Monday, April 21, 2014

4 Bangtao Beach Attractions for Travelers in a Hurry

It's easy to lose track of time during your stay at Allamanda Laguna Phuket. With the white beach bordered by the endlessly ebbing sapphire water on one side and the long line of posh accommodation in Phuket on another, one can't help but to sit back and let the moment sink in. Relaxation, however, is not the only thing you can do at the beach. The 6-km sandy stretch is also home to places of cultural significance and another beach removed from buzzing energy and luxury of Bangtao. Here are some of the most popular attractions you can visit without being far from the beach.

1. Canal Village
Check out the different products being sold in this area and find some souvenirs you can take back with you. Canal Village has everything from an art gallery to a bakery and silk factory. The village is inside the Laguna Phuket Resort Complex and has its own parking space near the entrance. Its stores are usually open from 10 am to 10 pm. Boutiques, tailors, jewelry stores, shoe salons, photo studios, and a briefcase shop are but a few of the things you can find here.

2. Cherng Talay Shrine
Cherng Talay Shrine in Sri Soonthorn Road is a change of scenery from the highrise accommodations lining the beach. Who would have thought that there's a quaint community hiding in a luxurious neighborhood? The shrine came into reality when a hairdresser in the village, Ju Pa Tuk, took home Taoist relics from China in 1901. Now, the shrine is the center of activity during Chinese New Year and Vegetarian Festival.

3. Cherng Talay Temple
Cherng Talay Temple has been serving as the center of spirituality in Bangtao and Cherng Talay for almost a century now. The temple was done in a Thai-Buddhist design where images of giant snakes depict Buddha's good works. For those who want to visit, it can be found on Sri Soonthorn Road and it is open everyday. The best time to go would be a little before nightfall, when the temple's pathways are illuminated by sculptures of mythical half-bird-half-human creatures.

4. Layan Beach
Found at the north end of Bangtao, Layan Beach is a quiet haven with lots of tall pine trees. Because few people stay in this part of the beach, you won't find a line of chairs and umbrellas here, and Layan looks exactly the way it did 20 years ago. Most of the beach's visitors are locals and expats staying in the nearby communities and hotels such as Allamanda Laguna Phuket.

Quick and Easy Booking at Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort's Website

Langkawi, Malaysia — Reserving a room directly through Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort's website will prove to be a seamless experience for its guests. The Langkawi resort's website was recently incorporated with a booking engine powered by DirectWithHotels, rendering the reservation a quick, easy, and straightforward process.

Benefits of Booking Online
Guests who book directly through the resort website, http://www.dayangbayresort-langkawi.com, can save a lot of time because the website uses a system, powered by DirectWithHotels, which sends out instant confirmation upon completion of the transaction. The system's no-frills process eliminates waiting and constant communication with third parties.
Second, VeriSign and Trustwave secure the privacy and integrity of all online transactions in the booking engine.
Third, the system offers a user-friendly interface that allows bookmarking and printing and features customizable currency for easier reference. These aspects allow guests to enjoy a smooth and intuitive reservation process.
Finally, guests who book online have the opportunity to cancel or modify their reservations without charge up to a certain day before their check-in date.

The Booking Process
Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort's rooms and suites units can reserved through http://www.dayangbayresort-langkawi.com. Guests should click the orange 'check availability and prices' link found on the left side of the page to get to the booking system. To finalize the process, guests will be asked to settle the required payment via credit card as reservation guarantee. After accomplishing these steps, they will receive a confirmation email with their accommodation and payment information.

About Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort's
Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort offers fresh and contemporary accommodations with complimentary services and facilities. Each spacious room has private toilet and bath, desk with lamp, cable TV, and telephone. The Langkawi accommodation also has facilities for leisure and business such as Dayang Cafe, outdoor pool, garden, family room, and executive floor. It also offers laundry service, Wi-Fi Internet access, safety deposit boxes, and parking. The resort is in Kuah, the main gateway for those arriving from Penang Island by boat, and is only a 15-minute drive to Langkawi International Airport.


Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort
Persiaran Pelangi, Kuah
Langkawi, Malaysia 0700

Phone Number:+604 9665515 / 9664515
Website: http://www.dayangbayresort-langkawi.com

About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.

Curries, Spices, Tea, and the Many Wonders of Sri Lankan Cuisine

Beautiful beach resorts, such as Coral Rock by Amaya in Hikkaduwa, are not the only exciting thing to expect from Sri Lanka. There is also the mouthwatering food, marked with multicultural influences, that give rise to a flavorful cuisine unique to the country.

