An Indian summer can be like a hot-headed relative that just won’t leave – but with a vacation to unusual destinations around the world, you can hit the “cool” button and finally get some peace of mind!
This season discover destinations that are beyond the clichéd guidebook. Let ‘Today’s Traveller’ be your go-to hub for exploring the unusual.
Go global and let your wish list include unusual places where the experience quotient is high and the carbon footprint is low.
Seriously Natural at Lahaul and Spiti
When temperatures rise, do what most people did earlier – take to the hills! And in India, what better place to cool off than the Himalayas? But, don’t take the usual circuit, instead, take off to some off-beat places like Lahaul and Spiti in the northeastern part of Himachal Pradesh.
Tucked in one corner of the state, Lahaul-Spiti, a haven for adventure and peace lovers gets a re-birth in summer. During this time, white gives way to lush shades of green (fields), an alluring brown (mountains) and azure blue (streams).
Unlike the other regions in Himachal, Lahaul-Spiti dons an almost touch-me-not countenance, which to a great extent reminds me of the very barren Ladakh. This remote Trans-Himalayan region seems to rub shoulders with Tibet in terms of being distant from mainstream India. No wonder Rudyard Kipling described Spiti as “A world within a world”, some hundred years ago.
Summers in Lahaul and Spiti open up numerous opportunities for various activities, all amidst natural surroundings and culture. Trekking being the favourite indulgence, travellers can explore rough nature trails (high altitude Kunzum Pass, Chandra Tal), religious spots (Ki- Gompa, Tabo Monastery and Dhankar Gompa) and wild habitats (Pin Valley National Park). Besides, there is mountain cycling and river rafting for added adventure thrills.
Nature’s Poetry at Lake District, England
The greenest countryside of England, Lake District is blessed by the panoramic charm of rugged hilltops, scintillating blue lakes and patches of green, making it an apt nomenclature for the poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge and Robert Southey.
Preserved as a National Park, Lake District stretches a little less than 2300 sq. km in the north-western corner of Britain. Leisure bike rides and day-long hikes are routine indulgences at this nature’s haven. As the name suggests, the prime attraction of this place is its spectacular lakes. This includes pristine water spots like Windermere and Coniston, located in the east, west and north of the valley.
En route, travellers can have an amazing time exploring the picturesque valley of the Great Langdale, where poets like Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter once had their residences. Besides, the nearby valleys of Buttermere, Borrowdale, Eden and Wasdale are certainly amongst the best places to explore the reputed fells of the Lake District; the highest Scafell Pike is one of them.
Though the place is enjoyable in all seasons, unpredictability in terms of weather here must be given some thought before heading on.
Cool Off at the Icy Reykjavik
Capital of the sparsely populated Iceland, Reykjavik is an exemplar of ‘how to enjoy modernity in the best of the vintage era’. The city is known to portray Iceland’s historic and cultural traditions under Europe’s cosmopolitan lights. However, contrary to Europe’s grand urban appeal, Reykjavik is perhaps a little old-world, charming, nevertheless.
The largest city in the whole of Iceland, it has sprawling suburbs that are dotted with colourful residential buildings, captivating art museums and trendy restaurants. Interestingly Reykjavik was never originally structured from the tourism point of view, so, a useful insight into the life of the Icelanders seems likely to be on the cards as well.
Iceland gives preference to its outdoors more than anything else. This is why, the tour will feel incomplete if it ends without any mention of exploring the natural habitats around Reykjavik. Reykjavik, being the sovereign world’s northernmost capital, offers tourists numerous opportunities to explore its Arctic side. Prominent activities include hiking tours to the glaciers, and river valleys, whale watching excursions, a visit to the only beach Nautholsvik, and most importantly, the highly talked about Northern Lights viewing.
Though this eye-pleasing phenomenon is quite common in the whole of Iceland, Reykjavik grabs special mention. The greenish-blue hue of the Northern Lights has an awe-inspiring effect on all onlookers.
