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Fed up of over-crowded tubes and buses in London ?
Tired of being squashed ?
Tired of standing, strap-hanging ?
Too tired to pound those pavaments for hours on foot ?
Take heart – there is another way to see this amazing city.
By boat!
Ayutthaya is all about ancient ruins – especially from a foreign tourist’s perspective. What you may not realize is that many of the newer-looking temples in this city are just as ancient as their crumbling counterparts. The difference is that they’ve been maintained, restored and rebuilt over the centuries, and they’re still in active use today.
Now, if it’s your first time in Ayutthaya, or if you only have time for the highlights, then by all means focus on the ruins. They’re spectacular. But if you’re craving an authentic Thai experience, consider following the nine-temple pilgrimage route that Thai visitors embrace.
Expectations were high as we flew into Varanasi's smart little airport.
Years of wanting to visit one of India's holiest cities had always been tempered with a slight fear as to how to handle the piety and religious fervour and, indeed, the spectacle of death that are an integral part of the DNA of this sacred city.
And now, at long last, here we were, barreling into town on a crowded road through suburbs which looked pretty much any suburb in any small town in India.
ganges river, india, varanasi 
Every major city in Thailand has a specific set of nine temples that are officially recommended for a mad-dash, merit-making tour. Thai people have an affinity for the number nine, and there’s a sense of accomplishment (as well as utter fatigue) waiting at the end of a daylong nine-temple marathon.
Completing one of these lists is challenging enough in a typical Thai city. In Bangkok, where traffic jams and jam-packed public transport factors in, the only way you’re going to make it is with some careful planning. Map your route the night before from the air-con comfort of your Bangkok hotel, and plan on getting an early start.
These are the nine temples listed on Bangkok’s official circuit.
There used to be a catchy slogan promoting Dubai, back in the days when it was little more than a shopping paradise.
“Fly buy Dubai.”
Then, the idea was to break your journey from, say Europe to Asia with a stopover in Dubai, where you could shop, shop, shop to your heart’s content, and be on your way. Because, back then, there wasn’t honestly much else to do in this city-state.
Fast forward to Dubai today, a fabulous holiday destination in its own right, regardless of whether one shops or not. (Though you probably will, let’s be honest).
Dubai, Dubai mall, UAE, dubai attractions, shopping 
An effective antidote to hotel fatigue, staying in an art hotel is a miniature journey in itself. Promoting deep engagement between guest and environment, the art hotel can reignite the spirit of discovery, inspire escapism and be culturally edifying all at the same time. Offering just as much comfort as creativity, these 10 Asian art hotels pay homage to a variety of artists and styles, many literally providing a canvas for local contemporary talent.
Asian hotels, arts, boutique hotels 
As a beach escape, Penang can’t compete with the postcard coastlines and waterways of Langkawi. On the flipside, when it comes to food, the arts and architecture, Penang is your Malaysian island of the moment.
Charted by the Chinese in the 15th century and later founded by English trader Francis Light, Penang’s colonial vestiges are becoming increasingly more of a travel highlight, with ongoing restorations bringing the island’s older architecture back to life.
British heritage is only part of the picture here, as well. During the Brits’ 171-year long rule, Penang’s role as outpost for the East India Company paved the way for a variety of diasporic communities to make their architectural mark.
georgetown, malaysia, penang 
How on earth do you choose the top 5 must-see places to visit in a state as fabulously picturesque as India’s Rajasthan?
With huge difficulty, is the answer.
Rajasthan is everything a visitor thinks and hopes India will be.
And then some.
It is dramatic, it is colorful, it has forts and palaces and castles, it has camels and brightly painted elephants, and the men wear the most fabulous turbans you can imagine. History, culture, amazing scenery, serious shopping…
…in other words, choosing the top of the Rajasthani pops is not easy, but here goes.
In Thailand, the number nine is auspicious, and it permeates religious culture. Thai households often have a collection of nine pedestals on which they display their Buddha images and family heirlooms. Enormous alms-giving ceremonies may have thousands of monks, but you can be sure the advertised figure is going to be a multiple of nine. Thinking of hosting a housewarming or graduation party? Consider inviting nine monks to chant at the ceremony. The number nine is everywhere.
When Thai people want to make a day of temple-going, they visit nine temples. Every major city has its own official list of nine temples that must be included on any Thai itinerary. But you don’t have to be Thai or even Buddhist to join in. Locals are happy to see foreigners taking a respectful interest in Thailand’s temples and sacred sites.
It's hard to believe, but up until recently wine was not a major focal point for socializing in Bangkok. These days, however, wine bars, bistros and pubs are cropping up like 7-Elevens across the city, giving travelers a grown-up alternative to buckets on Khao San Road and Kombi van cocktails.
Here's a quick list of the main wine digs in Bangkok and how to reach them.
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