Monthly Archives: January 2019

Experience Rich Goan Culture and History!

goa

Best known for its beaches and exciting nightlife, Goa also boasts a colourful blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, appealing to travellers from different parts of the globe. If you are holidaying in Goa and have a keen interest in history, you must explore these incredible attractions:

Cross of Basilica Bom JesusCross-of-Basilica-Bom-Jesus

An impressive place to discover the rich culture and heritage of Goa, Cross of Basilica Bom Jesus holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Lying in Old Goa, which used to be the capital of Goa in the initial days of Portuguese rule, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only un-plastered church in Old Goa, and here, you can enjoy the simplicity and elegance of a fine Jesuit architecture and learn about the rich Portuguese culture.

Pandava Caves

Also known as Arvalem Caves, the Pandava Caves are situated in the Bicholim town of North Goa. These 6th century ancient rock cut caves are known to be the refuge of the five Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The architecture of the caves reflects the pattern of Buddhist cave style. Most of the tourists visit here to explore the five compartments and Shivlingas in the complex. There is a huge Buddhist statue in the proximity that grabs the attention of the visitors as well.

St. Augustine Tower

A 46-metre high landmark in Old Goa, St. Augustine Tower is a church complex that was completed in 1602. One of the four towers of St. Augustine Church and served as a belfry, it is a wonderful historical attraction in Goa no enthusiast should miss. You would love to spend a day here exploring the ruins of eight chapels, four altars and wide convent with numerous cells.

Goa State Museum

With an eclectic collection of exhibits tracing aspects of Goan history, Goa State Museum presents a rich historical and cultural heritage drawing attention of visitors from all around the world. Also known as the State Archaeology Museum, it has different departments including Art and Craft, Ancient History and Archaeology, and Geology, and appeals to all. The museum was established in 1977 and is an ideal place to learn about the Goan culture, traditions and society.

Fort Aguada

Overlooking Sinquerim Beach and the Arabian Sea, Fort Aguada is situated atop a hill around the mouth of the river Mandovi. It is one of the largest well-preserved forts in the region. Reflecting the glory of the Portuguese empire, the fort stands near an equally imposing 4 storey Portuguese lighthouse. A part of the fort was once a Central Jail.

5 Weekend Destinations in India You Can Explore during a Visit around Republic Day

india

Republic Day is celebrated in a big way all over India but especially in the country’s capital city, Delhi, the day is marked by a massive military parade that has no parallel all over the world. Thousands of travellers fly to the city to enjoy the celebrations but only a few restrict themselves to just the wonders of Delhi. There are many terrific travel destinations around the capital city that can be explored while you are here.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Home to one of the world’s most famous monuments – the Taj Mahal, Agra sees millions of tourist arrivals every year. You can plan a quick visit to the city, which is around 250kms from Delhi, and explore the planet’s most celebrated love monument. Once there, you can check out

Taj Mahal Agra

the Agra Fort, Buland Darwaza, one of the largest gateways in the world and Itimad-ud-Daulah, a draft of the Taj Mahal on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Lovingly known as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur represents the kind of India you would have always envisaged sitting at home. Large forts and palaces, colourfully turbaned men and sari-clad women, bustling street markets, and camels and elephants on the streets – Jaipur is all this and more!

Jaipur Hawa Mahal

You’ll get an opportunity to explore the times of Indian royalty as you discover forts and palaces like Amber Fort, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Fort and Rambagh Palace. Jaipur is around 280kms from Delhi.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

The oldest national park in India, Jim Corbett National Park is a must-visit holiday destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Consisting of grasslands, hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions and a

Jim Corbett National Park

large lake, the place offers the thrill of spotting tigers in the wild! Along with the big cat, you can spot a colourful birdlife, various species of deer, and elephants. Jim Corbett National Park is around 250kms from Delhi.

Lansdowne, Uttarakhand

A small hill station at an altitude of 1700 metres, Lansdowne is a true nature’s haven offering a peaceful holiday. The unique old world charm of the town is lapped up by travellers. If you wish to experience peace and thrill altogether, head to Lansdowne and explore some of its popular attractions such as Bhulla Lake, Bhim Pakora, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Tip N Top. Besides sightseeing and jungle safaris, the town ensures wonderful trekking and mountaineering opportunities.

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

The best place to spot tigers in Rajasthan, Sariska Tiger Reserve is a popular national park nestled in the Aravalli Hills. If you wish an adventure-filled holiday, make your way to the

Sariska Tiger Reserve

reserve and discover the thrill of wildlife. You can also spot animals like sambar deer, chital, jungle cats, rhesus macaque, wild boar and others. Besides, bird lovers can spot beautiful birds in the park such as harbour quails, crested serpent eagles, sand grouse and more.

Visit these Souks in Morocco for a Memorable Shopping Experience

Morocco, along with other things, has a colourful and vivacious shopping scene that’s sure to impress bargain hunters! Even if you are not big on shopping, exploring the busy souks is a nice way to unravel the country’s rich culture. Check out some of the country’s most wonderful traditional markets.

Souk el Had

Souk-el-Had

The biggest souk in Moroccan city of Agadir, Souk el Had is a bustling shopping spot, welcoming visitors for a memorable shopping experience amidst its traditional Arabian aura. From furniture, fashion and crafts to olives, spices and household equipment, the market has everything to offer to the visitors. There are a number of craft shops here, selling interesting souvenirs, and several food stalls to try scrumptious local delicacies.

