Monday, December 15, 2014

Independent Travel as opposed to Group Tours

Tourists may be undecided concerning traveling independently or traveling with a group tour the first time they visit a destination, and the two choices have their advantages and disadvantages.
 
Independent travel is perfect for tourists with a daring soul and is able either alone or in small groups. It lets tourists to progress at an unhurried movement and to better submerge them in the local culture. Crowds with an exceptional perception in wonders or happenings must perhaps stay as an independent travel; by way of no expanse of tour customization is able to defeat wandering solo with simply time and a travel guide book available. Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore arrange individual and group travels.
 
In many countries, natives are willing to assist independent travelers discover their way.
 
Small group tours, on the other hand, have their own advantages. Initially, they permit tourists to cover many grounds in a diminutive period of time. Since transportation is already prearranged and the groups are guided by regional specialists, group tours can be an excellent technique to bag in many wonders in a slim time frame. One more advantage to group tours is that they bid safety and security more especially against scam and fraud. The significance of this may appear unimportant when arranging a tour to Jakarta Indonesia, but it be able to be pretty significant when thinking a trip to destinations off of the compacted trail.
 
Let’s see some instances. Given that a traveler is thinking a tour to Spain. Anyone can depart individually and devote one or two weeks relaxing on the beaches of Barcelona and discovering the adjacent cities of Valencia and Girona. It might be loads of fun, getting to distinguish the diverse tapas restaurants and finding out favorite bars and museums.
 
Saying that similar traveler, though, desired to acquire that two weeks and stopover on the top destinations in all of Spain, a group tour would perhaps be a better notion, as per travel logistics are much more complex when touring many cities. Unquestionable, the tourist would merely have shallow information of any one destination at the conclusion of their tour, however if the impression of going to Spain deprived of staying Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla and San Sebastian is intolerable, it is a choice.
 
In one more circumstance, countries like India or Russia are ideal samples of destinations where it’s stress-free to tour with a group than individually, both for logistical and security causes.
 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Best boat journeys

Tired of your usual destinations such as in the cities like Jakarta, Indonesia, Milan Italy or Disneyland in HK or US? Then upgrade your travel interest and try the best boat journeys!


Halong Bay, Vietnam


Dipping on the emerald waters of Halong Bay and going from end to end its 3000-odd limestone islands is purely beautiful. The small islands are spotted with beaches and grottoes shaped by wind and waves, and have thinly forested hills buzzing with bird harmonies. There are more than 300 boats based at Bai Chay Tourist Wharf anticipating to sweep you away to the World Heritage waters. Day tours continue from four to eight hours, however overnighters are moreover available. No tourists ever had complaints regarding their trip.


Amazon River, South America


From its unobtrusive basis in the Peruvian highlands to its mouth near Belém in Brazil, the Amazon River determines more than 6,200km (3,853mi). Its movement is 12 times that of the Mississippi, and it transmits one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. String up a hammock on a slow boat amongst Manaus and Belém in Brazil or Trinidad and Guayaramerín in Bolivia. Its boundaries are packed with jungle or settlements, and your slow boat can take wherever for almost a week.


Franklin River, Australia


This place is not for the faint-hearted, rubber-rafting down the wild Franklin River is a stimulating and, at times, dangerous undertaking. The remote wilderness of Tasmania’s World Heritage area guards ancient plants and endemic living being. Retrieving it by boat can merely be completed between December and March, and needs eight to 14 days – simply qualified rafters are appropriate. Rafters typically access the erratic river – particular to fits of flooding – at Collingwood River (49km or 31mi west of Derwent Bridge) and end at Gordon River, having planned a pick-up.


Quetico Provincial Park, Canada


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Paddling lengthways the smooth surface of Northern Ontario’s unspoiled lakes sets you smack in the middle of the Canada's signature wilderness. Bring together canoeing and camping to perceive moose wandering at the water’s edge or drop a line for a place of sport fishing. The 4,800-sq-km (1,853-sq-mi) park is recognized for its withdrawn canoe routes (1,500km, or 932mi, of them), and there are chances for directed and self-guided raids in and everywhere at the park.


Kerala's backwaters, India


The set of connections of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals that outlying the coast of Kerala makes for more or less captivating explorations. The plain little wooden boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes dotted with cantilevered fishing nets, and tour from end to end shady canals. A common eight-hour cruise runs amongst Alappuzha and Kollam, which consist of a mooring at the Matha Amrithanandamayi Mission – the house of one of India’s very limited female gurus. Read reviews for more information on Kerala's backwaters, India.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Best Asian Countries for Food


Thailand
Settled at the crossroads of India, China and Oceania, Thai cuisine is similar to a best-of of all three’s techniques and ingredients. Dishes usually go in hard with garlic and chillies, particularly the phrik khii nuu variety, which exactly interprets as ‘mouseshit peppers’. Other signature ingredients consist of lime juice, coriander and lemon grass, which offer the cuisine its distinguishing tang. Renowned fish sauce or shrimp paste looks after the salt.

China
On or after back-alley dumpling shops to four-star banquet halls, China has one of the world’s best tastes. Cultural principles of Yin and Yang (balance and harmony) are obvious in the bowl: with food for the day counting cooling foods like vegetables and fruit to defy warming spices and meat. The Chinese admire rice however as well pick noodles, with one or the other nearly at all times escorting a meal. A variety of regional specialties exist, variously inspired by geography and history.

