Before You Travel: Planning The Perfect Family Vacation

Every family dreams of having the perfect impulsive family vacation. Images of happy children running across sandy beaches and laughing in the surf dominate almost all family vacation advertising campaigns. The fact is though that at the heart of every care free and stress less vacation is a plan that has been made meticulously and organized long before you jump in your car and head to the airport. In the planning stages of your next family vacation and want to ensure it is as perfect as possible? Here are a few hints and tips:

Proper Prior Planning

When you arrive at your vacation destination you can breath a sigh of relief: trained professionals will ensure that your luggage makes its way to your hotel room, that your children are fed and watered, and effectively that you have all the tools you need to have a good time. Getting to that point, however, is your job. That means planning before you even leave the house is key to enjoying a perfect vacation. First you need to think about money: what can you afford to spend on your vacation? This will determine where you can go and how long your vacation can be. How much spending money will you need to put to one side? Work out a rough budget of how much you think you will need to spend whilst you’re away and then exchange your travel money before you travel: this will ensure you get the best possible currency exchange rate and reduce your stress upon arrival at your destination.

Once you’ve dealt with these ‘grown up’ issues it’s time to involve your kids. Ask your family members what they want to do and gain from their vacation time. The more input you get from each family member, the better your vacation will be. Older children will be able to tell you each specific activity they want to enjoy whilst younger kids may simply know they want to see the sea: any input is massively helpful and will make you vacation that little bit more special. Want to make involve older children further? Then give them specific vacation roles. Children that enjoy photography, for example, can be made the official vacation photographer. Children with a passion for puzzles can be made the trip navigator, charged with deciphering the maps!

When to Travel

Once you’ve decided how you’d like to travel and where you’d like to go, you need to pick the right time of year to take your family vacation. The first factor to take into consideration when making this decision is how old your children are: if you have school-age children then you are tied into travelling during school vacation times, so that your vacation won’t have an impact on their education. This means you have to prepare yourself for travelling during the peak season when lots of other families will be on the road or heading to the airport. If you’re children are younger and not yet in a formalized school environment then you can avoid this scrum by travelling before the school vacations begin so that your journey and your final destination will be quieter and more relaxed. May and September are the ideal months for this, as the weather in most destinations is still clement.

Time To Pack!

Finally, it’s time to think smart when it comes to packing your suitcases. As well as a plentiful supply of sunscreen and weather appropriate clothing for each member of your family you should also think about what else you need to pack that will make your life a little easier when you’re on your vacation. For younger children quiet and distracting toys such as play figures and coloring books will provide a welcome distraction when boredom strikes. Easy to carry snacks are also a handy distraction and will prevent any hunger tantrums at inopportune moments. For older children remember to pack a plentiful supply of batteries to keep consoles and electronic devices powered for the duration of your journey. By anticipating the needs of each member of your family, you can ensure that your travelling time is as pain free and pleasant as possible.

Now you’re equipped with everything you need to start planning that perfect family vacation you’ve always dreamed of. What are you waiting for?

contributed by Susanne Goode

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On the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Ho Chi Minh Trail was used by North Vietnam to connect North and South Vietnam during the American war. Soldiers, ammo, and supplies were transferred on foot, by truck, by bicycle for hundreds of km (kilometers) through, if not, an impenetrable forest that enclosed Vietnam’s mountainous border with Laos. The trail has silently slipped away and been reclaimed by the forest since its disuse.

However, the latest road work that keeps the original areas of the trail has already changed this. Giving an awesome scenery of the deep Vietnamese terrain, riding or driving all the way through this trail allows one to enjoy the Khe Sanh battle site and DMS (demilitarized zone), and the captivating ancient trading town of Hoi An. Exhausted tourists can stay overnight in a traditional Thai hill tribe and may visit other tribal villages along the way. Here, we take you gradually through the motorbike tour program.

Day 1. Start the tour in Hanoi where you can appreciate a Hanoi city tour, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the “Uncle Ho” house and other well-known sights.

Day 2. Take a short bus drive to Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the border of Hanoi, wherein you can start motorcycle tour.

Here, tourists will be given a Minsks (a small motorcycle) and time to know how to use it. Once ready, you will cross 2 short mountain paths and descent to the mountain valley community of Mai Chau for dinner and an overnight stay in a stilt house.

Day 3. A tour heading South on a beautiful crooked road which follow the banks of the Ma River. The ride lasts a few hours, next to a wavy quiet road, before joining the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This freshly carved path leads southward close to the Laos border, before heading east approaching the coast and a night in the peaceful city of Vinh.

