Dekho Apna Desh
Dil se! Pyaar se! Samman se!
Assam, one of the seven sisters in India’s northeast, is a land blessed with unparalleled beauty and a rich heritage. With a glorious history dating back to ancient times, Assam beckons every one of us to experience its magical world — known for its lush tea gardens, calm and gentle rivers, and vibrant culture.
Flowing through the heart of this state is the mighty Brahmaputra River, which adds a unique dimension to its distinctive culture. Assam’s landscape is a fascinating blend of hills, plateaus, and forests. The state is home to the famous Kaziranga National Park, known for the one-horned rhinoceros and many other wildlife species.
Assam is world-renowned for its tea production. A visit to its tea estates gives you a glimpse of the ancient techniques of tea-making. The Majuli islands, the world’s largest river island, are another highlight of the state. The people of Majuli are known for their unique culture and traditional Assamese art forms. It is also a haven for birdwatchers due to the many bird species found there.
But Assam is not just about nature — it is also a land deeply rooted in traditions, festivals, and celebrations. A colorful blend of cultures and customs, the state is famous for festivals like Bihu (celebrated thrice a year) and Durga Puja. Its monasteries offer a distinct spiritual experience, and historical landmarks like the Kamakhya Temple add to its charm.
Every corner of Assam holds a story waiting to be told and heard. So, what is it about Assam that will capture your heart — its natural beauty, its culture, or something else?
When are you planning to visit Assam?
Oh! I didn’t know this…
The Garden Route is a popular tourist destination in South Africa, known for its breathtaking coastal beauty, diverse wildlife, and charming towns. It stretches for 124 miles between Mossel Bay and the Storms River in the Western Cape. This region lies at the southern tip of Africa, known as Cape Agulhas.
Most people mistakenly believe that Cape Point is the southernmost point of Africa, but in reality, it's Cape Agulhas, located just outside the Garden Route region. This is where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Unlike the often-crowded Cape Point, Cape Agulhas offers a peaceful experience due to fewer visitors.
One of the fascinating natural features here is the Knysna Heads — two massive sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. The lagoon itself is unique, as it's one of the very few tidal lagoons in the world. However, geologists still debate exactly how it was formed.
The Tsitsikamma National Park, part of the Garden Route, is known for its dense forests. It houses one of South Africa’s oldest and longest suspension bridges, still in use today — the Storms River Mouth Bridge, which has stood strong for over 50 years. From this bridge, you can enjoy stunning views of the rugged coastline and the Storms River mouth.
While the Garden Route is renowned for its natural beauty, it also has a rich cultural history. The area was once inhabited by the Khoi and San people. In more recent times, vibrant communities influenced by both European and African cultures have flourished here.
Many tourists visit the pristine beaches in this region, but the Garden Route also hides secret caves and waterfalls. Near Oudtshoorn, you’ll find the famous Cango Caves, one of the largest cave systems in the world. Deep within the dense forests are secluded spots, such as the Map of Africa Waterfall in Wilderness, a hidden gem known to very few.
The Garden Route offers a unique way to witness South Africa’s natural outline in all its glory. So, if you too wish to explore this wondrous land full of nature’s marvels, come along with us to South Africa!
Veena World Travel Mission
100 Country Club
A Journey That Enriches
I’m Vasanti Chougule, and I’ve been travelling with Veena World right from the beginning. I’ve done around 7–8 tours within India. Earlier, I used to book from their Kandivali or Borivali office, but now I make my bookings from the Goregaon office, which is closer to my home. So far, I’ve done tours to places like Sikkim-Darjeeling, Leh-Ladakh, Rajasthan, and Kerala.
My only international tour so far has been to Europe. In 2018, I joined the Women’s Special Europe Tour — it was a 9-day tour. I generally prefer Women’s Special tours because I really like that category. These tours teach you independence. We truly enjoy the freedom we get. And because there are no men, we feel even more carefree. These tours let us flutter around like butterflies.
There’s no age barrier — a 25-year-old girl can dance alongside a 70-year-old woman. I myself am 67, but you never feel alone on these trips. We usually have a fun group of 15–20 women. I especially appreciate their tour managers — they are very cooperative. Every woman is different, with her own personality, but they make sure no one feels left out. We feel safer travelling with Veena World. Plus, there’s time for shopping, and we get to live life to the fullest.
