VAGABOND IMAGES

A ‘Spike’ for Space Cruiser on Global Dream

Upendra SwamiJanuary 10, 20202537 Views0

Cruise vacations are the one of the most sought after travel journeys. World over, all cruise lines therefore try to make this journey more and more adventurous, more and more memorable, either with bigger, luxurious ships or till now unthinkable adventures on sea. Going a step ahead, Genting Cruise Lines have introduced the future of cruising with Global Dream, Dream Cruises’ first global class ship arriving in Asia in 2021, at this year’s South Asia Tourism and Travel Exchange (SATTE) trade expo in Delhi. Catering to India’s growing multi-generation travellers who are seeking new travel options, the 20-deck Global Dream will be the largest cruise ship in the world by passenger capacity, accommodating over 9,000 passengers across 2,350 cabins. The largest cruise ship to be built in Germa...

AdventureInternational

Missing GOT already! Come, relive it at Girona in Spain

Upendra SwamiJanuary 5, 20201046 Views0

Missing GOT already! It’s certainly not easy to forget a series, as legendary as Game of Thrones. But, you still have chance to relive it and keep some of the memories intact. And, that too at the place which was the centre of all the action. Girona in Costa Brava’s Catalonia region of Spain is a city with rich history, culture and heritage that is evident through its vintage buildings, streets and squares in the old city centre. Located barely two hours from Barcelona, the stunning city of Girona was one of the chosen locations that hosted the filming of one of the most legendary series of all time, The Game of Thrones! Cathedral of Girona In the series, GOT fans were transported to Girona’s medieval old town which served as the major setting for the city of Braavos while Gir...

AdventureInternational

When Mount Masada becomes screen for the show

Upendra SwamiDecember 30, 20191680 Views4

Sound and light shows around historical and architectural monuments are not new. Monuments make a marvellous backdrop for such shows. We have many sound and light shows in India of this nature at almost most of our historical palaces, temples, etc. But Israel has taken this effort a bit ahead in more bigger way, where a mountain itself has become a canvas for the audio-visual show. And, it has also added many more features to this concept to make it an adventure and outing in itself, something quite unique in nature. Photo credit: Meno Greenspan The Israel Nature and Parks Authority offers a new nocturnal 45 minutes show ‘From Dusk to Dawn’ at the Masada National Park, its’ flagship site. Ranked as Israel’s most popular national park with 1 million visitors a year, the site has crea...

InternationalNews

In-flight services—not ticket prices—boost passenger satisfaction on international flights

Upendra SwamiDecember 26, 20192047 Views4

Booking a domestic flight for a quick trip or a business meeting or a visit to a relative! You are certainly going to look for a cheaper—if not the cheapest—option. All the booking apps even work in that way. So far, so good! But when it comes to long international travel and preferably vacation travel, what we perceive is something else. Our choices and preferences become different, ticket prices are definitely not on the top of it. Now there is a study to show that. Great food—the spicier the better—plus good customer service and a positive track record are the primary drivers of passenger satisfaction on international airline flights. In a stark departure from the price-driven culture of domestic airline customer behaviour, the J.D. Power 2019 Airline International Destination S...

AdventureIndia

GOING SOLO: More Indians now travelling alone!

Upendra SwamiDecember 23, 20191184 Views2

Each time, I went for three of my most ambitious trips in last seven years, I went alone. I not only enjoyed it but I also was aware that I was just the part of a growing trend. It only gets more and more confirmed now. 40% of travellers based in India intend to “go solo” when they travel, as compared to 25% of Asia Pacific travelers, reveals a recent study by Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program of global travel and hospitality company Hilton. The research – surveying close to 1,120 avid travellers aged between 20-45 in India and segmented by life stage – explored the travel motivations, aspirations and expectations of the country’s most active travellers. The primary motivation for 66% of these intrepid travellers is to experience “life-changing moments” that pu...

International

You won’t want to miss Christmas in Israel

Upendra SwamiDecember 21, 20191009 Views0

It’s again that time of the year. Beyond the connection that Israel has to the birth of Christianity, Israel is one of the most beautiful places in the world to celebrate Christmas. The Israel Ministry of Tourism invests a great deal of resources to make this an unforgettable holiday experience for every traveller visiting the country. Whether it's strolling the alleys of the Old City of Jerusalem, the midnight mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, attending the traditional Nazareth event and exploring the charming Christmas markets - there's no better way to start the new year. Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Jerusalem. Photo: Israel Ministry of TourismSanta House, Jerusalem. Photo: Israel Ministry of Tourism Nazareth: Christmas in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, is a great celebr...

IndiaPhotogallery

Bada Bagh: An oasis and cenotaphs side by side!

Upendra SwamiDecember 11, 20193757 Views4

It was an amazing sight- with Royal Cenotaphs of the Bada Bagh in the foreground and towering windmills in the background. A modern technology making a backdrop for a slice of history. Bada Bagh or Bara Bagh was the first wind power project in Rajasthan in private sector at the start of this century. Completing the view was a dense garden in the foreground, almost like an oasis in the desert. It actually was. Huge windmills, cenotaphs and a secluded garden all together gave a feeling of an eerie calmness. Entering the cenotaph complex It was astounding that there was no other tourist in the Bada Bagh cenotaph complex when we were there, and it was surprising also considering the fact, that whole complex looked too impressive to be missed by any tourist. A view from above ...

AdventureInternational

Golfing in the Paradise with Thai Golf Pass!

Upendra SwamiDecember 5, 2019930 Views0

Golf is an amazing sport, unlike most of other competitive sports. It is played at different golf courses and each course is so different from the other so much so that not just the outcome of the event might well be decided by the structure of the course, but the course itself becomes the most fascinating part. Golfers will vie for getting some shots at admired golf courses. Thus the golf courses become the destination in themselves. Now, that is the phenomenon we are increasingly seeing around. Golf tourism has become a dedicated offshoot of tourism in general and sports tourism in particular. A golf course needs large area, big greens and an excellent topography. Since south east Asia has all of this in abundance, therefore many south Asian countries are more and more showcasing...

InternationalNews

So, how does the best Christmas tree in Europe looks like! See it yourself

Upendra SwamiNovember 30, 20191695 Views0

What’s a Christmas without a Christmas tree, and what’s a Christmas tree if it is not decorated with lights and gifts et al. And Christmas tree aren’t definitely meant to be simple. They have to be big and beautiful. Christmas tress are always awaited with much enthusiasm. With Christmas less than a month to arrive, world over preparations for elaborate Christmas trees are already being done on war footing. But do you know, which one is the most beautiful of them all? Well, tough to judge the every Christmas tree from far corners of this earth, but then we still choose few to likening of our senses. So, here are a few Christmas trees that are considered to be the best in Europe. Also read: Celebrate Christmas with over 3 million sparkling lights Vilnius Christmas Tree. Photo: Sauli...

International

Explore hidden gems of Costa Brava in Spain

Upendra SwamiNovember 29, 20191537 Views0

The Costa Brava is a coastal region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain known for its virgin beaches and bays against the scenic backdrop of heavily wooded hills. One of the most stunning coastlines in the country, this unexplored region is only a 2-hour drive from Catalonia’s culture-soaked capital of Barcelona and just a short distance away from some incredible ski resorts. Here’s what you must see with V.R. Costa Brava, a destination management firm that provides immersive local and bespoke experiences in Costa Brava- Girona - Largest city of Northern Catalonia region, Girona has museums, galleries, Gothic churches and 16 restaurants which have a total of 20 Michelin stars making it the highest Michelin star per capita ratio in the world, ahead of Paris, Rome or London. Walk alon...