CLOCKWISE: SURAARK/GETTYIMAGES; DAVID NOTON PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY; SHUTTERSTOCKNo. 9
Venture into Ice Caves on the Land of Vikings
The wonders of Iceland are many, but winter calls for a special itinerary. Explore the
secret blue ice caves of Iceland this season on a two- or three-day tour with Guide to
Iceland (guidetoiceland.is). The crystal-like caves of Vatnajökull, seen during winter,
are a rare wonder best explored with local experts. On the tour, you will also witness
the gigantic waterfall of Skógafoss, the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, and the
enormous ice chunks floating on the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The cherry on top
is theaurora borealis, which you can chase during the night. You can choose to do a
single-day tour of the caves, or opt for a longer version, which includes glacial hiking.
Once in the capital, visit the world-famous Blue Lagoon, an hour-long drive from
Reykjavik, and soak in its mineral-rich waters. Stay in the city and book a room
at Hotel 101 (101hotel.is) to avail its in-room spa services.No. 8
Ring in the New Year with
a Parisian Cruise
Soak in the festivity of Paris and its
neighbourhoods on an enchanting
eight-day cruise, operated by
Uniworld. Catering to both,
romantics and history buffs, the
cruise will take you on four private
and exclusive châteaux visits, guide
you through the artistic wonders of
the Louvre, and take you on walks
through secret gardens. At the
Normandy city of Rouen, on the
banks of the Seine, you’ll be treated
to a fine dinner at the highly rated
La Couronne restaurant. With
unlimited beverages onboard, gala
dinners, bespoke tours in and
around Paris, access to the finest
private music concerts, and a
kingly stateroom to sleep in, it’s
hard to find a more elegant way to
ring in 2019.Suites from`4,50,
per person; uniworld.com
Experience Winter like Royalty in Kashmir
Nobody escapes the charms of Kashmir. Not even the makers of the latest
Mission Impossible. Experience the laidback Kashmiri lifestyle at The Khyber
Himalayan Resort and Spa (khyberhotels.com), located in Gulmarg this
winter. Located on a hilltop with stunning views of the Apharwat peak, the
resort boasts beautiful local architectural elements. Choose a luxury double
room that comes with a majestic bath overlooking the mountain range.
During the day, hop on the Gulmarg Gondola to explore the snow-clad
hilltops, try snowmobiling, or go skiing. Spend the evenings in the heated
pool that looks out to the chinar forest, or indulge in a wellness treatment at
the eco-friendly L’Occitane spa. End the day with a piping hot cup of kahwa
followed by a Kashmiri wazwan meal spread comprising 10 dishes.10
No.
Cable car in
Gulmarg, Kashmir.The Louvre, Paris.REASONS TO TRAVEL NOW
An ice cave below the
Breidamerkurjokull
Glacier in eastern Iceland.travelandleisureindia.in