The Exemplary Exotica

If you’re planning a beach holiday in India, and want to spoil yourself a little, then you must consider staying in the Taj Exotica Hotel in Goa. It’s well away from all the hustle and bustle of resorts like Calangute and Baga in the north of the state, tucked away, as it is, in South Goa.

Just seven kilometres from the city of Margao, and located in the beach resort of Benaulim, the Taj Exotica Hotel in Goa offers the peace and tranquillity that this part of the state specialises in. With well over 50 acres of beautiful green gardens surrounding the main hotel building, and lined with palm trees, this place is wonderful for wandering around lazily, or relaxing over a drink. The sea breeze ensures the temperature remains pleasant throughout the year, and from your room the beach will never be more than a few footsteps away.

There’s a nice selection of rooms to choose from here – all special in their own way, but all distinctive. There are Garden Villas, Sea View Villas, Plunge Pool Villas and Luxury Suites amongst others. But the one we’d recommend if you’re going all out for a special stay is the Presidential Villa. This has two bedrooms as well as a living room, with its own private pool and garden. It truly is exquisite.

As for dining, you might never want to leave the table once you’re at it. And with six eating places to choose from, you’ll be hard pressed to decide where to treat yourself. If you fancy some authentic Goan cuisine then Allegria is where you should go, or if you’d prefer some Chinese fare it’s off to Li Bai with you. Our personal favourite, though, is the Lobster Shack, which is situated on the beachfront and specialises in the best seafood.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy while staying at the Taj Exotica in Goa. These include archery, pool, a children’s activity centre, and an outdoor swimming pool. There’s also a spa that offers specialist treatments or the opportunity to just relax in the Jacuzzi or steam room.

If you ever tire of the hotel compound itself, then there are long stretches of golden sands a very short walk away.

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.

The Life of Rajput

This year, Udaipur is 450 years old. In those four and a half centuries, this city – situated in the south of Rajasthan – has seen many majestic times. And there are no shortage of palaces, temples and lakes to demonstrate the grandiose nature of this historical place.

Around 250 miles (400 kilometres) from the state capital, Jaipur, Udaipur was once itself a capital of the Mewar kingdom. In 1553, the Maharana at that time felt that his current capital, Chittorgarh, wasn’t a safe place to defend his kingdom from. While in search of a new location for the centre of Mewar, he came upon the beautiful Udaipur. He wasted little time in settling down here and building some of the most wonderful palaces in Rajasthan.

For many, taking a trip to Rajasthan (and Udaipur in particular) is like stepping into the distant past. And so, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys staying in a palace, by a lake, in a 400-hundred-year old city, then a Sheraton Udaipur package is right up your alley.

The Sheraton UdaipurPalace Resort & Spa is located near Fateh Sagar Lake, and is a wonderful place to rest, relax and enjoy your surroundings. As the name suggests, the main hotel building is designed in the style of a Rajput palace. There is much to do within the complex, including four restaurants/lounges. The Antara is a modern coffee shop/restaurant with a nice casual feel. There’s a great variety of cuisines – both Indian and Mediterranean – on the menu, but should you be in the mood for a feast, a buffet is available for all three meals every day. And there’s a special children’s menu which makes this place perfect for family trips.

Although there is plenty of opportunity to just take it easy here – including the Fateh Sagar lawns – should you want to get involved in any activities the Sheraton Udaipur packages will cater to that as well. If you fancy a swim, there’s a two-level swimming pool which includes a waterfall. Or if you’d prefer to head indoors for a bit of pampering, there’s the spa. Or if you decide that a work out will energise you, head down to the fitness centr.

Planning your next Trip? Pick Singapore Holiday Packages from India

Your next trip could easily be to Singapore, the amazing spot for fun and frolic. Singapore tourism has been increasingly promoted and it surely does have a lot to offer to every tourist. You can now avail any of the exciting Singaporeholiday packages from India, and get ready for a wonderful experience. Before you get down to picking and planning your Singapore holiday package, here’s what you need to know more about Singapore.

The best tourist destination

Singapore is one of the most thriving and lively cities of Asia. It boasts of a variety of tourist destinations and sightseeing places which make it one of the most popular cities on the radar of tourists. On account of being so cosmopolitan, the city has beautiful and breathtaking architecture, with posh buildings, malls, arenas and supermarkets dotting the city. The malls are hosts to the best brands from all over the world. There are many world famous restaurants and eating joints that satisfy every gourmet’s desire for tasty and innovative cuisine. It also has many famous international hotels that attract many people.

Famous Attractions

Sentosa Island is another major attraction. It has beautiful, exotic and scenic beaches. These beaches have a host of water sports such as parasailing, paragliding, scuba diving among many others. There are also a lot of cultural events and dances that are hosted at these beaches. Fresh coastal delicacies are also another plus point

The Jurong Bird Park is famous for its exotic collection of rare and colorful birds. Tourists love snapping pictures with these birds and even the Singapore zoo is pretty famous, especially among children. The park also has one of the largest waterfalls present in the world. Night safari is also another famous attraction in Singapore. Universal Studios is another place in Singapore that is a must visit. Kids will just love it.

China Town in Singapore is like a mini replica of China. Chinese delicacies are pretty sought after by people when visiting this part of Singapore. It is like a taste of China in a nutshell. Other famous tourist attractions of Singapore include the Buddha tooth relic temple which is supposedly the place where the tooth of the Buddha is present, Botanical Gardens, Marina Bay stand Sky Park, Raffles Hotel among many others.

Singapore thus has so many attractions and activities that you shall be spoilt for choice in deciding what to indulge in first. It provides for a thrilling and exciting holiday for everyone.