Author Topic: ~ Travel Guide ~  (Read 30990 times)

Offline MysteRy

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~ Travel Guide ~
« on: September 10, 2014, 09:31:22 PM »
India Travel Guide


Taj Mahal in Agra, India

India can be called a world in its own with so much to see and get acquainted with a civilization, which is the oldest in the world. When you have come to India, you should be assured of one fact here you will find unity in diversity. Get acquainted with this culturally rich land which has got nature’s blessing in abundance. It is known to all that India is gifted with enthralling beauty of nature and has maintained rich cultural heritage. Ultimately a bulk of tourists alight on the ground of this graceful country every year.

India is a tourist’s dream come true for more reasons than one. India has the majestic Himalayas forming a crown in the north, the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean washing its shores on three sides. The Indian deserts are filled with stunning palaces, lush greenery, and placid lagoons that seem to possess magic of their own. India is noted for the hospitality of the people who speak 1,500 different languages.

On your tour to India you may visit the world’s largest delta, Sunderbans with mangrove forests and royal Bengal tigers or pay a visit to the temple city Varanasi. Explore the royal grandeur and saga of the bygone era in the palaces of Rajasthan with a stunning backdrop of the Thar Desert. You can go for scuba diving and snorkeling in the Andaman Islands and the Lakshadweep.

Tourists may be greeted in an unusual way and you may be surprised by the crowds at Pushkar or the crowded streets at the metropolis Mumbai and Kolkata. But the visit is worth it when you see the breathtaking Taj Mahal in Agra, Red Fort in Delhi or for that matter Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. You will have a lot of memories to take back home. The top destinations in India are Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Bangalore, Agra, Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, and Uttaranchal, etc.

Map



Geetting In And Around

One may reach India by airways and railways. India has several international airports in metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai. Apart from them there are some other international airports in Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar. The tickets for flights from Delhi are inexpensive. For the citizens of neighboring countries flights are convenient. From Kathmandu the most convenient overland route to Delhi and other northwestern regions is Sunauli. It is wise to choose Birgang to cross the border and enter the eastern region to spend holidays in India.

India has two peninsula ports open in Mumbai and Chennai for passengers. Thus, you can also choose to travel to India via waterways. Travelers coming from Nepal or Pakistan have the convenience of trains and buses for getting here. Two trains run between India and Pakistan: the Samjhauta Express from Lahore to Attari near Amritsar in Punjab and the Thar Express from Munabao in Rajasthan to Khorapar in Pakistan. A train from Khejuri in Nepal arrives at Jaynagar in Bihar. But because of the absence of onward connection in Nepal, travelers generally take to flight or bus. Apart from railways, you may reach India by car as well. The Attari/Wagah border is the only cross border point. If you have your own car, a Carnet de Passage must be with you while crossing the border.

There are numerous choices for getting around this country. Domestic airports are scattered all over the peninsula. The most important Airlines in India are: Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, and Alliance Air. In recent years the Government of India liberalized Indian Aviation rules for private airlines. Consequently, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Air Sahara are treading the overseas routes. These airlines connect more than 80 cities across the country.

India has the longest railway network. The rail lines cover an area of 63,000 km. Railway transportation is operated by Indian Railways. Rail lines connect India with its neighboring countries as well. Metro rails in metropolitan cities are a cheap and one of the best means to travel in India. Trams are frequently used to reach nearby areas.

After railway, buses are the cheap and easy mode of traveling. Bus services are provided by both private owners and the government. Buses for long distance are also available. India carries the dignity to possess a huge network of highways covering about 65,569 km. A majority of the roads are in a vehicle-friendly condition.

Vans, taxi, cars, and rickshaws are easily available to take you to various places within the city or town.

Leisure

India is a wonderful mixture of various cultures and traditions. You are sure to get a glimpse of the sundry color of Indian culture during your tour to this land of sublime beauty. Strolling idly or lying on the golden or gray palmy beaches of Kerala, Mumbai, and Goa can give you the best of leisure you wish to have. Juhu and Chowpatty beaches of Mumbai are regarded as the best for leisure beach tourism. Goa also boasts some wonderful beaches such as Anjuna Beach, Calanguate Beach, Baga Beach India, and Kovalam Beach.

India is a land of festivals. So tourists can get true entertainment through the celebration of these grand festivals. Holi, a grand festival of colors, is celebrated with full enthusiasm in Mathura. The Pushkar fair of Rajasthan attracts many foreign tourists.

India boasts of rich art which includes architecture, literature, music, dance, cinema, and radio, etc. You can go to any stadium and enjoy classical dance or music performances. Besides these there are organizations such as Mahindra Club and many more which entertain their customers by organizing various events such as face paintings, storytelling, balloon toys, and treasure hunts.

If you are desirous to enjoy a hot night full of music, dance, merriment, and revelry, the best option is to go to nightclubs or pubs. Some well-known nightclubs of Bangalore are: Jockey, Styx, Athena, Tuscan Vern, DownTown, etc.

Places To See

The list of interesting places in India is endless. However, some of the must-visit places include:

Ladakh: A place where you can feel peace and contentment amid breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys.

Kashmir: The heaven on earth.

Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh): A Sikh temple with hot water springs.

Golden Temple (Amritsar): Also known as Harmandir Sahib is a Sikh Temple made of gold and is surrounded by a pool of nectar (holy water).

Haridwar: A Hindu place of worship sited on the banks of the sacred river Ganges.

Agra: A place famous for the monument of love – the Taj Mahal, and several other tourist destinations such as Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Agra Fort, etc.

Rajasthan: With its royal heritage of various palaces and forts, including the Chittorgarh Fort, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jaisalmer Fort, Keoladeo National Park, etc., the state of Rajasthan is a perfect showcase of the stately lifestyle of the Kings and Queens of the past.

Gir Forest National Park (Gujarat): Encounter Lion – the king of the forest at Gir.

Delhi: The heart of India is home to several tourist places, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Old Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Iskon Temple, Lodhi Gardens, World of Wonders, etc.

Mumbai: Mumbai, the film city, is famous for the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Essel World, Juhu Beach, etc.

Khajuraho temples (Madhya Pradesh): The temples associated with erotic art have a profound meaning. Explore the mysteries of these ancient temples.

Orissa (Odisha): Konark Sun Temple is a 13-century temple located in the state of Orissa. Other famous places in Odisha include Jagannath Temple, Lingaraj temple, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Dhauli, and Rajarani temple.

Tips

Follow these tips to make your tour to India a memorable one:

Wear comfortable clothes as summers are very hot and winters are pretty cold in India.

Even though most of the Indians speak English language, yet it is suggested to keep an English to Hindi dictionary handy. In the Northern part of India, Hindi is the second most spoken language.

The shopkeepers levy hefty prices. Try to bargain while shopping at the local shops. In the branded showrooms, the prices are same for all.

India has become unsafe for women. It is best to stay in groups rather than walk alone.

Prefer to travel in private taxis or tourist buses rather than picking the local transportation as it is unsafe for tourists. Some nasty folks try to fool the tourists or make fun of them. It is best to stay away from them.

In certain places like Goa beaches, etc., you may see vendors of various age groups selling jewelry claiming it to be real crystal, do not buy anything from them unless you are sure of the quality as most of the times it is fake. It is best to buy certified gems, etc., from reputed jewelers. The best places to buy jewelry in India are Surat (Gujarat), Kasol (Himachal Pradesh), and Hyderabad.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2014, 06:01:17 PM by MysteRy »

Offline MysteRy

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2014, 09:38:41 PM »
Malaysia Travel Guide


Crystal Mosque at la Terengganu, Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most fascinating countries in the Southeast Asia. The vibrant Malay culture is an intriguing intermingling of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. Malaysia is one of the premier holiday destinations in the world, which is situated in the center of the South-East Asia and this beautiful country is geographically segmented by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Malaysia is a land rich in biodiversity. Interesting species of flora and fauna can be found in the rivers, highlands, mangroves, coastal areas, and swamps. The beauty of this country led to the filming of the Oscar-winner “Indochine”, the Hollywood blockbuster “Anna and the King”, etc.

Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Malaysia Water Festival, Wesak Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Independence Day, Hungry Ghost Festival, and Malaysia Day are some of the interesting festivals celebrated in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and it is the perfect place to start your sightseeing trip in Malaysia. You can make a trip to Malaysia at all through the year, but it is best to avoid the rainy season in November to January. Malay is the official language of Malaysia. English is the second major language spoken in Malaysia. There are 137 other languages spoken in Malaysia, some of which are Iban, Dusunic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Fuzhou, Tamil, Thai, Malaccan Creole, Chavacano, etc.

Map



Getting In  & Around

Malaysia is an enchanting tourist destination and here you will get ample scope for a memorable holidays. You can reach Malaysia by plane, train, bus, by boat, and even by walking.

By Air
You can easily reach Malaysia by air from all around the world. The Senai International, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur International are three prime airports in Malaysia. For traveling within the country, Malaysian airlines offer arguably the lowest fare. The Berjaya Air operates flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It has its own airports on the resort islands of Pangkor, Redang, and Tioman.

By Train
You can reach cities in peninsular Malaysia by rail route from either Singapore or Thailand. Malaysian Rail offers daily train service crisscrossing the entire length of the country. The trains which connect Malaysia and Thailand are Direct sleeper train services, managed by the State Railway of Thailand, which links Bangkok and Butterworth near Penang. The Malaysian Railways run trains between Hat Yai and Kuala Lumpur. You can also avail train from Singapore, which is also the southern terminus of the Malayan Railway network. The route between Kuala Lumpur’s LRT and monorail systems, as well as the express ERL services between KLIA and Sentral Station are noted for their speedy journey. There is a government operated KTMB, which offers inexpensive and generally dependable services around Peninsular Malaysia. Tourists use the Jungle Railway services to reach Taman Negara National Park (Jerantut) or the Perhentian Islands.

By Road
Malaysia has a sound highway network and there is the North-South Expressway from Singapore reaching the Thai border. There are buses/coaches which ply between Malaysia and Brunei, Indonesian Borneo, Singapore, and Thailand. The bus service between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is very comfortable. In fact, the luxury of these buses is at par with the first class air flight. You can also cross borders by road as it is allowed from southern Thailand and Singapore into Peninsular Malaysia, as well as from Brunei and Kalimantan (the Indonesian side of Borneo) into Sarawak. You will require an International Drivers Permit (IDP).
The left driving is followed here and you need to be though extra careful while choosing the option for transportation in Malaysia by road, as in big cities like Kuala Lumpur you may face reckless motorcyclists, and immense traffic jams. Though outside the cities conditions are much better. You can also take a taxi for getting around.
The reliable bus companies such as Transnasional and NICE/Plusliner offer services getting around the country. It is advisable you should use 24-seater “luxury” buses for long-distance travel.
An amazing option but it’s true, you can also walk using the Causeway between Singapore and Johor Bahru at the southern edge of Malaysia. Distance can be covered by foot in/out of Thailand at Wang Kelian and Padang Besar, Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), Pengkalan Hulu (Perak), and Rantau Panjang (Kelantan).

By Boat
Ferries link various points in Peninsular Malaysia with Sumatra in Indonesia and southern Thailand, Sarawak with Brunei, and Sabah with East Kalimantan in Indonesia, and Mindanao in the Philippines. You can also avail luxury cruises, which ply from Singapore and sometimes Phuket (Thailand) to Malaysia.

Entertaiment Options

There are a host of options for entertainment in Malaysia, the fact is which one you want to choose, or you want to try all of them. Ranging from bustling nightlife to activities like golf, diving, whitewater rafting, river safaris and cruises, cave exploration or mountain climbing and angling, bird watching, and Paragliding.

If you have the fascination for a rocking nightlife, then come to Kuala Lumpur at Bangsar, or at Phileo Promenade. You will find here pubs, karaokes, and night clubs jam-packed even on weekdays. You can also try out Hard Rock Café KL, which is located at the Ground Floor of Concorde Hotel, if you love hard rock.

You may also visit the Sunway Lagoon. This is the focal point for fun and revelry and it also has the record of being the country’s first international standard water theme park. This combination of Water Park and the Adventure Park has some thrilling rides. The Toboggan, Double Twister, and surf pool can be enjoyed in the water park, while in the adventure park,there is Sky Flyer, Runaway Train, and the Flying Carpet.

