Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 185 of 195

Emirates Airlines lauching new amenity kit using augmented reality

(#wanderlusttips #Emiratesairlines) Emirates airlines has announced that it has launched the world’s first interactive amenity kit in economy class. The bags, which include necessities like a toothbrush, earplugs and eye mask, use augmented reality technology to unlock immersive content on traveller’s phones.

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By using an app called Blippar, customers can scan the bag and unlock activities, music or health tips. The app is a “visual browser” that allows customers to point their mobile at a variety of objects recognised by Blippar to get more information and interesting facts. There will be updated content every six month for frequent travellers – though it’s unlikely to reach the heights of the popular augmented reality app Pokemon Go.

There are six different designs for the bags inspired by six regions in the company’s network, “Australasia, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Far East”. According to Emirates, it is the first airline to introduce the technology into amenity kits, “making it the world’s first interactive kit bags”. The bags will be available on Emirates’ flights starting in August. But, even if you’re not into augmented reality, the bags – which are made of water resident material and feature unique designs – can at least be reused.

Lonely Planet | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Fullmoon season of delicate delicacy at Pullman Hanoi

(#wanderlusttips #fullmoon #Pullmanhanoi) On the annual occasion of fullmoon season festival in the middle Autumn, Pullman Hanoi Hotel presents to its customers a fine selection of mooncakes.

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This year, the moon cakes of Pullman Hanoi will tease guest’s tastes with four unique flavours and recipes from the hotel’s own chefs: green tea, lotus, red bean, and taro. The boxes, hand draw paintings by the talented Vietnamese artist Mr. Vu Tuan Anh, are depicting this century old tradition with the dancing procession that brings back memories of one’s lovely childhood times.

There are three kinds of beautifully themed boxes giving the customers a wide range of choices. Box “Autumn” boasts 4 moon cakes of 100gram, priced at VND600,000 net, box “Moon” features 6 moon cakes of 100gram, priced at VND800,000 net and box “VIP” showcases 4 moon cakes of 150gram and 1 bottle of Merlot, priced at VND1,388,000 net. (10% VAT included).

A special offer will be applied when purchasing more than 10 boxes and additional 5% off on top for order before 1st August 2016. Cakes are available for sale in the hotel’s grand lobby.

Pullman Hanoi Hotel

Add: 40 Cat Linh Str., Hanoi
Tel: (+844) 37330688

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Great autumn-winter deal at Palm Garden Resort

(#wanderlusttips #Palmgardenresort #Hoian) To welcome the season of Autum – Winter, Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa Hoian has offered exclusive discount for any minimum 2 night stay booking.

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The discount is from 36% to 42% for accomodation allowing guest to stay in a cosy Superior Garden View room at VND2,496,000/night or in a classy and spacious Deluxe Garden View room at VND 2,610,000/night when guest book at least 02-night- stay.

The accommodation package includes buffet breakfast for 02 persons at Terrace restaurant, two discount voucher of 50% for body massage at Palm Spa, free use of sauna, steam-bath, Jacuzzi, fitness center, pool and private beach, complimentary round-trip airport transfer or a meal for two persons and many other services.

Set in five hectares of landscaped tropical gardens of palm trees and plants right along 220-meter stretch of famous Cua Dai Beach, Palm Garden Resort is a charming upscale beachfront 5-star retreat. The low-rise resort maximizes the tropical surroundings with a choice of two restaurants that overlook the sea and the Palm Spa which is nestled amongst the resort’s gardens.

Palm Garden Beach Resorts&Spa

Add: Lac Long Quan Street, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
Tel: (+84 510) 3927 927
Fax: (+84 510) 3927 928
Email: info@pgr.com.vn
Website: www.palmgardenresort.com.vn

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Ko Samui: Diving paradise in Thailand

(#wanderlusttips #Kosamui #Thailand) There are many ways to hide from the tropical summer heat. You can find refuge in the green valleys filled with grass and flora, the windy mountains, or the stunning yet tranquil beaches. For adventurers who love the ocean, why refrain from visiting some diving paradises in Vietnam and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Sea diving is one great way to delight your summer.

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Ko Samui is one of the biggest islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The island in Surat Thani Province is famous for its beautiful beaches shaded by coconut trees, dense forests and crystal-clear waters. It is also home to many luxurious resorts and exciting nightlife, attracting many visitors from all over the world.

