India Travel

Travel the Beautiful Beaches of North Carolina

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:55:13 +0000

North Carolina may be most widely known for the tranquil shores of it’s picturesque beaches. The coast of North Carolina covers over three hundred miles of pristine beaches, wetlands and marshes. Needless to say, there is something for everyone on the coast of the Tarheel state. From the historic lighthouses, museums, golf courses and fishing piers – a vacation to one of North Carolina’s many beaches will be enjoyable for everyone in your family.

The Outer Banks: The Outer Banks is the 200 mile string of barrier islands that stretch from the south east corner of Virginia to roughly half the North Carolina coast. The Outer Banks are a popular vacation destination, with it’s vast beach front and temperate climate.

The Crystal Coast: The Crystal Coast stretches roughly 85 miles and extents from Cape Lookout National Seashore, it includes 56 miles of protected beaches. This location is perfect for families, diving and fishing are two of the major activities for visitors to the area. The beaches are a sandy white, and the water is a beautiful crystal blue.

New Hanover Beaches: Home to the popular Kure Beach and Cape Fear, the stretch of land known as New Hanover Beach is roughly 15 miles south of Wilmington. The population of the surrounding areas is very small. So you can expect your vacation to any of the New Hanover Beaches to be very quiet and secluded. This is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Brunswick Beaches: Located in Brunswick County – the Brunswick Beaches communities are also small and somewhat isolated. Bald Head Island is the most recognizable of the all the beaches as the 1989 hit film, Weekend at Bernie’s was filmed there. Cars aren’t allowed on Bald Head Island – and the population of the village is under two hundred people. But don’t let that keep you away. Bald Head island provides a peaceful getaway perfect for families and couples in search of a relaxing time.

If you are looking for an affordable beach vacation you should definitely include at least one of the beaches along the North Carolina coast on your list.

By: Bella H

Boutique Destinations of India

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:30:28 +0000

Boutique hotels are taking the world by storm, and there are a couple of new breeds springing up in India. The first caters to the really rich, creating a designer mirage of the Merchant-Ivory meets yogi-Vogue variety; the other is a collection of almost private homes that offer a mixture of family life and desi cooking.

Explore the luxury and grandeur of Rajasthan royalty in one of the Taj Group’s boutique palace hotels. The group manages three of the world’s most celebrated boutique hotels (of the more decadent variety) housed in palaces throughout India:

Jaipur

The hot pink city of Jaipur is not only the state capital but the retail capital, where designers such as Isabelle Fraysse and Celia Forner Venturi get their jewellery and accessories manufactured. This is the city for gemstones, abounding with skeins of rough-cut emeralds and rubies.

Rambagh Palace: Sleep a la Maharaja in Rambagh’s presidential Suryavanshi suite, which was part of the personal chambers of the royal family.

Udaipur

Home to the Kingdom of Mewar, Udaipur lies south of the Aravalli ranges; lush rolling green hills following the monsoon contrast vividly against the parched spurs in the arid season, with the City of Lakes and Palaces in its shadows.

Taj Lake Palace: Constructed, because Maharana Jagat Singh II took umbrage at his father’s refusal to allow him to have moonlit picnics with the ladies of his Zenama (women’s quarters) on the neighbouring island palace. No wonder James Bond picked the summer palace of the royals, which remains a quintessential pleasure palace.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur is encompassed by the Umaid Bhawan to the east and the Meherengh Fort to the west; the fort is one of the best preserved heritage sites in Rajasthan with a collection of historical artefacts dating back hundreds of years.

Umaid Bhawan: Commissioned in 1929 and designed by the British architect H.V. Lanchester, the palace took 16 years to complete and stands now as a perfectly-preserved monument to the art-deco style of the ‘Twenties. Inside, it’s a treasure trove of elaborate furnishings and finely worked exports.

