Five Fabulous Weekend Getaways From Delhi

A city with rich heritage and culture, a melting pot of India's vast diversity and a mix of different ethnicity, Delhi represents a world within a world. With an amazing blend of history, culture and food, it is the perfect place to get a glimpse of India's rich cultural heritage. Sprinkled with dazzling gems including stunning ancient monuments, remarkable museums and some of the yummiest places to eat, a visit to Delhi is filled with both fun and excitement. However, there are many places near the capital city as well which your can explore while in Delhi. Here is the five places you can visit on the weekend and enjoy your holidays during India tour.

Lansdowne- A cute little hill station

A small hill station in Uttarakhand  Lansdowne might not be as perfect as Kasauli or Chail but as you wander around through its lush oak and pine forests, the place grows on you. Nothing beats its clean meandering roads and well-maintained lake complex. Only about 250 km from the hustle bustle of Delhi, it is the perfect weekend getaway to have a great time amidst nature. Unexplored and unspoiled, Lansdowne makes you discover little things in life. Taking a walk through its streets lets you come across the simple local life. Enjoy boating in the serene Lake Bulla complex which is designed in the theme of Rishikesh. A visit to this little hill station would surely revitalize your spirit.

Chandigarh- City of gardens

One of the best planned city in India, Chandigarh is a blend of good architecture, clean wide roads, well- laid gardens and shopping places. It is a rare combination of modernization and nature's preservation. Located near the foothills of Shivalik ranges in Himalayas, Chandigarh is also famous as 'City beautiful'. First planned city of India, it was designed by French architect Le Corbusier. On your trip to this lovely city, explore the pretty gardens including the Rock Garden, Pinjore Garden and Rose Garden. Visit the popular man-made lake Sukhna and enjoy a boat ride on the lake. You will be mighty impressed with this beautiful city.

Nainital- A Gem in Himalayas

At a distance of about 270 km from Delhi, Nainital is a popular tourist destination and is famous for its lakes and wonderful climate which remains same throughout the year. Situated on the foothills of Kumaon, Nainital is blessed with natural beauty and splendor. Surrounded by lofted mountains and dotted with numerous lakes, the place is rightly called the 'Lake district of India'. It was a popular summer retreat for Britishers during colonial times. With its winding streets and ancient buildings, the place has not yet lost its age-old  charm. A boat ride on the famous lake Naini in the evening is a great way to enjoy the breathtaking views of Nainital.

Corbett National Park

Situated at the foothills of Himalayas and spread over an area of about 500 sq km, Corbett national park is the first wildlife reserve in India. Named after the hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett, it is home to a variety of flora and fauna which also include some of the most endangered species. Including the wild pigs, leopards, hedgehogs and wild deers you have a chance to spot tiger also, if you are lucky. River Kosi and Ramganga runs through the forest providing the life source of the reserve. Embark on an exciting jungle safari and have a great time living the perfect adventure of your life. Exploring the wilderness of the jungle has its own charm.

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Neemrana Fort Complex

If you want to get a taste of royalty of Rajasthan then head to Neemrana. A fort complex and a heritage hotel, it is tastefully done with exquisite furniture and antiques. Situated on the high hills, the fort offers splendid views of the surrounding natural splendor. Only at a distance of about 130 km from Delhi, Neemrana is a great place to visit on weekend and enjoy various activities including camel cart ride, zipping and vintage car ride.

GeTS Holidays offers you a single solution for all your tourism queries in India. We provides tour guides, travel packages, hotel booking or tickets, we are here to serve you in every sector.

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Major World Heritage Sites in India

Spread over a large area, India is a country with impressive history and great culture. From snow crowned peaks of Himalayas guarding the northern frontier to ocean caressed southern part and rain drenched eastern part to vast deserts in the west, India takes pride in being diverse. This one of the major countries in Asia also showcases a wealth of heritage and more than 30 UNESCO world heritage sites dotting its landscape are fine testimony of this fact. And the love from travellers and backpackers keep pouring. 
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Here we are enlisting major world heritage sites in India which should be part of your itinerary.

Taj Mahal, the ultimate wonder:

Taj Mahal catches the fascination of every tourist visiting India. This destination attracts people from around the world. This white marbled structure was made by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved. Taj Mahal is a classic example of Mughal architecture. Tourists often take flights to Delhi that offers an easy access to the city of Taj.

Mountain Railways of India

Mountain Railways of India traverse through a hard to explore terrain, connecting far off places. Besides giving you a glimpse of scenic landscape, it also shows the herculean efforts made to build this rail project.

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Ajanta & Ellora Caves:

Situated in the Indian state of Maharashtra Ajanta & Ellora Caves are major attractions in the region. These rock cut caves are highly thronged by tourists.

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Kaziranga National Park:

Situated in the Indian state of Assam, Kaziranga National Park is a well known for its wide variety of Animals. The national park is home to two third of one horned rhinoceros.

