The Travel Times - 2013 Aug - NATAS Fair

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THE TRAVEL TIMES • 16-18 AUGUST 2013

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WHO CHUA

ly Entertainment artiste Chua Enlai, otherwise widely recognised as popular TV characters B.B.See and Jacques Ooi, is as much of a traveler as he is a satirical actor.

He takes pleasure in being away from the familiar and, unlike many, quite enjoys making the journey, especially when it involves airplane food. The 34-year old is open to travelling both alone and with friends, and is known to book a trip less than 24 hourss before jetting off.

Some of the places he has taken ight to solo include Krabi, Siem e Con Dao Islands, Reap, and the the latter of which he deems

WHO

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9 770219 896015

words ADORA WONG

ROMEO TAN

IN A NUTSHELL Increasingly well-received TV star ROMEO TAN, though a busy man, has plenty of hopes for his travel plans. He talks to us about a trip he had not expected to like and about the paramour he really is.

I saw the other side of humanity when I visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. You don’t need an interpreter. Just stop at every room, read the notes, and imagine how things were.

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is the most romantic. That’s the best situation you can come up with. Also, y Business Class, at least. There is nothing romantic about Economy!�

The earnest sightseer lets on that he is an architecture buff and a foodie, and that being lost in translation while traveling is both frustrating and fascinating for him. Some of the places he intends to disembark on include Buenos Aires, Turkey, and Machu Picchu. Asked about his dream country of residence, Enlai says thoughtfully. “For me, travel is about getting away and exploring somewhere new. I’m afraid that if I make a new city my home, I would end up travelling everywhere else around it.�

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refreshingly isolated. Not that he would ever feel isolated, though, “With technology like Whatsapp, Twitter, and Instagram, it almost feels like I’m travelling with my friends. I share with them, almost instantaneously, what I’m doing and they do the same when they are on vacation.�

The outspoken thespian is not ashamed to ďŹ rst head to the tourist hotspots of a country he has never stepped foot in, but makes it a point to explore local hideouts the next time round. “I don’t understand the concept of vacation homes. Several years ago, I said to myself that I’m i to make k iit a point i to visit ii going

somewhere new every year. I’m glad to say I’ve accomplished that and more.â€? While he has had plenty of eye-opening experiences, one of his more memorable ones took place in Marrakech, Morocco. “I rode a camel for the ďŹ rst time! And also, the tannery, my gosh! That rancid smell from the carcasses. I’m surprised I’m not vegetarian.â€?

Plucky and spirited, Enlai tries to ďŹ nd something positive about every city, even if he got stung by a jellyďŹ sh in Halong Bay, Vietnam, and zipped about dangerously when he made a trip to Shwedagon Pagoda, Burma. “Never have I seen a temple as big as that! My gosh!

Getting there in a cab with a oor that has rusted away was half the fun.â€? He is practical about his idea of a romantic getaway, and notes that it should be one which appeases both partners’ respective needs and wants. “Sometimes, no ďŹ ghting

54 escape!

CHUA ENLAI & ROMEO TAN

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ENLAI

IN A NUTSHELL Well-travelled seasoned stage actor CHUA ENLAI is highly comfortable being in foreign places and soaking up all there is to see and hear. He shares with us some travel anecdotes and tells us why he is surprised he is still eating meat.

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For me, travel is about getting away and exploring somewhere new.

I’m afraid that if I make a new city my home, I would end up travelling everywhere else around it.

Savour Australia’s S A t li ’ Mornington M i t Peninsula at a leisurely pace

MATTA Fair

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omeo Tan’s travels have been going the same way his career has been – steadily progressive. He beholds travelling as transformative and feels that meaning to his life is augmented whenever he returns from a trip, even if it was just a brief getaway.

While the Mediacorp actor has not had the opportunity to venture outside of Asia, he has been to a few countries in the region and considers Cambodia an unanticipated favourite. “It wasn’t on the top of my list but I went along anyway to accompany friends.

To my surprise, it taught me to appreciate what I have now. I saw the other side of humanity when I visited Tuol Sleng

Genocide Museum. You don’t need an interpreter. Just stop at every room, read the notes, and imagine how things were.�

The 28-year old has also travelled to Japan, Korea, and Indonesia but regards Thailand as his choice destination. “I have a thing for Thai food, especially those from roadside stalls. You don’t have to spend a lot to experience good food, massages, and shopping in Bangkok and navigation there is easy even if you don’t speak the language. It helps that the people there are hospitable, too.� Romeo is into customs and traditions, which perhaps explains his sentimentality. “I can still recall the sight of the large red torii gate of Hakone

Jinja from Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji hovering majestically in the background. That was an impressive sight.�

A beach dweller who appreciates kicking back and taking things slow, the Nanyang Polytechnic alumnus confesses that he does not have the nerve to visit a foreign country on his own, though he hopes that will change as he believes embarking on a solitary vacation will enhance his independence.

He hopes to journey to Rome when his schedule permits, adding longingly, “I’ve seen it in movies and heard about this beautiful place too many

times. I would love to see the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill, and Castel Sant’Angelo with my own eyes. Take a walk down Piazza Navona, have a lunch or a drink at one of the cafÊ bars, and watch the world go by.�

Romeo reckons Start Point Lighthouse in Devon, England, as the ideal place to go for a romantic getaway as it is peaceful and quiet. Asked about his dream destination to inhabit someday, the sweetheart embarrassedly but ďŹ rmly says, “I do not have any but I will go wherever my other half wishes to live at.â€?

56 escape!

GET YOUR COPY NOW! Available at all major bookstores, petrol stations and newsstands, or subscribe online at www.e-shopping.sg

In this issue t The ultimate roadtrip in the Canadian Rockies t Take it slow and easy in Australia’s Mornington Peninsula t Walk in ancient ruins and y above curious landscapes in Turkey t Romantic resorts in Kelantan and Bali DUBAI

ER CITY REPORT

Defining Dubai Cosmopolitan and traditional at the same time, Dubai offers p plentyy of fun for travellers of all ages g

CHINA

words MARIA VISCONTI

DUBAI

A Lush Kind of Raw

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t is easy to forget that Dubai, one of of the the th seven United Arab Emirates, lies byy tthe th he sea and started as a small tribal stronghold along the shores of a vitall ther th her h err a creek. Most of us associate it with either ing in ing ng sea of sand dunes or a sea of shopping and malls. But there is more than dunes and

Shake the dust off your trekking boots and walk them through Chongqing and Guizhou, where ancient villages, movie-set worthy bridges, stunning scenery and smiling locals will sweep you away

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words ADORA WONG images ADORA WONG, CHONGQING TOURISM, CHINA STAR TRAVEL, XIJIANG TOURISM

EAT

High-end dining is not all that Dubai offers. Simpler but still delicious fare can easily be found too.

PIERCHIC At the end of a long romantic wooden pier, this locale has it all: the views, the breeze, the food. Ideal for a special celebration or just because it’s there. If you are after twinkling lights radiating out of the Burj Al Arab and sweet sea breezes at dusk book an outdoor table, you won’t regret it.

Access from Al Qasr pool and beach area of the Medinat Jumeirah.

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ooted in Southwest China, both Chongqing and Guizhou are fast becoming favoured travel destinations by those seeking pictorial scenery swamped with history. An hour apart by ight, both areas have plenty of rich natural sights that can awe and soothe a vexed mind – so put on your trekking shoes, and let nature’s beauty envelope your senses.

1&5. Book an outdoor table at Pierchic at dusk for a romantic dinner 2. The bridge to Souk Al Bahar 3&4. Perched on the 122nd oor of the Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere offers stunning bird’s eye views

images 123RF; JUMEIRAH; AT.MOSPHERE

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FOOD TOUR Can’t decide where to go?

Don’t know what to order? Join a food tour with Arva Ahmed of Frying Pan Adventures and taste everything from Yemeni to Ethiopian cuisine. Arva’s four-hour walking tours take you to places where tourists rarely venture. www.fryingpanadventures.com

SOUK AL BAHAR This is a popular restaurant area very close to the Dancing

5

Fountains show. Great views of the half-hourly water extravaganza from most restaurants. All cuisines under the sun are represented here. www.soukalbahar.ae

FRIDAY BRUNCH Friday Brunch is a local institution with set-price buffet ranging between US$100 and US$150 per person in well-regarded places such as the Park Hyatt, Le Meridien and Madinat Jumeirah. Be prepared to spend about four hours working your way through the offerings and drinking endless reďŹ lls of champagne, wine or beer.

AT.MOSPHERE CAFÉ On the 122nd oor of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, there is a restaurant and also a (literally) High-Tea with dizzying views.

Bookings are essential. www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com

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Message from Ms Cecilia Woo Publisher, The Travel Times It has been suggested that the impulse to travel is imprinted in our DNA. I don’t know about that but the desire to explore has brought me to many different places and has led me to explore so many different cultures.

Every time I travel, I bring back something new – and I’m not (only) talking about souvenirs! I believe that my travels have enriched my life and allowed me to grow in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to had I not been bitten by the travel bug. Certain holidays have put a dent in my pocket but the intangible returns have made them worth it!

I see the NATAS Fair as a showcase of possibilities. It is a one-stop shop for would-be travellers looking for inspiration for their next vacations, or to bag the best value deals. Haven’t decided where you want to go?

Let The Travel Times help you! We feature some of our favourite holidays destinations and highlight some exclusive deals. Also, check out the coupons on the back cover of this issue for special gifts!

I wish you the best in your search for your next adventure and may you ďŹ nd as much joy in building your memories as I have!

Cecilia Woo Publisher

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Forbidden City

It’s All In Beijing Fly to Beijing with Singapore Airlines and experience the warmth of its people and its easy-going nature. eijing was one of the four great cities of ancient China and was prominent for being the centre of political power and the home of the emperor up till the Qing Dynasty. Though it has lost some of the old structures such as the city walls built during the Ming Dynasty to avert a Mongolian invasion, many other still remain and paint a mesmerising chronicle of olden China.

Equally distinctive is the city’s modernity. Skyscrapers and a ďŹ rst-world infrastructure make Beijing an extremely liveable city not just for locals, but for the substantial expatriate community that make the city their home.

The structure of the city is quite simple. Big ring roads with varying diameters run in circles around the city centre, marking difference sectors of the city within their perimeters. The old houses are located in the city centre, with newer ones further away.

Beijing is also infamous for its trafďŹ c, which is one of the worst in the world. There is an unusual system in place to curb the number of cars in the city at a given time – only certain cars are allowed into the city on certain weekdays, and these are decided by their license plate numbers. This restriction is lifted on weekends. Beijing’s public transport system is also at full capacity as well – getting on to the train might involve lots of pushing. The subway system is a rapidly developing one however, with four new lines due to open within a year.

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Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, the Temple of Heaven in the Southeastern part of central Beijing is a stunning example of ancient Chinese architecture and landscape design. The centrepiece of the complex is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, an a distinct circular building that has graced the covers and pages of many travel magazines.

GREAT WALL As one of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall has to be on the top of your Beijing to-do-list. A one-and-ahalf hour car ride takes you to this 21,196 kilometre long wall. Built in sections, the ďŹ rst around 7th century BC, the wall was constructed as a defensive measure and later as a means to control entry, and facilitate transport.

Famously, in 1986, illusionist David CopperďŹ eld walked directly through the concrete walls, impressing all of us, including ex-supermodel Claudia Schieffer. Keep in mind though that portions of the wall are quite steep and the climb can be physically demanding.

TIANANMEN SQUARE Built in the early 15th century, Tiananmen Square is one of the largest squares in the world and holds major signiďŹ cance in the history of the country. It has served as the venue for the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China by Mao Zedong in 1949, and more sombrely, was the scene of the Tiananmen protests in 1976 and in 1989.

FORBIDDEN CITY Located in the middle of Beijing, the former royal palace is an architectural mammoth. If you walk through the compound in a straight line from front to back, you will have walked about a kilometre. You will be tired but you will be wowed as well. Along the way, you’ll go past the ofďŹ cial residences of the Emperor and the Empress and many notable ceremonial buildings. Most of the buildings are barricaded but some patience should allow you to get a good view of what it was like to live like an emperor.

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

Tiananmen Square

SUMMER PALACE Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Summer Palace is a huge park that spans 2.9 sqkm. In the middle of the park is the man made Kunming Lake, which at 2.2 sqkm, takes up most of the park’s space.

The soil that was excavated from the lake was used to form Longevity Hill, the other standout feature of the park. The park is a popular place for tourists as well as locals who visit to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

SHOPPING IN THE CAPITAL If shopping is your vice, Beijing is your city. Replicas of well-known international brands are as common as genuine shops stocking the same brands, sometimes even within a stone’s throw from each other.

The Yashow Clothing Market in Sanlitun is the Mahboonkrong of Beijing. Floors upon oors of clothing, electronics, and other locally produced goods can be found here. For example, you can get Superdry t-shirts, Asics sneakers, and Coach handbags for less than a

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themselves. No visit to Hua’s Restaurant is complete without their spectacular Peking Duck. Though it isn‘t prepared any differently from the Peking Duck you can get in restaurants in Singapore, it is better in almost every way. Served with the usual accompanyments of cucumber sticks, sweet sauce, our wraps and other condiments, the duck skin is as impossibly crisp as the meat is tender and moist. Incidentally, the restaurant is recognised for its entertainment. Midway through dinner, a makeshift stage is set up for a sequence of performers to demonstrate feats of balance and movement using food and utensils.

Visit us at Singapore Expo Hall 4 Booth 4H11.

The Village

tenth of the recommended retail price. They aren’t the original, but an untrained eye wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Negotiation is a necessary skill here – a reliable price to aim for is about 20 percent of the quoted price.

