India Luxury Travel Blog

A Look At The Different Heritage Destinations In India

The Indian civilization flourished in the surrounding areas of the Indus Valley sometime in the year 3300 to 1300 BCE. This was the first major civilization in India. All these years, India amassed a rich cultural heritage that is reflected in the different cultural and heritage destinations that India offers to its guests. If you [...]

Beach Tours of India: Visiting Beaches and Coastal India

India tourism has truly come of age. There is a more conscious effort that is being made to promote India as a tourist destination, and there is more curiosity to visit India. The beauty about India is that once you visit her, you can just never have enough. Many people are of the belief that [...]

An India tour for Beginners

Australian cricketer Michael Hussey considers an India tour as one of the toughest. That’s probably because he has to game to play and win and beating the Indian cricket team these days is more than a matter of luck! But thankfully most people who plan an India tour don’t have competition on mind. They come [...]

Make Yourself India Tour Savvy

If there is one word that best describes India, it is vibrancy. You will discover why this word becomes the right choice when you get here. But before you do, a few things that you should know about Indians because forewarned is forearmed! Jokes apart, you do need some preparation if you’re on your first [...]

Down the Slopes on a Vacation in India

Are you planning an India Tour for a skiing experience? Now, the first thing to wonder about is, does India really qualify as a good skiing destination? If yes, then can it think beyond the snowy slopes of Gulmarg in Kashmir, (a town that has earned its respect as a great skiing place)? So let’s [...]

A Look At The Different Heritage Destinations In India

February 28th, 2012

Amjad Khan

The Indian civilization flourished in the surrounding areas of the Indus Valley sometime in the year 3300 to 1300 BCE. This was the first major civilization in India. All these years, India amassed a rich cultural heritage that is reflected in the different cultural and heritage destinations that India offers to its guests. If you want to have a glimpse of India’s rich culture, here are some ideal destinations worth visiting.

Taj Mahal

Located in Agra, the Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a monument for his loving wife Mumtaz. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is quite popular because of its white domed marble mausoleum. But in reality, it is an integrated complex of structures. It is recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India.” The Taj Mahal is known for its highly stylized calligraphy, intricate marble carvings, and delicate arrangements of precious stones.

taj mahal

Nalanda

The ruins of the Nalanda University represent the glamour and splendor of Buddhist culture. The Nalanda University, recognized as the oldest in the world, was a residential educational institution which served as home to around 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. It was an important center for Buddhist studies and was even frequented by students from countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, among others.

Nalanda University

Neemrana Fort

Located on the Aravalli Plateau ranges 122 kilometers from New Delhi, the Neemrana Fort is considered as one of the earliest heritage resorts in India. It served as the headquarters of the 14th century Hill-fort ruled by the Chauhans until 1947. Today it is becoming as a fast growing industrial hub.

neemrana fort

Konark Temples

The Konmark Temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located along the Bay of Bengal. The temple serves as a memorial to the Sun God and is a symbol of Orissa’s medieval architecture. The site resembles the shape of a chariot carrying the Sun God towards the heaven. In the medieval times, it served as a navigational aid to the European sailors enroute to Calcutta. There are other sites worth seeing in Konark such as the Archaeological Museum, the Konark Beach, the Ramachandi Temple, among others.

konark sun temple

Ajanta-Ellora Caves

Located 400 kilometers northeast of Mumbai, the Ajantra & Ellora Caves is one of the most preferred travel destinations for tourists. It is the symbol of the evolution of Buddhism from 200 BC to 650 AD. The cave was discovered by John Smith in 1819. It is composed of 29 caves which served as isolated retreats of Buddhist monks, who were preaching and performing religious sites in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient centers of learning for Buddhism.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

So when exploring the rich cultural heritage of India, these places are worth visiting.

Mags Malvar is a content writer for a promotional items company selling quality giveaways.

Vacation with Kids on a Budget: How to Survive

February 24th, 2012

Amjad Khan

Everyone needs to get away sometimes, especially busy parents. However, it is not always possible for parents to get away without taking the kids. For that reason, it is important that you know how to plan a trip that can appeal to parent and child alike, and that won’t break the bank while easing the stress of your daily routine. If you are looking to treat yourself and your family to a nice bit of time off, check out this guide for how to survive vacation with kids on a budget.

