Travel advice for all travelers

Dear Travelers

Please be advised of the following developments that may impact your travel programme. 

United Kingdom: Carefully consider travel arrangements on 30 November due to expected disruption at airports during strike

Public sector workers, including transport, customs and immigration officials, will stage a 24-hour work stoppage on 30 November. Significant disruption should be anticipated at all the country's main international airports, in particular London Heathrow (LHR). Likely disruption will be as follows:

·         Long queues at customs and immigration, potentially resulting in substantial delays for travellers entering and exiting the country.

·         Flight cancellations – airport operator BAA has requested that airlines cut incoming international passenger numbers by 50%. Several operators have cancelled or rescheduled flights in advance of the action.

·         Potentially significant delays to arriving and departing flights, as well as possible short-notice diversions.

·         Numerous airlines are offering free flight rescheduling for passengers due to travel to or from the UK on 30 November.

Public transport workers in the capital London are not currently expected to participate in the walkout in large numbers. Rail services, including Eurostar, are also not expected to be significantly affected. However, the following transport services will be suspended:

·         Glasgow and Tyne and Wear (Newcastle) metro trains.

·         Bus and train services across the whole of Northern Ireland.

Travel Advice

·         Check with airlines prior to travel; allow for flexibility in your itinerary to accommodate flight delays and cancellations, and the possibility of diversions to other UK airports.

·         Be prepared for long queues at the country's main international airports, such as London Heathrow (LHR). Allow additional time to clear immigration.

·         Allow additional time for transiting within the UK, particularly at London Heathrow, or seek alternative routes on the day.

·         Book taxis and rental cars well in advance in areas affected by public transport walkouts.

Experiencing God's Own Country KERALA

       The dust from the city was wiped by the showers from the cloud making its sign of taking us into the world of beauty. We were on a journey from Bangalore to Kerala to explore the beauty that dazzled lakhs of travellers in past and is still continuing to bring huge mass travel from all around the globe. This time my tour was with TourisAwesome Holidays. The tour was a photography tour to capture the best of Kerala in the stipulated time that I had with myself. I was prepared and prepared for the best experience.

       As I opened my eyes early morning to see from the window of my wagon, I was gazed to view one of the best sight i dint want to close eye after that. I was quite for sometime to just see the scenic beauty of the sunrise and the lovely green field. I knew that my baby camera shall have its amazing journey to capture these moments. We soon then entered into the city of Calicut which is formerly called as Kozikhode. Kozhikode or Calicut as it is popularly known is a land of pristine beaches, aromatic spice gardens, picturesque country sides & warm people. It was way back in 1948 that the coastal town of Kozhikode rose to fame when Vasco Da Gama first set foot on its shores. Its magnanimous hills, gurgling streams, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, quaint villages & busy bazaars lure tourists year after year. 

The name Calicut, has its origins from the hand woven cloth called Calico. The city was the capital, during the reign of the Zamorin dynasty. A sea town with a busy port & thriving trading centre some of the best places to get a glimpse into its history & natural beauty are the Kappad Beach & Beypore Fort, . A visit to the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is a treat for bird watchers with over a 100 species of birds. For nature lovers the Thusharagiri waterfall, 50 km from Kozhikode is an ideal place to for a picnic. Adventure buffs can also trek this region amid spice plantations & dense evergreen forests. 

With a town having so much to offer from wildlife to wellness spa’s, beaches to bazaars & historic sites to hills; Kozhikode is a must see on your Kerala itinerary!

With having all this information we set ourselves to explore the destination. The capture during our travel is shown with pictures.

The sunset at Calicut beach - TourisAwesome Holidays

Lovely scene in the evening

Check these monkeys, lovely picture

More pictures awaiting..!!!! www.facebook.com/chetanyallapurkarphotography

Porter Airlines responds to demand with fourth daily Toronto-Sudbury flight

Porter Airlines is increasing service in the Big Nickel with the addition of a fourth daily roundtrip flight between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Sudbury, beginning Jan. 16.

Launching with a single daily flight in March 2010, this new schedule marks the third time Porter has increased service to Sudbury, responding to rising passenger demand and providing greater convenience for business and leisure travellers alike.

“By meeting passenger needs with convenient schedules and increased service, we’re continuing to demonstrate our commitment to Sudbury as a valued part of the Porter network,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “The overwhelmingly positive response we’re seeing from travellers is a clear indication that we’re offering a desirable service within the market.”

Connecting markets from Toronto include Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Windsor, Halifax, Moncton, St. John’s, Boston, Chicago and New York.

“The additional service is testament to the strong support our community has shown Porter Airlines and the commitment by Porter to provide comprehensive service to northern Ontario regional markets,” said Bob Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Sudbury Airport.  “We are delighted that the implementation of this latest flight will facilitate same day travel to Sudbury from Toronto and other cities within their network.”

