Gangtok and Darjeeling – Tourist's Heavenly Abode

Apr 14, 2012

Any tourist visiting the North Eastern region of India invariably includes Gangtok and Darjeeling, two important hill stations in the region, in his itinerary. It may be a Gangtok tourism package or a Darjeeling tour package; both these tour packages go hand-in-hand.

Gangtok, capital city of Sikkim, is a beautiful city surrounded by nature at its best. Nestled in the Himalayan range, the city has plenty to offer to a tourist. Similarly Darjeeling, another hill station in the same Himalayan ranges has beautiful spots to be visited. That's why both these cities are invariably part of any north east travel package.

Sikkim abounds in natural beauty and hence, is a tourist's delight. There are many must visit places which find a place in any Gangtok tourism package. Important places to visit include Himalayan Zoological Park, Menam Hill, Khecheopalri Lake, Ganesh Tok and Pemayangtse Monastery. A very important event worth watching is the annual chaam or the masked dance performed at the Do Drul Chorten Stupa. The nearby Orchid Sanctuary is famous for the variety of Orchids and it is really a treat to watch so many colourful orchids bloom. One can have a breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga peak from Enchey, the most revered Monastery. Rumtek Monastery is where one finds the ten feet tall Buddha statue. North east travel is not complete without a visit to the beautiful picnic spot, the Banjhakri Falls, surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Gangtok tourism is also incomplete without a visit to the Mayfair Gangtok Spa Resort and Casino. This is the only Casino found in the entire north east region.

Darjeeling is another beautiful hill station situated in the Himalayan ranges and is 94 km away from Gangtok. Apart from being a tourist place. Darjeeling is also famous for its tea industry. Any one undertaking a Darjeeling tour should have plenty of time at his disposal because there are plenty of tourist attractions in and around Darjeeling.

A famous tourist attraction is the toy train by which one can reach Darjeeling. This toy train has been given the World Heritage tag by UNESCO. The train starts from New Jalpaiguri and covers the distance of about 88 km in approximately eight hours. But the time is well spent as the traveller can enjoy scenic beauty of the hill range throughout the journey.

Other major attractions that can be included in the Darjeeling tour can be found with a good travel agent who can formulate a comprehensive vacation for you. For a tourist with a religious attitude there are several Monasteries in and around Darjeeling. To name a few which are worth visiting are Yiga Cholling Monastery, Samten Cholling Monastery and Drukpa Kargyud Monastery. Also worth visiting is the Japanese Peace Pagoda from where one can have a breathtaking view of the Himalayan Mountains. Dhirdham temple, a replica of Nepal's famous Pashupathinath temple is another religious place to visit.

For the nature loving tourist north east travel is incomplete without visiting places like the Tiger hill from where one can view sunrise and also get a glimpse of Mount Everest. Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and Barbotey Rock Garden are other attractions in the place.

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The City of Delhi in India has its People Switching to Air Travel These Days

Modes of transport have seen a transformation from the times when man only had bullock carts and cycle rickshaws to times when he made trains and airplanes for travelling possible. Times have changed and thus with it, have man's habits. We have become so used to luxury and everything that is easily available, that it irks us if we have to put in extra effort to get something. Habits and luxury are today used as synonyms. In fact this is more so, the case with people living in metropolitan cities. Take for example the case of capital city of India, Delhi; here the modes of transport are widely diverse. From metros to trains, from buses to airplanes, the face of transport system has completely changed and for good.

People in Delhi have become versed with luxurious things and the mode of transport that one chooses reflects highly on one's choice and need. A mode of transport can vary and there are alternatives available for everything these days. In such a scenario, if one constantly and by choice opts for one thing, then it totally reflects on one's attitude and conscious choice. Thus, if you go by the number of air transport users, then Delhi lists as one of the highest user-friendly city in India. Government has really customised the amount of air tickets these days, making it an easily affordable means of transport. Thus, people who frequently go in and out of Delhi opt for cheap flights to Delhi. There is no dearth in flights to Delhi making it easier for those who prefer air travelling than other means.
It's not only the government that has made air travellers at ease but also the private air flying companies. I should say, it's both the public and private players in air transport service that have helped in making air flying an easy job in Delhi and elsewhere. Tickets today can easily be afforded by a middle class person who has an average income. In fact, there are many offers and packages that these public and private companies indulge in to entice users and attract more air travellers. Delhi, being not a very pricey city can feed many mouths and with it make many income earners rich. Cheap flights to Delhi have thus become very popular with Delhiites as it helps them maintain their status and attain luxury at the same time.

