Category: Itinerary

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Beaches Itinerary Relax Staycation

Exploring The Desert City of Palm Springs, California

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.

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Corporate Outings Culture Deserts Itinerary North India

48 Hrs in Jaipur via #ghoomophirosisters’ lens

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.

So when are you packing your bags to Jaipur!!

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Asia Itinerary

Bangkok, the city of dazzling temples and spectacular palaces

For decades, people have always considered Bangkok to be the heaven for single men who are on a constant hunt for sensual massage parlors and the strip clubs that seem to be there on every other corner. Seldom do we come to hear about the natural beauty and a tourist paradise that this place is.

The capital of Thailand, Bangkok may very well be one of the busiest cities in Asia, courtesy of the tourists who crowd the place almost every time a year. But don’t let the flashy nightlife, shopping sprees; those naughty massages fool you because there is much more to the city. The place boasts a huge number of temples and religious places, busy markets and places to spend some nonflashy calm nights at, Bangkok offers way too much.

How to Reach

The city of Bangkok is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport, both of which are located about 30 km from the city center. It may take at least three hours to connect between them, as they are far-off from each other and one can expect congestion on the roads.

The cold season is the best to visit the place, given the fact that this is one of the hottest cities in the world.

Places to Visit

Rattanakosin- Often called the Old City; this is one island you should not be missed at all. It is the center of religious culture of the city. There are hundreds of temples and monuments to see in there.

The Grand Palace – Located in the heart of Bangkok, the Grand Palace on the banks of Chao Phraya River is one must see the sight. The Grand Palace is a splendid building and one of the most popular tourist attractions of Bangkok. A blend of Thai and European architecture, the Grand Palace which had remained the erstwhile residence of the Kings of Siam is used till date for royal ceremonies. It is a complex of several buildings, halls, gardens, and courtyards.

Dusit Palace- Built by King Rama V, this is a must visit place located in the Dusit district. The leafy and beautiful area pretty much reminds of the European designs and architecture. The place is huge which may take you at least a day to go over it.

National Gallery- Also known as the Queen’s Gallery, it happens to be one of the most famous art galleries spread across the city. Located on the Siam Square, it is nearby the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre which also is a great place to have a peek into the artistic scene of the country.

Lumphini Park- Lumphini Park located in Silom is the biggest park in the central part of the city. The park offers you a great way to release the stress that has to build up after a hard party night or a full tiring day shopping around.

Things to Do

Chatuchak is one of the most popular markets in Bangkok which brings together everything buyable under one platform, right from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. The area is home to more than 8000 market stalls.It’s a place where you can shop till you drop. If I advised reaching here early, ideally around 10 am, to beat the crowds and the heat.

The River of the Kings, the Chao Phraya River rambles its way right through the heart of Bangkok. The best way to allure this Bangkok attraction is through a river cruise or by renting a boat and carrying on the travel at your own speeds. Longboats can be rented from different piers and kids are sure to have a frolicking time.

Restaurants

With so many restaurants and street vendors offering Thai food, Bangkok is a foodie’s heaven. Bangkok is a cool and hip little place offering outstanding Thai food!

Street food in Bangkok is flavorsome, quickly delivered and super economical. You can usually relish a feast for fewer than 150 Baht!

Here are a few you should try

    1. Mezzaluna is a truly extraordinary fine dining restaurant, located inside the iconic golden ‘Dome’ at the top of the lebua hotel.

  1. Issaya Siamese Club Proudly located in the middle of a luscious green garden, this 100-years-old house host as wooden verandah and old fashioned staircase which right away sets a romantic mood, making it just the right place for duo dining.
  2. Le Du Restaurant – Le Du, located in the now fine-dining haven of Silom, offers highly creative cuisine by two youthful Thai-born chefs who have won over words of praises for their imaginative techniques and approaches.

The most booked places to Stay

  1. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
  2. Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
  3. Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn
  4. SO Sofitel Bangkok
  5. Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri
  6. lebua at State Tower
  7. Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit
  8. Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21
  9. Mandarin Hotel Managed by Centre Point
  10. Banyan Tree Bangkok

It takes some good observant eyes to see the city in a whole new light and the few who have done it, have nothing but praises for the city.

