There is nothing more relaxing than a trip around Asia, where peace and harmony surround most corners of this amazing continent. That is why, at our luxury resort in the Mediterranean, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we offer our temple for wellbeing to all our guests.

One of these cities is Chiang Mai, also known as “The Rose of the North”, capital of the Lanna Kingdom, called that way since ancient times. Nowadays, Chiang Mai is the second most important city in Thailand and it has 2.5 million residents.

However, despite being a large trading city, it is quiet and peaceful, and the locals are kind, gentle and respectful.

In Chiang Mai, there are more than 300 Buddhist temples, the most popular and important one is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple. The temple is located on a hill northeast of the city and it dates back to 1383. There is a legend behind it:

Legend has it that in order to choose the perfect spot for the temple, a relic of Buddha was placed at the back of an elephant and they let it go about around the city until it reached a hill. Once there, the elephant made a sound with its trunk and laid down. This was taken as a sign sent by Buddha himself that the temple had to be built there. The temple has the best view of the city.

Although in order to enjoy a truly beautiful view of the city, you must walk up 309 steps to reach the temple and its pagodas. There is also a tram that makes access to it easier, although tourists must pay a fee, and locals can use it for free.

Another place that is a must when visiting Chiang Mai is the Doi Inthanon National Park. One of the most beautiful and important parks in Thailand located in the highest peak of the country, 2,565 metres high. Its waterfalls, vegetation and trails, are a true Asian experience for hikers.

It is 8 kilometres away from Chom Thong and 65 kilometres away from Chiang Mai. But if you are not the adventurous type, you can go on an organised tour.

These are just two of the many activities you can do in the second largest city of Thailand, and you are bound to discover many others during your trip.

In the meantime, if you want to experience Asia 100%, we recommend you come visit us at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a luxury resort where you will be pampered.

(Images by Creative Commons Flickr)

There are special moments, such as those experienced by our guests at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa enjoying the many services of our Asian luxury resort, and there are other holy days in Asia which are celebrated in style like the Wesak.

Yesterday, 14^th May 2014, was the first full moon in May, and also the Wesak, one of the most important celebrations for Buddhists as it is considered to be the day Buddha was born.

During this holiday, most Asian cities, worship Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha who reached enlightment.

Wesak besides being a religious ceremony it is also a celebration of happiness, awareness, colour and generosity where millions of Buddhists gather in temples and altars to pray and bring in food, flowers and candles.

The mystical tradition of Buddhist religion started with the teachings of Buddha, who was said to have become enlightened on this day and who came back to help people physically and spiritually.

He is always said to return to the Valley of Wesak, to the Himalayas where the Shambala energy resides guarded by masters, initiated members and disciples. At this time of the year, they also purify all beings living on Earth.

This is also a significant holiday for the Earth, as it is said that the Wesak means the “pregnancy of the moon”. For pagans, it could be translated as “the beginning of harvest”. Wesak is the link between humans and nature and their quest for astral balance.

It is essential to keep in mind that this is a time to dedicate to prayer and meditation, as well as focus on the light and health of all beings. We must focus on generosity and kindness; this is an ideal day for personal cleansing and energy purification.

If you could also do with a few special days to invest in yourself, to relax and unwind, this is the place for you, our 5-star luxury hotel, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a temple for wellbeing where you can look after yourself and be looked after.

Today, in our Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa blog, we would like to bring you to an ancient and traditional city with plenty of Chinese and Japanese influence, as well as a special charm that has helped it become Heritage of Humanity. We are talking about the small city of Hoi An.

This peaceful and emblematic city is in the centre of Vietnam, and it used to be an important fishing port from the 16^th to the 18^th Century. The old part of the city remains intact nowadays, as it is forbidden, by law, to alter any of it.

The main thing to see at Hoi An is its Japanese covered bridge. The city was built by Japanese traders in the year 1593. It was aimed to shorten distances and become a link between the trading Japanese area in the west and the Chinese area in the east.

The bridge  is made out of wood and rock, and is built over a small tributary of the River Thu Bon. On the inside of the bridge there are handmade lanterns and altars.

These altars are meant for the guardians of the temple: there is a dog on one side and monkeys on the other.

Without a doubt, the best way to see the old part of the city, if you don’t wish to walk much, is to visit it by bike or motorbike. These are the most commonly used vehicles by locals. In Hoi An it is unusual to see cars on the streets.

Another important landmark in this city is the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Hôi quán Quàng Dông) built in 1786 by traders and seamen of the city. This building resembles a pagoda more than a conventional assembly hall. However, it was designed that way as a place to worship the warrior Quang Cong and the goddess of the sea Thien Hau.

