World Luxury Travel Dec14.pdf · the quest for the unknown sky. Our cover story on the best Astronomical Tourism destinations on the planet lets stargazers find out the best place

Luxury TravelLuxury TravelVol. 3 Issue 5 December, 2014

WorldWorld

MagazineMagazine

STARGAZERS PARADISEThe best Astronomical Tourismdestinations on the planet

Top Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withAmazing NightlifeAmazing NightlifeAmazing NightlifeAmazing NightlifeAmazing Nightlife

Five AstoundingEcolodges in Asia

January Festivals around the Globe

Editor-in-Chief :Manashree

Travel Writers :Prabha, Jeesha

ContributingPhotographers :Prakash, Marc

Sprengers

Website Counsellor :Pramathesh

Designer :Pranab

Manashree PrakashEditor-in-Chief

Luxury TravelWorld

Magazine

The last month of the year is here. It isamazing how time flies while we

remain busy carrying responsibilities oflife. With the long holidays around thecorner, December is the perfect time totake a break and travel. Just pack your bagsand hop on that plane. Most often such

impromptu trips become the game changers. They teach youmore than you could ever learn in your regular life.

Every tourist belongs to a genre that fulfils his or her deeprooted desire to wander. We at World Luxury Tourism havebeen trying to cater to all the genres of tourism to helptravellers plan the perfect trip. This month, we are addressingthe quest for the unknown sky. Our cover story on the bestAstronomical Tourism destinations on the planet letsstargazers find out the best place for them to visit.

New Year Eve is all about the party at night. Previously, wetalked about the best places to ring in the New Year. Thistime in our City Guide section, we are talking about the TopTe n Cities with Amazing Nightlife. Just drive to the

nearest destination and have a night toremember.

Have you ever felt an urge to just get awayfrom it all? Our Luxe Stays section gives youa few of the amazing spots to do just that.These are unique ecolodges in Asia thathelp you get away from the technology

overload of a big city life. A stay here helpsyou get in touch with nature as well as yourself.

Happy reading!

Vol. 3 Issue 5 December, 2014

Contents

Cover Story5

18City Guide

Top Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withTop Ten Cities withAmazing NightlifeAmazing NightlifeAmazing NightlifeAmazing NightlifeAmazing Nightlife

46 Happenings

January Festivalsaround the Globe


32Luxe StaysSTARGAZERS PARADISEThe best Astronomical Tourismdestinations on the planet

44

World Luxury Travel Magazine

Introducing the MICE Directory bywww.worldluxurytourism.com (WLT)

To get listed, please send us the details of your MICEServices to [email protected]

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C o v e rStory

STARGAZERSPARADISE

The bestAstronomicalTourismdestinationson the planet

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Astro tourism or AstronomicalTourism is exponentially on therise as a result of the latestdiscoveries in the world of space,sophisticated equipment and ournever ending desire to discoverthe unknown. This specialinterest tourism deals with thetreasures of the outer space andmakes it possible to admire itsofferings on a wider spectrum.

Anyone who has gazed upon aclear night sky complete withconstellations, planets, meteorsand astral bodies knows what anenthralling experience it can be.If you want to lie back under acanopy of stars and enjoy thegifts of nature, take a look at ourcompiled list of some of the beststargazing spots in the world:

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Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark SkyReserve, New Zealand

New Zealand is the best place on earthwhere you can indulge in some precious‘nature therapy’. Its Gold Tier Dark SkyReserve is the largest in the world andcovers 1,600 square miles that includesAoraki National Park and part of the

Mackenzie Basin. Aoraki is the Maori namefor Mount Cook, the highest mountain inthe country.

Located in the heart of the Southern Alps,the International Dark Sky Reserve offers a

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twinkling sky that looks surrealgiven its cinematic clarity.According to Bob Parks, theexecutive director of theInternational Dark-SkyAssociation, “To put it simply, it isone of the best stargazing sites onEarth.” Free from light pollution,the star studded night sky lookslike an elaborate, exquisitecanopy above the beautifulsurrounding landscape. TheAoraki Mackenzie StarlightFestival is an event stargazersfrom all over the world lookforward to.

