Travel

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By Bikram Vohra So some bright spark woke up in the corridors of power and had a sparkling idea. He decided in his bureaucratic wisdom to make New Delhi a silent airport. When you enter the terminal there all these signs saying ssshh, this is a silent airport. You would think you are at a funeral. For NRIs this is a new Indian experience. True it exists in London, Dubai, Oslo and other airports are making the move to a more ‘peaceful environment’ Everyone is speaking in whispers and you wonder idly what the wisdom of tis exercise is seeing ...

By Anita Tripathi The most intriguing part about being a citizen of the world is that we get to learn how fervently we can enjoy life when we see others relishing theirs, vividly, even with lesser resources than us. And, my trip to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was a revealing experience that highlighted this basic truth. Back in the scorching grasslands of Serengeti, an Indian family along with some natives, provided lodging and accommodation for tourists, who wished to get a feel of a ‘night stay’ in one of the world’s most favourite national parks. Since we were one ...

By Vaishali Shah As you may be aware, Kenya is a beautiful country and I am sure the very name evokes images of lion safaris and the Masaimaara. Situated on the east coast of Africa, it is a vibrant place with a unique culture of its own. The Indian population in Kenya is estimated to be over 100,000. The Indian identity can be seen near the temples and gurudwaras. We love to connect with our fellow Indians and make use of every opportunity to do so. Ethnic Indians have come from the interior parts of Gujarat and other states and ...

What better way to celebrate than by visiting the state which is known to be synonymous with the tradition? asks Vivekanand Shandil My friends and I had a long cherished desire to visit Gujarat, which boasts of holy places like Dwaraka and Somnath. Hence, this summer we decided to do something quite unusual. We opted for a ‘zindagi milegi na dobara’ experience with a twist and visited Gujarat, the land that prides itself in holding that inseparable identity of the Garba dance and the dandiya raas. We decided to hit the trail and visit holy temple towns of Dwaraka and ...

The flight lands at Johannesburg, immigration over and done with, and I find a car from The New Age waiting for me outside. As I drive past the city, I am impressed. It resembles any European city, thanks to its quality infra-structure, enough of greenery, spaced out construction, wide roads bereft of any potholes, and, noticeably, not too densely populated. It’s quite a discernible change from the overcrowded Indian cities. ...

If you sign up for this one, it’s an experience that will stay with you forever. Launched about seven years ago, Deccan Odyssey, a luxury train, takes you on a heritage tour through the majestic Kingdom of the Marathas. Built on the lines of the Blue Train of South Africa, The Orient Express of Europe and the Eastern and Oriental of South East Asia, the royal train offers you a weeklong sojourn. A royal journey is through some of the best places in Maharashtra like Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Goa, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Ellora, Ajanta and Nasik. The objective of running “The ...

In Mumbai’s travel, service and hotel industry, Ashwini Kakkar is a name to reckon with. Many still remember him as the erstwhile MD of Thomas Cook India even after four years of being at the helm of affairs at Mercury Travels from Oberoi Group of Hotels. Mercury Travels, a premier travel company in India, has been catering to the mid and high-end luxury segments for the past 60 years. Kakkar bought a 74.9% stake in Mercury Travels from the Oberoi Group of Hotels (a part of the East India Hotels). It was a rather challenging assignment for Kakkar to take ...

In India and abroad, people might not know about the existence of a state called Odisha but Puri (one of the many districts in Odisha) most definitely has a high recall value globally for being the land of Lord Jagannath and Puri Jagannath temple. Popular as one of the four dhams (must visit destinations before death to attain Mokshya as per Hindu religion), Puri sees millions of devotees throng the Puri Jagannath Temple premises through the year for blessings of the Lord Jagannath. ...

Goa, the beautiful Indian state, has enchanted the world with its beautiful churches and luscious beaches, but there is more to Goa than mere beaches and churches. On your Goa holidays 2012, the following are 5 must-see places to visit in Goa. This article explores the ever-strong architectures of Goa, explaining why these historical places are worth a watch. ...