Melbourne: A paean to culture and beauty



One of the most livable cities reside in the southern hemisphere, Melbourne has been rightly cited by tourists as the ‘Paris of Australia’. Take a random stroll down the city center and you are bound to be met by mandolin strumming musicians or guitarists belting out aboriginal or folk tunes.

While in Melbourne sense of luxury is hard to miss. Packed with some truly magnificent five star hotels, there is a vast array to choose from. And we do recommend that you stay at the luxury hotel at the corner of Collins Street, the Grand Hotel with its lovely restaurant and outsized rooms. But if you are looking for a luxury resort away from the city, we strongly recommend you try The Villa Renaissance Total Body & Beauty Old World Luxury Hills Retreat in the prettily quaint Ferntree Gully where old world sophistication meets the new-fangled in an elegant setting.

It takes about an hour and a half to get into the city from there by train. Throughout the journey you can take in sights of brooks, meadows, canals and the verdurous Australian landscape.

Once in Melbourne, how can you possibly miss a visit to its grand casino housed within the precincts of the Crowne Plaza? Now, you don’t have to be a compulsive gambler in order to do that. Crowne Plaza is equally hailed for its exquisite shops, cinema houses and restaurants. Even a simple exercise like taking a stroll down the riverfront is recommended. The breeze from the Yarra River and the glowing gas fires make the place look truly magical.

During the day walk down to 525 Collins Street over which stands the tallest office building in the southern hemisphere, the Rialto Towers. Take an elevator right up to the 55th level to view the lovely sights of the city from the Melbourne Observation Deck. Also treat yourself to a delightful ‘sight and sound’ show at the Rialto Vision Theatre.

But if you are longing for the wide open spaces, head out towards Angelsea or Geelong over the Great Ocean Road. The beautiful coastline, the white sandy stretch, the lovely blonde beaches make your trip really worthwhile.

And if you are still feeling adventurous we suggest that you drive across the Dandenong Ranges where you can also say ‘hello’ to some kangaroos. You can drive up to the Lakeside Picnic Park and walk along its trails. You may also view some rare birds’ species here.

Or, conversely, take the Belgrave line from the Flinders Station in the city and get off at Belgrave to mount the century-old train called ‘Puffing Billy’ still run on steam. It takes you all the way to Gembrook in the Dandenong mountain ranges.

As for night life in Melbourne well… what can one say? This is a city that doesn’t seem to slumber. Its taverns remain open right up till the wee hours of the morning and places like the Hot Rock Café leave you panting for more. As for the shopping scene…. Why don’t you check it all out for yourself?

What to Bear in Mind When Booking Phuket Hotels



So you’ve decided on a holiday in Phuket, Thailand’s magical white isle with the features to live up to its reputation. Phuket has it all, from beaches and islands to nightlife and restaurants. If you’re going to travel to Phuket then high on your agenda of things to do will be to book a decent Phuket hotel. There’s no need to stress about the process, as booking Phuket hotels is a piece of cake.

There’s no point in worrying about finding a Phuket hotel to meet your budget requirements. Phuket really does have something for everyone. If you’re a backpacker scrimping together your last pennies or a millionaire looking to woo a special someone, there’s a Phuket hotel or resort for you. The large number of hotel booking agents on the Internet now means that it has never been easier to find a hotel within your price range.

You could spend as little or as much as you want on a Phuket hotel. The island has everything from $10 hostels to $10,000 villas. Be sure to spend within your means so you can keep a little money left over for enjoying the rest of what Phuket has to offer.

Budget is only one part of what to think about when booking Phuket hotels. Perhaps even more important is deciding on the location of your hotel. Phuket is a large island and you may be surprised at how different one part is from the next. Some areas of the island are favored by fans of nightlife, other parts are favored by honeymooners. It all depends what you want from your vacation.

If you’re a party animal and you enjoy drinking and dancing until the early hours of the morning then you will feel right at home in Patong, which is the most popular part of the island. There are more than enough Patong hotels and guesthouses, but booking in advance is always recommended. Patong is very lively and the beach isn’t quite as beautiful as it once was, so you may feel more comfortable in an alternative destination.

Mai Khao, for example, is the epitome of beauty. You have secluded beaches and very little development, aside from the high-end resorts and property complexes. Mai Khao is a quiet part of Phuket and is a great place to book a Phuket hotel or resort, especially if you’re on a romantic getaway.

Booking Phuket hotels online has never been easier thanks to the vast array of booking agents offering their services. Don’t forget to read a few of the customer reviews of any Phuket hotels you are thinking about staying in.

Dubai Hotels-dubai Accommodation



Dubai -‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf ’,Known to be one of the most fast growing cities in the world, Dubai has its share of tourists and visitors which is growing in number every year. The economic growth has been phenomenal here, owing to which many international hotels have set up branches here. A city which is a good blend of modernity and history has within its boundaries a multitude of star hotels.

According to statistics, an all-time record 6.5 million guests stayed in Dubai hotels in 2006 and there was a 6.9% increase in hotel rooms and apartment occupancy during the same year. Dubai scored a world record when its hotel establishments recorded the highest occupancy and revenues in the month of January 2007, leaving behind Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo and London in occupancy levels.

Hotels in Dubai are much sought after, and all of them come with superb facilities and amenities. Many of the Dubai Hotels, are spread across Deira and Bur Dubai. There are also a good number of hotels located in Dubai Marina, an area boasting of good tourist as well as business connections. Additionally, a plethora of superb business hotels can be found in the modern business areas of Dubai, such as Sheikh Zayed Road. However, many of the famous luxury hotels are located in Jumeirah beach area. Some of the unique traits of majority of the Dubai hotels are authenticity, luxury, and exceptionality.

A destination spot for holiday travelers to Dubai growing in popularity is the Burj-al-Arab, the first seven-star hotel is probably the greatest of all luxury hotels in Dubai. Acknowledged as the ‘Tower of Arabs’, consists of 28 stories, each of which is noted for their unique architecture and superb views. Further, it boasts of the tallest atrium in the world, which measures about 600 ft. The hotel’s facilities, among many others, are 202 suites equipped with superb facilities, five restaurants serving sophisticated dining menu round the clock, four bars, and sophisticated spa facilities.

Other best hotels in Dubai are Admiral Plaza Hotel, Al Jawhara Apartments Hotel, Arabian Courtyard Bur Dubai Hotel, Metropolitan Palace Dubai Hotel, Hawthorn Deira Hotel, Taj Palace Dubai Hotel, and York International Hotel.

Finally it is important that you find hotels in the Dubai of that are affordable for your holiday budget. Take the time to compare the rates of several hotels and other types of lodging accommodations. Holiday apartments in and the villas in the sea cave area of are two additional lodging options available to people on holiday to the Dubai. By comparing rates and services, you can ensure you get the features you need in a hotel with a price tag that you can afford.