Fantastic Tropical Honeymoon Experience at Thailand

Thailand is one of the world tourist destination. Thailand offers you a fantastic tropical honeymoon experience. The country offers an array of attractions for the honeymooners. While towns like Bangkok compete with the West for entertainment activities, places like Krabi and Phuket put forth another facet of the country.

Honeymoon in the wonderful country of Thailand is an exciting idea. Not only are the Thai people warm, there is plenty of freshness all around in the country, which can be felt from the beaches to the exotic countryside and from the resort towns to the metropolitan cities. Palm fringed beaches, islands and the fresh breeze make Thailand an unforgettable honeymoon destination.

Resorts such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui offer the honeymooners some places of lovely scenic beauty, where they can spend some quality time with each other. Thailand is a place which has become a global favorite as a romantic destination. People who visit the country once, like to come here again and again. So if you are planning your wedding in near future, then Thailand may be an ideal choice for the honeymoon.

Bangkok, the capital, offers you all the charms of a modern city. It has tall skyscrapers, robust transportation infrastructure, glitzy shopping malls, glamorous night-clubs, world-class spa centres and much more. Bangkok also carries with it a taste of the orient, it being one of the oldest cultural hubs of Asia. Ancient Buddhist temples throng the capital, reminding you of its great cultural and spiritual past. Bangkok, in fact, is an amazing blend of the old and the new, tradition and modernity. This something makes that makes your honeymoon a memory to cherish and remember.

Phuket is the resort town, where you can chill and relax, away from the hurly burly city life. Phuket has been attracting holiday seekers since many decades, though nowadays it is slowly getting commercialized. Phi Phi is a wonderful honeymoon destination in Southern Thailand, which allows you to let your hair down and enjoy it uninterruptedly. Island of Koh Samui catches the fascination of the tourists when it comes to the beauty of nature. It adds to the thrill of your private moments shared with your newly wed. Blessed by nature with some eye-pleasing beauty, the island is ever-ready to welcome the honeymooners.

Spa and massage is another activity you can engage in. Thailand has some of the best massage parlours in the world. They offer a range of massage services like traditional Thai massage, Balinese massage and relaxing massage. Masseurs are trained in treating the pressure points in a special way, accompanied by a simultaneous steam bath and sauna. People from the world over throng Thailand to enjoy its soothing massage services. Nowadays, Chinese massage centre are also flourishing in Thailand. Thailand is also famous for its night-life and clubs. There are some of the best night-clubs in Asia welcoming foreigners from across the globe. These are places to hang around all night. Thai people are warm and hospitality is an integral part of their culture.

Thailand honeymoon destinations provide you some wonderful moments which you would cherish for all your life. With its fascinating natural assets, the country would leave you rejuvenated and thrilled. Thai cuisine would add spice to your honeymoon as well and would leave you wanting for more.

Read more »

Culture Tips for Dubai Travelers

There is a lot of confusing and misleading information when it comes to what is and what is not culturally acceptable in Dubai. Dubai is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with over 100 nationalities living together in harmony. Millions of tourists flock to Dubai every year and the city is truly a cultural crossroads. The local population is quite small (estimated around 15%), but Emiratis in general are warm, welcoming, and very tolerant of foreign visitors and residents. In return, it is greatly appreciated if those who travel to Dubai take a little time to learn about the local customs and culture.

The UAE is a Muslim country. The culture is based on a deeply rooted belief in Islam and centers on the family. Mosques are dotted throughout the landscape of Dubai and five times a day the melodious prayer call or "adhan" will be heard. The official weekend is Friday, although government offices and certain multinational companies are also closed on Saturday. Mosques on Fridays around noon will be overflowing as worshippers gather to listen to a sermon. On Fridays most stores open around 2PM although certain large retail outlets such as Carrefour and most large grocery stores are open as normal. Arabic is the official language; however English is widely spoken by almost everyone and all the street signs are in both English and Arabic.

There is no specific dress code in Dubai, and you will see both ends of the spectrum from women who cover themselves from head to toe to those who choose to barely cover themselves at all. At the beach women are welcome to wear bikinis and men can don swimming shorts. Away from the beach it is more culturally acceptable for men to avoid wearing shorts or going shirtless and for women to avoid mini-skirts, midriff baring tops, and shorts. T-shirts or blouses and mid-length skirts or Capri pants for women are considered quite appropriate. Muslim women from the Gulf States typically dress in a long black robe known as the "abaya". The "abaya" itself is not an Islamic requirement, but rather a cultural custom. Islam requires ladies to cover their heads and to wear long loose clothes covering their arms and legs. Gulf men wear a loose, typically white robe called a "dishdasha" along with a white or red checkered headdress known as the "gutra". The gutra is held in place with a black cord called an "agal".

