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DDP Publications Private LimitedNew Delhi: 72 Todarmal Road, New Delhi – 110001, India.Tel.: +91 11 23731971, 23710793, Fax: +91 11 23351503, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.holidaytalk.in

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HOLIDAyTALK is a publication of DDP Publications Private Limited. All information in HOLIDAyTALK is derived from sources, which we consider reliable and a sincere effort is made to report accurate information. It is passed on to our readers without any responsibility on our part. The publisher regrets that he cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in this publication, however caused. Similarly, opinions/views expressed by third parties in abstract and/or in interviews are not necessarily shared by HOLIDAyTALK. However, we wish to advice our readers that one or more recognized authorities may hold different views than those reported. Material used in this publication is intended for information purpose only. Readers are advised to seek specific advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. All contents of this publication are copyright. No part of HOLIDAyTALK or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publication in writing. The same rule applies when there is a copyright or the article is taken from another publication. An exemption is hereby granted for the extracts used for the purpose of fair review, provided two copies of the same publication are sent to us for our records. Publications reproducing material either in part or in whole, without permission could face legal action. The publisher assumes no responsibility for returning any material solicited or unsolicited nor is he responsible for material lost or damaged. This publication is not meant to be an endorsement of any specific product or services offered. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw, amend or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the Ind an and International Advertisements Code. The publisher will not be liable for any damage or loss caused by delayed publication, error or failure of an advertisement to appear. HOLIDAyTALK is printed, published & edited by SanJeet on behalf of DDP Publications Private Limited. and is printed at Cirrus Graphics Pvt. Ltd., B-62/14, Phase-2, Naraina Industrial Area, New Delhi – 110028 and is published from 72 Todarmal Road, New Delhi – 110001.

Publisher & Editor SanJeet

Editorial Deepa Sethi Neelam Singh Peden Doma Bhutia Art THINKINGant Advertising Gunjan Sabikhi Prem Sagar Santosh Pandey Shilpi Sharma Shailendra Shukla Udit PandeyMumbai Advertising Harshal Ashar

Production Manager Anil Kharbanda

Circulation Manager Ashok Rana

Dear ReaderThe main difference between a traveller and a tourist is: Travellers see the reality of a place and strive to not only become a part of it but assimilate and fit what they learnt and felt into their lives. Tourists on the other hand connect everything they learn to their day-to-day reality and carry back only memories of their trips. Travel is an experience, an exposure to exchange of culture and ideologies shared with people while being in a relaxed state of mind.

This is why HolidayTalk makes a huge effort to get you local information and recommendations on what to do in a city/country, what to eat and drink and the cultural native tit-bits of the region. The world is working towards bringing travellers into their countries because they are the frequent visitors.

HolidayTalk, as always takes you around the world giving you suggestions, tips for travelling, visa and currency information. This time, read about the vibrant and vivacious Spain and New york, a city bustling with unique energy. Also explore the high-end luxury and wellness experience in Gstaad, Switzerland; savour Malaysian cuisine and arm yourself with some never read before shopping tips.

In this issue, we have also covered a special circuit of Madhya Pradesh that highlights some famous historical and religious cities. We have some fashion tips in store for you by Bollywood’s famous costume designer Ameira Punwani and beauty tips by Dr. Blossom Kochhar.

And last but not the least, catch the rhythm of none other than Lucky Ali’s travel sojourns.

See places, lifestyles, learn from other cultures, hear other’s point of view, taste different food and partake of different cultures. Explore, dream, discover and remember ‘When in Rome, Do as the Roman’s Do’…

Readers’ Letters

I very much enjoyed the article written on Butchart Gardens. There are many other stories also that I enjoyed and after reading them I wanted to visit these places.

I like the night shot of the Palace in Seoul article. The use of lots of photos and many

short paragraphs attract readers.

felices viajes

the horticultural masterpiece. Mr. and Mrs.

Butchart named their home “Benvenuto”,

Italian for ‘welcome’. Tea was served to all

who arrived. In 1915 alone, it is reported that

tea was served to 18,000 people.

Mr. Butchart added his very

considerable collection of birds to The

Gardens. He would journey miles just to

procure an unusual specimen. At home,

trained pigeons lived in what today is the

Begonia Bower, ornamental ducks swam

in the Star Pond, and an ill-tempered

AutumnOct / Nov

A stunning parade of red, russet and

golden maples is joined by dozens of

varieties of chrysanthemums in the

Japanese Garden.

ChristmasDec / JanEnjoy a phenomenal display of

coloured lights and decorations.

Funny SideMrs. Butchart,

occasionally

unrecognised, was not

above serving tea herself.

To one gentleman, who

attempted to leave her a

tip, she replied, “Oh no,

thank you, sir! Old Mrs.

Butchart would never let

me accept anything!”

Sunny SideOn his magni�cent

grounds, Mr. Butchart

refused to put up a single

“Do Not” sign; although

one tree, in an e�ort to

protect the rest, bore a

discreet “Carve Initials

Here”.

parrot ruled in The Residence. Also, in the

Sunken Garden Lake, trout would come to

be fed from his hand. It is no wonder, in an

enormously popular move, Victoria granted

the Freedom of the City with the traditional

key to Mr. and Mrs. Butchart.

�e Butchart Gardens has become a

year round location, welcoming visitors

from all over the world. Recognition came

when �e Gardens were chosen as a National

Historic Site of Canada on the occasion of its

Centennial Year in 2004.

Natural AdventureDuring the summer months, enjoy a 45-minute natural

adventure, exploring the history and wildlife of Tod Inlet and

the local waters of Brentwood Bay. Wildlife includes seals,

herons, eagles, and otters in their natural habitat.

AutumnOct / Nov




Japanese Garden.


coloured lights and decorations. Autumn

Oct / Nov




Japanese Garden.

Spring

Mar / Apr / May / Jun

As the weather warms, trees burst into

�ower. The perfumes of spring and vibrant

colours of �reworks add extra excitement.

Spring





Spring






coloured lights and decorations.

SummerJun / Jul / Aug / Sep

Mid-summer Night Illuminations, Saturday

night plays among da�odils, tulips, hyacinths

and others tantalise the senses.

Spring PreludeJan / Feb / Mar

Enjoy a large indoor garden �lled

with spring plants.



with spring plants.



with spring plants.



with spring plants.









Natural AdventureDuring the summer months, enjoy a 45-minute natural

adventure, exploring the history and wildlife of Tod Inlet and

the local waters of Brentwood Bay. Wildlife includes seals,

herons, eagles, and otters in their natural habitat.

Holiday Talk | Jan–Feb 2013

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signatureexperience

Graham BellButchart Gardens

Deepa Sethi

Reader’s Page

paracoat

Contentsmarch-april 2013

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an alluring destination that boasts of picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches and grand architectural structures

Explore the magic mantra of ‘inner peace’ with Spa treatments in the alps

an adventurous experience at pench National park, mp

interesting and colourful festivals around the world

Ensure a stress-free holiday with some precautions as suggested by our doctor

Some fascinating travel news to make your holidays perfect

Tips by a famous Bollywood costume designer to look trendy while travelling answer the quiz and win an exciting prize…

a multitude of experiences for leisure travellers Know more about travel insurance from our expert

read some interesting places to shop

a city bustling with its own special blend of culture offers a unique undeniable energy

Explore the rich heritage, its legendary pilgrim centres and breathtaking scenic beauty

Get yourself acquainted with some travel-friendly apps

a tasty concoction of different flavours of Asia

Cover Story Spain

Guest TalkPench National Park, MP

Festival Talk Celebrations

Doctor’s Advice

InfoTalk News you can use

In Style Style Quotient while Travelling Quiz Contest

Guess Where

Hotel Talk Fairmont Jaipur

InsuranceApollo Munich Health Insurance

Lucky Ali

Shop TalkShopping in Philippines

City TalkNew York Slice of India

Madhya Pradesh

Tech Talk

information49 92

95

93creating a strong association with their passengers

The required visa info for your travel needs

The latest currency rates and temperature of major cities

Become familiar with some general terms in foreign languages when travelling

Flight TalkTurkish Airlines

Visa Talk

World Weather/World Currency

What’s in a word?

Malaysian Cuisine

Signature ExperienceSpa Holidays in Gstaad, Switzerland

features

Don’t Miss Food Talk

Don’t Miss Celeb Talk

Glimpses of his travel sojourns

Las FaLLas FestivaL

When: March 15 - 19

Where: Valencia, Spain

One of the most unique festivals in Spain, the

focus of this fiesta is the creation and destruction

of ninots (‘puppets’ or ‘dolls’), which are huge

cardboard, wood, paper-machè and plaster statues.

The ninots remain in place until March 19th, the day

known as La Cremá (the burning), and all of the

ninots are set on fire at exactly 12 midnight.

During the day, you can enjoy an

extensive roster of bullfights, parades,

paella contests and beauty pageants

around the city.

http://www.spain.info/en/vive/

Festival talk

FoiRexPo in avignon

When: April 27- May 01

Where: Avignon – French Riviera

A traditional spring fair, bursting with

originality and creativity, it has a new

theme each year, which includes

exhibitions and unique activities.

Apart from the traditional stands,

tourists will find live music and

wine tasting sessions, all in a

spirit of discovery and openness.

Here, tourists will find everything they

could possibly want in terms of products

and services, including home and living,

furnishing, decoration, garden, food and a

motor show.

http://www.avignonexpo.fr

Chiang Mai

songkRan FestivaL

When: April 13 - 15

Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Considered as the ‘Thai New year’,

this water festival lasts for three days.

Apart from the tradition of bathing the

Buddha, the event also features a

22-men rowboat competition.

For more fun, you can immerse

in a ‘complementary bath’ where

you too, can give others a bath

and enjoy Thai street food

right after.

Visitors can also witness the Queen

Songkran contest, a spectacular flower

procession, and the annual Nang

Songkran procession and competition.

http://songkran.tourismthailand.org

seviLLe aPRiL FaiR 2013

When: April 15 - 21

Where: Seville, Spain

Watch out for the traditional carriages drawn by horses

carrying local girls clad in bright and colourful flamenco

dresses through the city streets, set up your ‘casetas’

(marquee tents) at the all night flamenco parties, and wander

through the spectacularly decorated tents splurging with food,

music and dancing.

The fair starts at midnight, and after a weeklong

celebration the festivities end with a firework

display, also at midnight.

www.spanish-fiestas.com

CeLeBRations

PaRo tsheChu

When: March 23 -27

Where: Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan

Tshechus are large social gatherings where people

from various villages come together to witness the

religious mask dances based on ancient incidents

from the life of Guru Padmasambhava and to receive

blessings from the Lamas.

