Catalina Forbes | The Adventure Travel Site

Malaysia: A Must-Stop Country for Shoppers

In addition to the adventure theme parks, temples and great dining options in Malaysia, you also find the best shopping spots that literally have everything. If you are a shopaholic looking for what Malaysia has got to amaze you, read on… you will have some great insights.

Petaling Street

When exploring the best of KL during your stay at Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort, make sure you explore this Malaysian shopping street in Chinatown too. From apparel, artificial flowers to electronics this place has it all.

Suria KLCC

It’s new and so modern. This is located in the all-time favourite Petronas Towers, which you don’t ever miss to visit during your KL diaries. Luxury brands like Gucci, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton can all be found here and if you are someone looking for branded items, this is the shopping mall to visit!

Berjaya Times Square

This is a 48-storeyed building, and most definitely one of the biggest shopping malls in the world, featuring more than 100 stores in addition to the various entertainment and dining options as well.

Mitsui Outlet Park Klia

One of the main things to do in Sepang if you are a true shopaholic is to visit the Mitsui Outlet Park Klia, which basically has a factory outlet concept. You will find all the upper-middle to high end off seasoned products here, which is ideal for those on a budget but who are also interested in purchasing branded items!

The Royal Buddha Image Phra Bang

The Royal Buddha Image in Phra Bang is located in Luang Prabang which is one of the oldest cities in Laos that was founded more than 1200 years ago.

History

Luang Prabang was once known as Lan Xang and was the first capital of Laos during the 14th century. It was ruled by the Khmers and the Champa and finally by the French. It was a troubled region for most of its time in the history books.

Budgiekiller, Buddhist temple at Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, CC BY-SA 4.0

Geography

The province of Luang Prabang covers 16,875 sq. km. and borders Vietnam on one side. The capital is located on a very narrow peninsula bisected by two rivers, one of which is the Mekong.

Landmarks

If you are booking into a local hotel like Avani+ Luang Prabang and are looking for options in things to do in Luang Prabang, you start by exploring the famous landmarks in the area like Wat Manorom, The Royal Sitting Buddha, Phra Bang and many more.

The Buddha Image

Phra Bang is an 83 cm high standing Buddha statue. It is said to have been cast in ancient Sri Lanka and brought to Laos but the features put it somewhere in Khmer origin.

Top-rated attractions in Thailand

Attractions you find in Thailand are diverse and all of them are well competent to provide you with memorable experiences in their own unique ways. It’s not just about enjoying history and culture, but also about enjoying the best food and admiring the sceneries.

Khon Kaen National Museum

Within close vicinity of hotels Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre, you find the Khon Kaen National Museum which has various ancient tools, marble slabs, and stuccos as its exhibits. Not to forget, it features some dinosaur fossils and human skeletons as well.

The Grand Palace, Bangkok

When you are planning your day in Bangkok from your hotel in Khon Kaen make sure you do not miss to include visiting the Grand Palace in the city. You find royal halls, temples and ancient relics in these premises and they will all show you how advanced the craftsmanship has been back in the day.

Bealbrown at the English Wikipedia, Grand Palace view, CC BY-SA 3.0

Sunday Walking Street

If you are someone looking forward to cheap but tasty food in Thailand, then the Night Walking street in Chiang Mai will be the ideal option for you.

Sukhothai Old City

Although what you find here are some ruins of a great old city, the photo options that it provides are adorable. This old city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the most significant historical sites in Thailand.

Ahoerstemeier, Sukhothai historical park1, CC BY-SA 3.0

Unusual Attractions in Botswana

Although attractions the likes of Mokolodi Nature Reserve are popular among the ones who travel to Botswana, there are many places that are worth a visit, yet so hidden that most of us simply do not even know of their existence!

Three Chiefs Monument

The Three Dikgosi figures are quite popular among the guests of hotel properties the likes of Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino. These are three historical figures immortalized in bronze and is a definite must-see for those history and architecture lovers!

US Army Africa, Three Dikgosi Monument – March 2010, CC BY 2.0

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Those who stay in hotels in Gaborone, Botswana often visit Northern Botswana as well, and Makgadikgadi salt Pans are an attraction you find there. They span over 10,000 square miles and of course, are one of the largest salt pans on the planet.

Diego Delso, Salar del parque nacional Makgadikgadi Pans, Botsuana, 2018-07-30, DD 37, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kebokwe’s Cave

You may call it a cave with a lot of historical significance. Although this is a place of pilgrimage for the faithful Botswana locals, for tourists it’s more of a curiosity spot!

Matsieng Footprints

According to legendary myths, the first humans were created in the pools here and the footprints you can see behind the rock are theirs. As this place is just a 30-minute drive away from downtown Gaborone, the accessibility is not at all difficult.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.