Its most obvious influence is India, the 2 countries a mere 30 km apart, and also the fact that the main ethnic groups in Sri Lanka originally came from India. A lot of Sri Lankan cuisine mimics South Indian food, particularly that of the state of Kerala. They add a lot of coconut milk in curries, liberally use seafood, and opt for hotter chilies. The most popular dish is rice and curry, too. But there are many variations, depending on who cooks it. But commonly, it is served with chicken or fish, chutney, sambol, or pappadoms.

Next to the Indians, the British also left a huge imprint on Sri Lankan cuisine, after it became a colony in 1802. Tea is popular here, the center being Nuwara Eliya, chosen for its good mix of altitude, terrain, and warm climate, all most conducive for growing tea.

Meanwhile, when it comes to cakes, Sri Lanka follows after the Dutch or Portuguese. Three of the staples include the love cake, breudher, and bolo fiado. The first is made from semolina, cashews, and honey. The flavor is further enhanced with the addition of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and rose water. Breudher, on the other hand, is a sultanas-studded Christmas butter and yeast cake. Finally, bolo fiado takes its form as a layer cake, made with pastry, dried fruit, and syrup. However, the most popular Dutch food celebrated in Sri Lanka today is not a cake, but a baked savory dish called lamprais. It is made from meat, vegetables, and rice, wrapped in a banana leaf, then slow cooked.

Lastly, there are the Muslims, also called Sri Lankan Moors. They are the descendants of Arab or Indian traders that brought with them delicious flat breads and samosas, desserts like the wattalappam, and Kitul syrup that is best served with curd, which is a kind of yogurt made from buffalo milk.

Make sure to sample these flavorful local food and get a taste of what is unique to the area the next time you stay in one of the many beautiful beach resorts in the country, such as Coral Rock by Amaya in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

5 Leisurely Destinations Within 30 Minutes of Makassar in Sulawesi, Indonesia

It's easy to throw in shopping sprees between meetings and corporate affairs when you're staying at Continent Centrepoint Panakkukang in Makassar. The hotel, which is located in the centre of the city, is close to a number of commercial hubs that display everything from luxury brands to locally prepared panaceas. But if you're looking for a relaxing or educational vacation, Makassar will not disappoint. Here are some of the places you can check out.

1. Losari Beach
A 20-minute car ride from Continent Centrepoint Hotel in Makassar will take you to Losari Beach. The sandy stretch in the middle of the city offers a very nice view of the sunset. Food stalls can also be found in the area after dark.

2. Fort Rotterdam
This historical destination was put up during the Dutch colonial period in the 1670s. From 1700 to 1900, the fort served as a thriving trading post for the Dutch East India Company until it was integrated into a Dutch East Indies colony. World War II transformed the fort into a camp for Japanese war prisoners. Today's visitors can tour Fort Rotterdam's castle, museums, and book store. It is about 12 minutes by car from the hotel.

3. Pulau Khayangan
If you wish to get away from the city, you can visit this island which is just 20 minutes from the centre of Makassar by boat. Here, you can spend the day getting a tan, strolling the white sand beach, and seeing different sea creatures. Fishing can be done near the island's port and some establishments also rent out jet skis and other water sports equipment.

4. Pulau Samalona
You can also take a tropical holiday at Pulau Samalona. This beautiful island and the colourful reefs and diving spots that surround it are but a 30-minute boat ride from Makassar.

5. Trans Studio
This indoor theme park, which is just a 20-minute drive from the hotel, is said to be the third largest of its kind in the world. Aside from rides and games, visitors can also enjoy the malls, restaurants, and marina housed in this building.

Getting In and Around the City
There are 3 ways of getting around during your vacation. First is by becak, a minimalist cycle rickshaw. You can also ride the petepete or angkot, a minibus used for public transportation, or take a taxi. Since Makassar serves as southern Sulawesi's main port, you can use a traditional pinisi boat to get into the city. Alternatively, you can also take a plane to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, which is just a 20-minute taxi ride from Continent Centrepoint Panakkukang - Makassar.

