Luxury Watches

DCP Licensing No.F2(T-1) Press 2018Title Code: DELENG19558

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Vol 1 │ Issue No. 2

A T r a v e l J i n g l e s P u b l i c a t i o n sAn Embassy and Five-Star Hotel magazine

Weddingindian

Special

Honeymoon DestinationsHoneymoon Destinations

Ambassador of Cuba in India

www.traveljingles.com

Luxury Watches

NEw ZEAlANd, SwItZErlANd, MAldIvES

WelcomHeritageAmritsarWelcomHeritageAmritsar

Explore TaiwanExplore Taiwan

2 TRAVEL JINGLES

Contents

Christmas and New Year Celebrations at the Embassies and Five Star Hotels 4

“A must visit destination in 2018”-Taiwan 6

Travel Updates 8

Welcom Heritage-Amritsar 10

Top 5 Wedding Destinations of India 11

Nagaland- Hornbill Festival 19

Incredible India - Orchha And Khajuraho 20

Cover Story-A Rendevouz with Ambassador of Cuba 23

Embass News 27

What makes Bali a paradise of Indonesia? 28

Interesting Facts 30

Indulge in the Luxury of Water Villas - Maldives 32

Honemoon Destinations 35

Let’s fly high with Srilankan Airlines 42

Food and wine 43

Embassy National Day Celebrations 45

TRAVEL JINGLES 3

foreword

As the new calendar unfolds, so does our second edition of TravelJingles Magazine. This volume unveils exclusive New Year celebrations and Christmas fervour, complete with those traditional rum cakes and benevolent Santa, atop hotels in delhi, and at the numerous diplomatic embassies.

we also unveil the most romantic and offbeat destinations across the globe, extending from the exotic water villas and powdered beaches of Maldives to ‘the heart of Asia’, Taiwan. renowned for their exceptional hospitality and the Taiwanese indigenous cuisine to dig into, offered at the night market, this enticing trip is a must. for an incredible Indian experience over the weekend, we recommend a quick tour to the Khajuraho temples, a UNeSCo world heritage site, avowed for their erotic and stunning sculptures.

Heralding the bucket list of heavenly getaways, is destination Cuba. famous for its legendary cigars and salsa, Cuba also boasts of crystal blue waters, ideal for a romantic break. Ambassador oSCAr I. MArTINeZ CordoVeS, gives an insight on exactly what makes Cuba a hot favourite among tourist destinations. out there, serenity and surf are just a flight away.

Those ‘Big fat Indian weddings’ are complex yet fascinating affairs, binding everyone together. In this survey we keep you posted on what makes it so special, and enlist a harvest of ‘Top Indian destinations’ to exchange your wedding vows.

Take your pick of choices on offer, spreading from the serene backwaters of Kerala to the regal setting of rajasthan. A true nature lover would adore the hills, while those seeking a relatively private affair could head for the turquoise backdrop. And there’re no two ways about it: the choice of an exceptional ambiance, would be the perfect start to make the promise of eternity an extraordinary event.

At TravelJingles, we believe in making your journey a momentous one.

embark on the new journey of companionship from our conscribed top honeymoon destinations, across the globe. Be it sandy beaches, or the majestic mountains, adventure filled outings or intimate settings, we tell you all.

read on to keep abreast with the food and wine events, to suit your taste buds and check out the celebrations at embassies.

Looking forward to a great 2018, which enriches and enlivens all our worlds.

Season’s greetings from TravelJingles!! Happy travelling!!

A T r a v e l J i n g l e s P u b l i c a t i o n s

Hitasha Mehrafounder & editor

CEO

Mr. Bimal Mehrabimal@traveljingles.com

EditOrial tEaM

Founder & Editor

Hitasha Mehra hitasha@traveljingles.com

Contributors Ms. rhucha Kulkarni

Ms. deepika Gumaste Mr. Prasad Np

Ms. Kanishka Arora

advertise with us email: sales@traveljingles.com

all rigHts rEsErvEd. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Printed and bound at Shri Satguru Polychem, delhi.

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Embassy of AustraliaAustralian High Commission celebrated Christmas in Delhi. Their lawns wore a colourful and merry look with over 40 NGOs exhibiting their hand-made products at the Oz Haat Mela.It is a much awaited annual charity event. The Australian High Commission has been organizing the Oz Haat Mela since 2000 as part of its Direct Aid Program, which provides development grants to NGOs across India.In its 17th edition this year, the mela, held on the bright and sunny Saturday 2nd December, featured a wide range of products made by NGO communities for sale, including tribal art, textiles, home wares, clothes, jewellery, accessories, Christmas decorations and much more. All proceeds from the sales will go directly to the charities represented. More than 3000 people attended the mela from different walks of life.The day also witnessed a host of fun activities for the kids. From magic shows, art & craft, bouncing castle to tattoo artist, children were seen having a wonderful time at the mela while their parents indulged in shopping for charity.

Advent in Zagreb, CroatiaThe beauties of Croatia, its protected cultural and historical heritage and preserved natural diversity are also recognized outside the frame of the tourism sector. Dubrovnik, Split, Šibenik became real stages for filming the world-famous ‘Game of Thrones’ series and many other blockbuster movies. “At this time, having Christmas just around the corner, I would like to draw attention to our capital Zagreb, which has just been proclaimed as the top European Christmas destination for the third time now in a row.” exclaimed Daniel Ridicki- Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Croatia.

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Israel is the place to be for a spiritually enriching Christmas where pilgrims from all over the world visit the country during this time. Travelers should not miss the opportunity to visit the Church of the Nativity built on the spot believed to be the location of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Jesus’ childhood home of Nazareth celebrates Christmas to the fullest. Feel the true festive spirit with the street fairs, parades, and church services in this town. Those looking to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth in a traditional way can head to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem for Mass every 30 min, in different languages and wander the alleys of Jerusalem’s Old City and walk down the Via Dolorosa and the charming Old City Bazaar.

A magical Christmas and New Year’s in Monaco!The Société des Bains de Mer goes big with decorations at Christmas and this year Place du Casino will turn into an outdoor casino. The celebrations at Moroco continue until the first week of January 2018. The centrally located and pivotal Casino Square was once again the place flocked with people to celebrate the enchanting Monte-Carlo Christmas decorations.

Celebrations in Israel

CHRISTMAS AND NEw YEAR CElEBRATIONS AT THE EMBASSIES

The Embassy of Canada The holiday season from Christmas to New Years is celebrated with great enthusiasm and merry-making in most communities in Canada. while the weather in Canada is usually very cold at this time of the year, the festivities spread cheer and warmth as people celebrate with family and friends. Canada is a very multicultural society and people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds participate in various traditions around the Christmas and New Year celebrations, just as they do in celebrating other major festivals, such as Diwali, Eid and Baisakhi.” – Soyoung Park, Deputy High Commissioner for Canada to India

ITC Maurya HotelThey celebrated the festive season with their well known warm style. Christmas feast was celebrated in yuletide spirit with a grand buffet spread. The visitors were happy enjoying their hampers of gingerbreads houses, chocolate Santa’s, Yule logs and the traditional plum cakes. The New Year was seen celebrated with a whole lot of passion and gusto. There were plush and sumptuous buffet spread from around the world at ITC Maurya. The New Year Revelry was visible from their rooftop restaurant which ignited spark with live entertainment, fantastic view and warm hospitality to their Asian Cuisine Restaurant which offered the exceptional ‘chef tasting menu’ for the guests.

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Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi AirportThe New Year was welcomed in a mesmerizing and a gala way at Radison Blu Plaza, Delhi. As the clock ticked midnight, the good times rolled at Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport. The hotel offered the finest countdown fiestas for

its guests to raise a toast for an exciting year and celebrate an ‘EVE OF THE EVE’. The key highlights of the celebrations included, a musical DJ

night at The ORB, a brand new Bar with dazzling music, exotic drinks and appealing appetizers, magical performances by various artists in their lounge and the experienced baby sitters to take the best care of the kids while the

guests fancied and welcomed a fresh New Year.

The Imperial Voila Christmas paved way for a brand new year at The Imperial with the sound of carols in the air and the sparkles of the festive hues which were nothing less than awestriking. Their chefs definitely played magic by offering delightful gourmet fare across their restaurants while the guests indulged in the spirit of Christmas and New Year. Hand-crafted menus were offered at the restaurants which made the celebrations ideal. The lobby at The Imperial welcomed the guests with a beautiful installation on the colourful forest of Christmas with hanging multi-hued trees. Also a huge gingerbread house in the lobby put together by the Pastry team celebrated the Yuletide spirit of Christmas like no other.

Taj Diplomatic Enclave Taj Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi spread the festive magic with a bouquet of special feasts and treats at their award winning restaurants. An environment of whims and fancies kept the excitement alive. The dinner was served under

the Gazebo. A personal butler was there to match the perfect wine with the delicious meal.

The violinist serenaded while the guests enjoyed the evening. Vintage champagne and wines

from the cellar were add-ons too. It was an evening that would surely have left an indelible

impression in the guest’s lives.

The Metropolitan Hotel & SpaChristmas – the very word conjures up images of a beautifully decorated tree, gifts wrapped in red and gold, twinkling fairy lights, and a table full of finger-licking goodies. The celebrations were no less here at The Metropolitan Hotel. Beautiful Christmas goodies were there to delight the guests. There were amazing varieties of decadent Christmas Brownies. A line-up of indulgent flavourful Brownies was specially crafted to take back home or gift to your dear ones. lovers of the Brownie were completely carried away by so many ultimate altered flavours, like Peanut Butter and Gems Brownie, Carrot and Cream Brownie, Orange Brownie, Snow Brownie, Hazelnut Brownie, Red Velvet, and many more. New Year celebrations were nothing less. It offered everything guests could wish for this festive season from tailor made dining offers, an enchanting atmosphere with cheerful rhythms and free flowing select beverages. Glasses were clinked and toast was raised to 2018 with a delectable range of sumptuous food, sparkling drinks and other stimulating thirst quenchers, punches and concoctions!

6 TRAVEL JINGLES

around the world

“the hidden gem of asia” better known as taiwan, is a small island nation close to China with modern cities, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs resorts and spectacular mountainous terrain.

taiwan and its surrounding islands possess an endless variety of the lofty heights of majestic Mt. Jade, lush terrains, forests, agricultural products, and marine ecologies.taiwan is suitable for all kinds of tourists from backpacker to those looking for high-end luxury. taipei, the country’s capital in the north, is known for its busy night markets, Chinese influence on many things like the Imperial art at the national Palace Museum and the cloud-piercing taipei 101 tower. Once you are in Taiwan, you cannot miss the contrast between the city and the countryside, together with the blend of the old and the new. the feeling is that of being in a time tunnel that passes from the past through the present and into the future. the choice lies with you to choose to stay at the busy capital of taiwan or stay at the countryside of Yilan and hualien. My personal choice was the countryside which was serene and spectacular. the tranquil rural landscapes of Yilan, the awe-inspiring taroko Gorge in hualien, took my heart away with its beauty. each season and each landscape has its own enchanting scenery and heart-stopping allure.I travelled to taiwan with my group of Journo friends and Bloggers. we visited taipei, hualien and Yilan. we will give you enough reasons to add “taiwan” in your travel bucket list in “2018”.

