world-in-1hand

Japan

2012-04-24T18:22:00.006-07:00

Introduction About the Country  Japan, spread over approx 380,000 sq. miles, is composed of volcanic ranges which divide the countries into main islands. Japan is one of the densely populated countries and one fourth of the population lives in Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Here few people speak English and Japanese signs can be difficult to understand. Tourists can enjoy a judicious mixture of traditional and modern culture in Japan.

Japan is a safe country.

When To visit?

Best time to visit Japan is March-May and October/November.

Where To Stay?

Book your discounted fare holtes with Japanese most popular hotel booking site. Or You have the option to search from unlimited options for Hotels in Japan to choose the best deal for you from here.

How To visit? & How to Get Around?

By Air & to get around Japan, travel by Bullet Trains, Subways & Local Trains are convenient and a better alternative to being stuck in traffic.

You can comfortably travel by train in Japan. To know more about Japanese Railway System, visit here. And to book your Rail Pass (called JR Pass), check in here.

What To visit?

Cities & Monuments  Tokyo, a world economic and industrial center, has three main sites : the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and the Buddhist Temple of Asakusa. Equally important is is Tokyo National Museum for its traditional Japanese arts.

Kyoto is famous for its Golden Pavilion Buddhist Temple and Shinto Shrines. Osaka stood out for the historic Meiji-era Kitano Cho Disctrict.

Visitors can spend a night along with pilgrims on Mount Koya in the Osaka region. And a memorable experience is a visit to Hiroshima's Peace Memorable Park - the site of 1945 Atomic Blast.

In the south of Honshu Island on a hilltop of the ancient city - Himeji stands a whilte castle complex with wooden buildings.

As Japan's religious traditions encompass Buddhism & Shintoism, visitors can find Temples all over Japan. In Kamakura & Kyoto, visitors can find a 46-foot high bronze Buddha Statue here.

In Nikko, toursits can also enjoy visiting historic sites like mausoleums & shoguns of Edo period.

Shopping
Tourist can enjoy shopping traditional and latest items even at discounted and inexpenseive shops. Many Japanese department stores offer huge discount sales in the months of July, August, December, and January.

Related Links

Japan's Foreign Affairs Site
International Flight & Hotel Deals
100 Countries 5000 Ideas by National Geographic
DVDs on Japan Travel by Amazon (USA)

Oman - Muscat

2012-04-21T03:41:00.004-07:00

Introduction About the Country  Sultanate of Oman is the second largest country on the Arabian Peninsula after Saudi Arabia and is spread over approx. 82000 Sq. Mile. The rich Sultante of Oman adheres to a tourism policy. Following in the footsteps of the United Arab Emirates, Oman is slowly opening up some of its attractions like Jabels, Wadis, Shorelines, Deserts & Legendary Incence Trees.

Oman is a peaceful nation and the country is considered a safe place.

When To visit?

Best time to visit Oman is March, April, October & November as it is very hot during May to September.

Where To Stay?

Search from unlimited options for Hotels in Oman to choose the best deal for you from here.

How To visit? & How to Get Around?

By Air if you visit from other countries or by car if you visit from nearby countries. Rent a Car to get around Oman.

What To visit?

Cities & Monuments  Muscat, capital of Oman, with many small neighbourhoods, extens for 25 miles along the coast. This city is noted for its souks (Muttrah), the two fortress castles (Mirani & Jalali). Tourists' visit to Oman would be incomplete, do they miss Grand Mosque in Muscat.

Nizwa, located in a pretty palm grove near the spectacular Wadi Bani Auf, atracts visitors to its fort and cattle auctions. The historic Sur was known for the building of wooden dhows, boats used for pearl fishing. Rustaq once was the capital city of Oman, experienced its greatest period during 17th & 18th centuries.

Salalah, the capital of Dhofar, is famous for is souks, where the trade in little pebbles of incense resin has flourished for a long time and Ubar was once an important center of the Incense Route.

Coasts The shores see few visitors, and beach tourism remains modest. On the north coast, in the villages, fishermen have preserved their traditional lifestyle. Musandam Peninsula is becoming a tourist hub. Along the coastal road from Muscat to Sur lie many wadis and breeding places for sea turtles, such as Ras al-Hadd.

Landscape & Wildlife  Two words characterize the Omani landscape : Jabel (mountain chain) & Wadi (Riverbed). West of the Capital City Muscat, Jebel Akhdar features canyons, cliffs, fortified mountain villages, and oases. To the east, the Jebel Hajar has deep canyons alternating with palm groves. At the bottom of these canyons, the riverbeds often feature waterholes; th ebest known of these is the Wadi Bani Auf with its many oases.

Along the east coast, the ocher and reddish dunes of the Wahiba Desert sretch for 50 miles and are still populated by the Wahabi tribe. And in the south, the Dhofar region is crossed by dizzying canyons.

Shopping

Tourists will find Artisanal Goods, Gold, Silver, Jewelry, Carpets, Fabrics, Perfumes & More in Ruwi, the main commercial center of Muscat City.

Related Links

Oman Official Site
International Flight & Hotel Deals
100 Countries 5000 Ideas by National Geographic
Oman History Books by Amazon (USA)

Delhi - INDIA

2012-04-17T17:31:00.008-07:00

Introduction About the City

Having maximum length of 52 kms. & width of 49 kms, Delhi's commercial and geogrpahical hub used to be Connaught Place which remains popular with tourists but it is no longer the capital's nerve center.

When To visit?

