Must-Visit Water Parks in the World – by HolidayPackages.blogspot.in

From 1,000ft falls to 360-degree spirals and more, these water parks and their rides are fun for the entire family.

If slipping and sliding down monstrous slides is your thing, then this guide is sure to catch your fancy. Here’s list of the water parks across the globe that deserve a visit.

What: Wet‘n’Wild Water World

Where: Australia

Why: Situated on Australia’s picturesque Gold Coast, this water park provides fun and excitement for the entire family. A member of the Village Roadshow Theme Parks,  Wet‘n’Wild Water World has been constantly reinventing itself, adding more rides and modifying others, ever since its inception in 1984. While the younger members of the family can battle imaginary pirates and frolic at Buccaneer Bay—the multi-level water playground—the more adventurous ones can venture into the Extreme H20 Zone. Get propelled forwards and backwards at speeds of 50km/hr on a hair-raising U-shaped waterslide aptly named Kamikaze or slide down the Blackhole, battling unexpected twists and turns, all in complete darkness.

Top draw: Reaching speeds of 30km/hr through 360-degree coils, the Constrictor is sure to have you coming back for more.

Wet'n'Wild Water World, Pacific Highway Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (+61 7 5556 1660;http://wetnwild.com.au/)

What: Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark

Where: USA

Why: Voted as the World’s Best Waterpark for 15 consecutive years by Amusement Today, Schlitterbahn is definitely worth visiting. Using spring-fed water from the Comal River, most of the rides are sans chlorine and thus cause no harm to the eyes or the skin. One such ride is the Congo River Expedition that has you floating down a river to encounter animatronic creatures while manoeuvring a 25ft-long waterfall and escaping a mine on the verge of caving in. If you’re looking for more thrills, the award-winning Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster should suffice. The ride uses jets of water to propel riders uphill then downhill into a meandering goose bump-inducing tunnel. If you’re done with all the action, head to the Lagoon Heated Pool & Swim Up Bar or take the kids to Schatze’s Central Park for some fun.

Top draw: Touted as the world’s longest water park ride, The Falls is a 3,600ft behemoth with rapids, waterfalls and waves. 

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark, 400 N. Liberty Avenue, New Braunfels, TX, USA (+1 830 625 2351; www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/)

What: Siam Park

Where: Spain

Why: Located on the beautiful Canary Islands, Siam Park is relatively new, opening in 2008. The rides here include key design elements of the kingdom of Thailand. With various attractions, restaurants, a bar, a shopping zone and its very own beach, Siam is the complete package. Ever wonder what it would feel like to plummet down a giant cone while staring into the eyes of a ravenous dragon? Well, this water park lets you experience just that amongst other rides such as The Tower of Power—that sends you down a 90ft  slide—and The Volcano—that lets you slip and slide down a beautifully crafted crater.

Top draw: Sawasdee, a children’s zone created in the form of a water jungle, is good enough for hours of excitement and fun with its two slides built for racing. 

Calle Finlandia, 0 S/N 38660 Costa Adeje-San Eugenio, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (+34 902 060 000; www.siampark.net/en/)

What: Waterworld Themed Waterpark

Where: Cyprus

Why: With every attraction named after an ancient Greek character and the park outlined with towering pillars and pearl white structures, the Waterworld Themed Waterpark in Cyprus takes you back in time while providing hours of fun in the process. Begin at Poseidon’s Wave Pool amongst ancient ruins and unpredictable geysers. Follow that with the Fall of Icarus—where you go through a series of drops and climbs, coupled with a few bumps until you plunge into a refreshing pool—and end at Aphrodite’s Bath where you can rest on a refreshing bubble bench. This water park also has a wide variety of food and beverage options, and everything from fast food to crepes are available after a thrilling day that’s bound to leave you famished.

Top Draw: Inspired by the mighty Greek God Zeus, Thunderbolt and Lightning is a specially designed 60ft long slide for children that offers thrilling twists and turns.     

Waterworld Themed Waterpark, 18 Ayia Thekla Road, 5345, Ayia Napa-Cyprus (+357 23 724444; www.waterworldwaterpark.com)

What: Chimelong Water Park

Where: China

Why: Currently the largest water park in the world, the Chimelong Water Park opened in June 2007 and has some of the best attractions and water slides this side of the hemisphere. With the world’s longest lazy river and award-winning rides that constantly compete to outdo the other in terms of sheer height, this park is designed for the daredevil in you. The Behemoth Bowl, which starts at a height of 65ft, sends you reeling into an enormous bowl. If that doesn’t leave you panting, then get onto the Jet Slide and whizz down this almost 1,000ft slide propelled by an electromagnetic water jet.

