Fab 5 Top Destinations For 2004

Another year is about to commence and all you globe trotters are shortly going to charter out plans on which part of the world to discover for 2004. FeBusiness Traveller short-lists the top five leisure destinations for the coming year…

It’s a buyer’s market, even when it comes to travelling abroad! Deals just seem to be getting hotter and hotter and the world seems like a much smaller, more accessible and affordable place to be in. The whole world seems to be willing to roll out the carpet for the Indian international traveller. There’s no need to pretend anymore that you hold accounts in Swiss banks or to be strait-jacketed in a business suit when flying for your honeymoon… the point being you don’t need to impress them because they’re all out to impress you!

The last year has seen numerous international tourism boards open offices to ‘entice’ the Indian outbound traveller, a zillion international tourism delegations have come down to understand the needs of the Indian market, travel agents are willing to go to any lengths to ensure that their clients are happy making the world much more accessible to the ‘erstwhile ill-informed’ Indians on planning holidays and if all that’s not good enough, it’s your choice at your price! Ask and it shall be…

And while the whole travel industry is getting in gear to appease you, at FeBusiness Traveller, we have endeavoured to give you your best travel options on the platter.
After having spoken with the key players in the travel business, including Thomas Cook, Cox n Kings, TCI, SOTC, Raj Travels etc, we have zoomed in on five hot spots that you need to put on your travel maps in the new year.

These are:

1. Genting, Malaysia

2. London, United Kingdom

3. Gold Coast, Australia

4. Queenstown, New Zealand

5. Cape Town, South Africa

Genting, Malaysia

As one ascends in the cable car towards Genting, gliding by the dense rain forest below, what greets you is a fantastic view of the breathtaking scenery and animatronics (animations of sculptured animals) along the way. Once the cable car touches base, the hustle and bustle immediately makes it apparent why Genting has the tag City Of Entertainment attached to it. A perfect place to charge your senses, Genting provides its visitors myriad options, from theme parks to live entertainment, golf and, of course, casinos.

You can start by checking out the Galleria Observatory, perched 6,000 feet above sea level. The Observatory invites you to experience a bird's eye-view of the Titiwangsa range, a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur and, on a clear day, the Straits of Malacca. One could also take a walk through the Galleria and view the history of the Genting Highlands Resort. Genting is definitely not your average resort and if you have any ideas about covering it in a day, forget it. It takes at least two to three days to even get a feel of the place.

Consider, for example, the number of theme parks on offer. There is an indoor theme park, water park, First World theme park and an outdoor theme park which is almost like a walk on the clouds due to the height at which Genting is located.

The Snow World offers you the experience of a winter wonderland. Be thrilled by the Cresta Run snow slide that is guaranteed to take your breath away! It is the ideal winter getaway in Malaysia with temperature dipping to minus 5 degrees Celsius. The Genting Sky Venture is a state-of-the-art skydiving wind tunnel that gives ordinary people a chance to feel the thrill of jumping out of an airplane and free-falling like a skydiver. The skydiving simulator can make you 'virtually' fly in winds up to 196 km/hour. Then there is the X-pedition Wall which a 'who dares win' kinda game to climb walls. You can also indulge in some rock climbing. It's fun and easy and there are rock-climbing professionals to lend you a helping hand.

These are just a few of the must-sees at Genting. Besides these, there are many other unique experiences available like the Ripley's, Haunted Adventure, Turbo Drop/Space Shot, Corkscrew, the Tour De Paris and a whole gamut of rides.

Genting is the ideal getaway not just because it's a high adrenaline venue. The place also boasts an incredible variety of options with its huge shopping plaza, authentic cuisines and, most of all, the chance to make some more money in the casino.

London, United Kingdom

Call it the colonial hangover, the Raj fixation, an excuse to visit friends and family or just to visit the United Kingdom, London will always be a much sought after destination. As many times as you may have heard this before, if you’re an Indian visiting London the overwhelming feeling is that of being at home. At every nook and corner, from the most upscale to the most remote parts of the city, you are likely to bump into a desi. And with Bollywood dreams spicing up the life of the locals, you’re bound to receive a warm welcome.

