GoWorld Holidays

2017-08-10T13:03:00.000+05:30

5 Fuss-Free Travel Ideas For The Whole Family

Giving your parents or your kids their dream holiday? Multiple generations of your family members travelling together? While a two week skiing holiday at the French Alps might be ideal for you, it might be challenging to control a large group of people and find activities that are guaranteed to please everyone.

If an efficient and relaxing holiday sounds preferable to fast-paced adrenaline-charged adventure, it’s time to look at family-friendly ideas that are more convenient and yet still packed with fun and excitement for the whole family!

Take A Bus Tour Around Melbourne

Joining a bus tour is the best way to explore all of a city’s top attractions and landmarks without having to do much walking.

Book your place on a tour around Melbourne, and enjoy all the must-see spots in one go, including Victoria Market, SEA-LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo, the Melbourne Star and St. Kilda beach.

What’s more, getting on a hop-on, hop-off bus service allows you to decide which spots you want to explore in depth and which you just want to snap a few pictures at. Want to take a visit to the aquarium with the kids? Simply jump off and get stuck in!

Even better, the City Circle tram in Melbourne is free and takes you to many Melbourne attractions including the aquarium, Federation Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Treasury Gardens, Parliament House and Flagstaff Gardens.

Cruise Down The Nile or Danube River

A river cruise is another exciting way to go on holiday whilst keeping both kids and grandparents happy at the same time! In most cases, it can be more comfortable and more convenient too, as you can take in the sights and sounds of a city right from the deck or window of your cabin. As food is also served on-board, you have everything you need on the ship, leaving more time for sightseeing.

With packages available from a few days to a few weeks, your cruise down the river Nile will most probably start in Luxor, taking you past ancient Egyptian temples including the Hathor Temple, Kom Ombro and Philae, before stopping in Aswan. Further along you will see part of the Sahara Desert and the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan, the Aswan Botanical Garden, and the ruins-filled Elephantine Island.

Meanwhile, in Europe you can take a cruise down the river Danube, which will take you from Budapest, the starting point, down to Bratislava in Slovakia, then on to Lower Austria, to Salzburg, and then to Vienna. A cruise like this, which may take around eight days, will usually round back to the starting point, making it convenient to book your return flight home.

Relax At An All-In-One Beach Resort

When all the fun, food and lodging are in one spot, there is no need to run around catching trains or buses, travel to restaurants or wake up early in the morning to beat the tourist crowds.

Bring the parents and kids to an all-inclusive resort such as Club Med Cherating, about a 2-hour’s drive from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur or a 45-minute taxi ride from Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan. All buffet meals – yes, breakfast, lunch, dinner and even tea, are included in the price, and there is a host of fun and relaxing activities for everyone to enjoy including golfing, water aerobics, salsa dance classes, snorkelling, yoga and zumba. There are so many activities here, just don’t forget to actually visit Cherating beach!

Please contact us for your economical / budget-friendly / worry free packages !!!!

Travel Smart: Interesting places within India - ANDHRA PRADESH

2015-01-11T08:19:00.003+05:30

HOPE ISLAND:

Hope Island off the Kakinada coast (Andhra Pradesh) is located in the Bay of Bengal, a short distance out. Hope Island is so named for providing a natural haven to sailors against the forces of wind and tide against the weary traveler. In doing so, it has made Kakinada one of the most affluent natural ports in the region. Visitors to Hope Island will be presented with excellent views of the bay and the opportunity to explore the many protected species of plants and animals which grow and flourish there.

Hope Island - just 7 kms from Kakinada Town Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh

SRISAILAM:

Perched on the Nallamala Hills which are wrapped up by thick deciduous forests, Srisailam or Shrishailam is an important pilgrimage center in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. Located on the banks of River Krishna, Srisailam was mentioned in Skanda Purana and Mahabharata as “Sri Parvata”. Srisailam which is the holy abode of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy”, has four sacred gateways in all four key directions. The four gateways are likely “Tripuranthakam”, “Siddhavatam”, “Alampur”, and “Umamaheshwaram”.

Early in 102 AD till 130 AD, Satavahanas Dynasty ruled Srisailam after which the place was ruled by Pallavas, Reddy Kings, Vishnukundinas, Kakatiya’s and Vijayanagar Empires. Besides being a holy place, Srisailam has scenic landscapes and gushing river Krishna flowing through it. The natures work in Srisailam will definitely entices us.

You can opt for Haritha Hotels, Punnami Srisailam and Velema Choultry which offers pleasant stay in Srisailam. Government and Srisailam Devasthanam run accommodations’ are cheaper and tidy places to stay in.

Only vegetarian restaurants are available in Srisailam it is a pilgrimage center. Smoking and Drinking are prohibited.

You can visit the Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum where you can get pure tribal honey.

Srisailam Dam Vista Point-212 kms from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam or Vizag:

The much famed port city in Andhra Pradesh State of India, bags the honor of being the second largest city of Andhra Pradesh State as well as the third largest city along the East Coast. Visakhapatnam is the only natural harbor on the east coast. Most of heavy industries of Andhra State are housed here. Also, the state’s steel plant is located here. Being named after “God of Valor” (Visakha), the city is sandwiched between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal. Since the city has panoramic beaches, scenic landscapes, laterites (soil rich in iron and magnesium) hilly regions, etc. it is also sometimes mentioned as “Goa of East Coast”. Indian Navy has its naval command center for eastern regions in Visakhapatnam.

The history of Visakhapatnam dates back to 5th century BC. During 5th century BC, the city was under the control of Kalinga Dynasty. Later it was captured by King Asoka, the Great. During his rule, Buddhism was spread across the region and tourists can see many relics, ruins and statues of Buddhism in Vizag. As per Hindu mythology, the city was also mentioned in two great epics of India namely Ramayana and Mahabharata. Ruled by almost every kingdom, Visakhapatnam came under the rules of French and British as well. Under British rule, the current districts namely Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam prevailed as one large district then.

There are varieties of hotels in Visakhapatnam ranging from Novotel, Taj Groups etc. to budget hotels. Thus, tourists can have pleasant stay within their budget. The cuisine of Visakhapatnam is the blend of Southern and Northern Cuisine. However, tourists should taste some of the local delicacies like Avakaya Pickle, Gongoora green chutney, Murku, Booralu, Appadams, Anabshahi and Pulihara. The Eatery restaurant offers some authentic food along with great starters. The Square Restaurant is where the tourist can enjoy the food with an excellent view. Tourists who want to taste some hot kebabs then opt for Zaffran Restaurant. Visakhapatnam offers some delicate artifacts made up of sea shells and beautifully designed jewelry. There are many shopping malls and complexes in Visakhapatnam.

Vizag Coastal View

Vizag Beach View

Warangal:

One of the sensational districts in Andhra Pradesh State. Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamakota constitute the Warangal District. The airport in Mamnoor village on outskirts of Warangal was once served as biggest airport during 1947 serving the Nizam’s of Hyderabad. Warangal is the center for the major political movement demanding separate Telangana from Andhra Pradesh. Famous freedom fighter Kaloji Narayana Rao was born in Warangal.

Kakatiya Dynasty played vital role in developing the Warangal as the city served as headquarters for Kakatiya Dynasty in the time period raging from 12th to 14th century. The city has numerous monuments, forts, and temples etc which were established during the Kakatiya dynasty. The famous traveler Marco Polo described about the cultural and administrative skills of Kakatiya’s in his writings. During 16th century, Warangal was ruled by Golconda Sultanate. It was also under Mughal Empire for a while. Currently Warangal is the declared as “Red Corridor” as there are sumptuous Naxalite Activities.

“Sammakka Saralamma Jatara” an important festival is celebrated in Medaram, on the banks of stream Jampana Vagu, which is 90 km away from Warangal. This festival is second largest festival in Asia next to “Kumbh Mela”. This festival is the accretion of tribal communities in order to honor the intrepid fight which took place between mother-daughter duo (Sammakka and Saralamma) and a Kakatiya King demanding justice. Nearly 6 million people take part in this festival.

Hotels: Ashoka Hotel, Hotel Landmark, Hotel Suprabha, Lahospin Hotel provides pleasant accomodation to tourists.

Restaurants: There are many restaurants in Warangal starting from roadside Dhabas till posh restaurants. Cuisine would be typical Andhra Food with more spice including Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian foods. Jalebis available in roadside stalls are mouthwatering.

Shopping: Scroll Paintings, Brass wares are major attractions for a buyer as far as shopping is concern. Lepakshi Emporium, Subedar, DCWRA Bazaar and Hanumkonda offers wide ranges of souvenirs to be purchased. Hand worked Durries can be purchased from Kothawada.

Warangal - Beautiful ruins

For your budget packages within India, you can contact us.

2015-01-11T07:53:00.001+05:30

2015 Travel Horoscope - interesting article. Thanks to HolidayIQ

2014-10-14T09:49:00.000+05:30

Must See Places for 2014 (with just 21/2 months to go)

CRIMEA, UKRAINE

Travel Tips

When to Go: May-October

Where to Stay: Newer (opened in 2011) Crimea Breeze Residence is a posh, southern peninsula oasis with low-rise stucco-and-stone luxury villas, seawater pools, and a helpful English-speaking staff.

How to Get Around: Marshrutka (minibus) routes crisscross the region. Private and public bus and train routes connect most cities, and taxis are readily available. Luxury train tour options include the two-week Crimean Express Railway Journey from St. Petersburg to Yalta.

Where to Eat or Drink: Sample traditional Crimean Tatar dishes like lagman (spicy noodle soup), chee-börek (meat turnover), and plov (rice pilaf and lamb) at Harem in Yalta, Kafe Marakand in Simferopol, and, in summer, at the small beach stands and cafes in Koktebel and Sudak.

Cultural Tip: English isn’t spoken widely outside the major tourist areas. Bringing a Russian phrase book and learning a few basic phrases before your trip will make it easier to ask directions, order food, and interact with locals.

What to Read Before You Go: Lady With the Little Dog and Other Stories (1896-1904), by Anton Chekhov (2002). The legendary Russian playwright and modern short story master penned these 11 tales during his final years, spent living in a Yalta villa.

Fun Fact: Joseph Stalin stashed wines confiscated from the tsars’ palaces in the Massandra vineyard cellars, located in underground tunnels. Temporarily relocated during the 1941 Nazi invasion, these rare vintages remain the jewels of Massandra’s estimated million-bottle collection.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE


Notre Dame Cathedral, Marseille

Travel Tips

When to Go: June-August for beaches, April-May and September-October for comfortable temperatures and lighter tourist traffic.

Where to Stay: Walk to the Vieux Port from the sleek and affordable Mama Shelter Marseille or see the boats from your private terrace at the luxurious Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port.

How to Get Around: The Régie des Transports de Marseille public transportation network includes metro, bus, and tramway lines. Consider a tourist City Pass for one or two days’ travel, museum admissions, and tours. March-September, a batobus (water shuttle) runs between the Vieux Port and Pointe Rouge. Kitschy, blue-and-white tourist trains wind through the streets of the oldest districts.

Where to Eat or Drink: Bouillabaisse is the homegrown culinary art form. Try Le Miramar in the Vieux Port or Chez Fonfon or L’Epuisette in Vallon des Auffes.

What to Buy: Wander through the maze of indoor and outdoor stalls at the Marché aux Puces and the daily Prado Market. Shop for santons (clay crèche figures), olive and lavender soap, olive oil, navettes (small, rowboat-shaped orange or lemon cookies), and pétanque balls.

What to Watch Before You Go: The Fanny Trilogy (Marius, Fanny, Cesar), 1948 (DVD 2004). Beloved 1930s French films (English subtitles), adaptations of the plays by Marseille’s preeminent writer, Marcel Pagnol, are considered national cultural treasures.

Fun Fact: France’s newest national park, Parc National des Calanques, is located on the outskirts of Marseille. Created in April 2012, the land (lagoons, cliffs, beaches) and sea (dolphins, turtles, seabirds) preserve is accessible only by foot or boat.

RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS, INDONESIA

Raja Ampat has been dubbed the Amazon of the Oceans. Is that hyperbole? Not really. There are single reefs here containing more species than the entire Caribbean. A mini-archipelago of rain-forest-clad islands, cays, mangroves, and pearlescent beaches off the coast of West Papua, Indonesia, this marine frontier brims with life.

Travel Tips
When to Go: Late September through early June. Be aware that mid-June through mid-September is monsoon season, with rains typically contained to the afternoon.
Where to Stay: Exclusive Misool Eco Resort is a secluded tropical hideaway on the remote, private island of Batbitim. Book your personal water cottage-on-stilts (veranda stairs lead directly into the translucent lagoon) to snorkel and dive in one of the world’s most biologically diverse marine environments.
How to Get Around: Travel by boat from Sarong to Wasai. Longboats, speedboats, motorboats, and dive boats connect Wasai to other islands. Outside the resorts, on island travel is primarily by foot or ojek (motorcycle taxi).
Where to Eat or Drink: If you’re not staying in an all-inclusive resort or on a dive boat, Raja Ampat dining options are limited to the small stores, outdoor markets, and warungs (family-run cafés/stores) in Wasai, Raja Ampat’s capital. Another option is to stock up in Sarong before traveling to Wasai.
What to Buy: In the established tourism villages Arborek and Sauwandarek local women make and sell wood and orchid bark nokens (string bags), pandan leaf hats and bags, and wood or banana fiber skirts.
What to Read Before You Go: Raja Ampat Through the Lens Of, by the Raja Ampat Research & Conservation Centre (2009).This coffee table hardcover is a 288-photo journey above and through the Realm of the Four Kings. Proceeds support local conservation efforts.
Fun Fact: On Raja Ampat’s Um Island, bats circle the blue skies by day and seagulls take flight at night. The compact island (one lap around takes about 15 minutes) is dotted with caves, home to the diurnal bats that feast on ripe fruit.

