EV Jan 2011

JULY/DECEMBER 2011
A Great New Way to Holiday

Introducing Cruise Exchange
5 whole years of RCI Holidays...

from just T6.00 a day!
Avail RCIs Special 2011 Renewal Offer today!

Renew your RCI Membership more than 12 months in advance, and you pay only N10,950 for a 5-year extension. So, for just N6.00 per day, you and your family can enjoy the best of holidays for 5 whole years: Exchange Holidays in over 4,000 RCI-afliated resorts around the world Fabulous RCI Rental deals in the worlds great cities and other sought after destinations And much more! Plus, you save N1,950 on the regular 5-year renewal fee. Surely you dont want to miss out on this great opportunity! So avail RCIs Special 2011 Renewal Offer, and renew your Membership today. 5-Year Renewal
Regular Renewal Fee More than 12 months before expiry 6 to 12 months before expiry 3 to 6 months before expiry 15% 10% 5%
Discount
You pay* You save*

N12,900 N10,950 N11,600 N12,250 N1,950 N1,300 N650
3-Year Renewal
Regular Renewal Fee More than 12 months before expiry 6 to 12 months before expiry 3 to 6 months before expiry
*Calculated to the nearest multiple of N50
N9,700
15% 10% 5%
N8,250 N8,750 N9,200
N1,450 N950 N500
RCI Member Helpline Toll Free (All India): 1800 419 2131 Bangalore: +9180-41849100/66915555 Email: indiarci@rci.com Website: www.rci.com
JulyDecember2011
contents
features
8 A GREAT NEW WAY TO HOLIDAY
8 14 16
Your Holiday Week now gives you thousands of new holiday options, with RCI Cruise Exchange
14 CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS

Chandresh Soni has a memorable holiday among the hills and lakes of the Kumaon region
16 VIVA MEXICO!
With the easing of visa regulations, Mexico beckons Indian holidayers
24 HISTORY AND ROMANCE
28
Radhika Shastry unearthed a hidden gem when she holidayed in the Maltese islands
28 THE RAINBOW NATION
24
The memories of their South African holiday promise to stay with Akalp Gupta and his family forever
30 INCREDIBLE THAILAND
in each issue
4 6 12 19 20 32 35 Operational Resorts Letters from our Members Magic Memories Rate Reckoner Member Benets Snappy Holiday Recipes Resort News
S R Seetharam has a fabulous holiday in Bangkokand wants to go back for more!
27 30
is the ofcial travel publication of RCI
Operational Resorts: India & Sri Lanka

Manali 6753 Club Mahindra Snowpeaks 4807 Manali Resorts 5892 Royal Banon Resorts 4896 Snowcrest Manor-Manali 4087 Sterling White Mist Dharamshala A298 Club Mahindra Kangra Valley Shimla 3823 Toshali Royal View C084 East Bourne Resort C348 Club Mahindra Whispering Pines Parwanoo 5195 Timber Trail Heights Ramnagar 5859 The Leisure Club A962 The Riverview Retreat C347 Club Mahindra Safari Resort Gurgaon 4438 Resort Country Club Jodhpur 6191 Ajit Bhawan 6282 Fort Chanwa Luni C345 Prescon Desertscape Jaipur A960 Cambay Spa & Resort C261 Cambay Golf Resort, Jamdoli Kumbhalgarh A486 Club Mahindra Fort Kumbhalgarh Udaipur C262 Cambay Spa & Resort Ahmedabad 6474 The Luxury Club at Le Meridien Gandhinagar A472 Cambay Spa & Resort Silvassa 3090 Ras Resorts Silvassa Mussoorie 4175 Avalon Mussoorie 6755 Hilltop at Avalon (Club Mahindra Associate) 7492 Hotel Green Castle Auli 4276 Clifftop Club Kausani C476 Krishna Mountview Kausani Nainital A961 The Naini Retreat C083 Club Mahindra Dancing Waters, Naukuchiatal
Manali Dharamshala Shimla Parwanoo

Chandigarh
1
Kullu
Almora 6692 Club Mahindra Binsar Valley Resort Bhimtal 4431 Country Inn-Bhimtal 7695 Mountain Club Gangtok C346 Club Mahindra Royal Demazong
Mussoorie Auli Kausani Nainital Almora Ramnagar Bhimtal

New Delhi
Bikaner
Gurgaon
Gangtok Jaipur Agra Kumbhalgarh

8 2
Jodhpur
15
Kanpur
11 31
32 39
Udaipur
Agra 5681 Jaypee Palace Hotels
Gandhinagar
Indore
3 8
Jabalpur
Ahmedabad
Kolkata
INDIA
6
6 5
Raichak Puri
Nagpur
Kolkata 6691 Vedic Village Raichak 5490 The Ffort Holiday Klub Puri 4279 The Chariot 2955 Toshali Sands
Bhubaneshwar
Silvassa Mumbai Lonavala Pune

9
Hyderabad
Mumbai 6475 The Luxury Club at Le Royal Meridien 4889 VITS Mumbai Lonavala 3935 Treasure Island C364 The Lagoona Resort Pune C363 Le Royale Residency Coorg 3452 Orange County Resort 7703 Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley C477 Kadkani River Resort Kannur 7636 Kairali Heritage Munnar 4800 Club Mahindra Lake View 3720 Sterling Green Vistas 3470 The Tall Trees Kottayam 4962 Golden Waters Alleppey C260 Panoramic Sea Resorts Kollam C090 Club Mahindra Backwater Retreat C091 Cambay Palm Lagoon Kovalam C138 The Country Club Treasure Cove
4 17
Hyderabad 4256 Amrutha Castle 8773 The Country Club International Goa 5890 Averina Beach 4883 Club Mahindra Varca Beach 5677 Phoenix Park Inn 5743 Lotus Suites Goa 3726 Royal Goan Beach Club at Benaulim 3820 Royal Goan Beach Club at Monterio 4129 Royal Goan Beach Club-Haathi Mahal 3594 Royal Goan Beach Club-Royal Palms 4891 Sun Village 5324 Vista do Rio 8872 The Country Clube de Goa Hampi/Hospet C475 Vijayshree Heritage Village Yercaud 4881 Sterling Rock Perch C082 Lake Forest Yercaud (Club Mahindra Associate) Ooty 5192 Hill Country Resorts-Ooty 3721 Sterling Elk Hill 2969 Sterling Fern Hill Kodaikanal 5193 Hill Country Resorts-Kodaikanal 3719 Sterling Lake View Thekkady A963 Club Mahindra Tusker Trails
Goa
Hampi/ Hospet
5 7
Mangalore
Coorg Ooty
Bangalore
Chennai
Kannur
Kochi
Yercaud
7
Munnar Kodaikanal Madurai Kottayam Thekkady Alleppey 9 Kollam Kovalam Thiruvananthapuram6

6
Colombo
2
SRI LANKA
2
100
200 Miles
100 200 Kilometres
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
Press 1 for Hindi...

Starting 1 April 2011, the RCI Call Centre in Bangalore is ocally bilingual! Should you choose to, you can now direct your calls to a Hindi-speaking Guide. All you need to do is press 1 on your keypad when you are prompted: Hindi mein jaankari ke liye ek dabaiye...
news from RCI

When we say that Your vacation means the world to us, it is a maxim we strive hard to live by. You would have noticed the many ways in which we have enhanced your RCI membership, making it simpler and easier for you to realise your holiday dreams complete trading power transparency; Combined Deposits and Deposit Credits; the ability to transact round-the-clock at RCI.com, using online tools like the Deposit Calculator and the Exchange Planner; the sheer number of new aliations. Many of you have appreciated these changes as they have made it possible for you to use the trading power of your Holiday Week to the maximum, as you book more and better holidays. None of these enhancements would have been possible without your valuable feedback and suggestions. I am delighted that we are now able to full one more of your requests: Cruise Holidays. Going on a cruise is truly an unforgettable experience, and the launch of RCI Cruise Exchange makes this new way of holidaying much more accessible and aordable to members in India. We look forward to booking you on fabulous cruise holidaysand hearing all about your experiences when you get back. A great holiday, whether on land or at sea, is often triggered by the experiences of others, especially in destinations you have never been to before. It could be memories shared by your friends and colleagues, a good travel book or magazine or, increasingly, the wide variety of information on the World Wide Web. I am sure you will nd the new RCI online forumson Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the RCI blogimmensely useful, and that you will get plenty of new ideas for your future holidays. Equally, your holiday experiences shared in Endless Vacation could inspire other members to plan their own dream holidays. In this issue, we have members writing about their holidays in Nainital, South Africa and Thailand; there are also evocative photographs that many of you have sent us. We look forward to your contributions continuing to pour inmy colleagues and I cherish the happy holiday memories, in words and in pictures, that you share with us. They tell us, in a way nothing else can, that we are making a meaningful dierence, adding our bit of sunshine to your lives. Happy holidaying!
Connect with the RCI Community

Now you can go online and engage with other RCI members around the world in a number of ways: on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the RCI blog. Go to Page 23 to nd out more on this new way of getting ideas for great RCI holidays.
POLICY ON MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

