As you plan your year-end shopping sprees, hunt for discounts and make New Year plans; I have just the perfect option for you. High on culture, relaxation, fun, shopping and most importantly LUCKY DRAW PRIZES, the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) is set to roll out on December 15, 2012. This 45-day long festival will be one of Asia’s biggest Trade Fairs with businessmen and shopkeepers from all over the world setting up shops in Kerala.

An initiative of the Kerala Tourism Board to make Kerala an international shopping destination, this festival gets bigger and better this year. There are free indigenous handicrafts and souvenirs, guaranteed scratch cards on every purchase, loyalty cards, 100% VAT refunds, free Ayurvedic treatments, holiday packages and would you believe me if  I say 101 kilograms of gold to be given away! Packing your bags already? Wait, there is more.

For first time travelers to Kerala, this is a perfect time to visit the state because it will be at its best in hospitality, beauty and splendor. Another special characteristic of the festival is that while it is a melting pot of cultures from across the globe, one still gets to enjoy the distinct Kerala flavour. Starting from the mascot of the festival, an elephant to houseboat stays and indigenous metal and wooden handicrafts, the event is also about enjoying the natural bounty and local talent of this gifted destination. For those who are interested in the art and culture of Kerala, there will be Kathakali dance performances and other cultural shows to entertain; and an art workshop and exhibition too.

Prepare yourself to be taken in by the plush green valleys, spice plantations, dense and luscious forests, backwaters, coconuts and the brilliant shopping opportunities this December and January!

Make your trip to GKSF and Kerala special and hassle free with air tickets, train tickets and hotels offered by MakeMyTrip and make ‘Memories Unlimited’. 

Wish I’d tour the lands and the oceans too,

My dreams are vast but my means are few…

Booking an air ticket is easy but cracking a cheap deal isn’t. How many times have I wished I could get a cheap ticket and fly off to a faraway land. But alas!

So, I researched, asked around experts from the travel industry and came up with a list of 7 tips and tricks that helped me save a fortune on flight ticket booking. Good idea to pack your suitcase as you read this blog for you might just want to get away pronto.

Book Early
A simple and time-tested rule! The closer you get to your travel dates, higher the price of air ticket. Book at least 30 days in advance to get a cheaper deal.

Avoid Weekends
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are the busiest travel days. Needless to say, weekend travelling is convenient for working folks. So for you as a leisure traveller looking for cheap air tickets, travelling on a Wednesday is best. Air tickets are cheapest around midweek. Similarly, late night and mid-day flights are cheaper than the early morning and evening flights. Time your travel wisely!

Tip: Keep your time , day and date of travel flexible and save a fortune.

Look for Deals
There is no dearth of discounts, deals, cash back, and offers that can reduce the cost of air ticket substantially. Online marketing has done wonders for consumers. Stay active, stay alert! Best places to look for deals are Facebook, Twitter, and websites of airlines and online travel companies. Sign up for their newsletter or RSS feed. I know you’re worried about a flooded inbox but who has found gold without mining!

Opt for Non-Refundable Tickets
By rule, non-refundable tickets are cheaper than refundable tickets. So, book your ticket when you are absolutely sure of your travel dates.

Book a Round Trip
If you book a roundtrip ticket, you will always save money. Make sure to book both the tickets from MakeMyTrip to get more discounts.

Enrol in the Frequent Flyer Program
Frequent Flyer is a loyalty program wherein every time you travel a particular airline, points are added to your account. Once enough points are accumulated, you can redeem it and avail discount on your airline ticket booking. Aditi, my colleague recently got free air tickets to Australia, courtesy her Frequent Flyer miles.

Fly No Frill Airlines
Sure shot way to get a cheap air ticket is to fly with a low cost carrier like Air India Express, Indigo and Spice Jet. Expect no luxuries but have the satisfaction of a cheap ticket.

Have a delayed flight? Or reached the airport too early? No need to worry because the airport lounges are here! These will ensure you don’t fret about your long wait at the airport. Lounges make your airport experience even more enriching and add to the feel good factor you seek while travelling.

All you have to do is seek membership of these airport lounges, which being plush and luxurious, are open to only a privileged few.  But every penny is money worth spent. After all, you get to save yourself from the maddening airport crowd and stay a crest above the rest at your own premium lounge. Watch television, access the internet, savour delectable snacks and refreshing drinks or simply unwind amidst tranquil surroundings. The luxuries of airport lounges, you will discover, are many!

Air India domestic airlines offers these services to its First Class passengers and Frequent Flyers. You can also avail your pass to the lounge by using Frequent Flyer Miles (or bonus points), which are allotted to you while making a flight ticket online booking. All you need to do is to book your flights, accumulate bonus points and redeem them to avail exclusive access to the airport lounge.

While low cost carriers like Spice Jet Airlines and GoAir Airlines do not offer these services, premium airlines including Air India and Jet Airways have set up lounges at various domestic airports for the convenience of their privileged frequent flyers.

