Beyond City Limits - Sweet Summer Indian Getaways

Our Hectic Schedule

We are so busy with our lives these days that weekends and holidays are the only times one gets to relax. Even during weekends and holidays most of us go behind completing household chores, pending office work and social obligations which may come up all of a sudden. But these days its high time to pack your bags and head for a weekend or holiday especially to beat the ever increasing summer heat. Pending jobs and other work can be done after the holidays just by coming a day earlier.

Tajpur Beach- East Medinipur

Situated in East Medinipur district of West Bengal and at a distance of 180 kms from the state capital Kolkata is a famous summer getaway from the maddening crowd. You will enjoy the peace, serenity and surrounding of this picturesque getaway. You would end up spending hours strolling on the beach and admiring the Bay of Bengal. You can reach this destination by road and pre-paid taxis.

Once at Tajpur look our for the beautiful little redcrabs that walk on the sea and spend a lazy afternoon sipping coconut water and eating fried fish caught fresh from the sea.

Joypur Forest

Joypur forest is located around 140 km from Kolkata. It is a great option as a summer getaway if you

love forests. With an abundance of trees the lush greenery will soothe your eyes. There is a watch tower in the forest from where visitors can have a glimpse of spotted deer, elephants and a huge variety of birds. It's possible for a person to speand an entire day in the forest and the next day visiting local sightseeing places like Mukutmadnipur lake, the Kansabati Dam and the famous terracota temples of Bishnupur.

To reach Joypur forest you need to drive on the Burdwan-Arambag road and reach Bishnupur. Joypur forest is around 14 kms from Bishnupur and you can reach it without much pain.

Monchasa

Located at a distance of 130 Kms from Kolkata, Monchasa is an ideal summer getaway destination if you love to be in peace and far from the noise of the cities. The atmosphere is good and at Monchasa you would be reconnecting with nature. Your stay in Monchasa would be in eco-friendly bamboo huts which look appealing to anyone, The food served is savour authentic Bengali cuisine made from fresh picked vegetables and fresh fish caught. 

Do pay a visit to the Naitri and Ishani lakes, watch cultural performances or just sit on the banks of the Bagda river and enjoy the soft gentle breeze.

To reach Monchasa take the Kalinagar highway from Kolkata andreach Kalinagar bus stop. From the bus stop, Monchasa is quite near.

Raichak

Raichak located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal is a popular getaway option for tourists. It is located at around 50 kms from the state capital Kolkata. You can reach Raichak by driving along the Daimond Harbour Road from South Kolkata and take a right turn at Sarisha just before Diamond Harbour.

Raichak offers magnificent views of the Hooghly riverside and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. The British built the Raichak Fort and it is a major attraction among tourists. You can eat Hilsa and other fish caught fresh from the river. You can also take a ferry ride to Gadiara or Geonkhali, or even to the Diamond Harbour which is nearby. Apart from the river, ferries and fort, there are various accomodation options available to suit every budget.

Beelon Eco Village

Beelon Eco Village is located at a distance of 175 Kms from Kolkata. You can reach the Eco Village by driving on the Durgapur Expressway and drive along the Burdwan - Kutwa road to reach Beelon Eco Village. It is a popular holiday/weekend destination for rejuvenating your senses. Your stay at the village would be simple and would be full of activities which are different from the city life. You can take a Bullock cart to roam around the village, watch boats sailing on the Shibai river. Take a stroll in the evening along the banks of the Shibai river and you would be spell bound by the beautiful sunsets.

You would also enjoy fishing and rafting in the nearby lake and watch the beautiful Gangetic Dolphins playing around near Kalyanpur ghat. Stay in the traditional mud houses which are cool, in these houses you can cook your own food as well. Bird watching is another major attraction here. One can also volunteer for social activities.

8 Most Famous Travel Books

Selecting the best travel books is not as easy as it may seem due to a wide array of available literature since travel writing has been invented. Coming up with a list should not be easy as well.  The following books are the ones most cited while some are bestsellers.