Top draw: A version for kids called the Mini-Tornado allows parents to accompany their children in a safe, friendly 26ft ride.

Chimelong Water Park, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District, Guangzhou, China (+86 400 883 0083; www.chimelong.com/enpark/waterparty.shtml)

When is the Best Time to Vacation in Thailand? | The Best Time to Visit Thailand!

Thailand holidays can be both challenging and exciting for travelers. Right from beautiful islands, long sandy beaches, bustling markets, caves, temples, wildlife parks, to amazing people and a vast amount of cultural heritage, Thailand tourist attractions can keep tourists busy for days. Thailand is a great destination for family vacationers, solo travelers and couples. However, if planning for Thailand holidays or a honeymoon in Bangkok, you need to plan it at the right time.

In fact, any month is a good time to visit Thailand, but much depends on what you want from your trip. Any time of the year will have its advantages and disadvantages and thus you need to be sure of what is the motive behind planning for Thailand trip. Weather is a major consideration amongst travelers planning for a holiday in Thailand. When one looks at the sale of holiday packages Thailand, it becomes clear that the ‘dry season’ is popular as compared to the ‘rainy season’.  

Here have a look at the various season of Thailand:

Cool Season (November-February): This is the best time to look for holiday packages Thailand and plan for a holiday here. The cool season that starts from November and remains till the month of February have long hours of sunshine and the least rainfall. Humidity is also less during this time of year. This time holiday packages Thailand are generally expensive if you want to get one at the last minute. Hence to plan for cheap Thailand holidays or honeymoon Bangkok one needs to plan in advance.

Hot Season (March-May): If one is accustomed with hot season can come for a Thailand holiday during the months of March to May. As this is not a peak season, one can easily find budget holiday packages Thailand. Sightseeing during this time is best scheduled for morning or late afternoon. Two main attractions during this time are the Songkran festivities held in mid-April and the popular Thai Water Festival which brings an experience to remember for a lifetime.

Rainy Season (June-October): There is regional variation when it comes to rainy season in Thailand. In some areas rainfall can be experienced at the end of May and in some areas during late October. There is one good part of the rainy season in Thailand is that in between the rain, there is plenty of sunshine and the weather is still very warm. Also it is easy to find budget holiday packages Thailand during this time of the year. Rivers and waterfalls are in full flow and the countryside is at its greenest thus making Thailand beautiful like never before.

These are the three main seasons in Thailand. Now decide on when you would like to plan for your holiday here and plan in advance. As Thailand is a popular destination amongst family vacationers, honeymooners and solo travelers, planning a holiday in advice will always help you to get the best deals on holiday packages.

Things to do in Bangkok During the Bangkok Tour

A rich city with contrasts and contradictions, Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is home to many beautiful attractions and sights. The market is flooded with exclusive Bangkok holiday packages catering to the budgets and needs of different travelers.

However, if you wish to have a great time here, you must plan it in advance. Bangkok is home to many interesting sights that are rewarding to witness. Here are some of them that must be included in the itinerary:

Erawan Museum: During holidays Bangkok, one must definitely visit Erawan Museum to get a glimpse of the huge, three-headed elephant statue standing upon an equally gargantuan pedestal right at the entrance. The statue in a pure green-hued copper is simply beautiful with 28 meters in heights and 39 meters length. In fact as this museum is one of the landmarks of this city, most of the Bangkok holiday packages include a visit to this museum in the itineraries.

Giant Swing: This famous swing is an integral part of one of the oldest temples with a sweeping elegant roof in Bangkok. Today a huge teak arch is all that remains of the original Giant Swing located just in front of the temple. The swing was earlier used in a ceremony to give thanks for a good rice harvest and is still celebrated in mid-December after the rice harvesting season comes to an end. If planning for a holiday here in December you must look for Bangkok tour packages in advance.

Monk's Bowling Making Village (Baan Bat): Bann Bat is one of the most existing places to be visited during a holiday in Bangkok. Here you can find hard working people using hammers to make the brass bowls that Buddhist monks carry with them during the morning alms round. Here stacks of unfinished brass bowls bring out a unique sight that is simply hard to describe in words.

Ganesha Shrine: Tourists and simply the Hindus visit the famous Ganesha shrine to seek the blessing of Lord Ganesha for artistic success and accomplishment. Every year thousands of devotees come for holidays Bangkok and make sure to visit this Ganesha shrine. 

