Rising above Pulau Melaca

SITTING atop the 14th floor of a 30-story development, this first-of-its-kind waterpark combines ultramodern innovation on a new reclaimed foreshore of Melaca, a UNESCO city, which already makes the area a tourist draw with its rich heritage and cultural attractions currently with 16.5 million tourists per year..

Splash World Theme Park is part of an ambitious, US$198 million project being built off the coast of Pulau Melaka, Malaysia, by Hatten Group. Designed as a unique holiday destination for the entire family, Splash World comprises multiple entertainment options on a tropical, manmade island in a strategically located city just three hours' drive from Singapore and two hours from Kuala Lumpur. The building itself - shaped like a towering, giant cruise ship - pays homage to the area's historical beginnings as a port city.

Eleven of the rides at Splash World are extreme waterslides offering breathtaking speeds and sharp, sudden curves. The total length of all slides combined is more than 1 km with more than 2,000 square meters of leisure river alone that flow at 3 km per hour and include a wave ball and torrent river for added adrenaline excitement.

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Picture Credit: spettacolopuro 24113168@N03/3873746187 standing tall.. via photopin

Go deep in the Maldive's without getting wet

 EXPLORE UNESCO waters in DeepFlight’s first 3-person Super Falcon 3S: the pinnacle of personal submarine technology. On May 3, the Four Seasons Resort #Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru became the first place to launch submarine excursions in DeepFlight’s most advanced model yet.

In a world exclusive, DeepFlight Adventurestake up to two guests on a once-in-a-lifetime sub-aquatic "dive" exploration of the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Landaa Giraavaru’s Baa Atoll home.

With a professional pilot at the controls, passengers can skim over coral formations; fly through shoals of brightly coloured fish; encounter creatures such as turtles, sharks, dolphins and rays; and explore the Maldivian waters down to a depth of 120 feet (37 metres) – all without getting wet.

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San Antonio celebrates Tricentennial in 2018

SAN ANTONIO makes National Geographic Traveller Best of the World List - San Antonio, which draws more than 34 million visitors a year, was one of three U.S. destinations listed. Also honored were Cleveland, Ohio, and Oahu, Hawaii.

#sanantonio will be celebrating its 300th birthday throughout 2018. It has recently enjoyed a string of notable accolades, including recognition from Conde Nast Traveler, Fodor’s and Frommer’s, all naming the city as a must-visit #destination. In October, Travel + Leisure named San Antonio one of the friendliest communities in the country.

Already home to the only World Heritage Site in Texas, San Antonio also was honored earlier this month when UNESCO named it a Creative City of Gastronomy for its mix of culinary cultures. San Antonio is only the second U.S. city to receive this recognition.

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Visit the Ecuadorian Amazon with explorer Benedict Allen

NEW for 2018, Steppes Travel has launched an exclusive ‘Wildlife and Communities’ experience travelling to the Ecuadorian #Amazon with British explorer Benedict Allen. The adventurer will guide guests on a ten-day holiday into the #rainforest on the luxury boat Anakonda, sharing stories of his adventures in three informal lectures. Highlights of the trip include canoeing down the Amazon River in the UNESCO listed Yasuni National Park, and meeting indigenous tribal communities to learn about local culture.  

www.steppestravel.com

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San Antonio designated creative city of gastronomy by UNESCO

SAN ANTONIO'S culinary heritage is significant for its confluence of many world cultures such as Mexican, Spanish, German and French, as well its geology and geography.

Drawn to San Antonio’s river running between the coastal plains and hill country, for 13,000 years indigenous people foraged roots, harvested pecans and hunted game. Trails and river ways brought trade with other groups who introduced gulf coast game. In the 1700s, Spanish colonists and Canary Islanders introduced new traditions and tastes. Other new flavors, spices and ingredients from Europe, Asia and Africa came with German and other European settlers in the 1800s.

Today the city’s culinary scene has since blossomed in its richness, with chefs honoring and celebrating its culinary heritage through preservation and innovation. Beyond the famous River Walk and historic walls of The Alamo, San Antonio’s culinary scene has historically been firmed planted in blends of Tex-Mex, but has now progressed to “Tex-Next.”

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Tunisia's on the up as Brits return

TUNISIA recorded 1,527,891 tourist arrivals, up 46.2% from January 1 to May 20, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016 and on July 26 , the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) lifted its advice against travel to the majority of the country including Tunisia’s main tourism attractions.

#Tunisia is less than 3 hours flying from the UK with daily flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports to Tunis. It is a year-round destination blessed with 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful landscapes and beaches, world-class golf, great food and the Sahara Desert.

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Caves of the Ice Age become 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany

THE UNESCO World Heritage Committee has included a new site to its list: the caves of the Ice Age in the Swabian Jura in Baden-Württemberg. More than 50 artifacts mostly made of bone and ivory, were discovered in six caves in the Ach- and Lonetal. These archaeological sites and prehistoric works of art from the Ice Age allow researchers to draw conclusions about the earliest traces of human settlement. 

