Cruise the Mediterranean on board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ magnificent new ship – Seven Seas Grandeur

Premium travel agents Miramar Travel are offering the chance to book an unforgettable eight-day cruise on board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ magnificent new ship –Seven Seas Grandeur– for the 7 Nights Iconic Italy and a Taste of Spain (Cruise Only) voyage.

The 7-night sailing will depart from Rome on 1 May 2024, with disembarkation in Barcelona 7 nights later. Cruising the Mediterranean, the ship will call in Naples, Italy; Taormina (Sicily), Italy; Valletta, Malta; the island of Mallorca; Valencia, Spain, before ending at Barcelona on Day 8.

The all—inclusive package ranges from $58,799 (Deluxe Veranda Suite, 28.6-33.5 sq. m) to $62,299 (Superior Suite, 38.6-43.1 sq. m)per person.

These are some of Europe’s finest tourist hotspots from the Roman splendour of the Eternal City with its coliseum and magnificent vistas, to the historic harbour of Malta’s charming capital, Valletta, full of Baroque palaces, to the beautiful island of Mallorca, and lastly the elegance and visual splendour of Valencia and Barcelona. This is a cruise whose destinations and melting pot of captivating cultures will combine to leave a lasting impression.

Seven Seas Grandeur is the newest luxury liner of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, who have been delivering top-of-the-range cruise experiences for over 30 years. The ship’s maiden voyage is set for November 2023 and promises to feature unrivalled space, unparalleled service, epicurean indulgence, and transformative experiences for guests as soon as they step on board.

It will elevate the cruising experience to a new level of luxury and refined indulgence. With a gross tonnage of 55,500 and only 746 guests, Seven Seas Grandeur provides among the highest space and staff to guest ratios in the industry.

Accommodation categories on offer for the all-inclusive packages include the lovely Deluxe Veranda Suite (28.6-33.5 sq. m) from $58,799 (price per person upon twin sharing), featuring a private balcony, plush sofa, large desk space and a slew of superb amenities, including a Welcome Bottle of Champagne and 24-hour room service.

The stunning Superior Suite (38.6-43.1 sq. m) from $62,299 (price per person upon twin sharing) is beautifully appointed and spacious, featuring a walk-in closet, sitting area to unwind and dual sinks in the bathroom.

Guests may savour the best of world cuisine with Serene Spa & Wellness Selections in the many restaurants on board. These culinary dishes offer an extensive array of innovative options that inspire healthy living, featuring exquisite dishes influenced by a myriad of global fares including delectable plant-based cuisine.

The signature steakhouse aboard Seven Seas Grandeur is Prime 7. Designed by Studio DADO, the fully re-imagined venue takes its cues from the classic New York steakhouse at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. Prime 7 may embrace its roots but this is a restaurant designed to cater directly to Regent’s sophisticated, worldly guests who expect only the finest culinary experiences.

There plenty of other ways guests can be pampered to the hilt. The ship’s Serene Spa & Wellness™ experience will enhance relaxation at sea with an indulgent treatment menu that integrates best-in-class techniques and luxury ingredients from around the world, including new treatments utilizing the restorative power of an amber and quartz crystal bed, and an advanced treatment table for a Zero Gravity Wellness Massage.

Guests could book a Hot Mineral Body Boost to alleviate muscular pain and remove toxins, while the Poultice-Powered Muscle Release works away sore, aching muscles with an invigorating treatment that targets tension and finishes with a restorative facial massage.

For a completely unique experience, the Zero Gravity Wellness Massage is an option. Producing a zero-gravity effect, the body is suspended on an advanced treatment table that allows for ergonomic workflows and a seamless series of sophisticated techniques.

The Serene Spa & Wellness Hydrothermal Suite allows spa-goers to relax before or after spa treatments and enjoy Regent’s multisensory aromatherapy steam room, chill room, infrared sauna and experiential showers.

On land, Serene Spa & Wellness Tours enhance wellness through immersive and restorative shore excursions where guests can, for example, soak in mineral-rich thermal springs in Rome, Italy, or balance themselves in a yoga class overlooking the picturesque seaside town of Taormina, Sicily.

Guests could also admire the ship’s awe-inspiring multi-million-dollar art, including an exquisite Fabergé egg, a meticulously hand-crafted objet d’art known as Journey in Jewels and spawning from Seven Seas Cruises’ partnership with Fabergé, the world-renowned jewellers.

For bookings, click here.

Miramar Travel Website: www.hkmiramartravel.com

Cruise Hotline: 3960 0386

Email: mecruises@miramarexpress.hk

Volcanic Fury: For many tourists, there’s no crater joy than a volcano that has just erupted

Iceland’s volcanic eruption this summer set the tourist industry into overdrive. People from all over the country and overseas made a beeline for one of the most awe-inspiring sights nature has to offer – an active volcano.