Wish to dip yourself in sheer luxury of airport lounges? Start booking your flights with MakeMyTrip, which offers the best Air India flight fares, and add an aspect of luxury to your next journey!

‘Of all sounds of all bells…most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year.’ –Charles Lamb

Relaxing Rishikesh

Mesmerising ManvarPhoto Credit: www.Manvar.com

Exciting PenchPhoto Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Pristine MatheranPhoto Credit: Pradeep/Wikimedia Commons

Magical MandviPhoto Credit: Meena Kadri/Wikimedia Commons

Mount Abu is a beautiful oasis in the dry desert state of Rajasthan. This sleepy hill station comes alive during the Winter festival held in December every year. The much-talked about event is a rare combination of cultural vibrance, stunning handicrafts and delicious food against a scenic backdrop.

Here are five cogent reasons to coax you in to going:

Say “Khamma Ghani” to the New Year

Goa is crowded, Delhi is loud, Kerala is expensive and the list goes on. So, where does one go to celebrate the New Year? Held in the beautiful setting of Mount Abu from December 29-31, the Winter Festival packs in the punch of the varied flavours Rajasthan is famous for. Already a hit with the tourists, this three day extravaganza salutes the rich culture and tradition of the princely state. Satiate your desire to experience the magic of folk singers first hand on a cold winter night while your eyes feast upon the liveliness of the Ghoomar, Gair, Dhap and Kalbelia dance forms.

Organized jointly by the municipal board of Mount Abu and Rajasthan Tourism board, the Winter Festivaly is an endeavor to bring together craftsmen and performers from every corner of the state. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. This carnival is also known for its sporting and entertainment events like gilli danda, 20-20 cricket, kite flying, rowing and poetry reading sessions. You can enjoy cultural programs, shop for authentic handicrafts and eat lip-smacking Rajasthani food, all at one place!

Tip: Don’t miss the musical performance by the Army band and the hot air balloon ride. 

Let the Fireworks Begin...

A grand procession, charged by local talent, is organised to mark the beginning of the Winter Festival. It originates from Hotel Shikhar  and culminates at the Nakki Lake Chowk towards the evening where hundreds of diyas (earthen lamps) are set afloat in the water as a form of reverence.Called deepdaan, this mesmerising sight makes for a visual treat and a photographer’s delight. Each evening, the fireworks stun and inspire with their brilliance in the background of the serene lake and towering mountains.

It is no secret that around New Year, the cost of travel and stay rises exponentially. Plus not all of us plan that much in advance. Then what’s the quick fix solution? Head to Mount Abu, simple! Accessible by both road and rail, it can be easily reached from New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Mumbai. Self-drive is also a good idea as the roads are well-maintained. Add to this that both accommodation and food in Mount Abu are quite affordable so, you are sorted!

The Fringe Benefits!

Did I mention there is more to Mount Abu than just the Winter Festival? Choose to stay here for a bit and you shall not regret your decision. This Alpine rich desination is also brimming with great examples of natural abundance, culture, history and architecture. Visit the amazing, 9 centuries old Dilwara Temples and be charmed for life. You can also witness serene quietude of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and Musuem. Animal lovers can head to the wildlife sanctuary housing the likes of wild boars, bears, langurs,  hyenas and  more.

Bring in 2013 in Mount Abu. You won’t be disappointed. 

Forget counting the last 10 seconds to the New Year. How about living up to the spirit of the Eve for ten full days? As you wait to usher in the New Year, we’ve chalked out five delectable culinary experiences that will be too hard to resist. Go on this gastronomic voyage on alternate days (we have thought about giving the tummy enough rest) starting Christmas night and ending on New Year’s Eve with bliss and burp!

Chili’s Bar & Grill
From quesadillas, soups and salads to burgers, pastas, grills and seafood, Chili’s serves the whatnots of Mexican, American and Italian cuisines. To wash it down, there are varieties of mocktails and cocktails packing the extra punch of Happy Hours! The chilled out feel, the timeliness of service, the taste and texture of the food, and the cost are all favourable at Chili’s, be it the one in Ambience Mall in Gurgaon or Vasant Kunj in Delhi. They don’t take reservations over the phone so get there in time to indulge in nachos and salsa to start with. Heavenly! Meal for two (with alcohol): Around Rs. 1700.

Barbecue Nation
If buffets were a country, Barbecue Nation would have been the undisputed ruler! Juicy kebabs, tender grills, piquant sauces and a live barbecue on your table, that’s Barbecue Nation for you. Begin your session with the selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian kebabs that you can barbecue crisp right at your table. Wash them down with a complimentary drink. If you still have room (chances of which are low), proceed to the main course buffet, which is predominantly Indian with a smattering of the usual noodles, stir fry and pasta. Make sure you save some room for dessert; another delectable buffet. You can find a Barbeque Nation in Janakpuri, Sushant Lok (Gurgaon), Netaji Subhash Place (Pitampura), Vivek Vihar and Jangpura. Book your table in advance for New Year’s Eve as they’re usually packed day or night. Buffet meal for two: Around Rs. 1400.

