In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Hussain Patel, Founder of TripJack, recommended some OTT inspired travel with vacation spots straight out of TV and movies.

1. Australia: A Bollywood-Inspired Getaway

For Bollywood fans and cricket enthusiasts, Australia is a dream destination packed with cinematic charm and sporting history. Relive Dil Chahta Hai moments at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or soak in the romance of Melbourne’s vibrant streets. Adventure seekers can chase thrills along the Gold Coast’s stunning beaches. Cricket lovers can visit the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where India has had historic wins, or take a tour of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Whether it’s movies or sports, Australia has something for everyone.

2. Paris: From reel to real dream destination

Paris has always been a city of dreams and Emily in Paris has only added to its allure for a new generation. The show beautifully captures the city’s romance and style, drawing fans to iconic spots like Place de l’Estrapade (Emily’s apartment), the charming Pont Alexandre III, and the grand Palais Garnier. Whether through Hollywood films, OTT series, or Bollywood blockbusters, Paris remains a timeless destination that captivates travelers. With OTT shows inspiring travel like never before, destinations are bringing screen worlds to life with themed experiences, filming location tours, and immersive activities. As more people plan trips based on their favorite shows, the demand for screen-to-reality adventures is only set to grow.

Bringing his expertise to the same, Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail, shared, “From Sex and the City tours in New York to Bridgerton experiences in England—and now, discovering Paris through the lens of Emily in Paris—international TV series have transformed filming locations into must-visit destinations for devoted fans.”

He highlighted, “In 2024, an impressive percentage of global travellers chose to visit places featured in their favourite shows, turning binge-watching into a passport to new adventures. These travellers don’t just visit; they curate their itineraries around iconic scenes, dine at the same restaurants, and immerse themselves in the world of their beloved characters, bringing fiction to life one destination at a time.” He added to the list of OTT inspired travel with the following travel suggestions –

1. South Korea: Squid Game and K-dramas

With the global success of Squid Game, Crash Landing on You and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, South Korea has witnessed about 48% rise in international tourism in the year 2024. From neon-lit cityscapes to serene countryside retreats, K-dramas have painted a compelling picture of South Korea as a must-visit destination for culture, fashion and food enthusiasts.

Must-Visit Locations:

• Lotte World,
• Seoul Tower,
• Cheonggyecheon Stream and
• Gyeongbok Palace

2. Scotland: A spellbinding escape for Harry Potter and Outlander fans

With its rolling green landscapes, majestic castles and rich history, Scotland has long served as a muse for storytellers. Whether you grew up enchanted by Harry Potter or are captivated by the time-travelling romance of Outlander, the Scottish Highlands offer an immersive journey through both magical and historical realms.

Must-Visit Locations:

• Greyfriars Kirkyard,
• Glen Coe and Loch Eilt

3. United Kingdom: A regal retreat for Bridgerton and Downton Abbey enthusiasts

From opulent palaces to charming Victorian tea rooms, the UK has been the setting for some of the most beloved period dramas in recent years. Netflix’s Regency-era sensation, Bridgerton, has sparked renewed fascination with England’s grand estates and picturesque towns

Must-Visit Locations:

• Bath’s Royal Crescent – A stunning backdrop for promenades and social gatherings.
• Ranger’s House, Greenwich – The Bridgerton family home
• Hampton Court Palace – The grand residence of Queen Charlotte.

Planning a holiday in Europe this summer? Here are all the handy tips about visas, currency exchange, City Pass, Visitor’s tax and more for a seamless holiday.

Amazon offers plenty to browse through, so you can find what suits your travel style without spending a fortune. These Amazon deals won’t last long, so it’s a good moment to get your travel sorted while the trolley bag offers are hot.

Trolley bags set of 2

A trolley bag set of 2 is perfect for short breaks and longer holidays alike. You get one compact cabin-sized option and one larger piece for check-in, making it easy to sort your packing. With smooth wheels, sturdy zips and stylish finishes, these bags make travel less of a hassle. Shop during the Amazon sale to grab these with top Amazon offers and save a tidy sum.

Top 6 trolley bag sets of 2

Trolley bags set of 3

Planning a family trip or a longer stay? A trolley bag set of 3 covers all bases. With different sizes to suit every need, these are built to keep your packing organised and your travel smooth. From lightweight materials to easy-glide wheels, they tick all the boxes. With the best trolley bags in 2025 now available at great prices, don’t miss out on the latest Amazon deals.

Top 6 trolley bag sets of 3

Trolley duffle bags

Trolley duffle bags are a clever mix of style and convenience. They offer the flexibility of a duffle bag with the ease of trolley wheels. Great for weekend plans or quick work trips, they’re roomy without being bulky. Available in smart designs and colours, they’re becoming travel essentials. Keep an eye on the trolley bag offers during the Amazon sale to get one at a seriously good rate.

Top 6 trolley duffle bag

Cabin suitcases

Cabin suitcases are a smart pick for hassle-free travel. Compact enough for overhead compartments yet roomy enough for essentials, they’re ideal for short trips or business travel. Many of the best trolley bags in 2025 come with TSA locks, sturdy wheels and sleek exteriors. With Amazon offers running strong, now’s the perfect time to browse these travel must-haves during the Amazon sale and snap up the best Amazon deals.

Top 6 cabin suitcases

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In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail, recommended five must-visit destinations if you are looking to curate the ultimate cherry blossom bucket list:

1. Yoshina, Japan

Nestled in Nara Prefecture, Yoshino is often regarded as Japan’s most stunning cherry blossom destination. With over 30,000 cherry trees blanketing Mount Yoshino, the landscape transforms into a mesmerizing pink-and-white paradise. For an unforgettable experience, take a cable car up the mountain and witness the sea of Sakura from above.

Best Time to Visit: Early to mid-April

Must-Do Experiences (other than cherry blossoms):

• Explore Mount Yoshino, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Stop by the Kinpusenji Temple

2. Kyoto, Japan

No cherry blossom list is complete without Kyoto—a city where centuries-old temples and shrines are framed by delicate pink petals. Maruyama Park, the Philosopher’s Path and the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Temple are some of the best places to admire the sakura. For a surreal experience, take an evening walk when the blossoms are illuminated by soft lantern lights, creating an ethereal glow.

Best Time to Visit: Late March to mid-April

Must-Do Experiences (other than cherry blossoms):

• Maruyama Park, where the famous weeping cherry tree is illuminated at night.
• Philosopher’s Path, a canal-lined walkway between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji temples

3. Paris, France

While Paris is known as the city of love, it also becomes a dreamy cherry blossom wonderland in the spring. The Jardin des Plantes, Trocadéro Gardens, and the Square Jean XXIII behind Notre Dame offer spectacular sakura displays. For a fairytale-like experience, visit Parc de Sceaux, just outside the city, where a large cherry blossom orchard creates a magical pink canopy.

Best Time to Visit: Late March to early April

Must-Do Experiences (other than cherry blossoms):

• Of course, the classic, Eiffel Tower for a romantic dine-in experience
• Visit the Louvre, for world-famous works like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory
• Take a Seine River cruise at sunset

According to Raj Varma, Co-Founder and COO of Travjoy, cherry blossoms—delicate pink and white blooms known as “Sakura” in Japan—symbolise renewal, hope and the ephemeral nature of life. He said, “Every spring, these radiant flowers capture millions of hearts around the globe, inspiring festivals, picnics, and stunning photo-ops. If you’re seeking the best spots to witness these blossoms at their peak, plan well, as once the petals appear, they only last an average of 10 days.”

Adding to the list of top destinations from across the globe where you can enjoy nature’s pink wonders, Raj Verma suggested –

1. Washington, DC, United States

In the US capital, cherry blossoms have become a major tourist draw during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. This tradition traces back to 1912, when Japan gifted 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Every spring, the city celebrates this unique cultural bond with a variety of events, including parades, music performances, and fireworks. Peak bloom usually occurs between late March and early April, but festivals often run for several weeks to accommodate the weather and the blossoming cycle. You can enjoy walking tours, paddleboat rides, or simply relax on the waterfront under a canopy of blossoms.

2. Vancouver, Canada

It is a little known fact that Vancouver is home to over 40,000 cherry trees and its mild coastal climate, scenic backdrop, and mild spring weather make Vancouver a delightful cherry blossom hotspot. The city is home to the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival which typically runs in April and features guided walks, musical performances, and even a haiku competition that celebrates the season. For a serene escape within the city, visit Queen Elizabeth Park, where blooming cherry trees stand alongside meticulously landscaped gardens. Over at VanDusen Botanical Garden, you can meander through winding pathways draped in pink petals. Downtown Vancouver also boasts numerous cherry-lined streets, perfect for a leisurely stroll beneath a canopy of blossoms.

Tips for cherry blossom travel

• Track Peak Bloom – Cherry blossoms are famously unpredictable. Local temperatures, sunshine and precipitation levels can shift bloom dates by weeks, so keep an eye on local bloom forecasts.

• Arrive Early – Popular spots get busy fast, especially on weekends. Visit in the morning to beat the crowds and capture unobstructed photos.

• Soak in the Culture – Festivals and local celebrations often accompany the blossoms. Embrace the traditions, sample local treats, and engage in cultural activities for the full experience.

• Respect the Environment – Stay on designated paths, never break branches, and clean up after picnics to preserve the beauty for all.

This significant growth is attributed to strengthened air connectivity between India and Germany, with monthly flight frequency increasing by 28% from 241 in January 2019 to 309 in January 2025.

Visa applications have increased by almost 20% in the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year.

This surge in direct flights highlights Germany’s rising popularity among Indian tourists, offering improved accessibility and a smoother travel experience.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) and the German Embassy in India hosted a joint press conference on Wednesday, highlighting Germany as a top travel destination for Indian tourists.

The event unveiled a range of exclusive offers aimed at couples, nature lovers, and those seeking sustainable travel experiences. In response to the rising interest from Indian travellers, GNTB introduced specially tailored packages to cater to their evolving preferences.

Indian tourists are staying longer in Germany, with an average length of stay increasing to 9.6 nights from 9.3 nights in 2023. Supporting this momentum, Skift India’s report revealed that Indian tourist spending is growing four times faster than the global average, underscoring the market’s strategic significance.

These curated offerings aim to firmly position Germany as a top choice for Indian honeymooners and culturally curious travellers alike.

While speaking with ANI, Georg Enzweiler, Deputy Chief of Mission, German Embassy, discussed the current state of tourism cooperation between India and Germany and said, ‘I think there is a very positive development. I was surprised to hear how positive it is. The German National Tourist Office just presented impressive numbers. I think this was also reflected in, for example, the applications we have for visas, which is just in the first three months of this year, vis-a-vis the first three months of last year, up by, I think, almost 20 per cent. So that indicates a strong boost in tourism to Germany.”

Moreover, Germany boasts 54 UNESCO World Heritage sites, thousands of museums, and many castles, making it an attractive cultural destination. Strong business ties between India and Germany encourage professionals to visit and explore leisure activities.

When asked about what initiatives the German government is taking to attract more Indian travellers, Enzweiler said, ‘Well, I think there are several factors that play a role in this. I had mentioned earlier that we have a very large number of Indian students these days in Germany, for about 50,000, and that, of course, entails that you will have many young people, family, friends, also visiting these young people, students in Germany, and that again boosts tourism. There’s the business side, where business people who do business, Germany and India are tied very closely in the business and trade field, so they will add two or three days of leisure time in Germany. So they will not only go there and do their business, but they will stay there for recreation and leisure time, which is, of course, also a very positive development.”

With around 50,000 Indian students in Germany, tourism gets a boost from visiting family and friends. Germany is working on further digitalising the Schengen visa process, which will simplify travel for Indian tourists.

On visa accessibility and upcoming steps to simplify the Schengen visa process for Indian tourists, Enzweiler stated, “Yes, you’re right, mentioning that Schengen visa process, this is something that Germany by itself should not change any rules or procedures, but one trend is the further digitalisation of the whole process. This is something that does not come overnight, but we started this process with our national visas, and we will expand it at a later stage, as well as other sources of visas.”

When asked about the German National Tourist Board’s (GNTB) earlier announcement to expand its market activities in India, Enzweiler added, “What I have taken from today’s discussion is that, for example, Indian weddings in Germany are a very interesting field of tourism. I think that Germany is an interesting cultural destination. We have 54 UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are thousands of museums. There are many thousands of castles in Germany. So I think all of this in the cultural field is very interesting for potential Indian tourists to Germany as well.”

When asked about the role of tourism in strengthening economic and people-to-people ties between India and Germany–and whether it represents a sector of strategic growth over the next decade–he emphasised its growing importance and potential to further deepen bilateral relations.

“I think it’s a very important aspect because, via tourism, you will be able to establish a people-to-people contact. That then leads to strengthening relations in all other fields because once you’ve been to Germany, you’ve seen it for yourself. This will be motivating, and this will encourage further expansion of your professional, academic, or whatever ties you have. And so, that’s why I think that’s very important to try to foster tourism to Germany,” Enzweiler said.

Tourism is expected to play a vital role in strengthening economic and people-to-people ties between India and Germany over the next decade.

Located 50 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, the caves closed nearly three years ago due to flooding and reopened Tuesday with a new experience bringing tourists closer to the scientific action. The complex is housed within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, a rich source of artefacts for palaeontologists since it was first discovered.

“My aim is to find important bones here,” said the 40-year-old Molefe. His most prized find since joining the excavation team in 2013 was an early human hand bone. His father was part of the team that uncovered South Africa’s most famous find, a skeleton dubbed “Little Foot”, in the caves.

Deriving its name from the size of the bones first discovered in the 1990s, it is the most complete specimen of a human ancestor yet discovered, estimated to be between 1.5 and 3.7 million years old.

Little Foot is from a branch of the human family tree called Australopithecus, latin for “southern ape” — considered the ancestors of modern humans, with a mixture of ape-like and human characteristics.

“This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins,” said Nithaya Chetty, dean of the University of the Witwatersrand faculty of science, which manages the caves and the nearby museum. “Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time,” said the professor.

‘Missing something’

At their peak before the Covid-19 pandemic, the caves received up to a 100,000 tourists a year. The closure had left a lingering feeling of sadness, said Witwatersrand archaeology professor Dominic Stratford, recalling busloads of schoolchildren and inquisitive visitors.

“Everyone felt like we were missing something,” he told AFP. A temporary exhibit of the fossils has been set up at the museum, where visitors will also get a chance to see “Mrs Ples”, the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus, found in South Africa in 1947.

Guiding helmet-clad visitors through the 2.5 kilometres of caves bathed in soft blue LED lights, Trevor Butelezi gestures toward a shadowy passage that leads to an underground lake. “It’s actually a beautiful cavity,” said the 34-year-old tourism graduate, his voice echoing gently off the walls.

“Africa gave rise to humanity and it’s not a small thing,” he said, paraphrasing a quote from the South African palaeontologist Phillip Tobias. For now, those hoping to glimpse the original Little Foot will have to wait for heritage month in September. The skeleton, which took two decades to excavate and assemble, is only displayed on special occasions.

Pack your bags NOW as these 5 Easter 2025 weekend getaways from Mumbai are just hours away. …read more

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Long weekends are like mini-vacations dropped from the heavens and Easter 2025 weekend is no different. If you are in Mumbai, there is no need to waste your precious days off scrolling through travel apps or lamenting over missed bookings. We have curated a list of 5 last-minute travel destinations from Mumbai to help you pack and dash into a weekend of memories—minus the stress.(Image by Pixabay)

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1. Alibaug (Approx. 3 hours via ferry/drive): A coastal town just a few hours from Mumbai, Alibaug is a popular weekend getaway known for its pristine beaches, historical forts and delicious seafood. You can also indulge in water sports like parasailing and jet skiing. (Pixabay)

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2. Lonavala and Khandala (Approx. 2–2.5 hours drive): Khandala is a hill station in the Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra, India, about 3 kilometres from Lonavala and 7 kilometres from Karjat. Perfect for couples, families or solo travellers, the twin hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala are lush this time of year. Think waterfalls, misty trails and endless chai with views. Try a cozy hilltop villa or luxury glamping for something extra special on Easter weekend.(Image by Twitter)

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3. Matheran, Maharashtra (Aprrox. 2 hours): The tunnel under Matheran is part of the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway (Phase-II SPUR) which will run via Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts, connecting Virar in the north to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in the south. A sizable section will pass through the Matheran eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), which was declared as such in 2003 by the union environment ministry, to safeguard the region from developmental pressures. Matheran is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station! Enjoy horse rides, toy trains and panoramic points—all with fresh, pollution-free air.(Image by Shutterstock)

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4. Nashik, Maharashtra (Approx. 3-4 hours drive): Experience thrilling adventure sports with a scenic view or wine lovers can head to Nashik’s vineyards for wine-tasting sessions, vineyard tours and gorgeous staycations at places like Sula or York.(File Photo)

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5. Igatpuri, Maharashtra (Aprrox. 2-3 hours drive): Pictured here is Vallonne Vineyards, a boutique wine estate situated in Igatpuri near Nashik. Nestled in the Sahyadris, Igatpuri is serene and scenic with hiking trails, waterfalls and meditative retreats that are ideal for couples or solo travellers during Easter weekend.(Image by Instagram/@vallonne_vineyards)

No plans, no problem! These 5 quick peaceful trips from Bengaluru are long-weekend gold. …read more

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A last-minute trip does not have to mean compromising on quality or fun and with so many beautiful, accessible getaways just a few hours from Bengaluru, Easter weekend could be the perfect opportunity to hit the road and make memories. Whether you are into adventure, nature, history or food, there is something close by waiting to be explored. So, skip the planning stress, pack light and just go. After all, the best journeys often begin unplanned.(Image by Unsplash)

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1. Coorg, Karnataka (Approx. 5–6 hrs drive): Coorg is a hill station in India that is known for its beautiful landscapes and clear skies. The region is home to a number of homestays and resorts that offer stargazing activities, making it an ideal location for astronomy enthusiasts. Known as the Scotland of India, Coorg offers cool weather, coffee plantations and peaceful greenery. It is a perfect detox for city-weary souls. Visit Abbey Falls, take a plantation tour, or just relax in a rustic-chic homestay this Easter weekend.(Representative Image (Unsplash))

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2. Chikmagalur (Approx. 4.5 hours drive): Visitors click photographs in a hill adorned by the Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once in 12 years, at Chandra Dhrona Hill Ranges in Chikmagalur district. You can also visit coffee plantations and relax in the tranquil environment of Chikmagalur as it is less crowded and equally stunning. Drive through winding roads, sip freshly brewed filter coffee and wake up to views of rolling hills.(PTI Photo)

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3. Mysuru, Karnataka (Approx. 3 hours drive): History buffs and culture lovers can explore Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hills and bustling markets—just a 3-hour drive away.(Image by Shutterstock)

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4. Sakleshpur, Karnataka (Approx. 5 hours drive): Pictured here is a coffee plantation in Sakleshpura. With dense forests and tea plantations, Sakleshpur is great for treks, bonfires and a calm escape from city chaos during Easter weekend.(File Photo)

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5. Kabini, Karnataka (Approx. 4 hours drive): A dream for wildlife enthusiasts, Kabini offers thrilling safaris and riverside resorts. Spot elephants, leopards, or even a tiger if you’re lucky! Nature is a gift in Kabini.(Image by Orangecounty.in)

Abhinav and I are letting our sweaty shirts dry and our feet get some rest after the hour-long trek that got us here. He is the General Manager at The Kumaon, a paradisiacal resort/boutique stay/hideaway/haven in the belly of the serene Almora, around 60 kms north of Nainital. He decides to help me out. “Even I don’t always follow the usual route. For me, being on a trek, in the middle of a thick forest, surrounded by trees, spotting a rare bird, that’s where I truly feel at one with the universe. That’s meditation for me,” he tells me. It gets me thinking… the feelings I feel driving from the mall to the coffee shop on weekends likely don’t count. Thankfully, the Shunyata Retreat finds me at the right time.

The Shunyata Retreat is three days of reconnecting with oneself and nature, designed by wellness brand Savikalpa Sciences with The Kumaon. It’s four days of new experiences, new friendships, new lessons, all made accessible by the ways of the old and the traditional. Savikalpa CEO and Founder and The Kumaon Co-Founder Raghav Priyadarshi gives the perfect intro to it. “You can think of it like this. A wellness retreat is like kindergarten while something like Vipasana is like the boards. This is not as kathor (torturous).” Kathor is the last thing I’d call it (with the exception of the contortion-adjacent Yin yoga poses on Day 2).

The retreat begins on the gorgeous lower terrace of The Kumaon with the golden sun setting right behind us. As 10 of us take our seats around the unlit bonfire pits, my eyes rush to the high-tea setup on the other end of the deck. It looks straight out of Bridgerton with quaint teacups and tiny cucumber sandwiches on triple-tier cake stands. But first, there’s a question for all the retreaters. ‘What does wellness mean to you?’

How simple does the question sound, yet how profound the impact of this realisation is. Someone says it’s all about being one with nature, another guest thinks it is about finding time for yourself, or simply existing in the moment. Raghav has a more holistic take. “For me, wellness is another word for peace. At all levels. Once your physical self is at peace then you realise yourself better. It helps you achieve mental clarity which in turn leads to emotional balance. Wellness is being physically, mentally, emotionally and ultimately spiritually at peace.”

So physical peace is a good place to start? Good thing that’s one of the focus areas of all our three days at the Shunyata Retreat.

On evening one, we begin our journey with Padabhyanga and Nidra Yoga, a blissful, hour-long first session setup in The Kumaon lobby/yoga room overlooking the Himalayas, now bathed in the azure tones of twilight. Beginner yogis take their spots on the yoga mats as logs of wood crackle in the fireplace. Our yoga gurus for the retreat, Riya Vyas and Sonakshi Dhamija of Sol Wellness knew just what we needed after hours spent in trains and taxis on serpentine roads of Almora: a foot massage. Sounds of relief embrace the room as everyone takes turns soaking their feet in Savikalpa’s Relief Daily Massage Oil.

“Massaging your feet, especially the soles of your foot is highly beneficial. Firstly it creates an environment of consciously slowing down and using your hands for something other than using your phone…LOL. It requires you to be involved fully in it. Secondly, all the pressure points under our feet, relieves tension and promotes recovery so much, especially when one has to stand and teach all day as a yoga teacher. All the pressure points under the feet are connected to some organ or system in the body, it improves digestion, relieves stress and has numerous benefits,” Sonakshi, co-founder of Sol Wellness says.

Refreshed by the massage and the sweet surrender of Nidra Yoga (supplemented by a couple snores from here and there in the room), we retreat to our rooms, still curious about the unusual names assigned to them. ‘Artola’, ‘Kasar’, ‘Bintola’ read the copper keys to the rooms. We soon realised that these were names of villages in Almora. Quite apt for how well The Kumaon keeps… well, the Kumaon… in its heart. The rooms all overlook snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas from expansive windows. Every morning, sunshine on the mountains is the first thing you see and sounds of rosefinches the first thing you hear. Until Juno, the hotel’s hero dog, shuts them up with an effective barking session.

***

We kickstart our next two days with the one thing I dreaded the most when I first got my hands on the retreat schedule; Jal Neti. We take out the Jal Neti pots from the goodie bags and head to the terrace once again in the golden glow of the sun that now rests just a little above the peaks. Riya, also co-founder at Sol Wellness, expertly teaches us the steps to follow to put a stream of water into one nostril and let it out from the other. A few would rather scale the said peaks but we persevere, even the most scaredy of us. Instant nods of approval follow: “This was so easy! I feel so light in my head already.”

Yoga sessions form the the skeletal base of our mornings and evenings. Giving it necessary flesh are picnics at unbelievably surreal sunset points, treks through quaint villages and to hilltop temples, journaling classes where realisations about life are made, and stargazing sessions that help you (me) live the lifelong dream of seeing the Betelgeuse. On a more macro level, it shows us just how one with the universe we truly are. Nothing humbles you more than the awe of seeing a nebula with your own eyes. “It slapped,” tells us our ‘obsessed’ GenZ retreater Khooshi Sud (23).

But does packing all of this into two days get overwhelming? “It was just the right flow. It was planned very very well,” says satisfied retreater and latest Jal Neti fan, Kanika Gupta (43).

Giving us the fuel to keep up with all these adventures in the wild and in the yoga room was an army of talented chefs in The Kumaon’s kitchen, led by Head Chef Naveen Adhikari. A cosy, familiar breakfast is followed by inviting thalis for lunch. Kumaoni Raita, Lai ka Saag, and flavours fresh from the region fill up your plate and heart. Dinner is a luxe affair with five-course meals for a perfect end to an eventful day.

“Curating the perfect menu for the retreat wasn’t just about flavours—it was about creating a journey through food, one that aligned with the retreat’s purpose: renewal, balance, and inner power. Every dish was chosen with care, not only for its nourishment but for its symbolism and ability to ground the guests in the present moment,” Naveen tells us.

A sound healing session on the terrace was among the highlights. Birds sing, trees rustle right above you as Riya shows the healing power of sound through simple bowls filled with water. “Today more than ever, practices like sound healing feel essential. It allows the nervous system to slow down, the heart to soften, and the mind to find stillness,” Riya tells us.

You sink deeper and deeper into the earth with every breath and every gong when a chilly breeze escapes from the Himalayas and sends shivers down your arms. Did the mountains also ‘breathe out?’

***

I Googled quite a bit about the meaning of Shunyata before I made my way to Almora. It got a variety of responses: ‘emptiness’, ‘independent existence’, ‘void’. Each left me more confused than the other.

Raghav throws twin lights on the choice of name. The first reason is more about simple nomenclature. His phytomedicine company is called Savikalpa Sciences and even the legal name for The Kumaon is Savikalpa Hospitality, making it a common thread. Additionally, Shunyata is the name of the medicines manufactured at Savikalpa Sciences. Therefore, naming the retreat Shunyata is an effort to ‘meld’ together Savikalpa Sciences and Savikalpa Hospitality (The Kumaon).

The second version is more philosophical. “It is the experience of Nirvana. As per our ancient philosophies, the ultimate objective of an individual is to remove yourself from the physical world, be liberated. When it comes to how I choose to brand some of our different efforts, it is to build a connect with Indian systems of living and wisdom. Our effort at Savikalpa is to enable people to live their best lives, and become the best version of themselves, by helping them overcome their physical ailments.”

Checks out. I do believe the best version of me would take care of her health, would go easy on her body and mind, be kind in every moment of every day and make friends without envy. That’s very close to my three days at Shunyata Retreat.

***

The next Shunyata Retreat will be in July. You can follow Savikalpa on Instagram for more details.

The author was invited for a three-day hosted stay at Shunyata Retreat on editorial invitation.

So buckle up for an unforgettable holiday, as we take a closer look at the top 6 destinations to visit this summer.

1. Manali – Perfect for adventure and cool weather

When it comes to a summer getaway, Manali is undoubtedly one of the top choices. Nestled in the Himachal Pradesh mountains, Manali offers not just breathtaking views but also a plethora of adventure activities for those seeking thrills. Whether you are into skiing, trekking, paragliding or rafting, Manali has something to offer. The cool weather and scenic views make it the ideal escape from the summer heat.

Why it’s special this summer: The cool weather, scenic views, and endless adventure activities will make your summer holiday an unforgettable one.

2. Rishikesh – Ideal for river rafting and spiritual retreats

Known as the “Yoga Capital of the World,” Rishikesh, located on the banks of the holy Ganges River in Uttarakhand, offers a perfect blend of spirituality and adventure. Travellers flock to Rishikesh for its serene ashrams, yoga retreats, and river rafting experiences. Whether you’re seeking a spiritual cleanse or an adrenaline rush, Rishikesh has it all.

Why it’s special this summer: Rishikesh offers a chance to reconnect with nature, engage in river rafting, and take part in soul-nourishing spiritual experiences.

3. Nainital – A scenic getaway with pleasant weather

If you are looking for a scenic escape from the intense summer heat, Nainital in Uttarakhand is the perfect destination. Known for its serene Naini Lake and breathtaking views, Nainital offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and pleasant weather. Whether you are boating on Naini Lake, exploring the nearby hilltops, or simply strolling along Mall Road, the place offers a peaceful, relaxing environment ideal for a family or solo getaway.

Why it’s special this summer: Nainital’s cool climate, scenic vistas, and laid-back atmosphere are ideal for anyone wanting to relax this summer.

4. Tenkasi – Famous for Courtallam Waterfalls and temples

Tenkasi, located in Tamil Nadu, is a hidden gem for nature lovers and spiritual seekers. The town is home to the famous Courtallam waterfalls, known for their therapeutic properties, and several ancient temples like the Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple. Tenkasi’s lush green surroundings and rich cultural heritage make it a unique summer getaway, away from the crowded tourist spots.

Why it’s special this summer: With its combination of scenic waterfalls, temples, and soothing weather, Tenkasi offers an ideal off-the-beaten-path destination.

5. Tirupati – Spiritual hotspot with high summer footfall

Tirupati, in Andhra Pradesh, is a must-visit for those seeking spiritual solace. Known for the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, Tirupati offers a unique blend of spirituality and Southern Indian culture. Beyond the temple, you can also explore the local markets, temples and the lush landscapes that surround the town.

Why it’s special this summer: Whether for religious purposes or the cultural experience, Tirupati’s significance grows each year, making it an essential summer destination.

6. Cochin – Perfect for exploring Kerala’s backwaters and beaches

Located on the southwestern coast of India, Cochin (Kochi) offers the best of both worlds: history and natural beauty. From the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey to the pristine beaches of Fort Kochi, Cochin is the ideal destination for a leisurely summer vacation. With its colonial heritage, vibrant markets and spectacular sunsets, Cochin promises a cultural and relaxing escape.

Why it’s special this summer: Kerala’s backwaters, beaches, and cultural experiences make Cochin an unforgettable destination.

Summer is the perfect time to explore the vast and diverse landscapes of India and these top 6 destinations provide something for every type of traveller. From the adventure-filled peaks of Manali to the tranquil backwaters of Cochin, each destination promises an experience that is both enriching and memorable. So pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable summer journey!

On a serene family vacation in Tuscany, Namrata Shirodkar captures candid moments with Mahesh Babu and daughter Sitara.

We explored top picks from Myntra to bring you the best trolley bags in 2025 that are practical, well-built and great value for money. If you lean toward classic suitcases or prefer laid-back duffle bags with wheels, there’s something here that works for every trip. Keep an eye out for Myntra sale alerts and Myntra deals to grab your favourites at the right price.

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Top-rated cabin suitcase of 2025

MOKOBARA’s Transit Cabin Trolley in blue redefines smooth travel. With a sleek polycarbonate shell, this hard-sided suitcase is lightweight yet tough. The TSA-approved lock and Japanese Hinomoto wheels add security and ease across all floor types. Dual compartments, zip lining, and elasticated straps keep everything in place. Plus, there’s an in-built phone charger and a scuff eraser that keeps it looking clean after each trip.

What makes this stand out from the rest?
Its built-in charger, Hinomoto wheels and scuff eraser make it one of the best trolley bags in 2025 on Myntra.

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Top-rated trolley bag set of 2 of 2025

This Teakwood Leathers trolley bag set of 2 is a practical pick for travellers who like durability with fuss-free style. Made from water-resistant polypropylene, both bags glide easily with 360-degree skate wheels. The interiors feature compression straps, a sub-compartment and zip lining to keep contents secure. With number locks and sturdy handles on the top and side, this non-padded duo keeps your travels light and efficient.

What makes this stand out from the rest?
A dependable trolley bag set in 2025 from Myntra, offering solid structure, smart interiors and smooth wheels at great value.

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Top-rated trolley bag set of 3 of 2025 

 

The Safari Route Set of 3 hard trolley bags packs in function and fuss-free style in a striking blue finish. Each suitcase features dual compartments with zip lining, elasticated straps and secure combination locks. Built with a durable polycarbonate shell and 360-degree wheels, these padded suitcases offer comfort and control. Ideal for family trips or extended holidays, this trolley bag set is practical and easy to manage on-the-go.

What makes this stand out from the rest?
Myntra’s best trolley bags in 2025, this set blends travel efficiency, structure and great design across all three sizes.

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Top-rated trolley duffel bag of 2025

 

Aristocrat’s teal duffel trolley bag is built for short trips and quick getaways. With two compact handles, a padded haul loop and a detachable sling, it’s made for easy handling. The roomy main compartment is supported by an external zip pocket for essentials. Its lightweight build and smooth trolley feature make it a smart pick for organised packers who prefer soft-shell convenience.

What makes this stand out from the rest?
Among the best trolley bags in 2025 on Myntra for compact travel, this duffel blends simplicity, comfort and style with ease.

 

Best trolley duffle bag in 2025 on Amazon

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

Tourists started coming here from mid-December after the first major snowfall was received in Auli on December 12, Ajay Bhatt, who runs a homestay in Jyotirmath, told PTI.

“Winter tourism business of Auli and Jyotirmath, which was hit hard after the land subsidence in Jyotirmath , was considerably better this year. Snowfall was recorded from Jyotirmath to Auli and Gorson Bugyal. Snow is still frozen in Gorson,” he said.

Compared to previous years, the business was good this season, said Bhatt who also owns a resort in Auli and gives skiing lessons to local youth. The snow-laden slopes of Auli are a major skiing destination in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.

Land subsidence in Jyotirmath in 2023 had also adversely affected ropeway connectivity between Jyotirmath and Auli, with cracks in one of the pillars of the ropeway station.

The ropeway service remains suspended since then due to safety reasons.

“We have long been demanding that the ropeway service should be restarted but our demand has not been fulfilled yet,” Bhatt said.

“Resumption of ropeway service between Jyotirmath and Auli will further boost tourist traffic during winter as snow blocks the road connecting the two places during the period making the movement of vehicles on the route difficult,” he said.

Bhatt said if the government makes heli-skiing in Auli and the proposed ropeway from Auli to Gorson a reality, winter sports could be held for a larger period, bringing more tourists due to it.

Heliskiing is where a helicopter is used to transport skiers to remote areas, allowing them to ski down pristine, often untouched slopes.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Despite the soft white sands and wildlife of its parks, tourists are few and far between on the Pointe-Denis peninsula where the village is located.

On a recent Sunday morning, Kossi’s bar and restaurant, a stone’s throw from Otangani, was empty.

Elsewhere on the peninsula, wealthy Gabonese and expats from Libreville, who come to escape the city for a few days, stay in the few plush hotels.

Jet-skiing and quad biking are some of the attractions, but the village is on the edges of a national park with monkeys, buffalo and elephants.

“The park doesn’t bring us tourists and we want to develop community tourism,” guide Gerard Adande Avili said.

He has opened up guest rooms in his wood-built house overlooking the mangroves, with a view to encouraging “ordinary Gabonese people who don’t have much money but want to escape the capital, have a good time, return to their roots”, the 47-year-old said.

For now, few come to do his “royal hike” which covers an area that is the final resting place of one of his own forebears from the 18th century.

King Rapontchombo ruled over the Mpongwe people and allowed French colonists to settle.

From Libreville, getting to the area involves a 30-minute boat ride, a short crossing in a wooden fishing boat, followed by a short walk through the forest.

– ‘Inaccessible’ –

Foreign tourists are rare here and in other parts of Gabon, even though forests cover nearly 90 percent of the small central African country, which markets itself as the “last Eden”.

It currently has around 350,000 foreign visitors a year but wants to double that figure, a likely priority for the winner of Saturday’s presidential election, 19 months after a military coup ended decades of Bongo dynasty rule in August 2023.

“Whether it is the leaders or the population, we do not have a tourist culture because we have focused on oil,” Tourism Minister Pascal Ogowe Siffon said.

“And we have forgotten the tourist potential of our country, even though I say frankly that Gabon can live off its tourism,” the minister said.

But there are challenges.

“The main obstacle is the price of the plane ticket, which is very expensive and inaccessible, and the laborious visa formalities,” Amelia Da Costa Soares, 40, who co-owns the upmarket River Lodge hotel and restaurant in Pointe-Denis, said.

Despite its idyllic setting, the lodge is only open at weekends, apart from when it hosts seminars.

Travel operator Guichely Ngoma, from Libreville, is trying to offer organised trips and tailor-made tours into the country’s interior but said the poor road network was a problem.

“There are lots of beautiful places where you can’t go because there’s no access, even in a 4×4. It’s a problem that bothers us all, especially as Gabon is a really expensive destination,” Ngoma said.

But Ogowe Siffon, the tourism minister, argues that tourists with their heart set on a destination will always find the money, time and energy for a trip.

“Those who want to satisfy their curiosity manage, whatever the conditions,” he said, recounting how a group who came to observe gorillas in Loango Park opted to swim across a river rather than give up on the end goal of their excursion.

– ‘Enormous potential –

South of Loango, at a renowned spot between a lagoon and the ocean, wealthy fishing enthusiasts arrive by helicopter from Libreville to stay at the Sette Cama Adventure lodge for exclusive week-long stays costing 10,000 euros ($11,100).

“Demand exceeds supply,” Ogowe Siffon said, who is banking on the country’s “enormous potential”, its lush forests and 950 kilometres (590 miles) of coastline to develop “selective tourism” while also allowing the Gabonese to discover their country at affordable costs.

Adande, the guide, wants to develop eco-tourism to revive the villages on the peninsula where many young people have left for the capital, he said.

But, added his forester nephew Juste Loubangoye Ozavino, the difficulty is both “opening up to other communities and preserving the mystical side” of the peninsula.

