Eat, Drink & Be Merry, for You're in Goa!!!

A Quick Guide to the Goa Carnival

Hammocks, sun, shades, sunburns, shores and seafood; Goa is much more than these exciting stuffs. You must have heard about the Carnival. Let's take a walk-through into the best Goan festival - the Goa Carnival.

Held every year in February, the four day celebration comprises of music, dance, theatrical performances and several other forms of entertainment, inviting frequent flights to Goa from the UK. We have summarised a guide to the Goan Carnival, so that when you visit next, you know where to stay and how to make the most of it.

The Background of the Festival

The Goa that you see today, was once under Portuguese command, an inhabited Christian country. Hence, the Goan Carnival came out of a customary annual festival just before the Lent period (March to April). Lent, as we all know, is a time when people renounce gaiety and luxuries. So people would have a good time just before Lent, hence, those happy moments came to be known as the Carnival, almost 500 years ago.

Since then, the celebrations have grown to be world famous and featured extravagant jubilee full of posh and pomp. Over the years, the amalgam of Portuguese and Goan celebrations have influenced the Goa Carnival to be what you see today.

The events begin with party preparations right from December. The entire state of Goa is endowed with a powerful enthusiasm for these celebrations. If you happen to be in Goa in January, you will find the entire state decorated brilliantly. Be it trees, buildings, lamp-posts or statues, every inch and corner is drenched with glitters. If you're curious to be in the fest, book tickets to Goa in advance to avoid last minute hassles and disappointments.

What's Beyond the Parties?

The carnival celebrations go beyond the normal parties and dancing. Beginning from the last week of February, the Carnival is a 3-day fun-filled event. Artists and performers swarm in to perform the crowd. There are theatrical performances, fire walkers, fire eaters, acrobats, musical bands, food and more. Grab cheap flights to Goa much in advance and gather memories in this bewitching coastal state of India.

The food, no doubt, is the best part as there's so much to sample and savour. The fact is, the festival starts with food and ends with food. Another main attraction of the Carnival is the Red & Black Dance, where the participants are all dressed in red and black, and they look wildly wonderful. All you have to do is dance around with your partner or friends.

Most of the fiesta takes place around the capital city of Panjim, not leaving Mapusa, Vasco da Gama and Margao behind. The events are ticket-free, so just mix in and enjoy the times like an ardent party animal. The carnival goes through the enchanting alleys and lanes. If you wish to delve into the vivid and electrifying Goan culture, book flights to Goa and head towards the paradise.

So, what can one expect from the Carnival?

·         Colourful bejewelled float parades

·         Sports contests

·         Authentic Goan seafood and a lot of Feni

·         Fashion Shows & DJ Nights

As you book cheap tickets to Goa, the first and the foremost thing we need to comprehend, that this is not a rave party or a beach prom or fete. When you think of a Carnival, you can imagine anything and everything. You get to meet people from every culture, of every age and tongue. There's no entry fee, but yes, you just have to pay INR 100 in order to take part in the Red & Black Dance.

Get on board a cruise organised by Champions Yacht Club and explore boat parties, carnival water bash, relish scrumptious cuisines and win exciting offers and gifts.

Some tips for the party:

·         It’s the peak time period, and all the hotels, guesthouses, and resorts will be packed and prices will shoot up to new highs, so book your accommodation as well as flights in advance.

·         The streets of Goa are usually flooded with people and floats, so if you wish to hit a specific destination during the carnival, you will have to talk to your hotel staff.

·         Keep your valuables safely. Chances of losing things are high.

So get your bags packing and remember to let go of your stress, have tons of fun, and take a lot of pictures so that you can relive the wonderful moments of the Carnival with Goa flights. Just follow the lines: eat, drink and be merry!!!

I Have Never Seen Orlando Bloom That Way

An insider's guide to the amusing city

Orlando is every child's dream come true. The adults see it as a gateway to their childhood again. If you have been there once or twice, it's easy to choose your favourite spots in the city. If you're travelling for the first time with flights to Orlando, we have highlighted the best things to do and see, places where to eat and stay and how to enjoy the most in a theme park.

Well, Orlando is mostly loved for its well-known theme parks, flamboyant shows, exquisite dining and extravagant shopping complexes that are twice the size of the Manhattan Island. First-time visitors should be ready to be spellbound. Being artificial, these Disney Parks are also renowned for its ideal American holiday and it's an experience like none other. With the Universal Orlando, Sea World and the lush Gardens of Tampa, there are still plenty of places to keep you busy.

But there's more to the theme parks. All you need to do is book cheap tickets to Orlando and explore the city at a snail's pace.

Things to do in Orlando

Beyond the fun-filled theme parks, Orlando offers endless things to keep you on your toes and this will surely be surprising. Let's begin with Cocoa Beach.

Cocoa Beach is barely an hours drive from the city on the Atlantic coast. You can park for free at Ron Jon Surf Shop. While you're planning your next hot-spot visit, you can consider skydiving at Sky Diver Space Centre with one of the highest dives on the planet at 20,000 feel, which is 3.5 miles. Now that's something for the strong-hearted.

OId Florida depicts the city of 1960s, much before the amusement parks even came into being. The Roadside Orlando reigned powerfully back those days. A few of the attractions of the yore still do exist, but the ones that are around, are the best.

Do you dare to step into Gatorland? That's the alligator world that caters to the adventurous and the gallant. You will surely love ziplining over the pools. But these pools are filled with the savage gators. Dare to? You can also drive down, Weeki Wachee Springs and see the real mermaids for yourself.