China Town: There is a large Chinatown district in Bangkok that throngs constantly with activity. The whole area is busy all throughout the day. Tourists come here to explore the narrow streets packed with cheap gold shops, fabric shops, markets, pharmacies selling the traditional Chinese medicines, street stalls. Most of the Bangkok holiday packages include a visit to the Chinatown in their itineraries.

During holidays Bangkok, there are many other attractions to enjoy like the impressive home of the Thai silk entrepreneur, Suan Pakkard Palace, Jim Thompson's House, Spirit Houses, Forensic Museum, the prestigious Chulalongkorn University, Lumphini Park, Siam society, Amulet Market, Corrections Museum and more. 

Adventure Activities in Bangkok - Adventure Travel Guide - Things to do on your Bangkok holiday

Bangkok is a great destination for those who are looking forward to an adventure filled holiday. Bangkok is not just famous for its long miles of sandy beaches and rocking nightlife, but also for adventure activities. If you wish to enjoy a thrilling adventurous holiday, Bangkok is the just the right destination.

Rock Climbing: The limestone karsts on the coastal areas make a perfect base for rock climbing. Popular rock climbing venues are located in East Railay and Ton Sai beaches on Laem Phra Nang in Krabi province. Some less developed climbing areas are also there near Chiang Mai and Ko Tao, as well as in Lopburi and Phetchaburi. All necessary equipments required for rock climbing is easily available on rent.

Whitewater Rafting: Rafting can be enjoyed on several rivers in Bangkok. The best time for rafting is from October through February when the rivers run too low. The most popular whitewater-rafting rivers include the Umphang and Mae Khlong rivers near Umphang and the Pai River near Pai.

Diving: Bangkok is one of the most popular destinations for diving due to its clear, warm water and plethora of marine life and affordable price. It is easy to locate dive centers that organize diving trips to outlying islands, trains novice divers and rents out equipment. Premier diving destinations are Ko Similan, Ko Surin, Burma Banks and Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. Booking Bangkok packages with diving included in the itinerary is a good option.

Snorkeling: This is another popular adventure activity in Bangkok. Kata Beach is the best place for snorkeling. During December the warm sea is crystal clear which is great for snorkeling. As Snorkeling is a bit more expensive as compared to other adventure activities, booking Bangkok tour packages with snorkeling included in the itinerary is a good option.

Banana Boat Rides: This unique ride is popular amongst families. It is also the cheapest and the safest activity on the beach. On banana boat rides a boat will be attached to a jet ski and dragged along. This is one activity that is hard to find anywhere else.

Para sailing: A typical parasailing experience lasts for about 10 minutes and Patong Beach is the best place for parasailing in Bangkok. Fly the ultimate high by enjoying parasailing and experience the world below you.

Trekking: Trekking tours are very limited in Bangkok. Trekking routes like Kanchanaburi, Sangkhlaburi and Umphang are worth considering. For trekking expenditure you need to do the bookings in advance. Otherwise you can book holidays Bangkok deals with trekking included in the itinerary.

Apart from these adventure activities, tourists can always enjoy swimming, walking, jet skies or day cruises. No matter what might be your interest when it comes to adventure activities, holidays Bangkok will not disappoint you. 

Hong Kong Tourism | Hong Kong Travel Guide | Hong Kong Tour and Travel | Hong Kong Trip

Hong Kong offers you to a unique world where culture, beauty and modernity blends together to offer tourist with an unforgettable vibrant travel experience. With lovely temperate weather, soaring skyscrapers, delicious food, and numerous attractions, Hong Kong is one of the best holiday destinations in the whole of Asia.

Right time to visit Hong Kong: Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination; however, the right time to plan for a Hong Kong vacation is from mid September to the end of February. During this time, the climate remains moderate and thus tourists can enjoy a comfortable vacation here. In case you are a budget vacation, avoid a holiday during the peak season. Plan to come during the starting or end of peak seasons as during this time you can easily get attractive discounts in packages Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Celebrates: Hong Kong is the city of fairs and festivals. Of all the festivals, the Chinese New Year is world famous and during this time it is even difficult to get a Hong Kong package tour at the last minute. Also the Dragon Boat Festival held in the month of June when boat races are organized across the harbor is a great fun for holiday makers.

Shopping Entertainment: Hong Kong is one destination in the whole world that has more shops per person than anywhere else on earth. Shopping is a great experience for any one as all goods sold here except alcohol and tobacco are tax-free. Negotiating at the bustling open-air markets such as Temple Street can win you some great bargains for quality items.