A powerful current of cold air is forecast to sweep across northern provinces from Friday afternoon through the weekend, bringing unusually powerful winds, China Central Television (CCTV) reported, with gusts in some areas potentially reaching 150 kilometres per hour (93 miles per hour).

Strong winds carrying sand and dust from Mongolia are normal at this time of the year. But climate change has made weather conditions more extreme. Beijing has issued its first orange alert in 10 years, the second-highest in a four-tier colour-coded system for gales.

Temperatures in the Chinese capital could plummet by as many as 12 degrees Celsius on Saturday compared to Friday, CCTV said, with meteorologists warning that wind speeds recorded at some stations may rival or exceed April records dating back to 1951.

Heavy snow is expected to blanket parts of the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia as well as northeast China, while southern China could be hit by the most intense hailstorms so far this year, the state broadcaster added.

A half marathon in Beijing originally scheduled for Sunday in which humanoid robots will race alongside human runners in a showcase of China’s advances in frontier technologies has been postponed by a week to April 19.

Several passenger train routes operating in Beijing and surrounding areas were suspended, CCTV said.

Flights could also be delayed or cancelled, and authorities announced closure to a number of parks and tourist attractions.

More than 4,800 trees across the city had been reinforced or pruned to reduce the risk of them falling, CCTV reported.

Natural disasters in China caused direct economic losses of 9.3 billion yuan ($1.27 billion) in the first two months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. ($1 = 7.3207 Chinese yuan renminbi).

The Fourth Joint Working Group Meeting on Tourism Cooperation between India and Japan was held on April 8 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement on Thursday.

“The meeting focused on finding new ways to work together and enhance tourism ties between the two nations,” it said.

Key discussion points focused on expanding bilateral tourism, with initiatives such as promoting Buddhist sites in India to Japanese tourists, improving air connectivity and encouraging Japanese students to visit the country, the ministry said.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism and Naoya Haraikawa, Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency .

Officials and private stakeholders from both countries, including representatives from airlines, tourism and travel associations and government institutions, took part in the meeting.

Key organisations included Japan National Tourism Organisation , Japan Association of Travel Agents , JTTRI, Japan Airlines and ANA from the Japanese side.

The Indian delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Education, National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, and Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Besides, private stakeholders like Indian Association of Tour Operators, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, and Association of Buddhist Tour Operators were also present in the meeting, the statement said.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat hosted a welcome dinner for the Japanese delegation.

The co-chairs of the two countries exchanged notes on the profile of the visitors and delved into the data insights of the tourists travelling between the two countries, including to Buddhist destinations, in order to “undertake suitable policy interventions” to make the destinations more attractive for the millennial tourists, the tourism ministry said.

Ambassador of Japan to India, Keiichi Ono, emphasised on the strong cultural ties and mutual benefits of enriched tourism between the two countries.

The meeting also explored increased private sector involvement and strategies to harness media and influencer engagements for boosting tourist flow.

It was also indicated that the Ministry of Tourism is in the process of launching the “Incredible India mobile app shortly”, the statement said.

Delegation from each side shared valuable inputs and discussed new investment opportunities to strengthen co-operation in tourism sector between both nations.

“The collaborative spirit and commitment demonstrated by both sides during the meeting is expected to develop a more vibrant tourism ecosystem, contributing significantly to the economic and cultural exchange between India and Japan,” it added.

India also informed the Japanese delegation about the potential of partnerships with them for creating “uniquely curated itineraries for the Japanese tourists” in the recently revamped Incredible India digital portal.

The meeting concluded on a “positive note” with mutual assurances of ongoing dialogue, further collaborations and a reinforced commitment to leveraging tourism as a bridge for enhancing bilateral relations and mutual prosperity, the statement said.

India also intimated the Japanese delegation about its plans of participation at the World Expo, Osaka, 2025 from September 22-28 for a broader outreach, it added.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

The 16-year-old from Houston had the rare opportunity to use a public telephone for the first time.

“It was kind of cool,” said Abraham, who phoned a friend while attending the Masters Par 3 competition on Wednesday with his father, Sid. “I’ve never used one before. I figured it out. If I had to use one of those phones I probably would’ve had to ask my dad.”

Augusta National requires its patrons to leave their cellphones and other electronic devices behind. In place of those security blankets, there are several public telephone banks of those throwback devices from days gone by. They are a foreign sight for many in the younger generation who’ve never seen a phone with an attached cord.

Abraham is not unlike most teenagers — or adults, for that matter — who are very much attached to the world through their cellphones.

At some point, chances are, patrons check for their phone — patting their pockets, reaching for the clip on their belts, wherever it usually is.

And when they can’t find it, well…

“It’s kind of panic mode,” Abraham said. “We were at 18th and I went to reach in my pocket and it wasn’t there. Then I remembered it’s in the car.”

He wasn’t alone.

“I’ve checked my pockets for my phone no less than 10 times today,” said Ryan O’Connor from Little Rock, Arkansas. “I was sitting in the bleachers on the 16th green and someone dropped a water bottle and it made a loud noise and I instinctively reached for my phone. Not there.”

The line at the public phone bank can stretch up to 10 people deep at the height of the Masters. And while they provide an outlet for those looking to touch base with the world outside of Augusta National’s gates, there are some issues that come with them.

Like, remembering phone numbers.

Bill Kehoe, 50, from Raleigh, North Carolina came prepared.

As he approached the public phones, Kehoe whipped out a sheet of paper with a handful of names and numbers written on them with a black Sharpie. He picked up the receiver on the phone, punched in the number “1” to start the call and then looked down at the paper and entered the remaining numbers to complete the free call.

“I can’t even remember my own phone number, let alone anyone else’s number,” Kehoe joked. “They’re all saved in my phone.”

One of the calls he made was to his 14-year-old son Connor, who was on a school fieldtrip to Washington. D.C.

Connor had asked his dad to call at a prearranged time while he was on a bus, and his 8th grade classmates were shocked when his caller ID popped popped up as “Augusta National Golf Club.”

“You could hear all of the kids like, ‘Oh, that’s so cool!,” Kehoe said with a laugh. “But then they all started asking for merchandise so I had to hang up.”

The reasons patrons disrupt their round of watching professional golf to make a call.

One person was calling to hear about the day’s dramatic movement in the stock market. Another said he was checking in with work. And several others were simply touching base with family or loved ones.

Tyler Johnson and his wife Lauren called home to Roswell, Georgia to check on their 5-year-old son, who is staying with his grandparents, “just to make sure there’s no blood,” Tyler said with a laugh. As mom and dad alternated talking to their son, they took pictures of each other talking on the odd-looking black public phone.

“I think the last time I used one of these was 1999, before Y2K, I think,” Tyler joked.

While not having a cellphone is an inconvenience for some, others have come to relish the liberating feeling of being disconnected from the world for a little while.

Fletcher Lord from Little Rock texted his wife after he arrived at the course around 6 a.m. and reminded her not to expect to hear from him all day. He then set out to enjoy a few refreshments on a sunny, 70-degree day amid the serene backdrop of blooming azaleas and tall pines.

“Once you get over the anxiety of not having your phone, it’s a very freeing feeling because it forces you to just be here in the moment,” Lord said.

O’Connor agreed.

He phoned one of his old friends from high school just to see if he’d pick up. He did.

“He didn’t recognize the number obviously, but when he saw Augusta National pop up he said I better pick this one up,” O’Connor said.

Then it was off to enjoy the day.

“Is not having a phone a pain?” O’Connor said. “No, I think it’s actually good for me. Those emails will be there when I get back home.”

golf: /hub/golf

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Masked youths threw petrol bombs and rocks while police responded with tear gas and stun grenades on February 28 when a demonstration by around 200,000 people in Athens marking the second anniversary of the country’s worst rail tragedy turned violent.

The latest protest organised by public- and private-sector unions was to demand an increase in wages to face the rising cost of living.

The demonstration coincided with the new sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump coming into effect, including a 20-percent levy on the European Union, of which Greece is a member.

Flights to and from Greece were grounded as air traffic controllers joined the strike action, with urban transport also affected.

Ferries serving the Aegean and Ionian islands remained at anchor while schools, courts, banks and public services were shuttered.

The ADEDY civil servants’ confederation hit out at the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The increase in prices of housing (is) a consequence of the development of anarchical tourism that is characterised by a housing crisis,” it said in a statement.

Alongside the GSEE private trade union body, the two called for mass protests in the late morning in Athens and the northern second city, Thessaloniki.

Demonstrations are also planned in other towns and cities.

ADEDY is demanding an increase in salaries “after 10 years of stagnation”.

Greece saw high economic growth of 2.2 percent last year, but salaries remain low despite rising taxes and inflation that hit 3.5 percent in the middle of last year.

Faced with mounting public anger, the government pushed up the minimum wage from to 880 euros ($972) a month from April 1, a 6.4-percent jump from 830 euros.

The proposed underwater rail link: A game-changer for travel

The proposed Mumbai to Dubai via underwater rail project completion date is yet to be confirmed, although feasibility and implementation discussions are already ongoing. The underwater high-speed train is projected to employ the latest technology, just like the Hyperloop system, to enable passengers to travel at ultra-high speeds under the Arabian Sea. Although exact information regarding the Dubai to India train project cost is not publicly disclosed, experts project heavy investments in making this vision a reality. The Dubai to India distance is approximately 2,000 kilometers, and this underwater rail connection plans to drastically reduce travel time relative to traditional flights. If the project materializes, it will offer a convenient method of travel alternative to air travel and increase economic and tourism opportunities for both countries. The idea of Mumbai to Dubai in 2 hours sparks the imagination of travelers and industry players because it has the potential to revolutionize global transport.

How will this impact travel to Dubai?

For Indian tourists, particularly those looking to come to the UAE on business or leisure, this connectivity at high speeds might be a changer. Though air travel is still the most favored mode of transport today, the opening up of an undersea rail link may offer an alternate option, with the benefit of a quicker immigration process and connectivity.. Until then, tourists seeking the most convenient means of traveling to Dubai can choose cheap flights to Dubai from India, which will provide hassle-free travel. With many airlines providing direct flights, booking flight tickets from Mumbai to Dubai has never been simpler.

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or an extended stay in Dubai, obtaining a Dubai visa online is now easier than ever. With a 100% online application process, travelers can receive their eVisa directly in their inbox. Akbar Travels, with over 45 years of expertise, offers a wide range of Dubai visa for Indians, including:

• Tourist, transit, family, business and event visas
• Visa durations for 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days
• Competitive pricing with the best visa rates
• Express visa services in just 24 hours
• Personalised assistance from application to approval

With a 99.8% visa success rate, travellers can obtain the essential UAE visa information and confidently apply for their UAE visa without a worry.

Exploring Dubai: The best travel deals for tourists

For those looking for the best hotels in Dubai for a staycation, Akbar Travels has something for everyone, from affordable stays to luxurious five-star resorts. All the hotels are located in the city center and are accessible to the vibrant lifestyle of Dubai.

The future of Mumbai to Dubai travel

Though Mumbai to Dubai underwater rail project completion is expected to be completed by 2030, it highlights increasing emphasis on enhancing global connectivity. Until the world gets to see this groundbreaking transportation system, visitors can still use convenient and reasonable air travel, speedy visa service, and all-inclusive Dubai tour packages offered by Akbar Travels to make a trip to Dubai trouble-free.

Planning a trip to Dubai has never been simpler with Akbar Travels. From travel bookings to visa assistance, we make every traveler’s journey seamless to the UAE. More information on the Mumbai to Dubai underwater rail project and how it can affect international travel to come!

No more free entry: Brazil reinstates visa rules for US, Canadian and Australian citizens after US tariffs shake diplomacy.

Highway dreams: Haryana to get new super route connecting Ambala to Panchkula in a flash. Your travel time is about to shrink.

Shanaya Kapoor’s dreamy Goa diaries

Shanaya brushed off the Monday blues in style as she took to Instagram to drop a stunning photo dump, captioned, “Zindagi apne hisaab se chalti hai, hamesha perfect plan ke hisaab se nahi…”.

In the first picture, Shanaya is seen enjoying a quiet moment in comfy loungewear, standing against a backdrop filled with lush greenery. In the next, she flashes her charming smile while donning a blue oversised cotton shirt.

As the carousel continues, she shares glimpses of Goa’s natural beauty, which includes picturesque lake views, breathtaking sunsets, and tranquil beachside scenes that instantly transport you to vacation mode. She also lets us in on her culinary indulgences, from a vibrant fruit-filled breakfast to other mouthwatering dishes.

5 must-do activities in Goa

If Shanaya’s dreamy Goa diaries have inspired you to plan your own escape, here are 5 must-do activities to add to your itinerary:

1. Sunset at Chapora Fort: Enjoy panoramic sea views as the sun sets behind the horizon. Totally worth the short hike.

2. Beach-hopping in North Goa: Explore everything from lively Baga to the calm Ashwem for the perfect beach day.

3. Explore Fontainhas, Panjim: Wander through Goa’s Latin Quarter, with its colourful houses, galleries, and cosy cafés.

4. Goan thali feast: Relish an authentic Goan meal with fish curry, rice, and local delights at a nearby eatery.

5. Backwater cruise in South Goa: Unwind on a peaceful boat ride through lush backwaters, spotting birds and mangroves.

This 15-day journey will cover several North Eastern states, showcasing their natural beauty and cultural heritage. The program will commence from Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway station. Interested tourists may choose this tour program from Delhi and other boarding points, including Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah, and Kanpur.

The carefully curated itinerary will take you by Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train to five of the “seven sisters” of the lesser-travelled North Eastern region of India.

The 15-day train tour starts on April 22, 2025, and covers Guwahati, Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Kaziranga in Assam; Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh; Unakoti and Udaipur in Tripura; Dimapur and Kohima in Nagaland; and Shillong and Cherapunji in Meghalaya.

The first stop of this train is Guwahati, where tourists will visit the Kamakhya Temple. They will then visit Umananda Temple and take a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra.

The train will then depart on an overnight journey to Naharlagun Railway Station, which is 30 km from the next destination, Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. The next city to follow is Sivasagar, the old capital of the Ahom Kingdom, situated in the eastern part of Assam. The famous Shiva temple at Sivasagar, Sivadol, is a part of the itinerary, along with other heritage sites like Talatal and Rang Ghar.

Further, the tourists would be visiting the tea gardens at Jorhat and an overnight stay at Kaziranga, followed by an early morning jungle safari at Kaziranga National Park, will be experienced by the tourists. The train next departs from Furkating Railway Station for the state of Tripura. Post deboarding at Kumarghat Railway Station the tourists will be visiting the heritage site of Unakoti, the ‘Angkor Wat of North East’ and later shall be visiting Agartala.

The sites covered are the famous Ujjayanta Palace, Neermahal Palace and Tripura Sundari Mandir at Udaipur. After Tripura, the train departs for Dimapur to visit the state of Nagaland. The scenic train journey between Badarpur Station and Lumding Junction can be witnessed by the guests in the early hours of the morning from their seats. From Dimapur Station, tourists will be taken to Kohima by bus to visit local sites, including a tour of the Khonoma village to experience the Naga way of life.

The next halt for the tourist train will be Guwahati. Then, tourists will be taken by road to Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, with a pit stop at the majestic Umium Lake en route.

The next day starts with an excursion to Cherrapunji, nestled in the East Khasi Hills. Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Nawkhalikai Falls, and Mawsmai Caves are a part of the day’s sightseeing. From Cherrapunji, the tourists travel back to Guwahati Station to board the train for the return journey to Delhi.

Guests will be travelling roughly 5800 km on this entire tour by train.

The modern Deluxe AC Tourist Train has a host of amazing features, including two fine dining restaurants, a contemporary flameless kitchen, and shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions, foot massagers, and a mini library. The fully air-conditioned train provides three types of accommodation, namely AC I (Superior), AC II (Deluxe) and AC III (Comfort). The train has enhanced security features like CCTV cameras, electronic safes, and dedicated, unarmed security guards appointed for each coach.

The Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train launch is in line with the Government of India’s initiatives “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” and “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic tourism.

At a price range starting from ₹1,67,845 per person for AC 1 (Coupe), ₹1,49,815 per person for AC1 (Cabin), ₹1,29,915 per person in AC 2 Tier, and Rs. 1,16,905 n AC III, the IRCTC tourist train will be a 15-day all-inclusive tour package.

The price will cover the train journey in the respective class, night stays at AC hotels, all meals (vegetarian only), all transfers and sightseeing in buses, travel insurance, and the services of a guide, etc.

Passengers can get details from the IRCTC website and regional offices. It aims to promote domestic tourism and showcase the region’s beauty under the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” and “Dekho Apna Desh” initiatives.

The health ministry issued a statement stating that Nepal has recently been listed among the most polluted countries according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). With Kathmandu’s AQI level reaching 348, categorised as ‘hazardous,’ the MoHP advised children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses to be especially cautious.

The MoHP has recommended staying indoors unless necessary, wearing masks during travel, and avoiding highly polluted areas.

Ministry Spokesperson Prakash Budhathoki urged “vulnerable groups–children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory conditions–to exercise heightened caution. The Ministry advises the public to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, wear masks when venturing outside, and avoid heavily polluted areas.”

The AQI classifies air quality as follows: 0-50 is “good,” 51-100 is “moderate,” 101-150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151-200 is “unhealthy,” 201-300 is “very unhealthy,” and above 301 is “hazardous.” Kathmandu’s current AQI stands at 348, placing it firmly in the “hazardous” category.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority attributed the spike in pollution to forest fires, road construction, and industrial activities. It has called on citizens, industries, and construction firms to take proactive steps to curb emissions and safeguard public health. The Authority has also directed relevant agencies to monitor air quality closely and implement urgent measures to mitigate the crisis.

In recent weeks, air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley has worsened significantly, becoming both visible and physically noticeable.

Pollution contains harmful chemicals and fine particulate matter. While larger dust particles are filtered out in the upper respiratory tract, smaller particles, like PM2.5, penetrate deeper into the lungs, leading to asthma, infections, and chronic respiratory conditions. In some cases, this can result in acute asthma attacks, fainting, or dangerously low oxygen levels.

Beyond respiratory issues, air pollution weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to pneumonia and other infections.

Toxic pollutants such as nicotine, cadmium, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide enter the bloodstream, affecting vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain, and increasing the risk of cancer and paralysis. For pregnant women, high pollution levels pose risks to their unborn children.

During the winter months, cold air traps pollution in the valley, creating a “blanket effect” that prevents proper air circulation. Pollution levels are particularly high in the morning and evening. Seasonal fires, pollution, and urban activities have all contributed to the deterioration of air quality.

The Ministry of Health reports that air pollution causes 42,000 deaths in Nepal annually–19% of which are children under five and 27% are individuals over 70. The data indicates that air pollution has decreased the life expectancy of Nepalis by 4.1%.

Nepal’s air quality is far worse than the World Health Organization’s safe air standards, making this a growing public health crisis.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged relevant sectors to adopt measures to reduce pollution, including proper waste management, dust control during construction, and efforts to control forest fires.

“Citizens have been encouraged to use masks, reduce outdoor activities, and follow health safety measures,” the disaster management authority said in a release. Authorities have attributed the rising pollution to forest fires, road construction, industrial activities and the increasing heat of the season.

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

A press release from GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) on Thursday stated that with this resumption, Cathay Pacific now operates in five Indian cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad—solidifying its role as a key carrier connecting India to its home hub, Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific, which had suspended its Hyderabad operations during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, resumed services on March 31 this year.

The highly anticipated service operates three times a week—on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday.

GHIAL CEO Pradeep Panicker said that the resumption of direct flight services between Hyderabad and Hong Kong represents a significant milestone in the airport’s international connectivity.

He added that it will facilitate stronger business ties, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two dynamic regions.

“Additionally, the resumption introduces valuable belly cargo capacity, allowing us to offer more time-bound solutions for the Hyderabad market, particularly benefiting time-sensitive products such as perishables, mail, and courier services,” he said.

Cathay’s Regional General Manager for South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Rakesh Raicar, stated, “Resuming flights to Hyderabad is a significant step in our India expansion strategy. With this resumption, we remain committed to providing Indian travellers with more choice, greater connectivity, and world-class service.”

The direct service is operated by the airline’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, featuring Business and Economy cabins.

Cathay Pacific now operates a total of 39 return passenger flights per week from five destinations in India.

By September 1, 2025, this will increase to 43 return flights per week, including five flights per week from Hyderabad, double-daily flights from Delhi, ten flights per week from Mumbai, and daily flights from Bengaluru and Chennai.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport crossed the 25 million passenger traffic mark in 2024, compared to 21 million in 2023, marking a 19 per cent year-on-year increase.

On a sunny day, the paths, park benches and cafes are crowded with tourists taking photos and selfies with one of the Netherlands’ most iconic products — the tulip. Those kinds of pics, posted on social media, are what drew Austrian lawyer Daniel Magnus.

“Whenever you see the kind of pictures which were taken from an influencer, they make something with you. You get a new impression of new locations, traditions, people and so on …. You want also to be there,” Magnus told The Associated Press.

Magnus had just finished taking his own photos on a small boat, staged in one of the park’s canals for visitors to take their own Instagrammable images.

Staff plant and nurture a staggering 7 million flower bulbs to ensure visitors who flock to the Keukenhof from around the world all get to see a vibrant spectacle during the just eight weeks the garden is open.

In recent years, the garden has increasingly catered to the public’s thirst for social media content and created spaces where guests are encouraged to pose.

Selfie spots include flower archways, pink velvet couches and another Dutch classic – oversized wooden clogs.

The Keukenhof’s own social media channels have some suggestions about the best locations and the Dutch tourism board even advises on how to get the perfect tulip selfie.

“Make your image come alive and place the subject of your photo slightly off-centre. This will make your photo look more dynamic,” the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions says.

The Keukenhof garden’s more than 1 million expected visitors don’t need too much encouragement to snap pics among the tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and myriad other flowers. The blossoms are meticulously handplanted throughout its manicured lawns by a small army of gardeners.

“There’s always something blooming. I think that’s the reason why everyone is happy. There’s also always something to see,” gardener Patrick van Dijk told the AP.

Not everyone is always happy with tourists taking photos. Some flower farmers have put up signs and barriers to deter aspiring influencers from trampling tulips in nearby fields.

Italian tulips

Tulip fields have started becoming a popular draw elsewhere in Europe. Dutchman Edwin Koeman, who comes from a family of tulip bulb traders, started growing the flowers after moving to an area north of Milan with his family.

“The land here is good. It’s more the climate which is very different to Holland,” Koeman said in an interview on his field in the small Italian town of Arese. “Here, the winter is a bit shorter, we have more sunshine. But for our work, it’s good because it rains just enough in the winter and in the spring. And now in the spring, most of the time it’s sunny, so people like to come to our field.”

Last year, his field had a record of 50,000 visitors, many enjoying the chance to pick tulips themselves to fill their baskets. They’ve started arriving this year and, on April 1, Viola Guidi was among those picking through Koeman’s field.

“Every year I come here together with my friends, even several times,” she said. “Usually we have to hurry, because the best flowers are all picked within a few weeks. We managed to come close to the opening, a week later. This time it worked out really well for me. It’s beautiful.”

Italy grows 43 million tulips, exporting almost one-third of them, according to Nada Forbici, national coordinator of the Coldiretti floriculture council. Exports are aimed mainly at northern Europe, especially Netherlands, she said.

Immersed in the energy of the Capital, during the time of Eid and Navratri, the couple explored some iconic monuments and even indulged in popular street food. “Delhi is a big milestone for us as it’s here that we have marked 9,000 kilometers! But more than this, we have fallen in love with the city. This place is intense, in the best possible way, and gives a sensory overload with so much happening almost all the time. Like right now, when we visited, people were celebrating in Old Delhi… The Capital feels like a microcosm of India itself where ancient history and modern life collide in the most fascinating way. There’s always something new to discover here,” shares 42-year-old Jenny.

Adam, 38, adds, “What really caught our eye was the sheer contrast between Old and New Delhi. One minute you’re navigating the chaotic lanes of Chandni Chowk, and the next you are standing in awe at the peaceful Rajghat, or admiring the grandeur of Akshardham Temple and Humayun’s Tomb or the striking architecture of the Lotus Temple, which is one of a kind in the world.”

Back home in London (UK), Adam works in the construction industry while Jenny runs a consultancy for medical devices. “Although we both had full-time careers, we’ve always been passionate about travel and thus decided to take a break from out full-time careers,” says Jenny, as Adam elucidates, “We were always drawn to India’s diversity, its landscapes, culture, and people. But, we didn’t want to explore it the usual way so we thought of taking a journey across India on a tuk-tuk and make it an adventure! It’s slow, unpredictable, and sometimes a bit crazy too, but it has given us a chance to connect with people in a way we never would have otherwise. Plus, it’s hard not to smile when you see Raja cruising down the road.”

Documenting everything on their social media handles, the couple recently spent a few days in Delhi, and can’t stop talking about the city’s delicious food delights. “Since we’ve arrived in India, our best food experiences have been at homes of friends who have invited us over to try out some amazing dishes. Even the street food has been amazing. Especially in Delhi, we loved chhole bhature, dal, curries, and sweets,” Jenny adds.

With miles to go before they brake, Adam, Jenny, and Raja are now headed to Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), exploring one city at a time.

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

New Delhi Metro Station has a pod hotel with clean and convenient facilities. Here’s everything you need to know. 

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The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was thrown open to the public by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The garden was set up by Ghulam Nabi Azad, the then chief minister of the erstwhile state in 2007 to advance J-K’s tourist season which was earlier limited to the summers and the winters.

Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the garden was opened to the public as tulips of different colours have started to bloom, Floriculture Department officials said.

The department plants tulip bulbs in a phased manner so that the flowers remain in bloom for a month or more.

This year, the department has added two new varieties of tulips to the garden.

A new colour scheme has been introduced this year, and the total number of varieties of tulips and other flowers has risen to 74.

Other spring flowers including hyacinths, daffodils, muscari and cyclamens are also on display.

About 17 lakh tulip bulbs have been planted in the garden that spreads over 55 hectares, the officials said.

The extension of the garden has reached almost its full capacity, they said.

The garden started on a small scale with 50,000 tulip bulbs imported from The Netherlands. It instantly gained popularity among tourists and has been steadily growing each year, both in terms of the number of visitors and the tulips that bloom.

More than 4.65 lakh visitors, both domestic and foreign, visited the garden last year while the footfall in 2023 was 3.65 lakh.

Always do the math.

Booking a hotel with cash is occasionally cheaper than with points, and the only way to know is if you run the numbers. Divide the cost in dollars by the number of points you’re being charged for the rate. If the redemption gets half a cent per point or more, you’re getting a decent value and are good to go. If not, save your points for another occasion.

Another calculation to explore: the value of your points if you pay for your room with a combination of points and cash. It’s not intuitive, but you may get a better exchange rate for your loyalty currency this way.

Use points for longer trips.

Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy both offer a fifth night free when you book with points—as a way to encourage guests to book for more than just a weekend and help fill the hotel on less-busy days. There are similar perks for people with IHG One Rewards and Aeroplan co-branded credit cards: Those programs offer a fourth night free when you book with points through their hotel reservation platforms.

Never transfer hotel points to airline miles.

Unless you need a small number of frequent flyer miles to book a specific redemption flight, avoid the poor conversion rates associated with these transfers. The exception is Marriott Bonvoy, which offers a 3:1 ratio—and 5,000 bonus airline miles—when you move 60,000 points to an airline. (That gets you 25,000 miles rather than the normal 20,000.) Moving points to United earns a 10,000-mile bonus.

Use a plan that covers your fees.

Despite efforts from the Biden administration to nix junk travel fees, many hotels continue to charge these on a per diem or per-stay basis, in addition to a nightly rate. But if you book your stay using Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt points, the fees get automatically wiped off your bill. World of Hyatt top-tier Globalist members get the fees wiped no matter how they choose to pay.

Prioritise fixed-value redemptions…

World of Hyatt is the only major loyalty program that still maintains an award chart—that means redemption values are fixed for each property rather than getting priced dynamically. So Hyatt’s Andaz Mexico City Condesa will always cost between 12,000 and 18,000 points per night, whereas a similar hotel, such as Marriott’s W Mexico City, can swing much more wildly, from 46,000 to 70,000 points per night. You’ll get better guaranteed value prioritizing the former.

…Or be flexible with your dates.

If you must redeem your points on a system that uses dynamic pricing, try shifting your dates to see if the rate changes. If you’re seeing a total price for the full duration of your stay, search one night at a time; sometimes, one night commands a higher price, driving up the overall cost of your stay.

Don’t let your points expire.

Every program has different expiration rules, but most require you to make at least one transaction on your account every 12 to 24 months to keep your balance active. Know your terms: Even transferring some points to another account can reset your deadline. The same applies for the free award nights you get with certain credit cards whenever you hit an anniversary—a perk that’s often hiding in the terms and conditions.

Never say no to free points.

You should always sign up for a loyalty program, even if you know you’re unlikely to use its points. That’s because some programs let you pool points with friends or family—and what you earn on a one-off trip might be enough to help a loved one score their own redemption prize.

Set price drop alerts.

Free online tools like OpenHotelAlert.com will monitor your hotel redemption to see if the points price drops for a standard room. You can usually cancel your existing redemption and rebook at the lower rate.

Avoid non-hotel redemptions.

Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and other companies have been bullish on experiences, letting you spend millions of points on things money can’t always buy—think Taylor Swift or Formula 1 tickets. Only use points this way if you have no travel plans in the immediate future or have so many points you can afford to be frivolous. As a rule, hotel points will always deliver maximum value when used on—you guessed it—hotels.

For those looking to unwind and reflect as Ramadan ends, these peaceful getaways offer the perfect retreat to embrace the spiritual essence of the season before Eid celebrations begin. (Also read: Alvida Jummah date before Eid 2025: Significance, tradition and celebrations of Jamat ul-wida in Ramadan 2025 )

1. Kashmir

Known as “Paradise on Earth,” Kashmir’s snow-capped mountains, serene Dal Lake, and lush valleys provide a breathtaking retreat. A peaceful shikara ride or a quiet stay in a houseboat can offer the perfect setting for spiritual reflection.

2. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Nestled along the banks of the Ganges, Rishikesh is a haven for meditation and mindfulness. With its scenic riverbanks, yoga retreats, and spiritual ambience, it’s an ideal spot for those looking to unwind.

3. Munnar, Kerala

The rolling tea plantations, misty hills, and cool climate of Munnar make it a refreshing escape. A stay in a quiet cottage amid nature, with the aroma of fresh tea leaves, is perfect for relaxation and self-reflection.

4. Istanbul, Turkey

A city that beautifully blends spirituality with history, Istanbul is home to stunning mosques like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The peaceful Bosphorus cruises and scenic sunsets create a perfect atmosphere for contemplation.

5. Muscat, Oman

Offering a mix of coastal charm and desert beauty, Muscat is a serene getaway with its grand mosques, picturesque beaches, and stunning mountain landscapes.

6. Maldives

Nothing says relaxation like crystal-clear waters, soft sandy beaches, and overwater villas. If unwinding is the goal, the Maldives is a dream escape.

Or the parallels between street food thekas and hawker centres and even in cultural expressions like saris and kebayas, there are so many threads of connection to explore. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Indian-Singaporean chefs and mixologists Yugnes Sulesa and Vijay Mudaliar, shared the key similarities between India and Singapore in terms of cuisine, language, clothing, culture and more.

Vijay said, “India and Singapore share a deep cultural connection, which is evident in everyday life, from the food we eat to the languages we speak. Growing up in Singapore, I was always surrounded by Indian influences, whether it was through Tamil being one of the official languages, celebrations of Indian festivals like Deepavali and Pongal, or the abundance of Indian flavours with inspired dishes like flaky Prattas and crispy and hot curry puffs.”

He added, “Similarly Nasi Biryani, popular in Indian-Muslim stalls, closely resembles Hyderabadi biryani with its fragrant basmati rice and spiced meats and thosai in Singapore is nearly identical to South Indian dosa, served with coconut chutney and sambar. Both countries have a rich history of spices, bold flavours, and a deep respect for traditional cooking methods, which naturally reflect in my approach to cocktails at Native.”

According to Yugnes, India and Singapore share a deep cultural and historical bond that extends into everyday life. He shared, “The influence of Indian cuisine is unmistakable—both cultures celebrate bold spices, complex flavours, and food as a communal experience. Language, too, plays a big role. Tamil is an official language in Singapore, and conversations in Indian dialects echo through the streets of Little India. Fashion is another link-walk through Serangoon Road, and you’ll see vibrant sarees, intricately embroidered kurtas, and gold jewellery shops reminiscent of Chennai or Mumbai.”

He revealed, “Teh tarik, Singapore’s frothy pulled tea, is a local take on Indian masala chai, while kaya toast, with its buttery coconut jam, is reminiscent of sweet parathas like sheermal or meetha paratha. Even Fish Head Curry, a Singaporean favourite blending Indian and Chinese influences, closely resembles Kerala’s spicy and tangy fish curry but beyond these surface similarities, both India and Singapore embrace a strong sense of tradition while constantly evolving, which is something I bring into my work at The Elephant Room.”

How does Singapore serve as a “home away from home” for Indian travellers?

Yugnes Sulesa said, “Singapore isn’t just welcoming to Indian travellers, it feels like an extension of home. The scent of freshly ground spices in Tekka Market, the sight of garland vendors stringing jasmine, and the rhythmic sounds of temple bells all create a deep sense of nostalgia but what makes Singapore truly special is how it reinvents tradition.”

He explained, “Here, you’ll find dosa served at a hawker centre next to a Michelin-starred restaurant serving their take on Indian cuisine, or a cocktail infused with curry leaves and turmeric. Great way of knowing the India-Singapore diaspora in the island city is through the Indian origin community in Singapore.Tea and Tiffin is one such culture and food tour that will take you on an an immersive experience where one can taste traditional Indian snacks, visit iconic landmarks, and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the area.”

Vijay Mudaliar revealed, “For many Indian travellers, Singapore offers a comforting sense of familiarity. I often hear from guests and locals that stepping into Little India feels like being transported straight to Chennai or Mumbai, the scent of freshly ground spices, the rhythmic clang of a dosa pan, the citrusy green and subtly spicy notes of Marigold, the sounds of Tamil and Hindi playing from shopfronts and the sight of temple gopurams towering above the streets create an immediate connection to home and builds a sense of familiarity.”

However, beyond that, Indian culture is embedded across Singapore in subtle ways and has evolved with its second-generation settlers. Vijay Mudaliar opined, “The Indian Heritage Centre is a beautiful tribute to this legacy, showcasing the rich history, traditions, and contributions of the Indian community in Singapore. Some of the most popular attractions include the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in the heart of Little India and The Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, that further exemplifies the deep historical ties between Singapore and India, offering a blend of spiritual and architectural heritage. There’s something special about being able to travel and still find pieces of home in unexpected places and I think that’s what makes Singapore such a unique yet familiar destination for Indian travellers.”

Vijay’s itinerary for eating through Singapore –

• For Coffee – Nylon Coffee

Nestled in Everton Park, Nylon is a must-visit for quality brews. After enjoying your coffee, take a stroll to the nearby heritage shophouses of Blair Road.

• For Indian Food – Komala Vilas

Located in the heart of Little India, Komala Vilas is renowned for its authentic South Indian vegetarian dishes, from crispy dosas to fragrant banana leaf meals. Post-meal, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Tekka Centre, a bustling market offering fresh produce, spices, and traditional Indian snacks.

• For Malay Food – Hjh Maimunah

A recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2019 and 2024, Hji Maimunah is celebrated for its traditional Malay dishes. After dining, visit the nearby Geylang Serai Market, a cultural hub where you can find Malay textiles, crafts, and a variety of local delicacies.

• For Late-Night Dim Sum – Swee Choon

A beloved spot for supper, Swee Choon offers a wide array of dim sum delights, including their famous liu sha bao, well into the night. After your meal, take a leisurely walk through Jalan Besar, an area known for its trendy cafés and beautifully restored shophouses.

• For Hawker Eats – Old Airport Road Hawker Centre

One of Singapore’s most iconic hawker centres, Old Airport Road boasts a plethora of must-try stalls, such as Nam Sing’s Hokkien mee. Following your feast, consider exploring Joo Chiat, a nearby neighbourhood famed for its colourful Peranakan architecture and charming boutique stores.

• For Drinks – Native and Bars in Amoy Street, Nightcap at Baes or Skinny’s Bar

Begin your evening at Native, with innovative cocktails crafted from regional ingredients. Continue your night along Amoy Street, which hosts a variety of vibrant bars each offering unique atmospheres. Conclude your night with a relaxed drink at Baes or the laid-back Skinny’s Bar.

Yugnes’ itinerary for eating through Singapore –

• Breakfast – Nasi Lemak at Changi Village

Changi Village Hawker Centre is best known for nasi lemak, with the International Muslim Food Stall drawing the longest queues. Other must-tries include Ho Guan’s satay bee hoon, Amigo and Weng Kee’s Ipoh-style chicken chop hor fun, Million Star’s goreng pisang, Charlie’s Corner for fish and chips with beer, King Grouper’s fresh fish soup, and Changi V. Dessert House’s striking red dessert.

• Lunch – Samy’s at Dempsey Hill

For lunch, head to Samy’s at Dempsey Hill, a legendary spot known for its rich, aromatic South Indian flavours. Other gems nearby include Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie for sweet treats, Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar for a stylish meal, and Dover Street Market for unique shopping finds.

