Summer Escapade

COme summer and you start to visualise long relaxed afternoons sipping jasmine tea and reading a book; no worries, no stress just you and infinite leisure. Summer vacations for us city dwellers are almost sabbatical, as soon as the report cards day of your children are announced you start to plan a vacation. Even if it's a small break with no grand place to visit, you just want time out.

Of course there's no denying that summer's the time for sea beaches, long siestas, it's the time to relax, chill-out and shop, since we would have many to vote 'yes' to that we at Star Lifestyle thought to help you plan your summer vacation well in advance. Read our in-depth cover story and book yourself and family in any of these exotic destinations for a fun packed summer time.

After a gruelling year of work, meetings and deadlines, home-work and tests, sickness and hospitals, its time to press the refresh button on life and get all energised for the months ahead.

an earthly utopia

AMong the few favourite places, Dhakaites prefer a week's break in Kuala Lumpur, only because it's a bustling cosmopolitan city with an ethnic flavour. It's one amazing clean and beautiful city with lots of planned greenery and a gigantic spread of Bird Park, Orchid garden, and Butterfly garden, parks all in the centre of the city, which adds an environment friendly touch to it.

Their new administrative centre Putrajaya, where all the governing and administration of country takes place is almost like a fairytale place on earth. This garden city is like the

utopia you've read about. A man-made lake, beautiful architecture, and enchanting

landscape makes this place a must visit place while in Malaysia.

For the shopoholics, the city's mega malls with their elegant brand name shops is as close to New York as you can get in Asia. For cheap and inexpensive shopping there's no other alternative to China town, for the foodies it's truly a place where you can taste all the flavours of Asia, in one place. Malaysia is recently boasting one such a restaurant 'Shook' where you get any food your Asian mind craves. It's an ideal place to go this summer with family and friends.

By Raffat Binte Rashid
Photo: SK Enamul Haq

A flight of fancy to the places beyond…

PAck your stuff folks; don't forget sun block and your walking shoes cause this summer we are taking you to places that you only dreamt of going. A visit to the coral reefs of Australia, a romantic tour to Switzerland. We will also take you to Malaysia and Bangkok the places of revelry. And that's not all folks, come along with us to visit Darjeeling, Shillong, Cherapunjee in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, to the places beyond borders. It is not just a flight of fancy. Different package tour operators in Bangladesh are now arranging trips to these places. For starters lets dive in to the coral reefs of Australia.

Trip to Australia
A trip to the coral reefs, getting acquainted with the cosy Koalas during the summer is like a dream come true. Amazing Holidays situated at house no 424, road no 30, New DOHS, Mahakhali is the only operator in Bangladesh who arranges regular trips to Australia.

The spectacular trip includes sights of Melbourne, dinner at the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, visit to the Koala Conservation Centre, experience the famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, Kuranda train journey through 15 tunnels and over 40 bridges, Skyrail Cableway over the rainforest, visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, tour around Sydney including Bondi Beach, discover the beautiful Blue Mountains, and a visit to the Featherdale Wildlife Park

Their package highlights is as follows. 8 nights and 9 days in Melbourne, Penguin Parade, Cairns, Kuranda, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Charge for the trip would be US $2999, which includes Dhaka-Singapore-Sydney return air ticket economy class, Sydney-Cairns-Melbourne round trip domestic air ticket, transfer, accommodation, sightseeing. Children between 4 to 12 gets 20 % discount when they are accommodated in parent's room. But of course price does not include health or travel insurance, visa fees, taxes, service charge and sadly meals. Luxury and the word cheap never correspond.

Romantic Swiss tour
What could be more exciting this summer than visiting the Swiss Alps, strolling around peaceful Swiss towns and sightseeing through the green countryside? They say Switzerland is a unique miracle of nature. Whether a brief glance to the majestic mountains out the train window, the postal coach or from the deck of a paddle steamer or a languid walk in a quit valley with unspoilt nature, holidays in the country of romance is simply breathtaking. Its alpine ambience really does offer the ideal environment for you to allow yourself to be pampered.

Again the only operator in Bangladesh offering tour to Switzerland is Amazing Holiday. The trip charge is US $2,499.00- per person on twin sharing basis. Price includes Dhaka-Dubai-Zurich return air ticket economy class, meet and greet service, transfer, accommodation, sightseeing, Geneva-Zurich rail ticket. Price does not include the same services mentioned above.

The trip starts with arriving at Zurich. On the second day a short drive from Zurich to the city of Lucerne to visit the Lion Monument. Cable car rides to the summit of Mount Titlis up into the high alpine region with its glaciers and eternal ice to enjoy a magnificent ride in the gondola. The day ends at a holiday resort of Interlaken at the foot of Jungfrau Mountain.

Next day drive along the beautiful Lake of Thun towards the Swiss capital Berne. Then a city tour to the Old Town, which includes the Clock Tower, Kramgasse, and the 15th century Cathedral of St. Vincent. A drive south will take you to the scenic dairy farmlands Gruyeres, a beautiful hilltop town. The route continues to Geneva, the most cosmopolitan city of Switzerland for overnight stay. Next day is for you to enjoy leisurely or go for some shopping in Geneva. Departure on day five

In all the packages visa assistance is available on special service charge. Prices are subject to change. For further trip detail contact Mamun Ashrafi at 8857679 or 0173 034454.

By Shahnaz Parveen
Disclaimer: Star Lifestyle is not responsible for any changes in price, service and itinerary made by the tour operator.
More