Categories
Corporate Outings Culture Itinerary North India

The Venice of the East “Udaipur City”

Rajasthan speaks of royal hood like no other place in the country. A home to Nawabs and Rajputs, who are known to be quite colorful rulers, have given the state so much to preserve that it still remains unmatchable. Talk about the forts, palaces, and temples, everything is mesmerizing. One of the most historic cities in the state is Udaipur. Udaipur is the reason why the tourists make their trip to Rajasthan longer than they plan. There has been much said and written about the place but there is still a lot that remains unexplored. Here we present to you some charming things about Udaipur that you must not forget to visit on your next trip to this rugged beauty of a state.

City Palace-This royal place is located right in the heart of the city. Entrance to the place is done as you pass through the Hathi Pol, elephant gate. This is a massive palace and it may take you about 2 to 3 hours to take a complete round of the place. Keep your mouth closed as you witness the man-made the masterpiece with your naked eyes. There are many cafes available in the palace serving great cuisine. Some of the best-known cafes are Grasswood Cafe, Cafe Satori, CafeRA, Yummy Yoga, Udai Art Cafe, Espresso Love Cafe, Brewmen and Cafe Edelweiss.

Bagore ki Haveli- This marvelous structure got itself built sometime in the 18th century and it has stood here since then in all its grace, tempting the tourists to visit it again and again. The Haveli happens to be set on the edge around the Gangaur Ghat. The place was built by a Mewari prime minister about 200 years back and after that, it got restored by the government since. The place has been preserved quite neatly.

Boating in Lake Pichola- The boating in the sweet lake is one of the many things that are unforgettable about the city. On the mirror-like crystal clear surface, the lake reflects the cool blue and grey mountains that stand nearby. The boating experience becomes far more exotic when you have someone special to accompany you.

The Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Udaipur, the first being Jaisamand lake. It is built by Maharana Jai Singh, with Moti Magri hill at its one side and Udaipur city on another side. The beautiful picturesque lake was named after Maharana Fateh Singh, who later made the modification to this alluring lake. The charming widespread water sheet is bejeweled with three small islands. The travelers can reach there by taking a boat ride in the lake. The Fateh Sagar Lake has 3 islands. The largest among the three islands artificially made on the lake is a beautiful park named Nehru Park. The garden has a boat-shaped restaurant and a small zoo for children. It is a favorite picnic spot of Udaipur dwellers.

The second island is a public park with excellent and ravishing water-jet fountains and the third island is named as Udaipur Solar Observatory. The calm and soothing surroundings of Fateh Sagar Lake make it the best and an ideal place where people can recharge their minds and enjoy the scenic view of the lake.

Jag Mandir- Does the name of the place ring any bells? International pop star Katy Perry got hitched to the comedian Russell Brand here in a grand ceremony. This place is located on an island in the lake Pichola and stays crowded almost all the time due to the heavy crowds coming here to visit the temple.

Dine in beautiful Taj Lake Palace

Prince of Udaipur, Maharana Jagat Singh 2 was known for his lavish lifestyle and romantic nature. In order to fulfill his luxury and fancy desires, in 1746 he built a palace on the Lake
Pichola for his pleasure, which he named “Jag Niwas”. The beautiful picturesque palace is now one of the most famed romantic hotels across the world, which is famous with the name “The Taj Lake Palace”. If you are paying a visit to the city of lakes with your better half, then this alluring amorous destination can act as a cupid in your life’s chapter.

Travel Tip

The best time to visit  Udaipur is in the months of September, October, November, December, February, and March. At this time of the year, the temperature remains pleasant and enjoyable.

Udaipur is one of the most eccentric cities in the beautiful state of Rajasthan. The alluring city is also called as the Venice of the East, because of its culture, heritage, eye delighting architectures, palaces, serene lakes like, beautiful temples and resplendent gardens, has a lot to offer. If we talk about lakes the tranquil of Fateh Sagar lake and Pichola adds charms to this scenic place.There are many attractions at the place but what can we say, the less is more and the more is less when it comes to the true beauty.

