Singapore Airlines Vacations Introduces Elite Luxury Travel Packages

Travel to Asia and Europe in exceptional luxury aboard Singapore Airlines award winning air travel and stay in some of the worlds most exclusive five-star resorts and hotels with Singapore Airlines Luxury Vacations. Below we highlight a few of our favorite destinations for the Elite traveler ready to explore Asia, Southeast Asia and beyond.

Escape to Singapore and Maldives in Luxury First Class
On board round-trip travel to Singapore on Singapore Airlines’ exclusive A380 Suites Class. Travel to Singapore an ultra modern city that combines modern skyscrapers and ancient traditions this affluent city is a assortment of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences mixed with an inviting tropical climate, award winning food, exceptional shopping and a vibrant night-life scene. Continue on to the Maldives a tropical paradise in the middle of the Indian ocean where fish swim happily in the warm waters, the weather is a dream and the deep rays of the sun wait to embrace you in luxury and relaxation. Click here for complete details.

Travel to Thailand a Land of Exotic Encounters with our Business Class Package
Travel to Bangkok, Thailand’s busy capital city where a glittering urban life whirls through floating flower markets, winding among silk peddlers and mixed with mouthwatering aromas from street-cart vendors. Take a ride on a longtail-boat along the Chao Phraya River and its canals where you’ll visit remarkable and iconic temples of this magnificent city. From Bangkok, head to northern Thailand where you’ll visit Chiang Mai located among the rolling foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and at one time could only be reached by an elephant trek. Spend your days in the a traditional  Thai-life way by visiting a natural Elephant Conservation Camp in the lush tropical jungle. Click here for complete details.

Discover Charming Penang with a Business Class Vacation
Penang is well known for being the “food paradise” of Malaysia, a fascinating fusion of Eastern and Western traditions mixed with modern cultures yet Penang still retains its traditions and old world charm. Reflected its harmonious multiracial and well-preserved heritage, one of the shinning jewels of Penang is Georgetown where the greatest concentration of colonial structures in Southeast Asia remains while you enjoy a stay in an executive room at the G Hotel Penang and round-trip travel on board Business class air on Singapore Airlines. Click here for complete details.

Quick guide to Shopping in Singapore

Tacking a luxury vacation to Singapore will put you in a city that is world-famous for fantastic shopping that almost rivals its award-winning cuisine.

Although not necessarily a shopping destination it’s worth  visiting the Garden by the Bay when in Singapore. The Garden is crowned with a canopy of 18 metal Supertrees that range from 82 to 160 foot tall, two glass conservatories that showcase an amazing and dazzling lush garden landscaped with flowers, exotic plants, waterfalls and lights plus a 72 foot high aerial walkway that weaves through the park for an impressive ultra-modern experience. Once you’ve taken in the new Garden by the Bay, it’s time to get some shopping done.

Dempsey Road
Dempsey Rd is located just west of the Singapore Botanic Gardens just off Holland Rd, and is now known more for high-end restaurants and boutique bars. However the arts and antique shops that populated the area offer a wide range of wonderful trinkets to buy plus during the daytime hours it’s a peaceful, almost rustic area to explore. You can find just about anything from Middle-Eastern rugs and wood furniture to outdoor ornaments and of course, lots of antiques.

Orchard Road
Orchard Rd inspires awe with its glittering street adorned with reflective windows and outdoor colored lights. Considered an iconic experience when traveling to Singapore, Orchard Road is flanked by pedestrian malls and the area contains numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs and hotels. It’s also the site for the official residence of the President of Singapore. If you’re into shopping and exploring, set a few days apart to visit Orchard Rd and take advantage of its vast shopping experience.

Little India
If you’re more of a window shopper who only likes to buy the occasional unique item then Little India’s streets is the browser’s delight. The streets of Little India is where you’ll find art, antiques, textiles, delicious India food and live music. Near the center is Mustafa Centre department store, opened 24-hours and worth an experience onto itself. Travelers to Singapore can find cut-priced electronics in Little India as well as handicrafts, attire and boutiques shops.

