Travel Agent - August 18, 2008 - (Page M12)

SOUTHERN REGION AND EAST COAST Taman Negara, Pahang M alaysia’s southern region has one of Malaysia’s historical treasures, the colonial city of Malacca, and the popular beach destination of Johor. Malaysia’s east coast is a perfect ﬁt for those looking for island beach holidays that can enhanced by visits to quaint ﬁshing villages and experiencing local cultures and traditions. IN THE SOUTH Currently, Malacca, about 86 miles from Kuala Lumpur, is accessible only by train, bus or car, since its airport is not receiving domestic ﬂights. Earlier this year Malacca received the distinction of being designated a UNESCO World Heritage City. Today you can still see the traces of British, Dutch and Portuguese rule in the city’s forts, museums, churches and towers. Malacca has a Portuguese ambiance, due to Portugal’s control of Malacca in the 16th century. Today the Portuguese inﬂuence can still be felt in Malacca’s Portuguese Square, especially during Portuguese and Catholic festivals. Another aspect that makes Malacca special is its Peranakan culture that is still evident. Peranakans are descended from Chinese migrants who came to Malacca centuries ago. They adopted Malay customs and created a unique heritage referred to as “Straits Chinese.” Peranakans are celebrated for their Nyonya cuisine, which combines Malay ingredients with Chinese cooking styles. Malacca’s prime sights for visitors include Bukit China, the oldest and largest traditional Chinese cemetery outside China, containing 12,500 graves. Some graves can be traced back more than four centuries to the ﬁrst Chinese immigrants in Malacca. The city’s Maritime Museum is actually housed in a replica of a Portuguese ship. Visitors can view dioramas, naval charts and intricately crafted models of ships. Like Georgetown in Penang, Malacca is famous for its three-wheeled trishaws, powered by the driver’s pedaling. The best spots to hire a trishaw driver are Dutch Square and outside the Mahkota Parade shopping center. If you’re traveling with kids (or high-spirited adults) take time to visit A‘Famosa Water World, the largest water park in Malaysia. Aquatic thrills here include speed slides, raft rides, tube slides and a large wave pool. The Stadthuys, Malacca SOUTHERN MALAYSIA APPEALS TO History buffs Nature-lovers Sun-and-fun seekers Golfers Families Hikers 12 Malaysia TRAVEL PLANNER www.tourismmalaysiausa.com • www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my http://www.tourismmalaysiausa.com http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my

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Travel Agent - April 18, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Pacific/Asia: Visitors to Ubud will Discover the Essence of Balinese Art and Culture Special Supplement: Malaysia Travel Planner New Zealand: There is Plenty to See and Do Throughout the West Coast of the Southern Alps Europe: Beauty, History and Culture Combine in Valencia, Spain Caribbean: Scrub Island is the BVI’s First Development in 15 years The Wyndham Rio Mar’s $40 Million Makeover is Well Underway in Puerto Rico The Latest on Grenada, a Caribbean Up-and-Comer Mexico: Big Hotel Plans are in the Works for the Riviera Nayarit Florida: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel turns Orlando into Italy Las Vegas: Dinner at these Restaurants Can Get your Clients into Vegas’ Hottest Nightclubs Cover Story: Medical Tourism Special Supplement: Destination Weddings Specialist 3.0 Hotels: Everything Old is New Again at New York’s Algonquin Cruise: Short Cruises Keep your Clients on the Move for Less Group Travel: Disney makes Exotic Locales Friendly for Family Travel Car Rentals: How Much Insurance Does your Client Need for a Rental Car? Agency Profile: Corporate Travel Sales are Rising at MTravel.com, a Division of Montrose Luxury Travel Expo Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Hyatt comes to Curaçao New Hotels and Resorts in Asia CLIA Tightens Qualifications for ID Tripology Links Agents to Clients In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - August 18, 2008

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