Category: Travel

This ‘death cafe’ in Bangkok lets you lie in a coffin to get discounts on drinks

Loknath Das

Dying for a cup of coffee? You will feel at home at Bangkok’s new “death awareness” cafe, a macabre, Buddhist spin on the themed-cafe craze where customers are urged to confront their own mortality — and live better lives as a result. With drinks called “death” and “painful” on the menu, and a skeleton splayed out on a couch in the corner, the meet-your-maker theme is alive and well at this open-air lunch spot in the Thai capital. But the centrepiece of the Kid Mai (Think New) Death Cafe experience…

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Head to these bustling and vibrant night markets on your next Asian vacay

Loknath Das

From vibrant cultures and traditions to mouth-watering food to tales of ultimate travel experiences, Asia has a lot to offer tourists. Another thing that it’s famous for is the treasure trove of goods that you can find in the plethora of markets spread across the continent. Night markets have long been a prominent part of Asian society that bring the travellers close to the local culture as the vibrancy and dynamism they offer is absolutely jaw-dropping. The lively hustle and bustle of the crowd, the chants of the sellers, the…

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Love adventure sports? Follow these tips to stay safe when you give in to fun

Loknath Das

Adventure sports are unique in their adrenaline-inducing capabilities, owing to the thrill and ‘risque’ factor involved. However, a sports lover must venture into such extreme activities after being educated into the art of taking a ‘calculated risk, say experts. Niharika Nigam, business development director at Jumpin Heights, lists some precautionary measures that need to be kept in mind: * Research on your destination and associated safety measures: The success and failure of this industry comes down to one primary aspect and that is safety. One should do some primary research…

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5 cool summer vacation spots, start booking now to beat June rush

Loknath Das

The months of May, June and July are a period of scorching heat and humidity in most parts of India. But these are also the time when Indians go on their summer holidays with friends and family. While most prefer to go to hilly destination to escape the harsh sunlight, some prefer to let their hair down by the beach. Whether one is looking for a vacation by the shore or in a valley deep in the mountains, here are some Indian and international options to explore: Bali boasts of…

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Israel on your mind? This is the only food guide you’ll ever need to plan your travel

Loknath Das

It’s Thursday night and Tel Aviv is hopping. Diners are lining up outside of Port Said restaurant; the sidewalk is filled with drinkers. It’s a similar story nearby at Santa Katarina. If you haven’t booked a table, good luck. Across town at the Salon, it’s even more lively. The dining room is jammed and the terrace is packed with people smoking, chatting on their phones or waiting for a table. Many are doing all three. Despite the specter of confrontation as Iran entrenches itself near Israel’s border with Syria, Israelis…

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Wine, waterfalls and hiking trails make this place the perfect holiday spot

Loknath Das

The Columbia River Gorge is a marvel of nature known for spectacular waterfalls, scenery and hiking. But it’s also famous in the world of wine. The region’s geology has given rise to a wine industry that’s growing in both number and reputation, with more than 40 wineries within a 40-mile (60-kilometer) stretch. In 2004, the Columbia Gorge was designated an American Viticultural Area, a wine grape region distinguished by geographic features. Here’s a look at the gorge, the wine region and wineries, along with what visitors need to know about…

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There is trouble in paradise. Unchecked tourism has damaged Southeast Asia’s pristine beaches

Loknath Das

Hordes of tourists clamber across the white sand with selfie sticks as Thai park rangers wade into turquoise waters to direct boats charging into the cliff-ringed cove. Made famous by the 2000 movie, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay on the western Thai island of Koh Phi Phi Ley is now a case study in the ruinous costs of runaway tourism, swamped by up to 4,000 daily visitors. “There is too many people here, it’s bad,” lamented Saad Lazrak, a 61-year-old from Morocco, as crowds around him swallowed the…

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This summer, beat the heat and visit the best spots in Rajasthan. Here’s how

Loknath Das

Summers in Rajasthan have become more enthralling — courtesy night tourism, which is taking tourist numbers in the lean season to new heights in the desert state. Colourful lights sparkling bright under the dark sky create a unique contrast, enhancing the beauty of spectacular palaces, gardens and museums. Night tourism allows travellers to visit the major attractions from 6 pm till 10 pm, and was taken to check the dwindling number of tourists during the summers, when the sweltering heat during the day is a deterrent. Introduced by Rajasthan Tourism,…

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Planning to visit Japan? Don’t miss the hot spring resorts in Beppu

Loknath Das

The city of Beppu in western Japan is famed for its hot springs, with hotels and resorts competing to attract tourists to an area renowned for sights like the “Hells of Beppu,” a series of colored and super-hot natural pools. As the numbers of Japanese visiting the resorts plateaus, local and international hotel chains are expanding to target the boom in foreign tourists. Tourist numbers dipped in 2016 after an earthquake in nearby Kumamoto, but recovered to a record in 2017. South Koreans have driven the 130 percent increase in…

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Beyond cherry blossoms: Japan has some of the most underrated beaches

Loknath Das

Known for its rich culture, Japan is also popular for its amazing beaches. Japan is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean with dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and thousands of shrines and temples. Here are four most underrated and must visit beaches in the country: Goshiki-hama Beach A famous spot for a sunset view Goshikihama is a beach of colourful pebbles. The name Goshiki (meaning five colours) comes from the fact that the pebbles filling the beach shine in five different colours like gems when washed in…

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