Litli-Hrútur, a hill about 38 kilometres from Reykjavík, began spewing lava on July 10, in an area which has seen an unusually large amount of volcanic activity in recent years. It is part of a volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula that also experienced eruptions in 2021 and 2022 at Fagradalsfjall. Some estimates put the number of sightseers in 2021 at 350,000 as the lava flowed off and on for six months.

Since no lava was seen running from the crater at Litli-Hrútur after August 5, total visitor numbers there will likely fall short of those previously recorded in other parts of the peninsula. Acutely aware of the whims of plate tectonics, some tourists booked flights to Iceland within an hour of the initial eruption for the chance to see close up the perhaps once-in- a-lifetime opportunity of nature unleashing its molten fury.

Creation in view

Authorities created a path to the hill and day by day a column of hikers made their way to within 1.5 kilometres of the cone and touching distance of smouldering fresh lava. Some visitors sent drones over the top of the boiling inferno to get a bird’s eye view of the mesmerising spectacle.

Indeed, flying drones over the rims of lava-spewing craters has become something of a craze for YouTubers; one ‘decommissioned’ his beyond-repair probe on a final flight down into a volcano in Iceland last year, churning out some remarkable footage.

Professor Thorvaldur Thordarson, a volcanologist at the University of Iceland, was awestruck when he saw the Litli-Hrútur eruption, telling a reporter from the Financial Times who was with him: “You’re looking at creation. The crust makes Earth a habitable place. Volcanoes maintain our atmosphere and are the reason why we have life on Earth.”

Icelandic blast

With some 30 volcanic systems running beneath it, and historically 130 volcanoes onshore and off it, Iceland has long attracted throngs of visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of an active one. Status reports on volcanic activity are regularly issued in the island nation, one of the most active volcanic regions on the planet with an eruption every four years on average.

Some eruptions can be huge, like the one in 2010 in the main crater of Eyjafjallajökull which caused a vast cloud of ash to spread over large areas of northern Europe, while in others, lava flows quietly from fissures.

Some tours of Iceland are centred purely around volcanoes – being lowered by lift into a cavernous magma chamber of the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano, visiting huge lava cave complexes, undertaking spectacular hikes along volcanic peaks, or visiting the interactive volcano exhibition in Hvolsvöllur known as the Lava Centre.

The striking cone-shaped peak of the Snæfellsjo ̈kull National Park in the west of the country is thought to be the inspiration for Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Volcano volume

Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia and other countries also promote their volcanic heritage. The world’s largest active volcano is Mauna Loa (Long Mountain) in Hawaii, covering more than 5,200 square kilometres.

Like Iceland, Japan is one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth. It is located above the Pacific Ring of Fire, sitting on top of four tectonic plates on the edge of a subduction zone. About 60 of its 186 volcanoes are still active in geological terms.

One active Japanese volcano popularly on people’s bucket lists is Sakurajima (Cherry Blossom Island) in Kagoshima Bay, appearing to rise more than 1,120 metres directly above the water, this regularly spews ash.

About half a million people live within 10 kilometres of its crater, and taking the spectacular ferry journey to Sakurajima from precariously positioned Kagoshima city is recommended. The volcano is also accessible by road around the periphery of the bay since the former island has been joined to the peninsula since a 1914 eruption spilled out three billion tonnes of lava.

Springing forth

Iceland and Japan are known for their vast number of hot springs which pepper the countryside and are located close to areas of volcanic activity. Here, the water temperature increases through circulation close to magma reservoirs below the surface.

This manifestation of geothermal energy is evident in geysers, bubbling mud pools and hot springs. The mineral content of hot springs is thought to impart health benefits. In Iceland, many hotels offer baths fed by local hot springs. The Viking Pool in Leirubakki is made special with views of Mt Hekla in the background.

Japan places cultural significance on its more than 20,000 hot springs of volcanic origin. Many hot- spring resorts (onsen) follow a tradition going back centuries and are often located next to hiking, skiing, climbing and crater-viewing areas. In Hokkaido, Toyako is famous for its hot-spring baths with lake views.

Not far off, Showa Shinzan is a lava dome that emerged only in 1944, and parent volcano Usuzan stands nearby. The hot springs of Noboribetsu are a memorable must-try. In an amazing spectacle, indoor marble-tiled hot springs fed by geothermal energy at the Dai-ichi Takimotokan Hotel can accommodate 1,000 bathers simultaneously.

Zao Onsen, 20 kilometres southeast of Yamagata City, is an all-year hot-spring resort – go hiking or skiing during the daytime, then chill out before dinner in a mountain hot spring and contemplate the finer things in life.

Crater close-encounters

Famous for its geysers at Rotorua, the hot springs in New Zealand play an important part in the Māori culture, as do the volcanoes. The country offers some spectacular hiking across volcano areas, notably in Tongariro.

