Unknown Places

Oman with its rugged desert landscape bordered by turquoise water is a much sought after holiday destination for those looking for out of the ordinary holiday experiences. The Muscat Diving and Adventure Centre (MDAC) specialises in putting together holiday packages not only to experience some of the best adventure and diving experiences around but also to introduce visitors to Oman’s many historic attractions and extraordinary natural landscapes and to get to know the country’s hospitable people.

The sea off Muscat offers a unique underwater environment. Hard and soft coral formations support a huge collection of colourful tropical reef fish around the coast while whale sharks, sunfish, barracudas, turtles, several species of dolphins and other marine life are found further out at sea round depths of 6 to 40 meters. Unpolluted waters, excellent visibility and several excellent dive sites with dramatic underwater landscapes attract divers from around the world. The cooler winter months are the best time for any sea based activity. Muscat Diving and Adventure Centre facilitates snorkeling trips to reefs teeming with fish, diving tours to well known diving destinations, night dives to view fluorescent sea creatures, boat rides at sunset to view dolphins, sports fishing expeditions and kayaking trips to discover hidden coves and beaches along the rugged Omani coast. The Centre runs scuba diving programs and provides PADI certification.

Other exciting programs of the Muscat Diving and Adventure Centre (MDAC) include caving near Al Hoota and Wadi Ta’ab involving abseiling 10 to 50 meters into caves to explore huge calcite formations and abseiling through waterfalls at Wadi Ta’ab and swimming through deep blue pools there before getting out via wire ladders. Wadi Tiwi is another popular abseiling, via ferrata and rock climbing destination. Adventurers walk down a steep path and abseil or use zip lines to go down 150 meter rugged cliff faces to blue water pools below that go through caves and palm groves. Training for these expeditions is provided at an indoor climbing wall prior to trips. A reasonable standard of fitness is required for these activities as long descents, scrambling over rock strewn landscapes and walking long distances is involved. All equipment needed for adventure tours can be hired or purchased at MDAC’s on site shop. Among the other adventure experiences offered by MDAC includes Wadi bashing on quad bikes, camel safaris, camping and trekking trips, historic and bird watching tours.

Guests for whom location is important, Ruwi hotel Muscat offers the best option being located in the proximity of the city’s banking, business and important government offices. As one of popular Oman hotels guests are offered a selection of well appointed contemporary guest rooms and suites that are comfortable and relaxing spaces while connoisseurs of Arabic food will find dining here a pleasure and fitness enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the modern leisure facilities. Stay at one of well known hotel in Muscat to experience a distinctly comfortable lifestyle.

Thrilling Family Fun at the Dam Sen Cultural Park in Ho Chi Min City!

Combining a cultural experience with thrilling amusement park rides, the Dam Sen Cultural Park in Ho Chi Min City is the perfect place to spend the day with the entire family. While this popular park is in District 11 in the city, you can find centrally located Ho Chi Minh City serviced apartments in such areas as District 1 which is home to such accommodation options as Somerset Chancellor Court Ho Chi Min City. Offering luxury accommodation Ho Chi Minh City, this modern property is well suited for both business and leisure. Make sure to take the family to the Dam Sen Cultural Park which is around 10kms from the downtown area. There is much to see and do here and it helps to plan your trip. Animal lovers can visit the zoo where you will find everything from Indochina tigers to yellow pythons, while the special cultural area is where you can witness traditional theatre and music that are based on local legends. There is also a marine park here, a fascinating garden, a Ferris wheel and an area for sports such as tennis and badminton. Of course for some truly adrenaline pumping thrills there is a roller coaster ride that will have you screaming in delight!