For more visit: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com

Travel to Sikkim after the earthquake

     On the night of 23rd September 2011 I had quiet less of sleep and more of dreams about the exciting trip I was about to experience. I was told SIKKIM, the Paradise of India is a beautiful destination that every individual dreams to visit. I too was one among those dreamers and I was glad that the dream was coming to be a reality.
      I woke up before the sunrise with my alarm buzzing at 5.35 am showing the 24^th September calendar and quickly got myself ready to then wait for the cab that I had booked. At sharp 6.15 am I boarded the Easy Cab that was wrapped with the Ad of Faber. While listening to the early morning pleasant Radio Mirchi FM 98.3 songs, I soon picked my Canon EOS 1000D and captured the scenic rise of the sun in our own Bengalooru city. I was gazed with the way the sky turned its color to pleasant orange to make me believe that its now not too far from reaching thesky.

On my way to the airport I picked my colleague from his home near Banaswadi & zipped our way driving through the empty terrain to BIAL (BangaloreInternational Airport ) at 8 am.

Quickly making our move towards the entrance I realized that there was another world which woke early to fly that morning. As I was passing through the check-in I met my cousin that came to me as a surprise as she too was flying to Delhi with her office mate. I was delighted to have met her and then we departed to get our own boarding pass. I checked in my baggage and got the boarding pass. The scheduled departure of our flight was at 9.15 am on Jet Airways 9W. Then quickly there was an announcement I heard loudly while no one did as it was from my hungry stomach. As I did not have my breakfast, I looked around to grab something for myself. It was a fantastic breakfast awaiting to a guy who had always tried the typical Idli-Vada every single day in Bangalore from past 4 years in numerous darshinis possible. Well, yes I then grabbed myself a unique Bread sandwich with Orange juice to just pay a price of a week’s breakfast budget. We quickly heard the Boarding call from Jet Airways and so lifted our masses towards the entrance. We were boarded onto a masculine aircraft that was 9W- and I had my favourite window seat reserved. 

For more coming next.......!!!

10 reason to Visit sikkim

Dear Friends,

I feel so lucky to be a part of travel & tourism industry that I have met the best entrepreneur so early in my career. I have got the privilege to do the marketing campaign for Sikkim tourism project ie www.sikkimflygov.in 

10 Reason to be in SIKKIM- PARADISE OF INDIA

1. If you are a married COUPLE.

2. If you are Fallen in Love.

3. If you want to CLIMB the 3rd Highest mountain peak in the world.

4. If you are a Bullet freak MOUNTAIN BIKER.

5. If you have mad about ADVENTURE.

6. If you enjoy the cultural heritage of Sikkim.

7. If you are looking for spiritual PEACE in life.

8. If your baby CAMERES loves NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.

9. If you want to see the only Pollution Free State in India.

10. If you are did not find a reason so far, then It is must you visit SIKKIM, for we assure you wont want to come back.
 

Bike tour versus Group tour

   I have a Red color Hero Honda Karizma & I am passionate about bikes a lot. I met a friend who had this Bullet & was crazy about it. Having met this chap I got to know the kick behind having a bullet and travel India. This blog is dedicated for the Bullet lovers and adventure fans.    

  
                 I was thinking from very long time that its been years that I have been looking for Bike tour and have never experienced the journey so far. When it comes to Bike tour , the first thing that comes to mind to everyone is the Bullet Bike. I hope you all agree with me. Similarly it struck me and I called my friends who had Bullet bike and asked them if they were to be interested. Surprisingly, they in turn told me the dates they have planned with a Group of Bullet owner from our city. I was thrilled and excited as they said that the journey was to Leh-Ladakh. I confirmed immediately and went back home to tell me parents that this is what I have planned and shall be going on a bike tour for 25 days.

There started the versus conversation where they said " Why do you want to stress on a tour with Bike so far. Lets plan a family tour to Leh-Ladakh." I understood that this is where it all ends as my financial Dad had to pay and since it was a 3 month vacation I had nothing but to engage doing something. I was reluctant in the group tour and said dad that I have already booked and shall have to leave the next week. They refused and tried to make me understand but I was sure to have a Bike Tour experience. 

Then it happened that I bought all the equipment with a friend of mine and came home. He explained my parents what Bike Tour means and how is the experience as he has travelled before. Then since, he said all safety and fun element, somehow it was a Yes at the end. 

    We left the next week and I shall be writing on Experience of Bike tour soon.

Coming soon.................!!!!

10 best Holy Places you have to visit this lifetime

1. Source of the Ganges (India)

The River Ganges is Hinduism’s holiest river, beginning in the Himalayan peaks of Uttar Pradesh and spilling out into the Bay of Bengal more than 2000km later. For Hindus, the source of the Gaanges is a holy of holies, and many thousands make the pilgrimage to its source near Gangotri. To join them requires a trek of 24km from Gangotri, threading through Himalayan valleys to Gaumukh, where you’ll find the trickle of water that will flow on to become one of Asia’s major rivers. Pilgrims perform darshans (offerings) as near as possible to the point where water flows from the ice wall beneath the terminal moraine.

