North Vietnam highlights 10 days

A ten-day Vietnam introduction to northern Vietnam. It's a busy tour, taking in the three main attractions – Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.

If you want to delve deeper into the villages, forests and the local lifestyles, you might consider adding a day to explore Hanoi's unique craft villages, or visit the serene Ba Ba Lake. We're on hand to make as many modifications as you wish – there's no free for making changes. 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Enter Vietnam at Noi Bai airport, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You will have time to relax before we present you with Vietnam daily life in the past and now with one or two hour cylo tour around the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple and Old Quarter of Hanoi. You will then enjoy a Water Puppet Show and a welcome dinner at a restaurant with Vietnamese cuisines. You will spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B/L)
You will have the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city. Your guide will take you to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century, and a popular attraction, as is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his simple stilt house where he lived and worked, and the museum dedicated to his memory. After lunch, you will call in at the serene Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi and the excellent Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups. Your overnight will be in Hanoi. 

Day 3: Hanoi Handicraft villages – overnight train to Lao Cai (B/L)
In the morning, you’ll be picked up to drive to Bat Trang. On arrival, you’ll be able to stroll in the small alleys of this old village to watch local people producing their fine products and visit some of the houses used as workshops and showrooms. You’ll then drive to Dong Ho village - famous for its traditional paintings. After a picnic lunch, your vehicle will take to Dong Ky village where most of the local families produce furniture inlaid with mother of pearl. It’s a good example of how the villagers work co-operatively on different stages of the manufacturing process. After that, you’ll drive to Tam Tao village to enjoy its traditional Quan Ho music performed by villagers in the commune house. The singers have recently been officially designated as part of Vietnam’s ‘living heritage’. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Hanoi. In the evening, you’ll take an overnight train to Sapa. 

Day 4: Lao Cai – Ethnic Market – Sapa (B/L) 
Arriving in the Lao Cai Railway station at 5am, you will have breakfast and then start to explore one of the colourful markets in Sapa or nearby Bac Ha. In afternoon, you will return to Lao Cai for overnigh train back to Hanoi. Your overnight will be on the train. The schedule of the local markets as below: Tuesday: Coc Ly Market Wednesday: Cao Son Market Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market. Saturday: Can Cau Market Sunday: Muong Hum or Bac Ha Market 

Day 5: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai - Overnight on the train (B/L) 
After breafast, you will follow your guide to walk around the town, visit the town centre market before being driven to the Lao Chai, a village of the Black H’Mong ethnic minority people. Trek around the village and then along the path to Tan Van of Dzay people. Pick lunch on at Tan Van village then continue trekking to Giang Ta Chai. Trek to main road and our car will pick you up back to Sapa. In the evening, you’ll return to Lao Cai to board the train to return to Hanoi. You’ll spend overnight on the train. 

Day 6: Hanoi (B) 
Arriving in Hanoi at around 5am in the morning, you will be picked up to your hotel for breakfast and re-freshment. You will be free for the day to do shopping in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Your overnight will be in Hanoi. 

Day 7: Hanoi – Ha Long (B) 
After an early breakfast, you will leave for Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karst’ landscape. There you’ll board your boat, a wooden junk built from the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels with sails, a wide transom and rectangular superstructure, that will take you first to the busy World Heritage area and then to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Weather permitting, you will be able to swim, fish, climb a hill for an overview of the Bay’s remarkable seascape, or venture into some of the sea level caves in a small sampan. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood. Your overnight will be aboard. 

Day 8: Ha Long - Hanoi (B/L)
You will spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking around noon and leaving for Hanoi. Your overnight will be in Hanoi. 

Day 9: Hanoi – Tam Coc – Hoa Lu (B) 
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Ninh Binh Province. Our first visit is the former capital - Hoa Lu and the remains of Dinh and Le Kings’ temples. Proceed to Tam Coc tourist center for lunch. After lunch we get on small rowing boats to travel along the canals with local villages, passing the green fields and enjoying the so called 'Ha Long bay On Land', go through 3 caves and then row back to boat quay. You will then Visit Bich Dong cave, the king conferred on Bich Dong the title "The second most beautiful grotto in Vietnam”, climb up the Ngu Hanh Son Mountain range, charmed by the marvelous scenery offered by the mountains, rivers and pagodas. You will drive back to Hanoi in the late afternoon for overnight. 

Day 10: Hanoi departure (B) 
After breakfast, you will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.

More information:

Website: www.littlevietnamtours.com and www.holidaysinindochina.com

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Vietnam panorama 14 days

This fourteen-day comprehensive tour of Vietnam includes the capital of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, the Forbidden Capital of Hue, the Ancient town of Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and Mekong Delta. 

This is our sample tour only and as you're travelling tailor-made, you can make as many changes to the itinerary as you wish. If you prefer to enter Ho Chi Minh City – no problem! We will reorganise the programme accordingly to fit your arrangements. 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Enter Vietnam at Noi Bai airport, you will be met and driven to your hotel. You will have time to relax before we present you with Vietnam daily life in the past and now with one or two hour cylo tour around the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple and Old Quarter of Hanoi. You will then enjoy a Water Puppet Show and a welcome dinner at a restaurant with Vietnamese cuisines. You will spend the night in Hanoi. 

Day 2: Hanoi (B/L) 
You will have the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city. Your guide will take you to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century, and a popular attraction, as is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his simple stilt house where he lived and worked, and the museum dedicated to his memory. After lunch, you’ll call in at the serene Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi and the excellent Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups. Your overnight will be in Hanoi. 

Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, you will leave for Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karst’ landscape. There you will board your boat, a wooden junk built from the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels with sails, a wide transom and rectangular superstructure, that will take you first to the busy World Heritage area and then to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Weather permitting, you will be able to swim, fish, climb a hill for an overview of the Bay’s remarkable seascape, or venture into some of the sea level caves in a small sampan. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood. Your overnight will be aboard. 

Day 4: Ha Long - Hanoi (B/L)
You will spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking around noon and leaving for Hanoi. Your overnight will be in Hanoi. 

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue (B/L/D) 
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and drive to the airport for your morning flight to Hue. Arriving in Hue, you’ll be greeted by your guide and driven to the city centre. After checking in your hotel, you’ll depart to visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue and the Dong Ba market. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at a garden house restaurant. Your overnight will be in Hue. 

Day 6: Hue (B/L) 
Your morning will be started by a cruise along Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. From there, you will return to Hue to visit one of city’s Garden Houses, a unique feature of Hue. Your overnight will be in Hue. 

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An (B/L)
After breakfast, you will drive to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass. The views from the top are excellent – you’ll be able to see Lang Co beach and the lagoon far below, and Danang spread out before you to the south. Upon arriving in Danang, you’ll visit the the remarkable Hindu statuary in the Cham Museum before leaving for Hoi An. You will visit the ancient town including 400 years old Japanese Bridge, 300 years old Chinese temple, 200 years old Vietnamese former merchants’house before being dropped off at your hotel. You will spend the night in Hoi An. 

Day 8: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary – Hoi An (B) 
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel to take you to the World Heritage My Son Sanctuary, 40km southwest of Hoi An. Located in a lush valley, My Son was a capital and religious center of Cham people, now remaining with red brick towers and sanctuaries. When you return, the rest of the day will be free. You will spend the night in Hoi An. 

Day 9: Hoi An – Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
You will be free today until being transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be picked up to downtown for hotel check in. You will be free for relaxing in the remainder of the day. Your overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh city. 

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
After breakfast, your guide will arrive to show you around Ho Chi Minh City. You will visit the History Museum, the Museum of War Remnants, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Centre Post Office and the huge Ben Thanh market, one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City. After lunch, you will visit China town, Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda. You will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi (B/L) 
A morning drive will take you to Tay Ninh to visit the temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day ceremony. After lunch, you’ll visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a byzantine maze of underground passages, chambers, rooms and booby traps used by both the Vietminh and the Viet Cong to suddenly materialise as if from nowhere, launch a lightning ambush, and vanish equally rapidly. Your overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B/L) 
After escaping from Ho Chi Minh City’s urban sprawl, you’ll travel to Vinh Long. There, you’ll cruise on the Mekong River, visit Cai Be floating market, fruit orchards, a traditional family-run brick kiln, and drop in to look at some traditional cottage industries - a workshop making the huge coffins unique to the Mekong is particularly interesting. You’ll sleep in a family house in a canal-side orchard. You will spend overnight in Can Tho.

Day 13: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L) 
The day begins with boarding a boat to cruise to Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets on the Mekong Delta – both the journey and the markets provide insights into the Mekong rural lifestyle. Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals who lives along the Mekong canals and you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles making shop. You will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon for overnight. Your overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B) 
After breakfast, you will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.

More information:

Website: www.littlevietnamtours.com and www.holidaysinindochina.com

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Central highland epic 9 days

This nine-day tour is based on the central highland of Vietnam including Dalat, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, and Kom Tum.
As we specialise in high quality tailor-made itineraries, any element of this tour programme can be modified to suit your specific requirements – activities, dates, locations – whatever. We don’t charge for making amendments, however many you request.

:> Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be greeted by your guide and driven to Dalat, the city of eternal spring. The journey will takes you through attractive scenery and large coffee plantations. After checking into your hotel, you’ll be free for relaxing or explore the city by yourself. Your overnight will be in Dalat.

:> Day 2: Dalat (B/L)
In the morning, you’ll ride a cable car to Truc Lam Pagoda and Tuyen Lam Lake. Truc Lam is the biggest pagoda in Dalat standing in Phoenix Mountain about 1,300m above the sea-level. It’s surrounded by an attractive flower garden and with the view of pure water lake and the pine forest on the far side. After lunch at local restaurant, you’ll visit Emperor Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, Crazy House, Dalat Railway station and Dalat market. You’ll spend overnight in Dalat.
Note: If you travel with your children, you’ll cruise across the Tuyen Lam Lake for an hour of elephant ride on the island in the middle of the lake.

:> Day 3: Dalat (B/L)
In the morning, you’ll pass by Love Valley to visit Lang Biang Mountain, around 15km far from the city centre. Take a jeep to the top of the mountain where you can see the full view of Dalat city, the peaceful Dankia and Ankoet Lake (or Golden Stream Lake) – two human-made ones that supply water to the city from the French colonial time. Located at the foot of the mountain is the village of the Lach ethnic minority people. You’ll stop here for a while to visit their wooden church and traditional long house. Return to the town for lunch and free in the afternoon for relaxing. Your overnight will be in Dalat.

:> Day 4: Dalat - Buom Ma Thuot (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, leave Dalat to Buon Ma Thuot. You’ll stop on the way to visit silk factory and Elephant waterfall. Fifty kilometres before reaching Buon Ma Thuot, you’ll visit Buon Juin, a M’Nong ethnic minority village where you’ll have lunch. You’ll then take a dugout canoe to cross the Lak Lake to M’Lieng village for an elephant ride. Your dinner and overnight will be in Buon Ma Thuot.

