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Tags: Basilica Cistern Blue Mosque Church of St Savior in Chora Galata Tower Galata Whirling Dervish Hall Hagia Sophia Sultanahmet Mosque Sultanahmet Square Topkapı Palace

Posted in Europe, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Nainital

October 19th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Nainital!! India is blessed with myriad of tourist’s destinations. Nainital is one of the popular tourist spot in India. Situated at the foothills of Kumaon, Nainital is beautiful and stunning hill station in Uttarakhand region of India. Nainital had retrieved its name from the famous Naini Lake. Natural splendor of Nainital had made tourists from all over the world to visit the awe-inspiring place!!

Lots of mythological facts are attached to Nainital. Among them, the prime one is that Nainital is a part of 64 places of Shakti Peeths. On this auspicious land, there is a belief that few parts of Sati Parvati fell when Lord Shiva was carrying her. Being founded by an Englishman P. Barron, Nainital was quite famous as a tourists place right from ancient times. The best time to visit this wonderful place is between the months – March and June. Now, let’s discuss Places of interest in Nainital. Top attraction in Nainital is the origin of this charming place – Lake Naini. This gurgling lake is located in the center of the hill station and is quite pleasant to view jade blue colored water with the naked eyes. Boating and a leisure walk around the lake are really superb. Naina Devi Temple is the magnificent temple sited in north side of the lake Naini. In this temple, Naini Devi is worshipped and the temple is famous for the eyes of Maa Naina Devi.

St. John’s Church is also one of the main attractions in Nainital. This church was established in 1844 and is the oldest monument of Nainital. Later on, the Britishers had converted this building into a hill resort.

Hanumangarh Temple is outstanding and one of the main attractions for the tourists in Nainital. The temple is not only famous for the faith of its devotees but also it offers wonderful sunset view to its visitors.

The Naini Peak or the Cheena Peak is also must-see destination of Nainital. No one in this world is born who does not long for spectacular views that soothe eyes. So, is the case with snow-capped views of Himalayas and valleys that are offered by the Naini Peak, the highest peak.

Snow view is other major attraction for tourists in Nainital. This point is located at height of 2,270 meters. To reach this point at the Sher-ka-Danda Ridge, one has to take the help of cable car. The spot is bestowed with lots of natural views.

Tiffin Top, popularly known as Dorothy’s Seat, is situated on Ayarpatta Hill. This awesome tourists place in Nainital is must for nature lovers.

Governor’s House is also versed as Raj Bhawan. Its Gothic Style of architecture is the main reason for making it prime attraction in Nainital. One can see here 113 rooms, a lush green garden, a crystal clear swimming pool and also golf links in this two storeyed building.

Nainital Zoo is one of the main attractions in Nainital. Here, visitors can enjoy seeing the different activities of rare animals species like Steppe Eagle, the Himalayan Black Bear and Snow Leopard, etc.

Other most demanding attractions in Nainital are Eco Cave Garden, Govind Ballabh Pant Marg or The Mall, Astronomical Observatory, Bhim Tal, Land’s End and much more…

Tags: Astronomical Observatory Bhim Tal Cheena Peak Dorothy’s Seat Eco Cave Garden Govind Ballabh Pant Marg Hanumangarh temple Land’s End Naina Peak Naini Lake Nainital Nainital Zoo St. John Church The Mall Tiffin Top Tririshi Lake

Posted in Asia, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Frombork

October 17th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Frombork is a town in the north of Poland located on the Vistula Lagoon and is used as an important fishing port and yacht marina. It is much famed at the residence place of the famous astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus and performed majority of his observations at this site. It is also called as the ‘Jewel of Warmia’ as the city houses a number of interesting historical sites which make your vacations worth exploration in Frombork.

