Asia is the fastest growing tourist destination and exploration by sea is far and away the most relaxing and convenient. Discover these exotic countries from the comfort of your stateroom: China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea.
Asia is a continent full of wonder. No matter how you plan to travel Asia, there are many interesting countries to explore. For anyone planning to travel Asia, there are plenty of must see locations and relaxing vacation options.
Featured Destinations:
Japan - Although there is no way to experience all that the rich county of Japan holds in a short period of time, some of the more popular Asia vacation activities in Japan include visiting the Japan Alps, taking a tour of Tokyo, or visiting any of the many local artisan and modern shopping centers.
India - just about everyone who takes an India vacation in Asia makes plans to visit New Dehli, the capital of India and one of the most populated cities in the world. Whether your Asia travel plans take you through the capital, or to smaller cities such as Agra or Bangalore, India is an excellent place to experience a myriad of festivals and a depth of history.
Nepal - the country's top attraction is Mount Everest, which can be found in Sagarmatha National Park. Then there is Durbar Square with its unique collection of shrines and its curious red guardian. Monkey Temple is another great place to take out your camera. Thamel, Rum Doodle, Pashupatinath and Kumari Chowk are all excellent sights worth seeing while on vacation in Nepal. Nepal is not just for mountain climbers and new-age hippies seeking spiritual enlightenment. The people here are grounded in reality. They have a true appreciation for family life, religion and culture and this is evident in their everyday life. Situated between India and China, you will often find odd mixtures between the two cultures – both in religious decoration and architectural structure.
Singapore - popular activities for Singapore travel in Asia include visiting the markets of Singapore, such as Chinatown and Little India, where tourists will find everything from fortune tellers to freshly ground spices. Travelers who vacation in the city of Singapore often make their way to Sentosa as well, a small island off the southern coast with a host of nature displays and other outdoor activities.
Thailand - The Kingdom of Thailand pulls tourists from all across the globe because of its irresistible combination of enticing natural beauty, splendid temples, recognized hospitality, delicious cuisine and remains of fabulous ancient kingdoms. The country offers a lot to the visitors from the mountains of Mae Hong Son and the amazing limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the mind blowing dance clubs of Bangkok and the serene villages moored along the Mekong River.
China - With a long history mired in tradition, China is full of things to do and see. For those looking to include shopping as part of their China vacation in Asia, there are wide expanses of markets to choose from, such as the Panjiayuan Jiuhuo Shichang market in Beijing, or the Kaifen Night Market in Kaifeng. Palaces in China also abound, with some of the most famous actually being Tibetan in origin, like the Potala Palace in Lhasa that once served as both a monastery and prison. Whether you head to Beijing to explore the Forbidden City, check out the Great Wall of China, or take a ferry ride in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong - Hong Kong features a diverse mixture of characters as a result of long British occupation and a great Chinese influence.
Malaysia - Malaysia is one of the gems of any travel in Asia. The relaxed and friendly attitude of its citizens, as well as the gorgeous surroundings make this one of Asia's most lovely vacation spots. Skyscrapers tower above longhouses throughout, highlighting the blend of history and modern commerce. Natural wonders greet travelers as they leave urban areas, and Malaysia is a superb place to travel in Asia for an eco-holiday.
Philippines - The Philippine Islands are a cluster of more than 7000 islands, lying north of the Malay Peninsula in South East Asia. From north to south, the archipelago extends over nearly 1850 kilometers. The Philippines are a relatively save and cheap place to visit (if one avoids the trouble prone areas in the south) with long beaches, interesting mountain treks and hikes, and spectacular underwater experiences. The climate is mostly hot and humid - averaging at about 80 degrees with humidity of 77%. The best season to visit is during the months of November to March - which is the dry season.
Vietnam - Vietnam has finally begun to capture the imagination of the travelling public. Elegant Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City (still fondly called Saigon by the locals), for the attention of visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new. In both cities the streets are jam-packed with motorbikes and scooters, often carrying whole families, and the markets are chaotically busy.
Russia - Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. The most often traveled destinations in Russia are Moscow and St. Petersburg, the two great and very different cities. Moscow is the capital of Russia, vibrant and at the same time tranquil, an exaggerated version of everything you can get in Russia, as if conforming the quality of Russian character to push everything to extreme. St. Petersburg is a beautiful city of channels and impressive architecture, and is a completely untypical Russian city. Being the closest Russian city to Europe, St. Petersburg expresses everything European Russia has to offer, but in a unique and a strange way by mixing with old traditions. For those, who want to escape the busy life of the big cities, there are many small towns around Moscow (Sergiev Posad, Kolomna, Tver, Tula) and around St. Petersburg (Petrodvorets, Pushkin, Zelenogorsk, Vyborg), which can give you the 'taste' of provincial life.
