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Combine Education with Your Kids Summer Holidays

If you are a parent, you likely know how important education is for your child. When school gets out for the summer, education is often the furthest thing from your child’s mind. While a break from school is needed, children are still encouraged to continue their education during the summer. If you want to keep the learning experience alive during the summer, you should consider incorporating education into your summer holidays.

Many parents wonder if it is really possible to combine education into a holiday. It is possible and many holidays are not only filled with learning, but fun and excitement too. If you are interested in scheduling an educational summer holiday for you and your family, you will have to decide on a summer travel destination that offers interesting cultural or historical learning in line with your kid’s school curriculum. This is the best way to combine interesting school work with ones holiday plans, and when it comes to educational activities, you have a number of different options to choose form.

When you think of an educational tourist attraction, many parents automatically think of a museum, but there are usually lots more to see and do. Science museums, history museums, and art museums are located all around the world. If you are interested in scheduling a museum visit, the visit may not fill up your whole summer holiday.

Museum tours involve selecting a number of museums to visit. These museums are often viewed while on a family road trip. In addition to developing your own tour, it is possible that you and your family can sign up for a group guided tour. These tours may involve meeting a group of individuals at a specific museum or travelling with them by train or bus. If you want to select multiple museums on your summer travels, you are encouraged to select different museum styles, so as to avoid the kids getting bored.

If you prefer a summer holiday that offers fun, excitement, and thrills all at once, you may want to examine visiting a theme park. Theme parks are amusement parks that focus on a particular theme. Sea World is one of the most well-known, educational theme parks in the world. In addition to fun and exciting rides, you can watch aquatic shows and visit underwater aquariums.

In addition to Sea World, there are several hundred theme parks that focuse somewhat on education. Some theme parks like Longleat tend to have an animal safari theme. In addition to a number of thrill rides, most theme parks are known for their educational adventures. These adventures may include onsite zoos or animal safari museums.

Guided tours are another popular holiday choice for parents who are holidaying with children. Guided tours are available at a wide variety of different travel destinations and are often found in state parks, animal sanctuaries, and at historical landmarks. If heading to the Untied States on your summer holidays, some fantastic educational guided tours can be found at the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and in the Adirondacks Region of New York.

As more families opt for fun filled holidays, rather than educational ones, the popularity of educational tourist attractions is on the decline. This slight decline may give you privacy and the opportunity to find great deals and discounts. In addition to cheap admission fees, you can often find online coupons for guided tours at many popular summer travel destinations, museums, and theme parks.

Educational activities do not have to limit your summer holiday options as many popular tourist destinations are within a short distance to a number of facilities that host educational activities and events. With the ability to learn, have fun, and save money, all at the same time, why would you not want to make your summer holiday educational?

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Uncategorized

Book your Discount Summer Holidays early

If you are interested in taking a summer holiday, but you are concerned with the cost, you are not alone. A large number of individuals and families wish to take a summer holiday this year, but due to the high costs associated, most are unable to do so. What many individuals and families fail to consider is discount summer holiday packages.

Discount summer holidays do exist, but to many they are only a myth, with some individuals believing that there is no such thing as a discount summer holiday. If they do believe that discount holidays exist, many assume they are only to low-quality destinations. If you are interested in taking a summer holiday, you are encouraged not to believe this popular myth.

To find discounted summer holidays, all you have to do is a little bit of research. Check out our holiday’s section on this website. Once you start looking, you will likely see that discount summer holidays are obtainable, for even the most popular summer holiday destinations. Discount summer holidays are obtainable thanks to package holidays, online coupons, and price reductions. You can also search for CASH BACK holidays here.

Holiday destination packages are one of the most popular ways that you or your family can save money when taking your next summer holiday. These packages are most often available through a travel agent and located at a resort. Theme park resorts, golf resorts, and beach resorts, all around the world, are likely to offer summer holiday packages. These packages may be considered all-inclusive or they may just cover your holiday accommodation. Such packages can easily be found online or by speaking to a professional travel agent.

When it comes to discount packaged holidays, most individuals receive a discount in the form of a price reduction. These price reductions are often used as a last attempt to increase the number of holiday makers at popular hotels, restaurants, theme parks, or beaches. If you are searching for upfront discounts, in the form of price reductions, they can easily be found HERE or by directly contacting a hotel, restaurant, or theme park.