:> Day 5: Buom Ma Thuot (B/L/D)
After breakfast, your driver will arrive to take you to Gia Long waterfall. You’ll cross the river on a simple raft, and stroll through primitive forest. After clambering down a slope, you’ll be able to bath in the ‘Fairy Pool’, a small natural lake with a sandy bottom. After a picnic lunch, you’ll be driven to Dray Nur waterfall and from there back to the town to visit the local Ethnology Museum and A Co Thon village, home of many Ede ethnic minority people. You’ll spend the night in Buon Ma Thuot.

:> Day 6: Buom Ma Thuot – Pleiku – Kon Tum (B/L/D)
Your next destination is Kon Tum Town, around five hours drive from Buon Ma Thuot. Arriving in Kon Tum at noon, check in your hotel for relaxing. You’ll be free in the remainder of the day for relaxing. Your dinner and overnight will be in Kon Tum.

:> Day 7: Kon Tum (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll visit the Seminary in the town centre and then Pleitonghia village of Bahnar people and Kon Ho Ngor village of Ro Ngao People that located along Dakbla River. Your morning will finish with a visit to funeral houses of Ja Rai people. This is a special cultural feature of Ja Rai ethnic minority in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. A funeral house is built over the grave and evocative sculptures of people, birds and objects from everyday life are placed inside. Return to the tow for lunch.
In the afternoon, you’ll drive to Konkotu village of Bahnar ethnic minority people. Check in your Rong house and then trek upstream along the Dakblar River for more than 1 hour where you’ll ride dug-out canoe downstream back to Konkotu village. In the evening, enjoy traditional Gong Music, Xoang dance and drink local jar-wine. Your overnight will be at Rong House.

:> Day 8: Kon Tum (B/L/D)
In the morning, you’ll return to the town for breakfast and then visit to a unique wooden cathedral and an Orphanage. You’ll then visit the villages of the Bahnar people including Kon Tum Ko Nam, Kon Tum Ko Pang and KonRo Wang, Konklor suspention bridge, Kon Jo Ri and Konklor II. Return to the town for overnight.

:> Day 9: Kon Tum – Pleiku - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Pleiku airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

More information:

Website: www.littlevietnamtours.com and www.holidaysinindochina.com

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Sarti is a small town on the Halkidiki peninsula, resting on the second “finger” of this magnificent holiday resort. This place is known for its wide popularity since there are no age limits of its visitors, nor are there any possible constraints of other types. Rather, Sarti is a place which will amaze you during your stay and leave you with many unforgettable memories you will cherish for years, beckoning you eve more as years and summers go by.

People who visit Greece often know that it is a country made for summer holidays. Sarti is also a location which will confirm this. However, it will also broaden the spectrum of fun, entertainment, relaxation and experience, giving it a fragrance of pine trees, wild and untamed nature, stunning sandy and stony beaches, tickling all of your senses.

The sea side in Sarti is absolutely amazing. With its emerald green shade and beautiful transparent character the sea complements the long, beautiful beaches, creating an eden-like landscape simply made for each and every one of its visitors.

Speaking of beaches in this town, you simply need to visit Karidi, Vuvuru, Kavurotripes, the Orange Beach, Toroni and Porto Koufo. Nevertheless, there are many other beaches for you do discover and fall in love with, so do not forget to explore a bit on your own, unraveling the wonders of Sarti during your exceptional summer holiday.

Apart from its remarkable beaches, Sarti is a place for field trips. Hence, do not neglect this fact and make sure you visit Meteori, Thessaloniki and many types of cruises around the amazing coasts and beaches of Greece.

While one side of Sarti seems completely wild and free, it actually conceals countless hotels, resorts, restaurants, shops and many other tourist attractions. Thus, if it is accommodation you are looking for, rest assured that Hotel Maistrali, SartiVista, Hotel Agni, Theodora Haus and Thalassa Hotel are the most popular bed and breakfast locations.

Yet, if you want hotels which provide a wider range of services, Vamvini and Pontos should be your initial options.

Finally, no summer vacation is complete without getting in touch with one of the most prominent features of the country your are visiting – the cuisine. In Sarti, the majority of visitors have remembered Maistrali Bar Restaurant, Christos Taverne and Paradise as places where the best food is served and eaten. Therefore, you can either follow these clues or follow your nose on this one – chances of failing to find excellent service in Sarti are minimal.

Palermo, Sicily's is still the capital city, and has been the providential victim of a series of factors over the century after being assailed by Arabs, Normans and other people. In the last part, it was determined as the disorderly mass of architecture that makes a city which appears to be ever-changing with all turns i.e. Arab domes confiscate into Norman Duomos whilst in 19th century theatres settle to inflicting baroque churches.

From the unsure connection of its past, Palermo has boosted itself and also the Sicily's most popular city by the Spout highlighted Quattro Canti. Subsequently, this city was being divided into four parts and these are: Albergheria, El Capo, La Kalsa, La Vucciria

Each city has been explored due to their own attraction and the power to attract the visitors. Let us see what it has to offer to its visitors

·         The weather and climate is wonderful for pleasure trip from sandy beach and into the hilly rural area and it can be effortlessly arranged. You can discover more duomos circumvented in the city. You can straightforwardly make your shopping and delight in amorous lovers point with your better half. Phoenician take-over marked to begin of Palermo's long and finally history with other city for the supremacy keeping abreast. It is an enormous city for the delectation and increasing your standards of living style. You are supposed to move for the city and prolong the lovely moments. The foresighted history of the town can increase your horizon about the city. There are lots of matters, which come from the past times and however attract people for seeing the city in a good-looking way.

