Reuters
9:48 a.m. CDT, May 18, 2012
Archive for the Category »Destinations «
20 May 2012
19 May 2012
The beautiful state of Rajasthan is known for its glorious attractions and sightseeing spots. A visit to this majestic place makes you catch some of the beautiful forts, monuments, lakes, heritage hotel, palaces, etc. Further, Rajasthan tour is perfect if you want to discover the inner beauty of India. Being one of the most vivacious and vibrant state in India, Rajasthan is the host to many colorful fairs and festivals. One simply gets mesmerized seeing the lively ambiance of the state. However, the main factor which makes a memorable experience with the vacationers is the generosity rich heritage, culture and traditions of Rajasthan.
Most engrossing thing to experience in Rajasthan is its appealing and thrilling camel safari. A ride on the camel’s back offers you an ultimate experience of fun, ecstasy and adventure. Also, one gets to witness the heart of rustic Rajasthan with all its sparkling and effervescent colors, beautiful dance forms, traditional lures, etc. The exceptional desert scenery striking sands offers an overwhelming experience that let you catch the locals, allure the endless beauty and explore the forts, monuments, lakes, palaces, temples and other wonderful architectural structures of the state. Further, one can experience these rides in the cities like Jaisalmer and Bikaner. With Rajasthan travel packages you can enjoy the destinations with fullest.
Apart from camel safari, people can also enjoy thrilling elephant safaris in Rajasthan, which allows you to enjoy various wildlife destinations of the state. Currently, Rajasthan houses hundreds of wildlife destinations, each presenting a large variety of rare and endangered animals. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary are a few famous wildlife destinations of Rajasthan that presents amazing elephant safari to the travelers. Besides elephant safari, one can also enjoy breathtaking jeep safari in these wildlife sanctuaries. In short, a visit to the exciting wildlife destinations of the state will bestow you with the most wonderful experience, ever.
Travelers who want to catch rich heritage and culture of Rajasthan can explore various historical sites and structures of the state. On your Rajasthan tour you can visit the beautiful Jal Mahal of the Jaipur, City Palace of Udaipur or the engrossing Jaisalmer Fort of Jaisalmer. Well! Most of the historical sites of Rajasthan present a lively and enchanting image of the state. However, having a visit in the gorgeous heritage hotels of the state let you experience the royalty of the state. Jaipur tour packages provide you insight view and details of places and culture. Truly, these appealing hotels of Rajasthan will never fail to lure you. Well! If you are an admirer of the fascinating beauty of Rajasthan then don’t think much simply book your Rajasthan tours and enjoy the captivating ambiance of the state.
19 May 2012
The beautiful state of Rajasthan is known for its glorious attractions and sightseeing spots. A visit to this majestic place makes you catch some of the beautiful forts, monuments, lakes, heritage hotel, palaces, etc. Further, Rajasthan tour is perfect if you want to discover the inner beauty of India. Being one of the most vivacious and vibrant state in India, Rajasthan is the host to many colorful fairs and festivals. One simply gets mesmerized seeing the lively ambiance of the state. However, the main factor which makes a memorable experience with the vacationers is the generosity rich heritage, culture and traditions of Rajasthan.
Most engrossing thing to experience in Rajasthan is its appealing and thrilling camel safari. A ride on the camel’s back offers you an ultimate experience of fun, ecstasy and adventure. Also, one gets to witness the heart of rustic Rajasthan with all its sparkling and effervescent colors, beautiful dance forms, traditional lures, etc. The exceptional desert scenery striking sands offers an overwhelming experience that let you catch the locals, allure the endless beauty and explore the forts, monuments, lakes, palaces, temples and other wonderful architectural structures of the state. Further, one can experience these rides in the cities like Jaisalmer and Bikaner. With Rajasthan travel packages you can enjoy the destinations with fullest.