Just across the road is the Village, a modern shopping area where you can chill out over a venti Starbucks latte, buy an overpriced iPad case from the Apple store, get a pair of Uniqlo’s amazing socks, and spot plenty of expatriates strolling about. The contrast is remarkable but it’s impossible to complain with the sheer range of shops that the city offers.

HOU HAI BAR STREET Every night, even on weekdays, Hou Hai Bar Street is a hive of activity. Like Clarke Quay, rows of watering holes and bars lit by neon lights line a narrow river. Most of the establishments were your standard sit-down places with live music, some with Chinese singers and some with foreign bands. Before settling on a place to plant yourself, take an hour to stroll the long stretch of watering holes and enjoy Beijing’s lovely weather.

DINING AT GUIJIE Traditionally, Beijing cuisine is known to be complex and inuenced by its imperial past. To a certain extent, time has eroded much of the differentiation in the kinds of food you will get in Beijing compared to other parts of China. This however, does not detract the fact that Beijing serves up top quality Chinese cuisine.

Guijie is a well-known row of eateries that count both locals and expats as regular patrons. Hua’s Restaurant is one of these restaurants that have made a name for

STAY

OAKWOOD RESIDENCE BEIJING Oakwood’s Beijing property boasts an ideal location and is the perfect base camp to explore the city from.

It is 20 minutes away from the Beijing International Airport and is close to Beijing’s business, shopping, and entertainment districts such as Sanlintun and Hou Hai Bar Street. However, if you choose to stay in, you can rest assured that all your needs will be taken care of. All the apartments are fully equipped with kitchens, washers and dryers, broadband internet, cable television, and other modern amenities. Apartment sizes range from 43 square metre studio apartments to spacious four bedroom accommodations. Within the premises are a business centre, Mediterranean and Chinese restaurants, and a health and beauty spa. www.oakwoodasia.com

Diners sitting alfresco at Guijie

Hua Restaurant

NEW WORLD BEIJING HOTEL Opening October 2013, New World Beijing Hotel will be the ďŹ rst ďŹ ve-star hotel in the fast-growing, centrally located Chongwenmen and situated close to the cultural attractions of the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

The property will feature a low-rise design complementing the surrounding residential area with 309 rooms including 258 deluxe rooms, 38 premium rooms and 13 suites. Dining offers will include a cafÊ, Chinese restaurant, lobby lounge and rooftop bar with meeting and recreational facilities featuring a 1,542 sqm ballroom and function rooms. Additional facilities will include the Residence Club executive oors, health club, spa and indoor swimming pool. www.newworldhotels.com

Singapore Airlines operates four daily direct ights to Beijing Capital International Airport.

To book your ights, visit www.singaporeair.com

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Tasmania, Naturally For a small island, David Bowden discovers that the Australian state of Tasmania is home to many adventurous activities with spring and summer being the ideal time to venture outdoors

Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links

ew places in the world are as remote as Tasmania; the immediate stop south is Antarctica and the next landfall from the extreme northwest of this Australian island state is thousands of kilometres away in Argentina. It came as a surprise though as to just how connected to the world northern Tasmania is despite its isolation and remoteness.

Within minutes of arriving in the not-so-large Launceston Airport I was dining on local roasted duck while sipping Pinot Noir wine in the very smart restaurant attached to the Josef Chromy Winery.

Despite the restaurant’s sophistication, I could sense Tasmania’s natural ruggedness from the rolling hills surrounding the winery.

Being summer, the weather was perfect for getting outdoors and it was Tasmania’s wilderness plus its green and clean image that lured me to holiday on the island.

F

Old shops in Stanley

LINKS TO THE COAST Being a golf tragic, it was hard to pass up the opportunity for a round of golf at the impressive Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links (www.barnbougledunes.com) which has in its few short years of opening been ranked as the 7th best public access course in the world.

The road from Launceston to Barnbougle passes the Bridestowe Lavender Estate (www.bridestowelavender. com.au) which in summer is blanketed in the vivid violet

Bridestowe Lavender Estate

The Nut Stanley

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colours of owering lavender. Visitors can learn more about this valuable ower, dine on scrumptious lavender and blueberry pancakes and shop in one of Tasmania’s most inspired retail outlets. Lavender scented teas and a purple heat bear were my treasured purchases.

Touring the Tamar Valley wineries around Launceston is a must-do activity but as no one in my group wanted to act as the dedicated driver (that is, a non-drinker) we used the excellent services of Prestige Leisure Tours (www.prestigeleisuretours.com.au) to do all the driving and guiding.

WILDERNESS LAKE Back in our Hertz rental car, we headed to Cradle Mountain National Park for a wilderness experience like no other. Hiring a car is the best way to explore Tasmania but using a GPS may not be as good as using maps as the shortest GPS route could be a dirt logging trail that may actually take longer.

Dove Lake is the jewel in the crown of this World Heritage Area and walking the clearly-deďŹ ned trail in summer is a refreshing experience in beautiful sunshine.

There are several other trails and despite the remote location there are many superb lodges here serving seasonal local produce, Tasmanian wines and even some with rejuvenative spas.

Dove Lake Cradle Mountain

famous Cape Grim beef grazing on lush grass and the wildly rugged and pristine coastline.

After a leisurely week it was time to return to Launceston for our return ight to the mainland and then back to Asia.

My advice is take a large and empty bag to Tasmania as there are many tempting things to buy – raspberry sauce (Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company), leatherwood honey (Tasmanian Honey Company) and excellent cool temperate wines (Josef Chromy, Jansz, Delamere and Moores Hill).

SEASIDE SLUMBER Being summer, we wanted to enjoy Tasmania’s beaches so headed westward from Cradle Mountain and then turned north to reach the northern coastline at Burnie.

While there are many near-deserted beaches in the area, our destination was the small town of Stanley.

Photos of this small seaside village had made an impression while planning the holiday, and we weren’t disappointed as it was the most pleasant surprise of the entire journey. This village sits at the base of The Nut which is accessible by a chairlift or steep trail. Views of turquoise waters and coastal farmlands from this geological outcrop are excellent.

While there are only a few hundred residents, holiday accommodation substantially boosts village numbers in summer. Several smart restaurants, cafĂŠs, the local pub and old shops ensure a reďŹ ned lifestyle. Our accommodation at the Stanley Seaview Inn (www. stanleyseaviewinn.com.au) was excellent with fantastic views over Stanley, The Nut and a very comfortable room.

CLEAN AND GREEN CAPE GRIM

GETTING THERE There are no direct international ights to Tasmania so foreign travellers have to use gateway airports on the mainland. Sydney and Melbourne are the best with Sydney being accessible via Singapore’s budget airline Scoot and from here ights on Virgin Australia to the northern Tasmania gateway of Launceston. Singapore Airlines ies to Melbourne while Qantas has immediate connections to both Hobart and Launceston, with Qantas economy class passengers enjoying 30kg luggage allowance.

Chairlift to The Nut, Stanley

While in Stanley we began to appreciate just how clean and green it is in this part of the world. Long days with a late evening sunset enabled us to maximise our explorations of the land westward. We discovered that Cape Grim on the far northwestern tip of the island has the world’s cleanest air. To discover more, we booked a Woolnorth Tour (www.woolnorthtours.com.au) which departed from the farm entrance and enabled us to enter Cape Grim which is located on private property. It was indeed a very informative tour of discovery to see the

Visit us at booth number 3H47 or www.discovertasmania.com for more information

NATAS BONUS

Tasmanian Gourmet Sauces

Book your Tasmanian holiday and enjoy the following Self-drive package bonus 1. National Holiday Park Pass (per car basis) 2. A$50 petrol voucher# (Min of ďŹ ve nights stay) 3. One pair of lavender soft toy bears OR o one Gourmet Sauce gift pack* 4. 250g Leatherwood honey gift* Any Tasmania full or land package bonus 1. A$30 seafood voucher (per adult) 2. 250g Leatherwood honey gift*

Josef Chromy Winery and Restaurant

Tasmanian Honey Company

t # A$50 petrol voucher is valid from 20 Aug - 20 Sep and 7 Oct-20 Dec’13 with a minimum of ďŹ ve nights stay at Innkeepers Hotels/Apartments and per room basis t *Per room basis, limited period and while stocks last t NATAS bonus is valid for ďŹ rst 50 bookings or by 18 Aug only and based on ďŹ rst come ďŹ rst serve basis.

Conditions apply t For bookings, please contact our preferred agents

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Culture & Nature At Its Finest A gem of its own, this tiny country called Brunei is a blend of richly diverse cultural and natural heritage s a prosperous oil and gas producing nation with a small population ruled benevolently by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei, Brunei is known to be a safe, stable, healthy place. Its people are also known to be a sincerely hospitable society. Visitors who need a break from the hectic pace of urban living would love Brunei for its un-crowded streets, near absence of trafďŹ c jams and slow, easy demeanor of everyday living there. Though small in size, Brunei makes up for the many interesting places it offers visitors and it an ideal destination for visitors of all ages.

A

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

resplendent marble and granite oors, stained glass and chandeliers from all over the world. The mosque’s most recognisable feature, the main dome, is covered in pure gold.

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the largest mosque in Brunei and was built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the current sultan’s reign. Known locally as the Kiarong Mosque as it is situated in Kampong Kiarong, this monument is a sight to behold. A place of worship as well as an architectural masterpiece, Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is said to have the most beautiful design on both its exterior and interior.

Kampong Ayer Having been dubbed the Venice of the East, Kampong Ayer is a settlement for about 39,000 Bruneians located at the Brunei Bay. Kampong Ayer literally translates to ‘Water Village’ (Kampong means Village, Air means Water). It is the single largest water village in the world, consisting of 42 smaller villages, which have been in existence for more than 1,300 years. The villages in Kampong Ayer are interconnected with networks of footbridges and also water taxi services.

Ulu Ulu National Park Resort

Pulau Selirong

NATURE

Royal Regalia Building

Ulu Ulu National Park Resort For those who would like to have a vacation close to nature, be sure to check in a day or two at the Ulu Ulu National Park Resort. This beautiful resort is engulfed by the vast ancient forest reserves of the Ulu Temburong National Park Rainforest, on the banks of the Temburong and Belalong rivers. The resort also offers a few adventurous activities such a hike to the park’s rainforest canopy where the view of Brunei could be seen and is said to be the most breathtaking.

Tasek Merimbun National Park Tasek Merimbun National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, a conservation spot for ora and fauna, a recreational centre, and a venue for research and education. It is a haven for birdwatchers, botanists and nature lovers. It features some challenging jungle tracks and the peaceful Tasek Merimbun, an unusual `S’ shaped black water lake which has been earmarked as an Asean National Heritage. Tasek Merimbun is Brunei’s biggest lake as well as a tourist hotspot in Tutong District.

CULTURE Pulau Selirong Pulau (Island) Selirong situated in the vicinity of Brunei Bay is home to some of the most unspoiled mature mangrove forests on the planet. It also well known for the sightings of the exotic ying lemur and if one is in luck, it is usual to see the ying lemurs soaring from tree to tree.

Pulau Selirong is conveniently located only 30 minutes from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan via a boat ride and is a major tourist attraction for those visitors who are more on the adventurous side.

Royal Regalia Building The Royal Regalia Museum of Brunei houses a large amount of articles related to the Sultan and the royal dynasty. The museum displays the royal chariot, the jewelled crowns of the Sultans that are used during the ceremony of coronation, a replica of the sultan’s throne, the armoury in gold and silver and many more. There is also a display that commemorates the Silver Jubilee Celebrations which is rather impressive too.

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a symbol of the Sultana Omar Ali Saifuddien’s faith, and features

Kampong Ayer

Visit Brunei booth at WITM 2013, Hall 4 for more information.

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Both Sides Now With powerful historic sites and modern attractions, Dalian is a destination for the whole family alian is a seaport town in Northeast China that has seen a spike in tourism numbers lately. Like many other Chinese cities, it is rich in history, but unlike many other Chinese cities, Dalianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end at ancient legends or larger-than-life monuments.

Where other Chinese cities fail to hold the interest of many of its younger visitors, Dalian offers a plethora of activities designed for the new generation.

D

RUSSIAN STREET Nestled in the Xigang district of China is a group of 38 buildings of Russian architecture that make up the Russian Street. Remnants of Dalianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history when they were a Russian port, the buildings have been restored to their past glory and now house a row of stores selling trinkets and souvenirs. If not for the shopping, this street is still a very pleasant place to take a stroll in, and gives you the feeling of being in Europe without leaving China.

Golden Rock Park

Russian Street

for the construction of a hotel. Thankfully, a decision was made to preserve the oddly-shaped rock formations which are predicted to have been formed some 600 million years ago. Some of the rocks are said to resemble animals such as eagles and dogs, as children will gladly point out.

WAX MUSEUM Dalian boasts its very own wax museum that more than rivals Madame Tussauds. Strike a pose with famous ďŹ gures from history such as Emperor Kangxi and Mao Zedong, or hang out with your favourite celebrities.

Photo opportunities are aplenty here and the children are guaranteed to have a blast.

TRICK ART MUSEUM Golden Pebble Golf Club

GOLDEN PEBBLE GOLF CLUB Opened from March to November, the Golden Pebble Golf Club is a must-visit if you are a golf fanatic. Two separate 18-hole courses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Divine Tortoise Course and the Jinying Course â&#x20AC;&#x201C; provide a challenge no matter what your handicap is. The highlights of the courses are the magniďŹ cent holes that border on the edge of the cliffs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; simply stunning.

