Switzerland, the land of watches and chocolates, located in the central part of Europe, a neighbour of Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Liechtenstein, is one of the smallest countries of Europe. As per the website MySwitzerland, Switzerland comprises a population of approx. 8 million people, with an area size of 41,285 square km. As per the OECD Better Life Index, the annual average wage of the country is about $60,000. Four primary languages are spoken in the ‘Playground of Europe’ (partly because of its resort and ski touring destinations in the Alps): German, Italian, French and Romansh. Touring destinations such as Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Bern, Winterthur and Lucerne and St. Gallen are the most popular cities in Switzerland. So, what are the best places to visit in Switzerland and the things to do in Switzerland? Here we go, we have compiled a blog on the same this week for you.

The Matterhorn

Shaped like a giant pyramid, the Matterhorn is one of the most photographed mountains in the world, making it a top tourist attractions in Switzerland, and that which you need to have on the top of the bucket list on the places to visit in the country. It stands tall at an awe-inspiring 4,478 meters, attracting adrenaline pumped up mountaineers from all over the world to scale the peak.  If you’re feeling drained out of energy levels, why not take a cable car instead? The Matterhorn features the highest cable car station in the mountain, which gives you some fabulous viewpoints of the pyramidal peak and beyond. Failing to visit this mountain peak is definite to leave your trip to Switzerland incomplete. A visit to the Monte Cervino (Italian for the Matterhorn) is one of the top things to do in Switzerland including viewing the Matterhorn Museum in Zermatt, the Gornergrat observation and involving in skiing activities on the Theodul Glacier.

Château de Chillon

One of Switzerland’s tourist attractions that is difficult to ignore. You’ve no other go than to check out the medieval Château de Chillon. Situated on a small island in Lak Geneva nearby the Montreux town, the Château de Chillon is a 10th-century old caste, initially serving as a tactical war fort. It was later converted into a lakeside summer home for the elite class of Savoy when the rooms of the castle were populated with all types of valuable treasures and artefacts that you’ll be able to enjoy even today. Not surprisingly, the castle is one of the most-visited attractions in Switzerland and is certainly a must-see while you are touring the country. Don’t afford to miss viewing the castle’s three majestic great halls, breathtaking weapons room, and partaking in the joy of the Montreux to Château de Chillon boat ride.

Jungfraujoch

The Jungfraujoch is an Alpine La La Land that is dubbed as the ‘Top of Europe’. One of the top places to visit in Switzerland, the Jungfraujoch is geographically a glacier saddle located between two mountains. It is one of the highest and top-rated attractions in Switzerland. Don’t be put off by the altitude of the peak there’s more than you could expect for the entire family up there from tobogganing to mountain climbing, just to name a few activities. However, what you’ll be most impressed by includes the popular Jungfrau railway. Your heart would definitely miss a beat as the train, which starts at Kleine Scheidegg, ascends effortlessly high up the mountains to Jungfraujoch. At 3,454m above sea level, the Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest railway station. While the Sphinx Observatory can amaze you, the famous zip-line is a different flying experience altogether. But in case you’re still not satiated, visit the Ice Palace located inside the glacier, and view the popular ice sculptures. 

Schweizerischer National park

The many attractions in Switzerland at several viewpoints warrant attraction such that it’s hard to ignore one at the expense of the other. A case in point is the Schweizerischer National park nearby Zernez. As the single national park in the country, it reflects how the Alps were before travel and tourism had gone mainstream. From enchanting meadows to snow-laden glaciers, this place offers you everything under the sun. There are a number of hiking trails to take, each leading visitors past sights that will be etched in memory forever. And if you’re serendipitous, you can seize a few fleeting moments of the local residents of the park ibexes, red deer and red squirrels all abode here. The Schweizerischer National park is one of the best tourist places to visit in Switzerland for a reason: the golden eagles of the park rule the skies, studying about the bears that once inhabited the area, and unravelling its 21 hiking trails. Sounds exciting? Then make your way to this world-famous national park.

