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In all my travels across 40 countries, I have realised one thing – there is no such thing as a perfect travel itinerary. However, you can have a perfect holiday if you set your mind to it and plan well ahead in advance. Travel, in my opinion, is a way of life and as a traveller, the journey to me is the destination. And yet there is so much to see, touch, explore and absorb from a journey. Every destination has so much to offer that it is perfectly normal to be a bit lost when you start planning your trip and wonder how to make an itinerary. Here are some tips that will help you plan your ideal holiday with a near-perfect vacation itinerary and you will find ways to fund them as well.

1. Ask yourself, what do you look for in your travels?

It is important to set your expectations right before a trip. Every one of us has that one reason to travel – it could be for relaxation or a soul- searching journey. Ask yourself if you want to switch off from the world or Instagram every moment of your holiday! For some, it is about ticking off sights from a bucket list, while for others it is about soaking in the experiences. Some travel for food, while some seek adventure. Well, for me, it is always about absorbing the essence of a destination and losing myself in the stories. While I sometimes wear the garb of a tourist, the slow and mindful traveller in me takes over. I immerse myself in the local culture, traditions, festivals, markets, and neighbourhoods. I may be in Germany, Croatia, Hong Kong or Japan, but it is the Old Town that beckons me. I like to watch life unfolding in front of me and merge with the milieu. So when you wonder how to make an itinerary, you need to first ask yourself what are you looking for in your travels. And that will enable you to come up with a trip itinerary that is perfect for your interests.

2.Have a plan in your head

In my early days as a traveller, I used to plan meticulously wanting to maximise every moment of my trips. After a few years of travelling, I started embracing the idea of slow travel; I started appreciating the little joys of travelling. That became the very essence of planning a vacation itinerary for me. However, I still have a plan in my head. I often mix and match experiences and sights based on my interests so that it is a perfect tour itinerary. I was for instance, in Tokyo for four days and I mapped all the neighbourhoods that I wanted to explore – be it the busy Shinjuku and the overwhelming Shibuya or the quaint Asakusa and the vibrant Akihabara. A little bit of pouring over maps helped me plan the trip as I explored temples, markets, comic stores, cafes, gardens, and palaces. In Prague, I spent more time in the Lesser Town and the Castle District than in the Old and New Towns while in Wroclaw in Poland, I was besotted by the dwarfs, who were the symbols of the city and I went on a treasure hunt that led me to explore many neighbourhoods around the town.

Every destination has different sides to it and the benefits of doing a bit of research help you experience the myriad cultures. However, every trip needs a planner. I am not just referring to a travel agent but a financial companion who offers you multiple benefits when you stay invested for a long time so that you can keep funding all your travel plans. And that is why I keep my money invested in lifelong insurance plans from ICICI Prudential Life. The plans help me finance my trips and also provide my family with the security of a life cover. There are many more advantages from these plans, which helps you grow your wealth, offer tax benefits and even give you additional protection with a guarantee of returns. The biggest advantage is that I can stretch my holiday a little more, without stretching out my funds for my holidays. Now that is a perfect ingredient for a wonderful vacation itinerary.

  3. Look for the offbeat, the alternatives, the secrets and the hidden

While we are planning on how to make an itinerary,  we initially focus on the must-see attractions – be it museums, castles, cathedrals, temples, palaces, amusement parks to name a few. There are outdoor experiences that we cannot miss – a wildlife safari, a hot air balloon ride, kayaking, snorkeling, trekking in the woods. While these have to be on your vacation itinerary,  I would also recommend that you seek out the alternative and offbeat tours in a city. When I was in Berlin, I spent a lot of time exploring the historic sights and then experienced an alternative Berlin where we looked at street art and free expression. I was in Tokyo on a “Cultural Curiosities tour, a fascinating walking tour that took us into the heart of the old city. Every destination has its secrets tucked away in the bylanes. The “closes” of Edinburgh tell their own stories, the lanes of Prague come alive in the night with golems and ghosts. Look out for the free concerts in the parks and along the underground or in metro stations. While the street performances are very entertaining, you can also move away from attractions and tours and attend a class. I have done Chinese painting class in Hong Kong, a culinary class in Bali, a chocolate tour in Brussels and even a taichi class in Mauritius. Watch cultural shows and performances – from swirling dervishes in Turkey to apsaras in Cambodia, from fiery Kecak dance in Bali to Sega in Mauritius to name a few. Your tour itinerary just got colourful and vibrant.

