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Christmas holidays are here

For those planning a vacation during Christmas and New Year, there are plenty of exciting packages to choose from

VACATION TIME Plenty of holiday choices are available from beaches, to hills, for pilgrims, honeymooners and for the regular family

Children's Christmas or half-yearly (if you please) vacation is usually the time when the family can stay away from home; that most office goers wait to avail themselves of their travel leave (TL) in mid-December; that bachelors always lose out in the scramble for leave, especially when everyone wants to take a break.

If they are lucky, Sunday might be closer to Xmas day, providing you with a bit more of leisure time that could be used for more meaningful travel. Nithya Manoj (assistant manager, Southern India, Star Cruises) says there are two peak periods during the year — April to May and the fag end of December. During April and May, a predominantly family crowd sets out on these cruises. But December throws up a mixed crowd — partygoers and honeymooners looking for a short break from the routine. For anyone who got a raw deal in the leave-rush, packages such as three-night cruises from Mumbai to Lakshadweep and Mumbai to Goa or a five-night trip to Singapore and Malaysia (which could be broken up into separate three-night and two night trips) mean they need not get all green-eyed. The party animal can quench his thirst for excitement with a weekend one-night cruise to high seas.

Christmas has taken on a secondary meaning because of tourism. It connotes recreation and international shopping. In the past, the coffers of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism clinked heavily during Yule, thanks to a widespread penchant for White Christmas. Five to six years ago, the Government organisation used to recreate traditions bearing on the Nativity in Shimla. "But now, there is no snow in Shimla during Christmas," says tourist officer Madhu Sankhyayan, adding that this situation is a fallout of global warming.

The scene of festivities has been shifted to Manali, which has snow throughout the year. The Delhi-Manali package is for two or three-nights. With air travel becoming a lot more affordable, these packages remain nice, short trips .

Is December a time for religious tourism? Are Christians keen on celebrating Christ's birth in the place where he was born?

Israel beckons

"There are people who are keen on making a pilgrimage to Israel during Christmas, but many are not aware of certain geographical facts about the place," says John Selwyn, director, Shalom Tours and Travels. According to Selwyn, Christmas is more spectacular in Singapore, specially since the Shopping Festival is on around that time. "People of all religions undertake a trip to Singapore during Christmas because the attraction goes much beyond the midnight mass at St. Andrews Cathedral in Citi Hall. On Christmas day, the whole stretch of Orchard Road, made off-limits for vehicular traffic, is beautified with decorations and becomes the venue for dancing and singing. Moreover, incredible discounts are offered on a variety of electronic goods."

If you want to spend a few quiet days in a cosy, almost familiar tourist place or pack the short period with a lot of activities then Natraj, director, Adventure India, says, "Munnar, Allepy and Kumarakom with good accommodation facilities are good choices." He also recommends a short camping programme (such as the one offered by his company on highs of The Nilgiris) that brings the tourist closer to Nature.

Planning a trip at short notice is no longer a challenging task anymore. Because the trip can be planned to the last detail at home.

Online tour managers such as cleartrip.com provide information on flight options and the display is so comprehensive that you can easily compare the rates.

With 1,500 hotels in the system, the list of options extends to accommodation as well, says Sandeep Murthy, CEO, cleartrip.com. The system aggregates all the choices and gives a result. If the user is not happy, he can go back and make other choices and try out new combinations.

Actually, there is simply no excuse for not travelling this Christmas.

PRINCE FREDERICK

Where to go this Xmas

A few holiday options for you

Sea cruises- short, one to two day trips

White Xmas- To Manali andShimla

Religious vacation- Israel beckons

Shopping sojourn- Singapore

Tranquil getaway- Kumarakom backwaters

Nature calling-Nilgiris

Holiday info.- Online options are aplenty

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