India Tours and Travel

Mumbai's Monuments can Boost Fort Tourism

noreply@blogger.com (Pankaj Kumar) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:12:00 +0000

Mumbai: Standing tall and bearing the scars of innumerable battles, the remnants of forts in Mumbai are a testament to the valour of Maratha warriors in the centuries gone by. But most are in a dilapidated condition or have been renovated in a way that has robbed them of their original grandeur.

While this city is known as India's business and entertainment capital, Mumbai is not known outside for its forts. Historians and conservationists believe that if tended with proper care, these monuments can give a boost to "fort tourism".

Sharda Dwivedi, veteran historian, researcher and author of several books on the history and culture of Mumbai, is saddened by the lack of care for the forts. The city is home to at least 10 forts that, if developed, can be a major tourist attraction, she said.

"Bombay (Mumbai) has the second largest number of art deco buildings after Miami in the US. However, unlike Miami where an entire precinct was restored, making it an international tourist attraction, here we do little to preserve our heritage," Dwivedi said.

"Moreover some forts, instead of being restored to original glory have just been tampered with using concrete and cement. The state archaeological department has not even bothered to appoint a conservation architect to restore heritage forts," she said.

Castella de Aguada, also known as the Bandra Fort, located at the land's end in suburban Bandra was built by the Portuguese in 1640 as a watchtower overlooking the Mahim Bay to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west.

Under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the fort is currently under renovation.

Not very far from the Bandra Fort, towards the south, is the imposing Mahim Fort. The fort is today literally buried under a pile of garbage.

Strategically located in the Mahim Bay, the fort overlooks Worli to the south, Bandra to the north and Mahim to the east. In a state of disrepair and threatened by encroachments and tidal erosion, the fort is one of the few that are right next to the sea.

"This fort is the best example of total neglect by the state. Where would you find a fort which is as strategically located in the middle of the city?" asks Abha Narain Lambah, a conservation architect.

"One has to literally wade through an awful lot of trash to reach the fort," she added.

The Riwa Fort, right in the middle of Dharavi, the biggest slum of Asia, also requires conservation. Also known as the Kala Qila or the black fort, it was built by Governor of Bombay Gerald Aungier in early 1670s.

In north Mumbai, the Madh Fort, also called the Versova Fort, is located in a secluded spot in Madh Island. It was built by the Portuguese as a watchtower in the 17th century.

Although its external facade is intact, inside it is in a bad shape. Surrounded by local fishermen communities, the fort has been a popular shooting spot for Bollywood movies like "Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega" and "Mard".

Also built by Aungier is the Sion Hillock Fort, which is currently the office of the Mumbai circle of the ASI. Sion, in central Mumbai, was a boundary between British-held Parel Island and Portuguese-held Salsette Island, the fort was built between 1669 and 1677. The fort is dilapidated.

"Not a single fort today is in a stable condition. Forts like Riwa and Mahim are surrounded by encroachments," said Anita Rane-Kothare, head of the department of ancient Indian culture of St. Xavier's College.

"This is the situation a year after the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 2010 (Amendment and Validation) came into force January 2010," she added.

ASI's Superintending Archaeologist (Mumbai circle) M.S. Chauhan said while restoration is under way at most forts, removal of encroachment and other logistics will involve several other government agencies.

"But I do agree that once properly restored and cleaned up, the forts can definitely attract many more tourists and encourage 'fort tourism'," he said.

According to Rane-Kothare, the act strictly prohibits any construction within a 100-metre radius of the protected monument. The Sewree Fort, the Sion Fort and the Worli Fort also badly need restoration.

Source: www.siliconindia.com

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India Travel Mart kicks off in Chandigarh

noreply@blogger.com (Pankaj Kumar) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:05:00 +0000

The 11th edition of the three-day India Travel Mart (ITM), a travel and tourism exhibition, that kicked off here Saturday, has four foreign countries and nearly 60 corporate houses participating.

ITM is hosted by Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) in association with Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir as partner states and Malaysia, Dubai and Thailand as partner countries.

'ITM will bring the best packages to Chandigarh for summer holidays, business trips, family holidays, honeymooners and adventure and eco-tourism places. Last year 54 companies had participated in ITM here but this time nearly 60 companies, from all across the country are participating in this event,' Ajay Gupta, director of ITM, told IANS Saturday.

'Main focus of the exhibition is on making travel more interesting and hassle free. There is a wide variety of attractive packages and unique tourist destinations to choose from. We see a lot of potential in Chandigarh and Punjab market and expect whopping business during these three days,' said Gupta.

