Want to spend time away from the bustling city during your trip to Malaysia? then Cameron Highlands makes up for a perfect getaway destination for a one day trip or two. While in Cameron Highlands, a visit to the local Big Red Strawberry Farm is a must. To reach the farm you can either trek or drive to follow the path uphill. A day at the Big Red Strawberry Farm remains ideal for a fun outing with the whole family.

Pick your own strawberries at the farm

Spend some time meandering along the trails of the strawberry farm and breath in some fresh air. Meanwhile, the idea of picking the juicy red strawberries is not frowned upon as a ticket for the same is available. Take a quick pause along the way to admire the gorgeous surroundings of the farm. Colourful potted plants and a little fish pond add to the extravaganza of the place. You can also pose to capture the memories of the day.

Savour at some delectable strawberry dishes

The hydroponic cultivation of leafy vegetables and lettuces alongside the strawberries is worth getting the first-hand view of. While a tour of the cultivation technology goes to show the advances and the positive impact science holds in the farming industry. Upon spending the day along the shady trails stop at the cafe to try some mouth-watering strawberry dishes. The variety of strawberry based dishes at the cafe offers something or the other to all the age groups. Especially, do not forget to try the melted chocolate with fresh strawberry.

While planning an itinerary to Cameron Highlands, make sure to add this vibrant farm for a firsthand experience of how your favourite fruits are grown. A local tour guide from Locaguide can help you plan a trip here and also help you make the most of this experience!

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Cameron Highlands in Malaysia is not just known for its scenic beauty and tranquil mountains but for diverse tea plantations. It is an abode to the largest tea plantation in Southeast Asia — the Boh tea plantation.

About the tea plantation

Spread over an area of 8000 acres, the Boh tea plantation on the rolling hills of Cameron Highlands is an exquisite place. In addition to the plantation, the company has its own production and packaging unit and a retail outlet for visitors. At present, the BOH estate remains one of the largest tea plantations in Malaysia. So, if you have a trip planned here, touring the Boh tea factory is the best things to do.

The name BOH is derived from Bohea, the hills in Fujian Province where tea was originally thought to be discovered.

Things to do?

The walk through the picturesque plantation is perfect for budding photographers. And for the remaining, it easily remains as one of the best spots to enjoy the uninterrupted scenic view. So, get around to explore the lush green plantations and take a glimpse of the tea production process. Also, learn how the employee spends his day there.

When planning your Cameron Highlands itinerary, discuss with a local travel expert on Locaguide. He will help you schedule a hassle-free trip to the Boh tea plantation and the factory. He may also help you with the minute details of planning like transportation and the best time to visit. 

Upon having your fill of the stunning views at the plantation, head to the in-house cafe. Savour a meal or sip on the afternoon tea here. Known for its authentic English pastries, scones and the multiple tea options, the cafe is the perfect place to sit back. Take in the view of the plantation and recap the day as you get ready to head back to your hotel.

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A short drive from Kuching is the Sarawak Cultural Village. The famous cultural park offers an insight into the local lifestyle of tribes. The village showcases cultural elements from the various ethnic groups of Sarawak. Ranging from traditional houses, locals wearing ethnic attire etc, the park has a lot to offer for all age groups.

Things to do

The village staff here share stories and explain the way of life of the tribes as they welcome you into their homes. Explore their lifestyle and way of living as you walk around the village. In addition to houses, try your hand at hunting like the locals, or the blowpipes. Try to learn the local musical instruments and dance routines with the villagers. Furthermore, the cultural village offers many photo-worthy moments and dance performances. The experience they offer is something that will keep you talking about the troupe for days to come.

Activities in Sculpture park

You can spend the afternoon walking in the sculpture park and reflecting on the meaning of stone art. Afterward, sit around the waterfall watching a performance by the locals, as you sip on one of the local teas.

Meanwhile, if you prefer some activity, you can go kayaking in the stream that flows through the village. Also, spend time at the beach near the village, swimming in the warm water and working up an appetite.

Finally, a meal at one of the many restaurants will give you a chance to try the traditional dishes of the Sarawak tribes.

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No trip to Penang is complete without a walk through Gurney Drive Hawker Center. The place is overflowing with smells and flavours that is essentially the soul of Penang – its food! It is said to have the largest variety of local cuisine in one area. The Gurney Drive Hawker Center continues to remain the perfect place to mingle with the locals and try their dishes.

