Saturday, March 12, 2011

Delhi's Airport Metro makes you Fly, Marvel Passengers

Mohammad Kamil, a 42-year-old non-resident Indian returning from Saudi Arabia, is in complete awe of the Metro Express that takes one from the New Delhi railway station to the international airport in just 20 minutes.

"I can't differentiate between Saudi Arabia and India right now. The speed, comfort and the time and money I save by using it - it's just fantastic value. With such developments, I feel proud to be an Indian," Kamil told IANS.
 As more and more people get to use the new Metro line, they are loving the ambience, the speed, and its super efficiency. Proud residents say the Delhi Airport Metro Express will play a pivotal role in transforming Delhi into a world class city.

According to officials of the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL), around 7,000 travellers are using the service on a daily basis.

The airport express line commenced operations Feb 23 and is Delhi Metro's first public-private partnership project. Delhi Metro is responsible for the civil work and Reliance Infrastructure will operate the line for 30 years and share the revenues.

The 20-km journey takes 20 minutes and LCD screens display flight information inside the train coaches. The distance otherwise takes over an hour to cover by road.

"I took the Metro from the New Delhi railway station and it should have taken 20 minutes to reach here, but the journey was completed in just 19 minutes," said an amazed Nazir Iqbal, who had come to drop his sister at the airport.

According to Sharad Sahni, the new Metro line is a wonderful alternative to other modes of transport like taxis and uncomfortable auto-rickshaws.

"You have the luxury to travel air-conditioned at half the price of other public transport and minus the jams, heat and smoke," said the second-time traveller.

"The speed at which it is travelling - I read it is 105 km per hour - you get the feel of an aircraft and with the superb amenities at the stations, our air journey begins the minute we enter the Metro station!" Sahni added.

However, some travellers opined that the tickets could have been cheaper and direct baggage check-in from the station should be introduced as soon as possible. Officials say this will be possible in a few months. The travel from the New Delhi railway station to the airport costs 80 and the full journey up to Dwarka Sector-21 costs 100. 

Source: www.siliconindia.com

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Friday, January 7, 2011

10 great places for travel bargains in 2011

Even if your budget is stretched, 2011 can still be a year of travel. It's just a matter of choosing the right place.

Far from resenting your presence, local business owners are glad to have you there filling hotels and restaurants. Leffel shares his tips for this year's bargain vacation spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Mexico
Although drug-related violence has been concentrated near the U.S. border, many travelers have avoided the entire country. That means incredible bargains in Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and other resort areas.
Nepal
You don't have to be a mountain climber to experience the home of Mount Everest. Visitors can take fascinating cultural tours out of Kathmandu.
The Asian country has been a bargain destination for a decade, and there's no reason that will change in 2011, Leffel says. Resort islands like Bali are easy to reach, and although the country is popular with Australians.
Honduras
With first-class diving and Mayan ruins, Honduras has long been a bargain vacation spot. But tourists have stayed away since a political power struggle in 2009.
Vietnam
Whether you're a backpacker looking for $5-a-night flophouse, or a high-end visitor seeking a luxury hotel, you'll find bargains here. Vietnam is one of the few Asian countries where the dollar gained value in 2010.
This Mediterranean country has been attracting tourists for millennia, and despite its recent debt crisis, that's not going to change. But the protests and strikes, compounded with the recession that has cut the number of European visitors, means there's excess capacity now.
Ireland
It's likely the Emerald Isle's financial crisis will bring travel discounts this year, Leffel says. The country added scores of hotels during its recent economic boom, and now hoteliers are reporting trouble filling rooms.
Ethiopia
Not only does this African nation have incredible ruins and scenery, but its currency dropped more than almost any other — nearly 30% against the dollar in 2010. Ethiopia suffers from its location next to troubled Somalia.
Hungary
This Eastern European nation has all the charm of its western neighbors at lower costs. The country hasn't yet adopted the euro, and its currency fell more than 10% against the dollar in 2010.
The USA
Few people realize what a travel bargain they have at home. Look for deals in places that depend on conventions, such as Las Vegas and Orlando. If you stay away from holiday and peak travel periods, you can find great deals.
More at: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2011-01-06-travel-bargains-2011_N.htm
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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Alex Salmond travel to Delhi Commonwealth Games

Scotland's first minister is to travel to Delhi this week to support the Scottish Commonwealth Games team.

