Archive for the ‘Asia’ Category

Visiting Nepal – Nepal Travel Tips

Located in South Asia it is a landlocked sovereign state surrounded by the Himalayas and bordered by China in the north and by India to the south, east and west. Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital and the largest metrolpolis in the country. Kathmandu is located in Kathmandu Valley.

With so much of the Himalayas bordering Nepal it makes sense that mountain trekking is their biggest attraction. Including Mount Everest there are more than 240 peaks that can be explored.

One of the trekking companies you can try is Boundless Adventure. They offer many types of tours that include trekking, river rafting, peak climbing, village tours, mountain biking, just to name a few.

With Hinduism and Buddhism being the two main religions most festivals tend to be religious in nature. Bada Dashain, the festival of Devi Durga, the universal mother goddess also known as Kali is just one of these festivals.

There are also festivals that are historical like Gaijatra for keeping memories alive of important events, agricultural festivals like Laxmi Puja that marks the different seasons for harvesting and planting.

Nepal offers many other things like Nepal cuisine, bird and butterfly watching for the naturalist. You have mediation centers for the mind, body and soul. Nepal has many museums like the Patan, National and the International Mountain Museums to visit and see Nepals history and culture.

As you can see Nepal is a true tourist mecca. Be sure not to pass up the opportunity to visit this facinating country, and take advantage of the knowledge and experience that Boundless Adventure provides.

Enjoy the new Teri’s Travel Tips Blog article Visiting Nepal – Nepal Travel Tips and here are some of the other travel sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about any travel tips that you are looking for through these sites.

Jamaica Travel Tips
Florida Travel Tips
South Beach Travel Tips
Vacations On Cruises

Technorati Tags: Nepal, Nepal Travel Tips, South Asia, Himalayas, China, Kathmandu, trekking, Mount Everest, Hinduism, Buddhism, mountain trekking, Nepal cuisine, travel tips

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China: Sichauan Province

Sichuan Province is in the southwest of China. Chengdu is the provinces’ capital city. Sichuan is gifted with lush mountains, gorgeous waters and waterfalls, hot springs and limestone caves, just to name a few. Some of its scenic and historical sites include Emei Mountain, Qingcheng Mountain, and Long Valley, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Leshan Giant Buddha, and Jiuzhaigou (Nine-Village Valley).

Sichuan has more than 15 minority groups living with the Han people. Each minority has its own charm, ethinic style and folk customs. Festivals like Leshan Great Buddha International Tourist Festival, Southland Ice and Snow Festival, Liangshan Yi Minority Torch Festival and Zigong Lantern Festival have become Sichuan’s unique tourist resources.

Sichuan Cuisine is one of the Eight Great Cuisines in China, so having a night out with a superb meal that emphasizes the use of chili, red hot peppers and garlic is a natural tourist activity – just remember that their food can be ‘spicy’ hot. Then maybe you would like an evening out to watch, if you are into the arts, the Chuanju (Sichuan Opera) or the Xieju (comic opera).

Its capital Chengdu is also the home to the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base, one of the most important centers in the world for the captive conservation of the Giant Panda. Besides Chengdu there are 21 other cities you can visit while you are in Sichuan Province.

The province is considered as a rice region and abounds in agricultural products. Among some of the products it produces like rice, raw silk, and cotton it also holds a significant place in the production of medicinal herbs and live stock like pigs and cattle.

Climate in Sichuan is very different between its eastern and western parts. Sichuan Basin is a humid and sub-tropical monsoonal climate. It has mild winters, hot summers and plentiful rainfall. It can be misty, have a high humidity and less sunshine. The average temperature in July, the hottest month, is 25-29C (77-84F); in January, the coldest month, 3-8C (37-46F).

Climate in the Western Sichuan Plateau has a lower temperature and less rainfall than the Sichuan Basin, both of which differ again in the southern and northern sections of the plateau.

Technorati Tags: China, Sichauan Province, Chengdu, mountains, cuisine, food, opera, climate, Giant Panda, Teri’s Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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4 Most Beautiful Thailand Beaches

Thailand has one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. For those that have traveled there they know that the beauty of this untouched place makes for some of the best vacations in the world. This is coupled with the vast amount of historical culture that abounds the countryside and there is never a shortage of things to do in this country. Because much of this land is untouched by development you will find that relaxation and peaceful living is more than possible. The reaches of the mighty have not gotten this far and that means that you will get the very best in the vacation arena, especially when it comes to the Thailand beach areas.

