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Our Featured Holidays

8N/9D at Kerala
Starting Rs. 21,159
Includes stay, sightseeing, houseboat cruise & more

8N/9D at Uttaranchal
Starting Rs. 21,129
Includes stay, sightseeing, meals & more

Ginger Hotels

NOW OPEN IN MANGLORE
Check it out at www.gingerhotels.com

TOP SPA HOTELS THIS SEASON

1.Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Calif.
http://www.ojairesort.com/
2.Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Switzerland
http://www.victoria-jungfrau.ch/
3.The Lodge At Woodloch, Penn.
http://www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com/
4.Les Sources de Caudalie, France
http://www.sources-caudalie.com/
http://www.sourcescaudalie.com/
5.Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, Bali
http://www.comoshambhala.bz/
http://www.cse.como.bz/
6.Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass.
http://www.canyonranch.com/
7.Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, Calif.
http://www.pebblebeach.com/
8.Lausanne Palace & Spa, Switzerland
http://www.lausanne-palace.com/
9.Le Mirador Kempinski Lake Geneva, Switzerland
http://www.mirador.ch/
10.Schlosshotel Buhlerhohe, Germany
http://www.buehlerhoehe.de/
http://www.schloss-hotel.de/

Women Only

Women on Wanderlust (WOW), who arrange wonderful itineraries for all-women travel, have a fresh set of tours drawn up. Chinese cheker (8N/9D, April 26-May 4, ex-Delhi; Rs 85,050) is devoted mostly to Shanghai and Beiling as well as Xian. The trip to Bhutan(6N/7D, March 16-22, ex-Delhi, Rs 48,500) will include Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Phobjikha. The tour to Greece(7N/8D, April 4-12, ex-Delhi, Rs 1,12,000) will include Athens, Santorini and Mykonos.

For details, call Sumitra Senapaty at 9891655054 or see www.wowsumitra.com.

Andamans Adventure

They are always urging us to move le derriere and go places but Getoffurass now offers a quite irresistible lure – a 13 day trip to the Andamans. After arriving in Port Blair, the first two days will be spent in stilted huts and devoted to exploring the work undertaken by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Environmental team (ANET). Other highlights include Wandoor, which is part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, and the Mangrove Crocodile Sanctuary. Rutland Island, Rangat and Havelock are also on the schedule. Contact : 9980785225,
VISIT
http://www.getoffurass.com/

Fares in the Sky

>Turkish Airlines starts daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul. See http://www.thy.com/

>Air India Express adds four flights a week on the Chennai-Trichy-Dubai sector, taking the total number of weekly flights to seven. Also start one flight a week from Thiruvananthapuram to Kuwait. See http://www.airindiaexpress.in/

>Druk Air to start four flights a week on the Paro-Bagdogra-Bangok sector from March 29, making it the first airline to start international operations from Bagdogra. See http://www.drukair.com.bt/

>Emirates starts seven additional flights from Dubai to Mumbai, and one flight each to Chennai and Bangalore (making it the largest international airline flying to India). See http://www.emirates.com/

>Kingfisher Airlines starts daily flights from Mumbai to Nasik. Offers an all-inclusive fare starting at Rs 883. Also starts four flights a week between Mumbai and Solapur. See http://www.flykingfisher.com/

>Jet Airways and Jetlite offer 30-day apex fares starting at Rs 300 and Rs 1, respectively, on a number of sectors. Fares available till April 30. Jet Airways also introduces daily services on the Chennai-Kochi and Chennai-Coimbatore sectors. See http://www.jetairways.com/ and http://www.jetlite.com/

>Spice jet offers 30-day advance booking fares starting at Re 1. See http://www.spicejet.com/

Going Abroad - Kashmir

Custom Search Kashmir has finally gone international. On Feb 14 Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the new Srinagar International Airport, and flagged off the first international flight, an Air India Express flight to Dubai, from the terminal. The new terminal, which spreads over 19,700 square meters, has all the features one would expect of the modem terminal – aero bridges, central heating, escalators and a 12,000 ft runway capable of handling most large aircraft.