• Evening Snacks – Putu Piring at Haig Road

For a sweet evening treat, head to Putu Piring at Haig Road, where soft, steaming rice cakes filled with palm sugar hit the spot. Afterward, check out Geylang Serai Market for more local treats and produce.

For dinner, indulge in classic local dishes at Keng Eng Kee, a beloved spot for its black pepper crab and zi char favourites. After dinner, head to Elephant Room for a unique mix of India-inspired cocktails and a chic atmosphere to unwind.

They were among thousands of white-collar, remote workers who migrated to the St Augustine area in recent years, transforming the touristy beach town into one of the top remote work hubs in the United States.

Matthias fell in love with St Augustine’s small town feeling, trading the hour-long commute she had in Atlanta for bumping into friends and acquaintances while running errands.

“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that,” said Matthias, who does sales and marketing for a power tool company. “My commute is like 30 steps from my kitchen to my office. It’s just different. It’s just relaxed and friendly.”

Centuries before becoming a remote work hub, the St. Augustine area was claimed by the Spanish crown in the early 16th century after explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival. In modern times, it is best known for its Spanish architecture of terra cotta roofs and arched doorways, tourist-carrying trollies, a historic fort, an alligator farm, lighthouses and a shipwreck museum.

A population boom driven by the pandemic

In St Johns County, home to St Augustine, the percentage of workers who did their jobs from home nearly tripled from 8.6% in 2018 to almost 24% in 2023, moving the northeast Florida county into the top ranks of US counties with the largest share of people working remotely, according to US Census Bureau figures.

Only counties with a heavy presence of tech, finance and government workers in metro Washington, Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte and Dallas, as well as two counties in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, had a larger share of their workforce working from home. But these were counties much more populous than the 335,000 residents in St Johns County, which has grown by more than a fifth during this decade.

Scott Maynard, a vice president of economic development for the county’s chamber of commerce, attributes the initial influx of new residents to Florida’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in businesses and schools in the fall of 2020 while much of the country remained locked down.

“A lot of people were relocating here from the Northeast, the Midwest and California so that their children could get back to a face-to-face education,” Maynard said. “That brought in a tremendous number of people who had the ability to work remotely and wanted their children back in a face-to-face school situation.”

Public schools in St Johns County are among the best in Florida, according to an annual report card by the state Department of Education.

Surging popularity comes at a price

The influx of new residents has brought growing pains, particularly when it comes to affordable housing since many of the new, remote workers moving into the area are wealthier than locals and able to outbid them on homes, officials said.

Many essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and teachers have been forced to commute from outside St. Johns County because of rising housing costs. The median home price grew from $405,000 in 2019 to almost $535,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau figures, making the purchase of a home further out of reach for the county’s essential workers.

Essential workers would need to earn at least $180,000 annually to afford the median price of a home in St. Johns County, but a teacher has an average salary of around $48,000 and a law enforcement officer earns around $58,000 on average, according to an analysis by the local chamber of commerce.

“What happened was a lot of the people, especially coming in from up North, were able to sell their homes for such a high value and come here and just pay cash since this seemed affordable to them,” said Aliyah Meyer, an economic researcher at the chamber of commerce. “So it kind of inflated the market and put a bit of a constraint on the local residents.”

Waldron, a sales executive in the health care industry, was able to sell his Boston home at the height of the pandemic and purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a gated community by a golf course outside St. Augustine where “things really worked out to be less expensive down here.”

The flexibility offered by fast wireless internet and the popularity of online meeting platforms since the start of the pandemic also helped.

“If I was still locked in an office, I would not have been able to move down here,” Waldron said.

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s Masai Mara proposal remains iconic. Travel creator Tanya Khanijow revisits their special spot with the same guide. See video.

Located at the foothills of Hari Parbat Fort, the garden transforms into a floral paradise, with its fragrant almond blossoms creating an enchanting spectacle.

The serene ambience, coupled with cultural landmarks like the Hazrat Makhdoom Sahib shrine and Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi in the vicinity, makes it a favoured destination for both tourists and locals.

To enhance its appeal, the floriculture department has planted lavender trees, aiming to create a theme garden that will further boost tourism in the coming years.

Almond trees are among the first to bloom in Kashmir, typically flowering from mid-March to mid-April. During this period, the garden is enveloped in a captivating fragrance, making it a prime attraction for nature lovers and photographers.

The sight of multicoloured blossoms against the backdrop of the historic fort provides an unmatched experience, and many visitors spend hours enjoying the serene atmosphere.

Recognising its growing popularity, the Department of Floriculture has undertaken initiatives to enhance its charm.

Thousands of lavender trees have been planted on the upper side of the garden, and plans are underway to develop it into a theme garden. This move is expected to attract even more visitors in the future, adding a new dimension to the garden’s appeal.

As spring unfolds, Badam Vaer continues to be a symbol of Kashmir’s natural beauty and cultural richness, offering an unparalleled experience to those who seek solace amidst blooming almond orchards.

The arrival of spring in Kashmir captivates both tourists and locals as the valley transforms into a breathtaking spectacle of vibrant flowers and refreshing fragrances.

Currently, a large number of tourists are flocking to the site, capturing the beauty of the blossoms through photography and spending extended periods amidst its serene surroundings.

Badam Vaer offers an ideal escape for those seeking solace in nature. To enhance its appeal further, the Department of Floriculture has recently planted thousands of lavender trees on the garden’s upper side, with plans to develop it into a themed garden.

This initiative is expected to draw even more visitors in the coming years, adding to the garden’s charm and prominence as a must-visit destination in Srinagar.

Heathrow said its teams worked tirelessly to reopen the world’s fifth-busiest airport after it was forced to close entirely after a huge fire engulfed a nearby substation on Thursday night, with travellers told to stay away.

The airport had been due to handle 1,351 flights on Friday, flying up to 291,000 passengers, but planes were diverted to other airports in Britain and across Europe, while many long-haul flights returned to their point of departure.

Heathrow said there would be a limited number of flights on Friday, mostly focused on relocating aircraft and bringing planes into London.

“Tomorrow morning, we expect to be back in full operation, to 100% operation as a normal day,” said Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye. “What I’d like to do is to apologise to the many people who have had their travel affected … we are very sorry about all the inconvenience.”

Police said that after an initial assessment they were not treating the incident as suspicious, although enquiries remained ongoing. London Fire Brigade said its investigations would focus on the electrical distribution equipment.

The closure not only caused misery for travellers but provoked anger from airlines, which questioned how such crucial infrastructure could fail.

The industry is now facing the prospect of a financial hit costing tens of millions of pounds, and a likely fight over who should pay.

“You would think they would have significant back-up power,” one top executive from a European airline told Reuters.

Heathrow’s Woldbye said back-up systems and procedures had worked as they should.

“This (power supply) is a bit of a weak point,” he told reporters outside the airport. “But of course contingencies of certain sizes we cannot guard ourselves against 100% and this is one of them.”

Asked who would pay, he said there were “procedures in place”, adding “we don’t have liabilities in place for incidents like this”.

British transport minister Heidi Alexander said the incident had been out of Heathrow’s control.

“They have stood up their resilience plans very swiftly and have been working in close collaboration with all the emergency responders and the airline operators,” she told reporters.

DIVERTED

Airlines including JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air India, Delta Air Lines, Qantas, United Airlines, IAG-owned British Airways and Virgin were diverted or returned to their origin airports in the middle of the night, according to data from flight analytics firm Cirium.

Shares in many airlines, including U.S. carriers, fell.

Aviation experts said the last time European airports experienced disruption on such a large scale was the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash cloud that grounded some 100,000 flights.

While flights are restarting, it will be some time before all scheduled passenger services return to normal.

“We have flight and cabin crew colleagues and planes that are currently at locations where we weren’t planning on them to be,” said Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, the biggest carrier at Heathrow which had 341 flights scheduled to land there on Friday.

“Unfortunately, it will have a huge impact on all of our customers flying with us over the coming days.”

Britain’s Department for Transport said it had temporarily lifted restrictions on overnight flights to ease congestion.

Passengers stranded in London and facing the prospect of days of disruptions were scrambling to make alternate travel arrangements.

“It’s pretty stressful,” Robyn Autry, 39, a professor, who had been due to fly home to New York. “I’m worried about how much is it going to cost me to fix this.”

Prices at hotels around Heathrow jumped, with booking sites offering rooms for 500 pounds ($645), roughly five times the normal price levels.

A WAKE-UP CALL

Airline executives, electrical engineers and passengers questioned how Britain’s gateway to the world could be forced to close by one fire, however large.

Heathrow and London’s other major airports have been hit by other outages in recent years, most recently by an automated gate failure and an air traffic system meltdown, both in 2023.

Philip Ingram, a former intelligence officer in the British military, said Heathrow’s inability to keep operating exposed vulnerability in Britain’s critical national infrastructure.

“It is a wake-up call,” he told Reuters. “There is no way that Heathrow should be taken out completely because of a failure in one power substation.”

Willie Walsh, the head of the global airlines body IATA and a former head of British Airways, said Heathrow had once again let passengers down.

Heathrow said it had diesel generators and uninterruptible power supplies in place to land aircraft and evacuate passengers safely. Those systems all operated as expected. But with the airport consuming as much energy as a small city, it said it could not run all its operations safely on back-up systems.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said there were questions to answer about how the incident occurred and there would be a thorough investigation.

What is airport theory?

Airport theory is shaking up how we think about pre-flight time, with travellers showing up just 15-20 minutes before boarding. It’s a trend gaining traction on social media, and while it sounds like a thrill ride, it’s not for everyone.

For those who love living on the edge, like adrenaline junkies or laid-back type B personalities, this might be a perfect fit, especially if you’re the kind of person who shows up last minute or packs on the same day. But for the super-organised type-A folks who arrive hours early and like things stress-free, the idea of rushing to the gate might seem insane.

Why are travellers trying airport theory?

Not everyone enjoys killing time at the airport, and that’s exactly why this trend is catching on. For some travellers, airport theory is all about saving money, as airports are designed to tempt you into spending at overpriced shops and fancy restaurants. For others, it’s about cutting down on the hassle.

Between check-in, security, and long walks to the gate, getting through an airport can be exhausting. While some people love the comfort of lounges or the reassurance of seeing their gate early, others would rather skip the waiting game altogether. Sure, arriving just 15-20 minutes before departure sounds stressful, but for many, it’s worth the trade-off.

Why this trend might backfire

Trying out airport theory isn’t just about saving time, it also comes with a fair share of risks. If everything goes smoothly, you might breeze through check-in and security with time to spare. But if something goes wrong? It could lead to a full-blown travel disaster. Traffic jams, long security lines, or unexpected delays at baggage drop can completely derail last-minute arrivals. And if you miss your flight? You’re not just dealing with rebooking hassles, you’re also adding extra stress for airport staff who have to accommodate a new wave of panicked passengers.

Then there’s the risk of getting bumped from an overbooked flight. Airlines often close gates early, and standby passengers who actually show up on time could take your seat. Plus, if overhead bins fill up before you board, you might be forced to check your carry-on at the last minute, costing you extra money and adding another layer of inconvenience. So, while airport theory might seem like a genius hack, it’s a gamble that could cost more than just time.

How early should you really arrive?

The ideal time to arrive at the airport depends on factors like airport size, airline policies, and security wait times. Smaller airports may allow for more flexibility, while major hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport often require the standard two-to-three-hour buffer. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends checking airline guidelines and factoring in check-in and security screening times. Programs like TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry can help speed up the process but won’t be useful if you arrive too late and your plane is already taxiing.

We wove through crowds of office workers headed to high-rises and families leading goats home for Orthodox Christmas feasts while our guide explained how one needs at least three weeks to fully experience his country. From the dramatic peaks of Simien Mountains National Park to the sprawling salt plains of the Danakil Depression, natural wonders alone could fill a month of adventure.

But there’s also plenty for time-pressed travellers like we were. “With a few days, you can get a taste,” guide Yonas Zewede of Landscape Ethiopia Tours assured me.

So, we embarked on a whirlwind trip that would prove him right, an ambitious three-day sprint through remote sacred sites and bustling city streets in this East African nation.

Evolving Addis: 48 hours in Ethiopia’s highland hub

The city, “New Flower” in Amharic, is being transformed, with construction nearly everywhere you look. Historic churches and mosques, neighbor contemporary shops and restaurants amid a forest of cranes and scaffolding.

Among its enduring treasures is Ethiopia’s most famous export: Arabica coffee. We started the day at Tomoca Coffee on Wavel Street, one of Addis’ first coffee roasters. For less than a dollar a cup, the standing-room-only institution serves up macchiatos — bold coffee with a splash of milk — or a milder blend of coffee and tea, known as a price.

However, to fully appreciate the region’s coffee culture, one must experience a coffee ceremony, a ritual still practised in homes, restaurants and hotels across Ethiopia. Incense mixes with the aroma of beans roasting over hot coals, each batch ground by hand before being brewed in a clay pot and poured with precision, as bowls of salted popcorn circulate.

We’d have time for the full service later. For now, fortified by a quick caffeine fix, we made our way to the nearby Merkato, among Africa’s largest open-air markets. Wandering for hours through a labyrinth of alleyways, we passed vendors selling everything from fragrant spices to handwoven baskets and live chickens.

Zewede helped us thread through the chaos, dodging both traffic and towers of merchandise balancing on people’s heads, all the while keeping watch for pickpockets known to prowl the area. Before moving on, we refuelled on the side of the road with a warm chornake — a hearty, fried pastry — and fresh papaya juice.

For a more relaxed shopping experience, he brought us to Shiro Meda Market. Intricately embroidered dresses lined the walls from floor to ceiling alongside other colourful textiles. The ankle-length garments, called habesha kemis, sell for $15 to $50. At Safi Honey, we sampled exotic varieties like cactus, coffee and black cumin while delving into Ethiopia’s extensive beekeeping history.

We left with 16-ounce jars of the local delicacy at $9 each.

Anthropology enthusiasts will enjoy visiting a famous — and very ancient — resident: “Lucy,” one of the earliest hominid fossils. For a 40-cent entrance fee, the National Museum of Ethiopia has exhibitions on African art history and human evolution. A plaster replica of Lucy’s partial skeleton is on display, while her original remains are safely preserved in the museum’s vault.

As dusk settled over Addis, we made our way to the stylish 360 Lounge atop the Monarch Parkview Hotel. Here, one of the best views of the capital’s evolving skyline unfolded — modern towers rising above older tree-lined neighbourhoods.

Ancient Lalibela: 24 hours in the sacred city

We took a short, one-hour flight north to the Amhara Region, an area, it should be noted, where several countries maintain travel warnings due to recurring conflicts. We were transported to what felt like another Ethiopia entirely. Bouncing two to a seat in a sweltering van, we drove through rural highlands, mountain curves and scattered herds of livestock.

The destination proved worthwhile: Lalibela, a site that some consider an Eighth Wonder of the World.

More than 800 years ago, King Lalibela set out to create a “New Jerusalem” with 11 churches painstakingly carved out of solid volcanic rock. The craftsmanship is so extraordinary — using only 12th and 13th century hand tools — that local legend claims angels helped build them.

Beneath these architectural marvels lie catacombs and ceremonial passages, including a pitch-black tunnel said to represent the journey through hell.

We found ourselves among thousands of pilgrims who had converged on Lalibela for the upcoming Orthodox Christmas. They formed seemingly endless processions through the hallowed passageways. Many had traveled on foot for weeks to reach this holy place and mark the end of their 43-day fast. We squeezed into the stone structures among worshippers deep in prayer. Many kissed the weathered walls; some paused to snap photos with us.

We began at Biete Medhane Alem, believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world, according to UNESCO. Its grand scale was remarkable, with more than 30 imposing columns adorning its exterior. But Biete Ghiorgis, or Church of Saint George, was the most memorable site, with its iconic cross shape. Peering down into its sunken courtyard, it was easy to see how this blend of nature, architecture and spirituality has captivated visitors for centuries.

Later, at Kana Restaurant and Bar overlooking Lalibela, we lingered over aromatic awaze tibs (a spicy meat dish) and hearty vegetable stews served on fresh Ethiopian flatbread, or injera. We watched the sun sink behind distant mountains, knowing we’d barely scratched the surface of Ethiopia -– and already planning our return.

Before you go:

— Many visitors, including Americans, are eligible for Ethiopian E-visas online or visas on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

— Despite a 2022 peace agreement in the northern region of Tigray, travellers should note that several countries maintain travel warnings for parts of Ethiopia, including the Amhara Region, due to recurring conflicts.

— Stay connected by purchasing an Ethio Telecom SIM card at the Addis airport — it offers coverage in both Addis Ababa and Lalibela.

— Consider booking with a tour company like Landscape Ethiopia Tours to maximize your itinerary during a brief visit or layover.

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But there’s always a catch. As you plan the itinerary for the entire family, you realise the coveted vacation may burn a hole in your pocket. But with a clever strategy, one can make the most of their vacation time without breaking the bank or compromising on the travel experience.

The solution lies in looking for places that are budget-friendly. Agoda, a digital travel platform recently unveiled a list of budget-friendly destinations in Asia, comprising of both international and domestic places. For international travel, Vietnam’s Phong Nha seized the first spot, while the second place went to Tirupati, showing a trend towards spiritual travel in India during spring break. The list featured Tirupati, the only Indian place among the other Asian places.

Let’s take a look at the ranking list Agoda released. The list is prepared based on the average room rates in these destinations.

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Top 3 on the affordable list

These are the top-rank holders on the affordable destination list shared by Agoda

1. Phong Nha, Vietnam (Rs. 2,431)

The first spot on Agoda’s Cheapest Destination List goes to Phong Nha in Vietnam where the room rates start as low as Rs. 2,431. It’s a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts as this place has plenty of beautiful caves and green landscapes. With a host of activities, from hiking, and cycling to exploring the local culture, Phong Nha has a lot to offer. Phong Nha also has the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which houses some of the world’s largest caves.

2. Tirupati, India (Rs. 2,952)

It is noteworthy to see that the only destination from India on the list is Tirupati. It is second on this list and the most preferred cheap domestic destination. In fact, since it is the only domestic destination on the list, this implies that springtime sees a spike in prices across the mainstream vacation spots, from hillsides to beaches; making Tirupati a favourable option for those seeking an affordable vacation.

Tirupati is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The Venkateshwara Temple makes Tirupati renowned. Tirupati is also famous for its Tirupati laddu, a sweet that has a deep cultural and spiritual importance. Other than this, visitors can also explore nearby attractions like the serene Talakona Waterfalls, the lush Sri Venkateswara National Park, and the historic Chandragiri Fort.

3. Hat Yai, Thailand (Rs. 3,473)

Earlier, Hat Yai ranked first on Agoda’s Cheapest Christmas Destinations. It has bagged the third spot on the spring list as well. Hat Yai is beloved for its excellent culinary flavours, making exploring the local markets and trying street foods an absolute must. Additionally, it’s also plenty of beaches and island, ideal for tropical vibes in spring time.

Other destinations on the list

Alongside the top three, several other Asian places also made it to Agoda’s list. These are:

• Padang, Indonesia (Rs.3,473): Famous for its culinary heritage, Padang is a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering iconic dishes like Rendang and Sate Padang. Visitors also explore its stunning beaches, such as Air Manis Beach, or take a short trip to the Mentawai Islands for surfing and snorkelling.
• Bacolod, Philippines (Rs. 3,994): Known as the “City of Smiles,” Bacolod offers a warm welcome and a laid-back vibe. Travellers can explore historical landmarks like The Ruins, a grand mansion from the early 1900s, or enjoy the city’s mouthwatering food scene, including its famous chicken inasal.
• Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia (Rs. 4,168): Visitors can explore the city’s iconic Crystal Mosque or take a boat ride to the nearby Redang Island for snorkelling and diving. The city’s rich cultural heritage, including its batik-making traditions, is unique experience.
• Gimpo, South Korea (Rs. 5,731): Located near Seoul, Gimpo offers a quieter alternative with scenic parks and cultural sites. Visitors can enjoy a look around the National Aviation Museum or explore the Gimpo Sculpture Park. The city’s beautiful natural scenery including the Munsu Mountain and the Han River makes it an excellent destination for a peaceful appreciation of South Korea’s springtime beauty and cherry blossoms.
• Narita, Japan (Rs. 6,165): Beyond its Tokyo-servicing airport, Narita is a charming city with historic temples and picturesque gardens. Visitors can explore Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a centuries-old Buddhist temple. Spring travellers can also enjoy cherry blossoms at Naritasan Park and sample local delicacies like unagi (grilled eel).
• Pingtung, Taiwan (Rs.6,860): Visitors can explore Kenting National Park, known for its dramatic coastal scenery and outdoor activities. The city’s markets and local cuisine provide a taste of Taiwan’s unique flavours.

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Senior citizens, female passengers aged 45 years and above, and pregnant women are automatically allotted lower berths subject to availability, even if no specific choice is indicated during booking, added the statement.

The minister said that a dedicated quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in Sleeper Class, four to five lower berths per coach in air-conditioned 3 Tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 Tier (2AC) fixed for senior citizen.

Vaishnaw said that this provision is available depending on the number of coaches in the train to ensure maximum convenience.

He said that the facility of reservation Quota for Persons with Disabilities is applicable in all mail/express trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi-type trains, irrespective of whether concession facilities are availed or not, mentioned in the statement.

Also, the quota of four berths in the Sleeper Class (including two lower berths), four berths in 3AC/3E (including two lower berths), and four seats in Reserved Second Sitting (2S) or Air-Conditioned Chair Car (CC) fixed, said the statement.

In the event of vacant lower berths during the journey, preference is given to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and pregnant women who may have been initially allotted middle or upper berths.

Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways remains dedicated to offering seamless and comfortable travel experiences through these inclusive measures. Passengers are encouraged to take advantage of these facilities for a safe and convenient journey.

“I joke that Italy is always on top of my bucket list,” says Christian Clerc, chief executive officer of Auberge Resorts Collection, an acclaimed US hospitality brand that in recent weeks opened its first Italian hotel, located in the Tuscan hills outside of Florence. “I feel like everybody’s connected to Italy somehow. If you like beauty and culture and food, you probably love coming back again and again just as I do.”

That perpetual demand explains why each year an impressive crop of resort debuts seems to raise the bar for dolce-vita-style indulgence. And in 2025, the newcomers are so impressive, they’re forcing Italy’s classic bastions of luxury to raise their games in turn.

If you’re like Clerc and put Italy at the top of your must-visit list, here are seven hot new and newly reinvigorated hotels to book this summer.

Collegio alla Querce

This urban resort offers the best of both worlds: It’s just a 15-minute drive from Brunelleschi’s Duomo in the center of town, but it’s removed enough to feel like a Tuscan countryside retreat. Its 83 rooms and suites occupy a cluster of 16th century buildings that have assumed many lives—first a school for Florence’s elite (hence the name), then a chapel, then a theater. Now it’s once again fit for society gatherings, with vine-covered trellises shading the pool and a dimly lit bar in the old headmaster’s office. Shelves in the rooms are lined with ceramics commissioned from local artisans; they inform an elegant, earth-toned color scheme all around. And because luxury is all about exclusive experiences now, activities include pasta making with the resort’s chefs, wine tasting classes and private after-hours tours of the Accademia Gallery. Rooms from around €1,000 ($1,092).

Vista Ostuni

In July, Ostuni, a village in Puglia known for its medieval architecture and winding cobblestone streets, will get its first hotel of note just outside the city center in a 14th century palazzo. Its generous suites—starting at some 645 square feet—will have views of either the sea or Ostuni’s famed whitewashed buildings. (The unique limestone architecture is why Italians call it the La Perla Bianca, or “the White Pearl.”) Lauded Italian chef Andrea Berton of Milan’s Michelin-starred Berton will open a fine-dining restaurant downstairs, while on the roof there will be a bar overlooking the tranquil countryside. For guests eager to explore the surrounding area, private car transfers will head 15 minutes north to the seaside and its beach clubs; trips to see the triangular “Trulli” houses in nearby Alberobello can easily be arranged, too. Rooms from around €1,400.

Orient Express La Minerva

The Eternal City is undergoing what feels like an eternal luxury hotel boom, and the latest, greatest entrant is smack in the middle of the Centro Storico, a 10-minute drive from Ostiense Station. The proximity is important as it’s the sibling property to a new luxury train that shares the Orient Express name, taking guests from the capital to destinations like Sicily and Venice in opulent rail journeys that channel the 1920s art deco era. The hotel follows suit with palatial flourishes like marble shell-shaped sinks in its 93 rooms. Top suites have frescoed ceilings and sweeping views of the Pantheon. Bonus: If you’re keen to try the new train journeys before or after your stay, the hotel provides transfers to the station. Rooms from €1,000.

Vetera Matera

Matera in the country’s south has been an in-the-know day trip thanks to its Sassi—rocky dwellings dug into caves, some of which date to the Paleolithic era. But few visitors have stayed overnight, given the town’s lack of noteworthy hotels. That’s about to change with the mid-April arrival of Vetera, which is ideally located for visitors who want to check out the famous structures. Its 23 rooms are carved into the Sassi; the same applies to the spa area, where the pools are built into the rocks. Guests can explore the town’s stone buildings and winding cobbled streets on foot, some of which are featured in the 2021 James Bond film No Time to Die, and then cool down with a cocktail in hand at the outdoor bar. Rooms from around €500.

Ancora Cortina

The Dolomites have never been hotter, as the region unveils a series of hotels in anticipation of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. It may still seem early, but Americans have long preferred the region for summer hiking rather than winter skiing: It’s when long afternoons cast a uniquely rosy glow on the mountainsides. Among the openings are Aman’s yearslong overhaul of the iconic Rosa Alpina, whose name comes from that signature alpenglow. But we’re partial to Ancora Cortina, a spinoff of celebrity-favorite Borgo Egnazia in Puglia. When it opens in May, its 38 rooms will bear the punchy design stamp of Vicky Charles, formerly head of design at Soho House. Notably, it’s a redo of an old hotel that has anchored historic Cortina since 1826, with a location smack in the center of town. Rooms from €800.

Lake Como Edition

Here’s what we said in January when writing about Lake Como Edition as one of Europe’s most exciting openings in 2025: “Once you’ve laid eyes on the Edition’s floating pool, built to hover over Lake Como, you may not even notice the grand building that houses the 142-room hotel. Yet that structure is also a sight to behold: It’s a transformed 19th century building with views to the Bellagio mountains from the western shores of the lake. Expect vibey, dimly lit bars and cool restaurants inside; this is an Edition, after all. That also means you’ll be able to book your five-star stay with Marriott Bonvoy points, a first for tony (and expensive) Lake Como.” We stand by every word.Opening date and rates to be confirmed.

Splendid o, a Belmond Hotel

The grande dame of Portofino is perched high in the hills with enviable views of the blue-green waters of the Ligurian Sea—and many of the rooms have terraces that face the bay. It’s long been one of the most stylish places to stay in town (legends like Elizabeth Taylor have vacationed there) and will become even more of a spot to see and be seen when it reopens this June after a multiyear renovation from design superstar Martin Brudnizki. DJs will spin sets from the pool deck, and guests can splash up for cocktails and pasta at the new terrace restaurant, Splendido Grill. And because this is Belmond—a hotel company LVMH acquired in 2019—there will also be a Dior spa, where four treatment “cabins” will offer al fresco massages set to the sound of crashing waves. Rooms from €2,400.

Thailand’s visa rules are changing. Will your next trip be affected?

If you are curious about how much you would need to spend for Dia Mirza’s luxurious stay experience immersed in idyllic nature, here’s what you need to know.

There are “a number of elements in the configuration of the European post-Covid economy that help us,” the Bank of Spain governor told Bloomberg TV in an interview. There’s a greater “ability to work now more remotely than in the past, and we are an attractive country for settlement and and that’s helping to produce services from Spain.”

Spain regularly features as one of the top destinations for digital nomads, thanks to factors including a new startup law aimed at boosting the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, zero taxation on foreign earned income, affordability, availability of high speed internet, and an environment ideal for technology and innovation.

Still, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s decision to propose a 100% tax on non-residents from outside the European Union buying houses in Spain — part of a broader attempt to confront a shortage — rattled confidence earlier this year.

Escriva, who took over as Spain’s top central banker in September, also zeroed in on home building, warning of a “potential bottleneck.”

“Housing is becoming a constraint over time, not only from a social dimension, but also from the labor market perspective,” he said in the interview, which was conducted March 14 in Madrid. “The deficit between the creation of homes and the need for houses for foreigners is going to increase a much faster pace that the production of houses.”

Escriva also highlighted that Spain is benefitting from the post-pandemic “shift in consumer preferences” like tourism, saying that it’s difficult to tell which of the trends are structural and which “genuinely transitory.”

Spain’s economy has grown at a far steadier clip than other large European Union nations in recent years but Escriva’s central bank recently raised the question of whether the country can continue to maintain a significantly higher growth rate than its two main trade partners, France and Germany.

The Mahabodhi Mahavihara’s serene and spiritually charged ambience makes it the perfect setting for individuals seeking solace and introspection.

Under the sacred pipal or Bodhi tree, Gautama Buddha (Prince Siddhartha) attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. According to some Buddhist texts, the pipal is believed to be the centre of the universe and the seat of enlightenment of all past and future Buddhas.

Arya Pal Bhikshu, Founder Secretary of the Buddha International Welfare Mission, said, “India is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It was here in Bihar, in Bodh Gaya, that he meditated under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. He then spread this wisdom to the world. People from across the globe visit this sacred place to pay homage and seek inspiration. Here, we have built India’s largest Buddha statue, attracting visitors from countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the USA, Canada, and various parts of Europe. Every morning and evening, we offer prayers for world peace. Through social media and Facebook Live, we share these prayers with the world, striving to promote peace and spiritual well-being for all.”

A Tibetan tourist, Dolma, said, “We have come to Himachal and are very satisfied. After seeing Lord Buddha, our hearts are full of contentment. We have visited Gaya twice, but this is our first time here.”

Many holy places worldwide earn a good amount of money from spiritual tourism every year. However, Bodh Gaya, a place of equal spiritual importance for Buddhists, is unable to attract as many tourists as it should.

The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is believed to be the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, making it highly significant for Buddhists worldwide.

Bodh Gaya, located in the central province of Bihar State, is one of the holiest sites for Buddhists all over the world, where thousands of foreigners, mostly Buddhist devotees, throng each year.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of six perfectly seasonal escapes, all inspired by our annual list of where to go in the year ahead. These places are especially wonderful to visit in the months of March, April and May, according to our network of travel advisers and exclusive price data from Kayak. Not only do they offer great vacation vibes, but you’ll also find excellent value.

For insights on what you might spend on both hotels and airfare to each of these places—all customized based on where you’re coming from—check out our interactive 2025 travel tool here.

Antigua & Barbuda

In April and May, luxury hotel rates fall from a high of $561 per night to just around $320—which is roughly what you’d pay during the hurricane-prone months of July, August and September. One place we’re jonesing to stay? The all-inclusive Hermitage Bay, which admittedly costs a lot more. (Rooms start at $2,899 for two people, including meals and drinks.) Shortly after we finished our annual “Where to Go” feature for 2025, the hotel finished a multimillion-dollar renovation that made the 20-year-old icon feel fresh again. The additions include new villas stilted over the sandy shore and a new restaurant run by a Nobu protégé. But the amenity that has us booking airfare is a new beachfront “tree bar,” with seating built around a giant trunk and bohemian wicker lanterns hanging from the branches above. Rum punches for two, please.

Los Angeles

We told you Los Angeles would be a hot spot for its dining scene this year, but we couldn’t have predicted what the city would go through in January—and how urgently those restaurants would need you to pay them a visit. Tourism began to bounce back just weeks after catastrophic wildfires caused $164 billion in destruction across the city. And that’s largely because Tinseltown’s main sights and tourist attractions were unaffected by those early January fires. Still, the city has seen a portion of its population decamp while it begins the long process of rebuilding homes, leaving out-of-towners to fill the gap for local businesses. One way to do it is by staying at the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, a 100-year-old institution fresh off a $150 million face-lift; its penthouse has just reopened as the Sky Room, a rebirth of an Old Hollywood icon where you can dine on passionfruit-topped hiramasa kingfish crudo in a dining room once frequented by Rita Hayworth and Clark Gable. Then stop by Santa Monica’s Seline and West Hollywood’s Somni—the boldface restaurants we told you about in December—before wrapping your food tour at modern Korean temple Ki, which serves a highly inventive multicourse tasting menu for $285 to just 12 diners per night.

San Diego

By May the storied, 938-room Hotel Del Coronado will put the finishing touches on its $500 million renovation—one of the most expensive hotel overhauls in US history. Most of the work is already done; just two restaurants, including a Nobu outpost, have yet to open. But its new seaside villas are taking reservations, and the meticulous reconstruction of the historic Victorian lobby and its front porch have already won architectural preservation and design awards.

If you’re looking for something more intimate, the Granger, with one-tenth of the Del’s total capacity, is newly opened in a 1904 Romanesque building with dramatically tall windows; its location in the Gaslamp district puts it within easy walking distance of many of the city’s best rooftop bars, restaurants and microbreweries. The destination is a good one for points hounds: You can book the Del with Hilton points, and the Granger through Marriott Bonvoy.

Seville

It can be tricky to explain why some places appear to become trendy overnight, but we knew Seville would have an “it” factor this year even before it started bubbling up all over our social feeds. Among the things that are working in favor of the Andalusian capital: Its compact size means you can see it in a long weekend, a spate of new hotel openings has brought a much-needed influx of chic-yet-affordable places to stay, and the weather is consistently mild and balmy. The city also has great culinary range: You’ve got Moorish tavernas like El Rincón that date to the late 1600s and modernist tapas bars such as Eslava. Extend your stay with a few days at Kukutana, a family estate that was converted into a six-room, all-inclusive resort three years ago. It’s less than an hour’s drive southwest of Seville in the 247,000-acre Doñana National Park, where you can spot Iberian lynx roaming the grounds or go horseback riding on dune-lined beaches.

Lexington, Kentucky

April is track month in this horse racing capital, which is second only to Louisville for equestrian sports and every bit as exciting a city to visit. Keeneland, Lexington’s answer to Churchill Downs, hosts races from April 4 to 25; after that come the thoroughbred sales events, where people bid upwards of $10 million for the most promising racehorse colts. Tailgating is part of the fun, though here it’s less parking-lot-beer-fest and more gracious-Southern-hospitality (think a manicured gardenlike setting flanked by flowering crabapple trees). Complementing that scene is a restorative dose of rugged nature: The Raven Run nature sanctuary has rambling hiking trails and bluegrass meadows hugging the Kentucky River, all less than 20 miles from the center of downtown. Bonus: At publication time, you could still find prime hotel rooms for under $200, even in the thick of race season.

Out Islands, Bahamas

Spring isn’t typically the moment for hotel openings in the Bahamian Isles (the pricey “festive” season, aka Christmas and New Year’s, is the big moment for swish new resort openings), but one exception quietly popped onto our radar recently: the just-opened Coral Sands Inn & Cottages on Harbour Island’s Pink Sands beach. (The redundancy in those names should give you a sense of what makes the place so special.) The vibe is retro maximalism, yielding such a fun blend of whimsy and kitsch you’d think the design team went on a side quest to find the island’s best Bahama Mama. Counter stools and patio chairs have seashell-shaped seat backs; the lobby furnishings sport boldly patterned upholstery and tassels and nautical rope; and bedrooms have whimsical splashes like pink claw-foot bathtubs and elaborate canopy beds. At the main Pink Mermaid bar, shell- and coral-covered light fixtures look like they were assembled by talented seagulls combing the shore. Sleepy beach relaxation this is not; creative fever dream, it absolutely is.

The event, a highlight of the International Paragliding Festival, will see competitors vying for top honours in six categories, including the prestigious International Top Landing Accuracy Cup, an official release said here on Friday.

The March 19-23 mega event, which is being organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) under the State Tourism Department in collaboration with Orange Life Paragliding School, will give away ₹1.5 lakh, ₹1 lakh, and ₹50,000 respectively as prize money for the first, second and third place winners in each category.

The five-day International Paragliding Festival enjoys the official recognition of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which is the 1905-founded world governing body for air sports, the release issued by the Kerala Tourism said.

The FAI and the Aero Club of India are also lending technical support while Fly Vagamon provides local coordination.

The competitions at the Vagamon Adventure Park in Kolahalamedu are held in the following categories: Paragliding Accuracy (Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Women), Paragliding Accuracy (Team), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Women) and Paragliding Accuracy (Junior).

State Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said Kerala has a significant place in the country’s adventure tourism map.

“The state has been fully exploiting its potential of adventure tourism in the last three years,” he said, pointing to the new focus given to white-water kayaking, paragliding, surfing and mountain cycling.

Tourism Secretary K Biju said Kerala has come a long way in providing infrastructure with international facilities suitable for adventure tourism in prospective places. “The annual paragliding competition we hold in Vagamon is now internationally famous,” he pointed out.

Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran said Kerala’s geographical advantages have benefited the state in developing its adventure tourism portfolio. “We have the sea, river, mountains and hills within a radius of just 60 km,” she noted.

“Vagamon is an ideal venue, which even the best paragliders across the world are eagerly waiting to explore. We are making efforts to find more such locations through the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society. The Tourism Department will provide all necessary support”, she added.

Kolahalamedu, located seven km from Vagamon near Peerumedu in Idukki district is among the best places for paragliding. Situated at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the place is particularly favourable for take-off and landing. Adding to its advantage are its cool climate, tea plantations, grasslands and woods.