Apart from camel safari, people can also enjoy thrilling elephant safaris in Rajasthan, which allows you to enjoy various wildlife destinations of the state. Currently, Rajasthan houses hundreds of wildlife destinations, each presenting a large variety of rare and endangered animals. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary are a few famous wildlife destinations of Rajasthan that presents amazing elephant safari to the travelers. Besides elephant safari, one can also enjoy breathtaking jeep safari in these wildlife sanctuaries. In short, a visit to the exciting wildlife destinations of the state will bestow you with the most wonderful experience, ever.
Travelers who want to catch rich heritage and culture of Rajasthan can explore various historical sites and structures of the state. On your Rajasthan tour you can visit the beautiful Jal Mahal of the Jaipur, City Palace of Udaipur or the engrossing Jaisalmer Fort of Jaisalmer. Well! Most of the historical sites of Rajasthan present a lively and enchanting image of the state. However, having a visit in the gorgeous heritage hotels of the state let you experience the royalty of the state. Jaipur tour packages provide you insight view and details of places and culture. Truly, these appealing hotels of Rajasthan will never fail to lure you. Well! If you are an admirer of the fascinating beauty of Rajasthan then don’t think much simply book your Rajasthan tours and enjoy the captivating ambiance of the state.
19 May 2012
NEW DELHI: The depreciating value of the rupee has made outbound travel for Indians at least 15-20% more expensive. In India, domestic travel too is suffering because of an increase in airfares as Kingfisher and Air India reduce their inventory.
The summer break in India sees a huge number of Indians travelling internationally for an average of 12-13 days to long haul destinations in Europe and Americas. This summer, though, might be different. Many travellers, especially from the middle class, are shifting towards shorter breaks of an average 8-9 days and to shorthaul destinations in the Far East, which are comparatively less impacted by currency movements.
“Outbound travel is having a severe impact as it has become more expensive for people to travel abroad,” says Dhruv Shringi, CEO, Yatra.com. Short to medium haul destinations like Mauritius, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau and others are doing well this season.
“Longhaul is getting converted into shorthaul, which is benefiting destinations like ours,” says Manoharan Periasamy, director for India at Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. He is expecting incremental business for his destination from India. Rajeev Nangia, associate director of operators at Trac, which represents Mauritius, too has seen an increase in enquiries for the destination. “We expect a better turnaround for the destination this year,” he says.
Rajji Rai, special advisor to the Travel Agents Association of India , says business is down this summer season and the ratio of longhaul to shorthaul travel has changed from 50:50 earlier to 40:60 now. “People do not want to venture towards Europe and the US because of high cost,” he says.
For domestic travellers, the last few months have seen a dramatic increase in airfares as Kingfisher Airlines and Air India reduced their inventory. “Other airlines have increased prices which is hurting domestic travellers this summer. Hotels too are experiencing lower levels of business,” says Arjun Sharma, managing director at Le Passage to India Tours Travels.
The price of a return ticket between Delhi and Goa has jumped by 25-30% in the last one month and such increases have prompted many travellers to curtail or postpone their travel plans. Many last minute travellers have changed their plans, says Rai.
The devaluation of the rupee has shaved off a neat 15% of profits for travel agents and tour operators, who had contracted rates with their vendors in international destinations almost a year ago. Rates were fixed at Rs 45-47 a dollar.
19 May 2012
Looking out at the bewitching blue waters of Elbow Beach, a fabulous mile-long
stretch of well-kept pinkish sand, it is easy to see why power brokers like
Michael Bloomberg and Silvio Berlusconi have homes here. It’s not just the
tax breaks. Bermuda is also safe, spotless and well-mannered, and its 64,000
residents offer a friendly cook-up of Caribbean, British and Portuguese
cultures.
It’s not hip, though. Bermuda has been totally bypassed by the boutique hotel
revolution, although it does have many fine, if conservative, places to stay
and dine. A holiday here is expensive, but in exchange you gain admission to
a restful, orderly island where the shops close on Sunday, neon lights and
advertising billboards are banned, and the restaurants still bother to serve
fresh, locally caught fish. Families with young children will appreciate its
beaches, parks and high-class resorts, and the island also appeals to
travellers who like golf, sailing, diving, sports fishing and maritime
history.
