Professional Documents
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India and USA's Beautiful Travel Destinations
India and USA's Beautiful Travel Destinations
Note: The tips have been shared by our social audience and its give us
immense pleasure to share their opinions through the Travellers Handbook.
INDEX
BEST TIME TO VISIT
GETTING AROUND
GOURMAND RECOMMENDS
HOTEL HAVEN
IN MY SUITCASE
NIGHT OWLS
SHOPPERVILLE
THE DON'TS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Visit the city during the Singapore Food Festival to indulge in a month full of feasting
wherein you could savor meals with exotic fruits such as Rambutan, Mangosteen, Durian,
Pomelo, Buah Duku, Chiku and Jeruk. Other than, varied fruit salads one can even indulge
themselves in sampling the local perennial food favourites. The festival also includes a
myriad of activities that you can take part in like culinary workshops and competitions.
One of the most tranquil and relaxing things you can do in India is hire a Kerala houseboat
(called a kettuvallam) to explore the backwaters. Freshly cooked Indian food and chilled
“
beer make the experience even more enjoyable. Those on a budget can go on one of the
many half or full day backwater tourist cruises that are on offer. Alternatively, it's possible to
take one of the public boat services operated by the State Water Transport Department,
such as the one between Alleppey and Kottayam. Travel time is two and a half hours, with
numerous daily departures.
Peak season is from December to the end of January, when the weather is cooler and dry,
but it's possible to hire a houseboat all year round. Some people find that the monsoon
season has special appeal and choose to combine their houseboat hire with an ayurvedic
“ treatment. March to May gets very hot and humid, so if you hire a houseboat during this
time, an air conditioned one is definitely recommended.
Neeta Dugar - Matheran
The best time to go to Matheran is post-monsoon. It is truly spectacular at this time of the
year with lush greenery, waterfalls and the lake full with water. Being a hill-station, you can
visit this place anytime of the year. There are several look-out points, some of the best being
- The Louisa Point, One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Porcupine Point and Rambagh Point. The
Panorama Point provides a 360° view of the surrounding area and the town nearby.
The best time to visit Goa is in the month of January/February. This is when they celebrate
the Russian New Year and also Goa is not as crowded as it is in December. It is during these
days that the Goan Carnival takes place which is a sight to behold. The best thing about this
place is that while it offers you several entertainment options it also lets the traveler in you
“Travel is
seeing of sights;
more than the
“
relish several historical sites like the Basilica of Bom Jesus and other churches of Old Goa! it is a change that goes on, deep and
permanent, in the
ideas of living.
– Miriam Beard
GETTING AROUND
A real fairytale city, with its castle on the hill and the famous statue-covered bridge, Prague
has starred in everything from moody music videos to real-life revolutions. Its glorious
architecture and rich cultural and historical heritage make it a permanent draw for tourists,
and the excellent public transport and cosmopolitan and artistic life is a boon to its
- Augustine of Hippo residents. The tour of Prague on Segways is enchanting. Really, if you visit Prague take this
tour on the first day itself because it gives you a nice background of the city and its history.
While travelling in Bangladesh buses are No-No. The city is very beautiful with colorful
rickshaws all around. Avoid travelling by train at night. An early departure for any tourist
place is advisable as traffic jams will always delay.
When visiting Shimla, take the mountain train from Kalka to Shimla. This railway track has
recently been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The view is stunning,
with the line passing through an amazing 103 tunnels. Take the special rail car ride from
Shimla to Kalka for a royal experience.
Sarah Michelle - Montreal
Montreal is a transportation hub for eastern Canada, with well-developed air, road, rail, and
maritime links to the rest of Canada. Montreal has the best public transport system, all the @PurpleLoyalist (Riddikulus)
trains are on time, they connect to every area of town and they are almost never crowded. If
New Orleans Transit seems to be pretty useless unless you live or work near one of the few
you do visit Montreal, travel by trains as they are very convenient.
streetcar lines. It only runs in the city on New Orleans, and does not connect to any of the
surrounding suburbs. This makes it pretty useless for many of the people who work in the
city. Also, there is no service from the airport, because it is in Kenner, not New Orleans.
