TOP 15 WISHLIST JOURNEYS

 

1. KAILASH MANASAROVAR –

An Inner Journey

Will you be called this year to visit this holiest of all holy mountains? Will you be invited by its famous resident to make the divine trek and seek his blessings?

Click here to know more.

 

2. ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – Evolution, Not Revolution 

No amount of study can prepare you for the absolute magic that the Galapagos Islands hold. From the world’s only seagoing marine iguanas to giant turtles to stunning boobie birds – every inch of this volcanic island bubbles with life. 

Click here to know more

 

3. ZAMBIA WALKING SAFARI – Spectacular Wildlife Viewing in Comfort and Style

Live it up in the spectacular African bush. Enjoy terrific sightings of the magnificent wild animals of Africa in great comfort and luxury in the well-appointed lodges in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Click here to know more.

 

4. ANTARCTICA – The Last Continent

The ultimate travel destination. Go on an expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland
Islands to experience the fascinating and extreme part of our planet – the last pristine region of Mother Earth.

Click here to know more.

 

5. GLAMPING IN THE ARCTIC – Canadian Beluga Whale Watching

Somerset Island in the far Canadian North is the world’s best place to spot the beluga whale. That too, in the comfort of a well-appointed lodge strategically located at a migration site.

Click here to know more.

 

 

6. TRANS–SIBERIAN – The Last Great Train Adventure

A railway journey that covers almost one-third of the Earth’s surface. Get on board the Tsar’s Gold Train, and watch the landscape unfold from Moscow all the way to Beijing via Lake Baikal and Mongolia.

Click here to know more.

 

7. MOROCCO PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR – Blue your mind

If blue is your favorite color, we have just the place for you. Discover ‘The Blue Pearl of Morocco’ deep inside the Rif Mountains. And capture your blue feelings with help from an internationally acclaimed photographer mentoring you.

Click here to know more.

 

8. MONGOLIA PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR – Mongolia In A Snap

Go on a photo tour with an international award-winning photographer. Discover the lives of throat singers and traditional nomad families who are an intrinsic part of the distinctive Mongolian landscape.

Click here to know more.

 

 

9. NORTHERN LIGHTS – Lights, Camera, Action

Deep inside the Finnish Lapland, sleep under the stars (literally) as you plonk yourself on a bed in a glass igloo.
Resign yourself to the most sought-after travel experience in the world – catching the ever elusive Northern Lights. 

Click here to know more.

 

10. CENTRAL EUROPE – Europe’s Beating Hearts

Imagine a trip that combines three majestic cities of central Europe – Vienna, Prague, Budapest! Stunning architecture, evolved culture, resplendent parks and gardens, exquisite cuisine and heaving with modern history. Great for kids, brilliant for adults.

Click here to know more.

 

11. BHUTAN – Boost Your Happiness Index

Imagine a country that measures its productivity by Gross National Happiness! This beautiful kingdom is tiny but large of heart. We have a special itinerary for senior citizens who can enjoy this exotic land in great comfort.

Click here to know more.

 

12. FAMILY FUN IN SWITZERLAND – Picture Postcard View In 3D

Switzerland is great fun for the whole family. Its natural beauty is incomparable, while its manmade charms are unbeatable. Go on a chocolate tour, zoom in a toboggan, and make fairy tale towns come alive.

Click here to know more.

 

13. CANADIAN ROCKIES – Rockies-N-Roll

When Nature shows off, she does it in Canada. Visit some of the most scenic landscapes on Planet Earth and take it all in via various modes of transport – on land, water, and air. It will leave you mesmerized.

Click here to know more.

 

14. JAPAN CHERRY BLOSSOM Visit Yesterday And Tomorrow… Today

Japan is a country where the future and the past have a blissful coexistence. Absorb the unique Japanese culture,
observe their terrific attention to detail and bask in their hospitality. Compose a haiku as the sakura blossoms.

Click here to know more.

 

15. EGYPT – From Here To Eternity

Explore this timeless land in luxury and style. Relive its magnificent history as you visit its greatest monuments.
Take a relaxing cruise along the Nile. Dive right into the buzz of Cairo. Pause and wonder about it all.

Click here to know more.

Insiders view of Vienna

 

The Wanderers in conversation with Verena Hable

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 Vienna.

 

Vienna is one of the safest places in the world and is also the city with the highest quality of living.

What is a must buy when in Vienna?

Fine hand-crafted pieces from the former so called Purveyors to the Imperial Court. This can be anything from confectionary to porcelain, from jewellery to headgear.

One take-away after a visit to Vienna?

Sweets – Be it a whole Sacher cake (available in different sizes), nostalgic chocolates from Demel or tiny confectionaries from Altmann und Kühne!

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Look behind the imperial facade!

Despite its history, Vienna is one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in Europe.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Vienna.

Vienna is a very walkable city, so definitely bring shoes you are comfortable walking in.

One activity anyone travelling to Vienna should not miss..

Take your time and visit a coffee house the way the locals do: have a coffee, browse through the international newspapers and have a chat with the people on the table next to yours.

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

On the iconic Enzi designer benches in the Museums Quarter, one of Europe’s largest cultural districts.

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

The best place for a panoramic photo would be the restaurant – ‘Le Loft’, on the top floor of the hotel Sofitel with a 360 degree panorama view.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Rent a boat and drift around on the calm waters of the Old Danube.

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

A romantic picnic in the green vineyards with a stunning view on the city centre. Many wineries offer readymade picnic baskets with delicacies, a bottle of wine, wine glasses and a blanket.

Best place to have local food?

Try one of the markets, e.g. Naschmarkt, Vienna’s most popular market.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend.

In so called ‘Heurigen’ restaurants, traditional wine taverns with local food, you should try ‘Kaiserspritzer’- white wine mixed with sparkling water and some elder syrup. Be sure to have a ‘Brettljause’, a dish including a little bit of everything they offer.

One place only the locals would know.

The Restaurant Pöschl, in the very city centre offers genuine Viennese kitchen and is so not touristy. They don’t even have a website!

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

The area around Gumpendorfer Straße (between Naschmarkt and Mariahilfer Straße) is full with bars and cafés of all styles.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see

Popfest – a free open air festival in the middle of the city centre and in front of beautiful Karlskirche. 2014 will be its 5th birthday!

The things guide books will not tell anyone about Vienna?

Do not buy bottled water!

Tap water in Vienna is not only safe to drink, it’s actually really healthy as it is mineral water coming in a pipeline directly from the Alps.

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

Vienna can be visited all times of the year: While in summer the operas and theatres are closed and the locals enjoy spending time outside, winter is time for the indoor activities such as balls and museums.

In one sentence, Vienna is.

The best of Europe in a nutshell.

Verena Hable works with the Vienna Tourist Board handling media relations for Japan, China, India, Russia and the Middle Eastern Countries.