A century ago, when one talked about India, it was invariably about snake charmers, yogis and beggars in streets. Now IT is the main tag India shows, the progress it has made is certainly visible in growing strength of its currency (rupee) in international stock markets. Like burgeoning industry, tourism is also expanding very fast in India. Following is a list of places I have visited in India.

Places to visit in India:

Tajmahal (UttarPradesh)-This tomb of Mumtaj Mahal, wife of Mughal emperor Shahjahan has not only found place in the recently concluded hunt for new seven wonders of the world, but also bagged the first slot in it. The Taj truly deserves this position. It is said that 20, 000 workers laboured day and night to build this epitome of love. It is generally considered the finest example of Mughal Architecture. I have been here twice and still want to go back. The beauty of this monument is breathtaking. Taj mahal is built in Agra, where other places of interest are castle of fateh pur sikri.

Shopping : Agra is famous for its sweet dish called “petha”. Agra rugs, marble and leather is also famous.

Jaipur: (Rajasthan)-This city has got another name, “Pink City” because of its pink stone buildings and houses. this is the land of Rajputs, the tribe which is known for its courage, hospitality and deep sense of honor and pride. there are many attractions here e. g. Amber Palace, Birla temple, Jantar mantar, fort of nahargarh(people especially come here at night to watch the beautiful city in the moon light), Jal Mahal, “Water Palace” sits in the center of a lake, Hawa Mahal (palace of winds) is the most easily recalled landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon.

Shopping: Famous for its precious and semi precious stones, Johari Market is the ideal place to shop for the same. In Jaipur you can shop for various items like handicrafts, lacquered brass work, textiles etc. Textiles in tie and dye (bandhani), Sanganeri and Bagru block print are important trademark varieties and style of fabric.

Kullu-Manali ( Himachal Pradesh)The cool winds seem to play music for your ears. Enjoy the intimacy of the town with the snowline with heat of the natural hot sulphur springs at the same holiday. Besides sight seeing you must try a hand at adventure sports and activities like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking or mountain biking for the complete holiday experience. Worth visiting holiday spots in Manali comprise of the wooden hadimba temple in the Dhungiri Van Vihar forest area and the shiny Buddhist monasteries or gompas. Close by is the Rohtang pass the spot where the spectacle of the clouds sweeping the majestic mountains can be viewed. Kullu-manali has a special place in my memories as I went there with our street theater group and we had a lot of fun together.

Shopping: You may pick up woolens for souvenirs like the splendid shawls and caps. Other Himalayan handicrafts like prayer wheels, masks, amulets, and musical instruments add a Tibetan tinge to your shopping.

Goa-If you have been to Goa , you will return again to visit this beautiful city of beaches. Goa’s beaches are what makes the state one of India’s major tourist attractions. Goa offers you fishing beach, naturalist beach, rocky beach white sand beach all in one platter. Goa is a plastic free zone so any use of plastic bags etc is discouraged. The beaches throughout Goa have an abundance of seas shells. The local Indians string the small brown and black littorin shells into curtains. Calangute Beach was the first of the hippie resorts back in the 60’s and 70’s.

Shopping: The ’shoppoholic’ will never go empty handed as the local handicrafts have great variety to offer. The beach side stall gives the chance to tourist to enjoy the beach and shopping side by side. Some of the most exquisite items produced in Goa are woodcraft including cradles, baby carts, toys, corner stands, etc. Bamboo craft is one of the major crafts industry of Goa. The list of popular Bamboo products include flower baskets, mats, and letter-holders, pen stands, fans and other decorative items.

Delhi-The capital of India has many historical places hidden beneath its modern metropolitan look. Kutub minar: The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Humayun’s tomb: One of the greatest examples of architecture in India, Humayun’s Tomb is known for influencing the structure of the Taj Mahal as well. Jama Masjid: Showcasing a rich influence of Persian architecture, the Jama Masjid is one of the oldest mosques of India. Red fort: It was from its ramparts that the first Prime Minister of India, Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that India was free form colonial rule. The piece de resistance of the fort, the Diwan-I-Khas once housed the famous Peacock Throne, which when it was plundered by Nadir Shah in 1739, was valued at six million sterling. Jantar Mantar: At first sight, the Jantar Mantar appears like a gallery of modern art. It is, however, an observatory. Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743), a keen astronomer and a noble in the Mughal court. India gate: Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70, 000 India soldiers killed in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931. Every year on 26th January, the day celebrated as the Republic Day of India, the Indian President places a wreath at the eternal flame Amar Jawan Jyoti under the arch of India Gate to pay his respects to the Indian armed forces. t is followed by a grand parade that moves along Rajpath, which comprise of marching contingents, tanks and weaponry, vibrant floats, folk dances and school children from different parts of India who participate in this colorful ceremony.

