Archive for September, 2009

Some like it hot, while others like it very hot! Or something like that. But summer in India is not at that bad as some tourists would like to think. The country being as large as it is hosts a number of possibilities even during the summer time. So it is absolutely possible and not totally unheard of that people enjoy a hot summer Indian vacation.

India enjoys four seasons: winter months are in January and February; summer months are from March to May; monsoon or the rainy season are from June to September; and from October to December is post-monsoon period. While a huge number of visitors in India do visit the country during the winter months, there is a growing number that prefer the hot summer months and even the wet monsoon seasons.

Probably the reasons include the fantastic summer festivals celebrated in practically all the corners of the country as well as destinations like the Himalayas which is quite a treat when visited during the summer months. In fact it is usually during summer that the Himalayas can be visited. One can see the snow-clad mountain peaks in Leh and Ledakh.

Well known during the summer time are also the hill stations of Kashmir, Kodaikanal, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar and Uttaranchal. Mountain rivers also offer a good opportunity for water rafting and kayaking. Moreover, beaches like Anjuna and Baga are very popular for summer goers both international and local tourists. Anjuna beach is a couple of kilometers from Mapusa in Goa and is quite famous for its night time beach parties. Similarly, the Baga which is also quite accessible from Mapusa in Goa offers a picturesque ocean view and a highly active night life.

While others enjoy the natural beauty of India during summer, some take advantage of these months for the often cheaper and discounted rates of tour, travel fares and even hotel accommodations and resorts. For some summer gives them the perfect opportunity to enjoy a whole new country.

Monsoon rains come after the summer months and believe you and me, a number of visitors intentionally come at the end of summer and enjoy the rather wet monsoon season. In India the onset of rain is a symbol of fertility and is serves a vital part of the country’s culture and traditions.

Still others travel to India to enjoy the festivals there, the biggest of which are usually held during summer or towards the end of the season. One such festival is the Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. The celebration is held for ten days and includes various cultural and social programs and activities all geared towards worshipping the elephant-headed god Ganesh. Visitors will get to enjoy dancing and singing in the streets together with thousands of believers and residents.

Related to religious festivals are the pilgrimages. One of the more familiar one is the Char Dham or the pilgrimage to find the source of the Ganges River or the Ganga Mata as the river is called in India. Being India’s most sacred river and the most important in terms of people’s livelihood as well, the Char Dham can only be held during the summer and monsoon months after the snow melts in the Himalayas and the roads become accessible again.

India is such as huge land of opportunity for travelers. From the winter months, down to the summer days and then towards the monsoon seasons, visitors have always places to go and things to do. A hot summer Indian vacation is definitely not something one should cross out in ones travel calendar.

Technorati Tags: India, hot summers, heat, monsoon seasons, Ganges River, festivals, resorts, travelers, Indian summer festivals, Indian religious festivals

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Vacations are one of the most anticipated times in a year. This is the moment when you spend more time with family, friends, and well yourself. This is the opportunity that you get the reward you deserve after working a lot of hours in the office or burning the midnight oil for an upcoming examination. Vacations are your primary chance to get away from all the things that has been burning up your whole being.

They are the events that can truly charge you up to face life with even greater vigor and aspiration. But before you get too excited in picking the places you want to visit and the events you want to be part of it’s only fitting that you ensure that you’ve got a place to stay in. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some Indian hotels that is willing and able to serve you with a smile.

The Metropolitan Hotel found in the center of Connaught Place in Delhi is a good way to start the list of your prospects. This hotel has five on-site restaurants that will make sure that you are adequately stuffed for your day-to-day activities. Each restaurant has an international background but gives emphasis on the offerings of regional delights.

You can kick things off by enjoying the fun-filled services of Tusker’s which is a lounge bar that is themed with South African styles of live hosting and entertainment. It is known for having the best quality of Indian liquor and cigars. Chutney is a chain named after a native pride which is made using the finest fruits, herbs, and vegetables from the forests of India. The Pastry Shop offers eggless cakes and rare pastries that will surely be worth of your spending.

The hotel offers a wide range of amenities such as indoor pools that are available for both children and adults. There are also a couple of spas wherein you can relax after a tiring venture in the city. Spa services involve Adam and Eve elegant massages, yoga, sports activities, Thai and Marma treatments, an unforgettable experience with Floatarium, and refreshing Vichy showers. The Zen Serena Spa is a huge establishment where you can locate a modern-day gym, hair salon, and a bunch of other spa facilities. You can also charge up with healthy fruit and vegetable snacks.

Next on the list is the Taj Palace Delhi which is situated within the busy diplomatic district eight kilometers from the House of Parliament. This hotel is highly regarded as part of the elite which is commonly utilized to house corporate events and meetings. The pride of the hotel is its marvelous and spacious receptions that can attend to about a thousand guests. Wireless internet access is also present within the confines of the place and other services such as car rental, courier, and workstations are also part of the deal.