Please contact us for arranging these packages & more !!!

Unique Beaches Around the World You Need to See to Believe

2014-10-14T09:45:00.002+05:30

AMAZING BEACHES AROUND THE WORLD ....

1. Hidden Beach, Mexico (Marietas Islands)
Swim through a dark tunnel to this secret spot

2. The Baths, British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda)
Hidden pools are nestled between majestic boulders

3. Maho Beach, Caribbean
Watch planes fly right above your head

4. Boulders Beach, South Africa (Simon's Town, South Africa)
See the famous penguin colony

5. Driftwood Beach, Georgia, US (Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA)
Snap photos of the amazing driftwood and ocean views

6. Glass Beach, California, US (Elm Street and Glass Beach Drive, Santa Maria Ca, Fort Bragg,CA)
Enjoy the colorful glass stones that cover the beach

7. Liaohe Delta, China (Liaohe Delta, Shuangtaizi District, Panjin 124000, China)
Seaweed has turned this beach incredibly red

8. Zlatni Rat Beach, Croatia (Bol, Brac Island, Croatia)
Nearly 580 yards long, this beach extends into the sea

Enjoy your Holidays by going off the grid when you travel....

2014-01-14T07:18:00.003+05:30

Ever yearn to travel old-school style, without the screens, gadgets and multitasking stress? Do away with worrying about chargers, adapters, cables, cases, insuring all your devices, and organizing foreign wi-fi plans and roaming. Instead, enjoy the moment, get out of your comfort zone, generate new ways of thinking and build stronger bonds with your family and friends. Naturally you’ll still want to remember your trip, but you can achieve that with a simple checklist: pen, paper, book, film camera.

Local faces, not Facebook

Why

Do you really need to know what your friends and barely-friends are doing while you’re away? Leave behind the need to be validated by their ‘likes’.

How

Ask the woman selling mangoes in the market about how the area has changed, or the man at the ferry stop what sights he recommends. If language is a problem, bring a phrasebook, or try universities or bookshops, which often have conversation corners with eager locals who want to practice speaking your language and will share stories about their lives.

Paper maps, not Google Maps

Why

If you have grown used to planning everything with a digital map, you might find that a paper map is actually easier to use. You can personalise it and write on it, it doesn’t take time to load or require the internet, and it can be tucked away and pulled out quickly. Best of all, looking at a larger area gives you a much better idea of where you are.

How

Most tourist information booths and some hotels offer free local maps, often with points of interest marked on them. Or you can try wandering around without a map and speaking to locals – you may get lost at times but you may also get to know an area properly and discover some unmapped gems.

Film cameras, not digital selfies

Unlike digital, every shot taken on a film camera costs money, so is valued and considered.

Digital cameras take multiple, deletable, quick-fire snaps that mean you can spend more time seeing the world through the lens than living the experience. When we take shots on a smartphone, our minds seem even further away from the trip, experiencing it for the sake of social media.

Why

Taking digital photos has become the experience, and sometimes even the point of the trip. In contrast, film photos let you look back at your trip – there is space between having the experience and reliving it because you have no idea at the time what the photo will end up looking like. There is a certain thrill about collecting your prints from a photo shop (the real thing, not the software) and seeing how they turned out. A surprise great shot is something to pin up or hand to somebody. Even the failed shots are not something to be deleted but are a natural captured moment.

Higher resolution

Have you ever wondered how a high-definition Blu-ray disc can be produced from an old movie? It's because a film that was shown in cinemas 30 years ago is still of a higher resolution than most modern digital movies. The same goes for still photos. The common 35mm film of yesteryear produces shots equivalent to 25 megapixels – double the resolution of most digital cameras today. Film photos just look better.

How

Film processing hasn’t disappeared; in most cities you can still turn a roll of film into photos in a day, and sometimes in half an hour. In the same stores you can buy film in different speeds and ISO (sensitivity). To get that Instagram look, Holga cameras can easily add fancy effects, and in a stylish case too.

Real books, not Kindles

Why

A book has a paper-thin display that boots instantly and never has a flat battery. You can take it to the beach, get sand and splashes on it without breaking it, and leave it unattended while you swim with little fear of it going missing. Not something you’re likely to do with an iPad or e-reader. Plus, books have that unique tactile experience – you can easily flick back and forth and know how much is left. And nothing evokes travel memories months later like picking up a book off the shelf and coming across the local bus ticket you used as a bookmark.

How

Yes, they weigh more than e-readers, but real books are something you can share, passing on to other people on the road, thus lightening your load. On your travels you can swap one book for another on a book-swap shelf in hostels or book exchanges. Think of that one novel you are reading as personal to your trip, and forget about the stress of a multitasking e-reader or tablet.

Post real letters, not instant messages

Why

Staying in touch with people electronically while abroad is instantaneous but often shallow and rushed in fleeting moments, limited by texting fingers. And your two-line status message might be read by a bunch of people that you have only ever met once.

So don’t go near Twitter, Whatsapp, SMS, blogs or emails. Give somebody that flutter in their tummy when they hold a real letter from you in their hands, complete with colourful local stamps and your excited handwriting and doodles. Your letter is a little piece of another country and something for your friend to sit with at full attention, not wanting it to end, and rereading it when it does.

Meanwhile, you'll keep your head space in the country you’re visiting.

How

As with tweets, there is an art to fitting the words onto that postcard or opaque airmail paper – the lighter it is, the cheaper it will be to send. Leave some space for a Par Avion stamp for airmail delivery and ask to choose which postage stamp design you’d like, especially as many post offices now use an uninspiring white label.

Receive snail mail abroad, not digital likes

Why

You can also receive real letters while overseas, to make you feel more connected with home and spur you on for the rest of your trip. It will give you a stronger form of validation compared to a few ‘likes’.

How

Poste restante is available in many countries: a local post office will hold mail addressed to you for you to collect, usually for up to 10 or even 30 days. Your friends and family just have to write ‘Post Restante’ on the envelope after your name, followed by the name and address of a post office in your city. In Canada and the USA (for national mail), instead of writing ‘Poste Restante’, the letter should be labelled ‘General Delivery’. In other countries the wording is different and uses the local language, so check with the post office before telling people to start writing you perfumed letters.

--by Phillip Tang from the Lonely Planet

Indian citizen? Here’s where you can go visa-free ( a list of 58 countries !!!)

2013-11-13T09:12:00.000+05:30

Good News for all of us Indians....!!!

Minimize paperwork and planning with our guide to the countries where you no longer need to apply for a visa in advance:

NO VISA REQUIRED

Bhutan (only ID card is required - No need for a passport)
British Virgin Islands
Cook Islands
Dominica
El Salvador
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Montserrat
Micronesia
Niue
Nepal (only ID card is required - No need for a passport)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos
Vanuatu

VISA ON ARRIVAL

Cambodia
Cape Verde
Comoros
Ecuador
Ethiopia
Fiji
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Iran
Jordan
Kenya
Laos
Macau
Madagascar
Maldives
Mauritius
Palau
Samoa
Seychelles
Tajikistan
Thailand
Tuvalu
Uganda
Myanmar
Timor-Leste

VISA NOT REQUIRED IF YOU HAVE CERTAIN OTHER VISAS

Albania: Valid multiple entry Schengen visa (Type C or D)
Andorra: Valid multiple entry Schengen visa
Costa Rica: Valid multiple entry US, Canadian, Schengen (or any European Union member country visa) or Japanese visa
Guatemala: Valid US, Canadian or Schengen visa
Honduras: Valid US, Canadian or Schengen visa
Ireland: Valid UK visa, and entry through the UK
Macedonia: Valid multiple entry Schengen visa (Type C)
Montenegro: Valid US or Schengen visa
Nicaragua: Valid multiple entry US, Canadian or Schengen visa
Taiwan: Valid US, UK, Schengen, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian or Japanese visa

VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR US VISA HOLDERS

Dominican Republic
Mexico
Puerto Rico

ONLINE VISAS REQUIRED

Dubai (only if you’re flying emirates)
Sri Lanka
Turkey
Vietnam

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL, AS THE IMMIGRATION RULES MAY CHANGE ANY TIME.

For your enjoyable holiday to any of these places, contact us:

GoWorld Holidays - Ph: 91-44-42145808 / 9025802720 / 9043019109

URL: http://www.goworldholidays.com

Mail: contact@goworldholidays.com

Tangalle - the New Beach Destination of Srilanka

2013-10-23T09:00:00.000+05:30

Forget Bentota and Hikkaduwa. Sri Lanka’s deep south is the next big destination. Tangalle, on the southern coast (just three and a half hours from Colombo) is a small town with a bustling fishing port and is well known for its beautiful stretch of palm-fringed bays and coves. The name Tangalle means ‘projecting rock’, because long ago, the town was protected from the ocean by a long rocky slab that projected into the sea across the mouth of the bay. Here are eight ways to get acquainted with this lesser-explored region of Sri Lanka:

Luxe out

Tucked into a coconut grove and bordering an arc of pristine white sand beach, Amanwella resort has thirty luxurious suites built on three different levels, with private plunge pools and terraces overlooking the Indian Ocean. The Australian architect who designed the resort with local hand-hewn stone and terracotta roof tiles was inspired by the clean vertical lines of Geoffrey Bawa , Sri Lanka’s most famous architect. There is nothing that separates you from the sea: the Bar, restaurant, swimming pool and cosy library all look out over the turquoise sea and endless coconut groves. Have a massage at the spa here and tuck in to Mediterranean and Asian fusion cuisine as you sip on a local beer or two. (www.amanresorts.com)

Cruise through the mangroves

Tangalle has some beautiful lagoons and mangroves where you can go on a river safari or kayak and spot weaver-birds and monkeys in the trees, storks and cranes along the banks, and water monitors in the shallows. Plan to wrap up just before dusk if you can, to witness the amazing sight of thousands of fruit bats descending on the trees. When you're done, get a snack at one of the many small restaurants on the nearby beaches.

Tuck into local fare

Tangalle is a great place to eat traditional Sri Lankan food like rice and piquant curries, hoppers made from fermented rice batter with a dash of palm toddy and coconut milk, sea food and the famous street-food favorite Kotthu paratha, which is diced chapattis pounded with spices, meat and vegetables. Don’t forget to taste local specialties like fiery coconut sambol and drink sweet King Coconut water. Indulge your sweet tooth too, with local desserts like thick buffalo curds that are sold in mud pots with local treacle made from the sap of a palm tree called Kitul, and Watalappam—steamed custard made from coconut milk and palm sugar spiced with cinnamon and cloves.

Visit the fishing harbour
Tangalle once was a harbour for the Dutch and British fleets. Today it has a bustling fishing harbor (the first manmade one in Sri Lanka) where trawlers and boats land after days out at sea, with their swollen nets of fresh fish. Go early in the morning to see fish being auctioned, gutted and cut up.

Laze on the beach

Tangalle’s beaches are meant for lounging. You share the beach only with small fishing boats and a few fishermen mending nets. The turtle-trampled sands are great for walking and sunbathing. Tangalle’s deserted beaches are where the turtles lay their eggs in the golden sand. If you want to see giant sea turtles coming ashore at night (January to July) to lay their eggs, then the beach of Rekawa is ideal. Tangalle has some great stretches of beaches like Marakolliya and Medaketiya, which are dotted with tiny shacks selling freshly-cooked local fish and curry.

Visit the Hoo Maniya blow hole
Around seven kilometres from Tangalle, the village of Kudawala is home to the Hoo-maniya blowhole, whose name derived from the low, whistling sound it produces prior to spouting water. The blowhole is formed from a narrow fissure in the cliff, and is most impressive during the monsoon when the jets—churned to a dazzling whiteness—can go as high as 15m.

See the stilt fishermen

On the way to Tangalle, around Kogalla, you will see Sri Lanka’s famous stilt fishermen perched on a vertical pole planted into the sand, holding the stilt with one hand and a fishing rod in the other. They catch small fish like herring with just a crude fishing pole and a hook with no bait. Many say that this originated after the Second World War when the fishermen had to contend with rocky beaches and found this method a good way to fish inside the deep waters. Of course with it now becoming such a popular tourist attraction, many of the wily fishermen ask for money before letting you photograph them.

Trek to the famous rock temple

One of the best local trips from Tangalle is to the stunning rock monolith of Mulkirigala, 20km to the north, reached after a strenuous climb of a series of rock steps leading to natural caves with wall paintings and Buddha statues. One cave houses a library, where an important discovery was made in 1826 by a British administrator. He found some ancient palm-leaf manuscripts containing the key to translating the Mahawamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka.

- for all kinds of Srilanka packages please Contact Us:

GoWorld Holidays, Chennai.India

Ph: 91-44-42145808 / 9043019109 / 9025802705

Mail: contact@goworldholidays.com

-Text/Pic: Courtesy: Conde Nast Traveller

2013-08-19T10:33:00.001+05:30

WORLD'S BEST HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS - PICTURE PERFECT DETAILS

Four Seasons Bora Bora

Four Seasons Bora Bora -Guests at the Four Seasons Bora Bora (in French Polynesia) can laze uninterrupted in their over-water villas but the resort also offers excellent snorkelling and paddling in its Ruahatu Lagoon Sanctuary, home to more than 100 species of fish.

The romance of Venice is incomparable and one of the best bases to experience it from is the Cipriani hotel. On an island in the Venetian lagoon away from the main tourist stretch, it has welcomed celebrities and aristocracy for decades.

Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp by Cheow Larn Lake in Khao Sok National Park is Thailand's first floating hotel. For a back-to-nature experience, couples can kayak, spot gibbons, trek and swim.

Rooms at the tented camp are comfortably finished with en-suite facilities and hot water available, but guests who want a variety and extra facilities can finish their stay at sister property Elephant Hills Tented Camp.

One of the most rewarding ways to spend a day is on a game drive with a local guide. The area is a big five destination and rhinos, leopards, lions and wildogs can all be spotted. A more rugged and adventurous honeymoon experience awaits at Loisaba, located on a remote 60,000-acre private reserve.

At night, the most distinctive accommodation options are provided by Loisaba's Star Beds, which give couples to fall asleep in the open air.

Niyama Resorts, Maldives. Its dining options, include outdoor restaurant Tribal, where dishes are seared over open flames, and Edge, an over-water restaurant accessible only by boat.

NIYAMA challenges the perception that resorts in the Maldives are sleepy. Chief amoung its unexpected attractions is Subsix, the world's first underwater nightclub, where couples can watch rays and sharks as they dance and drink six metres below sea level.

For a room with a view it's hard to beat the Shangri-La Paris's Eiffel Duplex Terrace Suite. Rather than going out for dinner, many couples lucky enough to stay here order room service and make the most of the spectacular panorama.


Shangri-La, Paris. Terrace View

Exceptionally romantic, the Taj Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur, India, is contained within a 250-year-old building on Lake Pichola. If it looks familiar that may be because it featured in the Bond film Octopussy.

Vividly coloured and beautifully decorated with traditional art, rooms are awash with character at the Taj Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur, India.

For booking in any one of the above, please contact us:

GoWorld Holidays, Chennai. Ph: (044)42145808 / 9025802705 / 9043019109

2013-08-04T12:49:00.001+05:30

Singapore travel guide: luxury hotel concierges' recommendations

The concierges' guide to Singapore: A guide to Singapore's best attractions, bars and unusual experiences, as judged by concierges at the city's best hotels.

(courtesy:telegraph.co.uk)


A view of Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer

Rapidly developing Singapore is making a name for itself with audacious new attractions such as the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum but some things, such as its reputation as a culinary capital, have been developed over decades. As the current Singapore Food Festival continues, concierges from three of the destination's best hotels give their guides to the city's best attractions, hawker centres, restaurants and bars - and give a brief introduction to Singlish.

Sharing their knowledge are:
Ali Alsagoff, chef concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Syed Musaddiq, chef conciege at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Roslee Sukar, concierge at Raffles Singapore

I'm new here. Tell me something interesting about Singapore.
Ali: Only 710sq km in size, Singapore is known as the “Little Red Dot”. Despite its size, the “City in a Garden” is resplendent in lush greenery.

Which attraction should I definitely make time to see?
Ali: The venerable 154-year-old Botanic Gardens, which are also home to the National Orchid Gardens. At the moment, the Botanic Gardens are awaiting an announcement on their bid to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Syed: Sentosa Island which is just off the southern coast of Singapore and about half an hour’s drive from the city. The island is home to an exciting array of themed attractions, award-winning spa retreats, lush rainforests, golden sandy beaches, resort accommodations and renowned golf courses.
Roslee: I don’t want to sound biased but you have to visit the 125-year-old Raffles Singapore. It is not just a hotel, but a National Monument in Singapore, where having a Singapore Sling at Long Bar is a true rite of passage for travellers. Also visit Gardens by the Bay.

Which of the “must-visit” attractions should I avoid?
Ali: Raffles Hotel & The Merlion Tower at Sentosa Island…. both are overrated!
Syed: You should not avoid any attractions while in Singapore as each attraction is different and unique in its own way.
Roslee: There is something for everyone, with different tastes or preferences, here in Singapore. Read up on the attractions beforehand and you will be able to make an informed choice.

Is there a particular exhibition I should see while I’m here?
Ali: The four permanent galleries at National Museum of Singapore – Singapore Living Galleries: Film & Wayang [traditional theatre]; Fashion; Food; and Photography. These are the four components that define our nation as it is today!
Syed: The Singapore History Gallery and the Singapore Living Gallery: Food at the National Museum of Singapore. They both trace the major events in Singapore’s history and bring you back to Singapore’s yesteryears with food-related artefacts and sound installations.
Roslee: The Peranakan Museum showcases a mixed-heritage culture unique to a handful of locations in Southeast Asia - Singapore being one of them. Peranakans are descendants of intermarriages between foreign traders from the old days and local women. Their cultural costume and cuisine are unique unto themselves.

Where can I take the best picture of Singapore?
Ali: Either from a capsule of the Singapore Flyer or from the highest alfresco bar in Singapore – One Altitude. Both offer a vantage point for a photo of the famous Singapore Skyline.
Syed: Merlion Park. Apart from taking a picture of the Merlion which is Singapore’s most famous icon, you will also be able to take pictures of Singapore’s other famous landmarks such as the Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer and The Fullerton Hotel which used to be the General Post Office back in the British colonial days.
Roslee: From the double helix bridge at Marina Bay. You could take a photo of the city skyline with the bay in the foreground, and the bridge overlooks a floating platform. Some evenings, the platform is used for football (it’s an Astroturf pitch). I think it’s pretty amazing to look at a football match played on a pitch surrounded by water.

I’d like to try something new here – what do you recommend?
Ali: Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cuisine which is the original fusion cuisine between the Malays and the Chinese and dates from the 15th to16th century. Also try our one-of-a-kind thorny “king of fruits” – the Durian.
Syed: You should try Peranakan Cuisine while in Singapore. True Blue Cuisine Restaurant located at 47 Armenian Street is known for its authentic heritage Peranakan dishes and the restaurant is also located next to the Peranakan Museum where you can discover more about the unique culture.

I’d like to buy an unusual souvenir – what do you recommend?
Ali: Pick up something from Arch – a unique shop that specialises in framed wood carvings depicting famous landmarks in Singapore.
Syed: In the Peranakan Museum you can purchase ornate brooches and unique business card holders with designs inspired by the Peranakan culture.
Roslee: A Raffles Doorman stuffed toy. My colleagues are the only hotel doormen I know of who have a stuffed toy made in their likeness.

Tell me a phrase or piece of slang I can use to fit in around here.
Ali: The best way would be to learn Singlish – colloquial Singapore English. To start off, end each of your sentences with the affectionate “lah”.
Syed: “Alamak” which in Singlish means “oh my God” in English and “Shiok” describes something that provides great pleasure and is often used after indulging in a delicious meal.
Roslee: When befriending a local, instead of simply saying “Good afternoon, how are you?”, try “Hello, how are you? Have you had lunch?”…and the conversation will take off.

Is there a particular Singapore law or form of etiquette I should be especially aware of?
Ali: No littering and jaywalking on the streets. Always hand out your business card with both hands.
Syed: To keep Singapore as clean and green as it is, smoking in public, chewing gum, spitting in public, littering and jaywalking are prohibited.
Roslee: If you happen to see packets of tissue paper at a table in a hawker centre, it means that seat is occupied. Locals leave packets of tissue paper on tables at hawker centres to hold their seats while they make their purchases at the food stalls. Similarly if you plan to go a hawker centre, be sure you are equipped with a packet of tissue paper.

What’s the best restaurant in the city right now?
Ali: Restaurant Andre and Iggy’s – both are ranked on the prestigious S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Syed: For a special occasion, I would recommend Catalunya. Opened in late 2012, the contemporary Spanish restaurant is helmed by an international team of award-winning culinary experts from the likes of elBulli, Santi, Drolma, and Sketch. The restaurant itself is housed in a unique glass-encased dome floating on the waters of Marina Bay with spectacular views.
Roslee: There is no time like the present to be in Singapore for dining. International Chefs such as Joel Robuchon, Wolfgang Puck, Jamie Oliver, Daniel Boulud and Jason Atherton have all opened restaurants here in recent years. The current top-rated restaurant internationally is Andre’s, by chef Andre Chiang – it is on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013 Guide and is number 5 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

What’s your favourite hawker centre, and your favourite food stall?
Ali: Maxwell Food Centre; my favourite stall is #01-10 Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Syed: Maxwell Food Centre located at 1 Kadayanallur Street. My favourite food stall is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at unit No #01-10/11 located in Maxwell Food Centre. Chicken rice is one of Singapore’s most famous dishes and features steamed chicken accompanied by rice cooked in chicken stock. It is served with cucumber slices, minced ginger, chilli sauce and dark soy sauce.
Roslee: This is a difficult question, but a favourite hawker centre is Lau Pa Sat and food stall 51 has excellent Satay and Chilli Crab. Another hawker centre is the Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Centre, which has a great selection of local food. The “chwee kweh” [steamed rice cake] here is well-known across Singapore. In the housing estate across the road from Tiong Bahru market is a fruit stall that sells jelly in a fresh Coconut husk. To enjoy this, spoon the jelly out while digging into the fresh coconut flesh – it’s delicious.

And where’s best for drinks? I don’t want somewhere touristy.
Ali: The Tippling Club at Dempsey Road. The mixologists there are geniuses.
Syed: Lantern Bar located on the rooftop of The Fullerton Bay Hotel. Designed by the highly sought-after Andre Fu, the décor is chic and the ambience is sophisticated. In addition, with sweeping views of the city’s skyline and landmarks, the bar provides a sense of place and a setting that is unforgettable.
Roslee: Bitters and Love at North Canal Road. All you need to do is select the spirit of your choice, let the bartender know your preference (eg. a tall drink/slightly tart or refreshing/sweet) and they will create a cocktail for you. The bar is in a ‘shophouse’ – an old two-storey buildings protected by conservation. The shophouse is located by a road so there is not much for an external view.

What can I do to relax in Singapore?
Ali: Go on the Southern Ridges walk from Alexandra Arch right onto the Forest Walk, a zig-zag metallic runaway amongst the trees that ends at Henderson Waves - a wavy pedestrian bridge 36 metres above sea level, complete with park benches overlooking the harbour.
Syed: You can charter a yacht to Lazarus Island. The island offers a laid-back ambience, sandy beaches and clear waters where you can swim, snorkel and dive.

I’m going to propose to my partner while I’m here – where should I do it?
Ali: The Bandstand at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Built in the 1930s, it used to be the stage for evening performances of military bands. Private and romantic, it is the perfect setting.
Syed: If your partner is a nature lover, you can consider making your proposal along the 22-metre-high skyway at the SuperTree Grove of Gardens by the Bay during the beautiful Rhapsody Light and Sound Show at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.
Roslee: The Singapore Flyer, which offers a great view of Singapore over a 30-minute ride. Dining may be arranged in the capsules too.

Who’s the standout creative talent in Singapore right now – is there someone in particular whose work I should check out before I leave?
Ali: Check out our drag queen stand-up comic – Kumar, who performs every Monday night at 11pm in Hard Rock Café. 17 years on, he is still rocking with his jokes regardless of race, language or religion - he takes a swipe at everyone and everything.

Thanks for your help. Should I tip in Singapore?
Ali: Tipping is not customary as most establishments charge a 10 per cent service charge. However, if a service staff went above and beyond, an additional tip will always make his or her day.
Syed: In Singapore, tipping is not typically expected as a 10 per cent service charge is included in your total bill. I would, however, suggest giving a tip in the range of S$5 and S$10 when you experience exceptional service to encourage and show your appreciation to the service staff.
Roslee: Tipping is not encouraged.

2013-07-29T09:31:00.002+05:30

Five unique trekking trails in India

(Text Courtesy: The Hindu)

After traversing through bustling cities that you fancy, you will want to return to the lap of Mother Nature in search of that elusive peace. It is a place where you will experience love and forgiveness, a place where you may ultimately begin to find yourself. For those who seek such places, here are a few.

Valley of Flowers — Uttaranchal

The locals believe this place was inhabited by fairies until it was discovered in 1931. It seems like a child gone crazy with colours on a blank canvas. The valley is alive with innumerable species of flowers like Blue poppy, Cobra lily, Geranium and even the Edelweiss. Lie down on the grasslands and admire the snow-capped peaks.

Duration: Full day including the time spent in the valley.

How to get there: Take an overnight train or bus from New Delhi to Rishikesh followed by a bus ride to Joshimath and then Govindghat where the trek starts.

Valley of Flowers

Living root bridges — Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji receives the second highest rainfall in the world. Centuries ago, local tribes developed the skill of joining tree-roots to form bridges. The roots of trees along this trail have grown to form bridges strong enough to hold 50 people at a time. As if one bridge isn’t enough, there is also a double-decker bridge. Watch how the locals collect water and jump head-down into the natural swimming pools around Nongriat village.

Duration: Three to nine hours

How to get there: Fly from Kolkata to Shillong or take a train from Delhi to Guwahati. You can take a State transport bus from Guwahati to Shillong or drive all the way in your vehicle.

Cherrapunji

Sandakphu trek — West Bengal

The only trail from where you can see four of the five highest mountain peaks on this planet. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse are visible with a sweep of an eye. Travel light and take breaks at small hamlets on the way, interact with local villagers and enjoy the beauty of pine trees, endless rhododendron fields and fluttering Buddhist prayer flags.

Duration: Six days

How to get there: Take a share-jeep from Darjeeling to Manebhanjan which is 58 km and approximately 1.5 hours away. The trek starts from here.

Sandakphu trek

Chadar trek — Ladakh

The 70 km-long Chadar Trek takes you over the frozen Zanskar river. Encounter spectacular ice falls, wooden bridges and ancient routes which are still used by the people of Zanskar for trade. Camp inside natural caves and feast upon noodles and hot tea. Be prepared for extreme weather as the temperature plummets to 30 degrees below zero after sunset.