The most famous attraction in Frombork is the Cathedral which is dated back to the 13th century and is the oldest building in the city. As you step into this magnificent building, one feels charmed with the architectural splendor and décor of the cathedral including beautiful paintings, sculptures, altars and fountains depicting the Gothic and Renaissance style of architecture. One of the major tourist attractions in here is the Museum of Nicolaus Copernicus housed in the Gothic Bishops Palace. As you enter into the building, you will see an unusual world of Gothic archways and low arched windows. Several exhibitions are held at the museum showcasing the life, instruments and researches of this great astrologer. As you come to the courtyard, you will see giant Oak Tree Kopernik which is named after Copernicus. There is also a Bell Tower known as Tower Radziejowski. In the basement of the tower, you can see the belfry and its planetarium. An interesting thing to be seen there is the Foucault pendulum which shows the rotational nature of the Earth. Further, there is an Observation Deck at the height of 70 m above sea level from where the panoramic sight of the city and surrounding areas can be seen.

A never to miss sight at Frombork is the imposing Cathedral Hill. It is the place where Copernicus did most of his researches and now houses the famous Cathedral of Frombork that draws a number of tourists every year. Facing the hill is the Water Tower which was once used to supply water to the cathedral. If you reach to the top of the tower, you can see the magnificent views of the whole of the city.

Apart from the Cathedral attractions, Frombork is much known for its International Festival of Organ Music which is held every year in summer season. The artists from the country and other areas come here to perform organ concerts which draw a huge crowd over there. Apart from the cathedral attractions, there is also much for nature lovers such as the Vistula Bay and the water ports where you can enjoy plenty of sport options like fishing, sailing, boat riding, canoeing and swimming. The beaches of Frombork offer an excellent escape to bath into the sand and sun. If you happen to be here in the winter season, then lagoon bojerami rides on the frozen water are absolute adventure for everyone.

Frombork, though an old Polish city of Poland attracts the tourists for its historical charm and also being a home town of famous astrologer Copernicus. So whenever you get a chance to visit Poland, Visit Frombork and enjoy historical ventures of this wonderful Polish town.

Poland Travel Pages and Tourism Directory

Posted in Europe, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Tags: Cathedral Frombork Museum of Nicolaus Copernicus

Kashubia, Poland: Lake Land

October 14th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

If you are planning to enjoy your holidays near some beautiful lakeside town in Poland amidst bounties of nature, Kashubia is undoubtedly the best choice for you. Renowned as a lake land, Kashubia is located in the Northern Poland in Pomeranian Voivodship. The wonderful district of Kashubia is surrounded with a wide array of rolling hills made up of Scandivian glaciers. The multitude of crystal clear water lakes abounding Kashubia offer an exciting and romantic holiday escape in the sun and the sea embedded with heart throbbing varied landscapes and rich folk culture.

When it comes to the attractions of Kashubia, the most noticeable feature about this region is its endless wealth of natural beauty and charm which is present in every nook and corner of the district. The picture hill slopes, cascading waterfalls, shimmering lakes, silvery sand dunes, evergreen forests, exotic beaches and panoramic landscapes; it is all what draw flock of tourists to visit Kashubia from all over the globe. The major lake in Kashubia is Lake Wdzydze which is shaped like a cross pointing to the four corners of the earth. There are total 700 lakes in the district and most of them are ideal destinations for the sailors, anglers, fishing-lovers and windsurfers to enjoy some adventurous spots out there. And if you are not interested in these kinds of sports, there are plenty of serene beaches in Kashubia that offers you a whole day out basking under the sun and relaxing in the sand. Apart from water activities, it is also a paradise for hikers and ramblers because of the abundance of hiking trails leading you to the unexplored wonderful countryside of the land.

Apart from the richness of natural splendors, Kashubia is also dotted with various other attractions denoting the rich history and culture of the district. At Wdzydze Kiszewskie, there is Kashubian Ethnographic Park where you can see multitude of traditional Kashubian buildings set up in the form of a folk village. Then there is the Centre of Education and Regional Promotion in Szymbark having a timber house and is worth visiting place to be seen in Kashubia. If you are interested in an insight into the Kashubian past, then visit the Castles of the Teutonic Knights at Malbork which also houses a museum exhibiting various artifacts and amber jewelry from the ancient Kashubia.