Please note that any entry, story, information, content, artwork, photograph, video, image, etc, including entries received for Kids Post, Magic Memories, Snappy Holiday Recipes and Wish You Were Here (collectively, the content/entries) shared by you must be original and you must be the owner of it. By sharing entries with us, you grant RCI a licence to unlimited and unrestricted use in any media, worldwide, without any payment or consideration, and expressly waive any copyright or trademark rights or any other rights that you may have under any other law in this regard. RCI reserves the right to use or publish these entries, in any form, format, medium, language, etc, in whole or in part, in any of its publications or presentations in India or abroad without obtaining any written permission, licence, or consent from you in any manner whatsoever. The entries submitted by you will be considered the property of RCI, and will not be returned. By sending an entry to us, you represent that you own or have the necessary rights, licences, and permissions (without the need for any payment to other person or entity) to use, and to authorise RCI to use, such entries for commercial and non-commercial purposes. You also agree that RCI reserves the right to edit the content, including the text and images shared by you to t available space or to ensure consistency with style guidelines; to use the content at its discretion in any format/medium of communication; to correct errors in language; and to touch up images to ensure better reproduction of the content in any medium of communication. You agree that RCI may include your full name, and any other information related to you, in the event your entries are published, and you also agree that RCI is under no obligation to publish entries shared by you. You agree that prize winners for the Endless Vacation contests or any other contests or content will be decided by RCI and such decision shall be nal and binding.
Radhika Shastry Managing Director Indian Subcontinent
Endless Vacation Magazine is published twice a year by RCI India Pvt. Ltd. Designed by DIREM Marketing Services (Bangalore) Pvt. Ltd. Original articles and contributions may be reproduced or transmitted only with written permission from the publisher. No responsibility is accepted by RCI India for any losses or other consequences resulting from advertisements or other material in this publication. All offers appearing in the publication are subject to terms and conditions, and availability. RCI 2011.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
letters
Orlando Casts a Spell
The rst look and we exclaimed: This is a dream come true! A spacious two bedroom apartment, huge bathrooms with Jacuzzi, a kitchen loaded with all modern equipment, and the living room with its music systems and its beautiful dcor what a welcome the Sheraton Vistana Resort gave us!
from our members
An entertaining incident or a cultural insight. Or even how RCI has enhanced your holiday experience. Just write in to Editor Endless Vacation, RCI India Pvt Ltd, Pine Valley, First Level, Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Bangalore 560071, India, or email editor.ev@rci.com, and share your memories with other RCI members*. Selected letters will be published in the next issue of Endless Vacation.
Unique Diwali in Goa

Our holiday at the Royal Goan Beach ClubHaathi Mahal in Goa, from 30 October to 6 November last year, was magnicentespecially since Goa is such a nice and welcoming hostess! Theres nothing left to be said about the wonderful cuisine and drinks available in Goa. Water sports and swimming are also synonymous with the beaches of Goa. Truly a paradise!
mesmerising opening musical ceremony at the Magic Kingdom at 9 am. Over the next 6 days, we gathered a lot of memories at the Epcot Center, the water parks, Animal Kingdom and the Hollywood Studios. Our days in Orlando were pleasurable, and our stay at the Sheraton Vistana Resort was gratifying. This resort is truly a relaxing quarter, and with or without Disney, it has the prociency to keep its guests entertained, exultant and unperturbed throughout! Vanisha and Sudhir Nambiar Members from Club Mahindra
The campus is sprawling, with greenery and oral designs, water birds hovering everywhere, and cafs and eateries adding to the sunny charm of Florida You need to be there to believe it! We purchased a 6-day Disney pass for our family from the friendly reception counter, prepared a simple dinner in the beautifully furnished kitchen, and retired after a relaxing bath and we were all excited as we looked forward to the next days adventure in the land of dreams and magic created by Walt Disney. Next day, we took the rst bus to Walt Disney World in time to witness the
6 JULY/DECEMBER 2011
Our holiday coincided with Diwali. Goa has a unique way of celebrating the festival. The evening before Naraka Chaturdasi, there was a very interesting parade in Madgaon. Statues of Narakasur, an evil demon, are made in every nook and corner of Goa, and they congregate to Madgaon to be judged in a contest. The atmosphere is electric and the competition intense. After the winner is announced, all the statues of Narakasur are burnt down to signify the victory of good over evil. Sushama and I got a close look at one such Narakasur in the nearby village of Cavelossim. Our pictures with the Narakasur are among the treasured memories of our wonderful visit to Goa. Sushama and Shrikant Pradhan Members from VITS Mumbai
*Please note that RCIs Policy on Member Contributions detailed on Page 5 will apply to all entries.
Memories of Quebec
I went on a vacation to Condo-Quebec au Scandinave, the RCI-aliated resort located at Saint-Ferrol-les-Neiges in the Quebec province of Canada, from 7 to 14 May 2011. The resort is in the foothills of Mount Saint-Anne. The places around this resort are very picturesque, and it is surrounded by beautiful mountains. This is a beautiful ski resort in the winter and is a nice place for sightseeing in the summer. I took a guided sightseeing tour from the resort to Quebec City and old Quebec. The tour was very educative and interesting. Old Quebec has many historic sites, such as the Parliament,
Fun & Frolic in Coorg

We are frequent travellers, and have travelled the length and breadth of India, and abroad. This was our rst holiday experience through RCI, and, I must say, it was unforgettable.
and Nisargadham, and also went on a plantation visit, which was interesting and informative. The adventure zone was good and our little one surprised us with her bold and sporty side. We started looking forward to the evenings, which were full of fun and frolic thanks to all the eort taken by the sta, who left no stone unturned to entertain the guests. This resort is great for family holidays and we look forward to visiting again. RCI, here we come for our next adventure with you! Shobha Bamboli Member from Country Vacations International
We had heard a lot about the Club Mahindra resort at Madikeri in Coorg, and decided to check it out. We were quite impressed with our apartment and the ambience of the resort. My seven year old daughter was thrilled with all the activities that were lined up each day for the guests. We did elephant bathing at Dubare, visited the Buddhist Golden Temple
Citadel, Place Royal, St Louis, St John, Kent Gates, Old Port, La Parc des Champs-de-Batailles, and the Quartier Petit-Champlain. The tour took eight hoursthat included three hours for shopping and dining. The tour bus picked me up from the resort and dropped me back. Among the other interesting sights that I saw during my stay were Sainte-Annede-Beaupre Basilica; Parc de la Chute Montmorency Falls; Canyon Ste-Anne and the Falls; the drive from Quebec to Le Manoir Richelieu; and Casino de Charlevoix. The drives were nice and scenic, and I took plenty of pictures. Dr Chandra Swaminathan Member from Club Mahindra
Away from the Crowd