Lake Geneva

Once you’re in Switzerland, sightseeing is never going to be enough for such a touring destination as Lake Geneva, which stretches from Geneva to Lausanne in the west and east respectively. Lake Geneva is one of the most beautiful attractions in Switzerland. Geneva, from the highest number of international organizations in the world to the several vineyards that feature up the hillsides surrounding the lake, offer a lot of activities around the region. You can also get involved in a lot of high-adrenaline watersports such as water skiing, windsurfing and kayaking. Not in the sporting mood? You can still sit back and relax and enjoy the pristine beauty of the waters from the passenger deck of a paddle steamer as it efficiently cuts through the water. It would be a great miss if you don’t taste the local wines at the nearby vineyards, take an impeccable Jet d’eau photo in the city of Geneva and go night-skiing when the mountain temperature falls steadily. You can add more top attractions in Switzerland and give it a fuller look, but for now, this is all we have for you until next week when we come up with another interesting touring destination from around the world.

The question whether to book with a travel agent or online is the subject of this week’s blog.  Put it another way, is booking with a travel agency/agent advantageous? If you want to book a holiday online, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Here are some of the reasons why booking with a travel agency/agent is on the rise even in the social media age.

Online travel booking exclusive sites offer travellers a host of deals, discounts and freebies online whenever they book a holiday, but they need to be careful even if the travel company in question has a strong online presence. In case if the company shuts down, it is likely that they’d lose their holiday along with the money paid for the booking. This is where booking with a travel agency/agent that’s been around can put you at peace, for the simple the reason that they know the industry well and associate with only top-rated trusted suppliers.  They’ll have you covered even when there’s uncertainty as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic. In case you’ve booked online, check whether the company has positive reviews of at least 3.5 rating on a scale of 5. The last thing you’d want is to wait at the airport with no flight!

One of the advantages of an online travel agency is you can prefer booking the flight and hotel you want separately and the payment can be done in instalments for both the hotel as well as the flight besides cruises too! Online holiday deal websites provide travel bookings with a deposit and make you pay the rest in the form of instalments. This said you are generally restricted. An example being booking a travel package or payment in instalments which can be done for hotel booking, but not for flights, cruises, etc.The biggest benefit of booking with a travel agent is that you can expect personalized attention when you call the agent up for support. There are no call centres or automated bots that do the work of a travel agent. Not to mention that many holiday companies online don’t even provide a hotline or phone number for contacting the support personnel.

Another benefit of using a travel agent or travel agency is that you needn’t research the world’s end searching for the coolest holiday destination. Often the list is endless: finding the right hotel, deciding on the right price, visas, where to go, what to do, and how to reach the airport and how to reach the hotel and so on. By the way, it is very stressful; by the time you make your holiday booking, you kind of really need one now! Booking with a travel agency/agent takes the hassle off booking. If truth be told, the cost of booking your holiday travel online may be slightly lower compared to a travel agency. But that’s just not everything to it do you have the patience to go the whole hog and find the right travel package?  If you put things into perspective, you are actually saving considerable time and energy in the process.

Is there a time when you actually hit upon a good deal online just to find later that it no longer applied due to inclement weather conditions, floods, etc.? By booking with a travel agent you no longer need to worry about whether or not you can travel to a particular region or area. Because most travel operators are excellent travellers themselves, you can take an informed decision based on their recommendations.

Finding a great travel deal is collectively finding the most economical flight, hotel, cruise or other service provider deals. With a travel agency, you can find a range of travel service providers and suppliers all at one place, and you needn’t wait for their individual confirmation. This means you have flexible choices with what you’re looking for plus the right pricing minus the hassle.

Even when you need to cancel your bookings or make changes, a travel agency can come to your rescue and find you the best possible solution, whereas online travel booking can make you stranded waiting for someone from the call centre to respond only to tell that your wait is over, and there’s nothing that can be done. Your travel agent can make you take an informed decision by making you understand what is and what isn’t permissible without your having to go through the terms and conditions. 

Booking with a travel operator or an agency might seem out of trend, but with a fast-paced life and busy schedule, it could actually save you precious time, besides paving a safer way for holiday booking. You can go about your work, relax yourself, and of course explore the best holiday deals in no time, without having to pin your hopes on a chatbot.

With the Emerging climate crisis, it is now more important than ever to reduce our carbon footprints. Statistics show that the travel industry contributes to 8% of global carbon emissions. So it is essential to travel sustainably to contribute to the environment. In this article, you will find tips to help you travel sustainably.