Home to three breathtaking volcanoes (Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe), the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has oft been described as the best one-day hike in the world, taking you over red craters, green and blue lakes and wild open countryside. It was briefly closed in 2012 due to volcanic activity from one of the cones.

With close to 130 active volcanoes, Indonesia can also boast some fantastic volcano tourism. There are organised tours to see Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, though it is now considered a dangerous mountain and access depends on its level of activity.

Mount Merapi is another favourite destination, especially given its proximity to the World Heritage site of Borobudur. Further to the east of Java, watching the sunrise over Mount Bromo – named after Hindu god Brahma – can provide glorious views.

Perhaps lured by the element of danger, tourists have been attracted to volcanoes for centuries. By the mid-1860s, Thomas Cook, the pioneer of package tours, was arranging visits to Pompeii in Italy, and Vesuvius, the volcano that buried it in 79 A.D.

In the 1880s, a funicular was built to take tourists to the top of Vesuvius. Active volcanoes burn on and on in the imagination of adventurous travellers, calling them to the edge of their craters.

Social Paradise

A dazzling Oasis in NUSA DUA: THE MULIA, MULIA RESORT & VILLAS

The Mulia Bali resort, which is situated on the isolated beach of Nusa Dua, provides guests with three five-star experiences. The Mulia offers a luxury beachside refuge with an outstanding infinity pool, while Mulia Resort offers dining, leisure, and business amenities. With private villas and individualized butler service, Mulia Villas offers exclusivity and luxury. The award-winning Bali beach resort provides four swimming pools, world-class culinary experiences, and unique access to the island’s longest oceanfront infinity pool. While the cutting-edge Fitness Centre offers daily programs taught by qualified teachers, the award-winning spa offers luxurious treatments and wellness rooms. The hotel also provides a variety of beach activities. In accordance with WHO recommendations, Mulia Bali implements updated safety and health standards to provide a relaxing and delightful vacation in paradise.

The Ultimate Work-Life Balance

The ability to work from any place is undoubtedly something that technology has enabled us to achieve and has become popular in recent years. And where better to do that than Bali, a tropical haven? The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas – Nusa Dua, Bali, a multi-award winning beachfront resort, should be at the top of your list of locations to be in order to work remotely. It is situated on the rather quiet beach of Nusa Dua, Bali. Here are the main arguments for choosing this opulent resort as the location of your future mobile office.

British Airways’ Club Suites are the perfect way to travel between Hong Kong and London

British Airways doubles its schedule to include two daily fleets – an Airbus A350 and a Boeing 787 jet – from Hong Kong to London and two from London to Hong Kong.

According to the airline’s current timetable, the flights will take off from Hong Kong International Airport at 23:10 HKT and 23:20 HKT and land at London Heathrow Airport at 06:40 BST (13:40 HKT) and 06:50 (13:50 HKT) respectively.

Simultaneously, the aircraft flying from LHR to HKG will depart from London at 18:00 BST (01:00 HKT) and arrive in Hong Kong at 13:40 HKT while the second LHR-HKG flight will depart at 20:55 BST (03:55 HKT) and arrive at 16:35 HKT.

Top-class Amenities

With all four trips being non-stop long-haul flights, travellers expect unhinged comfort throughout their journey and British Airways delivers the same with its Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 jets having Club Suites in their business class cabins or as British Airways calls it, Club World.

Each Club Suite offers top-class amenities that ensure that each passenger’s trip goes beyond their satisfaction. Such features include a vanity unit with a mirror, a set of a cosy pillow and a quilt, a USB and power slots and a WIFI connection. The suites also have separate doors for each of them, thus offering a private and undisturbed flight.

Moreover, with the Club World following a 1:2:1 seating arrangement, it is perfect for both solo travellers and passengers flying with someone to accompany them, and it also allows every flyer to have direct access to the aisle. Best of all, the seats can be adjusted to become a 6-feet bed making it easy for people to stretch and relax during their journey.

Delectable Food and Wine

As expected from a well-established airline like British Airways, the dining experience in the Club Suites is also guaranteed to be amazing, especially with the airline introducing four English sparkling wines to its menu. This includes Digby Fine English Brut NV, Balfour Rosé de Noirs, Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, and Wiston Estate Brut NV which will all be served on a rotational basis, with British Airways picking two of these four bubblies for each flight and switching the options every three months. In addition to these sparkling wines, passengers also enjoy the Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne.

As for the food, each meal will come with a main course of the passenger’s choice along with a starter, a dessert and cheese.

Sustainable Flying

British Airways is also determined that its flights are friendly to the environment. As a result, its fleets will produce less noise which is said to be reduced by 40 per cent; emit less CO2 and burn 25 per cent less fuel.

Click here to book your next flight.

Advanced Retreats: Luxury and exclusivity exceed all expectations at these singular properties

When most people describe their dream holiday, they are picturing a secluded island or exclusive resort that provides royal comforts and an escape from the bustling outside world. These blissful bespoke stays come with rejuvenating spa treatments, decadent meals and fun activities. With services that go above and beyond. it is their prime location and other amenities not seen at most hotels that set them apart.