Mines Wonderland is a dream come true as here you can experience snow in the tropical weather of Malaysia. It is spread over 150 acres and offers snow, sun, and beach – all in one location. This is definitely not to be missed while on tours of Malaysia.
Some other options for fun in Malaysia are:

Golfing holidays are a rage with the tourists, as there are several world class golf courses here
Malaysia’s marine parks are ideal for diving and offer marine sights to the world.
Whitewater rafting in the Padas and Kiulu rivers.

River safaris and cruises are another mode of entertainment in Malaysia and you can enjoy enchanting rides at Melaka, Kuala Berang in Terengganu and Taman Negara, and Lake Chini in Pahang and Sarawak.

Cave exploration is an added attraction and here you can discover caves dating back to the Stone Age. They are Gua Kolam in Perlis, Gua Tempurung and Kundu in Perak, Batu Caves in Selangor, and Gua ikan in Kuala Krai, Kelantan

Mountain climbing at Gunung Jerai in Kedah, Gunung Korbu’in Perak, and Gunung Tangsi in Negeri Sembilan for beginners, or mountains of Sabah and Sarawak for challenging climbs.
Or indulge in bird watching and find Mountain Peacock Pheasant, or a Malayan Whistling Thrush
Bag some prize catches like Giant Snakehead, the fast running Malaysian Jungle Perch, the GiantFeather back, and the elusive but powerful Malaysian Mahseer, or the Black Marlin. Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, and Dogtooth Tuna on angling tours.

Enjoy interesting rides at Legoland Malaysia or the Lost World of Tambun amusement parks.
Watch interesting marine exhibits at the Aquaria KLCC.

Places To See

The most interesting places to try out in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur are:

Cameron Highlands: Malaysia’s most expansive hill station where the temperature hardly goes below 10 degrees or above 21 degrees celsius.

Penang, Langkawi: A tropical paradise kissed by the bright sun rays and gently touched by the waves of the Andaman Sea.

Kuching: Visit Mount Santubong, Kuching Cat Museum, Bako National Park, and Fort Margherita in Kuching.

Kuantan: Teluk Cempedak, Chini Lake, Darul Makmur Stadium, Berkelah Falls, Batu Hitam beach, and Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque are the major tourist places in Kuantan.

Kota Bharu: Explore Istana Jahar, Temenggor Lake, Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Muzium Diraja Istana Batu, and Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, on your tour to Malaysia.

Peninsular Malaysia is the most renowned among visitors and the peninsula is further divided into the East Coast and West Coast by the famous Titiwangsa mountain range. The West Coast is comparatively more developed and cosmopolitan and holds more attractions, while the East Coast takes pride in its simple rustic charm.

Tips

Follow these tips for a nice experience:

Pack light clothes as the weather is warm and humid year round.

Not all taxi services are good. Check online reviews before you land in Malaysia. The taxis of Kuala Lumpur rank on the list of the world’s worst taxi service providers.

Instead of bacon, most of the restaurants serve thin slices of pork. You must reconsider your option of munching bacon.

The Langkawi, Tioman, and Labuan are duty-free islands. Taxes are waived off on hotels and selected goods.

The UK travel advisory has mentioned about the mosquito-borne diseases as the latest threat to health in Malaysia.

There is a threat of terrorist activities, including kidnapping and criminal acts on the eastern coast of Sabah. Specifically, the islands near the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines are the terrorism-prone areas.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2014, 06:03:36 PM by MysteRy »

Offline MysteRy

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2014, 06:11:02 PM »
China Travel Guide


Dignity Copper Lion in Forbidden City, China

China is a reflection of antithetical qualities as it is antique as well as avant garde, bourgeois as well as innovative, and above all rural as well as urban. It is getting developed at a rapid pace and has become one of the top tourist destinations for its rich heritage plunged in antiquity, dazzling skyscrapers, and colossal cityscape. Politically a communist state, China leads the population chart of the world.  With countries like Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, bordering China, its population comprises of Taoists, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians. Filled with numerous local dialects, this Republic of China has Mandarin as its official language. Beijing, being the capital city of China, is the cultural center. The city of Shanghai, renowned for its riverside scenery, is also an important economic hub of the country where shopping is an experience.

This multi-cultural abode went through a great economic expansion in the recent past, but has a major percentage of its population living below the poverty line. The sophistication and affluence of the urban sector are amalgamated with the roughness and rusticity of others. The local people are prone to break the laws of their country, even going to an extent of pushing, shoving, and showing general disregard towards others. Spitting and smoking almost anywhere, sneezing without covering mouth, staring, loud conversations, and calls of “hello” are a common sight in China.

It is best to visit the country during the spring when China experiences a mild climate. As the spring festival is a major festival of China, it is apt to prepare in advance. China follows a strict policy while issuing visas, but it is necessary to get your visa before traveling.

List of major Chinese holidays:

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival falls during January-end and continues till mid-February.

The Qingming Festival is celebrated generally from April 4 to April 6.

Labor Day or May Day is celebrated on May 1.

The Dragon Boat Festival begins on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, generally during May through June.

Mid-Autumn Day (the Moon Cake Festival) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It generally falls in October.

National Day of China falls on October 1.

Map



Getting In And Around

Transportation in China was very poor in the ancient times. People in China mainly traveled on foot. Thus, the speed was very less. Gradually the country saw the face of trains, planes, ships, buses and bikes. With such an aggressive effort since 1949 by the Chinese government, a comprehensive transportation system was created in China which consisted of railways, highways and airplanes. Today, China herself has an efficient transport network where people can avail various forms of vehicles to reach their destination.

Airways
Visitors to China most often take the air route. There are three ways to fly. One can either take the economy, business, or the first class. The difference is in price and obviously the level of comfort. Particularly, the busy periods are usually when Chinese students are flying home for the summer, flying back to universities around the world after the summer or around Chinese New Year (early February). Tickets at these times are often hard to get and/or more expensive.

Tiger Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Air Asia offer low-priced flights from Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila) to various destinations in southern China, including Xiamen, Jinghong, Guangzhou, Haikou, and Macau. Europeans have several options such as British Airways, Air France, etc. to access this country while Americans may choose North American Airlines, Continental Airlines, etc.

Besides, Oasis Airway offers cheap, no-frills flights between Hong Kong and Europe, currently to London, with fares starting at $1000 HK ($125 US) one way, $6600 HK ($825 US) for business class. The country’s own airlines are also growing rapidly and working hard to become highly competitive in both service and pricing. They include China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China.
The country also boasts of domestic airports. Check Airports in China Map and find important information regarding getting in China through airways.

Railways
Right from walking to taking the world’s first magnetic levitation train, the Chinese are the masters of movement. China’s International Railway services are available to destinations in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Hong Kong SAR, North Korea, and Vietnam. The train facilities like Trans-Siberian Railway from Europe and other trains are available from Central Asia. The train is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to travel some of the long distances. It is used widely by the local population. There are 4 classes on Chinese Trains: Hard Seat – which is used by a large percentage of the population as it is probably the cheapest way to travel in China. Soft Seat – which is available on the intercity lines and provides a better level of comfort. Hard Sleeper – There are six narrow bunks in a compartment that has no door, so there is no privacy. Food trolleys pass back and forth along the train so it is possible to eat quite cheaply. Soft Sleeper – There are four bunks in a compartment which has a door for privacy. These are mostly liked by tourists. Finally, Beijing’s main train station, which is located in central Beijing offers routes all over China and international trips. Regular rail service links mainland China with Hong Kong. There are also rail routes from Nanning in Guangxi province into Vietnam via the Friendship Pass. There is another rail link between Kunming in Yunnan province and Hanoi via Hekou and Lao Cai. Moreover, there are four weekly connections between the North Korean capital Pyongyang and Beijing. Have a look at the Railway map of China. China has around 20 chief domestic railway routes.

Bus Transport
People of Nepal and Pakistan can avail the developed bus service to China. Traveling by road is the best and most unique way of learning about the country. China’s long distant bus system has several advantages, the main being that it goes almost everywhere, even to the most remote regions, especially in the west, which are often inaccessible via train or plane. Besides, bus tickets are often easier to purchase than train tickets as there are many buses. Almost all major cities and towns have long distant bus stations and tickets are sold at the bus station itself and need not to be booked in advance. Ticket prices are fixed according to the condition of the bus. Bicycles are another mode of transportation in China and in fact an excellent method for getting around China’s cities for sightseeing. China had 500 million bicycles by 1987. China, in fact, is characterized by this mode of transport. It is the part and parcel of the life of the people. Tourists who come to the country generally do not miss this. Recently, “mountain” bikes have become more popular. Check out the Road Map of China to know about various routes.

Waterways
You can also reach China by the way of international ferry. There are ferries from Japan and Korea, more specifically. There are around 130 ports in China that are open to foreign ships. Some of the chief ports are: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shijing, etc. Boats are also accessible by the countries like Japan, South Korea, etc.

Leisure

With China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and its continued and rapid economic growth, entertainment and leisure in China continues to have rapid growth and development. To address this growth, China has recognized the need to develop its entertainment infrastructure to an international standard. Entertainment in China includes options such as television, motion pictures, theme parks, sports events, and resorts. Besides, emphasis is also given to the tourist attractions for drawing more tourists.

Many historians believe that football originated in China. Other popular sports include martial arts, table tennis, badminton, and more recently, golf. Basketball is now popular among young people in crowded urban centers. In Taiwan, baseball is more popular due to American and Japanese influences.
There are also many traditional sports. Chinese dragon boat racing takes place during the Duanwu festival. In Inner Mongolia, Mongolian-style wrestling and horse racing are popular. This appears to be very interesting to a tourist browsing through the interiors of the country. In Tibet, archery and equestrian sports are part of traditional festivals. China, in fact, has become a sports power, especially in Asia. The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, were held in Beijing. Board games such as International Chess, Go (Weiqi), and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) are also common and have organized formal competitions.

The other forms of enjoying in China include shopping, relaxing in the various resorts, and dining. Shanghai is the hottest shopping arena for tourists.

Places To See

China has some amazing tourist destinations:

The largest wall: The Great Wall of China.

71-meter-tall statue of Leshan Giant Buddha.

Forbidden City that delves into the mystery.

Terracotta Army evokes eerie.

Jin Mao Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding cities.

Hong Kong’s highest mountain peak: Victoria Peak.

The Shaolin Temple where Shaolin Kung Fu masters are created.

The Hainan Islands are a group of small white sand islands.

The historic sites of Tiananmen Square, Potala Palace, Mogao Caves, Temple of Heaven, Eastern Qing

Tombs, and Historic Centre of Macau.

For a different experience, cruise the Yangtze and the Li Rivers.

Tips

Break the language barrier by bringing English to Chinese and Chinese to English pocket dictionary. You may download the Chinese language app for travelers.

A Shanghai Taxi driver prefers coins while in northern and western China, the vendors accept only paper money.

The public toilets in China are not equipped with toilet papers. You should carry your own supplies.

In China rice is usually served at the end of the meals, considering it to be a filler. If you need rice along with your main food, order it by saying mifan mashang (rice straight away).

Offline MysteRy

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2014, 08:05:47 PM »
Hong Kong Travel Guide


Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong at night.

Hong Kong is a place which is a merger of varied culture and here you find Cantonese traditions with prolonged British influence as well as connections with China .

Explore the effervescence of this place with a feel of an urban landscape. You will find here trendy shopping malls, and boutiques juxtaposed with old world charm . You also find here lush greenery and hiking trails making the city complete holiday destination. The plus point of this tourist destination is sound transport network , efficient customer service, and of course its jet speed.

This Oriental Pearl has the convenience of modern living as well as memories of days of yore. When you discover its tourists hotspots like the spectacular Ocean Park, or the vantage point of Victoria Peak or the stunning Repulse Bay, you feel as if you have arrived in dreamland.

Hong Kong consists of four parts Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island is the hub for economy, politics, entertainment, and shopping. Kowloon is a prospering region; and here there are Causeway Bay, Wan Chai , Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok.

These are always buzzing with activity. The New Territories and Outlying Islands lets you explore the tranquility and scenic beauty of Hong Kong. Imagine having Yum Cha (tea and dim sum) in the bright morning or spending moon lit night on the top of Victoria Peak. Go on an exciting harbor cruise, and mingle with the shoppers in the various malls and markets around the Tsim Sha Tsui . Pamper your taste buds with delicacies at dai pai dong or take an enchanting boat cruise on a sampan or high speed ferry.

