Vacationing without a visa

Holidays nowadays are a lot different from holidays that used to be and given a long run of vacation days, our plans tend to become bolder. Many families, now opt to spend their vacations abroad, rather than going back to their hometowns, as was the old norm. It is a way to de-stress themselves and taste a different environment. 

As easy as it is to want to go places, equally difficult is the red tape involved with international travel. The allure of relaxing at a beautiful and exotic destination is matched by the recoil felt for the hassles of visa processing. The little hassles here and there for visa seem to be unavoidable and a Bangladeshi passport tends to make things a little more, "adventurous".  

Many countries offer on-arrival visas, and considerably long stay allowance, to help boost their tourism sector. Among them is our mountainous neighbour Nepal. Hike through its craggy mountains or cycle on its gentle slopes, visit the historical temples and strut down its monasteries. 

Visit one of the friendliest countries in the world to taste popular hoppers and kottu rotty, and surf in the Arugam Bay, in Sri Lanka! 

Visit the monastery that hangs on a cliff surrounded by enchanting forests - Tigers Nest Monastery - in Bhutan, which is one of the greenest countries in the world, and tops the happiness index. Also, do not miss the country's most beautiful Dzong, Punakha Dzong. 

If that is not enough, the number of breathtaking destinations Indonesia has is uncountable, and if you are feeling brave, visit Mount Bromo to take a live peek at what a natural active volcano looks like, or take a dive into the Bunaken, Indonesia's most famous diving site. All these countries are easily accessible, as they provide on-arrival visas for Bangladeshi passport holders. 

Also, cost of travel plays a major part, so here is a tentative list, to help you plan. 

A three-night-and-four-day trip to Bali, Indonesia would cost around Tk30000-69000; about Tk30000-50000 for Nepal, around Tk32000 for Bhutan and approximately Tk70000 for Sri Lanka - depending on the type of accommodation you pick. 

Travel agencies such as Travel Cook Ltd and Jaas Travels Pvt would provide you with similar packages and deals or ones similar to it. 

Travel Cool Limited, 53 Karwan Bazar C/A, Suite 3B (2nd Floor), Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh. Tel: +88-02-8122220, 8189181, 8142512, 06662612259. Hot Line: 01198218607, 01198218609, Fax +88-02-8142512. Email: info@travelcookbd.com, travelcookltd@gmail.com, travelcook05@yahoo.com www.travelcookbd.com

Jaas Travel Corporation Ltd., Plot #01, Road #17, Flat #A5, United Benison (5th floor), Banani C/A, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh. Phone: +880-2-9822351, +880-2-9822352, +880-2-9821932. Web: www.jttholidays.com

Happy vacationing!

By Anisha Hassan