4. Do not give in to FOMO

I have often met several travellers who are so exhausted in their journey and yet they keep travelling just because they do not want to miss anything. There are some elusive feelings in them that they might miss out something from their bucket list. It is, however, natural to feel a bit let down if you are challenged for time, but giving in to FOMO will only ruin your trip and your vacation itinerary. If you are facing time constraints, then you have to prioritise your holiday plans. Make a list of the most important experiences that you do not want to miss. When I visited Copenhagen, I wanted to see Kronborg Castle, where Shakespeare set his Hamlet. And when I was in Dubrovnik, I was keen on the Game of Thrones tour. I did not mind missing out on the London Eye as long as I went on a Charles Dickens walking tour or a pub crawl on Fleet Street that took me to some of the oldest pubs. Someday I would like to see Wimbledon finals in London, but I will wait for the day! For all these dreams to come true, I need to invest wisely and stay committed to my investments. And that is why I trust my financial partner ICICI Prudential Life. Their expertise in managing my savings and investments give me the confidence in fulfilling all my dreams.

5. Go on many day trips

Many wonder how to make a trip itinerary fascinating and different from the rest of the travels. Take a break from the city tours and head out on a day trip. Explore the countryside, visit a distillery, go to a national park, a fishing hamlet, a town of artists and artisans, to name a few. Magnificent castles and caves are sometimes just a train or a bus away. We went to the Predjama cave castle in Slovenia from Ljubljana, Plitvice National Park from Zagreb in Croatia, Dragor – a fishing hamlet from Copenhagen and Szentendre – home to artists with its quaint marzipan museum from Budapest. I plan at least one day trip from every destination that I visit, which gives me an enriching experience. This gives my vacation itinerary a different twist.

Travel itineraries do not have to be packed. Pause a bit, sit in a local cafe and be a part of conversations, try the street food, head to a local market, sip a glass of wine or beer, pick some strawberries, go to a library or a book shop, watch a street performance, shop for some local arts & crafts and switch-off from the internet. A destination comes alive in its streets. I learn more about a city by just randomly walking around or by sitting in a square and watching life pass by. It is sheer indulgence when you can afford to do that and extend your holiday and sometimes do absolutely nothing. But by staying invested and insured with your financial partner in a long term relationship, you do not have to worry about funding your travels or taking that long break. Life-long plans by ICICI Prudential Life ensures I live today to the fullest as my tomorrow is secured.

  The post How to plan the perfect travel itinerary appeared first on Lakshmi Sharath.

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It was a warm and sunny morning in Edinburgh and my husband and I were rather excited as we had planned our first driving holiday in the UK. We were planning to drive around the Highlands and head to some of the distilleries, explore castles and lose ourselves in the beautiful landscape. However, the travel gods had other plans for us. There was some technical issue with our prior booking and we could not get a car at the last minute. We tried a couple of rentals and they were all booked for the weekend. As we mulled silently in our disappointment, we decided to drown our sorrows in a distillery. Glenkinchie was one of the closest distilleries to Edinburgh, but it was too late for any tours. Eventually, we set out on an exciting adventure. On an impulse, we boarded a bus that took us to small hamlets and we hiked a bit. We wandered aimlessly without a map into a little village which seemed practically like a ghost town. Everything was shut. Even the church was closed. The roads were empty. There was just an inn which was open and as we feasted on some baked potatoes, the hostess asked us about our plans. When I mentioned Glenkinchie was on our agenda, she immediately called her friend, a taxi driver, to take us to the distillery. That was the only cab working on that weekend from the village as everyone had taken a break. We had a great time, driving through some of the prettiest landscapes, with a complete stranger, listening to stories as we eventually landed in Glenkinchie. Travel is not about what you miss out on the road but the many experiences.  There are several ways beat FOMO while you are travelling and here are some travel tips to deal with Travel FOMO.

Travel is essentially about the joy of exploring and the little serendipitous discoveries that you make along the way. Personally, I have always felt that travel is a way of life and as a traveller, who is constantly on the road, I feel that there is very little room for FOMO. However, several travellers exhaust themselves as they try to cram in a lot of things on their itinerary. And even then,  FOMO takes over as they see a beautiful image on Instagram and they realise that they have not been there. Here are some travel tips to combat FOMO if you are constantly pressurised with social anxiety.

