Planning The Perfect Romantic Getaway In Bangkok

Bangkok is a city filled with mystery and wonder for the new tourist stepping into the Land of Smiles. Bangkok is one of the world’s top cities to explore, experience and shop. The city alone is the host to a fusion of cultures and ethnicities from around Asia, packed into a busy city with over 9 million inhabitants. Bangkok seems extremely crowded to the untrained eye but the city is one of the best cities in the world to come and experience Thailand on a whole new level.

Riding On the Chao Phraya River
Riding on the Chao Phraya River in the evening is one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya River extends from Thailand’s North and drains out into the Gulf of Thailand; it is Thailand’s longest river. The majority of the river cuts through Bangkok, splitting the city in half. There are a variety of river cruises people can book to experience Bangkok on a cool evening.  One of the most notable cruises on the Chao Phraya River is the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise. This culmination of east meet west is expressed in its top quality cuisine, prepared by master chefs, served with rich wine and topped off with an extraordinary atmosphere.

The cruise is well known for its soft, dimly-lit yet extravagance ambiance accompanied by the sound of live music played on board. While on the vessel, the boat will pass through notable historic sightseeing locations illuminated by spotlights. These locations are: Royal Grand Palace Wat Pra Kaew, Wat Arun (The Temple of the Dawn), Bangkhunprom Palace, Kanlayanamitr Temple and the Rama 8 Bridge.

Experience the grandeur and romance of Bangkok on this two hour once-of-a-kind journey down the Chao Phraya River.

Fine Dining
Bangkok is the ultimate hotspot to try out new foods by famous chefs at 4 to 5 star hotels, ingeniously prepared to sizzle and serve. With tall hotels towering most of the Bangkok cityscape, which hotels serve the best food and drinks for newlyweds? Pullman Bangkok Hotel G is a 5-star hotel located on Silom Road in Bangkok. This hotel stands out due its stylish and chic interior, boasted in every corner of the hotel including its quality driven bars and restaurants. The hotel is well-known for its restaurant named the 25 Degrees Restaurant that is a sister venue to the well-established chain in Los Angeles. Up to 45 patrons can be seated here at this funky, newly renovated space to dine in simple, juicy burgers while listening to live music.

If patrons are keen on tasting the best wines Bangkok has to offer, the hotel offers exceptional bar service, prepared by professional mixologists at The Playground. Enjoy the relaxing mood of trying out different cocktail tastes to spice up the young night in Bangkok.

Relaxing At Asiatique
For couples looking more towards going out and having fun on their honeymoon night, one of the most recommended places to go is Asiatique. Asiatique is located at Charoenkrung Road, once a trading port now transformed into the city’s casual hang out place. Asiatique is set up to be an open market with small boutique stalls (around 1000 stalls in total) are placed inside warehouses. The entire place is renovated and is one of the top places to go for families or couples-alike. With a multitude of shops and food to choose from, Asiatique is the perfect place to catch up on some shopping or enjoy a multitude of amazing cuisine, prepared by skilled cooks of the establishment.

Asiatique offers one more attraction: The Ferris wheel. The tickets are roughly 500 Baht per person and up to 4 persons can be seated in one cart. For couples, this is the perfect activity to do if they wish to view Bangkok from a view point nobody else has seen before.

Seth Ratliff is a community guest blogger, specializing in travel and food articles.

By: Unknown On 8:23 AM

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Experience the Best of Cape Town - Infographic

Experience magnificence in terms of natural beauty and luxury in Cape Town, South Africa. We have produced an interesting infographic of some of the many appealing attractions you can be a part of in Cape Town. It is a brilliant way illustrating the top 5 attractions in Cape Town in a attractive graphical way. It guides you on what you can indulge in at the Table Top mountains, the charm of the V & A Waterfront, How you can get amused at the Boulders beach, enjoy the serenity of nature at Cape point and learn more about the South African History at the Robben Island.

Taking a trip to Cape Town will definitely be worthwhile and one trip that will turn out to be an amazing and memorable one with friends or family. Do take out time for yourself and have the best time of your life in Cape Town.

