Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Is it remote enough?


Mainstream doesn’t cut it anymore. How much it costs doesn’t matter. They don’t care if everyone is doing it. All they ask is, ‘Is it unique and isolated?’

Mature travelers are not only seeking experiences, but they have already started to discriminate between experiences in favour of the ones that are off the beaten track, difficult to find, never-heard-of places and things to do. In short, something that doesn’t come in the top 10 Google search. This in turn is prompting operators to look hard for products and activities that not many in their market are offering, or even know of.


Taking a dive in El Nido, The Philippines 

An unfortunate turn this new wave is taking is that social media influencers are being trolled for showcasing ‘secret haunts’ online for fear that these dearly-loved spots of locals will see a stampede of such travelers looking for Instagram-worthy places. Fortunately, such incidents are rare and lie on one end of the spectrum. But they indicate the growing demand for places that are not crawling with tourists – a trend that is slowly being defined as luxury. 

The truth is that by and large, travelers have become explorers and discoverers. They don’t want to merely travel. Whether it is just being part of a sustainable environment or wanting to race on an F1 track onboard a cruise liner in the middle of the ocean, it is the experience that matters – not so much the cost or the destination and definitely not its popularity.


The India market is slowly moving towards this trend but there is still a large percentage of Indians who continue to enjoy their annual holiday in Thailand or Dubai. These numbers are surprisingly high. But in a way it balances the scale and allows the others to pursue their dream holidays, except that this niche of travelers doesn’t want to ‘lose themselves’ or ‘escape life’. They want to experience everything and come alive to every new moment they witness. 





Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Get inspired by Lisbon


The sunny capital of Portugal, Lisbon disguises itself as a quaint coastal town during the day which, by night, turns into a cosmopolitan city with mega clubs lined along the waterfront from Santos to Santa Apolónia.
 
The Pena National Palace which is a day trip away from Lisbon

Laid-back and relaxed- Lisbon is a dream come true for those who wish for a relaxed time by the beach or a slow walking tour along cobbled alleyways and ancient ruins. A mild climate with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, fabulous beaches, and the trademark seven hills that surround Lisbon allow for a myriad of spots from where you could capture a scenic view of the city.
One of the world's oldest cities, Lisbon predates the likes of London, Rome and Paris by hundreds of years. Home to a culture that has brought about much archaeological advancement, the must-see historical sites of Lisbon are the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém tower, both classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake, the Lisbon Baixa attracts the most visitors because of its connection with history, and simultaneously also because of urban delights. Considered as downtown Lisbon, it was a historical square designed in a fascinating earthquake-resistant neoclassical fashion. Now lined with cafes that are perfect for quiet evening meals, Baixa is open till late at night, which is when the party-goers flock into the plazas and avenues for a night on the town.

From the winding streets, centuries-old houses and traditional shops, Lisbon is surrounded by nostalgia for its past, but the people have learnt to not dwell on it. In fact, sunny Lisbon warmly invites you to learn the art of leisure from the city and its people, to follow the relaxed cafe culture, to unwind and live life to the fullest.

Portugal was founded in 1143, making it one of the oldest nations in Europe. Portugal is named after its 2nd largest city, Porto. There are 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal (ranking it 8th in Europe and 17th in the world); and each year more than 13 million tourists visit the country. 

With the longest bridge in Europe, Portugal is also a very popular destination from India for those looking for a Euro break and an extension to their Spain and Morocco itineraries. The total flight duration from Portugal to India is 10 hours, 42 minutes and India is 4:30 hours ahead of Portugal.

Cheery blossoms in Shandong

The ever-popular and beautiful sight of cherry trees blossoming can be experienced at Zhongshan park in Qingdao which is located in east China’s Shandong province.


Every year, from mid April to May, visitors flock to experience the stunning cherry blossom festival held in Zhongshan park. The 600m oriental cherry road, better known as the Cherry Blossom Corridor, has more than 20,000 cherry trees transplanted decades ago from Japan; which turns into a beautiful shade of pink that is postcard worthy! First celebrated in 1930s, the Cherry Blossom festival held in Zhongshan park has a history of more than 80 years. 


Another interesting way to witness these stunning cherry blossoms is from the sky through a cable car. There is also an amusement park within the vicinity, for kids to enjoy various rides and fun activities