Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 187 of 195

Malaysia: One trip, three destinations, and a wide range of experiences

Vibrant Kuala Lumpur with numerous skyscrapers, flashy shopping malls, and massive architectural structures, ancient Malacca developing rapidly, Johor Bahru with diverse entertainment: Three unforgettable experiences you will have when discovering Malaysia.

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An energetic city

One of the most vibrant cities in Asia, the Malaysian capital can overwhelm travellers with its skyscrapers and bustling streets, which are busy regardless of the time of day. Shopping is among the most popular activities for tourists visiting Kuala Lumpur. Shopping malls often sit right next to one another and are connected by pedestrian tunnels, creating one big maze of consumerism that can keep tourists occupied. The most popular shopping mall is Sunria KLCC inside the Petronas Twin Towers, the city’s most iconic landmark. The mall has six floors filled with internationally famous fashion brands. Other shopping malls include Pavilion, Sunway Pyramid and Utalma.

Shopping is not the only exciting experience Kuala Lumpur has on offer. Visiting the 7th tallest building in the world to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city will leave you with a feeling of intoxication. Kuala Lumpur majestic skyline of tall buildings in harmony with the fresh, green space in between the buildings stretches out before your eyes. You can take the hop on – hop off bus to tour the streets, and to see another side of the capital city. It is dynamic, urban and modern, infused with the colourful influence of various cultures including Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese.

Transportation: There are direct, daily flights from Vietnam to Kuala Lumpur. Travel time is about 3 hours. Transportation in the city is very diverse; you have the choice of taxi, subway, elevated railway and bus.

Accommodation: Bukit Bintang and Chinatown are the busiest areas with many hotels with prices suitable for any budget located here. If your budget allows, stay at the Swiss-Garden International Kuala Lumpur or Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur. Both of these hotels are located in close proximity to most tourist attractions.

Dining: Malaysian cuisine in general, and in Kuala Lumpur in particular, is a combination of Indian, Malaysian and Chinese dishes. Try hokkien mee noodles, char kway teow noodles, nasi lemak, satay skewers, rojak salad, tarik tea and cendol tea.

Attractions: Petronas Twin Towers, Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower), Chinatown, Batu Caves, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Aquaria KLCC, Jalan Alor food street in Bukit Bintang, Central Market, Lake Garden and the MUD show.

Malacca – Linking the past and the future

A mere two-hour car ride from Kuala Lumpur, Malacca City is the complete opposite of the bustling capital city. Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere, with cars traveling slowly on the roads, and boats gently drifting along the river that divides the city in half. Half of Malacca is modern, with red buildings built in colonial architectural styles. This is best seen at the Dutch Square, in the city centre and the churches and museums on the hills. The other half of the city is ancient, houses are Chinese-styled and have red brick roofs, decorated with Chinese calligraphy and dragon shapes.

To fully enjoy the opposing beauty of this city, you will need to take your time to stroll around the diverse tourist attractions filled with greenery. Don’t forget to take a tour along Johker Walk on a rickshaw, a three-wheeled vehicle colourfully decorated and blasting merry music. During sunset, enjoy the shimmering beauty of the Malacca river on a motorboat; the perfect ending to an exploration of this ancient yet modern city.

Transportation: From Kuala Lumpur you can easily catch a bus to Bandar Tasik Selatan station (BTS), which is a two-hour trip. At Melaka Sentral station, take bus No. 17 to get to the city centre.

Accommodation: Malacca has no lack of big hotels including Casa del Rio, but Chinese-style boutique hotels on Johker Walk are the most popular. You can also find accommodation along the Malacca River banks.

Dining: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa nyonya (curried noodle soup), and snacks like pai tee, tea and coconut smoothies are some specialties that you should indulge in.

Tourist attractions:

+ Stroll along Jonker Walk: Jonker Walk is the soul of Malacca. It is a small area, made up of peaceful streets and ancient houses. One of the most interesting things in Malacca is wandering through the old town and taking in the tranquil atmosphere. Visit the shops and old houses to really experience the space. You will find yourself stumbling across countless small and beautiful street corners.