The number of air travellers has increased and thus you'd see that the Delhi airport is full of people who are vying for tickets, domestic and international both. Delhi is well connected with many foreign countries, thus people regularly take flights to Delhi so as to catch their flight to some foreign nation.

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Aboard Golden Chariot Train for Temple Tour of South India

Apr 11, 2012

The southern region of India is an incredible land replete with rich cultural heritage and architectural marvels. The temples of this region exemplify spectacular blend of sheer spirituality and brilliant artistry. Golden Chariot, south India's first and only luxury train, offers glimpse of various temples cities and World Heritage Sites that speak volumes about its glorious history and rich culture.

The ancient Hindu culture has been conserved and fostered in these temples since medieval times by different dynasties of the south. Various Dravidian temples that are sprinkled all across this region were commissioned by erstwhile rulers in veneration of their holy deity. During the course of its two weeklong itineraries namely Pride of the South and Splendor of the South, the luxury train traverses the course of enchanting destinations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala which bears testimony to the Dravidian art and architecture.

The Pride of the South journey aboard Golden Chariot train trail the course of Karnataka for 8 days and 7 nights and covers various culturally significant destinations which include Belur, Halebid, Hampi and Badami. Whereas Belur and Halebid are known for its magnificently designed Hoyasala temples depicting carved images of Hindu deities, sages, Hoyasala kings on the outer walls, Hampi is known for its much admired Dravidian temples which has been emblazoned as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Badami Caves, renowned for its rock-cut cave temples is also a part of Pride of the South journey. The architecture of these caves represents three different religious sects- Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism- and holds exquisite carvings, mural paintings and sculptures of various deities. Just 22 kilometers away from Badami lays the World Heritage Site of Pattadakkal known for displaying a seamless fusion of Dravidian and Nagara style of architecture.

But the temples of Karnataka are just speck in the vast of repertoire of Indian heritage with many destinations in this region which are also capable of gratifying the penchant for temple tour. The Splendor of the South journey aboard Golden Chariot offers excursion to famous temple cities of Mamallapuram, Kanchipuram, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur and Madurai, each of which showcases that the erstwhile rulers of south were not just religious but also the great patron of Dravidian art and architecture.

Not to forget that Golden Chariot is a luxury train and offers every indulgence required in a luxury rail journey. The cabins of this train are patterned to reflect the architectural traditions of Hoyasala and Mysore apparent in its exquisitely carved ceilings, wall panels and furniture. Besides timeless décor, the train comes equipped with various modern amenities required to maintain the contemporary panache. To add to the charm of royal stay, the train also comes equipped with two plush restaurants, lounge bar and business center and even a spa facility something previously unheard in a luxury train.

To say that Golden chariot offers peak into the religious and cultural domain of southern region of India will be an overstatement. The two weeklong journeys of this luxury train trails the route of various temples cities of south India and even the name of the train is inspired from the Stone Chariot in Hampi. Plush accommodation, gourmet dining, guided sightseeing and impeccable hospitality ensures a lifetime experience on board.

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How to Choose the Best Travel Day Pack?

Apr 10, 2012

Backpacking all over the world is said to be a dream of a lifetime for anyone. And to have the best backpacking experience you need to own the best travel backpack that suits your needs. Nowadays, you'll find travel backpacks which are brilliantly created along with multi-functional features that they may be utilized for almost everything from any outdoor activity.

Offer your outdoor items the cool and trendy look that they are worthy of having with a well-built best backpack. For a whole day of trekking, hiking or any outdoor activity, only few are greater than travel day packs. The best backpack for travel maintains your essentials nicely arranged.