Focus on the little joys of travel

It is always the little things that make for great memories. A fun conversation, a hot meal, a sudden discovery – travel is made up of these precious moments. While we may miss out on a tourist attraction or a fascinating activity, it does not take away the joy of travel. Travel is more than just sights and sounds or a bag of experiences. It is important to shift the focus from the destination to the journey. People make places and very often, the little acts of kindness from strangers add a special element to the travel.

I was heading to the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin and my credit card was not working. An elderly couple nearby came to me and gave me their unused tickets saying that they were too tired to explore the palace and they had to head back. I was grateful and was also overwhelmed by their kindness. Such unforeseen events can happen anytime. As we travel a lot, this started becoming a pressing issue too. What if something happens to us? Have we secured our loved ones? Have we secured their financial requirements? That was the starting point for me sitting down and starting to plan for all the what-ifs in life.

Be a mindful traveller

Travel is not just about getting into an autopilot mode. Most itineraries turn us into a robot. We are either forever in a planning mode, or we are mindlessly rushing from one place to another. And that can sometimes leave you exhausted or even with a sense of FOMO. There is never a dearth of the top ten or the top 100 places that you must see. But if you’ll run behind travelling to every place, you’ll not even enjoy the top three places since you will not be able to soak in the moment.

A mindful traveller is always immersed in the present – be it sipping a cup of coffee or attending a culinary class or trying kayaking for the first time or even doing nothing. Less is more becomes the mantra. Travel is also about being practical. You cannot obviously do everything. I was in Rome for just a day and I could hardly explore a couple of sights. Whenever FOMO hit me, I reminded myself that even Rome was not built in a day. I have stopped planning a detailed itinerary during my travels and I go with the flow. And that leaves me with no room for FOMO.

Every trip does not have to an exotic destination

FOMO usually creeps in when you realise that your travel plans have just been quashed, but the rest of the world is bombarding you with their photo-shopped photos from exotic locations. But not every trip has to be to a far-flung offbeat destination. You may not be able to travel all the time. Work may come in your way of planning a holiday. Your finances may bog you down. I remember going through a bad phase of health and had to revisit my travel plans. A huge sum of money was spent towards my health and this came in between my travel plans for the rest of the year. That got me thinking, while I can plan for most of the things in life; illnesses is something which cannot be predicted. Also, treating illnesses these days is a costly affair. Hence post that phase, I choose to invest in a Term insurance plan from ICICI Prudential Life – ICICI Pru iProtect Smart. The plan provides me cover against 34 critical illnesses and also secures my family with a life cover in case of an unfortunate event. Also, the plan gives me the freedom to decide on how I want to receive this money at the time I need it the most. This allows me the freedom to travel anywhere, without a single worry in my mind.

Stay flexible with your plans

It was a sunny morning in Amsterdam and it seemed like an idyllic day to explore the Spanish city. But my mood was rather low. My husband and I were on holiday in Europe and we had just landed in the city. This trip had been special as I was on the road after a long bout of illness. But the day we landed in Amsterdam, we got a call from my husband’s boss who asked him to cut the holiday short as there were some sudden developments in the workplace. Within minutes the entire holiday plans had altered. The weather changed as well and the rains descended upon Amsterdam. We were both hugely disappointed and I was almost on the verge of returning home with my husband. However, I decided to continue the trip solo. A few days later, I sat alone in the vibrant Plaza Catalunya near the iconic La Rambla in Barcelona and watched life pass me by. Although I wished that my husband was around, I was glad that I did not head home with him. I have always enjoyed control over my decisions in every aspect of life. My husband recognises this and gives me a freehand in almost all aspects of life. For example, when I was planning to invest my savings in some plans, I chose ICICI Pru Signature. One of the key criteria’s to select this plan was that it offered me flexibility in choosing where to invest my money in be it pure equity or a pure debt or a balanced one and I was the one deciding where my money would grow. I have invested in the plan for the last few years and I have been quite happy with how hassle-free the entire process of buying or after service is.