Planning a trip to Sikkim? Here’s all you need to know about the new tourist entry fee that the government has introduced.

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Families and group travelers, this one’s for you! A set of 3 trolley bags means no more luggage struggles. With Amazon’s discounts, buy a complete set for all your travel needs. Perfect for short, medium, and long trips, these bags offer endless flexibility. Smooth wheels, durable designs, and roomy compartments keep packing simple and organised.

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For flexible, grab-and-go travel, duffle bags with trolleys are a game-changer. Perfect for gym-goers, weekend travelers, or spontaneous trips, they combine style and practicality. Amazon’s sale makes them even better with budget-friendly deals. Easy to carry, roll, or sling over your shoulder, these bags offer enough space for essentials without slowing you down.

 

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

These are the trends Agoda shared, based on their findings:

Social media as travel guide

Gen Z is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to maneuvering social media to their best advantage. Social media shapes much of their travel itinerary from mood boards to travel checklists. TikTok and Instagram frequently feature viral ‘must-visit’ reels of eateries, bakeries, and underrated spots, captivating Gen Z and inspiring them to live out these reel-to-real moments. Since social media is constantly buzzing with the cool hotspots, it also helps them stay updated on the latest travel destinations and food experiences.

While Millennials still value recommendations from friends and family, Gen Z relies heavily on social media as their travel guidebook. However, despite social media’s stronghold as a travel compass, word-of-mouth remains a strong influence, coming in second in Gen Z’s decision-making process. Then again, word-of-mouth itself is just another form of social influence.

ALSO READ: Fake flexing: How Gen Z is buying glam digital personas

Spontaneous trips

Gen Z is going for last minute trips, ditching the elaborate planning phase. As per Agoda’s survey, 20% of Gen Z book flights less than a week in advance, surpassing Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers. While for accommodations, one in four Gen Z travelers book hotel tickets at the eleventh hour. Unlike the previous generations who doubled down on itinerary and elaborate planning phase, Gen Z is choosing the thrill of unplanned trips and adventures.

Shared trips

Every Gen Z is looking for their ZNMD or YJHD moments, savouring and recreating on their trip. Gen Z prefers to travel to new places with friends and family. 38% wish to travel with a partner as well. Although Millennials lean towards family trips, indicating a shift in travel preferences.

Budget conscious

Gen Z may be spontaneous and impulsive, but not careless. They keep an eye out for the best deals while also ensuring a wholesome travel experience. Even if they are careful with spending, they won’t sacrifice a quality travel experience. This also aligns with Millennials’ planning.

Unconditional love for travel

Irrespective of travel planning differences across generations, everyone loves to travel. As per the survey, nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials intend to take one to three trips this year, while a third have their sights set on four to six getaways.

ALSO READ: Gen Z is the most ‘unserious generation’: Expert explains why they use humour to deal with uncomfortable situations

Speaking at the event in Asita Park, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena said that in the coming days, the facility will be expanded, a move that will decongest the city’s roads and also provide better travel options for residents of the city.

This is a major step towards integrating river, road, and metro transportation. The public-private partnership (PPP) model will also be explored for expanding the facility in the Yamuna, Saxena said.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative would give Delhi a fresh and modern identity, focusing on cleanliness, beautification, and development.

The previous government created several obstacles, but the people of Delhi rejected them, paving the way for progress, she said, adding that eco-friendly electric-solar hybrid boats will be introduced to promote sustainable travel.

Gupta said she has envisioned Yamuna ghats evolving into a cultural and artistic hub, akin to Varanasi, and highlighted that the government was committed to sustained Yamuna cleaning efforts and daily development work.

She also thanked all departments, saying that this transformation would not have been possible without their commitment.

“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we are making the impossible possible,” she said expressing gratitude to all officials involved.

The LG said charging stations and other facilities would also be developed to enhance the experience for commuters in Delhi.

“This is just the beginning. In the upcoming days, the service will be expanded, significant improvements will be made in the condition of the Yamuna, and Delhi’s waterways will be further developed,” he said.

Saxena called it is a “historic day” for the city, emphasising the government’s commitment to environmental conservation and the development of waterways.

“PM Modi’s vision is focused on strengthening the country’s water transport network, and we are taking concrete steps to restore Delhi’s ecological balance,” he said.

He acknowledged past delays in Yamuna cleaning, saying that earlier it was being treated like a drain.

Saxena assured that progress has accelerated since the new government took charge and said significant strides in solar energy adoption and sustainable transport solutions have been made.

The government also announced plans to improve public transport, reduce traffic congestion, and boost local businesses.

“This is just the beginning. More developments are on the way, and we will work with private players to expand and enhance the system,” the LG said.

Despite previous challenges, the administration remains committed to clearing pending projects and accelerating progress, he added.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, PWD Minister Pravesh Verma, and Delhi Capital Minister were also present at the event.

It is the state’s ninth and the country’s 58th national tiger reserve. CM Yadav released a tigress brought as part of the reintroduction process into the open habitat of the reserve on the occasion.

“It is a historic day for the Chambal region, as the Madhav Tiger Reserve is witnessing the reestablishment of tigers. Thanks to the conservation efforts led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state has been granted its 9th national tiger reserve,” CM Yadav said.

The chief minister also unveiled the official logo of the tiger reserve and inaugurated its boundary wall. He further emphasized that the state government was making every possible effort to boost wildlife tourism in the Chambal region.

“Madhya Pradesh is rich in forest resources and home to a large number of wildlife species. With cheetahs in Kuno, gharials in the Chambal River, and now tigers in Madhav National Park, the area is set to become a major tourist attraction. Chambal is a rare place where wildlife and humans coexist harmoniously. With the state government’s initiatives, tourism in this region will flourish, creating employment opportunities and paving the way for new developmental projects in the Gwalior-Chambal area,” the Chief Minister said.

CM Yadav also highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in India and the world, earning it the title of “Tiger State.”

The Chambal region was the only remaining area in the state without tiger movement, and this gap has now been filled. On the birth anniversary of Late Madhavrao Scindia, the inauguration of this tiger reserve marks another step towards the holistic development of the state.

Additionally, the Chief Minister stressed the immense potential for wildlife tourism in Madhya Pradesh, stating that the Madhav Tiger Reserve will create history. This region, already home to bears, leopards, deer, chinkaras, wolves, jackals, porcupines, pythons, and vultures, will now be recognized for tiger rehabilitation as well.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, CM Yadav stated, “While developing the new tiger reserve, special care will be taken to maintain the coexistence of other species. This is not a zoo but an open habitat, accessible to both wildlife and the general public.”

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed gratitude to CM Yadav for gifting the historic Madhav Tiger Reserve to the Gwalior-Chambal region. He noted that after Panna Tiger Reserve, this is the third national park in Madhya Pradesh to be revived. This development has significantly boosted the prospects for wildlife tourism in the Chambal region.

“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the extinct cheetah has been successfully reintroduced into Kuno National Park. Previously, on March 10, 2023, three tigers were released into Madhav National Park, and today, another tigress has been introduced. With the combined area of Kuno and Madhav Tiger Reserves exceeding 3,000 square kilometers, this region will play a key role in wildlife conservation,” Scindia said.

The Union Minister also assured full support in the development of Madhav Tiger Reserve alongside CM Yadav.

By night, however, the eruption was declared over, and evacuees were allowed to begin returning to their homes.

Residents with traumatic memories of a deadly eruption in 2018 sought refuge early Monday after the Fuego volcano exploded spectacularly 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the capital Guatemala City.

“We heard the rumblings and then a strong eruption,” Manuel Cobox, 46, told AFP after leaving his home with his wife and three daughters.

Some 125 families, around 900 people, were moved to safety from the community of El Porvenir, said Juan Laureano, a spokesman for Guatemala’s disaster coordination agency, Conred.

Residents of another community in Las Lajitas were also evacuated, the official added.

Buses brought evacuees carrying belongings to a town hall turned into a temporary shelter, while others stayed with friends or relatives.

Around 30,000 people were potentially “at risk” and should evacuate themselves if necessary, Conred head Claudinne Ogaldes told a news conference.

By late Monday, though, the eruptive episode was declared “ended” and the volcano’s parameters returned to “normal” levels following the dramatic increase of activity from Sunday, the state-run Volcanology Institute said in a bulletin.

Guatemala lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

In June 2018, 215 people were killed and a similar number left missing when Fuego volcano erupted, sending rivers of lava pouring down its sides and devastating the village of San Miguel Los Lotes.

On that occasion, residents “did not believe the magnitude and a tragedy struck,” said Cobox, who works on a pig farm.

Amanda Santos, a 58-year-old housekeeper, said that memories of that previous eruption came flooding back when she heard the firefighters’ sirens.

“That’s why we’re afraid. Many people died,” she added.

Another eruption in 2023 from the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) Fuego caused the evacuation of around 1,200 people.

An alert was issued by the authorities on Sunday in order to coordinate the response and preventive measures, Conred said.

The government suspended local school activities, although classes were now set to resume Tuesday.

Officials also temporarily closed a road through the village that links the south of the country to the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Guatemala’s most popular tourist destination.

Authorities had been monitoring pyroclastic flows — fast-moving currents of hot ash, gas and rock fragments that descend the slopes of a volcano, Conred spokesman Laureano said.

The Volcanology Institute recommended that air traffic take precautions due to a spreading ash cloud.

Some 3,400 flights were affected by the industrial action, impacting around 500,000 passengers, the German airport association ADV said.

At Frankfurt, the country’s busiest airport, operator Fraport said no passengers would be able to board and that disruptions would “almost certainly” affect transit travel, according to German daily Bild.

Airports in Bremen, Cologne, Dortmund, Duesseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart were also affected.

The Verdi union said Friday it was calling on public sector workers and some 23,000 employees of ground handling service providers to walk out to send a message to management.

“We regret the inconvenience that this strike will cause for passengers,” said the union’s deputy chair Christine Behle.

“But without the pressure of industrial action, there will be no movement in the negotiations.”

The union’s demands include a pay rise of eight percent or at least 350 euros ($380) more per month, and higher bonuses for particularly stressful activities.

The union said that “we are forced to go on this warning strike because the employers have not yet made an offer in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations for public sector employees and have shown no willingness to meet our legitimate demands.”

Travellers beware: IMD issues yellow alert, predicts thunderstorm and lightning in parts of Himachal from Wednesday to Friday.

Here are five things to know about Greenland:

– ‘Green land’ –

Inhabited by Inuits on and off for almost 4,500 years, the island was originally dubbed ‘Green land’ by Erik the Red, a Viking explorer who landed on the far southern edge of the island in the 10th century.

That was a less-than-fitting name, since around 80 percent of its more than two million-square-kilometre (772,204 square-mile) surface is covered by ice.

Colonised by Denmark 300 years ago, it was integrated into the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953.

In 1979, Copenhagen granted Greenland home rule and its autonomy was further extended in a 2009 law, though Copenhagen still decides on foreign policy and military matters.

The economy, based primarily on the fisheries industry, is heavily dependent on subsidies from Copenhagen of more than $565 million, equivalent to a fifth of the island’s GDP.

Contrary to Denmark, Greenland is not a member of the European Union after withdrawing in 1985, three decades before Brexit. More than 90 percent of its 57,000 inhabitants — some 19,000 of whom live in the capital Nuuk — are Inuits.

– Coveted by US –

President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated since December that the United States plans to take over Greenland, raising his tone in a March 4 speech to Congress.

“We need it really for international world security. And I think we’re going to get it,” he said.

US interest in the territory is not new: In the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, the US claimed Greenland was part of its “sphere of interests”.

Almost a century later, in 1917, Washington acquired the Virgin Islands from Denmark and recognised Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.

During World War II, when Denmark was occupied by Germany, Greenland came under US protection and was returned to Denmark at the end of the war.

The US maintained several large military bases; One of them, Pituffik — in the island’s northwest — is still in use.

The US also has a consulate in Nuuk.

– Minerals in spades –

Greenland’s soil is rich in untapped mineral and oil reserves, but on a global scale the amounts are modest.

And there are currently only two mines in use.

Greenland’s rare earths — demand for which is expected to surge in the future — are estimated at 36.1 billion tonnes by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).

But its rare earths reserves — those that are economically and technically recoverable — amount to only about 1.5 million tonnes, according to the latest report from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Public opposition to uranium mining in southern Greenland has also led to legislation banning any mining of radioactive materials.

The island is also believed to be sitting on an abundance of oil and gas but has suspended exploration out of concern for the climate and aims to develop hydropower instead.

Melting glaciers are also releasing a mineral-rich rock flour that can be used as a fertiliser in depleted or arid soil in Africa and South America.

– Front line of global warming –

The massive territory is experiencing firsthand the effects of global warming, with the Arctic heating up four times faster than the rest of the planet since 1979, according to a study in US journal Nature.

Numerous studies have also shown that the melting of Greenland’s ice sheet has picked up speed.

If the ice mass, the second largest in the world after Antarctica, were to melt completely it could cause sea levels to rise by more than seven metres (23 feet), according to simulations.

– Northern routes –

Greenland lacks a road or rail network, so people rely on helicopters, planes and boats to get around.

Rising temperatures and melting ice are meanwhile opening new and shorter shipping routes, reinforcing the territory’s strategic position.

It is counting on growing tourism to boost its economy.

In November, the Nuuk airport opened to long-haul flights, making international access to the territory easier. Twice weekly direct flights to New York are due to start this summer.

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 125km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 4.3, On: 09/03/2025 13:25:12 IST, Lat: 25.03 N, Long: 95.28 E, Depth: 125 Km, Location: Myanmar.”

Earlier on March 3, an earthquake of magnitude 4.2 on Richter Scale jolted Myanmar, a statement by the National Centre for Seismology said.

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, making it more susceptible to aftershocks.

“EQ of M: 4.2, On: 03/03/2025 10:15:49 IST, Lat: 24.85 N, Long: 95.93 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Myanmar.”

Shallow earthquakes like this one are more dangerous than deeper ones due to their greater energy release closer to the Earth’s surface, causing stronger ground shaking and increased damage to structures and casualties, compared to deeper earthquakes which lose energy as they travel to the surface.

Although Myanmar is an earthquake-prone country, there has not been proposed an official national seismic hazard map.

Due to the collision between the Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates, Myanmar is an area with a high seismic hazard level. According to the earthquake parameters summarized by the International Seismological Centre around 140 events with magnitude greater than or equal to 3.0 have taken place in Myanmar and its vicinity every year from 1990 to 2019.Thus, it is evident that Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes, including tsunami hazards along its long coastline.

The Sagaing Fault elevates the seismic hazard for Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, which together represent 46 per cent of the population of Myanmar. Although Yangon is relatively far from the fault trace, it still suffers from significant risk due to its dense population. For instance, in 1903, an intensive earthquake with magnitude 7.0 that occurred in Bago also struck Yangon.

Ohhh… I’m a firefly, Burning relatively bright…. (Dylan Thomas)

In the coal black night, the Selangor river was quiet, its quietude broken only by the hissing of the motorboat and the waves scattering away from the noise. I had driven nearly 70 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur to see thousands of Pteroptyx tener (let’s keep it simple by calling them fireflies), the 5mm beetles congregating on the berembang trees in the deep mangrove forest flanking the long, meandering Selangor river. (Also Read | New Orleans Mardi Gras: Beads, masks, floats & an extravaganza like no other)

Nattily dressed children were giggling excitedly about the lightning-bug they had never seen. Innocent questions were being tossed around the fibre-boat. “Is there a bulb fitted in their bum?” “Why do adult fireflies live for only 61 days?” “Why are the females wingless?” Before the parents could chirp their wisdom, the boatman hushed everyone and switched on a rectangular board with flickering yellow light.

“Look left. Don’t be noisy. Do not use the camera flash.” The boatman was spewing instructions but no one was listening. The dark night was illuminated by the magical bioluminescent beetles – hundreds of them flitting on the berembang trees. As if the angels had fitted a series of twinkling fairy lights across the mangrove that is often described as one of the largest firefly colonies in Asia. This was not my first encounter with fireflies but never before had I seen thousands twinkling together in a dark night. Dylan Thomas was right, they were burning brightly in the cult of billion souls. As the night got darker and the river quieter, I returned to the jetty with the twinkle of the Pteroptyx tener in my heart.

Street Art

Next morning, the fireflies were still lurking in my heart, but I had to walk the streets in old China Town in search of wall art where pop culture, history, vignettes of life and stark messages are narrated through unruly and deft strokes of red, purple, blue, green and vibrant yellows. A little girl with brown bangs looking greedily at an ice cream cone, a Free Palestine poem stencilled in burnished orange next to a large poppy flower and a black/white painted keffiyeh, red Chinese lanterns hanging from blue clouds, a green wriggly worm with human face proclaiming ‘No Parking, only crawling’, and a few cartoonish humans adding a little mirth to the occasional sombre tone of the wall artists.

However, it was the sepia in the Lorong Petaling that had me mesmerised. On a long wall hitting a dead end, days of the yore were handpainted in tones of brown. Vignettes of a marketplace complete with a hand-pulled rickshaw, a bare-bodied man carrying meat on a stick, a boney man in a hat ladling food into a bowl…A little boy towing a bicycle and a woman eagerly selling her wares.

In back alley named Kwai Chai Hong (‘Little Demon’ lane), murals depicting life in Chinatown in the 1960s turn fascinatingly interactive – most of them are painted in a manner that the visitor can become a part of the painted scene. A once neglected alley, the restored Kwai Chai Hong street won Best Heritage Attraction in Kuala Lumpur at International Travel Awards 2021.

In Petaling, when your knee turns wobbly with all the walking, step into Hungry Tapir for the best vegan food in the neighbourhood.

Rotis

Then, I stumbled upon a roti story – of the Empress Dowager Cixi who was picked as a concubine of the Xianfeng Emperor in her adolescence and later served as a regent for almost 50 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908. And her love for the Imperial Crispy Beef Patty that she tasted in a small town on her way out of Beijing. Empress Cixi loved the patty that has now metamorphosed into round crispy Chinese Imperial Beef Roti, the hot favourite on Kuala Lumpur’s street.

I am neither an Empress nor a meat-eater, hence had to forego the beef roti that the aristocrats loved. But in a mamak (think of it as a casual, inexpensive eatery that derives its name from Tamil word maa-ma {maternal uncle} and is mostly run by Muslims of Indian origin), there were countless rotis on the blackboard menu – Roti Canai, Roti Tisu, Roti Bomb, Roti Cobra, Roti Fujima, Roti Jepun, Roti Telur Bawang, Roti Sardin, Roti Hawaii – each with its own distinct filling or topping. I had walked into the Mamak for Roti Canai that has been ranked the world’s best bread, by TasteAtlas, an international food guide website. Roti Canai was awarded a total of 4.9 stars, putting it on par with Colombia’s pan de bono.

Even before I could tear the Roti Canai served with a bowl of dal, I was distracted by the gigantic Roti Tisu (also called Roti Tissue because it is as thin as a tissue). The sweet Tisu resembles a tall tepee, large enough to feed four humans and host a swarm of small birds. In Kuala Lumpur’s mamak, I sat in a crowd and tore Roti Canai for dinner. But my heart lay far away in the fireflies of Selangor. Nothing is prettier than them!

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The Antoine Simon Airport in the coastal city of Les Cayes, named after a Haitian president who led a rebellion in the early 1900s, operated for almost two decades before renovations began in 2013 to extend its runway.

It is now Haiti’s third international airport, a development that is expected to boost the local economy and provide a new way for some nonprofits to distribute sorely needed aid.

“It’s really exciting,” said Wynn Walent, executive director of the Colorado-based nonprofit Locally Haiti, which operates in Haiti’s southwest. “For understandable reasons, folks are focused on the challenges in Port-au-Prince, but there is so much that can be done in the south. This could be a big step in that direction.”

Hugh Aprile, Mercy Corps’ regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, celebrated the new runway, saying it’s possible more organizations will base their teams in Les Cayes instead of Port-au-Prince.

“Much of the needs are in the southern peninsula,” he said. “For us, this will be helpful.”

Leslie Voltaire, president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, traveled to Les Cayes to unveil the renovated airport Wednesday, saying it would help develop sectors including tourism.

“Infrastructure is the basis of a country’s economic development,” he said.

Most people travelling to Haiti land at the international airport in the north coastal city of Cap-Haitien, then travel by land or helicopter to the capital.

The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince remains open but commercial flights have been halted since gangs opened fire on three planes in November, slightly injuring a flight attendant.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration extended a ban on U.S. flights to Haiti’s capital until March 12.

It wasn’t immediately clear if U.S. commercial flights will use the redeveloped airport, nor if any international flights have landed yet on the extended runway at Les Cayes.

Local media reported that technicians from the US airline JetBlue arrived in Les Cayes to inspect the runway. However, a company spokesman told The Associated Press that JetBlue doesn’t have any record of making such a trip to inspect the runway, and that it has decided to suspend all flights to Haiti through at least June 11 “due to the ongoing civil unrest.”

Martine Villeneuve, country director for Action Against Hunger, celebrated the renovated airport but noted it came too late for her organization.

Action Against Hunger was targeted by the recent USAID cuts and was forced to eliminate a nutrition and feeding program that served 13,000 people in Haiti’s rural northeast and south. Now, the organization is focused on helping people in Port-au-Prince and the central Artibonite region.

“We are trapped in Port-au-Prince,” she said. “It’s very difficult to get in and out.”

Gangs control 85% of the capital as well as all the main roads leading to the country’s north and south.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a category 2 cyclone, was 425 kilometers (264 miles) east of Brisbane at around 6 a.m. local time Wednesday, producing sustained winds of 95 kilometers an hour with gusts of up to 130 kilometers an hour, according to the national weather bureau.

It is forecast to maintain its intensity and cross the coast early Friday, somewhere between tourism hubs the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, and most likely near Brisbane.

Alfred is set to be the first tropical storm to affect flood-prone Brisbane since 2017, when the remnants of Cyclone Debbie brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area after wreaking havoc in north Queensland. The city has a population of more than 2.5 million and millions more live in the forecast track or could be impacted by flooding.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told reporters Wednesday a small number of people had already been evacuated from their homes. “We’re telling Queenslanders that this is a serious event and it will cross the coast,” he said.

Rain dump

Beyond any immediate damage from a direct cyclone hit, residents of the regions are bracing for the storm to dump massive amounts of rain that could flood homes and threaten lives. Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales could get rainfall totals of up to 400 millimeters (16 inches) over the next few days, with some places getting as much as 700 millimeters. The slow-moving storm also means its damaging winds and heavy rains will be sustained over a relatively long period of time.

Insurers Suncorp Group Ltd. and Insurance Australia Group Ltd. will be hard hit by losses caused by Alfred, according to Matt Ingram, senior industry analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. In a Tuesday filing providing an update on the cyclone, Suncorp said it “maintains a strong capital position.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the government expected the insurance sector will act quickly to aid customers affected by storm damage and the subsequent flooding that’s expected in some areas.

There was “still an element of the population that hasn’t yet fully understood the magnitude of this system,” McAllister told reporters late Tuesday. “We are in for some difficult days.”

Ports shut

The Port of Brisbane suspended arrivals of large vessels on Sunday and expects to be closed on Thursday and Friday, and the city has suspended ferry services. Airports in the region were operating Tuesday, although airlines including Qantas Airways Ltd. and Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd. have offered rebooking options to passengers.

The storm is also expected to impact regions of New South Wales, to the south of Queensland. More than 120 schools have already been closed in that state, and evacuation centers opened.

Potentially damaging winds are already affecting the coast, with Byron Bay in New South Wales being hit by gusts of more than 100 kilometers an hour.

“There’s going to be damaging winds, there is going to be powerful surf, coastal erosion, and it will be followed by significant rain that can last a couple of days,” New South Wales State Emergency Services’ deputy commissioner Deb Platts said in a television interview.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flew into Brisbane on Tuesday evening. There’s been speculation the center-left leader would use this weekend to call an election for April 12, but such a scenario may be unlikely if the cyclone wreaks major damage.

“We’re governing,” Albanese told reporters when asked about the election speculation. “I know there’s others who are interested in election timing. What I’m interested in is getting things done on behalf of the country.”

Rare cyclone

Modeling was showing almost 20,000 properties across Brisbane alone could be impacted by storm surges or flooding, the city’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said in a post on X.

Scientific research indicates that as global temperatures climb, tropical cyclones will shift more toward the poles, posing extreme weather threats to places that were not designed to withstand such hazards.

Southern Queensland and northern NSW are regions that face growing risk from tropical cyclones, according to Climate Risk Group. That will likely drive up insurance premiums for property owners, the firm said in a statement.

“We don’t often have tropical cyclone watches and warnings in the New South Wales jurisdiction — the most recent one was back in 1990 with an event called Tropical Cyclone Nancy,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Steve Bernasconi said on Monday. “And prior to that, it wasn’t until 1974 with Tropical Cyclone Zoe.”

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Noting that one crore pilgrims visit the Vaishnodevi shrine annually, Abdullah said if the government could divert 10 to 15 percent of these pilgrims to various destinations in the region, it would benefit the people.

“As for the pilgrim tourism circuit in Jammu, we will create three, four and seven day packages. We will promote these destinations to ensure pilgrims visit all such places,” Abdullah said in the assembly.

Responding to a query from BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the Question Hour, he said many pilgrims are unaware of the pilgrimage tourism destinations in the region.

The chief minister emphasised the need to encourage pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishnodevi temple to also tour other places in the region.

“It is our challenge to divert pilgrims to various destinations in the Jammu region. We have not succeeded in diverting these pilgrims to other parts of the region,” he said.

Abdullah stressed that Jammu has distinct destinations that need publicity, adding that efforts will be made in this direction.

The department of tourism has been actively involved in developing tourism infrastructure in Jammu city to attract more tourists and has executed several projects under the State Capex Budget and Swadesh Darshan Scheme, he said.

He highlighted notable tourism-related infrastructure projects under different schemes, including the construction of musical water fountains with sound and light shows at Bagh-e-Bahu, as well as the development of tourist facilities at Bhagwati Nagar.

Other projects mentioned include the development of tourist facilities at Sidhra Golf Course, construction of an amusement park near Sidhra Golf Course in Jammu, a ropeway project from Mohmaya to Bagh-e-Bahu, and various development works planned under the Capex Budget 2024-25 in Jammu.

Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has actively pursued multiple initiatives to enhance Jammu’s infrastructure and make it a more appealing destination for tourists, the chief minister said.

He outlined major infrastructure projects planned and executed by JSCL, including heritage conservation and beautification efforts such as the restoration of iconic landmarks like Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi, and Raghunath Bazaar, along with temples and ghats under the Smart City initiative and other historical sites.

In terms of road and transport improvements, Abdullah spoke about the upgrade of major roads, development of pedestrian-friendly pathways, and the introduction of electric buses for eco-friendly public transport.

He also highlighted the redevelopment of the Tawi riverfront with promenades, cycling tracks, and leisure spaces.

Regarding historic buildings and Tawi bridges, he said plans for facade lighting are underway at Bahu Fort, Army headquarters at Mubarak Mandi, Maha Maya Temple, and all Tawi bridges.

The Chief Minister said the JSCL’s vision aligns with making Jammu a modern, tourist-friendly and sustainable city while preserving its cultural and historical essence.

Meanwhile, IMD issued an orange alert, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rainfall likely over the Jammu region and Himachal Pradesh, along with hail predictions for Punjab.

Tourists visiting the valley are experiencing the changing weather conditions, with many relishing the snowfall in popular destinations like Gulmarg.

Speaking to ANI, tourist Akshay, who hails from Mumbai, shared his experience. “It is quite cold now. Compared to yesterday, when the weather was a bit clear, today started with rainfall, making it even colder. We were lucky to witness snowfall in Gulmarg, which was an incredible experience. We stayed there for two days, and the snowfall on February 26-27 was mesmerizing.”

“We enjoyed riding a lot in Dal Lake..Later, we took a house boat, so we had a stay there, so it was very good to eat and drink food and whatever the ride was there in the rain or the snow or whatever in the winter, it was fun…February has ended, and March has begun, so the weather is likely to be pleasant now. Compared to the last three months, this is a great time to visit,” he further added.

Another tourist, Anvita from Gujarat’s Vadodara, said, “It is very cold. We are wearing four layers of clothes now, and it is still very cold. At the moment, it is very good. We enjoyed the weather. We enjoyed it very much. We stayed in the houseboat. We rode Shikara for a whole day. It was very fun, and at the same time, we tried the food here, including homemade dishes, which were also very good.”

She further stated, “I saw the weather forecast, so there is a chance to see snowfall between the 6th and 13th. If it happens, it would be very good. If it happens, then everyone should definitely come.”

With winter tourism thriving in Kashmir, visitors are making the most of their stay, indulging in boat rides, local cuisine, and sightseeing.

From March 31, the airline will operate its 4x weekly flights from Delhi to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), replacing the existing services to Narita International Airport (NRT).

Haneda airport is located 18 kilometres from downtown Tokyo and cuts travel time to Tokyo station from nearly one hour by road (70 kilometres from Narita) to around 30 minutes, according to a release.

Further, the carrier has expanded its codeshare partnership with ANA.

“Subject to due regulatory approvals, beginning 1 April 2025, Air India will place its ‘AI’ designator code on ANA’s flights between Tokyo Haneda and 6 other cities in Japan: Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo. This will allow Air India guests to travel to any of these destinations on a single ticket, with their baggage checked through the entire journey,” the release said.

Reciprocally, ANA will place its ‘NH’ designator code on Air India’s flight between Delhi and Haneda, Delhi and Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune.

Both airlines entered a codeshare agreement in April last year.

Generally, a codeshare partnership allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carrier, and there will be a single ticket.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Vikash Kejriwal, COO of SKIL Travel, shared some helpful tips on how one can make the most out of their work trips. They include everything, from how to adeptly integrate travel with work to planning itineraries.

These are the travelling tips Vikas shared:

Plan a smart itinerary

A well-planned itinerary can help you balance work commitments with networking and travel. Spend some time researching your destination prior to visiting the said location. Don’t forget to allow additional time for leisurely discussions over coffee or lunch. Also, organise your schedule in such a way that you don’t have to rush from one meeting to another. Give yourself some buffer time to explore or connect with local experts in a more relaxed setting. A smart itinerary ensures you’re not just in town for work, but also using this opportunity to expand your network and gain new perspectives.

ALSO READ: Always overpacking your travel itinerary? Here’s how to plan according to your family size

Opt for local restaurants and hangout spots

Business travellers often opt for hotel restaurants or conference venues, and end up missing out on the local cultural scene. Instead, venture out and look into the city’s best eateries, cafes and social hotspots. Local restaurants and popular hangout spots offer a more casual environment to meet with industry professionals, potential clients or even other business visitors. People are more likely to open up over lunch than in a formal meeting room.

Go for local transportation

There’s nothing better than getting a feel for a city by living it the way the locals do. Using public transport, like the metro, buses, trams, could lead to unexpected conversations and spontaneous networking possibilities as well. Striking up a conversation with someone during your travel may introduce you to people from different industries or backgrounds, allowing you to gain knowledge of the city’s work culture. Not only that, using local transportation is often less expensive and gives you a chance to explore hidden gems you might otherwise miss.

Take meetings out of the boardroom

If the setting allows, suggest moving the meeting to a more engaging environment. Maybe a local restaurant, an outdoor café or a heritage venue that represents the city’s culture. This creates a more comfortable atmosphere and helps break away from the formalities, which makes it easier to build a lasting connection.

Stay updated on the latest bleisure travel trends

The concept of “Bleisure” (which is, business + leisure) travel is gaining popularity, as more professionals wish to combine work trips with some personal time to go out and explore the world. Many organisations now encourage employees to extend their stay in a city or take advantage of remote work options whilst travelling. Before your vacation, check if your workplace allows bleisure travel. This might entail coming a day early or staying a little longer to explore the place at a slower pace.

Explore between meetings and conferences

One of the most common mistakes made by business travelers is failing to make good use of their leisure time. Instead of heading straight back to your room after a meeting, find out if there are interesting attractions nearby to stop by. Look up cultural landmarks, parks, or local attractions that are within walking distance of your conference venue.

Micro-Touring

If your schedule doesn’t allow for extended sightseeing excursions, micro-touring is the way to go. Instead of waiting for a free afternoon, plan brief, meaningful activities into your day.

Here’s an example:

• Take a morning walk through a local market or historical district.
• Have lunch at a local eatery.
• End your day with a relaxing evening stroll in a nearby park or waterfront area.

To sum up, based on the suggestions shared by Vikas, making the most out of your business trip takes a little bit of effort, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it. Even the busiest work trips can become the most invigorating travel experiences by approaching this with the concept of bleisure, as explained by Vikas. After all, a work trip doesn’t have to be all work and no play as it can also be an opportunity to broaden your horizons and experience new things.

ALSO READ: Airbnb’s top trending destinations for 2025 spring revealed: What is this new ‘soft’ and ‘slow’ travel trend?

These trends highlight a shift towards more mindful, immersive, and comfortable travel experiences. As per the Airbnb report, there has been a 90 percent growth in solo searches for spring travel, and 17 nights is the average trip length for spring solo travellers.

Interstingly, there is a 40 percent increase in searches for trips with pets this spring by solo travelers. Moreover, trending destinations this spring include vibrant cultural hubs and picturesque coastal towns, from Ubatuba, Brazil to Basel, Switzerland.

Everything you need to know about soft travel trend

1. Prioritising comfort: Travelers are seeking comfortable, homey accommodations that feel like a warm hug.

2. Cosy amenities: Guests are looking for amenities like fireplaces, hot tubs, and plush bedding to enhance their relaxation experience.

3. Wellness-focused stays: Travellers are booking stays that offer wellness activities like yoga, meditation, and spa treatments.

Everything to know about slow travel trend

1. Immersive experiences: Travellers want to truly experience local cultures, trying new foods, drinks, and activities.

2. Off-the-beaten-path destinations: Guests are seeking unique, lesser-known destinations that offer authentic experiences.

3. Sustainable tourism: Travellers are prioritising eco-friendly accommodations, transportation, and activities to reduce their environmental impact.

Other trends

1. Family travel: Multigenerational family travel is on the rise, with grandparents, parents, and kids travelling together.

2. Pet-friendly stays: More travellers are bringing their furry friends along, seeking pet-friendly accommodations.

3. Digital detox: Some travellers are seeking digital detox experiences, where they can disconnect from technology and recharge.

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According to Katrina’s post, she stayed at the Mayrlife Altaussee, an award-winning medical health resort in Austria situated directly on the shores of Lake Altaussee.

More about the resort

The health resort offers visitors the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate with the help of medical experts, therapists, nutrition experts, and doctors.

How much does the room cost

During their stay, visitors get a chance to choose from different stay options, including rooms, suites, penthouses, or park residences. Each offers a view of the lake or the mountain landscape. Meanwhile, the park residences also offer a private spa. As per the Mayrlife website, the price of the rooms ranges from 290 EUR to as high as 2,300 EUR, which is approximately ₹2,09,362.

Additionally, the resort offers various medical treatments and programmes, including healthy ageing, stress control, weight care, anti-inflammation, spas, active detox, diabetes care, sports performance boost, movement and training therapies, massages, and more. Check out the price list here.

What’s next on the work front for Katrina Kaif?

Katrina recently visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj with her mother-in-law, Veena Kaushal. Pictures and videos of the actor participating in the rituals were shared on social media. Meanwhile, on the work front, Katrina was last seen in Merry Christmas. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, where she starred alongside Vijay Sethupathi.

The latest trip indicates North Korea may be gearing up for a full resumption of its international tourism to bring in much-needed foreign currency to revive its struggling economy, experts say.

The Beijing-based travel company Koryo Tours said it arranged a five-day trip from Feb. 20 to Feb. 24 for 13 international tourists to the northeastern North Korean border city of Rason, where the country’s special economic zone is located.

Koryo Tours General Manager Simon Cockerell said the travelers from the U.K., Canada, Greece, New Zealand, France, Germany, Austria, Australia and Italy crossed by land from China. He said that in Rason, they visited factories, shops, schools and the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the late grandfather and father of current leader Kim Jong Un.

“Since January of 2020, the country has been closed to all international tourists, and we are glad to have finally found an opening in the Rason area, in the far north of North Korea,” Cockerell said.

“Our first tour has been and gone, and now more tourists on both group and private visits are going in, arranging trips,” he added.

After the pandemic began, North Korea quickly banned tourists, jetted out diplomats and severely curtailed border traffic in one of the world’s most draconian Covid-19 restrictions. But since 2022, North Korea has been slowly easing curbs and reopening its borders.

In February 2024, North Korea accepted about 100 Russian tourists, the first foreign nationals to visit the country for sightseeing. That surprised many observers, who thought the first post-pandemic tourists would come from China, North Korea’s biggest trading partner and major ally.

A total of about 880 Russian tourists visited North Korea throughout 2024, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said, citing official Russian data. Chinese group tours to North Korea remain stalled.

This signals how much North Korea and Russia have moved closer to each other as the North has supplied weapons and troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Ties between North Korea and China cooled as China showed its reluctance to join a three-way, anti-US alliance with North Korea and Russia, experts say.

Before the pandemic, tourism was an easy, legitimate source for foreign currency for North Korea, one of the world’s most sanctioned countries because of its nuclear program.

North Korea is expected to open a massive tourism site on the east coast in June. In January when President Donald Trump boasted about his ties with Kim Jong Un. he said that “I think he has tremendous condo capabilities. He’s got a lot of shoreline.” That likely refers to the eastern coast site.

