SANDY BEACHES OF GOA

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Goa needs no introduction, really. One of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, Goa is exotic, fascinating and paints a unique picture for itself, one that is quite different from the rest of India.

Goa is small but one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in India. Goa is mainly known as the most captivating holiday destination in India. The gorgeous state of Goa in India is located on western coast of India. Goa is primarily very fame for its stunning, inviting, warm and sensuous beaches.

Apart from these your tour to Goa would linger your heart for very long time as you come across the picturesque attractions dotted everywhere in this beautiful state.

This gorgeous state is also admired mostly for its marvelous temples, splendid churches, chilling wildlife, sensational forts and palaces, rich museums & art galleries, historical monuments, lovely lakes, cascading waterfalls, aromatic spice plantation and beautiful towns.

Goa is very much known for warm inviting beaches and the beaches resorts which are equally very beautiful and very enticing to the visitors as they gather here in intense number. The azure beaches endowed by the lovely swaying palm trees and with perfect combination of sun kissed sand and the coconuts grooves that really entice the visitors from the entire globe. These are just perfect settings for ideal destinations for amazing sightseeing and a holidaying in charm of sun, sand and non polluted water.

Goa is the best alternative to the mountains for anyone looking for adventure and adrenaline in India. The options for Goa adventure activities are almost endless, and include water sports, go-karting, scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, fishing, and dolphin sightseeing trips. 

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Goa

Goa has some excellent scuba diving sites around Grand Island, including Suzy’s Wreck, Davy Jones Locker, Shelter Cove, Umma Gumma Reef, and Bounty Bay. For good snorkeling in Goa, you’ll need to take a day trip to places such as Grand Island. You’ll be able to see some fascinating marine life. The best months are from November to April. 

Water Sports in Goa 

From initially only being available at five star hotels, water sports are now on offer at beaches all over Goa. You can choose from parasailing, jet skiing, waterskiing, wake boarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, and banana rides. 

Fishing in Goa

Catching a huge fish can provide quite a thrill and fishing trips are growing in popularity in Goa. Fishing is best in the early morning and late afternoon and from mid October to mid December in Goa. It is operated by a licensed commercial/sports fisherman and provides a range of more expensive trips for serious fishers. These include fishing on the shore, full day deep sea fishing expeditions, and spear fishing off the reefs of Grand Island and Bat Island. 

Dolphin and Crocodile Sightseeing in Goa 

Dolphin (and crocodile!) spotting is a popular tourist activity in Goa. The best time is from October until May, while the monsoon isn’t around. Most boat cruises leave from near the mouth of the Mandovi River near Panjabi. 

Trekking and Camping in Goa 

October to December is the perfect time to go trekking in Goa. The Goa Hiking Association in Panaji organizes a major trekking program in October each year. The Goa Branch of the Youth Hostel Association of India also runs Trekking Expeditions and Family Camping trips in Goa every December. Some recommended places to trek and hike to include the Sahyadri Hills, Devils Canyon and the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Mollem, the Chandrasurya Temple in Netravali (2 hours south of Panaji), and the Kuveshi Falls to Castle Rock just over the border in Karnataka state. 

Go-Karting in Goa

Go-karting is the latest craze in Goa. The best place for go-karting in Goa is located on the Panaji-Margao Highway at Nuvem, in south Goa. The track there is almost 500 meters long (0.3 miles), with lots of twists. Average speeds of 70 kilometers per hour (44 miles per hour) are common. The other go-karting track in Goa is at Arpora, just north of Baga and Calangue Beaches in north Goa, near Indigo's night market. The track there is only just over 300 meters (0.2 miles) long, and it’s a much easier course. Expect to pay around 150 rupees ($3.50) for 12 laps. It’s open until 10 p.m.

FAMOUS SPOTS TO VISIT IN GOA

1. Dona Paula / Dona Paula Beach: It is the tip of Goa, beyond which is Arabian Sea. You will have to take bus: Panjim to market, market to Dona Paula.

2. Miramar Beach: On the way to Dona Paula there is Miramar Beach, beautiful beach with lots of palm tree in a row.

3. Aguada Fort: Built in 16th century by Portuguese, there is a big light house inside this Fort. 

4. Anjuna Beach: Dangerous and rocky, not suitable for swimming as the waves are very high still very beautiful. 

5. Vagator Beach: It is a very lovely beach to capture pics. 

6. Calangute Beach: It is said Golden Beach of Goa, sand here glitters like gold. Get into water, swim, enjoy, chase, tease, you can do everything here. Have lunch and experience some unique flavored ice-creams.

