Samui Tourist Attractions

Koh Samui is a beautiful Thai island and is one of the most visited travel destinations of Thailand together with Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

There are plenty of things to do and places to visit for tourists. If you are planning a trip to Samui should definitely visit some of the wonderful tourist attractions listed further on in this article. Have a great time on this beautiful holiday island and be sure to visit some of the places listed here.

Beaches

If you love the beach then you certainly will have an amazing time on Koh Samui. Some of the finest Thai beaches are located on this tropical island. Some of the beaches that you should definitely visit during your vacation include Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha Beach and Lamai Beach.

Big Buddha Statue

The most famous attraction is most certainly the Big Buddha statue. The golden Buddha statue is twelve meters in length and is adjacent to a temple and various different Buddhist shrines. If you would like to visit it then please head down to route 4171 and go the direction to the airport.

Butterfly Garden

One of the most tranquil and unspoiled places on Samui is the butterfly garden. This magnificent attraction is home to large variety of butterflies and is open daily for visitors from 08:30 until 17:30.

Aquarium and Tiger Zoo

If you are traveling with your children then you should definitely take them to the aquarium and tiger zoo as they will have a wonderful time. There are a variety of daily shows which include shows with birds, tigers and even sharks. The Aquarium & Tiger Zoo is open every day of the week from 09:00 until 18:00.

Snake Farm

If you are interested in seeing a snake show involving King Cobras then head down to the Samui snake farm. Not only can visitors view a variety of venomous snakes but also dangerous centipedes and scorpions. The King Cobra shows start every day at 11:00 and 14:00.

Waterfalls

There are a number of remarkable waterfalls which you can visit during your holiday. The most popular waterfalls on Samui are Hin Lat and Na Muang and you can swim at both locations.

James is travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide which includes an excellent section on Phuket Laguna.

Travelling Europe by Rail - Things to Know Before You Go

Most people have in their long term travel view,a plan to explore Europe. One of the best ways I have found to cover the European continent is by rail. Depending on when you wish to travel, how much time you have for your vacation and how quickly you want to get from place to place will determine which type of train travel is best.

Most European high-speed trains now require you to reserve a seat and if you hold a rail pass usually the seat reservation cost is reduced. However getting the actual train that you want at your preferred time of departure can be the challenge.

Sometimes buying a point to point ticket can work out to be cheaper or a pretty similar price. For example in Italy you can travel from Rome to Florence to Venice picking up cheaper point to point tickets depending on the time of day you travel. If however you want lots of flexibility, and like to get off the beaten track then an Europe rail pass maybe just what you need.

A rail pass is certainly a great way to explore Europe as all passes allow unlimited travel within specified validity boundaries, on the national rail networks of a particular country. Because European countries' passes can vary you just need to be vigilant and check how long the pass is valid for (usually ranges from 15 days to 2 months) and the number of days that are allowed for actual travel (usually between 3 and 10 days).

Deciding how you want to get from place to place in Europe is the next thing. Do you want to go high speed like the ICE train in Germany which can reach speeds of 300 kilometers per hour or, take the slower option on regional trains like Trenitalia in Italy?

European high speed trains have a big advantage in that they are more direct, linking greater distances and reducing travel times by about one third that of regional trains. They also offer more flexibility, more frequent services, more comfort, but are also more expensive and a reservation is a must. Regional train services in Europe are of course cheaper and tend to include more stops and are less direct (maybe a need for train changes). They usually have the older style carriages with compartments that hold 6-8 people but on the plus side you generally do not need to make a reservation.

I have traveled on both high speed and regional trains in Europe and loved both. It really comes down to the amount of time you have to explore, but combining your train travel with a bargain airfare or, depending on your needs even first class airfares, traveling Europe can be a real trip experience.

Game Drive in Selous

The Selous National Park in Tanzania is the largest protected area of it's kind in Africa. Covering an area the size of Belgium, Selous is a UNESO World Heritage Site. Running through Selous is the Rufiji River and it is along its banks that many of the safari camps of Selous are located. The river is fed by lakes and lagoons all of which are focal points for safaris in Selous.

Most of the safari camps in and around Selous Game Reserve offer their guests of choices of three types of safari; game drives, boat safaris and walking safaris. Boat and walking safaris are both excellent options but it is the traditional game drives that are most popular.

Open safari vehicles are driven by an experienced guide who points out various animals that you almost certainly wouldn't even notice. The guide will also give you the names of the colourful birds and other animals that you come across. The "Big Five" (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino) can be found in Selous Game Reserve but remember that this is wild Africa, not a zoo so it is by no means certain that you will see all of the "Big Five".