Map



Getting In

Hong Kong enchants tourists not only with various tourist attractions, shopping extravaganza but getting to Hong Kong is also very easy, and you can reach here by air, train and even on a bike from neighboring places.

Reach Hong Kong by Plane
Hong Kong International Airport is a focal point connecting to different parts of the world . You have here direct flights to Hong Kong from across the globe. Majority of the cities in Oceania, Europe and North America are all linked with minimum one daily flight and thus Sydney has 6 daily flights, London 11(1 to Gatwick), Frankfurt 2, Paris 3, Amsterdam 2, Los Angeles 4, San Francisco 3, Vancouver 3, New York 3, Chicago 2 and Toronto 2 flights connecting to Hong Kong.

Reach  Hong Kong by Train
Kowloon Canton Railway(KCR) has the option of regular Through Train service operating between Guangdong Province, Beijing, and Shanghai. The KCR also offers domestic rail service from the Hong Kong boundary with Mainland China.
To get the timetable and fare information you can see the online directory of the Kowloon Canton Railway. You should be informed of the fact that train service between Hong Kong and Mainland China ends before midnight because the Lo Wu border is closed at midnight.

Reach Hong Kong by Bike
If you want an innovative way to reach Hong Kong then come here on a bike . This is much of an attraction for cycle tourists, and there are the cross border arrangements from the Mainland China. You have 4 checkpoints on the Hong Kong – Shenzhen boundary, namely Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, and Sha Tau Kok.

Reach Hong Kong by Ship
The ships arriving Hong Kong anchor at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is in close proximity to Hong Kong’s cultural and shopping hub.

Transport

Transportation in Hong Kong is very sound and here you will get so many options that it becomes very difficult to choose which one is appropriate for you. Centamap helps you in deciding the location while the Octopus payment card is the base of the public transport system. This is a multi-utility contact less smart card. You can use it while traveling by MTR, KCR, as well as in some bus routes.

Subway or underground railway is the most swift mode of travel. You have here Mass Transit Railway (MTR) which is an underground network . This network has five lines and the Tsuen Wan Line is most important while the Tung Chung Line) is the fastest route to Lantau.

If you want to enjoy sightseeing along with traveling then go for Peak Tram operated by Hong Kong Tramways. These are slim double-decker city trams moving on the north coast of Hong Kong Island. They have a flat fare of only $2 and you will find that this is the cheapest way of sightseeing tour.
If you are located in the south side of the island and Lantau then transportation in Hong Kong by huge double-decker buses is a good option.

You can enjoy sightseeing sitting on the first seats of the upper deck. Various bus operators here are Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), Citybus, New World First Bus, and New Lantao Bus.
There are a large number of ferries plying between the many islands of Hong Kong. The most popular is the Star Ferry, don’t miss the route between Kowloon, and Central where you can enjoy spectacular views.

Traveling in Hong Kong by taxi is very convenient option and here the Taxicabs are quite spic and span and efficient . Also, there is a cable car service to Ocean Park located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, and Ngong Ping Skyrail on Lantau.

Leisure

For entertainment there are a lot of exciting options in Hong Kong, like a pulsating nightlife, going on a luxury night cruise over Victoria Harbor or rocking the night at the pubs, bars, nightclubs.

You can opt for Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village Dinner Cruise, which is a 5-hour trip beginning at dusk. You will tour the seafood bazaar at Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village, runway of the old Kai Tak airport and shop in the Temple Street Open Market after feasting on sumptuous seafood banquet. There are other luxury cruises like Star Ferry’s Harbor Tour with A Symphony of Lights, Pearl of the Orient Dinner Cruise, and Tsing Ma Night Cruise. You can also go for an exciting cable ride to the Victoria Peak.

You can also visit the bars and pubs in east Tsim Sha Tsui, Lan Kwai Fong, and Wan Chai. The most famous one is Lan Kwai Fong. You can taste wide range of beer, alcohol and wine which are indeed a connoisseur’s delight.

Then there are excellent nightclubs full of life like the western or Chinese night clubs . The ambiance is suitable both for business and family get together and here you can enjoy singing, acrobat, folk dances, and Cantonese Opera.

Another option is the discos which capture the attention of the youth with pulsating music, lights, and trendy décor. And some of the places you can hit for a rocking night are Cyber 8 Discotheque Pub, Club Ing, Kara OK bars, California Red – Red Box.

The options doesn’t end here only you also have the choice for seeing a good movie here. There are more than 100 cinemas screens which show the latest movies from across the globe. You can go and watch one at JP Causeway Bay or UA Times Square, Chinachem. Tsim Sha Tsui , an enchanting night park with astounding neon lights is also an exciting option in Hong Kong. Come to Hong Kong and have a swell time watching film, nightclub, bars and pubs, music and drama .

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2014, 09:20:21 PM »
Indonesia Travel Guide


Ulun Danu temple , Beratan Lake in Bali, Indonesia

The equatorial country of Indonesia offers a tropical getaway that features beaches, islands, mountain peaks, wildlife, history, and a variety of Southeast Asian cultures. A melting pot for several Southeast Asian religions and immigrants, Indonesia covers an area of almost two million kilometers of different regions and their distinct subtleties.

Located almost between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Indonesian archipelago’s neighbors are mostly nearby islands, except for Malaysia in the north, and Papua New Guinea and East Timor in the east. Indonesia’s proximity to Australia, India, and the Southeast Asian countries of Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand makes it an attractive vacation destination for people of these countries.

Indonesia, known for being the largest archipelago in the world, has about 17,508 islands under its control, of which 6,000 are inhabited. Owing to its equatorial location, Indonesia’s climate in the plains and seaside is tropical with dry (June to September) and wet (October to May) seasons. In the regions with high altitude, like the mountain peaks in Papua, Sulawesi, and Java, the weather is cooler. The country’s official language is Indonesian, but you may find other Southeast Asian languages, like Chinese, Arabic, etc., being spoken in different regions. Similarly, holidays in Indonesia are also region specific. For instance, in the Chinese-dominated Borobudur, major holidays are the Chinese New Year and Lord Buddha’s birthday (Waisak). Then again, Indonesia has the largest Muslim settlement anywhere in the world. Hence, Ramadan, and Id-ul-Fitri or Lebaran is seen being celebrated all around the country.

Map



Getting In And Around

The Indonesian archipelago can be best entered by air or sea.

By Air: The international airports in Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java), and Denpasar (Bali), are connected with the major destinations of the world, like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Seoul, Tokyo, Dubai, Moscow, Los Angeles, Rome, and Sydney. In addition, other cities in the country as well have regular flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. There are a large number of national and international airline companies servicing Indonesia, including Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Tiger Airways, Korean Air, Air New Zealand, and Air France.
If you wish to travel between cities or islands of Indonesia, you can easily find a domestic flight to a nearby airport.

By Sea: Ports in Singapore and Malaysia have regular ferry services to Indonesia. With about 300 public ports in the country, traveling by sea is a rather preferred mode of reaching Indonesia as well as moving around its islands. According to statistics, about 14 million passengers use the sea for traveling around the islands yearly. Many of these ports cater to international and domestic import and export of different kinds of cargoes. Some of the ports are also specialized for special commodities like rubber and oil. The Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta is a convenient way to sail to Indonesia. If you wish to reach any of the other islands, here is a list of important ports that you can ferry to:

Java – Semarang (central), Surabaya (east), and Cirebon (west)
Kalimantan – Samarinda (east), Balikpapan (east), Pontianak (west) and Banjarmasin (south)
Sumatra – Padang (west), Palembang (south), Medan (north), Belawan (northeast), and Panjang (between Java and Sumatra)
Batam – Sekupang, Pulau Batam, and Nongsa
Maluku – Ambon
Sulawesi – Bitung and Ujung Pandang
Irian Jaya – Sorong
Karimun – Tanjung Balai
Kundur – Tanjung Baju

By Road: If you wish to travel in the same island, a select number of buses are available from Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and East Timor. You can also drive across the land borders. You must carry a valid visa for entering Indonesia. The main crossing points between the countries are:

Wutung – between Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) and Jayapura (Indonesia Papua)
Entikong-Tebedu – between Kuching (Sarawak, from Malaysia) and Pontianak (West Kalimantan in Indonesia)
Mota’ain – between Batugade (East Timor) and Atambua (West Timor in Indonesia)

There are buses plying between cities and provinces in Indonesia as well, especially between Sumatra and Java. You can find both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses for the travelers’ comfort and budget needs.

Leisure & Entertainment

There are a wide range of leisure and entertainment options for travelers to Indonesia. The archipelago offers something for everyone, from a laid-back to an adrenaline-packed vacation. There are a number of spas and spa resorts in the islands of Bali and Java. The spiritual monuments, serene natural surroundings, and meditation or wellness centers allow tourists to cleanse and rejuvenate their body and soul. You can also try the delectable spread of spicy Indonesian curries, fresh seafood preparations, and succulent exotic fruits. The local street food in Jakarta is a must-try for foodies. Other renowned culinary places include Bandung in West Java, Boulevard Area in the Manado City in North Sulawesi, and Semarang in Central Java. If you wish to experience Indonesia’s tribal culture, you can head to Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi, which is home to the Torajan tribe.

Indonesia prides in having one of the largest tropical forest areas in the world. Nature lovers, therefore, have an array of nature trails and cruise options in the country. A river cruise along the Sungai Kapuas River in Borneo provides a great way to see the dense mangrove jungles. The country is also home to several interesting and exotic fauna like the Orangutans, Komodo Dragon Lizard, and Tarsiers. Famous natural sites in Indonesia include Barren Komodo, Bukit Lawang (Sumatra), and Tangkoko Reserve (Northern Sulawesi). You can also visit the Bali Bird Park, and the Bogor Botanical Garden to see the wonders of nature.

The Ancol Dreamland in Jakarta is a popular amusement park in the country with attractions like a water park with options for fishing and boating, and art center featuring puppet shows, paintings and wood crafts.

Trekkers can take the hiking routes in the islands of Lombok, Borneo and Papua. The Gunung Rinjani summit in Lombok is renowned for a crater lake. The 2,392 m high Mount Bromo in the Bromo-Tengger Semeru National Park has a dramatic landscape and a volcano crater. Lake Toba is famous for its volcanic lake, believed to be the largest in the world.

In addition to these, tourists can enjoy a variety of water sports in Indonesia, like sea surfing in the Grajagan Bay in East Java, scuba diving in Bunaken, and snorkeling and diving in the Wen Island.

Places To See

Each island in Indonesia has distinctive features, making them more attractive to travelers. Listed below are the must-visit ones.

Bali – Bali has gained global popularity for its beautiful beaches, unique culture, spiritual sites, and entertainment facilities. The town of Ubud prides in conserving the Balinese culture through its dance events, art galleries and festivals.

Java – A visit to Indonesia is considered incomplete without visiting Java. Famous places to see are Jakarta (capital city), Krakatau (for its caldera), Borobudur(considered as the largest Buddhist temple in the world), Prambanan (has World Heritage Sites), and Yogyakarta (famous for its art and culture).

Sumatra – A popular island for nature enthusiasts, Sumatra is home to a large number of endangered species of flora and fauna.

Sulawesi – Sulawesi features diverse tribal settlements, national parks, and diving sites.

Tips

Listed are the things to keep in mind while traveling to Indonesia:

It is best to avoid traveling to Indonesia during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Id-ul-Fitri festival. In many places during this time businesses close earlier and many remain closed for about two weeks.

Carry a bottle of water while touring. The tropical weather is Indonesia can be difficult. Therefore, keeping yourself hydrated will reduce any problems due to the heat and humidity. Moreover, tap water is considered non-potable in the country.

Indonesia is a traditional country and take their customs seriously. Knowledge about the customs can be helpful. For instance, eating or giving something to someone with your left hand is considered impolite.
There is a departing fee, when you are leaving Indonesia. So, have some money in hand when reaching the airport.

Travelers must beware of petty to bigger crimes in the country. Owing to its infamous status as one of the world’s most corrupt countries, it is best to avoid showing off any expensive jewelry, watches, iPods, etc., or even money in a public place. Make sure to keep your belongings in a secure place and carry as little stuff as possible while on the streets.

