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    Ask the travel expert: International destinations to take your parents to on holiday during winter

    Synopsis

    These places offer a great variety of sightseeing activities.

    parents-children-bond_GettyImagesGetty Images
    By Rakshit Desai

    I want to take my mother on an international holiday from 24th December - 2nd January. I'm wary of the cold weather during these dates and the fact that daylight is less to travel in the city. Can you suggest some places keeping this in mind?
    Most South East Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have a tropical climate and not much of a winter season to speak of. Both you and your mother will enjoy these destinations with the variety of sightseeing activities they offer. You can even look at clubbing Thailand with Vietnam and Cambodia for diverse experiences in one holiday. If budget is not a problem then you can also look at South Africa or even Australia and New Zealand which are great for people who love the outdoors.

    What is the difference between 'visa on arrival' and 'visa free entry' for travel to a foreign country? Is there a fee required for either?
    Countries that are 'visa free' lets you enter and stay for a specified period, without a visa. You don't have to pay any fee for entry. Some countries that allow visa free entry to Indians are Bhutan, Fiji, Maldives and Mauritius. Countries that allow 'visa on arrival' require you to have a valid visa for entry, which can be obtained on payment of the requisite fee. However, you do not need to apply for this in advance; 'visa on arrival' is issued only once you land in a country. There are around 50 countries offering visa-onarrival for Indian travelers including popular destinations such as Thailand and Seychelles and more exotic destinations like El Salvador, Haiti, Madagascar, Dominica and Jamaica.
    Manali: Tourists enjoying with snow after a fresh snowfall in Manali on Tuesday....PTI

    What places in India and internationally would you recommend watching snow this winter?
    Kashmir, Shimla and Auli are undoubtedly great places to experience snow in India. But, if you want to truly experience snowfall, I would recommend Tsomgo Lake and Yumthang in North Sikkim. Another stunning location is Mumsiyari in Uttarakhand, which is also called 'Little Kashmir' for its serenity and beauty. It is snow-clad from December to February and has natural hot-water springs during snow - a must visit for all. Overseas, the best options are Switzerland, France, Austria, USA, Canada and Japan. -perfect for white morning escapades!

    Is cruising a good option for an incentive group, should my company consider this for an upcoming conference?
    Cruises have become a preferred choice for MICE trips in the last few years. A good alternative to regular trips, the best part about cruises is the varied destination options; from quick and easy access ports in Asia to Far Eastern ports and well -known locations in Europe. Employees can attend conferences in the day and enjoy gala nights with on-board entertainment by the night. Several cruises are offering customised Indian menus and shore excursions as well making it a spectacular experience onboard a moving hotel.

    TRAVEL TIP: Be careful when travelling to snowy regions. A lot of areas are prone to blockages and shut downs due to heavy snow, make sure to check and confirm before you plan a trip to these places.

    Rakshit Desai, Managing Director, FCM Travel Solutions India, Flight Centre Travel Group Australia’s Indian subsidiary, answers your questions on Travel — howtos, trends, recommendations and more. Send in your questions to: askrakshit@in.fcm.travel

    Flight Centre Travel Group, headquartered in Australia, is one of the world’s largest travel management companies. In India, the group operates an extensive portfolio of corporate and retail travel brands including FCM Travel Solutions and Corporate Traveller (corporate travel management),Travel Tours (leisure travel), FCM MICE (incentive travel and events) Travel Money India (foreign exchange), FCM InComing (inbound travel) and Travel Air Representations (travel wholesalers).


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