Recently I've travelled to Sentosa just off Singapore at a Spa Resort next to a PGA Golf course. Major pampering close to the hustle and bustle of the metropolis but isolated enough for some R & R tranquility. Everything is super clean and modern, but with the benefits of being in the tropics.
Previously we did Phucket. Probably a little too reminiscent of those 80's vacations, except with the benefit of outstanding Thai food. Lots of beached human whales wallowing on the beach or wandering semi clad into the local restaurants...urgggh! Cheap, warm and pretty friendly but with a seedy underbelly that seems to surface when the sun goes down. Probably best left to back packers and lonely hearts.
Europe. Now we're talking! Not everyone's cup of tea in winter but awesome variety and depth of experience. Jump on a train in London and a few hours later you're in Paris getting photo opportunities alongside the Eiffel Tower, accommodation a little Xee and usually cramped but forgivable. Another train trip to Amsterdam and another unique experience, mostly enjoyable as long as you don't have a bicycle phobia. Pretty liberal and plenty of watering holes to savour. If sport's your thing you'll find a multitude of sports bars with wall to wall plasmas covering every conceivable sport.
An over night train and a chance to catch up on some zzzz's gets you down to Munich. Late September and you're in Beer Festival mode with half the local populace clad in lederhosen. Quite bizarre. A mix of historical and modern architecture, a stones throw from the Bavarian hills. Great for a couple of days shopping and sight seeing.
Then a stunning train trip to Vienna. Views to kill for. For those with a few cultural interests this is the place to be. One of my favorite cities. Architecturally interesting. Major restoration projects makes it feel like you've gone back in time a couple of centuries, you can taste the history.
Finally another train trip down to Venice. Initially disappointing, until I accepted that the locals mostly resent their reliance on the tourist dollar. As unfriendly a destination in Europe as I've ever experienced. However after a day or so I started to empathize a little. Their city is sinking and its demise is the fodder of an amazing tourist industry. Travelers from all over the globe swarm into the crumbling city to gawk, take photos and tramp across the narrow cobbled streets, totally enveloping and diminishing the local culture. Paradoxically a must see and do European experience.
Coming soon the launch of a new Global Holiday Program that I 'm using to indulge my passion of annual world travel. To connect and find out more drop us your contact details or just Facebook or Twitter me. Hope your day's going well!
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