An exotic holiday in Kolkata

Kolkata or Calcutta capital of the Indian state of West Bengal has grown to rank among the four major metropolitan cities of India. Rich in history and culture, Kolkata is also the gateway to the unexplored attractions of North Eastern India.




Calcutta has a tropical wet-and-dry climate. Calcutta is at the perfect distance from a variety of tourism destinations. The best time to plan a holiday in Calcutta is between September and March. You can also visit Kolkata during winters as the season is never too biting to bear.

Prefer to stroll around the city by using the extensive public transport facilities. Local buses are often jam-packed, but the underground train system, that is the Metro, is a less hassling way of riding through the city. A good way to get value for money during your stay in Kolkata would be to buy Metro tickets for multiple rides.

Trams play only on selected routes in Kolkata. If you are on a holiday to Kolkata than do try the Tram Heritage Tour run by the Calcutta Tram Company. Taxis are also available in plenty in Calcutta. The tourist can also plan an exotic vacation outside West Bengal, using Kolkata as the starting point.

An overnight train journey, a bus ride for a few hours or a short flight can help you to reach up this holiday destination.

Lahaul Spiti

Lahaul and Spiti which are the remote valleys of Himachal Pradesh, which has now become the popular tourist spot and before getting merged, Lahaul's capital was Kardang whereas Dhankar was the capital of Spiti. The present capital is Keylong in Lahaul.




Spiti which is also called as the Middle Country liies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Kullu. Climate conditions in Lahaul are very much similar to that of Ladakh and Zanskar, which border it to the north.

The valley sees less amount of rain during summers. It is between late October and late March that you can experience heavy snow that closes the passes and seals of the region. Less rainfall in both valleys proves to be really suitable for the climbers and trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season. This unique and unusual feature makes Lahul Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists in the month of July, August and September.

Prime attractions of Lahaul Spiti are Tandi, Trilokinath, Keylong cities. Kardang Monastery, Shashur Monastery, Kye Monastery, Thang Yug Gompa, Kungri Gompa,Dhankar Monastery and Tabo Monastery.

Other attractions of the place are Gemur, Sarchu, Kee Gompa, Kibar, Kunzum Pass, Losar, Kaza and Kibber which is locally known as Khyipur. Don't forget to explore world within a world, the real palace where the gods live.

Panchgani

Panchgani is an fantastic mountain retreat in the Krishna valley. Panchgani is a well-known hill station of Maharashtra on the highway to Mahabaleshwar from Pune. Panchgani is known for its English style boarding schools and old Parsi houses that front the forests.

The five hills surrounding Panchgani are toppep by a volcanic plateau, which is the second highest in Asia after the Tibetan plateau. These plateaus, are known as table land.



Tourists attractions in Panchgani:

Sydney Point is situated on a hillock that faces the Krishna Valley.

Table Land is the flat large expanse of laterite rock which is the second longest mountain plateau in Asia. Some spacious caves including the name Devil's Kitchen which can be seen from there.

Parsi Point is situated on the way to Mahabaleshwar and overlooks the Krishna valley.

Devil's Kitchen is situated at the south of the table land, the Pandavas of the Mahabharat had stayed at the Devil's Kitchen for a while.

Panchgani has a pleasant climate throughout the year. October to May is the best time to visit this hill station.

The Princess of Hill Stations Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is the most popular serene hill stations in India. What makes Kodaikanal a charming hill station it's wooded slopes, mighty rocks, waterfalls and beautiful lake.




Prime Attractions of Kodaikanal are-

Berijam Lake- This is a star shaped lake which is located at a distance of 21-km from Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu.

Kodaikanal Trekking- You can take short treks and hikes to tourist spots. Overnight treks are also possible.

Solar Observatory- One of the only three solar observatories in the world, the observatory in Kodaikanal is almost 75 years old.

Fairy Falls have become an interesting picnic spot of Kodaikanal.

Coaker's Walk- Coaker is situated on the southern end of Kodaikanal. The coaker's walk proves to be an exceptional place to get some of the most fascinating views of the surrounding areas.

