Find your own escape route
Five trends in the world of travel to look out for in the coming year.
Traincations: The romance of the Railroad is back, bringing with it an opportunity to reduce one's carbon footprint. Clamber aboard the Buddhist Special at Delhi to visit Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi and Sarnath or, if it's a colder clime that you want, hop on to the Royal Scotsman. It may not have been romanticised like the Orient Express, but it exposes you to the world of distilleries, Scottish castles (with malts and fine dinners) and entertainment by artists and story-tellers who board the train each evening to enliven the proceedings.
Second-layer vacations: Value-added experiential trips that provide far more than what's promised by regular guides, such as epicurean odysseys, tennis and golfing camps (where you play with experts and watch great tourneys) and holidays for the extended family that pander to the interests of every generation.
Homestays: Savour not just beautiful locations and great shopping, but a slice of the local culture through meaningful interactions with the local citizenry (including artists and musicians). And what better base for such a vacation than a beautiful homestay where you can live among the locals, enjoy their food and learn their ways?
Flashpacking: This one's for the gypset: backpacking with cash and cachet. Move over youth hostels; enter boutique B&Bs and eco-luxe safari camps and booty camps in picturesque locations that make their own spa products and adhere to the slow food movement.
Bleisure trips: This one's not new but gaining momentum. For people who travel a lot on work and want to bring their spouses along for the ride. Think luxe business hotels with pampering packages for companions.
Bargain Breaks
One of the oldest and the most respected names in travel, Cox and Kings have been tailoring holidays to suit your needs for a long time now. Every year, they come up with a list of destinations, both domestic and international, and design their packages accordingly. For 2011, they've come out with a far- ranging list of places that should be high on the list of any traveller. So check out the deals and take your pick!
A 4-night/5-day trip across Maharashtra's adundant diversity and cultural tapestry.
Price: Rs 21,813 per person inclusive of stay, meals, coach transfers and taxes
Enjoy a cruise on the MV Ocean Life to Lakshadweep for 3 nights/4 days.
Price: Rs 22,060 per person, inclusive of cabin fare, meals, entertainment and taxes
Enjoy Odisha's rich tribal heritage: Bhubaneshwar-Taptapani-Rayagada-Jeypore-Vizag; for 8 nights/9 days
Price: Rs 30,063 per person all inclusive
Soak in the picturesque vistas of Pemayangtse, Gangtok, Lachung and Yumthang in Sikkim for 8 nights/9 days.
Price: Rs 17,500 per person, all inclusive
Eat to your heart's content at Turkish cities- Canakkale, Cappadocia, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Pamukkale-for 8 nights/9 days
Price: Rs 49,276 per person all inclusive.
Cosmopolitan Dubai beckons for 3 nights/4 days
Price: Rs 12,950 per person, inclusive of 4-star accommodation and daily breakfast, sightseeing and transfers
Fall in love with Cyprus-the birthplace of Aphrodite-for 4 nights/5 days
Price: Rs 24,743 per person including stay, breakfast, sightseeing and transfers
Enjoy an extended weekend of 3 nights/4 days in Manchester.
Price: Rs 21,633 per person inclusive of accommodation, meals, museum entry and transfers
Second-layer vacations: Value-added experiential trips that provide far more than what's promised by regular guides, such as epicurean odysseys, tennis and golfing camps (where you play with experts and watch great tourneys) and holidays for the extended family that pander to the interests of every generation.
Homestays: Savour not just beautiful locations and great shopping, but a slice of the local culture through meaningful interactions with the local citizenry (including artists and musicians). And what better base for such a vacation than a beautiful homestay where you can live among the locals, enjoy their food and learn their ways?
Flashpacking: This one's for the gypset: backpacking with cash and cachet. Move over youth hostels; enter boutique B&Bs and eco-luxe safari camps and booty camps in picturesque locations that make their own spa products and adhere to the slow food movement.
Bleisure trips: This one's not new but gaining momentum. For people who travel a lot on work and want to bring their spouses along for the ride. Think luxe business hotels with pampering packages for companions.
Bargain Breaks
One of the oldest and the most respected names in travel, Cox and Kings have been tailoring holidays to suit your needs for a long time now. Every year, they come up with a list of destinations, both domestic and international, and design their packages accordingly. For 2011, they've come out with a far- ranging list of places that should be high on the list of any traveller. So check out the deals and take your pick!
Price: Rs 21,813 per person inclusive of stay, meals, coach transfers and taxes
Price: Rs 22,060 per person, inclusive of cabin fare, meals, entertainment and taxes
Price: Rs 30,063 per person all inclusive
Price: Rs 17,500 per person, all inclusive
Price: Rs 49,276 per person all inclusive.
Price: Rs 12,950 per person, inclusive of 4-star accommodation and daily breakfast, sightseeing and transfers
Price: Rs 24,743 per person including stay, breakfast, sightseeing and transfers
Price: Rs 21,633 per person inclusive of accommodation, meals, museum entry and transfers