This journey is about you

Travel is about being you. It is your journey, your holiday, your interests and your choices. You do not have to live up to the expectations of anyone, who claim to have “done the destination. “ I have always been a bit of a laid back traveller, revelling in the very essence of a journey, listening to stories and exploring the culture of a destination. I am not into adventure sports and I also have a bit of a water phobia. Initially, I would feel a sense of FOMO when I used to see all the travel photos dripping with adrenalin, but then I realised that this is not me. As my health slowly deteriorated, I also learnt to focus more on my body and mind than allowing FOMO to get to me. I realised that my interests lay elsewhere and I travelled for my personal gratification and not for a bunch of likes on Instagram. I started to remove things that created anxiety in me and started concentrated on things that kept me happy. Being a full-time traveller, finance is something that will always bug you and to be frank; you cannot ever ignore this aspect. However, what you have control over is – planning for your finances, as I did by investing in plans from ICICI Prudential Life. Their plan provides the growth of money and at the same time also ensures that my loved ones are financially protected. For any queries regarding my policy, I can reach out to them over phone, email or advisors. In short, they remove the hassle of planning for my finances and lets me enjoy my trip to the fullest.

Travel consumes me as a person and I like to be alive and energetic savouring every moment of it. And there is absolutely no scope for FOMO to ruin it for me. While my passion needs constant funding, I always plan ahead and stay invested keeping long term commitments in mind and hence, I chose ICICI Prudential Life.

This post is written in collaboration with ICICI Prudential Life

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Mauritius is breathtakingly beautiful, but it has so many stories behind it that make it even more fascinating. Lying below the island of Mauritius below the Indian Ocean,  is a lost continent called Maurice that geologists have recently discovered. And if that discovery is not exciting enough, Mauritius gives heaven a complex with its beautiful beaches, lagoons and lakes, mountains and valleys, national parks and fields,  reefs and rainforests. It even has an underwater waterfall, which is believed to be an optical illusion. The coastline that spreads across 330 km has so many beaches around it and is thronged by scuba divers, adventure enthusiasts, beach bums and tourists. While water sports is one of the main things to see in Mauritius, there is more to the island country than sea and sand and there are several unique things to do in Mauritius. There are so many beautiful places in Mauritius from Black River Gorges National Park to La Morne Brabant and a typical Mauritius itinerary includes visits to sugarcane plantations and rum distilleries.  There are vibrant markets in Mauritius, including craft markets while some of the places to see in Mauritius include a day trip to the capital Port Louis.

The home of the now-extinct dodo killed by the colonists was discovered by Portuguese and it eventually became a Dutch, French and British settlement and has an Indian connection with several immigrants who were brought in as labourers to work in the sugar cane fields and other factories. The Aapravasi Ghat in the capital Port Louis was their first port of embarkation and it served as an immigration centre for the indentured labourers. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most Mauritians even today have Indian roots as they are several communities from Tamilians to Biharis.  However, Tamil is considered an indigenous religion by itself and the community follows “Tamil” Hinduism with temples dedicated to Lord Muruga.  The Indian connection also takes you down to the times when Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius and there is even a road named after him. Yet most of the current generation of the islanders have merged with the milieu and are Mauritian citizens speaking the national language of Creole.

I was in Mauritius for a week on invitation from Club Med resorts in Mauritius and while we barely stepped out of the beautiful beach resorts – we did explore the island as well on our Mauritius itinerary. While the Club Med resorts in Mauritius – Club Med La Plantation D’ Albion and Club Med La Pointe Aux Canonniers, are all inclusive resorts in Mauritius, they also organised our trip to some of the beautiful places in Mauritius. Here are my suggestions on some of the places to see in Mauritius including some of the unique things to do in Mauritius as well.

1. Half a day tour of Port Louis

One of the most beautiful places in Mauritius is Port Louis. The capital town of Mauritius has a colonial hangover around it as it was essentially founded by the French. Even today the harbour, one of the places to see in Mauritius is a remnant of the old settlement.  However one of the beautiful places in Mauritius is the Caudan Waterfront, with its food court, commercial complex and craft markets. One of the buildings here is the heritage luxury hotel, Le Labourdonnais. However there are several things to do in Mauritius and you will find many monuments, museums, and markets that you can explore. Besides the Aapravasi Ghat, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, you can also visit the National History Museum, the present home of the dodo and the Blue Penny Museum and the Postage Museum where you can see some of the oldest stamps. The Central Market is one of the main markets of Mauritius vibrant and colourful and does not forget to bring home some souvenirs, especially homemade rum. You can also visit one of the oldest horse racing tracks that can be found at Champ de Mars. Your Mauritius itinerary is not complete if you do not visit a local temple here. There are also several old cathedrals, churches, mosques as well.