Haji Lane
Haji Lane is the place for Singapore’s youths and trendy fashions with original shops that cater to the hip. The boutique lofts tend to change rapidly but the attire selection tends to stay electronic, retro, street chic and all around modern avant garde. You wont find much in the way of designer cloths, electronics or antiques in this neighborhood but you will find plenty of original designs and who knows, even inspiration of the fashion sense.

VivoCity
VivoCity is the largest shopping mall in Singapore and is located in the Harbor Front district. It could possibly be one of the most genuine local shopping experience when on vacation to Singapore. It was designed by the Japanese architect Toyo and it’s name is derived from the word vivacity. VivoCity is meant to evokes a lifestyle experience that is modern, stimulating and accessible to everyone. It’s vast size, distinctive architecture and odd primitive-style facade offers a unique shopping destination. The Sentosa Monorail will leave it’s passengers just inside the main building and it’s a pleasant place to shop as it offers lots of open space, an outdoor kids’ playground, a rooftop park where kids and adults alike can splash in the paddling pools and a large Golden Village cineplex.

Basic Bali Travel Tips

An asia luxury vacation to Bali puts you on the most visitor-friendly island of Indonesia with white-sandy beaches, world-famous surf, colorful coral reefs, spas and so much more. Since Bali is a tropical destination you can visit any time of the year. Bali still has great topical vacation value, particularly for budget accommodation but also for affordable four-star and five-star resorts. Book ahead to get a great deal on a hotel or book your entire trip including air, hotel and activities through an experienced Bali tour company.

Shopping and Bargains
One of the best things about traveling to Bali is shopping and bargaining in markets is part of the whole shopping experience. Bali offers lots of shopping opportunities from designer clothing to exquisitely crafted gold and silver jewelry and Balinese paintings, masks and woodcarvings are also available and have become collectibles since tourism first developed on the island. Shopping in fixed price shops is exactly like shopping at home but you can bargain at smaller shops and get great bargains.

World-Famous Surfing
Bali is a true paradise with thousands of miles of island coastline receiving powerful waves from the storms of the Southern Indian Ocean, clear warm waters and sandy beaches all make for an ideal destination if your looking to catch some waves. The surfing in Bali was made famous by the movie “The Morning of the Earth” and is now a prime destination to surf. If you’re new to surfing you should book an instructor on the basics of surfing to ensure that you get the most of your experience.

Local Cuisine and Eats
When in Bali it’s safe to try anything that pleases you from traditional to fusion foods. We recommend some favorite few to help you enjoy your luxury Bali tour to its fullest. First up is Jus Alpukat a traditional savory Indonesian style avocado shake made with ice and chocolate and is very refreshing! Gado is a vegetable salad with a delicious tasting peanut dressing that will make you eat every last green. Try the Bebek Betutu a juicy roast duck dish done in banana leafs and is considered a ceremonial dish. Next is the Babi Guling or roast pork, a delicious entree most anyone can enjoy. A signature side dish is Nasi Goreng or fried rice with chili and tamarind spices. And finally for dessert we recommend the Pisang Goreng a delicious fried banana dish seasoned with cinnamon.

Tips for First-time Travelers to Asia

For most travelers visiting Asia for the first time, the flight spent getting there may mean that you want to experience as much as possible. It’s natural to want to make the most of your first visit and take in as much as you can and we recommend that you visit at least three locations a day, each accompanied by a wonderful meal.  Once your at your destination remember to slow down and take in the iconic locations by taking pictures, video and picking up some souvenirs.

Research Your Destination
Do some research on the locations you wish to visit on your trip by renting books in your local library and researching on the web. Try to not take other traveler’s opinions of what they thought of the destination you’re going to visit, after all wonderful is different for every person. Knowing the history of your destination, why it was built and who built it will make your visit more fulfilling and you can focus on what you want to take pictures of. Learn what you can about where you might like to visit or will be visiting and you can minimize the feeling of being rushed or that you’re missing out on something you would have liked to see.

