Best Travel Places
Monday, November 18, 2013
European Castles You Can Rent for Your Dream Vacation
Dining Rules from All over the World
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Discovering Beautiful Mallorca
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Choosing Self Catering Accommodation in Isle of Islay
Think about what you need from your self catering Isle of Islay accommodation. Do you need a family room, somewhere you can take your dog or somewhere near the many wonderful walking tracks the areas has to offer? Do you have a budget in mind and how long will you be staying? There are many low budget bed and breakfast houses available and if you are taking the family, why not stay on a farm?
Staying on a farm is very popular these days and allows the kids to see how a real farm is run. The adults will learn a thing or two as well! You can choose to get up with the lark and help with the early morning tasks or laze in bed until breakfast is ready on the table for you. It is your choice. Most self catering establishments offer you breakfast for a set price or you can choose to make it yourself in your own accommodation. If you are staying on a farm you’ll certainly be able to make use of some of the fresh produce!
The great thing about staying in self catering Isle of Islay accommodation is the warm welcome you will receive from your hosts and everyone in the region. It really is a wonderful part of the world and one that you will want to visit time and time again with your family in tow. For those wanting to explore as a couple, a group or on their own, there are many self catering Isle of Islay guest houses offering single, double and group accommodation. Just let your hosts know what you need and the type of room you are looking for and they will do everything to meet your requirements.
Staying in self catering Isle of Islay accommodation gives you the freedom to come and go as you please. Plan out your days in advance or simply go with the flow and see where the day takes you. That’s the great thing about country and highlands life - it can be as slow or fast paced as you like and there are many activities available for those who like an adventure packed holiday.
Take a look online as there are many self catering Isle of Islay options available to choose from. Whether you are travelling from the bottom of the UK or you live in Scotland you are sure to find accommodation that ticks all the right boxes. Cottages, farm houses and idyllic retreats are just a mouse click away. Once you are booked you can sit back and relax and wait for your holiday date to come round.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
3 Best Travel Places in Asia
There are numerous best travel places that you may come across when visiting Asia. In fact, a large number of tourist attractions of the entire world can be found in the Asian continent. Asia is the home to the greatest collection of heritage of art, language, cuisine and superb architecture. The Asian continent has great food, history as well as people. You can expect to find almost everything here as it is a dream destination for most travelers. The three best places to travel in Asia include the following.
Philippines
Philippines has many beautiful tourist attractions that you simple cannot miss if you are on a vacation trip. Tagaytay City which is located about 2500 feet above sea level is a perfect picnic spot. Moreover, here you will also get to experience the world's smallest volcano which is still active.
The Olango Wildlife Sanctuary supports a large number of migratory birds found in the country. These birds often migrate from Siberia, Japan and Northern China and when conditions are no longer favorable on this sanctuary, they fly to areas as far as New Zealand and Australia as well. The Chocolate Hills is also among the most famous places that is worth visiting. Some other places of interest and attractions in Philippines include the Coconut Palace, Nonoc Cave, Kawasan Falls, Paco Park, Casa Manila, St Anne's Shrine, Punta de Santiago Lighthouse, The Flower Farm and many more.
Thailand
Thailand is also one of the best travel places in Asia. It is in fact a country where tourism is the chief support of the economy. Thailand is quite a safe and beautiful place if you choose it as a tourist destination. The people here are friendly and this is the reason this country has been given the name "The Land of Smiles." There are many popular travel places that can be enjoyed here including the ancient temples, panoramic beaches, bustling cities, picturesque riversides and much more.
Indonesia
Indonesia is also filled with tourist spots and exciting famous places that can not be missed when on a vacation trip. There are a lot of things that can be done in Indonesia. The most popular travel places in Jakarta in Indonesai include The National Monument Towers, The Central Museum, Merdeka Square, Portuguese Church and the Istiqlal Mosque. Among all these, other best travel includes Sumatra which is the second largest island of Indonesia, the Orchid Island, Bali and Banda Islands.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4152741
5 Best Travel Places in Australia
Are you looking to go to someplace this holiday season that offers you much more than just plain water activities, wonderful cities and some sightseeing opportunities? Are you planning a vacation to a place where you could get the opportunity to experience wildlife, snow capped mountains, exotic animals, rainforests and so on. One of the best travel places that can give you such an enthralling experience is Australia. Whether you are a nature lover, outdoor enthusiast or a sportsperson, this country has a whole range of attractions to offer. Here is a list of the 5 best travel places that you cannot miss to see if you are on a vacation in Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the best travel places in Australia. There is a huge range of biodiversity that is supported by this reef. Some of the species that are found on this reef includes the dwarf minke whale, humpback dolphin, olive ridley turtle, flatback turtle, salt water crocodiles and many more. Together with this, there are also a wide range of birds found on this reef. The Great Barrier Reef is situated off the Queensland coast and is the largest coral reef in the whole world. It is really fascinating and those who love diving and snorkeling would find this destination to be among the best of the best.