Shopping: Connaught Place, the modern hub of New Delhi houses many a state govt. emporia. he Central Cottage Industries Emporium, a rambling six-storey government shop where you can buy anything from a 12ft ornamental elephant god to a packet of Darjeeling tea. Prices are clearly displayed and fixed. This is a good place to buy gifts for friends at home.

Pondichery - Pondichery was a French colony and the French influence shows clearly. The entire town is divided into 2 sections, the French Quarter or ‘White town’and the Indian quarter or ‘Black Town’ Many streets still retain their French names and French style villas are a common sight here. The city has such a laid back attitude, nobody seems to be in a hurry to do anything or go anywhere. For sun-bathing, swimming or merely strolling, Pondichery’s beach and the 1 1/2 km-long promenade alongside, are the most delightful parts of the city. Pondichery Museum is a treasure-house of antiques. Besides a section on French India with rooms done in typical French style, the museum devotes sections to Archaeology, Geology, Sculpture, Bronzes, Arms, Print, Handicraft and Art. The botanical garden preserves a large variety of exotic species of plants. Auroville (the city of dawn) is where 2000 people hailing from 30 different countries are living up to their dream of a united human race. The charter of Auroville is ringingly postnationalist: “Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. ”

Shopping: The Auroville and Ashram handmade paper factory have popularized the use of handmade paper. These papers have their own beauty of different textures. Pondichery has excellent ceramic artists. Most of their work is in tableware and decor. Various studios have evolved distinctive styles, such as “Golden Bridge” and “Rhinestone Art” which are both contemporary and Pondicherrian.

Shimla ( Himachal Pradesh) -The Ridge is the center of Shimla’s cultural and social life - an excellent place to view the surrounding mountains. Jakhu Temple, Jakhu Hill. Open every day. Offers spectacular views of the mountains from its location above the town. According to the epic Ramayana, the monkey god Hanuman rested here during his journey to the Himalayan mountains. State Museum is Housed in a reconstructed Raj-style building, the State Museum displays a collection of around 10, 000 artifacts gathered from all over Himachal Pradesh. You can take a leisurely walk at the Mall - this 7km thoroughfare is famous for its Victorian Architecture, and retains much of its Raj-era charm. English author Rudyard Kipling spent his childhood in Shimla.

Shopping: Shimla is famous for exclusively designed Kinnauri shawls, Himachali Caps and traditional local wooden handicrafts. I bought a beautifully crafted walking cane for my grand mother from Lakkar Bazar adjacent to Ridge.

Other places: North India

Kasmir: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg

Uttarpradesh: Nainital, dalhuji, dehradun, mansoori

Rajasthan: Pushkar, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mount Abu Himachal

Pradesh: Chamba, Kangra

Western India

Gujrat: Ahmedabad, Sabermati, Champaner

Maharashtra: Mumbai, Elephanta, Ajanta and Ellora caves

South India

Tamilnadu: Chennai, Tanjavur, Mahabalipuram, Ootty

Kerela: Allapuzha, trivendrum, kochi

Karnatka: Bangalore, HAMPI, Golkunda

Andhrapradesh: Tirupati, Hyderabad, Guntur

East India

West Bengal: Kolkata, Darjeeling, Kalimpong

Manipur: Gangtok

Writers’ Paradise

Mistress of spices

Crafty thinkings of an Uncrafty Person

Independent chance travelers, however, do not adorned organised tours in buses with abounding tourists. But the abridgement of accessible carriage about requires demography such a tour. Unless, of course, you accept your own agency of transport. In that case, try to ability the afterward agitative Vietnam destinations on your own.

Northern acropolis tribes

In the aerial regions of North Vietnam, several altered acropolis tribes still reside their acceptable lives. The apple of Sapa and the valleys about it are abundant for exploring. For absolute travelers, it can be accomplished by alternation and mini bus, but it is aswell abundant for touring about on a motorbike. Accomplish sure, though, to accomplish a trekking, too.

