4 Reasons why you should travel to France

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It should come as no surprise that France is the most popular tourist destination. With 89 million tourists each year, France is far ahead of Spain, which comes in second with 82 million visitors per year. With 78 million people, the United States takes third place. Despite a tough few years, these figures indicate that France is once again the world's top vacation destination.

Almost every traveler wishes to visit Paris. It is recognized as the world's most romantic city, and it is home to some of the world's most iconic attractions, which are usually included in travel publications, films, and other works of art. So, what is it about France that draws visitors from all over the world?

#1. Paris – The City of Light

The city of Paris is a big lure for international visitors, attracting more than 30 million each year, more than any other city in the world. The city's romantic image, gorgeous architecture, the Louver museum, the renowned Eiffel Tower, and the simple pleasure of sitting on a café terrace and watching the world go by are reasons to visit.

Paris is also the home of Ligue 1 giant's Paris Saint Germain, one of the world's biggest footballing sides currently employing players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar. Football lovers can get the latest news on PSG before they visit The Parc des Princes, the 48,000-seater stadium where PSG hosts its home matches.

Not to mention Disneyland, which is a must-see for international travelers. The theme park, located just east of the French capital, attracts over 15 million people each year, making it Europe's most popular tourist destination.

#2. Stunning Landscapes

France can compete with almost any other country on the earth when it comes to natural beauty. With the dazzling coasts of the French Riviera, the patchwork meadows of the Loire Valley, the snow-capped Alps, and centuries-old harbor towns of Normandy, France's scenery is as varied as it is beautiful. This is, of course, quite tempting to outdoor enthusiasts. Rather than having to choose between mountains and beaches, France has both, plus a lot more. This provides you more bang for your buck and enhances the pleasure of your stay.

#3. History everywhere

France is a country rich in history. France's history is carved onto every street corner, having witnessed numerous emperors and republics come and fall and some bloody uprisings. Visit the Loire Valley to view and explore various castles hidden behind immaculately groomed gardens. Visit the Dordogne region to experience an extraordinary copy of Lascaux's prehistoric cave paintings, or plan to see the Font-de-Gaume. Alternatively, spend a day or two at one of France's charming ancient towns and villages, such as Provins, south of Paris, or Bayeux, Normandy.

#4. The unmistakable French cuisine

Everyone acknowledges that French food is among the greatest on the planet. Did you know that each area of France has its unique specialty? As you journey around France, we're sure you'll discover delicacies you never knew existed. Dishes include confit de canard, rillettes, beef Bourguignon, and more. Prepare to enjoy plenty of fresh bread and spicy cheese, all washed down with a fine Bordeaux.

Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay arrives in the vibrant beach city of Pondicherry

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Radisson Hotel Group has today announced the opening of Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay in the coastal fishing village of Arikamedu in Pondicherry. ­­Uniquely situated between a lagoon and the Bay of Bengal, the hotel looks to welcome business, leisure, and MICE travelers to enjoy safe and memorable stays. This opening makes Radisson the first international hotel brand to operate in the union territory of Pondicherry – which is increasingly becoming a staple on the list of Indian travelers.

Spread over 20,000 sqm, the serene resort amalgamates modern design and comfort with rustic surroundings for delivering an immersive experience to its guests. Pondicherry’s beautiful colonial architecture is reflected through the resort’s design, with interiors inspired by the rich French and Tamil architecture and the use of locally sourced materials like the classic Athangudi floor tiles from Chettinad. It also houses a 260 sqm hydro-therapy saltwater Moroccan pool with a jacuzzi, called Salt Splash.

“2021 was a milestone year for us at Radisson Hotel Group as we successfully opened our 100th hotel in India. With the onset of 2022, we continue our ambitious five-year expansion plan as we add Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay to our portfolio. This hotel is part of our vision to make premium hospitality accessible in every part of our vibrant country, especially in the tier-II and III markets. We look forward to strengthening our footprint in India by introducing hotels and resorts that offer an elevated guest experience with a significant focus on design and architecture,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay is conveniently located within a 20-minute drive from Pondicherry’s train and bus stations. Pondicherry’s domestic airport is 11 kilometers away and is a 30-minute drive from the hotel while the Chennai International Airport is located at 150 kilometers. Located close to the city center, guests have a myriad of attractions at arm’s length such as the famous Arikamedu archaeological site – which dates back over two thousand years, Promenade Beach and the French War Memorial. The resort also offers breathtaking views of Eden Beach, one of only 10 Indian beaches to get the coveted Blue Flag status for its pristine environment.