While visiting Coorg, make sure you opt for your own transport instead of using public
transport as the journey from Mysore to Coorg will offer you a number of picture perfect Kunal Mandal (@kunalju): Ghoom -West Bengal, India
places of interest. Also in the rainy season there are several streams & lovely waterfalls in
Ghoom is a small hilly locality in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of West Bengal, India.
the Western Ghats. So rejoice the drive!
Ghoom is the meeting point of several roads. The Hill Cart Road from Siliguri to Darjeeling
runs through the town. It is 6 km from Darjeeling. Take the meter-gauge, toy train as winds
its way over this brilliant piece of engineering delight. It is a pleasant and delightful descent
@bun_maska- USA from Ghoom - the highest railway station in the world. The journey is surely a fun filled one.
LA is a beautiful city in the USA, but there is one major issue and that is getting around this
huge city. The local transport is very inefficient and takes a lot of time. Travelling by cab turns
out to be very expensive. It is best to rent out a car a drive around this beautiful city. Galileo (@gauthamgalileo)
San Francisco is a major city in California, the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its
liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and
Vinay Lohia ? (@vinaylohia82) great ethnic and cultural diversity. Travelling in the city gets a little expensive. It is best to hire
a convertible and drive around from one point to another. It's an easy and fun way to travel
When travelling abroad one comes across not only the beautiful sights but also people while taking in the sights of the city.
speaking different languages. It's important to carry a handbook containing some local
language translations when traveling abroad, especially if it is Europe.
GOURMAND RECOMMENDS
German cuisine has evolved as a national cuisine through centuries of social and political
change with variations from region to region. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties
of meat consumed in Germany, with pork being the most popular. Berlin is the best place
for some of the best sausages. They offer a wide variety some of those which I liked the best
were the Vienna sausages, Bratwurst sausages, and spicy sausages.
“I travel
Nikhil Gonsalves - Istanbul
For my part, When visiting Istanbul, take a walk through Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is
one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over
3,000 shops. Mainly known for its variant types of tea you should walk down this market and
enjoy multiple cups of Turkish chai. The clear tea is a great 'pick me up' and keeps the local
store owners going.
anywhere,
not to go
but to go. I travel
Urich Hunt - Texas
Barbeque is a traditional style of preparing beef in Texas and is one of the many different
varieties of barbecue found around the world. If you're visiting Texas, don't leave without
Mirchi Vada, or Mirchi Bhaji, is a popular Rajasthani snack. This dish of green chilies filled Lake Palace is a luxury hotel, of 83 rooms and suites featuring white marble walls, located
with spicy potatoes, dipped in batter and fried, makes a mouthwatering snack for people on a natural foundation of 4 acres of rock on the Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola, Udaipur,
who love hot, spicy food. Even if you don't love spicy food, trust me it is worth the try. End the India. They serve some of the most amazing dishes with a view to die for. Indulge in delicious
delicious snack with a glass of sweet lassi. a meal at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, it is truly a unique experience.
Chuy's offer you amazing enchiladas with mole sauce made from the finest Mexican Go to Germany for the beer! Go to Hofbräuhaus in Munich. The Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is a
chocolate beans and mouth-watering handmade tortillas. You should also try the creamy beer hall in the city center of Munich, Germany. The inn was originally built in 1589. While
jalapeno sauce they serve here! This restaurant is situated in Austin, Texas. you're in Munich have some Weisswurst - white sausages - with honey mustard, but
remember to get out early to make sure you get some.
The cuisine of South Africa is sometimes called "rainbow cuisine", as it has had a variety
of multicultural sources and stages. If you are a huge fan of sea food, then do try out the
prawns at the waterfront in Cape Town! They are delicious and huge and every bite will
keep you wanting more. The Wanderer (@ankit1989) - Indore, India
Rajwada is the heart of Indore city. Without Rajwada, Indore would lose its charm. It
represents the original Indore. If you ever visit Indore, then you have to visit the Rajwada
Sam (@twitsamphoto) Night Food Market. The food is to die for.
