Asia Travel Information Blog

Author by : Julian Ipsen

For some it may be an adventure, for tens of millions it is daily routine: a trip on the Chinese railway. China has one of the biggest and busiest railway networks in the world linking almost every Chinese city or town. The quality of trains “en route” is diverse like the country they are crossing: some are equipped with the latest technology; some have still Mao’s footprints on the carpet, all are relatively clean at the beginning of the trip.

The first obstacle the fearless train-traveler has to encounter is buying a ticket. During in the national Chinese holidays and the festival time the trains can be totally overcrowded. That means, not the trains but the train stations. The crowds in front of the station are a popular place for pickpockets. For a careless person the chance of arriving at the counter without a wallet is relatively high.

Author by : Andy Mills

To the east of Bournemouth, in the neighbouring county of Hampshire, lies the medieval royal hunting area of The New Forest. Created in 1079 by William the Conqueror, the landscape has remained largely unchanged and in 2005 was classified as a National Park.

Renowned for its free roaming ponies, the New Forest is a walker’s paradise and numerous books and leaflets describe circular and linear walks of varying length and difficulty allowing the visitor to both appreciate the beauty of the area and learn something of its history and origins.There are also guided walks all year round where you can explore the forest in the company of a local expert.

Author by : Charlotte Opperman

Mahe

Due to the way the international flights combine with the inter-island transfers, many trips start or finish with a night on the main island Mahe. We started our trip with a night at Sainte Anne Resort. This new hotel, owned and run by Beachcomber, is set on a tiny island just 10 minutes by ferry from Mahe. The 82 rooms are spread across the western and southern shores of the island and there are all the facilities you would expect from a Beachcomber hotel, from children’s club, to spa, indoor and outdoor gym, to a gorgeous infinity pool looking back towards Mahe. All in all, a very comfortable place to spend a few nights, or an ideal stop over before moving on to other islands.

Desroches

Author by : Andy Mills

If you happen to be visiting Weymouth, either for its beach or its shopping, it is worth travelling a little further and taking a trip to Portland.

The incredible journey takes you along a spectacular causeway with Portland Harbour to your left and the long stretch of pebbles that is Chesil Beach to your right, before climbing the steep hill on the Isle of Portland. Stop off at the sign-posted viewpoint and you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the causeway, coast, harbour and beyond.

Portland Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend Weymouth against possible French and Spanish invasion and now owned by English Heritage is well worth a visit. It remains largely unaltered today and an audio tour is included in the admission price. Refreshments are also available at the Captain’s House tearooms.

Author by : Shelley Hewson

When you want to get in touch with your partner without interruptions from work or the kids; plan a romantic getaway where the only person who can contact you is the person tending to the kids. Accommodations can range from small countryside inns to luxurious villas along the coast depending on what you’re looking for during your next romantice getaway. Your costa rica romantic getaway can be enjoyable, safe, and memorable; if you plan out your agenda before you arrive. Your costa rica romantic getaway can be as diverse as you want it to be; it is suggested that the traveler do some research on the area to see what all it has to offer. Accommodations can range from island bungalows to penthouse suites in a major city, as long as you and your mate are happy during your romantic getaway. At the end of a romantic getaway, you will really know whether or not you can stand each other after spending so much time alone together. As great as a pool may seem to some, there is nothing like being on a beach with water as clear as a pool and spending time with your sweetheart on a romantic getaway.

Author by : Shelley Hewson

A guide to the world’s most romantic wedding destinations are all invaluable resources as you plan your romantic getaway. Your Costa Rica romantic getaway may be enjoyable, safe, and memorable; if you plan out your agenda before you arrive. A beautiful view of Douglas lake caressed by the majesty of the great smoky mountains will offer any couple that likes nature a great getaway. After the stress of working and raising a family, a romantic getaway can be the peace and tranquility needed to recharge your batteries.

Vacation is meant to be a time of relaxation; a break from the stress and chaos that too often comprises daily routine. A beautiful island in the tropics can be one of the best romantic getaways for either a new couple or a pair that has been married for many years. A guide to the most romantic sights, tastes, adventures, and places to stay all around the world should be on the top of your resource list for planning your next vacation. Vacation is meant for relaxing; you do not always have to go with loved ones you can go alone, however it much more fun when relaxing with a close friend or family.

Author by : Andy Mills

Reached via a short boat journey from Poole Quay, Brownsea Island is a 500 acre island of pinewood, heathland and salt-marsh with a long and varied history.

There is evidence of a settlement in the area dating from the 5th century BC and further evidence suggesting the existence of a community there in the 3rd century AD and in medieval times. In the 16th century control of the island passed to Henry VIII who, recognising its strategic importance in protecting Poole, by now a thriving port, built the first Brownsea castle.

In the 18th and 19th centuries the island changed hands many times and became a gentleman’s estate with the castle being rebuilt following decline and extended on several occasions until the late 19th century when it was gutted by a fire and rebuilt once more.

Author by : John W. Spence

In the early days of Aardvark we arranged only a handful of family itineraries. These were not only parents travelling exclusively with their young children but often with teenagers, grown up children and sometimes with grandparents and even grandchildren. Since then the trend for exciting long-haul family holidays has blossomed and as most of us at Aardvark have children ourselves, we are very familiar with the requirements for a successful family holiday. Since launching the family brochure, we have arranged a wide range of family trips and this is currently the fastest growing area of our business.

A few months ago I boarded a train to Waterloo to see two London based family clients. My morning appointment took me to Lambeth where I met a couple travelling with their three children aged thirteen, eleven and ten. They were unusual in that they had five weeks to play with over the summer holiday, their only criteria being that the trip had to start in Windhoek in Namibia. From here, the itinerary developed into one of the most challenging and interesting trips I have ever worked on.

Author by : Shelley Hewson

Vacation is meant to be a time of relaxation; a break from the stress and chaos that too often comprises daily routine. Vacation is meant to relieve the stresses and hassles of every day life; when you want to getaway from it all go online and find the best resort packages available. You can spend 3 nights or 10 nights for your romantic getaway aboard a ship; they have a romantic vacation cruise just for you. A beautiful vacation paradise not known to almost all would be an ideal location for a romantic getaway for two.

Author by : Alice Gully

It was an unforgettable moment. Our group of four had travelled through dense dripping forest and found ourselves amongst a family group of 30 mountain gorillas. That’s us, with 5% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, while they ate, played and snoozed in the dense vegetation on every side. The huge silverback lumbered elegantly by – not an easy thing to do, elegant lumbering – and a youngster cavorted past, rolling and running till a mother or sister called him over, cradling the infant in a very human fashion. For an hour we sat entranced as these regal creatures stripped off branches for their lunch, chattered, scratched and played.

I’d always wanted to meet the world’s greatest primates, and Bwindi impenetrable rainforest in Uganda met all my expectations.