We stayed at the Resort Country Club, Gurgaon, from 30 January to 6 February 2011, and our experience was excellent. The courteous sta and the hospitality at the resort were unmatched. The truth is, we booked this resort as I had to attend a conference at Gurgaon. On arrival, we were disappointed when we realised that the resort was around 35 km from the conference venue. But, the next morning, we reached there in just 25 minutes, while our friends from Gurgaon city could not reach the venue even in one hour! In the end, we were happy that we stayed in a natural environment, away from crowded Gurgaon. For miles around, we saw mustard elds, and we found a few rare birds in the morning. The resort oers many entertaining activities like camel riding and milking cows. The goat cart was enjoyed by the children. Dr Rashmikant Shah Member from Lotus Suites Goa
Thai Flavours
We had visited Thailand a few times earlier, but this trip was dierent because we went out of Bangkok and experienced some very special moments. The Tiger Monastery and the Bridge on the River Kwai near Kanchanaburi were particularly noteworthy. Our stay at the Grand Tower Inn in Bangkok was very comfortable, and we had an unforgettable time. Ramdas and Bharathi Member from Sterling Holidays
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
cover story
Your Holiday Week now gives you thousands of new holiday options, with RCI Cruise Exchange
Now RCI gives you the opportunity to not just take your dream holiday on the high seas, but get unbeatable value when you do so. Because, starting 1 July 2011, you can exchange the Holiday Week you own to save US $1,000 or even more when you go on a cruise. RCI Cruise Exchange opens up a brand new world of holidaying, combining the best of resort and touring holidays. Let the destinations come to you as you sit back and watch the world go by. With thousand of cruise itineraries to choose from globally, you could soon be sailing away on your next dream holiday.
magine lazing by the poolside, cocktail (or mocktail!) in hand, with the vast ocean all around you, and not a care in the world, beyond deciding which cuisine youd like to try for your next meal, or whether you want to wind up your day on the dance oor, at the casino, or watching a movie. Imagine this carefree life day after wonderful day.
A Great New Way to Holiday
Sounds like a holiday in heaven? Welcome to the world of cruise holidays. The ultimate combination of the most relaxing holidays you have ever had, set in the most breathtaking of environments: the ocean. It is a wonderfully romantic way to discover the world, leaving your cares behind as you hark back to the days when life was simpler and more sedate. Cruise holidays are the fastest growing area in vacation travel. 15 million people go cruising every yearand more than 1 out of 10 are children below the age of 18! Indians, too, are getting on board in ever larger numbers for a holiday with a dierence.
So what is Cruise Exchange, and how does it work? Heres the gist of it: RCI has tied up with I.C.E., a private cruise and vacation club with over 6,50,000 active members, to help you exchange your Holiday Week for a discount on the price of a cruise. And if you have already used your Holiday Week, dont worry, you can still save on your Cruise Holiday with our special members-only rates.
You can avail Cruise Exchange on a wide variety of cruises and itineraries. Theres more: For a Deposit Trading Power of 14*, and on payment of a single Exchange Fee, you can get amazing discounts on the normally applicable rates for up to 4 cabins. You can book up to two years in advance, subject to availability. The fare you pay would normally include onboard dining, activities, entertainment, port taxes and government fees. You should avail your Cruise Exchange before the expiry of the Week you have deposited.
Never been cruising before? Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your cruise holiday: How do I get the best value when I book my cruise? As with any RCI Exchange Holiday, the earlier you book, the better! There is a great demand for cruise holidays, and prices can go up quite a bit as the date of sailing gets closer. To get the best price, you may want to consider an inside cabin rather than a sea-facing one. Chances are, with all the activities on board, the only time you spend in your cabin is when you get to bed and the view certainly wouldnt matter when you are asleep. If you are cruising alone, enquire whether the cruise line has a guaranteed share rate. Rates quoted for cruises are on a per person, twin sharing basis; and if you arent sharing your cabin, you will need to pay a singles supplement charge, ranging from 50% to 100% of the per person rate. With a guaranteed share rate, if available, you can avoid the addition of the singles supplement to your fare.
Finally, discounted rates are often available during a destinations o season. If youre exible, look for cruises during those months. With so many options available, what type of cabin should I book? It all comes down to what type of cruise experience you want, and what you are willing to pay. If you plan to spend most of your time on board relaxing in your cabin, an outside cabin with a private balcony would be ideal, but they are more expensive than inside cabins, which do not have an ocean view, or outside cabins that have a porthole or a window but no balcony. Want more luxury? Book a suite! You will usually get a separate bedroom, a living area, and a bathroom, and, sometimes, a private balcony. Needless to say, they are the most expensive. And note, not all cruise lines have the same denition of a suite. Some cruise lines consider larger cabins with a curtain dividing the sitting and sleeping areas a suite. Be sure to nd out what type of suite you will be getting before you book.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011 9
The great thing about a cruise holiday is that you do what you want, when you want. You can do everything or absolutely nothing. You can have the holiday of a lifetime, see the world, completely unwind, take a walk on the wild side, dance the night away, feast on fabulous cuisine, learn something new, make friends, bond with your family, steal quiet moments with your spouse. Whatever you desire is yours, when you choose to cruise.
If you have special needs, be sure that the ship can accommodate your needs before you book. What is included in my cruise fare? Accommodation, all main meals, entertainment, and the use of the ships many facilities such as swimming pools, spas, gym, and steam rooms. They also normally include government fees and port taxes. Items that are not normally included in your cruise fare are: shore excursions, meals at speciality restaurants, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks not consumed at dinner, laundry, phone calls, casino gaming, and tips to the ships sta. How do I prepare for my cruise holiday? To start with, read up on your ports of call, in guide books or on the Internet. This can greatly enrich your cruise experience. Once you have done your reading, decide which shore excursions you would like to take. Space available on shore excursions can ll up fast, so its best to book them well before you board. Your ship is likely to visit dierent countries, so you must ensure that you have valid visas for all of them. If you book cruise only, and not an air/sea package, you are responsible for arriving at the port in time for checkin, security and departure. So make sure you book your ights and make other arrangements accordingly. Allow for ight delays, problems with local transportand the fact that it takes ages for a large ship to take on all its passengers. So be sure to arrive at the embarkation area at least two hours prior to sailing. It doesnt matter if you end up boarding earlythere are plenty of activities that begin before the ship leaves port. Some lines help you save time by allowing you to complete your immigration and embarkation forms online. Find out exactly what type of ID you will be required to present before you leave. Identication requirements vary with every trip. You should leave copies of your passport, airline tickets, travellers cheques and credit cards with a family member or a friend on shore. You should also leave the ships contact information, which can usually be found on the cruise lines Web site. Notify the cruise ship of any special dietary restrictions or requests at least 60 days prior to departure. What can my children do on board the ship? Cruise lines are geared to cater to kids of all ages, and cruise holidays are increasingly booked by families with children. Most cruise lines provide plenty of supervised activities for kids. If your children enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies, and the adventure of new places, theyll love a family cruise. Youll nd that children adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you wont have to wonder what theyre up to every minute. The youth counselors on board will help keep them busy and entertained, with dierent types of age-appropriate activities, suitable for toddlers to teens. Best of all, children often travel at a reduced rate!
I am worried I will be seasick. Is there anything that will help me with this? If you are prone to motion sickness, consult your doctor prior to departure. Motion sickness medications can help you, should you get seasick. That said, seasickness is not something that should worry you on a modern cruise liner. Popular cruises ply some of the calmest waters in the world, and use advance weather information to steer clear of rough waters. In addition, all cruise liners have excellent stabilisers. Together with eective preventive medications, these have, for the most part, eliminated the
incidence of motion discomfort. If you still experience motion sickness, the on board doctor will be able to assist. I need to take medication regularly. What should I do? Ships tend to stock only general medications and ports may not have what you need. So, if you take prescription medication, be sure to pack enough for the entire voyage. It is also advisable to take a few extra days supply of the medications you need, in case of any unforeseen delays. Additionally, pack a written list of your medications, including the name of the drug, dosage and times taken, in case they are lost. And remember to specify all medical conditions and medication needs at the time of making your booking.
What do I need to keep in mind when I pack? Depending on the class of your ship, casual clothes are generally suitable during the day. Late afternoon, smart casual clothing is required in public areas, including the restaurants. Some nights on the ship are themed, so be sure to check out the cruise line Web site for typical theme nights. On most cruises, one night will be a formal night. Most ships that have formal events oer tuxedo rental onboard, eliminating the hassle of packing one. Most ships have powerful air conditioning, so a sweater or sweatshirt may come in handy. And if you plan on working out, dont forget gym clothes and shoes. On a large cruise liner, with the luggage of a few thousand passengers being taken on board within a short while at the time of embarkation, it is quite likely that a long time will elapse before your checked-in bags are delivered to your cabin. So make sure that you keep all essential items with you in your carry-on bags, when you board the ship: your passport, visas, cruise documents, airline tickets, travel and health insurance documents, licences, and medications. Other items you should pack in your carry-on bag include: your mobile phone, perishables, cash, credit/debit cards, jewellery, and laptops and related accessories. You may need an adaptor, if you plan to take along a hair dryer, electric razor, or other gadgets.
Take along a small amount of detergent for washing clothes in your own cabin, and you could save quite a bit on laundry bills. And dont forget your video and still cameras, with lenses, memory cards, batteries, and charger! Can I stay connected when I am on board? If its important that you stay wired while on board, check the ships facilities before you book. Most cruise ships have an Internet caf and some even have in-cabin data ports. Any other tips? Most of the sta on board your ship would be very familiar with the ports that your cruise ship visits. So dont hesitate to ask your cabin stewards, waiters, or other sta for help and advice. Its never wise to leave valuables out in the open in your cabin. Lock them in your luggage, or see if the ship has a safe. Learn the exit route from your cabin to the open decks, in case of an emergency. Sign up for spa services, sporting events, salon appointments, and other activities as early as possible. If you explore on your own at any port of call, keep an eye on your watch. If you miss a launch, youll have to meet the ship at the next port, at your expense! During a shore excursion, always carry identication, the name of your ship and its docked location. Take a photocopy of your passport with you, but leave valuables, excess cash and unneeded credit cards aboard while on shore excursions. And, nally, remember to leave your worries behind!
TRY OUR INTRODUCTORY CRUISE EXCHANGE OFFERS!
Star Princess
Celebrity Solstice
Azamara Journey
Azamara Quest
12 nights Mediterranean
Round trip from Rome Italy-Egypt-Greece-Turkey Departure: 21 Oct 2011
12 nights Mediterranean Europe

Round trip from Barcelona Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro Departure: 29 Sep 2011
7 nights Mediterranean, France & Italy

Round trip from Nice Nice-Portona-Calvi-MarseillesSanary sur Mur-St Tropez-Nice Departure: 17 Sep 2011
12 nights Best of Indonesia

Round trip from Singapore Singapore-Krakatoa VolcanoPeucang Island-SemarangLombok-Komodo-Benoa (Bali)Singapore Departure: 23 Dec 2011
Balcony From $2,120* pp

with Cruise Exchange (Exchange Fee applicable) Save $1,170 per cabin or $4,680 for 4 cabins
Balcony From $2,020* pp

with Cruise Exchange (Exchange Fee applicable) Save $1,000 per cabin or $4,000 for 4 cabins
Inside Cabin From $1,595* pp

with Cruise Exchange (Exchange Fee applicable)
Upgrade to Ocean View from $400 pp
Inside Cabin From $3,550* pp

with Cruise Exchange (Exchange Fee applicable)
Upgrade to Ocean View from $400 pp
CALL 1800 419 2131 TO BOOK!

*The Trading Power and the Exchange Fee required for Cruise Exchange are subject to change without prior notice. All bookings are subject to availability. Fares are dynamic, and will vary depending on cabin class, sailing dates, availability, booking dates and other factors. Apart from RCIs terms and conditions, the terms and conditions of the
Save $1,000 per cabin or $4,000 for 4 cabins
Save $1,250 per cabin or $5,000 for 4 cabins
cruise liner, ICE and any associated third party shall apply. All information, prices, and offers are indicative and are subject to change without prior notice. RCI expressly disclaims any express or implied warranty or any liability in connection with any cruise bookings you make. Please contact RCI Call Centre for further information.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
11
magic memories
Because your vacation means...
priceless memories that can win you prizes!
1
Prize
st
Camera
Piyush Jain Member from Club Mahindra [Puri]
2
Prize iPod
nd
Abdul Rahman Member from Sterling Holidays [Brazil]
3
Prize
12
rd
Binoculars
Kapish Jain Member from VITS, Mumbai [Munnar]
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
Shreekala Pardeshi
Member from Club Mahindra [South Africa]
Basavaraj B V
Member from Country Vacations International [Goa]
Asif Channiwala
Member from Fort Chanwa Luni [Munnar]
Bindi Prakash Tejani

Member from VITS, Mumbai [USA]
Revathy Ravikumar
Member from Club Mahindra [Mombasa]
Karunakar
Member from Royal Goan Beach Club [Munnar]
Winning is simple!
All it takes is a fun-lled RCI holidayand your camera. And, of course, for you to enter your photograph in the RCI Magic Memories Contest. Remember, its the quality of the moment you have captured that matters.
For the January-June 2012 issue of Endless Vacation, please email your entries* before 15 October 2011 to editor.ev@rci.com, with RCI Magic Memories in the subject line. You could also mail or courier them to Editor Endless Vacation, RCI India Pvt Ltd, Pine Valley, First Level, Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Bangalore 560071, India; please write RCI Magic Memories on the envelope. All entries must have your name, RCI membership number and holiday destination clearly mentioned. Soft copies should be in JPEG or TIFF formats, with a minimum size of 1,800 pixels x 1,200 pixels. Prints should be at least 15 cm x 10 cm in size on photo paper. Please do not staple the prints.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
13
wish you were here