Duration: Nine days

How to get there: Take a flight from Delhi to Leh in winter or drive to Leh in summer followed by an additional 64 km-long-drive to Chilling from where the trek starts.

Chadar Trek, Ladakh

Green Lake trek — Dzongu, Sikkim

Discover mystic Dzongu, the once forbidden and sacred abode of the Lepchas, the aboriginal community of Sikkim. Live in a local Lepcha house and explore some of the most difficult-to-reach monasteries. Water from the sacred Green Lake, according to the Lepcha tribe, is known to fulfil personal wishes. It still remains one of the least explored trekking trails of North East India.

Duration: Nine days

How to get there: Take a flight to Bagdogra airport followed by a jeep ride to Gangtok and then Lachen. Alternatively, take a train to New Jalpaiguri station and catch a jeep to Gangtok. Trek starts from Lachen.

Green Lake Trek, Sikkim

For more such exciting trekking trips, take our professional help and book through us with cost saving offers.

Contact us @ GoWorld Holidays for any of these packages. Drop a line to contact@gmail.com.com or call us ph: 91-44-42145808 / 91-90430 19109

2013-07-29T09:04:00.000+05:30

ENJOY A CRUISE HOLIDAY NOW

Contrary to popular belief, cruise holidays need not be expensive. If you plan well and book in advance, it can be very affordable.

How would you like your next holiday to be? Unique, multi-destination itinerary without the stress of figuring out connections, no running to catch flights or trains, no hassles of checking in or out and packing and unpacking at each stop, no worries about entertainment options? There is a lot going for a cruise holiday, and the icing on the cake is that you can do as much or as little as you want.

Little wonder then that the cruise market in India has seen a big spike in the past two years. Everybody, from honeymooners to MICE corporate, from bachelor and hen parties to multi-gen holidayers, seems to be clamoring to climb aboard. Cruise holidays are finding more and more takers with a phenomenal growth rate of 25-30% year on year. More than 1.1 lakh Indian passengers are setting sail every year.

With so many cruise lines taking to the seas, zeroing in on one may seem like a challenge. Let your preferences dictate your ultimate choice. According to industry insiders, the popular cruise liners, such as Star Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Costa Cruises offer a lot of quality and value for money. If you want the ultra-luxury option, take your pick from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Seabourne.

It is a fallacy that cruises are a very expensive holidaying option. They actually promise the most bang for your buck, whether you pick a budget, value or luxury cruise. The savings on any cruise line are very evident if you take into consideration the complete costs you incur on a holiday. On a cruise, you do not pay separately for food, inter-city travel, taxis, station or airport transfers, local commute and entertainment.

However, before you start Google ship departures, go through the following rules of thumb, which will help you maximize your savings:

Book early Book at least 90-120 days ahead of the sailing date. Booking ahead lets you avail of early bird offers, and also gets you the choicest cabins; the cheapest, best-located and most luxurious cabins on any ship are the first to be snapped up.

Pay for what you want The all-inclusive cruises, which pack in everything from meals and alcohol to gratuities and sightseeing, may look great on paper, but are expensive. Currently, only select luxury liners offer this option and if you want high end, you can’t go wrong with this. The trouble is that if you are a teetotaler, or not a heavy drinker, you don’t get value for money. Instead, a cruise line that allows you to pre- purchase beverage packages (soda and soft drinks) will be better suited and cheaper.

If you plan to spend your time exploring the entertainment options on board, there is no point in paying the premium for a balcony cabin. Lastly, newer ships are more expensive than the older ones.

Avoid air-hotel offers Most cruise lines offer to handle your flights and pre- and post-cruise hotel bookings. Avail of this option only if you are more interested in saving time than money. Booking independently through reliable travel agents can work out at least 10-20% cheaper. There may be cheaper flights that reach much earlier during the day, or low cost carriers that slip below the radar. As for hotel bookings, budget travelers would want to consider hostel and bed-and-breakfast stays, which are not on the menu as far as cruise lines are concerned.

Time your travel Peak seasons command the highest fares, so before planning a cruise, figure out its shoulder season. Peak season is generally during the summer, but also coincides with other school holidays like Christmas. For instance, the South East Asia cruises will be most expensive in the cooler months, while the Mediterranean cruises hike their rates during the July-August window. A seven-day Greek Isles cruise with Celebrity Cruises is 13% cheaper in September than in July.

Cut down on incidentals Unless you are offered a limited amount of free Internet and ship-to-shore calls, avoid these like the plague. The connections can run from 50 cents to a dollar a minute, and are often slow. Also, don’t use the e-mail address assigned to you on your cruise ship; it’s almost always more expensive than a Web-based mail account. Other additional costs to watch out for include laundry—pick a cruise ship offering self-service laundromats—specialty restaurants and the ship’s photographers.

Go for DIY shore excursions If your ship offers free shore excursions, jump at the chance. However, booking these through the cruise liner is a costly mistake. The latter are typically 20-50% more expensive than a DIY trip. Just walk down to the end of the pier, and hop on to a local bus or taxi. Alternatively, book a local travel operator in advance. There is one more thing you can do that promises 100% savings: make use of any special skill that you have. Cruise liners are always on the lookout for experts who can teach passengers a craft: how to dance, do yoga, work on a computer or even talk on interesting subjects. Such people might get picked to play teacher for a few hours each day of the cruise in exchange for free travel.

Top 3 reasons ... ...to consider a cruise holiday:

With scheduled stops in nearly all major port cities, a cruise is one of the best ways to see some of the most popular tourist hot spots across the globe.
Cruises allow for a unique multi-destination vacation without the stress of packing-unpacking, checking in and out of hotels and running to catch flights/trains. It’s a relaxed, yet fun-filled, travel opportunity.
As a thumb rule, cruise holidays offer a truly affordable value proposition since they cover not only meals and accommodation, but transportation as well.

For exciting options with cost saving offers, contact us today for your cruise packages: drop a line to contact@goworldholidays.com or call us ph: 91-44-42145808 / 91-90430 19109

2013-07-28T22:01:00.000+05:30

10 UNUSUAL HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

It’s your honeymoon, so it has to be special and unique. From the windswept beaches of a car-free island in the Baltic to tasting wine rarely sipped outside Argentina, these hideaways rarely appear on the usual post-wedding itinerary:

Snuggle in a beach basket built for two on Hiddensee Island, Germany. It’s unique and you know it: a pristine Baltic island with no motorized transport where horse-and-wagon rides or tooling around on bikes are the only ways around. Amble across dunes and long stretches of sand, or tuck yourselves into a Strandkorb (beach basket), a wicker half-shell chair for two that shelters you from the wind as you watch the waves.

Hiddensee Island, Germany

Sleep on a lakeside farm in Shelburne, Vermont. This hamlet boasts a 1400-acre working farm with an inn on the banks of Lake Champlain. Beyond, taste award-winning wine at the town’s namesake Shelburne Vineyards, known for its crisp northern varietals, and enjoy locavore-friendly (locally-sourced) food at elegant restaurants where farm-to-table cuisine reigns and tastes supreme.

Lakeside Farm, Shelburne, Vermont, U.S.

Enjoy a private beach on remote Pamalican Island, Philippines. At 5.5 km long, roughly 500 metres at its widest and only one five-star resort on the island, you’re guaranteed seclusion. Oh, and dive in to see vibrant colours – Pamalican is set smack in the centre of a 7 sq km coral reef.

Pamalican Islands, Philippines

Unwind on a gorilla safari in Bwindi Forest National Park, Uganda. On guided walks to observe these gentle giants you’ll encounter jagged valleys, dramatic mountain scenery and monkeys. In the evenings, stargaze around campfires and retire in tents built into the jungle canopy while peering into the mist-shrouded rain-forest from bed.

Bwindii National Park, Uganda

Taste wine amid copper-coloured canyons in Cafayate, Argentina. Filled with estancias (sumptuous ranch lodging) and vineyards where you can taste rarely-shipped-abroad varietals like Torrontes, this handsome desert town begs you to wander hand-in-hand, past dusty buildings and candle-lit cafes spilling onto sidewalks.

Cafayete Canyon, Argentina

Smooching in Bettmeralp, Switzerland. It starts with a cable-car ride, launching you into a car-free Alpine village. We’re not sure what we love more: views of the Aletsch glacier and mountains (including the Matterhorn), strolling between chalets or indulging in fondue. Oh, and Swiss tradition says if you lose your bread in the cheese, you must kiss your dining neighbour – so let that bread disappear.

Bettmerlap, Switzerland

Embark on a sunset ride in Khan Khentii, Mongolia. Peppered with rolling hills of birch forests and grasslands threaded with rivers, Khan Khentii is a protected wilderness area three times the size of Yellowstone National Park. Go horseback-riding at sunset across the steppe, and try yak cart rafting together before disappearing into plush yurt lodgings.

Khan Khentii, Mangolia

Cruise Alaska’s coast on an intimate small ship. Only small vessels can drop anchor at the quiet fjords, tranquil bays and inlets along Alaska’s inside passage. From your cabin, peer at bobbing icebergs, imposing glaciers and misty veils of clouds suspended above snow-capped mountain peaks. Or venture out for a walk on a remote beach or in a two-person kayak to float in enchanting coves and glimpse wildlife like otters and seals.

Alaska Cruise

Take a vintage train journey in Namibia. From the all-aboard whistle to the smart retro furnishings on the 1950s-esque Desert Express, this train feels like you’ve stepped on a classic film set. Recline in antique leather armchairs and clink glasses in the Spitzkoppe lounge to the sultry sway of the coach. Later, dine in the Welwitschia restaurant car below sandblasted glass panels featuring local animal footprints while rambling past gold-red dunes and African wildlife.

Desert Express, Namibia

Enjoy the simple pleasures on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Surrounded by tropical beaches and covered with verdant mangrove swamps in the centre, this island is home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef after Australia’s. Snorkelling, diving and sunset cruises on catamarans are the norm here, but we’re drawn to the balmy nights in basic thatched roof beach huts and napping in two-person hammocks.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Contact us @ GoWorld Holidays for any of these packages. Drop a line to contact@goworldholidays.com or call us ph: 91-44-42145808 / 91-90430 19109

2013-07-18T08:26:00.000+05:30

5 BEST MINIMOON (Mini Honeymoon) DESTINATIONS

So you went all out on your wedding, leaving yourself with very little time to go on a prolonged honeymoon. Don’t fret, Purvaja Sawant shows you how to kick-start your married life at these minimoon destinations

(Thanks to :TIMES NEWS NETWORK)

FOR AN IDEAL MINIMOON... let us say 2 or 3 nights...

Don’t try to cram too much into your itinerary. Opt for a location, where everything you want to see or experience is close at hand, so that you have limited travelling to do. Book your hotel in advance. Remember, you only have a limited amount of time, so spend it wisely.

Zero down on a place where you both will enjoy!

A minimoon is like a tester holiday; it’s a great way to recce a destination, which you can go back to explore in detail at a later date.

Casino Royale
Place to visit: Macau

Giving gambling mecca Las Vegas a run for its money is Asia’s most extravagant casino destination, Macau. If you and your partner have a taste for luxury, gaming, nightlife and entertainment, Macau will provide that 24-hour adrenaline rush. Whether it’s entertainment venues or restaurants, it’s all open until late. With more than 30 casinos, including world famous ones at The Venetian, Grand Lisboa and Wynn, Macau promises to be a luxurious holiday of a lifetime.

Beach getaway
Place to visit: Sri Lanka

Looking for a quiet, paradisaical beach, fringed with soothing palm trees to rake in the sun and sand? Make Sri Lanka your top choice. Surrounded by miles of white and golden beaches, this island country is one destination that offers a wonderful prelude to your actual honeymoon. Book a beach shack or check into a resort at Negombo, Arugam Bay or Unawatuna — all of which boast of picturesque beaches with crystal clear waters — and indulge in some whale watching or sun bathing with your better half.

Adventure zone
Place to visit: Vietnam

Though popularly known for its war history, Vietnam has a natural setting for outdoor adventure that the world is discovering: stunning hill, mountains, valleys, rice paddies and deserted beaches! You can trek in the mountains of Sapa, go cycling on the Ho Chi Minh trail or indulge in rock climbing and kayaking around the colonial hill station of Salat. Even the forests have unique wildlife, which you can experience at the Cuc Phuong National Park.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Spa retreat
Place to visit: Phuket

While Thailand’s largest island has always been a magnet for beach lovers, Phuket is slowly becoming a spa haven for tourists. Experience Thai culture and hospitality in its truest form with a spa holiday. You can go for ancient traditions of natural healing like Nuat Phaen Boran (Thai massage without the use of oils) or modern treatments like reflexology, hydrotherapy etc. Exotic spas in five-star hotels or humble massage parlors on the streets of Phuket, take your pick for a cozy couple’s massage!

Phi Phi Island, Phuket

Shopper’s sanctuary
Place to visit: Dubai

There’s no greater joy for a shopaholic couple than to splurge at glitzy malls or haggle for the best bargains at the flea markets of Dubai. Because of its duty-free prices and wide variety of goods like garments, handicrafts, electronics and spices, tourists have made Dubai their ultimate shopping destination. And how can one forget the world-famous Dubai Shopping Festival and Gold Souk?

Dubai Marina

For all the above minimoons, we have excellent packages, with quality hotels for your comfortable stay, itinerary at your leisure and we assure you the best of your memory to savor this minimoon forever.

