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Off to exotic locales

Aziz Haider

The exodus has already begun. To hill stations, beaches, foreign shores. There are queues at railway reservation counters, newspapers are crammed with alluring tour ads and travel agents are working overtime. All a traveller needs is to be infused by the spirit of adventure. And then, a hint of summer, that's all it takes for the peripatetic Indian to fish out his tour guide and follow his nose to a destination which will remain his talking point for the rest of the year.

The fun actually begins from the moment one starts poring over brochures. And continues much after he/she returns, as recounting those escapades of frolic and adventure among awed audience is equally enjoyable.

There are always those who are unable to make it. For one reason or the other. As well as those who want to, but do not know how and where to proceed.

There's good news for all such prospective tourists. Thanks to the great competition between tour operators, travel agents, hotels, and airlines, there are multitude of options available at the most reasonable rates. As the heat of the summer sun intensi fies, it's time to move to some of the exotic places.

The Mandarin Oriental Ananda, an unique spa resort at Narendra Nagar in the Himalayas, offers not just respite from the summer heat but also health and self-containment in attractive packages. Situated in 100 acres of verdant forest and providing luxurio us accommodation, the resort boasts of a heated swimming pool, Swedish massage, ayurvedic, hydrotherapy, yoga and meditation classes. Similarly, Usha Group of Hotels which has four properties -- Southern Star-Mysore, Snowcrest Manor-Manali, Springfields- Shimla and Rama-Bangalore -- beckons nature enthusiasts to relax and unwind at its two resorts in the hills.

There are special offers for Kerala as well, better known as `God's own country'. Kerala Tourism is offering several package tours to different parts of Kerala. These include stay in houseboats on the serene backwaters and ayurvedic message. Besides, the re are packages covering Thekkady, Alleppey, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kanyakumari and lots more.

Tented accommodation is more and more in demand these days. Shikhar Travels has built deluxe cottages on the banks of River Bhagirathi at Uttarkashi (Uttranchal), called Shikar Nature Resort. These cottages promise a memorable holiday in Garhwal Himalaya s, offering modern facilities with recreational activities, nature walks and even adventure treks. If this is not enough, WelcomHeritage, a joint-venture between ITC Hotels Ltd and Marudhar Hotels of Jodhpur, is offering a plethora of options at its 20 e xclusive heritage destinations in India.

Goa, one of the most sought after destinations in India, attracts a lot of foreign tourists, especially between October and March. Several interesting offers are available for Goa as well. One of the finest five-star deluxe beach resort in Goa, Majorda B each Resort has tied up with Indian Airlines this summer to offer a complete holiday package. Cidade de Goa too is offering several exciting holiday plans such as The Great Cidade Experience, The Standard Holiday Plan, The Deluxe Holiday Plan, The Indian Airlines Plan, The Honeymoon Plan at its Goa resort. The resort offers a complete Goan experience inclusive of a perfect tan, typical Goan pampering, spicy vindaloos, lazy little villages and the intoxicating feni. And there are thrilling water sports, cool virtual reality tours, a beautiful secluded beach and lots more. Not to be left behind, Dona Sylvia Resort has tied up with Air Sahara to come out with an amazing Goan holiday package.

For the ones who look for foreign climes to travel, A&N Travel Related Services offers packages to Europe that include return airfare, tour escorts, Indian meals, visas and taxes, three-star hotels, medical insurance and exciting excursions. The 11-day E urope at Leisure tour covers Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium and the UK at Rs 79,999. Excursions to Mt. Titlis, London Eye, Madurodam and a Grand Evening in Paris are some of the highlights of the tour.

For those willing to spend more time in Europe, a 17-day package, at Rs 1,09,999 per person, covering Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and the UK is on offer. Another 10-day package covering Austria, Italy and Switzerland is available for Rs 74,999. Besides, the company has alos on offer a week-long special package for senior citizens at Rs 69,999 which covers Switzerland, France and the UK.

Shree Raj Travels and Tours has also joined in the fray with tour packages for Europe, South Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The highlight of these tours is the delicious Indian food provided to tourists even when they a re preparing to go to Madam Tussaud's Wax Musuem, readying to take a tele-cabin atop Mount Titlis or coming out with a thrilling show at the Lido.

The most exotic of holiday options is yet to be mentioned. This summer, May through September, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is providing the magic of the Mediterranean on board its mega cruise ships. Cruise for seven nights in the Greek Isles, Turkey, It aly, the French Reviera, and more, are available at prices starting from $594, payable in Indian rupees. This is besides the port charges and taxes. Children sharing the room with parents are not charged.

A variety of packages to off-beat destinations are also up-for-grab, courtesy The Geographical Company. On offer are some of the most adventurous and not-so-popular destinations such as the safari in Kenya, Portage Glacier, Juneau (the state capital of h istoric gold mining in Alaska), WindJammer Cruise in Caribbean, Blue Lagoon in Maldives and many more.

The Geographical Company also offers the famous Suntrek Tours of North America. On a Suntrek Tour, one gets a chance to share experiences with a small group (maximum up to 13 participants only) of international travellers and set up camp next to scenic s pots such as the Grand Canyon, ghost towns and many more wonderful sites. They travel in specially customised mini-vans equipped with all the necessary travel gear. Each tour is accompanied by a trained leader/driver who also arranges optional activities such as trail rides, scenic flights, river rafting etc.

Another off-beat destination promoted by the company is Iceland, which is rapidly becoming one of Europe's hottest destinations. Nowhere on Earth are the forces of Nature more evident than here, where glaciers, hot springs, geysers, icecaps, tundra, snow -capped peaks, vast lava deserts, waterfalls and active volcanic craters vie for the visitor's attention. There are unlimited trekking opportunities in Iceland, and walks can range from an afternoon hike to a two-week wilderness trek. Some of the country 's best hiking can be found in the remote areas of Landmannalaugar, Latrabjarg and Hornstrandir, or in Reykjanesfslkvangur, right in Reykjavmk's backyard. There are good skiing facilities at Reykjavmk, Akureyri, Blafjvll. For something a little different , you can have a hit-out at the Arctic Open, held in Akureyri, which is an all-night `midnight sun' golf tournament attracting amateurs and professionals from around the world.

And if that is not enough, The Geographical Company has started promoting Canada as an alternative destination. Most people's conception of Canada goes little beyond appreciating its vastness, recognising its flag and identifying a few well-known physica l features. And while it's true that the majority of travellers are attracted by the opportunity to explore Canada's wilderness, natural wonders and low-key rural charm, there is a lot more to Canada than maple trees, Niagara Falls and wide open spaces.

These are just few of the innumerable special offerings this summer. Offers are unlimited, and there's only a little time left to decide as most offers come to end as the summer heat subsides. Let's hope the choice you make gives you the most enjoyable t ime of your life this summer.

Picture: A view of the Cologne Cathedral.

Picture by S. Gopikrishna Warrier.