Chalet Zermatt Peak

Overlooking the magnificent snow-capped Matterhorn is a lavish luxury chalet with spectacular architecture, resplendent interiors and top-notch hospitality that conjure a lifetime of wonderful memories. A stay at Chalet Zermatt Peak commences with staff ushering you through a candle-lit tunnel into 820 square metres of space spanning five deluxe double bedrooms for 10 people with balconies and bathrooms with walk-in showers, living area, a fully equipped kitchen, wine cellar and indoor swimming pool. Floor-to-ceiling windows gift vacationers panoramic views of Zermatt, and there’s a terrace that stargazers will adore.

Beyond this, the chalet boasts a wellness space with a sauna room offering wet Finnish and dry Swedish experiences, a hammam featuring bio steam, and indoor and outdoor jacuzzis.

Professional masseuses are on hand to provide a range of refreshing and aromatic spa treatments.

As for gastronomy, the quality of food is credited as one reason why guests choose the chalet time and again. Meals are prepared and tailored to your party’s whims by an in-house gourmet chef, and connoisseurs will find wines for perfect pairings. Afternoon tea is also served every day with Champagne if desired.

The temptation would be never to leave this oasis of consummate comfort, though Zermatt boasts year-round skiing – three ski lifts are conveniently located less than a kilometre from the chalet. Also, within walking distance for the outdoorsy are paragliding, heliskiing, sledging, ice skating and more. Short strolls will take you to the Matterhorn Museum and Gorner Ridge, and if you want to venture further, just hop into a private limousine or helicopter.

Location: Zermatt, Switzerland
Price: 120,000 CHF (HK$1 million) for seven nights in peak season
Reservations: chaletzermattpeak.com

Hilltop Estate, Laucala

Only the elite can dream of occupying this exclusive and extremely difficult-to-reserve villa perched at the top of Laucala, a private Fijian island of crystal-clear waters and lush green forests. Home to the COMO Laucala Island resort, this idyllic isle offers a superlative range of activities including an 18-hole golf course designed by David McLay Kidd, stables for horse-riding and a sustainable farm providing wagyu beef for guests – all this besides a full complement of watersports. It is certainly a fantasy holiday destination, with just 25 villas affording privacy and a sense of escape from the outside world.

The Hilltop Estate, which can hold 8 guests, sprawls over 12,000 square metres, affording enchanting views of the island greenery edged by rugged coastline and dreamy beaches. It comprises three buildings, with the biggest, Delena, encompassing the master suite, living room, library, a stone bathtub and personal swimming pool with waterfalls. Family and friends can occupy Rua, which also has a swimming pool, and Dua. The interior architecture has an earthy vibe and furnishings favour natural materials like sago palms and coconut husks. Your own chef, chauffeur and nanny if required mean you don’t need to lift a finger to care for your guests.

A traditional Fijian Bobo massage, in which experts use their hands and feet to knead tired deep tissue, is the top billing on a menu of calming, rejuvenating treatments that can be enjoyed in the residence or at Shambhala Retreat, Laucala’s wellness space. All massages and facials use locally sourced and natural ingredients.

In addition to the private chef who will prepare the meals of your choice, there are four restaurants on this large private island. A particular favourite for lovers of Asian cuisine is the Seagrass Lounge and Restaurant, a treetop retreat serving pan-Asian delicacies. All food is prepared with fresh produce farmed or grown on the island.

The most fantastic feature of a Laucala sojourn, though, is the charter flight arranged for you on demand. Departing from Fiji international airport, the plane dips down to a private runway surrounded by azure waters, ensuring zero hassle upon arrival.

Location: Laucala Island, Fiji
Price: Starting at US$455,000 (HK$3.5 million) per night
Reservations: reservations@laucala.com

Echo Camp White Desert, Antarctica

If you crave an out-of-this-world vacation, then these unique space-station-like pods located in the Queen Maud mountains of Antarctica should top your bucket list.

Accessed from Cape Town by private plane, there are six accommodation pods, with each allowing 2 guests, at the recently opened Echo camp, two of them being standalone with a kingsized bedroom and ensuite bathroom and the other four interconnected with four bedrooms, lounge area and dining room. Built with sustainable materials, each heated pod has floor-to-ceiling windows and white carpeting, thus blurring the lines between cosy indoors and icy outside.

While you contemplate the pristine vistas all around, a group of well-trained staff, including hosts, guides and personal chefs who cook gourmet meals to your order, assures that your stay is nothing less than memorable. If you book the Early Emperor package, you can partake in thrilling activities like fat biking, abseiling, ice climbing and skiing right outside your pod. Above all, you should not miss an excursion to the colony of Emperor penguins that usually dwells a few kilometres away.