India
India’s variable gastronomy vicissitudes form as you transfer between neighborhoods, towns and states. The foundation of all meals is rice in the south, and roti in the north. These are in general joined with dhal, vegetables and chutney. Fish or meat may as well be added. Whatever the ingredients: the dish generally covers a heady cast of exotic spices that mark the taste buds stand up and take remark. Warning, most Indian food is spicy.


Japan
If you can cloak your tongue around saying the menu, Japan’s cuisine is a most satisfying mouthful. Many Japanese restaurants distillate on a forte cuisine, like yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken or veg), sushi and sashimi (raw fish), tempura (lightly battered and fried ingredients) and ramen noodle bars. The highpoint of Japanese cooking, kaiseki is resulting as an assistant to the tea ceremony), merges ingredients, preparation, setting and ritual over more than a few small courses to differentiate the gentle art of eating.

Indonesia & Malaysia

Yes it isn’t a fraud when they say that Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines are one big food switch: Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, colonists and traders have all prompted their ingredients and culinary ideas. They are nations well characterized by their food. The profusion of rice is characteristic of the region's luxurious terraced landscape; the spices are evocative of a period of trade and invasion, and burning chilli reverberations the people’s urge. Indonesian and Malaysian culinary are not multifaceted, and palates here stay distinct, humble and considerable. You can taste authentic Indonesian food in the heart of the city of Jakarta.


Thursday, December 4, 2014

Explore the famous Chocolate Heavens



WESTHILL CONSULTING, TRAVEL and TOURS, INC. provides services such as booking, tour facilitation, travel documentation and other related services not just SE Asian countries such KL Malaysia, Bangkok Thailand, Jakarta Indonesia and many more but worldwide as well.

Mexico: Warning! This South American nation has an alluring effect on a nook set of travelers who enjoy things raw and rustic. The Mexican attraction is way yonder what you saw in the movies. The final aphrodisiac blossoms in Oaxaca situated in South East Mexico. The traditional method of chocolate production is still running smooth here and the locals identify it the ‘drink of the gods’. Chocolate is a sort of beverage here as well.

As a traveler, you can look into Calle Mina in Oaxaca where you will stumble across a horde of chocolate factories and Abastos Market that is full with artisan chocolate stalls.

Switzerland: Lucky to be blessed by the mighty presence of the Alps range, Switzerland is a preferred destination for tourists from time unidentified. Chocoholics, however realize it to be eye-catching for their own conferred interest. The chief activities that he/she targets begin with a ride in the Chocolate Train that passes over some of the most distinguished chocolate hubs in the country. Then forwards, there are many other things to do in the itinerary of a chocolate lover that comprises a visit to the Maestranin Swiss Chocolates Ltd, Alprose Choclates Museum, Versoix Chocolate Festival. Then if you get to take a chocolate bath in Geneva, your trip is whole and successful.

Belgium: Speaking of chocolate, you cannot dare miss out Belgium. Together with the capital Brussels, the whole country is a chocolate hub with overwhelming stuff in copiousness in Bruges, Halle Eupen chocolate shops. Brussels is home to the Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat (Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate) and is adorned by some world class chocolate creators like Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, Godiva, Léonidas and Planète Chocolat. Being a tourist and a chocolate lover, you need to taste the Belgian praline, complete of thick chocolate layer with a soft center.

Once you are finished with the chocolate tasting in those chocolate farms, you can relax a bit in the Wittamer Cafe in Sablon district of Brussels while having complaints why you can’t have more than you could chew! This family-owned chocolate-making make is in the business for more than 100 years. Enjoy delicacy!

Eurochocolate, Perugia: The Italian region of Umbria is the home to a well specimen of chocolate centenary as its capital Perugia crowds the Eurochocolate each year. Like any other of its type, Eurochocolate is also a lively event with fascinating exhibitions, conclusions and the most appealing chocolate discerning.

Noto, Sicily: Warmly called the “garden of stone” for the paradox and individuality of its churches and palaces, Noto, in Sicily is the home where you must be if want to taste chocolate made exclusively of cocoa, sugar and spices. The shops here are filled with wild strawberries and almond to enhance the local savor to your chocolate.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Budget Bali and Lombok

 There is more to Indonesia than your favorite destination Jakarta.

BALI

Good Karma Bungalows
A long existence local legend on Bali’s north-east coast, Good Karma lies at the foot of the sacred volcano Gunung Agung, the island’s highest peak at 3,031 meters. The sand here is volcanic – in actual fact the beach in front of Good Karma is of smooth black pebble. The attraction is the snorkeling and even though it is one of the lowest priced places to visit in Amed, Good Karma brags its own private little cove, with a lovely reef right off the beach – big schools of bumphead parrotfish regularly feed here. If you’re fortunate, Balinese owner Baba will be present – he’s an ultra-Zen creature who likes to work out in the homemade gym he’s put together in a cave just behind the resort. Read reviews to see what others have to say. The airy beach huts are astonishingly cool as soon as the fans are buzzing, and hammocks summon reading marathons. Baba’s Japanese wife takes charge of the day-to-day consecutively of the place in addition to serving up a killer katsudon together with Balinese fare. Drive half an hour up the coast to Tulamben and you can scuba – or skin-dive the well-known Liberty shipwreck. Selang Amed Bunutan Karangasem, Amed. 



