Tioman Island, Pahang, Malaysia

I'm a sun, sea and sand kind of a person. Then again I guess most city-dwelling people are. One of the places I'd like to visit in Malaysia would be Pulau Tioman, or Tioman Island. This island has been voted as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It is situated 56km off the coast of Pahang in the South China Sea. The main island spans an area of 38km in length and 19km in width at its widest point. As the North Easterly wind brings torrential showers from November to February, the best time to visit this island is from March to October. Visibility of the water during this time ranges from 20 to 30 metres.

Apparently Tioman is the largest island that formed the Tioman Marine Park. Other smaller islands which are also a snorkelling and diving sites include Tulai Island, Chebeh Island, Sepoi Island, Labas Island, Sembilang Island, Seri Buat Island, Jahat Island and Tokong Bahara Island.

For the snorkelers and divers among you, you will be able to see the array of marine life such as the barracudas, the Napoleon fish, turtles, stingrays, murray eels, bumphead parrotfish and the corals that surround this place.

Hotels in Australia for Frequent Travelers

Traveling for extended periods of time, whether for business or pleasure, would naturally take a toll on one's physical and mental conditions. It is therefore only appropriate that one chooses the best, most comfortable and suitable hotel to crash into as one arrives to rest for the night. If you happen to travel Down Under, then you would be spoiled for choices. Hotels in Australia comes in many different shapes and sizes, with some of them offering services that pamper you to the very limit of your credit card.

For those among you looking for extravagance and luxury, there are many leading international hotel chains in Australia that you can opt for. Sheraton hotels for example, offer many hotel chains throughout the Gold Coast as well as Perth. One of the more popular ones is the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa at the Gold Coast.

Another popular hotel chain is the international Rydges hotels, with chains in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. There are three Rydges hotel chains in Melbourne, i.e. Rydges Hotel, Rydges on Bell Preston and Rydges on Swanston. These hotels are most suited for business travelers as they provide a range of conference facilities.

Travelodge hotels is another popular hotel chain in Australia. This hotel chain is more for the budget traveler, such as myself, as they provide basic needs at very reasonable prices. Travelodge hotels provide a consistent blend of modern quality facilities and friendly service. Travelodge Sydney for example, is situated on the edge of the Central Business District, where it is perfectly positioned to explore the city of Sydney.

Radisson Hotels is another popular hotel chain in Australia. Radisson Plaza Hotel in Sydney for example, is an intimate, boutique style, five-star property housed within a stunning heritage listed building located in the heart of Sydney. This hotel is the perfect place to stay for those attending the Musica Viva Festival thanks to its close proximity to each of the Festival event locations.

Thus, before embarking on that business or leisure trip to Australia, make sure you check through these hotel chains first before deciding on the best ones to suit your needs.

(Photos top to bottom: Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa, Rydges Hotel Melbourne, Travelodge Sydney, Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney)

Taking a Road Trip in Germany

One of the best ways to visit a country is by driving through it, which is taking a road trip. Some of the best sights a country can offer are often missed if you just fly in from the capital to the specific cities you plan to visit. Hence, a road trip enables you to see most of the scenery and beautiful views in between the cities that you are visiting. And if you're visiting Germany, you're in for the ride of your life. From the high Alps in the South, the Bavarian plain, and the flowing hills of central Germany to the coast of the North and Baltic Sea: it all looks like a miniature train landscape packed with the nicest of old towns, medieval houses, gothic churches and small villages.

Germany's cities have endless pleasant surprises in store for those who enjoy good food and drink. In addition to top-quality international cooking each region has its own local specialities, ranging from hearty country fare at simple inns to modern light cuisine at star-rated restaurants. Some of the cities you can visit are Berlin, Koln, Frankfurt and Munich.

In Berlin, one can visit places such as the Schloss Charlottenburg, the Baroque palace with English gardens, the Egyptian (Ägyptisches) Museum and Papyrus Collection, and the Brandenburg Gate, just to name a few. Don't forget to book accommodation at Berlin hotels during your stay.

Cologne, or Köln, Germany is the fourth largest city in the country and is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. When you visit Cologne you're sure to be enchanted by the blend of Romanesque churches, simple post-war buildings, and classic modern architecture. Finding a place to stay in Koln hotels would not be too difficult since there are plenty of places in the city you can choose from.

When you arrive in Frankfurt, the places you'd be seeing would include the historical Römer, Frankfurt Cathedral, St. Paul´s Church and the Goethe-House within very close proximity to one another, yet still within sight of the modern banking district. This business centre city also provides different types of accommodation to suit your needs, just check out Frankfurt hotels.

Finally, if you end up driving all the way to south of Germany, make sure you stop over at Munich. Go visit the city centre, Marienplatz, where the main pedestrianised streets converge. Some sights worth seeing are the 16th-century Michaelskirche, with its imposing barrel-vaulted interior, and the Asamkirche, considered a masterpiece of south German Rococo architecture. And if you're staying for the night, make sure you're booked in at Munich hotels.

Going on a road trip in Germany will give you so much pleasure with all the interesting and wonderful landscapes and countryside you are able to enjoy while driving. Make it a point to include Germany in you list of countries to visit!