Taiwanese PeopleFrom the moment we landed at taipei, taiwan, we heard amazing things about the local people who are very helpful. we were a bit sceptical at first as there is a little language barrier. however, we soon experienced it for ourselves when

“A must visit destination in 2018”

TAIWAN

we boarded the taxi for our hotel-the Grand, - late in the evening. our taxi driver, Mr. wang was a kind-hearted man. even though he didn’t speak english but his help and gesture gave us the insight about the local taiwanese people. we all were exceptionally hungry and exhausted after a strenuous journey of over 12 hours. we started looking around for some friendly known café for a quick dinner. we stopped at Star bucks but found it closed. we proceeded further and could find Mcdonald’s open. as hungry as hell, with well familiar flavours and tastes of this place we ordered what not! we ordered from large cokes to chicken burgers, French fries to shakes, and the list went on. while paying the bill, we handed uSd at the cash counter. But, were told as a policy they don’t accept credit cards and debit cards but only accept new taiwanese dollars. the atM was also quite far from our location. we all were carrying uSd and none of us had the local currency. our taxi driver who didn’t speak english somehow understood our tricky situation, might be with our actions, and came to help us. he spoke to the cashier in their local language, gave us the local currency in exchange of uSd. later, we ate the meal and thanked him graciously and bid good bye as he dropped us to our hotel.

Taipei 101taipei 101 is a must-visit place when in taipei. It is an iconic landmark, a 101 floor, a 509m-tall, bamboo-shaped high skyscraper with an observation deck giving an astounding view of taipei. the transparent and non-reflective curtain walls are energy competent and heat reflective, enabling you a magnificent view of taipei from taiwan’s tallest building. taIPeI 101 is the largest engineering project ever in the history of the taiwan construction business. there is also a premier shopping mall featuring the best of luxury goods, fine dining and fashion.

TRAVEL JINGLES 7

around the world

Yangmingshan National Park Yangmingshan national Park is one of the nine national parks in taiwan, located between taipei and new taipei City. It covers a massive are of 11,338 hectares with elevations of between 200 and 1120 meters above sea level. the park is famous for its unique volcanic geology and topographical sights. the signs of volcanic fumes can be seen from a distance too. Visitors can view the volcanic activity like fumaroles and hot springs everywhere with sulphurous gases emerging in the air.It is easily accessible to reach from taipei. weekends are generally packed by people of northern taiwan due to its accessibility as it takes one hour by bus. Many hikers and other visitors are also seen enjoying the scenic view.

Beitou Thermal ValleySituated in taipei, Beitou thermal Valley is one of taiwan’s 12 Great Sites; the springs at thermal Valley have the highest temperatures in the datun Mountains area. It gives off an eerie sulphuric steam that rises from the surface of the pond. the sulphuric steam blankets the blowing air, making the temperature warm. the vista of the steam rising off the surface of the water is quite surreal and stunning. the area around thermal Valley is also home to a rare type of rock called hokutolite. water temperature in thermal Valley’s hot springs ranges from 80-100 degree.

Shakadang Trail at Taroko National ParkShakadang trail , formally, known as the Mysterious Valley, is close to the eastern entrance of taroko national Park and at the exit of Shakadang tunnel. It runs along the Shakadang creek valley, a tributary of the liwu river. this trail is suitable for all ages and definitely worth a visit. It offers some incredible sights for the nature lovers. It is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water and stunning landscapes. along the path, you may notice local taiwanese people dipping their feet in the water. I did it too. after trekking for about a kilometre, I sat on a small rock and dipped my feet in the cold water and enjoyed the mesmerising view of the nature. there were some amazing angles for photography in every turn to the trail. It kept me engaged whilst I kept trekking. the Shakadang trail

also passes through a truku tribal village. though, entry into their reservation is prohibited. after trekking upstream, there is a small market. the shops in this market offered local artisans and local food where the food vendors welcome you with a smile to sample some indigenous delights. on my way, I cracked a conversation with a local taroko woman, who stayed nearby only. She told me many interesting things about this area and their culture.

Day Lily Mountainsa mesmerizing view is waiting for all the nature lovers in summer months of taiwan. one can visit these three main

places: liushidanshan and Chihkeshan in southern hualien County, and taimali in taitung County. It offers astounding annual sight of the blooming of daylily plantations. the valley is utterly covered with a mesmerising view of golden buds grown across the valley. the view is one of

its kind which will completely take your heart over your sleeves with its adorning beauty of golden day lilies. Many

visitors come across the globe to witness this stunning sight. Many restaurants use these daylilies in making of drinks, ice creams and even for making soups. we had an amazing juice and Ice cream made with day lilies which tasted delicious. It is easily accessible by hiring a scooter or renting a car. Best time to visit: August and September months.

Loudong Night Market the luodong night Market is a night market in luodong township, Yilan County, taiwan. It is one of the biggest and most crowded night markets of taiwan. the night market offers fresh taiwanese snacks and amazing attractions to shop at, making the tourists soak in the nightlife. You will find individual stalls selling a mixture of food, clothing and consumer goods. It is a foodie’s paradise. one must dig into the local taiwanese snacks range from mutton herbal soup, iced tapioca with red bean stuffed, rice noodle thick soup and Yilan specialties, such as ox-tongue-shaped pastry, smoked duckling etc. we did pick up some local souvenirs and clothes from these shops. It definitely opens a window to peep in the local culture and cuisine of taiwan and its people.

Xing Yuan Tea FarmI was quite impressed and amazed when I visited the tea plantations at The Xing Yuan Tea Garden, in the Zhong Shan village in Yilan County. taiwan, with its influence of old Chinese culture of drinking tea, I was not surprised by the tea plantations and tea cultivations all around me. what amazed me was the way the young couple running this tea Farm with so much of enthusiasm. the astonishing effort was quite visible when they taught their visitors about their pesticide free & chemical free tea gardens. a regular visit to the tea gardens is somewhat old-fashioned and boring but they kept the interest of their visitors by keeping them busy to make their own green tea Ice cream. after mixing the ingredients you hold your ice cream box in your hand and shake it with fun sessions of music and dance. I bet you can’t find something interesting like this and it is a must visit.

Best time to

visit:august and September

months.

8 TRAVEL JINGLES

TRAVEL UPDATES

Thailand hosTed air race 1 World cup Thailand 2017

Thailand hosted the prestigious Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017 from 17 to 19 November, at U-Tapao International Airport located on the Royal Thai Navy Base in Sattahip, Chon Buri province. The Air Race 1 is the international level of the sport known for 100 years as formula one air racing. It is true air racing in which

eight aero planes race competitively against each other at speeds up to 450 kilometers per hour trying to finish first after eight laps around a tight five-kilometer circuit just 10 meters’ off the ground. The spectators were seen completely stimulated and awe-stucked in attending this high-octane aerial event.

Oman becomes flexible for VISA

Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) issued an announcement demonstrating that the visa might be allowed for a time of one month for an expense of OMR 20. Visitors should likewise have an arrival ticket and affirmed lodging reservation with a specific end goal to concede the visa. Mr. Mamari, the Director General of Oman Tourism, stated that this will encourage tourism from Asian countries, specially India. With correction in visa directions, Oman is expecting that Indian landings will increase. The OAMC expects a growth in income by and large in the future.

Dubai’s travel awardsDubai won the before 2017 World Travel Awards. It’s been recognized by probably the largest travel body in the world, and is a shining star on its existing reputation and heritage as a premier holiday destination. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism (DCTCM) had an interesting point when asked about the victory. He said, what’s separating Dubai from other holiday destinations is its constant focus on innovation and delivering amazing experiences. They don’t wait for visitors to tell them what they like; they predict it in advance. Sounds great to us! We can’t wait to visit Dubai this holiday season.

Dubai won an award across four categories namely - Middle East’s Leading Destination, Middle East’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, Middle East’s Leading Tourist Board, and Middle East’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Initiative awards for 2017.

On the two parameters – the number of participants and gross exhibition area rented by the organisers, OTM has gained an edge over ITB Asia and SATTE; the other two leading shows in the Asia Pacific region. It also attracts the largest number of international participants in India. OTM also had participants from a larger number of countries (45) when compared to SATTE (40), as per publicly available information that can be verified. This data shows that OTM is also effective in providing access to trade buyers and visitors from all over India. OTM 2018 is organised from January 18-20, at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre. The three biggest country pavilions, returning to OTM in 2018 are Turkey, Greece and Thailand. Additionally, the National Tourist Organisations (NTOs) of Palestine, Japan, New Zealand, Maldives, Russia, Tanzania, etc will be exhibiting with large country pavilions. The national tourism boards such as – Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, etc will also be setting up large state pavilions at the OTM. TravelJingles Media is glad to be a part of OTM as a Media Partner.

OTM- The Largest Travel Trade show in Asia-Pacific

TRAVEL JINGLES 9

TRAVEL UPDATES

Appointment of Dr Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, PATA

Travel agent association of Nashik conducted a Nashik Travel Mart in August in Nasik (Nashik). There were many partners and associates to NTM. Maharashtra Tourism also partnered the three day event besides the hotel partners, etc, to promote Nasik as a travel destination. There were over 500+ travel agents and other people from the travel fraternity, like hotels, resorts, etc. There were innumerable stalls for a direct interaction for B2B market. The visitors came to the travel mart from various parts of India and even abroad. The promotion was done in an exceptional way. The Travel agent association of Nasik did a commendable job by coordinating the event smoothly. The registration charges were minimalistic, a token money of only Rs.1500 per person, which included boarding, lodging. Logistics and sightseeing for three days. The sightseeing included a show round to many places in and around Nasik. The group of over 500 guests were taken to Trambakeshwar which is an ancient Hindu temple in

the town of Trimbak, in the Nashik District of Maharashtra, India, 28 km from the city of Nashik. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingaas

The association also hosted a tour for the guests to Sula Vineyards to promote wine tourism. Indubitably, they are the pioneers in Indian wine tourism which takes the visitors on a miraculous expedition on the making of wine. If you are a wine lover, then you must make a visit and even stay at the luxury property of Sula, the source of Sula wine which is incredible and is definitely a perfect weekend getaway!

A visit to Ganga Godavari Temple was also organised. Being in Nashik, Shirdi is a must-visit and is not more than 90 kilometers (two hours).It is famously known as the home of the late 19th century saint Sri Sai Baba. It holds a religious and sentimental for after value the tourists visiting Shirdi. The Sri Saibaba Sansthan Trust also located in Shirdi is one of the richest temple organisations.

nashik Travel MarT

Kerala at World Travel Market

World Travel Market was held in London for the fourth consecutive year. There were 5000 exhibitors from 182 countries worldwide in a three-day-long event, out of which Kerala

The Executive Board of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has extended the contract of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mario Hardy for a period of three years commencing January 1, 2018. PATA Chairperson Sarah Mathews said, “I am delighted that Mario has agreed to continue as our Chief Executive Officer. Under his outstanding leadership, the Association has made considerable progress and I am confident he will continue to lead PATA and support the needs of our members. PATA remains an association dedicated to all its members and will continue to assist them in the ever-evolving landscape of tourism and travel. Mario and his team are best placed to help drive a continued period of growth.” Dr Hardy said, “I am delighted to have an opportunity to work with our outstanding management team in building upon the PATA successes

others after outshine. Kerala highlighted the success of the state’s “Responsible Tourism Mission” at a global platform. The God’s own country wowed the European travellers during the World Travel Market. Kadakampally Surendran, Honourable Minister for Co-operation, Tourism and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala, led the state’s delegation to the trade event, which showcased Kerala’s best-selling products, including its award-winning Responsible Tourism initiatives, unspoiled beaches, hill stations, backwaters, houseboats and Ayurveda therapies, among an array of offerings. Kerala also highlighted the significance of Ayurvedic practices

of the past three years. We still face many challenges as a membership organisation but our determination to add value to the many benefits of PATA membership is being recognised in the public and private sectors. We shall continue with our primary mission of promoting sustainable and responsibly tourism development throughout the world as we encourage travel to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.” Mario Hardy joined PATA in 2012 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2014. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PATA Foundation, a non-profit organisation with a focus on the protection of the environment, the conservation of culture and heritage, and support for education.