For the natural lovers, there is the Hel Peninsula which is 35 km long and is considered as the longest pier in Europe. Here you can also see the Seaside Landscape Park, Hel Peninsula, seaside resorts, fishing port and fishing museum. The sand dunes at Leba are also exciting destination for the naturalists. Sprawling in an area of 18,000 hectares, this region is constituted with dunes, forests and water. Kashubia is also laced with number of churches which show an example of rich heritage and surplus architecture of the ancient times.

The list of attractions and sightseeing places in Kashubia seems to be a never ending event. Some of the other major attractions in Kashubia include the museum of Kashubian pottery, ostrich farm, stone rings reserve, anthem museum and steam locomotive museum etc. which make your vacations in the wonderful land of Kashubia a memorable and exciting time to be lingered in your memories forever.Poland Travel Pages and Tourism Directory

Tags: Anthem Museum Bytów Castle Centre for Education and Regional Promotion in Szymbark Chmielno Golubie Hel Peninsula Kashubian Ethnographic Park Kashubian Regional Museum in Kartuzy Kwidzyn Malbork castle Ostrich Farm at Garczyno Parowozownia (steam locomotive museum) at Koscierzyna Sand dunes at Leba Sianowo Stone Rings Reserve in Wesior Szymbark The Kaszubski Landscape Park Wiezyca

Posted in Europe, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Udupi

October 13th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Udupi, a land blessed with heavenly bliss and celestial charm is a small pilgrimage town in Karnataka. Renowned worldwide for the splendid Temple of Shri Krishna, Udupi attracts a large number of devotees from all the corners of India. The enticing city of Udupi is set amidst towering mountain ranges with Western Ghats on the east and Arabian Sea on the west. Apart from a popular pilgrimage destination, it is also a treasure trove for the holiday lovers. Dotted with outstanding beauty of hill chains, dense forests, pristine beaches, cascading waterfalls and magnificent architectural sites, Udupi is a perfect holiday destination in South India.

The most sought after destination in Udupi is the splendid Shri Krishna Temple which is a popular pilgrimage site and draws thousands of devotees to take a glimpse of the presiding deity. It was set up by a saint Shri Madhavacharya and is a heavenly place reflecting the artistic architectural of bygone era. The most striking feature about the temple is that the devotees are allowed to worship only through a window having nine holes which is known as the Navagraha Kitika. Apart from Krishna Temple, the Chandramoulishwar Temple and Anantheshwar Temple are also worth visiting in Udupi.

The town of Udupi is also blessed with the astounding natural beauty which can be experienced in the serene and pristine beaches. About 6 km form Udupi is the Malpe Beach which is an ideal picnic spot and a beautiful holiday escape from the madness of the city life. The gracefully swinging palm trees, hues of golden sand and crystal clear blue waters will surely captivate your senses at the very first sight. Another exotic beach destination in Udupi is the Kaup Beach which is 12 km from the main city. Dotted with unrivalled natural charm and serenity, the beach is no less than a paradise for the nature lovers. The 100 feet high lighthouse, cool climate and blue rolling waves kissing the blue skies make it a romantic retreat for the couples. About 50 km from Udupi is the breathtaking Marawanthe Beach endowed with stunning natural beauty of surrounding landscapes. The marvelous sunset and tranquil atmosphere of the beach make it a popular place to enjoy and relax in the evenings. Then there is also the St. Mary’s Island which is known for its formation of basalt rocks.

Apart from natural and religious attractions, Udupi is also famous as an educational institute. The Manipal University is located at Manipal near Udupi along the Malabar Coast. This university is comprised of various good educational institutions where students from all over the country come to gain quality education.

Besides exploring ancient temples and soaking in sand and sun, the wonderful land of Udupi also offer you various opportunities to indulge into multitude of adventurous activities such as boating, trekking, river rafting, wind surfing, skiing, parasailing, snorkeling and many more. Spending holidays in Udupi is undoubtedly an awesome experience to be remembered for years and years.

