Destination 5: EUROPEAN CASTLES

When talking about the fairy-tale princesses and chivalrous knights

What is in your mind???

That must be the European Castles!!!

Castles were first built for defence against attacking armies of war torn feudal Europe and were necessary to help protect the villages and their lords.   Other than just built as protective fortresses, the castles also as the homes of feudal lords and kings that showed their wealth and status.

There is something about castles that inspires awe and at the same time touches a gentler, more romantic side in each of us. And if you want to visit some of the best castles in the world, then Europe should be your destination as this continent certainly has more than its share. Here are some castles in Europe, in no particular order.

ܤ Picture 1: Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany~ Christmas time ܤ

✾Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany✾

For those that see this castle for the first time, they will get a feeling that Castle Neuschwanstein looks so familiar. This is because the castle looks so much like the Disney castle in Florida! Castle Neuschwanstein has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

ܤ Picture 2: Night view of Mont Saint-Michel ܤ

✾Mont Saint-Michel in France✾

Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France that surrounded by water. It was originally designed as an abbey for pilgrims. It is even considered to be a medieval wonder, because of the fact that it is built on a rocky peak.

ܤ Picture 3: Peles Castle in Romania ܤ

✾ Peles Castle in Romania✾

Peles Castle can be discovered in the majestic Carpathian Mountains, near the town of Sinaia, Romania, between 1873 and 1914. Peles is known as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The 300 people that worked to its construction needed two years in order to finish all the arrangements. The castle has 168 rooms out of which only 35 are accessible to the public. 

ܤ Picture 4: Bojnice Castle in Slovakia ܤ

✾Bojnice Castle in Slovakia ✾

Bojnice Castle indeed one of the most impressive and romantic castles in Europe. It was built in the 12th century and it hosts one of the most beautiful and famous museums in Slovakia. The castle also offers other interesting attractions and hosts many festivals. If you wish to have a fairy-tale wedding like a princess in castle, now it is available for wedding and other ceremonies at Bojnice Castle.

ܤ Picture 5: Hohensalzburg Castle in Austria ܤ

✾Hohensalzburg Castle in Austria ✾

Hohensalzburg Castle was constructed in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard. The castles interior was richly decorated and intricate Gothic wood-carvings and ornamental paintings used to decorate the Golden Hall and the Golden Chamber.

ܤ Picture 6: Castle of Coco in Spain ܤ

✾Castle of Coco in Spain✾

Built in the 15th century by the Archbishop of Seville, the incredible Castle of Coca or Castillo de Coca is considered to be one of the best castles in Spain

ܤ Picture 7: Predjama Castle in Slovenia ܤ

✾Predjama Castle in Slovenia✾

Predjama Castle is a castle in a cave mouth. It is a popular destination in Slovenia. It was built into a natural rock formation. Predjama Castle has been rebuilt twice, after experiencing war and natural disaster.

Destination 6: PULAU LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA

Duty-free Island!!!!!!

PULAU LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA…

ܤ Picture 1: Pulau Langkawi ܤ

Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s best-known and most popular West Coast beach destinations. According to local folklore, Langkawi derived its name from the eagle or "helang". In old Malay, "kawi" denotes reddish brown, hence, Langkawi means reddish brown eagle.


✿MUST Visit Place in Langkawi✿

ܤ Picture 2: Langkawi Sky Bridge ܤ

Unlike straight bridges where you can see from the starting point, ✿Langkawi Sky Bridge✿ has been curved to provide different perspectives over the land and sea. Convenient triangular platforms located along the curved bridge provide rest areas so you can sit and appreciate both the beauty of nature and an incredible feat of engineering.

ܤ Picture 3: Langkawi Cable Car ܤ

✿Langkawi Cable Car✿

·         Location: Along Jalan Ayer Hangat, 9kms from Kuah Town, Langkawi

·         Highlights: Over 2,500 birds from 150 species

·         Significance: It is the largest covered wildlife park in Asia. 

·         How to Reach: One can easily reach here by hiring taxis, or by boarding buses from the island.