Sydney Harbor
One of the best places to visit in Australia as it is a natural harbor which also provides the setting for the beautiful Sydney Opera House. At the Opera House, you can experience performances by foreign productions and local music artists. The contemporary architecture really adds to its beauty and the surrounding structures makes it a must see tourist spot in Australia.
Kimberly
The region around Kimberly in Western Australia is splendid as it offers a whole range of attractions and sights to be experienced. Some of the most popular views of this region include waterfalls, rivers, rainforests and red cliffs. Kimberly is also a notable place for its diamonds. Among the best places of Kimberly is also the Purnululu National Park that is really popular. Some regions in Kimberly has distinctive art centers where you can see artwork by foreign artists as well as local artists being displayed of which most of these artwork are also recognized internationally.
The Snowy Mountains
Among the best travel places in Australia are the snowy mountains which can be explored by skiing or by foot. Tours are generally guided depending on your age, physical fitness and so on. Mount Kosciuszko in the Snowy Mountains is the highest mountain in Australia where you can find Alpine Flowers blooming if you happen to visit the country at the right time of the year. The Ningaloo Reef is also among the best travel places where one can actually walk on the reef. The attractions, accommodation and places of interest in this part of the country really make it tourist friendly and one of the best places to travel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4152774
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Amarnath Yatra: The Holy Trek
Every year in the months of June and July, many thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple. Located high in the Himalayas, this is a very tough journey and it is a test of mental and physical courage.
The Amarnath Yatra begins from a place called as Pahalgam, about 90 km for Srinagar, the Capital of J&K. From Pahalgam, the trail follows the lidder river and the distance to the Amarnath cave from Pahalgam is about 42 km.
Motorised transport in form of mini buses and jeeps are available for a distance of 10 km from Pahalgam to Chandanwadi. From chandanwadi onwards the entire distance is to be covered on foot or pony. From chandanwadi, at a distance of eight km is a place called as seshnag. This is believed to be the place where lord Shiva released the snake around his neck, before proceeding to the cave. This place is famous for a lake named seshnag. The coll green waters of the lake are a treat to the eyes of the weary traveller. One can also spot giant Himalayan trout in this lake. This lake is fed by a glacier called the seshnag glacier.
From seshnag, at a distance of 4 km is a feature called Mahagunas parbat. It is at 14,000 feet and it is the highest one can get during the Amarnath Yatra. From this peak one has to now get down to about 10000 feet, a place called panchtarani. The distance between Mahagunas parbat and Panchtarani is about 6 km.
From panchtarani one again ascends up a distance of six km to reach the cave. Most pilgrims will cover the entire distance of 42 km in two days with an overnight halt at seshnag.
The Amarnath Cave is special for the presence of an ice Shiva Lingam which is believed to represent Shiva. It is also believed that this lingam waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
Apart from the route mentioned above, the Amarnath Cave can also be accessed by another route. This route is shorter and hence pilgrims can usually return the same day after having Darshan. This northern route begins from a place called as Baltal and the distance to the cave of about 16 km is usually covered in about 4 hours.
Baltal is at a distance of 91 km and there are frequent busses from Srinagar to Baltal. Baltal is also close to the famous tourist place of Sonemarg, famous for pine forests and rapids.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6197836
Amarnath Yatra Booking - Trip to Amarnath
Amarnath Yatra Booking
Amarnath is one of the important pilgrimage places of Hindu in India. There a belief that in every lunar month, the icy Shivalinga in the Amarnath cave starts to come to shape on every first day of the bright half during the month. Visit to the Amarnath Shrine is like a visit to heaven and for those who journey with faith, it is a rewarding experience. To plan this yatra for you there are many Amarnath yatra booking agents and agencies available all over the country which provide various packages for yatra and services for pilgrims. You can select your package according to your need, requirement and facilities. These Amarnath yatra booking agencies are available in almost every city of India and can be found on internet too. Advance bookings can be done through website, telephone and booking offices. These packages mostly include facilities like transportation, conveyance, medical, food and lodging.