An Instrument landing system (ILS), which will allow aircraft to land in low visibility, will soon be installed. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft used for the inaugural flight was decked up for this important occasion – a colorful painting of a shikara on the Dal lake on one side of the tail and an image of the Thar desert on the other. The flight to Dubai will initially be once a week, and a one-way ticket will cost Rs 7,035(including taxes). The flight will of course, save people traveling out of the valley the hassle of transiting through Delhi, but the hope is that this and more flights to come will bring many more international tourists to Kashmir

New artificial coral ref off phuket

Ten aircraft have been submerged off Bang Tao Bay in Phuket’s Talang district in the Andaman Sea to form a new artificial coral reef and diving site. The 16-18m deep area where the fleet was sunk has a sand bed, and is one km away from the natural coral reef and the Bang Tao Beach. The fleet of sunken aircraft once belonged to the Royal Thai Air Force. The diving spot is expected to help boost Phuket’s strategic position as a world-class marine tourism center

First pay-to-use lounge opens at Los Angeles airport

Passengers at Los Angeles International Airport can now enjoy services usually reserved for business travelers, following the opening of the first pay-to-use relax lounge at Tom Bredley International terminal. The lounge is open to all passengers above the age of 21. Admission costs US$ 25 and allows passengers three hours use of its facilities. Passengers with flights at other terminals may use the relax lounge. It comes with comfortable sating and the fee covers snacks and beverges, and use of the business center, featuring wireless Internet access and fax, photocopying and printing facilities

Special offers from COX&KINGS

Cox & Kings India Ltd. is offering a free holiday to 250 people and 50 per cent cash-back for travellers who book for a holiday before the 25th of this month. The offer covers packages to Europe, Far East, USA, Australia, Egypt, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Kenya. The booking process includes answering three questions and slogan-writing to win free holidays, the winners of which will be announced on February 28, 2009 on the company website www.coxandkings.com. Those who are not among the 250 winners can get 50 per cent cash back. Interested travellers can log on to www.coxandkings.com, www.ezeego1.com or contact the offices, franchisees and agents, and can book their holiday by a minimum booking amount of Rs 3000.

“We have completed 250 years and it is really a big achievement for us and we have translated our triumph into great offers for our customers. Travellers can choose from a variety of international and domestic destinations. We even have special Gujarati, Jain and Maharastrian group tours to all these destinations. Our domestic destinations that have 50 per cent cash back offer include Uttarakhand, Himachal and Kashmir. We have attractive cash back offers on other packages as well,” said Karan Anand, Head—Relationship and Supplier Management, Cox & Kings India Ltd.,

The International holiday packages are inclusive of return airfare, accommodation on twin sharing basis, meals, sightseeing as per itinerary and mediclaim insurance, while the domestic holiday packages are inclusive of hotel accommodation, sightseeing, Cox & Kings tour manager services, meals as per itinerary and mediclaim insurance.

The international destinations include:

• The European Experience, 11-day/ten-night tour of United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium is priced at Rs 1, 04,999 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 52,500.
• The Orient & Magical Far East, 12-day/11-night tour of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore is priced at Rs 1, 19,499 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 59750.
• Malaysia & Singapore, a seven-day/six-night tour is priced at Rs 99,999 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 50,000.
• The American Bonanza, 15-day/14-night tour of Washington D.C, New York, Niagara, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco is priced at Rs 2, 16,499 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 99,900.
• Amazing Australia, 14-day/13-night tour of Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Port Stephens and Sydney is priced at Rs 2, 16,499 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs. 1, 08,250.
• The Land of Pharoahs, seven-day/six-night tour of Egypt is priced at Rs 89,999 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 45,000.
• The Turkish Delight, seven-day/ six-night tour of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Kusadasi and Canakkale is priced at Rs 1,15,599 with a 50 per cent cash back of Rs 57,800.
• The Sri Lankan Sojourn, seven-day/six-night tour of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota and Colombo is priced at Rs 54,499 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 27,250.
• The Kenyan Safari, six-day/five-night tour of Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara is priced at Rs 1, 18,499 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 59,250.
  

