Beat the Heat with off beat Destinations

India (SANEPR.com) June 5, 2008 -- As temperatures soar past 400 Celcius heralding the great Indian summer; Expedia India has put together a list of recommendations for travelers looking to escape the summer heat. While the cool climes of Europe beckon most travelers, expedia.co.in lists the less obvious summer destinations where temperatures are cool but the crowds less. And for those who do not want to travel halfway across the world for a holiday, take heart as Expedia has put together some closer to home destinations also.

Expedia recommends the following getaways for this summer:

1) TURKEY

Divided into seven major regions, Turkey has one of the most varied geographical zones from the rugged mountains to highlands, the dry steppes and the Black Sea offering great variety to a traveler. One of the chief attractions in Turkey is the ancient city of Troy located in Hisarlik at Canakkale, in western Turkey. The city once regarded as myth can be visited today. Take a trip to the Temple of Athena either in the moonlight or early morning to soak in its beauty. The Mediterranean Region, a paradise for sunbathing, swimming, and sports activities like windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and mountain climbing is also a huge tourist spot. Alternatively; for tourists who are museum enthusiasts, the city of Ankara in the central region is a treat with 16 museums spread through the city. Museums vary from meterology, education, toys, cartography and natural history, to name a few.

Most places in Turkey have an ideal climate between April to September so tourists can travel during these months.

2) PERU

Divided into three regions comprising of the coast, the highlands and the jungle Peru boasts of a rich biodiversity unlike a typical tourist destination. The coastline sandwiched between the Andes and the Humboldt Sea runs for more than 3,000 km, offering visitors a wide range of possibilities. While most of Peru’s beaches lack services for visitors, making it a charm for the adventurous tourist, the beach in Tumbes offers all the creature comforts for those who can’t stay away from managed services. One of the most legendry beaches, Máncora, can be found in Piura, a favourite with the surfing set. Peru is also home to the famous historical site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, built on a granite mountain and one of the most extraordinary examples of scenic architecture in the world. The uninitiated should also visit Caral, the oldest city in America, covering an area of around 65 hectares, featuring a series of complex such as the Great Pyramid, the Amphitheater Pyramid and the Residential Quarters of the Elite.

Peru has its dry climate from May-November making it the best time to visit the country. The ideal month for visiting is June.

3) CROATIA

One of the few remaining uncrowded summer spots on the Mediterranean, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is poised to become Europe’s new Riviera – the secret is to get in there now, before the crowds do. Located on the eastern rim of the Adriatic Sea, this coastline comprises hundreds of idyllic coves, islands and channels, making this a perfect place for a lazy mid-year summer holiday for swimming and sun-bathing. Rich with culture and history, there are also plenty of traditional villages and towns in typical Dalmatian architectural styles to explore. What’s more, local tourism authorities claim that due to sea currents and wind flow, the water off the Dalmatian Coast is the cleanest and warmest in the Mediterranean.

The place has pleasant weather around June to August.

4) FIJI

Fiji is a dream holiday destination with unspoiled white sandy beaches, virgin rainforests, translucent blue seas and friendly people, is often underestimated. Lying in the South Pacific on an archipelago of 322 islands, the scenery is spectacular and it is easy to find your own piece of paradise. The temperatures are ideal around June through August.

5) VIETNAM

The cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are two diverse cities with one as the cultural and the other as a commercial centre of Vietnam. Hanoi, with a mix of Chinese and French influence is the cultural centre and boasts of over 600 pagodas and temples and some delightful French colonial buildings. It also has numerous lakes and is sometimes called the “City of Lakes”. Ho Chi Minh, commonly known as Saigon is the commercial centre of South Vietnam. The city has a number of museums and Chinese temples. It is also known for the popular market place, Ben Thanh Market, which is the largest old-style market in the central district, with several hundred small stalls stuffed with goods on almost impassably narrow aisles. Another top hot spot is the Ho Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Quong Ninh province. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes making it a serene tourist spot.


6) SRI LANKA

A familiar name, Sir Lanka is a place waiting to be discovered with its beaches, hills and its biodiversity. The coast lines of Sri Lanka offer the traveler various option right from scuba diving and snorkeling to dolphin and whale watching. A popular destination there is the Hikkadua beach resort, famous for its coral and sub-tropical fish. It also provides facilities for scuba diving and surfing. The foodies on the other hand can head towards the Negombo beach, a fishing town North of Colombo offering sea food in plenty. Another popular holiday spot is Galle an important Southern town. Its natural harbour was a famous fort in days gone by. Galle is also famous for its Dutch Fort, lace-making, ebony carving and gem polishing. As a neighboring country, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer Indian tourists!

All these destinations are easily accessible through expedia.co.in which also provides excellent activity and hotel deals in these destinations.

For more information on Expedia.co.in, please visit http://www.expedia.co.in

About Expedia, Inc.

Expedia, Inc. is the world’s leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia, Inc. also provides wholesale travel to offline retail travel agents and in-destination concierge service and activity desks for travelers. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com®, hotels.com®, Hotwire®, Expedia® Corporate Travel, TripAdvisor®, Expedia Local Expert™, Classic Vacations® and eLong™. Expedia, Inc.’s companies operate more than 50 global points of sale with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ (NASDAQ: EXPE).

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