Do you want to feed the traveler as well as the shopaholic in you at the same time? Time to plan an overseas trip according to the following shopping festivals that are some of the best ones held around the world! The savings from the heavy rebates are surely going to make your travel worth the expenditure and definitely not a big hole in your credits cards .
When attending such festivals it is recommended you carry a Forex Card or Debit card rather than cash.
Dubai Shopping Festival
Organized for the first time in 1996, Dubai Shopping Festival has been going on since then annually for about a month from January to February every year. Congruent with its slogan ‘One World, One Family, One Festival’, people from all around the globe go there to experience the extravaganza. It is famous for grand product launches, sports and cultural events, huge discounts and several music concerts, and it has something to offer for every age group. Electronics, perfumes, gold, carpets, spices, textiles, cosmetics, dry fruits, gold jewelry, watches, clothes, and leather are the things to look out for in this shopping carnival.
Hong- Kong Shopping Festival
In tandem with this shopping festival, the Hong Kong Tourism Department holds a tourism festival which makes it a perfect opportunity for foreigners to satiate their traveling as well as shopping appetite. One can get a good bargain at the shopping festival which goes on annually from June to August. A range of entertainment events like the traditional lion and dragon dances and fireworks shows take place along with the sale of a variety of products like cosmetics, diamonds, apparels, handbags etc . at discounted prices.
The Singapore Sale
Organized by the Singapore Retailers’ Association, the Singapore Sale takes place in June and July. This festival is not all about shopping; it comes with rebates as high as 70% on beauty and wellness deals, hotels, restaurants and drinking places too. Only at this time of the year is shopping in the late hours of the night allowed. Therefore, electronics, beauty and wellness deals, apparels, optical, food, beverages, toys, and watches are the things to seek during the sale period.
Cannes Shopping Festival
Also called as Palais des Festival, Cannes Shopping Festival draws well- known fashion experts and elite people from all around the globe for 4 days to Cannes in April. Celebrity designers use this platform to showcase their latest work, so it is a great opportunity for fashionistas from corners of the world to grab designer clothes and accessories at discounted prices.
Istanbul Shopping Festival
Turkey gives a tough competition to the much acclaimed Dubai Shopping Festival by organizing its own in Istanbul every year which offers unmatched deals and a wide range of products in a plethora of malls and streets. During the festival, apart from the shopping malls, historical places too close late by 2 hours than usual. Music concerts, street performances, fashion shows, etc. take place along with it. High-quality textiles, silk scarves, organic cotton, fabrics and linen, art and antiques, jewelry, handmade shoes, ceramics, furniture and hot Turkish labels are some of the items that are not to be missed in the shopping carnival.
Start planning your budget now, and satiate your shopaholic’s nerve.!!
Chandigarh, the city beautiful, as the name suggests has beautiful destinations to be visited and cherished. With an amalgamation of scenic beauty, historical monuments, and religious places, the city boasts of all that you would like to take back home as memories. Following is a list of places that must be included in your Chandigarh itinerary.
National Gallery of Portraits
Established in Chandigarh’s Sector 17, the National Gallery of Portraits is a memoir of India’s independence struggle. It depicts the journey of freedom struggle through photographs of historic events and freedom fighters. It also houses speeches of great leaders along with artifacts, documents, and sculptures that date back to the freedom struggle era. The film showed on the freedom movement in India at the gallery is not to be missed.
The Tower of Shadows
The Tower of Shadows was built by Mr Le Corbusier- the creator of Chandigarh- in Sector 1 and is a monument that augments the beauty of the city. Its architectural brilliance intends to demonstrate Le Corbusier’s theories of sun control. The tower captures the shadows formed with the sun’s movement. It is located between the Parliament and the High Court.
Open Hand
Besides the Tower of Shadows, is Le Corbusier’s another monument of Open Hand. It is Chandigarh’s emblem and signifies the principle of ‘open to receive and give’.
Although the city houses many such Open Hand sculptures, the one that you should not miss visiting is located at the Capitol Complex that is 26 metres high. This structure was specifically designed to move in the wind’s direction. Therefore, you would need to keep that in mind while clicking pictures there.