2. Casela – World of Adventures

One of the most unique things to do in Mauritius is to visit Casela and lose yourself in a world of adventures. I was almost transported to the game reserves of South Africa as I went on a safari ride in this amusement and wildlife park and encountered the Big Five. Casela set amidst 4500 hectares near Mount Rampart, is one of the beautiful places in Mauritius and the landscape is watered by two rivers – Rivière du Rempart and Tamarin River. Home to several species of wildlife, some of the animals have been born and bred here. Casela prides itself on the wildlife interactions – be it encounters with lions or feeding with the giraffes. One of the unique things to do in Mauritius is to pose with a lion.

The park is divided into three main kingdoms – safari, nature and mountain and includes bird park, safari rides, and wildlife interactions. There are also adventurous activities like zip-lining, quad bike rides, canyoning among others. The Discovery Centre has several entertainment shows as well. You can spend an entire day here but I would recommend at least half a day at Casela. It is one of the most popular places to see in Mauritius.

3. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth

Have you seen a rainbow on earth? Then look no further. The colours of the “vibyor” are painted vividly in the sand dunes of Chamarel and are referred to as Seven Coloured Earth or in French as Terres des Sept Couleurs. This is probably one of the most unique things to do in Mauritius. Chamarel is a village in Mauritius named after the French and there are several beautiful places to see in Mauritius including the Chamarel Waterfalls and the Ebony Forest.

The locals refer to it as the “Valley of Blacks” and an “amphitheatre of abrupt rocks.” Local coffee is grown here as well. But it is the Seven Coloured Earth that is absolutely breathtaking. Painted in seven vivid shades like a rainbow, these sand dunes are tinged with red, brown, blue, purple, yellow, violet and even a bit of green. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Mauritius. However, the colourful view depends on the weather as well.

The geological formation is a result of the cooling of the molten rock that might be over 3-7 million years old. The sands have settled into layers depicting a colourful pattern and the rains have further created a canvas. However, on a bright sunny morning, you can see the seven distinct colours. Chamarel also has a 19th century dedicated to Saint Anna and the festival of Assumption of Mary is celebrated with great fanfare.

4. The Curious Corner of Chamarel

One of the most unique things to do in Mauritius is to get lost in a world of optical illusions, fantasies, and delusions. Located opposite the Seven Coloured Earth, the Curiosity Corner is actually a house filled with fascinating corners that stimulate your curious mind. Nothing appears as it is supposed to be. Everything is either a mirage or a maze. Sometimes you feel like you have walked into a jigsaw puzzle.

There are rooms with no doors or windows but you will have to find the secret door to get out of it. There are over 40 exhibits here built over 5000 sq feet but some of my favourites include the Mirror Maze where 200 mirrors take you into a world of reflections as you navigate your way through the maze. I was also fascinated by the Upside Down Room and the Laser Music Room. Chamarel is one of the most beautiful places in Mauritius and your Mauritius itinerary is not complete without a bit of curiosity.

5. The Rhumarie de Chamarel

Your Mauritius itinerary is not complete without a visit to The Rhumarie de Chamarel. We were in the rum distillery for lunch but we also did a tour where we also experienced some rum tasting. The distillery is one of the few in Mauritius today which has its own sugarcane plantations that are grown around it. Even the harvest is still done by hand and the fresh-pressed sugar cane juice is then filtered and fermented, distilled and aged and magically transformed into rum. There are different kinds of rums – classic, premium, aged, double distilled and spiced rum, besides liqueurs with vanilla, coffee, and coconut flavors. And it is one of the best ways to experience Mauritius on a high note.

There are many more beautiful places in Mauritius and things to see in Mauritius but in our short span of time, we could only explore a fraction of the island. What would you include in your Mauritius itinerary?

The post Paradise on earth – Beautiful places to see in Mauritius appeared first on Lakshmi Sharath.

