Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have reasons to celebrate. We are going to India to commemorate the famous Baisakhi festival. Are you coming?

Baisakhi is an ancient festival, which marks the Solar New Year in India. It takes place every year on April 13 or 14. According to the English calendar, it is celebrated every year on April 13 and on April 14 once every 36 years.

This day is celebrated in the whole country by different names and celebrations. Baisakhi´s date coincides with the “Rongali Bihu” in Assam, the “Naba Barsha” in Bengal, “Puthandu” in Tamil Nadu and “Pooram Vishu” in Kerala.

Baisakhi has a very special meaning for the Sikh community. On April 13, 1699 Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa. During this day it´s a tradition visiting the Gurdwaras. Many people also take a bath in the sacred river to celebrate Baisakhi. At the end of the day, Sikhs receive the Karah Prasad, a traditional dish consisting of sweet flour, followed by a community lunch.

Baisakhi is also celebrated with lots of enthusiasm in the north of the country, especially in the state of Punjab, where people thank God for the good harvest of rabi crops. People wear new clothes during the celebration and have fun dancing Bhangra dances.

Come celebrate Oriental Spring at the Zen Paradise. Experience the resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa during the most spectacular time of year. Exclusivity and Thai rituals with the colours and aromas of Asia. Are you going to miss it?

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we never get tired of discovering and trying new flavours of the Asian continent. Today we are travelling to Japan to find out more about the different types of ramen. Are you joining us?

Ramen is one of the most famous Japanese dishes. Each region prepares it and eats it in a different way, according to their preferences, traditions and the products their lands grow. These are the main types of ramen:

Hakata Ramen. This type of ramen is perfect for those who love the taste of thick soup. Its speciality is the soup, which is made with broken pork bones. The noodles used are thin and straight and it is usually seasoned with chashu, chives, pickled ginger, wood ear mushrooms and spicy mustard greens.

Kyoto Ramen. In Kyoto the ramen is prepared with chicken soup, thin noodles and it is seasoned with green onion and spicy beans pastry.

Tokyo Ramen. Also known as Shoyu ramen, this is the most popular ramen. This soup is lighter than the other ones. It is made from pork and chicken soup and seasoned with lost of soy sauce, roasted pork, chives, bamboo shoots and boiled egg.

Muroran Ramen. This Japanese region is known for its cold temperatures, making Muroran ramen a traditional recipe to warm up. The most popular ramen in Muroran is a spicy curry ramen seasoned with chashu, chives and mustard greens.

Sapporo Ramen. The city of Sappor is best known as the birthplace of miso. And precisely this is its main ingredient. Many people called it miso ramen. It is prepared with thick noodles, pork or fish, chicken and red miso. The key ingredient used to thicken the soup is walnut butter.

Tsukemen Ramen. This is a traditional Japanese summer dish. It is served in two different bowls: one for undressed noodles and another one for the soup. The noodles are dipped into the soup accompanying the rest of ingredients.

Shio Ramen. This is the most simple ramen recipe. It is very popular in Hokkaido. It is prepared with sea salt.

If you would like to know more about Asian gastronomy, during your visit to the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you can´t miss the Asian Cookshow. Learn the differences and nuances between the cooking methods in the Asian continent!

As you already know, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we love spring and the flowers it brings. That´s why today we want to take you to Thailand to discover some of its most beautiful flowers. Are you coming?

Since ancient times, there has been an important flower culture in Thailand. This is directly related to offerings to Buddha and religious symbols. However, which are the most popular flowers in the country?

Thai Lotus. Also known as Nelumbo, it has many different meanings for Thai culture. This is one of the oldest known flowers in Thailand. Since this plant is a symbol of purity and innocence in Buddhism, it can be found in all the Thai sanctuaries and temples.

Thai Bougainvillea. This is one of the most famous flowers in Thailand. Thanks to the country´s tropical climate, it blooms all year long; producing different colour flowers: pink, orange, red, purple and white. Bougainvillea may reach 8 metres high.

Orchid. Throughout the years, this flower has become very popular, and it is already considered one of Thailand´s symbols. We can find more kinds of this flower in Thailand than any other Asian country. It is usually used as an ornamental plant.

Have you ever visited the Pool of Flowers at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa? If you are staying in one of our Suites, don´t miss enjoying this exclusive pool surrounded by beautiful bougainvillea.

We can´t imagine a better way to welcome April than travelling around the Asian continent. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are taking you to Indonesia to visit the amazing Uluwatu Temple.

Luhur Uluwatu Temple is one of the most beautiful and famous temples in Bali. Located on top of a steep cliff 75 metres above sea level, it is one of the main cult places in the island.

The temple, built with black rock, dates back to the tenth century and it is one of the oldest temples in Bali. It is one of the nine directional temples of Bali, located in strategic places of the island to protect it from evil spirits.

Uluwatu Temple has a huge religious importance for being the traveller Dhang Hyang Dwijendra´s last residence, who developed the current dharma branch of knowledge in the fifteenth century.

Any time of the day is good for visiting the temple, but the light during twilight makes it even more special. It is considered one of the best spots to contemplate the incredible sunsets, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Besides, in the evening natives perform the Kecak Dance every day.

If you also love beautiful Asian landscapes, at the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, you will travel to the Asian continent in a couple hours. Are you joining us?

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…