Goa Beach Holiday: A Combination of Fun, Sun and Sand

Posted in Beaches, Goa on 01/27/2012 06:26 am by Uma

How do you feel when suddenly you get a chance to explore the land of sun, sand and sea? For me it was amazing, when I got the news that this time we would explore golden sun, sparkling sand and blue sea and for that the best place was Goa. I, Father, Sushant and Jiya, we all took leave for a week from our respective jobs and packed our bags to hit the Goa, the land of beaches.

Church of St. Francis Assisi
Church of St. Francis Assisi

It was hard for everyone to wait, so we opted the air route and took a flight from IGI airport, Delhi. It took around 2 hours and 25 minutes to reach Dabolim airport, Goa. Form there, we hired a private taxi to reach our booked resort located at most famous Dona Paula beach. It was a sea-facing resort from where we could enjoy the sea view all the time. For that day we decided to enjoy the recreation facilities at resort itself along with the spell bounding views of the calm and beautiful sea.

Dona Paula beach view doubled our excitement. It was heavily crowded and most of them were newly wedded couples who were there to celebrate their honeymoon in Goa.

The next day, we all left the resort a bit early, just to make most of the day. To start the day, the first attraction was churches of the land. We moved towards old Goa in car hired by us. Our first Goa attraction was Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Amazing architecture and a sacred place were a good start of that day. After offering our prayers, we left the place and moved to explore the culture of the Goa, blend of Indian and western culture.

After exploring some street markets of the city, the time was to enjoy the cuisines of this gorgeous land. Be it Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Thai, Gujarati, Chinese, South Indian, Mexican, European or Korean, Goa serves everything. We tried only rice, fish curry and bhaji and they were delicious. The day was over, we came back to resort and took the rest.

In rest of the days, we covered four famous beaches of Goa, including Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Bogmolo Beach and Calangute Beach. Every beach has its own charm and that cannot be expressed in words.

Rave parties of Anjuna beach attract a large number of tourists every year and that was the reason it was on our must visit list. We spent a full day on Anjuna beach. While Sushant and Jiya were enjoying underwater diving at the beach, I and father explored Wednesday Flea Market.

Goa Beach Vacation
Goa Beach Vacation

Classical dance events and musical concerts organized at Calangute beach kept us occupied for an entire day. Where the days were dedicated to the sandy beaches, our nights were occupied in electrifying Goan parties.

In that week, we tried to explore the maximum but still a week was not enough to cover everything.

This is almost impossible to cover miles of golden beaches and green landscape in a week. So, we left the rest for our next Goa Beach Vacation and came back with golden memories and famous Kaju Feni of Goa.

 

Experience the Saga of Royalty with Udaipur Travel

Posted in India Travel, Rajasthan on 12/28/2011 12:42 pm by Uma

If the splendour of the royal era still enthralls you, you can plan a trip to Udaipur to experience the regal legacy like I did.

I had always wished to see myself amidst the forts and palaces and my wish got fulfilled when my friend, Sambhav planned a trip to Udaipur. Fortunately, he considered me as his companion and that too, it was a weekend programme. What else could I ask for?

City Palace Udaipur
City Palace Udaipur

We both reached there by a train, which took a little longer that day. After taking rest in a good hotel, we went to explore the city. I was too curious to visit Saheliyon ki Bari as I had already heard a lot about the place. It was full of fountains and created a spectacular sight of those times. On being visited the city, Sambhav exclaimed to see the beautiful Lake Pichola. Then we realized that it is aptly known as the City of Lakes.

After a quick lunch at the hotel, we reached City Palace. A guide accompanied us for taking us through that magnificent palace. Inside the Palace, there is a museum where you can spend hours appreciating the beautiful miniature paintings.

Several Mahals like Manak Mahal and Zeena Mahal speak volume about the Rajput style of architecture. Next, we embarked on a ride on the Fateh Sagar Lake and then moved towards the Nehru Garden. The ride was too short that we reached the garden only in 5 minutes.

We enjoyed Dal Bati and Pyaaz Kachori at the restaurants of Udaipur. The eatables that we had, were filling enough that we had a light dinner after that.

Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake

To make our tour even more interesting and memorable, we also clicked some photographs of the places we visited. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir, the museum in Udaipur has a rare collection of paintings, ornaments, puppets, masks and folk musical instruments.

At last, we visited Ranakpur, which was a nearby excursion from the city. Thinking to explore the Wildlife of Rajasthan next time, we bid goodbye to Udaipur.

The weekend that we spent in Udaipur was truly a refreshing break that energized me.

 

Travel to India for a Lifetime Experience-Part 1

Posted in India Travel on 12/03/2011 10:40 am by Uma

India, the land of diversity, has a lot to offer to the tourists. The land, which has almost everything to crown your holidays with delightful memories. The different states of India are packed with surprising attractions for tourists. Every state has its own culture and tradition that create more opportunities for tourists to explore the cities. With its harmonious diversity, India has become one of the most preferred tourist’s destinations in the world.

India Beach Holidays
India Beach Holidays

Traveling in India comes up with a wonderful opportunity for the many fascinating attractions in the face of India. Snow-covered mountains, enchanting backwaters, romantic beaches, scenic hill stations and colorful festivals altogether make it an appealing tourist destination.

Theme tours are very popular in India. Though it has already been accepted by tourists long ago, but recently a buzz can be seen in the same. There are different theme tours for travelers so that they can go for their favorite attractions and interests.

If you wish to go for Beach Holidays, India has excellent options to offer.  Goa, Kerala and Andaman & Nikobar are some famous beach destinations in India. Goa has around 40 sun-kissed beaches that are all set to offer you a unique experience. Some popular beaches in Goa include Anjuna, Palolem,Varca, Baga, Dona Paula, Arambol, Calangute and Aguada. Kerala has a 600 km prolonged shoreline which offers numerous desirable beaches. Enjoy a relaxing experience at fascinating beaches of Kerala which include Kappad, Alappuzha, Mararikulam and Varkala. While in Andaman and Nikobar, you can visit the beaches like Corbyn Cove, Karmatang, Chidiya Tapu and Harminder Brook beach.

Cultural Tours are another popular themes of India. The culture of India has been changed by the diverse history of India. With the amalgamation of custom and traditions, the cultural tours in India are loved by tourists. This type of tours takes you to the culturally rich cities of India.

Indian Religious Tours
Indian Religious Tours

India is a holy land and it offers different Religious Tours to the visitors. Being home to various religions, India offers unlimited opportunities to explore religious spots and shrines. These are of different faith and therefore, strengthen the harmony of numerous religions. Visiting India during the festive season is the best way to catch the glimpses of Indian culture and tradition.

If you wish to explore the tribal life, you can choose the Tribal Tours in India that offer you an excellent opportunity to learn about India’s tribal heritage. The places like Gujrat, Orissa and Chhattisgarh offer you ample opportunities to catch the glimpses of tribal life. Each state in the country has its own unique tribes to offer you a truly unique experience.

To be continued…

 

Explore the Exotic Sides of Country with India Travel-Part-2

Posted in India Travel on 12/03/2011 09:52 am by Uma

If you love nature and adventure, you can go for Wildlife Tours which offer you ample opportunities to enjoy the same. A big part of India is enveloped by forests. Therefore, there are many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India where you can visit to quench your thirst for adventure.

India Wildlife
India Wildlife

Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is one of the best national parks where tourists can see the royal Bengal tiger. Corbett National Park is the first tiger reserve of India that was covered under the conservation program of the Project Tiger. Situated in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is renowned for its avifauna. In Kerala, you can go to Periyar National Park which boasts of its abundance of wildlife.

Situated in Madhya Pradesh, there lies the Bandhavgarh National Park which is renowned as the home of white tigers. Kanha National Park is also home to tigers and swamp deer. A home to many species of animals and birds, Gir National Park is known for being the last abode of the Asiatic Lion. Kaziranga National Park houses the rare Indian rhinoceros and several unique species of flora and fauna.

