India Travel Blog

As Europe’s cultural capital, Paris has been a magnet for visitors, artists, painters and writers. Paris attractions are many indeed, and there’s always something for everybody. The usual places to visit in Paris include the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysees and so on. There are many operators who offer Paris sightseeing tours that cover all these great tourist attractions.

And a trip to the fabled city needn’t cost the earth. There are lots of tour companies that offer fantastic Paris travel deals, especially over the Internet. All you have to do is surf and click and do Paris on a budget.

Paris attractions also include its fabulous nightlife. With its nightclubs, bars and dance clubs, an evening here can never be boring. Among the places to visit in Paris is the Folies Bergere, a music hall that began its existence in the 19th century and is still going strong. And of course, there are the famous Paris cafes that were made so famous by writers like Hemingway, and form an integral part of life in the city.

Travel operators offer a lot of options for the culturally inclined, like a half-day tour of Versailles, a guided tour of the Louvre museum, tours of Normandy battlefields and landing beaches, and so on.

Though known as the financial capital of India, Mumbai is equally famous as a tourist destination. Mumbai tourist attractions attract people from all corners of the country. To some extent, they contribute to the cosmopolitan image of the country. The best examples of this cosmopolitan culture can be found in the southern part of the city.

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Mumbai tourist attractions include heritage structures like the Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building and Haji Ali. There are other areas that are considered a `must-visit’ whenever you make a catalogue of Mumbai tourist attractions. These include Colaba Causeway, Flora Fountain or Hutatma Chowk, Hanging Garden, Town Hall or Asiatic Society Library and the buildings surrounding Horniman Circle Garden. They are true representatives of the colonial architecture of the Raj era.

There are some beautiful beaches close to the city and can be included among Mumbai tourist attractions. These include the beaches at Alibaug, a 45-minute ferry ride from the Gateway of India monument. You can find people flocking to the area on weekends. Another major attraction is the Elephanta Caves, also a 45-minute ferry ride from the Gateway of India.

Being the financial capital of one of the biggest economies in the world, there’s a lot of money floating around here. The nightlife in Mumbai is one of the most exciting in the country. There are also a lot of bars and cafes, including Leopold and Mondegar, which find mention in many literary masterpieces set in Mumbai.

Mumbai tourist attractions are many and very exciting. They make a visit to the city a great one!

When you visit Delhi, you will find many monuments and forts of another era. Many Delhi tourist attractions were erected in the heyday of the Mughal empire. When you visit these monuments, you will feel as though you are caught in a time warp, back to an age long gone.

Some of the well-known Delhi tourist attractions include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Old Fort, Jantar-Mantar, Qutub Minar, Gurudwara Raquab Ganj and Shish Ganj, and a number of other monuments. Lutyens’ Delhi is the capital’s power centre – the seat of the government of India. Visitors are amazed at the beauty of the architecture and the imagination of the architect who thought of developing the area, as a symbol of British power. You’ll also find great Delhi tourist attractions in this area, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, Sansad Bhawan and India Gate.

When in Delhi, many people pay homage to the Father of the Nation by visiting Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Thousands of people from all over the world visit the site every year, making it one of the most popular of Delhi tourist attractions.

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There are a lot of places for shopping too, some of the popular areas being Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk. Chandni Chowk reminds visitors of the old culture of Delhi. Connaught Place, on the other hand, presents another picture. It is pretty much a symbol of India’s progress, with glittering showrooms that showcase the products of multinational corporations. It’s where the capital’s beautiful people hang out for some rest and recreation.

Delhi tourist attractions are varied and interesting, making a visit to the city worthwhile for many tourists.

Expedia brings the best of international travel deals to India

After the launch of its Indian portal (i.e. Expedia.co.in), Expedia plans to cater the Indian travelers by providing them more value-added services including online travel booking and booking of hotel accommodations at the comfort of their homes and at the best prices.

Indian travelers have the option of selecting the best hotel of their choice meeting their requirement from a host of options including national and international hotels. The portal also plans to offer a variety of online travel booking options, including flights, holiday packages, car rentals, cruises, etc, for Indian customers.

When it comes to international travel deals for the Indian travelers, Expedia India plans to give them over 3000 holiday options, special deals and offers is also in the offering.

With all these options, I bet Indian travelers have nothing to loose but only to gain. So, people thinking of traveling to an international destination from India try Expedia India top help you in your travel planning.

Source: http://www.indiana.edu

Hyderabad, also called the “City of Nizams” has imbued itself to keep its cultural roots intact inspite of all the modernity that prevails today in this city. The language, the architecture, the way people live; every thing will remind you of the strong cultural background of the city and why it is called the City of Nizams. Some of the popular Hyderabad tourist attractions include Chowmahalla Palace, Purani Haveli, Salar Jung Museum and Falaknuma Palace.

