In Ooty, Avalanche Lake can't be missed seeing...article by Vikrant

Avalanche Lake

Avalanche lake in Ooty is a must visit, dont miss it and many more such remarks I had heard about Avalanche Lake. While I was in Ooty, I was curious to know the history behind this name. Wikipedia told me it has derived this name from a huge landslide in 1800s. Anyhow curious about the name and having heard excellent comments about this lake, we decided to give it a try. Avalanche lake is about 25 kms away from Ooty. So, we hired a taxi for the full day sightseeing. Some people go by bus as well.

Beautiful view

It was actually a stunning view as if it was a dreamand. The area around Avalanche lake was neat and clean with clear waters. Just loved the scenery. My mother who is a painter as well has a lake on the canvass. The whole view immediately reminded me of that scenery. Skies reflected in the water and my little Princess was super excited to see the same. How nice, serene, peaceful and soothing the view was. I was soaked in surroundings.

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Article and photographs Vikrant

Enjoy winters at The Grand Dragon Hotel, Ladakh

Facade-The Grand Dragon Hotel Ladakh

Being an avid traveller, I have been to many parts of India and yet there is so much to explore. One of the top destinations on my list is Ladakh with my kids. How early I crave to visit there only I know.

Till the time I dont go' atleast I can encourage you to visit this dream destination of mine. Imagine spending time with loved ones during winters at a destination which is world's most preferred choice!

Be a localite and enjoy nature's beauty at its best, get hypnotized by serene landscapes totally snow covered. Lamayuru where Ladakh's oldest Monasteries overlooks scenic beauty or one of the world's highest motorable passes Khardung La Pass charms you or pristine views of Stok Kangri Mountain Range mesmerizes.

Enjoy beautiful views from world class The Grand Dragon Hotel Ladakh while sipping traditional Ladakhi gur gur chai or indulge in some local thukpa a noodle soup, and momos -- stuffed dumplings, Kashmiri Wazwan or regular Indian, Chinese or European fare.

3Nights/4Days at the deluxe room of Grand Dragon Hotel for only Rs. 22,999/-*  and for Rs 32,999/-* in the Royal Suite

Valid from December 01, 2015 to March 31, 2016

Deluxe Room --The Grand Dragon Hotel Ladakh

The Grand Dragon Hotel Ladakh curates a customised itinerary as per guests requirements.

*Package Includes

V are family Unique Vacation Homes, Tarudhan Valley

I had heard all good things about V are Family Unique Vacation Homes and had loved the concept. So, I really wanted to experience it. I was imagining a decked up villa with nice interiors and beautiful surroundings. So, we decided to experience one in Tarudhan Valley Golf Resorts at V are Family Unique Vacation Homes.

I had gone to the Golf resorts earlier as well but at that time, the approach road was very lengthy and not good at all. But this time, it was a different story altogether. Roads were well constructed. Also, we learnt a new route which was 20 kms shorter than the older one. Wow! This definitely gave me a boost to visit this place many more times in future, it being only 1 hour 15 minutes away from my home. Now I was all the more impressed.

V are Family Unique Vacation Homes at Tarudhan Valley Golf Resorts

Ambiance at V are Family Unique Vacation Homes

As we reached, it was a nice, green way to V are Family Unique Vacation homes. was by the little hill all green on one side and the other side faced the lush green Golf Course with the lake view. What more could have I asked for! In front, 3 white sports cycles were parked. When I learnt , it was the house we were supposed to stay for 3 days, I was elated.

Drawing Room

Hmm... the drawing dining was combined, fully furnished with comfortable sofas, nice center and side tables, big screen 42 inches LCD , well carpeted, music system, round marble dining table with chests to keep other stuff like table mats, salt and pepper etc. When we explored kitchen, it was well equipped with new stuff like RO,OTG, Microwave, refrigerator, all utensils, four burner auto stove, everything was there to run a proper kitchen, juicer, mixer grinder, blender, toaster and many more.

