The cricket World Cup means that all air routes lead to UK this summer. But for others, the options have never been wider. The holiday world has opened up for Indians in the real sense. Fuelling the boom are leading tour operators who are putting together some innovative travel options and packages tailored specifically for Indian holidaymakers. Aziz Haider picks the best of this summer's offers.
Gone are the days when for Indians, going on a holiday usually meant getting on a train and chugging across the country to visit grandma. Today, the Indian outbound growth rate is among the highest in Asia, with over a third of these being leisure travellers. It's this new-found love for fun and adventure which has compelled leading tour operators to come out with innovative packages and destinations. Leisure, fun, sightseeing, shopping, relaxation, time to do things, and time when you do nothing--all these are now packaged and presented with an eye on the discerning traveller who is looking for comfort, service and a hassle-free holiday.
Even regular travellers who've done it all and seen it all are pleasantly surprised by the standards of luxury, efficiency and personalised care that well-known tour operators have begun providing, thanks to cut-throat competition. There's a place in the sun for everyone--be it a planned trip with the kids during school summer break, an adventure-packed safari with friends, an incentive tour offered by the company with colleagues, or a romantic getaway with your beloved. The confidence of being in the experienced hands of professionals when going to an altogether new place, hassle-free travel services, competitive rates that they provide across the world and a well-organised holiday are the reasons why more and more people are taking recourse to their services.
Besides, tour operators endeavour to bring all the needful elements--leisure, fun, sightseeing, relaxation, etc. in a happy mix. The playgrounds of America's fabled holiday destinations and places as far as Alaska's snowbound reaches or Australia's outback are no longer distant regions. And, with India becoming a favourite target of luxury cruise operators, the options have never been wider, specially in summer, when every tour operator of repute comes out with special packages to beat the heat.
The world suddenly seems one big tourist village. Sometimes it becomes difficult to make a choice out of the wide-ranging travel possibilities. This article attempts to provide the various summer options, selecting only the best tour operators and listing the very best of the packages being offered. If you have the money to spend, Europe is an all-time favourite, particularly London, as is USA. However, the emerging destinations in terms of popularity are Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy, with Austria, Scotland and the Scandinavian countries fast catching up. Here are the options--take your pick.
SINGLE CITY TOURS London Week(Wills Holidays)Seven days in London Tour Highlights: Wills Holidays have tied up with a range of leading hotels. The tour offers a choice of accommodation at 10 centrally located hotels offering special rates for Wills Holiday clients. The London Week includes a tour of the major attractions, plenty of shopping time and a choice of entertainment. Tour Cost: $745 to 1,065 depending on the class of hotel. Prices are per person, on twin-sharing basis, and do not include air fare. Tour Inclusions: Superior first-class or first-class hotels in central London. Accommodation includes porterage and hotel taxes, a three-day London travel pass, guided sightseeing tour of the city, a Thames cruise and the London discount voucher booklet. Meals: Daily continental breakfast. Options: Will Holidays emphasise individual flexibility, or FIT. Their idea is not to treat clients as part of a larger herd. The itinerary is optional, as is the choice of transport, the class of hotel and the tour itself.
NAMASTE PARIS(Thomas Cook)A five-night, six-day stay in romantic Paris Tour Highlights: Thomas Cook, in association with Air France, has launched two unique five-night, six-day tour packages to France. Called ``Bonjour!'', these packages take you to this enticingly beautiful and romantic country at a very affordable price. The Namaste Paris package offers a chance to discover the elegance and charm that the French capital is known for. Also offered are exciting optional excursions like the Cityrama tour, Grand Louvre Museum, Versailles and Trianons, Mont-Saint-Michel and a show at the Moulin Rouge. Tour Cost: Rs 33,990 (Rs 22,230 plus $280) ex-Mumbai. Tour Inclusions: Return Economy-Class air fare, five nights' stay in a first-class hotel, city tour of Paris, a two-day Paris Visite pass. Meals: Five breakfasts.
SINGLE COUNTRY TOURSNamaste Paris and Nice(Thomas Cook)A five-night, six-day package Tour Highlights: An unbeatable combination: Paris and the French Riviera. Nice sits on the sweep of the Mediterranean coastline. It's rich in natural beauty, yet is thoroughly modern. Excursion options include Nice and Monaco, the French Riviera tour, Cannes and Grasse, a Monaco evening, Casino Evening, Cabaret Evening, Furoscope, the Call of the Mountains, Lourdes, the city of Mary and Colmer. Tour Cost: Rs 39,990 (Rs 23,190 plus $400) ex-Mumbai. Tour Inclusions: Return Economy-Class air fare, also air fare on the Paris-Nice-Paris sector, five-day stay in hotel, city tour of Nice, Monaco and Paris, two-day Paris Visite pass. Hotel stay on twin-sharing basis. Meals: Five continental breakfasts.
GRAND TOUR OF SCOTLAND(Wills Holidays)A 10-day tour of Scotland Tour Highlights: Meet in London. After an overnight stay (the Gloucester), a scenic drive north to Edinburgh, stopping at the 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey. In Edinburgh, a guided tour takes in the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, the State Apartments and a view of the Scottish Crown Jewels. Plenty of free time till day four, when you cross the Firth of Forth to St Andrews, the mecca of golf. On to Perth to visit a Scotch distillery, before crossing the Grampian mountains to Braemar. Next day, a visit to Balmoral Castle and then a drive along the shores of Loch Ness to Inverness. A visit to John O'Groats the following day, followed by a drive through a magnificent countryside to the fishing village of Ullapool. Next, across to the island of Skye and some more sightseeing. Finally, a highlight cruise on Loch Lomond before reaching Glasgow. Next day, it's back to London. Tour Cost: $1,148 per person on twin-sharing basis, exclusive of air fare. Tour Inclusions: First and last night's accommodation in London; first-class hotels; luxury, air-conditioned coach with washroom and reclining seats; hotel-service charges, taxes and porterage, and professional tour director. Meals: Two continental breakfasts and seven full-Scottish breakfasts. Four three-course evening meals. Gala evening at Braemar, traditional Scottish dinner and entertainment.
WESTERN EUROPEHighlights of Europe(Wills Holidays)A 15-day tour of England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France Tour Highlights: Starts with an overnight stay in London, with enough time for shopping and sightseeing before driving to Dover. En route, see the Canterbury Cathedral. Cross the Channel to Belgium. Drive to the medieval city of Bruges and then to Brussels for an orientation tour which includes the Grand Place, Royal Palace, Manneken Pis and Atomium. On to Amsterdam, where the tour includes the Mint Tower and Royal Palace, a canal and harbour cruise, and a visit to a diamond factory. Drive through the Dutch countryside to Volendam, view clog and cheesemaking. In Germany, visit Cologne, take a Rhine cruise, and see the Loreley Rock and Pfalz Castle. On to Heidelberg, and then Munich and a tour of the city. From Munich, a scenic drive through the Black Forest before entering Innsbruck in Austria. Visit the Old Town and Wilten Basilica, see the Golden Roof, Imperial Palace and Olympic Ski Jump. Another scenic drive through Brenner Pass via the Europa Bridge and into Venice. The sightseeing tour includes a cruise to St Mark's Square by private launch; you also get to see the Bridge of Sighs and the Basilica, watch Venetian glass-blowing, and take a gondola ride. Drive through the Italian Lake District to Rome, where there's a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia and Circus Maximus. In Florence, see the statue of David, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Signoria Square, the Santa Croce, the Cathedral and Michelangelo's tomb. Tour includes visits to the Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica; don't miss Michelangelo's Pieta. On to Lucerne, Switzerland, for an orientation tour which includes Mount Pilatus cog-rail excursion, the Lion monument and Chapel Bridge. Drive through the Swiss Alpine countryside to France and on to Paris. Here, visit Notre Dame and Montmartre, ascend the Eiffel Tower, see the Arc de Triomphe, Opera, and Champs Elysees. You also get a special Paris shopping voucher. Drive through the French countryside and across the Channel to London. Tour starts and ends in London. Tour Cost: $1,999 per person (does not include air fare). Tour Inclusions: First and last nights' accommodation in London. Twin-bedded rooms with private facilities in first-class, centrally located hotels on twin-sharing basis in all major cities; luxury air-conditioned high-deck motorcoach with reclining seats, washroom and extra leg room; Channel crossings by modern SeaCat; hotel-service charges, taxes and porterage, and finally, a professional, multilingual tour director. Meals: Two continental and 12 enhanced or buffet breakfasts; seven three-course evening meals; Amsterdam canal cruise and dinner on a floating restaurant. Options: Ten- and 14-day European tours also available.
EUROPEAN DISCOVERY (Cox & Kings)A 15-day tour of Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands,Belgium, UK, with free trips to Singapore or Thailand Tour Highlights: Sightseeing tours of Rome, Florence and Venice in Italy; Innsbruck in Austria. A scenic drive to the base of Mt Titlis, one of Switzerland's highest peaks. A panoramic tour of Lucerne, Paris, Amsterdam, with a canal cruise thrown in. In Brussels, another orientation tour before crossing the English Channel to London to take in its sights. Tour starts in Rome, ends in London. Tour Cost: $1,699 per person (inclusive of air fare) on twin-sharing basis. A surcharge of $40 per person applicable for all departures leaving India from May 17 till June 20. The company also offers, with the European Discovery tour, flights to Singapore with four days' free stay or a flight to Thailand with five days' free stay. Tour Inclusions: Accommodation in first-class hotels on twin-sharing basis; coach tours; transfers; entrance fees; sightseeing, and surface transportation in modern, air-conditioned luxury hi-liner coaches. Services of a multilingual manager throughout the tour. Meals: Fourteen continental breakfasts, 10 meals in Indian restaurants and one continental dinner.