Though all these places are must visit for every tourist, the one that is by far the most popular of all Hyderabad tourist attractions is Charminar, the monument of four minarets. There are other Hyderabad tourist attractions and they include Golconda Fort, Taramati Baradari, Mecca Masjid, Birla Mandir, King Kothi Palace and Hussain Sagar.

Hussain Sagar, a man made lake is famous because of the statue of Buddha in the middle of the lake. The statue is on a platform known as ‘Rock of Gibraltar’.

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Other than these architectural marvels, many including the travelers to this city also seek for the Hyderabadi cuisine. The exquisite dish you should try not to miss on your travel to Hyderabad is the Hyderabadi Biryani. It is acclaimed internationally and is a gustatory reminder of the Mogul Era.

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The name ‘Garden City’ is apt for Bangalore as wherever you go, you can find a number of parks and gardens, adding freshness to the other Bangalore tourist attractions. The most famous among them is ‘Lal Bagh’, a glass house that won fame for its flower shows. It is also a heritage monument.

Though Bangalore is called the ‘Garden City’, it is known to the world not for its greenery but for its technology companies. It is home to two of the top ranking IT companies in India and is also known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the country. The headquarters of these companies are, in fact, among the most popular Bangalore tourist attractions.

Culturally, Bangalore scores above many metros, with a good mix of modernity and heritage. A few hours drive out of Bangalore will get you to Mysore, whose palaces and Dussera celebrations are well-known tourist attractions.

Bangalore’s nightlife, with its pubs and discotheques, is also a big draw for tourists. So whatever you are interested in, you can find a reason to visit Bangalore.

Makes Traveling Even More Pleasurable!

Traveling in India or traveling to India from abroad has become convenient and easy on the pockets thanks to online travel agents. India is a land of exotica and endless euphoria for any traveler who seeks pleasure in traveling. The country has something that can interest every tourist. From panoramic views of the beautiful mountains to the long and pristine beaches, from the medieval temples to the golden sandy deserts of Rajasthan, there is beauty abounding everywhere. Quite like the versatile locales of this country, there are a lot of tourism options as well for tourists. The most convenient one of them all is through an online travel agency.

Though Agra, Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan are some of the noteworthy places to visit in India, there are many lesser-known hill stations, forts, market places, museums, national parks, amusement parks and other areas that can arrest your attention and leave you spell-bound. A person who takes a trip to India should visit every place that invites his fancy. The country is such that you can never stop at one place. There is still something to explore, some place to visit and some pictures to be taken. To have a hassle free trip to India with a visit to the beautiful locales of India, you can always bank on online travel agents. An online travel agency not only costs you less but also offers you the best and viable options of travel and accommodation.

An online travel agency can offer you the best deals while traveling in India. It can customize the travel packages to suit your interest. A reliable travel agency in India is like a guide that shows you how you can make the most of your travel without burning a hole in your pocket. Make the best use of the information given by your online international travel agents and explore India to its fullest.

World-known Online Travel Agents Now in India

6 March 2008, marks the advent of Expedia to the Indian Travel arena with its brand new India website http://www.expedia.co.in.

Expedia is the world’s leading online travel company. After marking its presence all over the world in the online travel market, it is now in India for the Indian travelers who love traveling and for the ones who look for a reason to travel. Expedia India promises to offer the best in hotels and travel destinations worldwide.

“The launch of Expedia India provides us an additional foothold as we continue to invest aggressively in Asia to match the enormous scale and potential of the region,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Expedia, Inc. “Our goal is to grow our international revenue to half of our total revenue, and burgeoning travel markets like India are key to achieving that goal.”

So what’s in it for the Indian travelers? I feel the Indian travelers are going to benefit a lot. Firstly, Expedia offers an exquisite selection of international hotels to Indian travelers. Secondly, offers dedicated customer support center with the privileges of Hindi and English speaking travel agents. Last but not the least, it provides choices that the Indian traveler can customize his travel to his needs plus payments can be made online in Indian Rupees.

“Expedia.co.in will help Indian travelers plan fun-filled summer holidays to their favorite international destinations this year,” said Sharat Dhall, Managing Director, Expedia.co.in.

With Expedia, the online travel agents entering the Indian travel market; we should see some good competition with great travel deals for the Indian travelers.

It is very difficult to list the top tourist destinations and attractions in India because every place tells a unique story and has its own significance and beauty. The sheer size, heritage and diversity of India have enchanted many travelers throughout the ages. However, here is a listing, or rather a countdown of the ten top tourist destinations in India based on popularity:

10. Varanasi: It is one of the oldest cities of India with a 3000-year-old history. Tourists come to the sacred place of Varanasi to experience a sense of mysticism, for a spiritual feeling, to study at the Benares Hindu University or to watch the enigmatic Ganges flow by.

