Traveling through China with kids in tow is not what many would have envisioned for their next family escape. You probably have heard that the place is too crowded… the pollution un-sufferable… and all that culture and history is just “too boring” for the little ones.

With a population of 1.5 billion people, give or take a few million, it is a bit more crowded than we are used to, and air quality is a real problem, but with a little planning and an open mind, China could be indeed, a great adventure destination for the entire family. And yes, it is possible to combine 5,000 years of history with a little fun…

Where to Go?

There is a lot more to traveling to China than just seeing the Great Wall. This is such a vast land, it is a good idea to plan your itinerary with map in hand and consider what the different destinations have to offer in terms of your interests and activities to keep the children involved and out of trouble.

Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• Beijing, the Capital Beijing is a modern, energetic and dynamic metropolis which once saw the rise and fall of many imperial dynasties. The site of the 2008 Summer Olympics is home to China’s most famous historical sites such as the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square. To make the most out of your sightseeing try to keep a relaxed pace and incorporate activities to keep the kids entertained. The children will appreciate taking a break from temples, palaces and mausoleums to fly a kite, hire a row boat and paddle in one of the many lakes, ride rickshaws in the ancient alleyways or just simply slow down to bargain at the markets and check out some exotic foods. Beijing is also the starting point for your Great Wall expedition. But don’t just climb the Great Wall… take time to explore the watchtowers, bring a picnic, then toboggan down…
• Xian The army of Terracotta Warriors discovered by farmers in 1974 is what put Xian in the China tourist map. This collection of more than 8,000 life-size statues, all with unique features, is really an archeological marvel that the children will enjoy checking out. Besides the Terracotta Army, Xian has much to offer. The Xian City Wall is probably the best preserved city wall in China, so hire some bikes and zip around the entire perimeter. Stop now and then and watch as Chinese everyday life unfolds down below.
• Shanghai Shanghai does not have the historical treasures that Beijing has to offer, or the remarkable archaeological discoveries of Xian, but it is here that the sharp contrasts of an ancient culture trying to cope with progress are more evident. As the nation’s business and financial center, its futuristic skyline blends in with a touch of the old and the traditional in the many courtyards and gardens intermingled in the Old Town. Sail along the Huangpu River, where freighters cruise along barges, junks and sampans. And kids don’t want to miss the sleepy water villages… or the fastest trains in the world…
• Guilin and Yangshuo Take a break from the glitz and dynamism of the big cities and head over to the countryside. Kids will enjoy biking through small villages and rice paddies, cruising down the rivers in small bamboo rafts winding around spectacular gumdrop mountains or going for a short trek here and there. This is some of China’s most spectacular scenery and you will feel like you have been dropped in the middle of an ancient Chinese painting.

Regardless of where you choose to go, there are many fun activities you can incorporate in your sightseeing with the children: cooking lessons, tai chi or kung fu, maybe some calligraphy or Chinese painting… the possibilities are really endless.

Plan your trip, pack the kids and have a great time in China.

Miriam Hoffmann is the founder and website developer of http://www.china-family-adventure.com Visit the website for helpful tips on planning your trip to China with the kids, videos and picture galleries.

A swimmer’s paradise, a bird-watchers dream come true, and a great place for those who like to be outdoors. Lake Bunyonyi is a great get-away destination.

Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Africa and the second-deepest in the world,with locals saying the greatest depth is 900m in some places. It is one of the lakes in Uganda where swimmers are considered not at risk of bilharzia, a diseased caused by a parasite carried by snails.

The surrounding hillsides are said to look like the landscape described by JR Tolkien in his book The Lord of the Rings. The rolling hills have different shades of green, depending on what crop has been planted on them. Terraces of banana plantations, Irish potatoes and cassava dot the landscape.

With the beauty and availability of accommodation and food, Bunyonyi is fast becoming the destination for many backpackers and honeymooners. And these people on vacation are helping the local population.

But not all is good. There is shortage of land, especially for people living on the islands across the lake. Cutting down of trees to make charcoal has left many farmers with problems such as soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients.