Contact us today: @ GoWorld Holidays, Ph: 91-44-42145808 / 91-9025802705 / 9043019109

BEWARE OF THESE POPULAR SCAMS DURING YOUR TRAVEL IN OVERSEAS

2013-02-06T07:59:00.001+05:30

While you’re often safer overseas than you are in your hometown, a few scams seem to pop up all over the world. Repeat the mantra: if it looks too good to be true, it must be too good to be true…

1. Fake police

Sometimes also the real police, they’ll demand to see your passport and find something wrong with your visa, but then suggest your troubles will all be over if you pay a fine. To them. In cash. Right now. Standing your ground and offering to accompany them to the station will usually see the error ‘excused’.

Common in China and in some European countries like France, Holland, Austria, Netherlands etc.

2. Gem or carpet deals

On entry into a store, often prompted by an enthusiastic taxi or rickshaw driver, you will be offered a deal so preposterously lucrative that refusing it seems unthinkable. Think again – those gems are going to be worthless and the carpet you buy may not make it home at all. There are legitimate traders selling both jewels and rugs, and they don’t act like this.

Common in Thailand, Turkey etc.

3. Airport taxis

Drivers taking you into town might try every trick in the book, from asking you for an inflated fare to driving around the streets to raise the price higher. This is usually harmless, but you should only travel with licensed taxis and, if you can’t pay in advance, agree on a fee before starting out and don’t pay until you get where you want to be.

Common in Malaysia, Thailand, China etc.

4. Timeshares

You’re approached by an extremely genial young man who offers you a scratchie card, no strings attached. He’s friendly, so you accept the scratchie card and, lo and behold, you’ve won some sort of prize, which could be anything from a t-shirt and cash to a holiday. What’s the catch? The local insists you must accompany him to a hotel (which might be an hour’s drive away) to collect your prize. If you haven’t smelled a rat by now, you need your senses tested.

The penny drops, you start staring at the ground and shifting your feet uncomfortably, the seemingly-genuine local says that if you don’t come with him, then he won’t get paid for his job. However, if you do end up going with him, on arriving at the hotel you’ll be shuffled into a room with a bunch of other tourists and forced into watching an hour-long presentation about timeshare apartments, which you are pressured into buying at a very special discounted price by slick Westerners. If you come out of it with your wallet intact, at worst you would have wasted an entire afternoon you could have spent lying on the beach.

Common in Thailand (especially in Phuket), Malaysia (especially in Langkawi), Srilanka etc.

5. ‘This is closed’

In some countries everyone from touts to taxi drivers will try to tell you that your chosen hotel, restaurant or shop is closed…but there’s another, even better one you should visit, where they can pick up a commission. This is more annoying than harmful, but always insist on having a look for yourself.

6. Motorbike scam #1

Living out your dream of riding a scooter for a day around the countryside quickly turns into a nightmare when the bike you’re riding breaks down or you have an accident. The owner of the motorbike is quick to escort you and your damaged bike (which doesn't look in that bad a state) to the repair joint of their choice, where the mechanic makes a grossly over inflated estimate of the damage costs. The owner of the motorbike insists you cover the costs, otherwise no customers will want to rent his bike. You shell out hundreds of dollars to cover the costs of the damage you possibly made, plus cosmetic improvements to the bike that you have now also covered for the owner.

More than likely, you've just lined their pockets with more cash than the locals would earn in a month. Take photographs of the bike before you start riding, preferably with the renter in them, so they can’t blame you for imaginary damage costs to the vehicle. And don’t rent from companies that are attached to hotels or guest houses.

Common in Thailand and in some European countries like France etc.

7. Motorbike scam #2

The motorbike you have hired comes with a lock and two keys: you have one, and your rental company has the other. When you park the scooter and wander off, an enterprising person from the rental company arrives and ‘steals’ your scooter, thus later requesting you pay a large sum of money to replace the ‘stolen’ scooter. As you handed them your passport and you signed a contract, you’re obligated to pay for it. Carry your own lock and key and an old passport to avoid getting sucked into this scam.

Common in Thailand and in some European countries like France etc.

8. Bird shit

The surprising splat of bird shit landing on you from a great height is followed by the swift appearance of a stranger who towels you down. In the confusion, valuables are removed from your person, never to be seen again. Another variation on the same scam has someone ‘accidentally’ spilling mustard or other condiments on you.

9. Bar/tea shop scam

Notoriously aimed at male travellers, young local girls approach a tourist and, after gaining trust with some idle chit-chat, you agree to accompany them to a local bar/tea shop. Thrilled at the opportunity to converse with a couple of local lasses, you offer to buy them a drink. On receipt of the bill, the girls are gone, and all you are left with is a massive shock when you glimpse the sum total, which can amount to hundreds of dollars.

Common in Thailand, China, Malaysia etc.

10. Hotel scams

As you hop off the train or bus into a strange town and into a waiting taxi, you ask them to take you to a specific hotel. You’re dropped off, hand over the money for several night’s worth of accommodation, you’re persuaded to sign up for a number of day tours then escorted to your hotel room. The hotel’s unusually quiet and it doesn’t seem like the advertised atmosphere. Alarm bells ring: you’ve been duped by the friendly local who talked to you on the bus, and the quick phone call he had to make was to the awaiting taxi, whose driver was very quick to escort you to the hotel of their choice.

Like a well-oiled machine, they worked together to ensure you handed over all your cash immediately, and fleeced you for a couple of tours while they were at it. Many hotels trade on the names of popular hotels and are rarely of the same standard, so make sure you check the name and address of the place before you’re shuffled in to sign your life away.

Common in China, England (especially in the outskirts of London)

People travelling to India (from overseas) talking about getting cheated by locals. But, it is very common to get cheated in many European and Asian countries. People should be very careful in China and Thailand as these countries are very notorious for cheating tourists.

2012-06-16T15:00:00.000+05:30

Win a cruise Package for 2

Book your Singapore/Malaysia Package with us

Stand an amazing chance to win a fully-paid Super Star Cruise package (2 Nights/3 Days), for 2 adults, travelling together, when you book any of our Singapore/Malaysia Package (6 Nights/7 Days)for 2 adults through us before 31st Jul (with travel date not later than 31st Dec'12).

Additionally, write to us "Why do you love Singapore," in not more than 3500 words (not more than the content for 1 A-4 size paper).

Terms & Conditions:

**Prizes are not exchangeable for cash and/or other items.
**Contestants may submit only one entry.
**All entries will be judged based on creativity.
**Closing date for entries is 14 August 2012.
**Winners will be notified via email by 30 September 2012.
**GoWorld Holidays do not hold responsibility for any loss, damage, costs, expense incurred by the participation of this contest.
**GoWorld Holidays reserve the right to amend any terms and conditions without any prior notice.
**GoWorld Holidays' decision on all matters relating to the contest shall be final, binding and conclusive and no correspondence shall be entertained.

2012-06-16T12:18:00.000+05:30

10 Must Do Activities for Hong Kong

So many things to do, so little time. This is something that we all feel when we're on a holiday, especially in a lively city such as Hong Kong. But not to worry! We've rounded up 10 must-do activities for your visit to Hong Kong.

Scale Victoria Peak
1,800-foot-high (548 meters) Victoria Peak offers great views of Hong Kong's well-developed skyline. Climb beyond the point where the tram drops passengers off via Mount Austin Road to glimpse outlying islands, or stroll on other paths to enjoy views.

Shop Till You Drop
Hong Kong lives up to its billing as a shopping mecca. The city is obsessed with shopping, and there are malls and markets, boutiques and bargains crammed into every available corner. Whatever you want, it’s here and usually at a very decent price.

Feast on Classic Cantonese and Chinese Food
Perhaps the best thing about Hong Kong is the food. Imitated from London to Lima, the Cantonese food here is the inspiration and is never beaten. From the feast that is a lunchtime Dim Sum to the pick and point snacks on offer at Dai Pai Dong, Cantonese fans will be spoilt for choice. As if that wasn’t enough, the Michelin Guide has just thrown a few stars around the city.

Trek to the Tian Tan Buddha
Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of a Buddha Amoghasiddhi, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion. It is a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and is also a popular tourist attraction.

Come Aboard the Star Ferry
The cheapest way to cross Hong Kong Harbor with the bonus of seeing dramatic walls of skyscrapers lining both sides. Time your crossing around 8 p.m., when the famous skyscrapers become part of a coordinated light show.

Know your Fortune
The Temple Street at night is filled with various fortune tellers who can give you readings. They consists of a varied bunch with differing skills, from reading of tea leaves and palms to Tarot cards and the traditional fortune teller based on your birth date and Chinese zodiac. Some of the more popular ones have queues up to an hour or so.

Hitch a Ride on a Tram
A great way to sightseeing on Hong Kong Island; little has changed since 1904. Several lines traverse the western end of the island to the east, with one line going to Happy Valley.

Watch Horses Run
For those into a bit of gambling or just wanting a great night out, take off the tram at Happy Valley Race Course. This local passion takes place from September to June in the suburban town of Shatin on Saturdays and at the 55,000-capacity Happy Valley track on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday nights, the more exciting choice. The enthusiasm among the big-betting, chain-smoking punters is infectious.

Paint the Town Red at Lan Kwai Fong
A buzzing center of clubs, bars and restaurants, this buzzing estate of trendy establishment is a popular hangout place for the night owls, both locals and tourists. Located smack in the middle of Hong Kong’ Central area, the place is always crowded every night. You can also find various bistros and pubs around the area, serving midnight supper and snacks for bar-goers till late at night.

Explore Lantau Island
Lantau Island is the biggest of the 230 or so islands belonging to the territory of Hong Kong. Take the MRT to Tung Chung, and make your way towards the Po Lin Monastery through a 30-minutes cable car ride called the Ngong Ping 360. There is a cultural village at Ngong Ping where you can have refreshment and shop for souvenirs, but the main treat is the Giant Buddha statue. This extraordinary statue is 34 metres high, and visitors can climb the 268 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated. For those more adventurous, skip the cable car ride and enjoy the natural hiking trail through the hills.

Sources: unearthingasia.com, wikitravel.org

For various options for visiting Hong Kong, contact us today.

2012-06-08T09:44:00.000+05:30

Malaysia's 10 best islands

From the cosmopolitan charm of Penang to the hippie getaway of the Perhentians, Malaysia embraces a diverse array of islands.

Here, in no particular order, we present our top 10.

Perhentians: Hippie hideaway

They might not be easy to get to, but the Perhentian islands off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia have achieved iconic status on the backpacker trail.

And for good reason -- the waters are so clean that you can snorkel right off the beach and still see a diverse array of aquatic life.

Fishermen turned tour guides will also take you out in their small boat for a day trip to swim with sharks and turtles.

In the evening, beach bars set up cushions on the sand as wandering fire artists do their thing.

Where to stay: For high-end lodgings, check out the Tuna Bay Island Resort. Budget hunters should look up Abdul Chalet.

Getting there: Regular buses leave from Hentian Putra bus station in Kuala Lumpur, taking nine hours. Alternatively, fly from Kuala Lumpur's LCCT airport to Kota Bharu, and then catch a taxi to the port town of Kuala Besut.

Tioman: An island for flashpackers

Although part of the Malaysian state of Pahang, Tioman is actually reached from the Johor town of Mersing. There's also a direct ferry from Singapore.

The island has two claims to fame that continue to be hyped by media and marketers. One, the dramatic topography of this teardrop-shaped isle in the South China Sea was (supposedly) used as a backdrop for the 1958 movie "South Pacific," while Time magazine named it one of the world's most beautiful islands in the 1970s.

Though it's now a firm fixture on the tourist trail and has lost a little of its exotic mystique, it retains –- where many of its Southeast Asian contemporaries have lost theirs –- the natural environment and wildlife that first made it famous.

First among animals, on land at least, are the giant monitor lizards that roam among the kampungs (Malay for villages) in search of food. Don't worry, they avoid humans. Most of the time.

Where to stay: They don’t come more recommended than Bagus Place Retreat, winner of a 2012 Travellers’ Choice award from TripAdvisor. For a boutique experience, check out JapaMala.

Getting there: There are bus services from all over Malaysia to Mersing,; from here it's a two-hour boat ride to the first jetty on the island. Tioman also has a small airport, which Berjaya Airways flies to from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Langkawi: Best for luxury

Located hard by the border with Thailand, Langkawi is part of the Malaysian state of Kedah, not Perlis which is in fact directly adjacent.

Famously, the island was believed to have been cursed in 1819, when a woman named Mahsuri, was put to death for alleged adultery. Before she died, she uttered the words, “There shall be no peace and prosperity on this island for a period of seven generations.”

Two years later Langkawi fell to the invading Thais, with much of its population subsequently dying from starvation. The island was then indeed barren for a long time, before Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed –- the colossus of Malaysian politics who also built Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers and the Sepang F1 circuit -– decided to turn it into a resort island in 1986.

He declared it a duty-free island, and ever since then Langkawi's growth has been nothing short of spectacular, with high-profile resorts dotting its sandy shores.

The best way to take it all in is on the 2,200-meter-long cable car, which rises some 710 meters above sea level. Interestingly, Mahsuri's husband and son moved to Phuket after the Thai invasion, and it was on that island that her seventh generation descendant was born –- in the year 1986. Coincidence?

Where to stay: They don’t come much more stylish –- or eclectic –- than Bon Ton, eight traditional Malay homes set in a former coconut plantation. Or there’s always the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.

Getting there: Langkawi has by far the best flight connections of any Malaysian island, with dozens of daily flights to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Penang.

Penang: Food and heritage

The Pearl of the Orient has a long and illustrious history. "Discovered" by Captain Francis Light in 1786, Prince of Wales island, as it once was known, was for a long time one of the jewels of the British empire.

Alongside Melaka and Singapore it was known as one of the Straits Settlements, a string of outposts that dominated the sea trade between India and the rest of Asia.

