Phuket is known for its idyllic beaches with soft sands, azure ocean waters that are perfect for water sports, exotic culture steeped in history and thrilling nightlife that let you party the night away; an island paradise does not get any better than this! A visit to this enchanting island would not be complete however, without sampling the delectable delicacies that are on offer which let you experience rich and distinct flavours. Those wanting to combine sampling local cuisine with some culture can visit when one of the local food festivals are taking place. The most popular of such events is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival that usually takes place in October. Spanning for a period of around nine days, this unique and colourful festival is …

Luxury is the middle name for the United Arab Emirates and luxury with Anantara spans at a whole new level. So come stay at the new Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara that gives you a truly fascinating taste of this Middle Eastern wonder. Combining the vastness of the dessert with sheer style, this is certainly one of the finest of all Abu Dhabi hotels. The Anantra has here in the city made itself one of the finest luxury hotels Abu Dhabi can now finally call its ultimate host. Music, Dance and a 100% pure entertainment: that is what the city of Al Ain is so famously known for. Like other parts of the United Arab Emirates, the city of Al Ain portrays its rich diversity and …

Dubai is a vibrant city having rapidly developed to become a leading tourist destination. For travellers including those who are staying at luxury hotels and resorts, preferably of a luxury hotel group such as Raffles, there is plenty to see and do in the region. Festivals held in the city bring about a spirit of harmony and excitement. With a culture rooted in Islamic traditions, Dubai mainly celebrates religious festivals such as Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. However the world famous, Dubai Shopping Festival has achieved continued success over the years attracting visitors from all corners of the world. Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring …

A laidback, sleepy, sheep-farming valley turns into a passionate wine making arena during the annual Gibbston Harvest Festival in Queenstown, New Zealand held in March on the third Saturday of the month. It does not fail to attract everyone from professional connoisseurs to simple wine appreciating enthusiasts to indulge a taste of the exquisite produce made by small boutique wineries, local vineyards and many a fine food establishment that are spread about the area. The festival is celebrated to mark the harvest of wine from Gibbston and to salute and toast the spirit of the community that has turned itself into a high profile winemaking body! This festival not only celebrates the Central Otago wines and the grape harvest produced by vineyards and wineries in …

The dawn of a new year is usually celebrated once in a year, but that is not the case in Cambodia. In this land filled with rich history and a mix of cultures it is celebrated three times! The capital city Phnom Penh is in the middle of all the activity during the celebrations of the International, Chinese and Khmer New Years’ days in Cambodia. The most important of all three for the Cambodians, is the traditional Khmer New Year, which falls around the 14th of April according to the Buddhist calendar. This falls in with the end of the harvest season and the community gives thanks to the gods for the plentiful crops with rich feasts and celebrations. Many city dwellers retreat to their …

Sri Lanka travel is made easy by Jetwing Travels which offers a variety of Sri Lanka tours. This tropical island is not only blessed with natural beauty but also boasts a rich culture and history which are reflected in various local festivals. Most of the festivals are either national or religious and are celebrated in grand scale. Each April, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is held which incorporates a range of age old traditions. Perhaps the biggest religious festival in the country, Vesak is celebrated all across the nation with much fervour. Deepavali, Ramazan and Christmas are also among the festivals observed in the country.       Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has …