Destination Malaysia - Best Places to Visit

There’s more than one Malaysia. There’s the modern, well-ordered state boasting the PETRONAS Towers, those twin rocket-ship behemoths in capital Kuala Lumpur. There’s bustling multicultural Malaysia, an ethnic and culinary mélange into which Malays, Chinese, Tamils and numerous indigenous groups contribute cuisines and customs. But there’s still – thankfully – wild, untamed Malaysia: jungle and reef, mountain and rainforest, river and ridge. Few countries in South-East Asia – or anywhere – match the range of opportunities for getting adventurous outdoors. Malaysia is a mix of the modern world and a developing nation. With its investment in the high technology industries and moderate oil wealth, it has become one of the richer nations in Southeast Asia. Malaysia, for most visitors, presents a happy mix: there is high-tech infrastructure and things generally work well and more or less on schedule, but prices remain more reasonable. Let us discuss some of the best places to visit in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of cultures and influences, where a new experience is waiting to charm the senses at every turn, from exciting street markets full of exotic discoveries to international entrees and fine food for those who want a touch of home away from home. Discover the city’s cultural diversity and sightseeing enjoyments - the city is a year-round destination. Amidst the city of Kuala Lumpur stands the KL Tower. With its observation deck, you can get a bird’s eye view of the whole city. The KL Tower ranks fourth amongst the tallest telecommunications towers in the world.

Penang

Penang's beaches are nice, though a little lacklustre when compared to those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more than compensated for by the island's rich multicultural history which is full of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. Penang is also well known for being the "food paradise" of Malaysia. Visit Bukit Bendera, Probably has the best view of Georgetown and the Penang Bridge, especially at night. The Tropical Spice Garden, which is in an 8 acre valley fronting the shores of Teluk Bahang showcases a landscaped garden that consists of tropical plant collections from all over the world.

Kelantan

Kelantan-literally meaning "Land of Lightning"-is an agrarian state with lush paddy fields, rustic fishing villages and casuarina-lined beaches. Located in the northeast corner of the peninsula, the charms of Kelantan are found in the vitality of its culture and its remote, unsullied beauty. Kelantan offers plenty of opportunities for tourists such as river cruises, river rafting, bird watching and jungle trekking. Though not much is known about Kelantan's early history, Chinese historical documents date back the history of Kelantan between 8000 and 3000 BC. These documents chronicle the existence of a government, which maintained links with China. Kelantan was subsequently referred to as "Ho-lo-tan", "Chih-Tu" and "Tan-Tan" in these records.

Kuoni together with SOTC provides a wide range of Malaysian holiday packages. The holidays are carefully planned to cater to all your leisure and needs. Book now.

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Destination Singapore - Best Places to Visit

For an island its size, Singapore has a lot to offer the casual tourist. Shopping is a major pastime here, and the many malls around are testament to that. Hit Orchard Road for a 2.2km stretch of shopping, particularly during the Great Singapore Sale – which may prove to be as much an exercise in self-control as exercise for your legs. If you’re travelling with family, there are many activities to choose from. Bring the kids to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, or head out to Sentosa Island and go ride-crazy at Universal Studios. At night, check out the restaurants along Clarke Quay, or head to Marina Bay Sands to catch the spectacular Light and Water Show, city skyline, and world-class luxury casino. Balancing deftly, the government directs society’s traffic with utopian efficiency: graffiti-free trains run on time, traffic jams make front-page news and crime is something you see on TV.  Orchard Road is ground zero for your credit card. Jump on the super-slick MTR subway and you’ll be there before you can say ‘Versace’. Salvatore Ferragmo, Gucci, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton…The big boys compete for ever-brighter street presence and mega-mall domination. Home to the vast Takashimaya department store, city-sized Ngee Ann City (391 Orchard Rd) is the mall to end all malls. Singapore is a destination that never fails to astound you. Let us discuss the best places to visit in Singapore.

