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Exploring Europe: Train travel a winner for young Indians

Travelers from India now comprise the second-largest market for Rail Europe for the first time in 90 years. DW asked some of them to share their experiences. "Europe has been so popularized by pop culture so it was definitely on my bucket list to do a Europe trip," 30-year-old Kritika Goel told DW. The social media content creator from Vellore, a city in southern India's Tamil Nadu state, said that she has always been fascinated by European history, culture and its stunning landscapes. So much so, that the 30-year-old finds herself returning to explore the continent every three or four months. And Goel is not the only Indian who has discovered the joys of exploring Europe across its railways. India is now the second-largest market for Rail Europe, a company that makes European train travel more accessible to international travelers, after the United States — outpacing both China and Japan. The company provides tickets for some 200 rail operators across Europe. Train travel inspired by Bollywood YouTuber Pratik Jain was introduced to the beauty of Europe through India's Hindi film industry, Bollywood, which features many popular European cities and famous landmarks in its movies. The 30-year-old from India's financial capital Mumbai last year traveled to five European countries — France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the Czech Republic — using an all-in-one train ticket known as a Euro Rail pass. "I spent over €250 ($270) for a four-day pass which is convenient, provides time flexibility and is cheaper as compared to flight tickets," Jain said, referring to the ticket that gives unlimited access to a wide network of trains across Europe. "Europe has good railway connectivity which makes the journey smoother and less hassle. However, if you are only visiting one or two countries you can also use other options like [budget bus company] Flixbus and flights." Devang Sethi, a 35-year-old former software engineer who now works as a travel vlogger, has also found train travel to be a winner. He has traversed most parts of Europe using the railway. All he needed was his backpack and a Eurail pass, he said. "This pass covers over 33 countries including Turkey and Bulgaria. I have taken a first-class pass and was offered free food in places like Scotland." Europe attracting more Indian travelers Despite hurdles like visa delays and logistical issues, a significant number of Indians have visited popular European destinations — including Switzerland, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Austria with a growing interest in Eastern European countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary. "Despite challenges like visa delays, the Indian market has displayed remarkable resilience and a strong enthusiasm for European travel," Björn Bender, Rail Europe's President and CEO, told DW. "The Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail Passes are particularly popular among Indian outbound travelers for their flexibility and convenience, allowing seamless exploration of multiple destinations," said Bender. Rail Europe has recorded a 60% growth in global revenue amid the increasing popularity of European destinations among Indian travelers. Goel told DW about some of her favorite train journeys across Europe. "The highlight was experiencing the Glacier Express in Switzerland; I'll never forget the spectacular views of the Swiss Alps on that eight-hour train journey, the content creator said.

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Work On New Expressway Between Pune And Aurangabad To Begin Soon

The time taken to reach Pune from Nagpur will drastically reduce once the proposed highway between Aurangabad and the city is developed. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari has said that the work on the highway will start soon. He also said that 6 express highways are being built in Maharashtra. The Union Minister said that the time of travel from Nagpur to Pune, at a distance of around 720 kms, will be reduced to just 6 hours with the planned expressway connectivity. “Under the leadership of the PM, we are building a highway from Aurangabad to Pune and soon its work will start, so that we can reach Pune from Nagpur in just 6 hours. We are also building 6 express highways in Maharashtra,” Gadkari said in Nagpur, Maharashtra on Saturday. An access-controlled expressway will be made at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore between Aurangabad and Pune which are located at a distance of around 225 kms. Earlier this year, Union Minister Gadkari shared that this expressway will have no turns and vehicles will be able to commute at speeds of up to 140 kms per hour. The travel time between Aurangabad and Pune will reduce to 1.15 hours from the current 4-5 hours, he had added.

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Massive gold treasure trove of ‘incalculable’ amount discovered in Panama!

As per the latest development, in the Central American nation of Panama, archaeologists have revealed the discovery of an ancient tomb, which reportedly contains a remarkable amount of gold artifacts with historical and cultural significance deemed ‘incalculable.’ The announcement, made through a press release by the country's Ministry of Culture, sheds light on this significant find at the El Caño archaeological site. El Caño is home to a necropolis, a vast cemetery associated with the pre-Hispanic Gran Coclé culture. This culture thrived between 200 BC and AD 1550, which constructed the necropolis around AD 700, only to abandon it by AD 1000. The University of South Florida provides insight into the distinctive artistic style and the prevalence of finely crafted gold objects within this culture, particularly in Panama's Coclé Province. Within the tomb at El Caño, archaeologists uncovered a diverse collection of artifacts, predominantly ceramics, alongside a significant number of gold items. Among these discoveries are two belts adorned with spherical gold beads, four bracelets, earrings shaped like human figures (depicting a man and a woman), a crocodile-shaped earring, five earrings made with sperm whale teeth encased in gold sheaths, bells, and a set of circular gold plates. The tomb's occupant, believed to be a high-status adult male or great lord, was found alongside various grave goods. Julia Mayo, Director of the El Caño Foundation and the archaeological project overseeing excavations since 2008, explained that the tomb also contained the remains of others, possibly sacrificed and buried to accompany the lord in the afterlife. The excavation, dating to around 750-800 AD, is not yet complete, making it unclear as to how many additional individuals are buried within. However, it is established that the lord was buried face down, a practice observed in other Coclé sites, atop a woman.

