Travel Guides

People travel for many reasons: to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, to visit friends and loved ones across the globe, and even to taste the most delicious morsels a French chef can offer. So, it is not a surprise that a select group of people can afford the luxury to travel in order to shop at the most exclusive shopping malls in the world. If you are most fortunate enough to indulge in shopping excursions across the globe, then this list featuring the best shopping malls to visit will definitely benefit you!

Bangkok’s a wonderful place to visit if you’re on a shoestring budget. And why not, when so many affordable hotels are popping up all over the place? To make your stay in Bangkok both comfortable AND cost effective, here’s a rundown on 5 little-known lodging spots that will a smile on your face, NOT a dent on your wallet!

1. The Arun Residence
Located in the Old City, guests in this charming four-storey hotel can bask in the beautiful scenery of the Chao Phraya river at dawn or dusk. We think you’d also love having your meals at The Deck, the hotel’s French-Thai restaurant. Forget your alarm clocks, it’s more pleasant to wake up to the sounds of the nearby temple bells and the roosters crowing nearby.

Indonesia is a beautiful country that I regularly fly to. Whether it’s for the bustling city life in Jakarta or the serene Balinese islands that constantly lure my physical and spiritual self to visit, I love Indonesia and never fail to recommend it to people who want an experience of a lifetime. But for seasoned travelers who have been to Indonesia and want an out of the ordinary vacation, why not take an hour’s flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta and visit the Borobudur Temple?

Also known as Candi Borobudur, this magnificent temple was literally carved out of volcanic stones during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty, which is estimated to be around 700-850 AD. Historians are clearly awed at the majestic structure but was baffled as to how and why the temple was erected. They were also puzzled how the temple was abandoned and was consecutively covered by thick layers of ashes (there were lots of volcanoes in the area). The Borobudur temple was rediscovered by the British as they came to Indonesia for the first time in the 1800’s.

Visiting China soon? Have you got the Great Wall of China and Beijing as part of your itinerary during your travels? Why not indulge in some off-the-beaten-track things to do when you’re in this beautiful country. It would certainly be most interesting and make your trip a most memorable one. You don’t want to have only photos of you and a giant panda to show off upon your return, do you? Check out this short list that I compiled which should give you a little hint to live on the wilder side of life!

Looking for a little adventure when during your holidays? Getting jaded over the boring hotels you’ll be confined to when you go on your annual vacation? Well, here’s a suggestion for you: Why not take a tour or stay at one of these 5 haunted hotels featured below? One word of caution: it’s not for the faint of heart and you should also be prepared to bring your own ouija board ghost hunting equipment!

1. Castle Leslie, Ireland
This ornate castle was build more than 3 centuries ago and belonged to the Leslie family ever since. Perfect for celebrities and those who are rich and famous, this 5-star retreat offers ideal solitude with the absence of the Internet, telephones and televisions. And if you have a craving for the supernatural, do ask to stay in the Norman Room, so called based on the name of the ghostly apparition that manifests from time to time. Don’t worry, he’s harmless, only known to haunt that particular room and appear to guests as a smiling entity.

It is no secret that traveling in Rio de Janeiro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But what makes your travels truly unforgettable, is if you have your food and lodging all lined up ideally. Here are some tips that should be useful in getting you started.

1. Fancy eating what the Brazilians are enjoying when they are not partying the night away? For really authentic yet tasty snacks and drinks that will whet your appetite for more, check out the locations of nearby botequims. A botequim – pronounced “bo-tech-kym” – is a smaller version of an American bar or an English pub. You’ll find great bar food to nibble on while in the company of delightful friends and the locals.

2. Don’t like how commercialized Copacabana is nowadays? Check into the Ipanema Plaza Hotel for pleasurable yet affordable lodging, and don’t be afraid to ask the courteous hotel staff to arrange an IMPROMPTU tour for you!

Some people visit a certain country for its breathtaking beauty, while others (especially women!) jet off to a particular holiday destination just to indulge in one of their favorite hobbies – shopping. And some travel around the globe in search of the best food planet Earth has to offer.

If you belong to the latter category, you should definitely be thinking about buying a plane ticket to Thailand. Besides being an exotic holiday destinations with its smiling, friendly people as well as the gargantuan gentle beasts we all know as elephants, warm yet heavenly beaches, Thailand is a gastronomic delight for foodies who revel in having their taste buds caressed by the best tasting food one can ever partake! Whether you are visiting Bangkok or getting a well-deserved tan in Pattaya, you should taste some of the all-time must-try foods in Thailand which includes:

Krakow is Poland’s fourth largest city and has been a popular tourist destination for many years, as it is has some of the best preserved medieval buildings, churches, abbeys and streets in Europe.

Much of Krakow has barely been changed since 13th Century and this has meant that there are some beautiful, unspoilt medieval areas still almost intact, such as the Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square), which is one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe and Old Town, which has achieved UNESCO world heritage site status.

There are many top attractions in Krakow, both historic and modern and here are just a few of the best:

• Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) – this is in the beautiful main market square and is an original building dating back to the 16th Century. These days it is filled with market stalls and cafes, and is very popular with both visitors and locals.