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Merry Times at the NYC Craft Distillers Festival

Get ready to witness the third official NYC Craft Distillers Festival in New York City. On April, 2nd renowned craft distillers as well as spirit lovers will crowd New York City to be a part of this amazing event.

new york city

NYC Craft Distillers Festival will leave everyone delighted. The event will remind you of the pre-prohibition era in New York. You will get the chance to experience the merriment of the jazz band of the 1920s and perhaps also enjoy the fabulous collection of more than 60 varieties of perfectly crafted spirits. Savour the smooth textures and flavours of liquors ranging from whiskey to vodka, beer and many other spirits.

Distillers Diversity

Organised by Craft Hospitality, this speakeasy event will showcase an array of spirits for guests. Meticulously picked brands will grace the event, including Harvest Spirits, Valentine Distilling, Astoria Distilling Co., Cooperstown Distillery, The Manhattan Moonshine Company and Jack from Brooklyn. A splendid range of wines and other spirits will be showcased for guests to taste and enjoy.

Elite Entertainment

Classy entertainment sessions will enthral guests with music and other live performances. Cherish exclusive performances by renowned artists, including Emily Asher, Lady Alchemy, Ida Blue, and Anna Zand. For the convenience of guests, the event is divided in two sessions of entertainment. Interested people can buy tickets to one or both the sessions as per their interests. The Emily Asher’s Garden Party will be held during Session One, whereas Ida Blue and Lady Alchemy will perform in Session Two of the NYC Craft Distillers Festival.

Ticket Tracker

Interested people can buy tickets from the official website of the festival quickly. The ticketing process is powered by Eventbrite and it accepts cards, including American Express, Visa and Mastercard. One can also easily purchase VIP and normal entry tickets.
So, get ready to experience the vibrant and celebratory ambiance of the festival to the core.

Four Terrific Places for Wildlife Photographers in India

Many a shutterbug would agree that wildlife photography is one of the best things about photography. It needs a lot of patience and skill to capture a perfect moment on camera. Some of the main difficulties faced, while clicking photographs of a wild animal are that they may be too swift or ferocious in nature. Well, all this is part of the charm. There are many beautiful places in India that are just perfect for wildlife photography. Have a look at some of our top recommendations.

wildlif

wildliff

Hemis National Park, Ladakh

Snow leopards are some of the most magnificent creatures and look absolutely ravishing in a photograph captured at the right moment. If you are interested in taking pictures of Snow Leopards, Hemis National Park in the Leh area of Ladakh, is a good bet. The park is situated at a high altitude, thus making it the perfect place to start your thrilling photographic adventure. You may find pug marks of the snow leopard on the snow. The convergence of Zanskar River with Indus can also be seen from the border of the park.

wildlife

Desert National Park, Rajasthan

Desert National Park in Rajasthan features some of the rarest animal and avian species such as the Great Indian bustard as well as around forty different species of reptiles. Situated near Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert, this park has one of the most rugged landscapes, making it a unique place for wildlife photography.

Hazaribagh National Park, Jharkhand

Located about 130 kilometres from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, Hazaribagh National Park is a wildlife photographer’s delight. With animals like sambar, kakar, nilgai and cheetal, Hazaribagh National Park will give you a lot of opportunities to take pictures of some of the most scenic and dramatic moments in the wild.

Simlipal National Park, Odisha

Simlipal National Park is situated in the eastern part of India in the state of Odisha. The park has an abundance of peacocks, talking mynahs, flying squirrels, 4-horned antelopes, Indian Bisons, and Elephants to name a few. With such an abundance of wildlife, the park sure is a haven for wildlife photographers.

International Cherry Blossom Festival – Popular Annual Event in Macon, Georgia

In a few days, many cities in the US will flaunt extravagant springtime colours. You can explore these colours at numerous annual festivals.

Georgia

International Cherry Blossom Festival is one such event which takes place in Macon, a beautiful city in the state of Georgia. With “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship” theme, this annual festival features a great variety of cultural, social, and recreational activities. The 2016 edition of International Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled from 17th March to 03rd April. Let’s check out what you can experience and enjoy at this annual festival.