Homey Boutique Hotels

Equal to these palace retreats in comfort and ambiance, if not in scale, are some smaller boutique hotels of the homespun variety:

The Cottage: A very lovely hill home that has been opened to guests by its owner Bhuvan Kumari. They serve delicious, homemade food, and there is nothing arch or fancy about the place. The cottage’s gallery of exquisite doorways and window frames recalls the time when the kings of Nepal ruled the region.

Sitla Estate: An old apple estate further east, where you can sit on the roof and watch the sunrise over the Himalayan peak of Nanda Devi. Run by Vikram Maira, a delicious action man who doubles as kitchen genius, the atmosphere breathes warmth and simplicity.

By: Tom Ingrams

Useful Tips When Traveling by Air to India

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:58:05 +0000

Traveling is one of those things virtually everybody would love to do, even though high price ticket costs usually can keep your travel plans from ever leaving see any heights. One popular destination for travelers is India. This is a beautiful country with wealthy culture and with an impressive landscape.

When you go here some of the most widespread and popular airports to fly into are Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Which one you choose depends partly on where you would like to go, partly on where you can get the cheapest tickets.

The departure city flights to India typically range from quite cheap up to about five hundred dollars. Climate is also of concern when you are booking a flight to India. There are essentially four seasons with winter being about the same as in west, the weather is cool and dry. March through May is the summer months and temperatures in might sometimes be unbearable. Overall, the simplest time to fly to Mumbai and Delhi would be mid-September through spring. The most affordable time to fly to India is throughout the Monsoon season, June through September, thanks to serious rain. Keep in mind that Monsoons will often offset plane schedules and sometimes fully shut off electricity.

Looking for good flight deals on the web or booking through airline websites directly are both fast and efficient ways that to seek out flights, though not perpetually the cheapest. Some nice websites to check for deals include Kayak and Orbitz. Though it is a chance, some times waiting till the last minute (some weeks or so before the departure date) will extremely pay off as airlines are providing lower prices to fill the seats on upcoming flights.

If you’re a student there are also lots of internet sites dedicated to finding low cost student air fares. A terribly well-liked web site for students is S.T.A. Travel. Here you can find out is they currently run monthly deals to multiple destination cities and the travel agents can work closely with you to seek out the best deal for you out there.

Some airlines like Korean and Cathay Pacific run deals on some flights to India, but usually the discounted fares they offer don’t seem to be given to the customer directly. Travel agencies often purchase seats in bulk at a discounted price and pass the savings on to you. Therefore it would be wise to appear into a Indian travel agency in your area. This might be a sure way to search out regarding any current flight deals.

Again, depending on your departure city, date and your relationship with flying, it might be a good idea to stay on an open mind to multiple flight connections. In a perfect world it would be the best to steer onto one plane and a matter of hours later walk off at your destination….then once more, in an ideal world, everyone would fly in their private jet.

If you’re someone who can tolerate multiple take offs and landings while not running the risk of air sickness, allowing multiple connections it may be a sure method to knock some hundred dollars off your price tag price. Also, if you allow some flexibility along with your travels dates your search results can also yield greater savings.

By: Johnny Smith

A Travel Guide to Prague’s Famous Museums

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:09:10 +0000

Even at a time when the number of tourists interested in visiting places of historical interest has dwindled to some extent, Prague has maintained its repute as one of the most popular historical destinations of the world. The city with architectural splendors in the form of palaces, museums and galleries is a must visit for those who have a keen interest in history or architecture. This city never ceases to surprise people and has something new to offer at all times. As a result, it is commonly believed that one trip to Prague is not enough because it has a lot to offer. Prague is known as the home to several well-known museums some of which that date back to the 18th century.

Lobkowicz Palace in Prague houses perhaps the most famous museum in the city. This vast palace has a museum that treasures some of the most precious art prices and antiques possessed by the Lobkowicz family. The Prague national museum is another well known museum in the city. Located in the Wenceslas Square, this museum is to be found inside a building which is the landmark of the Square. Being the oldest museum in the city, the National Museum hosts several exhibits that reflect the glorious past of the country. In addition, this museum is known for exhibiting some rare paintings by world famous European artists.

