Editors Note World View Asia-Pacific Scene Indian Panorama Kerala Traveller Aviation Face to Face 10 Questions Woman of the Month Hospitality Columns Bookshelf Variety Quiz Back Issues asian traveller :: home :: Variety V ariety Secrets of Slovenia Slovenia is indeed a special place. Regardless of where you cross the border, you can expect to witness an exciting phenomenon: the sheer diversity of the landscape, which changes quite stunningly. A short drive of just over two hours will take you from the blue Mediterranean waters to Alpine peaks. From there, the Pannonian basin is not very far away, nor is the gentle rolling hills of Dolenjska. And then there is the mysterious underworld of the Karst. The common feature is the green and unspoilt land. Everything is close at hand and easily accessible. A visit to Slovenia is an experience you are bound to re-live over and over again!Small in size, yet brimming with personality, Slovenia is at the crossroads of Europe; where ... read story Kanchanaburi - History and Culture Kanchanaburi, situated 130 km west of Bangkok, is the capital of Kanchanaburi province which is third largest of 76 provinces of Thailand. It is located where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge into the Mae Klong River, spans the northern banks of the river and is a popular spot for travellersThe place is a scenic one and it attracts a large number of travellers and tourists. It is dotted with several waterfalls, mountains, caves, national parks along with three war museums, two war cemeteries, a national museum, a historical park, hot springs, some Thai and Chinese temples and the Death Railway. The caves here were said to be once inhabited by Neolithic man. The River Kwai and the Bridge on it are also one of the main attractions here. read story Kingdom of Dreams Spread across almost six acres of land, the Kingdom of Dreams is a unique concept by the Great Indian Nautanld Company Pvt. Ltd, a Joint venture between Wizcraft International Entertainment and Apra Group.The company is launching a unique and first -of-its-kind initiative that seeks to promote Indian culture and tourism — Kingdom of Dreams, India's first, unique and live entertainment and leisure destination in Gurgaon, Haryana.The project aims to highlight and represent the rich tapestry of India’s glorious art, culture and the performing arts through the diversity of its cuisines as well as through live entertainment programmes, stage shows and theatrical extravaganzas and present this to discerning Indian patrons and international tou... read story Best of Asia Asia is a diverse region which has everything to offer the discerning traveller.  From beaches to hills and forests to cityscapes the experience the destinations in the region provide are varied and unique.  In this special section Asian Traveller showcases a handful of destinations which are unique in their own way.1. WildlifeCat Tien National ParkWildlife and Bird Watching in Tropical Rain ForestCat Tien National Park is the Asian Traveller’s pick for the travellers savoring wildlife. One of the best kept secrets in the... read story Go Wild, Go Green !/tr> The lasting pleasures of contact with the natural world are not reserved for scientists but are available to anyone who will place himself under the influence of earth, sea and sky and their amazing life” said Rachel Carson, whose book Silent Spring helped spark the environment movement in the 20th century. In today’s urbane living, beleaguered by the pace of life and its enormous stress and strain, travel has always come to mankind’s rescue. Travelling to mesmerising, yet unexplored locales, gurgling brooks, gushing streams, emerald forests, misty cobalt mountains, mysterious amber deserts, and brilliant aquamarine seas have helped people to unwind. While satisfying the very human urge to discover new places, today’s discerni... read story Those Snowy Yellow Evenings > Zeenat  Aman is the first thing that journeys into my mind whenever I think of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan and its capital Almaty are so inextricably entwined with the memory of my co-star, the yester-year dream girl that sometimes I tend to forget the manifest difference that one is a place and other is a woman. Philosophically though, both can be equated in their geographical and climatic possibilities. Zeenat  Aman, myself and a nervous film crew started our journey together from the New Delhi airport on a warm April night to shoot a film titled Moksham (Salvation) to the freezing climes of a hitherto unknown land (to me) called Kazakhstan. The flight belonged to a group called Turkmenistan Airlines, the alienation of which added to the cynical fears of... read story The Jewel of the East Bangkok, a place where flocks of tourists touches down for their holidays has developed itself to a paradise with the numerous sights, Deepak Ohri,CEO,Lebua at State Tower sounds and other attractions. Known as the, the place is a perfect blend of Oriental architecture, ancient traditions and modern day life with buzzing shopping districts and nightlife. It caters to different kinds of people with a wide range of attractions,... read story Where All the Flowers Have Gone /tr> When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today," reads the epithet at Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland. But now it is turn of the tour operators to make hay by wooing foreign tourists to the memorials of two world wars in Northeast India.Cemetery pilgrimages and battlefield tours coupled with visits to the remains of military establishments are being packaged as attractions for foreign tourists whose great grandfathers had worked here. Northeast as a whole has five war memorials, two of which are in Manipur, one in Kohima and two in Assam, which provides ample opportunities for nostalgic tours. In Assam the war memorials are in Guwahati and in Digboi - which is famous for its oil wells. In Manipur the two memorials h... read story Ode to Majuli !