Showing all posts tagged "Anantara Hotels"
What is Thailand Famous For? – A Place Where Adventure Meets Serenity
Thailand, often called the ‘Land of Smiles,’ is tucked away in Southeast Asia and has a unique mix of the old and the new that makes people fall in love with it. Imagine bustling city streets with towering skyscrapers and then, not too far away, peaceful villages with wooden homes. And the people? They are as warm as the tropical weather. Here's what Thailand's all about and why you might want to pack your bags.
Stunning Beaches and Diving Spots
If you love the beach, Thailand's the place for you. Picture yourself lounging on soft white sand, with a coconut in hand, listening to the waves. But if lying around isn't your thing, how about diving into the crystal-clear waters? Places like Phuket and Koh Tao are renowned for scuba diving, and you'll find yourself in a world filled with colourful fish and beautiful coral. It's like stepping into a postcard.
Comfy Accommodation
Finding a place to stay in Thailand is no challenge whatsoever. You have everything from five-star resorts with every luxury imaginable to little guesthouses that feel like a home away from home. The staff? They are usually friendly and eager to help, making you feel welcome the moment you step in.
The accommodation sector in Thailand is served by international hospitality brands like Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. More importantly, the Thai accommodation sector pays attention to sustainable hospitality – something to keep in mind if you are someone who only wants to leave footprints and not negatively impact the environment.
Religion
You'll soon notice that religion is woven into the fabric of daily life in Thailand. Most of the country follows Buddhism, and you can feel its calming presence in temples like Wat Pho in Bangkok or the breathtaking White Temple in Chiang Rai. Join the locals in a peaceful meditation or watch monks going about their day – it's all part of the spiritual journey that you can experience here.
Elephants
Elephants in Thailand are not just animals; they are a symbol of the nation. You can actually spend a day with these gentle giants in ethical elephant sanctuaries. Walk with them, feed them, or even bathe them. It's an experience that'll tug at your heartstrings and give you stories to tell.
Cuisine
Ever tried Thai food? It's a flavour fiesta! Whether you are diving into a spicy curry or savouring a sweet mango sticky rice, your taste buds are in for a treat. Don't miss the chance to eat where the locals eat –sometimes the best meals are found at street vendors and local markets.
Affordable Travel Costs
Think travelling has to be expensive? Not in Thailand. Here, you can find a comfy place to stay, catch a ride on local transport, and enjoy a hearty meal, all without spending a fortune. It's what makes exploring Thailand such a breeze, even if you are watching your pennies.
History and Culture
If history is your thing, Thailand has plenty of stories to tell. Visit ancient ruins like the Ayutthaya Historical Park, and you'll be stepping back in time. Traditional arts, dances, music – there's a rich cultural heritage here that's alive and well, just waiting for you to explore.
Festivals
Thai people know how to celebrate. Have you ever been part of a countrywide water fight? That's Songkran, the Thai New Year. Or how about watching thousands of lanterns float into the night sky? That's the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai. These aren't just events; they are experiences that you'll carry with you long after you've left.
Massages
If you are in Thailand, you simply have to try a Thai massage. Whether you are on the beach or in a fancy spa, there's something special about how they can make all the stress just melt away. You'll walk out feeling like a new person altogether.
Shopping
Love to shop? Thailand has you covered. From bustling markets filled with knick-knacks to high-end malls with the latest fashions, you'll find what you are looking for. Even if you are not much of a shopper, the lively atmosphere and the bartering are all part of the fun.
Posted on July 31st, 2023
How to Spend Your Vacation in the Maldives—Where Tropical Charms Abound
There is not much planning you have to do in terms of how to enjoy your time in the Maldives—the place is a tropical paradise and all you need is a bit of fine-tuning with your plans. Knowing the best times to go, where to stay and what the best activities are can certainly improve your experience. Check out this article on how to spend your vacation in the Maldives to learn more.
Photo by Asad Photo Maldives via pexels.com
The Best Times to Visit the Maldives
As a tropical destination, the Maldives experiences only the wet and dry seasons. During the monsoon, the weather can be quite wet with winds and rains picking up occasionally, although it rarely rains all day, and you can expect the sun to shine on just about every day of the year. Apart from the weather, which is quite uneventful, you can decide when to go to the Maldives if you are looking at improving your travel costs. Seasonal rates can fluctuate, and you can expect some good rates when travelling outside of the high season.
There’s peak season when the sun is at its best and off-season, which is when the rains hit. The time in between these two is called shoulder season and is tipped to be the best time to visit the islands. You will find that rates are much less at this time of the year since tourist arrivals are low—with not much difference in the gorgeous weather.
Shoulder season in the Maldives is from March to April with costs increasing closer to Easter. The high season is from November to April. And off-season is from May to November.
Best Places to Stay in the Maldives
The Maldives consists of over 1,000 coral islands and many of the resorts there occupy entire islands. Therefore, choosing to stay at a luxury tourist resort in the Maldives can be very rewarding. Also, as a premier holiday destination, the place is home to several international chain resorts offering discerning travellers luxury travel experiences at some of the best international chain resorts such as Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. Choosing an all-inclusive stay at one of the resorts can be very beneficial as you will be able to enjoy a range of discounts and benefits that will help to stretch your holiday budget.
Choose Your Hotel Transfers After Careful Consideration
Your long-haul flight will land in Male, the capital island. From there, you must transfer to your Maldives resort. To do so, there are several options; speedboat transfers, seaplanes and local ferries.
The seaplane is certainly an exotic way to travel to your hotel in the Maldives and will give you a fabulous bird's-eye view of the area. However, the seaplane can be costly and does not support the same luggage allowance as your long-haul flight. Therefore, you end up paying hefty fees for excess luggage. Check your seaplane luggage allowance to avoid surprises. Speedboat transfers are just as thrilling but can be as expensive. The least expensive option is the local ferry, although it is not the best. The local ferry runs on a very erratic schedule and can often get delayed. The plus point is the low fares, which are a huge change to what you would pay for a seaplane or speedboat transfer. The local ferry runs through the local islands, and you would have to get off at the nearest one to your chosen Maldives resort and request a pick-up from there.
Respect the Culture
The Maldives is a 100% Islamic nation and follows strict laws; therefore, you must make sure to respect these laws and avoid getting into trouble, or worse, deported. Pork is banned and cannot be brought into the nation, the same applies to liquor although the latter is served at your private island resort. You must dress to cover shoulders and knees in public, and women should cover their heads as well when visiting the mosques.
Packing for the Maldives
Pack for the tropics with plenty of shorts and cotton t-shirts, but also take along a few long pants, skirts, and shirts or kaftans for covering up when visiting the sights and local islands.
Pack a good swimsuit for swimming as you will spend a lot of your time in the sea and pool, take along shades, a cap and plenty of sunscreen to make sure you don’t end up nursing a nasty burn throughout your holiday.
Pre-Plan Your Tours
Check out the available attractions and let your Maldives resort know which tours you wish to take. Snorkelling and scuba diving are top attractions as are sunset cruises, dolphin-watching tours, and island-hopping adventures.
Enjoy your time in the Maldives!
Posted on December 22nd, 2022