Khan Market
There will be days when the excitement and gluttony will soar and one menu will probably not be enough for you. On the last weekend of the year, you need not limit yourself to one restaurant alone. Let your taste buds cajole you to Khan Market. In a riot of shops, restaurants and eateries both old and new, you’ll have to make multiple stops for a superb experience. Begin with tender rolls of chicken, mutton and paneer at Khan Chacha. Don’t eat too many as some more delicious (and of course different) shawarma rolls with mayonnaise are waiting for you at Al Bake. After the rolls, head to Big Chill for its famous pastas and desserts. Follow it up with coffee and cake at any of Khan Market’s endless cafes. Land here with a full wallet and an empty stomach!

Karim’s
From reigning to eating, Mughals really knew their areas of expertise well. The tradition of mincing meat with herbs and spices, and cooking them in spiced gravies has been kept alive by Karim’s since 1993. In the interiors of Old Delhi near Jama Masjid, the oldest Karim’s stands humbly, serving spiced mutton gravy, tender kebabs, herbed biryanis and delicacies of mutton and chicken. When there, begin with one of the appetizing soups or rolls, proceed to the main course, and end it with some delicious kheer or shahi tukda, the signature desserts here. If Old Delhi beeps far on your radar, you can visit Karim’s at Rajouri Garden, Noida (Sector-18), Gurgaon (DLF City Phase 1) and various other locations. Three-course meal for two: Rs. 800.

Hauz Khas Village
The erstwhile village of Hauz Khas in South Delhi has evolved into a mecca of designer shops and fine dining. Head here for some great dishes from a variety of cuisines, flanked with tranquil lakeside views. The Hauz Khas complex is home to the famous tomb of Firoz Shah and a beautiful lake, which was originally a water reservoir. Some favourite eating joints in Hauz Khas are The Living Room (multi cuisine with a live band), Out Of The Box (grub and pub on an open rooftop level), Amour (French fine dining), Boheme (probably the area’s tallest rooftop dining with a lakeside view and delicious Lebanese and Italian food), Gunpowder (delicious Chettinad style food). The good ol’ Park Balluchi serving a lip smacking North Indian and Mughlai fare is always an option. Wherever you decide to eat, Elma’s Bakery is a great place to end your culinary journey with waffles and pancakes among other desserts.

After such a gluttonous prelude to New Year, we would like to leave you with a valuable tip: sip a cuppa green tea in hot water before you go to bed and of course, live up to your New Year resolutions around fitness and well-being!

It’s been more than a decade since the likes of Titanic and Waterworld hit the big screens. Just when the box office was starting to look dry without a single original take on the high seas, there came a movie called Life of Pi. Touching the hearts of audiences around the world, the story of Pi Patel and Richard Parker - together with some amazing narration by Irrfan Khan - not only got us back swooshing into the high seas for a thrilling allegorical adventure, but crossed many new milestones after Danny Boyle’s acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire.Photo Credit: Life of Pi Flickr Photo Stream | http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeofpimovie/

Oscar Winning Director’s Ang Lee’s Life of Pi has just given India another wild card into promoting national (especially South Indian) tourism. Set in the lovely tea plantations of Munnar - a city famous for its rolling hills and lovely sceneries; the beautiful town of Pondicherry with its churches, beaches, and the world famous Aurobindo Ashram; and on the wide open Pacific Ocean, the movie has sparked a lot of interest for India among the citizens of the world. No wonder he won the National Tourism Award! And thanks to Pi Patel, Kerala and Pondicherry are now the new hottest destinations of the world.

Delve into the realms of Indian spirituality at places where Pi first met Richard Parker, and went from being a Hindu to a Christian to a Muslim. Witness the amazing tea plantations of Munnar and the church where Pi had his first rendezvous with Christ. Or head out to the Panna National Park to get a close look at the many Richard Parkers there. There’s a measure of madness in every animal.

So where else would you learn how to tame your inner lions but India; where else can you find out what you are capable of doing when put in an adverse situation. The world visits India to learn all this, only to find out that there are but just little islands to rest in the arduous ocean of life. After all, there’s only one place that teaches you to keep going come what may. It’s called India. It’s here and it's calling for you. Wish you were here! 

How many times have you made a flight booking online, missed catching it and dreaded the complicated cancellation policies more than actually feeling bad about not making the trip? It happened with me recently. I booked a flight to Goa to celebrate my birthday but then my ‘timely’ friends decided to throw a last-minute party in my honour! I was stuck (yet again) with details of my Jet Airways web check-in and the complicated maze of cancellation policies. Sigh!

That’s when I decided, no more. Having researched at length and spoken to travel experts, I have realized that it’s easier than you think. Sharing this new found wisdom with everyone. 

