Want a filmi phoren holiday?

You suddenly wake up shaken and sweaty not because you saw the wall clock and it was already seven and the thought of your boss (wearing an imaginary boxing glove) ready to take a shot at you made you shiver, but because you saw the calendar and the freaking page still reflected the scorching and blistering month of MAY. Tsk tsk...!

Now before the ‘Rain God’ can help you let Bollywood come to your rescue. Take your pick from the following filmi phoren destinations and go far far away from the sweltering Indian summer heat…


Phoren getaway: Switzerland

Famous movies shot here: Bachna Ae Haseeno, Chandni, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Dhadkan

If you ever wanted to sing on the top of your voice while enjoying an alpine coaster ride… if you secretly wished to make your friends - who’re lugging it out in the local train from station to station - jealous by sipping on hot coffee in a cable car while you were going past snow-capped mountains, you have to go to Switzerland!

When the militants took over the Kashmir valley, Bollywood was flummoxed. But thanks to Yash Chopra we found an equally beautiful replacement in no time – Switzerland. In fact, there won’t be one Indian tourist who wouldn’t have visited Chopra Lake (as it is referred to in tourist jargon), a lake that has made many appearances in films directed or produced by him.

Phoren getaway: New York

Famous movies shot here: Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and New York...

Remember how Shah Rukh Khan secretly tried to woo ‘Preity’ woman on the streets of New York in Kal Ho..? Or how Mr King Khan sang love ballads with Rani Mukerji amidst an enchanting snow fall in KANK?

Well if you think that SRK will romance you also if you go to NY then high hopes dahlings. But since NY is filled with hunk-ies and cuties you may get your own version of Bollywood Baadshah!

Phoren getaway: New Zealand

Famous movies shot here: Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai

Believe it or not it was Rakesh Roshan who discovered the vastness of the kiwi land before Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings fame) did. Of course you cannot compare the two movies where one gets his leads to dance and prance around the trees, and the other has the trees walk and talk themselves! But whatever it is Kaho Naa… is and will remain one of the best romantic movies of all time.

So if you want to have a snowball fight in the middle of summer and yearn to get naughty and nice with your partner against the immense landscapes of pristine white snow book your tickets to New Zealand, now!

Phoren getaway: Europe

Famous movies shot here: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Hum Tum

Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, London and many more cities of Europe offer a wonderful mixture of both modern and traditional way of life. From high-end cars to bicycles, quaint cafes to elite restaurants, heritage houses to modern buildings… the choice is yours.

Whether you arrive via cruise ship, train, plane or car, these cities are bursting with ways for you to enjoy nature. And never mind if you don’t have a partner to get cozy with… your ‘Andekha Anjana’ is waiting for you to sweep you off your feet!

Phoren getaway: South Africa

Famous movies shot here: Race and Cash

Ok, so by the look of it (read: the above-mentioned movies), it doesn’t exactly seem like the most romantic place on earth. But if you’re all about fast cars, game reserves, mountain resorts, desert safaris, grand casinos and everything that is ‘Madagascar’ wild and as thrilling as these movies then there is no better place to go this summer than South Africa.

You never know, you’ll strike ‘diamond’ by finding your own billionaire, like Saif Ali Khan…

Which is your favorite filmi phoren location? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Think out of the Xbox

New Delhi, May 6 -- For a lot of today's children, adventure is what Tom Sawyer did in a book written in 1876. Most students in Delhi today are busy studying for exams or downloading music for their iPods. Oh, and when they get bored, they also poke each other on Facebook.

But, don't worry; the summer vacation can change all of that. Delhi has some great options- from new-age activities such as Zorbing to the tried and tested hitchhiking - for students who want their routines to 'go, take a walk' this summer.

Zorbing and paintball Zorbing is a fun-filled adventure sport, involving a ball made of transparent plastic. The ball - 16 feet in diameter - has a thick air cushion that protects a smaller ball inside.

You are placed inside the smaller ball, safety belts helping you stay upright, and the ball is rolled down a slope. You spin around in a virtual anti-gravity form of weightlessness like a space traveller.

As you tumble head over heels inside the ball, the build up of centrifugal force keeps you pressed hard against the plastic wall, so you go with the flow and enjoy the view outside. Perfect if a 'revolution' is what you wanted to start.

"I was nervous when I was inside the ball for the first time. But as soon as they rolled down the ball, it was great fun," said six-year-old Arushi Srivastava. "Children are tired of those old sports.

Zorbing, which is new to India, excites children a lot. The game is absolutely safe and reliable. Our team is always around to support children in case they need help," said Major S.K. Yadav, managing director, Wanderlust Travels.

Wanderlust also offers a unique game that involves small guns firing "bullets" filled with colour. The game involves a face off between two teams with 5 players each. A flag is placed on ground and the teams have to fight to win that flag.

The game involves hiding behind trees and running across the ground to win the flag. "My kids really enjoyed the game and want to do it again this year," said Kanchar Naib, whose 10-year-old daughter went for the camp last year.

Where: Wanderlust Travels (Near Damdama Lake, Sohna Road, Gurgaon)
When: April 3 to June 30
Age group: 7 to 18
Charges: Rs 550 for a day, Rs 1,400 for an overnight stint
Call: 9811043497

Mountain-top star gazing

Are you an astronomy buff and love gazing at the night sky, the stars and the galaxies? We're sure your starry pursuit is usually hampered by the city's light pollution. You can overcome this problem by joining an Astro Camp in the Himalayas this summer.

The camp will allow you to combine adventure with astronomy. At Astro camp, you will also learn the practical uses of telescopes, hydro rockets, and other cool stuff. "I hated science earlier, but learning astronomy as part of an adventure camp changed my attitude to science," said 10-year-old, Anirudh Sahni.

The camp also allows you to perform physical activities such as rock climbing, rappelling, treasure hunts and slying fox. "Children have always been curious about the stars and the galaxies, but they can hardly get to see them in the city," said Anurag Mehra, Director, Zice Holidays, which organises astro camps.

Where: Camp Redstone, Near Dehradun
When: May 15 to July 5
Age group: 12 to 15
Charges: Between Rs 6500 and Rs 12000 (depending on the content of the course that includes several activities)
Call: Zice Holidays 9911039423

Hike in the Himalayas

If you love nature, you can opt for an eco-walk in the dense, mysterious forests of Kumaon. It will not only help you enhance your understanding of the diverse flora and fauna, but will also help you learn more about environment preservation. The eco-walk will take you past rough hills, gurgling river, lakes and streams.

"Our camp helps children explore nature. It ultimately enhances a child's confidence and curiosity and makes him fall in love with nature," said Manasi Goyal, Director, Mystic Routes.

Where: Mystic routes (Kumaon Himalayas)
When: June 4 to June 29
Age Group: 8 to 17
Charges: Rs 18,000 for a full package (includes other activities also)
Call: 9999983767

Flying high in the sky If you want to fly but not in an aeroplane, go parasailing this summer. You will be hitched to a parachute, called parasail, and set aloft in the air. The parasail is attached to a long towrope pulled along by a speeding car or a jeep.

When the speed exceeds the stalling speed, the parasail rises, hoisting the pilot up in the air. Parasailing is an experiential flight which will thrill you no end. And it's quite safe too.

Where: Zice Holidays, Camp Redstone
When: May 15to July 5
Charges: Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per child (depending on the content of the course)
Age Group: 12 to 15
Contact: 9911039423

Source: Yahoo! India News
Source Link: http://in.news.yahoo.com/32/20100506/1053/tnl-think-out-of-the-xbox_1.html