Kevin is a traveler mostly share it's experience on  travelhouseuk.co.uk the company lets you compare your cheap flight deals from all major airlines that you want to bargain for your travel.

By: Unknown On 8:06 AM

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Top 5 Best Private Island Destinations

What can you do when you have too much money in your vacation fund?  How about depleting it instantly with one of the most expensive purchases on the planet: renting a private island.  Before you drain your savings account, make sure to do some research on which island is best to rent though.  There are over 100 different private island locations that your money can take you to but we have the 5 best private island destinations that will make sure you have everything you could ever want on those islands.

Turtle Island, Fiji
Price: $279,867.53
For 500 acres and 14 beaches, the price tag that comes with Turtle Island and its large array of services seem almost cheap. The private island hosts luxury housing, horses, mountain bikes, private meals at any location, and even mountain top dining.  Of course you will get your own team of staff to help you manage all these events.

Orpheus Island, Australia
Price: $193,908.22
Home to some of the world’s protected wild life and the Great Barrier Reef with all forms of marine life swimming in the midst. All meals are freshly cooked with localized ingredients and the islands host a total of 42 guests. There are diving and snorkeling expeditions every day in some of the richest underwater regions in the world on one island.

Musha Cay, the Bahamas
Price: $242,551.86
This fairy tale land of tropical beauty is well worth the price for having some of the clearest waters on the planet. A long side-winding beach for romantic afternoons and a sunset that cannot be matched anywhere else with a “Drive In” theatre to watch movies while on the beach on a big screen.

Amanwana, Indonesia
Price: $147,929.98
Currently, the Amanwana is the only resort to have ever owned the protected wildlife region of Moyo Island. The entire island is full to the brim with wildlife and flora that are found nowhere else in the world. While they may come in the form of tents, their luxury rooms are exceedingly comfortable with air conditioning, king-sized mattresses, and hardwood flooring with the ability to place them anywhere on the island. From this island, you can charter a cruise around the other islands that surround it.

Pamalican Island, Philippines
Price: Varies/Exclusive
Along with 7,000 other private islands along the horizon, the Pamalican Island is home to a wide range of baby sea life. The island is just one of the many private islands offered by Amanpulo but is so small and full of the beautiful sea that it only takes an estimated 3 hours to travel around the entire island.

Conclusion
These are the Top 5 best private island destinations that you could ever hope to visit. Most of them come in at a relatively affordable price and will seem as though you have found a gem in a pile of nails. So the next time you find your vacation fund needs some trimming, try to enjoy yourself, escape the world, and have everything you ever wanted on one of these islands.

Now enjoys daydreaming about vacation paradises and often use Travel Advantage Network for lodging.

By: Unknown On 9:00 AM

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The Beautiful, Blue French Rivera

The French Riviera is perhaps the most famous part of France except for Paris, and if you ask the French, Paris might need to give way to the Rivera. The sweeping coast of France travels along from the small-town charm of St-Tropez to antique and cultured Cannes and then to the grand city of Nice. It is a broad swath of mild Mediterranean coast beloved by all Europeans alike and especially by the French who vacation there in the summer. Azure waves, sunny beaches, open boardwalks, and more fine dining and shopping than anyone has a right to, the French Riviera is a veritable modern paradise.

St-Tropez

St-Tropez was once a quiet town. It is still a charming and quaint town, but now it is also a global attraction. It has been featured in everything from high art to film to rap, and its popular status as the charming French Rivera town brings tourists from around the world to see what they’ve heard so often about through the lives of the rich and famous. If you want to try and catch one of the stars in St-Tropez, try the club Les Caves du Roy, the caves of the king, where you might actually see a prince or princess. It’s pricey, though, so check out my online cash advancesite. If clubbing is not your thing, do not fret. St-Tropez is a picturesque hamlet perfect for quiet dining and strolling on gorgeous beaches with lapping blue waves.

