Happy Steps travel blog

Luxury hotel in the heart of Bangkok

There are many things tourists and visitors love about Thailand. For instance, you can’t miss the heart-warming smiles of the Thais with their friendly and polite wai greeting, the palms of their hands pressed together with a slight bow. Aside from the Thai hospitality, tourists are also treated to shopping galore in Thailand – with so many things to buy in the busy sidewalks or in posh boutiques and shopping malls.

When in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, tourists can stay at the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, a distinguished Bangkok luxury hotel well-located across the Lumpini Park and few meters from the sky train, shops, restaurants and business establishments.
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Phuket luxury beach resort and spa

Imagine yourself on a relaxing vacation, indulging in a lavish and comfy accommodation and having that much-deserved R&R. After all that stress from countless days of hard work, it’s simply a must to pamper and reward one’s soul with a vacation.

Travel bugs, who would like to commune with nature by the sloping hills and beside the beach, can opt for an exotic vacation at a luxury Phuket resort in Amazing Thailand, the Avista Phuket Resort and Spa.
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All inclusive holidays

Vacation is a great time to be away from the usual daily work one does, be it in the office or at home. The families of my two sisters are now in the planning stage for a getaway break, come July. My brother-in-laws are also busy trying to fit in their schedules for a mountain climbing stint at Mt. Apo, among others. They also have ideas to visit other beautiful tourist spots here in the Philippines which they have not been into, especially in the Southern part like Davao.
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South Sea Resort Hotel in Bantayan, Dumaguete City

A recommendation from a friend took us to South Sea Resort Hotel, located in Bantayan, Dumaguete City. We had a hard time looking for the place, and got lost along the way. One has to go through a maze of residential houses to finally get there. There are road signs as you go nearer the resort but they were not that conspicuous and are too small to be read by motorists. Finally, we found the place and I noticed that it was a bit quiet with only us as visitors, maybe because it was a Monday afternoon when most of the folks are busy at work.
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Dumaguete famous landmarks and tourist attractions

Continued from Road trip: Bacolod (Negros Occidental) to Dumaguete (Negros Oriental)

After about 5 hours of road travel from Bacolod with our trusty van, we arrived in Dumaguete, fondly known as the “City of Gentle People”. Compared to most Visayan cities such as Bacolod or Iloilo, Dumaguete is less crowded. The first thing I noticed about this city is its simple laidback atmosphere, no wonder it attracts many foreign tourists and visitors – not much traffic on the road, with a charming town-like environment.

Many tourists are attracted to Dumaguete because of its accessibility to nearby natural wonders, beaches and dive sites. One such popular diving destination is Apo Island, one of the world’s best known marine sanctuaries (with over 600 documented fish species and 400 varieties of corals), which can be accessed by a 30-minute boat ride from the coastal town of Zamboangita, south of Dumaguete. The nearby town of Bais is also known for dolphin and whale watching, while tThe caves of Mabinay and the white sand bar in Tanjay are also popular tourist destinations.
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Business hotel accommodations

According to a CNN news article, companies are paying less for business travel these days. The data source is based from American Express’ business travel division purchase information. There’s been a decline in paid international airfares, hotels and car rentals as compared to last year’s data. Due to the ongoing financial crisis, most companies are cutting back on their expenses, although the need to travel for business reasons can’t be evaded.

To lessen travel costs, some companies adjust their chosen accommodations and airfare preferences to more affordable rates. It’s good that most hotels offer varied accommodations to suit the traveler’s budget. Thus, for those planning to stay in Renton Hotels near Seattle, WA, they can choose from studio, executive to grand suites at Larkspur Landing. These rooms are very convenient for business purposes as they not only have comfortable beds but also provide large business desks, executive chairs, in-room internet access, in-room kitchens, a business center and other amenities for the business traveler. Continue reading… »

What makes a hotel unique to its visitors?

For those who are frequently on the go, traveling whether for business or leisure and are usually staying in a hotel, sometimes they’d get the idea that all hotels are more or less the same, offering the usual accommodation and dining experience. For me, a great hotel should offer not just comfort and excellent service but should also be attractively designed and well-maintained. Scenic views from the room would be a plus.

What makes a hotel different is the unique experience it offers to its guests in terms of accommodation, food, service and the extras. This is what Switzerland Tourism aims to provide for its visitors with its carefully selected 225 hotels for the “Typically Swiss Hotels” group based on rigorous criteria such as interior design, location, cuisine and other factors that make the hotel as a showcase of Switzerland as a unique tourist destination. These are unique hotels offering authentic architectural style reflecting their region and situated in attractive locations such as the mountains, lake or old town. Continue reading… »

Hotel search engine donates to charity

If you’re a blogger, or have a Twitter or Facebook account, here’s your chance of donating to your favorite charity with just a simple promotion. You can do so via the Spread The Word For Charity project of www.HotelsCombined.com where they donate funds to WWF, Make A Wish or World Vision everytime somebody mentions or promotes their site.

