Five Art and Architecture Destination in India

From lotus temple in Delhi to wondrous Taj in Agra and marvelous sculptures & painting at Elephanta Island, India has a great number of destinations which entice architecture-lovers from far corners of globe. Here's my list of India's top 5 places to admire artistic creations. The list, however, has not been endorsed by any magazine or survey.

Agra: It may seem obvious, but it's not without a reason why Agra in state of Uttar Pradesh tops my list of places for art-lovers. Home to Taj Mahal: one of Seven Wonders of World, Agra is India's most talked-about tourist place. Taj Mahal, with its unique blend of Persian, Islamic and Indian architecture styles, is one of the most attention-grabbing manmade monuments on this earth. Amazing work of stone-cutting, carvings, paintings and calligraphy on white marvels leave all the visitors stunned. Even the domes & structures alongside the main complex add to the architectural beauty of this wonder. Beyond the Taj, visitors can experience flawless Mughal architecture at Red Fort. Fatehpur Shikri and other ancient buildings in the city are also worth exploring.

Delhi: Nothing beats a Delhi trip if you're the one inclined towards arts & cultures. One of the oldest cities in the world has turned to be a vibrant metropolis in India, but its age-old architectures & grand history still has a charismatic charm and never fails to impress architecture-admirers. The city has a long list of historical monuments with many of them designated as UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. From forts to monuments to religious sites, the city is like a museum of master architecture work. Mammoth Red Fort, towering Qutub Minar, impressive structure of Rasatrapati Bhawan and unique design of Lotos temple is sure to leave folks breathless. You can visit to Akashrdham Temple to view amazing carving & paint work of modern artisans.

Ajanta-Allora Caves: Stunning structures made by rock-cutting, Ajanta Caves hold an immense collection of sculptures and artworks pertaining to great Bhuddhist religion. This includes some famous paintings too, which remind us of Sigiriya paintings in Sri Lanks. As old as 2nd century BCE, these cave monuments have been a dream destination for artisans and archeologists. They are a world heritage site by UNESCO and are must-visit tourist spot in Indian state of Maharashtra.

Mahabalipuram: Mahabalipuram is undisputedly the most picturesque town of South India in sense of architectural beauty. Monolithic rock curved temples are the center of attraction, which are architectural masterpieces founded by Pallava kings. Wonderful Dravidain architectures backed with unsurpassable history & spiritualism in Mahabalipuram keep art-lovers and history-admirers flocking the city year-round. There are eight rathas in the town, which are made of rock-cutting and named after five pandawas of Mahabhartha and their wife Drupadi.

Why Interesting Facts About the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon is one of the world's most famous natural wonders and is a favourite attraction to visit for tourists. Before going to visit the attraction, it might be an idea to get to know the site a little better; why not wow your friends and family or simply other tourists with these titbits of information on one of the world's greatest natural wonders?

The Grand Canyon is Arizona's number 1 tourist attraction. This is not particularly surprising considering the widespread fame of the canyon, but with places like Monument Valley and the Four Corners monument to compete with, the Grand Canyon has surely earned its position at the top.

At 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide it is one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The huge gorge is joined on the list by other natural wonders such as the Aurora Borealis, Mount Everest and the Great Barrier Reef.

Only 10% of visitors enter the North Rim. This part of the canyon still gives visitors spectacular views of the canyon but the more familiar vistas of the South Rim draw in the larger numbers.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk was completed in 2007 at a cost of $31 million. This is located on the West Rim and allows visitors to walk out on the glass-bottomed platform. The Skywalk does have amazing views, but unfortunately cameras are not allowed on it, so some people leave the Skywalk feeling disappointed. For the best views of the canyon it would be more advisable to take a helicopter ride and perhaps incorporate the Skywalk into that trip.

Humans lived in the Grand Canyon around 4,000 years ago. Those who have travelled deep into the canyon discovered a number of caves, and in these caves were artefacts that proved there had been human existence long ago. Animal figurines that were a few inches tall were found, and they were made mostly from willow or cottonwood twigs.

The canyon is populated by 5 Native American tribes: the Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai, Paiute and Hualapai tribes. The ancient tribes live around the canyon area and some are happy to integrate with tourists, showing visitors all about the history of their ancestors and the cultural practices that have been passed down through the ages.

Getting Acquainted With The Routes And Lines

There are a good number of options to commute from one destination to the other. Depending upon the location and needs, traveling by railways can be a quite pleasant option. Traveling in sheer comfort amid the beautiful scenic backdrop is an incomparable experience and can only be provided by a train journey. This has been one of the best modes of public transport and continues to be the same till date. The present-day trains run on the latest fast track technologies, making the journey more comfortable, enjoyable and less time consuming. The high speed trains are capable of covering miles in a few hours with the help of this latest technology. Moreover, the reservation process has also been made hassle free in order to further enhance level of convenience.

