Experience Koh Samui in Thailand For a True Tropical Island Adventure

Experience Koh Samui in Thailand for a True Tropical Island Adventure Most people visit the Thai island of Koh Samui for the beaches and they're never disappointed. The beaches fulfill all the promise of a tropical island with their expanses of white sand lapped by a crystal clear sea under an endless warm sun. Samui's beaches are wonderful but if you limit yourself to beaches on your Samui sojourn, you'll be missing out on a host of other attractions that the island offers. Here's your guide to making the most of your island experience.

Hop on a bike, rent a car or book a tour and get away from the beaches for a day or two to discover the other side of the island. These include Buddhist temples and pagodas, stunning rock formations, elephant treks and waterfalls, or you can get off Samui completely and visit other islands in the archipelago.

It may seem like a world apart but Koh Samui is a part of Thailand and is a great place to experience Thai culture and the unique Thai lifestyle. Thai culture is best experienced in the beautiful Buddhist temples and Samui has its fair share.

The most famous Buddhist temple on the island is probably Wat Phu Yai which translates as Big Buddha Temple. It's so-named owing to its 15-meter high Buddha image which looms over the headline and is a haunting sight if your boating offshore, especially at sunset.

Another unique Samui sight is the twin rocks of Hin Ta and Hin Yai, literally Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock. Visitors have commented on the phallic appearance. According to legend these rocks represent two lovers who committed suicide at this spot because their families disapproved of their love.

Elephants play a major role in Thai culture and Samui offers you the great experience of riding an elephant into the jungle. Many of the island's natural sites lie deep in the jungle and the best way to reach them is on elephant back. Some of Samui's waterfalls such as Na Mung are easily accessible; for others such as Hin Lad falls, you'll need to trek along a jungle path. These falls are delightful after the rainy season but can get dry in the summer. And by climbing to the peaks of the mountains, you can gain spectacular views of the surrounding area as far as distant islands in the archipelago.

In fact it's a great idea to charter a boat and get off the island completely and visit neighbouring islands in the archipelago. For an unforgettable day out, head some 27 km to the Ang Thong archipelago. This cluster of 40 small islands is said to have been the inspiration for the movie ‘The Beach'. The area is one of haunting beauty of caves and lagoons with limestone karsts thrusting out of the sea. Only one of the islands is inhabited and you'll get a true desert island experience.

This area is home to the seafaring nomads of southern Thailand known as chao-le or sea gypsies. They live a unique lifestyle based on fishing and traces of their animistic beliefs can be seen in the decoration of their boats.

But it's the nature that is the most alluring part of Ang Thong; the whole area is a national park and home to protected wildlife including otters, langurs, crab-eating monkeys, silver haired bats, along with over 54 species of bird and 14 species of reptile.

Kayaking and snorkeling are popular here and it's a paradise. National Park Headquarters on Koh Wua Talap offers accommodation in the form of basic bungalows should you wish to stay overnight.

So make the most of your Samui experience. Getting around is easy; the island is just 25 km long and 21 km wide. Samui travel is convenient via a ring road that loops around the island linking beaches and all the island's attractions.

Koh Samui Thailand was made for lounging on beaches but once in a while you'll want to get away from the sand and see more of what the island has to offer. And when you're done exploring, you can always head back to Chaweng Beach for another day in the sun.

Experience Koh Samui in Thailand For a True Tropical Island Adventure

Most people visit the Thai island of Koh Samui for the beaches and they're never disappointed. The beaches fulfill all the promise of a tropical island with their expanses of white sand lapped by a crystal clear sea under an endless warm sun. Samui's beaches are wonderful but if you limit yourself to beaches on your Samui sojourn, you'll be missing out on a host of other attractions that the island offers. Here's your guide to making the most of your island experience.

Hop on a bike, rent a car or book a tour and get away from the beaches for a day or two to discover the other side of the island. These include Buddhist temples and pagodas, stunning rock formations, elephant treks and waterfalls, or you can get off Samui completely and visit other islands in the archipelago.

It may seem like a world apart but Koh Samui is a part of Thailand and is a great place to experience Thai culture and the unique Thai lifestyle. Thai culture is best experienced in the beautiful Buddhist temples and Samui has its fair share.

The most famous Buddhist temple on the island is probably Wat Phu Yai which translates as Big Buddha Temple. It's so-named owing to its 15-meter high Buddha image which looms over the headline and is a haunting sight if your boating offshore, especially at sunset.

Another unique Samui sight is the twin rocks of Hin Ta and Hin Yai, literally Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock. Visitors have commented on the phallic appearance. According to legend these rocks represent two lovers who committed suicide at this spot because their families disapproved of their love.

