Coffee, Culture and History in Blitar
Blitar, a small city in East Java, around 165 kilometers away from Surabaya, is mainly known as the childhood home of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno and his final resting place. More than that, however, Blitar has been a coffee-producing area since the mid-19thcentury. The Karanganjar Coffee Plantation, better known under Keboen Kopi Karanganjar orDe Karanganjar Koffieplantage, was
Sacred Swings and Ancient Ways at Usaba Sambah Ceremony
Karangasem Regency in East Bali is an area of intense beauty dominated by Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano. Mt Agung’s 3,142-metre peak, and its dramatic foothills and valleys shaped by centuries of lava flows, combine to create a landscape unrivalled anywhere in Bali. The great mother temple of Besakih sits perched against this wondrous
Family Vacations at Alila
Alila Hotels & Resorts believes in immersive family journeys, designed for memorable moments. Here are the best of their curated experiences across the portfolio. In keeping with Alila’s philosophy, each personalized programme has a sense of place which celebrates the local community and its environment. BEST FOR FAMILY VACATIONS – Alila Anji – China In
A Journey Into the Heart of Ma’Anyan Country
“We believe that the human body is inhabited by a life giving spirit. We call this an amirue. When a person dies, his or her spirit becomes an adiau, just for the time of its journey to the place where the amirue resides. During the nine days of the Ijame ceremony we help the adiau
The Coral Beauty of Northern Sulawesi
The Coral Triangle is an area so rich in sea life that it is known as the global center of marine biodiversity. Stretching north to the Philippines, west to Sumatra and east to the Solomon Islands, the Coral Triangle is where the Pacific and the Indian Oceans meet. Over 500 species of reef-building corals can
Celebrating International Hobbit Day in Middle Earth
Every year on 22 September, J.R.R. Tolkien fans all over the world celebrate International Hobbit Day. On this day – albeit in different years – two of the writer’s most beloved characters, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, were born. In Tolkien’s fictional Middle Earth, the Hobbits are the most wondrous creatures: they are happy-go-lucky “halflings” with
Oktoberfest Celebrations Around The World (Besides Munich)
The famous Munich Oktoberfest has its roots in 1810 when it was held for the first time as part of the celebrations for a royal wedding. Nowadays, it is still one of the biggest folk festivals around the world – it is all about getting together with family and friends, drinking beer and having a
The Best Way to Experience Switzerland
The Swiss Travel Pass is the key to trouble-free travel by public transport throughout Switzerland. With a single ticket visitors can travel 3, 4, 8 or 15 days throughout the entire country by train, bus and boat. The ticket includes trams and buses in no fewer than 90 towns and cities, free admission to more
Hidden Heritage: The Sweet Melodies of Rote
I slowly shuffled forward in the queue of passengers boarding the ferry at Kupang Harbour. I was about to cross the Timor Sea to Rote Island. Ahead of me, a long line of tall-coned straw-like cowboy hats snaked its way up the gangplank. Finally arriving at the comfortable VIP lounge on the upper deck, I
The Flying Affairs
World travellers know that there are many hubs that can connect us to other parts of the globe. Favourites such as Singapore, Doha, Dubai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and Istanbul remain the most popular ones. As a world traveller who jumps in and out of airplanes from one destination to another, I am always keen
Zagreb: An Old City with a Young Soul
Croatia’s capital Zagreb is a city that brings together the old and the new: located along the Sava River, it boasts stunning buildings, lush parks and is steeped in history, but at the same time radiates a truly vibrant and youthful atmosphere. The heart of Zagreb is undoubtedly the Ban Josip Jelačiċ Square, a popular
White Glam New Year’s Eve at Hilton Bali Resort
New Year’s Eve is a special occasion on everyone’s calendar; people young and old stay up to countdown the end of the last year and celebrate the start of another. Bali has always been on the top of people’s new year’s plans and for good reason! This year, Hilton Bali Resort has prepared an incredibly
Beringer Vineyards Launches Regional Campaign on Tripadvisor
Most people are fond of traveling, as visiting new destinations and exploring different cultures, cuisines and traditions can be a gratifying experience. However, not everyone enjoys the process of the actual planning and preparation. A regional survey commissioned by Napa Valley wine brand Beringer Vineyards and conducted in five countries across Southeast Asia showed that
