At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, our luxury hotel in the Mediterranean, we enjoy winding down after an Asian adventure such as visiting the city of Petra.

Petra is known by everyone as one of the most archaeologically popular and famous cities in Jordan. Its name comes from the Greek word meaning “rock”. This city is in the Middle East, three hours south from the capital, Amman.

The city was built 2,000 years ago by a group of Arabic nomads called “Nabataeans”, and is nowadays one of the SEVEN Wonders of the World. In addition, in 1985 Petra was declared Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Its highest splendour was during the time of the Nabataeans, who created an artificial oasis and managed to have, in the middle of the desert, a constant source of water.

The buildings were built in the rock of the cliff and the doors lead to chambers located behind the decorated facades. The most impressive building is the Al Khazneh (or Treasure).

Al Khazneh is almost 12 floors high and its name comes from stories spread by the Beduin about a treasure that was hidden there. However, it really is a tomb or temple that has plenty more buildings on the rock.

Other buildings that must be visited are: Siq, the royal tomb, Al Deir and the Roman ruins. As well as the Byzantine Church which is truly worth a visit, although it is run down due to the many earthquakes and large fires it has been hit by. In spite of this, the remains of its three main areas can still be admired.

Petra is one of the most magical, beautiful and mysterious places found among rocks. We could talk endlessly about his city as it has many things that make it stand out.

This is the most popular and attractive holiday destination in Jordan, which is why a visit to the city must be thoroughly planned ahead in order not to miss out on the main places of interest of the Archaeological Park of Petra. There are self-guided tours as well as more challenging routes which require an authorized tour guide. This is, without a doubt, a magnificent way to discover the lost city on foot.

If you also wish to lose yourself in these Asian wonders, come visit us at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a magnificent place to be pampered and where to enjoy a truly Asian experience.

In every trip there is a place everyone agrees must be visited. If you go to the Mediterranean, that place will surely be the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a 5-star luxury resort where we will bring you to the deepest corners of Asia.

If travelling further distances though, the place all travellers who go to Butan must visit  is Taktshang, a monastery called “The Tiger’s Nest” located half an hour from Paro on top of a 700-metre cliff, 3,100 metres high.

Just like almost all amazing and spectacular spots, in order to reach the Tiger’s Nest you will have to make a physical effort and walk uphill for two and a half hours. Nothing too demanding for those who are used to hiking.

Taktshang is a sacred Buddhist monastery which started being built in 1692 near the cave where the Guru Padmasambhava was believed to meditate for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours in the 8th Century.

Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tigress over Tibet and in doing so he managed to tame the evil tiger.

Although there is also another legend which tells the story of the wife of an emperor, who later became disciple of the Guru in Tibet, and then turned into a tigress, and it was she who brought him to Butan. Once there, Padmasambhava stayed in a cave meditating for a long time and only came back out after 8 incarnations, hence this place becoming a holy place.

This monastery, Taktshang has been hit by several fires throughout the years, but the dubkhang, the holiest chapel, where Guru Padmasambhava was, has always remained mysteriously protected.  This fact has led to many conjectures regarding the magic powers he possessed. People still believe in such powers nowadays.

Currently, in the Tiger’s Nest there are monks who live there and practise Buddhism, a religious retreat, which is the reason why that part of the monastery is forbidden to tourists.

At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, our 5-star luxury resort in the Mediterranean, you can enjoy facilities that will bring the Asian dream to you. What are you waiting for to come and live a unique experience?

The summer is around the corner and it’s starting to get hot, and that is why we need to start taking out our summer accessories that will protect us from the sun, such as sunglasses, hats and caps. At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa you can enjoy the Mediterranean sun and show off your accessories at any of our pools. Which look will you go for?

In Vietnam, Japan and China, the main accessory used is the “Cone-shaped hat”, which is called by different names depending on the country, caping, satgat, sugegasa, do’um, salakot, saklat or coolie.

In Vietnam it’s known as Nón Lá and wearing it is part of a 3,000-year-old tradition. In Vietnam this hat is made of straw and is mainly used by women, although the further south we go, we will also see some men wearing it.

The main use of this cone-shaped hat is as protection from the sun and rain as Vietnam is a hot and tropical country. It is mainly farmers who wear it, as well as fishermen and rice grower.

This hat is used all over the continent, not only for the purposes mentioned above but also as a way of protecting women and maintain Asian beauty standards. Their ideal of beauty is based on a pale complexion which is why this hat is very popular among country women.

