Thai People and Living in Koh Samui – 19

Posted on December 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

I would be making a mistake if I put all Thai people within the same category and say that they are all alike. However, the Thai people share certain similar characteristics that make me love the Thai people and living in Koh Samui.

Thai culture

Thai culture

I enjoy living in Koh Samui with these people because they are a relaxed and unhurried lot, it would seem as if it is their nature to be gentle and polite. Thais attach a lot of importance to good food, friends, family members and community living, which makes them very friendly towards foreigners. They are also a fun loving and peace loving people, who are both reasonable and sensible, conforming to established rules and laws, and very tolerant of outsiders. If you find yourself in Koh Samui, you are sure to find yourself warmly welcomed and accepted.

 I also cannot help appreciating the Thai love for food since I share it. The Thai people not only eat well, but also make sure that you do the same. The most common question asked in Koh Samui is if you have eaten. Surprisingly, the Thai people hardly get fat although they snack all the time.

The best feature of Koh Samui is the abundant availability of food stalls, where delicious snacks are offered throughout the day. The most popular Thai breakfast is jok, which is a type of rice porridge served with pieces of pork and eggs. Other popular Thai dishes are khanom krok, which is a type of rice and coconut pudding; pad Thai, which is a dish of lightly fried noodles and ba mee, which means egg noodle soup.

I love living in Koh Samui with the Thai people not only because of their delightful nature, but also because Koh Samui offers great shopping locations, entertainment centres, food stalls and restaurants. The only downside is that you cannot expect to live in a 100 percent Thai community because a large percent of the population of Koh Samui comprises expatriates. Learn more about Thailand including Bangkok Travel for visitors to the country.

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Summertime in Prague – 18

Posted on November 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

Prague is a magnificent city to visit if you are touring Europe, but becomes particularly delightful if you happen to be visiting during the summer. For me, this warm season is my favourite time of the year since I get to see the picturesque city of Prague in bloom. One of my favourite things to do during the summer is to visit the many parks in Prague and have a picnic with my family.

Prague summers

Prague summers

During the summer, the countryside is abloom with flowers and the parks are full of locals and tourists out to enjoy the warm weather and have a picnic under the trees. Places like the Imperial Gardens are only open during this season and is a very popular place to visit. Indeed, summer is the best time to see Prague in all its splendour and tourists throng to the city during the months of August and September.

Prague also features several events during this season to take advantage of the hike in tourist traffic and the good weather. During this time, you will be able to participate in several open air events and even dine outside on restaurant terraces or sip creamy coffees at one of the roadside cafes.

Some of the activities I would recommend if you are visiting to the city for the first time, include hiring a bike and going on a cycling tour of the region. If you are an adventurous person who likes activities like trekking, the city has many walking tours to choose from.

Interesting attractions that you can visit while in Prague include Petrin Tower, which will give you the best view of the city, Charles Bridge which is near Prague Castle and the Jewish Quarter which houses a quaint old Jewish Cemetery. You can also op to go on a ride on the Funicular.

W have stayed in Prague very year for the last 10 years and always use Holiday Velvet rentals. They offer Prague and Rome apartments for short term stays.

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Oaxaca, Mexico – Further afield – 17

Posted on October 18, 2010 | Leave a comment
Oaxaca Mexico

Oaxaca Mexico

Visitors to Oaxaca, which is pronounced as “wah-hah-ka,” will find no dearth of new and exciting travel ideas, given that they have the required creativity, time and the willingness to experience this unique place.

The fifth largest state in Mexico, Oaxaca is flanked by the Chiapas in the east, the Guerrero in the west, the Puebla and the Veracruz in the north and 316 miles of Pacific coastline in the south. The state is surrounded by the magnificent Sierra Madre del Sur and is, therefore, a paradise for nature lovers.