+ Dutch Square: Dutch Square is very close to Jonker Walk. This dark pink area is the highlight of Malacca. Filled with colourful tricycles, the square is incredibly picturesque and photogenic.

+ A Famosa Fortress: Built by the Portuguese in the early 1500s, A Famosa Fortress served as ammunition storage and accommodation for captains and soldiers during war times.
What remains of A Famosa Fortress is a ruin, except for the Porta de Santiago stone gate, which has withstood the test of time for hundreds of years.

+ Visit St. Paul Hill and an ancient cathedral: This site is close to the Dutch Square, and was almost entirely destroyed by the English. What remains is an architecture marvel for tourists to explore.

+ Chengho Museum: The museum is situated inside an ancient house on Jonker Walk. The puppet show here tells the story of Chengho (the Christopher Columbus of Asia) and Malacca before colonial times. A must-see for history enthusiasts.

+ Take a walk along the Malacca River: Malacca is famous for its small white houses by the riverside. Take a walk along the river and soak in the atmosphere while sipping a cup of coffee. If your stay in Malacca allows, visit the Malacca Sultanate Palace museum, Masjid Selat Melaka (Malacca Straits Mosque), the museum inside Stadthuys building, Chengho museum and the Maritime museum.

Johor Bahru – An entertainment and shopping heaven

This gateway city to the south of the Malaysian peninsular is famous for being a shopping heaven, thanks to countless bustling shopping malls around the city. Most of them are open until 10 p.m. and regularly offer attractive sales. The most prominent is Johor Premium Outlet conveniently located on the border between Singapore and Malaysia; perfect for travelling shoppers. Johor Premium Outlets offers many high-end brands including Coach, Versace, Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Adidas, Nike, Ralph Lauren and Timberland, at discount prices with 20 – 70% reductions. Shoppers can grab brand name bargains. However, the biggest attraction in Johor Bahru is Asia’s first Legoland. Within the park’s 30-hectares you can admire all the wonders of the world as miniature Lego models. India’s Taj Mahal, The Great Wall of China and even the ancient town of Vietnam’s Hoi An are on display. The park also offers thrilling theme park attractions including roller coasters and water slides, which promise an unforgettable vacation. Other theme parks to visit in Malaysia during a family trip include Hello Kitty, Angry Bird and the Little Big Club.

For lovers of the ocean, Johor Bahru has many beautiful islands close by: Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Aur, Pulau Besar and Pulau Pemanggil. The ocean here is clear blue, and magnificent seaside resorts will please even the most demanding travellers. If you love exploring nature, you will be fascinated by the wildlife in Endau Rompin national park, home to many unique tropical creatures.

Transportation: You can get to Johor Bahru with a direct flight from Vietnam, or take a bus from other cities in Malaysia. Or take time off from a trip to Singapore to visit Johor Bahru by international bus.

Accommodation: In addition to seaside resorts, there are a variety of options for hotels and motels. Room rates range from 10 – 150USD.

Dining: In addition to popular Malaysian dishes, Johor Bahru has local specialties including apam balik pancakes, chee cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), ramly burger and assam laksa (a kind of noodles).

Other interesting attractions: Royal Abu Bakar museum, Johor Bahru’s government buildings, Sultan Abu Bakar mosque, Desaru fruit farm and Endau Rompin national park.

TIPS:

– The ideal time to visit Malaysia is from April to September, when the weather is dry and the average temperature 29 – 35 degrees Celsius.

– Transportation: There are many direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Malaysia, offered by Vietnam Airlines, Air Asia, Jetstar and Malaysia Airlines. Round-trip airfare range from 200 – 300 USD.

– Language: The official language is Malaysian, but most locals can communicate fluently in English.

– Currency: The official currency is Malaysian Ringgit (RM). The exchange rate is 5,600 VND/RM.

Other things to consider:

– You must have purchased a round-trip flight ticket, which will be checked at customs when entering the country. You should also prepare about 500USD in cash.

– Be careful when travelling by taxi, as some drivers do not calculate the fare according to the speedometer. It is best to bargain about prices beforehand.

– In Malaysia and especially Kuala Lumpur, it can rain very suddenly, so always take an umbrella.