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Japan: Kyoto imposes ban on tourist entry into the private alleys of Geisha district

Responding to the challenges of over tourism after the pandemic, Kyoto's renowned geisha district, Gion, is imposing visitor restrictions, particularly within private alleys, to address resident concerns and safeguard cultural integrity. Referring to this, a local representative stated that visitors would no longer be permitted to enter private alleys in Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district, as the ancient city grapples with over tourism post-pandemic. The Gion district, renowned for its tea houses where geisha (‘geiko’ locally) and their apprentices, known as ‘maiko,’ perform, has been a focal point of resident frustration due to disruptive tourist behavior. Kyoto residents, particularly those in the picturesque Gion district, have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the surge in tourist numbers, as reported. In December, the Gion district council appealed to the city administration, emphasizing that their neighborhood is not merely a tourist attraction, but a living community deserving respect. Acknowledging the persistent challenges of overtourism, the Gion district council has decided to intensify its response, planning to implement stricter measures, including a ban on tourists entering private alleys starting April. Isokazu Ota, an executive member of the Gion district council, stated that tourists would be discouraged from accessing narrow private streets, where intrusive behavior and privacy violations have become rampant. While Gion's primary thoroughfare, Hanamikoji Street, will remain accessible to tourists, balancing accessibility and privacy, Ota stressed the need to curb intrusive conduct. Instances of disrespectful behavior, such as attempts to take photographs or getting too close to geisha on narrow streets, have necessitated more robust enforcement strategies. Efforts to address unwanted tourist behavior have included installing warning signs prohibiting photography on private roads, accompanied by potential fines for violations. Despite these measures, challenges persist, prompting the need for stricter regulations.

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Odisha imposes ban on single-use plastics in sanctuaries, national parks from April 1

As per the latest development, Odisha has banned the usage of single-use plastics inside eco-tourism tourist destinations, sanctuaries and more. If reports are to go by, the Odisha Forest Department has implemented a stringent measure to safeguard the ecological sanctity of its sanctuaries, national parks, and tiger reserves. In an official statement on Monday, Odisha's Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Susanta Nanda, declared a complete ban on the entry of visitors with single-use plastic into these conservation areas. Reportedly, this would come into effect from April 1, 2024. The directive explicitly states, "Entry of single-use plastic shall be prohibited inside sanctuaries/national park/tiger reserves of the state with effect from April 1, 2024." To accommodate the needs of tourists, authorities have been instructed to establish alternative arrangements for providing drinking water facilities at various locations within the sanctuaries, parks, or tiger reserves. Additionally, visitors can obtain refundable plastic water bottles at entry points, ensuring both convenience and compliance with the new regulation.

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Himachal Pradesh Tourism launches Vande Bharat bus from Palampur to Amb, discounts for soldiers and journalists

Vande Bharat bus from Palampur to Amb in Una district via Nagrota and Kangra, aims to cater to tourists arriving via the Vande Bharat train to Kangra district. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Tourism Development Board, RS Bali, launched the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Vande Bharat Bus Service, scheduled for flag-off on Saturday. The inaugural service, starting from Palampur and terminating at Amb in the Una district via Nagrota and Kangra, aims to cater to tourists arriving via the Vande Bharat train to the Kangra district. Departing from Palampur at 8:00 am, the Vande Bharat bus will offer a comfortable journey for tourists, departing from Amb to Kangra and back to Palampur by 11:30 am. In addition to this, in a gesture of appreciation towards soldiers, all current and ex-servicemen from the state will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on their stays in state tourism hotels for eight months, and a 30 per cent discount for the remaining four months, March, April, May, and June. Furthermore, soldiers will avail a 30 per cent discount on food expenses. Thirdly, registered journalists across the state will also receive a 50 per cent discount on accommodation in state tourism hotels for eight months and a 30 per cent discount for the remaining four months, March, April, May, and June. Additionally, registered journalists will benefit from a 30 per cent discount on food. Bali emphasized that these announcements are poised to benefit numerous tourists, citizens, soldiers, and registered journalists in Himachal Pradesh. He expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister for his continuous support and guidance in the government's endeavours towards public welfare. The three major initiatives were announced during a press conference held on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Along with Bali, MD Rajiv Sharma, Block Congress President Man Singh, Vice President Pratap Riad, General Secretary Arun Katoch, and other dignitaries were present during the press conference.

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