Get to Know your Destination
Once you’ve landed and checked into your hotel, consider taking a walk around the area a few blocks around your hotel. Walking or biking is a great way to experience the daily life of your town or city. There are a lot of wonderful luxury Asia tour options that can be the perfect way to meet your new destination and once you’ve sampled your location, you can absorbed the local culture more easily throughout your trip.

Plan to Discover
Make sure you leave time in your itinerary and day-to-day schedule to wander around and discover your own unique town or city. Giving yourself time to tour means you’ll be free to discover hidden gems and sights that aren’t on your itinerary. When you leave time to explore and lose yourself in the experience of traveling you wont simply be a tourist but an explorer.

Challenge Yourself and Discover
We all know our comfort zones, foods we normally eat and experiences where comfortable with. You might be the adventurous type, or you might be traveling for the first time and everything seems intimidating. But the entire reason of traveling is to get out of your comfort zone and discover. Try to learn local words and phrases or how to recognize certain words or signs, sample local foods that are exotic to your palate and get yourself unique souvenirs such as local clothing styles and jewelery. Getting out and taking in as much as you can will make your trip to Asia a memorable adventure for your all your senses.

Travel Through Asia for the Foodie

Food and travel go together like pictures and memories. Where ever one travels your’e going to experience at least one culinary dish that will help you understand the local culture on a nearly unexplainable level. In some countries the food may be the highlight of the entire trip, drawing many travelers to its remoteness for that delicious mix of spices you can’t get anywhere else. Here are our favorite countries in no particular order, that your taste buds will thank you for visiting.

Indonesia (Bali)
Travel to Indonesia offers a change to discover a cuisines that’s a mix of Chinese, Portuguese and Indian spices and ingredients, all influenced by their own country’s culinary concepts, mixed with the locals original palate. With the abundance of rice characteristic of the region’s fertile terraced landscape and fresh tropical fish from the surrounding oceans, the spicy food is reminiscent of the time of traders mixed with fiery chillies. Indonesian and Malaysian cooking is not necessarily complex and tastes tend to stay separate, but the simple and substantial food will leave you very satisfied.

Sri Lanka
It may seem that Sri Lankan cuisine can be compared to South Indian food but it remains distinctly its own form of cuisine. Sri Lanka travelers throughout the years of colonization and influence from other countries, have been adapted into its palate of blending different curries, sea-food and rice dishes. Sri Lankans use lots of spices and the just about every dish will produce an explosion of mouthwatering flavors. Being an island with a warm and inviting tropical climate, coconuts and fresh fish are two of the most influential components of Sri Lankan cuisine and fresh fish is made into curries with coconut included in almost all dishes. Rice and curry is the Sri Lankan staple, though various kinds of flat breads and unique dishes are equally as common including the famous egg “hoppers” a yummy pancake bowl with coconut milk and an egg in the middle.

Japan
Most Japanese restaurants concentrate on a specific cuisine such as yakitori or grilled foods, sushi, sashimi or raw fish and ramen noodle bars. The principle of Japanese cooking is derived as an association with the tea ceremony and combines ingredients, preparation and settings over several small courses to distinguish a gentle art of eating. Traditional food of Japan is based on rice with miso soup and smaller dishes, each in its own serving bowls. To fully enjoy Japanese cuisine is to participate in an age-old tradition and participating will help make your Japan tour a luxurious escape.

Borneo
With a rich variety of traditional foods created by its many tribes and indigenous people, Borneo cuisine uses wild plants, herbs and fruits in culinary dishes. The coastlines and many large rivers provide plenty of seafood and freshwater fish and together with rice create wonderful dishes. When Traveling to Borneo visit the far north, where corn and tapioca are regularly used instead of rice. You can enjoy dishes that are carefully spiced using more meat and served with a range of breads or dishes that use mango as the main ingredient or rich creamy dishes that use coconut milk and curry.

