Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 111 of 195

Russian in May (Part 2): Yekaterinburg, the heart of the Urals

Located on the continental border between Europe and Asia, Yekaterinburg city surprises visitors with its impressive industrial development and historical and cultural imprints, oozing from every building and street corner.

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Our group visited Yekaterinburg (or Ekaterinburg) – one of the largest financial and economic cities in Russia on dazzlingly sunny days in May. In addition to its economic development, this beautiful city also has enormous potential for tourism, taking the leading position for the “must-see” destination in Russia. Visitors can find everything from traditional historic buildings, prestigious museums, exhilarating theme parks, unique street art, recreational shopping areas and delectable cuisine.

STEP OVER THE EURASIAN BORDER

Among the countless impressive truths about Yekaterinburg, one of the most notable things to mention, is its special geographical location. The Ural Mountains of Russia and Kazakhstan stretch 2,500km from the Kazak Steppe and run along Kazakhstan’s northern border to the Arctic Ocean coast. It is considered a natural boundary dividing Asia and Europe. Located in the Eastern side of the Ural Mountains, Yekaterinburg is the thoroughfare to this unique Eurasian border. A monument marking the geographic border of Europe and Asia was built in 1873 and is located about 10km from Yekaterinburg City. Its pillars of crimson marble are 25m high and weigh a staggering 500 tons. After being built, this boundary monument has become a significant destination visited by a huge number of tourists whenever they visit Yekaterinburg.

It is undeniable that the easily accessible geographic location of Yekaterinburg has had a positive effect on the development of the city. The main transport routes from Central Russia to Siberia were also built running through Yekaterinburg, including the famous TransSiberian Railway – one of the longest railways in the world running from Moscow to Vladivostok across the Eurasian continent. This railroad line, completed on July 21, 1904, has completely changed the previously inconspicuous Siberian land.

Up to now, Yekaterinburg has been both the capital of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the main industrial and cultural centre for the Ural Federal District, encompassing many offices of transnational corporations, foreign companies’ branches and federal and regional financial institutions. Yekaterinburg has taken its place as one of the fastestgrowing cities in the country and the fifth-largest city in the Russian Federation (by population statistics in 2002).

REMNANTS OF A BLOODY HISTORY

In addition to its spectacular development, Yekaterinburg is also a witness to the nostalgia related to the Russian Imperial Romanov family. Located on the banks of the Iset River in Yekaterinburg, the Church upon the Blood, also well known as the “bloody” church, is a historical attraction that marks the horrifying events surrounding the tragic execution of the last Tsar of Russia and his family.

After the Russian Revolution, the Russian Imperial Romanov family, Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, Tsarina Alexandra and their five children Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, Alexei and all those who chose to accompany them into imprisonment – notably Yevgeny Botkin, Anna Demidova, Alexei Trupp and Ivan Kharitonov, were shot to death by Bolshevik revolutionaries at Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918. Their bodies were thrown down a mineshaft before being burned and buried, while other members of the Romanov family were also executed. A total of 18 people in the Russian royal family and their loyal servants were murdered by the Bolsheviks in the bloody massacre in 1918.

In 1977, Ipatiev House was demolished by Boris Yeltsin’s order, to prevent it from being used by the royalist faction, this was until the year 2000, when the Russian Orthodox Church announced the canonization of the last Russian Tsar, giving him the title Saint Nicholas the passion-bearer. Along with Ipatiev House where the Romanov family was murdered, the Church on the Blood with a total area of 3,000sq. m was built to commemorate the innocent victims. The building was designed uniquely in a Russian-Byzantine style, the upper part is a religious area, and the lower floor is a museum. According to architects, the church symbolizes a strong connection to the era and the revival of the Orthodox tradition.

In addition to the Church upon the Blood, visitors can pay a visit to many other significant and beautiful historical spots in Yekaterinburg. The city is home to more than 600 historical and cultural relics, including 1905 Square which has a close relation to the important historical events in Russia. Nearby is the Weiner pedestrian street, also known as the “Yekaterinburg Arbat”, which is famous for its cast-iron sculptures each posessing a distinctive meaning. Not to be missed during your stay is a visit to Kolizey – the first theatre in Yekaterinburg built in a remarkably classic style. Standing out at the modern Avenue of Lenin and Gorky, Sevastyanov’s House is a beautiful old Gothic style palace that was built in the early 19th century. The house is a typical example of the architecture of the era, contrasting with the contemporary urban buildings in the surrounding area.

A TREASURE OF PRECIOUS COLLECTIONS

Yekaterinburg and its surrounding suburbs feature around 60 museums and art galleries, so guests here can immerse themselves wholly in the authentic cultural, historical and artistic treasures along with countless precious heritages during their stay.

One of the most famous museums in Yekaterinburg is the Ural Mineralogy Museum. The Ural Mountains are home to many minerals, so Russia’s mining and metallurgical industries are being developed rapidly in this area. Meanwhile, Yekaterinburg is the central city of the Urals, so it does not come as a shock that there is a large mineral museum in the city. Established in 1970 by the huge efforts of a well-known collector Vladimir Pelepenko, Ural Mineralogy Museum is a place to display and store many spectacular stone artefacts. It is considered the largest Museum of Stone in Sverdlovsk Oblast and is one of the leading museums in Russia.

The samples of stone were mainly collected by Vladimir Pelepenko from various deposits not only in the Urals but also from the other regions worldwide with over 10,000 artifacts. For example, the museum is home to unique crystals and minerals from India, China, Japan, Peru and various other countries.

Another not so well known but truly worth-the-visit museum is the Armored Museum and the Automotive Museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, a suburb of Yekaterinburg. The museum complex is a collection founded by the noted Russian tycoon Andrei Kozitsyn and has a wide range of military equipment on display in the large outdoor exhibition area from the Soviet Union and Russia including modern and ancient tanks and armored vehicles. The indoor area exhibits an enormous collection of famous Russian cars from across the ages. The more floors you climb, the more you can admire the impressive collection of motorbikes and bicycles. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the elaborate collections, impressive installations and preservation of specialized artifacts.

If you have a true passion for history, not to be missed is a visit to the museum of the first Russian president – Boris Yeltsin. Boris Yeltsin President Center not only showcases the life of Yeltsin but also draws a clear picture of Russia during his incumbency. The highlight of the exhibit entitled “Seven days of Russian establishment” leads visitors through a series of galleries commemorating the paramount events in Russia during the 1990s. The mention of “Seven days of Russian establishment” may be strange but it has given emotive validation to Yeltsin’s death in 2007 and he has still received the highest praises from all nationals in Russia. Opened by his daughter Yeltsin Tatyana and her husband – Valentin Yumashev, both formerly Yeltsin’s assistants, the President Boris Yeltsin Center is an attempt to not only to save his legacy but also to emphasize that his great changes and dedication to Russia are permanent.

A TRIP TO KAMENSK-URALSKY

Your journey to discover Russia will undoubtedly be enhanced if you include a visit to the city of KamenskUralsky – a tourist destination in Sverdlovsk Oblast, around 100km from Yekaterinburg. It is well known as an “outdoor museum” because of its location on the banks where the Iset and Kamenka Rivers meet. During a two-hour trip on the Iset River, you will have the opportunity to explore the spectacular Iset Gorge and admire majestic natural landscapes, passing ancient bridges and uniquely-formed rocky mountains. The real gem of the tour is the Stone Gate, where visitors can admire the ancient fossils within its surface firsthand.

