Historic City of Ayutthaya, Thailand

Ayutthaya is an ancient capital of Siam, now situated in the Central Plains of Thailand not that far from Bangkok.
An old trading hub of Asia the settlement had become in the 1700 the largest city in the world having approximately 1 million inhabitants.
Although only a few remains of the city are still standing you can still understand why merchants from all over the world considered Ayutthaya the finest city they've visited.

Among the things worth visiting today in Ayutthaya are:

The Chedi at Wat Phu Khao Thong, Ayutthaya

Stone statues of Buddha

Ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand

Pagodas of Ayutthaya, Thailand

Xitang Water Town, China

Although many people never heard of Xitang, this scenic Chinese town is famous for its beauty and is frequently depicted in both old and new Chinese landscape paintings.
The town is situated in the Zhejiang Province at the confluence of nine rivers. The canals and river branches serve as main transportation routes in the town and major areas of the town are connected by old Chinese stone bridges.
Xitang is situated just 90km away from Shanghai so travellers that want to visit will have easy access to the picturesque water town.
If you want to spend a couple of nights in Xitang you can even sleep in old traditional houses from the Ming or the Qing Dynasty.

Night scene in Xitang, China 

River and houses in Xitang 

Xitang traditional Chinese boats 

The canals of Xitang, China

The spectacular Amber Fort, Jaipur, India

The main tourist attraction in the area of Jaipur, India, the Amber Fort is situated in the town of Amer and dominates the area for centuries.
All the palaces and the gardens are impressive, true wonders of Hindu architecture and design.
The palace was the main residence for the Rajput Maharajas and their families. The structures were upgraded while centuries passed the complex but tourists can still find some of the original marble buildings that make this site unique.

Courtyard of the Amber Fort, India

Amber Fort tower and walls

Amber Fort gardens, Jaipur, India 

Amber Fort structures seen from distance

Amber Fort gardens and fountains

Places to visit in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is indeed a world capital. With more than 13 million residents it's to date the largest metropolitan area in the world.
Filled with skyscrapers and shaken by intense earthquakes Tokyo is a city of contrasts: the cherry trees still blossom at the Imperial Palace Gardens and on the new town the stock exchange is one of the busiest in the world.
Although Tokyo is a huge city and it has a whole lot to offer here are a few things one should not miss when visiting this metropolis:

• Ryogoku Kokugikan, the main sumo arena of Tokyo, situated in the Sumida Ward, the old town area. The sumo tournaments are held each year in January, May and September but if you can't get tickets to such a tournament you can visit the sumo training grounds and see wrestles preparing for the fights.

Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena, Tokyo

• The Asakusa temples. Sensōji is the main attraction of this area, this is Tokyo's largest Buddhist temple. There are many gorgeous pieces of architecture and history to be seen here even though most of the buildings were destroyed and rebuilt through centuries by war and natural disasters. 

Sensōji temple, Tokyo, Japan

• The Imperial Palace, situated in Chiyoda. This is the center of the Tokyo and Japan itself. Although most of the buildings are closed to the general public even the East Gardens are worth visiting in order to escape the busy streets of Tokyo.

The Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Imperial Palace gardens in Tokyo

• The fish markets of Tsukiji.  The biggest fish and seafood market in the world, this stands as a symbol of amazing fish dishes served in Japan.

Tsukiji fish market, Tokyo, Japan

The Top Eight Dining Experiences in India

India bustles with a bevy of regional cuisines and local specialties, but some restaurants simply take the cake when it comes to providing an unforgettable experience. Here, we list our ten favorite places across the country to unwind with a beyond-sumptuous meal. Grab your Amex India credit card, and get ready to sample a world of incredible flavors.

1. Beach House at Taj Holiday Village
Helmed by internationally renowned chef Urbano de Rego, this adventurous Goa restaurant combines the best of both Goan and Portuguese cuisines into a fusion unlike any other. Settle in next to the unbelievable ocean views, and enjoy signature dishes like kingfish peri-peri and clam chops with mango sauce.

 The Taj Holiday Village in Goa

2. Khan Chacha
A New Delhi institution since 1968, this inexpensive lunch spot offers some of the country’s most delicious kathi rolls: char-grilled roti bread stuffed with paneer, mutton or chicken tikka. You’ll have to navigate the busting Khan Market to get here, but kathi this good is more than worth the effort.

On the streets of New Delhi, India

3. Lila Cafe
If you’re searching for the best place to indulge in a laid-back breakfast, cozy up to Goa’s Lila Cafe. This picturesque spot is perched on the serene Baga River, and the restaurant’s thatched roof and bamboo decor are the perfect complement to its freshly baked baguettes, buttery croissants and rich egg dishes.

