The Land of the Long White Cloud

                                                                                      

New Zealand. To those who’ve been lucky enough to experience travel around this country, the mere mention of its name conjures up images of absolute, unbelievable and relentless beauty. Known by the Maori population as Aotearoa – the land of the long white cloud – this country is one which deserves to be explored and which cannot fail to uplift your spirits.

New Zealand is made up of two islands, imaginatively named South Island and North Island. These two islands are separated by the Cook Strait and can be crossed quite easily and quickly by boat. The two islands are distinctive from each other in many ways, but both have an abundance of things to do and sights to see.

The aesthetic beauty of this place, and the range of activities to do here make New Zealand packages from India a great prospect this winter – because although it’s winter here in January, it’s the middle of summer in New Zealand.

As we said before, there’s loads to do in New Zealand, but here are some of our recommendations:

Learn to surf – if there’s one thing you’re always close to in New Zealand, it’s the sea. It’s a wonderful country for all kinds of water sports – but a particularly great place if you want to learn to surf. The Taranaki coast, in North Island, is one of the best areas for surfing. In fact, it’s so good, that the road tracing the coastal region here is called Surf Highway 45.

Watch rugby – most countries have a sport that they go crazy about. In New Zealand, that sport is rugby union. The All Blacks are their national team, and they are to rugby what Brazil is to football – awesome and respected. If they have a home international while you’re in the country, make sure you get hold of a ticket. But if not, any of the national league games would be well worth attending too.

Go bungee jumping – New Zealand is the home of the bungee jump as a phenomenon. The first, properly organised commercial bungee jump took place in Auckland from the Greenhithe Bridge in the late 1980s. However, we recommend you head for the great Nevis if you want to bungee in style. It’s located in Queenstown, in South Island, which is the base for a great deal of adventure activities, and is arguably the most terrifyingly exhilarating bungee jump in the world.

These activities are all great fun and definitely worth including in any New Zealand packages from India.

Delhi – A hub of many Travel agencies

Travel has become an essential part of everyone’s lives and it is for this reason that there has been a good influx of travel agencies in the past few years.

Travel is something that every individual enjoys at some stage of their life. Be it a vacation back home or a travel to new shores or a vacation at your favourite holiday destination in India; whatever your need travel agencies take care of every small detail. This is the case in almost all parts of the country including Delhi.

Travel agency in Delhi have grown two-fold over the past few years because of the demand of individuals to holiday. The role of these travel agencies is not restricted to only booking the travel tickets but has extended in planning ones entire trip as well. Delhi has a variety of small and large travel agencies that offer similar services but at relatively different rates. Today, every person has become budget conscious and wants to avail of good destination deals at affordable prices. Travel agencies in Delhi too have become extremely agile in terms of getting the best rates for their customers. Competition is tough and every second agency will give you a wonderful deal than the other. One can make a conscious choice of opting for deals that are well within your pocket and preference. Travel agencies in Delhi not only cater to Indian travel deals but have a couple of good International deals in their pocket too. You can opt for a romantic honeymoon or a family vacation, an adventure trip to the various peaks of the country or a Wild trip to the various prominent jungles of India; Plan a trip to various beach destinations or capture some quaint moments in the subtle hill stations. Whatever your need, Travel agencies in Delhi will take care of all your requirements.

While planning a trip the reason one emphasizes to go through a reputed or known travel agency is because ones trip becomes almost hassle-free. They will suggest the hotels that will fit within your budget, the mode of transportation and the intra-transportation, the sights to see and the places to explore. They plan every detail of your trip so that you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Changing times, growing holiday options and different moments to travel for have given a boost to various tour operators in Delhi. Plan and pack your bags to enjoy a wonderful outing with your loved ones! 

The Hidden Wonders of South Korea

Located to the east of China and to the west of Japan, South Korea. As the southern part of the Korean peninsula, South Korea shares a land border only with North Korea. The country is largely covered by mountainous areas. Around 50 million people live in this country, and according to the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report, it has the second highest standard of living in Asia – just behind its neighbours Japan.

With a rich history, and really good infrastructure, South Korea tour packages from India are a great idea – and offer something a little bit different from the usual countries we travel to.
It’s almost certain that any South Korea tour packages from India will start in Seoul – the capital city. While there you should take in some of the sights of the city before moving onto other places. Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the most worthwhile sights to visit. In the north of Seoul, this palace was once the seat of power and was the most important of the ‘Five Grand Palaces’ built during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty. It was originally built in the late 1300s, and during its long history has been burned to the ground, abandoned and rebuilt once more.

