Kerala: Here are some glimpses of the beauty of 'God's own country' - In Pics

Kerala – God’s Own Country in located in the western tip of peninsula India. This part of the country is blessed abundantly by nature. From the splendid beaches to the stunning backwaters, from the magnificent waterfalls to the gorgeous tea plantations, Kerala has all the majestic ingredients that attract tourists from across the globe to pay a visit to it once during their lifetime. Such is its beauty.

The state is rich culturally. Classical dance forms Kathakali and Mohiniattam have wowed lovers of performing arts overseas. India’s indigenous martial art form – Kalaripayattu originated in Kerala.

This part of the country is also immensely popular for its spices besides Ayurveda. Kerala has plenty to offer than you can ever imagine.

Here’s taking you through a few breathtakingly beautiful pictures of the state:

AN ELEPHANT ENJOYING A SHOWER - A SIGHT ANIMAL ENTHUSIASTS WOULDN'T LIKE TO MISS.

MEN PERFORMING KALARIPAYATTU.

REFLECTION OF COCONUT TREE IN THE BACKWATERS.

THE SUN GLEAMS THROUGH THE TREES TO KISS THE ALLEPPEY BACKWATERS.

ATHIRAPPILLY FALLS

TIRUN announces maiden voyage of world's largest cruise ship

 Cruise guests can now look forward to a larger-than-life experience in size, design, luxury & amenities!

TIRUN, the exclusive India representative for Royal Caribbean International has announced its maiden voyage of the award-winning cruise line's new Oasis-class ship, Harmony of the Seas.

The largest-ever cruise ship in the world features significant advancements and enhanced innovations onboard to provide the perfect blend of luxury, indulgent amenities and an astounding cruising experience to guests.

Besides its enormous size, the ship is also the first to feature a Splashway Bay, an interactive aqua park for kids. The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea touting a 100-foot dramatic plunge and The Perfect Storm water slides are the latest in a thrilling collection of activities that will make Harmony of the Seas the ultimate family vacation experience.

The DreamWorks Experience, the FlowRider surf simulator and the 43-foot tall rock climbing wall and the signature zip line will all add to the adrenaline rush in store aboard the ship.

For those seeking fabulous wine and dine experiences, there is the dazzling bionic bar with robot-bartenders who whip up lip-smacking, premium-crafted cocktails. Royal Caribbean's Dynamic Dining will give Harmony of the Seas' guests a culinary experience as vast and varied as dining in the world's most cosmopolitan cities with more choice and flexibility than ever before.

New specialty restaurant concepts will provide even more variety for guests including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, with a new teppanyaki menu, and the Sabor Modern Mexican restaurant.

Speaking on the launch of Harmony, Mrs Ratna Chadha, Chief Executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing said, "We are delighted to introduce Harmony of the Seas to Indian cruise enthusiasts, the third in the widely-celebrated category of Oasis-class cruise ships led by Royal Caribbean Cruises. Harmony is designed with the sole motto of offering the perfect mix of tranquillity, adventure and pure pampering to guests and the ship is truly the epitome of the "WOW" factor associated with Royal Caribbean's Oasis class."

Harmony of the Seas will span 16 decks, carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,747 staterooms departs for its inaugural cruise on May 22 from Southampton, England, before homeporting in Barcelona, Spain and eventually at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The ship is an architectural marvel touting Royal Caribbean's exclusive seven neighborhood concept. Like her sisters, Harmony also will feature 'VOOM', the fastest Internet connection at sea. It will tread through the beautiful azure waters of the Caribbean, taking cruise guests through Jamaica as well as the Bahamas and Haiti.

Harmony cruisers can also opt for various options and itineraries that will take them to the most exquisite spots that Europe has to offer including Rome, Naples, Provence and Palma de Mallorca till September.

This lake in Himachal Pradesh is a visual delight – Check out details

Blessed are those who are born in the lap of the Himalayas. The mighty snow-capped mountain ranges, the crystal clear water of the lakes, the spectacular view of the horizon and the breath-taking scenic beauty will enchant those who seek solace in Mother Nature. And here’s one place that’s thoroughly a visual delight – The Chandra TaalLake, in Himcahal’s Spiti Valley.

This majestic lake’s name originates from its shape which resembles the crescent moon.  It is reachable on foot from the Kunzum Pass from May to October. From Batal, one can use the road o ride to Chadra Taal.

Situated at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the journey to the Chandra Taal lake will leave an indelible impact on your mind beautifully. Trekkers will love this experience and will count it as “one of the best experiences of a lifetime”.

Check out the spectacular images here:

This lake in Sikkim will leave you spellbound – In pics

The Tsongmo Lake also known as Changu Lake is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Sikkim. The lake has snowy mountain slopes on either side and looks incredibly gorgeous even as the mist tries to hide its beauty.

Located in the easternmost part of this Himalayan state, the Changu Lake can be visited while returning from the Nathu La Pass in the Indo-China border.

One can ride a yak to reach the other side of the lake or simply walk across the bridge.

