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OMAN SPECIAL

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by Inder Raj Ahluwalia If you’ve been waiting to experience the delights of the Arabian Nights, just cast a glance at Oman. Uninterrupted sunshine bathes a unique blend of magnificent Arabian heritage. And welcoming one is tradition, hospitality, discovery and adventure. Not only will it fulfill your fantasies, you’ll come away relishing the entire experience. SHOP TILL YOU DROP: For a taste of genuine local flavor, visit Muscat’s Muttarah, a busy commercial centre renowned for its cornice, girdle- shaped promenade, bay and harbour with romantic old dhows and visiting cruise ships and naval vessels. Lining the promenade are offices, shops, cafes, trading-houses and souks, notably the Muttarah Souk with some shops the size of a small lounge, others no bigger than a walk-in closet. Meander through the maze of this market souk with its seemingly endless corridors of little shops, wade through stalls of vegetables and dates, and see the day’s catch on display in the busy fish souk. I
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Regensburg Rejuvenation  By Inder Raj Ahluwalia Take a pause before you take a bow. Let the picture sink in slowly, or else it will be wasted. That’s the kind of place it is. Smart shops featuring designer labels peer out of the gothic vaults and narrow medieval alleys, while cafes and restaurants proliferate all over town, especially along the fast-flowing Danube. At the end of it all one is left marveling at the depth of quality retained in such a small urban area. There’s no ambiguity here. It didn’t take me long to get a sense of the quality that defines the city. It’s a centre of history and beauty. From picturesque old alleys you step out into wide streets and squares flanked by splendid castles and patrician palaces that bear witness to almost a thousand years of history. You stroll along the river’s banks and onto the two islands in the river, and gaze at the pretty skyline. Not surprisingly, tourists flock here from the world over, and shopping, dining-out, and old-fashioned l
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The Kikar Lodge

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  By Inder Raj Ahluwalia Food tasty enough to drive a dieter up the wall; comfort levels you normally labour to seek; service that’s a mere whisper away; and an ambience that slowly but surely gets hold of your imagination.   It’s the kind of indulgence you don’t find easily, but can get very used to. I don’t mind admitting that the couple of days we spent there were a blur of sheer indulgence and epicurean delights. The fact is that The Kikar Lodge is a world apart. 1,800 acres of scrub, shrub, forests, hills, escarpments and valleys ensure you don’t get claustrophobic in a hurry, and can stretch your legs with gay abandon. The lodge itself is also a sprawling affair with its rooms and suites overlooking the swimming pools, lake and forest. The Pheasant’s Nest is what they call the simply-appointed but vast restaurant that dishes out superb food; The Den is where you can sit in a cosy environment and gaze at prints and photos that line the walls; while The Watering Hole is exactly
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Innsbruck: An Alpine Edge

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By Inder Raj Ahluwalia It was that feeling, all over again. Framed behind me was the most beautiful background imaginable. Mountains with jagged peaks glistening in fresh snow, gradually tapering down to brownish granite, which in turn gave way to thick forest. It was a magic moment, and like most magic moments, all too soon it was gone. Innsbruck is one of Austria’s prides and joys. The abundance and proximity of nature and the grandeur of its high mountains are enhanced by the ever-present contrast between ancient traditions and the vitality of a modern city. Innsbruck @ Innsbruck Tourismus Christof Lackner The Alps lie literally at your doorstep, which means snow, snow, and more snow. It also means a bracing climate and a wealth of sports. 0ne can go climbing, walk the mountains, mountain bike, or paraglide. Six attractive and popular ski regions, some 53 lifts, 112 km of pistes, over 9 km of high-altitude cross-country tracks, two ski passes, and fun parks explain why Innsbruck was
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The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat

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By Inder Raj Ahluwalia A mere 8 Kms from the Kolkata Airport, in close proximity to the International Convention Centre, Eco Park and the business hub of Salt Lake & Rajarhat, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat has established itself as a pivotal oasis of service and comfort. A Different ‘Feeling’ By all accounts, this is a hotel with a ‘difference’ as discerning guests learn to their delight. Checking in at the hotel brings quick rewards. The focus on wellness means guests have a choice to be pampered with an invigorating massage at the Heavenly Spa by Westin, indulge in Westin Workout facilities, or just enjoy a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool. It’s all nice and easy and its all available every day, round the year. Rooms With A View 304 elegantly appointed, spacious guest rooms and suites providing a panoramic view of the city, ensures all guests have the proverbial ‘roof above their head’.  With 27,000 square feet of state – of –the - art banqueting and confe
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Dresden Dream

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Sailing upstream under the ‘Blue Wonder Bridge’ aboard one of the world’s oldest paddle-steamers, taking in the beauty of the Elbe Valley, was definitely my kind of holiday, I told myself snugly as I settled down on a seat that was strategically placed to provide pristine views. And indeed, the views were pristine. Grand city monuments looked down on expansive green steppes that tapered down to the river on both sides, as we chugged along. It didn’t take me long to realize that they don’t call Dresden the ‘Florence of the Elbe’ for nothing. Set against a scenic background is an inexhaustible potential of art, science, and dynamic industry; reason enough for ranking the city as the ninth largest international tourist centre. It is one big panorama, that makes for one big adventure. Their domes and steeples piercing the sky, imposing old structures greet one at every turn. And the first timer’s first impression is shaped by the skilled architecture that’s created a f
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In The Mood For Adventure

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‘Let’s make India the adventure capital of the world’. That’s the clarion call given by ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India), and judging by their strength and commitment, chances are that this will happen. With ‘Emerging Pathways’ as it’s theme, the 13th Annual Convention of ATOAI, held in Kumarakom, Kerala, from September   18 - 21, 2017, attracted some 300 delegates from all over and India, and presented sharp focus on India’s enormous adventure offerings, and the industry that harnesses it. The convention’s agenda included issues such as policy; capacity-creation; responsible tourism; and marketing. The convention was kicked-off with an impressive inauguration led by Mr. Kadagampally Surendran , Honourable Minister of Tourism, Kerala, along with Mr. Satyajeet Rajan, Director General Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, and Dr. Venu V, Principal Secretary Tourism, Kerala. Spear-headed by Capt. Swadesh Kumar , President ATOAI, and his dynami
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