Tag: India
Get set for a ‘royal’ ride in Varanasi
September 29 (TravelAndy): ‘Royal’ rickshaw rides await visitors to the historic city of Varanasi in India now.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 27, Serenity Routes (www.serenityroutes.com), an online portal, in association with Uttar Pradesh Tourism, launched an initiative called Mr Rickshaw Wala, which seeks to not only promote the green three-wheeler that is an intrinsic part of the Varanasi experience, but also benefit the rickshaw-pullers.
Tourists can book a ride through the website and explore the heritage of old Varanasi and its historical ghats. Continue reading Get set for a ‘royal’ ride in Varanasi
Air India to fly Delhi-San Francisco
September 28 (TravelAndy): India’s flagship carrier Air India has announced a non-stop flight from New Delhi to San Francisco on the US west coast from December 2.
“We are launching a direct non-stop flight to the San Francisco on December 2 as there was a demand for it,” DNA quoted Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani as saying.
Lohani reportedly made the announcement at an event to celebrate World Tourism Day yesterday. Continue reading Air India to fly Delhi-San Francisco
Free entry to Taj Mahal & more
September 27 (TravelAndy): On the occasion of World Tourism Day today, the Indian government has declared free entry for tourists to 200 ticketed monuments and museums across India, said reports.
Mahesh Sharma, the minister of state for culture, said that the government was taking several initiatives to attract tourists.
Efforts are being made to draw more numbers of foreign tourists as well, he said. Continue reading Free entry to Taj Mahal & more
West Bengal plans tourism hub
September 24 (TravelAndy): The government of the West Bengal state in India has decided to set up a tourism hub at Gajoldoba in Siliguri, north Bengal, said reports.
Three roads from Gajoldoba are being connected to the national highway to facilitate tourist arrival.
West Bengal state tourism has also taken an initiative to set up a nine hole golf course in the area to encourage sports tourism. Continue reading West Bengal plans tourism hub
Ladakh is primarily about colours
Adjectives pitter-patter like a steady drizzle during my chat with three friends who have just returned from a trip to Ladakh in north India.
Mesmerising. Beautiful. Mind-blowing. Unbelievable. Incredible…
I realise that though they are describing landscapes for the most part, the adjectives are usually about the contrasting colours of Ladakh. The sky, the mountains, the deserts and the rivers mix to emerge as this delectable cocktail that gives you a high no alcohol can match. Continue reading Ladakh is primarily about colours
Eating out at Darjeeling: Three reviews
The food scene in Darjeeling is very exciting.
Before I went there, many of my friends who have visited the hill station had told me about the restaurants I should eat at. I followed their advice and checked out some of their recommendations.
Here’s is what I though of three eateries in Darjeeling, which are certainly counted as among its most popular ones. Continue reading Eating out at Darjeeling: Three reviews
Helicopter boost for Tirupati tourism
September 7 (TravelAndy): Helicopter services for tourists to Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh will start from September 16, reported The Hindu.
Primarily, three helicopters will operate at the temple of Lord Kalyana Venkateswara at the foot hills of Tirumala, Goddess Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur and at the histrical fort of Chandragiri.
All the destinations are within 15km radius of Tirupati. Tourists availing this service will also be given a 20-minute for an aerial view of the entire hill station. Continue reading Helicopter boost for Tirupati tourism
India-Thailand road trip on cards
September 4 (TravelAndy): Thailand will only be a road trip away for Indian tourists in a few months with the first 26 kilometres of Asian Highway 1 (AH1) being inaugurated in Thailand recently.
Once complete, AH1 will connect Moreh in India’s Manipur state and Mae Sot in western Thailand via Myanmar. Construction of the highway began in 2012.
The Indian government wants to get the entire 3,200km stretch of AH1 operational by November, reports said. Continue reading India-Thailand road trip on cards
Why I fell in love with Darjeeling
Dipuda.
DiPuDa.
Digha. Puri. Darjeeling.
While Digha is a beach town in the southern part of West Bengal state in India, Puri is another popular beach/pilgrim town in Odisha, the state south of West Bengal. Darjeeling is a hill station in the Himalaya mountains in northern West Bengal.
These three are staple in the Bengali travel diet and Dipuda, consequently, is a joke on the quintessential Bengali bhodrolok (gentleman) who is a frequent visitor to these places. Continue reading Why I fell in love with Darjeeling
For India, Thailand holidays are on
August 23 (TravelAndy): Travel agents have found that there have hardly been any cancellations from Indian tourists on holiday bookings in Bangkok in the wake of the deadly bombing in the Thai capital on August 17 that killed 20 people and wounded around 130, The Times of India reported.
“Thailand still remains a popular destination for Indian travellers. The Bangkok blasts have not fuelled major security concerns among travellers, but they are definitely cautious now,” said Ranjeet Oak, chief business officer – holidays, of MakeMyTrip.com. Continue reading For India, Thailand holidays are on
Taj Mahal debuts on Twitter
August 15 (TravelAndy): Taj Mahal made its debut on Twitter on the occasion of India’s Independence Day on Saturday.
The handle — @TajMahal — calls itself the official Twitter handle of the “world’s most loved monument” and displays a link to the Uttar Pradesh tourism website.
It already has close to 5,000 followers. Continue reading Taj Mahal debuts on Twitter
UK on India’s e-visa list from Aug 15
August 11 (TravelAndy): United Kingdom is all set to become one of the 36 countries to be added to India’s e-Tourist visa list from August 15.
The e-visa facility will allow UK nationals to apply and pay for their visas online. They only need to carry a printout of the e-visa while visiting India.
With this addition, the total count of countries under the scheme will climb to 113. Continue reading UK on India’s e-visa list from Aug 15