10 TRAVEL JINGLES

Food and wine

WelcomHeritage Ranjitvilas Amritsar

Amritsar is the most sacred city of the Sikhs and is an important tourist attraction of Punjab. The city of Amritsar is named after the sacred pool in the Golden Temple, one of the holiest Sikh shrines. Amritsar has an unmistakable frontier town atmosphere

WelcomHeritage RanjitvilasMoving one step ahead into their expansion plans for North India, the WelcomHeritage group has launched its first farm-stay property – Ranjitvilas. Launched under its “Nature Resort” category in Amritsar, this is now their 33rd operational property in India.

Talking about the collaboration, Mr Sunil Gupta, CEO, WelcomHeritage shared, “It is the first Farm-Stay property of WelcomHeritage, thus bringing the perfect amalgamation of rustic feel of India with Indian hospitality values and rich heritage of the country”.

The property from every angle shows the rich culture and heritage of

Village Heir, Palm Grove, Pearl Lane, Airport Road, Amritsar – 143001, Punjab Distance from City Centre - 6 km Distance from Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport - 4 kms Distance from Amritsar Junction Railway Station - 8 kms Distance from Madan Lal Dhingra ISBT Amritsar Bus Stand - 10 kms

with a village like flavour, serving all day dining a-la-carte menu. The restaurant serves complimentary Hi-Tea to all the guests residing at the property. Details feel like they’ve been hand-designed and created with love.

In addition, all rooms have their own patio to relax while sipping their drinks. Next, whenever you plan to visit Amritsar, stay at WelcomHeritage Ranjit Vilas.

While staying at WH RanjitVilas, one can also take excursions to Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border, Ram Tirth Temple, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, Herike Wetland & Bird Sanctuary, Gobindgarh Fort and Durgiana Temple.

Punjab. With authenticity attached, it features 20 exquisitely designed executive rooms each with a personal courtyard, and two well-appointed Suite Rooms. The rooms are airy and enormous with all the necessary

amenities. Each suite features a king size bed with charming furniture and beautifully appointed bathrooms.

Interestingly, there are no room numbers, but room names like ‘Billo Rani Da Kamra’. These 22 themed bedrooms provide an experience within themselves.

The in-house restaurant – The Indian Rasoi-serves authentic Indian cuisine

A NAture resort

Moving one step ahead into their expansion plans for North India, the WelcomHeritage group has launched its first farm-stay property – Ranjitvilas. Launched under its “Nature Resort” category in Amritsar, this is now their 33rd operational property in India.

‘I do’of India to say your

WeddIng destInatIon

top 5

12 TRAVEL JINGLES

wedding destination

It is yet again the time of the year when fireworks light up the Indian skies, when roads are seen with clusters of bejeweled baratis (guests) dancing with the Groom who is riding a Ghori (Horse) or a Baggi as per the Indian tradition. The entire assembly is also accompanied with men carrying lights on their shoulders with generators, shanaiwalas and Dholwalas (Indian musical instruments), wedding umbrellas and funfilled sessions of music and dance with fireworks. All Indians are known worldwide for their big fat weddings that are sprinkled with traditions and grandeur. In India, traditions and weddings carry that quintessential festive air

that makes hearts flutter, lips smile and the eyes stand witness to the colourful and shiny magic that unfolds. The image of an exuberant bride strutting towards the mandap (covered structure with pillars), the platform where wedding ceremonies are performed, bejeweled and wearing a red-hued heavily embroidered lehenga with her family members in to and the groom decked up in a sherwani waiting for his better half to join him in performing the wedding rituals, is something

right out of dreams. the three-day long ceremonies of sagan (engagement), sangeet (a tradition that involves singing, dancing and music), haldi (where turmeric paste is applied on the bride and groom’s body for that extra glow on their big day) and mehendi (a ritual where henna is applied on the palms and feet of the bride) culminate with the wedding on the final day. The enthusiasm, opulence and colour in celebrating an Indian wedding stands unbeatable for decades with festivities, fireworks, food and sweets being the major highlights. Presently, destination weddings stand synonyms to the idea of a classic big fat wedding. Adding modern and chic touch to these weddings are the exquisite locations that bring the perfect dreamy backdrop that a couple aspires for in their fairytale beginning. While there are many stunning places in India for extravagant weddings, we bring you some of the most sought after destinations ideal for hosting a romantic yet exciting wedding ceremony.

TRAVEL JINGLES 13

wedding destination

Destination weddings are something which is a daydream for many. Serene beaches, breathtakingly beautiful churches, pocket-friendly booze, majestic forts, lip-smacking seafood and delicacies, breezy weather, blingy nightlife...sounds just about perfect for a crazy bachelorette or for holidaying with your gang of friends or for a romantic honeymoon but this little piece of heaven is also turning out to be a nuptial haven with increasing number of wedding brigades flocking to the state from across the world. From simple ceremonies on the beach side in a ‘pandal’ to a gala carnival sort of wedding, Goa holds a platter full of luxury hotels, resorts, tourist spaces and other gala wedding venues for themed and budget-friendly celebrations.

RetReats to stay/wed in- The Leela, Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa, Alila Diwa, Radisson Blu, The Zuri White Sands, Stonewater Eco Resort, Resort Rio, Cidade de Goa and Goa Marriott, The Lalit Golf & Spa and W Goa

Exquisite offerings such as houseboats, beaches, lush greens, tea estates, backwaters and heritage-rich temples in God’s own country plays the perfect host for couples who wish for a heady cocktail of spirituality and adventure for their D-Day. take your vows while sailing on the alappuzha backwaters in a houseboat, feast on the quintessential Kerala sadya (feast) and party hard on the rooftop till dawn. You can also opt for a simple traditional Kerala style wedding in one of the famous temples, like ‘Guruvayur’ in Kerala. Engage in the traditional ceremonies as per the culture of the state with the bride donning a gorgeous ‘kasavu saree’ and the groom in a white ‘kasav mundu’ and give your nuptials the most exotic feel. If the couple opts for a beach affair wedding then the pristine beaches at Kovalam, Alleppey, Varkala, and Shanghumukham are perfect wedding venues in Kerala. With places like Munnar, Wayanad, Ponmudi, and Tusharagiri, Kerala offers a good set of destinations to choose from for wedding amidst the hills. The beautiful wildlife, flora and lakes, makes up for a great romantic setting to take the vows at the backwaters. Kerala Tourism’s ‘Responsible Tourism’ model at Kumarakom has also won them many awards.

Retreats to stay/wed in- Kumarakom Lake Resort, The Zuri Kumarakom, The Lalit Resort & Spa Bekal, The Leela Kovalam, Le Meridian Kochi, Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere, Vivanta by Taj.

In the lap of natureKeRaLa

A sandy beach affairgoa

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pC Jewellers

BejeWeL YouRseLf foR the PeRfect IndIan LooK

anokkhi Bridal Jadau

pooja nigam

jEWELLERY

notandas Jewellers

TRAVEL JINGLES 15

WEDDInG DESTInATIon

Want a fairytale wedding?

andaMan and nIcoBaR IsLandThe bride and the bridegroom can choose between Havelock or Port Blair for an exotic and luxurious wedding. AnDAMAn AnD nICoBAR ISLAnD has glamorous and exotic 600 islands. The beaches and the beach vibes, where the ceremony backdrop is the crashing waves and the cool, multiple blue hues of the beach followed by the clear sky, make the wedding nothing less than a

postcard. A small gathering of your loved ones and family members far from the hustle bustle of the cities can be quite a memorable and romantic moment for you. Andaman might be a concealed place but imagine yourself bejeweled in your wedding attire standing with your special one for a nuptial on the white sandy beach

enjoying the sea breeze. An isolated charisma that lets you focus on nothing but your would-be, and you get a destination that spells excellence as a beach wedding spot.

RetReats to stay/wed in- The Munjoh ocean Resort, Silver Sand Beach Resort, Peerless Resort.

16 TRAVEL JINGLES

WEDDInG DESTInATIon

Add a ‘Pahari’ twistuttaRaKhandEnthrall your guests by hosting a wilderness nuptial at jim Corbett national Park or in nainital with the serene naini Lake as the backdrop. Redefine big fat weddings by exchanging vows in magical Mussoorie that boasts of variegated landscapes. Let your guests marvel at the beauty of Kumaon hills and enjoy a sumptuous ‘pahari’ meal. Those wanting a luxurious wedding can also head to

Mussoorie as there are enormous hotels and resorts to choose from. The rafting destination, Rishikesh has every element needed for a fun-filled, thrilling nuptial by the Ganges. Sing, dance, play fun games and let your guests feast on finger-licking Indian, Chinese, Continental, Garhwali and Kumaoni dishes. Uttarakhand is nothing less than being picture perfect with inescapable flora and fauna, and if you want a wedding away from

the bustle of city life and amidst stunning natural beauty and serenity, you know where to be!

Retreats to stay/wed in- jW Mariott Walnut Groves in Mussoorie, WelcomHotel Mussoorie, The Savoy in Mussoorie, Aahana Resort and Gateway Resort in jim Corbett, Aloha on the Ganges Resort in Rishikesh, The naini Retreat, Hotel Vikram Vintage Inn in nainital.

Known worldwide for its magnificent forts and palaces, Rajasthan is the ultimate royal destination for a big fat wedding. From Elizabeth Hurley to Katy Perry, celebrities have been flocking to this state with their fiancés to take their wedding vows in the quintessential Indian wedding style. What makes a Rajasthan wedding grand and exotic? the Rajasthani folk musicians and dancers, the vedic chantings, the glorious forts and the effervescent rituals.

Udaipur, jodhpur, jaipur and jaisalmer have been the hotspots for couples looking for a royal-like wedding. one can experience the real grandeur of the state in weddings held at heritage hotels or forts, palaces and havelis.

Retreats to stay/wed in- Taj Lake Palace, oberoi Udaivilas, Shiv niwas Palace, neemrana Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Taj Hari Mahal, Gorbandh Palace, Fort Rajwada and jawahar niwas.

Wed like a royalRajasthan

InDIAn GARMEnTS

TRAVEL JINGLES 18

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What to WeaR

In India, Weddings are celebrated with a lot of zeal. It is important to

choose the bridal wears wisely. We tell you where to hop on, for the D-Day!!

TRAVEL JINGLES 19

wedding destination

The cultural diversity of India takes a quantum jump the moment you reach the 7 Sister States as the north eastern states of India are referred to. nothing signifies and celebrates the rich cultural diversity and heritage of the north East than Hornbill Festival nagaland. often referred as the festival of festivals Hornbill Festival is celebrated in first week of December in Kisama Village, 12 kilometers outside of capital Kohima.

sixteen different naga tribes congregate at the Hornbill Festival and celebrate the diversity and richness of naga culture. Each of the naga tribes originally celebrates their own tribe festival but Hornbill Festival is one place where you can see most of them together in a single arena. not only that while during the day the festival celebrates the traditional naga culture the evenings are to showcase the brush with modern western music with Rock Bands from nagaland as well as other places performing to an energetic crowd.

It is this coming together of not just naga tribes but also a confluence of modern as well as traditional naga culture that makes Kohima the go to destination in December every year.

