Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

Thursday, October 21, 2021

3 TIPS ON PLANNING YOUR HOLIDAY


“Travelling allows you to become so many different versions of yourself” 
– Anonymous

Perhaps that’s the reason why we love to travel. Our wanderlust is hard to tamp down and having our freedom restricted is possibly one of the greatest challenges we have to endure during the prolonged MCO period.

Now that Federal Territory and Selangor have transitioned into National Recovery (NRP) Phase 4, most of us are grateful we can once again travel domestically without restraint while practising the new normal SOPs stipulated.

In this aspect, we Malaysians are truly fortunate as we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the type of holidays we prefer. Whether we plan to head for the beach or up to the hills, opt for a city staycation or escape to the bucolic countryside, the length and breadth of Peninsular Malaysia alone offers limitless possibilities. We have not even touched on the myriad wonders that beckon from East Malaysia.


No savvy traveller these days can afford to leave home without doing some homework aka research. The secret to a great holiday is to plan ahead. Start with these 3 tips in mind:

·       Your Budget

While everyone would love to holiday in the lap of luxury, let’s get real. It’s best to be realistic and set a budget for your holiday. Take into account how much you plan to spend on accommodation, transportation (flights, car rental, train tickets, etc), food & drinks, sightseeing and recreational activities, and personal spending money (gifts and souvenirs). Remember to set aside a small emergency fund.

·       Your Needs

     The needs of a solo traveller differ great greatly from those of a couple, a group of singletons, and those of a family with small children. If you are the holiday planner, then a reliable online portal such as Hotel in Kuala Lumpur is a boon in determining your holiday needs i.e. What kind of accommodation do you need? Would child-friendly accommodation or hotels with a swimming pool be a priority? Traveloka has plenty of useful tips and resources to help make your holiday planning a breeze.

·       Your Itinerary

Plan ahead and determine the type of holiday you want. Would it be a laidback, laze by the pool kind of vacay or would it be an activity-filled one with lots of sightseeing and shopping thrown in?


A holiday is also a chance to pursue your leisure interests or do something different from your daily life. Is it time for you to unleash the spirit of discovery and learn more about mother nature through hiking and nature walks? Perhaps you yearn to fly high and conquer the sky through paragliding or swim with the fishes by learning to snorkel or scuba-dive?


It goes without saying planning for a solo traveller is easier than planning a holiday for a group of friends with different interests or a family with small children or teenagers. 


In such instances, you may want to rely on a fun getaway with a flexible itinerary at a family-friendly resort such as Grand Lexis Port Dickson where the young and old can enjoy the best of both worlds. The whole family can expect a splashing time in the private pool within the privacy of their own suite, or proceed to engage in the myriad outdoor activities offered by the resort.


More adventurous souls may prefer an adrenalin-fuelled itinerary with hiking, paragliding, kayaking, or river-rafting as the highlight. Bear in mind though some of your intended holiday activities may have a set limit on the number of participants and advance booking required so it pays to plan ahead.



Whatever type of you have in mind, just remember online resources abound at your fingertips. Traveloka has plenty to offer: useful tips on travel planning, price comparisons on accommodation, things to do, etc. 
After all, the journey of your holiday planning begins with a single step. Do it now!

Sunday, August 07, 2016

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DEBUTS IN MALAYSIA


Photo courtesy of Holiday Inn Express KLCC

Holiday Inn Express finally opened its first property in Kuala Lumpur, converted from the former ING office building in Jalan Raja Chulan.
Photo courtesy of IHG
The new 383-room hotel is right smack in the heart of the city's Golden Triangle, the hub of business, retail and entertainment. Billed as Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), Leanne Harwood - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Vice President, Operations, SEA & Korea, said "Holiday Inn Express is one of our fastest growing hotel brands in the world, fuelled by rising demand from value-conscious travellers who seek affordable accommodation in convenient locations."
He also revealed there will be four more Holiday Inn Express scheduled to open in Malaysia in the coming years. His positive sentiment was echoed by General Manager of Holiday Inn Express KLCC, Jonathan Lai who expressed confidence the hotel will be a popular choice with business and leisure guests.
The Holiday Inn Express KLCC team hosted an informal cocktail party for invited corporate clients, travel agents and local media recently, to introduce the hotel facilities and services. One of the key elements of the brand was cleverly mocked up into photo-taking corners to highlight Holiday Inn Express signature

  • Free Express Start Breakfast or a Grab & Go option for a smart start to the day  
The lobby boasts a sleek linear approach with pops of colour coming from low stools paired with natural tree stump and glass coffee tables.
Guests also enjoy free & fast WiFi throughout the hotel in addition to internet stations.
In addition, there is a self-service business centre and laundry stations as well as a
24-hour fitness room to keep fitness buffs happy.
Photos courtesy of IHG/Holiday Inn Express KLCC
In-room amenities include comfortable & high quality bedding with a choice of firm or soft pillows. Step into the power shower to refresh yourselves thanks to the three-function massage showerhead.
The Great Room is where breakfast is served. Warmly lit by a row of trendy pendant lights, huge slabs of timber topped tables parked with blue and yellow chairs serve as the focal point. Banquette seating along the walls are also available; the backlit wall depicting motifs of fernleaf and dragonflies lending a heartwarming touch to the ambiance.
For reservations at Holiday Inn Express KLCC, please call 1800 801 881 (callers in Malaysia only). Address: 84 Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. For more info, visit www.holidayinnexpress.com/kualalumpur