Alex Salmond is also expected to make an announcement about Scotland forming closer ties with India in areas such as business and tourism.

The trip will run until Thursday's closing ceremony, during which the official handover of the Games to Glasgow will take place.

The city is due to host the next Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The Scottish government said the first minister would visit the athletes' village to meet members of Team Scotland.

Officials said Mr Salmond would also announce "significant" Indian investment and job creation in Scotland and hold "high level" ministerial meetings with the Indian government.

Mr Salmond said: "Our athletes are performing fantastically well in Delhi, all of Scotland is behind them, and I am proud to attend the Commonwealth Games to show support for their achievements.

"I would also like to wish the Scottish cast at the closing ceremony the best of luck.
"They will be great ambassadors for the country as Scotland assumes host nation status."

Mr Salmond said Scotland already had very strong ties with India.'Emerging markets'
He added: "We have one of the most thriving Asian communities in the world - food, the arts, business and religious tolerance and diversification have all benefited enormously from the 35,000 Indian people who call Scotland home.

"As an emerging global economic power, India is an essential partner for Scotland."

The first minister said 11 Indian companies had made investments of £700m in Scotland during the past five years, employing more than 3,200 people.

An estimated 4,000 Indian students also study at Scottish colleges and universities.

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said there were "tremendous opportunities" for Scottish companies to develop trade and investment partnerships with their Indian counterparts.

VisitScotland's chief executive Malcolm Roughead said this week presented an opportunity to showcase Scotland on a world stage.

He said: "Tourism from India is worth around £15m to Scotland and is one of the emerging markets with greatest growth potential.

"Engaging with travel agents, trade contacts and the media face-to-face in India will allow us to capitalise on this potential."

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Saturday, October 2, 2010

New Travel Guide App for iPhone

A unique travel guide application has been launched on the iPhone. The mTrip Travel Guides launched on the iPhone on June, 21. The mTrip application launched with city guides for nine US and European cities. mTrip aids in planning your itinerary to guiding you around the city. It also describes and show tourist attractions, hotels and many places of interest. The nine cities that are on the application are London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, New York, San Francisco and Chicago. The application comes in English, French, German, Spanish and
Italian.


New Travel Guide App for iPhoneThe mTrip iPhone application has the automated itinerary planner. This is done by suggesting a personalised trip based on the travellers interest, trip dates and other useful information. It can plan the time and pace for the Tourist based on an advanced algorithm.

The world travel guide also comes with a lot of tourist attractions. Falk CIS, one of Europe’s leading travel content providers provide all the expert information on the application. From this you can pick quality restaurants, view their pictures and even their ratings.

The travel guide pinpoints the exact location of the traveller automatically. It then displays the best route to navigate to where you want to go. The traveller also has the option of viewing any places of interest in his current location. This can be done in offline mode causing no roaming fees.

Without connecting to the internet, the user of the application can also view tourist attraction in an area at a heightened, surreal view.

You can also stay in touch with others on the application. You can send postcards through Facebook and personal emails. Sharing is free and limitless.

“Travel preparation, sightseeing and trip sharing are completely re-defined with the arrival of travel applications. Apps should support the traveller in a quick and easy way with rich, updated information and clever offline functionalities for the most optimal trip experience. With this first series of city guides, we have brought together expert content, traveller’s feedback and the latest technologies available on the market,” says Frederic de Pardieu, CEO and Founder of mTrip. “We want travellers to remain stress-free, enjoy discovering new attractions and almost forget that they are even using a guide,” says de Pardieu.