London happens to be among the most cosmopolitan cities in the world embracing people from the world over. And as eclectic as the people, is the variety of experiences London has to offer. Depending on what you prefer or are in the mood to do, you could pick from a classical musical to a Shakespearean play to stand up comedies to buzzing night clubs, discotheques and lounge bars to local British pubs…the choices are never-ending. An important thing to note is to pre book, especially on weekends, as Londoners leave tourists very little opportunity to buy tickets on the spot. Gourmets are going to love this city.

London probably has more Indian restaurants than Brit pubs! There are special localities dedicated to Indian food and inhabited by Indians so food is never a problem.

The main geographical feature of the city is the River Thames, which meanders through central London, dividing it into northern and southern halves. Hop on to a day bus and scout around the legendary hallmarks of the city - Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Covent Garden, British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Hyde Park, the Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Shakespeare lovers must visit the Globe Theatre. Don’tforget to stop by at Madame Tussaud’s and find our very own Bachchan among international celebs.

For those of you who can afford to shop in London you can be spoilt for choices. Speaking of cultural heritage, shopping malls like Harrods, Selfridges, Hamley’s, the toy store (worth a visit even if you’re not looking for toys) have become institutions. The city is well stocked with the latest in fashion trends and houses all big European brands. A walk down Oxford Street will give you a good idea of what we’re talking about.

To get to know even a little about London’s charm, dedicate at least a week and rest assured you’re more than likely to extend your visit.

Gold Coast, Australia

Statistics reveal that Indians have been flocking to the Gold Coast in ascending numbers. This popular holiday destination, 75 kms south of Brisbane, basks in sunshine for over 300 days of a year. It has a 70 km-stretch of coastline with never-ending beaches, pristine rainforests and a relaxed lifestyle. It offers glamour, excitement and great shopping.

Beach bums will enjoy the clean, uncrowned beaches that Gold Coast has in abundance. Palm Beach, Rainbow Bay, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise offer soft golden sand, rolling waves and the perfect setting for a walk along the shoreline at sunset.

If you’re looking for adrenaline rushes the theme parks are there. Dreamworld’s ‘Tower of Terror’ is one of the fastest, tallest rides in the world. If that doesn’t send your thrill meter off the scale, there’s the ‘Giant Drop’, a free fall of 120 metres.

At Movie World, you can actually see real movies being made and enjoy ‘virtual reality’ experiences such as the Batman Adventure.

Sea World is a unique entertainment and educational window to the underwater. For another nature-based attraction there is Currumbin Sanctuary, where mountain parrots come in hundreds each morning and afternoon to be fed.

Shoppers will love Gold Coast because of its great quality offerings at competitive prices. Among the places to get great deals is Pacific Fair, which is laid out in a village style, and includes hundreds of specialty shops. Harbour Town Shopping Center attracts brand bargain hunters. It is the first purpose built discount outlet shopping centre in Australia and offers branded goods at up to 60 per cent discount.

The Gold Coast is renowned for quality markets staged regularly throughout the region.

Night owls can scout the bustling Gold Coast night scene, which is concentrated around Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Among other things it houses nightclubs, restaurants and bars. The theatre features nightly shows from Monday to Saturday. For the world’s most outrageous cabaret restaurant, try Dracula’s.

There is a wide range of eating out places. For seafood lovers try the Legends Seafood Restaurant. If you fancy fine dining try any of the restaurants at the world famous Palazzo Versace hotel. And of course if you feel like some Indian food there’s Raj Palace Exotic Seafood & Tandoori at Main Beach.

The Gold Coast boasts more holiday accommodation than anywhere else in Australia. From tent houses to penthouses and the world’s first Versace-themed hotel, the Gold Coast has the widest cross-section to offer.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, Queenstown got its name because “...it was fit for Queen Victoria.”

With an exhilarating, year round, alpine climate, Queenstown is today the country’s premier destination. It offers breathtaking scenery and a diverse range of attractions. In addition, there is the warm hospitality of the local Kiwis.