Every mask dance performed

during Tshechu has a meaning

or a story behind it.

The event consists of colorful

Bhutanese dances and other

entertainment. Besides the locals,

many tourists from across the

world attend this unique, colorful

and exciting culture.

http://www.highlandasiatravel.com

new ZeaLanD’s hot

aiR BaLLoon FestivaL

When: April 3 - 7

Where: Hamilton, New Zealand

This five-day event begins with an

early morning mass ascension when

more than 30 balloons fly out from

Innes Common. It also includes ‘The

ASB Nightglow’ at Waikato University,

featuring live music, an orchestrated

balloon glow show and a dramatic

fireworks display.

Rides cost $299.00 per person

for a flight lasting approximately

45 minutes.

Balloons take approximately 15-40

minutes to inflate depending on their size.

This is great to watch.

http://www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz

10 HOLIDAY TALK MARCH-APRIL 2013 MARCH-APRIL 2013 HOLIDAY TALK 11

Festival talk

LonDon CoFFee FestivaL

When: April 25-28

Where: The Old Truman Brewery or Brick Lane

The festival is the flagship event of UK Coffee Week™

and celebrates London’s bustling and vibrant coffee

scene. Here the exhibitors showcase new products and

unveil fresh innovations. The festival is aimed at raising

money for Project Waterfall that provides safe water,

good sanitation and hygiene education to the poorest

communities in coffee-producing country, Tanzania.

The festival features coffee and gourmet food

stalls, tastings, demonstrations from world-

class Baristas, live entertainment and music in

the uniquely-themed zones.

http://www.londoncoffeefestival.com

BeLgiuM’s gRoeZRoCk MusiC FestivaL

When: April 27 - 28

Where: Meerhout, Belgium

The festival season in Europe is opened by Belgium festival

Groezrock. It offers the best punkrock, hardcore, rock,

emorock, scream (emo), ska, or simply exceptional rock music

of today and tomorrow.

Groezrock 2013 tickets cost €70 (day), €110 (weekend) and

€15 (camping all days). Make sure you buy your tickets from

the official ticket outlet.

http://www.groezrock.be/

koRea’s Lotus

LanteRn FestivaL

When: May 18 – 20

Where: Seoul

A famous festival for visitors, it

celebrates Lord Buddha’s Birthday.

Visitors can also experience the

temple-stay program and temple

foods. The highlight of this festival

is three activity-packed days

which include traditional cultural

events, parades, and exhibitions of

traditional handmade lanterns.

The majestic parade of

lanterns in unimaginable

shapes and colors is an

incredible sight

to witness.

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

JaPan’s hanaMi

(FLoweR viewing) FestivaL

When: January - May

Where: Japan

The traditional custom of hanami is to visit mountains and parks

with cherry blossoms and hold sake-drinking parties beneath

the cherry trees in full bloom. These parties last well into the

night as the moon illuminates the pink blossoms. Tokyo’s Ueno

Park and Mt. yoshino in Nara, the castle town of Hirosaki,

which holds the Sakura-matsuri festival, are famous spots for

viewing cherry blossoms.

A trip to the cherry blossom viewing tunnel at the

Japan Mint in Osaka is a must.

http://www.japantravelinfo.com

CanaDa’s tuLiP FestivaL

When: May 3 - 20

Where: Ottawa, Canada

The Canadian Tulip Festival is a celebration

of the return of spring, with over a million

tulips in 50 varieties blooming in public spaces

across the National Capital Region. The highest

concentration of tulips can be viewed in the

flower beds of Commissioners Park, on the

banks of Dow’s Lake, where 300,000

flowers bloom.

Music in the streets, tulip pageantry,

international culture, arts competitions

and the Great Canadian Tulip Treasure

Hunt are some highlights of

this festival.

http://www.ottawatourism.ca and

www.tulipfestival.ca

CanaLway CavaLCaDe 2013

When: May 4-6

Where: Little Venice, Paddington, London

A unique waterways festival, this

gathering of picturesque canal boats is

a proper English affair. Considered as the

premier waterway event of London, it includes

a boat rally with a trade show; processions

and pageants; a marvellous variety of music;

plenty of kids’ activities (including favourites like

Punch & Judy and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic) and

competitions; trade stalls; a real ale bar; a wide

variety of snacks and food... and much more!

https://www.waterways.org.uk


info talk

woRLD’s Biggest aquaRiuM in a CyLinDRiCaL shaPeThis huge cylindrical aquarium is located in Berlin at the Radisson SAS Hotel. It stands 25 meters and visitors are able to travel through the aquarium to the top where there is a restaurant and an open view of the city. Hotel rooms can also experience an underwater view from their windows. There are two full time divers monitoring and maintaining the large aquarium with 2600 fish of various species.

'DanCing with the staRs’ at sea CRuisesHolland America Line has added more star power to its 2013 ‘Dancing with the Stars: At Sea’ theme cruises featuring professional and celebrity dancers from ABC’s smash hit ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Professionals scheduled to appear are two-time champion Mark Ballas, champion Kym Johnson, Chelsie Hightower, Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer. The six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature ‘Dancing with the Stars: At Sea’ events including dance lessons, a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos, and a dazzling production starring the celebrities and famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show.

tuRkish aiRLines Linking sRi LankaTurkish Airlines added its 219th destination and its 98th country by commencing flights to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka from February 2013. It will operate flights to Colombo five days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays in both directions, linking Colombo, Sri Lanka’s largest city and financial hub, to the worldwide network of Turkish Airlines.

To view the flight schedules, visit www.thy.com

JuLes weLCoMes visitoRs FoR an unDeRsea exPeRienCe Jules Undersea Lodge is the world’s first underwater hotel. Originally built in the early 1970s as a groundbreaking research lab off the coast of Puerto Rico, the lodge has been a favourite place for many celebrities.

The entrance to the hotel is 21 feet underwater on the sea floor. In addition to the scuba crash course, the staff of the resort offers extensive scuba certification courses and diving excursions.

Patrons can enjoy sea life in their natural settings through 42-inch windows. The hotel is stocked with modern amenities like air-conditioning, hot showers, a stereo and a DVD player.

Visit: www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/Main.action

Website: http://www.jul.com

new tRaveL waLLet aPP Makes tRaveLLing Less stRessFuL With new Travel Wallet app for Windows Phone 8, travellers can breathe a little easier as it makes organising and retrieving airline, hotel and car rental loyalty program numbers a breeze. With its large type, clear graphics and easy-to-use swipe interface, Travel Wallet is designed to be used by travellers on the move.

Originally released in 2011 for Windows Phone 7, Travel Wallet is now available for smartphones powered by Windows Phone 8. The new version of Travel Wallet includes the ability for users to sync their travel data to and from SkyDrive. It comes pre-loaded with over 250 airline, hotel and rental programs and includes up-to-date alliance information as well as the ability to enter in custom program information.


info talk

soFiteL so CoMMissions Design guRu LageRFeLDSofitel Luxury Hotels has commissioned Paris fashion guru, Karl Lagerfeld to design Sofitel So Singapore’s emblem. The emblem will embody Sofitel So Singapore’s original style. A range of exclusive objects will carry the emblem, and will be available for clients during their stay with the luxury hotel. With an emphasis of strong design qualities, each of the Sofitel So hotels will combine the iconic ‘art de vivre’ with a signature of an international fashion designer or artist to symbolise the hotel’s location.

gRanD theMe oF natuRe oPens in BeiJingA major exhibition of masterworks from the world-renowned collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New york, is on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing from February 1 through May 9, 2013. The exhibition, Earth, Sea, and Sky: Nature in Western Art – Masterpieces explores the grand theme of nature as painters, sculptors, and decorative artists in Europe, America, and the Near East, from antiquity to the present day, have depicted it. The 130 works of art are drawn from the Metropolitan Museum’s vast encyclopedic holdings, and are representations of landscape, flora and fauna rendered in a wide range of media, including paintings, ceramics, tapestry, silver, stone and bronze. Highlights include works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, Tiffany, Hopper and Atgetand from the ancient and medieval worlds.

qataR aiRways goes MoBiLeIn order to remain connected with its customers and update them with latest travel information, Qatar Airways has launched a new mobile application for BlackBerry, Android, and iPhone handsets, and has introduced a new mobile website.

Now, customers can search for and book flights, check their flight status and follow travel alerts on their mobiles and iPhones. In addition, members of the airline’s Privilege Card frequent flyer programme can fast track their booking by logging in with their membership number.

Customers can download the application at qatarairways.com/mobile and follow the links to the iPhone, BlackBerry or Android smartphone app store.

16 HOLIDAY TALK MARCH-APRIL 2013

save uP to 60% on eDMonton attRaCtions Pass Great news for tourists visiting the Canadian city of festivals, Edmonton. The Edmonton Attractions Pass is on sale with a huge discount of up to 60%. Considered as one of the most essential sightseeing passes for visitors who want to take in all the best of Edmonton’s attractions, the pass will give you admission to 16 of the most visited places in Edmonton and surrounding areas including the Valley Zoo, Fort Edmonton Park, Devonian Botanic Gardens and more!

The pass can be printed off directly from computer as soon as it is purchased. It is also available at select hotels in Edmonton and at all AMA locations.

info talk

sPeCiaL oFFeR By via RaiL to exPLoRe CanaDa A train trip across Canada is an unforgettable experience. To make affordable for all, VIA rail offers 50% off at the adult regular fare in all service classes for travel throughout Canada until June 15, 2013. Spice up your Canadian Rockies vacation or urban getaway to Toronto or Montréal with cultural, sporting events or visit a famous tourist site with VIA Rail’s train-hotel-activity packages. Get special deals on your hotel stay starting at $109.00 only for a package of four days or less. To know more about VIA Rail, visit: http://www.viarail.ca

tuLiP gaRDens oPen FoR touRists in netheRLanDFrom : March 21-May 20, 2013

At Keukenhof, the world’s most beautiful spring garden offers 30 inspiring flower shows, seven amazing inspirational gardens and 100 wonderful works of art. Gardens and four pavilions show a fantastic collection of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises, lilies and many other flowers. you will be overwhelmed by a spectacle of colours and perfumes.

Tips: If you want to have a really flowery day out, you should combine a visit to the Keukenhof with the Flower Parade in April. To save time and money, order your tickets ahead online.

Website: http://www.keukenhof.nl

PRivate Jet seRviCe in Bhutan Bhutan’s national carrier Drukair has formed a new partnership to offer private jet service with Chapman Freeborn to operate charters in the Himalayan kingdom.