LOMBOK

Alam Gili Bungalows
Gili Trawangan is one of three tiny islands just off Lombok, Bali’s easterly neighbor. Swish villa resorts now push with the cheap beach cabanas that were formerly the norm here. However Gili T recalls a castaway vibe, thanks greatly to a restriction on motor vehicles and dogs as to its coconut palms and white sand beaches. Those in the know head away from the rush of the chief drag choosing as an alternative for the silent north coast and Alam Gili, a tranquil little oasis with six bungalows and a sumptuous suite for families. Vernacular Balinese architecture – volcanic stone covering, tortuously imprinted teak doorways and crafty decor – stretch the place a wealthy feel. And the Balinese food is outstanding; you can never have complaints about it – if you want a modification from the unbelievable pizzas helped just down the beach at Coral Beach II. Rent bikes for about £3 per day, or take a old-style cidomo horse and cart for a night on the town. There’s great snorkeling off the beach, with green turtles and sometimes white tip sharks traveling among the corals. 

Manta Dive Gili Air

If you need to actually kick back, take a beam through to tiny Gili Air. Minus the associated party vibe of Trawangan, Air is the flawless home to sink into a tropical torpor, continued by the holy trinity of cold beer, wood-fired pizza and snorkeling. Manta Dive allows you do this in comparative lavishness, with its coconut wood cabanas, created after old-fashioned lumbung rice barns and set behind the resort’s restaurant. The sumptuous cottage even comes with satellite TV. Manta’s Anglo-Indian owners set up in Trawangan in 2000 and improved establish the Gili Eco Trust, which runs environmental projects – from waste management to one of the world’s largest coral reef regeneration programs. Diving’s clearly the attraction – the whole thing from mantas to morays can be discovered close, and more a rich mix of hard and soft corals. However Manta Dive works just in addition for doing nothing at all. For more budget tips just visit Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours Asia Jakarta Bangkok Hong Kong.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Dance and Drama Unfold the Mixture of Culture and Religion in Bali

Don’t you just love Jakarta Indonesia? Why not visit Bali and fall in love with this wonderful place as well. Cultivated in temples, princely courts and villages, Balinese dance has enthused into the world podium, conveying gratification to people from widespread regions.
 
Balinese dance forms are certainly solemn and graceful. The town of Ubud in Bali is essentially well-known as a center for dance performances. Read reviews and see how amazed previous visitors were but would advise you to be careful with scams.
 
Whether they execute it for tourists or a temple ceremony sight one adores certain access to dance presentation every day in central Bali. Dance is indissolubly connected with Balinese religion elegant like blood in the veins of the populations.
 
Bali dance performers are completely devoted to the pleasure of Gods and furthermore bid that entertainment quotient. Gambuh, wayang wong and topeng are essentially dance dramas, Legong is the classical dance performed in the princely court, Gambuh is the oldest identified dance drama in Bali. The wayang wong is a dance drama, a very exciting one where the dancers play the roles of shadow of puppets and dance their to the fullest.
 
Currently commences the traditional Barong, a classic presentation which portrays the fight between the good Barong (a lion-dog creature) and the evil Rangda (widow witch). To witness this dazzling performance one has to go to Batubulan.
 
Kecak Dance is a fast nonstop dance and the best part is that this dance is executed without any music. Legends say, it is believed to drive away evil spirits. Balinese dance forms are certainly considerable for their lyrical grace. The performances drench one into the charming foot tapping dance terrene.
 
If you want to learn more information about Bali or decided to visit the place check out WESTHILL CONSULTING, TRAVEL & TOURS, INC. provides services such as booking, tour facilitation, travel documentation and other related services SE Asian countries and worldwide.
 
 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Cheap Escapes for Your Long Weekend Visit in India

Are you tired of your usual getaway in SE Asian countries like Singapore, or Jakarta Indonesia? Try India! Here is Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore’s tips on cheap getaways for your long weekend visit in India.

Panchgani
Panchagni, implies the place of five hills, it is an exceptionally stunning hill station situated in Maharashtra. The impressive hill station is about 247 km from Mumbai. This splendid hill station covers numerous traveling attractions. The climate stays stable and enjoyable all through the year. You will never hear complaints from visiting tourists because of its beauty.

Major Attractions are Table Land, Pratapgad Fort, Mount Malcolm, Kamalgad Fort, Mahabaleshwar Temple

Shirdi
One of the most top rated and has the most reviews pilgrimage spot in India is Shirdi. The small village is well-known for the reason that Sai Baba spent about 50 years on this land. Samadhi Mandir is the main charm of this village which invites thousands of devotees and travelers each year.

Major Attractions are Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamayee Masjid, Chavadi, Khandoba Temple

Manali
Manali is about km 550 km from Delhi, is commonly famous as the Switzerland of India and is one of the most lovely hill stations in India. If you intend to take go through of heaven on the earth then you should visit this place.

Major Attractions are Hadimba Temple, Rahalla Falls, and The Manali Gompa


Rajasthan
Rajsathan is about 424 km from Delhi and is one of the liveliest states in India. The colors of Rajasthan charm Traveler and visitors from every single parts of the world. All things that come in mind when you consider regarding travel can be seen in Rajasthan- Luxury, palaces, forts, desert, camels, elephants, and snake, adventure.

Major attractions are Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur

Ooty
Ooty is situated in Tamil Nadu at a height of 2240m above sea level. It is one of the most famous hill stations in South India and also famed with name “Queen of Hill Stations”.

Major attractions are Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, ose Garden, Doddabetta Peak


Coorg
Coorg is situated in the Western Ghats in the southwest part of Karnataka, is one of those you need to visit in Karnataka and is furthermore widely known as “Scotland of India”.

