Travel to Thailand

Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia its capital city is Bangkok. It is known for its lush tropical climate, great food, friendly locals and fantastic tourist destinations no wonder it is one of the most visited places in Asia. If you plan to visit Thailand for the holidays then be prepared to know the basic about this wonderful country. Plan your visit ahead so you will have a stress free journey. Here are several things to remember for your trip to Thailand:

1.      Thailand is made up of five cultural regions: Northern Thailand (with Chiang Mai and the famous Golden Triangle), Isaan, Central Thailand (Bangkok and a part of historic Thailand, Eastern Thailand (fantastic beaches, islands like Pattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang) and Southern Thailand (with kilometers of rainforests, beaches and beautiful islands on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand; you can also find beautiful beaches in Southern Thailand like Phuket, Ko Tao and Ko Samui)

2.      You do not need to have a visa to enter Thailand if you are from an ASEAN country, Australia, Canada, EU countries, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia and the United States. You may check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latest updates on visa and immigration rules. 

3.      Expect a warm weather when you visit Thailand. The tropical weather of the entire country makes it one of the most popular winter destinations of people from Western countries. Avoid visiting the country during July and October when it gets rainy. The peak rainy season is from May to October with the off season from November to February. (Thailand Holiday 2013)

4.      Popular places to visit in Thailand are Ko Chang Island, Tarutao National Park in Ko Lipe, the island beach of Ko Samet, Khao Sok National Park, Khao Yai National Park, the beaches of Krabi Province and the paradise island of Phuket. 

5.      You can get around Thailand through plane, train, by bus (BKS) a songthaew (a truck-based vehicle like a jeepney), tuk-tuk (three-wheeled vehicles), by taxi, by motor bike, by rental car and by boat.

6.      You need an interpreter, a guide book and maps for your visit to Thailand. English is understood but not widely spoken in cities and near tourist destinations. It would be great to have a guide speak on your behalf as you buy souvenirs, go to different tourist destinations and of course to help you find your way.

Travel to Indonesia

Indonesia is a country located in Southeast Asia and its capital is Jakarta. It has 18,110 islands and is officially the largest archipelago in the world. If you plan to visit Indonesia for a vacation or for the holidays then you are headed for adventure heaven! There are so many spectacular things to do in Indonesia and your ticket starts by learning all about its people, culture and a bit about its geography. Here are some important things to remember when you visit enchanting Indonesia:

1.      There are 8 main regions of Indonesia and are as follows: Sumatra (the 6^th largest island in the planet), Kalimantan (Borneo and the 3^rd largest island in the world), Java which includes Jakarta, Bali where beaches reign supreme, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku (Moluccas) the popular Spice Islands and Papua with rainforests, wilderness and mountain regions. 

2.      You can get to Indonesia through a visa waiver (applies to a few countries and ASEAN countries), visa on arrival or visa in advance from an Indonesian embassy. Check for visa rules and immigration policies through the country’s foreign affairs website. 

3.      Indonesia has a very warm weather; there are no seasons in this tropical country although most tourists prefer to avoid visiting Indonesia during the rainy season which is from November to March. 

4.      Places to visit in Indonesia are scattered from one island to another. You simply do not have time to visit the entire country in a week or even a month! Here are popular destinations and activities: trekking at Baliem Valley, visiting the Borobudur Temples in Central Java, scuba diving in Bunaken, a visit at the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra, visit the Komodo dragon at the Komodo National Park, visiting Lake Toba, Gili Islands, Mount Rinjani, the Bromo-Tenger-Semeru National Park and so much more. 

5.      To get around Indonesia you can ride a plane from island to island, by boat or ferry, shuttle services by bus, by train (PT Kereta Api), by rental car, by becak or a tricycle or by ojek, a popular bike or motorcycle taxis. 

6.      Most of the people in Indonesia speak Bahasa Indonesia while English may also be spoken in major cities and near tourist destinations. You may want to bring a guide book and a map so you can better understand locals and be sure where you intend to go. You may also hire someone to be your guide and interpreter for a price.

