Category Archives: Asia

ABTA’s Travel Trends Report Reveals hot tips for Holidays this Year

Asia, Brazil, Europe, South America
  Abta's 10 Destinations to watch in 2014 http://abta.com/ Brazil This one had to be in there for one major event – the World Cup is being hosted there this summer. Revellers will likely want to head straight for Rio de Janeiro where many of the matches – and after parties – will take place. Visitors looking to make the most of their visit will be checking out major tourist sights such as the spectacular Sugar Loaf Mountain and iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Gain Brazilian Real Read more

5 Taxi Tours, Usa, London, Germany, Philippines and Japan

Asia, Europe, Japan, USA
Because no one knows a place like a local cabbie… FAMOUS FAT DAVE, US Fat Dave, as you might have gathered, is pretty famous for his taxi tours of New York – he’s managed to get his face on media outlets from the BBC to the History Channel, and has even been praised by celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. What makes Dave’s tours so unique is the culinary element – he’s not just a cabbie, but also has experience as a cheese monger, food writer, hot dog vendor and bread truck driver. He’s Read more

Five Iconic Trips Still Worth Taking

Asia, Thailand, USA
  The Top Tourist Traps you’d be Mad not to Visit.   ANGKOR, CAMBODIA  This ancient Cambodian temple complex – the largest religious monument in the world spread over 400 km2 – was once an adventure traveller’s mecca. The crumbling temples of the Khmer Empire, some of their stone foundations entwined with great tree roots, had an otherworldly quality. They beckoned visitors to get lost among them and enjoy special moments of quiet contemplation – reward for having journeyed Read more

World’s Most Extravagant Hotels

Asia, Europe, USA
LUXE AS YOU LIKE Start the New Year off with a bang by staying at one of the world’s most extravagant hotels  The Upper House, Hong Kong Ranked the top hotel in Asia by Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Award 2013, The Upper House offers its own fabulous brand of low-key luxury. Designed by celebrated Hong Kong architect Andre Fu, the house was built in the vision of a serene private residence. In the Upper Suites, you can lounge around on bespoke furnishings in the living room and look out Read more

CHRISTMAS GLOBE: Five Places Celebrating the Season in their own Unique Way

Africa, Asia, Brazil, Iceland, New Zealand
Kenya For a commercial respite, head to Kenya where Christmas is still largely enjoyed in the traditional sense. Carol concerts are held in the run-up to the big day, such as ‘The Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols’ at All Saints Cathedral (www.allsaintsnairobi.org) in Nairobi on December 24th. On Christmas Day, Christians go to church before returning home for a big sociable meal with family and friends. The main dish is fish or roasted goat, served with vegetables, chapattis and yoghurt Read more

Managing Risk: Travelling in Thailand, Egypt and Ukraine

Asia, Egypt, Thailand
In the last few days the political situation in Thailand has been difficult. A long-standing conflict between the mainly rural ‘yellow shirts’ – supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and the mainly urban ‘red shirts’ – who violently oppose her, has come to a head. There have been mass demonstrations and tense stand-offs with the police in Bangkok, spreading as far as the resort town of Phuket. This is not new to the country: in 2008 a similar situation forced the closure of Read more

The Seoul Scene – Five Reasons the Korean Capital Makes a Great Stopover

Asia
1.Themed cafes Korea not only has a strong tea tradition, but a serious addiction to coffee shops. This has given rise to an inordinate number of cafes, each doing its best to set itself apart with a novel theme. So far the city has seen everything from a Santa Claus coffee shop -- a Christmas grotto year-round -- to wedding cafes, where patrons dress up and pose in matrimonial get-up whilst sipping on sickly sweet drinks, with names like First Love and Marry. Cat and dog petting cafes, although Read more

Sri Lanka’s Best Beaches

Asia
Best for… urban beach MOUNT LAVINIA Not the most beautiful beach, granted, but Mount Lavinia’s overriding advantage is its location – it’s right on the outskirts of the capital city, Colombo. Whilst you won’t want to spend the duration of your holiday here, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a couple of days. During the day there are beach and water sports to try out. Island Scuba can expertly guide you around the historical wrecks and tropical reefs in the area if you want to give Read more