Brazil has some of the best cuisines in the world. Brazilian cuisine has European, and African
influences. If you do visit Brazil make sure to try Acaraje. Made from peeled black-eyed peas
formed into a ball and then deep-fried in dende (palm oil) the Acaraje is to die for. It is found Kim (@plum_paradise) - Dubai
in Brazilian cuisine and Nigerian cuisine.
Dubai is a fast city and there are lots to see while on holiday over there. When you visit Dubai
try out the ready to eat foods in Carrefour's Spinneys, if you are in a hurry! The food is
delicious and easy to take away.
SAM, da Photographer (@twitsamphoto) - Spain
Besides the fact that Spain is a beautiful country, the cuisine is equally delicious. Spanish
cuisine consists of a variety of dishes, which stem from differences in geography, culture
and climate. Don't forget to try the Tapas. It consists of a wide variety of appetizers.
HOTEL HAVEN
Abhi Sharma – Ernakulum, India
The Presidency is one wonderful hotel to live in offering you pristine clean rooms with very
comfortable beds... The staff is helpful and thankfully understands Hindi & English quite
proficiently which is hard to find in South India.
Wake up at 6 in the morning and see how the sun comes from the midst of SHIMLA's
beautiful mountains and that moment is one of the best moments in your life. The view
from Clarks (hotel) is breathtaking!
“
without observation
The Hotel President Wilson is the best hotel I've ever been to. Many hotels are gaudy and
luxurious, but this hotel has class beyond imagination. It is subtle luxury for those who
appreciate comfort and refinement.
without wings.
Kamini Patel – Trivandrum, India
– Moslih Eddin Saadi If you are heading to Trivandrum for a vacation make sure the hotel you choose to stay in
has a staff that can speak Hindi or English as without this your stay would become tedious.
The Saj Lucia hotel is close to the Padmanabhaswami temple and the market. It is one
brilliant hotel with incredible staff.
IN MY SUITCASE
“
Nidhi Agrawal
Layout all your clothes and the money that you plan to take on your next trip. Then take half
the clothes and double the money.
One’s
Meghana Khadi
Always, always throw your swim wear in the bag. You never know where the next
unexpected memorable place to take a dip will show up.
Being an environment-conscious tourist is easy. Carry your own water bottle and don't buy
the plastic.
Arunkumar Gangatharan
Melanie Fernandes
Always carry a glucometer and a blood pressure monitor if you are a diabetic and have
blood pressure problems.
Diya Vira
Even if you don't opt for wearing the costume preferred by many women in India, the salwar
kameez or saree, always travel with a long scarf made of light-weight fabric. It will come in
handy in several situations while travelling and allow you to go into mosques, gurdwaras
and temples as most of these places require women to cover their heads.
Sam (@twitsamphoto)
Deepa Mehta Everyone faces the same issue when it comes to packing the suitcase, lack of space. To avoid
Don't forget your camera charger and an extra fully charged camera battery, along with an this, tightly roll clothes instead of folding them. It'll save lots of space & wrinkling will be less.
extra microSD card. Your battery will drain out quickly while photographing, especially
when your friends insist on flipping through all of the photos taken that day!
Sam (@twitsamphoto)
While packing your suitcase stash socks stockings or tights inside your shoes. You'll keep
Amar Naik your shoes from getting squished & save a lot of space!
Pack light and be prepared mentally for surprises during the course of Trip. Keep the spirit
high, eat healthy and take proper rest during the course of trip. Most important thing is to
Sam (@twitsamphoto)
check the destination weather before starting the journey and pack appropriately.
This may seem like a simple tip, but surely comes in handy while travelling. A key chain with a
mini torch is really quite useful.