Tags: Ananteshwar Temple Udupi Chandramoulishwar Temple Udupi Daria Bahadurgad Fort Krishna Temple Udupi Malpe Malpe Beach Udupi Pajaka Udupi St. Mary's Island Udupi Karnataka Vadabhandeshwara

Posted in Asia, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Torun : Most beautiful city of Poland

October 11th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Torun, one of the most beautiful cities in Poland is nestled along the banks of River Vistula and has been an important trade centre since long ago. It is the birth place of Nicolas Copernicus and is one of the oldest cities of North Poland dated back to about 800 years. With its wide array of historical monuments, sizzling night life and plenty of sightseeing, Torun has emerged as a popular tourist destination across the world.

As you start touring Torun, you will find the most attractive part in the city is the Old Quarter laced with a number of cozy alleys, cobbled streets, market stalls and monuments. The Quarter is comprised of the Old City, the New City and the Teutonic Castle showcasing the wonderful Gothic architecture of Europe which has brought the name of this olden city in the list of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The most magnificent building to be visited in the city is the Old City Town Hall. It is a monument symbolizing the glory of Torun as the former trade empire of Hansa. In the middle of the Old Town is the Leaning Tower dated back to 14^th century and has got its name to its vertical deviation of 1.40m. In front of the Town Hall, there is a statue which was erected in 1853 in the honor of Nicolaus Copernicus. Besides, a beautiful building worth seeing in the old town market is A House Under the Star. It is an apartment which was erected in the middle ages and at present houses a museum of Far East art. In the old town square, you can also witness the elegancy of Gothic architecture in the interior of some churches such as holy Spirit Church, St. Mary’s Church, St. John’s Cathedral and St. James Church etc. In short, the entire compound of Old Quarter of Torun is a world-class historic monument.

Torun is a historical monumental city and its wealth of ancient museums has made it stand into the listings of World Heritage Site. Some of the best museums which should not be missed in Torun are Nicolaus Copernicus House, the Star’s House, the Esken’s House, Teutonic Castle Ruins, Museum of Ethnography, and University Museum and lots more. Torun is also blessed with amazing wealth of natural bounties which captivate the heart of every nature lover with its irresistible beauty and charm. River Vistula is one such beautiful attraction which is the most magnificent and the last wild river in Europe. The most enchanting sight to be visited through the Vistula is the two bridges. If you are interested into forest trekking and wild life excursions, do come to Tuchola Forest. This large forest is surrounded with beautiful meadows, woods, shining rivers and blue lakes and also houses a number of exotic animal and bird species for the delight of the tourists.

Apart from beautiful monuments and natural vistas, Torun is also famous among the tourists because of its gingerbread. These are the different shaped bread cakes resembling the tradition and heritage of Torun. Every year a Gingerbread festival is also organized in Torun which is an event of great attraction to the locals and the travelers. Torun is a beautiful oldest Polish city known for its rich history and monumental architecture. A trip to Poland is indeed incomplete without visiting the charming Old Town of Torun which is always ready to welcome its tourists with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Poland Travel Pages and Tourism Directory

Posted in Europe, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Tags: st. Jacob churches st. Johns st. Mary The Nicholas Copernicus University The Old Town The Town Hall Vistula River

Indore

October 10th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Popularly known for industries, Indore is a versatile capital city of Madhya Pradesh in India. It is the great city of India that offers a lot in one way or the other in every aspects like commercial, finance, architecture and tourism. Tourism in Indore comprises of palaces, museums, temples and monuments. Indreshwar and Indrapur are the temples that give birth to this wonderful city – Indore!! Situated in the Narmada Valley in the Madhya Pradesh of India, climatic condition of Indore is quite moderate. The favorable climate of Indore allows the tourists to make a visit throughout the year.

The Rajwada or the Old Palace is the top attraction of Indore. This amazing site of seven storey is sited just close to hectic Khajuri Bazaar in the old part of the city. This magnificent palace displays the wonderful intermingling of Mughal, French and Maratha architectural style. This palace is relevant to the Holkars.

Lal Bagh Palace is the significant creation of the former Holkar Rulers. These rulers used this palace for conducting important meetings and any type of celebrations. It is a symbol of the Holkar’s lavishness and art. Temples are the great source of attractions for tourists in Indore city. They speak themselves simply by their effective architectural style and incredible interiors. The Kanch Mandir, as it is clear from the name itself, it is temple of mirror. It is also known as Seth Hukanchand temple. This temple of mirror lies near the Rajwada to captivate your heart. This temple is dedicated to Jainism and is charm is just because of its exquisite interior otherwise the exterior is quite simple but attractive.