Marina Bay

It’s hard not to be awed by the audacity of Marina Bay, the project that has transformed downtown Singapore’s seafront over two generations. An exorbitantly ambitious piece of civil engineering, it entailed the creation of three massive expanses of reclaimed land and a barrage to seal off the basins of the Singapore and Kallang rivers from the sea. The result is a seaside freshwater reservoir with a crucial role in reducing Singapore’s dependence on Malaysian water supplies. The Marina Bay Sands casino resort dominates the area, with its museum and rooftop restaurants, and it is inevitably the focus of any visit to the bay, along with the extravagant new Gardens by the Bay next door. Close to the Padang, the Theatres on the Bay arts complex are worth a detour for its skyline views, with more of the same available from the oversized Ferris wheel that is the Singapore Flyer.

Sentosa

Sentosa is an island just off the southern coast of Singapore. Formerly known by the rather unattractive name of Pulau Belakang Mati ("The Island After Death" in Malay) and the centrepiece of Britain's unsuccessful "Fortress Singapore" strategy in World War II, Sentosa has been rebranded and resculpted into one big tourist attraction, popular among Singaporeans as a quick island getaway. The new jewel in the crown is Resorts World, an enormous complex comprising a Universal Studios theme park, Singapore's first casino, shopping malls and hotels. The small southern islets of Kusu Island, St. John's Island, the Sisters Islands and Pulau Hantu are managed by Sentosa. Various plans to develop them have not come to action and they remain off the beaten track, but by no means undiscovered.

Little India

Of all the old districts of Singapore, the most charismatic has to be Little India. Here Indian pop music blares from shops, the air is perfumed with incense, spices and jasmine garlands, Hindu women promenade in bright saris, a wealth of restaurants serve up superior curries – and there are a couple of busy temples to visit, too. The district’s backbone is Serangoon Road, dating from 1822 and hence one of the island’s oldest roadways. Its south-western end is a kaleidoscopic of Indian life, packed with restaurants and shops selling everything from nose studs and ankle bracelets to incense sticks and kumkum powder. Here you might even spot a parrot-wielding fortune-teller – you tell the man your name, he passes your name onto his feathered partner, and the bird then picks out a card with your fortune on it.

Kuoni together with SOTC provides number of customized holiday packages to vibrant Singapore. You can choose from wide range of options as per your preferences. Don't miss out on this amazing destination, enquire now.

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Destination Peru - South America

Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. You can hike past ancient temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazú Falls or spend the day watching wildlife from a dugout canoe on one of the Amazon's countless igarapés (narrow waterways). You can barrel down Andean roads by mountain bike; go white-water rafting on class-five Rivers and surf amazing breaks off both coasts. And once you think you've experienced it all, head to the dramatic landscapes in Tierra del Fuego, go eye-to-eye with extraordinary creatures in the Galápagos, and scramble up Tableland Mountains in the Gran Sabana for a panorama that seems straight out of the Mesozoic era. For an out of the ordinary experience like a trip to Peru, vacation packages are often the best way to travel. With so many diverse attractions and an endless list of things to see and do, letting the experts plan and execute the logistics of your vacation can be much more efficient and cost-effective than trying to plan everything yourself. No Peru vacation package is complete without a visit to Peru's most famous destination, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Situated 50 miles from the capital of the former Inca Empire in Cusco, Machu Picchu is remarkably well preserved despite the passage of centuries. Since its reintroduction to the world by explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has grown to become a world travel destination.

