Monthly Archives: March 2015

Cannes International Film Festival: An Important Event for Cinema Fanatics

The 68th annual Cannes International Film Festival (CIFF) is all set to start on 13th May, 2015 and it’s time for movie buffs to plan a holiday to the resort city of Cannes. Set along the French Riviera, this 12-day carnival is popular for its glamorous guest-list and grand festivities that promise a memorable experience.

About the Festival

Cannes International Film Festival aims at boosting the film industry, contributing towards the development and celebration of cinema at an international level. The festival is a great opportunity to discover the art of intelligent filmmaking. One also gets the chance to listen to eminent directors discuss their works.

The Scene

While the CIFF is an event reserved exclusively for film industry professionals, the general public may participate in the various associated festivities that mark this event. A major highlight is the “Cinéma de la Plage” or Cinema on the beach, wherein guests can watch open air screenings of famous films including the ones featuring in the festival. If you want to see celebrities at close quarters, the Carlton InterContinental’s Bar des Celebrites and red carpet entrance to the Palais des Festivals is the place for you.

One also has the choice of checking out the smaller and low budget films rather than scrambling for entry to one of the highly-billed studio premieres. La Croisette, the Riviera’s celebrated promenade is an excellent place to meet and mix up with new people. The detailed line-up of the festival is yet to be announced and enthusiasts are advised to regularly visit the website of the festival.

Palme d’Or Award

The Palme d’Or Award is the CIFF’s most coveted accolade and is presented to honour the most outstanding talent in the realm of international cinema.

Entry

Attendance is strictly by invitation. However, you may approach the Tourist Office for passes to free nightly screenings at the Beach Cinema.

Three Indian Hotels Offering a Luxurious Retreat in the Lap of Nature

Hospitality has since time immemorial been a part of India’s social fabric and this tradition has been zealously upheld by the country’s hotels, especially the luxury ones. Many of these hotels are located amidst serene natural surroundings in some of the most popular holiday destinations. Here is our pick of three such fabulous properties.

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

Taj-Lake-PalaceThis regal hotel in Udaipur is famed for its opulent architecture and unique location in the heart of Lake Pichola. The majestic Aravallis in the backdrop add to the marvellous aura of the hotel.  This erstwhile royal palace is now owned by the prestigious Taj Group. Taj Lake Palace finds a special place in the hearts of gourmets with its legendary multi-cuisine restaurants. From traditional Rajasthani meals to Chinese cuisines and other inter-continental delicacies – the hotel has it all.

Oberoi Vanyavilas, Sawai Madhopur

wildlifeThe Oberoi Vanyavilas boasts a splendid location near the Ranthambhore National Park. The royal hospitality and attention one receives here is almost at par with the thrill of experiencing the park’s vibrant wildlife. This 20-acre lush property offers many delights. Head to the observation tower to enjoy captivating views of the bordering forest and maybe even spot wildlife. Dining in a magnificent setting, traditional prayer ceremony, rejuvenating yoga session and a walk around their torch-lit pathways are some of the other experiences that you will cherish for long.

Fragrant Nature Kollam

A stay in Fragrant Nature Kollam is a mesmerising experience, especially for the ones seeking a rejuvenating experience far away from the city. The rooms, with excellent lake views, are as sophisticated as they come and feature amenities ranging from air-conditioning to satellite TV, mini-bar and Internet connectivity. Two fantastic restaurants, Sandhya and Anna Rasa, offer a world of delicious flavours. There is a special pool for the little ones too.

Soothe Your Mind and Find Solace at the BaliSpirit Festival, Ubud

baliFind that lost spirit with yoga, meditation, music and a lot more at the BaliSpirit Festival. The eighth edition of this spiritual event is scheduled from 31st March to 05th April, 2015 at Ubud, a beautiful township on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Venues

ARMA Open Stage and Museum and Purnati Center for the Arts are the two locations where workshops, concerts and seminars will be held. The former will host night-time programmes whereas the latter is reserved for the day time activities.

Purnati Center for the Arts: Get up early in the morning to be here and be a part of healing and wellness workshops. This venue also features few healing bungalows and a swimming pool. The hillside temple is among the most prominent highlight of this property.