On important days of the lunar calendar, such as the New Year and other special festivities, the building is decorated to hold the traditional celebrations and gatherings of its residents. This is a spiritual place for them to meet.

The Thu Bon River is the most important spot in Hoi An. Small fishing boats cross it every day, and on its bank there are narrow Vietnamese houses which make the river a busy place where locals carry on with their day to day routine.

If you like the traditions and charm of Asian style, we recommend you visit our luxury resort and live a unique experience of relaxation and wellbeing at the 5-star hotel Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Live an Asian experience in the Mediterranean.

Today, our Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa blog goes all out dressed in red. We are laying out a natural red carpet for you, to help you discover a unique and impressive beach located in Panjin, China.

We are talking about the Panjin Red Beach, a nature reserve in China, only partially available to the public.

There is nothing too special about this beach for most part of the year. However, in the autumn it totally transforms and turns red, making it look like a red carpet that leads the way to the sea.

What causes this transformation?

This transformation is due to a type of algae which grows in Panjin, in saline and alkaline areas.

Such phenomenon is caused by a sea algae called Suaeda: a plant of the Chenopodiaceae family.

It is green all year round, just like any other algae, but when the summer ends it turns bright red turning the beach into a magnificent sight which tourists enjoy taking pictures of.

Also, the Red Beach has a very complete ecosystem where there are more than 260 bird species and 399 different types of wild animals.

If you like amazing places do not miss out on the chance to live this unique experience at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, your dream 5-star luxury resort in the Mediterranean. Come visit us.

Once again, welcome to the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, the best 5-star Asian luxury hotel in the Mediterranean. Get comfortable and kick off your shoes if you like as it is precisely shoes that we are going to talk about today in our blog, traditional Indian footwear. 

Many people think that in India shoes aren’t an important part of people’s outfits simply because many locals walk around barefoot, but there is nothing further from the truth.

In India, a lot of attention is focused on feet due to the symbolic and ritual meaning behind them. Shoes are more than mere practical items; they portray a historical and spiritual symbolism.

When the feet touch the ground this enhances their energy as it brings them closer to earth. That is the reason why the feet of the elderly are worshipped, as they have been in contact with earth for longer and they therefore have “more vital energy and wisdom”.

Traditional Indian costumes show how women give feet a lot of thought, as well as their face and hair. These are cleaned and treated frequently to wash dirt away and soften their skin. They have their feet massaged with scented oils for pleasure, relaxation and wellbeing. They then apply red paint to the soles of their feet, and also in special occasions they would draw designs on the upper part, also applying jewellery at times.

Different-style shoes started to become more important in time. These are some of the most traditional ones in India nowadays:

– CHAPPALS: A type of basic leather sandal for basic skin protection. Feet are left quite exposed and therefore in close contact with the earth. Chappals became one of the most common types of shoe in India in the 3^rd Century B.C., and it currently continues to be the most used type of shoe.

– JUTTI: Often made of buffalo, camel or cow skin. Nowadays, other fabrics are also used to make them. The Juttis may cover the whole foot and are often decorated with cotton, silk or gold embroidery or they sometimes even have woolly pom poms. This kind of shoe has a narrow and flat top with a straight sole which makes no distinction between left and right foot. They can open or closed at the heel.

There are many different Jutti design variations and decorations depending on the area.

– KHAPUSAS: Heavy knee-length boots used to protect legs from the snow, snakes, rocks and the cold. The Khapusas used to be used in the north of India, especially in the Himalayas during the 1^st Century AD.

– PAKUDA: Also known as Khadaun, Kharawan and Karom, is the most basic form of foot protection. A simple Paduka has a wooden sole with a button placed between two toes. This type of shoe has been part of Indian attires since at least the 7th Century AD, but in modern times they are hardly ever used, although they are still considered a symbol of devotion in religious ceremonies.

If your feet and your body are also very important for you, come visit our 5-star luxury hotel. At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we will help you unwind and relax. It will be a unique experience. Are you going to miss out on it? Come visit us.

Today, from our 5-star luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we would like to show you one of the places that most appeal to tourists when they visit Asia which tends to go unnoticed: Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is in Laos and it is known for its more than 50 Buddhist temples and also for having been the capital of the Lang Xang Kingdom. It is said that its temples are the most beautiful in South East Asia thanks to its architectural features combining Buddhist and French colonial styles. This could maybe be why in 1995 the UNESCO named it the first Heritage of Humanity in Laos.

This is probably the most religious city in Laos, and it is common to see Buddhist monks on the streets. The city has a mystical aura, its peace takes over everyone who visits it and its temples transmit respect.

The Ceremony of the Offerings is quite impressive. 400 monks walk the streets seeking for offerings and food to later bring it to the needy as a sign of poverty and humbleness. This ceremony starts around five in the morning when there is total silence, and people kneel when the monks pass by as a sign of respect.

