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Doha as a Tourist Destination

Doha – the capital city of Qatar is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. This rising city attracts many tourists across the globe paying tribute to its spectacular architecture and one of a kind cultural heritage. Here are a few of the must-visit attractions if you are visiting Doha as a tourist.

The Museum of Islamic Art
Located closeby to many hotels in Doha Qatar, such as the popular Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli, the Museum of Islamic Art is an architectural gem of this city. Here you will find a collection of Islamic paintings that were collected from three continents over 1400 years!

The Doha Corniche
No one can visit Doha as a tourist and leave without visiting the ever-famous Doha Corniche! The Doha Corniche is a waterfront promenade that reshaped the country’s coastline in the 1970s and 1980s. It is an ideal place to visit for a leisurely stroll with the family.

Explore Souq Waqif
Considered a one-stop-shop for all things shopping and dining – the Souq Waqif is also one of Doha’s top attractions to visit as a tourist. Explore the alleys filled with many Arabian delights such as spices, perfumes, and even embroidered items for you to take back home as souvenirs!

The Pearl
Known as the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership for foreign nationals, the Pearl is an offshore artificial island in Doha’s West Bay lagoon area. There are many high-end retail shops in this area that you could engage in some luxury shopping!

A Family Getaway to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is indeed a great country for you to have your family vacation with your kids. They’ll have many things to explore and they’ll also love being with the locals who are extremely friendly.

Enjoy the beaches
Being an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a paradise for those who love beach escapes. Kids can try out surfing, swimming, and various other water sports safely and peacefully.

The modern charm
If you stay at a city hotel in Colombo the likes of Mandarina Colombo Hotel, the modern charms in the metropolitan city of Colombo are all yours to enjoy. Starting from the Galle Face Green, Colombo has many interesting places such as Gangaramaya Temple and Colombo Fort at which kids can have some new experiences.

Explore the unique culture
Sri Lanka is a country with a highly diversified culture. If you visit the ancient city of Kandy, you can explore a unique culture here, anda completely different culture compared to that in Galle.

Visit the ancient sites
It’s a known fact that Sri Lanka is a country with a history that dates back to more than 2500 years. Cities like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are some ancient sites that you should not forget to visit when you are in this amazing destination.

Why You Should Visit Kandy

Once the royal seat of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a city perched on a plateau at the top of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. There are many reasons as to why you should be visiting Kandy. Here are our top 4.

It’s Perfect for Nature Lovers
The small city is surrounded by emerald mountains and plenty of forest land, estates and the famed Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Everywhere you look, even out of the balcony of the best hotel in Kandy there is plenty of nature to adore.

It’s Home to Cultural Treasures
Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important Buddhist landmark site as the resting place of the tooth relic of Buddha which is housed in the Temple of the Tooth at the royal palace in the city centre. It’s a quick drive from mountainside hotels like Hotel Topaz.

It’s a Classic Movie Location
Kandy was famously the location for movies such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Cheng Gong, The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo and Thai Flower among others.

It’s Where You Can Find a Good Cuppa
You can also find plenty of tea estates with cafés that will serve you the most delicious cup of steaming hot Ceylon Black tea.

Adventure-filled Fishing in Mackay

When it comes to fishing in Australia’s east coast, Mackay is the perfect destination. Be it at rivers, by the shore, in the ocean or at inland dams, there are many spots to choose from.

Image by Barth971 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Why Fish at Mackay?
The diversity of fishing in Mackay is a big drawing can be enjoyed with or without a boat. You can easily find a hotel in Mackay near the marina, Pioneer River, or beaches where you can catch all manner of species including the iconic barramundi as well as barracuda, whiting, blue salmon, bream and more.

The Pioneer River
The Pioneer River which runs through the city is ideal for fishing; with properties such as Oaks Mackay Rivermarque Hotel near the banks, you could be casting your line in no time! Apart from barramundi, you may catch mangrove jack, queenfish and salmon in the city or at Mirani and Marian along the river.

