Wednesday 21 August 2013

Best in west

Get close to the magic of Hollywood, or get thrilled by the gigantic rides. It’s all here. Be it Vegas or the Walk of fame not a moment goes by without surprise and amazement. So get ready to experience the best of all the world with us.
Day1.
Today you arrive in Los Angeles and get to spend your day at leisure. Discover the various facets of Los Angeles and get mesmerized by it. Your choices include amusement parks, architectural landmarks, art museums and galleries, beaches, parks, hiking and shopping, to name a few. After the sun goes down, you’ll find there’s an abundance of nightlife options, including movies as well as live music and comedy.


Day2.
Your day starts at the World famous Venice Beach Boardwalk. Stretching about one a half miles along the manicured sands of the Pacific Ocean, the boardwalk is a large part of what makes Venice unique. On the west side of the “walk” are hundreds of street vendors and performers. You can see everything from break-dancing to broken glass walking. Mimes to musicians, jugglers to jesters and everything in between make up the human landscape. You can have your fortune read, get a temporary tattoo or have your name written on a grain of rice.
 On your way to Venice beach boardwalk, visit La Brea Tar Pits. An odorous swamp of gooey asphalt oozes to the earth's surface in the middle of Los Angeles. It is a truly bizarre primal pool on Museum Row where hot tar has been bubbling from the earth for more than 40,000 years. Nearly 400 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish -- many of which are now extinct -- walked, crawled, landed, swam, or slithered into the sticky sludge, got stuck in the worst way, and stayed forever. The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, houses the largest and most diverse collection of Ice Age plants and tar-stained skeletons in the world.

Your evening is all about fun and frolic at the Santa Monica Pier. Located on the world famous Santa Monica Pier is the Pacific Park. It's the West Coast's only amusement park located on a pier. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun you'd expect from one of Southern California's Leading attractions. Pacific Park has it all a dozen rides, midway games, ocean front specialty food outlets and seaside shopping.
 
Day3.
Now today it’s all about the superstars. You will be visiting the Hollywood Boulevard. Now get ready to walk the “Hollywood walk of Fame”. The Walk of Fame was inaugurated in 1960 when 2,500 blank stars were placed along the main thoroughfare. Since that time, more than 2,300 have been emblazoned with the names of famous personalities who've left their mark in the fields of radio, television, motion pictures, recording, and live performance. 
Next head to the Chinese Grauman theatre. One of its attractions is the famous cement forecourt containing hand and footprints of numerous screen legends, including John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Jack Nicholson, to name a few. Since its opening in May 1927, millions of movie patrons and visitors to Hollywood have been drawn to the theatre.

Don’t miss the Dolby Theatre (Home to the Oscars), it is the crown jewel of the Hollywood & Highland Center retail, dining and entertainment complex located in the heart of Hollywood. The 3,400 seat theatre opened in November 2001 and soon thereafter became known to more than one billion people across the globe as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards.

Get close and personal with celebrities at the Madam Tussauds.  It is an immersive attraction where guests can interact with their favourite celebrities without velvet ropes or barriers between them, stepping into elaborate interactive sets - as if they are playing the role of a supporting actor or actress
Last but not the least Griffith Observatory is on your list. It features space-related exhibits, star shows in the planetarium and often hosts special events. Downstairs you'll find exhibits about the universe and you can actually look through the telescopes on the roof. On the main floor, you can get the answers to all those pesky questions: why moon has phases, what causes an eclipse or how tides form.

 
Day4
Today is all about fun the Hollywood style at Universal Studios. Get ready for the ultimate Hollywood experience! Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place:  thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.

Fly to Las Vegas

Day5.
Your evening in Las Vegas starts at the Freemont Street. It is a 5-block open-air landscaped strip of outdoor snack shops, vendor carts, and colourful kiosks purveying food and merchandise. From dusk till midnight, on the hour, Fremont Street puts on a spectacular light show. Known as 'downtown' or 'the old strip', it's a pedestrian mall with constant entertainment. 