A return of Chinese tourists would be key to making North Korea’s tourism industry lucrative because they represented more than 90% of total international tourists before the pandemic, said Lee Sangkeun, an expert at the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank run by South Korea’s intelligence agency. He said that in the past, up to 300,000 Chinese tourists visited North Korea annually.

“North Korea has been heavily investing on tourism sites, but there have been not much domestic demand,” Lee said. “We can assess that North Korea now wants to resume international tourism to bring in many tourists from abroad.”

The restrictions that North Korea has typically imposed on foreign travelers — such as requirements that they move with local guides and the banning of photography at sensitive places — will likely hurt its efforts to develop tourism. Lee said that Rason, the eastern coast site and Pyongyang would be the places where North Korea feels it can easily monitor and control foreign tourists.

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Guo had gone on a hike while visiting his hometown of Yichang in central China’s Hubei province in late January. When reviewing the photos, he saw something he hadn’t noticed before: A mountain shaped like a dog’s head rested on the ground next to the Yangtze River, its snout perched at the water’s edge.

“It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” Guo said.

“The puppy’s posture is like it’s drinking water, or it’s looking at some fish. It also looks like it’s quietly protecting the Yangtze River,” he said.

Guo’s post on Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, received 120,000 likes within 10 days. On the media platform Weibo, the hashtag #xiaogoushan — Chinese for “Puppy Mountain” — drew millions of views.

Dog owners started to post pictures of their dogs to see which one had the closest resemblance. Many people traveled directly to the location in Yichang to see the mountain for themselves and some even brought their dogs to take photos.

“Puppy Mountain here I am!” one social media user wrote on RedNote along with photos of the mountain. “Just stroke the puppy’s head and then everything will be OK.” Another social media user commented: “We all need the eyes to see the beauty in this world.”

Yang Yang, who lives about an hour and half from the location, drove there with her friends and her 2-year-old grey poodle named Yang Keyi.

“I was really happy to see the mountain,” she said. “I always travel with my dog if possible, so Puppy Mountain and my own little dog really match.”

The mountain is in Yichang’s Zigui County, where it can be seen from an observation deck. The Yangtze River, the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world, flows through the mountainous area.

After Guo’s photo went viral, many people shared photos of the view they previously had taken from the same deck, many saying they hadn’t realized it looked like a dog. Some discussed how the dog’s appearance has changed over the years.

Yichang resident Shi Tong said he knew he had seen the mountain before, and posted a photo he took of the location in 2021.

“After I saw the Puppy Mountain photo online, I tried to look up where it is. And then I realized that I have been to this place before. I thought it looked like a dog at that time too!”

Kirupapureeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

This 2,000-year-old temple in Thiruvennainallur is also known as Thiru Arul Thurai (place of blessings). It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared here in the form of an old man to test a devotee, Sundarar, during his wedding. The old man claimed that Sundarar was meant to serve him, producing an ancient document as proof. The truth was revealed when Shiva disappeared into the sanctum sanctorum, leaving his footwear behind as a sign. The panchayat mandap, where the debate occurred, still stands, and a pillar where Shiva leaned remains warm to the touch. Visitors can also make the short trip to the historic town of Villupuram (18.7 km) or Puducherry (63 km). The nearest railway station, Villupuram Junction, is 33 minutes away.

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, Gujarat

Located in Jambusar, this temple is also known as the Gayab Mandir (Lost Temple) and ‘disappears’ at least twice a day. It is believed that the gods, headed by Lord Kartikeya installed the Stambheshwar Mahadev Linga after eliminating the demon Tarakasur. Tarakasur was a devotee of Lord Shiva, who established a Linga at the site of the demon’s execution as a gesture of execution. The temple is located metres from the seashore, and gets submerged during high tide, re-emerging when the water recedes-interestingly, only the top of the structure remains above water. The closest station, Vadodara Junction, is 73 km away.

Triyuginarayan Temple, Uttarakhand

This is believed to be the site of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s wedding. Triyuginarayan is derived from Triyugi (three epochs) and Narayan, (a name for Lord Vishnu) and a sacred fire has been kept alight in front of the temple since the wedding, symbolising the eternal bond of marriage. Thought to have been restored by Adi Shankaracharya 1,200 years ago, it is surrounded by four sacred water bodies – Rudra Kund (bathing), Brahma Kund (drinking), Vishnu Kund (purification), and Saraswati Kund (rituals). Visiting pilgrims can also trek to Kedarnath or explore Auli’s breathtaking landscapes and Rishikesh’s spiritual retreats. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (250 km) while the nearest railway station is Rishikesh Railway Station (215 km).

Kotilingeshwara Temple, Karnataka

Located in Kolar, the Kotilingeshwara Temple is home to nearly ten million Shiva Lingams — with the tallest standing at 108 feet. Established in the late 20th century, its design is a blend of traditional south Indian temple architecture and modern elements. Also on the premises is a 36-foot-tall idol of Lord Nandi, that stands on a platform that is 60 feet long and 40 feet wide. Nearby attractions include the 1,000 year-old Kolaramma Temple (29 km), Anthargange caves (36 km). Well connected by roads, the temple is also about 100 km from Nandi Hills and Bengaluru.

Breakfast in bed or stunning view? Italian hotel says, merge both. Watch the viral video here.

Last month, Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program of Hilton, successfully hosted its first-ever celebrity dining experience in India.

Hilton Honors allows members to earn points through stays and purchases, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including complimentary nights, premium merchandise, and exclusive experiences.

This rare and exclusive event invited a select group of guests to enjoy a beautifully handcrafted menu at Conrad Bengaluru, alongside actor Sidharth Malhotra.

The dinner featured a customised six-course menu which was a fusion of Indian and Japanese cuisines, designed by Conrad Bengaluru’s Executive Chef, Mohammed Eliyaz, and inspired by Sidharth’s love for Japanese cuisine and Indian culinary heritage.

Commenting on the choice of menu, Eliyaz, said, “This menu was about storytelling – every dish was designed to take guests on a journey through flavour, technique, and tradition.”

The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour featuring drinks as a tribute to the actor, named as Malhotra Margarita, a fiery twist on the classic cocktail, and Malhotra Twist, a playful take on refreshing Moscow Mule.

As the soiree progressed, a luxurious, intimate dinner table, adorned with beautiful pink and red floral arrangements and soft candlelights awaited the guests for dinner.

Each seat was carefully reserved with guest’s name, adding a special, personal touch to the experience.

The dinner began with fusion dishes such as Moringa & Morels with Mutton Nihari, Chatpata Miso Black Cod, and other delicacies, and ended on a sweet note with Mochi Shrikhand paired with Red Beam Ice Cream, Saffron Ganache, Allahabad Boondi Cracker. Each dish was carefully crafted to represent true flavours.

Talking about the dinner, Malhotra said, “Great food and great company always make for the best experiences. Hilton Honors brought both together in a way that felt personal and effortless. From curating a menu inspired by my travels to seeing it come to life, it was exciting to be part of something so unique. Can’t wait to see what’s next!”.

Throughout the evening, the conversations with representatives of the brand, and guests from different parts of the country and world mirrored the quality of food – engaging and thoughtful.

“We wanted to create something that felt personal, immersive, and reflective of Hilton’s signature hospitality,” said Manish Tolani, vice president & commercial director, South Asia, Hilton.

He also shared plans for the expansion of the brand. He said, “Hilton Honors is focused on bringing more experiences to India and internationally to show how Hilton Honors further enhances the stay.”

As the night unfolded, Sidharth kept switching seats to make sure he interacted with every guest, connecting on a personal note. It is moments like these which makes us realise that celebrities are just like us – they love to bond over simple, heartwarming conversations around food and travel!

Partnered Content

In the drama’s two previous edits filmed in Hawaii (Season 1) and Sicily, Italy (Season 2), footfalls increased by thousands soon after the drama was aired. After Season 1, Four Seasons Resort Maui saw 386 percent jump and Sicily witnessed continuous curiosity for a long time. This month, online searches for Koh Samui soared +88 percent, according to Opodo, an online travel portal.

If you want to live The White Lotus luxe life, loosen your pursestrings for a holiday in the utterly expensive Four Seasons’ hotels/resorts in Koh Samui, (Thailand) Sicily (Italy) and Maui (Hawaii).

The White Lotus: Season 3

Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui (Thailand): Overlooking the idyllic Gulf of Siam, Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui is housed in over 40 acres of former coconut plantation, blending the tropical landscape of coconut palms into the rooms that continue down the terraced hillside to a private beach. Do not miss the numerous monkey statues in the Resort that add intrigue to the storytelling in The White Lotus.

⦿ Getting there: 45 minutes from Koh Samui International Airport. The hotel airport transfer options include a Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d for up to two passengers or a luxury van for up to five passengers. Or, opt for private-jet transfers from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand. Up to 14 people can be accommodated in the aircraft.

⦿ Accommodation: Choose from suite villas with private infinity pools and spacious terraces or Private Residences complete with kitchenettes, panoramic views and personal residential assistants.

⦿ Tariff (per night): Villa cost starts at ₹153,462+ taxes for two; Private Residence (6 adults, or 4 adults and 2 children) starts at ₹648,409. A Service Charge of 10% of room rate per night (plus applicable taxes) and a Coral Reef Conservation Fee of THB 93.46 per night (plus applicable taxes) is applied to all reservations.

⦿ What to do in Koh Samui: Explore the country’s fascinating tradition of Muay Thai boxing; Angthong National Marine Park Boat Excursion; Cruise around Koh Samui; Visit the Elephant Sanctuary; Play golf at Santiburi Golf & Country Club; do an ATV tour; Kayak/snorkel in the Gulf of Thailand.

The White Lotus: Season 2

San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily, a Four Seasons Hotel (Italy): Perched on a rocky promontory high above the Ionian Sea, San Domenico Palace is housed in a reimagined 14th-century Sicilian convent with breathtaking sea views, and Italian gardens.

⦿ Getting there: 60-minute drive from Catania-FontanRossa Airport (CTA); 1 hour 55 minutes from Comiso Airport (CIY). The hotel arranges airport transfers. Charges apply.

⦿ Accommodation: Choose from Guest Rooms, Suites & Specialty Suites.

⦿ Tariff (per night): Deluxe Room starts at ₹123,553 for two, Sea-view Premium Room with Terrace starts at ₹206,224; Sea-view Executive Suite starts at ₹378,834.

⦿ What to do in Sicily: Do a history tour – from the Ancient Theatre to the Palazzo Corvaja and Piazza IX Aprile. Board a luxury yacht or sailboat and cruise by the scenic landmarks of Isola Bella and Grotta Azzurra. Enjoy views of Mount Etna and the sea. Stroll along Corso Umberto I, the main street of the old town. Visit Castelmola, the Sicilian village built on a limestone rock, and the Cathedral of Taormina.

The White Lotus: Season 1

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii (The USA): Built in 1900 and overlooking the golden crescent of Wailea Beach, the U-shaped Four Seasons Resort Maui was one of the first resorts in Wailea. The neighbourhood is ritzy – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has a home just down the street.

⦿ Getting there: Nearly 30-minute drive from Kahului Airport. The hotel arranges car, limousine or helicopter transfer from the airport. Charges apply.

⦿ Accommodation: Choose from Premium Rooms & Suites, Large Suites, Small Suites, Guest Rooms, Accessible Rooms.

⦿ Tariff (per night): Deluxe Garden-view room starts at ₹107,713 (3 adults or 2 adults + 1 child); Ocean-view room starts at ₹162,651; Garden-view Executive suite starts at ₹235,325 while Ocean-View Prime Suite starts at ₹422,634.

⦿ What to do in Maui: Private Catamaran Sail & Snorkelling; Molokini Carter Snorkel; Haleakala Sunrise Tour; Road to Hana tour; Hana Rainforest Tour; Spend an evening in Wailea Beach; Go Whale Watching; Visit Seven Sacred Pools. If you are visiting from mid-December to mid-May, you’ll likely see humpback whales migrating off the shores of Maui.

Authorities haven’t said whether the 18-month-old child who was injured in the crash was riding on a parent’s lap. All 21 people who were hurt were released from the hospital, but young children have died in previous crashes.

Despite the recent rash of aviation disasters, airline crashes remain rare, but children could easily get hurt if they are on a parent’s lap when a plane encounters turbulence.

Experts agree it’s safer for children younger than 2 years old to have their own plane seats and ride in approved car seats when flying, even if families have to pay for an extra ticket. But babies are still allowed to travel in laps, so parents continue doing it despite the risks.

“The saddest part is that most families who travel with a lap child think that because it’s allowed, it’s safe,” said former flight attendant Jan Brown, who had to look a mother in the face after she had just lost her 22-month-old son when their plane crashed and broke into several pieces near Sioux City, Iowa, in 1989.

Brown stopped that mother from climbing back into the wreckage of United Flight 232 after it came to rest upside down in a cornfield.

“I told her what I thought would stop her: that rescue workers would find him. And she just looked up at me and said, ‘You told me to put my baby on the floor. And I did. And he’s gone.’ And so I think that was the moment that I became a child seat advocate,” Brown said.

Of the four lap children on that plane, three were injured and the woman’s son was among the 112 people who died.

A 6-month-old boy traveling on a parent’s lap was killed in 2012 when a plane landed hard and overran the end of a runway in Nunavut, Canada. Last year, three infants on laps could have been sucked out of an Alaska Airlines plane after a door plug flew off midflight, but none were sitting close enough to the opening for that to happen. What do experts recommend?

The National Transportation Safety Board and its counterpart in Canada, the Transportation Safety Board, have long recommended that young children fly only in approved car seats to protect them. The Federal Aviation Administration also recommends the use of car seats but doesn’t require it despite lobbying from advocates.

In addition to those safety regulators, the American Academy of Pediatrics and most major airline trade groups and unions support requiring young children to fly in approved car seats.

The main crash investigators in the United States and Canada started recommending car seats for children under 2 and specialized restraint systems for older kids until they are taller than 40 inches after the deadly crashes in their countries decades ago.

“We’ve all been there at that point in your life when you’ve got young children. You’re not swimming in money. You’re trying to save nickels and dimes any way you can. And if you can avoid buying an extra seat, it’s a completely understandable reaction,” NTSB member Tom Chapman said. “It’s just that people don’t understand the risk that they are subjecting their child to by not buying that seat and properly restraining them.”

Not only is it safer for children to ride in their own seats, but it’s more enjoyable for parents who don’t have to hold a squirming baby for hours in the air.

Car seat expert and mother Michelle Pratt, who founded Safe in the Seat, said no matter how tempting it is to check that lap child box, families should get everyone a ticket.

“Your baby could cost less than your checked suitcase. Why not take advantage?” Pratt said. What do parents think?

Some parents like Clare Ronning aren’t convinced. After landing in Burbank, California, with her husband and 5-month-old baby Thursday, she said she doesn’t see a need for a car seat on a plane.

“I don’t really see the difference, personally,” said Ronning, who already has taken her daughter on six flights. “It just seems like another money grab.”

But Meredith Tobitsch never imagined flying without a seat for her 3-year-old daughter and won’t do it with her 14-month-old now, either, because of safety and practical concerns.

“If there was turbulence, your natural reflex would be to let go of your child,” said Tobitsch, who lives in Connecticut, adding that her oldest daughter always slept better in her car seat, making the flights much more enjoyable.

“Obviously, that does add to the cost of air travel for families, but it is a safety thing. At least for us, we’re fortunate to do that,” she said. Why isn’t it required?

The FAA relies on a study done in the 1990s to justify not requiring families to buy tickets for children younger than 2.

The rationale is that if families had to buy those extra tickets, more of them might drive instead of fly. Because driving is riskier than flying, that would mean more kids would die in car crashes than would be saved in planes if car seats and separate tickets were required.

Chapman with the NTSB thinks that logic is a stretch and the study should be revisited, particularly since airline tickets are more affordable today.

But parent Andrea Arredondo suggested there might be some truth to it, saying she might fly less if she had to buy a ticket and lug along a car seat for her 4-month-old when flying with her family and two older kids.

“I would be more likely to decrease our plane travel than bring a car seat,” Arredondo said, explaining she and her husband already have their hands full traveling with three kids, three car seats that they check, a stroller and play set.

Associated Press writers Jaimie Ding, Michael Casey and Kathleen Ronayne contributed to this report.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Whether it is a sunset cruise, a scenic road trip or a secluded retreat, every experience here turns into a cherished chapter in the journey of love. Let us embark on a journey through this stunning region and discover its top attractions.

Visit Oudtshoorn – the Ostrich Capital

Nestled in the Klein Karoo region, Oudtshoorn is famously known as the ostrich capital of the world. This quirky town offers unique attractions that cater to both adventure seekers and those interested in wildlife.

You can take guided tours of ostrich farms where you can learn about these fascinating birds and even ride one if you are feeling adventurous! The Cango Caves are another highlight; exploring one of South Africa’s oldest tourist attractions reveals spectacular limestone formations featuring impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

For thrill-seekers, engaging in activities like zip-lining or quad biking through stunning landscapes adds an extra layer of excitement to your visit.

Experience Hermanus as a coastal paradise

For those who love marine life, Hermanus is an absolute paradise. Renowned for its whale watching opportunities, this coastal town attracts visitors from around the globe.

From June to November, Southern Right Whales can be seen from land or on boat tours—an unforgettable sight! Additionally, you can relax on pristine beaches like Gansbaai or Walker Bay which are perfect for sunbathing or swimming.

Strolling along scenic cliff paths that offer breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding landscapes provides a serene experience that complements Hermanus’s vibrant coastal charm.

Discover Paarl, a blend of nature and history

Just a short drive from Stellenbosch lies Paarl, another jewel in the Western Cape’s crown. Known for its majestic granite rock formations and lush landscapes, Paarl offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance.

You can hike through scenic trails at Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve that offer panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and vineyards. Explore historic landmarks like the Afrikaans Language Monument, which celebrates the Afrikaans language’s rich history.

For wine lovers, visiting renowned wine estates such as Nederburg and KWV provides tastings and tours that delve into winemaking traditions, making Paarl an enriching experience for all.

Explore Bo-Kaap as a Cultural Mosaic

No visit to Cape Town would be complete without exploring the vibrant neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap. Known for its colourful houses and rich history, this area is a cultural melting pot that reflects Cape Town’s diverse heritage.

Indulge in traditional dishes like bobotie and koesisters at local eateries to experience Cape Malay cuisine firsthand. The Bo-Kaap Museum offers insights into the area’s history and its significance in South Africa’s cultural landscape.

The vibrant streets lined with brightly coloured houses provide endless opportunities for stunning photographs, making Bo-Kaap not just a place to visit but an experience that captures the essence of Cape Town’s diversity.

Explore Stellenbosch, the heart of wine country

Stellenbosch, often referred to as the wine capital of South Africa, is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast. This charming town is not only famous for its award-winning wineries but also for its stunning Cape Dutch architecture and vibrant arts scene.

Visitors can explore numerous vineyards, each offering unique wine-tasting experiences paired with gourmet food. Join guided tours that take you through picturesque vineyards where you can sample some of the best wines in the country.

Enjoy meals at top-notch restaurants that focus on local ingredients and innovative cuisine. Additionally, you can visit art galleries and museums that showcase the rich history and culture of the region, making Stellenbosch a delightful blend of taste and tradition.

The Western Cape is not just a destination; it is an experience that lingers long after you leave. So, pack your bags and set off on an unforgettable journey through one of South Africa’s most captivating regions!

The partnership seeks to drive Indian tourist arrivals to Korea by leveraging EaseMyTrip’s digital reach, industry expertise, and extensive customer base, Easy Trip Planners, which operates under the brand EaseMyTrip, said in a regulatory filing.

Through a targeted marketing approach, EaseMyTrip and Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) will work together to increase awareness, improve accessibility, and create seamless travel experiences for Indian travelers exploring Korea, it added.

“Korea is a potpourri of history, vibrant city life, and breathtaking landscapes, making it a highly desirable destination for Indian travellers. Our partnership with Korea Tourism Organisation will allow us to bring exclusive travel opportunities to Indian tourists while ensuring seamless booking experiences and customised itineraries,” EaseMyTrip CEO and Co-Founder Rikant Pittie said.

Terming India as an important and growing outbound travel market, KTO Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries Myong Kil Yun said, “… Korea has immense potential as a preferred international destination. Through our collaboration with EaseMyTrip, we aim to introduce Indian travelers to Korea’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it an exciting and accessible travel choice.”

As part of the agreement, EaseMyTrip will develop a dedicated Korea microsite on its platform, offering curated travel itineraries, must-visit attractions, and essential travel insights tailored specifically for Indian travellers.

To further engage potential visitors, EaseMyTrip will also produce destination-specific blogs, video content, and social media campaigns, showcasing Korea’s rich cultural heritage, modern cityscapes, and natural landscapes, the company said.

The two organisations will also launch co-funded marketing campaigns, to ensure widespread visibility and deeper engagement in the Indian travel market.

The seven-day event is part of authorities’ efforts to boost tourism during the country’s bitter winters, when temperatures can drop to below minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 Fahrenheit).

Though it was far warmer this week, a persistent wind whipped around glittering, metres-high ice sculptures as visitors ducked in and out of the round ger tents set up to showcase Mongolia’s various provinces.

“There was no particular thing that surprised me very much, but… it was really nice to get an update and a refresher on our traditional culture,” Ulaanbaatar resident Darkhan Altantsetseg told AFP.

“It’s a nice way of reminding us that our culture is so rich.”

Outside the gers, camels and reindeer shuffled around the vast grounds, while children delightedly launched themselves down ice slides or across a glacial track on fur-lined sleds.

Archers and eagle hunters demonstrated their skills, and a small crowd gathered around a game of shagai ice shooting — a sport where players bowl a puck to try to hit animal bones across a frozen surface.

“Actually, today my husband participated in a competition for older people, and won gold! So I’m really happy,” said Altantsetseg.

– Music, feasting –

The sounds of live music seeped gently from the gers despite their well-insulated walls.

In one, a three-piece of ethnic Kazakhs from the westernmost province of Bayan Olgii played and sang as curious onlookers were plied with milk tea.

“When Ulaanbaatar people enter (our ger), they are amazed by how luxurious it is and how different it is from most other Mongolian gers,” said musician Badein Huatbyek, pointing out in particular the lack of central columns in the intricately decorated dwelling.

He himself had a shock coming to the capital this time.

“I was surprised to see how developed the city has become — last time I visited was three or four years ago,” he said.

With the Lunar New Year coming up on March 1, many gers had set up a dining table as if for the festival, with most of a roast sheep and a multi-layered biscuit tower the centrepieces.

Dressed in red hats and brightly patterned robes, two elderly ladies handed out airag — fermented mare’s milk — before dancing a mischievous jig from Mongolia’s west.

A percussionist used a string of sheep ankle bones to keep the beat as an ensemble, including a throat singer, performed an ode to nature.

Many Ulaanbaatar residents were also in traditional garments, decked out in furs and silks as they strode across the park’s slippery paths.

A quarter of Mongolia’s 3.4 million people lead nomadic lives, according to the World Bank, but hundreds of thousands have moved to the capital in the past two decades.

Agroeconomist Byambasure, visiting with his two daughters, told AFP his job meant he was in the field a lot.

But “my children were born and raised in Ulaanbaatar — so they are not very familiar with our traditions and culture”, the 50-year-old said.

“It’s a good way for them to learn, so I’m glad I brought them here.”

In a move to combat overtourism, Florence’s local government has mandated the removal of self check-in keyboxes from holiday rentals by February 25.

Every year, there are new experiences and new destinations that make travelling exciting. These ensure that no two trips feel the same. Travel is all about reinventing itself in new ways.

A travel report from British Airways Holidays shared glimpses of 2025 travel trends. The report shared new travel styles and hotlist destinations on the rise.

ALSO READ: Money-saving travel hacks to know: Best day, month to book air tickets and more tips

Most-sought-after travel destinations

The report shared the top most sought-after holiday destinations, indicating the evolving preferences for holidays. The list includes cities that provide a myriad of experiences, from the ones with stunning skylines to natural paradises. It’s as per the 2025 January sales on British Airway’s site.

Topping the list is New York, a city that never loses its charm, attracting visitors with its iconic skyline, Broadway shows, and more. Dubai followed closely in second spot, an opulent blend of ultramodern architecture, luxury shopping experiences, wild desert adventures, and mesmerising world-class attractions. Barbados ranked at third spot, with its beaches, nightlife, and cultural heritage, is a top choice for those looking for a tropical escape.

Other highly searched destinations include Cancun, Tenerife, Orlando, Maldives, Mauritius, St. Lucia, and Malta.

Rising stars

Some cities may always be in the spotlight, remaining evergreen favourites for travellers, like the ones mentioned above. But again, not all are for Bucketlist or restrained within a checklist. Travellers are also preferring other underrated cities as the report mentioned a spike in the searches.

Leading the surge of rising stars is Agadir (city in Morocco), with a whopping 308% increase in searches, attracting travellers with its golden beaches, and historic sites. Abu Dhabi (+94%) is also seeing significant growth, thanks to its luxury experiences. On the third spot, Crete (+44%) in Greece is drawing visitors with its Mediterranean charm.

Other rising stars making their mark are Koh Samui, Gibraltar, Nashville, Kos, and Qatar, all emerging as travel hotspots.

Travel trends

Travel is a unique experience and every story is shaped by a unique motive or purpose. As these motivations evolve, so do the experiences they create. So let’s see what curated experience this year brings, based on the report’s findings.

• Taste hunting: Palates will steer travel plans as travellers shape their itineraries around food-related experiences. Many local cuisines’ dishes go viral on social media, from must-try street foods to authentic restaurants to try. Social media trends have also moulded this trend. Earlier, travel was only centred around attractions, with food in the periphery, but now the experience of eating abroad is also prioritized.

• Paperback packers: Reading a book has become difficult in the daily grind. So travel is a perfect chance to go back to reading and immerse in a good book. The trend suggests people carry e-books and even purchase new books at airports before flying.
• Trivial pursuits: Traveling is also a golden opportunity to learn something new. People now book hotels that provide unique activities, workshops, and sports facilities. Generally, hotels offer age-old spa and other wellness, and relaxation services. But now, people are demanding active experiences too, showing a more vigorous wind-down style.
• Trad holidays: This vacation style is making a comeback, especially in the younger generation. It includes all-inclusive vacations with pre-planned meals, organised activities, and budget-friendly packages. This makes travel hassle-free and more organised, avoiding the stress of planning everything to every little detail.
• Trip collectives: People love to travel in groups, but group travel’s booking style is changing. Earlier, groups were booked together, but now people are coordinating with their friends and family while making individual reservations. Typically, where one booking would cover the entire group, there are now individual bookings for smaller subgroups. This helps them better sync their travel dates, allowing for greater flexibility.

To sum up, travel is an experience that is continuously evolving as a result of both contemporary changes like social media trends and lifestyle priorities like taking a no-stress approach with trad holidays. The way people explore is changing to make sure every travel experience is new.

ALSO READ: Always overpacking your travel itinerary? Here’s how to plan according to your family size

Yet now, the razzle-dazzle food swamp is in the midst of a dining revolution. Exhibit A is GUI, the swanky two-story steakhouse opening on Eighth Avenue on Feb. 22 that’s repurposed a former Staples store. The gilded space will feature haute cuts of wagyu beef, roving trolleys of caviar and pristine seafood, and a deluxe cocktail program. “We saw an opportunity to bring something different to this high-energy neighborhood: a refined-yet-approachable American steakhouse experience,” says chef Sungchul Shim, who also operates the Michelin-starred dining rooms Mari and Kochi.

Another hospitality expert who sees opportunity in Times Square is Danny Meyer. The famed restaurateur and his Union Square Hospitality Group have just reopened the View, transforming the tired, rotating tourist-filled bar into a David Rockwell-designed masterpiece complete with seafood towers and bone-in chops.

“It’s impossible to imagine Times Square without thinking of two eminently powerful business drivers in that neighborhood: Broadway theater and tourism. All by themselves, those two engines can fill a restaurant,” says the USHG founder. “In creating what we hope will become a dining destination for New Yorkers, our aim is that the energy of the surrounding area will flow through our doors, keeping our seats full.” He adds that the restaurant on the 47th and 48th floors above Times Square will allow both New Yorkers and visitors “to experience Times Square in a fresh light.”

Meyer’s new Times Square neighbors include the chef-driven See No Evil Pizza and the dumpling darling Din Tai Fung. It’s also a block away from the new $2.5 billion entertainment and hotel project, TSX Broadway.

“Restaurateurs are investing dollars in this market, because people from all over the world come to Times Square and want a unique dining experience,” says Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance. He credits investment in car-free pedestrian zones as well as increased policing and improved sanitation with helping to lure more restaurateurs to the area. “A rising tide lifts all ships,” he says. “We are working to promote public safety, sanitation and pedestrian-friendly plazas. The businesses have followed.”

The enhancements have led to an uptick in both pedestrian traffic and restaurant dining spending, according to the Times Square Alliance. In December 2024, pedestrian traffic was up 17.5% from the same period the previous year, and January saw a rise of 7.2% from the January before, despite colder weather in 2025.

Likewise, diners are shelling out more. In 2024 domestic visitors spent $135 million in neighborhood dining rooms, a 12% increase from 2023. Tristate residents spent $64 million, up 6% from the previous year. Even New York City residents, who tend to avoid Times Square, forked over $125 million, an 8% increase from 2023.

Here then is your handy dining guide to Times Square, starring the six latest notable additions, plus four places not to forget about.

Newcomers

GUI SteakhouseA martini laced with steak-dripping-infused vermouth served with a side of homemade beef jerky is one way to start a night at GUI (pronounced “GOO-ee”). The American-vibed steakhouse will serve dry-aged domestic prime beef and Japanese A5 wagyu ($23-$32 per ounce depending on the cut) seared on Josper grills and binchotan, as a Fisherman’s Cart stocked with options like oysters, razor clams, live scallops and uni makes the rounds. While there will be some nods to chef Shim’s home province of Jeolla, a region in South Korea known for its rich culinary heritage (such as the sundubu jjigae, a fermented soybean stew with clams, $20), the heart of the concept is classic steakhouse with refined Korean influences. There’s double-cooked thick-cut bacon with chunjang glaze ($32) and a galbi-style flatiron steak with barley risotto ($45).

The 120-seat restaurant, outfitted with polished wood tables, deep-green velvet seating, intricately carved Shoji screens and golden glass backdrop, is located up the stairs or via a renovated Staples-era elevator. On the ground floor, Bar 92 is a speakeasy with a dark-wood and custom-crafted mother-of-pearl back bar. Here you can snack on a wagyu katsu sandwich along with other snacks like a shrimp burger—and sip on that steak-infused Gui-tini. 776 Eighth Ave.

Din Tai FungIt’s rare for a dumping to generate the sort of frenzy reserved for Taylor Swift, but the arrival of Din Tai Fung has turned Times Square into an epicenter for xiao long bao fans. The restaurant, roughly the size of an airport hangar at 25,000 square feet, seats 450, yet it’s still not big enough to contain the masses. The menu highlights wonderful dim sum—pillowy steamed buns, crispy-bottomed potstickers — and pork chops smothering fried rice, but the XLB, hand-pinched with 18 pleats, stuffed with marinated Kurobuta pork, IS what everyone is there for. 1633 Broadway

The ViewMeyer and his longtime design partner David Rockwell have reenergized the tourist staple the View. The bar, spinning slowly against Manhattan’s skyline on the 48th floor of the Marriott Marquis hotel, now feels like a Mad Men set, with its moody haze of amber lighting, brass and blue accents, and clubby midcentury modern furniture. Old-fashioneds, served in heavy cut-glass tumblers, are properly made; they go for $22, as do most of the cocktails. Downstairs on the 47th floor, there’s a jazz piano player in the sumptuous glass-walled dining room. Executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley offers an Americana menu with crabcakes, roasted chicken with warm green bean and bread salad ($36) and black bass “en papillote” served tableside in a parchment poof, as well as layer cakes, sundaes and classic New York cheesecake. With the choreography of the city spinning by, it’s dinner and a show. 1535 Broadway

See No Evil PizzaThis sensational pie joint from a Gramercy Tavern alum is secreted in the downtown 1 train station at 50th Street and Broadway. Executive chef-partner Edward Carew’s pizza has a three-day fermented crust, so it’s airy and chewy. It’s then topped and fired in a state-of-the-art Marra Forni pizza oven. Selections change seasonally: In cold weather you might find the Funghi, with roasted garlic, fontina and lemon accenting the foraged mushrooms. The Hell Pie—smothered in hot soppressata, pepperoni and Calabrian chile—is a staple.

Post-pizza, stop by Nothing Really Matters, the restaurant’s super-cool speakeasy, accessible through a discreet door. Head mixologist Cyllan Hicks (Double Happiness; Grand Banks) mixes innovative cocktails grouped by spirit. Try the Cloak & Dagger, a winter warm-up for two ($36) that mixes whiskey, rye and tawny port with the warmth of clove, maple and smoke, along with a roster of solid classics. 210 W. 50th St., Concourse 1

Dear IrvingWhen it opened in October, this fifth-floor cocktail lounge swept a world of civility and sophistication into Times Square. The space is glossy and glam, with an oversize bar in the shape of the letter “O” and deep crushed-velvet couch seating. Carefully mixed cocktails ($20) served in elegant glassware include an entire section devoted to the Gibson and a list focused on New York state spirits, such as an Autumn Smash, made with New York Distilling Co. rye. The menu also has the option of excellent cocktail fare: caviar rolls, au poivre sliders and sesame-crusted tuna tataki. It’s a great place for preshow bites or after-work drinks. 1717C Broadway

All’Antico Vinaio Even after two-plus years, the sandwiches as destination food feel fresh and create lines down the block. The greatness of the Florentine import starts with the bread: airy, freshly baked schiacciata, a marriage between focaccia and pizza bianca. Then there’s everything stuffed inside, from Salame toscana, with pecorino cream, artichoke cream and spicy eggplant in La Favolosa ($20) to rare roast beef, paired with onion porcini cream, tomato and arugula for The New Yorker ($19). The menu is long, but there are no wrong choices. 1450 Broadway

The Classics

Aldo Sohm Wine BarIf one long-standing place makes Times Square worth the tourist crush, it’s this bar and lounge from Aldo Sohm, who’s also the wine director of three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin across the street. Sohm treats the bar as he might his own living room, hosting Tuesday trivia nights and the #9PMPour, where he picks a favorite bottle and pours it for everyone at the bar each night at nine o’clock.

The wine makes the place notable enough—selections come from small, natural makers as well as from lauded Old World producers. But the menu, overseen by Le Bernardin’s culinary team, goes far beyond the usual wine-friendly cheese and charcuterie, with an haute popcorn section, a roster of assorted tartes flambee and warm sandwiches like a lamb merguez pita with herbed yogurt. 151 West 51st St.

Gallaghers Since 1927, Gallaghers has been Times Square’s top spot for carnivores, a legendary speakeasy-turned-steakhouse specializing in Manhattans, clams casino, steak tartare and a slew of dry-aged steaks and chops fired over its signature hickory coals. Not only is it a great place for aged beef in Times Square—a civilized refuge from the city’s panicked pace—it’s also one of New York’s top steakhouses. 228 W. 52nd St.

Sky PavilionOne of the city’s top Sichuan restaurants is located on a rundown 42nd Street block, a stone’s throw from Port Authority. Chef Zhong Qing Wang trained under several Sichuan master chefs; his first Manhattan restaurant, La Vie en Szechuan, closed during the pandemic. His new home is Sky Pavilion, which has earned raves reviews. In a bland, exposed-brick banquet room, you’ll find a menu that’s breathtaking in both breadth and quality. Highlights among the vividly flavored dishes include braised whole fish with ground pork; freshly made tofu pudding in a stone pot with chile oil, scallions and pickled chiles; and the famous stir-fried Zigong-style rabbit, singing with multiple chiles and (naturally) mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns. 325 W. 42nd St.

Carmine’s Carmine’s is the Disney of New York Italian food—oversize, boisterous, full of fun and nearly exhausting in its boundless energy and Titanic portion sizes. Waiters in crisp white shirts dash around the 13,000-square-foot dining room ferrying family-style platters of very good chicken parm blanketed in bubbly mozzarella, big bowls of meatballs, creamy penne alla vodka, rafts of toasty garlic bread and generously seasoned Caesar salad. There’s a captivating, nearly dizzying buzz to the restaurant that matches the city’s. 200 W. 44th St.

According to Tripadvisor, here are the top five beach destinations to add to your list. …read more

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Calling all beach babies! With the summer making it’s way, it’s time to start getting to work on our itineries for the next beach vacation. Tripadvisor has made our work easier by listing out the top beaches in the world. According to the latest edition of Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025, here are the top beaches you must visit.(Pexels)

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Located on the southwest coast of Crete in Greece, Elafonissi beach has the perfect holiday destination to offer with it’s crystal clear water and picturesque pink sand.(Unsplash)

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Banana beach in Phuket, Thailand is perfect for the adventurers. From boating to parasailing to spotting beautiful corals, this is the beach to go to for your next holiday destination.(Unsplash)

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Eagle beach in Aruba is known for it’s white sand, water sports and calm waters. BRB, rushing to make our itinerary to visit this beach for a quiet staycation.(Unsplash)

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With clear waters, powder sand and seashells by the shore, Siesta beach lives up to it’s name and is one of the most loved destinations all around the world.(Unsplash)

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Praia da Falésia beach in Portugal was ranked fifth according to Tripadvisor. If you enoy a cliff and a beach together, this is your place to be.(Unsplash)

Santorini, a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, has been shaken by tens of thousands of mild quakes since late January, forcing thousands of people to flee, and authorities to ban construction activity, and shut schools and nearby islands.