India offers unlimited options for Honeymoon Tours to make it a lifetime experience. The romantic destinations like Kerala, Rajasthan, Himachal and Uttarakhand are all set to offer you a truly memorable experience during your honeymoon. Darjeeling, Gangtok and Kalimpong are the fascinating North-East Himalayan destinations that allow you to enjoy intimacy amidst the romantic ambiance.

Honeymoon Tours India
Honeymoon Tours India

Rajasthan, the princely state offers honeymooners to enjoy the royal charm of the era of kings. Enveloped with unlimited attractions like rich culture, heritage, camel safaris, sand dunes and wildlife, Rajasthan is a perfect honeymoon destination. Honeymoon in Goa ensures to strengthen the bond of love between couples. Scenic backwaters, enchanting hills, beautiful beaches and rejuvenating Ayurveda therapies, all these attractions in Kerala truly make your honeymoon a cherish able affair.

Those who are inclined to well-being and want to experience the rejuvenation can go for Ayurveda and Yoga Tours in India. The tours offer you an excellent opportunity to learn a salubrious practice of India. You can enjoy the bliss of Ayurveda in the pristine surroundings. Kerala, Haridwar, Rishikesh are some of the most popular destinations for these types of tours. To balance the harmony between you mind, body and soul, take a yoga tour in the naturally beautiful destinations of India.

Visit India to explore the kaleidoscope of landscapes, golden beaches, historical sites, royal cities, misty mountain retreats, rich cultures and festivities.

 

Darjeeling Tourism – Explore the Wonderments

Posted in India Travel on 11/01/2011 10:20 am by Jagjit

Darjeeling is one such hill station that has always captivated my interest. We, a group of four friends, planned a trip to this one of its kind destination. Located in West Bengal, this beautiful hill station is blessed by the natural greenery, lush green meadows, enchanting landscapes and captivating sightseeing spots. The cool climatic conditions added charm to our trip and made it more exciting.

Darjeeling Tiger Hill
Darjeeling Tiger Hill

This beautiful hill station is located at an elevation of 6, 710 feet and is covered by snow-capped mountains. While staying in a beautiful hotel, we enjoyed the famous cuisines like momos and potatoes curry with sprinkled of snacks.

The attractions which became a part of our exploration during the tour are enlisted below.

Tiger Hill
Located at an elevation of 2590 m above the sea level, it is situated just 11 km from the main city of Darjeeling. The place offers breathtaking view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga hills. We enjoyed the gorgeous sights of sunrise. The other tourist attractions, which we could enjoyed in the adjoined areas were Senchal Lake and the famous Bird Sanctuary.

Tea Gardens
Darjeeling is a place known for its world-organized tea gardens. The entire hill town is blessed with beautiful tea gardens, offering varieties of tea. The tea from the gardens is known for its distinct taste, aroma and color. As we did not want to miss the opportunity to capture the images of beautiful tea gardens so we moved ahead to pick some black tea and green tea. They are among the top most varieties of tea in this hill town.

Passenger Ropeway
It is known as one of the most sought after tourist attractions of Darjeeling. The passenger ropeway starts at North Point, which is around 3 km from town. This ropeway is around 5 kilometers long and links Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar. It passes over Ranjit River at the bottom of the valley, offering an enchanting view of serene beauty of nature.

The Lloyd’s Botanical Gardens
This wonderful botanical garden sprawled over a large area of 40 acres. It was established in 1878 by Mr. W. Lloyd with an aim to preserve the native floral species. To our surprise, we could see around 150 species of cacti and succulent, which are the major attractions of this place. As we visited during the flowering season, we could treat our eyes by seeing a variety of Orchid.

Darjeeling Toy Train
How could we miss this most famous attraction of the place? Yes.. I am talking about Darjeeling Toy Train. As we started our ride on this train, we were so excited to visit the most enchanting destinations of the place. This 2 feet narrow gauge train is an ideal UNESCO World Heritage. The serpentine railway track of the train took us to the hilly slope waterfalls, Himalayan forests and fascinating tea plantations. During the joyride we could closely encounter the breathtaking views of lofty mountains and beautiful landscapes. We enjoyed the most at its two stoppages which were Batasia Loop and Ghoom.