What is the Gurney Drive Hawker Center

The Gurney Drive hawker center serves like an open-air food mall. You pay as you order and the food is delivered to your table. Start at the juice stall and sip on the fresh juice as you pick and order from the various stalls. You’ll notice that the popular stalls usually have a wait in the queue policy while ordering. The stalls here sell everything — ranging from stir-fried noodles to assorted dumpling to desserts. Ais Kachang, a dessert made of shaved ice, red beans and a variety of toppings serves the perfect end. Perhaps a food court that leaves you sinfully full but positively satisfied without making a big hole in your wallet. 

A food lovers paradise

A foodie’s paradise, the hawker centre attracts even locals, not just tourists. A popular area especially during dinner time. Hence, better reach for an early dinner or you may end up hunting a seat for a long time. With at least hundreds of food stalls and numerous food options, it’s hard to run out of food options here. The clever serving size ensures you to try more than a couple of dishes. Thus, experiment with whatever catches your eye or tingles your nose, as you walk around. 

The best way to get a tour of this maze-like food market is with the help of a local travel guide. And that’s exactly where Locaguide will come to your rescue. Create an itinerary and book a guided tour of Penang with Locaguide, and get to explore places like Gurney Drive!

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Located at Air Itam, Penang Hill or Bukit Bendera is a mountain retreat and one of the most popular places to visit in Penang. Covered in lush green tropical forest, the surroundings of Penang Hill will truly bring you some peace of mind. The hill qualifies for a perfect getaway with family or friends.

How to get to the Penang Hill?

The most fascinating way to go up and down the hill is to take the funicular train. A fairly fast mode of transport, the rail track cuts through the forest taking just 5 to 10 minutes to reach. For adventure, try grabbing the seats at the bottom-most and topmost cabins while going uphill and downhill. Witness the city emerge before you as you go uphill and experience a roller coaster-like ride while going downhill.

Board the train at the base station of Air Itam and take in the views of the surrounding valleys as you go up. Once at the top, breathe in crisp cold air and immerse into the beautiful setting of the hill. You can also sip on some fresh juice or grab a bite at the restaurants on top of the hill. With a Skywalk and a few walking trails, the Penang Hill forms a good photographic location. Take a leisurely stroll to visit the temples and gardens or use the toy train service to go around.

Other attractions at the hill include a love padlock area, a viewing deck and a Curtis Crest, a walkway.

Create a personalised Penang itinerary with Locaguide and talk to your designated travel guide on including a trip to Penang Hill. During your Penang city tour, do make it to the top of the hill with the funicular train ride. Make this your much-awaited place to visit because the journey seems as beautiful and exciting as the destination!

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If you are a history buff then on your tour to Penang, a visit to Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a must. While here, you can uncover the mysterious past of the Peranakans — descendants of Chinese immigrants. Over the years, the mansion gained popularity because of a drama series called “The Little Nyonya”.

About the Pinang Peranakan Mansion

A UNESCO heritage site, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion forms a living cultural museum. It came about from the marriage of the local Malay and the Chinese immigrants. But mainly restored and maintained to remind the world of the rich Peranakan heritage of Penang. The exterior and interiors of the mansion highlight the various cultures that influenced its architecture. The Pinang Peranakan Mansion still remains a masterpiece. It features the British tilework, Scottish iron weldings, European furniture and Chinese carved wood panels.

Restored to showcase the living of the Chinese merchants of the 1890s, the mansion holds numerous stories to tell. A walk through the mansion is enough to lose yourself into a century-old lifestyle. The awe-worthy interiors will make you realise how elaborate and opulent the past lifestyle and traditions were. Inside the mansion, you can view everything; from jewellery to wedding attires to items of daily use.

How to visit?

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion conducts guided tours twice every day. So, we highly recommend you to take your own local tour guide along. Connect with a local travel expert on Locaguide and ask him to show you around the mansion. Without a helping hand, it is almost impossible to cover it entirely. He will show you the pieces that were used by the Peranakan families and explain the history behind them. Given the vastness of the mansion, visit the place early before the crowd starts pouring in. Thus, making yourself some time to indulge and soak in the glamour and grandeur of the mansion.

