phuket

Phuket, the island destination in Thailand drawing the most tourists, offer a plethora of beaches, coves and bays. Deciding where on the island to book your hotel accommodation is an important step to a memorable holiday. Some like it secluded, peaceful and tranquil, some like the buzz of a busy holiday atmosphere and some like it somewhere in-between.

In this article we will give an abbreviated overview of the best and most popular Phuket beach destinations, what you can expect from the location and point you in the direction of some great hotels in each area.

Patong is without a doubt the centre of all activity in Phuket. It is alive with people, a congregation of restaurants, bars, pubs, shopping opportunity, water sports abound and even a large shopping mall, making it popular with those who likes an electric holiday atmosphere. A vibrant nightlife with an assortment of clubs and discotheques sees that the nocturnally inclined also have a blast of a time.

Patong is home to a large selection of hotels and sees some fine luxury accommodation options to more budget savvy and everything in-between.

If you would like to be close to all the action but not directly in it and out of earshot of any noise, try the 4 star Amari Coral Beach Resort, located in the southern most corner of Patong on its own private beach. La Flora Resort is another 5 star resident of Patong right in the centre of the beach. This stylish establishment offer accommodation for anything from single travelers to two bedroom villas for family vacationers. The brand new very hip and funky 4 star B-Lay Tong resort also needs to be mentioned. This Phuket resort is located to the upmarket northern end of Patong.

Pure white sand that glitters, Karon is the 2nd biggest of the primary Phuket tourist beaches. It is located just south, a 5 minute tuk tuk ride, from the glittering lights of Patong. Long and wide, it is debatable if Karon is not maybe the most sought after of all Phuket beaches. Many hotels line the road that runs parallel to the beach, but very little if any development has taken place on the beach. To the northern end of this beach several restaurants, bars and other commercial activity is centered. Probably the most upscale Phuket beach area, Karon is home to highly recommended hotel names the 5 star Movenpick Resort & Spa, Centara Karon Resort, Centara Villas Phuket and the Hilton Phuket Arcadia. Just recently the brand new 5 star Centara Grand Beach Resort opened its doors to the northern end of Karon. This Phuket hotel is in fact located directly on the beach and every room offers sea views.

Kata Beach is the smallest of the primary tourist beaches. White sands, crystal clear waters and Phuket hotels and resorts right on the beach. If you do not wish to have a road between your hotel and the beach, Kata is probably where you will find your choice of Phuket accommodation. All structures bordering Kata is low rise so views are unobstructed and set to stay this. A beautiful beach and area in general, Kata is a great choice, perfect for swimming and plays hosts to names like the luxury Mom Tri's Boathouse boutique hotel, Centara Kata Resort and the popular 4 star Andaman Cannacia Resort & Spa. All of which is recommended places of stay.

Surin Beach is home to several high-end 5 star hotels & resorts and is aptly referred to as millionaire's row. The beach is beautiful and the sand a fine white powder. These luxury establishments have also given rise to some top notch restaurants and wine bars. Suggest for discerning travelers, Surin will be a good choice. Names like The Surin Hotel (Formerly The Chedi Phuket Hotel) and Manathai Resort has made Surin their home.

Kamala Beach is located just north of lively Patong with its glittering lights and feverish nightlife. Kamala calls to those who like it quieter while still within easy reach of Patong. The southern end of the beach gets busier during high and peak season. Here, a range of restaurants and bars can also be found. However, simply head for the northern end all year round to find peace and quiet. Kamala is of course also home to one of the biggest Phuket attractions, The Phuket FantaSea. Kamala is home to, amongst others, the luxury Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas.

Bang Tao is an enormous 8 kilometer stretch of beach. The southern end of this beach offers a range of some nice mid range hotels while the north is occupied by the ultr luxury Laguna hotel complex. Just a little inland is a small market and the village of Cherng Talay. The predominantly Muslim community makes a living from fishing as they have been for generations. In Bang Tao you will spend most of your time on the beach, utilizing resorts facilities and activities or rent a jeep to check out neighbouring beaches. Not busy, not quiet and very little if any night life.

