Apart from its pristine beaches and surfing waves, its abundant nature teeming with wildlife, landscapes and resources make it an attractive place for an adventure getaway. For a more relaxed getaway, commune with nature as you experience rural life where the winds blow through the rice fields creating a domino like effect. Or get in touch with your spiritual or artistic side.

All of these and more can be found in Ubud, the spiritual and artistic center of Bali which appears like a temple with many homes made of brick walls, topped with Hindu statues. On the other hand, museum and art galleries like Neka are widespread in Ubud and preserve important collections of Balinese art.

Another place you shouldn’t miss  in Ubud is the home of Balinese royalty, The Ubud Palace. Be charmed by the elaborate temple surrounding beautiful gardens and witness a traditional dance display that is performed daily at 7:30 PM. You might also want to consider going to the Negeri Propinsi Bali museum in Denpasar. It is an excellent place for you to experience the true Balinese culture.

Another standout feature of this island is the food: Balinese cuisine is a combination of sweet and spicy flavors cooked with a variety of spices and a traditional Balinese meal consists of a range of small servings of different flavors and textures that combine to form a hearty and satisfying meal.

The hospitable and kind hearted people of Bali will lift your entire trip and make it all the more a wonderful place to relax and enjoy.

Costa Rica is a country with abundant gifts from Mother Nature making it one of the world’s leaders in eco-tourism. The bio-diversity of this place is one-of-a–kind. Environmentalists, nature lovers and enthusiasts of extreme sports like water rafting, quad biking, surfing and zip line tours through the rainforest canopy will certainly fall in love to this country. Botanists and gardeners alike will also admire Costa Rica’s breathtaking plant life whose grandeur is evident in the country’s national parks.

Strong influences from the Europeans are seen in the culture and tradition of Costa Rica’s society from the use of Spanish language and the architecture style to the tastes of the delicacies in the markets and restaurants. The mix of colonial Spain with Caribbean flavours is an exciting combination. Indeed, the country is not only bio-diverse but multicultural as well.

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. Ticos (Costa Rican citizens) fondly call the city ‘Chepe’. San Jose is the complete opposite to what travel ads say about Costa Rica as a whole. Instead of finding the emerald rainforests, Chepe has more of the hustle and bustle of cities like Guatemala city and La Paz in Boliva. San Jose may be a noisy smoky mash up of a city but it is a city where you can find superb museums, excellent dining experience and fun bar hopping.

Our Top 3 must do’s in Costa Rica are :

1. Manuel Antonio National park
2. Arenal Volcano
3. Hit Pavones for a surf : http://www.surf-costarica.com/surfing-destination-pavones.shtml

Enjoy!

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Albania has come a long way from difficult times in decades past. Now you’ll find a diamond in the rough with everything you would want out of a trip: a breath-taking coastline, fascinating history, colossal mountains, and heartwarmingly welcoming people. Constantly evolving, Albania today could be different to Albania next year making it a vibrant place to visit.

1.  A unique coastline

You’ll have your breath taken away as you drive along tiny coastal roads, winding around mountains that crash into the sea. A bizarre feature of the coast is the indestructible bunkers that litter the place, placed there by Dictator Enver Hoxha’s paranoia. Climb in, on and around these strange sentinels into Albania’s complicated recent past.

2. Historic grandeur

From ancient hilltop fortresses to excellent Roman ruins, Ottoman mansions to famous orthodox icons, Albania has a rich, fascinating history on display.

Learn the sad ledgend of Rozafa, trapped in her magnificent fortress forever above Shkodra. Climb Gjirokastra’s steep cobbled streets amongst fading Ottoman homes of grandeur to its lonely fortress. Or head to Berat for an even greater taste of rare Ottoman style exploring the many well preserved mansions, as well as its medieval citadel full of churches displaying beautiful frescoes and famous icons. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, a lovingly restored ancient ruin whose history stretches from Hellenistic to Venetian times.

3. Transforming Tirana

Albania’s capital has been working for years to beautify its drab, brutal communist past. Go on your own photographic tour of Tirana discovering the inventive colour schemes that brighten up the city.

Hang out in the cafes by day and dance the night away in the thriving Blloku, an area where the communist elite once lived it up behind walls to keep everyone else out.

Check out www.inyourpocket.com/albania/tirana for the latest tips on where to eat in Tirana, an affordable gastronomical scene which is improving all the time.

4. The unforgettable Accursed Mountains

Albania’s Accursed Mountains are as evocative as they sound. Besides finding indescribable natural beauty you can experience heart-warming stays with families who invite visitors into their remote lifestyles; lives that once were lived fiercely in a hostile, feuding world. Hiking here offers a unique experience to feel as though you are steeping into an undiscovered corner of Europe.

5. Wonderful people

Albania’s greatest gift is its people. They will welcome you to their tables and into their homes, look out for you on buses or just give you a wave on the street. Many countries are friendly but Albania takes hospitality to another level. This alone makes a trip to Albania worth it.

Those seeking gorgeous white sand and clear blue water in the Kingdom of Thailand have two options: the Gulf of Thailand, home to Kho Phang Ngang and the (in)famous full-moon party or the Andaman Coast, whose most famous destination is undoubtedly the amusingly-named Phuket. (For the record, its pronounced Poo-Ket).

But just across the channel between Phuket and the mainland lies the province of Krabi, one of the region’s best-kept secrets. For those who find Phuket’s glitzy resorts and endless girly bars to be too much, Krabi offers a laid-back alternative that really showcases the region’s famously gorgeous beaches and lush tropical rainforests.

