UNEXPLORED PICNIC SPOTS - TRAVELLING IN MAHARASHTRA

Kanheri

TRAVELLING
Kanheri caves are situated near Mumbai Suburban District.
These are Buddhist caves or monasteries. These ancient caves contain more than a hundred tiny cells cut into the flank of a hill, each fitted with a stone plinth that evidently served as a bed.

By Road: Kanheri Caves are near from Mumbai Suburban District.

Baneshwar:

Baneshwar is situated near Pune city. A Shiva temple. A turn to right from Nasarapur village on Pune-Satara National Highway. One can see beautiful nature and unpolluted gorgeous

By Road: Baneshwar is about 40 kilo-meters away from Pune.
By Rail : Pune is nearest Railway Station (55 km away)
By Air : Pune is nearest airport (65 km away)

Junnar Caves:

Junnher caves are located Near pune city. These caves belongs to the period 2nd Century BC to 3rd Century AD. 5. These Buddhist caves are divided into three groups. The Tulija Lena Group which has a circular dome ceiling in the Chaitya Hall (Cave No. 3.). The second group of caves are located 1.5 kms south of the town. It has a well preserved facade. The third group, Ganesh Lena Group is located 4 kms south of Junnar. There are a large number of small cells and viharas in the group.


By Road: Junnar Caves are about 90 kilo-meters away from Pune.
By Air : Pune is nearest airport (90 km away)

BEACHES

JUHU :
Juhu is situated in Mumbai.
It's a pleasant beach if you're not expecting a quiet sunbathe or a swim. The real attraction is the carnival atmosphere that develops on weekend after-noons and evening. Huge crowds paddle in the sea, stroll along the shore, play beach cricket and enjoy the fresh air. They're serviced by a mobile army of snack sellers and fruit vendors, entertained by fairground rides, and sweet talked by toy sellers, fortune tellers and yarn spinner.
During the rest of the week it only 1 a short stroll from the hotel strip to be alone with your thoughts. If you fancy heading off into the wild blue yonder, Mumbai largest Koli fishing community is at the northern end of the bay in Versova.
Juhu's secondary attractions include lounging poolside at the beach front hotels checking out the Hare Krishna ISKCON complex downing a coffee at the Prithvi Theatre and shooting pool at Raspberry Rhinoceros.

By Road: Juhu is 25km north of the city centre.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Mumbai.
By Air : Mumbai is nearest airport (5 km away)

Marine Drive
Marine Drive is situated in Mumbai.
Marine Drive is built in the 1920s and 1930s on land reclaimed from the sea, is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare.
At the top end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach, the only beach in the central part of Mumbai. One can witnesses many Hindu religious ceremonies taking place at Chowpatty like the annual thread-tying ceremony initiating young boys into the Brahmin caste, 'Nariel Purnima' towards the end of the monsoons and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' immersions. One can see the statues of Lokmanya Tilak and Vithalbhai Patel. There is a huge line of stalls on the beach, selling " Wada - pav , Bhelpuri', 'Kulfi' and 'Paan'. There are also shooting galleries, snake charmers, monkey trainers, balloon sellers and even masseurs. Recently they have added a park called "Nana-Nani Park" for elderly people.

By Road: Marine Drive is situated in Mumbai.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Mumbai.
By Air : Mumbai is nearest airport

Madh Island Beach:

Madh Island is situated in Mumbai.
Madh Island is another popular spot, which comes off surprisingly in the rural area of Mumbai's northwestern coast. It is dotted with the bungalows of the urban upper class. It has a reputation as a discreet place to throw beach parties and hold techno raves. Madh is lined by a series of unspoilt sandy beaches.
The beaches are not particularly picturesque, strong currents and shifting sands make the sea too treacherous for swimming. The main reason to come here is to escape the urban environment, explore the fishing villages and enjoy a stroll along the seashore.