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Itinerary North India

The winter wonderland, Srinagar

Kashmir is undoubtedly the most beautiful place in the world and the Capital city Srinagar vindicates the statement completely. The magnificent and alluring beauty of nature has been just breathtaking, you just can’t put your eyes off!!. The beautiful valley of the Srinagar, located in the northwest region of India and at the distance of 566 Km from New Delhi. The Snow covered mountains, dense forest, lakes, gently flowing Jhelum, and everything around is just mesmerizing, you will just fall in love with the magical landscape!! The beauty of the paradise is endless, let’s explore the few facet of this heavenly land.

Enjoy the Tranquility of Dal Lake!!

The alluring and calm mirror like a clear sheet of water “Dal Lake” is the heart of Srinagar valley. It is a real jewel of the region and most loved destinations among travelers. The tranquility of the lake expands over 15 km around, reflecting the clear image of Pir Panjal peak. The magical view of the lake is the eye delight for the travelers, the floating boats “Shikaras” on the lake carrying people from one shore to another is the best experience of visiting Srinagar for sure.The trip to Kashmir is incomplete if you have not been to the world famous floating market of Dal Lake. The floating Vegetable market is one of the significant attractions for tourist visiting Kashmir. The people board Shikaras to for shopping vegetables from vendors; it is unique in its own way. Travelers can hire the Shikaras to explore around the lake, visiting floating garden,  floating flower, and vegetable market. The best view of the lake is witnessed during sunrise and sunset.

Mesmerizing Mughal Gardens!!

The Mughal gardens are the significant landmark of Srinagar. The alluring Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Gardens, and Chashm-e-Shahi arguably the best tourist attraction of the Valley. The perfect blend of architecture, Mughal design, can be witnessed in terraced lawns, fountain pools, marble pavilions and gorgeous flower beds. The Shalimar bagh is most famous for the three gardens, as it was constructed by Jehangir for his beloved wife Nur-Jahan. These gardens are an eye delight for every traveler coming to Srinagar. The colorful and vibrant flower beds, beautiful fountains, and flawless architecture just leave you lost in the magnificent scenic view.

Water skiing on Nagin Lake!!

The city with numerous beautiful rivers, landscape and lakes is the perfect holiday destination for all. The magical water of  Nagin lake adds the charm to the gorgeous city of Srinagar. Located at the few distance from Dal Lake, the Nagin Lake is popular for water skiing, sparkling clear water and picturesque surrounding.

The Eye luring Pari Mahal!!

The Pari Mahal literal meaning “Palace of the Fairies” is one most significant tourist spot of Srinagar. It is located southwest of the Dal lake, right above the Chashm-e-Shahi bagh. The 7 level terraced garden has alluring picturesque surroundings, which was built by Shah Jahan’s son Dara in the 17th century.

“Kahwa” the traditional flavor of tea

Kahwa is a green tea, which is prepared in a unique way. The flavors of saffron, cardamom, and other exotic spices will just soothe your taste buds. If you’re planning to visit Srinagar don’t miss to taste this traditional green tea “Kahwa” tspecialtyity of alluring Srinagar valley.

Authentic Kashmiri Cuisine at “Ahdoos”

The food is  just mouth-watering you would die for it for sure.Every dish is unique in taste and flavour. If you’re planning a tour to Srinagar, don’t miss to taste exotic Kashmiri Cuisine at Ahdoos

Enjoy the mouth-watering cuisine at “Mughal Darbar”

The delicious cuisine is yet another speciality of Srinagar. The finger licking traditional dish “Wazwan” of Mughal darbar, you definitely don’t want to miss.

It is said that tourist who travel to Kashmir and return back without tasting the traditional yet famous cuisine Wazwan has in fact missed the real essence of the beautiful land. Many Wazwan lovers also claims that the real taste of the dish Wazwan can be experienced at the Mughal Darbar.

