Situated on the Arabian Sea, at the very western edge of India’s subcontinent, lies the country’s most populous and prosperous metropolis. Mumbai, formerly Bombay until 1995, is a massive island city bursting with life at every turn. Mumbai is home to the Hindi film and television industry, also known as Bollywood, and offers hundreds of movie houses including the largest IMAX dome in Asia.

Travelers to Mumbai may find themselves struck by the incredible disparity in wealth and lifestyle among the island’s inhabitants; however, most travelers will also notice a general friendly cheer during their daily excursions. Almost all of Mumbai’s population is not native to the island, which creates an eclectic mix of ethnicities, beliefs, cuisine and culture that has encouraged acceptance among most of the people.

Mumbai from the Outside

Mumbai has one of the most heavily traveled ports in India, making the large Bombay metropolis India’s commercial and financial capital. Visit the spectacular Gateway of India, the magnificent basalt structure built for King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 that greets nearly all travelers arriving in Mumbai by boat. From here you can catch a ferry to Elephanta Island to witness the most famous and intricate cave temples of Maharashtra. For people watching, head down to the Marine Drive Chowpatty and enjoy the beach breezes, shop the street-side vendors and get yourself a relaxing head massage.

Within the city limits lies Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which serves as a necessary sanctuary for breathable air in the north of Mumbai. Make sure to catch Bombay’s famous prowling leopards during your visit. There are also many walking and boating tours available as a means to experience the city. This is the best way to get your initial bearings and learn the general history and architectural background of Mumbai/Bombay.

A Bombay Treasure Island

The Mumbai municipality is a literal treasure hunt for the adventurous explorer. Centuries of history are written in the architecture, museums, bazaars and personal accounts littered all about the lively neighborhoods. St. Thomas’ Cathedral is a reminder of the British rule in Bombay and also the oldest English building in the city. The remarkable contrast of the whitewashed church against the detailed and ornate backdrop of Mumbai is a noteworthy sight. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, and discover ancient remnants of Maharashtra while inside an architectural landmark set among splendid gardens.

Mumbai, and certainly all of India, is the place to be your adventurous self. The first step is finding airfare to Bombay right here on cFares. Once you touch down on the tarmac in Mumbai, indulge your senses in the flavors of curry, the treats of street vendors, and the delicacy of fresh sweet pastry. Expand your senses and stretch your mind in a yoga class or meditation session, many of which are open to the public. This is your opportunity to discover the most unique and welcoming city in India, dive in!

About the Author: For more information about Mumbai, discount airfare to Mumbai, and other deals on cheap airfare & wholesale flight tickets, check out www.cfares.com.

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India is increasingly becoming a central location for luxury travel and luxury cruises. Luxury River Cruises in India are all the more spectacular because they provide travellers with an opportunity equal to none to observe the astounding geography of the region. The Ganges River is the starting point for a host of luxury river cruises.

All river cruises in India start and finish with the River Ganges, or India’s “Holy River.” The Ganges flows east through the Gangetic Plain of northern India into Bangladesh. The Ganges then rises in the western Himalayas and drains into the Sunderbans delta in the Bay of Bengal.

For Hindus in India, the Ganga is not just a river – but a mother, a goddess, a culture. Many Hindus believe that life simply isn’t complete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in one’s lifetime. Many Hindu families keep a vial of water from the Ganga in their house. Hindus believe that the water from the Ganga can cure the ill.

Some of the most important Hindu festivals happen on the banks of this vital body of water. Festivals are celebrated on the banks of the river, such as the Kumbh Mela, Allahabad and the Chhath Puja.

The River Ganges is a primary tourist destination. Three towns holy to Hinduism – Haridwar, Allahabad, and Varanasi – attract countless pilgrims to its waters. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims arrive at these three towns to take a dip in the Ganges. The rapids of the Ganges also are popular for river rafting, attracting scores of adventure seekers in the summer months.

A Brahmaputra Luxury River Cruise provides the best opportunity to explore one of the world’s finest combinations of river and jungle.

The River Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh and splits into two: the Hugli and Padma Rivers. When it merges with the Ganges it forms the world’s largest delta, the Sunderbans. The Sunderbans houses the largest mangrove swamp and Estuarine National Park in the world and is home to one of the largest tiger reserves in the world.

The notions of wildlife and wilderness are central to any Brahmaputra Luxury River Cruise. The sand spits and estuaries of the river abound with a variety of bird life and Gangetic Dolphins.

