18 January 2009

Best of Southeast Asia Highlights: Beaches




When one thinks of Southeast Asia, the attraction of its beaches inevitably pop up. Certainly, Asia has many sights to offer, and its beaches are a constant draw for many reasons.
A great draw of Asia's beaches is the selection of award-winning, internationally recognized resorts and hotels at reasonable rates. The selection of hotels to choose from is staggering: practically every international hotel brand from Hilton to Shangri-La is available. One unique luxurious Asian-based hotelier is the Banyan Tree Resorts that offer exclusive and decadent holidays in Asia. The hotel sector of the Southeast Asian tourism industry is extremely competitive. Hotels and resorts regularly undergo upgrading once every few years to keep up with the Joneses. This means one good thing for the traveler: great deals on hotels are always possible, even in the high season.0

Most visitors to Southeast Asia will experience excellent and friendly service - 'pleasure' and 'pamper' are just some mottos these hotels operate by. Think luxurious suites with extravagant comforts such as private Jacuzzis and pools. Personalized spas, massages and beauty treatments in the privacy of your own room or villa. Dining options amidst lush greenery and panoramic sea views. If the 5-star hotels are above your budget, there is a wide range of mid-priced hotels and accommodations to suit different budgets. Some mid-priced hotels are operated by locals, and are a great way to get to know the colorful cultures in Southeast Asia.
The best part about beaches in Southeast Asia is the great variety of beaches and activities to cater for different interest groups. Beaches and island living is synonymous in many parts of Southeast Asia, so there will a beach to meet everyone's needs. The islands of Indonesia, the well-known beaches in Malaysia and Thailand, the new beach spots in Vietnam and Burma all offer great, if not different, beach experiences. While some will cater to families with their range child-friendly activities, facilities and services, others target the partygoers with a continuous stream of daytime and nightlife options. Others in search for privacy or pampering, such as honeymooners or corporate leaders, are literally spoilt for choice with the lavish range of spa and beauty resorts. What this also means for the traveler is that each beach experience will differ from another, given the rich diversity of the countries.

Bali is a popular choice among foreigners due to its good air connections. This mellow island is surrounded by stretches of great beaches and range of activity, and the locals are hospitable and friendly. Other popular, something-for-everyone-beach vacations include Krabi or Phuket in Thailand and Danang or Hue beaches in Vietnam.

The warm waters of Southeast Asia also attract many diving, surfers and water-sports enthusiasts for its rich and diverse marine life or waves, depending on what you are looking for. Thailand's Koh Chang or Koh Phi Phi, the islands off the west coast of Malaysia, and the Mergui archipelago in Burma are just a sampling of the range of great diving spots and sea adventure in Southeast Asia. Many diving spots are not as easily accessible as popular beach resorts, but the more remote the waters, the richer the marine life. Many specialized diving tour groups will make the land-transfer arrangements so that getting to such remote destinations is not impossible. Some diving spots operate seasonally due to the monsoon season, so check before booking your flight.
Finally, no beach retreat is complete without the mention of food. Many Asian cultures communicate their emotions and culture through their food, so food is seen as a very important aspect of the Asian identity. Travelers will never go hungry while on vacation at one of Southeast Asian beaches. Many cuisines are a mix of indigenous ingredients with influences from predominantly Chinese or Indian cuisines. Influences from other cuisines are also common, given the influx of top international chefs working in the luxurious beach resorts. Most hotels in southeast Asia will offer a sumptuous buffet breakfast as part of the accommodation package, and travelers will drag themselves out of bed for the breakfast buffet, as the buffet spreads are usually simply too good to pass. Travelers will also want to sample local fare that will be available.

by www.WorldCheaper.com

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