Srinagar is the most loved travel destinations of all times as it offers a diverse experience to the travelers.The most popular time for tourists to visit this place is from April to June as the weather is cool and temperatures ranges between 10 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius.

Categories
Adventure Itinerary North India

How you can spend a day being at Leh!!

The dream of almost every other travel fanatic in the country, Leh is a snow-capped region in the north most part of the country. Brimming with the great Himalayan range as its backdrop, Leh is a dreamland having some most astonishing visuals one can have.
How to reach
Shimla and Manali are two entry points where the access to Leh becomes easy. Although the Srinagar airport is the nearest to the place, so a road trip from Srinagar to Leh (434 Km) is advised to be the safest medium of approaching the place. One can hire the taxi as well as take the state government bus to reach there. Those who prefer to reach here by flight can go for Indian Airlines which operates 3 flights in a week between Leh and Delhi and Jet Airways which operates six flights in a week between Leh-Delhi.
Best season so visit
While rest of the country is facing the hard blows of heat waves, it is the best time to have a trip to Leh. The months between May to September are considered the best.
Sightseeing
Leh being one of the dearest tourist destinations in the country offers some great sights one can have the good fortune of visiting. A few of them have been mentioned below.
Leh main bazaar– The best place for the tourists and the locals where they could shop is Leh main bazaar. One can gather woolen clothes, accessories and other souvenirs from the market which also happens to have some stalls of delicious local cuisines.


The Khar– Since the early parts of the 17th century; this magnificent monument named the Khar has been the best landmark in Leh. Missing the visit to the Khar is something you might regret later on.
Shanti Stupa– Built on a decent hilltop in the Changspa region of Leh, the most popular monument in the entire region came into existence in the year 1991. The entire Leh town is somehow visible in a panoramic view from the altitude of 14k feet.


Hall of fame– The museum like settlement will fill the heart of the patriotic Indians with a feeling of immense pride and joy as the settlement basically, honors the Indian soldiers who died in the notorious Kargil war.


Sankar Monastery– The very popular monastery is a few minutes away from Leh and given the fact that it only allows visitations from the tourists in evenings and mornings, a brisk walk to it is advisable.


Datum Sahib– Datun Sahib is a meswak tree is located right behind the Jama masjid situated in the Leh main bazaar. The tree is said to have been planted by none other than Shri Guru Nanak sahib Ji and holds a great significance to the religious people of Leh.


Sindhu Ghat– Soothing and calm place where you can sit down on the banks of the Indus River amidst the beautiful surroundings and thank the gods for making you visit the place. The place is ideal for some lazy and calm picnics away from the rustle and chaos of the main city.
Although Leh is quite cold a place and won’t suit everybody, but there is no denying the fact that this place is what they call- The dream of a mad traveler coming to life.

Categories
Itinerary North India Rejoice

Trippy Chail

After our last trip to Mashobra, we were excited about further exploring more hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. So we took a bus from Delhi and headed to another one of the places influenced by the British Raj- Chail which is also the summer capital of Patiala. We will share with you the story as told to us by a local Chai wala as we enquired about the history of Chail as soon as we stepped there. It turns out that Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had made Lord Kitchener angry over some matter and he refused him entry into Shimla. But hey, who wouldn’t want to stay at such a beautiful place but instead of bowing down to the Lord, the Maharaja decided to build his own summer retreat. That’s how we got Chail View Palace. But as Irony would have it, the place was gifted to the Maharaja by Britishers earlier.

After hearing that fun tale, we moved on to my Hotel (Ekant Chail) as we were hoping it would be isolated like the name suggests. Good thinking because we got a good room with great view and total calm. After relaxing, I decided to keep the sightseeing for the next day.

The cricket and polo ground built by Maharaja who was an avid cricket fan himself (isn’t that a trait of every Indian?) is the world’s highest cricket ground at an altitude of 2250 meter. The next thing on the list was Palace Hotel view which was built by Maharaja in Victorian style (probably to make the Britishers jealous). Though the palace has been turned into a luxury hotel, it still has the vintage artwork that reminds you of the time it was built in. People can stay here at a normally priced rate and have the luxury of living like a king.

