Why Your Next Family Holiday Should Be in the Maldives

If you think the perfect family holiday destination does not exist, then you have not been to the Maldives yet! Here are some reasons why families all over the world love coming here on their vacations.

underwater-world-marine-life | img via wallpaper flare

Private Island Getaways

Your family members will love the chance to spend time on an enchanting private island resort in the North Male Atoll which can be quickly reached by speedboat from the airport. Ideal options include Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives by the Park Hotel Group; here, you can stay at a luxurious beach pool villa with direct access to the shore or a pool water villa from where you can snorkel in the lagoon or ocean below. Such resorts also feature a kids’ club with fun activities and games, a beach club with a daily recreational programme, dining options with a kids’ menu and exciting family adventures.

Stunning Marine Life

The Indian Ocean that surrounds the islands are home to a mesmerising array of marine life and the great thing is, they are easy to encounter. One of the best things to do in Maldives for families is to go snorkelling or join a guided house reef snorkelling session with a resort’s marine biologist who will help you identify colourful reef fish and more. Some properties will offer snorkel safaris to spot specific marine life like turtles, and depending on the age of your children, you can introduce them to the joy of scuba diving too.

Fun Things to Do

There’s never a dull moment in the Maldives with a diverse range of activities for young and old alike. The ideal choice would be to stay at a family-friendly resort that has a marine sports centre, offering specific water sports like jet-skiing and diving for kids. Of course, kayaking, and stand-up paddling can be enjoyed too, while you can also go on dolphin-watching excursions to spot these playful marine mammals. Some resorts offer special family packages as well which can include speedboat trips, snorkelling, a visit to a secluded sandbank, fun tube rides and more.

A Year-Round Destination

The Maldives is a great place to visit year-round, making it a perfect choice be it for a summer escape or to spend colder seasons in a tropical paradise! You can expect around eight hours of heavenly sunshine each day, while the temperature of the water barely drops below 25°C, making it ideal for underwater escapades. Generally, November to April is considered the best period to visit with divine sunshine and calm waters; that said, the rest of the year offers plenty to experience as well.

A nature lover’s guide to the Malaysian rainforest

Move away from the bustle of the city and its complementing skyscrapers towards areas of this Southeast Asian nation that will take your breath away with the pleasures and pageantry on show.

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anonymous, Kinabalu park HQ, CC BY-SA 3.0

Trek to Kinabalu Park

Cut through dense thickets while keeping your eyes peeled for sudden movements that are bound to fill your gaze at the picturesque Kinabalu Park. In fact, once you’re done basking in the company of hot springs, various species of ferns and orchids, and the forest canopy, toy with the thought of ascending the summit of Mount Kinabalu which rises to well over 4,000 meters in the air.

Retrace ancient times at Taman Negara, Pahang

A sense of isolation will follow your every step as you set foot within the pristine, prehistoric rainforests that cover Taman Negara, Pahang. With a proud history that dates back some 130 million years, the curious at heart will be met with the prospect of catching fleeting glimpses of the foliage with the aid of a simple, suspended rope bridge that cuts through the heart of the rainforest.

Marvel at the treasure trove which is Gunung Mulu National Park

Characterised by a dark green canopy that watches over every inhabitant that lives and breeds within Gunung Mulu National Park, the said attraction is a shimmering jewel that has won fame as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to one of the world’s largest limestone cave systems, the 53,000 hectares that scatter the Park is a thriving habitat of life and colour. These include 4,000 varieties of fungus, 1,500 species of flowering plants, 281 butterfly species, 262 kinds of birds, 75 mammal species, and a further 50 variants of reptiles.

Have the ride of a lifetime on the Kampar River

If you desire to pair the adrenaline-drenched pastime of whitewater rafting with exploring rainforests, then head straight for Kempar River in Perak. Once done, you can beeline back to the city and reside at Travelodge Bukit Bintang which is a modern hotel in Bukit Bintang KL.

Popular Places to Visit in Sapporo for Tourists

A city chock-full of historical attractions, parks and food – that’s what Sapporo is. Based on the island of Hokkaido, there’s plenty for the casual adventurer to take in be it natural or man-made, as the culture of Japan lives strong in its 5th largest city.

Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido, Japan | Image by Magic Mary on Unsplash

Jozankei Onsen (Hot Spring)

Japan is a country well-known for its hot springs, so it’s almost necessary to include it in this list! In this case, there is history as well – the mineral-rich water has attracted visitors since 1866, many of them seeking the prized healing waters of the spring.

Hokkaido Jingu (Shrine)

For those more willing to take in the local culture, there exists the famous Hokkaido Shrine, one of the most important religious sites in the entirety of Japan. Constructed in 1857, it is one of the attractions that remain close to hotels near Sapporo Station, merely 20-30 minutes away by train or less if by car.

Sapporo Beer Museum

A little-known fact is that Hokkaido, the island on which Sapporo lies, is the birthplace of beer in Japan! Considering that fact, the Sapporo Beer Museum depicts the long history of beer-brewing in Japan, and its tour ends on a high note – drinking freshly brewed beer straight from the brewery. The museum itself is a short drive from accommodation properties for tourists to stay in, such as the Travelodge Sapporo Susukino.

Odori Park

Sitting in stark contrast to the high-rise buildings around it, the Odori Koen is a sweeping green vista that stretches for around 1.5 kilometres, which also serves to connect some of Sapporo’s attractions, making it a great place to visit for any tourist to have an organic walk-through of the city and its highlights.

Sapporo TV Tower

This 147-meter-tall marvel of human construction is considered one of Sapporo’s most famous attractions – and for good reason, as the view from the top is spectacular and the perfect place to have a meal, night or day. You can reach this spot from the earlier-mentioned Odori Park, making it a good spot to visit after an evening stroll for a night-time meal.

Amazing Things to Do in Surat Thani

Surat Thani, located in Southern Thailand, is a city that is often overlooked by travellers. However, this city is a hidden gem that is full of amazing things to do and see. Surat Thani is known for its natural beauty, delicious food, and cultural attractions.

khao-sok-national-park | img by wallpaper flare

Explore Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places in Thailand. This park is home to lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and exotic wildlife. For travellers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Khao Sok National Park is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. You can take a guided trek through the jungle, go on a canoe trip down the Sok River, or take a boat ride on Cheow Lan Lake.

Take a Boat Trip to Koh Samui

Koh Samui is an idyllic island that is located just a short boat ride from Surat Thani. This island is known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and resorts like SAii Koh Samui Choengmon. Travellers can take a day trip to Koh Samui to relax and recharge after a long week of work. You can enjoy water activities like snorkelling and kayaking or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun. Also, if you want to stay on the island overnight, you can benefit from the many Koh Samui hotel deals on offer.

Visit Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine

The Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine is a sacred site that is dedicated to the city’s guardian spirits. This shrine is one of the oldest and most significant religious sites in the region. You can explore the shrine’s beautiful architecture and learn about the city’s history and culture. This is a must-visit destination for travellers who want to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Try the Local Cuisine

Surat Thani is known for its delicious and unique cuisine. You can try traditional dishes like Khao Tom Pla, a soup made with rice, fish, and herbs, or Kua Kling, a spicy stir-fry dish. For those who want to try something more adventurous, there is also a variety of street food available.

Discover the Beauty of Bandung: A Guide to Your Perfect Day Trip

As the country’s 3rd largest city, Bandung is not only West Java’s mountain stronghold, but a holiday hotspot for the masses. Here’s what day-trippers can do during a tour of this scenic hideaway.

Tangkuban Perahu
Tangkuban Perahu | Image by Affan Fadhlan on Unsplash

Marvel at the Cimahi Rainbow Waterfall

While the best time to gaze upon the Cimahi waterfall is during sunset when the light turns the cascade into a vertical rainbow, this towering natural wonder is stunning at any hour. Although the waterfall is known to double in size during the monsoon season, it is worth visiting the venue during the warmer months so that the hike up to the location is a more pleasant experience.

Hike Up the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano

No day tour of Badung would be complete without exploring the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano, which erupted for the last time in 2013. Those who are based at the FOX Harris Hotel City Center Bandung or any of the best hotels in Bandung must find a local tour operator for this volcanic tour even if the hike up to the crater’s lips is not that long.