ITM's participants included Malaysia, Dubai, Thailand, Turkey, CITCO, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and leading hotels, resorts and travel agencies.

'This edition of ITM would diversify the travel experience. The main highlights of our exhibition would include special offerings of pilgrimage tourism, adventure tourism, eco tourism, health tourism and wildlife tourism,' stated Gupta.

Source: Sify.com

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French Tour Operator Appoints Representative in India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:27:00 +0000

French tour operator Voyages Services Plus (VSP) has appointed Raj Devas, currently Manager-Sales and Marketing, VSP, who will be moving out of the company this month end, as representative for the Indian market.

The representative office will be located in Goa and is expected to start operations by September 2010.

Through this development the company intends to ensure a point of contact for the Indian travel trade, as well as promote VSP’s services in India. While the company currently focuses on FIT and incentive travel, it plans to tap the MICE outbound segment from India. The company has been working with the Indian market for the past six months and has already become its sixth important source market globally.

Devas said, “Even though VSP will have a representative office in India, it will not work directly with clients. It will still continue to work with its Indian travel trade partners and generate Indian business through them.” VSP currently works with tour operators like Thomas Cook, Saltours, Amigo Travels and Omega Travels. VSP’s objective is also to increase its travel trade partners in India. The company plans to work with major tour operators including Kesari Tours for conducting their tours in France.

VSP will also be working with Atout France to promote the country in India. It will also be participating in trade fairs to promote its services in the Indian market. Besides Paris and Nice, the company now plans to promote the India tours all over World. It also aims to increase the average length of stay of Indians in France.

Source: travelbizmonitor.com

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100 Himalayan peaks in Kashmir opened to Foreigners

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 05:39:00 +0000

Foreigners will be allowed to climb nearly 100 high-altitude Himalayan peaks for the first time in Kashmir, an official said Friday.

The move by the government to allow foreign climbers follows a significant decline in violence by insurgent groups in the region since India and Pakistan started a peace process in 2004, said Farooq Ahmed Shah, a state tourism official.

The move is aimed at helping to boost tourism, an important source of income for Kashmiris and their saucer-shaped valley of fruit orchards, lakes and wildflowers.

Before the start of the insurgency by separatists in 1989, hundreds of thousands of tourists flocked to the region — known as the Switzerland of the east — to enjoy the glacier-fed streams flowing through the forests and grasslands or lounge on houseboats floating on Srinagar's Dal Lake.

"We are optimistic that the decision will give a big boost to tourism and attract more and more foreign tourists,'' Shah said.

Separatist violence caused the number of tourists to drop to a few thousand every year, deterred by travel warnings from Western governments and extensive media coverage of fighting between government forces and insurgents.

The government in the Indian state of Jammu-Kashmir declared 2010 a ``visit Kashmir year'' following an improvement in the security situation, Shah said.

"The decision has been taken at the highest level and nearly 100 peaks in Ladakh region are open for trekking and mountaineering,'' he said.

These peaks are situated at an altitude ranging from 9,840 feet (3,000 metres) to nearly 26,246 feet (8,000 metres).

The Indian climbers have been scaling those peaks for decades. Aijaz Ahmed, a travel operator, said the opening of the peaks to foreign tourists would help promote Kashmir.

"The tourism sector has suffered a lot during the last two decades. We're hopeful the decision will attract foreign tourists to the region,'' he said.

Ladakh is a remote part of the former princely state of Kashmir, which is at the heart of the decades-old conflict between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. The heavily militarized region also borders China. A part of Ladakh — an ethnically distinct region with historical ties to Tibet — has been controlled by China for decades.

More than a dozen rebel groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Muslim militants. Islamabad denies the charge, saying it only gives moral and diplomatic support to the rebels.

More than 68,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in the uprising and the subsequent Indian crackdown.

Source: Timesofindia.com

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Enjoy Exciting Wildlife Tour to India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:07:00 +0000

India is full of exotic wild animals which are very much a part of the Indian ecosystem. Wildlife tour to India is not restricted to a single jungle in India but to various select places to witness a majestic tiger on a prowl, hear the elephants trumpet or the rhinos grazing in the Kaziranga national Park. While on a wildlife tour to India you can promisingly come across tigers, hyenas, Asiatic lions, leopards and elephants, barasingha, rare species of birds and most interesting the Ganges River Dolphin in the Sunderbans of West Bengal.