Dining Area at V are Family Unique Vacation Homes

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Nidhi KM

Top 10 reasons to celebrate winters @ Davos Klosters

Davos - Dischma

Switzerland, the heaven on Earth! Who doesn't wish to visit? Specially winter times make it an altogether different and a beautiful place. What if you get to know what to do there with some insider tips! And, what if its a yet another beautiful place like Davos Klosters?

Davos Ski

Well, you guessed it right! Davos Kloster has got activities both indoor and outdoor and for all age groups be it skiing, hockey, skating or tobogganing.  Do you know Davos Klosters has been awarded as the "Family Welcome" quality seal based on strict and crucial criteria, its hotels take care with respect to infrastructure and services or experiences curated for children, parents or their caretakers.

1. SKIING ON THE MOUNTAIN

Davos Klosters 1

While the adults enjoy skiing, kids can enjoy in their areas like magic carpets, carousels, bouncy castle, trampoline, tubing slope, ski-do.

Tips

- Madrisa: the Madrisa-Land guarantees fun in the snow and terrific enjoyment

- Stutzli Kinderclub Madrisa: qualified childcare for children up to the age of 6

- Rinerhorn: learn to ski the fun way on the "dwarves" slope

- Jakobshorn: the JatzPark provides adrenaline thrills for the more daring youngsters

- Parsenn / Gotschna: thrills and spills aplenty on the ski-cross run (Totalp run)

- Schatzalp: tranquillity and no rush in Europe's first "slowed down" skiing area

2. SKIING IN THE VALLEY

Less experienced skiers and kids can learn ski in practice areas. Restaurants

The five valley-level lifts in the Destination Davos Klosters provide the perfect practice areas for small children and less experienced skiers to learn to ski. Quaint and cosy restaurants, located close to the slops, help to keep body and soul together. And the sun terraces are perfect for taking time out to unwind

Tips

- Bolgen / Davos: learn to ski the fun way in the "Swiss Snow Kids Village"

- Bünda / Davos: children‘s ski-school with a Disney run

- Wiesen / Davos: easy practice lift amidst magnificent surroundings

- Heid / Klosters: bounce over kickers and slide along rails in the "Fun Park"

- Selfranga / Klosters: race down the slopes under floodlights on Tuesdays and Fridays

3. TOBOGGANING

Davos TOBOGGANING

All families are surely aware of the "Davos sledge". As its name suggests, the famous wooden sledge was invented in the cradle of international tobogganing – Davos. The first official race was held as far back as 1883. Today eight toboggan runs in Davos and Klosters offer the most diverse tobogganing fun.

Tips

- Schatzalp: this leisurely 2.8 km toboggan run descends to Davos Platz

- Rinerhorn: 33 bends promise an adventurous tobogganing run

- Gotschna (middle station): thrilling tobogganing descent through the snow-clad forest

- Madrisa: 8.5 km long tobogganing fun to Saas

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Photographs and content credits Davis Klosters Tourism

Restaurant review- Yauatcha, Ambiance Mall- Delhi

Entrance at Yauatcha

Very seldom restaurants get full scores on all aspects including food, service, ambiance, curtsey and hospitality. Yautcha is the one that scored full marks from Viharin.com. Why is the question.

Ambiance at Yauatcha

Ambiance at Yauatcha

The entrance door appeared very appealing and inviting in the Ambiance Mall. From distance only, the door's get up suggested about this fine dining restaurant. White, grey, black and silver colours blended in a stylish fashion to create a sophisticated ambiance. Low dim lights and sparkling clean floor along with furniture was telling the story of how well it is kept. Yautcha can be a preferred choice for personal time with loved ones. There was a kitty party going around.

Interiors at Yauatcha

Food

Fresh Kiwi Punch

Very first beverage was fresh Kiwi Punch. It was fantastic and had a tingy taste which refreshed me instantly. Then came fried Turnip cake with vegetables. Turnip being my favourite, I loved it. It was enticingly presented. Next in line was Chicken wrapped in Pok Choi leaves with Sichuan Sauce. It was delectable. Although I am not much a fan if chicken is not fried or grilled or in curry, but this one was good.