Best of all, this is a true holiday place. If all you want is sunshine and a
hotel with decent service where you can sit in peace reading Stieg Larsson,
Bermuda provides this – and without a smidgen of guilt that you really ought
to be off seeing Some Great Sight. Equally, there is plenty to do, from
climbing to the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, erected in 1846, to admiring
the Bermuda-inspired work of Winslow Homer and Georgia O’Keeffe in the
splendid Masterworks art gallery. The 21-mile route of an old railway line
offers interesting walking and cycling, although I found its plethora of
anti-joyrider barriers frustrating.
At the western tip of the island, the massive Royal Naval Dockyard, dating
from 1814, houses absorbing historic museums. At the opposite end, St
George’s is a brightly coloured town and World Heritage Site centred on the
400-year-old St Peter’s Church, complete with a segregated graveyard. In the
middle, Hamilton, the capital, is where the money gets made.
Don’t miss the Friday night happy hour at The Fairmont Princess hotel, which
is like some waterfront wedding reception with guests standing on the lawn
drinking swizzles (a fruity punch) or the formidable “dark and stormy”,
made with ginger beer and local black rum. And yes, there are men here in
brightly coloured Bermuda shorts, with good-looking knees and a promising
career in reinsurance.
I’d also recommend seeking out the very switched-on Bermuda National Gallery
in City Hall, and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, where you
can learn about the treasure reaped from the 400-odd wrecks strewn around
these shores. One of the greatest finds was an emerald-studded gold cross
from the Spanish galleon San Pedro, sunk in 1595. Discovered in 1955, it
mysteriously disappeared shortly before it was due to be presented to Queen
Elizabeth II 20 years later. Lost? Stolen? That Triangle again? Tell you
what, let’s chat it over as we enjoy a fine lobster lunch looking out at
that super-blue sea…
GETTING THERE
British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com)
has flights from London Gatwick from £667 return in June.
PACKAGES
I travelled with Prestige Holidays (01425 480400; prestigeholidays.co.uk),
which offers seven nights at the five-star Elbow Beach from £2,294 per
person based on two sharing, including return flight and breakfast, in June.
Other operators include Classic Collection (0800 008 7299;
classic-collection.co.uk) and Purely Bermuda (0800 033 6335;
purelybermuda.co.uk).
GETTING AROUND
Visitors cannot rent cars, but you can hire a scooter (£29 a day, no licence
required) or bicycle (£19) from outlets such as Elbow Beach Cycles (001 441
296 2300; elbowbeachcycles.com).
You can also explore using local buses, ferries and taxis.
WHEN TO GO
Bermuda’s calendar is punctuated by major sporting events including the
Newport to Bermuda sailing race (June 15), Cup Match Cricket Festival
(August 2-3) and PGA Grand Slam of Golf (October 22-24). The sea is warm
enough for swimming from May to September.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Call the Bermuda Department of Tourism (0800 883 0857) or visit gotobermuda.co.uk,
where you can download a free travel app. Frommer’s Bermuda 2012 (Wiley,
£14.99) is a comprehensive guide.
THE INSIDE TRACK
- For the best deal, book a package – possibly with half-board, as some hotels
offer attractive “dine around” programmes with local restaurants.
- US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted, so it is not crucial to get
Bermuda dollars (BD$1 = US$1).
- Dress codes have relaxed in recent years but some restaurants “recommend” men
wear a jacket for dinner.
- To buy some Bermuda shorts, seek out The English Sports Shop (49 Front
Street; 295 2672) in Hamilton.
- Buy rum in the airport duty-free – it’s almost half the price.
THE BEST HOTELS
Rosedon Hotel ££
Genteel 44-room hotel in Hamilton set in a handsome 1906 mansion with a pool
and gardens (001 441 295 1640; rosedon.com;
doubles from £271 per night including breakfast and afternoon tea).
The Fairmont Southampton £££
One-stop, family-friendly hillside resort with its own golf course, beach,
marina, spa, nightclub and eight restaurants. The 593 rooms are set in a
six-storey block with balconies (238 8000; fairmont.com;
doubles from £323 per night).