Drug use and trafficking can attract a death penalty in the country.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2014, 10:19:31 PM »
Jordan Travel Guide


Petra in Jordan

Jordan is one of the most fascinating and clean cities in the entire Middle East and its capital is Amman, which features numerous tourist attractions like old Roman theater, an ancient Citadel, an archaeological museum, and numerous dazzling shopping malls to grab the attention of the tourists.

The extensive list of sightseeing destinations that meet up your expectations with flying colors. Jordan is surrounded by Syria in the north, Iraq in the northeast, Saudi Arabia in the east and south, and Israel in the west, and it also shares the coastlines of the Dead Sea with Israel and the Gulf of Aqaba with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

The ideal season to visit the country of Jordan is spring or autumn, as during this season the tourists don’t face either the scorching heat of the sun or the freezing winds of winter. They can take part in various outdoor activities and catch a real glimpse of the country.

The premier sightseeing destinations of Jordan predominantly comprise of Amman, Petra, Jerash, Irbid, Aqaba, Al-Mrrajam, Wadi rum, Ajlun, Rum, Umm Qais, Iraq al amir, and Karak. Other significant highlights for the tourists include Jordan River and Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.

Getting In

This country in the Middle East is comparatively small in size. The transportation network is quite appreciating and gives a lot of choice to get in. The tourists can avail from the number of world class airlines serving three quality airports of Jordan. Apart from the Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan has two other international airports viz., the Marka International Airport in East Amman and the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba. The Amman International Airport has direct flights from many of the major cities of the Middle East like Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, etc. Royal Jordanian Airlines is the national airlines of Jordan. Along with that Jordan is served by a number of foreign carriers, which includes British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, and Egyptair, etc.
You may even reach Jordan via trains. There are trains twice a week from Damascus (Syria) to Amman. Trains connect from Damascus at the Mahatta junction to the Marka International Airport in Amman. If you are arriving from the neighboring countries of Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, you are welcome to avail the car facilities to Jordan. From Israel the visitors can get into Jordan by car. The main crossings are at King Hussein Bridge. The Syrians can take long distance taxis from Damascus to Amman. Although it is not much comfortable, yet it is cheap and takes around 3.5 hours to get into Jordan. You may also choose to travel to Jordan from Saudi Arabia by bus. The trip can take anywhere between 3 to 20 hours. Long distance bus services operate from a number of Middle Eastern destinations like, Tel Aviv, and Damascus, etc., which promises a swift and a comfortable journey. This cheap mode of transport may not provide a good amount of comfort.
Jordan is served by both ferries and speedboats. The Egyptians can easily have a direct access to the port of Aqaba from the port of Nuweiba. Ferry charges somewhere around $30 and around $60 for the speedboat except the Egyptians (They are not required to pay the extra added charges). The trip to Jordan by ferry might take up to 8 hours.

Transport

There is a wide range of options for the travelers within the country. Jordan with an area of 92,300 sq km has an extensive network of roads. The highway accounts for 8,000 km, which are all paved. The visitors find it easy to access to different parts of the country by air, although the only domestic route in Jordan is between the cities of Amman and Aqaba. The travelers can also choose from the bus, car, taxi, and other local modes of transport available to make it convenient for the tourists to reach to their favored destinations. While you are roaming in the country, the efficient transport system assures you of a safe and cheap journey across the country.
The JETT bus company connects with the places like Amman, Aqaba, the King Hussein Bridge, and Hammamat Ma’in. Private buses are available for those willing to visit Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba. Minibus services can also be availed by the tourists, although they are generally irregular and connect with the small towns of the country. The taxis operate in the main cities. This mode of transport is more expensive than the bus service, but they are a better traveling option in terms of swiftness and comfort.
The yellow-colored regular taxis are available in plenty in most of the places of the country. The charges can be negotiated if the taxi does not have a meter. The visitors can find a reliable driver with the help of the Hotel reception desk. This is basically a convenient mode of transport, which can take you to your destination. Owing to smooth national highways in Jordan, renting a car is a wholesome option.

Sometimes the visitors might witness careless drivers and un-repaired vehicles, so it is better to avoid driving outside the capital, Amman, after dark. As the fuel price is quite low, you can have a great time driving. The Desert Highway, which connects Aqaba, Ma’an, Amman, is the commonly used road by the visitors.

Leisure

If you consider the area of the country, it is much smaller than the other most attractive countries of the world. But, once you get the touch of Jordan soil under your feet, you realize that the country has a galore of fun and beauty to share with you. This landlocked country of the Middle East has all the ingredients for the tourists to drench themselves in entertainment.

The best way to seek entertainment in Jordan is to visit some of the ancient architectures and the beautiful cliffs. It is advisable to visit the places like Jerash (one of the largest Roman ruins in the Middle East), Madaba (renowned for its mosaic map of Jerusalem), Wadi Rum (a barren, isolated and beautiful, granite cliffs contrasting with desert sand), Dead Sea, etc. The tourists will easily get a grasp of the natural and artistic beauty that Jordan possesses. Apart from these favored tourist destinations, there are some notable places where the visitors must pay a visit.
Petra, the city of Jordan can be a major element leisure in Jordan. This great attraction of Jordan is an ancient city which was completely carved out of sandstone. The ancient architectures found in this region are mesmerizing and obviously makes you engrossed. The Dana Nature Reserve gives you the privilege of hiking in an offshoot of the Great Rift. Keeping aside the natural beauty, Jordan is rich in the fields of art, music, and entertainment. Do not forget to have a glimpse of the brilliant artistic displays in the museums. The music of Jordan is soothing and melodious.

In addition to these, some noteworthy places to enjoy in Jordan are Wadi Rum desert, which is full of mountains and hills located south of Jordan. It is popular for its sights along with a variety of sports that are practiced there, such as rock-climbing. The tourists can spend their leisure time in the capital city of Amman, which has lots of shopping malls, shopping centers, hotels, and an ancient Roman amphitheater.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2014, 10:26:34 PM »
Maldives Travel Guide


Villas on piles on water in Maldives

If you are keen on finding out your dream destination which will have picturesque silvery white sandy beaches, clear blue sky, never ending lines of shady palm trees and translucent water, then Maldives can be your next dream destination. Maldives is situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and it is made up of 1200 tiny coral islands. Numerous natural wonders of the Maldives, immaculate in every sense, grab the attention of thousands of tourists from different corners of the world. Maldives with its tranquil tropical island, lush green palm trees, exotic white beaches, and gleaming turquoise lagoons leaves all its visitors spoilt for choices. Whatever may be your preference and choice, Maldives offers something for everyone.

The best time to visit the Maldives Islands is during the months of December and April when the climate is ideal for getting engaged in outdoor activities. The most popular option of reaching Maldives is to fly down as there are regular flights which connect Maldives to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Trivandrum (southwest India), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

There are numerous sightseeing destinations in the Maldives which include Male, Bolifushi, Thulhagiri Resort, Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo, and Male Atoll. Start packing your bags and head for your dream vacation in Maldives.

Map



Getting In

Airways is the only way of reaching Maldives from anywhere in the world. The two international airports of the country are the Male International airport and the Gan International airport. Other than these two airports, Maldives has three other domestic airports, namely, the Kaadedhdhoo airport, the Hanimaadhoo airport and the Kadhdhoo airport.

The domestic carriers such as the Island Aviation Services, the Maldivian Air Taxi and the Trans Maldivian Airways, facilitate getting around the country. Many foreign airlines, however, operate flights to Maldives.

Arriving in Maldives requires no former visa application. A tourist visa would be issued on your arrival, which would be valid for a period of 30 days. The Emirates have daily flights to Maldives from locations like Dubai, Colombo, Paris, Zurich, etc. Air Lanka and Pakistan International Airline have flights from Colombo, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Rome, Zurich, Frankfurt, Dubai, etc.

The Malaysian Airlines and Singapore Airlines operate flights to Maldives from destinations like Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, etc. The Thai Airways operate flights to Maldives from destinations like New York, Bangkok, Tokyo, Mumbai, Zurich, Sydney, etc. The Indian Airlines operate flights to Maldives from Mumbai, Calcutta, Dubai, etc.

Transport

The different modes of transportation in Maldives are listed below:

Planes
Planes are the fastest means to travel in Maldives. The country has five airports, of which two are international and three are domestic. The Male Airport and the Gan Airport are the two international airports and the three domestic airports are the Kaadedhdhoo airport, the Kadhdhoo airport, and the Hanimaadhoo airport. The Island Aviation Services, the Trans Maldivian Airways, and the Maldivian Air Taxi are the domestic carriers functioning in the Maldives. The planes, of the Trans Maldivian Airways, and the Maldivian Air Taxi airlines, usually carry about 10 passengers.

Boat
You can move from one island to another in the Maldives by ferries. You can pick your preferred boat from the available choices ranging from the charter boats to high-speed boats. The resorts also help their guests in booking the boats.The Four Seasons resort offers cruisers with food and drinks on-board. The traditional boats are known as Dhoni. These are run on diesel. The Vedis are larger boats than Dhoni and are used for long distance journeys.

Cars
The capital city of Maldives, Male is where you would be able to hire a cab quite easily. The roads in Male are quite well maintained and a journey by taxi would not be uncomfortable.
Some of the other interesting options to get around Maldives include cycles and motorbikes.

Leisure

Tourists visiting this nation can try out various water sports like diving, snorkeling, scuba-diving, swimming, fishing, etc. The resorts in the Maldives would take care of your entertainment during your stay there. They would also provide you with the necessary equipment to carry out the activities. You could also indulge in traditional sports like football, tennis, etc.

The capital city of Maldives, Male, boasts of cafes, shops, and restaurants to keep you busy for the whole day. Some of the items that you could buy are sea shells, jewelry, reed mats, and lacquered boxes made of wood. The shops remain open from 8:30 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. On all days of the week, the shops keep their shutters down five times a day, each for a period of 15 minutes, for praying. On Fridays, the shops open at 1:30 p.m.

Visit the country during the festival of Eid to see its full bloom. A major festival in the Maldives, Eid was first celebrated in the country during the beginning of the 12th century. Things have changed since then, but the enthusiasm for the festival remains undiminished. Nowadays, the festival is celebrated with western music shows. Various cultural shows are held throughout the Maldives during this time.
You could also visit some of the major tourist destinations and attractions located in Maldives. Some of them are listed below:

The National Museum
The Hukuru Miskiiy
The Mulee-aage
The Islamic centre
The Male Fish Market
The Local Market

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2014, 09:14:26 PM »
North Korea Travel Guide


Tomb of King Tongmyong in Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korea is located in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Officially, North Korea is named as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. With its capital city of Pyongyang, North Korea comprises a total area of about 120,410 square kilometers. The water bodies that surround this country include Yellow Sea and Korea Bay in the west and the Sea of Japan to the eastern side of Korea. The main river that flows along the country is Amnok River.

The climate of North Korea is pretty comforting and favorable. North Korea has a temperate climate. The precipitation is higher during the summer season, while the winter season is chilly cold. The winters are long, dry, and cold. The summer season is marked by the humid, short, and hot climate. The climate of the country greatly depends on the varied and rich geography of North Korea, which is a highly centralized communist state. It got its independence from Japan on August 15, 1945. On September 9, 1948, it got separated from the Republic of Korea.

People of North Korea follow the religion of Buddhism and Confucianism. But the capital city was a major center for Christian activities before the Korean War. The people of Korea speak the Korean language. You can, however, find a number of dialects of Korean among the people.

The culture of North Korea is rich and has a heritage of its own. Literature, theaters, music, and film are some of the major aspects of the enriching heritage of North Korea. This country celebrates a popular event known as the Mass Games. This game involves dance, choreography, and gymnastics. These games are held at different venues of the capital city of Pyongyang.

Coming to North Korea, you can visit various places of interest and spend a quality time out here. Some of the major tourist attractions include Koguryo Tombs, Mount Kumgang, the state circus, Revolutionary Opera, Tower of the Juche Idea, Triumphal Arch, etc.

This country of communist dictatorship follows a strict policy of inviting tourists. Full of mountainous regions, narrow valleys, and coastal plains, the country offers some valuable sightseeing options to the tourists. Considered as one of the homogenous countries of the world in terms of ethnicity and linguistics, North Korea mainly has Buddhist population.

The best time to visit the country is either during the spring or in the autumn. The country is blessed with a temperate climate and sometimes it is prone to suffer from severe drought or can be affected by occasional typhoons.

