Orlando continues to reinvent itself with enticing additions opening in 2014. New offerings found inside its world-famous theme parks and throughout the destination give families even more reason to visit Orlando in the New Year. From hopping aboard the Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando Resort to catching a Broadway show at the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando delivers unrivaled experiences to satisfy all ages and interests. Here are 10 reasons to visit Orlando in 2014: THEME PARKS 1) DUPLO Valley at LEGOLAND Florida will bring the LEGO DUPLO line of preschool building toys to life for Orlando’s youngest visitors. The new farm-themed attractions, including a train, mini tractor ride and water play area, are geared to toddlers ages 2 to 5. 2) B
Read More
Upendra Swami
Nothing engages me better than just travelling and photographing. Both are my first loves. Also love trekking, biking and anything that has a bit of adventure mixed into it. Successfully tried bungy jumping and rafting. Experienced an eight day solo high-altitude biking expedition and equally enjoyed a F1 track drive in a pilot car at sepang circuit. Nature pulls me- from snow capped mountains to deep seas... Alas! Still looking for a profession that lets me do just that. By the way... love humans as well!!
साल की आखिरी शाम को विदा करने और नए साल की पहली सुबह का स्वागत करने का ख्याल कुछ अलग ही तरीके से रोमांचित करता है। लेकिन हममें से ज्यादातर अपने आसपास की होटलों या रेस्तराओं की न्यू ईयर पार्टियों या डिनर से आगे सोच ही नहीं पाते। आखिरकार जाते साल की आखिरी शाम हमारे लिए बीते वक्त को याद करने की और नए साल की पहली सुबह नई उम्मीदें जगाने की होती है। छोडि़ए होटलों की पार्टीबाजी और नाच-गाना और इस बार अपने हमसफर, दोस्तों या निकटजनों के साथ जाइए ऐसी जगह, जहां ढलते या उगते सूरज की लालिमा आपको भीतर तक आह्लादित कर देती है। सूरज के क्षितिज में समा जाने या वहां से बाहर निकलते देखना सबसे सुकूनदायक पलों में से एक होता है। हम आपको सुझा रहे हैं ऐसी ही कुछ जगहें। इनमें से कई जगहें ऐसी हैं जहां आप एक ही स्थान पर केवल अपनी नजरें घुमाकर शाम को सूर्यास्त और सवेरे सूर्योदय देख सकते हैं। इस फेहरिस्त में हालांकि...
Read MoreWhen winter slowly departs, carnival revelers live it up in the Upper Rhine Valley. This is when witches, devils, and other bizarre characters celebrate the fifth season. With bells, jingles, and elaborate costumes, they parade through the lanes on Shrove Tuesday to drive away the spirits of winter. In contrast to the Rhenish carnival, the Swabian-Alemannic custom reminds people of the local sagas and stories. The guilds follow strict rules here. Whether at the Morgenstraich procession, on Shrove Tuesday (Fastnacht, also called Schmotzigen Dunschdig), or on Ash Wednesday: The cities and towns are in an exceptional state for almost a week. Colorful parades attract a costumed audience that hopes for bonbons and sweets, which the carnival revelers throw into the crowd. Wearing disguise...
Read MoreWhen it comes to a perfect vacation, given a choice, people all over the world would love to travel with their dream partner. Yatra.com in their recent survey on winter holidays, asked travellers which celebrity they would want to be accompanied by for their dream holiday. The 31 year old, 6ft plus youth icon, Ranbir Kapoor, recognised for his versatile acting abilities and his passion for cinema, came out on top for being the most desirable male celebrity to holiday with stealing 19% of the votes. Interestingly, Ranbir played a role of a travel show host in his recent film 'Yeh Jawani Hey Deewani'. Following closely with over 25 years of acting behind him, the most sought after hero, one of the hottest hunks of Indian Cinema, and termed as the most bankable actor of all time, Salma...
