Traveling to India? Here’s expert advice from Vasco Travel
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women
Shannon’s Q&A with expert on India travel, Vikas Abbott from Vasco Travel, based in Delhi.
This is part one of a series of articles.
As I pack my bags for India, my excitement is growing by the minute about my upcoming visit to this vast, colourful and diverse country that I have longed to explore. With India being so newsworthy these days, particularly with the release of the film India’s Daughter, travel to the country is at the forefront.
So what is the best way for travelers to experience India?
I turned to the leading experts in travel to India, Vasco Travel, an award-winning, family-run travel company based in Delhi, and recipient of the National Tourism Award, and Best Experiential Tour Operator award. What intrigues me about Vasco Travel is their idea of “responsible tourism,” and given that they have been in the travel business for more than 3 generations, I believed there is some wisdom to uncover about how to best experience this country and culture. So I asked Vikas Abbott, Vasco Travel’s Managing Director, some questions that provide great insight. If India is on your radar screen, read on.
(Vasco Travels receiving award)
1. What is the growing trend in the industry?
VA: Travel to Indian sub-continent is witnessing a major shift from traditional to experiential, giving a whole new dimension to the tourism industry. Seasoned travelers from the western world are looking for more authentic and real time experiences that will inspire them, and show them a different perspective of living in peace and harmony.
This transition has thrown a new challenge to the travel industry experts who are now busy designing out-of-the-box experiential packages to woo the travelers from across the globe. Travel concepts like culinary, wellness, women travel, sustainable/eco tourism and golf tourism are gathering momentum in India and hoteliers are constructing new properties in-line with these concepts. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) like Vasco Travel are frontrunners in promoting experiential packages to their overseas clients with the sole aim of making their Indian experience exotic and memorable… a Once-in-a-Lifetime experience.
2. What is responsible tourism?
VA: Responsible Tourism involves traveling to a defined location that demonstrates eco-friendly practices like efficient management of energy, waste and water, and contributes to the welfare of local community by creating employment opportunities and providing education and sanitation to the underprivileged. It is increasingly becoming important to promote Responsible Tourism in India to generate awareness amongst masses towards eco-friendly practices, which would go a long way in improving the tourism infrastructure of off-beat destinations and add value to overall travel experience of the visitors. Tour operators and hoteliers have taken the collective responsibility to promote this initiative in order to maximize the underlying tourism potential of the country.
I am the 3rd generation in the Indian travel industry and over the years, we realized that we need to give back to the society. I believe it should be done at the grass root level. Besides using re-cycled paper for all our brochures, we are promoting hotels that involve the local communities that help them generate employment and promote the dying arts in India. The company has been actively involved with an organization, Grow-Trees, that plants trees on community or public land. We plant trees for each of the guests traveling with Vasco Travel and give them an e-certificate. For some of our overseas partners, they calculate the carbon emissions and we plant trees on their behalf. http://www.grow-trees.com/corporates/corporate_supporters.aspx
Since last 5 years, we have been financially supporting 02Kids in their education through SOS Villages of India.
3. What is the most popular travel theme that consumers are seeking?
VA: Travelers to India from the western world are seeking varied travel experiences as the country has so much to offer in terms of tourism under one roof. Wellness, sustainable, spiritual and culinary travel have become a new found passion for the global traveler to India.
4. Tell me about your top wellness packages and why they are so popular.
VA: Indian wellness therapies have captured the imagination of international travelers from around the world who come here to rejuvenate themselves with time-tested Ayurvedic treatments. Vasco Travel has synergized with some of the best Wellness Spas and offers Spa & Wellness holidays across the county. Of all the places, Kerala is the most famous for offering traditional holistic treatments to the discerning guests.
5. What makes Vasco Travel unique – and what is its mission?
VA: Vasco Travel has designed some unique experiences in different locations across India to amaze and delight our guests with these experiences. Our mission is to design out of the box experiences that offer a different picture of India that cannot be seen in images or read in travelogues. Its uniqueness can be cherished only by going through these experiences. Some of the experiences we offer include a meal with Indian families, unique dining experiences, culinary and heritage walks in selected cities, and vintage car rides.