Changdeok Palace is close to Gyeongbokgung, and worth looking around. And in the middle of these two royal residences Bukchon village – a community of traditional Korean houses, made of wood and surrounded by charming courtyards. Before leaving Seoul, we recommend you get a glimpse of the whole of the capital from up above. The best way to do this is to climb up Bugaksan mountain. From the top you get amazing views.

Your South Korea tour package from India shouldn’t only include Seoul of course. A visit to Gyeongju will give you the opportunity to experience the Silla heritage and over 200 of their distinctive tombs. A trip to the Haeinsa Temple will give you the chance to view the most comprehensive collection of Buddhist texts in the world. And before you leave this amazing country, be sure to try a traditional Korean barbeque – a real treat.

The Grandiose Golden Triangle

When international travellers talk of trips to India, the Golden Triangle is never far from their lips. “If you’re going to India,” they will say “make sure you do the Golden Triangle”. And whenever an itinerary is planned for the subcontinent, the Golden Triangle is the first to be added – right up there at the top of the list. With this being the starting point for many, they’ll then structure the rest of their trip around it.

Tour packages for Golden Triangle obviously include the three places which make up this three-sided shape – New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. However, what you do in each of these places is totally up to you. They all of have plenty of great sights to see and activities to take part in – so a little research beforehand will help you to ensure your package is tailor made to your needs and wants.

In Agra, the options are fewer than Delhi or Jaipur, but there’s still plenty to keep you busy for a couple of days. The Taj Mahal – that iconic monument to love – is the obvious place to include in your tour package for Golden Triangle right away. But while in Agra, it’s well worth taking a quick trip down the road to the Agra Fort. If the Taj Mahal demonstrates the romance of the Mughal Empire, Agra Fort show its might through this imposing structure.

About forty kilometres away from Agra (and very to the road to Jaipur) is Fatehpur Sikri. This deserted city is over 400 years old, but was barely used. It was built as the capital of the Mughal Empire, but soon after its completion Akbar and his people realised that water was scarce, and so they all left pretty sharpish. Nevertheless, it’s a city that’s well worth a few hours of your time.

In Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and known as the Pink City, consider visiting Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and the Albert Hall Museum. And in Delhi, be sure to include India Gate, Jama Masjid, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Humayan’s Tomb and the Akshardham complex as part of any tour packages for Golden Triangle.

Eclectic India

Domestic holiday packages to India are the new travelling abroad. Increasingly, it seems, that us Indians are realising we don’t really need to travel to another country to have an amazing holiday. Instead we can have whatever we want from a trip right here in our own country.

The benefits are clear. Firstly, you don’t have to spend so much time travelling. If you were planning a trip to the US, for example, you’d end up spending over two days just travelling – a day in each direction plus domestic flights once you’re there. In India, the longest fight is going to be two or three hours. Secondly, holidaying in India is going to work out a great deal cheaper without necessarily sacrificing any of the quality. International flights won’t be required, and accommodation, food and activities will all cost a substantially smaller amount in India than the US, UK, Australia, Maldives etc etc.

Added to these two logistical benefits, domestic holiday packages in India have the advantage of being in a country with a great diversity of topography, cultures and activities. Each state has something different and unique to offer the traveller.

In Tamil Nadu it’s possible to visit amazing temples in Madurai, to explore the monolithic ruins in Mahabalipuram, to walk along the second longest beach in the world (Marina beach) in Chennai and experience the cultural remnants of the French in Pondicherry. In Kerala, you can laze around on a house boat in the backwaters of Allepey and Kumarakom, sunbathe on the unique black sands of Varkala, enjoy the tea plantations of the hill station Munnar and savour the delights of a fish curry. And that’s just two of twenty eight states.

India has pretty much everything a traveller or holidaymaker could want, regardless of what kind of travelling you prefer. If you want islands and beaches then there’s Andaman, Lakshadweep, Goa and Gokarna. If you’d prefer more arid landscapes, then there’s the Thar desert in Rajasthan and Gujarat. If high altitudes are your thing then mountains are scattered all over India, including the greatest range of them all – the Himalayas. Whether you want hill stations hosting tea gardens, or snow-peaked mountains, it’s all here in India. So why waste your money and time travelling to far and distant lands when a domestic holiday package in INDIA can include everything you want?

