BY SHIKHA
Some of my favorite childhood memories are the joyful times spent with my parents on a holiday, isolated from ordinary everyday activities. Between work commitments, household chores and day-to-day busyness of life, it’s easy for the family vacation to take a backseat. However, breaks with your loved ones are essential to keep the bond intact while stepping outside the comfort zone and having some fun. As I am thinking of my long-due adventure with my husband and parents, Bali comes to mind.
Yes, you can enjoy million-dollar Swiss views without burning a hole in your pocket!
Switzerland conjures up many images. The best cheese in the world, magnificent snow-covered peaks, melt-in-mouth, smooth and creamy chocolates and rolling green hills dotted with grazing cows and wooden chalets. If there is one thing Switzerland isn’t synonymous with, it’s the word “budget”. The Alpine country is frequently featured in the list of “world’s most expensive countries” and a poorly-planned Swiss trip can certainly cost a fortune. However, a bit of research, smart timing, and a knack for cost cutting can make your trip a lot less pricey than you think.
Quick tips for saving big bucks in Switzerland
1. Swiss travel pass. To buy or not to buy?
Let 2018 be the year of fulfilling of travel goals. From Deccan rail travel to floating in the Dead Sea, here are a few must-do, once-in-a-lifetime experiences
ROMANCE DECCAN INDIA IN A WORLD-CLASS LUXURY TRAIN
If you’re someone with a deep interest in politics, a visit to the former political prison on Robben Island should top your list of “must-dos in and around Cape Town”
Santa Monica isn’t just another coastal paradise. It’s a place where art, nature, adventure and urban excitement converge
While soft, sandy beaches, wavy palm trees, sun-lit eateries and orange-pink sunsets heavily contribute to its good looks, it is the vibrant cultural scene and neighborhoods loaded with character that really make it enviable. Santa Monica aptly combines the laid-back appeal of a beach town with big-city sophistication, sprinkled with Riviera-style romance and Hollywood glamour. Yes, you have excellent odds of spotting a celebrity or at least someone who seems like they could be one. With beautiful bodies working out everywhere around you, Santa Monica is as inspirational as it is charming. Spend time here and you’ll quickly discover how much SaMo packs in its compact area that can be easily explored on foot.
HOW ABOUT A CLASSIC CALIFORNIA WORKOUT?
Whether you’re a fitness pro or a light-hearted, Instagramming babe, there’s never a shortage of ways to get active here. Head to the original Muscle Beach where the bodybuilding movement of the 20th century began and it seems like everyone on the beach can stand on their hands! They make it seem like cakewalk but it really isn’t, and you only realise this when you dare to try a few body-balancing acts yourself. Looking for an aquatic challenge?
Touring Europe by rail is romantic, inspiring, and if you’re travelling for the first time, a bit complicated. You get to the station and hop on the right train? No, it isn’t that easy. When it comes to European trains, you need to plan in advance and take a series of decisions before you step on the train, and this is likely to make you feel dizzy! So, before you dream of taking in the unmatched scenery from your cosy compartment, here’s what you must know Read more
Cool, cultured and casual are the words that aptly describe South Australia’s capital city – Adelaide. When here, keep these at the top of your list
LET A BAMBOO TREECYCLE TAKE YOU AROUND
These eco-friendly bicycle tours (starting $5) are cheaper than catching a bus, train, or taxi
When in Adelaide, travel slow, literally. How about going around the city in an eco-friendly passenger bike built from bamboo? The treecycle is run by young, fit and charismatic home-grown caddies who know the city well and promise to show you around with all their passion, providing interesting insights now and then. All you got to do is download the Eco Caddy app and choose your favourite caddy to pick you up. With Adelaide being the 20-minute city – it’s called so as everything is pretty close and easy to get to – with a flat terrain, it’s perfect for bike rides. Plus, there’s so much buzz that if you move through it too quickly, you’re likely to miss out on the fun. When travelling in this treecycle, you can easily hop on and hop off wherever you like!
GET ON THAT ROOF
If you’re a cricket-loving Indian, you’re definitely in for one of the most exhilarating adventures at the picturesque test cricket ground – Adelaide Oval. Register for a 2-hour guided climb across the stadium’s unique roofline, put on your suit and safety harness and enjoy stunning views of Adelaide, stretching out to the Adelaide Hills on one side and the coast on the other. Or book an evening climb to see the city bathed in magical twilight glow. At the end of the tour, you not only return with an achievement certificate and a printed snap for memory, but also knowing a lot more about the city. Read more
