INDIA NEWS
Dec 1-15, 2020 - Vol 1, Issue 11
TRAVEL
South Africa opens all A solo traveller’s guide to Switzerland international leisure, S business travels witzerland’s dramatic landscapes serve as a playground for fun, frolic and action giving travellers an experience to remember and come back for! By Puja Gupta November 20, 2020 (IANSlife) Travelling alone can be the most therapeutic form of selfindulgence. By traveling alone, one can engage with their new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes, or preferences of a traveling companion and connect with the soul of the place by hanging out with the locals. Switzerland is a solo traveller’s haven, one of the safest and easiest places to navigate, - the sheer variety of things to see and do ensures that your solo trip is a memorable one, especially if it’s your first.
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ll travellers coming into the country will need to supply a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) COVID test not older than 72 hours from the date of departure from their country By Puja Gupta (IANSlife) South Africa is now open to all international leisure and business travellers from all over the globe. The opening of all international travel follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on November 18 that South Africa would be moving to augmented alert level 1, thus opening up international borders for all countries with effect from November 11. “We are excited by the full opening of our international borders because this is a strong testament of the fact that we are open for both business and leisure travel. This opening brings certainty for South Africa, as a travel destination putting us back on the map and on the radar for many travellers who want to come explore our beautiful country,” SA Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Sisa Ntshona said in a statement. All travellers coming into the country will need to supply a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) COVID test not older than 72 hours from the date of departure from their country. “We know that now more than ever, traveller behaviour is influenced by trust and confidence so our country has put in place globally-benchmarked
health and safety protocols. We thank all partners here in South Africa and across the world for their ongoing support and patience. As we gradually welcome tourists and business travellers from all over the world, we look forward to engaging with our partners once again as we work together to package South Africa for various tourists’ needs,” added Ntshona. “While we know that there won’t an immediate influx of tourists as other countries are now experiencing second waves of the pandemic and have imposed travel restrictions for their citizens, we look forward to welcoming those tourists that are able to come. They can finally get to enjoy the wide-open spaces, scenic landscape, unique and authentic cultural experiences that South Africa has to offer,” concluded Ntshona. South Africa recently won big at this year’s World Travel Market including Sun City voted as Africa’s leading casino resort, Plettenberg Bay as Africa’s leading beach destination and Durban voted as Africa’s leading city destination. Earlier this year South Africa took top spot when booking company Tourlane asked its community where their perfect post-coronavirus trip destination would be. The survey saw South Africa as the go-to safari destination, packed with outdoor adventures, applauded for pristine and well-kept beaches.
Here are some of the activities we recommend you should add to your itinerary. Not just a place to stay, but to experience Switzerland has a number of reasonably priced youth hostels around the country that are clean, safe, centrally located and with a choice of single room, double room and bunk beds with central kitchens and lobbies and lounges – perfect if you’re looking to meet other travellers. Other than hostels, travellers can choose to stay in single rooms available at lower rates than double rooms, in most hotels- whether budget, mid-priced or luxury. The ultimate travel partner - The Swiss Travel Pass When travelling solo, a Swiss Travel Pass is a boon. Swiss Travel System makes traveling alone in Switzerland trouble-free with their efficient network of public transport- from the high-speed and famously punctual trains to buses, boats and trams. The Swiss Travel pass offers exciting discounts on most mountain excursions and gives you a free entry to almost 400 museums! A part of the country’s heritage and history, Switzerland’s panoramic train routes are among the most beautiful rail routes in the world. To experience Switzerland’s majestic mountain scenery, idyllic valleys and villages; along crystal-clear lakes and ice-blue glaciers- a journey on The Glacier Express, or The Bernina Express is highly recommended. Adventure Escapades With the stunning landscapes and action-packed activities, Switzerland will surely unravel the hidden adrenaline junkie in you! Whether you choose to jet ski over crystal blue waters, dive from the sky into lush green valleys or ski down steep terrains of the snow-capped alps, there’s an adventure to suit every person when in Switzerland. We recommend trying mountain biking or e-biking or sliding down the fastest Toboggan Run in
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Pilatus. The best part? Your daring escapades aren’t limited to just one season. Whether you plan your trip in the summer, autumn or winter, Switzerland will always welcome you with towering alpine peaks, emerald green valleys and shimmering blue lakes. Gastronomic Adventures In Switzerland- cheese and chocolate will be your go-to choice of food. But Switzerland’s local cuisine has the influence of 3 different cultures- German, French and Italian, so whether you are a meat lover or vegan, you will never run out of options to eat. If you are on a budget, many restaurants offer a “meal of the day” which includes a salad/soup, a choice of 2 or 3 main courses and a dessert. Many mountain excursions offer a ‘picnic’ option where you can carry your own meal. Another must try when traveling to the country is Swiss Wine; one of the country’s best kept secrets is that almost all regions in Switzerland produce their own wines. The Viognier, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay from Lake Geneva region and Merlot Bianco from Ticino are particularly well known. However, if you consider yourself a wine connoisseur a trip to the Lavaux vineyards is a must. When you are done trying the rich wines and scrumptious Swiss Delicacies and are craving a taste of home you can try one of the many amazing Indian restaurants in the country. Swiss Cities- the fusion of old with the new Swiss cities are a true wonder! Surrounded by the spectacular scenery that dominates Switzerland’s landscape, the cities embody quality of life, urban flair and are perfect to base yourself to explore when travelling independently. Zurich is a perfect example of Swiss cities, which are a blend of the old and new! While the
old town will show you the rich history, the newer parts will cater to your young spirit with the best of Zurich nightlife with trendy bars and clubs. Any cosmopolitan swiss city such as Zurich or Geneva, will fill your calendar with festivals, fireworks, and al fresco fun, where you can meet different people and make connections for life. And the best thing is that a 10-minute train ride can take you into countryside, so compact are even the biggest of cities in Switzerland. Idyllic countryside landscape The picturesque villages of Switzerland have made for some of the most gorgeous backdrops of our Bollywood movies! Tucked in the lap of the Alps and surrounding valleys, these villages offer you a chance to unwind or pair up with other tourists and experience local life and culture. In addition to being a paradise for hikers in summer and skiers in the winter, every village offers a multitude of attractions and mountain excursions throughout the year. Rewarding mountain excursions The snow-covered peaks with panoramic viewpoints, thousands of hiking trails and many other alpine highlights make Switzerland an established destination for different mountain excursions. The journey to the mountaintops is either on board a cogwheel train, a cable car or the world’s steepest funicular, is a unique experience in itself. When in Switzerland, you have to try the golden round trip to Lucerne’s home mountain Mt. Pilatus or experience the world’s first revolving cable car - Titlis Rotair while heading up Mt. Titlis! A fun visit to the snow park at Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe or discovering the Glacier palace at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise will also make your day eventful.
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