Elbow Beach ££££
Spacious and central beachside resort run by Mandarin Oriental with landscaped
gardens, excellent food, a top class spa and 98 calmly furnished rooms (236
3535; mandarinoriental.com;
doubles from £493 per night).
THE BEST RESTAURANTS
Wahoo’s £
Relaxed, waterside bistro in St George’s majoring in locally caught wahoo (36
Water St; 297 1307; wahoosbistro.bm).
New Harbourfront ££
Modern waterfront favourite in Hamilton, specialising in fresh fish, seafood
and sushi (40 Crow Lane; 295 4207; harbourfront.bm).
Ascots £££
Popular with locals, this fine-dining restaurant in the Royal Palms Hotel
offers international dishes served with a flourish (24 Rosemount Avenue; 292
1854; royalpalms.bm).
WHAT TO AVOID
Avoid long journeys to the sights and expensive taxi rides at night by staying
in the centre of the island.
It’s better to avoid visiting the Royal Naval Dockyard when there are cruise
ships in port – for a schedule visit bermudachamber.bm.
Hurricanes are possible from June to November. It’s best to avoid travelling
then but note that most hotels offer a money-back guarantee should one come
near.
If you snorkel, avoid hefty hire charges (in excess of £12 at some hotels) by
taking your kit with you.
19 May 2012
SAN FRANCISCO |
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – You’re in the final phase of revision before exams and the glorious release from academia.
Soon it will be time for graduates to celebrate the successful completion of their degrees. In that spirit, online travel adviser Travel Ticker (www.travel-ticker.com) offers its top 10 graduate destinations. Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is not only home to some of the best historic and artistic attractions, but it’s also one of the most fun and young European cities on the other side of the Atlantic. This makes it a great destination for recent grads to experience a fantastic mix of culture and nightlife. Some notable attractions include the beautiful canals, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and old Heineken brewery. Also, with welcoming locals and bicycle-friendly streets, it’s easy to seamlessly fit into Amsterdam while enjoying all that it has to offer. The best time for grads to get a great deal and avoid crowds will be October through April.
2. Havana, Cuba
Great news! The island of Cuba is no-longer off-limits to Americans, which means they can finally experience the city of Havana’s thrilling nightlife, lively culture and Cuba’s sunny beaches. With a tropical climate year-round, travellers can expect great temperatures to follow them as they wander through the colourful streets, explore the beautiful colonial architecture and cathedrals, and enjoy exciting Cuban music all in sandals and shorts. But nothing says celebration like visiting one of Cuba’s famous cigar factories or treating yourself to dinner and a cabaret show at the original Tropicana Club.
3. Dublin, Ireland
Let’s be honest, the first thing many recent grads are hoping to do is to mark the occasion with a party, and nobody knows how to celebrate like the Irish. Dublin, one of Europe’s most youthful cities, is not only known for its abundance of pubs, but also for its locals who are famous for making any day a day to party. And with its beautiful green scenery, maritime climate and cool summers where the sunniest days are directly after graduation (May and June), Dublin is a great city to raise a glass to your new degree.
4. Ibiza, Spain
As one of the party capitals of the world and Spain’s most stunning island retreat, Ibiza is known for its exotic nightclubs and warm, turquoise waters. This makes it a great getaway destination for grads looking for a young, hip crowd and lots of beach time. More importantly, starting right after graduation (in May) the island has its best summer weather with beautiful, clear, sunny days – perfect for those wanting to unwind and people watch on the beach or just frolic amongst the waves. The summer months also attract some of the best DJs from all over the world, so at sunset the island transforms into a vibrant party that’s fun for all.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
For recent graduates looking for a destination providing a more laidback experience, but still with the charm of old Europe and a young crowd, Prague is the place to be. Prague, which is popular among many young backpackers, has plenty of winding historic streets to get lost on and gothic structures to explore. With its warm summers, it’s also the perfect time to enjoy the famous Vltava River lounging on a boat while passing the cities beautiful architecture and bridges. And let’s not forget the one thing that Prague might be best known for – its beer. Known as the city that “invented” beer, grads can indulge in a variety of brews on the cheap.
