Jaipur: Marvellous Marriott

One of the most popular places to visit in India these days is the state of Rajasthan. Situated in the north of the country, a couple of hours drive to the west of Delhi, this princely state is one of the first places on the ‘to do’ list of any traveller in the region.

Both non-Indians and Indians are wowed by the potential of exploring this area of the country – once the seat of so many Maharajas. And these Maharajas have left quite an amazing legacy. Great ancient forts, marvellous palaces, man-made lakes and the vast, arid yet beautiful Thar desert.

As the capital of Rajasthan, and due to its proximity to Delhi, Jaipur is often the first stop off point for many holidaymakers. It’s a great opportunity to relax, acclimatise, soak up the atmosphere and find yourself a nice place to stay. The Marriott Jaipur hotel package is perfect for this, and a lovely way to kick off any trip to Rajasthan in style.

The Marriott is handily located close to the airport, as well as being a reasonable distance from the majority of sightseeing attractions in the city. There are plenty of sights that can be included in a Marriott Jaipur hotel package that is tailor made to your wants and needs. Some of these are Birla Mandir, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace and Jal Mahal.

There are also great shopping opportunities, which offer you the chance to purchase all your gifts before returning home. Back at the hotel itself, there’s ample opportunity to relax away from the hubbub of the outside world. The range of rooms makes both deluxe and executive level rooms and suites available to you. High speed internet, cable TV and 24 hour room service are just a few of the facilities that come with the room.

When it comes to dining there’s the wonderful Saffron restaurant, serving Indian cuisine, or the Okra which concentrates on international fare. For the times when you feel like being pampered there’s a lovely spa, offering a range of treatments. And not only that, but there’s a fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool.

So don’t waste any more time – start planning your Marriott Jaipur hotel package right now.

Glorious Goa - Luxurious Leela

Since the hippies arrived from the West back in the 60s, Goa has been both a beach and a party destination. Whether you enjoy sunbathing on golden strips of sand, enjoying a meal at a beachside shack or partying until the early hours of the morning, Goa will provide what you are searching for.

Goa can broadly be split into two parts – the north and the south. The north of Goa tends to be busier than the south, with more parties, but less space on the beaches. The south, on the other hand, is more tranquil and it’s not uncommon to discover hidden coves that are completely empty here.

Once you’ve decided whether north or south can provide the kind of holiday you’re looking for, it’s time to sort out your accommodation. If it’s to the south of Goa you’re heading then Mobor might be a destination you’d like to check out. The Leela Goa hotel packages available are pretty spectacular.

Situated on a glorious stretch of beach, the Leela offers all the luxury and relaxation you could need from a holiday in Goa. There are a large number and wide variety of rooms available as part of any Leela Goa hotel package, so take your pick. The Premiere rooms are very nice indeed, but if you really want to treat yourself, go for the Presidential Suite. This not only offers you your own private pool, terrace and Jacuzzi, but also your own personal butler.

If the room itself isn’t relaxing enough for you, the Leela Goa hotel package can include a variety of spa treatments. One of their main areas of expertise is Ayurvedic treatments, with an in-house Ayurvedic doctor on hand. There’s also a gym, saunas and steam rooms to round off the relaxation hub.

Dining is another important part of any holiday experience, and the Leela doesn’t disappoint in this respect either. With no less than seven places to eat and drink in the hotel, there are choices galore – and all top quality ones at that. Our personal favourite was Riverside, which offers fantastic Italian cuisine with a view of Sal River.

Eclectic Kerala

In recent years the number of Delhi-based honeymooners and holidaymakers travelling to Kerala for both short and long breaks has increased dramatically. Although it has been quite a favoured destination for some time now, God’s own country continues to increase in popularity year on year.

When planning a trip to this part of India, there are a multitude of options, and an eclectic mix of things to do. Kerala holiday packages from Delhi offer a real wide variety of attractions to see and places to go. Want to take a nice relaxing trip in a houseboat on the backwaters, then this can form part of your holiday. Prefer to lounge on the beach and splash around in the sea for a few days, then this can be included in your package. Alternatively, if you want to be a bit more adventurous and search out some wildlife, this is also an option in Kerala.

We thought it’d be nice to share some of the highlights of Kerala with you, so here you go:

Munnar – even before you reach this hill station, you’ll realise you’re in for a treat. On the winding approach to this small town the scenery is fantastic. And when you start to explore the undulating hills around you’ll really appreciate how wonderful tea plantations can look. Be sure to check out the Kannan Devan Tea Museum while you’re there for a glimpse as to how the whole process works.

Varkala – Kerala isn’t often associated with beachside resorts, as that’s always fallen under the scope of Goa. But there are some hidden gems along the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala – one in particular being Varkala. Whether you want to relax on the beach, go for a swim in the warm sea or perhaps partake in a bit of paragliding, Varkala is a nice place to stop off during any Kerala holiday package from Delhi. While there, make sure you visit the black sand just to the north of the main beach area.

Periyar National Park – the nearest town to Periyar is Thekkady, and should you want to see elephants and tigers, this is the place to come. Various guided treks and safaris are available, including a day of bamboo rafting.

The above three places were what we enjoyed the most in Kerala, but please check out as much as you can, as it’s a great place to explore.

Best Hotels in Ranthambhore National Park

Ranthambhore National Park is located in Sawai Madhopur – a Rajasthani city about 130 kilometres from Jaipur. Ranthambore is one of the most popular national parks in India – known for the likelihood of seeing tigers in their natural habitat.

Whilst most people come to Ranthambhore for the wildlife, and to be at one with nature, it should be remembered that a UNESCO World Heritage Site is contained within the national park – Ranthambhore Fort.

So once you’ve decided to spend a few days there and have figured out your transport, it’s time to arrange your accommodation. And there truly are some great hotels in Ranthambhore, so to make your life easier we’ve picked a few of them out:

The Oberoi Vanyavilas – this hotel offers real luxury on the edge of the wild. The resort, containing a number of luxurious tents perched between some hills and a lake, is immaculate and the staff tend to your every need without intruding on your experience. It’s important not to be misled by the word ‘tent’ as these are nothing less than five star rooms once you step inside. Spending the nights in this kind of paradise really prepares you for a safari in the jungle the following day.

Nahargarh – the façade of this hotel portrays grandeur, appearing like a Mughal palace as you approach it. Even the grounds within which it stands are designed like a char bagh (Mughal garden). If you want grandiose elegance from your stay then this is the place for you. The interior of each room betrays great attention to detail which gives them the real Rajasthani feel.

Sher Bagh – twelve tents make up this luxurious campsite on the edge of Ranthambhore National Park. The whole place has been created using a 1920s design, with the aim of recapturing the days when safaris and hunting were the pastime of many a wealthy gentleman. There’ll be no hunting here, but safaris are their speciality. Sher Bagh’s Jungle Spa is well worth the money after a hard day in the jungle.

So those are the three hotels in Ranthambhore that we would recommend. But there’s no doubt that, wherever you stay you’ll have a great time.