7. If you opt for North Goa trip, there are chances the bus driver (+1guide) will take you to a liquor shop where u can purchase Goan Cashew in many different varieties, Fenny (very famous, made from cashew, a ladies drink which contain 1%alcohol), Coconut Fenny, Port Wine (made from grapes), and all types of wine, champagne etc

8. Colva Beach: It is said silver beach of Goa; sand is white, shines like silver. It is in Margao district. Mini buses run from Margao to Colva Beach to take and bring back tourists.

9. Basilica Church: It is 16th century church built by purtagals. It is a beautiful piece of art, one must go there. 

10. Cruise trip: Many cruises are there on Mandova River which offers 1 hour trip in the river. The one in which took the trip was 3deacker cruise, there was a mini disco arrangement in ground level so that couples can dance, Portugal folk dances were organized in the 1st level of cruise and top level was open air space to enjoy the river and click photos in Titanic pose if u want!!

11. Food in Goa: If you are a non vegetarian, Goa is your heaven! There are so many varieties of fish to experiment, 

There are total 12 beaches in North Goa and 10 beaches in South Goa, many old temples, churches, botanical parks etc... To attract tourist. You should go Goa for minimum of 7days holiday, then only u will be able to enjoy everything.

Apart from these there are many Churches, temples and forts that would really give you wonderful memories that will linger you still very last.

So, hurry pack your belongings and be to the most gorgeous and most beautiful state of India to Goa and explore the beauty of these state and visit some astounding beauties that would make you fall over again and again to these wonderful state of Goa.

TRAVEL TIPS

If hiring a motor cycle or scooter it is a legal requirement that you are in possession of a 1949 version of The International Driving Permit.

In Goa the only two wheelers that are legally registered for hire have Black/Yellow number plates and documents should be carried at all times.

The requirements for crash helmets at this moment are that they must be worn by the rider on all Highways.

The driving system and laws are very similar to those of the other places of India.

Mysore - the City of Palaces

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Mysore is 140 kms from Bangalore. Also known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm, that never fails to enchant. Mysore District is a popular tourist destination, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendour of Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots.


Mysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka. Hindu mythology says that Mysore was ruled by Mahishasura a demon who was later on killed by Goddess Chamundeshwari. Till the 15th century, the area where Mysore stands today, was known as Puragere. The fort was constructed in the year 1524 by Chamaraja Wodeyar III. 

Mysore city is the cultural capital of Karnataka. Dussehra is the most important festival of the city and this festival is celebrated for a period of 10 days.

Tourist attractions:

Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Chamundeswari Temple, St Philomena's Church, Gumbaz, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Srirangapatnam Fort

Pachmari - Hill Station in Madhya Pradesh

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Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant gem. A lovely hill resort girdled by the Satpura ranges, it offers absolute tranquility. Bridle paths lead into placid forest groves of wild bamboo, jamun, dense sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets

Explore:
Complementing the magnificence of nature are the works of man; Pachmarhi is also an archaeological treasure- house. In cave shelters in the Mahadeo Hills is an astonishing richness in rock paintings. Most of these have been placed in the period 500-800 AD, but the earliest paintings are an estimated 10,000 years old.

In Pachmarhi, Bagpipes skirled in a flower-bright valley while ancient dancers cavorted on a rock. The pipes and the dancers were separated by thousands of years: typical of this little town in the Saptura Mountains. Contrasting cultures and ages exist in harmony as if time and trends mean little in this serene, wooded place. Pachmarhi is for unwinding, effortlessly. Roads meander gently groves of trees, open spaces and heritage cottages sitting contentedly in their old gardens.

The town has a quiet gentility about it as if Victorian traditions and high collars still governed most people's lives. Much of this ambience has been set, and is still being maintained, by the strong presence of the Army whose Education Corps is headquartered here. The old cottages, meticulously maintained by the Military Engineering Serivces, have changed little since the days of Kipling.

About Indore

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Indore, the State of Holkars is one of the major cities in India and the largest city and commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh State. Indore is situated 190 kilometers west to the State capital Bhopal. The city has a diverse population of Marathis, Marwaris, Punjabis, Rajasthanis, Sindhis, South Indians along with the local population called "Malwis" (the inhabitants of Malwa Region) and also known as "Mini Mumbai" due to the reflection of similarities present in Mumbai i.e. density of population, business-culture, food, entertainment etc. and also referred as "Ahilyanagari" (The city of Ahilya Bai Holker, the pious Lady Ruler of Malwa Region).