The private jet service will be based at Bhutan’s Paro International Airport, which is located in a deep valley, 2,200 metres above sea level. With surrounding peaks rising above 5,500 metres, it is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world for take-offs and landings, with only a limited number of pilots certified to use the airport.

shangRi-La Continues FRee wi-Fi RoLLout to MoRe LiMosShangri-La Hotels and Resorts has continued the rollout of its free Wi-Fi service to the company’s Limousines, and aims to have the service in 82 of the Group’s hotels (including India) by the end of 2013. The service is currently extended to 72 hotels in the Group, and includes the Kerry Hotels and Traders Hotels brands. In 2009, Shangri-La claimed to be the first international luxury hotel Group to offer free Wi-Fi. In Taipei, arriving guests who are chauffeured to the Far Easter Plaza Hotel are welcomed via FaceTime, while commuters using the Shangri-La shuttle bus in the Chinese city of Guangzhou can also use free Internet en-route.


info talk

FinD the Right saFaRi touR onLine SafariBookings.com is the latest website that features more than 2,200 user reviews, written by experts from over 50 nationalities. Besides the reviews, it features a wealth of expert information on the 8 major safari countries and 140 parks and has over 3,500 photos from world-famous wildlife photographers.

A large contingent of specialised safari operators in both African and Western countries has already joined it and offering their tours on the website. The result is an easy-to-compare mash-up of safari tours which makes the process of finding the right safari much easier and less time consuming.

Bhutan’s Finest hoMegRown hoteLThe 45-rooms Zhiwa Ling hotel in Bhutan combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, it is one of only two in the country to be ISO22000 certified.

Set on 10 acres, Zhiwa Ling has many amenities available to guests. The spa, along with other facilities, offers a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. There is a business center, Tea House, two fully-equipped conference rooms, a Meditation House, two restaurants and the hotel has its own greenhouse. Gathering at the Mad Monk Bar for a pre-dinner drink or after-hours fun is a highlight for guests.

Honoring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new cultural landmark.


Dency Mathew

Spain has always been an alluring destination for many as it boasts of picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches, grand architectural structures, lip-smacking food and of course the famous football clubs.

If Madrid is the heart of Spain then Barcelona is the pulse of the country. But besides these cities, Spain has a lot more to offer to any traveller irrespective of sex, age and budget.

Cover story

esPana!viva


ConventionaL Must visits oF sPain

Cover story

MaDRiD’s MuseuM tRinity Visit the three museums of art and history Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. These museums house the biggest Spanish art collection in the world.

Our Tip : A visit to all three museums in one day can be quite tedious, so plan to do this in two days. Also, to avoid paying a separate entry charge at each museum, avail of a museum pass which offers discounted rates for all three museums.

La sagRaDa FaMiLia A symbolic monument of Barcelona, this imposingly tall cathedral will take your breath away with its unconventional architecture and carvings. It is Antoni Guadi’s most famous and controversial creation that is still under construction.

BesiDes the main cities of Madrid and Barcelona, do plan a trip to Valencia and Seville to soak some more of Spain.

aLhaMBRa PaLaCe‘Alhambra’ which means ‘red’, takes its name from its red-brown bricked outer walls. Alhambra is built on a hill above the Darra River backdropped by the snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains, giving it a very heavenly nature.

Our Tip : It is better to order your ticket at least a day before your trip to Alhambra. The tickets may be reserved online from www.alhambratickets.com.

Our Tip : Book your ticket online at www.sagradafamilia.cat to avoid long queues.


Cover story

unConventionaL Must visits oF sPain

toLeDo Toledo was once the capital of Spain and is now one of the oldest cities in Europe and is a World Heritage city. It is situated close to Madrid and includes some famous churches and museums. Toledo’s unique heritage dates back as far as the Neolithic Era.

Toledo is also associated with the steel swords that were once made here and still offered as tourist souvenirs. The city is small and is best explored on foot.

Our Tip : Climb up the towers in the cathedral for an awesome view of the city.

the sPanish CoastLine is huge and boasts an excellent climate but the most visited is Costa del Sol. Its wonderful coast belt and excellent golden sandy beaches are ideal for summer beach and family holidays in Spain.

iBiZa Don’t miss a trip to Ibiza. From dawn to dusk, indulge yourself in the cardinal sins of sloth and gluttony while on the paradise island. The party never stops in Ibiza and the beaches never end.

Our Tip : Best time to go to Ibiza is September-October when they have closing down parties at several clubs.

MontseRRat One of Catalonia’s historic sites is the holy mountain of Montserrat which literally means ‘jagged mountain’. The mountains are naturally formed rocks rising to a height of 4,000 feet. This striking landmark also houses The Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat which is famous for its Black Maradona.

Our Tip : Get yourself a ToT Montserrat ticket from Barcelona station which covers most of your costs for a trip to Montserrat. The ToT Montserrat ticket includes the return train journey to Montserrat from Barcelona and a choice of either the cable car up to Montserrat mountain or the Rack Railway. The ticket also gives you free entry into the Montserrat museum plus a free lunch at the restaurant at Montserrat.

A trip to Montserrat is worth a day in Barcelona as the view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. Do visit the Santa Cova Caves.


Cover story

attenDing FLaMenCo DanCing The guitar, clapping rythms and traditional songs accompany flamenco dancers in Spanish attire. We got a glimpse of this dance form in the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, but watching it live in the place the dance form was born is an experience by itself!

eating PaeLLa anD DRinking sangRia Eat like the locals and scrape off the last bite of Paella from the pan. Paella is the most famous dish and Sangria the famous drink of Spain. To taste authentic Paella, take a trip to Valencia where the dish originated.

watChing a BuLL Fight When in Spain join the world of bull fighting, which is an exciting, entertaining and blood-rushing sport. Bull fighting shows are conducted throughout the country but the more famous ones can be found in Madrid and Seville.

Joining the night LiFe It will be a tragedy for any traveller to miss this lively and happening scene of Spain. The most fun parties take place in restaurants, pubs and clubs in the capital city of Madrid, but the other cities too come alive in the night.

a visit to ReaL MaDRiD,

BaRCeLona CLuBs The God of all football clubs is

based in Spain. So a visit to the Real Madrid Club and the Barcelona

Club is a ‘must’ for any sports enthusiast. And who knows, you

might get a glimpse of Messi, Christiano Ronaldo or Casillas…

tRaveLLing to sPain is no gain without...


Cover story

sLiCe oF sPainFor the epicurious souls, Spanish cuisine is a culinary delight. Food is a way of life for the Spaniards and their cuisine has a distinctive and enviable platter of good food to offer. Spain’s gastronomy differs from region to region on account of the climate and geography.

SoMe oF the MuSt-eatS are Paella, Tortilla Espanola, Tapas, Churros, Calameras Fritos, etc.

aDventuRe JunkiesSpain is an excellent choice for adventure sports. We have all watched Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar jumping from Spanish skylines, enjoying deep-sea diving and participating in bull running. you can also indulge in white water rafting, paragliding, mountain climbing and much more.

inDian FLavouR in sPainRestaurant Govinda, Madrid www.amalteaygovinda.com

Restaurant Bollywood, Barcelona www.bollywood-spain.com

Restaurant Shanti, Barcelona www.restaurantshanti.com

Moving aRounDTravelling in Spain can be a little stress-ful because of the language barrier, but once you overcome it with some help from locals, travelling in Spain becomes a breeze. Metros, taxis and buses are easily and frequently available to go from one destination to another. The Hop On – Hop Off buses are available in major cities.

shoPPingEl Corte Ingles is one of the biggest department stores in Spain with branches in different cities. For those who love to bargain and love the rustic feel of shopping, a visit to El Rastro should not be missed. This is one of Europe’s biggest flea markets and is held every Sunday in Madrid. Even if you are not a flea shopper, visit this place to indulge in a bit of a carnival feel.

shoPPingEl Corte Ingles is one of the biggest department stores in Spain with branches in different cities. For those who love to bargain and love the rustic feel of shopping, a visit to El Rastro should not be missed. This is one of Europe’s biggest flea markets and is held every Sunday in Madrid. Even if you are not a flea shopper, visit this place to indulge in a bit of a carnival feel.

Don’t forget to pick up

some sangria bottles and

flamenco fans to take

back home as souvenirs.


Cover story

BataLLa DeL vino It is a festival celebrated with red wine, in the town of Haro in the La Rioja region of northern Spain. People dressed in white shirts and red scarves carry jugs, bottles and other types of containers filled with red wine. Led by the town’s mayor on horseback, the procession passes through the town to the Cliffs of Bilibio, where a mass is celebrated at the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio. After the mass, the red shower begins with everyone tossing wine on each other until all are soaked from head to foot. Date: June 29

san FeRMin Fiestas This is a week-long bull running and bull fighting festival. It is held in the city of Pamplona. Every morning at 8 am, the bravest run ahead of a group of angry bulls. Not a sight for the weak hearted.Dates: July 6 - 14

Festive FLavouR oF sPainIf you are one of those who likes to visit a country and soak in the festivities of the country, then Spain is an ideal place with distinct year-round festivals taking place in different cities.

La toMatina The battle of tomatoes happens in the small town of Buñol, an hour outside Valencia. Thousands of people gather on the streets of the tiny town to fling tomatoes at each other. When: Last Wednesday of August

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Malaysia can be nicknamed ‘Mini asia’ as its cuisine is a tasty concoction of different flavours of asia. highly influenced by countries like Indonesia, India, Middle east, and China, it’s spicy, savoury and strong.

holidaytalk brings you some of the dishes that should not be missed while in Malaysia.

Malaysia can be nicknamed ‘Mini asia’ as its cuisine is a tasty concoction of different flavours of asia. highly influenced by countries like Indonesia, India, Middle east, and China, it’s spicy, savoury and strong.

holidaytalk brings you some of the dishes that should not be missed while in Malaysia.

PoPiah A famous street food in Malaysia, Popiah is a type of spring roll stuffed with vegetables and sprouts and is served as a snack. The sauce served along with this dish varies from place to place. Popiah is also a popular dish in other Asian countries like Singapore, China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

There are also non vegetarian versions of this dish which consists of chicken and prawns.

Malay

Food talk

wateringMouth

nasi LeMak Arguably the most popular dish of Malaysia, Nasi Lemak literally means ‘creamy rice’. The rice, cooked in coconut milk, comes with a spicy onion sauce, deep fried crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, cucumber slices and a quartered hardboiled egg and is traditionally served on banana leaves. Its non-vegetarian version includes beef, mutton, cuttlefish, shrimp or fried eggs.

satay Sold everywhere from malls to streetside, Satay is marinated meat on a stick. Typically a spicy peanut sauce dip is included. Satay is served with cucumber and onion slices and best eaten as soon as it is cooked. Beef, chicken or lamb variations of satay can be found virtually everywhere in Malaysia.