6. Paris, France
Those looking for a romantic vacation after graduation often look right at Paris. This city is always a favourite among graduates looking for that quintessential European experience. Filled with art, fashion, food and culture, the City of Light offers a broad range of experiences. Visitors can luxuriate in an afternoon at a Parisian café, visit the Eiffel Tower or pay their respects to Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde at Pere-Lachaise cemetery. Wine enthusiasts should also visit Willi’s Wine Bar with over 300 wines and a hip atmosphere. Even better, right after graduation the climate is mild, with warm and pleasant days.
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s tropical climate and truly exotic setting make it one of the world’s most travelled-to spots, and it’s surely on many graduates’ wish-lists. A destination that is full of surprises and adventures, it’s no surprise that it attracts so many young adults. The city ignites the senses with its striking skyscrapers, delicious street foods and bustling tuk-tuck taxis zipping through traffic. Renowned for its nightlife on Khao San Road, Bangkok is also known for its all night Full Moon beach parties. It is also not uncommon for travellers to see Elephants parading through the streets.
8. Rome, Italy
Warm, dry summer days, amazing food and colourful locals makes Rome a fantastic post-graduation destination. Combining the old and new unlike any other destination can, this city encapsulates the history and culture of Italy, with sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi fountain and the Vatican. But more importantly, graduates can celebrate with the tastes of Italy by spoiling themselves with pasta, pizza, gelato and wine. Even though there is a bustling club scene, do as the Romans do and enjoy an evening at a local piazza or café to mingle with locals over a glass of wine or a cappuccino.
9. Bali, Indonesia
With over 17,500 islands, Indonesia is the perfect pick for graduates who’ve been cooped up in libraries for the last four years and are now ready to escape. One of the highlights of Indonesia is certainly Bali. With long days, hot weather, crystal clear waters, Bali is the perfect beach getaway. The island also offers great waves and colourful coral reefs for the more adventurous grads looking to surf, dive or snorkel. And if those outdoor activities are not entertainment enough, come midnight, the island transforms from a quiet retreat to an all night dance party.
10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
For those who don’t follow the typical graduating schedule and happen to exit university in December, Dubai is a great destination to fly off to. Dubai’s warm weather and status as a regional luxury shopping and tourism hub creates an extremely diverse set of activities that are sure to please even the most indecisive of recent grads. It’s the only place in the world where you can cool off at the Wild Wadi Waterpark and then bundle up for snow sports at the indoor Ski Dubai attraction. You could also go from a safari through the Arabian Desert right to lounging on a white sand beach with a fruity cocktail. Like to shop? Visit one of Dubai’s tax free malls or Eastern Markets for a bargain.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
18 May 2012
SAN FRANCISCO |
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – You’re in the final phase of revision before exams and the glorious release from academia. Soon it will be time for graduates to celebrate the successful completion of their degrees. In that spirit, online travel adviser Travel Ticker (www.travel-ticker.com) offers its top 10 graduate destinations. Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is not only home to some of the best historic and artistic attractions, but it’s also one of the most fun and young European cities on the other side of the Atlantic. This makes it a great destination for recent grads to experience a fantastic mix of culture and nightlife. Some notable attractions include the beautiful canals, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and old Heineken brewery. Also, with welcoming locals and bicycle-friendly streets, it’s easy to seamlessly fit into Amsterdam while enjoying all that it has to offer. The best time for grads to get a great deal and avoid crowds will be October through April.
2. Havana, Cuba
Great news! The island of Cuba is no-longer off-limits to Americans, which means they can finally experience the city of Havana’s thrilling nightlife, lively culture and Cuba’s sunny beaches. With a tropical climate year-round, travelers can expect great temperatures to follow them as they wander through the colorful streets, explore the beautiful colonial architecture and cathedrals, and enjoy exciting Cuban music all in sandals and shorts. But nothing says celebration like visiting one of Cuba’s famous cigar factories or treating yourself to dinner and a cabaret show at the original Tropicana Club.