Facts and figures:

·         Population: 19, 60,631 (census 2011).

·         Sex Ratio : 920 females per 1000 males

·         Density : 9,718 per square kilometer (25,170 per square mile)

·         Language : Hindi

·         Area : 3,898 square kilometers (1505 square miles)

·         Elevation : 553 meters (1814') from the sea level

·         Climate : Summer : March - July, Rainy : August - October, Winder : November - February

·         Distance from State Capital Bhopal: 190 kilometers

·         Distance from New Delhi : 665.5 kilometres (413.5 miles)

·         Distance from Mumbai : 522.8 kilometres (324.9 miles)

·         Distance from Chennai : 1,164 kilometres (723 miles)

·         Distance from Kolkata : 1,284 kilometres (798 miles)

·        

       Major Industries : Automobile, Pharmaceutical, Steel, Fabrics

Major Institutions:

(1) Indian Institute of Management

(2) Indian Institute of Technology
(3) Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology
You will also find embroidered garments, antiques, handlooms and shawls, Irish and Belgian table sets and shadow-worked bed-sheets, eucalyptus oil, honey, lace-work, etc.

The reasons for I.T. giants like Infosys and TCS are knocking the doors of Indore are not undisclosed. They, of course, have looked at the enormous avenues for their future development at Indore, being the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, as the middle point of Indian subcontinent with a rich cultural heritage and beautiful climate throughout the year. Indore has a brilliant future, which time only could reveal.

TravelIndore.com is a collective endevour to explore the travel and tourism avenues of Indore. The enormous potentials of Indore attractions,especially the Royal Palaces,Chhatries or the Cenotaphs and the tourist places like Madavgarh or Mandu,Ujjain, Omkareshwar and Patalpani around Indore attract travellers from times immemmorial.The travel notes of Chinese pilgrims like Fa-Hiyan (399 AD) and Hiuen-Tsang (629 AD) reveal about their visits to the Central Province of ‘Malav Pradesh’which was then‘the heart of Gupta Empire’. The multi-cultural culmination of Malwa maintains tremendous potentials for emerging as a city of great tourist interest.The Pleasure of Indore Tour and Travels can only be felt by those who visit this wonderful region where always the local Indorians tremendously welcomed their guests.

The attractive travel packages offered by Travel Indore Group will certainly be a blessing for all those tourists who plan to visit Indore. Most of the packages cover all major tourist attractions in Indore, historical places, spiritual destinations and all such places of tourist interest in Indore and around, at very affordable prices.

ALONG THE HILLS OF COONOOR

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The hills of Coonoor with their sprawling tea estates and natural beauty provide a perfect weekend getaway to help you unwind and de-stress. The little hill station is also the right place to stay if you want to explore the mysteries of the Nilgiris.

Coonoor is set at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. The hill station, which was discovered by the British in the 19th century, was originally home to the Toda tribe. However, once it was discovered that the area was ideal for growing tea, the hills of Coonoor soon came to be occupied by sprawling tea estates. Today, Coonoor is famous for the aromatic Nilgiri tea produced at its tea gardens.

The hill station is close (17 km) to Ooty, and it is also the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. One of the charms of visiting Coonoor is the travel by the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway. It was built by the British and the construction work was completed in 1891. The meter gauge railway line runs between Mettupalayam and Ooty and halts at Coonoor.

Things to See and do at Coonoor

Sim’s Park: A visit to this botanical park – which has a 1000 plant species ‑ is one of the highlights of a Coonoor trip. The park is spread over 12 hectares and located to the north of Coonoor railway station. It is divided into eight sections and designed like a Japanese garden. Each has a variety of flowers to ensure that there are blooms in the garden throughout the year. The high point for local residents and tourists is the annual fruit and vegetable show held in May.

Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose: Both Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose are known for the scenic views that they offer. Lamb’s Rock lies mid-way between Coonoor and Dolphin’s Nose. At a distance of 10 km from the hill station, Dolphin’s Nose gives a panoramic view of the Nilgiri hills and its waterfalls. Lamb’s Rock offers a beautiful glimpse of the vast expanse of the tea and coffee plantations that dot the hill side.

Waterfalls: The Katary falls and the Law’s falls are located close to Coonoor. A visit to the Katary falls would also give an opportunity to explore the power station located close to it.

