Menar seems to have find a place in my every winter trip to Udaipur. So, when I was in my hometown 'City of Lakes' once again this winter, I had already planned a morning of birding trip. Well, that all depended on birder friends to accompany as I am still quite unfamiliar with that region. So, though my to be companion backed out because of some other work, he managed to hand me over to another of his birder friend, a senior automobile executive. I later realised that Udaipur now has a culture of birding and photography trips every weekend- either solo, with friends or in groups. There are photography groups, birding groups with regular activities, sharing and learning, all with utmost sincerity. Awake and alert! The Short-eared Owl, or 'Shortie', is an unusual owl because it prefers...
Read MoreTag: tourism
From March onwards, Brussels will be celebrating pop culture with a host of events and activities. From Comic Con Brussels to BIFFF and even the Brussels Games Festival, fans of the genre will be spoiled for choice. In coming days, Brussels will be putting on its finery and becoming the capital of pop culture. There’s no doubt that it has the necessary qualities — a quirky, festive and creative spirit. Brussels is bursting with enough events, game bars and escape games to delight geeks of all kinds. This year, the European capital is putting on a series of unmissable events for gamers and cosplayers. So let’s see, what all is in store for us. Anima, Brussels’s international animated film festival, is back with original shorts and feature-length films for young and old alike. ...
Read MoreTravel is diversifying itself so fast that you get to see new genres and sub-genres developing every now and then. It all depends on how quickly are you able to pounce upon an idea and develop it into a marketing strategy. Earlier, honeymoon travel used to be a big genre. Later on when destination wedding started to develop as a craze, wedding became the main genre and it developed many sub-genres. Hence, it seems as if in the process wedding and honeymoon travel is already a passé. Believe it or not, Babymoon is now a new travel idea. Seychelles has already started promoting itself in this category. North Island - Indian Ocean Seychelles So, as it goes, North Island situated around 30km from the main island of Mahé in Seychelles is an exclusive escape, ideal for couples looking t...
Read MoreWell, its Valentine’s Day. But, truly speaking romance is not just about the Valentine’s day. And, when its spring time, its all about love. A travel far away from your routine world can surely lit a spark in your lives. You might have many options in mind but Oman can certainly be on top of them for all the fantastic reasons. If it’s mesmerising beaches, majestic mountains or desert experience that you are looking for your adventure filled romantic moments, then Oman has it all. Located just 2 ½ hours away from India, the Sultanate is an exotic, adventurous, historic and geologically stunning country offering the most authentic Arabian experience. Also, connected via direct flights with major Indian cities, easy e-visa process and introduction of a short-term 10-day tourist visa ma...
Read MoreWell, its just two days to the Valentine. So, too late to plan for now, but not too late to plan for something for the next valentine’s day. And actually it is so grand the you will literally need a year to plan. And, the idea is that you can promise your love on this valentine to give him or her a ‘big’ surprise on the next one. No more mystery, but it is real big. We are talking about a suite on board a cruise ship. The new most luxurious residence at sea will be perched on the 14th deck of Seven Seas Splendor, above the bridge and overlooking the ship’s bow when she sets sail in February 2020. The custom-made Treesse minipool spa is perfectly located on the front balcony. As the largest suite ever constructed on a luxury cruise ship with more than 3,000 square-feet of interior ac...
Read MoreYanni has a nick of performing in front of top heritage monuments around the world. Remember the March of 1997, when his concert in backdrop of Taj Mahal right on the banks of Yamuna river became a phenomenon in itself! The master composer has many firsts to his name. Here was he, once again, performing adjacent to Mada’in Saleh, a major UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, once home to major civilizations including the ancient kingdoms of Dadan/Lihyan and the Nabataeans. Yanni in concert at Al-Ula. Photo credit: Center for International Communication (CIC), Ministry of Media, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Grammy Award-winning composer Yanni dazzled a packed crowd on Friday night with some of his popular pieces in a spectacular show at Al-Ula as part of the extended Winter at Tanto...
Read MoreEver dreamt of a dream wedding! There are few who actually dreamt and are now close to realising it in most dramatic fashion. Indeed it is not normal to have your wedding on one of the most iconic buildings on this planet. And, that too on the Valentine’s Day!! So, as it is said, where there is love, there is a way!! This Valentine’s Day, two lucky couples will have their weddings on the Empire State Building’s world-famous 86th floor Observatory. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, and in honor of this milestone, the Empire State Building chose two couple, Fabiana Faria and Helena Barquet from New York, NY and Nachiket Patel and Chitra Pathek originally from Mumbai to have the wedding of their dreams at the iconic landmark. Fabiana Faria and Helena Barquet:...
Read MoreMangalajodi has been an extraordinary experience for lot many reasons. Since my first visit to Chilika almost a decade ago, I was always keen to return to this place for another bird-watching stint. Then, had heard some extraordinary things about Mangalajodi- it being the poachers haven and then a turn-around which converted hunters to protectors. Finally, a big UN award coming its way, raised all the curiosity. It actually was first among the many accolades coming its way. On a misty winter morning a photographer tries to capture birds with his big lens while a Northern Pintail flies past him at Mangalajodi A femail northern pintail takes off as a boat approaches closer at Mangalajodi A female northern pintail takes off for a routine flight at Mangalajodi. They are migrat...
Read MoreRishikesh is one of those places which hold a special place in my life, hence no doubt that I have a special liking for this spiritual township. My first memories of this town are from 1987 when I came here as a teenager and spent more than a week alone in search of myself. That’s altogether a different story, but since then I developed a close affinity to this place. I have come here a number of times since then, and what is significant that almost my every subsequent visit to this place has been part of a defining trip, as much as my first visit here. Magical colours of Rishikesh Haridwar nearby was the more heralded one always- mythologically as well as religiously. It was bigger and more accessible, but it still couldn’t make Rishikesh less attractive for me. Whenever I had a ...
Read MoreBrussels has got a many amazing things and Bright Brussels is one among them. European capital gets light up like no other place you would have seen anywhere. We in India have our own festival of lights- Diwali, but Bright Brussels is pure art. Its a magic, you can witness coming February. From 14 to 17 February, Bright Brussels will showcase the historic heart of Brussels. Large-scale lighting installations designed by national and international artists will draw all eyes to some of the capital city’s iconic venues. A new route of 14 illuminated artworks will illuminate the capital Bright Brussels Festival of Light CHASING TWILIGHT (JJMA - 2018) Rue L√©on Lepage - L√©on Lepagestraat ¬© visit.brussels - Eric Danhier - 2018 For four days, the Quais and Sainte-Catherine districts wi...
Read More