Besides your stay in the charmingly peaceful riverside dwelling, a leisurely stroll around the city will transport you back in time. The city features many old buildings built during the 18th and 19th centuries, in particular, the Old Kamensk has about 30 historical architectural monuments which were perfectly preserved. Take a wander and experience KamenskUralsky at its most serene, wake up early just as dawn draws its curtains, catch a glimpse of the gentle rays of morning sunshine pervading the street corners, breathe the crisp fresh air and take stroll along the ancient pathways to admire the historic architecture.

Not to be missed during your stay is a visit to the oldest and most prestigious bell-making factory in Russia. An abundance of bells of the highest quality are produced here and exported to many different regions for use in temples and pagodas in Russia, Europe and even the United States. You will be astounded at the impressive bell-making process and fascinated by the meticulous local craftsmen who make bells of all sizes each with a distinctive echoe. At the end of your visit, do not forget to ring the bell, make a wish and listen as the sound ricochets carrying your wish over the surrounding land.

There are likely many more fascinating things in Yekaterinburg that cannot all be mentioned in this short article. All future travelers need to visit this place, at least once, to be able to feel the authentic and profound beauty of this city – “the heart of the Urals”.

W.TIPS

TRAVELLING TO YEKATERINBURG

From Vietnam, you can take a flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Moscow, and then continue on a domestic flight to Yekaterinburg. Aeroflot, Russia’s national airline, is the ideal choice as it offers convenient flights at reasonable prices.

TRAVELLING AROUND YEKATERINBURG

The public transportation services in Yekaterinburg are developing considerably. Here visitors can use many types of public transport such as tram, subway, bus and taxi, to name a few.

TIME

Yekaterinburg is in the GMT +5 time zone while Vietnam is in the GMT +7 time zone, which means that Yekaterinburg is two hours behind Vietnam.

WEATHER

Yekaterinburg possesses a humid continental climate with harsh variability in weather conditions and well-marked seasons. The temperature in winter can freeze to temperatures as low as -40°C while the summer temperature can soar above 35°C.

RELIGION

Christianity is the predominant religion in the city, of which most are adherents to the Russian Orthodox Church. Other religions practised in Yekaterinburg include Islam, Old Believers, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Judaism.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips

5 reasons why Thailand is ranked as the leading destination for MICE travel in 2019

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] One of the key reasons for the rapid increase in tourism in Thailand has to be MICE – a type of tourism that combines meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. MICE appeals to travelers not only because of its developed infrastructure but also thanks to the diversity of services and healthy investment in modern technology. Thailand has therefore received the accolade for being a top appealing destination for MICE travelers in 2019.

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VISA AND TRANSPORTATION

Many travelers visiting Thailand can currently benefit from Visa exemption or can obtain a Visa on Arrival – a type of visa issued at the airport to 83 countries and territories. Thanks to that, visitors from all over the world can easily access the country. In addition to its flexible visa policy, the development of airport systems and the professional services of international airlines are significant contributing factors in the success of Thai tourism. Thailand has more than 60 airports, comprising of 11 international airports with Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok being not only the most prominent but also the main international gateway. Additionally, reputable international airlines are making a great contribution to putting Thailand on the map, notably Bangkok Airways – the first private airline in Thailand. Branding itself “Asia’s Boutique Airline” Bangkok Airways flies travelers from around the world across Thailand and Asia, which inspires those who love to travel as well as heavily promoting MICE tourism in Thailand.

FACILITIES FOR EVENTS ORGANIZATION

In respect of MICE tourism, the incorporation of facilities and services to ensure the smooth running of events is indispensable. These event facilities can be well integrated with accommodation or developed separately.

In Thailand, visitors can easily find luxury hotels that are fully equipped with conference rooms, making them suitable for business trips to meet partners or to hold events on a large or small scale. Notably, Conrad Bangkok Hotel features a banquet hall and multi-function rooms, equipped with the latest amenities, and is the location for TIME 2019, an annual event organized by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Along with the Thai Capital of Bangkok, the coastal city of Pattaya is also an attractive destination for MICE travelers in Thailand. Pattaya boasts a vast array of idyllic hotels and resorts. To name a few; Mövenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya received the TMVS Certified Hotel Award in 2018 as it is the venue for the leading MICE events in Thailand, Ocean Marina Yacht Club provides meeting and banquet rooms for functions, Mytt Beach Hotel has a grand conference center which can accommodate up to 800 guests, or Royal Cliff Hotels Group comprises four hotels with more than 53 conference and meeting venues including a 13,000-square-metre Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH) which can accommodate up to 10,000 people.

Aside from the impressive amount of hotels and resorts equipped with professional event facilities, Thailand takes pride in hosting a diverse array of world-class conferences and exhibitions. Gaysorn Urban Resort is a luxury co-working space on the 19th and 20th floors of Gaysorn Tower in central Bangkok. The high-end contemporary design of this facility is a harmonious fusion of nature and urban. Featuring an ultra-stylish conference room and a comprehensive range of services, including event planning and consultancy services, the resort currently brings MICE travelers in its droves. Additionally, Nongnooch Pattaya International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICE) could be the perfect location for a successful event, as it features a large auditorium spanning 5,610sq. m along with state-of-the-art facilities and is only a stone’s throw away from Pattaya’s hotels, resorts and leisure destinations.

In order to cater to all MICE travelers’ budgets, Thailand offers a vast array of widely distributed options to stage events, from 2-star to 6-star venues at an affordable price all in close proximity to public transport systems for convenient access.

COMBINED TOURS INCLUDING SIGHTSEEING AND SHOPPING

Almost all MICE events in Thailand are accompanied by a series of local cultural tours. You can take a stroll along Ratchaprasong Walk, an elevated walkway connected to 18 buildings in Bangkok’s bustling Ratchaprasong area. It conveniently links all the business destinations, co-working spaces, shopping malls, restaurants, and leading hotels. You can also explore the beautiful Golden Temple by taking a boat along the majestic Chao Phraya River, contemplate nature whilst keeping an eye out for Bangkok’s finest landmarks, such as the royal temple of Wat Arun, Royal Barge Museum on Bangkok Noi Canal with beautiful artistic masterpieces celebrating the strong bond between the locals and the river over the course of the ages. If you visit Pattaya City, do not miss the opportunity to take a trip to visit the Takientia community which perfectly demonstrates the rich tradition of wet rice farming and green coconut planting.

As well as sightseeing, shopping is one of Thailand’s pleasures that cannot be missed. Whether you are looking for branded items or artisanal crafts, both make for attractive and meaningful souvenirs. A must-see shopping destination for discerning buyers is ICONSIAM – the grandest and most opulent commercial center in Thailand. Its architectural design is a rich blend of tradition and modernity in a breathtaking 750,000-square-metre space.

What’s more, thanks to Thailand’s convenient geography, you can easily combine sightseeing tours and visit world-renowned tourist attractions in the neighboring countries of the Mekong Subregion.

DEVELOPMENT OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

In parallel with the development of infrastructure and services, MICE travel in Thailand has advocated the development and application of modern technology in tourism. One of the most practical apps for MICE travelers is BizConnect. This app allows business travelers to manage events easily and conveniently, in turn saving time. The most outstanding feature of BizConnect is that users can easily digitize and store visit cards, share information of enterprises, set up and share events to their network and find relevant strategic partnerships.

SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS FROM TCEB

In 2019, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau – TCEB launched new supportive programs with the aim of promoting conferences and exhibitions in Thailand. These programs make it easier for travelers to achieve the most convenient access as well as an excellent return on investment. The TCEB launched three outstanding campaigns this year. The first “Fly and Meet Double Bonus – Redefined” campaign offers a range of exclusive privileges for MICE travelers from CLMV – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. “MICE Thailand Signature” is the second initiative, where 262 outlets are offering discounts of up to 30% to overseas MICE travelers. The final campaign is the “360 Degree Exhibition Success” which provides incentives to help CLMV exhibitors and trade visitors achieve the best return-on-investment when they travel to Thailand to participate in international trade shows.

Wanderlust Tips

Kenya: The things I really see

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] My trip was only for 14 days, so many people recommended joining a tour because it is not an easy place for solo travellers. Of course, i had my concerns, so i sent emails to several travel agencies in Kenya, but in the end, with my departure date drawing near, i decided to go on my own and only rely on local tour services for places where i couldn’t go it alone like on safari. Until this day, i’m still thankful i made that decision because it allowed me to see a very different Kenya from the one i had learnt about through books and the internet.

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THE LIGHT OF THE GRASSLAND

When the bright sun rose from the East without any trees blocking its rays, I realised that I was in Africa. In the morning, strangely the cold seeped into my skin, I thought that Africa was hot everywhere! And throughout this journey, many new things kept coming to challenge my limited understanding of an African continent still a mystery to the world.

Wyatt welcomed me warmly on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta airport in the capital Nairobi. I didn’t want to miss a moment in Kenya, so I decided to go on a safari that very same morning. The jeep departed from Nairobi to the Masai Mara more than 300 kilometres away, crossing the bare mountain slopes. The sparse old cactuses casting long shadows and creating ideal places for local people to sell grilled corn.

My travelling companions and I were mostly silent in the car as we had only just met each other on entering the jeep. A Dutch girl was interested in wildlife, a gentle American friend and a beautiful Nigerian girl – his girlfriend. Quite a special occasion as four people from Asia, Europe, Africa and America who had never met each other before were in one jeep. We had great moments on the plains, saw starry nights, and celebrated a simple small birthday party for me in a strange city.

On the topic of Africa, and specifically Kenya, most magazines and social media mention the Masai Mara as a paradise of wild animals. I was mentally prepared for that, but when I saw the wildebeest attentively walking in the sun, I hardly uttered a word. Going deeper into the Masai Mara National Reserve, the scenery became more spectacular, each group of zebras grazing deliberately on the green savannah grass. The driver laughed and said that we would start the real journey the next day, calling it the Game Drive.

It is often said that the Game Drive is a unique experience while on safari, and you have the chance to admire the immense green savannah covering 1,500 sq. km and an abundance of wild animals. Of course, it is not a plain full of wild animals like on television, and sometimes it takes many hours of constant driving to find a herd or a rare animal. We spent 8-10 hours every day traversing the plains to find wild animals that look like moving black dots from a distance. It could be a large herd of elephants, or a lion lying silently under a tree, an eagle flying around above the tree canopies, or a jaguar sneaking up on the jeep.

In this season, the Masai Mara is not as bustling as that in the long dry season from July to November every year when the Great Migration arrives from the Serengeti in Tanzania. The Serengeti is a 15,000sq. km national park bordering the Masai Mara but located in Tanzania, and the two are divided by the Mara River full of crocodiles and hippos. The plains are fertile and green thanks to the amount of rainfall in the two countries which keeps drawing the herds of animals back. However, there are still many rare animals on the Masai Mara plains such as elephants, rhinos, lions, jaguars, wild buffalos, hippos, giraffes and wildebeest.

During the days of sitting in the cramped jeep, the Masai Mara took me from one surprise to another. The beasts roaming on the meadows were ones that I had only seen on TV before, and now they appeared in front of me. I was extremely nervous when the elephants came near me, or a lion stared defiantly into my camera lens. Once, when the elephants roared, we panicked and asked the driver to speed up, but he only laughed and said it was okay, that we shouldn’t worry because everything is not like it is in the movies.

That’s right, only the beauty is the same as in the movies, and the ferociousness of the animals is something I did not see in my many days here. On the vast savannah, the animals live freely and peacefully, although obviously the fact that big animals eat small animals is unavoidable, the animals did not roar like other beasts in the Sai Gon Zoo and Botanical Gardens when they saw people. There are three reasons for an animal to become aggressive, to be imprisoned, threatened or hungry. But these vast green plains are for only the relaxed herds of beasts, where they can roam freely without any human intervention.

Modern people are imprisoned in narrow buildings, offices full of dazzling lights or bustling cafes with music. They feel safe within that world, and I’m also no exception, reeling in my vicious circle. But when I saw a herd of zebras that were leaning their heads against each other in the bright sun, or a pride of lions chasing each other to the horizon, I realised that the true meaning of freedom was to break free from those constraints.

After a tiring Game Drive day, I went to my tent in the evening. There was nothing but silence outside except the occasional calling of the animals. In this place, there is no phone signal, no electricity, no use for money, and no sign of modern society. To experience this was overwhelming for me in the first few days as if I had been stripped of everything that made me feel safe such as the Internet, connection, light or even conversation. But then I let go, felt more comfortable and familiar with it and also more at peace than ever before. It has been a long time since I had such a feeling of emptiness, as if I was sitting opposite myself listening to my own thoughts.

The Africa of the Internet was the days of travelling on the savannah, the dreamlike pictures of free-roaming beasts, or the star-filled nights. Anyone would proudly show off amazing photos taken with the friendly Masai people after coming home… Yes, that’s not wrong, but that’s only a half of the truth… The other half of it will open a more complete Kenyan picture full of light and darkness.

THE DARKNESS SHROUDING KENYAN FAMILIES

When I entered a Masai house, I could barely breathe for two reasons: thick smoke in a dark house of 10-15sq. m and what was happening inside. There was a kitchen in the middle of the house in which a pot of porridge was boiling. The two sides of the house were two dark rooms, and some people peeked out at the strangers. The room on the left for a family of a couple and four children, the room on the right for a family of a couple and three children. But that was not all, behind my back was a cage, perhaps for cattle or poultry. It is unthinkable that such a 10-15sq. m space could contain up to 11 people as well as numerous animals. The house was covered with a thatched roof, the walls made from mud that had been mixed with cow dung and even human urine. People might grimace at that, but that is the truth, and I don’t want to say it differently. Life has never been easy.

As a Vietnamese, I know my country has many difficulties, especially in rural areas. But I could not imagine that the Masai people could live in such a deprived environment. A Masai man took me around the village, surrounded by smelly cow dung and sheep faeces on the road. Poorly dressed children sat in the middle of the yard despite the swarms of flies on their faces. My real Africa was like that. I returned to the capital Nairobi after days crossing the plains and beautiful lakes along with meeting many gorgeous tourists. My friend gave me advice: “Be careful!” – I didn’t really understand because I was back in the developed capital. Compared to the previous days of my journey? Was there nothing to be careful of in remote areas full of risks?

The receptionist looked at me, smiled politely and said: “Please don’t go out after 7pm. You should be careful as today is the weekend so there will be quite a lot of street children, and you do not know what could happen”. I was a little nervous but still decided to go out onto the street and see what was happening out there.

