The tiny South Pacific nation of Samoa could reopen the bidding for a casino licence, a move likely to upset religious leaders, after halting talks with a Chinese tourism group that is facing allegations of corruption. China's Exhibitions Tourism Group (ETG) had planned to build a 500-room hotel and casino in the cash-strapped country of 190,000, which is heavily reliant on foreign aid and money sent home from citizens working overseas. The plan hit a snag when ETG's chairman, Deng Hong, came under investigation for corruption by Chinese Communist Party officials over land deals in mainland China, according to Chinese and Samoan media reports. The Samoan government withdrew the licence earlier this month. The government passed laws in 2010 for two casino licences, including one for Samo
Read MoreMonth: August 2013
Tourists going to Venice beware - and make sure you read the fine print. Everyone knows the lagoon city can be expensive but seven tourists from Rome got a bitter surprise when their bill for four coffees and three liqueurs at an outdoor cafe topped 100 Euros ($130). The scene of the mishap was the famed Caffe Lavena in St. Mark's Square, where 19th century German composer Richard Wagner, who died in Venice in 1883, sat to have his morning coffee every day when he lived in the city. What the Roman tourists - who posted their receipt on Facebook - apparently did not notice when looking at the menu was the "music surcharge" of six Euros per person. It added up to 42 Euros, or nearly half of the bill. The owners of the famous cafe, which opened in 1750 and where clients are served by wh
Read MoreKaza in Spiti valley is one of those places in the Himalayan India which bikers yearn for, besides the all-famous Manali-Leh route. But unlike the Leh-Manali route in Lahaul valley, the Spiti valley remains open for almost all the year round. Although winters might be severely cold there, but coming two months could be the ideal time to go there. It is not as challenging as the Leh route because there are no high mountain passes to cross, but the route, the terrain and the topography is something which you will not find anywhere else. Kaza is in spiti valley and one has to pass through Kinnaur valley before entering into Spiti. Trip to Kaza normally starts from Shimla, capital city of Himachal Pradesh. Biking in these roads is alwaya a fun... See it for yourself! Going from Cha...
Read MoreThe Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, which takes place in Uttarakhand state of Himalayan India, once in 12 years and was scheduled for August 29 this year, has been finally cancelled. Since roads and bridges along the yatra path were damaged in the floods in June, and were unsafe to use. It is considered to be one of the longest religious processions in the world. Strangely just twenty days back it was decided that Yatra won’t be postponed. On 26th July it was said that it would be a low-profile event but will happen on schedule. But it seems that after long deliberations with the government and within the community, it was decided that cancelling the Yatra is best possible option in the current scenario. In few days, a new schedule for the Yatra shall be announced. In the meantime, on 26t...
Read Moreएशिया की सबसे लंबी पैदल राजजात यात्रा को आखिरकार रद्द ही कर दिया गया। दैवीय आपदा के बाद उपजे हालात को देखते हुए 29 अगस्त से शुरू होने वाली राजजात यात्रा अंततः स्थगित कर दी गई। कुछ ही दिनों के अंतराल में राजजात यात्रा का नया कार्यक्रम घोषित कर दिया जाएगा। फिलहाल यह तय किया गया है कि 26 अगस्त को उन सभी स्थानों पर विशेष पूजा की जाएगी, जहां से राजजात में छंतोलियां यानि देवी के छत्र शामिल होने के लिए आते हैं। उत्तराखंड में आई विनाशकारी प्राकृतिक आपदा, सरकार के अनुरोध और अपने परंपरागत अधिकारों व उत्तरदायित्वों का प्रयोग करते हुए नंदा देवी राजजात समिति ने यात्रा स्थगित की है। 12 साल में एक बार होने वाली राजजात यात्रा 2013 इसी महीने की 29 तारीख को चमोली जिले के नौटी गांव से शुरू होनी थी, लेकिन आपदा के कारण यात्रा मार्ग बर्बाद होने तथा अन्य समस्याओं की वजह से यात्रा को लेकर संशय बना हुआ था।...
Read MorePlanning a trip to Kerala in south India? If you go on the internet, you will no longer have to use a mouse or keyboard to browse a section of the of Kerala Tourism website - you can instead gesture! In a pioneering development, the Kerala State Tourism Board allows users to access the site, www.when-it-rains.com, with their webcams - the site can be navigated through gestures alone. The website takes viewers to rain-washed plains, misty hills and majestic backwaters, and the interface takes place through sheer gestures. This is one of few tourism websites anywhere in the world to use gesture-controlled technology for navigation. Visually stunning images of the monsoon shot by Facebook fans of Kerala Tourism are used in the new website, developed by Stark Communications, the officia...
Read MoreMountain biking in the hills of Uttarakhand, para-sailing in Goa, a therapeutic spa in a Mughal-era palace in Rajasthan and even a kite flying competition to soak in the Independence Day festivities- the tourism sector in India is going all out by offering attractive packages and discounts to lure maximum travelers for the four-day extended Aug 15 weekend. Thursday (Aug 15) is Independence Day followed by a Friday and then Saturday and Sunday. The hot favorite destinations for Delhiites continue to be Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Agra, Goa and Rajasthan as they offer a great mix of adventure and laid back holiday options without raiding the bank. The majority of travelers are opting for a domestic holiday. Luxury holidays are emerging as a strong trend this year and these dest...
Read MoreThe Rhine with its 1,321 kilometers is the longest and most important waterway of Europe. There is a good reason why the residents of the Upper Rhine Valley also lovingly call it "Father Rhine." The broad river – which starts in the Swiss Alps and digs its way through Europe to the North Sea coast in Rotterdam – makes the region in the tri-border area of Germany, France, and Switzerland an important connecting link for international shipping routes. The many harbors are transshipment point for millions of tons of goods. But not just the economic aspect makes the largest European waterway so important: The river and its shores are a highly diversified recreational paradise. On one of the cruise vessels that are designed for every requirement, you can experience the Rhine in all of ...
Read MoreIt’s the perfect time to experience & discover Wales & its rich and varied heritage. Whether you're a fun seeking family, a chilled out couple, or anything in-between, there are plenty of things to do in Wales during these events. Choose from a slow paced day seeing castles, museums and tasting their wonderful local produce, or get lively with some outdoor activities or even a music festival or a sporting event. Rest assured, you won’t be bored in Wales!!! Ironman Wales - 8th September 2013, Pembrokeshire The bike course for Ironman Wales is a two loop course totaling 180 kilometres of spectacular coastal views through idyllic towns giving rides over 2,000 metres of altitude difference throughout the course! The first loop is longer, extending west from Lamphey to Angle ...
Read MoreRajasthan in India will spend over Rs.1.47 crores on refurbishing two luxury trains - the Palace on Wheels and the Rajasthan Royal on Wheels - this year, a tourism official said.The Palace on Wheels, a joint venture of Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) is in for major refurbishment at an investment of Rs.1 crore. RTDC will also give another world-famous luxury train, the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, a makeover at an investment of Rs.47 lakh, in a bid to deliver a richer, royally enchanting experience to each guest. Based on the feedback of guests, we have undertaken redecoration of the Palace on Wheels. The luxury tourist train will sport a new heritage look. Modernisation of even minor things is being undertaken, including water purifiers in washroo...
Read More