Geographically, nagaland is not a large state but due to treacherous hilly terrain and dense forest, commute was not easy and many of the tribes developed unique traditions, dance

Festival and talking to the locals and photographing the nagas was a wonderful experience. As you walk around you are amazed with the vibrant colours, energetic dances, fierce warriors, and shy smiles & inquisitive eyes all in one place. Indeed Hornbill Festival is a festival of festivals with different naga tribes participating. The Hornbill festival is a riot of colours. I loved every moment in Hornbill Festival.

form, and attire, over centuries. one is amazed to see the different types of headgear, clothes, foods at the Hornbill Festival. Every tribe showcases their own dance forms some of them are simple day-to-day activities like working in the fields while others are martial songs that were used as call for war in earlier days.

Some of the naga tribes earlier were headhunters which meant that they used to actively hunt and take enemy heads as a trophy back home. While this tradition is no longer practiced the reverberating beats of war songs are still showcased at the Hornbill Festival.

As you walk around the festival arena, you can meet various tribes and one cannot but admire how diverse the tribes are from each other. Some of them wear colourful clothes with an abundance of bright red while some others are in very earthy colours. Some tribes walk around with elaborate headgear while others are biased towards colourful feathers collected from dense jungles.

The naga warriors dressed in their colourful attire, magnificent headgear, and weapons look fierce at first glance but most of them actually are wonderful village folks who are also in a festive mood. Besides the festival arena one must visit the Morungs in the Kisama Heritage Village, where the tribes set up their community space.

Walking around the Hornbill

Faces of Hornbill Festival

How to reach Hornbill Festival > The nearest airport & big railway station Dimapur is about 68 KM and you will take about 3 hours to reach Kohima from Dimapur

nagaLandBy pRasad np

20 TRAVEL JINGLES

IncredIble IndIa

Rustics Relics of Royal TimesBliss in

Bundelkhand

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TRAVEL JINGLES 21

IncredIble IndIa

EXPlOrE ThE BEauTy OF Orchha anD KhaJurahO- MaDhya PraDESh

Orchha, on the banks of the river betwa offers a perfect historic hiatus. It brings to life the lives of the bundela rulers from the 16th century, known for their courage and wit. located in Madhya Pradesh, Orchha offers a perfect blend of history and religion. The majesty of raj Mahal reminds you of the bundela queens and their divinity. Head over to the Jahangir Mahal which was built in complete Mughal style in special honour of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir – for his first visit to Orchha. another beautiful palace is the Orchha

Palace, which typically leaves one spellbound, thanks to the resplendent chhatris and Sawan bhado

(fountains) it houses. This palace turned into a conventional hotel is the best place to enjoy bundelkhand hospitality the authentic way.

Orchha is as much about religion, as it is about architectural relics. So, you can

give your holiday a holy twist by visiting the famous raja ram Temple, the only place where

Shri rama is worshipped as a worthy ruler as well as a God. Your next stop should be the laxmi narayan Temple with its unique mix of fort and temple style architecture, made for the Goddess of Wealth and her better half. It is believed that worshippers here are blessed with unending wealth. Offer some prayers in the pious environment of this Hindu temple. The powerful position of women is evident not only in goddess-temples, but also in the role played by the queens. One such depiction of women power is the chaturbhuj Temple. It was built by the Queen of Orchha Ganesh Kunwar, during emperor akbar’s rule. You must definitely check out its tall spires that seem to touch the sky. add a dash of adventure to your Orchha holiday by visiting the Orchha Bird Sanctuary or by rafting on the betwa waters to conclude a memorable leg of your journey.

culture cacophony in Khajuraho a 170-kilometre-long road trip from Orchha eastward brings you to another epitome of ancient architecture - Khajuraho. Known best for its erotic carvings in the nagara-style, they are a UneScO World Heritage Site. One cannot help but travel back in time to 950- 1050 ad, when the chandela dynasty created these masterpieces.

First visit the Western Group of Temples, housing some of the most important temples. a visit to the Kandariya Mahadev Temple dedicated to lord Shiva will enthral you with 800+ beautiful frescoes of women adorning its walls. The mandapa style of architecture is evident in the large lakshmana Temple, which took 20 years to build and till date tells tales about the war history of the chandelas, with its intricately carved soldier battalions. lord Vishnu is seen in his ‘Varaha’ or ‘boar’ avatar in the inner shrine. revel in the aura of lord Shiva at the Vishwanath Temple, with its massive nandi sculpture alongside the lingam. Other places of interest are the Devi Jagdamba Temple housing the Goddess of the Universe. revere the power of sunlight with a sun salutation at the chitragupta Temple, the temple of the Sun God, Surya. Many

of these temples relive stories of Hindu mythology.

about 10 kilometres from this group is the eastern Group of Temples, known for their Jain

origins. This eastern part was where the Jain community resided during the chandela reign. largest amongst this group of temples is the Parsvanath Temple, and unique in exhibiting a blend of Hindu, Muslim and buddhist architectural styles. next, move towards the adinatha Temple, where the Jain god Tirthankar is worshipped and beautiful dancing Yakshis are seen etched in stone, giving it a surreal appearance. The breeze from the Khajur lake will invite you to visit the famous Brahma Temple, which displays an interesting contradiction- its shrine is said to be lord brahma’s, but it is seen to have a Shiva lingam in the sanctum and the entry lintel indicates the once presence of Vishnu ! clearly it presents a creation-conundrum, which you can ponder over in this temple of the creator lord!

The depiction of both Hindu and Jain beliefs, is indicative of the religious tolerance that prevailed. To unveil more ancient secrets, you can explore the archaeological Museum and the Sound and light show.

PlacES TO STay

The Orchha Palace and conventional

centre offers an ultra-luxurious stay in the midst of 12 acres of

lush green at Orchha

PlacES TO STay

at Khajuraho, indulge yourself in the hospitality

of ramada, on airport road.

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DE griSOgOnOWhite gold case set with white diamonds – Quartz – Black mother of pearl dial – Dauphine hands – Front anti-reflection sapphire glass – White gold cords set with white diamonds, Black leather strap.

VachErOn cOnSTanTin historiques american 1921 - 36.5 mmThe watch of dandies and chic female urbanites. a cushion-shaped case in 18K 5n pink gold, a distinctive diagonal read-off, an off-centred crown between 1 and 2 o’clock: this model continues flaunting its vintage credentials. classical yet quirky.

BlancPainVilleret collection, Quantième Phases de lune(ref. 6106-4628-95a)Topped by a bezel adorned with 48 full-cut diamonds, its stainless steel case measures 29.20mm in diameter. its matt white dial is swept over by solid leaf-shaped hands, a pointer-type date display and a sapphire moon-phase indication.

BrEguETMarine 5829 haute Joaillerie chronograph comes with a round case in 18-carat pink gold and the dial is delicately engine-turned in a mother of-pearl to add the beauty..caseband, bezel, lugs, push-pieces and crown set with 186 Baguette Diamonds, totaling approx. 11.17 carats.

JaEgEr-lEcOulTrEThe elegant stainless steel Master ultra Thin Small Second features a deep azurite blue dial that adds an extra measure of style and originality.The small seconds, located at the heart of the dial, charmingly stands out.

22 TRAVEL JINGLES

WaTcHeS

TRAVEL JINGLES 23

cover story

RE-LIVING THE COLONIAL ERA OF 1950 IN THE CARIBBIEN COUNTRY, CUBAcuba has sugar-white beaches and is dotted with sugar, coffee and tobacco fields, which play a part in the production of the country’s legendary cigars. It is a caribbean island comprising of innumerable islands and several minor archipelagos. Interestingly, many movies Many movies like Fast and Furious and ek tha tiger were shot in cuba. even today, old Havana, is lined with pastel houses, 1950’s-era cars and spanish-colonial architecture giving an emotion of living in the 16th-century. salsa music plays in the dance clubs and cabaret shows are performed at the famed tropicana. culturally, cuba is considered part of Latin America with multiethnic people, culture and customs playing a vital role

Tell us about Cuba. What does it offer to its first time Indian visitors and how is it different from its neighboring countries?“the first thing a foreigner identifies, besides the natural beauties and the exotic landscapes of cuba, is the traditional hospitality and spontaneity of the cubans. the joy and friendly treatment given by the local people everywhere to the foreigners makes it unique. We are generally talkative, cheerful and contagious with our dances and music. second attraction will be the impression of having arrived in a country which appears to be held back in time. It is visible especially when one visits old Havana with its colonial constructions and the high number of old heritage cars of the fifties, driven together with the modern ones. We are well known for our high cultural and historical legacy. If you are in cuba’s capital, Havana, needless to say it will automatically draw your attention towards its picturesque and stunning landscapes. It offers a spectacular view of its deep blue sea and clear sky. When the winds blow over the mesmerizing view of the ocean visible from almost any place in the city adds on to its beauty.” exclaims the Ambassador.the high level of safety and social stability in the Island,

makes it different from the neighboring countries.

Tell us about Cuba. What does it offer to its first time Indian visitors and how is it different from its neighboring countries?It seems to me that the first thing that a foreign visitor identifies, besides the natural beauties and the exotic landscapes of cuba, is the traditional hospitality and spontaneity of the cubans, their joy and friendly treatment everywhere to all the foreign visitors. We are generally talkative, cheerful and contagious with our dances and music.

A second attraction is the impression of having arrived in a country apparently held back in time, especially when one visits old Havana with its colonial constructions and the high number of old cars of the fifties, circulating together with others more modern.

A third attraction is the high cultural and historical legacy one breathes?If you are in its capital, it draws a lot of attention, its deep blue of the sea and sky that is constant, with the ocean visible from almost any place in the city, over which a nice breeze always blows.

the high level of safety and social stability in the Island, within the high human development indexes of their people is different from the neighboring countries.

How important is Indian tourism market for Cuba. Are you promoting Cuba as a Honeymooners destination for Indians? What steps are taken to promote Tourism?tourism is one of the most important sector of our national economy, attending to the almost exceptional natural conditions offered by the island of cuba.

A rendevouz with oscAr i

Martinez cordovesAmbassador of Cuba

MArtinez cordoves, AMbAssAdor of cubA

24 TRAVEL JINGLES

cover story

At present, there are almost 250 museums, 55 theatres, and 354 Centres Island wide. It is impossible to refer to

or even understand the cultural phenomenon in Cuba, if one is not familiarized with it.

“ “

TRAVEL JINGLES 25

cover story

We aspire to incorporate tourism coming from Asia, particularly from India, for which more promotion is required about my country and that the cuban institutions prepare for the new demands of the citizens of this region, among them their foods. Precisely, the characteristics of the cuban music and dances would create very favourable conditions for the tourism of weddings and honeymoons where there are also hotel facilities for that purpose. In addition to the promotion, it is preferable to have an Indian airline that guarantees the direct communication with cuba, as well as other existing ones from other countries.

Tell us about the rich culture, diverse heritage and gregarious people of Cuba.the most critical cultural event that has ever taken place in cuba has been the cuban revolution itself. the triumph of that liberation feat on the 1 January 1959, opened the door for cuban culture and its artists to fully exercise their talent as never before.

to understand our culture you also have to know well its history.

the country is living through a moment of creative artistic and literary explosion, with the public enjoying a great deal of this creativity.