Arabs are one of the most hospitable people in the world, but visitors still should take note of a few cultural musts when interacting with locals. It is best to ask permission of local women before taking their photograph and most likely you will be told no. Visitors should also be aware that some Muslim women and men will avoid shaking hands with members of the opposite sex as per Islamic tradition. This should not be taken as an offense and it is simply best to wait and see if the other person extends their hand in greeting first. Local men will typically greet other local men by touching noses or kissing cheeks. Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are highly frowned upon, although you will see men (typically Asian expats) holding hands with other men when walking. This is a cultural norm and merely an expression of friendship. If you are invited to enjoy a coffee, tea or traditional meal with a local family there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Before entering a home shoes should be removed. When sitting, take care to avoid pointing the soles of your feet in anyone's direction as this is considered rude in Arab Muslim culture. Food and drink (and there will be a lot of it!) should be taken with one's right hand, as the left hand is reserved for "unclean" practices such as washing after using the bathroom. Your host will most likely keep offering you more and more food and drink. It is acceptable to take a second helping but not necessarily a third or fourth! You will have to be persistent and it might take a bit of polite "back and forth" between you and your host before your host acknowledges that you are actually finished!

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims and non-Muslims in Dubai are expected (by law) to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public. A bit of discretion and respect for the host culture is really all that is called for. If a visitor accidentally makes a mistake and eats, drinks, or smokes in public, the worst that is likely to happen is that someone will gently remind you of the time of year and ask you to stop. Although most restaurants will be closed during the day (or offering take-away only), many malls now have food outlets that are screened off from the public and open during the day in Ramadan for non-Muslims. It is also perfectly acceptable for non-Muslims to eat and drink in the privacy of their homes or hotel rooms during the day. Most hotel restaurants will remain open (with screened-off areas) for hotel guests and grocery stores also remain open all day long. It is greatly appreciated during Ramadan if women are a bit more conservative in their dress - simply avoiding short skirts or sleeveless tops. All live musical and dance performances are suspended during Ramadan but pubs will open after sunset. Time seems to move a little slower during Ramadan and by law Muslim employees have shortened work days. In general visitors do need to be more culturally sensitive during the Holy Month, but after the breaking of the fast each day the city comes alive and it is an ideal time to visit if you are looking to experience cultural flavor.

While Dubai is most famous for its shopping, visitors should take advantage of their trip to the United Arab Emirates to also learn about the local culture. The Dubai Museum, built in an old traditional fort, is a must-see for all ages and includes exhibits of weapons, national costumes, and displays of the desert as well as the pearl diving industry on which Dubai was originally founded. The Heritage and Diving Village features displays of Dubai's maritime past and includes quaint shops and restaurants. Finally, The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding offers cultural awareness programs, recruiting young UAE nationals to speak to visitors and residents about Dubai culture and history, as well as offering other activities throughout the year including mosque tours and Arabic classes.

Read more »

Burj Dubai Tower: The World's Tallest Tower At The Time

Dubai's upcoming landmark, Burj Dubai Tower, is creating ripples around the world. The building is expected to be completed by June 2009, and it will stand to be the world's tallest at that time. Emaar, a UAE construction giant developing it, has yet not disclosed its official height, but the building is expected to measure above 800m on its completion. There will be more than 160 floors and a 200m high spire carrying various communication equipments in the entire building. Most of its first 108 floors will be lent either to house one of Dubai hotels or to accommodate private apartment owners, however, the business community will also have its own share in the form of exclusive offices.

Dubai's government has worked for over two decades now with intent to shifting away from the chiefly oil driven economy to a diversified free-trade, retail and tourism oriented one. They have succeeded as well in doing so to a very large extent, since the share of oil revenues in the GDP has fallen drastically in the last few years. However, they will require continuing on to make this transformation last permanently, and that's where the projects like Burj Dubai Tower, Dubai Marina, The World, The Palm Islands, The Dubai Mall, serviced apartments and various Dubai hotels come into this picture.

Dubai is expecting to receive 15 million visitors by the year 2010, and needs to add more supplies in the hospitality and retail sectors by that time. The Downtown Burj Dubai, which is going to host the Burj Dubai Tower, apart from many other developments, is expected to fulfill this growing need. The township will have nine Dubai hotels, over a dozen and half residential towers, one low-rise township called The Old Town, the world's largest mall, The Dubai Mall, and loads of leisure outlets such as cafes, stylish boutiques, restaurants etc to add more to its charm.

The Downtown Burj Dubai will provide roughly 30,000 serviced apartments, penthouses, villas and several Dubai hotels for staying in the city. The 63-story tall Dubai Lake Hotel & Serviced Apartments is one of these projects, which will offer exclusive apartments and studios for outright sale. The tower will also host a 210-room luxury hotel, which will be managed by a leading luxury hotel group. Another housing development is called Boulevard Crescents, which will comprise of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom luxury residential suits and penthouses. A very beautiful landscape encircling these apartments will add more value to one's stay in Dubai.

The world's largest mall, The Dubai Mall, is also located in the same area, where you can find the goods of your preference to fulfill your desires. This retail giant will house over a dozen built-in smaller malls, each catering to the needs of an individual market. The mall will be spreading over an area of 12.1 million ft², and will begin its operations by August 2008. These developments, along with the spirited rise of the tower Burj Dubai, are bound to add a significant amount of growth in the city's tourism and retail sectors.