Source: Businessservicenews.com

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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Facebook Buys Travel Guide Start-Up

It’s not just Google that’s interested in firms that work in the travel industry. Social networking giant Facebook has bought NextStop, a startup that allows users to create their own travel guides and share it with others who are not familiar with the places they’re visiting, reports ComputerWorld.

The move is inline with Facebook’s current development of providing location-based services to its users. Though the company has not disclosed the price of the acquisition, it has also bought most of NextStop’s assets.

As a result, NextStop’s website will be closing down on September 1 of this year. Users will have time to export their content with tools that will be provided by NextStop.

It will make its content available on the Internet under a Creative Commons CC-BY license allowing other services to make use of it. Users who do not wish their content to be included in “public sharing” can write NextStep. Users will also not have to worry about their personal information as it will not be shared to Facebook.

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

America's top 5 Most Livable Cities 2010

In these affordable metros, jobs are plentiful, crime is low and there are myriad entertainment options.

Given below the America's top 5 Most Livable Cities 2010:

1. Pittsburgh, Pa.
Low Unemployment Rank: 73
Low Crime Rank: 15
Income Growth Rank: 20
Low Cost of Living Rank: 52
Arts & Leisure Rank: 26

2. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
Low Unemployment Rank: 24
Low Crime Rank: 34
Income Growth Rank: 12
Low Cost of Living Rank: 71
Arts & Leisure Rank: 54

3. Provo-Orem, Utah
Low Unemployment Rank: 22
Low Crime Rank: 11
Income Growth Rank: 1
Low Cost of Living Rank: 76
Arts & Leisure Rank: 104

4. Ann Arbor, Mich.
Low Unemployment Rank: 50
Low Crime Rank: 41
Income Growth Rank: 14
Low Cost of Living Rank: 89
Arts & Leisure Rank: 51

5. Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.
Low Unemployment Rank: 39
Low Crime Rank: 17
Income Growth Rank: 28
Low Cost of Living Rank: 59
Arts & Leisure Rank: 111

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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

In London, Travellers hope for Departures

Passengers from around the world dozed on floors and huddled in blankets at London’s Heathrow airport on April 21, still waiting to get home after days of misery even after the flight ban was lifted.

Many were bleary-eyed after arriving on flights from the United States and were desperately hoping to complete their journeys as the skies over Europe re-opened after the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland cleared.

Veronique David, a 42-year-old nurse from France, sat wrapped in a green blanket in Heathrow’s Terminal Five, recounting where she had spent the last five nights while stranded in San Francisco.

“It has certainly been an unforgettable journey. We had two nights in a hotel paid by British Airways, then one in a hotel paid for by the travel company, then we had to pay for one ourselves,” she told AFP.
“We also spent one night on our feet in San Francisco airport just hoping for news of flights.”

She and the group of 30 French tourists travelling with her had been starting to wonder if they would ever be able to get back to Europe.

“Then last night we were flown to London, and when we got here they gave us a blanket, a rolled-up sleeping mat and a small bottle of water. Personally I’d have preferred a shower,” she added. She and 30 French tourists travelling with her were trying to keep each other’s spirits up, but the strain was starting to show.

“I just hope we can get back to Paris today, because this has been a real ordeal,” she said, with a tired smile.

As a British Airways 747 could be seen rising into the skies through the terminal’s windows – one of the first for almost a week – Australian tourist Ray Swanson counted the cost of a forced stay in London’s notoriously expensive hotels.

Ray, a 49-year-old general manager from Melbourne, and his wife Linda, 48, had been preparing to fly to Rome last week with British Airways when flights were suddenly halted, throwing their month-long tour of Europe into chaos.

“We have had to pay for four nights in hotels in London, at inflated prices. I reckon it has cost us an extra AU$2000 (US$1860).

“The airlines have not handled this well at all. They keep referring you to the internet, which is crazy because travellers have limited access to the internet.

“And the whole focus of today’s effort seems to be to get the Brits home instead of getting other people out of here.”
The Swansons could hardly believe their bad luck – they were stranded in this very terminal when it opened two years ago and baggage handling hitches caused massive disruption.