When it comes to food and accommodation, North Korea has a limited number of varieties in their cuisines. They prepare some typical cuisines and the restaurants serve some popular dishes like Korean fare, kimchi, noodles, etc.

This country is reputed for some kind of political unrest and insurgency. Korean is the official language of the people. The tourists can assure themselves that this country is almost free from any sort of crimes. It is safe to drink water from the local taps. The country has a basic medical facility, which is not much developed. The country pays enough reverence to their former leaders Kim II Sung and Kim Jong II. The punishments meted out to the offenders are really harsh. It is considered an admirable gesture if you bring gifts like cigarettes for the men, and doughnuts or skin cream for female guides, etc. Before visiting the country, adapt your tongue to some Korean words and phrases.

Map



Getting In

Apart from the Asian countries which get an easy access to North Korea, other countries of the world can have an unhindered entry to this country. The country allows the tourists to enter with the help of flights, trains, buses, and boats. The country covers a big area and also offers the opportunity to the visitors to enter the country in various modes of transport suiting their pocket and taste.

Planes are the preferred option for most of the tourists. The country has some 4 to 5 international airports, where flights from the different parts of the world arrive. Some of the flights that carry people from all over the world to North Korea, are Air Koryo (all special government approved charters only – Busan, Macau, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Prague, Seoul-Incheon, Shenzhen, Sofia, Yangyang), Asiana Airlines (Seoul-Incheon), China Airlines, Mandarin Airlines (Taipei-Taoyuan) Far Eastern Air Transport (Taipei-Taoyuan), Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon), etc.

The trains from Pyongyang connect with Beijing in China via Tianjin, Jinxi, Dandong, and Shinuiju, for four times a week. The country also has a railway link with Russia, which is not being used in the recent past. The bus service is there for the people of China, which forms a link between Dandong (China) across the Yalu River to Sinuiju. The visitors might find it a little difficult to board these bus services, as it does not have a fixed schedule. Japanese can avail an extra mode for reaching North Korea. They have the privilege of boarding ships from Nilgata in Japan to Wonsan in North Korea. The ship service is often noted to be disrupted, due to some political unrest between these two countries.

Transport

Transportation in this country is quite convenient and easy. There are about 78 airports in North Korea. There are 35 airports with paved runways and 43 airports with unpaved runways. This country is well connected with other countries through ports and harbors. The railways and roadways in the country are also quite convenient.You can even avail metro rail service, which connects to various parts of the country.

Leisure

The country with its rich collection of attractive mountains and other natural beauty, has got the capacity of attracting people from all over the world. The temperate climate of the place also makes it comfortable for the tourists to visit the country. The country has an abundance of wilderness in the form of national parks. Some of the common tourist attractions in North Korea are Kumgangsan, Myohyangsan, Paekdusan, Panmunjom, etc.

North Korea offers a whole range of things to entertain the visitors. While in North Korea, you can expect to find some fascinating Diamond Mountains in Kumgangsan. This second highest mountain in North Korea offers some breathtaking sceneries like waterfalls, lagoons, mineral springs, and Buddhist temples, and hermitages. Samil Lagoon is also a top spot to visit in Kumgangsan. Myohyangsan is the mysterious fragrant mountain of the country. This mountain is a hiker’s paradise. Country’s highest mountain Paekdusan, is an extinct volcano. This mountain has a huge crater lake called Chonji (“Lake of Heaven”) at the summit. The lake is surrounded by bare rocky crags. It is one of the deepest and coldest alpine lakes in the world.

North Korea has something more to gift to its visitors. The city of Pyongyang is worth visiting for the famous Juche Tower and the bronze statue of the great leader Kim II-sung at Mansudae. The visitors will be able to see some ancient temples and tombs of the Koryo rulers, in the city of Kaesong. A major form of entertainment, which the tourists must look forward to is the Arirang Mass Games, held every year in Pyongyang. The mass gymnastic and artistic performance create a great sensation. Besides, the country has some great musical operas, and dance clubs, where the tourists can have a gala time.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2014, 09:27:54 PM »
Philippines Travel Guide


Tropical sea at El Nido, Philippines.

Philippines is an abode of more than 7,000 islands, with a fertile culture and scope for pleasant explorations.

This republican country is a productive fusion of ancient tradition and modern uniqueness. Encompassing an area of 300,000 sq km, this Christian dominated territory, has its capital in Manila. Some important cities are Angeles, Bacolod (known as the City of Smiles), Batangas (full of Dive sites, resorts and beaches), which will serve an immense pleasure. El Nido in Phillipines is a charismatic place, and missing it would be a crime.

Leaving the summer months, the rest of the year remains pleasant, frequented with festivals. In the Philippines, you realize that this country has not been able to break the shackles of poverty and run freely down the road to development. Local people are very congenial and hospitable to the visitors. Use either English and Filipino while speaking with them. The warmth, which is surely to be found among the natives attracts a large number of tourists every year. This one of the less expensive country of Asia guarantees fun at a cheap bargain.

Map



Getting In

As the country is surrounded by water on all the sides, it is difficult to get an access to this country by means of travel other than the airplanes. This island nation has been transporting people of various countries with the help of a strong connectivity of airways in almost all the places of the world, except the Latin American and African countries. The tourists must keep this in mind that the country is one of the cheapest destinations of the world, so they can expect a reasonable air fare on their way to the country.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the primary airport, which serves the city of Manila. Air Macau, Air Niugini, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Asia Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, etc., fly to the Philippines. The airports receive around 420 international flights of United Airlines, Swissair, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, and Air France. These flights operate on a weekly basis.

Philippines is never short of international airports. Some major international airports of the country are The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark which receives airlines like Air Asia (from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu), and Tiger Airways (from Singapore and Macau). International airplanes from Malaysia, Qatar, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, operate in the Mactan-Cebu international airport in Cebu on the island of Visayas. The Francisco Bangoy international airport in Davao City, on the island of Mindanao receives direct flights from Seoul in South Korea, Singapore, Manado, and Gorontalo (Indonesia). You may also land at some other airports like the Kalibo Airport in Kalibo, the Laoag International Airport, the Subic Bay International Airport in Subic, the Basco Airport in Basco and the Zamboanga International Airport, where airlines like Asian Spirit (Koror), Mandarin Airlines (Taipei-Taiwan Taoyuan), and SilkAir (Singapore), operate.

Transport

You may get around Philippines using boats, ferries, bus, and trams.

Leisure

The country has a winning combination of idyllic sights and innumerable events and festivals, which will surely make the fun lovers restless. The breathtaking beaches, along with great weather, make it a perfect place to drill out all your hidden desires. The country boasts of providing some natural wonders, adding to that warm and congenial people, makes the tourists feel at home. City of Baguio has some nice parks and views, vegetable gardens, etc. Batangas has lovely beaches, which provide dive-sites, resorts, and heritage sites. If you want to go for whitewater rafting, Cagayan de Oro is the ideal place.
The country is a proud host of some of the finest feasts like The Black Nazarene, which is held in Quiapo Church Manila in January. Panagbenga, known as the flower festival, is held in Baguio every February. Ati-Atihan is another major event known as The Queen of Philippine Festivals. The visitors can expect to find some rare species of flowers displayed during the festival Flores de Mayo, which is held in every May, and many more events happening in almost all the parts of the year. The visitors will find it difficult to manage enough time to witness all the grandeur of the country. To have a great leisure, the visitors are sure to find some great beaches. The beaches Boracay, located off the island of Panay, is known for its White Beach. Reputed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it makes an excellent spot for spending a leisurely afternoon. You can witness thousands of species of marine life and the endangered White Breasted Eagle in Danjugan Island.

The Philippines has some other tourists destinations in some of its cities. In the city of Davao, the visitors will witness the country’s tallest mountain (Mount Apo), the endangered Philippine Eagle, and one of costliest orchids in the world, the Vanda Sanderiana. If you are in Makati City, you can expect to have a vibrant nightlife and shopping delight. Those who are looking forward to have some adventure and sports, are cordially invited to come to Subic city. Visit some other destinations like Angeles, Coron Group, Malapascua Island, Negros Island (Negros Occidental & Negros Oriental) Panglao Island, Port Barton Coastline, Tagaytay, Taytay, etc.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2014, 09:35:41 PM »
Qatar Travel Guide


Zubarah fort, Qatar

Qatar was previously a poor country. But with the help of oil and gas fields, the country has made a rapid economic progress. Initially, Qatar did not issue visas for the tourists. From 1989 onwards, they have started issuing them. The land of sand dunes, brilliant architecture, wonderful hotels, and rock carvings is now open to outsiders. Qatar is divided into nine municipalities namely Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr, Al Ghuwayriyah, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Al Jumayliyah, Al Wakrah, Umm Salal, and Ar Rayyan. The official language of Qatar is Arabic. English is also widely spoken in Qatar. The capital city of Qatar is Doha.

When you reach Qatar by plane, you are likely to land in Doha. The Qatar airways are the major airlines of Qatar. You can reach Qatar by car or bus from Saudi Arabia. Taxis, buses, and limousines will facilitate intra-country traveling. During the summer months the heat is unbearable. November and February offer pleasant weather for the tourists and are the months, when you should be looking to travel to Qatar.

Some of the major tourist attractions in Qatar are:

Qatar National Museum and Aquarium, Doha
The Corniche, Doha
City Center Mall, Doha
Doha Ethnographic Museum
Doha Fort
Al Shaqab Stud farm
Zubara Fort
Doha Golf Club

Getting In

Qatar attracts travelers with its unique beauty and host of other attractions.
Reaching Qatar by air is quite a convenient option because of the presence of an international airport in Doha. Here, the Qatar Airways has established a worldwide network. A large number of flights arrive here from across the world and the airlines operating here are Aero Asia Internatioanl, Air Arabia, British Airways, Emirates, Egypt Air, Indian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch airlines, Turkish Airlines, etc.. Most of the international airlines operate through the Doha Airport and have daily or weekly flights to Qatar. Qatar Airways connects Doha to 66 destinations worldwide. The other major airlines operating in Qatar is the Gulf Air. From the airport, you will get complimentary bus or limousine services or you can also hire a taxi.

You can arrive in Qatar by land from Saudi Arabia, though be careful night travel by car is not advisable at all. Even traveling during the day one has to watch out for speeding cars and trucks. Proper caution like wearing seat belts and not crossing the speed over 120 mph should be maintained. There is also a bus service from Saudi Arabia. But, these don’t have fixed routes and do not provide a comfortable journey.

Reaching Qatar by sea is also another option and sea travel is possible because of the presence of the Arabian Sea. There is a service of small commercial boats plying in and out of Qatar. These are not often used by general tourists as they don’t have specified routes. Doha Port also finds commercial freights coming from all over the world. The other ports are Umm Said, Musayid, Ad Dawah, and Jazirath Halul.

Transport

Traveling in Qatar was a problem earlier, but when this country tried to project its image in the world arena, then it was decided by the government to develop the transportation system in Qatar. The government here has started in 2002 the Taxi Company – Mowasalat, which is solely owned by the government to facilitate “Integrated Ground Transport Services” for the whole country. Earlier there were as many as 3,000 privately owned orange taxi’s, but the emergence of the services of Mowasalat has made a significant change in the way people get around Qatar.

These new taxis are safer and more comfortable. But, you have to keep in mind one point that some of the drivers may not be proficient in languages like English. Mowsalat is currently operating 1,800 taxi sedans and there are also the airport taxis. The Doha Limousine Service operates 100 standard limousines and 200 (Jaguar XJ) VIP units which offer transfers from the Doha International Airport as well as from the major hotels.It was recently, in October 2005, that the bus service began in Qatar. By bus you can travel as far as Al Shamal/Al Ruwais in the north, Dukhan in the west, and Mesaieed (Umm Said) in the south.

The private taxis are a convenient way to get around. Though more expensive choices are Limos – which you can hire with prices starting at 30 Riyals. But, if you are looking for comfort then this is the perfect choice for you. You may also hire a car. There are many agencies that offer this option, though the prices can be anything around 1500 Riyals per month. You can bargain for a competitive price.

Leisure

The vibrant nightlife, an array of outdoor activities, shopping options as well as events and exhibition are the key areas of entertainment in Qatar. The exhibitions are a depiction of the cultural heritage of the country, as well as they promote sports. Noteworthy among them are the Doha Cultural Festival and the Qatar Open Tennis competition.

