The Colors of India

India is a country of rich contrast; from the sacred temples and opulent palaces to the crowded streets of Mumbai and the commercial Kolkata. With each new day, you can expect to experience something different from the day before.

Flavours of India

Because of this, India can be a bit of an enigma. But if you want to sample different parts of India on your next trip, vary your travels with these must-sees stops along the way.

Top 10 must-see sights

1. The Taj Mahal, Agra

The world’s ultimate symbol of love. Built by a Mughal Emperor in memory of his great love.

2. The waterways of Kerala

One of the “ten paradises of the world” and one of the great trips for the modern traveler. Cruise an unbelievably lush and beautiful network of rivers, lakes and canals in five-star luxury in traditional vessels.

3. Imperial Delhi

One of the greatest ever expressions of empire, the vision of British colonial architect Sir Edward Lutyens includes grand processional avenues, palaces, public buildings and monuments.

4. A desert safari in Rajasthan 

Travel by camel or jeep through the Thar Desert, visiting historic ruins, tribal villages and sleeping in a tent under the stars.

5. Gateway of India, Mumbai

Start your exploration here in the footprints of history in one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on earth.

6. Temples of Southern India

Intricately carved and aesthetically designed, South Indian Temples are amongst the most beautiful architectural expressions of religion, and an integral part of the rich heritage of South India.

7. Tea in Darjeeling

Once a summer retreat for the British Raj, this UNESCO World Heritage site sits above 2,000 metres, reached by a vintage steam railway. It’s surrounded by views of the Himalayas and tea plantations.

8. Pink Palace, Blue Palace, you choose

Often called the "Venice of the East", Udaipur is famed for its collection of ancient palaces, some of which cover entire islands in the region’s beautiful lakes. Many are now luxury hotels.

9. Goa

Like the beach life? This well visited region on India’s west coast, formerly a Portuguese enclave, still offers pristine coastlines, deserted beaches and traditional fishing communities.

10. Kolkata

It’s busy, crowded, but an important centre for the arts, sciences and intellectual life. Kolkata’s Bengali cuisine is also world-famous.

Awesome things you didn’t know about India

• Chess, the world-famous board game, was invented in India.
• The value of ‘pi’ used in mathematics was first calculated by the Indian mathematician Budhayana in the sixth century.
• India is one of the largest exporters of computer software products.
• The national game of India is hockey, but cricket is practically a ‘religion’.
• The Indian movie industry, known as Bollywood, makes the largest number of movies in the world.
• India's GDP per capita is expected to multiply by four times from now to 2020.

Five reasons to visit India

1. The food. Indian cuisine offers an infinity of tastes, styles and flavours, from village to town to region.
2. The fabrics. "Pink is the navy blue of India," declared the great fashion editor, Diana Vreeland. From Rajasthan in the west to Chennai (home of Madras cotton) in the east, stand on any street corner and watch the cerise and orange and green of the silk and cotton saris worn by women glide by.
3. The history. India is one of the world’s oldest cultures on earth, with an artistic heritage to match.
4. The philosophy. India is home to several of the world’s oldest religious and cultural traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, and more.
5. The friendliness. Indian people are renowned for their warmth and open hospitality.

Things to do in Cochin (Kerala’s Capital City)

We want our guests to get an authentic view of India, where the sights, smells, tastes and traditions of our diverse and incredible country are lived rather than observed.

So here we’ve put together a guide to the key ingredients that make up beautiful Cochin. Be sure you include them all in your visit to this remarkable city of islands sat on Kerala’s lush coast.

1. Water

The city itself is a cluster of islands connected by canals, lakes and lagoons, so Cochin is the ideal place to start a backwater trip. City tours take in the colonial treasures of Fort Cochin and the hubbub of charming Willingdon Island. Longer trips take you on routes to Alleppey and beyond, and into lands of lush tranquillity and laid back river-village life.

In-the-backwaters-cochin

2. Mud

Mud rejuvenates the body, opens the skin’s pores and is thought to relieve a variety of ailments, from arthritis to heat burn. Cochin is very big on holistic therapy. There are several spas where you can let your mind drift while your body is embalmed in thick brown clay.

Mud holistic therapy

3. Fish

There are two reasons the Chinese fishing nets of Cochin are of such appeal. Fixed permanently to the shore, they represent fishing at its most unusual. Cast out during dawn or a sunset, they are a curiously beautiful sight. The hauls are cooked up within minutes by street vendors. Tuck in.