As I wandered on the streets alone, I hardly found anyone like me. China town is located not far from the centre, but it is also said that tourists often don’t go there. I also saw only one white person during a long day walking through the centre of town, and people kept looking at me on the street as if I came from a strange planet. Groups of street children asked me for money, and I did not respond, they screamed, “Ching Chong”, it is often used as a teasing word to call Chinese people. Actually, the feeling of loneliness made me nervous.

That was the reason why I was always more careful when going out. On the right were the street children, on the left were the homeless people sleeping on the road. I had to watch constantly and only choose a safe direction. My disguise became useless, completely failing me here because there was no one like me. How could I hide with the colour of my skin? How could I disguise myself when I was like no one?

One day I decided to go to a local market to buy souvenirs. I came across a lot of people who were lying on the sidewalks and sleeping, ragged people lying on the cold ground face down. I didn’t want to risk my safety, so I hurried back to the hotel. When passing by a supermarket, a child approached me for money, but straight away a woman speedily scolded the child saying not to disturb foreigners. I felt much better, at least if something happened, I could still call for help.

The HIV epidemic and conflict in the border areas have made children become the sadness of Kenyan society. I felt heavy, like a grey curtain was covering the city after my days in Nairobi. Compared to the lively safari filled with people, life here is so sad and my enjoyment of wandering alone was greatly affected.

When I returned to the hotel in the afternoon, I witnessed a group of street children gathering, singing, and looking disruptive. The ragged, dark-skinned children were angrily looking at the pedestrians. I think that I won’t forget their eyes when they were glaring at an Asian person walking alone on the street like me for a long time…

W.TIPS

LANGUAGE

In Kenya, Swahili and English are the two main languages. English is taught from the first grade in the city and from the fourth grade in the countryside, so most Kenyans speak English fluently. However, the English accent of Kenyans makes most Vietnamese have difficult in clearly understanding their English.

VISA AND YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION

It is easy to apply for an online visa, without going to the consulate or submitting any papers. When you arrive in Kenya, you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The yellow fever vaccine was not available in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi at the time of my trip, so I had to go to Hai Phong to be vaccinated. The vaccination must be done in a week before your departure. Contact the Preventive Health Department to find out whether the vaccine is available or not.

WEATHER

People often suppose that Kenya’s climate is always hot, but in fact, this is not always the case. While at the sea or on the islands, there is a hot and humid tropical climate, the high mountains often have snow and ice. The rainy and dry seasons are not clearly differentiated during the year, affecting the migration of the herds. Sometimes, the temperature changes by 10-15 degrees Celsius in a day. I arrived in February, so the temperature was about 14 degrees Celsius in the evening and morning while it was about 24 degrees Celsius during a sunny day.

TRAVELLING TO KENYA

Many airlines fly to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in the capital Nairobi, but Kenya Airlines’ route is the most convenient. There are three direct flights per week with very convenient flight times, so you can transit from Hanoi or HCMC in Bangkok before travelling on to Nairobi.

TRAVELLING AROUND KENYA

6-seater jeeps are available for safaris. In the inner city of Nairobi, taxis or Ubers are the easiest choices for tourists.

Warning: In safari zones, all roads are red and dusty or muddy. The roads are in poor condition and rough if you go to Nairobi’s suburbs.

If you would like to visit different cities in Kenya, there are many options such as plane, train or bus. Airlines in Kenya also use a lot of light aircraft carrying from 1 to 30 people. Details of the plane tickets should be checked carefully when booking.

TOUR

Various combination tour programs are always provided depending on tourists’ schedules if they want to travel alone. There is a maximum of six people per tour allowing for greater cultural exchange and not overcrowding the travel experience.

In Nairobi, you can explore the city by walking tours so please contact your hotel reception for further assistance.

ACCOMMODATION

If you join a safari tour, travel companies will take care of everything. Self-guided safaris are impossible as the savannah is extremely vast and the identification of animals is exchanged via walkie talkies in local languages. Sightseeing tours are quite expensive, depending on your choice you can stay in a camp with a simple tent or a lodge in a luxury resort and the price of a 5-day tour is from USD400 to USD2,000 (VND9,3 million to VND46,3 million). Therefore, you can make a plan for a meaningful trip depending on your budget and requirements.

CUISINE

Kenyan cuisine represents the nation’s racial diversity. The main dishes of Kenya are made from corn, potatoes and beans. In particular, the Masai people often eat foods produced from cows and goats, such as their meat and milk. They do not eat wild meat or fish, but only eat what they grow. Besides this, it is obvious that Kenyan cuisine has been influenced by the Portuguese and British, and on the streets of Nairobi, restaurants and bars selling British food are quite popular. Also, Kenyan cuisine has been fused with Indian cuisine on account of the many Indian migrant workers here.

OTHER NOTES

>> In the capital of Kenya, most multinational companies recommend that employees should not go out after 7pm. Many dangers are lurking including those from homeless people, street children and police. Police often harass foreigners.

>> Don’t go out alone in the street, go with friends or local people to reduce possible risks and remember not to bring expensive items or cash.

Nguyen Huy Tam | Wanderlust Tips

Travel bloggers

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] In recent years, the title “travel blogger” has become an exceedingly trendy occupation. However, despite the positive, glitzy side to the trips and travel writing, becoming a travel blogger also requires you to face lots of difficult choices, throwing up many challenges and obstacles.

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Thu Ha | Wanderlust Tips

Lotus-themed mooncakes at Windsor Plaza Hotel

During the season of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Windsor Plaza Hotel has boasted an exceptional collection of flavorful mooncakes for 2016 which is inspired from the lotus – a symbolic flower of purity and nobility.

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Each mooncake box features a tasteful design of the lotus silhouette with a vibrant backdrop of the full moon representing a season full of love, happiness and gathering with family and friends. Delicately made for a perfect gift during the joyous season, the renowned Windsor mooncakes feature traditional and modern flavor choices including green bean, red bean, coconut, lotus seed, green tea, black sesame, tiramisu, roasted chicken, and shark’s fin, all to bring back memories of childhood and the joy of reunion with those you love.

This year, the eight-cake box features a choice of royal blue or purple colours in a unique two-drawer design and presents eight 100gr cakes, just 868,000VND per box. The four-cake box offers a square design with four 230gr cakes in savoury and sweet flavours, accompanied by a box of speciality Oolong tea. This unique set is 898,000VND per box.

With any order over 50 boxes, receive free shipping to District 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan.

Windsor Plaza Hotel

Add: 18 An Duong Vuong Street, District 5, HCMC.
Tel: (+848) 3833 6688
Website: visit www.windsorplazahotel.com/mooncake

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

The marvellous Haiti

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] When thinking of Haiti, people often imagine its poverty and instability, but there are also many positives that to be found here, it is an enchanting land of lush green nature, a proud history and art-loving local people.

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THE ENDLESS STRETCH OF BLUE IN HAITI

Being a country located on the beautiful Caribbean Sea, Haiti has never disappointed nature lovers with its distinctive colours. The lush green of the mountains and forests, the deep turquoise of the sea, the crystal clear blue skies, all of them enveloping each other in the most elegant space.