Extraordinary Australian Tour Packages

Australia, the Island Continent, sits majestically at the meeting of two great oceans. To the west lies the Indian Ocean and to the east the Pacific Ocean. But this is no small islet lost out to sea. It is, in fact, the sixth biggest country in the world – which is a pretty big claim for an island.

In fact, the sheer size of the Australian landmass, means that the weather and the landscape differs dramatically in different parts of the country, creating some amazing and interesting ecological variances. Beautiful rainforests, vast mountain ranges, glorious coastal regions and life-sapping deserts all form a part of this great nation. And any decent Australia tour packages will give you a glimpse of each element of the country to make your holiday as fulfilling as possible.

Australia has so much to offer – much of it seemingly designed to blow your mind – but some of the highlights include Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock), Sydney (with its Opera House and Harbour Bridge), and the absolutely unique Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef in the world.

For the more adventurous traveller, the Outback has an extremely strong lure – pulling in all those who want to explore and discover. Flora and fauna unseen in the rest of the world flourishes in Australia – from the great marsupials, such as the bouncy kangaroo and the cuddly koala, to the distinctive eucalyptus trees and the delightfully-named and carnivorous bladderwort plant.

As well as mainland Australia, there are many smaller islands nearby which are a part of the country and well worth a visit. These include Tasmania, Fraser Island and Kangaroo Island – all of which are very welcoming to holidaymakers, and can easily be included as part of any Australia tour packages.

If you have plenty of time on your hands, it is certainly worth including a visit to one of Australia’s neighbouring countries as part of your holiday. New Zealand, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea are all great places to visit as part of a tour to this corner of the world.

Whatever you do while in Australia, please don’t forget it’s mandatory at some stage to have a barbeque and beer with the locals!

Explore Russia: The continent within the Country

Considered to be the largest country in the world, Russia is home to make historical movements, monuments and breath-taking natural beauty that will leave you spell-bound. Though the country experiences a cool climate almost all through the year, the boundless allure of the country is absolutely mesmerizing. A great trip to Russia is emphasized by spending quality time exploring this beautiful and vast country with your loved ones. You can enjoy a wonderful family holiday or a group holiday in Russia that leaves you with memories not to be forgotten soon.

Today every holiday reveller looks at exploring different places and hunts for good deals and great destinations to spend on. One such destination that is slowly gaining popularity in India is Russia. Russia tour packages from India are tailor made to suit all your preferences of time and budget. The itinerary is so planned that you do not waste time and yet enjoy a wonderful trip exploring the best of this mighty country. Few top attractions of Russia recommended being included in your trip list are-

Trans-Siberian Railway- Worlds longest railway network, Trans-Siberian Railway stretches from Moscow to Vladivostok and takes you an enjoyable journey through snow-capped peaks and green surroundings.

Mount Elbrus- Located on Caucasus Mountain Range of Southern Russia, this beautiful mountain is said to comprise of the Seven Summits of the world. This beautiful volcano-created mountain is an adventure lover’s haven.

Lake Baikal- A true God’s gift to mankind and one that has stood the test of time, Lake Baikal located in Siberia is considered to be the oldest and deepest lake of the world. This pristine clear lake is home to a considerable amount of fresh water of the world. It also fondly referred as the Pearl of Siberia and has many wonderful resorts and mountains around it.

Suzdal- A piece from the great past of the country, this well preserved ancient city is a Jewel of Russia. The beautiful city transports you back in time to their culture that the country has so proudly and delicately preserved.

Moscow- The city is famous for its rich heritage that one can experience while walking on the streets of the city. The city boasts of some famous piece of history like The Moscow Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, etc.

St. Petersburg, Novgorod, Kizhi Island, Valley of Geysers is other prime attractions of Russia to be enjoyed by all!

A Continent of Wonders- Australia

The Australian continent has attracted millions of tourists for many decades round the year. With innumerable adventure activities to enjoy, breath-taking world famous sights to be seen and places to be explored, Australia offers you a wholesome holiday experience. The vast coast and the expansive lush green countryside are few things are sure to take your breath away. Australia tour package has grown in popularity over the past few years because of the knowledge about the place and innumerable activities to indulge in.

Your Australia tour package from India can be custom made to suit your time availability, preference, number of people travelling and mainly your budget. Depending on these criteria’s a travel agent can try to design a trip that would accommodate most of the major sights of Australia giving you a taste of every part of this continent. Tour packages take care of your travel arrangements, in some cases your Visa formalities, Hotel reservations, transportation and guided sightseeing. You can decide your package depending on whether you are travelling in a group or with a partner or with family. Whatever your preference, Australia tour packages from India can be easily executed.