When Alejo carpentier, the most important cuban novelist and the contemporary cuban writer best known abroad, was asked about the origin of cuba´s inhabitants, he answered: “We ALL cAMe IN BoAts.”

the conquerors came from spain in boats at the year 1492. then thousands and thousands of slaves were brought in the hull of the slave boats from the coasts of Africa´s Gulf of Guinea, old calabar and the jungle of Mayombe, to replace the native labour force for the development of a sugar plantation economy. By mid-19th century, chinese coolies arrived also by boat and some time before, French colonial settlers, crossing the Windward Pass, had landed in cuba, fleeing from toussaint L¨ouvertures revolutionary Haiti.

Later, peasants from the canary Islands also came over by boat, willing to harvest fragrant tobacco and tropical fruits, and so did Arabs and Jews who opened their stores in urban

areas, enterprising spaniards who married the local population, giving way to crossbreeding, and also Indians from the recently liberated lands in Latin America, and even Japanese, Americans and swedes , who settled in small agricultural communities.

From this diversity, however, unity emerged as a concept of nation and nationality, defined throughout time and definitely merged in the melting pot of liberation struggles. Mixed bloods and common hopes created a sole basis, a unique sensitivity, In other words, our own cULtUre. this process of trans-culturation took place for many years.

If we were to define the essence of cuban culture, we would have to assess two main elements: its integrating orientation and its universal call. one cannot exist without the other.

cuban culture has taken this blend legitimately, making it transcend the frontiers between high brow and low brow in fine arts and the community folkloric expressions. When speaking of the soN, a music genre with spanish and African roots that emerged in cuba and includes what today is known as sALsA, we are speaking to the famous traditional songs that today fill the nights at different tourist resorts in the island.

A smiling face always identifies cuba’s culture.

At present, there are almost 250 museums, 55 theaters, and 354 centers Island wide. It is impossible to refer to, or even understand the cultural phenomenon in cuba, if one is not familiarized with it.

Your views on three things a traveler must do during his visit to Cuba and whyA traveler must do:First: Drink a cuban cocktail with genuine cuban Habana club rum like MoJIto or DAIQUIrI, very famous because of the Us writer, novelist and Nobel Prize winner of Literature, ernest Hemingway, who lived in cuba, near Habana 22 years and wrote his world famous book known as tHe oLD MAN AND tHe seA.

Second: should dance at least once with cuban rhythms. For this purpose you can visit troPIcANA, a very famous cabaret UNDer tHe stArs.

26 TRAVEL JINGLES

cover story

Third: take a ride in one of the oLD tIMer that still runs on the streets.Reasons: In order to come closer and know more about cuba´s life.

Tells us about the cuisines offered in Cuba .Are there Indian restaurants for Indian tourists?the flavours of the cuban cuisine are as varied as the country´s landscape, a mestizo and prodigious result mixing the aborigine with spanish and the African, seasoned with cuban cosine is rich, varied and Asian, Arabic and naturally caribbean ingredients complex. It often goes far beyond so-called true cuban dishes. the cuban AJIAco (a sort of heavy soup with roots, vegetables and meat stewed together) that is prepared in many different ways is cuba´s national dish. coNGrI (white rice cooked together with red beans) and ArroZ Moro (also known as Moros y crIstIANos consisting of white rice and black beans) are called the glory of the cuban cuisine. PIcADILLo A LA HABANerA (mince meat prepared the Habana way) has become an institution. Lobsters are considered a delicious dish, a true queen of the caribbean sea.today Indian food is only found in very limited private restaurants (PALADAres), linked to emigrated Indian citizens, residents or cubans who have lived in India for some time and on their return establish these establishments. the cuban vegetarian food is considered to be close to India, ‘ but in reality it has very little to do with the spicy cooking of India’.

Which is your favourite destination in Cuba and Why?My favorite destination in cuba is vArADero. It is the most famous beach in the island and at the same time the most beautiful. It gives a real sensation of living in the caribbean.

Tell us about the shopping spree in this beautiful country.three products of excellence are: cigars (PUros HABANos),rum and coffee. shopping for them is one more reason to visit cuba. this is a caribbean destination where dressing well has always being a distinctive sign, and the work of craftsmen, jewelers and other applied arts handmade by artists offer the visitors one more opportunity to return home with a unique present.

Your views on the night life in Cuba.Like I said before, cuba is a land of excellent musicians and outstanding dancers. every cuban loves to dance and sing.We have a wide network of bars, cabarets, discos and party rooms all over the big cities where each evening the soN, rUMBA, BoLero or sALsA will make you enjoy an unforgettable night.

Travel to you is..to enjoy the place and the moment, to learn about its history and cultura, to converse with its people.

Name your favorite country in the world (one word besides Cuba)India What do you like about India?It obviously has to be the Indian culture religious diversity. each state represents a different cultural attire; the patriotic sentiment feelings of Indians towards their nation. It draws my attention to the way people from different regions of India sing and speak in the english language, revealing to the foreigner from which region of India they come from. I always say, India is not a country it is a great continent.

The flavours of the Cuban cuisine are as varied as the country´s landscape, a mestizo and prodigious result

mixing the aborigine with Spanish and the African, seasoned with Cuban Cosine is rich, varied and Asian, Arabic and naturally Caribbean ingredients complex.

TRAVEL JINGLES 27

embassy news

Norway to cooperate with India in improving maternal health

Radio Cabs and HOHO Buses in Delhi and Mumbai

EMBassy Of NORway tO INDIa

Ambassador Kamsvåg was recently interviewed by the prestigious Press Trust of India (PTI) on the Norway India health programme in India. Famously known as the norway India Partnership Initiative or nIPI, the programme has been successfully running for a decade. Through a letter of intent signed between both countries work has now started to plan a new 3-phase of the programme. Observing that India’s success in achieving sustainable development goals (sDG) has a huge impact on global goal achievement, norwegian ambsassador to India nils Ragnar Kamsvag said that his country’s cooperation will continue to focus on global health issues of common interest. “The main challenge in the field of maternal, newborn and child health is that mortality continues to be inequitable across states and districts. “The data from the 2015-2016 national family health survey demonstrates this clearly,” he told PTI.

a Letter of Intent was signed on the september 28, between the Indian ministry of Health and Family welfare and norway’s Foreign affairs ministry through which both the nations affirmed to work together to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn,

Department of Tourism, Philippines,

Embassy of Philippines

Ambassador, Republic of the Philippines to India, recently launched 50 branded taxis in Mumbai and two HOHO buses in New Delhi as part of its promotional campaign. This activity is done to promote Indian tourism to Philippines. These buses and taxis carry the branding of Philippines on it. by the influx of Indian tourism to Philippines, this will also result in the increase of their economy. In 2016, over 90,816 Indians visited the Philippines, registering a growth of 37 per cent.

speaking at the launch, the ambassador said, “This is one way of raising awareness about the

Philippines as each taxi and bus displays various destinations from the country. we hope to encourage more and more

Indian travellers to discover the beautiful islands. The Philippines has

a lot to offer and its slogan, ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’, has been very helpful in attracting more tourists.”. sanJeet, Tourism attaché, Philippines Tourism marketing Office India, said, “Indian families, honeymooners and conference attendees travelled to the Philippines for its beautiful islands, serene landscapes, culture and cuisine, and helped record a good and consistent growth in the year 2016.” This bi-lateral trading will surely help to improve the international relations between Indian and Philippines.

child and adolescent health in India. Kamsvag said he has visited bihar, Odisha, madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir, the five states where nIPI is working, in the last 12 months and these visits have given him a variety of insights and experiences.

buoyant by the increasing number of tourists from India, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippines, along with Her excellency Teresita C. Daza,

28 TRAVEL JINGLES

Around the world

What makes Bali

We tell you top five places to visit in bali in your next voyage!Bali, the renowned Island of the Gods, comes with varied landscape of hills and mountains,

rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a scenic backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, believed

to be claimed as a paradise on earth. It offers a variety of things to its visitors with its world-class surfing and diving, a large number of cultural, historical and archaeological attractions, and an mammoth range of accommodations, this is one of the world’s most popular island destinations. It offers accommodation to the young back-packers right

through to the super-rich. Next, whenever you plan a visit to Indonesia’s paradise- Bali, these five places are a must visit to give you an insight of this beautiful island.

Point to Rememberthe whole uluwatu site is home to a hoard of grey long-tailed macaques, which are known for being swift and cunning pickpockets. It is advisable not to carry loose jewellery, mobile phones and importantly keep your camera intact in its bag until you enter the amphitheatre.

a paradise of indonesia?

uluwatu temple is a Balinese sea temple in uluwatu. the temple is built at the edge of a 70 meter high cliff or rock projecting into the sea. It offers one of the best places to view the sunset.

What is Kecak Fire Dance?It is one of Bali’s most iconic art performances, famous for its dominant use of human vocals in place of gamelan instruments (music of Java and Bali in Indonesia) to accompany the dance-drama at its core. Your visit to the island will be incomplete without seeing a show, and the best place to do so is at the cliff-top amphitheatre located just south of the uluwatu temple. this open area has tiered

Uluwatu and Kecak Danceconcrete seating surrounding with its sunken centrepiece stage. the ocean view beyond is breath-taking and the sunset adds more colour to the performed drama. At around 18:00hrs, sunset time, the Kecak Fire dance show starts. the troupe of around 75 male dancers descend onto the stage with extended arms and shaking hands up in the air while chanting their fast-paced, ‘chak chak’ choruses repetitively. the introduction opens the five episodes taken from the ramayana epic, as dancers in elaborate costumes creatively re-enact the tale with slower or faster tempos provided by the troupe complementing a scene of romance or suspense.

the synopsis goes that rama, the prince of the Ayodya kingdom was sent into exile by his father King dasaratha following an evil trick by his stepmother Kaikeyi. deep in a monkey forest (which fits in perfectly with uluwatu’s setting), rama is accompanied by his wife Sita and loyal younger brother lakshmana. the evil rawana, who had a crush on Sita, knew of this, and set out to kidnap her. the rescuing effort by the two brothers ensues with help from the monkey king hanuman and his monkey troops. rawana eventually subdued the two lovers Sita and rama are finally reunited right after the sunset. the fire torches in the stage’s centre flicker against the darkened sky and the echoing chants subside.

TRAVEL JINGLES 29

Around the world

Point to RememberBargaining is essential and many Balinese

goods can be purchased at good price.

Point to RememberPoint to remember- Incase, you plan to sit at the edge of the cliff for some pictures be extra cautious as a foot slip can lead you directly in the turquoise blue water from a gigantic height.

ubud forms the back bone of Bali’s cultural heart in many ways. It’s in the cool mountains; just an hour’s drive from the airport. this traditional country town is home to one of Bali’s royal families. the ubud Art Market, locally referred to as ‘Pasar Seni ubud’ is located opposite the Puri Saren royal ubud Palace and is open daily. ubud is well known for flourishing crafts centre, dozens of art studios and local shopping. Innumerable visitors can be seen any point in time shopping for antiques, woodcarvings, crafts, textiles, paintings and jewellery in ubud market. the ubud market also serves as a setting for the hollywood movie eat Pray love, which shows a scene where actress Julia roberts opposite a male character strolls through the stalls. In real life too many foreign and domestic visitors are seen here.

Tanah lot tanah lot is one of the important temples in Bali. the temple is located on a rock just offshore. It forms an important element of Balinese spiritualism and mythology and is said to be the work of revered 15th century hindu priest ‘nirartha.’

this is an extremely popular tourist destination and the whole area is crowded with tourists especially pre-sunset. there is a maze of souvenir shops selling just about every Balinese knick-knack one can imagine. there is a footpath to the raised cliff area from where the view of the temple and the sunset behind it are dazzling. the view is scenic during low tide. the visitors can walk to the base of tanah lot.

nusa Penida is an island near Bali and district of Klungkung regency that includes the neighbouring small island of nusa lembongan and nusa Ceningan. nusa Penida offers some amazing endangered Balinese and Indonesian bird species, including the critically endangered birds for the nature lovers. the best way to see the island is by renting a motorcycle.

