One of the Top All Inclusive Family Holidays to Cuba

Choosing an all inclusive family vacation to Cuba can be tricky with so many to choose from, but by all accounts the Hotel Playa Pesquero in Rafael Freyre is worth close examination.

There are huge differences in opinions about hotels in Cuba, and they all have their critics, but it is important to realise that a Cuba Vacation isn’t the same as most parts of the Caribbean. A visit to the decaying majesty of Havana, and the gratitude of hotel staff for small gifts makes you realise the scale of the poverty that exists, and the run down state of the economy. The large number of all inclusive holidays to Cuba is an indication that there isn’t that much to be had outside the hotel complexes, and the overall standards here, whilst a number are classified as five star, aren’t really comparable with the same or equivalent in the rest of the Caribbean.
Leaving that aside the satisfaction ratings for the Hotel Playa Pesquero in Rafael Freyre are high, and it is a very popular choice for an all inclusive family vacation. It sits on a lovely white sand beach, and is a great holiday destination both for people who want to do nothing but relax, but plenty of facilities for the energetic luxury family vacation as well.
The rooms at the Hotel Playa Pesquero are laid out in blocks each containing five or six units. This makes the hotel like a village, with all the apartments scattered around the beautifully maintained gardens.
The rooms themselves are a good size, and you can book Standard, Superior Standard, or a Suite, and in total there are over 900 units, making the Hotel Playa Pesquero absolutely huge. Now there are advantages as well as disadvantages to an hotel this size, but if you choose Hotel Playa Pesquero for an all inclusive luxury family vacation a hotel like this has such a huge number of facilities for the children, size has to be an advantage.
The pool at the Hotel Playa Pesquero is huge and kept very clean, with a pool bar at one end, a bridge across the middle, and plenty of sun beds around. The beach is private, the sea is beautiful, and very convenient for snorkelling. There are a number of beach activities to take part in for all the family, and a grill and bar right on the beach.
In terms of activities which is very essential on any luxury family vacation, it is true to say that just about anything goes. You can go cycling, play tennis, play pool, table tennis, squash, go kayaking, and whilst the list isn’t quite without limits, there’s more than enough for all the family.

The Exotic of Caribbean Cruise Reviews

When it comes to cruise vacation then the hottest destination is Caribbean! Its becoming popular over the years and it has major portion of tourist visitors who travel in cruise ships.

Caribbean is a wonderful place,the natural beauty is very appealing.In this cruise you can see all the different islands.Every island here has something unique for everything.The most important and amazing place is obviously the beaches.Caribbean sea has a lot of wonderful islands which give the tourist wonderful beach holiday experience.Beaches at Barbados and Guyana are considered as the best beaches in the world.

Choosing a Caribbean cruise deal could be tricky.Since a lot of people have started cruise business since lot of people like visiting this place of the world.So its very important to get right information for choosing the best cruise deal for individual as well as family vacations.

One should do a good research for the Caribbean cruise vacation.This could be done by going through various caribbean cruise reviews.These reviews are very crucial. You can get more info about the travel agency and also various experience of people.This can also help you to choose what all you need to pack for the tour and various experiences of tourists about the food and accommodation facilities of various cruise ships.

Vacation Ideas at Hilton Head Island , South Carolina

Family Vacation Ideas at Hilton Head Island

Well-connected, and just plain choosy have been traveling to Hilton Head for years. Why? This island off the southern coast of South Carolina does a good job of balancing beach and wildlife areas with development. The result is 12 miles of white sand barrier beach, plus twenty-two golf courses, more than 300 tennis courts, fifty racquet clubs, and numerous resorts. This classy resort island, divided into public areas and plantations (resort and lodging sections) bars neon signs and protects trees. Despite the hearty development the island sports an underlying tastefulness. The blue beach umbrellas, available for rental, are lined up in orderly rows. The resorts are set back from the sands so that the buildings don’t seem to be devouring the shore. If you know where to look, you can find wildlife and nature preserves too. It’s no surprise that six of the seven South Carolina resorts that made the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler 1998 Gold List were located at Hilton Head. This chapter is one complete vacation written with families in mind. It’s loaded with exciting things to do, family-friendly places to lodge and dine, recommended side trips, local sources of information, and detailed travel directions.

Cheap Family Holiday in Pattaya

Pattaya Beach

Thailand is a very big country, and kind be very inviting for that reason. It has always been a very popular tourist area, and was recently #3 in the world for tourism. But it can be a bit pricey, especially if you want to go to Phuket or Bangkok. Even Pattaya can be a bit pricey. But the prices largely depend on your choices, and what sort of planning you’ve done ahead of time. If you book today, fly tomorrow, you’ll likely pay much more than you should (unless you get one of those ultra-rare great last minute deals).