Best ways to travel sustainably

1) Carry your water bottle/flask 

It’s time to say goodbye to plastic waste, which is extremely easy to reduce. One of our favourite eco-friendly travel tips is to invest in a reusable water bottle to avoid contributing to even more plastic waste. Plastic waste may not be a problem in developed countries, but it can be challenging for developing countries. Older students serve as role models for younger students, so educate them on the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling.

2) Support Local businesses

One of the most effortless sustainable travel suggestions? When shopping for gifts for family and friends, shop at small local businesses to support the local economy. The same is true for eating out. Try visiting restaurants owned by locals.

Buying from locals can support the local economy. It also reduces the environmental impact. Shipping products outside the country of origin pollutes the air and water, so try to support local businesses and buy handmade items whenever possible.

3) Opt for Eco-friendly accommodation

Choosing eco-friendly accommodations makes a great impact on the environment. Eco-friendly lodgings not only intend to take baby steps in caring for mother nature but also to take giant leaps through earth-friendly local projects such as coastal cleanups or tree-planting workshops. The eco-friendly hotel will remind you that there is much more to life than the gadgets that have us all so addicted. It will invite you to set all of these aside and fully immerse yourself in the pleasures of your well-earned vacation.

4) Use public transport whenever possible

Public transportation relieves congestion, reduces emissions, allows you to spend quality time watching people, and offers a chance to get to know your “neighbours.” Furthermore, opting for public transportation helps you relax, read, or nap during your commute rather than fighting, stressing, and experiencing road rage.

5) Conserve Natural Resources

Other than transportation, tourism relies on energy for heating, lighting, and electricity. This, combined with heavy water use by tourists, can put a significant strain on local water supplies and energy infrastructure. Tourists frequently consume significantly more water and energy than residents, and many destinations struggle to meet demand. As global temperatures rise and the population expands, this problem will worsen.

While on vacation, do your best to conserve local water and energy resources.

Flight travel is the most comfortable and enjoyable mode of travel, but getting affordable flight tickets can be challenging. In this article, you will discover how to book cheap flight tickets.

Helpful Tips to book cheap flight tickets

1) Book your tickets early

If you are already familiar with flight booking, you might know that flight tickets typically become more pricey as the departure date comes. As a result, begin your research as soon as possible. That does not imply you should book too early, but you should get acquainted with how prices fluctuate. There would always be a happy medium. You must identify and capitalise on the ideal spot when prices become more reasonable. The most suitable option to book cheap flight tickets is to book 2 to 3 months before your trip.

2) Analyze and Compare various Price

Using a search website for booking flights is essential, but keep in mind that they are not identical. Some search engines typically have expensive rates, and the prices from search engine to search engine may vary depending on the airline’s cut. The websites do not always list all of the flights. As a result, you must compare more flight search engines to find an affordable price.

3) Opt for Budget Airlines

There are many low-cost and affordable airlines available these days, Other than conventional expensive airlines. You can travel affordably along with these airlines. Needless to say, there will be no fine dining or cutting-edge technology, but you won’t need them often. So, if you want to book cheap flights without breaking the bank, consider exploring this.

4) Make use of Special deals

Try to follow the airlines on social media. They often use these platforms to publicize exciting offers and deals on airline tickets. You can also sign up for any airline’s newsletter. It will keep you updated on their latest cheap deals and offers. Some airlines give students and seniors a discount on the base fare; it’s a slight discount, like 8-10%, but it still saves you money. If you are travelling with your children or parents, you should see if you can get any additional discounts.

5) Focus on odd Flying time

If you can opt for late-night flights, you can get a good deal on flights. This option will not be applicable if you are flying for work or for some emergency purpose. People travelling alone who do not have to reach on particular time can explore this option.

Emperor Traveline is the best travel agency for flight booking. At Emperor Traveline, We help you get affordable flight tickets along with the best services.

As countries around are slowly starting to open up borders and relaxations happening at phased levels owing to the outbreak of one of the worst pandemics in the history of mankind viz. the COVID-19, strain after strains of the virus has ended up in flights going out of operation, hotels, cafes and restaurants mostly remaining closed. As people crave to travel and step outdoors, travelling to Europe is still a nightmare for many.  Be what may come in future, we have compiled some of the best places to visit in Europe for you to make an informed decision before travelling to any of the European countries.

Best places to visit in Europe

This blog will essentially cover top places to visit in Europe, things to do in Europe and the best holiday destination in Europe, all hidden gems, and even the not-so-familiar sustainable tourism destinations, yet must-see places in Europe. So, if you ask us what’s the best time to visit Europe, let’s tell you that today is the perfect day to plan your next trip to Europe.