Given that Echo is a polar camp within the coldest place on Earth – temperatures can plunge below -60oC – guests require a thorough medical checkup and doctor’s all-clear before venturing south. The team at White Desert, Antarctica’s only hotel, also conduct safety lessons prior to the trip of a lifetime.

Location: Antarctica
Price: Starting at US$780,000 (HK$6.1 million) per person for seven days
Reservations: info@whitedesert.com Season dates: 24th November 2023 – 31st January 2024

ANI

Drawing its name from the Swahili word andjani which means ‘journey ahead’, ÀNI is the world’s first private resort collection. Founded in 2010, ÀNI offers exclusive retreats in the most beautiful and far-flung corners of the earth, from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia. Each ÀNI destination is designed exclusively for a single group of guests, accommodating up to 20 or 30 guests across 10 to 15 suites. Currently offering four resorts worldwide, ÀNI’s destinations include Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Dominican Republic, and Anguilla, each claiming panoramic ocean views in a pristine natural setting. Consummately private, each resort operates as an all-inclusive experience except ÀNI Anguilla which is on a half-board basis. They support their local ÀNI Art Academy and offer every facility and space a group of guests could possibly desire during their stay. A full complement of staff (between 20 and 30 per resort) tailors every detail – from dining and spa treatments to kids’ activities and exploration of the region – to ensure a bespoke experience that defies expectations.

Locations: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Dominican Republican and Anguilla

Price: Starting at US$75000 (HK$580,000) per person

Click here to make your reservations.

Basque Bonkers – The summer months are when the Basque region goes wild

The Basque Country is steeped in history going back millennia. The people in this little pocket of Europe that overlaps Spain and France are fiercely proud of their distinct culture, and during the summer months, the region explodes into life in a sea of wine, bull and folklore rituals with all-day parties, crazy costumes and cuisine to die for.

These events and festivals act like a magnet, drawing in visitors from all over the world keen to experience a bit of Basque culture. The region is nestled between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean, and Basque (or Euskara) is spoken, as well as Spanish or French; Euskara is the only remnant of languages that existed before southwestern Europe was Romanised.

The major conurbations of the Southern Basque Country, in Spain, are Bilbao, the destination of most incoming flights, the elegant coastal city of San Sebastian, the Basque capital Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Pamplona. The Northern part, in France, houses the palatial coastal splendour of Biarritz, while Bayonne is famous for its magnificent summer festival.

Basque food is also unique and a rich, almost obsessive, part of local culture, with a reputation as some of the best to be had in Europe. Signature dishes include great surf-and-turf combos, hake stew, lobster salad, vegetable and fish soups and the much-revered sea bream. There is heated rivalry over which part of Basque turns out the best culinary delights.

This competitive spirit is also evident in Basque sports such as pelota, which has been described as the fastest ball game in the world. There are also many herri kirolak (rural sports) competitions involving chopping wood, lifting massive stones, manually drilling holes in rocks and oxcart lifting. These can be seen at many of the summer fiestas in the region.

Festival highs
In graceful Haro, capital of the Rioja Alta wine region, the ‘Battle of Wine’ occurs in late June and is of such repute it has been designated a ‘festival of international tourist interest’. After a mass that is celebrated at the Chapel of San Felices de Bilibio, participants wearing white squirt wine on each other until everyone’s clothes change colour.

About a week later, the most talked-about of the Basque summer festivals kicks off in Pamplona. The Fiesta de San Fermin, popularly known as the Running of the Bulls, takes place every 6-14 July transforming the historic city into a frenzy of strength, speed and colour. Each morning at eight o’clock, six bulls are released onto the narrow, cobbled streets where they rush through a sea of fleeing people wearing white and red scarves around their waists and necks. Their route to the bullring only takes a few minutes, but each year some of the participants will be injured, and occasionally fatally gored. It is common for tourists to try their luck and join in, often as a last-minute act of bravado just before the bulls go past.

From 21-23 July, the bizarre spectacle of Danza de los Zancos (Dance of the Stilts) can be observed in Anguiano. Here, dancers on 5cm-high stilts tiptoe through the sloping, cobbled streets as part of a parade celebrating a pagan ritual. Performers wear colourful clothing with their hidden petticoats providing much-needed balance.

Coastal giants
In the last week of July, the Fêtes de Bayonne commences at the city’s Place de la Mairée when a mascot throws keys from the balcony to the hordes below. This is the largest festival in France, with numerous parades and dances, music galore, giant figures roaming the streets and breathtaking fireworks displays. Tourists are encouraged to join in the fun.

Located at the confluence of two rivers, Bayonne treasures its rich cultural heritage; it was officially recognised as a French ‘Town of Art & History’ in 2012. There is plenty to browse in this city also renowned for its superb chocolate, and regular tours are available in July and August. Just 8km (5 miles) south of Bayonne on the Basque Coast is beautiful Biarritz, which is also worth exploring. Anglet and Hossegor, to the north, offer world-class surfing action, and from 7-10 July, the former’s annual surf film festival draws more sedate crowds to the beaches.