Queenstown’s reputation as the adventure capital of the world is well earned. Earth, water or air, there is something to test and thrill all adventure seekers. To name a few, you could take a trip into Skippers Canyon to enjoy a mix of history and high adventure including bungee jumping, rafting, flying fox and jet boating on the Shotover, Kawarau and Dart rivers. You can drift over Queenstown at dawn in a hot air balloon, jump from the southern hemisphere’s highest land based bungee-jumping point – ‘The Nevis Highwire Bungee’, etc.

If you happen to visit in winter, the internationally acclaimed ski fields of the Remarkables and Coronet Peak offer great runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. You could go heli-skiing and heli-boarding across the wintry landscape.

For those of you who prefer the traditional sight-seeing options, we recommend you take a short drive back in time to the historic goldmining settlement of Arrowtown, or drive the shores of Lake Wakatipu to discover the beautiful hamlet of Glenorchy, the gateway to Paradise Valley and the famous Routeburn walking track. Over the hill but not very far from Queenstown you will find the peace and tranquillity of the small town of Wanaka with its crystal clear lake and dramatic mountain landscape.

Wine lovers have a lot to rejoice. Visit Gibbston Valley and Chard Farm vineyards or join the Queenstown Wine Trail and discover award-winning wines from the world’s most southern vineyards. Summer in Queenstown and the Southern Lakes means long, hot holidays where the outdoor living is seriously good.

No we haven’t missed shopping. Let’s just say we’re saving the best for last. Queenstown is the original seven-day, open all hours town, and your search for the best of New Zealand-made goods ends here. From the quirky to the quaint, the funky or the fabulous, to the simply practical, it’s wise to leave space in your luggage for the ‘must haves’ on your shopping list. As most shops stay open until 10pm or later, the perfect shopaholic’s evening begins with dinner in Queenstown’s compact town centre where nothing is more than a short stroll away.

Cape Town, South Africa

Very few cities in the world can claim to exhibit the diversity that Cape Town offers. Cape Town is reminiscent of a European city in an African setting. Its weather is your first deja vu of Europe – the city can actually offer you four seasons in a single day.

The city’s heart is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront that witnesses an incessant inflow of tourists and locals alike. It’s really a place to see and be seen in, an ideal setting for film shoots, romantic evenings. The Waterfront has a variety of 40 restaurants, chic cafes, pubs, taverns, 250 shops, curios, 18 cinemas and a host of other attractions. It has the biggest names in fashion including labels such as Gap, Christian Dior, Morgan, Nine West and a gamut of others.

Cape Town has several world-class shopping malls. The major centres include The V&A Waterfront, Cavendish Square and Tyger Valley, and the new Canal Walk at Century city. Canal Walk is the newest blockbuster mall and its proximity to Ratanga Junction could mean a combination day of shopping and shrieking on the rides.

Embodying an essentially pot pourri culture, Cape Town is really the country's cultural capital. Its liberal attitude and embracing nature has made it an inspiration for artisans and musicians, wine makers and chefs, gays and fanatics.

And diversity being the name of the game, it holds true in all spheres including entertainment. Cape Town offers from the hippest nightclubs to jam clubs, gay clubs and straight clubs. It’s also a great place to sample some of the finest jazz concerts, operas and a wide variety of music.

The city is dotted with world class restaurants offering culinary delicacies from any part of the world. The Waterfront alone has a dizzying variety of cuisines, complemented only by some of the finest South African wines. If you’d like to (and you must) try some of the local cuisine ask for Cape Malay cuisine, very close in style to Indian curries but with an indigenous element to set it apart.

The best way to grasp the underlying contrasts of this vivacious city is to scout around the tourist spots on foot. A must do for all Mandela fans, is a visit to Robben Island. The other outstanding icon is Table Mountain, now a world heritage site, that serves as a beacon to the entire city. To access the Table Mountain, you need to take a cable car ride, an exhilarating experience, allowing visitors to discover the mountain’s unique species.

(With inputs from Himanshi Munshaw, R&D executive, Beacon Holidays Pvt Ltd, Charmaine Fernz and Sheetal Wadhwa Munshaw)