Chandresh Soni has a memorable holiday among the hills and lakes of the Kumaon region
ur holiday to Bhimtal was quite unique in itself. Never before had we found a place so serene, so quiet and full of fresh airall the eects of the ton of city pollution we had carried with us disappeared in a week, and we were back brimming with energy and fresh mountain air. We stayed at Country Inn Bhimtal, where we were allotted a very beautiful cottage, which was a house in itself. When we got inside, we felt at home. It was spacious, and had all the modern amenities. The best part of our cottage was that it faced a huge and beautiful garden with a view of the valley. Though I am normally a late riser, it was fun to wake up early in morning and see the sunrise from the balcony of our room,
with breakfast made in the kitchen provided in the cottage. A home away from home, and quite beautiful, too. Day 1 On the rst day, we were quite tired and exhausted, having travelled long to reach Bhimtal from New Delhi. But the resort was kind enough to keep the kitchen open till we arrived, and served us a good wholesome meal. We relaxed in the open air and enjoyed activities along with other people. Day 2 With a good sleep behind us, and the nice cozy set up, all of us were fresh the next morning. We started o by exploring Bhimtal Lake. We were quite amazed by its sheer size. There is an aquarium which the locals says is second in Asia in terms of the variety of shes. Unfortunately, we were not able to explore it, as it is situated inside the lake on an island. We then went to Sattal. There were originally seven Tal (lakes), of which four were joined to form the current Sattal Lake; the other three were on our way. Boating on the lake was an amazing experience, as it is a pretty virgin lake, not much changed with time. The serene environment and fabulous food at the corner of the lake made our day. Back at the resort, we took part in activities arranged by the resorts Fun Zone people. We had a nice time singing old melodies on karaoke.
Chandresh Soni is a member from Club Mahindra.
Day 3 We started early to visit Nainital. The rst sight of Nainital lake was awesomevery well maintained and with amazing green water. The desire to indulge in this natural beauty was quite irresistible, so we gave in, and immediately went boating. But as we wanted to enjoy Nature and the view of the city from the lake, we took a shikara instead of a paddle boat. It is the best boating experience we have ever had! The boatman gave us good information about the sights nearby, and the Thanda road, where sunlight falls very rarely, and almost never in winter. We then proceeded to get a good view of the Himalayas, riding through rough terrain on horseback to the top of a mountain. It was quite a dierent experience for my family it was for the rst time my mom had sat on a horse! The ride up was beautiful. On the way, we saw places where lots of movies have been shot. When we reached the top, we had a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, while, below, the whole of Nainital stretched before us. In the city of lakes, Nainital, it seemed like time had stood still and it was still in the British era, when the erstwhile princes and high-ranking British ocers came to the city to relax and get a feel of the mountains and fresh air. The Mall Road is still preserved in the same colonial style, and I felt that the shops were doing business in the same way they would have done during the British Raj. It was a dierent India which we
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JULY/DECEMBER 2011
saw there, dierent from our day to day life, and quite relaxed. On the way back, we went to the cave garden, where six natural caves have been developed by the locals as a tourist attraction. While it took a lot of hard work to pass through them, it gave us a feel of being truly in Natures grasp. At night, the resorts Fun Zone again took care of giving us a good time, by organising tambola and other events. Day 4 After visiting nearby places, today we headed towards Ranikhet. This, again, is a beautiful place, with a cantonment quite well maintained by the army, a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, excellent nature walks through gardens and jungles, and some good temples.
Government. On the way up, we saw the sheer size of the Nainital Lake. Then followed our exploration of the market, shopping for local stu to carry back for friends and family.
stay
Escape into the lap of the Himalayasholiday in Uttarakhand with RCI.
The best part of this place Uttarakhand is, wherever you go, the food RCI has 13 afliated resorts is a delight. We had some in Auli, Almora, Bhimtal, exquisite Punjabi food near Kausani, Mussoorie, Nainital, the lake, and then headed and Ramnagar. back to the resort, where there was a music night, with some good old songs, and some new. Day 6 Today, we felt up to some adventure. We started with paragliding from the top of Naukuchiatal, and, for the rst time, we saw how birds enjoy ying in the open sky! The pilot who took us up was quite experienced, and, armed with a good knowledge of the wind, kept us gliding in the sky for 15-20 minutes. It was one of the most memorable experiences for us. Even my father went paraglidingin spite of his initial Nos, he nally agreed! Naukuchiatal is one of the most serene lakes, and we took a peaceful ride to the dierent ends of the lake. After the boating, it was time for some good shikanji, the local drink, which we all liked; we took home some of the huge lemons which they use for making it. The most memorable part of this holiday for us was that it felt as if we had landed in a totally dierent world, and experienced something so very dierent from our city life. The air was fresh, the atmosphere cool, we were lying in the lap of Nature, and there was no rush of people getting to work. It was a place where everything stood still. It gave us a feeling as if our life had came to a halt for a weeka week where we could enjoy, be together with the family, sharing a cottage and our moments of fun. With RCI and Country Inn Bhimtal, our holiday was quite memorable. We all enjoyed the whole trip to the city of lakes. With excellent accommodation, good food and quite an adventurous week, we were happy and contented, as we headed back on the last day, to Delhi and then on to Ahmedabad.
A local guide took us on a track through the jungle, where we saw dierent types of trees and herbs, and apple orchards. As we went into the interior of the forest, it grew darker, with the tall trees and the dense forest cutting o most of the sunlight, and we all felt like we had arrived in some Lord of the Rings scene. As a bonus to this journey into the forest, we got some locally made jam and fruit syrups. The Herakhan Temple was on our way back, and saying goodbye to Ranikhet, we visited this place. It gave us a whole dierent view of the Himalayas. A graph mapped the peaks around us: the Nanda Devi and Trishul peaks in front, and many other mountains, which we saw in dierent colours at sunset. Day 5 This was a day to relax, go shopping, and explore nearby places, as the trip to Ranikhet had been long and energy sapping. We started with a visit to Nainital market, and then went to the top of the mountain on the ropeway built by Uttarakhand
RCI Member Chandresh Soni has won the Wish You Were Here award of a free Exchange Holiday for this issue.
To win yourself a full waiver of the applicable fee for an Exchange Holiday, send in your entries*, in 1,000 to 1,500 words, before 15 October 2011, along with at least 3 photographs, to Editor Endless Vacation, RCI India Pvt Ltd, Pine Valley, First Level, Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Bangalore 560071, India; or email editor.ev@rci.com.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
15
stay
Enjoy all the varied avours of Mexico with RCI.
Mexico
RCI has 390 afliated resorts in Mexico, with excellent availability round the year.
Viva Mexico!
With the easing of visa regulations, Mexico beckons Indian holidayers
he rich Mayan and Aztec heritage, overlaid with a strong Spanish avour 26 UNESCO-declared World Heritage sites Spectacular beaches Charming colonial towns Mouthwatering food Amazing art forms Mexico is truly vibrant, colourful and unique. And now, taking a holiday to Mexico has become a lot easier. Because, currently, if you have a valid US visa, you will not require a visa to enter Mexico for tourist, transit or business purposes*. So get ready to savour the many facets of this wonderful land thats given so much to the world (imagine our life without chillies, cornor chocolate!).
*Please check with the Embassy of Mexico for terms and conditions, changes, and any updates.
HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAYS!
Many RCI-afliated resorts in Mexico are all-inclusive resorts. They operate on the basis of all-inclusive plans that guests select before arriving. Youll know the number of meals and the types of activities, entertainment and amenities youre going to enjoy, for a predetermined additional fee. In some resorts, there is a mandatory all-inclusive fee, which, depending on the resort and the season, may cover meals, drinks, tours, transportation, resort activities, resort amenities, services and facilities, while others offer an optional all-inclusive package for an additional fee. If you choose an all-inclusive resort, youll absolutely love the freedom from making daily decisions, scheduling reservationsand, to a large extent, carrying money around with you! So from the time you check-in, you can relax and dive headlong into your holiday. All-inclusive plans are extremely diverse. Some include only meals, some include only activities, and some are full packages that cover everything from sports equipment to scuba diving lessons to tours. At resorts that offer different packages, you can choose according to your holiday preferences. If, for instance, youd rather dine in the local restaurants, you may want to opt out of the food/beverage plan. Be aware that, in some cases, dining facilities at the resort may be available only to those who participate in the all-inclusive program.
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JULY/DECEMBER 2011
an occasion to celebrate celebrate!
Valid for travel between 1 September 2011 and 15 December 2011
Celebrate the coming festival season with a difference... avail our Go West! Festive Offer to take your family on an international holiday with RCI, without having to exchange your Holiday Week. And at an absolutely unbelievable price! We have some fabulous destinations to offer you:
Egypt
BOOKINGS OPEN
Canary Islands Finland Hungary Bahamas Dominican Republic Jamaica Mexico Venezuela USA
Limited Space Available Call 1800 419 2131 today!

Accommodation only. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. The Go West! Festive Offer cannot be clubbed with any other promotion or offer.
the power to live your drea ms
Combine your Deposits to enhance your trading power.
Does the holiday you have always dreamed of require a higher Exchange Trading Power than the trading power of the Holiday Week you own? Simply combine two or more Deposits to get a higher Deposit Trading Power that will allow you to access holidays you otherwise wouldnt have been able to! See how it works:
Combining Deposits to increase your Deposit Trading Power will help to increase your choice of holidays.
Whats more, the Combined Deposit will be treated as a new Deposit against which you can travel any time up to two years from the date of combination. And it works the other way around, too. If you want to book a holiday with an Exchange Trading Power less than your Deposit Trading Power, you will earn a Deposit Credit, which you can use to book a second holiday, or to combine with another Deposit or Deposit Credit.
rate reckoner
Standard Exchange
Domestic Online International Short Haul Online International Long Haul Online
July 2011 - December 2011
A7,000 A6,300 A9,200 A8,300 A15,000 A13,500
Cancellation Policy
Standard Exchange If you cancel a conrmed Standard Exchange at least 30 days before your check-in date*, the Exchange Fee you paid will be refunded after deducting a Cancellation Fee of A2,500. There will be no refund if you make the cancellation less than 30 days before the check-in date*. However, if you cancel at least two working days before the check-in date*, you will get your Deposit back to utilise later, so long as it is within its validity period, and your RCI membership has not expired. The trading power of your Deposit will be recalculated from the date of cancellation, unless you have availed Trading Power Protection. GetAway Special (Bonus Holiday) If you cancel a GetAway Special (Bonus Holiday) at least 61 days prior to the check-in date*, you will be entitled to a refund of 70% of the fee paid. Cancellations made from 31 to 60 days before the check-in date* will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the fee paid. There will be no refund in the case of cancellations made less than 31 days before the check-in date*.
Visit www.rci.com to avail our special online rates.
GetAway Special
GetAway Special (Bonus Holiday) rates vary according to destination, season, occupancy of the unit, and the resorts RCI rating. To qualify for and avail a GetAway Special (Bonus Holiday), please ensure that a current or future week is banked with RCI.
Check out www.rci.com for GetAway Special deals.
The cancellation policy on Rentals and Special Promotions may vary. Please call RCI Member Helpline for details. *Check-in date as mentioned in your RCI Conrmation Voucher
Guest Certificate
Each transaction
A3,500
Maximum of four Guest Certicates in a calendar year ( January to December), subject to a maximum of two per quarter.
Renewal of RCI Membership

