Caliope Sage | The Adventure Travel Site

Hiking in Penang

Penang, Malaysia is always a good idea! And an especially great idea if you are a nature enthusiast or an avid hiker. Here are some fun trails to check out if ever you visit Penang!

Home Base

Where you base yourself when you’re on holiday is always a very important decision. Whether you’re travelling in a group or flying solo, serviced apartments in Bukit Mertajam, such as the Sky Residence Prai are a convenient and safe choice and are worth considering.

Penang National Park

This National Park, despite being the smallest in the country, has two very scenic and popular hiking trails. Both trails are challenging and rewarding, of which one is along the coast and the other takes you deeper and higher up into the jungle.

Youth Park

For families travelling with kids, the Youth Park is worth checking out, since it has plenty of trails, spaces and activities to keep the little ones entertained as well. The walking trail in this park takes you past the Botanic Gardens, the skate park to its summit which is at Penang Hill.

Teluk Bahang Eco Park

This 80-acre park in Penang is by far one of the best-maintained parks and is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. With over a dozen hiking trails and numerous footpaths, there are plenty of steps you can clock in at this Eco Park.

Skydiving in Dubai

Sky diving is such a thrilling activity and there’s no better place to check this heart-racing activity off the bucket list, than in dazzling Dubai! Read on to find out how and where you can go sky diving while on holiday in Dubai.

Image credit- Unsplash,Kamil Pietrzak,CC0

Convenient Location

When checking into Dubai, make sure you consider one of the hotel apartments near metro stations in Dubai to have easy access to everything in this cosmopolitan city! Citadines Metro Central Dubai is among some of the great options in the heart of the action.

The Overall Experience

If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, there’s nothing like jumping from a height of 13,000 feet above sea level to freefalling the earth at around 120 miles per hour. While free-falling from a dizzying height isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Dubai has earned itself a reputation as being a premier sky diving location!

Jump in Pairs

As a rookie, you won’t be able to free fall solo. Unless you have your sky diving license, all jumpers are required to jump with a professional skydiver. Once you jump off the plane, you will freefall for a minute or so but as soon as you are around 6000 feet off the ground, your instructor will pull on the chord to activate your parachute.

Dive with the Best

Since this is a daring feat in itself make sure you go with the most reputable and safest vendors in the business. Dubai is also known for two premier dive spots – the Palm Zone and the Desert Zone. Either of these destinations will make for an unforgettable experience!

Explore Port Stephens’ Breathtaking Coastline Along with a Whale-watching Trip – Enjoy Amazing Experiences

Port Stephens is where one can discover a mélange of amazing beaches. It’s also where one can enjoy whale and dolphin-watching cruises and even go parasailing over its glistening blue waters.

Overview

Apart from its whale-watching adventures, Port Stephens is also popular for its 26 beaches, with some sheltered in bays to offer splendid swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking opportunities for families. The Stockton sand dunes, easily reachable from Nelson Bay hotels the likes of Oaks Nelson Bay Lure Suites are incredible for horse riding and quad-biking.

Whale Watching

There’s a number of ways to enjoy whale watching in the gorgeous Port Stephens; these range from coastal lookouts to whale-watching cruises. In addition to marvelling at the amazing acrobatics of these majestic mammals, one can also have fun watching the playful antics of over 100 bottlenose dolphins that call this region their own.

Best Time to Go Whale-watching

A great number of humpback and southern right whales migrate annually to and from warm waters. And tourists will be able to spot these gigantic, yet graceful marine creatures should they visit Port Stephens between May and November.

How to Spot Whales

Moonshadow – TQC Cruises and Imagine Cruises offer great whale and dolphin watching facilities. Visiting Tomaree National Park will also provide an easy lookout to spot pods of whales.

Shark Season in the Maldives – Dive on the Wild Side

Scuba diving in the Maldives is like entering into a whole new world, living under the ocean’s waves! With incredible corals, and a plethora of marine wildlife read on to find out more about how you can dive with sharks and live to tell the tale!