Cannes

Of course, Cannes is famous for its annual film festival, and if you can buy cannes tickets online to this brilliant and highly-prized event, you have every reason to visit. If you cannot seem to swing that miracle, there is still plenty in the city of Cannes for you. You can reach the magnificent city by chartering a yacht at Charter that Yacht. Le Baoli nightclub is always a surefire way to light up the night. If you’re looking to actually light up the night, Cannes is home to the International Fireworks Festival from July through August. If electric, blinking lights are more your thing, Cannes’ Casino Croisette will let you spin the night away at roulette or any number of card games.

Nice

The French Riviera is usually a summertime place, and Nice is grand year round, but the city is also notable in the winter for its magnificent Carnival. Lasting two raucous weeks and ending on Mardi Gras, the Nice Carnival welcomes over a million people a year annually. If you can’t find your way to Nice in the winter, the summer is just as glorious with a brilliant water front and the Promenade des Anglais. The old city is literally topped by a castle on a hill. The old city is magical and full of history and quaint, archaic churches.

The French Riviera, their Azure Coast, is a magnificent vacation spot. Go for the glitz and glamour, the hot sun and cool Mediterranean breeze, or saunter through the towns in the off-season to really bask in the charm of beautiful old cities almost unchanged by time.

By: Unknown On 9:10 AM

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Holiday Trend Comparisons - 2012 Vs 2013

What better way than to spend you’re summer enjoying yourself on holiday? There just isn’t, which is why no matter how hard the economy has made it for us, there are still thousands travelling, whether that’s domestically or overseas.

So, I thought it be interesting to share with you the holiday trends from last year in comparison with this year. You may not think it’s that different, but there are some interesting stats and findings, which in future could tell a story.

2012 Vs 2013 Holiday Trends

This section looks at destinations, holiday frequency and what we think ‘passes’ officially as a holiday.

Destination Types

The beach is still the most popular type of holiday for Brits to take, with 2012 seeing 29% of people taking a holiday, going for a beach holiday in comparison with 27% in 2013. So there is a little reduction in the number of tourists (overall) going on a beach holiday.
This is where it starts to get interesting; if the data supplied is analysed through using age groups, then beach holidays amongst 40-49 year olds are the most popular with 32%, and beat every other age group when it comes to wanting to stay at a beach resort. Those at the age of 70 or above are the group who are least likely to visit a destination, specifically for a beach holiday with just 15%. That’s quite a big difference in the number of people who like to book a beach holiday depending on their age group.

Life stage also plays a big part in whether or not people book a beach holiday or not. Just look at these interesting facts and comparisons:

• Students who live at home with their parents and those at the stage of retirement are the groups who are least likely to book a beach holiday. However, 17% of both of those categories stated that they were looking to book a beach holiday in 2013. We won’t know for sure if 17% in each age group choose to or not, until next year.
• 32% of couples who are not planning on or have not yet had children said that they are planning on taking a beach holiday in 2013, in comparison with 31% of couples with children, stating they would also like to.

Regional Aspects

Regionally, people from Liverpool are the ones who are the most likely to head for the beach, with a massive 36% of people living within the city stating they would be looking to book a beach holiday. The city with the lowest number of people wanting to book a beach holiday is Bristol, with just 20% stating that they would be planning on taking a visit to the beach.

Does this mean that the demographics of people in Bristol are very different to those living in Liverpool? After all it is the students and elderly that least likely to travel to the beach. From this information should travel agencies change their marketing strategies in order to attract more tourists to book with them and ultimately reach their objectives?

So where else do we Visit, if not the Beach? 

11% of British tourists prefer to take a holiday staying in cottages and villas, and are astonishingly the second most popular choice of holiday after the beach holiday. In addition, these types of holidays are most popular amongst young couples with children. This finding / stat amazed me, as I would have personally expected these holidays to be most popular amongst retired people; they tend to have more money to spend, hence the villa.

10 of us say that they will be visiting their family and that this was their holiday. Which it could be classed as one if the place is not in the same area as to where they live. This is also known as domestic tourism.