Haiti shares the area of Hispaniola Island with the Dominican Republic – the island is located in the Great Antilles archipelago in the Americas. Mountains and sea are two distinguishing topographic features here. Almost all of Haiti is nestled in the rolling hills, hence local people build their houses in layers that run through high slopes. Due to its island status, the sea is considered the “pièce de résistance” in Haiti. The Haitian sea boasts an unrivalled beauty with water so clean and crystal clear that you can easily capture numerous small fish excitingly swimming in the sea. The beaches in Haiti are often surrounded by vast mountain ranges, so the sea is extremely calm with only the gentle sound of waves lapping. I was particularly looking forward to taking a dip without having to worry about the danger of huge waves. Conveniently, the sea in Haiti is not affected by strong winds and there are many trees dotted along the coastline for you to shelter from the scorching sun. I took advantage of the perfect conditions and opted to lie down under the shade of the trees and watch others frolicking in the cool, sparkling water, it was blissfully tranquil.

RISING FROM THE DARKNESS OF SLAVERY

From the metropolis of Port-au-Prince, I drove along an asphalted road that was pleasantly, surrounded by the breathtakingly beautiful mountains on the right, which taking a closer look uniquely resembled the body of a sleeping woman, while on the left we passed the deep, serene blue sea. I felt refreshed driving along the quiet road surrounded by stunningly gorgeous scenery. After around an hour’s drive, I reached the edge of a Montrouis small town, I turned left onto an old trail, which was the entrance of the Ogier-Fombrun Museum. Located in the beautiful Moulin Sur Mer resort, Ogier-Fombrun Museum is the capital’s renowned historical museum, where you can easily learn about Haiti’s remarkable history and culture.

Ogier-Fombrun Historical Museum was formerly a sugar plantation of Guillaume – an army colonel. This building was built in during the 18th century, 1760 respectively. During Haiti’s revolutionary period, the place was abandoned in 1799. It was not until 1977 that Architect Gérard Fombrun recovered and renovated the space. In the spirit of protecting national heritage sites, Gérard Fombrun collected materials and supplies dating from the pre-Columbian period, the French and Spanish colonial period and the establishment of Haiti in 1804. Here houses an extensive collection of authentic artifacts, for instance there are a population of houses with water pipes up to 150m long. When the wheels rotate, the water is directed to the water pipes serving for the production of sugarcane. At that time, Haiti was the most thriving colonial country of France, supplying three quarters of the world’s sugarcane.

In contrast to the economic aura that a colonial country like Haiti had brought to the empire, its colonial period was one of the darkest periods in Haitian history, especially due to slavery. However, thanks to this difficult period, Haiti later became a country boasting a rich culture and multicontinental heritage sites, two official languages including French and Haitian Creole, an abundance of beautiful music and art reflecting the influences drawn from Africa, India and Europe. These three cultures exist harmoniously and are subtly visible in the daily life of Haitian people.

In 1804, Haiti declared its independence. This was the first black republic in the world and the only nation established as a result of successful slave rebellion. The spirit of Haitian liberation inspired many countries, and hence became a threat to the established order in the world at that time.

Haiti is a palpable witness to the horrors of slavery and that should never be forgotten. Those brought from Africa were forced to work but their minds, souls and spirits were difficult to subdue. They remained optimistic, developed their strength of character and that is ultimately the key to the success of Haitian independence.

THE ART-LOVING PEOPLE

Bearing a resemblance to the spirit of the Haitians, the most distinctive art here was derived from a raw material – iron. The Haitian people deftly combined the strong rigidity of iron bars with authentic artistic creativity to compose the most impressive masterpieces. Iron products in Haiti are tremendously sophisticated and durable meaning they can be utilized as outdoor decorations. Haitian iron art is used simultaneously in interior furniture and garden decorations, and it is also popularly used in luxury restaurants and hotels. Aside from that, a wide range of items including children toys or daily supplies in Haiti can also be made of iron in a variety of eye-catching colours and design styles.

The most perfect venue to admire Haiti’s metal architecture and iron art has to be the Iron Market. Sometimes, it is also called Hyppolite Market because of the former president Florvil Hyppolite who acquired the metal structure from France for its construction. It was built in the 1890s and devastated by the largest earthquake in Haitian history in 2010. Nevertheless, the Iron Market was reconstructed identically for the sum of 18 million dollars in 2011. Today, the Iron Market is considered a national heritage site in Haiti. The market encompasses two large halls with their rows of arches and iron house frames, each domed house is 2,000sq. m wide. It was connected to an iron gate with four domed towers and a clock hung on the gate’s facade. The entire structure is painted red with impressive streaks of green.

The Iron Market is probably the most crowded place in Haiti. Coming here, you should not be shy or too “polite”, otherwise you will be overwhelmed by the crowds, goods and solicitation. You could find everything you want from Haiti at the Iron Market because there are always, handicrafts, seasonings and food on offer. Don’t rush, observe others and take your time to comfortably negotiate with sellers, that way you will be able to appreciate the buzzing and fun-filled atmosphere of bargain hunting. Note that the Iron Market is not for everyone, especially those who are not keen on the hustle and bustle.

In addition to the iron art, oil painting on canvas is also a familiar craft made by Haitian people. There are that many paintings sold on the street that you might think the entire Haitian population are artists. The paintings mainly depict the dynamic scene of the markets and the stunningly beautiful scenery in Haiti. With authentic artistic lines imbued with the lifestyle and culture in Africa, talented painters sketch out a magnificently vivid picture. When taking a stroll along the street, it is easy for you to find lively-decorated walls adorned with fascinatingly vivid images. I walked through many streets with large murals painted on the walls. Most Haitian paintings are blended with various colours and free themes. With endless inspiration, this is the place to snap countless beautiful shots.

W.TIPS

VISA

The Haitian Embassy in Vietnam is located at 44/4 Van Bao Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City. You can make an online visa application or easily apply for a Haitian visa at the embassy at a cost of USD75. However, there is no direct flight from Vietnam to Haiti, hence you need to carefully check in-transit visa procedures.

4G SIM CARD

After arrival at the airport in Haiti, as you come to the exit there are many stores offering free SIM cards for various Haitian telecommunications companies. Viettel mobile network invested in Haiti as there are a wide number of Vietnamese people living there. If needed further information and support will be available.

HOW TO TRAVEL IN HAITI

A tap-tap is a vehicle used popularly in Haiti which resembles a motorbike in Vietnam. Negotiate the price before booking, it should cost around 50 Haitian gourdes (=VND12,500) for 2km. You can also use US dollars, but you should exchange currency from the dollars to Haiti Gourde for your convenience. In contrast to Vietnam, the streets are extremely narrow and steep thus difficult to maneuver it is not advised to hire a car to self-drive.

WEATHER

In Haiti, it rains a little, mainly in the late afternoon/evening. The daytime temperature is about 300C. You should wear sun cream and a wide-brimmed hat when going out.

CUISINE

Delicacies including lobsters, sea cucumbers and shark fins that are expensive and rare in Vietnam are actually cheaper than vegetables in Haiti.

In Haiti, large, fresh lobsters are a tenth of the price compared to that in Vietnam. In a poor country like Haiti, fisherman use rudimentary techniques that yield a small catch.

For those who do not want to eat an abundance of seafood then the Haitian traditional dishes usually include beans, rice and sauces, hence they do not cook a lot of sea cucumbers which contain a lot of nutrition. Most sea cucumbers are caught and retailed for a small number of people in need.

Haitians hunt sharks with spears and their fresh fins are available directly at beaches. Dried or packaged shark produce is not available in Haiti. If you want to buy shark fins, then discuss with one of the spear hunters a few days before and cross your fingers for a catch.