This lake is a treat to the eyes that desperately looks forward to seeing nature’s marvels. The best time to visit the place would be between April and mid-June. During winters, the lake remains frozen and the road to this lake becomes difficult to access.

Check out a few pictures of the lake here:

Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh has all the essentials to spellbind you – See Pics

Situated on the banks of the Narmada– Bhedaghat - a small town in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh has much more to offer than one can think of. Blessed by the holy river, Bhedaghat is one of the major tourist attractions of the state which is the heart of ‘Incredible India’.

A view of the Dhuandhar waterfalls and the marble rocks on a moonlit night will leave you spellbound.

Bhedaghat, which is easily commutable, is also home to the majestic Chausath Yogini Temple.

Check out the mesmerising beauty of Bhedaghat in this photo-feature:

DHUADHAR FALLS

MARBLE SENTINELS ON RIVER BANK 

BROAD VIEW OF BEAUTIFUL DHUANDHAR FALLS

Enchanting beauty of these unexplored destinations in India will leave you mesmerised! Plan your vacation now

Planning a vacation this season? Try unexplored regions in the country like Dindi, a lazy village nestled on the intersection between the mighty Godavari River and the Bay of Bengal and Anaikatti, a green haven in the lap of the Nilgiris, says an expert.

Rajeev Menon, Chief Destination Officer, Sterling Holidays, a vacation ownership and leisure hospitality company, has shared four unexplored holiday destinations, which one can explore this season.

* Dindi: A slice of tropical heaven, Dindi is a lazy village nestled on the intersection between the mighty Godavari River and the Bay of Bengal. The mixing of salt and fresh water provides an excellent habitat for mangroves, in turn giving rise to exquisite plant and animal life. It is a mere two hours from Conringa Wildlife sanctuary, home to many endangered animals and birds including the curious fishing cat -- a tiger-like feline which swims and fishes.

* Yercaud: As you travel up the mountain ranges to Yercaud, exchange your worries for cool hills and tranquility. Yercaud is a mere five hour drive from Bangalore and a seven hour drive from Chennai. The town was established by the British in the late 19th century as a coffee plantation, and its cool, pleasant climate attracted missionaries. Yercaud's hilly, cool terrain makes it an ideal destination for trekking and dirt biking; both of which can be organised locally at nominal rates.

* Yelagiri: Get away from the hustle of Bangalore or Chennai and rejuvenate yourself with an experiential holiday in Yelagiri. It is a trekker's paradise, and you can hike to most of the local attractions, instead of driving. For instance, one can trek to the Jalagamparai Falls and bathe in them. The falls have medicinal properties because of the herbs that grow near the site. Other interesting trails include Perumadu waterfalls and Swamimalai Hill. Some of the less known but more exciting things to do at Yelagiri are paragliding at Kottur, Muthanoor and Raneri and visiting the Forest Department's Herbal Farm which houses and harvests rare herbs and medicinal plants on the edge of the picturesque Punganoor Lake.

* Anaikatti: Anaikatti is a quaint, lost in time place so remote, so untouched, that it doesn't even have a Wikipedia page! It is a green haven in the lap of the Nilgiris. The town is on the Tamil Nadu, Kerala border, an hour's drive from the famous Silent Valley. The Anaikatti district hosts the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012, famous for elephants.

Explore! Macau has much more than casinos to offer

 Macau a tiny 30 square kilometre peninsula and is just an hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong. Once a Portuguese colony until 1999 before being handed over to China. It is a territory similar to Hong Kong in terms of administrative autonomy, and the good news is that you don't need a visa to visit this tourist-friendly haven.

When Macau springs to mind, a vision of grand glittering casinos surfaces. But my recent trip made me look beyond casinos. With its architecturally designed streets, traditionally structured homes, religious institutions and Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the Historic Centre of Macau is a perfect crossroad of East and West cultures meeting.

The highlight is the European influence one experiences while shopping around Senado Square with its beautiful Portuguese cobblestones surrounded by neo-classic buildings, fountains, trees and benches.

Macau is a city of contrast where two totally different worlds meet each other. One being its old world colonial heritage so well preserved in their buildings like the Ruins of St. Paul (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the other Macau, a miniature version of Las Vegas with its gigantic casinos, enormously luxurious hotels, night clubs, shopping complexes and entertainment venues etc.

Peninsula and the Cotai Strip are filled with several of the very same casinos and luxury hotels that line the Strip in Sin City. You name it, they've got it-there's The St. Regis, Four Seasons Hotel, The Venetian, Wynn, Galaxy and many more.

The famous Venetian Macau is a replica of The Venetian in Las Vegas. The art treatment on the ceiling and the intricate interior design leaves you in awe while enjoying the gondola ride. And for those who love shopping, this is one shopping haven with all the top brands lined up under the same roof waiting for you to explore.

And when you are done with sightseeing, gambling, shopping, and dancing, then all you need to do is indulge in Macau's multicultural cuisine. A paradise for sea food lovers the city offers a great mix of street food and fine dining experiences all at the same place. Last but not the least is the famous Portuguese specialty, the traditional almond cookies and egg tarts which make good presents with the "taste of Macau" for visitors to take home with them.