3 years 5 years 10 years
A9,700 A12,900 A19,500
Deposit Extension
For 3 months For 6 months
A1,250 A2,550
Deposit Combination
Each transaction
A2,500
Trading Power Protection

Each transaction
A2,200
For bookings, renewal, and the latest information on availability, call RCI Member Helpline:
Toll Free (All India): 1800 419 2131 Bangalore: +9180-41849100 +9180-66915555 Email: indiarci@rci.com Website: www.rci.com
Additional RCI Membership Pack

You can have an additional RCI Membership Pack, consisting of a Membership Card, the RCI Directory of Resorts and the Endless Vacation magazine, for your co-member, for a fee of A600. Email Ms Rukmini Ramesh at Rukmini.Ramesh@rci.com.
All rates mentioned above and in this Endless Vacation are subject to change without prior notice. Taxes as applicable. Call RCI Member Helpline for details.
member benefits
CLUB MAHINDRA SAFARI RESORT, CORBETT
20% discount on food and beverages, spa and other recreational activities, excluding outsourced activities Complimentary use of the health club and board games
HOTEL GREEN CASTLE, MUSSOORIE

10% discount on food and beverages 10% discount on spa facilities 10% discount on the published room tariff for additional rooms 10% discount on laundry services 50% discount on one Pada-Abhyangam experience
CAMBAY RESORTS (ALL RESORTS)

40% discount on food ( la carte) 30% discount on the room tariff on additional rooms (breakfast included; taxes will be applicable) 15% discount on spa facilities
AJIT BHAWAN, JODHPUR

30% discount on food 20% discount on beverages Complimentary use of health club and swimming pool 20% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms
CLUB MAHINDRA BACKWATER RETREAT, ASHTAMUDI

20% discount on food and beverages Fun Dining: All 3 meals at S850 (adult)/S425 (child: 5-12 years), plus VAT and service charge 2-meal package, including breakfast and lunch or dinner, at S630 (adult)/ S315 (child: 5-12 years), plus VAT and service charge 20% discount on Ayurveda facilities at Svaastha 15% discount on the room tariff for extension nights or on additional rooms
CLUB MAHINDRA FORT KUMBHALGARH

20% discount on food ( la carte) and soft beverages Special dining packages Rejoice and Double Delight: check with the resort for more details 20% discount on health club and Svaastha facilities 20% discount on laundry services, and special economical laundry package Complimentary use of the gymnasium and swimming pool facilities
THE FFORT HOLIDAY KLUB, RAICHAK

20% discount on spa facilities 10% additional discount for ladies 20% discount on food and soft beverages Limited complimentary soft beverages and mocktails for ladies during meals at the restaurant Complimentary use of gymnasium, swimming pool, carrom, table tennis, childrens play area, and large chess 20% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms (not applicable on premium or event dates)
CLUB MAHINDRA TUSKER TRAILS, THEKKADY

20% discount on food and beverages 20% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms 20% discount on Ayurveda facilities at Svaastha One complimentary session of lifestyle consultation by the Ayurvedic doctor Complimentary use of the gymnasium and swimming pool facilities 10% discount on soft rope adventures Special laundry package
COUNTRY INN, BHIMTAL

20% discount on buffet meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) 20% discount on health club facilities 25% discount on la carte dining 30% discount on the room tariff for additional units of the same type, or on upgradation, subject to availability
ROYAL GOAN BEACH CLUB AT BENAULIM, GOA

Complimentary Ayurvedic consultation with certied physician, on prior appointment Complimentary use of gymnasium Complimentary Yoga lessons once a week Complimentary cooking lessons by the chef once a week Complimentary vegetable carving lessons once a week
AVALON MUSSOORIE
10% discount on food and beverages 20% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms
CLUB MAHINDRA BINSAR VALLEY RESORT, BINSAR

20% discount on food ( la carte) and soft beverages 10% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms
All oers are valid till 31 December 2011, unless otherwise specied
All offers are subject to change. Please check with the resort for any changes in the above-mentioned offers.
Show your RCI Membership Card at the time of check-in to avail these benefits.
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JULY/DECEMBER 2011
THE COUNTRY CLUBE DE GOA

20% discount on food and beverages 15% discount on Ayurvedic treatments Complimentary use of gymnasium and games room
STERLING HOLIDAYS (ALL RESORTS)

25% discount on Food Masti packages, in-room dining and la carte 25% discount on laundry 25% discount at Subuthi, the spa 25% discount on all in-house indoor games that are chargeable 50% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms (subject to availability) OFFERS VALID TILL 30 SEPTEMBER 2011
KADKANI RESORT, KAUSANI

20% discount on food 20% discount on activities 20% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms
VITS MUMBAI
15% discount on food at the poolside restaurant (breakfast and dinner buffet for 1, 3 or 7 days) and at the 24 hour coffee shop 20% discount at Sweet Somethings, the cake shop Complimentary use of gymnasium and steam room 20% discount at Jalsa The Coal Bar 25% discount on rack rates for rooms 10% discount on spa facilities
LE ROYALE RESIDENCY, PUNE

15% discount on food and beverages (except buffet) 15% discount on spa facilities 15% discount on gaming facilities
CLUB MAHINDRA DANCING WATERS, NAUKUCHIATAL

20% discount on food Seasonal discount in tariffs
TOSHALI ROYAL VIEW, SHIMLA

30% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms (Valid from 1 July 2011 to 31 March 2012, except 20 December 2011 to 1 January 2012) Happy Meal Experience: Exclusive combo meal plan Laundry Package: 10 pieces laundered at S300 15% discount on steam/sauna and Jacuzzi
AMRUTHA CASTLE, HYDERABAD

15% discount on food ( la carte) Up to 50% discount on the room tariff on additional rooms Complimentary use of gymnasium, sauna/steam and Jacuzzi Complimentary use of the roof top swimming pool
MORE MEMBER BENEFITS OVERLEAF
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
21
Need to cancel your holiday plans?
There's still a silver lining!

MANALI RESORTS
20% discount on food 20% discount on health club facilities 20% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms
EAST BOURNE RESORT, SHIMLA

20% discount on food and beverages 15% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms 10% discount on other extras
Maintain your Deposit Trading Power by availing Trading Power Protection.
COUNTRY CLUB TREASURE COVE, KOVALAM

25% discount on Ayurvedic spa packages 25-40% discount on Poovar backwater cruises and houseboat cruises (on contractual arrangement; on submission of a discount coupon issued from Country Club Treasure Cove) Special prepaid food plan: all 3 meals at S550 (adult) and S385 (child), provided it is opted for at check-in
If you cancel a conrmed holiday, your Deposit Trading Power would normally be recalculated from the date of cancellation. Now, by availing Trading Power Protection for just L2,200, you have the option of ensuring that you do not lose out on the trading power of your Deposit even when you cancel.
Introducing Trading Power Protection
ORANGE COUNTY RESORT, COORG

Complimentary Plantation Tour and Guided Nature Walk 10% discount on the room tariff for additional rooms Check with the resort for details of other exclusive benets: Special food package Special package for upgradation to Orange County Resort, Kabini Special discounts at Orange County Resort, Kabini Guests referred by RCI members can avail discounts on the room tariff.
With Trading Power Protection, 100% of the Deposit Trading Power you used at the time of conrmation will be restored to you. You can purchase Trading Power Protection within 30 days of conrming your holiday, and at least 14 days before your travel date. Just call 1800 419 2131 and inform your RCI Guide that you would like to protect your Trading Power*.
Trading Power Protection cannot be purchased online at RCI.com.
Trading Power Protection has to be purchased separately for each conrmation.
Show your RCI Membership Card at the time of check-in to avail these benefits.
Terms and conditions apply.
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JULY/DECEMBER 2011
Because your vacation means...
new destinations, new experiences.
And theres a whole world out there waiting to help you go on unforgettable RCI Holidays.
Go online and be a part of the worldwide RCI community. Get ideas for great holidays as you connect with your fellow members on Facebook and Twitter. View inspiring videos on YouTube. Or immerse yourself in the wonderful memories they have shared on the RCI blog.
For more information, visit
www.RCI.com/connect
Find something that res your imagination? Book your holiday, and off you go... And when you return home, you could share your own memories on the RCI blog to help someone else plan their holiday.
Connect with the RCI Community at:
wish you were here
History and Romance