·         In the last days, the city of Palermo has been named as the quick, cheeky and tremendous city. The muddle up of the whole lot have surely shaped it and extending strangest and unacceptable surprises for you. The substructure of the city is dating back from the 11th and 12th century, the celestial point of Medieval Sicily, declaring itself city an extraordinary quality.

·         Along with the beautiful sighs, you could enjoy these areas even in a better way. Car hire Palermo provides you with the ultimate car services to find out the sights for your enjoyment like Quattro Canti, Baroque era structural design and the Tunnels. Right from the old 16th century to most recent local nobles and clergy were dried up. It is more than ever impressive to look the Religious residence and Cathedral of Monreale in nearby erstwhile town or small town of Monreale which is a couple of kilometres out of the city–center.

·         You need to arrive at Palermo and afterwards it's the car hire Palermo which can variably offer desirable results if you want to pull the most beneficial modes prompting. Before you make your choices you can search through internet regarding the best services and thus can find the best car services in Italy whether it is car hire Milan (autonoleggio milano), car hire Sicily or car hire Palermo. You will definitely come across a number of the leading name in this business which you can choose according to your budget.

Author Bio: Anna Cleanthous writes about the car rental services for car hire Palermo (noleggio auto palermo) and you can check more details on car hire Milan.

Chennai City is one of the most important Metro cities in India Tours. Chennai has a very vibrant culture. The reason behind this cultural dynamism is the fact that Chennai, since decades, has remained a focal point of Dravidian movements, be it political or cultural. Due to its stress on a particular form of movement Chennai has not developed to be a heterogeneous society as some of its neighboring cities such as Banglore and Vishakhapatnam are. Nevertheless Chennai is desperately trying to put off this baggage now and is catching up with cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad.

The history of Chennai goes back to 17th century. Its development is theliving example of how urban agglomerations grow around a nucleus city. It all started in the year 1639 when two of the agents of the then East India Company namely Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, took a piece of land on lease from the then king of Vijaynagar empire to build a transit port. The construction of Fort Saint George started that very year. As the trade flourished, adjoining fishing villages such as Triplicane, Purasawalkam, Egmore and Chetput slowly merged with the Fort area and the resulting agglomeration was named It was later changed to Madras and finally Chennai in the year 1996.

The Chennia city is spread over an area of 200 square kilometers along the Bay of Bengal and is relatively clean. You can find verdant green patches amidst the high-tech, high-rise buildings. With a population of around six million, it is India's fourth largest city India Tour. The city has no dearth of tourist attractions but the jewel of Chennai is Marina Beach that is considered the second longest beach in the world. Apart from that you have other attractions such as Fort Saint Georges, Chennai Museum memorial and Crocodile Park among others.

Chennai, the scion of Dravidian movement, is a vibrant city that keeps on reinventing itself During you Tours to India Chennai you will get an opportunity to explore the distinct and vibrant culture of Chennai that is so different from the one you experience in North India. Everything, right from music to cuisine, is distinct in itself. Chennai travel will help you understand a new city and a new culture in itself.

Chennai is a city where the tradition and the modernism have a subtle blend. From traditional south Indiacourses to fast food joints, from ancient temple architecture to modern high-rises, from Carnatic music and dance to groves in discotheques, Chennai has them all. Tours to Chennai The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced four city-based package tours for the benefit of tourists visiting places of interest in and around Chennai city and Kancheepuram.

Flagging off the first tourist van from Chennai Central on Monday, IRCTC regional director V. Sriram said the packages would be economical, meeting the demands of middle class people. This was the first time that such packages were launched by the Corporation in the country. Tourists will be picked up and dropped at Chennai Central station. Booking counters have been set up at the Central station and advance bookings for the tours are open. A guide would accompany the tourists to give a detailed description about the places being visited.

Since long, I had been planning to go on an adventure outing which could get my adrenaline pumping and break the monotony of my daily routine. A couple of months ago, I finally got that opportunity, with a trip down south, to the dual destinations of Kerala and Karnataka. Bordering each other, there is so much to explore in both the South Indian states.

Most people associate Kerala with Ayurveda, tranquil backwaters and spa resorts. However, after my trip to Kerala, I can safely tell you there is a lot more to be explored in God’s own country. And then there are a whole lot of adventure activities in Karnataka, from trekking in Bangalore to rappelling, rock climbing, Coorg rafting, snorkeling and so much more.

My Favorite trekking trails in Kerala and Karnataka

There are a lot of trekking trails in Kerala and Karnataka to be explored. Since I was on a month long vacation (yes, I am the lucky sorts, since I am a freelancer), I got to explore most of those. If you are looking for trekking in Karnataka and Kerala, I would suggest the following places for the best experience:

1.              Savandurga hills

2.              Anthargange

3.              Bheemeshwari

4.              Chikmangalur

5.              Coorg

6.              Dandeli wildlife sanctuary

7.              Mullayanagiri

8.              Makalidurga  and

9.              Bandipur National Park

10.          Famous spots for trekking in Kerala

11.          Chimmony or the Rainforest Trekking

12.          Parambikulam

13.          Periyar Tiger Reserve

14.          Chinnar Trekking

15.          Munnar to Kodaikanal

16.          Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

17.          Idukki National Park and

18.          Wayanad Wildlife Reserve

Rafting and other adventures in water

If you are looking for an adventurous time in the water while on a trip to Kerala and Karnataka, you are more than lucky. There are plenty of great spots for kayaking and rafting in Karnataka as well as Kerala. For those exhilarating rapids and scintillating experience, here are the best destinations in Karnataka:

1.              Bheemeshwari

2.              Kondaji

3.              Honnemardu

4.              Agumbe and the famous,

5.              Dandeli National Park

6.              Kemphole

7.              Netravati

8.              Gokarna

9.              Marawanthe beach

10.          Karwar

11.          Devbagh and

12.          Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka

If you are looking for a more tranquil experience, Kerala is the place to be, with destinations such as The Alleppey Bakcwaters, The Kollam Backwaters and The Kottayam Backwaters perfect for kayaking and rafting.