Diving Basics

The good news for novice divers is that a PADI license is not required! Resorts such as Anantara Veli Maldives Resort have in-house diving courses and instructors, which make your foray into the world of diving effortless! Follow the course for beginners and go giving in the private reefs to witness the splendours hidden under the waters.

What Can you Expect?

The beautiful fish you see from your gorgeous Maldives’ over water bungalow is the tip of the iceberg! Dive under the waters to be blown away by colourful shoals of fish, friendly sea turtles, and plenty of harmless sharks. The caves and the reefs will leave you in awe of the very diversity and beauty of the natural world.

Shark Spotting

If you’ve ever dreamt of diving amidst sharks, the best time to do this is between January and March. The Southern atolls are a hotbed for schools of reef sharks during this spell. Float amongst them, as they go about their day, completely undisturbed by your presence even though you’re undoubtedly having the adventure of a lifetime!

Travel Adventures in Ao Nang, Thailand – A Holiday of a Lifetime!

Ao Nang is known for its long and gorgeous Andaman coast and the fantastic diving opportunities that await just beyond it. Long-tail boat tours are also another highlight here.

kallerna, Macaca fascicularis Ao Nang 2, CC BY-SA 3.0

Four-island Long-tail Boat Tour

This is one of the most exciting things to do in Ao Nang. It’s where you can explore the best of Krabi in less than 7 hours. Visit the famous “Chicken Island”, named for its odd rock formation, and the lesser-known islands of Koh Tub and Koh Mor on this tour. Exploring the Phra Nang Cave Beach shouldn’t be missed when you’re on the Railay Peninsula.

Climb Ngorn Nak Mountain

While in Ao Nang, the hike up the Ngorn Nak Mountain will treat you to some of the best views around. This is the highest mountain in the Krabi region and is located approximately a 28-minute drive away from Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort.

A Day Trip to Krabi Hot Springs

While holidaying at one of the Ao Nang hotels, why not organise a day trip to Krabi Hot Springs. These natural “hot tubs” average 35-40°C and are full of mineral salts that offer a range of health benefits.

Hit the Monkey Trail

From one end of Ao Nang Beach towards Pai Plong Beach, you’ll find a trail with wooden flooring and rails. This is home to a large troupe of monkeys and offers incredible views of Pai Plong Bay.

4 Most Beautiful Beaches in Sydney – Relax or Take a Dip in a World of Aquatic Adventures

Beaches in Sydney are frequented by locals and tourists from near and far. These are the places one can visit if ever they crave downtime with plenty of space to relax.

Bondi Beach

Located just a 15-minute drive away from properties like Oaks Sydney Castlereagh Suites via Moore Park Road is Bondi Beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in Australia and one can find a range of trendy cafés, restaurants, and shops here. The views of Bondi Beach are quite pleasing to the eye.

Bronte Beach

Bronte Beach is yet another scenic escape that you must visit while holidaying at your apartment hotel in Sydney. It’s an easy coastal walk from Bondi Beach and is quite popular among surfers. Swimmers are usually thrilled at the prospect of taking a dip at the famous rock pool at this beach.

Manly Beach

You’ll be spoilt for choice when you’re on the beautiful Manly Beach. Whether it’s surfing on its waves or snorkelling to explore its colourful depths, there’s something for everyone here.

Balmoral Beach

Balmoral Beach is found on the scenic north shore of Sydney. It boasts enclosed swimming areas, which makes it popular among families.

Scuba Diving in the Maldives – Under the Sea

The Maldives Islands are the perfect holiday destination for several reasons, of which scuba diving is one of the foremost! Read on to learn more about the incredible adventure which awaits you when you go scuba diving here!

Do You Need To Be A Swimmer?

The short answer is no! Better yet, you don’t even need a PADI Diver’s licence. However, you do need to dive with a registered diving instructor. Most Maldives luxury resorts take away the hassle of organising your dives. Resorts such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences have their dive partners to ensure your safety and comfort are taken care of, as you take the plunge!

