Author: Catalina Forbes

Complete Itinerary in Busan for 3 Days

Busan is a metropolis, a holiday resort and one of South Korea’s most prominent port cities all at the same time. If you are planning to explore as much of it as you can, allow us to recommend a 3-day itinerary to make the most of it.

Jagalchi Market

On the first day visit Jagalchi Market, which is the Busan’s number one fish market. You can try out the fresh seafood there as well as they will cook them and serve them for you in tiny food stalls at the market.

Kok Leng Yeo, Jagalchi Market, Busan, South Korea, CC BY 2.0

Gamcheon Cultural Village

The Gamcheon cultural village is one of Busan’s most famous tourist sites. There is an entire neighbourhood of houses in pastel colours with actual residents where you can walk around and take pictures. If you check into any of the many hotels in Busan, South Korea, they will recommend visiting Gamcheon.

Nanpo-Dong

Nanpo-dong is the quintessential Korean neighbourhood, with hotels and grand department stores, street food carts and the Lotte Observation deck which will give you grand views of the city.

Ken Eckert, Nampo-dong Busy Street, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seomyeon

On the second day, head to Seomyeon which is a great place to scout pretty and quirky shops. Afterwards, you can head to Shinsaegae Centum City which is the largest shopping complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Haeundae & the Temple

Haeundae is South Korea’s most famous beach which is a 40-minute drive from Avani Central Busan Hotel. Spend your third day relaxing on the beach and exploring the temples.

midnight.here, Haedong Yonggungsa, Busan, CC BY-SA 2.0

 

Complete Guide to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi with its whole list of world records for having the fastest rollercoaster on earth, the farthest leaning man-made tower and many more is a great destination to travel. And, here is a good guide if you want to have a great visit.

Best times to visit

From April to September, Abu Dhabi has the peak season during which all 5-star hotels in Abu Dhabi become occupied as a whole. August is the hottest month of the year and of course the best month to go for a swim.

Image Credit: Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara

Things to do when you are there

If you stay at a hotel the likes of Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara there are several things that you can try out during your stay without traveling much. Golfing, quad biking, water skiing are just some of the best and most exciting things you can do here!

Things to see and explore

Abu Dhabi Corniche, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District are some popular places to see when you have your days in this destination.

Alberto-g-rovi, Ferrari world-abu dhabi-2011 (11), CC BY-SA 3.0

Places to shop at

For shopping needs, Abu Dhabi has great places like Dalma Mall and Bawabat Al Sharq Mall and there are some good markets to visit too.

 

Jebel Shams of Oman

The Jebel Shams is one of the most beautiful places in the world that you can visit not only in Oman but in the whole world. It is part of the spectacular Grand Canyon of Arabia – the Al Nakhr Canyon.

Introduction

There are plenty of things to do when you go to the Jebel Shams which is what makes it a must-visit attraction for sightseeing in Oman.

Image Credit: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

For Camping

The Jebel Shams is referred to as the Mountain of the Sun in Arabic because it is the first place that receives sunrise in Oman. It is a great place to go camping or if you’d like to talk to your local hotel like Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort for glamping options.

Stargazing and Night Photography

The Jebel Shams is a great place to go stargazing or for long exposure night photography. However, the conditions have to be great as well as it being a moonless night. Thanks to it being away from light pollution areas it can guarantee great shots.

Image Credit: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort 

Hiking

There are three major hike routes in the Jebel Shams which include the Al Nakhur Rim hike, Al Khitaym to Wadi Ghul hike and the Jabal Shams summit hike. The summit is not the highest point which is inaccessible due to there being a military outpost situated there.

 

Mekong River Cruise Experience

The Mekong river is the main reason why so many powerful civilisations thrived in South East Asia. And a cruise down the river is the perfect way to really understand how much influence a river can have on mankind and their development.

Mekong River Cruise
Mekong River Cruise | Image Credit : Basile Morin, Mekong Sun river cruise ship in Luang Prabang, CC BY-SA 4.0

Asia’s Most Legendary River

A luxury Mekong river cruise is one of the best ways to understand the influence the great river has had on civilisation. The river has enriched culture and traditions for more than 2000 years in the region which means a cruise with Mekong Kingdoms will take you on that same journey years later.