One in ten of us, are choosing a city break – perhaps due to the flexibility that city breaks offer us and with work commitments becoming ever demanding, this is a great way to get away, even if it is for the weekend. On the flip side, there is a drop in the number of people taking a city break and it’s relatively steep; from 15% in 2012 to just 9% in 2013 saying they’re thinking about going on a city break for their holiday.

City breaks are most popular with people who are aged between 18 and 29. Maybe the affordability when it comes to the length of stay comes into play or because of the many more opportunities to go sightseeing; European countries have a fantastic range of cultural landmarks to visit and perhaps this is the emerging trend for the future of holiday popularity types.
 Heidi, the author of this article has many years experience in the travel and tourism industry and specializes in weddings abroad and provides advice regarding destinations.

By: Unknown On 11:02 PM

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Ever Wonder What Makes Heli Skiing So Special?

Imagine standing on a mountaintop surrounded by nothing but the sky and the neighboring mountain summits. The helicopter that brought you here is gone; the sound of its thumping rotors has faded in the wind. A crystal blue sky is above you and the rugged majesty of the mountains reach out to the horizon and beyond. But only one thing really matters- an endless slope of fresh white powder, as light and dry as talc, is waiting for you. The track is in front of you is steep and challenging. It’s not easy. But if you wanted easy, you would not be here. This is heli skiing in British Columbia. It is skiing at its very best.

Revelstoke and Golden in British Columbia lay in the heart of the heli skiing capital of the world. This is a bucket list destination for extreme skiers and thrill-seekers from across the Europe and North America. Breathtaking scenery, unsurpassed snow conditions, and spine tingling, adrenaline-pumping high adventure combine to make heli skiing in British Columbia the skiing experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the deepest and driest snow on the planet as you ski wide open alpine bowls, chutes, pillows and secluded tree runs. It is like no other place on Earth. Thousands of square miles of mountain peaks, glaciers and perfect snow ensure that no two days of heli skiing are exactly alike.

The unique alpine conditions encountered during a Canadian Heli-Skiing adventure require high quality and functional clothing to cope with temperature changes between the heated helicopter cabin and the cold high altitude weather. Focus on layering lightweight, breathable fabrics that will keep you warm and dry throughout the day. Soft-shell fabrics or thin waterproof and wind-breaking materials are ideal for the top layer. Good skis, of course, are of critical importance. The deep powder conditions of heli skiing require wider and softer skis of a different shape than those typically used on ski slopes at lower altitudes.

A British Columbia heli skiing adventure is all about the mountain and untouched powder that is measured in feet, not inches. Heli skiing is reserved for the adventurous few who choose to leave the crowds behind and go their own way. It is about incredible descents in untracked snow through varied and wild terrain. It is about challenging yourself and experiencing thrills few people will ever know. No, it’s not easy. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Simply put, heli skiing in British Columbia is a skier’s dream come true. Start researching heli skiing packages today and embark upon the dream that is heli skiing!

Mitchell Strathford is a winter sports blogger and avid skiing enthusiast who has been fortunate enough to experience Canadian HeliSkiing on several occasions. When planning a heli skiing trip, Mitchell highly recommends you look for heli skiing packages in the British Colombia area.

By: Unknown On 8:53 AM

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Choosing Between The Alps Or The Rockies For The Best Skiing Holiday

There’s no time like the present to start planning your next skiing holiday, especially as early booking can give you a substantial saving. These days, a charming dilemma exists between choosing European slopes for some traditional alpine skiing, or crossing the pond to experience the great skiing which the Rockies has to offer. To aid the decision making process, detailed below are a few key factors to consider when deciding whether to opt for a few days in Chamonix or journey to Aspen in pursuit of the ultimate skiing destination.

An important consideration is travel time. UK based skiers are only a few hours from the majority of European Alpine resorts. Particularly if a combination of fly/drive or fly/train transportation methods are utilised, travellers can depart early in the morning from a UK port and be skiing by the afternoon. Obviously travel to the Rockies takes far longer and may well involve two flights or more. For short holidays, a visa is not required for a UK citizen to visit the USA (just an EU passport) and all European Alpine destinations are accessible with an EU (UK) passport. Medical costs in Europe can be covered by acquiring an E111 card. Covering the cost of emergency medical treatment in America is more complicated and appropriate insurance is recommended in addition to ski travel insurance.

