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This vacation, why tread the path oft taken? It is time to abandon the usual for the extraordinary, says Avantika Bhuyan as she lists out some unconventional destinations.
A cruise to the Arctic
Retrace the footsteps of some famous polar explorers such as Andree, Nordenskiöld, Amundsen and Nobile as you embark on a cruise to the landscapes of the Arctic. Spend a day trekking along the beaches under the midnight sun to know more about the diversity of the Svalbard archipelago. This biological hotspot, with its towering icebergs and treacherous ice fields, is populated by walruses, the Arctic fox, gulls, bearded seals, reindeer, auks and puffins. Get set for rugged outdoors with glacier walks, visits to disused mines outside Longyearbyen glacier and leisurely boat trips. And if you are lucky, the island of Spitsbergen might just offer you the glimpse of the majestic polar bear. Companies like Cruise Norway India organise tours to the Arctic through June to September on three state-of-the-art vessels.
Travel tips: A nine-day exploration of Spitsbergen on MS Fram will cost euro 3,022 per person, while the price of a 10-day Silver Explorer voyage from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Tromso, Norway starts from $7,100 per person.
For more details, log on to www.cruisenorway.in
Soak in Bulgarian history
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, every nook and cranny of Bulgaria is steeped in history. The country is dotted with unique archaeological sites - be it ancient settlement mounds from the Neolithic age, Thracian sanctuaries, remains of ancient Roman cities or Byzantine fortresses. Bulgaria offers something to everyone. You can go for walks on the beaches along the sandy Black Sea coast or discover the forested landscape around the Rila and Pirin mountains on horseback. Adventure buffs are in for a treat as there is a host of activities such as hand gliding, kite surfing and underwater adventure sports to choose from. Or, you could simply seep in the culture by going for a walk in the capital city, Sofia, and taking in the sights such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St George Rotunda, Bulgarian Parliament and the Tsar Liberator Monument. Wellness and Spa trips are big in Bulgaria due to the abundance of mineral springs and there are trained experts dealing with curative therapies.
Travel tips: A 6 nights/7 days trip through Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas will cost approximately euro 1,400 for two persons, including all transfers, accommodation and sightseeing. Most metros in India have flights (with at least one stopover) to Sofia.
For more details, log on to www.thomascook.in
Cambodia calling
Cambodia can best be described as a maze of contradictions. The present-day capital of Phnom Penh happily co-exists with Angkor, the ancient Khmer seat of power. The skyscrapers in the city give way to the majestic 37 towers with four carved Buddha-like faces of the famous Bayon temple. While the southern coast is lined with tropical islands, as you move further inland, the wilderness of the Cardamom Mountains greets you with its diverse wildlife and eco-adventures. Cycle tours are highly recommended if it is Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, that you seek or if you wish to tackle the rich jungle overgrowth to get to the mystical Ta Prohm temple. Such tours allow you to seep in the rich culture, understand the local customs and also enjoy the lush countryside.
Travel tips: A 4 days/ 3 nights tour of Cambodia, including accommodation, buffet breakfast, airport transportation and sightseeing etc, costs Rs 23,596 per person.
For more details, log on to www.coxandkings.com
Mystic Mongolia
The sprawling Gobi Desert, undulating mountains, deep lakes, ancient ruins, nomadic settlements and mystical monasteries - Mongolia has it all. The capital city, Ulaanbaatar, takes you back into time with its Migjid Janraising temple that contains hundreds of sacred Tantra. The temple was also home to the eighth Bogd Khan - the living Buddha and the last king of Mongolia for 20 years. For a touch of the rustic, you can spend a day with a camel herder's family at the Khongor sand dune which spans an extraordinary length of 100 km. A must-visit is Bayanzag or the Flaming Cliffs where complete dinosaur eggs and skeletons had once been excavated. Every year, July 11-13 is set aside for the Namdaam Festival that consists of traditional sports such as archery, horse racing and Mongolian wrestling. It would be a good idea to time your trip with such festivals to feel and understand the rich Mongolian culture.
Travel tips: A 7 nights/ eight days trip will cost you approximately Rs 2 lakh, including airfare. Ulaanbaatar is connected to major metros in India via connections through China.
For more details, log on to www.girlsonthegoclub.com
Scandinavian sojourn
Medieval castles, steaming geysers, steep cliffs, volcanic peaks and a bagful of adventures - Scandinavia has emerged on the top of the Indian traveller's list in recent years. Among its many attractions are the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis. For the outdoor buff, Iceland is the perfect destination with its fjords, beaches and national park. A must-visit is the 700,000-year-old stratovolcano Snæfellsjökull, made famous by the novel A Journey To The Centre of the Earth. You can also opt for a geothermal spa experience at the Blue Lagoon. For a taste of culture, high fashion, art and nightlife, visit Sweden's capital Stockholm. The best way to get to know the varied attractions of the city, such as the medieval town of Gamla Stan, is to embark on a guided tour. Also, a short way from Stockholm is the world's oldest open air museum, Skansen, which offers a glimpse into the traditional Swede life. Some interesting events in June and July include a visit to the reindeer in the enclosure and performances by Skansen's Children's folk dance group. Denmark, with its Viking ruins and Renaissance castles, too has events planned for you. An imaginative and highly-acclaimed puppet theatre show titled Shakespeare's Puppets at Hamlet's Castle 2013 will take place between June 27 and July 21. You can also soak in the atmosphere at a farmer's market in Haderslev or see exhibitions about the changing facets of Copenhagen on the WALL - the digital platform of the Museum of Copenhagen.
Travel tips: An 11 nights/12 days tour through Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia will cost Rs 210,393 per person on twin-sharing basis. This is inclusive of round-trip economy class excursion airfare, accommodation, meals, transfers, entrance fees, sightseeing, surface transportation as mentioned in the itinerary among other things.
For more details, log on to www.coxandkings.com