Pattaya Accomodation

If you book 2 – 4 months ahead of time, you will see a drastically lower price and thereby fulfill your planning for Cheap Holidays Abroad . The more in advance you book a flight, the cheaper it will be. It also opens up what airlines you can use, as there will be more open spots in more airlines. If you have the free time required to do this, you should also plan to book a flight during an ‘off season’. This, too, will give you further options for airlines and hotels.

Usually the only difference in the hot season and the off season is the weather. This can be a problem for some, but others who enjoy a little frugality during their vacations might be able to overlook a little bit of weather. You can still do everything you’d be doing in the sunshine; you’ll just have a higher chance of getting rained on. And to be honest, the rain is usually pretty brief and more of a relief than hassle.

I highly recommend that you book your hotel room in advance, same as the flight, I also advice that you only book it for about 3 days. This is because in 3 days, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find a hotel that you prefer. If you don’t find a better hotel, you’ll have no problem extending your stay at your current hotel, as long as you’ve gone during the off season as opposed to the hot season.

I recommend going to Pattaya for the fantastic food. They have a wonderful international cuisine. They also have cheap Thai food because you’re actually in Thailand. Not only is it prepared by professionals in a local and traditional way, it’s not some fancy to-do. Don’t go to the tourist drag’s resturaunts. Head up the side roads and you’ll find the absolute best eats. The best part being that you can stuff yourself pretty good for only a dollar.

Dunnottar Castle – A Medieval Fortress In Modern Times

On the north east coast of Scotland lies a medieval castle that is surrounded by steep cliffs and is essentially a fortress. This fortress – Dunnottar castle – has played a vital role in the rich history of Scotland.
The 3 acre land area has around 11 buildings dating from the 13th – 17th Century. The castle's first mention in the books of history is, as a battle site between the Vikings and King Donald II. Following many battles which involved various invading parties both English and the Scottish, the Earls of Marischal – one of the most prominent families in Scotland, owned and rehabilitated the castle making it one of the most luxurious living accommodations of that time.
But things were not settled, as once again Dunnottar Castle came under attack during the English Civil War. The Scottish Regalia – sceptre, crown and sword – were sought, but after having kept it safe within the castle for close to 8 months, it was smuggled out. One of the remaining buildings is what is known as the ‘Whigs vault', where 167 men and women were imprisoned during the rebellion in 1685.
The final Earl of Marischal was found guilty of treason when he refused to accept the monarch as the spiritual head. The castle was then seized after much unfortunate destruction. It was only in 1925 that the Cowdray Family bought it over and commenced a refurbishment on a massive scale.
The repaired area is now open to the public and can be accessed through two pathways connected to the main building. The narrower and steeper path though tedious to access affords some of the most spectacular scenic visions. Visitors can wander through the tower house (keep), stables, store houses, barracks, chapel, lodgings and drawing room and soak in the amazing sense of history that still lingers in the air.
Visitors seekinghotels in Aberdeen , to take in sights such as the Dunnottar Castle, will be delighted with the facilities on offer at the Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen. This hotel gives its visitors true old Scottish charm as well as modern amenities.

Honeymoon Attraction in Munnar, Kerla , India

Munnar, where nature's pristine beauty is still unsullied by holiday hordes. Travel destinations Munnar is a picturesque scope of the lofty Western Ghats. The town of Munnar stands at the confluence of three mountain streams. Come to Munnar. Go trekking. Go boating. Go riding. Go angling. Or just laze about and fill your soul with peace in Munnar.

Honeymoon in Munnar where your eyes will be flooded with absolute greenery, where you can smell the sweet fragrance coming from the tea gardens, where you can climb the highest peak of Kerala, Anaimudi and where you will find the rare Neelakurunji flower that blooms once in 12 years and the next flowering time is in 2018.

Tea estates of Munnar

Munnar is essentially a tea town. Miles and miles of unending tea plantations are there to welcome you. Popularly known as the tea town of Kerala, Munnar is home to some of the highest tea estates in the world. Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants during the British rule of India. The territory of Munnar is almost entirely occupied by the sprawling tea estates and thick forest cover. The spice plantation in Munnar and the tea estates are prime attractions of this picturesque land. The sprawling plantations of tea and spices make Munnar a place worth visiting while on a tour to Kerala.

Places to be visited in Munnar are Eravikulam, Mattupetty, Rajamalai etc. are very close to Munnar.

Eravikulam

A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills

 Mattupetty

Mattupetty is situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level. Mattupetty Lake and Dam is a beautiful picnic spot with the panoramic view of the tea plantations and the lake. Boating facilities are available in the reservoir. Mattupetty is also well known for its highly specialized dairy moonar hills, munnar farm - the Indo-Swisss Live Stock project.  The Shola forests in and around Mattupetty are ideal for trekking and are habitat to a variety of birds. Rivulets and cascades crisscross the terrain here, which again adds more attraction to the place.