White Cloud Mountain

Guangzhou is China’s third-largest city and visitors will find a diverse world of culture, comfort and great shopping in this 12-million-strong modern metropolis. Travellers looking for places to stay will not go wrong with a conveniently located Service Apartment in Guangzhou, an excellent base from which to explore and sample the city’s various delights. One excellent Guangzhou Serviced Apartment complex with modern amenities is the Ascott IFC Guangzhou. Located in the city’s central business district with a luxury shopping mall and international conference centre onsite, this well-appointed property is an ideal choice for business travellers and pleasure seekers alike.

White Cloud Mountain is Guangzhou’s most breathtaking natural landmark. Set in the midst of a quiet valley, it is a peaceful haven away from the chaos of one of China’s largest cities. The mountain boasts panoramic views of the nearby Pearl River and Guangzhou’s impressive sky line. It is one of the Guangdong province’s famous mountains for good reason, as it consists of more than 30 peaks and covers an area of 28 kilometres. There are three scenic spots that visitors should check out: Shanding, Shanbei, and Lihu. Lihu offers plenty of welcome shade and is the ideal spot to catch magnificent views of the lake. Shanbei presents the famous “Baiyun Songtao”, a breathtaking sight of Mount Baiyun’s pine waves caused by mountain wind. Take a cable car to Shanding, which opens up beautiful views of Shanding Park, Mingchun Valley, Nengren Temple and Jiulong Spring. A scenic oasis in the midst of China’s countryside, White Cloud Mountain offers soothing verdure when visitors seek a welcome break from the concrete jungle.

Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park

The Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park is a magical land of fun and excitement for the young and the young at heart. Filled with numerous rides and surprises for the whole family, a visit to the amusement park should not be missed if you are travelling to the western outskirts of Beijing, China.

The Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park which is built on a 35 million kilometer block of land includes six main areas that people can enjoy. These include the Eastern Area, Western Area, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Dream World and the Virtual area. Each of the six sections are unique with a wide range of fun rides and activities, you can enjoy 4D Cinema, whirl around on a rollercoaster, climb the adventure tower, splash around on water rides as well as enjoy a world of fantasy away from the bustling mundane of real life. The amusement park can be a great away to spend your holiday simply enjoying the fun, adventure and out of this world activities set out for the visitors who come from around the world.

The roller coaster rides are quite popular at the Beijing Shijingshan and it is constructed with high quality technology. Boasting of a number of heart pounding coaster rides some of the popular ones are the crazy mouse, feng shen coaster, Jurassic adventure, mine coaster and space trip. It is also the home of the longest suspension roller coaster in Asia the ‘Shenzhou’. Young children can also enjoy the usual rides such as merry go round and bumper cars. Street performers and costumed characters walk around the premises regularly taking photographs and entertaining visitors.

When you are travelling to the capital of China you will need to make sure to find appropriate Beijing accommodation that suits your purpose of travel. More and more people are deviating from staying in a standard hotel and prefer to find lodging that is more convenient and luxurious.

Finding a luxury apartment in Beijing will not be difficult but to find a place that offers exquisite accommodation, personalized services, top of the line facilities as well as, centrally located would be a difficult task. One of the best places to enjoy your stay would be the Ascott Beijing which offers different ranges of serviced apartments to suit your stay.

Countryside Cycling Tour

Visit the beautiful city of Haiphong, one of the Vietnam’s most vibrant, verdant cities, also known as the “City of the Red Flamboyants” on account of the numerous flamboyant trees scattered throughout the city. Visitors to this gorgeous township will discover many fine Haiphong hotels for a unique cultural experience laced with warm Vietnamese hospitality. Guests will find a well-appointed hotel in Haiphong in the Harbour View Hotel Haiphong Vietnam, and its offering of stylish comfort laced with modern conveniences provides a welcome space for both pleasure and business visits.