Unlike Europe where we have 4 distinct seasons, Selous has a wet and a dry season. The dry season starts in June and lasts until November and it is during this period that game viewing is at its best. The water holes have dried up so wildlife makes for the lakes and lagoons and there is also less foliage which mean that spotting game and birds is much easier. It is also the best time to see the larger predators.

The wet season covers the rest of the year and although the early part of the wet season between December and February, game viewing can still be good but it can feel very humid. For bird watchers, January to May is the best time to visit the Selous although the rains can make some roads impassable and many lodges and camps are closed between March and May.

Selous Game Reserve also boast around a third of the African Wild Dog population. The Wild Dog is critically endangered with around 1,300 of them living in Selous. Also known as "Painted Dogs", they are social animals and hunt as a pack.

The lakes in Selous attract a wide range of birdlife with the majestic Fish Eagle being the favourite of many people. Its call is as distinctive as is white head and can be seen perched high in the trees close to the lake or soaring high in the sky. As well as storks, heron and other wading birds, the lakes are also home to crocodiles and Africa's most dangerous animal, the hippo. Occasionally, you will see hippo out of the water during the day but usually they are resting with their heads bobbing on the surface.

Visitors really need a minimum of 3 nights to ensure they have the opportunity to see the magnificent wildlife that the Selous Game Reserve has to offer.

Rob Atherton
Explorer Travel
http://www.big5.explorertravel.co.uk/SelousGameReserve.htm

Top 5 Beach Experiences in Thailand

Australia is reputed to have one of the strongest beach cultures in the world, but many Australians still choose to travel to Thailand to experience their beaches. Although there have been some suggestions that Thai beaches are not as safe as Australia's, and many tourists suggesting that ordinary travel insurance will not be sufficient, this is largely an exaggeration.

Of course, the main difference is that Thai beaches do not offer the same rolling surf that can be expected in Australia. Instead, you can look forward to peaceful tree-lined tropical beaches, with pure white sand and friendly locals that will make your stay a magical one.

As with all tourist destinations, choosing the top five beaches in Thailand is a near impossible task, but we will try to narrow it down so you can plan your holiday with at least a little more certainty. And you won't have to worry about your travel insurance being in adequate!

• Phuket. This is possibly the most famous Thai beach destination for Australians attracting tens of thousands every year. Despite its popularity however it is not the most peaceful destination but it is certainly the most developed. Some tourists appreciate the choice of accommodation and the nightlife but if this is not your scene you can give it a miss. Nevertheless it needs to be included in the top five list because of its reputation and popularity.


• Songkhla. This is a virtually unknown beach destination located in the deep south. It consists of a beautiful beach punctuated by rocky outcrops and tropical jungle. And lack of tourists is the main attraction in this area but there is limited accommodation. As far as other attractions are concerned you can visit nearby temples and still enjoy the wonderful food distributed by the many street vendors. If you're looking for peace, serenity and quiet then this is the destination for you.


• Lamai Beach. Located just south of Chaweng, this sparsely populated area is attractive to those in the know. It is not quite as remote as Songkhla, and has a much wider choice of accommodation and nightlife. The beach is beautiful and relaxing making Lamai a great choice for those wanting a beach without the crowds, but still with a semi-tourists feel to make your stay a comfortable one.


• Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Ley.This beautiful beach is often described as the most picturesque in Thailand. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and nestled in a small bay, the beach is the perfect place to completely unwind in natural surroundings. Although it is a little remote, you won't have to worry about your holiday insurance being inadequate!


• Ko Chang. A long-time popular destination for backpackers, many other tourists have now joined in the throng of tourists who visit the west side of the island. With beautiful white sand and gentle sloping hills, all set against a backdrop of coconut palms, this is a quiet haven for tourists who are not afraid to get off the beaten track.

So, from the many hundreds of choices, we have narrowed your search down to five Thai beaches any tourist will enjoy.

Save money on your travel insurance today. For a free quote, visit Cheap Travel Insurance.

Halong Bay, Vietnam - A World Heritage Site

Halong Bay in Vietnam is a world heritage site. Most of the tourists who come to Vietnam mainly visit this place. It is located on the Gulf of Tonkin and on the South China Sea. It is very much a part of the ocean, but the waters are surprisingly calm and they are in emerald green in color. There are nearly 2000 islands on this stretch of the gulf. People who have visited places like Ghulin in China and Phuket in Thailand will definitely enjoy Halong Bay.

The rich heritage value has made it an extremely popular place to visit on tourist maps. Previously, it was quite difficult to reach here. However, today this part of Vietnam is well connected. It is located 170 kilometers from Hanoi. There are two ferries that take you to the bay. You can also directly go to Halong Bay using the bus route. When you go by road to the bay, on the way you will find explicit sceneries, paddy fields, and get a glimpse of the daily lives of Vietnamese right before your eyes. Vietnamese claim that one cannot have visited Vietnam if they have not been to Halong Bay.