Visitors to #Germany will experience the works of the Ice Age in various historical #museums in Baden-Württemberg. The Prehistoric Museum Blaubeuren is a central museum for the Paleolithic period of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It displays, among other original finds, the "Venus vom Hohlenfels" and three flutes of the Ice Age. At various locations, visitors can not only marvel at the objects, but also try working with stone tools. 

The museum of the University Tübingen displays a 40,000-year-old figure of a horse made of mammoth ivory, called “Vogelherdpferd“, and a cave named “Vogelherdhöhle“ is part of the archaeological park Niederstotzingen. Other artifacts from the era of hunters and gatherers are on display in the permanent Stone Age exhibition of the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart.

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Picture Credit: whc.unesco.org

Conquer Snowdon

20 miles over 1 mountain. You’ll begin your journey at sea level from within the UNESCO World Heritage listed Caernarfon Castle before climbing steadily through the beautiful landscapes of Northern Wales with some obstacles along the way. 

Once you’ve braved the elements and descended from the summit of Snowdon, you’ll then face the ‘All Out Vertical Kilometre’, a guided abseil, and a series of land and water based obstacles designed to test what strength remains.

Find out more about Man vs Mountain

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UNESCO status for the Lake District great for tourism

THE news of the UNESCO status for the Lake District has been welcomed with open arms from many in the tourism and travel industry. Pitchup.com, which features camping and glamping sites in the Lakes has reported that bookings in the region are up 72% year on year over the last three months.

Commenting on the news Pitchup.com founder Dan Yates said: “The news of the UNESCO World Heritage Status for the Lake District is fantastic for the leisure industry and tourism. It means that one of the UK’s most loved National Parks will now be protected forever, for future generations to enjoy. For businesses operating in the area this status is going to raise interest and appeal and we’re anticipating a strong drive on bookings to the area.”

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Americans to set sail for Cuba

HOLLAND America Line has received approval to begin sailing to #Cuba from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting with the Dec. 22, 2017, 12-day holiday #cruise aboard ms Veendam.

“For many, travel is about seeking new places to explore and discovering meaningful new cultural opportunities, and Cuba is one of the most sought-after new destinations for many of our guests,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We are excited to finally be able to include Cuba in our itineraries, and our guests and travel partners have been anxiously awaiting a premium cruise experience to this relatively undiscovered Caribbean treasure.”

As leaders in destination immersion and experiential travel, Holland America Line adds Cuba to its itineraries in order to provide guests with a thoughtful cultural exchange experience. Most itineraries include an extended call at Havana, allowing guests the time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and immerse themselves in a wide array of historical and cultural adventures. Additionally, a stop at Cienfuegos presents the opportunity for a special visit to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cuba’s province of Sancti Spíritus.

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Growing Interest from US in High-End Travel to Vietnam

DESTINATION Asia #Vietnam recently hosted a series of high end retail travel agent trips from the US following growing interest in this market for luxurious encounters with an infusion of local adventure.

For many agents it was their first visit to Vietnam and Destination Asia wanted to expose the ‘real’ essence of the country. Using unrivalled local knowledge, we were able to connect the agents with a broad range of local experiences that the everyday traveler would never discover on their own.

The groups visited a range of destinations including, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An in central Vietnam and the capital Hanoi. The UNESCO World Heritage area of Halong Bay was also on most itineraries. It was a great opportunity for Destination Asia Vietnam to showcase their new 2017 range of ‘local gems’ which include sampling a range of local cuisine (prepared by traditional vendors) from Pho and seafood pancake to locally brewed ‘craft’ beers and rice wine. Another hit was the Vespa food tour through districts of Ho Chi Minh where only locals frequent.

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Japan's Most Sacred Mountain

MT. KOYA, one of Japan’s most sacred sites, in 2015 celebrated 1,200 years since its esoteric Buddhist dojo was opened by Kobo Daishi Kukai. Kobo Daishi was motivated by the desire to educate people who would work for the happiness of others and pray for eternal peace and security for the country and society.

Still today Mt. Koya is one of Japan's premier training centres for Esoteric Buddhism with dozens of temples, gardens, and old growth trees. Kobo Daishi is believed to still live here, sitting in eternal meditation in an elaborate mausoleum. On Mt. Koya you can immerse yourself in the mystical world of Japanese Buddhism while staying in one of the dozens of temples.

Things to do on Mt. Koya:

Spend a night in a temple
Temple lodging or shukubo, as they are known, are a great way to experience a quieter, simpler, more spiritual life. A stay includes vegetarian food, an early rise, and participation in morning Buddhist services. The most famous place in Japan for shukubo is Mt. Koya, where about 50 temples offer lodgings. eng.shukubo.net.