USP: The darkest skies to view theMagellanic Clouds, Saturn’s rings,Jupiter’s moons and distant dwarfgalaxies.

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Atacama Desert, Chile

Chile, South America’s crown jewel inastronomy tourism paints a breath-takingpicture with its powder blue skies and 300days of sunshine. “By the year 2020, Chilewill concentrate over 70 per cent of theworld´s astronomical infrastructure,

representing an investment of USD 6billion,” said Monica Rubio, director of theNational Commission for Scientific andTechnological Research in Chile.

Atacama Desert in the northern part of

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Chile is one of the highest anddriest places with less than amillimetre of rain each year. Itscrystal clear cloudless skies, highaltitude, lack of pollution and radioactivity along with perfect weatherconditions make it ideal forstargazing. Celestial wonders likethe Tarantula Nebula and theFornax Cluster of Galaxies arevisible from here. High up in thedesert, the Paranal Observatory isa stargazer’s paradise and boasts ofthe world’s largest telescope. Theother observatory is La Silla.

USP: Opportunity of stargazing inthe vastness of a dry, sandy desertwith a ‘pure’ sky above with zerocloud cover.

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Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, boasts of one of themost renowned and unique observatoriesof the world. Set atop the 13,796-footdormant volcano that last erupted about4,500 years ago, the observatory has 13

telescopes from 11 different countries. Thedry atmosphere, lack of clouds and lightpollution along with a strategic location inthe midst of the Pacific Ocean contributeto its growing popularity among stargazers.

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The University of Hawaii is of the opinion thatMauna Kea contains a tropical inversion cloudlayer below its summit that swipes off lowermoist maritime air from its upper atmosphere.This in turn provides dry and pollutants free clearskies. The region is apt for beginners as well asprofessional astronomers.

USP: The 14,000-high volcanic summit encircledby the Pacific is a Mecca for stargazers.

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Kiruna, Sweden

Situated in the unspoiled,Swedish Lapland territory 90miles north of the ArcticCircle, the old mining town ofKiruna experiences 24 hourssunlight from May to Julyfollowed by days of darknessduring December andJanuary. The winter monthsallow visitors to bask in themesmerising glow of thenorthern lights when theinterplay of bursting colours

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come to life creating patterns of undeniableglory. The awe-inspiring aurora borealisbeckons tourists from all over the globe.

The Esrange Space Centre in Kiruna is wellknown. The town itself is one of the fastestemerging centres of space tourism in Europe.The popular Ice Hotel is a great location toenjoy a host of adventure sports and engagein a stargazing exploration of the northernlights.

USP: Ideal for stargazing and witnessing acaptivating artwork and masterstroke ofNature in the northern lights.

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Galloway Forest Park, Scotland

Nestled in Scotland’s south-western corner,the Galloway Forest Park was named UnitedKingdom’s first Dark Sky Park in 2009.Sprawling over 185,000 acres with fewbuildings in between, it offers an unendingcanvas to the star gazers. It is possible toview the Andromeda Galaxy, the AuroraBorealis and over 7,000 stars with a nakedeye. The Forestry Commission lists 10viewing sites within the park best suited forstargazing. The Scottish Dark SkyObservatory is also situated here.

According to Martin Morgan-Taylor, theInternational Dark Skies Association’s Britishboard member, “The dark sky park conceptis really about restoring and protecting the

night sky. It ’s an award for effort andcommitment as much as its quality as a darksky.”

USP: The thrill of stargazing in the midst ofstunning valleys, wild forests and untamedwilderness!

