Holidays to Thailand 'will remain popular in 2010'

Travellers will be looking for adventure this year, one travel operator has predicted.

According to STA Travel, thrill-seeking holidaymakers have shown an interest in heading off for adventure breaks, particularly those who are only going away for two weeks.

Destinations such as Bangkok in Thailand and Australia are already proving popular with those keen to book a trip for 2010.

John Constable, group managing director of the firm, commented: "Travellers are becoming increasingly ambitious with their holiday choices as they try to make the most of their time away."

Research carried out by STA Travel revealed that 30 per cent of people surveyed intend to take an adventure holiday this year.

Popular options among respondents to the study were trekking, volunteering and extreme snow or water sports.

Earlier this week, travel journalist Simon Calder noted that tourists can set any level of difficulty or danger when choosing an unusual holiday.

Jet Airways launches new flights to Delhi

Anyone booking flights to India may be interested to learn that Jet Airways has launched a new route between Doha and Delhi.

The Indian carrier will now operate daily flights to Delhi from the city in Qatar.

Its latest route will complement existing services that fly from the Qatari capital to Mumbai and Kochi.

For British travellers, the operation from Doha to Delhi could provide a useful connection for those heading for holidays to India.

Nikos Kardassis, acting chief executive officer of Jet Airways, commented: "The launch of our daily services from Doha to Delhi will cater to the strong customer demand for direct flights on the route."

He added that it provides a connection to the 61 international destinations served by the airline's network.

Earlier this month, Jet Airways announced that it had experienced a 28 per cent growth in international passenger traffic during December 2009, compared with the same period the previous year.

Malaysia Airlines offering cheap flights in sale

Travellers seeking cheap flights to Australia could be in luck with Malaysia Airlines' latest sale.

Starting on January 23rd, passengers will be able to book seats for flights to Thailand, Australia and India, among other destinations for bargain prices.

Holidaymakers could pick up flights to Australia for £679 or to find fares to a range of south-east Asian destinations from £579.

The discounted prices are available on flights before March 26th or between April 4th and June 30th this year.

In addition, the carrier is also offering a free side trip from Kuala Lumpur to any destination in Peninsular Malaysia for any passengers booking flights to Australia or New Zealand.

This deal is available for trips taken between March 15th and 26th or April 4th and June 30th.

The sale will only last for five days though, with prices likely to rise after January 27th.

Malaysia Airlines operates flights from London Heathrow to destinations including Bangalore and Mumbai in India and Bangkok in Thailand.

Kolkata Tourist Spots

Flanked by River Hooghly, ‘The City of Joy’, as Kolkata is called, blew my imagination with its own brand of charm. Extremely helpful and friendly people personify the soul of this city. Arguably India’s best spot for cheap and scrumptious food, Kolkata also teems with numerous attractions – old and new.

Curious about the Raj days? Visit the grand Victoria Memorial with its opulent display of Moughal and European architecture and colonial artefacts. Another Raj remnant is The Botanical Gardens, founded by the East India Company. Largest in India, this garden is an oasis of peace amid Kolkata’s bustle. The Park Street Cemetery, where Kolkata’s founder Job Charnock rests along with British martyrs invokes nostalgia for a rich past.

The bygone era’s sinfully rich nawabi splendour assails one at the Marble Palace, where priceless antiques, including Joshua Reynolds and Rubens masterpieces adorn the walls. Shoppers have a tough time deciding where to go. Options are many – Park Street with its age old food joints and shops, Swabhumi, Central Cottage Industries Emporium and Dakshinapan to name a few. Culture throbs at the Academy of Fine Arts and the Nandan Complex.

Hindu religious fervour reaches crescendo at Kalighat’s Kalibari and at Sagar Island’s Gangasagar Mela. The highly acclaimed St. Paul’s Cathedral, Belur Math and Dakhnineshwar Temple also offer an intoxicating religious high but in a much more relaxed manner. Kolkata is probably among the last few places in the world where hand pulled rickshaws and trams still ply.

An unforgettable highlight of my trip was the visit to Sunderbans Delta, a natural habitat of man eating tigers. Exploration and sightseeing during the day, followed by an electrifying nightlife or an evening of downing drinks at a bar with garrulous locals makes you fondly reflect on the phrase that Kolkata is a city of joy.

Perfect get-away destination - Beaches in India

Beaches in India provide the perfect get-away for those looking to escape from the heat of the plains and experience some peace and solitude.

The best way to enjoy the beauty and stillness of a beach is to make a trip during the afternoon when you can enjoy some rare peaceful moments. At this time of the day, one the sea seems to have acquired a veil of tranquility. Lying in the sand, one can immerse in deep thoughts and watch the sun recede into the horizon with the passage of time. The warm sea breeze as it gently caresses your cheek will most likely make you drift into a peaceful slumber.