Tour to Amarnath
Tour to Amarnath is an annual event when thousands of Hindus come from different corners of India visit to Amarnath caves. The pilgrims trek from Pahalgam to these caves Amarnath and worship the great ice Lingam. Situated in a narrow gorge at the end of Lidder valley, Amarnath stands at 3,888 m and is 45 km from Pahalgam and 141 km from Srinagar. Though the original Amarnath pilgrimage tour subscribes that the yatra be started from Srinagar, but the more common practice is to begin the journey from Pahalgam, and cover the distance to Amarnath and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 km from Srinagar
The pilgrimage is somewhat dangerous. The height and the low temperature, combined with the under-nourished state of many people makes it challenging for the pilgrims. Tour to Amarnath it one of the toughest pilgrimage tours in India.
Yatra Amarnath
The annual Amaranth yatra to Holy Amarnath Cave, situated at 14000 ft. above sea level, is organized by the Jammu & Kashmir State Government during the month of July and August. The dates however vary every year looking at the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Sharavan (Vikrama Samwat).
The yatra to Amarnath starts only on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar calendar from Dashnami Akhada in Srinagar. Martand, the ancient temple dedicated to the Sun God is the first important place during the trek. Other important places are shrines of Bab-zain-ud-din Wali at Aishmuqam, there are many temples on the way like Anantnag, Deviangan, Bijbehara, Akingam, Lukbhavan, and Nagdandi.
A large tented township springs up to accommodate the pilgrims. All intermediate halting places have the same kind of facilities. Yatra Officer is appointed to conduct the pilgrimage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5892941
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Char Dham Yatra - Get the Privilege to Visit Holy Shrines of Hindu Gods
Journey to Chardham yatra has a lot of significance due to its religious circuit. Thus, devotees from all over the world come and visit the 4 Dham to feel the endless bliss. The Char Dham Yatra certainly takes you to the blissful divinity lying in the womb of mystic Garhwal Himalayas. It is the holy pilgrimage of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, which are known as the cult of Hinduism.
The 4 Dham Yatra is the most sacred of all Hindu pilgrims. It is believed that taking mystical journey to these four holy pilgrimage will pure one's mind, body and soul along with releasing him/her from the complex bond of life and death. It is significant to consider here that holy yatra should be followed in the form of clockwise circumambulation or "Parikrama".
The starting point of yatra should be Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, then moving on to Sri Kedarnathji and finally completing Sri Badrinathji. If you want to join hands with millions of pilgrims to get a unique spiritual experience, plan your yatra with the help of a trusted travel planner today. A travel planner will eliminate all your travel hassles and you will have the opportunity to purge all your sins.
Char Dham Tour
Yamunotri- The shrine of Yamunotri is strategically situated to west of Garhwal Himalayas and is known to be the place of origination of holy river Yamuna. Shrine is located on the top of Bandar Poonch Parvat, which in itself is a great holy destination to visit. The prime attractions of Yamunotri include Goddess Yamuna's Temple and Janki Chatti springs.
Gangotri- The shrine is situated in the midst of captivating scenery in Uttarakhand. Maximum pilgrims visit this place in the month of May on "Akshaya Tritiya" every year. Special Puja of the river Ganga is performed on this day. The shrine is then closed for pilgrims on the famous Hindu festival, "Diwali."
Sri Kedarnathji- The holy pilgrimage called "Sri Kedarnathji" is situated on the backdrop of Sri Kedarnath range, which has to be covered on foot from Gaurikund. There are several holy kunds in and around Kedarnatth Temple.
Sri Badrinathji- Also popular as Vishal Badri, Sri Badrinathji is a Hindu shrine situated in Nar-Narayan Parvat, juxtaposing Neelkanth peak. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the oldest Hindu temples.
You'll get a lot of online tourist sites offering Char Dham tours. Search for the best Char Dham Packages on the Internet and make a start to the spiritual abode right away.
Chardham Yatra - The Most Popular Pilgrimage Tour in India
Chardham yatra is said to be the journey to the moksha & door to the spirituality. Considered as the holiest & popular pilgrimage tour in India, Char dham yatra is splitted into four Dhams i.e. destinations - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri & Yamnotri.
Placed in the sacred Himalayan region in Uttrakhand, India - the land of God, the Chardham pilgrimage yatra has been the home of yogies, and great solitaries over the decade.