Anupama (@Anupama75)
Doctors overseas and their medicine prescription can be really costly if you ever fall sick. It is Sanjana Rao (@raosanjanahv)
best to keep your most recent doctor's prescription as it will come in handy on your holiday.
Always carry a large box of tissue wipes on road trips along with a mosquito repellent or a
mosquito net in case you aren't very fond of lotions. It is also advisable to carry mosquito
coils for places that do not have constant electricity. They are really handy especially in
Sam (@twitsamphoto) India. During the monsoons, this will come to your rescue!
Trekking and traveling to the high mountain spots can be really tiring. Due to the height
there is lack of oxygen and may lead to tiredness. If you ever travel to the mountains, then
make sure to carry Antiemetic and Hypoxemia. Sam (@twitsamphoto)
When traveling by air, wear lightweight comfortable shoes that can be easily slipped on and
off. Also, it's advisable to carry a pair of warm socks for comfort.
Sam (@twitsamphoto)
While on a holiday it is best to travel light. Resist the urge to carry different outfits for each Oliver Alexander (@Oliv3ra)
day. Pack pieces to mix and match throughout your trip.
While backpacking, first pack the light stuff and then keep your heavy objects this would
then avoid pressure on your lower back.
Saurabh Jain (@saurabhjain2803) – Delhi, India
You should carry ice grip shoes, if you ever decide to take a road trip from Delhi to Dhanaulti.
Dhanautli is a hill station 24 km from Mussoorie. I loved the solitude the alpine forests of
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak offered. It replenishes your soul.
The old that is strong
Prakash Veer (@Audacious_swain) – Himalayas, India does not wither, “
While trekking in the Himalayan region, always make sure that the essentials are easy to
access like your headlamp or flashlight, bug spray, etc. Usually this applies to all sorts of
Deep roots are not
treks, but while traversing the high grounds of the Himalyas you need to be more careful.
reached by the frost.
- J. R. R. Tolkien
Deepak Acharya – Singapore
Chewing-gum is banned in the country, a fact that you must remember while packing!
Connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots means hacking in the country, hence another rule
one must keep in mind. This country surely has some interesting rules, best would be to
read up on them before heading there.
Anupama Agarwal
Make a check list of all the things needed abroad including multi point plug for charging,
photocopies of passport n visa , foreign currency and other essentials documents are a
must!
NIGHT OWLS
It is a very beautiful city with a very buzzing night life. The best places to visit for parties,
good food and some relaxation by the beach. I would call it 'Mini Vegas'. It is said to be the
most popular tourist destination in Queensland.
When in Delhi, drop by Hauz Khaus Village. This place has a good vibe, scattering of good
food places and rooftops that overlook the lake. Its medieval history traced to the 13th
century of Delhi Sultanate reign.
“
To awaken quite alonein a strange town is
w rld.
one of the pleasantest sensations in the Vidya Ranjith (@vidyaranji) - Champs Elysees, France
“ Stroll in Champs Elysees to see the street dance! It's a treat to the eyes especially at night. In
fact did you know the name of the street is French for Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed
dead in Greek mythology, apt I think!
– Freya Stark
PICTURE PERFECT SPOTS
Farhan - New Zealand, Waiheke Island
New Zealand a picture perfect country indeed, with its beautiful landscapes and even more
beautiful beaches. The best would be Waiheke Island, 30 minutes off Auckland City. The
beaches there are very beautiful.
“Twenty years
from now you will be more disappointed by the
Quebec is a beautiful city that should be listed quite high on your 'Places to Visit' list. The city
has a lot to offer displaying its beautiful culture such as the Village Québécois d'Antan, the
historical village of Val-Jalbert, the Fort Chambly, the national home of the Patriots, the
Chicoutimi pulp mill (Pulperie de Chicoutimi), the Lachine Canal and the Victoria Bridge.
Before you head there, make sure to brush up on your French.
So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. When in Mandvi other than the beach, do visit the Vijaya Vilas Palace that used to be the
Catch the trade winds in your sails. “ summer palace for the Rajas of Kutch. The palace is built with Red sandstone and has the
elements of Rajput architecture.
