10 Reasons to Holiday in Malaysia

1. Glorious beaches and islands

Discover a collection of breathtakingly beautiful white sandy beaches and islands dotted along the coast of Malaysia.  Try the Perhentian Islands, Langkawi or Tioman Island.

2. The buzz of Kuala Lumpur

Experience a dazzling clash of ultra-modern architecture and ancient street markets. Kuala Lumpur has grown at a breathtaking rate in recent years but has somehow managed to retain its unique mix of charm, smells and traditions.  Make sure you include a couple of days here at the start or end of your holiday.

3. Wildlife

Malaysia is famous for the Orang Utans of Borneo, but is also home to the cheeky proboscis monkeys and other mammals, birds, invertebrates, fish and other amazing creatures too.  In fact, each year as more previously untouched rainforest is explored, more wildlife is being discovered.

4. Culture and heritage

From a wide range of influences – including English, Malay, Indian and Chinese – Malaysia has a rich and diverse culture. From the modern city-types in the skyscrapers of KL, to the tribes in traditional wooden longhouses of Borneo get out and about and you’re guaranteed a varied holiday and a melting pot of cultures.

5. Rainforest

Discover Taman Negara, a 130 million year old rainforest is sanctuary to countless birds, butterflies, insects, fish, plants and animals.

6. Shopping

From designer shopping malls in KL, to the indigenous arts and crafts on sale in open-air markets across Malaysia, you’ll find great deal or two if your bartering skills are up to it.  The pound goes a long way in Malaysia, so you may want to bring an extra case or two!

7. Fun in the water

Make the most of the clear under-water visibility and tropical temperatures.  Try waterskiing, snorkelling, jet skiing, diving, or simply paddling.

8. Self-drive holidays

Left-hand driving, a good road infrastructure between cities and outstanding natural beauty make Malaysia a great destination for a self-driving holiday.

9. Delicious cuisine

Stemming from a range of diverse cultures, you’ll find a fantastic array of dishes in Malaysia.   Enjoy fresh seafood, tropical fruits and tantalising spices courtesy of the Indian and Thai influence.

10. Elegant luxury

From the award winning Pangkor Laut Island Resort to the Ritz Carlton in KL, you find a wealth of luxurious hotels in Malaysia

Contact Malaysia Experience for an unforgettable holiday in Malaysia.

Vineyards in Morocco

Morocco may be a Muslim country, one subject to Islam’s strict prohibition of alcohol consumption, but it’s also open-minded (placing its emphasis on personal choice) and incredibly green. So, in the undulating hills of Meknes in northern Morocco, acre upon acre of vineyards flourish under extremely favourable weather conditions. Producing the equivalent of 35 million bottles last year, local wine ‘appellations’, such as those in France, and Morocco’s first self-styled “Chateau”, are now in existence.

The specialist tour operator, Best of Morocco, can arrange visits to the vineyards to observe production and to sample the wines, using the nearby city of Fes as a base.

A four-night stay in Fes, where the Medina (old city) has barely altered in 200 years, costs from £800 pp staying at Dar Anebar, a sumptuous riad with a rooftop terrace and large suites. (It is not unusual here to find the owner, Ahmed, in a niche, teaching a guest to play the lute, or inviting guests into the kitchen to either join in or watch the preparation of the meals. He has even been known to take a mule up to the nearby city gates to greet newly arriving guests and to carry their bags.) The cost includes return flights from London, accommodation with breakfast, and private transfers. Vineyard visits cost extra.

Get Married in One of the World’s Most Beautiful Places

With the cost of weddings in the UK skyrocketing over the past ten years, it’s no surprise that weddings abroad are becoming more and more popular, often costing a fraction of a UK wedding.

The secluded islands of Greece, Cyprus and the coastline of Turkey are popular, but couples are increasingly looking to go further, to places such as Cuba or Malaysia for a more exotic setting.

Just imagine taking your vows on the sun-drenched shore of a tropical paradise island when all you can hear is the gentle lapping of the waves – that’s the magic and romance of Malaysia. Contact Malaysia Experience and a personal advisor will be happy to make all the arrangements for a very special day.

Or why not head to Cuba for a wedding set in the colonial buildings of Havana – perfect for a nostalgic white wedding – or get married to the sounds of live Cuban music on beautiful sandy beach.  There are plenty of options in Cuba, and with the injection of a bit of Cuban personality, all are guaranteed to be very memorable indeed.  Contact Captivating Cuba for more information.

July is party time in Cuba – time to book now!

If you want to escape the doom and gloom of the recession in the UK, why not arrange a trip to Cuba in July for some street partying you’ll never forget.

We recommend the street parties in Santiago de Cuba and the best time to go is 24th-26th.   You’ll be witness to some truly mesmerising scenes of people dancing and celebrating in colourful costumes, and sample some of the huge array of local delicacies and drinks on offer – a real treat for the senses!  The excitement builds before the annual performances at Cuartel Moncada.

