RSSJul|16|2010
Banyan Tree Ringha’s Lost Horizon
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Getaways, Hotels, Luxurious, Resorts, Romantic, Spa
Like the Aman-junkies (devoted Aman resort followers who langorously troupe from one luxury Aman resort to another), Banyan-junkies are now flocking to the latest Banyan Tree hotel high up in the mountains of Yunnan, China which opened this month.
Amid a Tibetan-style atmosphere of meditative Buddhist temples, prayer flags and gorgeous mountain views, the hotel is located a gasping (literally) 10,500 feet above sea level in a beautiful part of Sothwestern China in between Tibet, Myanmar and China’s Sichuan province.
The rooms are massive and decorated rather somberly with dark woods and large splashes of Chinese red lacquer and quilted curtains teeming with Tibetan flavour. The smallest room of the hotel, the Tibetan suite sprawls at 2,200 square feet and all the other rooms of the hotel are likewise on two floors.
The bathrooms are equally grand and spa-like in size, with more lacquer and tubs so large that …
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Jul|10|2010
Most Amusing Travel Quotes
Posted by Zahir as Reading Room, Trivia
Still hot on my quote trail, here are the most amusing ones that I’m sure you’ll enjoy as much as I have. Funny how the truth can tickle.
Robert Benchley
“In America there are two classes of travel – first class, and with children.”
Terry Hanson
“Now I know why they tell you to put your head between your knees on crash landings. You think you’re going to kiss your ass good-bye.”
Mignon McLaughlin
“Whenever we safely land in a plane, we promise God a little something.”
Carl Burns
“A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and
dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home”
James Michener
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”
Orson Welles
“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom …
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Jun|28|2010
Paris Pour Les Enfants
Posted by Zahir as Cities, Europe, Family
The famed city of lights has always been the favourite of lovers from all around the world. In fact, few cities can beat Paris‘ incredibly romantic streets, cafes and gardens – so much so that even the locals here are seen smooching all around town. So what better place to bring two lovers fruits of love (the kids!)? If Paris has never crossed your mind as the next family holiday destination, think again. It’s the land of some of the most charming children’s books – of the precocious schoolgirl Madeline and the regal elephant Babar, and the colourful Barbapapa (translated as candy floss or cotton candy) family.
In Paris, there are playgrounds in nearly every block, and the larger ones come complete with, manege (carousel), guignol (marionette shows), even pony rides and snack carts. Little ones will also enjoy the street performers at Montmartre, and …
Jun|18|2010
America’s Coffee Towns. Part 2
Posted by Zahir as Americas, Cities, Food and Drink, Historical
In the meantime, Starbucks under Schultz mutated into an operation of 2,000-plus stores. To San Franciscans, the coffee-as-image attitude is evidence that Seattleites aren’t as discriminating about good coffee as they are.
In San Francisco proper, Starbucks has 67 stores to Peet’s 10 and local chain Martha & Brothers’ five, and all 67 seem to be thriving.
So what does the way Seattle obsesses about good coffee and the way the Bay Area takes it for granted say about those two places?
To quote Baldwin: “It’s a question of experience and maturity, if you put it into human terms, the younger athlete, let’s say, is much more aggressive about asserting himself because he has something to prove. In the ’70s, there were just a handful of decent restaurants in Seattle, and no one came to Seattle to eat or shop or see what was going …
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Jun|14|2010
America’s Coffee Towns. Part 1
Posted by Zahir as Americas, Cities, Food and Drink, Historical
Seattle, San Francisco. These two jewels of U.S Pacific Coast have much in common: a reputation as the coffee lover’s Nirvana. So who is the real pro?
Though the cities’ caffeine societies are distinct, their pasts are intertwined. San Francisco has a tradition of good coffee that goes back at least as far as the 1899 opening of Freed, Teller & Freed, the oldest specialty bean roaster west of New York.
