Why We Travel ~ Encapsulated in the Perfect Statement

By Dian Hasan | July 12, 2009

For all the global nomads out there who have been bitten by the travel bug, I came across a statement in wordpress blogosphere that perfectly captures what drives us to travel, explore and discover!

Frank Sinatra sang: “Let’s take a boat to Bermuda/let’s take a plane to St. Paul/let’s get away from it all!”

To travel is to give into wanderlust — regardless of how you define it.

You may crave a wild adventure or simply want to admire mother nature from the serenity of a hammock. You may love the thrill of jumping on the subway in a gigantic city or instead dream of kayaking down a solitary river.

In other words, “Let’s leave our hut, dear/Get out of our rut, dear/Let’s get away from it all.”

Green Screen: Luxury hotels provide guests with eco-friendly options

By: Robert Haynes-Peterson | HalogenLife | June 8, 2009

Four Seasons Lodge at Keole, Lanai, Hawaii Photo: Peter Vitale

Last week’s bankruptcy agreement between General Motors and the U.S. Government placed an emphasis on increasing the company’s “investment and leadership in fuel economy and advanced propulsion technologies” reminding us once again of the power of the Green Energy movement in today’s world. Despite the economy (or perhaps because of it), our awareness of, and interest in, the need for responsible living continues to grow. After just a few years green initiatives, resorts, spas and golf courses have all found ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce fossil fuel consumption and waste, and promote environmental awareness while still pampering us.

WORLD’S TOP 10 MOST ROMANTIC CITIES

By Dian Hasan | May 26, 2009

Prague: The City of 100 Spires

One of the most romantic cities in the world, with its ancient spires and cobbled streets, Prague is a lovers’ city.

Seville: The jewel in Andalucia’s crown

This beautiful Spanish city and her  fine Moorish architecture has become a firm favorite with couples.

Venice: The City of Canals

Famous for her canals and romantic serenades on gondolas, Venice is the epitome of romance. 

Rome: The Eternal City

From the Tiber River to the impressive Colosseum, there is surely none more romantic than the ancient city of Rome.

Paris: The City of Light

Stylish, sensual and sizzling with energy, it’s no surprise that Paris has topped every list ever compiled for romantic cities.

Florence: The Renaissance Stunner

An art lover’s paradise amid a magical setting, Florence has all the ingredients for some serious city loving.

Lisbon: Picturesque City by the Tagus

With horse-drawn carriages, cobbled streets and breathtaking scenery, Lisbon is a great choice for lovers.

New York: The Big Apple

NYC is one of the ultimate destinations for a romantic break. From Tiffany’s to the Empire State Building, the choice is yours.

Barcelona: Sparkling Catalan Gem

From stunning architecture to romantic candlelit dinners on Las Ramblas, Barcelona is made for romance.

Edinburgh: Scottish Beauty

Edinburgh Castle provides an impressive backdrop to a vibrant city that’s jam packed with romantic retreats.

APPRECIATING THE AEGEAN SEA FROM ABOARD A GULET

By Chris | Brilliant Trips | April 21, 2009

Turkish boatbuilding heritage is best appreciated from aboard a Gulet sail boat.

Though I often think about where I’d love to explore next, I don’t always put a lot of planning into my travels. Incidentally, I stumbled upon one of my favorite destinations in a haphazard sort of way. My friend and I had taken a bus from Istanbul to Gallipoli and finally to Ephesus. I was planning to meet another friend of mine a week or so later in Greece, yet we had no definite travel plans in the meantime. There were so many unique places in Turkey that I really wanted to see. Somewhat constrained by dates, I knew I wouldn’t be able to fit everything I wanted to do in this trip.

JAKARTA’S HIDDEN WILD SIDE

By Virginia Verastuti | May 2009

A sanctuary of calm within bustling Jakarta city proper. One of the city's best-kept secret.

Birds chirping, dense growths of mangrove and pedada trees swarming with long-tailed monkeys – it’s hard to imagine that all this can still be found in Jakarta, but it is, at the Muara Angke Wildlife Reserve in North Jakarta.

Entering the wildlife reserve, I was greeted by birds calling to one another from the mangrove and pedada trees. They seemed to be welcoming our arrival with the sounds of nature. It was all so peaceful and pleasant.

The Muara Angke Wildlife Reserve (Suaka Margasatwa Muara Angke, SMMA) is a small conservation area of mangrove forests on the north coast of Jakarta. It was originally established by the Netherlands Indies government as a nature preserve on 17 June 1939 with an area of 15.04 ha, and later expanded to 1,344.62 ha in the 1960s.

TOP LUXURY ECO-RESORTS ACROSS THE WORLD

Where to go green in style

green is not a new concept in the world of travel. For decades, resorts like Maho Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turtle Island in Fiji have demonstrated that eco-awareness and sustainability can coexist with tourism. But in the past five years, the “eco” buzz has been amplified within the travel industry—and throughout popular culture as well.

“Being green has entered every part of many people’s lives, including travel,” says David Krantz, a coordinator with the Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development in Washington D.C. “Americans take their impact more seriously than ever before.” The result? Resort owners and developers around the world have tapped into the eco trend. Resorts such as the Black Rock Lodge in Belize and Ranweli Holiday Village in Sri Lanka are catering to the new ecotourism ethos through environmental conservation, light-on-the-land building techniques and the embracing of local culture at resorts. Sure to redefine eco architecture when it breaks ground in 2008, Star Island in the Bahamas is a private island resort being developed in a fully sustainable way using innovative technology and standards.

TOKYO: A SENSORIAL ENIGMA

By Dian Hasan | May 18, 2009

Bright Lights, Big City! The famous neon circus of Ginza, in the heart of Tokyo's fast-paced, action-packed globalopolis.

Japan: the epitome of a surreal world, one that draws no parallel with any country in the world is a consistent image drawn by visitors who have always been captivated by the sheer difference from any country in the world.

This relates to its history of isolation. Breeding homogeneity and a single culture, with virtually zero contamination from the outside world. Only opening its “doors” and throwing its “tatami” (Japanese ubiquitous mat found in homes) welcome mat to the outside (read: Western) world in 1868.  During the tumultuous Tokugawa regime, a period known as Meiji Restoration, with Admiral Perry’s historical visit that marked the beginning of Japan that has flourished into what it is today.

PRAGUE: CLASSIC CONCERTOS & CUBIST ARCHITECTURE FILL THE SPRING AIR

By Dian Hasan | May 18, 2009

The Baroque spires of St. Nicholas Church peeking from behind sentry tower to Prague's famous Charles Bridge

There are places that require very little introduction, as the mere notion conjures up images of a very distinctive identity. Prague is such a place.

The capital of Czech Republic lies in the heart of Europe, and its stunning setting of Prague Castle looming over shimmering medieval spires with Charles Bridge over the River Vltava is one of the most recognizable cities in Europe.