Holiday Ideas
With
the school holidays just around the corner, this is the time to bundle up your
children and pack your bags for some much-needed time off from stressful exams
and hectic work life. Not really sure where to start? Here are some holiday
destinations to pique your wanderlust and hopefully inspire your travel
decisions.
Asian Beaches
Those
unwilling to travel the tumultuous distance to some far-flung country can
consider visiting surrounding regions. Being nestled near the equator has its
perks. Most countries that are situated around Singapore feature tropical
weather all year round, making for great beach weather.
Some
of the world’s best beaches are right here. Bali and Lombok, both in Indonesia,
have beaches that are popular among young couples and families alike. For those
seeking a quieter experience, try Ko Lanta, a quaint and beautiful island just
70 kilometres from Krabi Town in Thailand. One of the most memorable beaches
worldwide, White Beach in Boracay, Philippines, features stretches of powdery
sand and clear aquamarine waters. It is almost picture perfect. The more
adventurous can travel further to Iho Beach in Jeju Island, which remains a top
choice among honeymooners as well as other Korean travellers.
Culture
Feast
For
the culture buffs, book a 12 hours flight to Paris, the capital city of France,
and immerse yourselves in its sophisticated aura that spreads over the city
like a thin blanket. Arts, music, museums, festivals – you name it, Paris has
it. Places that might be interesting to visit would be the Louvre, Musée Rodin,
Père Lachaise Cemetary, Notre Dame de Paris, the iconic Eiffel Tower as well as
the Moulin Rouge.
From
Paris, hop on the Eurostar and you will be bound for London within two short
hours. In London, you will want to visit the Natural History Museum, the
Buckingham Palace, grab a quick picture with iconic Big Ben and the London Eye,
just some steps from each other. For a sensory experience, go to the West End
of London, the central area of London that is rife with entertainment and art,
and book tickets for a play, or reserve a table at Gordon Ramsay’s prestigious
Petrus, which has been awarded two Michelin stars, for an out-of-this-world
gastronomic journey.
The
Outback…
If
you fancy a holiday that involves a bit of adventure like roughing it out in
the wilderness, then Australia is right up your alley. Filled with wildlife,
such as kangaroos, dingoes and various species of bird, the Outback is
definitely a place to go for animal lovers. Visitors to the outback usually
participate in organised tours, or you can choose to pay a rent for your own
set of wheels throughout your trip. Some popular destinations in the outback
include Birdsville in Queensland, Alice Springs in Northern Territory and
Coober Pedy in South Australia.
Go
Where Your Heart (& Pocket) Takes You
Saint
Augustine, a Latin philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Hippo Regius –
present-day Annaba, Algeria – once said, “The World is a book, and those who do
not travel read only a page”.
Travel
is an activity best enjoyed by the free spirit; so, keep an open mind and an
open heart and you will see more during your travels than you first intended to
see.
