Two’s company “I always travel with my wife, as opposed to holidaying with a larger group. The only time I undertook a conducted tour with a group was back in 2004 — and I vowed never to repeat it. I realised soon enough that exploring new places on your own is more fun. You can plan your itinerary according to your tastes, and are not rushed to every venue by the tour guide. You can interact with the locals, eat the local cuisine, and get a real feel for the country you are in.
“Moreover, when holidaying abroad, I don’t want to be in Indian company or eating Indian food. As they say, ‘Don’t try to feel at home when travelling abroad.’ “Guided group tours also focus on the highlighted ‘sights’, though I find the journey itself is more fun than the destination. It’s something you can experience only when you travel alone.”
Bernese-Oberland region of Switzerland is Hemant Jalan's (on the left with his wife) favourite. Adrenaline rush “I have done some bizarre things on my travels abroad, sometimes even testing my own boundaries. I have done a hanggliding jump off a 3,000-foot cliff in Rio de Janeiro. I travelled for three days on a small boat on the Amazon river; went dog-sledding on a glacier in Alaska; piloted a motor boat alone around an island in Greece with no prior experience; kayaked in a glacier lagoon in Iceland; and self-drove alongside rhinos and lions in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
“I never thought I would muster the courage to do these things. One thing I have learnt is that you live only once, and you should not pass on the experience of an adventure.” Hemant Jalan went dog-sledding on Matanusla glacier in Alaska.
ADVERTISEMENT
Making a friend for life “This has never happened on my travels abroad.”
Force majeure “In 2013, I had to abort a trip to Italy two days before departure as my mother was suddenly hospitalised. The bookings were made, and I was past the cancellation window at most hotels, but they were all very nice and agreed to waive cancellation costs when I explained the reasons. I re-booked at the same locations a few months later, and had a splendid trip.” Hemant Jalan always travels with his wife. (In pic - his memories from Great Wall of China) Holiday redux “Only places of natural beauty can entice me to visit again. My favourites would be the Bernese-Oberland region of Switzerland, Queenstown in New Zealand, Tasmania in Australia, and the wildlife safari camps in Kenya and Tanzania. When I revisit these places, I like to stay put at one location for 7-10 days. I completed a repeat trip to Alaska, which I rate as the prettiest place I have ever visited.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Bucket list “I have ticked off most locations by now. My dream holiday is to now go on an Antarctica cruise, which I will certainly do some day. Other unfinished trips include a wildlife safari in Botswana, and exotic island destinations in Tahiti, French Polynesia and the Caribbean.”
Wish To Travel The World? Don't Miss Out On These 7 Destinations
1/8
By Masoom Gupte
To reduce the world to a list of top destinations is a near impossible task. But for a variety of reasons some places are favoured over others and become the flavour of the moment. Here are some of the top spots trending this year.
By Masoom GupteTo reduce the world to a list of top destinations is a near impossible task. But for a variety of reasons some places are favoured over others and become the flavour of the moment. Her..
Read More
Together, the five Stans — Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan — of Central Asia spell exotic. The historical association with the Silk Road, that passes through these countries, adds to the appeal and aura of the region. From cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent, that mix the new with the old seamlessly, to the topography of the region that abounds in vast deserts, mountains and rivers, this promises to be the journey of a lifetime.
Together, the five Stans — Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan — of Central Asia spell exotic. The historical association with the Silk Road, that passes through these cou..
Read More
When the landscape of Iceland showed up in a Bollywood movie some time back, many were prompted to ask if the sequence was shot on location, or if the backdrop was a result of computer generated graphics. That’s how unreal Iceland can be. The popularity of this European nation has been on a steady rise, prompting a national discussion about applying curbs on the number of tourists permitted to visit. Best to tick this one off the bucket list, before your name slips on to a waiting list of visitors.
When the landscape of Iceland showed up in a Bollywood movie some time back, many were prompted to ask if the sequence was shot on location, or if the backdrop was a result of computer generated grap..
Read More
True, the country has a checkered past, enmeshed in a long history of violence. But nothing like tourism to change a nation’s image and fortunes. Earlier this year, the country’s tourism department signed a multi-million dollar branding deal with English football club Arsenal, putting the country’s tourism tagline on player jerseys. The deal quickly became controversial as Rwanda is one of the world’s poorest countries and marketing monies are frowned upon. But soon the number of UK visitors surged, claimed officials. Something did the trick. Either the campaign, or the country’s stunning national parks and wildlife.
True, the country has a checkered past, enmeshed in a long history of violence. But nothing like tourism to change a nation’s image and fortunes. Earlier this year, the country’s tourism department s..
Read More
This one is for the adrenaline chasers. Go to the end of the world aboard a ship breaker, surrounded by glaciers and water, and little else. High fitness levels are recommended. But even that’s not a guard against potential sea sickness bouts. Prepare for wonder on this journey, and a discovery of what you are truly made of.
This one is for the adrenaline chasers. Go to the end of the world aboard a ship breaker, surrounded by glaciers and water, and little else. High fitness levels are recommended. But even that’s not a..
Read More
It’s been voted as one of the best cities to live in the world. Not exactly unknown, the city does tend to lose out to the hordes that prefer the shinier, bigger cities of neighbouring United States. But by itself, Vancouver, a west coast seaport in British Columbia, is not just one of Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities, it is also a thriving metropolis with a buzzing art, music, food and theatre scene. Surrounded by mountains, it isn’t too hard on the eyes either.
It’s been voted as one of the best cities to live in the world. Not exactly unknown, the city does tend to lose out to the hordes that prefer the shinier, bigger cities of neighbouring United States...
Read More
One of the seven wonders of the world, this one is a definite bucket list item for many. T rekking up to the Inca ruins, is a much-awaited highpoint to those travelling to the continent, and with Peru on their itinerary. An early morning climb is strongly recommended to witness the sun creeping over the sprawling ruins.
One of the seven wonders of the world, this one is a definite bucket list item for many. T rekking up to the Inca ruins, is a much-awaited highpoint to those travelling to the continent, and with Per..
Read More
A self-drive tour through New Zealand, taking in the abundant natural beauty. Enough said. Here’s a tip to top that. Spend a couple of days at the Aoraki/Mount Cook alpine village. Spend time in the shadow of New Zealand’s highest mountain, boating on the glacier lakes, walking around, taking off on hikes and generally pausing to breathe.
A self-drive tour through New Zealand, taking in the abundant natural beauty. Enough said. Here’s a tip to top that. Spend a couple of days at the Aoraki/Mount Cook alpine village. Spend time in the ..