Sukhna Lake
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Sukhna Lake is one of the best spots of Chandigarh and is regarded as the weekend’s hot destination. This place is to be definitely visited if you are looking out for some peace and tranquillity. There are many activities that can be undertaken there as the Rock Garden and a golf Course are located on the either sides of the Lake. So enjoy a stroll at the lake and the cool breeze after a visit to any of the other two nearby spots.
Rock Garden
Founded by Mr Nek Chand, the Rock Garden is one of the most popular tourist spots in Chandigarh. It is a compilation of sculptures built from waste materials such as ceramic, bottles, electrical waste etc. After remaining hidden for almost 18 years, it is great that now it is available for people to see and appreciate. It is truly a treat to the eyes and you would be left awestruck by Mr Chand’s creativity.
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden
One of its kind in Asia, the Rose Garden is a must visit during your stay in the city of Chandigarh. It was established in 1967 and named after India’s former President, Zakir Hussain. There are about 50,000 rose bushes here with almost 1600 varieties of roses along with about 17,000 other plantations. It becomes a major attraction of the city especially in March when the annual Festival of Gardens is conducted here. A number of competitions are held during the festival such as landscaping, Rose Prince and Princess, photography, etc.
Pal Dhaba
The oldest eatery of Chandigarh, Pal Dhaba, apart from being loved by the locals has been very famous amongst Bollywood celebrities too. It is divided into 3 different dining sections, among which the roadside sit- out is the most demanded one. The food is alluring and delicious; a perfect end to a hectic day!
Getting There:
While you are traveling from Delhi, a place is hardly 300 Kms( approx. 266 Kms) and you would not want to miss the beautiful drive across the highway. For people coming from other places, Chandigarh does have an airport but most of the flights are from Delhi and hardly any direct flight to the place. One may also travel via train “Shatabdi express. Apart from this, any bus going to Shimla from Delhi does have a stop at Chandigarh and Himachal Tourism has regular buses plying to the most planned city of the country.
Where to Stay:
The hotel accommodation in Chandigarh City is purely based on the person’s budget. You may choose from Luxury retreats to budget hotels to business hotels, totally depending on the amount you would like to shell off from the pocket.
Every family has one traveler who is almost never home and same is the case with every friend circle, where one guy/girl is known to make all the plans and seems enthusiastic almost always. If a special occasion is approaching, you may be looking for a kickass gift to give it to them but you want to give something useful for his alter ego who is a crazy travel freak. Here are a few things that can be given be to the travel junkies which they would love absolutely.
Tickets to someplace – Domestic Flight tickets can be shared with your family members that can push them to travel & explore on their special days. Air India Flights usually have such available gift vouchers.
A travel book- A traveler while traveling, reading a book about traveling, it sounds funny but amazing at the very same time. There is no better gift than a great book or novel really and if that is about the love for traveling, that is just an icing on the cake. So, yes, get them a book full of stories or essays about the travels and you will be in their good books for a very long time.
Scratch Map- The goal of every traveler is to see the whole world. Almost all of them have the ‘travel the world’ part at the top spot on their wish list. The scratch map would make them very happy and even more determined to fulfill their goals. As they keep scratching off more and more destinations, you will be there with them in their proud moment which also includes a gift you gifted them.
Kindle- This is one of the most sophisticated gifts that you can give to your loved ones really. It will help pass the time during the long trips in the bus, flights or trains. While carrying books may be a little more uncomfortable for them, a kindle can come in really handy. And the best things would be uploading a few of their favorite books in there.
Travel Mug- Gifting coffee mugs on the birthdays are pretty routine. Everybody does that. A travel mug can be a pretty kickass gift for somebody who is almost always out traveling, whether it’s a business trip or a holiday. The stainless steel travel mug will come in handy to carry hot coffee or cold water for long period of times.
Sleep masks with earplugs- A good sleep is what everybody desires. The need is even higher in the case of the travelers. They don’t have much time to sleep on their trips, so they take rest while on road or in the air. The sleep mask can aid them in having a peaceful sleep.
Small hair dryer- Especially for the women, hair is something they want to make look perfect almost all the time. Gifting them a small hairdryer may make their life a little bit easier while they are away on travel. As it doesn’t take much space in the travel pack, it’s perfect on-road accessory for travelers.