There is rappelling too to be done

While it may not be adrenaline pumping as rafting or kayaking, there is still a fear of heights you have to overcome. At least that was the case with me. Sice I was on an adventure spree of sorts, I can safely suggest best destinations for rappelling in Karnataka, which include Coorg adventure, Dandeli, Makalidurga, Manchinbele and Ramnagar.

Munnar in Kerala, along with Kollam, Wayanad and Gokarana arethe destinations you must check out for rappelling in Kerala.

There is scuba diving and snorkeling too, in Karnataka as well as Kerala

For all those who though that adventure in Kerala and Karnataka is all about adrenaline pumping fun, I have got news for you. There are some stunning beaches in both the states which are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. The azure waters of the place and the rich underwater life makes it an experience to remember. The waters of Kerala and Karnataka are ideal for amateurs as well as pros, with colorful marine life to explore, including beautiful corals which just take your breath away.

If you are looking to do snorkeling or scuba diving in Kerala, the beaches of Karala, Thiruvankulam quarry and Varkala is what I would suggest you. For those looking for a rendezvous with marine life in Karnataka, some of the best beaches close to Bangalore include Dev Bagh (close to the Karwar Beach), Pigeon Island ( Netrani Island ), Barracuda and Murudeshwar (Karnataka).

Don’t miss wildlife safaris, cave exploration and parasailing in Karnataka as well as Kerala

Both Karnataka as well as Kerala are blessed with lush greenery, thickets and varied flora which makes them perfect habitat for a wide variety of animals and birds. There are quite a few wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala as well as Karnataka which are great trekking trails as well. I wasn’t going to miss a chance for a tryst with the wilderness of nature, and I would suggest you the same as well. There are jeep safaris to be had, which take you really close to large animals- enough to give you goosebumps.

And if that doesn’t excite you much, flying like a bird high in the sky is sure to appeal to your adventurous taste buds. Parasailing is one of the best activities to do in the two states, and there is cave exploration to be had. Walking through caves that are eons old, with all sort of folklore associated with them is definitely exciting to say the least. And there are destinations in Kerala as well as Karnataka which could experience exciting wildlife, parasailing as well as cave explorations.

Personally speaking, I find Bandipur, Nagarahole wildlife, Bheemeshwari, Makalidurga, Coorg, Wayanad, Masinagudi , Chikmangalur and Yercaud to be the best destinations for wildlife exploration and other adventurous fun.

And if you are wondering how come I know so much about both the destinations, I owe it to Thrillophilia. I took their help when I was planning my adventure tour around Bangalore. If you would like to experience adventure at its very best, I would highly recommend Thrillophilia for your needs. These guys know their job well!

Sharm is becoming the new Mallorca for the brits (and others) with all inclusive packages that allow an almost guaranteed sun soaked holiday. It doesn't have great beaches but offers a lot - ok hotels value for money - great diving and a large variety of things to do outside of getting a tan by the pool like taking quad bikes through the dessert. So we know why but the better travel tip is how to get these advantages without getting surrounded by the tattooed noisebox families by the pool. I'm talking about Hurghada - and this is a tip I got this week end 

to be continued...

The hypnotically beautiful testimonial of love is awe inspiring architectural wonder of modern century. The embodiment of true love was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan at Agra in 17th century. The temple of adore was built in memory of Queen Mumtaz Mahal to immortalize love forever on earth. The Taj Mahal in Agra is a renowned UNESCO heritage site and is a delightful experience of ones lifetime.

The enchanting white marble tomb is one of the impressive seven wonder of the world. The tour of Taj Mahal is the most important ingredient of India tour and golden triangle tour. The Indian tour is unfinished without experiencing the miraculous Taj Mahal in Agra. The Taj Mahal tour digs deep into the charismatic Indo-Islamic architectural elegance and is a refined exhibition of Persian arts and culture.

Taj Mahal of India, a perfect symbol of love, a beautiful creation by the man, its beauty is beyond the scope of word. Many poets and literatures have tried to describe the beauty of Taj Mahal, but they too find them short of words. Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of River Yamuna, in Agra. It was built under the rule of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal, with whom the emperor was fell in love at first sight.

Taj Mahal is a synonymous symbol of love and romance, and it is mentioned in the history that the name of Taj Mahal was derived from the name of his Begum Mumtaj Mahal. Taj Mahal is also known as Crown Palace. The exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones and the purity of the white marble make it a scenic location and make it one of the most popular sites in the world. Taj Mahal is also in the list of the 7 wonders of the World. So you must plan for a tour to the Taj Mahal of Agra.

Taj Mahal Agra is the power of one beautiful emotion-'Love'- the instrumental in translating the Taj Mahal into reality. Introduction to the Taj Mahal is incomplete without the mention the names of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj has remained a symbol of love for more than 350 years. The story of the Taj is, in fact is the story of love. Over the years, the story has been told and re-told innumerable times. Actual love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal makes the actual beauty of Taj Mahal and makes it the one of the Wonder out of the seven wonders.