·         Open Hours: 9.00am – 6.00pm

·         Entrance Fee: Adult – RM12.00 / Child – RM6.00

 ܤ Picture 4: Underwater World Langkawi ܤ

Spread across nearly six acres, ✿Underwater World Langkawi✿ is one of the island’s best-known attractions. It is located at the southern end of Pantai Cenang, beside the Zon duty-free shopping centre. The huge white-washed structure houses more than 200 different species of marine and freshwater fish including harbour seals, rock hopper penguins, sharks, giant rays and the enormous Amazonian arapaima – the biggest freshwater fish in the world.

Opening Hours:
09:30 – 18:30 Monday – Friday
09:30 – 22:30 Friday – Sunday 

ܤ Picture 5: Sunset Cruise in Langkawi ܤ

✿Langkawi Sunset Cruise✿ is a mid-afternoon daytrip that takes you sailing on the Andaman Sea as you kick back and relax on board a yacht. The upscale adventure starts off at the Awana Porto Malai jetty; once on board, there is an open bar with chilled soda, fruit juice, wine, and beer. 

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00 

ܤ Picture 6: Langkawi Bird Paradise and Wildlife Park ܤ

✿Langkawi Bird Paradise and Wildlife Park✿ 

·         Location: Along Jalan Ayer Hangat, 9kms from Kuah Town, Langkawi

·         Highlights: Over 2,500 birds from 150 species

·         Significance: It is the largest covered wildlife park in Asia. 

·         How to Reach: One can easily reach here by hiring taxis, or by boarding buses from the island.

·         Open Hours: 9.00am – 6.00pm

·         Entrance Fee: Adult – RM12.00 / Child – RM6.00

ܤ Picture 7: Langkawi Eagle Square – Dataran Lang ܤ

✿Dataran Lang✿ is Langkawi's most prominent landmark for visitors arriving by sea. It's situated near the Kuah jetty and the main attraction of the square is the magnificent statue of the reddish brown eagle majestically poised for flight.
   

Dataran Lang is beautifully landscaped and features scenic ponds, bridges, covered terraces, and restaurant, making it the ideal place for those postcard-perfect holiday photos. Its close proximity to the sea and the soft breezes make it an ideal spot for leisurely walks and a tranquil setting for dining in the cool evenings. At night, the square is beautifully lit.

Opening Hours: 24 hours daily 

Destinaton 7：MALDIVES

It’s a HOT SUMMER!!!

Let’s have a PARTY at MALDIVES!!!!!

Welcome to a rare privilege. You are invited to relish the essence of the MALDIVES!!!

ܤ Picture 1: Maldives ܤ

ܤ Picture 2: Maldives – the way to paradise ܤ 

Maldives , also referred Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of 26 atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep Islands, between Minicoy Island and Chagos Archipelago. Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres above sea level, it is the planet's lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest natural highest point in the world, at 2.4 metres.

Maldives is a place to Love~ a place to Relax~ where noise and others, exasperation and hassles are a world away.

Maldives is an ideal holiday destination for the romanticism.  White beaches, all-year sunshine in bright blue skies, plentiful sightseeing opportunities and abundant land and water adventures make Maldives more distinctive than other island.

Maldives may be best described as most beautiful islands. For the water sports enthusiasts and for those who love sunbathing, Maldives is decidedly a paradise. Once you are in Maldives beaches, do not miss out beach hopping to have experiences of lifetime. Almost every island in Maldives has venues for swimming, snorkelling and catamaran rides – apart from scuba diving, surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, night fishing and sport fishing on tours to Maldives。

✾Activities in Maldives✾

        ܤ Picture 3: Surfing  ܤ

                                                             

ܤ Picture 4: Parasailing ܤ

                                                                                           ܤ Picture 5: Snorkelling ܤ

  ܤ Picture 6: Diving ܤ 

✾Maldives Resort✾

✾Maldives Restaurant✾

ܤ Picture 7: Underwater resturant at Conrad Maldives ܤ

                                                                      ܤ Picture 8 : Maldives Restaurant ܤ

Destination 8: MALACCA, MALAYSIA

City of History~

Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia!!!