There are several beach destinations in the world, but Halong Bay is the most unique one. Most of the islands across the bay are inhabited, but some are occupied. Tourists have quite a few options to stay in the most exotic of resorts. The marine life in the bay is diverse and special. There are very few places on earth where you witness such richness in the form of coral reefs.

About Author:
Kum Martin is an online leading expert in travel industry. He also offers top quality articles like:
Cambodia Travel Guide
Indonesia History Timeline

Asia Travel, Cheaper Flights to Kuala Lupur and Singapore

Currently for those on a tight budget, one of the ways to save money is to fly from KL to Johor Bahru, and then to travel overland to Singapore. This adds around 1 hour to the time to complete the trip into downtown Singapore, as you need to deal with the hassles of organizing a taxi or bus into Singapore. This detour is pretty straight forward after you have done it once, but a bit daunting, for newcomers to the route, with the biggest complaint being a lack of adequate, maps, signage or an impartial information desk to explain the process at Senai Airport. You also need to queue for a while at the Singapore border.

New rules will allow flights between the two cities which should start in Dec or January, and it is expected that there will be two flights a day by the low cost air carries Currently flights between Singapore and KL are available on Singapore Air and Malaysia Air, but the flights are premium priced, there is a real incentive to pay the extra as the train system, especially in Singapore, is really easy to use, and the cheapest and fastest way to move around Singapore regardless of the street traffic.

Speculation is that there will be a lot of interest by the governments of other capitol cites in region, that currently have restrictive polices on access, mainly to protect their flag carriers from value airlines like Tiger Air and Air Asia, two of the stronger regional budget airlines operating in the Asia region. Indonesia and its capitol city of Jakarta, it is hopeful, will see the advantages and create an atmosphere that encourages the budget carriers to operate, which will create more opportunities for business to flourish in the southern Asian region.

Recently between the cities with a stop to do some lets say scuba diving in Sipadan, it was very clear that something was remiss in that you could not fly from Singapore to Sipadan * to KL, but needed to fly either into Johor Bahru or KL, and add another flight segment or overland detour. You can bet that many travelers, through the southern Asian region would like to be able to book itineraries that could look like Bangkok to Phuket Thailand, to KL Malaysia to Sipadan in Borneo to Angeles City or Manila in the Philippines, to Singapore, to Bali Indonesia, back to Bangkok. Which would be a great smorgasbord of all that the region offers; if you could get that as a 5 to 10 stop package I think you would have a real winner for Asia visitors.

Fred Tittle has lived and worked in holiday vacation resorts his entire life, from Lake Geneva's Playboy Club, as a rock jock for KSPN FM in Aspen Colorado, he became a PADI Pro Scuba Diver in Hawaii, diving on Maui, Kauai, Kona on the big island, and Waikiki on Oahu. He founded EcoSea Dive in Sihanoukville Cambodia. He teaches SSI and PADI scuba diving courses and runs liveaboards in the gulf of Thailand and Asia adventure tours, http://www.ecosea.com

Fred's new project http://www.CheapCharliesHotels.com where he reviews cheap hotels, budget guesthouses, discount accommodations and really cheap Asian flights, but is really an excuse to go scuba diving on vacation more, Fred is in Phnom Penh Cambodia with a trip to Saigon and scuba diving in Nha Trang Vietnam up next.

Bernard Hotel in Malta - A Haven at the Center of Malta

If you want to relax and feel a serene and soothing atmosphere with your family or loved ones, spending a vacation with one of the hotels in Malta is just the right thing to do. You need not search all the hotels located in Malta to know which offers the best accommodation and service. Bernard Hotel has everything that all tourists, guests and visitors would aspire for.

This Malta hotel is situated at the center of the main tourist resort in Malta, which is St. Julian's, and occupies a position giving you easy access to best entertainment, tourist and leisure center in Malta and is just 50 meters away to scenic and vibrant beach of St. George Bay. If you want to enjoy the best beaches in the world, all you need is a few minutes walk from the hotel. It is close to the other town of Sliema and is 12 kilometers away from the International Airport of Malta. It is located on the doorsteps of a cinema complex, theater, restaurants and dining places, recreational centers, theme bars and shopping center. From the beaches to the entertainment centers, everything is so near when you stay in the Bernard Hotel.

