INDIA: Offbeat Odysseys - Ideal Time To Travel

MUMBAI, India (The Economic Times), October 19, 2007: If there is anything that the forthcoming festive season is associated with apart from sweets, shopping and revelry, it’s vacations. And considering the affordable airfares and the perks that the travel industry is offering this season, it is the ideal time to travel. Today, tour operators offer a number of innovative schemes. Instead of going for standard packages, which typically feature visits to a particular destination’s landmark monuments, shopping centres, beaches and eateries, you can opt for certain out-of-the-ordinary packages. Many travel companies offer tours, which centre around themes like adventure, beaches, wildlife, cruises etc, also on offer are packages designed specifically for senior citizens, women, youngsters and so on. Travel companies have also come up with gender-specific tours. Senior citizens too seem to have taken a great liking for such schemes. A lot of senior citizens are travelling these days and they usually comprise couples who have their children well settled. Senior citizens have the time and inclination to travel after their retirement. If you do not wish to take the beaten track and prefer to do your own thing, you can opt for special interest tours. Travel companies organise tours for those who are interesting in exploring virgin destinations, studying history and architecture, soaking up local culture and festivals, enjoying nature, wildlife and forests and so on. Thanks to theme packages, you can indulge in activities you like the most, and the company of people with common interests makes the excursion all the more pleasurable. So, now is the perfect time to accept the travel industry’s invitation and step onto the red carpet rolled out by them, en route to an enthralling holiday. Bon Voyage! By Preeti Kulkarni Copyright © 2007 Times Internet Limited.