Phuket sunset by William Cho

Patong beach is the most famous beach in Phuket, Thailand. Patong has various restaurants and hotels that provide world clas accommodation and dining. There are also boarding houses for visitors with lesser budgets. Travelers like to soak up the sun on the beautiful white sandy beaches of Patong. Beach equipment, such as windsurfing boards, kayaks, and jet skis, can be rented here and add to the excitement of the holiday in Phuket.

The sandy beaches of the western coast tend to be the most popular tourist destinations in Phuket but visitors can also soak up its deep history and heritage. The temples and shrines illuminate the Buddhist influence in Phuket. Amulets, which remind individuals of the teachings of Buddha, can be purchased from the amulet marketplace. Buddhists from other places in the country and from abroad flock to the market to buy amulets made from clay, gypsum, and different metals and are often blessed by Buddhist monks.

If you’d like to avoid the sometimes crowded beaches, the Bang Pae waterfall and Ao Yon waterfall is the perfect place. The pools are ideal to bathe in, and most visitors have the place all to themselves. This makes it a perfect place for a swim and a picnic lunch.

The coral reefs at Coral Island, also known since Koh Hae, draw many visitors. Tourists can snorkel here and see the beautiful undersea world, or take a ride in a traditional Thai longboat.  SCUBA diving clases are also given at this site for those that are interested.

Phuket is effectively linked by air, land, and water. Every one of the three modes of transport offers you glimpses of amazing scenery during your journey. Many people arrive from far-off destinations, so they tend to choose air travel, but if you are coming from another part of of Thailand, or from Malaysia, a boat or a train is a very unique way to arrive in Phuket.

Whatever your mode of transport, beautiful Phuket is waiting for you to arrive. Don’t let her down!

Cape Town by Nick Gray

Some other famous destinations in Cape Town are Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, District Six Museum, South African Museum, Two Oceans Aquarium, Groote Schuur Hospital Transplant Museum, Robben Island, Castle of Good Hope, Victoria, Good Hope Nature Reserve and Alfred Waterfront. There are so many things to see!

Hermanus is a seashore city situated 1.5 hours driving distance from Cape Town. The town provides some of the best whale watching in the world. From August to November, you can see many whales in the bay. Tourists walk along the path on the cliff to see whales and you can spot whales s close as 20 meters from the shore. You can also take one of the many whale watch cruises.

Boulders Beach is popular for penguins. Boulders Beach is a refuge for penguins and you should treat them and their surroundings with respect. Penguins that are found at Boulders Beach are African Penguins. These penguins delight tourists and locals with their fun antics.

Cape Town is also popular for many sporting events. Cape Argus cycle tour is a extraordinary sporting event which is famous for many years. The cycle tour attracts both competitive and casual cyclists. Another good sporting event is the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon.

Music and the arts are very popular in South Africa. North Sea Jazz festival is full weekend show consists of many artists from South Africa, Africa and other countries. Klein Karoo National Arts Festival offer poetry, dance, music and nightclub. Both American and British comedians along with locals are featured at the Cape Town International Comedy Festival. The Cape Times V&A Waterfront fairs includes more than 75 estates from Western Cape. Cape Epicure Festival consist of two weeks of food and events.

Cape Town is a great destination for shopping as it offers a variety of options. You can find traditional African art and beadwork, precious gems, diamonds, hand-crafted gifts and souvenirs. Cape Town is the best for buying diamonds and gold. You can also visit the voguish malls or local markets for all of your shopping needs.

There are also large shopping malls at Cape Town. Most of the malls consist of huge chain stores, small boutiques, restaurants, movie theatres, restaurants and coffee shops. Some of the major shopping malls are Bayside Centre, Cavendish Square, V&A Waterfront, Tygervalley, Constantia Village, Somerset Mall and Canal Walk. Open air markets can be visited on weekends in areas like Rondebosch, Constantia, Kirstenbosch and Hout Bay. You will find vintage and old-fashioned things from Quaint Main Street at Kalk Bay.

With so many reasons to visit Cape Town, what are you waiting for?

Bhutan by Jean-Marie Hullot

Bhutan is one of the most beautiful countries in the South Asia region. Tourism in Bhutan is increasing due to green lush meadows, scintillating valleys, picturesque snow-capped mountain ranges, flowing waterfalls, fertile valleys, wildlife reserves, dense forests, numerous temples, monasteries and museums. These natural wealth are the main attractions of the country. Globetrotters visit the small country to gather memories and spend their holidays in very lavish manner. This wonderful country has something for every tourist. The country is perfect for adventure lovers, pilgrim travelers, nature lovers, culture travelers, etc. People of all interests can visit the country and enjoy their vacation.