– You should dress properly and be polite. Most families in Malaysia want guests to take off their shoes outside before entering their house. Guests will be offered sweets, and refusing is considered impolite.

– Do not make calls using hotel landlines, as charges are high. You can buy phone cards to make calls at public phone booths.

– When travelling in Malaysia, avoid walking around at night on unfamiliar, quiet roads. Always bring a map so as not to get lost.

– Don’t be afraid to bargain, especially if you shop at affordable markets in Chinatown or the Central Market.

Trang Ngoc | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

A road magically floating in the middle of ocean

(#wanderlusttips #DiepSon) Known as “the road floats in the middle of the ocean”, Diep Son island has recently become a popular destination and fascinates tourists with its wild and unique beauty. Visit the place where sea and sky meet or discover Vietnam’s most special waterway. Either makes for a poetic and unforgettable journey.

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Diep Son island village in Van Thanh commune located in Van Ninh district, which is part of Khanh Hoa province, is located nearly 500 kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City. The group of islands is located in the waters of Van Phong Bay and is about a 30-minute motorbike ride from Van Gia fishing port or a 15-minute boat ride from Tan Dan. Despite being very close to the mainland the islands remain pristine and idyllic. There are no motorbikes, and electricity is only available from 6 – 9 pm. Roughly 100 households populate the islands.

What bewitches most visitors who come here is Diep Son path; submerged under the sea it connects three islands with Van Gia town. At 6 am, when the tide is low, a sand path appears. It is about 500 meters long, 8 meters wide near the island but narrow to 2 – 3 meters width the further it is from the island. When the tide is high, the path disappears 1 m under the water.

Walking along Diep Son is exciting and slightly nerve wracking as you are walking in the middle of the mighty ocean. You can see schools of fish swimming along the path and jumping above the water and you can wave a hello to the boats passing by.

Around 10 am, the water level begins to rise. Villagers rush back home, but visitors to Diep Son get excited as now they can freely explore this special path that is slowing being swallowed by the blue water. Enjoy the unique and magical sensation of walking along a sand path as the vast ocean is reclaiming it. The white clouds, green islands, blue sea, and the magical white sand path combined create a scene reminiscent of a charming landscape painting.

The islands have belt of smooth white sand beaches and clear blue water around them. If you travel in a group, you can set up tent, light a campfire and camp overnight on the beach, which makes for an unforgettable experience. Stay on the island for a while to experience the life of the locals, and join them on a fishing trip to catch fish and shrimp.

Diep Son village is still a peaceful, ancient fishing village. Fences made out of coconut leaves run along the sandy roads, and fishing nets filled with seashells surround small houses with thatched roofs.

At night, Diep Son village is submerged in a peaceful atmosphere, with only the sound of the waves and the whisper of the wind to be heard. Silvery moonlight pours onto the immense sea. At dawn, the sea starts shimmering and the sun seems impatient to bestow the first rays of light on a new day. As they gently move across the sun, the clouds are dyed red, painting beautiful halos on the dark blue sky. And Diep Son welcomes more guests. Mẫn, the head of the village, says: “I hope Diep Son is an interesting destination for those who love and wish to preserve the beauty of the island.”

Tips

The ideal time to visit the island: From December to June, when the sea is calm, is a suitable to visit. The villages here still struggle with poverty and tourism is not yet developed, so the island’s rare idyllic beauty remains. The most interesting thing about the island is its pristine nature, blue ocean and vast, untouched meadows. It is an ideal place to take some beautiful photos to remember Van Phong bay.

Transportation: From Nha Trang, you can rent a motorbike to Van Gia. Rental prices are about 100,000 – 150.000VND per day depending on the kind of bike. You can rent a motorbike at hotels on Tran Phu or Hoang Hoa Tham street. At Van Gia fishing port, you can park your bike and from here, you can take a boat or canoe to the island. Currently, there is only one daily boat from the mainland to the island. Canoes run more frequently, so you can go anytime.

Dining: You can ask locals on the island to cook for you. There are not many services offered on the island, but the services are adequate and available at reasonable prices. The cost for food is about 100,000 VND/person/day. You must enjoy some seafood, which you can buy from local fishermen and ask them to prepare it for you.

