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By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 16, 2024
Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, has introduced a selection of new pre-, mid-, and post-cruise "Seabourn Journeys" available to guests on the 2024 Grand Africa Voyage. These journeys offer in-depth, land-based cruise extensions that go beyond single-day excursions, providing guests with opportunities to immerse themselves in Africa's extraordinary destinations.
The luxurious pre-, post-, and mid-cruise Seabourn Journeys during the Grand Africa Voyage allow guests to further explore Africa's premier destinations. For those interested in joining a safari to see Africa's "Big Five," several mid-cruise Journeys options are available, providing opportunities for guests to stay in unique properties and national parks in Botswana, Namibia, and more. They may also explore sites such as the Kariega Game Reserve (Settlers Drift), Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and Onguma The Fort. Guests seeking exclusive wine experiences can enjoy gourmet dining and wine tastings at La Residence Wine Estate in Franschhoek during four-day pre- and post-cruise stays.
"Seabourn Journeys allow our guests to create deeper, more immersive experiences of the destinations by extending their travel beyond the first and final ports of calls," said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. "I am very proud of this bespoke collection of offerings and believe our guests will be delighted with these experiences. Whether spotting the 'Big Five' on thrilling game drives, or relaxing in luxurious accommodations, or savoring award-winning wines, every moment is crafted to enhance the voyage and create unforgettable 'Seabourn Moments'."
The new Seabourn Journeys for the Grand Africa Voyage include:
La Residence Wine Experience (4-Day Pre- or Post-Cruise Journey) Cape Town, South Africa | Pre: January 25-28, 2025 | Post: January 28-31, 2025
Guests sailing on shorter segments that either embark or debark in Cape Town on January 28 can enjoy a pre-cruise or post-cruise experience in South Africa's stunning Cape Winelands. Upon arrival in Cape Town, guests are transported to La Residence in the Franschhoek Valley, where they can relax and dine at their leisure in opulent surroundings. The second day features a tour of historic wine estates in Paarl and Boschendal, complete with tastings and a picturesque picnic. On the third day, guests further explore the region's esteemed vineyards and savor gourmet meals paired with local wines. A final morning wine tasting concludes the journey before guests either return home or board the ship.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (4-Day Post-Cruise Journey) Cape Town, South Africa | January 28-31, 2025
Guests debarking their voyage in Cape Town on January 28 can embark on a multi-day post-cruise journey at the renowned Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Known for its conservation efforts and luxurious accommodations, Grootbos offers a warm welcome and transfer to the Forest Lodge, where guests stay in elegant suites surrounded by stunning landscapes. Activities include exploring the Milkwood Forest, botanical hikes, 4x4 flower safaris, and visits to the ancient Klipgat Cave and Walker Bay Nature Reserve. A private Cape Agulhas tour features wine tastings and a curated picnic in South Africa's southernmost wine region. Guests also enjoy a marine safari to see the "Marine Big Five"—whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, and penguins—guided by marine biologists from Dyer Island Cruises. Each evening, guests dine at Grootbos' unique lodge restaurants before relaxing in the serene wilderness.
Ultimate Botswana Experience (7-Day Mid-Cruise Journey) Durban, South Africa | January 22-28, 2025
After disembarking in Durban, guests fly to Johannesburg and stay at the Sanctuary Mandela Boutique Hotel, Nelson Mandela's former residence. The next day, they travel to Botswana's Sanctuary Baines' Camp, known for its intimate setting and unique construction using recycled cans, offering game drives and mokoro excursions in the Okavango Delta. On the fourth day, guests transfer to the prestigious Chief's Camp in the Moremi Game Reserve, renowned for exceptional game viewing, including the "Big Five" and over 500 bird species. Guests enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, gourmet dining, and optional activities like scenic flights and spa treatments. The Journey concludes with a final morning game drive before flying to Maun and then Cape Town, where they rejoin Seabourn Sojourn to continue their voyage.
Kariega Game Reserve (4-Day Mid-Cruise Journey) Port Elizabeth, South Africa | January 25-28, 2025
Upon reaching Port Elizabeth, guests are transferred to Kariega Game Reserve, a vast 10,000-hectare wilderness known for its diverse wildlife, including the "Big Five", and abundant birdlife. Guests stay at Settlers Drift, a blend of tented safari and 5-star luxury, with private viewing decks overlooking the Bushman's River. Over the next two days, they enjoy exhilarating morning and afternoon game drives, optional activities, and gourmet dining. On the fourth day, after a final game drive and breakfast, guests are transferred to Port Elizabeth Airport for their flight to Cape Town, where they rejoin Seabourn Sojourn to continue their voyage.