It is best to visit Delhi between mid-October & March. The heat is intense from April until the monsoon arrives in July, after which rain and intense humidity add to the misery. For deals & discounts on 'Flights & Hotels', check in to one stop source to select the best deal for you.

Where To Stay?

You can easily find good Hotel Deals & Discounts and Book Online to fit your budget.

How To visit? & How to Get Around?

Hiring a taxi or auto-rickshaw will be ideal to roam around New Delhi. The narrow lanes of Old Delhi are a walker's delight.

What To visit?

Begin with New Delhi. Starting with New Delhi will give you a better idea of the aesthetic difference between New & Old Delhi. Avoid tackling Old Delhi on your first day especially if you have never been to Delhi / India before. Its chaos can be overwhelming.

Depending upon your interest, visit some independence sites like Nehru Museum, Gandhi Samriti, Lotus Temple or Gurudwara.

New Delhi begins in Connaught Place and extends about 4 mi. South Delhi which has older monuments such as the Qutab Minar, Hauz Khas & numerous Muslim Tombs that lie abandoned in the midst of houses and apartments.

Hire a taxi and head to India Gate, National Museum, Gandhi Samriti, Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum, Humayun Tomb, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara & Purana Qila.

Divide the itinerary into 2 or three days. Traffic and heat slow down considerably - especially between April to October. Before visiting Musesume get the information about Holidays for them. As Sunday is holiday for everybody, Museums, Monuments, Shopping Malls, Temples & everywhere will be more crowded.

Start another day in Old Delhi with a morning tour to Lal Qila, and nearby crowded Shopping Place - Chandni Chowk & Jama Masjid.

Shopping

Delhi's shopping options are unlimited. Handmade crafts and fabrics from all over the country are sold in pleasant outdoor setting at Dilli Haat, and in a plethora of government-run emporiums featuring typical items from India's many states.

Various neighbourhood markets invite you to join Delhiites in their quest for the latest fashions and sportswear Greater Kaialsh. For cheap apparel of every kind, visit Sarojini Nagar Market & in Karol Bagh. The INA Market is s true Eastern experience, bursting with fresh produce, spices, salty snacks, and chickens. And in Old Dehi, you will find endless Brassware, Curious and Silver Jewelry.

If you plan well, you will be able to cover all important places in 4 days in Delhi.
Related Links

Delhi Hotels with Discounts
Books by Fodor's - Get Inside India
Flight Booking - Unlimited Options To Choose The Best
Airfare Calendar for Cities of India - Avail Cheap Travel Fares
Fly More & Pay Less on Return Fares in India

Books By Fodor's - Get Inside India by Amazon USA

New York - USA

2012-04-13T11:19:00.018-07:00

Introduction About the City

Spread over 24 Sq. Mile in total. New York City is sure to delight you and truly has something for everyone. Bar-be-cue. Ethiopean? Korean? Turkish or Malaysian? Or Indian? Check, Check, Check. The possibilities are endless in the Big Apple. New York is a multi-cultured capital of finance, fashion, having over 20000 restaurants. Whatever you want - world-class museums, lively theater district, arts ad music scene & anything - it is here.

When To visit?

Generally, Mid September to October & March to June are really wonderful time to visit. During these periods, weather tends to be good for roaming around and teh crowds are manageable.

How To visit? & How to Get Around?

By Road or By Air. You can visit by road if you are within US or from nearby countries.

By Air, you can arrive at any of the 3 major airports. (1) John F. Kennedy International Airport (1 hour driving time from Mid-town Manhattan. (2) LaGuardia Airport (30 minutes drive from Mid-town) & (3) Newark International Airport (around 45 minutes from Mid-town). But during peak hours (8 AM-10 AM & 3 PM-6PM) it might take twice time to travel to and from from any of these 3 airports.

Grab NYC-licensed cab at the airport. Fare to Manhattan might range from flat rate of $50 plus tolls & 15-20% Tips.

You have three options to roam around New York City (1) By Car Driving Manhattan's crowded streets is a fun. Free parking is almost impossible to find, and paid spots are very expensive. If you have come to New York by Car, park it in hotel's lot. Or look for packages that include free parking. (2) By Subway or Bus The Buses and Subways are safe here, promot and easy to navigate. Plan your travels to avoid peak hours (8-9:30 AM & 4-6 PM). (3) By Taxi Hire only the licensed cabs. Non-licensed gypsys can be very expensive.

You can pay your fare by swiping your Debit or Credit Card or by cash. You will have to pay additional charges for trips & tolls outside metropolitan area. Also surcharge for travelling between 8 PM and 6 PM & peak weekdays between 4 PM and 8 PM.

What To visit?

If you are here just for 1 day:- Head Downtown. Walk along Wall Street.

If you are here for 2 days:- Pick a museum. Metropolitan or the Museum of Modern Art for adults, Natural History for kids. Spend as much time as you like exploring.

If you are here just for 3 days:- Head to (crowded) Time Square. Utterly fabricated for tourists. Keep in mind, here shopping and food are expensive.

If you are here for 4 days:- Time to swipe your Debit / Credit Cards. Explore artisans' stalls at Flea Market at Columbus between 76 & 77 Streets). Visit world's largest Department Store - Macy - at 151 W, 34th Street) & 5th Avenue (50th to 59th Streets) Shoppers' paradise.

If you are here for 5 days:- Visit big museums like New York City Museum, Central Park, Zoo. And a special spot - Conservatory Garden - which has plantings in the traditional styles of Italian, French & English Gardens.

Related Links

Books on 'New York' by Amazon (USA)
Flight Booking - Unlimited Options To Choose The Best
Books by Fodor's - Get Inside India
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