Experience the greatest creation of the Inca Empire with a Peru vacation package to Machu Picchu. Trujillo is a moderately large city in North-western Peru, very close to the Pacific Coast. Trujillo del Peru was founded in 1534 among 4 (of 3,500 archaeological sites in the valley) Chimu (& earlier remarkable cultures) settlements to enable the Spanish to ally with them against the Incas. Due to its geographic location it is also known for its seafood and the beaches of its famous surf and beach resort Huanchaco. Visit Máncora is a small beach town smacked on the PanAmericana at the Peruvian Northern coast. During holidays, Peruvians come all the way from Lima to spend their holidays at the beach. It turns into a real party town with an overcrowded beach and bars competing for the loudest music day and night. The country offers a choice of fabulous family getaways to ranging from Soft Adventure and Amazon Rainforest experience to cultural visits of a new 7 wonder of the world - Machu Picchu. Choose from various Peru family travel packages to fun-filled, educational Peru excursions throughout the whole of Peru. All of Peru family vacations are crafted to allow for families to enjoy a unique and authentic experience whilst on your Peru tour with the knowledge that your family holiday is a safe and carefree Family Travel vacation.

Booking a Peru vacation package with Kuoni together with SOTC offers a range of benefits, from having access to travel experts with thorough knowledge of destinations, hotels, and services to counting on in-country assistance when there are bumps on the road. Each of your tours is accompanied by professional tour guides who provide deep perspective on Peru's destinations. Book now.

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The Jewels of the Pacific & Australia

Slip on that sarong, listen for the lullaby of waves broken only by the satisfying ‘thunk’ of coconuts falling on golden sands and throw away your watch in preparation for ‘island time’. The Pacific has a mindset all of its own. Its hugeness is big enough to hold all your dreams of snorkelling around idyllic coral atolls, slow-sunset evenings distilled with cocktails and beaches beautiful enough to send even the most stressed visitor into a catatonia of relaxation. From tiny Tuvalu to controversial bad boy Fiji to uber-chic French Polynesia, the family of Pacific islands is a varied bunch. And you can choose how you’ll acquaint yourself with this diverse crowd. Many opt for resorts in big centres like Fiji, the Cooks or Vanuatu, or plunge into another world diving among the dazzling coral and magical marine life that makes Nemo look like a pallid goldfish. But there’s other ways to discover the Pacific. You could puzzle over lost civilisations amid the icons of Easter Island or see why Fletcher Christian hopped off the Bounty in favour of the remote paradise of Pitcairn Island. Why not get intrepid and seek out the live volcanoes or don your pith helmet to trek into lush forests? Then there are the shipwrecks to dive, bohemian capitals to explore and did we mention that a cocktail with at least a couple of tropical fruits in it is compulsory?

Take a journey throughout the spectacular South Pacific. Start in Sydney, visiting the Sydney Opera House and the famous Bondi Beach. From there, fly to Cairns and spend a full day at the Great Barrier Reef. Next, travel to Ayers Rock and visit the Olgas and explore the massive rock dome there. Then, travel to Melbourne and visit the Queen Victoria Market and the Shrine of Remembrance. Next, fly to Auckland, New Zealand, where you travel to Rotorua, visiting the Waitomo Caves en route. Once in Rotorua, visit the Rainbow Springs and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. From there, travel to Queenstown to see Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. Then, go through Haast Pass to Franz Josef and take in the beautiful scenery. Afterward, travel to Greymouth and board the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. Visit Tasmania, Australia’s smallest and only island state with a population of roughly 500,000 people.

It enjoys a unique lifestyle and beautiful landscapes. It is separated by a body of water called the Bass Strait that has isolated it from the rest of Australia for thousands of years. Bay of Fires, One of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations, located between Eddystone Point and Binalong Bay. Bay of Fires has beautiful blue water, red rocks, and sandy white beaches. The entrance is through the Binalong Bay, which is only 10 minutes from St Helens. This area offers a wide range of activities including camping, boating, bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing, and walking along the coastline. Australia - Pacific is rated by many holiday fanatics as one of the destinations not to be missed. Plan your dream holiday with special tailor-made holiday packages from Kuoni together with SOTC. Book now.

