Thailand

Thailand is a perfect honeymoon destination with its tropical climate, beautiful beaches and exotic cultural heritage. Experience tradition by visiting Bangkok’s many temples dating back over a thousand years, go explore the world’s only floating market of the Karan people and enjoy a traditional dance show like no other. If you’re looking for a more relaxing honeymoon head to Phucket, which is home to many scenic beaches and exotic getaways such as Similan Island, Coral Island and Phromthep Cape. Alternately, Pattya is also famous for its alluring beaches and astounding attractions, such as Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Khork Island.

Philippines

The Philippines are a less expensive Asian choice, but still a fantastic honeymoon destination. There are many packages available that whisk you away to three fabulous locations: Boracay, Palawan and Samal Island. Boracay provides a luxurious experience and is renowned for its stunning white sandy beaches which stretch over nine kilometres. Palawan offers a historic trip through two World Heritage Sites: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. On Samal Island you can explore Pearl Farm, which has been identified as a protected fish sanctuary, and an outstanding place to go snorkelling.

Vietnam

With attractions such as the Valley of Love and the Lake of Sighs it is hardly surprising that Vietnam is a perfect honeymoon destination. The long, elegant country stretches two thousand kilometres from its border with China down to the Mekong Delta in the south. You will be in awe of the natural beauty of the country; the Red River Delta, the Mekong Delta and a lot of the coast is an infinite sea of bright green rice fields. Beautiful coastal beaches, soaring mountains and misty forests offer honeymooners the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Vietnam.

Japan

Japan is another great Asian honeymoon destination, and you will have an endless variety of places to visit and things to do. Excursions are offered to lively cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, luxurious hot spring packages provide pampering with assorted spa treatments, and travelling to the Lamp-No-Yada hideaway via bullet train offers a romantic getaway on the famous Japanese sea coast. A fantastic way to experience the area on your honeymoon is by taking a self-guided tour, which ensures your trip to Japan is tailor-made especially for you.

China

China is the ultimate discovery honeymoon. It is a country where ancient remnants can still be seen today, such as the Great Wall of China (which spans over four thousand kilometres and has been listed as a World Heritage Site), Terra Cotta Warriors, the Forbidden City and the Tiananmen Square. In your honeymoon plans you could also include a tour of the city of Beijing where you will meet the friendly locals, experience the regional customs and try the local cuisine at one of the neighbourhood teahouses. If a break from historic exploration and sight-seeing is needed, many Chinese hotels offer luxurious spa packages that allow you to enjoy a period of relaxation while you’re enjoying the beautiful sights in such a magnificent country.

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1. A Mekong cruising holiday through Vietnam and Cambodia:

One of the most innovative yet rarely used means of crossing from Vietnam through to Cambodia, a Mekong cruise is the best way to experience the scenery only offered by this stunning stretch of river and one of the most efficient uses of your holiday time! Most cruises will depart from Saigon and sail upstream though Vietnam and into Cambodia with all cruises terminating in Siem Reap, which is a perfect jumping of point of any tour of the world famous temples of Angkor. Whilst sailing this stretch of the Mekong you will have the opportunity to see the largest body of water in Asia at Tonle Sap lake which is home to many floating villages and numerous communities that work and live on the lake itself. Whilst sailing down the river you can also choose to visit the famous markets of Chau Doc and Cai Be as well as the mysterious temples of Kampong Cham! Sightseeing aside, the journey down this peaceful and beautiful stretch of coastline is worth any investment – the sunsets can be particularly special. Prices will depend on the quality of boat the start and end date of your holiday.

2. Overnight boat stay at Halong Bay:

Many travellers choose to shun the overnight experience in place of a quick day trip or choose to spend the night in Halong town. If you are looking for the consummate Vietnam and Cambodia holiday then an overnight stay at Halong Bay is a real must. Just a 2-3 hour drive from Hanoi, Halong Bay is by no means too out of the way and certainly worth the effort. It is essential that you book with a respectable tour operator that can offer reassurance as to the quality of the boat. This aside, the overnight experience is incredible; watching the sun set over the glistening bay and fall behind the limestone rocks that dot the bay. All whilst you are savoring, what is normally local seafood and fresh produce. Many people often take this opportunity to get wet by taking a dip in the bay itself! Some selected operators can also offer special touches such as an overnight dinner in a limestone cave or a chance to explore some of the limestone outcrops by foot. Whatever your holiday plans this is a great addition that can be squeezed into most itineraries.