In addition to price reductions used to lure holiday makers, many popular destinations offer price reductions to holidaying families and groups. Instead of paying full price for your children, you may be able to receive a substantial discount for them. These discounts are often found at holiday resorts, hotels, and theme parks. The size of a family or group discount will largely depend on the size of the group, but however large or small the discount is, it’s usually very welcome as it helps with having a little extra to spend during your holiday.

While discount holidays are obtainable, it is important to note that not all destinations can be holidayed at for a low price. Despite what you may believe, many of the most popular travel destinations offer valuable savings and discounts to travellers. Popular summer holiday destinations that can be visited for a low price include, but should not be limited to, the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Dubai or Disneyland and Disney World in the USA. Many times, you will end up paying more to holiday at destinations that are not as popular.

When searching for a low-cost summer holiday destination, you can search using a number of methods. If you already have a holiday travel destination in mind, you can search for discounts being offered in or around your intended destination. If you have yet to select a destination, you can examine the discounts available and then make your decision. Whichever method you select, you are sure to find valuable discounts that can be used on your next summer holiday.

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Uncategorized

How Best to Book Your Summer holidays

This year like every other will see a large number of couples and families looking to take a summer holiday. Global financial crisis or not, summer holidays are always popular. In fact, they are so popular that it is likely that you are interested in taking one too; otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this. When it comes to booking a summer holiday, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations.

Before making your summer holiday reservations, you will have to select a summer holiday destination. Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations and deciding where to go on your holiday is something you would want to decide on fairly early. When selecting a summer holiday destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are travelling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel. Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to set a budget and select the best summer holiday destination that will fit your needs.

After you have selected your summer holiday destination, you can begin to make reservations. A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United Kingdom do not require reservations. Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them. Popular summer holiday “hotspots,” quickly fill up with holidaying tourists, and without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodation.

When it comes to booking a summer holiday, a large number of travellers use the assistance of a travel agent who specialises in researching and arranging holidays for their clients. Travel agents are the popular option because they allow clients to spend more time completing their daily activities, instead of having to research and plan their summer holidays themselves.

If given the opportunity most families would prefer to use the services of a travel agent. Unfortunately, services of a travel agent do not come free. If you are interested in planning a summer holiday on a budget, you may want to consider making your own reservations. Actually in today’s economy we see more travellers making their own holiday arrangements. In a few simple minutes, you could easily make reservations online or over the phone. Not only should your reservations include hotel accommodation, but travel accommodation as well.

Aside from car travel, air travel is one of the most preferred methods of travel for arriving at summer holiday destinations across Europe. If you are interested in booking your airline reservations online, you need to click on the ‘Flights’ tab in the main menu above and perform a flight search. Popular airlines include, but are not limited to, all the low-cost flights, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, BMI, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Qantas and Qatar Airways. Each of these airlines are available and more, through our flight search and online bookings page.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room, and our ‘Hotel’ booking facilitie allows travellers to book hotels in over 200.000 hotel properties worldwide. Outboundholidays gives you access to all the best hotel deals on the planet, so select ‘Hotels’ from the main menu above and begin your hotel search for extra convenience. Specialty resorts that are located in popular summer holiday destinations, including Greece, Portugal, Spain and Turkey are all available to book online.

When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone. A large number of families enjoy holidays that are focused on the outdoors. These holidays often involve camping outdoors or staying in a caravan. Even if you plan on holidaying at a caravan park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation, or check if they are necessary. Public campgrounds and caravan parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have. Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular holiday destination, but at a discount, you will want to look at the services offered within the ‘Holidays’ section on this website. We tend to offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world. We offer all the most popular summer holiday destinations and resorts, but if you are looking to holiday at an unknown resort away from the masses, you may need a little extra planning.

Whether you choose to use the services of our discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or you intend to make your own holiday reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps. Anticipating room at the hottest summer destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your holiday. Don’t make that mistake; book your reservations well ahead of time.

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United Arab Emirates

Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Dubai, UAE

Rating
No of Rooms	212
Location	Al Maktoum street, Dubai, U.A.E.