The spanking new Trick Art Museum breaks the boundaries of two dimensional paintings to engage with visitors on a more intimate level. Providing optical illusions with 3D art and clever use of perspective and angles, the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works welcomes people to strike a creative pose and become part of the paintings themselves.

MYSTERIOUS LIFE MUSEUM From outside the Mysterious Life Museum, the dull warehouse exterior gives no clue to the controversial

works that are displayed inside the drab building. Bold and shocking, the exhibits are deďŹ nitely not for the faint of heart.

One sees a pair of goats locking horns in a pose commonly seen on the Discovery Channel. Walk to the other side of the display though and you will see that the goats are actually one goat that is dissected right through the middle, its innards paraded in full glory! Three ďŹ&#x201A;oors of such spectacle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of both animal and human â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tantalise visitors and stir the senses. The installation that shows a blackened smokerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lung beside a relatively normal one is not to be missed.

GOLD COAST You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t usually associate China with golden sands and clear blue waters but a day out at Dalianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gold coast will change your perception forever. Featuring a coastline that extends to over 30 kilometres, the beach is a popular place for families and friends to gather for a relaxing day out in the sun or some windsurďŹ ng, swimming, suntanning, and people watching.

GETTING THERE Xiamen Airlines operates three direct ďŹ&#x201A;ights per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) from Singapore to Dalian Zhoushuzi International Airport. www.xiamenair.com

DISCOVERYLAND THEME PARK The Dalian Discoveryland Theme Park is a sprawling amusement park that spreads out over 470,000 square metres. It is segmented into six main areas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including Legendary Castle, Magic Forest, and Mysterious Desert â&#x20AC;&#x201C; each with its distinct theme. The centrepiece of the park is a stony castle on the lake in the middle of the park that lights up in the night and from which ďŹ reworks are shot off.

GOLDEN ROCK PARK The Golden Rock Park was accidentally unearthed in 1996 while a team of builders were digging the site in preparation

Wax Museum

Mysterious Life Museum

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A Tale Of Two Cities The neighbouring cities of Jaipur and Udaipur conceal stories of romance beneath their gorgeous landscapes JAIPUR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE PINK CITY The city of Jai (victory) or Jaipur, is the capital of Rajasthan built in 1728 by Maharaja (or Great King) Sawai Jai Singh II. The royal family ruled from Amber Palace, which was around 11km away from the main city.

The original city was coloured light grey but the king ordered this to be repainted in light pink, the traditional colour of welcome, to honour the arrival of the Prince of Wales from Britain in 1883. Some of the forts and palaces in this area still awe and inspire architects and masterminds all over the world.

The City Palace is a complex of lush gardens, courtyards and regal buildings. It houses a museum which displays a veritable collection of arms and ammunition, textiles, carpets, paintings and manuscripts.

A portion of the City Palace is still inhabited by the erstwhile royal family.

Surrounding Jaipur stands the impressive Nahargarh Fort, providing a marvellous view of the city below. The city boasts an observatory (named Jantar Mantar) built in the 18th century. A visit to Jaipur is not complete without a view of the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds. In reality, this is not a palace, but a huge extraordinary facade with more than 900 niches and windows.

Jaipur City Palace

Udaipur

Jaipur City Palace

The climax of the visit to the pink city is the ride up the hill on painted elephants to the awe inspiring Amber Palace. The palace recalls an era of glory and wealth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; do take some time to wander around (with a tourist guide of course) across the Diwan-i-Am (or the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s audience hall), Sheesh Mahal (or the palace of mirrors), etc â&#x20AC;&#x201C; let the guide tell you all the stories of the kings and the glorious era this palace has seen.

lanes lines withdrawn with stalls, the entire city throbs of its heroic past, valour and chivalry. From one of the sumptuous palaces, one can gaze upon the picturesque lake, about which an interesting story is told.

There are some highlights in Udaipur which one cannot afford to miss. The outstanding and imposing City Palace stands over the lake with a 244 metre long facade.

Much of this exotic palace is a museum professing the memorabilia of Mewar history.

The Fateh Prakash Palace has been turned to an

Jaipur

exotic heritage hotel that has been used as locations of many hollywood movies such as the James Bond movie, Octopussy.

The Lake Palace adorns the centre of the Pichola Lake and some of it is preserved as a museum housing a large varied collection of artifacts, while the rest is a luxurious hotel. This is another site where Octopussy was shot.

Visit us at booth no.3H55 for more information.

UDAIPUR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; VENICE OF THE EAST Tourists ďŹ&#x201A;ock to this enchanting town in the heart of the Aravalli Mountains, which offers three interconnected lakes within the town - the Fateh Sagar Lake, the Lake Pichhola and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake.

The city is really a visual exotica dotted with forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow

Palace Crystal Gallery

Palace Crystal Gallery

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Honest To Goodness Sabahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unpretentious facade and natural demeanour will make you fall in love with her asy going and effortlessly beautiful at the same time, Sabah is like the girl next door that everyone pines for. Lucky for us, in this case, she isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t unattainable. While much of the rest of Asia has been consumed by urbanisation and tarnished by concrete development, Sabah has managed to remain untouched. Magnificent mountains, unspoiled foliage, and wonderful wildlife make Sabah a top destination.

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PROBOSCIS MONKEY & THE KLIAS RIVER Like the kiwi is to New Zealand and the wombat is to Tasmania, the Proboscis Monkey is symbolic of Borneo. This endangered ape is notoriously shy and elusive but a trip to the Klias River will get you a rare sighting. Other than the famous ape, you can practise your photography skills on macaques, crocodiles, monitor lizards, snakes, and soaring birds of prey.

Mount Kinabalu

A two-hour ride from the city, a journey to the Klias River makes for the perfect day trip. These can be easily arranged through a local tour operator. Many boast cruises depart the Kota Klias jetty at about 3pm as the Proboscis Monkeys usually hunt for food in the evenings. In between river viewings, the tour operators also provide dinner buffets for customers.

After dinner, you can revisit the river and bask under Sabahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glorious star-filled sky and in the light of dancing fireflies.

Proboscis Monkey

MOUNT KINABALU Outdoor enthusiasts rate Mount Kinabalu National Park as one of the great trekking sites of the world.

The park is where you can find Borneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tallest mountain range and some of the best preserved rainforests. Because of its well-paved tracks and gentle slopes, it is noted for being an ideal place for first time or beginner trekkers.

Mount Kinabaluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cool climate is absolutely perfect for trekking. Many trekkers make their way to the main park headquarters early in the morning to maximise their hours in the daytime. Other than the headquarters area, visitors can explore the Mesilau Nature Resort and Poring Hot Springs.

If you want to get the most out of your adventure, be sure to engage the services of a mountain guide.

Not only will the guide look out for your safety, but he or she will also be able to point out and provide detailed explanations of the parks many plant and animal species. For advanced trekkers who wish to venture into the higher regions of the mountains, guides are mandatory.

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS

The Klias River

The Marine Ecological Research Centre (MERC) at the Gayana Eco Resort offers guests the opportunity to participate in eco-friendly programs such as the Giant Clam Propagation Program and the Marine Sanctuary Program, allowing them to have a fun time as a family while gaining an appreciation of nature.

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shoppers with a smile on their faces.

Hungry guests can satiate their appetites at one of SuperStar Aquariusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nine restaurants and bars which offer a fantastic variety of international, Southeast Asian, and Chinese cuisine. For tired passengers, the spa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a selection of over 30 types of well-being and health treatments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is the perfect place to unwind.

Currently homeported in Keelung, Taiwan, SuperStar Aquarius will embark on a 8D7N cruise that departs from Kaohsiung on October 29, 2013, stopping at Hong Kong, Manila, and Boracay before making its way to Kota Kinabalu on November 6, 2013.

Come and ďŹ nd out more on Sabah packages at the following booths at NATAS Fair 2013: 1) Asia-Euro Holidays Pte Ltd 2) Five Stars Tour Pte Ltd 3) New Shan Travel 4) Farmosa Holiday Tour (S) Pte Ltd 5) Giamso International Tours 6) Chan Brothers Travel Pte Ltd 7) Tradewinds 8) Konsortium Travel SuperStar Aquarius Cruise

The Marine Ecological Research Centre (MERC)

Other than learning more about the environment, the resort is a sanctuary for various wildlife like sea turtles, starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea anemones.

You can even adopt a coral through the Adopt a Coral Program and get half-yearly progress updates that chart your adopted coralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth!

SUPERSTAR AQUARIUS TO DEPLOY FROM KOTA KINABALU The capital city of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, is set to be the homeport for Star Cruisesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SuperStar Aquarius from November 6, 2013 to March 30, 2014. This will be the ďŹ rst international cruise line to homeport in Kota Kinabalu.

During this period, Star Cruises will be offering 4D3N cruises from Kota Kinabalu to Bruneiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bandar Seri Begawan and Sarawakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bintulu, departing every Sunday. At each stopover point, guests can opt for a number of exclusive shore excursions and explore local sites of interest.

From Wednesday to Saturday, a daily one-night high sea experience will be available. Passengers can let down their hair and unwind in an evening of fun and entertainment on board the 51,309 ton SuperStar Aquarius.

The SuperStar Aquarius presents a whole host of entertainment options and activites for the whole family.

Spectacular illusion shows by well-known magicians and performances by European and Asian artistes and acrobats will delight children of all ages; the 409 sqm upscale duty-free shopping gallery featuring retailers like China Duty Free, luxury wristwatch and jewellery boutique Canopus, leather goods specialist Milan Station, gifts and souvenirs outlet Ports Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Call will leave

Visit us at our booth no.3H58 for more information.

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Switzerland, Home to Dazzling Natural Treasures EXPLORE THE ENCHANTING NATURE o place in the world is outstandingly gifted like Switzerland. Recognised as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most environmental friendly country and premier skiing destination, one can easily fall in love with the compelling beauty of nature, fascinating snowâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;capped mountains, refreshing view of the villages, and the alluring charm of nature. Set on a suitable altitude for mountain cycling, mountain climbing and winter sports, not forgetting the attractive trekking trails â&#x20AC;&#x201C; everything is just simply irresistible.

This spectacular destination offers something for everyone. Picture yourself snuggled in the middle of the Alps with your loved ones, towered by snowcapped mountains, lush green plains, crystal blue lakes and rich forests that you would not possibly find anywhere else. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simply just a luxury romantic break, you will find it a truly soul-calming trip and long lasting memories with that special someone.

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WHERE THE JOURNEY IS REALLY THE DESTINATION Switzerland is the dream destination that provides a wide range of amazing places for travellers. It is an unparalleled destination to explore natural treasures that will never fail to allure you. The alpine

beauty of the Alps is just incredible. Within hours of landing in Switzerland, you can get yourself running between, inside, or beside the vast natural setting, capture the deep ravines formed by water that exhibit intriguing rock formations, traverse gently sloping plains and characteristic mountain village. Enjoy

the fascinating journey to a height of 7,000 feet on a cable car where you can overlook scenic views of glittering snow at the high mountain peaks. Your journey wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be completed without taking these unforgettable panoramic routes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where the journey is really the destination.

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BREATH-TAKING PANORAMIC ROUTES Discovering the diversity of scenic Switzerland in one train â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and all in one day. From snow-capped summits and icy glaciers to palm-lined lakes and Mediterraneanlike magic. And along the way enjoying a delicious freshly prepared lunch. The panorama trains are truly super stars, and there is none other as beautiful as the journey

by Glacier Express which allows you traveling right through the Swiss Alps. Simply step aboard and discover the harmony between high-tech and heavenly nature â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a captivating combination which never fails to fascinate.

SWISS PASS Swiss Pass is an all-in-one ďŹ rst class ticket which offers unlimited travel through Switzerlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extensive travel network system via trains, buses and cruise ships throughout the whole country. Thanks to the Swiss Travel System, travelling within Switzerland is worthwhile.

The Swiss railway, public transport, cruises and cable car offers travellers comfort, convenience, and speed.

Travellers can now purchase the four days Swiss pass and you will be entitled to a free day travel if you are travelling between now and 30th April 2013 or from 1st November to 31st December 2013. The Swiss Pass also enables travellers to enjoy FREE and fast track entrance to all major museums and attractions in Switzerland and even receive huge discounts on guided tours.

GET ONE 1ST CLASS DAY FOR FREE WITH THE SWISS PASS 4+1 Special offer to holders of a ďŹ rst class 4-day Swiss Pass, Saver Pass or Youth Pass travelling between 1 February and 30 April or from 1 November to 31 December! For more information please log on to http://www.myswitzerland.com/rail

SPECIAL OFFER SWISS PASS 4+1 DAY & SWISS SAVER PASS 4+1

Travel Period

1 November â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31 December 2013

Travel Period

1 September â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27 December 2013

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Izmir

Illustrious Izmir The Turkish regional capital prepares for EXPO 2020 with some wealth and more health otted with handsome landscapes and ancient cities that date back to the time of Homer and the Iliad, Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aegean coast, Izmir, welcomes visitors by the millions each year. In embarking on a steady bid to be actively involved with contemporary events, the last noteworthy one being the Shanghai World Fair of 2010, the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital is expected to host the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fair (EXPO) come 2020. Delegates from across the globe will cast votes in Paris next November.

over the past decade and world-class hospitals are now accessible to the locals. This EXPO aims to pool together professionals to further educate the public on the fundamentals of attaining ďŹ rst-rate well-being and to fashion a platform for the exchange of ideas amongst developing nations. It is especially keen on involving countries that lack adequate information on proper health care as it believes that good health should be available for all.