No major damage has been reported but scientists have said the seismic activity was unprecedented even in a quake-prone country like Greece and have not ruled out bigger tremors.

They have identified the main ferry port at the foot of a precipitous slope and other sites across Santorini as weak links, although they have not said they cannot be used in an emergency situation.

Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said Greece will build an evacuation port for the safe docking of passenger ferries until a new port infrastructure is in place.

“Along with the new port in Santorini which is being prepared, there was a decision for setting up an escape port on the part of the island where passenger ferries would be able to dock in an emergency,” he said in an interview with Greek ANT1 television.

Although the tremors lessened over the weekend, local authorities extended emergency measures for a third week on Sunday and reiterated calls for people to stay away from coastal areas and steep hillsides prone to landslides.

“This story is not over,” Costas Papazachos, a seismology professor, and a spokesperson for the Santorini quakes told public broadcaster ERT.

“Both authorities and habitants should get used to a rather unpleasant situation for some time, it could be another two, three months.”

Santorini took its current shape following one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600 BC.

Seismologists have said the latest seismic activity, the result of moving tectonic plates and magma, has pushed subsurface layers of the island upwards.

The areas of culinary tourism that ruled 2024 and are expected to thrive in 2025 as well:

Street food and market tours: The allure of local and regional flavours dominated travel itineraries, with 94.1% of experts identifying street food and market tours as the biggest attractions. From vibrant spice markets to bustling food streets, these tours offered travellers an authentic taste.

Culinary site tours: Nearly 92.3% of experts predict that culinary site tours, where travellers learn about the production of their favourite foods, will continue to gain popularity. These tours offered behind-the-scenes insights into food production, from tea estates to artisanal cheese-making hubs.

Home dining experiences and interactions with local experts: A significant 87.5% of experts noted the growing trend of travellers booking home dining experiences. These experiences allowed visitors to delve deeper into local food cultures, learn traditional cooking techniques, and enjoy intimate interactions with regional and community experts.

Yetunde Oshodi-Fraudeau, the owner and creator of Let’s Eat The World, Culinary Experiences for Travel Lovers, a company based in Seville, Spain, says, “Culinary tourism has grown and expanded significantly in recent years. Food is something that just doesn’t go out of fashion. According to research, the global culinary tourism market was valued at approximately USD 11.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.9% from 2024 to 2030.”

“Overall (2022 to 2024), over three years, the total growth in customer numbers was 121.9%, reflecting strong and sustained momentum in attracting and retaining customers. This consistent upward trend showcases the growing popularity and effectiveness of the food trip globally,” says Rama Mahendru, General Manager of Intrepid Travel India.

Here are some of the places that one must visit in 2025 to experience culinary tourism at its best:

Italy

From the creamy risottos of Milan to the world-famous pizza of Naples, Italy is a feast for the senses. Tuscany’s rolling vineyards invite wine lovers, while the Amalfi Coast serves up fresh seafood with stunning sea views. For a truly elevated experience, head to Osteria Francescana in Modena, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant that’s consistently ranked among the world’s best. Puglia’s culinary identity is rooted in simplicity, farm-to-table freshness, and the Mediterranean lifestyle. Experience a stay in a restored trullo (traditional Apulian stone house) and enjoy a private farm-to-table dinner curated by a local chef. Italy’s food culture is a perfect blend of history, passion, and farm-to-table traditions that make every bite unforgettable.

Japan

Few places in the world take food as seriously as Japan. Whether it’s savouring sushi crafted by master chefs in Tokyo, slurping ramen in cosy local eateries, or experiencing the delicate art of tempura, Japanese cuisine is about precision and balance. Tokyo alone is home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city, but the culinary magic extends across the country, from Osaka’s vibrant street food to Kyoto’s refined kaiseki meals.

France

France remains the epitome of culinary excellence. Paris beckons with its patisseries, cheese shops, and bistros, while Burgundy’s vineyards and Provence’s olive oil farms invite a deeper dive into regional specialities. For a unique experience, take a cooking class in a Loire Valley chateau or explore Lyon, the gastronomic capital, where classic dishes like coq au vin come to life. Take a wine tour in nearby Beaujolais or Côtes du Rhône regions. France is a place where food is celebrated as an art form, making it a must-visit for any culinary traveller.

Vietnam

A must for street food enthusiasts, Vietnam’s culinary culture is a harmonious blend of fresh herbs, bold flavours, and regional diversity. From the bustling street food markets of Hanoi to the refined imperial cuisine of Hue, Vietnam offers a tantalizing experience for food lovers. One must try their steaming pho in Hanoi or banh xeo (crispy pancakes) in Saigon. One must visit the floating markets of the Mekong Delta for exotic fruits and local delicacies and don’t forget to take a cooking class in Hoi An to master making cao lau noodles.

Recommended by travel experts Sandeep Arora, Director of Brightsun Travel, India and Chhavi Chadha, founder of Bespoke Tailormade Experiences

A revised draft of the entertainment complex bill, published Saturday, proposes that casinos can make up no more than 10% of the premises of their host venue and creates disclosure requirements for locals who want to gamble. The locations of complexes will be carefully considered and determined by a special committee, according to the proposal, which has been put up for public hearings until March 1.

Another change is that casinos will now be required to be separated from the rest of the complex, with their own gates and entrances. The proposal still mandates that at least four other types of businesses must be housed inside the entertainment complexes, which may include a department store, a hotel, an amusement park and a yacht club.

The Thai government aims to pass the casino bill this year, seeking to draw more foreign investment and collect more taxes, in a potential win for global gaming companies who have long canvassed for legalization of casinos in the tourism hot spot. Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and MGM Resorts International are said to be studying potential opportunities in Thailand as a hedge against uncertain prospects in Macau. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has said it would be interested in expanding to Thailand.

Indeed, Thailand can emerge as a major player in the global gaming industry if casinos become fully operational in about six years, Citigroup Inc. said in a report last year. The country’s gross gaming revenue could reach $9.1 billion, making it the third-largest market in the world behind Macau and Las Vegas and ahead of neighboring Singapore, Citigroup analysts said.

Thailand is already the only country in Asia allowing legal access to cannabis, and last month it legalized same-sex marriage, a move expected to encourage more LGBTQ couples to travel to the country for their weddings.

Still, opposition to the legalization of casinos has been growing among Thais as the government pushes ahead with the initiative. Last month, a public survey showed more than half of respondents disapproved of the government’s plan to allow investments in casinos and legalize online gambling.

Potentially to address public concerns that legal casinos would fuel gambling addiction, the new draft contains restrictions that would effectively bar regular Thai citizens from gambling in the entertainment complexes. Thais wishing to enter casinos would be required to present a fixed-deposit bank account statement showing a balance of at least 50 million baht ($1.5 million) dating back six consecutive months, while foreigners only have to be at least 20 years old, according to the draft.

A new section of the bill also requires licensed operators to hire Thai nationals to work in the entertainment complexes in a proportion to be set by a policy committee headed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Once established, the panel will also propose other rules to the cabinet, such as the tax rate for casinos, the number of licenses to issue and how much land casinos can occupy within the complexes.

Under the proposed legislation, entertainment complexes would be operated by Thai-registered companies with paid-up capital of at least 10 billion baht. A license for 30 years will cost 5 billion baht in the first year and 1 billion baht for each remaining year. The permit can be extended for up to a decade on each renewal.

After the public hearing period, the bill is expected to be approved by the cabinet before being considered by the House of Representatives and the upper house Senate later this year. Each house typically takes months to pass a bill in three required readings.

The city wants to ban horse-drawn carriages from its streets this year to protect the animals after years of criticism of the trade.

The decision to follow in the footsteps of other tourist hotspots such as Rome and Chicago dismayed visitors including Anastasia, a chef who had travelled from Britain.

“It’s really nice, I was impressed — seeing Malaga like this is completely different,” said the 47-year-old as she dismounted from a carriage.

Fellow British tourist Robert agreed, expressing his wonder at his “amazing” trip with a “beautiful” horse.

“I am sure it helps the city attract more tourists,” added the 46-year-old business owner.

Animal rights activists criticise horse-drawn carriages for tourists because of the strain they put on the animals, especially during the searing summer heat.

Summer temperatures in Malaga can soar to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), said Concordia Marquez, founder of a nearby shelter called “Todos los Caballos del Mundo” (All the Horses in the World).

“Horses and horse-drawn carriages have to cover a lot of ground, both to get to where they spend the night, where they sleep, and to get back to their place of work,” added Marquez.

“That’s inhumane to make a horse work like that.”

– Animal welfare concerns –

Malaga city hall had announced in 2015 that it aimed to ban horse-drawn carriages from its streets by 2035, but it now wants to bring the ban forward to this year.

Officials are in talks with the holders of the last 25 licences to reach an agreement.

“We have been negotiating for a long time, we have met 99 percent of the demands of carriage owners,” Malaga’s city councillor for mobility, Maria Trinidad Hernandez, told AFP.

“What we are looking for is animal welfare, but it is also the case that they used to have more places to circulate,” she added.

“With the building works that have gone on for the last 20 years, there is hardly any left. There is the park and a little bit of the promenade left.”

Horse-drawn carriages will not totally disappear — they will still be allowed as part of festivals and traditions like Malaga’s annual fair in August.

“What there won’t be are municipal licences, the tourist horse-drawn carriage, the one you take and pay for as if it were a street taxi,” said Hernandez.

Look for lightweight options with smooth wheels, durable material, and secure zippers for stress-free travel. From business professionals to digital nomads, cabin luggage with a laptop compartment is a must-have for convenience and efficiency. Get ready to fly hassle-free with our top picks!

Did you know that a well-designed cabin suitcase can make travel stress-free? The American Tourister Airconic is crafted for effortless mobility with a sturdy polycarbonate shell and smooth spinner wheels. Its sleek design includes a front zip pocket with a dedicated laptop compartment, keeping essentials easily accessible. The ergonomic trolley grip adjusts for comfortable handling, while the spacious interior features tie tapes and mesh pockets for organised packing. Ideal for business trips or quick getaways, this stylish cabin luggage offers a balance of function and fashion, making it a great travel companion.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers love the compact design, easy handling, and laptop compartment, making it ideal for business and leisure travel. They find it stylish and well-built, but some feel the material quality could be improved.

Why choose this product?
Choose this product for its sleek design, smart laptop storage, and smooth mobility, making short trips and business travel more convenient while keeping essentials organised.

A good trolley bag keeps your travel hassle-free with smooth movement and secure storage. The VIP Zorro Strolly offers a spacious interior with organised compartments, making it easy to pack clothes, gadgets, and essentials. Crafted from durable polycarbonate, it withstands rough handling while keeping your belongings safe. The TSA lock adds extra security, while 8 smooth wheels ensure effortless 360° movement. Ideal for short trips, this stylish cabin luggage is perfect for both men and women. Whether for personal use or gifting, this sleek, lightweight travel companion ensures comfort and convenience.

A reliable cabin suitcase makes travel smoother, and THE ASSEMBLY Hard-Sided Luggage does just that. Made from 100% polycarbonate, this lightweight yet unbreakable trolley bag offers durability and protection. The TSA-approved lock keeps belongings secure, while 4 smooth spinner wheels ensure effortless mobility. Water and scratch resistance add extra convenience, making it ideal for frequent flyers. With spacious compartments, an additional laptop section, and dedicated pouches for shoes and toiletries, it’s a smart choice for organised travel.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers appreciate the spacious compartments, sturdy design, and smooth wheels, making it a great cabin companion. The extra laptop section and pouches are loved, though some feel it could be lighter.

Why choose this product?
Choose this product for secure travel, easy organization, and stylish durability, ensuring a stress-free and comfortable journey.

A well-organised cabin bag makes travel easy, and the Nasher Miles Silicon Valley Luggage does just that. Made from durable polycarbonate, this 20-inch suitcase features a TSA-approved lock for security and a wide aluminium telescopic handle for better stability. The front padded pocket fits a 15.6-inch laptop and a tablet, ensuring quick access at security checks. The main compartment includes elastic cross straps, a privacy zip pocket, and a waterproof toiletries pouch, making it ideal for business and leisure travel.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers like the design, durability, and laptop-friendly storage, making it convenient for work trips. However, some have concerns about the lock function and stitching quality over time.

Why choose this product?
Choose this product for secure travel, smart organization, and a stable wide handle, making business and leisure trips more convenient.

A well-packed overnighter makes short trips hassle-free, and the Assembly Premium Trolley Bag is designed for just that. Made from 100% polycarbonate, it offers unbreakable durability while remaining lightweight. The 16-inch size features a front pocket for quick laptop access, fitting up to 14-inch devices. With a TSA-approved lock, your belongings stay secure. Water and scratch resistance add extra convenience, making it an ideal business or weekend travel companion.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers like the compact size, smooth feel, and easy handling, making it perfect for short business or weekend trips. However, some have mixed opinions on the build quality.

Why choose this product?
Choose this product for a secure, lightweight overnighter with a laptop compartment, ensuring easy travel for business professionals and frequent travellers.

The MOKOBARA Em Cabin Pro is built for effortless travel with a German Makrolon polycarbonate shell, ensuring durability and water resistance. Featuring 8 Japanese Hinomoto wheels, it glides silently and smoothly. The aviation-grade telescopic handle enhances control, while the TSA number lock secures your belongings. The premium grain texture and 3D signature M deboss add a sleek touch.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers find it a good investment, praising the build quality, smooth wheels, and premium feel. Most consider it worth the price, but a few feel it’s slightly on the heavier side.

Why choose this product?
Choose this suitcase for its durability, silent wheels, and premium design, making it an excellent choice for frequent travellers.

The Safari Select Recoil Cabin Trolley Bag is a hard-sided polycarbonate suitcase designed for effortless travel. It features a secure TSA-approved recessed lock, an anti-theft puncture-resistant zipper, and an integrated laptop compartment to protect your electronics. The 8 smooth-rolling wheels offer 360-degree rotation, making navigation easy. Its compact size ensures hassle-free airport movement while helping save on baggage costs. With a modern, stylish design, this bag is perfect for short trips and business travel.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers like the build quality, modern look, and convenience of the laptop compartment. The lock system, scratch resistance, and manoeuvrability are well received. Some users feel storage could be improved in the cabin size.

Why choose this product?
This stylish and secure trolley bag is ideal for business travellers and quick getaways, offering smooth mobility, laptop protection, and safety features.

The MOKOBARA The Transit Cabin Overnighter Luggage is a hard-sided polycarbonate suitcase designed for short trips. It features an unbreakable polycarbonate shell, a TSA-approved lock, and an aviation-grade telescopic handle for a seamless travel experience. The 8 Hinomoto spinner wheels provide effortless 360-degree mobility, making it easy to manoeuvre through airports. With a dedicated front laptop compartment, it ensures easy access to your electronics while reducing the need for an extra bag. Ideal for business travellers and weekend getaways.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Customers love the spacious compartments, stylish design, and ease of transport. The outside laptop compartment is a highlight, making it easy to access electronics. Some feel the build quality could be better for the price.

Why choose this product?
This sleek and functional overnighter is great for professionals and travellers looking for a compact, durable, and well-organised carry-on bag.

Top 3 features of cabin luggage to master the art of 1 cabin bag policy

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

From a few hours’ delay to the unfortunate scenario where your bags never arrive, having the right policy can save you from unnecessary stress, inconvenience, and financial strain. In this article, we’ll explore how travel insurance can help in these situations and why it’s essential to have the right coverage for international trips.

Common Causes of Luggage Delays and Losses

Luggage issues are more common than you might think, particularly during international travel. Here are some common reasons your luggage might be delayed or lost:

1. Transit Issues

Baggage can sometimes be delayed during transfers between connecting flights, especially if layovers are short.

2. Overbooking or Weight Limitations

Airlines occasionally overbook flights or remove checked luggage to balance the load, which can lead to delays or missing bags.

3. Weather Disruptions

Extreme weather conditions, such as storms or heavy snowfall, can delay luggage handling if flights are rerouted or postponed.

4. Airport Congestion

Busy airports, especially during peak seasons, can cause delays in baggage handling or misplacement.

5. Mislabelling or Incorrect Handling

Human errors, such as incorrect labelling, can result in your luggage being sent to the wrong destination or lost entirely.

How International Travel Insurance Covers Luggage Delays and Losses

International travel insurance offers coverage for a range of baggage-related issues, providing financial protection and peace of mind. Here’s how it can help:

1. Reimbursement for Essential Items

If your luggage is delayed for an extended period (as defined in your policy), your insurance can reimburse you for essential purchases, such as clothing, toiletries, and other necessities.

2. Compensation for Lost Luggage

In cases of permanent loss, your policy may provide compensation for replacing your belongings. Depending on the coverage, this might include personal items, clothing, and even electronics.

3. Emergency Luggage Assistance

Some policies offer services to help you obtain essential supplies while your bags are delayed, ensuring you have access to what you need during your trip.

4. Coverage for Damaged Luggage

If your bags or belongings are damaged during transit, travel insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

The Benefits of Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for Luggage Coverage

For frequent travellers, opting for multi-trip travel insurance provides comprehensive and continuous coverage for luggage-related issues. Here’s why it’s a smart choice:

1. Year-Round Protection

Multi-trip travel insurance covers all trips you take within a year, making it ideal for business travellers or avid explorers.

2. Cost-Effective Solution

Compared to purchasing individual policies for each trip, a multi-trip policy is often more affordable and provides extensive coverage, including for delayed or lost luggage.

3. Comprehensive Coverage

Multi-trip insurance typically includes protections for luggage across multiple destinations and travel modes, ensuring consistent coverage wherever you go.

4. Convenience

With a single policy in place, you can focus on your travels without worrying about buying separate coverage for each trip.

Filing a Claim for Delayed or Lost Luggage

If your luggage is delayed or lost, follow these steps to make a successful claim with your international travel insurance:

1. Report the Issue to the Airline

Notify the airline immediately. They will register your complaint and provide a reference number for the claim.

2. Obtain Documentation

Collect all necessary documentation, such as your boarding pass, baggage claim ticket, and receipts for any emergency purchases.

3. Contact Your Insurer

Inform your insurance provider of the situation. Most insurers have a 24/7 helpline to assist with travel-related claims.

4. Submit Your Claim

Complete your insurer’s claim form and attach all required documents, such as the airline’s delay confirmation and receipts for expenses.

5. Follow Up

Once your claim is submitted, the insurer will process it and reimburse you according to the terms of your policy. Keep copies of all documents for your records.

What to Look for in an International Travel Insurance Policy

When choosing international travel insurance, ensure your policy provides comprehensive luggage coverage. Key features to check include:

1. Luggage Delay Coverage

The policy should specify the duration required for luggage to be considered delayed (e.g., 12 hours) and the reimbursement limits for essential purchases.

2. Compensation for Lost Luggage

Verify that the policy offers compensation for permanently lost luggage, including limits for reimbursing high-value items.

3. Emergency Assistance Services

Look for policies that include assistance with tracking lost luggage or arranging emergency delivery of items.

4. Damaged Luggage Coverage

Ensure the policy covers damage to your luggage or belongings during transit.

5. 24/7 Customer Support

A reliable insurer should provide round-the-clock support for resolving luggage-related claims quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion

International travel can be an enriching experience, but it’s not without potential inconveniences like delayed or lost luggage. Having international travel insurance ensures you’re financially protected against these unexpected events.

For frequent flyers, multi-trip travel insurance offers an excellent solution. It covers all your travels throughout the year, providing seamless protection against luggage issues and more, saving you both time and money.

Before embarking on your next international journey, make sure you secure the right travel insurance. It’s a small investment that offers invaluable peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying your trip to the fullest.

Travelling isn’t just about attraction, hopping or ticking off a checklist, it’s an entire experience meant to be savoured at a leisurely pace. This requires you to plan your itinerary in the most realistic way possible, considering physical limits, energy levels, and the need for rest.

Travel is about pausing and rejuvenating, not falling back into your daily life’s grind; that’s something for you to do when you get back, not while you are travelling. And even if you do, you’re missing the entire point of travelling. Along with exploring the tourist spots, travelling is also an opportunity to unwind and enjoy, whether by relaxing with a spa treatment or lounging by the pool. Make sure to make the best use of hotel amenities.

In an interview with HT, Gautam Munjal, CEO of Minimalist Hotels, shared tips on avoiding overpacking your itinerary and tailoring travel plans based on group size.

ALSO READ: Money-saving travel hacks to know: Best day, month to book air tickets and more tips

Balancing exploration with hotel amenities

While it’s tempting to pack an itinerary with back-to-back activities, a well-paced journey lets you truly soak in the destination without feeling rushed.

Gautam said,”A well-rounded weekend getaway isn’t just about rushing from one attraction to another—it’s about finding the perfect balance between immersing yourself in a new destination and enjoying the comforts of your accommodation.”

Further breaking down the entire day’s pacing, he explained, “Mornings are often the best time to explore. Energy levels are high, and many attractions are less crowded. Whether it’s wandering through historical sites, embarking on a nature hike, or visiting bustling local markets, mornings set the tone for a day of discovery. But after a few hours of exploration, it’s important to slow down. Afternoons and evenings are ideal for relaxation. You might unwind on a rooftop terrace, enjoy scenic views from your room, or participate in cultural activities offered by your hotel.”

Prevent overpacking with 70/30 ratio

Time is ticking, and you feel the urge to ‘binge-sightsee’ every tourist spot. But remember, it’s not a race or a competition to see how many landmarks you can cover in one day—it will eventually lead to burnout.

Gautam recommended, “Rather than racing from one attraction to the next, focus on a few key experiences each day—two to three at most. Prioritize the activities that genuinely interest you and leave space for spontaneous discoveries. For instance, you might start your day with a visit to a historical site, follow it with a leisurely lunch at a local café, and spend the afternoon exploring nearby neighbourhoods at your own pace. Leaving gaps in your schedule doesn’t mean you’re missing out; it means you’re allowing yourself to be present and enjoy each experience fully. You might stumble upon a hidden gem, like a quiet park, a charming boutique, or an unexpected street performance.”

Gautam advised following a 70 percent exploration and 30 percent leisure ratio, where 70 percent of the time is dedicated to exploring and 30 percent to simply relaxing.

He described this and added, “Mornings are perfect for diving into the heart of the destination. Whether you’re exploring museums, taking guided tours, or venturing into nature, these activities keep you energized and engaged. After a morning of exploration, give yourself permission to slow down. Afternoons can be reserved for quieter moments—reading a book in a cosy café, taking a nap, or enjoying a spa treatment.”

Now that the first half of the day is done, let the evening be a time to unwind. Gautam advised taking a leisurely stroll through town, enjoying a local performance, or savouring a long, unhurried dinner.

Itinerary according to family size

The itinerary needs to be personalised as per the needs of the family.

Gautam shared itinerary planning tips based on family size:

• Families: For families, flexibility is key. Children often have shorter attention spans, so it’s important to plan activities that are both engaging and adaptable. Morning visits to interactive museums, parks, or historical sites can be balanced with relaxing afternoons at the pool or attending family-friendly cultural events. Leaving downtime allows everyone to recharge and keeps the trip enjoyable for all ages.
• Couples: Couples, on the other hand, may prefer more intimate, romantic experiences. Private tours, scenic walks, and quiet dinners in cosy restaurants can create lasting memories. Watching the sunset from a beautiful viewpoint, taking a boat ride, or simply enjoying each other’s company over a leisurely breakfast can make the trip special without packing the day full of activities.
• Solo travellers: Solo travellers often seek a balance between self-paced exploration and opportunities to connect with the local culture or community. Starting the day with a solo adventure—like visiting a museum or hiking a trail—can be followed by joining a local tour, participating in a workshop, or simply finding a quiet spot to reflect. Solo travel offers the freedom to move at your own pace and embrace both solitude and social interaction when desired.

To sum it up, put aside the urge to cram every possible attraction and activity into your itinerary. Sometimes, in the excitement of travel, people become overambitious and turn travel into a mechanical conquest to cover everything. By keeping a well-spaced-out itinerary, you allow room for spontaneous activities, unexpected discoveries, and moments of true relaxation.

ALSO READ: Move over fridge magnets and postcards: Here are the authentic Goa souvenirs to grab on your next visit

“The new route we are thinking of is Goa. We are also planning on the backwaters of Kerala, where we are thinking of 5-6 night cruises from the north to south of Kerala. The other one, which we have in mind is Kashmir, the Jhelum river cruises on the Jhelum river for a few nights. So, these are some of the new areas where we are concentrating and targeting,” Singh told PTI over a telephone conversation.

At present, Antara Cruise has a fleet, including the MV Ganges Voyager, MV Ganges Voyager II, MV Ganga Vilas, MV Bengal Ganga, MV Nauka Vilas and 4 catamarans.

The company offers luxury cruise experiences in various rivers in India, including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and rivers of Bhitarkanika National Park.

These cruises connect travellers to historic cities such as Varanasi, Kolkata, Odisha, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati, among others.

Of these fleets, the MV Ganga Vilas covers approximately 3,200 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, touching 27 river systems and 50 major tourist destinations.

When asked about the challenges the company faces before launching a cruise on a route, Singh said that one of the major challenges is understanding the river.

“When we say we understand the river, it means the quantity of water, that is if the level of water is enough and suitable to make the ships sail. Also, how wide the river is, the size of the ship, everything depends on the availability of water,” he added.

Another challenge, Singh said, is to convince local people about the benefits the cruise will bring.

He further stated that the company has no plans to expand operations beyond India and Bangladesh, even in other countries with similar topography.

“No, at present, we don’t have any plans to operate outside India as we have about 110 National Waterways. So, there is ample scope to grow within India,” Singh added.

Singh said that each ship employs about 300 to 400 people. However, indirectly, the company is expected to create over 20,000 jobs with its existing as well as fleets in the pipeline.

The indirect jobs are huge because, each place where we go, we use local services, including transport, guides and many other things,” he added.

In November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on the tourist island of Flores erupted multiple times, killing nine people, cancelling scores of international flights to Bali and forcing the evacuation of thousands.

The latest emergency measures around the 1,703-metre (5,587-foot) twin-peaked volcano came after increased seismic and volcanic activity.

“The results of visual monitoring and seismic activity showed… a sudden increase in volcanic earthquakes,” Indonesia geological agency head Muhammad Wafid said in a statement Thursday.

“An eruption could potentially occur in the future.”

The heightened activity led to the alert level being raised to the highest of a four-tiered system starting from 3:00 am (1900 GMT Wednesday), Wafid said.

He also warned of the possibility of hazardous lahar floods — a type of mud or debris flow.

“People around Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki should be on alert for the potential of lahar floods in rivers that originate at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s peak if high-intensity rain occurs,” he said.

Wafid later told a press conference that an exclusion zone had been widened from five to six kilometres (three miles) around the crater.

“This includes six villages that must be evacuated,” he said, without specifying the number of residents there.

Laki-Laki, which means “man” in Indonesian, is twinned with a calmer volcano named after the Indonesian word for “woman”.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.

In short, all the possible, stereotypical ‘touristy’ trinkets. Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with them as they too celebrate Goa, these barely scratch the surface of what Goa truly has to offer.

Goa is also culturally rich and essentially is a treasure trove of crafts, textiles and spices.

In an interview with HT, Diksha Namdev Tari, Dy. Director, Department of Goa Tourism in detail shared the various cultural souvenirs one can take back home from Goa. It’s time you go for the real souvenirs instead of the artificial ‘I love Goa’ trinkets for your social media.

ALSO READ: Goa: Iconic beaches are the hottest New Year 2025 destinations—Here’s what awaits the tourists

Real souvenirs of Goa

The souvenir list and in-depth explanations shared by Diksha include all the essentials that truly capture the essence of Goa, from aromatic spices to fine handicrafts. She explained about the spices and in which Goan recipes they are used, perfect for recreating when you go back home. Along with this, Disksha also covered textiles and brass arts.

Here are all the cultural souvenirs she shared:

1. Goan spices & local pickles

Kokum, a local fruit with numerous health benefits, is widely used as a souring agent in curries and cooling drinks. For seafood lovers, Recheado Masala, a spicy and tangy paste, is ideal for stuffing fish such as mackerel. Local pickles like mango, prawn, or lime pickle-each reflect Goa’s unique coastal and Portuguese culinary influences.

Goan Toddy Vinegar, made from the sap of coconut trees, is a must-buy as it’s essential for preparing traditional dishes like vindaloo and sorpotel. Goan Garam Masala, a fragrant spice blend that adds warmth and depth to a variety of curries and stews and the famous Goan chilli powder are delightful gifts. They are often sold in attractive spice boxes or jars, perfect for adding a Goan touch to your cooking.

2. Kunbi sarees & textiles

The Kunbi saree is a symbol of Goa’s indigenous heritage. Traditionally worn by tribal Kunbi women, these handwoven cotton sarees feature a red base with distinct check patterns. In recent times, designers have revived the Kunbi weave into stoles, dresses and contemporary outfits. Handwoven cotton fabrics are also popular and can be tailored into custom outfits, making them a perfect gift for textile lovers.

3. Coconut shell crafts

Coconut shell bowls, bamboo baskets, and lampshades are functional and stylish souvenirs. Coconut shell jewellery is another unique option. Bamboo crafts including bamboo baskets or lamps also highlight Goa’s rustic charm and eco-friendly ethos. Coir products made from coconut fibre, like coasters, mats, and baskets show the local craftsmanship.

4. Handicrafts

Pottery and clay artefacts, such as terracotta pots, vases, and figurines, depict traditional Goan life and are great for home decor. Wooden toys and small furniture pieces are another popular choice for collectors.

Among the most popular are shell work items, such as mirrors, wall hangings, lamps, and jewellery boxes intricately crafted from seashells, symbolizing Goa’s coastal beauty.

Crochet items are a perfect choice. Handmade with care, these include elegant table covers, cushion covers, and clothing that carry forward Goa’s long-standing tradition of intricate crochet art.

5. Oil lamps

Brass Divli or Divaj (traditional oil lamps) are meaningful souvenirs that represent light and prosperity. Often used in Goan homes for festivals and rituals, these lamps are not just decorative but deeply symbolic.

6. Hand-painted ceramic tiles for home decor

For something truly unique, Azulejos tiles or hand-painted ceramic tiles with Portuguese-inspired designs are another iconic souvenir. These tiles feature Goan scenery, local motifs, and floral designs, making them ideal for wall décor or personalized nameplates, often featuring scenes from Goan landscapes and daily life, adding a touch of history and art to any space.

Markets

Now that you know more about the cultural souvenirs of Goa, it’s time to put some local markets on your radar to make souvenir hunting easy for you.

Disksha advised to head out to these local markets:

• Mapusa Market: Perfect for spices, pottery, cashew nuts, and homemade Goan products.
• Anjuna Flea Market (Wednesdays): A blend of local and bohemian items, including clothing, jewellery, and local handicrafts.
• Panjim Market: Great for Goan sweets, spices, Feni, and Azulejos tiles.
• Calangute Market Square: Offers beachwear, handicrafts, and local food products.

Now that the souvenir is sorted, consider adding (real)souvenir hunting to your Goa itinerary. It’s not your regular shopping, it’s a deep dive into Goa’s soul.

ALSO READ: 7 serene Goa beaches to get away from crowd and party scenes

The heaviest snowfall — up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) — was expected in parts of Virginia and West Virginia. Ice accumulations could range from a glaze in Kentucky and West Virginia to a half-inch (1.3 centimeters) in some higher elevations of West Virginia and the Roanoke Valley of southwestern Virginia, the National Weather Service said. Power outages and tree damage were likely in places with heavy ice buildups.

“Did you think winter was over? Think again!” the weather service’s office in Blacksburg, Virginia, said in a post on the social platform X. Snow and sleet blew into western Virginia and North Carolina early in the day, with the system expected to give way to freezing rain in the afternoon, the weather service said.

Appalachian Power, which serves 1 million customers in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee, said it requested 700 additional workers from neighboring utilities to assist with problems.

About 65 Virginia National Guard soldiers were at facilities along the Interstate 95 and state Route 29 corridors and in southwest Virginia to support the storm response, guard officials said. Another 20 soldiers and members of the Virginia Defense Force were in support roles.

Troops with heavy-duty trucks were organized in chainsaw teams to help clear roads and power line routes. Black Hawk helicopters with rescue hoist capabilities were also on standby.

Winter storm warnings extended from Kentucky to southern New Jersey, and the snow-and-ice mix was expected to become all rain by Wednesday afternoon as temperatures climb.

Meanwhile a separate storm system was expected to dump heavy snow on an area stretching from Kansas to the Great Lakes starting Tuesday night, the weather service said. The Kansas Legislature canceled Wednesday meetings because of the weather, and Gov. Laura Kelly closed state offices in the capital, Topeka.

Treacherous travel

In Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency and schools and government offices were closed Tuesday, state police reported dozens of accidents, including four injuries. The Department of Transportation advised people to stay off the roads.

With snow in the forecast for the Washington, D.C., area, the Office of Personnel Management recommended that federal workers leave their offices early in the afternoon. Schools in and around Baltimore also let out early.

In southern West Virginia, multiple crashes temporarily shut down several major highways. Smith’s Towing and Truck Repair responded to at least 15 calls, mostly from tractor-trailer drivers who got stuck on Interstate 64 in Greenbrier County near the Virginia border, dispatcher Kelly Pickles said.

“Basically they just get sucked over into the median or they go off of the interstate just a little bit on the right-hand side,” she said. “And they just don’t have enough power in their vehicles to get back onto the road due to the icy conditions.”

‘A wonderland’

Paige Williams, who owns Downtown Books in Lexington, Virginia, described a kind of “fluffy snow that sticks to things” that was coming down heavily and limiting visibility at her home outside the city in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“It makes it just like a wonderland,” Williams said. “It’s beautiful out here. It’s sticking to the evergreens and to some of the rock walls. And it’s really just gorgeous.”

Williams, 58, closed her store with as much as 9 inches (about 23 centimeters) of snow in the forecast. She hoped to reopen Wednesday, noting that Lexington and surrounding Rockbridge County are dependable when it comes to clearing the roads.

But with temperatures on either side of freezing Tuesday night and Wednesday, the rain that is supposed to follow could make the roads better or worse.

“It’s just going to depend on where those temperatures go,” Williams said. “Rain can clear things off. And rain can also freeze. And then you have a lot of skating rinks instead of roads.”

Frigid temperatures

An Arctic air mass stretched from Portland, Oregon, to the Great Lakes.

In Detroit, where temperatures dropped into the lower teens (about minus 11 Celsius), two children under age 10 died, likely from exposure, after they were discovered with other family members Monday in a van in a casino parking garage, police said. Their family may have been living in the van.

The temperature bottomed out Tuesday morning at minus 31 degrees (minus 35 degrees Celsius) in Butte, Montana, where over the past two winters at least five people died from cold exposure, said Brayton Erickson, executive director of the Butte Rescue Mission.

Advocates for the homeless in the city of about 35,000 were out on the streets distributing sleeping bags, jackets, mittens and other cold weather gear to anyone who needed them, according to Erickson. Overnight Monday into Tuesday, 36 people were jammed into the 16-bed rescue mission to escape the cold.

“When it gets this cold, we kind of pull out all the stops,” Erickson said.

In North Dakota, all 12 beds at the Minot Area Men’s Winter Refuge were full, executive director Mike Zimmer said, as the temperature dipped to minus 17 (minus 27 Celsius).

“You go outside, that wind is like steak knives going into your body within the first couple seconds,” Zimmer said.

In Oregon’s Multnomah County, officials extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday. Five emergency shelters were set to open Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon. Midweek wind chill readings could dip to 10 degrees (minus 12 Celsius) in Portland, the weather service said.

Atmospheric river

Forecasters said an atmospheric river was expected to arrive in California starting Thursday, according to Brian Hurley, a senior meteorologist with the service’s Weather Prediction Center. The forecast was for heavy rain along the coast and into the central valleys along with heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada through Saturday.

MOUNTAINS – LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, JAPAN

Muskaan Mittal and Aashish Gupta, travel content creators, share, “Lake Kawaguchiko in Japan is the perfect spot for a mountain-themed bras. With stunning views of evisited during autumn, tumn hues, it aroposedibly romantic setting. We visited durinrisamn, and Aashish proposed to me there — it’s a memory we’ll cherish forever.” The best photo spots for proposals: Oishi Park, Kogamasao Park, Tagasski Park. Cafe Mimi and La Bohome Mimi are great eateries to make your partner say “yes”!

ADVENTURE – SWISS ALPS

Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys, recommends, “Whether you’re at the peak of a scenic hike with panoramic views or nestled in a cozy mountain chalet, the Swiss Alps blend adventure with breathtaking landscapes for memories that last a lifetime.” For a truly romantic touch, Pritish suggests, “Take a helicopter (under a lakh for a couple to a private glacier and indulge in an intimate eight-course dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant 7132, which cost ₹25,000-35,000″

WILDLIFE – MASAI MARA

One of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations, Masai Mara in Kenya captivates with its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and warm, welcoming people. It’s also the location where Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor proposed to his partner, Alia Bhatt. For an unforgettable experience, Pritish Shah from A Travel Deut recommends, “A hot air balloon proposal overlooking the vast expanse of Mara offers a truly unique moment.” Charges range from US$ 450-470 per adult ( ₹24,000-50,000 per person).