Recently we had gone for a long trek to this area called Ha Long Bay. It is the most beautiful
place I have ever seen. There are thousands of little islands and mountains that just
seemingly rise out of the sea.
Shenoy - Safari World, Thailand Farhan - New Zealand
For all photography fans, this place is bound to delight you! If you have a DSLR camera, there Do the Lord of the Rings drive in New Zealand for a real look at middle earth.
would be no time to keep changing your lens and the best option would be to have a 55-300
mm lens fitted in your camera during the visit for lots of close up shots!
The Jaipur fort is a must visit, its grandeur will leave you spell bound and takes you back to
Aditya Dang - Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh, India
the golden Rajputana era... The best is that after the tedious climb to the fort coffee-lovers
Could well be known as India's Switzerland according to me as the scenic beauty, the can indulge in a much needed caffeine break at the cafes in the fort!
wilderness, the peace & serenity will leave you bewitched! Adventure sports have also been
recently been introduced in the area which you must try.
The Mandarin beach in Goa is one of the best in the city... An ideal way of spending your
Rukhsana Behruzi - San Francisco
holidays there is by renting out one of the shacks on the beach itself so that you can actually
Take a trip from San Francisco to the picture perfect small town known as 'Sausalito'. It gives sleep under the stars and wake up with the view of roaring seas fresh and frolic!
you a sight to behold as stand staring across the sea at San Francisco.
Budapest is the largest city in Hungary. Visit a hilltop from Buda, the view of the entire city Munnar in Kerala (1800 mt) is a tourist spot with waterfalls, tea plantations & dense forests.
from there will leave you spell-bound. Yes, all of it. Your photo album will be perfect with the pictures taken here.
Sam (@twitsamphoto) - Visakhapatnam, India
Araku Valley is a Hill station in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in Sameer Jani (@sameerjani935) - Gujarat, India
India. It is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inhabited by different tribes. Araku Valley is one of
the least spoiled and less commercialized tourist destinations in South India. It is at an The Shiva temple at Jariya Mahadev of Wakaner City is a must visit place in Gujarat. Zhariya
altitude of 911 meters and is surrounded by green hills and lush valleys. Make sure you carry Mahadev is most popular picnic spot in the city. The temple was built in the 15th century;
your Digital camera here! Zhariya Mahadev Temple is surrounded by scenic beauty. The temple of Lord Mahadev
miracle water which is naturally in the temple during the entire year shivlinga flows from the
stone, because it got its name.
Mysore in Karnataka offers the magnificent Mysore Palace, built in Indo-Saracenic style.
Sameer Jani (@sameerjani935) - Mount Abu, India
Plan a trip here, worth the sights and sounds.
Mount Abu is a popular hill station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in
western India near the border with Gujarat. The sights and sound sin this hill station is
simply amazing. Visit Mount Abu in the summer as during winter's temperature drop low
Kunal Mandal (@kunalju) – Varanasi, India
and the lake freezes.
Varanasi has nearly 100 ghats, steps leading to the banks of River Ganges. Many of the ghats
were built when the city was under Maratha control. Decked in lights and colours of every
hue prayer offerings at Varanasi Ghats is sure to illuminate your soul. A perfect picture spot!
Sam (@twitsamphoto) – Munnar, India
This Mattupetty Dam near Munnar is a storage Concrete Gravity dam built in the mountains
of Kerala, India to conserve water for hydroelectricity. The large amount of perennially
Kunal Mandal (@kunalju) - Vizag (Visakhapatnam), India
available water allows wild animals and birds to flourish. That's not all; it offers you a jaw-
A first in Asia and only of its kind in India, visit the submarine naval museum INS Kursura in dropping panoramic view of nature's beauty; in fact it is also known to be visiting grounds
Vizag. After decommissioning in 2001, it has been preserved as a museum for public access for elephants!
on Ramakrishna Mission Beach. Do check it out.