It’s heartwarming to know that about $4000 have been donated so far with the help of participating bloggers including Facebook and Twitter users. Continue reading… »

If I were to go on a vacation somewhere in Asia Pacific…

…I would choose Auckland in New Zealand! Or maybe Sydney, Australia. Or Hong Kong perhaps? Aside from being a shopping paradise, Hongkong is also a great destination for cultural activities and festivals. Oh well, it’s me on a holiday dream mode again after browsing over some Accor Hotels City Super Sale! My mom and I have been considering a trip to Hong Kong though, especially since my big bro who’s working in China can meet us up and tour us around. I’ve also wanted to go to Disneyland Hongkong after seeing some pics from my friend and her family’s stay there.
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Manhattan Beach CA fun activities and outdoor recreation

Tourists have a lot to explore in Manhattan Beach, California. Fun things to do such as surfing, biking, kayaking and other water sports, are just some of the outdoor recreation activities to be enjoyed making it as a known tourist destination. In addition, travelers have many options for a Manhattan Beach accommodation or hotel depending on their budget, lifestyle and personal preferences. Not to forget is the allure of the California sun and the beaches that attract not just surfing enthusiasts but those who wish for a leisure getaway by the sea.
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Travel promo for car racing enthusiasts

The 2009 Formula One season has already kicked off last month with its first round at the Australian Grand Prix. This racing event is the 60th FIA Formula One World Championship season which consists of 17 rounds of races to be held in series in different countries. So far, Jenson Button from England has the most wins. With the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix (Gran Premio de España) to be held in Barcelona on May 10 and the Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) on May 24 at Monte Carlo, many car racing fanatics are looking forward to watching their favorite racing drivers on TV again.

Incidentally, there’s an ongoing online travel promo, the Sleep Inn racing promo where car racing enthusiasts are given a chance to treat themselves to a real hands-on racing course. The winners will undergo an “Introduction to Racing” program by the prestigious Skip Barber Racing School, the world’s largest school for those who aim to seriously pursue a career in auto racing.
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Sky-high amusement rides at the Crown Regency Hotel &Towers in Cebu

At 40 stories high in Fuente Osmena, Cebu City, the Crown Regency Hotel &Towers stands out not just as another high-rise building. What makes it unique is not only the breathtaking city view it offers but its exciting sky-high amusement rides for thrill seekers as well. Aside from being recognized as a towering hotel among its neighboring buildings, it is also known as the home of the Edge Coaster, Sky Walk Extreme and the upcoming Insanity Orbit. These weird-sounding names are actually the thrilling amusement rides as part of the Sky Experience Adventure.
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Scenic city views of Bangkok from Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Thailand’s tallest building

There’s something magical about being high on top of a building and viewing the world below, seeing things so small, observing life from a towering perspective. Tall buildings stand proud among their neighbors and they usually offer observation decks or revolving floors for visitors to get beautiful cityscape views from above.

Bangkok’s cityscape as viewed from the Observation Deck at the 77th Floor.

During our family vacation in Thailand, it was such a memorable experience for me being at the top of the country’s tallest building, the 85-storey Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Bangkok. Currently it is the 42nd among the world’s tallest buildings. We had a grand 360-degree view of the whole city and beyond as we were at the Observation Deck at the 77th floor and the Revolving Roof Deck at the 84th floor.

At dusk, it’s fascinating to see the gradual lighting up of the streets and buildings below (view from the Revolving Deck at the 84th Floor).

Bangkok’s maze of buildings and expressways at night.

I just stared in awe at the tiny moving vehicles, buildings of different shapes and sizes, curved roads and expressways. I wished time would just stop as I indulged myself with such a spectacle.

Since we went up the hotel late in the afternoon, it was an added bonus for us as we watched the greyish afternoon skies gave in to the colorful colors of dusk and then we were treated to a lovely sight of the city’s evening lights below. It was truly an unforgettable sky-high treat for me.

Incidentally, there are those who wouldn’t dare go up on such high-rise buildings. Some would even feel dizzy just looking down below. I know somebody who went up the Empire State Building’s observation tower, just for the record, but he’s actually scared of heights. While others would be delighted with riding on glass-walled elevators, giving them a nice view of the city as they go up, some are not comfortable with it and would just close their eyes.