Marching Destination:
By Road: Madh Island is situated in Mumbai.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Mumbai.
By Air : Mumbai is nearest airport

Hill Stations In India

Travel In India

Mastering Google AdWords


North India Hill Stations

Dalhousie

Dalhousie a tourist place in India attracts numerous visitors every year. Compared to other hill stations, Dalhousie, 80 winding kilometers from Pathankot, is markedly different and off the beaten track. Spread over five hills, Dalhousie has a serenity with its own distinctive flavor. Attractive cottages and villas cling to the deodar and pine mantled hills of Dalhousie. Here at Dalhousie, nothing seems to matter except the beauty and the moment. All this and more make Dalhousie a tourist place in India. Pink and red rhododendrons are in bloom. The trees are dressed in different shades of green. There is no swirl of traffic. The shops are small and trim. Whistling softly to himself, a shopkeeper arranges embroidered Chamba shawls in his showcase. Tourists appraise Chamba chappals embroidered with gold thread, cane baskets, colorful woolens, and life-like Chamba dolls - all specialties of the region. Piles of walnuts and red, black and green Chamba chilies adorn many shop fronts. We pass children joyfully picking strawberries from a hillside decorated with alpine flowers. There are several good hotels in Dalhousie like Hotel Spring Dalhousie that ensure a comfortable stay.

Manali

Once called the "end of the habitable world," Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, Manali is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. In brief, Manali-the veritable "valley of the Gods"-is an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort. The Kulluis in brightly patterned puttoos, Tibetan women wearing ankle-length rainbow-striped pinafores, Nepali porters, Buddhist monks, and even the odd party of Zanskaris, swathed in fusty woolen gonchas, muddled together with souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add up to the welcoming hubbub of Manali.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie, like other hill resorts in India, came into existence in the 1820s or thereabouts, when the families of British colonials began making for the hills in order to escape the scorching heat of the plains. Small settlements grew into large stations and were soon vying with each other for the title of "queen of the hills." Mussoorie's name derives from the Mansur shrub (Cororiana nepalensis), common in the Himalayan foothills; but many of the house names derive from the native places of those who first built and lived in them. Today, the old houses and estates are owned by well-to-do Indians, many of whom follow the lifestyle of their former colonial rulers. In most cases, the old names have been retained.

Nanital

A small town in the hills of Kumaon, Nainital is a lovely hill station surrounded by mountains on three sides. Once this area had many lakes and it was called the City of 60 lakes or 'Chakta'. Most of the lakes in the region have disappeared and whatever remains is just a glimpse of what they might have been in the past. Today the life of Nainital revolves around the lake of Naini. But there are few other lakes around Nainital which are equally beautiful and attractive as the Naini lake. River Ramganga originates from the Doodha Tauli ranges in district Pauri Garhwal. It enters into district Nainital, before re-entering into district Pauri Garhwal.

Nainital was discovered in 1841 by a Britisher called Lord Barron. The weather, the surrounding and the mesmerising beauty of this area attracted the British administrator who turned this place into the summer capital of the United Province. Being a major tourist place Nainital is always bustling with visitors and it is always better if accommodation and other facilites are prearranged.

Shimla

Shimla (also spelt as 'Simla') derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla Devi', which is another manifestation of Goddess Kali. The capital of Himachal Pradesh came into light when the British discovered it in 1819. Till then, it was a part of the Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla.

Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from other hill stations.

Mt. Abu

The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu huddles among the rocks on a 1,220-m granite table mountain at the far southwestern end of the Aravalli hills. It is built around a lake and is surrounded by forested hills. According to a legend, the place derives its name from Arbuda, a serpent who descended to the spot to rescue Shiva¿s bull, Nandi. Besides having all the features of a pleasant hill resort.