China
From small dumpling shops to four-star banquet restaurant, China has one of the world’s finest menus. In traditional cuisine service and presented with cooling foods such as vegetables and fruit to counter hot foods such as warming spices and meats. In Chinese cuisine there will almost always be rice but also noodles. When in China one should try and sample the traditional taste of popular items such as Dim Sum, Moo Goo Gai Pan or fresh mushrooms with sliced chicken and Cantonese Roast Duck.

Tibet………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tibetan cuisine consist mainly of barley, meats and dairy products. Vegetables are scarce in the high altitude and have to be mostly imported. Tsampa or roasted flour, is the staple food of Tibetan people, which is consumed daily and with nearly every dish. It is actually barley flour made from parched barley, un-husked and ground into fine flour. Tibetan food is rich in flavor and harty to help deal with the cold and rugged climates. One of our favorite dishes is the Chili Yak, a vibrant dish with crisp sweet onions, bell peppers and punchy ginger taste creating a wonderful dish.

Thailand
Located at the crossroads of India, China and the South Pacific, Thai cuisine offers what many say the best-of all cooking techniques, ingredients and spices. Dishes generally use strong garlic and chillies. Other signature ingredients include coconuts, lime juice, coriander and lemon grass, which give the cuisine its characteristic tang. Thai fish sauce or shrimp paste is used instead of salt and adds another dimension to Thai dishes. From fish recipes to hot soups and warm curries, Thai food is the perfect way to stay full and happy when traveling throughout Thailand, we highly recommended Pad Thai, Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps and Chicken Curry.

Press Release | Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so Rebranding as Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Press Release: Fujita Kanko Inc. – Tue, Dec 11, 2012 10:53 AM EST

The iconic flagship property of leading Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko Inc. will debut January 1^st under its new name, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, after operating for 20 years as Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so.

Fujita Kanko is celebrating the rebranding with a Japanese touch. In addition to offering various Japanese New Year rituals and entertainments, the hotel will host concerts on January 3^rd with one-of-a-kind Japanese music group, Aun J, which uses Japanese classical instruments to perform contemporary music. “Like Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, Aun J creates its own form of ‘old meets new,’ bringing a new interpretation of Japanese tradition to the world. Their music is perfect for the birth of our new brand,” said Kouichi Urashima, who will be the first general manager of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. The concerts, open to the public free of charge, will be held in the hotel’s renowned 17-acre Japanese botanical garden.

To emphasize its heritage, the hotel is also launching a series of Japanese art and cultural activities for its international guests. The newest activity is a weekly Japanese language and culture class where guests can learn simple Japanese conversation, and Japanese manners and customs in various situations, such as proper table manners and worshiping at Shinto shrines. The class, to be held at the hotel’s Japanese Suite and historic tea houses, can be tailored according to guests’ needs and interests.

Other activities include the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, performed by the hotel’s own tea masters in two authentic tea houses on the property, and the creation of “moss ball bonsai,” taught in a weekly workshop by a licensed Japanese landscape gardener who has taken care of the Chinzanso’s botanical garden for the past 30 years.

The schedules and costs for these activities, which require an advance reservation, are available from the hotel by telephone (81-3-3943-2222), or, upon arrival at the hotel, from the concierge.

About Fujita Kanko Inc.

Fujita Kanko Inc., established in 1955, is a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo. In addition to its core hospitality business, the company’s subsidiaries include wedding and banquet facilities, high-end resorts, leisure facilities and related services. The company has over 50 properties/facilities, including 28 mid-priced hotels throughout Japan in two chains: Gracery Hotels and Washington Hotels.