“I think we certainly won’t be coming back to Europe in a rush now,” Ray said. “We’re just hoping we can get out to Rome today and salvage what we can, even though we have now lost a week of tours and visits there.”

Gaelle Bordais, a 32-year-old French tourist, had a happier story to tell after she and her companion were put up in hotels in Tokyo for four nights at British Airways’ expense before flying to London on April 20.

“On one hand, it was a nice way to end six months travelling around Asia and we have been well-treated compared to others, but there is no way you could call it an extension of our holidays.

“We were constantly worried about when we could leave,” she said.

Risto Tirronen and his family were rolling up their sleeping mats after a night spent on the floor of the terminal. The Finnish businessman had abandoned any hope of a flight home and had settled instead for a marathon bus ride.

“We managed to sleep for a few hours but now there are no planes today for us. Instead, the Finnish embassy has organised buses for us to Stockholm and we will then catch a ferry to Finland,” he said. “But what can we do? That’s life. No one could have predicted this would happen. It was truly exceptional.”

Site: MMtimes.com

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Friday, April 9, 2010

Kingfisher Airlines Bomb suspect Kills Self

The crude bomb found aboard a Kingfisher Airlines flight in Thiruvananthapuram airport last month has claimed its first casualty.
Twenty-six-year old Sunil Lawrence, a contract cleaner at the airport killed himself after being questioned by the police and losing his job over the incident.
His suicide note says he decided to kill himself because he couldn’t prove his innocence.
Sunil's uncle Varghese said, “He was very moody and depressed after the incident though he was let off. Shortly before he hung himself, he had got a phone call. Police should look into this.”

Sunil was working for the same company of which a staffer, Rajashekharan Nair was arrested and remanded on March 28 in connection with the case.

Police found that Nair had planted the crude bomb to settle his grudge with a security official and that there was no terror angle to it.
The crude bomb was found wrapped in a newspaper in the cargo section of a plane which had flown from Bangalore to Thiruvanthapuram.

Police now say that Sunil was only one among the many suspects who were questioned and let off and that they are shocked at the contents of his suicide note. They are now probing the unidentified phone call he received shortly before he took his life.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Top Places to see in Mumbai

An India tour will remain incomplete without paying a visit to the interesting places of to see of Mumbai. Mumbai tours take you in and around the city of Mumbai and weave an interesting adventure of Mumbai city and its tourist destinations Places to see in Mumbai are aplenty such as the Impressive Gateway of India and its surrounding area of Colaba, the Prince of Wales Museum and the University of Mumbai which houses the Rajabai Tower.

Gateway of India

The business district of Fort, Flora Fountain area which extends up to the majestic Victoria Terminus or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus which is the starting point of many local as well as outstation trains, each are interesting and have a story to tell. For witnessing hectic hustle buste activity whilst shopping move down to Mahatma Phule Market or the Crawford Market as it is popularly known as. Here you will come across the latest and new imported as well new products.

While on a Mumbai tour, do visit the Hanging Garden on the hill, the Chowpatty or the Juhu Beach for experiencing fresh air against the calm sea waves. A leisurely walk on the Marine Drive or the Worli Sea Face should also be taken. Haji Ali, a famous Muslim dargah and the Mahalaxmi temple are located very near the Arabian Sea within this stretch should definitely be visited.

While on travel to India, do embark upon a Mumbai tour and make it point to visit almost all the places to see in Mumbai.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Hotels in Bangalore: Replete with World-class Facilities

My Bangalore friends always raved bout' East or West Bangalore is the best. From Bangalore Tourism, Hotels in Bangalore, resorts in Bangalore to restaurants and pubs in Bangalore.

Being a Delhites, I never got chance to visit Bangalore. But luckily last month my work took me to for a week long trip to silicon Valley and Oh Boy! What a fantastic time I had... I mean I have been on travel to India but Bangalore was altogether a different experience. It took my breath away. Coz' it was an official trip my office arranged my stay in one the top most hotels in Bangalore.