Among the temples located in Luang Prabang, the following stand out:  Phu Si, Wat Ho Pha Bang, Thay Pathum (built in the 16^th Century) and the Wat Mai Suwannaphumahan Temple, one of the most unique ones, with a 5-floor roof.

The Night Market, visited by hundreds of people, opens in the evening, and contrary to what you might think, it isn’t noisy and chaotic. In this market, simplicity and spirituality reign. There are no anxious street vendors hollering, and there is not much haggling either. In this market there is peace and quiet. However, during the day, there are noisier markets in the area.

Another one of the most majestic places is the Royal Palace, where the luxury of ancient times can be felt. The throne room is spectacular and impressive. There are red walls covered with colour glass in the shape of plants. In the rest of the rooms that can be visited, the simplicity with which they lived is palpable.

If you also wish to feel the peace and quiet that can be experienced in this emblematic spot in Asia, we suggest you come visit us at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a 5-star luxury resort considered a temple of relaxation and wellbeing by many visitors.

Today, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we will bring you to one of the most ancient spots in Asia, the city of Hampi, where we will see the majesty of the largest empire of India.

Hampi, also known as City of Victory, was the capital of the Viljayanagara Empire between 1336 and 1565. It takes up around 26 square kilometres in the valley of River Tungabhadra, in Karnataka, India.

It used to be an architecturally rich and spectacularly cultural city, and that was the reason why it was declared Heritage of Humanity in 1986. In the 15^th Century, there were many Italians and Persians there, and they tell tales of grandeur and beauty at Hampi.

This city is rich in history. In the centre there are 350 temples, many fortresses and numerous pieces of religious art, sculptures and paintings. In addition, the city’s ancient palaces, gardens and markets make it one of the most popular holiday destinations, chosen by travellers from all over the world.

Many archaeologists think that at its peak 250,000 people lived in the city, many more people than in any other medieval European city. Its grandeur and importance still remain and its ruins bring you back to ancient times.

Hampi has 2 centres:

– The Sacred Centre: home to the Vitthala, Virupaksha, Krishna and Achyuta Raya temples, and the statue of Narasimha.

– The Royal Centre: where there are numerous temples, stables, barracks and palaces. In this part of the city you can visit the Palace of the Queen and the stepped pond among other wonderful sites.

The river that crosses it, the Tungabhadra, can be visited by boat. In its peaceful water you can enjoy the magic and charm of the city of Hampi.

If you also feel like travelling to the peaceful Asian waters and feel its magic, come visit us at our temple of relaxation and wellbeing, our luxury resort the 5-star hotel Asia Gardens. Come and experience a true luxurious Asian journey.

Who hasn’t at some point wanted to feel as if they were in paradise? Many of our guests at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa recommend our luxury resort as it is paradise as well as a temple of relaxation and well-being. However, there are other magnificent places in Asia like Langkawi that you will also love.

Langkawi, also known as Langkawi Permata Kedah in Malayan (Langkawi, the jewel of Kedah), is a Malaysian archipelago which consists of 99 islands located in the Andaman Sea, about 30 kilometres away from the continental coast of the country.

In 2007, the UNESCO gave the islands the status of World Geo Park, as there are three parks: Maching Geoforest Cambrian Park, Kilim Karst Geo Forest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geo Forest Park (or Pregnant Lake Island).

An ancient legend combined with the wind and water at Langkawi. If you ask anyone on the island about this story, they will tell you this mysterious tale of a pretty young girl called Mahsuri, love, jealousy and curse.

The Temurun Waterfalls are the highest waterfalls in the country, and are one of the most popular spots on the islands. But this is just one of many facts about the landscape in Langkawi, where the formation of the Asian continent can be seen dating back to the Cambrian Era.

Gua Kelawar is one of the most interesting and better known caves on the islands, as hundreds of bats live inside it.

Gua Kelawar, and Gua Cherita are both caves with stories linked to mythical legends of gods and heroes, and they may only be reached by boat. In this journey through the River Kilim, you will also enjoy the local fauna, monkeys, lemurs and spectacular birds like Brahmini Kite, of the white tailed kite family, which has become a representing symbol of Langkawi.

But Langkawi is not only about the landscape, it is also about its peculiar people and traditions and its tasty cuisine.

If you feel like living a paradise-like experience, and enjoy luxury and the peace and quiet we offer, don’t think about it any longer and come visit us at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, where you will feel Asia very close to you.

One of the main aspects that can describe a culture and bring us closer to it is without a doubt its cuisine. Today, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we would like to recommend the 10 best and most upmarket restaurants to visit if you are thinking about travelling around Asia.