DISCOVER EUROPE (Sita Travels)A 16-day tour of France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, UK Tour Highlights: Starts in Paris with a tour by night. In Italy, orientation tours of Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice. In Lucerne, explore the beautiful mountain resort, ride up the world's only revolving cable car, enjoy the view from the top of Mt Titlis, down to Lake Lucerne and the Bucherer Watch showroom. Orientation tours of Zurich and then Berne, where you can view the famous Bear Pit. Drive to Mannheim in Germany via the Rhine Falls and through the Black Forest and Freiburg. Take a scenic Rhine cruise, viewing the beautiful castles and vineyards along the river. On to Cologne and its famous Gothic Cathedral. In Amsterdam, an orientation tour of the city and a canal cruise. Go to Madurodam to see the Netherlands in miniature. On to Belgium, and Brussels for a short orientation tour before taking the Eurostar to London. Tour Cost: $1,179 plus Rs 19,900 as air fare (approximately $1,649). Tour Inclusions: Air ticket between Paris and Rome, hotel accommodation on twin-sharing basis with private bath/shower and standard inside cabin when on cruise. Eurostar fare between Paris and London and a Sita tour escort throughout. Meals: Vegetarian/non-vegetarian; continental, English or buffet breakfasts daily and 13 dinners.
EUROPEAN GRANDEUR(Thomas Cook)A 16-day tour of the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, UK Tour Highlights: In Amsterdam, see the beautiful Tulip gardens of Keukenhof or visit Madurodam to see the Netherlands in miniature. In Cologne, tour the city before proceeding to Innsbruck in Austria, where you get to see the Golden Roof, the Maria-Theresien-Strasse and the Swarovski showroom to admire the beautiful crystals. Go for a Tyrolean folk show to get acquainted with Austrian culture from the Tyrolean Alps. The Italian leg includes a city tour of Venice and its famous canals. In Rome, the tour includes Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, with its awesome murals by Michaelangelo. In Nice, visit a perfume factory for a demonstration of how French perfumes are made. On to Leysin, in Switzerland, a centre for winter- and summer-sports. Tour Lucerne and Engelberg, including a cable-car ride up to Mt Titlis. On to Geneva, the city of Jet d'Eau (the world's tallest fountain), walk around the lake and see the Floral Clock. Next stop, Paris, for a taste of the best of Parisian delights, before crossing over to London, where the tour ends after a day of sightseeing. Tour Cost: $1,999 plus air fare Rs 19,990. Tour Inclusions: Hotel accommodation on twin-sharing basis; Eurostar fare and multilingual Indian tour managers throughout. Meals: Twelve continental buffet breakfasts and three American breakfasts; 14 Jain/vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
PASSIONATE EUROPE (Cox & Kings)A 19-day tour of France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, UK Tour Highlights: Panoramic tour of Paris, which takes in all the important tourist sights. In Lucerne, an orientation tour of the city. In Italy, visit the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa. In Florence, get an aerial view of the city from Piazzale Michaelangelo. On to Rome and a sightseeing tour of the city's famous landmarks. In Venice, take a ride on a vaporetto, see Venetian landmarks and visit a traditional Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. On to Vienna for a city tour. In Prague, visit Prague Castle, the Jewish Town Hall and Cemetry, Charles Bridge, St Nicholas Cathedral and the Astronomical Clock. In Berlin, usual landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Avenue and the Reichstag. The Amsterdam leg involves a sightseeing tour of the city; a visit to a diamond factory, a cheese and clog factory, as well as a canal cruise. This is followed by a panoramic tour of Brussels. In London, catch the famous sights. Tour starts in Paris, and ends in London. Tour Cost: $1,999 per person (including air fare). A surcharge of $40 per person from May 17 to June 20. The company also offers a flight to Singapore along with a star cruise package, or a flight to Dubai with four days' free stay with the Passionate Europe tour. Tour Inclusions: Accommodation in first-class hotels on twin-sharing basis; coach tours; transfers; entrance fees; sightseeing and surface transportation in modern, air-conditioned luxury hi-liner coaches. Services of a multilingual tour manager throughout. Meals: Eighteen continental breakfasts, 13 meals in Indian restaurants, and three continental dinners. BEST OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL (Wills Holidays)A 16-day tour of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Costa Del Sol, Seville, Lisbon, Fatima, Oporto, Salamanca, Estepona, Toledo Tour Highlights: Wine-tasting at the Cava cellars, and a cruise along the Guadalquivir to view the Expo sites. The guided tour of Barcelona includes the Pueblo Espanol, Montjuic Hill, a drive along the Ramblas to the port, and a trip to the Olympic Complex. In Valencia, the tour takes you to the Generalidad Palace, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, El Miguelete Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken, and the city gates. In Purullena, visit the Troglodyte village. On to Granada for a visit to the Alhambra Palace and Generalife water gardens. From there to Estepona, Ronda, Salamanca and Toledo, where the tour includes a visit to the Cathedral with its Greco masterpieces. In Madrid, visit the Prado Museum, drive along the Gran Via, past the Cibeles Fountain, Cervantes Monument and Puerta del Sol. A scenic drive takes you through the Jalon River Valley, Costa Blanca and Costa Dorada. Cross the Mora Pass in the Sierra Nevada, Costa del Sol, across the Serrania de Ronda and the Guadarrama Mountains to Gibraltar. After a guided tour of the Rock, it's on to Lisbon, where you will visit Jeronimo's Monastery and the Alfama district, see the Presidential Palace, Sao Jorge Castle and Belem Tower, cross the Tagus Bridge to Obidos and the ancient city of Batalha. In Oporto, see the Villa Nova de Gaia wine stores, with port-wine tasting followed by a scenic drive to the Serra de Estrela. This itinerary may on occasion operate in reverse. Tour Cost: $1,480 per person, excluding air fare. Tour Inclusions: Complimentary arrival and return transfers to and from Madrid airport; twin-bedded rooms with private facilities in first-class, centrally located hotels in major cities; luxury air-conditioned high-deck motorcoach with reclining seats and washroom; hotel-service charges, taxes and porterage; professional multilingual tour director. Meals: Fifteen enhanced or buffet breakfasts; eight three-course evening meals. Gala evening in Barcelona, with dinner, wine and entertainment and a visit to the Spanish Park, Pueblo Espanol. In Seville, dinner and entertainment featuring a Flamenco show. Options: A 10-day Highlights of Spain tour; a 17-day tour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
ALPINE SPLENDOURS (Wills Holidays)An 11-day tour of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein Tour Highlights: Begins with an orientation tour of Zurich. See the Fraumunster, Bahnhofstrasse, quays of the Limmat and Zurichsee. From Zurich, drive to Munich along the shores of Lake Constance. The Munich tour includes a visit to Marienplatz; the City Hall with its Glockenspiel, the Olympic Stadium and Maximilianstrasse. On to Lindau and then Bavaria for a visit to `Mad' King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle and the Hohenschwangau Castle. Tour the picturesque town of Oberammergau, and see the Passion Play Theatre. Back to Munich. A scenic drive into Austria, where the first stop is Salzburg. Visit the Mirabell Gardens, the Great Cathedral, Mozart's birthplace and The Sound of Music locations. Drive through the Danube Valley to Vienna; guided sightseeing tour of the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, the Winter Palace, Belvedere Palace and Garden, St Charles Church and Opera. Drive through the Austrian Alpine countryside to Villach in the Lake District. Cross the Alps to Bolzano, via the ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Drive through the Engadine Valley via Merano, to the fashionable ski resort of St Moritz. Next morning, board the Glacier Express to Chur, drive through Liechenstein to Lucerne. Orientation tour includes an excursion to the summit of Mt Pilatus by cog-wheel rail and cable car; view the Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge, the Semmering Pass, and the Carinthian Lake District. The Italian leg starts at Cortina with an orientation tour of Cortina d'Ampezzo; see the Olympic ski-jump. Orientation tours of Bolzana and Merano, the latter involving a scenic drive through the Dolomites. In Liechtenstein, there's an orientation tour of Vaduz, which includes the 700-year-old Vaduz Castle. Tour starts and ends at Zurich airport. Tour Cost: $1,298 per person, excluding air fare. Tour Inclusions: Arrival and departure, and hotel transfer in Zurich; twin-bedded rooms with private facilities in first-class, centrally-located hotels; luxury, air-conditioned, high-deck motorcoach with reclining seats and washroom; hotel-service charges, taxes and porterage; professional tour director. Meals: Ten enhanced or buffet breakfasts; seven three-course evening meals; gala evening at Vienna, dinner and entertainment in a local restaurant. Options: Nine-day Grand Tour of Switzerland; 10-day Best of Italy.