Ljubljana, Slovenia:

Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, a green country. It is characterized by expanses of land on either side of the river with its quaint bridges, and the central market alludes its unique appearance to Jože Plečnik, the world-famous architect. The city of Ljubljana, popularly dubbed as the “city of thousand events”, is enveloped by parks and protected nature areas.

If you’re a lover of culture, entertainment, arts and nature, then Ljubljana is the place to be. Besides being a living model of environmental planning, Ljubljana is a totally pedestrian historic centre. A mix of vibrant history and natural culture with tradition, authentic charm, and multifarious city life has put Ljubljana right at the top of the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Marbella, Spain

For over 60 years, Marbella has rivalled other must-see places in Europe as the go-to tourist destination for the elite class. From its sparkling shores to its quaint Old Town, several touring destinations of Marbella have been a regular feature on calendars, blowups and screensavers. Don’t miss out on the Michelin-starred hotels and restaurants and partying in the glitzy, raucous nightclubs of Marbella 24 x7. Whether you want to enjoy the dazzling, brassy Mediterranean sun along the Costa del Sol; stroll Marbella’s earliest quarter, the town’s cynosure of attraction; admire this little yet brilliant display of Latin American art and witness the engravings done by Spain’s major artists at the Museo del Grabado Español or, more popularly, the Spanish Engraving Museum.

Oradea, Romania

Oradea is a hidden gem of Romania and one of the best places to go in Europe. In spite of being one of the biggest cities and a major touring destination in Transylvania and having a high level of economic, administrative and commercial significance, it’s more than often not overlooked by tourists compared to other cities in Transylvania such as Sighisoara, Sibiu, Brasov or Cluj-Napoca. The city is surprisingly a nice stopover if you’re travelling to Romania from Hungary, or for that matter leaving Hungary. 

The city is a combination of a good location and salubrious climate with exotic architecture from the erstwhile Austro-Hungarian Empire, with a romantic mix of the Romanian and Hungarian traditions. The city has undergone cultural transformations over several centuries, yet maintaining the Romanian-Hungarian cultures which is visibly present everywhere in the city, lending a delightful old-world charm comprising lovely architecture, yet modern and trendy in other ways. The top ten destinations in Oradea include Criș Land Museum, Orthodox Synagogue, Sinagoga Neologă Zion, State Theatre, Ady Endre Museum, Black Eagle Passage, Moon Church, the Oradea Fortress, Roman-Catholic Basilica, Baroque Palace, among others.

Leuven, Belgium

Leuven (Louvain in French) in Belgium is an ancient city popularly known for brewing activities and the oldest university town in Flanders. During term time and even during the vacations, no less than 25,0000 students from all over create an animated and upbeat environment. The picturesque hub is so small such that you can complete the day trip in a single day, but unique pubs and dining with great experience can keep you engaged for weeks.

Some of the top touring attractions in the city of Leuven include St. Peter’s Church, City Hall, Groot Begijnhof, Leuven Botanical Garden Kruidtuin, M-Museum Leuven, Naamsestraat, Oude Markt, Kessel-Lo, Abbey Park and Chateau de Merode. 

Nijmegen, Netherlands

Nijmegen, a fortified city and the oldest city of Holland, will take the timeline back to Roman times. The city is dotted by historic forts and buildings and plazas that are several centuries old. Nijmegan is home to the Lange Hezelstraat, one of the oldest shopping streets of Holland, making it one of the best places to visit in Europe.

Nijmegen, friendly and congenial, is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Europe. Not only does it boast of the Roman legacy, being one of its strongholds and administrative and commercial centres, but the city is also full of animated squares, numerous hotels, restaurants, pleasant cafes, shopping streets and parks for you to make the most of.  Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Nijmegen are muZIEum, Grote Markt, Lange Hezelstraat, Kronenburgerpark, Valkhof Park, Stevenskerk, de Bastei, Velorama National Bicycle Museum, Museum Het Valkhof, Goffertpark, Speeltuin de Leemkuil, et al.