Let us start with “The Road to Oxiana. Modern travel writers deem this book the first model of great travel writing. It is an account of Byron’s ten-month journey to Persia and Afghanistan in 1933-34.

Another classic of travel literature is “A Time of Gifts” written by Patrick Leigh Fermor. It was published in 1977 when he was 62. The book is an account of Fermor’s first part journey on foot across Europe in 1933-34. His journey began at Hook of Holland and ended in Constantinople. The second volume is titled Between the Woods and the Water and published in 1986. It covered Fermor’s journey through Maria Valeria Bridge, Hungary, and Iron Gate.

Meanwhile, “In Patagonia” is an English travel book authored by Bruce Chatwin and published in 1977. The book, which established Chatwin’s reputation as a travel writer, was awarded the Hawthornden Prize and E.M. Forster Award. 

Chatwin went to Patagonia both to fulfill a promise made to a 93-year-old architect and designer Eileen Gray and out of his own curiosity. Chatwin spent six months in Patagonia and wrote the book.

Another outstandingly written travel book is authored by Eric Newby. Titled “A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush,” it is an autobiographical account of Newby’s journey in the Hindu Kush, which is around the Nuristan Mountains of Afghanistan.

“The Great Railway Bazaar” is a notable 1975 travelogue by American novelist Paul Theroux. Many consider this book a classic in travel writing. It tells about Theroux four-month journey across Asia by train. Theroux travelled through Europe, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. In his return, he passed via the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Theroux retraced the trails of his original journey and found out that places had changed. He authored a book titled “Ghost Train to the Eastern Star” that recounts such journey. 

“Travels with Charley: In Search of America” is also a travelogue written by John Steinbeck. The book recounts the road trip Steinbeck took with his poodle Charley around the United States. He traveled throughout the country in a specially-made camper. His travel began in Long Island, New York, then to Maine, Pacific Northwest, Salinas Valley in California, and across to Texas, up through Deep South, and back to New York. 

In 1978, “The Snow Leopard” is published and written by Peter Matthiessen. It won the 1980 National Book Award for Nonfiction. The book recounts Matthiessen’s two-month journey to Crystal Mountain, in the Dolpo region on the Tibetan Plateau in the Himalayas.

More recently, the “In a Sunburned Country” is a 2000 travelogue book about Australia. Best-selling travel writer Bill Bryson wrote the book. The original title of the book was Down Under, but it was also published as Walk About. The latter included Down Under and another Bryson’s books in one volume.

Great Reasons for Visiting South Korea

With over six million foreigners touring this country every year, it’s no wonder that South Korea is one of the most visited countries in the world. What does Korea have that makes it such an international charmer? Here are the reasons that explain why travel to Korea is a pleasant and memorable experience. 

• Cheju Island - Cheju is the biggest island in Korea and known as the place of mystery or fantasy. Everything in this resort island is sure to rekindle your love of the beach with its breathtaking waterfalls clear blue water, black sand, and other natural attractions. It is also perfect for honeymoons, watersports, and hiking.

• Climate - The climate in Korea is temperate, which is divided into four distinct seasons. The most tourist-friendly seasons in the country are spring (April and May) when the cherry blossoms bloom as well as autumn (from September to November) when the skies are clear and sunny and the weather is warm. Winter months in Korea, which starts in December until February, are perfect for skiing.

• Korean DMZ - A Korean tour is never complete without dropping by the Korean Demilitarized Zone, more popularly known as DMZ. It is where you can find some of the endangered creatures in Asia such as wildcats, river otter, and musk deer. 

• Festivals and Special Events - Korea has a rich culture and long history, and you can be a part of celebrating them by joining various religious festivals and special events such as Buddha’s birthday.

• Historical and cultural tours - Foreign visitors can take a tour of the Buddhist monasteries and temples to be able to witness the Buddhist heritage in Korea.

• Nature tours - Are you a nature lover? Then grab the opportunity to take a nature tour in Korea. Among the most famous itineraries are the flower villages, birdwatching, mountain trips, and cherry blossom trails in various parts of Korea.