Elephants play a major role in Thai culture and Samui offers you the great experience of riding an elephant into the jungle. Many of the island's natural sites lie deep in the jungle and the best way to reach them is on elephant back. Some of Samui’s waterfalls such as Na Mung are easily accessible; for others such as Hin Lad falls, you'll need to trek along a jungle path. These falls are delightful after the rainy season but can get dry in the summer. And by climbing to the peaks of the mountains, you can gain spectacular views of the surrounding area as far as distant islands in the archipelago.

In fact it's a great idea to charter a boat and get off the island completely and visit neighbouring islands in the archipelago. For an unforgettable day out, head some 27 km to the Ang Thong archipelago. This cluster of 40 small islands is said to have been the inspiration for the movie ‘The Beach’. The area is one of haunting beauty of caves and lagoons with limestone karsts thrusting out of the sea. Only one of the islands is inhabited and you'll get a true desert island experience.

This area is home to the seafaring nomads of southern Thailand known as chao-le or sea gypsies. They live a unique lifestyle based on fishing and traces of their animistic beliefs can be seen in the decoration of their boats.

But it’s the nature that is the most alluring part of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_Ko_Ang_Thong_National_Park : Ang Thong; the whole area is a national park and home to protected wildlife including otters, langurs, crab-eating monkeys, silver haired bats, along with over 54 species of bird and 14 species of reptile.

Kayaking and snorkeling are popular here and it's a paradise. National Park Headquarters on Koh Wua Talap offers accommodation in the form of basic bungalows should you wish to stay overnight.

So make the most of your Samui experience. Getting around is easy; the island is just 25 km long and 21 km wide. Samui travel is convenient via a ring road that loops around the island linking beaches and all the island's attractions.

http://www.koh-samui.travel/koh-samui-thailand.html : Koh Samui Thailand was made for lounging on beaches but once in a while you'll want to get away from the sand and see more of what the island has to offer. And when you're done exploring, you can always head back to Chaweng Beach for another day in the sun.

About The Author:
Michiel Van Kets writes articles for Koh Samui Travel, http://www.koh-samui.travel/ a Koh Samui company specializing in travel info and tips for Koh Samui Thailand. http://www.koh-samui.travel/koh-samui-thailand.html

Disney World Revisited - It is a Magic Kingdom

As soon as I got off the plane in the Orlando International Airport I noticed something was different. It had been a long time since I had been to Disney World and I knew I was in for a special treat. We took an airport shuttle to the hotel and the adrenaline started flowing. I was getting antsy like a little kid. We had planned on going out to dinner after we checked in and then come back to the room to relax and get a fresh start in the Magic Kingdom in the morning but once we were there I couldn’t wait.

We decided to hit the Magic Kingdom that evening! The Disney classics are always great and we had seen them so many times I knew we could knock out our favorite rides and attractions that evening. That would give us some extra time to visit Epcot and the other parks on the following days. I love taking photos in the Magic Kingdom and with my handy pocket tripod I can get some great night shots. Cinderella’s Castle is awesome at night and when you get just the right shot it feels good. I played with some settings and was able to get my wife’s face, in focus, as well as most of the castle. She hates when I do that because it takes a few tries, I never said I was a photographer. If you have never been then you may not know the Magic Kingdom was the first park built in Disney World. For me it still holds the same magic it did in the beginning. Some of the attractions I had to visit were Pirates of the Caribbean and the Country Bear Jamboree. Regardless of your age, the Magic Kingdom is a great time. I have heard you can still get married in front of the Castle but the cost is quite high so if you are planning your wedding and you just hit it big in Vegas or at the track then check it out.

So the next morning we woke up a little late and my wife decided we should visit Epcot Center. If you aren’t familiar with Epcot it’s themed after different countries. The idea is that you can spend a day and get a feel for the culture and cuisine for a number of countries. At 300 acres it is about twice as large as the Magic Kingdom. You can visit the 11 countries in 1 day but I recommend that you plan for two days at Epcot. If you try to see it all in a day you will be exhausted. There are always street performers and Disney characters to stop and watch and you visit each pavilion to get a feel for the culture. There are also rides like the Spaceship Earth that only takes about fifteen minutes to ride after what is usually quite a wait to get on. The test track go-carts are popular if you have kids and the Land Pavilion has some very interesting slow moving educational rides.