Dency MathewDency Mathew


CuRRy Laksa Full of flavours and fragrance of spices, it is a creamy soup infused with coconut milk and the spiciness of chillies. Throw in some noodles, bean sprouts, chicken, prawns, tofu puffs, eggs and you have another great comfort food from Malaysia.

Food talk

Roti Canai Made from wheat flour dough, Roti is kneaded and tossed into a roughly circular ‘pizza style’ shape and cooked right in front of you on a hot plate sizzling with oil. Light and wholesome, it is normally served with lightly spiced fish, chicken or dal curry. Heavier versions of the Roti Canai include Roti Telur which adds an egg and onions into the dough, Roti Sardin with sardines, onions and egg, and Roti Planta with margarine.

saMBaL uDang For seafood and spicy food lovers, this is one dish that should not be missed in Malaysia. This red, hot and tangy dish is the most famous shrimp dish in Malaysia. It consists of prawn or shrimp cooked in spicy fiery chilli sauce. Enjoy it with Nasi Lemak or plain rice.



Bite oF the Big aPPLe

City talk

Bite oF the Big aPPLe

why new yoRk is CaLLeD the Big aPPLe?‘The Big Apple’ is a nickname first popularised in the 1920s by John J. FitzGerald, a sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph.

Picnics in parks, concerts on the Williamsburg waterfront and bicycle rides on Governors Island - the unique undeniable energy of New York feels particularly apparent in the summer. Each of the city’s five boroughs – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island - is bustling with its own special blend of culture during this time. and with so much to see and do, every visit to the city feels new.

Picnics in parks, concerts on the Williamsburg waterfront and bicycle rides on Governors Island - the unique undeniable energy of New York feels particularly apparent in the summer. Each of the city’s five boroughs – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island - is bustling with its own special blend of culture during this time. and with so much to see and do, every visit to the city feels new.


City talk

statue oF LiBeRty anD eLLis isLanDThe Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in the New york Harbor, is one of the most iconic attractions. Ellis Island was the immigrant

gateway to America from 1892 to 1954. After 30 years of

abandonment, it was opened as a museum in

September 1990.

tiCketsAdults (13+) - $17

Seniors (62+) - $14 Children (4-12) - $ 9 Children under 4 - FREE

tiMingFerries to the island depart from 8.30 am till 4.30 pm

aLLow youRseLF 4-5 hours to visit both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, especially if you want to do an audio tour of both the islands.

You can visit both Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with Statue Cruises.

the MetRoPoLitan MuseuM oF aRtWith over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years, it is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. Entry to the collection and special exhibition sections is free. Also enjoy dining, the audio guide and shopping at the Met Store.

tiCketsAdults - $25 Seniors (65 and older) - $17 Students - $12 Children under 12 (accompanied by an adult) - FREE

tiMingTuesday–Thursday 9.30 am–5.30 pmFriday and Saturday 9.30 am–9.00 pmSunday 9.30 am–5.30 pmClosed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), December 25, and January 1.

visit CeLeBRities at MaDaMe tussauDsSing, dance and mingle with the famous wax models of more than 200 celebrities in Times Square. From Marilyn to Madonna to Miley, there are stars from every generation.

tiCketsAdult (13+ years) - $36

tiMingOpen 365 days a year at 10.00 am, including all holidays.

the eMPiRe state BuiLDingEnjoy panoramic vistas of

New york City from its highest viewing point, the Empire State Building

Observatory. To avoid long waits, get there either very early or very late.

tiCkets Adult - $25

Child (6-12) - $19Senior (62+) - $22

Children 5 and under - FREE

tiMing From 8.00 am to 2.00 am, seven days

a week.

BRookLyn BotaniCaL gaRDenExplore 52 acres of natural beauty, with more than 10,000 kinds of plants from all over the world. The garden is open year-round and has plants for every season, plus indoor tropical gardens and bonsai trees.

tiCketsAdults - $10Senior citizens and kids - $5

tiMingTuesday–Friday 8 am to 4.30 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 4.30 pm, Closed on Mondays.


Bateaux DinneR CRuiseSail New york Harbor aboard a luxurious, glass-enclosed boat. Enjoy an exquisite four-course plated meal, fine wine, a live three-piece band and dancing served up against the backdrop of the majestic New york City skyline. Make reservations through http.//www.bateauxnewyork.com/

CentRaL PaRk heaRt oF ManhattanEncompassing a diverse landscape of rolling fields, walking trails and tranquil waterways, its landmarks are Wollman Rink, the Central Park Zoo and the Friedsam Memorial Carousel; great for kids of all ages. aDMission is FRee.

tiMingOpen from 6.00 am to 1.00 am, 365 days a year.

City talk

spotting at Lobby Bar at The Jane, a bi-level lounge decked out in exotic vintage décor.

The five boroughs are also a humor mecca—NyC’s comedy clubs such as Gotham Comedy Club, Carolines, Comedy Cellar, The Duplex, Stand Up Ny, host headliners and rising stars every night of the week.

nightLiFe uPtown anD BeyonDFor the true NyC experience, go out after dark. The Lower East Side is full of bars running the gamut from classy joints to gritty dives to dancing dens. Le Bain, the rooftop bar of Standard Hotel, offers stunning views of the Hudson River and New Jersey. Go for some celeb

DisCoveR new yoRk By waLking There are a wide range of walking tours, such as the Big Onion Walking Tour, Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl, Fifth Ave Walking Tour, Museum Mile Walking Tour, Brooklyn Walking Tour and many more. Some of the tours have a minimal cost and few of them are free of charge.

Bateaux DinneR CRuiseSail New york Harbor aboard a luxurious, glass-enclosed boat. Enjoy an exquisite four-course plated meal, fine wine, a live three-piece band and dancing served up against the backdrop of the majestic New york City skyline. Make reservations through http.//www.bateauxnewyork.com/

go FoR a heLiCoPteR RiDeExperience New york in a unique way; view the iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and other Manhattan locations from a new breathtaking perspective.

DinosauR wing at the aMeRiCan MuseuM oF natuRaL histoRyPacked with exhibitions representing people and animals throughout the ages, the museum also has a planetarium and an IMAX theater, as well as special visiting exhibitions and plenty of places to eat and shop.

The dinosaur wing is a must-see and if you have time, lie down under the life-size model of a blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.

tiCketsAdults - $33Children, Seniors and Students with ID - $25.50

tiMingOpen Daily from 10.00 am – 5.45 pm except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day


Bagels - New york City bagels are famous. Check out some choicest bagels at Daniel’s Bagels, H&H, Murray’s Bagels and many other outlets.

Pizza - Like yellow taxis, pizzas have become symbolic of New york. Some of the best pizza joints are Joe and Pat’s, Sal and Carmine’s, Di Fara, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Joe’s Pizza.

Hot Dogs - From street carts to fancy restaurants, New york has quite a few dogs-in-buns to choose from. Some of the most favorite eateries are Gray’s Papaya, Shake Shack, Nathan’s and Crif Dogs.

Cheesecakes - A New york style cheesecake is decadently rich in taste, but fluffy in texture. Some of the most popular haunts for Cheesecakes are Eileen’s Special Cheesecake, F. Monteleone Bakery, Junior’s, Lady M Cake Boutique, and Two Little Red Hens.

new yoRk: a FooDie’s PaRaDise

City talk

CatCh a PLay, go shoPPing…

BRoaDway: a LiFetiMe exPeRienCe When in New York make sure you see at least one Broadway Show.

Visit http.//www.broadway.com to view show timings and buy tickets.

save uP to 25 to 65 PeR Cent at wooDBuRy CoMMon PReMiuM outLetsWith 220 stores, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is the world’s largest collection of designer outlets where you will find leading designers brands including Balenciaga, Burberry, Coach, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Gap Outlet, Giorgio

BRookLyn neighBoRhooD touRVisit various famous Brooklyn neighborhoods, landmarks, famous movie locations and points of interest that make Brooklyn truly unique. The price of the four and a half hour tour is $75 for adults and $ 65 for children under 12. This also includes a lunch stop at World Famous Junior’s on Flatbush Avenue (since 1950).

For more details visit http.//www.asliceofbrooklyn.com/ neighborhood.html

Shopping at FiFth avenueIf you’re a fashion-focussed NYC Tourist, shopping at Fifth Avenue is must. Located in the centre of Manhattan, the best Fifth Avenue shopping takes place between 39th and 60th Streets at New York flagship stores.

new yoRk’s Best CuPCakesEnjoy Jasmine Tea, Pink Champagne, Lychee, and Black Sesame cupcakes or go for the classic butter cream frosting on chocolate at Everything Frosted located at 105 1/2 Mosco St.

Drop in at BabyCakes (248 Broome Street) for organic options and alternatives are offered to the common allergens of wheat, gluten, dairy, casein and eggs.

Ladybird Bakery attracts customers for its famous Brooklyn Blackout cupcake, filled with chocolate pudding and topped with chocolate ice cake and crumbs. Its Red Velvet and Carrot Cake cupcakes are also out of this world.

Armani, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Tod’s, Tory Burch, Zegna, etc. Getting there: Located at Exit 16 off the New york State Thruway, frequent daily bus service is available from Port Authority in New york City. Regular shopping hours are from 10am-9pm. For more details visit www.premiumoutlets.com


in ny, tRaveL By suBway systeMThe best way to commute in New york is on the subway system. The subway works 24/7, 365 days a year. you can pick up the New york City Metro Card and a 7-day Metro Card will cost you $29.00 (This can change).

you can also commute in black and yellow cabs, however that is a much costlier option.

Indian Cuisine is easily available in New york. Here is a list of some of the well known Indian joints.

Dawat - Chef Madhur Jaffrey’s restaurant serves up everything from Tandoori shrimp to lamb curry.

Junoon - Legendary chef Vikas Khanna presents all five elements of Indian cuisine’ Handi, Sigri, Pathar, Tawa, and Tandoor.

Dévi - Devi, named after the mother goddess, is the only Indian restaurant in

City talk

inDiaon My MinD tRivia

New york is the birthplace of potato chips (crisps), readymade mayon-naise, buffalo wings and Thousand Island dressing. The original ‘Uncle Sam’ was a meat packer from Troy, New york. Sam Wilson’s meats helped feed soldiers during the war of 1812.

60 guilders were paid to Native Americans for Manhattan (a little over $1000 in today’s money).

the United States to have earned a Michelin star, according to the restaurant’s website. The 75-seat restaurant sits right outside Manhattan’s Union Square.

Saravanaa Bhavan - This vegetarian restaurant highlights India’s southern region and is well known for South Indian food. The menu includes more than 350 dishes.

Tamarind – The restaurant showcases classics such as Seekh Kebab and Chicken Tikka Masala.