EASTERN EUROPEHighlights of Eastern Europe (Wills Holidays)A 14-day tour of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic Tour Highlights: Leisurely start with tour of Vienna. A drive the next day through the Danube Valley to Budapest, with a visit to St Matthias' Church, Fisherman's Bastion and Citadel Hill, Parliament, Opera House and Hero Square, followed by a visit to the ancient artists' village of Szentendre. Drive into Slovakia through the Tatra Mountains, past Oravsky Hrad Castle, and into Poland and Krakow. Guided sightseeing tour with visit to the Cloth Hall and Mariacki Church, the courtyard of Jagiellonian University and the Wawel Cathedral. Drive to the medieval town of Oswiecim, the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. Travel north to Czestochowa for a visit to the 14th-century monastery of Jasna Gora, famous for the Black Madonna. On to Warsaw; the city tour takes in the Palace of Culture and Lazienki Palace, the Chopin Memorial, St Martin's Church, Warsaw's Ghetto and the Memorial. Drive across to the river port of Poznan before entering Germany and into Berlin. The tour includes the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, an excursion to Potsdam, a drive along Unter den Linden to Dresden. Here, see the Saxon Wall, the Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera and Frauenkirche. A scenic drive via the Teuptiz Lakes, across the Ore Mountains takes you into the Czech Republic and Prague. Here, visit Hradcany Castle, the St Vitus' Cathedral, the Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock and St Charles Bridge. After a taste of Prague's night life, the tour proceeds to Trebon, in the Bohemian Lake District. Then, on to the Austrian capital of Vienna. The city tour takes in the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, the Winter Palace, Parliament and St Charles Church. Tour Cost: $1,598 per person excluding air fare. Tour Inclusions: Arrival and departure, transfer from and to Vienna airport and hotel; twin-bedded rooms in first-class hotels; luxury air-conditioned high-deck motorcoach with reclining seats and washroom; hotel-service charges, taxes and porterage; multilingual tour director. Meals: Thirteen enhanced or buffet breakfasts; seven three-course evening meals. In Budapest, highlight dinner with gypsy music; in Krakow, dinner and music in a typical Polish restaurant; and in Warsaw, dinner and music in an elegant mansion.
AMERICASPLENDOURS OF AMERICA (Thomas Cook)A 12-day tour of New York, Niagara, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando Tour Highlights: Discover the throbbing New York City through a guided sightseeing tour. Then, the majestic Niagara Falls which you can view from a mobile tram. In Washington D.C., see the capital's landmarks. On to Las Vegas, where you check out the famous Las Vegas Strip and explore this gambler's paradise. In San Francisco, a comprehensive tour before heading to Los Angeles to take in Beverly Hills, Universal Studios and other hot spots before heading to Orlando and its famous Sea World (watch the lifeguards in action on the Baywatch show), before hitting an even better-known attraction, Disneyworld and the Epcot Centre. Tour starts in New York and ends in Orlando. Tour Cost: $1,999 plus Rs 44,990 (as air fare) ex-Mumbai and Delhi; and $1,999 plus Rs 49,990 ex-Chennai. High-season surcharge of $99 per person in April, May and June. Tour Inclusions: Twin-sharing accommodation; professional tour managers and modern coaches. Meals: Ten American breakfasts in hotels, three Indian buffet lunches and six dinners in Indian restaurants.
AMERICAN OPTIONS (Cox & Kings/Sita Travels) Tour Highlights: Tours of varying durations from Cox & Kings. The Wild West Adventure tour covers Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles in five days at $1,449 plus Rs 44,990 (ex-Mumbai and Delhi), and $1,449 plus Rs 49,990 (ex-Chennai). The eight-day Orlando Extravaganza tour covers Orlando in detail and includes a four-day carnival fun cruise to the Bahamas. Available for $1699 plus Rs 44,990 ex-Mumbai and Delhi; and $1,699 plus Rs 49,990 ex-Chennai. The eight-day Coast-to-Coast tour covering New York, Niagara, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles costs $1,799 plus Rs 44,990 ex-Mumbai and Delhi; and $1,799 plus Rs 49,990 ex-Chennai. The short-duration Eastern Experience tour covers New York, Niagara and Washington D.C. at $1,299 plus Rs 44,990 ex-Mumbai and Delhi; and $1,299 plus Rs 49,990 ex-Chennai. All tours inclusive of air fare. Sita Travels has tied up with Allied Tours--an American tour operator of repute--to offer 21 Experience America escorted tours, seven of which are new itineraries covering all the important regions of North America. Moreover, there are two rail and road coast-to-coast itineraries which combine America's famous rail route with the traditional motorcoach.
A 13-DAY AMERICANWESTERN HOLIDAY (Sita TRAVELS) Tour Highlights: Starting from the scenic coastline of San Francisco, this tour covers Pismo Beach, Santa Monica, Disneyland, San Diego, Tijuana, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Flagstaff, Monument Valley, Kayenta, Grand Canyon Monument Valley, Las Vegas, Fresno, Yosemite National Park, Napa and Sausalito, before terminating in San Francisco. Tour Cost: $999 (exclusive of air fare). Tour Inclusions: Accommodation on twin-room sharing basis, sightseeing, admission to various tourist spots, airport transfers, hotel taxes and porterages.
A 14-DAY ``AMERICAN ZEPHYRRail & Road'' tour(Sita TRAVELS) Tour Highlights: Starting from New York City, this covers Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, the Rocky Mountain National Park, Salt Lake City, Arches National Park, Moab, Canyon Lands Park, Monument Valley, Page, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and terminates at San Francisco. Tour Cost: $1,999 per person (exclusive of air fare). Tour Inclusions: Twin-sharing accommodation; sightseeing; admission to various tourist spots; airport transfers; hotel taxes and porterages.
FIVE-DAY ``EASTERN TRIANGLE'' TOUR(Sita TRAVELS) Tour Highlights: Tour covering New York City, Buffalo, the Niagara Falls, Corning, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. Tour Cost: $365. Tour Inclusions: As above.
AMERICAN SPLENDOUR(Thomas Cook) Tour Highlights: A 16-day tour covering New York, Niagara Falls, Washington D.C., Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco; and a four-day cruise to the Bahamas and back. Tour Cost: $1,999 plus Rs 29,990 (air fare) ex-Mumbai and Delhi; and $1,999 plus Rs 32,990 ex-Chennai; $55 per person tour supplement for all cruise sailings between May and August, to be paid in equivalent Indian rupees. Tour Inclusions: Hotel accommodation on twin-sharing basis, all transfers by air-conditioned coach with English-speaking guides. Cost of four-day cruise on the luxurious ``The Big Red Boat'' cruise liner to the Bahamas.
Meals: Thirteen American breakfasts, 10 Indian (Jain/vegetarian and non-vegetarian) dinners at local Indian restaurants, one international buffet dinner and all meals on board the cruise.
AMAZING AMERICA (Thomas Cook) Tour Highlights: A 13-day tour which also includes a four-day cruise to the Bahamas. This tour covers Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Tour Cost: $1,699 plus Rs 29,990 ex-Mumbai/Delhi. Inclusive of air fare.
OTHER INTERESTING OPTIONSSOUTH AFRICA (SITA Travels)Tour Highlights: Another unique offer is being given jointly by Sita World Travel and South African Airways. Includes three nights in Cape Town and two nights in Sun City. Tour Cost: Free against payment of the listed air fare from Mumbai to Capetown, i.e. Rs 42,535, payable as Rs 25,000 plus $415, which will be taken from the tourist's BTQ quota. Tour Inclusions: Accommodation in first- class hotels, daily buffet breakfast, dinners, return airport transfers in Capetown and a city tour. Options: For the individual traveller, Sita is offering an eight-day tour to South Africa for $1,275 on twin-sharing basis. The cost comes down to $1,000 per person if four-six passengers are travelling and $850 per person in case of seven or more passengers. Air fare not included. The tour begins with a city tour of Capetown and covers Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park and Sun City. Price includes all sightseeing and transfers on seat-in-coach basis, buffet breakfast and vegetarian/non-vegetarian dinner daily, and one lunch.
SCANDINAVIA (Thomas Cook)
Tour Highlights: An eight-night/nine-day itinerary which includes a city tour of Copenhagen to visit the stock exchange, the Amalienborg Palace, the Little Mermaid, the Rosenborg Palace, Stroget Shopping Street and the Gefion Fountain; a visit to the famous Carlsberg Brewery at Copenhagen; city tour of Bergen which includes the Bryggen Waterfront, fishmarket, Stave Church, the Edward Grieg Museum and other major sights; a ride aboard the Floijen Funicular train to admire the fantastic scenery from a height; cruise from Bergen to Oslo on the Fjord cruise amid cascading waterfalls and shimmering glaciers; city tour of Oslo to visit the Holmenkollen Skijump, the Royal Palace, Karl Johan, Vigeland Park, Akkers Brygge, the Viking Ship Museum and other major sights; city tour of Stockholm to see Fjallgattan Viewpoint, the Royal Palace, Old Town, Kings Garden, City Hall, the Vasa Ship Museum among other famous spots; and a cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago which consists of more than 24,000 islands. Tour Cost: Rs 39,990 plus $999 ex-Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Indore, Vadodara and Ahmedabad; Rs 42,990 plus $999 ex-Calcutta, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad; and Rs 33,990 plus $999 ex-Delhi. Tour Inclusions: All hotel accommodations on twin- sharing basis. Meals: Seven Scandinavian buffet breakfasts and eight Indian dinners.
CHINA (SITA Travels) Tour Highlights: For the first time, an eight-day tour to China is being offered by SITA covering Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Tour covers visits to the Great Wall of China, Ming Tomb, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Shanxi Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bronze Chariot, the Terracotta Warriors and horses, Huaqing Hot Springs and the Bund on the Huangpu river. Tour Cost: $1,200 per person on twin-sharing basis; exclusive of air fare. Tour Inclusions: Hotel accommodation; daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
LUXURY AFLOAT
Cruising has become the fastest-growing tourist activity, and Indians are fast catching up with the rest of the world. And with a number of companies offering varied options to hitherto unexplored places, and stiff competition ensuring that prices remain low, cruises are becoming the latest holiday option.