Accommodation: The island offers tent rentals for you to stay overnight. Hotel rooms cost about 150,000VND/2 people/night, and tent rental is about 50,000VND/day. You can contact Mr. Pha, a local who is a great help in arranging accommodation and food at a very reasonable price, at: 0121 363 6125.

Attractions:

– Diep Son path, a road submerged below the sea level that appears from 7 am to midday each day.

– Take a walk around the island and explore its pristine beauty.

– Visit local homes on the island, which are very rustic and idyllic.

Note:

– The island is unexploited and does not offer many services, so it is not suitable for families travelling with children.

– Remember to maintain the cleanliness of the island and collect your garbage before leaving.

– Do not use the locals’ belongings without their permission.

– Protect your belongings carefully, because the island does at times become crowded with visitors.

Ngo Tran Hai An | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Expoded cruise ship on Amazon river killed sevens

(#wanderlusttips #Amazoncruiseship) An explosion and the subsequent sinking of a cruise ship in Iquitos on Saturday left at least seven dead and 13 injured. Five other has been reported missing.

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The Aqua Amazon was being refueled while docked on the bank of the Itaya River when there was a large explosion. The ship partially sank as at least seven people were killed and 13 injured. Eight of those injured suffered third-degree burns.

“During the regular Saturday supplying and turn-around hours for re-stocking of the vessel, an accident occurred that caused an explosion and resulted in the sinking of the ship,” Aqua Expeditions CEO Francesco Galli said in a statement.

Galli added that no cruise passengers were on the ship at the time of the explosion. All of the victims were crew members.

Police sources with the port of Iquitos told El Comercio that the ship had not implemented all the security measures required during refueling. However they declined to say which measures were not complied with. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, but police believe a short circuit may have detonated the large fuel tank.

“The only safe way to manage fuel on riverboats is with floating stations,” Pedro Chavez, a riverboat fuel station manager in Iquitos, told El Comercio. “The Peruvian jungle has only five.”

Aqua Expeditions is a luxury cruise provider with three-day trips starting at $3,480. The company transferred its passengers scheduled to leave on the Aqua Amazon to its other ship in Iquitos, the Aria Amazon. The company also offers river cruises in Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Saturday’s explosion was the third high-profile incident on the tourist ships of the Amazon this year. In April an American couple died of asphyxiation after a small fire broke out in their cabin. On Thursday an armed bandits held up a similar cruise ship on the Amazon River in Loreto state after leaving Iquitos. The gang got away with $20,000 in merchandise from 28 international tourists and 20 crew members.

Peru Reports | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Psy to kick of Boryeong Mud Festival

(#wanderlusttips #BoryeongMudFestival) K-pop singer Psy on Saturday performed at the opening ceremony of this year’s Boryeong Mud Festival, an annual event held every summer in Boryeong, a town approximately 200 kilometers south of Seoul, Korea.

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Psy showcased 10 songs including “Right Now,” “Gangnam Style,” and “Gentleman” for about an hour. He is mostly known for his song “Gangnam Style,” which had over 2.6 billion views on YouTube as of July 2016.

The 2016 Boryeong Mud Festival will run through July 24 at the Mud Plaza of Daecheon Beach.

The Boryeong Mud Festival takes place every year at Daecheon Beach in Chungcheongnam-do, one of the only sand beaches on South Korea’s west coast. It has often been listed as one of the world’s quirkiest festivals for its lineup of mud-infused attractions, ranging from mud slides to pools, pits and mud-spraying grottoes. A large beachside stage sees K-Pop acts performing into the night most evenings of the festival, as well.

The festival started in 1997 as a way to attract attention to the health benefits of the local mud. The Boryeong Mud Skincare Center continues this legacy, although most visitors now mainly come to get down and dirty in the mud pits. Over the course of ten days, the festival sees around three million people and, according to the festival’s official website, it attracts the most foreign visitors of any event of its kind in South Korea.

