Asia travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

The ritual of bathing has never been more sublime that at the new, stylish Hoshinoya resort. This is no traditional hot spring. Hoshinoya sits firmly in twenty-first century. Green geothermal energy supplies the underfloor heating, and the surroundings ate seriously contemporary. Dark wood and stone floors replace the familiar tatami mats. Photo by: terururu
Continue reading Relax at Hoshinoya

Should you be given the distributing news that you are officially dead, do not panic. You have probably just tied your yukata (house robe) right over left – kimono speak for ”deceased”- and need to retie it. More than 300 years old, Hiiragiya Ryokan is a historic inn that is widely regarded as the pinnacle of style and traditional hospitality. Look closely and you will see the wooden hitching posts, used by traveling feudal lords who arrived on horseback, on the long clay walls. Such grand arrivals might e a thing of the past, but theater comes with the territory, and thanks to the six generations of the same family, service is as sharp as samurai sword. Photo by: Rob Gruhl
Continue reading Hiiragiya Ryokan

On the northern border of Thailand, a resort unlike any other has successfully merged luxury and adventure in place of legends. After a long flight and much driving along the picturesque rice paddies, Anantara feels like forever away. Luckily the reward is soon evident: beautiful exotic gardens and views stretching across the mighty Mekong River to three different countries. Photo by: Michelle 217
Continue reading Anantara Elephant Camp

The Penang Global City Centre is a project located on Penang Island, Malaysia. The design is centered on the idea of creating a new image for the city of Penang. Resembling a sci-fi city, the area will be crowned by two sixty-story towers housing luxury residential units and five-star hotels. Also the complex includes the Penang Performing Arts Center (PenPAC), a high world-class entertainment complex, an observatory, a vast public arena and more….
Continue reading Penang Global City Center

The one-time capital of Russia, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, is like a living museum where white is recurring theme. To live out those Dr. Zhivago fantasies, visit in winter when a dusting of snow covers the city’s golden cupolas, whereas in summer, the sun shines all night during the ‘‘White Nights”. Magical, full of history and charm, the Venice of the North’s highlights include the Winter Palace, home to the Hermitage Museum’s amazing three million pieces of art. Spoil Yourself and book into the Kempinski Moika 22 overlooking the Hermitage. Located in a traditional St. Petersburg mansion, it dates back to 1853, during the reign of Czar Nicholas I. Photo by: heini-pdm
Continue reading Kempinski Moika 22

Beach Rotana Inn is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi (Dubai) and is a 30 minute drive to Abu Dhabi International Airport. The hotel has in its vicinity famous shopping malls, commercial district and exhibition centre.
Continue reading Beach Rotana Hotel – Abu Dhabi

The National Art Center is a unique and innovative art exhibition facility. Opened in 2007 in Roppongi, Tokyo.
The facility has 47,960 m of floor space on a 30,000 m site with four stories above ground and one below. Access is from Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.
Continue reading The National Art Center, Tokyo