TOIP

Tokyo, Japan, is a city of contrast, where future innovations in technology unfold in the center of old heritage and tradition. In this crowded city, shrine and temple stand side by side with tall and modern architecture. Advanced technology, craze for animation, youth culture, beautiful parks makes the city overwhelming. The land of rising sun is a great destination for anyone looking for everything during their vacation.

Language: Japanese

Currency: Yen 

(Exchange Rate: 100 INR = 183 YEN, at the time of the post)

Time Difference: 3 ½ hrs ahead of IST

Spring (March-May) – The famous cherry blossom happens in March – April, when the cherry trees blossoms and turns into a shade of pink, making parks beautiful and picture perfect. The temperature is warm. There are many festivals during these months

Autumn (Sep - Nov) – The temperature and humidity is tolerable. The trees also change colors and it is as impressive as cheery blossom.

Tourist Visa must be obtained from Japanese Embassy/Consulate prior to arrival. The Visa is valid for 90 days and can be extended for another 30 days. Passport, Visa application, Photo, Flight ticket confirmations and Certificate of Income/ Certificate of Deposit balance to prove travel expense are required. Additional documents or sponsorship might also be required. Once in Japan, one must carry his passport at all times, if found without passport, one can be fined up to 2,00,000 YEN.

Direct Flights: Air India has a direct flight from Delhi to Tokyo.

Transit Flights: Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Beijing are some major transit points for Tokyo, Japan

Boat: There are ferries from Korea, China, Taiwan and Russia to the major ports of Japan

In Tokyo, train and subways are the most efficient means of transport. It is crowded and confusing at time. It’s best to analyze the Subway map before boarding. Passes and prepaid cards are available. Buses and ferries are also available in areas where subways are not present.

Tokyo has a number of attractions parks, temples, shrines, markets etc. The below link has the attractions divided by area: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html. Most of the tourists spend 3 – 5 days in Tokyo. There is a must see list:

Langkawi is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia. Langkawi, located in the Kedah state in the north-western part of Malaysia, is a cluster of archipelago of 99 islands. The clear turquoise water, green mountain ranges, beachfront resorts, limestone caves, mangroves and sandy beaches defines Langkawi.

Langkawi, the Malaysia’s best kept secret, is an ideal destination for Honeymooners. Why Langkawi for Honeymoon?

Get-in:

Visa – Indian’s can no longer get visa on arrival. Tourist Visa is required before entering Malaysia.

Flights – There are very few or no direct flights to Langkawi from India. Kuala Lumpur is common transit point. Low cost carriers like Air Asia, Tiger Airways fly from major cities in India to Kuala Lumpur.

Trains & Ferry – Since Langkawi is an Island, a combination of train and ferry travel can be done. The nearest station is Kuah and a ferry should be taken from Kuah to Pantai Cenang Jetty terminal. [Not recommended: Long journey time]

Taxi can be found everywhere and the rates are fixed. Scooters/motorbikes and cars can be hired and it is highly recommended. Rentals can be found near airport, Pantai Cenang shops and jetty terminal. Road conditions are good for driving but children crossing the roads and animals on the roads are common. Helmets and seat belts are mandatory.

Though there is a long list of tours provided by the operators, these are the some of the highly rated tours:

Most of the tour operators provide pick-up and drop off to the hotel. Tours booked through hotel include a commission which is quiet hefty. Hence, it’s a good idea to head to Pantai Cenang and book the tour with the operators.

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.

Language: French

Currency: Euro

Time Difference: 41/2 hrs behind IST

Best time is April – June (spring) and Sep – Nov (Summer & Autumn)

Avoid – July and August. July is generally packed with tourist and during August, Partisan desert the city for their tours

For discounted airfares and hotels, End of March is ideal.

Paris Fashion Week – Feb and March

Sports – Six Nation Rugby Tournament (Feb), French Tennis Open (two weeks starting on the last Sunday in May), le Tour de France (Cycling Race - July)

Festivals:

Rendez-vous au Jardin (Garden Festival) – June

Fête de la Musique (Lively street music festival) – 21^st June

Gay Parade – 26^th June

Bastille Day (French National Holiday for storming of the infamous Bastille during French revolution) – July 14^th [Beautiful Parades and fireworks]

Rock en Seine (a world-class music Festival) – last weekend in August

Jazz à la Villette (Jazz Festival) – mid- September

Le Beaujolais Nouveau (marking the beginning of the Christmas season) – third Thursday in November

Christmas and New Year in Paris is well known for its lights and celebration.

 Get-in:

Schengen Visa allows entry into the schengen zone (which includes France) for 90 days with a validity of 6 months.

Airport:

If arriving from any other parts of Europe, train is a good option. There any various kinds of high speed and normal trains. The train fare various according to class and journey time. If you are on budget, the slower trains and overnight trains cost about half the fare of high-speed trains

If arriving from nearby Paris, buses, Euroline, is a good option.

Trains/Buses/Car/Taxi/Boats can be used to get around the city. For independent travelers, bicycle + foot + train/boats are the best option. Avoid car or Taxi, since traffic is too heavy.

The Velib (Freedom bike) rental allows you to subscribe for 1 day or 7 days by paying a security for the bike. It’s a pick & drop service, you can pick up the bike anywhere and drop it off at the next bike station. For first 30 minutes, it’s free and the every following 30 min, it will cost you 1 Euro in addition to the per day rental of 1 Euro.

Trains: There is a 16 line metro and RER trains (suburb trains). Metro ply within the central part whereas RER trains goes further outside.

There is a never ending list of attraction in Paris. It’s best to prepare in advance. Paris has 20 Arrondissement/district and every arrondissement has some attraction. Visiting arrondissement 1 by 1 and covering the attractions there is an option, but it would take a long time. If you are short of time use the many itineraries available online, this would help you cover the best of Paris depending on the duration of stay.

Frommer’s Paris Itinerary – Has 1, 2 and 3 day’s itinerary with map.

1 week itinerary - http://www.parisvacationshotels.com/one-week-itinerary-in-paris.html

There is a long list of passes available in Paris for travel and sight-seeing. For the complete list: http://paris.conciergerie.com/all_paris_passes.php

Paris Museum pass + Carte Orange are the best bet.

Paris pass adds up much costlier than buying separate museum pass and Carte Orange, but provides few extra things like boat cruise, opera tour, wine tasting etc.

 Get out:

1. Versailles