A cruise along this river also allows access to a number of spectacular National Parks, including Kaziranga, the last home of the one horned rhino. Kaziranga National Park is the oldest National Park in Assam and a World Heritage site. Spread over an area of 430 square kilometres, the park is home to a variety of species, such as: the one horned rhinoceros, elephant, Indian bison, swamp deer, samber, hog deer, sloth bear, leopard, capped langur, gibbon, jackal and ibis.

The mighty Brahmaputra River charts its majestic course through the state of Assam. This mystic land of blue hills and beautiful rivers is renowned for its rich flora and fauna, the one horned rhinoceros and other species of wildlife on the verge of extinction.

Assam is the state that houses many holy sites, such as: Kamakhya Temple, the Shakti Temple of mother Goddess Kamakhya situated on the top of Nilachal Hills. The greatest shrine of tantric Shaktism, devotees from all over India converge on this holy place during festivals.

Umananda Temple is another great Shiva temple situated on the Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. This temple attracts devotees from all over the country during Shiva Ratri.

The Brahmaputra soon becomes the Hugli River, which glides snakelike through the Kolkata district. Kolkata is regarded as the intellectual capital of the nation. Several of India’s great 19th and 20th-century heroes were Kolkatans, including guru-philosopher Ramakrishna, Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore and film director Satyajit Ray.

Dozens of venues showcase Bengali dance, poetry, art, music, film and theatre. Kalighat’s Kali Temple is Kolkata’s holiest spot. The current structure dates from 1809.

However, the site is many, many centuries older and possibly the source of the city’s name. Inside the temple pilgrims jostle to present hibiscus offerings to Kali. This site has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 16th century.

Luxury river cruises in India provide travellers with an unequalled opportunity to observe the astounding geography of this stunning region.

Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au

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The fascinating animal life surrounded by dense fauna all around evokes the interest of many wildlife enthusiasts in India. The myriad of wildlife species are witnessed in 440 wildlife sanctuaries spread throughout the country along with 80 national parks. Not to forget, Indian government here has also set up 23 tiger reserves. So, a wildlife tour India is sure to leave you mesmerized with its beautiful sites and adventurous meets with the natives of the jungle.

Wander into the mysterious animal territory, where you will easily lose track of time and be guided only by the sun. A feeling exhilaration intermixed with fear and curiosity is completely indescribable. The sight of wild animals in their natural habitat is definitely very fascinating. You may be on a look out for the majestic predator in Corbett or in quest for the rarely found avian species in Bharatpur forest, make sure that you are fully secured and with a group to fight away any sudden attack from wild animals.

Moreover, you may enrich your experience of wildlife tour India by spending your night in any wildlife resort. This is an exclusive experience that will be etched in your memory forever. To have the real adventure and to know the real wilderness of your wildlife Indian tour, this stay in wildlife resorts for some days is a must. Imagine you are living in some tree house, which is located seven feet over the ground, or waking up with the roar of the lion or chirping of birds. To experience all such things, you need to stay in wildlife resort for some time. You may take a wildlife travel package from any travel agent who will make all arrangements for you. They ensure a safe, convenient and a memorable holiday for you.

Beasts, mammoth Indian elephant and the Bengal tiger are the prime attraction of the wildlife tour India. Indian rhino, black buck, Indian lion, Indian peacock, cranes, leopard, cobra and camel along with birds are some species that doubles your adventure in the wild jungles of India. Camel, elephant and jeep can be taken for safaris to go inside the national parks. You may take boat cruises to see the wildlife that basks near water bodies, especially during summers. Alternatively, you may simply stroll around in parks with your group if you are really courageous. Your quest for snow leopard may end with national parks located in the Himalayan range.

So, if you are fascinated by the thoughts of visiting an Indian national park just do not delay anymore and book your travel for wildlife tour India today. You may even try out hopping around on the tree branches and other such rustic sports in jungle to pass your time and to add onto your adventurous holiday. Book your wildlife tour India over the Internet with the best Indian travel agents who are well acquainted with the Indian wilderness and thereby assure you a pleasant experience. Go ahead and get wild amidst the flora and fauna of India soon.