The Marina and Beaches
The Mackay Marina / Harbour is another top place for fishing as are some of the Northern Beaches. At the marina, you may be rewarded with catches of golden trevally, tuna and mackerel; do keep in mind that fishing is generally better when the tide is coming in or going out.

Out to Sea and at Dams
You could head out on a fishing charter in the ocean at places like Cape Hillsborough where you may catch barramundi, trevally, or tuna. You can also go fishing at some of the dams in Mackay like the Kinchant Dam known for huge barramundi as well as saratoga and sooty grunter.

Top Taboos in Thailand

Thailand is a country with a rich culture. It’s amazing, but westerners may sometimes find this culture to be a little strange. This is why you should know mainly about its top taboos before you go.

Don’t touch the head of a person

In Thailand, they believe that the most significant body part of a person is the head, and because of this, touching the head will be considered so wrong.

No shorts or miniskirts to temples

Are you planning to visit any temples during your holiday spent at a hotel in Khon Kaen the likes of Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre? Adhere to modest clothing as much as possible, you can’t even wear a sleeveless top to a temple.

Do not touch monks

Touching a monk is forbidden in Thailand. You can have friendly conversations with them, but you should know your limits. Even when you need to take a picture together, you should first ask for permission and do it.

Do not criticize the royal family

Thailand Royal Family|Government of Thailand , Princess Ubolratana 2009-12-7 Royal Thai Government House , CC BY 2.0

Since you do not know about the King or his family, it’s always wise to avoid any conversations about them. Criticizing them is a serious offense in Thailand.

Five-day Indigenous Tour in Tropical North Queensland

Trek through thriving rain forests and explore the serene mangrove ecosystems of Tropical North Queensland to discover some spectacular locations. An indigenous tour will bring you up close with two of the world’s oldest living cultures: the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders.

Getting There

During your stay in Australia at one of the Middlemount service apartments the likes of Oaks Middlemount Suites, it’s a great idea to head out on a five-day indigenous tour in the Tropical North Queensland. Embark on a ten-hour road trip to Queensland, which promises mesmerising views.

First Two Days

Follow the footsteps of a local indigenous guide and embark on a day trek through the Daintree Rainforest, which would take you past coastal habitats, raging rivers, and gushing waterfalls. Expect excellent insights into the ancient herbal remedies from your guide. The next day, head over to Cooya beach to visit the fishing grounds of the Kuku Yalanji people to experience spearfishing techniques.

The Next Two Days

You can follow the art trail in Cairns and Laura to adore the Quinkan Rock art sites that feature hundreds of centuries-old rock paintings. Learn how to survive in the wild during the next day with a Pamagirri guide and practice on your spear-throwing skills.

The Final Day

During your final day, treat yourself to a night of cultural flavours. The traditional food cooked in an underground oven would produce hitherto unknown flavours on your taste buds as you savour them beneath the stars, listening to live aboriginal music.

A travel guide to Townsville

Townsville is now turning into a wonderful tourist hub. The quaint buildings, the old pubs and simply everything about the city is quite stylish which makes it alluring to visitors. Here are a few things to look out for if you plan on visiting.

Public Buildings

The private buildings are nice alright, but the public buildings have a charm of their own that’s even more amazing! The best example for this would be the Townsville Post Office which was built in 1886 with a clocktower that has been structured to the Early Victorian Classical Revival theme.

Viewpoints

When visiting Townsville, something you need to do is to see the city from above. Now, you don’t need one of those expensive helicopter rides for this. There are several viewpoints for this, the most popular one would be Castle Hill.

Botanical Gardens

There are 2 main nature parks in Townsville, Queens Gardens which is just 9-minutes away from Oaks Townsville Metropole Hotel is a wonderful spot with tropical flowers and trees. Anderson Park Botanical Gardens is a little further away and within the place is a lagoon, picnic spots, and a conservatory.

Places to stay

If you are on the lookout for places to stay, there are historic hotels as well for a bit of old-world charm and for a taste of modern-day living, Townsville accommodation apartments are always available.