Ticket

Individuals

Adults: 10,000 won (~9USD) for one-day pass

Teenagers: 8,000 won (~7USD) for one-day pass

Groups: 9,000 won (~8USD) for one-day pass
Families: 7,000 won (~6USD) for one-day pass
Free

Seniors (ages 65 and over), babies (ages 3 and under, must be accompanied by an adult), people with disabilities plus one guardian, etc. (proof required)

Transportation

[Bus]

From Seoul Central City Bus Terminal, take an express bus to Boryeong (보령).

From Boryeong Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Daecheon Beach. (10min intervals)

From Yongsan Station or Yeongdeungpo Station, take a train to Daecheon Station.

From Daecheon Station, take a local bus bound for Daecheon Beach.
Homepage
www.mudfestival.or.kr
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

UNESCO lengthens the list of the World Heritage Sites

(#wanderlusttips #UNESCO #worldheritagelist) UNESCO has enlisted more 21 sites all over the world to the World Heritage Sites which has been created since 1978 in its recent annual meeting in Istabul Turkey from July 10 to 17, 2016.

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The committee cut short its session due to the United Nations security protocol put in place following the coup attempt in Turkey. It will meet in Paris in October to discuss the rest of its agenda.

The United Nations’ cultural body meets annually to name natural, cultural and sites of mixed significance around the world to its prestigious preservation list, which now has 1,052 sites considered to be places of “outstanding universal value.”

A narrow, 10-mile strip of Canadian coastal cliffs dating back more than 500 million years contains the oldest known collection of large fossils in the world.

Located on the southeastern tip of the island of Newfoundland, the Mistaken Point cliffs were added to the exclusive UNESCO World Heritage List on Sunday.

A series of 99 artificial islets built off the the southeast coast of the Micronesian island of Pohnpei sometime between 1200 and 1500 AD were also added to the list.

The ruins on the islets were the ceremonial center of the Saudeleur dynasty, and the structures are evidence of the religious and social practices of the period.

The inscribed sites must meet one or more of 10 criteria such as “representing a masterpiece of human creative genius,” containing “exceptional natural beauty” or being an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement.

Libya destinations dominates new “in danger” list

The World Heritage Committee also added several existing sites to the List of World Heritage in Danger because of armed conflict, natural disasters, lack of economic resources and other concerns.

The new Micronesian World Heritage site was also added to the list in danger because of nature’s impact on the stone structures.

All five Libyan World Heritage sites were added to the list “because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses,” according to a UNESCO press statement.

The five sites are the Archaeological Site of Cyrene, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna, Archaeological Site of Sabratha, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus and the Old Town of Ghadamès.

The World Heritage Committee also added Old Towns of Djenné in Mali due to insecurity in the country and Uzbekistan’s Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz to the list in danger, due to “the over-development of tourist infrastructure in the site.”

At the same time, Georgia’s Historical Monuments of Mtskheta site was removed from the list in danger in recognition of Georgia’s efforts to improve the safeguarding and management of the site, which had been on the list since 2009.

The site includes three Medieval churches, the Holy Cross Monastery of Jvari, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Samtavro Monastery and major archaeological remains.

The United States had nominated a collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s structures this year. The committee referred it back to the United States with a request for additional information before it’s resubmitted for examination.

The United States doesn’t have much sway over UNESCO decisions anymore; the government withdrew its dues and other financial contributions to UNESCO in 2011. That’s because the agency admitted the Palestinian government as a full member representing a country.

After failing to pay its dues for two years, the United States lost UNESCO voting rights in 2013, per the agency’s rules.

New World Heritage List sites

Here’s this year’s full list of newly inscribed sites:

Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua naval dockyard and related archaeological sites
Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan, Switzerland: The architectural work of Le Corbusier, an outstanding contribution to the modern movement
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia: Stećci — medieval tombstones
Brazil: Pampulha Modern Ensemble
Canada: Mistaken Point
Chad: Ennedi Massif natural and cultural landscape
China: Hubei Shennongjia
China: Zuojiang Huashan rock art cultural landscape
Greece: Archaeological site of Philippi
India: Archaeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanada University) at Nalanda, Bihar
India: Khangchendzonga National Park
Iran: Lut Desert
Iran: Persian Qanat
Iraq: The Ahwar of southern Iraq: Refuge of biodiversity and the relict landscape of the Mesopotamian cities
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan: Western Tien-Shan
Mexico: Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Micronesia: Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia
Spain: Antequera dolmens site
Sudan: Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay — Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
Turkey: Archaeological site of Ani
United Kingdom: Gorham’s Cave complex