About the Author: Rajendra Sharma is a renowned travelogue and has been dealing with travel guides. If you want to know more about Wildlife tour India, hotels in Delhi, pushkar camel fair and pushkar temple you can visit http://www.sewara.com

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By Juliemeena Julie

LUXURY TOUR TRAINS OF INDIA

Depending upon your budget and preference, the Indian Railways offer you a plethora of options when you choose to explore India by train with. There are exclusive and royal luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels, the Royal Orient Train, the Deccan Odyssey, the Heritage on Wheels and the Fairy Queen. Traveling India with an authorised India Travel Agent by these luxury trains is an experience of lifetime. Some of the famous Luxury Trains of India are:

1.Places on Wheels

Palace on wheels is a journey worthy of kings with its cream saloons, with a border of flowers, forbidding fortress, fairytale palaces, fully vestibule and centrally air-condition, truly a Palace on Wheels.

2.Heritage On Wheels

No other region in India, or perhaps, even in the world, has such a large concentration of high quality frescoes as the region of Shekhawati. The Heritage on Wheels, a luxury tourist train on meter gauge enroute to the unexplored regions of Bikaner and Shekhawati, famous beholders of the Heritage of Rajasthan. Heritage on Wheels is a prefect royal treat for all those on board organized with restaurant and shopping facility.

3.Royal Orient

The Royal Orient train is one of the world’s most exotic trains where you get to explore two of the most fascinating and culturally rich states of India, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The journey by the Royal Orient takes you back to the times of Rajas and Maharajas which is fitted with all the modern conveniences you would expect in five star hotels like clean, comfortable and furnished cabin with spacious bath equipped with running hot and cold water and multi-cuisine restaurants, bar and library.

4.Fairy Queen

The Fairy Queen starts once in a month from October to February renowned for its oldest working engine in the world with the capacity of 50 passengers starts from Delhi to Alwar. The train stops at every major destination and the ambience inside the Fairy Queen makes you feel like a Maharaja as you take on the royal journey. The comprehensive two-day tourist package includes on-ground catering, lodging, boarding, transfer facility, visit to Sariska National Park, cultural programmes etc. In the package, the tourists would be taken to Alwar and would be lodged in Hotel ‘Tiger Den’ at Sariska.

5.Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey criss-crosses the Indian Deccan Plateau over 2400 km in Eight days covering beautiful beaches in Goa and Maharashtra, the grand forts and palaces of the Marathas, the Osho Ashram in Pune, the historic sites of Ajanta, Ellora, Aurangabad and the modern city of Mumbai. The 21 coach Air-Conditioned Deccan Odyssey offers combination of richly furnished Deluxe Cabins and Presidential Suites. There are two Dining Cars, One Bar Saloon with smoking lounge area, Conference Area/recreation saloon with small Business Centre, Spa Saloon with mini-gym. Each passenger Saloon has four Deluxe Cabins and is serviced by a private attendant/butler, who looks after tea/coffee service and housekeeping.

6.Konkan Train

Konkan Railways, one of the most luxurious train journey offers breathtakingly beautiful sights to the commuters, unexplored destinations with natural charm covers the length of 760 kms, with 1,798 bridges and 88 Tunnels on the route. Konkan Railways offers a mesmerizing picturesque from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram via Veer-Khed-Chiplun-Ratnagiri-Rajapur Road-Sindhudurg-Mapusa Road-Goa-Udupi-Mangalore-Kochi.

About the Author: Dr. Minhaj Alam is a bright scholar who has completed his Ph.D and has done extensive research works on Jawaharlal Nehru. His major Research Publications are “Nehru’s Contribution to Democracy”. Currently working in http://www.cultureholidays.com

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By Justine Richards

The term ‘hidden treasures of the world’ is an apt description of the ornate and elegant palaces of the royalty of India. Savvy travelers who seek the ultimate in luxury accommodations need to look no further; there are unparalleled opportunities to leave the stresses of everyday life behind and become immersed in the fairy tale world of palace life. Expect only the best in food and service at these luxury destinations.

Hear the name Taj Mahal and anyone with a world view recalls the romantic true story of the building of this fairy tale palace that is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Globe trotters in search of luxury travel to unique and fascinating locales must consider a visit to India to experience firsthand the wonders of a stay at an Indian palace, a mini Taj Mahal so to speak. The opulent palaces of Indian aristocrats are among the best accommodations in the world, set in unparalleled splendor and unique architectural achievement.

Consider, for example, Umaid Bhawan Palace, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, the home of Gaj Singh, the Maharaja of Jodhpur. While most of the palace is devoted to serving well-heeled guests, the Maharaja retains a private wing. A stay at the Umaid Bhawan is truly a visit to a real modern-day palace, one of the largest residences in the world featuring 26 acres of formal gardens that create a lush atmosphere fit for royalty.