Day6.
Fly high this morning on a helicopter tour to Grand Canyon. This wonder is beyond huge; it’s 277 miles long; 18 miles wide, over a mile deep. Once thought to be 2 billion years old, recently analysis suggests it’s actually much older, perhaps as old as 6 billion years. The absolute best way to really appreciate the Grand Canyon for all its “grandiosity” is to get up above it, and that can only be accomplished with a Helicopter tour.

In the evening explore the Las Vegas strip by yourself.


Day7.
Once again start your morning in the sky. The scenic Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride is the most romantic way to fly over Las Vegas. During your flight you will get a spectacular bird's eye view of the gorgeous Red Rock Mountains and the famous Las Vegas Strip. You will drift silently over the city and countryside where you will watch for wildlife and talk with envious onlookers down below.
 
Fly to San Francisco

Day8.
Your evening begins with a cruise as you sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge. Take the ultimate sunset cruise; relax as you enjoy amazing views of San Francisco and a hearty appetizer buffet during this casual two-hour cruise of San Francisco Bay.

Day9.
It’s all about the adventure today, travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. In the 1880s, narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains. Roaring Camp's steam engines date from 1890 and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines providing regularly scheduled passenger service in America.
And if you are lucky, be a part of a special event held on the 19th of October called the Moonlight steam train dinner party. Treat yourself to an evening of fun and relaxation as you start with a hearty barbecue steak dinner followed by a leisurely train ride aboard vintage railway cars. The steam train stops atop Bear Mountain to a glowing campfire, hot cider and musical sing-along. Upon returning to Roaring Camp, hot apple pie and a country western band await you.
 
Day10.
Today the choice is yours, treat yourself to a spa treatment or spend your day at leisure. And if this is not your style you are free to explore the city on your own.
 
Day11.
Today you will fly back to our country with loads of memories and experiences that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Saturday 10 August 2013

Drive through New Zealand



There is no experience like that of getting behind the wheels and exploring a new place. It not

just gives you a complete different perspective of the place but also adds that sense of thrill and

adventure to your trip. So here is a break up of one such soul enriching journey.

Day1. Today as you arrive in New Zealand, you get to take some rest, catch up on your sleep and

spend your day at your leisure.

Day2. Today is packed with three exciting activity in the morning, afternoon and evening.

The morning starts with a once in a lifetime experience to participate as a crew on an actual

America’s Cup Yacht. It is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate

yachting regatta. You can choose to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back, relax and

enjoy the sail. And don’t worry you don’t really need any prior experience in sailing.



For the afternoon you get to see Auckland's Sky Tower. The 328 metres high, tallest man-made

structure in New Zealand awaits you with its breathtaking view for up to 80 kilometres in every

direction. You are spoilt with choices here - you can travel up in the glass-fronted lifts to one of the

three spectacular viewing platforms, or for more thrills and excitement, Skywalk round the pergola

at 192 metres up or Sky Jump off the Tower! Else you can relax with a coffee or light refreshments

at Sky Lounge or dine at Orbit - Auckland's only 360-degree revolving restaurant.


As the evening sets in get prepared to blow your senses in the Odyssey Sensory Maze. It is a journey

that lasts for 20 minutes which will invigorate, indulge and challenge your senses as you travel

through over 13 different zones with special lighting effects, illusions, unusual sounds and darker

challenging spaces.


Day3. Today you go on a half day tour of the Waitakere Ranges. This journey takes you through

the Waitakere Ranges amidst the lush rainforests entwined with crystal streams and magnificent

waterfalls. Experience nature in its best as you explore the wonders of the ancient Kauri forest.and

the black sand beaches embraced by rugged cliffs.


Day4. Today enroute to Rotorua you get to visit the Waitomo Caves. A must see for any traveller.

Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glow worms and become a part of

over 120 years of cultural and natural history. Overnight in Rotorua


Day5.