UNESCO’s new List of World Heritage in Danger sites

Libya: Archaeological site of Cyrene
Libya: Archaeological site of Leptis Magna
Libya: Archaeological site of Sabratha
Libya: Rock-art sites of Tadrart Acacus
Libya: Old Town of Ghadamès
Mali: Old Town of Djenné
Micronesia: Nan Madol: Ceremonial center of Eastern Micronesia
Uzbekistan: Historic center of Shakhrisyabz

CNN | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

200 days and 40 countries: The Polish couple’s honeymoon adventure

(#wanderlusttips #travel #honeymoon) Sharing the great love for travelling, the newlly wedded Karolina and Bartek Wudniak has taken an endless adventure without intention of returning anytime soon.

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In 2014 Bartek proposed in Italy and a year and a wedding later they kicked off “stage one” of their journey on 26th November 2015. Now nearing the end of this, they will embark on “stage two” later this year.

Since jetting off in 2015 the duo have visited Panama, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Argentina. And they have plans afoot to venture to a further two continents: Australasia and Asia.

Karolina is a freelance journalist so was able to bring her work with her, but Bartek had to quit work to free up enough time for their epic plans.

Though he is a passionate film fan, has a Master in European studies and can speak Quenya (an elf language) fluently he found himself living like a typical corporate worker. After saving for years he had to let go of the role so that the pair could jet off.

Picking a favourite destination is hard for them.

The couple said: “We enjoyed trekking the Peruvian Andes, especially near Ausangate mountain and in Cordillera Blanca. But, Galapagos (Ecuador) is like a paradise. In Bolivia, Salar De Uyuni is amazing.

“From all the cities we’ve visited we like Buenos Aires the most. It has a great, unique vibe!”

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Britain’s beautiful coast: Stunning ocean views

(#wanderlusttips #Britaincoast) Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s annual photo contest which prolongs till August 5, 2016 has revealed some breathtaking photos of Britain’s sea. Contest aims to find the ultimate sea view that best captures Britain’s reliance on and relationship with the sea

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In a world filled with exotic destinations and budget travel options, some of the greatest treasures are found close to home.

Britain’s stunning coastline is filled with wonder – from spectacular beaches and awe-inspiring sunrises to thrilling piers and pretty fishing villages where residents put in an honest day’s work.

These breathtaking images, which are vying for top prize in an annual photo competition held by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, celebrate Britain’s enduring connection with the sea.

One of the dramatic snaps taken by photographer Trevor Shelley shows a rock pool beneath the orange glow of the sky at Hartland Quay, on the Hartland Peninsula in North Devon, where tourists gather to watch waves crash against the cliffs.

Another entry, submitted by Gordon MacPherson Sr, shows a fascinating sunrise from a cave on Seaham Beach, County Durham, a month ago.

The photo contest aims to find the ultimate sea view through a photo that best encapsulates Britain’s reliance on and relationship with the sea, its merchant ships and fishermen, coast and harbours, and ports and wrecks through work, recreation, art or sport. The deadline for entries is 5 August.

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Novotel Nha Trang July treats

(#wanderlusttips #Novotelnhatrang) Series of promotions from lavish BBQ lunch to relaxing spa treatments will grant guests a whole week being indulged in the classy vibrant ambiance of Novotel Nha Trang.

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The Square Restaurant at 1st floor of the hotel boasts a genuine treat through a week for all the seafood lovers. The restaurant is hosting Seafood Fiesta from Sunday to Wednesday, “Crab vs. Lobster” between Thursday and Saturday featuring Nha Trang’s finest selection of fresh seafood. Book one day in advance guests receive up to 34% off.

Ones who love BBQ will love to be immersed in the sumptuous BBQ lunch buffet at the same venue with free flow food, soft drinks and juice at VND199,000++, 50% off for children under 12 years.

