SIZZLING GOA
Goa is India's unanimously uncrowned king, as far as international tourists' destination is concerned. With its mesmerising beaches, forts, temples, churches flea markets, locally brewed wines, wildlife sanctuaries or the tanned 'bay'-watch team, they all are a lure for the young at heart. Throw in your most garish clothes, a straw hat and a high SPF suntan lotion and head straight towards Goa.
Whether you reach for Mahashivratri or Carnival (Mardi Gras) in February or Shimgotsav in March, the temples, churches and streets of Goa are abuzz with abundant hyperactivity. The Mandovi-Zuari Estuary Sunset Cruise is a must-do in Panaji, like the visit to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. Fort Aguada (Portuguese coastal fort) and Mangueshi Temple are mandatory halts when in Central Goa. Beaches highly recommended whether for water and sky sports (Rs. 850-1000 per ride) or sheer ethereal beauty are Calangute, Anjuna, Margao, Colva and Terekhol.
MOONLIT AGRA
Touring India is incomplete without a glimpse of India's sartaj (crown) – the Taj Mahal. Reflected in waters of the Yamuna, this white marble edifice was erected in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the deceased love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (17th Century), an absolute wonder of the world. The 30m entrance, red sandstone mosque and its jawab (answer), the tomb with four 41.6m minarets, and the surrounding garden look equally beautiful during the day, as in the glow of the moonlight. You can get some breathtaking pictures or inspiration if you are painters, musicians, danseuse or poets...
Be advised to buy a City Pass (Rs 200) which allows you access to the other wonders of Agra like the Red Fort (16th century), Sikandra and I'timad-ud-Daula. The Red Fort reminiscent of the one at Delhi houses the Jahangiri Mahal, Jodhabai's Palace, Shah Jahan's Palace, Anguri Bagh, Golden Pavilions, Khas Mahal, Mussaman Burj, Sheesh Mahal and the Mina Bazaar. You could combine Agra with Jaipur-Udaipur and Delhi called the Golden Triangle.
MYSTIC VARANASI
Bobbing in a boat on the Ganga, wearing a silk brocade kurta-sherwani, listening to the far off din of mantras, floating oil lamps and the starting notes of Bhismilla Khan's Shehnai doesn't mean you have reached the pearly gates of heaven. It indicates the dreamy morning or evening you witness at Benaras or Varanasi (derived from the confluence of Varun and Assi Rivers).
Benarasi paan, Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), kite fights on Makar Sankrant, the Ramnagar Fort, Thumri, silk weaving centres (sarees, kurtas and upholstery) - Benares has immense culture and visual delight to offer besides its culinary variety. Sadhus, mystics, burial houses, dhobi ghats, street sales and temple-mosques sharing common facades are sights characteristic of Benaras.
QUIET KERALA
Chinese fishing nets, Coracle rides, swaying coconut palms and paddy fields, Ayurvedic massages, Kathakali, elephants, coffeeestates, Sabarimalai, silk, sea-food and boat rides - Kerela is a round-the-world tour in 18 hours. Hawaii-like beaches, Venetian backwaters, vales of Switzerland (minus the snow), wildlife competing with African savannas, festivals of Spain, boat races of Singapore, waterfalls of North America and health resorts of Phuket - Kerala has them all!
A simple and rustic state with near 100 per cent literacy, the mallus of Kerala are simple, unassuming people, making great hosts. Kerala's Periyar Tiger Reserve is the doyen of wildlife conservation and international tourism, besides the Spice Village, Kerala Ayurveda Massage Centres and Kovalam, Varkala, Quilon beaches.
Goa is India's unanimously uncrowned king, as far as international tourists' destination is concerned. With its mesmerising beaches, forts, temples, churches flea markets, locally brewed wines, wildlife sanctuaries or the tanned 'bay'-watch team, they all are a lure for the young at heart. Throw in your most garish clothes, a straw hat and a high SPF suntan lotion and head straight towards Goa.
Whether you reach for Mahashivratri or Carnival (Mardi Gras) in February or Shimgotsav in March, the temples, churches and streets of Goa are abuzz with abundant hyperactivity. The Mandovi-Zuari Estuary Sunset Cruise is a must-do in Panaji, like the visit to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. Fort Aguada (Portuguese coastal fort) and Mangueshi Temple are mandatory halts when in Central Goa. Beaches highly recommended whether for water and sky sports (Rs. 850-1000 per ride) or sheer ethereal beauty are Calangute, Anjuna, Margao, Colva and Terekhol.
MOONLIT AGRA
Touring India is incomplete without a glimpse of India's sartaj (crown) – the Taj Mahal. Reflected in waters of the Yamuna, this white marble edifice was erected in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the deceased love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (17th Century), an absolute wonder of the world. The 30m entrance, red sandstone mosque and its jawab (answer), the tomb with four 41.6m minarets, and the surrounding garden look equally beautiful during the day, as in the glow of the moonlight. You can get some breathtaking pictures or inspiration if you are painters, musicians, danseuse or poets...
Be advised to buy a City Pass (Rs 200) which allows you access to the other wonders of Agra like the Red Fort (16th century), Sikandra and I'timad-ud-Daula. The Red Fort reminiscent of the one at Delhi houses the Jahangiri Mahal, Jodhabai's Palace, Shah Jahan's Palace, Anguri Bagh, Golden Pavilions, Khas Mahal, Mussaman Burj, Sheesh Mahal and the Mina Bazaar. You could combine Agra with Jaipur-Udaipur and Delhi called the Golden Triangle.
MYSTIC VARANASI
Bobbing in a boat on the Ganga, wearing a silk brocade kurta-sherwani, listening to the far off din of mantras, floating oil lamps and the starting notes of Bhismilla Khan's Shehnai doesn't mean you have reached the pearly gates of heaven. It indicates the dreamy morning or evening you witness at Benaras or Varanasi (derived from the confluence of Varun and Assi Rivers).
Benarasi paan, Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), kite fights on Makar Sankrant, the Ramnagar Fort, Thumri, silk weaving centres (sarees, kurtas and upholstery) - Benares has immense culture and visual delight to offer besides its culinary variety. Sadhus, mystics, burial houses, dhobi ghats, street sales and temple-mosques sharing common facades are sights characteristic of Benaras.
QUIET KERALA
Chinese fishing nets, Coracle rides, swaying coconut palms and paddy fields, Ayurvedic massages, Kathakali, elephants, coffeeestates, Sabarimalai, silk, sea-food and boat rides - Kerela is a round-the-world tour in 18 hours. Hawaii-like beaches, Venetian backwaters, vales of Switzerland (minus the snow), wildlife competing with African savannas, festivals of Spain, boat races of Singapore, waterfalls of North America and health resorts of Phuket - Kerala has them all!
A simple and rustic state with near 100 per cent literacy, the mallus of Kerala are simple, unassuming people, making great hosts. Kerala's Periyar Tiger Reserve is the doyen of wildlife conservation and international tourism, besides the Spice Village, Kerala Ayurveda Massage Centres and Kovalam, Varkala, Quilon beaches.
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