The traditional New Year is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the majority of the residents of Sri Lanka. Interestingly the timing and nature of the New Year celebrations bear affinity with the corresponding traditions amongst several South and South-east Asian peoples. The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April and is marked as a public holiday in the country. This auspicious occasion is considered to herald the ending of spring and the harvest season. The distinctive traditions and rituals are said to be derived from the rich history and cultural traditions of the nation. These beliefs were influenced by the advent of Buddhism, the main religion of the country, to create the colourful and vibrant customs and rites …

The day of Nyepi is a very important occasion for the Balinese. Falling at the dawn of the New Year according to the Balinese traditional calendar, Nyepi is a Hindu festivity which is native to Bali. A national holiday in Indonesia, Nyepi is a time for fasting, silence and meditation for the people of Bali. The subsequent day is celebrated as the commencement of the New Year, and is also a day of festivity. Nyepi is observed strictly, from 6 am in the morning to the same hour the following day. The occasion is considered to be a time for self-reflection, when any diversions and activities which might hinder with this objective are proscribed. Accordingly on this day there are many restrictions on the Balinese …

Singapore is more than a business hub or a holiday getaway. This rapidly growing commercial city has something to keep everyone happy. When you are planning your next holiday, do not forget to reserve your 4 star hotel Singapore prior to your arrival. M Hotel Singapore which is known as a top Singapore city hotel is a highly recommended choice available to all the visitors vacationing in the city. NATAS Travel 2013 is another event organized annually which gives the opportunity to all the tour operators and travel agents to promote the world’s best travel destinations to the holiday makers planning their vacations overseas. Be it a romantic getaway, family holiday or a spine-chilling adventure, NATAS Travel 2013 will let you discover all the available options under one roof …

To enjoy a slice of Chinese culture, there cannot be any other event better than Huayi, Chinese Festival of Arts. During your stay in Singapore, a Singapore city centre hotel would let you make the most of your stay as it gives you easy access to all the main attractions in the city. Remember to do your Singapore hotel reservation prior to your arrival at Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore which is known be one of the top accommodation options available in the city. Your convenient accommodation will let you enjoy the city’s major cultural festivals such as Huayi, which showcases and celebrates the rich Chinese cultural beauty. This show is the platform for all the local artists to display their outstanding works of art to the local and international …

Thailand is renowned for shopping, tourism and entertainment and these coveted titles have been won mainly due to the numerous shopping complexes, theme parks and amusement centres that are located around the country. Phuket, is a sparkling string of thirty three islands that dazzle the horizons of the Thai mainland. It has butterfly gardens, orchid gardens, aquariums, charter boat services, mini golf courses, wildlife sanctuaries, rain forests and amusement parks, making it a vacationer’s paradise. Young or old, energetic or laid back, everyone has something to do to while away their time at Phuket Islands and one venue that brings all these people together is the ‘Phuket FantaSea’. Tourists usually can’t decide whether to start at the tempting restaurants, the alluring shopping centres or the …

The capital of France, fondly known the world over as the ‘City of Love and Music’, is home to the Opera de Paris Garnier which was built for Emperor Napolean the Third. The name of the building is derived through its designer, Charles Garnier and work on the building commenced in 1862. However, its completion was delayed due to the astonishing discovery of an underground lake, part of which is said to exist even today, making this construction an architectural marvel. The Opera de Paris Garnier has the proud distinction of being one of the largest such theatres in the world and its interior design is just as majestic and is complete with marble columns, sculptures and gilded statues. The Grand Marble Staircase found inside, …