Moreover, rice is considered a staple food in Haiti, so Haitian food is pleasantly familiar for Vietnamese. A wide array of restaurants and eateries are available including fast food outlets. Coming to Haiti, you should also try local fruits with their delicious flavours, notably sweet lemon, Baptist mango and avocado, to name a few.

Mori | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine in July 2019: Careers in Tourism

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] Interested in travelling around the world but worried about being strapped for cash? You don’t need to be a billionaire with an outrageous amount of financial assets to make your dream come true. Put simply, you just need to work and travel. The July 2019 issue of Wanderlust Tips, with the theme “Careers in Tourism” will open the proverbial door for those who love travelling.

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Today, there are a variety of jobs allowing you to earn an income whilst exploring the world: travel bloggers, tour guides, travel agents, photographers, social workers, hotel reviewers, to name but a few. Broadening your horizons through the article of The jobs that pay you to travel the world in Trends section.

In Conversation section, be prepared to be fascinated by Johnny Ward’s exhilarating stories – the travel blogger who set foot across 197 countries and territories, shares useful advice to those who are determined to travel.

Johnny is not the only one who has been living his dream of travelling around the world. We bring you Stories from travels around the world (Travel Inspiration section) from the Lexie Alford who recently, at just 21 years old, established the Guinness World Record as the youngest person to reach all 196 countries or Meigo Märk – an Estonian guy who has travelled to 22 countries on foot, crossing a distance of 20,000km in 4 years and 3 months.

After you have devoured these tremendous real-life stories about those who have a true passion for conquering the world, Wanderlust Tips will be truly alight with exclusive content about stunningly beautiful lands across continents near and far. Discover the spectacle that is Kenya, giving readers the most authentic view in the article of Kenya – The things I really see (Discovery section). Not only the light of the grasslands with its vast savannahs containing a vividly wild world, but also the darkness and sadness that envelopes residents of Kenya.

In Destination section, you will witness a historical Russia through the article of Yekaterinburg – The Heart of the Urals. The city surprises visitors with its impressive industrial development and historical and cultural imprints, oozing from every building and street corner.

The exhilarating journey in July will take you to Haiti through The marvellous Haiti (Discovery section). Forgetting its poverty and instability, you will immerse yourself in the lush green nature, a proud history and art-loving local people.

Finally, you will stop by the land of golden pagoda to explore 5 reasons why Thailand is ranked as the leading destination for MICE travel in 2019.

Wanderlust Tips

Vilnius: The peaceful heart of Lithuania

[Wanderlust Tips June 2019] After an inspirational period of planning and with a strong sense of determination, i finally made a trip to these beautiful countries, starting in Vilnius – the capital of the republic of Lithuania, the city voted one of the 10 most beautiful destinations in europe in 2018 by a prominent travel publisher.

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Lithuania is a country situated in the Baltic Sea region in northeastern Europe, although it is classified by the United Nations as a Northern European country. Lithuania is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the southeast, Poland and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) to the southwest, and the Baltic Sea to the west. Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and its largest city in which its Old Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its universal value to humanity and historical origins. In particular, the Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest surviving medieval towns in northern Europe, covering an area of nearly 3,6sq. km and encompasses about 70 streets and lanes along with more than 1,450 buildings. It is where an array of Europe’s most celebrated architectural styles such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical stand side by side complementing each other. Vilnius Old Town was formed and has developed over the course of many centuries, being shaped by the city’s history and constantly changing cultural influences.

On this trip, my flight departed from Bucharest (Romania) and landed in Vilnius (Lithuania). Riding in a taxi, it took me around 20 minutes from Vilnius International Airport to my hotel in the city centre near Vilnius Old Town. From the hotel, I spent about 5 minutes walking to Pilies Street (Castle Street), the main street in Vilnius Old Town, connecting Cathedral Square and Town Hall Square.

Pilies Street is quite short and generally crowded, bustling and busy in spite of not holding the many political or cultural events commonly held in Town Hall Square. It is popular for its eye-catching artistic wares like paintings, souvenirs and handicrafts of artisans and art-lovers. Along the street there are also a multitude of cafes, restaurants and boutiques selling amber and linen. The cafes have alluring façades attracting tourists with a myriad of picturesque fresh flower baskets, or restaurants with uniform tables covered by pristine white tablecloths right at their tiled front entrances, inviting passersby to take a rest and indulge in a light meal.

A trip here would not be complete without visiting the amber shops. Besides the amber-decorative items, there are many sophisticated and high-quality jewellery pieces famous throughout the Baltic region on display in bright showcases, exuding their enchanting beauty. Tourists’ astonished, admiring eyes and faces pushed close to the shopfronts are a testament to the beauty of the amber here. The English-speaking sales clerks with thick Eastern European accents enthusiastically explain to buyers the difference between real amber and fake imitations and their prices. Without a doubt, this is a paradise for amber jewellery enthusiasts! Besides that, if you are a fan of natural fibre clothing, it’s hard to ignore the selection of items on offer, not only single colour smooth linen fabric but also sophisticated, luxurious pattern-prints with eye-catching designs which are always a favourite of shoppers.

Strolling along Pilies Street, there were a lot of grand old buildings, and it is easy to take stunning photos without even trying. A building with red brick walls – an ancient colour with its own style, or a gentle pastel pink building, radiant in the pleasant sunshine. One end of Pilies Street leads to Cathedral Square, the main square of Vilnius Old Town which is known for its key central location and also being an ideal place to host the city’s community activities such as fairs, parades, gatherings, political and religious events, exhibitions and concerts. Cathedral Square is considered as a symbol of Lithuania because of its stunning neoclassical architectural work – Vilnius Cathedral. Although Cathedral Square was built in the late 19th century, the original temple of the Vilnius Cathedral was constructed very early in the 13th century. In 1922, Vilnius Cathedral was conferred with the title of ‘Basilica’ by Pope Pius XI. The Bell Tower is an inseparable part of Vilnius Cathedral, proudly standing next to the church since the 13th century and was not only a part of the defensive wall of Vilnius in the past but also one of the oldest and highest bell towers of the Old Town. The height of the Belfry is 52 metres, but with the cross on top, its entire height stretches to 57 metres. When climbing the tower, visitors have the opportunity to explore the beautiful panorama of Vilnius from the top, admiring impressive views of the city’s old bells and clocks, or checking out the historical pictures of the reconstruction of the Cathedral and the Belfry at each stage. A great thing about the little-known Belfry is that the old clock hanging on the wall of the bell tower from 1672 is still active, and its age is older than that of Big Ben in London.

Vilnius takes tourists from one surprise to another. Vilnius Old Town is an ancient city and its old city gates that still exist today always evoke excitement and admiration. Built between 1503 and 1522 and preserved until today, the Gates of Dawn, or the Dawn Gate, is the only surviving gate of the original five that were in the city. Going through the Dawn Gate is to be entering or exiting the territory of the ancient city and it was first mentioned in 1514, being called the Medininkai Gate as it was on the road to Medininkai, or Sharp Gate because as it was in the southern end of the city, known as the Sharp. Later, due to the cult of The Virgin Mary, it was associated with the sunrise and dawn. The painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, in the Chapel on the second floor of the Gates of Dawn is renowned all over the world with numerous churches in other countries having reproductions of the painting. It is also known as the “Vilnius Madonna” and was painted in the 17th century in the Renaissance style, on oak boards covered with a thin chalky primer which was later repainted in oil-based paint. Legend has it that it possesses miraculous powers and the Holy Mother of God of the Gates of Dawn was granted the title of Mother of Mercy twice. Therefore, it has been an important religious symbol for both Lithuania and humanity.

