It´s already known that we can never reject Asian food at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Mainly when it comes to sweets and desserts. That´s why today we want to take you to Cambodia to taste its most popular sweets. Are you joining us?

Cambodia has a great variety of sweet dishes. The main ingredients used are: glutinous rice, condensed milk, coconut, bananas, Durian (famous for its unpleasant smell), and longan.

However, Cambodian people don´t usually eat dessert after lunch, but throughout the day. Most lunch menus at Cambodian restaurants don´t include desserts.

Sankya lapov. Also known as lpov sangkya, it is a Cambodian dessert prepared with kabocha squash and coconut cream. The crème caramel fills the inside of the kabocha and besides; the whole piece of the fruit is served. This recipe is also popular in Thailand and Laos.

Sweet sticky rice with mango. This is one of the most traditional Cambodian desserts. Rice is an essential ingredient of Cambodians ´diet, and the main ingredient of this dish. It is a recipe made of cooked rice with sugar and coconut milk, which becomes very sticky. It is served in a bamboo cup with chopsticks. It makes a great breakfast or midday snack.

Pong Aime. These are sweet treats available at most food markets. It consists of a variety of sweetmeats served up with ice, condensed milk and sugar water.

Tuk-a-loc. This drink is a must for everyone visitin Cambodia. It is a drink blended with fruits, raw egg, sweet condensed milk and ice.

Enjoy the flavours and scents of Asia at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Our suggestion: Koh Samui restaurant, where you will be able to enjoy a blend of the most select Oriental cuisine.

We are about to say goodbye to the month of March in the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. And how about doing it by discovering new hidden details of the Asian continent. We are travelling to the Philippines to get to know the main Philippine dances.

Dance plays a very important role in any culture. The Philippines has a very rich history rewarded with different dances. Besides traditional dances, the country has many European influences due to the Spanish colonization. Every region has its own dance.

Let´s go through the most famous ones:

Tinikling. It is considered the Philippine national dance. The word “tinikling” means “bamboo dance.” Dancers perform delicate movements while jumping in coordination with other couple of dancers between bamboo poles. This is one of the oldest dances in the Philippines, which was created in Visayan Islands.

Maglalatik. Coming from Laguna Province, this is another famous Philippine dance. This represents a mock-battle between Christians and Muslims over latik; which is is a residue of coconut milk. During the dance, two groups of dancers dressed up like Christian or Muslims perform by hitting a coconut shell with the other.

Binasuan. Binasuan was originated in Panganisan. Performers dance to the rhythm of the music while holding full wine glasses in each hand. Men hold a glass of wine in each hand and on the head; while women develop graceful movements without spilling the liquid.

Pantomina. This folkloric dance is performed anually each October, during the Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival. It is also known as “the Dance of the Doves”. The dance mimics the courtship between doves, and is often performed by elderly couples.

Live a 100% Asian experience without travelling to the Philippines. This Easter enjoy an unforgettable family break surrounded by the exclusive luxury of Asia and Thai rituals in our 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa.

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we keep discovering the wonders the Asian continent has to offer us. We are travelling to Japan to find out more about the Yuki-tsumugi technique.

Yuki-tsumugi is a famous Japanese silk fabric production technique. It dates back to 2,000 years ago. In 2010 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

It is practiced mainly in vicinity of Yuki and Oyama, in the north of Tokyo. This region has warm temperatures and fertile lands, which are ideal for the growth of mulberry trees and sericulture.

Yuki-tsumugi technique is used to produce pongee silk, which is also called raw silk. This is a warm and light fabric with a very characteristic flexibility and softness. It is traditionally used to make kimonos.

Its production includes different stages: silk floss is spun into yarn by hand, with patterns added by hand-tying bundles of yarn before dyeing the yarn, then the silk is woven using a back-tension loom. Specifically, 40 different procedures are needed in order to produce the Yuki-tsumugi, each one of them developed by a highly qualified craftsman.

Traditional techniques of Yuki-tsumugi are transmitted by members of the Association for the Preservation of Honba Yuki-tsumugi Weaving Technique. This association is in charge of maintaining traditions of spinning, dyeing and weaving. Additionally, it promotes transmission of Yuki-tsumugi through training of young weavers, exchange of skills and practical demonstrations.

If you are an Asian culture lover and anything related to it, you have a mandatory stop at the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Start planning your getaway to our Asian oasis of relaxation with privileged views of Costa Blanca.

We still have many fantastic Asian spots left to discover at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Today we want to take you to Indonesia to visit the amazing Lorentz National Park. Are you joining us?

Lorentz National Park is the largest protected area in Southeast Asia, with an area of over 25,000 km². It is located in New Guinea, in Indonesia. This is one of nature lovers´ favourite Asian destinations.

Established in 1997, the park is named for the Dutch explorer Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz. Lorentz National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.

The park is located at the meeting-point of two colliding continental plates. The area has a complex geology, going from perpetual snowcap to tropical marine environments. Besides, the area also contains fossil sites, which provide evidence of the evolution of life in New Guinea.

Lorentz National Park is home to a large number of autochthonous species; it is the most biologically diverse park in Indonesia. However, what makes the park outstands against other ones is its lush vegetation. 34 different types of vegetation make up the park, such as: coastal forests, swamp forests or roverside forests.

Forget about long-haul flights to visit Southeast Asia. Paradise is closer than you thought. We are waiting for you at our 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa this Easter. Enjoy unforgettable days surrounded by luxury and relaxation.

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we continue welcoming spring. And we can´t imagine a better way to do it than travelling to China to discover its most representative flowers.