Escape To Etosha: Onguma The Fort (4-Day Mid-Cruise Journey) Cape Town, South Africa | January 29-February 2, 2025
This mid-cruise journey offers a luxurious safari at Onguma The Fort, a magical oasis where guests are treated to breathtaking views of the mesmerizing Namibian sunset. With its prime location overlooking the Etosha Pans, the fort envelops visitors in massive, cool walls adorned with a blend of African, Moroccan, and Indian influences, all while surrounded by diverse wildlife. Highlights include guided game drives to spot the "Big Five" and various antelope species, and opportunities to observe the breathtaking Namibian sunset from the main tower or during a sundowner safari. Visitors can relax in elegant suites with private verandas, indulge in delicious meals, and learn about rhino conservation efforts. After several days of adventure and relaxation, guests fly to Walvis Bay to rejoin Seabourn Sojourn.
The fully escorted Seabourn Journeys have been uniquely curated to give travelers more time in these locations to showcase the very best of the destinations via the experiential excursions they offer over multiple days. Most Seabourn Journey packages include select meals, transportation, and guided experiences for smaller groups ensuring intimate, personalized exposure to the location and its culture. Luxury hotels and lodges have been hand-selected to offer guests accommodations at the finest iconic properties in the best locations that showcase their surroundings and indigenous culture, with transfers between land and sea conveniently timed to the start or finish of scheduled Seabourn cruises.
Departures on most Seabourn Journeys are guaranteed with a minimum of just two guests. In addition, Seabourn offers a wide selection of mid-cruise overland journeys, that can become part of the overall cruise experience.
Departing on November 30, 2024, Seabourn Sojourn will sail roundtrip from Barcelona on a 90-day voyage that includes visits to 42 marquee and off-the-beaten-path destinations and cities in 20 countries, with seven overnight stays. For guests who cannot sail the entire voyage, shorter segments are available, giving guests more flexibility and opportunities to add pre- or post-journeys to extend their experiences. Shorter segments include the following:
27-Day Jewels of Northwest Africa: November 30-December 27, 2024, from Barcelona to Cape Town
17-Day Mozambique Channel Discovery & Zanzibar Nights: December 27, 2024-January 13, 2025, from Cape Town to the Seychelles
59-Day Northwest Africa to The Mozambique Channel: November 30, 2024 - January 28, 2025, from Barcelona to Cape Town
22-Day West African Discovery: January 28 – February 19, 2025, from Cape Town to the Canaries.
For reservations or more details about Seabourn's Grand Africa voyage, please call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, visit www.seabourn.com, or contact a professional travel advisor.
About Seabourn:
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of seven modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known
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By Hariharan U
Published on April 23, 2026
Booking.com has unveiled its summer travel insights for 2026, highlighting a clear shift in how Indian travellers are planning their holidays. Defined as the “Era of You,” the report points to a growing preference for personalised, intention-led journeys over traditional checklist travel.
This summer, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations that align with their individual interests, with a strong focus on comfort, accessibility, and meaningful experiences. Domestic travel continues to dominate, with a diverse mix of destinations shaping itineraries across the country.
High-altitude “coolcation” spots such as Ooty, Darjeeling, Munnar, and Manali remain in demand as travellers seek respite from rising temperatures. At the same time, spiritual destinations like Rishikesh and Varanasi are seeing a notable rise in popularity, reflecting increased interest in faith-led and introspective travel.
Urban and cultural destinations are also witnessing renewed traction, with cities like Jaipur and Udaipur climbing search rankings. Meanwhile, coastal favourites such as Goa and Puducherry continue to attract travellers looking for relaxed seaside getaways.
Among the most searched domestic destinations for the summer period are Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad—indicating a balanced mix of metro travel and leisure escapes.
On the international front, Indian travellers are increasingly looking east, with Asia emerging as a preferred region. Destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Ubud dominate search trends. Japan, in particular, is witnessing a surge, with Tokyo leading the list and cities like Osaka and Kyoto rapidly climbing in popularity.
While European cities such as London and Paris continue to feature among top choices, the broader trend reflects a shift toward destinations offering a mix of culture, cuisine, shopping, and convenience.
Another key insight is the growing demand for alternative accommodations. Travellers are increasingly exploring homestays, guest houses, apartments, and villas, seeking flexibility, privacy, and options that align with varied travel needs, whether for families, groups, or solo journeys.