3. Trekking in Sapa:

Why not venture north to the mountainous northern regions of Vietnam. Although it can get quite cool through the months of November to March (15-20 degrees Celsius by day but can fall to 6 degrees Celsius at night) the scenery and way of life a unmatched anywhere else in Vietnam, or South East Asia. One of the ideal ways of making the journey is from Hanoi via train to Sapa; preferably overnight which takes around 8 hours. Although Sapa is not the most attractive town you are likely to encounter, the mountains and valley’s that can be accessed from Sapa are truly stunning. Trekking can be organised in advance from within Sapa town itself, but we would recommend booking with a respected tour operator prior to your departure. Accommodation is varied but where possible we would recommend staying in sustainable accommodation such as Topas Eco Lodge which supports the local community and offers breathtaking views, or other responsible guest houses and hotels. As well as mountain trekking you can also visit the traditional Red Dzong people and other ethnic minorities that are located in the region. Although not first ion the list for all holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia, if you’re at all interested in French Colonial history then a visit to the famous battle site of Dien Bien Phu (around three hour drive) is also worthwhile.

4. Hit the beach in Vietnam and Cambodia!

There is a view that holidaying to less conventional destinations such as Vietnam and Cambodia involves bus rides, laborious amounts of walking and listing to tour guides. However, just because you’re holidaying in Vietnam and Cambodia does not mean that you should miss the “typical” holiday experiences. Vietnam has an incredible coastline. As well as Halong Bay the country also offers beaches that are easily comparable to those found in Thailand. Indeed within Vietnam one of the most popular beaches is China beach, just outside Danang. This beach comes with all the fixtures and fittings of Western beaches and resorts with rolling white sands, cafe’s, bars and a vibrant nightlife. Or why not venture out to the island of Phu Quoc which offers incredible diving and high end hotels and resorts frequented by Saigon’s rich and famous. Through Cambodia the ancient towns of Kep and Kampot (around 3-4 hour drive from Phnom Penh) offer some fascinating relics from the French colonial era in the form of crumbling French chateau’s and villa’s complimented by a fantastic coastline and lush forest. Although hotels are thin on the ground a visit to Kep and Kampot will give a grater insight into the history of the country and provide a break from the norm. Whatever your holiday plans be sure to research widely, get a good travel agent or operator and, most of all, have fun.

The country is well known for its religiously influenced festivals held in the many provinces of the country. Here are some of the most colorful as well as pious celebrations in the Philippines:

The Procession of the Black Nazarene. Held each January, this is the procession where the centuries old Black Nazarene of Quiapo is paraded in the streets of Manila. Pilgrims from all over the country come barefoot to join the procession in the fervent hope that they be blessed with a miracle.

The Ati-atihan Festival. This is held in the island of Panay in the Visayas region every January. This fiesta is considered the greatest of all festivals in the country, as participants would cover themselves in black soot to commemorate the coming of the Child Jesus and Christianity to the native Atis of the island. Now, this festival showcase bright costumes as they dance on the streets to celebrate the coming of the Savior.

The Sinulog Festival. This is also held in January in the southern island of Cebu. This is also a celebration of the coming of Christianity to the country and features costumed revelers dancing to drum beats, trumpets and native gongs. All this is also done to honor the Sto Nino or Infant Jesus blessing their island.

The Moriones Festival. Held in another southern island, Marinduque during the Holy Week. This is a street play depicting the passion of Jesus Christ, with local participants wearing biblical inspired garb and masks.

The Pahiyas Festival. This one is held in one of the provinces in Luzon, namely Lucban, Quezon. This fiesta honor San Isidro, the town’s patron saint by townsfolk decorating their homes with local produce. The basic décor is called kiping, where leaves are fashioned out of rice starch.

The Panagbenga Festival. This is celebrated in cool Baguio in the northern area of the country. Here the participants garb carriages with flowers as floats celebrating the beauty of the region.

Aside from the celebrations, there are other scenic spots in the country that is well known throughout the world. While words would not be able to justify their innate beauty, a brief description as to their location is as follows:

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Located in the southern island of Bohol, these natural land undulation formations are called chocolate as they are colored brown due to the humidity of the region where they are located.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. This is one of the world’s heritage sites and is a national park featuring a river cave leading under the city of Puerto Princesa in the eastern island of Palawan;
The White Beaches of Boracay. Called as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world as its white sand beaches have been host to many expats and tourists. Located off the tip of the island of Aklan, the island of Boracay is now one of the most tourist populated areas in the country.