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3 Gems of Asia - Philippines, Mauritius & Malaysia

Discover the beauty of Asia with amazing holiday packages to this captivating continent. Walk on the amazing Great Wall of China; explore the ancient ruins at Angkor, built between the 9th and 13th centuries; visit the Buddhist temples in Bangkok; stand in awe at India's Taj Mahal; and see Japan's most famous temples. With Asian holiday packages, you'll see the must-see sights and experience the must-do activities. Holiday packages in Asia offer you Asia's hidden gems and experiences. Participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony; experience a rickshaw ride through Beijing's hutongs, the city's ancient alleys; take a cycle ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter; participate in an Almsgiving ceremony in Thailand, where you'll have the chance to present alms to the Buddhist monks and receive their blessing; and so much more. It is for sure that in this continent, you'll not only see Asia, you'll experience it! Let us discuss 3 unique destinations in Asia.

Philippines

The Philippines is a land apart from mainland Southeast Asia – not only geographically but also spiritually and culturally. The country’s overwhelming Catholicism, the result of 350 years of Spanish rule, is its most obvious enigma. Vestiges of the Spanish era include exuberant town fiestas (festivals) like Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan, unique Spanish-Filipino colonial architecture, and exquisite, centuries-old stone churches lording over bustling town plazas. Malls, fast-food chains and widespread spoken English betray the influence of Spain’s colonial successor, the Americans. Yet despite these outside influences, the country remains very much its own unique entity. The Philippines consists of more than 7000 islands, and at certain times of the year it will feel like you have them all to yourself. The typical island boasts a jungle-clad, mountainous interior and a sandy coastline flanked by aquamarine waters and the requisite coral reef.

Mauritius

There’s certainly something special about a holiday in Mauritius. If you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting Mauritius before, you’ll be very impressed by the sparkling seas, the vibrant colours and the warmth of the locals. For those of you who love the water, Mauritius holidays offer a fantastic range of water sports. There’s windsurfing, diving and sailing, deep sea fishing and snorkelling through the island’s many offshore reefs. If you’d rather keep your feet dry, you can tour the reefs aboard a semi-submersible boat; Grand Baie Reef you must not miss. Back on land; enjoy a round at some of the most impressive golf courses in the Indian Ocean, with stunning ocean views that can put you off your shot. The aromas, noises and bustle of the capital Port Louis are never far away. The Caudan Waterfront has a wide range of shops and restaurants and you can discover Mauritian expertise in fields such as jewellery and local crafts. Shopping is excellent here with tourist-only duty-free shops offering very reasonable prices.

Malaysia

Fast emerging as one of the most developed countries of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is surely among the most tourist friendly countries in the world. Malaysia is known for its affordability, safety, convenience and most of all, cleanliness. It will not be wrong to say that People of Malaysia are its true appeal. One can find here people of all origins, Chinese, Indians, Singaporeans. It is because of this reason that Malaysia is called truly Asia.  Visit Malaysia if you wish to get an overview of Asia in shortest time. Malaysia is a country with many landscapes and many sights. Crystal clear seas, silvery beaches, colourful coral reefs and marine life, high mountains, deep jungle; you name it and Malaysia has it. In fact, Malaysia has the highest mountain peak in the Southeast Asia and the largest cave in the world. With such variety of landscape, a tourist can expect loads of activities to indulge in. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia and is among the most visited cities in Southeast Asia. Its prized possession sure is the PETRONAS Twin Tower. Once the tallest buildings in the world, they still are the tallest twin buildings in the world.

Asia has always lived up to its name - Melting Pot of Different Cultures. There are many other cities in Asia that would be the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable holiday. Kuoni together with SOTC provides many customized holiday packages to these 3 gems of Asia.