The Doha Cultural Festival takes place every year. The exhibitions of artworks and handicrafts showcase the true essence of the vibrant city, Doha. Other events, which are very popular are the Qatar Masters golf tournament and Doha International Trade Fair, celebrated on an international level.
Chic shopping malls coupled with lower duties make this region an ideal destination for shopping. The old souks are ideal for good bargains. The shopping hours in Qatar are usually from Saturdays through Thursdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., while the malls remain open until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.. Some of the shops remain closed on Friday.

The tourists may indulge in adventure sports like wind surfing, parasailing, desert safaris, ice skating, etc. There are cinema halls in Doha where you can watch an English movie and also there is a National Theatre where you can view some live performances. Doha also has a vibrant nightlife and there are a variety of hotel bars ranging from classy cocktail lounges to casual Western-style bars. Food is also served and there are live bands performing every night. Another interesting option for entertainment and leisure in Qatar is rocking the night at the discotheques where pulsating beats and the DJs create a mood. Stage plays from London are hosted here, as well as dance groups from Europe and Asia perform here.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2014, 09:45:12 PM »
Saudi Arabia Travel Guide


Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country in Asia that occupies most of the Arabian peninsula. It has both Persian Gulf and Red Sea coast lines. The neighboring countries of Saudi Arabia are Jordan to the northwest, Iraq to the northeast, Kuwait and Qatar to the east, United Arab Emirates to the south east, and Oman and Yemen to the south. Saudi Arabia is world famous for the holy Muslim site of Mecca, a place that is not missed by any Muslim. Muslims visit Mecca at least once in their life.

Much of Saudi Arabia (about 98%) is a desert and largely uninhabited. Petroleum and the wealth it produces is the sole factor that allures people to explore and live in this harsh landscape. However, the scenario is not entirely this. Once the veil is lifted, one will come to know that the country has a lot to offer to tourists. Saudi Arabia has many beautiful oases and mountain-tops, beaches, and rivers. Its cities have no nightlife, but have plenty of cafeterias and restaurants. There are several shops ranging from the smaller ones to the huge department stores. It is not known to many that Saudi Arabia’s major cities are very modern with all kinds of facilities and amenities of a high standard. The tourists must remember the fact that as long as they respect and abide by the laws and customs of the country, they will be treated cordially.

Being the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, Saudi Arabia contains the holiest cities of Islam. In this aspect, it is important to note that the Saudis take the responsibility of protecting the integrity of this holy land with true seriousness. Islamic laws are strictly enforced by the “mutawwa” or the religious police. Saudi Arabia also succeeds in being beautiful and praiseworthy. Thus, this country can also be a hot tourist destination.

Map



Getting In

Normally entering Saudi Arabia is not very easy as Saudi Arabia has some of the most stringent and most restrictive travel policies in the world. Therefore, advance visas are required for all foreigners planning to enter or leave the country. The only important exception to this fact are the residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations like Oman, Qatar, Iran, etc. The entry of the Israeli nationals is very difficult in Saudi Arabia and those with evidence of visiting Israel are denied visa though in theory merely being a Jewish national is not the reason or disqualifying factor for entering Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, transit visas are limited to some long-distance truck drivers only. Hajj or pilgrimage visas are issued by the Saudi government through Saudi embassies around the world in cooperation with local mosques.

Most of the visitors to Saudi Arabia are guest workers. Thus, visas are provided by the Saudi government to employers of the country. If you are coming to Saudi Arabia, you should note that Saudi Arabia has a very rigorous ‘customs inspection’ at all entry and check points. Alcoholic beverages, pork, non-Islamic religious materials, and pornography are strictly prohibited in the country by all means. It is also to be noted that computers, VCR tapes, and DVDs have all been snatched from people from time to time. They are confiscated for inspection by the authorities. Thus, a tourist is expected to be prepared to get all his bags opened or x-rayed.

The best way of reaching Saudi Arabia is by flight. The country has three international airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Ad Dammam. According to reports, the airport at Dhahran is now closed to civil traffic. Therefore, all the passengers to the Eastern Region fly to Dammam. Saudi Arabia is served by the national airline named Saudia. The country is also served by Gulf Air, Alitalia, Air France, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Air India, Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), Qatar Airways and even Sri Lankan Airlines. British Airways did stop its service to the kingdom in March, 2005. During the Hajj months, several chartered flights carry on with the scheduled airlines. You can also fly to Bahrain and then come to Saudi Arabia by car. Because of the absence of railroads connecting Saudi Arabia with other countries, it is not possible to travel to Saudi Arabia by trains. However, there is a railway connection between Dammam, Al Hasa, and Riyadh. Automobile crossings exist on all the borders of Saudi Arabia.
You may choose to travel to Saudi Arabia by car or any other vehicle. Borders into Iraq are currently closed. The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) operates intracity and intercity buses. It also operates international buses between the country, Bahrain, and the UAE. A passenger ferry runs between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Transport

Planes, trains, taxis and bikes are used to get around Saudi Arabia. The national airlines of Saudi Arabia is Saudia. In addition to that, a low cost carrier Nas Air flies from Riyadh to Jeddah and Medina. It has some other additional destinations planned too. A new airline called “Sama Air” has also started its domestic operations covering destinations like Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Dharan, Tabuk, Nejran, Abha, etc.

Another convenient means of getting around Saudi Arabia is the train. There are a number of passenger trains that run each and every day from Dammam to Riyadh. Tourists are advised to arrive early at the station as the trains are often so filled up that you would hardly get a place. Also, one must buy tickets at the station. Tourists planning a visit to Saudi Arabia must know that Saudi Arabia has several hundreds of kilometers of standard gauge railways which links the capital Riyadh with the Persian Gulf.
In the Saudi capital of Riyadh, taxis normally charge anywhere between SR5 for nearby distances to SR20 for city outskirts. Taxi drivers at airports use a fixed rate to take you for a drive from the airports. So, travelling by a taxi is quite often termed as the best means of travel in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, motorcycles are very popular in Saudi Arabia and are rapidly growing all over Saudi Arabia. Thus, a tourist who is quite adventurous, can go for a ride around the whole country to see Saudi Arabia in a special way. It is popular even for the non- adventurous.

Highways in Saudi Arabia vary from eight lane roads to two-laned roads in rural areas. The city highways and other major highways are well maintained. This includes the roads in Riyadh. The roads are created in such a way so that they do not reflect the strong sun. In this way the roads resist the summer temperatures and high heat. The outer city highways such as those linking the coasts are not as great as the inner-city highways.

Some of the important intercity highways of Saudi Arabia are: Dammam – Abu Hadriya – Ras Tanura Highway (257 km), Khaybar – Al Ola Highway (175 km), Makkah – Madinah Al Munawarah Highway (421 km), Riyadh – Dammam Highway (383 km), Riyadh – Sedir – al Qasim Highway (317 km), Riyadh – Taif Highway (750 km), and Taif – Abha-Gizan Highway (750 km).

Leisure

Entertainment and Many people think that there is very little in fact no entertainment in Saudi Arabia. But the reality is different.

The main source of fun in Saudi Arabia is its food and drink. The local food is quite strongly flavoured and spicy. The most common meats are lamb and chicken; and beef is rarely found. As you know pork is prohibited under Islamic law. The main meal of the day is lunch. Cooking of your own choice is possible in the larger towns. A variety of international cuisine including fast food is available for tourists in the oil-producing Eastern Province and in Jeddah.

Smoking in public is prohibited during the fasting hours of Ramadan. This is the law of the country. If somebody breaks the rules he incurs strict penalties.

Restaurants in Saudi Arabia have table service. However, there are no bars. Alcohol is forbidden by law in this country and there are severe penalties for infringement of law. Tourists planning a visit to Saudi Arabia should note that this law applies to all nationals of all countries regardless of religion. The rare specialities in Saudi Arabia includes the staple diet which is pitta bread (flat, unleavened bread). This accompanies every dish. The other food items are rice, lentils, chick peas (hummus) and cracked wheat (burghul), Kultra (chicken or lamb on skewers) is a popular option for lunch. Kebabs are always served with soup and vegetables. Another item Mezze includes up to 40 dishes. The national drinks of this country are Arabic coffee and fruit drinks which are the popular alternatives to alcohol. Besides, alcohol-free beers and cocktails are definitely served in hotel bars. If you go to any restaurant of Saudi Arabia then you should know that tipping is prevalent in most of the eating places. In Saudi Arabia, the practice of tipping is becoming more and more common and waiters should be given 10%. Recently, it has become a rule. Nightlife as a form of fun in Saudi Arabia is just dining in the various plush restaurants. Shopping is a part of enjoyment in Saudi Arabia. Souks (markets) sell incense and holders, jewellery, bronze and brassware, and richly decorated daggers and swords. As you go to the Eastern Province, huge brass-bonded chests can be purchased. Bargaining is often expected in Saudi Arabia even for modern goods such as cameras and electrical equipments. The shopping time is from Saturday to Thursday 09:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Ramadan 8:00 p.m. to 01:00 a.m.). The time differs in various parts of the country.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2014, 11:05:13 PM »
Singapore Travel Guide


Singapore City skyline at night

Singapore is a popular tourist destination. This is an island city nestled at the southernmost edge of the Malaysian Peninsula in South East Asia. Some of the charming factors of this tourist destination are that it is not only one of the richest, efficiently organized countries in the world, it also has much to offer to the tourists. Singapore has 1,000 shopping malls to indulge in shopping spree. It is an island country with a panoramic skyline by the shore and where you would find great variation in lifestyle, culture, as well as religion.

What particularly impresses you about Singapore is its reputation as well maintained and trendy metropolis. Here you will find well landscaped parks, skyscrapers complemented with ethnic corners like Arab Street, Chinatown, Colonial District, Orchard road, and Little India. The picturesque islands south of Singapore and Sentosa island are two of the major highlights of the country.

Singapore with its perfect blend of old mystical charm and modernism beckons you to come and have exciting holidays here. Another fact which you must be aware about Singapore is that though here sale of chewing gum is prohibited, but is you can always bring chewing gum from outside and have it as well. Possession of drugs and narcotics is prohibited here and the punishment is death penalty if you have more than a Singapore fifty cent coin’s weight of narcotics.

Food lovers can try out Chinatown for Chinese delicacies, Little India for Indian cuisines, Kampong Glam (Arab St) for a Malay/Arab treat or the East Coast for delectable seafood. Historical monuments and museums that you must visit on your Singapre tour are:

Singapore Zoo

Night Safari

Jurong Bird Park

Butterfly Park and Insect Garden

Merlion Park

World War II Heritage Sites

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Night Safari

Map



Getting In

Singapore is accessible by air, water, train, bus, etc.

By Air
It is convenient to reach the country by air. There are many airlines, which operate flights to Singapore. The Singapore Changi Airport is a place where East meets west. It has two terminals. The third opened in 2006 hosting 60 airlines. These terminals are connected by Skytrain monorail. The major airlines are: Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathy Pacific, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Quantas, SAS Airlines, Thai Airways, and United Airlines. The airports are well managed and are connected to the downtown by various means of communication.

By Bus
Bus services are available between Singapore – Malaysia and Singapore – Thailand. These stations are: Ban San Terminal at Arab and Queen Streets, Lanender Street Terminal off Kalang Bahru, and the Golden Mile Complex at Beach Road. Traveling by bus between these countries is rather cheap than any other conveyance. More than 25 routes are there for bus transportation. The major routes are: Singapore-Johar Express), Singapore-Malacca Express, and Singapore-Kuala Lumpur Express.

By Car
The Woodland causeway is spread across the Straits of Johor linking Singapore with Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This crossing is popularly known as Second Crossing. While Crossing this causeway tolls should be paid and Vehicle Entry Permit(VEP) and ERP card should be presented. Thus, the car is one of the most convenient means for getting to Singapore.

By Train
Malaysia Railways runs three intercity trains between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and an overnight train, Express Timuran, running between Singapore and Tumpat. The trains arrive and depart on Singapore Train Station. E and O Services operates Orient Express between Chiang Mai and Singapore via Bangkok. Therefore, trains in Singapore are very much helpful in getting to Singapore.

