The Ultimate Travel Guide to Asia...

Dating in Japan

2008-01-12T02:23:00.000-08:00

Meeting members of the opposite sex in Japan is usually not a complicated process, as more often than not the nature of the job, whether it be a businessman or English instructor, will bring you into contact with Japanese in the workplace who would like to get to know you better outside of the office or school. English instructors in particular have an advantage in regard to being able meet Japanese, as many students will let you know indirectly if they are interested in establishing a relationship beyond the classroom, and depending on the school's policy toward dating students it's quite easy to meet at a later date for dinner or a drink. For those who don't want to mix business with romance, one of the best alternatives to meeting Japanese are the many salsa schools that have recently become popular in Japan. Women in these classes usually out number the men, and the lively atmosphere makes it relatively easy to meet someone looking for a dance partner. Yoga classes are also gaining popularity in Japan for both men and women, and are another possibility for meeting people who share the same interests.

For those looking for a more mainstream approach, the large number of gaijin bars that are frequented by both Japanese women and men hoping to meet foreigners are one of the most popular choices, but keep in mind there are usually more foreigners than Japanese present, and the competition can often be fierce. Another method of bringing Japanese and foreigners together are “International Parties” that are often advertised in magazines and newspapers. For a set fee of approximately 5,000 yen you're able to attend a prearranged party in a restaurant or lounge where you have an opportunity to mingle with others interested in cultural exchange. In a similar venue are international hiking clubs that are now a popular form of meeting people, as most day hikes in the countryside are arranged with an equal number of men and women in mind. Sport clubs still appeal to many people who hope to meet others between workout sets, and the recent influx of Starbucks coffee shops in Japan are usually packed with Japanese women and men who are alone and receptive to conversation.

It's difficult to discuss cross cultural differences without making generalizations that may or may not be accurate as each case is different, but for the most part Japanese are usually approachable in a social setting even if they appear to be a bit shy or reticent at first meeting. Foreigners who speak Japanese well are obviously going to have an advantage over those whose language skills are limited, and many relationships in Japan fall to the wayside eventually because of this lack of communication. Though mutual attraction is sometimes enough to keep a couple together, those looking long term usually have a better chance of success if one or both partners can speak the other's native language well. As is the case in most Asian countries, age difference between men and women in Japan is not looked upon as an issue, and you often see couples together whose presence would no doubt turn heads in other parts of the world.

The Japanese view of sex is also quite different from that of the west, and they usually approach it with a more relaxed attitude, as can be witnessed by the large number of “Love Hotels” found in all major cities of Japan which provide a temporary haven for couples in need of privacy. This cavalier attitude can also sometimes be confusing for foreigners, who after becoming infatuated after the first or second date will suddenly find their email and phone messages going unanswered. Though definitely not pleasant for the ego, once it's understood the Japanese are uncomfortable with direct confrontation and this is their way of letting you and themselves off the hook, it's usually a bit easier to comprehend and accept. This approach often pertains to long term relationships as well, and there have been many foreigners who after years of being in a relationship suddenly found themselves in the cold for no apparent reason and with no explanation forthcoming. Society's view of international relationships in Japan seems to be that of resigned acceptance, but don't be surprised if there is resistance on the part of many Japanese parents in regard to their son or daughter marrying a foreigner. Although this attitude has gradually begun to change over the years, most traditional Japanese still want their children to marry Japanese.

By JAMES SHERARD
Source: http://www.amazines.com/Travel_and_Tourism/article_detail.cfm/393669?articleid=393669

Thailand Travel: 10 Interesting Facts About Thailand

2008-01-12T02:21:00.000-08:00

It’s certainly the mesmeric land of Thais that attracts more visitants than any other country in the Southeast Asia. Thailand is the country known for beguiling scenic beauty, stunning beaches, impressing culture, commendable hospitality, fantastic temples, ruins & souvenirs of fabulous ancient kingdoms, gastronomic riches, and lovely, smiling, and welcoming people.

Thailand certainly the destination that appeals you, bewitches you, captivates you, enthralls you….! It’s the place that makes you visit it again and again. It’s the vacation destination that you dream of. Surely, you can find oodles of interesting things in Thailand, but here are the 10 most interesting facts about Thailand.