A India tours to the Taj Mahal is a memorable in a lifetime experience. It leaves its visitor many cherished memories to last a lifetime. But such is the charm and everlasting glory of the Taj Mahal that it remains as fresh as morning dew. With the opening of the Taj Mahal on moonlit lights after 20 long years, a traveler can now watch the Taj in all its glory in the night as well. Reams and reams have been written and re-written.

 Traveling with your dog can be an amazing experience but when it involves flying overseas with them this will take a bit of planning and preparation if you are hoping for everything to go smoothly. Here are some of the things you should do to prepare your dog for flying.

Go To the Vet

Most airlines and even a lot of resorts, will want a current document, less than 10 days old, from a veterinarian stating that your animal is in good health. Take the opportunity when going to the vet to boost any vaccinations your dog may need and help make sure that your pet is ready and able to deal with the new environment it is heading to.

Consider a Tranquillizer

Flying can be an incredibly traumatic time for a dog.  Apart from the trauma of being separated from you, your dog will be in unfamiliar situations and environments for often long periods of time before being reunited with you at the other end. Consider making the whole experience a lot easier on your pup by knocking them out for the trip, because your dog would likely prefer to sleep through the entire experience.

Pet Insurance

If you don’t have pet cover already, it is worth getting some insurance to cover your dog while you are away with them.  As with any other family member, you will want to be able to get your pet immediate assistance should they need it, without it costing you a fortune either.

Pet Friendly Places

Wherever you book your holiday, if you want to take your dog with you, make sure the accommodation actually allows pets. Many hotels aren’t pet friendly, so in order to secure the best accommodation options, you should be booking all of your lodgings ahead of time.

Carry Them On

If your dog is a very small one, some airlines will allow you to bring your dog into the passenger cabin with you as carry on luggage providing they are in a suitably sized cage that can fit underneath the seat in front of you. This option can make the whole experience far easier on your dog, as they will be with you the entire time.

Talk to Your Dog

Most animals are pretty smart and although they may not understand our verbal language, they are very susceptible to the tone of our voice and our energy.  So, in the weeks leading up to your trip away with your dog be sure you are talking to them about what is coming up and the adventure you will soon be having together. Make sure you aren’t surprising your best friend but ensure you let them know what is going on and reassure them that everything will be all right. With a few weeks to get used to the idea of plane travel, they will likely fare far better with some well thought through preparation.

Feed and Water Them

Make sure that your dog isn’t wanting for anything on the journey by feeding and watering them prior to checking in. Most pets generally don’t eat much at times when they are excited or stressed and that’s why it is a good idea to feed them well before the flight.

No matter what, taking your dog on an airplane is going to be a stressful experience for them and by preparing them well, you can make it a much less traumatic experience for them.

Florida is a beach lined wonderland and beautiful just about anytime of the year, and of the most popular places in the U.S. to visit during the summer. From Miami to DisneyWorld Orlando to the Everglades, Florida offers an exceptional variety of unique things to do and there are amazing amount of discount hotels that will make any vacation there affordable. So which are the best places in Florida to visit when you're traveling on your own? The first choice would be Miami (I checked out most of popular placess in Florida previously and believe me Miami is the best of of them!!!)

Who wouldn't want to visit Miami? The city is an energetic mix of cultures including Colombian, Cuban and Haitian cultures just to name a few, exceptional art deco architectural beauty, the aqua blue waters of Biscayne Bay and trendy South Beach. The nightlife is awesome, the beaches are gorgeous, and there are endless lists of things to do, making it the perfect choice if you're traveling on your own. If you are into urban vacations that include all of the above plus shopping, pampering yourself at one of the many spas, along with a nice selection of cheap hotels in Miami that will make it all affordable, your going to enjoy Miami more than some of its other cities.

Miami also has its fill of amusement parks and the Miami Seaquarium fits in perfectly with the atmosphere of the coast and it is very impressive. You can witness the ultimate in aquatic experiences but be prepared to spend most of the day there. The Seaquarium is packed with an extensive variety of wild life and lots of fun hands on activities as well, not to mention the shops and dining options. Personally, i am not a fan of those kind of theme parks, but some people like it.

When you aren’t out in Miami checking out the trendier things or hanging out at one of the discount hotels, enjoying a drink or the views, hit the beaches. The beaches are a big part of why Miami is so popular and they have been rated as some of the best in the world. Whether you're just soaking up the sun, enjoying the water sports or having a drink at a local beach bar, you’ll love the atmosphere that the Miami beaches provide.

If you feel like doing something a little different, exploring beyond Miami, visit the Everglades which are only around 1.5 hours from Miami and worth the drive. The Everglades aren't just about the swamps and air boats. You can walk, bike, kayak and even canoe around the park and learn about its delicate ecosystem that has managed to endure forever here. It's a peaceful place yet if you stay still long enough you may see an alligator pop his head up in Everglade's waters.

The discount hotels make Miami an affordable vacation destination and its fantastic, year round weather, miles and miles of beautiful beaches, amusements parks and nightlife make it the perfect vacation getaway if you're traveling on your own.

A wedding is one of the most important events for any couple in their entire lives. Yeah right! That sounds like it came from a Hallmark greeting card. But, we all do it sometimes, so in order to reconcile our desire to travel and our desire to wed-I'm all for destination weddings. Here are number of destinations for weddings (I've only been in Australia since I have only one husband)

Italy

A certain movie must come to mind when you think of Italy as a wedding destination. Most people think of this country as one of the best places to tie the knot. There are beautiful historical sites all over Italy. The food is great and the language is musical. If you choose to head on to Italy you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding spots. The euro has been having problems and therefore you might discover that the whole undertaking is not so expensive.