Until recently, many people drowned on the lake. Canoes would overturn and people who did not know how to swim, would die. However, swimming lessons have helped increase safety on the lake.

There was a significant turning point and now nearly every resort, campsite or hotel on the lake is attached to a project to make its local community better.

For example, Byoona Amagara, a tourist resort on Itambira island, asks guests to donate sh1,000 each, before touring the island. The money goes to the Itambira Island Medical fund. Since many of the walking trails cross local residents’ property, the Byoona Amagara staff wanted to use the money to help the community.

Across the lake, Bwama Island, the largest of all islands, is home to the widows’ garden project, an arm of the Lake Bunyonyi Development Company. The widows’ gardens allow 85 widows from several sub-counties to farm, to get enough food for their families. Lake Bunyonyi Development Company hires land on behalf of the widows. The company also supports many projects using finances from Bushara Island Camp.

Other programmes include a school sponsorship programme, orphan care centres, agro-forestry, give-a-goat project, hospitality training, HIV/AIDS workshops, arts and crafts workshops and swimming lessons.

Originally a partnership between the Church of Uganda and ACTS, a Canadian aid organisation, Lake Bunyonyi Development Company began by giving tree seedlings to farmers to stop soil erosion. Currently, nearly all the hospitality workers at all the resorts around the lake owe their training to the company.

The first resort to benefit from hospitality training was Bushara Island Camp, which was began as just a place to pitch a tent with a small canteen providing simple meals.

Bunyonyi is developing in a way that will continue to be sustainable. And for the tourist looking to feast on the delicious freshwater crayfish, a speciality of the lake, helping out the community at the same time is pretty easy to stomach.

Accommodation/Activities

Getting there
There are regular buses from Kampala to Kabale (try Post Bus or Jaguar). From Kabale, it is a short trip by boda boda via Rutinda on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation

Byoona Amagara
A great restaurant compliments rustic cabins and dorms. Many backpackers prefer the open air geodomes (mosquito nets available). Rates begin at about sh14,000.

Bushara Island Camp
The original and still the best option. Bushara Island Camp offers furnished safari tents, cabins and treehouses, in the place of little birds. Rates from sh40,000.

Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Located on the mainland, around the corner from Rutinda market, this resort offers safari tents, chalets, and twin rooms. Rates from about sh 30,000.

Visitor activities

Bird watching
Lake Bunyonyi is a great place to see colonies of weavers, as well as bigger birds such as herons, egrets, the grey-crowned crane and the crested crane.

Island Hopping
Learn the history of the islands as you paddle or motor to visit them. Bwama Island was formerly the location of a leper colony, while unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned on Akampeine Island (Punishment Island) to either starve to die or be rescued by single men from neighbouring villages.

Visiting the Batwa
The UK-based Forest Peoples Project, a charity that works to protect the rights of the Batwa people, can arrange for you a trip to a local Batwa village. Tour-operators can also arrange these visits.

Shopping
For local produce including mud fish (for the brave) can be found at the Rutinda Visiting the local market especially on Monday’s and Friday’s. The Kyevu Market can be visited on Wednesdays and Fridays when pygmies are selling their wares.

Kala Calah Kiiza is an author and expert in travel in Africa her other articles can be viewed from Uganda tours and http://tour-uganda.com/primate-tours/wildlife-citytour-chimp-safaris.html

When choosing a vacation destination, Crete is one of Europe’s best. A Crete Island vacation is a safe vacation, good value for money and there’s a lot to see and do you wouldn’t expect.

From spectacular scenery in deep mountain gorges, to a sun-drenched crazy, club crammed resorts. From the home of the beginning of Civilization itself, to a balmy, palm laden beach that inspired a famous chocolate advert. From a unique Roman settlement almost forgotten by the world, to an awe inspiring ghostly deserted village once home to Europe’s last leper colony.

Crete has something for everyone, and should be your top European destination.

Safety on Vacation

Going to a foreign country can be a little scary, especially if the culture is different to the one you are used to. Also, many top European vacation destinations attract Europe’s best pick-pockets, muggers and thieves. Security and safety can be a constant worry for travellers.

