Destinations for solo travelers in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a kaleidoscope of rich colors and flavors, where ancient temples lie hidden in lush jungles and skyscrapers tower over glittering, futuristic cities. If you’re planning on traveling solo in this part of the world, these are the top amazing places you can visit.

Hoi An Old Town (Vietnam)

Known for its lantern-lit streets and riverside buildings, Hoi An Old Town is located on Vietnam’s central coast. The historic district remains relatively untouched thanks to its UNESCO World Heritage designation, and cars are banned. However, most guest houses in the area offer free rental bicycles, which you can use to wind through the beautiful streets and alleyways.

Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

Angkor Wat is such an iconic part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage that it has appeared on the country’s flag since the 1850s. Originally built as a Hindu temple, the site has been cared for by Buddhist monks since the end of the 12th century and remains one the largest religious monuments in the world. Climb its intricately carved passageways for breathtaking views of the sprawling temple site, or if you’re looking to get off the beaten track, explore the surrounding Angkor Archaeological Park forests, full of monkeys and other exciting wildlife.

Luang Prabang (Laos)

In Luang Prabang (the former royal capital of Laos), crumbling French colonial architecture rubs shoulders with traditional Laotian wooden buildings, glittering palaces and ornate golden temples. It’s easy to see why this town was awarded its UNESCO World Heritage status. Rent a bicycle or motorbike and explore the surrounding area, or follow the winding roads up to the turquoise waterfalls in Kuang Si. Don’t miss the city’s gargantuan night market, which sells a variety of street food, souvenirs and locally made handicrafts.

Cameron Highlands (Malaysia)

Who says Southeast Asia has to be hot? At an elevation of 800-1,600 metres (2,600-5,200 feet) above sea level, the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia is temperate all year round, making it a perfect place for hiking. The region has a very distinct ecosystem, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, many of which are rare in the tropics. Its lush, rolling mountain slopes are perfect for tea plantations, which dot this verdant corner of Pahang state.

Read more: The best snorkeling spots you can find in Southeast Asia

Source The Culture Trip

Reasons why you should visit Bintan Island

Are you planning a romantic getaway and wondering if you should visit Bintan Island in Indonesia? If you are looking for signs as to why Bintan deserves your most sought after escapade, here are the 6 reasons why you should head to an island blessed with beautiful white beaches and year-round tropical weather.

It is conveniently located

Bintan is one of the largest islands of the Riau Archipelago in Indonesia. Depending on where you are going to in Bintan, the journey would likely take between 45 minutes to two hours. Meanwhile, the trip is about an hour when you are headed for the Bintan Lagoon Resort complex, which is situated in the northern coast of the island.

It is perfect for nature lovers

Bintan, an island about 2.5 times the size of Singapore in terms of land space, is inhabited by only approximately 300,000 people. Most of the island is occupied by lush forests, rolling hills, and pristine beaches, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with nature.
Join the day tour for an educational ride to learn about the different species of mangrove trees and observe the surrounding flora and fauna. For an unforgettable experience, embark on the night tour and let glowing fireflies and the sparkling blanket of stars lead the way.

A paradise of relaxation

Bintan is without a doubt the ultimate island to really relax and relieve stress. The Luxury Club Med Spa, operated by Osama is situated next to the water’s edge with a backdrop of pure blue skies. A range of stress-relieving massages and treatments are on offer for guests to truly indulge in relaxation.

Also offered at the resort is a range of wellness activities including yoga and meditation. Not forgetting that your Club Med Bintan Island holiday is all-inclusive too, which means that all of your flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, snacks, drinks and many activities are included in the price.

Experience rural life in Indonesia

Well-manicured golf lawns provide a backdrop to the highway as tourist shuttles course through the main highway. Bintan combines rustic sceneries and modern facilities and it was only recently that Bintan was developed into a resort town.

According to a local, it was only a decade ago that communities and fishing villages had electricity. They used to experience blackouts on rotation, a few hours daily.

Party from sunset to sunrise

Partying until dawn is among the de rigeurs in Bintan. Popular party spots include nightclub Silk Club in Bintan Lagoon resort, the outdoor La Luna Beach Bar at Nirwana Beach, and the Club Med and Banyan Tree resorts.