Travel Backpacks – A good travel backpack is often the most important item for a traveler. It’s a travel companion that carries the most needed things for you, most importantly it fits your laptop and a DSLR camera and anything else that you would like to carry for the trip.
DSLR Lens – It’s an incredible thing to gift to your friend who has a passion and love for photography and loves taking incessant photos of anything and everything. What best gifting a DSLR? You can pose too for a picture along with your friend 😉
Travelers are different, so are their preferences, surprising them with something different will make them really happy to have you as a friend or family.
A short two-hour drive away from LA is this desert oasis known for the popular names associated with it. Be it Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley, none could resist the retro charm of Palm Springs, California. The place is already popular among tourists especially girl looking for a nice relaxing vacation. It is an Instagrammer’s dream place with the legendary pink door and so many chic spots. But anyone can visit Palm Springs to just kick back on the poolside and enjoy cocktails.
Here’s a travel guide for those visiting Palm Springs for the first time, with a to-do list that you should pin to your travel guide right now. It includes when to visit, where to eat and where to stay – there are a quirky selection of hotels and, if you prefer, many cool villas in Palm Springs.
Things To Do In Palm Springs – and More
Let’s begin with the most important question of when to visit:
January to April: These months experience the winter climate and are the peak season for tourists who get to enjoy all the tourist attractions. One must not forget that it is the desert area and what’s the fun of vacation if you have to complain about the heat the whole time?
May to September: The best part about visiting during this time is that there will be no crowds and you will easily find hotels at a great price. Though, you will have to tolerate the heat during the daytime. But if you consider yourself a night owl, the evening time would be perfect to wander.
October to December: Fall is a great season to visit Palm Springs for an average traveler. Not too much worrying about the weather and there won’t be a huge tourist crowd either.
The place is filled with hipster hotels and artsy places to stay that you would not even want to leave your hotel room. And on top of the list of best places to stay in Palm Springs is:
The Ace
The hotel has such a good vibe and is the most hipster hotel in the whole area. You can pick the room with fireplace and a patio to get the better living experience. But there won’t be any shortage of photo opportunities here so keep your camera handy.
The Saguaro
If the Ace is a hip place, then this hotel is a piece of art with cute shades at every corner. It’s more of a party hotel and you can enjoy your weekends to the fullest while staying here. Staying at Saguaro is like being surrounded by rainbows. The place even has two great restaurants.
The Hyatt Palm Springs
The main highlight of the place is the pool. The good music playing around and a pool bar on weekends made the whole experience ten times better. You can also get on a retro bike (available there) and wander the roads. Their restaurant, the guard dog in the lobby, the comfortable room makes it a perfect place to spend your vacation in.
Where To Eat
This is going to be the hardest list since Palm Springs is filled with places you would want to eat at. We suggest not filling up on one meal and just trying out different things at different places so you can get the whole experience.
Koffi makes the best latte around the place but you can also try their other refreshing drinks. For brunch, we visited Cheeky’s and their menu keeps changing but you can always find something that appeals to you. Then there was Birba which was the perfect pizza place. That taste you will find nowhere else.
Things To Do:
There are as many things to do on the way to Palm Springs as to do when you are there.
Go see the world’s biggest dinosaur and click a selfie with it. Enjoy the view of Palm Springs windmills and stop by at the Morongo casino to try your hand. Maybe Lady Luck would smile on you.
And once you are finally in Palm Springs, here’s what to do:
Bike riding: Many hotels give rental retro bikes that you can just take off on with your girlfriends and see Palm Springs in its natural beauty.
Shopping: There are many thrift stores and places where you can buy cute or antique things. One of the stores we’d suggest would be Just Fabulous. You would wish to get your hands on everything.
Instapics: There are a million photo opportunities in this retro fun town and you just have to find a cute spot and pose. Your Instagram account would look like a rainbow once you start clicking pictures in Palm Springs. From Vintage cars to the 60s look, and colors spread everywhere, you won’t have to look hard to find a perfect place.
Art Museum: There are two locations of Palm Springs Art Museums and if you have time, you can check them both out. Fr an art lover, what better thing to do.
Follow The stars: There is a Walk of Stars in Palm Springs areas and what’s special about it is that it honors famous celebrities who once resided in the area. You can find famous artist names and even the former Presidents of United States.