(Read the full interview in the May 2023 issue (pg: 138). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.)

A guide to all the travel essentials you will need for your Easter vacation

Easter break is around the corner and there is no doubt that everyone is excited to go on a short trip. Wherever you are flying for this holiday season, we have put some travel essentials to help with your last-minute shopping.

Style forward suitcase

Both obviously luxurious and ergonomic in style, the new cabin suitcases from Rimowa make travelling much easier with their easy-to-organise mesh compartments on the inside, and practical four wheels and t-bar handle on the outside for effortlessly moving around the luggage at the airport or during vacation.

Adaptable carry-on luggage

It is always advisable to ensure that your luggage is lightweight and the ones from Tumi promise the same while looking chic. The latest additions from the brand come with an extendable feature allowing you to transform its size giving you all the luggage space needed after your shopping spree during your trip.

A Glamping-inspired Collection

With the latest glamping phenomenon involved in the creative process of the Longchamp SS23 Ready-to-Wear Collection, the Parisian brand’s latest Spring/Summer drops are fashionable, comfortable and feature vibrant colours. Whether it is the sandals with the colour-blocking design or the ombre-effect netted bag, every piece is suited for enjoying leisure activities in style.

Prim and Proper Looks

Quite luxury is all in this year, and Celine’s newest ready-to-wear collection perfectly demonstrates the sensation through its prim and proper pieces that exude a neat style. Each attire and every shoe is both aesthetically appealing and practical for the wearer thus making them well-suited for the airport or long days during your trip.

Packable Clothing

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Yes, every piece of clothing can be packed in a suitcase or bag but the pieces from Craig Green SS23 collection literally turn into bags that can be conveniently carried around. The jackets and trousers transform into equally voguish handbags and duffle bags, so if your itinerary involves a change of clothing, what other fashionable way than this?

Also Read: Your Guide To Easily Planning A Trip To Anywhere In The World

For the colder destinations

If you are going to someplace with lower temperatures and you will need warmer clothing, then the pieces from Lorena Antoniazzi are good additions to your luggage. Known particularly for its knitwear, the Italian fashion brand’s new Spring/Summer collection also incorporates this with its selection of stylistic monochrome sweaters, cardigans, jumpers and more.

Perfume on the go

For almost everyone, a spray or two of perfume is the finishing touch to getting ready for the day. A better and more reasonable idea to ensure you follow the habit during vacation too would be to carry a mini refillable spray bottle. The one from Hinnaswa allows you to easily transfer the perfume by placing it on top of your perfume bottle and pumping it.

Capturing film-like shots

Taking as many photos to add to your travel album or sharing them with friends and family on social media is an essential part of every trip. A Paper Shoot camera is ideal because it works like a digital camera but produces film-like pictures, and weighs less than 100 grams. Besides, it is eco-friendly too.

For more shopping inspiration, check out our shopping column (pg: 36) in our latest April 2023 issue. Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

India of Imagination: The most mesmerizing place in the subcontinent is Varanasi

January this year saw the launch of a new luxury river cruise service, one set to ferry high-end tourists to some of the most mystical destinations in India. Fittingly, Varanasi, where the cruise commences, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and, perhaps, the most iconic and memorable location in the whole of India.

To the initiated, it is Kashi, the Luminous – the City of Light said to be founded by Shiva, one of the most significant of all the Hindu deities. Regardless of your religious affiliations, it is a truly magical place and one where, for thousands of years, pilgrims have come to wash away their sins in the River Ganges’ cleansing waters.

In all, around 85 ghats (riverfront steps) line the west bank of the Ganges as it passes through the city, making it a popular choice for both devout Hindus taking an early morning purifying dip and for washer folk to beat their clothes. Among the steps are burning ghats, holy sites where bodies are cremated in public, often watched at a respectful distance by boatloads of mourners. Beyond that, many ghats also have their own historical or ritual significance and lingam, a symbol of divine generative energy.

Overall, the best time to visit is dawn when the early morning sun rays light up the myriad temples and ghats while pilgrims perform puja (prayers). Alternatively, dusk offers an ideal opportunity to watch devotees at worship, with viewing these mesmerising daily rituals from a passing rowing boat one of the quintessential Varanasi experiences.

The city itself has more than 700 temples and is a maze of alleyways, with many day tours available for those who want to take in many of the special sites the city has to offer as possible. Particularly popular are the confined alleyways of The Old City, the most famous attraction being the Vishwanath Temple, the main Shiva sanctuary that features 800g of gold plating on the tower and dome. Non-Hindus can climb surrounding buildings to see the gilded dome. Another busy temple is in the south of the city – the monkey temple – and is home to hordes of red macaques and is dedicated to Durga, an exceptionally fierce goddess.