• Seoul - This Korean capital, which is essentially a lively commercial district, is the top tourist destination in the country. Among the must-visit landmarks in Seoul are the royal residences, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Pusan - For beachgoers, Pusan is nothing but a paradise. It is popular as a beach town resort, with many beautiful beaches to choose from. The Song Jung beach, for example, is a peaceful swimming spot with clear blue waters.

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  Pusan

• Watersports - If watersports is the name of your game, then you will be delighted with the numerous facilities that island and coasts in Korea offer to its millions of tourists. You have plenty of choices: paragliding, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming, boating, windsurfing, and water skiing, among others.

To sum it up, Korea caters to practically every type of tourist—adventure seekers, sports buffs, arts and culture lovers, sightseers, and others. So, if you want to escape the stressful city life for a while, then one of things to consider for your much-deserved holiday vacation is, of course, a travel to Korea.

Seven Scenic Road Trips You'll Enjoy

There is an old proverb "the journey is more important than the destination", its time pack your bags and hit the road to know what this really means. 

ATLANTIC ROAD, Norway

This zigzagging road on the Norwegian coastline, eight kilometres long, passes across seven bridges. The most famous of these, the Storseisundet Bridge, is known for its scary twists and turns. The ride comes with breathtaking views of the western fjords, and the surprising glimpses of seals, whales and exotic birds along the way are an added attraction. Daredevils head during autumn to experience spectacular storms, but the seaside is equally attractive in calmer weather, thanks to the numerous fishing spots.

YAMUNA EXPRESSWAY, India

If you're looking for a high-speed blitz, there's not better stretch than the 165 Km Yamuna Expressway. A ride on India's longest six-lane highway will take you from Greater Noida in the National Capital Region to tourist mecca Agra. There are open spaces, green fields and sundry villages on either side, but the countryside is little more than a backdrop to the smooth tarmac in front. The only interruptions on this beautiful stretch are five toll plazas.

INTEROCEANIC HIGHWAY, Peru - Brazil

Completed in 2011, this 2,600km-long transcontinental highway links the South American countries of Peru and Brazil, and passes through several dramatically contrasting landscapes. It runs along the Peruvian coast, through remote stretches of the Andes and dense Amazonian rainforests. Stop at the Incan and Spanish colonial capital of Cusco for a slice of history - from here, you can take a diversion to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu.

MANALI - LEH HIGHWAY, India

This winding 490 kilometre-long highway has spectacular views of the snow-clad Himalayas, mountain passes, glaciers, streams and high-altitude plains. It's covered in snow for much of the year, and only opens during the summer months, between June and October. Keep your camera ready for some stunning Kodak moments, but be prepared for some hairpin bends as well! The two-day drive will take you through five mountain passes, including favourites like Rohtang La and Taglang La, the highest point in the journey.

THE AMALFI COAST, Italy

The Amalfi coast in southern Italy's Sorrento Peninsula is home to one of the most legendary drives in the world. It is, in UNESCO's words, "an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape". Expect stunning sights all along its 25-mile sweep, with cliffs, towns and historic, terraced villages on one side and mesmerising views of the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Stop en route to admire Positano's stack of pastel houses, Amalfi's grand cathedral and town square and Ravello's hilltop gardens. Don't forget to taste the local citrus liquor, limoncello, at the lemon groves in between.

MUMBAI - GOA HIGHWAY, India

The journey to everyone's favourite beach gateway is both smooth and picturesque though at 600 km, it can get a bit tiring. This highway is NH 17 and runs from Mumbai to Thiruvananthpuram through the Western Ghats and caressing the Konkan coastline. On the way there are numerous attractions: bridwatching and trekking at the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, panoramas of Vashishti River mendering through the Western Ghats and the pristine beaches of Ganpatipule, Diveagar and Tarkali. The surrounding clouds-kissed hills are at their greenest during the monsoon and the steep turns only add to the thrill.

EAST COAST ROAD, India

Lined with rice fields, swaying coconut palms, fishing villages and glimpses of the Bay of Bengal, this state highway in Tamil Nadu runs along the Bay of Bengal, connecting Chennai with Cuddalore. This stretch has enough to delight both nature lovers and culture vultures. Travel back in time at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mamallapuram, soak in Puducherry's unique French ambience, stroll on the pristine beaches of Tharangambadi, or go boating through Pichavaram's mangrove forests and backwaters.