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Destination Florida - Holiday Highlights

Maybe there's no mystery to what makes the Florida peninsula so intoxicating. Beaches as fine and sweet as powdered sugar, warm teal waters, rustling mangroves: all conspire to melt our workaday selves. We come to Florida to be soothed, to let go – of worries and winter, of inhibitions and reality. For many, it's merely the desire for an indulgent beach getaway of naps, swimming, seafood and rosy sunsets. Others seek the more excitable hedonism of South Beach, Spring Break and Key West. Still more hope to lose themselves within the perfected phantasmagorical realms of Walt Disney World and Orlando's theme parks. As for Ponce, he traipsed the peninsula seeking mermaids and the legendary fountain of youth, and in a thousand and one ways, Florida still nurtures these alluring, ever-hopeful fantasies. Florida is the most south-eastern state in the United States of America. Known as "The Sunshine State", it became a popular winter destination for the well-to-do from colder climates over a century ago, and has gained ever greater popularity since. Its roots in agriculture are still present, with oranges being a chief export. The capital of Florida is Tallahassee, located in the eastern portion of the Florida Panhandle.

Within its hot, seductive, semitropical wilderness, alligators prowl beside every waterway, egg-white herons strut through reedy ponds, lovable manatees winter in crystal springs and sea turtles nest in summer. Osprey and eagles, dolphins and mighty tarpon, flocks of roseate spoonbills, coral-reef forests, oceans of sawgrass: despite the best efforts of 21st-century humans, overwhelming portions of Florida remain untamed, sometimes disconcertingly so. We come to Florida to experience this taste of wildness, to paddle so close to our toothsome Jurassic-era friends that our palms tingle. To meet loggerheads and manatees underwater, eye to eye. To look up and see a single precious jewel-like orchid clinging magically to the trunk of an ancient, moss-draped bald cypress. Let us discuss the best destinations in Florida.

Miami

What was once a citrus farming town is now a Pan-American mosaic, the most Latin city in the world north of Mexico. Throw in enterprising Caribbean immigrants, Jewish Holocaust survivors and their children, a fantabulous gay party scene, mad rednecks, the cast-off spawn of the dinosaur age cruising local waterways, and a South Beach celebrity scene that would make OK! Magazine wee itself in joy, and, well…Look guys: it’s weird here. And beautiful. Think of those clean lines slimming down a deco hotel on Miami Beach.  That pale full moon making love to the Everglades on a dank, sweaty night.

Orlando

Orlando is a large city located in Orange County, Florida. Orlando, for most people, conjures up the image of theme parks, mainly Walt Disney World, but there is a lot more. (In fact, Disney World is not in Orlando, but is in nearby Lake Buena Vista). With the estimated 52 million tourists a year, Orlando and many other areas in the region developed a lot to offer a traveller who wants to see something other than a theme park. Other cities in the metropolitan area include Altamonte Springs, Davenport, Kissimmee, and Winter Park.Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations because of the nearby theme parks and resorts. Close to International Drive is Universal Orlando Resort, which includes two theme parks, three hotels and a large shopping district. SeaWorld Orlando is a marine theme park featuring Kraken, the biggest rollercoaster in the Orlando area, as well as Believe, the new Shamu adventure. About 35 minutes southwest of downtown Orlando is Walt Disney World.

Lake Buena Vista

Lake Buena Vista is a municipality in Orange County, East Central Florida. Known mainly as home to the world famous Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista is situated by the Disney theme parks and is controlled by The Walt Disney Company. Founded in the 1960s, Walt Disney’s original plan for Lake Buena Vista included at least one futuristic living area, but was never built. This futuristic idea was later used at Epcot. Lake Buena Vista is sited southwest of Orlando, between Orlando and Kissimmee, along the Interstate 4 corridor. The magnificent Downtown Disney entertainment complex is the place to be, with its superb restaurants, great shopping and energetic nightlife, there’s something for everyone! It’s not all about Disney though, Lake Buena Vista has so much more to offer like golf, including minigolf for the pros to be, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores for great designer shopping and a great choice of hotels, all offering pool areas to simply unwind and relax in the glorious sunshine.

Florida is amongst very few destinations that must definitely feature in your holiday bucket list. If you are looking for unique sun and sand destination coupled with luxury and leisure, Florida is the place for you. Kuoni together with SOTC provides a range of custom made holiday packages to Florida.

For more details you can visit our site Best Holiday Travel tips