Golfers and tennis players can play to their heart’s delight via a 9-hole putting area and tennis courts that are found within the vicinity. Outdoor pools are also available as well as fitness centers and health spas, one of which is the famous Aruveydic Spa. Both your tummy and ears can enjoy the dining spots in the hotel which can serve cuisines ranging from Chinese up to Mediterranean and tradition Indian delicacies while tuning up live jazz harmony particularly at night.

There are a lot more Indian hotels that will surely make your vacation to this nation more memorable and enjoying just make sure you pick the one which truly coincides with your taste and personality

Technorati Tags: India, hotels, restaurants, Taj Palace, Taj Mahal, golf vacations, Indian, Indian hotels, New Delhi

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Over the period of decades the popularity of timeshares has grown by leaps and bounds. So much so that over two million Americans have timeshare properties in country and out of country. But the rise of timeshare industry saw the rise in scams and frauds. More recently the timeshare industry has been plagued by unscrupulous activities of frauds and scammers. Notwithstanding, these serious problems with timeshares have a new breed of alternatives that are emerging. One of the main reasons why people were attracted towards timeshares was that it will be an expensive affair for a big family to vacation every year at a hotel or a resort. Timeshares proved to be an economical solution to all that.

But on the flip side of it, buying a timeshare requires large upfront fee and the timeshares typically range anywhere from ten thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars. On top of that the buyers have to pay the annual maintenance fee, property taxes, management fee etc. which could range from few hundreds to over a thousand. People have begun to realize why pay more money and still use the same property every year for only one week plus people get bored of going to the same place again and again. Although some timeshares offer exchange program which would allow owners to exchange their timeshare units across different resorts and locations but it is not that easy with exchange costing more bucks. And when the owner wants to sell a timeshare unit it is not that easy task. Timeshares are one of the most difficult properties to sell. Even when they sell they sell at 30%-50% lower than their original price.

Now a new era of concepts is taking the vacation industry by storm. And this era is represented by concepts such as resort memberships. A resort membership is a one time investment i.e. you have to pay the membership fee only once and you can enjoy the benefits of the resort life long. And what more you are not required to pay any maintenance fee or taxes. Resort memberships can cost anywhere from few grand to few hundred grand. Some resort memberships may also have a yearly fee. But if you do your research there are some resorts within the range of affordability. The best deal that one can get is may be a lifetime member ship for around three grand and a limited five year membership for two grand. And the members have access to not only the resort they have membership in but they can choose from hundreds of resorts worldwide available in the resort company’s network. And there is no limit on number of times you want to go and at what time you want to go, your vacation is always assured.

Another concept that is getting popular is condo hotel which is a relatively new concept and only very few people own condos in hotels. But the concept is receiving good reviews and is gaining popularity with the time. The way it works is it allows people to buy condos in luxurious hotels and utilize the benefits of all the amenities available in the hotel. If the owner is not using the condo he can put his condo for rent and can receive percentage of the revenues it produces. A condo hotel in comparison to a timeshare offers more flexibility, is better furnished, and has better amenities, better services and many locations.

Technorati Tags: timeshares, vacations, memberships, resorts, condo hotels, maintenance fees, alternatives to timeshares

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On a cruise, you would meet new people and new people means, new impressions. How could be impression be formed? There are factors and though it is shallow to think of, the way a person dresses up affects how people around look at him or her. A well-dressed person is often regarded of as a confident person. But, others are so timid to look at.

How could one still be fashionable without having to carry the whole closet? You are on your way away from home; packing is the next thing to consider. As you travel, you must bear in mind that you have to travel light, bring what is only important and what are your must-haves. It will be a big hassle on your part if you carry with you an extremely heavy bag, Instead of giving you the break of your life, it will surely break your shoulders apart.

Packing the things you need is so important. How to do it?

Casual, formal and informal are things or clothes one must consider bringing as present from them In daylight, shorts tees, Capri pants, sneakers, slippers and simple tees are fine for me. These are sources of comfort and they are much suited for the ordinary days. Your bikinis, sunscreen lotion, flip flops, sunglasses, and your necessities for the beach.

For the night time something a little formal will do the trick, try on something strap for women and for men, trousers and blazer may do. Dressing up does not mean that you have to be very fancy, all you need to have is presentable clothes, easy to carry and the most important thing is it is being worn with confidence.

Being on a cruise does not mean you have to forget how you look especially if you are out for the singles cruise. There you have to be attractive in some ways because you are there in search for someone. Traveling light while not having to look messy will surely make your cruise unforgettable.

Always take care of your belongings when you set out for a cruise, traveling light will help you do this much easier. Moreover, having so many loads to carry along your trip will not help you achieved your purpose of relaxation. It would even resort to stress or anxiety- so beware!

It will be hassle-free, stress-free and it may be a wonderful start of something you have been wishing for, with someone you have been waiting for.

Technorati Tags: cruise, traveling light, cruiseship, cruising, cruises, travel light, singles cruise

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India is a bird watcher’s paradise. There are lots of birds found in India, actually more than the species of birds in Europe and in North America. There are tours which organizes or combines an Indian vacation with birding or birdwatching.