So far, the highest building I’ve been to would be the Baiyoke Sky Hotel. How about you? What’s the highest structure you’ve set foot on? Does going up a high building or tower intimidate or excite you? Now I wonder how it would feel to be high up the supertall skyscraper Burj Dubai in UAE, reigning as the world’s tallest man-made structure today.

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Online hotel search

Traveling for a holiday needs a lot of preparation. This is true when traveling with the whole family especially if children are included. Things on top of the preparation list include the places to go, passport, visa, plane tickets, and hotel accommodation. There are other personal things to prepare like clothing, footwear, toiletries, medicines and other trip essentials.

The longest vacation I had so far was my trip to Europe which took almost three months. Preparation was at least two months before the departure date since I had to secure a new passport and visit the Czech Embassy for the visa. Thankfully, I purchased my plane tickets online via KLM, so this part of the preparation was a breeze. My two sisters based in Finland and Prague invited us to stay in their homes, so booking for a hotel was not a concern as well.
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Punta Bulata Beach Resort information and tips – Part 2

Continued from Punta Bulata Beach Resort information and tips – Part 1

5. If you’re staying at Ayu Spa, the resort hotel, and have kids with you, choose their Japanese-styled rooms in the ground floor. The bed can be separated as two mattresses on the floor as what the staff suggested. Very child-friendly and safe indeed, baby C and little R-jed had fun playing on the bed.

6. Breakfast for two is included in all accommodations (Beach Cabanas, Beach Family Suite, Hillside Cabana, Aircon Tent, Turtle Van, and Ayu Spa hotel rooms) except for the Aircon
Bus, Beach Casita and Hillside Casita.

7. The resort does not allow food and drinks to be brought in except for the Beach Casita and Hillside Casita guests. They’re strict about this. They have a restaurant serving snacks and meals and offers open air dining which has a nice ambiance during evenings. Meals start at Php100++.

8. If you intend to cook or have some food preferences, then your accommodation should be in any of these two casitas which are best for a group of 6 or less and those who want to save on food expenses. These two accommodations are located farther from the main resort accommodations which was what we liked since it gave us more privacy.

9. The Beach Casita and Hillside Casita units have a simple kitchen with stove and sink, except for a refrigerator. What we did was bring marinated pork and grilled it for lunch the day we arrived. Our meals then were mostly canned goods, fruits and food that didn’t require being put inside a refrigerator such as eggs or noodles. We also bought with us dining and kitchen essentials such as plates, spoons, forks, knife, can opener, dishwashing soap, etc.

10. Just in case, bring extra cash for additional expenses such as dining, spa services or kayaking and other beach activities.

11. The resort accepts major credit cards and cash payments should be in Philippine Pesos.

Initially we planned on booking rooms at the hotel for all of us, but since we were advised that we cannot bring in food except at Beach Casita, we decided to have two hotel rooms plus the Beach Casita instead. This is what the staff suggested. So those who stayed at the hotel just go to Beach Casita for snacks and meals. With this setup we saved much on dining expenses.

Pros:

Privacy. You have the beach all to yourself especially at the shoreline fronting Beach Casita. Maybe because there were not much resort guests during our stay.

Spa services. Two thumbs up from Mom for their full body massage. They also have Finnish sauna and other spa services.

Different types of accommodations to choose from. They have the hotel rooms and many types of beach cabanas, take your pick.

Long walk along the shoreline. This was what we enjoyed during our latest stay. It was low tide so we had fun walking along the beach until we reached the edge of the shoreline where it’s full of rocks and blocked by a high cliff.

One, two, three… JUMP! Stopping by for a pose during our walk by the shoreline.

Finally we reached the rocky end of the resort. We were happy to have walked this far.

Cons:

Some rooms and units needed to be upgraded and maintained.

Guests are not allowed to bring food (even chips and snack foods) except for Beach Casita and Hillside Casita accommodations.

Gate entrance is not so welcoming to guests. You’re greeted with a closed solid gate and walk-in visitors who want to just take a look at the place are still required to pay the Php100 entrance fee even if they decide not to stay.

Rough secluded road about 1 km before you reach the resort. This could be intimidating or discouraging for first time visitors.

A group pose by the entrance before leaving the resort.

More information and photos on resort accommodations and pricing can be browsed here. For reservations and additional queries, you can contact Punta Bulata or visit its booking office in Lacson, Bacolod City.