3. Dublin, Ireland
Let’s be honest, the first thing many recent grads are hoping to do is to mark the occasion with a party, and nobody knows how to celebrate like the Irish. Dublin, one of Europe’s most youthful cities, is not only known for its abundance of pubs, but also for its locals who are famous for making any day a day to party. And with its beautiful green scenery, maritime climate and cool summers where the sunniest days are directly after graduation (May and June), Dublin is a great city to raise a glass to your new degree.
4. Ibiza, Spain
As one of the party capitals of the world and Spain’s most stunning island retreat, Ibiza is known for its exotic nightclubs and warm, turquoise waters. This makes it a great getaway destination for grads looking for a young, hip crowd and lots of beach time. More importantly, starting right after graduation (in May) the island has its best summer weather with beautiful, clear, sunny days – perfect for those wanting to unwind and people watch on the beach or just frolic amongst the waves. The summer months also attract some of the best DJs from all over the world, so at sunset the island transforms into a vibrant party that’s fun for all.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
For recent graduates looking for a destination providing a more laidback experience, but still with the charm of old Europe and a young crowd, Prague is the place to be. Prague, which is popular among many young backpackers, has plenty of winding historic streets to get lost on and gothic structures to explore. With its warm summers, it’s also the perfect time to enjoy the famous Vltava River lounging on a boat while passing the cities beautiful architecture and bridges. And let’s not forget the one thing that Prague might be best known for – its beer. Known as the city that “invented” beer, grads can indulge in a variety of brews on the cheap.
6. Paris, France
Those looking for a romantic vacation after graduation often look right at Paris. This city is always a favorite among graduates looking for that quintessential European experience. Filled with art, fashion, food and culture, the City of Light offers a broad range of experiences. Visitors can luxuriate in an afternoon at a Parisian café, visit the Eiffel Tower or pay their respects to Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde at Pere-Lachaise cemetery. Wine enthusiasts should also visit Willi’s Wine Bar with over 300 wines and a hip atmosphere. Even better, right after graduation the climate is mild, with warm and pleasant days.
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s tropical climate and truly exotic setting make it one of the world’s most traveled-to spots, and it’s surely on many graduates’ wish-lists. A destination that is full of surprises and adventures, it’s no surprise that it attracts so many young adults. The city ignites the senses with its striking skyscrapers, delicious street foods and bustling tuk-tuck taxis zipping through traffic. Renowned for its nightlife on Khoa San Road, Bangkok is also known for its all night Full Moon beach parties. It is also not uncommon for travelers to see Elephants parading through the streets.
8. Rome, Italy
Warm, dry summer days, amazing food and colorful locals makes Rome a fantastic post-graduation destination. Combining the old and new unlike any other destination can, this city encapsulates the history and culture of Italy, with sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi fountain and the Vatican. But more importantly, graduates can celebrate with the tastes of Italy by spoiling themselves with pasta, pizza, gelato and wine. Even though there is a bustling club scene, do as the Romans do and enjoy an evening at a local piazza or café to mingle with locals over a glass of wine or a cappuccino.
9. Bali, Indonesia
With over 17,500 islands, Indonesia is the perfect pick for graduates who’ve been cooped up in libraries for the last four years and are now ready to escape. One of the highlights of Indonesia is certainly Bali. With long days, hot weather, crystal clear waters, Bali is the perfect beach getaway. The island also offers great waves and colorful coral reefs for the more adventurous grads looking to surf, dive or snorkel. And if those outdoor activities are not entertainment enough, come midnight, the island transforms from a quiet retreat to an all night dance party.
10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
For those who don’t follow the typical graduating schedule and happen to exit university in December, Dubai is a great destination to fly off to. Dubai’s warm weather and status as a regional luxury shopping and tourism hub creates an extremely diverse set of activities that are sure to please even the most indecisive of recent grads. It’s the only place in the world where you can cool off at the Wild Wadi Waterpark and then bundle up for snow sports at the indoor Ski Dubai attraction. You could also go from a safari through the Arabian Desert right to lounging on a white sand beach with a fruity cocktail. Like to shop? Visit one of Dubai’s tax free malls or Eastern Markets for a bargain.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