2. Mt Kailash (Tibet)

As the source of several of Asia’s mightiest rivers, including the Ganges, Karnali and Indus, it’s little surprise that peak of Mt Kailash in Tibet is revered in a number of religions. To circuit holy Kailash is a pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindus, Bonpos, Jains and, more recently, trekkers. The most ardent pilgrims walk the 52km circuit in a day, while the truly pious prostrate themselves around the mountain, lying down with arms outstretched, then standing and lying down again at the point that their hands reached. The journey to Kailash is itself an epic worthy of being called a pilgrimage, so allow time for this remarkable trek.

3. Camino de Santiago (Spain)

One of the great Christian pilgrimages is to the tomb of the apostle St James in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. It’s a journey of such spiritual note that it has been named Europe’s Premier Cultural Itinerary and is also listed on the Unesco World Heritage register. The Camino begins in Roncesvalles, on the French border, and covers 783km to the Atlantic coast. Cycling and horseback are considered appropriate forms of pilgrim transport, but most people walk the route, wandering between an extensive system of albergues, spending around one month as a modern pilgrim.

4. Međugorje (Bosnia and Hercegovina)

On 28 June 1981 six youths in the Bosnian mountain village of Međugorje claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Instantly, a place of pilgrimage was born, complete with bus tours and an unholy number of souvenir stands. The Virgin is said to still appear at Međugorje, bringing messages to the world, delivering them through the original six ‘visionaries’ – three of them see the apparition daily. For a Međugorje vision of your own, begin in the famed bridge town of Mostar; Međugorje is about 30 mountainous kilometres away.

5. Golden Temple (India)

Resting against the India–Pakistan border, the city of Amritsar has a golden heart, with the Golden Temple, the holiest site in Sikhism, dominating the city. Glowing in the hot Punjabi sun, the temple is as golden as its name suggests, and sits in the middle of the holy Amrit Sarovar pool, which lends its name to the city. Pilgrims bathe in the pool, and amble clockwise around its marble edges, while the temple kitchen by the eastern entrance spoons out free meals to pilgrims and tourists alike. Visitors are welcome to join the faithful in and around the temple.

6. Shashemene (Ethiopia)

With Rastafarianism founded on the belief that Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie is an African Messiah, it’s unsurprising that a Rasta community has taken root inEthiopia. Around 240km from Addis Ababa, Selassie himself granted land in the town of Shashemene to Jamaican Rastafarians in the 1960s. It was first settled by 12 Jamaicans but the community has now grown to number hundreds. In the late 1970s the most famous Rasta of all, Bob Marley, visited Shashemene, and in recent years his widow has talked of relocating his remains here, which would indeed turn this southern town into a site of rock and Rasta pilgrimage.

7. Mt Athos (Greece)

Known as the Holy Mountain, Mt Athos is a self-governing community of 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries sprinkled around the slopes of 2033m-high Mt Athos onGreece’s Chalkidiki Peninsula. A strict entry-permit system applies: 100 Orthodox pilgrims and 10 non-Orthodox visitors are allowed in at a time; only men over 18 years of age can visit; permit applications from non-Orthodox visitors must be made at least six months ahead; and diamonitiria (permits) usually allow stays of just four days. The Holy Mountain is reached by boat, and you then walk between monasteries, each of which contains a guesthouse.

8. Mashhad (Iran)

With a name that translates as The Place of Martyrdom, Mashhad is sacred to Shiites as the place where the 8th imam and direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died in 817. Each year, more than 15 million Shiite pilgrims visit the city in eastern Iran, which literally radiates out from Astan-e Qods-e Razavi, the site of the Holy Shrine. The busiest pilgrimage times are around the Iranian New Year (March 21) and a dedicated pilgrim season from mid-June to late July. Non-Muslims are not permitted into the Holy Shrine itself, though there are three attached museums that can be visited.

9. 88 Temple Circuit (Japan)

On the Japanese island of Shikoku there are 88 temples, a number equal to the evil human passions as defined by the Buddhist doctrine. If you want to free yourself from every one of these passions in a single hit, you can do so by completing the 88 Temple Circuit. Traditionally the 1500km route was walked, even though there’s a space of more than 100km between a couple of the temples. In modern times, however, it’s become just as acceptable to complete the 88 Temple Circuit by tour bus – who said the gods weren’t modernists? The circuit begins in Tokushima and most pilgrims go clockwise.

10. Adam’s Peak (Sri Lanka)

In the highlands of Sri Lanka there is a mountain that’s all things to all religions. Depending on your spiritual persuasion, the indent on the summit of Adam’s Peak is either the place at which Adam first set foot on earth, or a footprint left by Buddha, Shiva or St Thomas. Small wonder the track to the summit is like an ant trail in the pilgrimage season (December to May). Secular pilgrims will find the view alone worthy of the journey. On a clear day it stretches to the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, 65km away.

For more details visit www.tourisawesome.com or visit http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/travel-tips-and-articles/76631

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