Europe has always had a special place in the hearts of Indian travellers. But something has changed in recent years, people no longer just want to visit places, they want to feel them. And that's exactly the shift SOTC Travel has been tapping into.

SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, says their European journeys are now built around real moments, think sunrise over a glacial fjord, wine with a view, or wandering through a historic old town after dark. Less checklist, more experience.

Here's a look at the destinations SOTC is currently curating for Indian travellers heading to Europe:

Norway, Finland & Iceland - Where the Sun Doesn't Set The Midnight Sun is pulling a lot of aspirational travellers towards Lapland and Iceland's dramatic landscapes. With daylight stretching round the clock during summer, there's more time to take in fjords, glaciers, and geothermal terrain — all without rushing.

Greece - History Meets Island Magic Athens, Delphi, Olympia — and then the famous sunset views from Oia in Santorini. Greece balances deep history with laid-back Mediterranean charm, and Indian travellers are clearly loving that combination.

Switzerland - Train Journeys Worth the Trip Alone Switzerland is a classic for a reason. The Swiss Alps are stunning, but it's the scenic train routes winding through mountain passes and lakeside towns that really steal the show. The journey itself becomes part of the holiday.

Scotland - Castles, Highlands & a Loch Ness Cruise Scotland is for those who want their travels to come with a story. Rugged Highlands, ancient castles, and a cruise on Loch Ness make for the kind of trip that's hard to forget, and makes for great conversation back home.

France - Paris After Dark The Eiffel Tower lit up at night, a cruise on the Seine, vineyard visits,  France continues to be one of the most romantic stops on any European trip. SOTC's "Paris by Night" experience is a particular highlight for couples and first-timers alike.

Italy - Coastal Drives and Cultural Depth The Amalfi Coast's pastel villages and clear blue waters are a dream, and Italy's cities — Rome, Florence give travellers a deep cultural fix. The mix of art, history, and coastline makes Italy one of the most well-rounded destinations in Europe.

Portugal - The Underrated Favourite Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve are quietly becoming a top pick among travellers who've "done" the usual Europe circuit. Wine tastings in Porto, golden beaches down south, and Lisbon's buzzing food scene,  Portugal punches well above its weight.

Spain - Architecture, Food & Flamenco Barcelona's Sagrada Família, Granada's Alhambra, and flamenco evenings in Seville — Spain offers a heady mix of visual beauty and cultural richness. It's one of those destinations that keeps giving the more you explore it.

Croatia - Old Walls, Turquoise Waters Dubrovnik's ancient city walls, the cascading waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes, Croatia is a destination that surprises most travellers with just how much it offers. It's peaceful, beautiful, and deeply historic all at once.

Czech Republic - Fairy-Tale Vibes Prague's skyline and the cobblestoned charm of Český Krumlov make the Czech Republic feel like something out of a storybook. It's a great addition to any multi-country itinerary for travellers who want something a little different.

The bigger takeaway here is that Indian travellers are evolving and SOTC Travel is keeping pace. Whether it's Arctic daylight or Mediterranean beaches, the focus is now on crafting journeys that feel personal, immersive, and genuinely memorable.

Emirates has unveiled a significant expansion of its Premium Economy footprint, reinforcing its commitment to delivering a consistent and elevated onboard experience across its global network. The airline will introduce Premium Economy to 10 new cities while expanding services on additional flights in two existing destinations, supported by its growing fleet of retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft and next-generation Airbus A350s.

As part of the expansion, Emirates will deploy its A350 aircraft on new daily services to Copenhagen, Phuket, and Cape Town, adding extra frequencies and enhancing connectivity ahead of the anticipated surge in summer travel demand. These additional services will complement existing schedules, offering passengers more flexibility, increased capacity, and access to Emirates’ latest cabin products.

By 1 July, Emirates will operate Premium Economy-equipped A380, Boeing 777, and A350 aircraft on more than 84 routes worldwide. Customers can expect the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy experience, featuring extra legroom, enhanced comfort, elevated dining options, and thoughtfully curated amenities, alongside upgraded Business and Economy Class cabins.

