Beyond Angkor Wat, discover the beauty of Siem Reap – Explore the city

The ancient essence of Angkor Wat has not changed to this day despite the urban developments that have taken place throughout the years. The city of Siem Reap emanates the same beauty of culture and history. Let’s take a look at a few things in detail.

Places to visit

There are a couple of places that you ought to visit on your journey in Siem Reap. Check out the Angkor National Museum, the floating village and even embark on a refreshing hike through the paddy fields. Don’t forget to visit the temples located in the city as well.

User: Jensre at wikivoyage shared, Siem Reap Museum, CC BY-SA 3.0

Explore the culinary delights

If you are a keen foodie, then begin by exploring the street food here in Siem Reap. If you want a bit of a high-end option, any luxury hotel in Siem Reap offers fine dining with international cuisine available. Cafes and restaurants also line the streets as you walk past.

Entertainment

Ever heard of the Cambodian Circus? Well, if you do happen to visit, check out this amazing young talent in Siem Reap. Khmer boxing and Aspara dancing shows are also a highlight in this city. You can inquire with local hotels such as Anantara Angkor Resort on where to be for the experience.

Stay

This city has many places to stay from hostels to luxury hotels and even budget hotels for the traveller who is concerned about their wallet. Make your booking in advance to be entitled to great discounts and deals on food and accommodation.

Exploring Oman in 7 days – Enjoy your holiday to the fullest

If you’ve got time on your hands and are planning on a 7-day trip to Oman, then you’ve got to plan it all out before you actually arrive there to make sure you make the best of it. Here’s a brief guide on how to explore this part of the middle east within this time frame.

Day 1

Let’s start with the capital city of Oman, Muscat. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is an attraction that you absolutely cannot miss. The interior and exterior of this religious space are simply stunning. Leave the morning to explore the mosque as the evening is perfect for a walk by the Muttrah Corniche, you can explore the Muttrah Souk as well.

Georg Karl Ell, Oman Muscat Muttrah Souq 03, CC BY-SA 4.0

Day 2

On your second day here, why not explore what nature has to offer at the Wadi Shab. The blue pools of water and waterfalls certainly make this hike a rewarding experience. But the canyon is certainly the highlight of the adventure.

Day 3

Delve into a bit of history in Muscat with a visit to Old Muscat. This is a wonderful yet sleepy place that is home to the ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos. You could visit Shatti Al Qurum Beach for the evening and enjoy the warm sea breeze.

Day 4

For the next few days do try to hop a flight to Salalah. Opt for a stay at a Salalah beach resort the likes of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara and enjoy a bit of luxury and fun in the sun while indulging in water sports.

Rock Climbing in Krabi Thailand – For an exciting adventure like no other

If you are interested in learning something new on your holiday to the rip-roaring island of Krabi, well, you’ve certainly picked the right destination to get started! The islands got rocks that are perfect for the novice climbers out there and you can sign up for lessons too.

Sign up for a lesson

If you are planning your vacation with a travel agent, then you can discuss with your agent about the best rock-climbing package for you. However, if you’ve planned your trip on your own, you might need to inquire with your local hotel, the likes of Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort for more information on how to get started.

Phranang Cave Beach

The beach here is absolutely amazing with a wide shoreline, crystal blue waters and limestone cliffs on either side. Try your skills at rock climbing and enjoy the mesmerising views as a reward for sweating it out.

Maksym Kozlenko, Phra Nang Cave Beach, CC BY-SA 4.0

A guide for every step

Arriving at the beach and taking a look at the cliffs could hit your nerves quite hard if this is our first time. But never fear, your guide on the excursion will carefully advise you on how to conquer what seems impossible at first.

Deepwater solo climbing

Of all the Ao Nang things to do, this is one of the most thrilling. You will be taken by boat to an island where the rock cliffs are in the water. Next, you will climb the rock formation without a harness, reach the top and take the plunge into the water from there. Exhilarating indeed!

A Guide to Exploring Australia’s Premier Wine Region: Hunter Valley – ‘Grape’ Times Await!

Whether or not you enjoy a glass of wine, Hunter Valley is a wonderful retreat, with something for everyone. With its verdant vineyards and rustic charm, read this guide to uncover the best of Australia’s favourite “Wine Region”.