/tr> It’s a case of so near but yet so far. Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited riverine island and the seat of Vaishnavite culture, again failed to find a place in the World Heritage Site list of UNESCO much to the chagrin of the residents of the river island fighting with their back against all odds against the fury of floods and erosion caused by the Brahmaputra river almost every year.  Md. Sabir Nishat Sensin... read story Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, They Keep Falling! As a British tourist coming to Kerala during the monsoon, I was worried that my experience would be somewhat dampened by the weather. I felt a little glum when I was told when booking my flight, "You do realize that you are going during monsoon season? There will be nothing to do but get wet! Tourists stay away during this time."I took the opportunity to chat to the man seated next to me on my incoming flight, to try to find a glimmer of hope and raise my enthusiasm. This man was from Mumbai, and was keen to share his view. He asked me if I had packed my wellies (waterproof footwear) and said that I will only enjoy it if I particularly like the rain. He went on to say that I would probably not see any other tourists due ... read story Folk Colours of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu is one among the Indian states which has a great and long history as well as a deep rooted tradition portraying a number of folk arts and crafts. Along with the vivid tourist attractions including destinations, wildlife and other attractions these attractions adds value to the tourism potential of the state. These traditions and skills which have been passed by generations are well preserved with the ethos, aesthetic values and melody of the respective regions.There are a number of folk music and dances of Tamil Nadu and each region has its on variety and versions which makes the number very high. These are mostly associated with festivals and community rituals. Some of the renowned dance forms include:Karagaattam or Karagam... read story Phuket tr> Situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, Phuket one of the southern provinces of Thailand was formerly known as Tha-Laang. It is one of the largest islands of the country spanning 48 km in length, 21 km at its widest and an area of approximately 570 square km. The name Phuket is derived from the Malay word 'bukit' meaning hill as the island appears like one from a distance. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by a bridge. Earlier the island was one of the major trading routes between India and China and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader's ship logs. The traditional Thai hospitality and the Thai massage are still the best ambassadors of tourism here.Phuket, with its gorgeous beaches has an ideal place to relax and so... read story Krishnagiri Krishnagiri, one the nature's bounty to the Tamil Nadu tourism is a mountainous terrain and full of flatlands. It is also the headquarters of Krishnagiri District. The best time to visit is between the months of November and March.Krishnagiri got its name after the black granite hillocks scattered over the place. 'Krishna' refers to black and 'Giri' refers to hill. Waterfalls, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, historical forts and other monuments make the place more scenic. The flora and fauna adds to the attractions along with a lot of temples. The main places of pilgrimage here are Arulmigu Maragathambigai Chandra Choodeswara Temple and Hanumanthathirtham situated on the bank of Pennaiyar. The district has a forest cover of 2,024 Sq. km. The pl... read story Go Elagiri Go Serene Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam   Elagiri Hills, a haven for those seeking peace, solitude and nature is one of the upcoming hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Situated at an altitude of 1410 meters above sea level the place is 163 km far from Bangalore and 240 km from Chennai. The proximity of the place from the metros like Chennai and Bangalore makes it an ideal weekend getaway.The place is still untouched, unlike the conventional tourist destinations. It's peaceful and quiet out here... read story A Train Journey Across Africa /td> Over my two-day train trip from Tanzania to Zambia, I glimpsed bits of Africa's immense landscape, waved at children who greeted us from the tracks, mingled with other adventurous travellers, and spent hours with the local police in the unlikely hope of recovering the bulk of the belongings I had carried on board. Before my cousin and I began the journey between Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Kapiri Mposhi, a small town near the Zambian capital of Lusaka, many in Tanzania warned us that the trip could take up to a week and that we might not be able to buy food or water.  Heeding the warnings, we settled into our first-class, four-bed cabin on the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) train loaded with provisions - six litre... read story The Sun, The Sand - A True Australian Holiday !