Broadly the cancellation policies applicable on airfare in India are:

• For most airlines, cancellation requests should be placed at least three hours before the scheduled departure of the flight
• In addition to the date change fee, any fare difference is paid by the customer
• In some cases, a cancellation and rebooking might be cheaper than opting for a date change. The airlines don’t refund or adjust the money if the new fare you are rebooking to is cheaper than the one that you previously booked
• Cancellation fee ranges from INR 200-1000, depending upon the airline you’ve booked with
• When travelling out of the country, don’t forget to take travel insurance which covers cancellation situations

Cancellation policies for Domestic Airlines:

            *All figures are in INR.

Note: Each airline has specific cancellation guidelines and the above mentioned rates are approximations. Visit the official airline website for further details.

Now that you have the cancellation policies crystal clear, why worry about missing that Air India flight or perhaps one of Indigo’s even when IndiGo’s PNR status has been generated, right? Go ahead and enjoy the ride!

Disappointing New Year eve celebrations – happens with a lot of people! I personally think that more than the enthusiasm to bring in the New Year with family and friends, it’s the pressure of celebrating the eve “differently” that takes a toll on most of us. Put your stress at bay with these 5 OTT (over the top) destinations make your celebrations a talking point all through 2013!

The Airplane Resort – Costa RicaPhoto Credit: DaveMosher/FlickrHow about celebrating December 31^st in a resort perched on a 50-foot pedestal above the beach? And, not just some ordinary resort. It’s a unique hotel suite inside an airplane. A 1965 Boeing 727 airplane, it was brought to the edge of Antonio National Park in Costa Rica for reuse in an interesting way with the help of five trucks. Boasting of a balcony with ocean and jungle views, this could just be the ideal place to welcome the New Year.

Kakslauttanen Igloo Village – FinlandHeights not your thing? Here’s another unconventional destination to welcome the New Year. Right above the Arctic Circle, you could choose to celebrate this special occasion in a snow or glass igloo in the Igloo Village. Complete with luxury beds and attached bathrooms and located amidst exotic surroundings, enjoy your stay listening to the sounds of snow muffles, going on a reindeer safari and looking out the Ice Gallery, Ice Bar, Ice Chapel and world’s largest snow restaurant. Ring in a snow-clad New Year!

Poseidon Undersea Resort – Fiji
An undersea enthusiast or not, the world’s first seafloor resort will enlighten all your senses. Start your New Year with a luxurious stay 40 feet under water. Surrounded by a lagoon, an elevator will take you down to this heaven under sea. The crystal clear waters and the salty fragrance of the sea will give you an unmatched experience. Wear your holiday shoes and get ready for an underwater escapade like no other!

Hot Air Ballooning – CappadociaGet a real high this New Year’s eve. Float in the sky in Cappadocia, one of the best places for hot air ballooning. Post a chilly New Year dawn launch, drift over rippled ravines and fairy chimneys for an hour with your loved ones and click pictures of the Cappadocian moonscape dotted with vineyards and orchards. You might want to try your hands at flying the balloon under the guidance of the pilot. Once you land, a champagne celebration will await you, giving the New Year a perfect start!

Self-Drive Harbour Cruise – SydneyWhy go on a cruise that has a fixed itinerary, when you have the option of a self-drive harbour cruise? Indulge in this exciting harbour adventure with your loved ones for a great New Year experience. Interestingly, you don’t need a driving license to play the role of a cruise driver. Just embark on this fun boat and play the music of your choice, take a halt, try fishing, have a drink or two, make the most of your time – just choose to cruise your way this New Year eve!

Hair flying, bags flailing, arms reaching out, stressed and sweating, running down the concourse to desperately catch your flight… No, I am not describing a Bollywood scene where the hero runs helter-skelter in the airport to meet his heroine in a typical melodramatic scene. Talk about drama, and I guess we get our own share of it in real life. As we book an international trip, more than the anticipation and excitement of an international holiday, we are bogged down by the anxiety of connecting flights. A peaceful international flight experience might seem a rarity but is not quite impossible. All you need to ensure is that you give yourself enough time to make your connection. You might want to consider these points before making your next international flight booking.

• It is advisable to keep your bookings on one airline if possible. Most airlines are much more careful about their own passenger than they will be about others. This is especially when it comes to holding planes for connecting flights arriving late, getting baggage transferred, etc.   
• Every airline adheres to an apportioned timeframe required to make a connecting flight, which is called the minimum connecting flight (MCT). This timeframe may vary from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on the airline and airport being transited. The MCT will already be factored in with all flight schedules, in accordance with possible flight delays, time taken to transit terminals, immigration, etc. But MCT does not pay heed to other factors such as severe weather delays, long queues in customs and immigration and air traffic delays, to name a few. Hence, never try to make a reservation that underestimates the MCT and the traffic at the airport or else ensure that you’ve got a pair of really good running shoes!
• Be well informed about temporary airport issues and climatic conditions. Ask you travel agent or research online. During summers, thunderstorms in Chicago, New York and Dallas in the late afternoon are quite frequent that may delay flights. Clouds, fog and snow are a deterrent factor during winters.
• The day and time of your travelling can also make a big difference. Midweek flights usually have enough backup space, but weekend summer flights are packed. Hence, you’ll have to bear the penalty of spending lots of time at the airport, in case you miss your connecting flight while the other flights are packed.

