At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are saying goodbye to August, as we like, travelling around the Asian continent. In particular, today we want to take you to the Philippines to discover the amazing Chocolate Hills.

The Chocolate Hills are located in the island of Bohol. They are one of the most famous geological formations in Philippines. This is due to its shape and colour.

There are over 1,200 rounded hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres. They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, making them look like chocolate.

When it comes to find out the origin of the Chocolate Hills, some scientists state that they are leftover limestone deposits from a time when rivers were above sea level. There is also a legend that says that the hills are the dry tears of a giant grieving the death of his beloved woman.

It is worth it staring at the Chocolate Hills on the whole to appreciate the beauty of the scenery. The best place to do it is a viewpoint built on the top of one of the hills.

Are you up for a late summer holiday? The 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is the perfect destination to enjoy a few deserved days off by the sun. Endless summers…

If there is something we love at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa that would be discovering Asia´s varied culinary offer. That is why today we are travelling to Taiwan to enjoy its most popular dishes. Are you coming with us?

Taiwanese food is influenced by Chinese cuisine. Rise, pork, seafood and soy are the most common ingredients we can find on its dishes. They also include a wide variety of condiments, such as sesame oil or coriander.

Among the main xiaochi or traditional Taiwanese dishes we find:

Oamisoir. Also known called oyster vermicelli, this is as thickened soup made of rice noodles, small oysters and chopped intestines. The soup sometimes includes some vegetables too.

Oyster omelet. This is one of the most popular Taiwanese recipes. It is a chewy omelete made with eggs, oysters, tapioca and spring onions. The dish is served with a sweet and spicy sauce.

Bawan. Also known as Taiwanese meatballs, this is a large dumpling stuffed with pork and vegetables and seasoned with gravy and spices. It is Changhua´s traditional dish.

Zongzi. This a traditional summer dish in Taiwan. The recipe is made of glutinous rice and stuffed with meat, nuts and mushrooms. They are served wrapped in bamboo leaves.

And when it comes to desserts, the most famous one is bubble tea. Also known as pearl milk tea, this type of tea contains milk and chewy tapioca balls.

Have you already visited our Koh Samui restaurant? This is the best place to enjoy Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa ´s Asian cuisine. You will want to go back…

We still have many beautiful natural sceneries left to discover in the Asian continent. As every Tuesday, we are leaving behind the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa to take you to South Korea to visit Hallasan National Park.

Hallasan National Park is the main tourist attraction in South Korea. It is located in Jeju Island. It is famous for harbouring the highest mountain in the country, Hallasan Mountain. It was designated as a national park in 1970.

Hallasan is known for its ecosystem, with over 1,500 vegetal species and 4,000 animal species (3,000 of them are insects). In 2002, the park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Throughout its more than 150 square kilometres, we can find varied geographical features. The most remarkable ones are Sunrise Peak and Manjanggul Lava-tuve Cave. Hallasan Mountain can be watched from any corner of Jeju Island. However, it is very easy to reach its peak, which is only 10 kilometres away from the ground.

The 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa will also captivate you due to its magnificent scenery. If you visit us this summer, you can´t miss our Botanical Route. Experience the luxury of losing yourself in tropical gardens…

Celebrations continue at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Today we are travelling to India to commemorate Raksha Bandhan. Are you coming with us?

Raksha Bandhan, also called Rakhi Purnima, is a famous Hindu festival, which celebrates the love between brothers and sisters. It literally means “the tie or knot of protection”. It is held every year around July or August in India, as well as Nepal´s main regions and some areas in Pakistan.

During this day, sisters tie a rakhi or sacred thread on her brother´s wrist to symbolize their love. On the other hand, brothers give their sisters gifts and promise them to protect them forever. Traditionally, brothers and sisters also give each other traditional Indian sweets and desserts. On Raksha Bandhan, the whole family gets involved in the celebration while wearing their best costumes.

One of the most ancient origins of Raksha Bandhan dates back to the Middle Ages, when Rajputs fought against Muslim invaders. According to the legend, when queen Karnavati realize she wasn´t able to face the invasion, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. And Humayun expressed his gratitude for that gift by protecting her lands with his troops.

Come celebrate summer with your family at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Enjoy a few days off in Southeast Asia in the Mediterranean.

There are still many summer days left to continue discovering new Asian spots. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are travelling to Sri Lanka to visit the famous Temple of the Tooth.

The Temple of the Tooth, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a royal palace complex located by Kandy Lake, in the city of Kandy. It is the most important attraction in the city, and one of the most worshiped sanctuaries in Sri Lanka.

The temple houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic: the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha. After Buddha´s parinirvana, only his left upper canine tooth remained. According to the legend, his tooth was taken from India to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the 4th century by Princess Hemamali, who hid the relic in her hair. Once she arrived at the city of Anuradhapura, the temple was built.

Currently, Buddha´s tooth is inside the main building Vahahitina Maligawa, in a chapel inside a gold urn. It is not to the public. The tooth only leaves the Temple of the Tooth once a year during Kandy Esala Perahera.

Buddhist people in Sri Lanka must visit the Temple of the Tooth at least once in their lives and contemplate the urn, keeping the tooth.