Mount Abu is also well known for the famous Dilwara temples and many more archaeological remains. There are interesting treks and picnic spots, romantic royal retreats of the various erstwhile families of bygone Rajputana and some relics of the Raj period. The scenic landscapes include gigantic blocks of rocks in weird shapes, an array of coniferous trees, flowering shrubs, lovely lakes and the cool climate much in contrast to the arid environs of the state.









http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/4686-26182-2978-42/1?AID=10382423&PID=1951707&mpre=http%3A//travel.ebay.in

KERALA ADVENTURE

The thickly forested, imposing mountains and great sea cost of Kerala offers ample amount of adventure to its visitors. For centuries Kerala's lush green vegetation and majestic mountains acted as a protector, imposing a natural boundary for this narrow palm fringed piece of land. These pristine beaches and mountain ranges offers some of the most breath-taking water adventure activities as well as a meandering trekking routes for those who want to indulge in challenging adventure.


Kerala Adventure
Kerala's adventure lies in its exquisite beaches, backwater cruiser, wildlife sanctuaries, water sports and much more.

Kerala Backwater Adventure
Kerala's backwater is the most popular tourist attraction of the city with its 41 tranquil rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers.

The most gratifying backwater region is the Kuttanad region, called the rice bowl of Kerala. The area is probably the only place in the continent where farming is done below sea level, using a system of jetty. The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake that flows into the sea at the Kochi port and curves through three districts-Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi.
Alappuzha, one of the major centers for backwater boat trips is also known as 'The Venice of the East'. Near Thiruvananthapuram lies the Veli Aakulam lagoon famous for its water sports, a floating restaurant, an amusement park and motorboat cruiser houseboats, swamp beaches, marine products, coir industries making it an idle adventure zone.

Water Sports
There are diversified water sports activities offered by the picturesque Alappuzha beach. One can take up any of the exhilarating water sports such as surfing or para sailing, diving or swimming in the pristine blue sea. Even endeavor a sandcastle on the swampy sands of the golden beaches and indulging in games like playing beach volleyball, football and basketball are all wonderful experiences.

Kerala Wildlife Adventure
Kerala, best known for its wildlife, is a must-see reservoir for all visitors to Kerala. This chaste zone is a virtual Elysian field for its entire wildlife habitats. Observation towers are set about in the parks for more fervent of wildlife lovers. The jungles of the Periyar tiger reserve and the mountains of Munnar make the excursion a memory to be cherished.

The Periyar tiger reserve-180 km from Kochi - the commercial capital of Kerala, is a famous wildlife sanctuary with its diverse wildlife habitat. Enjoys the sights of flying squirrels, herds of elephants and of course the majestic tiger along with its immense population of birds.

The Eravikulam National Park - 17 km from Munnar, a home to a mélange of wildlife - the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar, Gaur and the lion-tailed Macaque. From Kochi the park can be approached in 4-hour drive.

Other wildlife sanctuaries are - Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Wayanand Wildlife Sanctuary - Wayanand rich in their wildlife reserves, worth a visit sight.

Adventure Track
An excursion to Munnar is absolutely mesmerizing, passing through rugged hilly terrain, halting at the caradamom plantations famous as a world's largest producer in caradamom. Also enjoy the shola- grasslands perched at an altitude of 7000 feet, showcasing a perfect scenic beauty. The track also facilitates some of the well-known adventure sports like- bird tours, canoeing, hiking /biking, trekking and mounting and climbing.

Boat Race-Alleppey
The idle place in the world for boat races. Alleppey, also known by its other name 'God's own country' is famous for its amazing boat races, with 30m long snake-shaped boats, and hundreds of participants chanting loudly as they travail at their oars. These boat races are absolute energizer for a wonder-luster. It is reasonably easy to hire a boat or to get an organized tour for a fairy tale cruiser along the backwaters.

Houseboats- Kollam
Situated on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam is known as the center of the cashew industry and its house boat cruiser, another attractions on the backwaters of Kerala.
The area is famous for exotic kettuvalloms (houseboats), boat racing, motorboat and water sport activities. The magnificent houseboats driven by local oarsmen are beautifully equipped with a lavish living room, bedroom with attached bath and a heightened deck for luxuriating in while sighting the panoramic view of the landscape around. The best months to visit the place are June-August.