6. What makes India such a special destination?
VA: India offers a blend of old world charm and modernity to the visitors. Enchanting Himalayas in the north, sprawling beaches of Goa, Kerala backwaters and countryside, mesmerizing sand dunes of Rajasthan, exotic wildlife, holy rivers and majestic temples are bound to astound your senses with mysticism while state-of-the-art hotels, airports, swanky shopping malls, corporate towers and plush homestays offer modern creature comforts and give you a glimpse of changing India. If you are looking for a transcendental experience with a heady mix of spirituality and luxury, then India is the place to be.
7. What is “experiential travel” and why is it important or relevant?
VA: A country’s uniqueness and dynamism is known by the experiences it has to offer to its visitors. The modern world is evolving at a fast pace and the awakened travelers want to spend their money on a travel experience only if it excites them. Just the run of the mill touristy circuit doesn’t motivate them anymore. Therefore, it is crucial for tour operators to project their country on a different platform altogether and attract visitors by exploring the unexplored territories.
8. Since the film “India’s Daughter” is so topical at the moment, issues about women’s safety in India is being discussed all over the media and social media. Is India safe for women travellers? What does your company do to ensure the safety of your women guests/customers?
VA: Women all over India travel without fear to any part of the country by using all means of transport. We at Vasco Travel realize that our women guests have to be given special attention, and therefore we take every possible measure for their safe passage and entry and exit out of the country. Our drivers are well-behaved, professional and are hired only after doing background checks. The accommodations we book for our guests across India have enough security measures in place to ensure safety of our women guests. Not only our women travellers, but every guest is met upon arrival/departure by our office representatives in every city. Our tour escorts are well trained to handle emergencies and SOS situations. We are just a call away.
In Canada, Vasco Travel is represented by Canadian Travel Services marketing and communication agency, led by CEO, Ajay Tandon.
More information about Vasco Travel, click here.
Mandarin Oriental, Geneva: hotel review
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women
Shannon Skinner visits Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, a luxury 5-star hotel offering lovely view, modern design and acclaimed dining, peaceful city-centre location, close to the historical Old Town.
The first time I visited Geneva, Switzerland, I was in my early twenties and back-packing across Europe one summer with a group of friends. Returning more than twenty years later, I am enamoured with this small yet vibrant and charming city that is surrounded by natural beauty. This time, I visited during the month of December with the purpose of experiencing a European Christmas Market and other Geneva gems — and the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva happened to be one of those gems. Here, I felt right at home.
(Mandarin Oriental Geneva on the banks of the River Rhône)
Located on the banks of the famous River Rhône, which flows into the mouth of Lake Geneva, and short walking distance from the downtown core and historical Old Town, the hotel was easy to get to from the Geneva airport. Geneva transit offers free (yes, free!) train transportation from the airport to the city centre, (a train departs every 15 minutes to Geneva’s train station “Cornavin,” and it only takes 7 minutes), an offering that is convenient and most welcoming for a traveller. Once at Cornavin station, you can take the tram or bus for 2 short stops or walk about 10 mins to the hotel (note: there is a slight hill you have to walk on the way back, a bit tricky with luggage, so the tram is best).
(Lobby, Mandarin Oriental Geneva)
The hotel lobby’s decorations of flowers and fragrances (e.g. scented candles) are changed frequently throughout the year. Since it is Christmastime, the decor is colourful with softly flickering candles and cones of macarooms and pinecones, and such, giving it a warm ambience. They looked so good it took all the restraint I had not to eat the decorations!
(Lovin’ this Christmas decor detail)
Located on the 4th floor overlooking the river, my room had a walk-in closet and large working desk, with a sofa and king-sized bed. The bathroom was quite large and spotless, with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower with glass doors (again, spotless). Heated towel rails are a nice touch; the towels were nice and warm when using them after a shower. I made use of the Nespresso coffee machine and take-making set in the room. A large flatscreen hangs on the wall. Housekeeping service is twice per day and I actually wore the slippers they provided.
