An Expert Travel Guide to Phuket – What to look forward to

Phuket is an island that is part of Thailand and indeed is one of the most exciting destinations for those seeking an adventurous escape into bliss. Here are a few things to know about this absolutely beautiful island.

A beach paradise

If you love the beach, then you’ve certainly selected the right holiday spot for you. There’s plenty of sun, gorgeous beige sands and blue, blue waters lapping against the shores. Not to mention, there are plenty of beachside restaurants serving up great seafood and chilled beverages.

Visit the elephants

The gentle giants of the jungle are treated with great care in Thailand and this is evident at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. The elephants are cared for here and guests are even allowed to observe them up close and interact with these wonderful creatures.

Image via pxfuel

Party, party, party

Are you a party animal? Well, Phuket’s got some good news for you! There are plenty of beachside clubs with popular DJs playing in the evenings. Dance to those beats by the ocean in the warm breeze with a cooler in hand.

Stay

Since Phuket is quite a popular destination among travellers, a Phuket resort isn’t difficult to come by! Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and other hotels on the island offer a memorable, luxurious experience for your stay.

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.

A guide to navigating the Whistler Valley Trail

Enjoying the Whistler Valley Trail is something that every traveller would do during his/her holiday spent in Vancouver.

Holidaying in Vancouver

If you are visiting Vancouver, a few days at a Whistler ski resort is probably on your itinerary. Whether you chose to stay at Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre or any other resort in the area here are a few things to keep in mind.

Know where each trail leads

First light on the Valley trail opposite Nordic |Image via Unsplash

The whistler valley trail consists of over 40 km of road that leads to different beautiful destinations depending on which direction you head to. For example, a hike leading to the North will take you to either Rain Park or one of the two lakes (Green and Lost). Each of these locations comes with unique views and a range of nature-based activities that you can indulge in.

Find out where you can stop and relax on the way

There are stops on the way to these destinations which can be used to rest, eat, or even enjoy a nice drink. Several smaller places on the way also offer snacks and coffee to visitors.

Pick an ideal location for your activities

The Southern stroll that leads to Whistler Creekside provides easy access for skiers to make their way to the mountain. Most of the other destinations provide nice running loops to get in a morning jog or run.

Explore the Amazing City of Moranbah, Queensland – A relaxing adventure in a young coal-mining town!

Located in the heart of Queensland, the young city of Moranbah began as a settlement for coal miners. Today, its quaint, rustic charm attracts both tourists and locals alike.

Image via pixabay

Big Red Rhino Bucket

Visitors to Moranbah are welcomed to the city by a life-size red Rhino bucket, regarded by locals as a symbol of the city’s coal mines. If you are staying in properties in the heart of Moranbah, service apartments the likes of Oaks Moranbah Suites conveniently provide access to Federation Walk, a 1km walk culminating in the Big Red Rhino Bucket.

Town Square Park

The Town Square Park is home to intriguing works of art in Moranbah. Visitors, both young and old, can spend their time leisurely at the fascinating musical playground featuring a musical table, chair and, railway tracks. A must-see attraction is the Bridled Nail-Tail Wallaby Statue, a sandstone sculpture created by Adriaan Vanderlugt.

Coalface Gallery

Arts and crafts enthusiasts can visit the Coalface Gallery in Town Square to get acquainted with the local talent.

Wolfang Peak

Moranbah’s central location allows visitors to explore other attractions in the region, including Wolfang Peak. Situated within the Peak Range National Park, Wolfang Peak is one of many volcanic plugs in the Range, standing at 572 meters. The climb to the summit takes approximately an hour.

Enjoy Toowoomba like a True Local Using this Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Area – Fall in love with Toowoomba

Toowoomba, which is also known as the Darling Down region’s Garden City is today, a popular tourist destination. It’s a city with many charms.

Japanese Gardens

Yes, Australia has many Japanese Gardens but, the Ju Raku En Japanese Garden you find here is one of the largest. It has a waterfall, a central lake, and a dry garden in addition to the greatest collection of native trees from both Australia and Japan.

Cobb + Co Museum

Do you wish to explore the history of the town? Head to the Cobb + Co Museum that houses 59 horse-drawn carriages and many other special galleries.

Kgbo, Cobb & Co Museum, Toowoomba, Queensland 02, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kloud 9ine

Feeling adventurous? Head to Kloud 9ine which is an indoor theme park designed for both kids and adults (who are still kids at heart). It has 5 different sections to delight everyone.

Toowoomba accommodation

Choose to spend your weekend at one of the serviced apartments in Toowoomba. There are great options such as Oaks Toowoomba Hotel with many special offers to suit your holiday requirements. Since weekends are going to be busy, make sure you do your reservation much in advance.