It may not be possible to cover all the sights of Australia in one trip, in case it is not a very long one; so one can cover the popular sightseeing attractions in that trip and leave the rest for later if possible. Few popular sights to be visited in Australia are-

The Great Barrier Reef- The only coral reef that is visible from Space and is also the World’s longest reef

Scuba Diving and Ski Diving- You have experienced the Australia without indulging in these adrenaline pumping sports! Scuba diving takes you the depths of the ocean making you explore the wild life beneath the surface and Sky diving brings you a step closer to flying like a bird.

Sydney- home to the beautiful harbour and the Opera House, Sydney is the cultural capital of Australia

Ayers Rock / Uluru – Termed as world’s largest monolithic rock, this is a natural marvel in this world

Kangaroo Island – The thriving wildlife of Kangaroos is freely seen on this island. You can come tete-a-tete with this magnificent creature.

Innumerable other destinations are waiting for you to visit and explore in Australia!

 

Time to travel to Varanasi

Varanasi, a place where you can see throngs of devoted pilgrims paying their obeisance to the different gods and goddesses every year. A place where you can get rid of your sins by just a dip in the holy River Ganges, Varanasi presents many beautiful aspects of life that stay with you forever. With the increase in tourism getting to Varanasi has become relatively easier. There are different modes of transportations available to reach Varanasi and enjoy a wonderful holiday.

Here’s a glimpse on how to reach Varanasi with different modes of transportations-

By Air- Varanasi airport is connected by major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, etc. with flights running at regular intervals. International tourists can travel to Delhi by air and then travel to Varanasi either by another connecting flight or by road too. You can book your air tickets through online booking sites in advance to avail of lesser prices or through your agents by paying a nominal fee.

By Train- India is blessed with a wide network of trains that are a boon in many ways to innumerable travellers from across the country. There are train services from different cities running at regular intervals to Varanasi that makes it easier to travel to this holy city and reach comfortably. Contact your agent and book you train tickets to Varanasi at the earliest!

By Road- A road trip is one that always brings excitement and enthrallment to the young heart. You can travel to Varanasi by road from places in close proximity and enjoy the drive along the way. If you are a roadie then a long trip by road to Varanasi is definitely a must try. There are different bus services that run at regular intervals to Varanasi and can be easily booked through any travel agent.

It is always better to decide your mode of travel in advance and book your tickets to avoid last minute rush and delay. There are different packages available with tour operators and online travel agents for Varanasi that can be custom made to suit your requirement and preference.

A tranquil holiday in store for you in the realms of the one of the most holy cities of India – Varanasi!

 

A southern Getaway- Chennai

Chennai, fondly known as the Gateway to South, is fast making its way on the tourist map of India. With a plethora of historical monuments, temples and places of worship, this urban coastal destination is a great place to begin or spend your holiday. With many tourists from India and abroad thronging the shores of Chennai there are many attractions that are worth visiting especially on your first visit.

Few famous tourist attractions in Chennai are-

Marina Beach- The second longest urban beach in the world and the longest in the country is a beautiful sandy beach that gives a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. A hot attraction for all visiting Chennai

Kapaleeshwar Temple- this beautiful temple is one of the oldest in Chennai and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Dravidian style architecture is the main highlight of the temple and you can see thousands of devotees offering their prayers everyday.

Arignar Zoological National Park- Also known as Vandalur Zoo, this public zoo is a great place to see some amazing breeds of wildlife animals. It is also the second largest zoological garden of India.

Fort St. George- This beautiful structure called the White Town was built by the British when they established the East India Company in India and served as a major port for the English. The entire fort complex houses a great museum which gives you glimpses of the historical past of Chennai.

San Thome Basilica- The beautiful white coloured Neo-Gothic style church was built over the tomb of St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus Christ and is one of the main attractions of the city. The intricate carvings within the church premises give you a glimpse of the unique style of architecture.

Parathasarathy Temple- The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, as a charioteer of Arjun during the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple houses several avatars of Lord Vishnu and was built around the 8^th century.

Marundeeswarar temple- This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built around the 7^th century. The pond around the temple is said to have curative properties and many devotees throng the doors of the temple everyday to worship and take blessings.

Cove long beach, breezy beach, Elliot’s beach, Ripon building, Thousand Lights Mosque, etc. are other famous tourist attractions in Chennai!