Renowned as the culinary capital of Mexico, Oaxaca is the best vacation destination not only for nature lovers, but also for gourmets. If you are a food enthusiast, who has just landed in Oaxaca, start your vacation by eating, taking cooking classes and trying to unravel the mysteries of Mexican cuisine. For instance, the most exciting dish happens to be mole, a traditional sauce made by grinding together thirty ingredients.

If you want the authentic Mexican experience, you will have come to the right place because Oaxaca is a great place to observe local farmers and artisans at work, weaving fabrics, making pots, or carving wood. This place is home to many great handicraft villages known for their wool weaving, black pottery, carved wooden animals and embroidered dresses.

You must also take the time to visit places of attraction such as the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, Catedral de Oaxaca and others. Oaxaca has some splendid museums and breathtakingly beautiful sixteenth-century churches.

You will never feel bored in Oaxaca as long as you take the time to appreciate its handicrafts, study authentic Mexican living, taste the culinary wonders of the place and enjoy its amazing beaches, monuments, museums and churches.

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Posted in Chill-out, Culture, Daring, Excitement, hot climate, Thrill Seeking

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Barcelona City Treasure Hunt – 16

Posted on April 28, 2010 | Leave a comment

I have travelled to over 40 countries and tried a variety of things but there are always new things and experiences to try. One of those new experiences I had came last week when I was in Barcelona, Spain with a a large groups of friends and one of the group pre-organised one of the corporate/stag/hen events you can try in Barcelona – the City Treasure Hunt. I had not considered doing this type of thing before as I haven’t tended to travel with that many people.

As a group of 16 we were split into four groups of 4 people and the organisers of the event and then given a map of the city and given our first clue to find the first location. It works such that you have to travel around the city of Barcelona and find certain information or clues to then find your

Barcelona City Treasure Hunt

Barcelona City Treasure Hunt

next location, as you race around the city against your fellow teams.

I wasn’t sure if it would actually be stressful running around a major city but it was great fun and as you go around you see your fellow teams and in a city which has such a good transportation system it is a great way to see the city. At the end of the Treasure Hunt there was a prize for the winning team and then it off to the bar for a bite to eat and a well deserved drink. You can organise Barcelona City Treasure Hunt events through BarcelonaAdventure.com and some other companies. You can also learn about Barcelona holiday accommodation online.

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Las Vegas for its day trips – 15

Posted on February 13, 2010 | 2 Comments

I went to Vegas a few months ago and I simply did not go to gamble. I have absolutely nothing against gambling at all and here in the UK I enjoy a flutter each year on the Grand National Horse race and a bit of money on the football. Visiting Vegas means the chance for some quite amazing day trips.

Vegas Day Trips I strongly recommend are the:

  • Grand Canyon Day tour
  • Death Valley
  • Red Rock  and
  • Hoover Dam

I recommend to stay in Las Vegas and thus you will be able to stay in a very nice hotel (and quite cheaply). In most hotels you can get picked up for the tours and a company such as Viatour.com or your hotel concierge can organise the fay trips.

Note: For the Grand Canyon trip you will have the chance to add-on the helicopter ride and/or the Skywalk.

Red Rock Vegas

Red Rock Vegas

Note: For Death Valley there are some months in the summer time when the tours are halted because it is simply too hot.

You can also of course enjoy what Vegas has to offer, with time in the evenings for a show or two and a good meal and few weeks. Many of the tours get you back to your hotel for 6-7pm. You can learn more about Las Vegas Tours and learn about the best hotels in Vegas. You can also find some cheap Las Vegas Hotels online.

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Abu Dhabi F1 2009 at the Yas Marina circuit – 14

Posted on September 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

The 2009 Abu Dhabi F1 grand prix takes plave on the 1st November 2009 and there is still time to get tickets for the event. Having previously taken place in Dubai, the 2009 UAE F1 will take place at the brand new and quite stunning Yas Marina Abu Dhabi F1 circuit.

The Abu Dhabi 2009 race will be the final race of the F1 year and one hopes that the championship will be as exciting last year, with the race decided on the final corner between Maasa and eventual winner Lewis Hamilton.