Kurinji Andavar Temple is located 3 km away from the star shaped lake. You can also view the beautiful Northern Plains and Palani Hills from this temple.

If you want to reach this hill station via air than Madurai is the nearest airport. If you want to travel by rail than Kodai Road Railway station is the nearest. Reaching Kodaikanal via road, the hill station is well connected to all major cities of Tamil Nadu. So don't escape to explore this paradise...

Anantagiri Hill Station

Anantagiri in Andhra Pradesh is surrounded with natural beauty and nature lovers and tourists who come to this hill stations are attracted by unchallenged beauty of this place. The hill resort of Anantagiri is perfect retreat in the hot summers.

Anantagiri is a good sightseeing hill station which offers amazing sights and aura that attract tourists. Anantagiri hills and the wonderful waterfalls add unforgettable memories to your trip. The Bhavanasi Lake situated in Anantagiri is considered as the Badrinath of the South.



Araku Valley which is 115-km from Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh is close to the Orissa State, border. This valley attracts tourists with pleasant weather. The Borra Caves near Visakhapatnam make an excellent excursion option from Anantagiri.

Anantagiri experiences excellent weather throughout the year. This place is also very famous for the newly married couples.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, phantom city.





If you plan to visit Fatehpur Sikri, best time to visit this city is from November to February. One can also use the Taj Express or the Shatabdi to get there. One can even drive or travel by bus 204 km from Delhi.

Let's have a look at the places that can be visited in this city-

Jama Masjid or the Friday Mosque. This is also known as the Dargah Mosque, this is said to be a copy of the main mosque at Mecca. The mosque noted for its design which has persian and Hindu elements.

The monumental 54 m high Buland Darwaza, that is called as Gate of Victory, is the main entrance. It was constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat. The Shahi Darwaza is the official entrance, where licensed guides can be hired to explore Fatehpur Sikri.

Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti is the tomb visited by many seeking fulfilment of their wishes. This tomb was built in 1570.

Place of Jodha Bai building was a blend of styles with Hindu columns and Muslim cupolas. The walls of the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the winds are made entirely of stone latticework.

Karawan Serai and Hiran Minar is a large courtyard that is visited by merchants.

Palace of the Christian Wife is located close to the Jodha Bai Palace and is worth seeing.

Panch Mahal that is a five storied architectural marvel and Akbar's personal citadel of pleasure.

Diwan-i-Khas is a Fatehpur Sikri's architectural gem, which is designed in a unique style and is best known for it's interior decoration. This stone column also support a flat topped dome which is 6 m high.

Diwan-i-Aam is a hall of public audience that was designed for large public gatherings. Itmad-ud-daula's Tomb, Chini-ka-rauza, Ram Bagh are other attractions.

The City Of Nizams-Hyderabad

Ver well known as the city of Nizams, Hyderabad is the multihued capital of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is one of the fastest growing cities in India.





Hyderabad is a combination of both the ancient and the modern style. Hyderabad has also carved out a respectable place for itself in growing Software industry.

The Charminar is a huge monument in square shape building rising to a height of 180 feet from the ground level. This monument is designed with ornamental brackets and decoration in stucco plaster add graceful elegance to the structure. It has four wide roads radiating in the four cardinal directions.

The Mecca Masjid is locatd every close to the Charminar. Muhammad Qutb Shah in 1617 started it's construction and this Masjid was completed by Quranzeb in 1693.

Another tourist spot is the Hussain Sagar Lake that offers the tourists with water fiends that lie between the twin cities of Andhra Pradesh Secunderabad and Hyderabad. This is an artificial lake that serves the water needs of the city throughout the year.

Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complex in India. If you love shopping than Hyderabad offers you several things, but pearl, bidriware, colouful bangles and kat saris are something on which you can bargain.

Last but not the least, Hyderabadi Cuisine is a princely legacy of the Nizams of Hyderabad. It is a blend of Mughlai and Persian cuisines, with a great influence of the spices and herbs of the native Telugu food.