There is little opportunity to be bored on Ko Samui simply because there is so much to explore and experience. In Na Thon and Mae Nam tourists can book day tours to Angthong National Marine Park in the Angthong archipelago. The archipelago is made up of over 40 small islands with majestic limestone cliffs, secret lagoons, caves, coral reefs, white sand beaches and green forests. The perfect backdrop for your photos.

The island has many beautiful beaches including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam and Lipa Noi. They are famous for their white sand, crystal clear water and lush greenery lending shade. Bring your favourite book, find a place in the shade and enjoy a relaxing holiday. Those who prefer physical activities can visit Nam Tok Na Muang waterfall in the centre of the island, about 12km from Na Thon. During rainy season, the majestic cascade falls down to reach the purple rocks, creating a unique natural pool. In the north of Ko Samui on a small rock island Wat Phra Yai temple houses a 15-meter Buddha statue, standing in the middle of the sky and the sea. Nearby, guests can visit Laem Wat Plai home to a giant 18-handed Buddha statue.

On Ko Samui, Scuba diving is a not-to-be-missed activity. It is an experience of a lifetime. In the main areas of the island, there are many training agencies and tour providers who offer scuba diving lessons and tours. Bophut has a number centres that have received good reviews on TripAdvisor, including Discovery Dive Centre TripAdvisor, CSI: SAMUI Dive School or The Dive Academy. When booking a scuba diving tour, visitors will get a training day at the centre, and will be accompanied by a diving coach throughout the tour. Prices of these tours range from 4,500 Baht to 13,000 Baht (2.8 – 8.1 million Vietnamese Dong), depending on the stops and length of the tour. Usually a boat takes divers from Ko Samui to the beautiful surrounding waters filled with coral reefs and marine animals around Koh Nangyuan or Koh Tao islands.

The best time of the year to visit Ko Samui is from December to June. The weather can get extremely hot from March to June. Currently, there is no direct flight from Vietnam to Ko Samui. Fly to Bangkok and from there with Bangkok Airways to Ko Samui. This trip can be expensive and a way to save money is to fly or take a bus to Surat Thani from Bangkok and take a ferry to the island.

Food on the island is cheap and delicious, including fresh seafood on the beach that you certainly should not miss. You can find affordable restaurants almost everywhere, or visit highly recommended restaurants like Dining on the Rocks, Sabeinglae or Five Islands. Stroll around Hua Thanon Market to enjoy local specialties.

There are three main areas with accommodation in Ko Samui: Chaweng, Lamai and Bophut. Hotels by the ocean are more expensive than those further inland, with differences ranging from 300,000 – 500,000 Vietnamese Dong per night. If the budget allows stay in a seaside resort at higher rates. Chaweng is the most exciting area featuring a beautiful beach and dynamic nightlife. Bophut is more quiet and peaceful, but in its Fisherman’s Village, the nightlife is not any less exciting. Lamai has many resorts and peaceful scenery, best for those who are looking to relax and unwind.

Minh Hang | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Sipadan: Diving paradise in Malaysia

(#wanderlusttips #Sipadan #Malaysia) Besides lying on beautiful beaches, swimming in the clear blue ocean and enjoying fresh seafood, scuba diving has become a popular activity for people to explore the sea. There is nothing greater than seeing with your own eyes amazing coral reefs or colourful sea creatures, while experiencing the freeing sensation of being submerged in the deep blue sea. Sipadan in Malaysia is the perfect place for diving.

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Sipadan is the only volcanic island in Malaysia. It is located in the Celebes Sea just off the coast of Sabah. The island is formed by coral reefs and is home to a thousand-year-old extinct volcano. Sipadan is located in the heart of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, one of the richest marine regions in the world. The ecosystem here is made up of more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds different kinds of coral.

Sipadan is one of the world’s most beautiful diving spots. The island’s biodiversity makes it one of the most popular destinations for divers. It is on par with the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador and Chuuk State in Micronesia. It is not easy to reach Sipadan but its great beauty makes it worth the trip especially for scuba diving enthusiasts. It is difficult to name all of the sea creatures and coral reefs one can encounter while diving around Sipadan. Divers can expect to see herds of jack mackerel and whale and hammerhead sharks at one of the 40 diving spots around Sipadan.

Since 2005, Sabah National Park has been on a mission to reduce the effect of tourism in this pristine scuba diving spot to ensure future travellers for generations to come can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Many resorts on the island were closed and tourists cannot stay overnight. In addition, tourists must obtain permission before scuba diving here and the maximum number of divers per day is 120. Diving time is from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and diving is not permitted at nighttime.