The cone-shaped hat is made of straw and leaves held together by thread; the top is covered by a type of varnish which works as protection and keeps the elements away.

Some people even use this hat to collect rainwater.

If you wish to wear your hat to stay away from the sun, come visit us at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa and enjoy the Mediterranean sun and the pools of the best luxury resort.

There is nothing more relaxing than a trip around Asia, where peace and harmony surround most corners of this amazing continent. That is why, at our luxury resort in the Mediterranean, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we offer our temple for wellbeing to all our guests.

One of these cities is Chiang Mai, also known as “The Rose of the North”, capital of the Lanna Kingdom, called that way since ancient times. Nowadays, Chiang Mai is the second most important city in Thailand and it has 2.5 million residents.

However, despite being a large trading city, it is quiet and peaceful, and the locals are kind, gentle and respectful.

In Chiang Mai, there are more than 300 Buddhist temples, the most popular and important one is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple. The temple is located on a hill northeast of the city and it dates back to 1383. There is a legend behind it:

Legend has it that in order to choose the perfect spot for the temple, a relic of Buddha was placed at the back of an elephant and they let it go about around the city until it reached a hill. Once there, the elephant made a sound with its trunk and laid down. This was taken as a sign sent by Buddha himself that the temple had to be built there. The temple has the best view of the city.

Although in order to enjoy a truly beautiful view of the city, you must walk up 309 steps to reach the temple and its pagodas. There is also a tram that makes access to it easier, although tourists must pay a fee, and locals can use it for free.

Another place that is a must when visiting Chiang Mai is the Doi Inthanon National Park. One of the most beautiful and important parks in Thailand located in the highest peak of the country, 2,565 metres high. Its waterfalls, vegetation and trails, are a true Asian experience for hikers.

It is 8 kilometres away from Chom Thong and 65 kilometres away from Chiang Mai. But if you are not the adventurous type, you can go on an organised tour.

These are just two of the many activities you can do in the second largest city of Thailand, and you are bound to discover many others during your trip.

In the meantime, if you want to experience Asia 100%, we recommend you come visit us at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a luxury resort where you will be pampered.

(Images by Creative Commons Flickr)

There are special moments, such as those experienced by our guests at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa enjoying the many services of our Asian luxury resort, and there are other holy days in Asia which are celebrated in style like the Wesak.

Yesterday, 14^th May 2014, was the first full moon in May, and also the Wesak, one of the most important celebrations for Buddhists as it is considered to be the day Buddha was born.

During this holiday, most Asian cities, worship Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha who reached enlightment.

Wesak besides being a religious ceremony it is also a celebration of happiness, awareness, colour and generosity where millions of Buddhists gather in temples and altars to pray and bring in food, flowers and candles.

The mystical tradition of Buddhist religion started with the teachings of Buddha, who was said to have become enlightened on this day and who came back to help people physically and spiritually.

He is always said to return to the Valley of Wesak, to the Himalayas where the Shambala energy resides guarded by masters, initiated members and disciples. At this time of the year, they also purify all beings living on Earth.

This is also a significant holiday for the Earth, as it is said that the Wesak means the “pregnancy of the moon”. For pagans, it could be translated as “the beginning of harvest”. Wesak is the link between humans and nature and their quest for astral balance.

It is essential to keep in mind that this is a time to dedicate to prayer and meditation, as well as focus on the light and health of all beings. We must focus on generosity and kindness; this is an ideal day for personal cleansing and energy purification.

If you could also do with a few special days to invest in yourself, to relax and unwind, this is the place for you, our 5-star luxury hotel, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a temple for wellbeing where you can look after yourself and be looked after.

Today, in our Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa blog, we would like to bring you to an ancient and traditional city with plenty of Chinese and Japanese influence, as well as a special charm that has helped it become Heritage of Humanity. We are talking about the small city of Hoi An.

This peaceful and emblematic city is in the centre of Vietnam, and it used to be an important fishing port from the 16^th to the 18^th Century. The old part of the city remains intact nowadays, as it is forbidden, by law, to alter any of it.

The main thing to see at Hoi An is its Japanese covered bridge. The city was built by Japanese traders in the year 1593. It was aimed to shorten distances and become a link between the trading Japanese area in the west and the Chinese area in the east.

The bridge  is made out of wood and rock, and is built over a small tributary of the River Thu Bon. On the inside of the bridge there are handmade lanterns and altars.

These altars are meant for the guardians of the temple: there is a dog on one side and monkeys on the other.

