Accidental Travel Writer

Macau: Bands Battle for Cash at Venetian Mardi Gras on Cotai Strip

Entertainment

Twelve jazz and blues bands from around the world were flown to Macau to battle it out for a cash pool of HK$500,000, or US$64,000, in the second annual Venetian Carnival, which was held 25 through 27 May 2012 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel on the Cotai Strip in the former Portuguese enclave.

Hotel Review: Regent Esplanade Zagreb, Croatian Five Star Luxury

Up Close and Personal

As we tumbled out of our airport shuttle bus in downtown Zagreb, I heard someone scream, “It looks just like San Francisco!” As someone that grew up in Northern California, I couldn't help but think, “Where are the hills? Where is the bay? Where are the pigeons? Where is that blustery wind?”

Phuket: Can You Recommend a Good Hotel on the Beach?

Up Close and Personal

I received the following message on Facebook: "Can you recommend a good hotel in Phuket?" This is what I wrote back: "Yes, I can. Actually, I know of several nice properties. Can you tell me more in terms of your expectations and budget?"

Mother's Day: Forget Chocolate and Roses, How About a Weekend Trip?

Festivals and Holidays

Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May each year, and this year, 2012, it will fall on 13 May. Mother's Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1908 when Anna Jarvis of West Virginia started the holiday to pay tribute to mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day  official by signing the holiday into law. Children have traditionally celebrated Mother's Day by sending Mother's Day cards or giving boxes of chocolates or buying flowers or gifts. Taking mother out for lunch is another time honoured Mother's Day tradition.

Australia: Yoga and Wellness Retreat at Camp on Northern Coast

Health and Fitness

Kimberley Coastal Camp in North Kimberly, Western Australia, will launch its first yoga and wellness retreat in June 2012. The three day yoga and wellness retreat will be hosted by Ryoho yoga therapist and host of Australia's Yoga TV show Kris McIntyre. Activities will include meditation, nutrition, yoga, massage, and reflexology.

Macau: Celebrating Thailand's Water Festival in Five Star Luxury

Festivals and Holidays

The consul general of Thailand in Hong Kong as well as several journalists and bloggers from Hong Kong and Macau celebrated the Thai New Year in style at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Macau on 13 April 2012. Michael Taylor was among them.

Known sometimes as the Thai New Year or the Water Festival, Songkran is celebrated throughout Thailand from 13 to 15 April. It is also celebrated in other parts of South and Southeast Asia as well as parts of Southwestern China.

Macau: from Peking Duck to Dan Dan Noodles, Wynn Has It All

Hidden Treasure

As Michael Taylor revisits Macau, the city he once called home, he discovers that some of the best deals in town aren't to be found in the former Portuguese enclave's back alleys but tucked away in its most luxurious five star resorts.

Macau: World's Largest Holiday Inn Opens on Cotai Strip

Hotels and Resorts

Last week's grand opening of the Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central and the Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, was billed as Asia's largest Launch Party of the year.

Nutrition: Hotels Offer Colour Coded Menus for Healthy Eating

Health and Fitness

As anyone that has ever faced a hotel breakfast buffet will tell you, traveling poses undeniable challenges to anyone trying to stay healthy and/or manage his or her weight.

Is colour coding the secret to better health and a slimmer waistline?

Thailand: Photography and Wellness Retreat in May at Koh Samui Resort

Travel Destination

A six day photography workshop and holistic health retreat will be held in Southern Thailand by a world renowned photographer in May 2012.