LOCATION & CONCEPT

CAMPAIGN & COMMUNITY

In preparation for the World Fair, Izmir has allocated a 275-hectare site on the coast at InciraltÄą, a short distance away from the city centre, for the construction of the EXPO. It will be designed by world-renowned Anglo-Iraqi architect, Dame Zaha Hadid, and elements from the sky, land, and sea will be blended together to create a picturesque lagoon setting. Environmentally conscious construction will take place so that the EXPO may set an example in upholding clean and green values.

The campaign in support of the 2020 EXPO is backed by an assembly of business leaders, students, and NGOs. The natives see the event as a means to put the

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THEME & AWARENESS Izmir has chosen its World Fair theme as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Health for Allâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and intends for the 2020 EXPO to go down as historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest exhibition on health and medicine.

The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health services have improved radically

Bergama Theater

Cesme Penisula

Temple of Trajan in Bergama

city on the world map and to share with foreigners the type of idyllic lifestyle they lead. With different religions and ethnicities coexisting together in harmony, Izmir is the model host country to root for next November.

Visit us at booth no.3H21 for more information.

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Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur Reside in sophistication for your stay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no matter how brief or lengthy

2 Bedroom Apartment

Located just across Pavilion Mall

ut your feet up in style and ease at the plush international ďŹ ve-star Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur, located just 40 minutes away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The deluxe establishment strives to provide unparalled service to the most discerning of travellers and to be the prime 29-storey hotel anchored in the heart of the Malaysian capital.

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MODISH ACCOMMODATION With 445 rooms of 15 varieties, guests will have no trouble choosing a space most beďŹ tting to their needs and preferences. For a brief chic getaway, spacious one-bedroom units are available to couples while two-bedroom ones are open to families. Visitors on an extended stay can live in the fully furnished service apartments supported with well-equipped kitchens. Every room and apartment is endowed with luxurious guest amenities and a large marbled bathroom with a separate walk-in shower and over 300 units allow for grand views of the city â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some of which face the renowned KLCC Petronas Twin Towers.

Executive Suite

DINING SELECTIONS Aside from the abundance of street food stalls hawking local delights, guests can dine at the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wide range of restaurants to satiate their gastronomical desires.

There is Chinese cuisine at Tai Zi Heen, Japanese at Enju, a la carte and buffet at Eccucino, and snazzy drinks and snacks at Mezzanine Bar & Lounge.

at the gym or spa, their other halves can bring their kids to the interactive Kids Club and spend some time with time while indulging in a range of activities. Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur offers a premier ďŹ ve-star meeting venue suitable for any occasion, whether a weddings or a state event, and is a 10-minute walk away from Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, ensuring that guests can be present at engagements without fuss or hassle.

RECREATION & FUNCTIONS While husbands are at a conference or when wives are

Visit the Tourism Malaysia booth for more information.

Terrace Poolside Bar & Grill

RETAIL REJUVENATION The hotel is strategically located in the centre of Kuala Lumpurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Triangle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a span of commercial shopping, dining, and entertainment districts. Pavilion Mall sits across the road while rows of retail outlets and malls are rooted along the nearby Bukit Bintang. Suria KLCC shopping centre and the Petronas Twin Towers are a short walk away and can be comfortably accessed via an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge.

Tai Zi Heen

Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club

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Destination Happiness The answer is Bhutan, and their formula refreshingly simple, as Natalie Joy Lee discovers f a price tag could be placed on peace and happiness, then perhaps a trip to the tiny Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan would cut it closest. One might lament the non-existence of popular chain giants Starbucks and McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; of ancient sights accessible only via long-distances on foot; or even the lack of international hotelier names vying for land in this Himalayan nation.

Yet, Bhutan stands as one of the happiest places on earth, a spiritual haven reďŹ&#x201A;ected in the smiles of its people; in its carefully maintained monasteries and mystical fortresses; within generations of culture that has retained its soul even as the world charges relentlessly towards progress. With my second trip back to Bhutan this year, here are just some of the things that have caused me to love this preciously untouched nation, more than ever.

I

FESTIVAL FLURRY Bhutan celebrates a festival nearly every month, and I was on my way to Nimalung tshechu â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a huge affair that gathers everyone across the entire Bumthang city. The Bhutaneseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; faith is stunning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I was amazed to ďŹ nd locals popping out from thick forested areas and onto the main road, whole families who had walked hours, mothers carrying their lunches in huge baskets behind their backs, and kids propped on their arms.

Height of Glory

Paro. Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nights are on Wednesdays as well, where locals and foreigners meet on the dance ďŹ&#x201A;oor, and are asked politely to leave by 12 midnight.

TAKTSANG LHAKHANG (TIGERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEST)

Unique Discoveries

Festival Flurry

Arriving to deep, resounding drums and a ďŹ&#x201A;urry of excitement, the festival is split into three parts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; blessing the land, subduing of evils, and the drum dance of victory. Every move precise and rehearsed, dancers strut in dramatic costumes and masks, colourful swirls of music, dance and camaraderie drawing the festivalgoers into one. If you are early, you might just chance upon young monks hard at practice prior to the festival, dancing earnestly as their elder looks on, with some laughs along the way.

HEIGHT OF GLORY Tucked between valleys and soaring mountains, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not difďŹ cult to ďŹ nd high points in admiring Bhutanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural splendor. In capital city, Thimphu, Buddha Point gives an impressive 360 degree vista of the Thimphu valley, about

a 15 minute drive up from town. Building works is almost complete, the gleaming Buddha Bhutanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest statue, reverently overlooking its people and a perfect phototaking spot. About 30km away is Dochula, the 3,050 metres high pass rewarding you with panoramic views of the snowcapped Himalaya mountains on clear days.

Walk amongst the 108 chortens, built in honour of fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

However, the best views go to Chele-La Pass, one of the highest points in Bhutan at 3,988 metres. The 90-minute ride up requires a driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience and extreme skill across sharp pins and narrow paths, the air getting progressively thinner but the views achingly gorgeous. Spot the scenic Haa valley along the way, letting your guides regale you with Bhutanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colourful past, as you gape at your driver from afar, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make a jaw-dropping three-point-turn along the cliffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge to take the bus back to Paro town.

Perching precariously 10,000 feet above sea level in Paro, legend has it that around the eighth century, the reverend Guru Rimpoche flew across the mountains on the back of a tigress, making the Taktsang Lhakhang home. A must-visit attraction in Bhutan and plastered across postcards countrywide, the monastery was built in 1692, but suffered the ruins of a fire in early 1998. Now renovated and restored to its former glory, the Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest is a hikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delight, where the achievement of surmounting the peak â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a stunning position right beneath the clouds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; stands as a personal feat for many.

For more on Bhutan, look out for Lonely Planet Magazine Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming article on the Himalayan nation in their Jan/Feb 14 issue.

UNIQUE DISCOVERIES Legend tells where Bhutanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national animal was created by the Divine Madman (a highly revered man), by combining the carcass of a cow and a goatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skull. See the odd-looking animals grazing at the Takin Enclosure in Thimphu, where you can get the gentle creaturesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attention by feeding them leaves from deciduous trees nearby.

And if you thought Bhutan was laidback, a trip to Thimphu cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main town area will reveal otherwise.

Pubs are prevalent and a common spot where locals relax over a drink â&#x20AC;&#x201C; although entertainment comes in the form of a single stage, where singers sing along to a television set and guests make requests, very much like karaoke. Foreign inďŹ&#x201A;uence has deďŹ nitely seeped into the Buddhist nation in the form of pubs and clubs, where local youngsters revel in night haunts such as Insomnia at

Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest

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NATAS Hol 16-18 Halls 3, 4 & 5A,

Booth 4H18

Booth 5H01 Booth 4H19

Booth 4H20

Booth 4H08

Booth 4H10 Booth 5H11

Booth 4H04

Booth 4H17

Booth 4H12

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idays 2013

Visit our advertisers at these locations for exclusive travel deals and information.

August Singapore Expo

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Booth 3H47

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Setting The Standard Korean Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comprehensive ďŹ&#x201A;ight schedule and award-winning in-ďŹ&#x201A;ight menu are just some of the reasons why the airline continues to lead the way in the aviation industry ith a massive ďŹ&#x201A;eet of 154 aircraft ďŹ&#x201A;ying routes to 126 destinations in 45 countries, Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number one airline, Korean Air, sets the bar in efďŹ ciency, comfort, customer satisfaction, and safety. Korean Air currently operates two daily ďŹ&#x201A;ights between Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Changi International Airport and Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seoul/Incheon Airport.

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BIBIMBAP COOKING DEMONSTRATION & TASTING Korean Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication to customer satisfaction goes right down to its premium in-ďŹ&#x201A;ight cuisine. The high quality of its airline food has seen Korean Air repeatedly awarded with the prestigious Mercury Award for its delicious menu. Meal options include its signature dish, Bibimbap, a mouthwatering combination of rice, beef, and vegetable that has garnered industry wide praise, and another perennial favourite, Samgechim, Ginseng Chicken Stew.

SKYPASS

Bibimbap

This Natas Fair, Korean Air brings you the opportunity to savour its award-winning Bibimbap without taking to the skies! During the fair, Korean Air will host an in-flight meal cooking event for the public. At the event, a Korean chef who specialises in Korean dishes will show the audience how to cook Bibimbap. Visitors will also learn about the origin of the traditional Korean dish and the details of the recipe. A few select visitors will be given a chance to have a hands-on experience and mix the Bibimbap under the masterchefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supervision. After the show, Bibimbap will be served to all visitors by Korean Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flight attendants.

The demonstration will be held on Friday at 11.30pm (for media), on Saturday at 12pm and 4pm, and on Sunday at 12pm at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) booth (4H18).

Korean Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frequent flyer program, SKYPASS, which has been rewarding customer loyalty since 1984, now counts more than 19.5 million travellers around the world as members. The first frequent flyer programme introduced in Asia, SKYPASS has four tiers of membership â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Million Miler, Morning Calm Premium, Morning Calm, and Regular. Other than helping customers to accumulate free travel miles, SKYPASS provides benefits to its members through partnerships with other airlines, credit card providers, hotels, and car rental companies.

Signing up to be a SKYPASS member is a breeze.

With no restrictions and zero membership fees, any person can enrol in the program. Even children under the age of 12 can enrol for a SKYPASS Junior membership. Applications can be done on the Korean Air website or at any Korean Air office. The membership card will be delivered 1-3 weeks after your first flight.

Visit us at booth no.4H18 for more information.

WIN FREE TICKETS TO USA Plan your holiday with Korean Air and win free tickets to your next one! Two lucky draws will be conducted during the Natas Fair, with three prizes given away in each draw. The ďŹ rst prize in each is one Economy Class return ticket to any USA destination that Korean Air ďŹ&#x201A;ies to. Second prize is a Korean Air Boston Bag and third prize is a Korean Air A380 Aircraft Model.

These lucky draw is open to all visitors who have purchased any travel packages/tickets on Korean Air. Passengers must complete the lucky draw entry form and submit their entries to their respective travel agents before 1pm on Sunday, August 18. The lucky draws take place on Saturday, August 17 at 5pm and on Sunday, August 18 at 1pm. Winners will be notiďŹ ed via telephone/email within one week of the draw.

Korean Air is the largest TranspaciďŹ c airline in America and operates ďŹ&#x201A;ights to 12 different cities in the USA. The airline has recently designated next-generation premium A380 aircraft for ďŹ&#x201A;ights to Los Angeles and New York.

KOREAN AIR (SINGAPORE OFFICE) 1 Finlayson Green #09-02, Singapore 049246 Tel: +65 6796 2001 Website: www.koreanair.com

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32 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

At Your Service Service of the highest quality and a dedication to providing convenience to its customers make Wave Master stand out from its competition ith rising costs of living and long working hours, short holidays to nearby destinations are great ways to get away for awhile without bursting a big hole in your wallet. The neighbouring islands of Batam and Tanjung Pinang, in particular, offer fantastic value for money, allowing Singaporeans to recharge their batteries on a shoestring budget.

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ISLAND TRIPPER Getting to these two islands are a breeze with Wave Master Holidays Club, the leading fast ferry operator for both Batam and Tanjung Pinang. The company presently has a total of nine top-of-the-line ferries

Luxurious Lounges

plying four ferry routes: Harbourfront - Batam Centre, Harbourfront - Sekupang, Tanah Merah - Nongsapura, and Tanah Merah - Tanjung Pinang.

LUXURIOUS LOUNGES An unwavering commitment to customer service has seen Wave Master Holiday Club regularly upgrading its facilities and services. The Batam Centre and Sekupang Ferry Terminals house Wave Master Holiday Club Lounges that are exclusive for its customers.

These executive lounges offer a comfortable waiting area for its members with Internet, beverages, snacks, and even rooms to conduct business meetings.

Nagoya Hill Counter

CONVENIENT COUNTERS Wave Master customers who travel to Batam have the privilege and convenience of purchasing tickets and checking in without the need for queuing up at the often crowded ferry terminals. These check in counters can be found in Nagoya Hill, one of the most popular shopping centres in Batam, and at selected hotels on the island. Additionally, the company employs a shuttle service from Nagoya Hill to the Batam Centre Ferry Terminal.

Visit our website at www.wavemaster.com.sg

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Hertz sizzles up with Homegrown Celebrities in Singapore From hot movie screens to traditional print media to snazzy social media, Hertz is sizzling up with homegrown celebrities in Singapore, supporting their high proďŹ le projects (or rather, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Journeysâ&#x20AC;?) that champion freedom on wheels.

HERTZ AS THE CAR RENTAL PARTNER IN â&#x20AC;&#x153;ADVENTURES OF 2 GIRLSâ&#x20AC;? BOOK Available at Kinokuniya, Popular and amazon.com Two Singaporean celebrities, Ning Cai (award-winning magician) and Pamela Ho (former radio DJ) took a nine-month long break from their successful careers to tick a big fat item off their bucket lists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to travel around the world and write a book. Hertz is proud to be part of their amazing self-drive adventures in Hawaii, California and Paris. Pick up a copy of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adventures of 2 Girlsâ&#x20AC;? from all major bookstores!

