Travel Getaways

By cheema

 TAJ MAHAL-ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS-INDIA

Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, figures on the itinerary of every tourist to India.

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If this is your first visit to the Taj, there is only one thing to remember everything that has been said about it is at best inadequate. This mausoleum is a piece of poetry in marble; you will find yourself stopping before every marble screen, every bit of inlaid wall to marvel at the craftsmanship of those who created this architectural wonder. Recently, the Taj was voted amongst the Seven Wonders of the World.

Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place of his favourite queen, Mumtaz Mahal, built the Taj Mahal. A monument of marble, it is perhaps Indias most fascinating and beautiful monument. Built by Persian architect Ustad Isa, this perfectly symmetrical monument took 22years (AD 1630-52) of hard labor and 20.000 workers, masons and jewelers to build.

The red sandstone entrance to the Taj has verses from the Koran inscribed on it. The four minarets, its vaulted arches, the inlaid semi-precious stones are just a preamble to the central dome of the Taj. Right below this dome are the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. These are just for display, though- far below in a locked basement; hidden from the human eye, the Mughal king and his queen lie in their actual tombs, united in death.

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HOW TO REACH

By Air: the airport at Agra is connected by domestic flights to major Indian cities. There are daily round trip flights from Delhi to Agra, Khajuraho, and Varanasi.

By Rail: Agra is well connected by the Taj Express and the high-speed Shatabdi Express to Delhi, Varanasi, and cities of Rajasthan as well as South India. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment.

By Road: Agra is connected by road to Delhi, Gwalior, Jaipur and several other major cities; national Highway 2 connects Agra with Delhi, which is only a 4-hour drive away. There are UP State Road Transport (UPSRTC) AS WELL AS PRIVATE BUSES PLYIG TO AND FROM Agra. The main bus terminus is the Idgah Bus Stand, close to the Agra Cantonment Station:

MUST DO

Watch pigeons in flight

Get introduced to pigeon fancying, an established tradition in Agra. Four of five flocks fly above Taj Ganj every evening around 4pm. Agras kabootar baaz of pigeon fanciers dont race their pigeons but fly them in flocks, controlling them with a code of high-pitched whistles and calls. This is a sight to be seen and heard to believe!

What to Eat:

From the star restaurants to fast-food giants, Agra has it all. As it is an important tourist destination, Agra is dotted with eateries of every size, to suit every pocket.

Agra is also famous of its sweets-Petha and Gazak-and the salty snack, Dalmoth.

What to Shop for

Shopping in Agra is an exciting affair, as you wind through labyrinthine streets and bustling bazaars. Agra is famous for exquisite handicraft items such as marble tabletops, soft stone lay work and hand-made leather items, like fancy juttis. A small replica of the Taj Mahal makes one of most popular souvenir items.

Jewellery items are another famous buy in Agra. The Mughal-style designs are quite popular among both foreign and Indian tourists. Carpets, durries, textiles and sandalwood items are also popular in Agra.

The main shopping areas of the city are sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal complex. You can shop at the government emporia or government-approved souvenir shops.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The winter months are a bit chilly, but that is the best time to visit Agra.www.hellotravellers.com

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Travel

vacation getaways

By Giorgos Kontopoulos

 The island of Mykonos, Greece, has had the world’s imagination captive for more than four decades, it it’s appeal isn’t showing signs of waning. The draw of the island used to be its cosmopolitan way of life, with its luxury hotels and vibrant night life, but now it is much more than that.

There is much to enjoy about Mykonos, but a word to the wise about timing: Avoid travelling mid-July through August. This is peak season and it seems that anyone who is anyone is here at that time. But the again, if you thrive off of the energy that can only be given off by excited crowds, peak season may be the best time to go. You’ll have to decide that for yourself, but for first time visitors it may be a good idea to visit Mykonos in the early part of July.

It’s close enough to peak time that it will be somewhat busy, enough so that you can get an idea of what Mykonos nightlife is like, but it won’t be so overrun by visitors that you won’t be able to enjoy some solitude. Remember that during peak time, even find a table, any table, at a restaurant can be an insurmountable challenge. During high season, if you don’t make a reservation well in advance, you’ll likely be out of luck when it comes to finding a table.

The “reserve early or else” caveat associated with travelling to Mykonos doesn’t just pertain to restaurants, either. Unless you plan on sleeping under the stars (which is frowned upon by the police), book your accommodations well in advance of your visit, especially if you are coming during peak season.

If you visit Mykonos in mid-September through the month of October, you’ll experience a totally different island. During this time you’ll get to know the quieter side of Mykonos. This side of Mykonos still offers visitors lively nightlife choices, but the streets and you won’t have to clamor for a table or for room on the dance floor.

Fortunately, unlike many of the other Greek islands, Mykonos has an active cultural and social current year round. Even in winter, when the island hosts numerous cultural events such as a small (yet very enjoyable!) film festival, Mykonos is a great place to visit. If you don’t want to brave the summer crowds and are looking for some off-season fun, wintertime is a good option as well.

No matter what time of year you decide to go to Mykonos, there are a few things to know about how to get around the island. Since the government decreed that Hora was an architectural landmark, motorized traffic is prohibited on its streets. The best ways to get around the streets on foot, on a bike, or on a donkey! The island also features a good transportation system, so there are lots of ways to get around if mobility is not a concern.