By Water
Cruise ships provide a better alternative to reach Singapore. The main passenger port in Singapore is Singapore Cruise Center. More than ten lines dock in Asia Pacific around the year. Apart from cruise ships, ferries are also chosen to reach Singapore. There are many ferries departing from the Cruise Center for ports in Kukup, Tionman, and Sebona, Malaysia. Ferries depart daily from the terminal at Tanah Merah to the Indonesian resort islands of Bintan and Batam in the Riau Archipelago. Thus, there are several means by which Singapore can be easily and smoothly entered. So get ready for a wonderful tour to Singapore with your nears and dears without much harassment to your pocket.

Transport

Singapore teaches the world the lesson of unity, harmony, and brotherhood. Singapore is visited by many people every year.

Singapore has a large network of road. Almost all parts in Singapore are accessible by road. Even such islands as Sentosa and Jurong can be easily reached by land . Various ways of getting around Singapore are rail, bus, ferry, cable car, flight, etc.

Rail
There are Mass Rapid Transit and Light Rapid Transit rail System in Singapore. Mass Rapid Transit is a standard gauze system. It has 67 stations on 109 km long rail network. The three important lines are North South Line, the East West Line (both operated by SMRT Corporation), and the North East Line (operated by SBS Transit). Light Rapid Transit system has 14 stations and was ushered in Bukit Panjang.

Cable Car
The Singapore Cable Car runs between Mount Faber and Sentosa – the resort island of Singapore. It is an alternative means of reaching the tourist destinations.

Flight
The aviation industry in Singapore is under Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. There are 5 local scheduled service airlines. Singapore Airlines operates scheduled flights to 70 cities of 5 continents from Changi Airport. Silkair, the subsidiary of Singapore Airlines operates flights from Terminal 2 while new budget airlines like Jet star Asia,Tiger Airways, and Valuair operate from Terminal 1 of Changi Airport.

Bus
Public buses are a cheap and easily available means of transportation in Singapore. Before getting in to a bus, it is better to buy an ez-link card which can also be used on the Mass Rapid Transit. SBS bus 36 plies between Orchard Road and Singapore Changi Airport. There are public bus stations in Terminal 1 at Basement 2 and in Terminal 2 at Basement Level.

Taxi
Taxis offer a comfortable and hassle free travel at reasonable cost. More than 15,000 air conditioned cabs provide smooth transportation in Singapore. There are many private cars and SMRT shuttle services in Singapore.

Leisure

Singapore is known as a country of youthful vigor and charm. The land of Singapore is full of gaiety, merriment, and festivity. There are many places to enjoy during your Singapore tour such as, country clubs, bars, discos, cafe, and restaurants. Allof them are always ready to pamper you to the full.
There are many centers in Singapore which offer entertainment to people in Singaporean way. Big Splash is one and only sea water aquatic complex where you can have water slides, beach bars, restaurants and cafe, mini golf courses and beach valley ball courts, live sea food and diving courses. You can turn to Escape Theme Park that has bumper boats, choo choo trai, pirate ship, ferries, family coaster, water ride, and many more as its main attractions. This amusement park is quite near to Pasir Ris MRT station.

There is another option for entertainment in Singapore that is from the clubs which have facilities like bars/restaurants, library, play centers, etc. The renowned clubs of Singapore are NTUC Club, The British Club, The Tanglin Club, Aranda Country Club, Chinese Swimming Club, etc.
The entertainment centers in Singapore generally offer dining and shopping facilities, and venues for staging music, dance, theater, multi-arts, and visual arts festivals. Some of them have concert hall, recital studio, theater studio, and rehearsal rooms.

The night clubs promise full fun in Singapore. Zouk is the biggest night club in Singapore. It has three parts: Velvet Underground, Phuture, and Wine Bar. It plays music of all kinds like breaks, nu-jazz, hiphop, broken beats, drum and bass, down tempo etc; and has dance floors, DJs and Claire Brothers/JBL sound system.

You can also move to some theater of repute for a leisure time. There are Action Theater, Hi! Theater, Singapore Repertory Theater, etc. If you want to spend your time on some beach, Singapore offers you plenty of options. So, pack up to spend your holidays in Singapore and make the most of your life.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2014, 11:13:39 PM »
South Korea Travel Guide


South Korea’s largest theme park, Everland, is home to thrill rides, a zoo, and a water park. Everland is one of the top amusement parks in the world with an attendance of 6.6 million visitors.

South Korea is not only one of the most beautiful countries, but it has also evolved as one of the richest countries in Asia and even in the world. Presently, it occupies the tenth position in the world terms of GDP.

South Korea is situated in Northeast Asia and it shares borders with North Korea. The capital of South Korea is Seoul and it is a huge dynamic city which blends the traditions of its ancestral past with the trends of a magnificent metropolis city.

The best time to visit South Korea is during the season of autumn, when the climate is superb with bright sunshine and clear blue skies. The international airport of South Korea is in Incheon and most of the travelers opt for direct flights.

Seoul, Ulsan, Suwon, Pusan, Cheju Island, Cheongju City, Songtan, Gyeonggi, Kyongju, Kangnung, Chonju, and Samcheonpo are the premier sightseeing destinations in South Korea.

Map



Getting In

South Korea has 8 international airports – the largest being Incheon International, located approximately 45 minutes west of Seoul. Among the others, only Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju field significant numbers of international flights. Korean Air and Asiana are the principal carriers to and from South Korea. United Airlines and Northwest Airlines serve Seoul Incheon (ICN) mainly through their connecting hub in Tokyo Narita (NRT). United Airlines flies non-stop to Seoul from San Francisco and Delta operates a non-stop flight from Atlanta.

You can also reach South Korea by train. A special treatment is given to travelers coming from or continuing on to Japan. For them, the tickets are available at discounts of 30% on KTX services and 9-30% on Busan-Fukuoka ferries.

There are many ferry connections from Busan to Japan. JR’s Beetle hydrofoil service from Busan to Fukuoka finishes the trip in just three hours with up to five connections a day. However, all the other links are overnight slow ferries such as Pukwan Ferry Company’s services to Shimonoseki which is a one-way tour. A Busan-Osaka ferry is operated by Panstar Line Co., Ltd. Besides, there are ferry links between Incheon and Weihai, Qingdao, and Tianjin in China. Reaching South Korea by land is practically impossible due to its location at the end of the Korean peninsula and the political situation with North Korea. The border between North and South Korea is considered the most heavily fortified border in the world. However, these days it is possible to do limited trips into North Korea from the South, but not vice versa.

Transport

South Korea is a small country and therefore flying in the country is more of a luxury than a necessity. Notable exception of connections by air is to the island of Jeju.

The National train operator Korail connects major cities in South Korea. Recently, trains in South Korea are quite competitive with buses on speed and price. Along with it comes safety. Trains are quite safe in here and comfortable too. However, services in the rural areas are not so good. A famous train service in South Korea is the high-speed Korea Train eXpress (KTX) that provides services between Seoul and Busan via Daegu and Daejeon. It uses French TGV technology to zip along at up to 300 km/h. The full trip currently takes around 160 minutes. These KTX trains have 18 cars with the first 3 being first class and the rest with reserved economy seating. There are drink vending machines on board and attendants who pass by with snack carts that includes beer, soda, cookies, candy, sausages, hard boiled eggs, and kimbap (rice rolls). Non-KTX trains are poetically ranked as Saemaeul though Saemaeul trains are extremely comfortable, having seats that are comparable to business class seats on airplanes. The extensive commuter train network also operates with the massive subway system.

Buses are frequent, punctual, and go very fast in South Korea. There are two kinds of buses running in the country. These are express buses and intercity buses. Express buses are faster, but intercity buses visit more places. Boats are also used sometimes by the tourists.

Leisure

South Korea has a peppy nightlife.. However, most restaurants and bars are required to close their doors at midnight. There are many hotels in South Korea, which are designated as “tourist” clubs. These can stay open later. Itaewon is a place in the country, maintained as a Special Tourist Area. It allows many establishments to remain open 24 hours.

Coffee shops and tea rooms (tabangs), another popular place to spend time, differ from their Western counterparts. Cups of coffee generally cost W3,000 and up with no refills. However, customers can stay and chat as long as they like. Many coffee shops have waitresses who will come to your home or office with a thermos full of coffee, then sit and talk with you while you drink. Nightclubs and “rock cafes” rock the show in South Korea. South Korean clubs expect the tourists to buy a minimum amount of drinks and food when one sits at a table. South Korea had 2 types of beer: Crown and OB (Oriental Brewery). Recently, each company has spawned a number of specialty beers and imported beers are becoming more popular giving beer drinkers a wider selection from which to choose. Soju (a potato-based liquor) and makgeolli and dongdongju (rice-based liquors) are popular among Koreans. Korea Folk Liquor Museum in Gyeonggi Province is the best place for traditional South Korean drinks.

Pojangmacha is an outdoor food stall usually on wheels. The owner can move it easily to different locations. They usually open up shortly before dusk near river fronts, college districts, and shopping areas. No matter what the weather or temperature, these little stalls always do a brisk business. Hostess Bars also called Room Salons cater to groups of men who want to have female companionship while they drink. The women are very attentive to their clients and a small group can spend over a million won in one setting. Karaoke is another form of entertainment in South Korea. No matter where a tourist goes, one can always find at least one noraebang (singing room). Most of them offer the same selection of songs for tourists. If you go with a bunch of Koreans, you will be forced to sing. A dallanjujeom combines a noraebang with a hostess bar setting. Patrons take turns singing like in singing rooms. This is the most enjoyable part.

Movies can also be enjoyed in South Korea. Western films are most popular, especially from Hollywood. Korean movies are shown mainly in their native language. Imported movies are shown with Korean subtitles and blockbusters are usually released in Korea, shortly after their home country openings. Besides, you can also do good shopping in the country, whether books, clothes, or accessories.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2014, 11:23:13 PM »
Sri Lanka Travel Guide


Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the tiny island nation, which is located at the southern tip of India and serves as a significant naval link between West Asia and South East Asia. Though presently, Sri Lanka is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation, but it attained huge popularity as the hub of Buddhist religion and culture since the ancient days. Sri Lanka has attained widespread popularity as a premier tourist destination among the tourists belonging to all parts of the world.

Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte are the capital cities of Sri Lanka. They are the center of all sorts of attractions for the travelers. This beautiful country of the world offers some of the most exciting beaches in the whole world.

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is during the months of December through March and the most popular choice for arriving in Sri Lanka is to fly down directly at the Colombo International Airport. It has direct flights from Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. For the further convenience of the tourists, cheap flights are also available between Colombo and Madras, Trichy, Trivandrum, and Bombay.
The most interesting places to visit in Sri Lanka and Colombo, Unawatuna, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Trincomalee, Nugegoda, Ella, Negombo, and Galle are the premier sightseeing destinations in Sri Lanka, which are most frequently visited by thousands of travelers every year.

Getting In

Sri Lanka is a beautiful and glorious island in the Indian ocean. It is pampered with dense jungles, wildlife, tranquil and sky-touching mountains, and delectable beaches. Many tourists get attracted to this pied beauty and they venture the country during the holidays. Reaching Sri Lanka is possible only by flights because of its location. From the UK and other European countries, there are direct flights to Sri Lanka.

From Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bombay, and New Delhi, there are frequent flights to Sri Lanka. Flights from Middle Eastern countries regularly arrive at to Sri Lanka. Flights are also available from Los Angeles and New York via Bangkok or Singapore. SriLankan Airlines operate flights to more than 50 destinations across the world. Srilankan Airlines operate small seaplanes to Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, and to many other destinations. SriLankan Airlines provides services to and from Colombo and Bandaranayake. Flights are also available from Japan, China, and Pakistan. SriLankan Airlines codes a share with Emirates Airlines of the United Arab Emirates. As a result North America is easily accessible. Some other airlines also operate flights to Sri Lanka. These airlines are Singapore, Malaysia, Thai, Cathay Pacific, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and LTU (Germany) Airlines.

Aero Lanka operates flights between Colombo-Ratmalana, Jaffna, and Trincomalee. SriLankan Airlines has an all Airbus fleet, which is one of the modern fleets in the region. This airline has gained the pride to be called the first country in Asia to fly the Airbus A340 and first in South Asia to order the Airbus A330-200. Thus, flights are the best and only medium for getting to Sri Lanka. You can make your holidays memorable by undertaking tour to Sri Lanka.

Transport

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with oceanic charm and grace. Standing on the unspoiled golden beaches of Sri Lanka, one can feel the presence of the spirit of the sea. Besides, there are many other things in Sri Lanka which attract people. Getting around Sri Lanka is smooth, pleasant, and easy.