Day 4. The morning starts with a 40 minute ride inland towards the Laos border to the origin of Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien Village. The spot is a temple to the Vietnamese and visited by few travelers. Continuing on the quiet highway to Dong Loc Intersection, extensively regarded by locals as the start of Ho Chi Minh Trail, tourists then pass through secluded back country, close to the border, as the view increasingly becomes dominated by Karst limestone rock formations. For the overnight stop is Huong Khe Town.

Day 5. Tourists will be arriving in Phong Nha around noon to board a dragon boat to travel around the well-known Nature World Heritage Site of Phong Nha cave, and then proceed 30 kilometers eastward to the coastal town of Dong Hoi for an overnight stay.

Day 6. The next day’s ride will again be on the new highway, where tourists will have a brief stop at Truong Son National Cemetery to pay respects to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. After this, tourists will head to Dong Ha Town passing through Ben Tat Bridge which was built over the Ben Hai River.

On arrival in Dong Ha, tourists will check into a hotel and have lunch before going to the mystical Vinh Moc Tunnel and the well-known DMZ, Doc Mieu fire base and the historic Hien Luong Bridge in the afternoon.

Day 7. Continuing to West on Highway 9, tourists will go up to the Truong Son foothills. About 16 kilometer from Khe Sanh is the Dakrong Bridges and the road turns crooked and narrow. A bit more, tourists will come to Huang Hoa, once identified as Khe Sanh Base, which was recognized as a forward base by General Westmoreland close to Laos to secure Highway 9. About 3 kilometer from Khe Sanh is Ta Con Airbase. Eat lunch Khe Sanh before you take off across the well-known Dakrong River Bridge on Route 14, close to the town of Ta Rut, where tourists will stop for a visit with the Pa Co people and walk through their village.

Day 8. The highlight of the trip on this day is riding of the whole route. For the first 110 kilometers, enjoy your tour on one of the longest and most stunning route, immersed with stunning view of primitive forests backed by the grand Truong Son mountain range. There are two long tunnels and very little traffic. The next 68 kilometers from Hien to Thanh My, is a good road with some moderate climbs.

Stretch out in relaxation in Hoi An tow, an ancient Quarter well-known by its vital trading ports in Southeast Asia, and spend the night before transferring to Da Nang at the end.

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Available Vietnam Packages
10D9N Hanoi - Halong Bay Special Scenic Tour
3D2N Hanoi Free and Easy Package (SIC)
3D2N Saigon Free and Easy
4D3N Hanoi/Halong Package (PVT)

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Angkor: A Beginner’s Guide

The Angkor Archaeological Park can be appalling for the first time guests. Researchers have established that it is the largest preindustrial city, crossing over a thousand square kilometers. With over a thousand temples in its region, Angkor can take days to explore. Here is a simple guide for first-timers on how to enjoy this magnificent site.

Brief History

The Angkorian era was a term of the Khmer empire in Cambodia from the 9th to 15th century. The temples constructed in the initial stage were Hindu before the self-proclaimed “god-king” Jayavarman VII converted to Mahayana Buddhism and initiated a new building spree, which resulted in the capital city Angkor Thom. However, his heir returned to Hinduism and demolished many of the structures. Angkor, built north of river Tonlé Sap, boomed until Ayutthaya sacked the city in 1431. The Khmer people were then compelled to uproot to Phnom Penh.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Angkor is between November and February when the weather calms and is not as hot and dry as the rest of the year. In July, the rain will make visiting the archaeological sites an almost impossible task.

Getting There

Siem Reap is the entrance to Angkor, located a mere 20 minutes away via car. You can find lodging here. There are many forms of transportation going to Angkor. You can hire a car with a driver or a tuk-tuk for the whole day to bring you around the sites. This can be organized by your hotel or guesthouse. Try going on a bicycle tour and cycle from site to site if you are more adventurous. The sites are located 15 to 30 minutes away from each other and guarantee to be an unforgettable experience. You are obliged to buy a passes to enter the temples at the front gate. The ideal option is a 3-day pass, which costs around US$40, and grants you the freedom to see more without getting bored of the ruins. The 1- and 7-day passes are US$20 and US$60 in that order.