Monday, April 14, 2014

7 Exciting 2014 Summer Activities for Kids in Makati City – Part 1

Kids living in Makati City, Philippines and long-term guest families staying over at Best Western Oxford Suites Makati can look forward to a fun summer this 2014. Many exciting activities are making their way to the country's financial capital to help kids make the most of their vacation time while meeting others who share the same interests. Expect new friends, experiences, lessons, and stories when you join these theater workshops:

1. Repertory Philippines' Summer Workshop 2014
Date: April 7 to May 29, 2014
Venue: Citrusnap Studio, Unit 801 RCI Bldg., 105 Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati City and Active Fun, Active Fun Bldg., 9th Ave. corner 28th St. Bonifacio High Street, Global City, Taguig
Contact: (63 2) 843-3570 and (63 2) 555-0082, inquiry@repertoryphilippines.com

If you've always aspired to be an actor, then you shouldn't pass up on theater lessons this summer. Repertory Philippines, the country's premier English-speaking theater company, is holding theater workshop classes for kids and teens, and advance acting workshops for adults. Tuition fees for classes range from PHP7,000 to 8,000. Musical theater classes take place from Monday to Friday and adult acting workshops are taught by Joel Trinidad on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm.

2. TheCampArt Summer 2014 Musical Theater Workshop
Date: April 21 to May 23, 2014
Venue: TheCampArt STUDIO, Unit 209, 2F Cityland Pasong Tamo Condominium, 6264 Estacion St., Brgy. Pio Del Pilar, Makati City
Contact: (63 2) 750-1551, (63) 915-447-8959, (63) 919-433-8565, kidsactsphilippines@yahoo.com.ph

Develop your chops for performing arts this summer by joining workshops by TheCampArt. Here, kids and adults of all ages will have a month of intensive singing, dancing, and acting lessons, plus exercises and theater games. Aside from honing their talents and creativity, the programs will also boost the students' confidence and allow them to observe and interact with different people. The PHP10,000 tuition fee will cover workshop materials, costume, and recital fee.

3. Stage Camp: Summer Theatre Workshops
Date: April 7 to June 1, 2014
Venue: The Loft, 38/F Manansala, Rockwell Center, Makati City
Contact: (63) 917-554-5560, (63 2) 586-7105, (63 2) 557-5860, info@9workstheatrical.com

Stage Camp is also holding a summer workshop from April 7 to June 1, 2014. Classes are held from Monday to Friday, except for the Holy Week break from April 14 to 18. Tuition fee for the acting lessons are PHP8,500 for Rockwell Club members and PHP9,000 for non-members.

Aside from morning classes, the organizations holding these workshops also opened night schedules. Since the venue for the workshops are near to offices and Makati hotels like Best Western Oxford Suites Makati, professional and business travelers can easily try taking acting lessons this summer.

Ultra-Convenient Hotel Offers Affordable Comfort in Expensive Singapore

Travelers on a budget who desire to wallow in ease and comfort usually end up choosing accommodations like Harbour Ville Hotel. Situated along Singapore's Kampong Bahru Road, this retreat has a location in one of the most expensive places on earth. And because it promises and delivers urban comfort at a more affordable price, it truly stands out.

In Singapore, say yes to no-frills.
Singapore, through the years, has grown to be one of the world's most popular places in which to work, invest, and live. Because of this, it has been drawing a huge inflow of financial and human capital, resulting to a hike in prices of goods and services. Today, the cost of living in this city-state is very high compared to its counterparts across the globe. It even ranked first in the 2014 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

These facts sometimes discourage tourists, especially the tight-budgeted ones, to visit Singapore. But with the rise of no-frills establishments, including hawker markets, public water parks, and budget hotels, the city-state has become a friendlier destination for budget travelers.

Reasonable price, total convenience under one roof
More than the usual budget Singapore accommodation, Harbour Ville Hotel does not compromise quality and comfort despite its relatively low rates. Each of its rooms is tastefully designed and amply fitted with essential travel amenities that include a cable TV, mini-refrigerator, hair dryer, phone, private toilet and bath, coffee and tea facilities, and air-conditioning. It even lets you easily stay updated with your family and friends back home with its Wi-Fi Internet connection. Truly, you will find everything that you need during your vacation in these accommodations. Also offered here are facilities and services such as airport transfers, currency exchange, parking spaces, housekeeping, and concierge service. Moreover, a fitness room, self-service laundry facilities, a 24-hour CCTV security system, and facilities for disabled guests are also featured by this hotel. Online rates start at SGD120 per night, inclusive of taxes and fees.

Yes, there are other budget SG hotels that offer lower rates, but what they usually lack is a convenient and strategic location. From Harbour Ville's address, you will reach the city-state's top destinations in no time. Sentosa, VivoCity Shopping Mall, Singapore General Hospital, and Chinatown are all merely 3 to 5 minutes away. Another nearby top attraction is Orchard Road, one of Singapore's top entertainment and shopping hubs, which you can reach after a 15-minute drive.