Contact:

for Fujita Kanko Inc.
Keiko Okano, +1-212-583-1043 (U.S.)
kokano@bridgeny.com

Top 5 Picturesque Locations in China

The Li River
China has much more to offer the traveler than silk bags and tasty foods, it has wonderful natural beauty, exotic architecture and a diverse wildlife. Our first destination is the Li River that flows into Guilin and where it may be considered its most picturesque location. The mountains and hills that surround the Li River have been eroded to tall round pillar like shapes, that emerge from the landscape to create a surreal and unique landscape.  It’s magnificent features include reed-flute rock, a limestone cave with a large number of stalactites, stalacto-stalagmites, rocky curtains, and cave corals. The mountain of splendid hues consisting of many layers of colored rocks and elephant-trunk hill, a riverside cliff that looks like a giant elephant drinking water with its trunk. Guilin is a pictorial town and one of the best-known tourist destinations in China with its many scenic places in short traveling distance of Guilin. Destinations include Longsheng with its famous Longji rice terraces; the Li River itself that is printed on the back of the ¥20 bank note and Yangshuo, a small county downstream from Guilin plus so much more. A luxury Li River cruise can also be a wonderful way to experience this iconic destination, as the traveler can enjoy the fantastic visions with a panoramic view.

Snow Mountains of Tibet
Traveling to Tibet will make one feel as though they’ve entered an ancient tribal world. With over 1,500 lakes, eight peaks over 21,000 feet and a rich cultural heritage, there are countless things to experience in Tibet. The land offers intense sunshine, crystal-clear blue rivers and sapphire lakes with terraced fields of gold barley and where the Tibetan people are extremely religious, viewing their daily lives and environment as challenges along the path of life. Aside from the endless human cultural experience are the iconic site of Lhasa including the Ganden Monastery that consist of eight major buildings the most impressive structure being the Gold Tomb of Tsongkhapa in the center of the complex, recognized by the recently built white small shrine and standing before the red building. A path circulates the monastery and starts from the parking area, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Lhasa River Valley and only takes about an hour to complete.

The Great Wall of China
Touring The Great Wall of China is considered a-must destination for many people from all around the world. It can be visited at many places along its length of several thousand miles. The condition of the wall ranges from excellent to ruined and access can be easy or difficult depending on where you try to view it. There are many ways to visit the wall and some visitors admire the views from popular tourist sections and take advantage of the amenities offered such as restaurants and shops. Others choose to explore the more rugged sections of the wall with extended hikes of the wild sections. Another great reason for traveling to the Great Wall is the diverse Chinese wildlife around it. You may be able to spot the rare Siberian tiger in the northeast to the protected and rare Giant Panda in southern Gansu. Other types of wild mammals include the manchurian weasel, brown and black bear, northern pika and deer include the sitka deer, roe deer and the long-sought-after spotted deer. The birds of the region include various pheasants, black grouse, pine grosbeak, various woodpeckers, the colorful mandarin duck and the fairy pitta with its somewhat tail-less shape, colorful body and green luminescent wings that catch the sun and seem to glow.

Beautiful Pandas
Although not a place but an animal, Pandas are one of the world’s most recognizable and loved animal. Traveling to The Bifengxia Panda Reserve Center will give the you a chance to interact with pandas on a personal level. The reserve is situated in 5 miles from Ya‘an City. The reserve is the first effort in creating a scenic destination into a natural eco-zoo in China that includes sightseeing and entertainment. The Ecological Wild Animal zoo was built in 1999 in the Bifeng Gorges. with more than 20 locations designated for panda-related activities and scientific research. There are dedicated grazing grounds, “kindergartens” for young pandas and a panda hospital alongside a research institute. Several different varieties of bamboo have been planted in the base either by the water or on the slopes to allow the pandas to graze naturally. Visitors can spend the day volunteering with pandas at Bifengxia with opportunities to take pictures with pandas. The male panda Tai Shan, born at the National Zoo in Washington DC, now makes his home in Bifengxia.