Radhika Shastry unearthed a hidden gem when she holidayed in the Maltese islands
lanning a vacation to an o beat destination is always very dicult, simply because there are so many of them! There is enough information, both solicited and otherwise, available on done to death holiday destinations, so the excitement of visiting a place where few have travelled to, and being able to explore it, was one of the highlights of my recent Exchange Holiday to Malta.
Needless to say, these islands are a haven for scuba divers, and I certainly did not want to return without visiting the belly of the Maltese islands. The scene below the water is serene and peaceful, and the underwater marine life is stunningly breathtaking, to say the least. Valletta, which is located in the eastern side of the island of Malta, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. This is what motivated me to zero in on Malta as my vacation spot this year. The Knights of Malta built Valletta in the 16th century, and the city now boasts of over 320 recognised monuments within a half kilometre range. It is perhaps the most concentrated historic city in the world!!! This city was founded by Grand Master of the Order of St John, Jean Pirot de La Valette, and is the smallest capital city in the European Union. It has two natural harbours and, therefore, has thrived as a commercial centre from time immemorial, withstanding invasions by the Arabs, the Turks, the Romans and, nally, the British. Nightlife in Malta consists mainly of a wide array of clubs and bars in the St Julians area, or Paceville as the locals call it. Theres something for everyone: trance clubs, R&B and hiphop joints, salsa bars and alternative/rock bars. The clubs are all concentrated in the centre of Paceville, and the area spills over with party lovers on weekends. Besides the clubs, youll also nd other kinds of entertainment in Paceville, including Maltas largest cinema, a bowling alley, sports bars, and gentlemens clubs. Paceville is pretty easy to reach from practically anywhere in Malta by public transport. The cheapest way to get there is probably a bus ride, although regular line buses do not cater for late night trips. However, the Extra line buses depart from
Radhika Shastry, Managing Director India at RCI, is also an RCI member, who loves to explore new destinations.
If you are looking for a relaxed nothing-to-do holiday, this is NOT the destination. There is so much to see and do in Malta that a week seemed too short. For those who love historical monuments and archaeological sites, a holiday in Malta would be an absolute dream. The Maltese archipelago is comprised of three islands located in the middle of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy and slightly north of the African continent. The largest of the islands is called Malta, with Valletta as its capital city. Thirty minutes by ferry and the warm Mediterranean Sea separates Malta from its sister island, Gozo. Standing on Maltas tail in Cirkewwa, I could see the large white Gozo ferry gliding between the islands, ferrying passengers. No road connects the islands, no bridge stretches across the blue sea, no hidden underwater tunnel links idyllic Gozo with Malta!
Paceville between midnight and 1 am, to destinations all over the islandand for those who prefer partying till the wee hours of the morning, the Free phone taxis, which oers shared taxi rides at very good rates are a good option to keep in mind. Our resort was located in Sliemaone of Maltas main seaside tourist locations. Once a small village, Sliema buzzes with tourists now. St Julians and Paceville were just a few minutes walk, and the bus stop across the street meant that Valletta was just a bus ride away! All the units at the resort overlook the stunning Mediterranean Sea, with a lovely balcony to laze on and enjoy the ancient skyline of Valletta across the sea. The resort travel desk is helpful, and will help you book all the tours that you want, but it can be a bit expensive. If you are able to read up about the places that you want to visit, you can do most of these tours on your own. If you prefer to be informed by a guide, the tours are the best option. Taking a relaxing cruise round Maltas majestic and historic harbourit is one of the worlds deepest natural harbours provides a break from the hectic routine of sightseeing. Cruising around in Valletta Grand Harbour is undoubtedly the main attraction of the harbour cruise and is an integral part of the tourist itinerary in Malta. A tour of The Three Cities also oers an intriguing insight into Maltas history. A visit by boat to this part of the harbour area oers an authentic slice of Maltas maritime tradition. The Three Cities also lay claim to being the cradle of Maltese history. Vittoriosa and Senglea, situated on rocky promontories jutting into Grand Harbour, as well as Cospicua,
located at the end of the creek between the two, have provided both a home and protection to successive waves of settlers on the island. In fact, historians say that the areas harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times.
stay
Experience the diverse facets of Malta with an RCI holiday.
Malta
Mdina is one of the few great RCI has 22 afliated resorts in the Maltese islands, with architectural treats in Malta good availability throughout that did not result from the the year. activities of the Knights of Malta. The oldest city on the island, going back to prehistoric times, the name comes from the Arabic word medina, which means city. It is recognised internationally as an important UNESCO heritage site. Even though the Arabs were ocially expelled from Malta in 1250 AD, when the islands came under Christian rule, their legacy continued. Thus the name Mdina survived, even though the city was ocially referred to as Civitas (city in Latin) or Citta Notabile. Places to see in Mdina include the Cathedral of St Paul, The Norman House, built in 1495, and the Howard Gardens. A must buy in Mdina is a piece of glassware from a company called Mdina Glass. The colors reect the hues of the island of the sea, the sun and the sand. These pieces are a collectors delightdistinctive and aordable. The cafs dotted around the ocean serve mouth watering Maltese and Italian food. The freshly baked cheese cakes (a form of savoury pu pastry, with a lling of fresh cheese of your choice) with a cup of hot cappuccino are simply to die for. I would recommend the wayside cafs as the best dining options. Should your taste buds start craving for Indian masalas, a few Indian restaurants oer the usual chicken tikka masala, naan, palak paneer and such like. Venture into these places only if you HAVE to. Maltese cuisine has inuences from French, Italian and Spanish cooking, and one of the most talked about dishes in Malta is fenkata, or stewed rabbit. Pork is extremely popular and most Maltese dishes have a dash of pork in some form or the other. After a relaxingly hectic week in Malta, I reluctantly packed my bags to head back to Bangalore, hoping to go back there once againbut knowing fully well that there were many more places that RCI has in store for me to explore, experience and enjoy!
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JULY/DECEMBER 2011
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wish you were here
Rainbow Nation
The memories of their South African holiday promise to stay with Akalp Gupta and his family forever
The
ast year, we realised our dream holiday. We travelled to South Africa from 20 August to 5 September 2010. There were seven members of my family, including my parents, my wife, my young son who was two years old, my younger brother and his wife. We stayed the rst week at a place called Hazyview, which is in close proximity to the famous Kruger National Park. Our second week was spent at Strand, a small seaside town near Cape Town. We drove down from Johannesburg to Hazyview the very same day we landed in South Africa. It is a very comfortable and enjoyable ride as the roads are superb, and there are plenty of panoramic views on the way. We could reach the resort without any hassles, as the directions given by RCI were very accurate and easy to understand. There is nothing to match the location and the beautiful surroundings of Kruger Lodge Resort, which is a wild life resort in the real sense. The Sabie River runs through it, and one can get a taste of the rich fauna of this area. The resort is visited by crocodiles, hippos, impalas, monkeys and wild ducks. It is built across a vast golf course,
so there was enough and more space for our family to spread out and enjoy ourselves thoroughly. We had a delightful time. I have memories of just lying on the grass under the winter sun, of my son and my father chasing ducks, and hippos grunting an evening chorus! The resort has independent cottages spread across a large area. The cottages are a very interesting mix of modern and local architecture. Each cottage comes with a special thatched high roof and a modern kitchen. The resort is very well maintained and has the added benet of a very courteous sta. Those who are interested can play a round of golf any time, engage in one of the many activities, dine at the restaurants, or just cook a leisurely meal. The resorts location is very convenient, with supermarkets and shopping centres just a stones throw away. Most importantly, it is located only 19 kilometres away from the Pahbeni Gate of Kruger National Park. There are also other places of interest in the close vicinity, and you can take a pick according to your own interests. Some of these are are the panoramic Blyde River
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museums, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Point itself. One can also watch whales at close quarters at Hermanus, and visit the wineries at Stellenbosch.
stay
Discover South Africa in all its colourful diversity with RCIfrom the amazing wildlife, to the spectacular mountains, beaches and cities.
Cape Towns ora is unique, and our every experience was new and enjoyable. We fed squirrels at the Companys South Africa Garden, witnessed the mixed RCI offers you as many as heritage of the city, and enjoyed 187 afliated resorts in walks among the candy South Africa. coloured buildings of the BoKaap area. We also visited Robben Island by motor boat, and it was quite interesting and educative. For those with an adventurous streak, Cape Town also oers the cheapestand possibly the most exhilaratingsky diving experience. The sta at the Strand Pavilion Resort was very courteous and helpful. All the facilities were up to the mark. We really wanted to enjoy swimming in the nearby swimming pool, but we could not make it due to shortage of time. We really enjoyed our trip, as South Africa is indeed the Rainbow Nation. Its a vibrant country which has a lot to oer. We thank RCI for making our stay so comfortable and enhancing this experience of South Africa. We could do all that we did even as we enjoyed ourselves; it was as if we were living in the luxury of our own beautiful home with our family, and relishing the food we like. Were we not on an RCI holiday, this would have been impossible and, of course, very costly.
canyon, a number of picturesque waterfalls, ancient caves, an old miners town, Nelspruit, and various animal conservation centres including Cheetah Conservation at Hoedspruit. Everything is within a 100 km drive from the resortwhich really doesnt take long to cover, given the fabulous quality of the roads there. After having had our ll of lions, elephants, cheetahs, and the panoramic country of the Mpumalanga province for a week, we reached Cape Town airport at midnight. We had arranged a taxi through the Strand Pavilion Resort, where we were to stay, to pick us up. The Strand Pavilion Resort is approximately 40 km from Cape Town. Its on the beach, with some of its rooms overhanging the ocean! We were lucky enough to get one such roomall of us enjoyed the beautiful sea view from the windows of our room, and my parents enjoyed the morning beach walks. We had taken a rental car with GPS, and, hence, could roam around without any problem inside Cape Town city and the surrounding areas. There are a number of places of interest including Table Mountain, the Waterfront (a very vibrant and colourful part of town), the Botanical Garden, many
Akalp Gupta is a member from Royal Goan Beach Club.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
29
wish you were here
when you leave the hotel to show the taxi drivers when you want to return. It was a wonderful sight to see how citizens show their respect for their King, Rama IX. Even taxi and tuk-tuk drivers stop to pray for a few seconds in front of the Kings big posters and gold framed photos displayed at important places. Since we were there during the celebration of the Kings birthday (5 December), we could see the city glittering in all its grandeur. We have indelible memories of Bangkok due to two factors. Firstly, the cordial, hospitable and admirable Ms Munin, or Noora, the Guest Relations Ocer of Hutchison & Co, without whose help our trip wouldnt have been so comfortable, enjoyable and pleasant. She plans and organises tour itineraries for tourists coming to the hotel on RCI bookings, and her advice on the sightseeing and cultural tours that we should take was timely and valuable. The second was the commendable Thai way of treating tourists as their special guests. On our rst day, we took the tour of four distinguished temples. It was a half-day tour arranged by the hotel, free to RCI guests. The temples were colourful, gorgeous, and elegant, with displays of the rich cultural and religious heritage that locals should be proud of. Wat Pho, the largest and oldest temple, is awe-inspiring. This was built by King Rama I 200 years ago, and houses a gigantic 46 m long and 15 m high golden Reclining Buddha, with inlaid mother-of pearl soles. This temple is also famous for the traditional Thai massages (which we didnt try). Wat Traimit has a huge idol, a solid Golden Buddha, weighing 5.5 tons it was at one time disguised in mud, but the Golden Buddha
Incredible Thailand
S R Seetharam has a fabulous holiday in Bangkokand wants to go back for more!
hen our Thai Airways ight from Bangalore to Bangkok arrived at the beautiful Suvarnabhoomi Airport early in the morning, there was a serpentine queue for the visa, and we were relieved that we had already got ours at Bangalore. Bangkok (or Krung Thep, meaning the City of Angels) is a fantastic place to visit, housing national treasures, glittering Buddhist temples, wealthy palaces, timeless Venice of the East canals, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping malls, traditional spas and other splendours. It is a modern city, with its high rises, disciplined zooming trac and tuk-tuks (autorikshaws). Our resort, booked through RCI, was The Grand Tower Inn, a wonderful place to stay. Our suite on the 15th oor gave a magnicent view of the city and its major expressway. Driving through the city was a pleasant treat, with old and new, classic and modern, matches and contrasts. We didnt experiment with dierent modes of transportwe travelled mostly in metered taxis. The taxi drivers, who speak English, were very courteous and helpful. A hint: pick up hotel cards
S R Seetharam is a member from Club Mahindra.
30
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
surfaced when the idol was dropped accidentally. This temple is an example of Sukhothai art. Wat Benchamabopit, or the Marble Temple, is a magnicent monastery, built with white Italian marble from Carrara. This has an exclusive collection of Buddha idols, decorated symmetrically with golden owers. Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, with its 80 m high pagoda, is dedicated to the golden miracle of the rst rays of the sun. We were then taken to a Gem Factory, featuring modern and traditional jewellery, precious gem stones, pewter ware, bronze ware, paintings, and Thai silks. We couldnt resist buying two sets of jade jewellery, to the design, stone variety, colour, and shade specied by our daughter. Thai silk is great for presents. On the second day, we visited two unique palaces. The Grand Palace complex was built by King Rama I when he moved the capital of Siam from Thonburi to Bangkok. When King Rama VI ascended the throne, he renovated the Borom Phiman Mansion in the complex; among the changes were frescoes on the quadrangular dome that show Indra, Agni, Yama and Varuna, venerated as guardians of the Universe. Beneath the Vedic gods are written the Ten Kingly Virtues for the monarchs observance. To the north is Wat Phra Kaew, the royal chapel housing the world famous Emerald Buddha, which is carved out of a solid block of green jade and enshrined on a golden Thai style throne made out of gilded carved wood. We were surprised to see the tradition of taking water in a lotus ower and sprinkling it on the head, as blessings of the Buddha similar to what Hindus do. The other buildings in the complex house several monuments, idols of Buddha in dierent poses, and royal mausoleums.
Day Three was reserved for Pattaya, the beach resort 147 km from Bangkok, with Whether its history and its relaxing ambience. This culture you seek, or a beautiful 3 km beach oers holiday full of pulsating soft sand, safe and sheltered fun, RCI gives you Thailand in all its variety. swimming, restaurants, water sports, souvenir shops, museums, open-air bars, cabaret shows, and more. Thailand It is great for jet skiing, RCI has 25 resorts across parasailing, dive expeditions, Thailand, including 6 each in Bangkok and Pattaya. and swimming, under the watchful eyes of the life guards. My most memorable experience was parasailing: the parachute took me to a height of around 100 m over the sea and swirled me around the boat, giving me a splendid birds eye view of Pattaya. On our speedboat ride to Coral Island, we were treated to a spectacular view of the islands coral reef on board a glass bottom boat. Driving back to Bangkok in the evening in a chaueur driven BMW car at 130 to 140 kmph was pleasant. The next day was special as it was packed with four dierent experiences. First, we went on a journey through rice paddies to a jetty, from where we transferred to a long tail speedboat to reach the Floating Market, or Damnern Saduak. There were Thai style canoes laden with colourful, succulent fruits, vegetables, sweets, meats, and a variety of consumer products. The selling and buying takes place across the boats as they gently ply through the canal. Next was the entertaining Elephant Show, which depicted how elephants were useful in ghting wars, and in many other ways. The third was the Crocodile
stay
The Vimanmek Palace is the worlds largest golden teak mansion. This three storey building, built in the Western architectural style, which has 31 exhibition rooms, a throne room, and bedrooms, houses n de sicle royal memorabilia and exhibits of Thai art, including silverware, ceramics, crystal ware, ivory, and other presents received by the King. Our evening was spent cruising in a boat across the Chao Phraya River in a relaxed state of mind, with the wonderful sights of the Grand Palace, the Temple of Dawn, Royal Barges, and the citys glowing skyline.
Show, in which unarmed men fought with ferocious crocodiles. After lunch, we visited the Rose Garden, designed as a typical Thai village. Here, we were delighted to view a range of action packed shows, which included folk dances, a Thai wedding ceremony, and traditional sports like takraw and Thai boxing. These shows were of a very high standard. The fth day was kept aside for purchases in China Bazaar and MBK, and to have a vegetarian lunch in a neat hotel run ! Page 33
Snappy Holiday
RECIPES
More great recipes for you to try out on your next holiday
These three winners will each receive a special gift from RCI. If youd like to win too, send us your favourite holiday recipes before 15 October 2011 to editor.ev@rci.com. You could also mail or courier them to Editor Endless Vacation, RCI India Pvt Ltd, Pine Valley, First Level, Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Bangalore 560071, India. Please note that RCIs Policy on Member Contributions detailed on Page 5 will apply to all entries.
st Prize
Reena Sehgal
Member from Sterling Holidays
2 1
nd Prize
Uma Rastogi
Member from Royal Goan Beach Club
rd Prize
Margret Clementeena
Member from Fort Chanwa Luni
Reena Sehgal
Semolina Bread
Ingredients
6 bread slices 1 cup hung curd cup semolina 1 onion, nely chopped 2 green chillies, nely chopped 1 carrot, grated Salt to taste tsp pepper
st
Prize
Reena Sehgal wins a Weber Smokey Joe Gold Charcoal Grill worth A7,995!
The Weber Smokey Joe Gold charcoal grill is engineered to make a lot of fun out of a little space... Barbecue for two or ten with this portable charcoal grill in your balcony, terrace or garden or at your holiday resort! Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, no-rust aluminum vent, glass-reinforced nylon handle, heavy-duty plated steel cooking grate and a lid lock for carrying which lowers to double as a lid holder. Take it with you wherever you go!
Method
Mix the semolina and curd together and leave aside for 15 minutes. Then, add chopped onions, green chillies, grated carrot, salt and pepper. Spread this mixture on the bread slices and place on the tava. Lightly cook on both the sides on low ame. Serve hot with tomato sauce or mint chutney.
Uma Rastogi
Sitafal Phirni
" Page 31
nd
Weber Apron
Prize
Incredible Thailand
by a Punjabi family. China Bazaar, the roadside bazaar, was a delight. In total contrast was the MBK (Mah Boon Krong), a gigantic mall with exotic food courts. Name any product, and its thereall look like branded originals, but beware, you may be fooled as they are mostly imitations! You can bargain down to even 60% of the quoted price.
Ingredients
1 litre milk 4 tbsp rice our 4-6 tbsp sugar 1 cup sitafal pulp, deseeded
Method
Make a smooth paste using the rice our and cup of milk. Add the remaining milk and sugar, and bring to boil over a medium ame. Stir continuously. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes till the mixture thickens and the rice our is cooked. Let it cool completely and then add the sitafal pulp. Mix well and chill for 3 hours.
Margret Clementeena
Country Veg Pasta
3
Weber Mitt
rd
Prize
Ingredients
1 cup pasta, boiled 2 tbsp oil 1 cup chopped vegetables (onion, carrot, tomato) tsp cumin powder tsp sambar powder tsp chilli powder Pinch of turmeric powder Ginger-garlic paste 2 slices of cheese Salt to taste
Method
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan. Once it is heated, add onions and saut for 2 minutes. Then add the tomato and carrot. Also add cumin powder, sambar powder, chilli powder, turmeric powder and ginger-garlic paste. Add 3 tbsp water and allow to boil for 10 minutes. Add the slices of cheese and mix them in well. Now add the boiled pasta to the masala and turn o the burner. Country Veg Pasta is ready to serve!
That evening, we enjoyed the biggest, the brightest and the most amazing entertainment: the Thai Cultural Performance at Siam Niramit, Bangkoks newest theatre. Its one of the worlds largest stage shows. The production is lavish, depicting the rich culture and beliefs of the Thai people. The stage has been certied by the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest in the world. It was really a state of art show, with 150 performers in 500 costumes performing spectacular dance dramas with masterly audiovisual special eects. We were taken on a journey through the enchanted kingdom of Siam, to Lord Indras blissful heaven, and the joyous festivals of the Thai people. I was one of the spectators called to the stage after the blissful heaven is shown, to oer, as reverence, a basket with owers and a lighted lamp in the middle, placing it on the stream of water owing across the theatre. The 90 minute show was a real feast for our eyes, which we have retained in memory, as we were not allowed to take photographs. The sixth day was our day to say goodbye to this great city, with a determination to come back again to visit not just this City of Angels, but other regions we could not cover on this tour as well.
Weber is all about great food, family, friends, leisure and fun. Weber is the worlds leading manufacturer of charcoal and gas barbecue grills. A concept that was started ve decades ago in the US by a visionary has revolutionised the art of cooking wholesome and healthy food and redened fun times around the world. The grills are user-friendly and come with a range of accessories to help make the barbecue grilling experience fun.
For further information:1800-102-3102 (Toll free) Email: support@grillco.in Website: www.weberindia.com
34
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
resort news
New Afliation
Kadkani River Resort, Coorg