Punta Bulata White Beach Resort & Spa
Address: Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Bacolod Booking Office: +66 34 433 5160 (landline) / +66 920 9003558 (mobile)
Email: info@puntabulata.com

Website: www.puntabulata.com
Distance from Bacolod City: 152 kms.

Photo credits: Aileen of dviewfinder.com

Montana vacation adventures

Located in Montana is the scenic Glacier National Park which covers a wide expanse of wildlife preserves and known to be one of the largest in the United States. Staying at a Glacier National Park lodging would be great for weekend getaways and adventures especially for those who prefer a rustic ambiance. A prominent attraction is the park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road considered as a National Historic Landmark.

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Boracay holiday

Recently, big sis and I have been chatting about the coming holidays and their family’s trip itinerary in the Philippines. They’ll be spending few days at Boracay, a tropical paradise situated at the tip of the Panay Island and world-famous for its white sand and clear blue waters.

They already reserved a room at the Boracay Beach Club located beside the White Beach at Station 1. Browsing through their website, I am sure it will be a nice hotel for them.

Photo credits: Boracay Beach Club

Florida vacation homes

The skyline of Downtown Miami (in Florida) as seen from MacArthur Causeway bridge

Acknowledged as the ‘Sunshine State’ in the US for having a subtropical climate, Florida is a popular haven for tourists from colder places during the winter season. Aside from its beaches, this state is also best known for its famous theme parks particularly Disney World and the Universal Studios.

If you’re traveling to Florida for a holiday and would like to have a ‘home away from home’ ambiance, it’s good to consider vacation rentals for your accommodation. Vacation rentals by owner are usually less expensive since you deal with the owner directly. Vacation homes are usually well-kept and maintained and got all your favorite kitchen and dining appliances and utensils, from microwave oven to dishwasher and even a blender!

Families looking for Florida rentals can browse for properties online at Vacation Home Rentals (vacationhomerentals.com) such as a four-bedroom French villa in Clermont with easy access to shopping, dining, and recreation activities. Within the property is a pool, a playground and park, basketball and tennis courts. Few miles away are hiking, golf, fishing, horseback riding and more outdoor activities to be enjoyed.

For golf enthusiasts, there’s a Naples Florida vacation condo rental where they can enjoy a scenic view of the fairway and the lake from their rooms. All properties featured at Vacation Home Rentals are complete with description such as the number of bedrooms and allowed guests, rental rates and availability, with a photo gallery, list of available appliances, nearby outdoor activities including rental policies and other important rental information.

Photo credits: Marc Averette (5/17/2008)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Miami_skyline_20080517.jpg)

Barcelona, Spain

As Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona (capital of Catalonia) is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, being a previous host to the 1992 Summer Olympics and famous for its historical buildings with distinctive architecture as shown by the works of Antoni Gaudi. Noteworthy is the unfinished Sagrada Familia originally designed by Gaudi which has been attracting millions of tourists since 2004.

Barcelona is also rich in festivals and events such as the Festes de Gracia every August to celebrated the Feast of the Assumption, the Sant Jordi which is similar to Valentines Day, and its main annual festival Festes de la Merce which features live concerts and shows, fireworks displays and more.

Some places to visit in Barcelona are the Placa d’Espanya, La Rambla, churches and cathedrals such as the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, and Sant Pau del Camp, the Montjuic Castle and lots more.

When it comes to accommodation, there are many Barcelona hotels for tourists to choose from. For those who are traveling on a limited budget and looking for cheap hotels, Destinia.com is an online catalogue of hotels worldwide. The default search results are listed according to the lowest rate. You can then filter out the results according to price range, category (1-star to 5-stars), meal options, amenities and other preferences.

Photo credits: pragueconnection.net (Barcelona, December 2006)

San Diego beaches

Whether you’re into sunbathing, surfing, waterskiing and other water sports activities, San Diego is a good choice for the summer. The beach communities in San Diego also offer shopping, nightlife and tourist attractions. There are many accommodations available for travel bugs, such as a San Diego summer beach rental. This type of accommodation is a good choice for those who want a home-away-from-home experience to their holidays with complete amenities for kitchen, dining and entertainment.

It’s best to stay longer though and consider San Diego weekly rentals to make the most out of your vacation. There’s Mission Bay in San Diego for all sorts of water activities, and tourists can visit nearby reef breaks of La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, Bird Rock and others. For those who would like to go on shopping spree, there are many shops and boutiques at Belmont Park, Garnet Avenue and more. Those who would like to consider living here can check out San Diego beach real estate and choose among the many properties available.