Next, we visited a place of great significance among the locals. It is believed that the king’s palace was supposed to be built where Sidh baba Temple is but the saint came in King’s dreams and told him that it was his resting place. The king stopped the construction of the palace and built a temple dedicated to the saint instead. It is a place of religious significance but all is well since the King’s palace turned out to be spectacular anyway.

While the Maharaja’s hunted the wild animals at this next stop, it was made into a Wildlife century later on and we saw a variety of beautiful birds there. I stayed there for two hours marveling at the beauty of the place. we asked around to find some more wonderful places to see and some other traveller told me that they were travelling to the Kali Mandir.

Trekking to Kali Mandir was not a difficult job but the view from there was breathtaking. The temple itself was beautiful as well but watching the sunset from there is what won me over. While there isn’t some big mall or grand markets there for shopping in Chail, we did find places that sold handmade Pashminas and rugs and shoes there. But I was more interested in trying the apple wine which was delightful. I also bought some jellies and jams to take home.

This beautiful hill station surrounded by deodar forests and valley beneath it, hills covering it and where the river flows down is truly a marvellous place to spend your time. Chail is one holiday destination that you will want to revisit. From a British territory to a gift, to a royal retreat and then finally a tourist resort, Chail has come a long way.

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Architectural Itinerary North India

48 hours in Lucknow

Lucknow can be taken as a sweet dish, from the way people speak (ah that accent!) to the lovely architecture of the magnificent mosques to the manners, everything oozes out tons of sweetness. Add the delicious cuisines, especially the Mughlai kebabs, biryani and what not, and the city becomes one delicious dream of a food lover along with a poetry enthusiast and the one who understands the nuisances of what constitutes a great city to live in. Spending some time here amidst the narrow alleys, the crowded markets, and delicate biryani outlets may not set well with you at the first sight. But the city grows on you and then refuses to come out of your system.

Below are the things that you can do on a 2 day trip to this beautiful city.

Day 1

Start the day with breakfast. And what is a perfect place for some delicious breakfast than Moti Mahal? Away from the meaty cuisines of rest of the city, this is an all vegetarian food point and serves healthy and delicious food.

The afternoon would be spent taking a fully guided tour of the famous Bhool Bhulaiyaa which happens to be an iconic spot for the ardent history lovers. It was built in the 17th century and is still a place to get lost in even after all these years. Besides this, there are other things that this historical marvel has which will leave you thrilled. These are such the thick trees and lush gardens, a mosque, tazias (small replicas of Imam Hussain’s tomb in Karbala, Iraq), and rooftop balconies that will surround you with panoramic views of the Imambara in Lucknow.

Late afternoon should be dedicated to a place that gives a glimpse into the city’s past during the colonial days, the Lucknow residency. Also known as British residency, this place gives a good peek into the way the British people operated in the city. Visiting it may give you some vague idea about how the foreigners undertook their operations.

Idrish Hotel is the perfect place to end the day with the delicious chicken biryani. Situated in the most historic areas of the city, this one is a wonderful hotel cum restaurant.

Day 2

Start the next day with some vegetarian delights at Brindavan hotel. Located in Hazratganj, the restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in the city and is a decent crowd puller serving some great chaats and chole bhature along with poori and sabzi.

Chattar manzil or the umbrella place is located just at a few kilometers’ distance from the zoo and a great spot to start the part 2 of the 2-day visit to the city. Nawab Ghazi Haider built it but died midway through the construction. His son then took the     Charge of finishing the construction and gave us this wonderful monument to be amazed about.

Most travelers happen to miss the famous 900-year-old Khamman Peer Dargah, which remains unseen in the premises of Charbagh Railway Station in Lucknow. The place is filled with the non-stop chanting of the holy Qurans and the crowd is unimaginably heavy, not only Muslims but a great number of Hindus too.

For a relaxing dinner, you must head nowhere but Falaknuma, a classy and sophisticated rooftop restaurant at the Clarks Avadh hotel. The restaurant has a real nawabi feel to it and serves some great Awadhi and Mughlai meals.