However, its importance gradually waned over the centuries, before it was rediscovered as a holiday destination and reinvented as an IT hub.

Today, under the close eye of Malaysian opposition and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the island is proudly parading its past –- the UNESCO status granted to historic Georgetown in 2008 guarantees that.

But its greatest attraction is its street food -– from Penang laksa off Macalister Road to banana leaf in Little India to seafood on Gurney Drive –- you'll find it all here.

Alongside a raft of improvements designed to attract even more visitors, including investment in public transport, a tree planting program, pedestrianization schemes and a schedule of new cultural festivals and fairs, this magnificent island –- only slightly smaller than Singapore –- is once again making its mark on the world stage.

Where to stay: Since 1948, the recently restored Lone Pine sits serenely on the north shore of the island, while for city digs look no further than the Hotel Penaga, heritage buildings in the heart of town. Attracting a lot of attention among luxury lovers is the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, a restored colonial property.

Getting there: Flights from around the world land at Penang International Airport. From there, inexpensive taxis can transport you to destinations around the island, or you can catch the airport bus into town.

Labuan: An isle of bankers

Located off the coast of East Malaysia, sandwiched between Sarawak and Sabah, Labuan is one of three Federal Territories (the others are Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya). Its special status as an international offshore financial centre and free trade zone has allowed it to attract outside investment from the financial sector (some 6,500 offshore companies are based here).

Long-term, the Malaysian government envisions the island as becoming one of the world’s major offshore business centres, akin to the Middle Eastern hubs of Dubai or Bahrain.

While it has some way to go to achieve similar status, the nation has a track record of dreaming big and making it happen -- the Petronas Towers and annual F1 race attest to that.

If you’re not involved in the financial services, there are other reasons to visit such as wreck diving. Over the years, numerous ships were sunk in the shallow waters off Labuan, making it ideal for novice divers. These are simply known as the American, Australian, Blue Water and Cement Wreck.

There is also a well-tended War Cemetery, where an annual remembrance ceremony is held for some 3,900 Allied soldiers who died during in World War II.

Where to stay: For both service and quality, it’s a close toss-up between the Tiara Labuan and the Grand Dorsett.

Getting there: There are daily flights to Labuan Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. There is also an air-conditionied ferry to Brunei.

Layang-Layang: Isolation guaranteed

Many faces of the beautiful Layang-Layang Islands

Little more than a coral reef with a runway, the tiny island of Layang-Layang is located some 300 kilometers northwest of the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu (KK), the state to which it belongs.

A creation of the Malaysian Navy, which reclaimed land from the sea in order to state the nation’s sovereignty over the Spratlys, that South China Sea island group also claimed whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Surrounded by pristine waters that drop to 2,000 meters, Layang-Layang is often ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world due to its remarkable array of marine life.

Due to the Navy's presence, the coral reef has been spared the explosive damage caused by dynamite fishing and other destructive practices, leading to underwater visibility of more than 40 meters.

Particularly of note are the schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, which can sometimes number in the hundreds, though you can also expect to see manta rays, dolphins, barracuda and turtles.

Where to stay: Easy one to answer. At the only game in town, the traditional-styled Layang Layang Island Resort run by the Avillion group.

Getting there: The only way in and out is on a charter flight from Kota Kinbalu, with the price included in the various packages offered by the only place to stay on the island.

Sipadan: For hard-core divers

At the end of 2002, following a long dispute with Indonesia, the International Court of Justice ruled that the island of Sipadan was Malaysian.

The country, and the state of Sabah which it is part of, have reason to be relieved. Sipadan is often rated as the world’s best dive site, with a location in the centre of the planet’s most bio-diverse marine habitat.

In order to protect the fragile ecosystem, in 2004 the government ordered all of the dive resorts off the island, banned night dives and set a limit of 120 divers per day.

The move worked, as the surrounding waters continue to teem with life. It's home to 3,000 species of fish, hundreds of species of coral, an abundance of rays and sharks and large populations of green and hawksbill turtles –- so much so there is a famous turtle tomb, an underwater labyrinth that has drowned many of the unfortunate sea creatures.

Where to stay: As you are not allowed to stay on Sipadan itself, stay close by at the Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort built on stilts over the water or Sipadan Pom Pom Resort.

Getting there: It’s a 55-minute flight from Kota Kinbalu to the town of Tawau, an hour’s drive to the even smaller township of Semporna, and then a 40-minute speedboat ride.

Redang: For a "Summer Holiday"

The Redang archipelago actually consists of nine islands, namely Lima, Paku Besar, Paku Kecil, Kerengga Besar, Kerengga Kecil, Ekor Tebu, Ling, Pinang and Redang itself.

Together, they form a marine park situated 45 kilometers off the east Peninsular Malaysia state of Terengganu.

Unlike its close cousins, the backpacker-filled Perhentian islands to the north, Redang is very much an upmarket destination, with mostly resort accommodation on offer.

Accordingly, the island also has its own airport, served by Berjaya Air, which since 2004 has flown daily to Kuala Lumpur’s Subang Airport and Singapore’s Changi.

With excellently preserved coral, the main attractions of Redang are snorkeling, diving and the crystal clear waters.

You’ll need to stick close to the shoreline regardless, as the interior is mostly impassable, apart from a road that connects the airport with the coast.

In 2000, the island was the setting for Hong Kong movie "Summer Holiday," which featured Cantopop star Sammi Cheng and Taiwanese heartthrob Richie Ren. The success of the film led to a sudden influx of tourists.

Where to stay: The same company that owns the only airport and airline to fly in, also has the best place to stay, The Taaras, by Berjaya. However, film fans should head to the Laguna Redang Island Resort, where the colourful souvenir shop was a key setting in the movie "Summer Holiday."

Getting there: If you don’t want to pay to fly in directly, the alternative is to fly to Kuala Terengganu, and then continue by car and take a ferry from the port of Merang.

Rawa: For a weekend break

There aren’t many chances to stay on a Sultan’s private island. Rawa is one. Owned by the family of the Sultanate of Johor, Rawa is a small island 16 kilometers off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

Only two resorts hug its white-sand fringed west coast, which is accessible by boat from the mainland port of Mersing (also the departure point for more distant Tioman).

Because of this exclusivity, Rawa attracts tourists looking for a more secluded vacation. While the west coast is postcard perfect, the rest of the shoreline consists of inaccessible, dramatic rocky cliffs that plunge directly into the sea.

To check these out, take the easy way and rent a canoe or hike up steep steps to the summit of the island, from where you have vantages of the eastern shore, the coast of Johor and the other 12 small islands that make up the Johor Marine Park.

As your choice of accommodation is limited -- it can often fill up quick with young Singaporeans looking for a weekend getaway -- so book up early.

Where to stay: There are only two places to stay on the island: Rawa Island Resort or the smaller Alang’s Rawa.

Getting there: From Kuala Lumpur, catch a bus or drive to Mersing, from where regular ferries depart. Note that during low season (November to March), ferry frequency can drop sharply.

Pangkor: Loved by locals

Despite measuring just eight square kilometres, Pulau Pangkor (pulau is the Malay word for island) is one of the most popular beach getaways in Malaysia -- among locals, that is.

Pangkor is one of the country's most accessible islands, yet it is overwhelmingly the preserve of Malaysians, who head there every long weekend for a little rest and relaxation.

There is little in terms of nightlife but instead you'll find uncrowded sandy beaches, a huge variety of amazing local cuisine and friendly people.

Where to stay: For a splurge, book a sea villa at the exclusive Pangkor Laut resort. This stunning one-of-a-kind property, part of the YTL group of hotels, has a small island all to itself. Or, try the Pangkor Island Beach Resort.

Getting there: There are direct flights to the island from Subang's Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport via Kuala Lumpur, or it's a 30 minute ferry ride from the town of Lumut.

Text courtesy: CNN Go

For a very comfortable vacation in any of these islands contact us today at GoWorld Holidays

Be Smart and Save Money When You're on Vacation This Summer

2012-04-23T08:41:00.000+05:30

This summer if you are keen on saving your money while on holiday, it’s high time you started planning for it. The biggest reason to make haste is to not only make sure you get a room at the popular hotels, especially in the affordable category, but to also bag the early booking discount that hotels, airlines and cruises round the world are happy to roll out. However, this is just the beginning of your savings potential. If you do your research right, you can save anywhere from 20% to 40% on your total trip. Time your travel YOU CAN SAVE 10-30% since the room rates are this much higher in peak season than in the months immediately preceding it.

The surest way to big savings is to time your travel in such a way that you reach your holiday destination either just before its peak season or after it is over. This way you won’t have to worry about bagging discounts at the risk of the weather playing party pooper nor will you have to deal with crowds. So let the hordes descend on the hill stations of India or foreign hotspots like Singapore, Switzerland and Spain, there are better rates and less hurried service to be had in places that are just a little warmer or wetter. Like Kerala, Cambodia, or if you can handle it, Egypt.

According to industry insiders, shoulder season rates on hotels, tour packages as well as cruises are typically 10% to 30% lower than the peak season rates. The key to bagging a cheaper deal is to book early. You will save at least 10-15% if you book as early as two months in advance.

Save on stays YOU CAN SAVE 5-10% on room rent. For instance, Alleppey is pretty similar to Kumarakom, yet average room rates are lower by almost 5%

Let’s start with the obvious: B&Bs, serviced apartments and homestays will always score over hotels when it comes to the more-for-less stakes. That is, more amenities that you actually need, like a kitchenette and free laundry facilities, for fewer bucks.

A good way to maximise your savings without entirely giving up on some luxurious pampering is by choosing self-catering options in the big cities and go for fancier hotels in smaller towns and offbeat destinations. For instance, three star hotels in Kumarakom start at Rs.2,600 (approx) per night, the same category hotels in Alleppey (or Alappuzha) can be booked for just Rs.1,000 a night. The famed houseboat cruises from Alleppey are comparatively cheaper as well. Similarly, your money will fetch a far better room in Vincennes than in Paris, yet it is just a short metro ride away from all the must-see attractions.

So you know where to go, what you want to do, and have drawn up your budget accordingly. The next big question is, how to book your holiday. Is it cheaper to book online or is it better to take the traditional tour operator route? There is a catch with pure OTAs (Online Travel Agents). You may get a cheap fare for a particular sector for one or two tickets, but that fare may not be there for a group of 6-8 people. Similarly complicated itineraries require face-to-face interaction. You can’t buy foreign exchange online you have to physically go to a money changer. Furthermore not many Indians have the credit limit or even the faith to make huge travel purchases with credit card and most payments are still made at retail outlets of travel service providers.

Another big problem with OTAs is with reference to cancellation of your trip and getting the refund for the same. Many of the OTAs in India typically have one toll free no. After cancellation online (which is very easy) every time you try to know the status of your refund, you will be connected to a new customer care (?) executive, to whom you have to explain everything right from the beginning. This process will continue till you get the refund.

Invest time and do your research right, and big savings are sure to follow. Fly smart YOU CAN SAVE 14-18% if you use the multi-city flight tool while booking tickets online for city-hopping tours
Apart from when you book your flight, the day and the time of your flight also has a bearing on the fares. According to Cleartrip.com, the slowest days of the week, Tuesdays, Wednes days and Saturdays, always offer the cheapest airfare. For instance, the Jet Airways web site shows a Delhi-Mumbai flight costing Rs.4,911 on Monday, 4 June, but the fare for the next two days is Rs.4,774. This price differential is usually more pronounced on international flights. Similarly, a late morning or an afternoon flight can sometimes be found margin ally cheaper than an early morning or a late night one, which is when corporate slaves pre dominantly hog the flights.

If you are planning a multiple city itiner ary, make sure you avail of the multi-city flight booking option now offered by all the leading travel portals. This not only makes planning easier, but also saves money. Suppose, this June you are flying to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from Delhi and book individual flights, your total cost works out to 58,477 per head if you add the cheapest air fares for each leg of the journey. However, the lowest fare yielded by the multi-city tool is 49,762 a person. A random check of 10 other multi-city itineraries yielded discounts of 14-18% over separate bookings.

Airlines typically start actively ‘managing’ prices three or four months before any departure date, and booking a flight any earlier may mean that you end up paying more. Booking your tickets too close to the travel date will definitely increase the fare both on domestic and international sectors.

If you are headed for foreign shores, the best way to explore a destination is to go beyond the tourist hotspots and visit the countryside. Suppose you choose to book a self-catering cottage in a small town for a week—this is when you get the best rates—and make short day trips all around. Relying on public transport will mean more walking and longer waiting time. Having a car at your disposal will allow you to get more out of each day of sightseeing. It works out even cheap er if you are travelling in a group. However car rentals in a big city can be a waste of money and finding parking is a nightmare.

If you pick up the vehicle at non-airport locations, you can save up to 15%. You’ll save more if you book a car online and do it well before you take off for your destination.

While everyone tries hard to get great deals on accommodation and travel, very few pay attention to the exchange rate. But this can nullify whatever savings you notch up through your careful research. Avoid the exchange bureaus at tourist hotspots, airports and hotels like the plague. For instance, be prepared for a 10% mark-up on exchange rates at airports no matter where you go.

A good option would be to carry a prepaid travel card, which fixes the exchange rate as prevalent on the day of loading the card and can be easily reloaded as and when required. More importantly, they are usu ally cheaper than swiping your debit or credit card overseas. Unfortunately, these cards can be loaded with limited curren cies, so you have to rely on good old traveller’s cheques. Remember, the more currency you exchange, the better rate you can swing.

We are here to hep in making your vacation memorable and within your budget. Contact us today!