Bhutan offers endless opportunities for hiking, trekking, mountaineering, rock-climbing, and other adventure activities. Therefore, Bhutan is becoming very popular among adventure enthusiasts. There are many wildlife destinations and natural attraction sites in the country which makes it popular among nature lovers. Here are some of the popular attractions of Bhutan:

Wangdi Dzong: It is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country located at the converge of the Punakhachu and Tang-chu Rivers. It is  beautiful valley that offers  rich pastureland for cattle and unbelievable views .

Tongsa: It is very beautiful location situated in the heart of Bhutan. The climate of the area is very pleasant and is seen as perfect summer retreat for visitors and is very popular with tourists.

Mongar: Mongar is a quickly developing area in eastern Bhutan. It is famous for its small villages where people live a very traditional way of life. It is also very popular with trekkers.

It is important to know that there are some rules to visit the country, therefore, you must contact with one of the local tour operators to visit Bhutan. There are many of these operators to choose from. They can help you plan the perfect visit for you. If you like trekking, or visiting religious sites, or even want to try and catch a glimpse of Bhutan’s famous Yeti, there are people ready to help you create the perfect vacation.

Bhutan also has a good team of interpreters and guides that are well versed in history and possess good communication skills. They are all certified who undergo training conducted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. There are also guides who speak fluent Japanese, Thai, Chinese and other languages.

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a dazzling tour destination where ancient eastern cultures coexist with a western democratic way of life. Make your plan to visit today!

Mountain Gorilla by Steve Vance

In particular, Uganda’s tourism industry has really accepted the challenge. WIth tourists clambering to visit the country, especially for its mountain gorilla treks, Uganda has had to increase its attention to the needs of tourists, while still preserving their natural and cultural heritage.

Still, tourism is a very competitive industry, which requires enormous investment in showcasing the products, enhancing visibility of the country in the tourism and travel markets, as well as providing assurance to visitors about the safety of the destinations. These are expensive undertakings, which require huge budgets for marketing and promotion.

In East Africa, the most popular destinations are Uganda, for the aforementioned mountain gorillas, Kenya and Tanzania, which are known for wildlife migrations and mountain climbing, and Rwanda, also for mountain gorillas. Each of these countries spends a great deal on marketing and promotion but Uganda may be leading the pack in terms of its commitment to promoting tourism.

Several training institutes has recently become popular, and are graduating well educated individuals who then join the work force.   Crested Crane Hotel and Tourism Training Institute Jinja, Makerere University and many other institutions can count tourism courses as one of the most popular courses of study.

As you can see, Uganda, and other countries in Africa are focusing on each and every aspect of tourism in their regions. Rest assured that your next visit to Africa will be a great one.

Nepal by Jean-Marie Hullot

Cultural and Architectural Sites: There are many cultural and architectural sites in Nepal which attract travelers and tourists from all over the world. Among the most sought after architectural and cultures sites are Boudhanath Stupa (a bastion of Tibetan Buddhist culture located in heart of picturesque Kathmandu Valley), Swaymbhunath Stupa (also called Money Temple) and Hanuman Dhoka (the former Royal Palace of the Malla kings).

World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO: There are also many sites in Nepal which are declared as world heritage sites by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Exploring various UNESCO sites will give you ultimate tourist experience in this culturally rich country. Major world heritage sites to see in this country include Pashupatinath Temple (a magnificent Lord Shiva temple located 5 km away from Kathmandu), Royal Chitwan National Park (recognized for its unique ecosystems of international significance), Changu Narayan Temple (an impressive double roofed ancient temple in Kathmandu Valley dedicated to Hindu Lord Vishnu), Bhaktapur Durbar Square (a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets back to the 12th & 18th centuries), Golden Gate (Nepal’s Pride), and many more.

Natural and Adventurous Sites: There are many natural and adventure sites in Nepal which attract nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. Pokhara, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are wonderful tourist places which enjoy abundant natural beauty and a relaxed atmosphere. Pokhara is a peaceful town with lovely lakes and scenic views of gorgeous gorges and majestic mountains. Mount Everest and Annapurna regions have some of the best trekking trails in the world. Trekking in Nepal is the best way to explore the mountainous beauty of the country. Tourists will not only have the opportunity to explore mountain beauty but also meet local people and know about their culture, tradition and lifestyle. Nepal peak climbing, mountaineering, and river rafting are other adventurous activities to enjoy.

So plan your adventure journey to Nepal today! You’ll be glad that you did!

London Dungeon by malditofriki

Being one of the most popular tourist destinations, London Dungeon has been regarded with a lot of curiosity and excitement. This all-new museum is located in Tooley Street, London and situated near to world-famous London Bridge rail station. The main concept of this museum is to display the diverse torture methods and practices of the medieval period.