Info and pictures courtesy : NYC & Company Contact : www.nycgo.com for more details


Indulging in the calming spa treatments in a small Alpine village of Switzerland – Gstaad is one of the ‘must-dos’ for travellers looking for high-end luxury and a wellness experience in europe. anita Jain ditches the usual outdoor activities in the alps and explores the magic mantra of ‘Inner Peace’ by experiencing Spa treatments with scented air, relaxing music, natural essential oils and a rejuvenating drink.








After the famous newly-wed Bollywood couple (SAIFEENA) visited Gstaad for their honeymoon, the village is no more a ‘stranger’ among Indians. This chalet village lives totally up to its reputation as the perfect high-end Alpine resort destination and retains its idyllic charm of a traditional Swiss life.

If you are contemplating a Swiss vacation, we will advise you that skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only ways to embrace the many pleasures of winter in this Bernese Alps. Book yourself for a spa treatment in any of the well-known spa properties and revivify your senses.

1 Swiss Franc (CHF) = ` 58 (approx)

tranquilityin the alps


signature experience


To further recharge your batteries and clear your mind, there are wellness cocktails, fresh fruits and vegetable juices, specially selected teas and healthy snacks at SPA Bar.

Lose track of time through various spa treatments offered by Grand Hotel Bellevue. Start with boosting your immune system through seven different types of saunas and steam baths – bio sauna, Finnish sauna, ice grotto (Personal favourite), Turkish

Entry to the sauna and steam bath is complimentary for all the guests at the property.

Body scrub (Recommended: Feuerstein replenishing body scrub for 30 minutes @ CHF 90),

Body wrap (Recommended: Detox ritual wrap for 120 minutes @ CHF 290) followed by a refreshing bath (Recommended: Evening primrose oil bath for 30 minutes @ CHF 80), Calming massage (Recommended: Feuerstein alpine experience with rock crystals for 120 minutes @ CHF 330).

TIPS: you should give 15 minutes for per sauna treatment and not indulge in more than three different sauna/steam sessions per day. Always cool down with cold water after a sauna to close your body pores.

Pamper yourself at grand hotel Bellevue

steam bath (Recommended), brine grotto, herbal steam bath and Lanconium.

Gstaad Palace, one of the last family-owned palace hotels, has been the personal favourite for many famous international personalities over centuries. Access to the Palace Spa assures the use of saunas, steam baths, Olympic-sized outdoor heated pool (in summer only), outdoor heated pool with Jacuzzi, and a Hammam with seven rituals to soothe and restore mind and body alike.

the haMMaM tReatMent (FoR 2 houRs @ ChF 380) starts with a foot bath followed by tranquil moments in the ‘Infinity Room’. This is followed by a cleansing soap foam body massage before the journey continues with a steam bath

Entry to the spa treatment area is complimentary for hotel guests. For non-hotel guests the rate is CHF 60 per day and a prior reservation is necessary.

the PaLaCe sPa also offers four international spa brands – Cinq Mondes, Sisley (Recommended: Sisley SUPREMyA anti-muscular aging facial for 80 minutes @ CHF 450), Niance and L. Raphael (Recommended: Oxy star anti pigmentation facial treatment for 50 minutes @ CHF 1490).

enjoy harmony at gstaad Palace

and a dip in the ‘Floating Pool’. After a break in the private relaxation room, a moisturising oil massage completes your spa experience.

Book youRseLF FoR




The hotel offers exclusive membership for guests ranging from CHF 650 a month to CHF 5500 for ten months.

Indulge in luxury shopping, as this chalet village houses most well known brands like Ralph Lauren, etc.

Take a walk in the ‘Pedestrians Only’ area which is the heart of social life in this village.

Take a trip to the Swiss famous Lauenensee (there are two lakes near Lauenen in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland). The place offers a very

The Alpine Gstaad is the newest luxury hotel opened in this Swiss Alpine village in 100 years. This world famous Six Senses Spa, spread over 21,500 sq ft area creates a tranquil sanctuary with locally inspired treatments. Life coaching, detox programs, nutritional consultation and specialist therapies with visits to practitioners are all on the offer list.

FoR PeRFeCt balance of peace in the body, opt for any of the ‘ila’ treatments (Recommended: Tree of Life Signature Ritual for 2 hours 30 minutes @ CHF 450). Don’t forget to indulge in a soothing body wrap (Recommended: Bio Rhythms for 2 hours @ CHF 380).

Make your spa treatment memorable(advice by grand hotel Bellevue)

Drink enough water before the treatment so your body can benefit from the detoxifying effects of spa treatments

Always start your treatment with neither empty nor full stomach. Avoid heavy meals for at least one hour before the treatment.

Never shave before a salt peeling treatment and avoid peeling if you have sunburn.

Always communicate with your therapist. Right music, perfect oil and desired room temperatures should also be mentioned to experience calming spa treatment

Avoid the sun right after your treatment. After a body peel or an aromatherapy oil massage, wait for at least 12 hours before sunbathing again.

indulge in true luxury

More than just spa!nice and quite setting in the mountains and you will see waterfalls, flowers, dragon flies and so on. you can even rent a boat for CHF 12 for an hour and row on the lake a bit. Try a scenic lunch at The Walig Hut (luxury alpine hut owned by Gstaad Palace) after witnessing the alpine cheese making process and tasting some with Walo and Erika Perreten at the Alp Vordere Walig at 1700 meters.

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shop talk

Malls in the Philippines sell some of the biggest international designer brands, but shopping there opens doors to a whole world of designer knock-offs at the greatest prices… so the next

time somebody comes back from the Philippines and flaunts a Fendi bag, you can’t be sure that it is the real deal.

Peden Doma Bhutia

a Rewarding experience

shopping in

Manilagreenhills shopping Center

With over 2,000 stores, Greenhills Shopping Center is a flea market type air-conditioned shopping centre that has branded clothes, bags, shoes and other accessories. The clothes and accessories may be knock-offs, but go further inside and you may lay your hands on some real antique ware and of course the best selection of genuine pearls.

Manila

ouR

tiP

If you are a music

aficionado you may

also get to buy some

rare CDs at the

many DVD stalls

here.

getting theRe Greenhills Shopping Arcade is located along Ortigas Avenue. The area is traffic-heavy on normal days (but lighter on weekends). Take a taxicab from any area around the metro and just mention Greenhills, the driver will surely know where to go.

The mall is open from 10am-8pm from Sundays-Thursdays and from 10am-9pm on Fridays and Saturdays

hot DeaLs Here you can get Gucci bags for less than ` 1,000 or TOMS shoes for ` 500. Also, if you manage to pull in some bargaining power you get to take home the whole deal for a few hundreds cheaper.


getting theRe The Ayala MRT Station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) serves the area. Located in Makati city, Greenbelt is right next to hotels like Shangri-la Makati, Manila Peninsula, and the Intercontinental.

shop talk

The mall is open from 10am-10pm

ouR

tiP

The mall provides a

package pick-up service.

After you finish buying at

a store, ask them to send it

to the mall’s Package Pick-up

Service. you can then pick all

your purchases from one

place later on! There is

no bargaining at these

shops.

getting theRe Most Manila hotels have special shuttle services going to MOA. The quickest way is to get on the MRT either via the Buendia or Ayala Station and get off at Taft Avenue Station, the last and Southern-most station. From there, you can take any jeepney or bus marked ‘MOA’ or ‘Mall of Asia’.

greenbelt Makati City

A complex of five contemporary buildings, Greenbelt offers a mix of high-end retail shops,

restaurants, entertainment, etc.

ouR

tiP

Those in the mood

for late night coffee

can head to this mall as

coffee shops

at the courtyard are

open most days

24/7.

If you are a gadget freak, Greenbelt 1 is the place for you.

If hunger strikes head to Greenbelt 2 as this place houses all the fine dining restaurants.

Looking for something branded? Head to Greenbelt 3, here you will find all high-end retail shops like Hermes, Calvin Klein, Marks & Spencer and Kate Spade. The second floor has restaurants, bookshops and more. Greenbelt 4 houses the

high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, Prada, Bulgari, Charriol and Gucci. Greenbelt 5 houses the shops of

prominent Filipino designers though there are also imported high-end shops like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Panerai, Zara, yves Saint Laurent, Banana Republic, Liz Clairborne, Paul Smith and Balenciaga.

sM Mall of asia(Moa) Bay CitySM Mall of Asia is the 3rd largest mall in the world. Here, you get to shop

for everything under one roof, from clothes, accessories, cosmetics to gadgets, furnishings, and much more.

The mall is open every day. Shops are open 10 am – 10 pm.


Glorietta is the one-stop mall located in the city centre that offers a wide array of shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Makati CitygLoRietta

ouR tiP

If you go on a

weekday expecting

less crowd, be warned

that the mall is crowded

more on weekdays

than on

weekends.

getting theRe The Ayala MRT Station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) serves the area. The Glorietta Mall is within walking distance of the major malls - SM Makati, Landmark, Greenbelt, etc., and hotels Shangri-la Makati, Manila Peninsula and Hotel Intercontinental.

BoRaCay isLanD shoPPingAt Boracay Island, the whole walk along the beach is dotted with shops that sell everything from beach wear, slippers, cheap and chic clothes, bracelets, necklaces, antique furniture, lamps, native woodcarvings, fridge magnets, souvenirs and other knick knacks to take back home.

shop talk

ouR

tiP

Bargaining is

the key to getting a

good deal here and if

you succeed you can get

beautiful shell necklaces

for as little as ` 100 and

bracelets for less than

` 100.


hotel talk

haridwar

spa and Fitness Centre Offering a complete wellness experience with a choice of therapies and the right blend of Asian traditions and European therapies.

Offering the most extensive hotel event and meeting facility in the region, Radisson Blu Hotel Haridwar is the perfect choice for conferences, weddings and social functions.

LocationConveniently located in the commercial heart of Haridwar, the Hotel is in close proximity to key business prospects in SIDCUL and Industries like BHEL. Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport which is at 42 km from the Hotel.

F & B servicesNEXT 2 - An all day dining restaurant offering an interactive show kitchen Wok 12 - A fine dining speciality restaurant Mints - The tea lounge offering a selection of world famous teas and coffees from around the world, as well as a mouth-watering variety of bakery and confectionery items.After 11 Bar Vaishnavam Mangalam Extensive display of vegetarian cuisine on Tuesdays.

Special 50% discounts on buffet only for Prestige Club members.

Located in the heart of Uttarakhand, Radisson Blu Hotel Haridwar, opened in 2011, is the perfect place to experience the luxury with the essence of spirituality. This 5-Star luxury hotel of the region provides an excellent experience of Spirituality, Adventure, Luxury and business.

accommodation 129 beautifully designed and well furnished rooms equipped with all modern amenities and facilities offered by a luxury hotel.