/tbody>   Queensland, the northeastern state of Australia, is home to many tourist attractions. Bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean, this Australian state offers diverse attractions and options for holidaying. Queensland occupies about 25 per cent of Australia and has a broad multi-cultural community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descendants. The region enjoys a tropical climate, top holiday spots, relaxed and casual atmosphere and its friendly people make it an ideal holiday destination. The main tourist read story In the Ahom Heartland /tr> Historic Rangpur, about a mile south of the present Sivasagar town of Upper Assam, was the fourth capital of the Ahom kingdom. It completed 300 years of its glorious existence in 1999. The old city dotted with architectural marvels and sculptures, was not only the capital but also a place of military importance of the Ahom kingdom for more than 95 years. It was Swargadeo Rudra Sinha who shifted the capital from Gargaon to Rangpur on 12th of Agrahayana of Saka 1621 (1699 AD).According to Captain Welsh, Rangpur was a large and thickly populated city, twenty miles in extent. Historians Bhuban Chandra Handique and Hem Burhagohain said that Rangpur was bounded by the Dikhow river on the north. The chronicle Changrung Phukanar Buranji states that in Saka (1... read story Philippines An archipelago 7107 islands, Philippines is one of the far eastern attractions in the international tourism map. With the tropical sun, sea and the beaches being the main attractions it has a lot in store for the visitors. The climate is pleasant and local residents here are tourist friendly. The main beach destinations include Boracay, Pagudpud, Mactan Island, Panglao, Camiguin, Honda Bay, El Nido, Pearl Farm, Siargao. A lot of other activities are available in this part of the world; from meeting the mountain tribes to swimming close to the whale sharks. But above all stands the cultural vibrancy of Philippines and the Filipinos.The fiesta is part and... read story Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga, the abode of the world famous one-horned rhino, in Assam is on its way to become one among the new Seven Wonders of Nature. Besides Kaziranga, the other three entries from India include the Sundarbans forest, the Ganges and Pangong Lake. They will vie with 257 other spectacular places. 261 nominees from 222 countries include some famous mountain peaks, lakes such as the Great Barrier Reef and Niagara Falls, Great Canyon and the Mount Everest. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi talking to Asian Traveller said, "Kaziranga is our place of pride. We are optimistic that the World Heritage site will make it to the new Seven Wonders of Nature." ... read story Junbeel Mela Junbeel Mela in Assam is unique in the sense that barters trade system, though passé in other parts of the globe is still in vogue here. It is being practiced as part of Bhogali Bihu festival in an area of the State that has evolved as tourism hot spot. Assam Government is planning to showcase this local festival with its unique trading system in the international market.  The festival which concluded recently drew tourists from far flung places of the country. With its rising popularity, tour opera... read story The Lallgarh Palace The present book on The Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner written by Princess Rajyashree Kumari, the great granddaughter of Maharaja Ganga Singhji, is a unique piece of work, perhaps the only one of its kind.  Beginning from 1902 A.D., five generations of the Royal House of Bikaner have lived at the Lallgarh Palace.  Princess Rajyashree Kumari has been able to unravel her vivid memories, producing very clear pictures of various facets of life, connected with the Palace.  The wonderful Palace of Lallgarh had been the hub of Princes and dignitaries, especially during the first half of the 20th century.   Apart from the Prince of Wales (Kind George V) and M. Clemenceau of France; almost each and every Viceroy, from Lord Curzon to Lord Mountb... read story One-Stop Solution for Tourists Visiting Northeast A tourism hub in the capital city of Assam, Guwahati, is ready for inauguration shortly. With the coming up of the tourism hub, tourists willing to visit the Northeast India need no longer run from pillar to post to get all the information required for visiting the country's 'paradise unexplored'. A senior official of the Assam Tourism Department said the tourism hub ready for inauguration will provide information about tourism products and packages of all the Northeastern States under a single roof. The 'tourist arrival-cum-reception centre' a joint project undertaken by Delhi and Dispur will house information desks, souvenir shops and emporiums of all the seven Northeastern States. It will also have the office of the regional director of... read story Be the First to Discover Ko Chang tr> Ko Chang Marine National Park is new and virtually unknown to the outside world. Few people know of its secret wonders. Some even boldly call it "the last paradise islands in Southeast Asia". A paradise it is, Ko Chang Marine National Park has been a heaven to the people who need to replenish their mind and energy, to recharge. Ko Chang is the largest of the 52-island Ko Chang Marine National Park, all of which are untouched by modernization with their natural resources kept intact. Thus, qualifying the park as a dream escape, a true hideaway, far from the bustling city life. The coastlines of the Ko Chang Marine National Park are a spectacular work of nature's art and there are beautiful beaches, coves and bays around the islands.... read story The First Four Seasons Property in India Hotel Mumbai, the first property of the Four Seasons in the Indian subcontinent provides a distinct feel of hospitality with a significant change in design and concept of the conventional trade. The contemporary western-style luxury hotel with its gleaming glass tower extends 33 storey above its low-rise neighbours and serves as an iconic reference to the spirit of the 'new' Mumbai. Its 202 rooms, which include the city's largest presidential suite have oodles of space, are bright and airy with windows boasting panoramic views over the Arab... read story Under the Sea, I will marry Thee... Heard about medieval 'marriage of the sea' custom in Venice or read Jane Alison's novel by the same name? Here is an opportunity to go a step further and have a 'marriage under the sea' in the Philippines. The Philippines, the archipelago spanning three seas, may be the best destination to 'dive into a relationship'. A bouncy world of stunning waterscapes, the Philippines offers a unique opportunity for underwater nuptials. Take the plunge of your life, and get married in traditional Filipino style, on the beach or five meters below the undulating surface.Experience undersea nuptials at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Marigondon, Mactan Island at Cebu. Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa is among the top 25 resorts in Asia, according to Conde Nast Traveller - t... read story The Sun, The Sand - A True Australian Holiday !/tbody>   Queensland, the northeastern state of Australia, is home to many tourist attractions. Bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean, this Australian state offers diverse attractions and options for holidaying. Queensland occupies about 25 per cent of Australia and has a broad multi-cultural community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descendants. The region enjoys a tropical climate, top holiday spots, relaxed and casual atmosphere and its friendly people make it an ideal holiday destination. The main tourist read story After Zero - What Next? The entire travel trade is posed with various fears. Many experts have been expressing the fear of a large number of travel shops will down their shutters, more than one lakh persons will loose jobs, thousands of families will be affected.Yes, all these fears can be true after the "zero" commission is implemented by all airlines. So does it mean that it is the end of road for the travel trade? What is the way out for our survival?We must consider implementing other forms of sales that can add revenue and keep the wheels moving. The reason for this fear is that the majority of small agents which account for the highest number of travel establishments in India, are dependent on selling only the air tickets. The need of the hour... read story Mawlynnong - Where Ceanliness is a Way of Life tr> Situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, Phuket one of the southern provinces of Thailand was formerly known as Tha-Laang. It is one of the largest islands of the country spanning 48 km in length, 21 km at its widest and an area of approximately 570 square km. The name Phuket is derived from the Malay word 'bukit' meaning hill as the island appears like one from a distance. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by a bridge. Earlier the island was one of the major trading routes between India and China and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader's ship logs. The traditional Thai hospitality and the Thai massage are still the best ambassadors of tourism here.Phuket, with its gorgeous beaches has an ideal place to relax and so... read story Return of the Happy Camper Camping holidays in the UK have seen resurgence in popularity amongst British holiday makers as the effects of the credit crunch are forcing them to cut back on luxury spending. Camping holidays in Britain were aonce very popular, with thousands of sites across the country being filled up every summer with families looking for an affordable get away. But the introduction of cheap air fares by low cost airlines in the late 1990's meant that people could suddenly afford to go abroad to relax; and the popularity of camping in the UK declined drastically.  In the last 12 months Britain has seen unprecedented rises in petrol and household bills, with very little corresponding rises in salaries. People have been forced to prioritise their spending but they... read story The Dominican Republic > It was Christopher Columbus who described The Dominican Republic- who discovered it during his first voyage to the New World - as "a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys", in 1492, and it holds true even now. A colorful tapestry of Spanish, French, Haitian, and African influences woven by a rich and storied history the Dominican Republic offers an exciting and unique cultural experience that will captivate the senses of the visitor besides the comforts of sun, sea, and sand. This is a destination like no other - a sensual feast of dazzling landscapes, exotic cuisine, and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment ... read story C urrent Issue O ther Stories Secrets of Slovenia Kanchanaburi - History and Culture Kingdom of Dreams Best of Asia Go Wild, Go Green Those Snowy Yellow Evenings The Jewel of the East Where All the Flowers Have Gone Ode to Majuli Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, They Keep Falling! Folk Colours of Tamil Nadu Phuket Krishnagiri Go Elagiri Go Serene A Train Journey Across Africa The Sun, The Sand - A True Australian Holiday In the Ahom Heartland Philippines Kaziranga National Park Junbeel Mela The Lallgarh Palace One-Stop Solution for Tourists Visiting Northeast Be the First to Discover Ko Chang The First Four Seasons Property in India Under the Sea, I will marry Thee... The Sun, The Sand - A True Australian Holiday After Zero - What Next? Mawlynnong - Where Ceanliness is a Way of Life Return of the Happy Camper The Dominican Republic To place your advertisements in this space please contact Marketing, Mediastepsindia home | about us | advertise with us | subscribe | contact us | team support : colorvibes The news items and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verify the facts before making business decisions using the same. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2009