Peet was Dutchman Alfred Peet’s modest little roastery, opened in 1966 on Walnut and Vine in Berkeley, that became the real epicenter of the gourmet coffee boom that has engulfed the Bay Area, Seattle, and, mercifully, many former Maxwell House strongholds beyond.
It may be purely coincidental that many of San Francisco’s independent coffeehouses have a similarly well-worn, unhi-tech atmosphere. But it is no accident that the first Starbucks, …
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Oct|09|2009
Best Fall Destinations
Posted by Zahir as Around The World, Destinations, Nature
Fall is one of the best times to travel and visit destinations bursting with color. Unfortunately for those living in tropical countries, this season is not part of our daily lives. Then again, all the more reason to go pack one’s bags and discover the beauty of fall! So, where to go?
For those in Asia, Japan could very well be the best place to go in fall. The cherry blossoms in spring may be more popular, but there is no denying that fall offers a spectacular sight. The temples, shrines, and castles which are already amazing in normal color seem to be even grander when the foliage around them seem to be on fire.
In the United States, you can go practically anywhere to experience the best of fall, but a lot of people agree that …
Mar|06|2009
Nuances of a Vacation
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Americas, Around The World, Family, Features, United States
Last trip wore you out? Well, that’s all part of the game, and with any trip it just happens to be part of the whole experience making it memorable and enjoyable. From the planning stage, you are made to decide on several aspects of a vacation from deciding where to go and when, where to stay and what to do when you get there. With a large family, this quickly turns into a nightmare where decisions become more than challenging. Though we want all voices heard, we have to put out feet down sooner or later to get down and move on with the vacation. Booking flights is another worry for everybody wants the cheapest deals around. Planning where to stay is the next thing to consider and then what to do as you get there. This is the common …
Feb|11|2009
Refreshing New Jersey
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Backpacking & Budget, Cities, Destinations, Family, Food and Drink, Hotels, Luxurious, Romantic, Shopping, Spa, Tips, Travelogger, United States
New Jersey is known to have one of the most culturally diverse population in the whole US. People of different nationalities setting up shop creating a unique mix of food, culture, history and hospitality like a basket of fruits that all taste good. From the wonderfully relaxing beaches to the many leisure activities that can be enjoyed day and night comes the time when you need a bit of rest form all the exciting offerings the state has to offer.
from the Sea Isles to the other wonderful beaches many hotels and local inns abound to give tired souls a place to relax and recharge for another days adventure. Some of the best Jersey Shore hotels can be found near the wonderful beaches making it ideal for beach lovers and their families to have a relaxing …
Feb|07|2009
More from New Jersey
Posted by Zahir as Americas, Destinations, Eco-Friendly, Family, Getaways, Hotels, Nature, Resorts, Travelogger, United States
Heard about the wonderful beaches of New Jersey, well there’s more. New Jersey differs from most summer vacation spots due to an emphasis on family and the importance of being together. Need time out from the hustle and bustle of city life, give Sea Isle City a try and you’ll be amazed at what’s been hidden from most of us for so long.
Quiet and pristine beaches where you can wander along in peace. Love water, why not try the marina for some water sports. Golf, they have wonderful golf courses and much much more for the whole family. Most places claim to cater to the whole family but this is rarely the case. Here in Sea Isle City, we revolve around the family. From family businesses to time tested family recipes on our many restaurants. Sea Isle …
Feb|05|2009
All Bundled up along The Shore
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Americas, Cities, Destinations, Family, Features, Shopping, Travelogger, United States
New Jersey is considered to be one of the best vacation spots in the whole US mainly due to its diverse landscape giving you the whole deal in terms of activities to engage in. From skiing in some of the best slopes this side of the US, to lounging around in the perfect sands of some of the best beaches along with everything in between included, you get it all in New Jersey. Do you know that they have some of the best beaches in America along with the states of California and Florida? The Shore as it is called is the coastal area of New Jersey which is the best combination of natural beauty with regards to the surf and beach, to all the amenities of modern life, all in one place on the coast of New …
