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TRY SOMETHING NEW4 ET TRAVEL, MUMBAI, DELHI, BANGALORE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Been on a long haul vacation recently?Share your rare moments with us andsend your photos and info ateconomictimestravel@gmail.com orupload them onwww.facebook/ettravelindia and thebest ones will be printed in the nextissue of ET-Travel

What makes a vacation worth the time spent trav-elling to reach it? Is it the scenic landscapes, thecompany, the value-for-money tag or blissful

time? Well, none of these in isolation. It’s the whole packagewith a heady combination of all these factors that makesup for a memorable journey.

Dodging the lure of single connect destinations, ET-Travelnow takes you on a leisurely route for a long haul holiday.

So, pack your bags with more than just the sunscreen and

walking shoes. Get an extended visa, professional binocu-lars, fully charged handycam, multiple adaptors, a loadedcredit card and you are ready to go.

Make sure you make new friends and pick local post-cards on this holiday. When you are back, put up a ‘Wall offame’ section and pin-up pictures of this circuitous memory lane.

Compiled by Nimisha Tiwarinimisha.tiwari@timesgroup.com

LONG HAUL DESTINATIONSWORLD SPECIAL

FFaarraawwaayy LLaannddDiscover what lies on the other side of the rainbow with ET-Travel

NATURE’S MAGIC: Now is the right time to plan a trip to Norway to witness the Aurora Borealis in its glory

●● AURORA BOREALIS IN NORWAY●● WHAT TO DO: The Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis area common natural phenomenon in northern Norway. They are oftenobserved above the Arctic Circle between late autumn and earlyspring. What’s interesting here is that during the summer months, itdoesn’t get dark at night. People from other countries travel acrossmany miles to watch this amazing gift by mother nature.●● FOR DETAILS: www.visitnorway.com

LOCAL ATTRACTION: Healthyeating is a trend in Portland

FUN ZONE: Join young bikers as they commute leisurely in Portland

SHINE-ON: View the Portland BillLighthouse on the Isle ofPortland, Weymouth

GROUP FUN: Take your friendsalong and go skiing at theBlackcomb Ski Resort inWhistler, British Columbia

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KNOWDID YOU

●● WHERE: BARBADOS●● WHAT TO DO: Barbados isone of the Caribbean’sleading tourist destinationsand is also considered themost developed island in theregion. It offers sun, two seas,and an indescribable richnessof colour. The island aboundswith exotic locations andexciting history, while theextensive variety of culture,sports and activities makeBarbados the gem of theCaribbean. Onboard theAtlantis Submarine, explorea journey down 130 feetbelow sea level or deeperand experience one ofBarbados’ oldest naturalartifacts — the FreshwaterBay coral reef. Childrenand parents can enjoy thewonderful beaches and

●● WHERE: JAMAICA●● WHAT TO DO: With its glorious vistas and verdantundulating terrain, Jamaica is a haven for adventure,attractions and activities for a complete familyexperience – Blue mountain bicycle tour; swimmingat Dolphin Cove; climbing the Dunn’s River falls;Chukka Caribbean adventures including JamaicaDogsled Experience, Horse Back Ride & Swim, RiverTubing Safari, Sea Trek, a Canopy tour through the jungleor a raft ride down the Martha Brae; and many moreexciting activities.

Visa is on arrival for Indian travellers. U.K.and U.S.A are the closest entry points toJamaica, the third largest island in theCaribbean Sea. You can land at any of thetwo international airports of Jamaica areDonald Sangster International Airport inMontego Bay and Norman ManleyInternational Airport in Kingston.●● FOR DETAILS:www.visitjamaica.com

●● WHERE: PORTLAND, OREGONPortland is a scenic city located inthe US state of Oregon, near theconfluence of the Willamette andColumbia rivers.●● WHAT TO DO: Attracting millionsfrom across the globe, The PortlandInternational Film Festival (Feb 7- 23) spans across two weeks with100 local premieres from aroundthe globe. During the PortlandWinter Farmers Market (ongoingtill Feb 23), visit the South ParkBlocks between Main and Salmonstreets, near Shemanski Fountain, tofind fresh, locally grown produce,delicious food, handmade crafts andmore. Portland is often awardedGreenest City in America and‘most green cities’ titles. It has aflourishing music scene too.●● FOR DETAILS:www.visitportland.com

●● WHERE: FIJI●● WHAT TO DO: Go on a long holiday with your loved one and revel in the beautifulFijian resorts. Taking a stroll on white beaches and watching the sunset will meana whole new thing when you are here in Fiji. Snorkel, dive, surf or kayak on thepristine ocean waters. Try your hand at whitewater rafting or trek through therainforests as you backpack the outer islands. Sustainable ecotourism is anotherhuge attraction here. Don’t miss out on visiting Nadi, the jet town, which is packedwith action and exquisite dining options.●● FOR DETAILS: www.fijime.com

watersports activities, or for a funand educational experience visit theWildlife Reserve or Harrison’sCave! Take a look at the popularAnimal Flower Cave located in theparish of St. Lucy. The name comesfrom the sea anemones found in thepools of the cave.●● FOR DETAILS:www.visitbarbados.org

As a beginner, you canattend Zed’s surfschool at Surfer’s Pointon the South Coast ofBarbados

UNWIND: Enjoy thecalm waters, goldensands, and protected coves onBarbados’ west coast

Check out the unique ‘Animal flower cave’ in Barbados

SWIM ALONG: Cornwall County, YS Falls Estate is ideal for a cool dip

TOGETHER: Spend some coupletime in the Fijian waters

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●● MUST-VISIT: Regarded as one of thetop four-season resorts in North America,Whistler blends the charm of an alpinevillage with the amenities of an urbancentre. The pedestrianised Whistler Villageoffers fine dining, vibrant nightlife, eclecticboutiques, revitalising spas, and luxurioushotels.●● FOR DETAILS:http://in.britishcolumbia.travel/whistler

SKI ALONG IN WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

WOW! Sip on some localwine and fresh lobstercatch and (below) Go foruber relaxing massageamidst a rainforest

Stamp and go (fried fish) inJamaica

LOOK WHAT I GOT: Sea animalscan be friendly too in Jamaica

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Avocado and acerolaspread on nut bread

Jamaican markets are buzzing with friendly locals