All Nippon Airways Innovative New Website: Let’s Do Japan!

For Nippon Lovers like me, you have to check out All Nippon Airways (ANA) awesome new website. Yes, Japan’s leading airline has just launched an innovative new site called “Let’s Do Japan” (www.letsdojapan.com), which lets visitors create their own Japanese manga personality while they learn helpful tips about Japanese culture and trends. A quirky little intro to the culture before you set your sights on sushi and kabuki, the clean design and tongue-in-cheek style is enough to make anyone with a pulse and a smile want to book a ticket ASAP. And, if you are a true Japanophile and anime enthusiast, you also don’t want to miss, Manganizer.

Visitors can immerse themselves in their own story through Manganizer, or discover other helpful tips and interesting facts about Japan and Japanese culture through 360 Japan, another fun, high-tech glimpse into what to expect when you visit Japan for the first time or the tenth. Who wouldn’t want to be the hero of their own manga-style story?

 

 

 

 

Anantara Opens a New Resort in China: Anantara Xishuangbanna

Anantara Xishuangbanna Garden Walkway

Anantara, taken from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘without end’ symbolizes the sharing of water and heartfelt hospitality that is at the core of the Anantara experience. Located throughout Asia and the Middle East, from the seaside town of Hua Hin to Koh Samui, the Golden Triangle, Maldives, Bali, and Abu Dhabi, these properties are some of the finest resorts for complete R&R in the world. And now, they have opened Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa, Anantara’s second Chinese establishment, the first and only five star hotel and pool villa destination experience in the Yunnan Province.

Anantara Xishuangbanna Guest Room

Located an hour’s drive from Jinghong International Airport, the resort is set within lush gardens and water, the resort consists of 80 deluxe rooms, as well as 23 one-, two- and three-bedroom Pool Villas. A luxe blend of contemporary and local culture, authentic influences are drawn from the textures, colors and flavors of the region to deliver a bewitching blend of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese accents. Cultural aspects of the local tribes including the Dai, Jinuo and Hani people will feature not only in the resort’s design, but also in its culinary concepts. The also resort offers plenty of indigenous experiences, such as a tea picking journey with the Jinuo tribe, or tours of the Hani and Dai villages. Xishuangbanna also boasts more than 95% of its territory occupied by mountainous and hilly areas, creating awesome opportunities for mountain hiking, bird and wildlife spotting, and boat trips along the Luosuo River.

Anantara Xishuangbanna Lobby

Once you’re done experiencing the natural environs, plunge into an expansive outdoor swimming pool set amidst extensive landscaping, use the 24-hour fitness center, enjoy a treatment in one of eight suites at Anantara Spa, or use complimentary iPads in the guest library. There are plenty of 5 Star modern amenities to choose from, including Anantara Xishuangbanna’s several gastronomic opportunities accompanied by a lobby lounge bar and poolside bar. Think the perfect marriage of local Indo-Chinese cuisine.

Anantara Xishuangbanna Pool View

The resort’s Dining by Design and in-villa dining concepts also invite guests to create their perfect menu (since people like me often want to create my own unique twists). The best part is that Dining by Design is able to incorporate the local Dai cooking style, in collaboration with a personal chef.

Anantara, take me awayyyyyyy….

www.anantara.com

The Best Luxe Eco-Trip for Families: The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

Now THAT's a view. A Luxury Beach Villa at The Four Seasons Langkawi, Malaysia

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”

Ever since Clark Griswold packed his wife and kids into a ramshackle station wagon, family trips have conjured images of National Lampoon’s Vacation: restless kids and frustrated parents cooped up in a confined space. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, families live like Malaysian royalty in luxury Beach Villas, complete with a private garden and plunge pool, and just steps from the white sand beaches of the Andaman Sea. And though there’s plenty of time for R ‘n R, this isn’t your typical “fly and flop” destination.

