Archive for the Category »Asia «

Festival Fever: When to Book Your Holiday to Dubai
Monday, February 06th, 2012 /

Every year, the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai welcomes more than 10 million visitors and this number continues to grow annually thanks to the strong appeal of the city as a top shopping destination and its widespread five-star (yet surprisingly affordable) accommodation, top notch bars, restaurants and eateries and scorching desert climate. The government of Dubai (which is also considered to be the world’s fastest growing city) is recently encouraging its residents to seek permission to hold more specialist festivals for the purpose of increasing tourism levels even further. As a result, Dubai’s annual events calendar is beginning to become quite packed.

If you are looking to organise a holiday to Dubai in the future, the paragraphs below detail just a few great festivals that you could schedule your trip to coincide with. At least one of the four that I have listed below should appeal…

Dubai Shopping Festival

January

 

Image accreditation: dubaimetro.eu

Since Dubai is often considered to be the shopping capital of the world, it seems both a little odd and quite fitting that the city would host a shopping festival each year. This retail event (which launched in the year of 1996) sees shops offering extremely generous discounts on their merchandise, which already have the benefit of being tax-free. In the 2009 edition of the festival, locals and visits spent almost 10 billion DH so it looks as if the event will continue to be held for the foreseeable future!

The event (which was unnamed to begin with) was originally envisioned to create a yearly “global village” in the city, in which people of many different nationalities could come together and sell their traditional native wares and cuisine, whilst experiencing the undeniable luxury of Dubai. Even those who are not “shopaholics” are catered for through the festival’s duration, since the occasion sees many night events held, car raffles being drawn and fireworks launched.

Taste of Dubai Festival

March

 

Image accreditation: gonabit

As you might guess, this three day-long festival – held for the first time back in the year of 2007 and considered to be one of year’s biggest culinary events worldwide – is most appealing to the foodies of the world. The event attracts some of the world’s top chef’s (past guests have included Gary Rhodes, Jeff Low and Aldo Zilli) and premium alcoholic beverage brands, as well as a wide range of international live music acts. The 2012 run of the festival (15-17th March) welcomes back The Maplejacks – the Middle East’s premier party band.

The event comprises more than a handful of cookery classes and demonstrations, interactive workshops (in both cooking and food presentation), a large purpose-designed al fresco food stall district and plenty of samples to try! Mmmmm!

Dubai Summer Surprises

June – July

 

Image accreditation: jitourism.com

Dubai Summer Surprises (known simply as DSS by Dubai locals) is a month-long festival held to encourage more people to visit the city during its typically uncomfortable heat wave season. This festival – which sees the city’s hotels and more than 6,000 shops offering discounts to ticket holders  – was launched in 1998 has its very own mascot; a yellow, springy character by the name of Modhesh designed to be particularly appealing to children (much merchandise featuring Modhesh is sold during the festival).

DSS is very family orientated and as such, many of the world’s popular children’s characters are featured in Mall-based shows. Dubai’s largest mall contains a Modhesh themed entertainment space comprising sections for toddlers, pre-teens and teenagers (including a four dimensional cinema). Parents need not fear though; there is plenty to keep them entertained too.

Dubai Desert Rhythm Festival

October

 

Image accreditation: sierragoddess

Another Dubai festival with the aim of bring different nationalities together is the Desert Rhythm Festival. The event – which completely sold out and welcomed more than 12,000 individuals in 2011 – lasts for just two days in which culturally diverse food, musical artists, dance demonstrations and activities are offered to attendees. Arabic, pop, urban & soul, Caribbean and Western are just some of the musical genres played in order to see the huge crowds that are gathered uniting to the same rhythm. Amongst other western artists, this festival has introduced Kanye West and Mika to the population of the UAE since its inception in 2001.

Fire dancers, poi spinners and Shisha tents are also common sightings at this popular, tribal-inspired event. I would encourage anyone to book their holidays to Dubai to coincide with this heart-warming gathering.

Sarah McDonald is the author of this guest post.  For the best deals for late holidays to a variety of different destinations, Sarah recommends checking out the Tropical Sky website.

 

Category: UAE  Tags: , , ,  Leave a Comment
5 Tips to Save Money While Visiting India
Monday, January 30th, 2012 /

India has an interesting history where different ethnic cultures entwined with foreign cultures from invaders, and today it has a diversity of cultures that surpass any country in the World. Starting with a strange civilization along the Indus River valley and the emphasis on agriculture in the southern regions, India is a favorite destination for tourists from the four corners of the globe, all through the year. India is also loved for its adaptability to low budget vacations. Please remember to be careful and alert, failing which you might fall a prey to some of those uncouples agents who will take you on a high-price ride.

Being affordable to every class of tourist endears India to the holiday makers and budget travelers. Given below are some ways of enjoying the spirit of India in an affordable manner and 5 ways to save money while visiting India.