The generous Vilnius also gives tourists a beautiful Gothic architectural work, St. Anne’s Church, only a 4-minute walk from Pilies Street in the Old Town, a true masterpiece of the late period of Gothic architecture. Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with the beauty of St. Anne’s Church and mentioned it in a letter to his wife that Vilnius was a beautiful city. It is mysterious how St. Anne’s Church has survived for more than 500 years until this day with very few changes, becoming a classic symbol of Vilnius. This is also true for the churches located just behind St. Anne’s Church, the Church of St. Francis (Francis of Assisi) and St. Bernard (Bernardino of Siena) in Brick Gothic architectural styles. The characteristic red of these two churches draws in visitors, and their charismatic charm captivates them as they wander around admiring the beauty of their architecture.

Paying a visit to Vilnius, you certainly can’t ignore Trakai, a paradise-like refuge with a peaceful pace of life. This small town, the seat of power and treasure of numerous Lithuanian Grand Dukes, is particularly famous for Lake Galvė and only 35km from central Vilnius. Trakai attracts locals and tourists alike with its picturesque and fresh natural landscape. A special attraction of the town is the Trakai Island Castle, dating back to the 14th century and reconstructed in the 20th century, which is surrounded by Lake Galvė and its clear blue waters in summer that freeze over in winter. Travellers can admire the unique, brilliant beauty of the red-brick castle shining on the blue lake or go sightseeing inside the castle itself. A 300-metre long wooden bridge leads tourists into the medieval stronghold full of gorgeous floors, railings, furniture, Chinese porcelain and hunting trophies. The wide range of fascinating features from the middle ages of the castle like its red bricks, iron gates, and pulleys are sure to leave a strong impression on any visitor. In 1962, the castle became the Trakai History Museum, and today, it is a place which regularly hosts numerous exhibitions, performances, festivals and important events in the region while around the lake, there are lovely cafes and souvenir shops selling various delightful items, especially linen bags and printed tablecloths.

Vilnius is peaceful, free from large crowds and has its own hidden beauty like a precious pearl. Lithuania’s Vilnius is absolutely deserved to be ranked as a must-go destination in 2019 for those travellers who love special destinations but are not into the crowds and chaos of more renowned tourist attractions. So, don’t hesitate! Make your plan to visit Vilnius soon, a city of rich history, architectural beauty and adventure.

W.TIPS

CURRENCY

As a member of the Schengen Area of the EU, the currency used in Lithuania is the euro. (Symbol: EUR). EUR1 = VND26,000 (according to Current Exchange Rates)

TRANSPORTATION

It is 6 kilometres from Vilnius International Airport to Vilnius Old Town.

Taking a taxi costs around EUR13-15 (approximately VND338,000-390,000) each way.

A day trip to Lake Galvė and Trakai Island Castle costs around EUR50-70 (approximately VND1.3-1.8 million) including a two-way taxi and the driver to wait.

From Lithuania, you can easily buy a bus ticket to Latvia’s capital Riga.

ACCOMMODATION

Book a hotel in Vilnius Old Town so you can get around easily and access all the attractions. The Old Shakespeare boutique-style hotel has spacious English-architectural style rooms and each room has been named after a different great writer. It is located just 4 minutes walk from Pilies Street and room rates include a set breakfast menu of fresh juice and pancakes.

EATING AND SHOPPING

Take a stroll on Pilies Street and enjoy a fresh fruit ice cream. Don’t forget to visit the souvenir shops to buy famous local products like amber jewellery and linen clothing.

Duong Thanh Tu | Wanderlust Tips

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Top 5 best hotels family and wellness travel in Korea

[Wanderlust Tips June 2019] Possessing a traditional beauty perfectly blended with contemporary style and so many famous tourist attractions, Korea is without a doubta safe and ideal destination for your family. The hotels in major citiessuch as Seoul, Jeju, Incheon and Gyeonggi with ultra-modern amenities and services, promise to bring your family an unforgettable vacation.

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GRAND HYATT SEOUL, SEOUL

Only a few minutes walk from the bustling street of Myeongdong and Itaewon, the Grand Hyatt Seoul is the ideal hotel for you to enjoy and discover the unique culture and shimmering beauty of Korea with your family. The hotel encompasses 615 chic rooms, including 53 suites with sumptuous design styles and comfortable, stylish furniture, offering magnificent panoramic views of the Han River and Namsan Mountain.

During your stay at Grand Hyatt Seoul, you will experience a comprehensive range of flawless services including the spa sanctuary with 10 treatment suites, fitness centre and sauna, swimming pools, signature restaurants offering a diversity of culinary experiences or the exclusive shopping centre where your family can buy everything from sweets and flowers to trendy clothes and watches. Of particular note, there are playgrounds for children offering plenty of enticing games and play areas so children can freely discover the hotel’s spectacular natural landscape.

Address: 322 Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Tel: (+82) 27 97 1234

Website: hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/south-korea/grand-hyattseoul/selrs

WE HOTEL, JEJU

WE Hotel is a unique health and wellness resort located in a beautiful primaeval forest in Jeju, where you and your family can stroll around and unwind in a pleasant ambience blessed by Mother Nature. WE Hotel offers a wide array of sophisticated rooms with luxurious wooden furniture, exuding a refreshing and home-like-comfort along with peerless, magnificent views of the cool azure ocean and rolling hills of Jeju. Your whole family can enjoy refreshing therapeutic moments together at the health and beauty centre of WE Hotel. The centre is one of the hotel’s signature highlights, making a significant difference from other hotels. Besides, the wellness service zone is also one of Top 25 Wellness Spots recommended by Korea Tourism Organization for you when travelling to Korea.

Located only a one-hour drive from Jeju International Airport and close to the exhilarating natural wonders of Hallasan Mountain, Jungmun Beach, and Seogwipo natural recreational forest, the WE Hotel will surely be an entertaining holiday destination for you and your loved ones.

Address: 453-95 1100 Ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Tel: (+82) 64 730 1200

Website: wehotel.co.kr

MAISON GLAD, JEJU

Maison Glad Jeju Hotel features 512 beautiful rooms that strike a perfect balance between comfort and style for your family. The hotel also has a spa centre, treatment room, jacuzzi and seasonal outdoor swimming pool for guests to enjoy during their delightful stay. There is also the high-class LILLIPUT cafe which provides a cosy yet comfortable space for both mothers and children, where mothers can enjoy refreshing moments while the kids have fun playing with others.

As well as all of that, you can also enjoy a delicious BBQ party prepared by first-class chefs and cooked with clean and fresh ingredients in the hotel’s beautiful garden, making your days in Jeju more peaceful. Stroll around the nearby Halla Arboretum garden or visit the mysterious Dokkaebi Road with your family, sharing fun stories and taking in the lush green nature of beautiful Jeju.

Address: 80 Noyeon-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

Tel: (+82) 64 747 4900

Website: glad-hotels.com/ko/web/maison-en

RAMADA PLAZA BY WYNDHAM SUWON, GYEONGGI

Conveniently located near the top tourist attractions in Suwon City (Gyeonggi Province), the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Suwon is a truly perfect destination for you to unwind and enjoy a delightful vacation with your family.