If the National Museum is famous for reflecting the history of Czech republic, the Museum of the City of Prague is a tribute to Prague city. Its chief attraction is the 20 sq ft model prepared by Antonin Langweil which depicts the city. Furthermore, there are some unique sculptures and ancient artifacts housed by this museum. Likewise, the National Gallery at Veletrzni Palace and Museum of Communism also deserve a special mention as these museums have depicted history from close quarters enabling visitors to travel back in time.

By: Roland Poitevin

Golden Triangle & Kite Flying Tour in India – Famous Tourist Attraction of India

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:17:47 +0000

India is one of the most charming, attractive and beautiful countries that provide traveler’s ultimate paradise. In India you can explore many cities and places to visit like Home to mighty rivers, dense forests, snow clad mountain ranges, balmy backwaters and sun-kissed beaches as well as historical sites, hill stations and quaint countryside, the country can leave you in wondrous awe. India is fulfill of many naturally things like Indian Cities, Villages, Monuments, Ruins, Hill Stations, Havelies and many more thing. If you are planning to visit India or want to explore the beauty of India, choose golden triangle tour package as it is the best tour package which covers three beautiful cities – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Firstly you visit Delhi. It is the capital of India. The city of Delhi provides the tourist forts to modern contemporary shopping malls, historical monuments and many mores. You can get to visit every possible attractions the beautiful and attractive city of Delhi. Here, you can explore many places to visit like Jama Masjid, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Akshardham Temple, and Bahai Temple. Ancient-historical places are Red Fort, India Gate, Raj ghat Humayun’s tomb, Raj Path, Kutub Minar and Rashtra Pati Bhavan etc. Delhi is also known for its rich and colorful past that entails the story of bravery.

The next destination of visiting the lovely city is Agra. It is one of the most attractive cities. It is famous for the Taj Mahal that is the symbol of true love. The beautiful historical building was built by shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In the city of Agra, you can explore many places to visit like The Taj Mahal, Fathpur Sikari, Agra Red Fort, Aidmad Daula, Sikandra, etc. Agra is the wonderful and charming city for visiting purpose.

After visiting the both cities (Delhi and Agra), the next destination of your tour package is Jaipur which is known as pink city also because the monuments of Jaipur are made of red stones. The city of Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan that is surrounded way sands. Here, you can visit many places Like Jaipur Quila (The Red Fort), Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Winds), Jantar – Mantar, The City Square and Palace and Albert Hall Museums, etc. the golden triangle tour packages give you a golden chance to get memorable days.

With golden triangle tour, you can enjoy kite flying tour also. Makar Sankranti on 14th of January is when the sport of kite flying is almost rife. Golden Triangle with Kite Flying is one of the most famous festivals in Jaipur. The day of Maker Sankranti makes the official day for flying kites in Jaipur. Peoples keep flying kites the whole day and that day the sky seems next to invisible as countless kites cover it. Many peoples enjoy loud music food on the terrace itself. In festival of kites, peoples make their group and fly kites. While flying the kites many people shout loudly their terrace as adversary’s kite is cut down. That day the sky looks very beautiful.

By: Devendra Sharma

Kumarakom Backwater Tour in South India

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:22:21 +0000

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

Darjeeling Tour – Cream of the Crop in North East India

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:40:38 +0000

“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

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:15:54 +0000

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

Train Travel in Texas – Enjoy a Historical Train Ride

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:36:34 +0000

Texas is one of the largest and one of the most beautiful states in America. Texas is marked by several different types of geography, making train travel an enjoyable, interesting and historical activity.

There are the interior lowlands in Texas, which include the North Central Plains, where the National Park, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is located. There are the Great Plains, which include the cities of Austin, Odessa, Midland and Amarillo. The Great Plains are rolling hills made of shrub and grassland. The Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyon State Parks are located in the Great Plains. Traveling by train in this region is not only relaxing but also filled with spectacular views.