Palm Canyon Drive: You cannot go here. It is the tourist spot where you can just grab a bite to eat, look at amazing views of the palms and even spend some money on shopping, entertainment or gambling.
Palm Springs Air Museum: The place has a collection of planes from World War II which have been restored wonderfully to give you an idea of how planes must have looked during that time.
Joshua Tree National Park: If you are in Palm Springs for longer than a weekend, you might want to go here and be part of nature. The National Park has great views of mountains and even a waterfall. But you might not want to visit during the summer season because the heat would be crazy intense at the time.
A Walk In The Desert: A 20-minute walk through the desert would take you to Tahquitz Canyon and through the terrain is difficult to endure in the heat, the walk to the falls is worth it. Just don’t forget to carry water and sunscreen.
In the end, the best thing to do while leaving Palm Springs is getting your hands on a date shake at Hadley’s. The experience is not complete until you have tried that.
The pink city ‘Jaipur’ is a traveler’s delight and no one call their trip to Rajasthan complete without staying in Jaipur for at least two days. Jaipur doesn’t only represent the beauty and grandiosity but is actually Rajasthan’s symbolic state.
The royal Rajasthan exists in its truest form in this city, still preserved after all the years. We the #ghoomophirosisters got a chance to first-handedly see this grandeur during one of our backpacking trips and had a close look at the city’s beauty. We took flight from Delhi to Jaipur. We chose to stay at Radisson Blu, Jaipur. So while you visit the city, here are a few recommendations from our experience to help you explore :
Must See:
Hawa Mahal: This widely recognized facade of red and pink sandstone Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is Jaipur’s most iconic landmark. Within the hidden chambers of this palace, the royal women would often observe the street secretly, and it was all possible through the latticework openings of the palace. This five-storeyed palace is designed in a pyramidal style, as an example of Mughal architecture and its finesse.
Nahargarh Fort: Nahargarh Fort is a striking piece of architecture built on the edge of Aravalli hills. The was a summer palace for the royal families and the fort has a main palace inside it called Madhavendra Bhawan. Apart from it, there are nine other living spaces with the fort that are double-storeyed. Not only are the views from Nahargarh Fort of Jaipur city breathtaking, but it is also connected to Jaigarh Fort. The marble engravings and royal frescos on this fine example of Indo-European architecture are also visible on the interior walls.
Amber Fort: The undeniably charming Amber Fort is set on a hilltop. Both the size and structure of this 15th-century fort are impressive. The path to the fort lies passes through imposing ramparts and cobbled pathways, leading to its gates through which it can be accessed. The Mughal style architecture is visible through its golden frontage combined with elaborate interiors. The ornate archways lead to chambers that have mirrorwork ceilings and hand painted walls and are expansive in size. You can visit the ‘Diwan-e-Aam, or ‘Hall of Public Audience’, the Diwan-e-Khas, or ‘Hall of Private Audience’, and also the Sheesh Mahal, the ‘Mirror Palace’ that are housed inside the palace. Do not miss the light and sound show that glorifies the splendid fort some more.
Jantar Mantar: Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observation site that witnessed the scholarly brilliance of the 18th century. This one of a kind UNESCO world heritage site has the world’s largest sundial along with 20 other instruments.
City Palace: City Palace is one of the Rajput style architectural marvel built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Its design is complete with layers of chambers and halls. The royal family of Jaipur still resides in the palace even today and a portion of the palace remains inaccessible to visitors. But visitors may wander Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas and Maharani Palace. A fine collection of artifacts are also preserved in the museum inside City Palace and the palace houses a temple as well.
Perfect Do’s
Visit an Elephant Camp: A privately owned forest and wilderness camp spread over 160 acres are situated behind Amber Fort. Mamy domestic animals, camels, and elephants have made it their natural habitat and visitors may ride on the elephant back to explore Aravali Forest. They can also ask about the caring routines of these gentle giants along with trying their hand at bathing them.
Shop for Local Handicrafts: Jaipur is brimming with local bazaars filled with things to buy. There isn’t anything you can’t find here, from clothes, shoes, handicrafts, jewelry to pottery, spices and home furnishings. And you’ll love them all. Get ready to loosen your pockets if you plan to visit one of the popular marketplaces like Baapu Bazaar and Johari Bazar.
