As a larger than life development project that encapsulates a state-of-the-art mall and recreational facilities in the heart of Dubai Creek this visionary retail and entertainment space is the envy of the world in terms of sheer size and scope. Ideally situated on the Dubai Creek near the historic heartland of Deira lies what is now known as Dubai’s premier leisure space for the masses. Sprawled across a whopping 5.2 million square feet this monolithic edifice devoted to the country’s favourite past times of shopping, dining and entertainment is fast gaining attraction as one of its most popular tourist hubs. Appropriately dubbed the Dubai Festival City this 3km long recreational space is in fact a city within a city with breathtaking golf course, glimmering mallscape …

Although most of the world heralds in the dawning of a New Year on the 1st of January the citizens of Thailand wait till the hot summer days of April to hark in their traditional New Year in grand fashion. Dubbed the Songkran Festival the Thai New Year is a red letter event marked across the country from the 13th to the 15th of April every year. Although the dates for the festival were declared by the yearly consultation of a solar calendar the aforementioned dates have been selected to celebrate the festival in recent times. As a national holiday most Thais head to their hometowns to hark in the New Year with loved ones as family values play a vital role in the festivities …

The Maldives joins all other Islamic nations in the world to commemorate Eid ul Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, in honour of prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to show obedience to god. It is also a commemoration of the end of the Haj. Fifteen mosques in Male, Hulhumale and Vilingili are designated to conduct special Eid prayers. The Eid Adha is performed any time after sun rise, before the Zuhr time on the 10th day of the Dhul Hijjah according to the Muslim calendar, around the middle of October, and lasts for four days. Goats and sheep are sacrificed as god accepted a sheep in the place of Ishmael. As worshippers are encouraged to turn out in their best for Eid …

Those looking to experience traditional elements of Shanghai’s cultural heritage should definitely try to take part in a tea ceremony. If you want to truly explore the city while at the same time indulge in some luxury pampering, then staying at a  Boutique hotel Shanghai such as 88 Xintiandi, Shanghai is a good option. Fearing luxurious residences in Shanghai, this stylish business hotel in Shanghai can be found in the lively Xintiandi entertainment district. A tea ceremony in Shanghai lets you enjoy watching traditional rituals and customs that go into preparing tea as in days of old. This includes smelling the tea before it is prepared, steeping methods and even how to properly ‘taste’ the tea. There are a variety of teas that can be used …

Referred to as ‘Tomb Sweeping Day’, the Qingming Festival that takes place in such countries as Taiwan, gives you a chance to learn more about China’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. Those heading to the capital and wanting to stay at well placed luxury hotels in Taipei can choose Regent Taipei. This luxury hotel Taipei is an ideal starting point to your many adventures in the city. Generally taking place either on April 4th or 5th, the Qingming Festival is a national holiday and is a day people dedicate to their ancestors. Thus it is customary that during this time people visit burial sites, pay respect to their ancestors that have passed away and literally clean and sweep the tombs, making them presentable. Google+

Thailand’s calendar is speckled with festivals and holidays of religious and cultural importance. While some are observed through the entire country, regional ethic groups celebrate their own festivals in their home towns. These unique festivals are attracting crowds that travel across the globe just to glimpse these foreign traditions. The Moken or Sea Gypsies are of an Austronesian ethnicity and live mainly in the islands off the west coast of Thailand. For the Thai, they are known as the Chao Le or ‘people of the sea’. They follow a nomadic tribal way of life that is mainly based on the sea. Accumulated through countless generations, their knowledge of the surrounding Andaman Seas is quite profound. In fact due to generations of diving and swimming in …