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It was a jeweled night sky that greeted us in Mauritius.  Looking up, I saw the stars shining out of the dark blanket while the moon slipped behind a delicate layer of cloud. As we drove towards our destination, there was not a single vehicle giving us company. I almost dozed off again only to wake up to the sight of silhouetted stalks of sugarcane fields dancing to the tune of the breeze. Perhaps I imagined it but I woke up eventually as we entered the portals of Club Med La Plantation D’ Albion, one of the premium luxury resorts in Mauritius and also one of the best all inclusive resorts in Mauritius. I had been invited by Club Med Resorts to experience Mauritius and our week in the island country was divided between Club Med La Plantation D’ Albion and Club Med La Pointe Aux Canonniers, which are one of the best resorts in Mauritius for families.

The stars were covered by a dense canopy of trees even as the sea breeze waltzed in. It was the wee hours of the morning but we had a very warm welcome at the resort and we were finally in a little buggy navigating the tiny tree-fringed lanes to find our luxury rooms. In a fraction of a second I was fast asleep and lost in a world of dreams.

I woke up to the sounds of silence. Sipping a cup of tea, I drew the curtains to reveal shafts of sunlight bathing the gardens outside my room while an automatic sprinkler sprayed the lawns. I decided to go for a walk. As I walked around, I saw a pair of the endangered Mauritius fody adding a dash of red to the verdant greenery before they vanished into the leaves. I realized that it was not long before these birds suffered the same fate as the extinct dodo, but the Mauritians have taken pains to conserve the endemic fody and save it from extinction. There were several bulbuls flitting around the trees as I explored the property. It was a Sunday and everyone seemed to be lost in a world of stupor. I took a detour to the ocean on the way to the restaurant.

The low hanging cotton candy clouds formed a beautiful white border near the horizon, separating the turquoise waters of the ocean and the blue sky. A sandy strip separated a little lagoon from the ocean and it was probably the best place to get lost. I followed the little stream where it became a puddle amidst rocks. A small jetty protruded into the ocean. A couple of kids, probably siblings were playing as I saw a family fishing in the shallow waters. I realized that they were locals and not tourists who had roots in India. Speaking to a couple of them, I learnt that their ancestors had landed on this island during the colonial era. The French and the British had ruled over Mauritius and most of the Indians had then worked in the sugarcane plantations. The Tamilians were artisans and they brought in arts and crafts to the island.

I heard that there are several temples and local festivals were celebrated grandly. There were men and women from different communities but mainly from Bihar and Tamil Nadu and yet the younger generation identified themselves as Mauritians. While some of them spoke their native languages, most of them were fluent in Creole and had merged with the cultural milieu. And that I had learnt was the very essence of Mauritius. There were different ethnic communities even in a family practising multiple religions and yet they had blended into the colourful fabric that was Mauritius.

I headed back to the restaurant – La Distillerie for some breakfast only to find that there were more cats than people. Adorable cats were waiting to be fed by the guests as they wandered around the restaurant as they owned it. I found a quiet corner and binged on the fruits and looked out into the sea. The breakfast spread had more continental dishes than local food and I was content with my toast and fruits. I continued exploring The Village as they called it. The resort was one of the best luxury resorts  and ideal for travellers as it was one of the comprehensive all inclusive resorts in Mauritius

Set amidst 21 hectares of lush woodland, it did feel like I was wandering aimlessly in the countryside of a quaint European village, surrounded by oceans. I was particularly taken in by the architectural style and there was a colonial flavour to the design as well.  Zen pools and gardens surrounded me. A little lane took me to the infinity pool near the Phare, another restaurant and I was lost in the blues and reds. I made a mental note to head back here for sunset.

Club Med resorts are destinations by themselves. They are elegant, luxurious, customisable and are one of the best all inclusive resorts in Mauritius. Every experience is included in the package – be it food and drinks, activities, excursions and even wellness. I had a relaxed session at the spa overlooking the sea and lost myself in the blues. Perhaps that is one of the reasons it is one of the best resorts in Mauritius for families.

Sporting activities are divided into land and water experiences. I saw a group of tourists heading out for sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving while I went back to school. I got ready for my maiden golf session which was followed by taichi and yoga later in the day. Some of my adventurous friends opted for the flying trapeze while I saw a few playing tennis. Every experience was given a title – Taichi was all about Serenity, Golf was New Moves and the Flying Trapeze was Confidence.