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Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Bhopal

Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist Stupas. Located in the Raisen District of Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this small village is highly frequented by tourists.

Hampi:

Not only monuments and historical buildings but even ruins could be interesting. Hampi is a finest example of this kind. Tourists often visit the charming ruins of the 15th-century Vijayanagar Empire.

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Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya

The Mahabodhi Temple is situated at the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Tourists and followers of Buddhism flock to Gaya situated at a distance of 96 km from Patna.

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Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho known for its sensuous temple is one of the major draw cards for India tours. Situated in Chhatarpur District in the Indian state of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments has a great aesthetic appeal.

Sun Temple, Konarak

The eastern Indian state of Odisha is replete with tourist attractions and Konark Sun Temple, a 13th century Temple is one of the glittering examples of this kind.

Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh

Fatehpur Sikri has served as seat of power during the reign of Emperor Akbar in the second half of 16th century. During your visit to this destination, you will see the complex of monuments and temples displaying impressive architecture.

In addition to these, there a number of tourist attractions listed as UNESCO world heritage site. Tourists with interest in history and culture often book flights tickets to India from the UK to explore these places of tourist interest.
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Tips for Traveling to India - View of a Nomad

What do you know about India? India is a mysterious, exotic, sometimes strange, but truly intriguing country! No matter what country you go to, there are always things that you have to be cautious about. India is not an exception. I hope these tips will be helpful for anyone wanting to visit India.

1. Diseases

The most common health issue you get in the country is stomachache. You can prevent it by eating cooked food, washing hands regularly, choosing clean restaurants and so forth. And never drink tap water in India, every year 600,000 people die due to serious diarrhea caused by dirty tap water.

Also make sure to use a bug repelling spray whenever you are outside to avoid catching malaria through mosquitoes.

Below is the list of things you should always carry with you:

·         Medicine that you are familiar with

·         Sport beverage like Gatorade

·         Bug repelling spray

·         Wet tissues

·         Toilet paper

·         Hand sanitizer

Make sure you take out suitable travel insurance companies to cover the cost of getting sick whilst in India.

2.  Food

In India, the most common form of food you will eat is a curry.  Most curries will contain a lotofspices.   The only time you will not have curries is when you go to foreignrestaurants like McDonald’s. If you have a sensitive stomach to curries or unfamiliar foods then you should make sure you have your own medicine to treat an upset stomach.

3. Bargaining

Just like markets in many Arabic and far-east countries, you have to bargain with venders and even taxi drivers to get the best prices. It can be quite stressful if you are not used to, but it is necessary particularly if you are traveling on a tight budget. You have to be patient and try to have fun whilst you are bargaining.

Here are some tips to help you bargain successfully:

1.       Don’t tell them your budget

2.       Start by knowing how much you are willing to pay for the item

3.       Always let them say their price first

4.       Start at a lot lower price than you are willing to pay

5.       If you can get the item at half the price they say you have done a good job.

4. Lots of Homeless People

You will see a lot of homeless people on the streets everywhere in India. You will often be asked by them to buy some cigarettes or a chewing gum. I recommend not buying them, because once one of them sees you buying from another one, then all of them will try to sell you something very aggressively.

5. Clothing

It is advised not to dress too fashionably when walking around the streets.People will think you are rich and try to rip you off even more. Always wear clothes you can walk comfortably in. Flip-flops are a good choice for shoes.  For women, it is recommended you don’t expose your body too much because it is prohibited for Indian women to wear clothes that show skin due to the religion.

6. Climate

 Most people have this idea that India is always extremely hot, but in reality it varies across the country. Depending on the place and season you choose to visit, the temperature can be anywhere from cold to boiling hot. So check the weather for the places you intend to visit, as you may have to pack some clothes for cold weather as well as warm weather. Also from June through September it is India’s monsoon season.As a result during this period there are additional risks. It causes bad hygiene and boosts the risk of infection.  If you are visiting in the rainy season, bring a reliable umbrella. In general, the best traveling period is between October and May.

India can be one of the most enjoyable trips you will go on, if you are well prepared and have planned correctly. Consider these tips and make your own plans so you can have a fantastic holiday!

Kento Sakuma is from Tokyo, Japan and has extensive travel experience around the globe. He recommends to take out suitable travel insurance from  Cover-More, a well-known travel insurance company operating in Australia, UK and New Zealand.

 The views, opinions and positions expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone is not financial product advice, and do not reflect the views of Watch India Wide and Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd.

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A Food Tour of India

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India is a country known for its fragrant and delicious cuisine, from curry to coffee, the country's delicacies are renowned around the world for their rich flavours. If you're heading to India for an authentic eating experience, then this short guide is the perfect way to plan what and where to eat.