Bada Ganpati is another attractive temple in Indore. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and the amazing fact relevant to this temple is that an idol of 25 ft of Lord Ganesha is there, which is the largest Ganesh idol of the world.

Khajrana, a temple where Lord Ganesha is worshipped, is founded by Ahilya Bai. The temple is located just close to other attraction of Indore, the dargah of Nahar Sayed. This dargah is the place where the body of Nahar Sayed is buried without his head on his body.

The Geeta Bhawan, a temple famous for its loyalty to all types of persons irrespective of their caste, and creed, is also must-see destination of Indore.

Annapurna Mandir is also not to be missed attraction of Indore. It is built by getting impressed by the Meenakshi Temple of Madurai.

After exploring so many temples, now switch over to other modes of recreation in Indore like Indore Museum. It is situated very closer to the Main Post Office and is a home to a wide range collection of ancient and medieval relics.

Indore is also famous for its Kamala Nehru Park or Zoo. An amusement park with a wonderful zoo at a single place is quite awe-inspiring. This zoo attracts tourists by elephant rides, goat cart, pony rides and many other activities.

The endless list of marvelous attractions also includes places like Meghdoot Upavan, Gopal Mandir, Mahatma Gandhi Hall, Gomatgiri, Bijasen Tekri, Deoguradia and so on.

Tags: Annapurna Mandir Bada Ganapati Bijasen Tekri Chattri Bagh Deoguradia Gomatgiri Gopal Mandir Indore Museum Kamala Nehru Park Kanch Mandir Khajrana Lalbagh Palace Indore Mahatma Gandhi Hall Meghdoot Upavan Rajwada The dargah of Nahar Sayed The Geeta Bhawan The Old Palace

Posted in Asia, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Bharatpur: Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan

October 7th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Bharatpur!! The name is not new for tourists who love nature. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary has taken this city to another level. Nestled in the north-west state of Rajasthan, Bharatpur is a delight for Ornithologists and also a landmark for ecotourism. Winter season is supposed to be the best time to visit Bharatpur as in the months from October to February, migratory birds can be witnessed here from different nook of the world.

The person responsible for the origin of Bharatpur was the Maharaja Suraj Mal. It was recognized as a bird sanctuary in 1956 and in 1982, switched over to a National Park. But today, it has been well-known as a World Heritage Site. It is not less than a big honour!!

Being the eastern gateway of Rajasthan, the marvelous place is bestowed with numerous tourists’ attractions. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or most popularly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is the top attraction of Bharatpur. The park is stretched up to 29 sq. kms and it had given place to more than 350 species of birds and also 35 species of beautiful butterflies. Among the wildlife, visitors get amazed by seeing rare species of animals like Blue Bull, Sambar, Mongoose, Red-faced Monkey and many more. The park is at its highest charm in both the season – winter and rainy.

Ganga Mandir is the other prime attraction in Bharatpur. It is gorgeous temple of which construction was started by Maharaja Balwant Singh. A distinct facet relevant to this temple makes people stunned. It was like that all those people who are engaged in the state’s service were asked to contribute in the construction of the temple by giving their one month salary.

Laxman Mandir is another astonishing temple founded in Bharatpur. This temple, as the name suggests, is dedicated to Lord Laxman, the younger brother of the Lord Rama. This temple is enhanced with mind-boggling stonework and magnificent carvings on the doors.

Banke Bihari Temple is one of the main attractions for tourists located in the hub of Bharatpur. This temple boasts a very high-level architecture to captivate the heart of visitors. This temple has one big hall where one can see magnificent idol of Lord Krishna and Radha. The verandah in the temple is adorned with charismatic pictures.

As a historical monument, Bharatpur Palace is also very stunning. This palace is the best example displaying perfect blend of two arts – Mughal and Rajput. Nowadays, the great palace has taken the shape of a museum that shows wonderful collections of the past.