Flights
Flights are helpful not only in taking people to Sri Lanka from different parts of the world, but are also helpful in taking people to various tourist destinations across the country. Sri Lankan Airlines operates many flights to help tourists to reach their destinations. Some small Seaplanes operate to reach to such destinations as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, and many more locations. This is the best for photography trips, as you can have a full view of the island.

Tuk- Tuks
Three wheelers are generally known as Tuk -Tuks because of the noise of their motors. These three-wheeled automobiles are the best mode of transportation in Sri Lanka. Renting cars is also a comfortable and cheap option.

Buses
Buses are available everywhere in Sri Lanka. But, traveling by a bus might be a bitter experience as they are massively crowded and packed. However, they are the cheapest mode of transportation in Sri Lanka. If you give priority to your comfort air-conditioned buses are for you. Although charging a fare double of the common bus fare, they provide you with a guaranteed seat. The thing to be remembered is that bus stations are confusing places, so there is every possibility of discomfort.

Trains
In Sri Lanka, there is an extensive railway system, which connects all major towns and cities. In the North and East part, the rail system is absent. The trains are slower than the buses, but offer scenic and picturesque journey, especially, when entering the hill country. On the Badullu-Nanu Oya line, you can experience something new and wonderful, because of the winding tracks running along the mountains.

Tour Operators
Better transportation in Sri Lanka is also offered by tour operators. In Sri Lanka, there are many tour operators who provide you with a van and a driver. The drivers are local residents and are well aware of the location of different tourist destinations in the country. But, it would be wise on your part to see day-to-day planned tour map before agreeing to a tour operators offer of seeing Sri Lanka. Otherwise, there is chances of being duped by them.

Leisure

Sri Lanka is an island of vibrant and vivacious energy and youthful vigor. This island, situated on the southern tip of India, has a plethora of delectable palm-lined golden beaches. Sri Lanka has a wonderful gift of soft sand beaches, covering an area of 1,600 km. This may be a dream for a dweller of the western country, but it’s true. So lying on the beaches for hours is really the best way of spending your time in leisure. The temperature is refreshingly comfortable. There are innumerable ocean wooden huts, which you can rent for a night or two. These huts charge 5 pounds a night.

Negombo is situated north of Colombo and is one of the most loved fishing towns. On this beach, you will get sea food in plenty. You will also come across some old – world fishing craft, like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran, bring seer, skipjack, herring, mullet, Pomfret, and amberjack. In the lagoon lobster and prawn are caught. There are some other beaches of repute. They are Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, and Koggala. These beaches are easily accessible. Hikkaduwa is the first beach in Sri Lanka developed and maintained for tourism purpose. On this beach, you can enjoy fishing. The reefs run parallel to the seashore. The reefs can be easily investigated by snorkel and flippers. Sri Lanka is known for rich spices. Here, you will have spicier and delicious food. Traveling by train adds a unique experience to your tour to Sri Lanka. The network of rail lines has covered a part of the hill country. The rail lines are running along the mountains. The speed of trains is even slower than buses, so you can have a close view of nature beauty in hill area.

There are some sports like Canoeing and Kayaking, White water rafting, Hiking and Trekking, Mountain Biking, Safari and Elephant Safari. If you are spunky enough, you can be a part of rock climbing and diving. Camping is very popular among the Sri Lankans. You can get a camp set on some picturesque beach and enjoy several beach sports. Apart from these there are sports like Wind Surfing, Paragliding, Banana Boating, Ballooning, and National Cycle Trail is there to rejuvenate your senses. Sri Lanka is a country, which is popularly known as the teardrop of India. Wish you a happy and exhilarating tour to Sri Lanka.

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Re: ~ Travel Guide ~
« Reply #14 on: November 01, 2014, 11:29:33 PM »
Thailand Travel Guide


Buddha Stone statue, Thailand

Thailand is an exotic destination where you get stunning locales, rich cultural heritage. There are many places to explore like Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Khao Lak, Krabi, and Phi Phi Island. What is more impressive of Thailand that here on one hand you get a bustling metropolis with all the trendy malls, skyscrapers, et al.; and on the other hand you have the serene locale at Trang or for that matter Krabi.

Some of the must visiting places in Thailand are: Ayutthaya Historical Park – which is declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Chiang Mai – where you will find more than 300 temples, and Koh Samui – which is a scenic island full of verdant greenery and coconut plantations or the exotic beaches in Phuket.

The country was formerly known as Siam, which is a hub of commercial activities. Thailand is a paradise for tourists and here you have the landscape full of sun drenched beaches, island fringed with swaying palms, and quaint hilly villages.
The entry visa in Thailand is for a maximum of 30 days.

The various places which you must include in your tour itinerary are:

Ko Chang – a serene island developed as a tourist destination

Ko Lanta – quiet island near Krabi

Ko Pha Ngan where you would find Full Moon Party

Ko Samet beach island

Ko Samui

Ko Tao – scuba diving destination

Phuket – Thai paradise island

Rai Leh exotic beach

Ko Chang National Park – in Trat Province

Tarutao National Park – in Satun Province

Similan Islands – in Phang Nga province

Map



Getting In

Due to its immense popularity as one of the premier tourist destinations of the world, Thailand has carved a distinct niche for itself in the hearts of millions of leisure travelers who assemble here from all across the globe. As a direct consequence of the booming tourism industry in Thailand, there are numerous options for reaching Thailand and by availing these various choices, millions of tourists visit this country every year. The most popular option for reaching Thailand is undoubted the airways, as a host of international airlines operates regular flights at the international airports of Thailand. Apart from its innumerable domestic airports in Thailand, the world class international airports in Thailand primarily include the Bangkok International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Rai International Airport, and Suvarnabhumi Airport. All the international airports in Thailand are well connected to the cities by buses, taxis, and shuttle cars. Some of the airports in Thailand even have more than one terminal for domestic and international airlines.

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and it is also the largest hub in the entire continent of Asia and thus all the international airlines which have flights to Bangkok and major cities of Thailand like Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Ko Samui, Phuket, and Pattaya also have direct international flights to and a host of premier cities of the world. The travelers can thereby avail any of the flights for reaching Thailand at a reasonable cost. Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Orient Thai Airline, Singapore International Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, KLM, Royal Brunei, Qantas Airways, and Air India are premier international airlines which serve the various international airports of Thailand. Thai Airways International along with being the national flag carrier of Thailand is also one of the founding members of the Star Alliance network. Thai Airways International primarily operates from the Suvarnabhumi Airport and just like Singapore Airlines provides longest non-stop commercial flights from Bangkok to New York and Los Angeles; it also won the ‘Worlds Best Cabin Staff’ by Skytrax in June 2006. Apart from the national airline of Thailand and premier international airlines of the world, many low-cost carriers also serve Thailand and make it convenient for the budget travelers to opt for flights forgetting to Thailand.

Another popular option of reaching Thailand is by traveling through road and Thailand shares border with Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Myanmar and the travelers can reach Thailand by crossing these borders in long distance buses and cars. Another option for getting to Thailand is by traveling in trains and Thailand’s only international train service has routes which connects Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and then stretches till Singapore. Traveling in trains is a good option as tickets are really affordable and if someone is interested in opting for luxury travel, then they can avail the luxurious Eastern and Oriental Express, which operates once a week and is provided with exclusive facilities like gourmet dining, personal butler service, etc. Another exciting choice of traveling to Thailand is to opt for ferry services and ferry services operates between Satun province in southern Thailand to the Malaysian island of Langkawi and there are also occasional cruises from Malaysia and Singapore to Phuket and Bangkok.

Transport

The travelers enjoy a hassle free trip in Thailand. Thailand is well linked by air, rail, and road transport and all the premier sightseeing destinations are well connected with each other. The travelers do not require to waste a lot of time in getting around from one place to another. The most popular vehicle for getting around within most cities predominantly comprises of the three wheeled ‘tuk tuks’ and the ‘songthaews’.

One of the most frequently-opted modes of travel in Thailand is airways and Thai Airways International, which is also the national airline of Thailand operates service to all the eminent towns and islands. It provides flights to 22 domestic airports of Thailand. Bangkok Airways, another premier airline in Thailand also provides regular flights in seven additional routes, while PB Air and Phuket Air also operate domestic flights for the convenience of the visitors who choose to spend a grand vacation in Thailand every year from all across the world. Special discounts are also available during off seasons and during special promotional periods by some of these airlines and if the tourists avail domestic flights in Thailand during this period, then they would save a considerable amount of money.

Thailand has a vast network of rail and metro systems. The State Railway of Thailand operates 4,070 km of 1.000-m gauge railway line, but the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok can take the advantage of the metro system, which consists of Bangkok Skytrain and the Bangkok Metro subway. Bangkok, Surat Thani, Phetchaburi, and Ratchaburi are the cities of Thailand that are linked with railways. There are primarily four main trunk routes to the northern, eastern, southern, and northeastern regions of Thailand and these four main routes are also accompanied by another line which serves Thon Buri, River Kwai Bridge, and Nam Tok. For the convenience of the tourists, there are innumerable daily services available on each route and the travelers can choose from air-conditioned, sleeping, and restaurant cars on the principal trains according to their preference and convenience.

Another exciting choice of traveling in Thailand is by waterways, as Thailand has 1,600 km of navigable inland waterway. Services for using the waterways are available between Thanon Tok and Nonthaburi, and luxury cruises are also available on the Oriental Queen. Long-tailed motorboats and taxi-boat ferries also operate on these routes of Thailand.

There are interurban routes to all provinces of Thailand and privately owned, air-conditioned buses operate on these routes and their charges are highly reasonable. Though conventional bus services in Bangkok are operated by the Government Mass Transit Authority, but there are also widespread private minibus operations and passenger-carrying trucks. Other than buses, there are abundant taxi services, which provide service all throughout the day and there are primarily three categories of taxis: taxi-meter; taxis which are unmetered; and 3-wheeled, open-air tuk-tuks. If someone is not interested in hiring taxis, then he or she can easily opt for car rental facilities in all the main cities of Thailand. So don’t dare to waste anymore time and simply plan your next trip to Thailand and spend a rocking time exploring the numerous tourist attractions of Thailand and you will be offered numerous choices for getting around comfortably in Thailand.

Tips

Be aware of the established social practices and norms in Thailand to prevent yourself from getting into unnecessary problems. It is really beneficial for the travelers to get a basic idea about a country before actually paying a visit there.

The present practices of Thai society are deeply influenced by centuries of cultural interchange with China and India, but recently one observes stronger influences from the west and this is particularly true for the younger generation of Thai people. In modern day Thailand, a western visitor is greeted with cordially shaking hands, however the traditional way to greet people is by wai, closing hands and slightly bowing the head and the Buddhist monks are always greeted in this manner. While traveling in Thailand the travelers should keep it in mind that the Thai Royal Family is regarded with an almost religious reverence and the visitors are supposed to respect this. The Thai people consider it extremely bad manners to make public displays of anger and public displays of affection between men and women are also not accepted with too much of appreciation and are often scowled at. It is considered to be extremely rude to touch anyone on the head or to point one’s feet at someone. If you are invited to someone’s house in Thailand, then don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering the house and the same should also be applied before entering temples. Men seldom need to be attired in formal suits as informal wear are widely acceptable in all over Thailand and in any sort of official function men are usually expected to wear traditional Thai shirt. Beachwear should be restricted to the beaches only and topless sunbathing is not acceptable in Thailand. There is no restriction regarding smoking and it is widely acceptable in Thailand.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels, in major cities and towns and bureaux de change. The banks offer the best exchange rates in Thailand and the hotels usually charge high commissions. The visitors can relax as all the major credit cards like American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted in hotels and tourist resorts in Thailand, but it is always better to check it out with the credit card Company to obtain the details of merchant acceptability and other services. To avoid any sort of additional exchange rate charges, the travelers are advised to carry traveler’s cheques in US Dollars, Euros, or Pounds Sterling while they tour in Thailand. The import of local and foreign currency is unrestricted and both Thai and foreign travelers are allowed to take a maximum amount of THB50, 000 per person without any prior authorization and while visiting any neighboring country the amount becomes THB500, 000 per person. Thai silks and cottons, batiks, silver, pottery with celadon green glaze, precious and semiprecious stones, dolls, masks, lacquerware, pewterware, bamboo artifacts and bronzeware, are some of the most-shopped items in Thailand..