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After the exhilarating experience of Genting, we caught the Air Asia flight to a entirely contrasting locale – Langkawi, a laidback island with white sand beach fronting calm lagoons, where you can buy really cheap, really good ‘Duty-Free’ items to enjoy them on it’s beaches itself. The first sight of Langkawi from the aircraft was breathtaking, and we knew that we have chosen the right place as our last destination. The Holiday Villa Resort which was our home for next 2 days, was a 4-star beachfront resort with deckchairs under the palm trees perfect for stretching and snoozing on. After settling down in a well-equipped room with beautiful ocean views, we hit the beach just in time for the sunset. The orange sun sprinkled silver on the punchy ocean before slipping behind a tree island in ... read more

“Uniquely Singapore” - What makes this unique tourism tagline appropriate for this sunny island? It is a city, capital, state and nation, all encapsulated into a little red dot withinAsia. For visitors,Singaporeis an extraordinary destination with a constant sense of renewal, always something new to see, to buy, to taste, to experience. Apart from the world-class malls, iconic architect likeEsplanade,Singaporehas also shed its staid imageand now boasts a swinging nightlife. But behind the city’s gleaming face still beats a traditional heart, which is evident within ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown and Little India. After boarding Tiger Airways from India, when we finally landed at Changi Airport of Singapore, we thought we are within the main city itself, the Airport is like a mini-city, with shopping plaza, food courts, gardens & landscapes, and even small amusemen... read more

The Nilgiris, because of its natural charm and pleasant climate, have always been an interesting destination. The name ‘Nilgiris’ means Blue Hills, may have come from the violet blossoms of ‘Kurinji’ flower which grows on the foot hills. This beautiful destination was one of our first trips together post-marriage when I was posted in NDA at Pune. I joined Deenaz in Hyderabad, and we set off for Coimbatore that very afternoon. We reached Coimbatore, and took a lovely taxi ride to Coonoor. The drive was absolutely gorgeous with us driving down narrow roads with hills on both sides often passing through beautiful lakes, lush green forests and vast stretches of tea estates. We stayed at a beautiful guest house of the Wellington Cantonment at Coonoor. Coonoor is a small town with unending estates of spice and ... read more

Switzerland - famous for its Chocolate, cheese & clocks; strait-laced bankers, big business & neutrality – the terms associated with this small, fiercely independent nation are likely implanted before you arrive. But beyond the stereotypes, you’ll encounter boundless adventure opportunities & some of the most exquisite natural beauty on the continent. Mountains & lakes, tinkling cowbells & alpine villages – this is a land of such breathtaking beauty it defies description. Our first excursion was to Europe’s largest waterfalls – Rhein Falls, before we reached the photogenic city of Lucerene. That day we explored the town a little, checked out few landmarks like Chapel Bridge & The Lion Monument and spent the evening by Lake Luzern. Next day morning we were off to the most-visited place in Switzerland – Mt Titlis. It is the fastest reachable ... read more

We spent the two days in the powerhouse of central Europe – Germany. It is an accessible, popular & fascinating tourist destination. For backpackers in particular, the central location, excellent transport & hostel infrastructures, and plentiful supplies of cheap beer, strong cocktails & cutting-edge music make this an essential port of call on any European trip. Our first halt in Germany was Cologne. The justly famous cathedral – Kolner Dom – dominates the cityscape, but it’s also worth visiting this lovely city for its interesting museums & vibrant nightlife. Beer in Cologne reigns supreme. The city has more than 20 local breweries, all producing a variety called Kolsch. So after exploring the old town, streets & museums of Cologne the whole day, we settled down on a riverside café for beer & sausage. Next day morning, ... read more