ARMA Open Stage and Museum: In the evenings, music enthusiasts would do good to head to ARMA or Agung Rai Museum of Arts. The outdoor stage is going to be the podium for One World Stage Concert Series. The line up comprises names like Desert Dwellers, Toni Childs, Farafi and Tarun Nayyar. The venue will also have a splendid night market.

Bhakti Night

The final day i.e., 01st April is dedicated to spirituality. Close your eyes and listen to the devotional chanting by popular, globally acclaimed devotional singers. Australian singers Kevin James Carroll and Murray Kyle will create a magical environment with their heart-touching hymns. Peia and Ajeet Kaur from the US will work their magic too. The latter has even been featured on Billboard. Fans of Persian melodies should buy tickets for Ali Ghamsari’s session.

Hostels Make For A Delightful Choice of Accommodation! Here’s Why

Based on myths and complaints, some travellers would like to contend that hostels are neither safe nor comfortable but a huge chunk of tourists claim otherwise. The latter consider a stay in a hostel to be not just economical and safe, but interestingly delightful as well. And, why not? Hostels are definitely lighter on your pocket and at the same time, provide you with an opportunity to meet new people full of interesting tales. Read on, and you’ll be convinced, perhaps instantly, to pick a hostel for your next holiday.

As Safe as Hotels

Yes, this is absolutely true! Hostels do care a lot about the safety of their guests. Most of them have CCTV cameras across common areas and at the entrance. They not only keep a watch, but also screen the entry of outsiders in the dorms. As far as your precious belongings are concerned, you can place them in lockers or small cupboards with locks. Simply put, just follow the old adage of “lock your belongings and call everyone a gentleman”.

They beckon One and All

It’s a common notion that hostels cater only to solo travellers and backpackers. Well, you’ll be amazed to see that many hostel dorms are full of couples and even families. As far as female solo travellers are concerned, many hostels are exclusively meant for women or feature ‘women-only’ dorms.

A Globally Accepted Concept

Another wrongly perceived idea about hostels is that it’s a completely ‘European’ concept. However, nowadays such properties can be seen across all tourist-friendly nations, be it Australia, the USA or any Asian country. Hostels are budget-oriented, and hence attract penny-pinchers seeking economical stay.

Clean and Well-Organised

Exceptions apart, hostels usually have dedicated staff for cleaning, security and other day to day responsibilities. So, you can expect your linen to be changed pretty regularly, clean washrooms and well-organised rooms. You may be surprised to see how efficiently some of the hostels manage their well-equipped kitchens. The best part is that you get the flexibility to cook the food of your choice.

Four Vintage Tramways around the World that Becharm Even Today

We are headed towards a world where magnetic levitation and Euroduplex rails are all set to radically evolve train-transportation. However, very few modern wonders can beat the old world charm of riding a tram. Navigating through the city’s busy locales, the trams run slowly at their own leisurely pace, as if beseeching us to take it easy in life and enjoy what we have all around. Listed below are some vintage trams or streetcars as they are known in many cities, operating on some age-old tracks.

Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways by Fabio Achilli/ CC BY

Hong Kong Tramways by Fabio Achilli/ CC BY

Snaking through Hong Kong’s bustling streets, panoramic harbours and colourful neighbourhoods, this tramway is perhaps the best way to peep into the city’s real essence. The exclusivity lies in the fact that it ranks among the first few networks of double-decker trams. The style of the 1950s still remains intact in some of the trams.

Melbourne Tram

Melbourne Tram by David Maciulaitis/ CC BY

Melbourne Tram by David Maciulaitis/ CC BY

A visit to Melbourne is incomplete until you experience the world’s third largest tram network. It connects many key tourist attractions in Melbourne, including those in the suburbs, and is highly popular among tourists. Dating back to 1884, it remains among Melbourne’s earliest means of public transport. In the old days, horses used to draw the trams.

