Known for its pristine sun drenched beaches and exciting water sports, the island of Sri Lanka offers the perfect coastal getaway. This enchanting tropical paradise providing many exciting experiences that take you on a unique journey of discovery, as you learn more about the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage as well. A great destination to visit the whole year through, Sri Lanka is also an ideal place to herald in the New Year. Spending the 31st of December on the coast is well worth experiencing and one of the best locales to do so is in Negombo. Located along the West Coast, Negombo is conveniently situated near the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake making it a great base for those entering and leaving the …

The Spring Lantern Festival is enthusiastically celebrated in China, neighbouring nations and by the Chinese diaspora around the world. In Hong Kong it is an occasion of joy and relaxation, when all sections of society unite to celebrate the event as one. The festival which occurs on the15th day of the earliest month of the lunar calendar falls on the final day of the New Year festivities. The event is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day as couples take the opportunity to spend cherished moments together on this occasion. In times past single people would try their hand at matchmaking pursuits on this special day. As you might expect on this night a myriad of lanterns are constructed, with innumerable colourful lanterns adorning storefronts, …

In Hong Kong Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration of the year but New Year’s Eve, December 31st, is not far behind and is celebrated with countdowns, fireworks displays and much partying. One of the most crowded New Year’s Eve venues is the countdown at Times Square. If getting jostled by thousands of people is fun, then this is the venue for you. Live music makes the waiting bearable and taking along something to eat and drink will definitely enhance the experience. When the time is right everyone joins in the countdown after which a four minute multi coloured fireworks display bursts overhead and there is much hugging and celebratory handshakes around. The fireworks display over Victoria Harbour is what the whole world associates …

The Golfing World and community is one that is star studded and attracts a large number of glitzy celebrities from around the world. The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai is one such event that is the final stage for the top 60 winners of the European Tour Race to Dubai series. Formerly the circuit featured an Order of Merit series from which the top 60 went on to compete at the Volvo Masters. The DP World Championship is the replacement of the Volvo Masters since 2009. Sponsored by DP – a well known shipping Company which is based in Dubai, the Championship began in 2009 and has continued annually ever since. The top 60 contenders battle it out over a period of 4 days for …

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 …

FIFA’s Under 17 Football World Cup will be hosted by United Arab Emirates in 2013. The event is scheduled to take place from the 17th of October and will go on till the 18th of November. This year there are around 24 international teams competing for the title of Under 17 World Cup Champion. According to the FIFA website 52 matches will be played during the course of the three weeks that the World Cup will be held. The UAE has planned for this event since 2012 and there are six stadiums that will host the matches scheduled including Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Fujairah Stadium and Al- Ain Emirates Stadium. National teams representing the African region are Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tunisia, while strong …