BEACH – MALDIVES

For the ultimate romantic getaway, award-winning travel content creator Larissa D’Sa suggests the Maldives — a beach lover’s paradise. With its serene atmosphere, crystal-clear waters, powdery white sands, and breathtaking sunsets, it’s the perfect setting for a proposal. Many resorts offer exclusive proposal packages starting from $350-400 ( ₹30,000-40,000), featuring private sections with stunning setups, candles, lanterns, and a “will you marry me” sign, complemented by gourmet dining.

WINE AND DINE – SOUTH AFRICA

For a truly immersive dining and wine-tasting experience, Pritish recommends, “The wine cellar at Klein Jan, Tswalu, in South Africa’s Northern Cape – a hidden gem where time stands still and the quality of experience reigns supreme.” This one-of-a-kind culinary journey captivates every sense, with courses served in awe-inspiring. settings that make each moment feel more thrilling and interactive. Be sure to plan ahead – lunch reservations are recommended 3 months in advance for this exclusive experience. Prices start from ₹15,000 per person.

HISTORY – FLORENCE AND ROME

For lovers of history and culture, Nahta recommends Florence, the heart of the Renaissance, brimming with artistic treasures, and of course extremely romantic backdrops to go down on your knee. He says, “The masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery and the iconic views from Ponte Vecchio bridge create an atmosphere of elegance and inspiration.”

He also suggests, “Rome, with the grandeur of the Colosseum and the intricate details of the Roman Forum, offers an unforgettable journey through time.”

Most carriers have vowed to address their growing contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by using vastly more fuels derived from lower-emitting sources like used cooking oil and energy crops. Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines Inc., and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. are among a large group of airlines promising to consume 10% sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, by 2030.

But adoption of these cleaner fuels has been slow even as air travel jumped 10% in 2024—and 4% above pre-pandemic levels—to reach an all-time high, according to figures released last month by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). SAF accounted for about 0.3% of commercial aviation’s fuel consumption last year, according to IATA’s estimates, well below the industry group’s earlier forecast of 0.53% for 2024.

To reach 2030 targets, airlines will need to boost consumption of SAF more than 30-fold.

“I think 10% is a target that likely won’t be met by 2030,” says Jimmy Samartzis, chief executive officer of LanzaJet Inc., which is building several sustainable fuel plants around the world, including in the US and the UK. “I think that’s just the reality across the industry.” Also read | Money-saving travel hacks to know: Best day, month to book air tickets and more tips

All of this obscures a potentially bigger problem: Even if airlines can somehow replace 10% of their fuel with lower-emitting alternatives by the end of the decade, those climate benefits would be wiped out by the industry’s expected growth. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, for instance, recently spurned climate activists by voicing approval for the construction of a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport. IATA, meanwhile, predicts global air travel will grow another 8% this year.

“Growth typically scuppers what you try to do on the decarbonization side of aviation,” says Alice Larkin, professor of climate science and energy policy at the University of Manchester in the UK.

Air travel and economic growth:

The airline industry counters that air travel is important for overall economic growth, which will be needed to fund a massive energy transition to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. “What we really need to be able to tackle climate change is more growth…more tax revenue and more money to fund all of these things that we are going to have to do,” says Marie Owens Thomsen, chief economist and senior vice president of sustainability at IATA.

The aviation industry expects that SAF production will skyrocket after 2030, eventually supplying up to 90% of its fuel. And it attributes the recent shortfalls to the lack of supply, with only a handful of companies historically producing the cleaner fuels.

Several new large plants have started operating in recent months. Diamond Green Diesel, a joint venture between Valero Energy Corp. and Darling Ingredients Inc., recently started up its refinery in Texas, which can produce over 200 million gallons of SAF per year. Phillips 66, meanwhile, has converted a refinery near San Francisco to churn out renewable fuels.

In both cases, though, the refineries can toggle between producing renewable fuels for road transportation or aviation, depending on various factors, including appetite from airlines. With SAF costing at least twice as much as conventional jet fuel, it’s not clear if airlines will gobble up the available supply. Officials for Valero and Phillips 66 both declined to say how much SAF the refineries have been producing so far in 2025. Also read | Airline amenities grow ever more luxurious for those who can pay

A patchwork of new regulations could spur more demand. Starting this year, both the European Union and the UK require that SAF accounts for 2% of jet fuel. Singapore is planning to add a levy to tickets next year to purchase more of the cleaner fuel, while the Canadian province of British Columbia will require jet fuel to be at least 1% SAF by 2028.But many airlines push back against these types of requirements. California regulators withdrew a proposal last year to require more SAF amid opposition from airline industry groups. This has left voluntary purchases by airlines — buttressed by a patchwork of government incentives — as the sole driver for cleaner aviation fuels across much of the world.This voluntary demand has disappointed some makers of SAF. Neste Oyj, a Finnish producer of cleaner aviation fuel, warned in October of lackluster voluntary purchases and said that some airlines were looking to postpone their carbon-reduction plans. (Air New Zealand ditched its 2030 climate target last summer, but Neste declined to name any specific carriers.)There was no indication of a pullback at a BloombergNEF conference last week in San Francisco, where officials at Delta and United Airlines Holdings Inc. touted their ongoing commitments to cleaner fuels. “We know it’s the right thing for United, we know it’s the right thing for our shareholders,” said Lauren Riley, United’s chief sustainability officer, during a conference panel. “We’re going to continue to invest in sustainable aviation fuels.”SAF accounted for 0.17% of United’s jet fuel consumption in 2023, which was right around the global average that year; Delta came in at 0.09%. Some European airlines are further ahead: Air France-KLM led all passenger carriers with over 1% SAF in 2023. (Most individual airlines haven’t yet reported their 2024 totals.)Riley praised new state incentives, like a $1.50 per gallon credit in Illinois, which can help make SAF pencil out for airlines. “I now have reason to walk into my CFO’s office and say, ‘I want to go procure this sustainable aviation fuel for use at O’Hare, which is our hometown hub, at this volume, because we can actually afford it,’” she said. “Having these state-based policies is really, really important.”Unexpected setbacks, however, still loom large for many SAF plants under construction. BloombergNEF, which tracks the development of renewable fuel facilities, found that 46 forthcoming plants announced delays last year.When LanzaJet announced the opening of its new SAF plant in rural Georgia a little over a year ago, it hoped to reach its full annual output of 10 million gallons by the end of 2024. But the plant has yet to produce any jet fuel after the facility was pounded by Hurricane Helene in September, which knocked it offline for six weeks. It’s also been dealing with “some standard equipment issues and challenges with things like compressors,” says LanzaJet’s Samartzis.

“It takes time to sort of work your way through, work out the kinks, optimize the unit, and ensure that it is safely producing fuel,” he says.These challenges fuel skepticism that there will be enough SAF—and that airlines will purchase all of the available fuel—to hit their climate targets.“A lot of people bandy around quite a lot of numbers in relation to SAF, as though once you’ve said it, it’s just going to materialize,” says Larkin of the University of Manchester. “I’m very skeptical at the moment as to whether you can make those sorts of quantities.”

From President Murmu’s visit to the narration of Bhagwat Katha and Ganga Aarti recreation, here’s a glimpse of the latest updates from the Maha Kumbh Mela.  

According to the BMRCL’s press release, it has also introduced separate tariffs for peak and non-peak hours just like the hail taxi riders – Ola and Uber.

Fare rate changes:

The maximum fare has been enhanced from ₹60 to ₹90 and the minimum balance has been increased from ₹50 to ₹90.

The fare for a travel between 0-2 kilometres will be ₹10, 2 km to 4 km – ₹20, 4 km to 6 km – ₹30, 6 km to 8 km – ₹40, 8 km to 10 km – ₹50, 10 km to 12 km – ₹60, 15 km to 20 km – ₹70, 20 km to 25 km – ₹80, 25 km to 30 km and above would be ₹90.

“The Fare Fixation Committee submitted its report recommending the revised fare structure on December 16, 2024. As per section 37 of the Metro Railway O&M Act, the recommendations made by the Fare Fixation Committee shall be binding on the Metro Railway Administration,” BMRCL said.

Accordingly, with the due approval of BMRCL Board, the revised fare structure will come into effect from February 9, 2025.

Regarding the peak hour tariff system, the BMRCL said it will offer an additional five per cent discount on Smart cards at the rate of five per cent during peak hour along with five per cent off peak hour, which will be an effective 10 per cent for travel during off-peak hour based on the time of entry into the Metro system.

The non peak hours will resume from the time the Metro services start in the day up to 8 am, again from noon to 4 pm and 9 pm to closing hours on week days. Also read | Bengaluru metro fares set to rise by 40-45% after 8 years, maximum fare to touch ₹85: Report

The Metro Rail authorities also said that there will be a discount offer on smart cards at the rate of 10 per cent on all Sundays and national holidays.

The hike comes close on the heels of 15 per cent hike in government bus fare in Karnataka.

Last month, Bengaluru Central MP, P C Mohan had posted on ‘X’ that the proposed hike in metro fare has been put on hold.

“BMRCL’s proposed 45% metro fare hike, set for Feb 1, has been put on hold. The Modi government has directed BMRCL to submit a comprehensive report before making any decision. A big win for the people of Bengaluru—ensuring transparency, accountability, and fair metro pricing,” he said on ‘X’.

Right now, it’s the winter rainy season in the islands, which means the odds of seeing a rainbow are even higher than usual. Also Read | Forget Sicily and Hawaii, Thailand is now the must-visit destination thanks to The White Lotus Season 3

Rainbows emerge so often in Hawaii they’ve become popular symbols of island life. Pictures of them adorn buildings, the sides of public buses and appear on standard vehicle license plates. University of Hawaii sports teams are even named after rainbows.

“For me, rainbows really signify hope and new beginnings,” said Liane Usher, the president of the Children’s Discovery Centre in Honolulu, which features rainbows on its exterior wall and in its exploration rooms. “I can’t ever help but smile whenever I see a rainbow after the rain.”

Here are some things to know about rainbows in Hawaii.

Where can I find rainbows?

Rainbows form when raindrops refract sunlight into a spectrum of colours. The brighter the sun, the clearer the rainbow.

Look for them when it is both sunny and raining at the same time. They will appear opposite the sun. They will seem larger and higher in the sky in the early morning and late afternoon, when the sun is lower on the horizon.

Steven Businger, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, says the archipelago’s trade winds bring many small showers with enough blue sky between them for the sun to shine through.

Hawaii’s clean air also helps. Other places tend to have more air particles from dust, pollen and cars. Conditions improve further during Hawaii’s rainy season, which lasts from October through April.

“Hawaii has maybe the best rainbows on the planet,” Businger said.

Businger created an app called RainbowChase to help people find rainbows in Hawaii.

Rainbows are so prevalent that there are about 20 names for them in the Hawaiian language, according to a Manoa website, including distinct words for rainbow fragments and those that sit low on the horizon.

What role do rainbows play in Native Hawaiian culture?

Rainbows represent divine or supernatural power in Native Hawaiian tradition.

Sam ‘Ohu Gon III, senior scientist and cultural adviser at The Nature Conservancy in Hawaii, said rainbows are considered a symbol of Kane, one of the four main gods in Hawaiian tradition. Traditionally, the closer one got to a rainbow, the more likely they were to encounter a supernatural force, or an extremely powerful or chiefly person, he said.

In one centuries-old story, a rainbow appears over the secluded home of a Hawaiian princess for four straight days. Another emerges above the ocean when her suitor arrives, a man so strong his punch pierces an opponent’s chest like a spear.

To Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, a teacher and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, a rainbow signals an “aumakua”, which is a deified ancestor or a family or personal god.

“When those of our loved ones go before us, they precede us in life and they leave us in this realm. They are able sometimes to show their presence,” Wong-Kalu said. “The rainbow is one of those ways.”

Rainbows let her know spiritual protection is present and that she is loved and watched over, said Wong-Kalu, who is also known as Kumu Hina.

When did rainbows become symbols of island life?

Rainbow imagery decorates everything from buildings and restaurant facades to athletic uniforms.

The Hawaii men’s athletic teams are called Rainbow Warriors and the women’s teams are Rainbow Wahine, using the Hawaiian word for women. The teams are called Bows’ for short.

The origin of the rainbow mascot dates to New Year’s Day in 1924. Hawaii was locked in a scoreless tie against the visiting Oregon Aggies when a rainbow appeared over the field. Hawaii scored soon after and reporters began calling the team the Rainbows, according to the book “Hawai’i Sports: History, Facts and Statistics”.

The Hawaii football team in 2000 dropped “Rainbow” from its nickname when a coach expressed concern it carried a “stigma” because of its association with the LGBTQ community. The school restored the name in 2013.

Will climate change affect rainbows?

When Kimberly Carlson was a professor at Manoa, she saw a rainbow outside her apartment window that made her wonder how climate change would affect them.

Now a New York University environmental studies professor, she’s studied the impact over the next century.

Her team’s analysis, published in a paper two years ago, predicts Brazil, the Mediterranean and parts of Central Africa will have fewer rainbows by 2100. They found places that currently get lots of snow, but that will instead receive more rain, will likely see more rainbows. Alaska falls in that category.

Scientists believe rainbows will continue to be plentiful in Hawaii, but in the coming decades, longer dry spells might lead to fewer rainbows on the arid, leeward sides of the islands, Businger, the atmospheric sciences professor, said. Maui and the Big Island might be particularly affected, he said.

The singular experience of glimpsing a rainbow makes them worth studying, he said.

“Rainbows are a cultural touchstone for us. They cause us to stand still and for a moment, forget about the past and the future,” Businger said. “We are really in the moment when we see a spectacular rainbow, and that’s a rare experience in our busy lives.”

Vande Bharat passengers can buy food onboard even if they opt out during ticket booking: Railways

The midair collision that killed 67 near Washington, the fiery plane crash in Philadelphia and now a missing plane in Alaska are only the most high-profile disasters. There was also a Japan Airlines plane that clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport earlier this week and a United Airlines plane caught fire during takeoff at the Houston airport Sunday after an engine problem sparked a fire on the wing.

That’s not even to mention the security concerns that arose after stowaways were found dead inside the wheel wells of two planes and aboard two other flights. And don’t forget about the time that a passenger opened an emergency exit door on a plane while it was taxiing for takeoff in Boston. Also read | Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft crashes in Madhya Pradesh; 2 pilots eject safely

So of course people are wondering whether their flight is safe?

What happened in the worst incidents?

The Jan. 29 collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter killed everyone aboard both aircraft. It was the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five on the ground. There hadn’t even been a deadly crash of any kind involving a U.S. airliner since February 2009.

Crashes are more common involving smaller planes like the single-engine Cessna that went missing in Alaska on Thursday with 10 people aboard. Crews were searching for that plane Friday.

A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing the six people onboard and another person on the ground. That Learjet generated a massive fireball when it smashed into the ground in a neighborhood not long after taking off from a small airport nearby. Also read | Washington air crash: Remains of all 67 victims recovered, 1 unidentified

How worried should I be?

Fatal crashes attract extraordinary attention partly because they are rare. The track record of U.S. airlines is remarkably safe, as demonstrated by the long stretch between fatal crashes.

But deadly crashes have happened more recently elsewhere around the world, including one in South Korea that killed all 179 people aboard in December. There were also two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. And last January, a door plug blew off a 737 Max while it was in flight, raising more questions about the plane.

And federal officials have been raising concerns about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years, especially after a series of close calls between planes at U.S. airports. Among the reasons they have cited for staffing shortages are uncompetitive pay, long shifts, intensive training and mandatory retirements.

President Donald Trump added to those concerns Thursday when he blamed the midair collision on the “obsolete” air traffic control system that airports rely on and promised to replace it.

But even with all that, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy went on Fox News earlier this week and tried to assure viewers that air travel is “way safer than traveling in a car and train. This is the safest mode of transportation.”

And the statistics back that up.

The National Safety Council estimates that Americans have a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash, while deaths on airplanes are too rare to calculate the odds. Figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation tell a similar story.

What is being done?

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating these recent crashes and close calls to determine what caused them and look for ways to prevent similar incidents.

There have already been troubling revelations about the midair collision, but it will take more than a year to get the full report on what happened. Also read | 236 deaths, 6 horrific crashes: December a dark month for aviation industry

The NTSB always recommends steps that could be taken to prevent crashes from happening again, but the agency has a long list of hundreds of previous recommendations that have been ignored by other government agencies and the industries it investigates.

But Duffy said the public is right to say that crashes like the recent ones are unacceptable. That is why he plans to make sure “safety is paramount” as he leads the agency that regulates all modes of transportation.

“I feel really good about where we’re at and where we’re going and the plans we have in place to make sure we even make the system safer and more efficient than it is today,” Duffy said in the Fox interview.

The initiative, discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister P S Tamang during the day, aims to transform the city’s transport infrastructure and provide a sustainable alternative to traditional road-based commuting.

The meeting, attended by officials from the Urban Development Department (UDD), key stakeholders and potential investors, focused on the implementation of the ropeway project under the Sikkim Ropeway Act, 2023.

Gangtok, the state capital, has been grappling with increasing traffic congestion due to rising private vehicle ownership, limited road space, and longer trip lengths. The ropeway system is expected to alleviate these issues while enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal and accessibility, it said.

The UDD presented a detailed briefing to the chief minister, highlighting the necessity, feasibility, and benefits of the project. The presentation included traffic data, groundwork assessments, and future projections, emphasising the ropeway’s potential to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and support local livelihoods through job creation.

The project, named Golden Jubilee Cable Car in honour of Sikkim’s 50 years of statehood, will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with a revenue-sharing framework and annual fixed financing, it said.

The ropeway system is envisioned as a scenic, efficient, and eco-friendly mode of transport that will cater to both residents and tourists. By reducing reliance on road-based vehicles, the project aligns with Sikkim’s commitment to sustainable urban development and innovative transport solutions, the statement said.

Once operational, the Golden Jubilee Cable Car is expected to position Gangtok as a model city for urban transport in the region, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.

The next steps involve the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will outline the technical and financial aspects of the initiative, it added.

The tunnel constructed at a cost of ₹2,717 crore, spanning a length of 11.98 km in Sonamarg. has transformed connectivity and bolstered economic activity in the region.

The Z-Morh Tunnel has transformed Sonamarg into a year-round tourist destination, bringing economic opportunities to locals.

A vendor stated that the tunnel has enabled them to earn throughout the year, unlike earlier when they remained idle for six months.

With increased tourist inflow from Srinagar and Ganderbal, Sonamarg now remains accessible even in winter, boosting employment and business prospects in the region.

Speaking to ANI, a local vendor said, “We can earn all over the year because of the tunnel. Earlier, we used to sit at home for six months. Now, everyone is getting employment opportunities. People are coming from Srinagar and Ganderbal.”

“The tourism department used to remove the board of Sonamarg in November but now this isn’t the case as Sonamarg is accessible all over the year. We welcome all the tourists and we are ready to host them,” said the vendor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel Project in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, J&K LG Manoj Sinha, and former CM Omar Abdullah.

Gadkari had hailed the Sonmarg Tunnel Inauguration, calling it a “Marvel of Engineering” ensuring year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.

“This bi-directional, 6.4-kilometre tunnel features a parallel escape tunnel for enhanced safety. It includes a 3.7 km creeper lane for heavily loaded vehicles, a 4.6 km western approach road, a 0.9 km eastern approach road, 2 major bridges, and 1 minor bridge, exemplifying PM Modi Ji’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir’s world-class mobility network,” he had posted on X.

The Z-Morh Tunnel has been built to promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.

Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km per hr to 70 km per hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh.

This enhanced connectivity boosts defence logistics and drives economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu- Kashmir and Ladakh.

Chinese train travel hit new records over the holiday as families flocked to Shanghai and Beijing as well as less-trodden destinations such as the Altai Mountains in northern Xinjiang, according to Fliggy, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s travel unit. Travelers sought out cultural experiences, with search volumes for heritage sites and local-immersion activities increasing 40% compared to last year, according to the online travel platform.

The spending patterns underscore the preference among Chinese tourists for domestic travel since the Covid-19 outbreak, with foreign travel yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. It’s a shift that has far-reaching implications for the travel and tourism industry around the world, since Chinese travelers were the biggest spenders in 2019.

Stubbornly weak consumption has been a concern for the government since the pandemic. Despite officials announcing a raft of stimulus measures last year, the latest services industry data unexpectedly fell to a four-month low on Wednesday.

The trend for local travel has benefited China’s domestic tourism industry, especially with this year’s extended holiday allowing many to take just two days off work to enjoy an 11-day break. Across the country, tourism revenue during the break rose 7% from a year ago to 677 billion yuan ($93.1 billion), while the number of trips made increased 6%, according to data published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The average length of stay increased by 5% and per capita spending rose by nearly 10% compared to last year, Fliggy said.

In addition to trains, road trips proved to be another popular way to travel. Rental car services saw double-digit growth compared to last year, Fliggy said. Rideshare operator Didi Global Inc. also benefited from vacationers splashing the cash, with rides during the holiday up 17% from the same period a year ago, it said.

Still, between 2.2 million and 2.6 million Chinese were forecast to travel by air during the holiday, according to digital marketing and research firm China Trading Desk. While that’s up as much as 30% from last year’s low base, it’s still below pre-pandemic levels when overseas travel was at its peak.

But not everyone wanted to stay at home. Chinese residents made 7.7 million cross-border trips during the holiday — a 5% increase from a year ago, according to government data. While that’s higher than the pre-pandemic level of 7.2 million, it also includes trips to Hong Kong and Macau, and the holiday this year is a day longer than last year.

For those that went abroad, Asian countries such as Japan, Thailand and South Korea were the preferred destinations, data from online agencies show. Bookings to Japan doubled from last year, while long-haul trips to the US, Italy and France also grew 50% or more, according to a Ctrip report. Chinese tourists were the largest group of visitors to Thailand during the holiday, according to the country’s tourism ministry.

Meanwhile, the number of trips made by foreigners across the Chinese border surged 23% to 958,000 during the holiday from a year ago, according to the immigration authority.

Winter lovers rejoice as snowfall continues in Himachal Pradesh; minimum temperatures plunge 3-11 degrees. Is this the perfect time for a snowy travel escape?

The agency that runs the UNESCO-listed site warned visitors to steer clear of the growing gangs of “aggressive” macaques that live around the sprawling complex of ruins and have been biting tourists.

The macaques are native to the lush forests that surround Angkor Wat, but Apsara National Authority said human interaction particularly by people filming content to post online had changed their behaviour.

A small number of YouTubers regularly fed monkeys to create videos and this has “changed the monkeys’ natural behaviour from being wild animals to domestic ones that are aggressive, steal foods, and cause injuries among people”, it said in a statement.

Some have reportedly even filmed themselves abusing macaques.

Long Kosal, a spokesman for the Apsara National Authority, told AFP that as well as the danger posed to tourists, the agency was increasingly worried about the monkeys damaging the centuries-old stonework.

“On top of biting visitors, they have been climbing up and pushing stones down, damaging temples,” he said, adding that the macaques had also damaged information boards.

The agency has urged tourists to leave the monkeys alone while visiting the ruins, and said it is looking for “an appropriate solution” to the problem.

Angkor Wat, built from the 9th to the 15th centuries, was the capital of the Khmer Empire and is Cambodia’s top tourist attraction, bringing in valuable revenue to a poor country.

More than a million foreign tourists visited the park last year.

Since it became a world heritage site in 1992, Angkor Wat and the surrounding jungle have benefited from increased legal and physical protections.

There are hopes that wildlife sightings will also spark interest in local and foreign tourists and boost conservation education efforts.

Last year, the agricultural ministry announced a plan to conduct a census of monkeys in public areas and to identify and relocate those posing a danger to humans.

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Costumes worn by the infamous Death Eaters and other characters from the fan-favourite film series, as well as fabrics from Professor Trelawney’s Divination classroom, will feature in the tour. Visitors will also be able to get closer to magical creatures by stroking a section of Aragog, the spider’s prickly leg, and they will get to touch the treasure found in Gringotts bank.

Tactile tours for sight loss visitors

The famous Hogwarts castle model has also been transformed into a raised, tactile floorplan so visitors with sight loss can trail their way through their favourite locations using their fingertips. The introduction of the tactile tours is part of a year-long partnership with Guide Dogs. Staff at the Studio Tour completed training which included how to approach someone with sight loss, navigate narrow or busy spaces, steps and doorways, within the tour.

The team also received bespoke in-person practical sighted guided training including how to safely guide someone with sight loss with confidence, skill and empathy. Penny Hefferan and her guide dog Questa visited the Studio Tour to give her feedback on how it could be made more accessible. “I think the tour will make a big difference because it’s going to give people more choice,” Ms Hefferan, a lived experience officer at Guide Dogs told the PA news agency.

“When you go to see something like this and you know that it’s really focusing on what you need and helping you get as much from it as possible it’s fantastic.” Ms Hefferan said she “couldn’t stop grinning” when she took the tour because she could feel the costumes and props and could experience the “absolute magic” of the tour. “I’m really hoping in a few years time that initiatives like this aren’t as unusual,” she added.

Guide dogs and Warner bros

Geoff Spooner, senior vice president at Warner Bros Studio Tour London, said: “We’re excited to introduce our new Tactile Tours, where people with a visual impairment can get hands-on to discover how their favourite Harry Potter moments were brought to life through the magic of filmmaking. “We hope to inspire lasting change throughout the industry and offer a magical experience for everyone that visits us.”

Alex Pepper, head of accessibility at Guide Dogs said: “Over the past year, our partnership with the Studio Tour team has made impactful changes to enhance the experience for visitors with a visual impairment. “We are supporting Warner Bros Studio Tour London to drive change across the UK attractions industry, making it more accessible for people with sight loss. “We hope visitors who are blind and partially sighted will feel confident in exploring this great attraction.”

Some 6,000 people have already left the island, known for its spectacular cliffside views and a dormant volcano, which has been hit by hundreds of tremors since last week, officials said.

No injuries or damage were reported on Santorini and the neighbouring islands of Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, which have also been affected by the seismic activity.

Experts say the region has not experienced seismic activity on this scale in recent history and do not know how long it will last.

“This is the first time this is happening, we have not seen it before,” Athanassios Ganas, research director at the national observatory’s institute of geodynamics, told state TV ERT.

He noted that the area had been hit with over 40 earthquakes with a magnitude of over 4.0 in the past 72 hours. Also read | Greece on high alert as quakes shake Santorini island

Santorini lies atop a volcano which last erupted in 1950 but an experts’ committee on Monday said the current phenomenon was “not linked to volcanic activity.”

According to the Greek coastguard, over 4,600 people have left the island by ferry since Sunday alone.

The country’s leading air carrier Aegean Airlines said it had flown nearly 1,300 people out of Santorini on Monday, with another eight flights able to carry 1,400 passengers scheduled for Tuesday.

Ferry services to Santorini have also been increased

Schools on all four islands have been shut as a precaution until Friday, prompting many locals with children to leave until the situation stabilises.

Some tourists currently on the island say they are not overly concerned.

“I’m not so worried about the earthquake or volcano because I came from Tokyo,” said Water Saito, a 43-year-old economist who spent a day on the island.

He noted that the tremor levels in Santorini are negligible compared to the earthquakes experienced in Japan. – ‘Tiny’ tremors –

Roger Beauchamp from Arizona called the tremors “tiny.”

“We’ve been feeling them all day, little light ones. So we’re not afraid of them,” he told AFP. Also read | No more room for tourists in Santorini: Tourism boom in Greek islands threaten vineyards and local livelihoods

The head of Greece’s earthquake planning and protection authority, Efthymios Lekkas, has said that an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude was unlikely.

“The residents of Santorini should feel safe. There must not be panic,” he told Mega TV on Tuesday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday also appealed for calm, whilst admitting that the phenomenon is “very intense”.

Santorini attracted about 3.4 million visitors in 2023.

European travel agents contacted by AFP said foreign visitors to Santorini at this time of year were minimal, with bookings expected in the spring.

Ted Stathis, who runs a local catamaran company and a sushi restaurant, said he expected the disruption to “blow over soon.”

“I have to admit, it’s something out of the ordinary,” the 54-year-old said.

“I mean, we have had tremors throughout the years, but sporadically. These are just many, many concentrated.”

“As long as they start subsiding, we should be in the clear,” Stathis said, noting that most of his reservations start later this month.

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The settlement is one of the few spots of civilisation on the only road that links the north and south of the Central Asian nation, a bustling route amid surging trade with Russia and China.

Around 100 “Parisians” live in the makeshift village, which got its name from the truckers drawn to the glow of its roadside cafes, and somehow the idea of the City of Light stuck.

“I stopped in Paris because the roads are closed, there’s too much snow. While they grit the roads, I’m going to eat and rest,” Abrahman, 22, told AFP from the inside of his truck cab.

“There’s a small repair shop here, we can change a tire,” said Abrahman, who is ferrying cargo from the capital Bishkek to the southern city of Osh a drive of around 700 kilometres and at least 15 hours away.

The route winds through landlocked Kyrgyzstan’s Suusamyr Valley, which posted a record-low temperature of -47 degrees Celsius in 2023.

The road also has the grim distinction of the most road fatalities of any in the country.

During the winter storm, visibility is almost zero and uncovered faces are stung by the ice crystals being whipped up by a blizzard.

Paris has become a popular stopover for the growing numbers of vehicles navigating one of the world’s most mountainous countries.

In honour of the name, last summer the village was gifted its own version of the famed tower.

“Our village is called Paris, and in Paris there’s an Eiffel Tower,” said Nurzhan Kubatbekov, Kyrgyzstan’s answer to Gustave Eiffel, who paid $14,000 for the replica.

Although 20 times smaller than the real thing, it still lights up at night, just like the original.

But that is where the comparisons with the French capital end.

Where one Paris has Notre Dame cathedral, the other boasts a new little mosque. Instead of pigeons gathered on open squares or rats scurrying through metro stations, a battered stable for mountain-hardened horses and cows.

But to government officials, this Paris does not exist it is just kilometre 152 of the Bishkek-Osh highway.

The village popped up to meet the growing demands of long-distance drivers, but has never been formally incorporated.

“Before, there was nothing here, then containers appeared, and a village formed,” said Tamara Kachkynbayeva, a 55-year-old who runs a cafe serving traditional meat dishes.

“We started feeding and warming drivers between the mountain passes. There’s even an infirmary for first aid,” she added.

Locals are now pushing to get recognition for the village and its French-inspired name.

“The population is asking to legalise the situation and make the name Paris official,” Kachkynbayeva said.

Urmat Nusubaliyev, one of the first to settle in Paris 27 years ago, is waiting for an answer by spring.

“No one has any documents for this land. The village technically belongs to two different districts,” the 47-year-old said. “Either they legalise us or they raze it.”

But the future of Paris is uncertain.

To deal with growing cargo volumes, authorities are planning to open an alternative route between Bishkek and Osh, bypassing the village, later this year.

It would be faster, but likely just as risky.

After Paris, truckers have to navigate several passes at altitudes of more than 3,000 metres including a dangerous spot known as Camel’s Pass, where rocks are covered in phone numbers for emergency breakdown services.

Stranded vehicles can quickly become buried under intense snowfall.

Eldiyar Dulatov, 26, was one of the unlucky drivers AFP journalists met on the road during the stormy January day.

“I’ve got no signal and seven people in the car,” he lamented. “A pipe has burst and the fuel is leaking.”

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Now, it is setting its sights on overtaking France to claim the top spot.

“The main advantage of Tunisia is its coast and thalassotherapy,” compared with neighbouring countries, said Mario Paolo, an Italian, at the Korbous thermal spa, perched on a hill an hour’s drive from the capital, Tunis.

A 78-year-old retiree who has lived in Tunisia for the past five years, Paolo said he frequently visits Tunisian thalassotherapy centres “to get back in shape”.

“Enjoying sea water and natural springs is not just leisure but also a therapy,” Paolo said after a thyme and rosemary oil massage.

Korbous, a coastal town on the Cap Bon peninsula, has historically been one of Tunisia’s hot spots for the therapy, which uses seawater and other marine resources.

Thalassotherapy

Thalassotherapy is an “ancestral heritage” for Tunisians, “since hydrotherapy has existed in Tunisia since antiquity, at the time of the Carthaginians and the Romans,” Shahnez Guizani, the head of the National Office of Thermalism (ONTH), told AFP.

Other popular thalassotherapy destinations in the country include Sousse, Hammamet, Monastir, and Djerba, which Tunisian news agency TAP said was named the Mediterranean thalassotherapy capital in 2014 by the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy.

Rouaa Machat, 22, said she travelled from France to Korbous for a three-day wellness retreat.

“I’m here to enjoy the types of water this beautiful town offers,” she said, referring to the use of seawater, spring water, and desalinated water for therapy.

“But I am also here for this,” she added, grinning and pointing to the Korbous sea and mountains.

Customers mainly come for the quality of spring water, said Raja Haddad, a doctor who heads the thalassotherapy centre at the Royal Tulip Korbous Bay hotel.

Today, Tunisia boasts 60 thalassotherapy centres and 390 spas, 84 percent of which are located in hotels, according to the ONTH.

Tourism accounts for seven percent of the country’s GDP and provides nearly half a million jobs, according to official figures.

The sector has seen a decade of setbacks due to terrorist attacks and later the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it has been recovering again as the number of foreign visitors exceeded 10 million last year — a record for the country of 12 million people.tr

Guizani said thalassotherapy on its own draws about 1.2 million foreign visitors a year, with “70 percent coming from Europe, including 40 percent from France”.

The industry generates approximately 200 million dinars ($63 million, 60 million euros) per year, she added.

That compares with a French thalassotherapy market valued at around 100 million euros last year, according to market research firm Businesscoot.

At a luxury hotel near Monastir, a thalassotherapy centre buzzes with customers despite the cold winter season.

Visitors have come from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, among other countries.

“As soon as you arrive, you find palm trees and the sun,” said Monique Dicrocco, a 65-year-old French tourist. “It’s pure happiness, and it’s also worth your money.”

“Here the therapy is much cheaper than in France, with 1,000 euros a week all inclusive instead of 3,000,” she added.

Jean-Pierre Ferrante, 64, from Cannes, said he found “the quality of the water and the facilities just as good as in France”.

Kaouther Meddeb, head of the thalassotherapy and spa centre at the Royal Elyssa Hotel in Monastir, said the number of clients has been growing lately.

Yet despite meeting international standards, the sector remains underappreciated in Tunisia, she said.

“There’s a lack of communication and promotion,” she added.

Experts say more investment is needed in infrastructure. This includes road improvements and air services, they say, as there are few low-cost flights.

But plans are already underway to develop eco-friendly thermal resorts in regions like Beni M’tir, a mountainous village in the northwest, and near Lake Ichkeul south of Bizerte, said Guizani.

“With all the advantages it has, Tunisia is poised to become the world leader in thalassotherapy,” she added.

ALSO READ: Boomer travel to Noctourism: 2025 travel trends will be all about breaking stereotypes

Also Read | Valentine’s Week calendar 2025: Kiss Day, Propose Day to Hug Day, check the full list of February’s 7 days of love

Rajasthan

There’s nothing better than getting immersed in the rich culture, fascinating stories, and breathtaking heritage of Rajasthan with your partner during Valentine’s Week. Take your pick from the City of Lakes Udaipur, a royal romance in Jaipur, or explore the ancient havelis in Jaisalmer. With its breathtaking landscapes and unparalleled hospitality, Rajasthan provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable Valentine’s Week.

Manali

With a hot cup of cocoa, snuggles, snow-covered mountains, and sweater weather, what’s not to like about Manali during Valentine’s Week? So, if your idea of a romantic holiday involves gazing at breathtaking mountain views with your partner as you snuggle by the fireplace, travel to Manali and its nearby destinations like Sethan village, Sissu, Parvati Valley, and more places.

Kerala

The backwaters of Alleppey will become the perfect backdrop for your romantic dinner dates with your beau as you spend your Valentine’s Week on a houseboat. The peaceful and soothing experience will make you forget all about the hectic city life and forget the endless meetings and phone calls. You can also cycle through picturesque villages, enjoy a Kerala-style couples’ massage, and relish the delectable cuisine.

South Goa

For a peaceful, nature-filled Valentine’s escape, travel to South Goa for a perfect blend of Goan charm and tranquillity. The verdant landscapes, almost secluded beaches, breathtaking sunrises, and delectable cuisine will make your Valentine’s stay here worthwhile. Spend your days lounging by the beach (like Galgibaga Beach or Butterfly Beach), exploring hidden trails that lead to majestic mountains, and eating seafood to your fill.

Srinagar

What’s more romantic than spending your Valentine’s Week in Srinagar, also known as Heaven on Earth? Located on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is as picturesque as the most stunning painting ever. Take a ride in the colourful Shikaras, sip on Noon chai, enjoy the scenic views at Char Chinar, or marvel over the innumerable rare indigenous plants at Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden.

2025 is packed with long weekends which means it’s the perfect year for quick getaways that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day-to-day boredom of your job. With a few great recommendations and a list of dates you should really use to your advantage, here’s the ultimate guide to making the most of a few extra days off in 2025.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Ramalingam S, president, Cox & Kings, said, “India already has everything it takes to be a global concert hub — diverse audiences, rich cultural heritage, and a growing appetite for live experiences.”