 Rajamala

Rajamala is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr. Half the world population of this rare mountain goat is found here, which is fast becoming extinct.

Hotels In Munnar

Royal Retreat
Kannan Devan Hills, Munnar, Kerala, India.
 
Tea County Hill Station Resort
KTDC Hill Resort, Munnar, Kerala , India
 
Hotel HillView
Aluva-Munnar Road, Munnar, Kerala, India. 

The Siena Village
Chinnakanal P.O., Munnar, Kerala, India.
 
C7 hotels
Munnar Munnar, Kerala, India. 

Olive Brook
Pothamedu, Munnar, Idukki ,Kerala

Land Of Naga's-Nagaland, India

Nagaland, one of the eight sister states of North east India and a beautiful travel destination  is famous for its exquisitely picturesque landscapes, the vibrantly colorful sunrise and sunset, lush and verdant flora and many more…A home to as many as sixteen tribes, the state has much to discover. The capital of Nagaland is Kohima and the largest city of the state is Dimapur. In this beautiful state people of almost 20 different dialects dwell happily together. Kohima is the home to the beautiful rocky Naga Hills. It has one of the most magnificent panoramic views. The travelers should make it a point to visit this capital city. Nagaland is a paradise for the lovers of nature. The adventurous land of Nagaland offers plentiful trekking opportunities.

One must visit the Khonoma the capital of Nagaland to see the village lifestyle of the people of Nagaland. This village has historical importance and its ecological propriety is also very rich. One can hear various fascinating stories of folklore here from the villagers. The Kohima village of Nagaland is considered one of the largest in Asia and the visitors of the village are greeted by a large gate at the entrance. In the Kohima village of Nagaland, the stones of different sizes and shapes can be seen, which are implanted within the compound or skulls of buffaloes and mithuns adorning the portico. From this, the glory of the great ancestors of them can be imagined.

Though the state capital of Nagaland is Kohima, the main hub of all the economic activities is Dimarpur. It possesses many markets and shopping hubs like the Hong Kong Market, which sell the most recent fashionable garments and that too at an affordable price. It is connected to major city centres of the north-east by a series of highways and road networks.

Dimapur

Situated at an altitude of 195 meters above sea-level is the gateway of Nagaland. This flourishing town is also the commercial centre of the State. Dimapur is the main rail-head in Nagaland. Dimapur is the only airport in Nagaland. Indian Airlines operates Boeing services from both Calcutta and Delhi on every alternate day.

Places Of Interest:
The Ruins of Medieval Kachari Kingdom, Ruzaphema- 5 kms, Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary- 37 kms, Sales Emporium.

Nagaland – Cuisine

Most of the Nagas are meat eaters and they enjoy dousing the meat with red chilly. Nagas preserve the meat by hanging up a slab in their house and letting the fire from the hearth. On the other hand, Tribal cuisine somehow vary from the common Naga cuisine. In truth, tribal cuisine is not always everyone’s cup of tea and it can be prepared only by tribes. Tribal eat steamed hornets, curried locusts and squirrel dish with sticky rice and washed down with rice beer. Take a drive from Dimapur to Kohima on National Highway 39 which is lined with Naga food stalls featuring local delicacies and mouth-watering pineapples.

Nagaland – Wildlife

Nagaland is home to only Itanki Wildlife Sanctuary but it is a wonderful treasure-trove of exotic wildlife. Itanki Wildlife Sanctuary is located 111 km away from Kohima and 37 km from Dimapur. In this sanctuary, you will see the Hoolock Baboon, the only gibbon found in India. Apart from gibbon, the sanctuary also has a sizeable population of elephant, tiger, mithun, sambhar, wild dog, sloth bear, barking deer, goral, flying squirrel, khaleej, hornbill, black stork etc. Sprawling over an area of 56 sq. kms, this wildlife sanctuary houses a forest resthouse and offers transport on hire.



Hotels In Nagaland

Most of the hotels in Nagaland are budget category ones. You may not find the glitz of city hotels. But tiny hotels with warm hospitality in close proximity to nature would complement for the lack of urban gloss and would offer you an otherworldly experience.


Hotel Japfu
Post Box No. 140, P.R. Hill,

Kohima    Hotel Pine
Phoolbari

Hotel Capital
Near NST. Complex

Hotel Sharon
New Market

Calangute Beach , Goa

The 'queen of beaches', Calangute one of the most visited travel destination Goa, nine miles from the Goan Capital Panaji, the beach is spread four miles along the Arabian sea. On the north is hamlet of Baga and to the south is Candolim village.The name Calangute according to locals is a distortion of the local vernacular word 'Koli-gutti', which means land of fishermen. Others say it has derived from Kalyangutti meaning the village of art, and still others say it came from the earlier name Konvallo -ghott because the village is full of coconut trees.