 Season

The tourist season in India is between October and March every year, and it is better to avoid travel during this time, if you want to control your expenditure, and save your bankroll. The best season differs with what you intend to do. If you prefer  outdoor activities, or fancy the mountains during winter and summer months, you may plan accordingly, but remember it is always good not to visit India during national holidays like new year, and important festivals like  Diwali (October to November), when the costs escalate abnormally, and can make it inconvenient for the tourist. The unbearable heat and the wet Indian monsoon, in the southern part of India between April and September is a damper, but the advantage of cheaper accommodation during this time may be a face saver.

Air Tickets

If procrastination is a habit with you, you are likely to suffer its consequences, when you travel on a holiday to India. Similar to other places around the world, most domestic flights in India have exciting offers only for advance bookings, when you can save substantially on airfare. Though the travel sector is organized and regulated, you may have to buy tickets without discounts,  for last minute bookings…

Packages

Traveling to India can be made simple, if you avail of the special packages from travel agents through the Internet, which will definitely offer you extensive savings. Moreover, these packages are much more affordable, and economical  than when you book your accommodation, air ticket, taxi and guide by yourself, because, they have the advantage of numbers, which they are passing on to you.

 Rural Area

Though the urban cities have registered unbelievable escalations in both real estates, and, particularly in the  cost of good accommodation, Many are opting for excellent accommodation, in the rural cities that are, in terms of cost, a fraction of  those in the metros, and are located conveniently, just a few kilometers from the metro  cities.  Staying at t cheaper tourist centers are in the interior parts of India is a fine way of saving money. The hospitality industry has taken cognizance of this and is moving in all directions from the focal metros, to give the tourists better and cheaper options of saving money without compromising of food quality.

Budget Meals

It is a common known fact that hotel food is very expensive, so it would be prudent to choose a hotel with free food, or it would be still better if you get a house on rent, if your stay is for a longer period of time. A house could provide you a home away from a home, allowing you to cook the food of your choice or order one at an affordable price and save sufficiently. These are 5 ways to save money while visiting India.

 

In addition to writing travel articles, Paul is a freelance writer that writes on various topics such as commodity trading online in order to help people invest their money wisely.

Category: India  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
5 Foods to Try in Hong Kong
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011 /

Hong Kong is well known for it’s variety of mouth watering dishes. You can find foods from around the world here, but mostly Chinese and Cantonese dishes. Much of the food has been influenced by the Western fare, such as bread, beef, pork steak and potatoes. But the true flavor of the city is Chinese. Listed are a few of the dishes you will definitely want to try when visiting Hong Kong.

Dim Sum:

Dim Sum means “point of the heart”. This comes from the tradition of sharing this dish with others. Dim Sum is actually small bite-sized portions of food that is placed in baskets or small dishes for everyone to share. This is an important ceremony that is held at the table, and is almost always accompanied by Yum Cha, which means to “drink tea”. Some families start this meal as early as five in the morning. It is a morning dish, and is not served after 3:00 in the afternoon. Dim sum can be pot stickers, shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns, veggie dumplings, and many other varieties.

Wife Cake:

Also called a sweetheart cake, this Chinese pastry has many legends about where it came from. The flaky crust of this cake is made of winter melon, almond paste and sesame and is flavored with Chinese spices. The filling is basically made of sugar and flour. You can find wife cakes at basically any regular food eatery.

Seafood:

The seafood in Hong Kong is possibly the best you’ve ever had. You know they are fresh since there are tanks of live fish everywhere. Not to mention live scallops, crabs, oysters and clams. You can choose your dish and get it cooked to perfection. Cantonese chefs are masters at preparing fresh, live seafood. The waterfront dining eateries are abundant, so you can choose the location that suits you for your fabulous seafood meal.

Char Siu:

Also known as a crispy fried meat, or barbecued pork, this is a very popular item in Hong Kong. The meat is usually pork belly, pork loin or pork butt. Other meats can be used, but pork is the normal. Char Siu literally means “fork burn/roast”. This is what is done with the meat after it is placed on skewers. The meat is seasoned with many different flavors, and cooked in an oven or over a fire to bring out the taste. If you visit Hong Kong you will see these meats usually hanging in the windows of the restaurants and shops to entice you to purchase them to take home and cook yourself.

French Toast:

If you love breakfast, and you love french toast, you have got to try Hong Kong’s version. This is French toast like you’ve never tasted before. First the bread is spread with peanut butter. Then the slices are soaked in the egg batter and fried in butter. So maybe it isn’t the most healthy thing you will eat, but it will definitely be the most delicious.

Richard recommends that you book all inclusive Hong Kong holiday packages when travelling to the area, as it’s the best way to see more for less. All inclusive packages can help score you a deal on flights, accommodation and tours, allowing you to see the best it has to offer without paying too much for it all.