4. Paradise Restaurant
No place does biryani like Hyderabad, and Paradise Restaurant elevates the dish to an almost spiritual experience. Founded in 1953, this food court-style restaurant offers both a taste of the iconic meal and a bustling look at Hyderabadi life. Enjoy your meal at a communal table, and chat with the locals about the city.

5. China House
Prefer something a little more luxurious? Head to Mumbai for its uber-modern China House. Known as a hot spot for the Bollywood VIP scene, this so-chic restaurant offers sophisticated cuisine, daring cocktails and several levels of luxe decor. Visit on the right night, and you might even be able to sneak a peek at the city’s hottest DJs spinning some popular tunes.

6. Bukhara
This Delhi restaurant might be a touch too tourist-centric for some, but give it a chance; despite its touristy leanings, Bukhara offers some of the area’s most incredible tandoor-grilled kebabs. Bring your Amex India credit card, pull up a chair, and settle in for the experience.

Inside the Bukhara restaurant, Delhi 

7. Oh! Calcutta
Situated in Kolkata’s Forum Mall, this award-winning spot is one of our favorite places for traditional Bengali food. Order the mango-studded aam ilish or citrusy gandharaj bhekti, and enjoy the relaxed-yet-elegant atmosphere. Sure, you’ll find branches of Oh! Calcutta in other major Indian cities, but this restaurant is substantially more luxurious than a typical chain.

Street in Calcutta, India

8. Southern Spice
No foodie trek through India is complete without a taste of traditional Tamil cuisine, and Southern Spice is the place to try it. Located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, this restaurant offers unforgettable specialties like the nandu koduku chettinadu crab dish and sambar and appam side plates. Budget a little extra time for this one; to get the full experience, you'll want to savor each dish over the span of an entire evening.

Wat Rong Khun Buddhist Temple, Thailand

Wat Rong Khun is a spectacular Buddhist Temple in Chiang Rai,  Thailand.
The unconventional and incredibly complex architecture of the temple made it a very popular attraction. It can be compared to the iconic  Sagrada Família in Barcelona; still unfinished with construction expected to complete in 2070 the Wat Rong Khun temple is not at all a common Buddhist place of worship.
The place is truly amazing, it has a design originality beyond compare and the attention to detail is impressive.
The buildings are all white in order to inspire the idea of purity and they are covered with mirror mosaics so seeing them shine in the sun is quite a view.
It is best to visit the Wat Rong Khun temple in the morning as it's a popular attraction so it gets quite crowded during the day.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

Wat Rong Khun Buddhist Temple

Wat Rong Khun temple details

Travel to Socotra island, Yemen

Socotra is an island in the Indian Ocean, belonging to Yemen as an offshore territory. This is indeed a place worth mentioning since it has a really special landscape with interesting plants and animals. Nature went a long way in order to adapt with such a hot and windy climate.
Because of the unique and amazing biodiversity on the island, the entire place is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Because the island is somewhat new to tourism, with the airport opened only in 1999, you should not expect luxury accommodation. This is a place for nature loving travellers that want to experience see things unique to Socotra.
The amazing white sand beaches, the desert roses, the reef and the signature dragon blood trees are among the things that will take your breath away. You can rent a car or go on camel riding tours to explore the island.

Socotra desert rose

Socotra Yemen white sand beach

Socotra unique dragon blood trees 

Socotra unique desert rose

Petra Jordan - history and sights

Petra is one of those places where a great landscape is completed by a huge historical legacy and great architecture.
This wonder city of the ancient wold is still well preserved today. It was established around 312 BC by the Nabataeans, an old Arabic tribe. Although there are not many natural resources around Petra, the city flourished due to commerce with spices, slaves and spices.
Described by UNESCO  as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage" the city is now the symbol of Jordan and of course the most-visited tourist attraction.
Conquered by the romans around 106 Petra continued to be an important city in the region embracing Christianity along the way...
The city was abandoned in the 6th century after a large earthquake hit the area and most of the roman buildings were destroyed. Of course the Nabatean structures carved in the rock survived the earthquake.
The Petra Jordan history is very rich, the city is even mentioned in The Old Testament of the bible. Some legends say that Petra is the place where Moses struck a rock with his rod and water came forth.

Path to Petra

The Treasury at Petra

Old tomb, Petra, Jordan

Tombs of Petra

Around West Baray in Cambodia

As I've said before Cambodia has a lot to offer even if you go past the mega famous Angkor Wat. My previous article about Battambang tells of a city with a troubled legacy.

The West Baray is a large artificial lake in the Angkor province of Cambodia and it's a great starting point for a day trip visiting all the surrounding temples and monuments.