As our days continued we visited Hollywood Studios, formerly known as MGM Studios. There are rides and shows based on movies like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. They even have a Jedi Training Academy now so your kids can light saber fight Darth Vader. One of the most popular rides is the Tower of Terror so be prepared for a long wait, we skipped that one. I always enjoy the Studio Backlot Tour, another wait plus it takes over 30 minutes to complete so there goes another day, over before it started. OK I’m starting to remember why I haven’t been back for a while. Where did all these people come from? Ha!

On our last day visiting Disney World, we took on the Animal Kingdom. We had never been to this park before. Everyone makes a big deal out of the Tree of Life but to me it’s a man-made tree with animals carved in it, yeah I got smacked for that one. Seriously, it pales in comparison to the “real” animals they have there. My camera and I enjoyed the animals. They also have some good rides and a lot of entertainment. Maybe because it was a new experience, I don't know, but I enjoyed this day the most.

Going to Disney World was a great experience once again. This is a recommended vacation for anyone whether you have a large or small family. It brings you back to the innocence of being a child, and you will leave with a smile and some great memories. Thanks again Mickey.



About The Author:
I'm Pete and I enjoy traveling with my wife. I pick up some extra cash when needed by working with Bill Harmon selling deer scents and hunting products. http://www.harmondeerscents.com/

The Best Destinations For Villa Holidays

Whatever you're looking for from your villa holiday, be it nightlife, a family escape, skiing or theme parks. In this article we explore some of the best worldwide destinations to satisfy all types of holiday makers.

When you start thinking about your villa holiday the type of holiday you want to have and activities you're interested in will have a large bearing on your destination choice. Being in the right location is the best way to ensure you have plenty to do outside the villa and you, or your family won't get bored during your holiday.

San Antonio, Ibiza is Great for Nightlife and Group Holidays

Ibiza is known as the party capital of Europe owing to it's large number of nightclubs and bars and San Antonio is the clubbing centre with superclubs Es Paradis and Eden based there as well as Ibiza Rocks, Bar M and popular dance bar Plastik all within close proximity of one another in San Antonio.

Basing your villa holiday in San Antonio or just outside in the surrounding villages will put you right at the heart of the Ibiza clubbing scene and make for the ultimate group party holiday. San Antonio is also an increasingly popular destination for stag and hen weekends (batchelor parties).

Orlando, Florida - the Ultimate Family Villa holiday Destination

Kids will love the theme parks in Orlando including disneyworld, blizzard beach, sea world and universal studios and you'll love the great choice and relatively competitive pricing of villas available for rent in and around Orlando Florida. Many within a short drive of Disney.

Because of the sheer size of Florida, car hire is usually recommended for villa holidays in this area to help get you around to parks and further afield to nearby beaches. Public transport is available in Orlando but it's not an ideal way to get around and requires more forward planning, which you don't want on your holidays!

Portugal for European Sunshine Holidays and Golf Holidays

The Algarve in Portugal has a number of big attractions as a villa holiday destination but the 2 most prominent are the great beaches and world class golf courses.

Portugal has the perfect summer climate, hot days and cooler evenings compared to Spain or other hot destinations. The sophisticated Portugese resorts on the algarve have amazing restaurants, trendy bars and most places are kid friendly. If you're looking for nightlife Albuferia is one of the liveliest resorts in Europe and a favorite for group holidays.

Northern Cyprus for Year Round Sunshine

With an increased number of direct flights from uk airports and it's hot, dry year round climate, Turkish owned northern Cyprus is increasingly competing with the more popular holiday resorts of the more established, Greek controlled southern Cyprus. The holiday villa rental market is also booming in northern Cyprus with a large number of expats buying up property there a few years back and now renting it out to holiday makers who can often snap up an off season bargain with a weekly villa rental starting from as little as £150 for a 4 person villa during the quieter months of November- March.

Why not get away from those cold winter months at home with a cheap flight and bargain holiday villa in northern Cyprus, all for less than a long weekend break in the UK.

Cheap Holiday Villas in the Costa del Sol, Spain

If you're looking for a bargain summer villa holiday the Costa Del Sol area of Spain, famous as a British package holiday hang out, has you covered with a huge range of holiday villas and holiday home rentals, many starting from just £100 per person even going into the summer season (may- June, based on 4+ sharing and not including flights). In the peak school summer holiday months expect to pay a little more for flights and your accommodation and expect the resort to be at it's busiest.

With plentiful cheap flights to Spain from airports across the UK from low cost operators like ryanair, easyjet and flybe you should be able to get to the costa del sol even on a shoestring budget providing you book your flights early and look out for the regular flight sales offered out of season by the low cost flight operators.

We hope you enjoy your villa holiday wherever you decide to go. If you enjoyed this article you may also be interested in reading: top destinations for villa holidays, villa holidays for all the family and making the most of family villa holidays.