Read more: Top things to do in Lake Toba, Indonesia

Its wide variety of dining experiences

The cultural diversity of the island is mirrored in its culinary variety. Popular dishes such as carrot cake (pan-fried radish cake), fried noodles, and kuey teow (flat rice noodle) were heavily influenced by the Chinese.

Bintan, an island dotted by fishermen villages and bordered by 105 kilometers of coastline, is also big on seafood. The options are endless, ranging from black pepper crabs to garlic butter shrimps to the iconic gonggong (sea snails) and sup ikan (fish soup). Whether you are dining at established restaurants such as The Kelong Seafood Restaurant of Nirwana Gardens or local food places like Akau Potong Lembu and Rimba Jaya Night Market in Tanjung Pinang, fresh seafood is abundant.

Source Internet

Top 5 beaches you should visit in the Philippines

With over 7,000 islands making up the Philippines, you will certainly have a multitude of beaches to choose from. To help you find your slice of paradise, here are 5 of the best beaches in the Philippines. Each has its own unique characteristics and feel, so take a look and see which one is perfect for you.

Bounty Beach, Cebu

Lying along the southern coast of Malapascua Island and extending for quite some distance up its east coast, Bounty Beach is yet another one of the Philippines’ awe-inspiring beaches. While many people come to enjoy the picturesque shoreline and the island’s laidback way of life, Malapascua is known for its fantastic dive sites. Just as many visitors come to explore its underwater delights. Its colorful coral gardens are teeming with life; you can see all types of sharks in the surrounding waters, as well as sea turtles, manta rays, and shoals of fish. Consequently, it is one of the most popular places to go scuba diving in the Philippines. Bounty Beach itself also warrants a visit for its glorious white sands.

Nacpan-Calitang Beach, Palawan

The twin beaches of Nacpan and Calitang run parallel to each other, with just a thin strip of land separating the two. There aren’t many places like it in the world. Together, they form part of a peninsula that juts out from the west of El Nido. While Nacpan curves up towards the north and stretches into the distance, Calitang is much shorter in comparison, and curves down to the south. It is a very peaceful, secluded spot, lying around forty-five minutes away from El Nido Town. As such, it is the perfect place if you’re looking to get away from it all for a bit and relax on a beautiful beach or two. Dense jungle hugs the coastline, and due to the beaches’ remote location, you really do feel as if you’re on a deserted island.

Alona Beach, Panglao

Lying on the small island of Panglao that is attached to the larger Bohol by two bridges over the water, Alona Beach is one of the most idyllic beaches in the Philippines. The surrounding waters are home to loads of fantastic dive sites. While there are many great resorts, beach bars and shops nearby, Panglao is much quieter than Boracay and is more family-oriented in outlook. There’s a very laid back vibe to the island, and many scuba divers and snorkelers head to Alona Beach for the wealth of marine life that lies just off its shores. Appearing as if out of a holiday catalog, the beach itself is as charming as they come; its pristine white sands lie next to inviting tropical waters and shady palm trees that offer respite from the blinding sun.

White Beach, Boracay

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of the Philippines, White Beach on Boracay will make you feel like you’re in paradise. As the name hints, the sand is dazzlingly white. Coupled with the crystal clear waters and deep blue skies above, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more visually appealing beach. Hidden away amongst the palm trees lining the beach are loads of fantastic restaurants and bars for visitors, as well as some great shopping and lively nightlife for when the sun dips into the sea. White Beach regularly appears on lists of the best beaches in the world. In addition to the spectacular scenery, it has loads of watersports in the form of kayaking and parasailing – if you ever manage to tear yourself away from the sand.

Marimegmeg Beach, Palawan

Routinely lauded for its stunning scenery and array of beautiful beaches, El Nido in Palawan province is a delight to visit, and Marimegmeg Beach is just one of the many fine beaches that it has to offer. Lined by swaying palm trees, its white sands are bordered by glittering turquoise waters, and the incredible views out over Bacuit Bay only add to the perfect scene. Often referred to as Las Cabanas, due to the popular resort that lies along the beachfront, Marimegmeg is located just a short distance away from El Nido town, which makes it very convenient to get to. As well as lounging on the beach and enjoying a drink at one of its laidback bars, visitors can take an exhilarating ride on the zip wire that connects the coast to Depeldet Island; the views from up high are breathtaking.

See more: Visit the most beautiful towns in the Philippines

Source: Internet