Varanasi also boasts excellent dining opportunities, including some of the best Indian food around and a wide variety of European dishes. Of particular note is the Darbhanga restaurant, which is set just inside the Brijrama Palace Hotel, a structure with striking architecture along the banks of Darbhanga Ghat. Its most popular dishes include palak chaman (paneer in spinach and spices) and allot chaat (fried pieces of parboiled potato mixed with chickpeas and chopped onions, and garnished with spices and chutney).

For a more informal snack, tucked away in a narrow side alley in the Old City is Blue Lassi, a famous hole-in-the-wall yoghurt shop that has been churning out every kind of gorgeous fruit-filled lassi since 1925. The dairy-intolerant, meanwhile, may prefer the nearby Brown Bread Bakery and its singularly fabulous menu.

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If you’re more fashion-minded than food focussed, you may also want to prioritise a visit to the Mehrotra silk factory. It can be found nestling in the labyrinth of lanes behind Lal Ghat and has built up a fine reputation for selling quality silk at reasonable prices.

As is the case on any visit to India, visitors are reminded to be wary of unscrupulous rickshaw drivers who will ferry you off to some inauthentic lookalike place (where they get a cut of everything you spend) rather than your preferred destination. Be insistent and you should be okay.

These considerations aside, no one who has been to Varanasi ever forgets the sheer spectacle of this stunning site’s worship and devotion to the Hindu gods. For those left wanting more of India after such a magnificent introduction – and, really, who wouldn’t – this could just be the first stopping-off point on a luxury cruise, one where far more wonders may well be yours to explore.

(Text: Neil Dolby)

Read the full version of the article in the March 2023 issue (pg: 128). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

Your Guide To Easily Planning A Trip To Anywhere In The World

Travelling is certainly the most popularly loved and desired form of recreation. While some people can impulsively pack that bag and go on a vacation to any part of the world, there are travellers who need to plan every single detail of the trip.

If you fall under the second category, then here is a step-by-step guide and some travel-friendly tools that will help you plan your trip assuming you have already finalised your destination.

Say all that is too much work for you, then we have also suggested websites that can do all the planning for you.

P.S: You don’t have to be familiar with the place.

Choosing the places to visit

Whether you are interested in the arts and want to check out museums and galleries, or into adventurous activities like zip lining, you want everything you do during your trip to be fun-fullied. That is why planning your itinerary comes with a great perk. You get to cater everything your way.

For this, you can always head to Google Maps or Trip Advisor which will you give you thousands of suggestions on the things you can do. There is a reason these apps are trusted by so many travel fanatics. You can read reviews and decide if the place is actually worth the visit.

Facebook is another brilliant resource. Join a travel group or two, and ask for suggestions there, and people will share their opinions. If you are lucky enough, you may even end up discovering a hidden gem that locals of the city go but tourists overlook.

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Mapping them

Next, it is time to put it all on a map. That way you can cover all the places that are in close proximity in a day or two. One of the best travel-friendly tools to do it is hands down Google My Maps.

Add the places on your list, and the website will create an interactive and user-friendly map that will allow you to see which spots are close to one another. You will also definitely stumble upon other things you can experience.

Research for important details

First things first, you need to check the website or social media pages of each location for opening hours and holidays. You don’t want to head to a museum on a Wednesday and find out that it is closed on that day every week.

At this point, you should also check if you need to book any entry tickets, so that once your itinerary is ready you can reserve the tickets if needed.

Create the timeline

Depending on what pace you want your trip to be, and how many days you are at the destination, create a timeline. You may prefer to have a busy and fully-packed schedule or one that is more chill.

All-in-one

If all this planning is just too hectic, it is good that there are websites that will do everything for you. Two excellent travel-friendly tools are Klarna.Trips and Trip Hobo where you only need to enter your destination, and preferences, the site will generate an entire itinerary which you can edit if you wish.

Now that you have your itinerary ready, book the flights and hotel, and you are all ready to go. Happy Journey!

(Text: Renuka Kennedy)

The Natural Wonders of Kashmir sat amid the mighty Himalayas

Scenic, captivating and cradled high in the mighty green Himalayas, Kashmir’s all-but-celestial beauty has assumed almost mythical proportions. Replete with snow-capped mountain peaks, lush green valleys, glistening lakes, breathtaking meadows and spectacular Mughal-era architecture, it is a magnificently landscaped valley. It is no wonder that this poet-inspiring paradise has long been deemed India’s crowning glory.

Particularly worth seeking out is Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital, an ancient and venerable city set along the banks of the Jehlum river. With its proximity to the tranquillity of the Dal and Nigeen lakes, this is the ideal destination for those seeking a truly exotic travel experience.

Among its many notable attractions are the array of stationary houseboats from the British era and gondola-type rowboats – Shikaras – that can be found on the Dal’s languid waters. The city is also home to many of India’s most exquisite Mughalage gardens, with Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashm-E-Shahi being particularly fine examples.