Tan yourself spreading on beach or go swimming. Calangute is a reasonably safe place to swim though one should keep at least three hundred meters away from the mouth of the river.

Take a fifteen minute walk from the main beach front area and you will come in a hawker free zone. Sights of rows of wooden boats and teams of village fishermen hauling nets in a high tide can be seen here. Together the sun, sand and sea set the mood for that perfect holiday. And while at beach you will not miss hundreds of stalls of sea food. Gorge on the prawns or the lobsters.

Calangute is one of the few beaches where water sports are available. There are more than a dozen of water sport operators along the beach. You can go for para sailing, water surfing, water skiing or banana and bump rides depending upon which you find more thrilling.

Church of St. Alex celebrated its fourth centenary in 1996. This parish church is a must see in Calangute. It has a two towers and a magnificent white dome and ornate altars.

Calangute Beach , Goa

Location : 16 km From Panjim, North Goa
What To See : Church of St. Alex, Baga Beach
What To Do : Snorkelling, Kayaking, Water-skiing, Sailing, Wind-surfing and Fishing
Best Time To Visit : December To February

Madrid - A City That Never Sleeps

Madrid, capital of Spain is one of the newcomers in the city travel market. Mostly a city known for its rich culture, Madrid has something for everybody whether you want to relax or party in the wild Madrid nightlife.

Visiting Madrid, the tourists can also enjoy the amazing nightlife, shopping and numerous cultural attractions of this city. Many families come to Madrid and stay in holiday villas as their holiday accommodation.
The famous Prado Museum, housing Spain's finest art works is complemented by the The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the "Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía", The Queen Sophia Museum of Modern Art.
The 18th century Prado built during the reign of Charles III, is considered to be the best neoclassical building in Madrid. Its collection of paintings is one of the best in the world, housing the works of the great Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Zurbaran, Rafael and Rubens amongst others.
Hotels in Madrid offer the whole range of accommodation as you would expect. From the luxurious five star hotels to the more modest "hostals" or the simple private rooms: everyone's budget is catered for. Note that "hostal" in Madrid is in fact a denomination of an hotel. Don't expect peace and quiet though except perhaps in the very early hours or during siesta if you are lucky! Spain is a noisy country and Madrid never sleeps.
The Cuatro Torres Business Arena is the newest modern addition to Madrid's financial district. The business district is comprised of four skyscrapers with the tallest being the two hundred fifty meter high Repsol Tower. The Repsol Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Spain and the third tallest in Europe. The Sacyr-Vallehermoso Tower, the Crystal Tower, and the Espacio Tower round out Cuartro Torres' other skyscrapers

Bangalore-The Garden City , India

Bangalore, India is considered in one of the very beautiful and hi-tech city of the India. Bangalore (India)  is the capital city of Karnataka.

In the hot Bangalore news: recently former Chief Minister of Bangalore announced that the name of the Bangalore will be reverted to "Bengalooru". Bangalore is the India's third most populous and largest city and Bangalore (India) is also the 27th largest city in the world and this Bangalore city India is situated in the south-eastern part of Karnataka. Bangalore in India is also considered in among one of the most happening city of India. In Bangalore (India) you can easily find all the hi tech trends and developed societies.

The Information Technology sector is booming in the city, India. And the Sotware Industry is growing very rapidly in the city in India.


Here are some of the travel destinations of Bangalore

VIDHANA SOUDHA

A magnificent building housing the State Legislature and Secretariat, it was conceived and executed by Kengal Hanumanthaiya, the then Chief Minister, in 1956. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo-Dravidian style.


ATHARA KACHERI

This elegant two-storeyed building is directly opposite the Vidhana Soudha. It houses the State High Court. Within walking distance are the Public Library, the Government Museum , the Vishveshwarayya Industrial and Technological Museum and the Venkatappa Art Gallery .
 
BANGALORE PALACE

Inspired by the Windsor Castle , this palace was built in the Tudor style by a wodeyar King in 1857.
 
THE LALBAGH

Started by Hyder Ali in 1760 and later completed by Tippu Sultan, this 240 acre landscape park is home to some very rare species of plants. The glass house, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London , is the venue for the bi-annual flower shows.

ISKCON TEMPLE

Built at a cost of Rs.32 crores on a sprawling 7-acre plot, atop the Hare Krishna hill, is a pious blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony.

Infosys Campus  

It is one of India 's largest IT companies with over 91,187 professionals, nine development centers in India and over 30 offices worldwide.
 
Shiva Statue

Gigantic statue of Lord Shiva on the Bangalore Airport Road .  
A visit to these shrines is a  proof enough that certain traditions and values remain timeless in a fast-changing world,65 ft. high depiction of Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position. Backdrop of Mount Kailash with Ganga flowing from matted rocks. The statue looks majestic during the night with its lighting

UB City

UB City is the biggest commercial property project inbangalore,UB City has four towers namely, UB Tower(19 Floors), Comet(11 Floors), Canberra (17 Floors) and Concorde(19 Floors). The later three towers are all named after aircrafts.

