Visitors to Penang will find many educational courses to do and there are also many English affiliated universities on the island.

The most popular courses for the visitor to take on the island are diving and cooking.
For a diving course you need to be in good physical health and a strong swimmer. A doctor’s certificate is also required before you start. Courses offered are PADI or SSI and are spread over three days for a beginner’s course. Tuition, transport, lunches equipment are all provided and after you have learnt the basics of the buddy system(communicating with other divers underwater)how to put on the suit and breathing equipment and confined water dives you are already for your first dive supervised by qualified teachers at the glorious marine Park reef. More advanced course taking four days are also offered many people get hooked, do further courses and go all the way to becoming diving teachers themselves.

Penang offers the visitor many cuisines from around the world from Indian to Chinese from Singaporean to Malay and you may be interested in learning to make some of the delicious fare on offer yourself. Great tuition by English speaking tutors and you can choose from general home cooking course learning everything from basic salads to curries and desserts. Or, perhaps you are wanting something a little more advanced and specific when top master chefs give their hard learned secrets of Asian cooking too you. Course run form simple daily course to three days and beyond all abilities are welcome offering an unforgettable hands on experience and a great gift for your dinner quests when you get back.

After you’ve spent some time exploring Penang, you may decide that this is the place that you want to live. And why not? Penang is a great place for expats as this is a place of intense natural beauty and there are plenty of places to live.

Many people are drawn to Penang because of its diverse culture and attractions. The Malaysian has recently set up the Malaysia My Second Home program to attract in retirees to come to various parts of Malaysia and set up home here. Penang provides a wide range of reasons for an expatriate to settle permanently here. The people who live there are willing to welcome you into their hearts and homes.

Retirees will find that life is much more fun and relaxed while living in Penang and this is a real haven for those with plenty of time on their hands to pursue all those dreams and hobbies which they have never found time for. Cultivating exotic orchids in your garden, taking yoga classes, improving your handicap in golf, having time to try out recipes that you have been saving from magazines, helping out at a charity home are some of the hobbies that may be pursued.

Penang’s exceptional low cost of living and tax-friendly system is most attractive to retirees and foreigners looking for a second home. Property and rental costs are low, while shopping for food in the well-stocked supermarkets is cheap.

Buying property in Penang is fairly easy. The most popular belt for foreigners to settle along is the exotic northern coastal area, where the most desirable neighborhoods can be found, with its white sandy beaches and sea-facing apartments and condominiums with million-dollar views. Expats can wake up in the morning to a gentle breeze from the sea, a clear blue sky splashed with the vibrant colors of a rising sun and far off fishing boats bringing in the day’s catch.

The weather in Penang is generally sunny and it tends to be hot and humid throughout the year. Temperatures climb higher than in many Asian countries, usually reaching around 30˚C or higher in the daytime. Even at night, the temperature rarely falls below 20˚C. Although it tends to rain throughout the year, rainfall is particularly heavy during the monsoon season, which lasts from November until February.

Many people find travelling in the hot and humid weather taxing, so allow plenty of time to recover after long journeys and carry plenty of water with you. Generally, the best time to visit Penang is from May to September.

However, the heaviest rail tends to occur from May to October on the west coast of Penang and those intent on soaking up the sun on the beach should avoid arriving during this period. However, the monsoon season is the best time to spot some of Penang’s wildlife and this is a pleasant time to wander through the park.

The best time to see some of Penang’s most colourful festivals is during the winter months of November, December and January. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa are all vibrant affairs and celebrated with gusto all around the island

Andaman daze

Soak up the culture on this island that blends ancient Malay, Asian colonial and Chinese immigrant influences in one fascinating destination. Penang is a favourite destination in Malaysia, combining tropical beaches with sophisticated hospitality and historic interest.

Soon you’ll be able to experience all this virtually before you come, this travel blog on Penang is the beta version of a full online travel guide that will include colour pics and hundreds of pages of tourist info on the island. Trust us we’re Asian travel specialists.

Penang has dozens of good excuses to attract you; be it great beaches, water sports, intriguing culture, multi-cultural cuisine, lush tropical hiking trails, botanical gardens, crumbling old architecture, colourful festivals and exotic temples. Experience it all here.

Shopping
Whether you need to pick up a few essentials or a seeking out that perfect engagement gift, we’ve got the inside story… more

Hospitality
Everything from cheap rooms in hostels to the best luxury hotels in town plus spas, restaurants and nightlife tips… more

What to see
All the top attractions listed in complete detail including city tours and highlights for those short on time… more

Malaysian Culture
This diverse and wondrous land is begging to be discovered by cultured visitors with time on their hands… more

Living here
Complete guide to everthing an expat is every going to need for long-term stays in Penang… more

What to do
Whether you want to browse for gifts, indulge in some pampering, play sport or see the sights… more

Peninsular Malaysia
Guide to areas of the countries which are an easy leap away from Penang for when the city gets too much… more

Getting here
All your transport needs taken care of in one simple section including plane, train or taxi… more

Before booking your flights and accommodation you should try to find discount vouchers online. There are several sites now offering this popular promotions tool for savings and bargains and one UK site we can recommend is discountvouchers.co.uk