Watch a Polo Match: The upper echelons of society in Jaipur continue to patronize yet widely play the ‘game of kings’ polo. While it may be hard to get your hands on the invites to an exclusive polo match, the city’s polo clubs like Ramgarh Resort & Polo Complex or Jaipur Polo Club would let you watch a match, free of cost.
Block Printing at Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing: The age-old tradition of hand block printing is still preserved in Anokhi Museum of Hand printing which was established solely for the preservation of this art. This art is still practiced by most of Jaipur’s artisans. At the Anokhi Museum, you can witness the intricate workings of this art and get educated while block printing artisans are at work to keep this endangered art alive. The visitor can also buy these handcrafted merchandises that are locally made.
Best Eating Joints
Ghewar: LMB Bazaar in Johari is a popular eatery to try out this delicacy. It is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Known to be a traditional Rajasthani sweet, it is circular in shape and deep friend, laden with almonds as well as pistachios.
Kachori: This sweet or savory fried snack has tea as its best companion. Pick up a box of pyaaz Kachori from Rawat ki factory while in Jaipur. This Kachori is one if their specialties and too delicious to pass up.
Daal Baati: Daal Baati is one of the most popular dishes of Rajasthan and most local eateries in Jaipur serve it. It is a dish of daal served with baati (wheat rolls). The best way to eat it is when it is served hot, seasoned with pure ghee.
When to Go
During its three distinct seasons- Summer, Winter, and Monsoon, Jaipur experiences extreme weather.
October to March: Since the summer heat has disappeared by this time, it is the best time to visit Jaipur. While December and January may be extremely cold and dry because winter is at its peak at the time, the temperature is better in February and March. This pleasant weather would be the ideal time to enjoy your holiday.
July to September: High humidity along with the hot weather, this is the Monsoon season.
April to June: Summers in Jaipur can be brutally hot with the temperature rising up to 40C. May and June are the hottest months.
Getting There
By Air: Located approximately 12 kms from the city centre, in Sanganer is Jaipur international Airport. It is well connected to flights from all across India as well as a few international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat.
By Road: Many Air-conditioned, as well as non-air conditioned buses, are run by The Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation from nearby towns and cities. The National Highways connecting Delhi and Gujarat make for a smooth ride if you are driving to Jaipur.
By Train: The city’s largest railways station, Jaipur Junction has direct trains FROM major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai as well as Kolkata. For a truly grand experience, enjoy the scheduled stop in Jaipur by Palace on Wheels.
Getting Around
There’s no problem for transportation in Jaipur since both public and private transport is readily available. Take your pick among air-conditioned radio cabs, cycle rickshaws or local buses. Jaipur metro is still in its first phase of rapid transit system. It covers the track from Mansarovar to Chandpole Bazar which is 9.6 Kilometres
What to Pack:
The temperature may rise up to 40C so carry lightweight cotton clothing in summer.
Mosquito repellent, sunhat sunscreen, and sunglasses are the basic essentials along with a good pair of walking shoes.
Winter can be brutal and temperature can drop to 4C. Pack a Jacket for harsh winter nights.
The royal life experience awaits you in Jaipur. Like the city’s warm and blushing hues, embrace the architecture, fine cuisine, and hospitality of people.
Located in the Diplomatic enclave which is the heart of Delhi’s government and commercial precinct, Taj Hotel is spread across six acres of land. This luxury hotel is the ideal choice for travelers who wish to soak up the city’s history or businessmen hoping to spend a luxurious time.
Entrance: At first glance, we were mesmerized by the grand look of the hotel. It was no doubt very posh and the interiors were modern but what else can you expect from a five-star hotel? Upon entrance, we were greeted nicely by the staff and the lobby design was incredible.
Rooms:
The room was air-conditioned with an LED and a mini-bar. There was also an electric kettle. The bathroom was a real beauty with modern amenities and a bathtub along with a shower. The hairdryer was also present which shows how much they cared for our comfort. The room itself was very spacious and as luxurious as it could get. With beautiful interiors and walls with textured art, the room was a mixture of modern style with Indian art. With Indian coloured palette and motifs, we experienced swoon-worthy comfort in the huge comfy bed. There was a lot of space to move around and a fully stocked desk for any of our needs.