Thailand is often nicknamed as the “Land Of Smiles,” because of the perceived gentleness of its people. The country is really populated by smiling, inviting, and receiving people. Thais are really gentle, polite, soft spoken, friendly, and hospitable human beings.

Siam was the old name of Thailand. It was the official name of the country until 1949, when it was changed to Thailand by official proclamation. ‘Thai’ in the Thai language means ‘freedom’. So, Thailand means “land of freedom” or “land of the free”.

The Mon ruled over what is now known as Thailand. The area was also held by Khmer. The Mon Empire was a great Buddhist empire, and the empire had trading relations with Indians for centuries.

Thailand retains much of its original culture, because it is the only Southeast Asian nation that has never been colonized. Thai culture is kin to the Cambodian culture & religion, which was adopted by Thais in the 13th century, after the fall of the Khmer Kingdom.

King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, established Bangkok as the capital in 1782. Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current King of Thailand, is also a Chakri Dynasty ruler. He is also known as Rama IX. He is the longest serving monarch in the Thai history.

95% of the Thai people are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. 4.6% of the people are Muslims. Malays are mainly concentrated on the southern tip of Thailand. 0.75% of the people are Christians, mainly Catholics. Sikhs & Hindus are tiny, but influential. The nation also has a small Jewish community.

Thailand is also known as the “Land of white Elephant.” White elephants were highly esteemed and valued by the Thai Rulers. Elephants are still highly revered in Thailand. They are considered as the symbol of peace and prosperity.

Thais do not like someone touching them on head. They believe that soul, which is considered extremely sacred, resides in head. So, don’t ever touch a Thai on the head, not even a Thai child. Thailand is the 49th country area wise, with its total land area of 514,000 km² (198,000 sq mi). It is comparable to the size of France, and it is somewhat larger than the California State of the United States. Thailand has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include Ban Chiang Archaeological Site near Udon Thani, Dong Phayayen – Khao Yai Forest Complex, Historic City of Ayutthaya & Associated Historic Towns, Historic Town of Sukhothai & Associated Historic Towns - including Kampang Phet and Si Satchanalai, and Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries.

By JAMES BURROWS
Source: http://www.amazines.com/Travel_and_Tourism/article_detail.cfm/388650?articleid=388650

Traveling in fast forward - Bangkok, Thailand in 24 hours

2008-01-12T02:19:00.000-08:00

After arriving in Bangkok at around 3am, I found that my room was unavailable due to it being flooded, not the best way to start my 24 hour adventure but not enough to slow me down. After a power cut and a couple of hours waiting I finally got my room, I didn’t really have enough time to sleep much after the delay, so I had to settle for just a couple of hours.

I got up at 8.30am and felt surprisingly refreshed, it’s not often you have to survive on only 2 hours sleep but at the same time it’s not often you get the opportunity to explore an environment and culture that’s completely new to you. I took a look out the window and just gazed at the concrete jungle that is Bangkok.

For the troubles of the night before, the hotel graciously gave me a free breakfast and a few other nice treats. I enjoyed a few fruits that I’d never had before; I’m quite the food lover so even simple things like that were interesting to me. It’s amazingly humid and very hot, 30 degrees at just 9am in the morning. Luckily for me and the other Hotel guests having breakfast, there are half a dozen huge fans cooling the area.

After finishing up my breakfast I head out into the unknown. I have no idea where I’m going or what I want to do which is part of the fun, it’s sometimes nice to have no plans or schedule, just the freedom to do whatever crosses your path.

It doesn’t take much time for me to meet some of the locals, there are street vendors everywhere and they can be very persistent, with an emphasis on very. It’s a little intimidating at first but after a good 5 hours of shopping I was a pro.

The Pantip Plaza was the first real building I stumbled into, it was full of cheap gadgets and huge amounts of DVD’s (all no doubt perfectly legal). I moved onto Siam Square next and watched a game of street football which was cool. The temperature was edging 35 degrees at this stage and this seemed even more surprising when I looked up and spotted a huge dark cloud forming right above me.

It didn’t take long for the rain to come and what a display it was. I’ve never encountered such a massive display of thunder and lightening in my life. Everyone scurried through the shop awnings and backstreets to take cover, it was impressive watching the speed at which the street vendors set up protection from the rain, this was obviously something they had learned to put up with. It felt like I was wading through millions of people as I made my way back to the hotel, it was cramped before the rain arrived but now it was just crazy.