If you want to experience the history of tortures and crimes, do not hesitate to visit the London Dungeon. It recreates the sense of horror, along with macabre historical events in an interesting atmosphere. Why are such museums needed? The primary reason for opening such museums is to make it educational and appealing to many people who have a keen interest in the dark side of history.

Historically, the museum was opened in the year 1976. Initially, it was like many other museums that clearly present glimpses of the torturous history of the United Kingdom. Later on, the museum has been turned into more of an interactive one by inviting professional actors to join in. This museum is managed by Merlin Entertainment, the ones who bring you so many other entertainments options such as Madame Tussauds, Legoland, London Eye, Thorpe Park, Heide Park, Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle, Sea Life, and Gardaland.

In addition, London Dungeon has other very famous “cousins” in Hamburg, Edinburgh, and New York. Also, a new one has recently opened in Amsterdam, appropriately named the Amsterdam Dungeon.

Duck Tours transports you around the city in bright yellow colored amphibious craft and you’ll see the famous Ducks, not only in the road, but also in the water! Originally called DUKWs and built in 1942, these craft were used to bring supplies from the ships to the beaches during the Second World War.

The 75-minute Duck Tour of London starts from Chicheley Place, behind the London Eye. Then it’s right over Westminster Bridge, which offers great views of the River Thames, Parliament and Big Ben. Around Parliament Square, the tour heads up Whitehall, past Downing Street, which is home to both the Prime Minister at no. 10 and the Chancellor of the Exchequer at no .11.

If you’ve been to London before, this tour will give you a new perspective to the city. If you haven’t been to London then this tour is simply a must and is particularly great for families. There is action packed commentary throughout the tour, detailing all the facts about London, past and present, as well as giving us interesting stories about the beloved Duck Tours vehicles.

Would you like to get a bit scared, or have a bit of fun? Choose one, or both, of these tours and experience London in a whole new way!

Dublin Pub by William Murphy

Universities, schools, brides and grooms to be, family and friends are all feeling the effects of the economic downturn. These groups need to be more aware of the costs for group travel. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great time in Dublin and Cork, as there are lots of things to do, see and experience. Many of Dublins top attractions are located within easy access of a large selection fo Dublin hostels.

Somewhat of a hidden gem of a day out is the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) commuter train service which runs right along the coast, with breathtaking views and fabulous places to visit along the route. One must-see location on the train journey is the pretty fishing village of Howth (rhymes with ‘both’), a twenty minute DART journey along the coast north of Dublin city centre. Howth has a pretty harbour, which is used by both working fishing boats and pleasure craft – but did you know that it also has a beach? When you come out of the DART station, walk about 100 meters towards Howth village, take a left, then walk down the little alleyway to your left – and you come out on Claremont Beach! It’s right beside the pier, but you could easily miss it – it’s a great place to take a stroll, while building up an appetite for a great Irish meal!

Travelling with a student group is certainly not easy or cheap, so making wise decisions prior to your trip will pay off when you arrive in Dublin or Cork. Planning your itinerary and booking the most important elements of your trip can not only be more cost effective for a group, but also less stressful for the group leaders!

In some hostels, your group’s breakfast is covered so you just have lunches and dinner to think about, saving both time and money. Whether your group are busy with itineraries everyday or just taking it easy, wouldn’t it be great not to have to stress about sorting out lunch or dinners for the whole group? You can organise packed lunches prior to your arrival in some hostels and they will be delivered to the hostel reception for your group to collect in the morning. Make use of the hostel’s helpful staff. They can often pre-book a local restaurant for your group at discounted group prices. Booking and paying for lunches and dinners in advance means your group saves money, saves time in the evenings, because you don’t have to find a place to accommodate a large group, and it helps with daily budgets.

Many groups who plan their trip to Dublin and Cork don’t even consider costs of attractions or activities until they arrive. They’re missing all sorts of opportunities to save money. By planning ahead and booking prior to arrival in Dublin you will save a significant amount of money for the group.

Student discounts and other concessions will make a difference to your groups budget. If you are a student group in one of the Dublin hostels, make sure you bring your student vouchers on your trip. Lots of shops and attractions in Dublin offer student discounts.

There you have it! How not to break the bank when visiting Dublin! So get your group together and plan your trip!

Hong Kong by Steve Carney

Hong Kong enjoys a sub-tropical climate with four distinguishable seasons making is an ideal destination all year round. During the spring season that starts from the month of March to mid May the weather is warm and humid. The temperature from the end of May to mid September is generally high, and the heat can be uncomfortable. From late September to early December is the autumn season when the temperature gradually falls and the humidity is also more tolerable. Autumn season is marked by clear sunshine and fine weather. During winter, which is from late December to February, the temperature remains quite cold and somewhat dry.