(River-side room)
When I arrived, there was a lovely fresh flowers arrangement on the coffee table and a bowl of mandarins, which I consumed with gratitude, and a spare umbrella for my use. The street below was quite at night, but some noise inside the room that I believe came from the heating system woke me a few times. I did not hear a peep from other guests in the rooms next door during my entire stay. The only drawback I could come up with is the WiFi is not complimentary in the room, although it is free in the lobby.
(View from my window)
In terms of amenities, the business centre is conveniently located off the lobby and next to the lounge/bar. The fitness centre has every cardio machine and weights you need for a quick work-out, as well as a sauna. There is a beauty studio offering treatments geared to wellness and spa treatments, and also a hair salon, as well as several conference/meeting rooms for functions.
(One of the many modern, comfortable suites offered)
(Lovely bathroom of one of the suites)
The best hotel experiences often have to do with the people and their service. One doorman pleasantly surprised me by handing a bottle of water to me upon returning from an early morning jog. Another noticed one evening I wasn’t carrying a second bag that I had when I walked in, but had accidentally left behind in the lounge. One staff member at the desk went to great lengths to help me with a reservation change to my Air Canada flight, which was a glitch in the airlines reservation system. And the marketing and communication manager, Alexandra Caron, provided insight into life in Geneva over a lovely dinner she hosted at the restaurant, Rasoi by Vineet, where I had one of the best meals, ever (I love Indian cuisine).
(Rasoi by Vineet’s tandoori oven and the chef himself, Vineet Bhatia)
For solo women: Since safety is usually at the forefront of the minds of women traveling solo, I always like to share my experience because my female readers want to know. I felt perfectly safe at the hotel and walking around Geneva alone at night, and also jogging early in the morning when it was still dark outside. The streets are relatively quite and calm in the evenings.
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DETAILS:
Price From: $780-$1,100 Cdn for rooms; and $1,400-$23,600 Cdn for suites (inquire about rates and specials)
Who goes? Considering Geneva is particularly a business-oriented city, it seems it would attract guests of all walks of life, especially business travellers, as well as couples, singles and families.
Style/Character: A stylish, luxury hotel, 5-star, modern with an Asian flare to it. It is part of the larger Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Service/Staff: Friendly, resourceful and professional staff, and excellent service all around, as you would expect with a 5-star hotel. The restaurant staff were extremely organized, knowledgeable about pairing of wines with food, and swift with delivery of meals.
Rooms: 196 renovated rooms and suites; all elegant, stylish, luxurious and geared for comfort. All suites (there is a range) offer magnificent views of the Old Town and snow-capped mountains; Junior Terrace Suites have a private top-floor terrace. Heated towel rails in the rooms’ washrooms are a nice touch. All rooms have a small Nespresso coffee machine, twice-daily room cleaning service, large working desk, large bathrooms (some have separate bath/walk-in shower combo), cozy terry-towel bathrobes and plenty of closet space. Suites obviously have larger living areas. As well as high-quality entertainment technology, including a Bang & Olufsen television, interactive entertainment system which allows integration of iPod or MP3, and audio system. Some come with yoga mats and umbrellas. The only draw-back is the WiFi is not free in the rooms for guests, though it is free in the lobby.
Food/Drink: There are three on-site options: Café Calla, all-day dining; Rasoi by Vineet, Indian gourmet and contemporary cuisine, one-Michelin star, created by renowned chef Vineet Bhatia (also has the acclaimed restaurant Rasoi in London); and MO Bar, offering drinks and light fare. Excellent wine lists with plenty of Swiss wine options.
Amenities: On-site salon, beauty studio, fitness centre (24 hr), business centre, 4 conference rooms (for weddings & other events) and 6 meeting rooms. Considered one of the best event locations in Geneva. Catering is available.
Women traveling solo-friendly: Yes.
Family-friendly: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Local shopping: Nearby are lots of shops and boutique stores, and the historical Old Town centre, just walking distance.
What not to miss: Rosoi by Vineet, the food and wine are excellent.
Nightlife: The bar gets relatively quiet by 11pm or so, so if you are seeking an exciting nightlife, you may need to find a downtown club or bar.
Value for Money: At a minimum room cost of $780 Cdn, you get a lot of excellent services, comfort and convenience that comes with the central location.
Reservations: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/geneva/
Location: Geneva, Switzerland, situated on the banks of the River Rhône, in the heart of the city centre. Address: Quai Turrettini 1, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland | +41 (22) 909 00 00.
Resources: Geneva Tourism and Switzerland Tourism
* some photos courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Geneva, because they are so much better than mine.
Accommodation was provided courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Geneva and Geneva Tourism.
10 Tips for Traveling and Staying at Hotels with Your Dog
As a busy career woman who owns a dog, it can be challenging to pack-up and go whenever the wanderlust desires. Dog sitting services add-up and sometimes it is too much of an inconvenience to travel with a dog.
I am not alone.
With one third of the households in Canada owning dogs and, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada, about half of Canadian households have some kind of pet, that’s a lot of people who need to make arrangements for their pets while they travel. The travel and tourism industry has been waking up and creating enticing offerings so people can travel with their furry loved ones.
(Bob taking a rest in the shade at Deerhurst Resort)
Ontario’s Deerhurst Resort is one of them, with their pet-friendly policy that is designed to help guests and their furry loved ones stay with ease and comfort. Although I have never stayed at a hotel before with a dog, I wanted to give it a go to see if this could be an answer to having more freedom to travel. And so, one weekend my sheepdog, Bob, and I took a road trip in my Smart car to the resort north of Toronto for an adventure — and learned a few things along the way.
Here are some tips for anyone traveling and staying at a hotel with a dog:
1. Ensure Your Dog is Safely Strapped In – If you are taking a road trip, strap your dog in with a seatbelt harness designed for canines — not only for the safety of your dog, but for your own safety as well. Or if your vehicle is large enough (mine isn’t), have your dog travel in a crate.
(“Are we there yet?…”Bob loves going for an adventure in the Smart car)
2. Make Many Pit Stops — If traveling by car, be sure to take many breaks from driving – more than you think you need. Dogs get restless when traveling and that adds to your stress. Service centres are ideal to walk the dog around to stretch legs and do its business, and you can top-up plastic containers with fresh cold water.
3. Get Organized – Think through all the things your dog needs and uses on a daily basis, such as water and food bowls, and create a checklist in advance. When we arrived at the resort, I had realized I forgot to pack Bob’s bowls, and the staff were kind enough to provide some.
4. Traveling with Raw Food – If you feed your furry friend raw food, contact the place you are staying to see if you can keep the food in a fridge. Of course this depends on the distance you are traveling and how long you are staying. Bob eats mostly raw, but when I travel with him, I pack a high-grade kibble and/or freeze dried meat, and snacks that would not go bad. If you are going for longer stays, make daily trips to the local grocery store to ensure food safety.
(Deerhurst Resort in the early morning mist…I love misty mornings!)
5. Clean Up After Your Dog – Yes, the poop ‘n scoop principle still applies when you travel. Be considerate of the places you are staying, even if you think no-one is watching.
(Bob enjoyed our room at Deerhurst, which had patio doors providing direct outdoor access to the spectacular grounds)
6. Plenty of Exercise – Before you depart, and as soon as you arrive at your destination, take your dog out for a long walk or run. Let him/her sniff around the grounds and burn off some energy.
7. Plan Ahead for Separation Anxiety: Think ahead about how you are going to handle leaving the dog in the hotel room when you go for meals, etc. to avoid separation anxiety and nuisance barking. If you are staying in a hotel or resort, you probably will not be able to take your pooch into the dining areas. If your dog barks while you are away, that will disrupt other guests and may cause problems for you with the hotel staff. Check to see if the hotel has dog-sitting services.
(Deerhurst has awesome hiking trails, great for getting your dog exercised and tired)
8. Follow the Hotel’s Rules: Every hotel will have its own pet policy. Check in advance as to their do’s and don’ts. Some may have a “you damage, you pay” policy.