 Hebbal Flyover – Engineering Wonder – One of India's largest flyovers – 8.5km


Utility Building

The Public Utility building situated on Mahatma Gandhi Road is an all in one shopping complex.It has 24 floors. The entire scenic beauty of Bangalore can be viewed from the top floor. It houses a variety of business centres like handicrafts, jewellery, garments, hotels, resturants and many more on the ground floor and first floor. It has a theatre on the second floor and a hotel on its 24th floor to boast off.


Electronic City

Largest Technology Park in Asia employing more than 1 lakh people.


Fast Facts:

Bangalore was the first city in India to receive electricity in India .

Bangalore has produced the highest number of professionals in USA almost 60% of the Indian population abroad is from Bangalore

Bangalore has produced the maximum number of scientists considered for Nobel Prize nominations (from India).

Bangalore has the richest(HNI) people in India . The line of poverty is the least of all cities of the world.

Bangalore has produced the maximum International Sports persons in India for all sports ahead of even Mumbai & Delhi.

Bangalore is rated one of the Cleanest cities in India .

Bangalore is considered the Fashion Capital of East comparable to Paris .

Bangalore University has highest number of students going Abroad for higher studies taking the first place from IIT-Kanpur.

Bangalore has highest number of Public sectors and Government organizations in India . Bangalore is the only city in the world to have commercial and defence airport operating from the same strip  ,   till recently.  

Bangalore University has 57 Engineering Colleges affiliated to it, which is highest in the world.

Bangalore has 21 engineering colleges, which is highest in the world in any given city.

Bangalore has the highest number of software companies in India , Hence called the Silicon Valley of India .

Bangalore has the highest number of software professionals in the world taking the
first place from Osaka, Japan .

Bangalore was founded in 2nd Century and still has the same infrastructure drainage & sanitary systems - the oldest in the world.

Bangalore has the highest number of 2-wheelers in the world

Bangalore is the only city in India with maximum number of temples, mosques, churches & gurdwaras.

IT firms in Bangalore employ about 35% of India 's pool of 10 lakh (1 million) IT professionals. Bangalore accounts for the highest IT-related exports in the country.
 
Bangalore has the impeccable record of highest growth in 20 years

Birla Temple Hyderabad

Industrialists Birlas have built a number of temples of architectural magnificence all over the country which, strangely, are referred to as Birla temples and not Lakshminarayan temple or Venkateswara temple. A quarter century ago, they built a temple in Hyderabad entirely in marble brought from Rajasthan and dedicated it to Lord Venkateswara, known as Balaji in the north.It is believed that it took 2000 tonnes of white marbles brought from the Indian state of Rajasthan to complete this holy place.

The temple, built on a hillock called Kala Pahad, one of the Naubat Pahad twins, lords over its equally celebrated surroundings comprising the imposing Secretariat buildings, the azure-blue waters of  Hussain Sagar, the serene and halcyon Lumbini Park, the luxurious Public Gardens dominated by the Asafjahi-style Legislative Assembly complex and the Reserve Bank of India. From the highest level of the temple, the spectacle around is breath-taking, providing a view of the verdure of the city, the incessant flow of traffic on the Tank Bund, crowds thronging the administrative complexes of the government, the newly-built flyovers and the cultural hub of the city Ravindra Bharathi and the NTR Memorial is one of the travel destinations hyderabad.

The Birla Planetarium and Birla Science Museum is adjacent to the Birla Mandir Temple. Exhibits at the Science Museum include science through the ages and some archeological displays. One of the wings features The Dinosorium with fossils and a mounted 160 million year old "Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis" of the wings features The Dinosorium with fossils and a mounted 160 million year old "Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis".

The temple is open between 7 am and 12 noon and between 3 pm and 9 pm.

Address : Saifabad, Adarsh Nagar, Near Birla Temple
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500063, India

Fort Aguada Beach Goa, India

The Aguada Beach is located on the Aguada Bay in Goa, West India and is one of the two topographical projections that form this strikingly good-looking bay. Known for some of the luxury resorts that offer world-class facilities to you during your luxury beach travel to Goa, West India with Luxury Goa Travel Destination, the Aguada Beach is a popular holiday spot.

The pristine Aguada Beach In Goa, West India is a beachcomber's paradise. Walk past the narrow lanes that lead to the pretty Aguada beach and shop for feni and other local alcoholic beverages at the typical Goan taverns that offer you a peek into the colorful Goan lifestyle.