The Reflection Pool - in case you and your honey feel like stretching out the family kinks while your kids are playing at The Kids for All Seasons Club

And just in case you want to discover more about each other, you can also explore a series of adrenaline-fueled eco-activities on land and sea. Take your little monkeys on the Mangrove & Monkey Safari, where you’ll go deep into the Kilim Karst UNESCO Geopark and get up close and personal with eagles, monkeys, bats and even otters. Or, cast sail for the Secrets of the Sea tour, which takes you to the folklore-rich Cave of Legends and then on a swim under secluded waterfalls.

Langkawi Falls

The activity doesn’t stop back “home” at your 2,369-square-foot Villa, either — it’s equipped with toys, board games, a PS3 console and even sandcastle-making kits. Of course, The Kids For All Seasons club is ready to keep the kids busy while mom and dad nap on the outdoor daybed, with kite-making, yoga and nature excursions.

“Sign us up!” you say?

Here’s a link to booking your Family Beach Villa at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi where you can turn “Are we there yet?” into “I don’t wanna leave yet!”

Taiwan Travel Tips for the Eco-Goddess

Just one of the many different Orchid in the world

We bet you didn’t know… but Taiwan’s lush-green mountains tower over 13,000 feet and, with sub-tropical climate weather, Taiwan offers a variety of incredible natural resources. Recently named by Lonely Planet as one of the “Top 10 Best Countries to Visit in 2012,” the island is progressively transforming itself into a “Nature Wonderland” for international travelers to enjoy. In March, Taiwan will host two popular green events; the International Orchid Show in Tainan from March 3 – 12, and Yilan Green Exposition in Yilan from March 31 – May 20, to demonstrate its commitment to eco-tourism.

“Taiwan’s mission to provide green sustainable living has been recognized by our international peers,” said Trust Lin, Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau Los Angeles. “Our island is considered a ‘green trendsetter’ because of our continuous effort to develop impactful events focusing on green living. To us, this style of living is the only way to preserve Taiwan’s natural treasures, and a healthy sustainable environment for our people and travelers.”

Water like this and the moist mountains? That's right, Taiwan's your secret paradise.

The Taiwan International Orchid Show in Tainan from March 3 – 12 is considered the most popular horticultural event for the past 10 years because the county has consistently produced 40% of all orchids grown in Taiwan. Tainan’s rich botanical resources for cultivating orchids has secured the island as the world’s largest orchid exporter, and recognized by orchid collectors worldwide as the “Orchid Kingdom.” And with an expected attendance of over 3,000 international floral exporters and buyers at the show, the “Orchid Kingdom” plans to unveil its newly developed breeds – Phalaenopsis and Oncidium (Dancing Lady Orchid) – for the world to admire.

In continuation of its commitment to green living, the island is hosting the 13th annual Yilan Green Expo from March 31 – May 20. Lasting two months, the popular expo plans to incorporate the “Organic” concept into three key exhibit areas – Garden, Food & Lifestyle and Farm.

And, just in case you're not pulled to Taiwan for the love of flowers, how about a green onion pancake from Yilan?

In the Garden area, visitors will learn the importance of how and which of the Five Chinese natural elements – metal, wood, water, fire and earth – define their personality. Then, the fun will begin when they let their defined personalities guide them to experience and enjoy a variety of food, music and gardening throughout the expo.

For the interactive visitors, the Food & Lifestyle area will provide demonstrations on how to save food during the cooking process. In addition, visitors can roll-up their sleeves to learn how to grow an organic family garden through recycling kitchen waste.

Taiwanese Famers - Oolong, Taiwan

As for visitors interested in learning about how the traditional Taiwanese farmers lived, enjoyed and maintained a true healthy sustainable green lifestyle, the Farm area will include a traditional farmstead mansion, a terraced field and a rice paddy field specifically designed and built for the expo to educate local and international visitors on the various aspects of farm life.

Taiwan International Orchid Show: http://www.tios.com.tw/2012/en/show01.php
Traveling to Taiwan: www.go2taiwan.net

And last, but never least, click here for suggestions on: Where to stay in Taiwan from The New York Times