Read more »

Get Physical and Spiritual Relaxation with Medical Tourism in India

Due to the ever-increasing cost of healthcare services, people are looking overseas for specialized and cost effective medical tourism. Now capitalization has made India the number one choice for some specific treatments; therefore, medical tourists from all over the world are visiting this country to have the best treatments along with incredible sightseeing. India offers a markedly cheaper medical tourism package; since this country is equipped with major hospitals, sometimes it offers treatments that are not available in UK. It is true that apart from the medical tourism, India is globally famous for its beauty and hospitality; perhaps this is the reason why most of the patients are pleased at the prospect of combining their medical services with an incredible trip to exotic places in India. Medical tourism in India is something that can provide a patient with physical as well spiritual therapy.

Medical tourism in India can be largely defined as a service that integrates medical and tourism benefits together; it mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with contentment and healthcare. At present, India has become the hub of medical tourism, now patients from various countries come to India for healing their body and soul. In India, one can have the soothing affect with Ayurveda; in fact, it is the biggest attraction of medical tourism in India that offer eternal relaxation to every patient. Surprisingly, people who reside in developed countries also prefer India for having any kind treatment; certainly, it is the low cost and the beauty of this country, which make them start their journey to India. Hospitals of this country are very popular for their personalized care and exclusive health services; there are many hospitals in India which offer rare treatments like cardiac surgery, hip replacements, cancer treatments and fertility work.

Medical tourism has become a common form of vacationing which covers a broad range of medical and tourism services. Popularity of medical tourism in India is increasing gradually; according to a recent research conducted by the global medical tourism association, India is the most preferred medical tourism destination of US patients. You must be wondering that despite of having all latest medical facilities in US why these people come so far for treatment? If yes, then certainly you are unaware about the difference in cost of medical treatments, in fact, cost of medical treatments is India is just half of the cost that one pays for the same treatment in US.

Medical tourism in India is very cost effective. In India, you can have medical and sightseeing benefits at that cost, which a renowned hospital in US charges just for any surgery or treatment. Indian hospitals excel in joint replacement, orthopedic surgery transplants and urology to name a few. These hospitals also offer their international patients the facility of telephonic consultancy, so that patients may also get proper guidance after leaving this country. Therefore, if you are planning to visit India for any medical purpose, then definitely this decision is sensible which will give you incredible benefits.

Read more »

Asia Offers Amazing Vacation Opportunities

More and more people are tempted each year to go to an Asian beach resort. That's no wonder really. There are a handful of very appealing destinations in Asia, from the clear waters in Thailand to the beach resorts in Philippine.

They offer a variety of services that have increased in quality due to the fact that tourism is an important source of income for many of those countries. For example, in many of those beach resorts, diving enthusiasts can practice their favorite sport in crystal waters teeming with colorful fish. It sounds like a description of heaven itself, but this isn't far fetched at all.

But the impressive scenery doesn't stop here. Golden soft beaches stretching for miles, the tropical touches, the proximity of mountains in many of those areas, are just a few glimpses of what Asian beach resorts can offer.

In short, Asia has become a hot destination. Another big advantage is the fact that everything is cheap, hotels, food, everything included here. Of course, there are a variety of services, and those who are more costly offer better services, like anywhere in the world actually. But as a general trait, it is indeed pretty cheap.

Also, as a note worth mentioning, remember to make the most out of your visit by enjoying each place's cultural richness. You will not lack that anywhere you go in Asia, and you will also find out that people are especially hospitable. All you have to do is ask, and you will be answered in the most pleasant manner.

The fauna is also overwhelming in Asia. There is an entire array of colorful birds that will be the delight of bird-watchers. If you are not one, then you can just enjoy their presence and take a few photos. That will make a nice memory.

Cruising is another favorite activity of tourists when in Asia. The water is always very close, and be it a cruise on a big river or a cruise out on the open ocean, the choice is yours to take. In Bangkok, for example, if you are booked in a hotel that is near the Chao Phraya River, you can serve the dinner on a river cruise.

Marketplaces are another exotic attraction that make a whole afternoon go by in an instant. Cheap and exotic things make the shoppers' delight. And there is anything you could possibly want in one of those places, and I do mean anything. Make sure you visit one of those places too, when in Asia.

The increase in the quality of services is obvious. When you get booked at a hotel, you can expect full services and quality. And hotels come with a variety of facilities, many of them offering private beaches, even golf terrains, elephant rides, etc. That also depends on the placement of the hotel, so that's why you need to do a little bit of research.

As a final note, if you haven't already tasted the amazing Asian cuisine, it's about time you do. And while you are in Asia itself, why no profit from it and taste the original recepies that are so famous?

The conclusion is: you can never go wrong with Asia. The advantages I presented you are only a few and are general, the truth is that you will get a lot more surprises when you actually get there, depending on the place you chose for your holiday. So when in doubt about a holiday place, an Asian beach resort is your answer.

Read more »