To know more about Harbour Ville Hotel's Singapore accommodation, call phone number 65-62712771.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

A Guide On How To Spend a Romantic Holiday in Cartagena, Colombia

On your next anniversary, honeymoon, or holiday, visit Cartagena de Indias and book a hotel there. This city in Colombia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is rich in history and charms that attract tourists every year. During your trip, you and your loved one can discover the energy of its streets, warm people, and some of the most beautiful scenery.

And if you stay at Hotel LM in Cartagena, Colombia, you will have an easier time experiencing all these things. With a strategic location near many places of interest and a host of conveniences to find inside the property, you can easily do the following activities:

Laze at the beach
It is no secret that South America has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And the beaches of Cartagena, which are just a 5-minute drive from Hotel LM, offer the waters of the famed Caribbean. Bask in the sun, sand, and sea all day. Play along the shoreline, get that sun-kissed tan, and enjoy cocktails under a shade.

Go on a culinary adventure
Dress up in your most stylish threads and head out to taste Cartagena's restaurants. Go to Malagana Cafe if you fancy fresh ceviche, hearty empanadas, stiff margaritas, and live entertainment. La Perla, along Calle de Ayos, is your best bet when it comes to Peruvian cuisine and cocktails. On the other hand, La Casa de Socorro boasts of seafood, fresh-squeezed juices, stew, and salsas. If you're interested, Hotel LM also has its own restaurant that serves special-diet meals upon request.

See the local sites and sights
Aside from the beach and restaurants, take time to explore the city's historic sites and popular attractions. These include old houses and colonial buildings, religious temples, walls and bastions, and castles. Get your photograph taken at San Felipe de Bajaras Castle, Santo Toribio Church, Fernandez Madrid Square, and Plaza Santo Domingo. While you are here, might as well check the local art and entertainment scene. Wherever you want to go, traveling is easy because of the hotel's tour assistance desk, shuttle services, airport transfers, and exclusive boat tours.

Get some well-deserved pampering
This hotel in Cartagena, Colombia knows that all the travel time and fun activities will eventually take its toll. When this happens, get yourself a nice back rub at the designated massage area. It has natural lighting and soothing sounds to help you relax more. Afterwards, go up to the terrace to admire the views of the sky, sea, and roofs of centuries-old colonial houses. There's also a swimming pool and solarium where you can while the time away.

Reward yourselves by just enjoying the comforts and privileges found inside Hotel LM's accommodations. The rooms feature premium bedding, choice of pillows, an LCD satellite TV, Wi-Fi Internet connection, and mini-bar. This Cartagena de Indias hotel also has a jacuzzi that can be decorated with candles, rose petals, and champagne for you and your partner.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Get Instant Confirmation for Room Reservations at Langdale by Amaya

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka — An indulgent holiday in Nuwara Eliya is only a few clicks away on http://www.langdalebyamaya.lk/, the website of Langdale by Amaya. Using the direct-booking engine recently launched here, those planning to stay at this resort can instantly reserve a room for their holiday.

How to Book Direct
On the website, guests have to indicate their travel dates on the calendar widget, click the “Book now” button, then complete the short reservation process. As guarantee for instant confirmation, they will be asked to pay 10% of the total cost. Then, the guestroom will be instantly registered under their name, followed by a confirmation email reporting that they have successfully booked the room of their choice.

Benefits of Booking on the Website
Guests who use the direct-booking engine receive instant confirmation upon completion of the quick reservation process.
VeriSign and Trustwave secure the privacy and integrity of all online transactions made using the system.
The reservation engine can be bookmarked and printed, and features a currency converter.
Finally, guests who book online have the opportunity to cancel or modify their reservations without charge (7 days for cancellation, 14 days for modification).

About Langdale by Amaya
This luxury resort is located in Nuwara Eliya, which means “City of Light” in the local language, where you can revel in panoramic views of majestic waterfalls, misty peaks, and green valleys. At this picturesque hilltop retreat, families, friends, and couples can easily embark on an exciting tour of Horton Plains National Park, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Queen Victoria Park, and other spectacular sights and destinations. At the resort, guests are greeted by colonial splendor as they make their way to their chosen accommodation. Aside from being provided with plenty of space to relax, each guest can also count on modern amenities that will make for a comfortable stay. Each room is complete with an LCD TV, coffee and tea facilities, electric heater, and Wi-Fi Internet connection. Also offered here is an array of facilities, including a spa, 16-seat restaurant, and the only heated outdoor pool in Nuwara Eliya.

For reservations and more information, simply visit http://www.langdalebyamaya.lk/.


Langdale by Amaya
Radalla, Nanu Oya,
Nuwara Eliya,
Sri Lanka

Phone Numbers: +94 114 767 888, +94 524 924 959


About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.