Sigiriya and Dambulla in one day

Sri Lanka is a country blessed with the best of cultural and historical aspects. Sigiriya and Dambulla are two main attractions located very close to each other that should be visited while you are there.

Image credit- Unsplash,
Dylan Shaw,CC0

Sigiriya

This is an architectural marvel done by King Kasyapa over 1500 years ago. But, believe it or not, the irrigational networks and engineering skills still amaze the world! It’s a rock fortress that has everything including swimming pools, audience halls, and gardens.

Dambulla

Dambulla is one of the most ancient cave temples in Sri Lanka. Inside these caves, you find many historical paintings and Buddha Statues that date back several centuries. It’s a temple in the country that has a mind-relaxing vibe.

What else to be covered?

If you have some more time left, you can also try out the Pidurangala Cave Temple. Since all these attractions are located closer to each other, you have the chance to cover all of them in one go.

Holidaying in Sigiriya

Cover both Sigiriya and Dambulla in one day and choose to spend the night at one of the Sigiriya hotels. There are many great options including Aliya Resort.

All You Need to Know About Turtles in Maldives – Conservation Efforts Vital

Amongst the fascinating marine life to encounter in the Maldives are sea turtles and here are some insights into this majestic creature that requires our protection too.

A robustus at en.wikipediaTurtle hatchlings noonu atoll maldivesCC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Of the seven sea turtle species in the world’s oceans, five can be spotted in the Maldives. Apart from swimming and feeding in these Indian Ocean waters, they also come ashore to the islands to nest. While they are a vital part of the marine ecosystem, the fact remains that globally, sea turtles are under threat and their numbers dwindling.

Five Species

Hawksbill and green turtles are the most commonly seen in the Maldives. Pool villa accommodation aside, resorts like Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas even offer special snorkelling excursions to encounter turtles. Leatherback and loggerhead turtles are sometimes spotted in the country as are olive ridley turtles that sadly tend to get caught in ghost fishing nets.

Threats

The export of turtle shells and the production of shell-based items are amongst the major threats to this species along with plastic and fishing nets left in the ocean. While the Maldivian government’s ban on selling turtle products and killing or catching sea turtles has helped, the poaching of turtle eggs still takes place.

Conservation

The good news is organisations such as Marine Savers in the Maldives are actively involved in turtle conservation and help to protect these species; initiatives include rehabilitating turtles that have been injured, protecting nesting sites, releasing baby turtles to the ocean and conducting photo identification and satellite tracking.

3 Days in Hoi An the Perfect Hoi An Itinerary – A getaway for the ages

As one of Vietnam’s favoured cities, the destination holds much personality and culture for the eager traveller. A trip of sensory delight is available for those who chose to dive right in.

HungryHuy, Vietnamese coffee brewing with metal filterCC BY 2.0

Best time to visit

Hoi An may not be a big place but it sure is popular. Keep an eye out for the high tourist seasons as well as the arrival of the rainy season.

Getting around the city

The wonders of the city are accessible in a variety of ways. If you want to stretch your legs, then you can still get in plenty of sights however many people will opt for renting bikes to visit the beach.

A place to stay in Hoi An

A true destination for travellers, there is plenty of choices. If you are, however, looking for the best of both worlds, Vietnam train travel such as the The Vietage may be a great option for you.

Visit the Hoi An Central Market

If you are on the search for a morning coffee or a little bit of breakfast, there is no better place to be. Find your way through stacks of local produce and spices.

The Most Beautiful Atolls in Maldives

The over 1,000 islands in the Maldives are spread across various atolls some of which are more stunning than the rest; here are such atolls worth exploring.

Image credit-Unsplash,
Roberto Nickson,CC0

Baa Atoll

A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the Baa Atoll truly stands out in the Maldives. 5 star resorts here provide the perfect opportunities for exploration; these include Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences from where you can snorkel with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay, dive to sites rich in coral and marine life and picnic on secluded sandbanks.

North Male Atoll

Located near the main international airport, the North Male Atoll is another picturesque atoll within easy reach of Male, the capital. One can surf in the waves off Thulusdhoo Island, while there’s plenty of underwater wonders too; popular sites range from the well-known Banana Reef and Manta Point to the intriguing Victory Wreck.

Ari Atoll

Another great atoll for snorkelling and diving in Maldives, the Ari Atoll provides much to discover amidst its scenic islands and underwater landscapes. The reefs here are thriving, home to vibrant coral and diverse marine life including turtles, moray eels and whale sharks, while culture can be experienced on local islands like Rasdhoo.

Lhaviyani Atoll

The Lhaviyani Atoll has more wonderous sights to behold including the stunning 30-km-long reef between the Selhlhifushi and Aligau islands. The Shipyard is a site with two wrecks home to lovely corals and species like butterflyfish and Napoleon wrasse, while on Naifaru island, you can see beautiful mother of pearl artefacts.