What You Can Expect

Diving is an exhilarating experience for novice and seasoned divers alike since no two dives are the same. You can expect to be awestruck by the world that is thriving just beneath the surface of the waves. From gorgeous reefs to a host of colourful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and harmless reef sharks, it is a whole new world under the sea!

Where To Dive

With over 26 atolls and over a thousand islands to choose from, this can be a really difficult decision to make! From Banana Reef in the Northern atoll which has its fair share of coral reefs and caves to the South Male atoll which has around six popular diving spots, which showcase the full range of marine life, there’s plenty of options for those keen on diving in the Maldives.

Mobile Camping Adventure

There’s a myriad of camping adventures that you can be a part of – and some of them offer facilities that let you experience a comfortable and luxurious stay. One such instance is the modern mobile camping adventures offered by Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara.

Overview

These new mobile camping adventures will let you wander through the diverse landscape of Southern Oman’s Dhofar. It is indeed one of the best Oman attractions.

What to Expect

While the sun continues to shine, one may look forward to exploring the endless deserts, craggy mountains, and long stretches of empty yet beautiful beaches. And by night, you can expect to relax under star-studded skies, while immersing in complete luxury.

Image Credit: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

Adventures

If you choose to venture away from the comforts of your luxury tent, you will find yourself gliding along with dolphins with marine experts, discovering intriguing historical sites with archaeologists, and even pointing out the marvels of the night sky with astronomers.

Guidance

You will be traversing to all kinds of sites in the luxury of a 4×4 while being accompanied by the members of the Mahrah tribe.

The Ultimate Bucket List to Do in Sunshine Coast, Queensland

For those who are lucky enough to have a bit of extra time at hand, Sunshine Coast is nothing short of splendid and dreamy things to do. It’s an absolutely fantastic destination to explore while enjoying unbelievable Sunshine Coast hotel deals.

Climbing Mount Ngungun

Located approximately within a 36-minute driving distance from Oaks Seaforth Resort via M1 are the Glasshouse Mountains. Also known as Mount Ngungun, this site boasts ten volcanic plugs that are scattered across Hinterland’s landscape, adding a bit of adventure for your visit here.

Explore Eumundi Markets

These markets have got everything that you’d ever need. Held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, one can look forward to purchasing jewellery, fresh local produce, artwork, plants, and so much more!

Surf at Alex Heads

A spectacular spot for surfing on Sunshine Coast is down at Alexandra Headlands. It is often bustling with people from all walks of life as the place offers surfing opportunities for all levels including complete amateurs.

Watch the Sunset at Maroochydore River

Sit along the stretch of quaint fishing houses that fringe the Maroochydore River and watch as the sun goes down its horizon. It’s a surprisingly tranquil setting and the sundown will have you immersed in a completely surreal atmosphere.

Tangalle; The Perfect Beach – Mesmerising Sunsets and More

Beige sands, blue waters and palm trees fringing the shores, seems like the perfect beach dream. Except it isn’t really a dream in Sri Lanka. Ever heard of Tangalle beach? Here are a few facts about the attraction.

About Tangalle

This was once a fishing village and guess you could say it still is. The main income for families in the area come from fishing and selling the fresh catch of the day. The village was torn apart when the tsunami hit in 2004 but has managed to get back on its feet again.

Sunsets

Head to the beach around 5:45 pm/6 pm, sit on the soft sand with your loved one and gaze at the horizon. This is when the sun begins to bow down to the ocean and the magic show of colours in the sky are simply amazing.

Image Credit: Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

Eat at a beachside restaurant

The beach is peppered with a few restaurants here and there. So, if you happen to work up and appetite while tanning on the beach, head over to one of them and enjoy authentic Sri Lankan dishes.

Places to stay

Since the destination is a popular place among tourists, there are many Tangalle hotels to choose from. Hotels like the property by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, offer an amazing experience.