he Kadkani River Resort embraces both the serious nature enthusiast and the leisure traveler looking for luxury in an unspoilt natural environment. Situated against the picture perfect backdrop of Coorg, on the shores of the majestic Cauvery, with coee plantations around, this eco-friendly resort has 36 cottages, fully equipped with all modern amenities. Each cottage has a private porch from which you can enjoy the tranquil surroundings. The resort boasts of a a lovely 9-hole golf course laid out amid arecanut trees and coee plantations, where you can get private coaching from a highly-regarded trainer. Other facilities at the resort include a large swimming pool, a Hobby Centre, a craft centre, water sports, board games, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, and card tables. You can go trekking or shing, and enjoy a bonre and barbeque in the evenings. The multicuisine Pride of Pachat restaurant in the Clubhouse serves Coorg culinary delights.
There is a wide variety of experiences to savour around the resort as well: the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe; the temples at Kakkabe and Bhagamandala; Abbi Falls; Irpu Falls; the birthplace of the river Cauvery at Talacauvery; the breathtakingly beautiful Nisargadhama island; Harangi Dam; the Rajiv Gandhi National Park at Nagarahole; and the 17th century Madikeri Fort, to name a few. Its 110 km from Mysore, and Bangalore is 250 km away.
New Afliation
Krishna Mountview, Kausani
ow you have one more option for a holiday in the Kumaon Hills: The Krishna Mountview Mountain Resort at Kausani. The resort oers 31 unitsa mix of studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartmentsand a warm, relaxing and friendly atmosphere. It is arguably located at the highest point that is open for civilians, and the rooms oer phenomenal views of the Himalayas.
All rooms are luxuriously furnished, and the resort features Wi-Fi access, a gymnasium, the Vaibhav multicuisine restaurant, a Garden Restaurant, and an 80-seater conference hall. There are facilities for indoor games and shopping, as well as a dormitory for drivers. Well known for the beauty of its landscape (even Mahatma Gandhi was enamoured by it!), Kausani has many places of interest all around. The pilgrim centres at Baijnath (18 km) and Bageshwar (38 km) are close by, and Almora and Ranikhet are just 50 km away. Also within easy reach are Nainital and Binsar, with its bird sanctuary. The Jim Corbett National Park is about 180 km away, on the Moradabad-Ramnagar route from New Delhi. The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, which is 140 km from Kausani, via Almora.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
35
Changing with the times

