Author: auburn

Hot Air Balloon Excursion in Emerald Isle Sri Lanka

Often regarded as one of the most breathtaking tours available in Sri Lanka hot air balloon rides are fast becoming popular among discerning travellers exploring the island nation. Offering visitors a bird’s eye view of one of Asia’s premier holiday destinations hot air balloon excursions allow travellers to uncover the natural beauty and culture of the island in a short period of time. Although hot air balloon operators are a novelty to the tourist Mecca their advent in to the tourism foray has been nothing short of revolutionary in terms of the wealth of tours and experiences on offer for the first time.

The Cultural Triangle hot air balloon experience is one of the most coveted tour packages offered by operators as the excursion explores the lower altitude heartland of the island’s proud historic sites. Littered with UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Sigiriya and the ancient Dambulla Temple the region is a landscape steeped in history, myth and legend. Visitors can expect to see the rock fortress and its surrounding areas surrounded by water buffaloes and meandering lakes. Monkeys jumping from tree tops and elephants making their way to a water hole are other common sights on this tour.

Ballooning Trips around the Uda Walawe National Park is another highlight that should not be missed by visitors as the verdant landscapes of this elephant infested wilderness is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists alike will enjoy the panoramic views of the national park located on the eastern edge of the country while beach lovers must set off on a balloon tour of Galle and the southern coastal belt.

Although a typical balloon ride lasts a mere hour a tour incorporates a 3 to 4 hour process from picking up guests from their hotels and transportation to the launch site as well as other elements such as flight briefs, balloon inflation time, taking off , the tour, landing and transportation back to the hotel. Most tours also include a hearty breakfast with champagne as most rides take off in the wee hours of the morning, meaning two hours after sunrise. Afternoon balloon rides are also organized after sunset while curious visitors can also join in the processes of deflating and inflating the balloon to gauge firsthand experience in hot air ballooning with the aid of experts. Private and exclusive hot air ballooning experiences are also on offer for couples, wedding anniversaries and other occasions.

Hot air balloon season falls between November and May when the wind conditions are conducive to the activity while March and April boasts the finest weather conditions for ballooning. The Tourism Promotion Bureau of Sri Lanka also organized the first ever Sri Lanka Balloon Festival in March, 2011. The annual event takes guests from Europe and Asia on week-long balloon rides around the island’s premier attractions.

Travellers in search of Sri Lanka tour packages this holiday season can choose Shanti Travel Sri Lanka for all their reservations. Organizing an array of exciting excursions to suit every budget this well-known name in the tourism industry provides the best holiday packages Sri Lanka has to offer.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Excursions in Kuala Lumpur

A traveller to Kuala Lumpur will find numerous things to do and choosing a centrally located hotel in Bukit Bintang is essential to make the most of your holiday. A Kuala Lumpur hotel such as Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur is an excellent choice in this regard. The city can be explored in many ways among which, taking an excursion is a must. You can choose among a day tour to Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, a historic tour of Malacca, a night tour including visits to the Central Market, KL Tower and more. Exciting boat rides and food tours are also available for those interested.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Galway’s Land National Park

Well known as the Little England, Nuwara Eliya is a paradise of mist shrouded mountains and lush greenery. Some of the most ideally located Sri Lanka hotels include a range of Nuwara Eliya hotels such as the Heritance Tea Factory. Among the numerous attractions for you to visit here is Galway’s Land National Park. Home to valuable native and foreign floral species, the park was a wildlife sanctuary where you can expect to catch a glimpse of rare native and migrant species of bird. You can easily find the park within the city limits of Nuwara Eliya. Conserving the montane ecosystem, it is an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely stroll immersing in the unparalleled natural splendour.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Mushimasmingali Thila Dive Site

Water sports lovers, ardent divers in particular will be thrilled to hear of Mushi Mas Mingili, an ideal thila-style dive spot consisting of a large flat-top reef. Travel to Maldives to experience the unforgettable luxury holidays Maldives has to offer and Silver Sands Maldives will help you make the most of your vacation, during which a visit to Mushi Mas Mingili Thila dive site is a must. Owing to its wide variety of exotic marine life and stunning underwater scenery, the site has been noted as one of the world’s top ten dive sites and is bound to have you spending hours exploring its underwater marvels.

Segway through Bangkok-Segway Tours

With a breathtaking view of the Chao Phraya River the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is one of the classiest 5 Star Hotels in Bangkok. This Bangkok Resortoffers a unique experience which comes with a combination of modernity and Thai tradition. The ways to explore this city of Angels are immense.

A new way to discover the city is to use a Segway Personal Transporter. This is the world’s first electrical self-balancing personal transporter. The device will automatically respond to the movements of the human body and take the person on a very smooth ride. This way is more convenient than many other sightseeing methods, much faster and efficient. Make your visit to Thailand memorable by having fun exploring the culture and landmarks in two wheels.