Visitors wanted a break from the bustle of the big city can soak in the gorgeous vedure of the Vietnamese countryside through a fun cycling tour. Heaven & Earth Tours offers experiences that are truly heavenly in name and nature. Visit a Vietnamese village and be treated to lunch at one of the local houses, to learn all about village culture and life. En route, discover how wooden river boats are made and learn the well-kept secret of weaving the special straw mats so rooted in Vietnamese rural life. Take a ride in one of the famous basket boats in the Song Thu river delta. Courtesy of Green Trail Tours, take a ten-day cycling tour up North from from Hanoi to Lu Phrang, and experience the mesmerising change from a bustling French colonial city to a quieter, world-heritage site along one of the most sparsely populated regions of the former IndoChina. Kayak down the Kam Ou river and visit one of the quaint northern villages. Whatever the location, cycling in Vietnam’s expansive and exciting countryside is an unforgettable experience!

Victoria Peak

Sometimes the best holiday experiences come from the simplest of things; this is very true for those who get a chance to view the most breathtaking vistas of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak. Before heading to this famous point, make sure to find centrally located Hong Kong serviced apartments from which to set off on your tours of the city. Citadines Ashley Hong Kong is one such serviced accommodation Hong Kong has to offer and provides an ideal base in the Tsim Sha Tsui area where you can enjoy the very best the city is known for.

 

Hong Kong Island’s highest point, Victoria Peak is also an exclusive neighbourhood set amidst spectacular views of Victoria Harbour, the New Territories and not forgetting the glittering skyscrapers. For a truly fantastic sight visit during night, when the lights come on and the cityscape takes on a whole new aura! For one of the best vantage points head to the viewing platform known as Sky Terrace 428 which can be found at The Peak Tower. The Peak Galleria and the Lions View Point Pavilion are also great spots in which to enjoy the views. One of the best ways up Victoria Peak is by way of the Peak Tram which is a funicular railway that offers stunning panoramas on your way to the top!

Wahiba Sands

The Wahiba Sands area stretches across 180km from north to south and around 80km from east to west. It is an area of geographical significance and scientific interest, and is a definite must see for tourists in the area. The name ‘Wahiba Sands’ was coined from the Bedouin al-Wahiba tribe who are the inhabitants of the area. The way of life of these inhabitants provide an interesting glimpse into a nomadic way of life that is fast disappearing under the wheels of modernity.

The landscape boasts a rich biodiversity of both plants and animals in the area, ranging from 200 species of flora (plants) to over 15,000 invertebrates. At the edge of the desert is an oasis named ‘Al Huyawah,’ which is an intriguing site for tourists. Also, close to the oasis, Bedouins can be seen harvesting and farming dates, which are sold to local markets and are a delicacy in the region. The desert landscape also opens up an opportunity to interact with Bedouin women, whose lifestyle affords them with more social and economical mobility as they often come to the rescue of lost tourists, and are skilled crafters who will offer a range of homemade product for sale.

If one is adventurous, there is a rugged path that can be used for trekking. Tourists can hire a local guide for 80 OMR or use one of their own cars with fuel which will cost 30 OMR for the trip. If one wishes to travel with real Middle Eastern authenticity they can make the journey on came back. This will take 7 days in total to complete the journey, and car support will be necessary. The price ranges from 20 – 30 OMR for a camel ride per day. Also it must be kept in mind that a fee must be paid for the camels’ return journey home.

In order for one to begin their odyssey at Wahiba Sands, it is highly recommended that visitors to Oman seek accommodation at a quality Oman Hotels such as the exclusive Sur Plaza Hotel. This elegant Hotel Sur Oman combines modern amenities with spacious rooms to cater to an ideal stay for both business and leisure visitors.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Paihia Diving and Snorkelling

Diving and snorkelling off the New Zealand coast has to be a one of a kind experience as there is hardly a bit of land for thousands of miles away from the country, save for Australia which is towards the north. Three sides of the ocean are likely to offer some inimitable views of the underwater world. The only apparent disadvantage in hoping to snorkel in this part of the world, as opposed to a tropical region is that the waters are unbearably cold during most times, therefore you will have to plan and time your vacation well so that the natural deterrents are avoided.