To reach Sipadan tourists stay at nearby islands like Mabul or Kapalai. From there, it is a 30 minutes canoeing trip to Sipadan. Accommodation and food on Mabul and Kapalai island are not cheap. There is one other option, which is Semporna village. This fishing village is the gateway to Sipadan and other beautiful diving spots. Semporna has many delicious and affordable seafood restaurants, but this village is quite bland and doesn’t have many attractions.

If tourists wish to dive around Sipadan, they must book in advance. Diving licenses are not sold directly, but are distributed to resorts and training centres like Borneo Divers Mabul like, Kapalai (Pulau Sipadan), Sipadan Water Village, Sipadan- Mabul or travel companies like Bharman Sipadan, Borneo Jungle River Island Tours, Scuba Junkie (Dive Semporna), and North Borneo Dive. The best way to ensure a Sipadan diving license is staying at a resort on the distribution list, or register in advance with a travel company. Resort prices range from 500 USD for 4 days to 1,400 USD for 10 days, which includes diving expenses.

Visitors can fly to Tawau, the nearest airport to Mabul island, from Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Upon arrival, if you have booked a resort, you will be picked up and taken to Semporna port, where you can take a speedboat to Mabul island. If you are travelling independently you can catch a boat to the island or book a tour. The weather in Sipadan island is sunny almost all year round so there is no specific travel season.

Minh Hang | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Stunning salt terrace on Andes moutains of Peru

(#wanderlusttips #Morasvillage #Peru #saltmaking) Moras, an ancient town which locates on over 3,350m height of Andes moutains is also a 600-year-old co-op harness gravity and sunlight to harvest the world’s most elemental seasoning.

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“Every time I come here, I’m surprised,” says one of Peru’s best-known chefs, Virgilio Martinez, about the village of Maras. “There’s a huge mountain of shining white pools that produce this very beautiful and very pure pink salt.”

Martinez makes a pilgrimage to the Andean town a few times a year to source the seasoning for his Central restaurant in Lima. The chef organizes his 17-course tasting menu by altitude and serves Maras salt coarse—“we like to really feel it.”

A mineral as well as a metaphor, the crystalline substance signifies both authenticity (“salt of the earth”) and capability (“worth his salt”). In ancient Rome, legionnaires were sometimes paid with the stuff (hence the word salary).

Most salt production involves mining, but that’s not the case in Maras, where the Incas engineered an ingenious system for harvesting sodium chloride six centuries ago: The tiny Qoripujio spring unearths halite (the mineral name for salt) as it trickles through a labyrinth of man-made channels that feed some 3,000 shallow pools, terraced down a mountainside.

Today, men in dusty trousers and women in full skirts, all members of the town’s salt co-op, wait for the pools’ thin layers of water to evaporate. They rake the deposits into baskets and take them to the co-op’s warehouse to be bagged and sold. This slow dance continues throughout the dry season, roughly May to November. Family members have long passed pools down to their offspring, setting up the next generation.

In addition to attracting rock-star chefs and tourists, this marvel of ancient engineering drew photographer Juan Manuel Castro Prieto, who captured these images. “The people of Maras have preserved traditions that have been lost elsewhere,” Prieto says. “I’m always looking to reflect everyday life. Nothing extraordinary happens in my pictures.” Here, however, the ordinary is nothing short of astounding.

Modern Farmer | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Condotel: A unique and classy vacation

(#wanderlusttips) Spending a vacation in a fully serviced luxury apartment perfectly combines comfort and the feeling of privacy as of your own home. These are the superior features that have made Condotel a popular option for contemporary holidayers.

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Condotel is an interesting combination of condo and hotel, a popular vacation option in Vietnam. All apartments are equipped with the facilities of a regular apartment, with a living room, a kitchen, bedrooms, a bathroom and a toilet. The apartments are individually owned.

The difference to a normal apartment is that these luxury apartments are inside a hotel or high-end resort. They have standard equipment, managed by a professional property management group, and residents can enjoy the full range of services including the gym, a pool, restaurants, spa, nightclubs, cafés, shopping, opportunities and a casino.

These hotels and luxury resorts are usually located in popular tourist destinations, surrounded by beautiful and charming scenery. There is nothing better to help you relax and regain energy than a cup of hot tea on your own spacious balcony, in a quiet setting filled lit up with sunshine and cooled by the sea breeze, overlooking a garden or the blue ocean. These are invaluable quiet moments away from the hustle and bustle of life today.