As you can see, the life of celebrations and scenery in the Philippines never ends. While there is a religious flavor to many of the festivals in the country, the local celebration would truly make attendance well worth the experience. Now with the scenery, the tourist is able to see paradise here on earth. With religion and paradise right in the Philippines, it is no wonder that the country is one of the prime destinations for tourists from the world over.

For a further understanding of tourism in the country, < A HREF=“http://www.expatforum.com/articles/visas-permits-and-immigration/plans-for-a-single-visa-for-southeast-asia-countries-unveiled.html” >Plans for a Single Visa for Southeast Asian Countries Unveiled< /A > please visit the author’s site < A HREF=“http:// www.expatforum.com /” >The Expat Forum< /A >

Just before making that booking, you have to determine the top travel agency which will present to you great rooms at affordable prices. Attempt to acquire an online hotel booking site which is from that place. Local agencies would be the more accustomed with the tourist industry in their area, which is an advantage in regards to giving excellent service to people. Moreover, local agencies consistently get to have first access on promotions and room savings within the hotels in that location.

You may now continue the business of deciding which hotel you would like to stay whilst you are on your Asia travel. Needless to say, the options are overwhelming; there you will find accommodations available for every person, for any type of price range. In the event you are looking for cheapest accommodations, you will find many of them in Asia. There are several of lodges and cheap hotels frequented by international travelers.

In the event that budget should not be a problem for you and you choose to acquire the world-class accommodation in the course of your stay in Asia, then you might want to consider a few of the continent’s best luxury hotels. If you are staying in Hong Kong, you would possibly want to book for a suite at The Mandarin Oriental, which gives you a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour. The hotel has around 501 rooms and suites, each geared up with benefits like the pillow menus and designer toiletries.

If you will be bound for Tokyo, Japan, then The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is really a place worthy of staying in. Included in the 2010 Gold List of Conde Naste Traveler, it is taken into account as one of the best hotels in Japan, with exceptional rooms offering dramatic views of Mount Fuji and the Imperial Palace.

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Hotels in Hong Kong and Discount Hotels in Asia

You can’t leave Asia without seeing the wonderful and exotic sights of India. India is an Asia travel hot spot for tourist because of its rich culture and beautiful architecture. One of the most impressive forms of architecture in India is the Taj Mahal, which is a famous mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Taj Mahal is often praised for its incredible beauty and stunning architecture that combines Persian, Islamic and Indian styles. The Taj Mahal took 21 years to build and was finally complete in 1653. The Taj Mahal is meant to be taken as a symbol of eternal love. It draws tourists in from all over the world to bask in its beauty and admire its architecture. If you really want to learn to appreciate Indian culture, you have to visit the Taj Mahal.

Russia also lies partially in Asia, and one of the most famous sites located in Russia is the Kremlin. Kremlin is a Russian word for “citadel” and the area is constructed in a way that is very similar to a fortress. The Kremlin is located in Moscow, Russia and is home to the famous Red Square, which holds Lenin’s Tomb, the Moscow Historical Museum, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Alexander Gardens. It is also home to one of the greatest feats in architecture, which is a fantastic building of the same name. You’ve probably seen this mausoleum before, but it’s a fantastic work of architecture featuring stunning colors and patterns that make it stand out among the other buildings in the area. If you are ever in Russia, you must visit the Kremlin before you go.

Finally, Tokyo, Japan is one of the biggest, bustling cities in Asia. Tokyo is a densely populated metropolis that is home to more than 13 million residents. Tokyo has a large, metropolitan economy and attracts shoppers from all over the world. The set-up of Tokyo is similar to that of New York City because it’s filled with lots of stores, lights, cars, big advertisements and lots and lots of people. Tokyo has become a major area for business because it constantly produces things like cars and electronics that Americans depend on every day. Tokyo has plenty of amusement parks, fine dining, high-quality dance clubs and bars that make it a great vacation spot for people all over the world. Since Tokyo is one of the biggest and most well-known cities in the world, you can’t leave without experiencing it for yourself.

All of the Asia travel destinations mentioned in this article are sure to make your trip to Asia a fulfilling, cultured and exciting adventure. Asia has years of history behind it that is just waiting to be shared and you can start enjoying some of this valuable history when you plan your trip to Asia.

About the author: Diane Johnson writes about a number of her interests including travel, shopping, and online classes.

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