9. Khajurao: The temples and monuments of Khajurao in Madhya Pradesh have been designated by the UNESCO as a “World Heritage Site”. These breathtakingly beautiful temples were constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries during the times of the Chandela dynasty. It is one of the chief tourist destinations in India as people from all around the world throng to watch these artistic wonders. Of the 85 temples constructed originally, only 22 remain.

8. Hyderabad: The fifth largest city in India is home to magnificent forts, royal palaces, age-old temples and mosques; all of them a celebration of history and grandeur that this city has commanded. It is also called the “Pearl city”. Some of the top tourist attractions here are the Charminar, Safdar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar Lake and Lad Bazaar.

7. Bangalore: Bangalore is the fastest growing city in India. With a pleasant climate and cosmopolitan aura of this place, Bangalore has undergone quite a transformation over the last few years. Some of the top tourist destinations in Bangalore are Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, Fort of Tipu Sultan, Bangalore Palace, the Venkatappa Art gallery and the Bull Temple.

6. Pondicherry: The seductive beauty of Pondicherry beckons a lot of visitors to this place. The city of Pondicherry has a passive feel towards it; you can feel that the city likes to move at its own languid pace, unlike other cities in India, which seem to have a fast paced life. Some of the prominent tourist attractions here are the Beach Road, the Aurbindo Ashram and many restaurants that line the Beach Road. Since it was formerly a French colony, most people here know and speak French.

5. Mumbai: Mumbai, the commercial capital of India is frequented by many tourists round the year. Some of the pleasant sights are the Gateway of India, Mani Bhawan - the residence of Mahatma Gandhi, sea fronts like Chowpatty beach, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach and the Bandra sea-face. The southern part of Mumbai is usually frequented by tourists, especially at the Fort Area, Colaba, Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. Other tourist attractions include Kamala Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Jehangir Art Gallery.

4. Jaipur: Jaipur (capital of Rajasthan) is also known as the ‘Pink City’ is home to several top tourist destinations. Chief among them are Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Museum, Birla Mandir Planetarium, City Palace, Sisodia Rani Park etc.

3. Kochi: Kochi is a beautiful and prosperous city in Kerala. The vibrancy in terms of natural beauty and industrial progress is simply unbelievable. It is the commercial capital of Kerala. Some of the best places to visit in Kochi are the Dutch Palace (Mattanchery Palace), Cherai Beach, Hill Palace Museum, Willingdon Island (a manmade island), a hill station called Munnar and Anamudi, the highest peak in South India.

2. Delhi: Delhi, the capital city of India is known to be a heaven for historical sites, archeological destinations and religious sites. One of the best tourist attractions in India, the “India Gate” is in Delhi. Also stunningly attractive is the Red Fort, a huge edifice and a testimony to the Mughal architecture. Yet another tourist attraction, the Kutumb Minar alone attracts numerous tourists from round the world. The largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid, the Old Fort, and Humayun’s tomb are other interesting sites of Delhi.

1. Agra: Agra has captivated a lot of tourists from every corner of the world. The historic city is home to the teardrop of love, the eternal and the ethereal Taj Mahal, also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Other tourist attractions include Sikandra tomb, Fatherpur Sikri, Vrindavan and Mathura.

Traveling Cheap but, Traveling Sensibly!

Choosing the best travel deals from a variety of international travel deals and offers is a bit of a challenge. Man was born to explore. Not just the places to visit but also the methods that he can use to find the best, when it comes to traveling to his favorite destination. They say international flights come with an expensive price tag. Well, for those of you who are really conscious about best travel deals, you can get what you want if you ‘think’ ahead of time.

You can find cheap international air tickets that not only meet your requirements but also fit your budget well. Timing is the key to everything. Understand that airline tickets can act quite funny: a thing called fixed price simply does not exist when it comes to airline tickets. So for those who want to make the most of your international travel deals, keep a watch on those prices. Once the price tag comes close to the budget that you have ready, go for the kill!

To get the best travel deals, “don’t” look at the peak seasons. The reason is there are certain times in a year when certain travel destinations and vacation spots become hugely expensive due to soaring demand. For example, Paris, the romantic capital of the world becomes the most visited spot during the months of February. So you cannot expect the prices to be cheap for your airline ticket during that month. But if you do want to go to Paris or any such dreamy place during the romantic month of February, make sure that you plan and book your air-tickets in advance. The right time to get the best of international travel deals is four months to three weeks before you fly.

A smart way of getting budget international travel deals even if you cannot afford them is to at least make a reservation first and then cough up the entire amount when you have the money.