Take a Dip in the Hot Springs

One of the best things to do in Badung is to enjoy a dip in the many hot springs in town. These hot springs are a result of the area’s volcanic heritage. Apart from the healing benefits of this warm dip, one can also unwind in style at either the Cibolang hot spring or the Sari Ater.

Uncover the Tea Estates

Don’t forget to stop by the many tea estates occupying Bandung where one can not only explore the tea plantations but also sign up for a factory tour. The tea estates close to Kawah Putih are especially captivating and ideal for long walks.

Trekking in Sri Lanka

Wondering where to spend your next island gateway? Sri Lanka will be an ideal choice with its exciting mix of mesmeric beaches, wildlife, and cultural sights.

Hill_Country | img by Sandali.L.Kumarasinghe via wikipedia commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

 

Sri Lankan wildlife

Your safari tours in Sri Lanka will be incomplete if you fail to spot a Sri Lankan leopard. It is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka. Leopard watching is an exciting activity adored by many tourists who visit Sri Lanka for a holiday. The Yala National Park consists of the highest density of leopards, and it is the best place to enjoy a glimpse of these wonderful spotted wild creatures.

Explore the picturesque hill country

Sri Lanka’s hill country is the most stunning, mist-wrapped land featuring spellbinding views lush tea plantations, cascading waterfalls, and scenic mountains. Nuwara Eliya is a must-visit city showcasing some of the finest golf courses in Asia, breathtaking surroundings and exciting activities like course trekking, horse riding and camping. There are many accommodation options offered by travel entities like Amaya Resorts & Spas to make the best out of your stay.

A train ride to Kandy or Haputale

The train ride between Kandy and Ella is popular as one of the world’s top ten scenic train rides! This route will take you through vast and never-ending tea plantations in the country. The journey will take around four hours. Another option to consider will be to stop for a day or two in the small town of Haputale without going all the way to Kandy.

Go on a safari ride

Despite its appealing biological endemism, Sri Lanka is one of the world’s top five biodiversity hotspots. Sri Lanka is home to one of the three types of Asian elephants. Due to its largest concentration of elephants, leisure travellers from all around the world spare time to go on an elephant-watching safari to Yala.

 

 

 

 

A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Exploring Horton Plains

 

Horton Plains, one of the national parks in Sri Lanka, is an example of Sri Lanka’s unspoiled natural beauty. It is also one of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. With thriving wildlife and milder climate conditions, the place offers a respite from the typical harsh weather conditions of the country.

What you need to know

You need to carry plenty of water with you as there aren’t any shops here. You cannot really bring plastic bags with you, and make sure you don’t litter. Also, if you are planning to visit in the afternoon, wear sunscreen.

Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels near Hotel Plains; all you have to do is take your time and find one that suits your budget. It’s best to choose a hotel like Araliya Green Hills, as Horton Plains is part of the experiences on offer.

Baker’s Falls  

You have to hike through uneven terrain to get here, but it’ll be worth it. Baker’s Falls is one of the principal attractions here. Named after Sir Samuel Baker, a British explorer, the waterfall has a height of 20 metres.

World’s End

World's End
World’s End | Image via wiki media commons

For scenic panoramic vistas, visit the World’s End. The journey is fairly easy, with frequent wildlife encounters. World’s End is a steep cliff that’s considered one of the best lookouts in the country. The views you get here stretch across two provinces.

Camping

To camp in Horton Plains, all you need is basic camping gear; however, as you are alone, you should consult a tour guide to ensure that you don’t do anything you are not supposed to. You can also get in touch with a tour operator.

What You Need to Know About the Sacred City of Kandy

Popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, the sacred city of Kandy was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Drawing tourists, pilgrims and other visitors in numbers, this city radiates a celestial atmosphere which makes it stand out among other cities in Sri Lanka.