And while it was fun to soak up the sun and sand, I was dying to get out and explore Mauritius. Club Med resorts offer several excursions which are customised based on your interests and you could choose from nature, wildlife, culture to adventure and this makes it one of the most convenient all inclusive resorts in Mauritius.  We went on a safari ride at Casela, a World of Adventures created for you in this amusement, bird and wildlife park.

It started raining as we went on the African Safari experience as we said hello to the Big Five . Casela is more than just a wildlife park. You can interact with the animals here – be it giraffes or lions and understand more about conservation. For a moment I felt transported to the game reserves in South Africa.

While some of the animals were brought in from other wildlife parks, most of them have been born here and they have grown up in this habitat as well. Personally I enjoyed feeding the giraffes than posing with a lion, although every moment here was priceless.

Back in the resort, we were getting ready for the main event – a gala dinner followed by the mega entertainment show, The Beyonce Show by the GO team. As they set the stage on fire, I thought for a moment that Beyonce was actually here in Mauritius and performing exclusively for us. That night set the tone for the remaining nights in Mauritius.

Every night was a big and bold party and the atmosphere was electrifying. The most spectacular was the Circus Show by the GO team with breathtaking performances and live music.  I partied the blues away virtually every night in one of the most premium luxury resorts in Mauritius.

The following day, we shifted to another stunning property of Club Med – La Pointe Aux Canonniers, towards the north of the island for the relaunch ceremony. Over 200 guests from 20 countries were here and there was a magical buzz around it. We went on a property tour as we explored the idyllic luxury resort which is like a verdant peninsula, surrounded by two beaches. It was beyond breathtaking as I saw a picture postcard come alive in one of the most luxury resorts in Mauritius.

There were four swimming pools including the zen and the family pool. Club Med prided itself on focussing on families and kids and there are special experiences designed exclusively for them. There was also a new zen zone for the adults.  Keeping in mind its emphasis on being the ultimate destination and one of the best resorts in Mauritius for families, there were special spaces for every guest. However, the ocean was the main attraction. Water sports was one of the main experiences here and one could do jet skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and even a catamaran sailing experience towards the islands. They were the New Passions – experiences that have been designed for the adventurous traveller. Every night was a party and we were all in a sea of white, sashaying along the sands, living it up and soaking in the good life. It seemed like these nights would never end.

Finally, it was time for us to leave, but not before we explored some beautiful corners of Mauritius. We visited Chamarel, the land of the seven colours where sand dunes were coasted in different hues. Driving through sugarcane fields and rainforests, we stumbled upon the Chamarel waterfall before heading to these sand dunes. A geological formation, it is believed to have been the result of volcanic activity and uneven cooling of molten rock.

On the way to the airport, we stopped for lunch at the La Rhumerie de Chamarel, a rum distillery which has its own plantations. You do not visit Mauritius and not taste rum. We tried almost half a dozen varieties of both dark and white rums after a tour of the distillery. Our final stop was at the Curious Corner of Chamarel, where we lost ourselves in a world of fantasies. It was the perfect way to bring this idyllic trip to an end as we walked into optical illusions and found ourselves carried away by mirages.

As  I went back to the car, I saw a thin sliver of a rainbow adorning the sky. In a few moments, I saw a couple of them drawing an arc around the sky painting it with several shades. And as the rain tumbled down, it washed away the colours in a jiffy. But I could not have asked for a more beautiful way to end the trip.  I realized that Mark Twain was indeed right – even heaven pales in comparison to Mauritius.

This post is written in partnership with Club Med who had hosted me in both their resorts in Mauritius.

The post Notes from Heaven – My Mauritius Diary appeared first on Lakshmi Sharath.

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There is something special about being the first and solo passenger inside a magnificent aircraft. As the orange, pink and purple lights illuminate the cabins, I find myself inside the elegantly designed Airbus A330, getting ready for my midnight rendezvous with Air France. The aircraft is getting spruced up for its flight from Bengaluru to Paris. For a moment I feel like am almost going to Paris. As I experience the newly redesigned and renovated cabins, I really wish that I will wake up in Paris. If you are planning a trip  from Bengaluru to Paris, then here are six reasons why you must fly the revamped Airbus A330 by Air France

France is in the air

The moment you step inside the aircraft, you realize that France is in the air. As you board the flight, the cheerful French crew wish you Bonjour. There is champagne and wine from the vineyards of France served across all classes – be it for the business class passengers or those travelling by premium economy and economy as well. There is even a live bar for business class passengers serving wine, champagne, cookies and pastries which are deliciously French. There is gourmet French cuisine on board and even a French candy to sweeten the experience.