Crete, on the other hand is one of the safest places to visit for foreign tourists, with a very low crime rate. If you are looking for a safe vacation destination, then you can’t get much better than Crete.

Value for money

Compared with other top European vacation destinations, Crete prices for accommodation and dining-out are very favourable. If you like a beer whilst watching the world go by, then forget the prices you’ll pay in London, Rome or the Spanish Costas.

As for the hard stuff, here on Crete they give it away free after your meal!

Samaria Gorge

This is one of Europe’s biggest canyons and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It is a challenging hike but well worth with its spectacular scenery, rare wild animals and flowers. Well worth the aching legs after the 16K walk -but you will need to be reasonably fit!

Spinalonga

Walk through the haunted streets and passageways once the thoroughfares for the last leper colony in Europe. Spinalonga is a small island just off the north coast of eastern Crete. It is said that the Greek government turned the island into a leper colony to scare away any lingering Turks after Greece gained independence from them. Until as recently as 1957 the Island was home to a unique community of lepers and their families. Now you can visit and see the houses, shops, the hospital and the church that was once the centre of life on the Island.

Knossos

This is the world’s most important and most famous archaeological site of the ancient Minoan Civilization. Said to be one of the world’s first. Palaces, mansions and houses of worship are revealed, some uniquely (and some say controversially) restored to what they would have looked like 5000 years ago.

Aptera

One of the most important archaeological sites of its kind, an ancient Roman Settlement and huge Turkish fort overlooking spectacular views of the Bay of Souda in western Crete. An almost forgotten treasure, worth a visit if only for one of the best views in Europe.

Vai Beach

This is a spectacular palm beach with pink sand, and Europe’s largest palm tree forest, located at the far eastern end of the Island. There’s a blue lagoon too, to add to the feeling of being on a Caribbean island. A real taste of Paradise.

If you are looking for a safe destination with something for all the family, then Crete is a top choice for your vacation.

Graham Yates is a writer and traveller from the UK. He now lives with his wife Alison on the Greek Island of Crete. Both like to share their insider knowledge and experience about Greece and her islands with others, by publishing articles and websites.

To learn more visit http://www.completely-crete.com/ and http://www.simply-santorini.com/

An independent insider’s guide to Greek island life.

With great street food, a vibrant nightlife, superb temples and a range of outdoor activities, the charming capital of Northern Thailand makes for a great escape. Here are some tips on how to spend the ultimate weekend.

Friday, 4pm: Arrive in Chiang Mai and head for the Rachamankha, (053) 904 111.

This small boutique hotel is located just behind Wat Phra Singh, and its design pays testament to Lanna arts and culture. The low-rise complex follows the tradition of an ancient Chinese courtyard, with an open space surrounded by lovely rooms and gardens. The tiled roofs, whitewashed walls and golden parasols are inspired by Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in Lampang province.

7pm: Travel from Thapae Gate to Nong Hoi neighbourhood, and sample the local dining scene at Lung Rad Kai Ob Fang restaurant. This is uncle Rad’s joint, a friendly beer garden and popular place to hang after work. Relax with a beer at a rustic wooden table under a thatched roof sampling such Lanna delights as sai ua (pork sausage), larb khom (bitter spiced mince) and om (bitter soup). Not to be missed is the house special, straw-roasted herbal chicken with a spicy dip.

9pm: It’s Friday night, and Chiang Mai is brimming with pubs and bars. If you’re in the mood to dance, try the Riverside Pub & Restaurant, (053) 243 239, beside the Ping River. This is a spacious venue with a fine selection of food and drinks and good live music from 10pm, so the dance floor is usually writhing with beautiful people. If it’s too crowded for you, head to Mandalay, (053) 208 395-8, a dance club with a wild streak.

Midnight: After sweating it out on the dance floor, you need to fill up before hitting the sack. Down a narrow lane beside Wat Saen Fang is a food stall known locally as Daeng Pak Ma (Daeng “the Bad Mouth”), a reference to its moody owner. Ignore the name, though. The stall serves excellent soft-boiled rice and tasty accompaniments. Personal favourites are the fried morning glory, and the salted egg with fried vegetables.