Kelingking point offers many amazing views making it hard to pick a favourite. the view is nothing less than an awestruck. Innumerable visitors can be seen clicking pictures and it will be justified to say it is one of the best photography sights. the unique cliff formation can be seen and the beach is secluded with white sand and clear turquoise clear blue water.

Besides this, there are many attractions to see like the limestone caves, spectacular high coastal cliffs with karst formations and offshore pinnacles in the south and east, and rugged hill tops in the high centre. You can even make a visit to several interesting hindu temples when in nusa Penida

Point to Rememberthe location is so spectacular that there are immense photo-opportunities waiting for you. So, don’t forget to click yourself!

Kelingking secret point beach on nusa penida

Garuda wisnu Kencana cultural park is set to be one of the largest in the world.GwK Cultural Park offers a lavish Indonesian cultural heritage. Currently, the visitors come here to see the statue of the Garuda and the statue of wisnu God which holds sentimental value for

the Balinese. As per hindu mythology the Garuda is

transportation of ‘God wisnu’. Visitors are seen in heaps flocking to GwK. this cultural park is also coming up with a project of monumental Garuda

wisnu Kencana Statue. the statue is designed to

be one of the world’s largest and highest monumental statue in the world. total height of the statue is 120m, consists of 24 segments and formed with 754 modules made of copper and brass coated patina acid, located in the highest point of ungasan Village with spectacular view of denpasar City, ngurah rai airport and Benoa harbor. GwM statue is the symbol of God Vishnu riding the great Garuda as his trusted companion. leave it on your imagination to conclude the number of visitors expected to make a visit here after its completion.

Point to Rememberthere is an astounding restaurant to take care of your taste buds and also offering you a stupendous view of denpasar City.

Garuda wisnu kencana cultural park (Gwk)

Ubud comes with a pack of excitement

30 TRAVEL JINGLES

interesting facts

israel comes with a rich history and is suitable for all kind of travelers. it offers from clear white beaches to mystic landscapes, yum food to a mysterious “Dead sea”. What makes israel so unique and exclusive. Let us know more about israel from the Hassan Madah, Director of israel Ministry of tourism

What does Israel offer to its luxury traveller and what are the dos and don’ts one must keep in mind while travelling?israel is a dynamic destination and has a lot to offer to travellers seeking luxury stays, fine dining and upscale relaxation. One can go on wine and cheese tours and taste some of the best produce of the country, opt for the mud spa treatment at Dead sea or swim with the dolphins in eilat. the adventurous ones must experience the tandem sky Diving in eilat and the Luxury Dessert camping at Mitzpe ramon. Mount Hermon also offers skiers a fabulous experience during winters. talking about the dos and don’ts, israel is not a rigid country per se but it is nice when travelers are

polite and greet locals when they visit. israel is big on food and falafel is not the only dish we have; try as much of the israeli food you can get hold off without having to worry about the holiday fat as the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world. also, since israel is small in size and different places and attractions are only a few hours away from each other, try adding varied experiences in your itinerary.

Tell us about the Dead Sea. What makes it unique from the other seas?it is well known that Dead sea is the lowest spot on earth and has the saltiest water in the world. no visit to israel is complete without floating in the Dead sea. What makes it special is its legendary power of healing many health conditions as it’s very high in minerals. the water and mud of Dead sea is the best for your skin and is used in many beauty treatments.

Tell us about the shopping sprees and the nightlife the country offers to its visitors.tel aviv is considered the party capital of the Middle east and has one of the best nightlife in the world. You can start your evening at a beach bar around sunset and end your night, bar hopping until dawn. every evening is a different experience in the city and

whether you’re 21 or 55 and prefer clubbing or a mellow night, you can find your fancy spot and vibe in the city. While talking about shopping, israel is a food lover’s paradise with a dozen food markets with organic and fresh produce. stroll in the acre food Market; take a Mahane Yehuda food Market tour or visit the Levinsky spice Market. tel aviv also has the arab, sarona and caramel Open air market that sells fruits, veggies and a range of clothing. in terms of shopping, one can find high brand malls to great street shopping.

Travel to you is?travel to me is all about exploring a new destination, culture and food while enjoying a relaxing holiday.

Tell us about the cuisines offered here. Is Indian food available easily?there’s plenty options when it comes to eating out in israel. almost all cuisines are easily available; be it Mediterranean, georgian, indian, italian or Lebanese. in fact tel aviv has nanutchka, the first georgian vegan restaurant and the first of its kind in the world. not many are aware, but israel is big on vegan and vegetarian food with a never-ending list of cafes and restaurants offering the best of vegan food. as a destination, this is a great advantage for us and especially for indian vegetarian travellers.

Any favourite destination in the world besides Israel.i would say i enjoyed traveling to Vietnam and Japan in asia.

Share any one thing without which you do not travel.My sport clothes. there is always a chance for a sport activity and i don’t want to miss that because i don’t have my sports wear.

INTRIGUINGLY ISRAELThe facts about Dead Sea, Israel.

IT offerS from cleAr WhITe beAcheS To mySTIc lAnDScApeS, yum fooD To A mySTerIouS “DeAD SeA”.

hASSAn mADAhDirector of Israel ministry of Tourism

TRAVEL JINGLES 31

interesting facts

eXplore The GreeneST SpAIn AboArDexplore the greenest spain aboard el transcantábrico Luxury tourist trains-a wonderful journey down the spanish cantabric coast, will entice you into dreaming an unforgettable experience. all thanks to the “el transcantábrico clásico luxury tourist train”. it is a seven nights all-inclusive trip along the spanish cantabric coast. Book yourself in this palace on wheels and experience the first class services it offers you.

Your mind will be enlightened and your mood will be wonder-struck, as you travel along the spanish coastline through the beautiful landscapes.

there are two trains running on two unique routes. You can select your choice from el transcantábrico clasico and the second is- el transcantábrico gran Lujo. the first one covers the scenic route between santiago de compostela (galicia) to Leon (castile-Leon), the latter starts the trip at Basque country and finishes its route at santiago de compostela – the galician town well-known as the zenith way of

Spain - El Transcantábrico Luxury Tourist Trains

Zealand’s first gondola system was introduced, and the first trip up Bob’s Peak took place on november 17, 1967. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu, cecil Peak and the remarkables Mountain range, skyline Queenstown is the perfect vantage point to take in the year-round alpine resort’s surrounding area and it rapidly became one of the country’s top tourist attractions.

skyline enterprises chairman Mark Quickfall says the timing of the 50th anniversary couldn’t be more poignant as the company begins a significant nZ$100 million redevelopment, including a state-of-the-art 10-seat

gondola and complex expansion.“skyline has been delivering incredible experiences to Queenstown’s domestic and international tourists for 50 years,” he added. it has indeed added another feather to nZ’s hat.

saint James pilgrims route. all in all, the beautiful locations, scenic atmosphere, and the classy people on-board are what make the trip worthwhile. While both journeys have their individual journeys, you can’t go wrong choosing either one.

You’ll get to witness the ‘Peine de los Vientos’ sculpture in san sebastián, the guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and the coastal city of santander, amongst others.

One of the best features of travelling aboard el transcantabrico Luxury tourist trains is that the trip itself becomes into a mesmerizing experience. the train offers a variety, from the à-la-carte or buffet breakfast served every morning to fine dining restaurant carriages or magical lounges in which you can enjoy a drink, join in different activities or share the experiences of the day with your fellow travelers.

furthermore, the Deluxe suites available at el transcantabrico gran Lujo and the gran clase suites at el transcantábrico clásico are thoughtfully equipped for your

soothe. these spacious rooms are decorated in wooden panels and include an ensuite bathroom equipped with hydro-sauna, turbo massage and steam shower.

The trains normally run from April to october, if you wish to travel at other times el transcantábrico can design a trip especially for you, if you request it in advance. and if you want, you can take shorter trips (4 or 5 days) on board el transcantábrico clásico.next time you visit spain, you know where to go for utmost luxury. it’s an experience which will leave you awestruck for sure.

Skyline Queenstown celebrates 50 years in operation

new Zealand’s most-visited tourist attraction, skyline Queenstown is marking 50 years of operation.the pioneering nZ-based global tourism company has launched ‘50 Years of fun’ celebrating skyline’s journey over the years to becoming one of new Zealand’s iconic attractions. a series of events and competitions were held in a gala celebration in november. new

32 TRAVEL JINGLES

THE RESIDENCE, MALDIVES

The Residence MaldivesGive in to the tranquil azure hues of Maldives, and soak in the luxurious indulgence at the Residence. For me a visit to this pristine beauty was another tick off the bucket list of my travel destinations. As expected the excitement level was at the peak by the time I boarded the SriLankan Airlines which was to take us to our destination, Male. The flight was a precursor to an amazing time I was to have at Maldives. True to their hospitality, the airlines ensured we got ample rest on their flat recliner beds and scrumptious spread of meals, before setting on our sojourn. Maldives with its 26-pearl string like atolls spread in Indian Ocean, is a destination that greets every visitor with a picturesque setting and affable hosts. It is an idyllic destination which reaffirms the fact that paradise exists, the Residence at Galifu Atoll, being just that. It promises to be the heaven you desired.

Hotel OverviewThe Residence provides 49 villas to choose from to suit your mood. The perfect amalgamation of modern with ecofriendly and classic designs are sure to leave an indelible impression on you. Take your pick from the Beach Pool Villas with one and two-bedroom options, or the Water Pool Villas (one or two-bedroom options), where one can access the crystal blue water at given time. I stayed at the water villa for three nights which completely swept my heart out. I was quite impressed by the size of the villa which came with a drawing room,

bedroom and the bathroom, a wide open deck which had a lounger to sit and relax and have an enchanting view of the Indian Ocean. There was also a staircase running down to the waterbed from one side of the open deck. The entire villa was gigantic and airy and gave a view of the turquoise waters from all three sides. The classic décor, a lavish bathroom with enormous bath tub, also had no roof shower room and the variety of toiletries, given the fact that we were in the middle of nowhere, quite literally!!

Dining Facilities Satiate your palette, against the beautiful backdrop of the blue skies and rhythmic waves, at the Beachfront dining area. The Falhumaa, over the water venue, promises a delectable seafood experience, as does the Beach Bar, overlooking the high sea. For those seeking privacy, the Residence provides a variety of private dining options varying from personalized candlelight dinner for two to being whisked away to a castaway island or simply dining under the canopy of stars. The Resort ensures an epicurean delight at all times with a special attention to detail.

Spa and wellnessRediscover yourself by tuning into the wellness programmes available at the Residence. Delve into your essence of living, through yoga or appease your senses with the world class spa treatments available at the centre. Renowned for their

Indulge in the luxury of water villas atTHE RESIDENCE, MALDIVES

TRAVEL JINGLES 33

Food and wine

world class signature treatments, you will definitely not wish to head home anytime soon. I had a very rejuvenation spa session here, letting wide the back door of the spa opening to the gigantic India ocean, waves making a crashing sound every now and the breeze passing by, playing a romantic rhythm while touching the Indian ocean. This was one of my finest spa treatment’s so close to the nature which I will always cherish

Weddings and events Be it a personal celebration or a corporate affair, the Residence believes in providing guidance and assistance at every stage to make your event a success. The event venues are adept at hosting a crowd of over 50 guests, while The Falhumaa, the signature restaurant, provides an ideal ambiance for an informal relaxed setting.

