is known as the Philippines’ last frontier, and if you’re looking for magnificent beaches in an unspoiled setting, it’s a perfect place for you to vacation.

Stray from the common places and add excitement to your holiday with El Nido Resorts – Lagen Island Resort. Set in a gorgeous paradise, the property is blessed with breathtaking views, contemporary accommodations, and exquisite features that make for deeply fulfilling rest and recreation.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

Located 32km from the Costa Rican border, Bocas Del Toro is an archipelago of 6 heavily forested islands surrounded by good surf and crystal clear waters, scores of uninhabited islets and Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos, Panama’s oldest marine park. The popular tourist destination has been a haven for long-term travellers for a while, but thanks to its sympathetic development and absence of resort hotels Bocas has not become a victim of its own success.

Low-key development has maintained the charm of small-town Caribbean life and the absence of mega hotels has preserved the archipelago’s idyllic beauty. Even the most developed of the islands, Isla Colón, possesses a strong local flavor and appealingly slow way of life, while the oft-forgotten Isla Carenero is a lovely, peaceful haven.

Christopher Columbus and his crew discovered the area in 1502.  The province contains two national parks: Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park and La Amistad International Park. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute operates a research station on Colón Island just northwest of Bocas Town. There are many banana plantations in Bocas Del Toro, often called theoro verde or green gold of Central America.

There are a lot of things that can keep you busy when you aren’t spending your day working in one of the many restaurants. Surfing, hiking and diving are amongst the most popular activities before heading into the busy nightlife of the islands. Don’t miss this place when travelling through Central America as it is a fantastic base to stay a while.

Playa Tortuga is a fresh new Panama beach resort and hotel featuring a relaxing ambience, tropical golden sand beaches, and friendly welcoming service. Playa Tortuga features an inviting hotel location surrounded by natural beauty, coral reefs and calm waters ideal for snorkeling.

Killarney, Ireland

Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is on the northeastern shore of Lough Leane, which is part of Killarney National Park. The town and its hinterland is home to St Mary’s Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross House and Abbey, the Lakes of Killarney, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Purple Mountain, Mangerton Mountain, the Gap of Dunloe and Torc Waterfall. Owing to its natural heritage, history and its location on the Ring of Kerry, Killarney is a popular tourist destination.

The town of Killarney is one of those that mixes traditional Irish charm with fantastic historical views and amazing scenery. Being home to an official National Park, an array of wonderful lakes and many quaint, beautiful viewpoints, Killarney is a must for anyone visiting Ireland.

Killarney has been entertaining visitors and tourists for over two hundred and fifty years. Its beautiful peaks such as Crohane, Tomies, Torc, and Mangerton date way back to prehistoric times when the ice melted after the ice age. There are many tales and legends concerning the town which draw in tourists.

It has charming architecture and style reminisent of the late ninteenth century. Since the council banned gaudy plastic shop signs in the 1980s, there has been a strong competitive streak among shop keepers to put on an attractive face, with old style signs, window boxes, and stained-glass doors.

Situated in Killarney, Ranldes Court Hotel is close to Fitzgerald Stadium, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Killarney Cathedral. Also nearby are Killarney Riding Stables and Castlerosse Golf. This spa hotel offers a restaurant and a bar/lounge. High-speed (wired) Internet access is complimentary in public areas. Business amenities at this 3-star property include a business center, a meeting/conference room, and secretarial services.

Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia

 Khamis Mushait or Khamis Mushayt is a city in south-west Saudi Arabia, located east of Abha, the provincial seat of the Asir province, 650 nautical miles from Dhahran and 442 nautical miles from the national capital of Riyadh. It is the capital of the Shahran Tribe. Khamis is one hour’s flight from Jeddah but feels like a hundred years from the rest of Saudi Arabia’s neon lit, mega-mall cities.

Khamis Mushait lies inland, in a mountainous area. Its position on the main caravan route from Yemen to the Hejaz ensured its importance as a center of trade from earliest times. Khamis Mushayt has several souks, including Khamis Souk and Silver Souq, both of which are noted for their silver jewellery, and Spice Souk.

The town takes its name from the Mushait clan which lives in this area. (Khamis means Thursday and refers to the day on which the weekly market is held.) The location of Khamis Mushait close to the Yemeni border has, in recent years, given it a military significance, with the establishment of army and air-force bases. This military presence has expanded the population and increased prosperity.

Khamis Mushayt has been untouched as potential sites for heavy industry and instead preserved as national environmental treasures. The Asir National Park, which covers an area of 1.1 million acres, is a virtual paradise for botanists, zoologists and ornithologists who come to study indigenous plants and wildlife, and where new varieties and species are still being discovered.

The Mercure Khamis Mushayt is strategically located 5 minutes from the centre of Khamis Mushayt, 10 minutes from Abha Road and 15 minutes from the airport. The hotel grounds extend over 32,000 square metres with an outdoor tennis court, indoor swimming pool  two squash courts, sauna, steam room, health club and bowling.

Alwar, Rajasthan – India

Alwar is a city in the Rajasthan state of western India. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Alwar or Ulwar in British India. The city is located around 160 km south of Delhi, and around 150 km north of Jaipur.

Alwar is a captivating town in the state of Rajastha. Steeped in local history, the natural and architectural marvels of this city are alluring to the tourists of the state. Alwar, among the Rajput principalities was the closest to imperial Delhi. People of this region were daring adventurers. They did not submit to alien rule; they rebelled.

Alwar is famous for its Kalakand (Milk-Cake), a world famous dessert. This is a special desert made of Milk. Its demand from all over the world has given Alwar a special name on the map of world.

