Top 5 European Destinations for Easter Break Holiday

by Zhiqiang & Tingyi on January 21, 2012 · 4 comments

Easter 2012 falls in the early part of April and for those thinking of going abroad for the holiday, there are plenty of options where good weather is almost guaranteed.  Nobody wants to go away and have to spend their time in the hotel watching the rain through the windows.  Europe has a number of destinations that are ideal for families and at Easter some of the most popular resorts are not as crowded as they would be during the summer.

Spain is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations and those who want to visit the Mediterranean coastal areas will find that there is plenty to see and do for all the family.  In Catalonia there are plenty of places to visit for those who want to see a more traditional side of Spain, while the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Mallorca are ideal for those who want a holiday atmosphere.  Getting around in Spain is not a problem as many of the resorts and the airports have car rental outlets.

France is another option for those who do not want to travel too far and the south of the country is ideal for those who want to soak up the sun.  Historical attractions are plentiful in this region, with the town of Carcasson a favourite with those who like myths and legends.  The Canal du Midi is one of the area’s hotspots for activities, with the paths that run alongside it perfect for walking or cycling.  Alternatively, a visit to the Dinosaur Museum at Meze could be of interest as it is on the site of many important finds.

Those who want to be spoiled for choice might want to consider Greece as a holiday destination for the Easter break.  With literally dozens of islands to choose from as well as many mainland destinations, the country has so much to offer every member of the family.  Whether just one destination is chosen or a variety, there are plenty of options for exploring.  There are regular ferries that run between islands and to the mainland, and for those who want to stay on dry land there are cheap car rental options that will allow families to get around in relative comfort.

Eastern European destinations are now becoming popular and Croatia is filled with beautiful towns and cities to visit, as well as some amazing beaches.  The Dalmatian Coast is ideal for those who want a relaxing beach holiday and there are plenty of islands there that are just waiting to be explored.  Families who are on a tight budget will find low-cost options in this region to cover all aspects of their holiday from hotel accommodation to cheap car rental.

Bulgaria is a country that has seen increasing numbers of tourists in recent years and is ideal for families.  The Black Sea coast is popular both with foreign tourists and with Bulgarians, meaning there is plenty of opportunity to mix with the locals.  The Sunny Beach Resort is one of the most popular in the country and has a variety of activities for all the family, including aqua parks, quad biking and pirate ship adventures.

{ 4 comments }

If you find All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) driving, archery and air rifle shooting too intensive and tiring for a relaxing weekend getaway in Bintan, you can consider a massage and spa at Aroma Day Spa after shopping for souvenirs and Polo shirts at Pasar Pasar Oleh. After a relaxing massage session, chill out at Cafe Tempo with drinks with friends and groove to live band performances.

Pasar Oleh Oleh is a cluster of huts selling local snacks e.g. Kueh Lapis (a must-buy – for the best and freshest Kueh Lapis, buy those freshly baked ones from shops at the ferry terminal just before you depart for Singapore), keropok and potato chips (in case you get hungry at night in the hotel) as well as Bintan souvenirs e.g. magnets, coconut head cups (the mascot of Bintan Tourism). If you have forgotten to bring your beach/swim wear for your stay at Nirwana Gardens Bintan Resort, you can also find them here (do note that designs here are quite limited). For fans of Polo shirts, there is a large Polo outlet at Pasar Oleh Oleh (there are also Polo shops at most Nirwana Gardens resort as well as the ferry terminal). There are a number of food establishments here too e.g. Cafe Helo Helo where you enjoy Chinese and Indonesian food at affordable prices. All shops here accept Singapore Dollars.

To get to Pasar Oleh Oleh, hop on to the Pasar Oleh Oleh shuttle bus from the Nirwana Resort Hotel. The Pasar Oleh Oleh shuttle bus pass allows unlimited rides for a day at a cost of $5.00 per Adult and $3.00 per Child.

Bintan Shopping Pasar Oleh Oleh Nirwana Gardens

After shopping around at Pasar Oleh Oleh, the next best thing to do had to be a relaxing massage at Aroma Day Spa just across a road at Kampoeng Lagoi. There are more souvenir shops and Polo outlets here at Kampoeng Lagoi. Aroma Day Spa uses exclusively branded Taman Sari spa products (which are based on traditional beauty recipes from the Javanese royalty) in its wide range of spa treatments. Some of its signature spa treatments include the 90-minute Aromatherapy Stone Massage with warm & smooth volcanic basalt stones and the 135-minute Refreshing Package where you can have your pick from the A-la-Carte menu selection of body scrub, massage and masque!

Our Aroma Day Spa experience – the 100-minute De-stress Package, started even before the actual massage as we were briefed on the wide range of choices we have for body scrub and aromatherapy massage oil!

Aroma Day Spa Massage Bintan Nirwana Gardens Massage Aromatherapy Oils

We were then led to one of the rooms which were well-equipped with shower stalls and placed in the good hands of well-trained massage therapists. What followed was a long and soothing massage coupled with a thorough body scrub – leaving us completed relaxed and de-stressed – just like what the package said it would do!

Discounts for Aroma Spa Packages at Bintan Island

20% off any Treatment Package from the Spa Packages menu at Aroma Day Spa – the indoor spa located right across the road from Pasar Oleh Oleh
20% off Detox Day Trip Tour Package (applicable only at Aroma River Spa – the outdoor spa on Bintan’s East Coast)

Package includes:
- Welcome drink; and
- Complimentary two-way land transfer from BBT Ferry terminal or Bintan Resorts Hotel

Terms & Conditions:
- Minimum 2 Pax to go

To book, email pick-up time and venue to infobintan@gmail.com (at least 24hrs in advance) and quote ‘PassportChop’ in email booking.