Saturday, 6am: You can’t say you’ve been to Chiang Mai unless you’ve witnessed the hurly-burly of a market. Head to the markets at Kad Luang, Chiang Mai Gate and Ton Lamyai, find a nice coffee stall, and watch the city spring to life.

9am: Chiang Mai City Museum (www.ChiangMaiCityMuseum.org), a short walk from Wat Phra Singh, takes you on a historic journey

back to the city’s origins. The

renovated town hall exhibits

artefacts that date from pre-historic times to Classic Lanna, from stone caves to golden teak-wood mansions. It’s open daily, except Mondays.

Noon: Time for lunch, and Rachamankha is a great place to eat. Porcelain from the Ming Dynasty on antique Chinese tables give an elegant air to the restaurant, but do check out the airy and leafy courtyard, where you can also wine and dine. Enjoy a glass of chilled champagne and savour a selection of authentic Lanna and Shan dishes.

3pm: On the east bank of the Ping River, southeast of municipal Chiang Mai, is the ancient town of Wiang Kum Kam. Established by King Meng Rai in the 13th century as a centre of Lanna, the ancient town was flooded, buried, and considered a “lost city” for centuries. The Fine Arts Department excavated it in the 1980s, and the ruins are well worth a visit. Take a tuk-tuk (Bt150) from Thapae Gate to Wiang Kum Kam or better still, rent a bicycle (Bt20) at the Visitor Centre.

5pm: Black Canyon, a coffee shop next door to Thapae Gate, is the best place to have a beer - or a coffee - and watch the world go by. The restaurant has a counter on the terrace outside its air-conditioned room, and the best seats are those facing the high wall of Thapae Gate, from where you can view an ever-changing scene of tuk-tuk drivers, street hawkers and backpackers.

7pm: If you’ve had enough sai ua sausage, nam-prik num (green chilli dip) and hung le curry, why not try the foie gras and fillet steak at Le Crystal? This riverside French restaurant also has an impressive wine list.

10pm: Your trip to Chiang Mai wouldn’t be complete without shopping, whether for woodcarvings, hilltribe clothes, paintings or silverwork. These and much more can be found all over the city until late at night.

Sunday, 9am:

After a bowl of rice congee and Chinese buns at Santi Restaurant at Chang Phuak Gate, it’s time to visit the temples inside Chiang Mai’s old town. Wat Chiang Man, Wat Saen Fang, Wat Phantao and Wat Phra Singh stand side by side, and they’re peaceful in the morning. Again, your best mode of transportation is bicycle.

Noon: Head to the corner of Singharat and Rachadamnoen Roads, and have lunch at Baan Laansa. Converted from an old wooden house, the pleasant guesthouse serves great fusion and Northern food. You’ll love the shady garden and easy-going ambience. Since it’s Sunday the Rachadamnoen Road will be car-free, so take the opportunity to finish up your shopping before heading back to the Rachamankha.

4pm: Fly out of Chiang Mai.

Phoowadon Duangmee

The Nation

The Rose Garden Riverside is blooming, celebrating its 45th anniversary by setting new benchmarks for high environmental standards in Thailand. Suchada Yuvaboon, chairperson of the beautiful complex in Nakhon Pathom’s Sam Pran district, says that the hotel’s main goal is to become a pioneer of sustainable tourism in Thailand.

“The management has been committed to the conservation of both the ecology and the culture of Thailand since operations began in 1962,” she says.

The push is now on, she adds, for local environmental developments to meet worldwide standards. To put the mission plan into action, the Rose Garden has launched a new policy with the theme “Take Good Care of Clients and the Environment”. In addition, she says the hotel will run ongoing activities to foster environmental awareness for local schoolchildren this year, alongside its well-established Thai-culture-themed projects.

Visitors to the Rose Garden Riverside find it easy to become immersed in Thai culture, says Suchada. She explains that this strong point of the hotel is also a key attraction for its clients, both leisure and business types, especially meetings and convention groups, as evidenced by recent visits from the World Orchid, World Allergy, and International Rice conferences.