Darjeeling Toy Train
Darjeeling Toy Train

I am a great shopaholic, who always looks for unique shopping items. Finally, my search ended with beautiful Himalayan artifacts, religious objects and jewellery, which are the popular items to shop for.

The trip, we made in the month of June proved fruitful for us as we could enjoy the natural beauty at its best in Darjeeling.

 

Deccan Odyssey Tour – An Overwhelming Sojourn with a Regal Touch

Posted in Luxury Trains India on 09/29/2011 06:54 am by Uma
Deccan Odyssey Logo
Deccan Odyssey Logo

Travelling on the luxury train is truly a royal journey. I can say it after experiencing such journey when my cousin planned to go by a luxury train. We both were confused to choose suitable luxury train so we browsed the web. After a lot of net surfing, we came across with several options of luxury trains like Palace on Wheels, Maharaja Express, The Golden Chariot, Deccan Odyssey and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.

We decided to board Deccan Odyssey from Mumbai. To our surprise, the tariff and schedule of the train both were quite suitable for us.

The Tariff  Includes:

Occupancy Type

Lean Season
September 2011 &
April  2012

Peak Season
October 2011 to March 2012
Deluxe Cabin
Single occupancy

US $ 500

US $650
Double occupancy

US $ 390

US $500
Triple occupancy

US $ 315

US $425
Presidential suite
Single occupancy

US $ 750

US $ 950
Double occupancy

US $ 650

US $ 800
Presidential Suite-Extra Occupancy

US $ 300

US $ 370

Dates for departure from Mumbai to Delhi

2011 2012
28 Sep – 05 Oct 2011 18 Jan – 25 Jan 2012
12 Oct – 19 Oct 2011 08 Feb – 15 Feb 2012
26 Oct – 02 Nov 2011 22 Feb – 29 Feb 2012
09 Nov- 16 Nov 2011 14 Mar – 21 Mar 2012
23 Nov – 30 Nov 2011 04 Apr – 11 Apr 2012
21 Dec – 28 Dec 2011

Dates for departure from Delhi to Mumbai

2011 2012
05 Oct – 12 Oct 2011 25 Jan – 01 Feb 2012
19 Oct – 26 Oct 2011 15 Feb – 22 Feb 2012
02 Nov – 09 Nov 2011 29 Feb – 07 Mar 2012
16 Nov – 23 Nov 2011 21 Mar – 28 Mar 2012
30 Nov – 07 Dec 2011 11 Apr – 18 Apr 2012
28 Dec – 04 Jan 2012

On our arrival at the Mumbai airport, the representative welcomed us and escorted us to hotel where we got freshen up. Flagging off from Mumbai, this luxury train stops at Ratnagiri to give you an opportunity to visit Jaigad fort and Ganapatiphule beach. In the evening, we went to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station from where our tour started. While enjoying dinner, we reached Sindhudurg.

Next day, we had breakfast on board and we were taken for a visit to the Ocean Fort. Built by Shivaji, the fort covers an area of around 48 acres. Admiring the beauty of architecture of the fort, we returned and then headed towards Tarkarli beach. Rest of the time, we spent at leisure on the same beach. After relishing our lunch, we proceeded to Dhamapur village by bus to visit the Cashew factory. We also visited ancient temple of Goddess Bhagawati and Bharadi Devi situated on the banks of a lovely lake.

Our 2nd day ended with a delicious dinner on board. Here I would like to share the Highlights of Deccan Odyssey Tour which make our journey pleasurable. These include:

  • Exquisitely adorned air-conditioned coaches with Maharashtrian art
  • Mouther-watering cuisiness at restaurants Peshwa I and Peshwa II
  • A well stocked bar, Hi Mumbai to serve  your liquor, wine and various international brands
  • Business center equipped with all the facilities like computers and Internet connectivity
  • Lounge where you can relax and experience a delightful get together
  • Complimentary facilities like Indoor Games, Medical Aid, Library, Mail Box and Shopping Arcade
  • Other important facilities include Sauna bath, Gymnasium, Massage Parlour and Money Exchange
  • A Library and collection of DVDs available to entertain the passengers
    Luxury Deccan Odyssey Train
    Luxury Deccan Odyssey Train

On our third day, we were in a beautiful beach destination of Goa. The tour took us to the ruins of St. Augustine Church, the largest Cathedral in Goa. The Basilica of Bom Jesus and The Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. In the evening, we were enjoying at Goa Beaches. We savored the traditional cuisines at Goa beach hotel and returned.