Summer vacation rentals

It’s a cold summer here in Finland with the outside temperature dropping to as low as 12 degrees Celsius during evenings and rising up to around 23 degrees Celsius during afternoons. I checked the weather forecast for tomorrow though and it’s going to rain with the warmest temperature at only 18 degrees Celsius… Brrrr! This is why most Finns head off to warmer places during summer for their vacation. Now doesn’t this photo below make you dream of a beach escape this summer?

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French summer holidays

This Sunday morning while looking out the window, I noticed that the streets are deserted and there was just one guy walking his dog. It’s the usual scene here in Pori during weekends when most families spend it somewhere away from the city such as a vacation in a summer house. Weekends are great for relaxation and family get-together.

I’ve been browsing over some sunny French holidays in Western Loire and it would be nice to stay at the La Pergola, a four-bedroom barn conversion in Vendee, France which is just perfect for families and small groups with outdoor heated swimming pool, daily maid service, a garden and it’s just near the beach.

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Holiday gîtes in Northern France

A French holiday home for rental is known as a gîte, one of the popular types of accommodations in France. Originally, gîtes are cottages and barns owned by farm owners and used to provide shelter for guests. Nowadays, gîtes vary from budget apartments with basic facilities to luxurious holiday villas equipped with modern amenities. The owner usually lives within close proximity to provide welcome and assistance to the needs of their guests and make them feel at home.
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Prague is calling!

Yesterday my cutie sis in Prague showed me some pics of my parents posing by the trees at the park nearby their flat. It’s spring time there and the photos look so refreshing especially this:

Spring flowers in Prague

It left me green with envy (kidding!) – they’re finally in Prague and I’m still here – but I just tried to cheer myself up with the fact that next month I will be going there too. I can just imagine those hotels in Prague filled up with tourists for the summer.

One of the must-visits in Prague for tourists especially Catholics is the Church of the Infant Jesus or the Church of Our Lady Victorious where you can visit the famous statue of the infant Jesus (Pražské Jezulátko). Another tourist attraction is the Charles Bridge which crosses the Vltava River and is a historical landmark of Prague.

Tourists at the Charles Bridge
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Oahu, an island worth visiting

Being Hawaii’s third largest island and home to its capital Honolulu, Oahu offers many tourist attractions and things to do.

Why visit Oahu? There are many reasons why it is an island worth visiting. For one thing, it offers an interesting culture and historical background as well as white sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes. It’s a surfer’s paradise where you can take lessons as a beginner or get on your board and ride the waves as an experienced surfer at beaches such as the Sunset Beach, Ehukai Beach Park or Waikiki Beach. Other attractions are the golf courses, shopping malls, villas and resorts.
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Luxurious resorts at the French Polynesia

Imagine yourself staying at a luxurious and exotic resort surrounded by the sea.

It’s just like living in paradise isn’t it? Most of the resorts in the French Polynesia especially the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora are designed and built using all-natural building materials (timber and woven pandanus roofing) which depict the beauty of the islands.
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San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua

In the south-west of Nicaragua lies San Juan del Sur, a city known for its beaches where many surfers and vacationers (especially families) go to. This coastal city is great for a Nicaraguan summer getaway. Whether you’re into sailing, fishing or surfing, the beaches at San Juan del Sur are for those looking for fun and adventure.

Doesn’t this photo make you dream of staying in a Nicaragua beach hotel and spending your days sunbathing, swimming or catching waves in the sea? Sigh. It just makes me wish I’m in the beach right now.
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New Zealand is calling

A breathtaking view such as the photo above is just one of the many reasons why New Zealand is another great place to head on this summer. The bigger cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are popular for tourists. Dubbed as the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland is the largest and offers many attractions such as the Waitakere Ranges, the Auckland Harbour ridge, or the family theme park Rainbow’s End. Continue reading… »

Tropical vacation rentals

Most travel bugs will be spending their vacation in beach resorts this summer. The allure of the sea calls them for a nice splash in the water or getting a nice tan or simply strolling barefoot along the shore.

For the water sports enthusiasts, they can go diving, snorkeling or surfing with the waves. There’s just so much to do when you’re at the beach, a day isn’t just enough. Staying for a week is the best option if you want to get the most out of your beach holiday such as opting for Kauai vacation rentals should you wish to spend your vacation in Hawaii.
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Entertainment to the max!

With summer finally here, one can only wish to have extra time for travel and relaxation. Choosing where to spend your getaway really depends on your kind of fun. While some would like to spend it on a cruise in the Bahamas or staying in an isolated island paradise, those who go for flashy entertainment, exciting casino and great dining experience would opt to stay in a Las Vegas hotel. And why not?
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