Hawaii

Who does not love Hawaii; it is beautiful, the people are nice and the weather is just perfect. This is an ideal destination to have a beach wedding right next to the calming sounds of the ocean waves. You can schedule your wedding to coincide with the breathtaking sunset. What is better still is the fact that you can have your wedding and then enjoy a wonderful honeymoon in the same location. It is a beautiful place to embark on a new way of life.

Australia

Australia was my choice. The country/continent offers diversity to all those who choose to wed here. You have many options when you are in this country. You could go the beach and exchange your nuptials on the sandy shores or you could decide to wed with Mother Nature as your witness in the beautiful jungles. You may also be looking for arid conditions for your wedding; you can get it all here. You can make beautiful memories in this land of diversity. I actually wasn't on the wild side. This is where I got married .

Las Vegas

There are many people who have at one time in their lives contemplated eloping while in Vegas. This city offers simplicity when it comes to the whole marriage process. While here; you may not need too much preparation to get the two of you together for life. Provided you love each other, have a few bucks and some form of identification then you are on your way to a new life.

Mauritius

This might be a long way from the homes of most people but it is worth it. Mauritius does not deserve to be called by any other name apart from paradise. The beautiful Indian Ocean waters will bear witness to your love as you come together as one. You could decide to try something crazy like exchanging your vows under the ocean waters; something new will not hurt.

Jamaica

Jamaica is rich in culture and beauty. This is a worthy destination for weddings. The white sandy beaches, clear blue sky right above the calm ocean waters. Get your wedding going right at the beach then proceed with your honeymoon in any of the luxurious resorts. You can also listen to some soothing reggae music under the moonlight.

This is just my taste. I think that this whole destination wedding thing is a great adventure. Try it. But don't bring the whole family, just you and your other half.

Eastern Europe is attracting the Brits this year due to budget enjoyment.

Among the destinations Bulgaria and Turkey.

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New Zealand is one beautiful country with lots of amazing things to offer in many unimaginable ways. I mean there is something for everyone to do in this lovely country! It is the home to some of the endangered bird species known as kiwi and the proud origin place of the Maori Haka's War Cry.

The whole of New Zealand is blessed with flora and fauna. It is the perfect place to be if you want to experience nature at its best. The country enjoys more than 2000 hours of sunshine in a year. There are so many sheep all over the countryside. Actually the ratio is said to be 9 sheep to 1 human. You can take a nature walk in the many nature trails. If you want somewhere to relax, unwind and even meditate this is where you should pack your bags and head to.
The people of New Zealand are quite friendly and peaceful. You can interact with them over drinks and have a good time filled with lots of laughter and cheer.
As I said before there are so many places to visit in New Zealand. You can go to Auckland which is in the North, Wellington which is the middle or go to Christchurch in the South. Wherever you choose to go fun is guaranteed. There are so many parks for recreation in these cities. During my vacation I particularly loved the bungee jumping experience most. New Zealand offers a variety of leisure sports from rock climbing to golf.

Travelling to a foreign country can be quite a challenge especially if you have a strict budget. But this doesn't mean that you cannot have fun. There are so many online travel guide sites that will give you the information you need on places to visit, fee charged and discounts offered. You can take the cheap flights tourist arrangement for discounted flight tickets. These travel deals are quite pocket friendly. Try Groupon Australia or Groupon New Zealand They totally worked for me.

I started my tour from Auckland, travelled south through Hamilton and finished at the west coast where I visited so many national parks. I improvised ways on how I could get free accommodation through couch surfing. Not only was it a way of putting a roof over my head but also a chance to meet and interact with new people.

There are so many camping sites all over New Zealand that will give you an enjoyable camping experience. The Kerosene Creek is one of the natural wonders of New Zealand. It is actually like a natural bath spa. New Zealand is not only blessed with abundant nature but also a rich history. You will find out more about these in the many museums found all over.
I had a wonderful time in New Zealand. I am glad I toured it. There was not a single day that I was bored or lacked something to. If I would, I would visit again and again till I make it my second home.

Good things to bring, how to open up a peanut butter jar that's stuck closed, how to untie a plastic bag that's tied too tight, water purification, dealing with intestinal parasites, good water bottles to bring, and a lot more.

It was on April 11, a tour was organized by Viator, a company with headquarter in US I think as their custormer service was superb and responsive and 24/7, no online holding / waiting. So this review relates mostly to the agency Viator is represented by in Israel, Bein Harim Ltd. I had another day tour via same agency just a day before and that was totally different experience, may be due to a shorter distance to the destination. BUT if you do plan to go for one day tour from Jerusalem to Nazareth/Galillee Sea organized by Bein Harim, this is what you should be aware of before you pay $92, meals not included, for such a trip:

You will spend up to 7 hr total ONLY on a way to and from destination vs 6 or less hrs of sightseeing itself. I was picked up in JLM at 550am and dropped of at 850pm. Waited up to 15 min for each person to pickup, more than 1 hr for shuttles to gather ppl from hotels.People didnt care to be on time and a driver did not say a word to them. We did not leave Jerusalem until 7:30, after another hr of waiting until local shuttle pickup all of ONLY ab 20 ppl total.Then one hr ride to Tel Aviv to pick up their group. No guide on a way there, he joined only in TLV. Unpleasant surprise: nothing in tour description was said ab a stop at baptismal site at Jordan, heard that first time from the guide in TLV, many could get prepared instead of paying $25 for a robe or $10 for renting it. On the way back instead of sending TLV group by a separate van as we were told by guide at the beginning, we drove all the way back to TLV almost - just 5 min away from it, where another van finally picked up TLV group, Well it surely did not save much time for us, JLM group, as we still had same ONE hr driving ahead. We were 30-35 ppl total on a bus, JLM group was even larger than TLV.