Gorgeous Stays

Weekend escapes deserve idyllic stays and the Valley’s teeming with options to suit every traveller! Make the most of Hunter Valley accommodation deals and take your pick, from beautiful B&Bs to cosy but luxurious resorts such as Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort.

Exciting Mornings

Imagine having a bird’s eye view of the sun’s warm morning glow, slowly light up the lush landscape? Book a morning hot air balloon ride to enjoy this experience first-hand. You can even opt to have a bubbly breakfast, as you soak in the morning sun. It’s the perfect excursion to book for a group of friends or even as a romantic date in the clouds.

Image via Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort

Wine Tastings

With so many winemakers in the regions, book a tasting and tour and you’ll come out of your holiday feeling like a real sommelier! The tours are comprehensive and will give you a great opportunity to learn a lot more about what goes on behind the scenes. That’s not all, you’ll be able to enjoy the local wine and all the accompaniments that would pair well with it.

Enchanting Gardens

The Hunter Valley Gardens are beautifully maintained and are a great choice for those travelling with family. Apart from the serenity this little haven offers, there are lots of special nooks and surprises for all those who visit. From special rides for kids to even Indian, Chinese and Oriental gardens – prepare yourself for a real treat!

Best Adventure Activities to do in Cairns That Will Surely Increase Your Adrenaline – Test your bravery!

Wondering what could be the best place for adventure activities in Australia? Don’t have second thoughts because Cairns is the perfect place to address all your adventurous passions.

Whitewater rafting

If you are planning to spend your summer in Cairns, this will be the perfect water adventure for you. Enjoy the scenery and celebrate your moments.

Bungy jumping

Heard about Aj Hackett Cairns? Yes, it’s one of the most popular Bungy towers in the world. Once you do your first jump, this is going to be addictive!

MartinRe at the English Wikipedia, BungyViewCairns, CC BY-SA 3.0

Skydiving

The best place for this adventure is the Great Barrier Reef. Forget all your fears for a while and get ready to be rewarded with mind-blowing views of the Australian east coast.

Crocodile spotting

If you need a different kind of adventure, just go crocodile spotting. All you have to do is to say yes to a Daintree River cruise. In addition to the crocodiles, spot snakes, pythons, and birds too.

Holidaying in Cairns

If you are looking for hotel accommodation in Cairns, make sure you opt for a good one such as Oaks Cairns Hotel.

Trekking in the Knuckles Mountain Range

Known for its stunning natural beauty, the Knuckles Mountain Range is amongst the key places for trekking in Sri Lanka and here’s a guide on this scenic attraction.

Image credit- Unsplash,Dylan Shaw,CC0

Where is It?

Named for its resemblance to knuckles, this mountain range can be found in the Matale and Kandy districts; Kandy is a great place to stay and is around a 90-minute drive from this site; properties like Mountbatten Bungalow make an ideal base for your excursions and you can easily enjoy a day trip and back.

What to Expect

The Knuckles Mountain Range features thriving flora and fauna and amongst the best things to do in Kandy is to plan a trekking adventure here; you will come across enchanting cloud forests sometimes shrouded in mist, idyllic waterfalls, crystal clear streams, traditional villages and various wildlife and birdlife too.

Diverse Trails

There are over 30 trails for trekking in Knuckles Mountain Range, best explored with a guide. These include the Dothalugala nature trail to the summit of a mountain and the Mini World’s End trail, both offering spectacular views. There’s also the Duwili Ella trail to a waterfall in the forest and Nitro Caves trail to an intriguing cave.

Keep in Mind

Have a guide who can also help to get any needed permits. Wear light clothing and hiking boots; have a raincoat and bring swimwear if you plan to have a dip at a waterfall. Take enough water and remember you can fill bottles at streams. Also, have anti-leech socks and spray to deal with these pesky creatures!

The best seasons for diving in the Maldives – Know your way around

Diving in the Maldives is a popular pastime and one that calls for careful planning. Provided below are the best times to pay a visit to these awe-inspiring isles for a riveting dive.

Image via pxfuel

Northeast monsoon period

Conducive weather conditions are the need of the hour ahead of any water sporting activity in this part of the world and in the case of scheduling diving expeditions, take note of the northeast monsoon season which descends from December to May. During this time, the winds are calmer which in turn contributes towards sunny skies and pleasing oceans; the perfect combination to delight in some diving. Further, the currents that flow through the atolls from December to March make for excellent visibility, especially if you’ve chosen the eastern atolls as your springboard. The eastern portion of the channels witness sharks congregates whilst western sections can be looked at for manta ray viewing.

