7 Romantic Getaways in Southeast Asia

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bali, el nido, perhentian island, Siem Reap

Southeast Asia is one of the most romantic locations in the world. The luscious greenery and uniquely colorful flowers and plants make it an often-overlooked paradise. In addition, the Asian culture is soft-spoken and chivalrous making every encounter leak with romance. If you and your partner are looking for a romantic escape, consider one of these romantic getaway ideas in Southeast Asia:

Photo : pixabay

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a gorgeous Indonesian island with scenery that comes close to looking like a postcard. Couples can explore the lush jungles or camp out on one of the white sandy beaches. Bali is famous for their island monkeys and guests can visit the Sacred Monkey Forest for a fun interaction with these native creatures. Whether you want to relax and soak up the beach and spa, or are looking for a more action-packed trip, Bali has the best of both worlds.

Also Check : 5 Luxury Beachfront Villas in Thailand 

Luang Prabang, Laos

This landlocked country lies at the heart of Indochina. The fact that it does not border the peninsula makes it unique to Southeast Asia. The country is rich in culture and history and has a tourism slogan of “Simply Beautiful”. Luang Prabang in Northern Laos is one of the most visited cities in the country. The charming town has preserved its heritage and is home to former royal palaces and more than 30 temples. Nestled in the mountains, the city is absolutely breath taking. Outside the walls of the city tourists also enjoy hiking to the stunning Tad Fane Waterfall and the infamous Plain of Jars.

                                    Photo : pixabay

Koh Samui, Thailand

This Thai island was once a thriving fishing community and the simplicity and charm of the age still exists today. Koh samui is also one of popular beach wedding destinations in the world with the exquisite traditional Thai ceremony. Couples can explore the Ang Thong National Marine Park that boasts several secluded lagoons or enjoy a relaxing day at one of the island’s famous spas. Mainland Thailand is also a great spot for adventure. Many tourists enjoy the famous riding elephant tours or the notorious Temple of Reclining Buddha.

                                   Photo : pixabay

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Vietnam is the perfect destination in May-October during its dry winter season. Couples who enjoy the romance of rain could also explore the historic country during monsoon season from April-November. Popular tourist attractions and sites include the caves of Ha Long Bay and the Marble Mountain region. Vietnam is also one of the great holiday destinations in southeast asia. The country celebrates holidays based on the lunar calendar and hosts a wide range of festivals throughout the year. The New Year’s festival is one of the most popular and is enjoyed each year by tourists across the globe.

                        Photo : pixabay

Siem Reap, Cambodia

This country is loaded with gorgeous romantic temples which is perfect for the more adventurous couple. Siem Reap is one of the country’s most vibrant cities and boasts a French Colonial atmosphere that is completely conducive to a romantic getaway. The city offers plenty of off-road exploring mixed with delicious restaurants and unique shopping experiences. Watching the sun rise and set from the famous Angkor Wat temple site is a must-do for any visitor. For a taste of the local culture, tourists can also visit Artisans Angkor which is a local trade school for disadvantaged Cambodians. They craft and sell beautiful pieces which can later be purchased in the school’s shop.

                        Photo : Jpatokal via Wikitravel

Perhentian Island, Malaysia

The Perhentian Islands are located on the coast of Malaysia and offer seclusion and privacy for any romantic getaway. The relatively underdeveloped islands give off a castaway feeling while still offering enough civilization and activity to make for a fun trip. The islands offer luscious jungle greenery perfect for hiking and picnics. Scuba diving and kayaking are also popular activities on the islands.

                                  Photo : pixabay

El Nido, Philippines

El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. The weathered limestone of the islands creates a protective barrier and keeps the coves and warm tropical waters of crystal clear complexion. The island is pretty secluded and requires an eight hour bus ride from the nearest airport or the expense of using the island’s private air strip. The white sandy beaches are perfect for a day of sun-bathing and the aqua water is conducive to scuba diving and snorkeling. The Pagsanjan Falls are a popular tourist site as well as the WWII monument and memorial at Corregidor Island.

These are just a few of the many romantic weekend escapes for couples in the Southeast Asia region. The culture and scenery of these mysterious tropical getaways is an experience that can’t be missed!

About author: Riya is an inspired writer. She is delighted to work with many aspiring small business owners. Riya loves cooking, crafting and yes! Sipping a good coffee. Check out her twitter, @sanderriya.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Planning a Trip to Hawaii on a Budget

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beaches, bus travel in hawaii, Hawaii Beach, hotel in hawaii, Hula Dance

A vacation to Hawaii sounds like a trip to paradise. But, figuring out a trip to Hawaii cost can make you realize that a visit to paradise doesn’t come cheap.

The state of Hawaii is divided up to seven islands and each one has its own charm. So for those new to traveling to Hawaii, figuring out where to go in Hawaii usually is the first priority. Sometimes, that can mean the best island to visit in Hawaii because transportation from one island to another can often mean a costly short plane ride or a boat trip.

If you are interested in taking in Hawaii on a budget, here are a few tips to follow.

1) Know when to take the trip

Usually the winter months are when the most take a trip to Hawaii in an effort to avoid the cold and the snow. There are times in the latter half of January and February where things may slow down. However, prices generally remain high through April.

