Maui

The island of Maui is probably the ultimate tourist getaway with its sparkling blue oceans, excellent facilities and the never ending white beaches. The major tourist sections of Maui include Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kihei. The warm waters of Maui attract humpback whales, apart from other species of underwater life and Maui is thereby considered to be one of the best places for whale watching.

Maui offers outstanding windsurfing and other water sports, a scenic drive to Hana, two humongous mountains, and tropical parks. Maui is located close to the islands of Molokai, Kahoolawe and Lanai and was one of the first islands to be developed.

It attracts tourists from all over the world and is a popular getaway for a relaxing vacation or a tropical wedding. The hotels and resorts in Maui providespectacular views of the ocean, and their budgets vary to suit every kind of tourist. Most hotels are crowded along the West coast of Maui. Some of the local attractions include the Ocean Center, the Tropical Plantation, the Garden of Eden, among others. The Blue Angel Falls is very popular and has a deep, sparkling pool with crystal clear water.

Maui has everything you could possibly imagine during a relaxing vacation. Paradise on Earth.

Morocco

Morocco has forever been looked upon as an intersection point between Europe, the Middle East and the African continent. Tangier, a city in Northern Morocco creates a different and creative tourist outlook towards the Moroccan coastline. Turn south from Tangier and you will be ushered by the Atlantic sea breeze that rubs shoulders with beautiful cities like Casablanca, Essaouria, Rabat and Asilah, and the air carries a hint of African magic. Change routes and travel alongside the Mediterranean coastline, and you will walk through captivating little towns and the Rif mountains.

Morocco overpowers the senses and the mind from the scents and sounds that penetrates the Fès and Marrakesh medinas to the breathtaking landscapes.
Love mountains? Morocco has abundant ranges, rising from the Middle Atlas to the bizarre contours in the High Atlas. The region is specially made for trekking via soft mountain trails, walking amid fields of mountain flora and quaint villages.

The change comes all of a sudden. The mountains lead to earth coloured gorges and crevasses and the brick kasbahs glow bright red under the setting sun and one has the feeling of walking through a beautiful fairy tale. And then comes the perfectly formed dunes of sand, announcing the presence of the Sahara desert in Morocco.

The emptiness of the Sahara makes one understand clearly why Morocco has such a dignified eminence. The answer being quite simple: matchless beauty.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a congregation of the contemptuous Europeans and the vociferous third world nation, and is commonly reckoned as the most northern Caribbean city. Architectural marvels stand tall, accompanied by garbage trucks overflowing with rubbish, and extravagant delicacies melt the senses while the untidy streets pose an unbearable sight. Don't rush, because every time you take a walk along these roads, you're likely to have a rambling conversation with an absolute stranger.

When the Hurricane Katrina struck the city of New Orleans in August 2005, it left the city standing bare and cold with its residents fighting for their dear lives. Despite their many hardships, New Orleans' unofficial disposition is Laissez les bons temps rouler, meaning Let the good times roll. The citizens of New Orleans have taken up the reconstructing process seriously, after their town had been wrecked into shambles by the cruety of the storm. The areas alongside the river, which are popular tourist spots, have been restored back into their previous glory with the help of the city's trademark cheer!

One can find the resounding echoes of funky brass, sweet jazz, blues and R&B arise from different corners when you least expect them and your feet react even before you can help it. The cuisine in New Orleans has a distinct effect of Caribbean, French, Italian, African and Apanish influences. The subtle charm of New Orleans is best felt at dawn, when the pale morning light touches the ground.

