velvet | cultural holidays

Charming Antigua

La Antigua, or just Antigua, is a resplendent city in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often touted as the most beautiful city in the Maya region, Antigua is home to a stunning array of Spanish (colonial) baroque architecture, colourful churches, bustling markets, cobble-stoned streets and charming squares. The [...]

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san-telmo-sunday-market-buenos-aires-photo

Sundays in San Telmo

I love Buenos Aires (BA). BA is one of those unique, terribly fascinating cities that one stumbles upon, falls in love with and keeps coming back to. The Sunday Market in San Telmo One of my favourite things to do in Buenos Aires is join in the festivities during the Sunday Market in the borough [...]

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The exotic isle of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a jewel in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of the Tanzanian mainland. This archipelago boasts dreamy white sandy beaches, a green tropical interior and spice plantations that centuries ago made these islands a magnet for traders from both East and West. Zanzibar is an archipelago, of which the largest island, Unguja, [...]

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The wonders of Angkor Wat

The wonders of Angkor Wat (a page from my Travel Journal) I’ve just spent five fantastic days exploring the stunning temples at Angkor Wat together with my friends Allan and Nigel. We flew to Siem Reap on Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur (about a two hour flight) and we stayed at a beautiful hotel, Bopha Angkor. The [...]

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The murals of Valparaiso

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I visited Valparaiso (known locally as ‘Valpo’). My knowledge of the city was limited to the fact that it’s the leading port of Chile, about 120 kilometers west of Santiago, it’s on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and that it’s situated along the edges of a massive bay. Some [...]

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Spotlight: East Malaysia

East Malaysia comprises the two states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The region boasts some of the most diverse flora and fauna in the world, top-notch diving spots, stunning beaches, a fascinating history involving headhunters and white kings, breathtaking landscapes and atmospheric towns. A wide network of air, bus and boat [...]

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Iceland & Estonia: time for a visit

  Iceland and Estonia have both been hit exceptionally hard by the global financial crisis. A visit to these countries during dire times may seem opportunistic to some but the tourist income will go a long way in helping out.  Iceland is currently on the top of many hot destinations lists this year, not in [...]

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New on velvetescape.com

  Easter Island is a tiny dot in the Pacific Ocean but its fame far exceeds its shores. The island is home to probably one of the greatest mysteries of our time and is certainly worth a visit. The world famous statues and its history are the main attraction but the island also boasts stunning [...]

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New on velvetescape.com

I’ve created two new Southeast Asian entries on velvetescape.com. If you’re looking for a sunny, virgin tropical island that’s free of the masses and far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, then check out Lang Tengah island on the Malaysian east coast. For a more energetic holiday that will leave you feeling [...]

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