You can still enjoy the paradise in September with an excellent climate. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we make the most of the summer by travelling to Myanmar to cool ourselves off in the amazing Inle Lake.

Inle Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Myanmar and in the entire Asian continent. It is one of the main tourist attractions in the country. It outstands for its size, covering an area of more than 200 square kilometres, and its landscape. The scenery that the mountains surrounding the lake create together with the clouds and the green colour of the trees is worth admiring.

Most tourists go across the lake by boat to better appreciate it. The two main points of interest of this fresh water lake are its floating gardens and the fishermen who fish in its waters.

The fishermen work from dawn to nightfall, looking for a good fishing to sell it later. But if there is something remarkable about these fishermen that is their unique rowing style: standing on the stern wrapping one leg around their oar.

The gardens amaze all those who visit Inle Lake due to the wide variety of plants, vegetables and fruits growing there. Due to the shallowness of the lake, locals have created floating gardens where they grow from hyacinth to alga.

At the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa there are 7 outdoor Asian pools, 2 of them heated ones, which are ideal to enjoy swimming at any time of the year. When are you visiting us?

We can´t imagine a better plan to enjoy this Thursday than keep discovering new wonders of the Asian continent. Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are going over the most famous trees of Asia.

Do you want know which ones are? Keep reading…

Japanese cherry. Also known as Sakura or hill cherry, is a wild tree native to Japan. It is famous all over the country due to its spectacular blossoms that welcome spring every year. This is one of the main attractions in Japan. At first, its leaves are reddish-green colour and later with the change of seasons they become green. Its flowers are white and pink.

Walnut tree. This is a very valued tree due to its wood and its nuts. This is a very robust tree; it can reach a height of 30 metres. Just as hazels, walnut trees have both male and female flowers. Their leaves are big and light green. These trees are used in gardening, diet and cabinetmaking.

Sugi. It is also known as Japanese cedar. This is Japan´s national tree and one of the symbols of the country. It is common to find these trees surrounding Japanese temples.  Japanese cedars are one of the oldest trees in the world, they last several thousands of years. Their wood, which is rosy and strong, is thoroughly used in all type of constructions.

Maple. This tree is also called False Banana, due to the similarity of its leaves to banana´s ones. It has tiny green flowers. It can reach a height of 30 metres. It is common to find it in parks and gardens, although it is also very used in cabinetmaking.

 Japanese plum. This is a deciduous shrub, very similar to Japanese cherry. It is usually an ornamental plant due to the elegant combination of its pink flowers and its dark trunk. Its most characteristic feature is that it blossoms at the beginning of spring, before its leaves have even appeared.

The Asian garden of the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is made up of more than 150,000 shrubs. How about discovering them with our Botanical route? Visit Asia in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Today from the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are travelling to Japan to discover the magnificent Kinkaku-ji Temple. Are you joining us?

Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as Golden Pavilion, is considered the most emblematic building in Kyoto. It is also one of the most famous Japanese temples. It has a distinguishing element that makes it unique: its outer walls are completely covered in gold leaf.

It was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the shogun at the time. It is one of the locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu).

Kinkaku-ji houses sacred relics of Buddha. The building is made up of three floors. Each floor uses a different style of architecture. The first floor, called The Chamber of Dharma Waters, is rendered in shinden-zukuri style. The second floor, which is known as The Tower of Sound Waves, is built in the samurai style. And finally the third floor (Kukkyoo-choo) is built in Zen style.

Japanese Buddhism is very present in the amazing gardens surrounding the temple. The pond called Kyōko-chi or Mirror Pond is formed by islands and stones symbolising the history of Buddhism.

Have your ever lost yourself in the tropical gardens of our 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa? We are looking forward to seeing you in our Asian paradise in the Mediterranean. An essential luxury…

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we have many reasons to celebrate. Besides welcoming September, we are travelling to India to celebrate the famous Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival that commemorates God Ganesha´s birthday. It is held every year around August and September and it usually lasts ten days. This year the festival starts on September 5.

The festival is celebrated throughout India and it takes place both at home and in public. The public celebration involves installing clay images of Ganesha in temporary public shrines called pandals and group worship. Ganesh Chaturthi also includes different cultural activities such as theatre and performances. During these days, it is also traditional to eat the famous Indian dessert modak.

At home, families also install a small clay image, which is worshiped by the families and friends who visit their houses. At the end of Ganesh Chaturthi, all the clay images of Ganesha are immersed in water, mainly in a river, a lake or the sea. After a few days, families use this clay on their gardens.

If you are looking for a place to hold any professional or family event, the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is an excellent choice. Have you ever seen our Conference Centre?

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…