Although English is widely spoken and is the language of choice, you can still hear other ethnic groups of Indian and Chinese conversing in their native tongues. With the diverse culture comes a vast array of natural beauty as Malaysia offers travellers a chance to peer deep into its rich rainforests where unblemished jungles still house rare fauna and flora. The area is adorned with crystal clear beaches of endless sand and everywhere you look are peeks into the county’s deep past through monuments with Portuguese and Dutch ancestry.  
 
If you are planning holidays to Malaysia, some of the more popular destination choices include Kuala Lumpur, which is considered the nerve centre of Malaysia. There is also Miri and Mulu, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kuching.

Some of the top sights to see in the country include the Palace of Culture, Malaysian Agricultural Park, Air Keroh Recreational Forest and Taman Negara, the country’s 150-million year old forest.

Each route has its own special highlights and the trains have the very best in luxury accommodation and dining. The Glacier Express runs from Zermatt to St Moritz in Switzerland. The journey takes about eight hours and covers some 181 miles through some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe. At the beginning of the journey the scenery is dominated by the Matterhorn; it is part of the Pennine Alps and stands 4,478 metres in height. From there it follows the Matter Vispa River and then onto the Rhône Valley to Visp. The highest point in this journey is at Oberalp Pass, which is just over 2,000 metres. From here the line descends and travels through the beautiful Rhine Gorge. This route also takes you through some lovely forested areas as well as passing through the highest railway tunnel in the Alps.

This is just a brief example of what a rail holiday can offer you. It is the chance to see some of the world’s most beautiful places from the comfort of a luxury train. This means there is no need to drive and no need to miss anything along the way. A rail journey could also be used as part of a longer holiday to see and explore more of a foreign country.

Attractions

The major attractions in Tahiti include the Aqua-safari and diving at Eleuthera – aside from the relaxing spa, golf and aqua-biking activities.  The lagoons with their huts called ‘fares’ in the local language offer some of the most luxurious yet rustic experiences in accommodation.  The nightlife of Tahiti provides a unique and exotic experience, enhanced by the surrounding natural beauty.  It also has a few museums that can be visited to learn about the local history, indigenous peoples and the culture.  

Islands and activities 

Other islands that dot the landscape have their own attraction and charm.  Mount Marau dominates the island of Tahiti Nui while the Tahiti Iti has Mount Ronui and Mount Meireunei, each with unspoiled lagoons and beaches with vividly coloured coral reef formations.  However, Tahiti is not just for the honeymooners it also offers cruising and diving trips for families on a holiday as well.  The tropical rain forest with beautiful waterfalls is a hiker’s paradise.  Shopping for souvenirs and handicrafts in the local market can be a delight in itself and the fresh farm products and seafood can be cooked leisurely at one of the many bungalows that are available.  Local and French cuisine at fine dining family restaurants is a treat to the palate. 

Tahiti is also famous for its caves that can be explored during an adventurous daytime excursion.  

Hong Kong has a distinctive attitude to tipping. For rewarding bellboys and taxi drivers, you can base your tip on the level of service you receive. When you go to a restaurant, tips are included in a mandatory 10% service charge.

If you intend taking a taxi, start by writing your destination down on paper. Your driver will probably understand English, but it is better to be sure than sorry. The best place to hail a cab is outside your hotel or, if you are sightseeing, look for a taxi stand. A detailed explanation of the basic rate for the first two kilometres and costs such as tunnel charges are shown on the doors of the taxi. Your driver will print a receipt if you need one.

When you are shopping or taking the sights of Hong Kong, you should have your identification with you at all times. Carrying large amounts of cash is not advisable in any city, but in Hong Kong it is not necessary as the shops take all major credit cards.

As taxis are not always the most comfortable or convenient way to travel, tourists should become acquainted with Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR). The MTR operates on six routes, which cover Tsuen Wan to Central, Yau Mat to Tiu Keng Leng, North Point to Po Lam, Sheung to Chai Wan, Tung Chung to Hong Kong and to Hong Kong from the airport. The airport route departs every ten minutes from Central through Kowloon, Olympic and Tsing Yi stations, arriving at the airport approximately 20 minutes later.

Though a large number of ski resorts offer modern and safe skiing facilities, Alberta is known as a ski lover’s paradise.  New Hampshire offers steep and rugged slopes for seasoned skiers, while first timers can both learn the ropes and experience the thrills on the flatter ski areas of the ski resorts.