 The Positioning

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Abishek Palraj, Knuckles Forest, Sri lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kandy is located in the central part of the country, with an elevation of 500 metres from sea level. Hidden in the thick forests and majestic mountain ranges, the city stands in pride in all its glory. These mountain ranges include two of Sri Lanka’s most beloved hiking hot spots, Knuckles and Hanthana. Kandy’s location and historical significance have been core reasons for opening up many hotels and resorts like Hunas Falls Hotel, Kandy. Most tourists and pilgrims who visit this sacred city often seek accommodation in a hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka for a comfortable stay as a day’s trip will not do justice to the beauty of the city.

The History

Kandy was the last capital of the country in the era of the ancient kings. It is also home to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth which shelters the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha. Although the locals rebelled massively to save the kingdom of Kandy from British rule, the efforts were finally beaten as the British Ceylon period rose from 1815 to 1948, until the country was freed of colonial rule and gained independence.

Climate

While Sri Lanka is widely known for its tropical weather conditions, Kandy’s geographical positioning deviates the city climate to a wetter and cooler temperature as a result of its 500-metre elevation from sea level. However, the city is still a part of the country’s tropical climate and faces the monsoon seasons from May to July and October to December.

The Kandy City

The cityscape of Kandy includes a quadrangular manmade lake at its centre, with two open spaces in which one corner is occupied by the administration buildings of the old capital. Although not as commercialised as Colombo, Kandy still welcomes tourists and hosts several hotels, shopping complexes and local eateries to taste the traditional flavours of Sri Lanka.

A Simple Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations to visit in South Asia and the unique wildlife you can spot here plays a large part in all that. In many ways, Sri Lanka offers some of the best safari experiences in all of Asia – so, here’s a look at some of the key forest denizens that make exploring Sri Lanka’s wilds so exciting.

Sri Lankan Leopards

Sri Lankan Leopards
Sri Lankan Leopards | Image via flickr

The Sri Lankan leopard is the top predator here in the island’s wilderness and it’s quite an elusive sighting too. National parks like Yala and Wilpattu are your best bet if you want to try your hand at spotting one in the wild.

Sri Lankan Elephants

The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest subspecies of Asian elephants found in the world. These massive pachyderms are most concentrated in a select number of national parks. At locations like Minneriya, they gather is huge super-herds that can be quite the sight to see up-close.

Sloth Bears

The sloth bear is definitely one of the stranger forest denizens you’re likely to spot in the wilds of Sri Lanka. This is a species of bear that specialises in eating insects and is characterised by a long snout and thick shaggy fur that’s black in colour.

Blue Whales

Blue Whales
Blue Whales | Image via flickr

If you’re staying by Sri Lanka’s coastline, perhaps at one of the Bentota hotels on offer such as the Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, you might have a chance of spotting blue whales off the coast. These gigantic marine mammals are actually the largest living organisms ever to have existed!

Explore the Rainforests in Sri Lanka

A vital part of the country’s ecosystem, the rainforests of Sri Lanka are rich storehouses of endemic flora and fauna, each one offering something new to discover.

Udawatta Kele
Udawatta Kele | Image Credit : Nyanatusita, Udawattakele Forest scene 4, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Sinharaja Rainforest

When it comes to primary tropical rainforests in Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the last viable area and thus of immense importance. Nature lovers can stay at a Sinharaja eco lodge Sri Lanka has to offer at the reserve’s border such as The Rainforest Ecolodge and explore this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve; it is home to over 147 bird species as well as a vast amount of endemic trees, butterflies, mammals and reptiles.

The Makandawa Forest Reserve

Located near the island’s white water rafting hotspot of Kitulgala, this pristine reserve features a secondary lowland rainforest. The forest ecosystem is blessed with waterfalls, rock pools and a wide number of rare fish, bird, butterfly and dragonfly species.

The Kanneliya Forest Reserve

Another UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Sri Lanka, Kanneliya has lowland rainforests which have plenty of endemic flora and fauna. Amongst the highlights here are the varied snake, fish, lizard and bird species along with natural attractions like the Narangas and Anagimale waterfalls.

The Udawatta Kele Sanctuary

Located in the hill capital, Kandy, this sanctuary is made up of small forest areas where one will find a wide range of plant species as well as endemic bird species. Easy to explore, the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is also known for its endemic mammals as well as amphibians and reptiles.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+