Catalina Forbes | The Adventure Travel Site

A Handy Laos Travel Guide – Useful Tips & Insights for Travellers

In the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos offers unforgettable adventures where you can discover a rich cultural and natural heritage; here’s a guide to help plan your trip.

When to Visit

Laos is a great destination to visit year-round; that said, the most popular period is from October to February due to the cool weather. Temperatures rise in March and April, while from May to September there’s a greater chance of rain; showers won’t be throughout the day though and you can still enjoy sightseeing.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some of the best hotels in Laos too. Those staying here including at the property of Avani Hotels & Resorts, have ample opportunities to explore this town, home to French-Indochinese architecture, ancient temples like Wat Xieng Thong and the sacred Mount Phousi.

Other Highlights

Amongst the best things to do in Laos include visiting the Pak Ou Caves with its Buddha images, embarking on a Mekong River sunset cruise and taking in the stunning Kuang Si Falls. You can also enjoy tubing in Vang Vieng, exploring the Buddha Park near Vientiane and trekking and cycling amidst the countryside.

Tips on Attire

Since the weather can get humid, pack light cotton clothing as well as a light sweater or jacket for travel in the cool season. If you’re visiting during the rainy season, a rain jacket or poncho will come in handy. Keep in mind that at sacred sites and temples, you need to dress conservatively, covering bare shoulders and legs.

Hidden Gem Attractions in Krabi, Thailand – Explore the beauty of hidden treasures

Krabi is often known as a great destination for family getaways. Forget the attractions that everyone visits, rent a car and go after the hidden treasures. You’ll be truly happy you did!

Emerald Pool and Blue Pool

Are you spending your vacation at a hotel in Ao Nang Krabi the likes of Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort? Allocate time for a two hours’ drive and head to the Emerald Pool and Blue Pool. They are located in the same park.

Scorewith German, Emerald Pool at Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, near Krabi (Thailand) – panoramio, CC BY 3.0

Nam Tok Rawn

They are the Krabi Hot Springs. Visit the hot springs on a cooler day (or maybe early in the morning) and enjoy the best of relaxation.

Tiger Cave Temple

What you’ll love the most about the Tiger Cave Temple are the views you get to enjoy once you reach the top after climbing all the stairs. You may also enjoy the unique architectural styles of the temple.

Ban Bor Thor Caves

Are you someone interested in cave art? Then, here is the place for you. You can either take a speedboat tour or a kayak tour to enjoy the cave art in peace.

Explore Whistler Blackcomb – Unlimited fun!

Did you know that Whistler Blackcomb is so much beyond just skiing and snowboarding? It’s all about a great and awesome path of experiences starting from the Whistler gondola.

Getting to the top of Whistler Blackcomb

There are two options. If you are coming from a Whistler hotel the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, you may easily use the Whistler Gondola. The other option is to take the Blackcomb Gondola.

Ruth Hartnup from Vancouver, Canada, Peak 2 Peak (3133694802), CC BY 2.0

The Peak 2 Peak Whistler Gondola

This is the longest and the highest gondola in the world. No matter on which mountain you land on, be it Whistler or the Blackcomb, you always can go to the other via this Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

Hiking opportunities

Both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer great hiking opportunities and they are equally awesome. Some trails are ideal for all hikers- all with easy, intermediate, and advanced skill levels.

Things to do at the top of Whistler Blackcomb

What else can be done here in addition to sightseeing and hiking? Well, there is a lot more! You can opt for alpine riding or helicopter tours. Mountain Skills Academy also has so many interesting activities there to entertain you and your friends/family.

Ultimate Hanoi Guide – Plan well and enjoy every bit of your tour

Hanoi is an interesting destination because of its attractions and multi-cultural vibe. If it’s going to be your first time in Hanoi, make sure you plan it well.

Places to explore

Hanoi is a destination with many great attractions. But, if you are running short of time during your tour, prioritize the Hanoi Opera House, Water Puppet Theatre, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son. They shouldn’t be missed out on at any cost.

Shopping

The best place in Hanoi for shopping is indeed the Hanoi Weekend Night Market. If you have time, head to Hang Gai Street and Lotte Centre for some good shopping moments.

Christophe95, Hanoi Night Market 1, CC BY-SA 4.0

Accommodation

Finding a good hotel in Hanoi is important. It’s not that difficult as long as you have world-class options such as Pan Pacific Hanoi. They offer great dining facilities too.

Nightlife

Head to Binh Minh’s Jazz Club at night when you are in Hanoi. For an authentic experience, head to the Bia Hoi Junction and mingle with the locals in style.

Things to know

Traffic is so intense in Hanoi, so you will have to tolerate this. Nights can be chaotic and busy, but you can enjoy all of it if you have a little patience.

When to Visit Bali: Weather and Seasons – Right timing matters!

A Bali holiday getaway is something that many travellers dream of. But are you aware of the best time to visit this island? Travelling during the best season will offer you the best memories.

The Dry Season

The dry season falls from April to October. Cool breezes are present, but no rain. During the dry season, the temperatures are high and steady. This makes Bali even more beautiful. This season is the best for sightseeing and sunbathing.

Image via **Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali**

The Rainy Season

The rainy season falls from November to March. The seas tend to get rougher and this is why it’s not a great time for swimming.

The busiest season in Bali

Tourists flock to Bali during July and August. Bali is also busy during the Easter holidays and Christmas. So, if you expect cheaper rates, you will have to avoid these seasons.

The best time to visit Bali

Head to Bali in May, June, or September. April and October will also be fine. Bali family resorts such as Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali give away special discounts on their packages. Sea conditions will be perfect during this time, and the airfares will also be reasonable.

