TRAVEL SPECIAL ......DOWN THE UNCONVENTIONAL ROUTE

DOWN THE UNCONVENTIONAL ROUTE





Prefer an offbeat holiday destination this winter? Check out the following

Winter sojourns are not just about snowy mountains and icy glaciers. While you can get a gorgeous tan in one city, you can slip into mittens and gloves to escape the cold in another.

Here's a list of activities that you can do at some of the most unconventional winter destinations across America, Asia and Australia.

Broome, West Australia

This one's for those who love the sunshine so much, they want it even in winter. A small outback coastal town in Western Australia, Broome is non-touristy, designed for slow travel. You can spend your days lounging on Cable Beach, visiting a pearl farm and learning about these gems, or visiting Gantheaume Point, which provides spectacular views from the red cliffs. Then there's the Staircase to the Moon on Town Beach where the full moon's reflection on the water resembles a staircase rising out of the water.

New Zealand

New Zealand in winter is a combination of snowy and non-snow related attractions. Queenstown is the home of the ultimate adventure bucket list with skiing, bungee jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting. Or go fishing, sailing, diving or on dolphin tours at Tauranga's harbour. You can even check out McLaren Falls or the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. Or bubbling mud pools in Rotorua and volcanoes in the Ruapehu region.

Taipei, Taiwan

Spend your winter staying in a Chinese home in Taipei and watch how they celebrate the Chinese New Year(CNY) scheduled for January 28, 2017. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is an integral part of the New Year festivities and a great attraction for those who love the sight of the red Chinese lanterns.

Chiloé Island, Chile

Months from December to March in Chile herald the arrival of summer and in the case of Chiloé Island, penguins as well. A winter trip here can bring you face to face with the Pacific's only recorded mixed colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins. These are best seen on a guided boat tour of the Puñihuil Islets. The second attraction of the island is the biggest archipelago by the same name. There are 16 wooden churches, built in the 17th and 18th centuries for Jesuit and Franciscan missions, many of which have been declared World Heritage Sites. Get talking to the locals and you may just bag an invite for a homemade luncheon.

Park City, Utah

The second skiing destination on this list, Park City is located in the American state of Utah. This ski resort town is home to spotless pistes (ski paths), fun parks and lifts. The mine shafts and machinery of yore still dominate the double black diamond run areas reached by the Jupiter, Thaynes and Motherlode lifts. If you tire of skiing during your winter holiday, you can always explore the town and sample the Moscow Mule at High West Distillery, go shopping on Main Street and admire the murals at Java Cow Café .

pursuitist.in

ETP13DEC16