Lucknow, fondly called the City of Nawabs is packed with countless tourist attractions, religious centers, and mouthwatering eateries.

Most of the city can be visited in two days but to get the full essence of the soul of the city may take a lot longer than that. But something is better than nothing and these 2 days spent in here will stay with you for a very long time.

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Architectural Itinerary

The Beautiful City of Mosques “Samarkand”

The alluring city of Samarkand is one of the ancient cities of the world. It is assumed that this historic town is more than 25 centuries old, as Rome, Athens, and Babylon. For many thousand years, the beautiful town of Samarkand has carried with it an ambiance filled with exotic mysterious and romantic beauty. This magnificent land has made an eminent position across the world and is famed as“Gem of the East”.
Samarkand is the city of Great People. Many centuries ago, when Alexander the Great for the first time landed in the place, he said, he heard that the city was beautiful, but he never thought that it could be so beautiful and awe-inspiring.

The indistinguishable beautiful town is located in the valley of the river Zarafshan in Uzbekistan.

The prosperous history of Samarkand dates back to the time of Alexander the Great, which is about more than 2,750 years old. It has been conquered by many great conquerors in the past, starting from Alexander the Great, the Arabians, Genghis-Khan and lastly Tamerlane. So, the Samarkand has a blend of culture, which includes the fine combination of Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures.

Things to do in Samarkand

Mouth-watering local cuisine at Platan!!!

The Platan is one of the most loved restaurants of Samarkand, which is famous for its luscious mouth-watering cuisine, which includes Arabian-, Thai- and Egyptian-style meat dishes is no less appealing to travelers to dine in. Beautifully designed interior, charismatic ambiance, gorgeous summer terrace and adding on to delicious food, Platan offers you a full package of happiness.

Alluring Registan!!

The charismatic view of Registan is the most famed destination among tourist for sightseeing. The vast extent of Registan possesses the amazing complex of three Madarshah, which is preserved very carefully since long. The rich history if this majestic sculpture dates back to the time of 15th century to 17th century. The Ulugbek Madarshah is the oldest among all. This beautiful monument was constructed during the rule of Timur Lame’s, and it was finished under the rule of Ulugbek. The Second one is Sher-dor Madarshah, which is beautifully designed in Egyptian style, it allured with majestic mosaic. Between the two is stunning Tilla-Kari Madarshah. Best time to visit this place is during sunrise when the whole monuments are bathed in magical golden rays of the sun.


Graveyard of Timurlane dynasty “Gur-E-Amir Mausoleum”
The Timurlane along with his son and grandson Ulugbek is resting in peace beneath the tomb. It is the beautiful place to explore in Samarkand. It is among the finest sculpture of Islamic Realm.

The Shah-i-Zinda.

The huge complex of Shah-i-Zinda surrounded by many mausoleums, which are built early 11th, 12th and 14th centuries. It is one of the significant place and Muslim Pilgrimage of Samarkand. Many great people of that era lie beneath the tomb, including the cousin of Prophet.

Shopping at Tashkent Street, Samarkand.

The Charming shopping street between Registan square and a Siab market is the best place to shop. You can buy traditional clothes, jewelry, and crafted goodies and last not the least you can also enjoy the delicious street food.

How to reach

The Tashkent International airport is the nearest international airport to Samarkand. The travelers can book their tickets for Tashkent and further Uzbekistan has well-developed transport facilities. The tourist can either choose air, train or bus heading to Samarkand from Tashkent.

Travel Tip

The best time to visit Samarkand is during spring and Autumn Season, at this time of the year climate is quite pleasant.
If you ever desired to look back to the era, when Alexander was ruling the whole world. Then Samarkand is the right option to choose as your next travel destination. Take out some time from your busy life and travel back to the time of when various human civilization was budding in different parts of the world.