Quite interesting is also the artificial island in the center of the lake where a Hindu temple called West Mebon is situated. The 11th century ruins cWestan be reached even by foot in the dry season.

Near the south-west corner of the lake stands Prasat Kravan probably the most beautiful brick monument from the  Angkor era. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, a main Vedic God and features some unique sculptures representing the god and his consort Lakshmi under different incarnations.

Pre Rup is another popular destination in the vicinity of West Baray. This is a royal temple constructed as a pyramid around the year 961, with 5 towers honoring the Hindu gods.

By the dam of West Baray, Cambodia

Prasat Kravan temple in Cambodia

Sculptures at Prasat Kravan

West Mebon temple ruins, West Baray

 Pre Rup Temple, Cambodia 

Pre Rup Temple towers, Cambodia

Battambang, between Thailand and Cambodia

Battambang is a city in modern day Cambodia founded in 1795 by the Thais.
Although there aren't many tourist attractions in  Battambang the atmosphere and legacy of the city is fascinating.
Founded by the Thais it was abandoned by them a century later, and Cambodian people settled in. World War 2 was present here and  Battambang was under Japanese rule, even after the war the peoples sufferance continued: the Thais returned and established work camps for highway building and in 1975 the Khmer Rouge regime forced the population to build the Kamping Puoy dam.
The main attraction of the town is the French Colonial architecture, with more than 800 old buildings still intact Battambang has the best preserved architecture in South-East Asia.
Although  Battambang is considered the second largest city in Cambodia it does have a provincial aura so it's a nice place to visit if you want some quiet time and maybe some day trips around the city, the Battambang Province providing a nice picturesque setting.
The statues decorating the city are also quite popular: an ancient Khmer King holding a stick will impress you if you travel on the main road from Phnom Penh.

Battambang Khmer King statue

Battambang city street

Another street statue in Battambang, Cambodia

Bamboo train near Battambang

Battambang river bathing

The Small Islands near Hong Kong

There are more than 200 small islands near the densely populated Hong Kong Island; some of them are just small rocks above the ocean but there are also larger islands with long beaches. These small islands are mostly inhabited by farmers or fishermen.
Only about 100.000 people live there, that's just about 2% of the whole Hong Kong population. Most of them are elder, still living a traditional life while their children adventure in the metropolis.
The number of people on the island increases on the week-end when Honk Kong citizens com here with the ferry to relax on the beaches or hike the mountains.
Lantau Island is the largest in Hong Kong. There are some great tourist attractions here: the high mountain peaks, the beaches, the small fishermen villages, the Po Lin Monastery or the 85-foot (26 m)-high bronze Tian Tan Buddha statue.
The Ngong Ping 360 is also a must do, a gondola lift that takes you to the Ngong Ping Plateau. Ngong Ping 360 is a tourism experience which combines a 5.7 km cable car journey with a cultural themed village and easy access to the Tian Tan Buddha Statue.
On the Lantau Island hosts also the airport and a recently constructed Disneyland; however these new developments don't really interfere withe the more traditional side of the rest of the island.

View From The Ferry Terminal

Tian Tan Buddha Statue

Fishermen houses on the Lantau Island  

Other islands worth the visit are Cheung Chau and Lamma, these are great for people who like water sports, splendid beaches and many restaurants specialized in sea-fruit and fish dishes.

Tin Hau Temple, Cheung Chau

Beach at Cheung Chau

Vung Tau, weekend destination in Vietnam

Vung Tau is the Vietnam corespondent of Atlantic City, USA, a resort on the sea-coast close to a big city (the capital Ho Chi Minh City) with great beaches and fresh air.
Vung Tau looks festive and offers some great views being situated on a peninsula between two big hills.
The main tourist attractions besides the beach are the White Palace and a giant statue of Jesus.

The White Palace (Bach Dinh) was built by the French colonists in the 19th century as a residence for the governor of the province. The palace is surely worth to visit; from its balcony there's a panoramic view of Front Beach plus there are many antiques collected from Cau Islet-Con Dao exposed here. This is the reason why it attracts hundreds of tourists every day.

The White Palace in Vung Tau

The Statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms, on top of Small Mountain is at 28m almost as big as the famous statue in Rio Brazil (30m). It was built in 1971 and it can be used as an observation deck to check out the East Sea. The interior of the statue is hollow and the two shoulders of the figure are balconies, each able to accommodate up to six people. The 30 minute hike up the mountain is also nice, there are some great views from various places on the path.

The Statue of Jesus Christ in Vung Tau

View from the Jesus statue in Vung Tau

These two attractions along withe the beautiful pagodas in the city and the beach front make  Vung Tau a place worth visiting considering the fact it's just about 125km far from Ho Chi Minh City.

 Vung Tau Market

 Vung Tau Beach