The Iron Fort, famous as Lohagarh Fort, is a massive fort and was stand bravely in front of British attack for four times. The fort is not popular for its grandiosity but then also, it is quite successful in developing traits of strength and charm. This fort houses buildings like Mahal Khas, the Kishori Mahal, Kothi Khas, Jawahar Burj Tower, Moti Mahal and Tower Fateh Burj.

Golbagh Palace is also must-see destination for tourists in Bharatpur!!

Tags: Bankebihari Temple Deeg Fort Deeg Water Palace Ganga Temple Gopal Bhavan Government Museum Keoladeo National Park Laxman Temple Lohagarh Fort

Posted in Asia, GoHoto, Nature & Environment, Tour & Travel

Budapest: Europe’s 7th most idyllic place to live

October 7th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Budapest, Hungary better known as Financial Hub of Europe, the city ranks 3rd out of 65 cities on MasterCard’s Emerging Markets Index and ranked as the most livable Central/Eastern European city on EIU’s quality of Life Index. Also Budapest is ranked as “Europe’s 7th most idyllic place to live” by Forbes Magazine. It is the highest ranked Central/Eastern European city on Innovation Cities’ Top 100 index. Budapest has many earned many titles over the years and also is a popular tourist destination attracting 2.3 million tourists every year. This city also has the title “The Pearl of the Danube” as it is one of the fascinating cities of Europe. The main reason for the popularity of Budapest is its beauty, climate and stunning picturesque scenery. Budapest is also famous for its music events and spa baths. Although, you can visit Budapest anytime during the year, but summer season is a best time to explore i.e. between April and September.

The historical part of Budapest is quite attractive. Lying on the Szechenyi Island, Vajdahunyad Castle is really spell-bound. Castle Hill or Buda Castle, being part of World Heritage, is another major attraction of Budapest and is situated in Budapest’s No.1 District. This castle holds many monuments like the Mathhias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion and top of the all, magnificent palace the Royal Palace. One can witness from here the stunning panoramas of the Danube River and its bridges. Gellert Hill is also famous for Cave Chapel of Budapest and also for its exotic beauty.

Budapest is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is known for its World Heritage Sites like banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter,Andrassy Avenue, Heroes Square, and the Millenium Underground Railway, It is supposed to be the second oldest in the world. Budapest is also known for 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue and third largest Parliament building.

Dohany Street Synagogue is great place for the tourists form all over the world. This is the largest Synagogue in entire Europe. Parliament Building, located along the River Danube Bank, also proves to be great attraction for the tourists as it is the third largest building for Parliament in the whole world. When we talk of churches, then Budapest has some really nice ones to offer Saint Stephen’s Basilica. This church is the largest church of Budapest with its Classic Style. The church is famous for the shrivel right hand of the first ruler of Hungary, King Saint Stephen. Esztergom Basilica, the third largest church of Budapest also offers lot for its visitors.

The culture and heritage of Budapest is also strong reason to allure tourists from all over the globe. Museums are the only places that speak for the past culture. So, to know much about culture of Budapest, one should not miss National Gallery where you can find huge collection of paintings and sculptures. Eager to know more about historical facts!! Then, go to Hungarian National Museum that houses various archaeological, art and craft objects. Other museums that make your trip worthwhile are Palace of Miracles’ Exhibition, Railway Museum, Ruin Park and House of Terror Museum.

The most famous part of Budapest is Thermal Baths as it possess lots of natural springs of thermal waters. The amazing thermal baths present in Budapest are Lukacs Bath, Gellert Baths, Kiraly Baths, Rudas Baths, Szechenyi Baths and many others.

