Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by people in conical hats. It is a land where landscapes are bolder, colours are brighter, tastes are more heavenly and history is more compelling. This Asian dragon that is finally waking up from its slumber is mostly known for its stunning forest lands, beaches and the riverine terrains. While in Vietnam, expect the unexpected, be ready for an adventure as much as a holiday. Yes, Vietnam is a true treasure-cove. Doesn’t this make for an ideal choice for travellers?

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar… yes, we are talking about the country that houses Africa’s most alluring destinations – Tanzania. Within hours, one can go from lazing on idyllic beaches to exploring moss-covered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states; from climbing misty slopes in the Southern Highlands to trekking the barren landscapes around Ol Doinyo Lengai. This nation offers travellers a cultural medley in which over 100 ethnic groups harmoniously rub shoulders. Yet, Tanzania has managed to remain low-key and enviably untouched by the tribal rivalries and political upheavals that riddle many of its neighbours. The unique charm of this country will make you want to come back for more, to which most Tanzanians will say ‘karibu tena’ (welcome again).

Perhaps none of the other Australian capitals has changed so much in recent decades as Perth, capital of Western Australia. Perth is Australia's most isolated city, almost 4000km from Sydney by road, and in a different time zone (Western Standard Time, two hours behind the east coast). Western Australia's modern hub of Perth has a reputation for endless sunshine and an easy-going lifestyle. After work, it's usual for people to go surfing, sailing, swimming or fire up a barbie somewhere on the shores of the Swan River. On weekends, people head for the hills or wineries, or hit the beaches.

Caught between the Carpathians and the Danube, with both Austria and Hungary tantalizingly close, Bratislava has two distinct sides to it. The old town or staré mesto is a manageable and attractive, pedestrianised quarter lined with renovated baroque palaces. The new city or nové mesto is a blend of interwar tenements and post-war high-rises. This is the place where an age-old castle shares the skyline with an UFO-like bridge. Also known as Pressburg to the German-speaking world and as Pozsony to the Hungarians, Bratislava is a city of cultural and historical as well as delectable wine and cuisine. With its numerous cafes and cobble stoned streets and with none of the sightseeing crowds of Prague, this city will make you want to stay longer.

Denver used to be known as the domain of cowboys and oilmen. Today it is the mile-high metropolis, a cosmopolitan mix of natural beauty and world-class hotels, entertainment and attractions. Its skyscrapers marking the final transition between the Great Plains and the American West, Denver stands at the threshold of the Rocky Mountains. Blending Old West with cosmopolitan hip spectacularly, Denver proves to be a good place to get your bearings before exploring the Colorado region. It is a city that is used to providing its own entertainment, there always seems to be something going on.

Check out the list of upcoming world festivals to make your next vacation even more exciting.

Savvy spagoers have long been aware that the spa experience goes much further than indulgent services for affluent customers. However, even with growing evidence that links health and wellness benefits to spa services. Over recent years ‘thalassotherapy’ has become quite recognised and is known for restoring balance to our bodies, strengthening psychological wellbeing and assisting in relieving various health complaints through the use of ocean water and alluvial mud. Bora Bora’s Intercontinental Thalasso Resort and Spa along with its Deep Ocean Spa has made quite a name for itself in just a few years. Inaugurated in 2006 this spa offers ultramodern facilities and services including mesmerizing views of the picturesque Bora Bora.

This time the fairs covered in this section are IT & CM, KITS and Hospital Build Asia. Take a peek to know how these fairs did in the previous years, details of exhibitors, areas of concentration and what programmes to expect.

ITB Berlin has been covered in this section this time. Read to get the detailed post show report about the numbers of exhibitors and distributors, the events and programmes that took place and the resolutions and plans undertaken for future improvements.

Take a peek at the latest happenings in the travel industry. Here are the updates on destinations, hotel, airlines, cruises and events etc.

Sofitel creates unique luxury hotels in the world’s most attractive destinations by the artful blending of its French origins with the very best of local cultures and forging a privileged bond between its staff of devoted service professionals and its cosmopolitan guests who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. The Sofitel Wanda Beijing opened in China on August 19, 2007. It provides a unique blend of French extravagance and Chinese splendour that caters for business and leisure travellers seeking the ultimate in style, culture, art and comfort.

Geo-cooling, environment friendly technology is a heating/cooling system which pumps heat to and from the ground. Ground source heat pumps harvest a combination of geothermal energy and solar energy when heating, but work against these heat sources when used for air conditioning cooling. In this regard, Travel And Tour World (TTW) had an exclusive conversation with Mr. Sanjeev Duggal, Director, Technical Support, of Geo Cooling Technology Pvt. Ltd. India, according to whom, with the soaring growth in the hospitality sector Geo Cooling Technology is planning to make a strong hold in the hotel industry (international hotel brands) in India.

Confused as to where should you be heading this Easter Season? Though, the nature of Easter celebrations may differ from one place to another, the celebratory mood and the festive spirit doesn’t. It is one of the most joyous and festive holidays in the Christian calendar as it represents a time of rebirth, new beginnings and the magic of spring. Breathing in the fresh air, spending time with your family and getting ready for that egg-hunt – it does not get any better than this. Read on to know how Easter is celebrated in the countryside of various countries and how you can make this holiday special by taking a trip to a calm village.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, MICE visitor arrivals exceeded 280,000 in Q1 of 2010, which approximately translates into a 30%-rise as compared to the corresponding period for 2009. In fact, a New York Times article cited Hong Kong as one of the unrivalled and most popular MICE destinations in Asia. The MICE industry not only strengthens Hong Kong's position as an international business and trading hub but also proves to be an important economic engine as it spurs economic growth in ancillary business sectors. Its strategic location, together with its vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle, newly added and more sophisticated infrastructure, world class hospitality and superb professional services, have contributed to make the city an ideal location for meetings, incentives, conventions, and events.

Know all about the various travel and trade fairs held all around the globe. Get the details, dates and links of organisers here.