In the case of the latter, located amid the foothills of the Zabarwan range, it has been deemed one of the most elegant of all the Mughal gardens. Its lush green lawns feature epic pools and classic fountains, many of them the abiding legacy of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who commissioned the gardens back in 1632.

The Verinag Mughal Garden, by contrast, is set at the Gateway of Kashmir, the traditional access point to this remote region, beautifully maintained and eminently serene, its clusters of time-worn Chinar trees amid its endlessly green meadows are never less than breath-taking.

An abiding symbol of eternal love, meanwhile, is the Shalimar Garden, an epically evocative estate built by Emperor Jahangir as a tribute to his much-adored wife. With its neatly terraced lawns, fetching fountains, floral borders and tree-lined pavilions, it celebrates each season in its own unique style.

For its part, Nishat Bagh – variously known as “The Garden of Joy” or “The Garden of Gladness” – clings close to the eastern shore of Dal Lake. Designed by Asaf Khan, the brother of Noor Jahan, back in 1633, every terrace throughout this truly gorgeous garden hosts a surfeit of beatific blooms – most notably, roses, geranium and lilies. Particularly popular with both couples and families, this stunning hymn to nature’s majesty is surely among the world’s most Instagrammable locations.

Continuing the tour, the picturesque town of Gulmarg– nestled in the Pir Panjal range of the Western Himalayas at an altitude of 8,690 feet – is another essential stopping-off point. Surrounded by radiant snow-peaked alps, verdant green pastures, enthralling meadows, valleys and pine-covered slopes, it is no wonder it has become so synonymous with winter sports.

In recognition of this, back in 1927, it was formally accorded ski resort status. Today, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of related activities, including skiing, snowboarding, horse riding, heli-skiing, snow scooter riding and tobogganing. For those preferring something a little more sedentary, there is the Gulmarg Gondola, Asia’s highest and the world’s second-longest cable car ride, which sees up to 600 people per hour able to experience uniquely scenic views of the valleys below.

Trekking further on, some 80 kilometres northeast of Srinagar is Sonamarg (literally ‘meadow of gold’), a beauteous hill station set some 2800 km above sea level. Renowned for its sow-laden fields, it is encircled by the majestic Kolhoi and Machoi glacier ranges. It is also the perfect base camp for those looking to explore the nearby shores of the lakes of Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. Be advised, though, it is only accessible from March through to November, with heavy snows rendering it off-limits during the rest of the year.

Overall, Kashmir is just the perfect place for would be explorers, with its multitudinous trails allowing visitors to savour panoramic views of the mountains, meadows and the clear lakes below.

One of the most popular among such excursions is the 69-kilometres-long Great Lakes trek that allows bold expeditioners to take in seven high-set lakes, five river valley crossings and three lofty passes during the course of its eight-day duration.

Ascending to a height of 4,206 metres at its zenith, the trail more typically flows between relatively gentle ascents and descents, making it relatively easy to navigate.

Another popular route, one said to be both thrilling and a true visual treat, is the Tarsar Marsar trek. Traversing the verdant meadows that proliferate throughout the Aru Valley, this historic hike also takes in the emerald blue waters of the Tarsar, Marsar and Sundarsar lakes, set some 12,500 ft above sea level, they would prove the highlight of any vacation.

Coiling through a lovingly preserved natural landscape, a number of campsites can be found along its path, any one of which would make the perfect locale for enjoying stunningly clear views of the starscape above.

While the heavens can fend for themselves in terms of the preservation of their natural beauty, conserving the allure of their more terrestrial counterpart requires more work. Thankfully, this has been taken on board by the government, with many of Kashmir’s forests and wildlife reserves being accorded National Park status.

Among the most celebrated of these is the Kishtwar National Park, which extends across an area of more than 2200 square kilometres and is home to a huge selection of exquisite local flora and fauna. As well as being a highly-regarded snow leopard reserve, it has proven an attractive refuge for many Himalayan bears, musk deer and ibex, as well as 15 other relatively rare mammals and more than 50 species of birds unique to the Himalayan region.

Also, more than well worth a visit is the Dashigam National Park. Set some 20 kilometres from Srinagar and some 4,300 metres above sea level, its 500 square kilometres of natural beauty comprise India’s most elevated forest reserve.

Home to the critically endangered Kashmir stag, the park is also a refuge for many other rare species of avifauna. The banks of the mighty Dagwan River, meanwhile, which courses through the park, are just about the perfect setting for camping or fishing, while the nearby Sangargulu valley offers a unique opportunity to observe snow leopards and koklass pheasants in their natural habitat.

Whether it is to explore nature or quietly enjoy the beauty of it, Kashmir is the perfect place for anyone who wants to experience the very nearest any is likely to get to heaven on earth.

Text: Zaira Abbas