Ideally, the best time to visit Hong Kong is in the spring. It is regarded as the best time to plan for holiday in this stunning city as the climate remains moderate and tourists can roam around the city in a comfortable manner. During this time getting good deals on Hong Kong tours and flights can be difficult. Therefore, if you wish to plan for a holiday in Hong Kong during the months of March to May, plan it in advance and start looking for suitable holiday tour packages much earlier.

If you are planning to visit Hong Kong during some other time of the year rather than the peak tourist season, you can get attractive rates for Hong Kong holiday packages. If you don’t like the crowds, avoid planning a holiday in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year, which is held in the end of January or the beginning of February. During this time, Hong Kong is in a festive mood but most of the shops are closed and the streets are often crowded. Also, the International Food Fair, held in January, attracts a huge number of tourists to the city. Budget travelers should stay away from planning a holiday during this time.

Hong Kong hotels and resorts are generally booked solid for the months of April and October due to expositions and conventions. Another time when accommodation may be hard to find is during the Christmas season, as the Christmas sales attract many visitors. Booking for tours and flights to Hong Kong must be done at least fifteen days in advance to avoid disappointment. Also, you can usually find the best rates on packages if bookings are done in advance.

So check your options and book early, then enjoy your trip to beautiful Hong Kong!

Sheikh Zayed Mosque by Andrew Xu

Abu Dhabi sightseeing tours include a trip to famous Al Ain, located about 60 km south of Abu Dhabi, which is also known as Garden City. At Al Ain you can go to the famous Al Ain National Museum or visit the Hili Archaeological Garden that features fantastic archaeological finds from a Bronze Age settlement. Al Ain Old Prison offers panoramic views of the city and its surrounding oasis. You can also visit Al Jahili Fort and the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium during your sightseeing tour in the area.

In Abu Dhabi you’ll find all the conveniences of a modern 21st century capital with some surprising additions. Fine dining abounds, as do opportunities for more affordable fare in numerous city centre restaurants. Chefs from all parts of the world come to Abu Dhabi to work, so you can try many different types of cuisine.

While you are sightseeing here, you can also shop at traditional markets, known as souks. Iranian Souk and sites like Heritage Village give us an exact representation of how people of Abu Dhabi lived before the discovery of its huge oil reserves.

The Corniche is one of the popular places in the city. A beautiful park by the sea, it is just perfect for relaxation. Those interested in arts, music or dance can visit the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, a center that organizes frequent cultural events and shows.

On sightseeing tours to Abu Dhabi, you must not miss visits to Al Hosn Palace, Bateen Shipyard, Dhow Harbor, Jebel Hafeet, and many other sites.

Attractions of Abu Dhabi are as diverse as salt and sugar. On one hand, you can feel the bounteousness of nature’s magnificence in this city, and on the other, you’ll rave about the creative brilliance of human brain, as seen through the architectural marvels that adorn Abu Dhabi’s skyline. This fascinating oasis is home to the largest museum in the United Arab Emirates, the Al Ain National Museum, Abu Dhabi, and also the Al Ain Zoo, one of the best wildlife reserves in the region.

Abu Dhabi offers something special for each of its visitors. Whatever your subject of interest may be, this city’s attractions will cater to your preferences and make your holidays in Abu Dhabi a memorable one.

Whatever you choose to do, you will meet with a welcome which has been extended to travelers throughout the ages.

Zebra by Nick Farnhill

Most visitors say that a trip to Africa is like nothing they’ve ever experienced before, and the wild animals are not the only reason. The amazingly beautiful and surreal landscapes spread far and wide, with the lush green colors of huge trees and rain forests are a sight to behold. The wide expanse of the dull brown desert with its golden sands is also striking to see. Nature is in the center of every view in Africa.

But sometimes ii is about the animals, and the thrill of seeing them live their life like no humans are watching. To be lucky enough to see the interaction between predator and prey is something every traveler hopes to see. The thrill and rush of watching something so amazing will stay with you forever.

The most famous sights on an African safari are definitely The Big Five. These are the animals everyone wants to see, and they are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, and African elephant. Other animals that can be seen are the zebra, giraffe, warthog, hippo, and hundreds of varieties of birds.

African safari parks are now developing very quickly to attract visitors from all over the world.
Walk- through safari and drive- through safari parks are very popular among visitors. Some of the safari parks are interactive as well, where one can feed animals and watch them closely. Animal shows are arranged to add more interactive features in the safari.

Wildlife photographers are particularly attracted to the beauty of wildlife on African safaris. The diversity of scenery that can be captured, and availability capturing wildlife close up is a true attraction for wildlife photographers. The breathtaking splendid beauty and exotic images are captured  in the cameras of wildlife photographers for the world to see. Many wildlife documentaries and scientific wildlife studies are carried out on African safaris.
An African safari is a trip that is now easier than ever to take. Investigate your options and book your trip today!