Khao Lak is a wonderful Thailand beach. Just a short drive from the airport, this paradise offers a remote vacation area like no other. Thanks to the area being largely uninhabited, there is lush rain forest nearby along with a whole host of wildlife to be viewed. The water remains warm in the November through December months and the fishing and scuba diving is out of this world.

Phuket Thailand Beach is another great spot. Enjoy this resort November through March. There is more than enough to do. It is a bit more crowded than other beaches as this area thrives on the tourism dollars that it brings in. The scuba diving is top notch in this area and you will also find some of the warmest most clear water in the world. There are several nearby attractions to keep one busy for quite a few days.

Phi Phi Don Thailand Beach is quite the turn around. Once a remote and nearly unknown place, this Thailand beach came to life when Hollywood came in and filmed a movie here. It is now considered to be one of the most popular beaches in the entire country and is frequented by many big names. This is a site that you will not want to miss, as the views are breathtaking and the water warm and inviting.

West Raily Thailand Beach is one of the undiscovered diamonds in the rough. There is very little that is expensive here and one can stay at the “resort” for over a week and barely tap the budget. The sands are milky white and the water clear. Scuba diving is very popular here as well as the fishing. This location is only accessible by long tail boat so plan for a bit of a long ride.

Technorati Tags: Thailand beach, Thailand, Phuket, Phi Phi, vacation, scuba diving, clear water, sand, fishing, Teri’s Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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Bangkok Vacation Tips

It is impossible to visit Thailand without first dropping off at Bangkok. And it is impossible to enjoy Bangkok without paying attention to a handful of useful tips that would not save you time and money but also some headaches.

Bangkok is a bustling city. No doubt about that. But it is a city that seemed to have been created by a sadistic urban planner who is bent on confusing tourists. It is a labyrinth of sorts. And in it, it is easy to watch your I’m-on-a-vacation mood fizzle away with confusion, disappointment, and the stress of getting lost. So with that, our first tip is for you to get a map.

It’s not expensive. For a few baht, you can buy yourself a map. But don’t just buy any other map, buy one that has English translations as well as Thai names on it. It will also better if you familiarize yourself with what’s written on the map, especially if you are planning to stay for a week or more.

When shopping, learn how to exercise good bartering. Thais know if you are a foreigner in the city. And sadly, they also know how much you will be paying on an item. A good rule of thumb when shopping in Bangkok is to haggle, but do it very nicely. Chip off as much as 40% off the original price and you could get the price you could happily pay for. If the price is disagreeable, by all means, walk away and go to the next vendor. There is a good chance that you will be offered the last selling price when you do.

Bring with you plenty of water. It’s a no-brainer but for a generally humid country like Thailand, it pays to bring with you your own supply of liquids. Fortunately, there are always plenty of Bangkok stores that have refreshments ready on their fridge. Only buy those that are sealed. Oh, by the way, drinking fluids the Bangkok way could be a bit quirky for new comers. They drink them straight from a small plastic bag with straw. Try it. It’s fun, not to mention very convenient.

Beware of scammers. We are all familiar with the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ stuff, but once you get into Bangkok, you would always wish that someone would help you with the directions. Good thing is, there are always those Thais who are willing to help. Unfortunately, not all of them are out there to give you just a few directions. Be careful of those who approach you in the street. You would not want to hop from one gem shop to another if that’s not where you want to go.

Organize your tour. For lesser headaches, it will do you good to prepare your tour beforehand. This will allow you to go to the places that you intend to visit.

Use the MRT and BTS, regularly. No matter how appealing tuk-tuks, canal boats and motorbikes are, it is always better to stick with the underground train and the Skytrain. Get as much pass as you need.

Technorati Tags: Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkock vacation, Thailand vacation, tourists, Thai, Teri Champigny

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A rich cultural heritage, varied wildlife, magnificent mountain ranges, picturesque beaches, exquisite temples and monuments, rejuvenating hill stations, that’s India for you, a premier vacation destination. However, aside from these attractions and the varied destinations, India is also famous for one other thing: pilgrimages. Quite an increasing number of visitors have found out that having an Indian vacation and a pilgrimage is quite an interesting and rewarding experience.

India is a practically a country that is very diverse. Almost all places in India offer its own attractions which draws a yearly influx of tourists and pilgrims from around the globe. Some of the more popular and notable pilgrimage destinations include the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the Dilwara temples of Mount Abu and the Palitana in Gujarat, Meenakshi. The Rock Fort in Tamil Nadu, the Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Sabarimala and Guruvayur in Kerala and not to mention the Badami Caves in Karnataka are also targets of pilgrimage tourism.