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FiveStargazing Tips:

Patience is a virtue as it takes time toadjust your eyes in darknessUse a red torch, red light will notinterfere with your ability to see inthe darkNew moon is the best time for

stargazingPlan your activity around animportant event like a meteorshower for more excitementJoin a club, subscribe to a journaland invest in some qualityequipment for a memorableexperience

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Recently there has been a surge inthe number of tourists hunting forthe best stargazing spots. A swarmof hotels in strategic locations offeropportunities for the same. Goingby the statistics, stargazing as ahobby is set to add anotherdimension to the tourism industryand various hotels as well asdestinations across the globe standto be directly benefitted as a resultof this trend.

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Top Ten CitiesTop Ten CitiesTop Ten CitiesTop Ten CitiesTop Ten Citieswith Amazingwith Amazingwith Amazingwith Amazingwith Amazing

NightlifeNightlifeNightlifeNightlifeNightlife

CityGuide

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Have you ever made a list of all offeringsthat make a perfect vacation? Or for thatmatter what are the pre requisites for adestination to be a huge draw for travellers?While some vacationers prefer sight-seeingand lots of activities, others look foradventure thrills and the rest probably love

to relax amidst breath-taking surroundings.

Irrespective of the type of tourist you are orthe kind of activity you opt for during theday, it goes without saying that the best ofholidays include letting your hair down afterdusk. Take a look at the top ten cities withan amazing nightlife and unwind in style:

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Las Vegas

No list can be complete without the mention ofLas Vegas when it comes to nightlife. Vegas topsour chart for the obvious reasons. There is nodearth of entertainment and of course the funnever ends here. From elite clubs, bars, pubs,discotheques, restaurants, cruises, lounges,casinos to glamourous events, pool parties and allnight revelry, there is something for everyone. Asa premier entertainment destination, Vegas servesthe best staple diet to win over any partygoer.

Every street, every nook andcorner offers an array ofsplendid options to choosefrom. The Sin city has a diversecrowd throughout the year andenjoys unrivalled popularity. Itis one of the best places to goto for a chill-out vacation.

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New York City

Touted as the citythat never sleeps,New York Citydefinitely lives up to itsreputation. You can takeyour pick from warehouseparties in Brooklyn, mega-clubs in Meatpacking, hipsterjoints in the East Village,relaxed lounges, college bars,indie rock shows to upscaleevents and parties, hip-hopand jazz shows, operas and soon. Home to Broadway andsome of the liveliestentertainment hubs you willever come across, it is “theplace” to be for any nightlife lover. The summers

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are delightful with plenty of outdoor events,terrace parties and live music. There arenumerous comedy clubs, stage shows andlocal concerts for the culturally inclined andan assortment of bars, pubs, discothequesand restaurants for the rest. The nightclubsare mostly pricey, upscale and abide by astrict dress code for both genders.

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Miami

Frolicking around the stunningbeaches of Miami will leave you littletime to do anything else; such is thecharm of the place. But fortunately foryou, most of the party scene of the citytakes place around its breath-takingbeaches. Relaxed, laidback andinformal, the nightlife here is both arefreshing variation and a stark

contrast to many of its contemporarieswhere revellers are usually dressed tokill. The beach parties during the dayusually pave way to night long revelry.There are a number of posh nightclubsand cocktail lounges but the real fun isin the outdoor parties complete withhammocks, beach beds and of coursethe gentle sea breeze.

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Bangkok

Bangkok has a reputation of having rowdy after-hours and most touristsconjure images of seedy joints and cheap pubs in reference to nightlife inBangkok. However there is a lot more to the city than it is credited for. Anumber of posh nightclubs, elite bars and trendy lounges grace the partyscene in Bangkok. Classy, cosmopolitan and ever ready to cater to differenttastes and mind-sets, the metropolis is in a league of its own. Scrumptiousfood, warm hospitality and value for money pretty much sum up the wayof life here. Try a slice of it and before long you will be craving for more!

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Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, popularly known as the city of Samba,is unique, pulsating and effervescent to say the least.The nightlife here is as vibrant as the city itself andreflects its undying spirit for fun and frolic. Over thetop glamour, street parties, carnivals, bars and clubsare synonymous with Rio. Live music, samba and beachparties are common and a greatway to let your hair down asyou groove to the beats ofthe Rio’s rhythmic tune.