Category: Hong Kong  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
Mauritius: A Hidden Gem
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 /

The island of Mauritius, straight off the Eastern coast of Africa, is truly a wonderful little hidden gem in the Indian Ocean. Exuberant culture, beautiful beaches and a friendly atmosphere await you in this highly desirable vacation destination.

Mauritius offers several different luxury resorts to choose from all throughout the entire island, and many are very reasonably priced and affordable. Each and every luxurious resort boasts world class service and delightful amenities that will conciliate even the most hard to please individuals.

Excitement and adventure is lurking behind every corner as there is never a dull moment on this charming haven of an island. For the true adventuresome chaps with perhaps a bit of adrenaline junkie in them, skydiving off the coast of Mauritius is probably one of the most memorable experiences ever and will surely get the blood flowing. Imagine flying twenty thousand feet above one of planet Earth’s most dazzling islands; gazing down at crystal clear tropical waters as smooth as glass and sparkling white sand beaches as you prepare to free fall back down to embrace it all!

For those with a more mild approach to adventure, there is a multitude of wondrous things to do that do not require jumping out of a perfectly well to do airplane. Go hiking through the lush tropical landscape or go mountain climbing through the rugged and challenging slopes. Perhaps you may enjoy some water activities such as a relaxing day spent fishing and snorkelling. Or maybe you would like to turn it up a bit and do some deep sea diving around the beautiful and colourful reef that surrounds the island. Enjoy the warmth of the sun and the tropical waters as you are sure to encounter some very exotic and pulchritudinous species of aquatic life.

If you happen to be in a more balmy and laid back mood, then take a casual stroll on one of the many lovely nature trails. The brilliant tropical setting is a fantastic spot for great pictures and videos. For a truly awesome experience, check out the Chamarel Waterfall. Located in the southern part of the island, the waterfall drops over one hundred meters with an amazing green forestry backdrop that will literally take your breath away.

Whether on a casual summer trip or a well planned holiday vacation, the island of Mauritius will far surpass any and all expectations as to what a great vacation should be. You will fall head over feet in love with the people, climate, culture, food and pure endless beauty. So while you and your family are putting together travel plans and potential vacation spots, be sure to place the lovely island paradise of Mauritius near the top of your list. But all those that do make the intelligent decision to visit Mauritius should be presented with a word of caution: once you experience the exceptionally exquisite wonderland that is Mauritius, you may never want to leave!

 

Click here for great offers at the The Oberoi Hotel and boutique hotels.

Category: Mauritius  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment
Cities You Won’t Want to Miss on Your Chinese Holiday
Saturday, December 10th, 2011 /

China is a large and impressive country in Asia, boasting the world’s largest population. There are thousands of possible destinations to visit within the borders, and hundreds of natural scenic landmarks worth a look. The best way to see all that China has to offer is with a tour, allowing you the benefits of a knowledgeable and experienced guide. On your next trip to China, be sure to include the following important and exciting cities on your tour itinerary:

Beijing:

The capital city of China is an amazing city of contrast. Home of historical landmarks centuries old, it is also a thoroughly modern metropolis. There is written history for the city dating back nearly 2,000 years, which explains the significance it holds for Chinese today. The most popular landmarks in the city include the famed Tiananmen Square, which is the largest public square on earth, and the surrounding buildings of the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People’s Martyrs. Aside from this concentration of sites, visitors should also be sure not to miss the Imperial Court that is the Forbidden City, home to temples, museums and castles. Visitors should certainly consider joining a tour to appreciate all that Beijing has to offer.

Guangzhou:

This Southern Chinese city is significantly different from other urban areas in China. It is located less than 2 hours from Hong Kong, which means it is much more Westernized and modern than many other locations within the country. It is very industrial, with thousands of factories and international corporations choosing to place their headquarters in Guangzhou. As a result the city is decidedly international. The dialect here is Cantonese, rather than the Mandarin heard in the rest of the country. There are hundreds of parks, memorials, museums and markets to enjoy. Perhaps the best way to experience the city is by boat, on a tour of the Pearl River along the shoreline of this incredible urban area.

Nanjing:

This city is also often called Nanking, and is a destination with a rich history and fascinating past. If you plan on spending several days in the city, or taking a tour of several locations, it is best to purchase a onetime city pass, giving you entry to hundreds of museums and landmarks. Some of the most popular sites include the Confucius Temple, the Gate of China, the Ruins of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace and several interesting museums. Many international travellers know of Nanjing because of the horrific massacre that took place here in World War II, to which there is a dedicated museum and memorial hall.

Shanghai:

Although Beijing is the capital, Shanghai is the largest city in the entire country of China. It is known for being modern and advanced, along with having a wide variety of shopping and dining options for tourists. Tours of the city will often include such popular sites as the Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Museum and the Yuyuan Gardens.

 

Click here for great deals and offers on China tours and luxury holidays.

Category: China  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment