This charming, island state, located at the southern-most tip of Continental Asia and the Malay Peninsula, holds the appeal and legend of Koh Samui but without the sleaze and smut of Bangkok. Home to two of the world’s three most expensive buildings, a concert hall shaped like a durian and a museum shaped like a robotic hand, Singapore is neither light on the senses nor the pocket. Simply put; Singapore is currently the most expensive city on earth. But is it justifiably so? Though physically small, Singapore is an economic powerhouse. It has been South East Asia’s most modern city for over a century, replete with a level of sophistication and automation that would make most first world countries look like the Flintstones. The country includes the island of Singapore and 58 or so smaller islands. Because of its efficient and largely motivated and corruption free government, Singapore has become a flourishing economy that excels in trade and tourism and is a model for developing nations. The eponymous capital city (the diminutive size doesn’t warrant a different name), covers about a third of the area of the main island which is uniformly well constructed. In fact, Singapore boasts some of the best infrastructures in the world and is quite simply, one of the best-planned cities on Earth. Chocolate wrappers and potato bags are consistently relegated to green dustbins carefully positioned equidistantly throughout the country. Etymology The English name “Singapore” is the Anglicized version of the word “Singapur” which is derived from Sanskrit: Singh (lion) + pur (village/city), hence the customary reference to the nation as the Lion City. However, it is unlikely that lions ever lived on the island; Sang Nila Utama, the Srivijayan prince said to have founded and named the island Singapura, perhaps saw a Malayan tiger. Social
This charming, island state, located at the southern-most tip of Continental Asia and the Malay Peninsula, holds the appeal and legend of Koh Samui but without the sleaze and smut of Bangkok. Home to two of the world’s three most expensive buildings, a concert hall shaped like a durian and a museum shaped like a robotic hand, Singapore is neither light on the senses nor the pocket. Simply put; Singapore is currently the most expensive city on earth. But is
Welcome to an exciting city where nothing stands still. Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city of the UAE (Dubai being the first). It is considered as the hub of tourists and the home of the world’s largest hand-loomed carpet, the fastest roller coaster, the highest high tea, the tower with greatest lean, the largest cluster of cultural buildings of 21st century and much more. If you are looking to get engaged with Gulf’s culture, this perfect place called Abu Dhabi offers opportunities to understand the UAE’s history through its rich museums, surprising exhibitions and tours. Abu Dhabi also attracts travellers through a range of activities like wedding & honeymoon, golfing, soft adventure, MICE and sports. Former Times The name Abu Dhabi means ‘Father of the Gazelle’ when literally translated from Arabic. It probably referred to the few gazelles that inhabit the emirate. Sometimes it is said that the area had a lot of dhibaa (deer) and an old tale says that there was a man who used to chase dhibaa and was named the ‘father’ of the animals. The name Abu Dhabi was first used more than 300 years ago. The first word of Abu Dhabi is pronounced “Bu” by inhabitants on the city’s western coast. In the eastern part of the city, the pronunciation is “Abu”. Settlements can be traced back as far as over 5000 years ago and the most significant settlement was those of the Bani Yas Bedoiun tribe in the 16th Century. Under the rule of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa, Abu Dhabi thoroughly developed through the trading of peals and was later badly hit by the intervention of Japan’s pearl industry and also by global recession in 1930. Later came the Trucial Coast Development Oil Company (later named as Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company,
Welcome to an exciting city where nothing stands still. Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city of the UAE (Dubai being the first). It is considered as the hub of tourists and the home of the world’s largest hand-loomed carpet, the fastest roller coaster, the highest high tea, the tower with greatest lean, the largest cluster of cultural buildings of 21st century and much more. If you are looking to get engaged with Gulf’s culture, this perfect
Some travel there for a glimpse of the world wars, a few journey to amass learnings about the European Union, but many wander off to the land of Belgium simply for the merriment the nation has to offer in the form of its beer, chocolates and fries. For, fascinating as it might occur, this tiny country easily houses over a thousand breweries within its borders; a fact that might not seem as surprising if one were to know that the brewers of Belgium were among the pioneers of perfect beer brewing. Besides, if waffles and frites are among all those other Belgian things that occur tempting to you, allow this travel guide to show you the way to an effortless trip to this Western European nation. About the Country: Lying in Western Europe, the sovereign state of Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The territory of Belgium is divided into three federal regions: 1) Flanders – the northern, Dutch-speaking region of the country. It includes well known cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, 2) Wallonia – the southern, French-speaking region, incorporating a small German speaking region in the east near the German border, 3) Brussels – the bilingual capital region of the country and headquarters of the EU. VISA Information: Depending on the purpose of your travel to Belgium, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion. Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside there permanently, you will have to apply for a different Belgium Schengen Visa, accordingly. Find out more on: http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/belgium-visa/ Culture & Climate Belgian culture involves the aspects shared by all Belgians regardless of the language they speak. Most Belgians view their culture as an integral part of the European culture. However, members of each of the two main linguistic