First and Last European Colony of Macau
As the first European and the last European colony in Asia Macau has more colonial history and architecture than Hong Kong. The Portuguese and Macanese population continues to maintain a presence, but most of the population and culture is Chinese and although Macau is best known for gambling the city has lots of historical and cultural attractions that have both European and Chinese influences. An interesting sight to see is the statue of the Bodhisatta Avalokitesvara located next to the Sands Casino and MGM Grand. Besides the statue being a Chinese deity its design is very slick and European with minimal adornment. Travelers can also enjoy a day in Fisherman’s Wharf where you can experience theme-park activities and shopping or admire the Ruins Of Saint Paul’s Cathedral that consist of the southern stone façade intricately carved in the 1620s by local craftsmen. From colonial church ruins and grand temples to the iconic Portuguese custard tarts famous throughout the island, traveling to Macau provides a true blend of European west and Exotic east.

Five Hidden Places to Visit in India and Neighboring Regions

Traveling to India will always consist of icons such as the Taj Mahal  but the Temple town of Swamimalai can give the experienced traveler a local’s experience. Located in the Thanjavur District of India near the banks of the river Cauvery and most famous for being one of the six Battle Camps of the Lord Murugan the town is crowned with a picturesque and brightly colored icon. The name of the town means ‘God’s mountain’ and where the impressive Swamimalai Murugan Hindu Temple is located. The temple featured on the left, is built in a step format and is adorned with brightly colored motives. Inside the temple are  representations of Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga being shown as one and in the place of the traditional peacock before the Lord there is an elephant that was gifted by Indira after the destruction of the demon Harikesa. The surrounding town is small in comparison and only offers the minimal tourist experience but a much more intimate and local living experience.

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Warm greetings from Sri Lanka, the land of a thousand breathtaking spectacles as you journey through tropical beaches, majestic temple ruins, lush foliage countryside, underwater coral scapes, cascading waterfalls and colorful festival pageantry. Vacationing in Sri Lanka offers a real chance to feel transported to a fantasy with its seemingly endless sites and activities especially when considering it’s an island. Sri Lanka is a tropical country so you can expect rain at almost any time of the year and in most parts. Things to do include surfing and ocean activities, visiting iconic sights including the Citadel of Sigiriya also known as “Lion Rock”, the imposing Dambulla Caves filled with religious relics and artwork. Another location worth visiting is the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, notable for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world and was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. A true paradise vacation.

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A famous pilgrim destinations for locals but still somewhat hidden from westerners is touring the Ganges river. It’s the most sacred river to Hindus and is a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it. It’s worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism and has historical importance including many former provincial and imperial capitals have been located on its banks. As soon as the day begins, Hindus arrive at the river to begin giving offerings of flowers or food by throwing it in handfuls of grain or flower garlands into the Ganges. Others will float small oil lamps on its surface while praying. In cupped hands they will also take the ritual drink of the Ganges and then fill a container to take with them to the temple. On great festivals Hindus float on the river in boats, shouting “Victory to Mother Ganga!” The entire experience of the Ganges will fill the traveler with a renewed appreciation for religious practices.

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The Maldives are blessed with plenty of sunshine, crystal blue waters and comfortable temperatures throughout the year, making a Maldives vacation a real tropical getaway. Relaxing is the number one thing to do in Maldives and aside from lounging around in your luxurious Maldives water bungalow, the primary activity on the Maldives is scuba diving and surfing. The islands are all coral reef hundreds of miles from any major landmass, and offer excellent water clarity plus an abundant underwater life to seek. Manta rays, sharks, marine wrecks such as planes or ships can be explored all around the island chain. The Maldives are also becoming a popular surfing destination as the turquoise water and perfect waves makes it an ideal and uncrowded destination for surfers looking for prime surfing conditions.

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The Khajuraho Monuments in Khajuraho is one of the most popular tourist destinations for photographers. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures. The locals living in the Khajuraho village knew about and kept up the temples as best they could. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the “seven wonders” of India. Only about ten percent of the carvings contain erotic themes and do not show deities the rest depict the everyday life of the common Indian when the carvings were made. The temple complex offers much more than a curios visit. The temples are grouped into three sites; the western, eastern and southern complex. The Khajuraho temples are made of sandstone and where not built using  mortar as the stones were put together with joints and held in place by gravity, the columns were built with megaliths that weighed up to 20 tons.

