Archive for September, 2009
Asia Destination Goes Top Favorite For Female Travelers
It would not be only groups of men who love to travel to Asia for exciting entertainment night lives anymore.Supporting international findings that girlfriend getaways have become an increasingly popular trend which has noted a marked increase in the number of reservations made by Western women to Asian destinations in the past year. Many statistic data from researchers such as a recent Mastercard report Women Travelers of Asia Pacific which suggests that around 4 in every 10 Asian trips are made by women travelers a big jump up from the 1970s estimate of 1 in 10.
In light of this trend hotels are fast realizing the profitability of girlfriends going East. From indulgent spa treatments and shopping marathons to beach getaways and fine wining and dining options hotels are catering promoting and pandering to the sisters and their traveling pants.
Hotels in Thailand such as the Banyan Tree JW Marriott Hotel Marriott Resort amp; Spa Millennium Hilton and Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok have all hosted exclusive womenonly packages often incorporating shopping and spa into itineraries with temple visits and river tours. Meanwhile Phuket has strong female appeal with its mixture of nightlife beaches and national parks.
In Indonesia women traveling with women might stop for a sojourn in the bustling city of Jakarta for its shopping followed by the beautiful beaches and hillside environs of Bali. The Alila Hotel in Jakarta has a womens only executive level floor to afford women a safe and comfortable atmosphere.
Meanwhile the stunning environment friendly people and entertainment options of Bali also make it a favorite choice among female travelers. Luxury resorts are heavily promoting their spa services to women too including the exclusive Oberoi Resort the Melia Bali Villas and Nusa Dua Beach Hotel amp; Spa.
For avid shoppers looking for an Asian cultural experience where everything is clean convenient and organized the metropolises of Hong Kong and Singapore are a girls best bet. Hong Kongs plush Fleming Hotel has a dedicated ladies floor aptly called Her Space which involves all sorts of femalefriendly touches from a healthconscious minibar and yoga mat to LOccitane toiletries and aromatherapy. Meanwhile centrallylocated shopperfriendly hotels in Singapore include the Meritus Mandarin Hotel Pan Pacific and the charming colonialstyled hotels Fullerton and Raffles.
About the writer: For more Asia Travel Articles visit WorldStepper blog and My recommend hotel booking website Agoda.com
A Safari Adventure To Madikwe Game Reserve South Africa
A bad choice of flight left me very little time to collect my hired car and race out of Johannesburg city before the afternoon peak traffic congestion. Slipping out just as the congestion started I had 3 hours easy drive on good tarred road to get to the western entrance to Madikwe Game Reserve at Wonderboom gate. The friendly security guard at the gate greeted and welcomed me. After signing in I entered the game reserve and enjoyed my own little game drive en route to my lodge where I would stay for a night. Ah! How nice it was to be back in the bush! Peace and quiet!
On arrival at the beautiful Impodimo Game Lodge Steve the owner gave me a warm welcome offering a cool cocktail to quench my thirst. The security guard at Wonderboom Gate communicated my arrival to Impodimo Lodge so Steve was at the entrance to lodge waiting for me when I arrived. My luggage was transferred to my luxury suite and Steve gave me a quick orientation tour of the lodge.
My late arrival meant I missed the afternoon game drive and sundowner drinks in the bush. All game lodges are booked on an all inclusive basis including all meals 2 game drives per day and some lodges include drinks. My pre dinner drinks were enjoyed on the balcony overlooking the open plains of woodland and grassland below. A popular waterhole near the lodge kept us entertained as game strolled in to drink. A delicious dinner was enjoyed in a traditional boma our dinner tables placed around a roaring bon fire under the clear African sky.
The unfenced camp meant that I required an escort to my room by an armed game ranger. What luxury! I felt like a real lady! My luxury suite had its own private deck looking onto the open game area a large colourful fourposter double bed draped with mosquito netting a beautiful bathroom and a great outdoor shower.
An early morning wake up call had me jumping up in excitement. It had been years since I was last in the bushveld surrounded by game. I was looking forward to the open vehicle game drive. We enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and some delicious snacks before heading out on the drive. Roddy our chatty game ranger ensured that we enjoyed a great gaming experience with spottings of lion elephant hyena black rhino black backed jackal and numerous very colourful birds species.
We returned to the lodge to enjoy a full buffet breakfast attractively arranged in the bar area at the swimming pool. As we sat down with our first serving a small herd of elephants strolled up to the swimming pool just a few metres away from us and started drinking out of the pool. Wow! What an encounter! Who needs a game drive when you can sit in comfort at the lodge and watch the game come to you?
