Category: Short Escapes

Come April and the tiny hamlet of Kadammanitta in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala will witness the world’s most majestic display of the ritual art form of Patayani- the Kadammanitta Patayani. The event will start on April 15, during the auspicious occasion of the harvesting festival, Vishu. Proceedings begin with the lighting of fire and the beating of the ‘thappu’ (Patayani percussion instrument) to appease Goddess Bhadrakaali. The fire for this ritual is brought from the sacred lamp inside the temple. The following days devotees can witness the procession of various Padayani Kolams. It starts with the kolam of Ganapathi. The other kolams in ... Read more

Asia’s largest Tulip garden is open on the banks of the iconic Dal lake in the Kashmir valley. The floriculture department has planted 12.25 lakh Tulip bulbs of 40 varieties and colours in the 10-hectares garden. Around 20 per cent bloom was recorded on its opening day. This year, visitors can access Wi-Fi at no cost among other facilities. “We have added more green spaces inside the garden so that visitors can rest and enjoy the beauty of flowers,” Director at the Floriculture department Mathoora Masoom said. This season, 40,000 Hyacinth bulbs have been planted in a separate terrace and the department ... Read more

Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and the hub of a multifaceted area that appeals to different tastes and senses. Lisbon’s temperate climate, sunny weather, green space, lifestyle pace, history, culture, architecture, culinary reputation, as well as its comparably low cost of living and its status as a relatively uncrowded tourist destination, were some of the factors that went into Lisbon receiving this accolade. In a city that has been influenced by many different far-off cultures over time, there is still a village feel in each historic neighbourhood. Stroll through the Pombaline grid of streets in the Baixa district that opens on ... Read more

….Once upon, as all the stories gears up, here is a story of a grassland! When the greedy minds multiplied, they wandered searching of plots to wreck the good and create what benefits them the most! They cut the grasses, they implanted wattles, synonym to weed! The wattle trees, literally ruled, swallowing the last drop of water underneath! And gradually, affected the ecology. The bison, birds and the frogs vanished! Nearby villagers, helplessly gazed at their vague cultivations! And there stuck, fortunately or unfortunately, a forest fire which destroyed all the wattles, leaving the meadows dark and brown! But, a ... Read more

Come April and all of us will be looking for a long getaway from the scorching sun and the hustle-bustle of the city. With a myriad of interesting best places to visit in Kerala, you can be sure of an amazing vacation, especially in the Kerala capital, Thiruvananthapuram. If you want to spend your summer amidst nature, then this is the perfect escape. The mighty mountain peaks, the breath-taking views, the stunning lakes, and the perfect weather makes it a perfect vacation destination. If you wish to take your family and kids out for a boating experience, here are five ... Read more

What we love about Japan in Autumn? The stunning Fall Foliage that changes the moods and colours of the entire country — and it’s not just in October! The special part is that Japan changes into Fall colours from early October all the way to the end of December, and this is also variable due to different plant species and climates in this stunning country that makes for a visual treat. Here is the ultimate guide to the best autumn foliage viewing spots in Japan: The act of viewing autumn leaves is called “momiji-gari” in Japanese. So enjoy ‘momiji-gari’ Japanese ... Read more

Here’s a list of emerging destinations in  Thailand, suggested by the Thai Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat in his speech at the recently concluded ITB Berlin 2019. “These cities will also focus on responsible tourism in order to make these areas and tourist attractions sustainable, as well as preserve their own local identity,” he said. Chiang Rai: The amazing rescue of the Wild Boars team of young footballers at the Tham Luang Cave hit the headlines in June-July 2018. Tham Luang is now becoming a major tourist spot in its own right. The Cave itself is undergoing preparation for the visitors ... Read more

The last of the Himalayan kingdoms, there’s nowhere on earth quite like the majestic Bhutan. And, this is the perfect time to visit this beautiful land, if you like to experience the traditional Buddhist dances and rituals. Paro tshechu, held every Spring in the Paro Dzongkhag, is considered the most spectacular and colourful of all the festivals here. This year, the festival has started on March 17 and will be concluded on March 21, 2019. The Paro Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country. On the first day, all mask dances are held inside the courtyard of the Dzong. ... Read more

Travel expert Kris Kosach shares important tips for choosing the right vacation destination. Timely tips for great getaways in Texas to break the winter blues… Cold weather is still with many around the country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t escape the cold with a ‘hot’ vacation or a weekend getaway. It is also the perfect time to start planning for Spring or Summer vacation. Here to help is travel and technology expert Kris Kosach, an original host of Travel Channel’s ‘Tech Gear’ television show, and a well-known travel and tech expert for Tech TV. Kris gives some hot spots to ... Read more

The sunny capital of Portugal, Lisbon disguises itself as a quaint coastal town during the day which, by night, turns into a cosmopolitan city with mega clubs lined along the waterfront from Santos to Santa Apolónia. Laid-back and relaxed- Lisbon is a dream come true for those who wish for a relaxed time by the beach or a slow walking tour along cobbled alleyways and ancient ruins. A mild climate with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, fabulous beaches, and the trademark seven hills that surround Lisbon allow for a myriad of spots from where you could capture ... Read more

North Island, situated around 30 km from the main island of Mahé in Seychelles, is an exclusive escape, ideal for couples looking to take a short break to celebrate their babymoon in a private-island paradise. With talcum powder beaches, lush palms, azure waters and colourful coral reefs, North Island balances rest and relaxation with escape and exploration, all in perfect harmony with nature. Head to this paradise island in Seychelles for an extraordinary babymoon experience! In the lap of luxury: Take a scenic 15 minutes helicopter flight to reach the island from Mahé International Airport. With just 11 spacious villas, ... Read more

On the east coast of India, waves sing in the ears of a beautiful small village. Songs sung by the waves always keep the village dreamy. Once you step into this mesmerising beauty, you will be overtaken by the whispers of your heart, completely, which will find the tune of the Waves’ Song !!! This mesmerising village is Tranquebar. Here, the history mingles with present, with a significant aroma of Danish culture. The name of this small village in the local Tamil dialect is, Tharangambadi, which literally means, music of waves. What is unique to Tranquebar? The history, that too the ... Read more

If you are anywhere near Kandy or Peradeniya, take the Pussellawa- Nuwara Eliya road, which winds up its way through verdant tea bushes, hills, mountains and reach the Ramboda tunnel which then further leads to Ramboda Bridge.

Situated off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands that will enchant you with its beauty. Blessed with pristine beaches and breathtaking natural beauty, Seychelles has a lot more to offer to the young adventure seekers. Topping it up with visa on arrival that is free of cost for tourists and direct flights from India, this paradise destination makes for a great getaway with your loved ones. Here are some fantastic reasons to visit the paradisiacal islands of Seychelles this year… Enjoy at some of the world’s most gorgeous ... Read more

Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany Bavaria in Germany is famous for its beer and the October Fest in Munich. But, there are unexplored places hidden in the Bavarian landscape. This week, Tourism News Live is taking you to a small, picturesque, and historical town in Bavaria. Famous for its salt mines, Berchtesgaden is located within a small territory surrounded on three sides by the Austrian border. Berchtesgaden Salt Mine The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, which has been in continuous operation since 1517, is 500 year old now. The visitor train takes you below the earth’s surface, 650 metres deep into the mountain. The ... Read more