7 Must Have Travel Gadgets

If traveling for business or pleasure, it is important to take note of digital accessories that help make your journey pain-free. Below are examples of gadgets you have to bring when traveling either by plane, train, or automobile.

Carry a digital camera. Choosing a camera to take on road is difficult. For travel snapshots, choose a point-and-shoot camera that is ultra light and small but is capable of taking high-pixel density photos. Check for cameras that also include image stabilization, face recognition and vestigial viewfinder for quick snaps. Small ultra light cameras are perfect for slipping into a jeans pocket.

If travelling abroad, carry at least a 12-language global translator. This will help you translate foreign words into English and vice versa. This is very much helpful when you are traveling in countries where no one speaks English such as Thailand. You may also opt to buy a high-end language translator that has speech recognition and a hand-held scanner for text input. The latter may sound more efficient but expect an expensive price. 

Carry along a universal power adaptor kit. A gadget that enables our electronic gadgets charged is a very important invention of the 21st century for a modern traveler. Electronic shops have an array adaptor that fit just about any laptop or USB device. An example of this is the Tumi power adaptor that has spring-powered retractable cable and a leather-trimmed carrying case. Adaptor kits are very affordable with prices less than $200.

If going to a conference abroad, is not it important to carry a USB flash drive for storage? But is it possible to bring a Swiss knife? A confiscation-free travel USB drive with a Swiss knife is the 1GB Swissbit drive that can be detached from its super-hard knife casing. This USB drive comes with the Swiss army gadgets such as scissors, pen, knife, nail file, screwdriver, and light except for the cuckoo clock. This is not pricey for a worth of $60.

Carry with you a mini battery pack. The trouble with traveling with iPods or cell phones is the battery drains fast. A mini battery pack is the solution that technology vendors offer for a more convenient and pain-free travel. There are different iPod/iPhone battery extenders. An example is the Energizer’s iPodPower2 that runs on a pair of AA batteries. This battery pack comes with an effective retractable USB cables.

During long travels by air, train, or water, you usually need an activity for pastime. Either you want to read a book or watch a movie. In this case, it will be advisable to bring a portable book reader and DVD player.

Kindle is Amazon’s first-generation e-book reader; it needs improvement though. But it is very useful for travellers who like to read books because it serves as a veritable library. It holds around 200 books and can read SD cards.

If you are into movies, better bring a portable DVD player. Nowadays, people download not only movies but also TV programs. There are cheap portable DVD players that are less than $100. Take note however that if you are buying a player for travel purposes; make sure it is battery-intensive.

Adventure Travel for the Free-Spirited Individual

Adventure tourism is now one of the fastest growing trends in travel business. It started with Leo Le Bon who co-founded the world’s first adventure travel company—Mountain Tours with other eight travel mates. Le Bon and others made the first commercial journey to the Annapurna region of Nepal. Since then, the travel business grew rapidly resulting to a plethora of travel companies that offer adventure vacations.

Classifying an adventure travel however pose a little difficulty in defining what exactly it means. Adventure travel depends on the level of strenuousness of activities involved. Adventure may involve leisure biking and hiking for some travelers or it may entail base jumping into an underground cave in Mexico. 

Nevertheless, a travel involves some fundamental aspects to be classified as adventure. Adventure travel typically includes going to far-flung areas, intermingling with various cultures, and doing a physical activity.

Two categories of adventure travel are hard and soft adventures. Hard adventures fall under extreme and mostly dangerous sporting activity. Examples of hard adventures are rock climbing, surfing, paragliding, and scuba diving in remote locations. Soft adventures, on the other hand, are leisure activities that are often educational. It does not involve strenuous activity unlike hard adventures. Bird watching, religious pilgrimages and architectural tours fall under soft adventures.