While on a planned tour to India with ample accommodation available in the hotels in India, a wildlife tour can be planned to places such as Nainital, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore, Periyar and many more. One can also find accommodation in the wildlife resorts of Corbett National Park, Periyar, Bandhavgarh etc.

For having a glimpse of the royal Bengal tiger and the Indian Elephant head to the Corbett National Park or Sunderbans or Peiryar or Ranthambhore to watch him his real majesticity in golden yellow and black stripes.

Among the endangered species, India boasts of protecting the Red Panda or the “fire cat” can found and observed in the wildlife sanctuaries in Darjeeling, West Bengal and Sikkim and in the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. Embarking on at least one wildlife tour in India will definitely complete your India tour with an interesting and memorable lifetime experience. Amongst all the places to see in India, a wildlife tour to any of the national parks of India will bring you in true proximity with nature and wildlife as well.

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Jaipur Tours: Panorama of the Splendid Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:30:00 +0000

After a lot of discussion we finally zeroed in on Jaipur Tours. For a long time we have been planning to go to Jaipur but our plans failed. Finally, last month we planed out a short Jaipur Tour on weekend (Saturday, Sunday). We booked a Qualis and travelled to Jaipur via road. It took us only four hours to reach our destination from Delhi. Well connected and smooth roads made our journey easy. On my way i clicked the pics with my camera and made video in my handycam non-stop. Then finally sharp at 12 noon we reaches Jaipur.

Although there are countless number of Hotels in Jaipur. We checked in a 4-star hotel as it was economical and awesome too. Our rooms were spacious, food and spa massages were even more fantastic. The taste of navrattan korma, spicy aloo gobi and hot and soft Gulab Jamun i ate in my hotel room, is still fresh in my mouth. No doubt, Hotels in Jaipur are considered one of the best in hospitality Industry and i experienced it first hand.

Coming back to our highly anticipated Jaipur tours, we hired an expert guide coz' there are several popular places to see in Jaipur and one can get easily confused. Our guide showed us Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh Fort, Govind Deoji Mandir, Rambagh Palace, Kanak Valley and Laxmi Naryan Temple within the short time span of just two days. I have clicked several pics of Jaipur forts from different angles and in may pics i'm also posing like a bollwood actor. Over and all it was a fulfilling trip that i'll always remember.

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Luxurious Hotels in Mumbai India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:08:00 +0000

Mumbai, the commercial capital of India attracts a huge number of leisure and business travelers every year. With the bourgeoning tourism sector, the city has continued being home to a plethora of hotels. The hotels in Mumbai are of a wide variety and suit the budget and preference of every traveler. Whether you are in the city for a business meet or for a simple vacation, the hotels in Mumbai are there to take care of your accommodation requirements.

Some of the best hotels in India are perhaps situated in the tinsel town of Mumbai. If you are a luxury loving tourist and is ready to splurge during vacations, choose from the long list of 5 star deluxe hotels like Grand Hyatt, Grand Maratha Sheraton, Hyatt regency Mumbai, Taj President Mumbai and Le royal meridian Mumbai.

Paradoxically some of the most affordable hotels in India are also situated in the commercial capital of India. Accommodations like Hotel tip Top, Hotel Supreme, Hotel Imperial Palace, Hotel Airlink and Hotel Manama are ideal for budget travelers. These hotels offer comfortable accommodation facilities at reasonable rates.

Mumbai Tours become unforgettable as the city has plenty to offer. Tourist attractions like the India gate, Elephanta caves and several shopping malls of the city make your Mumbai Tours a life time experience. To top it all, the wonderful hotels of the city provide you with utmost comfort and luxury.

Whether it’s a two star hotel or a plush five star accommodations, all hotels in Mumbai provide the guests with traditional Indian hospitality.

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Bangalore Tours takes you on a mesmerizing journey

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 May 2008 05:52:00 +0000

Bangalore reflects a modern Indian state with several state of the art facilities vouching for its position as an IT hub. However, it still retains its old world charm of being a traditional South Indian city. Bangalore Tours enable people to feast on this amalgam and much more.

There are several places to see in Bangalore that are scattered all over the city. A few of the most significant ones that are not worth a miss have been identified and mentioned below for your perusal:

Bull Temple – Nestled comfortably atop a hill, the Bull temple is one of the most visited places for tourists on Bangalore Tours. Dedicated to Nandi, popularly known as the vehicle of lord Shiva, the main statue stands at over 4 ft. tall. Several musical programs and festivals are celebrated here throughout the year that attracts numerous devotees and visitors.