Being away from home does not mean that you have to sacrifice your privacy, which is fully respected, though all services will available when you need them. This is what makes Condotel superior to a regular hotel room. For families with young children, families with several generations travelling together, or groups of friends, there is no better option than Condotel. You and your family can relax in a cosy 2 or 3-bedroom apartment, where you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee from a professional coffee maker or buy fresh ingredients and cook a delicious local recipe in a fully equipped kitchen. Condotel has options for 1, 2 or 3-bed room apartments, or even penthouses covering an area of several hundred square meters, for those who wish to enjoy the luxury lifestyle.

With these advantages, Condotel is gradually starting to dominate the resort market, with a series of developments along the picturesque coastline of Vietnam, including in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Danang and Ha Long. This promises to provide travellers with countless unforgettable experiences, and the ability to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of this enchanting tropical country.

Ảnh: À La Carte Danang Beach

Nhung Nguyen | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Home at a stranger’s house

(#wanderlusttips) AirBnB hosts never need to travel far to experience the world. They live vicariously through the stories that travellers bring to their homes. And AirBnB tenants? They find a home wherever they go.

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Home at a stranger’s house

As a single father, Jonathan used to struggle raising three kids in Echo Park, Los Angeles. He had to work 80-hour-weeks at a job that was unfulfilling and he still scrambled to take care of his three children. And with such a schedule, his passion for ceramics fell by the wayside.

When his hours at work got cut back, Jonathan decided to renovate and list an extra room in his home on AirBnB. His first guests gave him such a positive review that more lined up, and he was soon renting out a second room through he online bed and breakfast community. He started welcoming more and more guests to his home. AirBnB changed Jonathan’s life, as hosting became not only an extra source of income, but paved the way for Jonathan to pursue his work as a potter. More importantly, being an AirBnB host brought joy to his house and he had interesting encounters with his guests.

Shell, a woman from New York, did not share much about the reason why she became an AirBnB host, but talked a lot about how the decision changed her view on life. Having hosted over 180 guests from all over the world, Shell refers to her home as a magical doorway, welcoming guests with unique personalities. She calls her guests “characters in a great novel”, who help her discover a little more about the bigger stories of life.

Jonathan and Shell are only two among two million AirBnB hosts who have opened their homes to welcome travellers, giving them an authentic experience of a place they are visiting.

“Belong anywhere”

Founded in August of 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, AirBnB is one of the most successful platforms using the “community sharing” business model. The website allows travellers to book accommodation at local homes. Staying at an AirBnB often means you are sharing the facilities with homeowners, and get an insight into the habits that shape their lifestyles.

With over two million listings in over 34,000 cities in 191 countries, AirBnB is currently the largest accommodation booking website in the world, opening up an infinite number of unique experiences for travellers.

Everything you have ever dreamed to experience has never been easier to reach. After only a few clicks, someone will be ready to welcome you into their home and unique experiences await you. You can sleep on a houseboat on an Amsterdam canal, become a princess inside a castle in Southern France, find a writing muse in a villa on the shores of the Mediterranean ocean, or live in a penthouse apartment in the middle of a big city. These are only a few among millions of options.

Finding accommodation is easy, but what makes AirBnB different from other homestays or hotel options is that it allows you to stay with a host as if you were an old friend who happens to stop by the house. AirBnB is not a relationship between customers and service providers, as hosts can also rate their guests. If you misbehave during your last stay, don’t be surprised when your next booking request is rejected.

You are staying at someone’s home and they have the right to welcome you or not.

When you are welcomed into someone’s home, you will be delighted when tasting their grandmother’s homemade jam, borrowing a book that the host has not finished reading, listening to an old vinyl record, or harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables from their garden.

Fate will decide the experiences and lessons and no one really knows what awaits them. AirBnB’s newest motto is: “Belong anywhere”, may many share this spirit, so that each wandering heart has a reason to wander.

Trang Ami | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: General Manager of Hanoi Daewoo Hotel – Office – Apartment Complex

(#wanderlusttips) I believe that each employee is an ambassador of the hotel, who will help our guests understand and love the place they choose to stay.

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Question: Mr. Erwin R. Popov, you have had over 30 years of experience managing hotels around the world. This is your first time living and working in Hanoi, Vietnam. What have been your impressions of the city?

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: For me, the time living and working in Hanoi has been extremely delightful. I have had the opportunity to learn about the culture, history and people here. The ancient beauty, the peaceful atmosphere, the warmth and hospitality of the people were my first impressions during my first few days at Hanoi Daewoo Hotel and in Hanoi.

Question: You have had many years of experience in the hospitality industry. As the General Manager of Hanoi Daewoo Hotel – Office – Apartment Complex, how have you applied your experiences to renew Daewoo?