Chicken wrapped in Pok Choi leaves with Sichuan Sauce

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Nidhi KM

Enjoy festivities with One&Only Resorts, Australia

I have always wanted to visit Australia as I have heard and read beautiful things about its nature's beauty, skiing options, adventure sports, world class hotels and many more. When I heard about offers from One&Only Resorts in Australia, I immediately wanted to grab those offers. Sharing those offers with you as well. 

One&Only Hayman Beach

This festive season, you too must splurge in adventure, luxury, peace and beautiful nature at Great Barrier Reef in Australia with Whitsundays on a totally secluded Hayman island while enjoying enticing offers by One&Only Hayman Beach 

One&Only Hayman Beach has curated Christmas experiences specially for you in their Christmas Wonderland with Christmas Day extravaganza, like Gingerbread house, movies on the Aquazure Lawn and other exciting festive favourites to welcome Santa Claus followed by lavish Christmas Brunch.

Or enjoy the resort’s showcasing a On New Year’s Eve the ultimate Whitsundays chef’s table where guests will travel to a series of breathtaking locations to experience the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, combined with an innovative seven-course degustation menu paired with Perrier-Jouët Champagne created by the island’s Executive Chef Karim Hassene. Guests will also be able to join the General Manager on the sandy shores for the countdown and the spectacular fireworks display and be the first to celebrate the New Year at One&Only Hayman Island. Unwind at this private island resort starting from US$715 per room, per night.

One&Only Wolgan Valley

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley

World Heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains, only 2.5 hours drive from Sydney on Australia’s Great Dividing Range inviting you to celebrate quintessential Australian Christmas with family and friends at One&Only Wolgan Valley in a private valley and protected by soaring bush escarpments, Emirates. The 7,000-acre resort is located between two national parks.  

Many interesting activities are being organized by the resort including guided moonlit walks, wildlife tours to see wonderfulmKsngaroos and wallaroos in action.

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Cake Mixing Ceremony @ Radisson Blu, Paschim Vihar

Ready for cake mixing with General Manager, Rohit Bajpai

Cake mixing ceremony, the start of the festive season is indeed an auspicious occasion. Everyone enthusiastically welcomes the Christmas.

Paschim Vihar being enroute to most of my trips, I have always passed through Radisson Blu but never ever stopped by. However, this time as I heard about the cake mixing ceremony, I had to visit their facility to attend the same.

Sunset by the pool side at Radisson Blu Hotel

Cake mixing ceremony was held at pool side. It was a beautiful site. Weather being pleasant, garden around and open air area made it a perfect setting for any kind of occasion. Soon cake mixing ceremony started. Everyone wore chef caps and gathered around a table where all ingredients were supposed to be mixed.

Everyone participating with passion

All the raw material like almonds, raisins, black currants, pistachios, dates, cherries, walnuts, apricots and more were mixed together.

All this was topped with alcoholic beverages like rum, gin and wine. Everyone including various department heads and even media people wore chef caps and gloves and added to the fervor of cake mixing ceremony. It was a delight to see gathering excited for the mixing. Once the whole material gets mixed, it needs to be fermented for minimum 40 days. Then it would be mixed with the cake batter to prepare an enticing luscious Christmas charm cake.

Staff of Radisson Blu and Media mixing cake ingredients

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Nidhi KM

Enjoy Royalty @ Vijaya Vilas Heritage Resort

Vijay Vilas Heritage Resort

After exciting Rann Utsav, we wanted to enjoy Mandvi beach for one night. I had already did my online research on accommodation for one night which was Vijaya Vilas Heritage Resort. My research was re enforced by authorities at Rann Utsav. But just to ensure we were on the right track, we still did some physical research when we reached Mandvi. We found no other option better than Vijaya Vilas Heritage Resort. It once used to be the guest house of the Royal Family.

