Travel Agent - August 18, 2008 - (Page M9)

Colonial heritage, stunning limestone landscapes and world-class beaches a trail that leads to the Botanical Gardens, also known as the Waterfall Gardens. The gardens have an orchid house, bromeliad house and numerous macaques monkeys. Perak The state of Perak shares its northern border with Thailand. Perak achieved its importance as a center of tin mining and rubber, and to this day both industries remain important to the region. The capital, Ipoh, has an airport with regular ﬂights to and from Kuala Lumpur. Ipoh is rich with colonial heritage and notable for its Buddhist cave temples, such as Perak Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong. Stroll through Ipoh’s Old Town to see the ﬁnest examples of the city’s colonial architecture, including the Moorish/ Victorian-style train station, which locals call the “Taj Mahal.” The city of Taiping is noteworthy for its Lake Gardens, which are surrounded by a tin mine, a small golf course, and Zoo Taiping, which also offers a night safari to observe such animals as tigers and the Malayan sun bear. The twin islands of Pangkor and Pangkor Laut lie off the southwest coast of Perak. Head there for a beach holiday to ﬁt any budget. Pangkor is a 40-minute ferry ride from the town of Lumut, which is about 50 miles from Ipoh. The smaller isle of Pangkor Laut is the site of the exclusive Pangkor Laut Resort, a favorite of the late, beloved tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. Langkawi Here you’ll ﬁnd an archipelago of 99 islands dotting the Andaman Sea. This is the place to go for a sea-and-sun holiday. The main island is Langkawi, which is reached via Langkawi International Airport. You can also reach Langkawi via ferry service from Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah on the mainland. Standout beaches include Pantai Cenang, Burau Bay, Pantai Kok, Tanjung Rhu and Datai Bay. Once again, you’ll ﬁnd accommodations to suit all markets, from backpackers to luxury travelers. The island’s landscape is one of rainforest, rice paddies and limestone outcroppings. Visitors can take the Langkawi Cable Car to the summit of Gunung Mat Cincang for expansive island views “Helang” Square, Langkawi, Kedah stretching out to the sea. Snorkelers and scuba divers should head to Pulau Payar marine Park, situated 12 miles south of Langkawi, to catch a boat equipped for underwater expeditions. Perlis and Kedah These two states are referred to as “Malaysia’s Rice Bowl States.” You’ll ﬁnd much of the same landscapes as Langkawi, with numerous distinctive limestone outcropping jutting up into the sky. Kedah’s capital city, Alor Star, has impressive architectural landmarks, including the Zahir Mosque with its distinctive black Moorish dome and Mongol minarets, and Balai Nobat, a building with an onion-shaped dome, housing the instruments of the nobat, or royal orchestra. Alor Star can be reached via both air at its Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, or via rail from Kuala Lumpur. The tiny, agricultural state of Perlis borders northern Thailand. Kangar, about ﬁve miles east of the Thailand border, is the capital city, while the town of Bukit Kayu Hitam is the main entry point for vehicles traveling to Thailand. Other entry points are Wang Kelian and Padang Besar, by train. Nature-lovers will enjoy hiking the trails of the state park, Taman Negara Perlis, celebrated for its cave systems and dramatic limestone outcroppings. NORTHERN MALAYSIA APPEALS TO Beach lovers Ecotourists Foodies Divers History buffs Culinary treats, from left to right: Satay, Nasi Lemak and Dim Sum www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my • www.tourismmalaysiausa.com Malaysia TRAVEL PLANNER 9 http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my http://www.tourismmalaysiausa.com

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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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