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    Ask the travel expert: Tourists can carry Indian currency in Bhutan, except Rs 2000 note

    Synopsis

    Don't forget to take a Government ID proof, preferably Passport or a Voter's ID, to enter Bhutan.

    statute of the Buddha Dordenma in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park in ThimphuAgencies
    Statute of the Buddha Dordenma in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park in Thimphu
    By Rakshit Desai

    We have made bookings for a trip to Bhutan. Please brief on the weather, costs of Vegetarian food, visa formalities at the Paro Airport, the exchange rate and feasibility of Indian Rupees etc. Also, any precautions that should be taken into consideration for senior citizen travelers.
    The weather during these dates will be mostly pleasant with clear, bright & sunny skies and a temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius. Vegetarian food is usually available at a few specialty restaurants with prices starting from INR 700 per meal per person. You must carry a Government ID proof, preferably Passport or a Voter's ID to enter Bhutan. As Indian travellers you can use Indian rupees in Bhutan except for the new 2000 rupee note which is not accepted, so get change! Bhutan is an exquisite country filled with natural landscapes and is popular for activities such as trekking. Although there are no specific precautions for senior citizens, the journeys within the cities and for sightseeings could get tedious for the elderly, hence I would advise you to research before planning a trip to Bhutan.

    TRAVEL TIP: Keep a scan copy of your passport, identification card, and travel itinerary and email them to yourself. This provides an extra copy of each in the event of loss or theft.

    Is it difficult to adjust to right-hand drive for travelers who have planned a self-drive holiday in Europe?
    To witness great holiday experiences, self-driving through Europe, especially through the countryside, is at the top of the list. Although, right-hand drive requires a little bit of practice to get used to, don't worry you will be able to pick it up soon. Car rental companies easily rent out a vehicle if you are carrying a valid Indian driving license (in English) and a credit card. Of course, getting an automatic car would be helpful as you have one less thing to worry about. Try reading up on road signs, traffic laws, driving rules and regulations of the country before starting the journey as you don't want to get fined on your first drive in the country! Most importantly, enjoy the drive!


    Please suggest which destination would be an ideal option to plan for a 3-night budget incentive for an in-house staff trip?
    Considering travellers have specific requirements regarding budget and require assurance with a great experience with great value for money, I advise you to travel to locations popular for their culture such as Dubai, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Apart from these, you could also explore locations, that offer a variety of activities and experiences such as Hua Hin, Chang Mai, Cebu, Vietnam, Cambodia in the Far East, Amman and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East. A quick three-nighter can be well planned for locations such as Baku, Almaty and Athens. Istanbul and Sofia can also be explored within a stipulated budget if planned in advance.

    Rakshit Desai, Managing Director, FCM Travel Solutions India, Flight Centre Travel Group Australia's Indian subsidiary, answers your questions on Travel — howtos, trends, recommendations and more. Send in your questions to: askrakshit@in.fcm.travel

    Flight Centre Travel Group, headquartered in Australia, is one of the world’s largest travel management companies. In India, the group operates an extensive portfolio of corporate and retail travel brands including FCM Travel Solutions and Corporate Traveller (corporate travel management),Travel Tours (leisure travel), FCM MICE (incentive travel and events) Travel Money India (foreign exchange), FCM InComing (inbound travel) and Travel Air Representations (travel wholesalers).


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