Punjab

When visiting any country, you will encounter one food that the locals eat above all others. Created in the Punjab, Butter Chicken is a favourite with many Indians. The chicken is marinated overnight in yoghurt and spices like ginger, turmeric, and green chilies. Many dishes from the Punjab region also use lots of butter, and so they tend to be fairly rich.

Bengali

If you're looking for some heat and spice, then Bengali cuisine is perfect. 'Bhapa' is a dish of steamed fish and rice, with lots of spices. Fish and lentils are common in the area, so non-meat eaters will find lots of options on the menu. Chutney is also common in the area, often made with fresh mangos; a cooling accompaniment to any spicy curries.

Coffee Beans

 India is a country famed for its coffee, producing over 8,200 tons every year. Coffee production in the country can be dated back hundreds of years, and it is said that beans grown in the south have a distinctive taste due to the wet weather conditions, being termed 'Indian monsooned coffee'. The most commonly distributed wholesale coffee beans are the 'Arabica' grown in the south, known for its mild flavour. Robusta is also grown in the South, mainly in the Wayanad area of the Kerala region, where you will also find the famed Indian tiger.

Kerala

 Food in the Kerala region is mainly based around coconut, rice, tapioca and meat. Breakfast is often accompanied by Kheer (Payasam), a popular rice dish similar to rice pudding. Sweet dishes are offered throughout India, with Besan Ladoo being a favourite. It consists of small fried balls of sugar and flour mixed with almonds and cashews and is said to be a popular treat with the Hindu god Ganesh.

Vindaloo

Known all around the world for its extreme spiciness, Vindaloo is popular in the regions of Goa and Mumbai. Its origins actually begin in Portugal, but were adopted by India to become the fiery curry we know today. Meals in Mumbai are often accompanied with roti and varan (lentils). Another delicious accompaniment from the region is Puran poli, a sweet flatbread.

Some north eastern regions offer very different cuisine from the rest of India. The area of Meghalaya is famed for its spiced duck and goat, as well as the pickled bamboo shoots eaten by locals. Momo dumplings are another delicacy; a steamed dumpling also eaten in Tibet.

Now you have taken a culinary tour of India, your mouth is probably watering! Whether you're going to be taking a trip to experience the real thing, or you just want to whip up a treat in your own kitchen, you now have some delicious inspiration. 

Hampi - The Historic and Religious Land in Karnataka, India

The stone Chariot,Hampi, Karnataka, India (source)

There are many places around the globe that are rich with historical sites and great history whether on culture or religion. India is one of the places that have great a religious history and most of the religious historic sites still exist and are well preserved. Hampi is an example of a historically rich village in India.

History

Hampi is a village that is located in Bellary district in Karnataka, India. This was the capital of Hindu empire Vijayanagara who ruled the south India during 14^th to 16^th century A.D. The village is most famous for its religious history that is portrayed in its architecture and stone sculptures. The village is around 25 kilometers but has an overwhelming number of more than 500 monuments. The sculptures and ruins date back to the 14th century when the village was the capital of the great Hindu kingdoms. Since Hampi was the capital of a great kingdom, it has gone through a series of wars which were mainly political and religious. This led to the destruction of various areas but most of the architecture stands tall.

Important sites to visit in Hampi

Lakshmi narasimha shrine

The shrine was sculpted around 1528AD and is located just along the main road to Hampi. The shrine has one of the most magnificent sculptures in the area that stands at 6.7 meters. This sculpture represents narasimha which is the fourth avatar of the lord Vishnu which means the giant lion. The sculpture is surrounded by four large walls around it but has over the years been damaged. However one can examine the different remnants of the sculptures.

The Krishna temple

Located near the Lakshmi Narasimha shrine, the Krishna temple is one of the must visit sites in Hampi. The temple is rather conspicuous since it sits on a raised ground. Built in 1513AD, the temple has several shrines on it that have avatars of various Krishna gods. The most attracting feature of the site is the decorations of pathways and design on the doors and door jambs.

Hampi festival

The annual festival that is held on January is aimed at creating a firsthand cultural experience for the visitors. It runs for three days. Large crowds both local and foreign turn up each year to enjoy the dance, music, fireworks display and other activities in the festival. Hampi has lot of sites and every turn you make is a surprise. For this reason, having a guide who will take you around the most historical sites is recommended.

Most sites do not charge visitors and those which charge normally have a cheap price. Making early bookings for travel will ensure you do not have any inconveniences. Moving around different sites will require a lot of walking therefore one should have the appropriate gear and comfortable shoes.

When planning for a leisure trip, visiting historic sites can be a great option since you get to learn a lot. First of all you need to ensure you have made all the necessary preparations when planning for any trip. One needs to make sure that they have all the necessary documents such as the passport to avoid any delay and inconvenience when travelling.

For more detailed information -http://feni-and-amok.blogspot.in/2010/12/hampi-memories-1-virupaksha-temple.html  check all 9 articles for the best information.