The Metropolitan Palace Hotel Dubai on Al Maktoum Street is a luxury hotel located next to the main shopping and business center of the city about ten minutes away from the Dubai International Airport. The Hotel offers plenty of amenities for its guests. Guests can look forward to a swimming pool, whirlpool path and Jacuzzi. There are also strength-training machines at the on site fitness center and a spa for relaxation. The hotel also sponsors water sport and other fishing activities. There is an on site sauna, onsite restaurant and a business center. The Metropolitan Palace Hotel Dubai offers comfortable accommodations and some nice amenities including high speed Internet, fax machines, laundry facilities and dry cleaning services, air conditioning, mini bars and cable or satellite TV. Guests can also enjoy the beautiful marble bathrooms. The hotel is located at Al Maktoum Street in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Rooms & Suites

Hotel has 212 elegant suites and rooms are a blend of luxury, comfort and convenience, designed to suit the needs of both business and leisure travellers.

In roomm ameneties & facilities

Individually controlled air conditioning
Private bath with separate shower cubicle
International direct dialling
Two-seater sofa
Minibar and in-room safe
High-speed Internet access

Hairdryer
Express laundry service
24-hour Room Service
Television featuring international channels
Luxuriously fitted bathroom with full-size bath, separate shower, bidet and bathrobes
Fax

Superior Rooms

These elegantly furnished rooms are decorated in Arabic style, are spacious, have either a king or twin beds and each has a single or two-seater sofa. Guests receive a welcome drink and a refreshing towel upon arrival. Evening turndown is provided.

Deluxe Rooms

These gracefully decorated rooms have a distinctive Far Eastern theme, are spacious, have either a king or twin beds and each has a single or two-seater sofa. Guests receive a welcome drink and a refreshing towel upon arrival. Complimentary fruit basket and mineral water is replenished each day. Evening turndown is provided.

Executive Club Rooms

Located on the top floors, these European-styled rooms are lavishly decorated and many have fine views over Dubai. Each has either a king or twin beds and all have a single or two-seater sofa. All Executive Club Floor guests have use of the large private lounge that offers complimentary breakfast, all-day tea and coffee and evening cocktails, along with separate check-in and check-out facility.

Junior Suites

These one-bedroom king-bedded suites offer greater comfort and privacy. Separate sitting room with comfortable sofas and armchairs.

Executive Suites

One-bedroom suites with king bed and all the luxurious facilities of a Junior Suite. Separate sitting room with comfortable sofas and armchairs as well as a private dining or meeting area with a large table that seats six easily. All Executive Suites are located on the Executive Floors and guests have complimentary use of the large private lounge that offers breakfast, all-day tea and coffee and evening cocktails.

Palace Suite

One [1] bedroom luxuriously fitted suite that offers guests even more room to relax in. King-bedded master bedroom has a jacuzzi bathroom. Separate sitting room with comfortable sofas and armchairs as well as a private dining or meeting area with a large table that seats six easily. Attention to detail, immaculate service and all the amenities you would expect from a five-star hotel create a luxurious environment from which to do business or explore Dubai.

Jumeirah Suite

An imposing suite that will not fail to impress even the most travel-weary guest. Marble lobby leads into private dining room that seats eight, separate sitting room has ample sofa seating, with a majalis-style set up for 12, spacious work area and further seating area. Large king-size master bedroom with ample seating / work area and jacuzzi bathroom. Second comfortable twin-bedded room.

Haroon Al Rashid Suite

The ultimate in space and luxury, this three-bedroom suite includes a marble lobby that leads into a private dining room where eight are comfortably catered for. The separate sitting room has ample sofa seating in a majalis-style set up for 12, spacious work area and further seating area. Large king-size master bedroom with ample seating / work area and jacuzzi bathroom. Two further bedrooms. Private health club complete with small gym, jacuzzi and steam room.

Dining

The Metropolitan Palace Hotel offers a selection of enchanting culinary delights from the traditional, Lebanese-style restaurant Al Diwan, featuring an Arabian singer, Lebanese band and belly dancer to the Downtown Bar & Grill where guest are duly rewarded with encompassing great food, friendly and efficient service, a welcoming ambience together with a sense of belonging. For a trendier outlet with cocktails and fusion food, Sketch is the ideal contemporary restaurant & bar.