Speaking of tours I really enjoyed — we once went to see the Kerala backwaters. The location was absolutely lovely, and we had a great group, which made the tour memorable. Also, in 2019, we went to Ladakh. That year, for the first time ever, a flag hoisting ceremony was held there. We got to witness traditional dance performances and cultural events. Coincidentally, it was Raksha Bandhan that day. All of us women tied rakhis to the soldiers stationed in Ladakh. Veena World had given us a small gift to present to them as well. It was an incredibly emotional moment for all of us. Even today, on every Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan, those memories come rushing back.
I love travelling because I enjoy meeting new people. Travelling helps us grow and mature. We gain new perspectives. When you visit different countries, their cleanliness, discipline, and climate offer unique experiences. You also get to try local cuisine. This May, I’m going to Vietnam with a friend I met on one of my earlier tours. We even post our upcoming tour plans on our WhatsApp group, and whoever’s interested and available, joins in.
Around December or January, I plan to take a tour to Dubai, and when possible, I’d love to see Japan during cherry blossom season.
Veena World has taught me — and so many others like me — how to travel solo and how to live fully. For that, I am truly grateful.
- Vasanti Chougule, Goregaon, Mumbai
Private Holiday Ideas
Summer Holidays in Switzerland
Switzerland is a year-round destination, as every season offers a variety of different activities to experience. In summer, Switzerland feels like heaven! It offers a unique mix of nature, outdoor activities, and retreats for your perfect holiday.
Mountain Excursions & Activities:
- Take a train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.
- Experience the world’s highest rail toboggan ride and Alpine coaster at Glacier 3000.
- Get the best views of the Matterhorn aboard the Gornergrat train.
- Ride the rotating cable car on Mount Titlis and feel the thrill of walking on Europe’s highest suspension bridge.
- Reach Mount Pilatus via the world’s steepest cogwheel train and enjoy panoramic views from the top.
- If you love adventure, try skydiving or paragliding in Interlaken and witness the beauty of glacial lakes and snow-covered peaks.
- Football fans must visit the FIFA Museum in Zurich.
- Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Geneva and visit the medieval Château de Chillon.
- Go kayaking or paddle boating on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Visit the Rhine Falls—Europe’s largest waterfall—by boat.
- Relax in luxurious thermal baths at places like Leukerbad and Bad Ragaz.
Stay & Food:
- Stay in a 360° glass igloo at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Valais region, offering stunning views of the Rhône Valley.
- Stay at Villa Honegg near Lake Lucerne, where you can enjoy mountain and lake views from a heated infinity pool.
- Experience luxury stays at The Chedi Andermatt, Badrutt’s Palace, and Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel.
- Dine at the Piz Gloria 360° restaurant atop Schilthorn, which featured in a James Bond movie.
- Visit Swiss chocolate factories like Maison Cailler and Lindt Home of Chocolate, and create your own chocolate.
- Visit traditional Swiss cheese dairies in Gruyères or Engelberg.
- Savor traditional Swiss fondue at Château de Gruyères.
- Stroll through the UNESCO heritage site of Lavaux Vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting session.
Trains & Swiss Pass:
- With a Swiss Travel Pass, enjoy unlimited travel across trains, buses, and boats.
- Get free rides on scenic trains like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Golden Pass Line.
- Enjoy free entry to over 400 museums, and more than 50% discounts on many mountain trains and cable cars.
- With the Swiss Family Pass, up to 2 children under 16 travel free.
Let’s beat the summer heat like never before—with your very own private Switzerland holiday!
La Tomatina – Spain
Held every year on the last Wednesday of August in Buñol, Spain, the La Tomatina Festival is world-famous as the largest food fight on the planet. Known for its grand scale and fun-filled tomato fights, La Tomatina attracts thousands of people from across the globe who gather on the streets of Buñol to throw over 100 tons of ripe tomatoes at each other.
You’ll witness countless people completely drenched in tomato pulp from head to toe! This unique festival has a rich history—what began in 1945 when a group of young people started a playful food fight during a local parade has now turned into a globally recognized event.
What started as a local tradition has now evolved into an international festival, attracting over 20,000 participants from around the world each year. After it was featured in the Bollywood film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara post-2010, many Indian travellers have also started adding La Tomatina to their Spain bucket list.
If you too want to create unforgettable memories of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, join us in Spain this August!
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