Aguada beach is almost synonymous with the top-notch Fort Aguada Hotel complex, a superb hotel that is built on the cliff, around the remnants of the early 17th century Portuguese fort. Although access to the beach is not possible through the hotel grounds, which are private, you can walk along Aguada beach, for in India private beaches do not exist. The hotel has been constructed in three parts, consisting of expensive cottages on the upper reaches of the hillside, the fort jutting out to sea, and a delightful Goan village, with individual cottages. Drawn by the clientele of the hotel, Aguada beach has cafes, itinerant vendors of everything from Kashmiri carpets to massages, and a good range of water sports.

The Fort of Aguada was built by the Portuguese to control the entry into River Mandovi and to protect old Goa from enemy attack. The fortification skirts the seashore. At the center is a circular lighthouse tower. The Fort presently houses the central jail.

Look for colorful shells on the Aguada beach and string them into a garland as a keepsake for the lovely time that you spend on this beautiful soft sandy paradise overlooking the deep seas. A great time to go on a luxury beach travel to Goa, West India would be during the winter months of December and January. Aguada Beach offers ample opportunity to those interested in a private rendezvous with nature.

Build sand castles, sunbathe and try out traditional Goan delicacies served at the luxury beach resorts on the Aguada beach located in Goa, West India. Though you can enjoy swimming at almost all the beaches at Goa, West India it is strongly recommended that you consult the readily available lifeguards and experts on the safety aspect.

Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, AP, India

Salar Jung Museum, India’s third largest museum. The museum sited in the hot seat of cultural splendor contains antique pieces and artifacts from nearly all epochs of history. A distinct Travel Destination.

Salar Jung Museum, flaunting the country’s largest ‘one-man collection’ of antiques rests on the southern bank of the Musi River. The museum is a dream come true for those who love to take long trips along the musty pages of history with its varied collection of over 43000 art objects, 50000 books and manuscripts. These compilations include works and relics of Indian Art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern Art, European Art, and Children Art along with an elaborate Founder’s gallery.

The semi-circular building is a magnificent architectural edifice with 38 galleries spread across two floors of an imperial building. Each gallery has its own specialty with one housing the Nizam’s personal belongings, another houses Indian artifacts. Others display a plethora of items ranging from paintings, musical instruments, preserved stages showcased in glass cabinets, Kashmiri furniture and handicrafts as well a multitude of other valued historical relics.

Salar Jung Museum was opened to public on 16th December 1951. The museum earlier was in the ancestral palace of Mir Yusuf Ali Khan known as 'Diwan Deodi'. It was a private museum which was inaugurated by then prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1968, entire museum was shifted to its present location in Afzalgunj.

A visit to Hyderabad’s Salar Jung Meuseum opens up treasure chest of unbelievable cultural legacy an unveils an ancient figurine of Veiled Rebecca, Double figure by Italian sculptor G.H Benzoni, Musical clock, Arabic Al Quran in Nashq (1288 AD), jade crafted knifes of Jehangir & Nurjahan and Famous European paintings like 'Venice', 'Soap Bubbles' etc.

Tourist Information

Salar Jung Museum gives us an insight into the lifestyle of many civilizations that preceded us. Build with the dedication and passion of one man, it has mesmerized one and all. Not only India, it shows us articles collected from around the world. Visit Salar Jung Museum to get a glimpse of the lost world and traditions.

Salar Jung Museums is open on all days except Fridays and on all public holidays. You can visit the museum between 10 AM till 5 PM. There is a nominal entry fee to the museum. There is a cafeteria and sales counter and reference libraries. Salar Jung Museum in Afzalgunj is located in the heart of Hyderabad and is well connected by buses and other mode of transportation in the city.

Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, AP, India

The city of Hyderabad is replete with imposing monuments which give a clue to the rich historical background of the land. A remarkable travel destination.

Falaknuma palace is a remarkable edifice which stands atop a 200 feet high hillock. It is located 5 kms from Charminar. Built by Nawab Vikar-Ul-Ulmara, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, it is a stupendous palace and connotes the "heavenly abode".

Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad stands as a testimony to the glorious time of the Nizams. It is one of the finest pieces of architecture and is situated in Falaknuma. Engineered by the famous architect Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, this palace connotes "Star of Heaven" in the Urdu language.

It is believed that the Falaknuma palace was gifted to the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mehboob Ali Khan by the generous Nawab. The palace was constructed over a period of seven years and it covers a total area of 9,39,712 square meters.

A majesty testimony to the glory of the Nizams, it stands atop a hill 2000 feet high. It has often been referred to as the 'Mirror of the Sky'. The palace was designed by a Italian architect and follows a western architectural style. Falaknuma houses a large collection of rare treasures collected by the Nizam including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books

The palace is laid out in the shape of a scorpion with two stings spread out as wings on the north. The middle part is occupied by the main building and the kitchen and harem quarters stretch to the south. The Nawab being an avid traveler, various influences show on the palace architecture. The Falaknuma palace is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Its glass stained windows throw a spectrum of colors into the rooms. The palace has a library with a walnut carved roof, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle. The library had one of the finest collections of the holy Quran in India.