Carpet Souk

Carpet-Souk

If you love collecting rugs and carpets in unique traditional designs, this is the place to be in a country that many refer to as carpet heaven! You will come across many unique designs here at the Carpet Souk, Marrakesh. If haggling is one of your skills, you might get away with a top quality rug at extremely low prices. Along with some shopping, try glasses of sweet mint tea and local dishes; you will love it!

Souk el Arbaa

Souk-el-Arbaa

Souk el Arbaa, in Kénitra Province, is a lively Wednesday Market promising a terrific time to everyone identifying themselves as a ‘shopping lover’! It is one of the most popular souks in the country that witnesses huge crowds – a mix of locals and tourists – every week. Every Wednesday, the area brims with stalls and hawkers, selling all sorts of stuff. It is a nice place to buy a colourful souvenir for your friends and family back home.

Souk el Tieta

The best Berber souk in the region, Souk el Tieta is a weekly market where thousands of craftsmen, farmers and other vendors sell their products. Every Tuesday in the evening, the place brightens up with acrobats, street vendors, storytellers and musicians all coming together here, promising a unique experience to all those present.

Visit These Markets for an Exciting Shopping Experience in Lucknow, India

Lucknow, the large capital city of a north Indian province, promises a terrific traditional shopping experience to travellers. There are centuries-old markets that are renowned for their authentic products, many of which can be taken back home as souvenirs.

Lucknow-India

Hazratganj

Situated in the heart of Lucknow, Hazratganj is teeming with shopping complexes and factory outlets as well as hotels, restaurants and theatres. The Victorian style market is most famous for selling Chikankari (Lucknow’s best known textile decoration style), handmade kurtas, khadi, embroidered sarees and ornaments. Lovelane, Seva Chikan, Janpath and Sahara Mall are some of the finest shopping spots to explore here.

Nakhas Market

A 200-year old market in Lucknow, Nakhas Market is located in the oldest part of the city and is divided into various sub-markets such as Nakhas Bazar, Bird Market and Vegetable Market. From garments and electronics to kitchen items, you can buy all kinds of stuff here; however, most visitors to the city opt for the beautiful zardozi garments, wooden handicrafts and jewellery. The place also has some terrific dining spots where you can enjoy biryanis, kebabs and paan (a betel leaf preparation).

Aminabad

Aminabad is the oldest and busiest shopping hub of Lucknow. It is a large market, mostly famous for its chikan works, books and some famous food joints such as Netram Kachori, Tunday Kebabi and Prakash Kulfi. Along with chikan sarees, local handicrafts and jewellery are the most popular buys as souvenirs from this market. Madan Sarees, Sargodha Cloth House, Dupatta Mahal and Om Prakash Seth are some of the oldest and prominent shops to explore here.

Chowk

Located in central Lucknow close to Bara Imambara, Chowk is an age-old market comprising of inter-connecting streets lined up with shops. The market sells authentic chikankari and zardozi garments. Handicraft items such as lamp shades, and wall paintings and ittar (perfumes) are some of the top selling items here and you can get them all at pocket-friendly prices.

Yahiyaganj

Yet another renowned shopping area of the city close to Nakhas market, Yahiyaganj is a wholesale market offering great bargains to customers. Along with textile, you can buy cosmetics, Indian spices and toys. Besides, there is a famous Gurudwara (Sikh temple) in the market that you can pay a visit to if you are in the region.

Visit These Five Zoos in Australia for a Wonderful Wildlife Experience

kangaroosAustralia is one of the world’s best holiday destinations where travellers can enjoy abundant wildlife experiences. Be it the kangaroos, quokkas, koalas, pandas, cassowaries or crocodiles, you can spot an array of unique wildlife at these five best zoos in the country:

australian-wildlife

Australia Zoo

An hour-drive from Brisbane, Australia Zoo is known to be the most interactive conservation destination on earth. Situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the zoo has a range of animals including tigers and plenty of crocodiles. Here visitors can hand-feed a kangaroo, cuddle a koala and spot a saltwater crocodile. Besides, visitors would love to discover the zoo’s newest addition, Bindi’s Island and spot lemurs and tortoises.

Adelaide Zoo

One of the oldest zoos in Australia, Adelaide Zoo is an iconic tourist attraction of Adelaide. It is home to 2500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, reptiles, fish and birds, and is the only place in Australia where you can witness giant pandas. Situated on the city fringe near Botanical Park, the zoo has a large open area where visitors can spot pandas munching away on fresh stalks of bamboo. Besides, there are a lot of unusual native stars including short-beaked echidnas, long-nosed potoroos and quokkas to discover.

Melbourne Zoo

Also known as the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo of Australia. You can spot over 320 animal species including Asian elephants here. The zoo boasts a butterfly greenhouse, reptile house, lion gorge, an orangutan sanctuary, aviary and a treetop canopy for monkeys and apes, drawing the attention of wildlife lovers from all around.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The first and the largest koala sanctuary of the world, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a popular tourist destination in Brisbane. Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, it opened as a refuge for injured koalas in 1927 and is now home to over 130 koalas. This sanctuary is an ideal place for those who want to cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and meet other native species such as platypuses, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, echidnas and dingos.

Taronga Zoo

Lying on the shores of the world’s most beautiful harbours, Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is an amazing wildlife spot, visited by a large number of tourists. There are more than 4,000 animals to spot in the zoo and you can also enjoy fantastic views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline from here. The daily bird and seal shows are sure to delight visitors. A number of tours are offered here including the VIP Aussie Gold Tour of native animals, the keeper-led Wild Australia Experience and many more.