Abu Dhabi F1

Abu Dhabi F1

Already this year it has been fascinating with the KERS system dominating the top half of the field with the electronic system once again proving a Ross Braun masterpiece – with Jenson Button coming in 1st for the 3rd time in 4 races. The hotly debated KERS computerised system has seen the Braun team and Red Bull suddenly at the top of the field and Ferrari struggling.

You can read more about the F1 via Dubai travel and tours online and you can also find nearby Dubai accommodation apartments to book online for the event.

See you at the 2009 Abu Dhabi F1 grand prix!

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Taking a trip to Vatican City, in Rome – 13

Posted on July 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

I am very much a beach and coastal person myself BUT it would be wrong not to include a fair share of cultural and historical travel in the top 100 and this leads us to lucky number 13 and the Vatican.

The Vatican is unique in that it is a country within a city (Rome) of another country (Italy). Add onto that the fact that

Vatican trips

Vatican trips

the head of the Catholic church resides there and also the benefits of being in Rome itself and this can be an attractive trip.

The area around the Vatican arguably has become very commercial with many souvenit shops selling religious insignia, but if you are interested in religious travel and historical travel then this has to be a trip worth considering.

You can learn a lot more about Vatican, Rome travel information online.

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Cuba: Visiting a cigar factory in Havana – 12

Posted on April 19, 2009 | 2 Comments

Aiming to visit a country such as Cuba and make it to a cigar factory in Havana, is not perhaps up there witth thrill seeking and adrenaline rushing travel. In terms of a cultural experience and holiday or vacation to remember though, heading to Cuba is a wonderful option.

There are still certain restrictions and the best way can often be to head to Cuba as part of a package tour. I asm not a

Cuba and Havana travel

Cuba and Havana travel

great fan of package tours but at the time of writing, and being based in England, by far the easiest way to visit Cuba is with a company such as First Choice Holidays or Virgin Holidays.

As well as a tour of a cigar factory, there are some quite stunning beaches, excellent Cuban food and some very vibrant and catchy music, including Jazz Cubano. You can learn more about Traveling to Cuba

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Art Deco sauna in Amsterdam – 11

Posted on February 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

In tough economic times and in the heart of winter, a few hours or even a long weekends holiday mixed with a few days of sauna and massage is a great travel idea. There are many excellent spa facilities  worldwide and in a city such as Amsterdam, Holland the saunas in their own rights can often be very classy.

One of my favourite’s in Amsterdam is Art Deco sauna based near to the city centre and located specificaly at Herengracht 115. A great way to combine a relaxation or wellness trip is to:

  • Do some tours in the daytime. Visit the Amstel museum or one of the excellent museums.
  • Enjoy 2 or 3 hours in a venue such as Art Deco sauna in Amsterdam.
  • Then head to one of the excellent bars ot restuarants locally.
Saunas in Amsterdam.

Saunas in Amsterdam.

In a venue such as Art decon sauna you can also combine a massage or floatation tank session. Relaxation is number 11 for 1000 travel ideas!

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Posted in Chill-out, Holland, Relaxation, Wellness

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Xmas Shopping in NYC – 10

Posted on December 3, 2008 | Leave a comment

NYC is a very popular place and it deserves a place in this top 1000 Travel Ideas. NYC is a wonderful place any time of year but in winter time and specifically at Christmas time there is a wonderful atmosphere in this city.

It is cold in NYC December time but ice-skating at the Rockafella Center or in Central Park add to the possibities and what a place to shop for Xmas presents? Some ideas for places to shop include:

  • Macy’s
  • Bronx Market
  • The Strand Bookshop
  • J&R Music
  • The length of Broadway has literally undreds of shops. Just walk up and down Broadway.

 If you have never been to NYC – why not? If you do go to NYC accommodation in NYC

NYC Cafes

NYC Cafes

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