‘Strong policy framework is necessary’

For India to establish itself as a global player, a strong and well-defined policy framework is necessary. Last year, during his Dil-Luminati tour, Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh even announced that he won’t do live shows in India until the concert infrastructure is developed properly.

Varun Sarda, CEO and co-founder of Velocity.travel, suggests a unified approach. He says, “For India to establish itself as a global player, a strong and well-defined policy framework is necessary. Just like the discontinuation of F1 in India, influenced by state-level policies, highlights the impact of regulatory decisions on hosting world-class events.”

He adds, “A unified approach, with a focus on infrastructure, regulation, and global integration, can make economic sense for India on the world stage and emerge as a premier destination for business, sports, and entertainment. Infrastructure, Connectivity will all follow if regulatory steps are taken in the right direction.”

‘It’s about creating an entire ecosystem’

India’s young population and growing middle class are driving demand for live music events. Ramalingam S says that now ‘we need to think about beyond just big venues’.

He says, “It’s about creating an entire ecosystem— seamless logistics, artist-friendly policies, and an audience experience that’s on par with the best in the world. Right now, international artists see challenges in permits, infrastructure, and even connectivity. Fix this, and India isn’t just another stop on a tour — it becomes a must-visit destination where music unforgettably meets culture.”

PM Modi says concert economy boosting tourism

Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the significance of ‘concert economy’, emphasising its potential to boost tourism, generate revenue, and create jobs for the youth. He underlined that concerts of Coldplay being held in cities like Ahmedabad is proof of the scope for live concerts in India.

Concert economy’ refers to the economic impact of live music events, which can generate revenue for various industries, including hospitality, transport, food, and beverages.

According to a recent report from EY, India’s live music industry is expected to grow significantly. The number of large concerts (over 5,000 attendees) is predicted to reach 300 by 2025, a 50 percent increase from 2018. Concert revenue is also expected to reach ₹1,000 crore, up 25 percent from current levels.

Mark your calendar! The most stunning celestial event is happening on Feb 28 and Saudi Arabia is the ultimate destination to view this rare planetary alignment. …read more

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If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping city lights to witness the cosmos in its full glory, Saudi Arabia is the perfect destination. With stunning landscapes, UNESCO-recognised Dark Sky Parks and luxury stargazing experiences, here’s where you can experience the magic of the night sky.(Image by Unsplash)

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1. Witness a Rare Planetary Alignment (Feb 28!) – Mark your calendar! Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars will align in a row—an unmissable celestial event for astronomy lovers.(File Photo)

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2. Stargazing at AlUla’s Dark Sky Parks – AlUla, home to the Middle East’s first International Dark Sky Park, offers breathtaking stargazing experiences. Explore UNESCO-listed Hegra at night or embark on a cosmic adventure at Gharameel with expert astronomers.(File Photo)

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3. Luxurious Cosmic Retreats – Stay at Celestial Villas at Habitas AlUla, where telescopes, private terraces, and the serene desert sky create the ultimate astro-tourism escape.(Image by Nasa)

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4. See the Milky Way at Mount Majdah – For pristine views of the Milky Way, head to this historic mountain in Tabuk, surrounded by ancient rock engravings and dramatic landscapes.(Image by Unsplash)

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5. Red Sea Nights and Full Moon Hikes – Saudi’s Red Sea region is set to become the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve. Luxury resorts like The St. Regis offer mesmerizing night-sky experiences, while Full Moon Hikes take you on a journey through Bedouin history under the stars.(Image by Pixabay)

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6. Winter Constellations Near Riyadh – Far from city lights, Riyadh’s outskirts offer spectacular views of constellations visible all year round—perfect for astrology lovers and cosmic explorers alike.(NASA/ESA via REUTERS)

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Whether you’re chasing constellations, witnessing rare planetary events, or soaking in desert tranquility, Saudi’s night sky is waiting to be explored.(Astrox pic)

As fascinating as this thought is, for those living in the hustle and bustle of the city, the night sky often feels empty. Stars are few and far between and spotting a comet seems like a far-off dream but if you are someone with a deep passion for the cosmos, yet find yourself staring up at a starless sky, do not be disheartened.

There is a simple solution: Astro Tourism.

Simply put, Astro Tourism is the act of travelling to a destination solely to experience cosmic magic at its best; travellers can reconnect with nature, and appreciate the beauty of the universe, all while cultivating a sense of calm and mindfulness. A destination that allows the chance for luxe stargazing experiences and more is Saudi.

Here, you can choose from a selection of glamping experiences in the winter desert breeze, camp overnight in almond-shaped peaks, or even dine by the shore and under the stars this winter season.

Stargazing against the backdrop of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in AlUla

Did you know that AlUla has recently been named as the Middle East’s first-ever International Dark Sky Park? DarkSky International, a global organisation dedicated to combating light pollution in urban and rural regions, has granted Dark Sky Park accreditation to two locations in AlUla County—AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve.

AlUla’s untouched and serene environment makes it one of the best places in the world to observe the night skies, with a multitude of stars visible to the naked eye and more viewable through telescopes. The Hegra Night Tours offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover AlUla’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, under the night sky.

Think scenic bicycle rides to explore AlUla’s hidden gems, all while hearing stories of an erstwhile Nabataean civilization by Rawis (professional guides) under a starlit sky, miles away from any city. To take a deeper dive into the AlUla night sky, you can also choose to stargaze at Gharameel, a tranquil and remote area in AlUla, where you will be guided by expert astronomers on a cosmic adventure.

Enjoy Saudi hospitality at its finest by the fireside with a traditional dinner under the sky. Part of the AlUla Skies Festival, this humbling stargazing adventure will surely shift your way of looking at the world.

For those looking to unwind and indulge in luxury, the Celestial Villas at Habitas AlUla, one of the area’s most luxe sustainable wellness resorts, are designed with telescopes and spacious areas for lounging, entertaining, and enjoying the stunning views of vibrant sunsets against the backdrop of sandstone cliffs.

The Milky Way in Saudi? Absolutely!

The historic Mount Majdah, located south of the Tabuk province in Saudi, offers pristine, clear views of the Milky Way Galaxy. Known for its unique rock formations adorned with ancient engravings, it is the perfect spot to take in the majestic galaxy that Earth calls home. To get there you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle ideal for the adventurous ride.

To make the most out of your experience, you can choose from a wide selection of other seasonal activities, including hiking, camping and sledging. While there is a list of multiple mountain experiences in the region, snow seekers should lace up their boots and venture to Jabal Al Lawz, which means “Almond Mountain” in Arabic.

Measuring 2,549 metres, it’s the tallest mountain in the Tabuk Province and the only place in Saudi where it snows almost every year — making it perfect for a winter hike. To get there, you can either drive down via one of the two routes from Tabuk or book a tour that will pick you up from your hotel in Tabuk and take you to the mountain.

If hiking sounds like too much adventure for you, then you can enjoy the same views of the galaxy at AlUla’s Gharameel.

Astronomy tours and more at Saudi’s Red Sea

The Saudi Red Sea is an unexplored luxury tourism destination on the west coast of Saudi. It houses the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system, pristine beaches, canyons, mountains and mangroves waiting to be explored. What’s more is that the destination is one of the least light-polluted regions in the country, making it an ideal location for observing the night sky.

The Saudi Red Sea will soon become the largest Dark Skies Reservation in the world to protect the nocturnal environment. Luxury hospitality chains like The St. Regis and Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, are already implementing innovative lighting strategies and offering unique starlit experiences by the shore, while also making conscious efforts to preserve the dark sky with minimal light pollution.

If you are looking to make the best of the Saudi Red Sea’s dark sky, then book yourself a starlit Full Moon Hike. During this tour, a local astronomer will guide you through the night sky while narrating stories of Bedouins and pilgrims who relied on the night sky to light their path through the desert. This soulful journey has a lot in store for history enthusiasts.

A winter extravaganza under Riyadh’s night sky

Did you know that in the area around Riyadh, you can see the Little Bear constellation all year long? A lot is in store around this capital, especially if you are a Gemini, Pisces or Sagittarian. Since the area falls under the Northern Hemisphere, the constellations appear slightly different, with the views also changing every season. In areas far from Riyadh, about 300 kilometres, where there is no light pollution, the stars can be seen even with the naked eye.

For those also looking for immersive cultural night experiences in the city, the winter season is the best time to visit. So if you are someone seeking something beyond the ordinary, Saudi opens the door to adventures that leave you wanting to discover every single secret that Saudi has to offer.

ALSO READ: ‘Stay away longer’: How new travel trend of extended getaways will dominate 2025 vacations

What is town-sizing

Travel editor Gabe Saglie spoke to Fox Local about the new trend of ‘town-sizing.’ This trend is all about visiting small, lesser-known locations and seeking an authentic experience rooted in that place’s unique culture and connecting with the people there.

‘Town-sizing’ is a play on the phrase ‘downsizing.’ Downsizing means eliminating or reducing in scale- whether company staff, business or homes. Similarly, for travel, people are shifting towards small and quiet places for vacation rather than going to crowded cities. They are cutting back on big cities and going towards smaller towns.

Gabe revealed that the essence of town-sizing lies in connecting with locals in small, unexplored destinations, allowing travellers to engage with their culture and traditions on a more personal, one-on-one level. Along with that remote destinations are also one of the less polluted places, creating a connection with nature.

ALSO READ: Boomer travel to Noctourism: 2025 travel trends will be all about breaking stereotypes

Elko, Nevada

To understand the trend, let’s take a look at Elko in Nevada from where the travel expert reported. The population is 2000, showcasing that this travel trend is about visiting less populated areas. With such a low population, cultural mingling and connecting with people one-to-one feels more genuine and less rushed or crowded.

Gabe then went on to talk about the cowboy tradition which is still prevalent in this small town. There are museums and dedicated spaces to celebrate this old cowboy tradition. Since it’s a small town, travellers get an immersive experience without all the crowd.

There are unique cultural events in Elko, such as the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which is filled with cultural activities like poetry readings, film screenings, and more.

So, maybe many big cities may be on your bucket list, but the problem is, they’re on a lot of other people’s bucket lists too, making these destinations go viral on social media and become overcrowded. Experiencing culture becomes a challenge with so much crowd.

Small, underrated places that aren’t as widely explored tend to retain their cultural value and they are very unique- like the Cowboy culture in Elko.

The ‘town-sizing’ trend shows a growing longing to reconnect with culture in a more personal, meaningful way. In places like Elko, where the population is small and the pace of life is slower, travellers have the opportunity to experience local traditions and customs that are often overshadowed in larger, more commercialized destinations.

Travel has become commercialized, with the same experiences being sold in most major destinations. But, these small places have something new and authentic that stands apart from the typical tourist experience.

In an announcement late Wednesday, the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry said monitoring sensors had picked up “mild seismic-volcanic activity” in Santorini’s caldera. Similar volcanic activity had been recorded in the area in 2011, when it lasted for 14 months and ended without causing any issues.

Scientists monitoring the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, which stretches from the Peloponnese in southern Greece through the Cycladic islands, have noted an increase in activity in a central fault line in the northern part of Santorini’s caldera, the announcement said.

“According to the scientists, based on the currently available data there is no cause for particular concern,” it added.

The crescent-shaped island of Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, drawing visitors from across the world for its whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches clinging to the cliff edge of the flooded caldera.

It was also the site of one of largest volcanic eruptions in human history, which took place in the Bronze Age around 1620 BC, destroying a large part of the island and giving Santorini its current shape. The eruption is believed to have contributed to the decline of the ancient Minoan civilization which had flourished in the region.

Although it is still an active volcano, the last notable eruption occurred in 1950.

“What we must realise is that the Santorini volcano produces very large explosions every 20,000 years,” Efthymios Lekkas, seismologist and head of the scientific monitoring committee for the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, said on Greece’s ERT television Thursday. “It’s been 3,000 years since the last explosion, so we have a very long time ahead of us before we face a big explosion.”

In the intervening time, Lekkas said, volcanic activity increases and decreases, and can cause small earthquakes. “The volcano is a living organism,” he said, adding that “we will not face a big explosion, but a mild procedure.”

Lekkas was among those who attended Wednesday’s meeting called by Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias, along with the head of Greece’s fire department, the deputy minister in charge of natural disaster recovery and several local and regional officials.

The construction of the first phase linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima province is currently at about 36% completion, Jirayu Houngsub, the government’s spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday. The design for the second phase that will extend the rail line to the northeastern border province of Nong Khai has been finalized and is ready to be submitted to the cabinet for approval, he said.

In all, the rail line is 609 kilometers (378 miles) long and is estimated to cost 434 billion baht ($12.9 billion). The Thai network will be connected to the Laos-China line via a bridge built over the Mekong River.

Thailand is looking to improve its connectivity with China, its biggest trading partner, as Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy struggles to match the pace of the growth of its regional peers. Beyond trade, the two nations are also forging closer tourism ties as both countries last year waived tourist visas for their citizens.

Once operational, the Thailand-Laos rail network will make it possible to travel from Bangkok to China’s capital via stops in Vientiane and the southern Chinese city of Kunming, where there is a separate semi-high speed service to Beijing.

Thailand started the construction of the high-speed rail network in 2017 under the Chinese government’s Belt and Road Initiative, according to the project’s website. The Thai government is responsible for entire project investment, civil works construction, and application of Chinese construction technologies and railway systems.

The first phase of the project being built at an estimated cost of 179 billion baht is expected to start operation in 2027.

The Laos and Thailand segments are seen by many as the start of infrastructure that will directly connect China with much of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Singapore. Laos opened a rail line in 2021 that cost the landlocked country nearly $6 billion to link with China.

“When there is a group of tourists travelling together to Russia, the particular number should be mentioned in the document for the visit to become visa free. For example, in the Chinese document, the group should be 10-20 people. The Russian government is in talks with the Indian External Affairs Ministry for a final agreement on the number of people comprising a group from India to avail this facility,” Moscow City Tourism Committee Chairman Evgeny Kozlov told PTI.

Kozlov further said India is an important country and ranks second in terms of source market among far abroad countries after China.

“India is a priority market for us. For us among the far abroad countries, China ranks at the number one position, followed by India. Indians are also good spenders while travelling, spending around USD 2,000 per person per trip,” he said on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday evening.

In the first nine months of 2024, January-September, Moscow received 19.7 million guests including 61,000 Indians, he said.

By 2030 the number of foreign tourists in Moscow is expected to reach 6 million people, mainly due to travellers from the CIS countries (Commonwealth of Independent States), the Asia-Pacific region, India, the Middle East and other parts of the world, he stated.

“In the last two years we made the tourism image of Moscow our priority. There are three reasons for the increase in international visitors. First, we’ve been improving tourism infrastructure, second, actively promoting Moscow in our key countries like India. At the same time introducing e-visa regime,” he added

Among segments, Kozlov said, Moscow City is focusing on Business, Wedding, Family and Film tourism.

Meanwhile, he said, a delegation of the Moscow City Tourism Committee is in talks with production houses to invite them to shoot in Moscow City.

“We want to attract Indian visitors to Moscow through cinema, therefore, our delegates are meeting with production houses and film directors to invite them to showcase Moscow City in their films. We are planning to provide them with incentives, which is still under discussion,” Kozlov added.

This doesn’t mean, though, that you give up on your dream vacation. With appropriate planning and understanding the right ticket booking time, the best deals can be snagged without breaking the bank. Travel expenses are all about meticulous planning, down to the smallest, microscopic detail, keeping an eye out for the cheapest travel seasons.

Expedia, an online travel booking site, shared some hacks- from the best days to book air tickets to the cheapest month to travel. Here are the air ticket and travel hacks:

Cheapest day to book air tickets

Booking is the day you purchase the ticket. Sunday is the cheapest day to book air tickets as per Expedia. There’s up to 8% savings compared to Friday air ticket bookings.

The possible reason behind this could be that over the weekend, there may be new discounts. Sunday is also a less busy day than Friday, as people may be flying over the weekend, booking last-minute tickets.

Cheapest day to fly

Flying date is the scheduled departure date of your flight. Expedia revealed that when travelling internationally, flying on a Thursday is the cheapest option, allowing travellers to save up to 15% compared to flying on a Sunday.

Thursday is a mid-week day, so there may be lower demand, making it relatively cheaper.

Cheapest month to travel

August is the cheapest month to travel and flying economy in this month can save up to 13%. On the contrary, March is the most expensive month to travel.

This may happen because summer travel often begins in March. March is also one of the months when schools close for breaks.

ALSO READ: Airline amenities grow ever more luxurious for those who can pay

Booking period

Often, for international flights, people book tickets up to two months in advance. But, this may not lead to the best savings always. Expedia revealed that booking 18 to 29 days before the international flight is the actual ‘sweet spot,’ offering a steal of 17% in savings.

Understanding the right time to book a ticket can make the entire thing cost-effective for you, making your dream vacation more affordable.

ALSO READ: What are ‘aisle lice’? The latest travel term for annoying passengers on flights

The term ‘aisle lice’ follows other recent travel trends, such as ‘raw dogging’ and the ‘check-in chicken’. Here’s what you need to know about the growing buzz surrounding ‘aisle lice’ and how to deal with it:

What are gate lice?

‘Gate lice’ refers to passengers who crowd the boarding gate before their group is called. The phenomenon became so widespread that in 2024, American Airlines introduced technology to prevent passengers from boarding prematurely by rejecting boarding passes scanned out of turn.

What are aisle lice?

Boarding a plane can be stressful, but exiting one shouldn’t be. However, aisle lice disrupt the orderly process of deplaning by forcing their way past other passengers. ‘Aisle lice’ describes passengers who jump out of their seats the moment the seatbelt sign is off and push through others to be the first off the plane. It’s a humorous yet pointed nickname for those passengers who push their way down the aisle the moment the plane lands, eager to exit before their row is even called.

One Reddit user shared their frustration after witnessing this behavior on a flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to LaGuardia Airport: “Not only do the two people next to me stand up, but somehow the guy from the window seat shoves his way forward and is the first of all of us to get off the plane.”

Internet is reacting to it

The term “aisle lice” quickly gained traction, with social media users passionately sharing their opinions. Many users found aisle lice more irritating than gate lice. One person wrote, “Gate lice don’t bother me since most people want to get on first for bin space, but aisle lice slow everything down.” Another added, “If you don’t have a tight connection or emergency, just wait your turn.”

Some commenters blamed airlines for failing to enforce deplaning protocols. Others pointed out that both gate lice and aisle lice reflect selfish tendencies. As one user put it, “The fact we have to choose between these two is ridiculous. Neither is appropriate adult behavior.”

So what is the right way to exit a plane?

Airplane etiquette is simple—wait for your turn. The unspoken rule is that passengers exit row by row, starting from the front. If everyone followed this system, the process would be smooth and efficient. However, aisle lice disrupt this by treating deplaning like a personal race, disregarding common courtesy.

Ironically, the rush to exit usually doesn’t save much time. If anything, their impatience only leads to frustration and delays. Respecting the flow of deplaning makes for a smoother, less stressful experience for everyone onboard. After all, flying is already hectic enough, why make it worse?

But the game is changing. With so many carriers having overhauled their aircraft interiors and premium seats, airlines are now upgrading some of the finer points of their front-cabin services, such as amenity kits and meals. (If you’re in the back of the plane, that’s still business as usual.) Also read | Luxury train travel is booming. Here’s why, and the trips you must book

“Generally speaking, leisure travelers want an experience,” says Brian Sumers, aviation expert and founder of the Airline Observer newsletter. “Airlines have realized that if they want to compete for premium travelers, they need to wow them.”

Wowing travelers with swanky amenity kits is nothing new, of course. It’s been almost a decade since airlines began partnering with high-end retailers to elevate their brands, such as United Airlines Holdings Inc.’s business-class bedding partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue. But the latest additions represent first-time partnerships with some of the world’s best-known luxury powerhouses, as well as caviar and Champagne services that hark back to the glamour of air travel in the 1950s. “Airlines are screaming from the rooftops: We are premium!” says Sumers, adding that these sky-high perks tend to yield a greater reputational benefit for airlines than sales boosts for the associated retailers.

Here are the latest luxury amenities you can expect to find in premium cabins this year.

Haute amenity kits

If India is one of the fastest-growing markets for luxury travel, its national carrier is taking note and following suit with its new amenities introduced in December. On most long-haul Air India flights, first- and business-class flyers will now find Ferragamo cosmetic bags, each packed with the brand’s body lotion, hand cream, lip balm and—for first class only, a 5-milliliter bottle of perfume. It’s all part of an upscaling effort for India’s flag carrier following a 2024 merger with India-based premium airline Vistara, as part of a restructuring by the Tata Group; brand-new cabin interiors on Airbus A350 aircraft include flat beds in private suites in business class. Also read | Villas, hidden gems and unique stays: 7 top travel trends of 2024 that redefined how we explore the world

Also since December, business-class flyers on Singapore Airlines’ long- and ultra-long-haul routes have begun to receive amenity kits from New York-based fragrance house Le Labo, owned by Estée Lauder—a move that puts the airline in step with many high-end restaurants and hotels. The kits include lip balm, face mist and hand pomade, all neatly zipped up in a waxed canvas bag that’s designed to be repurposed as a passport holder.

The haute amenity kit trend extends stateside. In the past year, Delta Air Lines Inc. has introduced Missoni-branded kits, while JetBlue debuted Mint amenity pouches in partnership with New York City brands such as Caraa.

Perhaps the most decadent amenity kit of them all is now found on Dubai-based Emirates, which recently began gifting first- and business-class flyers with amenity kits from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE-owned Bulgari; in addition to a bottle of eau de parfum, they include a gold-lacquered mirror from the storied Italian brand.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, however, may be taking a page from luxury hotels with their swanky co-branded spas and limited edition designer merchandise. Its new amenity kits are from of-the-moment beauty brand, Augustinus Bader, available exclusively in the airline’s new Allegris First Class suites—whose seats can be heated and cooled with temperature controls. In a high-altitude pop-up of sorts, the airline is also gifting first class passengers on certain flights a limited edition loungewear set by Japanese artist Sho Shibuya during the month of February; the ombre pattern is like a gradient sky printed on organic cotton satin.

Caviar (and fast food)

Last summer, Qatar Airways began serving caviar—specifically, Siberian sturgeon—in business class on 13 international routes from Doha, including flights to New York, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Singapore and São Paulo. The servings clock in at 0.53 ounces (15 grams), paired with Balik-style salmon and sides of warm blinis and melba toast. It’s a service whose cost can quickly climb: In most places, an ounce of Siberian sturgeon costs about $50-$86, without the additional trimmings. Since August 2024, when the service started, there have been about 200,000 caviar servings in business class, the airline said.

And in keeping with a culture that marries caviar with chicken nuggets, Delta’s answer to first-class decadence is the Shake Shack cheeseburger, which appears on its first-class menus; the perk started in December 2024. Banana pudding from New York City’s Magnolia Bakery is also served in United First on select flights of more than 901 miles.

High-end champagne

On Jan. 1, United Airlines announced it would begin serving Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Champagne to its Polaris cabin flyers.

Also doubling down on premium bubbly: Singapore Airlines. In December the airline announced its first-class suites would become the only place to enjoy Cristal at 36,000 feet, thanks to an exclusive agreement with the French Champagne house Louis Roederer. Specifically, the winemaker’s 2015 vintage will be served on flights from Singapore to Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo; additional routes will welcome the perk in March. (The airline will also continue to serve Krug Grande Cuvée and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne.) Also read | Your next luxury trip to Hong Kong just got cheaper! Here’s how

A sense of place

If fashion, beauty and wine partnerships are the hot aviation trend of early 2025, Turkish Airlines may be planting the seeds for what comes next: amenities that double as an artisan souvenir from the place you’re about to visit. Its new kits, introduced on Jan. 2, include bags that are decorated with traditional ebru, an art form recognized by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. And yet, the hand cream, body lotion and lip balm inside are from Parisian luxury fragrance brand Ex Nihilo rather than a local outfit.

“The Unesco amenity kits serve as a unique introduction to the diversity and vibrancy of Turkish culture, inspiring passengers to explore the wonders of our home country,” said Akif Konar, chief operations officer at Turkish Airlines, in a press release. If rose-water-infused creams and argan oil face serums filled the bags in a future iteration, we’d consider it luxury of another order.

Currency hidden in the hollows of a book. Extra layer in the shoe sole for precious gems. Tubes of a bicycle tyre. Tiffin box with high-cost watches. Walking canes stuffed with diamonds. Ship hulls. Toilet commode with contraband goods. Headlight of a car. Even a white Premier Padmini car stuck in the wall, its bonnet open and goods hidden in its carburettor. Drugs stashed in sanitary pads to gold bars hidden in Frooti tetra packs, the Museum displays the evil-doer’s incredible ideas to outwit the customs officials.

On the wall is a sepia-toned photograph of eight men who had 510 tolas of gold in their rectum and were arrested at Amritsar Rail Customs Station on June 10-11, 1956. There’s a black/white image of an underwear with specially sewn pockets to conceal gold bars, and an X-ray of the man who had gold bars in his abdomen. The ingenuity of the smugglers is intriguing. In the corner stand a fibre-built aristocratic looking British couple – the man had diamonds in the walking stick and the lady carried gold bars in her striped jacket. The two were arrested in Mumbai port on December 7, 1966.

Divided into galleries, the Museum documents and displays the evolution of Indian customs and excise from the Harappan trade seals and ancient ports to taxation tenets of Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Behind thick glass panes are gold coins from the reign of Kanishka II and Chandragupta Maurya as well as punch-marked coins – the earliest coins issued in India. The Museum also has a copy of Akbar’s Ain-i-Akbari, notes documenting cotton as the first good taxed under Central excise Act during the British India, and the modern-day taxation and customs laws.

The Gallery of Rescued Heritage holds a treasure trove of stone and metal sculptures, ivory artefacts, and coins that would have been lost forever, were it not for the ever-vigilant eye of the customs department. The highlight being a Jambhala idol that was seized from a bag atop the roof of the bus from Kathmandu (Nepal) to New Delhi.

Centuries ago, Panjim was a sleepy town. There was nary a street and river Mandovi kissed the first brick of the current Blue Building where in 1479, the Portuguese had set up a Customs check post on the Mandovi river. In the 16th century, horses, tobacco, slaves and spices were the common trade items while pepper was a royal monopoly. In 1770, export and import duties were set at 6% and 9%, respectively. Tobacco was brought in sculls and horses on larger boats.

Now famous as the Blue Building, the 400-year old heritage structure wasn’t always blue. Between 1963 and 2000, it wore a sunflower yellow on its walls and housed the headquarters of Goa Excise & Customs Department. It was in 2001 that the walls were first painted Indigo Blue, the choice of colour borrowing from the fact that indigo was one of the commodities traded during the Portuguese rule.

If you are ever in Goa, step into this fascinating Museum of Customs & GST to know the machinations of smugglers and the history of taxation.

Box: Kautilya’s Taxation Rules in Arthashastra

• Edible salt: 1/6 of value
• Fermented liquor: 1/10 to 1/15 in cash
• Cotton: 4% to 5%
• Gems & Jewellery: 20% of basic cost
• Flowers/fruits: 1/6 in kind

Fact file:

Address: Panjim (Opposite Panaji Jetty Captain & Port)

Timing. Tuesday through Sunday (9.30 am to 5 pm). Monday closed.

Entry fee: ₹10. Free entry for students with ID card. Request for a guided tour.

Parking: Parking is not available in front of the Museum, park at the back of the building.

The second storey is closed for renovation, will reopen in summer.

China’s transport system experienced a surge in travellers on Saturday, with millions returning home for the Lunar New Year.

But Hong Kong’s government is encouraging visitors to go off the beaten path and has loosened entry restrictions to the city’s northernmost neighbourhood of Sha Tau Kok — making it easier to visit Kuk Po via speedboat. On a recent January weekend, tourists thronged to the village’s picturesque sights, surrounded on three sides by gentle valleys.

Unveiling Hong Kong’s countryside charm

“When people talk about Hong Kong, it was about the skyline, the city area, the financial hub,” Singaporean exchange student Kevin Choy, 24, told AFP. “Very rarely do people talk about the countryside,” he said. “This side of Hong Kong is something that I never imagined.” Lilian Lee, whose family has deep roots in Kuk Po, said her parents returned there during the Covid pandemic to enjoy the charms of village life — a choice that may resonate with stressed-out city-dwellers.

She started welcoming visitors into her family’s two-storey ancestral home — built nearly a century ago — in 2022. “The world outside is very stressful and chaotic… but here you can relax and be at ease,” the 30-year-old told AFP. “This is a beautiful environment that should be treasured (and) our family came together to share this place with more people.”

Sustainable tourism and the future of Kuk Po

The Hakka — whose name means “guest people” — are known for their long history of migration and transformed Kuk Po into a market town, though its numbers dwindled after Hong Kong urbanised in the 1960s. Tour organiser Paul Chan said sustainable tourism was driving more tourists to visit the near-deserted town. “When the public is interested, it creates a virtuous cycle: for houses and monuments to be restored, and cultures to be revived,” Chan said.

The Hong Kong government hopes eco-tours can promote nature conservation while generating cash for the city. Kuk Po was among the rural townships listed in a tourism policy blueprint last month. But despite the uptick in interest, Lee said it was difficult to financially sustain revitalisation efforts that include tours, tasting events and workshops, and that she hoped the city would invest more in sustainable tourism.

“I hope the village will not turn into a tourist attraction solely for sightseeing, but rather to follow an educational approach,” she said. “Many villages and their histories in Hong Kong are gradually disappearing… I hope these things can be passed on.”

To celebrate this rare event, astronomy groups across India have planned special planet-gazing sessions for today. These aren’t just about watching the planets but experiencing the immersive deep-space objects like galaxies and nebulae (giant clouds of dust and gas in space that can be found between stars).

Jyoti Raghavan Khanduja, founder of Forest Spirit Learning, a school based in Gurugram, is organising a session in Shikohpur, Gurugram. She shares, “It’s our first astronomy event, and the response from across Delhi-NCR has been great. People of all ages are booking the session to experience one-of-a-kind sky-gazing.” She muses, “We all need to gaze at the night sky just once. It makes us realise how small we are in nature’s scheme of things.”

Piyush Arun, Strategic & Creative Head, YanamOffbeat, a trip and trek company organising an event on the day in Pune and Mumbai, says, “We have one batch each on January 25 and 26 at the peak time, 8:30 pm. Our session is more than stargazing. It’s a live exploration of stars, planets and other celestial bodies.” He explains, “These sessions typically feature deep-space telescopes in locations free from light pollution. The events also include extras like meditation, Q&A with astronomers, and lakeside camping.”

Another organiser, Suraj Parab, founder of Sahyadri Rangers, a Mumbai-based travel company, notes a surge in bookings: “This weekend, we already have 90 bookings compared to the usual 40.” He points out, “For most observers, the brighter planets, like Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, will be easy to spot with the naked eye. However, Uranus and Neptune, being farther from Earth, will require binoculars or a telescope to be seen.”

These sessions are not limited to just urban areas. Satyansh Srivastava, founder of Universia, a Dehradun-based telescope company that is also organising a session, says, “We have participants from various parts of the country. While celestial lineups like this aren’t extremely rare, they don’t happen every year, making this a special opportunity. The events also feature expert talks, high-powered telescopes and an educational yet magical atmosphere.”

The charges vary from ₹400 to ₹1,999, depending on the location, equipment and other activities planned.

What’s so special about it?

What makes this event noteworthy is the fact that six planets will be visible, four of them with the naked eye. This phenomenon is often referred to as a planet parade. However, as NASA has pointed out, it’s not a technical term. Multi-planet alignments don’t happen every year, making this event a special treat for skywatchers.

What’s the best time to view

The best time to catch this celestial display is about an hour after sunset, according to Dr Anup Singh, a microbiologist with a PhD. Those keen on capturing the moment with a smartphone camera should try taking long-exposure shots. This will allow you to get a sharper, clearer image of the planetary parade.

Apps that can help

If you wish to witness the celestial spectacle but are unable to attend a session, here are some apps that can help you navigate on your own:

1. Star Walk
2. Star Tracker
3. Sky Map

Other astronomical events in 2025

Get ready for a year filled with astronomical wonders! Here are the top celestial events you shouldn’t miss:

1. Total Lunar Eclipse (March 13-14)

2. Jupiter-Venus conjunction (August 12)

3. Super Harvest Moon (October 6)

4. Geminid meteor shower (December 13-14)

Surf like Sara Tendulkar at these Indian beaches to experience thrilling waves, stunning views, and memorable adventures!

Let’s have a look at all the long weekends across 2025 and how to make the most of each!

List of long weekends in 2025 and where to travel

Explore the long weekends of 2025! Find detailed information about holidays, festivals, and the best days to take leave to extend your weekend. Plan your trips in advance and make the most of these opportunities to unwind and explore exciting destinations.

Long weekends in March 2025

International destination: Almaty, Kazakhstan

With a little planning, this long weekend can be your perfect international mini-vacation! Plan your journey to Almaty, Kazakhstan, offering a unique mix of natural beauty and cultural richness. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it’s a haven for outdoor activities like skiing or hiking, along with vibrant markets and stunning parks.

Domestic destination: Goa

For a more local experience, Goa is an ideal destination. March is a great time to enjoy the state’s beaches, vibrant nightlife, and relaxed atmosphere before the peak summer heat sets in. You can also indulge in the famous Goan Carnival festivities or unwind with a peaceful beachside retreat.

Long weekends in April 2025

International destination: Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi, Malaysia, is a tropical paradise with stunning beaches and thrilling activities like cable car rides offering panoramic views, perfect for a mix of relaxation and adventure. For seafood lovers, nasi lemak, seafood platters, and laksa at local eateries or night markets are a must-visit.

Domestic destination: Varkala, kerala

If you prefer staying within India, Varkala in Kerala offers a peaceful retreat with its beautiful cliffs, serene beaches, and tranquil backwaters, making it a fantastic spot for relaxation. The iconic cliffs of Varkala overlook the Arabian Sea offering breathtaking views and a laid-back vibe.

Wondering how to get the best hotels and flight deals on Skyscanner?

The Skyscanner Price Alert feature has got you covered!

What is the Skyscanner Price Alert feature?

By setting up a Price Alert, you’ll receive instant notifications whenever your flight’s price increases or decreases. This smart feature helps you pinpoint the perfect time to book your tickets, ensuring you secure the best deal for your journey.

How do you set up the Price Alert feature for your flights?

• First start by running a search on the Skyscanner website.
• To find the cheapest flights, don’t enter a departure date. Instead hit ‘Whole month’, then select ‘Cheapest month’.
• On the search results page, just click on the ‘Get price alerts’ button on the top left of the page.
• Then key in your email address.

Also read: Best budget-friendly destinations for your upcoming holiday in India and abroad: Where to travel next?

Long weekends in May 2025

International destination: Krabi, Thailand

Looking for the best long weekend international travel ideas in May? May is the perfect time to visit Thailand, where you can enjoy vibrant beaches, bustling markets, and delicious street food. Explore the famous Phi Phi Islands, Hong Islands, or the Four Islands for snorkelling, kayaking, and breathtaking views.

Domestic destination: Darjeeling, West Bengal

India’s hill stations are at their best in May, providing a cool retreat from the summer heat. Head to Darjeeling for breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga range, lush tea gardens, and the iconic toy train ride.

Long weekends in August 2025

International destination: Jakarta, Indonesia

Visit Jakarta for Indonesia’s iconic sites like the National Monument and Kota Tua (Old Town) or relax on nearby beaches like Thousand Islands. August’s pleasant weather also makes it a great time to explore Jakarta’s vibrant markets and savour authentic Indonesian cuisine.

Domestic destination: Mount Abu, Rajasthan

For a unique experience, Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station, offers a mix of cool weather, scenic beauty, and cultural richness. You can visit Nakki Lake, Dilwara Temples, and the serene Sunset Point for a rejuvenating break.

Long weekends in September 2025

Turkey in September is an excellent international holiday destination due to its pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and diverse experiences. Istanbul offers a rich blend of history and modern charm, while Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes and hot air balloon rides provide a magical experience.

Domestic destination: Pondicherry

Pondicherry offers a charming mix of French colonial architecture, serene beaches, and quaint cafés, perfect for a relaxed getaway. Besides, you can visit Auroville, the unique global village, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram for spiritual experiences and mindfulness activities.

Long weekends in October 2025

There are three long weekends in October, 2025.

First long weekend:

Second long weekend

Third long weekend

International destination: Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia

With three long weekends in a single month, it provides a number of opportunities to travel to different places in India and abroad. Make the most of the festive month and explore Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, known for its ancient ruins and stunning desert landscapes. Hop on to Skyscanner for the best deals on flights and hotels.

Domestic destination: Kolkata, West Bengal

India’s festive season in October brings out the best in destinations like Kolkata. The streets come alive with Durga Puja during Navratri and Kali Puja on Diwali, offering an unforgettable experience with dazzling lights and delicious sweets.

Long weekends in December 2025

International Destinations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Celebrate Christmas and year-end with a trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, home to majestic temples, vibrant markets, and a rich history that adds to the festive charm. The Sisowath Quay along the Mekong River comes alive in December with bustling cafes, restaurants, and night markets, offering a lively yet relaxing vibe.

Domestic Destinations: Gangtok, Sikkim

Gangtok in Sikkim is a picturesque hill station perfect for a getaway in India offering breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga Range, lush green valleys, and serene landscapes. You can enjoy paragliding, river rafting in Teesta, or trekking to nearby spots like Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass.

Do not miss checking Skyscanner’s Price Alert feature for exciting deals.

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