Al Shindagah – International Cuisine

An International All Day Dining Restaurant offers a high refined standard of 24-hour service that starts the day with a huge breakfast buffet featuring both Continental and international morning favourites, whilst lunch is an impressive buffet that features a large selection of mezzeh and salads, a tempting mixture of grills, Indian fare and local recipes and a wide selection of desserts. Alternatively, a full à la carte menu is also available throughout the day. An ideal place for a quick bite or a lingering meal. Located in the hotel Lobby.

Sketch – Mediterranean Cuisine

The new and trendy restaurant and bar is redefining an evening out in Deira with style and relaxation. Sketch, the contemporary restaurant and bar, provides the ideal setup for unwinding into deep comfortable sofas, armchairs and designer bar stools as you sip on your favorite drink from the extensive bar list. Executive Chef Dirk Friebel has extensively explored the taste of the Mediterranean and brings with him a unique and innovative approach to the style of food and promises a delectable culinary journey.

Opening hours:
Lunch – 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm
Dinner – 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Bar – 12:00 pm to 2:00 am

Downtown Bar & Grill – Steakhouse

At the Downtown Bar & Grill we appreciate that our guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options in Dubai. We are therefore highly committed to ensuring that when our guests choose to visit the Downtown Bar & Grill they are duly rewarded with a memorable experience encompassing great food, friendly and efficient service, a welcoming ambience together with a sense of belonging…

Moonlight Café – Snacks, Beverages and Shisha

Enjoy a wide variety of foods starting from light snacks, salads to hot dishes and dessert at the Moonlight Café, located at the Metropolitan Palace Hotel roof top level, and refresh yourself near the pool area with drinks from our extensive selection of beverages and wide variety of Shisha.

Opening hours:
Daily – Daily from 9.00 am till 2.00 am
Shisha is available from 5.00 pm till 2.00 am

Al Diwan – Lebanese Restaurant

A true taste of Arabian and Lebanese hospitality. Enjoy the generous, friendly service and the menu’s rich variety, featuring many traditional dishes as well as a great selection of hot and cold mezzeh. You can also experience a variety of shisha flavours, which are offered along with an exciting daily entertainment programme (Arabic singer, Lebanese band and belly dancer).
Closed for maintenance at the time of publishing

Leisure activities

Beach Facilities

Metropolitan Palace Dubai is currently offering a minimal charges for pool and beach entrance to all residents at its sister hotel, the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa. There is a daily complimentary shuttle bus service; please check with reception for timings.

Other Recreational and Entertainment Facilities

Ladies and gentlemen’s hairdressing salon
Jewellery shop
Gift shop

Health and Fitness

Rooftop swimming pool with sun deck area
Fully equipped gymnasium
Massage
Jacuzzi
Steam room
Sauna

Attractions

Local Attractions

Al Ghurair and many smaller shopping malls are all located within walking distance
Take a stroll along the dhow harbour on Dubai Creek and watch these ancient Indian ocean ships load their cargo for transportation to Iran, India, Pakistan etc. (10 minutes’ walk)
Dubai Creek and Heritage Village – A stroll in old, historic Dubai is an adventure of spices and local artifacts.
Take an abra (the traditional method of transport) across the Creek to Dubai’s famous souqs and Mina Bazaar (5 minutes’ drive)
Golf Courses – Emirates, Creek and Jebel Ali golf courses. The nearest is the Creek (5 minutes’ by taxi)
Arabian Gulf Beaches and Jumeirah Beach Park (5 to 20 minutes’ drive)
Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club on Jumeirah Beach – Free entrance to hotel residents (30 minutes’ drive)
The Palm Jumeirah – Eighth wonder of the world (20 minutes’ drive)

Business Attractions

Dubai Municipality – Many ministries and banks’ head offices are all located within 10 minutes’ walk of the hotel
Dubai World Trade Centre and Convention Halls – The main venue for the large UAE exhibitions and key events (15 minutes’ drive along Sheikh Zayed Road)
Dubai Financial Market – Dubai stock exchange (15 minutes’ drive along Sheikh Zayed Road)
Media City and Internet City – Home of the major IT and communications companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, CNN, IBM, Routers etc (25 minutes’ drive along Sheikh Zayed Road)

Services

Airport limousine service upon request
Hotel offers visa assistance to guests who are not able to obtain visas upon arrival
Tour and travel desk

Complimentary shuttle bus service to main shopping centres
Scheduled guest shuttles to the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, which offers a day at its white sand beaches and large swimming pool.

