Located between Java and Lombok is the popular Indonesian island of Bali. Considered to be one of Indonesia’s most famous tourist destinations, Bali offers a great combination of a tropical climate, stunning scenic beauty and a unique culture. Visitors of the island can enjoy its beautiful beaches, breath-taking landscapes and its many cultural attractions; inclusive of traditional and modern dance and arts. Bali, being an exotic and tropical island, also offers a wide range of recreational and leisure activities to choose from. Of these one of the most exciting and exhilarating activities is white water rafting. White water rafting involves rafting through raging rapids and waves of rivers and is considered to be a truly adrenaline pumping extreme sport. If you enjoy riding the cool …

Fans of the equestrian arts who find themselves in Dubai early in 2014 will be treated to a splendid affair at the Dubai Dressage Championships, on 14th & 15th April 2014. Book your accommodation in Dubai early, as the city’s peak tourist times are around then. A Palm Jumeirah hotel is the perfect host for your stay, with the Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa presenting a superb choice of stay. Admission to the dressage championships is free and even those who are not particularly passionate about the sport will be left enthralled. Also known as “Horse Ballet”, the sport of Dressage stems from a royal lineage and employs great skill and finesse of control, on the part of the jockey and the horse. Meticulous direction of the …

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday are public holidays in Indonesia, Bali simply heaves with visitors both local and foreign who come here to enjoy the extraordinary packages offered by hotels and restaurants around the island. Flights from Australia to Jakarta are full to capacity as many try to get to Bali to enjoy the festivities as much as the sun, sea and sand. Since Bali has had Christian enclaves going back several hundred years there are many Catholic, Protestant and churches of other denominations in many parts of the island. Locals and visitors alike who are desirous of beginning the day with a religious ceremony can attend services both in English and Indonesian at St Francis Xavier Church in Kuta, St Josephs in Denpasar, …

The Dubai International Boat Show is a much anticipated event in the country’s calendar. The show invites some of the top brands in sailing and boating equipment. It is a great way to discover the amazing technology used for navigating the ocean. Dubai is one of the most affluent cities in the world and is also home to some of the wealthiest people in the globe. It is fitting that such a city would host a show that exhibits the luxurious lifestyle of the rich. There are yacht communities in Dubai who are interested in the newest developments in sailing. It is amazing what boat manufactures do to create the perfect atmosphere in a yacht. At the Dubai Boat Show you can take a look …

Since 1996 Dubai has opened its doors to lovers of horse racing. The Dubai World Cup, which is held each year, is a sort of meeting ground for all the stars in horse racing. The venue for the World Cup is Meydan Racecourse, a course that lives up to international standards; for over a decade it has invited competitors from Europe, USA and Asia. The thoroughbred horse races are organized by the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), and the chairman who presides over it is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is currently the Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. The 2014 competition includes a purebred Arabian contest along with eleven races. The regular races commenced in November 2013 which will run …

The islands of Maldives are most renowned for their stunning beaches. However the country celebrates various festivals that reflect local cultural heritage. Find a centrally positioned Maldives Island resort to base yourself at in order to make the most of your visit. Kuramathi Island offers a selection of charming Maldives villas for travellers to choose from. There are various historical and religious festivals celebrated in the islands with some incorporating traditional performances. Independence Day celebrations as well as the National Day are among the main celebrations while prominent religious events include Ramadan and EIid-Ul-Adha. Be sure to experience the vibrancy of some of the local festivals during a holiday spent in this enchanting beach destination. Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. …