Economic Times
Nimisha Tiwari, ET Bureau
This winter season, choose a destination away from the beaten touristy itinerary — Go luxury camping, highland trekking, active volcano watching, skydiving or summit a peak.
This winter season, choose a destination away from the beaten touristy itinerary — Go luxury camping, highland trekking, active volcano watching, skydiving or summit a peak. On the platter is Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Malaysia, Taiwan and more. And while you get planning, here’s a tip to make your vacation absolutely worthwhile.
We all know that a smart traveller is a wise spender, too. Indeed, Indian tourists are the flavour of the season across the globe. And the way we spend is now an important tool for credit card companies to mould their strategies according to our needs. Perhaps that’s the best aspect of a traveller, indulgence now comes with brownie points.
For instance, your winter vacation with family, which is so carefully planned within a good budget can go out of hand if you don’t take the sundry surcharges into account.
Surcharge on blankets, airline snacks; tickets for the museum visit; beach umbrella and sometimes even for the newspaper stashed outside the hotel door. The best solution is: Use a smart credit or debit card that offers an array of goodies, luxurious visits and complimentary benefits overseas. Read on and happy planning…
WHERE: KENYA
MUST-DO: There’s just so much to experience in Kenya through its popular national parks that your family will revel in the natural bliss for long. Start your trip at Nairobi, the capital city.
Drive in to the Masai Mara National Park, which is famous for the annual migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest and enjoy the day with the tribals there. Do some exotic birdwatching at Lake Nakuru National Park.
One of the largest ornithological spots, it is famous for Flamingos and the Rhino Sanctuary. Conclude your visit at Mt. Kenya National Park in the Aberdare area. Sounds fun, already!
WHERE: NEW ZEALAND
MUST-DO: Choose your vacation theme and New Zealand would offer it handsomely. It’s here where you can juggle the raw mystic beauty and the adrenaline rush. Watch the glaciers, check out the pristine green parks near Lake Wakatipu.
Play with whales and Fjords in South Island with Abel Tasman or walk into N-Zone and skydive in tandem; take part in white water river rafting in Rotorua river or bungey jump at AJ Hakett point. It’s all just super fun!
WHERE: MOROCCO
MUST DO: Get the trekker out in you as the plains of Morocco are best explored on foot. We suggest you trek through the Amizmiz Plain. Distribute your distance over a span of seven days and you’ll be amazed at the landscapes that you can marvel at. Shop for some original olive oil at a local Berber village. People there will guide you to Ait Zitoun, which is known for its olive trees.
Don’t miss the folklore narration by the villagers of Tizgui as they show the grand view of the Haouz Plain themselves. Further ahead, at Ait Ahmad, you’ll see a row of houses, all constructed with clay and stones.
The villagers will warmly invite you to experience a day in their life. March ahead till you finally reach Marrakech. There are a lot of indigenous artefacts out there to shop and take with you as unique souvenirs.
Do you know: Malaysia has seven international airports; five of them are in Peninsular Malaysia, including the main hub, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
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