Aroma Day Spa Massage Bintan Nirwana Gardens

After a relaxing massage experience, we were led upstairs to Cafe Tempo (also owned by the same owner of Aroma Day Spa) where we chilled out with Cafe Tempo’s signature drink – the Diabolo Mint – a very powerful minty yet refreshing drink. Besides playing a game of pool/billiard, guests at Cafe Tempo can also enjoy the live band performances every Saturday evenings. There are lots to do here e.g. sing karaoke, enjoy cocktails and tapas while catching a football match on the wide-screen TV at the sports bar.

Bintan Nirwana Gardens Aroma Day Spa Cafe Tempo Pool Game Bar

To complete your relaxing weekend getaway in Bintan, you should just chill out by one of the beautiful beaches of Bintan – apply your sunscreen, get your sunglasses and hat/cap and grab one of the beach chairs (free! – Nirwana Resort Hotel also provides towels – grab one from the towel counter by the swimming pool) by the beach and enjoy the cool sea breeze as you read a book or take a nap on the beach.

Bintan Beach Chill Out Relax

Being a guest of Nirwana Gardens, you need not approach multiple operators to arrange to do all the above activities during your weekend getaway. Simply inform your friendly Nirwana Gardens Bintan Resort staff and they will arrange for these activities for you!

For updates on Nirwana Gardens and Bintan promotions and events, like Nirwana Gardens Resort Bintan Island Indonesia Facebook page and I Love Bintan Facebook page for more info.

Discounts for Nirwana Garden Resort Stay

10% discount off Nirwana Garden Resort’s Best Available Rate

To book, guests are to quote “Passportchop” upon reservation. Reservations to be done via email at reservation@nirwanagardens.com or by telephone: +65 6323 6636.

You can also book at their website at http://www.nirwanagardens.com. At the booking engine box, just key in “PASSPORTCHOP” (caps sensitive) in the Access Code box, after filling out the details of your travel period, and click on the Check Availability button – a popup window will open with the discounted rates and availability.

PassportChop.com’s adventures in Nirwana Gardens Bintan Resort are kindly arranged by Nirwana Gardens, Mutiara Bintan and Aroma Day Spa.

{ 0 comments }

Practising Yoga in Bhutan

January 7, 2012
Yoga Bhutan

Along our journey around Bhutan, we have visited a number of places which offers great views of the surrounding scenery, yet without the hustle and bustle of typical tourist spots around the world – making such places perfect to meditate or even practice yoga. Travelling with a yoga teacher (Boon Cheng) on this tour around [...]

Read on for the full story → 7 comments

Nirwana Gardens Bintan Resort Activities – Archery, Laser Clay, Mangrove Fireflies Tour and All Terrain Vehicle Adventure

January 2, 2012
Bintan Resorts ATV

Besides a wide range of delicious dining options at Nirwana Gardens Bintan Resort, there are also plenty of activities to keep us occupied at the resort. Located just a short 5-minute walk away from Nirwana Resort Hotel (also reachable via the Nirwana Gardens shuttle bus), the Nirwana Resort Centre offers a range of activities for [...]

Read on for the full story → 4 comments

Exciting Events at Marina Bay Sands – Wicked the Musical & Titanic the Exhibition

December 22, 2011
marina bay sands

WICKED tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grow to [...]

Read on for the full story → 5 comments

Luxurious Gastronomic Discovery at Marina Bay Sands with Asia’s Dining Destination Package

December 18, 2011
marina bay sands dining asian experience destination

Imagine a luxurious staycation at Marina Bay Sands where you get to not only dine at one of Marina Bay Sands’ celebrity restaurants but also check out the kitchens of various celebrity chef restaurants to understand the secret behind their worldwide success. This post will provide you with a quick glimpse into what such an [...]

Read on for the full story → 4 comments

Adventure Holiday Ideas Around the World

December 18, 2011
Adventure Holiday

The one thing most people look for in a holiday is the chance to get away from everyday life, to try something a little bit out of the ordinary. Whether it’s an amazing hotel or coming face-to-face with rare and exotic animals, everyone wants to come away with amazing memories and plenty of stories to [...]

Read on for the full story → 1 comment

Dining Experiences at Bintan Island – Seafood, International and Local Cuisine

December 11, 2011
Kelong Bintan

Besides fun activities and beautiful beaches, Bintan Island also offers lots of dining experiences with lots of different cuisines to choose from – perfect for food lovers hoping to embark on a gastronomic adventure during this getaway. Kelong Seafood Restaurant The Kelong seafood restaurant, located at the western coast of Nirwana Gardens, offers a panoramic [...]

Read on for the full story → 13 comments

Spain – the Gateway to North Africa

December 8, 2011
Spanish Islands

Spain has so much to offer in terms of art, culture, events, and outdoor activities. Add to this the beautiful long stretches of golden sand that is found on most of the country’s coastline and you have one of the most appealing places in the world. With France to the north and Portugal to the [...]

Read on for the full story → 1 comment

Family Holidays in the Spanish Islands

December 8, 2011
Spanish Island

With the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping, you may be looking for inspiration for your next exotic escape; if this is the case, consider a holiday to the Spanish islands. With plenty to offer, from amazing family holidays in Majorca to chilling out in Formentera and going wild in Ibiza, it could be [...]

Read on for the full story → 1 comment