As per the Official Airline Guide, the minimum connecting times for Air India are:

Also, some minimum connecting times at international airports around the world:

Here’s an excerpt from a recent conversation between Delhi and Bangalore.

Bangalore – How’s it going pal?

Delhi – Quite good! What’s happening over at your place?

Bangalore – Well, Guns n Roses were in town. Great concert, as good as Slayer! I am quite a party hotspot, I must say.

Delhi – They performed at my place too. It was well beyond amazing! Korn and Enrique performed here too a couple of months ago.

Bangalore – Yet, more tourists come to my place. They love the scenic beauty and the gardens, not to mention the Mysore Palace (quite nearby)!

Delhi – No, they come to my place to see India Gate, to explore the history and to shop at the famous Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place.Photo Credit: Mr. Pany Goff

Well, this conversation would have no ending. So I decided to play the judge (my blog, I call the shots!) and resolve the dispute. I absolutely love Delhi and I am a big admirer of Bangalore! And my love for Delhi increased manifolds after I lived my childhood dream – attending a GNR (Guns n Roses) concert.

Shall I describe the atmosphere? Electrifying, ecstatic and throw in a whole lot more of adjectives – there, you now know what it was like at the Leisure Valley Park on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. More than 17,000 crazy fans (from all over the world!) had gathered to Knock on Heaven’s Door.

GNR opened with their legendary song – Welcome to the Jungle. From there on, it was all about head-banging, air guitar and screams of ‘Axl, we love you!’ Sweet Child of Mine threw the crowd (including me, of course) into a frenzy and November Rain calmed them down. Loud cheers welcomed Another Brick in the Wall and Knocking on Heaven’s Door was a knockout performance. While the fans needed just a little ‘Patience’, Axl took them on a trip to ‘Paradise City’.

Walking back to my hotel room in Gurgaon, I could not help but wonder if all this had been a dream. A dream that was realized in Delhi. Delhi is truly on the path of becoming the Wacken of India. I promised a few of my fellow head-bangers (from different states of India) that I would take them around to the other wonders of Delhi. On that note, I sign off.

Christmas cometh and the Lord was born!

Right from attending Mass to putting up stockings for Santa to fill (once he manages to shimmy his rather portly figure down the chimney of course), to putting up the Christmas tree or the celebrations around the Nativity scene, all of us have been celebrating Yuletide in all its traditional glory right from when we were kids.

The one thing that I loved about this festival as a kid was the part where we all gathered round the fireplace and sang Christmas carols which symbolized love, purity and basically turned the whole world into a musical. There was the traditional Silent Night, Ave Maria, Deck the Halls and of course Jingle Bells; all accompanied by Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. But growing up I started discovering a different genre of music altogether; something that was slightly more edgy, definitely louder. The genre known to all the guitar riff-mad, head banging and slightly rebellious souls as Rock!

What interested me most about this whole Christmas+Rock Combo was the fact that some of the more famous songs  help us draw up a ’To-Do’ list of sorts about the things we need to do at Christmas.

Here is the list of the top 5 things you should do (and the songs that act as musical reminders):

Know your Tradition: To understand the actual significance of Christmas, you have to know the various events that lead to the festival.  Christmas Song by the Dave Mathews Band gives you a musical rendition of the life of Jesus right from his birth to his death. You couldn’t have had a more soulful sounding recital of the ‘greatest story ever told’. 

Soak in the Christmas Spirit: Traditional Christmas decorations, the crackling fireplace and whole sitting room decor and design have all been the theme for the carol Deck the Halls and a goofier, fun and slightly out of tune version by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Enjoy the Snow (and the Cold): Sleds, snowball fights and snowmen have been such an integral part of this festival that it isn’t complete till we haven’t seen our breath frosting in the cold, nose turning red and hot chocolate being oh-so-welcome. A Great Big Sled by The Killers reminds you of all this and more in a song that is euphoric and fills you up with pure happiness.

Invite Santa Over: Hanging our stockings and leaving milk and cookies for Santa. Bruce Springsteen celebrated this particular tradition in his version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. More Rock n Roll than Rock, I agree but the best part is that you can sing along as you prepare to welcome the world’s favorite old man in red.

Family Time: Listen to The Christmas Song by Hootie & the Blowfish and you will experience how this feel-good Rock song reminds you to spend quality time with your family, reminisce on the year that has been and also pray for the health and happiness of your loved ones.

Finally it is time to get those old songs out; gather your folks and friends around, click a few pictures and celebrate the season of togetherness. Hoping this Christmas is the harbinger of happiness and joy for you. Wishing you a rockin’ Christmas!

You’re all set for that long-overdue holiday, and the last thing you want is to worry about exceeding baggage limit. Here are some simple guidelines to rid you off all your worries, so that the only thing on your mind is to enjoy your trip.