Major Attractions are Raja’s Seat, Omkareshwara Temple, Abbi Falls, Gaddige



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Taxi Tips In Bangkok

Just like Jakarta Indonesia there are taxis and taxis everywhere in Bangkok Thailand. Not simply are they abundant they are cheap too and you might find that hopping in and out of a cab is the most up-front way to travel the city. Actually, you can even catch a taxi driver to drive you everywhere for the whole day for a fixed fee even if you haven't worked out a set itinerary. Extend your arm on any street in any part of Bangkok pretty much and a taxi will stopover within seconds.

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore: Quick Tips

Number one tip as always is, be very cautious of scams and frauds the taxi drivers pull-off.

The yellow and green taxis are privately owned and you may discover they are fresher and you are looked after better – however numerous other colored taxis are just as worthy.

Anticipate paying toll ways for expressways – it isn't expensive (25-55 THB) nevertheless these fast tracks can cut out traffic queue frustrations enormously.

Warning! If you feel anxious about the driver or the driving then at all times change taxis. There's no rationale not to. See Kuala Lumpur

Do not be insulted if a taxi driver does not intend to take you. Subjected on where you're going you may get some refusals before you catch the perfect taxi.

Except you're clued up on local fees only take meter taxis, frequently it's top to walk somewhat away from big hotels and tourist attractions where taxis wait and try to price more.

Do not anticipate every taxi driver to know every single part of the city. It's a noble idea to get a well understanding of the area you want to get to, particularly if it's not on the central tourist drag.

If your driver's looked once you well and you see flowers being sold on the roads throughout traffic light stops you can buy a 10-20 THB garland for the driver to convey him luck and safeguard on the roads but protect you bag and put the coins or note through a crack in the window since there are major scams and pickpockets.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Top Things to Do In Christchurch

Punting on Avon River

Delight yourself to the sophisticated luxury of the English Oxbridge, where cotton-shirted, straw-hat-wearing punters glide passengers across the majestic gardens of the riverbanks. This is indisputably the best way to experience the green strands and unequalled parkland attractiveness of downtown Christchurch, where a blooming kaleidoscope of colors bursts in the spring, the dropping branches of the regal weeping willows hang into the water, and the attractive stone bridges of the Avon above.

Punting trips in Christchurch leave from both the Antigua Boat Sheds on Cambridge Terrace and Worcester Bridge in the city each day of the year. One itinerary around the Avon takes around half an hour, and boats are suitable for groups of up to 10.

Christchurch Gondola

If you’re fascinated in travelling to the roof of the city, take bus 28 from the central City Exchange. The gondola is accessible 10.00 am - 5.00 pm daily, costs $25 for a return trip, and has split ticket deals for families, bike carriers and children.

Fly high overhead the Christchurch cityscape, beyond the birds and clouds, on this iconic ‘must do’ journey that brings visitors just under a kilometre from the centre, to the panoramic peak of the close to Port Hills.

Here guests appreciate unrivalled 360s of the Southern Alps, central Christchurch, the Pacific Ocean and the quaint harbour town of Lyttleton, cushioned tidily behind the crater rim. No one ever had complaints regarding it beauty. There’s also a possibility to travel around the metamorphic early stages of South Island’s unique volcanic topography, with a journey to the immersive Time Tunnel display that can be noticed on top.
 
Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Park is simply accessible just 15 minutes’ drive out of central Christchurch on the McLeans Island Road. Ticket prices differ between $9 for children and $25 for adults, and the park is open 10.00am - 5.00pm daily. Reviews say money is all worth it!

Educational, immersive and hands-on Orana Wildlife Park has been one of the main ‘must dos’ of Christchurch. It is home to below 400 individual species from right through the globe, from the colossal white rhinoceros of Africa to the indefinable Sumatran tiger of the Indonesian isles, whereas guests can also get up-close-and-personal with some of New Zealand’s own most iconic beasts; the skink; green geckos, and the iconic kiwi bird as examples.
 
Air Force Museum

Take a trip into the honored and admired past of New Zealand’s Air Force at this extensive collection of historical aircrafts and aviation-related artifacts. Warning! Ensure not to skip a ride on the fighter jet simulator, or the Horizon to Horizon gallery, which pays homage to the nation’s wartime courage in the skies. If you’re fortunate enough to stay on a weekend, sign up for the exclusive Air Force Adventure Tour, and feel all the hidden gems of the museum’s exhibitions.

One of the grand bonuses about Christchurch’s Air Force Museum is that overall entry is free, whereas the above stated organized tours price between $8 and $10. To get here, lead on the way to the district of Hornby on the Main South Road, turning off at Harvard Avenue and Symes.

Botanic Gardens
Not only Hawaii or Bali and Jakarta Indonesia can make you feel the tropic vibe. Surrounded by the lovely Avon River, these ever-growing botanical gardens have ornamented the center of Christchurch for over 100 years, creating them an absolute must on any tourist trail across the town. Amongst the seasons, the parkland oscillates from the blooming colors of spring and the attractive white hues of the South Island winter, and guests are requested to add to their trip with a self-guided tour book that’s existing to download online.

So, whether you chose to flounder away daily during your stay twisting on a bet down the handsome Avon waterway, or going high to the dramatic Port Hills ridges only outside of town, visitors equipped with these top tips on Christchurch will be well listed to your musts that the city has to offer, you are sure of no complaints after each trip.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Things to Do When It's Raining!

