Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we want to tell you about one of our favourite drinks: tea. Those of you who have already visited us know that we love welcoming our guests with a delicious cup of tea. But, do you know all the different types of teas? Keep reading.

Tea is a beverage made from dry leaves of the tea plant. People drink it either hot or cold. It is very healthy and has a fresh and bitter flavour.

There are different types of tea. Let´s discover the most famous ones and their benefits.

 Green tea. It is very popular in Asian countries such as China or Japan. It has a high antioxidant power, it prevents a premature ageing of the body tissue. Green tea´s main benefits are helping keep your blood pressure and nervous system and it is a digestive medicine.

 Black tea. It is one of the most famous types of tea. It is darker than other teas and it also has a stronger taste. Black tea consumption also has important health benefits: it has a diuretic effect, it stimulates the cardiovascular system, helps to improve breathing and it is good for the stomach.

 Red tea. It is known as Pu-Erh tea. It is also called the “Emperors Tea” because in the past and for a long time red tea consumption was forbidden for the rest of the population. It is dark red and it is famous for its fat-burning power. Its consumption is ideal at any time of the day, especially after meals.

White tea. It is a not very common type of tea out of Asia. It has an exquisite and light taste. Several studies support that its antioxidant power is even more powerful than the green tea´s one. Among its main properties we find: it reduces cholesterol and blood sugar and it fights the effects of aging.

Oolong tea. It is also known as Wulong or blue tea. It has a very peculiar nice taste, very similar to fresh fruits flavour. It contains many vitamins and mineral and it is also an antioxidant powerhouse.

It is always a good time to have a cup of tea. If you also love this beverage, when you visit the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa you have a mandatory stop. Take part in our delicious tea tasting, every day from 17:00 to 18:00.

We can´t imagine a better plan to finish January that continuing our trip around the Asian continent. Today, from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are travelling to China to contemplate the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is a canyon on the Yangtze River, 60 kilometres north of Lijiang City, in Yunnan. It is the deepest gorge in the world and one of the main tourist attractions in this province. It is considered one of the most beautiful trekkings you can do in China.

The Tiger Leaping Gorge lies between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. It is naturally divided into three sections: Upper Gorge, Middle Gorge and Lower Gorge. The two first ones are the most visited segments due to its amazing views. Green lush landscapes and fresh air are some of the rewards of an unforgettable 3-day trekking.

This gorge hides some legends. According to one of them, a tiger used this rock as a stepping-stone so it could leap across from one side of the gorge to the other. And this is how the Tiger Leaping Gorge got its name. Most travellers stop by the first segment to look at the tightest part of the river and stare at the Tiger Leaping Stone.

If you a nature lover, the 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa will win you over. Our Faces of Angkor pool is a mandatory stop. Immerse yourself in the waterfalls of this beautiful Balinese style pool!

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we like taking care of ourselves from the inside out. That is why our Thai Spa merges the Asian tradition and wisdom to discover spiritual and physical balance and wellbeing. Today we want to tell you more in depth about one of the treatments of our Temple of Relaxation: the ayurvedic massage.

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicine system. In Sanskrit it means knowledge of life. It is a very popular medicine system in South Asia.

This 5000-year-old healing tradition is based on the belief that there are three elements, which combine in the human body to make each of us a unique person who needs personalised and specific healing treatments.

These three elements or energies are called doshas: vata dosha (air), energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, pitta dosha (fire), energy that controls the body’s metabolic systems, and kapha dosha (earth), unifying force. Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas.

The Ayurdevic massage is an ayurveda treatment that treats each person according to his doshas. Once the specialist is sure about which category a patient belongs to, he chooses a specific ayurdevic massage, the most appropriate one, and the right oils.

There are different types of massages, but the most common one is the abhyanga massage, an Ayurvedic oil massage therapy for healing and detoxifying body, mind and spirit. Besides the abhyanga one, the most popular ones are the shirodhara massage, a form of ayurveda therapy that involves pouring liquids over the forehead, and the kansu bowl massage, a fot massage.

