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Shervani Pebbles & Pines Corbett joins the Shervani Hotels collection

Shervani Hotels presents Shervani Pebbles & Pines Corbett, a distinctive 48-room boutique hotel offering a unique blend of comfort and adventure. Nestled in the heart of Jim Corbett National Park, this hotel is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers, providing a captivating escape into the wilderness. Guests at Shervani Pebbles & Pines Corbett can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the wild, promising unforgettable encounters with nature. Whether seeking thrilling wildlife safaris, tranquil moments by the river, or a peaceful retreat from urban life, the boutique hotel offers a fusion of luxury and untamed wilderness. The hotel features 48 smartly furnished rooms and suites, including 24 Deluxe Rooms, 16 Premium Rooms, and 8 Superior Rooms with jacuzzis for added indulgence. Each accommodation is designed for utmost comfort and convenience, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities to ensure a relaxing and rejuvenating stay. “Shervani Pebbles & Pines Corbett is more than just a boutique hotel; it’s a gateway to experiencing the true essence of the wild. Its exceptional service, lavish accommodations, thrilling wildlife safaris, and numerous activities make it the perfect destination to indulge in opulent comfort and adventure,” said Ahsan Shervani, Vice President. Culinary delights await at the hotel’s inviting 24×7 multi-cuisine restaurant, offering an eclectic all-day dining menu featuring Kumaoni, Indian, Continental, and Pan-Asian cuisine. Guests can enjoy a wholesome breakfast buffet, lunch, and dinner daily, with a wide range of popular Indian, South Indian, Asian, and Western dishes. The indoor dining area accommodates up to 80 guests, while the outdoor space serves 24 guests. The hotel’s dedicated safari desk provides a rare opportunity to witness the majestic royal tiger in its natural habitat. Guided by experienced experts, guests can venture deep into the jungle, where these stunning creatures roam freely. The safari desk ensures a safe and seamless experience, with knowledgeable guides and well-maintained vehicles, offering the best prospects to witness nature’s grace at its finest. Additionally, Shervani Pebbles & Pines Corbett offers entertaining activities such as guided nature walks with a naturalist at 7 AM, lawn-side and river meals, live music, and more. Conveniently located 85 km from Pantnagar Airport, 62 km from Kathgodam Railway Station, and 267 km from New Delhi, Shervani Pebbles & Pines Corbett is an ideal destination for those seeking an extraordinary blend of luxury and adventure in the heart of the wild.

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Atlys reports 60% rise in Indian visa applications for Paris Olympics

With excitement building for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Atlys, India’s leading online visa platform, has reported a staggering 60% surge in visa applications for France. This unprecedented spike underscores the heightened interest and enthusiasm among Indian travellers eager to be part of this global event. Notably, while travellers from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore dominate the applicant pool, Atlys has also seen a significant increase in applications from smaller towns and rural areas. In response to this surge, French consulates in India have ramped up their processing capabilities. Olympic visitors are now receiving their visa decisions in under a week on average, a substantial improvement over usual processing times. This expedited service ensures a smoother and more efficient experience for travellers, allowing them to focus on their Olympic journey rather than visa hurdles. Paris remains a top destination, with nearly a 40% increase in active travel listings on Atlys, ensuring ample availability for visitors drawn to the city’s iconic landmarks and Olympic venues. Beyond Paris, travellers are exploring vibrant locations such as Nice, Aubervilliers, Colombes, and Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, all of which host key Olympic events. Lesser-known areas like Châteauroux for shooting events and Colombes for field hockey are also seeing a rise in bookings, offering visitors a diverse and enriching French experience. The rise in group travel bookings, with families and friends planning their Olympic trips together, is notable, with Atlys witnessing a 45% increase in group visa applications. Additionally, a notable 50% increase in sports tourism-related queries has been observed, with travellers not only seeking to attend Olympic events but also expressing interest in visiting iconic French sports venues like Stade de France and Roland Garros. This surge highlights a growing trend among Indian travellers who are keen to combine their love for sports with their travel plans. Atlys has leveraged advanced AI and machine learning technologies to streamline the visa application process, offering real-time tracking, step-by-step guidance, and personalised assistance, ensuring even first-time applicants can navigate the complexities of visa procedures with ease.

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Antara River Cruises unveils short getaways in Odisha

Come August, with a series of long weekends, it’s the perfect time for a short break with family or a group of friends! Antara River Cruises has recently launched two cabin catamarans in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha, offering an offbeat two- or three-night vacation traversing the estuarine region of the Brahmani-Baitarani River systems. These sustainably built vessels, MV Mahanadi and MV Bhitarkanika, are designed to explore the 672 sq km Bhitarkanika mangrove wetland. Starting August 1, 2024, the MV Mahanadi and MV Bhitarkanika will offer a 2-night/3-day itinerary, “Amazon of the East,” sailing every Thursday and Saturday, and a 3-night/4-day itinerary, “Cruising in Bhitarkanika,” every Monday. Departing from Gupti, just over a three-hour drive from Bhubaneswar airport, the cruise takes you through Dangamal, exploring Bhitarkanika before returning to Gupti. Priced at INR 29,500 per person per night on twin sharing/double occupancy (plus 5% GST), this extraordinary expedition navigates through India’s second-largest mangrove after Sundarbans in the Bay of Bengal, unveiling the hidden treasures of this enchanting region. Antara’s expert guides lead immersive excursions, whether bird watching, nature walks, or exploring hidden villages, promising discovery and awe-inspiring encounters with the natural wonders of Odisha. The catamarans, 17 meters long and 6 meters wide, travel at 5 knots per hour, blending comfort and elegance. Each features two identical cabins with private bathrooms, common lounge and dining areas, and an airy sundeck. Guests can indulge in local and international cuisines, enjoying meals with a view of the serene landscapes and vibrant mangrove ecosystems. Sustainability is a core principle on board the Antara catamarans, which present India’s first hybrid solar electric and fuel-powered cruise. They avoid single-use plastics, use bio-chemical toilets and water purifying plants, source ingredients from local markets, follow strict animal welfare guidelines, and encourage local Odia artisans and crafts for décor and retail. Bhitarkanika National Park, with its labyrinth of creeks, mangroves, and diverse wildlife, offers a rich and diverse ecosystem, supporting saltwater crocodiles, Indian pythons, king cobras, a plethora of avian species, spotted deer, and wild boars. Antara’s commitment to sustainability and luxury provides a unique way to explore these natural wonders.