When aiming to travel by train in Texas, there are many options to choose from. The Texas State Railroad is a historic passenger train that runs through East Texas. The geography the railroad covers consists of pine woods where there is abundant wildlife, binoculars and cameras are encouraged. This is a great trip for the children to get to experience the beauty of Texas wildlife.

Both steam and diesel engine train excursions are available. The depots served by this train are located in Palestine and Rusk. They still maintain their original 19th century charm and coupled with hospitality southern style, an excursion on the Texas State Railroad can only prove to be an enjoyable adventure.

When you travel by train in Texas, it’s always a good idea to research which railroad would best suit you and your family’s idea of a fun vacation. Not only does Texas have to offer their State Railroad, but there is the Austin Steam Train to choose from as well. Here you have a choice of three different types of cars to ride in. The coach cars, which are the simplest and least expensive fares, have no heat or air conditioning in them. The excursion cars, the moderate one of the three, has both air conditioning and heat, while the lounge cars are the most luxurious with heat, air conditioning and snacks.

These trains are historic. One is pulled by a 1960 Alco Diesel Electric engine, and there is also a 1916 steam engine which has been restored. When you travel by train in Texas you can sign up for one of the big events the trains offer. There is a Halloween event in October, the Halloween Bertram Flyer for Kids. There is an onboard Halloween costume contest, candy to be trick or treated, and the telling of ghost stories. Another popular event is the Main Street Bethlehem, a Christmas attraction meant to mimic the sights and sounds of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. There is plenty of time to eat dinner and shop, and then the town of Burnet becomes a mini Bethlehem with people dressed in period costumes and chickens, goats and even cattle roaming the streets.

Or, you could travel by train in Texas via Amtrak, which offers a service called The Texas Eagle. Amtrak offers sleeper cars, coaches, lounges, and dining cars. The Heartland Flyer runs from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City and runs two trains daily.

Whichever track you choose to travel, Texas is filled with such beautiful scenery and wildlife; you may find yourself wanting to ride them all.

By: Wendy Pan

Philippine Travel – When and Where

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:28:30 +0000

Be aware that the experiences you’re about to encounter is unlike anything you’d encounter anywhere else in the world. Each and every country has its own unique experience to offer you and when you travel to the Philippines, you should expect the same.

When Is It Best To Travel To The Philippines?

Are you allergic to rain? If so, it would do you good to avoid traveling to this part of Southeast Asia during the months of June till November as that’s when the occasional typhoon or two makes time to visit the Philippines. Traveling during the rainy season of the Philippines can be quite a hassle, especially if you don’t have a car. But if you do, you could expect smaller crowds to contend with as most people tend to stay indoors.

If you’re unable to take the heat and still be merry, then you should not travel to the Philippines during the months of March till May because that’s officially the summer season of the country. Everyone head for the nearest beach so if you don’t want to feel crowded when you’re sunbathing, set your travel date for another time of the year. The Easter season is always busy for everyone in the Philippines so expect a difficult time on reserving transportation when it’s Holy Week.

If you’re on the lookout for the world-famous fiestas that only the Philippines could offer, schedule your travel date for January, May or December. The flower season of Baguio – described as the summer capital of the Philippines because of its perennially cool weather – is something to look forward to. And then there’s the Santacruzan during May and which each and every town parades its most beautiful residents in a walk around town.

Where In The Philippines Is It Best To Travel To?

There are so many types of places to visit in the Philippines that it’s hard to enumerate each and every one of them. Beaches, however, are one of the most favorite travel spots of the country so if you want to enjoy your stay in a beautiful paradise of clear blue green water and cool white sand, you could check out Tali Beach, the world-famous Boracay or try surfing the secluded beaches of Surigao and La Union.

By: John Grant