If you haven´t still enjoyed your summer holidays, don´t think it twice and plan a getaway to our Asian paradise in the Mediterranean Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Many celebrations take place in the month of August. And at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we always have a reason to celebrate. That is why today we are travelling to Japan to commemorate Obon.

Obon or Bon is an annual Japanese Buddhist celebration for commemorating one´s ancestors. It is believed that during the celebration, the ancestors’ spirits return to this world to visit their relatives. It is one of the most important Japanese events.

It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years. It lasts for three days and its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. In most part of the country Obon takes place in mid August, but in other areas such as Okinawa it is held on mid July.

Obon starts with a traditional Japanese dance called Bon-odori, which welcomes the ancestors´ spirits. People wear a yukata (a summer kimono) while dance to the sound of music and drums.

Most Japanese houses have a Buddhist altar called butsudan, where families place a variety of food offerings like vegetables, fruits and sweets in front of it. Another common rite is hanging Japanese paper lanterns to guide the spirits. The last day of the Obon, people let the lanterns go down the rivers and the sea to travel along the spirits during their return.

At the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we also have our own rituals. If you visit us this summer, don´t miss our Wishing Fountain Ceremony, which takes place every Saturday at 20:00 h. at the fountain in the Hotel Hall. Make your wishes come true at our Asian paradise in the Mediterranean…

If there is something about Asia that has won us over that is that it never stops surprising us. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are going over the Asian continent to discover the most popular Asian vegetables. Do you want to know which ones are? Keep reading…

Kailaan. Also known as kai-lan or “Chinese broccoli”, it is a leaf vegetable featuring big, thick, flat leaves with fat stems, very similar to cauliflower´s or broccoli´s. It tastes like broccoli although its flavour is sourer. It is very common in Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. It is usually cooked sautéed with ginger and garlic or boiled with oyster sauce.

Pak choi. This is one of the most famous and used Asian vegetables. Featuring dark green leaves and white spoon-shaped stems, it might look like a chard. It tastes similar to endive. It can be prepared in many different ways, but the most common ones are boiled, in soups or wok–sautéed.

Tatsoi. It is also known as “spinach mustard”, due to its sweet aroma and its gently spicy flavour. It is a very healthy nutrient-rich veggie. It is mainly used in salad recipes.

Choy sum. It is a green leafy vegetable similar to kailaan. It has a mild taste and crispy stems. It is perfect for salads and rice dishes.

 If you would like to learn more about Asian cuisine and its different cooking techniques, you can´t miss our Asian Cookshow if you visit our 5 star resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa.

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we don´t have time to get bored. Today we are taking you to the Tibet to swim in Pangong Tso.

Pangong Tso, also called Pangong Lake, is located in the Himalayas at a height of about 4,350 m above the sea. It extends from India to Tibet, but 60% of the length of the lake lies in China. Despite its location, it is one of the main tourist attractions in the area.

According to a legend, Pangong Lake is the favourite place of the Himalayas monster, the Yeti, to drink water.

While in winter the lake freezes, during warm season it stays clear with no ice, reflecting spectacular mountain scenery. Its beautiful blue water transmits peace to all those who stare at the lake. The best time of the year to visit Pangong Tso is in spring and summer.

The brackish water of the lake barely allows any marine or vegetable life, although it is very common to find many aquatic birds flying over Pangong Tso.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Can you imagine a better plan to cool yourself off than swimming in our striking series of swimming pools Langkawi?

Can you imagine a better plan to say hello to August than getting inspired by beautiful Thailand? Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are taking you to Southeast Asia to discover the incredible Mu Ko Similan National Park. Are you coming?

Mu Ko Similan National Park was established in 1982 as a national park. This is a group of islands, the Similan Islands, in the Andaman Sea. It is one of the most famous destinations in Asia for all those who practice underwater activities. The islands are considered one of the best diving sites in the world.

The Similan Islands, also known as “Koh Similan”, are very beautiful. They are known for their crystal clear waters and their beautiful white sand beaches. There are 9 islands, but only 6 of them are open to the public. The first three islands are protected and reserved for being the place where sea turtles lay their eggs.

The 9 islands are:

Koh Huyong. This is island #1. It is the most closet island to Phuket and has the longest and cleanest beach, famous for its spectacular white sand. This is a nesting place for sea turtles.

Koh Payang. Also called Koh Song, this island is made up by rocky hills and rock formations. There isn´t a beach around the island.

Koh Payan. Also called Koh Sam, this island is also formed by rocky hills and rock formations. It is ideal for scuba diving.

Koh Miang. It is the largest island in the national park and where the headquarters is located. Here we find accommodation, the tourist information point and many appealing restaurants. It is home to two beautiful white beaches.

Koh Ha. This is a small island but it is perfect for scuba diving. It is famous for being home to the two-coloured European eel.

Koh Payu. It is made up by big rock formations where the huge coral reefs are without a doubt the main attraction. This is one of the best snorkelling and diving locations in the park.

Koh Hin Pousar. Its crystal clear water offers a perfect visibility to scuba dive.

Koh Bon. Also known as Koh Talu, it has a natural tunnel going through the entire island.

Koh Tachai. This is the last island of Mu Ko Similan National Park. It is home to a tropical beach and it is also ideal for scuba diving.

Welcome August with us at our luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Are you up to a swim in one of our Asian-style pools?