Other Facilities Besides the Spa and wellness centre, the Residence also has the Beachfront Infinity pool, a kid’s club-to keep the little ones occupied, a library, a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, a boutique and a water sports centre. You surely would love to experience ever single facility in and around the resort.Give in to the different hues of blue, at the Residence and rediscover life in simplicity, surrounded by serenity. It is a destination that is large enough for each of your family members to find their solitude and cozy enough to share the bliss experienced.

A Touch Of Local

Island To Admire Around The Residence – Nilandhoo

Nilandhoo is in Faafu Atoll can be easily reach by the speed boat running from the resort. It is the

capital of Faafu Atoll. There are five inhabited island in which Nilandhoo takes the lead being the capital of faafu atoll. The population and the land size of Nilandhoo take the lead too as compared to other islands of faafu atoll. As

soon as we landed on this island, it started raining heavily for a couple of minutes, giving us a chance to admire the beauty of Nilandhoo by standing under a shelter. We strolled around the island, wishing to have a glance of the local Maldivian life.

We chatted with locales, saw the old built Maldivian style houses which were rare and few, we saw “Aasaari Miskiy”

which is the second mosque built in the Maldives. Nilandhoo also have a well established school, in

which students can study till 12th standard. So, book your ticket to ultimate paradise

and marvel at the deep blue, while experiencing it above and under, at

the Residence. Maruhabaa!!

34 TRAVEL JINGLES

Beauty

Pack your vanity box with these BEAUTY ESSENTIALS 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1. Kama ayurveda, Rejuvenating & Brightening ayurvedic Night Cream.2. Marks & Spencer autograph Neverending Lashes.3. the Body Shop, Drops of youth.4. Nature touch, Natural and Organic Country Rose Soap.5. Organic Harvest activ, Skin Lightening Cream.6. the Body Shop, Himalayan, Charcoal, Purifying Glow Mask.7. the Body Shop, eye Colour Stick.8. Naturma, Handmade Soap.9. the Body Shop, almond Milk and Honey.

TRAVEL JINGLES 35

Around the world

honeymoon destinations

Around the world

Honeymoons, unlike weddings are all about the newly married couple. With no elaborate rituals or planning of decadent give away favours or the swarm of guests to be catered to, honeymoon’s the time, when you are allowed

to treat yourself and your better half selfishly. The world is your oyster and perhaps one of the only moments in your

life, when you’re allowed to indulge unabashedly, whether it is rent seeking far-flung islands, book yourself a luxury villa,

soak in a tender sunlight or hole up in a life sized infinity pool overlooking the sunset on a beach. Whatever your tastes, we’ve put together a list of gorgeous destinations, drool-

worthy landscapes and best vistas across the world to make your honeymoon, the best trip of your life!

Around the world

A striking mass of land amidst a sparkling turquoise hued Indian ocean, Mauritius is a romantic tropical island retreat for the newly-wed couples. Just off the south-east coast of the island nation, lies its beautiful pendent in the crown- is Île des deux Cocos, the best kept royal secret till date. with a dramatic setting of the huge waves of an ocean pounding against its coral reef, it is renowned for its themed evenings from Arabian nights, with Moroccan raid with tents by the water’s edge, to a night at the circus. the evening finale ends with a bang as spectacular fireworks light up the night sky. In contrast, to

the north of the country, lies its tranquil strip with its sandy white beaches bordering the Blue Bay Marine Reserve, one of the most stunning spots for snorkelling in all of Mauritius. Another heritage jewel is the Villa, built in the 1920s by the British Governor of Mauritius, Sir hesketh Bell, which now stands completely restored to its original glory: a shaded Moroccan-style courtyard, a fragrant garden laden with bougainvillea, swimming pool and of course, your very own private speedboat. the Villa is lit up like a sparkling gem as night falls and torches illuminate the pathways.

mauritius

36 TRAVEL JINGLES

TRAVEL JINGLES 37

Around the world

with its powdery white beaches, the different hues of blue and breathtaking island sunsets, the Maldives is an ideal honeymoon getaway for a newly-wed couple, looking at the Indian ocean to begin their precious journey of togetherness for a lifetime. recognized as the’ ‘Most romantic destinations’ at different award forums, its luxurious resorts, nestled, in the lap of nature, offer everything from unique pampering services to wellness treatments, relaxing spas, cruises, water adventures such as

swimming with the turtles, dolphin cruising, under-water scooter ride, paddle boarding, snorkelling to kayaking. For romantic dinners, Maldives secluded beaches promise romantic dinners under the stars, making it the state of a perfect bliss for couples in love. Couples could go beach combing on the white sandbanks or island hopping, before winding up for a beautiful sun downer at one of the island’s luxurious water villas. “When the hustle and bustle of the wedding is over,

there is paradise just a few hours away from India for the newlyweds to relax and enjoy” reiterates His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed, Ambassador of Maldives in India. he further adds, ‘ Maldivians are known for their hospitality and they give their best in ensuring that honeymooners have great memories to take back home. And yet amongst all this pampering the honeymooning couples, like every other tourist enjoy complete privacy

on the island resorts. Accommodation across the Maldives caters to a wide range of budgets and luxury.The Maldives offers a variety of water sports and moonlight fishing excursions to give couples an enjoyable experience. the crystal clear waters are amongst the best in the world and swimming or wading in them is sheer bliss.’ Choose Maldives as the perfect destination to begin the journey of a lifetime with your beloved and surprise theme every day, every moment.

maldives

Around the worldhoneyMoon SnIppetS

h&M open shoulder top

h&M Straw hat

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo Multicolor Stripped polo t-Shirt

Zara

h&M Slippers

M&S Collection printed Bandeau Bikini top and Bottom

Jack and Jones-Solid Casual Shorts

ray Ban

38 TRAVEL JINGLES

A Honeymoon is incomplete without

these essentials

TRAVEL JINGLES 39

Around the world

the Czech republic is the land of Stories. Indeed, things are happening in the “heart of europe”. the country is not only an attractive tourist journey’s end but also an ideal honeymoon destination. history buffs and world travelers alike will agree that romantic wedding and honeymoon spent in prague and its surroundings awakens everyone’s senses and his or her soul from one street, garden, castle, cathedral to the next. each season offers something different; during winter people will find themselves in magical Christmas wonderland. In the spring, they will see the romance places awaken and becoming greener. Summer is perfect for walks and horse-drawn carriages. In the autumn, colourful trees match with signature red roofs of unique Gothic and Baroque architecture, offering an array of colours and perfect backgrounds for lovey-dovey pictures with your better half.

prague, which is nicknamed as “city of a hundred spires”, “the golden city” or “the mother of cities”, is a perfect honeymoon destination. with rich history and stories

to tell on every corner, it has a lot to offer - breathtaking sights, romantic corners and perfect little spots which are going to make you feel more in love. But not only history buffs will enjoy themselves in prague! It will definitely play a magic for you making your honeymoon a memorable one with the charisma of his beautiful country leaving you completely overwhelmed.You will rejoice in joy as you can choose from the exquisite dining experiences, wineries and family-owned delis which will make it a wonderful place to unwind and have a cozy time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. this hidden gem of a city makes you feel like stepping into a new world where time stands still. the landscapes, castles, countless bridges, famous landmarks - with St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and prague Castle and architecture alone are going to impress you. this safe, marvelous place will charm you with its countless beauty, ambience and relaxed atmosphere. Be prepared to carry back some dozens of memories from your trip.

CzeCh

40 TRAVEL JINGLES

Around the world

perceived as a tiny mass of land on the world map, new Zealand with its stunning countryside and magnificent urban areas sets the tone for as one of the perfect honeymoon destinations in the world. whether it is the adrenaline gushing adventures you’re looking for or are craving for gourmet fine-dines with the gushing wine or are just looking to leisurely rests in luxurious accommodations, new Zealand is the paradise, where you want to start your new life in. Lush greenery, carpets of hills, star-filled skies or the fairy-tale esque village setting dotting with lively cattle, new Zealand offers abundance

of romantic escapes for the couple in love! the country has many spectacular destinations, which could be explored as much as on cross-city road trip or a brief flight, whatever your choice! From cities full of sophisticated upscale accommodations and candle-light dinners to striking alpine landscapes that offer plenty of adrenaline pumping activities such as sky-diving, heli-hiking to quiet beaches reflecting the blue skies and natural wonders, new Zealand packs in something for every type of couple- whether it is the adventurous couple, the romantic couple or just a couple craving of “us-time” after elaborate and tiring wedding rituals.

new zealandhoneymoon is a time to unwind and prepare yourself with your better half for new beginnings after magnanimous ceremonies and hectic few days. what better than with your own little piece of paradise than one which offers moments of serendipity and vast wonders of nature bounded by coastlines- welcome to philippines! Surrounded of more than 7000 islands, philippines is one of the dreamiest spots on the earth, fringed by coral reefs and beaches that are dotted with thatched-roof huts. whether it is the powdery white sands of Boracay, or the chocolate hills, or the underwater colours of Talikud Island’s Coral Garden Marine Park, there’s a

vast array of an assortment of experiences to choose from. Be it the high tide mangrove sandbar of Vanishing Island or the Monfort Bat Sanctuary, home to 2,000,000 fruit bats, this land of Filipinos offers is sure to leave you in awe! Blessed with an abundance of good vibes and hospitality, there is more to the land of Filipinos, beyond secret islands and emerald waters of the ocean. explore your adventurous side by beseeching underwater cemetery, church ruins, hot and cold springs, waterfalls, and the remnants of ancient volcanoes. If you seek more, indulge the shopper in you by exploring the markets that offer bounty of south Sea pearls, hand-woven cloth, embroidered fineries, terracotta and porcelain.

PhiliPPines

TRAVEL JINGLES 41

Around the world

Surrounded by marvellous mountains, utopic waterfront promenades & alpine-landscapes, Switzerland is musical in motion and is the perfect backdrop to your love song. A land of unspoiled lakes, thick alpine forests and snow-clad mountains, Switzerland captivates your senses and mesmerizes you with its charm. A confluence of cultures, the country is a smorgasbord of delightful surprises be it nature, food, art, adventure or culture. A haven for romance, it is certainly not an exaggeration to tag the country as the most romantic destination on earth with its enchanting valleys, ethereal mountains,

and enthralling water bodies. The stunning alpine scenery, heart throbbing waterfalls, ultra-luxurious stays and dreamy ski resorts in Switzerland captivate the senses and leave you in awe. whether it is the colourful medieval architecture and gorgeous fountains are amongst the many charming attractions of lucerne, the world’s most famous – and fanciest – art galleries of Zurich, or the chic, elegant and the cosmopolitan ambiance, St. Moritz, the country has so much to see and do that no honeymooner will ever come across a dull moment.

switzerland

42 TRAVEL JINGLES

AIRLINES

Everyone loves travelling and exploring new destinations. Choosing the right destination and the right airlines definitely plays an important role in your Journey. A

rendezvous with Saminda Perera, General Manager Marketing, Sri Lankan Airlines sharing his views on what makes Sri Lankan Airlines so different.

