TRAVEL SPECIAL ......................RELAXING HOLIDAYS - COASTAL DELIGHTS

RELAXING HOLIDAYS - COASTAL DELIGHTS   Be it stick fishing, delicious cuisine, UNESCO World Heritage Sites or flea markets, plan your next vacation to Sri Lanka, Thailand and Seychelles. This summer is all about new experiences Unwind by the beach FAMILY FUN Region: Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has beautiful beach es, warm people, delicious seafood and multiple adventure sports for tourists. In Sri Lanka, bond with family over these activities: Visit the Temple of the Tooth which is housed in a temple complex in Kandy . Spot Leopard in Yala National Park in Hambantota. The manicured tea estates at Nurweya Eliya are the heart of Sri Lanka's tea in dustry, this charming throwback to the country's colonial years is rich with the heritage of England. Hop on a train. The most beautiful route is from Colombo on the coast to Nurweya Eliya in the highlands, chugging its way past spectacular scenes. Sigiriya is the fortress whose history dates back to the 5th Century AD. Stock on lots of water, the tall climb is sure to make you tired. Visit the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage and feed the calf milk and watch them take a leisurely river bath. Dambulla Caves is one of the largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Time to get spiritual. http:www.srilanka.travel Explore the undiscovered GREEN COVER Region: Thailand D itch the tried and tested destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi and Koh Samui. Head to North Thailand to experience Thai living, mountainous landscapes and pristine beaches. Phayao is sur rounded by mountains and valleys, antique wooden houses and peaceful lakeside setting that lure tourists to spend weeks together in this quiet tourists to spend weeks together in this quiet town. Nan is located approx 670 kms from Bangkok, is known for its rural setting and historic temples. Take your kids to Ban Bo Luang, a village long associated with the extraction of salt from local salt wells. Doi Phu Kha National Park is home to the highest peak as well as several hill-tribe villages, while Khun Nan National Park boasts of easy trail. Chiang Mai is also known to be the umbrella making capital of the world. There are more than 30 temples in Chiang Mai with Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, and pagodas laced with gold filigree. http:www.tourismthailand.org Thread in family time ISLAND PARADISE Region: Seychelles Abeaches, cluster of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean with pristine white sand Seychelles makes for a perfect destination for Indians. We suggest spend summers with corals, spot endangered magpie and more.Here are the three must-visit islands: Bird Island is located about 60 miles from the main island of Mahe. Spread over 170 acres the island is covered in corals and lined with the purest white sand. Cousine Island is mainly known for its intensive nature conservation programmes. In the last few years, 2,000 indigenous trees have been planted, and 12 endangered magpie robins have been introduced along with a couple of thousand nesting birds (fairy terns, sooty terns, shearwaters, brush warblers) and four giant tortoises. La Digue Island has stunning beaches of silky white sand that are lapped by turquoise seas. Cycle on the Anse Source D'Argent Beach. La Digue's west coast, south of La Passe, is protected by a reef, creating calm water, ideal for snorkelling. http:www.seychelles.travel
Compiled by Rashmi Hemrajani

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