Beach Fun at the Elegant Biarritz in France
An absolute incarnation of a luxurious beach holiday, Biarritz in Southwestern France, is an ideal summer heritage retreat one can hardly find a replacement for. Ever since its inception in the mid-19th century, this coastal resort has been the hub of Europe’s elite.
The award-winning leisure destination is reputed for its heritage Hotel du Palais hotel, which ideally stands as the frontal face of Biarritz. The beach-side hotel has its history dating back to the era of the last empress of France. Biarritz has a welcoming aloofness, unlike the glitz of the French Riviera, and is quaint, though excellent, holiday choice.
However, travellers looking for some solitude must consider Biarritz’s collection of unspoilt beaches – ‘Plages’, as the French would say. A beach-side stroll on Biarritz’s prime ‘La Grande Plage’, especially during sunset must include visits to the picturesque Rocher de la Vierge at one end and Point St Martin at the other.
Theoretically, the stroll ends at the beach’s lighthouse, surmounted by a rocky crop. But, given the arrangement of its striking surroundings, things could get a little more demanding, as the beach offers an exceptional experience in fine dining and wining. Apart from the Grande, one can also head to other less-crowded beaches like Miramar, Port Vieux and Marbella.
What makes the beaches more exhilarating is the fact that Biarritz is the birthplace of surfing in Europe. It started in the late 50s when the award-winning screenwriter and author Peter Viertel visited Biarritz on account of shooting for the film ‘The Sun also Rises’. Viertel had a keen interest in surfing since his young days in California. And so, he along with his pal, film producer Richard Zanuck, surfed regularly on Côte des Basques beach, whenever they had a day off from the movie shoot. It stirred the locals, which later on prompted them to take up the sport on a mass scale.
Côte des Basques may not be the best of the charmers Biarritz has in store for beach lovers, but it’s certainly the hub for surfers. Exposed to the ocean, the beach is perfect for professionals and is suitable for surfing any time of the year. Le Grande Plage, on the other hand, is more reliable for amateurs, as the waves are gentle.
These two seem to be the most preferred by visitors, so if, you wish to go for something private, head to Plage Marbella. Remotely crowded, the scenic beach is best known for high-tide surfing.
High on Heritage Istanbul, Turkey
A city built on the crossroads of many cultures, Istanbul, in the Northwestern part of Turkey, is an ideal treat for lovers of art and architecture. The historic city witnessed the rise and fall of the Roman (Byzantine) empire and was later developed by the Ottomans and the Turks. The narrative thus includes Istanbul as a treasure trove that comprises countless historical churches, palaces, castles, mosques and synagogues scattered all over the city.
It’s the cultural confluence of the East and the West, the juxtaposition of the old and the new, that have border-lined this ancient city from the rest in Turkey. However, Istanbul embraces this special reputation with a lot of ease in the chaotic cosmopolitan world of today.
Over the years, the city has blended itself with modernity without hampering its heritage image. First-time travellers can start by exploring the prime attractions which are a mix of European and Islamic creations. This includes the 6th century Aya Sofya church, the more ancient Hippodrome, the majestic Ottoman-styled Blue Mosque, the Istanbul Archaeology Musem, the dazzling Topkapi Palace, Suleymaniye Mosque, Chora Church, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.
Istanbul’s ancient reputation also gives it the stature to house one of the largest and oldest covered marketplaces in the world the Grand Bazaar. Coyly nestled between two magnificent mosques, the Bazaar houses more than 3000 shops all under one roof.
The vibrant city also enjoys the reputation of being one that never sleeps. Its nightlife reveals some of the hottest bars and clubs that could easily outdo any of its European counterparts. If you happen to travel here in July, try catching the Istanbul Jazz Festival which has notable global musicians like Chick Corea, Al Di Meola and Jan Garbarek attending it as regulars.
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