Some travel there for a glimpse of the world wars, a few journey to amass learnings about the European Union, but many wander off to the land of Belgium simply for the merriment the nation has to offer in the form of its beer, chocolates and fries. For, fascinating as it might occur, this tiny country easily houses over a thousand breweries within its borders; a fact that might not seem as surprising if one were to know that the
Famous for its many canals, its marijuana- dispensing coffee shops and its red light districts, Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands is an interesting and unique destination for travellers from all around the world. Being one of the most watery cities in the world, Amsterdam has a quarter of its surface area taken up by canals and harbours, which not only serve as areas of recreation, but also facilitate legitimate transport across the city via the multitude of pleasure boats registered in the city. Besides canals and boats, Amsterdam has an abundance of bicycles; so much so that the bicycles here outnumber the human population of the city! In fact, cycling in Amsterdam is a way of life made easier by the city’s unbeatable network of cycle routes and flat landscape. Places to Visit Canal Ring: Surrounding the Old Centre of Amsterdam, the medieval heart of the city, is this famous 17th- century district, the whole of which has been designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO for being the world’s most unique urban landscapes with its distinctive cultural and historical value. The Canal Ring of Amsterdam is also a hub for fantastic cultural and sporting events all throughout the year. Van Gogh Museum: Dedicated to the works of the renowned Dutch Post- Impressionist painter Vincent Willem van Gogh and his contemporaries, this art museum has been identified as the 2nd most visited museum in the Netherlands and the 31st most visited art museum in the world. With such credits under its name, it is a must- visit place for lovers and connoisseurs of art. Civic Guards Gallery: For those willing to explore a city’s secrets, a small gate just off the bustling shopping street Kalverstraat and down a tiny square lies the Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij). Officially
Famous for its many canals, its marijuana- dispensing coffee shops and its red light districts, Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands is an interesting and unique destination for travellers from all around the world. Being one of the most watery cities in the world, Amsterdam has a quarter of its surface area taken up by canals and harbours, which not only serve as areas of recreation, but also facilitate legitimate transport across the city via the multitude of pleasure
Imbibed in the grandeur of a rich traditional past that jauntily plays along with the elements of today, Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is a destination of vibrant and chaotic beauty that runs along its roads and paints interesting reflections upon the windows of its enthralling palaces. Known as the Pink City, there’s an anecdote behind how the city earned that nickname for itself. In 1876, it so happened that Prince Albert of Wales and Queen Victoria visited India on a tour and planned a stopover at Jaipur. So, to welcome the guests, the then Maharaja Ram Singh repainted the entire city in terracotta pink. The Prince is said to have exclaimed the words “Pink City!” upon his visit, thus giving the city its much renowned nickname. Places to Visit: Amer Fort: Located in the town of Amer, 11 kilometres away from Jaipur, this magnificent fort encompasses a vast palace complex built from yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. Although a mere 10 minutes’ walk from the road will take you the fort, the most preferred manner of getting there is a ride atop an elephant’s back, something that is recently being frowned upon by animal welfare groups. Jantar Mantar: Begun by Jai Singh II, a lover of astronomy, Jantar Mantar was built for measuring the heavens. The name is derived from the Sanskrit yanta mantra, which means “instrument of calculation”. In 2010, Jantar Mantar was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. If you’re someone looking to learn more about the fascinating mechanism of the instrument, you’ll definitely require a local guide to run you through the technicalities of the historic observatory. Hawa Mahal: A monument that is almost
Imbibed in the grandeur of a rich traditional past that jauntily plays along with the elements of today, Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is a destination of vibrant and chaotic beauty that runs along its roads and paints interesting reflections upon the windows of its enthralling palaces. Known as the Pink City, there’s an anecdote behind how the city earned that nickname for itself. In 1876, it so happened that Prince Albert of Wales and Queen