In Balance Spa is the place to free your body and mind offering 130 minutes of body scrub, facial treatment and body massage at VND1,850,000nett/guest. “Buy 1 get 1 for free” is the exclusive promotion in July for you to come with friend or lover to release all the stress of life and revitalize the energy.

Novotel Nha Trang

Address: 50 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Tel: (+8458) 625 6900
Email: H6033-RE@accor.com

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Feast the eyes with beautiful collections in Pret-a-Portea July event

(#wanderlusttips #Intercontinentalhanoiwestlake) The event Pret-a-portea this July featured beautiful fashion collections of ferminity and personality from two local designers Linh Doan and Tu Ta.

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Linh Doan started off the show with her Spring – Summer 2016 collection. The palette of colors had a very classic feel with the scope for black, white and light blue. The designs showcased at the event interpreted the brand’s concept – to create clothes that make women feel beautiful and confident.

The second half of the fashion show began with the latest collection by Tu Ta. The collection inspired guests of the show with a classic color palette (black and white), feminine designs and bright finish.

Inspired by the colors and themes of the fashion world, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake brings guests at Pret-a- portea event a unique experience that blends classic afternoon tea and contemporary fashion. Pret-a- portea is an afternoon tea and fashion show which features fashion from the local businesses and serving up fashion-inspired treats.

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake

1 Nghi Tam, Yen Phu, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Tel: (+844) 6270 8888

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Foodie attractions of Portugal (part 1)

(#wanderlusttips #Portugal #cuisine) Superlative seafood, sun-ripened fruit, lamb raised on flower-speckled meadows, free-range pigs gorging on acorns beneath oak forests. All makes the new owner of EURO’s champion cup the hidden cuilinary place.

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Piscivore perfection

In Europe, only Icelanders eat more fish than the Portuguese.

Superstar chef Ferran Adria says seafood from Portugal’s Atlantic waters is the world’s best — and he’s Spanish.

Markets glimmer with a startling variety, from baby cuttlefish to U-boat-sized tuna.

If your food heaven is fresh seabass expertly barbequed with a hint of lemon, garlic and olive oil, this is the place.

Best eaten by the sea in restaurants like Sao Roque in Lagos, Restinga in Alvor, Furnas in Ericeira, Azenhas do Mar or Restaurante da Adraga west of Sintra, Ribamar in Sesimbra, or Doca do Cavacas on Madeira island.

Liquid gold

The basis of Portuguese gastronomy.

Drive the backroads of the Alentejo, Beira Interior and Tras-os-Montes regions and you’ll weave through endless olive groves.

Olive oil is the basis of Portuguese cooking, whether it’s used to slow-cook salt-cod, dribbled into soups or simply soaked up with hot-from-the-oven bread.

Exports have quadrupled over the past decade as the world wakes up to the quality of Portugal’s liquid gold, either from big-time producers like Gallo and Oliveira da Serra, or hand-crafted, single-farm oils.

The latest prize: a gold medal for Olmais Organic oil at the World’s Best Olive Oils awards in New York.

The national boiled dinner

Portugal’s cooking is rigorously regional: meaty and robust in the north, Mediterranean in the south.

Yet one dish unites the country: cozido.

Best eaten as a big family lunch, this is a boiled one-pot featuring a hunk of beef, various piggy bits, sometimes chicken, always cabbage, potatoes, carrots, turnips and an array of sausage, including paprika-spiced chourico and cumin-flavored blood pudding.

There are regional variations: in the Algarve they add chickpeas and mint; expect lamb and pumpkin in the Alentejo, sweet potatoes on Madeira.

In the Azores islands, cozido is slow-cooked by volcano in underground pits.

Lisbon’s gourmet awakening

A new generation of chefs is shaking up the capital’s restaurant scene with ultra-modern takes on gastronomic tradition.

Leading the charge is Jose Avillez.

His Belcanto restaurant facing the Sao Carlos theater won a second Michelin star in 2014.

Its menu features braised red mullet with liver sauce, clams and cornmeal; oxtail with foie gras, chickpeas and creamy sheep cheese.

Rivals include Henrique Sa Pessoa’s new Alma restaurant, just round the corner and wowing diners with the likes of hake with burnt leek and hazelnuts; or Joao Rodrigues, voted chef-of-the-year with his riverside Feitoria.