Read MoreAfter the mayhem reported last year, Amur Falcons have been safe in India so far this year, thanks to the determined efforts by the Government of Nagaland and the conservation fraternity. In 2012, the killing of around 120,000 Amur Falcons over a one week period in the State of Nagaland raised alarm across India. The bird stops over in Nagaland for a brief refueling halt during its long migration flight. However, the catastrophe may not be repeating itself this year largely due to the efforts of the Forest Department, NGOs and local communities. The Amur Falcon Falco amurensis is a small raptor in the falcon family that is an exceptional long distance flyer. It breeds in north-east Asia (China, North Korea and Russia) and in winter migrates to south-east Africa, undertaking one of the l
Read MoreThere is one more International award coming to Indian hotels' way. A luxurious boutique hotel in Rajasthan, ‘Mihir Garh’ has been crowned as the ‘World’s Best Boutique Hotel’.The property was awarded this honor at the award ceremony organized by the supreme international body that gives away these awards. ‘Mihir Garh’ was competing against a few of the finest hotels from across the world, and has brought home this coveted title. The Boutique Hotel Awards is the world's first and only prize dedicated exclusively to luxury boutique properties, providing a global arena in which hotels can showcase their unique excellence. Above all, the World Boutique Hotel Awards looks for hotels that are undeniably, irrefutably unique. Mihir Garh - the ‘Fort of the Sun’, the dream project of hus...
Read MoreIf Switzerland is a dream for any traveler around the world then traveling in Gornegrat Bhan can be its epitome. Indians jusst love their Swiss experience. The train to Gornergrat is the highest open air cog rail in Europe, the Kulmhotel is the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps and Gornergrat peak offers a fantastic view to the Matterhorn and 28 other snow and icee covered mountain peaks. A night at Kulmhotel Gornergrat on 3000 m, in the middle of mountain peaks and glaciers is a once in a lifetime experience. For more than 100 years the Gornergrat Bahn is climbing its way up to Gornergrat around the year. The train crossses impressive bridges, galleries, and tunnels in the midst of idyllic forests, alpine meadows and rocky gorges. In order to make it easier for foreign travelers to...
Read MoreBelgium, has always been the very essence of one of the great homelands of chocolate on the world stage. Brussels is therefore very proud to be hosting the first “Salon du Chocolat” to be held on Belgian soil, from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th February 2014, at Tour & Taxis (Shed 1-1 b). Praised by all chocolate lovers and market experts, the Salon du Chocolat represents an international label. With more than 20 worldwide editions behind it, (from Paris to New York, not forgetting Salvador da Bahia, Tokyo, Seoul, London …) only one destination was missing from its roll of honour: the capital of Europe. For this first Brussels edition, more than 60 exhibitors, mostly Belgian but also from the international scene, will display their talents. Through its landmark events (demonstrations, fashi
Read MoreGoa now has its first and only Micro-brewery. SinQ Beach Club, the most happening party hot spot in GOA has announced 'SinQ Brew', the first ever micro-brewery in Goa. SinQ Brew is an in-house brewery at SinQ, launched in association with HouseBrew.. SinQ Beach Club at Candolim, North Goa, is a complete party haven for food, dance, music and leisure lovers. SinQ Brew is the first ever Micro Brewery in the world that doesn't require ETP (Effluence Treatment Plant), making it one of the finest breweries in the world. All of the popular beers will be brewed in the HouseBrew system from a premixed package. These packages will require only the addition of water and the appropriate brewer’s yeast for the desired style and flavor. All the guests at SinQ can come taste a batch of Dark Ale. ...
Read MoreAs if winning World’s Leading Heritage hotel (World’s leading Heritage hotel again – The Raj Palace) award and World’s Leading Luxury Hotel (Read: Oberoi Gurgaon is World’s Leading Luxury Hotel) award as well as World’s Leading Tourist Board (Incredible India) was not enough, India has one more award in its kitty at World Travel Awards (WTA). This one was for World’s Leading Luxury Train to The Maharajas Express. Just as India has a host of luxury heritage hotels lined up, it also has some of the best luxury trains to offer. Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels had been popular among travelers for decades. But there are many to more offer. Owned by IRCTC, Maharajas Express is often dubbed as India's equivalent to the Orient Express of Europe. With its 5 tastefully craf...
Read More