The day four began with a visit to Kolhapur city where we saw the following places:

  • Kolhapur New Palace Museum
  • Bhavani Mandap
  • Mahalaxmi Temple
  • Shalini Palace
  • Shopping at the palace arcade

Next day, which was our 5th day on board, the magnificent train took us to Daulatabad station. After having breakfast, we embarked on a journey in an AC coach to the fort of Daulatabad, located 600 ft above the Deccan plain.

Ekkira Caves was our next destination, which enabled us to visit the 34 caves of the Ellora. The caves are adorned with sculptures of three famous religions- Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Post lunch, we went to explore the Bibi-ka-Maqbara and shopping in the markets of Aurangabad. We enjoyed our dinner on board and slept with the memories of the enjoyable day we spent.

Our 6th day passed in visiting the Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary, where we saw the royal Bengal tiger and Sambar, Nilgai, Wild dog, Chinkara, Pangolin, Gaur, Leopard cat, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Chausinga, Panther,  Hyena, Indian bison, Jackals and Barking deer.

Deccan Odyssey Train
Deccan Odyssey Train

After enjoying a jungle safari at park, we were back. We had our lunch on board and in the afternoon we headed towards Sevagram. I was too excited to visit the place that has been witnessed of A Gandhian way of life. We got a wonderful opportunity to explore the Gandhi’s Ashram in Sevagram, Prayer Ground, Gandhiji’s Secretariat, Akhari Niwas and Gandhiji’s Exhibits.

Our second last day, the 7th day was in Ajanta and Nashik. After having a scrumptious breakfast, we arrived at the World Heritage Site of Ajanta Caves. We spent some time to explore the marvelous caves here. After lunch, we reached Nashik and visited Panchwati Ghat by bus. Our group of travellers was walking around the ghat and then, we visited Kalaram Temple.

In the evening, we had a Farewell dinner on-board, which was an unforgettable experience. Not only you can visit some fabulous places of India, but you can also enjoy various cultural programmes inside the train itself. The tour came to an end and we could not believe it. Soon, we arrived at CST Mumbai and left for our home.

I must stay that Deccan Odyssey is the perfect way to experience the royalty with its warm hospitality and modern amenities.

 

Ranthambore National Park- A Perfect Wildlife Tourist Spot

Posted in Wildlife on 09/21/2011 11:55 am by Uma
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park

India has many tourist attractions which make it a big hit with visitors, who come here from all over the world. Apart from natural beauty, beaches, hill stations, India is a home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Periyar National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve and Kumarakom National Park are famous names in the list. If you talk about wildlife tour in India, the land comes up with several wonderful options. One of them I visited which I would like to share with you.

I was taken aback when my boss offered me to come along with him to Ranthambore. With a group of four colleagues, I looked forward to an exciting trip. Ranthambore National Park is one of the most famous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Northern India. Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, it was the former hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur.

After a long tiring journey by Jodhpur Express, we reached Jaipur. Jaipur is around 132 km from Ranthambore. There we stayed over at a good hotel already booked for us. While enjoying our dinner at hotel we shared knowledge about this park and slept peacefully.

The next morning, we started our jeep safari to the Ranthambore National Park. This five-hour ride took us through the entire park and we had the best glimpses of the flora and fauna. As we reached the park we saw a board which said that the park was open from October, November till end January and then from April to mid and then from May to end of June. So we can say that the best time to visit the park is from 1st October to 30th June.

The early morning jeep ride was very chilly but as we covered ourselves with sweatshirt, gloves and muffler, we were enjoying being in dense forests. Graylag Goose, Padam Talao, Indian Hornbill, Great Crested Grebe, Snipes, Flamingos, Shrikes and Sparrows were some of the birds in our list we could see during our visit to park.