The domestic destinations include:

• Scenic Uttarakhand, seven-day/six-night tour of Nainital, Kausani and Corbett is priced at Rs 25,995 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 12,988.
• The Himachal Delight, eight-day/seven-night tour of Chandigarh, Shimla and Manali is priced at Rs 19,995 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 9,998.
• Majestic Kashmir, eight-day/seven-night tour of Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Katra is priced at Rs 18,995 with 50 per cent cash back of Rs 9,498.

Banyan Tree Corniche Bay Villas in Mauritius up for grabs

Banyan tree Corniche Bay, a new Foster + Partners designed residential development in Mauritius, is wooing the Indian buyer. The luxurious property, on the southwest coast of the island nation, compromises 115 villas, a Banyan Tree hotel and spa and is complemented by a Gary Player Golf course. Privacy for the villas is paramount and to that end, they are each surrounded by an acre of landscaped gardens and hidden by lush tropical vegetation—all against the backdrop of Le Morne Brabant Mountain, which is nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

for more details visit: http://www.cornichebay.com

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Hong Kong WinterFest dazzles visitors

One of the Asia’s most glittering winter festival has started in Hong Kong. Till January 4, the grand winter fest will paint the town red with festive illuminations, a dazzling Christmas tree, a New Year Countdown and much more. A giant Christmas tree in Status Square is one of the major attractions. Feel the pulse of thousands upon thousands of revelers as they attend the New Year Countdown at Victoria Harbour. A special pyrotechnic display is in store as well as live entertainment.

The Hong Kong winter fest will also include brightly decorated stores and mega malls for international shopping—which caters to all budget and tastes. All over town, eateries will be dishing out a huge selection of cuisines round the clock.

Starwood opens new St. Regis Resort in Mexico

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has opened the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. The luxurious new destination resort is located in Bahia de Banderas, one of the worlds’ most alluring private beaches in the state of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. The resort features 120 guest rooms and suites, three world class restaurants, three infinity pools with private cabana service, a luxurious Remede Spa and an impressive line-up of recreation facilities, including Jack Niicklaus signature golf courses. Nestled on a peninsula surrounded by azure water and white sand beaches, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers stunning vistas of Mexico’s sunscape, lush gardens and picturesque mountains. An ideal choice for weddings, meetings and special events, the resort features a 2600 square foot Astor Ballroom

Amanresorts opens Aman Spa in Beijing

Amanresorts has opened Aman Spa in the company’s newly opened Beijing resort, Aman at Summer Palace. The 5,000 sq m spa features beauty, health, fitness and wellness facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, squash courts, a pilates and yoga studio treatment rooms and salon. Some of the treatments on offer are the traditional Chinese massage, Oriental massage with hot poultice, four-hand massage, gem stone body therapy and reflexology hand and foot massage. The black and white sesame scrub with gold leaf and honey to the green tea and ginger scrub are two of the exfoliating treatments on offer. Body wrap services include the lotus, aloe vera and peal powder wrap.

for more details visit: http://www.amanresorts.com/

New—Look Club Med Bali ready to welcome guests

A new—look club Med Bali will reopen its gates on December 19. The designer for the new Bali resort is Mark Hertrich, a graduate from Paris. The main Bar in the Bali resort, is in a new location with a terrace lounge by the beach. Adjacent to the main bar is the main pool with a new sun deck. A new spa complete with its own ‘quite pool’, offers nine single treatment rooms and five double rooms. Managed by Mandara Spa, the treatment rooms here open to a garden

for more details visit: http://www.clubmed.com

Four Seasons Hotel opens in Seattle

Four Seasons opened its newest US hotel in Seattle’s busy downtown district last month. The hospitality group, which left Seattle in 2003 when its management contract with the nearby Olympic Hotel passed to Fairmont, has now returned with this modern 147-room hotel. The hotel’s restaurant, lounge, grand ballroom (with two-storey-tall windows) and rooftop infinity pool all enjoying sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The Seattle Art Museum and the historic pick place market are also within walking distance of the hotel.