Kalpitiya Lagoon Boat Safari

Located in the North-West coastline of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is quite a famous tourist destination in Sri Lanka. If you are heading to this famous seaside destination, one thing that you must try out is a riverboat safari in the Kalpitiya Lagoon. Here is a glimpse of what you can expect.

About Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya was previously known as a ‘fishing village’ as it was mostly inhabited by fishermen in Sri Lanka. But today this sea-side town has become one of the most sought-after tourist hotspots on the island. Many hotels the likes of Dolphin Beach Resort have been set up here and can cater to the mass of tourists that visit this destination.

The Boat Safari

Kalpitiya Boat Safari| Img by: Sompop S via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

If you are ever considering going on a river safari in Sri Lanka, then Kalpitiya will not disappoint you. The lagoon is ideal for a laid back river cruise and there are many tour companies in the area that you could reach out to help arrange one for you.

What you can see on the safari

On the river safari, your boat will glide through the wilderness where you will spot many wildlife, including different species of birds, amphibians, and other marine lifeforms. 14 islands dot the lagoon and you will most likely be passing them as well. A rare sight that you may get to see if you are lucky is the pink dolphin – for which the Kalptiya Lagoon is home to.

What is included in the safari

Most river safaris will include an English speaking guide and refreshments while on the tour, There are some tours that also make a picnic-stop in the jungle, which will be ideal if you are travelling with that special someone.

A Quick Guide to Surfing in Southern Sri Lanka

Looking to combine a holiday with some surfing adventures? Then, make plans to head to Sri Lanka’s south coast where you can enjoy sun, sand and most importantly, surf!

When to Go Surfing

While surfing on the south coast may be one of the top things to do in Sri Lanka, you do need to visit during the right season. The best period to ride the waves on the south coast if from November to April when conditions are at their most consistent. Ideally, head out before eleven in the morning or later in the evening.

Top Destinations

Beginners will find Weligama an ideal place to visit, while intermediate and experienced surfers will have plenty to look forward to in Midigama. Advanced surfers will also enjoy the waves at Hikkaduwa though it can get crowded. Checkout local travel sites such as Truly Sri Lanka for more insights on activities like surfing.

Surfing Hotspots

Surfing| Img by: Amila Tennakoon via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

The main break at Hikkaduwa has some of the biggest swells on the south coast and the size of the waves can reach between six to eight feet. Those looking for longboard waves will enjoy Lazy Left in Midigama, while Kabalana in Ahangama features big walls as well as barrels for you to conquer.

Rentals & Lessons

While it may not be practical to travel abroad with your longboard in tow, the good news is that there are places to rent them in Sr Lanka along with shortboards too. While you will also be able to find instructors at the major surfing hubs, surf schools have been set-up in certain locations as well.

The Most Adventurous Things to Do in Malaysia

If you are the kind of traveller who enjoys some adrenaline-pumping activities on holiday, then here are some things to do in Malaysia that will provide that rush of excitement you crave!

Bungee Jumping

While bungee jumping in Malaysia may take place at heights that are relatively less than other destinations, the experience is no less thrilling. The Sunway Lagoon theme park in Selangor is a great place to try this activity; for more action also check-out the G-Force X, the highest slingshot ride is Asia that can be found here too!

Spelunking

When it comes to cave exploration and spelunking, Gua Tempurung is a site well worth visiting. Those staying at an Ipoh hotel including properties such as Travelodge Ipoh can easily plan an excursion to this site which features one of the country’s longest caves; you will come across ancient stalactites and stalagmite as well as underground waterfalls and streams too.

White Water Rafting

For some thrills on the water, nothing beats a fun-filled white water rafting experience on the Kampar River in Perak. There are around 14 rapids along the river ranging from level one to level three and the action-packed journey amidst forests and sights of wildlife is bound to be one of your holiday highlights.

Tandem Skydiving

Those in search of more electrifying experiences can consider tandem skydiving in Langkawi! The “leap” while strapped to a certified instructor takes place at around 10,000 feet above sea level (or higher) and speeds reach to 220kmph before you parachute your way down amidst spellbinding views.