Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
For those who love to spread their wings and explore the world – or even hop from one destination to the next – be sure to check out Travelhoppers. Recently launched, Travelhoppers is a travel site that allows consumers to research, connect, and discover. I am also personally excited to be a featured contributor in the Travelhoppers community.
Here is an excerpt from the official Travelhoppers press release:
Travelhoppers is a travel site dedicated to the proposition that it’s all about value. The company provides consumers with free access to the largest, frequently updated repository of travel companies’ brochures, real travel deals, and travel planning resources on the Internet. All via one site, Travelhoppers brings travelers unabridged information directly from 3000+ tour operators, packagers, cruise lines, destinations and other travel suppliers; as well as insight from travel industry veterans, first-hand knowledge from travel writers and feedback from other consumers; and a means to connect with travel specialists for assistance with travel planning.
“Travelhoppers presents travelers with resources for planning their trips that they typically would not find online – and certainly not in one place,” says founder Richard Earls. “It’s the perfect place to research where you want to vacation and find the right information and provider for your desired trip – from well-known brands to smaller suppliers and niche-focused operators, we present a comprehensive spectrum of companies, information, and real travel deals not hook’em and book’em ads seen rampant across the Internet.”
Owned and operated by travel professionals, Travelhoppers is backed by decades in travel with various sectors of the industry represented. “When a prospective traveler says they want ‘the best travel deal’ – that doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest,” explains Earls. “We’ve all heard the stories of how many travelers have booked a cut-rate package simply to find that the accommodations are below the standards they were expecting, or the location was far from the city’s main attractions… These are NOT travel deals; they are simply vacation spoilers that end up costing travelers more than money. At Travelhoppers, our focus is to provide travelers with the values they seek. We want to provide a forum for travelers to educate themselves.”
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Hop on over and check out this fantastic new site, and also check out my most recent Travelhoppers article, India: Beyond the Taj Mahal.
Writing a post on travel updates, featured tours, or client testimonials appears inapt this week after the powerful earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. The loss of life and desolation was just heartbreaking. However, these times of tragedy also illustrate the power of humanity. It was a reminder of how the world can unite and offer overwhelming support during a crisis. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and everyone else affected by these catastrophic events.
Every March/April, we start receiving daily phone calls from travelers who wish to experience the Pushkar Festival. Located in Rajasthan, Pushkar is a small town that houses over 400 temples, including the only Brahma temple in all of India. Every November, over 50,000 camels are decorated, raced, and sold during the Camel Fair – one of the largest livestock fairs in the world.
The 5-day festival occurs on the banks of Lake Pushkar. In addition to camel races and livestock sales, there is also music, dancing, and exhibitions. Locals construct temporary bazaars to sell textiles, jewelry, clothes, and handicrafts. The desert landscape is transformed with vibrant color, energy, and festive tourists. The population of Pushkar is approximately 15,000, but during the festival, it exceeds 200,000.
Interior of Luxury Tent
In addition to hotels and inns, there is also the option to stay in tented accommodations. But this is not your everyday camping! The tents feature attached bathrooms with running water, furniture, carpet, and even heat and A/C. Many of our travelers appreciate the opportunity to camp under the stars in luxurious cottages like the royals of the past.
For more information on the Pushkar Fair, there is a great article by Shilpa Shukla in Little India, World’s Largest Cattle Fair. Please contact a Sodha Travel representative and we will be happy to answer your questions.
As I was sitting here tonight watching the Superbowl, my mind started to drift to another upcoming sporting event. Cricket fans, the time is coming…The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be held between February and April in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The opening ceremony will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 17th with the closing ceremony in Mumbai, India on April 2nd. This will be the 10th Cricket World Cup and Bangladesh’s fist time co-hosting the event.
The following 14 teams qualified for the finals: Canada, West Indies, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. In many countries, especially India, cricket is considered more than a game. It is a national pastime. The people come together, sometimes dozens crowding in small rooms, just to watch the matches on television. Traffic jams block the roads, offices shut down, and the priority shifts to this treasured bat and ball team sport.
For a complete list of schedules and teams, as well as updated news, please visit the official ICC Cricket World Cup website.
As many of you know, we feature a photo contest in our newsletter each month. In December, instead of having you identify one of our photos, we would like to see your photos! Please send us your favorite snapshot from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bhutan. Our team will vote on their favorite, and the winner will receive a Visa gift card! Many of you have already sent your photos, and we appreciate your participation! It will be very difficult for our team to decide…
Please send your picture, description, and contact information to travel@sodhatravel.com. Remember, entries must be received by December 15th!