One of the most spectacular festivals in the Thai calendar is without a doubt the Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand’s very own “Festival of Lights”. Hundreds of glowing lanterns illuminate the sky, giving the entire nation a magical ambience. Enjoy the intriguing aspects of this beautiful Chinese festival, which goes all out in making this event memorable and truly special. During Loy Krathong, the locals perform a series of symbolic rituals, each quite interesting to watch and even more exciting to try out. The festival is believed to bless you with a fresh start as you wash away bad memories with the flames that sail away into the sea or up onto the magical night sky. The Loy Krathong falls every year on the full moon …

The UAE celebrates its National Day collectively for two days from the 2nd of December. It commemorates the 1971 ending of a treaty signed with the UK in 1892 and the decision of seven separate sheikdoms of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Kaimah to unify forming the present country also in the same year. The National Day celebrated in all the emirates usually starts on the final day of November if there is a long weekend involved. The lead up to the big day is celebrated with a series of free public events such as hot air balloon rides, concerts by khaleeji performers, falconry competitions, regattas, carnivals, art shows and night markets. On the day itself residents across …

If you are looking for a unique way to ring in the New Year 2014, why not head over to paradise in the Maldives? No matter which of the excellent Maldives luxury resorts you choose to stay at, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable auld lang syne. Collapse into an elite Maldives villa after partying into the New Year, where you’ll be well pampered and spoiled at the Baros Maldives. All of the hotels dotting this charming tropical archipelago have a grand itinerary prepared to give all guests an utterly unforgettable party beach December 31st. The rarity of this once-annual event means that all New Year celebrations can be quite pricey, but you will be treated to perks such as a grand gala dinner and free flowing champagne to toast good …

Christmas in Maldives is truly a joyous one. Maldives luxury resorts celebrate it best but for a more intimate and sublime celebration, choose a Maldives villa such as the Baros Maldives. The whole archipelago clothes itself in Christmas attire for this glorious festival in colourful strings of fairy lights, tinsel, various baubles and decorations. The streets are busy as natives go out to buy gifts for their loved ones to gift to one another on Christmas day. Embellished pine branches and Christmas fir trees decorate households during this time of the year which is usually filled with much joy and laughter. Another popular activity that goes on at this time is the purchasing of new cloths for going to midnight mass on Christmas day. Many families go out and …

The Dubai Air Show has been proven to be an amazing success as it was hosted even in 2011 and drew in a crowd of over 50,000 trade visitors. There were 960 exhibitors at the previous show and media personnel from across the world flew into Dubai to witness the event. The features of this year’s event are bound to attract a lot of people as there will be a Future’s Day showcasing colleges and academic institutions where you can pursue a career in aviation. Prominent aviation institutes will come in on the last day of the event and discuss career paths available and inspire young people to join the industry. Another spectacular feature of the 2013 show is the Green Project. A separate section …

Kuwait is one of the many upcoming nations in the Middle East that comes alive with activity at several times during the year. With an array of shows and exhibitions lined up for the eager tourist, it really comes as no surprise that visitors fall in love with this place. One event that comes out as a favourite for many is the Autumn Consumer Festival. It is an exhibition designed to showcase the latest trends in everything that a shopaholic loves and ensures that the fair is jam packed from the day it starts to the day it is wrapped up. The Middle Eastern reputation of being a ‘Shopaholic’s Paradise’ is reinstated at this vibrant festival in Kuwait. Here you can find a range of …

As December draws near, the spirit of Christmas seeps into people’s hearts with shopping malls decorated in Christmas colours: red and green, the sidewalks slippery with frozen snow and a general feeling of excitement in the air. Traditional Christmas celebrations will involve decorating a Christmas tree, leaving out cookies and milk for Santa, hanging of stockings on the chimneys and of course, cradling cups of hot chocolate in an attempt to insulate oneself from the cold. While this form of Christmas has its own intrinsic charm, opt for a different experience this December and make your way down to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate your own tropical Christmas. Although the main demography of Indonesia is composed of non-Christians, Indonesia celebrates Christmas as a holiday with pomp …

Christmas is a time of joy and festivity, where loved ones all gather and celebrate. The season is magical, and the joy and the Christmas spirit can be seen and felt wherever you celebrate this wonderful time of the year. But if you are tired of Christmas being spent in the cold, it is time you experienced a beautiful ‘White Christmas.’ No, not a Christmas spent surrounded by white snow; a Christmas celebrated on the white sands of a tropical beach in Indonesia! Although Christianity isn’t the primary religion in Indonesia, the locals know how to celebrate the season! During the month of December, the streets of the islands are decked out in lovely, twinkling fairy lights and hundreds of people take to the streets …

A traditional holiday of great importance, the Chinese New Year also known as the Spring Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar which typically falls on February. Ascott Beijing is a luxury apartment in Beijing which is known to provide comfortable Beijing accommodation right at the heart of the city from which you can observe the numerous customs and traditions of this time honoured traditional festival celebrated not only in China, but also in a wide array of countries like Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore. Chinese are known to sweep their houses thoroughly to sweep away any ill fortune on this day and to make room for good luck to come in. it is a period of great joy and festivity where …

Whoever says that Christmas isn’t complete without the steady fall of snow and the cold temperatures clearly has never experienced the magic of the breath-taking Christmas celebrations in Singapore. Although the weather is warm and tropical during the months of December, in Singapore the magic of the season greets you wherever you may visit in Singapore. Full of things to do and places to see, Christmas in Singapore is a truly magical and marvellous time of year. Singapore is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year, but during the month of December, the festivities and Christmas spirit make it truly spectacular. To see streets beautifully lit up in dancing and twinkling fairy lights, the best place to visit is Orchard Road. This …