Category: Travel

Tired of your yearly Europe travel destinations? In search of new adventures on some familiar countries? If so, then these hidden getaways are perfect for you. Apart from their fascinating histories, these destinations will also surely give you the true Asian country experience that you’re looking for.

1. Hoh Xil, Tibet. It’s really not that hard to figure out why this Tibetan plateau is among the world’s least populated areas – apart from sitting at 4,700 metres above sea level, this nature reserve is also subject to harsh sandstorms and rains through the year. But despite its extreme climate, Hoh Xil is the place to visit if you’re up for communing with some wildlife species. The reserve houses over 21 endangered wildlife animals, including the wild yak, the Tibetan antelope and the Tibetan wild donkey. So apply for a five to six day eco-tour now and get to see these wild animals up-close and personal.

 

2. Miho Museum, Japan. Just like New York’s Guggenheim Museum, the architecture of Japan’s Miho Museum upstages the artefacts it holds. The museum’s limestone and glass structure takes inspiration from the elusive Chinese paradise described by Tai Yuanming, while its exterior is fashioned after the Japanese shrines. As you enter, you’ll find around 250 Western and Asian antiques on display – a heaven for people who love ancient artefacts.

 

3. Kranji Farms, Singapore. If you’re looking for some relaxation in a rustic setting, then the suburb Kranji is the perfect place for you. Most of the farms found in the area – organic farms and frog ranches alike – are open to the public. You can get your share of goat’s milk from Hay Dairies Farm Education Tour, while letting your young ones enjoy the tortoise feeding and prawn fishing activities offered by Hausmann Marketing Aquarium.

4. Sea Urchin Farm, Hong Kong. In their move to rival the famed fish markets in Japan, Sai Kung of Hong Kong is now farming and serving fresh sea urchins in an affordable price – a purple sea urchin is sold at around HK$33 in Leung Shuen Wan. Other than that, the farm is also starting to get some traction among local foodies with their Chinese-style cooked sea urchin dishes like urchin spring rolls and steamed egg white with sea urchin. So come and taste your first urchin dish in Hong Kong now.

 

5. Koh Kood, Thailand. Koh Kood is probably one of the very few places that lives up to the myth of unpeopled beachy paradise. In fact, it has all the necessary props – coconut plantations, quaint fishing villages, snorkelling spots, a rainforest and a population of no more than 2,000. It’s also out-of-the-way, since getting to the place requires an hour of plane ride from the Trat airport, or a boat and train expedition from Bangkok. Just the place to be in if you’re thinking of taking a step back from civilization.

Travelling on little known destinations is a good way to get a closer look in a country’s culture, so add these five destinations on your travel list now and fulfil the Asian wanderlust in you.

 

Travelling can be fun, but it also requires a lot of planning as to where you should go, how long you’ll stay, and which travel tour group should you take. Picking the right tour group for you can be quite challenging, especially if it’s your first time travelling. So to make things a little easier for you, we’ve listed a few tips on how you can choose the right tour group for your travel needs so that you’ll be able to make the most out of your trip.

1. Choose an Ideal Destination. A travel destination is what often makes or breaks a trip. Which is why it’s important that you also consider important factors like the weather and time of the year in choosing your destination. For instance, although late summer is the most ideal time to visit most countries, it’s an entirely different story when it comes to visiting India this time. While it’s less expensive, you should take into consideration that summer is India’s monsoon season. You probably wouldn’t want to spend your whole trip hauled up in your hotel room just because it’s raining so hard, right?

2. Pick a Tour Based on Your Interests. Do you like to go on tours that involve lots of wildlife sightings? Do you get seasick when travelling on choppy waters? These are some of the questions that you’ll need to answer when choosing the right tour for you. Remember, pick the tour group that you think can cater to your interests than just simply going with it because it’s affordable.

3. Perform Some Research. Although there’s no need to buy a travel guidebook, it’s important that you do some research before deciding which tour to take. Going through a reading material, or consulting a travel expert will surely provide you with valuable information, such as exchange rates, weather, language, peak and off-peak travel seasons, as well as flight availability, all of which you can use to plan your trip.

4. Review the Tour Group’s Terms and Conditions. Lastly, read through your prospective tour’s terms and conditions. It is here that you’ll find extra information about your meals, excursions, transportation and tipping. Make sure that you have this pertinent information before your choose and book your tour.

Choosing the right tour group for you can be a pretty challenging undertaking, but by following the aforementioned tips, you’ll surely be able to pick a tour group that suits both your interests and travel needs.

 

Most people assume that the best flight deals are prevalent only when booking months to a year in advance, but there are actually some surprisingly good travel deals in last minute bookings. With patience and some research, scoring a cheap last-minute travel deal can be a piece of cake.

1. Be Flexible. Most last-minute deals arise when hotels and airlines need to fill in their remaining rooms and seats, which makes it easier to find bargains. These deals are often available on weekdays and off-season travels.

2. Check Last-Minute Vacation Sites. Visiting last-minute vacation websites is another way to get good discounts on airfare and hotel room charges. Check out sites like LastMinute.com and VacationstoGo.com to save up to 70 percent on your travel expenses.

3. Look for Last-Minute Hotel Deals. Most hotels run promotion deals that can last for weeks, or even a whole season. Depending on the hotel offer’s terms and conditions, you can save more—aside from the promo discounts—through memberships in loyalty organizations. For hotels with bigger chains, check for discounted deals both in their main and local sites. Also, don’t hesitate to ask if the hotel runs an unadvertised special promo or if they are willing to make last-minute deal to fill their empty rooms.

4. Plan Ahead. While this may sound contradictory, most savvy travellers actually plan their last-minute travels ahead of time. They manage to stay on top of several deals by signing up for email notifications and special offer e-newsletters from various airlines, hotels, credit card companies, and travel planning sites. Some also perform a little research to avoid booking trips during seasons where prices are sky-high.

5. Decide Fast, But Pay Attention As Well. The best way to snag great travel deals is to book them as soon as you see them. Just be sure that you’ve read the small prints and fully understood what you’d be getting for your money.

Last-minute bookings also have their fair share of great travel deals. However, do plan ahead every time you decide to go on a last-minute travel so you’ll also have good travel options to choose from.