The colours of the bar are inspired by the colours of champagne. The French experience is omnipresent – from cosmetics to cinema as well and the attention to detail is absolutely charming. The crew welcomes you with an “oshibori” to freshen up and the comfort gift has Clarins beauty products for business class passengers and travel accessories for those travelling in Premium Economy. Even the inflight entertainment has French movies and shows. For a moment I almost feel like am in Paris as I speak to the crew and relax in the cabins.

Comfort and elegance

The newly redesigned cabins of Air France are all about comfort and elegance. The mood lighting lulls you to sleep but the flatbeds of the business class are an absolute luxury. It is so customised that you can adjust your seat in such a way that you can either have complete privacy from your co-passenger or slide close to your companion. The flatbed is 2m long and is also 57 cms wide and the entire decor is elegance personified. There is no question of jet-lag even after a long flight as you feel refreshed and comfortable throughout the journey. You can also choose to watch new movies and TV shows on a big and bold 18.5 inch HD touch screen and choose from 1400 hours of entertainment

Brand new premium economy and economy cabins

The brand new cabins of Premium Economy have so much of additional space that the widest seats are 48.5 cm with 102 cm seat pitch besides 130* recline in a fixed shell. The seats are adapted to your body shape and lumbar support is provided and you have a wider footrest well.  Every aspect of the seat is redesigned including the soft seat cushions. Curl up inside the delicate blue blanket and dream away as you rest your head on the red feather pillow. If you do not feel like sleeping, then you can watch the inflight entertainment on a 13.3 inch HD screen and you also have personal power outlets besides two USB ports to charge your gadgets as well. There is also a comfort kit provided that is renewed every six months.

Air France is committed to ensuring that you have a comfortable long haul journey and the economy cabins have also been redesigned keeping the passenger in mind. The focus is on additional space and you have wider seats, more leg space and you don’t have to jostle for space anymore near the armrest. The seats have ergonomic foam for comfort and offer 118* recline and 79 cm legroom.

You can enjoy your meals on a larger tray table and watch the inflight entertainment on an 11.6-inch touch screen. If you want to just sleep, then opt for the collectible night masks, tuck yourself in the bright red blanket as the bright blue cushions add to your comfort. However, if you are looking to do some work, you have a personal power outlet and a USB plug to help you use the devices.

Inflight entertainment

If you prefer to stay awake during long haul flights like me then there is no dearth of entertainment. Over 1400 hours of movies and shows, music and performances are available on this flight. Whether you are traveling business class or economy your private screen varies between an 18.5-inch HD touch-screen to 11.6-inch touch screens. From the latest Hollywood to Bollywood movies,  French and world cinema, there are several options. Air France Music gives you a variety of genres to listen to or you can just opt to meditate with “Mind.”

Stay connected

Being up in the air does not mean that you have to lose touch with friends and family. Log on to WIFI Connect, which helps you to stay connected throughout the flight. You have three different options to choose from. You can either opt for “Free Message” Pass that allows you to send and receive messages during the flight. You could also pay anywhere between 3 to 18 Euros for a “Surf” Pass or 30 Euros for a “Stream” Pass that enables you to surf the internet or stream movies and download content.

Gourmet meals on board

It is almost like a restaurant up in the air. Michelin star chefs have designed some of the delicious menus on board. There is even a gourmet basket available at the bar. While there is a complete French-style menu with starters, main course , cheese and dessert, you have Indian meals.

These are just some of my early impressions as I am touched by the full attention to detail, and the comfortable touches which are signature traits of the Air France brand. This is one travel experience that I am looking forward to as I hope to journey to  Paris on my next flight.

This post is written in collaboration with Air France. Pic Courtesy – Air France.

            The post Six reasons you must fly the Air France Airbus A330 from Bangalore to Paris appeared first on Lakshmi Sharath.

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