What to See

Angkor Wat
A tour to Angkor is not complete without visiting the world-acclaimed Angkor Wat. Actually, several guests gather to the area just to visit this magnificent structure exclusively, which has also been depicted in some movies. It is one of the biggest and most well-known temples in Angkor. One cannot help but speculate how the entire temple was constructed during that era – it is not only enormous in size but intricately decorated with carvings of gods and demons. Many guests opt to visit Angkor Wat before dawn to see the sun rise behind the temple.

We advise reading up regarding the site before visiting. You can get a graphic booklet from the Bayon Information Center at the back of Le Meridien Angkor Hotel for just US$5. In addition, it would be best if you avoid the tour guides at the entrance of Angkor Wat as they tend to ask for a high fee after bringing you around.

Bayon
Located in Angkor Thom, Bayon is a temple well-known for its sculptured smiling faces. Some claim that these faces were shaped after the king himself. In comparison to Angkor Wat, Bayon is a claustrophobic's nightmare. Its 216 faces are flocked in 54 towers, and will either soothe or distract you.

Other famous ruins to check out in Angkor Thom are Baphuon, the Victory Gates and the Elephant Terrace.

Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is a place where stone and wood comes together in mystical beauty. The temple was almost absorbed by the jungle when it was first discovered by the explorers. It has been trimmed for easier access. Ta Prohm may look small from the outside, but as you venture deeper into the temple, you will realize that it is in fact an enormous maze.

Ta Prohm has a special beauty that sets it separately from most of the other ruins. However, be prepared for swarm of people, especially in well-known scenic spots.

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Related Tour Packages:
3 Days / 2 Nights Angkor Wat Tour
4D3N Angkor Wat Discovery (SIC)

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Which Bar Suits You In Lan Kwai Fong?

Lan Kwai Fong is identical with Hong Kong’s nightlife. Located in Central, it is preferred by tourists and expatriates alike. On a weekend night, it is the perfect spot to sit in a bar next to the street and people - watch or dance away in a basement club. The street level is constantly bustling with activity and the night at all times appears to hold much promise.

The part, which contains D’Aguilar Street and the street named after Lan Kwai Fong, is lined with boutiques, bars, and clubs. However, with close to a hundred of them, it can get quite appalling to find a suitable bar or club, particularly when you are there for just a night. So we come up with a list of some of the best bars and/or clubs for you to choose from.

Magnum Club - For wild partying

This two-story club pumps out the best dance tracks, and sometimes it hosts international DJ acts. The entrance fee might make you flinch – it is usually a whooping HK$500 to get in – however when you stepped in to the club, you know you are in the party bliss. Young ladies dressed up to the nines dance on elevated platforms under an intricate chandelier with crystal stairways leading up to the second floor at the back. The DJ stays in his crystal booth turning records that make you want to dance. So dress up for a night of wild fun.

Stormies - For retro fun

Head over to Stormies, located at the top of D’Aguilar Street, for acheaper alternative. The bar pumps out the grooviest tunes from the 70’s and 80’s, and serves up potent Jell-O shots. It has a mellow feel with a mini dance floor in the middle for the customers to let loose and dance. There is no entrances fee, mainly because it is a bar with seafood restaurant on the second floor, however do not be surprised when the bouncer asks for identification.

Hong Kong Brew House - For a relaxed night

There’s a basement level in Hong Kong Brew House where a live band plays every Friday. You will understand the concept of eating peanuts and dumping their shells on the ground if you have been to No. 5 Emerald Hill. It has a great selection of beers that are fairly priced. In case that you are confused by the huge amount of beer types, go with a liter of Hong Kong Beer or Aldrich Bay Pale Ale. Hong Kong Brew House is as mellow as it gets in Lan Kwai Fong, this is the place to be if a night of loosening up is your thing.

7-Eleven - For tight budget

7-Eleven is the most packed place on any day in Lan Kwai Fong. This is due to the drinks are a fraction of the price of those in bars, and to start their night people head over for some pre-game drinks. Grab a beer or 3, open the bottle tops with the bottle opener provided at the counter and get some fresh air while socializing with locals and tourists. You will save about 90% when you get a beer from 7-Eleven than a bar.

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Best Angle for the Singapore F1 Night Race

It is that time of the year again when Singapore opens her doors to the arrival of tourists that are all excited to catch the Singapore F1 Grand Prix night race. If you do not desire being with massive crowds race-side at the tracks, but still want to experience a slice of the action, then here are some great places for you to check:

Marina Bay Sands: takes the cake with spectacular sights and open views of the Marina Bay Circuit.