If you prefer to travel by taxi, be warned that inside the town itself you’ll be picked up by a scooter, not a car. Car taxis are only available for destinations outside the town itself. The scooters can be found at the port, where they will pick you up and deliver you to your accommodation. It’s a good idea to use this service, as most of the island’s hotels can be a bit tricky to find.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit Mykonos, there will be something fun to do and some beautiful scenery to take in. The choice of when to visit just depends upon whether you want to bump elbows with other tourists, or take in the life of the locals.

Find out all about Mykonos Restaurants and Mykonos Hotels or any information about your vacation in Mykonos

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vacation

By Clint Jhonson

 Brazil is a tropical paradise for nature lovers and tourists arrive from all over the world to experience its culture and food. Rio Janeiro is the heart of Brazil and tourists flock to the city due to the year round sunshine, clear skies, spectacular beaches and the warmth and friendliness of the people. The best time for Rio de Janeiro Brazil travel is during Christmas. Tourists flock to the city during Christmas due to the fact that although it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. A tourist can spend Christmas in scorching sunshine on golden beaches with the bluest ocean, instead of the dreary winter cold and snowstorms. The nights are balmy with a cool breeze coming from the ocean to dissipate the heat of the day. The summer season lasts till March and tourists visiting Brazil and Rio Janeiro at this time can take advantage of the excellent weather and climate.

But this does not mean that the rest of the year is not good enough for tourists and visitors. Fall or autumn starts in March turning the green paradise into a land of golden hues with leaves turning gold and russet red, with an occasional shower to make the atmosphere romantic. Rio Janeiro in fall is a lover’s paradise and the climate and atmosphere lend a helping hand to those who have just found love or those seeking to strengthen their relationship by being together in a wonderful country at a wondrous time of the year. It is truly a magical time for Rio de Janeiro Brazil travel and tourists who visit the country at this time of the year always cherish the memories of the visit and return again.

Although winter all over the world is considered dreary and dull with snow and cold, Brazil and Rio Janeiro is blessed because it is south of the Equator. Winter in Brazil does mean cold days and colder nights, but the temperature does not go down to zero or below, in fact it rarely goes below 15 degrees. Tourists from colder countries in the north like the US, Canada, and Europe, will find the climate pleasant and much better than the winter they have to face. Tourists, who cannot bear the heat of summer in Brazil and the harsh winter in their own country, can always plan their Rio de Janeiro Brazil travel during this season and take advantage of the pleasant climate and milder winter with clearer skies and warm sunshine.

Any season is good enough to visit Rio Janeiro and see its beautiful urban forests. The city is one of the few places in the world, which has acres of forests located right within the city. Tourists and visitors can easily visit the Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca or ‘White Stone State Park’ and the Floresta da Tijuca or ‘Tijuca Forest’, which are located next to each other within the boundaries of the city. Tourists can indulge in many outdoor activities or just stroll around enjoying the peace and solitude in the forested areas amidst the bustling city. For those who love music and fun, there is of course the world famous Carnival and Samba music. People who love Brazilian Samba music and the wild and Exotique Carnival in all its glory and with all the fantastic costumes, floats and parades, plan their Rio de Janeiro Brazil travel well in advance to avoid disappointment of unavailable flight tickets and hotel reservations.

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Travel

travel tips

By Paul Bleakley

 The Isle of man is fast becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the United Kingdom for people looking for that out of the way holiday/vacation. The Island is situated right in the centre of the Irish Sea between Ireland and Wales. The Irish Sea is quite cold but dont let that put you off as thousands of people flock to this special island every year to see its incredible beaches and coastline.

The coastline is one of the things the Island is most famous for, after all it is an Island so youre never that far from the Sea. Even though the Island has a rich Seaside culture there is one other thing that this province is very famous for and that is the annual TT motorcycle race that takes place during the summer months. This event has done more for the tourism industry than probably anything else, as motorcycle fanatics from all over the world flock to see the races.

Some of the fastest riders from around the world compete in this death-defying race around the island circuit. Whilst it is a very dangerous sport its also one of the most exhilarating for those taking part, with the financial rewards being considerable along with the fame.

Even if youre not taking part in the race theres a lot of motorcycle history to be found on the Island. One main attraction for any Bike fan is the Motorcycle Museum which has a rich collection of both new and old bikes from all over the world that really is a must see for any fan of the TT.

Travelling to the Isle if Man is much easier than it used to be as the Island now has its own airport. Despite the quicker travel time offered by the airlines many people still choose to take one of the many ferries that shuttle to and from the mainland throughout the day. P&O and Stenna line are two of the main carriers which offer very reasonable rates, even if you are taking a car.

Taking your car to the Island is also a great way to see the Island at your own time. There are many small towns and villages that you will bump into and you explore. Also there will be no need to worry about getting lost as the Island is only 5 miles across. One fact that will appeal to car and bike fans about the island is that once you get out of the main town and city there is no seed limit! However even with no speed restrictions it is still advisable to drive with care as there are alot of hidden dips and corners. So with all this in mind book your trip today and you definitely wont regret it.

isleofmanhotelsnow.co.uk is a blog providing information about Isle of Man hotels and attractions.

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