You will have to board and off-board most of these liners from a foreign destination--meaning that you will have to fly to the place of boarding and also take a return flight from where you alight. However, many tourists tackle this by taking a cruise as an extended holiday option during a vacation in a particular region.
The Cruise Options: Discover the World Marketing, the company that represents Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in India, offers a range of itineraries in America including the Inside Passage and Glacier Route itineraries, and the Pacific Coast itinerary covering California, Alaska and the spectacular scenery, majestic wildlife and living history around the Inside Passage. Also on offer are cruises in Europe--in the Mediterranean and Baltic seas and in western Europe--and the Transatlantic cruises.
These and other cruises can be booked through various tour operators like Cox & Kings, Sita Travels, SOTC, Stic Travels and Thomas Cook. Sita World Travel has also been appointed as the Preferred Sales Agent of the Malaysian-owned line, Star Cruise, which operates tours from Singapore and Hong Kong. There are other tour operators as well.
THE ALASKAN CRUISE In summer months, the ships plying in the Caribbean seas switch to Alaska cruising mainly out of Vancouver through the Inside Passage--the largest sheltered inland waterway in the world--to the ports of south-east Alaska from where you can explore the spectacular mountains of ice and the charming frontier spirit of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and other destinations. You can also take a breathtaking helicopter ride through the surrounding mountains, walk on one of the huge glaciers, go white-water rafting in the icy waters tumbling down the glaciers, or go spotting bears, sea lions, whales or eagles on the raft side through the world's only Bald Eagle Reserve. Departures: On offer are 53 six- or seven-day sailings to Bermuda from New York and five additional east coast getaways from April. These cruises dock at Bermuda's historic King's Wharf on the island's west end. Besides, a seven-night Inside Passage tour covering Vancouver, Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan is available between April and September. There are altogether 41 Alaskan and Pacific coastal cruises on offer from May through September. Offering scenic itineraries ranging from seven to 12 nights, the ships will call at Alaska's Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. Glacier cruises for seven nights are also available through May, June, July and August. Cost: The seven-night Inside Passage tour is available from $945 onwards, while the Pacific Coast tour costs $1,195 onwards. Attractive discounts are on offer on all these cruises for getting bookings done now.
MEDITERRANEAN MAGIC In the Mediterranean region, cruises usually have either an eastern or western Mediterranean itinerary. The chief attraction of cruising in these regions is the number of countries these ships touch and the fascinating experience at these places. There is also a wider choice of cruise lengths with 10-, 11-, and 14-day cruises, as well as the one-week itineraries.
While the eastern Mediterranean cruises offer options like exploring such captivating cities as Athens and Rome or visiting exotic locations from Malta to Turkey, the western Mediterranean cruises take you to destinations whose names alone conjure images of European beauty and charm: Naples, graced with picturesque Italian landscapes; Barcelona, with its lively Spanish spirit and architectural marvels; Livorno, the gateway to the Renaissance treasures of Florence; Villafranche, from where you can begin a memorable visit to Nice, Monte Carlo and the dazzling French Riviera; and finally, the island of Mallorca, where you can shop for exquisite pearls.
Departures: An 11-night eastern Mediterranean cruise will depart on May 16, September 20 and October 11, whereas the 10-night western Mediterranean cruise will commence on May 28, September 10 and October 1.
Cost: Ranges from about $1,000 to 12,000 (for the penthouse suites).
RUSSIA AND THE BALTIC SEA In mid-summer, some ships head north of the Mediterranean for the Baltic Sea. There are cruises along the Norwegian fjords, some of which take in the famous midnight sun, and the capital cities of Scandinavia plus Russia's historic St Petersburg. Here, the old-world grandeur blends with contemporary charm for an extraordinary vacation experience. Your 14-night voyage gives you the time to explore fascinating destinations at your leisure as you sail to ports in northern Europe and Scandinavia. From Stockholm to Copenhagen, the jewels of the Baltic sparkle with timeless beauty, and the splendour of nature is found wherever land and sky meet--in the fjords of Oslo, the bays of Helsinki, the canals of Amsterdam. And still more wonders await you in the dramatic city of Berlin, medieval Tallinn, historic Gdynia, and the crowning highlight of a visit to the royal city of St Petersburg. Departures: The 14-night ``Russia and the Baltic Sea'' cruise starts on June 19; July 3, 17, 31; and August 14. Cost: Prices range from about $1,500 to about $13,000.
WESTERN EUROPE CRUISE The tour, spread over 12 to 13 days, captures the grandeur of western Europe--from quaint villages to cosmopolitan cities. Soak in the Moroccan mystique of Tangier, the glamour and allure of Paris, the cobblestone streets of Lisbon and the beautiful port at Le Havre. Departures: June 7 and August 28. Cost: From $1,400 upwards.
TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE The 15-night Transatlantic cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see destinations on both sides of the Atlantic ocean, from Barcelona to Bermuda, Morocco to St Maarten. Departures: April 24 from Fort Lauderdale; October 22 from Genoa. Cost: Starts from $1,295 and goes up to $11,345. Check out for the early-bird discounts.
THE FAR-EAST CRUISE A choice of cruise options with Star Cruise, known for providing a wide range of onboard activities that include aerobics, movies, swimming, shopping, dancing, computer games, deck games, demonstrations, cabaret shows, partying and dining. Besides, these cruises take passengers to the more famous destinations in the region through the sea route, thus cutting down on precious time that gets lost while checking-in through airports, hotels and customs, packing and unpacking. Various day-long excursions offering the best of Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Palau Payar, Kuah Town, Malacca, Phuket and Singapore are available for a charge. At the end of each excursion, you return to the cruise to indulge in more fun as the ship sails to the next destination. Departures: Options of six-, four-, and three-day cruises operating through the season. Cost: The six-day cruise ranges from $500 (on twin-sharing basis) to $7,500 (Presidential Suite). The four-day cruise price ranges from $300 to about $4,000; the three-day cruise from $200 to about $3,000.
NEPALHot New Resorts There are two holiday spots which are attracting hordes of big-spenders for their combination of luxury and tranquility. Lekha J. Shankar finds them an ideal summer getaway.
It's called destination paradise and it's the most talked-about resort complex in Nepal. Built at a cost of Rs 160 crore over a five-year period, the Fulbari Resort Complex in Pokhra will formally open this summer. For Indians visiting Pokhra, this could well be their next one-stop holiday resort. In fact, they can even fly directly to the resort from Kathmandu as it has its own private helipad!
The 80 acres offer plenty of delights--an artificial lake where there are facilities for boating and water-sports, a nine-hole golf course, an aviary with a delightful range of well-fed birds, tennis courts, jacuzzi, swim-up bar, three restaurants including the Masala Bazar which serves Indian food, and a fabulous open-air beer-garden. This faces some spectacular gorges and the flowing Seti river. Most of the rooms lead out to the gardens and pools and one's tempted to remain outdoors all the time.
Not that the interiors are less exciting. The lobby--with its grand Ganesh and Pancha Buddha heads, Newari water-spouts, 108 brass lamps (an auspicious number), intricately carved pillars and walls and the marble flooring--is a visual spectacle. There are paintings and books in the library lounge, and fountains in the open-air chauthara where we hear a music concert at night. There are sit-out spaces in the passages of the rooms, all overlooking the chauthara which is lit with diya (earthen lamps) at night. The evening concerts make it an audio-visual delight. The rooms have brass mandala and intricate woodwork, fresh flowers and quaintly lit alcoves even in the toilets.
The resort spells class, artistry and exquisite design. Everywhere the history, art and mythology of Nepal are evoked. In keeping with modern demands, a casino, disco and health club will be opened soon. There are walks, games and pony rides for the energetic. For those who want more, there are trekking trails near the Seti river, apart from rafting in the river itself. And for those who want even more adventure, Pokhra offers mountain flights and hand-gliding rides which the Fulbari management can organise. I would recommend both. They are not cheap but well worth the experience. The 20-seater mountain planes ($99 for an hour) take you breathtakingly close to the Himalayas and, as the guide points out the Annapurna and other ranges, every peak seems to come to life. The two-seater hand-glider craft takes you on another high too. The shortest 15-minute trip costs about $40.
Dhulikhel: It's a rustic town with marvellous resort-hotels, a medieval village with the famous Newari woodwork. The new hot spot just 34 km off Kathmandu, Dhulikhel has today become the weekend getaway for Nepal's rich and famous. In fact, it was from a top-ranking corporate executive that I heard of Dhulikhel, and thanks to Yeti Travels, Nepal's best-known travel company, a trip was immediately arranged.
The car journey from Kathmandu took us a little more than half an hour but it was a great drive. Travelling uphill out of the city and into the countryside was like stepping into another world--the mountains with their green, terraced slopes, and the air fresh and clean.
Dhulikhel is nearly 5,000 ft above sea level. The town lies on what was once the main trade route between Tibet and Nepal and has an old-world ambience, with its cobbled streets, handicraft shops, and buildings with intricate Newari architecture. The Himalayas are all around and people drive to Dhulikhel just to see the sunrise and sunset. In fact, it's the peace, quiet and the fresh mountain air that draw people here. And, of course, the resort-hotels. I visited several of them and wished I could have stayed longer in Dhulikhel.
Take the Himalayan Shangri-la. You have to climb 145 steps to reach it! Once there, however, it's paradise, with 22 acres of flowering plants, trekking trails, and 40-50 types of birds which attract hordes of birdwatchers. There are cottage-style rooms, once again boasting of intricate Newari woodwork. There are also family and group rooms, as the resort has good conference facilities. The quail's egg and chicken soup I had at their open-air dining-area was delicious, as was the atmosphere.