What goes around comes around! This may be a cliché, however when pertained to the weather in the Phuket, you can be sure it real. Even though Mother Nature may release her anger throughout the months between April and November, that doesn't mean that Phuket one has to keep high and dry in a hotel room or at home since different from Jakarta Indonesia or Kuala Lumpur with sure to be flooded when it rains, you can certainly enjoy the rain in Phuket Thailand. Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours Singapore

Phuket Seashell Museum
Even though the beach might be off limits for the day, there's one more place you can go and feel like you're kind of there - the Phuket Seashell Museum in Rawai. The museum is a source for some of the most unique and treasured shells in the world counting the largest golden pearl at 140 karats, large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils that represent the earth's earliest life-forms, a shell weighing 250 kilograms and the only recognized left-handed Noble Volute. Gifts and souvenirs are available for buying.

Lunch or dinner at Khao Rang
Khao Rang or Rang Hill is situated in the north western part of Phuket City. The viewpoint bids remarkable views of the City and surrounding areas like Saphan Hin and the islands and Andaman Sea as a backdrop. The hill top is landscaped and there is a fitness facility, a huge park and picnic area and a sala proposes welcome shade in the heat of the day. In the evenings this is where the locals come to exercise, go jogging or just chill out. There are many very good restaurants presenting excellent Thai cuisine. Take pleasure in the spectacular views and get a fix of some wonderful Thai food whilst sitting out the rain. You can be assured of all the positive reviews of this resto!

Phuket Trickeye Museum
The Phuket Trickeye Museum is an interactive 3D attraction that depends on a 'trompe d'oeil' or trick of the eye to achieve a result of and thinking a diverse reality. Art techniques in backgrounds of paintings are used to generate optical illusions so that when somebody arrives 'the picture' or scene, it seems that they are part of it themselves. Discover yourself in unfamiliar and crazy situations. Be ready to appear silly and above all, have fun!

Siam Niramit
When the rain is still pouring down in the evening, watch a show! Siam Niramit is one of those you need see performance that displays Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. You can never hear complaints from the viewers for sure. More than 100 actors perform in beautiful costumes among gorgeously ornamented set pieces. The remarkable special effects generate a realistic experience and consist of the appearance of a river on stage, realistic rain, angels flying through the air, etc. There is as well a pre-show entertainment, a Thai village, floating market and a restaurant.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Rainy Days in Algarve – Survival Tips

The weather in the Algarve is typically very fine. With a usual of over 300 days of sunshine each year, not a lot rain falls in the Algarve. You can compare it to pretty much anywhere else in Europe and far from Jakarta Indonesia. On the other hand, that does leave 65 days when there is the possibility that rain will fall and possibly enforce an alteration from Plan A to Plan B.  Here are a few useful tips by Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore for some great rainy day activities in the Algarve.

Go to the beach
You can’t top a refreshing walk along the beach in stormy weather. – Take note, the Algarve has stunning beaches. Elementally stimulating and with a fortified coffee at the end, is invigorating. Drink some locally brewed Medronho to heat each cell in your body should you get caught in the rain. Throughout the most silent winter months, the beaches are near empty and ideal for romantic walks and soulful meditation.

Die hard surfers will not be stopped by a spot of rain, and those tempestuous days can sometimes be the best for surfing. The Algarve is one of the best surf destinations in the world with Sagres and the western coast, the Costa Vicentina offering some great surfing spots. Read reviews from the visitors. 

Acquire more regarding the local history to avoid the scam
The Algarve has numerous interesting galleries and museums displaying the regions rich history. They are generally cheap to visit. Silves, Tavira and Lagosare perhaps the most exciting towns in the Algarve from an historical point of view, and have remarkable, castles, cathedrals and town walls to verify it. Though, even resorts like Vilamoura can amaze with their amusing past – take a look at the Cerro da Vila museum next to the marina and witness the fabulous roman remains there. Or visit the magnificent Estoi palace, the Sardine Museum in Portimão or the megalithic remains at Alcalar, just outside Portimão. Artcatto art gallery in Loulé constantly has interesting exhibitions, and you can fuse a visit there with a trip to the Loulé produce market – at all times a great experience, bursting with noise, smells and strange sights.

Family Time
Warning! Family holidays and rain can be a difficult combination. Fortunately in the Algarve you have the Centros de Ciencias Vivas – Living Science Centres – in Faro and Lagos. These are astonishingly good value sites for educational and interactive family fun whereas kids can acquire all sorts of bizarre and superb things.

Karting is great for entertainment, but then again not in the rain. Enter the Hot Wheels Indoor Karting track at Albufeira marina - 400m of speedy track, tricky corners and inviting stretches, all indoors so ideal in any weather. There are 200cc karts for the adults and 160cc karts for juniors.

Indulge in some local food 
Portuguese food is scrumptious no matter the weather. The rain that does fall in the Algarve typically does so throughout the winter months, in perfect synch with local restaurant menus that offer hearty stews at this time of year. Begin with a homemade soup, next with a tasty lamb stew, or some wild boar, hare or rabbit. Complement with some good Algarve and Portuguese wine and the rain will quickly diminish to the background.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Tips for the Ideal Berlin Weekend

Review and make some research


Proceed online or take a guidebook and do a little research to discover what the city can provide. If you enjoy museums look online and pick which ones you want to go to. If you are into a specific music style, ensure you catch on venues that play the material you prefer. Some attractions such as the Reichstag or the Sammlung Boros will require advanced booking so ensure if they are on your want to do list, that you book your ticket. You must know that most shops are shut on Sundays if you want to go shopping (but there are great selections of Sunday flea markets).