Treasure Hunt in Dubai

2012-03-30T18:46:00.000+05:30

Forget the hustle and bustle of modern-day Dubai – just a 20-minute drive outside the city, between Jebel Ali and Ghantoot, life looks much the same as it did before oil. And life before oil was pearls, the most important industry for the coastal town of Dubai.

Pearling in the emirate goes back thousands of years – archaeological evidence suggests as far as the 6th century BCE – with divers coming from all over the region to take part in the industry. Gulf pearls were and still are highly prized for their quality, and in the 19th century almost all of the pearls found off the coast of Dubai would have ended up in the bustling pearl market of Mumbai.

As the desire to own pearls grew so did their value, and the period between 1900 and 1930 was the high point of the pearl trade in the Gulf. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to last. In 1929 the Great Depression had a huge impact on the sale of pearls and then in the 1930s the pearl trade was dealt a final blow; the Japanese perfected the art of cultured pearls and they flooded the market at a much lower price than the natural pearls of the Gulf, reducing demand massively. By 1950 the pearling industry seemed to be over.

In the past few years, however, under the aegis of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and its subsidiary the Dubai Pearl Exchange, the pearl industry has experienced a rebirth with demand for natural Gulf pearls growing locally, in the surrounding Middle Eastern market and in Australia and India. And with this increasing demand has come a return to the traditional ways of doing things; pearl diving is back and becoming important to the region again; the lure of finding natural treasure is irresistible.

And so it was for me.

We cross the gangplank in single-file wearing the traditional pearl divers costume to guard against jellyfish stings. This is a voluminous white cotton shirt with hood and matching trousers, tied by a drawstring, in which one size really does fit all; it’s possible to fit three reasonably proportioned people in one pair.

Carrying fresh water urns on our shoulders, we board the traditional wooden dhow with its one huge white sail, juxtaposed against a calm teal blue sea, and its small rectangular tarpaulins strung together overhead as protection from a fierce sun. The decks are covered in thin turquoise tapestry upholstered cushions and we sit and wait to sail, hoping there will be enough wind to take us where we want to go; manoeuvring a dhow is difficult because it’s designed to catch the wind and then go as fast as it can in one direction until the breeze subsides. There’s a gust of wind and the crew, all from traditional pearl diving families, haul in the anchor and hoist the sail, their singing disguising their exertion, and we’re off to the oyster beds, full of anticipation, just like centuries of pearl divers before us.

Once the anchor is dropped, a large teardrop-shaped rock tied by two pieces of string on either side and weighing approximately 5kg is produced along with a bucket in which to put the shells. The rock is dropped over the side of the boat by a helper who holds onto the strings and a diver jumps in and demonstrates how to slip your foot into the space between the strings while holding both ends in one hand. A clip that would originally have been made from tortoiseshell is fixed to your nose to stop the rush of salt water and then, when you’re ready to dive, you let go of the string and the weight takes you down to the sea bed.

It’s not easy; the distance to the bottom is about five metres and I have to swim hard to get there with cotton flapping around holding me back, my ears beginning to ache from the pressure. Once down there I realise why it’s best to be wearing gloves; oysters cover the bottom as do sharp rocks and sea urchins and in a frenzy to pick up as much as possible before your breath really does give out it’s difficult to be discerning. I stay down for as long as possible, which isn’t very long, and then just when I start to feel panic I tug on the string and the helper pulls me up.
When the basket is full we stop diving and congregate on deck to learn how to open an oyster shell and start the meticulous work of looking for a pearl. Natural pearls come in all shapes and sizes and are usually to be found under the outer rim of the fleshy part of the oyster. It’s painstaking work and we are all hungry from diving so lunch takes over. And just as we are finishing, one of the crew opens an oyster and shouts that she has found a tiny yellowy-white pearl. Everyone crowds around, incredulous, but it is true, natural treasure has been found.

About the author:

Nikki Schreiber is a journalist and playwright based in the Middle East. She has written for a number of UK broadsheets including The Independent, The Guardian and The Scotsman.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE SUMMER

2012-03-30T08:13:00.000+05:30

While many of the travel tips are general in nature, some are pertaining only to air travel. Rail/Road travellers, please excuse.

Buy a seat upgrade that gets you access to priority security lines and early boarding - applicable in some international carriers.
Get a credit card that gives you a free checked bag and early boarding (American Express gold and silver) or lounge access (American Express platinum). The Citi Executive AAdvantage. World Elite MasterCard offers a free checked bag, early boarding, priority lines, some miles that count toward elite qualification and American lounge access (more suitable for overseas travel). Beware:Some cards can carry hefty annual fees.
Customize your black rolling suitcase by tying a colorful ribbon on (but not so long that it gets caught in baggage machinery).
Put your business card inside your bag. If the name tag and bag tag get eaten by airline baggage machinery, and many do, the airline will open your bag to try to identify the owner.
Beware: Never put valuables in a checked bag. The airline's liability for loss and damage is quite limited, and airlines don't offer any reimbursement for many lost items, including jewelry, electronics and valuables. If forced to check your bag at the gate because overhead bins are full, pull out valuables and electronics.
Pack clothing with just two colors, suggests Henry Harteveldt, a longtime travel analyst and researcher. That way, everything matches and you save room in your bag.
Beware: Never check the suit you need for the next day, whether it is a bathing suit or a business suit. Bags get lost and delayed.
Have a travel bag with toiletries so you're not packing that every trip, and a bag with chargers and power cords so you don't have to round them up or risk leaving them behind.
Other items to consider carrying: An umbrella, a pair of flip-flops if you don't want to pad around a hotel room barefoot; an empty water bottle to fill once inside security so you can avoid paying through your nose for a mineral water bottle at the airport store.
Print boarding passes early as a bit of insurance against getting bumped from a flight. If you haven't claimed the seat, it is there for the taking by an agent, especially if you're running late. If you are flying on a cheap fare, you can be a big target for bumping, since compensation the airline owes you is based in part on the fare you paid. If you're away from home or the office, many hotels now have computers with printers available for boarding-pass printing.
Printing boarding passes in advance also saves you one stop at the airport, as long as you aren't checking bags.
If you have a smartphone, you can download your boarding pass on the fly at most airlines rather than printing it out on paper.
Airport security screening checkpoints are great places to lose important things: drivers' licenses that don't make it back to wallets, for example, or laptops that walk off with other "travelers." Here's my routine:

Cellphone, watch, keys and pens all go into my briefcase before I get in line. My passport goes back into my wallet immediately when I get it back from the agent at the security desk. Boarding pass goes in the same pocket every time.
Liquids and laptop are carried in the same place in my bags every time so when I get to disgorge, I know exactly where they are. Laptop goes into one security plastic tub. Wallet into a second tub, along with jacket, belt and pocket change.
Big bags go first on the belt so I have them first to refill on the other side.
Beware: Laptop goes on the belt last. If I get delayed at the metal detector, the laptop won't be sitting out in the open for a long time. And the bag to repack it in has already come out.

Dress the part. No jewelry that will set off the body scanner and lead to an aggressive pat-down. Wear shoes that are easy on and off. You may be tempted to layer up the clothing to avoid having to check a suitcase, but you'll pay for that frugality at the checkpoint if security makes you peel off extra sweaters, shirts, pants and jackets.
Seek alternative checkpoints. If the line is long, some airports have other checkpoints that may be faster, even after a walk to get there. In addition, if you want to avoid X-ray screening machines, check which lanes, if any, feed into metal detectors instead of full-body scanning machines.
Choosing a room. Some travelers always request upper floors at hotels to lessen disturbance from street noise and to enjoy the city view. Others insist on lower floors so that they are within reach of fire-department ladders if there is a fire. In fact, some companies insist in contracts with hotels that their employees get rooms within four stories of the street.
Once you're checked in, spend a few minutes walking from your room to the nearest emergency stairwell—not the elevator. If fire alarm is blaring or the hallway filled with smoke, you would know.
I suggests placing a shoe (yes, only one from the pair) you plan to wear on flights in the room safe with your passport and other valuables. That way, you'll remember to clean out the safe when putting on your shoes for the trip home.
Take your room number and hotel address with you. Tear off the room number from the paper given to you at check-in and keep it in a pocket so that when you can't remember whether it is 625 or 629—or perhaps 629 was last night in another city—you won't be lost.
Last, but not the least. Beware: Never call home happy, when you are traveling alone on business or pleasure. I learned this the hard way many years ago. Out of the country, participating in a conference I called home giddy. I was enjoying a fine meal with my colleagues. My wife listened quietly while I recounted the excitement of the fun we were having over a few couple of drinks. And then I heard my wife saying how she had to put up with my two kids, who had been throwing tantrums all day. Big mistake on my part.

-Courtesy:wsj.com

Travel in the dot-com age

2012-03-30T07:45:00.000+05:30

Travel has become ever so simple in the digital era. All you have to do is browse the scores of websites on the Internet, read an e-book or consult an app on your smart phone to get information about destinations and make holiday plans. You can even take a virtual vacation thanks to Google Street View.

Summer is up and so are your travel plans. It's fun travel in the digital age, to be one of a new breed of travellers. As a digital nomad, the first thing you do when the air turns hot is to log on to a digital device. And Google. Where you go, where you stay, with whom, what you do, how big a bite your credit card will take, and who will go with you are all decided digitally. The merit or unworthiness of hotels comes from the reviews of total strangers. In the place of the bulky guidebook, you now carry a sleek laptop.

Scenic View of Swiss Lake

Hundreds of websites such as Travelindigitalage.com promise to fetch you the best possible travel tips, tricks and offers “out there.” Blog pages give you “ideas” about the best — read scariest, cheapest, remotest, coldest, most romantic and exotic places, how-tos and other travel information. Travel companies offer solutions to suit every whim and oddity. As Venkat at Vacations Exotica says, “You can go to a little-known place today and find an Indian restaurant there.” Travel has never been so doable.

No more a hassle

Getting travel ready isn't a hassle either (though passing through airports can dampen your enthusiasm).You can learn the local language on the Internet or through an app on your smart phone. You could browse e-books to know of places you want to leave your footprint on. Packing is a breeze as we've shed heavy clothes and our inhibitions — a couple of jeans, keds and T-shirts are all we need. We can indulge in things we haven't dreamt of — White water rafting? Hang gliding? Scuba diving? Snorkelling? Rappelling? Skiing? We supply equipment! — get a minute-by-minute itinerary, know about food options and even a massage. You scan a 360-degree view of the rooms in a resort before booking your holiday there. If you're still in doubt, you can log on to Facebook, or start a tweet on your destination to buzz up advice. Want to talk it over? Call for a Skype conversation or a video chat.

But you hate to leave your couch and miss your daily dose of serials. You're suspicious of the food in strange places and will need curd rice for sustenance. You worry about the comfort quotient. Yet, you want to talk intelligently about travel. Right, you can watch travel programmes on someone else's tour choices or take a virtual vacation with Google Street View (GSV).

GSV mapping

Check out Google's latest Street View mapping projects. They allow you to take a leisurely stroll in the lush Amazon rainforest or find yourself in unknown areas in Thailand.

Google Street View isn't anything new. Its cameras have taken us voyeuristically through local roads, college campuses, malls and airports. But recently GSV has updated itself to take viewers comfortably on a trip through the Amazon basin or to watch the reconstruction of Thailand after last year's bludgeoning monsoon.

This is the highpoint of this particular GSV: there are hardly any roads in the Amazon, so you get to see a lot of jungle images, of places you would never have ventured into. Some 50,000 images taken along the rivers capture the beauty of the rainforest in 360-degree view. The GSV then helpfully picks your locations for “sightseeing.” You watch scenes of Tumbira, the largest community, in a developed village in the Amazon reserve, or float down the Rio Negro. The adventurous can try to navigate the jungle trails, and find out where Brazil nuts are harvested.

In faraway Thailand, you get to “walk” the roads of Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai by punching a few keys. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is particularly happy about this GSV since it shows how the cities have been rebuilt after nearly five months of flooding. Viewing the renewed streets of its historic places, Thailand hopes, will persuade travellers to pack their bags for a real experience. “We really want to show that Thailand isn't still under water,” David Marx, Google's Tokyo-based communications manager, told Reuters. “People should see Thailand for what it is.” You can, just go to GSV.

Google might have had its controversies, but this GSV project has been welcomed, especially by armchair travellers and eco activists. GSV images bring attention to how precious and fragile Amazon rain forests are, they say. It will sensitise the world to the challenges of climate change and help spread information about the effects of large-scale deforestation.

Is GSV the same as being there and getting one's feet wet and arms mosquito-bitten? Does it take away from an ‘authentic' experience? Answer these later. If you're feeling stressed and are in dire need of an instant vacation, get on board a virtual tour of the Amazon and Thailand.

TRIKES TOUR

* Sightseeing is done on “Trikes” or camera-mounted three-wheelers.
* The pictures are woven into Google Maps and Earth services.
* People can virtually peer about as if they were there.
* Satellite positioning equipment on Trikes pinpoints where images are gathered.

- The Hindu

Beautiful Beaches of Thailand

2012-03-21T08:22:00.001+05:30

Look nowhere else. With the introduction of Chennai-Bangkok-Chennai Air Asia service, travelling to Thailand has become very affordable. Especially for honeymooners, here are some useful tips.

It isn’t fair, really – there are over 200 countries around the globe and Thailand has managed to snag a disproportionate amount of the world’s top beaches.

These aren’t your average stretches of sand; you’re about to uncover perfect powder-soft dunes and dramatic limestone crags that pop straight out of the impossibly clear waters. Robinson Crusoe, eat your heart out!

Hat Phra Nang, Railay

This beauty will shock and awe. Perfect sand, limestone cliffs and caves, emerald water and colourful long-tail boats make this photographic bliss. It’s little more than a cosy nook, and tends to get crowded in high season.