AWFUL service and ugly attitude of servers? (they looked and acted obnoxiously like crooks), at the lunch restaurant at Galilee Sea - $11 for salad bar and $22 for same with kebab or fish. American kind of coffee in thumbnail size plastic???? cups, no milk no sugar. Well, fresh dates. Half group waited for 50 min for meat/fish after salads, still were charged. Guide did not check on our tables until we came up to complain, he and driver sat at separate table and had the whole meal served right away. We had to wait for coffee, dates, separately as they dont serve until everyone is done w their meal. Bootcamp rules. Guide did not stand for us to demand refund or no charge for late meals which finally came 5 min before we needed to get on bus, and no effort made to even pack it "to go", we had to verbalize such an obvious request since it was paid for already.

Overall VERY poor logistics, not worth money paid - $92  (meals not included) and time wasted absolutely unnecessary - 7 hrs of total DRIVING only to and from destination?? That is hideous and ridiculous. There are things this company Viator  has control over, like to give a clear cut demand to tourists to be on time to pick up or they will get refund, use a separate buses for each JLM and Tel Aviv groups, no "skimping" on transportation costs at costs of tourists time and nerves. It was an exhausting day of 16 hrs from getting up to drop off time for me with next morning 6am awake for a flight home

Going on a long drive definitely make sense if the roads are good with no traffic jams and beautiful scenery on both sides. And if the weather is good as well, what more can I ask for. So, fill the petrol tank of your car, take some snacks and nice music before heading out to a road trip.

The nearest destination for a rocking road trip is Mysore, and on the same route there are many more amazing places to explore. It took me approximately 3 hours to reach Mysore from Bangaloreand on the way there are more than 1 café to take a short break for a cuppa coffee. Few kilometers before entering Mysore is Mandya town and I took a turn to explore the Cauvery dam before going to Mysore and I was pleasantly surprised to see the picturesque scenery of this place. The sunset looks beautiful in the clear sky above the river.

Karnataka touches border with Tamil Nadu and Kerala which gives it quite an advantage when it comes to road trips. I drove till Munnar, more than half of the way is plains and then I entered a Kerala wildlife sanctuary in order to reach Munnar. It is past 7pm, and was already getting dark. There was thick layer of mist outside and hardly any vision to keep driving. So, the cars on the way tagged along and followed each other. I rolled down the windows and let the chill air moist with dew fill my lungs.

Another wild destination around Bangalore is Wayanad in Kerala. I followed the Mysore road and kept driving further straight ahead and was surrounded by forests on either side. It was a marvelous experience as I spotted dears and elephants in the forest and stopped to take a closer look. I was really exciting and since then I started driving slow so that I don’t miss on my wildlife experience. I even saw bison on the way. Soon, I entered the Western Ghats and from then on the scenery was awe- inspiring and weather became pleasant.

Bangalore is not very far from Ooty in Tamil Nadu and the road trip is quite an adventure once you get to the hills. There are many hair pin turns and steep slopes with lush greenery and landscapes full of huge old trees. It took me almost 6 hours to reach there. Other than the advantage of hills in the Western Ghats, Bangaloreans have a great beach area nearby, Pondicherry. It is easy to reach there on road and I reached there in 5.30 hours. It was an easy drive with good roads and nice music in my car.

There are so many places on a short distance from Bangalore that weekends can never be dull if you have the passion to explore new places. My road trips were exciting and I enjoyed every moment of it.

India has so many places of tourist interest that perfectly suits to the choice and preferences of the every individual. It has serene beach destination with luxurious and exotic resorts to the pristine charming hill stations dotted with emerald green well organised tea gardens to the wildlife parks and sanctuaries, India has so many exciting tourist places and no wonder one would surely relish and enjoy the moments of lifetime with immense pleasure and delights. India has so many exciting places of tourist interest, but if you are looking for something extra and some exciting place where you can enjoy vacation with rewarding experience, don’t think beyond Kerala. 

Kerala is a scenic and picturesque state, where tourists can savour and enjoy remarkable vacation staying away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It has so many alluring towns, places of tourist interest as well as hill stations where one can enjoy vacation with immense pleasure and excitement. On Kerala Trips tourists can visit to so many exciting tourist place which include Munnar the ideal gateway to soak in the splendour of the nature, Kumarakom and Alleppey backwater to enjoy the magical greenery and the exhilarating wildlife parks and sanctuaries which houses various species of animals and birds. Thus the land of scenic wonderments, Kerala entice thousands of hundreds of tourists from across the world with its wealth of tourists attractions that are outstanding beautiful and charming.

Apart from the rich greenery and enigmatic tourist attractions, Kerala is also famous for its rich culture and traditions, fine arts, unique Ayurveda therapy, Kallipyattu and warm hospitality. It is one such state in India where the literacy rate is 100% as well as the health ration is also high compared to rest of the Indian state. So what are you waiting for? These are so much to learn, feel and explore in Kerala. Just book one from the many available Kerala Tour Packages or the tailor made Kerala Package Tours and savour in the splendid charm of this scenic and picturesque state with immense pleasure and delights.

Come feel the glory of the nature with lots of excitement and joy.

Meenu is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. She has authored many books on tour guide for Kerala Tour Packages From Chennai and Places to Visit in Kerala. Find more packages at http://www.keralatourpackage.org/