Seeing the ever increasing popularity of railway transportation and to cater to the increasing needs of the passengers, more number of service providers are coming into picture. Merseyrail is one such popular name in the world of railway transportation, mainly centered at Liverpool. It is the official name of the national rail network, which has been leased for a period of 25 years (till 2028). The current Merseyrail network includes five pre-existing lines and a couple of new lines as well. These rail lines mainly include Mersey Railway, Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, Wirral Railway and Great Western Railway, Cheshire Lines Committee Railway, and the London and North Western Railway. Some of the operational paths, upon which the entire network operates, are listed below in this article.

Northern Line
This is one of the main original lines that are fully controlled by Merseyrail. This rail line operates from Hunts Cross through Brunswil Station. There are a good number of services that operate in this part of Liverpool. Regular trains run every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday. A five minute halt at each station of this section is kept in order to make it easy for the boarders and those who have to leave. Connections to various other parts like Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria and Wigan Wallgate are also provided by this line.

Wirral Line
This is among the two initial commuter lines that were once controlled by Merseyrail. This line is mainly centered on the Merseyside region. Liverpool and Wirral peninsula are connected through the Mersey Tunnel with the help of this well managed line. This line further reaches out to the West Kirby, Ellesmere Port and New Brighton. A number of historic rail networks have been amalgamated in order to form this new network and connect the entire allocated region.

Enjoy Guide to Mahabaleshwar Hotels, Attractions and Things to Carry

Mahabaleshwar is located in the majestic Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Situated at the altitude of 1372 meters, Mahabaleshwar is the tourists' paradise in western India. The cool climate and amazing monsoons make Mahabaleshwar the perfect getaway for tourists looking for a refreshing change from their hectic routines. If you are planning a trip to Mahabaleshwar, then just booking a room in one of the hotels in Mahabaleshwar is not enough. You need to become familiar with the tourist norms of this hill station for an unforgettable trip.

Location

The biggest hill station in Sahyadri range, Mahabaleshwar is 227 km and 115 km away from Mumbai and Pune respectively. Mahabaleshwar is 47 km away from Satara, which is the nearest district. Naturally, the best way to reach to Mahabaleshwar is by getting to one of these cities. From there, you can either take a bus or rent a car. Once in Mahabaleshwar, getting around is not difficult at all. You can easily get a taxi or bus to get around the popular tourist spots in the city. If you have booking with popular hotels in Mahabaleshwar, chances are that you might get discount holiday packages that include the expenses of sightseeing.

Mahabaleshwar hotels

All budget, deluxe and luxury hotels in Mahabaleshwar are bustling with tourists throughout the year. So, bookings a room in advance is mandatory for the best accommodations. All the hotels offer exceptional accommodation for groups as well as couples. A lot of hotels including government cottages are excellent for backpackers or groups of trekkers.

Attractions

Any time of the year is suitable to plan a trip to Mahabaleshwar. However, March to May is the peak season, while June to September witnesses heavy monsoons. Natural attractions and panoramic views of Mahabaleshwar are plenty. Trips are conducted every 2-3 hours to various sightseeing spots in Mahabaleshwar. You can also visit the nearby tourist destinations like Panchgani, Tapola, Pratapgad Fort and Kshetra Mahabaleshwar temple. Kshetra Mahabaleshwar is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and also the origin of five important rivers in Maharashtra.

Amongst many views of mountains and valleys following are the must-see points in Mahabaleshwar:

• Arthur's Seat
• Babington Point
• Bombay Point/Sunset Point
• Kate's Point
• Lingamala Falls
• Lodwick Point
• Venna Lake
• Wilson's Point

Things to carry

• The basic things to carry while travelling to Mahabaleshwar depend on the season. However, carrying sufficient warm clothing like sweaters, socks, and hand gloves is a must in winter. While raincoats, umbrellas, jackets or hoodies are required during rainy season.

Why a Holiday in Italy Is a Must for Every Travel Enthusiast?

If you are looking for a good reason for planning a holiday in Italy this amazing place is definitely going to spoil you with unlimited choices! Italy is a wonderful amalgamation of stunning locales, architecture and rich culture which has transformed this place into a year round vacation spot for travelers from all across the globe. The country has such diverse experiences to offer that tourists are now being able to avail cheap holidays to Italy very easily and without much bother at all. What's more with the country's tourism industry flourishing like never before renting out beautiful Italian villas for whole seasons has now become a very popular and budget friendly option for vacationers.