Hiking
The area around Mt. Koya is known as the Kumano region and it is packed with sacred places. A network UNESCO World Heritage listed pilgrimage routes called the Kumano Kodo lead to these isolated spiritual hot spots. Along the trail are quaint accommodations and soothing hot springs, including the Kawayu Onsen in Hongu, where hot mineral waters bubbles to the surface of the river.

Ajikan Meditation
At Kongobu-ji Temple on Mt. Koya, you can practice ajikan meditation in Japan’s largest rock garden, which is ordinarily closed to the public. Ajikan is a form of breathing exercise and meditation practiced in Shingon Buddhism. Meditate in tranquility amidst the pure aura of Mount Koya, still the mind, and leave your busy life. Monks are on hand to guide beginners, so this is an excellent addition to your visit to Mt. Koya. Find out more here, www.koyasan.or.jp.

Shakyo Sutra Copying
Studying the Heart Sutra intently is said to lead to enlightenment. A Kongobu-ji Temple you can join a shakyo session to copy this sutra one character at a time, paying close attention to the meaning contained in every word. If you focus your entire action on this task, you will forget idle thoughts and still your mind. The activity is recommended as a way to develop a tranquil, bountiful state of mind. 

Flower Arrangement
Kobo Daishi teaches us that, ‘We are but one part of the universe, and all plants, animals, and sentient beings have the same life. We must live together in harmony with that around us.” Bringing out the life force and vitality of flowers and understanding their true nature is at the essence of Koyasan Flower Arrangement. Classes are available on Mt. Koya, but also in Osaka and Tokyo.

Forest Therapy
Forest therapy is a program that lets you regain your energies amidst the natural beauty, scents, sounds, and textures of the forest. Witness nature with your five senses as you unwind. In addition to being designated a World Heritage Site for the sacred areas and temple roads along the Kii Mountains, Mt. Koya was also been designated a forest therapy site in 2007.

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Picture Credit: By baggio4ever, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56537425

Rainforest Resort

ANSE Chastanet is set amid a lush 600-acre estate with two soft-sand beaches and breathtaking views of St. Lucia's twin Pitons mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Amidst St. Lucia's lush tropical beauty, activities range from jungle biking, hiking and bird watching to snorkeling on the reef within swimming distance of the beach. 

The environmentally friendly, award-winning resort comprises 49 individually designed rooms, 37 of which are scattered about a lush hillside, and 12 that are nestled within a tropical garden at beach level.  

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Japan: UNESCO World Heritage Tour

VISIT a staggering number of UNESCO World Heritage sites on this fascinating and insightful journey through Japan's unique cultural and natural heritage with Battered Suitcase. The tour offers unbeatable flexibility, as departures can be arranged for anywhere in the world.

Explore the landscape, geology and architecture of #Japan, a land laden with cultural gems, as you spend time travelling around historically significant UNESCO sites in Tokyo, Nikko, Takayama, Kyoto and Nara, zipping your way from place to place using Japan’s renowned world-class rail services.

Your immersive visit will include the famous “gassho-zukuri” farmhouses in Gifu, with their steeply pitched roofs constructed without nails like hands in prayer, and Nikko National Park’s UNESCO-listed Toshogu shrine complex. 

Along the way, you’ll also get the chance to marvel at the ornamental beauty of Nijo Castle, dating from 1603, in Kyoto, and pay your respects at the Peace Memorial Park, created at the site of ground zero of the atomic bomb dropped on the 6th August 1945, in Hiroshima.

www.battered-suitcase.com

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Picture Credit: wallyg 70323761@N00/5810082473 Nikkō: Tōshō-gū - Five Storied Pagoda via photopin.

23 newly discovered caves in Ha Long Bay to be named

THE 23 caves have been added to the system of local caves following a field survey at Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bays in late 2015. The caves, together with 30 saltwater lakes, will be soon opened to tourists. Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bays are home to 59 caves, including 23 new discoveries, of which 19 are greeting tourists.

Ha Long Bay, which spans 1,553 square kilometres and houses 1,969 islands of various sizes, was twice recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000. Together with the neighbouring Bai Tu Long Bay, they form a tourism complex with thousands of islands, considered among the most valuable biological and geographical assets of the country and the world.

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Picture Credit: Nathan O'Nions 50523792@N03/14479294904 Ha Long Bay, Vietnam via photopin

All things Irish

IN honour of St Patricks Day here is a list of the top ten natural attractions to visit in #Ireland. Perfect for lovers of the outdoors Ireland has much to offer from clifftop walks, UNESCO world heritage sites and incredible marvels of nature.

1. Cliffs of Moher

2. Ring of Kerry

3. Giants Causeway

4. Skellig Islands

5. Aran Islands

6.Glenveagh National Park

7. The Burren

8. Connemara National Park

9. Glendalough

10. Cooley Peninsula

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