Book Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Dubai on line
Group Hotels
Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Dubai
Metropolitan Hotel, Dubai
Metropolitan Hotel Deira, Dubai

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United Arab Emirates

DUBAI BAGS TOURISM AWARDS IN THE UK

Dubai, a hugely-popular destination for leisure and business tourists from across the world, has bagged two influential awards in the UK, which remained the leading source market for its widely-expanding tourism industry.

Dubai has been voted “best destination for Middle East and Africa” at the Irish Travel Trade News Awards, while the second award from the Travel Weekly recognized the travel trade training programme conducted by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Dubai plays host to approximately 700,000 tourists annually from the UK and Ireland, its top market in the Europe.

Fayha Sultan, Marketing Manager-Commerce at the DTCM’s representative office for the UK and Ireland, received the Irish Travel Trade News Award recently at a ceremony attended by over 600 leading industry professionals. The other nominees in this category included Egypt and South Africa. The Irish Travel Trade News is the only dedicated travel trade magazine in Ireland and has been operating since 1964.

Based on the results of the fourth Conference & Incentive Travel’s (C&IT) Readers Poll 2008, Dubai was voted the top incentive destination by readers of the UK magazine, moving up from second place last year. Dubai beat off stiff competition from London, South Africa, Barcelona, and New York/Las Vegas, taking the second, third, fourth and joint fifth place, respectively.

Dubai also won the ‘Best Travel Weekly Academy Training Programme’ award at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards, are one of the most respected awards events in the UK travel industry, attended by over 1,600 leading industry professionals. This is the first Travel Weekly Globe Award that Dubai has won.

– www.dubaitourism.ae

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United Arab Emirates

17th Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) – 3rd –…

Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) is the largest, most important and most established event of its kind in the region and as one of the fastest growing leisure marine industry exhibitions in the world, the 17th edition of the event will be a classic showcase of boats from both local and international builders together with the latest innovations in marine equipment, supplies and services.

DIBS maintains its exclusive position offering exhibitors a platform to showcase their products, supplies and services to trade buyers as well as private consumers with a high purchasing power from the wealthy Middle East Regional markets as well as the emerging lucrative countries such as India, Russia and the CIS.

DIBS 2008 attracted more than 500 exhibitors and over 27000 visitors and sure to have another great event with all areas of the show already sold out.

The Middle East is the only region in the World that can boast such a huge level of investment in waterfront developments. These massive waterside developments in both Dubai and the surrounding region are generating increased demand for leisure boats, equipment and associated services.

Venue -Mina Seyahi

Established in 1988, the Dubai International Marine Club is one of the most elegant yacht clubs in the region. Over the years it has become the driving force behind the growth of national and international watersport events in the Middle East.

Ideally located on Dubai’s enchanting waterfront, next to the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and The Palm Jumeirah, DIMC is the perfect venue for the Dubai International Boat Show.

Attractions

18 Super and Megayachts over 25m in length – 45% growth on 2008!
The largest display of Superyachts in the Middle East
Dazzling showcase of 400 boats and yachts from around the globe
Live entertainment, jazz, fashion shows, raffle draws and prizes

Information –www.boatshowdubai.com

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Sri Lanka

Ceylon Tea Trails wins two TripAdvisor travellers choice awards…

Ceylon Tea Trails has won two of the coveted 2009 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards in two categories – Best Hidden Gems, Asia & Best All-Inclusive, World according to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) Middle East Office.

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel community on the web, with more than 32m visitors every month, 9m members and 20m reviews and opinions generated monthly by actual travelers who cover more than 300,000 hotels in 30,000 destinations worldwide. TripAdvisor is an operating company of Expedia Inc. of USA, the world’s largest internet based Travel Company.

Unlike other hotel awards programs, the ‘Choice Awards’ are based on an analysis of real, unbiased reviews and opinions by actual guests. A typical rave review of Tea Trails at tripadvisor.com says: ‘If you stay in one place when in Sri Lanka, make sure this is it!’ Ceylon Tea Trails comprises four colonial tea planters’ bungalows, set among lush Ceylon tea estates, and infused with a new and decidedly gourmet vibe. Each villa, built between 1890 and 1939, offers a taste of colonial living thanks to butler service & authentic period furnishings. Castlereagh and Summerville bungalows have lakefront positions, while Norwood has the best pool, with panoramic views. Tientsin is the most traditional colonial.