Melaka's attraction is in its cultural heritage, around which a substantial tourism industry has grown. It is a place that wealth of history. In 2008, Melaka was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

Top 10 things to do in Melaka

ܤ Picture 1: Jonker Street ܤ

✾Jonker Street✾

Jonker Street was once renowned for its antique shops. It is very attractive place in Melaka that you must go before you leave Melaka. It is an open air night market held every Friday to Sunday from evening to late night. Have a leisure stroll along the street, observing the locals' life, catching a free performance and shop for some local souvenirs can be a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Many delicious foods are available at here.

ܤ Picture 2: A’Famosa Fort ܤ

✾A’Famosa Fort✾

A’Famosa is one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. It built in 1511, the settlement used to sprawl across a whole hillside but now only a lone gate (Porta de Santiago) remains.

A’Famosa is perhaps Malacca’s best known sightseeing spot. Originally constructed by Alfonso de Albuquerque (who led the Portuguese invasion on the Malacca Sultanate), the remains of the fort is now a crumbling whitewashed gatehouse and is located downhill from St. Paul’s Church.

ܤ Picture 3: Stadhuys Malaccaܤ

✾Stadhuys✾

The Stadhuys completed in 1660. Nowadays, it houses the historical museum. This is one of the oldest Dutch buildings in the east.

ܤ Picture 4: Christ Church Melakaܤ

✾Christ Church ✾

This church was built between 1741 and 1753. It replaced a Portuguese church, which was shattered. Bricks were shipped from Zeeland in the Netherlands. On the floor of the church you will find Dutch tombstones. It is the oldest protestant church in Malaysia.

ܤ Picture 5: Baba Nonya Heritage Musuem ܤ

✾Baba Nonya Heritage Musuem✾

Baby Nyonya Heritage Museum is a museum located behind Jonker Street that displays the history of the ethnic. Baba Nyonya are Chinese who adapt much of the Malay cultures since the time Admiral Cheng Ho settled down in Melaka. 

ܤ Picture 6: Night view of Malacca River ܤ

✾Malacca River ✾

You can take a River Cruise along Malacca River. The Malacca River is a popular tourist attraction primarily because of the 45-minute River Cruise that takes you all the way to Kampung Morten, past Malacca town and the settlements and bridges along the riverbank. A tour guide will highlight the interesting places!

ܤ Picture 7: St Paul’s Church ܤ

✾St Paul's Church ✾

Take a path up the hill and it will lead you to this church. It was originally built in 1521, by the Portuguese. It became a fortress in 1567, until 1596. After the Dutch siege it became St Paul's, before it was known as Nossa Senhora da Annunciada (Our Lady of Annunciation). It has been used as a burial ground for the Dutch. You can still see the tombstones, along the walls of ruins of the church.

ܤ Picture 8: Cowboy Town, A’Famosa Resort ܤ

✾A’Famosa Resorts ✾

Not to be mistaken with the historical monument, A Famosa, A’Famosa Resort is a place worth visiting for the whole family. The offers include an international 27-hole golf course, Cowboy Town, Animal World Safari, Water World Theme Park, Equestrian Club, Resort Hotel and much more.

ܤ Picture 9: Housing Style at Taman Mini Malaysia & Mini ASEAN ܤ

✾Taman Mini Malaysia & Mini ASEAN ✾

A unique theme park conceived as the summary of prominent cultural elements of the countries that make up ASEAN i.e. Malaysia, Thailand, Phillipines, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei. Explore the different types of traditional Malaysia houses representing 13 states.

ܤ Picture 10: Sam Suk Gong at Jonker Street ܤ

✾Shop for Local Products✾

Don’t forget to shop for local products at Sam Suk Gong or Tam Kim Hock. These are the two famous shops that tourists would love to go and carry home the MUST BUY local products like “shrimp paste” or “pineapples cookies” or “gula Melaka” or even the “durian candy”.