Other must see destinations in Budapest are Islands. Seven Islands are housed by the Danube River. The names of them are Margit-sziget, Csepel-sziget, Hajogyari-sziget, Molnar-sziget, Haros-sziget, Nepsziget and Palotai-sziget. All the seven islands are marvelous!! After exploring great sight seeing, then I am sure you will quite waiting for shopping!! For that, one can find loads of shopping malls in Budapest and the main among them are Arkad, West End City Center, Polus Center, Duna Plaza, Mammut, MOM Park and many more…

Hungary Travel Pages and Tourism Directory

Tags: Arkad Budapest Castle Hill or Buda Castle Cave Chapel of Budapest Danube River Duna Plaza Esztergom Basilica Hungarian National Museum Mammut Mathhias Church MOM Park Palace of Miracles’ Exhibition Parliament Building Polus Center Railway Museum Ruin Park and House of Terror Museum Saint Stephen’s Basilica the Fishermen’s Bastion the Royal Palace Vajdahunyad Castle West End City Center

Posted in Europe, GoHoto, Tour & Travel

Siliguri : Land of Four T’s

October 4th, 2011 by GoHoto No comments »

Siliguri, the gateway to north-east India, is a mesmerizing metropolitan city in the state of West Bengal. Endowed with extraordinary natural beauty and marvelous sightseeing, Siliguri is a popular tourist hub for the visitors all around the world. Moreover, it also serves as a major business and trade centre of the state after Kolkata. Nestled in the serene and tranquil surroundings of Himalayan plains, Siliguri is a beautiful destination for the tourists and pilgrims as well. Apart from rich wealth of natural bounties, the town is world famous for its tea plantations and also as a military base for Indian forces. Siliguri is based on four ‘Ts’, Tea, Timber, Tourism and Transport which are the major commercial activities there.

Siliguri is Mecca for the weary tourists who want to spend their vacations amidst ecstasy of nature. The foremost tourist attraction in the city is the Coronation Bridge that connects Darjeeling with Jalpaiguri. This bridge was built in 1930 on the Teesta River to mark the coronation of King George V. Constructed in a magnificent architecture style of British, the Coronation Bridge is reflects the artistic craftsmanship of bygone era and now is an ideal escape to enjoy some quality time in a serene and tranquil atmosphere. One of the most significant religious attractions in Siliguri is the ISKON Temple which draws thousands of devotees from all the corners of the world. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple is a true reflection of sublime beauty and artistic architectural excellence. Apart from it, Kali Mandir is another famous ancient temple located in the vicinity of River Teesta. Nestled in the backdrop of breathtaking surroundings, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is a major religious centre for worship in the city.

The charming city of Siliguri is no short for the tourists seeking some moments of relaxation into a serene environment dotted amidst natural ambience. One such spot is spectacular Madhuban Park located in the outskirts of the city. The entire park is endowed with lush green landscapes including colorful blossoms and shaded trees that offer a refreshing escape for the weary travelers in the lap of nature. Another recreational place in Siliguri is the Surya Sen Park which is a favored relaxing spot for the kids and adults alike. The lush green lawns, picturesque landscapes, colorful fountains and lovely flowers make it an ideal place for picnicking. If you want to make a fun filled retreat for a whole day out, then there is the Umrao Singh Boat Club. It is located at Sukna in Siliguri and offers various exciting boating rides for the tourists. The scenic locations and tea plantations nearby have made this club an ideal destination to enjoy your weekend in a joyful manner.

For the wildlife lovers, there is the enchanting Mahananda Weir wildlife Sanctuary which is located on the banks of Teesta and Mahananda Rivers. Sprawled in a vast area enveloped by undulating hills and enticing greenery, the wildlife is an enthralling spot for the nature lovers. It is a home to several rare varieties of animal and bird species including mountain goar, tiger, elephant, Indian bison, barking deer, fishing cat and cheetal. One can also happen to see some of the exotic migratory bird species in the winters. The varied flora and fauna and beautiful trekking trails offer wonderful opportunities for the trekking enthusiasts. Apart from it, you can also visit Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary at a distance of 140 km from Siliguri. It is a home to endangered species of one horned rhinoceros and also the Royal Bengal tiger, spotted deer, elephants and gaurs. Some of the exotic bird species such as fishing eagle, peafowl, crested eagle, paradise flycatcher and racket tailed dongo can also be seen here.

Apart from multitude of tourist attractions, Siliguri is also a favored destination of shopping lovers. Darjeeling Tea is indeed the most purchased item here. Along with it you can also buy woolen garments, handicraft items and Tibetan paintings from the various colorful markets of Siliguri.