HERTZ AS THE CAR RENTAL PARTNER IN â&#x20AC;&#x153;3 PEAS IN A PODâ&#x20AC;? MOVIE Launching in Singapore cinemas this November Hertz collaborated with Huat Films in â&#x20AC;&#x153;3 Peas In A Podâ&#x20AC;? <<äť&#x2013;弚äť&#x2013;>>, a Singapore production by home grown actress-director Michelle Chong, , starring K-pop star Alexander Lee Eusebio and Taiwanese star Calvin Chen (Fahrenheit member) and fresh face Jae Liew. â&#x20AC;&#x153;3 Peas In A Podâ&#x20AC;? is a story about three university students studying in Australia (Penny from Singapore, Perry from Taiwan and Peter from South Korea) whose lives are intertwined with one another. Just before they graduate and go back to their respective countries to embark on their working lives, the three friends decide to go on a ROAD TRIP in Australia that would change their lives forever.

Hertz is proud to be the Main Sponsor for this movie, providing a range of vehicles from Minibuses to SUVs to 4WDs to three-tonne trucks that took the crew and equipment from Victoria to South Australia for the entire shoot. Not forgetting the luxurious chauffeur driven cars when the stars are in Singapore.

3 Peas in a Pod Movie

Movie Teaser http://goo.gl/oqmhq

HERTZ AS THE CAR RENTAL PARTNER IN â&#x20AC;&#x153;CHUBBY HUBBYâ&#x20AC;? BLOG http://chubbyhubby.net Popular Singaporean food blogger, Chubby Hubby went on his ďŹ rst family self-drive holiday in Queensland, Australia and Hertz is proud to be part of their terriďŹ c trip. For the ďŹ rst time bringing their two-year-old along, Chubby Hubby shared with us a list of useful tips, like the type of car to rent, and advices, such as in-car amusements, for a terriďŹ c family road trip.

Interested to know more? Scan for the full article.

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36 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Take Heart with Bali Heart-stirring in the day, reposeful at night Raft on previouly unchartered waters over 33 exhilarating rapids

Trek through the forest of Taro and our parklands on a Sumatran elephant

ick off an experience you will not be able to have in Singapore with Bali Adventure Tours, Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst and foremost adventure company. The establishment has been enabling visitors to undertake activities in the wild for the past two decades and adheres to stringent Australian standards of safety and service, thus its unwavering popularity with clients both young and old.

K

ELEPHANT SAFARI PARK Interact with the 31 resident Sumatran tuskers and ride an elephant through the luxuriant jungle of Taro. Trek through a forest and a 3,000-year-old Hindu village and

observe the nativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unchanged customary way of life.

Soak up the scenic sights of Mount Batur volcano at Kintamani, striking green valleys, time-honored Balinese villages, century-old temples, and thriving rice ďŹ elds as you go about a mountain cycling trail.

UBUD ADVENTURE CENTRE The venturesome will be delighted with the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revolutionary white water rafting facility that promises a world-class journey through previously unchartered waters of the Ayung River. Daredevils who want to endeavour the riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 33 rapids with just a guide can choose to do so with the two-person inďŹ&#x201A;atable kayak.

Poolside pampering with the elephants

A spa, a restaurant that can seat 300, and a multitude of souvenir shops are located near the complex for convenient enjoyment.

ELEPHANT SAFARI LODGE The urbane resort is set amidst tranquil beautiful tropical parklands and is just 16 kilometres away from the centre of Ubud. Various wedding packages are available for those seeking to tie the knot in an exotic and intimate setting, ranked sixth in the Top 10 Most Unique Destinations to be married by Discovery Travel & Living.

Visit us at booth no.4H12 for more information.

DĂ´me Scotts Square (NEW) t %Ă&#x2122;NF 4JOHBQPSF "SU .VTFVN t %Ă&#x2122;NF 4IBX )PVTF t %Ă&#x2122;NF 60# 1MB[B %Ă&#x2122;NF 1BSLXBZ 1BSBEF t %Ă&#x2122;NF %FNQTFZ )JMM t %Ă&#x2122;NF 0OF 3BÄ&#x2019;FT 1MBDF t %Ă&#x2122;NF 4VOUFD 5PXFS %Ă&#x2122;NF 6OJWFSTJUZ $VMUVSBM $FOUSF t %Ă&#x2122;NF 1BSBHPO t %Ă&#x2122;NF 1MB[B 4JOHBQVSB

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38 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Balanced Living Go about your stay with nary a worry ayou Lagoon Park Resort, with its multifarious offerings to different needs, expertly centres guests between business and leisure and services them with first-class standards. Situated in Malaccaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ayer Keroh, a major tourist hotspot, the resort ensures convenient access to both cultural and contemporary attractions after a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of conferences at the seminar rooms.

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RESTFUL ACCOMODATION The stylish resort has 263 fully furnished service apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 80 studio units, 111 two-bedroom

units, 66 three-bedroom units, and six luxurious penthouses. All guestrooms are spacious, ranging from 491 sq ft to over 1007 sq ft, and are supplemented with the necessary amenities, toiletries, and stationery to make your stay comfortable and ready for use.

GUESTROOM FACILITIES Guests are able to lounge in a desired temperature with individually controlled air conditioning and are able to catch their favourite Astro channels on a colour LCD screen. Their gadgets will be charged fast with an electrical supply of 230/240 volts and a hot cuppa can be put together while reading the daily complimentary newspaper or while exercising the wireless broadband internet access. An iron, ironing board, and a hair dryer are available upon request.

GUEST SERVICES Guests can feel at ease and well catered for with security and room service on standby round the clock. Laundry services and safety deposit boxes at the front desk are available and visitors can both have their foreign currencies exchanged and their major credit cards

accepted. Parking is free, but those not driving may take advantage of the shuttle service or be pandered to with a limousine for a fee. A Water Park, gym, recreational area, game room, and prayer room are open for use.

FOOD & BEVERAGE Bayou Coffee House The modernised coffee house overlooks the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water Park and serves up a sumptuous variety of both local and international cuisine. It seats approximately 350 and serves up a breakfast buffet daily.

Bayou Pool CafĂŠ Offering a pleasant view of the beaming pools and slides as it is located next to the Water Park, the cafĂŠ seats approximately 50 and is the ideal venue for an intimate function. It has an alfresco dining option and serves up a good number of snacks and drinks.

Visit our booth at 3H15 for more information.

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40 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

Lots of photographs from your family travelling trip or school outings during holidays?

Put your memories into a photobook and keep these memories alive.

National Day Promotion!

$25.00* (60% off) Soft Cover Landscape 40 pages 200mm 200m 20 00m 0mm mm x 300mm Perfect Bind Find us @ Voucher V Vo uche uc herr Code: 201308TTNP he I AM NIKON DAY 2013 Date : 24 - 25 Aug Venue : Suntec City Convention Centre, Level 3

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Contact Us Website : www.photogenie.com Sales Enquiry : sales@photogenie.com Marketing & Partnership Opportunity : marketing@photogenie.com *Terms and conditions apply. Voucher code will expire on 30 September 2013.

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S TRAVEL PTE LTD (TA2008)

www.stravel.sg

BOOTH: 4H04

80 Anson Road, #01-04 Fuji Xerox Towers, Singapore 079907 Tel 6221-5688 Fax 6221-2773 Email tour@stravel.sg

Exciting Korea!

See you at Natas Holidays 2013(Booth No.: 4H04) 16-18 August 2013 Singapore Expo Hall 5

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6/8Days INSPIRING KOREA (KSSI06/KJSI08) Featuring: JEJU / HWACHEON / PYEONGCHANG / SEOUL Dep: Sep 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, Nov 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 BEST USUAL PRICE: $1638 SELLER From $1038

See & Feel the Authentic Korea

6/8Days KOREA MUSLIMS SPECIAL (KSSM06/KJSM08) Featuring: JEJU / PYEONGCHANG / MT. SORAK / SEOUL Dep: Sep 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, Nov 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 USUAL PRICE: $1788 From $1188

8Days KOREA FANTASY (KJSF08) Featuring: JEJU / PYEONGCHANG / MT. SORAK / SEOUL Dep: Sep 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, Nov 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 BEST From $1288 USUAL PRICE $1588 VALUE

8Days COLOURS KOREA (KSCK08) Featuring: BUSAN / DAEGU / MT. DAEDUNSAN / JEONJU / SUWON / SEOUL Dep: Sep 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, Nov 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 BEST FOR USUAL PRICE: $1538 REPEAT VISIT From $1288

...Winter Memories

8Days KOREA DELIGHTS (KJSD08) Featuring: JEJU / BUSAN / GYEONGJU / DAEGU / ANDONG / DANYANG / SEOUL Dep: 6, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30 September, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 October, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 November USUAL PRICE: $1688 From $1438

8Days JEOLLA FUN WITH JEJU (KJJF08) Featuring: JEJU / JELLANAM-DO / JEONJU / SEOUL Dep: Sep 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, Nov 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 USUAL PRICE: $1688 Autumn Hotspot From $1438

8Days KOREA WONDERS (KJSW08) Featuring: JEJU / PYEONGCHANG / SEOUL Dep: Sep 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, Nov 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 USUAL PRICE: $1738 From $1488

3 Nights Stay In Jeju

BEST MUSLIMS WINTER PACKAGE 2 Nights Ski Resort Included

6/8Days KOREA WINTER FANTASY (KSWF06/KJWF08) Featuring: JEJU / GANGWANDO / MT. SORAK / SEOUL

6/8Days KOREA MUSLIMS WINTER SPECIAL (KSWM06/KJWM08) Featuring: JEJU / MT. SORAK / GANGWANDO / SEOUL

8Days KOREA WINTER SUPREME (KJWS08) Featuring: JEJU / GANGWANDO / SEOUL

Dep: Nov 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, Dec 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Jan 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, Feb 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, Mar 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 BEST From $1188 USUAL PRICE $ 1938 DEAL

Dep: Nov 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, Dec 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Jan 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, Feb 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, Mar 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 USUAL PRICE: $2138 From $1388

Dep: Nov 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, Dec 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, Jan 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, Feb 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, Mar 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 From $1688 USUAL PRICE: $2038

7Days KOREA WINTER WONDERLAND (KSWW07) BEST OF 2 THEME PARKS Featuring: GANGWANDO / SEOUL Dep: Nov 18, 25, Dec 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3, 10 USUAL PRICE: $1788

From $1388

8Days KOREA WINTER SANCHEONO MOUNTAIN TROUT FESTIVAL (KJWH08) Featuring: JEJU / HWACHEON / GANGWANDO / SEOUL Dep: Jan 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26 USUAL PRICE: $1838 Unique

Experience

From $1588

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Come visit our booth at Singapore Expo Hall 4 Booth 4H08 AUG 16-18 10am-9.30pm

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46 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

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Europe Embellished Nam Ho Travel introduces you to the extravagant and experiential with your favourite celebrity host in tow

Lugano, Switzerland

Golden Pass tours

Medrisio Foxtown

SWITZERLAND Cross over the Swiss Border to Lugano from Milan, where you will have the chance to soak in the breathtaking surrounds of this lakeside Swiss town before blowing some cash at Mendrisio, a Swiss Factory Outlet housing 160 brands. Indulge in a Swiss fondue dinner at a mountain resort of Interlaken and awake to an optional tour to the famed Swiss Alps, to the cosmopolitan Zurich, or to the striking village of Zermatt to view the Matterhorn.

Travel from Coldu Pillon to Glacier 3000 via cable car and fashion a snow angel or two before making your descent with the Alpine Coaster. Witness Swiss watchmaking in Montreux and head on to a Swiss castle to taste and purchase locally produced white wine.

CZECH REPUBLIC Linger in wonder at Prague Castle, St. Vitusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cathedral, Golden Lane, and Wenceslas Square before checking out the Astronomical Clock, which marks the procession of the apostles and of other allegorical ďŹ gures at the start of every hour. Enjoy some personal time before being whisked away for a Gala Dinner & Show.

AUSTRIA Arrive in Vienna and behold the acclaimed architectural sights of the Ringstrasse, Opera House, Hofburg, Parliament Building, Town Hall, Burgtheatre, and Schonbrunn Palace, Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most visited landmark. Fill up with a local dinner of pork schnitzel before tackling the next dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adventure, which takes you on a journey to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the renowned musical The Sound of Music.

Then explore Innsbruck, the venue of many major winter sports

Bryan Wong

events, Swarovski Crystal World Museum and Shop, and Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th century Romanesque Revival palace which has been used as a set in multiple ďŹ lms. At the end of the day, dig into an authentic German pork knuckle dinner before preparing yourself for the journey back to Singapore via Munich, where you will either saunter down the romantic trail or strut the illustrious shopping Maximilianstrasse Street for a day.

Strasbourg, France

FRANCE Charm your taste buds with Alsatian wine in Colmar, a quaint little French town, and delight your eyes at Strasbourgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic city centre, a UNESCO world heritage site. Be satiated by a sumptuous dinner of Franco-German cuisine known as Choucroute as well.

GERMANY Keep your eyes peeled at the Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre Dame in Nuremberg, ranked as one of the most stunning gothic churches in Europe. Then head on to the Christmas market and pick up ďŹ ne traditional wares, spicy gingerbread and exclusive Christmas ornaments.

Nuremberg city hall

Maximilian Street

Visit us at booth no.4H19 for more information.