But you might wonder who usually embark on an adventure travel? Travel Industry Association of America’s (TIA) study indicated an estimated 20 percent of adult travelers are adventure tourists. It is also parallel to The Wall Street Journal reporting in 2003 that revenues from adventure tourism has skyrocketed topping the adventure market with $245 million dollars.

While many studies say college-educated males in their 20s typically embark on hard adventures, it is harder to categorize people who go for soft adventures. They say baby boomers and seniors significantly affect the rise of number of soft travelers. However, adventure-seeking women have also substantially caused the continuous growing of the industry. For example, divorcees ages 40 and 60 usually turn to adventure travel as a shift into new lives.

In addition, adventure travels are physically and psychologically beneficial both men and women. Physical challenges like mountain climbing require both physical fitness and focus. It develops muscles as well as serves as an excellent mental workout. Achieving difficult tasks also help build self-esteem especially for people in midlife crisis.

There are several options to what kind of adventure travel fits a specific type of person. But you should determine first how adventurous you would like to be. A travel agency may actually help steer you through the multitude choices that you will face.

Sports-themed vacations are well-liked for athletes. Examples of these are baseball fantasy camps and NASCAR driving schools. Safari is one example of soft adventures popular to many of varying ages. This may involve driving and walking through the African plains and come into close contact with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. 

Longtime popular destinations are the Seven Wonders of World that include biking and hiking to these locales. Some of the world wonders include pyramids of Egypt, expedition to Antarctica, cultural tour in Japan and Ethiopia, the Great Wall of China, and Taj Mahal in India.

If you opt to have an adventure travel however, be sure to be safe as much as possible. Take note that adventure travel has inherent danger involved.

Top Must Visit Countries for Savvy Travelers

Where would you go if you had money to spare and all the time in the world to take a tour of the most beautiful cities in the world? Many cities in different parts of the world are hailed for their natural landscapes and seascapes, stunning structures, design, and interesting culture. If you’re listing the most attractive city destinations in the world that you would like to visit, then these places should make the cut in your travel list.

Paris

There’s more to Paris than just the world-famous Eiffel Tower and its reputation as the most romantic city. Paris is also well known for its street life and wide roads that are lined with trees. Aside from the Eiffel Tower, Paris also boasts of other iconic buildings like the Grand Palais and the Louvre Museum, which caught the attention of the world as the setting of the novel and film “Da Vinci Code.” And the best reason for spending your holidays in this French capital? Ah, the French cuisine! Feel the French passion for gourmet food with the many restaurants that serve wine and cheese. With everything that Paris has to offer, it is no wonder that this city is the dream destination of every traveler.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the busiest shopping districts in Asia, which is why it is always frequented by many shopaholics from across the globe. A favorite destination of tourists from East and West, Hong Kong is popular for its post-modern skyline and skyscrapers. This city in China is home to four of the 15 tallest structures in the world. Isn’t that amazing? The city’s night lighting and reflection are simply captivating.

Tokyo

Even if this Japanese capital is densely populated, a lot of reasons still make it one of cities in the world that are worth visiting. Its modern architecture and spectacular cityscapes are reminiscent of that irresistible New York charm, with the exception of towering skyscrapers that are distinctly a Tokyo trademark. Also, the changing colors of the Tokyo Tower every night make for a unique and memorable sightseeing.

Florence

Thousands of visitors frequent this Italian city for one great reason: Florence is the art capital of Italy. It is considered the last preserved cradle of Renaissance, particularly in terms of architecture. So if you are an enthusiast of art, architecture, and anything that has to do with Renaissance, Florence is surely a must-visit destination.

Singapore

This Asian city holds the distinction of being the one of the cleanest cities in the world, having undergone an impression transformation from being a swampy mass of land four decades ago. Once you set foot in Singapore, a modern, fast-paced city life will welcome you, complete with subways, skyscrapers, and bustling streets.

New York City 

No city in the world probably enjoys immense popularity better than New York. Fondly called The Big Apple, New York City has a lot to be proud of such as its attractions and cultural legacy. There are so many places to visit like the Broadway, Central Park, and Times Square. No wonder, New York is one of the most attractive city destinations in the world.