Casa Productions / CORBIS By design or lack of populace, Kuala Lumpur is Asia’s green capital, where monkeys scamper close to skyscrapers and the occasional boa constrictor slithers across six-lane traffic. Centered around a colonial inheritance of ordered landscaping and dominated by palm-lined freeways, K.L. offers room to breathe and to contemplate the meeting of cultures. And meet they do, with Malays, Chinese and Tamils augmented by an annual Arabian  [ Read More ]

Beneath the surface Raja Ampat is thought to offer the world’s greatest diversity of marine lifeDavid Doubilet / National Geographic Creative / Getty Images The Raja Ampat islands are so remote that most Indonesians have never even heard of them. Excursions to this corner of the archipelago in eastern Indonesia, off the coast of Papua in Cendrawasih Bay, require at least seven to 10 days, but few visitors ever regret  [ Read More ]

ArrivingThe expressway to town from Suvarnabhumi Airport is virtually the only route immune to major delays, and the 40-minute trip will take just 15 minutes when the Airport Rail Link opens (projected for later in 2010), leading to an in-town terminal. Unfortunately, the starkly modern airport retains some of the worst features of old Don Muang: interminable trips from the gate, confusing baggage claims and a cramped arrival area where  [ Read More ]

A little strategy goes a long way when traveling with kids, so if you want to prevent a holiday in hell, check out these 24 essential vacation tips for parents If the children aren’t happy on the vacation, no one will be. So factor them into all trip decisions: destination, style of lodging, activities, restaurant selection — the works. You’re begging for battles and a whole lot of whining if  [ Read More ]

  Local olives have been pressed into oil since Roman times. But the ancients did not package the plant nearly as well as Olia, tel: (972-3) 522 3235. Israel’s first haute olive-oil boutique stocks 12 premium blends, as well as flavorful olive tapenades infused with Parmesan cheese or za’atar (a salted herb mix incorporating a local variety of oregano). There’s also a new collection of shampoo, face scrubs and the  [ Read More ]

  Arriving. Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport was completely remodeled in the mid-2000s. The facelift was continuing at press time, with plans to add a second runway. Nearly all flights originating in North America arrive in Lima together, between 10 p.m. and midnight, which means that lines for immigration and customs tend to be long. Even travelers with only carry-on luggage can expect to spend at least an hour in  [ Read More ]

  Costs Taxis are cheap (around $15 for half an hour) and matatus are even cheaper, but if you will be moving around a lot, think about hiring a car for a day (around $70). Taxis from the airport to town are roughly $20. Not all of Nairobi’s taxis are metered, so be sure to fix the price in advance to save arguing when you arrive. Safety Use the hotel  [ Read More ]

  Arriving Cabs are plentiful at Ben Gurion International Airport — about 20 minutes southeast of Tel Aviv — and found directly outside the arrivals terminal. Journeys into town should run between $32 and $40. Limousines and SUVs are available from Tal Limousines, found in the arrivals hall. Transport Although public transport is plentiful, unless you’re in town for the long haul, it’s not really worth the hassle — with  [ Read More ]

Israel’s modern-day wine industry is a fledgling one, but winemaking has been a regional ritual since biblical times. Today, there are more than 200 wineries across the country, with some of the best lying within striking distance of Tel Aviv. At Tishbi, tel: (972-4) 638 0434, near the historic town of Zichron Ya’akov, the visitors’ center includes wine tastings, the sale of handmade cheeses and olive oils, and a dairy  [ Read More ]

  It’s almost a cliche to take home a T-shirt as a souvenir, but not if it’s designed by Team Manila. Their fun, eye-opening, often cheeky visual representations of the Philippine capital’s street culture allow you to wear a piece of the city on your sleeve (or rather torso). Recently released tees include a shirt depicting skewered meats with the slogan IT’S BETTER ON A STICK, a POST NO BILL  [ Read More ]