This truly is one festival not to be missed!  Contact Captivating Cuba to make all the arrangements.

Take a walk on the wild side in the World’s Oldest Jungle

With flora and fauna that has developed without disruption for hundreds of millions of years, there is really is no place on Earth like Taman Negara in Malaysia. There are over 4343 kilometres of jungle to explore!

For those who love gentle walks, serious trekking, active pursuits or simply observing the many varieties of animals, birds and insects that inhabit the jungle this really is heavenly.

A true highlight is the canopy walkway – the longest on Earth – which takes you across the top of the jungle at 45 metres high and 510 metres long. As they say at the park, if you haven’t experienced the canopy walkway, you haven’t experienced Taman Negara. No pressure.

To organise a holiday at Taman Negara, speak to the Malaysia specialists, Malaysia Experience.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Morocco

2009 is the year for a frugal lifestyle, so everyone says, and I’m sure you’ve read story after story about how the weak Pound is affecting value-for-money holidays in the Euro-zone. So, why not travel to Morocco?  But wait a minute that’s surely going to cost more, isn’t it…

Well, actually the Pound is still going strong against the Moroccan Dirham.  Flights from major UK airports take around 3.5 hours – the same time it can take to travel to Turkey or Greece.

Here are ten things you didn’t know about Morocco, which could inspire you to visit this exciting destination.

1. Watch Shooting Stars

The night of August 12th to 13th is the culminating point of a meteor shower with rates of over one hundred meteors per hour. You can find many luxury hotels in the High Atlas Mountains or the Sahara desert where light pollution won’t spoil visibility. SaharaSky hotel in Zagora has its very own astronomical observatory!

Sahara Sky - Hotel and Astronomical Observatory in Zagora

2. Moroccan Grand Canyon

The Dades Valley of Morocco offers the same peace and tranquility you will find in the Grand Canyon.  Stretched between the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and Jbel Sarhro Mountains, Dades Valley offers a spectacular view of a snowy mountain on one side and a semi-desert on the other.

3. Goats can climb trees in Morocco

In south-west Morocco, you can frequently find goats climbing trees – an unusual photo opportunity! The goats eat the fruit from the argan tree and spit out the pits. The locals collect these pits to extract the bitter kernels inside, which are ground and pressed to make nutty argan oil used in cooking and cosmetics.

4. A hint of Santorini, Greece – in Essaouira

It is easy to mistake Essaouira’s white and blue seafront for Santorini in Greece. Once one of the most prosperous cities in Morocco, it is now home to craftsmen busy making marquetry, traditional Moroccan ornamental furniture from the roots of the thuya tree. Only two hours’ drive from Marrakech, it’s a stunning place for a short break on the Atlantic coast.

Essaouira, Morocco

5. You Can Ski in Morocco

Morocco is probably the only place in the world where you can see snow, desert and sea in one trip.  Between January and February you can ski or snowboard in Oukaimeden up in the High Atlas Mountains. If you’re looking for an alternative ski holiday look no further than Morocco.

6. Luxury in the Sahara Desert

What could be more romantic than watching the sun rise over the Sahara desert? This doesn’t have to be a backpacker’s experience! You can travel in comfort from your hotel in Erfoud or Merzouga and spend the night in your own luxury tent in the desert with carpets, beds and hot showers.

Sahara Desert, Morocco

7. Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites

Morocco is an ideal destination for a cultural holiday.  Apart from the prevalent Islamic presence, you can find traces of diverse cultures, including Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and many others.  Many of these are UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Roman Ruins in Volubilis, one of the best preserved historic sites in Morocco.

8. Surfing All Year Round

With 3,000km of coastline, Morocco is an ideal surfing destination. Surfing classes for adults and children are available all year round.  But if you are a seasoned surfer and looking for a challenge then the best time for you is from late autumn to March.  There are many unexplored areas to surf south of Agadir and you may find yourself to be the only person out on the waves.

9. “The Gladiator” Was Shot in Morocco

Walk in the footsteps of Angelina, Colin Farrell, Sir Anthony Hopkins and many more Hollywood stars who have filmed in Morocco.  Re-live the infamous battle scenes from Russell Crowe’s Gladiator or imagine you’re Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia.  You can even take a guided tour of the film studios at Ouarzazate.

10. Step Back in Time in The Blue City

Chefchaouen, a picturesque little town in the Rif Mountains in the north of Morocco, was closed off to the outside world until the 1920s and has remained unspoilt ever since.  Breathe in mountain air and stroll through the meandering streets of this charming and friendly town.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

For more information on what to see and do in Morocco, visit The Best of Morocco, the specialist tour operator with over 30 years experience in luxury holidays to Morocco.