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Located in Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, Karma Kandara Resort is one of Bali’s most luxurious. The property sits in a location which is named as “Billionaire’s Row” due to its sweeping views and unparalleled access to the famous cliffs of Uluwatu. This all-villa resort features some spacious living and sleeping quarters for quests that blend traditional Balinese architecture as well as modern creature comforts. Think thatched huts contrasted against wood, white concrete and décor that give off a cool blue shade. To top it off, guests get to enjoy the warm hospitality of the Balinese people. There’s no need to venture far from the resort to witness the traditional life of the locals.

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Sometimes a traditional vacation isn’t what you’re gunning for. You want to go somewhere off the beaten path and see something you can say few people have seen before. Canada is full of under appreciated sites. FlightHub, an online travel agency based out of Canada, recommends the following off-beaten places worth visiting. FlightHub reviews interesting Canadian destinations all the time, so they had plenty of wonderful suggestions on the matter.

The Diefenbunker

Known as Canadian Forces Station Carp, the Diefenbunker is a time capsule of Cold War-era Canada. Built in 1962, it was built to house the critical members of cabinet and prevent a government shutdown during a nuclear crisis. They were called Diefenbunkers by opposition parties within the Canadian Government according to FlightHub, who opposed their high cost. The bunkers were built to withstand five megaton explosions and could house over 500 people for a month. The odd thing about the Diefenbunker was that then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker refused to actually use the facilities due to the fact his wife would not be able to share a room with him. The Diefenbunker was decommissioned in 1994 and opened as a small museum in 1998. The small town of Carp, Ontario doesn’t get many visitors, so you should have an easy time enjoying this small museum dedicated to a nervous era in Canadian history.

Camp Picton Ghost Town

Camp Picton was originally opened in 1938 as a training complex for British pilots flying during World War II. While it had a modest beginning, it was quick to expand. At its peak, it featured several hangars, 2,500 foot runways, five bombing ranges, and facilities equipped to house up to 1,000 people. While it was a strong base with great training facilities, it did lack the facilities of more modern bases according to FlightHub, leading to soldiers and airmen spending a lot of time in the small village of Picton, something that was not very well received by residents. Military activity continued at CFB Picton until its closure in 1969. While some areas of the base have been used for manufacturing, much of the barracks remain largely untouched since, overgrowing and falling into a state of decay. While newer bases have modern facilities, the former CFB Picton resembles something more like a cottage complex or campground providing visitors a chance to take a look at how Canada hastily ramped up its war efforts in the 30s and 40s.

Vulcan, Alberta

From classics of Canada’s wartime history, to something out of this world. Any initiated weirdo would know why this town made the list. Vulcan, originally named after a Greek God, became a important gathering place for the many fans of the sci-fi juggernaut Star Trek according to FlightHub. Sharing a name with the home planet of one of its principle characters, Spock, Vulcan, Alberta has embraced this happy coincidence, holding an annual Star Trek Festival, and building a large monument in honour of the USS Enterprise. While sci-fi conventions are generally limited to cities, Vulcan manages to hold its own, planning and supporting its festival locally despite its smaller population of just over 1,800 people.

Canada is famous for its natural beauty, its hockey addiction, and, unfortunately, its sometimes brutal winters and winter storms. While the weather is sometimes overblown by the media – there are numerous parts of Canada that rarely see snow – dealing with cold weather in Canada can be a real damper on your day and your trip. While Canadians are used to this, tourists can be caught off guard if a big storm hits in the middle of your vacation. FlightHub, a Canadian online travel agency, knows all there is to know about cold weather in Canada. FlightHub Review offers these tips for those who are uninitiated when it comes to Canadian weather.

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Over the new year’s eve weekend, I had made a last minute decision to bring my family for a hotel staycation. I thought it was a nice way to escape the smokey air usually associated with the heavy blasting of fireworks that perennially marks the final day of the year.

Given that NYE was just a few days away, I was shocked to find most hotels in Manila going for Php 8,000 and above per night. Rooms that would otherwise cost half of that amount were going for unreasonable rates. I tried various booking websites and also going into the official websites of hotel chains but prices were not any cheaper.

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Something new from one of my favorite hotel chains – Intercontinental Hotel & Resorts is collaborating with FOX International Channels to launch a new Nat Geo People multimedia series called “Chef to Chef” hosted by Sharone Hakman – a former contestant of Gordon Ramsay’s TV show MasterChef.

Through 5 minute episodes, Hakman gets to meet and cook with the movers and shakers of IHG’s F&B operations in Australia, Vietnam and Thailand as well as the group’s culinary ambassadors, Ross Lusted and Ian Kittichai.

In one episode, Hakman travels to Central Vietnam and explores the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Town of Hoi An (one of my personal favorites!). At the same time, he speaks with Michel Roux, a three-Michelin starred chef who is also the resident chef at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. The two then cook together using local ingredients as much as possible, with Hakman whipping up a tempting serving of Pan-Fried Mahi Mahi with Mango Sauce while Roux comes up with a meticulously prepared Pan-Fried Red Snapper with Piperade and Aioli Sauce.

That’s just one episode. In the other videos, Hakman tours Sydney and goes on a journey to Koh Samui in Southern Thailand.

You can check out the videos below:

This post was sponsored by IHG. However, all opinions are my own.