Tourist spots nearby:
The hotel is just a fifteen-minute drive away from the airport and 3.5 km away from Rashtrapati Bhavan. It is 6.4 km away from Jantar Mantar and India Gate as well. This makes it the perfect spot for stay for tourists. The location is one of the pros of living in the hotel since the views from the window are also charming. We were in the room with the garden view.
Dining:
There were three dining options. Masala Art was the restaurant serving delicious North Indian food and Orient express offered European cuisines. We alternated our lunch and dinner among the two and were impressed by the taste and quality of the food. Considering that it was a five-star hotel, of course, it was a bit expensive but the food was yummy with ample proportions. There was another option for Chinese food at Spicy Duck and it was equally good. Additionally, there was a tea lounge at the lobby that also served finger food. And at last, a blue bar for alcoholic beverages. The interiors of all the restaurants were fine and the service was extraordinary. There was also poolside private dining if you’re spending time with your partner.
Special Highlights:
The Jiva Grande Spa is something we have to specially mention because it was a mighty experience. With an assortment of massage therapies, relaxing facials and scrubs, we felt incredibly pampered and fresh. The hotel really focuses on your health as well as comfort. And the spa was the best in the city. There was also a salt sauna room.
With the gym room, swimming pool, golf clubs, there were plenty of things to entertain ourselves with. And the staff was always helpful and courteous. The personal butler service that Taj has going on really made us feel like VIPs
Address: Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi, India
Overall verdict:
The marvelous hospitality and luxury that Taj offers are one of a kind. They go above and beyond to make you feel at home and it is a wonderfully memorable experience. This is a fine establishment with all the qualities that you want in a hotel. So the next time you are in Delhi, you know where to go.
Located in the royal estate of Kuthar in Kasauli, this resort is 25.7 km from Shimla. Chandigarh airport is the nearest one and is 37 km away from the resort. The Spa and resort are a new construction within Kuthar Heritage Fort which is an 800-year-old property.
Location:
The main highlight of the place has to be the location. We literally got to stay inside a royal estate and though, we weren’t lucky enough to meet the current Rana Mr Arun Sen, just knowing that we were in presence of royalty was enough. Amidst the fresh Himalayan air and beautiful architecture, how can one not be happy? Plus the beautiful garden area, arches, pillars, temples and colonnades are a nice cherry on top. However, the Tanya, part from current management team has been really helpful during our entire stay.
Accommodations & Dining
The room had elegant interiors of the place with modern amenities and a spacious bathroom. There were wonderful paintings on the wall and traditional looking chairs and table. The cream and brown contrast in colour was soothing to eyes and we spent our night comfortably in the room. The window opens to a garden view and with the fresh breeze, it was a refreshing experience. The nicely furnished room with LCD TV, WiFi (at the reception), Tea and coffee maker, toiletries included made us feel pampered. Glimpses from our room
Story Behind the Scenes
Though the resort is a new construction, it derives its inspiration from the 800-year old fort with wonderfully carved wooden ceilings. That mixes luxury and simplicity in one. The Kuthar ambiance is present throughout as you walk to the games room or the tea lounge. In fact, the main building has been built over what was used as the horse stable years ago and you can sense it from the architecture. Management has ensured the place keeps the essence of heritage and this is why even furniture of the rooms has been adapted from those times.
Things to Do
The resort has all facilities to keep you engaged during your stay. There is a Games room where we spent some of our time playing Darts. There were also other games like Table Tennis, Carrom Board, and Billiards. But since we felt more adventurous, we decided to go Mountain biking afterwards. The resort had some on-site cross country trails, incredible road cycling areas, and downhill biking trails.
Another highlight was the jungle walk in the lush vine forest where we spotted beautiful birds. We saw a few people shooting cans as well though we weren’t specifically interested in it ourselves. We were lucky to visit small 800-year-old Vishnu temple during our jungle walk. You may also opt to take a walk to the organic farms too.
This small video will definitely tempt you to pack your bags for Alcor resorts in the upcoming weekend.