‘Sri Lanka has all the necessary ingredients to make it an attractive destination for travellers seeking somewhere new and different, yet offering facilities of the highest international standards combined with the unique charm and adventure of a tropical paradise, an exotic destination with an old-world charm, said Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, Middle East Director of SLTPB.

‘Ceylon Tea Trails is a prime example of the top quality hotels and excellent facilities available in the island nation and the property deserves this accolade because it offers facilities to rival the best in the world,’ Ms. Al Mansoori remarked.

Ms. Al Mansoori noted that in addition to the Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka has several city hotels and beachfront properties and a number of boutique hotels to cope with the tourist demand. Most hotels in Sri Lanka offer superb amenities for holidaymakers, whether they are seeking an active outdoor vacation or simply looking for complete relaxation in comfortable surroundings.

Opened by the tea company Dilmah, the resort teaches visitors everything they need to know about the perfect brew. Guests are absorbed into life on a working tea estate, whilst revelling in five-star luxury.

Tea Trails must now rank as the resort that has received the most accolades of any resort in Sri Lanka by the International press in such a short time. Accolades include Best destination in the world to ‘pop the question to your partner’, Wow Traveller Magazine; ‘Top 10 hotels in the world for tea lovers’, Luxury Traveller Magazine, UK; ‘Top Five Colonial Holidays in the World’ and ‘Five Best Tea Plantation Hotels in the World’, both by The Independent newspaper UK; Hot List of best new hotels in the World for 2006, Conde Nast Traveller Magazine; ‘Top 10 Tours to Whet your Whistle’, Belfast Telegraph and, ‘Winter Getaways – 20 Great Destinations’, Travel + Leisure, Australia.

Guests at Tea Trails have included celebrities, writers, nobility, descendents of British tea planters and discerning Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka offers diversity within easy reach in a small island. Among the many epithets showered upon this tiny island include Serendipity, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma and Pearl of the Indian Ocean to name a few and none comes even close to articulate the true beauty and old world charm of Sri Lanka.

Tourists from around the world visit Sri Lanka every year in search of a perfect holiday ranging from nature, culture, adventure, education, healing and spiritual discovery to connecting with roots or simply to watch a cricket match.

Source: AMEInfo

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Sri Lanka

Elephant Corridor Hotel, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL | 21 SUITES

Leave your worldly cares behind. Breathe the spirit of wilderness. Rejuvenate yourself, in the tranquil surrounds of thousands of acres of jungle beside the lake, against the backdrop of the breathtaking Kandalama hills, with its all-suite accommodation concept – Elephant Corridor.

The Elephant Corridor Hotel is amongst the most luxuriously appointed small boutique hotel in the region. Boasting all kinds of ultra modern amenities and facilities the hotel’s an oasis of comfort ensuring an unforgettable stay for her guests.

The Hotel is located approximately 4hrs from the airport, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle with many amazing historical and religious sites and numerous wildlife sanctuaries dotting the surrounding countryside, the hotel itself faces the famous Sigiriya rock fortress, a 2000 year old citadel in the sky.

ACCOMMODATION

All 21 suites are finely decorated and designed to offer superior comfort. Each room is fully air-conditioned with modern in-room amenities and en-suite services. All rooms afford panoramic views of the jungle plains and beyond.

Each of the suites at Elephant Corridor has its own private plunge pool in the bedroom itself. A unique spa concept offers the latest spa treatments to rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.

Room type: 6 Deluxe Suites – 8 Super Deluxe Suites – 4 Romantic Suites – 2 Royal Suites – 1 Presidential Villa

Facilities: Air conditioning – Mini bar – Private bathroom / Ensuite – Telephone – Television

CUISINE

Ambrosia Restaurant offers delicious cuisine in a romantic ambience – ‘Ebony and Ivory’ jungle bar and ‘Fables and Tales’ Library bar provide a global variety of cuisine and refreshments. Everything is absolutely five stars.

Products & Services: 21 luxury air-conditioned suites – Banquet facilities – Cocktail bar – Conference facilities – Landscaped Garden – Gymnasium – Lounge – Restaurant – Sauna – Spa – Swimming pool – Terrace – Travel desk – 24-hour security – foreign exchange and concierge service.