After a nice dinner, I did some more looking around. I found some cool t-shirts and plenty of great presents for when I eventually got back home to New Zealand. While haggling over prices was new definitely new to me, I ended up enjoying it. It’s not something I could really be bothered with all the time but for that one day it was really fun.

My 24 hours in Bangkok was nearly over. I had to get some sleep before my early flight to London, especially after missing out the night before. It was a shame I had to leave so soon but I’m looking forward to coming back another time and exploring more of Bangkok, especially their many beautiful temples and other tourist attractions. 24 hours certainly wasn’t long but it was enough to give me a taste for Thailand and all the fun and excitement it offers.

By RENE SMITH
Source: http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/285268?articleid=285268

10 Reasons To Visit Phuket

2008-01-12T02:16:00.000-08:00

The island of Phuket is the South’s richest, busiest, most beautiful, most coveted, most visited, and the most popular vacation destination. Often nicknamed as the “pearl of the south” or “pearl of the Andaman,” Phuket is the largest island of Thailand, located in the Southern Thailand, on the west-facing Andaman Sea coastline.

Phuket is your destination for limestone cliffs, snow white beaches, tranquil broad bays, and tropical in-land forests. It is famous for a wide range of marine activities, the best accommodation facilities with some of the supreme resort hotels, and elephant rides. It’s your paradise for every sort of fun, whether you are looking for a quiet corner to get pleasure from a dreamy holiday retreat or an action packed time bounded by swaying palms, aquamarine seas and stifling sunshine. Certainly, you’ve a number of reasons to visit the island, but here are top 10 reasons for you.

The scenic beauty of Phuket is one of the major reasons to visit the island. Prompthep Cape is an illustrious beauty spot with great panoramic eye shots. It’s a famous vantage point for watching out Phuket’s spectacular sunsets.

Phuket’s wild life is also a top tourist attraction. Phuket Zoo offers you great opportunity to watch and observe the wildlife and pleasure activities, such as monkey shows, crocodile shows and elephant shows. It’s a nice place to picture wildlife in the Phuket zoo, having over 600 species of birds, 100 kinds of reptiles and amphibians, and 45 types of mammals living on its 10 hectares of area.

Buddhist temples are great lures of Thai culture. Wat Chalong, situated in the south of the island behind Chalong Bay, is one of the major attractions of Phuket. It is one of Phuket’s biggest Buddhist temples, which is profoundly honored for the effigies of two of its early archimandrites (abbots) who had fabled healing skills. Positioned in the middle of Phuket Island is Wat Phra Thong Temple, also called Golden Buddha Temple. It is home to a huge half-buried Buddha whose fascinating history stretches back centuries.

Phuket Seashell Museum is another reason to visit Phuket. Located on Viset Road, near Rawai Beach, the Phuket museum features the collection of over 2,000 rarities including the only left-handed Noble Volute ever discovered, giant clams, 380 million-year-old fossils, and one of the rarest golden pearls of the world.

On the east side of Phuket Town, Koh Sirey Island (Koh Si Re) is also a great tourist trap. Accessed by a small bridge, the island has ear-shell farms, a few fine beaches, a temple on a hill and a sea gypsy village. Much of the island is hilly and you can drive all around the island in half an hour. Some of the inshore sights are unbelievably beautiful.

For pure entertainment, nothing can beat out Phuket Simon Cabaret, which is a market leader of specialized entertainment since its opening in October 18, 1991. This exciting place is famous for its special, lavish and intimate theater with high-tech sound and the unforgettably enchanting performers.

The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park provides you an opportunity to walk around and to relish the views and sounds of the tropical forest. Sited in the north of the island holding Phuket’s last part of virgin rainforest, the Park is nice place to watch the striking waterfalls, and the gibbon rehabilitation centre that aspires to rehabilitate abandoned pet gibbons to the wild.

Located only three kilometers from the town, Phuket Butterfly Garden & Aquarium is a matchless experience for all nature lovers. Here you can watch an enthralling collection of several hundred of the best specimens of tropic butterflies, flying around freely under a huge dome. Its lavish plant life, watercourses, and ponds also provide habitat for a great collection of exotic insects and fish.