Cambodia

The cruise will take you through Cambodia following in the footsteps of royalty who sailed the same seas years before. Cambodia is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat and other spectacular remnants of Khmer culture.

Vietnam

Vietnam is next on the Mekong River, the easternmost country on the Indochinese peninsula. It is a visual masterpiece of colour and wonders fast evolving into a prime tourist destination.

Mekong River

The Mekong River is the 12th longest in the world. It flows from the Tibetan plateau to the South China sea through China to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. It is the lower end of the river, the basin that spreads across Cambodia and Vietnam that is mostly traversed.

 

Tourism in Bali

Bali has now become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world, simply because of the fact that it has something for everyone who visits it. Here is some information that you should know about the Bali Tourism sector if you are a potential visitor to this amazing island.

Image by: DECALB via pixabay | CC0

Reaching Bali

The city has the third busiest airport in Indonesia- the Ngurah Rai, which is also the 07th best in the world. Regular flights are available for countries such as America, Australia, Europe, and almost all Asian countries, so its always hassle-free to get into Bali.

Its People

People in Bali belong to diverse religions, and they include Balinese Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism. Be it you know them, or don’t know them at all, Balinese people are really are some of the most pleasant people you will ever meet.

The amazing culture

Even when you dine at a popular resort such as Katamama Suites at Desa Potato Headyou’ll be amazed to see different kinds of arts and crafts positioned here and that grabs the attention of tourists quite noticeably. Bali is rich with diverse art forms such as painting, woodcarving and also performing arts.

The tourism industry in Bali

If you take any luxury hotel in Seminyak, Bali for example, you may be surprised to see how good their service quality is in every aspect. They play an extremely important role in strengthening the tourism arm of Bali, together with other players such as travel agents.

 

Why Sri Lanka is a Trending Destination in the World!

Sri Lanka is a trending destination with more and more people paying attention to the little island that is known by so many names including paradise island. Here’s why:

Whale Watching
Whale Watching | Image Credit : DammikaD, Whale watching in Mirissa, CC BY-SA 4.0

1. It’s Wild

Dive into the oceans to see whales and dolphins all year long. Sri Lanka is the best place to go on marine safaris and that’s not all, there are also over 5800 elephants in the wild and the largest density of leopards in the world.

2. Cricket in Galle

There’s always plenty of cricket to go around, and where better to enjoy a match than in Galle under the shadow of the Dutch colonial fort?

3. The Ministry of Crab

There’s an entire ministry of crab! It is a restaurant where you can eat gourmet styled Sri Lankan chili crab – an expensive and delicious delicacy. It is one of the most visit places suggested by tour agencies like Walker Tours.

4. Atmospheric Caves

Take a tour in Sri Lanka and discover the magic of ancient kingdoms in cave paintings, from Dambulla and its depictions of Buddhism to the prehistory of the Fa Hien Caves.

5. Take a Train

Taking a train in Sri Lanka is unlike taking a train in any other country thanks to their sprawling and scenic routes. It’s all about the journey not the destination!

Exploring Doha in one day

As Doha is increasingly becoming popular as the hub for international travelers, many of them have one day in Doha and cover everything it has to offer within that one day. It is possible, but with proper planning.

Image by: https://www.tivolihotels.com/en/souq-waqif-doha

Use taxis

To get around Doha in one day, you will mostly have to rely on taxis, and this is the best option too. Taxis are relatively cheap and even if you want to travel in between hotels in Doha, for your business visits, this mode is ideal.

The Museum of Islamic Art- a must visit

The Museum of Islamic Art which is also known as the MIA is a place that you must not miss at any cost during your one day in Doha. A 09-minute drive away from hotels such as Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli, this is an iconic piece of architecture, that tourists fall in love with.

Take a Dhow Cruise

Doha skyline is another must-see sight here and a good way to see this is by taking a Dhow Cruise. A Dhow is a traditional wooden boat in the region which now provide tourists with leisure cruises.

A visit to Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif means the standing market- and indeed the number one Doha tourist attraction. If you are thinking of ending your day with a good dinner here, it is, of course, a good choice!