Lahti,  Finland

The region of Lahiti is an awarding-winning tourist destination as the ‘best place to visit in Europe in 2022, by the European Best Destination travel site. Lahti is the foremost real lakeside city visible from Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, and Lake Vesijärvi forms the major waterbody to the southernmost part of Lakeland Finland. Lahti, rated by CNN Travel as one of the best touring destinations, is located 100km northeast of the city of Helsinki and, as a green destination, is a model city in every sense. The eighth-largest city of Finland, Lahti, is full of lovely parks, reserves and forests, provides tourists with fabulous hiring trails and observation points. 

Don’t miss out on vising the most popular travel destinations of Lahiti such as Salpausselkä Geopark, Motorcycle Museum of Finland, Sibelius Hall, Lahti Sports Center, Lahti Harbor, Lahti Ski Museum, Laune Central Park, Pikku Vesijärvi, Ristinkirkko, Apulandia, Lahdessa on talvella lunta, Lanupuisto, just to name a few. 

Malaysia is rated as one of the best countries to live, and is already a popular touring destination for travellers all over the world. It is a multi-cultural country though with Islam as its majority religion followed by Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and others. In terms of travel, tourist attractions in Malaysia are aplenty, irrespective of travel budget and fun activities, travellers may want to enjoy the country. Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, is an enterprising cosmopolitan city with excellent infrastructure, amazing architecture and endless shopping options. 

Take a short drive from Kuala Lumpur, and you’ll find plenty of tourist attractions in Malaysia adding to your bucket list of to-do’s from islands, mesmerizing caves, mountains to a number of temples, and there’s a great way to unravel the fauna-laden jungles that Borneo is blessed with.              

Malaysia is considered a happening destination for sporting activities including scuba diving and snorkelling. Not to mention the awesomely soft sandy beaches and deep coral reefs featured in the list of the top tourist attractions in Malaysia. For more tips on how to make the best use of your time in Malaysia, read this blog that deals with the best places to visit in Malaysia.         

1. Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur:

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur is a signature landmark of Malaysia. This ultra-modern tower is considered to be a marvel of modern architecture, in addition to numerous stately colonial palaces and government buildings in the country. Think of Malaysia, the twin set of skyscrapers comes to the mind like a flash. The Suria KLCC shopping malls, located at the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers, is the most happening shopping destination in the region. This imposing tower measures 452m in height. Comprising 88 floors tall, the Petronas has 76 elevators in total. Although the record was broken by Taipie (at 1671 ft.) in 2006, the Petronas Towers still stands tall as the world’s tallest twin tower. The architecture is a blend of two cultures:  Malaysian and Islamic. Though there are many tourist attractions in Malaysia (which we will see below), the Petronas Twin Towers still remains one of the best places to visit in Malaysia hosting a gamut of entertainment, restaurants, hotels and providing a scintillating nightlife in the purlieu of this amazing landmark.

2. Batu Caves

Batu Caves, a 400 million-year-old hill, is incorporated with limestone formations within it. It is separated by a distance of 13km from the city of Kuala Lumpur. There are many local buses and taxis plying to the touring destination from all over the city.  It is popular the world over, especially among the native Tamil Hindus and diaspora for Thaipusam, the annual Hindu festival celebrated with great fanfare and fervour. The main deity is Lord Muruga, the supreme Tamil god.

The Thaipusam celebration draws millions of visitors who travel from far and wide just to witness the vibrant display of Hindu devotees fulfilling their vows by carrying “kavadi” (framework), decorated with a string of palm leaves, peacock feathers, flowers and milk pots, carrying it on their shoulders. But that’s not everything to it. The fervent devotees carry “kavadi” with metal hooks and skewers piercing their cheeks, skin and tongue! 

3. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

The highlight of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah is located at Kinabalu Park, a famous World Heritage Site. If you’re a lover of nature, you’ll be thrilled to be able to enjoy the abundant flora-and fauna-capped mountains at various altitudes. Mount Kinabalu, in addition to several other upland regions of the Crocker Range, is popular all over for its wide biodiversity of biological and botanical species comprising Australian, Himalayan and Indo-Malayan origin. With over 6000 exotic plant species, which is greater than all of North America and Europe combined, this is therefore one of the world’s most significant biological hubs.

Standing tall at 4,095m, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak between New Guinea and the Himalayan ranges. Mount Kinabalu comes from ‘Aki Nabalu’, the Kadazan word which roughly translates into ‘the honoured place of the dead’.  Mount Kinabalu is far more scalable than other peaks in the world–providing you’re reasonably fit and healthy for the expedition. 