Feel the zero gravity at the Kennedy Space Centre Complex and get an insight into the Space Program. The impressive guide takes you all around the past, present and the future of Orlando. Book cheap flights to Orlando at the best price with Crystal Travel and gather long-lasting memories.

The nights are even more exciting. Check out the Silver Moon Drive-In, a remnant of an ancient movie theatre. Mount Dora is another favourite attraction located towards north Orlando. Well-known for their craft festivals held each and every year, you can shop for the local merchandise to gift or grace someone.

When to Visit Orlando?

October and March are the best months to visit Orlando with cheap flights to Orlando. These are the warmer months that allow you to take full advantage of water parks, beaches and other outdoor activities.

October is less crowded than March and highly popular with spring breaks. The threat for hurricanes is always there. Take precautions; that's it. Nothing else should hamper your trip to Orlando.

Irresistible Neighbourhoods to Explore

Being a small city, Orlando has compact locality. The centre of the city is graced with Lake Eola. At night, the fountain emits rainbow coloured lights with a soothing background music. Book cheap flights to Orlando much in advance and avail the best offers to save much.

Towards east of the city lies Thorton Park. Encircling the park lies tiny boutiques, stylish restaurants, shops, tree-lined lanes and captivating watering holes.

Downtown Orlando is the heart of the city, catering to night owls and party buffs with neighbourhoods such as Church Street and Orange Ave. Alternatively, Mills Ave features trendy eateries crammed with students and couples.

To keep alternative options for shopping and eating, the Winter Park is an upscale neighbouring city, 15 minutes to the north. It's a complete shopping den, which is overwhelming.

Where to Shop?

Two renowned places that are extremely popular with the locals and tourists are the Mall at Millenia and the Florida Mall. With a unique mix of stores for every budget, you never get bored at the Florida Mall. The Mall at Millenia, on the other hand caters to the rich and the luxurious shoppers. A few Premium Outlets offer great deals on items. Enjoy browsing till your eyes grow tired. Am sure they won't, it's so very alluring.

A Trip to Bali: Away from the Chaos & Crowd

7 things to do in Bali and yet crave for more

It's lush, serene, cultural and the best place to kill the summer heat - that's right, it's Bali. Ornamented with its share of tourists seeking the sun, sea and sand, the southern Asian beauty is so much more than bar and beaches, inviting frequent flights to Bali. Despite of striking rice terraces, colossal volcanic mountains, cultural villages and age-old temples, tourists still look beyond to find solace as well as spiritual and physical enrichment.

Frankly speaking, the Bali that we all envision, does exist. You can still find ladies wearing sarongs, walking gracefully towards the ancient temples, carrying dignified offerings. You can still see topless male farmers, toiling hard in knee-deep paddy fields along with the selfless buffaloes and sweet-looking ducks.

When to Visit

In terms of the weather, May to July are specifically advised to be the best time to visit to Bali. However, depending on surfing or exploring, the preferences may change. Surfers can swarm into Bali during the dry seasons of May to October and go surfing on some of the world's best waves. Make sure you get tickets to Bali booked much in advance.

The best part is, you do not have to go far to explore the 'real Bali'. Just step out of your resort, explore and soon you'll be surrounded with awestruck volcanoes, resounding gongs, flourishing rice fields, quaint villages and more.

So, searching for something authentic and unique in Bali? Here's something beyond the tourist trail:

Admire the views of Mount Batur

Bali has uncountable range of mountains and Mt. Batur is one of them. With an active volcano and Caldera Lake, the day-trip uphill is quite easy. Up there, the place bustles with crowd who just love to enjoy the cool air. If you are adventurous, you can reach the top with an overnight trek and be closer to nature.

Go Surfing at the Renowned Padang Padang Bay

Famous as one of the best beaches in Bali, the Padang Padang Bay attracts nervy surfers from all over the globe. You might have seen it in the Hollywood flick 'Eat Pray Love'. You can hire a board for £3.86 per hour or even hire an instructor for £12 per hour.

Relish Seafood Treat at Jimbaran Beach

Within 10-minutes reach from the airport the Jimbaran Beach draws visitors to its three expansive restaurants offering assorted seafood delicacies. What was once a tiny fishing village, teems with life and a huge fish market. Popular with tourists and mouth-watering meals, be prepared to soak up authentic Balinese elements. 

Chill out in the Chic Canggu

Among all the districts in Bali, the surfer's town Canggu is highly loved. Endowed with a cool climate and a laid-back glamour the place is extremely down to earth. The captivating cafes and flimsy hangout areas keep pulling people back. Old Man's, Moana Fish Eatery and Dandelion are some of the favourite spots in Canggu.

Take a walk through the Sacred Monkey Forest

Playful, mischievous and adorable, the little macaques rule the nature reserve and also the temple area. The forest is dense and hilly, but makes up for an amazing getaway from the chaos and crowd. There are three major temples that are almost 700 years old. Just stay calm and walk gracefully when you walk pass a monkey. It's a moment to be cherished.

Take a Dip in the Tirta Empul Springs

Balinese and foreign tourists love to soak themselves in the mysterious Tirta Pools for therapy and purification. It is believed that each spring has healing powers. Established in 962 AD, the area is dedicated to the deity Vishnu. With cheapflights to Bali, you'll surely leave the place rejuvenated and spirituallycharged.

Dare to go Wreck Diving?

Heard about the USAT Liberty Wreck Dive? This is the best dive site in Bali located towards the Tulamben shores. The USAT was a US cargo ship attacked by a Japanese submarine in the 1900s. In 1963, the tremors by a volcanic eruption caused the army cargo ship to slip into deep waters, creating a unique dive site since then.