Hotels in BangaloreI with my juniors and peers stayed in a 5-star hotel and I was taken aback by its world-class treatment. Swimming pool, spas, jacuzzi to fitness machines I felt I became 10 years younger to my actual age. We conducted our seminars and meetings in hotel's big conference hall.

Great food, superb amenities, hospitality one think for sure I can say for Hotels in Bangalore, they are the best. It's not that I only worked in, on the last two days of my trip I planned to go for Bangalore Tourism. And I saw the most amazing sights. Be it the green parks, beautiful monuments, great food to the crazy nightlife in the pubs in Bangalore. I must admit I am really impressed with the pubs in Bangalore. I had a blast there. DJ playin' cool, foot-tapping music and light effects made my night out super fun! Tasty cocktails and crunchy snacks were also its high point.

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Unforgettable Taj Tour in Agra India

Agra, the very name reminds you of the splendid architecture, the glitter and splendor of Mughal dynasty and the eternal monument of love which has created waves in the history of world. Agra tours are undertaken by thousands every year to catch a glimpse of the majestic Taj mahal, built by Shahjahan in memory of his loving wife Mumtaz mahal. Taj is a diamond encrusted in the forehead of Indian subcontinent. Your India tours can never be complete without visiting this exotic monument of love.

Taj Tours AgraTaj tours in Agra are customized keeping in mind the budget of different kinds of travelers. Taj is an exotic architectural wonder. It has captured a place for itself in the list of seven wonders just because of its sheer beauty. This huge marble monument was initially encrusted with real gold and precious and semi precious stones. With the passage of time the gems and gold have all been ripped off from its walls. What still remain today is the charm and the rich historical legacy of the building. Taj tours of Agra makes you acquainted with several unknown aspects of Agra’s history.

Agra Tours are an important part of India travel Guide. Apart from Taj Mahal, The agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are the two major attractions of the city. The Sikri Fort built of red sandstone looks grand and the Agra Fort has several significant stories wrapped within its walls. Agra is steeped with rich historical significance. Every monument of the city speak volumes of its glorious past.

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Friday, May 30, 2008

Spirit of Delhi reflected through its tourist places

New Delhi is the capital city of India. It is blessed with several features that reflect the true essence of the country. The numerous places to see in Delhi have helped to retain and mirror that essence in the correct light.

People on Delhi tours can opt to visit these places to see in Delhi to completely understand the nature, culture and heritage of the city. The major areas of sightseeing in the city can be classified according to the areas and some of the most imperative ones have been listed below:

Red Fort Old Delhi: Still bearing the traditional charm is the Old Delhi. It mostly resembles the era dating back to the Mughal rule through the Red fort, the Jama Masjid, the Meena Bazar and the heart of the place, the Chandni Chowk. Delectable food, street side markets selling an array of products and several historical buildings, a trip to Old Delhi is no wonder very captivating.

Central Delhi: More popularly referred to as Lutyen’s Delhi, this area showcases a blend of the new and the old, the traditional as well as the modern. While on one hand, Delhi tours to central Delhi will take you to ancient forts and mausoleums like Purana Qila, Nizamuddin’s Tomb and Humayun’s Tomb it on the other hand houses modern architectural wonders like the Rashtrapati bhavan, Lakhmi Narayan temple and amusement parks and museums etc.

There are several places to see in Delhi around the civil lines area as well that houses places like the Roshanara bagh, the Metcalfe house and the Mutiny Memorial etc.

So, while on trip to the city, do make it a point to visit the traditional as well as modern wonders to comprehend the city, better.