Make a tour but avoid scams!


Do a tour if it is your first time visiting Berlin. A tour will help you know the geography along with the culture and history of the city. There are many great companies offering a diversity of several tours. Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore bid a range of best walking tours from their general Berlin tour to more precise ones on topics like Third Reich History, Cold War, or Berlin Today. If you are considering something less mainstream, they also offer numerous walking tours which dig into Berlin's different scene where you'll get to see many of Berlin's street art and hear regarding their unique subcultures which make up Berlin. There are bike, bus, and boat tours on offer too if you do not like walking. Ensure you ask your guide for their hot tips for bars, clubs or usual restaurants you'll get some great local recommendations.


Determine what kind of weekend you crave


What do you want to do, is it a weekend of partying or do you want to hit the shops or markets, maybe it is a day of relaxing on the river with a cocktail your impression of perfection or are you enthusiastic to spend every waking hour plunging yourself in Berlin's rich history? To a certain extent you can mix a bit of everything, however you must have knowledge of whatever you like to get out of the weekend so you can slim down your choices.


Be flexible


If you are having a remarkable time in a bar, and your just met friends recommend a new cool bar or club go for it! Many have discovered some remarkable places this way, and providing you show some common sense as far as safety goes, there is not a lot that can go wrong. Make sure that this newly found friend isn’t a fraud first; we do not want to risk your security.


If terrible weather puts the kibosh on your outdoor schedules, use the chance to check out one of Berlin's museums or locate a local bar to spend some time in.


Think about where you are going to stay


Every locality has a diverse style and feel and will interest various kinds of visitor so make certain you do a bit of research. If you are considering to party hard you will want to stay in Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain. If you like Boutique shopping, try Charlottenburg, Mitte, or Prenzlauer Berg. Pick where you will stay centered on what you are typically planning to do. This will lessen your travel time/cost and you will be able to spend more time enjoying your weekend.


Discover where the locals go


You can have an excellent weekend hanging out with other travelers and getting drunk in the hostel bar or the German themed tourist restaurant. Inquire around, though, and you are about to find some gems that are out of your plan. Chat with hotel staff, shop keepers, and tour guides. If you ask politely, that they will have some favorite spots they will be delighted to share. Berliners are much honored of their city, and even though can be a bit abrupt or dry, they are normally very accommodating and warm hearted.


Warning! Keep your expectations realistic


Yes, Berlin is wonderful, and yes, everybody is frenzied about how incredible it is, however Berlin is a city which can sometimes take a little time to fall in love with as well. It is big, not remarkably beautiful, and the locals can sometimes come across as rude. And can be compared to Jakarta Indonesia regarding business and traffic. A weekend is a little time and if one plan goes crooked or the weather is bad it could expect disaster except you are prepared to go with the flow and turn things upside down.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Heathrow introduces world’s first ‘on-board picnic’ service

Travelers can take hampers arranged by Heathrow restaurants on flights, counting pizzas and meals by Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay.

Heathrow Airport is presenting passengers an “on-board picnic” dining selection where they can be able to convey a “bespoke hamper” with them on their flight. The service is offered from today at all of Heathrow's 118 restaurants thru its five terminals. The 49 varieties included diversity from chain cafés, like Pret a Manger and EAT, to restaurants counting Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionist Café and Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food, plus Caviar House and The Gorgeous Kitchen.

The hampers differ in price and size agreeing to venue, however usually cost between £5 and £50 and are around 40 x 20 x 10cm. All are collapsible and intended to be effortlessly stuffed away under the seat or in the overhead locker. Some hampers are insulated bags aimed to “ensure the food retains maximum taste and freshness at 35,000 feet”, maintaining hot food warm and cold food cool, like the ones from Caviar House which features an ice compartment. Passengers who give back their insulated bags to Caviar House are presented a 15 per cent discount on their next on-board picnic acquisition.

Hampers can be custom-made to meet any dietary necessities upon demand at each of the restaurants and can be ready-to-go or ready in about 15 minutes, liable on the type of meal chosen. The Perfectionists’ Café is believed to offer pizzas to go in about a minute.

Travellers can taster the offerings of the on-board picnics offered in Terminal 2 at a pop-up “park” which launches at the terminal to mark the fresh service.

The park space, set up in partnership with the Royal Parks Foundation, features the “scents of freshly cut grass and plants, the sounds of birds chirping” and sunlight-type lighting in addition to a park bench, a lamp post and even street signs to help generate a urban park-like feel.

Passenger can get into the "park" and the food tasters from this month between 7am-8am, 12pm-1pm and 7pm-8pm every day until September 24.

British Airways (BA) said it welcomes the new picnic service, and doesn't envisage it affecting cabin space usage or creating too much extra rubbish to be cleared from passengers who bring a hamper on board.

"If customers wish to bring their own food on board, they are very welcome to," said a spokesperson for BA.

Beginning at £5, the new picnics might even be a more within your means in-flight dining option for travellers when matched to budget airline food prices.

Passengers on an easy Jet flight can anticipate paying about £6.20 for a meal that contains a sandwich, a snack and a soft drink, or £6.90 when ordered with either a hot drink or soup as a substitute.