The culinary standards are high, and I find the Chhahara restaurant at Mirabel, the newest resort-hotel in Dhulikhel, far superior to many well-known ones in Kathmandu. This resort has three restaurants, including a beergarden on the roof top which commands a marvellous view of the mountains. I watch the sunset, sipping beer and enjoying the Newari cuisine of Sukuti (dried meat) and Kukhura Ko Masu (chicken curry).
The other resort-hotels here include the exotic Himalayan Mountain Resort, the Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, and several others, all charging between $70 and 100, with special rates for groups. As they all have excellent conference facilities, they have become popular with corporate groups, especially on weekends. The resort-hotels also organise a series of activities for the energetic tourist. These include trekking trips, countryside excursions and rafting down the Sun Kosi river.
From the sightseeing point of view, Dhulikhel has some interesting spots. Panauti, a few kilometres away, is noted for its many temples. Among these are the 13th-century Indreshwar temple and the famous Namo Buddha stupa on top of a hill. Many tourists prefer trekking or bicycling to these spots through the picturesque countryside. Just outside Dhulikhel is a hill crowned with a Kali temple, from where one gets an excellent view of the entire central range of the Himalayas, from the Ganesh Himal in the west to Mt Everest in the east.
I had, in fact, visited Dhulikhel first and then driven down to Pokhra, some 100 km away, for some river rafting. The rapids are probably more exciting in the Ganga in Rishikesh. But the gorges, mountains and surrounding hillscapes here are more stunning. The Outdoor Adventure Club, which organised my trip to Pokhra, is one of the oldest and most experienced companies in the business. With expert guides at your side, any nervousness that you may feel quickly gives way to thrill. After all that pampering at the latest resort-hotels of Nepal, the rafting trip was energising and exciting, a real climactic end to a great holiday.
Travel Tips: Between Pokhra and Dhulikhel, one can take a great break this summer. The newly opened Fulbari Resort, which normally costs about $200 a night, has some good Opening Packages (Rs 5,000 per person, twin sharing, for three days, two nights, or Rs 4,000 Single Supplements, including breakfast).
Internet: www.yomari.com/fulbari
For Special Nepal packages, contact: Stic Travels; Tel: (011) 332 0239/0285; and Jyoti Travels; Tel: (011) 646 4657, 644 3608.INDIASUMMER Offerings Some of the best options this season are being offered by WelcomHeritage, which has come out with a series of discounted short-duration packages at their heritage properties dotting the country. On top of the list are four properties in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. The Fort, Nalagarh, presents a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills beyond the Sirsa river; the Taragarh Palace, nestled at the foothills of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district, while the Judge's Court at Pragpur, spread over 10 acres of orchards, has a magnificent view of the snow peaks, and serves as an ideal base for exploring the scenic Kangra valley. Finally, there's the Woodville Palace at Shimla. Tariff: Mini packages for one night and two days are being offered at The Fort, Nalagarh for Rs 1,999; at the Judge's Court for Rs 1,699; at the Taragarh Palace for Rs 1,999; and at Woodville Palace for Rs 2,199 per couple. The package is inclusive of one standard double room with American breakfast and bed tea/coffee for two persons. There is also an option of getting a fifth night complimentary at all the four places if you stay four nights at any one property.
Also on offer is WelcomHeritage's Connaught House near Mt Abu and the famous Nakki Lake. This property was the official summer residence of the chief minister of the princely state of Marwar. Tariff: Short-duration packages of two nights/three days for Rs 2,699 per couple. The packages are extendable on pro-rata basis.
Andamans: A ``long-break'' package to Welcomgroup's Bay Island at Port Blair, Andamans. This package gives you a chance to explore a fantasy world of silver sands, clear blue seas, coral reefs, swaying palms and, on the other side, tropical forests, volcanic mountains and a gently undulating landscape. And not the least, the complete absence of crowds to disturb the tranquility.
The Oberoi's `Summer Specials' include a three-night, four-day stay at The Cecil, Shimla for Rs 12,600; a similar package for the Clarke's, Shimla for Rs 9,500. Both are valid from July 1. There's also a two-night, three-day stay at The Lanka Oberoi in Colombo for $300, and weekend packages at their hotels in Bangalore, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Rates are between Rs 4,200 and 14,500. The group's Trident chain also has summer specials on offer.
The Taj Group of Hotels, too, have come out with special discounted offers during the summer at 37 of their properties in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal. All the packages are for two persons for two nights in standard rooms and include all applicable taxes.
In Kerala, the Taj group has an excellent offer for two to spend two nights each at five exotic destinations. Upon reaching Kochi, you can spend two nights at Taj Malabar (Rs 8,600), and then move to The Taj Residency at Ernakulam to spend three days (Rs 7,500). From there, travel to the Taj Garden Retreat at Thekkady (Rs 7,500), where you can spend your time at the Periyar Sanctuary, home to elephants and other animals. Next you can go to the Taj Garden Retreat at Kumarakom and wallow in the backwaters (Rs 7,500). The ayurvedic centre here has evoked a tremendous response from people who believe in the healing power of this ancient medical science. Finally, you can relax at Varkala (Rs 7,500) for two nights before returning.
Goa: Another holiday with the Taj Group can be planned in Goa, which has become a year-round destination for both domestic and international tourists. A standard room for two persons for two nights costs Rs 6,865 (from May 1 to June 11), and Rs 6,180 (from June 12 to September 30) at the Taj Holiday Village; Rs 7,565 (from May 1 to June 11) and Rs 6,865 (from June 12 to September 30) at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort; and Rs 10,500 (from May 1 to September 30) at the Aguada Hermitage.
A few interesting Taj Group packages are also available at the Taj Garden Retreat, Coonoor, for Rs 6,500 (from April 1 to June 15), and Rs 5,900 (from June 16 to September 30); Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai, for Rs 6,250; Lake Palace, Udaipur for Rs 12,000 (from April 15 to July 31), and Rs 13,000 (from August 1 to September 30). These packages are for a couple for two nights. Other hotels belonging to the group are also offering discounted packages.
Various tour operators are also offering packages to different parts of India. Sita's seven nights/eight days' tour from Delhi to Shimla-Kulu Manali and Nalagarh is available for Rs 16,500 per person on two-in-a-car basis. Sita's all-inclusive resort in Goa, The Heritage Village Club has come out with a package for three nights and four days in the resort at an attractive price of Rs 9,999 per couple. Its unique feature is that besides accommodation, all sightseeing and transfers, food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and even the ice-creams for children come free.
A variety of other destinations are also being offered by tour operators to choose from. You can opt for the Darjeeling-Bhutan itinerary, or travel to the 36 islands of Lakshadweep, 200 miles off the southwest coast of India. Or, there's the Chandigarh-Dalhousie-Khajjiar itinerary; the Corbett-Nainital trip, the Srinagar- Pahalgam-Gulmarg circuit; the Bangalore-Mysore-Ootacamund and the Kochi-Periyar-Munnar circuits, or the Darjeeling- Gangtok-Kalimpong or Andamans itineraries. Check with your tour operator for details.
Taj ReservationsChanderlok Building 36, Janpath, New Delhi-110001. Tel: (011) 332 2256/2333; Fax: 3310750
WelcomHeritageC-7, 2nd Floor, J-Block Market, Saket New Delhi-110017. Tel: (011) 686 8992/8993; Fax: 6868994 E-mail: welcomheritage@bigfoot.com
Oberoi Hotels(Corporate Marketing Division)7, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi-110054. Tel: (91) (011) 291 4841; Fax: 292 9800
Virgin Island CruiseLekha J. Shankar describes her Royal Caribbean cruise experience. What better way to escape the heat,dust and pollution of the summer than by cruising to the untouched, unspoilt beaches in the faraway seas? The Virgin Islands, for example, are a veritable Paradise in the Caribbean Sea, with their white, creamy beaches; blue, translucent skies, and exotic, mesmeric atmosphere.There are no crowds or confusion here, no noise or hurry. Only a lush and languid beauty suffusing everything.
You loll on the beaches, dip into the waters, wander among the cobbled streets, check out the quaint shops stuffed with knicknacks and lose yourself to Calypso rhythms. After all, this is Caribbean land, where everyone sways at the break of a song; the mood is indolent but the spirit is electric. What more do you want? Bars on the beach and daiquiris at hand, blue skies above and the green sea in front, bikinis and briefs and music all around. Paradise? I awake at the toot of a horn and the sound of a bass voice saying: ``Sightseeing Ahoy!''
Sightseeing in Paradise? Oh yes, there's plenty to see--for those who want more than the sea and sky. And there's plenty to do--for those who have the energy and spirit. There are snorkelling and scuba-diving sessions, helicopter and seaplane tours, catamaran and submarine rides, even tennis and golfing rounds. St Thomas Island has something for everyone. Originally discovered by Columbus in 1493, it later became a Danish colony, and was eventually sold to America in 1967, supposedly for 2.5 crore bars of gold!
We do our sightseeing in an open safari bus, with a lively guide named Dunkin Donuts.The moment he spots us Indians, he drives up past a cricket ground (``Yes, we play cricket even in Paradise!''). After that, it's a delightful round of picturesque hills as he takes us to the highest point of the island and points out the stunning Magens Bay. Rainbow-hued waters take our breath away, and we are told that films like The Deep and Four Seasons were shot here.
As we sip punch and wander among the feast of flowers in the botanical gardens, we watch a newly married couple posing for photographs. Dunkin tells us couples from across the world come to these islands just to get married. ``They feel pure and virginal here,'' he quips.