The area of Paihia in the bay islands off the northernmost island of New Zealand is a wonderful spot to dive and visit the underwater creatures, shipwrecks and feel the seaweed. The octopuses with rough tentacles, the manta rays, bottlenose dolphins, stingrays and moray eels reside amicably in these clear waters, hence chances are that you will have a view of all or most of them during an underwater venture.

There are volcanic rock formations towards the Purerua Peninsula which can require a dive that reaches approximately 30m below sea level. On the way to the bottom of the ocean, you will see several caves, canyons and rocks. During the summer months there are tropical species such as sunfish, mako sharks and flying fish who immigrate to the waters. The PADI instructors who are employed by the diving schools in the area will take you through a remarkable itinerary.

One can even stay ashore and enjoy the marine life; camp on the outer islands and watch the dolphins rub noses as they spring out of the water suddenly and then collapse back into the pristine waves with only a single splash.

Get hold of New Zealand hotel deals by booking months ahead of the trip and then set out from your New Zealand hotels to explore the marine life off the New Zealand coast. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ are from a chain of celebrated hotels that are well loved not only below Down Under, but around the world as well.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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London Dungeon

London – a melting pot of diversity, modernity and royalty. Visitors to this iconic city will find no shortage of luxurious accommodation, especially in London Serviced Apartments. One cannot go wrong with a Mayfair Serviced Apartment and one option nestled in one of London’s premier districts is the Ascott Mayfair London. Presenting stylish accommodation close to major attractions such as The British Museum, Bond Street and London’s Theatre Land, this well-appointed property is an ideal choice for vacation-makers in London.

In the London Dungeon, visitors are taken on a 90-minute journey through 1000 years of murky London history.  Culture buffs will trek through the dungeons, enjoying show after show, which are all based on real London legends such as Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber of Fleet Street. The experience is fully immersive and completely themed, which means 360 degree sets that promise an authentic, compelling story-telling experience. Explore the White Chapel Labyrinth – Jack the Ripper’s bloody playground, see the horrors of plague-ridden houses, feel firsthand the explosive outcome of Guy Fawkes’s revolution, and remember not to lose your head when facing Henry VIII’s execution of Anne Boleyn. Offering a merry yet scary experience for the whole family ages 10 and up, no visit to London is complete without paying tribute to the London Dungeon.

Abu Dhabi Desert camping

Abu Dhabi is a city that is rapidly developing itself as a tourist hotspot in the world. New attractions are being created throughout the city to attract visitors from all around the globe. The shopping spree that you could enjoy here is limitless. The huge shopping malls that rise like giants would include all that you need for a very reasonable price, and the products will always have a high quality. Even though the city is changing and new attractions are coming up, the people in Abu Dhabi still priorities the desert which has been the major attraction for hundreds of years.

As a result exciting desert camping programs are offered to all those who are interested in spending a unique holiday in this Middle Eastern country. During the day visitors would get the option to take part in various activities. Sand boarding is one fun activity taken by all who prefer an adrenaline pumping experience. The visitor will have to sit on a special board prepared especially for this purpose and slide down a sandy slope in the desert at an impressive speed. Dune bashing is another popular activity among both young and adult visitors. Enjoy this exhilarating ride where your skilled driver will take you to the top of sand dunes and slide skilfully down without toppling the vehicle. There would be camels dressed in beautiful accessories to take you on a ride; even your kids would enjoy a ride on this amazing animal. Special parks for children have been created for the kids in these camps to keep them occupied and entertained.

In the night enjoy a luxurious buffet under the twinkling stars and experience the coolness of the surroundings which would be totally different from what you experienced throughout the day. Sit around the blazing fire of the campsite and try smoking a shisha pipe and experience a unique feeling.

Spend a truly Arabian day at these campsites and head along to one of the Middle East hotels available. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East would be a great choice if you are on the look for one of the UAE hotels which have comfort, elegance and modernity with an Arabian touch all in one.