Would you like to try our Ayurvedic Massage? Visit our Temple of Relaxation at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa and book our famous Nuad Nam Mun Abhyanga. An essential luxury…

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we keep discovering new Asian spots. Today we are travelling to China to get to know the mysterious Mogao Caves. Are you joining us on this trip?

Mogao Caves, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, form a system of 492 temples near Dunhuang, in Gansu province, China. They are strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road.

There is a famous local legend behind the caves. According to it, in 366, a Buddhist monk named Lo-tsun had a vision of thousands of Buddhas and convinced a Silk Road traveller to establish the first temple of the Mogao Caves.

These caves are famous for their statues and paintings, which represent over 1,000 years of Buddhist art. Mogao Caves are the biggest and most important Buddhist sanctuary in the world. They were built throughout the periods of different Chinese dynasties.

During the Northern Wei dynasty, the grottoes were simple and very influenced by the Indians. The ones built during the Sui dynasty were more realistic and detailed, while the caves painted during the Tang dynasty were even more crafted. During the Song dynasty, artists kept working this way.

After their construction, Buddhist monks hoped Mogao Caves helped them reach enlightenment. Mogao Caves´ paintings were helpful for meditation and as tools for teaching Chinese people about Buddhist believes and stories.

If you are looking for a place to escape and relax, that is the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean and with an average temperature of 22º C, what else do you need?

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we never say no to any Asian festivities. Today we are travelling to India to celebrate the famous Pongal festival. Are you going to miss it?

Pongal festival is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, in South India, which takes place every year on January 15. The celebration lasts four days. It is one of the most important Hindu festivities.

During Pongal, Tamils thank nature and Surya the Sun God for a good harvest and consecrate the first grains. The festival marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere.

The first day of Pongal is celebrated as Bhogi festival in honour of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that give rain, to show gratitude for the abundance of harvest.

On the second day of Pongal, the puja or act of ceremonial worship is performed when rice is boiled in milk outdoors in an earthenware pot. And then it is symbolically offered to the Sun God along with other oblations. All Tamils wear traditional costumes.

The third day is known as Mattu Pongal, the day of Pongal for cows. This day is dedicated to worship the cattle. Multi-coloured beads, tinkling bells and flower garlands are tied around their necks.

The Fourth day is known as Knau. On this day, a turmeric leaf is washed and placed on the ground. On this leaf people place the left overs of sweet Pongal and Venn Pongal, rice, as well as red and

yellow rice, betel leaves, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane and bananas. Women perform this ritual before bathing in the morning. All the women of the house assemble in the courtyard to ask that their brothers´ house and family prosper.

At the 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we also have our rituals and believes. Have you ever seen our wood canoe? If you visit us, don´t hesitate to discover it.

Today we are leaving behind the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa to go in depth into the history of China and discover more about its different dynasties. Are you coming with us?

The many different Chinese dynasties have left an important legacy throughout history. There are two periods: Ancient China and Imperial Era.

Ancient China includes Xia dynasty, Shang dynasty and Zhou dynasty.

The first dynasty in the history of China is Xia dynasty (2100-1600 B.C.). It was established in the 21st century B.C. along the Yellow River. During this period, the first Chinese calendar was created.

The second Chinese dynasty was Shang dynasty (1600-1100 B.C.). This dynasty was defeated by a village of Zhou.

The Zhou dynasty ruled China between 1045 B.C. and 256 B.C. The dynasty divided the kingdom in different states under the order of local governors. During this period, people started to use money instead of bartering.

The Imperial Era is made up by Qin dynasty, Han dynasty, Jin dynasty, Sui dynasty, Tang dynasty, Song dynasty, Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty.

During Qin dynasty, the king becomes the emperor. Chinese civilisation progressed in different methodologies such as writing and archaeology.

Han dynasty (206 B.C.-220A.D.) consisted of two dynasties: the Western Han (206 BC – 24 A.D.) and the Eastern Han (25 – 220). During the Han Dynasty, commerce, agriculture and industry were well developed.

Han Dynasty was followed by the Three Kingdoms Period (220-265) of Wei, Shu, and Wu.

The Jin Dynasty consists of two dynasties, the Western Jin (265 -316) and the Eastern Jin (317 – 420). Jin´s kingdom was ruled by Sao and Sima clans.

