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Beach Honeymoon

Lazying out in the endless coastlines, soaking in the clear turquoise waters and a sunset dinner cruise is your perfect honeymoon destinations, then here are some beaches that will make you so “AWW”.

Glacier Express – A train to fall in love with

Some of the most spectacular train journeys one can make is in Switzerland. Topping the list is the “Glacier Express”. During this 7 ½ journey, expect to see gorgeous villages, soaring steeples, red sloped roofed houses, brown cows munching away the lush green grass, ice melting into little water falls, green forests and wild meadows. This St. Moritz/Davos - Zermatt panoramic train journey, crosses 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and the Oberalp Pass which is 2033 meter above the sea level.

Hong Kong Highlights

Hong Kong is a vibrant never-say-sleep city. Neon-lit skyscrapers, tightly packed sidewalk, molasses-slow traffic, steam-filled eat outs identifies this overwhelming harbor city. In addition to the Cantonese Chinese and British influence, one can notice a diverse influence from Vietnam to Vancouver making Hong Kong a unique destination

Paris Highlights

Paris, the city of lights and city of fashion, has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic city in the world. History, art, culture, food or fashion, one can have a variety of attraction to see in this city.

Adventure Sport: Zorbing down the hill

For Adventure Sports enthusiast, Zorbing is a must do. Simply saying, Zorbing is a recreation activity of rolling down a hill inside a inflated ball. The experience is more like throw inside a washing machine. Though you might think with all the movement inside the zorb, you would end up black and blue, but Zorb is incredibly safe. The Zorbing site was first established in Rotoura, New Zealand.

World Famous Cuisines

The history, climate, geography, religion and culture have a deep impact on any cuisine in the world. The origin and migration of food have in turn influenced the history, culture and culture. For any traveler, tasting the world famous cuisine with its authenticity is indeed a great opportunity. Here are some of the world famous cuisines in no particular order: Lebanese Cuisine, Greek Cuisine, Spanish Cuisine, Japanese Cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, Thai Cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, French Cuisine, Italian Cuise...

Where to Travel: This Halloween?

Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:14 PM TOIP
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Halloween is an annual Holiday observed on October 31, primarily in US, Canada, Ireland and UK.

All Hallow’s Eve literally means the eve, or day before, all hallows, or "holy ones." The Lord’s Prayer, used by many Christians, contains the phrase, “hallowed be thy name.” Medieval Christians hallowed, or honored, not only God, but also all the saints who worked for God’s work in the world and glorified the Church with their prayers and service. For centuries, Christians celebrated the eve before a major feast or holiday, also known as a vigil, with prayers, candles, and offerings to the saints. All Hallow’s Eve was the vigil for Hallow-mas during that time.


Places to Visit During Halloween:

New York City, USA: Prepare to be terrified at the grotesque, gory and brain-scarring Halloween haunted houses in New York City.
  • Village Halloween Parade – The nation's largest public Halloween celebration and has been a New York institution for years. It's crazy, crowded and chaotic and must be experienced at least once.
  • Blood Manor Haunted House - It is 5000 sq. ft of terror. This bloodcurdling labyrinth takes you through 20 themed rooms of horror.
  • Nightmare Superstition – This haunted downtown house is back for its 17th year of terror.
  • Haunted House – Tagged as NYC's newest, cheapest, and scariest haunted attraction, this haunted house is for grown-ups only.
  • Annual Haunted Forest and House at Inwood Hill Park – Its a free event and expect to see Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and the werewolf.
London, England: London is a terrific city to visit and if you go at Halloween there's extra fun: ghost walks, creepy Family cruise, London dungeon and great deals (its off-season in London).
  • London Eye and Creepy Cruise – This giant Ferris wheel will be themed as a spooky witch and the river cruise on the Thames turns into “Tales of Two Witches Cruise”
  • London Halloween Ghost walk – What better time to do the Ghost walk in London than Halloween?
  • London Dungeon – beneath the London Bridge station is this house of horror. Various macabre bits of history is recreated with live actors, shows and special effects.
Disneyland, California, USA: Lots of decorations and activities at Disneyland. Don't miss the Halloween decoration and character costumes, haunted mansion, space mountain ghost galaxy, Halloween Screams fireworks, Mickey's Trick and treat party and Disney's happiest haunts tour.


Beach Honeymoon

12:49 PM TOIP
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Lazying out in the endless coastlines, soaking in the clear turquoise waters and a sunset dinner cruise is your perfect honeymoon destinations, then here are some beaches that will make you so “AWW”.




