Tag: experiences

Insiders view of Israel

The Wanderers in conversation with Madah Hassan

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place..

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to ISRAEL?

It is the lowest point on earth – The Dead Sea and also the Holy Land of three religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

 

What is a must buy when in ISRAEL?

Dead Sea products that contain ingredients that are healthy for the skin and souvenirs from Jerusalem.

One take-away after a visit to ISRAEL?

Israel takes you back thousands of years and into the future that has all the new and innovative technologies.

What is your advice to first time travelers?

Talk to the locals, they will be happy to assist.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to ISRAEL

Pack your smile and your smartphone, you can also use travel apps as some of the cities have free Wi-Fi.

One activity anyone travelling to ISRAEL should not miss.

Floating on Dead Sea and to be covered with mud.

Where should anyone, travelling to ISRAEL, definitely get their picture taken?

Floating on the Dead Sea and one with the oldest city of Jerusalem in the background.

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

Jaffa

 

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Masada near the Dead Sea for sunrise and Tel Aviv beach for sunset.

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

The Galilee area in the north

Best place to have local food?

Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, Carmel market in Tel-Aviv and flea market in Jaffa (Yafo).

Yafo Market

Your favorite local dish and drink that you would recommend.

The orange juice from the Israeli oranges and the Falafel and Hummus of Israel.

One place only the locals would know.

You will see the locals eating and drinking at all the small places in the markets

 The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink.

I can’t recommend one because you have plenty of them and can choose from depending on your mood.

At night the flea market in Jaffa turns into a gathering place for youngsters from that area to drink and dine and the bars in Dizengoff Blvd. is a place where Tel-Avivian meet to drink in the evening as well as at night.

In Jerusalem, people meet near Jaffa Blvd where most of the pubs and bars are placed.

 A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see

The Jazz festival in Eilat

The things guide books will not tell anyone about ISRAEL

It’s better to discover things on your own than to rely on guide books.

Tel Aviv: A sidewalk cafe

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to ISRAEL and what would that reason be?

You can travel to Israel any time of the year. Since, Israel is a very small country the temperatures vary from region- region. Like, it could be snowing in the north and at the same time people would be swimming in Eilat in the south.

In one sentence, ISRAEL is  Land of Creation. You will love it from the first Shalom (Hello in Hebrew).

I was appointed as Director of the Israel Government Tourist Office in India, which opened officially on May 1, 2013. This is the first time an official IGTO was operating in the country.

 I was born in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, in a small village but have lived in many other places: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Natanya, Herzilya and more. I have been serving at the Head office of the Israel Ministry of Tourism since 2008, and have been supervising marketing programs for tourism to Israel from North and South America before moving to India. 

In the previous role I was working in the tourism product department and through my work there I have travelled all over the country (which is easy actually in such a tiny place) and have visited all small and tiny sites and attractions.

 

 

Summer Escapes This Season

Many travelers want to discover places across the world which are off the routine tourist circuit and experience magical moments drawn up from their wishlist. So, for those last minute vacation planners who are yet to decide we have chalked out some incredible vacations this summer from places as diverse as Mt. Kailash in Tibet toKalimantan in Borneo or Nubra Valley in Ladakh. From an experience as eclectic as a camping safari in Tanzania or trek through thick forests in search of the mountain gorilla. Whatever experience the traveler seeks this season, our team of wanderers should be able to come up with something truly special.

Canadian Rocky mountain adventure

get up close and personal in Canada with this self drive tour! You pick up your vehicle at Calgary and after that you go about exploring Western Canada at your own pace and time. From Calgary, drive through the magnificent Rocky Mountains to Banff. Stop when fancy takes you to admire the scenery. Explore Banff town and the National Park after which you drive down to the “Jewel of the Rockies” Lake Louise.

Check out the  Canadian Rocky Mountain Adventure

Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda

Those who love nature and love to see different aspects of it – be it the wild animals or as popularly called in Africa the ‘Big 5’, the colourful birds or the elusive mountain gorilla! This tour takes you to several national parks for game viewing. And takes you on a trek through the thick rainforest in search of Mountain Gorillas.

