Sick of picking and choosing from the same old sun and sand holidays and hill station breaks? Well, holidays are meant to get you away from the mundane. No wonder the days of packaged tours are long gone! And with the winter break just round the corner, it’s time you start chalking out your plans to make your vacation extra special. Here are some ultra simple mantras that can transform your vacation from just-another-break to a memorable and exhilarating experience!
The top mantra for holiday happiness is to let the roads less travelled entice you. Pick a place that does not feature in the typical list of tourist destinations. That’s the first step to making your holiday unusual. Instead of going to Goa to spend the New Year’s Eve, you could opt for the pristine beaches of Gokarna or Karwar. Or even better, you could substitute the usual lounging around in beaches with a white water rafting break in Dandeli! And if you decide to go to Khajuraho, don’t just fix your eyes on the marvelous temples. Pack in more and get to the unexplored fort of Kalinjar, which lies some 120km north-east or just set out to the Panna National Park
Why settle for the same old B&B style lodging? It’s time to try the more enjoyable alternatives! Home stays and estate stays are excellent alternatives. A classic home stay involves living with a local family and having a first hand experience of its customs, cuisine and way of life. What can get better than indulging in a great conversation with your host who knows everything about Kerala and can tell you which Ayurvedic masseuse is the best in town and where exactly you should head for an affair with the gorgeous backwaters! And if you’re heading out for a beach vacation, try a shack instead of the routine sea-facing suite. Try a houseboat or even a home exchange! It’s time to get creative. After all, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to be transformed into a different world!
Instead of depending on tour operators, try using the public transport available in the place that you’re visiting. You get to meet more local people and you can gather suggestions of must-visit locations that are generally unheard of! Since you’ll be saving a lot of money, you can treat yourself to a lavish dinner. And if you are the kind who likes getting behind the wheel, then rent a car! Just make sure you have a valid driver’s license, a full tank and rough directions to your destination. Self-driving is a fabulous way to discover a new place and if you’re terrible at reading maps, do not panic. You just might reach an area that is totally remote, stunningly beautiful, away from mainstream tourism and most importantly, not in any tour guide book!
Learning the local language can enhance your travelling experience, sometimes in ways you never thought of, especially if you are travelling abroad. If you hate the pungent smell of garlic, it might be a good idea to learn the Italian word for garlic, i.e. ‘l'aglio’ (pronounced as ‘Hug Leo’) before you land in Italy
A very essential mantra is to not order the cheesy pasta with sun dried tomatoes in Tokyo! It is uber important to try the local food instead of sticking with the usual favourites. It adds to that unique flavour to your holiday like nothing else does! When you go to Vietnam
-------
PS: I think I was rather excited about my week long vacation in Maharashtra. So much that it even inspired me to write a travel story! This one appeared in MSN’s Lifestyle column on 16th Dec, ’09. My first ever travel story. Yaaaye :)