Udawattakele Sanctuary

Travellers to the hill country of Sri Lanka can base themselves at Kandy hotelspreferably one of the Aitken Spence Hotels, some of the finest hotels Sri Lanka has to offer. An ancient forest reserve on a hill-ridge in Kandy, Udawattakele Sanctuary is popularly known for its avifauna. Visitors can also explore small trees, shrubs and plant species such as lianas. Be sure to keep an eye out for small and medium size mammals inhabiting this oasis of calm. Created back in 1856 as a forest reserve, the sanctuary is a popular attraction among tourists. Home to a variety of fauna and flora, the forest has a great recreational and educational value.

Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve Auckland

The Rangitoto Island is an island in New Zealand that is located in the Hauraki Gulf, close to the city of Auckland. The name Rangitoto means ‘Bloody Sky’ in Maori and was given to the island because it is believed that Captain Tama-te-kapua bled there after losing a great battle. The island, which is roughly five kilometres in width and over two hundred and fifty metres in height, is actually quite visible from Auckland. Rangitoto is the latest volcano to pop up in the famous Auckland Volcanic Field, erupting roughly six centuries ago. It has an area of over two thousand hectares, which also makes it the largest volcano in the field.

Tourists visiting Auckland should definitely try and visit the Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve. The volcanic island is separated from the mainland by the Rangitoto Channel, so a boat is required to get across. Rangitoto Island is completely pest free and a lot of effort is taken to ensure that it remains so. Visitors are requested to check their belongings before they leave the boat to make sure they do not accidentally bring over any rodents. There are special boats that operate with a ‘Pest Free’ Warrant, and these are the best ones to use.

Although the use of the term volcano may lead many to believe otherwise, the island actually contains an astounding amount of vegetation. Visitors can enjoy the full scope of the area’s lush foliage by taking one of many walking trails. Visitors should also keep an eye out for birds and various animals while trekking through the verdant island. Other activities to try out include kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling. Anglers will be happy to hear that fishing is allowed on all of the island’s coastlines.

When looking for Luxury 5 Star hotels in New Zealand, tourists may want to try one of the Langham Hotels. Their luxury hotels collection spans the globe and have become synonymous with elegance and high quality service. By getting accommodation with a hotel chain such as theirs, globetrotters are assured of uniformity of service and a warm place to call home, no matter where they may go.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Sinharaja Forest

Offering hours of exploration and adventure amidst lush landscapes seemingly lost in time, the enchanting island of Sri Lanka is a nature lover’s paradise. There is much to see and discover on the island, especially at its nature reserves which vary according to their geographical location, be they near the coast or up in the hills. One site which is definitely worth heading to is the Sinharaja Forest which provides visitors with an unforgettable experience at a tropical rainforest.

Named as a World Heritage Site, this forest reserve can be found in the south-west of the island and is home to a primary tropical rainforest that contains a large number of endemic flora and fauna including insects, mammals and birds. Sinharaja which was also named as a World Biosphere Reserve provides intrepid adventurers with a chance to “lose” themselves amidst breathtaking scenery.

The reserve has a wide range of tree species such as palms, cardamom and weniwal which are also used by the local community. The reserve itself is also home to such wildlife as leopards and elephants though spotting them, particularly leopards are rare. As you explore the paths that lead you deeper into the forest, you will realise just how wondrous nature can be. Bird watching enthusiasts have a chance to view a wide variety of species including the Sri Lanka white-headed starling, ashy-headed babbler, Sri Lanka blue magpie and the green-billed coucal.

There is also a rich collection of amphibians and reptiles within the reserve. The green garden lizard, hump-nosed viper and the python have all found a home here. Part of Sinharaja’s charm is the streams that flow through the forests that offer an ideal place to rest and unwind amidst the shade of the trees and cool of the water. It is easy to forget about the cares of the world as you are surrounded by calm and serenaded by the calls of birds, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Those planning to make excursions or day trips to Sinharaja Forest can base themselves at Galle resorts along the island’s south coast. Nature lovers will be particularly pleased with Jetwing Kurulubedda which features elegant villas in Galle set amidst tranquil natural scenery.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Similan Islands by Speedboat

Thailand is an exotic tourist destination with a rich heritage. Travellers based at a Phuket resort such as Millennium Resort Patong Phuket are in for a superb holiday experience as Patong resorts of this caliber ensure nothing less than an unforgettable stay. Renowned for being some of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, Similan Islands boast a number of pristine beaches. With the cool breeze and surrounded by crystal blue waters the islands offer some of the most enchanting scenery. Take a Speedboat ride exploring the captivating natural splendour of the islands, starting from Koh Bangu island which is known for its ideal sites for a swim.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Water sports in Queenstown

A vacation spent in Queenstown is one full of excitement and relaxation, and specially includes outdoor fun. Selecting centrally located Queenstown hotel accommodation preferably at a New Zealand Queenstown hotel such as Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview will help you make the most of your holiday. Outdoor enthusiasts can expect to have the thrill of a lifetime enjoying the wide range of water sports in Queenstown including whitewater rafting, diving, river surfing, kayaking, river jet safaris, river boarding and more. Adventure travellers will find themselves trying out one water sport after the other immersing in the addictive fun and thrill.