The free stuff. No matter where you go, there is sure to be a wide array of activities you can take the children on that are free of charge. Just get online and do some research. And don’t forget that a day at the park can be a great (free!) day trip. Just pack a picnic lunch and find a big park with a variety of activities.

Youth discounts. Most attractions that you, as an adult, would want to visit offer youth discounts. If you are travelling with very young children (say, six or under), then you will find that you can actually get the youngest ones in for free.

Your accommodations. If you do plenty of research before you embark on your adventure, then you can find inexpensive accommodations that cater to families with children. These days, it is not unusual for hotels to have indoor water parks (or at least family-friendly swimming pools), as well as game and media rooms for children. If you find yourself in a financial pinch on your vacation, and need a fun way to pass the time with the kids, then you will be pleased to find that fun is right outside your hotel room – and it’s free.

Eating out. It goes without saying that children are not as into fine dining as adults. For you, just the experience of eating out and being waited on is something special, and worth paying for. However, it is not necessary to treat children to things they don’t necessarily care about. You don’t have to find a sitter and leave them at the hotel room for the night. Simply feed them before you head to that fancy restaurant. A fast-food kid’s meal will put a much bigger smile on their faces than that four-course meal at a five-star restaurant . . . and will save your wallet, big time.

You don’t have to worry about spending too much money on your next family vacation. Travelling with children can be affordable. You just have to do some research and careful planning.

About the Author: Juliana Alba loves to travel and takes her two young daughters with her on business vacation trips as often as possible. She is known for writing Boston hotel reviews, restaurant reviews, and reviews of new theatres throughout the country.

How to Travel on A Budget

February 22nd, 2012

Amjad Khan

Getting yourself around for as little as possible is the goal for many travelers. Each time you enterinto a new country there are high-impact things to consider such as fluctuating exchange ratesthat can make or break a trip. When it comes to penny-pinching, there are steps that can betaken to ensure you enjoy your travels in the fashion you deserve.

Plan, plan and plan

One of the most efficient ways to travel on a budget is to carefully plan your excursions. If you arefortunate to live in a major European city, you are no doubt within easy reach of most attractions.Instead of hitting up every country in Europe for long periods of time, plan your historical visits inthe form of day trips. A EuroPass will get you where you need to be for less than a flight, and bylimiting your visit to a day trip, you can avoid paying for costly accommodations.

Use Public Transport

Make use of public transportation. Not only is it cheaper than letting a car, it can also be quickerwhen compared to getting lost in a foreign city. If you are staying in one city for any length of time,ask about unlimited passes or multi-ride tickets such as the Oyster card that is used in London.You may save a little money but you’ll definitely save a lot of time, as prepaid cards mean noqueues.

Consider letting an apartment

If you’ve fallen in love with a city and want to extend your stay or even reside there for awhile, let an apartment instead of paying costly hotel fees. There are heaps of great old houses filled withyoung travelers who are more than happy to pack another sardine into the can. If a full house isnot to your liking, many hostels offer great accommodations as well, some with private rooms.

Mingle with the locals

If you have decided to temporarily live in another city, now is the time to learn to eat and drinkwhere the locals eat and drink. Eating out and drinking in tourist’s spots are normally moreexpensive. Walk your new neighbourhood and locate the places that seem full of happy localschatting up a storm, reading the local paper and enjoying beverages with lunch.

Pay by cash

To avoid overspending, always pay cash. ATMs are plentiful in all cities these days so there reallyis no excuse not to pay cash for your purchases. Plan your spending for the next week or evenmonth and withdraw the total amount all at once to avoid additional international bank fees. Notonly will this help you stay on track with your budget, it will also keep your credit card open forunforeseen emergencies.

Other little things

Other tips and tricks to traveling on a budget, purchase local discount cards if you can find them.If you intend to sightsee or travel around a bit, these normally pay for themselves in only a fewuses. Learn the local customs, especially when it comes to tipping. In London, for example, tip isincluded with your total charge, so in essence tipping, is additional tipping.

Yang, Events Organiser from Chillisauce Ltd. who specialise in organising hen parties and stag dos.

800 Heritage Havelis at Chandni Chowk

January 27th, 2012

Amjad Khan

Delhi is finally rising up to the vast potential of Heritage Tourism. Besides a number of tourism icons such as Red Fort, Humayun Tomb, and Qutub Minar, there are as many as 800 Havelis in the busy and labyrinthine lanes of Chandni Chowk that have escaped the eyes of government officials until now and yet have attracted international tourists with engaging history, amazing architecture, and archeological significances.