The general baggage allowance per passenger depends on the airlines policy and varies between domestic and international flights.

Domestic Airlines:

Domestic airlines such as SpiceJet, Indigo, GoAir and others allow up to 20 kilograms of check-in baggage, while one piece of cabin baggage weighing no more than 7 kilograms is allowed. Bear in mind that many airlines such as Jet Airways and SpiceJet do not allow any cabin baggage when travelling to Jammu and Srinagar, due to airport security regulations. So, do some prior homework for a hassle-free trip. Many airlines have an online facility such as Jet Airways web check-in that can save travellers with carry-on luggage a lot of time. However, if you are carrying a check-in bag you must ensure that you reach the airport counter at least 45 minutes (domestic flights) and 60 minutes (international flights) prior to the scheduled flight departure.

International Airlines:

Baggage allowance for international flights will vary depending on the airline, sector/destination, frequent flyer membership and other factors. Most airlines permit passengers one single piece of check-in baggage weighing no more than 32 kilograms.

Some of the perks of being a Business Class or First Class passenger mean that you are allowed additional baggage allowance. It is best to check with the airline beforehand, to ensure that you do not have to worry about last minute changes. Passengers who exceed the baggage allowance will be required to pay an additional charge.  Note that the extra charge may be a flat rate per extra checked in bag while others may require you to pay for every kilogram. You can save on extra baggage costs if you have a Frequent Flyer Miles Card and redeem up to 10 kilograms of extra baggage. There are a number of low cost airlines that allow as little as 15 kilograms per passenger and may even disallow travellers to check in excess pieces.

If you are wondering what classifies as Check-in luggage and what you can take along in your carry-on bag YOUR GUIDE TO THE END OF BAGGAGE SNAGS AT THE AIRPORT will help you answer all your queries.

Keeping these simple tips in mind you are on your way to having a fun-filled holiday, bidding goodbye to your baggage woes!

Sun, Sand, Sea. Come December, and Goa is the place to be!

If there’s one place where time stands still, where music is the only religion, and where you can let go of all your inhibitions and be whoever you want to be…it is here.

December is already here and the sandy shores of Goa are gearing up for a musical extravaganza that enthrals partygoers from across the globe. Running in its 6th consecutive year, the Sunburn Music Festival kicks off on the beaches of Candolim on 27^th, 28^th and 29^th December 2012. With 7 different stages and over 90 artists, this isn’t Asia’s biggest music festival for no reason. This electronic extravaganza has in the past attracted the likes of Paul van Dyk, Richard Durand, BT, Axwell, Ferry Corsten, Nadia Ali and many others. Keeping with tradition, this year’s line-up includes some of the biggest electronic stars including Dutch artist Sander Van Doorn, Fedde Le Grand, Brian Transeau aka BT, house DJ Roger Sanchez, French funk/disco artist Norman Doray and Indian artists such as Jalabee Cartel, Reggae Rajah, DJ Shaan et al.

Aptly described as “a cocktail of dance and music galore”, the Sunburn Festival guarantees wild parties, adrenalin gushing music and an experience of a lifetime. The ambience is of one big open discotheque with artists performing round the clock. Going beyond music, the three-day festival is a synergy of entertainment, sports, food, and shopping and promises unlimited fun. And if you still haven’t had enough, the “After Dark” parties that begin post 10 pm are a culmination of the day’s celebrations and guarantee a 24-hour music hangover. This one is worth attending if nothing else but to brag about later with friends back home!

To add to the excitement, this year Sunburn will stretch from Christmas Eve till New Year’s Day. The opening gig, “Windsong”, will take place on 24^th and 25^th December and includes an eclectic line-up of musical acts from across the country. The closing event on New Year’s Day will see the launch of Percept’s inaugural Superstar New Year’s Eve Gig. What’s more, each of these events is set to create history as they go live on digital platforms to over 80 countries!

A mecca for EDM lovers (electronic dance music) the planning for this annual pilgrimage begins months in advance. Goa’s love for electronic music dates back to the late 1960s and its many beaches have been thronged with tourists whose love for music draws them to this destination year on year. This is your chance to be a part of this exciting music festival; so go ahead and book your flight tickets and holiday packages and prepare to get “Sunburned”!

Looks like Santa is wrapping something for you…

Taking a cue from this and lending a helping hand further, this might be a perfect Christmas gift for the differently-abled people.

Remember the much-talked about case of Jeeja Ghosh this year? Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, she was offloaded from the flight at the last moment. Post this incident, a lot of NGO’s stepped in and talks started brewing between higher authorities simultaneously. The good news is that a government committee has come up with a report to ensure comfortable flying options for the disabled. The report clearly states new training requirements for ground and airline staff alike to cater to the special needs of the disabled. Not just that, it will be a reference point for airlines to understand how their infrastructure can be redesigned to make it friendlier for the disabled.Photo Source: Creatas/Thinkstock.com

Recently, on the World Disability Day (December 3rd), the civil aviation ministry has forwarded this report to various government committees and airlines for their feedback. And the result is as stated by the committee member Rahul Cherian, (one of the founders of the Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy), "The main point is that we now have clarity on allocation of responsibility among airports and airlines.''