Watching the horizon where the sea meets the sky is a calming experience. It makes you feel as if you are one with the universe. Eagles occasionally winging their way through the shoreline, the sound of ebb and flow of waves crashing on the shore releasing froth and bubbles are simple everyday sights that have a calming effect on the soul.

To experience the serenity and tranquillity of beaches in India all one needs to do is to get air tickets for any of the flights to India and head to the beautiful beaches of Goa, the tranquil shores of Orissa or the palm fringed beaches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Best Time to Travel in India

The best time to travel in India depends upon the location of the place you want to visit and the type of experience you are looking forward to. Though, flights to India are available throughout the year, most places are best visited during the winter months of October to February. This is the time when Mother Nature envelops the scenic hill regions in a carpet of snow.

Goa and other beach destinations should also be visited during winters when the sun, sand and sea are pleasantly warm. This hot favourite destination further shoots in popularity on New Year’s Eve, when an overwhelmingly festive aura lures tourists in hordes. South India, with its captivating sights and serene backwaters is best visited during December and January, when the retreating monsoon refreshingly cools up the belt. Similar is the story with Mumbai and other spots of Maharashtra. Winters are also the right time for exploring famed Northern Indian destinations like Delhi and Rajasthan.

Escape to the hills during the intense summer months of April to September. In fact, some of the hill destinations become totally snowed up and inaccessible during winters. Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers becomes a riot of colours. Summers are also ideal for trekking the Himalayas. The arduous climb to the famous Kedarnath shrine of Uttarakhand offers a great tame trekking experience. Innumerable hill stations like Ooty, Darjeeling, Nainital, Gangtok and Shimla spoil tourists and locals for choice during summers when the sun god is at his unholy worst.

During festivals, the country bursts into a colourful milieu. Venerable Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, Pushkar Mela (the cattle fair of Rajasthan), Lohri (a festival of the flamboyant Punjabi community) Christmas, the New Year, and the Republic Day to name a few, are celebrated with zeal.

A word of caution before you embark on your journey. ‘Pan India flights are so high in numbers that you will be boggled with an infinite choice of holiday packages’ and cheap flights to India destinations. So, get, set and go…

Virgin Atlantic voted one of the top five airlines

Virgin Atlantic was named as the second best airline by business travellers who were surveyed ahead of the Business Travel and Meetings Show due to be held in February.

Top spot was taken by British Airways, while Emirates, Singapore and Lufthansa completed the top five.

People booking flights to India with Lufthansa may be pleased to hear that the carrier was bestowed the honour of the world's greenest airline by respondents to the survey.

The German operator also performed well in the customer service category, where it came third.

Last month, Lufthansa received an accolade of a different kind when the International Air Transport Association named the company's hub Frankfurt Airport as the best in the world in terms of baggage handling.

Looking to the future, passengers appear pleased with advances in aviation technology. Online check-in services were voted the innovation of the decade and passengers said they would like to see the immigration process and security checks speeded up over the next 12 months.

News Media: Southall Travel
News Reference: Top Five Airlines

Malaysia Airlines offers cheap flights to India

Malaysia Airlines has announced that it is holding a sale on flights to south-east Asia and Australasia to mark the beginning of the new decade.

Passengers who are looking for cheap flights to warmer climes this winter may want to investigate the carrier's routes and availability before booking.

The sale will run from January 2nd to 18th, with return fares to south-east Asia starting from £519 and prices of £639 on offer for return routes to Australasian destinations.

News Media: Southall Travel News
News Reference: Malaysia Airlines for India

Holidays to Egypt expected to increase in popularity

An increase in the number of tourists booking holidays to Egypt is one of the travel trends for 2010, a new survey has revealed.

Research carried out on behalf of TUI Travel Adventures Companies found that mid-haul destinations, particularly Egypt and the Middle East, could experience growth of up to 81 per cent over the next three years.

The survey found that travellers are 190 per cent more likely to book an adventure holiday before 2013 than they were in the previous three years.

News Source: Southall Travel News
Reference: Egypt Holidays Popularity

Thailand 'is top destination for winter sun'

People hoping to cast their woolies aside and soak up some sunshine this winter have been advised to book a flight to Thailand.

According to travel search site Skyscanner, the country is a top destination for Brits planning a break during January, February and March.

The website noted that Thailand has something to offer everyone, from backpackers to families and honeymooners.

News Source: Southall Travel
Reference: Winter Sun Holidays in Thailand