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Rajasthan Tours: Mystique and Majestic

While on India Tour, Rajasthan is visited by Indians as well as foreign tourists all round the year. Rajasthan though has desert for the major part of its landscape, is full of color and vibrancy. The Rajasthanis are known to wear bright colored clothes, and their markets are full of distinct wares all full of colors – blue pottery market, miniatures, metallic jewellery, precious stones, textile and linen comprising of furnishings, rajais and carpets, handicrafts, puppets and lots more.

palace in rajasthan toursRajasthan has a tradition of celebrating festivals such as Deepawali, Makar Sankaranti, Teej, Ganesh, Janmashatmi by holding public fairs and festivals in the cities and towns across Rajasthan. If you are on Rajasthan tours during these times, you discover entire Rajasthan is out on the streets celebrating with dance and music, zest and zeal.

Places worth visiting in Rajsthan include Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Alwar, Ajmer, Mount Abu, Bharatpur. As they are top tourist locations, Hotels in Rajasthan are adequate and well equipped with facilities and amenities to cater to the clientele. Most of old palatial houses, havelis and palaces have been converted into hotels and offer royal treatment, Rajasthani cuisine and services to their guests to make them feel truly royal.

The best way to feel true Rajasthani Royal is to book oneself aboard the Palace on Wheels and royally travel to and through Rajasthan. Something is surely amiss if one does not experience grandeur and splendor while on a travel to Rajasthan.

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Friday, May 16, 2008

Luxurious Hotels in India

India is the land of islands, forts, palaces and of course the best hotels that one can ever get. India is a country with an assortment of colors, communities, places and faces. Hotels in India have some of the most exotic things to offer to the distant traveler. From the pristine beaches of Goa the traveler can head for the ever buzzing markets of the Delhi gullies and then see the splendorous palaces of Jaipur, the picturesque gardens of Bangalore and hobnob in the nightlife of Mumbai.

Hotels in India are top-notch in terms of the ambience, amenities and hospitality.

Jaipur, the “Pink City” has some of the most luxurious hotels one can find in India. It transports the leisure traveler to another era and history. Right from the heritage hotels to the star hotels to Home Stays, hotels in Jaipur offer a range of accommodations depending on one’s choice of stay.

Hotels in Goa offer some of the most relaxed places for rejuvenation like beach resorts and old villas where one can put up and soak in the sun-kissed waters and roll in the sands. There are budget hotels, wilderness camps, heritage hotels and star hotels.

Hotels in Delhi are plush and offer a large number of amenities and recreational facilities. One can also stay at simpler accommodations and lodges to get a feel of the older parts of Delhi.

Hotels in Bangalore offer excellent accommodation and value for money. There are five star hotels as well as spas and resorts. The hotels also include budget hotels.

So unwind in the opulence and grandeur to make your trip memorable.

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Enjoy sand beaches paradise with Goa Tours

Located on the western coast of Indian peninsula 'Goa' is a beautiful state famous for its golden sand beaches. It is a holiday paradise and lures tourists from all over the globe.

Goa is very well connected with the rest of the country by air and also has an excellent network of rail and roadways. Tourists coming from all directions via flights, buses or trains will not face any difficulty reaching this place.

After reaching Goa finding an accommodation is quite convenient. From luxurious star rated hotels to budget hotels, the hotels in Goa are all well equipped with modern facilities for the traveler.

beaches in goaGoa tours is basically known for its sun kissed beaches, lively and laid back culture at the same time, churches, nightlife and 'feni'( local drink). Miles and miles of golden sand stretches along the coast. On these beaches in Goa one can find tourists sprawled on the lounge chairs soaking in the sun and enjoying the rolling waves was the beach. Sitting there one can enjoy their drinks and food which come from the shack restaurants on the beach. In the night, under the starry sky one gets to relish the amazing food with the sound of the waves and a candle lit on the table.

Water sports is another very famous attraction here. Scootering, para gliding, diving, snorkeling is all enjoyed and looked forward to. The Gothic churches of Goa and the temples here are very famous for their craftsmanship and work done on them. People from all sects live here in harmony presenting a perfect picture of 'unity in diversity'.

A Goa tours experience is very tranquilizing and enthralling at the same time. It leaves the traveler asking for more and offers a very unique holiday and traveling experience.