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Los Angeles

The glitz and glamour that surrounds Los Angeles very wellseeps into its nightlife. Being the hotspot of movieproducers, actors, actresses and other celebrities, it boastsof innumerable V.I.P joints, contemporary clubs, cafes,parties and events. The calendar is almost always fullthroughout the year and there is a lot to look forward tofor visitors. Downtown LA’s vibrant nightlife is highlysought after. However it is advisable not to naively assumeyou will rub shoulders with celebrities and socialites justbecause you are in Los Angeles. Since most of theaforementioned hubs usually come with specialenclosures and private seating arrangements.

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Paris

Paris is as much about fashion, art andarchitecture as it is about parties and oldschool glamour. Traditionally affluent andever so refined, it practically sums upeverything that the good life offers. Aptlynamed as ‘the city of lights’, Paris comes alivebeautifully once the sun goes down. Theiconic buildings dazzle in the glowing lights,the champagne keeps coming andconversations flow effortlessly as the click

of heels and jewellery blend in with themusic that keeps the city awake till weehours. Cabaret shows have beenquintessential to the French capital but forthose who prefer otherwise, the clubs andbars are plenty. If you are lucky you mighteven hobnob with the A-listers fromHollywood. Sample the delicious food anddrinks here while basking in the magic ofthe land.

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London

London presents a potpourri of delightsthat include comedy cabarets, swankyboutique bars, live music, traditional pubsand not to mention opera shows of variousgenres. The typical pubs and bars are moretolerant of the somewhat clueless touriststhan their trendy, chic counterparts. Expectto shell out a good amount of money if you

are looking to have a night of out and outfun in Britain’s best. The good news is yourchoices are plenty. Drinking and dancingoptions are endless as well!

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Amsterdam

Though famous for its red light district andquaint coffee shops, Amsterdam in realitycomes with immense possibilities. Thenightlife here is pretty casual and upbeat.Most of the haunts are free to get in but somecharge a minimum fee. The popular hangoutsare typically concentrated around theLeidseplein and the Rembrandtplein. Boththese squares are adequately adorned withbustling hangout locations. The Dutch areknown for being laidback. They usually enjoya relaxed night out rather than wild parties.That explains the popularity of the coffeeshops and bars. In fact there are special barsfor those who love cocktails, beers or whisky.

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Tokyo

The best way or perhaps the only way to describe the spirit of Tokyois that it is international and cosmopolitan. Its global outlookstranscends to every sphere of life here. Be it shopping or parties,everything takes place on a grand scale. The energy is eclectic; thevenues are amazing and the temptations undeniable. In the glow

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of the neon lights and thepaper lanterns, the citytransforms and reinventsitself as one of the mostravishing party destinationsaround.

Having a little fun never hurt anyone andif you are on a holiday, you might as well checkout the local hotspots and sign up for a whirlwind time.As long as you take some basic safety measures, youwill be good to go, soaking in the charm and energyand exploring unchartered territories.

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LuxeStays

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“For every towel that you don’t put out, we will plant a tree”,reads a sign in an environment-friendly hotel. The hand thatyou stretch out unthinkingly to hand over your towel for washingis reaching out to grab some of the depleting resources of theplanet. Sounds extreme? Take a look at some interestingstatistics:

An average household in Canada uses 326 litres of water in aday. A village of 700 people in a developing country uses around500 litres per month. A single guest in a luxury hotel uses 1800litres of water per night!

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By 2020, there will be 1.5 billioninternational travellers - all using upvarious forms of precious resources offuel, electricity, water etc. The planetis in need of every helping hand it canget. The hotel industry has animportant contribution to make too!‘Green hotels’ and eco-friendly hotelsare the rage now. The more we makethe shift towards ‘going green’ thebetter the chances of survival for ourbeautiful planet. In this context, let ustake a look at some hotels which aredoing a wonderful job in this regard.

