The time of Ramadan is the holy month in the Islamic world and therefore visitors to regions such as Maldives, Abu Dhabi, Qatar for that matter ought to take into account the acceptable practices during this time. During this time of the year, a wide number of restaurants will be closed from sunrise to sunset although luxury Maldives hotels such as the Anantara Hotels, Resort & Spa are usually not affected by this holiday season. Particularly the evening meal of iftar, when the faithful break their fast, is considered to be a social occasion; throughout the country, ifthars are organized where people of diverse nationalities join together in the spirit of the festival. Muslims are required to fast and to also refrain from drinking …

Rituals and customs go to the heart of the ancient culture of Sri Lanka. They have been passed down from generation to generation straddling over the 2,500 year history of the island. A majority of these customs and traditions are interspersed with the daily routines and livelihoods of people in their respective regional, social and religious spheres. Taprobana, was the name given to the island of Sri Lanka by the ancient Greeks. Some of these cultural significances and rituals are based on colonial influence and are mostly still in practice within the island and is more to do in Galle , Kandy, Colombo and Negombo and other areas that were subjected to extensive colonial rule. You may catch the architectural wonders when staying at these …

Drenched in sunshine and home to idyllic stretches of shoreline bordered by refreshing ocean waters, Negombo, a slice of paradise has a rich history and heritage and those visiting here have much to do. One of the best ways to enjoy this coastal getaway is to stay at budget hotels in Sri Lanka that are located on the shore itself such as Hotel J Negombo. Being a coastal city in Sri Lanka, Negombo was a very popular city during the colonization of the island. Tipped to be one of Negombo’s most visited tourist attractions, the Dutch Fort is no ordinary remnant of the city’s colonial legacy. Having been under the Portuguese and Dutch rule in centuries past the city’s colonial heritage is one of its …

Do you love waterfights? Do you consider yourself to be the best at it? Head over to Phuket, Thailand from April 13th to April 15th and take part in the island wide water fight, also known as Songkran Festival. This festival marks the start of the Thai New Year. Phuket is believed to be one of the most popular places to celebrate the Songkran festival in Thailand and if you’re looking for a luxury Phuket hotel to stay at during this time, such as Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, be sure to book well in advance! Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is usually referred to as the Pearl of the Andaman. If you plan on visiting the island during the time of …

The Republic of Maldives is known for its natural beauty and if you are planning to visit this mesmerizing island you should also be aware of their holidays which revolve around and are influenced by the Islamic faith. Every religious festival and national occasions are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and a sense of unity emanates from these enthusiastic celebrations. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar and Muslims fast for 30 days during this period and it is considered one of the most important events in this country. Maldives being a predominantly Muslim nation, the government offices in this country open between 9 am and 1.30 pm and private offices close by 3:00 pm. At the end of Ramadan, Eid festival is …

Kandy is an ancient and renowned city, with more than one UNESCO Heritage site featured within the city. The greatest celebration of Kandy’s immense historical heritage is the Esala procession, referred to as the Esala Perahera. The parade is so popular and widely celebrated that people from all over the island will flock to Kandy in order to witness the procession, and almost any luxury hotel, Sri Lanka has to offer such as the Anantara Kalutara Resort is sure to have packages to allow their visitors to experience this incredible experience. The procession features the full spectrum of traditional Sri Lankan dances, encompassing fire-dances, whip dancers, colourful Kandyan dancers among much more. One of the hallmarks of the procession are the extravagantly decorated elephants that …