Mai Khao Beach is at almost 10 kilometers, the longest beach in Phuket. Situated at the northern tip of Phuket, this area has seen limited development and construction. If you don't like to share a beach with too many other tourists, Mai Khao is your place. This is an area to get away from it all and spend your time in quiet and tranquil seclusion, though the nearby location of the airport does bring some air traffic noise every now and then. Sala Phuket Resort and Spa and Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa are two quality resorts in Mai Khao that deserves a closer look. Be careful when swimming here May to October with strong under currents and a steep slope into the ocean making things hazardous.

Just south of Mai Khao is Nai Yang beach, home to the fabulous Indigo Pearl Resort. Once again, commercial development is limited. The setting is lovely and tranquil and like Mai Khao, it is removed from any major activity and Patong is an approximate 45 minute drive away. A good choice to spend a few days in blissful seclusion, recuperate and then head for a more active environment.

Well then, this should help you make a more informed decision before booking Phuket hotels. Alternatively, should you need more information or suggestions for the best hotels and accommodation options for your unique requirements, contact our friendly and helpful team. We will be happy to assist.

The Best Hotels in Thailand.com is an online Thailand hotel and travel guide offering secure online Thailand hotel and resort accommodation bookings. To get all the Thailand travel information you need, the best rates and special hotel accommodation offers, visit us now at http://www.thebesthotelsinthailand.com

Holidays in Pattaya - Thailand

Thailand is a big country. It is a very popular tourist destination and was, until quite recently, number three in the world. It probably will be again. Bangkok and Phuket are generally quite pricey and to be honest Pattaya can be too. How expensive a holiday is, is dependent on choices. The number of choices open to you is dependent on pre-planning.

Book your flight today to fly tomorrow and it will cost you an arm and a leg. Unless of course you are very very lucky and grab a fantastic last minute deal. Book two, three, four months ahead and the price will be so much lower. The further you book in advance the more airlines are available for you to make your choice from. If time is not too much of an issue you could country hop and utilise two or three airlines.

You should where possible choose the 'off season' to visit. This again will multiply your choices of hotels and give you much better deals. There is little difference in the weather in 'high season' or 'off season' in Pattaya. There is certainly as much to do. If it does rain then the rain is usually of short duration and to be honest a bit of a relief.

Now you could book your hotel in advance and in fact I advise you do but book it for just three days even if it is your intention to stop for a few weeks. If you are in the off season there will be no problem extending your stay. On the other hand you have three days to look round and book into somewhere better. There are always fantastic deals for those who shop around. The internet is all very well but it is a maze off agents waiting to skim their little bit off the top.

Pattaya is great for food. The International cuisine on offer is nothing short of amazing. Prices too are generally much lower than in Europe. In Europe Thai food is expensive, in Thailand it is cheap. Not just cheap but delicious. Here it is cooked by the experts and using local produce. If you are going to eat Thai food then forget the big fancy restaurants and those near the main tourist drag. Head up the side Soi's (roads) and here you will find the best of the best. You can eat very well for a dollar.

Don't use taxis to get about. The Sang Thaew or Baht Bus is very easy to use and extremely cheap. There is practically nowhere you cannot get to in the city in two or three hops. Alternatively use a 'motorci' (motorbike taxi). It will cost a fraction more but get you to wherever you are going in a trice.

Pattaya has an abundance of cinemas, bowling alleys, zoos, beaches, islands, shopping, golf, health spa's and so much more to keep anybody happy during the day. At night the city comes alive. This is the party capital of the world, and you can afford it

Ski at Sahoro

Sahoro is a popular resort with foreigners largely due to the fact that the only Club Med in Japan is situated at the base of the resort. The mountain itself is not as large or demanding on the slopes as the other major resorts, however it offers foreign customers plenty of services not found anywhere else in Japan. The lift network provides fast access with the gondola taking you to the top of the mountain in under ten minutes. The resort is extremely well suited to families, with a variety of activities offerred to infants and children.


Hotel Sahoro and Club Med both offer high class services and lodging. For those who prefer a busy schedule the Club Med will provide you with non-stop acivities all day long. For those requiring a less demanding schedule the Hotel Sahoro is the perfect place to stay.