Sam (@twitsamphoto) – Kodiakanal, India
Vinay Lohia (@vinaylohia82) - Niagara Falls
Perched at 2133mt above sea level, Kodaikanal is also called the 'princess of hill stations'.
If you ever visit the Niagara Falls make sure to try the "Maid of the Mist" ride. The Maid of the
Coaker's Walk, Bryant's Park, Bear Shola Falls & beautiful Kodai Lake are some of the must
Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River,
visit places in the region. The photos taken here will be just perfect.
near the Rainbow Bridge, and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls,
then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls, also known as the
Canadian Falls. The experience is simply awesome and makes for a picture perfect ride.
Sam (@twitsamphoto) – Coorg, India
Coorg in Karnataka is well-known for adventurists offering you a wide variety of outdoor
activities like trekking, rock climbing & water-rafting. Taranjeet Singh (@taranchugh) - Redang Island
Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest islands
off the east coast of Malaysia. The beaches of Redang in Malaysia are a must-visit if you look
SAM (@twitsamphoto) – Yercaud, India forward to an unwinding experience as they offer you a quiet & perfectly secluded
relaxation spot. You can be sure to capture some breathtaking images for your holiday
Yercaud is a hill station in Salem District, in Tamil Nadu. Yercaud in Tamil Nadu is situated at album.
1,515 meters; Yercaud is quite a popular travel destination offering adventurists the thrill of
a forest holiday. Yercaud is also called as Jewel of the South. Yercaud has a lot of history and
old architecture which makes it even more beautiful. A must visit!
Riddikulus (@PurpleLoyalist) - Thiruvanthruram
If you are in Venice and wish to purchase the world famous Murano glass, you'll find better
designs in the shops in and around San Marco square than you will find on the island of
Murano, where the glass artifacts are actually manufactured.
Shopping in Thailand is crazy, lots to buy and lots to choose from. When you street shop in
Thailand, you must bargain.
The US is one of the best places in the world when it comes to shopping. Make sure to visit
San Francisco as there are many brands to choose from and crazy variety of clothes. What
makes shopping even more crazy is during 'Black Friday' and the month of December you
can avail some major discounts! can avail some major discounts!
“secret destinations
SAM (@twitsamphoto) - Thailand
Thailand is an amazing place to go shopping. Well, this most of you may already know, but
what's best to buy not everyone knows. There are 5 things that are worth buying from
“have Thailand. (1) Thai Silk. (2) DVDs. (3) Costume Jewellery. (4) Computers and Peripherals and of
course (5) Clothes.
of which the traveler is unaware. If you do visit Nepal, make sure to visit Pokhara. Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City is the third
largest city of Nepal. Shopping in Pokhara is dirt cheap and you get some really amazing
stuff. Don't forget to check out how pearls are made naturally at Pokhara. They have a wide
– Martin Buber variety of pearls at reasonable rates.
THE DON'TS
“wonderful world
We live in a
that is full of beauty, charm and adventure “ Ankush Gupta - Andaman and Nicobar Islands
There is no end to the adventures we The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal
and Andaman Sea, and are a Union Territory of India. There is a lot to see and do in these
can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. beautiful islands. The don'ts however are equally important. When visiting Andaman and
Nicobar islands make sure you don't collect, destroy or remove any living or dead
animal/plant. Do not collect dead coral or break live coral. Please do not stand on the coral
– Jawaharial Nehru reef while snorkeling. Coral reefs are like egg shells; please do not stand on them on your
next diving, snorkeling or any other under water adventure.
Bulgaria is a beautiful country to visit. The most notable topographical features are the
Danubian Plain, the Balkan Mountains, the Thracian Plain, and the Rhodope Mountains.
However, there are some basic essentials you need to learn before going to Bulgaria. Most
importantly, never use a taxi. Most are old, badly maintained and deathtraps. On top of that
they have seatbelts, but nowhere to clip them in and never ever get into a cab that doesn't
have a meter.
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