Southwest monsoon period

With the advent of the southwest monsoons come June through November, the currents are known to move east within the channels. Importantly, visibility is at its best if one opts to dive in the western parts of the channels. However, you will have to deal with rough seas and stronger winds. In terms of the species that can be spotted, whale sharks, mantas, and turtles are one’s, constant companions.

Where can you stay?

Should you be seeking assistance in planning out a holiday where you can experience such excursions to the deep blue, then it is advisable to check in with properties such as Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas who will also offer you convenient Maldives pool villa accommodation to come home to.

Khon Kaen: Everything you need to Know for a Perfect Trip – A Thai getaway

Khon Kaen is a hub for tourists, be it work or otherwise, and if you want to know how to have the perfect trip in this part of Thailand, read on.

About Khon Kaen

Civilisations settled here thousands of years ago, and later, further cultures came in and settled too. After the Khmer empire ended, the place remained untouched until King Rama the first decided to take over and create a new town here. The Vietnamese, Indians and Chinese have been trading silk for more than 200 years now, and when you are exploring the town, you will be able to see the influences of these cultures everywhere.

Where to stay

Khon Kaen has many places for you to choose from, and you can find suitable places to stay according to your budget. A centrally located hotel in Khon Kaen you can check out while there is Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre, for instance.

Image via Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre

When to go

The monsoon in this part of Thailand happens during July, August and September. These are the worst months in terms of being unable to explore the town freely. April is a good time to visit the area since the Songkran, which is the Thailand New Year, happens then too.

Getting around in Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen is quite a big place, and the public transport system here is great. You can also rent your own set of wheels to have more flexibility in terms of getting around. Tuk-tuks are found almost in every corner of Khon Kaen and it is a cheap and fast way of getting around.

Snorkelling in Thailand – Dive deep and be awed

If you are heading to Thailand anytime soon and want to go snorkelling at the many great sites in the country, read on.

About Snorkelling

To explore what the waters of Thailand have to offer, the best thing to do is go snorkelling during your vacation. If you are put up at Ao Nang beach hotels the likes of Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, you can ask your hotel if they have excursion packages for snorkelling sites nearby.

Image via piqsels

Ao Mae Yai Bay

This is the most visited snorkelling site in all of Thailand. A combination of 5 islands form the bay area and it falls under the Mu Koh Surin Marine National Park control. Thus, you can rest assured the place is well maintained and safe to explore.

Koh Nang Yuan

Following the Ao Mae Yai Bay is Koh Nang Yuan. Yet another place formed with 3 islands, you can find this site at the northeast part of Koh Tao. Connected by an exotic sandbar, the waters here are home to rich coral life and more. Since the place is shallow, even amateur divers can go snorkelling freely.

Aow Leuk Beach

Known as Turtle Island locally, Aow Leuk is found on the southwest coast of Krabi. If you want to snorkel here, you can grab some snorkelling gear right on the beach as you will find many water sports centres right on the sands. The waters here are rich in marine life and corals too.

Reasons Why You Should Spend Your Next Holiday in Tunisia – Plan your Tunisian tour NOW!

Located on the Mediterranean Coast, Tunisia offers everything that a traveller would need to make his travel diaries so wonderful. Still, wondering about the reasons why you should visit this destination at least once? Here are the best reasons!

It’s a great tourist destination

Once you land at Tunis Carthage International Airport (TUN), feel safe and secured. Tunisia is a safe tourist destination. You just have to book a Tunis hotel the likes of The Residence Tunis and start enjoying your moments.

Stunning beaches

Did you know that Tunisia is the perfect destination to enjoy the best of Mediterranean beaches? The coastline is more than 1100 km long and it’s all yours to enjoy!

Image by neufal54 from Pixabay

Getting around is easy in Tunisia

The road conditions are pretty good, and moving around is easy and convenient. You can go by car, bus or train. The shared taxi (louage) concept is also available in Tunisia.

Amazing seafood

Tunisian cuisine is a blend of different, awesome tastes. Don’t miss out on trying out Salade Tunisienne, Harissa, Merguez, and Brik when you are there. It’s a paradise for those who love seafood.