The hotel has adopted the environmental guidelines of international networks like BlueGreen Meetings and Meeting Professionals International, and these cover not just its conference rooms but also all seven of its restaurants, 188 guest rooms and other areas in the 170-rai complex.

BlueGreen Meetings suggests that the first consideration for any convention organiser is the environmental sustainability ranking of the countries they are looking at. This is measured by the World Economic Forum (WEF) index. In the latest WEF list, which came out on March 4, Thailand is ranked 90th in the world, lagging far behind local competitors like Singapore and Malaysia, in 12th and 27th place respectively.

According to Suchada, the commitments have paid off, with a positive reception from local visitors and overseas guests alike, as well as recognition like the National Culture Commission award, graciously presented by HM Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn representing HM King Bhumibol.

Experts like Prof Thongchai Panswad, former president of both the Environmental Engineering Association and the Thailand Environment Institute, have been brought on board as advisers. He’s been joined by Neungpanich Sinchaisri, a former academic at Kasetsart University’s Department of Entomology, who will advise on gardens and flora, and MR Kasemvisuth Visuthi, a human-resources expert.

The Rose Garden’s director, Arrut Navaraj, points out that environmental issues in Thailand have drawn more and more attention internationally. If the country fails to follow up on its gains in the area, the tourism industry might see a downturn. Consequently, the Rose Garden is cooperating with the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Green Globe programme to develop environmental standards in Thailand in a project that should take a year to complete.

VIPASAI NIYAMABHA

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

It’s in central Bangkok between Chitralada Palace and the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.

It was originally a private garden with wild deer from Java, established by King Rama V, however, the Royal Family later donated it to the government to be operated as a private zoo and garden.

It was first opened to the public in March 1938 and named Dusit Zoo. Now it has more than 2,000 animals from both Thailand and overseas. It covers an area of 47 acres, which includes 12 acres of lakes.

People go to the zoo not just for the animals, but also to rent boats and to have picnics in the shade of the trees.

It can get very crowded at the weekends and long holidays, so if you wish to avoid the crowds visit during the week.

While Dusit Zoo isn’t as big and comprehensive as, say, Safari World, there is a large variety of animals that will keep any child amused.

And it’s cheap. The entry fee is Bt100 for foreigners and Bt50 for Thais and children (kids under 100-centimetres in height can enter for free).

One of the zoo’s highlights is the superbly entertaining Bird Show. It is held three times a day during the week, and five times a day during the weekend.

Though you have to pay extra, it only costs Bt20 for adults and children for Bt10 or free.

The zoo is clearly not just about animals. When we first arrived, we took a Bt20 tramride around the zoo to help us get our bearings. During our tour we saw several fairground attractions that were ideal for younger children.

The cost of rides varied from Bt10 to Bt20.

If you get hungry there are numerous places to snack or have a meal. There is even a KFC and a 7-Eleven.

Read the full version of this report on www.thai-blogs.com.

Xtra

if you go…Dusit Zoo is open every day from 8am to 6pm. Currently it is open several extra hours in the evenings for a Night Safari.Buses to the zoo include the ordinary No 18 or 28 and the air-con No 10.Call (02) 281 2000 or (02) 281 1039 for details.

Sorce: nationmultimedia.com By Richard Barrow

Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket Hotel has opened for business in the heart of famous Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand’s leading resort town. The new star is the latest property to join the growing global portfolio of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C).

Just in November, another Thai hotel, the Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel opened for business, showcasing the group’s newest premier 5-star brand to the Thai market.

Millennium Resort Patong hotel is owned by Phuket Square Company Ltd and managed by M&C. Phuket Square Company Ltd is the owner and developer of the Phuket Jungceylon shopping and leisure complex where the M&C hotel is located.( Jungceylon is the Portuguese original name for Phuket.)