Being the land of Gods and Goddess, India is at the very center of spiritual and religious activities. Pilgrims flock to holy towns and temples to have religious enlightenment or experiences may them be absolute believers or just tourists interested in India’s rich culture, heritage and spiritual beliefs. Nowadays, travel agencies and tours are packaging special pilgrimage packages for tourists who are looking at India as their next vacation destination.

Pilgrimages are as varied as the religions in India themselves. For example Christian, Jainism and Sikh pilgrimages are now commonly packaged as tours for vacationers in India. Places of worships, shrines, churches and locations where these religions began, flourished or even saw their demised in India are the prime destinations of such tours. For example, the cities like Calicut, Trivandrum, Madurai, Goa and Mumbai are famous for Christian churches which stand in testament to the unique and magnificent architectural feats of olden times. Similarly, the serene worship halls and shrines of Jainism believers offer yet another look at Indian architectural splendor.

Other pilgrimage destination sites include the revered Badrinath temple which is dedicated to Shri Badrinathji and was said to have been constructed by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. The Kedarnath in the state of Uttarakhand, one of the holiest pilgrimage destination in the country, houses the 12 holy Jyotirlingams. Another revered temple is the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra. The place is so revered by Hindus that those residing in Northern India would make it a point to visit the temple once in their lifetime.

Tirupti Balaji temple which is situated on the seventh peak of the Tirupati hill is said to be richest temple in the country and perhaps even in the world. It has a rich history behind which spans for centuries. Another temple which perhaps rival the popularity of other pilgrimage sites is the Haridwar Temple which is considered the gateway to other sites in Uttrakhand region.

It is said that Haridwar Temple was blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple is said to purify the mind, the body and the soul of pilgrims. It has become the center of spirituality in the region and incidentally also of arts, science and culture.

We can go on citing pilgrimage sites in India and we will run out of space before we run out of sites to mention. The richness of India’s spiritual and religious traditions is truly an experience worth trying. An Indian vacation and a pilgrimage is something that should never be set aside.

Technorati Tags: Indian, cultural heritage, wildlife, mountain ranges, beaches, temples, attractions, pilgrimages, India, Indian vacations

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Some like it hot, while others like it very hot! Or something like that. But summer in India is not at that bad as some tourists would like to think. The country being as large as it is hosts a number of possibilities even during the summer time. So it is absolutely possible and not totally unheard of that people enjoy a hot summer Indian vacation.

India enjoys four seasons: winter months are in January and February; summer months are from March to May; monsoon or the rainy season are from June to September; and from October to December is post-monsoon period. While a huge number of visitors in India do visit the country during the winter months, there is a growing number that prefer the hot summer months and even the wet monsoon seasons.

Probably the reasons include the fantastic summer festivals celebrated in practically all the corners of the country as well as destinations like the Himalayas which is quite a treat when visited during the summer months. In fact it is usually during summer that the Himalayas can be visited. One can see the snow-clad mountain peaks in Leh and Ledakh.

Well known during the summer time are also the hill stations of Kashmir, Kodaikanal, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar and Uttaranchal. Mountain rivers also offer a good opportunity for water rafting and kayaking. Moreover, beaches like Anjuna and Baga are very popular for summer goers both international and local tourists. Anjuna beach is a couple of kilometers from Mapusa in Goa and is quite famous for its night time beach parties. Similarly, the Baga which is also quite accessible from Mapusa in Goa offers a picturesque ocean view and a highly active night life.

While others enjoy the natural beauty of India during summer, some take advantage of these months for the often cheaper and discounted rates of tour, travel fares and even hotel accommodations and resorts. For some summer gives them the perfect opportunity to enjoy a whole new country.

Monsoon rains come after the summer months and believe you and me, a number of visitors intentionally come at the end of summer and enjoy the rather wet monsoon season. In India the onset of rain is a symbol of fertility and is serves a vital part of the country’s culture and traditions.

Still others travel to India to enjoy the festivals there, the biggest of which are usually held during summer or towards the end of the season. One such festival is the Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. The celebration is held for ten days and includes various cultural and social programs and activities all geared towards worshipping the elephant-headed god Ganesh. Visitors will get to enjoy dancing and singing in the streets together with thousands of believers and residents.

Related to religious festivals are the pilgrimages. One of the more familiar one is the Char Dham or the pilgrimage to find the source of the Ganges River or the Ganga Mata as the river is called in India. Being India’s most sacred river and the most important in terms of people’s livelihood as well, the Char Dham can only be held during the summer and monsoon months after the snow melts in the Himalayas and the roads become accessible again.