Relax, Rejoice & Rejuvenate
After the tiring day, it was all we could do to control ourselves before jumping into the pool. The time spent soaking in the pool truly rejuvenated us and took the tiredness away. And then a Thai Massage and body scrub soothed our skin. The pampering body scrubs made our skin glow afterward. The fresh teas in the tea lounge also added to the calming and peaceful experience.
You can also opt for Yoga and meditation or like us, just sit on the garden benches enjoying the scenery and just living in the moment. The view of mountains and trees from here was just breathtaking.
Highlight
The best part about the resort had to be the package system that includes meals and all activities, so afterward; you don’t have to pay a dime. The staff was always courteous and welcoming. They greeted us with warm smiles and polite words always. The food itself was delicious as well. Each meal was freshly prepared and up to mark. Not to miss, spa & feet, reflexology was indeed the highlight of the stay.
Ghoomophiro Verdict
Alcor Spa & resort is the perfect place for relaxing and rejuvenating. The best place to stay if you are in Kasauli. We had our fun and there is no place that you can do better than this. Take a respite from your everyday life and come here for luxury and comfort. Stay in the bar lounge on comfy sofas, walk in the garden, get a massage and enjoy being treated royally.
Lodi Garden is one of the most beautiful parks in New Delhi. It is located between Khan Market and Safdarjung’s Tomb on Lodi Road. Lodi Garden is spread over 90 acres and has monuments of Mohammed Shah’s Tomb, Sikander Lodi’s Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad.
It is landscaped with grass, flowers, and lakes, and is a hotspot for morning walks. Yoga classes are organized every morning in the park. The view from the middle of the bridge is captivating, especially on a bright sunny day, when the fountain is in full swing and one is lucky to see a rainbow.
The tomb of Mohammed Shah was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah. Bara Gumbad and Sheesh Gumbad were built in 1494 during the rule of Sikander Lodi. Another tomb of Sikander Lodi, which is very similar to Mohammed Shah’s tomb, was built by his own son Ibrahim Lodi in 1517.
Lodi Dynasty ruled over several parts of North India in the 16th century, before the Mughal Dynasty came into force. They were not as popular as the Mughal Dynasty, but they left bits of their legacy in Delhi, Lodi Gardens being one of them.
After the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, two villages grew around the monuments, but in 1936, the villagers were relocated in order to make the gardens. During the British Raj, it was landscaped by Lady Willingdon, and hence the garden was named as ‘Lady Willingdon Park’ in 1936. After Independence in 1947, it was given its present name, Lodi Gardens.
In the middle of the garden is the Bada Gumbad (big dome), which is a gateway to a mosque. Both the Bada Gumbad and the mosque were built in 1494, when Sikander Lodi was the ruler.The mosque is extremely captivating. It has three domes, an arched doorway and some beautiful-looking inscriptions on them.
Opposite to the Bada Gumbad is the Sheesh Gumbad (the glass dome), which carries the remains of an unknown family. The Sheesh Gumbad is covered with ceramic tiles, which glitter like piece of glasses when the rays of sun fall on them, giving the Sheesh Gumbad its name.
There are remains of a watercourse in the garden which connects the Yamuna River to the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi. Nearby Sikander’s tomb is the Athpula (“Eight Piered”) Bridge which was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. It has seven arches, amongst which the central one is the largest.
Muhammed Shah, the last ruler of the Sayyid dynasty, which was in force in Delhi before the Lodis came to power, was buried in the Lodi Garden. His tomb was built by his son Alauddin Alam Shah, in the year 1444as a tribute to him.The tomb is in octagonal shape, with many Hindu-style chhatris around the central dome, various arches and verandahs. The tomb of Mohammed Shah is clearly visible from the road, and is the first structure in the gardens. It is a good example of a combination of Hindu and Islamic style of architecture.
One question that often pops in #ghoomophirosisters’ inbox is how to plan a budget trip or say, how we manage so many trips in a year. We thought to cater to this question through this post with the tips and hacks that we personally execute while we plan our travel.
Plan ahead: All plans made at the last moment would cost you much more than if you plan ahead for the future. Playing your cards right can lower your cost and you can get the cultural experience that you always wanted. Use the best time to book tools to take advantage of travel packages and early deals. So decide a destination and then start scouting deals.