In March 2006, Real Estate Capital Asia Partners L.P (RECAP) through Dolruethai Co.,Ltd acquired a 95 per cent interest in the Phuket Jungceylon project, a mega hotel and retail complex of two million square feet. RECAP is a private real estate fund in which the City Developments Limited Group (CDL) has significant interest with a US-based investment fund and other limited partners.

“The unique infrastructure and lush tropical surroundings at the Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket will present travelers a luxurious experience unparalleled by any other in the region. The landscape forms a vital element for the interior d้cor of this property. This urban resort will offer guests a taste of the modern Asian-Thai chic, blending both intimacy and sophistication in an exceptional location.

It is positioned as a leading resort in Phuket, designed in a contemporary Asian style with exquisite Thai touches,” said Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of the Hong Leong Group Singapore, which includes property giant CDL and London-listed M&C.

Conveniently located on Rat-Uthit Road at the intersection of Bangla Street in Patong, a popular area in Phuket, the Millennium Resort Patong, presents a conceptually unique infrastructure - this hotel consists of two wings known as the Beachside and Lakeside.

“For those looking to indulge, the Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket is an ideal intimate tropical hideaway for travelers. Whether holidaying with the family or enjoying an intimate escape for two, this urban resort set in Jungceylon offers a whole range of facilities and activities to suite every traveler,” said Mr Michael Sengol, Chief Operating Officer of M&C.;C.

Sorce: nationmultimedia.com 

The first will be a world record attempt in Chiang Mai on March 8 when 14 weddings will be registered aboard 14 hot air balloons drifting slowly above the city. The lucky couples, from all over the world, have been specially selected to participate in the “Viva Valentine Weddings in the Air” event.

The balloon wedding flight will act as a prelude to the second major event - The Chiang Mai International Heritage Festival. This is a three-day spectacular from March 7-9 held at Lanna Polytechnical College, next to Lanna Hospital

The Grand Opening ceremony will take place in the early evening of March 8. The festival’s highlight will be an international section created by members of the foreign community featuring attractive displays and native products, as well as amateur performances of songs, dances and other forms of entertainment reflecting their home country. There will also be a wide variety of local sights and sounds, including some of Thailand’s top showbiz personalities. Visitors will be able to enjoy a global presentation of traditions, national dress, music, handicrafts, and cuisine in an ambiance designed to promote goodwill between nations and to increase trade and boost tourism. 

Visit: chiangmaiheritage.com

Sorce: nationmultimedia.com 

Log on to www.KLM.co.th, choose your seat, print out your boarding pass from home and drop off your baggage at the Internet check-in counters in Row P. Then, head to Burger King (Concourse F) and sip your complementary 22-oz refreshment.

Internet check-in is available 30 hours before departure.

Mini joins the fleet

Holiday Inn Bangkok goes hip with the introduction of the small but stylish Mini Cooper to the hotel’s limousine service. Michael Kordys, pictured left, president of BMW Group Thailand, recently handed over the Mini to Brian B Connelly, regional general manager of InterContinental Bangkok and Holiday Inn Bangkok.

The Mini is part of Holiday Inn Bangkok’s marketing strategy and aims to add style to the hotel’s limousine service. Think the driver looks funny? You’re right! The “Mr Bean” look-alike is indeed the chauffeur of this new, chic limo.

Cleaning up the city

JW Marriott Bangkok recently joined the Erawan Group-initiated environmental cleaning project “Rob Baan Na Mong”.

The project aims to establish a community spirit in protecting a healthy environment around the hotel in lower Sukhumvit and also complements the core values of Marriott’s own “Spirit To Serve the Community” programme that is focused on protecting and developing the environment.

Fragrant rice in the park

Less than a century ago, there was no such thing as an iced drink and Thais cooled down in the hot season with khao chae - a set of delicious snacks served with fragrant, watery rice.

Today, there’s no need to suffer the heat but you still can enjoy classic khao chae. Check it out for lunch (Bt699/adult, Bt349/child) throughout April at ISO Restaurant, Nai Lert Park Bangkok, a Raffles International Hotel. Surrounded by a lush, leafy garden, the hotel is a short walk from Ploenchit BTS station.

Sorce: nationmultimedia.com