Sharing the same thought, Merry Barua (NGO Head, Action For Autism, New Delhi) says, "The committee report provides a clear flow chart of how things should work for disabled people.''

Hopefully, 2013 will bring more goodies for you… So, wait no more and grab some of the cheapest flight tickets in India and feel special today!

Cheap air tickets in India and abroad, booking flights on mobile and getting to know your flight status within seconds are phenomena that have made travelling by air easy and comfortable. But if you are an avid air traveller, a die-hard shopaholic during holidays, or play a courier guy dropping stuff to friends and family as you pass their cities, you will agree that carrying your luggage everywhere is a definite put off. Well, the solution to the problem is way easier than you think it is.

Book your international air tickets and as you explore and shop across the globe, drop that TV from Singapore, carpets from Turkey and sporting gear from Canada in luggage cloakrooms at the respective airports and continue with your sojourn completely worry free. Just remember to pick them on your way back.

Especially a boon for those who are hard pressed for time, these cloak rooms allow you to leave your bags for as many as 90 days (differing from airport to airport). Some of them even provide the facility of couriering your luggage to your home! Of course, this facility comes at a price and while international airports like Heathrow charge up to 9 Euros per day, the service is relatively cheap at IGI Delhi and Chhatarpati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai which operate a number of airlines including the likes of Air India and Spicejet Airlines.

This facility is particularly helpful if you are travelling to a small town. You already have connecting flights to deal with, why worry about your bags too? Leave them at the cloak room at the major airport and carry the bare essentials.

When it comes to the safety of your luggage at these cloak rooms, rest assured. Some companies that deal with luggage storage are Excess Baggage Company at Heathrow and Trident Flight Handlers at Chhatarpati Shivaji International Airport. All the luggage is typically scanned through x-ray machines and hand searched for security reasons, a proof of identity (passport, in case of foreign travellers) is all that is required and you are all set to travel luggage free.

Gone are the days when travelling was a tiresome task, say hello to breakthrough concepts like online airline booking and drop luggage facility at airports! 

For photography enthusiasts, perhaps the best vacations are those, which are spent in the company of their camera and a great destination. The world out there is filled with many places, some explored, and some waiting to be explored and looking at it all through the eye of your lens is elation in its purest form.

We present to you 5 of the most spectacular destinations in the world, worthy of being captured on camera.

IndiaGoa | Photo Credit: Tania Seth/IPC From colourful Rajasthan to breathtaking Ladakh, from the beautiful Northeast to the sprawling metropolises, India is every inch a photographer’s delight. From its magnificent scenic beauty to cultural diversity; with so much visual variety packed into one destination, it’s as tough to not visit certain places in India, as it is to visit them all! While Rajasthan, Kashmir, Goa and Kerala are common destinations for photographers (and deservedly so!), the likes of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are increasingly gaining popularity. Amritsar | Photo Credit: Tania Seth/IPCOther must-to-photograph towns include Hampi, Varanasi, Orchha, Khajuraho, Pushkar, Amritsar and many more! So, did we just leave you confused or spoiled you for choice?

GreeceSantorini | Photo Credit: Rahul Gupta/IPC A for Athens, C for Crete, M for Mykonos, R for Rhodes, S for Santorini…No, this is not a lesson in English alphabets; these are all the must-visits of Greece and each a treat for the lens! The fascinating ruins, magnificent islands, beguiling blue and white buildings and cobbled streets; Greece is charm personified. With history and heritage oozing out of every corner, awe-inspiring structures like the Acropolis and the Parthenon, pristine coastline and vibrant culture, how can Greece not be on the list of any photographer? It’s on my list for sure! What about yours?

TurkeyIstanbul | Photo Credit: Vivek Chauhan/IPC Sitting pretty on two continents, Turkey is a heady mix of culture, history and modernity. And to add to that is the spectacular scenery, stunning coastline and striking architecture. From the whirling dervishes to the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, from the Bosphorus Strait to Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and hot air balloons; Turkey paints quite a marvelous picture that just has to be captured on camera!

Paris No list would be complete without mentioning Paris when it comes to photography and for obvious reasons. This is one city where you wouldn’t want to keep your camera away even for a minute. From iconic structures like the mighty Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre and Champs Elysees; everything in Paree is beautiful, even the people and their clothes! Enchanting, to say the least, Paris is a dream destination for every photographer. What’s more? It’s also a treat for all the die-hard romantics, art lovers and fashion buffs. With so much to do apart from clicking photos, we suggest you think well about your plan of action before leaving for a trip to Paris!

RomeFrom Basilicas to museums, from cobbled streets to glorious monuments, Rome was once Caput Mundi (capital of the world) for a reason. And you will discover that soon enough you set foot in this breathtaking Eternal City. With so many intriguing sites and sights all over, Roma presents photo opportunities at almost every step. From the Arch of Constantine to Vatican City, from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona, every part of this glorious city is worth photographing. Bear in mind, the grandiose personified Colossuem isn’t very easy to click. You might want to save up for a good wide angle lens before travelling to Rome!

