Online poll crowns 7 wonders of nature

1.       A view of Argentina's Iguazu Falls, on the Brazilian side of the Iguazu River

2.       A tourist boat sails past the stone islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam in 2007.

3.       Divers explore a coral reef in Komodo island, Indonesia in May 2009. Southeast Asia's biologically diverse coral reefs will disappear by the end of this century, wiping out coastal economies and sparking civil unrest if climate change isn't addressed, conservation group WWF has warned.

4.       A crater lake on the Hallasan shield volcano on South Korea's Jeju Island

5.       Tourists navigate their way inside a cave popularly known in the Philippines as 'Underground River' in Puerto Princesa city in the province of Palawan, southwest of Manila.

6.       A tourist watches birds in the top of a canopy at the Manu Biosphere Reserve in Peru's southern Amazon region of Madre de Dios November 2, 2009. This 1.8 million hectares reserve is the home of 600 birds species and 11 monkey species among other animals, as caymans and mammals, and has one of the highest levels of biodiversity of any park in the world with more than 200 varieties of trees found in one hectare.

7.       Cape Town's iconic backdrop Table Mountain lit up with red lights to mark World AIDS Day in December 2010.

Indonesian Coffee - The Best Coffee in the World

The most expensive coffee in the world comes from Indonesia, but what does it taste like, and is it really the best?

These are just two of the many questions we pose to Darren Colecliffe, a veritable coffee expert, and Co-Director of one of Indonesia's best coffee brands, Kopi Kamu.

The interview took place at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2011 in London where Kopi Kamu was giving away tasters from the Indonesian booth for free.

In the interview you will learn what makes Indonesian coffee so special, whether others are trying to replicate the most expensive type, how the types that Kopi Kamu differ and much, much more.

Oh, and if you will be attending the ASEAN Tourism Fourm (ATF) in Manado in 2012 then be sure to look out for Kopi Kamu, because who can resist trying the world's most expensive coffee for free

Starwood Launches Villa Collection in Asia Pacific

Starwood has launched the Asia Pacific Villa Collection, a collection of 768 villas in 19 of Starwood’s resorts across the Asia Pacific region, ranging from Australia to China.

“The Starwood Asia Pacific Villa Collection offers a large and diverse selection of exclusive, breathtaking settings from which to explore Asia Pacific’s most exciting locations and captivating countries,” said Alison Taylor, Vice President of Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “Whether you’re looking for the perfect honeymoon retreat or an exciting family adventure, Starwood has made it easier to match the perfect location to the ideal experience.”

Designed for privacy and luxury, the villas are ideally situated to take advantage of the resort’s best features, such as panoramic ocean views, convenient poolside or beach access, or privacy. Many of the villas in the collection offer private pools, outdoor dining areas, state-of-the-art kitchens, and multiple bedrooms.

Most of the resorts offer luxurious spas and unique dining destinations, as well as access to world-class recreation such as snorkelling, diving, championship golf, sailing, deep-sea fishing and more.

Some, like the tropical island villas at The St. Regis Bali Resort, come with your own personal St. Regis Butler. Others, like the contemporary villas at the Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa feature indoor-outdoor bathrooms and showers. Still others, like the chic ocean villas at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, boast uninterrupted ocean views and outdoor areas with plunge pool, daybed, outdoor rainforest shower, private BBQ hammock and garden seating.

The Starwood Asia Pacific Villa Collection includes the following resorts:

• Australia: Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast; Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort

• China: Sheraton Sanya Resort; Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa; Le Meridien Xiamen

• Fiji: Sheraton Danarau Villas

• India: The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa

• Indonesia: The Laguna, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali; The St. Regis Bali Resort; W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak

• Malaysia: The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa

• Maldives: Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa; W Retreat & Spa Maldives

• New Caledonia: Le Meridien Ile des Pins

• Thailand: Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort; The Naka Island – A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa; The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket; Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa; W Koh Samui

More properties are under development and will be added to the collection include Vana Belle Samui Resort & Spa, Samui; The Westin Ubud Resort & Spa, Bali; The Westin Jaipur, Infotech City, India; The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort; and, Sheraton Guangzhou Huadu Resort.

Maldives Unveils New Slogan and Logo

The Republic of Maldives has a new nation brand.

The logo and "Always Natural" tagline, developed by QUO Keen, was recently approved by President Mohamed Nasheed at a full cabinet meeting.

"The slogan and logo are designed to underscore the outstanding natural beauty of the Maldives, which tourists from all segments of the market consistently rate as one of their main reasons for visiting the country," said MMPRC (Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation) Chairperson Thoyyib Mohamed.

David Keen, CEO of QUO Keen said, "We have created a brand that stands for the Maldivian people, for tourism and for all of Maldivian industry. The slogan "Always Natural" talks to the wonderful character of the people of the Maldives, to sustainability and to the ultimate tourism experience. The logo has been hand-crafted to express the natural elements of the country formed in a thumb print."

The slogan and logo has been created with the aim of becoming not just a tourism brand, but a brand with transferability to all areas of Maldivian life and livelihood, from sustainable energy, to fishing and other local industries, to the natural smiles of the people of the Islands.