Calgary in Western Canada has some excellent ice rinks and the Olympic Plaza is a must visit.  While Vancouver can be visited both during winter and summer, as it offers spectacular views and weather during both seasons, it is not a renowned skiing destination.  The city of Ontario however, with its Laurentian mountains is another great place to experience that perfect ski holiday in Canada.

Some of the best locations to visit while on a holiday to Japan are the capital city of Tokyo, Osaka, Mount Fuji and Hiroshima.   Tokyo being the capital city attracts the most travellers and is a lovely mix of old and new.  Osaka is the business capital of Japan and it is a vibrant and conservative city where the locals abide by their traditions and the commercial buildings, malls and street culture will make any international tourist feel at home.

Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano, is amongst the most popular Japanese holiday destinations with global travellers; it offers fantastic views. The Japanese consider the mountain to be sacred. 

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park attracts numerous tourists to visit this museum and to see for themselves the devastation caused by the nuclear bomb that hastened the end of World War II.

Wherever you stay in Japan you will enjoy the gracious and traditional hospitality that is a hallmark of the nation.

The term Caribbean holidays groups together a large portion of countries in and around the Caribbean making choosing a destination difficult. However, there are several distinct spots that are trendy and hotter than ever.

Each island, city and town differs greatly from the next due to its location and topography. Some places offer spectacular scuba diving while others will offer magnificent volcano hikes or zipline adventure through the jungle.

St. Maarten is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean. For some, this in itself is a reason to stay away. If you are interested primarily in western hotel accommodations, restaurants and shopping, this may be your best choice.

The Cayman Islands are known for being some of the most beautiful in the world. This area also offers some of the best scuba diving around which is a definite plus for those wanting sun, sand and scuba.

Palm Beach

Built in 1902, Sundy House has kept its character as an historic cottage. Each of its 11 rooms features dignified style and beautiful decor. The location is ideal, just a short distance from the beach and with its lush garden setting; Sundy House makes a fantastic getaway for friends and family groups.

Miami

In South Beach, the Marriott South Beach is located only a short walk from the beach, clubs and shopping centres. This boutique hotel has nicely designed rooms and staff that live to please.

Jacksonville

Baymeadows is an extended stay hotel, which is ideal for the tourist on a budget. Travellers are also able to bring their pets to share their Florida holiday. The rooms include television, kitchen facilities and all the amenities you need at a price that will make your wallet happy.

The resorts listed above will suit a range of budgets and holiday preferences, to make any tourist’s stay in Florida a memorable one.

The Spanish Mediterranean coastline is a leading location for family campsites, mainly based in Catalonia, Costa Brava, Costa Verde and Costa Dorada.  As well as providing a cheaper alternative to hotel accommodation, these campsites are often based alongside beaches, and have access to all the amenities of a typical beach holiday.  The campsites themselves are also well-appointed with a wide variety of restaurants, shops, swimming pools, and sporting and leisure facilities.

Most Spanish coastal campsites are open between April and September, and offer a standard of luxury comparable to many hotels.  To complete a family adventure, they can also be easily reached by car, crossing the English Channel by ferry or the Eurotunnel, and then spending one night in France.

Travelling from the UK is really easy, you can either set of from one of many UK ports or you can fly to a European destination and start there, depending on what itinerary you choose. Stay and cruise holidays are also popular, leaving you the opportunity to stay a time at a port either before you embark on your cruise holiday or after.  A Mediterranean cruise will be a huge draw for history buffs; you can explore Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Rome’s grand Trevi Fountain, and Ancient Greece with the ruins of Olympia, and many UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You can either embark on an Eastern Mediterranean cruise which will take you around Venice, Kotor in Montenegro and recent tourist draws such as Dubrovnik and Split on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Plus you can hit other popular tourist destinations such as Greece and Turkey. A Western Mediterranean cruise will see you dock at Europe’s chicest hotspots like the holiday islands of Majorca, Menorca, as well as Crete, Corsica and Scilly. Then there is also the opportunity to get out and explore Monte Carlo, Nice, St Tropez, Villefranche and Portofino. Some continental cities you can also stop off at include Barcelona, Pisa, Rome and Palma in Majorca.

Cruise holidays aren’t just for the rich or retired as people have always thought, there are some great offers out there for families, couples or solo travellers and you can easily find some last minute cruises. There are many different itinerary’s to choose from the hard thing will be choosing which one to go for to start with, after all once you have taken one cruise holiday you will want to go and take more to explore the rest of the world!