Tag: visit

Skip Croatia, and instead visit the ‘Real’ Balkans this time

Loknath Das

It’s the unofficial beginning of summer, and the rising temperatures mean your social mediascroll will soon be overrun withinfinity pools inSantorini, the cliff-hugging villages of Cinque Terre, and the blooming lavender fields of Provence. Or, if your friends are especially on-trend, the sunburnedterracotta roofs of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. “Croatia is huge,” says Andy Ross, head of product for the 40-year-old adventure travel companyExodus Travels. In recent years, he’s seen the country shift from an up-and-coming destination to a “very, very well-known” quantity. It is now the company’s fastest-growing European market.…

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Visit this place in Argentina for the best combination of luxury and nature

Loknath Das

It was about 8 pm, and a cacophany of chirping birds and cicadas filled the inky darkness. If a large animal—a tapir, perhaps, or a jaguar—snapped branches or scampered through the bush, it would have been hard to hear it. My ears strained, my pulse quickened, as I surveyed the dense jungle ahead with a flashlight, waiting to spy a flash of green eyes… Not many visitors make it to this part of northeastern Argentina, despite its Urugua-í Provincial Park being just a 2.5-hour drive from Iguazu Falls, one of…

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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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The Cube in Australia is a trippy food and wine destination. Here are 5 reasons to visit

Loknath Das

In a world exploding with culinary trails and extraordinary food experiences, it is hard to imagine what can captivate discerning travellers and foodies. And yet, as the calendar flipped over to 2018, d’Arenberg vineyard in Mclaren Vale, South Australia unveiled the Cube. An idea, which was born in the mind of the eccentric chief winemaker Chester Osborn 14 years ago, finally found form in the shape and is touted to be the ultimate food and wine destination. The Cube is for travellers who have a thing for exquisite food and…

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Syria: Putin renews call for political deal in Assad visit

Loknath Das

Russian President Vladimir Putin has renewed his call for a political solution to the war in Syria, during a rare visit by the Syrian leader. Mr Putin told Bashar al-Assad the military campaign was “wrapping up”, but there was still “a long way to go”. A two-year Russian air campaign has given Syria a clear upper hand in the civil war, which began in 2011. The meeting comes ahead of talks between Syria’s allies Russia and Iran, and Turkey, which backs the rebels. The three powers have increasingly co-operated in…

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Kerala travelogue: What to eat, where to stay, and when to visit God’s own Country

Loknath Das

We began our descent into Kochi at 7:30 pm. There wasn’t much to see outside – it was almost dark – but from what little we could make out, the land seemed to be dense with trees, and the air heavy with moisture. Narrow streams, which we decided were the famous backwaters, snaked through the land. And judging by the thick clouds we’d just dodged moments ago, it was raining. Perfect. This was an accurate description, we would learn the next day, when the bright morning sunlight made everything look…

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Take an offbeat trip. Visit a mammoth active volcano in Chile

Loknath Das

From the peaks of Hawaii to the uplands of Iceland, whether they be active or dormant, volcanos inspire the imaginations of travellers. There are volcanic destinations for every type of vacationer. One such place to visit is the Patagonian Cordillera and Villarrica, which is the most active volcano in Chile. A country with many volcanoes, Chile is notably home to Villarrica, which overshadows the lake of the same name. Located in Patagonia, a region that attracts many visitors, and rising to 2,847 metres above sea level, the mammoth volcano is one…

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Heading to London? Visit the tropical hothouse at this royal garden

Loknath Das

Many of Europe’s parks and gardens were created at the request of the kings, queens, princes and princesses who once ruled over the Old Continent. Some have exceptional qualities or stunning styles that put them on the map for visitors vacationing in Europe, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in southwest London, UK. The royal connection: Rather than being created by one individual, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew were built over time. First of all, King Henry VII built a royal palace in Richmond in the 16th century…

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Udaipur travelogue: What to do, where to eat and when to visit the city of lakes

Loknath Das

The first sound that greeted you at the arrival lounge of Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport was Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu’s. The flat screen TV, hoisted on a pillar, was playing Pooja Bhatt praying in a temple, and Sanjay Dutt doing what he does best: singing Tumhe Apna Banane Ki Kasam Khai Hai in Sanu’s voice. My mother tugged at my father’s shirt, “You remember the last time we came here? Everyone was playing songs from Sadak. It’s happening again!” Last time was 25 years ago. This was my first visit…

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