The most essential piece of outdoor gear you are going to obtain in preparing for your outdoor experience is your travel backpack. Investing to have the best backpack for travel is not just like choosing a cheap bit of baggage. It's not just about the price but the overall feature of the backpack.

There are a lot of things to consider when buying your own travel day pack. To name a few, here are some tips that you can take account of:

• Size - Prior to you buying a travel backpack, identify the items you are going to put in it. Think about your things, recognize your preferences, as well as pick out a variety of rucksacks consequently.
• Fitting - Make sure that the backpacks fit you well and comfy to use. When possible, try to fit the travel day pack personally to see for yourself. It might feel uncomfortable or some kind of different. Also, try to fill up the backpack with the approximate weight of your stuff you will bring to identify if suits you well.
• Materials - Backpacks can be produced from materials such as ballistic nylons, hemp, leather, canvas or perhaps reused man-made supplies. Nevertheless the most typical resources are usually canvas, leather as well as nylons.
• Purpose - While searching for the best day pack, select a backpack fitted to those things that you make use of most of the time. Take into account simply how much you will end up packing for your usual outdoor activity, precisely what climate conditions are you into most frequently along with the specific functions it provides which will give your ease and comfort whenever you use your travel backpack over a long-drawn-out time.

Once you know the important considerations on how to select the best day pack for travel to fit each your needs as well as price range, you are geared up to purchase any backpack that's good for you. Make sure you go with a backpack determined by your requirements and pursuits. Choosing a travel day pack in accordance to your requirements might help maintain a much more structured outdoor activity making it a once in a lifetime experience. The advantages of hitting up in the road with the best backpack must not be overlooked.

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Deciding How to Pay Overseas

Apr 9, 2012

Once you have purchased your cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages for travel abroad you should familiarize with the currency used at your destination so that you can understand what things cost in U.S. dollars.

One of the easiest ways to pay is by using credit cards and/or debit cards. Before leaving on your trip you should consider the differences and benefits of using credit cards vs. debit cards.

The biggest advantage of credit cards is that the user can buy now and pay later. Also by making purchases with a credit card, the user enjoys certain protections. If there is a problem with your purchase, you can cancel payment. If someone steals your card and then makes purchases, so long as you report your card stolen, you are not responsible.

Another advantage is most credit cards offer points or miles that can be earned via purchases and later redeemed for rewards. The biggest downside of credit cards is that their interest rates on cash advances tend to be exorbitant and should be avoided unless there is a real emergency.

Debit cards help users on a tight budget monitor their spending without carrying cash. Debit card users do not have to look for ATM machines to get cash. Debit cards deduct money directly from checking accounts. The biggest drawback of debit cards is often you cannot use them to make a hotel or car reservation. Final payment using a debit card is usually not a problem.
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What Should Always be Packed in Carry-On

While cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages help make trips affordable, remembering what to pack in your carry-on bag can help make your trip more enjoyable.

Airlines tend to be stingy with snacks, and full meals, blankets and pillows often cost extra. Given that delays are common, travelers would be well served to travel prepared, whether taking short or long haul flights.

The following are carry-on items that make flying more comfortable:

• Given that your checked baggage may be delayed for unforeseen reasons, always pack prescription medications (in original packaging) and toiletries in your carry-on. Include such items as nasal sprays, moisturizers and lip balm.

• Bring your own entertainment to listen to/view in flight, whether it is a tablet, e-reader, iPod, and/or traditional book. Make certain you charge all electronic devices immediately prior to departing so that you can read, watch movies, play games or listen to music uninterrupted.

• When packing food to carry onto the plane remember to leave smelly foods behind. If traveling abroad, produce and meats will not be allowed into your destination. Pack gum and/or lozenges to ward off ear popping during takeoff and landing. Although drinks are not allowed through security checkpoints, you can usually carry them onto a plane if purchased once past security.

• Given that in-flight temperatures often drop and cabins tend to be on the cool side, make certain to pack a sweater, jacket, or wrap as well as socks to keep warm. Air travel neck pillows often help passengers sleep on longer flights.

• Cash is no longer accepted in the air. You will need a credit card if you wish to purchase a meal, enjoy a movie, order an alcoholic drink or pay for Wi-Fi.
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