Whilst European time is an hour ahead of that in the UK, in the Rockies the time is about seven hours behind that at Greenwich. This can cause particular problems with jet lag and unsettled body clocks for vulnerable individuals. If you are planning on skiing for a week or more, then the Rockies is an attractive prospect. For shorter trips or for individuals who do not adapt well to changing time zones, a European resort may well be more suitable.

In terms of the type and quality of skiing available, picking the right resort at the right time of year will be most likely to give you what you want. Both continents offer a fantastic range of terrain, scenery and opportunities for boarding and cross country skiing as well as more traditional downhill skiing. The Rockies can boast drier, more powdery snow for longer periods than the Alps, but this is by no means a given and the Alps generally provides superb snow in season. Essentially, it is important to be clear what type of skiing you want and pick a resort accordingly.

Seasoned ski enthusiasts may argue that Alpine ski resorts have greater atmosphere and offer a more traditional skiing experience. The more celebrated resorts, for example Zermatt, Grindelwald and St. Moritz have all developed from old alpine villages, so benefit from traditional architecture and customs. In comparison, established American resorts offer nearly a century of history, as well as a very high standard of modern accommodation and premium health and fitness facilities.

With the exception of travelling time, both Alpine Europe and the Rockies offer a similar skiing experience in terms of quality and enjoyment. The traditions and customs vary from country to country, but these differences add to the unique and special memories which each holiday brings.

About The Author
Greg is an editor for the travel blog Travelling Tan where he likes to write everything from travel to lifestyle. Join him there for more great pieces.

By: Unknown On 8:30 AM

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Top 5 Attractions For Children In London

London is a bustling and grown up city, but there are also plenty of activities available to children to keep them amused.  Some of the attractions are quite expensive, while others have no cost at all – it all depends on what interests your children but London is certain to have something to suit every child’s taste.

Number 1 – The London Eye
This leading UK visitor attraction is a much bigger version of those seen at the fair and most children that go on this ferris wheel absolutely love it. They will get the most amazing view across London and the only thing that may disappoint them is that it goes quite slowly with the wheel taking approximately 20 minute to do a full rotation.  Its quite an expensive 20 minutes trip costing £29 but is one of the most popular and must do items while in London and you wont regret it.

 Number 2 – Buckingham Palace
Only open in the Summer months, Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions around. It is the official residence of the Queen and sits in the center of London. Children love the Palace with all its grandeur and especially when it comes to the Changing of the Guard and the wonderful rooms inside the Palace. Costing approx. £12 a ticket for children it is a far more cost effective attraction to see and can easily take up a couple of hours.

Number 3 – Natural History Museum
Step back in time at this premier London Museum where entry is free to all. You will see ancient worms to pre-historic dinosaurs and so much more. It is a great attraction to learn about how we evolved and to understand how the dinosaurs extinction was a pivotal moment in our creation. Its also not all about history as there are other current exhibitions such as a butterfly exhibition which shows the evolution of butterflies and showcases some the of the rarest butterflies in the world.

Number 4 – Madame Tussauds
This attraction showcases the worlds top celebrities where you can stand along side them and get a better feel for being in their presence. Have your photo taken alongside the great Nelson Mandela or take a penalty with David Beckham, there is someone for everyone and Madame Tussauds has now partnered with Marvel to include a 4D showcase of the Marvel Super Heroes from the comic books which is truly unique and the children love it. With prices at £20 it is a little pricey but well worth it and is a fun afternoon for the whole family.

Number 5 – Thames Rib Experience
This is a unique experience and is only for the more adventurous of children! You can take a fast rib on the Thames and see a very different view of London. You need to be aware that you will get wet on this journey but you will get to see the financial district of London – Canary Wharf or you can choose to see the Thames Barrier, both of which are unique and fun to see. With prices for children from £20 its another great option when enjoying London with the children.

