We're having a look back on some of our favourite trips from 2016 - it's been a busy year at Escape Worldwide and the team have been criss-crossing the globe from Sydney to Havana, Tokyo to Nairobi. Karen visited Malaysia and Bali in September, taking in vibrant Kuala Lumpur, Bali's various beach resorts including Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Legian and Sanur, and the relaxed mountain hideaway of Ubud. Here's a quick look at her highlights . . . Kuala Lumpur ​ Kuala Lumpur is one of my favourite Far East cities - it has such a buzz, there's loads to see and do, great quality hotels and some of the best food in Asia! I stayed at the Hotel Istana which is in a perfect location closed to the lively Bukit Bintang area of the city (think Oxford Street), and with one of my favourite streets a close walk away - Jalan Alor, which is packed with dozens of stalls each selling a local delicacy - delicious! I spent a day exploring the city using the local hop-on hop-o...

It’s been a crazy year of travel already this year for the Escape Worldwide team. The team has been far and wide looking at hotels, resorts, cities, checking out the beaches and of course testing the local beers! So far this year we have been to: ·          Sydney and most of New South Wales ·          Jamaica ·          Japan (Osaka, Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto by bullet train) ·           Cuba (Havana, Vinales Valley, Santa Clara, Trinidad, Ceinfuegos, Remedios and Varadero) ·          Abu Dhabi ·          Ras Al Khaimah ·          Dubai ·          Orlando All this before June, so what’s next for the rest of the year, well th...

For a holiday with adventure, Escape Worldwide's Karen Stewart swapped Wanstead for Malaysia and the island of Borneo , where she discovered glorious beaches combined with intriguing wildlife. Borneo is on a lot of people's must-see list of places because of its beaches, wildlife – most famously the orangutan – jungles and, for the more energetic, mountain climbing. It's a really special place, and while it's not the easiest to get to, it's well worth the effort. Consider spending a few days in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, on the way to Borneo, visiting the Petronas Twin Towers, Chinatown and the great markets, then fly over to Kota Kinabalu, the main town in Sabah. Borneo's geography is quite complicated, with the one island split between three countries, but while the Malaysian side of the island is far smaller than the Indonesian side – the third country, Brunei, has a really tiny area – far more visitors head to Malaysia, and the provin...

MALAYSIA  Airlines plans to introduce its first Airbus A380 on the Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur route from July 1. The first 494-seat aircraft, featuring a new livery, will run flights three times a week between London and the Malaysian capital. A second A380 will enter the London route from the end of August to offer daily operations while a third will be used on the Kuala Lumpur -Sydney route. Group chief executive Encik Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said: “We are the first to introduce the A380 into service using a uniquely refreshed look and feel, instead of the regular corporate identity, to showcase our latest premium offering in products and services. "This will be our flagship aircraft to launch our exciting new levels of comfort, luxury and convenience in long haul travel. “The investment in this latest aircraft, its technology, futuristic style and innovative design in cabin comfort are our initiatives to ensure that our passengers continue to experience an exciting new level...

Kuala Lumpur is one of the Far East’s most exciting cities, but with loads to see and do it’s important to plan your trip to make the most of your time here. DAY 1 Start your visit to Kuala Lumpur by boarding the frequent hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that takes in all of the city’s main attractions. There are stops on Bukit Bintang if you’re staying in this part of the city, and throughout the Golden Triangle and KLCC areas too. Head to the older parts of KL to start with - get off at stop 8 in the Chinatown district, and walk through to stop 9 at Central Market. Stroll through colourful Chinatown before arriving at Central Market, which has been refurbished from a traditional market to a centre for traditional handicrafts. Hop back on the bus and continue past the National Palace, through the Lake Garden and on to the National Mosque. AFTERNOON Grab a bite to eat at the KL Tower before taking the lift to the top, for spectacular views across the city. Although a little shorter tha...