Golfing in Quy Nhon

The fact that you watch golf tournaments and that you love the sport doesn’t make you a skillful golf player. For this, you need practice! During your holiday in Quy Nhon, you may give this a try.

Golf is open to everyone

Before starting the game, here’s the thing you need to know. Golf was reserved for the rich, and this is not the case anymore. Everyone with a passion and a skill can do it.

Learn about how the score works

Golf scores happen by comparing the pre-arranged scores with the actual score. Once you get to learn the basics, you will be well-aware of the other elements such as the birdies, pars, and eagles.

Equipment you need

Golf demands you to dress appropriately for the sport. And it requires some other equipment too including the clubs and balls. If you plan to play regularly, it’s better if you can buy a pack for yourself.

Golfing in Quy Nhon

Golfing has become one of the most popular things to do in Quy Nhon. Properties such as Avani Quy Nhon Resort have arranged ways to facilitate their guests with the best-golfing arrangements.

All about Tunisia – Another great North African destination

Tunisia is not just about a picturesque beach destination. It’s also about vibrant cultures and rich history. This is why you should visit this amazing destination at least once in your lifetime.

Tunis – the Capital City

Tunis is a city where history and modernity beautifully blend together. Explore this city during your stay at any hotel in Tunis the likes of The Residence Tunis. The Bardo Museum and the Carthage Paleo- Christian Museum are some of the major attractions to visit in this city.

Alexandre Moreau, Carthage Room Bardo, CC BY-SA 2.0

The rich history

Tunisia is blessed with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore these historical sites when you are there, and learn about the amazing history of this destination.

Tunisian cuisine

Do not miss out on Shakshuka and Lablabi when you are in Tunisia. Tunisians have their unique ways to prepare meats, veggies, and grains and all of them are equally good. Their seafood dishes are also finger-licking good!

Seaside bliss

The best thing about Tunisia is that its coastline is amazingly long. If you head to Hammamet, you get to enjoy the best beaches in the country. These beaches also offer great water-sports opportunities.

Visiting Traditional Villages in Guizhou – Enriching Journeys of Discovery

A truly enchanting destination, Guizhou in China is home to ancient villages set amidst stunning natural landscapes; here are some of the top places to visit.

Matang Gejia Village

In the Matang Village, you will find the Gejia ethnic group. As you wander around the village, you will come across locals dressed in traditional costumes, charming wooden houses and batik creations for which it is famous; depending on the tour, you can even get hand’s-on experience in the batik-making process.

Xijiang Miao Village

This Miao village is surrounded by spellbinding scenery and can be explored on excursions from 5-star hotels in Guiyang including the property of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. On your visit, you can see stilted houses made from wood, wind and rain bridges and remarkable traditional cultural performances too.

Zhaoxing Dong Village

This is one of the nation’s most well-known Dong villages and is popular for its picturesque countryside setting. The village is in a lush valley surrounded by mountains and is famed for its five distinctive drum towers; there are stages outside each of these towers where you can witness folk songs and plays at night.

Mill 1, The river crossing Zhaoxing village, CC BY-SA 4.0

Basha Miao Village

This idyllic village is the last place in the country where locals can have guns which is a part of its traditions as well; in fact, guns are used in a typical welcome ceremony for visitors. The village also hosts performances that feature unique folk customs and offer insights into local life, farming, marriage and dance.

Khon Kaen, A Cultural & Historic City in Thailand

If you’re planning on seeing the wondrous sights of Thailand on a sightseeing tour, be sure to make a trip to the city of Khon Kaen. This is an ancient settlement with plenty of history and culture for you to absorb and immerse yourself in – so, let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer.

Wat Nong Wang

If you’re looking for things to do in Khon Kaen, you should definitely start with a visit to Wat Nong Wang. This is one of the country’s most famous and spectacular temples, most notable for being 9 floors tall!

Wat Thung Setthi

The brilliant gold and blue exterior have come to characterise the Wat Thung Setthi – another beautiful temple found within the city. If you’re staying at a centrally-located hotel – for instance, the Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre – this is a fairly quick visit too – approximately just 15 mins from your hotel!

Bueng Kaen Nakhon

This is a lake found right at the heart of Khon Kaen. This is a great place if you want to enjoy a calm and tranquil atmosphere that’s removed from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. A number of distinct shrines can also be found along the length of the lake.

Shrine of City Pillar

Found near the city’s flourishing shopping centre, the Shrine of City Pillar is another important religious site found in Khon Kaen. It is believed that a famous monk once placed an inscribed stone at the site of the shrine.

Visiting Jebel Akhdar – Exploring the Mountains

The Jebel Akhdar is a spectacular mountain range that rises high above the rugged landscape of Oman’s countryside. Full of hidden sights and quaint villages, a trip here can be quite rewarding for any adventurous explorer!

A Strange Name

The words Jebel Akhdar roughly translate to meaning “Green Mountain”. This is interesting as you’ll be hard-pressed to spot any greenery when you first arrive at the foot of the mountain range. Don’t worry though, the vast expanse before you has its own charm and you can even find lush orchards hidden all over the place.

Getting There

If you’re staying at a Salalah beach resort – say, for instance, the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara – you’re looking at a two-hour drive in order to reach the mountains. The rough terrain of the region means that it is quite remote and isolated – the perfect place for a quiet and relaxing trek.

Best Time to Visit

So, when exactly should you visit the mountains? Generally, you’ll want to target the months of March and April. Not only is the weather stable during this period, but it’s also when the damask roses of the region go into bloom!

Go for a Walk

The best thing to do here in the Jebel Akhdar is to slowly explore the villages, orchards, and gardens strewn across the mountain range. You can hire a driver to help navigate the narrow roads and to reach all the best spots.