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: During 30 years working in the hospitality industry, I have had the opportunity to work in a lot of countries around the world. These experiences have given me a global outlook, an understanding of customers and new trends in the hospitality industry. This knowledge and experience has been thoroughly applied during my management of the Hanoi Daewoo Hotel – Office – Apartment Complex, and have contributed to positive changes at Hanoi Daewoo.

Question: In a booming hospitality market with many luxury hotels being introduced, the challenge of managing Hanoi Daewoo is to elevate the five-star brand of the hotel to compete in the future. What do you think about this comment?

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: I believe that Hanoi Daewoo Hotel has been and always will be a symbol of class and luxury, and will always be the pioneer in the luxury hotels segment in Hanoi. The hotel’s prime location in the administrative centre of the capital, its unique design, luxurious and fully equipped rooms, the largest 5-star outdoor pool in Hanoi, and loyal and professional staff are the factors that make Hanoi Daewoo stand out among the vibrant hospitality market.

As you know, competition exists in every market. The most important thing is that under the directions of our management board, we always stay true to our core value, and turn our challenges into motivation to help the hotel grow every day.

Question: 2016 is special because it marks the 20th year in operation of Hanoi Daewoo Hotel. Can you share with us the hotel’s plan to celebrate this meaningful anniversary?

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: I am extremely proud of the hotel’s 20 years of development and honoured to be a part of the hotel’s significant anniversary. To best serve our customers, we have planned to gradually upgrade a few important facilities of the hotel. Specifically, we have recently completed the renovation of our outdoor pool, so that guests of Hanoi Daewoo Hotel can experience classy service at the largest 5-star outdoor pool in Hanoi. Future renovations will include our Grand Ballroom and other facilities.

Apart from renovating our facilities, we want to celebrate this anniversary by continuing to invest in human resources. For the past 20 years, Hanoi Daewoo Hotel has been fortunate to have received the contributions of our passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated staff. To get ready for the journey ahead, we are delighted to welcome high-ranking managers from many countries around the world, with rich hospitality management experiences, including our Director of Sales & Marketing and Rooms Division Director. I am confident that they are the key to our continuing success in the future.

Question: What are Hanoi Daewoo’s plans and promotion programs to celebrate this important milestone of 20 years of development?

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: The hotel’s board of management has carefully prepared a year filled with activities, especially appreciation program to distinguished guests and business partners who have supported us over the past 20 years. Special promotion programs, a series of BBQ Buffet poolside parties on the weekends, and a Food Festival, which will be held in cooperation with numerous embassies in Vietnam are some of the special programs that will take place to welcome this important milestone.

Question: You have mentioned human resources as the key to the hotel’s success. Can you share some thoughts about the Vietnamese staff that currently work at Hanoi Daewoo?

Mr. Erwin R. Popov: The service industry in general requires hospitality. In the hospitality industry, human resources are extremely important. I believe that each employee is an ambassador of the hotel, who will help our guests understand and love the place they choose to stay. This is why I always try to be a companion, to inspire and enhance the hospitality spirit, so that each staff of Hanoi Daewoo Hotel is always eager to serve our customers 24/7.

From the very beginning of the hotel’s operation the majority of our high-ranking managers at Hanoi Daewoo Hotel have been educated overseas. I highly appreciate each employee, because in addition to his or her professionalism, they are enthusiastic, dedicated, eager to learn and they all have a big love for the hotel.

Thank you very much for this interview. We wish you success in managing Hanoi Daewoo in the future!

Trang Nguyen | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

New family room type and promotion package at Mecure French Village

(#wanderlusttips #Mecurefrenchvillage #Danang) The Mercure French Village Bana Hills has been introducing its new room type and a special accommodation package to fascinate travelers who want to discover Bana mountain overnight.

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The Mecure French Village has added each new room with 2 bunk beds for 4 people which fit ones travelled the moutaintop with family and kids. The room is fully equipped and at 25sqm, there is more than enough space for everyone to feel comfortable.

Alongside new Family Room opening, the hotel has also launched its special French Village Discovery package valid from July 25 to December 31, 2016.

With rates only starting from VND3,123,000, the French Village Discovery package includes one night stay with complimentary breakfast, free cable car transportation and a food and beverage credit value of VND500,000 per room. Whether traveling as a couple or with the family, this package ensures a most enjoyable visit to Bana Hills.

The package is subject to availability and applicable only for bookings made directly to the hotel reservation team.