Your Malta holiday will never be as good as when you spend it with this malta hotel. Its accessible and convenient location sets this Malta hotel from the rest, coupled with its modern facilities and amenities. When you stay at the rooms of the hotel, you will never miss home because the rooms provide a heavenly feeling just like home. This Malta hotel is composed of 87 rooms and suites and each room is designed to match every person's taste for an elegant and classy ambiance and is furnished with modern and contemporary vision. Every room has a bathroom, air-conditioning, a cabled television, a direct dial telephone, hair dryer, tea and coffee making facilities and a safety deposit box. Depending on your choice, rooms may have its own balcony and terrace and a Wi-Fi Internet connection. There is also swimming pool on the rooftop of the building. For business and corporate activities, this Malta hotel has conference room that can accommodate 35 people.

This Malta hotel offers two food and beverage outlets - the Red Aroma Restaurant and O' Casey Irish Pub. The restaurant provides both buffet and ala carte dinner and covers local and international cuisine, from American dishes, to European and even Asian dishes. The pub, on the other hand, provides a range of beer and liquor selection showing a dynamic culture. The best thing with this Malta hotel is that it offers affordable prices for those who wish to enjoy a good accommodation in Malta. For a standard room with single occupancy, the hotel rate is EUR 44, while for double occupancy, the hotel rate would be EUR 58.

A convenient location, first-class facilities, quality customer service and staff, amenities for all your needs and accessibility to almost everywhere in St. Julians make this Malta hotel a great attraction for customers and clients offering the best accommodation and affordable rates. Book an accommodation at Bernard Hotel online now or ask your travel agent to do everything for you. You cannot just miss out a great experience that only Bernard Hotel can give.

If you are searching for Malta hotels, car hire in Malta and Malta tours, imaginamalta.com provides an extensive choice to choose from. Plan your complete Malta vacation with genuine Malta travel specialists and benefit from our competitive online rates.

Top Rated Dive Destinations Across the World

Diving is a very popular water sport today, with more and more people traveling the world over in search of the best reefs. Here is a list of the leading diving destinations worldwide.

Costa Del Sol, Spain
There are great diving opportunities along the entire coastline stretching downwards to Gibraltar to over 160km. The dive sites can be accessed from Fuebgirola and Benalmadena. The Costa tropical is one of the favorite dive sites for many in this destination, home to moonfish, dolphins, and scorpion fish.

Maldives
This destination is home to many wonderful dive sites; House Reef, Reethi Beach, Bat Fish, and Eagle Rays just to mention but a few. Most islands further offer great snorkeling opportunities. Diving in the Maldives is not for beginners, lest you get scared by the turtles swimming along next to you.

Thailand
Phuket in Thailand has arguably the best diving experiences, particularly in the Andaman Sea. If you wish to swim next to Manta Rays, Racha Noi South Point is the best place to visit. Shark point on the other hand offers you an opportunity to see Leopard Sharks and hidden scorpion fish hiding behind the corals.

Costa Rica
As you dive in these soothing waters in Central America, you get an opportunity to see rare fish species such as spade fish, cow-nose rays, and seahorse. There are organized day and night trips that you can take to explore the wonderful sights. With the sea hares and tube worms coming from the corals, Costa Rican waters come to life at night.

Dominican Republic- Punta Cana
Where else can you get the opportunity to experience the soothing Caribbean waters? Punta Cana is home to amazing corals, sponges, and shipwrecks, as well as many caves waiting for you to explore them. Diving at Punta Cana offers you an opportunity to dive with Nurse Sharks and Eagle Rays. The best time to visit Punta Cana is April through to September.

Hurghada, Egypt
This is a red sea beach resort known for offering diving lessons for beginners or those wishing to hone their diving skills. It boasts over 30 diving sites off the coast.

Marsa Alam, Egypt
Equally have spectacular snorkeling and diving opportunities with numerous tropical fish and marine species; sharks and sometimes even Dolphins. The place is less crowed than its counterparts, thus providing a great opportunity for exploring what it has on offer. Elphinstone reef is arguably the best dive site in this destination, spreading over 180m long and 20m wide. You get to explore purple and pink lions, and might even come across the rare Lion Fish.

Sri Lanka
There are also great diving opportunities in Sri Lanka, and many shipwrecks waiting for your exploration, the most popular one being Cargo Wreck, together with cleaner shrimps and thousands of fish. The ruin is always intact save for the propeller that shows you just how enormous the wreck is. You will be amazed by the many Lion Fish and Snappers rushing past you without even noticing your presence.

Akumal
The world's second longest barrier reef is located in the crystal clear waters just yards off the coast at Akumal, Mexico. There are several PADI certified dive shops in Akumal where you can book dive trips, get certified or rent equipment. The diving is world class and only a short trip from the US.

M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling.

You can rent our villa in Akumal and snorkel or dive on the reef just in front of the house.

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