Beach vacations
Beaches in Kerala are a natural derivation of ecstasy. The palm fringed Kovalam beaches- 12kms from Thiruvananthapuram, offers a perfect beach holiday for its visitors. Besides, there are also the ravishing beaches of Kappad and Pallikere in Malabar which have the charm of their own.

Ayurveda in Kerela
Besides its adventure activities Kerala is also famous for its Ayurveda and stocks a natural treatment to ones ailments. Kerala's pristine atmosphere, lush green forest and the cool pleasant rainy season are best suited for Ayurveda's remedial and curative packages. With having no side effects, Ayurveda is fast emerging as a natural cure for various ailments and has received popularity throughout the world. Kottackal Ayurvaidya Sala is a renowned center of Ayurvedaic treatment worldwide.

Reaching Kerala
Kerala enjoys 2 major international airports, one at Thiruvananthapuram and the other at Kochi, connecting Kerala to all the important cities in Middle East, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Besides, Kerala is well connected to other parts of India by means of rail transport.
The state is also linked by regular bus services to all the major parts of India.

ABOUT GOA

Goa, an endearing abode of scenic charm is a paradise, squeezed between the seas and the lush forested hills. Offering glistening sands, swaying coconut palms, and ultra fresh seafood. Your Goa Tours will involve exploring sensuous beaches and historical forts that have kept the legacy of Portuguese alive. Travel to Goa, to explore the mystical charisma of the exotic abode. It is a promise that Goa will add some golden moments in your memorabilia.

LANGUAGES

The commonly spoken languages are KonKani,Portuguese,Marathi, Hindi and English. Hinduism, Islam and Catholicism are the main religions followed.

CLIMATE

Warm and humid most of the year. May is the hottest month. Sees monsoon from June to September and a short cool season from mid December to February.

ENTERTAINMENT

The whole world knows Goa as the land of fun and frolic, land of mesmerizing beaches or the destination of most effervescent carnivals. However, one thing that instantly strikes you when you land in Goa is the culture. It is just the right blend of ethnic Indian Konkani and the reminiscent Potuguese. On one side there are vast expanses of beaches where the sun, sand and sea conjugate into crystal turquoise waters and on the other, there are lavish Konkani mountains and wild greens.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Tour to Goa is a visit to paradise,that is embedded between the seas and the lush forested hills,offering glittering sands, swaying coconut palms, and ultra fresh variety of seafood.It makes goa the best place for spending the New year. Beaches of goa are some of the perfect places to live every moment of one’s life in pure bliss & happiness.

These churches are a witness to the Portuguese invasion,in goa. built between the 16th and 17th century AD,these churches present a unique blend of the Renaissance and Baroque styles. These Goan churches are famous for their outstanding and exemplary Christian architecture with most of them displaying tiered frontispiece, framed with columns and pilasters.

Goa,inhabits numerous ancient Hindu temples which in themselves narrate a history of Portuguese domination & are a witness of the changing times. A visit to these temples fills one with the feelings of spirituality, purity and sanctity.The simplicity of architecture and natural beauty are the main eye-catchers.

Goa is a place ,where fun & frolic never ends,whether it is break of the dawn or dusk, midnight or noon.A wide variety of options available for the amusement, makes it afavorite amongst the tourists Nightclubs and discothèques makes nightlife in Goa exciting. A large number of bars, restaurants,casinos & eating outlets doubles the enjoyment.

MAGICAL INDIA

Monetize Your Site
GOA

Silver sands, sparkling blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut trees lining the coastal streets. Goa - a place you can fall in love with at first glance, is also home to India's finest beach resorts.

There's much more to Goa than sun, sand and sea. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.

Goa became one of the youngest Indian states after 451 years of colonial rule and 26 years as Union territory. Its history dates back to the 3rd century when it belonged to the Mauryas, followed by the rule of the Satvahanas, Chalukyas, the Shilharas and Kadambas. In 1312, Goa fell into the hands of the Muslims. The Portuguese took over in 1510, ending the Muslim rule. Apart from a brief spell during the Napoleonic wars, when the British briefly occupied Goa, the Portuguese were the masters of Goa till 1961, when they were finally driven out.