Travel to Malaysia

Malaysia is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia and its capital is Kuala Lumpur. If you plan to travel to Malaysia for the holidays then this could be the most unforgettable trip ever. There are so many places to visit and tour in Malaysia and not just in the capital city. Everywhere in Malaysia there is life, beauty and energy; and before you could actually visit Malaysia here are some important things to remember so you could have a pleasant and relaxing trip:

1.      Malaysia is a country divided in to two regions: Peninsular Malaysia with the West Coast where you can find the more developed side of Peninsular Malaysia (Kedah, Malacca, Negeri, Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor) this is also where Kuala Lumpur is and the new Putrajaya, the East Coast which is made up of traditional Muslim residents and the South with the state of Johor and a large area of plantations. East Malaysia on the other hand is made up of Sabah where Mount Kinabalu is and Sarawak where there are jungles and national parks. 

2.      Most nationalities are not required to have a visa to enter Malaysia however there will be a 14, 30 or 90 day entry permit issued upon entry stamped on their passports. It is best to visit the immigration Department of Malaysia or the Malayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for details of new visa and immigration laws. 

3.  Malaysia has a tropical climate and you can guarantee perfect climate whole year round however, the Monsoon season from November to February could bring scattered to heavy rains in region so it is best to plan your visit very well. 

4.    There are so many places to visit in Malaysia and the most popular are the Cameron Highlands, Kinabalu National Park, Langkawi beaches, Penang islands, Perhentian Islands, Redang for scuba diving, the rainforests of Taman Negara National Park, and the islands in Tioman. 

5.      There are many ways to get around Malaysia and the most popular ways are by train, by bus, by plane or by boat with ferry rides connecting other Malaysian regions and even Malaysia to other countries in the Southeast. 

6.   You may need a guide book, maps and translation guide since the official language in Malaysia is Malay. Although English is compulsory in schools, it may only be spoken in larger cities and near tourist attractions. You may want to hire a tour guide and an interpreter when you visit Malaysia.

10 Best Places to Visit in Asia

Here are 10 best places to visit in Asia; be sure to include these in your next travel itineraries so you can experience the marvel and enchantment that is uniquely Asia:

1.    Suzhou, China – named as the “Venice of the Orient” with the most romantic canal cruise ever in Asia. Aside from the canal tours and boats, Suzhou is also known for its gardens which are not just breathtaking but are the most aristocratic gardens ever built anywhere in Asia. From Shanghai, it takes a day to get to Suzhou but the wait is certainly worth it. 

2.  Osaka, Japan – there are many amazing historical structures and wonderful landscapes when you visit Osaka. Tourists also admire this city for its friendly residents, delicious food and its fun and energetic night life. 

3.    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – there are so many beautiful colonial buildings, structures and war memorials when you visit Ho Chi Minh City. The people are friendly, the food is super delicious and cheap too, plus there are so many interesting finds in market places and shopping districts. 

4.    Lubang Prabang, Laos – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its beautiful and bustling market places, cafes, delectable dishes and of course friendly and accommodating locals. 

5.    Kathmandu, Nepal – the city in the heart of the Himalayas. It is the capital of Nepal and is home to opulent palaces, government buildings and luxurious hotels. 

6.   Beijing, China – everywhere you look in Beijing, there are structures and buildings that are historical and artistic in nature; there are temples, palaces, memorials, gardens, museums and many more. There are so many places to tour, visit, relax and eat. Savor delicious Chinese dishes at markets and find the best souvenir to take home as well. 

7.    Hong Kong, China – Hong Kong is shopper’s heaven with high end shops, wonderful eating and relaxation facilities plus there are so many historical and cultural places to go you will never finish everything in a day.

8.    Singapore, Singapore – the cleanest and the most environment friendly city in the world; it is also home to beautiful tourist destinations, five-star hotels, zoos, amusement parks and shopping districts. There are so many things to do in Singapore; you simply have to go to experience it all. 

9.  Jaipur, India – one of the most visited cities in India and is one of the busiest with business, residential and shopping districts. You have to visit during the Kite Festival or the Elephant Festival to really experience Jaipur. 

10.Melaka , Malaysia -Malaysia is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia and its capital is Kuala Lumpur. If you plan to travel to Malaysia for the holidays then this could be the most unforgettable trip ever. There are so many places to visit and tour in Malaysia and not just in the capital city. Everywhere in Malaysia there is life, beauty and energy; and before you could actually visit Malaysia here are some important things to remember so you could have a pleasant and .