As we moved ahead, I was expecting to see a tiger. But we got to see some Nilgai, Chinkara, Jungle Cats, the Mole Rat, Indian Fox and Porcupines. We all were excited to see the animals freely roaming around. We also saw Mongoose, the five striped palm Squirrels and the Vampires. It was a real fun to see some water bodies like frog and toad in the jeep safari.

The next morning my boss decided to set out to spot tigers. Two of my colleagues relaxed in the hotel. I accompanied my boss and we left early morning. We reached the rock and found some tigress. Some other tourists were also excited to see the tigress and their excitement created an atmosphere of commotion.

The tour guide told us that we could not make noise so all the commotion settled and we waited to catch the best glimpses of tiger and finally we did it. I captured a few good shots there. While making our way back, we also saw some monkeys hanging from the branches. Finally, we moved towards our hotel.

I was glad to visit the best wildlife tourist spot, Ranthambore National Park.

 

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels – Rekindle the Charm of Luxury!

Posted in Luxury Trains India on 09/01/2011 09:57 am by Uma
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

I was feeling myself fortunate enough when I got an exciting opportunity to travel by a luxury train.  My husband planned this trip on our first wedding anniversary. Initially, we were too confused which train to choose for our trip as there were too many options. The various luxury trains we came across were:

Each of the luxury train has something alluring, but we ended up going by Royal Rajasthan On Wheels. What could be more interesting than this luxury train covers the major destinations of our interest and that too, in a price we could afford for a special occasion.

My joy knew no bounds when we left for seven-day exploration of colourful Rajasthan. On being reached at Safdarjung station, Delhi, we were welcomed in a traditional way. At that very moment, we got an idea how luxurious experience it’s going to be for us! After refreshing ourselves with mock-tails and enjoying Delhi sightseeing, we were ready to see the vibrant cities of Rajasthan.

The rooms on the train are an interesting blend of modern and traditional. The restaurants offer a wide variety of delicious food. A well-stocked bar and lounge are there to treat their guests with variety of drinks. With each passing day, we were introduced with a new surprise that kept us delighted throughout the whole tour.

Enjoying the luxurious experience at train, we reached Jodhpur. Our tour took us to visit the major attractions such as Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. We were also given some time for shopping in Jodhpur and then we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at 5 star palace hotel where we were served some mouth-watering cuisines.

Cabin of Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
Cabin of Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Our 3rd day of the trip was enjoyable too as were in Udaipur, the City of Lakes. There we visited  City Palace, the Jagdish temple and Jag Mandir. Soon, we were in Chittorgarh, our next destination where we visited the famous Chittorgarh Fort.

In the evening, a cultural program was held on the train where we enjoyed traditional Rajasthani music and dance.

While enjoying our dinner, we came to know about our next destination, Swai Madhopur.

Next day, we visited Ranthambore National Park which is habitat to Bengal tigers. The cool morning ambiance made it a comfortable experience for us. That time, we had our breakfast amidst the wildlife environs which was a unique experience.

Our next halt was in Jaipur, where the charm of Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and City Palace kept us delightful for rest of the day.

During our luxurious trip, we also visited Agra. We were very excited to see Taj Mahal. On being reached there, we admired the wonderful architecture of this monument and clicked some pictures as our tour memories.

Besides enjoying a great hospitality on the train, we also experienced great amenities which really made it a lifetime experience for us. Especially, the pampering experience at Spa was really rejuvenating. Enjoying the luxury, we came back to Delhi with delightful moments that we spent on Royal Rajasthan On Wheels.

No doubt, that was the best anniversary gift for me that made me feel really special with a great experience!

 

Kerala Houseboats – A Fun-filled Cruise at Leisure!

Posted in Kerala on 08/23/2011 10:35 am by Uma
Kerala Houseboat
Kerala Houseboat

I still remember that bright sunny day when I was reading a travel magazine and got a call from my friend, Anushka. She told me about her plan to visit Kerala next week. I too decided to accompany her on this trip and we left for Kerala by air.