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Earth-shattering Stimulating Travel T rav avel D Deals eals o only nly y at tN Na Nam am Ho oT Travel! rav avel l!!

Singapore Expo Halls 3B, 4, 5 | August 16 to 18 (Fri to Sun) | Nam Ho Travel Booth: JAPAN

AUSTRALIA

7D Honshu â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Golden Route (JPG7W) (Osaka/Nara/Kyoto/Nagoya/Mt Fuji/Tokyo) Osaka Universal Studio, Tokyo Disney Resort, . Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall, Amyeoko, Shinjuku Kiyomizu Temple, Todaiji Temple, Asakusa Temple. Mt Fuji, 1 Night Onsen Hotspring Hotel Dep: Sep: 1,3,4,7,10,12 ,16,17,18,23,26 Oct: 3,5,9,12,16,19,23,26,30 Nov: 2,4,6,9,13,18,24,27 Dec: 1,5,8,18,23 fr

$1,688

7D Hokkaido Winter Fun (JPH7W, JPH7N) (Otaru/Rusutsu Ski Resort/Lake Toya/Noboribetsu/Sapporo/Chitose) Sapporo Underground Shopping, Sapporo Station Arcade, Factory Outlet Mall, Skiing Fun (Inclusive of rental of full set of ski equipment) Otaru Canal, Music Box Museum, Stay 3 nights in Onsen Hotspring Hotel, Stay 1 Night at Rusutsu Ski Resort Dep: Dec: 5,8,10,13,14,15,17,21,24 fr

$1,888

7D Hokkaido Ice Wonders (JPH7I) (Ice Breaking Cruise + Ice Village + Ice Festival) Tomamu Ice Village, Ice Hotel, Ice Bar Ginga & Ryusei No Taki, Crane National Park, Akan Ainu Village, Lake Akan Fireworks (20Jan-Mar), Lake Mashu, Mt Lo Ice Breaking Cruise (20Jan-Mar), Kita Fox Farm, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Underground Shopping, Ishiya Chocolate Factory, Factory Outlet Mall, Odori Park, Otaru Kitachi Glass, Otaru Canal Dep: Jan 17,19,20,22,24,27,28,29,30 fr

$1,888

TAIWAN

HONG KONG/MACAU

6D4N Great Fun @ Gold Coast

(AU6GFG) Tangalooma, 4WD Desert Safari, Sand Tobogganing, Wild Dolphin Feeding, Dreamworld, Catch a Crab Cruise, Birds Bay Oyster Farm, Tropical Fruit World, Superbee Honeyworld, Movie World Special: 1N in Tangalooma Resort Dep: Nov 19, 29 Dec 13 fr

$1,668

6D4N MagniďŹ cient Melbourne (AU6MMD) Harbour Town, Eureka Tower, Great Ocrean Road, Phillip Island Penguin, Amaza N Things, Pannys Chocolate Factory, Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles Dep: Nov 16, Dec 6 fr

$1,398

$1,508

5D4N Perth Mandurah & Farmstay

(AU5PMF) Fremantle, Mandurah Canal Cruise Tour, Bindoon Windmill Farm [BBQ Lunch, Feed Farm Animal, Sheep Shearing, Horse Riding, Fruit Orchard, Traditional Wool Spinning, Cow Milking, Swan Valley, Caversham Wildlife, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park, Perth Mint Dep: Nov 30, Dec 11, 18 fr

$1,288

7D Fun Taiwan (TW7FUN)

4D City of Angels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bangkok (TH4BKK)

Ximenting, Chiufen, Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Area, Shihlin Night Market, Taroko National Park, Eternal Spring Shrine, Rei Suei Leisure Farm, Mei Non Hakka Village, Qijin Seafood Street, Sun Moon Lake, Wenwu Temple, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Fong Jia Night Market Dep: Sep: 2,7,9,14,16,21,23,28,30, Oct: 5,7,12,14,19,21,26,28 Nov: 2,9,16,23,30, Dec: 7,14,21,28 *Selected Departure Dates fr

Siam Niramit, Safari World & Marine Park, Menam Chao Phraya, Wat Arun, Four-Faced Buddha, Bangkok Daily Dep *Land Only fr

8D i Taiwan (TW8ITW)

$189 4/5D Chiangmai/Chiangrai + 2N Bangkok (TH4LC/TH5LC) Dep: [4D- MI] Every Sun, [5D-MI] Every Wed Dep:[6/7D, TG] Daily Departure * Additional 2N BKK Free and Easy Group Dep: Nov: 17,20,27 Dec 2,8,11,15,22,25

Shifen Old Street-Sky Lantern, Taipei 101, Raohe Street Night Market, Shangrila Boutique Hotel & Leisure Farm, Taroko National Park, Ten Drum Ciaotou Creative Park, Sanduo Shopping District, Leo Ho Night Market, Chiku Lagoon, Janfusan Fancyworld Amusement Park, Sun Moon Lake, Donghai Arts Street, Fong Jia Night Market, Sanyi Woodcarving Street Dep: Sep: 1,3,8,10,15,17,22,24,29, Oct: 1,6,8,13,15,20,22,27,29 Nov: 3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26, Dec: 1,3,8,10,15,17,22,24,29 *Selected Departure Dates fr

$288 5D Land of Smiles: Bangkok/Pattaya (TH5LS)

8D Touch Taiwan (TW8TOU)

Dep: Every Thurs, Sat Daily Dep: 6 persons & above Group Dep: Nov: 22,29 Dec: 6,13,20,27

$1,088

Xi Men Ting , Yehliu, Chiufen, Tou Cheng Leisure Farm, Happiness Farm 20, King Car Orchard Garden, Taroko Gorge, Master Bear Resort , Eda Themepark, Leo Ho Night Market, Lugang Tien Hou temple, Taiwan Glass Gallery, Fong Jia Night Market, Jin Yon DIY Recreation Farm, 101 Shopping Mall , Shihlin Night Market Dep: Sep: 1,3,8,10,22,24,29 Oct: 1,6,8,13,15,20,22,27 Nov: 3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26 Dec: 1,3,8,10,15,17,22,24,29,31 *Selected Departure Dates fr

$999

EUROPE 12D Splendours of Switzerland zerland & Europee (EU12CT) Mendrisio Foxtown â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Swiss Factory Stores, Panoramic Glass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Roofed Train Ride, Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Salzburg â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Birthplace of Mozart & Setting of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Sound of Musicâ&#x20AC;?, Neuschwanstein Castle Tour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; know as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sleeping Beautyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Castleâ&#x20AC;?, Swiss Alps â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Glacier 3000, French Wine Region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alsace/Colmar, Swiss Fondue Dinner with glass of red wine as welcome drink, Austrian Specialityy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chicken/Pork Schnitzel, German Pork Knuckle Dinner Dep: Nov 26,27 fr

$3,688

5D Hong Kong Funtasia (HK5FUN) Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, The Peak Tram Ride, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Seafood Lunch @ Lamma Island, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village Dep: Sep 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 18, 25, Oct: 2,9, Nov: 20,23,24,29 Dec: 1,3,4,6,8,9,10,11,13,15,17,22 *Selected Departure Dates fr

$999

3D2N Macau Free & Easy Top up $1 to Enjoy Zhuhai & Zhongshan Tour & Seafood Lunch 2N Stay At Choice of Hotel Daily Departure (land only) fr

$198

6D4N Sydney Scenic Explorer

(AU6SSE) Sydney City Tour, Port Stephen, Dolphin Watch Cruise, 4WD Sand Safari, Blue Mountain, Featherdale Wildlife, 2000 Olympic Park Special: 1N in Port Stephens Dep: Dec 7, 11 fr

THAILAND

$988

4H19

*Land Only fr

Dep:Every Wed, Fri, Sun Daily Dep: 6 persons & above Group Dep: Dec: 4,11,18,25 *Land Only fr

$288

*Land Only fr

$288

5D Bangkok/Hua Hin (TH5BH)

CAMBODIA 5D Beautiful Cambodia

(KH5BC) Genocide Museum, Tonle Sap Lake, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, Angkor Wat, Elephant Terrace, Old Market, Angkor Silk Farm, 1N at Nagaworld Casino Hotel Dep: Sep 10, Dec: 2,10,13,17 fr

$888

CHINA 9D DA LIAN, SHENYANG, JILIN, HARBIN(CNHRB9) Xinghai Bay Square, Waterfront Boulevard, Hutan Sculptures, Red Beach Scenic Area, Yueya Bay Wetland Park, Mukden Palace, Shenyang Walking Street, Eight Branches of Manchukuo,Puppet Emperorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palace, Changbai Mountain, Century Plaza, St. SoďŹ a Cathedral Square, Central Avenue Pedestrian Street Dep: Sep 3,5,15,16,24, Oct 11,31, Nov 17,28,30 fr

$1,068

5/7D Charming Jiangnan (CNPVG5/7) Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing Dep: Daily Departure

5/7D Beijing / Tianjin / Chengde (CNPEK5/7) Dep: Daily Departure

Stay in 5-Stars Hotel throughout!

fr

$498

fr

$598

8D Fruit Picking and Shangdong Delicacies Tour (CNTAO8F) Asia Largest and China only Watch / Clock Theme Museum, Polaris Culture Museum, Sightseeing at confucius mansion, temple & forest, Visit Taishan - the leader of the ďŹ ve holy mountains (cable cars included), Visit Taoism temple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DAIMIAO, China Largest in scale and highest in standard - Shangdong Zibo Ceramic Museum, China ďŹ rst world class wine museum - Zhang Yu Wine Museum, Thousands miles of pear garden â&#x20AC;&#x201D; experience pear picking Dep: Sep 3,5,15,16,24, Oct 11,31, Nov 17,28,30 fr

$968

5D â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eastern Hawaiiâ&#x20AC;? - Hainan / Xinglong / Sanya Tour (CNHAK5)

KOREA 8D Korea Skiing + Jeju

(KR8W) Digital Media City Gallery, Shinchon Ladies Street, Yongduam dragon head-rock, Sungsan Sunrise Peak, ATV ride, Jeju folk village, Teddy Bear Museum, World Auto Mobile Park, NANTA show, Everland, Kimchi DIY, skiing, Gondola Ride, Fruit Farm, Dongdaemun, Sealala Waterpark, Myeongdong, Lotte World Dep: Nov 24,26,27,28,29, Dec: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,2 1,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31 fr

$1,528

6D Korea Skiing (KR6W) Everland Theme Park ,Kimchi Making Session, Skiing Experience, Fruit Farm Experience, Dongdaemum Market, Gwanghwamun Square, Sealala Waterpark, Gyeongbock Palace, The Face Shop, Myeongdong, Lotte World Dep: fr

$1,138

8D Hwacheong Ice Festival (KR8ICE) Shinchon ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; street, Yongduam dragon head-rock, Sungsan Sunrise Peak, ATV Ride, Teddy Bear Museum, NANTA Show, Hwacheon Sancheonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;e Ice Festival, Skiing, Gondola Ride, Seasonal Fruit Farm, Sealala Water Park, Gyeongbok Palace, Myeondong shopping street, Lotte World Dep: Jan: 3,7,10,14,17 fr

$1,738

Red Lady Army Sculpture, Xing Long Tropical Botanical Garden, Miao Cultural Village, Yalong Bay & Beach Dep: Daily Departure *Land Only fr

$198

LAOS 6D5N Northern Heritage (LA6NH) (Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Xieng Khouang) Explore the world heritage site of Luang Prabang, Catch the sunset view over the Mekong River form Mount Phousi, View the enigmatic plain of jars comprising of thousand of stone jars varying in height and sizes Dep: Sep: 6,8, Oct: 11, Nov: 15,17,22,29 fr

$1288

VIETNAM 5D Hanoi, Halong On Junk Overnight (VN5HAN) 1N Stay onboard Junk Cruise, Water Puppet Performance, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Sung Sot Cave Dep: Dec 6, 13, 17 fr

$1,088

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Going far and wide See what you do on television in person with New Shan Travels UNITED STATES ace up your shoes and embark on a 13-day grand adventure to the land of liberty with New Shan Travel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a trip chock-full with delightful sights and activities you would almost be trying not to blink.

Lick your ďŹ ngers clean at the renowned Mrs. Knott Fried Chicken Restaurant, bring shivers down your spine atop Disneylandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Space Mountain, and amass for yourself a collection of new designer threads at Tanger Factory Outlets in Southern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Los Angeles.

Spend a night on the ďŹ&#x201A;oating casino along Colorado River in Laughlin before travelling down the historic

L

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Route 66, descending 21 stories down the Grand Canyon Cavern, and waking up to sunrise in the Grand Canyon National Park.

Snap photos at famed landmarks like the 726-feet Hoover Dam, Caesars Palace, and MGM Grand before catching a world-famous performance or two or having a go with the slot machines. Return at the end of the night to either Luxor or Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, both of which are lofty and distinguished.

Gather your nerves together at the Calico Ghost Town before heading to Gilroy Premium Outlets to acquire more fancy togs for yourself. Take a walk around quirky Chinatown, cruise to the Alcatraz, and admire the Golden Gate Bridge as you glide the waves under it before indulging in a tasty lobster dinner in San Francisco.

ALASKA & CANADIAN ROCKIES Refresh yourself with this 17-day, two-country tour by New Shan Travel armed with a memory card of great capacity for the myriad of sights to be witnessed will have you clicking away busily.

Embark on a ďŹ&#x201A;ight to Seattle before crossing over to Vancouver to visit Stanley Park, Totem Park, Lions Gate Bridge, and Chinatown. Admire the Fraser River Canyon in Kamloops and the Spahats Creek Waterfalls in Valemount in all its 250-metre glory.