Featuring 287 fully-furnished rooms with the latest in facilities including flat-screen TVs, minibars, refrigerators and hot tubs, the hotel offers a friendly and comfortable environment for families. In particular, the rooms are quite separate from each other and as well as being well soundproofed to help children have a comfortable sleep without interruption.

The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Suwon also has ample areas for milestone family events such as children’s first birthdays, the 60th or 70th birthday of your parents, wedding parties, or first meetings with the parents-inlaw before a wedding.

Address: 150 Jungbu-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Tel: (+82) 31 230 0001

Website: ramadaplazasuwon.com

PARADISE CITY, INCHEON

True to its captivating name, Paradise City offers your family a contemporary vacation paradise. You can experience a new level of relaxation in fully-equipped rooms at Paradise Hotel & Resort or Art Paradiso Boutique Hotel where guests sit and savour a gourmet breakfast together in the Grand Ballroom as well as creating lasting memories under the blue sky of Incheon.

Paradise City is truly a wonderful, kid-friendly destination with features like the Wonderbox miniature amusement park. Its fun-filled recreational facilities for the whole family include the Kids Zone, a special play area for children with a variety of activities to stimulate their senses, the 10 Pins bowling alley to suit both adults and children, and the PlayStation Zone for game lovers.

Address: 186 Anam-ro 321 beon-gil, Yongjong-hae, Incheon

Tel: (+82) 1 833 8855

Website: p-city.com

Lan Anh | Wanderlust Tips

Discover Korea with two famous families

[Wanderlust Tips June 2019] From May 20th to 25th 2019, Hello World #4, a series of programs to explore new destinations with the theme “Mummy, Daddy, take me to Korea” took two famous guest families including Oc Thanh Van, Tri Rua and their children Coca, Cola and Cacao as well as Trang Lou, Tung Son and their son Xoai to Korea’s most famous cities and provinces namely Seoul, Gyeonggi, Jeju and Incheon.

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OC THANH VAN, TRI RUA and their three children COCA, COLA, CACAO

Hi Oc Thanh Van Hello World #4 has marked the 8^th time you’ve been to Korea. Why have you chosen to return to the land of Kimchi so many times?

That’s right, if it includes this journey, I have already been to Korea 8 times while Tri Rua and our children have been there 3 times. Is it a lot? (smiling). It is both a coincidence and also within our plans that my family often goes to Korea, and we have a great affection for it. After eachtrip, my whole family has a feeling of attachment and is always ready to return whenever possible.

I sometimes go to Korea for my cosmetics business or for being a host of some programs, but if I go with my family,it is for travelling. Before Hello World #4, the most recent time we travelled to Korea was in December 2017 and we will never forget the temperatures of -16^oC. And only one month before the journey to Korea with Wanderlust Tips, Tri Rua and I flew to Seoul to retake our wedding photos after 11 years of marriage.

On the trip with Hello World #4, your family discovered a lot of interesting places in Korea, so which place has left the greatest impression on your family?

If we say that we liked all the destinations during the journey,is it too greedy? (smiling) It is true that this trip was so different and fascinating, so every destination held its own distinctive beauty that made us happy.

My family really enjoyed our time on Jeju Island with its grand boulevards, vast blue sea, rows of palm trees, and different kinds of wildflowers under the sun along the roadside, making the whole family burst with happiness.I love that feeling of standing together without having to say a word, and all of us are sharing the same feeling. A sense of happiness is creeping from inside, creating a silent connection. I understand that trips together mean that ween joy everything on that trip together, from the delicious dishes, the beautiful scenery to the fresh air. My family hashad such perfect “together” moments. The most memorable day was probably our stay in a traditional room at WE Hotel, where all of us were lying on the floor covered by thin mattresses and hugging each other for a sound night’s sleep to get energy for the trip to Morning Smile Farm the next morning. Our children learned how to make ice cream,ran freely on the grass as well as fed milk and vegetables to the calves. I have promised to take them to New Zealand,the famous land of farms that is our family’s favourite.

Surprisingly, I have fulfilled my promise early in Jeju,seeing the sparkling satisfaction in their eyes. What a truly memorable experience!

Besides Jeju, there were many more visits to remarkable destinations in Korea including a trip to Herb Island and One Mount Snow Park in Gyeonggi province, discovering Lotte Tower at a height of 555m or going to Nanta Show in Seoul,all of which brought fun-filled moments for our family. These were also the destinations which we hadn’t been to before,and there was a lot of laughing and taking beautiful photos.

If you go back to Korea, where would your family like to explore?

Our family will certainly return to Korea soon because both me and my husband have a 5-year visa, and we are also going to apply for long-term visas for our children. Korea is really a beautiful, civilized, modern and friendly country, and when you enjoy it and feel it, you will find it not too difficult to understand this country. You can find almost everything here to satisfy your emotional needs. Although we have been to Korea many times, we are still excited by it, and weal so hope to have a chance to return to Jeju, and if possible,we also want to discover Busan. It takes less than 4 hours to fly to Korea, and I think this beautiful country is perfect for family vacations with plenty of activities that are easy to access, including sightseeing, relaxation, shopping or experiences for children.

TRANG LOU, TUNG SON AND THEIR SON XOAI

Is this the first time Xoai’s family has been to Korea together?

Before Hello World #4, me and my husband had already been to Korea three times, but just the two ofus and all in winter. The Hello World #4 journey was the first time we had been to Korea in spring with its fresh air, warm sunshine and pleasant weather.Another “first” was that we travelled with Xoai this time, which brings very different and memorable feelings. We enjoyed the food together, had fun and relaxed, and together we created a wide range of beautiful memories in Korea.

Among the many memories from the Hello World #4 journey, what was the experience that your family loved the most?

On our trip with Wanderlust Tips and the Korea Tourism Organization, our family participated in countless exciting activities including enjoying health therapies at Herb Island,strolling around lush green Jeju Island, playing freely at One Mount Snow Park, admiring spectacular Seoul from the 123-storey Lotte Tower, and savouring countless attractive traditional Korean dishes. These were entirely new activities that were different from those in my previous trips, and Xoaialso showed his interest in these.

In particular, Xoai had two favourite activities during the trip.Firstly, when we visited Morning Smile Farm in Jeju and fed milk and vegetables to the cows, Xoai was happy to see the cows in the meadows with his own eyes and to interact and play with them. The second activity was ice skating at One Mount Snow Park in Gyeonggi Province. In the white snow, our family glided on the ice on a sleigh in great excitement. These are all valuable experiences which help Xoai have a better understanding of new things around him.

As one of the young members of Hello World #4, how did Xoai feel about the trip?

Before coming to Korea, I told Xoai about some activities that we would join in. Xoai was extremely excited, reminding us daily that he would go “skiing” and “feed milk to cows”,and these were the activities that Xoai enjoyed the most. Xoai always reminds us about the exhilarating memories at Morning Smile Farm and One Mount even after the trip.The Hello World #4 journey brought experiences that were fantastic for families, especially with the pleasant weather of spring. Even during the trip, my son still followed his daily routine, which helped him to maintain his strength and energy throughout the journey.

So for Trang and Son, what impression has Hello World #4 left on you?

After the Hello World #4 journey, my family has fallen deeply in love with Korea. During the days exploring the land of Kimchi, my family could feel its rich culture, friendliness and cleanliness. On top of this, there are a wide range of enticing and rewarding activities for both parents and children which are great for family travel. So our family will definitely return to Korea in the near future.

Wanderlust Tips