Vidhana Soudha – This architectural masterpiece is the seat of the legislature of the state of Karnataka. People flock to this place to especially take delight in the Indo-Saracenic architecture of this pure white building.

Cubbon Park – Tourists on Bangalore Tours cannot miss to spend a few moments amidst nature in the Cubbon Park that extends to an area over 330 acres. The vast greenery and the tranquil ambience of the park invite one and all.

Visweswariah Museum - Bangalore Tourism especially promotes the Visweswariah Museum that is managed by the National Council of Science Museums. It has been the southern headquarters of the NCSM since 1978. Other than the exhibits for people to come and feast on, it also acts as a science center by providing information on various science disciplines.

Ulsoor Lake – A perfect place for recreation, the Ulsoor Lake is one of the prominent places to see in Bangalore. With vast greenery surrounding it and ample opportunities for boating, this lake is a must visit on Bangalore tours.

So while on your next trip to the city, do not miss to visit these places to create some unforgettable memories of the city.

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Delhi Tour: Spectrum of Splendor

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Delhi, the country’s capital is one of the most important metropolitans. The city is full of forts, palaces and historical ruins. Delhi Tourism conducts various tours in and around Delhi and there is a huge inflow of tourists every year.

The hotels in Delhi are famous for their services and there are several five star hotels where one can stay like the Taj Mahal hotel, Hyatt regency, Le Meridian, etc. there are several budget hotels, airport hotels and cheap hotels too. The hotels provide decent facilities and good food. Parking facilities are available at nearly all the hotels.

India travel guide conducts exclusive trips to Delhi with the perfect itinerary. The airports in Delhi like the Indira Gandhi International Airport is very significant and one of the busiest. There are several amenities and restaurants to make your travel easier.
Delhi Tours cover major sightseeing areas like the Lake tours, Golden Triangle, Agra, etc.

Some of the famous places to see in Delhi are Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Rajghat, Feroz Shah Kotla fort, Rastrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar and Lotus Temple. These places are reminiscent of the country’s past and the vibrant and promising present.

So enjoy a great trip to Delhi with Delhi Tours and come back with happy memories.

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Rajasthan Tours: Great tourist spot in India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:32:00 +0000

A tour to India is incomplete without chalking out a Rajasthan tour in the travel plan. Rajasthan is a state of culture, exotic flora and fauna, historical sites and of course religious monuments.

Rajasthan is a state full of color against the backdrop of golden sand dune, shimmering and glittering in the sunlight. The vivacious colors no doubt fill one up with cheer and gaiety. Rajasthan travel is full of forts, ancestral and heritage houses which at time have been converted into hotels, temples and palaces. Hotels in Rajasthan are aplenty and bookings need not seem to be an issue. Huge ancestral properties have been converted into heritage hotels provide the right service and ambience to treat their guests royally and in style.

A visit to famous cities of Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer contain forts such as Amer Fort, Kumbalgarh Fort, Junagadh Fort, City Palace, Lake Palace, Golden Fort in Jaisalmer cannot be missed out while on Rajasthan tours. In the religious perspective on can plan a tour to visit Birla Mandir in Jaipur, Eklingji Temple in Udaipur, Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer, Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Ossian Temples in Jodhpur

For checking out the wildlife during Rajasthan Travel, a trip to Ranthambore Wildlife Park, Sariska Wildlife Park , Darrah Wildlife Park , Desert National Wildlife Park, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur and Mount Abu Wildlife Park could be easily planned out. Of course the best time to visit them is from November to March

Travel to India are incomplete without visiting the marvels of Rajasthan. Rajasthan travel offer a quintessential view of colorful Rajasthani heritage, culture set amidst the barren dessert land.

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Ayurveda Kerala Tours: most popular tourist destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:02:00 +0000

Located on the tropical southwestern coast of India, Kerala is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Extraordinary natural beauty and unique culture of Kerala attracts tourists from all over the globe to experience a vacation in the 'God's own country'-Kerala.

Getting to Kerala is not a problem at all. It is very well connected with the rest of the country by air with flights flying in and out of Kerala everyday. It also has a very good network of rail and roadways.

Kerala being a tourist destination has lots of hotels and places for its traveler. One can check into luxurious hotels or the budget ones depending on one's likeness, purpose and pocket. All these hotels in Kerala are equipped to cater to the basic needs of the traveler. Facilities like satellite TV, telephone, round the clock room service and in house dining area or restaurant make the stay in the hotels in Kerala so very comfortable.