The Falaknuma palace has other unique things to its credit. It includes the largest Venetian chandeliers. It is said that it took six months to clean a 138-arm Osler chandelier and the palace has 40 such chandeliers adorning the halls ! The famed dining hall of the palace could seat 100 guests on a single table. The furniture is also very aesthetic. The chairs are carved rosewood with green leather upholstery. The tableware was made of gold and crystal to which fluted music was added.

The telephone and electrical system was introduced in 1883 by Osler and the palace has one of the largest electrical switchboards in India.

The ground floor of the palace houses the living quarters. The marbled staircase leads to the upper floor. It has carved balustrades which supports marble figures with candelabra at intervals. The ceiling of the reception room in the upper floor is carved with frescoes bordered with gilded relief. This floor offers a panoramic view of the city.

The ballroom contains a two-ton manually operated organ said to be the only one of its kind in the world. This apart the palace has as many as 220 lavishly decorated rooms and 22 spacious halls. The palace has some of the finest treasures collected by the Nizam. However, the palace has proved to be fatal to those who have resided there for a long period. The scorpion-like structure is believed to be the cause of all deaths.

There Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad is counted as one of the most imposing monuments because of the large number of rooms built for various purposes. There are a total of 222 opulent rooms and 22 roomy halls. There are billiard room, card room smoking room, huge dining hall and others. The rooms are beautifully decorated with arches, upholstery, gilded works and state of the art furniture. The reception room is the major highlight of the palace with gilded decors and frescos.

The palace at present is a part of the Taj Group and has been converted into a plush 5 star hotel. To get inside the Falaknuma Palace, you need to take prior permission. October to March is the ideal time to visit this palace.

Prior permission is required to visit this palace. And a visit to the Falaknuma palace is an awe-inspiring experience !

SHILPARAMAM- Arts & Crafts Village, Hyderabad, India

Shilparamam at Hyderabad is an arts and crafts village exhibiting various art forms and handicrafts of diverse artists from all over the State.

SHILPARAMAM, the arts, crafts & cultural village at Hyderabad, established in the year 1992 is spread over 65 acres of prime land in Madhapur, Hi-tech City. Shilparamam is Hyderabad's tribute to India's natural beauty, richly diverse cultural heritage and vibrant ethos.

A unique Crafts Village, the lush rustic ambiance of Shilparamam has captured the imagination of every visitor who has stepped through its elaborately sculpted portals. Set amidst gardens, majestic natural rock formations and cascading waterfalls are huts of thatch and baked clay, where artisans from across India showcase their individual skills in a variety of arts and crafts.

It is a place where artisans from across India showcase their individual skills in a variety of arts, crafts and culture. From Indian pottery to a plethora of weaves, woodwork, jewelry, clothes and local crafts of each region of the country. Shilparamam is a kaleidoscope of India's color, diversity and talent.

You can buy absolutely traditional souvenirs for yourself and your friends when you tour Shilparamam. Shilparamam hosts a multitude of ethnic art and crafts from all over the country. The yearly All-India Festival of Arts and Crafts held here in February highlights the cultural and creative traditions from every corner of the country and provides a unique occasion to take home a piece of Indian art. Interested buyers can come and pick up objects of art directly from the artisans without having to deal with the middlemen.

Rock Museum

The rock museum in Shilparamam is indeed nature's poem. The natural formations stand unswayed in a scenic form in Rock Museum providing the refreshment and rejuvenation to one who steps in.


Rural Museum

The rural museum, nestling amidst the trees, is the archetype of a typical Indian village.The museum houses sculptures and life size models depicting the day-to-day activities of the rural artisans is very well captured in the museum. And the life size models give an experience very close to reality. The rural museum is one of the major attractions of the Shilparamam.

Shilparamam is the premier travel destination for art lovers as year through art exhibitions goes on. Every month one renowned name in the field of Arts will display their paintings in art gallery and the artist is honored. This expo motivates the enthusiasts take up the art of painting and for those special training classes also provided in the Shilparamam.

Shopping is the wondrous thing at shilparamam with hundreds of stalls. In the stalls one is sure to find enough but is bound to craving for more due to the wide range of variety available. Right from toys to carpets Shilparamam provides a place for everyone to shop till they drop. Here ladies can buy hand made sarees and textiles of different states. Textiles ranging from Tangail, Sambhalpur, Paithni, Kashmiri to Kanjeevaram, Dharmavaram, Tanjavur, Madurai, Peddapuram, Bandar, Guntur and other sarees. It also has salwaar kamiz, ghagras, kurta, carpets, etc. Here a special Artisan Bazar is also there providing the original art forms directly from the makers.