In the twentieth year of its association with RCI, Sterling Holidays dons a new look
ay back in 1992, Sterling Holidays, or Sterling Resorts as it was then known, became one of the rst resort developers in India to get aliated with RCI. In the two decades since then, Sterling Holidays has been a very integral part of the genesis and growth of the vacation ownership industry in the country. Today, with 14 resorts in 12 scenic destinations, Sterling Holidays is one of Indias leading vacation ownership companies, oering aordable, fun-lled getaways and holiday experiences to cherish forever. From mountains to beaches and adventure holidays to quiet getaways, Sterling Holidays opens up a world of wonderful experiences for you to discover and enjoy.
To make your stay even more wonderful, Sterling Holidays, over the last few months, has been investing a lot of time, money and eort in the refurbishment of its resorts. Phase I of the renovation, which is currently in full swing, is taking place in Lake View and Valley View in Kodaikanal; Elk Hill and Fern Hill in Ooty; and Green Vistas in Munnar. In addition, Sterling Holidays is also in the process of constructing completely new rooms in Green Vistas, Munnar, and Pine Hill, Mussoorie. Once Phase I is complete, the second phase of the renovation will commence, with the refurbishment of more rooms and select common areas.
36
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
The nine Sterling Holidays resorts aliated to RCI have a total of nearly 1,000 rooms. Each of them oers a choice of Standard and Superior guest rooms, Studios, 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom apartments. In every resort, you have the option of dining at a multicuisine restaurant or in-room, and except for Pine Hill in Mussoorie, all of them feature the Subuthi Wellness Spa. Whichever resort you stay in, you can enjoy many fun-lled holiday activities. In most of them, you can look forward to entertaining evenings, with bonres, games, theme parties and other entertainment. Heres a quick look at these nine RCI-aliated resorts: Sterling Holidays Fern Hill, Ooty Perched at one of the highest points in Ooty, this resort, which has 177 units, has an amazing view of the Nilgiris. The resort will organise sightseeing and picnics for you. Sterling Holidays Elk Hill, Ooty Sterling Holidays Elk Hill is a tranquil set up with incredible views of the surrounding hills and valley. It has 116 units. As in the case of Fern Hill, sightseeing and picnics are organised by the resort for its guests. Sterling Holidays Valley View, Kodaikanal A sprawling resort overlooking a scenic valley, Sterling Holidays Valley View, with 156 units, makes for a great escape from the everyday hassles of life. Sterling Holidays Lake View, Kodaikanal Sterling Holidays Lake View is on one side of the huge Kodaikanal lake, leaving almost all other hotels and crowded tourist places on the other side. Of the 104 units, two are special: the Viceroy and Coakers Suites, with exquisite Victorian decor, oer luxury and colonial charm.
Sterling Holidays Green Vistas, Munnar Sterling Holidays Green Vistas is located high above Munnar town, with splendid views of the Anaiyirangal lake, tea gardens and the surrounding forests. The resort, which has 125 units, features a traditional Kerala restaurant, in addition to the multicuisine restaurant. Sterling Holidays Rock Perch, Yercaud Atop the mighty Shevaroy Hills, overlooking lush coee gardens and Salem city, is the dome and vault structure of Sterling Holidays Rock Perch. It is relatively small, with 65 units. Sterling Holidays White Mist, Manali Sterling Holidays White Mist is a delight in any season, with breathtaking views of snow clad mountains. It has 80 units. Sterling Holidays Pine Hill, Mussoorie Spread over 2 hectares, Sterling Holidays Pine Hill oers great views of the splendid Doon valley. This compact resort, which has 62 units, has barbeque nights, in addition to all the other activities and entertainment. Sterling Holidays Silver Oaks, Darjeeling Sloping roofs and curving stairways. Modern comfort steeped in the tranquility of the surrounding mountains. Thats the 103-unit Sterling Holidays Silver Oaks for you. The resort organises campres and other adventure activities.
Sterling Holidays is offering a host of special deals to RCI members, across all their resorts.
See details on Page 21, under Member Benets.
JULY/DECEMBER 2011
37
Changes Galore at Le Royale Residency

here has been many a change recently at Le Royale Residency, Pune, with a complete renovation of many of the facilities: buet restaurant, tness centre, spa, gaming zone, sports lounge, library and banquet hall. The Royale World Buet, located on the top oor of Le Royale oers a breathtaking view of the surrounding greenery and mountains, even as you do justice to a wide buet spread with as many as 28 dierent items, apart from live counters. The choice spans Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines, priced economically. At the Fitness Centre, managed by Abs Fitness, you can exercise in a motivating and energising environment, as you work out on a variety of world class and user friendly cardiovascular and resistance equipment. Qualied tness professionals will guide and support you. Le Royales spa, managed by Sohum Spa, is an oasis of health and rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul. The Sohum Spa is a luxury wellness spa that has been created from the passion to make available scientically validated wellness therapies in a completely relaxing and aesthetic environment. So leave behind the pressures of everyday life, and enter a world where time stands still and relaxation pervades.
Feel up to some sports and games? Theres no dearth of choices: you have the swimming pool with Jacuzzi, table tennis, air hockey, a Virtual Games Lounge with Nintendo Wii and Xbox consoles, and arcade games like car racing, bike racing, and shooting. At Howzzat?, the Sports Lounge, you can watch matches on the large LCD screens, or enjoy a game of pool or billiards over a drink with your friends or family. You can also groove to the music played by the in-house DJ. Page, the library lounge and bar at Le Royale, is the perfect place for relaxing or chatting with friends over your favourite books and magazines while you sip your drinks. The banquet hall, Regent, can hold up to 250 persons, and is the perfect venue for conducting social events, large or small.
More Facilities, More Choice

he Royal Goan Beach Club at Benaulim has recently refurbished its recreation area, adding more games and activities. The resort now also has a full stocked shop where guests can get groceries, toiletries, drinks, snacks and food items, and other basic necessities. The restaurant features a new menu, oering a wider choice of dishes at aordable prices.
New Flavours at VITS
K
oyla (coal) cuisinethats what denes Jalsa TheCoal Bar, the new bar and restaurant at VITS Mumbai. Bollywood beats from the in-house DJ accompany the kebabs, biriyanis and authentic dhaba food that characterise this special cuisine, in a sophisticated yet rustic setting. For those with a sweet tooth, theres something new, too: Sweet Somethings The Cake Shop.
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fun in the rain! rain
From just L6,500 for a full week!
Avail our Special Monsoon Offer! Call 1800 419 2131 today.
Theres nothing to beat the romance of a holiday in the rains. And our incredible Monsoon Offer makes it all the more irresistible... because you can take a full weeks GetAway Special (Bonus Holiday) anywhere in India from under L233 per person per day*. And you dont even have to exchange your Holiday Week! Book now to avail these amazing rates:
Resort Category Gold Crown Silver Crown All Other Resorts Plus 50% off on Guest Certificates!
Special Monsoon Offer

L7,300-7,700 L6,900-7,300 L6,500-6,900
So let the rains wash your worries away. Take a refreshing break at any of over 80 RCI-afliated resorts in Indiaand enjoy 7 whole days and nights with family and friends at unbeatable rates.
*Based on the applicable fee for a GetAway Special (Bonus Holiday), booked through the RCI Call Centre, for 4 persons sharing a 1-Bedroom unit. Accommodation only. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. This offer cannot be clubbed with any other promotion or offer.

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JULY/DECEMBER 2011

A Great New Way to Holiday

5 whole years of RCI Holidays...

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14 CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS

24 HISTORY AND ROMANCE

28 THE RAINBOW NATION

S R Seetharam has a fabulous holiday in Bangkokand wants to go back for more!

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