Take root
TRIP
| What is it? We bring you the exclusive spring-summer package from the Banyan Tree "" the signature brand of STIC Travel Group, a travel service provider in South Asia. |
| Why are we writing about it? It is not just about exotic places like Bintan Island or Phuket, but about the ambience that provides a "sanctuary of senses" as well. And the pictures we have promise the same, without doubt. |
| Where are you headed? Nestled above a secluded bay on the northern corner of Bintan Island, this place occupies an elevated seafront area overlooking the vast expanse of the South China Sea. The architecture of the resort is a unique blend of tradition and sophistication, combining traditional Indonesian style with a contemporary approach. |
| The 70 villas, perched on hill slopes amidst the lush foliage, add to the ambience. In Phuket, the Andaman Sea borders the Banyan Tree property. Designed to reflect Thai culture, the 121 villas also have the Banyan signature on it. |
| Looking for a short break? Water enthusiasts can take a dip in two pools "" a rock edge and a beach pool "" while the more adventurous can opt to go out to sail, snorkel or fish at the Bintan Banyan. A remarkable 18-hole championship golf course promises golfers an unmatched experience. |
| There are three innovative restaurants offering an exciting range of cuisine "" South-east Asian specialities at Saffron, Mediterranean at The Cove and al fresco dining at Crossroads. |
| What are the damages? Stay six nights at Bintan and pay for five. Also, you can book for four nights or above and get a complimentary upgrade to the next higher villa category for reservations made in selected villas. The packages offer a choice of villas like the Valley Villa, Sea View Villa, Bay Front Villa, Sea Front Villa, Villa-on-the-rocks, Bay Front Pool Villa (1 bedroom) and Bay Front Pool Villa (2 bedrooms), ranging from $338-$1,307 per night. A surcharge of $55 is applicable in case of an extra person or extra bed per night. |
| Banyan Phuket offers two packages, where you can stay for three consecutive nights and pay for only two nights, or stay for four consecutive nights and pay for three. A spa treatment and complimentary daily buffet breakfast for two people are a few pluses you can look forward to. A waiver of extra person charges for a child below 12 years and meals for a child below four years old are free of charge. The packages offer a choice of villas ranging between $404 and $2,299 per villa per night. |
| Take it or leave it? Not a bad choice for holidaying, for sure. These rates for Banyan Bintan are valid till July 31, 2007 whereas the Phuket rates are valid from March 1 to October 31. For bookings and queries, contact STIC Travel Group at banyantree@sticgroup.com. |
| SNIPPETS |
| Land resources Have a piece of land with a house on it, near a touristy part of your country? And you don't know what to do with it? Get into tourism. Rent it out for holidaymakers and make some money. |
| A new online resource called www.smorland.com offers you the opportunity to put your property on the market to sell, either in the UK or in other countries. Launched this month, and named after Sir Samuel Morland (one of the world's first recorded double agents in the 1600s), smorland.com is a brand new, free-to-join website for anyone selling or renting out their house through estate agents or via a private sale, who want to act as a double agent and drum up some extra interest in their property. |
| Smorland.com is the first property website to let visitors browse videos along with pictures, maps, property details and floor plans uploaded for free by property owners. In five minutes, members can create their own online presence in the form of a mini-website and are given a web address like www.smorland.com/mikesmith. Villas, apartments, cottages and houses all over the world can now go online for free. That also means that if you are looking for a villa at some exotic place, you can visit the site and sample the posts. |
| Safe travel Women travelling internationally "" on business or on holiday "" can make that experience run smoother, safer and more secure. Just log on to www.medexassist.com/traveltips/women and download a 16-page travel guide entitled "What you should know before travelling abroad: cultural, health and safety advice for women" free of cost. |
| The travel guide is from Medex Assistance Corporation, one of the world's leading providers of emergency and security assistance to travellers. The guide covers practical pre-trip planning that assists women travellers in making their upcoming journey as safe and non-confrontational as possible, including recommending basic research into the cultural and traditional customs (and taboos) of their intended destination as well as its current political and social climate. |