Peony. This is considered the national flower. Its Chinese name is “sho yu”, which means “most beautiful”. It symbolizes happiness, wealth and luck. It is used worldwide as an ornament due to its beauty. It is available in different colours: pink, white, yellow, mottle, red and violet.

Plum blossom. From antiquity, this flower has been one of Chinese painter´s favourite themes. It is a vigour and resistance symbol. This flower resists cold temperatures and blooms in spring. The plum tree symbolizes the regeneration of a new life and growth.

Orchid. It is one of the most popular flowers in China and known for its delicate fragrance. It is considered, especially violet ones, to bring good luck, beauty and love.

Chrysanthemum. This is one of the most traditional Chinese flowers. It favours love and success. Chrysanthemums offer very varied colours, which go from white and yellow ones to pink and orange.

Come celebrate spring at the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa! Over 20,000 seasonal flowers are grown in our Asian paradise´s hothouse. Are you going to miss it?

Spring has already arrived at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. That´s why today we want to take you to Japan to discover Nikko National Park. Are you coming?

Nikko National Park is located in the Kanto region, on the main island of Honshu in Japan. The park spreads over four prefectures: Tochigi, Gunma, Fukushima, and Niigata. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in Japan and one of the main tourist attractions in the country.

Originally, the Buddhist monk Shoho founded Nikko in the 8th century. Until the 17^th century, it was considered one of the most important Buddhist places in Japan. And it was established as a national park in 1934. The park is surrounded by many temples, lush Japanese cedar forests, lakes, rivers and mountains.

The area where the shrines and temples are located at Nikko National Park is known as “Sannai”. Some of the most important architectural constructions are: Toshogu Shrine, Nikko´s main monument; Futarasan Shrine, the oldest one; and Rinnoji Temple; known for the famous Three Buddha Hall.

The other main attractions of the park are Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall. Nikko also has a cable railway, which lets people contemplate the whole park from above.

Nikko National Park attracts every year thousands of tourists, which can go hiking or ski in winter.

If you are also a lover of beautiful Asian landscapes, the 5 stars Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is waiting for you. Southeast Asia has never been so close…

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have something to celebrate. We are travelling to India to commemorate the famous Maha Shivaratri.

Maha Shivaratri, also known as “the Great Night of Shiva”, is a famous Hindu festival, which is precisely celebrated in honour of the god Shiva. It takes place every year on the sixth night of Phalgun month, either in February or March.

The night before the festival, believers fast and stay awake all night, which spend practicing yoga and meditating. During Maha Shivaratri people play different games and attend popular celebrations, which change depending on the region where it´s held. Some of the most popular traditions are: tripundra, the three horizontal lines on the forehead made from sacred ash representing Shiva´s eyes; carrying a rudraksha; and the offering of bael leaves and cold water at the Linga, a sacred stone.

This festivity is considered a lucky day for women. According to the legend, the Goddess Parvati prayed and meditated during this day with the purpose of avoiding something bad would happen to her husband. From then on, Maha Shivaratri is considered a lucky day for women to pray with for their husbands’ well-being, and unmarried women pray they will have a husband like Shiva, who is seen as the ideal husband.

If you are thinking about how to spend Father´s Day, treat yourself to a getaway to the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Can you imagine a better plan to enjoy unforgettable family days of luxury and relaxation?

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we love trying new flavours from the Asian cuisine. Today we keep travelling around Asia to discover the main types of Asian rice. Are you joining us?

When it comes to knowing which type of rice is better to make a consistent dish as well as emphasise the rest of ingredients, there is nothing better than take a look at Asian gastronomy.

These are the most famous Asian rices:

Basmati rice. This type of rice comes from India and Pakistan. It is long-grain rice. It has a light and spongy texture. Its flavour offers a very different experience than other rices do. Its nuts scent makes it the perfect ingredient for salads and exotic recipes.

Jasmine rice. Coming from Thailand, this is the most used rice in the country. It is also known as Thai rice. This long-grain rice has soft texture and slightly sweet flavour. Its name “jasmine” describes its delicate aroma. It is recommended to rinse the rice under cold water before cook it. This is the ideal rice for spiced and exotic recipes, and also for salads.

Wild rice. It is grown in China and North America, where is also very popular. It is characteristic for its dark colour. It has a wizened flavour and a crispy texture. It is usually prepared mixed with other types of rice. It requires a longer cooking time than other common rice. It is very used in macrobiotic cuisine and vegan and vegetarian diets.

If you are an Asian food lover, you have a mandatory stop at the 5 stars resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa: our Asian restaurant Koh Samui. Enjoy the choicest Oriental crossover cuisine!

We still have many places left to discover from the Asian continent at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Today we want to take you to Taiwan to visit the famous Kenting National Park. Are you coming?

Kenting National Park welcomes every year millions of visitors, who arrive attracted by its landscape. It is located in the Hengchun peninsula, in Southern Taiwan. It is surrounded by water on three sides, being the only national park covering both land and sea.

Established on January 1, 1984, it is Taiwan’s oldest national park. It is famous for its tropical weather and its white sand beaches, where there are all types of tropical fishes and corals. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait; becoming one of the favourite areas for water sport lovers, such as diving and scuba diving.

Precisely, its tropical weather favours the growth of very peculiar plants, which attract many migratory birds every year to spend winter in the park.

Among its most renowned sceneries we find Lungluan Lake, Nanren Lake, Jianshih Mountains and a huge candle rock.

Kenting National Park is considered one of the best places to enjoy the most beautiful sunsets. When the sun goes down, the park lights up and the water goes from crystalline to dark blue.

If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy like a child walking through the many lakes and waterfalls surrounding the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Are you joining us?