Kerala is considered one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. We covered this journey discussing the exciting activities of Kerala and entered this superb land of Coconuts. The most exciting thing was our stay for which we hired a luxury houseboat. As we were four people, so we booked two bedroom houseboat.

Houseboats in Kerala are also known as Kettuvallams. These houseboats were largely used for the transportation purposes by the local people. But later on, these were modified with the infrastructural facilities including kitchenette, lounge, deck for a comfortable stay.

As we entered the houseboat, we felt as if we have come to a new world. High on luxury and comfort, these houseboats offer a pleasurable stay. Made from eco-friendly material, these houseboats offer a delightful experience to enjoy the scenic charm of Kerala backwaters. The houseboat we stayed in, was fully furnished with sundeck, private balcony with beautiful chairs, kitchen and toilet. There was also one separate rest room where we stayed for sometime.

After having the traditional food of Kerala in our houseboat, we decided to explore Kerala. Believe me, exploring this God’s own Country through houseboats was one of its kind experience. All we could see was that the charismatic beauty of nature that simply refreshed our mood.

As we moved ahead, we also got to know some of the famous houseboats of Kerala which include:

  • Alleppey Houseboats
  • Kumarakom Houseboats
  • Cochin Houseboats
  • Kovalam Houseboats

The ancient Chinese fishing nets, lush paddy fields, water lilies, coir villages, coconut groves, rustic homes and temples that is all we had experienced in Kerela. While cruising on houseboat, we enjoyed its popular attractions, backwaters. Our houseboat tour to Kerala was completely amazing as we saw the enchanting backwaters of Kumarakom, Kollam, Kasargod, Alleppey, Kuttanad and Cochin.

During our tour we were enthralled to travel along the backwaters. The interesting cruising on houseboat enabled us to grasp the best glimpses of the traditional lifestyle of the Keralites. This was one of my best tour experiences which I will cherish for the rest of my life.

 

Lose Yourself in the Captivating Beauty of Himachal Pradesh

Posted in Hills Stations on 07/20/2011 11:04 am by Jagjit
Kangra Valley
Kangra Valley

After a long tiring schedule, I decided to take a break and planned a trip to Himachal Pradesh to rejuvenate myself. The place as I have heard is really full of charming destinations that you can not take off your eyes on the unparralled beauty. I found it the most plesant state and was amazed to see its natural grandeur. The state of Himachal Pradesh encompasses rivers, lakes, snow cover peaks that make it a beautiful place to visit.

While visiting this most beautiful tourist destination, I felt extremely delighted to experience the natural beauty which was in abundance there. Being a nature lover, I always try to make the most of such an opportunity that offers me enchanting sightseeing of nature. My tour to Himachal Pradesh was just a blessing to me that enabled me to visit some of the most wonderful tourist destinations there.

Shimla is a place that has always been my center of attraction. After watching beautiful sightseeing of nature here, I felt really delighted. The moment you enter in Shimla, you feel as if you have entered in a new world where the only thing you can see is Enchanting Beauty of Nature. High mountains, calm valleys, numerous adventure sports and dense deodar forests are simply awesome to watch. Shimla is aptly called Queen of Hills that gives you a marvelours experience to stroll around greenery and natural beauty.

To make the most of my trip to Himachal Pradesh, I also moved towards another picturesque hill station Manali. The place is extremely beautiful and is gifted with sheer natural beauty. Here, you can enjoy an enchanting view of the mountain peaks that are covered by snow and form a worth watching sightseeing.

At last, I felt like going for some spritual place and my search ended in Dharamsala,

which is situated in Kangra Valley. This exotic destination offers you many others religious places and one of them is McLeodganj. It is the place of Dalai Lama, a spritual leader and is beautifully carved. The calm ambience of the place spreads the message of devotion and allows you to gain inner peace.

After collecting the cherishable memories of my tour to Himachal Pradesh, I left for Delhi. Visiting this enchanting land and experiencing its unmatched natural beauty, I felt myself completely rejuvenated and was ready to back to my work with a delighted mood.

 
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