Belgium: Indians discovered Belgium through Antwerp and the diamond trade, which they now dominate, but much before that, there were Indian soldiers fighting in Belgium during World War I. The world?s eyes will be on Belgium this summer for the centenary of the war. The first soldier to die in that war was in Liege in 1914 and the place to be at is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Brussels in memory of the soldiers who fought and died. Nearby is the grave of an Indian soldier, Khudadad Khan, the first Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour. In the village of Hollebeke is a memorial to Sikh soldiers. Thousands of Indian troops fought and died during the conflict. The Menin Gate in Ypres includes the names of 54,000 of the fallen, including 414 Indians, who have no known graves. Brussels is staging a major exhibition, 1914-18, at the Royal Army Museum and there are scores of other commemorative events all over Flanders, the historic northern part of Belgium. It?s also a chance to sample Belgium?s renowned chocolates.
Brazil: As the venue for the soccer World Cup this June, Brazil is going to be the summer?s favourite destination, with a host of tourist-related events planned around the event. So it?s not just Sugarloaf mountain and the famous Cristo statue. If you?re not a soccer fan, there?s plenty to see and do, especially the carnival-type scenes at its famed beaches and the 8,000-km coastline. In the relatively unexplored north-eastern state of Alagoas, a succession of rustic-chic, laidback beach pousadas offer fabulous cuisine, while eco-buffs can check out the world?s greatest tropical rainforest and stay at lodges in the heart of the jungle.
Budapest: One of the hottest Hollywood movies in recent months was The Grand Budapest Hotel, but you don?t really need such artificial aids to discover a wonderful central European city, which offers great value for money and plenty to see and do. A blend of the modern and historic, Budapest, divided by the Danube, is a great place to escape to in summer with Renaissance and art-nouveau architecture providing a romantic backdrop to an increasingly hip destination, with shops, gourmet restaurants, art galleries and laid-back cafes.
Glasgow: While Brazil hosts the World Cup, Scotland is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow at the end of July and all eyes will be on the city as it emerges from the shadow of Edinburgh as an exciting destination in its own right. Glasgow is Scotland?s largest city and has undergone a major uplift for the games (much like Delhi did). Its riverside location and port give it an extra level of attraction. The heart of the city is George Square, surrounded by the shopping precincts of Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street, which won the Academy of Urbanism ?Great Street Award?. Princes Square and the Italian Centre specialise in designer labels, while Glasgow?s West End is a bohemian district of cafes, tea rooms, bars, boutiques, upmarket hotels, clubs and restaurants.
Cape Town: After the IPL was held there, Indians have fallen in love with South Africa and Cape Town in particular. The city has been elected the World Design Capital 2014, giving it the opportunity to showcase about 450 innovation projects. Its most iconic landmark?Table Mountain?beckons always, but it?s also a lively city, with the ocean, beaches and promenades ever-present. There?s also much to do for those with kids: visiting Simon?s Town to see the penguins, or walking in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Golfers will find themselves in paradise. So too will foodies. Cape Town is renowned for its diverse, stylish restaurants and excellent food, always complemented by the range of superb local wines grown nearby. A trip to the spectacular Winelands is recommended, with at least six wine routes besides the historical towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl to check out.
Alacati: Located on the Cesme peninsula near Izmir on Turkey?s Aegean coast, Alacati has been newly discovered as a tourist getaway. The near-perfect conditions in its bay attract watersports lovers, while the hip crowd has fallen for its cobbled streets and blue-shuttered stone houses. Thanks to the tourist interest, chic hotels, restaurants serving local produce and antique shops have mushroomed. The bay attracts the most visitors, but there?s also Kose Dukkan for gifts and linens, and art and antiques shops on Haci Memis street. At night, the city turns into a vast outdoor cafe/club.
Banff: Jasper and Banff are two of western Canada?s most famous ski resorts and the pristine scenery, snow-clad mountains, plunging valleys and hotels surrounded by nature at its best, make this a must-do vacation. In May 2014, the Glacier Skywalk will open on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. The horseshoe-shaped, glass-floored walkway?similar to the Grand Canyon Skywalk?takes visitors 280 m above the Sunwapta valley over crashing waterfalls. World-class skiing is also available in the nearby Lake Louise, named Canada?s best ski resort at the recent World Ski Awards. The way back to India is via Calgary, which has acquired a cosmopolitan cool while retaining its cowboy roots.
Copenhagen: Plan to be in the Danish capital this May when Copenhagen hosts the Eurovision Song Contest. It?s a clean and safe city, which is home to lovely cafes and restaurants next to its historic canals and cobbled squares. The famous Tivoli Gardens are a joy for the entire family.
Mallorca: Once a jet set capital, it lost its way when everyone moved to its ultra-cool sister island, Ibiza. Mallorca?s romantic coastline, dramatic mountainscapes, sapphire bays, terracotta-roofed villages, jumbled on hilltops, have started to bring back the tourists. The boutiques and the labyrinthine old town, full of hidden tabernas and sophisticated bars, are jumping again as the celebrities return.