Commenting on the trend, Santosh Kumar, Regional Head South Asia at Booking.com, noted that travellers are becoming more mindful and strategic, choosing destinations that reflect the experiences they value most. He added that the company continues to focus on simplifying the travel journey by integrating flights, stays, transport, and experiences into a seamless ecosystem.
Overall, the data underscores a broader evolution in travel behaviour, where personalisation, purpose, and convenience are shaping how Indians explore both domestic and international destinations.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on April 19, 2026
Air India has announced a new interline partnership with WestJet, aimed at expanding travel options between India and North America. The collaboration allows passengers to access more than 30 destinations across Canada and the United States through key gateways like Toronto and Vancouver.
With this partnership, travellers can now book single-ticket itineraries that combine Air India and WestJet flights. This ensures a smoother journey with coordinated baggage handling and a more streamlined travel experience.
Passengers flying into Toronto or Vancouver with Air India can connect further on WestJet to 17 cities across Canada and 14 destinations in the United States. These include major cities such as Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Las Vegas, among others.
Additionally, cities like Halifax, Calgary, and St. John’s can also be accessed through Air India’s European gateways, including Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), London (Heathrow), and London (Gatwick), offering more flexibility in travel routes.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada continues to be a key market for Air India, driven by strong people-to-people ties and increasing trade between our nations. By partnering with WestJet, we are making travel across North America more accessible and effortless for our guests, with coordinated baggage handling, single-ticket convenience, and a far wider choice of destinations.”
John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, the WestJet Group, said: “By bringing this interline agreement to life, we’re significantly expanding access between India and Canada, making it easier for our shared guests to seamlessly visit high-demand destinations across North America. This partnership aligns Air India’s long-haul strength with WestJet’s North American reach, creating meaningful new travel options and improving the end-to-end journey for travellers.”
Air India currently operates 17 weekly non-stop flights to Canada, including 10 weekly services to Toronto and 7 weekly services to Vancouver. The airline also runs 75 weekly flights to its European gateways, which further support connectivity to Canada through WestJet.
The new interline itineraries are now available for booking via Air India’s website, mobile app, and authorised travel agents worldwide, making it easier for travellers to plan seamless journeys across continents.
Published on March 18, 2026
Long weekends feel like a gift, and the best way to use one is to actually get away. Not a full-blown vacation, but a well-planned short trip to somewhere that genuinely helps you reset. Here are five destinations that deliver exactly that, each with the kind of stay that makes the whole trip feel effortless.
Goa: Sun, Sand and Absolutely No Rush
Goa is the kind of destination that never really needs a reason. The beaches, the cafes, the slow-moving coastal rhythm, and the nightlife that picks up just when you need it: it all adds up to a long weekend that feels twice as long as it actually is. ibis Styles Goa Vagator is a solid base for this kind of trip, with stylish interiors, comfortable stays, and easy access to Vagator's beaches, neighbourhood cafes, and everything else that makes North Goa so hard to leave.
Guwahati: Northeast India's Best-Kept Secret
If you haven't been to Guwahati yet, a long weekend is exactly the right format for a first visit. Set along the Brahmaputra River with hills as a backdrop, the city offers a combination of natural beauty and cultural richness that's genuinely refreshing. Mayfair Resort in Guwahati makes a strong case for itself as a base, spread across 35 acres with landscaped gardens, private villas, and expansive lawns. It's the kind of property that makes you want to stay in almost as much as go out and explore.
Jaipur: Royal Heritage, Modern Comfort
Jaipur is one of those cities that rewards even the shortest visit. Forts, bazaars, heritage streets, and local food that stays with you well after the trip: there's a lot to cover in three days if you plan it right. ibis Jaipur sits in a convenient location with a rooftop pool, spa, and on-site dining, making it a practical and comfortable base for ticking off the Pink City's highlights without spending too much time getting from one place to another.
Himachal Pradesh: Mountains, Pine Forests and Peace
For those who just need quiet, Himachal Pradesh delivers it consistently. Cool mountain air, scenic valleys, pine-lined paths, and the kind of panoramic views that make you put your phone down for a while. Whether you're heading to Shimla, Manali, or a quieter corner of the state, a long weekend here tends to feel restorative in a way that few other destinations match.
Uttarakhand: The Himalayan Reset
Uttarakhand is what you book when city life has been particularly relentless. Hill stations, forested landscapes, crisp air, and Himalayan views that shift how you look at things, even briefly. It's a destination that requires relatively little planning to get right: arrive, slow down, and let the mountains do the rest.
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