Hi everyone, Our newsletter this week had something a little different, holidays without a beach! Check out the ideas: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/May11b2.html A couple of my favorites are: HAVANA CITY BREAK, CUBA from £849 PARQUE CENTRAL HOTEL Soak up the atmosphere of Havana, one of the world's most mesmerising cities, and stay in one of the best hotels, superbly located where Old and New Havana meet and with some of the best facilities in the City. Departures: 12 JUNE 2011 Nights: 3 Prices from: £849 pp Check out more great holidays to Cuba at: http://www.cubaescapes.co.uk/ FAR EAST CITIES from £1079 HONG KONG + KUALA LUMPUR Combine two of the liveliest cities in the Far East in one trip - explore vibrant Hong Kong and cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur, with amazing food and superb shopping a plenty, saving over £500 per couple too! Departures: 15 JUNE 2011 Nights: 4 + 4 Prices from: £1079 pp Check out more great holidays to t...

Hi fellow travellers, This week Escape Worldwide  has some great holiday ideas to Taba in Egypt, Zanzibar in Tanzania and Bali. http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Aug10a2.html Firstly one of my favorite places, Zanzibar has to have some of the most amazing beaches in the world and also some great hotels. We're looking at twin centre options this week, firstly a week at the relaxing Pongwe Beach Resort  where you can kick back, do absolutely nothing and just enjoy the great level of service this lovely little hotel offers! Then head to the lively Neptune Pwani Beach Resort  which offers a great all inclusive package and also, large stylish rooms and a great range of watersports. Or how awbout Bali , we have a great offer to the 4* Mercure Sanur , 10 nights for only £819 per person, a bargain to this tropical paradise. We have tons of holiday ideas, so give us a call 020 8989 0970! Happy travelling! Darren http://www.escapeworldwide.c...

Hi again fellow travellers, another week and some more holiday ideas for 2010: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/special/2010balib.html This week we are focusing on the magical island of Bali . Bali 's combination of beautiful beaches, fantastic food, friendly people, great shopping and accessible culture make it a perfect destination for a beach holiday. Head to the resort of Nusa Dua for quality hotels, Sanur for an excellent choice of restaurants, Kuta Beach for vibrant nightlife or laid-back Seminyak for a stylish, relaxing stay - all combined with great value for money! When I was in Bali last I staying in the resort of Sanur , at the lovely Bali Hyatt which is a lovely spacious hotel, on a great beach! It's also very easy to combine Bali , with another destination such as Kuala Lumpur , Singapore or Hong Kong. Check out some options: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/asia/destin/Bali3.shtml Bali not for you, then check out other great holidays we can off...

Hi fellow travellers, Winter is truly here so why not get away. Check out our latest offers and ideas: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Oct09e2.html This weeks newsletter features some photos and a blog following Karen's recent visit to India. Get to experience the amazing Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Amber Fort and more through Karen's pictures. More blogs to follow! Or why not a safari in Kenya, now this is a truly memorable holiday. Latest time I was in Kenya, I same a cheetah and her 2 cubs amongst loads of other animals. What ever you decide to do.......happy travelling! Darren http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk

Hi everyone, Blimey another week has pasted already, where does the time go? Anyway, check out this weeks great long haul holiday offers: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Aug09c2.html Some great destinations this week, with probably one of my fav, Cuba fly drives. Cuba is an amazing place and the best way to do it is on a fly drive! Also we have a great Bali and Kuala Lumpur twin centre offer, chill out in gorgeous Bali before shopping for bargains in KL! Happy travelling everyone! Darren

Creating the perfect twin centre holiday requires the combination of a number of factors, and with our experience we can put together the ideal itinerary. The first thing to consider is time, and how much of it you have. In many destinations, if you try to do things too quickly your memories will only be a blur, but if you spend too long in certain cities, things may get a bit much. Also bear in mind your total duration, of course. In busy cities such as Bangkok, three or four nights would be ideal to get to grips with it and to take in the main highlights – if you tried to do it all in a day you probably won’t remember much, but stay too long and the traffic will get to you! In Singapore, however, where things are more organised, a shorter trip will allow you to take things in without getting too hot & bothered. Next thing is location. If you’re only looking at a short stopover before hitting the beach, then the location of your hotel is an important factor when it comes to making...