The clock is ticking, the pages are turning, the mother of all lit events, the Jaipur Literature Festival, is almost here. It’s that time of the year when all your favorite authors from across the world will come together under one roof, which in this case happens to be a palace. The elegant heritage property of Diggi Palace in Jaipur will transform into a literary Kumbh Mela as writers, readers, publishers, journalists, the literati, the glitterati and the chatterati, will all gather to talk, engage and listen into the new as well as time-tested trends of fact and fiction.

As the sixth edition of the five-day literary extravaganza opens on 24^th January, 2013, let’s take a quick look back into what began as a humble festival a few years ago and turned into this world famous phenomenon.Chetan Bhagat at JLF 2012 | Photo Credit: Abhishek Mishra

First the facts

One look at the numbers and it’s obvious why JLF is called Asia’s leading literary festival. With 135 panels, debates, readings and discussions spread across six venues, the festival recorded a mind-boggling visitor registration of 75,000 in 2012. Fifteen per cent of these were foreigners traveling to India. Some of them planned their trips especially around the festival.

While Oprah Winfrey’s presence and Salman Rushdie’s absence at the festival created a huge stir last year, grabbing plenty of media attention, few people know that had Rushdie come in, it would have been his second time at JLF. He first participated in one of the earliest editions of the festival in 2007 when it was a much smaller and more intimate affair.

The author story

Some of the other noted writers who have marked their presence at the festival over the years are Booker Prize winners Michael Ondaatje, Kiran Desai, Ian McEwan and Ben Okri; Nobel Prize winners Orhan Pahmuk and J.M. Coetzee; and other favorites who need no introduction including Vikram Seth, Prasoon Joshi, Gulzar and Javed Akhtar amongst an endless list. Gulzar & Prasoon Joshi at JLF 2012 | Photo Credit: Abhishek Mishra

While it’s easy to get starstruck and follow your favorite writer till dizzying crowds do you part, it might be a better idea to skip the obvious. The lit fest is more about exploring uncharted territory, meeting new authors, forming new ideas, finding new favorites. It’s not just for literature lovers. It’s for thinkers. It’s for doers. It’s for talkers. It’s for listeners. The festival has something for everyone, but only if you read between the lines. It’s a platform that gives equal space to discussions around queer literature, Arab Spring, Bhakti poetry, travel writing, Maoist movement, prison narratives, chicklit bestsellers, world politics, cricket, music and Bollywood.

So this year make a judicious pick for what you choose to attend and watch this space for a guide on authors you must meet and sessions you must not miss.  

The thought of a whole New Year with 12 brand new months is always exciting. Perhaps that is why we celebrate the arrival of a New Year with partying, fine dining or in some cases with bizarre customs like wearing colorful underpants and stuffing our faces with grapes! You always want to do something different, something even more invigorating than the last New Year’s Eve party to make this one special.

We have an idea! Make this year’s celebrations stand out with a trip to a national reserve or a wildlife sanctuary. What better way to wake up than to the sounds of birds chirping and an elephant roaring on the first day of 2013.

Peppara Wildlife SanctuaryOne of the best kept secrets of Kerala is the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary situated just 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram, its capital city. Hemmed on one side by the Peppara Dam, this huge national reserve is one of the fastest emerging holiday spots in the state and offers endless wildlife sighting opportunities to the adventurous holiday maker. The sanctuary’s rich biodiversity is supported by its dense forest cover comprising beautiful trees like Kindal, Malabar Kino and the elegant Cotton Tree. Make this your New Year vacation destination for a chance to catch a glimpse of the elegant big cats like leopards, the energetic Nilgiri Langur and the not so energetic Sloth Bear.  

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Fly in to either New Delhi or Lucknow and drive down to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve to feast your eyes on the majestic, near – endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Dudhwa will be a memorable event with Elephant safaris to hunt around for just a glimpse of the awe inspiring big cat or super-cute but deadly rhinos (yes, there are rhinos at Dudhwa!) and a host of nimble footed Sambhars and tribes of Hog Deer. Dudhwa tiger reserve is also famous for its 300 plus species of birds and the famed Barasingha. You could stay at one of the two resorts within the thick forest or at a hotel in the adjoining town of Palia.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

The Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is truly a gem in India’s cache of wildlife reserves. Far from your average, run of the mill wildlife sanctuaries, this is the only one in the world that floats on water! Get on the next flight to Imphal and drive down to Bishnupur where the park is located. Home to the famous Dancing Deer aka Sangai, the park is also accessible by rail at Dimapur. While here, take a boat trip on the Loktak Lake and watch out for migratory birds and playful otters. 

Some other wildlife sanctuaries to celebrate the New Year in: Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary in Rajasthan.

So, do you hear the call of the wild this New Year day? We are all ears…