Radisson

Blu hotel


guest talk

The Pench National Park is open to visitors from early November to end June each year and closed during the rainy season (July- October).

adventurePenchant for

It happened in Pench about three years ago. In case not many of you have heard of Pench, rest assured, we had not heard of it either. But as it happens, there is one very enthusiastic Sales Head in MP Tourism, Delhi, who would not rest until we went on a holiday to MP and came back satisfied. Her sincerity had touched a chord and I finally asked her to recommend a holiday in MP. Knowing we loved wildlife, she recommended Pench — a smaller less-known National Park bordering Maharashtra.

To catch sight of tigers and other wildlife plan your visit during the summer months, as this is the time the animals come out in search of water. In winters it is difficult to view much wildlife.

The drive from Nagpur to Pench was just about an hour and the small jungle lodge was beautiful. The caretakers were friendly and the food was quite up to our taste.

getting theReThe nearest airport is Nagpur, from where you can be picked up by a jeep of the lodge you are booked in.

Seeing a leopard in the wild may be stuff of dreams for many wildlife enthusiasts but for us it was a case of wishing for it and then almost regretting that the wish came true!raja Natesan shared with holidaytalk an interesting episode from one of his memorable experiences. read more…


the stayWe spent four days there. The first two days we went out for jungle safaris but did not see much. As in not the wild cat variety, though there were plenty of deer, monkeys, Gaur, fox, and many birds. But somehow, we Indians have this penchant for the wild cat. No tiger sighting, no success.

a waLk FoR LiFeOn the 2nd night, my wife and I decided that we would go for an early morning stroll. Next day, we dragged ourselves out of bed a little before 6 am. Around our jungle lodge was a wired fence but some parts of it were broken. And one of these trailed down to a dry river bed. The path looked inviting with no sign saying we should not go down to the dry river bed… so off we went.

It was a wonderful walk. Birds tweeting, slight cool breeze, the sandy dry river bed… We talked and walked a fair bit and then sat down next to a small shrub facing each other… And then it happened. My wife was saying something that she obviously thought was important but I was no longer looking at her. I was looking over her shoulder and beyond her there was this majestic specimen less than 200 yards away bounding in our direction. I swallowed and looked again. He was still there except that he had covered

guest talk

of us than we were of him, with about 10 yards to go, which I guess would have taken him another two seconds, the leopard turned with no loss of speed at all (that was amazing) and darted straight into the bushes on the left. My wife turned around just in time to see the tail disappear into the shrubs. “Wow, that was exciting!” she said.

Exciting? That is not the adjective I would have used. Scary, blood curdling, nightmarish are possibly the words that would have crossed my mind. “yes,” I said “Very exciting!”

We walked back to the forest lodge and my wife proceeded to narrate the exciting story of how we saw a leopard just 10 yards away. My kids looked like they had been robbed of candy. “Why didn’t you take us? That would have been such fun!!”

Fun? Umm sure…!

another 50 yards by then and was still coming full tilt towards us.

I held my wife’s hand. She had no idea what I was looking at but the way I tugged at her hand made her realise that all was not well. “Don’t look back,” I told her. “Just get up quietly and let us walk back.” How that would have helped I do not know. Now he was just 100 yards away and still bearing down straight towards us. My wife was still oblivious to our impending doom. Ignorance really is bliss! Now 75 yards, 60, 50, 40… Even at that time I could not help but admire the creature. Such majestic and hypnotic eyes, the beautiful spots, the whiskers, the taut muscles. For some reason, though I was terrified, my actions betrayed none of it. Maybe I did not want my wife scared. She would have screamed and the leopard would have got angrier. Of course, I assumed that the leopard now 30 yards away was an angry beast.

“What is it?” my wife asked innocently. We had reached the middle of the river bed. My eyes were still riveted on the leopard. Twenty yards to go and I told my wife. “There’s a leopard behind you.” My head was screaming that he was going to eat us for breakfast but my voice was calm. My wife got excited “Where? Where?” she asked and turned her head. And I really don’t know what happened then. Was it the turning of her head, was it some other noise he heard, or was he more scared Raja Natesan Im

ages

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slice of india

Madhya Pradesh

Popularly known as the heart of India, the rich heritage of Madhya Pradesh

(MP) provides an intriguing window to the past. also, its legendary pilgrim centres, breathtaking scenic beauty and unparalleled wildlife truly make

MP a unique place.

Madhya Pradesh tourism has identified some tourist circuits which

cater to almost all types of tourists such as adventure seekers, wildlife

enthusiasts, pilgrims, heritage travellers and so on. holiday talk

explores the Indore circuit of MP for its readers, which highlights not only the heritage city of Indore, historical

city of Mandu, religious cities of ujjain and onkareshwar but also the temple

town of Maheshwar known for its fine handwoven ‘Maheshwari’ sarees.

Best season to visit the circuit – October to March

historical elegance of

Neelam Singh

Indore

Ujjain

ManduOmkareshwar

Maheshwar


Indore, the largest city of Madhya Pradesh, is the business powerhouse. Maharani Devi ahilya Bai holker planned and shaped much of Indore.

Lal Bagh: Once the residence of the Maharajas, it is now a museum.

Rajwada: Biggest tourist attraction of Indore, its wooden entrance, which is covered with iron studs, is the most spectacular sight.

Kanch Mandir: A sacred Jain temple made up of glass and mirrors.

Bada Ganpati: Built in 1875, the temple houses the largest statue of Lord Ganesha in the world measuring 25 ft from crown to foot.

Chappan Dukan: Different from the usual markets, it has 56 shops and it’s all about a variety of Indian food. Located on the main road, you can reach there by local transportation or by cab. On reaching the market, it’s better to walk on foot.

Sarafa Bazaar: A must visit for foodies as it serves one of the best tasting local food and unique dishes samosas, kachoris, pani puri, pav bhaji, chhole tikiyas, sabudana ki khichdi, maalpua and poha to name a few. A jewellery market by day, food vendors convert this into a food street every evening by setting up eateries along the road.

inDoRe

Indore is well connected by rail, road and air network. Indore Airport has direct and connecting flights to all major cities.

ConneCtivityHandicraft articles, terracotta idols paper mache products, ethnic and chic jewellery, good quality silk and satin fabric and delicate glass bangles.

Monsoon is the best time to visit Indore to enjoy the scenic beauty of several waterfalls around the city.

ouR tiP Must Buy

Must tRy

Bhagoria Festival: The vibrant tribal festival marks the onset of the spring season and falls eight days before Holi. During the festival of Bhagoria, young people choose their partners and officially elope with them.

Rangpanchami Festival: One of the oldest traditional festivals celebrated during the reign of Holkar, falls five days after Holi. The local municipal corporation also joins the celebration and sprays colorful water on the streets of Indore.

Must enJoy

Do not Miss

slice of india


uJJain

Distance: 55 km from Indore Distance: 99 km from Indore

ManDuMandu, the largest fortified city of MP, embodies the love of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for his beautiful wife, rani roopmati.

Situated on the banks of river Shipra, the ancient city of ujjain is one among four sites where it is believed that drops of amrita (holy water) accidentally spilled over from the godly pitcher. the other three places are said to be haridwar, Nasik, and allahabad.

Ujjain finds full expression in kalidasa’s most famous work, Meghdoot, in which the lover sends a message to his beloved via a rain cloud passing over the splendid city of ujjain.

slice of india

A visit to the Ghats on the Shipra River, Mahakaleshwar Temple for its Bhasm Arti, performed every morning from 4 am to 6 pm, and Bhartrihari Caves, a predominant tourist place in Ujjain.

Do not Miss

Sandhya Aarti performed every evening at the Ghats

Stay at MP Tourism’s Shipra Residency

we ReCoMMenD

Ujjain will host the Ardha Kumbha in 2016.DiD you know

we ReCoMMenD At least one night stay at

MP Tourism’s Malwa Retreat or Malwa Resort.

Visit during Monsoon to enjoy the magical landscape of Mandu

Hoshang Shah’s Tomb: Considered as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal, the tomb of Hoshang Shah is the first Marble structure in India.

Some exquisite palaces like the Jahaz and Hindola Mahals, Baz Bahadur’s Palace and Roopmati’s Pavilion, Ornamental Canals, Baths and Pavilions.

Do not Miss


oMkaReshwaR

MaheshwaR

Distance: 78 km from Indore

Distance: 91 km from Indore

omkareswar is a temple town situated on the island of Mandhata on the river Narmada.

transformed to a land of tranquility and prosperity by the greatest queen of the holkers Dynasty Maharani ahilya Bai, Maheshwar is a city of forts and temples. one of the most picturesque towns, it is well-known for local hand-woven ‘Maheshwari’ sarees.

The town has shops across the streets surrounding the temple. Tourists can purchase several handcrafted products and other religious items here.

slice of india

The OM shaped island has one of the 12 Jyotirlinga (pillar of light) shrines of Lord ShivaDiD you know

Mahakaleshwar Temple and Patali Hanuman – where Hanuman is shown sleeping.

A boat ride in Narmada River around the island is quite enjoyable.

Do not Miss

Maheshwar Fort, now a museum that exhibits treasures of the royal family

Narmada Festival (Every year in Nov-Dec) when a 1000m long cotton sari, specially made for the occasion, is stretched across the river as an offering.

Do not Miss

Famous Bollywood movies Ashoka and yamla Pagla Deewana were shot here.DiD you know

Info

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Beautiful images of elephants and Maratha soldiers on the exterior of the Ahilyeshwar temple attract tourists.


Answers on Page No. 97

quizzing

MARCH-APRIL 2013 HOLIDAY TALK 73

hot wheels

go for

Firefox Bikes introduced a new range of folding bikes in Indian market. It has teamed up with finest cycling company Tern Bikes which covers the full spectrum of all terrain. Made

as per world-class technology and international quality standards, these ultramodern bikes are highly portable.

The initial range includes the Tern Link C7, Tern Joe C21 and Tern Joe D24 which costs ` 28670, ` 30770 and ` 38640, respectively. The bikes can easily be kept in the vehicles’ trunk and moved in case of long journeys.

Tern Link C7

Tern Joe C21

Tern Joe D24


as you enter the tall gates of Fairmont Jaipur, you are left wondering if it’s a rajasthani palace, fort or a modern hotel… It’s only when you step inside, you realise that it’s a hotel that has a fort-like edifice reflecting its surrounding culture and architecture and boasts of all the comforts of a palace.

