| If the time has come for your vacation or a | | | | is a pretty lush green island with forests, |
| holiday getaway, read this article before | | | | palm and banana trees, rice fields and many |
| making your plans. There are many places of | | | | volcanoes. Highlights are the three small |
| great beauty and interest to be seen in the | | | | offshore islands of "Gillis" that invite |
| USA and Europe. But, whether transportation, | | | | snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, |
| touring, theme park, or food and lodging, it | | | | a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani. |
| is expensive. This article is written for | | | | |
| every traveler, whether a backpacker on a | | | | Philippines - An island nation comprising |
| budget, or a first class - five star | | | | over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific |
| traveler. | | | | Ocean. |
| | | | |
| Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the | | | | Manila, the bustling capital has powerful |
| door to different cultural experiences. | | | | reminders of the country's past, along with |
| Planning can be for a short holiday, an | | | | attractive parks, fine museums, and |
| extended stay, or choices of laying the | | | | exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice |
| groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. | | | | Terracesare a testimony to the early |
| Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make | | | | technological advancement of the Ifugao |
| money using the Internet it is not out of the | | | | people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. |
| question to "retire" early. | | | | Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. |
| | | | Go diving in the Visayas. |
| Medical Tourism in Asia growing in | | | | |
| popularity. It is high quality and | | | | Singapore - Shopping on famous Orchard Road, |
| affordable. Just one of International | | | | the dream of every woman. The Night Safari |
| standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 | | | | at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a |
| international patients annually, In the USA | | | | little glitzy, but you can buy all the |
| cataract surgery for one eye runs around | | | | souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one |
| $8,000. At a prestigious International | | | | of Singapore's most beautiful Hindu temples |
| hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be | | | | is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. |
| performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It | | | | Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype |
| is possible to have quality medical care, and | | | | in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There's |
| an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost | | | | more to Singapore than urban glitz, like |
| of the same procedure in the USA. | | | | rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah |
| | | | Nature Reserve. |
| Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just | | | | |
| some of the countries. | | | | Japan - Tokyo is the capital city and home of |
| | | | the Imperial Residence and Emperor's Palace. |
| Thailand - Land of Smiles. Often referred to | | | | Select a popular destination or region in |
| as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. | | | | Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the |
| A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for | | | | Bullet Train to the magnificent city of |
| sure. Trips to a floating market or to the | | | | Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace |
| Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine | | | | Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, |
| beaches in the Southern Islands to the | | | | the list of top destinations in Japan is too |
| Northern mountains with its waterfalls, | | | | long for this article.. |
| elephants bathing in mountain streams, and | | | | |
| Hill Tribe villages. | | | | Taiwan - Taipei, the country's booming, |
| | | | vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, |
| India - Delhi is one of the oldest | | | | Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some |
| continually inhabited cities in the world. | | | | of its most impressive sights include the |
| India Gate, an imposing structure, has | | | | Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical |
| emerged as one of the most popular tourist | | | | Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night |
| spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a | | | | Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the |
| masterpiece of architecture, is a popular | | | | National Theater and Concert Hall located |
| spot. A trip to India would not be complete | | | | directly across from each other on the |
| without a visit to Agra, famous as the site | | | | grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge |
| of one of the world's most romantic, graceful | | | | (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural |
| and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal. | | | | wonders of the world. |
| | | | |
| Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos - Three small | | | | Hong Kong - the Pearl of East and jewel of |
| countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a | | | | The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, |
| different world of exploration. Cambodia - | | | | restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to |
| the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an | | | | stay. If you're in Hong Kong with the little |
| architectural masterpiece constructed in the | | | | ones, they'll probably appreciate Ocean Park |
| jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam - | | | | (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and |
| is a varied country, offering beaches, | | | | water slides), and of course Disneyland. If |
| mountains and hundreds of years of history | | | | you're in Hong Kong for more than a few days, |
| from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from | | | | then there's plenty of outlying islands to |
| the Vietnam War. Laos - savor the crafts, | | | | discover. |
| culture and hospitality of Laos with a river | | | | |
| trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous | | | | It is often said that for the traveler that |
| palaces, and traditional villages. | | | | has seen it all and done it all, there is |
| | | | still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in |
| Nepal - Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, | | | | Asia! |
| wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. | | | | |
| Take an air flight along the Himalayas and | | | | If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing |
| view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, | | | | not only a paradise of affordable travel, but |
| discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the | | | | the chance to see an alternative living |
| country which inspired the Dalai Lama. . | | | | location. For retirees, it is luxury living |
| | | | for pennies, not just getting by on their |
| Indonesia - Jakarta, the capital city of the | | | | pension. Asia, a paradise experience is |
| world's fourth most-populous nation. Bali is | | | | waiting for you. |
| Indonesia's main holiday destination. Flores | | | | |