Bali, Indonesia

Among Indonesia's eighteen thousand islands, Bali is a renowned province. It is an extremely famous holiday spot for tourists from all over the globe. Even though most vacationers reach Bali through international flights, it is also accessible via a short ferry ride from Indonesia's major island, Java. In order to visit Indonesia, you will need a visa from an Indonesian Embassy in your country, or in most cases, it is visa on arrival. Bali is a preffered vacation spot for a wide variety of people, icluding surfers, divers, nature lovers, the young, and the old. Indonesia holds a large ex-pat community as well, most of them owning tourist oriented businesses. Bali's most popular areas include Kuta and Sanur, and beach communities near Denpasar. However, the road heading north, past the mountains and volcanoes give a more scenic and breathtaking view. There are lakes in the center of the country, dividing it into Northern and Southern plains. In the West, the sea coast is swampy, while it is alternately rocky, sandy and pebbled in the East. Bali has a 90% majority of Hindu population. The Bali Hinduism combined with its tradition and culture results in ceremonies and celebration all year round. This is one of the reasons why Bali attracts so many tourists year after year.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a dry, arid valley desert hidden in the shadow of the Santa Rosa, and was once a popular weekend retreat for the rich and famous. Statistically located near the upper part of the Colorado, it imposes a drier, hotter climate than Los Angeles which is just a two hour drive away. What was once renowned for it hot water geysers, is now popular for its well maintained and sprawling golf courses.

Several celebrities from Hollywood constructed extravagant vacation houses in the deserts around Palm Springs, and some of these flamboyant villas still stand proof for the ostentatious days when the city of Palm Springs was a holiday retreat for Hollywood celebs. Now, affluent professionals from the West Coast cities have adopted this as a weekend retreat. This trendy young generation indulge themselves in shopping, golfing and fine dining. It has once again regained its name as the party town.

Other tourist attractions include the Indian Canyons located near tribal lands. It is a wonderful opportunity to study desert foliage and geology, with the mind-boggling canyons which serves as offbeat hiking and walking trails. Palm Springs offers a delightful variation of urban extravaganza, as well as breathtaking nature walks, making it a widely chosen option for the young and the old.

Thailand

Thailand is frequently called the Golden Land, not indicating hidden treasure beneath the land surface, but indicating the country's lustre and prosperity, right from the sandy beaches to the rich, green rice fields, or even the warm hospitality that the locals extend towards tourists!
Even though the rainy season from July to October is a drag, it has its advantages: temperature drops to cooler, more comfortable levels, fewer tourists and the scenic beauty is fresher and greener than usual.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a behemoth of honking traffic and sparkling shopping malls thronging with international tourists, amongst the rich Buddhist culture of the country. Chiang Mai is the country's avant-garde loction where one can uniquely discover the intricate beauty of Thai culture through cooking and language courses. While climbing the mountain ranges in and around Mae Hong Son one can find evidences of post Stone Age civilisation. Along the coast, one can see the limestone islands of Kho Phi Phi Don and Ko Tao, with its rich palm trees. The beaches of Thailand are a major highlight and attraction to people from northern latitudes.

While tourists relax and take in the bronze hues of the beautiful sandy beaches, they discover peace and tranquility uniquely confined to the region. The northeastern region is well suited for those who wish to dive deep in to the Thai magic, with hot and spicy food and a keen inclination towards the strange language. A life changing experience, simply called a holiday - Thailand.

Shanghai, China

The most commercial city in the most rapidly changing country, Shanghai is an extremely invigorating metropolis that has its impact not only confined to China, but produces a huge, global impact.

What was once an abode for travellers and socialites, has now become one of the capitalist cities with tall skyscrapers and bustling crowds turning into party animals by night. Despite the city's notorious past, Shanghai has managed to floor the pedal and shoot into its planned, prosperous future at a speed unattainable by most other cities of its kind. The increasing middle class of society spend hectic working hours trying to cope up with the constant developments.

Shanghai bears more resemblance to Hong Kong than to Beijing; there are no significant historical monuments. Instead, Shanghai boasts European cityscapes and picture perfect neighbourhoods. Shanghai was one of the first to be influenced by the West, and still continues to to be obsessed with high end technology and lastest trends.

Nestled between the sparkling malls and the mind boggling modern buildings is Old Shanghai, with its small temples, street markets and traditional Chinese gardens. Shanghai is a city which offers great contrast, where people can sip cocktail in a posh bar or eat dumplings at a tiny stall, or even gawk at an age old Buddhist monastery, all within a few hours. Be it the humid summer or the cold winter, Shanghai is always on the move.