Sa Pessoa and other celebrity chefs offer cheap and cheerful alternatives at the Ribeira market food hall.

King cod

They say Portugal has 365 recipes for cooking salt cod.

In fact there are many more.

Bacalhau is served “a bras” with scrambled eggs, olives and fries; as fish cakes (pasteis de bacalhau) alongside black-eyed-peas; barbequed, oven-baked or simply boiled with cabbage and carrots, then drizzled in olive oil.

Crumbled with cornbread in the university city of Coimbra, baked under mayonnaise Ze-do-Pipo-style in Porto, chopped into a favorite Lisbon salad with chickpeas and onion, bacalhau is always close to the Portuguese soul.

Say Queijo

Why Portugal’s cheeses are not better known is a mystery.

True, amarelo da Beira Baixa — a herby goat-and-sheep-milk mix, was judged the world’s greatest in a tasting organized by Wine Spectator and Vanity Fair a few years back.

Yet creamy Serra da Estrela from the milk of ewes raised in Portugal’s loftiest mountain range; hard, pungent cow’s-milk cheeses made on the precipitous mid-Atlantic slopes of Sao Jorge island; or peppery Terrincho produced in remote Tras-os-Montes, remain largely unknown.

Such dairy delights may be served as appetizers or after a meal with red wine or port, sometimes accompanied with quince jam (marmelada).

Porto’s tasty trinity

In the 15th century, patriotic Porto donated all its meat to Prince Henry the Navigator to feed his soldiers when they sailed off to do battle in Morocco.

Left with just offal, they concocted a dish which remains the city’s signature: tripas a moda do Porto.

It’s not for the faint-hearted: a stew of butter beans, calves’ feet, pigs’ ears and peppery chourico as well as the tripe — the chewy white lining of cow’s stomach.

Ever since, inhabitants of Portugal’s second city have been known as tripeiros — tripe-eaters.

Porto’s other best-known dishes: slices of deep-fried octopus and monster meat sandwiches smothered in spicy sauce and named francesinhas — or little French girls.

Going with the grain

The Portuguese are Europe’s biggest rice-eaters, outpacing Spaniards and Italians, but while paella and risotto are globally ubiquitous, Portugal’s arroz dishes are unjustly neglected.

Arroz de marisco is sumptuous: sloppy rice cooked in a garlicky, cilantro-infused tomato sauce fortified with a multitude of shellfish, which can include lobster, crab, clams and shrimp.

You can taste top-notch versions at Cantinho do Mar in seaside Praia da Vieira de Leiria; O Faroleiro overlooking the spectacular Guincho beach in Cascais; or Marisqueira Rui in Silves, the old Moorish capital of the Algarve.

Other classic rice dishes: arroz de pato, oven-baked with duck; arroz de cabidela, involving lots of chicken blood; and sweet, cinnamon-scented arroz doce for dessert.

Wild pigs

Portugal enjoys some of the world’s juiciest pork and tastiest ham as a by-product of its thriving cork industry.

Semi-wild black pigs grow fat on a diet of acorns dropped by the forests of cork oaks across the southern Alentejo region.

The resultant porco preto is marbled with fat, filled with flavor.

Cured ham (presunto) made from these beasts — especially from the border town of Barrancos — rivals the best from Spain or Italy.

The Alentejo’s most distinctive dish combines clams with garlic-and-red-pepper-marinated pork.

The old school

Just about every provincial town has a least one old-school restaurant cooking time-honored dishes unique to their region.

Examples: Porto Santana serving vinegary dogfish soup in the whitewashed town of Alcacer do Sal; Cafe Correia famed for stuffed squid in Vila do Bispo; Aveiro’s O Telheiro and its eel stew; the Solar Bragancano whose seasonal partridge, pheasant and boar dishes make a trip to Braganca worthwhile.

Portuguese towns also have a bunch of informal restaurant categories: tascas are wine taverns serving hearty lunches; cervejarias are for seafood and chilled beer; pastelarias are nominally pastry shops, but also serve lunchtime dishes.

CNN | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet