World Tourist Destinations

Picture perfect Singapore!

...Is what actor Tejaswini Kolhapure experienced on her recent trip to the island state



A vibrant, multi-cultural, and cosmopolitan island-state, Singapore expresses the essence of today's New Asia. In Singapore, each surrounding area has its own distinct flavour, from the aromatic spice stores of Little India to the tumbledown backstreets of Chinatown or the Arab Quarter, whose cluttered stores sell fine clothes and silks.
Though Singapore is known as the best business destination in the world, actor Tejaswini Kolhapure's trip to this place was for a wedding. "It was a two-in-one trip for me. I had a wedding to attend and I also got to meet one of my closest college friends who live there," says Tejaswini. But what struck the actor the most was the cleanliness. "When I landed I couldn't miss how clean Singapore was — it was like a picture postcard. Secretly, I wished for our Mumbai to be this clean some day." Tejaswini was also glad to get some respite from the Mumbai traffic, "Singapore, I felt, is not a very big city because getting from point A to point B didn't take more than 30 minutes, considering the travel we do in Mumbai. Also when the roads are great, drives are better as well," she adds.
Besides the beautiful sights, and skyscrapers there are great shopping centres in Singapore. Also, it has a buzzing nightlife. "Shopping, particularly for electronics is a must here. I managed to buy things like shoes from my favourite brands and a laptop for my husband. Orchard Street is the most happening place in terms of shopping and night scene. I also got souvenirs for my niece and nephews." Describing the food scene in Singapore, Tejaswini says, "People here are very polite and sweet and the food was to die for. I went to this popular joint called Jumbo where I had the Singaporean chilly crab. It was a bit too sweet though. Next time, I shall have the black pepper one."
Though the actor was disappointed in missing out on Sentosa Island, she lists out three must-do things when in Singapore. "You have to eat at the Jumbo restaurant. Also you must go on this street called Clarkys, which is full of clubs and restaurants by the river. Thirdly, shopping at Orchard Street." Finally Tejaswini brands Singapore to be an impressive package of food, fashion and fun! "It was a wonderful trip. Singapore is not very big but it's very clean and everything there is in order. Also, it's so green, with a fabulous shopping scene and excellent food," Tejaswini ends.

Viva la Espana!

Spanish events are dotting Mumbai's cultural landscape, as we get to see the city hosting a number of events celebrating Spanish ethos

It seems that the recession has hit Europe pretty badly, as Spain now seems to have descended on Mumbai, with the city hosting a number of events celebrating the rich Hispanic culture and tradition. Be it Spanish, Mexican or Latin American — Mumbaikars seem to slurp up anything that is interesting and have a Spanish touch.
It all started with Zoya Akhtar's on the road drama Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, which was extensively shot in various cities around Spain. In spite of getting mixed reviews, the film made people enthralled by the beauty and culture of Spain. Just after the movie the La Tomatino festival was organised, which also featured in the movie. The festival was first of its kind held in Mumbai. People got to squash, stomp and throw tomatoes on everyone around them without a care in the world. Recently, there also took place Latino Night at Canvas, where people got to sway to the magical beats of the Latin music (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Zouk, Kizomba, Reggaeton etc.) It was a brilliant night with people dancing to the tunes of sensuous Salsa.
Then for all the food lovers out there, the Festival of Spain in celebration of the European country's National Day was organised. The Consulate of Spain in association with Mediterranean restaurant Amadeus, dished out some Spanish treats, in the presence of some energetic flamenco dancing. Farrokh Khambata of Amadeus said, "This Spanish festivals are an attempt to offer Mumbaikars an insight into Spanish food and lifestyle."
Keeping up with the food culture, is an exciting new initiative by Svenska Design Hotels, who announced the launch of a series of cooking classes on Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine by professional chefs of Miro, who have been taught by Michelin-star chefs from Europe. Finally, the Wedding Cafe; and Lounge also organised a week long Mexican Food festival, bringing in a refreshing combination of Mexican food and margheritas!

Surfing through Sufism


The upcoming annual Sufi festival, Ruhaniyat, promises to bring seldom heard folk tunes from remote corners of the world to the city



Gear up for some soulful music as the eleventh edition of Ruhaniyat — one of the biggest Sufi music festival in Asia — comes to the city. Known to bring on the stage the remote and rural tunes, the two-day long festival is truly a celebration of the folk artists — the actual practitioners of mystic traditions who express complex and deep thoughts in the most enchanting manner.
Says founder, organiser Nandini Mahesh, "For us 2011 is very special as now Ruhaniyat has entered the second decade. It has been a long journey and a very demanding one, with the festival travelling to seven cities of India. But, it has also been a deeply satisfying one too and, it is far from complete. There are so many forms which are amazingly powerful, orally passed down from generation to generation across centuries, hidden in various parts of our country. The carriers of these living traditions create an absolutely enchanting tapestry of music."

This time around, the Mumbai version of the festival will feature some unique and unheard of forms of rural rhythms. "We are forms like Devaram hymns by Nayanmars from Tamil Nadu; these are ancient hymns that date back to seventh century. Another highlight is Waee from Kutch, a one of its kind stylised rendition of Shah Latif's works. Mystic Shabads, Kabirbani and Zikr are the other brilliant forms that will be featured this year," explains Nandini. And that's not all. Also performing at the event will be guest artists Whirling Dervishes from Turkey. Another highlight is the first ever performance of Polyphony, which will be presented on both the days. The festival that opens at the historic Purana Qila in Delhi, will be held in Mumbai on the weekend, and will then travel to Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT OMAN Home of Cultural Radiance

Established by Royal Decree, the Royal Opera House Muscat was officially inaugurated on October 14, 2011, amid much excitement and fanfare. A recital of Puccini's masterpiece, 'Turandot', was the highlight of the inaguration. The Opera House is an influential arts and culture platform that enhances Oman's international reputation and reinforces its niche offerings. The organisation serves as a laboratory for creativity and intellectual exchanges; and its high-tech venue pays tribute to and presents diverse artistic and cultural expressions from the Sultanate, the region, and the world.
A towering beacon shedding light on the various trends of the Renaissance march towards growth, Royal Opera House Muscat is an illustration of the undivided attention that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has devoted to the cultural sector since the new dawn of the Sultanate. He has repeatedly asserted that the human being is not only the ultimate goal of any development process, but also its instrument and means. Therefore, sustained investment in educational and cultural infrastructures to promote the wellbeing of the Omani citizens, while strengthening the pillars of the modern State, is a high priority on the list of noble goals that Sultan Qaboos seeks to achieve.
From this perspective and in order to promote the Sultanate's cultural heritage and artistic engagement, Royal Directives were issued to develop a set of structures to broaden people's participation in cultural life. Royal Opera House Muscat has emerged as the leading open house for arts and culture in the country. It was initially conceived in 2001 as the house for musical arts and its development over a decade underwent several changes reflecting the modernist vision of Sultan Qaboos and other requirements that enabled the Royal Court Affairs, with the assistance of various technical experts, to build what is now viewed as a milestone in the evolution of an Omani architectural style.
The newly completed building is a fusion of Omani tradition and modernity. The construction of this iconic and majestic Royal Opera House Muscat building with stunning handmade ornaments, including the sophistication of its rich interior, is in many ways an embodiment of such complexity and multiplicity of references witnessed in Omani architecture.
Sultan Qaboos, on the occasion of the opening, said: "Oman, throughout its long history has played prominent roles in various cultural fields and the time has come now to cap that rich march by means of adopting concepts of international culture and by effective contribution to its promotion. Towards that end, we have established the Royal Opera House Muscat as a centre of cultural radiance for the Omani people and all humanity."
"We have sought in all world forum to foster the constructive role of Oman in the dialogue among civilisations and in enriching cultural exchange and strengthening bonds of permanent friendship and cooperation. We are sure that the Royal Opera House Muscat will play a significant role in disseminating world heritage and reinforcing the principles of peace, coexistence and understanding among all nations and peoples through art events that express a common human cultural heritage of strong meaning and deep impact," he added.

OMAN AIR Your Home In The Air

Oman Air, the designated carrier of the Sultanate of Oman is a business enterprise committed to the basic objective of providing safe, reliable and profitable air transport services for passengers and cargo as well as other aviation related services. Since starting off as a regional player in 1983, it has witnessed rapid growth, and has played its part in making Muscat a major traffic hub in the Middle East providing a fillip to commercial, industrial and tourism activities.
Oman Air currently operates direct international flights to major Gulf destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Al-Ain, Jeddah, Dammam, Kuwait and Riyadh from Muscat. It also flies to various European destinations including London, Zurich, Frankfurt, Munich, Milan and Paris. The airline also flies to ten destinations in India - Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, Kozhikode and Jaipur.

Jabal Akhdar - Oman's Breathtaking Green Mountain

A drive through Muscat's captivating Hajjar mountain range leaves Mala Biswas revitalised and longing for more…



A two hour drive, southwest from Muscat, through the ancient and captivating Hajjar mountain range, leaves one soaked in nature's bounty. Jabal Akhdar looms ahead rising to more than 3,000 metres above sea level. Famous for its wide plateau close to the summit, it is located in the Dakhiliyah Region of Oman. Near the summit is a wide plateau from which you can peer into Wadi Ghul, Oman's Grand Canyon. A sheer drop of over a kilometre, with dramatically contorted vertical rock faces simply takes the breath away.
Jabal Akhdar, meaning Green Mountain, refers to the northern section of the Hajjar mountains. As you take the road out of Muscat, you reach a quaint town of Izki and then you start to climb past ancient villages steeply terraced into the mountainside. These mountains are home to isolated villages whose people live amongst the rocky peaks. These peaks provide the traveller with opportunities for walking, trekking, wildlife spotting, canyoning, exploration by 4 wheel drive and an opportunity to meet local people unchanged by the tourism found elsewhere in the Middle East.
Jabal Akhdar is known for its Mediterranean climate. Temperatures drop during winter to below zero Celsius, with snow falling at times, and rise in summer to 22 degrees Celsius. Due to its location and unique weather, the Green Mountain produces a variety of fruits, such as apricots, plums, figs, grapes, apples and pears, as well as almonds, walnuts and saffron. The pomegranate that grows here are wonderfully sweet and juicy and is among the finest of its kind in the world. So are the pink roses which are harvested for their perfume. My driver cum guide from Bahwan Travels was indeed extremely knowledgeable about the tiny little hamlet we visited and spoke with an elderly villager who had beautiful pomegranate farms. This is where villagers live in harmony with nature.
Irrigating by means of the unique Falaj water-channel system amongst others, they manage to produce such a wide variety of fruits. These villages and their terraced fields along with the numerous forts and lowland villages are one of the wonders of the region and a visit is a must for any visitor to Oman. I came away fascinated by Jabal Akhdar - indeed a charming part of Oman that beckons the evolved traveller.

The Bahwan Travel Consortium is probably the largest integrated travel and tourism combine in Oman performing the business on an end to end basis. Commencing their activities some forty years ago, coinciding with the start of the Blessed Renaissance, under the wise leadership of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the consortium is today the acknowledged market leader of the Travel Industry in Oman.
Participating in the four verticals of Airline Ticketing and Reservations, SIXT Rent-a-Car, Outbound Holidays and Inbound Tourism, The Bahwan Travel Consortium has brought to their many customers very high levels of service together with an array of products that mean value for money. Partnering blue chip entities like Air France/KLM, Kingfisher Airlines, Thai, Cathay, Thomas Cook, GlobusandCosmos, Silversea Cruises, Chiva Som, to name a few, the Consortium is a one stop shop for all things nice in travel and tourism.
Keeping the long term perspective in mind, Bahwan Travels has come together with the National Carrier, Oman Air in two path breaking initiatives. Firstly, Bahwan Travels has been appointed the General Sales Agent of Oman Air in Khasab, Musandam with the office to commence commercial operations very soon. The Wilayat of Musandam in the north of the Sultanate is strategically located and very pretty with a network of blue lagoons and rising mountains as a relief in a rugged terrain. Earmarked by the Oman Government for significant economic development, Khasab will eventually boast of a great infrastructure and fuel both touristic and business traffic.
Secondly, Bahwan Travels has announced a Joint Venture with Oman Air which will promote inbound tourism to Oman and Outbound Holidays to destinations served by the national carrier's network. The new Company to be known as Oman Air Holidays(In Partnership with Bahwan Travels) is the Sultanate's first Public/Private Partnership and will result in the largest travel and tourism business of the land.
Speaking at the recent Press Conference, Shankar Bose, General Manager, Bahwan Travel Consortium, said that the Joint Venture will bring together Oman Air's unparalleled quality and global reach with Bahwan Tours and Bahwan Holidays extensive expertise and experience of the travel industry. The company will reach out to every corner of the land, and to customers around the world, to deliver a great range of holidays within Oman and across Oman Air's network of exciting destinations. In doing so, it will play a key part in building capacity of the Sultanate's tourism sector and positioning it at the highest international levels.