The Swissotel Stamford: here’s another spot that is fast to sell out with rooms that offer views of the race so you can watch it in comfort and privacy.

The Fullerton: enjoy a beautiful meal by the water and relax in the ambiance of the race as it happens around you.

Yes, these hotels offer some of the utmost views and scenes for the F1 Night Race, but if the classy hotel location is not for you, then maybe you would like to try your chance with these instead:

The Singapore Flyer: This is a weird one, but it does offer you a bird’s eye view of the race for the duration of your flight.

Harry’s Bar at Suntec City: this does not really describe as a vantage point, however, if all you want is to feel the earth move under your feet as powerful machines roar past, then this is the place to be, with drinks, food, friends and the race on TV as well as just outside the walls.

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Ten Cities with the Best Coffee

If you are a coffee lover and enjoys sitting in cafes while on vacation or even after work then you have to include the following cities to your bucket list. These cities have a number of best coffee and coffee cultures. Once you have had experience of this, you cannot go back to your normal everyday coffee. Best to pack some home then!

Europe

1. Vienna, Austria
   UNESCO listed the Viennese Coffee House Culture in 2011 as part of Austria’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is not so much the coffee as it is the café culture. You think you have seen it all in Starbucks where students stay behind to study for hours. However, it is custom for customers in Vienna to stay on for hours reading newspapers and journals, playing cards, talking, and writing. With marble tables and Thonet chairs, Vienna has cafes with décor that you have always imagined European cafes to have.
2. Oslo, Norway
   The Norwegians have revived how people should be drinking their coffees. If you are up for something different, you have to try Norwegian coffee, particularly in Oslo. Dark roasts generally hide the quality of the coffee beans used, but in Norway, the coffee is roasted so lightly that you can taste how perfect the beans are.
3. Lisbon, Portugal
   When you are in Lisbon, do as the Portuguese do; order a Bica coffee. Bica is mostly an espresso shot with sugar. The coffee beans are roasted in a low-and-slow technique that truly emphasizes the flavor. The cafés are all beautifully decorated too.

Americas

1. Sao Paulo, Brazil
   Most of the coffee in the world comes from Brazil. It produces about a third of the world’s coffee. If you are a coffee addict, you can visit Sao Paulo, which is rich in coffee culture. You will absolutely find the perfect cup of coffee here.
2. Vancouver, Canada
   Vancouver is the city in Canada that is gone crazy for coffee. You will spot coffee nearly all over the place; there is more than a Starbucks on most every interchange and small cafes in secluded neighborhoods. By applying Clover, vacuum-pot and cold-brew methods, the baristas emphasize the best taste in first-rate coffee beans. So do not simply settle for chain coffee – search the area and new coffee choices.
3. Havana, Cuba
   In Havana, Cubans are heavy coffee drinkers, it is essential in almost each part of their day, in the mornings or after meals. You have got to drink coffee during your visit to the city as it is part of their culture. Try the Coradito, which is espresso with steamed milk, or the Cafe Cubano, which is espresso with sugar added while it brews.
4. Portland, Oregon
   The community in Portland takes their coffee very seriously. And by seriously, we mean they hold an analysis regarding the coffee’s flavor profile and notes. Just like wine connoisseurs about wine. Some small cafes have taken to roasting their own coffee, so do not be surprised at the selection of coffee that you can find here. Where Seattle’s coffee scene is bustling, Portland’s is cozy and welcoming.
5. Seattle, Washington
   Known globally as the motherland of the coffee giant, Starbucks, Seattle’s people drink more coffee than anyplace else in America. With 35 coffee houses to 100,000 residents, you cannot walk for more than a block in this city without passing one. And you do not just find the biggest coffee brands here; the independent cafes serve mean cups of coffee too.

Asia Pacific

1. Melbourne, Australia
   Melbourne has emerged into the coffee capital of the Asia Pacific, with many declaring it has the best coffee in the world. The baristas here have experimented with and invented many brewing techniques to make the cup you have been looking for all your life. This is another city on the list that has cafes almost everywhere you turn, so skip the chain cafe and head to an independent café instead.
2. Taipei, Taiwan
   Taiwan always had coffee as part of its national heritage, focusing on slow brewing techniques that make its coffee so good, one cup is never enough. Of course, only the best coffee beans are used. Taipei’s coffee culture is vast like many of the cities listed here, but it has a slightly different vibe from the rest that’s worth checking out.

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