Unique Destinations to Travel in Southeast Asia

The Khao Luang Cave is located in the mountains of southern Thailand. The cave is filled with majestic stalactites that create a magical aura surrounded by religious objects and incense smoke alongside Buddha images and chedis relics of different sizes. Most of them were put in place by kings Rama IV and Rama V and the cave can be reached by a short walk from the parking area. Watch out for an opportunity to take pictures of the monkeys. The ideal time to visit the cave is on a clear morning between 9 and 11 when the sun shines through and reflects off the Buddha images and religious relics. For a donation a nun will light  the rear of the cave for a chance to enjoy the full visual effect of this spectacular location. The large monastery Wat Tham Klaep, is located at the bottom of the hill and is open to the public.

Once the capital of the White Rajahs of Sarawak Kuching is small enough to be enjoyed on foot but interesting to keep you intrigued for several days and a good base for exploring Sarawak, one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo and is known as the Land of the Hornbills. The name of the city is thought to derive from the Malay word “kucing” meaning cat and why locals refer to Kuching as the “Cat City” but it more likely comes from the Chinese word for port (“cochin”) coupled with the Malay name mata kucing (cat’s-eye). The people of Kuching take pride in being the cleanest city in Malaysia and in their diverse cultures, so be prepared for a totally different experience from that of the West. One of the more unique experiences in when traveling in Kuching is the cat museum and although its basically a mix of ceramics, modern art and toys the museum is free and lighthearted. Another wonderful experience is the Orangutan and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center located in the Semenggoh Nature Reserve where you can observe the red-haired orangutan, beautiful tropical butterflies, birds and plants.

Traveling to the tombs of Emperor Tu Duc located in the Duong Xuan Thuong village, is like traveling into the forgotten culture of Vietnam. It’s one of the most beautiful royal complex site of the Nguyen dynasty, with several buildings and designs made of stone and aged charmingly by the tropical weather. The site is located in a large pine forest about 5 miles from Hue. Also peppered around the countryside that surrounds Hue are several tombs and mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynast rulers but they resembled more palatial monuments than final resting locations. Each site was actually a summer palace complex that was built for each emperor, where construction began as soon as the emperor took the throne and would serve as a retreat from the Imperial City. Each one is different in reflecting the style of the time and the emperors taste. Visiting any one of these sites will give the traveler a more cultured experience when traveling to Vietnam rarely appreciated.

Another less traveled destination is Kota Belud located in east Malaysia on the island of Borneo where you’d be sure to drop by the famous Tamu Kota Belud. This weekly market is a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells as traders gather here to sell their produce and goods and where the famed “Cowboys of the East” gather. During the grand Tamu Besar held around the last weeks of November is when all the tribes come out fully dressed in their traditional costumes for three days of a cultural extravaganza. The Bajaus will stage a grand parade of horses and ponies also dressed in colorful costume and perform spirited display of their riding skills. Besides the usual buying and selling of local goods, other organized activities include a display of farm produce and animals. A great time to witness traditional sports such as buffalo racing and the crowning of the Sarempak Beauty Queens.

List of Exotic Travel Destinations

First on our list is Bhutan, a small Eastern Himalayan country ranked in the top 10 of countries for the highest diversity of native species and wildlife. Buddhism plays a central role in Bhutanese culture. Men wear a Gho – knee length robe – and women wear a Kira – sheet like robe dress both can be very colorful and purchased as unique souvenirs. When traveling in Bhutan one of the most scenic destinations is the Paro Valley. It’s said that this valley resembles the Swizz alps, with high mountain snow peaks, low valleys of wheat and barley and a land gleaming silver with irrigation channels. Paro Valley is also where the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery is located. The prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex is located high in the cliff-sides overlooking the valley below.  The transition from snow topped mountains to warm valleys is repeated all across Bhutan. Also not worth missing is the local unique cuisine. Bhutanese food can be very spicy and considered only for chilli aficionados but absolutely worth a mouthwatering meal or two.