4. Perhentian Islands:

The Perhentian Islands provide tropical beaches that are mostly tourist-free,  impressive snorkelling conditions and cost-effective scuba diving schools. Whilst the tourist trail might direct you to Langkawi or Penang, these islands are amazingly uncommercial. Instead of motorbikes and cars, you’ll be able to find more water taxis and jungle trails. But remember you’ll have to pay a premium for the schlepp to get to the island. You need to spend the full day in travel including flights, a two-hour journey by bus, and a jarring half-hour ride by boat.

5. Sipadan Islands:

Sipadan Islands, known for its cornucopia of marine life diversity, boasts incredible natural beauty and awesome landscape and is one of the best places to visit in Malaysia with family. It is rated as the top diving spot in the country, and not surprisingly listed as the best 10 diving spots in the world on a par with the world-famous Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The biological ecosystem is rich with varied species of coral reefs, fishes and aquatic animals. Although Sipadan attracts a lot of visitors, it isn’t that easily accessible for all. Only if you obtain a diving permit will you be allowed to enjoy this enthralling world.  In the event of your failing to visit Sipadan, there are alternate destinations, Mabul and Kapalai. Take a 45-50 minutes’ boat ride from Sipadan to these two fabulous islands.

6. Gunung Mulu National Park:

Gunung Mulu National Park holds a lot of significance in terms of its rich biodiversity. Located on Borneo island in the State of Sarawak, the Gunung Mulu is the world’s most visited tropical karst area. The park, spread at an expanse of 52,864 hectares, comprises 17 vegetation zones displaying nearly 3,500 varieties of vascular plants. The palm species of the Gunung Mulu are highly rich, with 109 different species in 20 genera documented. The park is dotted by Gunung Mulu, which is 2,377m in height, made of sandstone pinnacle. Walk into at least 295km of uninhibited raw nature providing a fantastic sight, as the Gunung Mulu is an abode to millions of cave bats and swiftlets. The Sarawak Chamber, one of the must visit places in Malaysia, is the world’ biggest known cave chamber, and measures 600 m by 415 m and 80 m in height.

We’ve listed only the top Malaysia tourist attractions failing to visit them would render sightseeing in Malaysia useless. Though there are more Malaysia tourist places to explore, a lot of course depends on your planned budget and travel itinerary.

Are you applying for a passport for the first time? You probably might have heard gruelling stories of the ordeal of getting a passport in India, thanks to the bureaucratic red tape at every passport office. We understand you would have been craving to go on an international tour. No worries. How times are changing! Getting into a long line and waiting to apply for a passport is a thing of the past. The process today is much more streamlined and the system more transparent, and therefore applying for a passport presents no hassle as you imagine. Here are the things you need to know about passport services.

Apply Online

Visit www.passportindia.gov.in, the web platform of Passport Seva. It is fast and effective. Considered the bible for everything involving a travel passport, you’ll find all the basic information required on how to apply for a passport and the various forms that are required to fill all in one.

Order, Order, Order!

While you’re filling out the form, you will need to make sure that all supporting documents including identity proof, birth certificate and residential proof are in order. 

Make an Appointment

After you’ve registered online, submit the application and got all your paperwork in place, visit the nearest Passport Service Kendra or PSK. It is important to make an appointment with any PSK; payment can be made through online banking, debit card, bank challan or credit card. In the event of cancellation or rescheduling of an appointment, you will be able to do so twice within a stipulated period of one year of your first appointment.  

Visiting Passport Service Kendra

On your scheduled appointment day, ensure you carry all your original supporting documents in addition to two photocopies of each. Remember that all your documents should be in order, and if they aren’t, or if anything further is needed, you may need to revisit the Passport Service Kendra. You may also do so on the basis of the walk-in procedure within three working days from the date and time of the appointment. 

Police Verification Process

When all the documents have been submitted to the PSK, there will be a police verification wherein all or some of the information stated on the form will be subjected to verification. As part of the process, the police from the local station will visit the address stated on the form.

Delivery of New Passport

There is a time limit of 30 days for issuing new passports by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) from the submission date to the PSK. The passport will be delivered to the applicant in person by the postal department.

Tatkaal Passports

If you need to travel urgently for which a passport will be required within 1-7 working days, you may go for a Tatkaal passport. The PSK website offers all the required details and information when you apply for a Tatkaal passport.