Today our spotlight is on someoutstanding eco-lodges in Asia.

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Kumbuk River Resort, Sri Lanka

Sleep in the belly of an elephant, relax in the surrealglow of lamp lights and get lost in the heart ofNature! This is Kumbuk River Resort, a 16-acre gemtucked away on the banks of River Kumbukkan Oya,bordering the famous Yala Wild Life Sanctuary. Thislovely eco-lodge is famous for its mainaccommodation - the elephant-shaped, two-storeyed eco- villa, made of straw and wood. Thetwo large bedrooms and lounge area with livingspaces echo the rustic theme of wood and lamplight.The same feel is carried forward in the mud and

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thatch Kumbukchalet with itsopen courtyard,tree shower andsolar lighting. Ifyou desire luxury,choose the TreeLuxuria - the air-conditioned cabinamidst tree tops.Television, fridge, showercubicle with hot water jetsand gorgeous views from anupper deck are all available here.

Attractions: Rafting, river bathing,fishing, hiking, suspension bridgecrossing, Dematamal Viharaya and theMaligawila temples, surfing inArugam Bay, Yala National Park.

Note: A total of only 12 guests maystay here at a time.

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4 Rivers Floating Eco Lodge, Cambodia

Set like a string of pearls on the Tatai River, this 12-tented eco-lodge is nestled in the lap of nature. Lushgreenery, blue waters and the magnificentCardamom Mountains make up the breath-takinglandscape. Situated about four hours from PhnomPenh, the resort is accessible by the Highway 48which cuts through the jungle and a short boatjourney from Tatai village. The floating tents areconnected by a boardwalk. Each tent stands on its

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own platform with enoughdistance to maintainprivacy. Twelve luxury,double and twin-bedAfrican style tented villasprovide accommodation.Each villa has a flat screentelevision, DVD player and amini-bar. ‘Escape’ is thekeyword here and theprivate balcony is theperfect place to do thiswhile sipping cocktails orany of your favourite drinks.Sustainability finds place inthe environment friendlybuilding materials, wastewater treatment systemand the involvement oflocals in the running of theresort.

Attractions: Jungle trekking tours, mangrove kayaking,Tatai waterfalls, Sunset Cruise, wildlife watching.

Wow: The surrounding rainforest eco-region harboursover 100 mammal and 553 bird species. Rare orendangered species include the Javan rhinoceros,pileated gibbon, the silver oriole and great hornbill.

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Desa Seni, Bali

Wander into aworld of thatch-roofed

wooden huts, delightfulnooks, colourful flowers

and mind and body wellness.This is Desa Seni literally

meaning art village. Located inCanggu, this eco-village consists of

refurbished, traditional houses.Each home is uniquely decorated

with colourful furnishings and artpieces reflecting the Indonesian

culture. Wellness can be sought in‘Svaasthya’, which offers a range ofwonderful body treatments includingacupuncture and massages. Yogasessions are an important part of thewellness themed life here. Around 30guests can stay here at any given time.The delicious food is organic with 80

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per cent being grown inthe resort itself. Theresort is built withrecycled or sustainablematerials. Measureslike use of organicdrinking straws and bio-degradable washingproducts; re-useprogram of sheets andtowels are all gearedtowards sustainability.Desa Seni is alsoinvolved in severalcommunity welfareprogrammes. Theunique blend of beauty,wellness and harmonymake this a trulymagical place to stay in.

Attractions: Wellnessand cultural activities,yoga, art, dance,meditation, saltwaterlap pool.

Fancy that: The resortsits right in the middleof lush paddy fields!