I decided to vary my stay in Madikwe by including 2 different lodges to stay at. After breakfast at Impodimo and a bit of time with the ellies I then made my way to Mateya Lodge a 5 star experience like no other! With immaculate attention to detail the lodge is intricately designed has magnificent arts and crafts from all over Africa and offers 6 star service! Exquisite!
On arrival I was welcomed with hot hand towels and an exotic cocktail my hired car driven to the car park and my luggage carried to my suite. I was invited in for lunch on the deck overlooking open plains and a water hole where game roamed freely.
After lunch I was lead along a raised wooden walkway to my private suite. It was more like a house! It was huge! The spacious beautifully decorated bedroom opened up to my own private deck and plunge pool overlooking the open plains where the game roamed. The bathroom almost the size of the bedroom complete with all the luxuries fit for a queen!
After a quick nap in the comfort of my suite and a dip in my private plunge pool I joined the rest of the guests at the lodge for high tea. Aware of the 5course dinner that awaited us in the evening and having already enjoyed 2 large meals today I struggled to taste some of the delicious looking snacks at high tea! The atmosphere was ignited with excited chatter between the game ranger and the other guests. Being foreigners they had not experienced the Africa wildlife before and were enthusiastic about the afternoon game drive which would take place after high tea.
Equipped with binoculars mammal and bird books and an experienced game ranger we set off in our open 4×4 safari vehicle for our afternoon drive through the reserve. Our spottings were excellent and included sightings of lions elephants a leopard on a kill a small family of bat eared foxes and hyena. My 300 zoom lens allowed some good close up photos. After the drive we all gathered for dinner on the deck and shared our excitement of our days sightings. The meal was exquisite and the company was fun drinks flowed until late in the evening.
After a good nights sleep I took some time to enjoy the luxuries of my suite. Top quality bath products in a steaming bubble bath had me lulled to a light sleep. A luxury skin lotion pampered my body and prepared me for a new day.
Breakfast was yet another magnificent display of good food a huge selection of tasty things to choice from.
My time in the lap of luxury had come to an end. I had a plane to catch to get me back home by the evening. Farewell until next time I said!
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Africa Tamed is a successful tour operator based in Cape Town South Africa offering unique value added vacation packages to Southern Africa. Contact them now to design your all inclusive vacations to Southern Africa.
http://www.africatamed.co.za
Arabian Nights Tickets And Pleasure Island Tickets
Arabian Nights shows are fully depicted upon the world wide collection of folktales over the centuries. People of different ages can enjoy the shows with their own point of view. Moreover this show is the most popular dinner show of the world. So you can expect a super sonic magic feast that lies ahead of you at the Arabian Nights dinner theater.
The colorful costumes enhance the beauty of the shows. Apart from costumes horses play the major role of Arabian Nights dinner theater. It is bound to remind you of the magical tale of love and victory that constitutes of 60 horses from all around the world. Needless to mention about its hospitality and warm welcome at the moment you enter the Palace of Horses.
Arabian Nights Tickets enable you to experience these wonderful shows along special delicious dinner feast. The dinnertime menu consists of a choice of prime rib chicken vegetable lasagna or chopped steak. Besides these items the extraordinarily special princess’s wedding cake for dessert is also there.
The prime attraction of this dinner show is the wedding ceremony that takes place between the beautiful Princess Scheherezade and her beloved prince. The guests from all over the globe enjoy this romantic moment with utmost pleasure. However every performance proves its own unique identity. Like Latin America music and dance chariot race in ancient Rome squaredancing cowboys and Native Americans etc are the eyecatching shows to mention.
Disney World Tickets includes various interesting spots for entertainment. Among them Pleasure Island is the perfect zone for adults where they can dance sing and make endless merriment whole through out the night. The party lovers and bar goers will definitely find this place as a heavenly abode.
Pleasure Island Tickets will allow you to roam all around the spots those are available within this place. If you are 21 yrs of age then you can easily enter into the night dance clubs. The famous dance clubs include Motion Mannequins Dance Palace Rock ‘N Roll Beach Club etc.
The Comedy Warehouse is also another zone for entertainment you will indulge into the great hilarious laughter as and when you enter this place.
There are lots of dinner venues and shopping centers in Pleasure Island which is located in Downtown Disney.
About the writer: Visit our unofficial Disney World Tickets store for Arabian Nights Tickets and Pleasure Island Tickets.