Additional Capacity to Copenhagen, Phuket and Cape Town

From 1 June, Emirates will introduce a second daily service between Dubai and Copenhagen, followed by a third daily service to Phuket and Cape Town from 1 July. All three additional frequencies will be operated using the airline’s latest A350 aircraft.

The new Dubai–Copenhagen service (EK153/154) will provide seamless onward connections via Dubai to key destinations across East Asia, including Bangkok, Bali, Manila, Tokyo Haneda, and Phuket, as well as convenient links to Colombo, Male, and major African cities such as Nairobi and Entebbe. Passengers from cities including Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Delhi, and Bangalore will also benefit from improved connectivity to the Danish capital.

From 1 July, Emirates’ third daily service to Phuket (EK390/391) will offer early morning arrivals, catering to travellers connecting from major European gateways such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Manchester, as well as from the Gulf region. The service also enables convenient onward connections from Phuket to multiple destinations across Europe and the Middle East.

Cape Town will also see a third daily frequency from 1 July, operated by the Emirates A350. The additional service strengthens connectivity to and from London, Dublin, Brussels, Mumbai, Australasia, and key Asian markets, catering to both leisure and corporate travel demand. Emirates’ Cape Town services have consistently recorded strong load factors, driven by growing inbound demand from the GCC and robust outbound traffic to Europe and the US East Coast.

Planned Premium Economy Route Expansions

Emirates’ Premium Economy rollout spans multiple regions. In Europe and North America, Barcelona and Mexico City will see Premium Economy-equipped Boeing 777 services from February, while Rome will transition to A350 operations from 29 March. Copenhagen’s second daily service will begin on 1 June.

Across Asia, Premium Economy will be introduced or expanded on routes to Cochin, Karachi, Taipei, and Phuket, supported by retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft and A350 deployments. In Australia, Brisbane will receive daily services operated by a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER from 29 March.

In Africa, Addis Ababa will see daily Premium Economy services from 1 March, while Cape Town’s third daily flight will operate with the A350 from 1 July 2026. Middle East routes including Basra, Kuwait City, and Tehran will also transition to Premium Economy-equipped aircraft across selected frequencies.

Tickets for all services are available for booking on emirates.com, via the Emirates App, through online and offline travel agents, and at Emirates retail stores.

Akasa Air has officially become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a global trade body representing more than 360 airlines and accounting for over 80 per cent of worldwide air traffic. The achievement marks a significant milestone for India’s fastest-growing airline and highlights its adherence to internationally recognised safety and operational standards.

The induction comes just over three years after Akasa Air commenced operations and follows the airline’s successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). IOSA is a globally acknowledged benchmark for airline operational safety and is a mandatory requirement for IATA membership, reflecting Akasa Air’s strong focus on robust safety practices and compliance with international aviation protocols.

IATA plays a pivotal role in shaping the global aviation industry by setting standards across safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Through its membership, Akasa Air will actively participate in industry-wide discussions and initiatives, contributing to best practices in areas such as safety management, digital transformation, and sustainable aviation, key priorities for the future of global air travel.

Welcoming the airline, Sheldon Hee, Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific at IATA, said, “We are excited to welcome Akasa Air as an IATA member. India’s aviation potential is huge, with the industry supporting 7.7 million jobs and contributing US$53.6 billion to the economy. We look forward to engaging with Akasa Air and to their active participation in shaping the airline industry’s agenda, priorities, and initiatives in India, the Asia Pacific region, and globally.”

Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Akasa Air, emphasised the importance of the association, stating, “IATA plays a central role in shaping the global aviation ecosystem by establishing rigorous industry benchmarks and fostering collaboration across key stakeholders worldwide. Akasa Air’s membership underscores our disciplined approach to growth and our unwavering commitment to meeting the highest global standards of safety, operational excellence, and sustainability. This association will further strengthen our global credibility and position Akasa as a future-ready Indian airline on the world stage.”

Since its inception, Akasa Air has focused on building a resilient, efficient, and customer-centric airline anchored in responsible growth and strong governance. Its entry into IATA marks a defining step in aligning with global aviation standards while reinforcing India’s expanding presence and influence in international aviation.