Istanbul, Turkey

If you go to Istanbul, Turkey here are 5 places of great interior design that you won't want to miss out while you are there. Check them out! These places are recommended from an Interior Designer in San Diego.

1 & 2 . The first place is the Sofa Hotel and its restaurant, Longtable. It is located right across the street from the Fashion Design Institute of Istanbul.
Address: Tesvikiye Caddesi No. 123
The Hotel Sofa, Lobby Kati
34367 Nisantasi, Istanbul, Turkey
Ph: +90 212 224 81 81

3. Mabel Cikoclata is a chocolate store that has been around since 1947. They have such distinctive and delicious chocolates.
Address: Vali Konagi Caddesi 32/1
Nisatasi, Istanbul, Turkey
Ph: +90 212 225 27 89
mabel.com.tr

4. The fourth place will be BNG Tunel. BNG Tunel is a store for distinctive women clothing both stylish and affordable
Address: BNG Tunel
Tunel Meydani 14
Beyoglu Istanbul 34420, Turkey
Ph: +90 212 251 97 26
bng-design.com

5. Last but not least we have the Spice Bazaar. I recommend everyone to go to the Spice Bazaar rather than the Grand Bazaar. I got a little overwhelmed with the Grand Bazaar between all the junk they sell and the jewelry stores that sell all the small pieces. At the spice bazaar, the merchants let you try various kinds of candy that are called "Turkish Delight". These make a great gift for that special loved one. Also if there is a "chef" in your family the spice set will make a perfect gift. He or she will be thrilled. As far as interior design goes, the glass vases are pretty and would look great in someone's contemporary home, but with the airlines and their weight restrictions I think and recommend it would be better to ship the items home. It would be cheaper in the long run!

Soul Food - You Will Miss

While designer boutiques and cafes spring up in Seoul, I will share to you my travel experience with some sections of Seoul. This capital of South Korea offers silk worm snack foods and street jazz.

The place. It was a clear spring evening, outside Tongdaenum stadium, west of Seoul. Hundreds of teenagers mill around waiting for the clock to strike 8 p.m. I wonder if it is not a soccer match or a pop concert they have come to see. Their excitable chatter would lead me to believe otherwise.

Oh I see! The big attraction lies across the road at the Migliore department store. A 14th floors of thrifty glamor fashions and the latest arcade dance machines. Or maybe a guest pop group appearance awaits the crowd. Migliore's night-owl business hours (8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily) have made it a beacon for Seoul's restless and hip-to-the-groove youth. And at 8:06 p.m. the first transactions are rung though. Less than eight hours after Migliore closes its doors, another hive of shopping opportunity will abuzz on the other side of the city.

We inched our way up the base of the imposing Mount Namsan, Myong-dong district, a new face of Seoul. Here we saw sleek office complexes rise over bustling local markets, Eastern and Western fashions. Coffee is the beverage of choice.

The food. Commerce is certainly the force driving the capital these days. But I find it's worth noting about our travel to Seoul is when dinner time approaches. All our wheeling and dealing, haggling and bartering, suddenly stops. We and the citizens of Seoul get down to the very serious business of eating and drinking.

I believe that there is a growing demand for traditional home-cooked food that has created an enormous range of dining possibilities for travelers and visitors to Seoul. I find it the most challenging part of dining out in Seoul is where to pull up a seat at hundreds of food stalls, restaurants and even street kitchens.

We sit down at one of these stalls and found out our fellow diners could be a mechanic chewing thoughtfully on a pig's trotter. I saw a group of immaculately-dressed office ladies tucking into a fish head stew. I find the aromas of their dishes excite, and at the same time, completely confuse my senses. I'm still curious, odors fill the night air along the north side of Jongno Street back towards the Seoul's city center. Oh! It's peondaegi, or boiled silkworm larvae, wafting from dozens of street carts.

Outside Danseonsa Theater, I spied elderly women spooning steaming critters into paper cups and selling them to passers-by for US$0.95 (1,000 won). I speared them with the toothpick provided and I swallow it as quickly as possible. It is at the back of T'apkol Park that I finally found an antidote for the powerful silkworm aftertaste. There are a handful of stores specializing in traditional medicine, called hanyak.