9. Call in Advance: It’s best to call the hotel in advance to determine if a hotel you plan to stay at is pet-friendly. While more hotels and resorts are accepting pets, not all do.
(Bob hanging out on the grounds of Deerhurst Resort)
10. Keep the Dog Calm: Above all, do your best to keep your dog calm at all times. Not only will the hotel’s staff appreciate it, so will the other guests.
With some planning ahead and wise decision-making, you can have the freedom to travel with you dog – and an enjoyable experience overall.
Going it Solo: 6 Things to do in Ontario for Women who Travel Solo
The summer issue of Infinity Magazine, one of the publications I write for, is out! It features my article “Going it Solo: 6 Things to do Around Ontario for Women Who Like to ‘Go it’ Solo.”
Check it out! You can read it here – and more travel articles and reviews that I have written.
My perfect day in New York City
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: Travel Tips for Women
Shannon Skinner writes about her perfect day in New York City.
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If you know me, you know I have a love affair with New York City. It is a city that I find so electrifying and full of life. It is the heartbeat of the world. If you are shaking your head ‘no’ in disagreement with this statement, just imagine what life would be like without the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
This past weekend, I went to New York for some R&R and to get re-energized and inspired. For many people, summer-time is the season to putter in the garden, work on the cottage, or simply chill-out with family while the kids are out of school. I find it is nearly impossible to get down time in my home city of Toronto, regardless of the season. I don’t have a cottage in the Muskokas to escape to. In fact, I never will have a cottage because I have no desire to be anchored to one — I’d rather travel. Probably like you, I have many distractions and a thousand reasons why I should be “working” 24/7. For me, to allow my mind to wind down and vacate for a bit, and to reclaim my energy when it gets depleted (and oh boy it does), I need to get away. In fact, I’ve come to accept that I have no choice.
For many people, travel is considered a luxury. It is something you do once you have wealth, or when you retire. There was a time when I did not travel because I did not have the money or could not take the time away from my work. However, I have come to realize that by taking off time and going to a place that inspires me, I have more energy than I had before, and the inspiration is the gasoline that fuels me to keep being productive and achieve my goals. Without it, my tires go flat. So it does not do me any service to not travel.
I spent Sunday in the most marvellous way. In the morning, a dear friend of mine and I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has been a few years since I had been to the Met, and I felt a desire to surround myself with the beauty of some of the greatest genius artists since the beginning of time. After a couple of hours of meandering through its vast galleries and halls, my friend and I had a brunch in the Met’s restaurant. How divine it was to sip on a glass of chilled prosecco along with a decent-sized serving of French toast, while surrounded by a view of the park on one side and a bright naturally-lit hall filled with amazing life-size statues on the other.
And with temperature soaring in the 90s in Manhattan, a scorcher of a weekend, the museum’s cool air conditioning was a welcomed reprieve.
The Met, one of the best art museums in the world, offers so much education about art history. As far as my taste in art is concerned, I must admit my favourite artists are the 19th century European impressionists. What’s not to love about Monet’s water lilies? There is something uplifting and almost calming about the work of the impressionists.
The Met has something to offer for everyone, regardless of your taste in art, age, or background. There is always something to learn and experience. And be sure to check out the rooftop terrace, which offers an impressive view of the city.
Following our morning with the art masters, my friend and I found ourselves at the River Café, which is situated under the Brooklyn Bridge, on the Brooklyn river side. We treated ourselves to a beverage at the bar, which had talented piano player behind us and an amazing, unobstructed view of lower Manhattan in front of us. I must add, the restaurant, which is world-renowned, has a lush garden of flowers, one of the best indoor display of flowers I have ever seen, inside the entrance. The restaurant is also famous for holding the graduation party for JFK when he graduated from law school.
The bar had friendly bartenders who entertained my friend and I with their travel stories. Although we did not have anything to eat, from what I could around me, the food looked delicious.
It was a wonderful environment to catch-up with my friend, reminisce, to share dreams, hopes — and a few laughs.
For me, this was the perfect way to spend a Sunday. What’s yours?