Mostly in ruins, these Havelis lining the lanes of Chandni Chowk are a living heritage showcase and a pride for their owners. Situated in Asia’s largest and oldest market, some of these Havelis are as old as Shahjehanabad, the city established by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650. As many as 800 exquisite Havelis have been proposed o be granted the heritage property status by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Beautiful exteriors of these heritage structures are frequently marred by shops crowding their front, yet their historical significance have increased with he time. Commercial usage and unavailability of funds to bear heavy maintenance costs of maintaining a heritage mansion have led to grave damage to many of the significant Havelis in Chandni Chowk but the picture might change for better in a few years from now.

Some of the most interesting Havelis in Delhi 6 that mesmerize tourists include the Chuna Mal Haveli on the main street close to the Town Hall, right next to the lane leading to Katra Neel. Built in about half an acre, it is almost impossible to miss this beautiful Haveli if you take a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk.

Pershads, who have been living in this magnificent Haveli, for seven generations are direct descendants of Lala Chuna Mal, who built this magnificent mansion and once was so rich that it was said that if he would have withdrawn his money from Delhi-London Bank, the institution would have collapsed. The merchant, banker, and landlord, Lala Chuna Mal became the first municipal commissioner of Delhi in 1862.

Better maintained quarters with nine houses and a medieval Jain Temple, the Naugraha Complex at the end of the famous Paranthewali Gali, are reminiscent of Marwari Havelis of Shekhawati region in Rajasthan. One of the most important tourist attractions at Chandni Chowk, it has arched doorways called Mehrabs and belong to Nahars. Some of the Havelis have been renovated and can hardly be recognized as ancestral homes of some of the oldest residents of the area while there are several others who embrace the charm and beauty of the bygone era with pride and joy.

Travel and tour operators with local expertise take you to some of the most wonderful creations of medieval eras whose beauty lies in the very fact that they are still untouched by commercialization of their history and legacy.

Beach Tours of India: Visiting Beaches and Coastal India

January 23rd, 2012

Amjad Khan

India tourism has truly come of age. There is a more conscious effort that is being made to promote India as a tourist destination, and there is more curiosity to visit India. The beauty about India is that once you visit her, you can just never have enough.

Many people are of the belief that a relaxing holiday means getting a lot of beach, sun and rest. If this is what you are looking for, India is your ideal choice. There is no dearth of variety, given that India is surrounded by sea on three sides.

By far, the most popular choice for all visitors is Goa. You will find a beach virtually everywhere you go. What is remarkable is that each beach has a different style and method to it. Some beaches are rocky, while others have sandy shelves. Some beaches have become a legend simply by virtue of being a hotspot for people to meet and let their hair down. The most popular beaches in Goa are Anjuna, Calangute and Dona Paula. One beach, though, has more visitors than all the others put together – Baga beach. Here, you will find shacks dotted all across the sand serving generous helpings of beer, local Goan fare and fish. You can either let the breeze waft gently through, or be a part of the more happening night life that there is to offer. Parties that continue well into the night, and merry dances that are sure to pull you in – you can take your pick.

Apart from the much talked about Goa, there are several other beach destinations too. Chennai boasts of the longest beach in India, and perhaps Asia too. The Marina beach has more than just sand and sun. It is brimming with history, culture and life. You can stagger through the sands, or walk along the grand promenade, which has been beautifully adorned with well manicured gardens and monuments. If lucky, you might even be able to witness a ceremony of the state underway.

Mumbai is home to the two most favourite beaches – Chowpatty and Juhu beach. Known more for the colourful life, glamour and presentation than the beach itself – you are sure to be delighted by the unique character these beaches have.

For the discerning traveller, there is a lot more than the popular, frequented beaches. There are some lesser known beaches that you can visit. These will give you a deeper insight into the culture and life of diverse India, and send you back tranquil, and rejuvenated. You will have a plethora of options that you can choose from. The Eastern banks of India along the Bay of Bengal have grand beaches which are alongside imposing temples and monuments. These include the temples in and around the state of Orissa. On the west coast, you can try any of the beaches right from the Karwar region south of Goa, all the way up to Kerala.

Travel operators and tour guides are equipped to be able to put together just the right holiday for you – depending on your preference, budget and duration of holiday. Leave it to them to delight you with the wonders India has to offer. All you need to do is pack your bags and your worries, and you are ready for a vacation you can not easily forget.