Droog Fort: The fort was built by Tipu Sultan in the 16th century. Reaching the fort would require a long and physically exerting trek as it is located at a height of 6000 feet. Today, only an old wall remains of the ancient structure, but it provides an amazing view.

Research Institutes: There are two research institutes in Coonoor – the Pomological Station and the Pasteur Institute. The Pomological Station conducts research into pomegranates and apricots. The Pasteur Institute develops several vaccines. However, a visit here would require special permission from the authorities.

Bird watching: Coonoor is a paradise for bird watchers. The varieties of birds found here include vultures, eagles, song birds, robins, larks, cuckoos, babblers and thrushes. There is also plenty of wildlife to be explored during trekking expeditions in the Nilgiri hills.

How to Reach Coonoor

The Coimbatore Peelamdeau airport is located 70 km from Coonoor. It is also well connected by train and road. The nearest broad gauge railway station is Mettupalayam, which is about 46 kilometers away. The Mettupalayam-Ooty meter gauge train halts at Coonoor. There are also regular buses to Coonoor from major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu.

Fun facts

·         The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2005

·         Chaiyya Chaiyya from Hindi movie Dil Se was shot on the roof of NMR. The song featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaikar Arora Khan

·         American film A Passage to India directed by David Lean was also shot in Coonoor

Shopping

Coonoor is good place to buy exquisite home linen and South Cotton fabrics. You will also find embroidered garments, antiques, handlooms and shawls, Irish and Belgian table sets and shadow-worked bed-sheets, eucalyptus oil, honey, lace-work, etc.

It is famous for its tea plantations and the variety of tea available is amazing. Do try the local fruits like the mulberry, passion fruit and ambrosia which are very delicious. Coonoor is also good place to stock on Indian cheese.

Best time to visit

Coonoor has a cool, pleasant climate throughout the year. You can visit Coonoor all through the year. Summer season (March to May) witnesses heavy rush of tourists.

OOTY- AN EVER CHARMING HILL STATION

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Ooty is very famous hill station in south India which is always covered in clouds. Our journey started from Bangalore. We started to travel by bus from Tin Factory. By 11.30 pm in the night, we had reached a Barista lavazza cafe near Channapatna which is around 60 kms from Bangalore. We were so hungry and ate and drank very well there and left at around 12.15 pm to Ooty.

The bus from Bangalore goes through the Mandya-Mysore-Bandipur route. The bus has to halt before Bandipur as it is a Wildlife Sanctuary and does transport is restricted from 9:00pm to 6:00am. The persons who booked the ticket from Bangalore did not know that there are a couple of buses that has permission to go through the sanctuary non-stop.

We reached the check post of Bandipur by around 4:00am and halted till 6:00am. We reached Ooty around 9:30am and had our breakfast in the Orchid Inn Hotel in which we will be staying. At around 10:00am we started our journey for Ooty sightseeing. First we went to the famous Botanical Garden of Ooty. We spent around 2 hours and explored the garden and taken photos of whatever we saw and liked. After that we had our lunch and proceeded to one of the tribal villages in Ooty. We spend a good 1 hour there talking to the people to understand their culture and way of living. It was really informative and interesting and a lot of misconceptions about the lifestyles of these people were cleared.

We then proceeded to 9 mile a famous picnic and shooting spot in Ooty. Reaching there we saw that a south film shooting was running. We thought of running away from there, but the beauty of the place really held us with itself. We then took some photographs of the sunset.  After that we went to our hotel and had dinner and then went to sleep as we were too tired.

Next day the guide came at 7:00am and took us to Avalanche Lake – it is a place about 30km away from Ooty. It is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen and everyone got into the act immediately.

 After spending some real quality time there, our guide suggested that we go to the Bavani Lake, which is another 40 minutes away from there. We reached a point before the Lake and got down to walk towards the lake. We reached a small temple (Bavani Amman temple) which was worshipped by the local people there and the forest department employees who work there. There was a small falls which was flowing near the temple which flowed down beyond the temple and made the place quite scenic. We came to know that during the monsoon this falls will be really big – reminded about the Monsoon Trek. This place was really beautiful that it ate up quite our time. After snapping some photographs there, we returned to the vans the time was already 3:30pm and we had a good 90 minutes drive ahead to reach the town.

Immediately after lunch we returned back to our hotel. We took some photographs of the hotel and the garden behind.

We refreshed ourselves in the hotel and left by around 8:30pm, had a light dinner and headed back to Bangalore and reached here by 6:00am in the morning. It was a very enjoyable and fun filled trip with some really useful sessions on flora and fauna and of course about photography too!