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Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam

This Six Senses beach resort is located inthe strikingly beautiful surroundings ofVietnam’s unspoilt Con Dao Island. Thelocation is a Marine National Park.Accommodation comes in the shape of 50antique-wood-panelled luxury villas thatblend in beautifully with the naturalsurroundings. The villas have privateinfinity pools and spacious dining andsitting spaces. DVD players, a flat-screen

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TV, free Wi-Fi, butler service, superbbathrooms and gorgeous ocean views arethe added perks. The lovely spa is theperfect place to rejuvenate body and mind.Four dining options offer delicious freshfood bursting with flavours. The beauty ofthe entire resort lies in the way it integratesluxury with sustainability. The resort istotally committed to preserving andprotecting the Marine National Park.

Attractions: Snorkelling, Scuba diving, gym,Con Dao historical and prison tour, turtle

discovery, trek to lighthouse.

Wow: The resort uses 100 per cent bio-degradable golf balls. If they fall in waterthey dissolve completely down to inner corecomposed of fish food.

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Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia

Set in the heart of the Gobi desert againstthe backdrop of the majestic Gobi-AltaiMountain Range, The Three Camel Lodgeis a unique resort. The lodge consists of 20deluxe gers (traditional felt tents), which use

wooden stoves for heating, and furnishedwith hand-painted wooden king-size beds.Luxury amenities include privatebathrooms, Mongolian bathrobes,indigenous toiletries and camel milk

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moisturising lotions. The Dino House at the centre is built like aMongolian temple and provides indoor game options, a smalllibrary, music and dance performances for guests. Thereis also a spa for massages and other treatments.Amazing food is served at the BulagtaiRestaurant using locally grown, organic fruitsand vegetables. Guests can quench theirthirst at the naturally geo-cooled ThirstyCamel Bar that serves a wide range of drinks.The lodge is a shining example of environmentand cultural sustainability. It participates inconservation, sponsors local projects, recycles itsorganic waste and largely uses solar and wind energy.

Attractions: Naadam Festival (June 21 – August 2), BulganSoum, Havtsgait petroglyphs, Moltsog Els Sand Dunes, Flaming Cliffs.

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Did you know: Constructed in accordance with MongolianBuddhist architecture, the buildings in the lodge have been builtwithout using a single nail!

Travelling with Conscience

Each of the eco-resorts featured here are unique in their ownway. Whether it is an elephant shaped resort, a tented lodge ina vast desert or luxury villas on a beautiful beach, each onestands out for providing a setting, a holiday and an experiencethat is unforgettable. Their commitment to sustainability andtheir contribution in helping us travel with a conscience islaudable!

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January FestivalsJanuary FestivalsJanuary FestivalsJanuary FestivalsJanuary Festivalsaround thearound thearound thearound thearound the

GlobeGlobeGlobeGlobeGlobe

Happenings

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The celebratory zest of the New Year spillsonto the festivals in the opening month ofthe year. This time let us explore somefestivals not featured before, as well as somelesser known celebrations across the world.Not to give the major ones a miss, we shallbe taking a peek at them too! Take a look atwhat January brings in the way of festivalsacross the globe.

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Rose Parade

Place: Pasadena,California, USA

Dates: January 1

The Rose Parade is allabout floral beauty,creativity and headyperfumes of course.The Tournament ofRoses Associationorganises this event.

The major attractionof the festival consists ofthe eye-catching floatsbeautifully bedecked with

flowers, grass, bark etc.

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Marching bands which come from all over theworld, choosing of the Rose Queen, theequestrian events and the famous footballgame played at the Rose Bowl are some ofthe most popular and integral components ofthe event. The popularity of the event is suchthat an audience of millions watches thetelevised event.

Fun Fact: 60 volunteers working 10 hours aday for 10 days are needed to decorate justone float!

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Junkanoo Parade

Place: Nassau, Bahamas

Dates: January 1

This is a vibrant festival,exploding with brilliant colours,sounds and high energy and spirits.The festival traces its origins to the 17th

century when plantation slaves got leavefor Christmas celebrations with theirfamilies and friends. Thousands of peopleparticipate in this street parade dazzling incolourful, flamboyant and highly creativecostumes and masks. The lively rhythm ofbrass instruments, drums and cowbells addto the charged atmosphere.