Patong Beach is the most illustrious beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, it is a perfect place to party and play. By night the town has a bustling nightlife that comprises virtually hundreds of eating places, chic lounge bars, beer bars and of course discos.

By JAMES BURROWS
Source: http://www.amazines.com/Travel_and_Tourism/article_detail.cfm/388650?articleid=388650

10 Things You Must See In Thailand

2008-01-12T02:13:00.000-08:00

You just can’t escape the appeals of delicious food, tropical climate, fantastic culture, and gorgeous beaches of Thailand. Certainly, Thailand is one of the most appealing countries in Southeast Asia. Surely, one of the most exotic places, Thailand is a real magnet for the globetrotters from all over the globe.

Offering a number of vacation paradises on its wonderful arenas, Thailand is one of the most coveted vacation destinations in the world. It’s a fantastic destination for beach vacations. Thailand really has numerous tourist attractions, yet here are 10 things that you must see while in Thailand.

Grand Palace – the royal palace and the official residence of the king of Thailand, located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The Grand Palace is best known for Wat Phra Kaew, the temple featuring Emerald Buddha, Mythological Giant (Yak), Kinaree - Mythological Creature, Half Bird & Half Woman, Bell Tower, and Chakri Mahaprasad Hall. Wat Arun – the “temple of the dawn” – a surreal Buddhist temple (Wat) located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The remarkable temple, featuring the central prang – Khmer-style tower, is one of the popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Wat Pho – the temple of the reclining Buddha – a famous Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok. It’s also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon. The temple is known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. It’s one of the major tourist attractions.

Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center – an ultra modern multimedia historic and cultural education centre, located in the very heart of the old city of Chiang Mai. The center documents the history & culture of the region from the pre-Muang period (7,000-12,000 years ago) to the early river civilizations.

Chaweng Beach – the largest & the most famous of Ko Samui’s beaches. The beach is beautiful and attracts youngsters and families alike. It has many restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and fast food eateries. It’s a nice place for scuba diving, with many dive shops on the beach. Lamai Beach – a fantastic beach located on the east coast of Ko Samui, Thailand. The beach is a nice place for swimming and other water & beach sports. It’s a wonderful place for eating, drinking, and shopping. It’s a very popular beach vacation destination.

Hin Ta & Hin Yai – the “grandfather” and “grandmother” stones that look like human genitals, located south-west of the Lamai Beach in Ko Samui. The grandfather stone looks like an erect penis, and grandmother stone looks like a vagina. It’s a popular tourist attraction.

Ban Chiang – a famous archeological site located in Nong Han district of the Udon Thani Province of Thailand. The site is famous for the attractive red painted pottery discovered in 1957. The site has been listed in the UNESCO world heritage list. Khao Yai National Park – one of the first and the most famous national parks located in the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains in Thailand. The national park covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers has been listed in the UNESCO world heritage list.

Thungyai – Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries – the two famous wild life sanctuaries located in the provinces of Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani in Thailand. The two adjoining sanctuaries have been listed in the UNESCO world heritage list.

By JAMES BURROWS
Source: http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/379827?articleid=379827

A Backpackers Guide To Thailand - Traveling Cheaply In Thailand

2008-01-12T02:07:00.000-08:00

You visit it any time, view it any way, Thailand never disappoints you. Well, Thailand certainly looks enchanting and mesmerizing every time and every way you view it. It is the destination known for its numerous expressions of scenic beauty. Honestly, Backpacking is one of the best ways to explore the beauty of Thailand.

Certainly, backpacking is growing very popular way of touring Thailand. The best thing about backpacking is that it’s really cheap way of traveling, and furthermore, you get the fun & adventure of tramping, bushwalking, hiking, trekking, and camping in a single trip. The idea sounds pretty good, certainly it does. So, just pack your gear including food, water, clothes, and shelter into a backpack and get going. Here are some of the extremely popular backpackers’ sites in Thailand.

Kanchanaburi – a town located on the confluence of Khwae Noi, Khwae Yai, and Mae Klong rivers, in the west of Thailand. The reasonably priced town is a paradise for backpackers, who usually come here for the infamous River Kwai Bridge, Erawan Falls, Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, JEATH War Museum, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Offering an easy access to the nearby Tiger Temple, the town is the birthplace of the Buddhist monk Phrabhavanaviriyakhun.

