Poson Full Moon Poya Day celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is a day that is celebrated with light and colour and neighbourly harmony, a very special occasion second only to the Vesak Festival for Buddhists ihttps://www.flickr.com/photos/lakpura/15369289710n Sri Lanka.   Observing Poson with the locals There are many sites of significance to Buddhists all over Sri Lanka, each more wonderous and full of stories as the next. If you stay in the Fortress Resort and Spa, you will only be less than half an hour away from the Japan Peace Pagoda which is a Buddhist temple with breath-taking ocean views. Peace Pagoda The Japanese Peace Pagoda, Unawatuna is one of the eighty as of the year 2000, peace pagodas built under the guidance …

While Macau may be full of glitz, glamour and gaming at its lavish casinos, this destination has a rich history too. A great place to start your journey of discovery would be Senado Square. Getting There Senado Square can be found in the Historic Centre of Macau which has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Within a 12 minute drive from Hotel Okura Macau, this site can be reached by public bus services including the following routes which have stops nearby: 3, 6A, 18A, 33, N1A. What to Expect A visit to Senado Square with its old world charm offers a fascinating contrast to the atmosphere you will find at luxury hotels in Macau. Home to neo-classical buildings, a mosaic-tiled pavement, an old post office …

A main Buddhist religious festival celebrating the triple anniversary of Lord Buddha. In Sri Lanka, a majority Buddhist country, this festival brings about brightly lit streets full of creative and intricate lanterns to admire. What is Vesak? The birth, attainment of enlightenment and passing away into Nirvana are the three notable events that Vesak symbolizes. The day is spent in reflection, with devotees offering flowers, lighting lamps and burning incense in the name of God. Several traditional ceremonies occur throughout the island on and before the days leading to Vesak. The day of celebration varies each year. How is it celebrated? Numerous roadside stalls are erected in the evenings, distributing passers-by free drinks and refreshments! Performances and theatre performances close to various temples are a …

The traditional New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka is a time marked by families getting together and various customs being observed by the country’s Sinhala and Tamil communities. A National Holiday The traditional New Year or the Sinhala and Tamil New Year generally falls on 13th and 14th April each year. In the villages, it is also celebrated as a harvest festival and it is a national holiday as well. Look to book family or honeymoon hotels in Sri Lanka in advance during this time; places like Amaya Hunas Falls, Kandy give you a chance to experience some of the New Year festivities. Rituals and Customs The New Year period is marked with a series of auspicious times at which various customs are followed. These include boiling milk in …

Christmas day is looming, and you just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Thinking of a relaxing Christmas break in a peaceful environment? A perfect pick would be Thailand at a Koh Phangan resort where you could chill with your partner in privacy. A few things to remember when spending Christmas in Thailand. Chilling Thailand being predominantly a Buddhist country, does not celebrate Christmas like the west. Although you may find some festive cheer around, the best way to celebrate is to chill at a resort such as the Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas where you can request for your own private villa. Christmas buffet There are a few restaurants in Koh Phangan that serve up a proper Christmas roast, but with a more tropical …

Planning to head to Bangkok this Christmas and wondering if the Thai capital will have a festive Christmassy cheer? The answer is a resounding “YES”! Here are some of the activities you can look forward to enjoying. Catch the Special Christmas Trees & Lights The city gets a Christmas makeover during the season and you can look forward to seeing a great many Christmas trees, lights and festive décor. Ratchadamri Road home to hotels the likes of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel is a great place to see such decorations as are popular malls which include CentralWorld Square, Siam Paragon, MBK and Siam Discovery. Visit the Festive Christmas Markets During the season, you will also find colourful Christmas markets being set up, each offering lots of shopping opportunities. …