Peden Doma Bhutia

RoyaltyFairmont Jaipur

hotel talk


stRiking FeatuReThat the hotel rooms are impressive does not come as a surprise, but what really strikes you are the bathrooms at Fairmont! Each bathroom features a traditional ornately patterned screen. And if the shower cubicle with a stone bench is not indulgent enough for you, go ahead pamper yourself in the raised soaker tub for a bubble bath.

unFoRgettaBLe exPeRienCeThe experience here is also typical to the destination - tea in the gardens, traditional entertainment with dancing in the courtyard, falconry, authentic spa treatments and not to forget the innumerable sightseeing opportunities that the city, rich in historical landmarks, offers.

a winDow to JaiPuRTrue to the brand’s philosophy, the first Fairmont property in India remains authentic to the destination of the hotel. Arches and octagonal towers feature throughout, hand-carved Thekri glasswork adorns the walls while delicate ceiling embellishments in shades of gold, blue and red offer the ideal backdrop of a historic and opulent palace.

The Fairmont Gold Floor, with personalised service, offers an exclusive lifestyle experience to its guests.

hotel talk

RooMs with a RoyaL touCh The distressed gold and rich turquoise rooms with lobbed arches boast of four-poster beds, beautiful wooden furniture and all modern amenities.

FoLk taLeAs you walk in, you will notice that each of the 255 guestrooms, including seven suites, have a wooden parrot on a swing. Surprised? Well, don’t be, legend has it that when the men went to war and the women needed a companion to talk to, they often found solace in talking to parrots.


Zoya, the all-day dining restaurant, boasts of a world cuisine menu with a dedicated section of Rajasthani fare highlighting heritage dishes from the royal households.

Serving an unrivalled selection of authentic, high quality teas, Fairmont Jaipur’s lobby lounge Anjum offers a local twist to the long-standing Fairmont tradition of afternoon tea.

At the regency style library bar, Aza, guests can sample an impressive selection of wines and malt whisky with old world oak display cabinets and bespoke cocktails to match your mood.

With a mix of high and lounge seating, Fairmont Jaipur’s Cigar Diwan, is a classic smoking room, perfect after dinner.

hotel talk

Revisiting the PastA magnificent lighting ceremony in the evenings or a guided tour to the city’s most popular attractions, help the guests relive the Mughal Era. Guests can also explore the ancient art of falconry with hands-on lessons led by a professional falconer present at the hotel.

Revisiting the PastA magnificent lighting ceremony in the evenings or a guided tour to the city’s most popular attractions, help the guests relive the Mughal Era. Guests can also explore the ancient art of falconry with hands-on lessons led by a professional falconer present at the hotel.

RoyaL Dining


tourists

Requirementsvisa

visa talk

geneRaL RequiReMents FoR visa

Passport: Passport with validity of minimum six months and two blank pages for visa stamp. Attach all your old passports (if any).

Photo Specification: Two recent passport size coloured photographs with matt or semi matt finish, 60 – 80 per cent face coverage, white background and without border (Size: 35mm x 45mm) Photograph should not be more than 3 months old, scanned/

sPainPassports issued beyond 10 years will not be accepted by the Embassy Spain visa can be applied from Delhi and Mumbai but visa requirements vary for both locations

Three recent passport size photographs are required

The validity of the travel insurance must be at least 15 days longer than the period of stay and must cover the whole Schengen territory.

Schengen Visa Application Form : Three visa application forms duly filled and signed on column 37 and 38 are required.

usaUSA visa can be applied from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Visa Fee (` 9120) can be paid by cash (Axis or Citi Bank) or by paying online through Bank of America.

MaLaysiaMalaysia Visa can be applied from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai

Minimum three blank pages for visa stamp on passport are required.

PhiLiPPines Philippines Visa can be applied from New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.

Only one recent passport size photograph is required.

Note: If the traveller is under 18, he/she must also submit copies of the parent’s passports. If only one parent is travelling with child, an affidavit on INR 20 stamp paper is necessary stating that either parent has no objection to the child travelling to Spain. This affidavit has to be signed by both parents.

Source: www.udaanindia.com

stapled and should not be used in any of the previous visas. (This general information is only for destinations given here.)


offbeat

5 Luxury experiences in englanda sumptuous Michelin-starred legacy and a generous helping of the world’s most elegant hotels are just a fragment of the luxury experiences england has to offer. Sip Champagne amid royalty at the races, dabble in the pastimes of the english aristocracy and indulge in england’s very own exotic island escape.

sample Michelin-starred dining, Berkshire www.michelintravel.com From fine china and gourmet English ingredients to pioneering global chefs, England’s Michelin-starred restaurants have it all. Relish two of these in the village of Bray in Berkshire.

escape to the exotic scilly isles www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com www.simplyscilly.co.uk Jet off to the sugar-white beaches and exotic greenery of the Scilly Isles for an enchanting island getaway just 28 miles from the rugged Cornish coast. Arrive by helicopter for superior aerial views of this sand-fringed archipelago, or take a luxury yacht across the azure waters and bask in the balmy sea breezes of the Gulf Stream.

hire a private box at Royal ascot www.ascot.co.uk Flamboyant hats, designer dresses, flowing Champagne and the notable presence of the royal family characterise Ascot Racecourse’s annual Royal Ascot meeting. For a superior view of this truly English spectacle, hire one of the 255 private boxes overlooking the prestigious grounds, and enjoy a private dining room, balcony and bar area, while all the racing action taking place below.

go designer shopping with a personal shopper, London uk.westfield.com Hire a personal stylist for stress-free designer purchases at Westfield London’s high-end shopping zone The Village. Get tailored advice as to the most flattering items from the likes of Prada and Dior, and see the latest from high-end favourites such as Jimmy Choo and Burberry.

The service costs £90 an hour and should be booked in advance.

Drive a classic British car www.theopenroad.co.uk www.redletterdays.co.uk Drive the most iconic names in motoring with the vintage collection at The Open Road in Shakespeare’s birthplace of Warwickshire. Timeless beauties include the post-office-box-red 1970 Jaguar E-Type Roadster and the sapphire Austin Healey 3000 MkIIA.


hotel talk

stay with us stay with nature, being the motto, the resort’s commitment to eco friendly practices, implemented in all its properties, includes rain water harvesting, organic farming and recycling and reusing of products.

aCCess The throbbing commercial hub of Berhampur and the vibrant port city of Visakhapatnam are all within easy access.

Mayfair Palm Beach Resort, nestled on the sun kissed beach of Gopalpur-on-Sea, opened its doors in December, 2012.

A team of dedicated Chefs put together a global cuisine and a special ‘Sea food’ menu. Complimenting it is a cosy lounge bar with a global wine list and signature beverages.

having a network of signature hotels and resorts in scenic sea sides, misty hills & mountains and vibrant urban settings, ‘MaYFaIr’ has become synonymous of a brand that promises its guests’ the luxurious experience.

Mayfair Palm Beach Resort, gopalpur-on-sea

Recreational activities for children, indoor and outdoor games, swimming pool, Spa (shortly opening), Sun decks, private beach, conferencing and banqueting areas, make it a perfect getaway for the discerning leisure and business traveller.

in the LaP oF natuRe

a MaRRiage venueAt Mayfair, an exclusive marriage ‘mandap’ which can cater to about 3000 guests, along with ample parking space for around 200 cars, makes the resort exclusive for theme weddings, receptions and other mega events.

An array of rooms and suites with private dip pools, each with a breathtaking view of the deep blue sea is the ultimate tribute to one’s senses.


in style

there are always a few key pieces that a stylish traveller should have no matter where they’re going. ameira Punvani, famous costume designer of Bollywood, shares her tips with holiday talk.

tips by ameira Punvani

style quotientfor

travelling Ladies

sCaRF Scarf is a really versatile

piece. It can be used to cover your head and shoulders in

conservative countries or to dress up a simple outfit and even protect

you from the sun.

LittLe BLaCk DRess It’s more stylish than

wearing a pair of slacks and versatile enough to be dressed up or

dressed down with a pair of stilettos or with

a pretty pair of sandals.

CaRDigan/shRug/shawL

Any of these pieces come in

handy on a chilly evening and yet dress-up

an outfit.

Jeans A well fitted pair of jeans can be worn and accessorised depending on one’s mood.

A classic White Shirt never goes out of style.

sungLasses They always add that air of style and mystery! aCCessoRies

Always carry that statement piece of

jewellery, or evening clutch to add the

spotlight to an outfit.

PaCking MantRaFirst of all figure out the number of days you are travelling for and then pack outfits for the day and the evening keeping in mind the ‘what and where’. Put the look together including the handbag, shoes and accessories. It saves time and the heartache of having left something behind.

BasiCSolid colours work best to add accessories like scarves and jewellery with perfect blend of comfort and style.

Day Bag Select a bag that’s stylish

and can be worn with practically everything in

your suitcase. Bring a purse that you can carry essentials in, something that’s functional and you

wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear!

JeweLLeRy Don’t carry anything expensive that can’t be replaced.

Make-uP Bag Wash bags with see-through compartments are brilliant for organising your essentials, from dry shampoo to sun lotion. They tend to be lightweight. Remember to pack all the beauty essentials. It doesn’t need to be the entire contents of your bathroom back home, but a few key items, namely concealer, tinted lip balm, mascara and eyeliner, can go a long way.

Ameira Punvani is popularly known for designing the costumes for Mani Ratnam’s film Guru for the main cast including Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwayra Rai. She also styled Amitabh Bachchan in the film Teen Patti and Shahid Kapur and Anushka Sharma in Badmaash Company. Her latest film is Bejoy Nambiar’s David, released on February 1, where she has designed for the entire cast that includes Neil Nitin Mukesh, Vikram, Tabu, Lara Dutta, Isha Sharvani, Sarika, Milind Soman and more.

BaLLet shoes anD stiLettos I carry both, my sturdy

but good looking flats for comfort and ease and my stilettos to add the glamour

quotient.


advice

Good morning Buenos días Selamat pagiWhat’s your name? ¿Cuál es tu nombre? Apa nama anda?My name is (John Doe). Mi nombre es (John Doe). Nama saya ialah (John Doe).yes sí yaNo no TiadaHow are you? ¿Cómo estás? bagaimana anda? I’m fine Estoy bien Saya dendaThank you ¡gracias Terima kasihHave a nice day! Tenga un buen día! Mempunyai hari baikI’m sorry Lo siento Saya minta maafExcuse me perdón Maafkan sayaPlease complacer SilaWhere is the toilet? ¿Dónde está el baño? Di manakah tandas?How much is it? ¿Cuánto es? Berapa banyak ia?Do you speak English? ¿Usted habla bahasa Inggeris? Adakah anda bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris?I don’t understand No lo entiendo Saya tidak fahamHelp ayudar BantuanCall the police! Llame a la policía! Panggil polis!I’m vegetarian yo soy vegetariano Saya vegetarian

DiD you know

With 329 million native speakers, Spanish ranks as the world’s No. 2

language in terms of how many people speak it as their first language. It is slightly ahead of English but far behind Chinese.

TyPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made

using the letters only on one row of the

keyboard.

The plastic things on the end of shoelaces

are called aglets.

Pinocchio in Italian means ‘pine eye’.

?

English SpaniSh

Up in the air: British Airways

reveal its passengers’ fashion habits

51%or over half of

European travellers say that the first item they pack when they travel are sunglasses

19% or 1 in 5 women wear high heels when flying!

of Russians dress to impress and attract other people when they fly, in contrast to just

27%or just over 1 in 4 Russian men claim to wear ‘black tie’ style outfits when flying

of men dress to impress and attract other people when they fly, in contrast to just

24% or 1 in 4 of Turkish travellers claim that a hat is their ‘must have’ fashion item on board

35% or 1 in 3 Russians have bought an outfit specifically for a flight

99% of German travellers make a special effort with their hair when flying

Interestingly,

12%of women

32%38%

5%of Croatians


Flight talk

Advisory by: Turkish Airlines ADNAN AYKAC General Manager Northern and Eastern India

iF youR ChiLD is over 1 year old, you could also use something like the Child Aviation Restraint System, CARES. Engineered to the highest aviation-safety standards, this kid’s safety device is made of industrial-strength webbing for a durable performance.

aCCoRDing to the baby passenger acceptance and carriage procedures; babies younger than 7 days cannot travel even though they are traveling with their parents, unless there is a special case about their health.

whiLe tRaveLLing on a long flight with an infant, ask your airline or travel agent to reserve a bassinet on board while booking your tickets. This is essentially a small bed for your baby making the journey comfortable.

turkish airlines provides special baby meals onboard comprising milk and other formula advisable for infants.

Flying is one of the easiest and fastest mode of transportation across cities, states, countries. Airlines strive to provide best experience to the passengers on board and make it a safe and comfortable option for mothers to be and mothers travelling with infants. All airlines follow some safety guidelines assuring the passengers their full security and safety on board.

We at Turkish Airlines act with awareness and responsibility of being the flag carrier of Turkey. We regard flight safety and service quality as its two indispensable items. For this reason, it continues its studies for flight safety and service quality without any interruption. Turkish airlines has always believed in creating strong association with the passengers at every walk of life.

Every airline has a detailed safety brochure underlining all the safety measures on board in specific for the mothers and infants. Usually a child under the age of 2 travels for free if they sit on parent’s lap.

It is always advisable to book a direct flight if possible. Nonstop flights also avoid long layovers and the need to reposition car seats, strollers and other large items that accompany a baby.

things to bekept in mind

when

baby

travellingwith a


DeseRts years of sun exposure on skin leaves it looking leathery, with age spots. Use sunscreen of SPF 15 for daily use, and SPF 30 for longer exposure and children. And don’t forget your sunglasses.

Doctor talk

Your travel diary is packed and you are constantly on the move, with no time to treat your skin while going for adventure holidays or during long-haul flights. Now, take care of it while on the move. Dr. Blossom Kochhar* shares some of her valuable tips with holidaytalk.

Pamper your skin

on the Move

*Dr. Blossom Kochhar is Chairperson, Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies.

tReating oiLy skin Oily skin will blot out, so dab the oily area with a rice paper or blotting paper, which will help you control the excess oil on your face without stripping the moisture of your skin.

Keep up your water intake.

Do not drink alcohol. It will dehydrate the body.

Take a refreshing spritzer in your carry-on luggage.

Keep organic rejuvenating facial oil and a good petroleum-free lip balm.

Use a soothing Aloe Vera moisturiser.

Make-up prevents your skin from breathing. Stick only to mascara and lip gloss.

Pack a neck cushion and get some beauty sleep.

BattLing vaRious weatheR ConDitions

Mountains Buy a special protecting cream, which lowers skin sensitivity and prevents it from drying. If it is minus 20 degrees outdoors use a skin tone cream. Use moisturising cream for dry skin 20 minutes before applying tone.

For sensitive lips, choose balsam-based wax, oils and vitamins.

For the skin near eye zones, choose products with a cream base, not gel.

BeaChesUse sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. It should be applied 30 minutes before going out in sun and then reapplied every two hours on to the exposed body parts.

Cleanser Toner Moisturiser Sunscreen Eye Cream Serum

BasiC skinCaRe essentiaLs to CaRRy whiLe tRaveLLing

on a Long-hauL FLight


information

CurrencyUSA USD 53.09

UK GBP 84.45

EUROPEAN UNION EUR 72.23

AUSTRALIA AUD 55.32

BRAZIL BRL 27.38

CANADA CAD 53.64

CHINA CNy 08.67

HONG KONG HKD 06.96

JAPAN JPy 00.57

KOREA KRW 0.049

KUWAIT KWD 191

world

Country Currency units inR MEXICO MXP 04.22

NEW ZEALAND NZD 45.05

PHILLIPINES PHP 01.32

RUSSIA RUS 01.79

SAUDI ARABIA SAR 14.40

SINGAPORE SGD 43.40

SOUTH AFRICA ZAD 06.01

SWEDEN SEK 08.44

SWITZERLAND CHF 58.60

THAILAND THB 01.80

TURKEy TRy 30.43

UAE AED 14.70

Country Currency units inR

March-april 2013

* Average Temprature

weather

City Low high Low high

As per http://worldweather.wmo.int/063/c00177.htm

world

ATHENS (Greece) 6.7 15.7 9.6 20.2

BARCELONA (Spain) 6.7 15.9 8.5 17.6

BEIJING (China) -0.6 11.3 7.2 19.9

BERLIN (Germany) 1.3 8.5 4.2 13.2

BRUSSELS (Belgium) 2.9 9.9 4.8 13.1

CALGARy (Canada) -7.8 4.0 -2.1 11.3

CAPE TOWN (SA) 14.2 25.4 11.9 23.0

LIMA (Peru) 19.2 26.0 17.6 24.3

LONDON (UK) 3.8 10.3 5.6 13.0

LOS ANGELES (USA) 10.3 18.6 11.6 19.7

MANILA (Philippines) 24.9 32.1 26.2 33.5

NEW yORK CITy (USA) 1.1 8.9 6.0 14.6

MONTREAL (Canada) -8.3 1.5 -0.1 10.7

MUNICH (Germany) 0.1 9.0 2.8 12.5

PARIS (France) 5.1 11.8 6.8 14.7

PRAGUE (Czech Republic) -1.0 7.7 2.6 13.3

ROME (Italy) 5.8 15.3 8.3 18.0

SyDNEy (Australia) 18.1 25.4 15.3 23.3

TOKyO (Japan) 5.6 13.3 10.7 18.8

WARSAW (Poland) -1.0 6.8 3.1 13.1

VANCOUVER (Canada) 3.1 10.1 5.3 13.1

-8.3Montreal(Canada)


quiz Contest

guess where?

the CoRReCt answeR isIt is an open-air miniature park located in Melide, on the shore of Lake Lugano, in Switzerland..

LAKE LuGANO, IN SWITZERLAND..

LAKE LuGANO, IN SWITZERLAND..

and the

winner

is

Answers of Page No. 73

ankit geraAnkit Gera is the winner of the quiz of Holiday Talk Jan-Feb issue. He has won a ‘two night and three day’ stay at Naini Retreat, Nainital, Uttarakhand.

OptricksIt can be 3, or if you look at the center of the picture you may see an extra one-making a total of 4.

Decode: Burmese, Celtic, Cuneiform, Hemish, Danish, Hebrew, Malayalam, Kingwana, Norwegian, Polish.

Wonder Words:1.PENETRATE 2.INSERT 3.ENCROACH 4.INVADE 5.GATECRASH 6.INTRUDE 7.TRESPASS 8.IMPLANT 9.PERCOLATE 10.INFILTRATE

We have received an amazing response from our readers and most of them got it right so we had to draw from all the correct entries.

Celeb talk

as we get engrossed in Maqsood Mehmood ali’s lilting melodies, he just considers himself plain ‘Lucky’. the man whose first album Sunoh sold a stupendous over 10 million copies is also known for his chartbusters, Ek pal ka jeena and acting prowess in movies like Kaante and Sur. Breeding racehorses, selling carpets, working at an oil rig...Lucky ali has done it all but when it comes to holidaying he prefers India.

Holiday Talk gets a glimpse of his travel sojourns.

what is youR FavouRite Destination?Conoor is my favourite destination. This short jaunt is perfect for a quick getaway. Also, hidden corners where no other tourist dares to tread is my idea of vacationing.

what Makes it so sPeCiaL FoR you? Conoor has carved a niche for itself with its flavour of warm hospitality and authentic experience. The sleepy and spreading town can barely contain its mossy green hills. Where else can you see such sights of grasslands giving way to more grasslands and alpine wildflowers begetting more wildflowers? The area is conducive to farming and hiking. The skies are absolutely clear and the tourist is king.

what kinD oF a tRaveLLeR aRe you? (aDventuRe, Bag-PaCk, oR LuxuRy) Holidaying for me means complete retreat. I like quiet travel where one can ideate. So usually it is a leisure trip. Faraway retreats with some good food will suffice. I travel for travel’s sake. But yes, in case I do go out for film work and shoots, which indeed are too strenuous, a little amount of luxury is also welcome.

Interviewed by Megha Paul

any RestauRants you wouLD ReCoMMenD? On the way to Conoor, there are those quaint little food joints aka dhabas, that are not too big but they serve some amazing authentic Karnataka cuisine. A cup of instant coffee on the way works magic for me. The streets are lined with these coffee shops that are open till the wee hours of night.

any Destinations you wouLD Like to visit anD why? I plan to do a bike journey to Ranthambore soon with my bunch of buddies. The idea is to go from Bengaluru to Ranthambore. We just did a bike journey from Bengaluru to Mysore. One of my friends owns some aircraft. So sometimes we use those facilities. For the Ranthambore trip, the plan is to load our bikes in the tempo traveller, reach a particular destination via air and then get on with the bike sojourn.

whiCh thRee Destinations wouLD you say aRe 'Must-visits’?The one place that is close to my heart is the foothills of the Himalayas. Experiencing the thrill in the chill in Mussourie and its outskirts is a must-do for a traveller.

Assam and the entire Northeast with its pristine undulated beauty fascinates me. For me, travel entails meeting different people and wherever people are warm, I automatically get lured. So yes, Northeast has some real good hospitality to offer.

Bikaner with its stark desert tells you the story of ancient ruins. I am planning a trip to this rugged beauty very soon.

Lucky alithe gypsynomad


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