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Air India launches new Gift Cards

Air India has launched Air India Gift Cards, offering travelers a convenient and flexible way to gift the joy of travel. These e-cards can be purchased online in denominations ranging from INR 1,000 to INR 200,000, either as gifts for loved ones or for personal future use. The gift cards can be used to book domestic and international flights and to purchase ancillary services such as extra baggage and seat selection on Air India’s website and mobile app. This flexibility allows recipients to customise their trips by choosing their preferred destination, travel dates, cabin class, and extras, making these gift cards an ideal present for any occasion. Available for purchase on giftcards.airindia.com, Air India Gift Cards come in four themes—Travel, Wedding Anniversary, Birthday, and Special Moments—and can be easily personalised. Key features include convenient delivery options, allowing immediate use or scheduled delivery within 60 days of purchase, and transferability, enabling recipients to book flights for themselves or others. Additionally, travellers can combine up to three gift cards in a single transaction and use them alongside a credit card to cover any remaining balance. Air India Gift Cards can be utilised for a single trip or spread across multiple bookings, offering unmatched flexibility. This new offering from Air India provides a seamless and thoughtful way to give the gift of travel, catering to a variety of travel needs and preferences.

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Newest National Park Service site is a stark reminder of the era of segregated schools in the US

At first glance, it’s a rather unmarkable, plain-looking, one-story building that sits in an unadorned lot in the dry West Texas town of Marfa. It has off-white adobe walls and a metal roof. On the front, it has two narrow vertical windows and a wooden door. A handful of utilitarian steps with no railings lead inside. And yet Blackwell School is the newest site in the US National Park system because of the remarkable story of what happened here. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland formally established the school as a National Historic Site on Wednesday, according to a news release from the National Park Service. It’s one of 76 sites with that designation. It joins the ranks of such historically important places as the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in New York, the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site in Washington, DC, and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama. The US National Park Service now has a total of 430 units, including 63 National Parks, under its wide umbrella. History of Blackwell School Built in 1909, the school “serves as a significant example of how racism and cultural disparity dominated education and social systems in the United States during this period of de facto segregation from 1889 to 1965,” the NPS release said. Unlike schools in much of the South that primarily focused on segregation of African Americans, Blackwell was established for Mexican and Mexican-American students. By receiving the designation, Blackwell School has permanent protection and can provide physical testimony that helps tell the history of Texas school districts that set up elementary schools for Mexican American children, the release said. “A complete history of America must include everyone’s story. The designation of the Blackwell School National Historic Site is an important step in telling a more diverse and inclusive history of the Mexican American experience in our country,” said Chuck Sams, director of the National Park Service. The site has the original 1909 adobe schoolhouse and a smaller 1927 classroom building known as the Band Hall. The buildings hold photographs, memorabilia and panels that display quotes and stories from students and teachers, NPS said. Marfa: Tourist attraction Marfa, population just over 1,700, is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of the U.S.-Mexico border and about 400 miles west of San Antonio on a lonely stretch of high-altitude highway. The town has become something of an essential stop for a West Texas road trip, especially for lovers of avant-garde art. Artist Donald Judd helped get things started in the 1970s with his installation of minimalist aluminum boxes inside buildings at the former Fort D.A. Russell military post. It’s now called The Chinati Foundation (La Fundación Chinati) and features permanent, large-scale works of art. The town is also home to Prada Marfa, a stocked faux boutique by artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset that comments on materialism. Various art galleries also dot the town, covering a range of styles from world tribal art to minimalist, contemporary works.

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North Korea announces opening of long-abandoned ‘Tourist City’ in May 2025

North Korea's long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma beach resort is set to welcome tourists in May 2025, as announced by leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to the site on the east coast. Initiated in early 2018, the development of this extensive coastal tourist city faced several setbacks, missing its initial 2019 opening dates. The project was further delayed and largely abandoned due to the pandemic. Spanning 605 acres (245 hectares) and featuring thousands of hotel rooms along a 3.5-mile (5.5-km) white-sand beach, the resort is a significant undertaking by the military. In recent months, some Russian tourists were given an exclusive preview of the resort. During Kim's first visit to Wonsan-Kalma in over five years, he noted that the construction had reached its final phase. He held a meeting with top officials, discussing the final preparations required for the resort's operation ahead of its opening in May 2025. He emphasised the need for high service standards and called for additional features like an amusement park, leisure activity areas, proper waste management, and training for service experts. Earlier state media reports indicated Kim's interest in inviting tourists, particularly from friendly nations such as Russia and China, to other tourist zones in the country, raising speculation about whether Western tourists would be allowed. The latest report suggested plans to expand foreign tourism at Wonsan after the borders, closed in January 2020 due to the pandemic, began reopening around a year ago. Kim highlighted the importance of developing sports-based, leisure-oriented, and sightseeing tourism along the coast to position Wonsan-Kalma as a premier global destination.

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