Passport Renewal

If your passport has expired or misplaced or damaged, you’re left with the only option to reapply for a passport. If you’re already an Indian passport holder, you will not have to go through police verification again. In that case, you will receive your passport within 15 days of submitting the documents to the Passport Service Kendra.

If you’re looking for passport services in Coimbatore today, don’t go further than Emperor Traveline.

The New Year started off with loads of promise and hope, but there is little doubt, not surprisingly, that it could well be another elusive year for travel. With a new COVID-19 strain shaking the world in 2021, Omicron is infecting people at a rapid rate than previously thought of travel still seems to be a distant reality! All said and done travel is slightly picking up (let’s pray it continues to do so), with many countries opening up their airports, even when COVID caseloads had doubled during the same period. 

Though the hospitality industry was severely hit by COVID, many properties transformed into makeshift hotels adding new amenities and expanding outdoor spaces, adhering to the pandemic protocols. Is that just enough to welcome the new year when travellers will be craving to travel locally and internationally and rediscover destinations since the outbreak of the pandemic.  Here are the best places to travel in 2022.

1. Abruzzo, Italy

About Abruzzo: Abruzzo is one of the 20 Italian regions. It is located in the central part of Italy, to the eastern side of the city of Rome on the Adriatic Sea. An overlooked destination not long ago, Abruzzo is sheer beauty with its unpolluted villages, scenic Trabocchi Coast, and awesome natural escapes making it one of the best places to visit in 2022. Some of the important cities of Abruzzo include Pescara, L’Aquila, Teramo and Montesilvano. 

Touring Destinations to Explore in Abruzzo: The Gran Sasso & Monti della Laga National Park, Majella National Park, Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, San Bartolomeo in Legio, National Museum, Stiffe caves, Calanchi di Atri Nature Reserve, Lake Scanno. Recent construction is the Via Verde dei Trabocchi, happening cycling and pedestrian path along the Adriatic that’s being laid on a derelict railway route. 

2. Anguilla

About Anguilla: Considered one of the lesser Antilles island, Anguilla lies in the northern part of the Leeward Islands, situated approximately 270km to the eastern end of Puerto Rico and north of the Saint Martin island in the East Caribbean. Not surprisingly, Anguilla is one of the top travel destinations in 2022, and rightly so.

Touring Destinations to Explore in Anguilla: Little Bay, Prickly Pear Cays, Shoal Bay, Rendezvous Bay Beach, Sandy Island, Barnes Bay Beach, Scrub Island, Crocus Bay Beach, Maundays Bay, GB Ferries, Captain’s Bay

Activities to do in Anguilla: Snorkeling, Reel Boat charters & tours, take Rum, sail to Prickly Pear Island, fishing, annual Anguilla Regatta fest (boat racing), golfing, meditation, spa treatments, cooking at local hotels, dining

3. Bahamas

About Bahamas: Bahamas has been a favourite with US travellers for quite long for its pristine waters, sunny and sandy beaches, some 50 miles off the Florida coast, but there are even more compelling reasons to travel to this island nation this year.

Touring Destinations to Explore in Bahamas: Elbow Cay, Treasure Cay Beach in Great Abaco Island, Andros Island, Grand Bahama Island,  Harbour Island, Staniel Cay in the Exumas, Nassau, Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, Atlantis Paradise Island, Green Turtle Cay, Biminis, Long Island, Blue Lagoon Island

Activities to do in Bahamas: Walking along the sandy beaches, swimming with dolphins, side-riding (Paradise Island Water Park), caving & beachcombing (Lucayan National Park), Shopping (Port Lucaya Marketplace), golfing & casino(Cable Beach), sip coconuts,  taste fish fry (Arawak Cay), water-diving (Andros),  ship-spotting (Prince George Wharf), visit John Watling’s Distillery

4. Barbados

About Barbados: An important coral island, formed of sea volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Barbados comprises some of the finest white sand extending along a blue-green sea on the West Coast. With the city of Bridgetown as its capital, Barbados lies in the easternmost part of the Caribbean Chain.