Phra Nang: (shown as Pranang Cave Beach in local maps) a fine white sand beach, on the southern tip of the peninsula. Can get crowded and busy. This lovely beach, recently voted one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, is 20 minutes away from Ao Nang by longtail boat. It has jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and is an excellent swimming beach. Watch the climbers climb right off the beach. Have a massage, eat a delicious barbeque and salad lunch, maybe cliff-jump off the rocks into the water. It's a great place to spend a lazy or not-so-lazy day. Phra Nang is arguably the finest beach in Thailand, if not southeast Asia. A broad strip of white sand with massive cliffs framing each end of the beach, Phra Nang has just enough facilities: roast chicken and salad lunches cooked on the beach, massage ladies and people inconspicuously selling cold drinks. It still thankfully lacks all the things that spoil a beach: pollution, traffic, noise, over-enthusiastic hawkers, jet-skis and lager louts.

Hat Khao Lak

On this seemingly endless swath of golden, boulder-studded beach, expect outrageous sunsets and lazy days. The Surin and Similan Islands as well as inland jungle parks are an easy boat or road trip away.

Hat Khao Lak ( KhaoLak beach ) is an exceptionally pretty and long (several kilometers) stretch of pristine sand picturesquely studded with granite boulders. It actually comprises of three individual beaches, and at the far northern end there is a network of sandy beach trails, some of which lead to completely deserted stretches.

The coast is set against a background of casuarina pines, which in turn give way to lush green palm groves, interspersed with lakes, and rubber & coco plantations.

Ko Tao

Trying to decide between a slice of lively sand and hermitic retreat? Ko Tao offers plenty of both. Hit the island’s west side for tiki-torched beach bars, and escape to the eastern shores to re-enact your favourite scenes from TV’s Lost.

Koh Tao is unique in many ways and not just because it offers the best scuba diving in the Gulf of Thailand. Conveniently small, with a real international community, truly great cuisine at reasonable prices, fantastic night life, exciting activities and stunning vistas, Koh Tao really is full of surprises! No matter what you are looking for whilst on holiday or traveling you can probably find it on this delightful island.

Ko Mak & Ko Kut


Ko Mak Beach


Ko Kut ( Ko Kood) Beach

Take your pick on quiet Ko Mak: sling your hammock up on a desolate beach or the next one over, which is just as perfect and pristine. Jungle-ier Ko Kut next door has an excellent spread of flaxen sand as well.

A tropical haven for those who seek the relaxing life, it has so far escaped the grasp of the major developers and remains a small slice of paradise locked in time.

Ko Kut (aka Koh Kood)’s great advantage is its relative remoteness. Getting there requires a bus/train journey from Bangkok, followed by an hour’s speed boat ride from the mainland (slow ferry can take up to 6/8 hours).

Ko Ngai

Cook on the slender, powder-white beach, dip in the sandy-bottomed shallows then slip over the reef for clear water, healthy corals and fish aplenty. Knobby karst islands fill the horizon towards the Krabi mainland in the distance.

Plain and simple, Ko Ngai is a small, beautiful upmarket resort island. The only locals you'll see here are those working in the tourism industry, so Ko Ngai lacks the charm found on islands with local villages like Ko Muk and Ko Bulon Lae. As impersonal as Ko Ngai may be, however, the island boasts one of Trang's best beaches -- a long sliver of white sand with stunning views of distant limestone karsts, Ko Muk and the mainland. So if a comfortable (and expensive) resort holiday in an idyllic tropical island setting is what you have in mind, then Ko Ngai is for you.

Ao Bang Thao, Phuket

With 8km of white sand, expect calm seas in the high season and surfable waves during the low season. Don’t let the posh Laguna Complex scare you; this laid-back yet lively beach has something for everyone.

Home to some of the islands mega-resorts (serious pampering at serious prices), Ao Bang Thao laps against a lovely 8km-long crescent of white-sand beach on Phuket’s western coast. A steady breeze makes the bay ideal for windsurfing; since 1992 the annual Siam World Cup windsurfing championships have been held here in January. A system of lagoons inland from the beach has been incorporated into Laguna Phuket, a complex of five upmarket resorts dominating the central portion of the beach. Even if you can’t afford to stay, the beach makes a nice day trip.

Ko Pha-Ngan

Every month, on the night of the full moon, pilgrims pay tribute to the party gods with trancelike dancing and neon body paint. Join the legions of bucket-sippers on the infamous Sunrise Beach for the ultimate gathering that eclipses all other celebrations around the world.

Ko Pha Ngan (or Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand, and located in Surat Thani Province. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.

For attractively priced package for any of these islands, contact us today

LONDON....LONDON....

2012-03-03T16:05:00.000+05:30

Why? England's historic capital was the centre of the British Empire for generations, and is imbued with a sense of history. Modern London has retained its ancient heritage and remains the focus of world events. Anyone wishing to understand and explore the origins of Western culture will revel in a holiday in London, where traditional attractions still amaze and astound.

When? London is famed for its abundance of rain and fog, so an umbrella is a necessity when planning to travel to London on holiday any time of year. The best time to holiday in London is during spring (May and June) when the parks erupt in a profusion of flowering bulbs, or autumn, when the trees turn into golden hues and skies are often a murky blue. The long summer evenings make June and July good months to travel, although public transport can become oppressive on hot days. Winters are gloomy, dark and cold.

Who for? A holiday in London is enjoyable for anyone and everyone. Families with children can visit numerous entertaining attractions, from the Tower of London with its bloody history to the London Dungeon and Madame Tussaud's waxworks museum or the London Eye with its stunning vistas of the city. Couples can enjoy the restaurants and nightlife, see a West End show, and explore the markets and famous shopping streets.

Whether you arrive in London via the underground or inside one of the city's ubiquitous black taxicabs, you will immediately be greeted by a deep sense of history and met with the unique vibrancy of this incredible destination.

In its dark and troubled past, the city of London has survived Roman occupancy, sackings from the Celts, Romans, Vikings and Saxons, a Norman invasion, two great fires, the bubonic plague, Nazi bombings, the Spice Girls and Damien Hirst.

But the London of today promises something for everyone. The London Eye lifts visitors high above the river into vistas that stretch tight across the fading skies. Further down on the South Bank, the Tate Modern contains one of the world's most incredible collections of Modern Art, while the city's 30,000 stores and boutiques will exhaust even the most avid shopper, and its 6,000 restaurants are only too eager to demonstrate why Britons revere their chefs as celebrities.

For those interested in exploring the country's heritage, the Tower of London is an excellent starting-point. First constructed in the 11th century, the Tower has been rebuilt several times as later monarchs have left their mark. Still one of London's biggest attractions, and a great celebration of pomp that is free to all visitors, is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, which happens daily.

As the great dome of St Paul's reflects the colors of the setting sun, London comes alive with an un-rivalled nightlife. For those up for something more thrilling than dinner and the theater, London has a vast number of bars and nightclubs catering to all tastes.

As London gears up to play host to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, there is simply no better time to visit England's capital city. Cheap flights to London are available on a huge variety of airlines - book now, and get the ball rolling on the holiday of a lifetime.

The nightlife in London is second to none with something for everyone and for just about every kind of occasion, from the pulsating dance floors of some of the world's most famous clubs to the more chilled out and intimate music lounges and bars.

Hardcore party animals wanting to strut their stuff will love the clubbing scene, complete with well known local and international DJs, while the countless bars and cosy independent theatres featuring local and international live music acts that will blow your mind. Live music in London is the best in the world, and on any given night there will be an international or local band playing in more than one of the venues around this pulsating metropolis.

The West End in particular is home to many bars, clubs and restaurants, and Soho is one of the trendiest and coolest places to drink. This is also where most of London's gay bars and clubs can be found. The perpetually cool Notting Hill and Portobello Road areas still draw large crowds and local areas, such as Camden and Angel up north and Clapham and Brixton down south, boast some fantastic pubs and bars, all with their own unique flavour.

Call us for a memorable package to London.

Enjoy Kuala Lumpur at its fullest!!

2012-02-22T20:08:00.001+05:30

Take a bite of Kuala Lumpur and experience a city where the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures synthesize into a diverse and fascinating habitat. KL is a place where ultra modern technologies blend into a surrounding of natural tropical botany, where a love camaraderie for all things edible percolates through a world of different cultures, and where everyone is encouraged to become their own gastronome. A spoon of Kuala Lumpur includes a sensation that will touch all taste buds and draw you into a Malaysia that is Truly Asia!

1. Petronas Towers

The signature landmark and most famed aspect of Kuala Lumpur are the jet setting Petronas twin towers. The twins can be spotted from afar, poking their way through the KL skyline. You can’t get to the top, but you can get to the impressive observation skybridge on the 41st floor with possession of a ticket. Tickets are FREE, but on a first come first serve basis (approx.1300 people per day), so arrive to get your ticket as early as possible (8 am is good). At the base of the towers is the KLCC prestigious shopping mall.

2. Browse Chow Kit Market
With a name like “Chow,” you know there’s going to be food! Chow Kit Market is the largest fresh food market in Kuala Lumpur. It showcases some of the finer fruits, freshly butchered meats, and the all important Malaysian cooking spices and curries. Along with food, trinkets, amulets, and antiques can be found. A stroll through the Chow Kit market will enrich you with a little local KL life. Best hours to visit are during the day from 9 am to 5 pm.
Location: Northern end of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (see map here), very close to Chow Kit Monorail station.

Hot Pine apple Pan cakes

3. Devour the Durian Buffet
The pinnacle of all food lovers success and a pilgrimage site of weird food enthusiasts, is summed up at the Durian Buffet. The Durian Buffet is a haven where you can eat as much of the world’s stinkiest fruit in a single sitting while using little or no self control. This is a place where you can eat to your hearts desire and no one will accuse you of wrongdoing.
Location: Durian SS2, 1,jalan ss 2/75,47300 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Ah Wai – 012-234-5619, durianss2@gmail.com

4. Stuff yourself with Nasi Campur

Few food groups from the entire world can come close to competing with Nasi Campur or mixed rice. A pile of rice with a choice selection of various dishes including curried fish, coconut vegetables, soybean tempe, and other incredible tasting things.
Check out the nasi berlauk buffet near the Petronas Towers.

5. Scale the Menara KL Tower

Though the steep entrance fee may discourage the frugal travelers, the observation view from the KL tower is impressive. Situated atop Bukit Nanas hill, the tower reaches a height of 421 meters. If you are in for a splurge of an evening, this is the best place to see KL from high above.

6. Hike Bukit Nanas Forest

In the middle of urban congestion and skyrise concrete edifices is the tropical Bukit Nanas (Pineapple hill) Forest hill reserve. There are a number of neatly maintained nature trails that weave through the sturdy trees and jungle flora. This nature haven is a perfect place to escape the city, clear your mind, and relieve your thoughts.

7. Visit the Batu Caves

Just a few kilometers from the main area of KL, are the interesting Batu caves. The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves and cliffs with Hindu shrines and statues inside. If you are there towards the end of January, don’t miss the important Thaipusam Festival.

8. Masjid Jamek Mosque

The Masjid Jamek Mosque is a beautiful architectural design with it’s Arab domes and sharp arches. The structure caters to the tropical hot climate with open terraces and a lovely marble floor.

9. Thean Hou Chinese Temple

This huge Chinese Temple is one of the largest in SE Asia. It is a beautiful sight to see with it’s dragon columns, intricate Chinese pagodas, and view of Kuala Lumpur city skyline.
Open from 9 am – 6pm.

10. Chill Out in Bukit Bintang

Kuala Lumpur’s trendy eating and boutique shopping district is almost always teeming with life. Browse the clothing shops, find restaurants with all kinds of international food, get a massage, or enjoy a bit of street side sheesha.
See map here!

11. Sip Chai in Little India

Little India also known as Brickfields is packed full of shops selling Indian attire, incense, shrines, and fabrics. Small eateries constantly remain crowded with lazy eaters who sip on chai from small cups and nibble on roti canai.

12. Explore Chinatown

Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, like most other Chinatown’s around the world, is a great place to walk around, explore, and eat! Petaling Jaya street is lined with cheap mass produced hawker goods, but if you escape the main drag you can find traditional Malaysian Chinese stores.
For more information see this link on Chinatown and check out the map.

13. Culinary Excitement on Jalan Alor Street

If you are looking for an evening of intense culinary excitement filled with Chinese infused Malaysian food, check out Jalan Alor. The street is a hit due to the countless eating options, a lot of seating, and huge picture menus to entice you.
Location: parallel to Jalan Bukit Bintang.

14. Let a fish eat your feet at a Fish Spa Massage

Even though it might sound a little disturbing to have little fish nibble at the callus’ on your well used feet, I can vouch that after the initial girl-ly giggles, it feels incredible. Kuala Lumpur has clinched a prestigious position as a top notch destination for Garra Rufa Fish to do their thing. There are elaborate expensive fish spas and others that cost 10 MYR for 15 minutes on Bukit Bintang or in Central Market.

15. Relax in the KL Lake Gardens

KL Lake Gardens is a neatly manicured central tropical park. The landscape design is filled with lush green lawns, flowers, and lakes. Inside the park are a few famed KL attractions such as the butterfly park, KL bird park, and an orchid and hibiscus flower garden.

The incredible diversity of it’s people, the overflowing spiciness of it’s cuisine, and the technology mixed with tropical nature, makes Kuala Lumpur a city where anyone can have an enjoyable time!

Contact us for a variety of Malaysia Packages !!

Text courtesy: Mark Wiens (http://migrationology.com)