Being on a Kerala tour implies, getting an opportunity to explore the most fascinating and incredible part of India. The backwaters of Kerala have lured tourists from near and far for a long time now. One can stay in a houseboat on the backwaters and enjoy the greenery all around. On the banks of these backwaters one can even witness the life of the villages, the rice fields and the palm trees. Enjoy the beautiful golden sand of the beaches and the sight of the sun setting in the big wide sea.

Another interesting element of the Kerala tours is the Ayurveda massage and spa. Tourists come in from all over the globe to enjoy a Kerala Ayurvedic massage. It leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Going on a Kerala tours is an experience in itself which the traveler will carry with him home. This tour will leave him feeling contended and rejuvenated.

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Taj Mahal Tours Agra - Seven Wonders of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:19:00 +0000

Taj Mahal is not only one of the Seven Wonders of the World; it is also the ultimate embodiment of love. It is a huge structure reflecting the eternal love between a husband and wife, Emperor Shah Jahan and the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. This grandiose monument is situated in Agra, located at about 200 kms from the national capital, New Delhi.

Taj Tours to Agra is particularly loved by all. While some undertake these tours to relish on the architectural works of the monument, some others visit it to witness the romantic angle of the great monument signifying love. It is often said that ‘the world belongs to two groups consisting of people, who have seen the Taj and the ones who haven’t’. This especially seems true after you have been on Taj Tours to Agra, yourself.

To enhance the delight of planning for Taj Tours to Agra, one can read through the below mentioned paragraph on the history, legends and interesting facts about the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by emperor Shah Jahan for his loving wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It depicts Mughal architecture and is a pure white marble structure. Being a UNESCO world heritage site, the Taj Tours to Agra is on every tourist’s itinerary. Travelers on India Tours never miss to undertake Agra travel as well, to complete the journey in the true sense of the term. Every inch of the Taj Mahal has been painstakingly and impeccably designed and the works are unparallel even today.

While on Taj Tours to Agra, do not miss to feast on the nearby monuments as well. They reflect Mughal architecture and great artistic tastes of the rulers of the yester years under whose patronage these monuments were built.

There are numerous hotels in Agra belonging to the various genres and budget types. They offer ideal accommodation options to the global guests.

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Beguiling Goa Tours

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:21:00 +0000

Goa, the smallest Indian state, is known for its beautiful beaches and picturesque surroundings. This small state in the south western region of the Indian sub-continent is the most popular tourist destination of the country. The pristine beaches, tranquil atmosphere, awesome aura and soothing ambiance enchants every person coming to this lavish land. Every year, many people plan for Goa tours. Tourists not only from within the country but from all across the world flock here to bask in the 'wet Sun' here. Goa tours are not only famous with people of India but also abroad.

Besides the breathtakingly beautiful beaches, Goa is also famous for its unique culture, traditions, forts, monuments, churches, palaces and temples etc. People visit Goa to witness its fantastic flavor. From the tourism point of view, many hotels in Goa have been constructed for the ease of the tourists and visitors here. To facilitate the tourism in India, many good quality hotels as well as budget hotels in Goa have been built. One can choose the type of accommodation suiting one's need and pocket from the wide array of hotels in Goa.

Mention of India tours sounds incomplete without the mention of Goa tours. Also known as the honeymoon paradise, Goa is the perfect place to go for the newly weds. Goa tours are the most magnificent tours for people having love for a cool climate and culture amalgamated with scenic surrounds. Goa is a destination full of elan and elation. It offers the visitors a cool holiday filled with fun and charm throughout. The Goa tourism department is taking regular steps in enhancing the place further more.

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India's Tourist Attractions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:29:00 +0000

In India, tourist attractions cannot be counted in fingers, but their experiences do remain etched on the minds for years…or yore. You have exciting beaches to bewitch your senses, mountains to give you the much-needed solitude, adventures to set your heart racing, a wonderful historic legacy to transport you to the past, spirituality to induce you to introspect deep within yourself, and ancient systems of holistic well being, which can cure your chronic ailments.

The tourist attractions in India cover a wide ambit of sights, sounds, tastes and smells. India can be experienced in a wide range of ways. From water sports in the beaches of Goa to the languid cruises in the backwaters of Kerala, or shikara rides in Srinagar; from the timeless poetry in marble called Taj Mahal to the awe-inspiring dark recesses in the Ajanta-Ellora; from the serene ghats of Varanasi to the chaotic marketplaces of Delhi; from the wild experience in Sunderbans to skiing adventure tours in Kullu Manali, India can unfold before you in a myriad exciting ways.
In India, tourist attractions would whet your quest for travel. For India is much beyond your typical tourist guides and brochures. It is equally manifested in the sweaty smell of the teeming co-passengers in the Mumbai locals, as it is in the calmness of the Himalayan terrain.