Alwar contains many interesting and historical monuments. The city has a beautiful lake and a picturesque valley. The Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Aravalli hills only a few kilometres away from Alwar. The sanctuary, which is a Project Tiger reserve, also boasts of many other species, including rare birds and plants. The military cantonment of Itarana lies on the outskirts of Alwar.

Aravali Hotels is a City Budget Cum Business Hotels in the central district of Alwar. It has fully equipped 42 Rooms with Smart Basics, A Multi Cuisine Restaurant, 24 hours room service, a well stocked bar and a banquet hall. It is the only hotel in Alwar with a swimming pool providing 3 Star facilities. It is ideally located in the heart of the city and is walking distance from the railway station.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. Imagine 3000 or more incredible islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and you have a vision of breathtaking beauty. Halong Bay is pure art, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature.

Halong Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders, and is the most beautiful tourist destination of Vietnam. Halong Bay features more than one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach.

Waters of Halong bay are host to a great diversity of ecosystems including offshore coral reefs, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes, and sandy beaches. The folk tale has it that the dragons descended from heaven to help locals by spitting jewels and jade to the sea, forming a natural fortress against invaders; these precious stones are represented by the lush green outcrops. Several islands boast beautiful grottos and caves with contiguous chambers, hidden ponds and peculiar stone formations.

Beyond the breathtaking vistas on a boat cruise through the bay, visitors to Halong come to explore the caves – some of which are beautifully illuminated for the benefit of tourists – and to hike. There are few real beaches in Halong Bay, but Lan Ha Bay (off the coast of Cat Ba Island) has more than 100 sandy strips.

Mithrin Hotel Halong is located in the heart of Bai Chay Town, by Halong Bay. It offers elegant rooms with sea views, and boasts an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. The Lobby Bistro Restaurant at the Mithrin serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Palawan island Philippines

Nothing defines Palawan more than the water around it. With seascapes the equal of any in Southeast Asia, and wildlife terrestrial and aquatic, the Philippines’ most sparsely populated region is also the most beguiling. Because of its silhouette – a long sliver stretching 650km all the way to Borneo – there’s a certain liberating logic to travel here.

Palawan is an archipelago of 1,780 islands on the western part of the Philippines that is located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. It has the most concentration of islands but is the most sparsely populated region in the country. Because of its scenic landscapes and high bio-diversity, Palawan is known as “The Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines”.

Centrally located Puerto Princesa (Puerto) is the culinary capital and primary gateway to nearby rural and oceanfront tranquility. The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago, as confirmed by the discovery of bone fragments of the Tabon Man in the municipality of Quezon.

The northern part of Palawan province is blessed with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a wealth of flora and fauna. Spectacular ancient limestone cliffs tower over marine sanctuaries teeming with innumerable species of tropical fish and coral, as well as five species of endangered sea turtles. Lush forests abound with more than 100 species of birds. It is a truly exotic destination.

More than a place for sun, sand, and sea, Asturias Hotel Palawan also lets you become a distinguished guest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in the Philippines as it plays host to your every desire. Follow the aromatic flavors to the restaurant while we whip up delectable seafood dishes for you. Arrange safari adventures and underwater excursions with the hotel’s tour service.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and the largest park in Croatia. The park is filled with luscious green scenery, beautiful lagoons, and amazing waterfalls.

Croatia’s first National park established in 1949 covers 296.85 km² of breathtaking natural splendor becoming with it the largest among the eight national parks of the country. Ranging in altitude from 367 m (Koranski most) to 1279 m (Seliški vrh) above sea level.

Plitvice Lakes National Park contains a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. These have been formed by processes typical of karst landscapes such as the deposition of travertine barriers, creating natural dams. These geological processes continue today.

The park was inscribed on the UNESCO‘s World Heritage List in 1979, in recognition of its “outstanding natural beauty and undisturbed production of travertine (tufa) through chemical and biological action”. The park represents a phenomenon of karst hydrography.

The lakes are situated on the eponymous Plitvice plateau, between the mountains of Lička Plješevica (Gornja Plješevica peak 1,640 m), Mala Kapela (Seliški Vrh peak at 1,280 m) and Medveđak (884 m). The sixteen lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, descending from an altitude of 636 m to 503 m over a distance of some eight km, aligned in a south-north direction. The lakes collectively cover an area of about two km², with the water exiting from the lowest lake to form the Korana River.

The Bellevue Hotel Plitvice is located just a short walk away from Plitvice Lakes National Park – which covers an area of nearly 30,000 hectares. Guests can take various tours around the park, either on foot or by boat.

The Phi Phi Islands, A place to see before you die

The Phi Phi Islands are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland.  Classic beaches, stunning rock formations, and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life – its paradise perfected.

Follow Thailand’s long leg of land stretching down to Malaysia and you’ll find Phi Phi Island to the west of the “knee” in the Andaman Sea. Technically, Phi Phi is two islands: Ko Phi Phi Don, where Long Beach, or Hat Yao in Thai, is located, and Ko Phi Phi Leh, which is smaller and only accessible by tour or chartered fishing boat. Ko Phi Phi Don is home to several dozen seafood restaurants, and even more reggae bar and coffee shops, but no motorcars. If you are looking for a beach where you can play Gilligan’s Island, this is it.

From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand, dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name from Krabi, which means sword. This may come from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.

There are six islands in the group known as Phi Phi. They lie 50 km south-east of Phuket and are part of Hadnopparattara-Koh Phi Phi National Park which is home to an abundance of corals and marine life. There are Limestone Mountains with cliffs, caves and long white sandy beaches. The national park covers a total area of 242,437 Rai.

At Phi Phi Natural Resort, you can enjoy the private long white sandy beach, crystal clear water under the blue sky… An open-air sea view coffee shop caters for Thai, Chinese and European cuisines plus seafood. Available for lunch, dinners and cocktails on a la carte menu.