About The Author:
See more travel articles about villa holidays by the author: http://hubpages.com/hub/family-villa-holidays http://www.buzzle.com/articles/where-to-go-for-your-villa-holidays.html http://ezinearticles.com/?Villa-Holidays-For-the-Whole-Family&id=3924743

Unforgettable Festivals in Samos

Planning a holiday walking in Greece? Well take that calendar off your wall and plan your trekking trip around these fantastic festivals. There’s a little something for everything, so come on over to Samos and learn to party like a local.

Dance on Taverna Tabletops :
After walking in Greece the last thing that you’re going to want to do with those tired feet is dance on taverna tabletops, so we’ll leave that to the locals. You may want to take advantage of the lashings of local food and drink on offer during the feast day of the Virgin Mary, so plan your walking trip around 15th August to take advantage of the eating and merriment. No matter where you are in Samos, every village square and every local taverna will be hosting their own celebrations. Wine and music play a big part in the celebrations and most followers of the Greek Orthodox religion will have been fasting for a fortnight prior to this date.

Splash Around in Samos

When you’ve been walking in Greece on a warm summer afternoon, the idea of swimming in a nice cool lake can seem like heaven; but what about entering a swimming tournament? In the town of Pythagario, swimming tournaments are just a small part of the celebrations intended to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Mikali. The anniversary takes place on August 6th and if you don’t like the idea of competing against an Olympian in the swimming races, you can simply watch the local children dance a traditional Samoan dance, called the ‘Sirtos’, in their local costume. Religion plays a big part in the anniversary celebrations, but the sermons are all in Greek so you may want to give them a miss. Foodies will be delighted to know that the Battle of Mikali has its own designated dish; giorti. Giorti is made with minced lamb, grains and paprika and doesn’t look dissimilar to porridge. However, giorti is a lot tastier, and will definitely fill you up after a long day walking in Greece.

Feast with Fisherman

By now you should have spotted a distinct formula to a Greek festival; dancing, eating and wine. If you head to Pythagario in June during the Feast of the Fisherman you’ll be delighted to find that the food and wine are free. The food consists of fresh fish delivered by the local fishermen and is organised by the local council. The festival wouldn’t be complete without dancing and this goes on throughout the night. If you’re planning to continue walking in Greece the next morning, you may want to rest your feet earlier on in the evening so that you are good to go.

Party for Panagia Vrondiani

Remember giorti? Well it makes another festival appearance on the 6th and 7th of August. In fact, anyone who plans a trip walking in Greece during the first week of August may find themselves in the midst of a three-day party. Straight after the celebrations commemorating the Battle of Mikali end, the feast day of Panagia Vrondiani begins. Dancing in the tavernas, followed by local wine and giorti are very much the flavour of the next two days. Walking during the day and feasting with the locals at night? It certainly sounds like the perfect holiday combination to us.

About The Author:
Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us walking in Greece (http://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/Holiday_Search.aspx?Search=2&utm_campaign=MAP_Greece&utm_source=ramblers&utm_medium=web) to see the country’s finest scenery.

The Majlis Hotel In Lamu, Kenya. Luxury Hotel, Rooms & Suites

The Majlis Hotel Lamu

Set on the idyllic Manda Island in the Lamu archipelago on Kenya's Northern Coast, The Majlis is a luxury 25 room boutique hotel with the ambience, comfort and intimacy of a private home. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional styles, The Majlis offers the very best of Lamu. With a superb beachfront location and breathtaking views over the Ras Kitau bay and Shela village, it offers the perfect setting and the ideal position from which to explore the region.

The Majlis blends seamlessly with its island surroundings, making use of the area’s natural resources and traditions including hand-carved timber and white coral blocks. Each of the hotel’s 25 air-conditioned rooms is unique in character and style, and features traditionally high beamed ceilings and terraces with spectacular views of the beach, landscaped gardens or mangrove forests. Tastefully designed and decorated to reflect the heritage of East Africa, The Majlis houses an exquisite private collection of art mixing local traditional influences with a contemporary twist, and including a fantastic gilded elephant head sculpture by Armando Tanzini in the dining area and paintings by Julian Schnabel and Yago.

The Hotel’s spectacular makuti thatched restaurant offers the island’s best local, seasonal produce in an exquisite setting with breathtaking panoramic views across the bay to Lamu and the lush green mangroves, whilst the two bar areas are the ideal place from which to enjoy the sunset or a drink under the stars. Guests can also enjoy a private white sand beach and two beautiful swimming pools, built in the shade of the indigenous acacia and palm trees, providing a cool contrast to the warmth of the African sun. A range of watersports and dhow sailing activities is also available for guests who wish to be active all-day long.