Start your day by escaping into the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest, one of Rotorua’s most

spectacular natural assets. Known for its magnificent stands of towering Californian Coastal

Redwoods it is just five minutes drive from the city centre. Here you can experience some of the

finest walking and mountain bike trails in the world.


Your afternoon includes a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which is listed as a ‘must do’

eco-experience when you visit Rotorua. A protected scenic reserve and wildlife refuge, Waimangu

Volcanic Valley geothermal park encompasses beautiful Lake Rotomahana and is set in pristine New

Zealand bush. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is just 20 minutes South of Rotorua and 40 minutes North

of Taupo.

Your evening ends with a Te Pō which is Te Puia's evening cultural experience. It is a feast of

storytelling, entertainment and Māori Cuisine. Experience an authentic Māori welcome and a firstclass Māori feast.


Day6.

Your day starts at Rainbow Springs, set in 22 acres of beautiful native trees and streams it is home

to a huge variety of New Zealand’s most precious inhabitants. The entire experience is built around

New Zealand’s largest and most successful kiwi conservation centre. Here you can get up close and

personal with kiwi in their natural habitat.

This is followed by the Agrodome Sheep show. Learn amazing facts and have a few laughs as you’re

introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. You can also witness a live sheep shearing demonstration and a

fun sheep auction with bidding from the floor and audience participation. You might want to jump

up on stage for the opportunity to feed the baby lambs.


Your afternoon is packed with excitement at the Agro-ventures which is for everyone. Full of fun

and thrills.  Dive head first into the action on the Swoop super swing or try Freefall Xtreme, it is the

closest you will get to being a super hero as you fly on a giant wind column!


Day7

Today your day begins at Hobbiton. Yes the place where the Hollywood Movie Lord of the Rings was

set. Get the insider gossip on how Lord of the Rings was made. Have your photo taken in front of

one of the hobbit holes.


Next you get to fly to Queenstown and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day8.

Today is going to be fun and adventure. Your morning will begin with adrenalin pumping Tandem

hang gliding or paragliding which is one of the best adventure activities you can experience while

visiting Queenstown.


This is followed by the iconic Gondola up Bob’s Peak where you can enjoy award winning cuisine in

the scenic restaurant, followed by the Skyline Luge with its very own thrilling downhill ride!

Day9.

Today you go on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound. Experience the world

famous fiord - rich in dense rainforest, glacier carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls.

Day10.

Today you get to take a Jet boat trip like no other! Known as one of Queenstown’s best value

products this is an adrenaline rush from the moment you leave town. Tour into Skippers Canyon,

along the sheer canyon walls, on the 'road to riches' carved from the rock walls and sheer cliffs by

miners over 120 years ago.


Day11.

Now we head towards the Fox Glacier. This valley was carved out by the ice during past ice ages

and shows dramatic evidence of the power of the ice. In the afternoon you get to join on a half day

Foxtrot walk.The route takes you onto the ice amongst crevasses and ice ridges and leads you onto

the middle of the glacier for spectacular views of the icefall and lower glacier.

Day12

Today you get to drive to Christchurch. And here lies the Botanic Garden. Within the twenty-one

hectares of tranquil gardens, you can see two rose gardens, water gardens, herbaceous and dahlia

borders, a New Zealand plant garden, and an edible garden and rock gardens, surrounded by mature

trees and spacious lawns.


Day13

You get to embark on a journey through Antarctica without leaving Christchurch.  One of New

Zealand's best tourist attractions, the International Antarctic Centre provides a fun and exciting

experience of Antarctica.  You'll experience snow and ice, a storm, learn about life in modern day

Antarctica and Scott Base, and hang out with Little Blue Penguins!


This is followed by Christchurch Icelandic Horse Treks. Here you get to go on a horse treks in a small

group of up to 4 persons along a tidal lagoon, the beach and in the forest.


Day14

Fly back with wonderful memories of New Zealand.