The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

This is probably the most significant highlight of International Cherry Blossom Festival. The theme of this year’s parade is “Rhapsody in Pink, a Southern Melody.” Reach historic downtown on 19th March at 3pm to witness this colourful parade of military units, marching bands, costumed performers, and dazzling floats. You don’t need to buy any tickets to admire the procession.

Sozo Choir Inspirational Concert

This choir group from Uganda adds a magnificent African tinge to International Cherry Blossom Festival. The Methodist Children’s Home will host this event on 23rd March at 6:30pm. Anyone can watch this free family-friendly act, which narrates an inspirational story.

Party on the Green

Presented by the CBF Chairman’s Club, this fun-filled event features a picnic-style environment, complete with fireworks, live music, games, and great food. The Green at Wesleyan College is the venue for the Party on the Green. Visit on 03rd April between 5pm and 8:30pm for an amazing time with your kids and other family members.

Food Truck Frenzy

On the last weekend of the International Cherry Blossom Festival, 2nd and 3rd April, Downtown Macon will feature numerous gourmet food trucks that offer special local delicacies and delicious fare from the US and Mexico. You can find participating food trucks between Mulberry Street and Walnut Street.

Three Beautiful Islands near Pattaya

The Islands around Pattaya offer a peaceful escape from the busy city. A number of these islands are quite big and the majority of them are isolated. Almost all of these are marked by stunning beaches and turquoise waters.

Pattaya

If you are fond of water sports, this is the best place for you to try an array of activities such as fishing, diving and snorkelling among others. However, if you aren’t much of a water person, the islands are perfect for spending some quality time with your family or that special someone. Have a look at the top 3 islands around Pattaya.

Koh Larn

Koh Larn, which translates as Coral Island, is the largest of all the islands in the archipelago that are accessible from Bali Hai Pier. There are just a few hotels, in the village situated near the main pier, called Na Ban. Hotels are also situated in the larger beaches around the island. The island consists of 6 main beaches, namely Samai, Tawaen, Tien, Tayaiy, Tonglang and Naul. Different beaches have different facilities. For instance, Samai, Tien and Tawaen have hotels. Similarly, some of the beaches also have facilities for adventure sports such as banana boat rides and jet skiing.

Koh Phai

Koh Phai or Bamboo Island is the largest among the chain of small islands. Situated around 20 kilometres from Pattaya, it can be reached in roughly 2 hours. As the island is under the administration of the Royal Thai Navy, tourists are not allowed to stay overnight. Surrounded by gorgeous coral reefs, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago. Sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling are permitted.

Koh Sak

Koh Sak was once a private resort, exclusively visited by the rich and the famous. However, now the whole island has become a tourist hotspot complete with a number of cosy restaurants. The U-shaped island has a pristine beach at each if its ends. The beach on the northern part of the island is popular for swimming and sunbathing. You can also take diving tours to reach an artificial shipwreck. A major highlight of the island is the footprints of eminent personalities on concrete. One such personality was Neil Armstrong, who came here just a few months after the Apollo XI expedition.

Three Popular Tourist Destinations in Sri Lanka

When it comes to culture and heritage, Sri Lanka easily remains one of the most popular destinations in South Asia. There are various places of interest in the island country, which attracts tourists from all around the world. With abundant natural landscapes, tea plantations, temples and markets, buying flight tickets to this beautiful country, is worth every penny. Have a look at our pick of top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya

Sigiriya, or the Stone Lion, situated atop a rock plateau stands on the site of the erstwhile palace of King Kasyapa built in the 5th century.  The fortress is one of the most unique and mysterious ancient sites in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. There are beautiful ancient frescos here that date back to about 1500 years. This beautiful and mysterious site is a famous pilgrimage site for the Sri Lankans.

Kandy

Kandy

Kandy holds a vital place in the history of Sri Lanka. In 1815, this was the last place where the power was handed over by the King of Sinhala to the British Empire. Kandy is also a popular place for the Buddhists, as there are numerous Buddhist heritage sites here. The highlight of the trip to this beautiful place is Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the Tooth, which is said to contain the tooth of Gautama Buddha in a well-guarded casket. If you are a history-buff, this place is a must visit.