In no particular order:
  1. Thailand: Thailand has some beautiful sun kissed beaches, serene islands, colorful culture and delicious Thai Cuisine that attract newly wed couples from all over the world. Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket and Kon Samui islands are the major honeymoon places in Thailand

  2. Langkawi, Malaysia: Langkawi is an ideal destination to start your journey. This archipelago is truly marvelous with its stunning landscape and aquatic and adventure sports.

  3. Bali, Indonesia: Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it.
     
  4. Mauritius: If you are looking for a vacation in one of the most beautiful places in the world, then your search ends in Mauritius. A small island, Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 900 km east of Madagascar. Nature has blessed Mauritius with a beautiful countryside, consists of unspoilt beaches, clean aquamarine waters and boundaries of coral reefs.

  5. Maldives: If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate,secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the world’s best backdrop for all these things. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle you on your holiday as a couple.
     
  6. Seychelles: Seychelles is a tropical paradise of outstandingly beautiful granite and coral islands fringed by sparkling white sandy beaches and encircled by coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life. In this natural haven, renowned for the friendliness of the people, romance is in the air, making the islands an ideal destination for an unforgettable honeymoon.
     
  7. Santorini Island, Greece: This fabulous island shrouded in myth, is believed by many to be the lost Atlantis and has an exciting history that goes back centuries. Brilliant sunsets and spectacular views of the volcanic islands on the west side, where towering cliffs are crowned by tiny white houses curved into the rock, make it a lover's paradise and a favourite honeymoon destination.
  8. Venice, Italy: From its fabulous setting and architecture to its rich history, art and music, Venice spells romance. You've seen it in films and photos, but the experience of actually being here yourself will exceed your imagination. Its intimate atmosphere, tiny bridges and piazzas, along with the Venetian celebration of love in song, makes this the perfect place to kindle the flame of love and commitment. 
     
  9. Caribbean Islands: The Caribbean, with its perfect beaches and palm trees, has long been a popular honeymoon destination. The azure waters of Barbados, secluded powdery beaches of Aruba, night-life of Jamaica and white sand beaches of Bahamas are the few destinations that will take your breath away.

  10. Goa and Kerela: Our own Goa and Kerala with their beautiful beaches and landscapes, makes your honeymoon not less than any of the above locations.

TOIP Take: Sentosa Island, Singapore

10:11 AM TOIP
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A former fishing village turned into British Military Base, Sentosa was transformed into an island resort, tag lined as “Asia's favorite Playground”. Just minutes away from the city buzz, this fun island is filled with entertainment. Sentosa with variety and versatility, attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year.

About Sentosa: Less than half a kilometer from the mainland Singapore, this slice of paradise has 50+ attractions, beaches, thriving greenery, hotels & spa, dine & shop and an awarding winning golfing arena. Entertainment is endless in this place.

Getting In: Sentosa Express, Jewel Cable Car Ride, Public Buses, Sentosa Rider, By Taxi and By Car

Getting Around: Sentosa Express, Sentosa Bus (Three colored Shuttle bus services – Yellow, Red and Blue Line connect Imbiah Station to various point on the island) and Beach Tram (Shuttles people between the beaches every 15-20 mins. 2 Services, one between Beach Station – Siloso Beach and another between Beach Station and Palawan and Tanjong Beach)

Visa: Singapore Visa should be arranged prior to travel. No on-arrival visa for Indians.

Attractions:
Imbiah Lookout: Situated near Mount Imbiah on Sentosa, Imbiah Lookout is the latest cluster of new and exciting attractions that will appeal to all. Adventure-seeker, nature lover or history buff, there's always something fun and exhilarating for you!
Activities: Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, DESPERADO, Images of Singapore, MegaZip Adventure Park, Sentosa 4D Magix, Sentosa CineBlast, Sentosa Nature Discovery, Skyline Luge skyride, The Merlion, Tiger Sky Towers

Beaches: Take your beachfront lifestyle to new heights with Sentosa's beach attractions! Ride roaring waves, master different water sports, be mesmerized by fireworks, lights and water displays, get up-close with friendly animals, or simply stroll along in search of solitude. You'll find it all on Sentosa's 3.2km stretch of sandy white shores – Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach.
Activities: Animal & Bird Encounters, AZZURA Beach Club, Gogreen Cycle & Island Explorer, Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure, MegaZip Adventure Park, Skyline Luge Sentosa, Songs of the Sea, Southernmost Point of Continental Asia, The Flying Trapeze, Wave house Sentosa

Siloso Point: At Siloso Point, you can literally walk through historical forts and dive into incredible underwater experiences. Siloso Point is home to many edutainment attractions that promise to impart knowledge in a fun and engaging way!
Activities: Fort Siloso Tours, Underwater World Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon

Resorts World Sentosa: Resorts World™ Sentosa offers a whole new world of truly rewarding experiences. Worlds apart from anything you’ve ever known yet familiarly Asian at heart, Resorts World Sentosa is the ideal resort destination where everyone can come together for moving experiences and lasting memories.
Activities: FestiveWalk, Marine Life park, Universal Studios Singapore, Voyage de la Vie

Nature: Home to 45 hectares of natural coastal and secondary forests, you can find some 170 species of birds and animals, and a surprising amount of Heritage Trees in Singapore!
Activities: NatureWalk, Mount Imbiah, Sentosa Nature Discovery, Southern Islands

Hotels & Spa: Sentosa's hotels and spas offer something for every budget and traveller. Beachfront romantic resorts, classic modern rooms, and exquisite hotel experiences await you on Sentosa.

Dine & Shop: Sentosa, the ultimate Island Dining Destination, where meals are always served with a splendid view

Golf: Tee-off at a world-class, award-winning golfing arena: Sentosa Golf Club!

TOIP Take:
Though this fun island has so much to offer and a must visit in Singapore, not all the attraction are worth the money. Unless you are in a mood to splurge, Sentosa can be done in a day. The TOIP recommends the following attractions:
  1. Songs of the Sea
  2. Underwater world Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon
  3. Sentosa Luge & sky-ride
  4. Images of Singapore
  5. Universal Studios Singapore
  6. Southernmost point of Continental Asia
  7. Bring your swimming to chill out in the beaches
Source: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/

Getting Around a new place

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 11:38 AM TOIP
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Taking Taxi everywhere seems much easier and safer option but did you know the most common tourist rip off in any country is the taxi. Any taxi driver can clearly identify you as a tourist and may try to squeeze out as much money from you as possible. 


There are dozens of ways to travel around any country/city, so make the best use of it.
  1. Trains: Most of the major cities have metro/trains/trams/tubes/subways. This is how the locals travel. You can avoid the traffic jams and also save a lot of money. Information regarding the routes will be available in most of the trains itself. In addition, you can also get maps in various websites prior to your travel so that you can plan your itinerary accordingly.

  2. Buses: Most of the major cities have websites to find the bus routes. If you cannot find one, they the best option is to ask the bus driver. Additionally, many cities have Hop-on Hop-off buses which is intended for tourist purpose and generally route the main tourist attractions. You can hop into these buses anywhere and hop off anywhere according to the type of ticket.

  3. Car Rentals: It is a great option for long holidays. There are many car rentals available which allows  you to pickup a car in any destination and drop off at a same/different destination. From 2 seater to 7 seater, you can get any type of car with/without other car gears. Please note, international driving license might be required in some countries and road rules are strenuous. Though car rental is a great option to travel between places, it is inefficient in cities since traffic jams and parking spaces might be a problem.

  4. Bike rentals: Conventionally, Bike would mean cycle in another countries especially in Western countries. Bikes can be hired or can be found free for use by paying a fee. Bike docks will be available near the tourist spot which allows you to pickup and drop off bikes as you wish. It is a great and faster option compared to walking.
In addition to the above means of commutation, there are cities with water taxis, boats, ropes, etc which help you enjoy the authenticity of the place.

Travel Cards:
In many touristy cities, travel cards/passes are quite popular. This can be purchased for some period of time say 1 day pass, 2 day cards etc. which can be used extensively in that period. These cards permit one to travel in 1 or all the means of transport in the city by just showing the card. In addition, sometimes these cards will also include entry into many tourist spots. Travel Cards/Passes is a time saver and economical option for independent travelers.

Being a local in any place will make your trip more authentic and enjoyable.

Everything about Package deal

Monday, October 25, 2010 4:51 PM TOIP
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In this hustle and bustle life style, planning out a vacation is demanding. Not all have the time and energy required to sort out the perfect plan. Hence, the package deals seems like an attractive option. General myth is that “package deal doesn't require any research, just pack the bag and go”. To spent wisely and get the most out the trip, it is necessary to do some research regarding the package deal.



Deciphering a Package deal:

First collect following details about the package:
  1. Flight Information (airlines, timings, airport departing and airport arriving, ticket class)
  2. Hotel Information (Hotel name, Room type, number of days)
  3. Visa Information (Charges for the Visa)
  4. Entrance Ticket information (Type of attraction)
  5. Food and beverage information (When and what meal is included)
  6. Inclusions and Exclusions in the package

Once all the information is collected, try to find out the cost of each. Flight fares can be found in the particular airlines web page etc. Once you have collected all the costs, separately note down the prices that are included and excluded. Add all the inclusion and exclusions separately. Say the package was for 35000 per person. The inclusions is 25000 and exclusions 10000. Ideally you will be paying 45000 per person at the end of the trip in addition to your other spending.