Stunning Scenic Locations

Located in the south of Europe, Italy is home to some of the most spectacular alpine ranges, pristine beaches, gorgeous lakes and lush green national parks all of which offer a variety of diverse destinations for planning a holiday in Italy. Tourists can avail some great vacation options through cheap beach holidays amongst which the beaches across Sicily like those of Mondello and Taormina are some of the most beautiful and budget friendly seaside destinations.

If you love the tranquility of a lakeside vacation then you are on for a delightful surprise as there are some gorgeous Italian lakes holidays for you to choose from especially the magnificent Lake Como and Lake Garda in the north of Italy surrounded by beautiful chestnut woods! If you are in love with the wilderness you must plan for holidays to Sardinia and Puglia which are home to a number of impressive national parks having some of the most diverse endemic flora and fauna in Europe.

Rich Culture and History

Another great reason for planning a holiday in Italy is the country's rich culture and history. Venice and Florence are a must see destination for every museum aficionado while the capital city of Rome is steeped in the history of its imperial past. Visiting Rome is akin to stepping back in time and makes for a truly beautiful romantic option for a holiday in Italy. The lovely city of Palermo in Sicily is divinely rich in history, art and music and is especially famous for its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, palaces and buildings, and its vibrant nightlife and music.

Historical and Cultural Highlights of the Haute Savoie

Home to the world famous resort and its catered chalets, the ski resort of La Tania is a typical centre of Haute Savoie culture.

When you are off on your next skiing holiday you might like to think about the cultural background of your resort. La Tania is an example of the sort of centre that rewards an exploration of the area's history and culture. Nestled in the mountains of La Savoie, La Tania was a small hamlet half way between Courchevel and Méribel known locally as La Tagna. When you discover that this name means 'lair of the bears' in Savoyard Patois, you might not feel so snug in your cosy catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania is based in the Tarentaise forests that were known for their bear population until the beginning of the 20th century, when they were driven out of the valley by the inhabitants.

History Highlights

The resort is part of the French Haute Savoie, which is rich in history. Between 1416 and 1847 the House of Savoy ruled the Duchy after Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor, granted the territory to Count Amadeus VIII. In the 15th century the duchy was made up of Moriana, Valle d'Aosta and the Piedmont. It soon expanded to the coastal area around Nice. Under Amadeus La Savoie became established as a cultural centre in art, architecture and literature long before the emergence of catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania was a tiny village of little significance at this time but nonetheless has developed a strong Savoyard nature.

Between 1536 and 1559 the French had the upper hand during the two-decade occupation by King Francis I. A century later the Frankish influence was maintained under the leadership of Duke Charles Emmanuel II. Savoy was occupied from 1792 to 1815 by French Revolutionary forces, and finally in 1860 the duchy was annexed by France.

Language

In the Savoyard region a vernacular language developed, traces of which one might hear spoken around the catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania is home to some of the 35,000 remaining speakers of this Patois.

Cuisine

Savoyard food is a rich cuisine based on potatoes, Savoyard cheeses, sausages and patés. There are plenty of opportunities within this resort for visitors to sample some of these tasty dishes. La Savoie is equally renowned for its ancient tradition of viticulture, producing some of the world's best wines from ancient times to the present day.

Finding Cost Effective Solution on Germany Vacation Rental

         Creating an inexpensive vacation seemingly becomes the desire of all vacationers. As you know, this bad economic condition has caused economic inflation in which this economic inflation forces all travel operators to increase the rate of their services. As a result, the cost of a vacation can be really expensive. However, since having a vacation becomes a need, many people willingly find cost effective solution in order to be able to have a vacation. They usually try to find cost effective solution on flights, accommodation, and lodging services because reducing these three posts will allow vacationers to save lots of money.

         As if you prefer to stay at a vacation rental option during your vacation in Germany, you will surely need to find cost effective solution since such solution will allow you to reduce the cost of lodging service. Happily, Germany vacation rentals are now widely available on internet, giving you ability to find cost effective solution more easily and more conveniently. It has become a clear fact that finding information on internet is very easy and fast as you just need to input certain keywords on a search engine. Once you hit the search button, you will be able to get list of vacation rentals in Germany within seconds. Then, the fact that you can do your search from anywhere enables you to get information about Germany holiday rentals more conveniently. 

         In order to find cost effective solution on Germany holiday rental, you have to have a list of cheap vacation rentals. These days, there are always travel operators that offer cheap vacation rentals because they realize that many vacationers seek for inexpensive vacation. After you have the list, you must compare all offers in your list side by side to figure out the lowest offer. If you find the lowest offer on a Germany holiday rental, you have to take it as it is the best cost effective solution.