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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 Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 11, 2025
The aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India's military strike on terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has sent shockwaves through the domestic tourism industry. With rising uncertainty, flight shutdowns, and safety concerns, Northern India’s tourism has come to a standstill as nearly 90% of bookings have been cancelled.
Peak summer travel plans have been upended, especially in popular destinations across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Airports in Jodhpur, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Kashmir, all close to the international border, have suspended civilian operations till May 10, severely disrupting travel schedules.
“People who were already vacationing in Himachal Pradesh have cut short their trips. The North is totally out of the question now. Nearly 95% of bookings for northern destinations in May have been called off,” said Virendra Shah, a travel consultant.
The ongoing panic has left tour operators and travel consultants struggling. "This is the worst May we’ve seen in years," one operator said, pointing to widespread refund requests and a sharp drop in new enquiries.
Even tourists currently on vacation are opting to play it safe. Prashant Sharma, vacationing in Uttarakhand, said, “We had a packed itinerary from Nainital, Jim Corbett, and Mussoorie to Rishikesh, but we’ve cancelled everything except Nainital. We are heading back as planned from Dehradun.”
Experts say the mood of the traveller has been shaken. “This conflict has not just disrupted logistics; it has disrupted sentiment. Even journeys planned a month from now are being cancelled out of fear,” said Ankit Bajaj, a travel expert. He added that the industry is facing a 70% revenue loss for existing bookings this season.
The uncertainty is spilling over to international travel as well. While a few tourists are still flying to the UK and Spain, many are cancelling trips to Turkey, Dubai, Bali, Indonesia, and the Maldives at the last minute.
Sanjeev Chhajer, Chairman of GCCI’s tourism committee, added, “Domestic air travel is badly hit due to airport shutdowns. However, international travel is relatively steady, except for a few cancellations by government employees. Turkey and Azerbaijan have seen more cancellations, while others are less affected.”
With no clear timeline on when normalcy will return, the travel industry braces for an extended lull during what was expected to be a high-revenue summer.
Published on May 9, 2025
As part of Operation Sindoor, commercial flights have been suspended at 27 airports across north, west, and central India. The move has led to widespread disruptions in air travel, with over 430 flights cancelled across carriers like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express.
To ensure safety, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued new advisories mandating heightened airport security across the country. All passengers are now required to undergo Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC), and visitor access to airport terminals has been suspended until further notice.
Aviation authorities have also instructed airports to ensure that all CCTV systems are fully functional and have directed the deployment of air marshals based on priority and random selection.
Airlines have issued urgent travel advisories.
Air India posted: Passengers are advised to arrive at airports at least 3 hours before departure.
SpiceJet posted: Check-in closes 75 minutes prior to flight. and Akasa Air urging passengers early arrival and limiting cabin baggage to one handbag up to 7 kg.
All passengers must carry valid government-approved photo ID for airport entry.
List of Airports Closed under Operation Sindoor:
Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar (Rajkot), Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj.
According to flight tracking services like Flightradar24, the airspace over India’s western corridor from Kashmir to Gujarat, currently shows minimal civilian air traffic, highlighting the scale of the shutdown. Airports are expected to resume commercial operations by 5:29 AM on Saturday, May 10, but travelers are urged to stay updated through airline channels.
Passengers are strongly advised to recheck flight schedules, plan ahead, and cooperate with the enhanced security procedures to ensure smooth transit during this sensitive period.
Published on May 7, 2025
In a time where celebrations are becoming more meaningful and curated, Indian couples are making a clear choice: Destination weddings. Through the lens of Mr. Dilbir Sahni—affectionately known in the industry as Bob—this evolving trend comes to life. As the founder of IndoBangkok, a company at the forefront of luxury events and weddings in Thailand, Bob shares insights shaped by two decades of experience creating unforgettable moments for Indian families.
Once considered aspirational, destination weddings are now a conscious decision. The trend is catching on fast—up from 18% in 2022 to 26% in 2024. And leading this dreamy escape? Thailand.
Gone are the days of crowded banquet halls and logistical juggling. Today’s couples are opting for intimate beachfront vows, hilltop pheras, and royal-themed parties at luxury resorts. Thailand, with its postcard-perfect landscapes, warm hospitality, and ease of planning, offers a spectacular stage for love stories to unfold.
So what’s fueling this shift? It’s about simplifying the complex. Destination weddings allow couples to focus on what really matters: spending meaningful time with loved ones. With everyone gathered in one location, the chaos of multiple venues fades away, replaced by a relaxed, immersive vibe.
And it’s not just better for the couple—it’s a win for guests too. Think of it as a wedding with built-in vacation vibes. Guests enjoy quality time, beautiful settings, and great food—all while creating memories that go far beyond the ceremony.
The impact is showing in travel numbers. In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 2.1 million Indian tourists, many attending weddings. The message is clear: this is not just a trend—it’s a movement.
Thailand has become the ultimate canvas for Indian weddings. Whether it’s a sunset beach affair, a jungle-meets-ceremony celebration in Chiang Mai, or a royal-style event in a palace-like resort, Thailand offers variety without overwhelming complexity.
Short flights, simple visa processes, and English-speaking staff ease the journey. Add to that a robust network of Indian planners, chefs who know their dal makhani from their dal tadka, and venues that are nothing short of magical—and you’ve got a celebration that feels both familiar and fresh.
Best of all? The country offers five-star luxury at surprisingly affordable prices, making premium experiences accessible for a broader range of families.
Weddings are no longer just personal milestones. They’re catalysts for economic and cultural exchange. Each wedding brings life to a destination—boosting tourism, creating local jobs, and reviving small businesses. In many ways, these celebrations are a new kind of travel, one rooted in love, community, and shared joy.
Thailand isn’t just a backdrop—it’s becoming an integral part of Indian wedding stories. With its blend of beauty, accessibility, and cultural understanding, it’s no surprise that Thailand is emerging as India’s favourite wedding playground.
Because at the heart of every great wedding is a story worth travelling for.
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