Fun Fact: Participating groups prepare formonths to win the coveted prizes for bestcostume, music and overall presentation.

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International Kite Festival

Place: Gujarat, India

Dates: January 14

To celebrate the shift of the sun to theNorthern Hemisphere, Indians celebratethe popular festival of Makar Sankranti.Associated with the festival is the popularand fun-filled event of kite flying. Thefestival sees the skies dotted with colourfulkites in an array of shapes and sizes. Thisyear a laser and sound show has beenadded to the festival. Kite-flyingenthusiasts from all over the world gatherhere to watch and participate in thisinteresting event. The participants are

serious about the sport and friendly yetfierce competition ensues to gainsupremacy over the sky. Single or ingroups, fliers focus intently on their kites,navigating them safely away from rivalswho will be trying to snap the kite’s thread.The kite market, food stalls, speciallyilluminated kites for night and culturalperformances are the added attractions.

Fun Fact: Preparing the strings of the kiteswith coatings of finely powdered glass tomake them stronger is an art in itself!

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Camel Wrestling Festival

Place: Selcuk, Turkey

Dates: January 18

Exploit the natural instincts of camels during the mating seasonand what do you get? A quirky sport that sees the male bullscharging at one another in a combat that combines action with adose of humour. Camel fighting is more than a thousand year oldtradition, especially popular in the Aegean Coast of Turkey. Passions

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are triggered by parading a female camel before the malebulls. In order to impress the lady, the camels wrestle withone another, butting, spitting and finally knocking theopponent to the ground or chasing it away. Spectators, watchout! The disgruntled loser could charge straight towards you!This raises the thrill (as long as you don’t get kicked or shotwith camel spit). Behind the excitement of the sport, thereis serious training and great expense that go in for the ownerto maintain the camel in prime condition.

Fun Fact: Around 2000 Tulu (wrestling) camels are there inTurkey raised specially for the sport!

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International MonteCarlo Circus Festival

Place: Monte Carlo,Monaco

Dates: January 15-25

Prince Rainier, like allchildren, was fascinatedwith circuses. In 1974, heinstituted the Monte-Carlo International CircusFestival to showcase thetalents of this industryand garner theappreciation it so richlydeserved. The annualfestival features breath-taking performances byanimals, clowns andacrobats. Troupes from allover the world dazzle theaudiences while vying forthe most coveted award,‘The Golden Clown’among other awards.Around 25 acts are

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featured, showcased twice beforeaudiences and a prestigious jury.Traditionally the Prince of Monaco presidesover the selection and awards ceremonies.Perhaps the grandest circus show on earthwas staged here in 2006, as a tribute to thedeceased Prince Raimier III. The five-hourshow starred some of the greatest stars ofthe circus world uniting to create aspectacular show. Prince Albert II and hissister Princess Stephanie of Monaco are thecurrent patrons of the festival.

Fun Fact: The New Generation Festival hasbeen instituted in 2012 to encourage newtalent in the circus world!

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World Beer Festival

Place: Columbia, SC

Dates: January 17

Columbia is all set tocelebrate the 7th WorldBeer Festival inJanuary. Beer loverswill get a chance tosample over 200 craftand specialty beersfrom all over the world.A general admissionticket of $40 will getyou a tasting glass withunlimited 2-ouncetastings. There is also aVIP ticket for $75 thatwill get additional

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goodies like a bonus selection ofrare beers and a private VIP lounge.So what are the events to lookforward to this year? The festival willhighlight offerings from local SouthCarolina breweries. There will bemore beers from the Palmetto Stateand Belgian beer on the stands forthe first time. Cheese and beerpairings, live music, more foodchoices and the popular Silent Discowill all be part of the festival.

Fun Fact: The festival is organised bythe All About Beer Magazine!

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Documents

World Luxury Travel Dec14.pdf · the quest for the unknown sky. Our cover story on the best Astronomical Tourism destinations on the planet lets stargazers find out the best place