While European palaces can date back centuries, the Umaid Bhawan Palace is a relatively new structure that was completed around 1940. History has it that the ship from England carrying custom furnishings for the palace was sunk by a German submarine on its journey to India in 1942. For those visitors to the palace with an interest in history, the palace contains a museum in addition to hotel space.

Calling the accommodations of the Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel ‘space’ is a gross injustice to the elegance and supreme taste evidenced in the architecture, built-in furnishings and furniture. Highly polished marble abounds in both the public and guest areas of this sophisticated luxury travel destination. Cultures combine in harmony as fine Indian and modern Art Deco designs seamlessly intertwine to create unparalleled luxury accommodations.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is called the “Pink City” due to its numerous sandstone structures and home of another luxury palace hotel in an area filled with fascinating architecture, heritage and shopping opportunities. Consider a stay at the impressive Oberoi Rajvilas, the royal home of the Maharani Gayatri Devi in a palatial setting resplendent with private courtyards, elegant swimming pools and pleasing architectural accents. There are no long hotel-like corridors to reach your upscale accommodations. Rooms are artfully clustered in private groupings of just four or six with a center courtyard for the ultimate in peaceful surroundings.

For a change of pace, consider the unique adventure of staying in an air-conditioned luxury tent suite at the Oberoi Rajvilas that boasts teak floors and elegant en suite bath facilities. And for world travelers or romantic honeymooners with a flair for the dramatic, why not arrange for what is known as the Royal Welcome at the Oberoi Rajvilas and be greeted with horses, elephants, musicians and a shower of flowers!

These two palaces are a mere sampling of the luxury travel that awaits upscale visitors to the traditional royal areas of India. For the best selection of accommodations to meet your needs, consider working with an experienced travel consultant who is knowledgeable about travel to India.

About the Author: Justine has been a journalist for 20 years and is a contributor to Just The Planet, the online luxury travel magazine for independent travellers.

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Rajasthan. The gold, the glitter and the SAND. The land echoes with the eternal lyrics of life playing on some lone harp in the midst of endless sand dunes. Such is the mystifying nature of the place that nobody is able to unravel the mystery behind it all. Yet, the alluring call of the land acts as a magnet for most of the tourists and they can’t help visiting the place again and again. Amongst the many locations in Rajasthan, Jaipur attracts innumerable number of tourists due to its name and fame as ‘pink city’. To absorb the unique flavors of the city, a modest yet comfortable accommodation is what an average visitor yearns for. This need is fulfilled by Jaipur hotels which represent the culture of Rajasthan very well. Your task ends at selecting any hotel according to your requirement and the rest is taken care of by the hotel staff.

The Jaipur hotels come in the line of small luxury hotels of the world. Many of the grand heritage hotels in Jaipur have had their famed occupants as the erstwhile rulers of Rajasthan. A couple of them have been awarded as world’s leading hotels and have been restored now to their original glory with the able assistance of experts adept in restoring heritage buildings since years. The city is home to many interesting locations like Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar etc. No wonder that the state stands next only to Goa in attracting the tourists and the private agencies have stepped in a large way to offer their own dwellings as hotels. The Jaipur hotels cater to the needs of increasing number of tourists coming from other countries. Heritage castle like Umaid Bhawan is one of the hotels where the traditional mingles in nicely with the modern.

The hospitality at Jaipur hotels is exotic one. Umaid bhawan hotel located in one of the residential colony of Jaipur is just one kilometer away from the bus and train station. The airport is 13 kilometers away from the hotel and has got a whole range of rooms suiting everybody’s budget. The local craftsmanship is visible in the hotel, where the rooms are fully furnished with modern gadgets. Apart from the Umaid Bhawan, a number of famed restaurants cater to the taste buds of tourists. These restaurants offer their visitors an exotic traditional cuisine which is both veg as well as non-veg. Jaipur hotels consist of luxury suites which have been the rooms used by rulers of their state as their resting rooms.

In Umaid Bhawan itself, the famed business centre enables the visitors to conduct their businesses from one location without having to step out. A refreshing swim in the hotel’s swimming pool takes away your every stress and you forget every dull moment of your life. Besides, other amenities are extended to the guests ranging from camel safaris to beauty and herbal treatments. These experiences are what make your vacation memorable by any standard. So come and see for yourself what the Jaipur hotels are all about.

About the Author: Rajendra Sharma is a renowned travelogue and has been dealing with travel guides. If you want to know more about Wildlife tour India, Jaipur hotels, pushkar camel fair, pushkar travel you can visit http://www.sewara.com

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