Intake towers at Hoover

Alaska

Lions Gate Bridge

Snuggle up in your down jacket when you head to the Rocky Mountains as you head to the snow-capped peaks of the Columbia Mountains, Athabasca Glacier, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Tour Banff on a gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain and visit Lake Louise before departing for Kelowna, where you may spot a mysterious sea monster, visit vineyards, and get your hands on some local buys at Robson Street.

View the iced peaks of Mount Rainier and the waters of Puget Sound and of Lake Washington upon your arrival back into Seattle before you board the cruise to Alaska.

Admire monumental electric-blue glaciers and seals basking on ice ďŹ&#x201A;oes from a close distance as you journey back home to Singapore.

Visit us at booth no.4H10 for more information.

51 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

8D Jiuzhaigou/ Huanglong / Leshan / Ermei

8D Beijing / Chengde / Tianjin Luxury Tour

8夊 äš?寨ć˛&#x;/éť&#x201E;éž&#x2122;/ç&#x153;&#x2030;ĺąą/äš?ĺąą/峨ĺľ&#x2039;ĺąą

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Dep: Sep 7, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 25, 27, 30 Oct 9, 25 Nov 1,17,21,29 Dec 5,13,19,20

Dep: Aug 27 Sep 8, 16 Oct 12, 13, 26 Nov 16, 30 Dec 14, 21

5D Pearl 7D6N Canton River Delta Luxury Tour

7夊6ć&#x2122;&#x161; ĺšżä¸&#x153;蹪ĺ?&#x17D;ç&#x2030;šč&#x2030;˛ć¸¸ - ĺšżĺˇ&#x17E; / 桹ĺ&#x153;ł / ç? 澡 / 中幹 / ç&#x2022;ŞçŚş

ç? ä¸&#x2030;č§&#x2019;äş&#x201D;夊äź&#x2018;é&#x2014;˛çž&#x17D;éŁ&#x;ĺ&#x203A;˘ Dep: Sep 17, 24

Nov 21

Dep: Oct 8, 10, 31 Dec 5, 19, 24

398

798

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798

frS$

frS$

7D6N Scenic Guilin Tour

8D6N Taiwan Year-End Charter Â&#x2021; /HR )RR 5HVRUW â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The only ecology style vacation hotel where you have up close encounters with animals Â&#x2021; /XPLQJ +RW 6SULQJ 5HVRUW 6SD Âą Âł:LOG Ă&#x20AC;RUDO WKHPHG EXIIHW GLQQHU´ 0DNH \RXU ZLVK XSRQ WKH Âł6N\ /DQWHUQ´ Â&#x2021; ',< DQLPDOV ]RGLDF VRXYHQLU Â&#x2021; 2RORQJ EODFN WHD JDUGHQ IUXLW SLFNLQJ

7夊 6ć&#x2122;&#x161;ćĄ&#x201A;ć&#x17E;&#x2014;ĺąąć°´äš&#x2039;ć&#x2014;&#x2026; Dep: Oct 8, 10, 31 Dec 5, 19, 24

698

frS$

Dep: Nov 29 Dec 1,6,8,13,15,20,22

6SHFLDO ,QFOXVLRQV 6HDWWOH 6SDFH 1HHGOH 2EVHUYDWRU\ &ROXPELD ,FH )LHOG 6QRZFRDFK Sulphur Mountain Gondola Ride, <XNRQ :KLWH 3DVV 7UDLQ 5LGH

1,088

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per couple /LPLWHG 6HDWV

6,088

5,688

frS$

Dep: Sep 19 Oct 3, 10, 24, 31

1,198

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USA

13D USA Grand Adventure

Â&#x2021; 2YHUQLJKW VWD\ ZLWK XQIRUJHWWDEOH VXQVHW VXQULVH H[SHULHQFH DW *UDQG &DQ\RQ Â&#x2021; % Â&#x2021; *UDQG &DQ\RQ 1DWLRQDO 3DUN Â&#x2021; 6DQ )UDQFLVFR Â&#x2021; /DV 9HJDV Â&#x2021; /RV $QJHOHV Â&#x2021; 0RMDYH 'HVHUW Â&#x2021; *LOUR\ 7DQJHU 2XWOHWV Â&#x2021; 'LVQH\ODQG Â&#x2021; 8QLYHUVDO 6WXGLRV Â&#x2021; +ROO\ZRRG &LW\ 7RXU

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7D Taiwan Special 7夊 ĺ?°ćšžç&#x2030;šäťˇć¸¸

16D Romance of Mediterranean

17D Alaska & Canadian Rockies Tour 1

898

frS$

Dep: Sep 5,12,19,26 Nov 14,28 Dec 8,16 Jan 30

3,388

frS$

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Europe

Europe

India

Japan

13D Scenic Europe 13

10/11D Italian Renaissance

9D India Golden Triangle + Kashmir

7D5N Hokkaido Floral Delights

Visit 9 cities with Sightseeing Tours

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Dep: Oct 8,29 Nov 26 Dec 10,17,24 Jan 28,29,30

Dep: Aug 12,19 Sep 9,16,23 Oct 14,21,28 Nov 4,11,24 Dec 6,11,20

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Top of the Worldâ&#x20AC;? Jungfraujoch Train Ride and Lunch inclusive!

(Rome, Florence, Venice, Switzerland, Paris)

(Verona, Venice, Assisi, Rome, Vatican, Siena, Pisa, Florence, Milan)

Dep: Oct 30 Nov 6,13,20,27 Dec 4,11,18,25

Dep: Oct 6,29 Nov 2,23 Dec 7,15,21

Visit 5 cities with Sightseeing Tours

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3,388

S$300 off frS$ per person

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1,288

frS$

5Â? 6., Resort

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frS$

Japan

Korea

Korea

Middle East

7D5N Dynamic Central Japan

8D6N Love in Korea & Jeju

7/8D Delightful Korea

6D Best of Dubai & Abu Dhabi

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Dep: Sep 9,23,30 Oct 7,14,28 Nov 4,18,25 Dec 2,9,16,23

Dep: Sep 1,6,8,13,15,20,22,27,29 Oct 4,6,11,13,20,25,27 Nov 1,3,8,10,15,17,24 Dec 1,8,15,22,29 Jan 5,12,19,26 )HE

1,788

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1,288

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Dep: Sep 5,12,19,26 Oct 3,10,17,24,31 Nov 5,7,14,20,22,27,29 Dec 4,6,11,13,18,20,25,27

Dep: Sep 7,25 Oct 11,23,30 Nov 6,13,20,27 Dec 4,11,20,25 Jan 1,8,29,30,31

2N Stay at 5Â? 6., Resort

988

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Taiwan

Taiwan

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8D Best of Taiwan

7D New Experience of Taiwan

7D Re-Discovery New Taiwan

10D Historic Wonders of Turkey

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888

frS$

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52 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

VISIT US @

BOOTH

3H56

Bringing smiles to millions

PANORAMA GROUP COMPANY PROFILE : t

t

t t

Established in 1972 in Indonesia. Panorama Group is an integrated group of companies focusing on Tourism, Transportation, Hospitality and the related-businesses.

It is now supported by 5 business pillars , namely : > Travel & Leisure > Transportation > Inbound / Destination Management > Convention & Exhibition > Hotel & Resorts Development and Management International Business network across the world, including Singapore / Indonesia / Malaysia / France / China .

Supported by more than 3500 staff at more than 100 ofďŹ ces in Indonesia and aboard, and has been serving over 1 million satisďŹ ed customers.

PANORAMA TOURS (S) PTE LTD: t t

Panorama Singapore is a joint venture between Panorama Group and Chan Brothers International.

Services and Products offered : > Hotel Reservation (Local & World Wide) > Visa Application > Local Attraction Admission Ticket > M.I.C.E > Air Ticket > Group / FIT Packages > Travel Insurances

Nuzzling Bhutan The landlocked state is a land known to be beatiďŹ ed and placatory, and these two spots shed light on the riveting structures that make up its exquisite landscape.

PARO VALLEY A historic town lined with a myriad of sacred sites and traditional buildings, the area is reputed for being one of the most striking in the nation and homes the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only airport.

Some of its famed sites include Drukgyel Dong, a ruined fortress built in the 16th century, Kichu Lhakang, one of the 108 monasteries phenomenally constructed by King Songten Gampo in one night, and Jangsarbu Lhakhang, a temple housing an imposing statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and of the protector deity of Paro.

PARO VALLEY TIGERâ&#x20AC;?S NEST

TIGERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEST Also known as Taktsang Monastery, this revered abbey daringly stands on the egde of a 1,200-metre cliff and cuts a heart-stirring sight. It is the unofďŹ cial symbol of the placid Kingdom and is the key location of many a gripping legend.

Built around a cave, the temple has been established as a venerated meditation site as many Tibetan saints and important ďŹ gures have visited to engage in contemplation and spiritual introspection. An exalted monk who had

passed on in the cave was said to have his body divinely returned to the monastery by the grace of a deity, and is today sealed in a chorten in a room for preservation.

If weary from the trek up the pilgrimage site, visitors may ride on a pony to complete the journey. But whether a trek or a ride, the view is handsome and the aura of the setting, matchless.

Visit us at Booth no.3H56 for more information.

53 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

NATAS FAIR Visit us @ Booth 3H56

HOTLINE 6236 1535

16 AUG - 18 AUG 2013

Fr

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INDIA : GROUP DEPARTURE

BHUTAN : 7D6N MYSTERY BHUTAN Advent

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8D7N Golden Triangle + Kashmir Departure date : 9Nov , 22 Dec

fr SGD2,488

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fr SGD134 / pax

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4D3n Bali Delight Package

fr SGD198 / pax

3D2n Bandung Free & Easy

fr SGD118 / pax

3D2n Bandung Shopping

fr SGD218 / pax

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fr SGD128 / pax

2N Laguna Redang Island Resort

fr SGD483 / pax

4D3n Jakarta Bandung Package fr SGD338 / pax

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fr SGD325 / pax

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4D3N Malaysia Cherating fr SGD 1,275 4D3N Phuket

fr SGD 1,067

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fr SGD 1,352

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fr SGD 970

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54 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

SEPTEMBER

1

6

13

20

HAWAII FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

ONLY WATCH CHARITY AUCTION

SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL

GRAND PRIX SINGAPORE

OAHU: Over 50 international master chefs and culinary personalities will hold cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and unique dining options in various beachfront resorts across Honolulu. No children under the age of 21, even if accompanied by parents, will be admitted. hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com

SINGAPORE: Join other enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and specialists at Orchard Roadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Hour Glass in admiring the 33 exclusive models donated by the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading timepiece manufacturers. Proceeds will go to the Monegasque Association. onlywatch.com/the-world-tour

GOLD COAST: Sculptures of all shapes and sizes by over 50 artists from around the world will be exhibited at the scenic beachside location of the Gold Coast.

Highlights of the event include Twilight Sculpture Walks, artist talks, live music, art activities for children, and night time ďŹ lm screenings. swellsculpture.com.au

SINGAPORE: Two of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top race series are returning to support Formula Oneâ&#x201E;˘ at Marina Bay, enabling fans to be in for a triple treat. Watch 26 drivers vie for the GP2 crown and show some love for Singapore representative Yuey Tan during the Porsche Carrera Cup Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class B segment. singaporegp.sg

st to 9th

th to 7th

th to 22nd

th to 22nd

N

4

4

19

ESSENTIAL EAMES: A HERMAN MILLER EXHIBITION

BOOMERANG FESTIVAL

FINE ART ASIA

OISHII JAPAN

SINGAPORE: The design worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous couple, Charles and Ray Eames, will have their creative legacy exhibited at the ArtScience Museum. Aside from admiring up close authentic iconic furniture designed by the pair, visitors can create their own miniature furniture pieces to take home. marinabaysands.com/SingaporeMuseum/Whats-On

BYRON BAY: Featuring some 70 clans group representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia, the new world Indigenous Festival will offer an exhilarating array of music performances, workshops, ďŹ re gatherings, dance participations, and thought-provoking conversations at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm. boomerangfestival.com.au

HONG KONG: Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top ďŹ ne art fair will be exhibiting a wide array of prized pieces from over 100 world-renowned galleries at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The artworks ranging from 5000-year old ceramics to contemporary decorative ornaments are bound to delight all curators, collectors, and enthusiasts. ďŹ neartasia.com

SINGAPORE: Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst dedicated Japanese F&B showcase returns for the second year to introduce the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest fresh and processed food products, alcoholic beverages, prefecture specialties, culinary techniques, and related equipment at Suntec Singapore. A series of interactive activities, food samplings, and hands-on workshops will be held. oiishi-world.com

ow to 6th Jan 2014

th to 6th

th to 7th

th

Images: Advertising Associates International; Chanel; AUM; Singapore GP; Marina Bay Sands; EC Square; Oishii-World

OCTOBER

55 r THE TRAVEL TIMES r "6(645

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most accessible part of this least accessible of continents, best reached on a hardy ship from Ushuaia at the southernmost tip of South America, after a two-day crossing of the notoriously rough Drake Passage.

Once the sole domain of polar explorers and scientists, the vessels that ply the waters around the White Continent today carry adventurous tourists. The ships run

by Quark Expeditions have comfortable en suite cabins and libraries and run photography courses showing guests how best to capture Antarcticaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wildlife. Small Zodiac boats carry passengers ashore,

THE ONE FOR WILDERNESS Antarctica is the last truly wild frontier, barely changed since Roald Amundsen beat his rival Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole in 1911.