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Monday, April 21, 2008

Enjoy Kerala Charm with Backwater tours Kerala

Kerala Tours enable travelers to feast on some of the most mesmerizing sites of the most beautiful Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, Kerala is often referred to as ‘God’s own country’, owing to the splendid locations and fascinating natural views. Kerala Tourism invites tourists to come and take a dip into the myriad hues of the state.

Backwater tours KeralaKerala is characterized by sun kissed beaches, fascinating wildlife, gorgeous backwaters and waterfalls and majestic forts and monuments all rolled into one. It is also known world over for its Ayurveda connection, the alternative science of healing and rejuvenation of the body and mind. A guest on Kerala Tours can feast on all of these and much more. To know about it read on…

Kerala Tours entices travelers to its midst through the various amenities housed here. Festivals in Kerala are celebrated in the most appealing way. Vishu, Onam, Esater and Bakrid are observed here with the most traditional flavor and a tourist on Kerala Tours can participate in them to enjoy the essence of the place, better.

Honeymoon is another favorite facet of Kerala Tours. Romantic locations, serene and peaceful ambiance and a number of exotic hotels all contribute towards making the honeymoon trip, the most memorable one. Hotels in Kerala are equipped with world -class lodging and dining facilities and the efficient services of the staff go a long way to enhance the pleasures of ones trip.

Tourists on India Tours can never completely enjoy the spirit of India without visiting the Backwaters of Kerala. A number of backwater tours exploring the various regions of the same can be undertaken while on Kerala Tours. Serpentine coastal areas, local villages, swaying coconut trees and several fish and butterfly varieties, all wait to entice the guests in the most magnificent ways.

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Thursday, April 3, 2008

World Travel Destinations: Top 5 Island Getaways

The world can very well be my backpack…..but the world travel destinations are not a mean thing to cover. It is one thing- actually just three words to talk about world travel destinations, but another to even enlist them, forget exploring them. So it is important that you have some kind of focus while traveling. It is important that your itinerary reflects your taste and inclination towards traveling.

world tours I for myself am aiming to cover in the first few years, the top 5 island getaways. Now there can be a lot of debate I know, about which of the five island getaways can be termed the top 5 island getaways Well, you might beg to differ, but since it’s my blog, you’ve got to accept what I have to say. Haha.

OK, last things first. When I gather enough money, which will be some time from now I believe, I’ll definitely go to Bora Bora with my girlfriend. Well you never know, if I manage to get hooked to a rich girlfriend, I might get to visit Bora Bora earlier. Bora Bora is indeed one of the most popular and most expensive island getaways. But the best thing about this Tahiti Island is its resorts – some of the most desirable world hotels. One of its resorts has these floating cottages with glass covered openings on the floors; you can feed the fish and even angle some of them from your room…just think about that…!!!

Then there is Seychelles - there are 115 islands out there; not that you need to go to all of them…but the best ones would do. The rather hackneyed Hawaii is also a must visit- more so because of their food and the garlanded women…..oops….!!!!

An island itinerary would remain incomplete without Barbados in the Caribbean and to round it off….I would like to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India - I’ve heard you can do quite a bit of snorkeling out there; the corals are beautiful. Anyways, in case my blog inspires you to go to any of these places; it’s just a start. You will find many a world travel guide, or glossy tourism brochures advertising complete holiday packages. You can even get cheap flights to these places. And just in case you are planning to get married by mistake, you can consider any of these places to impress your wife (though that’s an impossible task they say).

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

2008 Beijing Olympics – Let the Games Begin!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about the upcoming Olympics. The whirlwind countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics has begun… and those who are still undecided about whether they want to be part of the biggest sporting event held every four years might well be left behind. The hotels in Beijing nearest to the Olympic Village are simply bursting at the seams with advance bookings. My cousin Eric is due for a business conference in Beijing in mid-August, and he’s glad his company has its own guesthouse there.