Check out our Gorilla Tracking adventure

Taste of Borneo

the mystical jungles of Borneo. The spectacular areas of rainforest, the National Parks, sighting of the wild man from Borneo” – the Orang-utan – either in the wild or in one of the rehabilitation centres in Sabah, Sarawak or Kalimantan, be in awe at the Clearwater Cave and head out Poring Hot Springs for treetop canopy walk.

Check out our latest Borneo adventure. 

Climb the Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Challenge yourself with ‘Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro’ – the Wanderers escorted climb and camp trip! Spread over 9 days, exult in knowing the Kilimanjaro (inside – out). Africa’s tallest and earth’s highest freestanding mountain, it towers above the east African plain. Its highest summit is 5895 meters. Temperatures range from 85 degrees F to sub zero. 15,000 people attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro every year and almost half fail. But, the real adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro is in making the journey—regardless of whether the summit is reached or not.

Check out the climb to Mount Kilimanjaro. 

For culture lovers

If you are keen on combining Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia at one go, the Grand Indochina tour is perhaps what you are looking for. This fortnight long fixed date departure covers the best of the 3 countries.

 Salamanca and Portugal tour

See the best of Portugal with its best of monuments, beautiful beaches, churches and diverse architecture. Start your trip at Avila, a world heritage city before moving on to Salamanca, known for its 2 cathedrals. Visit the headquarters of one of Europe’s oldest Universities in Coimbra. Attend a mass at the Shrine of the Virgin of Fatima at Fatima.

Don’t miss the Spanish Exotica

Spain with its different traditions and culture, glorious art and architecture and friendly people makes for a delightful experience. Starting with Madrid, the vibrant capital, home to bull fighting. Start your introduction to the history of this country with a city tour and visit to Toledo, the capital of medieval Spain until 1560, Cordoba, one of the most interesting cities in Andalusia. Find out more about this trip!

India escapes this summer:

If jungles, high mountains and unique culture excite you, to visit North East India with time spent in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam is the perfect way of unwinding.

Explore the heritage village of Pragspur. Experience the mysticism of Jwalamukhi Temple and revel in the beautiful Kangra paintings in an old temple in Dada Siba”. Picnic by the river Beas and lunch at quaint dhabha which offer delectable North Indian cuisine. Explore the picture perfect retreat of Dharamshala – Dalai Lama’s abode and for nature lovers, visit the Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary, all in our 9 Days Western Himachal package.

Wanderers Leh Ladakh Adventure

The highlight of 11 days passage to Leh tour starting from Delhi is the spectacular 485km journey from Manali to Leh crossing some of the highest passes in the world. Rohtang, Baralacha, LachlungLa and TanglangLa. Passes that are closed during the winter months open for a brief while during the summer months of June to September. It is arguably the most beautiful stretch of road in the Indian Himalayas!

Check out our exciting Ladakh package.

Wanderers Trip of a lifetime: Kailash Yatra

Traveling overland from Kathmandu (Nepal) on this 14 day tour to Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which lies in the Southwestern part of Tibet, is an incredible experience. It is an epic pilgrimage to the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, that is considered the most sacred and revered pilgrimage for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists alike. En route you can see the world’s highest mountains, travel on the world’s highest plain, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst burning butter lamps and chanting monks of Tibet’s ancient and legendary Buddhist monasteries. The numbing cold at night, the harsh sun during the day, the bitter winds, the looming solitude and the everlasting dust are a constant companion.

We have just announced our 14 day trip over the Tibetan plateau to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Kathmandu. Dep is on 27 July, 2012. We plan to take up to 16 people on this trip. The roads are much better these days as the highway to Kailash is mostly metalled, unlike in the past.

Click hereto check out the Kailash Yatra 

Wanderers Travel Diaries:

Walk in the Clouds- Sikkim, by Shubendu Banerjee

Shubendu Banerjee is a passionate traveler. From the misty mountains of Sikkim to the dense jungles of Bandipur in Karnataka he has traveled to give a free reign to his adventurous spirit. Now, settled in Bangalore with his wife and son he continues to wander into unknown territories as often as his job allows him to. Read More

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