Check-in/Check-out Time: Check-in is 12.00 noon and Check-Out is 11.00 a.m. An earlier Check-in or later Check-out can be requested on a case by case basis and the resort may agree depending on availability.

Address: Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Airport: Bandaranaike – Colombo International

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Sri Lanka

Wild elephant population rising in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population has shown a marked increase over the last 10 years.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that there were 1,099 elephants in the North Western Province in 1993 and the number has increased to twice as many in 2004.

The minister said, “there are 450 elephants in Udawalawe National Park and there are an estimated 1,500 elephants living outside the Wilpattu National Park as result of terrorist activities that take place in the Park,” he said.

Minister said that steps would be taken to put up Elephant Transit Homes (Ath Asaru Sevana) near Yaan Oya and Thabbowa forest.

The present Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe will be made an Elephant Conservation Zone, he said. Commenting on the elephant mortality rate in Sri Lanka, Ranawaka said there were 189 elephant deaths in 2007, of them 110 were caused by humans.

Fifty four elephants had reportedly died up to May this year. The highest number of elephant deaths have been reported from the North Central Province, he said.

Chamikara WEERASINGHE writes for DailyNews.lk

Sri Lanka

The Beach, Jetwing Beach, Negombo, Sri Lanka

75 LUXURY ROOMS | 3 LUXURY SUITES

The Jetwing Beach, Negombo, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the world, lies nestled among the palm trees, along a beautiful sun-drenched beach in the coastal town of Negombo. It takes one to an ultramarine world of colourful interiors where each of the rooms open on to large private balconies, or terrace which looks out to the Indian Ocean.

The hotels architecture is truly impressive and also inspiring, it’s beach, it’s cool, it’s calm and it’s a temple of chic – A harmonious blend of soft colours and rich, dark woods, this place lives and breaths luxury.

Your cares will be swept away by the cool breezes that blow through its open spaces. Apart from its spectacular setting amidst windswept palms and sun bronzed beach. The Hotel’s spa features a comfortable lounge to relax in, a Jacuzzi, steam room and special treatment rooms with a choice of air-conditioned environments for treatment. The luxury and romance of this idyllic location forms the perfect backdrop for honeymoons too.

ACCOMMODATION

Jetwing Beach Resort offers 75 spacious, luxury rooms with minimalist interiors and 3 luxury suites with a large open court yard with rain shower and Jacuzzi.

Room with cement flooring and dark teak furniture, individual air conditioning, telephone and IDD facility, hair dryer, magnifying shaving mirror, mini bar, tea & coffee making facilities, safety locker, cable TV, CD/DVD Player, In -room dining, slippers and bath robes.

CUISINE

‘The Sands’, for all day dining; ‘Black Coral’, the fine dining restaurant, offering an exciting a la carte menu; ‘Al Fresco’ dining on the terrace; The Centre Point, a beach restaurant offering great pizzas and other snacks and Terrace Bar

ACTIVITIES

‘Water sports, kite surfing, fishing, a village walk, Anawilundawa bird watching tour including a train ride, a boat ride with breakfast through the Dutch canal or experience the marsh and narrowing water ways of Muthurajawela with a boat ride. You could also take a safari through the jungles of the Wilpatthu National Park or perhaps tour the many ancient Roman Catholic churches in the area.

Experience ‘Signature Dining’ – A romantic Rama & Sitha spa and dining experience, in-room dining for couples. Beach Bar-Be-Que for a couple or small group.

Experiences within the hotel: Learn to cook hot and spicy sea food dishes and other Sri Lankan specialities, tea tasting ceremony of J

etwing Teas, Signature Dining, Exotic Weddings and parties.

FACILITIES

2 Restaurants (à la carte, buffet and signature dining)
3 Bars including pool bar
2 Swimming pools
Gym (fully equipped)
Tennis & Squash courts
shops
Spa and Ayurvedic centre
Watersports centre offering Deep sea fishing, Boat rides, Catamaran sailing,
Body boarding
Kayaking
Babysitting service available
Evening entertainment programmes.

Address: Negombo, Sri Lanka

Airport: Bandaranaike – Colombo International – 20 minutes

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