Our next stop is St Maarten, another stunning island with intoxicating atmospherics. In fact, I'm so fascinated by the beaches, the streets and the shops that I miss my sightseeing tour. The island is owned by two countries, France and the Netherlands. Consequently, there are two languages, two currencies, two cultures. A phone call from one end of the island to the other is considered international!
The French beaches allow nudity, resulting in a scramble for the popular Oriental Beach. On the other hand, there are casinos in the Dutch sector, and the favourite joke among locals is that you lose your money on the Dutch side and your clothes on the French!
I'm fascinated by the numerous duty-free shops here; the Virgin Islands are a shoppers' paradise as they are all duty free, especially the jewellery shops run by Sindhis. They tell me that they get many of their stones from India.
The third island we visit is St Croix, small and utterly delightful. There are rum factories, nature walks and, of course, the white beaches and the Afro-rhythms. We have a sumptuous meal at one of the many family-run motels, Hilty House, and are impressed by its elegant decor and personalised service. Like several others, we were tempted to spend a weekend here, but leave Paradise we must. And as our boat takes us back to our cruise-liner, we look longingly at the creamy beaches and azure skies and wonder whether we'll encounter such a paradise again.
If the islands themselves are getaway spots, the cruise itself is filled with action. We took the Royal Caribbean cruise from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is a two-hour flight from Miami, a town with a delectable ambience. Among the gleaming liners in its port, ours, the Nordic Empress, seems the biggest and most elegant. It's 12 storeys tall, with fountains, capsule lifts, bars, lounges and casinos. There are pianists in the lounges, string bands in the bars, calypso players in the open decks, and the top-of-the-chart numbers in the disco. The most spectacular are the revue dancers, who perform Broadway-kind musicals for us every night. We attend art auctions, dance lessons, massage sessions, even a Sexy Men's Legs competition.
The food spread is phenomenal. We eat everything from Chinese duck and Caribbean lamb to sauted veal, smoked halibut, roast duck and grilled sirloin. There is a vegetarian and dieters' menu as well. And yes, Indian dishes on request, because almost every cruise-liner has an Indian chef and stewards. Ours had several, including the captain, and the night we asked for an Indian meal, we got the everything: from pulao to chicken curry, papad to pickle.
As cruises take place throughout the year, one can plan them any time. We met Mrs and Mr Das on our liner, who said they took the Caribbean cruise because the husband was going to South America for a conference. For anyone going to USA, the Caribbean cruise becomes an easy option because most start at Miami or Puerto Rico.
There is also a misguided notion that cruises are only for those with fat wallets. Cruises are good value for money because the tariff ($100-200 a day) includes room, food and entertainment charges. You can't get a better deal. And the earlier you book, the greater the discounts.
To me, they are holistic holidays in every sense of the word. Imagine lolling on idyllic beaches in the morning and swinging in a bar or casino at night. That's what this holiday is all about. You dock at the islands in the morning and return to your liner every night: a mix-and-match holiday of the most unique type--a perfect treat for summer, or for that matter, any season. How to Get There: Fly to Miami, and from there to San Juan in Puerto Rico to board the liner. Cost: From $500-2,000 for a three-day cruise, depending on the type of cabin. (Early bookings bring on maximum discounts, sometimes as much as 20 per cent.) Rates include cabin, food, entertainment. Beverages cost extra but are reasonably priced. Sightseeing tours on the islands cost between $25 and 85. For more details contact: Discover the World Marketing, 601 Ashoka Estate, 24 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001. Tel: (011) 3311364; Fax: 3722878. E-mail: dscvrdel@nda.vsnl.net.in
World Cup Packages Thomas Cook is offering a chance to savour the last most-happening event of the millennium, the Cricket World Cup in England, through its three- or four-day tours to various important matches, starting with the India v/s South Africa at Hove (May 14-16), which comes for £325 plus air fare. The price goes up to £599 plus air fare for the final (June 19-22). Three-day tours to any of the two semi-finals, nine Super Six matches and a few preliminary matches of India are available between £325 and 599, exclusive of air fare. The package cost includes accommodation on twin-sharing basis, top-price ticket for the match and transport to and from the hotel and match grounds.
Another eight-day tour incorporating one World Cup match with a longer stay in France is available for $1,499 plus Rs 25,990 ex-Mumbai and Delhi. Besides spending time in Nice and Paris, you also get to spend two nights in England to watch one of the World Cup league matches.
Trafalgar's Tours Sita Travels also offers a choice of 130 tours in partnership with Trafalgar, one of Europe's leading tour operators. Starting from $425 (exclusive of air fare), it offers a comprehensive tour selection to match individual liking and taste. Options vary from a seven-day European Highlights tour to the long duration, 22-day European Festival tour covering 14 cities (Brussels, Amsterdam, Rhineland, Engelberg, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence, Nice, Lyons and Paris).
You will have to board and off-board most of these liners from a foreign destination--meaning that you will have to fly to the place of boarding and also take a return flight from where you alight. However, many tourists tackle this by taking a cruise as an extended holiday option during a vacation in a particular region.
The Cruise Options: Discover the World Marketing, the company that represents Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in India, offers a range of itineraries in America including the Inside Passage and Glacier Route itineraries, and the Pacific Coast itinerary covering California, Alaska and the spectacular scenery, majestic wildlife and living history around the Inside Passage. Also on offer are cruises in Europe--in the Mediterranean and Baltic seas and in western Europe--and the Transatlantic cruises.
These and other cruises can be booked through various tour operators like Cox & Kings, Sita Travels, SOTC, Stic Travels and Thomas Cook. Sita World Travel has also been appointed as the Preferred Sales Agent of the Malaysian-owned line, Star Cruise, which operates tours from Singapore and Hong Kong. There are other tour operators as well.
THE ALASKAN CRUISE In summer months, the ships plying in the Caribbean seas switch to Alaska cruising mainly out of Vancouver through the Inside Passage--the largest sheltered inland waterway in the world--to the ports of south-east Alaska from where you can explore the spectacular mountains of ice and the charming frontier spirit of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and other destinations. You can also take a breathtaking helicopter ride through the surrounding mountains, walk on one of the huge glaciers, go white-water rafting in the icy waters tumbling down the glaciers, or go spotting bears, sea lions, whales or eagles on the raft side through the world's only Bald Eagle Reserve. Departures: On offer are 53 six- or seven-day sailings to Bermuda from New York and five additional east coast getaways from April. These cruises dock at Bermuda's historic King's Wharf on the island's west end. Besides, a seven-night Inside Passage tour covering Vancouver, Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan is available between April and September. There are altogether 41 Alaskan and Pacific coastal cruises on offer from May through September. Offering scenic itineraries ranging from seven to 12 nights, the ships will call at Alaska's Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. Glacier cruises for seven nights are also available through May, June, July and August. Cost: The seven-night Inside Passage tour is available from $945 onwards, while the Pacific Coast tour costs $1,195 onwards. Attractive discounts are on offer on all these cruises for getting bookings done now.
MEDITERRANEAN MAGIC In the Mediterranean region, cruises usually have either an eastern or western Mediterranean itinerary. The chief attraction of cruising in these regions is the number of countries these ships touch and the fascinating experience at these places. There is also a wider choice of cruise lengths with 10-, 11-, and 14-day cruises, as well as the one-week itineraries.
While the eastern Mediterranean cruises offer options like exploring such captivating cities as Athens and Rome or visiting exotic locations from Malta to Turkey, the western Mediterranean cruises take you to destinations whose names alone conjure images of European beauty and charm: Naples, graced with picturesque Italian landscapes; Barcelona, with its lively Spanish spirit and architectural marvels; Livorno, the gateway to the Renaissance treasures of Florence; Villafranche, from where you can begin a memorable visit to Nice, Monte Carlo and the dazzling French Riviera; and finally, the island of Mallorca, where you can shop for exquisite pearls.
Departures: An 11-night eastern Mediterranean cruise will depart on May 16, September 20 and October 11, whereas the 10-night western Mediterranean cruise will commence on May 28, September 10 and October 1.
Cost: Ranges from about $1,000 to 12,000 (for the penthouse suites).
RUSSIA AND THE BALTIC SEA In mid-summer, some ships head north of the Mediterranean for the Baltic Sea. There are cruises along the Norwegian fjords, some of which take in the famous midnight sun, and the capital cities of Scandinavia plus Russia's historic St Petersburg. Here, the old-world grandeur blends with contemporary charm for an extraordinary vacation experience. Your 14-night voyage gives you the time to explore fascinating destinations at your leisure as you sail to ports in northern Europe and Scandinavia. From Stockholm to Copenhagen, the jewels of the Baltic sparkle with timeless beauty, and the splendour of nature is found wherever land and sky meet--in the fjords of Oslo, the bays of Helsinki, the canals of Amsterdam. And still more wonders await you in the dramatic city of Berlin, medieval Tallinn, historic Gdynia, and the crowning highlight of a visit to the royal city of St Petersburg. Departures: The 14-night ``Russia and the Baltic Sea'' cruise starts on June 19; July 3, 17, 31; and August 14. Cost: Prices range from about $1,500 to about $13,000.
WESTERN EUROPE CRUISE The tour, spread over 12 to 13 days, captures the grandeur of western Europe--from quaint villages to cosmopolitan cities. Soak in the Moroccan mystique of Tangier, the glamour and allure of Paris, the cobblestone streets of Lisbon and the beautiful port at Le Havre. Departures: June 7 and August 28. Cost: From $1,400 upwards.
TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE The 15-night Transatlantic cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see destinations on both sides of the Atlantic ocean, from Barcelona to Bermuda, Morocco to St Maarten. Departures: April 24 from Fort Lauderdale; October 22 from Genoa. Cost: Starts from $1,295 and goes up to $11,345. Check out for the early-bird discounts.
THE FAR-EAST CRUISE A choice of cruise options with Star Cruise, known for providing a wide range of onboard activities that include aerobics, movies, swimming, shopping, dancing, computer games, deck games, demonstrations, cabaret shows, partying and dining. Besides, these cruises take passengers to the more famous destinations in the region through the sea route, thus cutting down on precious time that gets lost while checking-in through airports, hotels and customs, packing and unpacking. Various day-long excursions offering the best of Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Palau Payar, Kuah Town, Malacca, Phuket and Singapore are available for a charge. At the end of each excursion, you return to the cruise to indulge in more fun as the ship sails to the next destination. Departures: Options of six-, four-, and three-day cruises operating through the season. Cost: The six-day cruise ranges from $500 (on twin-sharing basis) to $7,500 (Presidential Suite). The four-day cruise price ranges from $300 to about $4,000; the three-day cruise from $200 to about $3,000.
NEPALHot New Resorts There are two holiday spots which are attracting hordes of big-spenders for their combination of luxury and tranquility. Lekha J. Shankar finds them an ideal summer getaway.
It's called destination paradise and it's the most talked-about resort complex in Nepal. Built at a cost of Rs 160 crore over a five-year period, the Fulbari Resort Complex in Pokhra will formally open this summer. For Indians visiting Pokhra, this could well be their next one-stop holiday resort. In fact, they can even fly directly to the resort from Kathmandu as it has its own private helipad!
The 80 acres offer plenty of delights--an artificial lake where there are facilities for boating and water-sports, a nine-hole golf course, an aviary with a delightful range of well-fed birds, tennis courts, jacuzzi, swim-up bar, three restaurants including the Masala Bazar which serves Indian food, and a fabulous open-air beer-garden. This faces some spectacular gorges and the flowing Seti river. Most of the rooms lead out to the gardens and pools and one's tempted to remain outdoors all the time.
Not that the interiors are less exciting. The lobby--with its grand Ganesh and Pancha Buddha heads, Newari water-spouts, 108 brass lamps (an auspicious number), intricately carved pillars and walls and the marble flooring--is a visual spectacle. There are paintings and books in the library lounge, and fountains in the open-air chauthara where we hear a music concert at night. There are sit-out spaces in the passages of the rooms, all overlooking the chauthara which is lit with diya (earthen lamps) at night. The evening concerts make it an audio-visual delight. The rooms have brass mandala and intricate woodwork, fresh flowers and quaintly lit alcoves even in the toilets.
The resort spells class, artistry and exquisite design. Everywhere the history, art and mythology of Nepal are evoked. In keeping with modern demands, a casino, disco and health club will be opened soon. There are walks, games and pony rides for the energetic. For those who want more, there are trekking trails near the Seti river, apart from rafting in the river itself. And for those who want even more adventure, Pokhra offers mountain flights and hand-gliding rides which the Fulbari management can organise. I would recommend both. They are not cheap but well worth the experience. The 20-seater mountain planes ($99 for an hour) take you breathtakingly close to the Himalayas and, as the guide points out the Annapurna and other ranges, every peak seems to come to life. The two-seater hand-glider craft takes you on another high too. The shortest 15-minute trip costs about $40.
Dhulikhel: It's a rustic town with marvellous resort-hotels, a medieval village with the famous Newari woodwork. The new hot spot just 34 km off Kathmandu, Dhulikhel has today become the weekend getaway for Nepal's rich and famous. In fact, it was from a top-ranking corporate executive that I heard of Dhulikhel, and thanks to Yeti Travels, Nepal's best-known travel company, a trip was immediately arranged.
The car journey from Kathmandu took us a little more than half an hour but it was a great drive. Travelling uphill out of the city and into the countryside was like stepping into another world--the mountains with their green, terraced slopes, and the air fresh and clean.
Dhulikhel is nearly 5,000 ft above sea level. The town lies on what was once the main trade route between Tibet and Nepal and has an old-world ambience, with its cobbled streets, handicraft shops, and buildings with intricate Newari architecture. The Himalayas are all around and people drive to Dhulikhel just to see the sunrise and sunset. In fact, it's the peace, quiet and the fresh mountain air that draw people here. And, of course, the resort-hotels. I visited several of them and wished I could have stayed longer in Dhulikhel.
Take the Himalayan Shangri-la. You have to climb 145 steps to reach it! Once there, however, it's paradise, with 22 acres of flowering plants, trekking trails, and 40-50 types of birds which attract hordes of birdwatchers. There are cottage-style rooms, once again boasting of intricate Newari woodwork. There are also family and group rooms, as the resort has good conference facilities. The quail's egg and chicken soup I had at their open-air dining-area was delicious, as was the atmosphere.
The culinary standards are high, and I find the Chhahara restaurant at Mirabel, the newest resort-hotel in Dhulikhel, far superior to many well-known ones in Kathmandu. This resort has three restaurants, including a beergarden on the roof top which commands a marvellous view of the mountains. I watch the sunset, sipping beer and enjoying the Newari cuisine of Sukuti (dried meat) and Kukhura Ko Masu (chicken curry).
The other resort-hotels here include the exotic Himalayan Mountain Resort, the Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, and several others, all charging between $70 and 100, with special rates for groups. As they all have excellent conference facilities, they have become popular with corporate groups, especially on weekends. The resort-hotels also organise a series of activities for the energetic tourist. These include trekking trips, countryside excursions and rafting down the Sun Kosi river.
From the sightseeing point of view, Dhulikhel has some interesting spots. Panauti, a few kilometres away, is noted for its many temples. Among these are the 13th-century Indreshwar temple and the famous Namo Buddha stupa on top of a hill. Many tourists prefer trekking or bicycling to these spots through the picturesque countryside. Just outside Dhulikhel is a hill crowned with a Kali temple, from where one gets an excellent view of the entire central range of the Himalayas, from the Ganesh Himal in the west to Mt Everest in the east.
I had, in fact, visited Dhulikhel first and then driven down to Pokhra, some 100 km away, for some river rafting. The rapids are probably more exciting in the Ganga in Rishikesh. But the gorges, mountains and surrounding hillscapes here are more stunning. The Outdoor Adventure Club, which organised my trip to Pokhra, is one of the oldest and most experienced companies in the business. With expert guides at your side, any nervousness that you may feel quickly gives way to thrill. After all that pampering at the latest resort-hotels of Nepal, the rafting trip was energising and exciting, a real climactic end to a great holiday.
Travel Tips: Between Pokhra and Dhulikhel, one can take a great break this summer. The newly opened Fulbari Resort, which normally costs about $200 a night, has some good Opening Packages (Rs 5,000 per person, twin sharing, for three days, two nights, or Rs 4,000 Single Supplements, including breakfast).
Internet: www.yomari.com/fulbari
For Special Nepal packages, contact: Stic Travels; Tel: (011) 332 0239/0285; and Jyoti Travels; Tel: (011) 646 4657, 644 3608.INDIASUMMER Offerings Some of the best options this season are being offered by WelcomHeritage, which has come out with a series of discounted short-duration packages at their heritage properties dotting the country. On top of the list are four properties in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. The Fort, Nalagarh, presents a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills beyond the Sirsa river; the Taragarh Palace, nestled at the foothills of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district, while the Judge's Court at Pragpur, spread over 10 acres of orchards, has a magnificent view of the snow peaks, and serves as an ideal base for exploring the scenic Kangra valley. Finally, there's the Woodville Palace at Shimla. Tariff: Mini packages for one night and two days are being offered at The Fort, Nalagarh for Rs 1,999; at the Judge's Court for Rs 1,699; at the Taragarh Palace for Rs 1,999; and at Woodville Palace for Rs 2,199 per couple. The package is inclusive of one standard double room with American breakfast and bed tea/coffee for two persons. There is also an option of getting a fifth night complimentary at all the four places if you stay four nights at any one property.
Also on offer is WelcomHeritage's Connaught House near Mt Abu and the famous Nakki Lake. This property was the official summer residence of the chief minister of the princely state of Marwar. Tariff: Short-duration packages of two nights/three days for Rs 2,699 per couple. The packages are extendable on pro-rata basis.
Andamans: A ``long-break'' package to Welcomgroup's Bay Island at Port Blair, Andamans. This package gives you a chance to explore a fantasy world of silver sands, clear blue seas, coral reefs, swaying palms and, on the other side, tropical forests, volcanic mountains and a gently undulating landscape. And not the least, the complete absence of crowds to disturb the tranquility.
The Oberoi's `Summer Specials' include a three-night, four-day stay at The Cecil, Shimla for Rs 12,600; a similar package for the Clarke's, Shimla for Rs 9,500. Both are valid from July 1. There's also a two-night, three-day stay at The Lanka Oberoi in Colombo for $300, and weekend packages at their hotels in Bangalore, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Rates are between Rs 4,200 and 14,500. The group's Trident chain also has summer specials on offer.
The Taj Group of Hotels, too, have come out with special discounted offers during the summer at 37 of their properties in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal. All the packages are for two persons for two nights in standard rooms and include all applicable taxes.