450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique blend of East and West that is both exotic and strangely familiar. Christmas and Carnival are celebrated as enthusiastically as Diwali and Durga Puja. The state's separate identity is also visible in its Latinate architecture and preference for a fish- and meat-rich cuisine. Another marked difference is the prevalence of alcohol, which is cheap in the state and is widely available.

Panaji, Goa's capital since 1843, is among the most pleasant Indian capitals. Most people use it as a link to old Goa or to the beaches, but it's worth a visit. The atmosphere is easygoing and the people are friendly. In the oldest part of the town, the Portuguese heritage is evident: broad avenues spilling into cobbled squares, grand public buildings, old houses with overhanging balconies and numerous bars and cafes.

On the coast itself, coconut cultivation and fishing are the major sources of income. But, tourism is the main money-spinner and the majority of the population is engaged in related business.

Population: Approx 1.2 million

Climate: Summers are particularly hot and the monsoons heavy. Winters are pleasant during the days and cool during the nights.

Best time to visit: Goa is best experienced during the winter months between October and the end of February. The famous Mardi Gras Carnival happens in February and is a fabulous experience. The tourist season starts in November and goes on till March.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Mapusa 13 kms from Panaji, Mapusa is a small town in north Goa. People from all over Goa come here to buy and sell their wares in the famous Friday market.

Margao (Madgaon)is the second largest city in Goa and a commercial metropolis. Margao an 18 km stretch of silvery sand: Palolean, Betul and Colva. Other interesting places around Margao are Chandreshwar Bhutnath temple and the Rachol Seminary.

Vasco-Da-Gama
This coastal town popularly known as Vasco was originally called Sambhaji. This well planned city is also the railway terminus for passenger service. Goa's only airport, Dabolim is also 4 km from Vasco, at the other end.

Ponda
is also called Antruz Mahal because of the concentration of culture, music, drama and poetry. This town also has many temples - Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Shri Nagesh temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shri Mangesh temple and the Safe Shahouri Masjid.

Old Goa
is the state's showpiece and the only remnant of the Portuguese. In the 1500's, it was the largest and most flourishing of the great Asian cities. The monuments and cathedrals today represent just a fraction of the urban development that was Old Goa.

Se Cathedral at Old Goa The largest church in Asia, the cathedral in Old Goa, is a mighty 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic rule of Goa under the Portuguese. Its huge Golden Bell is the biggest in the world. It has 14 side chapels; the last chapel, in Mauresque style, preserves a cross upon which a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919.


Church of St. Francis of Assisi at Old Goa
Built in pure Manueline style, the interior is adorned with a profusion of carvings and exquisite paintings. The convent at the back of this church is now the Archaeological Museum. It houses many portraits of the Portuguese Viceroys and fragments of sculpture from Hindu temple sites in Goa.

Bom Jesus Basilica
Partially in ruins but awesome still, it is a fine example of Jesuit architecture. The church's most precious relic is the embalmed body of St. Francis Xavier entombed in a marble mausoleum presented by the Duke of Tuscany, who received the Saint's pillow in exchange. Once every 10 years, the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are exposed for public veneration. It was last exposed in 1994.

Aguada Fort
This Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1609-1612 to control the entry into the river Mandovi and to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there. The fort presently houses the Central Jail.

Cabo Fort (Raj Bhavan)
9 km from Panaji, the Cabo Fort lies on the peninsula at Dona Paula, which juts into the Arabian Sea. Initially during the Portuguese era, a Franciscan Convent, was attached to the fort. This later became Coba Palace and is now the Governor's residence.

Chapora Fort
Located 10 km outside Mapusa, this fort has a splendid view of nearby Anjuna and Vagator beaches. The fort, which belonged to Muslim rulers before the Portuguese wrested it, has some interesting ruins.

Terekhol (Tiracol) Fort
42 km. away from Panaji, at the northernmost tip of Goa's shoreline, at the mouth of the river Terekhol, stands the Terekhol Fort. In its courtyard is the century-old church of St. Anthony. It is now a tourist resort.

Rachol Museum of Christian Art
About 7 km east of Margao, is the Rachol seminary. Its main attraction, the Christian art museum is the only one of its kind in South Asia. It was set up by the Indian National Trust for Architecture and Cultural Heritage and the Gulbenkian Foundation of Portugal. The Museum has an amazing collection of artifacts from Goa's churches and chapels, private collections and donations.

Kerkar Art Complex
in Calangute is the only art gallery of its kind on this beach strip. The gallery stocks a wide variety of art, as well as arts and crafts done by local artists. Concerts of Indian classical music and dance are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

EXCURSIONS

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Ten kms northeast of the Usgao Tisk village in north Goa lies the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the smallest preserves in Goa, it covers an area of merely 8 sq. kms.

Animals such as the black-faced langur, Indian bison, jackal and wild boar are commonly found here. Various species of deer can also be spotted. Besides being home to animals, this preserve is also a treat for bird watchers and butterfly spotters.

This sanctuary also boasts of a tiny zoo and elephant rides are also offered at this park. You can even go on a deer safari through the sanctuary. After having ventured out into the preserve, you can come and relax at the botanical garden within the premises of the sanctuary.

Tambdi Surla Temple

The most ancient temple in the whole of Goa is located at a place called Tambi Surla which is approximately 65 kms from the Panaji.

The temple itself is built in Jain style in the twelfth century. There are some interesting details about the construction itself which has led to debates about the actual origins of the temple. The temple is built in a place which is quite inaccessible and away from the main settlements of the time. The size of the temple is quite small as compared to the size of the average Goan temple.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road: Goa is well connected by road from Mumbai (600 kms).

By Air: Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines connect Goa with Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore. Goa is also served by International Charter Aircraft from Western Europe during the tourist season.

By Rail: Goa is served by 2 daily trains from Mumbai and is also connected to other major Indian cities.

PASSAGE TO INDIA

TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE FIRST TIMER

India is a beautiful, vast and diverse country to travel in with plenty to offer by way of destinations, flora, fauna, festivals, culture, history and variety of terrain. There are a few general tips we offer here, to help you make your travels in India easier.

• Overview
• Festivals
Travel Tips
• Health
• Special Features

Passports and Visas
All visitors have to obtain visas at an Indian embassy or consulate abroad prior to entering the country. There are no provisions for visas upon arrival.

Restricted areas
While the visitor is encouraged to travel and explore this vast country, a few areas are restricted for security and other reasons, and travel in them requires specific permission (from Indian diplomatic missions abroad or in some cases from the Ministry of Home Affairs). These include the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, some areas of Uttaranchal, the area west of National Highway 15 running from Ganganagar to Sanchar in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Union Territory of the Lakshadweep Islands.

Valuables and petty crime
Cases of petty crime, like theft of personal property, are often reported. This is best tackled by not leaving your belongings unattended and preferably by avoiding travelling alone. Do not keep passports, money and other valuables unattended. Do chain and padlock your luggage when travelling in trains and do not keep valuables within reach of the window.

Keep a small amount of local currency separate and handy for daily anticipated expenditure. It is not advisable to keep reaching out for your entire stock of cash and cheques each time you have to make small payments.

Medical insurance
If you have medical or travel insurance, do check whether the company will make payment overseas or will merely reimburse you later. Most Indian hospitals and doctors will insist on payment on the spot.

Vaccinations and health precautions
Do check out vaccination requirements before travel. Carry vaccination certificates with you. This is mandatory if you are coming from or arriving via a Yellow Fever infected region

Traffic safety and road conditions
Traffic moves on the left in India. Also many roads will be in poor condition and have poor traffic discipline. For anyone coming from abroad, hazardous road conditions and safety norms can seem appalling. Prepare yourself mentally for this and take necessary precautions, wherever possible.