Lamu can be reached by air from Kenya’s main airports, Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi. The Majlis can also organise private air-transfers on the hotel’s 2 light aircrafts which are also available for excursions to other Kenyan destinations.

The Majlis occupies a unique location on the exclusive Manda Island facing the world-renowned Lamu on Kenya’s North Coast (East Africa). The privately-owned hotel offers 25 superbly-appointed suites in understated elegance reflecting Lamu’s local tradition and style. With superb seafront views over the Ras Kitau bay and Shela village, guests enjoy an idyllic setting to relax and make the most of the archipelago’s charm and activities. The Majlis is only accessible by boat, a short 10- minute ride from Lamu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In Arabic, the name ‘Majlis’ refers to a special place where hosts entertained their most important guests and families in style and comfort. “Karibu”, or welcome, in Swahili.

The Majlis occupies a unique setting, blending seamlessly with its island surroundings to offer a relaxing and peaceful holiday. The hotel offers the highest-quality services and facilities allowing guests to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and resources.

Guests are invited to share in the soothing ease and atmosphere of the Majlis: from relaxing in the beautiful beaches or strolling along the long-sweeping beach; to enjoying a cool drink at the ocean-facing bar as the sun sets; to tasting our open-fronted restaurants marriage of local ingredients and international cuisine; to indulging in relaxing ayurvedic treatments at the wellness center.

You are welcome to The Majlis, a small luxury beach hotel in the Lamu archipelago.

About The Author:
Federico Moccia at The Majlis Hotel in Lamu http://www.themajlisresorts.com

Kangaroo Island is a Fascinating Place to Visit

Ranked as the third biggest Australian island after Tasmania and Melville Island, Kangaroo Island is a fascinating place slightly removed from the continent's southern-central coast. It is a naturally wondrous island brimming with activities and stunning vistas located no more than 13 kilometers from Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, no more than a quick ferry ride that visitors will be sure not to regret.

One of the neat details about Kangaroo Island is its natural preservation: indeed, roughly half the island has never been cleared of vegetation, and there are scores of nature reserves and similar protected habitats and wildlife sanctuaries across its extension. Among these, visitors will surely stumble across the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, the Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area, the Flinders Chase National Park, and the Seal Bay Conservation Park.

Visitors to the island will easily find activities to keep them entertained for a good many days, with the breathtaking natural vistas serving as the principal highlight in this regard. Among the most impressive natural phenomena on the island are the many peculiar and imposing rock formations that dot the island, with a magnificent example to be found along the cliffs of Flinders Chase National Park.

The stunning rock formations aren't only worth a look from the outside, however, as Kangaroo Island has some wonderful cave complexes that are well worth a tour. Visitors can descend into the caverns of the Kelly Hill Caves on a regular tour or, for the more daring, there's the option of signing up for an adventure tour that is limited to tinier groups.

Another option that many visitors find to be truly fascinating is to merely watch the penguins on Kangaroo Island make their evening walk, waddling from the sea up to their nighttime resting spots on the shore and rock ledges. The Penguin Centre of Kingscote can arrange for tours to see this peculiar event as well as to stop by their world-class aquarium which is full of amazing marine species.

Another excellent getaway while on Kangaroo Island is Little Sahara, a stunning desert which may be a place to catch a sighting of the island's namesake animal. Heading out on 4x4s and perhaps doing a little dune-boarding while out in the desert, this is just another possibility to gain yet another perspective on the island's incomparable beauty.

Then again, many people make a point of trying out the pure Ligurian honey at one of the several bee farms throughout the island. Ligurian bees were originally brought to Kangaroo in the late 1800s and now it is the only place on the planet where the Ligurian bee species has been kept pure, free from cross-breeding. At places such as Cliffords Honey Farm visitors will get the chance to observe this unique species, try their wonderful honey and see more stunning natural surrounds.

And then finally the island offers several old (yet still functioning) lighthouses such as the Cape Willoughby lighthouse, the first in South Australia, and the Cape Borda lighthouse, both dating back to the 1850s. An interesting stop on any day trip, they are well worth a visit and offer commanding views of the island.

For Kangaroo Island accommodation options, visitors will find many options from cheap backpacker digs to fancier retreats and resorts. Most are mid-range hotels and motels, and are surrounded by the stunning natural wonders of this paradise-like island.

About The Author:
If you are planning to visit Kangaroo Island, visit us to find some great Kangaroo Island Accommodation: http://www.bookitnow.com.au/accommodation/sa/kangaroo-island