India is such as huge land of opportunity for travelers. From the winter months, down to the summer days and then towards the monsoon seasons, visitors have always places to go and things to do. A hot summer Indian vacation is definitely not something one should cross out in ones travel calendar.

Technorati Tags: India, hot summers, heat, monsoon seasons, Ganges River, festivals, resorts, travelers, Indian summer festivals, Indian religious festivals

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Vacations are one of the most anticipated times in a year. This is the moment when you spend more time with family, friends, and well yourself. This is the opportunity that you get the reward you deserve after working a lot of hours in the office or burning the midnight oil for an upcoming examination. Vacations are your primary chance to get away from all the things that has been burning up your whole being.

They are the events that can truly charge you up to face life with even greater vigor and aspiration. But before you get too excited in picking the places you want to visit and the events you want to be part of it’s only fitting that you ensure that you’ve got a place to stay in. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some Indian hotels that is willing and able to serve you with a smile.

The Metropolitan Hotel found in the center of Connaught Place in Delhi is a good way to start the list of your prospects. This hotel has five on-site restaurants that will make sure that you are adequately stuffed for your day-to-day activities. Each restaurant has an international background but gives emphasis on the offerings of regional delights.

You can kick things off by enjoying the fun-filled services of Tusker’s which is a lounge bar that is themed with South African styles of live hosting and entertainment. It is known for having the best quality of Indian liquor and cigars. Chutney is a chain named after a native pride which is made using the finest fruits, herbs, and vegetables from the forests of India. The Pastry Shop offers eggless cakes and rare pastries that will surely be worth of your spending.

The hotel offers a wide range of amenities such as indoor pools that are available for both children and adults. There are also a couple of spas wherein you can relax after a tiring venture in the city. Spa services involve Adam and Eve elegant massages, yoga, sports activities, Thai and Marma treatments, an unforgettable experience with Floatarium, and refreshing Vichy showers. The Zen Serena Spa is a huge establishment where you can locate a modern-day gym, hair salon, and a bunch of other spa facilities. You can also charge up with healthy fruit and vegetable snacks.

Next on the list is the Taj Palace Delhi which is situated within the busy diplomatic district eight kilometers from the House of Parliament. This hotel is highly regarded as part of the elite which is commonly utilized to house corporate events and meetings. The pride of the hotel is its marvelous and spacious receptions that can attend to about a thousand guests. Wireless internet access is also present within the confines of the place and other services such as car rental, courier, and workstations are also part of the deal.

Golfers and tennis players can play to their heart’s delight via a 9-hole putting area and tennis courts that are found within the vicinity. Outdoor pools are also available as well as fitness centers and health spas, one of which is the famous Aruveydic Spa. Both your tummy and ears can enjoy the dining spots in the hotel which can serve cuisines ranging from Chinese up to Mediterranean and tradition Indian delicacies while tuning up live jazz harmony particularly at night.

There are a lot more Indian hotels that will surely make your vacation to this nation more memorable and enjoying just make sure you pick the one which truly coincides with your taste and personality

Technorati Tags: India, hotels, restaurants, Taj Palace, Taj Mahal, golf vacations, Indian, Indian hotels, New Delhi

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India is a bird watcher’s paradise. There are lots of birds found in India, actually more than the species of birds in Europe and in North America. There are tours which organizes or combines an Indian vacation with birding or birdwatching.

There are more species of birds found in India than any other country, that is about 1250 species out of the total 8650 species in the whole world. These numbers are credited for the diversity in Indian environment and climate. There are different habitats for birds like mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, sub-alpine forests and grasslands. Aside from that there are also deserts and cultivated areas or areas for agriculture. There are two kinds of climates, hot climate in the South and cold in North.

Birdwatching has become popular over the years, with people rapidly finding ways to combine birding with other activities. It has become a popular activity for families. There are serious birdwatchers who would combine birdwatching with vacations, taking the whole family.

The best time to go to India for birdwatching would be from October to April. There are different kinds of birds that can be seen during this season. If you are apprehensive of booking your own or your family’s birding trip, then there are agencies who are willing to help you with it.

When looking for birding tours, aside from the price, you would also have to consider if the program is comprehensive enough. There are travel agencies that arrange birding tours along with visiting historical and cultural landmarks and sights like Taj Mahal. It would be better if there would be 12 or less than 12 members of the birding tour. This would help you have a better birding experience.

If a travel agency would arrange your birding tour, they would usually include hotel reservations, accommodations, wildlife camps and schedule bird viewing photography. They would also arrange the transportation, you can also look for agencies that would offer financial protection and insurance for their clients.