A great religious significance is associated with the following four divine destinations of Char dham piligrimage tours India:
Shri Badrinath Dham- Shri Badrinath dham is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is around 5 meters high beautifully built in the shape of a cone with a small dome of a gilt bull & spire constructed by Shankaracharya in 8th century.
Badrinath Dham is one of the most divine pilgrimages of India placed in Himalayan hill tracks at the height of around 10,248 feet above the sea level at the confluence of Rishi Ganga & Alakhnanda. To visit the temple, devotees or tourists pass through the lofty hilly terrain, cliffs and curves surrounded by the scenically beautiful sights. Before entering the temple, it is customary to take a bath in a natural hot water spring - Tapt Kund, which is said to wash off all the sins and purify the soul.
Shri Kedarnath Dham - Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the slopes of Himalayas at the height of 3583 m above the sea level, at the head of river Mandakini. Constructed by Shankaracharya, the temple is surrounded by elevated snow covered peaks. Kedarnath temple has an exquisite architecture 1000 years old with inner walls decorated with deity's figures & ancient mythological scenes, and a large statue of Nandi Bull outside the door. There are many other places as well near Kedarnath like Gandhi sarovar, gaurikund, Shankaracharya Samadhi, temple of sage Agastya that you can explore on your Chardham pilgrimage tour while on a visit to Kedarnath dham.
Gangotri - Gangotri temple is located in the magnificent Garhwal hills at an altitude of 3048 m above the sea level. The sacred stone near Gangotri temple symbolize the place where Ganga river first came down to earth. Before praying in the temple, the devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga river as per the customary belief. River Ganga is worshipped as a Goddess & Gangotri, the source of river Ganges is one of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage.
Yamunotri - Being the source of a sacred Yamuna river, Yamunotri is one of the four sites of Char dham pilgrimage India. Yamunotri temple is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna, built by Maharaja Pratap Shah in the 19th century and reconstructed again in the 20th century. Yamunotri Dham is located in the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas opposite to Gangotri.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Chardham Yatra - The Sanctified Pilgrimage of Hindus
Uttarakhand, the dev-bhumi (land of god) perhaps draws the largest chunk of pilgrims in India. Blessed with lofty mountains, green hills and gushing rivers, Uttarakhand has a divine charm and out of the innumerable pilgrimage sights of the Hindus strewn all over the state the Chardham is the most sought after circuit. Chardham in general refers to the four Hindu religious sites in Uttarakhand that covers Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath in one go. Needless to mention that the panoramic landscapes stemming from the majestic Himalayas proves a godly presence and the tranquility of the valley at its foothills is undoubtedly an ideal location for meditating both religion and nature. The pilgrimage covering these four special spots is called the Chardham yatra which is traditionally is undertaken from Yamunotri in the west to Badrinath in the east.
The eternal bliss of the mountains no wonder heal one from his soul's burden and the religious significance of these four spots makes the human quest for salvation a wonderful experience altogether. The popularity of the place each year brings lakhs of devotees not only for the length and breadth of the country but from all over the world and in the first place the hustle bustle in all the dhams do not go with the concept of serenity and meditation. But, the probably the charm of a pilgrimage lies in sharing the journey. Thus, the whole process takes the shape of a great Indian festival. The only difference is that we find god in the end. And most of the pilgrims even find the true meaning of life during this holy journey.
The tranquility of the valley is often rippled by the holy chants laced with ghastly wind and clinking bells and when they come back reverberating through the verdant valley and snow capped mountains it touches one's soul. Besides, nothing feels holier than the nature itself. Discovering nature in its purest form is in itself an achievement. The Mighty Ganges flowing past this blessed land is indeed the epitome of God's graces and they say a dip in the Ganges can magically rub off one of his sins. No wonder, the Gangotri dham named after the Goddess Ganga is the ideal spot for seeking salvation. Similarly, Yamunotri named after another holy river Yamuna is another Hindu pilgrimage site.. On the other hand, people climb up to Kedarnath in order to find Lord Shiva in his abode while Badrinath is believed to be the dwelling of Lord Vishnu.
The ideal time to go searching for peace and god at the Himalayas is from May to October. Although, the pilgrims never mind the physical tribulations but most of the time they avoid monsoons due to road blockages and landslides. Heavy snowfall season is also avoided because the roads become inaccessible due to snow. Interestingly, during these difficult seasons, the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points in order to continue the holy visits. One can also visit one single spot and skip the rest but if time permits it is advisable to complete the whole circuit because each one of them has its own charm and significance.