Sri Lankan Airlines being the National carrier to Sri Lanka, which countries mainly contribute to the inbound tourism of Sri Lanka? Over the past few years, SriLankan Airlines has been focusing on growing regional routes within Asia as part of a new strategy aimed at improving profitability. The airline is focused on being a regional carrier and other than London, China, Japan and Australia, we don’t intend to spread our wings out much. SriLankan Airlines resumed long haul expansion on 29-Oct-2017, with the launch of a daily service to Melbourne in Australia. Indian network is their biggest strength. More frequencies on short haul routes would improve connectivity, enabling them to grow transit traffic. They rely heavily on sixth freedom traffic, particularly on its routes to India & Maldives. SriLankan Airline now has 14 destinations in India. Inbound tourism is a lot from countries like India, China followed by many others.

India is a key market for the airline, what are the trends that you are seeing in India in terms of emergence of new segments and markets?India’s air travel market has boomed in the last decade as it opened up to competition. Ticket prices have slashed and the number of people wealthy enough to travel has ballooned. Enormous growth in domestic passenger traffic, substantial strengthening through Government initiatives and airlines showing profits indicates a significantly positive transformation for the Indian civil aviation market. The close partnership between the government and the industry in ongoing and

future projects will further improve regional connectivity. Also the inbound & outbound travel has increased and more & more Indian are travelling overseas.

The Indian government has shown its interest to develop aviation in regional markets, how do you see such markets for the growth of your airline in the years to come?India’s “Regional Connectivity Scheme”, where air fares on routes between towns and cities currently poorly connected will be capped - at 2,500 rupees for every 500 km of travel – is definitely going to change the dynamics of flying in India. This will make flying more affordable in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market. India is a very important market for SriLankan Airlines and this revolution of making air travel affordable will help us in reaching out to new fliers. Currently, SriLankan Airlines is the largest foreign carrier into India flying from 14 destinations. India also remains the largest tourism market for Sri Lanka, accounted for 356,729 visitors to the island in 2016, and 110,891 in the first four months of 2017. We will be targeting the regional markets for travel & tourism and add more cities in our network

What are your upcoming plans for expanding operations and enhancing your services?We keep exploring mutually beneficial alliances and partnerships from time to time, for example, the onweworld alliance which is creating value for us. We entered the alliance two years ago and its benefiting the airline. We would like to develop greater cooperation with Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, American Airlines or British Airways. Working with us would certainly give them much more access to South India and the region which a lucrative market for all. SriLankan also operates one-stop twice-daily services between Sri Lanka and Australia with its codeshare partners Qantas and Malaysia Airlines. Also, in India, we are looking at new destinations for connectivity.

Let’s fly high with Srilankan AirlinesAN INSIGHT TO THE AIRLINE

TRAVEL JINGLES 43

Food and wine

General Admission

3 Courses and Beverages

$175.00

Melbourne will be celebrating the world’s Longest Lunch at the banks of the Maribyrnong River. if you are a foodie and a traveler then there is a

Melbourne - World’s longest lunch

feast waiting for you from 16th-25th March 2018. Join in the colourful celebration of one of Melbourne’s most culturally diverse and food-

loving communities. There will be innumerable talented artists and musicians to celebrate with a lot of excitement and joy. Many cuisines will be served from various parts of the world.

There will be a layout for 1700 diners spread on a 500-metre long table for three decadent courses prepared by adam d’Sylva (Tonka, Coda) and Jerry Mai (annam, Pho nom), bringing together their indian, italian, Vietnamese and Cambodian roots into a modern-australian feast. Pastry Chef Kay-Lene Tan (Tonka, Coda) will create a dazzling dessert course inspired by her global travels. Brought to life by Peter Rowland, matched wines by Tahbilk, beer from Stella artois, and still and sparkling water by Sanpellegrino and acqua Panna. Followed by coffee from Lavazza. So, what are you waiting for? Book you seat and enjoy the sumptuous food.

There are many dishes to name when it comes to Japanese cuisine.. what makes Japanese food unique is that the dishes are smaller in portion, but the colours and combination of ingredients make it both aesthetic and flavour rich. we are not talking about restaurants but food

when it comes to Sushi, mastering the art of Sushi making is important. The best Sushis’ are handmade where a lot of attention is given to details such as knife skills, as the slightest of changes in preparation can take the Sushi recipe away awry.

on the contrary, Tempura is a simple type of traditional food, which is easy to prepare and delicious to taste. all you need is flour, egg and oil to deep fry with some fresh Japanese vegetables, white fish, and you have the perfect recipe for some great Tempura

Japanese Food and Wine

SAKE – Japanese WineSake is a traditional Japanese rice wine, which is made by fermenting rice that has been polished to prepare it beautifully in a traditional manner. Highly potent as an alcohol, it’s one of the few experiences that enrichen the minds of those who drink it! it is served warm in a small earthenware or porcelain bottle called a tokkuri, and sipped from a small porcelain cup called a sakazuki.

it’s a drink as old as Japanese history, and it predates many Japanese traditions centuries ago (4800BC)!

not required. anyone can Google it. Let things be more knowledgeable and crisp. if you are a beginner sip onto Sake with juicy fruity flavours Junmai Ginjo or daiginjo and Kimoto/Yamahai Sak. They will leave you to asking for more!

44 TRAVEL JINGLES

Food and wine

Abu Dhabi Food Festival

abu dhabi Food Festival was held from december 7th uptil december 23rd, which included a fantastic menu of events for foodies, visitors and families from across the Uae and wider region to enjoy and relish the food. The department of Culture and Tourism – abu dhabi organised the full line-up of activities, presented in partnership with event companies from the private sector including Festember, Truckers, dining & nightlife magazine and Zomato, taking place at the 2017 abu dhabi Food Festival.

in this third edition of the festival, the highlight was on some all-time favourites, chefs accompanied by well known international chefs besides some new gastronomic experiences.The food affair was spread over 17 days across abu dhabi city.

Sultan al dhaheri, acting executive director, Tourism Sector, department of Culture and Tourism - abu dhabi, said: “We are proud to be at the forefront of national efforts aimed at elevating the Emirate’s profile as a leading gastronomic destination across the region. This edition will feature an extensive event calendar that highlights the diversity of our culinary delights and our avant-garde restaurant concepts. By collaborating with a wide range of government and private partners, we are able to position Abu Dhabi as a destination of distinction that attracts visitors from across the region who come to enjoy its unmatched offerings and exciting events.”

The hotel serves authentic indian dishes prepared with age-old recipes using rare herbs and exotic spices. The wine Cellar at Baluchi, offering a wide range of world’s best wines, adds an equally delectable twist to the cuisine. Taking the lethal combination of food and wine to the next level, Baluchi has a special corner dedicated to baking indian regional breads namely naanery – The Bread Bar. The artisanal breads are baked the classic way in a traditional iron tandoor, thus producing the most authentic taste. The naanery experience exceeds expectation with an exclusive wine pairing, making naanery at Baluchi a must for every food and wine lover.

whisky, or the ‘water of life’ as it’s known in Scotland, was first distilled there back in the 15th century, and since then has become the only place to taste and experience whisky at its best. Scotland exports

40 bottles of whisky per second, and with

well over 100 distilleries producing five different blends covering five whisky regions (Lowland, Highland,. Speyside, islay and Campbeltown). Scotland offers an abundance of exclusive whisky tours and experiences. You can take an unforgettable canoe journey along the Spey River, experiencing the true essence of Speyside whisky distilleries with a unique tour Spirit of the Spey. Have a go at cutting the peat used in Laphroig whisky yourself,

Baluchi, A Pan Indian Destination at The LaLiT New Delhi

Scotland whiskybefore having your own personal whisky tasting at the distillery. You can become a master blender at Glengoyne distillery and the Scottish whisky experience in edinburgh, with the chance to blend your own

luxurious whisky after an exclusive tour of the distilleries. Scotland also hosts wonderful whisky festivals throughout the year, the islay Festival of Music and Malt and Fife whisky Festival are the most famous.

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CZECH NATIONAL DAYOne 28th of November, H.E. Mr. Milan

Hovorka and his wife Mrs. Jarmila Hovorkova, have hosted the reception on the occassion of the National day of the Czech republic. the guest list had many

improtant people - the most notable being Shri C.r. Chaudhary, Minister of State from

Ministry of Commerce. He apprecited the welcome message in four languages (Hindi, Bengali, English and Czech) from the language students from both Czech

republic and India. the evening was spiced up by a

performance of the singing group Bohemia voice, who made a wonderful rendition of a Hindi classic song “Pal Pal

dil Ke Pass”, which was requested another 5 times during the evening.

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JAPAN NATIONAL DAY

https://www.ucnews.in/news/Taimur-Poses-With-The-Airline-Staff-At-Am-sterdam-Is-Too-Cute-For-Words/2041792309003336.html?source=pc_guide

india is the most reliable partner for Japan, Says ambassador

the ambassador of Japan to india, H.E. Kenji Hiramatsu addressed the gathering on the occasion of the National Day reception at the Embassy of Japan (December 13, 2017). the National Day of Japan is observed to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, who will be 84 years old on December 23rd. the Honourable ambassador, in the opening lines of his speech, wished for the continued good health and happiness of Japan’s revered Emperor.

Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Hiramatsu stated, “this year was characterized by thehistoric visit of Prime Minister abe to Gujarat in September, and by the visibly enhancedpeople-to-people exchanges as the Year of Japan-india friendly exchanges.”

the ambassador further mentioned, “the strategic dialogue between the two Prime Ministers on regional and global issues is becoming increasingly deep and substantial. india is an obvious, essential, and the most reliable partner for Japan to work with, in coping with the challenges that the world faces today. Japan places india at the centre of its indo-Pacificstrategy.”

Referring to the Japanese direct investment into india, H.E. Hiramatsu, underlined that Japanese FDi has almost doubled from 2.6 billion dollars in FY 2014 to 4.7 billion dollars in FY 2016, clearly illustrating the huge upsurge in Japanese companies’ interest in entering the lucrative indian market and expanding their operations.

at the reception, 20 Japanese companies put up an exhibition of their products and new business initiatives in india. the ambassador concluded his speech by thanking the audience for extending their valuable cooperation and friendship throughout the year.

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Celebrations at Venezuela Embassy

“the Embassy of venezuela held its annual end of the year get together with distinguished guests, friends and

members of the venezuela India Solidarity Network. Hosted at the Official residence, the Ambassador of venezuela to India, H.E. Augusto Mobile thanked all those present for their friendship and Solidarity with

venezuela during a 2017.distinguished Ambassadors from GrUlAC countries

such as Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, senior diplomats and top management from ONGC, OIl India, Pharma companies and mayor newspapers

graced the occasion with their presence and enjoyed an evening of the venezuela India Blend that characterizes

decades of bilateral relations that were taken to new levels after President Chavez visited in 2005 and the

upcoming visit of President Maduro in 2018.

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ST.ANDREW’S DAY RECEPTION

St Andrew is Scotland’s patron saint and on November 30 Scots, the world over celebrate St Andrew’s day.

St Andrew’s philosophy was simple: share what you have with those less fortunate and be kind to each other. Each year they celebrate these principles with a host of parties

and special events for everyone to enjoy!this year, in India, St Andrew’s day was celebrated on

5th december 2017 in New delhi at the British High Commissioner’s residence. the special guest of honour was the Scottish deputy First Minister, Mr John Swinney

who was on a fleeting tour of India that week, promoting business, r&d, tourism and university collaborations

between India and Scotland.As guests were piped in by a Scottish lady piper, based in New delhi, the lawns looked extremely festive. the

evening saw a number of beautiful performances from Celtic Connections and the royal Conservatoire of

Scotland. the guests got to feast on good food & drink and some extremely well known Scotch whisky and gin

drinks paired along with Scottish culinary delights.In all, it was an evening to remember and one that

reminded us to #BelikeStAndrews!

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