Clusters in the alleys to the north, are easily recognizable by the bell jars of snake wine in their windows. Together with dried reptiles, exotic-smelling herbs and animal parts, snake meat soup called paem t'ang (don't know if I spelled it correctly), and snake wine, called paem sul. At Cheung Jin Ok restaurant, opened in 1937, located in Jongno district my problem was solved. There is only one dish to choose from, hae jang or the coagulated cow's blood broth served with extra spicy kimch'i.

Did you know? Kimchi is an absolute necessity in every Korean meal and can be made from one or more kinds of vegetables including Chinese cabbage, radish by seasoning and salting them with garlic, scallion ginger, chili and fish sauce.

tour at Varanasi, India

The municipality is legendary because it is deemed as a sanctified area for devotees. it is also identified as the antiquated accessible municipality, and the town has served as a soundless witness to many enormous undertakings.

The name of the city has its source, perhaps from the forenames of the two streams, Varuna and Assi because of the flowing together of Varuna with the Ganges River being to its north and that of Assi and the Ganges to its south. The region is adjacent to the coasts and it is extremely crowded and has rigid indirect roads that are bounded by pavement stores and several temples.

Ethnicities control the municipality and there are lots of sanctified areas and institutions of fidelity all over the municipality. Numerous communal and spiritual ethnicities are still alive in the town and the communal peacefulness is nevertheless widespread within the community.

The city has an affluent society; the citizens are familiar for being the advocates of prose, Ancient attitudes, carvings, and drawings. Socio-beneficial attribute of the municipality are tremendously tended by the Hindu revelries, the town is assumed as one of ancient municipalities worldwide it is also often justified as the epitome of the soul of Indian society.

The city has many tourist attractions that make them as one of the most visited nations in India. Some of the tourist attractions in Varanasi are the Uttar Pradesh, Hawa Mahal and Temples in Sarnath. It also houses many famous temples. Take the Golden Temple for example. It was constructed in 1780. It is sited on the border of Ganga. This house of worship makes the city a location of remarkable spiritual significance to the citizens of the town.

The Sankat Mochan Temple is another one, and was established by Tulsidas. A ritual promises that usual guests to the holy place will obtain extraordinary act of kindness of Hanuman. There are many hotels here to give you accommodation during your stay. The Taj Ganges Hotel is a magnificent place surrounded by beautiful ornamental plants and bountiful gardens ,all luxurious rooms are complete with modern facilities, wireless internet service is also available, guests can also enjoy native exceptional cuisines provided by their on the house restaurants. The hotel is also close to the nearby tourists spots of the city.

The Radisson Hotel is a very modern first class inn situated in the Cantonment establishment district. They give excellent services and luxurious accommodations with latest facilities. The hotel is well-liked by its' guests because of their customer-oriented employees, amusingly intended rooms and its squeaky clean marble lavatories.

The Clarks Hotel is oozing with a lot of fascinating facilities and interiors. This lodge belongs to the oldest hotel corporations in India. The inn has magnificent projected accommodations that that give the outlook of the gardens they also have native cafés where visitors can take pleasure on other transnational cuisines. The hotel also offers modern conveniences.

The Ramada Plaza is one of the famous elegant taverns in Varanasi. Iit is located in the city's cantonment district. They are offering 130 luxury rooms; the quarters are stylishly equipped and supplied with all the modern facilities.

The Hotel Hindustan International is one of the most well-liked hotels in the town. The place is the perfect option for a relaxing vacation. The hotel structure is 7 storey high and is endowed with an atmosphere entrance passage. The inn's structural design is certainly pleasing. The hotel provides gracefully selected rooms which are supplied with all the contemporary services. There are also 4 dinner halls that can be available for three hundred individuals. The hotel has extra recreational facilities to provide for the satisfaction of their clients.