Touring Destinations to Explore in Barbados: The Beaches of Carlisle Bay, Bathsheba Bay, Animal Flower Cave, St. Nicholas Abbey, Crane Beach, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Oistins, Farley Hill National Park, St. Lawrence Gap, Hunte’s Gardens,  Harrison’s Cave, Welchman Hall Gully, Bottom Bay Beach,  Richard Haynes Boardwalk, Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Sunbury Plantation Great House, Flower Forest, Folkestone Marine Park & Museum

Activities to do in Barbados: Swim with turtles, locate a secret beach, unravel Animal Flower Cave, sail the Caribbean Sea, check out Scotland-like beauty in the east coast of Barbados, savour seafood & fish bites, visit the rainforests of Barbados, homes and rum distilleries in St Nicholas Abbey

5. Belize

About Belize: Belize lies on the eastern side of northern Central America, which borders the Caribbean Sea in the East. It was previously called British Honduras. Belize is a tropical touring place, that is both Central American and Caribbean, ancient and modern, rainforest and reef, laidback and adventurous, friendly natives and exotic animals, and perhaps even more.

Touring Destinations to Explore in Belize: Placencia, Belize Barrier Reef System, San Pedro & Ambergris Caye, San Ignacio, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize Zoo, Secret Beach, Caracol, Caye Caulker, The Great Blue Hole, Hopkins, Lamanai, Xunatunich, Butterfly Falls, Corozal, Belize City, Altun Ha, Laughing Bird Caye, Silk Cayes

Activities to do in Belize: Snorkelling, scuba diving, caving, visiting Maya Temples, cave tubing, visiting nature parks, Belizean Cayes, wildlife spotting

6. Crete, Greece

Crete is the largest island in the country of Greece. Crete is popular all over the world for its diverse and vibrant culture, ancient ruins, bustling cities and awe-inspiring beaches. The best place to travel in 2022, Crete is located on the southernmost island in Greece, between the Libyan and the Aegean Sea. Having a population of about 6,30,000, Crete comprises the Cyclades Islands about it and the Dodecanese islands.

Touring Destinations to Explore in Crete: Elafonissi, Balos, Matala, Preveli beach, Voulisma beach, Palm Beach, Palace of Knossos, Agios Nikolaos, Chania, Samaria Gorge, Heraklion, Rethymnon, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Preveli Monastery, Plakias, Matala Beach, Frangokastello

Activities to do in Crete: Safari, buggy adventure, hiking, horse-riding, mountain retreat, cruise-rise, walk along the beaches, aquariums, meditation, shore excursions

7. Doha, Qatar

The capital of Qatar, Doha, comes as a default choice for the best places to vacation in 2022. Doha is a potpourri of the old and modern, but is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Gulf, considering the money that is pumped into construction works. Doha is just a few years away when it’s all set to transform itself into one of the trendiest cities in the Gulf. 

Touring Destinations to Explore in Doha: The National Museum, Doha Festival City, Khalifa International Stadium, Mall of Qatar, Katara Beach, Souq Waqif, Pearl Qatar, Qatar National Library, Doha Corniche, Villaggio Mall, Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, Aspire Par, MIA Park, Islamic Cultural Center, Arab Postal Stamp Museum, Mathaf (Arab Museum of Modern Art), Sealine Beach Resort Falcon Souq, Barzan Towers, Lagoona Mall

Activities to do in Doha: Visiting museums, expos, galleries and the UNESCO-listed Al Zubarah Fort, sports, shopping, desert safaris

8. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the historic, cultural and economic capital of Hungry. Having a population of 2 million people, it is able to clock approx. 2.7 million visitors per year. It boasts a rich culture, unique in every way, and the natives of Budapest take pride in their language, distinctly different from all other languages of Europe.

Touring Destinations to Explore in Budapest: Buda Castle & Castle Hill, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament Building & Crown Jewels, Fisherman’s Bastion, Danube Promenade, Matthias Church, Gellért Hill, Central Market Hall, Museum of Fine Arts, Heroes’ Square, Millennium Monument, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest Zoo, Botanical Garden, Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum, Kisboldogasszony-templom, Hungarian National Museum, City Park (Városliget), Margaret Island

Activities to do in Budapest: Beer sampling,  wine tasting, wine walk, culinary, bike-tour, evening sightseeing, tuk-tuk tour, spa, Jewish Heritage Walking tour

We’ve listed the top destinations in 2022 to watch out for, while the best countries to visit in 2022 comprises many other destinations to enjoy. May you travel this year with high spirits and the best of health and always.