It remains forbidding: a land stretching across an area larger than Europe in broad snowy plains, craggy mountains and ice sheets more than a mile thick. The Antarctic Peninsula is the

where geologists, marine biologistss a and d historians join explorations amongg the armies of gentoo and chinstrap penguins, nguin nguins, while southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals wage battle overr territory. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to camp overnight, rnight, but the views are equally extraordinary y on board, particularly in February and d March, when whales can often be spotted in n the krill-rich waters.

GETTING STARTED The 14-day Crossing the Antarctic Circle cle cruise cruis uise departs from Ushuaia in Argentina (from US$6,977 per person; quarkexpeditions.com). No cruise ruise to Antarctica can be considered â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;budgetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, wi with h prices starting at around US$4,704 (discover-the-world. e-world. wo d. co.uk) but bargain-seekers may consider tra travelling trave velling elling ng to Ushuaia and attempting to ďŹ nd a last-minute minute deal min on the ground. This is a risky strategy, butt can result r lt in discounts of up to 25 per cent.

Lonely Planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antarctica (US$28.99) LP

ASIA

10

COMPILED CO OMPILED OM MPIILLE MP ED D BY

BY CHRISTA ISTA IS A LARWOOD LARWOOD, LA D,, WITH WIT W WITH H CONTR CONTRIBUTIONS C CO ONTR TR RIBUTIONS IB IBU BU UTIONS UTIO U UT TIO ON O NS FROM NS FR FRO RO OM O M MICHAEL MIC CHAEL C CH HA AEL A AE EL GROSBERG, GROSBERG GROSBER GR GRO G GROSB GROS SBERG, B BRANDON BRAND B BRANDO BRA BR RANDON RA AND AN NDO DO ON PRESSER, ON PR PRES P RESSE RES ESSER, ES SS SSER, SE SER, ER JEFF E JEF JJE EF FF F F RUBIN, RU RUBI RUB RICHARD RIICH CHARD AND KARLA ZIMMERMAN. BOUSKILL/WWW.THEPLANETD.COM, WA WATERS WATERS, WAT W ATE AT TERS, ERS, S,, NEIL S NE NEIL ILL WILSON WIL W ZIMMERMAN. PHOTOGRAPHS: DAVE BOUSKILL/WWW BOUSKILL/WWW.THE OUSKILL/WWW.TH WW W.THE W W.T THE EP PLANE PLA NETD.COM NETD N ET TD.COM, TD .CO .C COM CO C OM O M,, EYE EY EYE E UBIQUITOUS/SUU UBI UBIQ UBIQUITOUS QUITO TOU US/SUPL/SUPERSTOCK, STEVE PERSTOCK, PER PERSTOC PERS PE ERSTOCK, ER RSTOCK, STOCK, STO K, MATT K MAT M MA ATT AT TT TM MUNRO, ANDY ROUSE/NATURE NAT AT VE SIMONSEN S

The Sea Spirit pirit it sails sail adise ad dise se Bay y through Paradise An Antarct nta arc off the Antarctic Peninsula, on n a Quark ns s cruise cruise Expeditions

HIGH 5: TROPICAL ISLANDS DODECANESE ISLANDS

Cruising

THE ONE FOR HISTORY Today, the Dodecanese Islands of Greece are re a picture of serenity: whitewashed villagess tumble down hillsides to boat-ďŹ lled harbours surrounded by the clear waters off the Aegean. But their laid-back character belies a turbulent history, when the great empires of the Mediterranean fought over e the islands, leaving monumental evidence of their rule in their wake.

5

Resorts

Chic

CRUISES

Forget ďŹ&#x201A;oating hotels with shufďŹ&#x201A;eboard and showtunes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; here are ďŹ ve cruises to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beautiful corners, in a style even the cruiseadverse will enjoy

luxurious beach getaways in BALI

APPLE OF APPL OUR EYE: Along Somersetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cider trail, to the call of the West Country The P Perfect Trip:

YOUR PERFECT TRIP

JULY/AUGUST 2013

HIGH

Hotel Getaway at Myanmar Treasure

IN SYNC WITH IDYLLIC ISLES

JULY/AUGUST 2013

The best of Southeast Asia, from Halong Bay to Hanoi, Vietnam

Head to the most beautiful corners of the earth

VIETNAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Song VIETN

The Perfect Trip VIETNAM

The T he Per Perfect Trip

Vietnam Viet WORDS OLIVER SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHS MATT MUNRO

The mystical landscape of Halong Bay, where over 2,000 limestone islets rise from the piercing blue waters of the Gulf of Tonkin

* What to do, eat & see

Your ou trip mapped out Vietnam is a co country that is always on the move, from speeding scooters in its crowded cities tto the gently cruising junks in Halong Bay. Follow our adventure by and plane â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling brave, hop on a scooter taxi too boat, bus an

SOMERSET, UK

HANOI Best for city life HALONG BAY Best for coast

FOLLOW THE CIDER TRAIL From its noisy markets to its food stalls, the Vietnamese capital is a place where the street doubles up as one big communal living room.

* Maps included Find your way

See

9

Eat & drink

Sle Sleep eep

16

12 14 4 8 15

13

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17 3

With cascading rice paddies and misty peaks, these dramatic mountain landscapes are home to an ethnic mosaic of hill tribes.

Not just a pretty face, Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most attractive town is also its culinary epicentre, with outstanding street food and restaurants.

O Barcelona O Birmingham O Cambridge O Hamburg O Yogyakarta

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HOI AN Best for food

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MINI GUIDES TO KEEP

CLIMATE CLIM MA M A ATE TE TE

MEKONG DELTA M Best for river life

Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answer to the Vietn Norfo Norfolk Broads, the Mekong Delta is the place where the land, the sea and one of Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest rivers all inter intersect.

Your recommendations endation ons

A suite at the SIDE Hotel, designed

by Italian architect Matteo Thun

the literary Hotel Wedina 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Franzen, Vladimir Nabokov and JK Rowling have stayed and left signed copies of their work. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ďŹ nd traditional dĂŠcor in the red house and contemporary rooms in its green, blue and yellow houses (00 49 40 280 8900; hotelwedina. de; Gurlittstrasse 23; from US$161).

Realised by Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun, SIDE Hotel 15 is built around a prism-shaped central atrium. Suites have bright, freestanding bathtubs and the eighth-ďŹ&#x201A;oor chill-out lounge opens to a panoramic sun deck. On weekends, enjoy brunch until 2pm (00 49 40 309 990; side-hamburg. de; Drehbahn 49; from US$276).

JULY/AUGUST 2013

summer terrace and huge windows looking across to Isebekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ajor canal. Sushi and sashimi are major d attractions, beautifully presented rs and super-fresh, but it also offers great tempura and innovative, Japanese-inspired ďŹ sh dishes.

Vegetarians are catered to, although in a more limited way, and desserts are a treat (onobysteffenhenssler.de; Lehmweg 17; mains from US$25).

Teresa McErlane COOL BY THE WATER 17 Unwinding in a deckchair, cocktail in hand and silver sand between your toes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to forget youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the centre of Hamburg. IndoChine is on the waterfront, its bar, restaurant and PianoBeach terrace providing exotic drinks, great food (the Laotian curry is addictive!) and a chilled-out meeting place, all just a stroll along the river from the busy ferry terminus. DJs play from 10pm at weekends (indochine.de; NeumĂźhlen 11; mains from US$19).

Teresa McErlane

GOING UNDERGROUND 18 Lonely Planet forum users (lonelyplanet.com) rate the locally reknowned Meanie Bar. This retro basement venue is a gathering point and hangout for musicians and artists in the Reeperbahn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an area with an independent, alternative music scene all of its own. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also home to the diminutive Molotow Club, a live music club that hosts bands and DJ nights (molotow club.com; Spielbudenplatz 5, St Pauli; entry US$6).

FIND OUT MORE Lonely Planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Germany guide (ÂŁ15.99) offers extensive coverage of Hamburg. You can also download this chapter at lonelyplanet.com (ÂŁ2.99). Consider how the city has rebuilt itself from the ďŹ restorms depicted in Keith Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inferno: The Devastation of Hamburg, 1943 (ÂŁ22; Viking). The main source of tourism information is hamburg-tourism.de.

10 EASY TRIPS

10 EASY TRIPS

Queensland, Q Queensland Queenslan l d, Australia Austra Australi A lia

Basket asket ket we weaving b by Katherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s atherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s herineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indigenous indigen indige d people, ple, seen here in the Northern orthern rthern thern Territor Territory to

10

fuss free fuss-free trips you can book

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4

2

3

10

EASY5 TRIPS

6

WHY GO NOW?

If the cacophony of human activity in the cities proves too much to bear, then settle in the therapeutic rhythm of Queensland Railâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest experience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Gold Class Kuranda Scenic Railway. Voyaging through the World Heritage protected rainforest from Cairns to Kuranda in carriages decked with Victorian-inspired dĂŠcor, the route enables us to understand Australiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; love affair with the great outdoors through a plethora of picturesque waterfalls and steep ravines. While the train fares through these ethereal landscapes, a gastronomic experience awaits its guests. Indulge in Queensland

Queensland by rail, Hokkaidoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer warmth, a wilderness experience in Darwin

and Tablelandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gourmet selection of freshly baked mufďŹ ns with mango sorbet, together with an assortment of cheese, nuts, dessert, wine and beer (ksr.com.au).

HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?

9

1 7

Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia WHY GO NOW?

About a two-hour drive from Darwin city is Katherine, the third largest town in the Northern Territory. Drive a further 32km from the town centre and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ďŹ nd Cicada Lodge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a 100 per cent indigenous owned property (the Jawoyn people), with a commitment to the training and employment of locals. Located along the picturesque Katherine River and right within the Nitmiluk National Park also means full access to an all-natural Australian wilderness experience-of-a-lifetime.

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Start with a sunrise walk to Jawoyn Law lookout â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the high point overlooking the Katherine Gorge. Or take to the skies literally on a helicopter ride above and around the Gorge, a stunning way to take in the gorgeous landscape.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the latest â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cultural Touringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; program, led by Cicada Lodgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner Jane Runyu, where lodge guests veer away from commercialised experiences and enter instead into a world of traditional culture, skills, stories and way of life for the Jawoyn people.

JULY/AUGUST 2013

HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?

SilkAir (silkair.com), the regional wing of Singapore Airlines offers direct ďŹ&#x201A;ights from Singapore to Darwin; those ďŹ&#x201A;ying from Kuala Lumpur can travel with Malaysia Airlines (malaysiaairlines.com) into Brisbane, then transit to Darwin International Airport with Jetstar Airways (jetstar.com).

Opened in March this year,

a Lodge features just Cicada 18 rooms and is modern o (Bvlgari ar toiletries) yet full of en indigenous creativity, s expressed through its local artwork. r Take a dip at the swimming pool, before m g the nightly Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s joining Table featuring dishes f based and in the gorgeous d on the seasonTake Queensland landscape freshest es local produce from the comfort of (cicadalodge.com.au). da your cabin

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110 0 Catch sight of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest ďŹ sh species in Donsol

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Terengganuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear blue waters are perfect for snorkelling

JULY/AUGUST 2013 JULY/AUG

From Singapore, ďŹ&#x201A;y Qantas (qantas.com) or Singapore Airlines to Brisbane. Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways cater ďŹ&#x201A;ights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Brisbane Airport. Transfer to domestic ďŹ&#x201A;ights (Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Tiger Airways) to Sunshine Coast Airport.

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Sleep With a games room, a cinema and open-plan dining area, Superbude 11 is Hamburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hippest budget hotel. Rooms are painted in candy shades of either pink, orange or red (00 49 40 380 8780; superbude.de; Spaldingstrasse 152; from US$82).

Accommodation at the historic lakeside Hotel Alsterblick 12 blends original herringbone ďŹ&#x201A;oors with contemporary furnishings and mod cons. To reach the hotel, catch bus number 6 to Mundsburger BrĂźcke (00 49 40 2294 8989; alsterblick-hamburg. hotel-rn.com; Schwanenwik 30; from US$116).

Galerie-Hotel Petersen 13 is a delightful b&b in an 18thcentury townhouse. The dĂŠcor is an extension of its artist-ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offbeat personality. With furnishings including a mix of contemporary, antique and art deco styles. Choose from its ďŹ ve rooms, including a top-ďŹ&#x201A;oor studio with a romantic rooftop terrace (00 49 40 249 826; ghsp. eu; Lange Reihe 50; from US$135).

There might be a novel instead of a chocolate on your pillow at

Sail around Halong Bay to witness Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most staggering coastal scenery, and to hear talk of fearsome monsters lurking in the waters below.

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Terengganu, Malaysia WHY GO NOW?

HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?

Perched perfectly on the east of Peninsula Malaysia, Terengganuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary appeal lies in the beautiful islands that are found off the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shores. The most famous of these islands are Perhentian and Redang, island paradises that offer fantastic diving opportunities in clear blue waters. If you tire of these spots, other smaller islands around the area like Kapas and Tenggol offer even more diving and snorkelling. There is plenty of temporary accommodation in Terengganu to serve the large tourist crowd and they range from the cheap and basic to the ritzy and extravagant.

Terengganuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sultan Mahmud Airport is a domestic one that serves ďŹ&#x201A;ights operated by AirAsia, FireďŹ&#x201A;y, and Malaysia Airlines, all of which ďŹ&#x201A;y from Kuala Lumpur.

It is also accessible via bus from Singapore or other parts of Malaysia.

Fronting the South China Sea on the coast of Terengganu, the 99-room Tanjong Jara Resort is a sanctuary of luxury and wellbeing, steeped in age-old Malay traditions. The resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summer Stopovers package offers a wholesome escape to the idyllic East Coast and start from MYR1,625++ (US$515) per night for minimum of three nightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; accommodation (ytlhotels.com).

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