Pai – a small town, located along the Pai River, north of Chiang Mai, on the northern route to Mae Hong Son, in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border. It’s a well known site for backpackers. It’s nice place for trekking countryside, enjoying waterfalls, and visiting hill tribes, such as Karen, Hmong and Lisu. There are plenty of cheap guesthouses, souvenir shops and restaurants in the town.

Santikhiri – formerly known as Mae Salong – a wonderful hangout for backpackers, located 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of Mae Chan district, in Chiang Rai, on the mountain of Doi Mae Salong, in the northern Thailand. The Alpine reminiscent area is known for its hill tribe villages, tea plantations and cherry blossoms. The town hosts the annual cherry blossoms festival from 28 Dec. to 2 Jan.

Nan – a small town, located in the northern Thailand, is a superb site for backpackers. This is actually the place for the backpackers, who prefer quieter and peaceful areas. It is known for a museum and good trekking opportunities. The place is reasonably cheaper and you can find several cheap accommodations here.

Soppong / Tham Lod – a small relaxing village, located on a small river, about 75 km from Mae Hong Son. It’s a wonderful place to explore countryside, caves and surroundings Karen villages. It is widely famous for a huge cave known as Tham Lod. It’s a nice place for bird watching.

Additionally, Sukhothai, Chiang Khan, Sang Khom, Ayuthaya – the former capital of Thailand, and Bangkok, the present capital of Thailand are some other nice sites for backpackers. Home to teak houses, fabulous temples, fine museums, lively markets, vibrant nightlife, and lots of cheap stuff for backpackers, Bangkok is one of the favorite sites for the backpackers.

By JAMES BURROWS

Source: http://www.amazines.com/Travel_and_Tourism/

Travel to China's paradise in Yunnan province

2008-01-12T01:46:00.000-08:00

If you are on a tour to China and decide to stop at Yunnan province, then you are guaranteed a wonderful time with Chinese minority groups. Yunnan is a beautiful province which is proud of its ethnic minorities and culture; this is reflected in the lifestyle of the locals who inhabit the community. Considered as one of the beautiful places to go in China, the province of Yunnan is a place that celebrates life. It can be divided into different cities namely Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian and Deqin. Each of these cities has various sightseeing and highlights which attracts tourists all year round.

Kunming is known as the city of eternal spring which is usually the best city to travel to in China in spring. This is because of its mild climate which has in turn boosted the tourism and natural beauty of the city. With over four hundred types of flowers and orchids in the various gardens, it is no wonder horticulturists and nature lovers' flock to this part of China to spend some time. Kunming is also known to be the center of the Yunnan minority culture where over 25 different ethnic groups live together. The major ethnic minorities have their various cultures, languages, and customs and celebrate different festivals. Major highlights to see in Kunming include the stone forest, a long acre of karsts limestone formations which were formed into cliffs, peaks, caves and arches; the birds and flowers market where different species of birds and flowers are sold; Dian Chi Lake, the Yunnan nationalities museum and the World Horticultural Expo garden.
Dali is another city in Yunnan well known for preserved relics for historical interests. The beautiful sceneries, different traditions, the locals and the unique environment are what makes Dali a stop over for tourists on their Yunnan province tour. For example the Old town of Dali is a place that was set up in the Ming Dynasty where you will find well preserved traditional styled houses of the Bai people. These houses were built with unique designs featuring grey tilted roofs, stone walls, windows and doors carved in dragon patterns. The streams fed by the run offs from the Cangshan Mountains and the idyllic courtyards and peaceful streets which were well known in the ancient times have now become a place of interest for visitors. Major highlights in Dali include the Erhai Lake, an ear like shaped Lake, the Three Pagodas, the Butterfly Fountain and Dali Museum to enrich your knowledge about the history and culture of Yunnan.

Lijiang is an old town resting in northwestern Yunnan. It is located on a plateau which rises on an elevation of 8,530 feet above sea level. Lijiang Old town is Yunnan's mecca for most Chinese tour groups and this is because of the magnificent landscape which it has. The Old town is a world heritage relic site as listed by UNESCO. It has a number of attractions for tourists to visit, many of which includes The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: a snow capped mountain which looks like a jade dragon lying in the clouds when seen from Lijiang, the tiger leaping gorge believed to be the deepest gorge in the world which attracts rafters and adventure tourists. Other interesting things to do in Lijiang are the use of cable cars to the top of Cangshan Mountain to witness a panoramic view overlooking Erhai Lake and the traditional musical concerts.