 

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Things to do in Saudi Arabia

Heir to its rich history, Saudi Arabia extends through most of the northern and central Arabian Peninsula. Religion, tribalism and untold wealth are the three elements that have fuelled the country’s history. Here are a few places you can visit when in Saudi Arabia.

Masmak Fortress
Masmak Fortress | Image Credit : Sammy Six, Masmak Fortress (6329473680), CC BY 2.0

Masmak Fortress

This large structure was built around 1865 and looks like it’s right out of a movie. If you’re interested in going through highlights showcasing Saudi Arabia from the years 1912 to 1937, the diverse galleries found in this site exhibit maps and photographs.

Al Shafee Mosque

One of the finest mosques in Jeddah, the historic Al Shafee mosque is named after one of the four great imams of Sunni Islam. The mosque is made according to the Ottoman style, as seen by the impressive minaret. The building also dates back to the 16 century but has been beautifully restored and maintained.

Ithra

20 minutes from Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is where you’ll find this world-class cultural centre. The one of a kind building resembles a space station and is home to a number of things such as; a cinema, exhibition galleries, a library, a museum and a theatre. When you’re at one of the many Al Khobar apartments, take time off to visit this iconic building.

National Museum

One of the finest museums found in the Middle East, this state-of-the-art museum is situated in Riyadh. Inside of this building, you’ll find eight informative galleries different aspects of Saudi Arabia, such as culture, art and history.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Nam Tok Phlio National Park

If you are planning on heading to the Tok Phlio National Park in Thailand, take a few minutes to read this guide first.

Namtokphlio National Park | Img by: KAlexey via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to get there

From Chanthaburi city it’s about 15km, relies upon which course you remove from the city to the interstate; cycling from Tha Mai you will arrive on the edges of C city maintaining a strategic distance from the traffic, and about 27km, downplaying kms spent on Sukhumvit #3 by utilizing 3147, 3146, over the C River and 3348 which takes you to under 2km from the way to the recreation centre – can’t miss that one it has a colossal sign over the street where it meets #3.

Entrances

There are a few doorways to this national park which spreads 135 sq km, the principal passageway is on expressway Sukhumvit #3 that runs south past Chanthaburi to Trat. Many a Chanthaburi restaurant and resort the likes of Chatrium Golf Resort Soidao can be found nearby.

Walking In

Travelling south the principal sign you’re nearing the recreation centre (on #3) is an enormous Chinese sanctuary, and somewhat further on the side road to one side; 2km from here there’s a vehicle leave territory, at that point a few shops and the recreation centre doors. In case you’re cycling I’ve discovered the recreation centre security watchmen are very glad to take care of the bicycle, under spread by the watchman post.

Entrance tickets

Costs are standard for Thailand’s National Parks, 200b for outsiders and 40b for Thais and each time you have to show a Thai drivers permit to be permitted in at a less expensive rate.

 

 

 

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Snorkeling in Sri Lanka

When on vacation, you often find yourself searching for fun things to do. Sri Lanka often referred to as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, has world-class snorkeling and scuba-diving tours that will keep you enchanted right throughout your trip.

Snorkeling | Image Credit - tata_aka_T, CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons
Snorkeling | Image Credit – tata_aka_T, CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

Why Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the best ways to view under-water life without damaging them. The shallow seas of Sri Lanka allow you to do this without a hassle. View colourful coral reefs and shoals of fish by snorkeling in the warm waters of the Indian ocean while holidaying in Sri Lanka.

Locations
For snorkeling and scuba diving in Sri Lanka, the best locations are Hikkaduwa, Weligama, and Kirinda. If you are heading towards the west, you could check out ‘Bar Reef’, which is Sri Lanka’s largest coral reef, located just off Puttalam. The best way to check out all these locations is if you go through a good tour company such as Walkers Tours, that specialize in customized tour packages for their clients

Get Ready to Snorkel
Obviously, to go snorkeling you need to have the proper gear. You can rent some from shops that are located alongside the Sri Lankan beaches or you could even bring your own. All under-water activities are normally conducted by well trained and experienced UDI and PADI instructors to ensure the utmost safety and enjoyment of all travelers, so you have nothing to worry about!

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.

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