Hotels
The quality of hotels has improved dramatically during the recent past and unless one is staying in the really cheap hotels, cleanliness and service should not be a problem. Take a quick tour of the hotel before deciding to take a room there. Before paying for a room, make sure to look at the room first.

Drinking water
As a rule most water is unsafe for drinking. The better (equated to more expensive) hotels and restaurants will serve safe drinking water. Elsewhere, well known brands of bottled water are recommended. Make sure the bottle is sealed and do not accept opened bottles. Otherwise, stick to drinking carbonated drinks or hot tea/coffee or treat water with iodine drops/chlorine tablets.

Service
Indians are a genuinely warm and friendly people and service is a part of the culture. In most places the service is genuinely friendly and not a mere facade.

Language
English is widely spoken and language should not be a barrier to travel.

Air travel
Quality of air travel in the country is comparable to the best, and in the case of the private airlines like Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines, the service is arguably better and more genuine than what one is used to overseas.

Bargaining
In most unorganised markets, or in case of unbranded products, bargaining is acceptable and practiced. Treat it as part of different cultural norms, and you may even enjoy it. If it bothers you, restrict yourself to shopping at standard outlets.

Local sentiments

Indians are an exceptionally friendly people, and can be somewhat overly curious and inquisitive and pushy in their overtures. If you would prefer not to subject yourself to over-friendliness, which can, in tourist destinations, sometimes be a guise to take advantage of the gullible tourist, keep a polite but firm distance. As everywhere, your body language will convey your preference for company or not.

As a foreigner to a different culture, do display a degree of sensitivity to your host country. If you would not take photographs of people, their lifestyle and their homes in Western countries, without making a specific request, do refrain from being trigger happy while in India.

You are advised to dress conservatively, if you would prefer not to draw attention to yourself. This is particularly applicable for women. Indians are status conscious, and the scruffy tourist can generate an appropriate response!

It will make a big difference if you learn a few phrases in Hindi or the local language of the state you are travelling in, such as "Thank you" and "yes, please". Using the local greeting "namaste" for hello and goodbye is always appreciated.

Tipping
At a restaurant a tip of 10% of the bill is considered adequate and can be reduced to 5% if you run up bills of Rs.1000 or more.

Money changing
Visit authorised foreign exchange dealers and banks and keep the encashment certificates.

Phone calls
Phone calls are much cheaper from the ubiquitous STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialling) booths than from hotels.

What to carry
Travel light. A hard suitcase is preferable to a soft topped one, as it better withstands wear and tear, is water proof and can be used to sit on at railway stations and bus stops! Do include your anti bacterial creams, sun screen lotions and, if you are travelling to remote areas, water purification tablets. A flashlight and a Swiss army penknife will always come in handy. A padlock will be useful if you are staying at budget hotels. Remember to carry your personal medication and a handy medical kit.

Electrical gadgets
The power outlet in India is 230-240 volt. Most sockets are 3 pin sockets.

Documents
Do keep photo copies of important travel documents. One set can be left behind with someone at home and the other can be kept on your person or in a different bag/article of luggage, from where you keep the originals. Photocopies should be made of your tickets, credit cards and passport, visa and travellers cheques. Carry extra copies of passport size photographs.

Taxis
In places where there are taxi queues available, don't hire a taxi that is not part of the queue.

CULTURES

India will take your breath away with its size, clamour and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it. Whether you are traveling to India or around India, you will find many spectacular places to visit.

LET'S START WITH MUMBAI

Mumbai – the capital of Maharashtra and the commercial hub of India – is a land of diversities where the modern and the old go hand in hand with exemplary ease, something one cannot view anywhere else in the world. It is the most populated city in India, and the largest conurbation and the sixth most inhabited agglomeration in the world. It is also the city where most of India’s wealth is concentrated, a fact underlined by the sum of income tax paid by the city residents in a year, and the amount of foreign trade that is carried out through its sea and airports. If there is a happening, cosmopolitan city in India, that is Mumbai only.