In Kerala, the Taj group has an excellent offer for two to spend two nights each at five exotic destinations. Upon reaching Kochi, you can spend two nights at Taj Malabar (Rs 8,600), and then move to The Taj Residency at Ernakulam to spend three days (Rs 7,500). From there, travel to the Taj Garden Retreat at Thekkady (Rs 7,500), where you can spend your time at the Periyar Sanctuary, home to elephants and other animals. Next you can go to the Taj Garden Retreat at Kumarakom and wallow in the backwaters (Rs 7,500). The ayurvedic centre here has evoked a tremendous response from people who believe in the healing power of this ancient medical science. Finally, you can relax at Varkala (Rs 7,500) for two nights before returning.
Goa: Another holiday with the Taj Group can be planned in Goa, which has become a year-round destination for both domestic and international tourists. A standard room for two persons for two nights costs Rs 6,865 (from May 1 to June 11), and Rs 6,180 (from June 12 to September 30) at the Taj Holiday Village; Rs 7,565 (from May 1 to June 11) and Rs 6,865 (from June 12 to September 30) at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort; and Rs 10,500 (from May 1 to September 30) at the Aguada Hermitage.
A few interesting Taj Group packages are also available at the Taj Garden Retreat, Coonoor, for Rs 6,500 (from April 1 to June 15), and Rs 5,900 (from June 16 to September 30); Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai, for Rs 6,250; Lake Palace, Udaipur for Rs 12,000 (from April 15 to July 31), and Rs 13,000 (from August 1 to September 30). These packages are for a couple for two nights. Other hotels belonging to the group are also offering discounted packages.
Various tour operators are also offering packages to different parts of India. Sita's seven nights/eight days' tour from Delhi to Shimla-Kulu Manali and Nalagarh is available for Rs 16,500 per person on two-in-a-car basis. Sita's all-inclusive resort in Goa, The Heritage Village Club has come out with a package for three nights and four days in the resort at an attractive price of Rs 9,999 per couple. Its unique feature is that besides accommodation, all sightseeing and transfers, food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and even the ice-creams for children come free.
A variety of other destinations are also being offered by tour operators to choose from. You can opt for the Darjeeling-Bhutan itinerary, or travel to the 36 islands of Lakshadweep, 200 miles off the southwest coast of India. Or, there's the Chandigarh-Dalhousie-Khajjiar itinerary; the Corbett-Nainital trip, the Srinagar- Pahalgam-Gulmarg circuit; the Bangalore-Mysore-Ootacamund and the Kochi-Periyar-Munnar circuits, or the Darjeeling- Gangtok-Kalimpong or Andamans itineraries. Check with your tour operator for details.
Taj ReservationsChanderlok Building 36, Janpath, New Delhi-110001. Tel: (011) 332 2256/2333; Fax: 3310750
WelcomHeritageC-7, 2nd Floor, J-Block Market, Saket New Delhi-110017. Tel: (011) 686 8992/8993; Fax: 6868994 E-mail: welcomheritage@bigfoot.com
Oberoi Hotels(Corporate Marketing Division)7, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi-110054. Tel: (91) (011) 291 4841; Fax: 292 9800
Virgin Island CruiseLekha J. Shankar describes her Royal Caribbean cruise experience. What better way to escape the heat,dust and pollution of the summer than by cruising to the untouched, unspoilt beaches in the faraway seas? The Virgin Islands, for example, are a veritable Paradise in the Caribbean Sea, with their white, creamy beaches; blue, translucent skies, and exotic, mesmeric atmosphere.There are no crowds or confusion here, no noise or hurry. Only a lush and languid beauty suffusing everything.
You loll on the beaches, dip into the waters, wander among the cobbled streets, check out the quaint shops stuffed with knicknacks and lose yourself to Calypso rhythms. After all, this is Caribbean land, where everyone sways at the break of a song; the mood is indolent but the spirit is electric. What more do you want? Bars on the beach and daiquiris at hand, blue skies above and the green sea in front, bikinis and briefs and music all around. Paradise? I awake at the toot of a horn and the sound of a bass voice saying: ``Sightseeing Ahoy!''
Sightseeing in Paradise? Oh yes, there's plenty to see--for those who want more than the sea and sky. And there's plenty to do--for those who have the energy and spirit. There are snorkelling and scuba-diving sessions, helicopter and seaplane tours, catamaran and submarine rides, even tennis and golfing rounds. St Thomas Island has something for everyone. Originally discovered by Columbus in 1493, it later became a Danish colony, and was eventually sold to America in 1967, supposedly for 2.5 crore bars of gold!
We do our sightseeing in an open safari bus, with a lively guide named Dunkin Donuts.The moment he spots us Indians, he drives up past a cricket ground (``Yes, we play cricket even in Paradise!''). After that, it's a delightful round of picturesque hills as he takes us to the highest point of the island and points out the stunning Magens Bay. Rainbow-hued waters take our breath away, and we are told that films like The Deep and Four Seasons were shot here.
As we sip punch and wander among the feast of flowers in the botanical gardens, we watch a newly married couple posing for photographs. Dunkin tells us couples from across the world come to these islands just to get married. ``They feel pure and virginal here,'' he quips.
Our next stop is St Maarten, another stunning island with intoxicating atmospherics. In fact, I'm so fascinated by the beaches, the streets and the shops that I miss my sightseeing tour. The island is owned by two countries, France and the Netherlands. Consequently, there are two languages, two currencies, two cultures. A phone call from one end of the island to the other is considered international!
The French beaches allow nudity, resulting in a scramble for the popular Oriental Beach. On the other hand, there are casinos in the Dutch sector, and the favourite joke among locals is that you lose your money on the Dutch side and your clothes on the French!
I'm fascinated by the numerous duty-free shops here; the Virgin Islands are a shoppers' paradise as they are all duty free, especially the jewellery shops run by Sindhis. They tell me that they get many of their stones from India.
The third island we visit is St Croix, small and utterly delightful. There are rum factories, nature walks and, of course, the white beaches and the Afro-rhythms. We have a sumptuous meal at one of the many family-run motels, Hilty House, and are impressed by its elegant decor and personalised service. Like several others, we were tempted to spend a weekend here, but leave Paradise we must. And as our boat takes us back to our cruise-liner, we look longingly at the creamy beaches and azure skies and wonder whether we'll encounter such a paradise again.
If the islands themselves are getaway spots, the cruise itself is filled with action. We took the Royal Caribbean cruise from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is a two-hour flight from Miami, a town with a delectable ambience. Among the gleaming liners in its port, ours, the Nordic Empress, seems the biggest and most elegant. It's 12 storeys tall, with fountains, capsule lifts, bars, lounges and casinos. There are pianists in the lounges, string bands in the bars, calypso players in the open decks, and the top-of-the-chart numbers in the disco. The most spectacular are the revue dancers, who perform Broadway-kind musicals for us every night. We attend art auctions, dance lessons, massage sessions, even a Sexy Men's Legs competition.
The food spread is phenomenal. We eat everything from Chinese duck and Caribbean lamb to sauted veal, smoked halibut, roast duck and grilled sirloin. There is a vegetarian and dieters' menu as well. And yes, Indian dishes on request, because almost every cruise-liner has an Indian chef and stewards. Ours had several, including the captain, and the night we asked for an Indian meal, we got the everything: from pulao to chicken curry, papad to pickle.
As cruises take place throughout the year, one can plan them any time. We met Mrs and Mr Das on our liner, who said they took the Caribbean cruise because the husband was going to South America for a conference. For anyone going to USA, the Caribbean cruise becomes an easy option because most start at Miami or Puerto Rico.
There is also a misguided notion that cruises are only for those with fat wallets. Cruises are good value for money because the tariff ($100-200 a day) includes room, food and entertainment charges. You can't get a better deal. And the earlier you book, the greater the discounts.
To me, they are holistic holidays in every sense of the word. Imagine lolling on idyllic beaches in the morning and swinging in a bar or casino at night. That's what this holiday is all about. You dock at the islands in the morning and return to your liner every night: a mix-and-match holiday of the most unique type--a perfect treat for summer, or for that matter, any season. How to Get There: Fly to Miami, and from there to San Juan in Puerto Rico to board the liner. Cost: From $500-2,000 for a three-day cruise, depending on the type of cabin. (Early bookings bring on maximum discounts, sometimes as much as 20 per cent.) Rates include cabin, food, entertainment. Beverages cost extra but are reasonably priced. Sightseeing tours on the islands cost between $25 and 85. For more details contact: Discover the World Marketing, 601 Ashoka Estate, 24 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001. Tel: (011) 3311364; Fax: 3722878. E-mail: dscvrdel@nda.vsnl.net.in
World Cup Packages Thomas Cook is offering a chance to savour the last most-happening event of the millennium, the Cricket World Cup in England, through its three- or four-day tours to various important matches, starting with the India v/s South Africa at Hove (May 14-16), which comes for £325 plus air fare. The price goes up to £599 plus air fare for the final (June 19-22). Three-day tours to any of the two semi-finals, nine Super Six matches and a few preliminary matches of India are available between £325 and 599, exclusive of air fare. The package cost includes accommodation on twin-sharing basis, top-price ticket for the match and transport to and from the hotel and match grounds.
Another eight-day tour incorporating one World Cup match with a longer stay in France is available for $1,499 plus Rs 25,990 ex-Mumbai and Delhi. Besides spending time in Nice and Paris, you also get to spend two nights in England to watch one of the World Cup league matches.
Trafalgar's Tours Sita Travels also offers a choice of 130 tours in partnership with Trafalgar, one of Europe's leading tour operators. Starting from $425 (exclusive of air fare), it offers a comprehensive tour selection to match individual liking and taste. Options vary from a seven-day European Highlights tour to the long duration, 22-day European Festival tour covering 14 cities (Brussels, Amsterdam, Rhineland, Engelberg, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence, Nice, Lyons and Paris).
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