For more information on Varanasi and Varanasi City Services please visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann

The Chao Praya River in Bangkok - So Much to See and Do

When traveling to Bangkok, a great way to take in a lot of sights at once is to hop on the Chao Praya River Express. Instead of catching a cab or hiring a guide, take this cheap and easy tourist boat along the Chao Praya River and hop off at any of the major tourist attractions. For 20baht (less than $1 USD) you can take a relaxing ride away from all of the noise and pollution of the city. For 100 baht ($3 USD), you can buy an all day pass giving you an unlimited amount of rides to hop on and off whenever you please.

Make your way to the river and you can catch this boat at any pier. Public Buses, the sky train, taxis and tuk tuks, they will know where to take you. The boats run in either direction from the Taksin Bridge to The Banglampu District near Khao San Road. Both the tourist boat and the public boat leave from these piers. If you really want to save money and travel like a local, catch the public boat for only 8 baht. It is more crowded and there are no tour guides, but it will get you to where you want to go just fine.

But if you are a first time visitor to Bangkok I recommend the tourist boat. It is quieter, the seats are comfortable and it doesn't spew exhaust that chokes you as ride along. A tour guide will talk to you about the sights on the shores and you can sit and listen all the way to the end of the line. However, you will want to jump off a lot, because this boat stops at every major tourist attraction along the river. These sights are some of the most spectacular in the city and a must for every tourist.

You can hop off at China Town, the National Museum, Temple of the Dawn, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. The Maritime Museum, the Gemstone Market, the Oriental Hotel and of course the Grand Palace, Bangkok's most popular destination.

It is an efficient and well-run system. At each pier the deck hand ties the boat up as he blows his whistle relentlessly to let the captain know what is going on. Once the boat is safely secure, you can step off onto the pier to explore the area in front of you. Once you are done, you can catch the next boat that comes by. Between the tourist boat and the local boat, you can get to your next destination in minutes. They run just like a bus or subway system. If you don't have the 1-day pass, you will have to pay again, but the price is so little, you won't feel bad, especially if you ride the local boat.

You could spend days in Bangkok and never leave the river. Every stop is either right on the rivers banks or within walking distance from the Pier. The temples are extraordinary and Wat Pho is a must see destination. The oldest temple in Bangkok, it is home to the 46 meter long reclining Buddha. Lying down, it stands 15 meters high.

Wat Arun aka The Temple of the Dawn is majestic. It stands on the opposite side of the river from the other attractions and its tower stands proudly looking over the water. Chinatown is vibrant and exciting and you can make your way to the Temple of the Golden Buddha. A solid gold Buddha sit in its walls and it has an interesting story. For 20 years it was sitting in storage hidden within a plaster Buddha. It was discovered when a crane accidentally dropped it to reveal this great treasure that is now on display for your viewing.

Last but not least is the Grand Palace. Built in 1782 it houses the Royal Temple containing the Emerald Buddha. Walk around its beautiful grounds and take in its grandeur. This is by far the most visited temple in all of Bangkok.

When visiting the Wat's, make sure to dress properly. Have respect for the Buddhist culture and follow the guidelines. In places like the grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho wear a long sleeved shirt and a sarong or long skirt. Men should wear long pants and have their shoulders covered. These temples are open to the public and people pray and worship within their walls. Have respect for their beliefs and do not disrupt them.


Once you are done your day of sight seeing, you can hop back on the tourist or local boat and make your way to the Taksin Bridge where you can catch the sky train back to anywhere that you are staying in the city. Be it Siam Square, or Sukhumvit. The sky train is quick, efficient, cheap and fast.

Or better yet, hire a tuk tuk to experience a true Thailand tradition. Zip through the streets in a three-wheeler motorcar and feel the energy of the city. Barter hard however and never fall for the scam of a free or cheap 10 baht ride because they will take you to every gem market until you buy something. Once they have their commission, you may not have a lift back to your hotel.

With a good map, a guide book and a firm resolve to stick to your plans, getting around Bangkok can be a lot of fun and a few days by the river can be a rejuvenating experience.

Debra Corbeil is one half of Canada's Adventure Couple with her husband Dave Bouskill. Together they have traveled to over 30 countries on 5 continents. Follow their journeys at http://www.theplanetd.com as they hike, bike, dive, trek and climb their way around the globe. You can also see their photo stories at http://www.picturetheplanet.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Corbeil