The good news is the weather makes Hawaii almost a year-round potential destination. May through September have more affordable pricing, but the months of October and November have the best discounts.

It should be noted that humpback whale watching is at its best in February while the Aloha Festivals are in September.

2) Stick with one island at a time

When planning a trip to Hawaii, be aware of how costly it is to go island-hopping. Rather, it is better to stay on one island to keep down travel costs. Even if the price isn’t too bad, it is still a time-consuming exercise you can do without when you are trying to squeeze in as much relaxation or sight-seeing time as possible on your trip.

The six main vacation islands (the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kauai) all have their own unique charms as it is. It is far easier to save trips to other islands for later Hawaii visits. Oahu is popular because the city of Honolulu is located there. The Big Island is larger than the other islands combined and is ideal for hikers as well as its volcanic national park. Maui is known for its great beaches. Molokai has the most native culture. Those who like nature would prefer Kauai while Lanai may be preferred for those looking to relax and get away from civilization.

3) Cities are preferable for newcomers

Normally in the continental U.S., the cities are expensive and rural regions are cheaper. However, because of the state being one-bit tourism spot, cities may actually be ideal for first-time visitors to Hawaii.

On the island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, there is public transportation that can get to most stops in lieu of a rental car. Honolulu, being the capital of the state, is ideal for finding out more information about potential hidden tourist spots. Also, being new to Hawaii, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start out with an Oahu luxury rental in regards to finding a spot to stay at during the trip.

4) Enjoy the beaches

Hawaii is world renowned for its beautiful beaches

Hawaii is renowned for its various beaches whether it is by Honolulu or elsewhere. Instead of going to various of tourist places that suck up the money, take time to relax on the beach and enjoy the weather without having to seriously dip into your wallet.

Finding the best beaches in Hawaii Big Island or even on Maui where just about any beach will do would be a wise and effective way to spend your vacation.

5) Finding place to stay

You could stay at a hotel, perhaps a hostel or looking into Hawaii luxury vacation rentals if you’re travelling with family would be a cheaper option. You can enjoy all-inclusive Hawaii vacations from wherever on the island, be it a five-star resort or a simple apartment for rent.

While it may be tougher to find guided tours from hotels. If you buy a package tour, make sure you understand general regulations in the package. Make sure the rented apartment is close to beaches and various modes of transportation. This way, you can only reserve rental cars for days when you are actually traveling around instead of relaxing on a sandy shore nearby.

Consumer Rights in Package Travel Regulations

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Accommodation, holiday packages, travel packages

Package travel package holidays and package tours have certain advantages to traveler, especially those on a budget. There are several cost-saving opportunities when you have all your travel needs bundled up in one neat package. However, the lack of regulations when it comes to holiday package contracts raised concerns. With unscrupulous businesses posing as legitimate travel agents offering all kinds of deals, it became necessary to have some standards that holiday package providers have to meet. Understanding the general regulations puts a consumer in an advantageous position when making travel plans. It also establishes the grounds in case of holiday accident claims.

hat is in a Travel Package

A consumer must know what a standard holiday package should contain. By regulation, an organizer must provide at least two components in a combination. Some of these include transport, accommodation, and other tourist services. The elements included in a package must be sold at an all-inclusive price.

One concern that travelers have with today packages is the DIY factor that some of them come with. For instance, a holiday package may have an alternative of making your own hotel bookings. Per the package travel regulations, even when different accounts are used for the components, the arrangement does not cease to be a package. A package remains “pre-arranged” even when the customer gives specific instructions to alter certain aspects. For instance, just because a consumer changes their itinerary for a day trip that is part of a holiday package does not modify the terms of the contract.

However, if a retailer books different components with separate suppliers and individual contracts, then they may not amount to a travel package. In such an instance, the consumer should have prior knowledge of this because certain regulations may not apply to this type of arrangement.

Providing Information

When getting a travel package, the retailer should ensure that all the relevant information is available in a legible manner. The brochures that customers use to pick their packages should be clear to avoid misunderstandings. It is not uncommon for suppliers and retailers to include misleading information on travel brochures about features such as price, description of the holiday and other conditions. Such information can leave a provider liable for damages. A consumer could file a personal injury compensation if the information provided in a holiday package brochure led to an accident, whether directly or directly. Some of the details that a retailer should provide include:

• Destination
• Total price of holiday
• Transport information
• Accommodation details
• Any email included
• Health requirements
• Passport and visa requirements
• Arrangements in case of delays or cancellations

Package travel regulations consider these details as the terms of the contract, which is why they must be comprehensible.

Insurance

A contract should also include insurance information pertaining to the travel. Insurance coverage during travel is crucial because the traveler has protection in case of cancellations, illnesses, accidents, or repatriation. Having the appropriate insurance would make it less complicated to make holiday accident claims in case something happens during a trip. The contract should stipulate correctly if a particular destination requires a specific type of holiday insurance and where to buy it from.

Contact information

Even with the best arrangements, things can go wrong – flights get delayed or delayed by bad weather, hotels get overbooked or closed down, and businesses get bankrupted. When buying package travel package holiday and package tours, a customer should always get the details of the retailer for some of the circumstances above. Having a telephone number for your agent means that you can call to get assistance in case of skewed plans.

Contracts for holiday packages should be in writing, and both parties should evaluate and agree to each term.