Categories
Central India Itinerary

48 Hrs in the Capital City Bhopal

Often regarded as the city of lakes, Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, also known as the heart of India. It was founded in the 11th century by the King Bhoja who ruled the city from the then capital Dhar. The capital city was named after the King Bhoja and a damn, which in Bhopal is referred to as Pal. Bhopal is one of the greenest cities in India and hosts a string of attractions of historical significance.

How to Reach

Being the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is well connected to other major cities in India. If traveling via Delhi, Bhopal Express from Nizamuddin is a good and economical option.

Places to Visit

Sanchi

The Sanchi Stupa is believed to be one of the oldest and the most wonderful structures of ancient India, constructed under the support of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. Located at about 46 km north-east of Bhopal, the Sanchi Stupa edifices the Buddhist architecture and sculpture beginning from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D.

The carvings on the four archways at the Great Stupa of Sanchi present an overwhelming sight of Brahmi script inscriptions and carvings. These carvings are  a perfect confluence of life events from Lord Buddha’s life and the Jataka Tales.

Bhimbteka

At 46 km away from Bhopal, you can find the  which are also a  UNESCO World Heritage site. These caves date back to the period from the Upper Paleolithic to the Medieval and are evidence to the rich lives of prehistoric humans, their clothes and adornments were worn, art and music, weapons used and animal life. The cave walls rich with paintings reveal interesting details about the everyday lives and lifestyle of the early man. They are regarded as the most exceptional specimens of prehistoric paintings discovered in India.

Lakes
The Bhojtal, also known as the Upper Lake is the largest in Bhopal and among India’s oldest man-made lakes, which is said to have been built by the Parmarah around the 11th century AD. The Upper Lake and the Lower Lake are separated by an over-bridge and the Lower Lake is situated in the old part of the city. This lake is a prime sightseeing attraction of Bhopal.


Birla Museum

The museum that showcases the cultural heritage of the capital city was launched in the year 1971. It is famous for its collection of artefacts and other remnants of historical significance.

Gohar Mahal

Gohar is right behind the famous Shaukat Mahal in Bhopal. It is situated on the edge of the famous Upper Lake. This beautiful Mahal was made in the memory of Gohar Begum, the first female ruler of Bhopal.

Museum of Mankind

The museum has been dedicated to the tribal communities of the country. The museum covers an area of two hundred acres and showcases collections from the pre-historic era.

Bharat Bhavan

Bharat Bhavan is the center of visual arts right in the heart of Bhopal city. It is one of the most visited places in the capital city. Bharat Bhavan has a large collection of visual, performing, and vocal arts.

Sadar Manzil

Bhopal is the center of architectural wonders of India and Sadar Manzil is one such architecture that is also historically significant. It is situated next to Royal Enclaves that once served as the courtroom for the rulers of the capital city.

Laxmi Narayan Temple

Laxmi Narayan Temple is one the most visited places in Bhopal city. It is situated on the top of Arera Hills. This temple is also known as the famous Birla Mandir. As the name suggests, this temple has been dedicated to the Goddess of wealth—Laxmi.

Things to Do

Boating

Bhopal is the city of lakes and the best way to explore its lakes is by taking a boat ride. A boat ride lets you enjoy the real beauty of the capital city.

Shopping

Apart from sightseeing, there are loads of things that you can shop in Bhopal. You can go shopping and splurge on silver jewelry, hand embroidered clothes, chanderi, and Maheshwari Sarees.

Restaurants and Food

Bhopal is not only famous for its architectural heritage but also for its delicious food. Some of the best places to eat in Bhopal are:Greek Food Beyond La Kuchina and Za-aiqa. You can enjoy the best Mughlai and Peshawari cuisine here.

Places to Stay

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Hence, it has a variety of hotels, guest houses, resorts, and lodges for people from all walks of life. You can get any accommodation of choice depending on your requirements and budget. Some of the best options to stay are Kinara, 10 Downing Street, The Kasbah, MoMo Café, La Kuchina, Greek Food and Beyond, Neelam Chat and Restaurant and Café Craft.Split by a pair of lakes, Bhopal enamours  you in its own way and vie. The old ancient structures, prehistoric paintings, and the oldest man-made lakes bring your trip to life.

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