Saturday, July 09, 2016

JOURNEY TO GREAT VALUE BRITAIN...THE FINALE

The city of Bath made a literal splash with us as we arrived amidst a feather-light drizzle. It was difficult to see much in the dark but The Edgar Townhouse (64 Great Pulteney Street, Bath, Somerset BA2 4DN, tel: +44 (0)1225 420619) proved warm and cheerful once we entered the boutique hotel's warm, homely premise. Designated as a Grade I listed building and in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Edgar is located in Central Bath; close to all the major attractions, shops and restaurants.

After a speedy check-in process in the well-furnished and cosy lounge, we lugged our luggage up to our respective bedrooms. Mine was done up in less than fifty shades of grey, complete with a sleek white-tiled shower and wash room. Besides the comfy bed with a whimsical throw cushion, the linear, minimalist room included a writing table and heart-shaped mirror.
After a quick breather to refresh ourselves, we trudged out to grab a bite for dinner. Since it was rainy and chilly, going for Indian food seemed ideal. That was how we ended up at Rajpoot, a multiple award-winning Indian restaurant.
 
The flight of steps taking us down into the resto barely prepared us for the intricate warren of private dining rooms and alcoves within. It was akin to being transported straight to Incredible India thanks to the profusion of ornate lantern lights, Indian motifs and wall murals, artworks and collectibles.
 
Redolent with exotic and fragrant spices, our selection of chicken tandoori, several different curries, king prawn biriyani and Indian roti were out of this world. Some of the specialities packed enough hotness to warm our hearts and stomachs.

Needless to say, we slept like logs that night...well, at least I did. A cheery blue sky with wisps of white clouds greeted me when I looked out of my room window the next morning. After packing quickly, I made my way downstairs for breakfast in the light-filled dining room.
Besides cereals, bread and fruits, the affable team on duty served cooked breakfast upon request. I opted for smoked salmon with scrambled egg and fried mushroom which as expected turned out delicious. It was with much reluctance, we had to depart from this serene and tasteful haven for we had to visit some of Bath's famous attractions.
View of the weirs in the city centre of Bath
 
It was a lovely day as we strolled briskly towards the city centre. There were so many breath-taking, picturesque vistas Jennifer and myself dawdled ever so often to take quick snapshots of them. We couldn't help it as we wanted to remember as much as possible from this sojourn.
One of the key highlights which gave Bath its name is the Roman Bath which was founded upon natural hot springs with the steaming water playing a key role throughout its history. Lying in the heart of the city, The Roman Baths were constructed around 70 AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex; one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world.
 
The domed building where the ticketing and reception areas are sited alone is fantastical and awe-inspiring. Loads of visitors trudge through the Roman Baths daily but the sprawling attraction is so huge, you'd hardly notice the crush of people constantly streaming in and out.

The ancient ruins depict Bath’s spa culture 2,000 years ago when the Romans once bathed in the natural thermal spa water. Despite signs posted reminding visitors not to dip into the water, many sneakily broke the rule just to feel its warmth. If you observe closely, the rising steam is evident from the pool surface.
After the whirlwind tour, it was time to head over to Royal Hotel (Manvers St, Bath BA1 1JP, tel: +44 1225463134) for lunch. The city is immensely walkable but Jennifer and myself had to depart for Heathrow Airport to catch our flight home so we had no choice but to make haste.
 
First opened in 1846, the classic hotel has a French-style brasserie known as Brasserie Brunel (named in tribute to architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel) where we had our farewell lunch.
Since it was Easter Sunday, the menu featured 'back to basic' fare: roast chicken and fish & chips. Maybe we felt too down in the dumps to really appreciate the lunch. Sigh.
 
The hotel is strategically located across from the Bath Spa train station (pix below). We were to catch the train heading to London Paddington Station so we made good time before settling down for that 90-minute journey back to London. 
Once we reached Paddington Station, we simply kept our eyes peeled for directional signs indicating where to board the Heathrow Express. Everything was seamless and hassle-free - a relief for us travellers who had heavy luggage in tow.
All in all, it was an exhilarating experience having the fortuitous chance to discover and enjoy Great Value Britain. From the time we landed up at Heathrow to the time we depart, we have had countless #OMGB moments to cherish. I'd like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Visit Britain for the unforgettable travel experiences!
Travelling from Malaysia to the UK on a budget? Discover Great Value Britain with some great tips from http://www.visitbritain.com/malaysia or visit CIT Malaysia http://cit.travel/europe/united-kingdom to plan your VisitBritain itinerary.

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