The Sixteen Kingdoms was a period in Chinese history from 304 to 439 in which the country fractures into different sovereign states, which were founded by ethnic minority people.

Preceded by the Eastern Jin Dynasty and followed by the Sui Dynasty, the Southern and Northern Dynasties lasted from 440 to 589.

Sui dynasty (581-618) was founded by Yang Jian, also known as Emperador Wendi. During this period there was a strong rise of Buddhism.

Tang dynasty was established in Chang’an (Xi’an) in 618. It is considered a period of splendour of Chinese civilisation. China progressed in arts, science and technology.

Song dynasty was founded by the soldier Zhao Kuangyb in 960. During this period, the country experienced a great economic development. It consisted of the Northern Song (960-1127) and the Southern Song (1127-1279).

Yuan dynasty was under the order of the Mongolian Empire, with Gengis Khan in the lead. This period was marked by an important social instability.

Ming dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang in 1368. During this period, China became the first maritime power.

The last Chinese dynasty was the Qing´s one. During their reign, the region experienced big conflicts such as the Opium Wars and the Sino-Japanese War.

Forget those long–haul flights to enjoy an authentic Asian experience… Escape to our Asian paradise in the heart of the Mediterranean Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa and relax a few days off under the sun.

Although Christmas holidays have come to an end, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we keep on celebrating. Today we are travelling to Japan to celebrate Seijin no hi.

Seijin no hi, also known as Coming of Age Day, celebrates age of majority in Japan. This Japanese public holiday occurs on every second Monday of January. It honors every person that has turned 20 years old over the past year.

It was established in 1948. Between 1948 and 2000 Seijin no hi was celebrated on the 15th of January. Until in 2000 Japanese government introduced the Happy Monday System, since then it takes place on the second Monday of January.

Seijin no hi takes place in every city and village around Japan. People can attend the event at their local city office, and after celebrating it with their families and friends. People also visit temples and shrines to worship the deities.

Seijin no hi is a very important day for young Japanese people because they don´t just celebrate their age of majority, they also have the chance to wear for the first time gorgeous kimonos for the occasion. All the girls wear special designed kimonos, while boys wear a suit or traditional Japanese clothes (hakama).

At the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we also have our own celebrations. If you visit us, don´t miss the opportunity to attend our Wishing Fountain Ceremony, every Saturday at 20:00 h. at the fountain in the Hotel Hall.

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are starting the year, as we like the most, travelling around the Asian continent. Today we are taking you to India to discover more about its gastronomy.

Indian cuisine is very varied. It is known for its spicy flavours and for using many spices. Among its main ingredients we find rice, atta, Indian whole-wheat flour used to make flatbread, and legumes.

Let´s find out more about Indian flavours by going over its most traditional dishes:

Biryani. It is a rice dish, which includes a mix of spices, yogurt and meat, fish or vegetables. There are many types of biryani and each one of them has its own features. Lamb biryani, one of the most famous ones, is one of the traditional dishes of the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan.

Raita. This is a salad that is usually served ad a started or as a side dish of main dishes sush as tandoori chicken, which will talk about next. It is a very simple recipe including cucumber, yogurt and some spices.

Tandoori chicken. It is a very popular chicken dish all over the country. The chicken is marinated with a traditional Indian mixture of spices known as tandoori masala, which is prepared with ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika and chili powder. The recipe also includes yogurt, onion and lemon.

Rasam. This is a South Indian vegetarian soup. Its ingredients include tamarinds, tomatoes, lentils, vegetables, rice and different spices. There are many varieties of the classic rasam.

Vindaloo. This is a very famous Indian curry. It is usually served with lamb or chicken meat. It is a mixture of different spices such as cardamom, ginger and mustard powder, mixed with other ingredients such as garlic, chilli powder or saffron.

Jalebi. It is a traditional Indian sweet. It is one of the main dishes of different Hindu festivals and celebrations. This is fried dough soaked in syrup. It is ring-shaped and orange.

If you are an Asian food lover, let yourself captivate by the restaurants at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. We suggest you Koh Samui, where you will enjoy the choicest Oriental crossover cuisine.