These are the 10 restaurants considered best Asian restaurants in 2014: 

1. NAHM (Bangkok, Thailand): “A temple of Thai cuisine in many different levels”. 

Type of cuisine: not very common ingredients, dishes to be shared, tasty dishes dating back to ancient times, just as if Thai women were cooking for you.

Main dish: Curry Guinea poultry with ginger and basil.

2. NARISAWA (Tokyo, Japan): “The best restaurant in Japan, combining nature and some drama”.

Type of cuisine: French cuisine using Japanese ingredients.

Main dish: “Inori”.

3. GAGGAN (Bangkok, Thailand): “The best Indian food, modern and reinvented”.

Type of cuisine: India with a modern touch.

Main dish: “Papdi Chaat 2050”.

4. AMBER (Hong Kong, China): “An impressive restaurant which represents luxury and independence”. (LINK: http://www.amberhongkong.com/ )

Type of cuisine: Classic French cuisine with a subtle influence from Hong Kong.

Main dish: “Hokkaido”. Sea urchin served with lobster jelly, cauliflower, caviar and crunchy algae biscuits.

5. NIHONRYORI RYUGIN (Tokyo, Japan): “An exquisite dish from Seiji Yamamoto, which represents the forward vision of Japanese tradition”.

Type of cuisine: long-tradition Japanese dishes cooked with a contemporary touch.

Main dish: Grilled sea perch cooked on coal and served with glazed toasted rice and black vinegar.

6. RESTAURANT ANDRÉ (Singapore): “André Chiang brings philosophy to food”.

Type of cuisine: delicate French nouvelle cuisine using ingredients of small and crafty producers.

Main dish: “Memoria”. Warm foie gras jelly with black truffle coulis.

7. WAKU GHIN (Singapore): “Private and personal”.

Type of cuisine: Modern Japanese cuisine.

Main dish: Marinated prawns served with sea urchin and caviar “Oscietre”.

8. ULTRAVIOLET BY PAUL PAIRET (Shanghai, China): “Brilliant multisensory experience”.

Type of cuisine: avant-garde globetrotter.

Main dish: Foie gras chocolate tart.

9. LUNG KING HEEN (Hong Kong, China): “Spectacular views and sophisticated Cantonese cuisine”.

Type of cuisine: Modern Cantonese cuisine.

Main dish: Sautéed lobster served with vegetables in a fermented black bean sauce.

10. 8½ OTTO E MEZZO BOMBANA (Hong Kong, China): “Chef Bombana turns Italian cuisine into art”.

Type of cuisine: Contemporary Italian cuisine.

Main dish: “Fassone”. Beef sirloin steak, mushrooms, fresh porcini and barley.

You may also enjoy a wide range of Asian restaurants at our 5-star luxury hotel, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, and live a true gastronomic Asian experience. Come visit us and enjoy the different flavours!

There is no doubt that Asia has countless spectacular sights that can make your trip unforgettable. At our 5-star luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa that is what we offer you, an unforgettable experience around Asia.

Today, we would like to tell about Bagan, “one of the most beautiful spectacles in the world” according to Marco Polo…a place where thousands of tourists find the beauty and grandeur of its 1,000 pagodas.

Pagodas are temples, different-level buildings built for religious purposes, mainly Buddhist. Due to their height, the sun rays made their way into the pagodas which charged them spiritually according to Asian tradition. It is said that the sun gives life… and we, at the Asia Gardens Hotel, are well aware of it. Our microclimate will help you recharge your energy as soon as you come visit us.

Bagan was born as a capital in the 11th Century. King Anawratha, who ruled back then, was so impressed by the new religion “budismo therevada”, that he decided to hire architects to build something worthy of Buddha.

Building got underway turning Bagan into a place of pilgrimage for believers from South East Asia. There were more kings after Anawrath , and they all continued building temples, monasteries and palaces all over the Empire; this went on for 230 years.

Currently, Bagan only has around 5,000 inhabitants; there is almost absolute silence and the “estupas” around the city can pretty much be seen from any spot. No one is in a rush, there are no cars and barely any tourists; it is like travelling back in time in which the horizon seems limitless and makes us forget the noise that we are so used to living surrounded by.

Pagoda “Mingalazedi” is noticeable due to its terracotta delicate mosaics. Also, “Ananda”, is a large white building where there are 4 golden statues representing standing Buddha.

“Thatbyinnyu” is the tallest temple in Bagan, from it you can see the immensity of its surroundings. In addition, temple “Gawdawpalin” has an excellent view of the river.

At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we don’t have more than 1,000 pagodas, but we do have 311 rooms where you can spend a few days living a true Asian experience. Come visit us and enjoy your stay!