The Railay Penninsula is a little spit of land that projects out into the Andaman Sea about an hour south of Krabi Town. Although physically connected to the mainland, this haven can only be reached by boat due to the sheer cliffs and jungle that occupy the neck of the peninsula. This gives the whole place an island feel, similar to Phi Phi but without the same crowds.

Railay East is the backpacker’s enclave. The beach is nothing special – it’s a mud flat at low tide and serves as the landing point for the longtail ferries. However, the lack of a view means that this is the locus for the cheap accommodation. If you don’t mind the precipitous staircase, the Diamond Private Resort is high enough to afford a great view and offers a pool for very reasonable rates.

West Railay is where you go to get horizontal on fine white sand and stare out at the cool blue Andaman (preferably with a Singha in hand – readily available from the restaurants set about 50 meters back from the beach).

But the best part of Railay is experienced vertically. The area is home to some of the most accessible climbing walls in Thailand and beginners and experts alike will find some great routes and there are plenty of operators to provide guides, training and equipment rental. King Climbers is the most established and they run single- or multi-day classes with expert English-speaking guides to show you the ropes (so to speak).

Madagascar’s remote north east offers some extraordinary experiences for the more intrepid traveler. Here is an itinerary into the magical world of colourful locals, untouched rainforest, unbelievable creatures, and pristine beaches.

Fly to Maronsetra

Fly with Air Madagascar to remote Maroansetra on the north east coast to discover a charming village caught in the middle of nowhere. With barely passable roads south, and no roads at all going north, the town feels like oasis of civilisation – albeit a basic one.

Wander the tracks between the simple palm huts soaking in the colour of village life. Watch locals repair their pirogues (dug-out canoes) on the huge beach. Ask someone to help you track down the bright red tomato frogs that might be living in a family’s backyard.

Stay at: Le Coco Beach for its comfortable bungalows and good restaurant.

Organise a tour of Masoala National Park through the locals

The main attraction here is the richly diverse, thoroughly spectacular Masoala National Park. You’ll need at least four nights to get a taste of the park. This involves organising a boat, accommodation, food and a full time guide (any visit to a national park in Madagascar requires the services of a guide from ANGAP (The National Association for the Management of Protected Areas in Madagascar)).

Before you decide that sounds all too hard, here’s why it is well worth the effort.

The pristine island of Nosy Mangabe

Nosy Mangabe is a small, entirely protected island not far off the coast of Maroansetra. Wandering around Nosy Mangabe’s untouched rainforests and beach, to the primal sound of lemur troops barking high up in the trees, will make you feel like you have stepped into a pre-historic age before humans tread here.

Your eagle-eyed guide will get you close to cryptic coloured geckos, comical lemurs, cool chameleons and plenty of other colourful creatures. Amongst all of Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity there is almost nothing deadly meaning you can just wander around on foot.

Stay at: The camping ground.

True paradise on the Masoala Peninsula

When you arrive here by boat you’ll land on a stretch of endless, perfect beach that is backed by primary and secondary rainforests.

Walking along the beaches with your guide you will be introduced to the local’s remote way of life. Your guide will be available anytime of the day to explore the forests that meet the sea to find rare lemurs, like the red-ruffed, and spotting the huge variety of unique bird life.

When not walking you can snorkel the reef off the beach and relaxed in what felt like pure paradise.

Stay at: Tampolo Lodge in a breezy bungalow close to the beach, soaking in the simplicity of life without electricity and the pleasure of having delicious meals cooked for you.

Travel tip: Use a local tour organiser to put together all the pieces of your trip. Try reception at Le Coco Beach in Maroansetra for a one-stop-shop for your transport, accommodation, food and guide.

240 km south of Bangkok is Thailand’s famous beach, Hua Hin. You don’t need to schedule a flight from Bangkok to Hua Hin since it just takes a few hours to get there by express bus or taxi.
A nice sea breeze welcomes you upon your arrival at the place. All year round, the place experiences less rainfall. Although the sun’s heat is not scorching hot, Hua Hin’s weather is at its best during the months of mid May to end of September. The area is also excellent for outdoor sports like golf and volleyball. You can also find interesting shops that sell a variety of trinkets and crafts for memorabilia. Recently, a big mall opened there and you can find various merchandises to suit your wants and needs.
Hua Hin is also a perfect get-away from your stressful and fast-pacing life. There are plenty of massage and spas available for you to relax and revive your senses. Bars and an exhilarating nightlife also await those people who want to unwind and party.
Temples and old buildings balance culture and tradition to the contemporary lifestyle that tourists and some residents of the place have. Wat Hua Hin is situated at the center of the town and is known as the main temple of the place. Other temples that are worth the visit are Wat Bor Fai, Wat Khao Krailas, Wat Petchravud, and Khao Takiab. There you can find examples of Buddha statues and temple architecture that will wow you out.
With regards to the meals, seafood lovers will surely have the time of their lives at Hua Hin. Aside from its cheap price, there is an overflowing of delicious seafood. Thai food is also available and served for a low cost. Certainly, you’ll never get hungry here.
Australian tourists who have gone to Hua Hin, Thailand highly recommend that you visit this place. Aside from the reason that it’s cheap, there are actually a lot of tourist spots and activities for you to tour and engage in. Accommodations are not a problem. There are a lot of cheap and clean places that you or the whole family can stay. Above all, the people in Hua Hin are very warm and friendly. With them, you’ll never feel you’re miles away from home.

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