Taj Mahal Hotel Mumbai, India

Hotel Taj Mahal is the most prominent hotel in Mumbai with the distinction of being one of the oldest 5 Star Deluxe hotel in India. Hotel is divided into two sections with one being the tower wing and the other being the heritage wing. Both these wings offer sphostication with modernity. Hotel is also a part of the "Leading hotels of world". Hotel faces the sea and the famous Indian landmark of Gateway of India. Hotel is considered to be the favorite of who's who of Mumbai and India. Hotel also offers fully equipped business center, meeting rooms and banquet facilities. Taj Mahal Hotel will be your travel destination India

Accommodation at Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai:

Hotel offers 582 centrally airconditioned rooms that also include 49 suites. As the hotel have been divided into two wings the hotel offers rooms in the Tower Wing category that offers city facing and sea facing rooms and the same goes for the heritage wing of the hotel. All the rooms are well planed and designed to provide utmost comfort to its guests. Each room have been optimaly decorated and have been fixed with the most modern of luxuries. This hotel is considered as a jewel in the crown of the Taj hotels in India.

Amenities & Services at Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai:

Doctor on Call, Laundry, Money Changer, Safe Deposit, Baby Sitting, Valet, Travel Desk Service, Saloon, Foreign Exchange, Fax, Business Centre, Executive Floors, Executive Lounge, Banquet & Conference Facilities, Beauty Salon, Shopping Arcade, Business Centre, Fitness Centre, Swimming Pool, Night Club, Room Service, H/C Running Water, 2 Line Telephone, T.V., Safe Deposit, Channel Music, Tea/coffee Maker, Hair Dryer, Writing Desk.

Hotel Taj Mahal Mumbai, Dining Facilities

The restaurant - the Zodiac Grill provides a unique dining experience in the Hotel Taj Mahal. The varied cuisines are ably complemented with the exclusive cocktails. The 24 hour coffee shop Shamiana overlookes the pool and serves you with meal any time and every time.

The other Restaurants and Bars at the Taj Mahal Hotel include:

Sea Lounge: A friendly ambience to have tea or a light meal.


Masala Craft: Indian cuisine restaurant serving you dishes blending the traditional and modern ways of cooking.

Souk: West Asian restaurant that serves Irani, Turkish, Lebanese, Egyptian, Greece and Moroccan cuisines.

Golden Dragon: Authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Starboard: Mumbai's trendiest bar.

Harbour Bar: One of the Mumbai's oldest bar

Insomnia: The well spread night clu


Address: Apollo Bunder, Mumbai 400001,Maharashtra, India

Accessibility

Airport: 32 km., Victoria Terminus Railway Station: 2.5 km.

Locational Advantage: Hotel Taj Mahal Palace is situated just 2 Kms. from main business area

Victoria Terminus-CST Railway Station- Mumbai India

 Mumbai , formerly called Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai, the most populous city in India, is one of the most populous cities in the world  and an awesome travel destinations India.

Fast facts about Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

When it was built: 1888
By whom it was built: Government of India
Nature of the building: Railway Station

Brief Description
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, in Mumbai, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. It is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition and idioms thus forging a new style unique to Bombay.

History of Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

Victoria Terminus in Mumbai was modeled on St Pancras Station in London. Mr Frederick William Stevens, an architect designed the railway station in Mumbai in 1887-88 at a cost of Rs16.14 lakh. Later Stevens, went to Europe for 10 months so that he could study the railway stations across the European countris in detail. Victoria Terminus was completed in 10 years, named to honor Queen Victoria and then opened to all. Only recently in 1996, it was renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji, a famous Maratha king of 17th century y the state government of Maharashtra.

Features of Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

  -   Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is popularly known by its acronym VT. Being the headquarters of the Central Railways in India, it is the western-most end point of the division and also the southern end point of the central and harbor lines of Mumbai's metropolitan rail transport system.
  -   Long distance trains as well as suburban trains on the main line and the harbour line operate from this station.
  -   A blend of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian architecture-is displayed by the wood carving, tiles, ornamental iron and brass railings, grills and balustrades in the station
  -   It showcases advanced technical and structural designs
  -   There is a statue of Queen Victoria on the dome of the station.
  -   The first steam train in India-- from Mumbai to Thane was flagged off from here in 1853.


Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

Don't miss out the architectural splendor showcased by the station as you reach Victoria Terminus in Mumbai. A High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models blended with stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground-features of traditional Indian palace architecture, created a new style of architecture in Mumbai

Terrorist attacks in 2008

On 26 November 2008, two terrorists entered the passenger hall of the CST, opened fire and threw grenades at people. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles. More than 50 people were killed in the attack.

Famous Hotels In Mumbai, India

The Taj Mahal Intercontinental hotel in Mumbai is one of the premier hotels in India since its opening in 1903.This hotel in mumbai combines gracious architecture, luxurious accommodation and fine dining experience. Read more about this famous hotel in my next post.....