If you are looking for more information about places to visit in London for children then you should try http://www.sightseeingtourslondon.co.uk who offer discounts on a wide variety of attractions for children.

By: Unknown On 10:00 AM

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Awesome Things To Do In Vegas

There's just something about mentioning that you're going to Vegas that makes people look at you in a slightly more interested manner and whether it's due to the legendary casinos or the all-night party scene, there aren't many other locations that inspire such knowing nods and winks.

As with everything in life, experience is everything and if you're looking to find out what all the fuss is about then there's only one thing to do. However, in the meantime, check out the top 10 things to do in Vegas list below just to get you in a most awesome mood.

Fremont Street Experience

With a LED display that is controlled by no less than 10 computers, the displays of lights and sound emanating from Fremont Street often eclipse the casino frontages that can be found in the downtown district of Vegas. Expect: smoke, lights and a twinkling canopy that stretches for over 1500ft.

The Strip

This is an area that's just over 4 miles in length and incorporates all of the hotels, casinos and show time venues that have made Vegas famous the world over. Located just south of Fremont Street and including hotels, such as: Circus Circus, The Mirage and Caesars Palace, this is where fortunes and dreams are made and shattered over the course of one night.

The Bellagio Fountains

One of the Strip's classic attractions is the world-famous fountains that can be found at the front of the Bellagio Hotel. Synchronised to music and providing a free show for anyone who happens to be passing this is an iconic Vegas image and if you're looking for somewhere that won't break the bank then there aren't many better places to while away a few moments before hitting the slots.

Showtime

All of the big hotels and casinos in Vegas play host to some of the top performers on the planet and if you're looking for an evening's entertainment that doesn't involve getting stung by a one-armed-bandit then you won't go far wrong. This year is absolutely no different with the likes of Criss Angel, Cirque du Soleil and Jersey Boys drawing in the crowds.

Shark Reef

Away from the bright lights and non-stop gaming action of the Strip you'll find a much quieter alternative at Shark Reef in Mandalay Bay. This aquarium is a brilliant day out and features touch pools, jungle exhibits and a main tank which is filled with over a million gallons of water as well as a few sharks thrown in for good measure.

Adventuredome

If you thought that the Strip was just about Blackjack and gaming then think again because the indoor amusement park at Circus Circus is fast becoming one of the most exciting alternatives on the block. Featuring roller-coasters, climbing walls and an 18-hole mini-golf course, Adventuredome is a must visit if you're traveling with the kids.

The Mob Museum

With casinos and cash comes an illustrious past and Las Vegas has long been a draw for some of the less salubrious members of society. Situated in downtown, and always a popular alternative when you've spent all your winnings, the Mob Museum is an excellent place to learn about prohibition, organized crime and some of the stories and figures that sent shock-waves across the globe.

Red Rock Canyon

Located around 15 miles west of the Strip, this national conservation area is an excellent option if you're considering embarking on a few adventure tours whilst visiting Vegas. Hiking, climbing and cycling are all popular pastimes and if you're hoping to get some photos of sandstone peaks contrasted with incredible sun sets and flame red rock formations then you've come to the right place.

Wet 'n' Wild

Obviously it's going to get hot in Vegas and if you've had enough of air-con then there's only one thing that's going to cool you down and that's a trip to the Wet 'n' Wild water park in Spring Valley. Featuring 2 swimming pools, 10 water slides and over 40 acres of parkland, this is an excellent option for family days out, just don't forget your togs.

Desert adventures

If you fancy taking your tour of Vegas into even wilder limits then heading out into the desert will no doubt tick all the right boxes. Follow the course of the Colorado River by kayak, spend a night camping in the desert or try trekking in the mountains as from star-filled nights to action-packed days, there's more to Vegas than slots and show tunes.

About the Author

Chris is already to pack his wife off to Vegas as she embarks on birthday celebrations that hopefully won't require re-mortgaging the house.

By: Unknown On 9:32 AM

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