2008 beijing olympicsWell, some people have all the luck. Work is taking him close to the venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while the very same work will have me doing a 9-5 every day of the Olympic month. Not that I regret it much. The ‘idiot box’ is good company.

Perhaps I’ll settle down with a bowl of comfort food (yum..chips and cola and popcorn and roast chicken..and ..ok..can fantasize later) and watch my favorite gymnasts and swimmers perform. Well actually, it’s small comfort for someone who nearly booked a flight to China (boo hoo... but that’s how reality stands!).

My work keeps me online for 17 hours a day, and I am well, nearly up-to-date with anything remotely connected to China tours. (I was almost on that plane... remember?). All the online world travel guides of any importance are announcing last minute rush bookings for Beijing hotels, reaching out to those who still fancy a tour of China, which is the place to be at in August 2008. In a way, I realize I have made a decision in favor of practicality.

China hotels and tours are the hottest commodities on the web, and Chinese economy is cashing in on the big interest. So if you are headed to China this year, be prepared to shell out big bucks or best of luck with a world travel guide that gives you the ‘cheapest deals’ for everything related to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Peru Tours: In the Land of the Incas

All my interest in Peru had been borne out of Tintin books - the Seven Crystal Balls and the Prisoners of the Sun; books that I had read over and over as a child and gifted to my son when he was old enough to read. In fact I had promised my son that we would be going on a Peru Tour on his tenth birthday and I had to go by it. But of course Peru Tours are something you cannot be satisfied with at one go or on a short visit. So there we were, lucky to get a cheap flight to the land of the Incas.

True, there is a lot to see in Peru but the Inca ruins take the cake. The ruins at Machu Picchu are simply spellbinding. I mean they are just so larger than life! You cannot possibly get over the vista they create on the mountainous slopes. And if you come to think of the fact that they were built way back in the 15th century…well! And I felt a strange sense of shame to think that we bargained against this for the crowded cities down in the plains.

However, Machu Picchu is now well serviced by tourist guides and sound transport systems, and many of the Peru Hotels arrange their own trips and hikes to the ruins with their guides.

A friendly piece of advice - do consult a proper world travel guide before going on Peru Tours; and do not forget to get into one of those smoky pubs infested with immensely talented singers and musicians, who seem to live just for the sake of music, still.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

UK Tours: UK Calling!

Wednesday, March 9th 2007. I’ll never forget the day! An aunt in the United Kingdom wanted me to come to her and promised she would bear all my expenses and tantrums too. Fast as my legs would carry me, I visited a cyber cafe, surfed the net, glanced through all the customized UK Tours and decided on one promotional offer by a good travel agent. Bingo! England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland! History and heritage it is this time. Let me tell you of muffins, haunted castles and other things English.

UK toursI was lucky again to get a seat in one of the cheap flights to UK. Landing at Heathrow airport my first thought turned towards accommodation. Yes I could have easily gone and stayed with that aunt of mine but being independent always helps. Especially in a foreign country! The thrill of being on unknown territory is unparalleled. As such my hotel was already booked through my travel agent. A downtown budget accommodation close to Hyde Park suited me fine especially after going through the steep tariffs of the big UK hotels and high end London hotels in particular. One thing that struck me most about London hotels is that most of them are located in the pedestrian footpath without a boundary. They mix well with the surrounding milieu.

Once I’d settled in my hotel and visited my ecstatic aunt, my next stops were Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Kensington Palace, London Bridge and London Dockyard. I am an avid fan of Charles Dickens you see.

UK Tours would be deemed incomplete if you don’t visit the countryside of England with its inns and English breakfast. So very PG Wodehouse! However due to time constraint all that I could make out in the ensuing days were Stratford Upon Avon, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Yes a bit of Scotland and Wales along with sightseeing some English castles felt good. On the whole my UK Tour was enriching, fun-filled and yes, I still thank my stars and hope that I find one or two of these long lost aunts in Brazil or Egypt too. Just some of the places my world travel guide got me interested in. o and also opened up mind-boggling options, making my thirst for the unknown limitless.

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