Off-season: Everything is more expensive during peak season. It is better to travel offseason. By peak season, I mean apart general holidays, spring and summer holidays. Booking your flight ticket and hotel reservations during the off-season can cut down your costs.
Flight price alerts: Flight ticket prices fickle frequently and they keep changing. So to get the best deals you need price alerts especially if you are planning your trip in advance. This way when the prices drop, you will be the first one to know.
A Bed and Breakfast Versus a luxury hotel: A BnB will offer you comfort and warmth at half the price. In most countries, you can easily find cheap and comfy Bed and Breakfast.
Avoid eating out or at touristy restaurants: If you are traveling to a new place, the best thing to do is try the cheap street food. That would tell you more about the eating culture of the place than any high priced restaurant. Moreover, locals will serve you better food for less money. Better yet, order the daily special.
Baggage: Travelling light and checking your luggage limitations by weighing and measuring your luggage can help avoid any nasty overcharges. We love Vistara Airlines for this.
Cards with incentives: Some credit card companies offer additional incentives like international travel insurance and often tie up with flights so that you get incentives on flight tickets. Therefore, you will be making huge savings by using these Gold, Diamond and Platinum cards.
Utilize free internet connections: Avoid additional roaming charges by utilizing free internet/ Wi-Fi whenever available. Airports are the best places to leverage this facility.
Additional benefits: If your holiday destination/ hotel offer additional benefits like free complimentary meals and accommodation for kids that would help your budget. Food and accommodations make for a huge part of holiday expense, so it is also essential to know that lunches are cheaper than dinner.
Check for hotel offers Packaged deals for hotel prices like “buy two nights and get one free” or “free spa services” are always a good idea to explore.
Embrace Public Transport: Buses and trains are much cheaper than cabs and taxis. A journey on an overnight train can save you one less night in a hotel and might cost you cheaper than a plane.
Use ATMs instead of traveler’s checks: You can get cash cheaper and faster and if you make less and larger withdrawals, you will have to pay less transaction fee. Just remember to keep that cash safe.
If you are a frequent traveler, you can avail loyalty points offered by flights and hotels to save even more. Vistara Airlines offer some great deals for their frequent flyers. The best thing you can do is making smarter choices. And in the end, it is all about having fun. Sometimes you can have more fun by exploring places on foot and blending in with the locals. Learn about the tax refund schemes for foreigner’s retail purchases. Try luxurious camping options and have a fun filled, cheap and unusual trip.
We wish your travel gets easy, economical with the above hacks and you do not think twice while planning your vacations.
During our stay at the King’s Lodge by Pugdundee Safaris in Bandhavgarh, a village walk was arranged. Barely a kilometer away from the lodge, we reached a uniquely traditional and secluded village Rancha. Firstly, we were surprised to see how desolate the place was not a soul in sight. Then, we were taken to a villagers’ home. There we saw intricate artwork done above the doors. We were in awe of the beautiful designs and what trumped even that was, getting to know that the males in that household did the work. That made us look at the colours and designs in a new different light. The stuccoed work looked incredible. This small video will surely let you believe how interesting was our walk to village Rancha.
That talk with the family was a delightful and refreshing experience. It taught us how open and friendly village people can be when you show genuine interest. All you must do is respect their traditions and be polite.
After a little while of walking around and meeting other villagers, we discovered that the place was not as desolate as we had imagined but it was the heat that kept people from wandering outdoors. We met other people as well, like a lady who ran a shop there. The shop had an adjoining room where she lived with her family. Some kids showed up from the nearby school to buy sweets with their pocket money and it was an adorable sight.
The kids were incredibly talkative once we sat down to talk to them and a charming smile was all it took to make even the shy kids become extroverts. We visit some other homes and the people welcomed us with warm smiles. Though some of them were camera shy, others did not hesitate in posing for a photo.
We saw some dome shaped temples upon entering the village and creative decor all over the homes of the villagers. Blue seemed to be one of the more popular colours. The smiling faces of all the people and the earthly atmosphere all around instilled us with humility and even the water that we drank tasted better. There were various government run health programs too.
The only thing on should know before visiting Village Rancha is that you should act respectfully and responsible tourism is needed while visiting homes of the people. Take your shoes off before entering the homes and don’t be rude. If you are just visiting to take pictures, then this is not the place for you.