Zhongdian and Deqin should be the final destination on your Yunnan province tour. It is one of the three counties that form the Diqen Tibetan Autonomous Territory. With some of its history based on the concept of Shambhala, a mystical city in Tibetan Buddhism; it was formerly called Zhongdian County and was later renamed to Shangri-la after the fictional land in the book 'Lost Horizon' in 2001. Shangri-la is considered to be a mythical distant paradise on earth characterized with great beauty and peacefulness; this is why many travelers come to this place to spend some peaceful time. This town has also been used by hikers and mountaineers as a gateway to Tibet. Some of the major highlights in this town include the Emerald Pagoda Lake (Bita hai Lake), the Meili Snow mountain (God Mountain) and the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa monastery. This monastery is a 300 year old complex which has around 600 monks. The small town is centered with multi story temples filled with statues and colorful paintings of Tibetan lamas, guardians and mandalas. The landscape of Zhongdian is not enough to describe in words, it gives a kind of feeling which is difficult to describe; this is why most people recommend a visit to Zhongdian and its sacred temples.

For comments and inquiries about this article, visit http://www.passport-to-china.com/tours.

By Lola
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/11589/1.html

Japanese Travel Guide

2008-01-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

Getaways are meant to take a person away from all the hurly and burly of life to perfect peace and tranquility. An ideal getaway vacation can thus be at a place where you embrace the beauty of nature in complete serenity. The paradigm example of this is Japan where visitors themselves have discovered countless beautiful getaways. So lets take a look at some of the popular and ideal getaways in the land of rising sun.

Some frequently visited getaways in the Japan are as follows:

· Hagi- it is a nice historic archaic Samurai and castle town in the rural Japan. It is located near the western tip of the Honshu Island. Hagi has some of the wonderful museums and beaches. The Joka- Machi old samurai quarter is worth visitng in Hagi. Besides this the Kumaya Art Mueseum, the Kasuga Shrine near Joka Machi and the Sho-in Shrine are the must visit sites in Hagi.

· Idzumo is one amongst the four most important Shinto shrines of Japan. It is also called the home of gods. The shrine has tremendous historical significance.

· Sekigane is also an amazing Japanese getaway. It is a small village that has hot water springs and coastal mountains. At the end of this small but calm and amazing village is a walk up through bamboo groves to Kamei Park.

· The Kyoto Fu peninsula is a small peninsula that makes a great getaway. In order to reach this peninsula you need to drive from Kumihama to Mineyama, Omiya and Miyazu. On the south of Omiya there is a small shrine that too is religiously and historically quite significant.

· The Wakasa Wan (Bay) is another brilliant getaway. The Wakasa Wan National Park is quite popular here.

· The Obama Bay that stretches to the Oshima Peninsula is also a brilliant getaway. Similarly the Tsunegami Hanto Peninsula that has Rocky Mountains is also worth visiting.

· You can also go to see the Tojimbo Cliffs. These are located on a point of the Echi-zen Kaigan (coast) National Park. It is a popular tourist attraction because of its exotic beauty. If you visit here don’t forget to go to the small fishing village, Anto nearby.

· The Central Mountains of Honshu Island are a big lure to visitors. This island has a collection of various mountains known as Central Alps. It is a great delight and lifetime opportunity to see these world famous ice-capped mountains.

· The Shiwaku Shoto Islands are a group of islands near Oakayama that has many small collections of islands in the Inland Sea. Hon-Jima and Mukkuchi-Jima islands make desirous getaways.

· Apart from these the place of Hokkaido in Japan is recognized as a top romantic getaway. Similarly there are other passionate getaways such as Ikspiari, Vinus Fort, Lover’s Cape and Kobe Portpia.

But this is just the tip of an iceberg for there are many other known and waiting to be discovered getaways in Japan.

By: Mansi Aggarwal

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=30479&ca=Travel

Travel To Romantic Asian Locations

2008-01-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Asia is one the more visually stunning areas in the world. If you are looking for romance, here are some top-notch destinations.