Pool Villa


The resort features chalets and private villas across five categories, including chalet with balcony - garden view, chalet with balcony - lagoon view, chalet with verandah – garden view, chalet with verandah – lagoon view and villa with private pool. Boasting of Franco-Tamil architecture, the spacious rooms reflect the classic style of Pondicherry, with wide balconies and verandas decorated in rich, earthy colors. The luxurious chalets and private villas either overlook gardens filled with local verdant flowers or the mesmerizing lagoon.

“It gives us great pleasure to partner with Radisson Hotel Group. We are certain that the Group’s international repute will help us draw and cater to domestic and international travelers alike. Nestled in the quaint coastal fishing village of Arikamedu, the resort creates the perfect symphony by fusing old-world European charm with local flavors. We anticipate this being even more relevant now as travelers are actively scouting for offbeat locations to rewind and rejuvenate, with a focus on wellness. We look forward to working together with the Group and setting new hospitality benchmarks in the union territory of Pondicherry,” said Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts.

With over 6,000 sqm of indoor and outdoor event space, Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay is the city’s most sophisticated setting for banquet functions, offsite business meetings and conferences, premier launches, executive retreats, grand weddings, and celebratory events. The resort offers two indoor venues - Bay View banquet hall and Boulevard that can host up to 350 pax and two outdoor venues – La Boulevard Lawn and Sands, which can host up to 650 pax. Wedding guests can benefit from the expertise of a dedicated wedding planner to make for a memorable day, while business guests can choose from a variety of meeting packages to host conferences and meetings in picturesque settings.

The resort includes two on-site restaurants that offer a variety of local and international F&B offerings. The Bay Bistro offers stylish décor and an array of dishes that bring together the French and Indian cuisines. The Great Kebab Factory specializes in North-West Indian dishes, including kebabs and special types of Indian breads. Additionally, Arikamedu Lounge serves freshly baked pizzas made in wood-fired oven designed by an Italian artisan from Auroville.

The resort is also well equipped with modern amenities like a 24-hour fitness center and a 92 sqm outdoor pool for kids. Another distinctive feature of the resort is its full-service Bodhi spa. This environment-friendly spa offers luxury product lines, especially formulated essential oils, organic apparel treated with herbs during the yarn stage and an exquisite selection of treatments.

Alexander Vajaravel, General Manager, Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay said, “We are excited to welcome guests to Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay. With Franco-Tamil influenced architecture, modern amenities and infrastructure, as well as a taste of local culture, the resort makes the perfect destination for leisure and business travelers looking for rejuvenating experiences and unmatched hospitality services.”

With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out.

DepEd strengthens Homeschooling Program implementation, regulation

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has strengthened its Homeschooling Program as an Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) through the issuance of DepEd Order No. 001, series of 2022.

Introduced in 1997, the Homeschooling Program is designed as one of the ADMs offered by any public or private school as a response to the needs of learners who are unable to attend formal school due to medical conditions or family circumstances.

"Aside from our current interventions, we have strengthened our Homeschooling Program to ensure our learners have choices in attaining quality education," Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

"This will help our learners who need more regular parental support and supervision, especially in our current public health situation," she added.

In DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2022, the Department has updated its guidelines, standards, and implementation procedures for the said program, which offers families options in deciding on and addressing their children’s access issues.

The revised policy indicates that if the country remains in a state of emergency, the focus of the instruction shall be on the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). If the MELCs are no longer used in subsequent school years, the K to 12 Curriculum will be implemented for the program.

The said Order also highlights that parents or guardians are responsible for monitoring their children's work and progress and shall be the primary agents of the teacher-learning process, including its design and execution.

Meanwhile, school heads are instructed to assign a Homeschool Coordinator who will be in charge of enrolling learners, monitoring their progress, and providing support to parents or guardians during the implementation.

Homeschool learners should also be provided with textbooks and modules in print or digital format, as well as a conducive learning space at home and a learning plan that indicates the learning area, learning competencies, and learning tasks.

To identify their academic level, strengths and weaknesses, and knowledge learned throughout the year, all learners enrolled in the program shall take the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and the National Achievement Test (NAT).



The Homeschool Program may be offered by both public and private schools as an Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM). Private schools are required to obtain a Permit to Offer the program while public schools should obtain the authorization of the Regional Officer.