More about Package deals:

Other than cost, you might also need to do some research on the following:
  1. Number of free days
  2. What to do on the free days?
  3. Am I seeing the Must-see places?
  4. Is the places part of the deal, really worth a visit?

Doing the math and understanding the destination will help you to get most out of your holiday.

Everything about Visas

4:38 PM TOIP
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Lets admit it. Its not a cake walk for Indians nationals, when it comes to traveling the globe. We can't just pack the bags, book the tickets and fly to many destinations. A visa may be required to many destination. When an international trip is planned, it is necessary to understand the visa procedures in the country.

Wikipedia Definition for Visa is an indication that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was "issued", subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. Obtaining a visa is not an uniform procedures in all countries or for all nationalities. Each nationality can be treated differently and each country has a different procedure. So Lets get it straight.

1.Transit Visa can be obtained while on transit, i.e., When traveling to New York, if a stopover is in Paris, a transit visa for France can be obtained in this case.

2.On-Arrival Visa can be obtained while entering the country at the immigration. Not all countries issue On-Arrival visa to all nationalities. For Indian Nationalities, Thailand provides On-Arrival visa facilities but Singapore does not.

3.Tourist Visa can be obtained prior to the travel by apply to the Embassy of intended country.

4.Working Holiday Visa permits tourist to take-up temporary jobs while visiting the country.

5.Visit Visa can be obtained when visiting an resident/citizen of the country.

This was a brief about the types of visas for tourist purpose. In addition to these visas, there are many other types of visa, depending on the purpose of travel. There are also countries it permit visa-free travel.



Lets now get the basics of visa.
  • Every visa has a validity, duration of stay and number of entries.
  • Validity/Duration of stay can be in the form of hours, days, months or years depending upon the type of visa.
  • Overstaying or staying with an expired validity is an offense and can be prosecuted for the same.
  • Duration of stay can be extended, which is in turn at the discretion of the immigration office.
  • Visa can be a single entry visa or multiple entry visa.
  • With a single entry visa, one can enter the country only once and can stay for the duration permitted. For the next entry a new visa has to be obtained.
  • With multiple entry visa, one can enter the country any number of times till the validity expires but duration of stay still holds good for each entry.
  • Visa comes with a fee.
  • Mandatory documents for visa – passport size photographs, valid passport (must have empty sheets and should be valid for at least 6 months), confirmed accommodation voucher, ticket to confirm leaving the country.
  • Optionally one might also be requested to submit proof for financing the trip in the form of IT Returns, Fixed deposit, Salary slip, Bank statement etc.
  • Transit Visa needs a minimum stopover time to be fulfilled as per the transiting country.
  • Tourist Visa needs processing time which may take 1 – 10 working days or even more.
  • While applying for tourist/visit visa, consider the processing time and the validity of the visa. Applying too early or too late can jeopardize the plan.
  • As on October 2010, India is not participating in any working holiday program.
  • Common Visa can be obtained for certain regions which permits a single visa for all the countries in that region. The regions are formed by the countries under signed agreements. For instance, Schengen Visa permits travel into schengen region for a period with a single visa. Even though it is a common visa for the area, duration of stay, validity and number of entries hold good.
  • E-visa or the electronic visa is electronic form of visa and can be obtained by applying in the official internet websites of the country.
Finally, there are some visa free countries which permits India nationals without any visa. But that does not mean no passport. Passport is a mandate for any international travel.

Where to travel in January?

4:23 PM TOIP
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Why January? There are two possible holidays, 14th (Pongal/Lohri) Friday and 26th (Republic day) Wednesday. Lets make the best use of it. Here are few places that is best to travel in January:

Asia-Pacific: Traveling to China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong kong, Macau is ideal as there will be less rain and the temperature is moderate. Also, during the month of January, Chinese New year is celebrated beautifully with fireworks, lamps, dragons in most places and it is a must-see.


Middle East: Dubai Shopping Festival begins in mid-Jan and lasts till mid-Feb. Turkey hosts the famous camel wrestling show in the third Sunday of January. A ideal time to shop your heart out in Dubai or see some of the places listed in “1000 places to see before you die” in Turkey.
Europe: If icy scenery is your cup of tea, head to Europe. The Ski resorts in Europe is busiest in January. In Sweden, Kiruna snow festival is mind blowing with snow sculptures, reindeer racing etc.

Caribbean: During January, the Caribbean islands are lush green post rains. Since there places are very crowded in December, January is ideal to avoid the crowd.

Maldives: Maldives beaches are a bliss in January, but pricey too.

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