Interiors of room

After seeing its location and proximity to the Royal Palace along with accommodation, we decided to stay there for one night. The complex of palace was a total green belt with tented as well as concrete accommodation. The building of resort had rooms on two floors. Rooms were well appointed and spacious carryong the legacy of Royal times. This building was fully WiFi enabled. Opposite to this were 6/7 tents which were nicely planned with a restautant space in the middle and playing area around. The way tents were laid ensured enough space and privacy to each of them.We chose tented once as obvious choice of our kids.

Tented accommodation at Vijaya Vilas Heritage Resort

I have always admired white coloured tents. Tents were well appointed with tea coffee maker, air conditioner and floored wash rooms. Kids loved the ambiance and started playing immediately. As we refreshed, food arrived and it was super tasty. French fries, cutlets and sandwiches were lip smacking. The presentation itself suggested the hygiene and quality of food. Loved it. Tea was awesome too.

Restaurant

In a while we checked out to visit the grand palace. As we came back, spent some time playing badminton. Resort had carrom board, chess as well. We then went to resort's private beach. Totally secluded, neat and clean. Beautiful it was. We recorded serene sunset. 

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Nidhi KM

Palace of the Time- Vijaya Vilas, Gujarat

Vijaya Vilas Palace

Having spent two days at Dhordo City, Rann Utsav it was now time for us to leave for Mandvi which was just two and a half hours away from it. We wanted to drive only so far so we could relax for one night before travelling for next 8 hours back to Ahmedabad. 

Anyways, we had heard a lot about Vijaya Vilas. The palace, its resort and the beach at Mandvi. Since I am a beach lover, I wanted to spend some time there plus had a great desire to show Palace of the time to my kids Vijaya Vilas.

How Vijaya Vilas Palace looked!

Carvings inside the dome

As we entered the premises, a huge park welcomed us. There were many dogs around. I held my kids aged 6 and 4 tight so they felt safe. But one needs to be very careful there. We were supposed to take off our shoes. As we entered, a spic n span shining marble floor was awaiting with a huge wall window on the front. Just before that window, a royal dining cum guest room looked highly attractive with red regal chairs and beautiful ambiance. There were big frames of killed animals like leopard etc.

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Nidhi K

How can Kerala woo you?

Kerala, popularly known as God's own country is actually heaven on earth. One of the most preferred destinations of world, Kerala is a perfect tourist place be it celebrations, business, family , adventure and entertainment etc. This culturally rich and geographically diverse state has magnetic attraction luring lakhs of tourists per month.

Question is how can Kerala woo you?

1. You can make important business decisions with open mind and fresh air at this beautiful peaceful locations with tranquil landscapes, surrounded with tea gardens, singing beaches.

Flock-of-Neelgiri-Tahr-on-road-of-Malabar-peak-in-Munnar

2. Enjoy wildlife including endangered Neelgiri Tahrs in hilly region in Munnar

3. Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Award winning location Thekkady housing Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of its kind for its breathtaking views and mesmerizing scenic beauty

4. Vellar craft village at Kovalam, popular for ethnic crafts which are treat to eyes and captivating

Another-view-of-lake-in-Thekkady1

5. Having hosted the British royal couple, Prince Charles and wife Camilla Parker Bowles at the backwaters resort of Kumarakom and esteemed guests like Beatles legend Sir Paul Mcartney and 151,497 travellers from the United Kingdom,  Kerala boasts about its hospitality and hypnotic locations

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Nidhi KM

InstaDiwaliGiveaway Contest winner

InstaDiwaliGiveaway

Its quite tough to keep waiting for the result if you have participated in a contest. Specially if the contest is worth Rs.10,000 ~ $170. Your chances increase specifically, if its a contest limited to social media. So, all the more you would be curious to know results. I am talking about InstaDiwaliGiveaway.

As we six Globally Engaged Media Influencers decided to go ahead and sponsor a contest together worth Rs.10,000 we realized how people responded to our initiative. It was an overwhelming response. We were proud to host the contest and people loved it. With the passage of time, more and more people believed in us. Since it was a two week long contest, we could see incremental engagement every day. We had earned it and loved it.