Without a doubt, the best way to see the old part of the city, if you don’t wish to walk much, is to visit it by bike or motorbike. These are the most commonly used vehicles by locals. In Hoi An it is unusual to see cars on the streets.

Another important landmark in this city is the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Hôi quán Quàng Dông) built in 1786 by traders and seamen of the city. This building resembles a pagoda more than a conventional assembly hall. However, it was designed that way as a place to worship the warrior Quang Cong and the goddess of the sea Thien Hau.

On important days of the lunar calendar, such as the New Year and other special festivities, the building is decorated to hold the traditional celebrations and gatherings of its residents. This is a spiritual place for them to meet.

The Thu Bon River is the most important spot in Hoi An. Small fishing boats cross it every day, and on its bank there are narrow Vietnamese houses which make the river a busy place where locals carry on with their day to day routine.

If you like the traditions and charm of Asian style, we recommend you visit our luxury resort and live a unique experience of relaxation and wellbeing at the 5-star hotel Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Live an Asian experience in the Mediterranean.

Today, our Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa blog goes all out dressed in red. We are laying out a natural red carpet for you, to help you discover a unique and impressive beach located in Panjin, China.

We are talking about the Panjin Red Beach, a nature reserve in China, only partially available to the public.

There is nothing too special about this beach for most part of the year. However, in the autumn it totally transforms and turns red, making it look like a red carpet that leads the way to the sea.

What causes this transformation?

This transformation is due to a type of algae which grows in Panjin, in saline and alkaline areas.

Such phenomenon is caused by a sea algae called Suaeda: a plant of the Chenopodiaceae family.

It is green all year round, just like any other algae, but when the summer ends it turns bright red turning the beach into a magnificent sight which tourists enjoy taking pictures of.

Also, the Red Beach has a very complete ecosystem where there are more than 260 bird species and 399 different types of wild animals.

If you like amazing places do not miss out on the chance to live this unique experience at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, your dream 5-star luxury resort in the Mediterranean. Come visit us.

Once again, welcome to the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, the best 5-star Asian luxury hotel in the Mediterranean. Get comfortable and kick off your shoes if you like as it is precisely shoes that we are going to talk about today in our blog, traditional Indian footwear. 

Many people think that in India shoes aren’t an important part of people’s outfits simply because many locals walk around barefoot, but there is nothing further from the truth.

In India, a lot of attention is focused on feet due to the symbolic and ritual meaning behind them. Shoes are more than mere practical items; they portray a historical and spiritual symbolism.

When the feet touch the ground this enhances their energy as it brings them closer to earth. That is the reason why the feet of the elderly are worshipped, as they have been in contact with earth for longer and they therefore have “more vital energy and wisdom”.

Traditional Indian costumes show how women give feet a lot of thought, as well as their face and hair. These are cleaned and treated frequently to wash dirt away and soften their skin. They have their feet massaged with scented oils for pleasure, relaxation and wellbeing. They then apply red paint to the soles of their feet, and also in special occasions they would draw designs on the upper part, also applying jewellery at times.

Different-style shoes started to become more important in time. These are some of the most traditional ones in India nowadays:

– CHAPPALS: A type of basic leather sandal for basic skin protection. Feet are left quite exposed and therefore in close contact with the earth. Chappals became one of the most common types of shoe in India in the 3^rd Century B.C., and it currently continues to be the most used type of shoe.

– JUTTI: Often made of buffalo, camel or cow skin. Nowadays, other fabrics are also used to make them. The Juttis may cover the whole foot and are often decorated with cotton, silk or gold embroidery or they sometimes even have woolly pom poms. This kind of shoe has a narrow and flat top with a straight sole which makes no distinction between left and right foot. They can open or closed at the heel.

There are many different Jutti design variations and decorations depending on the area.

– KHAPUSAS: Heavy knee-length boots used to protect legs from the snow, snakes, rocks and the cold. The Khapusas used to be used in the north of India, especially in the Himalayas during the 1^st Century AD.

– PAKUDA: Also known as Khadaun, Kharawan and Karom, is the most basic form of foot protection. A simple Paduka has a wooden sole with a button placed between two toes. This type of shoe has been part of Indian attires since at least the 7th Century AD, but in modern times they are hardly ever used, although they are still considered a symbol of devotion in religious ceremonies.

If your feet and your body are also very important for you, come visit our 5-star luxury hotel. At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we will help you unwind and relax. It will be a unique experience. Are you going to miss out on it? Come visit us.