Foodie Paradise: A Hong Kong holiday will surely satisfy your taste buds. Right from international fine-dining restaurants to the small street-side seafood shops, Hong Kong is simply a paradise for food lovers. While here you must try out some of the delicacies like the dim sum, prawn dumplings, Yung Kee and some noodles.

Glittering Nightlife: The great nightlife of Hong Kong acts like a magnet for tourists to plan for a holiday here. The various night clubs, bars and pubs are the perfect places especially for young tourists who want to have some real fun here. The nightclubs like Hei Hei Club, The Klong and Let's Boogie are very popular while it comes to bars, Barshots, Soho and Irish Pubs are the perfect places to hang out.

Family Tourist Destination: Hong Kong holiday is perfect for family vacationers. The Disneyland here in Hong Kong is the world's 5th, and newest. Here tourists can look forward to Broadway-style shows, firework displays, thrilling rides and exciting parades. Another great attraction for families is the Ocean Park, situated on Hong Kong Island. This theme park has the new jellyfish aquarium and giant panda exhibit.

Shimla and Manali – Make a Great Holiday Experience

Hill Station of Shimla: Also known as the ‘Queen of Hills’, Shimla is a beautiful hill station. The first thing that you will notice during your visit is the striking natural beauty. The beauty of the hill station inspired the British Government to make it as their summer capital. The influence of the British raj can still be noticed in the historic buildings, picture-postcard bungalows and manicured gardens. Some of the best attractions of Shimla are the Mall road, the Ridge, colonial homes, breathtaking highways, mountain peaks, Jakhoo Hills & temple, State Museum, Chadwick Falls, Prospect Hill & Kamna Devi Temple and so on. Most of the Shimla tour packages include most of these attractions in the itinerary.

Hill Station of Manali: The beautiful hill station Manali is set in the picturesque Kullu Valley. Even though does not have Shimla's colonial architectural heritage, it offers fantastic views of River Beas and Solang Nala, which is covered with snow year round. Because of its natural bounties and salubrious climate tourists from across the world comes here for a great holiday. While on a Manali holiday, one get the chance to have a glimpse of beautiful snow caped mountain peaks of majestic Himalayas and can visit places like the Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisth Village & Temple, Manu Temple, hot water springs, Arjuna Gufa, Manikaran, Jagatsukh and so on.

Who must visit Shimla and Manali?
Shimla and Manali can be visited vacationers, families, honeymooners, nature lovers, photographers, adventure lovers, and for people looking forward to an action packed holiday experience. As both Shimla and Manali are located within close proximity to each other one can visit both these hill stations in a single holiday. To plan a holiday here one can easily find Shimla Manali packages that suit their interests.

Thailand Tour please help me? I want Bangkok & Pattaya trip for 7 days

I want Bangkok & Pattaya for 7 days. Please advise where to start the itinerary from?

Bangkok is vibrant city filled with an array of vacation attractions. Here you can explore the best of everything and can identify with its open culture and age old traditions. Visit Bangkok for 2 days. Visit Pattaya for 4 days and a final night in Bangkok again. In Thailand you can get tours through local travel agencies but usually you buy them one day and leave the following day. Hotels in Pattaya are cheaper than Bangkok.

In Bangkok get a hotel on or near the Skytrain route. Perhaps Siam or Sukhumvit Road where hotels are in all price ranges. You can take meter taxis from the airport to your hotel in Bangkok or use the Airport Rail Link together with the Skytrain to get to your hotel - if your hotel is near that rail service

Bus from Bangkok to Pattaya is around 115 baht per person. The ride is about 2 hours. In Pattaya the local transportation is only 10 baht. Get a hotel on or near Pattaya 2nd Road (Pattaya Sai Song.) From Bangkok you can use the Skytrain to take you to the Ekamai bus terminal for your ride to Pattaya.

Where you can get a hotel room from around 600 baht to over 6000 baht per night - where do we start for recommendations? YOU must plan a budget out. YOU must decide how much you can afford for a hotel room per night and then ask for hotel recommendations in that price range. There is no one answer to your question - different people have different budgets and different requirements. In India you can visit a few travel agencies and get some sample prices for places you want to visit. That info is free! 

Below travel article will have advice on hotels and what to see and do. But you can also use a simple Google check for the "what to see and do" in various cities. A Google check will also give you information on transportation between different cities.