Without much ado, I announce the winner of this unparalleled contest #InstaDiwaliGiveaway as

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Nidhi KM

Experience quirkiness of The Junkyard Cafe , CP

The Junkyard Cafe

Junkyard, isn't it a quirky name? What will the name suggest until you hear its a restaurant. Well for me too it was a paradigm shift when I heard it is The Junkyard Cafe! Word that is normally used for storing junk suddenly got an opposite meaning. That junk which we trash is being used in an innovative quirky way to create an unparalleled ambiance of a restaurant in CP. Wow! These thoughts compelled me to visit the restaurant and actually witness the beauty created out of junk.

Ambiance

Stage at The Junkyard Cafe

Before even I entered the restaurant, I could see the utility of junk in the most remarkable manner. Tyres first of all were arranged in a stylish fashion. On moving ahead, I could see a giant robo made up of junk parts of motorbike. Oh, there were numerous articles and things made of junk using a hell of alot of creativity. The whole ambiance was highly gripping. It took me minimum 15-20 minutes to digest the innovation. Sofas made out if car dikkies, electric circuits used in sofas arranged nicely in a presentable manner. Drums used for table stands, coloured tyres used for decoration , small woodden pieces to create a fashion of design on sofas. So much to mention. Every detail was taken care.

Interiors at The Junkyard Cafe

Food and drinks at The Junkyard Cafe

Mocktails

I was already taken by the ambiance so was already anticipating good food. To start with, we tried four mock tails with beetroot as a major ingredient in 3 , watermelon . Since I don't drink watermelon juice, I tasted two of them- Citrus Mart and Root Collage. They were heavenly. Specially because, mocktails were made of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pita with hummus and other sauces

Then snacks started pouring in one by one. Pita bread with hummus and other sauces that included grated bottlegourd, curd base. Hummus could have been better. Loved the luscious combination though.

Salad

Five Spice Chicken on pita bread was good. Bread was thin and crispy. Chicken was soft, well marinated and juicy with perfect taste. There were toppings of onions and capsicum which are my all time favourite so I relished it. Lamb Shish Tawook was presented in an enticing fashion. I liked them as well.

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Nidhi KM

Celebrate your moments @ Butler House, Punjabi Bagh

Ambiance

Having lived in Punjabi Bagh for good 20 years, I am aware of almost every new opening on the club road. As I saw Butler House, I was intrigued by the thought how this outlet could mark a difference from other restaurants in Punjabi Bagh.

Interiors at Butler House

So, when I went there to check out, I realized how the difference would be in terms of ambiance, food and service.

Ambiance at Butler House

Private seating

Ambiance was perfect for a romantic dining time out with dim lights and beautiful seating. There was ample seating for group get togethers, private seating and other dining options. I liked the atmosphere with wooden furniture and flooring. Bar in the front was nice too.

Food

Mocktail with apple, cranberry and orange juice

It was quite early when we went dining for lunch. As we settled, I had a refreshing breezer having a mix of cranberry,orange and apple juice. Along with the mocktail, I started with Soya tikka. Imagine, never ever I have liked Soya tikka but this restaurant quite impressed me with Soya Tikka which was beyond my expectation being a non vegetarian. It was awesome! I loved it. Next was spaghetti Arabiata. It was toothsome and I took it for the second time as well. At that point I was not tasting it but was indulging in the dish. It was presented in an enticing fashion, totally irresistible having appropriate blend of spices, cheese. Spaghetti too was perfectly cooked.

Spaghetti Arabiata

With mouthwatering Veg Salt and pepper and volvent burger desi chicken burger,my palette was enjoying the treat. The burger was different in a way as it had indianized chicken gravy stuffed bun. Oh, it was different yet luscious. I tried the vegetarian version as well but chicken version was my favourite. Rajma Goulati kebabs were no less.

Mouthwatering Chicken stuffed buns

Murgh malai tikka is my all time favourite. The traditional recipe did not disappoint me at Butler House as well. 

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Nidhi KM