Second on our list is Vietnam the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula. Don’t be turned away by past happenings as this country is rich in culture, full of friendly people and offers a diverse and delicious cuisine. You will most likely arrive in Ho Chi Minh a city rich in French colonial architecture and wide boulevards filled with motorbikes and shops. You can also explore the more recent history of the country including the War Remnants Museum. Travel on to the Mekong Delta, where life revolves mostly around the Mekong river and many of the villages are only accessible by the rivers and canals. When in the delta enjoy a Cai Luong show, a form of Vietnamese folk opera. Another somewhat still hidden gem of Vietnam is Halong Bay. Touring Halong Bay showcases limestone landforms displaying spectacular pillars with a variety of coastal erosion features such as arches and caves which form a majestic awe inspiring scene. Although you may be familiar with Pho, Vietnam has many unique cuisine options including banh xeo a crispy crepe filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts or the easy to-go Bánh mì or Vietnamese baguette sandwich that combines ingredients from its French roots with native Vietnamese ingredients such as cilantro, hot peppers, and sweet pickled carrots.

Next on our list is Manila located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, one of the best and natural harbors in the world. Manila is a vibrant metropolis with deep Spanish roots. Travel to Manila can offer a wonderful history and cultural experience especially Old Town Manila also known as the Old Walled city of Manila. The Spanish charm is unparallelled within the walls where you can tour stone palaces, colonial churches, eroded monasteries, Spanish fort ruins and fine courtyard houses. Once you’ve taken in the Spanish architecture its time to try the local cuisine. We recommend skipping the fine restaurants and trying some of the smaller eateries around town. Of course no stop in Manila is complete with out a shopping spree. Head over to the SM Mall of Asia or MOA. MOA is the 3rd largest shopping mall in Asia and the 4th largest shopping mall in the world.

If you’re looking for an exotic vacation travel to Sri Lanka is perfect. Known simply in antiquity as “Serendipity,” this tropical island has attracted visitors for centuries with its natural beauty, rich culture and diverse wildlife. The island consists mostly of flat to rolling coastal plains with mountains towards the southern part. Stop at the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela which provides care and protection for many orphaned wild elephants that are found wandering in and near the forests nationwide. It’s also recognized as one of the best wild Elephant conservatories worldwide. Another wonderful site to visit is the impressive archeological fort site of Sigiriya. Rising like a red giant this site presents a unique look into the past of Sri Lanka with additional surrounding site of interest including gardens , pool complexes, moats and the iconic Ruins of the Lion located just at the mid-entrance to the site. Once you’ve explored Sri Lanka it’s time to eat! A must food is know as a Hopper. It’s an egg cocked over and inside a cup of coconut-batter pancake with a helping of onion red-sauce. Delicious. Don’t be afraid to try Sri Lankan food, a mouthwatering blend of curry concoctions and deep fried dishes.

Last but not least is Sarawak one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Once know for its formidable head-hunters traveling to Sarawak still offers the chance for a real-life Indiana Jones type vacation including longboat rides down murky rivers, hikes through lush green jungles filled with tropical sounds and birds, rustic smoky longhouses and fascinating folk dances of strange creatures. The beauty of Sarawak is in its unparalleled blend of tribal traditions and a beautiful natural jungle settings. After exploring the natural wonders of Sarawak and colorful culture its time to taste the local dishes. One tasteful snack is the Popiah, a type of fresh spring roll filled with vegetables, meats and local spices the Popiah is a popular street food in Malaysia. Try the Char kuay teow, a wonderful mix of stir-fried noodles with a choice of meat or seafood and flavored with dark soy sauce topped with an egg. Yum!