Some of the top places for birdwatching are the following:

• Sonai Rupai Sanctuary – this sanctuary is located in Sonitpur District. They have a variety of hill, domestic and migratory birds. Aside from the birds you can also get to see elephants, Indian bison, and deer.

• Flamingo Colony – this is known to be the largest flamingo colony in the world and it can be found in Khavda, Gujarat. It is one of the most beautiful Indian sanctuaries for birds. Flamingos are not the only one visiting the area, there are also other birds that would migrate to India before coming home.

• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary – is located near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This sanctuary is just near the Nal Lake. There are variety of birds found in this sanctuary like cranes, flamingos, pelicans, ducks, storks and other birds with different colors and variety.

• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary – this is just located in the middle of Porbandar, Gujarat. There are many domestic and migratory birds that can be seen in this area. There are wildfowl, teals, ibis and curlews which can be seen in the sanctuary.

• Velvadrar Bird Sanctuary – is in Bhavnagar, Gujarat which showcases the Indian black buck and different kinds of birds.

• Sultanpur National Park – Sultanpur, Haryana is the location of one of the best national parks in India. There are darters, egrets, shoveler, gadwalls, geese, teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers, demoiselle cranes and other water birds.

So next time, you plan to do birding, try to consider going abroad. Combine it with an Indian vacation that would take your experience on a different level.

Technorati Tags: birdwatching, bird watching, bird, watching, birding, India, Indian, India vacations, Indian vacations

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The Philippines, with the over 7000 islands that comprise them, can easily boast that they are one of the best scuba diving vacation sites in the world. Low cost rentals and inexpensive food costs allows them to also claim to be one of the world’s most cost effective scuba diving vacation destinations.

There is a place, North Pandan Island, located off the west coast of Mindoro Island that is one of the better kept secrets of the scuba diving world. Since it is a bit off the beaten path, it has not been over developed and it is not over-run with scuba diving enthusiasts and yet scuba diving is its main attraction.

There are coral gardens and drop-offs at many sites in the Philippines and the marine life is everything that a scuba diving enthusiast could hope for. Sea snakes, turtles, sting rays, mantas, barracudas, garoupa, schools of jacks, white sharks, black tip sharks, white tip sharks, and even lionfish and scorpionfish abound.

Philippines Scuba Diving Vacations Continues Here.

Technorati Tags: Philippines Travel Tips, Philippines vacations, Philippines, travel tips, vacations, travel

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So you want to go to China. China vacations are becoming more popular than ever before and the accommodations that are open for foreign visitors are more affordable and more fun than ever before. Whether you want to visit the Forbidden City or walk along the Great Wall, your China vacation can be all you would wish it to be. The newly opened economic and cultural ties with the rest of the world have made China the vacation destination for all ages and all budgets. Now tourists everywhere can enjoy the deep culture and history that has made this country of a billion souls a vacation hotspot.

The China vacation package that you choose may take you to just one city or a whirlwind tour of the country where you can sample the culture of all the providences China has to offer. One famous stop that most tourists enjoy is the Temple of Heaven or Tiantan located outside of Beijing. This wonderful place of worship was built in 1420 and was used by two famous dynasties as a place to pray for luck and prosperity for the coming year. The Ming dynasty changed the original name of The Temple of Heaven and Earth to just Heaven because there was another temple dedicated to mother earth on the other side of the city.

The Qing Dynasty built the Forbidden City in the sixteenth century and this is one site you must see no matter what kind of China vacations package you choose. The palace was constructed on close to three hundred acres and hosts buildings that have almost nine hundred rooms. The emperor of China lived there for almost five centuries and he shared the monstrous complex with family, priests, and soldiers. Political advisors also held residence in this beautiful historic landmark. After the last Emperor was taken from power the Forbidden City has been under the charge of Palace Museum and though open to the public now, the name Forbidden was dubbed due to the policy that you could enter the city only with the Emperor’s permission.

The China vacation market is opening up world wide and these are only two of the featured historical and cultural attractions that draw thousands to the country each year. There are discount rates at many physical and online vacation destination services that offer hotel, car, and flight packages. Shop around. Even though the country may be on the other side of the world, they are closer than you think in terms of affordability, reliability, and fun. Even if China vacations were something you only dreamed of, take a chance and see what is out there. You could be on a plane waiting to land in Beijing and be in the Forbidden City or the Temple to Heaven the next day. You will be amazed about how much culture and how much history you will absorb at every turn of a corner and every personal encounter with the fine people that live in China.

Technorati Tags: China travel tips, China vacations, travelling to China, Chinese travel, Chinese vacations, Asian travel tips

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