There are more species of birds found in India than any other country, that is about 1250 species out of the total 8650 species in the whole world. These numbers are credited for the diversity in Indian environment and climate. There are different habitats for birds like mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, sub-alpine forests and grasslands. Aside from that there are also deserts and cultivated areas or areas for agriculture. There are two kinds of climates, hot climate in the South and cold in North.

Birdwatching has become popular over the years, with people rapidly finding ways to combine birding with other activities. It has become a popular activity for families. There are serious birdwatchers who would combine birdwatching with vacations, taking the whole family.

The best time to go to India for birdwatching would be from October to April. There are different kinds of birds that can be seen during this season. If you are apprehensive of booking your own or your family’s birding trip, then there are agencies who are willing to help you with it.

When looking for birding tours, aside from the price, you would also have to consider if the program is comprehensive enough. There are travel agencies that arrange birding tours along with visiting historical and cultural landmarks and sights like Taj Mahal. It would be better if there would be 12 or less than 12 members of the birding tour. This would help you have a better birding experience.

If a travel agency would arrange your birding tour, they would usually include hotel reservations, accommodations, wildlife camps and schedule bird viewing photography. They would also arrange the transportation, you can also look for agencies that would offer financial protection and insurance for their clients.

Some of the top places for birdwatching are the following:

• Sonai Rupai Sanctuary – this sanctuary is located in Sonitpur District. They have a variety of hill, domestic and migratory birds. Aside from the birds you can also get to see elephants, Indian bison, and deer.

• Flamingo Colony – this is known to be the largest flamingo colony in the world and it can be found in Khavda, Gujarat. It is one of the most beautiful Indian sanctuaries for birds. Flamingos are not the only one visiting the area, there are also other birds that would migrate to India before coming home.

• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary – is located near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This sanctuary is just near the Nal Lake. There are variety of birds found in this sanctuary like cranes, flamingos, pelicans, ducks, storks and other birds with different colors and variety.

• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary – this is just located in the middle of Porbandar, Gujarat. There are many domestic and migratory birds that can be seen in this area. There are wildfowl, teals, ibis and curlews which can be seen in the sanctuary.

• Velvadrar Bird Sanctuary – is in Bhavnagar, Gujarat which showcases the Indian black buck and different kinds of birds.

• Sultanpur National Park – Sultanpur, Haryana is the location of one of the best national parks in India. There are darters, egrets, shoveler, gadwalls, geese, teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers, demoiselle cranes and other water birds.

So next time, you plan to do birding, try to consider going abroad. Combine it with an Indian vacation that would take your experience on a different level.

Technorati Tags: birdwatching, bird watching, bird, watching, birding, India, Indian, India vacations, Indian vacations

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The snow, the slope, the scene, the chill…these factors are important in considering the Ski site. Some ski-enthusiasts are really making sure that they do not only go skiing because of their hobby but they also check out the Ski sites. They are indeed worth your visit. These sites are also having this race to popularity against each other.

As of the present, there are a lot of well-known Ski sites around the globe. You could check for your self the seven most sought-after sites where you could enjoy the thrill, the challenge and the splash of snow. According to Askmen.com these are the seven Ski sites you would not dare miss going to and a travel would be very cherished for you:

1. Vermont, Eastern US is the mother of the Ski resort named Stowe. There are two Ski areas here: Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield. It has the most picturesque ski resort in the area. It possesses the traditional New England lure and the largest vertical drop.

2. In France, the host of the 1st World Olympic Games: Chamonix Mont-Blanc is one of the world’s finest Ski site. It is proud to have a lift-served vertical drop and the longest run.

3. Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise are three Ski sites that could be found in Banff National Park in Western Canada.

4. Be captivated with Vail, also called as the “America’s favorite Ski resort. What makes this resort from Colorado, in Western United States so unique is that it does not only hold skiing activities but as well as it give s clients the best art galleries, ice skating, snow mobilingand the like.

5. Switzerland, one of the cleanest in the world, who would have known that in its womb, is the beautiful, it is said to be the cleanest Ski resort. The peace of mind it complementing t6he beautiful country of Switzerland is really a sight.

6. Go to Austria and visit Ktzhubel, the “Peal of the Alps”. As the former host of the Olympics, it also has the breath-taking scene that would steal any skier’s heart out. It is also the most famous during holidays.

7. The most famous Ski site is the Whistler/Blackcomb which could be found in British Columbia. It has the biggest vertical drop. What makes it so big for those thrill-enthusiasts? Cafes, restaurants that cater foods of the world, stores that are internationally known, make it as the coolest spot for both skiers and non-skiers.

The delicious food is the topmost reason why people crave for this Ski site.

Discover the snow, the thrill, the fun, the excitement. Unravel the Skier in you- visit the seven of the best Ski sites in the planet. Travel the world, travel around these sites for skiing.

Technorati Tags: skiing, snow, skies, slopes, mountains, ski resorts

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