Ryanair's in-flight food prices array from about £3.57 (€4.50) for a sandwich and between £1.19-£4.76 (€1.50-€6) for snacks, to £1.59-£2.78 (€2-€3.50) for a soft or hot drink.

According to research by Travelsupermarket.com, last year, airlines were found to charge up to 2,600 per cent more than supermarkets for in-flight food and drink.

Budget carriers like easy Jet and Ryanair were singled out for harnessing the major mark-ups while the largest price upsurges were discovered on hot drinks.

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore is more than happy for their customers to announce this news above. The company is not only servicing SE Asian Countries such as KL Malaysia, Bangkok Thailand, Jakarta Indonesia and many more but all in whichever part of the country you may wish, even Europe perhaps.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Stomach-turning Foods You Will Find around the World

While Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore arrange your tours to whichever part of the world you want, they furthermore look at some global treats that may make you feel queasy; here are some tastes of it! 

Kopi luwak: defecated coffee
Occasionally branded as "cat-poo coffee", this so-called delicacy originates from beans that have been eaten and defecated by an Indonesian civet, an animal that looks like a cross between a mongoose and, if you squint, a cat. There are times, kopi luwak coffee was glorified as a hot fresh trend. The unusual "urgh" aspect endorsed prices up to £60 per cup and it was presented as a do-before-you-die experience in the 2007 film The Bucket List. 

Jakarta Indonesia serves the coffee if you want to try!

Sannakji: live baby octopus
If observing your plate of food aggressively wiggle in front of you doesn't turn your stomach then nothing will. In Korea, sannakji is a plate of live baby octopus (nakji). It's the residual nerve activity that maintains its movements and it is normally served drizzled with sesame oil. Warning! Eat it at your own risk: the active suction cups have been famous to get gummed to the mouth or throat while swallowing, that will cause choking. 

Chapulines: toasted grasshoppers
Forget gourmet burgers and jam-jar cocktails, eating insects is the hot latest trend, it seems that – or so specific London restaurateurs would like us to consider. Wahaca, the Mexican street-food chain, put grasshoppers on the menu at its South Bank outlet earlier this year and, before long, we were getting helpful guides on where to eat insects all around the city. Obviously, this was soon ensued by an insect-only, pop-up supper club. In Mexico, grasshoppers, known as chapulines, are not just a passing craze. Served toasted with seasoning, they have long been popular in Oaxaca. Well, some review says, it tastes good! 

Rocky Mountain oysters: testicles
Give this dish a wide berth. These have not anything to do with those high-class delicacies seen in shells at the bottom of the sea: they are plain-and-simple bulls' balls. Served with cocktail sauce and camouflaged with thick batter, the dish is frequently used for clutching out unwary tourists in Oklahoma and Texas.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Dates to Keep away from When Planning a China Tour

If you are arranging a 2014/15 China tour there are dates you must avoid, like "Golden Week" and those times when flights to Asia and within China are very costly. Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore lowdown will help you plan your vacation. (Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore arrange tours in many countries. i.e. SE Asian Countries such as Beijing China, KL Malaysia, Jakarta Indonesia, Bangkok Thailand and many more)

The "Golden Week" of National Day Holiday
September 29 – October 10

Nearly all Chinese people will have a seven-day holiday at the start of October, due to the celebration of Chinese National Day. Usually a lot of Chinese people will take this government-given chance to travel to domestic cities, producing crowds everywhere and super busy traffic. Hotel and transport prices swell, causing high-budget travel during this period.  

Warning! Avoid this period when planning a tour of China.

With people everywhere, traffic will be hectic, and you will devote longer time on the road, which can also mean more scams on street. Booking of hotels and flights can be very problematic. Hotels are much more costly. You may be required to wait in line for around one hour to go in the popular attractions, and may necessitate waiting for a long time at restaurants. Traveling in this period is a matter requiring exhaustive preparation. 

You possibly will observe that the National Day ends at October 7, but we incorporate the succeeding week in this peak period. The means of transport are most jam-packed during the period from September 23 to October 7, however they are less congested in the week succeeding "the Golden Week", when hotels charge peak prices.

Labor Day Holiday
April 28 – May 4

The Labor Day holiday period must be avoided when planning a tour of China whilst its Chinese National Day holiday.

Although the holiday only takes three days, usually May 1 to May 3, the tourist peak will last from April 26 to May 4. Review says, the crowds at attractions, high travel costs, long waiting times, and hard transportation during this period may create your tour to China unsatisfying.

The Spring Festival Rush with Congested Transportation
February 4 – March 15 in 2015

In China, during the Spring Festival rush, the transportation is crowded and people are all over the place, particularly in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other big tourist cities.

The Spring Festival rush continues 40 days. But, there are five days that are suggested for traveling between domestic cities during these 40 days: the first five days of the new year (February 20 – 24 in 2015). Throughout these days, a lot of Chinese people will remain at home for family time and the Spring Festival celebration, which lessens the burden on transportation and grants you with perhaps easier-than-usual travel circumstances. Keep in mind that inexpensive flight tickets are offered during these five days!

February 4 – February 19 2015 is one of the most jammed time on China's transport will be, when people are homeward bound. One more busy time will be February 25 – March 15, when millions of migrant workers and college students return to their work places and colleges. So traveling in China throughout these periods is probably a challenge.



Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Tipping & Etiquette While Visiting Indonesia



Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore: Tipping & Etiquette While Visiting Indonesia

Major hotels:  Lots of hotels services include a 21% tax. 10% is a compulsory government tax; the other 11% is a lawfully unenforceable service charge. Tipping is not required. But, if you must tip, maybe give 5-10% of the total bill. 

Restaurants: There are restaurants will comprise 5-10% service charge to their bill. However if they don't impose any service charge, you can tip between Rp10,000 to 10% of the full bill. A 10% Government required restaurant tax is valid, but smaller restaurants and definitely warungs will not be charging that and would possibly never pay it to the government if they did.

Taxi drivers: Tipping is not obligatory and you shouldn’t be hearing complaints from them. While all taxis are metered, some drivers oftentimes do not carry either coins or small notes, or may not be able to find them when needed but a lot of commuters round up their bill instead.

Car-hire drivers: It is not needed; but if service is pleasing a basic Rp 20,000 tip is estimated suitable but a full day Car-hire drivers commonly expect a larger tip. Warning, watch out for scams in this country

Airport porters: You don't have to get their help, however for very minimum amount of money they can be a big help particularly going through customs and it makes a difference to them. It varies from Rp. 20.000 - Rp. 50.0000 for 1-2 travelers. It is advisable to approve rate in advance to avoid arguments and complaints afterwards.

Service industries: Even though it is not required to give tip for services like hair salons and body massage, tipping for service industries are normal and anticipated in Indonesia. Many Indonesians give tip to their hairdresser or massaeur after they finished the service. 5-10% from the bills is suitable.

In Bali compare to Jakarta the minimal salary is reasonably low and that is the reason why everything looks comparatively inexpensive to many visitors. Workers expect tips to get extra income. In Bali, in small hotels and restaurants tips are usually shared. Yet, if you really have no money to tip, most Indonesians will understand it. Try to sympathize concerning their low pay rates; this also relates to those of you travelling on a budget. Given that, if ever you get short of cash and don't give tip or if you overlook to bring cash for attendants, it is unlikely somebody will get distraught or be nasty toward you.


Sunday, October 12, 2014

India Reintroduces Attention On Tourism To Improve Economy



Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley has highlighted the part of tourism in generating jobs for the country, referring to it as a low-hanging fruit, the tourist economy complaints.

Stressing the role central state planning might take part in the development of the sector, he said India was well positioned to take greater advantage from the benefits of tourism.

The minister was talking at a conference of tourism ministers in Delhi. One more aspect of the decline is the scam that targets tourists.

He also requested the states to decrease taxes on tourism and aviation fuel so that more benefits could be expanded from this section for the country.

Tourism minister Shripad Naik said that from next year the conference would be held for two days to enable greater interaction and participation of the states and other stakeholders.

He added that the newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi was giving much focus on tourism, which is part of the five thrust areas.

As portion of the plan, skill development and promotion of circuits will be provided consideration, and niche products and maintainable tourism standards will also be developed.

E-Visa
Whereas in other Indian tourism news, the government has exposed plans to begin offering electronic visas for foreign tourists by October.

“The e-visa scheme is expected to be rolled out shortly.

“We are trying to make it operational by October,” tourism minister Sripad Naik said after a national conference of state tourism ministers.

In order to endorse cleanliness at tourist sites, the ministry will recompense states.

A fresh classification will be instituted from 2016 in its yearly National Tourism Awards to identify the best efforts made by all states making sure cleanliness at their prominent places of tourist implication.

The states will be compensated on the basis of a Cleanliness Index being evolved by the Ministry.

The Index will rank the cities on the centering in cleanliness at ten popular destinations, one market place and three entry-exit points for each city.

Then the three cleanest destinations and three cleanest cities will be awarded.



Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore arrange tours to Asian countries such as India, Jakarta Indonesia, China and many more is in full support to India tourism economy boost.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Caribbean Visitor Arrivals Escalate

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours, Singapore who arrange tours not only to Southeast Asian countries such as Jakarta Indonesia, KL Malaysia, Bangkok Thailand and many more is happy to announce that Caribbean visitor arrivals surge which Westhill also arrange tours in.


The Caribbean documented an increase in visitor arrivals during the first half of this year, retaining pace with the world average and none of the visitors had complaints, in fact reviews were getting all positive feedbacks.

The director of research and information technology at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Winfield Griffith, announced on the CTO’s television programme, Destination Caribbean, the region delighted in a 4.3 per cent upsurge through the first six months of the 2014, much in line with the world average of 4.7 per cent.

Mr. Griffith exposed that just under 14 million long-stay tourists visited the Caribbean amid January and June, with nearly half this number ( 6.87 million) coming from the United States of America matched to 6.61 million during the same period in 2013.  This signifies a 3.9 per cent increase in arrivals from the US market.


“There is enough evidence to suggest that there is growing economic confidence in the region’s biggest neighbor and this is releasing much pent-up travel demand caused by a long recessionary period”. Mr. Griffith said.

The CTO research head said that merely 21 countries in the region were able to categorize their tourist arrivals by destination during the report.  From the most current statistics it was distinct that more Europeans and Canadians are settling to the region showing upsurges of 6.0% and 4.3% correspondingly.

For the winter time signified by the initial four months of the year, as a minimum five countries specified double digit progress. These destinations remain to power throughout the present summer displaying signs of doing remarkably well this year.

Griffith furthermore announced that the cruise sector enjoyed an 8 per cent increase in passenger arrivals to reach 13.1 million after the first two quarters of 2014.