From foot-tapping Goan music, imbibed with the headiness of feni, to the sonorous raga of Hindustani classical, India sounds ethereal, surreal and real. From dosa to biryani…from Goan fish curry to butter chicken…from sandesh to payasam to shrikhand, India tastes great and feels sublime. It is an experience worth repeating again and again…

The Enigmatic India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:08:00 +0000

India is a country of immense tourist potential. Here one can find a great many natural wonders ranging from quaint hill stations with their sombre, snow-capped mountains to bewitching beaches caressed by the azure blue waters to forests filled with the fragrance of adventure…at the same time its majestic forts and palaces and plethora of religious attractions induce the tourists to explore this perennial enigma, which embodies an ancient civilization within a modern nation and an emerging knowledge economy.

The tourist attractions of India are magical are myriad, and they simply cannot be covered within the ambit of a brief or even an extended India Tour Yes of course, you should visit that poetry in marble, known as Taj Mahal to the world, and be awed by the Ajanta and Ellora sculptures, akshar dham temple or marvel at the erotic splendours of Khajuraho and Konark. Of course, you would laze around the sunny Kovalam beach with a beer and count the waves for eternity, or see a sunrise on the shimmering liquid horizon, from the busy Puri beach…Or feel the spirit of Goa in its fascinating water sports, heady feni or exuberant Goan music.

You can talk to the hills while trekking through the misty road of India’s many hill stations, and can feel like a Rajput king while strolling through the mighty forts and palaces of Rajasthan. You can introspect on the ghats of Varanasi in the wee hours of dawn, or take your inward journey through the crowded Tirupati or Jagannath Temple. The intrepid traveler within you can always be satiated through the camel safaris across Thar desert, or through a jeep safari through wildlife splendours of India’s many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

But to be honest, all these tourist attractions of India can only account for the tip of the iceberg or at most some fascinating glimpses of India tour. For India demands a lifetime’s exploration and not a fleeting sojourn to reveal its innumerable enigmatic facets to its explorers, visitors….and travellers. It is not only about forts and palaces, temples and mosques, mountains and beaches, wildlife and desert safaris…it is also about its fascinating people with their varying customs and legacies, and colourful fairs and festivities, which can induce you to embark on this perennial adventure called India again and again… And every Indian experience is expected to leave you more enriched.

Cheap Holidays in Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:57:00 +0000

Are you looking for cheap holidays in Goa? You have come to the right place for India tours here. This article provides you with ample information regarding cheap holidays in Goa. Goa is Mecca for the tourists looking for a relaxing break. If your budget is tight then do not worry as finding a cheap accommodation in Goa is very easy.

The transportation costs are low and the food too won’t burn a hole in your pocket. The city is situated just off the western coast of India and has much more to offer than just its lovely, sun kissed beaches. In fact, many of the city’s best attractions are hidden inland away from the beaches.

Legions of travelers come to Goa every year to surf the famous sandy shores and enjoy the various beach and water sports. Calangute, Vagator and Anjuna with its flea market are amongst the most familiar beaches in Goa. The tourists are suggested to try out Palolem too, which is a less visited beach and not widely known by most tourists. Laze around the beaches, sun bath, and enjoy the various activities like scuba diving, parasailing, swimming and other interesting sports.

If want to take a break from sunbathing then go on a trip to the capital Panaji, which is situated 30 kilometers from the airport. Cheap holidays in Goa are well supported by the corporation bus service that runs to all major destinations of the city so that you do not have to spend too much traveling within the city. The private buses are overcrowded, noisy and run to a particular schedule. Also try one of the many river cruises on offer for a relaxing end to a relaxing day.

An important advice for the travelers looking for cheap holidays in Goa is that they must always carry the Indian currency with them. The Indian Rupee can only be bought locally and also cannot be taken out of the country, so take Sterling or US Dollars and spend all your cash before you leave the place.

Some of the cheap hotels in Goa where you can enjoy your holiday without having to worry about any high prices are Mira Hotel, Magnum Resort, Silver Sands Holiday and Santa Monica. These hotels offer comfortable accommodation with standard facilities.

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