Wellington Cable Car

Operating for over a century now, this funicular railway has become a symbol of Wellington. While Wellington has transformed into a global metropolis, the network still has a historic feel that tempts tourists. At the same time, its present day significance also cannot be overlooked, given the fact that it connects some of the most prominent commercial and tourist spots in Wellington such as Lambton Quay and Kelburn.

San Francisco Streetcar

Fondly dubbed as “museums in motion”, San Francisco’s cable cars are the best way to explore the US metropolis at a slow pace.  The heritage wagons run on three different lines and will take you through many historical and tourists spots in the city. Some popular ones include Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Castro district, Chinatown, Nob Hill and Jackson Square.

Here is why you should fly with Qantas from the UK to Australia

UK-to-AustraliaFlight tickets to Australia remain in high demand, owing to the country’s ever-growing popularity as a wonderful holiday destination. Though, plenty of airlines operate regular flights to Australia from the UK’s leading airports, Qantas remains an old favourite. This leading Australian carrier not only offers more flight frequencies than any other airline, but also promises a wonderful experience with its award-winning facilities. Here is why flying to Australia with Qantas makes for a rewarding experience.

Abundant Flight Options

From London Heathrow, Qantas operates two flights a day. Besides, it offers many code-share flights from Heathrow as well as the other cities in the UK like Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester. In short, Qantas offers you abundant choices and great flexibility, when it comes to travel from the UK to Australia. Many of the Qantas’ flights on the route are single-stop, usually via its secondary hub, Dubai International Airport.

Save on Domestic Australian Flights

AustraliaWith Qantas Walkabout Pass, you could save considerably on the domestic flights within Australia. Qantas is the leading Australian carrier and operates flights to almost all the regional airports.

Delightful Classes and Amenities

With three different cabin classes – Economy, Premium Economy and Business, Qantas offers something for every style and budget. No matter how you choose to travel, their award-winning in-flight amenities will certainly give you an enjoyable journey. For guests flying aboard upper class cabins, the airline offers complimentary access to its airport lounges, located around the world.

Get Rewards on Each Booking

Qantas has a frequent flyer programme, which makes flying with the carrier exciting and rewarding. Ranked among the most rewarding frequent flyer programmes, it offers plenty of ways to earn Qantas Points that can be redeemed for an array privileges. Some of them include lounge access, award tickets and priority services at the airport.

WOMADelaide 2015, a Perfect Event for Music Buffs in Adelaide

WOMADelaide spells as four days of festive partying.  Artists, dancers, and musicians from all around the world perform at the event to create an unforgettable experience. The Botanic Park of Adelaide becomes the venue for incredible performances by over 400 internationally renowned artists from across the globe.

WOMAD festival by gentlebird/ CC BY

WOMAD festival by gentlebird/ CC BY

About the Festival

The roots of the festival can be traced back to WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance), which was started by the musician Peter Gabriel in 1982. WOMADelaide is the Australian WOMAD festival, which commenced officially in 1992. Each year, the event has attracted more and more fans from around the world. Not only does WOMADelaide offer unique and extraordinary music performances, it also features a number of other charms that makes the event ideal for visitors of all ages. Travellers making Adelaide flight ticket bookings for March would do well to catch the entertainment doled out at the festival. The diversity of the audience reflects the widespread popularity of the event.

The Activities this Year

WOMADelaide 2015 would be marked by performances and workshops across 7 stages by the world’s top traditional and contemporary artists. For kids, there will be a KidZone activity area where little ones will be kept busy for hours. Food buffs can explore the “Taste The World” programme, where guests will be treated to various cuisines amidst much fanfare. Just a couple of other colourful highlights are “The Planet Talks” environmental discussions program and “Electrolounge”.

Electrolounge

Four of the top electronic artists in Adelaide will rock this year’s chill-out lounge in Speakers Corner. And, guess what? The nights will be even more fantastic by the visual creations of VJ Levon Hudson.

Around the Park

Stages are where the action is but WOMADelaide has more to offer. Here are a few of the charms you can explore around the park:

•    Architects of Air-Exxopolis
•    Artonik- The Colour of Time
•    Hammocktime
•    Mr Culbuto
•    Osadia
•    TTW Restaurant -  Street in the Park