Asia is hot and sticky, much like romance. More importantly, it tends to be fairly cheap due to a currency disaster in the late 1990s. Although luxury resorts can be very pricey, you can find a romantic location for just about any budget.

If cost is of no concern, the Banyan Tree Resorts should definitely be on the top of your list. With resorts in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, Maldives and Seychelles, the Banyan Tree resorts are the lap of romantic luxury. Each resort is a bit different and prices vary wildly depending on location since the currency in Japan is much stronger than the Thai currency.

Cheju Island off of Korea is a little known, but spectacular romantic destination. Cheju is very similar in appearance to the Hawaiian Islands, complete with a dead volcano. Spring is by far the best time to visit Cheju, but keep in mind Korean honeymooners are in plentiful supply. As to budget, you can get rooms at luxury resorts or camp on the Island. Every level of comfort between these extremes is also available.

China is a huge country with a lot to see. If you’re looking for a rustic, romantic travel destination in China, the place to go is Suzhou. Imagine Venice, Italy being plopped down in China and you have Suzhou. The city is rife with canals and roughly fifty percent of it is underwater. Once considered the capital of the Silk Road out of China, the city is over 25,000 years old. Perched on the edge of a lake, it is simply spectacular and undoubtedly one of the most romantic areas in Asia.

If all else fails, you can never go wrong with Bora Bora in Tahiti. Comprised of volcanic mounts much like Hawaii, Bora Bora is known as the romantic island of Tahiti. The name is appropriate. The island is all about pristine white beaches, crystal clear water and friendly people. One can hike up the old volcano to get an incredible view in the morning and head out to the reefs for a little diving in the afternoon. Lodging can be a bit pricey on Bora Bora, but it is definitely worth it.

You can’t go wrong with any of the above destinations if your looking for romance in asia.

By: Nomadrick Chapo

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=37572&ca=Travel

Travel Asia - The Largest Continent

2008-01-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to Asia? Traveling Asia is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Let me explain you some interesting information about Asia, and if you're interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don't know. When you travel to Asia, there are so many things to see and do; make sure that you plan your trip in advance.

Asia is the largest continent in the world by a considerable margin, and it is rich in natural resources, such as petroleum and iron. When you travel Asia, you want to make sure that you have the flexibility for an occasional adventure. If you are planning to travel to Asia within the next year, and are looking for some fun festivities to attend, then we have some incredible Asian festivals for you to check out during your travels.

Asia is one of the most extraordinary and diverse continent in terms of people and travel destinations. Asia is one of the seven continents in the world. But even though it is the seventh continent but it is the largest continent among all. Asia has about more than half of entire of the world's population, which mostly they are in China and India. Different Asian festivals are listed below which you must see if you visit Asia anytime.

•The Monkey God Festival

This deity has been celebrated during the month of September at Kowloon’s Sau Mau Ping Temple. The Monkey God first appeared in Chinese literature during the Ming Dynasty in the book, “Pilgrims to the West”.

•The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts

Hong Kong hosts this unusual yearly event, held on the 14th day of the seventh moon.

•Asakusa Samba

Tokyo’s version of the Rio Carnival happens every August, in the Asakusa district.

•Yasothon Rocket Festival

In the middle of May, things get very noisy for Asian travelers to the Phaya Thaen Park in Thailand.

•Parade of the God of Medicine

On the 15th day of the third lunar month, the city of Taiwan is taken over by this world-renowned Asian festivity – a must for travelers in the area because of its spectacular parade.

Asia offers travelers a huge variety of places to visit, things to do and, cultures to see. If you are visiting Asia for the very time then we insist you to visit following places.

• India: It is Asia’s largest and most heavily populated countries.

• Korea: It is one of the most westernized of all Asian nations.

• China: China is rapidly emerging as the top destination for travelers to Asia.

• Vietnam: Vietnam is reshaping its image among world travel destinations.

• Thailand: Thailand is the most popular tourist destination. Thailand is one of the most popular in all of Asia, as well.

• Japan: Japan has something for every traveler who visits. The hardest thing is fitting it all in.

• Philippines: Those who do visit will enjoy beautiful spots like the Boracay beaches and Lake Sebu.

• Indonesia: Indonesia will show you an exciting and wonderful Asian travel destination.

By: Keyur V Parmar

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=135165&ca=Travel