Four seasons has welcomed back its former chef Kerry Sear, who opened his own Seattle-based restaurant nine years ago, to head the ART Restaurant and Lounge. The restaurant will offer over 160 wines by the glass, and the menu will be based on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, in keeping with their star chef’s “best source” philosophy. The 557 sq m spa will use indigenous herbs, balsam fir and even coffee (Seattle being the home of Starbucks) in its treatments. Other highlights include a modern art collection with original works

for more visit : http://www.fourseasons.com/seattle

Two new jungle lodges in MP from Taj Safaris

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Pashan Garh in Panna national park and Banjar Tola in kanha National Park are the latest additions to the Taj Safari Circuit in Madhya Pradesh. Following suit from Mahua Kothi and Baghvan-in Bandhavgarh and Pench respectively—the two near safari lodges Swill offer wild life experiences with naturalists from CC Africa as guides. Panna National Park is 45 minutes from Khajuraho while Kanha National Park is four hours by road from Raipur.

for more details visit : http://www.tajsafaris.com/

A Luxurious Mobile Villa on board a Yacht

A perfect vacation on board a yacht... A luxurious mobile villa, with its own personnel, transporting you to the location of your choice, in supreme comfort.

Before commencing your vacation aboard "your yacht", the team at InT-Marine will plan in detail with you the special needs and desires required for the duration of your cruise. We can arrange your voyage to the point of embarkation or the transfer to join the yacht. We will have organized the provisioning of the yacht with all the items and produce that you wish to find on board so that you may feel at home the instant you embark. The crew will have reserved your favourite wines, your preferred dishes, your flowers etc…. Together with the captain we will have arranged a cruising program to suit your requirements, and, if you desire, a variety of activities to highlight what will remain a perfect vacation. for more details visit: http://www.int-marine.com

Delhi International Arts Festival 2008 set to enthrall the capital

A mélange of creative expressions and art forms will pay a tribute to the Indian Capital during the second year of the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) this month. A multi-art, multi-venue festival, the DIAF featured almost 900 artistes spread in 35 venues last year. To be held from December 1 to 24 this year, the festival promises to make a bigger splash. From classical music and dance to western music, kavi sammelan and mushaira, visual arts, folk dance, short film festival, sufi night, gazal night, theatre, puppet show festival, Japanese film festival, photo exhibition….the list is endless. Some of the venues of the DIAF are Lalit Kala Akademi, Alliance Francaise, Meghdoot Theatre, Bahai Auditorium, Siri Fort and Kamani Auditorium.
For details visit www.diaf.in

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Some of these places are famous. Others had fame thrust upon them.

Dubai, UAE - Regularly swarmed in 2008 by celebrities - even Michael Jackson, who surfaced here in '08. Beat the desert heat at Ski Dubai, an "engineering marvel" with 25-story-high indoor slopes.

Las Vegas, Nevada - See Vegas, think bargains. 2008 made Sin City more affordable than ever, with deals everywhere on hotels, airfare, even show tickets. (Gambling, still pricey.)

Chicago, Illinois - If Chicago's Grant Park had a roof, the party for the 2008 election of Barack Obama would have blown it off. Stroll through the park to see outdoor sculptures like Agora, "a fascinating collection of torso-less pairs of legs."

Johannesburg, South Africa - 109 worldwide contestants competed here for the Miss World 2008 crown. For more gorgeous views, check out Jo'burg's Lion Park, "a once in a lifetime experience."Wasilla, Alaska - Beyond Sarah Palin fever, this tiny town boasts the Iditarod Museum as well as what members call "by far the best Thai food in Alaska."

Le Val, Provence, France - Population 3,412... make that 3,420 when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bring the kids to their $60 million chateau. Members call nearby Aix-en-Provence a Travelers' Choice Top 100 Destination.

Beijing, China - Hosted a worldwide sports spectacular in summer 2008, and brought victory gold to swimmer Michael Phelps. Members call the nearby Great Wall of China "the best experience in Beijing."

Oslo, Norway - Opened in April '08, the Oslo Opera House won the culture award at the World Architecture Festival in October. Another Oslo must-visit: Aker Brygge, a shipyard reincarnated as a shopping mall.

Content from: Tripadvisor.co.in