The island city-state of Singapore has always been famous for its culture and history. Today however, the emphasis seems to be firmly placed on tourism and it’s hardly surprising considering the wealth of attractions it boasts. There are simply too many interesting places and events to mention them all here, but one cannot write about Singapore without giving particular mention to The Orchard Road Shopping District which is a veritable magnet for visitors to the city, featuring first class shopping outlets, entertainment facilities and luxurious hotels and restaurants.  Why not check out this site www.visitsingapore.com to find more about Orchard Road and the other charming attractions Singapore has to offer?

With their white sand beaches and overwhelming air of tranquillity, the beautiful Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an archipelago consisting of 572 paradise islands and islets covering an area of over 800kms in the Bay of Bengal.  Their capital Port Blair, is now considered one of the foremost popular holiday destinations in the world, with snorkelling, scuba diving and trekking just a few of the many activities on offer.  I recommend for those wishing to know more to visit http://tourism.andaman.nic.in/welcome.html, an informative site which not only tells you more about the island, its history and its people, but the myriad of reasons why these islands make the perfect holiday destination. Enjoy!

As the capital city of the ancient and venerable Asian nation of Korea (which has a history dating back thousands of years) Seoul has a rich heritage. Any travel expert will advise that is always wise to include Seoul on any major Asian tourist circuit.  First designated as a capital city by the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, Seoul is a mixture of the traditional and the modern.  The Gwangwhamun District is the home of kingdom-era palaces, shrines and temples. The district also has lively and vibrant markets that are open for business round the clock.  Modern Seoul is full of galleries, theaters and landmark structures, such as the Star Tower.

Having recently been featured in the just-completed 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the Chinese city of Beijing presents a face of culture that is simply stunning. It’s easy to forget the genesis of the Chinese culture. The Forbidden City, which for five centuries was home to various Chinese dynasties from the Ming to the Qing, stands in awesome splendor at the center of the capital. It was also the administrative core of successive Chinese governments for centuries. The complex of over 980 buildings covers some 7.8 million square feet. This edifice inspires awe in all who visit it.  The Forbidden City is World Heritage Site, meaning it’s extremely precious and filled with history. On a visit to China, take the time to visit the Forbidden City and learn more about their culture and way of life.

If you’re ever curious about imperial Japan, then the must-see destination is Edo Castle, in Tokyo. Once the home of the rulers who administered the Tokugawa Shogunate, it became the stronghold of the Japanese Emperor and his family in after the Shogunate was overthrown. The original castle was rebuilt in 1888, and then later bombed and partially wrecked during World War II. It has since been restored to its former grandeur and glory. It’s easy to picture stern samurai, armed with traditional swords, standing guard in front of the Emperor’s room, eager to do his slightest bidding. It is also still the home of the Imperial family, so parts of the castle are off-limits. But the areas that are open to the public are amazing and fun to see.

Just 18months after it was ravaged by the tsunami, Phuket has shown tremendous resilience and is well on its way to regain its former glory. The warm, tropical waters and an even warmer tropical sun provide every traveler with a beautiful escape. The little Thailand city, off the Andaman Sea suffered a tremendous blow during the Tsunami and has since not been able to attract as many guests as before. But, what’s certain is that there’s much to see and do in Phuket for children of ALL ages, providing a fun-filled vacation for the entire family.