Kerala – the gem of south India – is blessed with the best of rivers and waterways that offer you panoramic backwater tourism amidst lush green paddy fields, highlands and beaches. Of all the Kerala Backwater cruises during south India tour packages, Kumarakom backwater tour is simply unmatched. Slumbering on the banks of famous Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom offers vibrant contrasts of awe-inspiring greens and deep blues.
This major backwater stretch in Kottayam district lies 16 km from Kottayam town and 75 km from Cochin. For local population of the region, Kumarakom backwaters provide a cheap and economical mode of transport. Moreover, the Vembanad Lake is an ideal place for adventure freaks that can indulge in boating, fishing and sight seeing. If you are a bird lover, you can easily spot terns, gulls, herons, lapwings, kingfishers, stilts and brahminy kites here.
Kerala backwaters are simply incomparable as they offer you a unique opportunity to spend your vacations on waters in luxurious houseboats. Apart from that, these waterways come alive during Onam when thousands of tourists gather here to enjoy spectacular water regatta – the snake boat races. While exploring the nearby village areas and having a closer look at the lifestyle of people, you can also spot vegetation that includes mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields.
Alongside the backwaters in Kumarakom, you will find several health and spa centres that offer Ayurvedic massage for rejuvenation of your mind body and soul. During your relaxing vacations at Kumarakom, you can also go for fishing or bird watching.
By: Manish Caper
Archive for February, 2010
Kumarakom Backwater Tour in South India
February 27th, 2010Darjeeling Tour – Cream of the Crop in North East India
February 27th, 2010
“Divine nature has blessed all the places on this earth. Beauty should lie in your eyes to admire some place or the other.”
Planning for your honeymoon, or a relaxing family trip, or even a freak out vacation with friends – choose a north east India tour package, and visit Darjeeling. This fascinating place is best known for Buddhist monasteries, tea plantations, ride on the chairlift, shopping in the colourful markets and trekking to high altitude spots. Popular as one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world, Darjeeling also has a unique feature of toy train, which takes you from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling through scenic valleys.
Prominent Attractions
The word ‘Darjeeling’ is derived from Tibetian word ‘Dorje’ which means ‘a precious stone or ecclesiastical scepter’ (which is emblematic of the thunderbolt of Indra), and ‘ling’ means ‘a place’. Therefore, Darjeeling literally means the land of the thunderbolt.
War Memorial
Constructed in the memory of brave soldiers who died in wars, War Memorial is worth a visit. It also offers picturesque views of snowy peaks in the backdrop.
Lloyds Botanical Garden
Serving as a family picnic spot, this colourful garden is located below the Market Motor Stand. Various Himalayan plants, flowers, orchids etc. can be spotted here.
The Shrubbery
Located on the Jawahar Parbat behind Raj Bhawan, the Shrubbery is also a beautiful garden offering magnificent views of Kanchenjunga Range and Singla Valley.
Happy Valley Tea Estate
Darjeeling and the nearby areas comprise of about 70 tea gardens, out of which Happy Valley is the nearest (3 km). One can also see the processing of the world famous Darjeeling tea here.
Moreover, all the native people in Darjeeling are addicted to festivities. They celebrate Lepcha/Bhutia New Year’s Day (1st week of January), Losar Tibetan New Year’s Day (February) and Durga Puja/Dussehra with full vigor and enthusiasm.
If you are more inclined towards sightseeing, March to May and September to November is considered the best season to plan a trip to Darjeeling. Tourists also love to get photographed with the snow-clad peaks of Himalayas in backdrop while wearing local attires.
By: Sanjog KR
I Love Italian Travel – December Attractions of Northern Italy, Part 3
February 26th, 2010
So you are thinking of visiting northern Italy in December, but you’re not sure what to see and what to do. Don’t despair; there are lots and lots of special events that simply aren’t available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; December is almost upon us. We start our virtual tour in the Emilia-Romagna on the eastern coast, the Gulf of Venice, and then go east to Liguria, the Italian Riviera. There are so many things to see and do in northern Italy in December that this is the last of three articles.
There are scads of Christmas markets in Emilia-Romagna during the month of December. Check the dates carefully. Given the region’s reputation, don’t be surprised that many of this Christmas markets focus on gastronomy as well as handicrafts. As an added attraction, many of these Christmas markets are held in mountain huts.
Bologna’s basilica consists of several interconnected churches. The oldest existing building is the Santi Vitale e Agricola which contains a Fourteenth Century Nativity Scene. The seaside city of Cesenatico hosts a very unusual floating nativity scene in the harbor designed by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci. Make sure to see it at night.
Bologna traditionally celebrates New Year’s Eve with the Fiera del Bue Grasso (fat ox fair) in which an ox is decorated with flowers and ribbons from its horns to its tail. Church bells peal, people light candles, and enjoy the fireworks. The celebration ends with a lottery whose winner gets to keep the ox. The seaside city of Rimini holds a huge New Year’s Eve festival in Piazzale Fellini. There’s music, dancing, and entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display but ox lovers will have to go to Bologna.
Liguria on the Italian Riviera is a major tourist destination for much of the year. Not surprisingly, it is fairly quiet during the winter months. There are, however, some activities to enjoy even during the winter. For example, the San Remo Yacht Club holds winter championship regattas on many November, December, and January weekends.
As everywhere else in Italy, Christmas is a very important time for most Ligurians. Ligurian villages and towns that offer living nativity scenes include Calizzano, Diano Arentino, and Roccavignale. Ligura’s capital and major city, Genoa, is home to NATALIDEA-IDEANEVE for about a week in mid-December. This is a major Christmas market fair and you’ll find a wide variety of handicrafts, food, wine, and many other items for sale.
By: Levi Reiss