Colombo

A trip to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, requires lots of planning. Colombo’s strategic location on the coastline lures a large number of tourists every year. The city is modern and has state-of-the-art infrastructure, including restaurants, luxury hotels, shopping centres, al fresco cafe options and a good transport system. There are various tourist attractions in the capital which were mostly constructed during the colonial era. If you want to experience the flavour of the native culture, you should definitely plan a trip to Pettah; a traditional bazaar. Haggling is common here and you will be able to shop for things at a much cheaper rate.

Top 3 Historical Attractions in Havana

Havana, the capital of Cuba, has its present rooted in the history of various events like colonisation by Spanish conquests, revolutions and independence.

Havana by Bud Ellison/ CC BY

Havana by Bud Ellison/ CC BY

Today, various historical monuments stand here as a proof of the incidents and events that occurred in the past. The city has a colourful historical and cultural ambiance. The citizens of this Caribbean city are a helpful lot and have lots of exciting old tales to share. Have a look at the top three historical monuments in Cuba.

Old Havana (Habana Vieja)

Old Havana has been recognised as a World heritage Site by UNESCO and exudes old-world charm. Various buildings constructed in Baroque and Neoclassical styles ornate the area. Some of the highlights here are Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and the magnificent Catedral de San Cristobal. After visiting these monuments, head to the famous La Bodeguita del Medio, which had been of service to various renowned people such as Pablo Neruda, Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Josignacio. It is still known as a meeting place of poets, writers, musicians and artists.

Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana

Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, situated atop the La Cabana Hill is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Havana. Constructed in the 1770s, it was one of the largest and the costliest ports made by the Spanish during that time. Following the lead of the British Colonials, the Spanish built this fort which dominates the entrance to Havana.  Le Cabana was used as a military prison during the regime of Batista and the headquarters for Che Guevera during the time of the revolution. The fort, has a number of museums today, amongst which, the most impressive one is the Museo de Comandancia del Che. At night, you will be able to witness the Ceremonia del Cañonazo, during which, several actors perform a cannon-firing ceremony wearing 19th century costumes.

Finca La Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba

Finca la Vigia, located in San Francisco de Paula, about 15 kilometres from Havana, is famous for being a part-time home to Ernest Hemingway for about 20 years from 1939 to 1959. After Hemingway died, his temporary residence at Finca La Vigia was turned into the Museo Hemingway or the Hemingway Museum. The house is just as Hemingway had left it and contains around 8,000 books along with his typewriter, hunting trophies, paintings and other memorabilia. You can also take a stroll in the garden, where “Pilar” Hemingway’s fishing boat can be seen. The garden also has a pet cemetery where some of the beloved cats of Hemingway lie buried.

Thing to Do In and Around Ranthambore National Park, India

One of the best places in India to spot tigers in their natural habitat, Ranthambore National Park is thronged by hordes of wildlife aficionados. Undoubtedly, the big cat is the main attraction here but there are several other highlights both in and around the national park as well that promise a fascinating experience. Treat yourself to some of the major wild highlights of Ranthambore National Park.

Ranthambore National Park

Enjoy a Jungle Safari

Plan an early morning safari to admire the fabulous wildlife of the park. Besides tigers, you may

Ranthambore National Park

encounter other wild animals such as the leopard, bison, deer and striped hyena. Home to about 270 bird species, the park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Safari timings at Ranthambore National Park vary according to the season. During the winters, the peak season, the three and half hour morning safaris start at7:00 am and the evening safaris start at 2:30 pm.

Visit Surwal Lake

It is located around 25km from Ranthambore and exudes natural beauty in abundance. From November to March, the lake is flocked by numerous migratory birds. Naturally, numerous birdwatchers as well as photographers plan their trips to Surwal Lake during these months. Also, the tranquil and surreal natural beauty is perfect for leisurely strolls.

Discover History at Ranthambore Fort

Counted amongst the oldest forts in India, Ranthambore Fort boasts a massive construction, which depicts the architectural brilliance of the erstwhile royals. Apart from its mammoth size, the craftsmanship and the interiors of the fort are also impressive. You may get to spot tigers from this fort if you carefully scan the surrounding jungles with binoculars. Make sure, you visit this place with an authorized forest guide.

How to Reach

Ranthambore National Park is situated in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. The nearest airport is located around 180 km in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Tourists disembarking flights at Jaipur International Airport can easily avail cabs or bus services to reach the park. Alternately, you can book tickets to Delhi, the national capital and enjoy a memorable road trip to this national park.