For a tourist, there are many things to see, visit and enjoy in Mumbai. The popular tourist spots in the city include Gateway of India, Mumbai Fort, Flora Fountain, Jijamata Udyan Zoo and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Marine Drive. The popular hangouts in the city are Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Beach, Hanging Gardens, Chota Kashmir, and Kamal Nehru Park. Fantasy Land and Essel World are the two fantasy parks lying within the city limits.

Mumbai hotels are one of the best in India, and the accommodation options ranges from seven star apartments to as rooms for as low as 100 rupees for a night’s stay. The popular high end hotels in the city include Hilton Towers, Hotel Marriot, Hotel Hyatt Residency, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Oberoi Towers, Le Royal Meridian and hotels by the Sheraton chain. Most of the top-end hotels have online reservation facilities and airport pickup.

There are scores of 4-star and 3-star hotels as well in the city. Cheaper lodges are available in the areas near Kurla, Chembur, Bandra, and in the city outskirts.


Shopping in Mumbai

Mumbai shopping, shopping in Mumbai, Ahmedaba places to shop, textile industry in Mumbai

Like every other thing in Mumbai, shopping in the city is also an interesting experience, especially if you shop from the street vendors, like in Fashion Street or Colaba Causeway. The ultimate prices for which one could buy a commodity would depend much on his/her bargaining skills, but most of the apparel items are above par and will endure few months or more than what one would expect in the first sight. For those with an ability to discern chalk from cheese, it would be a worthy shopping. Hence, it is advisable that you could go for the street with somebody who knows the place very well.

For those looking for extravagant shopping, there is no dearth of upscale shopping plazas either in the city. Eternia at Breach Candy and Shopper's Stop on S.V. Road in Andheri are two posh shopping arcades. The showrooms lining the glittering Linking Road are also meant for the elite in the society, who can spend few thousands more than a common man might shell out for a commodity. Heera Panna, Cross Road, and Peddar Road are other prominent shopping hubs in Mumbai.

Those looking for arts and crafts can find their favorites in the main government emporium, near the Gateway of India, and also in the handicraft and silverware shops, and antique showrooms in the street opposite the emporium.

Books and CDs of low cost can be obtained from the many street stalls near Flora Fountain and along all the major shopping streets. There are also scores of excellent bookshops in all major centers in the city.

Restaurants in Mumbai

True to the image of a potpourri of cultures, Mumbai’s restaurant and its cuisines represent virtually every part of India. Whether one is from South India or the far flung areas of northeastern states, he/she won’t find any difficulty in spotting a restaurant that serves the food of his/her native state. It is just about finding the right restaurant or eatery.

The North Indian restaurants in Mumbai offer a variety of victuals, from the traditional Mughalai cuisine to Rajasthani, Gujarathi, Kashmiri, Oriya or Bihari. There are also few restaurants serving NWFP and Persian cuisine.

South Indian restaurants are plenty where there is a sizeable South Indian settlement. Like South Indian cuisines, Bengali delicacies also have a lot of patrons in the city, the reason why there is an assortment of Bengali restaurants and sweet shops in various parts of the city.

And the interesting aspect in the restaurant scene of Mumbai is that – in the city - the restaurants catering to different tastes of the various states in India easily outnumbers the restaurants offering the native cuisine. This is due to the fact that the migrant population of the city is sizeable as opposed to the real Mumbaikers. Further, it is these migrants who depend on restaurants for their daily meals.

For those non-desis, who wish to have some international cuisine to Indian delicacies, they could find at home in the many Continental, European, Japanese, and South Asian restaurants, located in the different parts of the city. There are also a couple of Iranian and Mexican restaurants in the city. To spot the right eatery, follow Lonely Planet or any other reliable travel guide published by the Government of India.
My Blog Directory