White-snapper-cochin

4. Sand

Cherai Beach, with its calm, clean, shallow sea and supple golden sand, is rightly known as Kerala’s best beach. Stretching north for nine long miles, it’s never a problem to find a quiet spot. At only 20 minutes drive from central Cochin, it’s no surprise that Cherai is the popular choice of the city’s sunseekers.

sand-and-sea-cochin

5. Paint

You can not leave Cochin without experiencing the blaze of colour and intensity that ignites during a Kathakali performance. This historical dance-drama demands so much from its actors that they use martial arts to prepare themselves and spend ten years learning the art. At Fort Cochin’s highly-regarded Kathakali Centre you can watch a show and also take lessons.

Kathakali-painting

6. Spice

Cochin was built on the spice trade. It acted as a port for the Arabs, Chinese, Jews and Romans who sailed to Kerala to sniff out the best of its plantation produce. Everything from pepper, chilli and turmeric, to nutmeg, vanilla and ginger thrives on the hills of ‘God’s Own Country’. And for thousands of years it’s been shipped out of Cochin across the world. Get down to Mattancherry spice market and inhale the powders of Cochin’s history.

Jew-Town-Cochin

7. Rubber

Although Kerala also has an abundance of rubber plantations, you’ll need strong rubber soles on your feet to walk and appreciate the breadth of Cochin’s attractions. With the winding streets of relaxed Fort Cochin to explore, the curios shops and sights of Jew Town to enjoy, and the bustle of downtown Ernakulam to experience, you may want to stop, put your feet up and sup a cold glass of the local Sandpiper beer.

8. Time

The Portuguese of the 15th century. The Dutch of the 17th. The British after 1795. Before all of them the Chinese and the Romans. They all left their influence on this cosmopolitan, melting pot of a city – particularly on its architecture. Must-sees include the church of Santa Cruz Basilica and Paradesi Synagogue. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to appreciate the full, exotic flavour of this complex blend. Then you will taste the global infusion of Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’.

Cochin-fort

Things to do in Bhimtal (Uttarakhand)

Mainly known as a destination for day tours Bhimtal is a quiet and comparatively lesser known hillstation in the district of Nainital. We explore six things to do in Bhimtal, a destination rich in warmth, peace and experiences.

1. In and around Bhimtal

Bhimtal is most famous for the Bhimtal Lake, which is the largest lake in the district of Nainital. The placid wonders of this lake are best discovered by boat but a walk around the lake’s perimeter is also a nice and quiet way to explore the region. The cool breeze and an almost perennially pleasant weather ensure that people can start as well as end their day with lovely long walks. People can be seen strolling along the lake at the crack of dawn and then heading out for a well-deserved breakfast. On the lake’s island one can find an enchanting aquarium, which recently replaced Bhimtal’s famous but overcrowded restaurant. At the aquarium you can see many species of fish from all over the world.

bhimtal

2. Historic visit

The privately owned museum in Bhimtal is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the region. Ancient artifacts, tools made of stone and objects of great historical value are on display at the musuem. You can also learn about traditional rites and rituals as well as see samples of the region’s rock art. Another great way of learning about the region is by interacting with homestay owners. As many locals have opened their homes to tourists, they have also provided outsiders the opportunity to experience the region in its most authentic and endearing form. Interacting with such hosts provides people with valuable insight into the local life and history. People here are filled with enchanting stories, which cannot be found in any institution of museum.

3. Trip to Nainital

Nainital is a popular hillstation located in Kumaon, which is famous for its innumerable activities and natural beauty. It is serene yet lively at the same time and has many activities for the whole family. Day tours from Bhimtal to Nainital are easily available and strongly recommended.

Trip_to_Nainital

4. Trip to Naukuchia Tal

Located at a height of over 1,200 meters is the beautiful and languid Lake Naukuchia tal. The lake is just 4 kilometers from Bhimtal and cabs can be hired on the spot for a day or half-day tour. Naukuchiatal is a haven for bird watchers as it attracts countless migratory birds from across the world.  Other activities like boating and trekking are also poular things to do.

5. The land of seven lakes

Saat Taal (Seven Lakes), which quite poetically is located just 7 kilometers from Bhimtal is another quiet place to enjoy a day tour. Saat Taal was named after its seven lakes. Two out of the seven original lakes have dried up but the remaining five are vey popular with tourists. The lakes are rich with fish and are frequented by fishing enthusiasts.

The-land-of-seven-lakes

6. Hills with the White Carpet

A short trip from Mallital will lead you the picturesque Snow View Point. The viewpoint is perched at 2270 meters above sea level and the journey can be undertaken by ropeway or on horseback. Both experiences have their own charm and once at the view point, visitors are greeted with panoramic vistas of majestic snow-clad mountains.

Let us know what would be top of your things to do in Bhimtal list.