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Forming an important part of Penang’s rich heritage, the clan jetties are more than a picture-perfect tourist speciality. Originally giving the local Chinese immigrants a place to call home, each jetty came to be distinctively known for the clan it housed. Starting with seven such clans, this Chinese settlement did not have a smooth start, until the local government body officially gave them an identity.

History of the Clan Jetties

Out of the original seven, six jetties have houses that were built over a century ago. And if you know exactly where to look you’ll still be able to see some of the original stilts. The slits those used by the Chinese when they first immigrated to Penang. Named after the Chinese clan who first lived on the jetties, each jetty is a village in itself. It reflects the traditions and beliefs of the clan. Each village has its own temple, and its own stories to tell. Take a guided tour of this place with your local travel expert from Locaguide. The guide will help you with the difference in the temples and tell you the tales of the clans.

When to visit the Clan Jetties?

Probably the best time of the day to visit the clan jetties is late afternoon. This will allow you to round up your visit by watching a glorious sunset at the jetty. The setting sun brings with it a change in the neighbourhood and a tinge of excitement in the air. Hence, everyone makes sure to pause by and witness the gorgeous sight. 

The iconic long wooden planks make for gorgeous walks be it solo or with your loved ones. If there is one place to see in Penang that you shouldn’t miss then this is it. With ample souvenirs to purchase and local restaurants, the jetties are the perfect place to spend an evening.

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Baba is the term used to refer to a Straits-born gentleman, while Nyonya is used to address a Straits-born lady. The Baba-Nyonya Museum in Malacca showcases the lives of the affluent families of the past. Built on restoring three townhouses, the museum shows the rich culture of the Peranakan homes before the World War.

About Baba-Nyonya Museum

Located on Millionaire’s street, the later generations of the original family maintained and restored the Baba-Nyonya Museum. As you walk in, you can spot the red lanterns on either side of the elaborate columns. One of the lanterns bears the household name while the other invites good luck into the house. Large intricately carved teakwood doors lead you inside the museum. Extensively covered in hand-painted tiles the house tells about the beliefs and traditions of the past.

Baba Chan Cheng Siew, a second generation Strait’s born Chinese established the house in the year 1985. Before turning the house into a museum, four generations of the Chan family lived here.

The Victorian lamps and chandeliers show the extent to which the families flaunted their wealth. You can’t help but notice the detailed dark wooden furniture in the interior. The floral designed wrought iron castings outside the windows add to the extravaganza of the place. The museum holds numerous stories and the antiques show how well the immigrants adopted the traditions.

This heritage museum takes you back in time and makes up for one of the best attractions in Malacca. If the place eagers you then consider creating a customised itinerary with Locaguide. The local tour expert will walk you around and give the details of the museum. He may also help you interact with the family that lives there, and give you the chance to hear stories from them about their ancestors.

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The Rich History of A’Famosa Fort

Built more than 500 years ago, the name A’Famosa Fort actually translates to The Famous Fort. Constructed by the Portuguese at the foot of St Paul’s Hill only a tiny part of the fort is still left standing. It is in the form of a small Gate House named Porta de Santiago making it a must visit attraction.

Canons, markings and graves show that the fort lived as a part of all the three colonies that ruled Malaysia. With every colonial rule, the Fort remained altered as per their likings to leave proof of the respective reigns. Also, changing the purpose of the fort. Built at the foot of St. Paul’s hill, the fort is located between the city of Malacca and the sea. Meanwhile, the neighbourhood has a village vibe and the fort extends the grandeur and royalty of the Portuguese era.

A Photography retreat

The fort is a perfect spot for photography and the ruins of the fort lend an almost tragic stricken feeling. Take your time to explore and learn about the fort on your walk around capturing history in your photos. Moreover, it goes without saying that the A’Famosa Fort has a lot of history associated with it. This comes to light if you have the patience to dig deep. 

With so much to see and learn here, make sure to include the A’Famosa Fort in your itinerary. Build a personalised itinerary with Locaguide and plan a trip to this historic site. Upon exploring the fort you can take a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood. Shop for souvenirs or savour at the food stalls set up across the street. As the sunset nears trek uphill for a view of the mesmerizing city of Malacca. Thus, the visuals of the sun setting over the sea brings a perfect end to the tour.

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