Tours from Hanoi

From the basic of Hanoi, altered tours can be made. Before exploring by yourself, however, yield into annual that for instance Halong Bay, but aswell the Perfume Pagoda, crave baiter busline as well.

Central Vietnam

In the centre of Vietnam, amid the cities of Hue and Hoi An, lies a baby abundance range, causing a change in climate, abnormally in winter. Where Hue is the wettest abode in Vietnam, and still appealing algid in winter, Hoi An sees a lot of sun, and is balmy year-round.

In these regions, there are a lot of absorbing sights. Absolute travelers, however, charge to yield affliction back a lot of landmines are still around. This is the breadth of the above demilitarized zone, and a lot of angry took abode here. The debris of the already blooming Champa commonwealth at My Son has suffered from it, but is still account a visit. While on the road, you can see added sites with Cham towers, though.

Around Dalat

Moving south, it’s best to move abroad from the littoral alley into the axial highlands about Dalat. This breadth is able-bodied ill-fitted to appointment with your own agency of transport, visiting waterfalls, acropolis tribes, nice scenery, etcetera. Without transport, you are ashore to addition Vietnam bout to appointment those sites.

Mekong Delta

The a lot of arduous breadth for absolute chance biking is in the south of Vietnam. The Mekong Delta breadth mainly has waterways. The anchorage alongside the baptize are affiliated over the baptize by monkey bridges. The Vietnamese yield their motorbikes over these bridges, but can you?

So abounding places in Vietnam are account a visit. But visiting those apart is generally a challenge. For some regions, you may wish to stick to a Vietnam Tour. For others, accede accepting your own agency of carriage for the best chance travel. The best is up to you.

In the endure decades, as the analysis amid Eastern and Western Europe has disintegrate, the absolute abstemious has accomplished a aeon of enormous, aberrant change.

Today Europe is a added agitative biking destination than anytime before.

Featured European vacation destinations:

Belgium

Belgium’s history has consistently been affiliated to both advantageous and educational replace, and abundant of its appearance is due to its albatross as the abundant acquisition position of western Europe. Nowadays, its basic city-limits of Brussels is one of the world’s abundant catholic cities, home to both the European Union and NATO, as able-bodied as a abundance of all-embracing barter and accounts companies. As a aftereffect of its all-embracing outlook, Belgium has continued been a country for connoisseurs, a baby nation abounding in excellence.

Denmark

A thousand years before, Denmark’s peninsular website at the benevolence of four European regions fabricated it an absolute basal for abyssal Vikings. Nowadays, the bearings that already complete Denmark a ideal point of avenue accomplish it a absorbing abode to ability your destination: it is an arresting alliance of civilization, history, and trade.

Iceland

People who break Iceland are frequently hit by its abstract nature. This is a country that seems to accept baffled living. There is no contamination, abomination is about non-existent, and the humans actuality are the best-lived humans on Earth. Additional to the sociological achievements is a mural awash with accustomed wonders: Europe’s better berg and waterfall, endless volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of Europe’s a lot of animating biking destinations, a stunningly admirable acreage abounding with poetry, myth, and history. Come forth as we analyze the six counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone and appointment the city-limits of Belfast and the towns of Derry and Armagh. Northern Ireland aswell has two of the world’s top-rated golf courses, admirable hikes, outstanding bird watching, about allegorical angling, and accomplished assets for investigating affiliated heritage.

There’s an all-encompassing auto arrangement in abode in Amsterdam, admitting it operates somewhat abnormally from those in ample cities in added locations of the world. Pickup credibility are carefully articular and adhered to. “Treintaxis” (train taxis) are appointed for biking to and from alternation stations. Cartage save money by administration these auto rides at specific times of the day.

If you plan to use the city’s trams, buses or subways, you allegation to aboriginal apperceive about the city-limits zoning. The city-limits is disconnected into areas accepted as zones and the amount of zones you’ll be traveling through is important (see tip below). To use the accessible alteration system, you acquirement a “strippenkaart” (strip ticket) - accessible at terminals and abounding stores, even from automat machines. Tickets are formed for anniversary cruise either by a aqueduct on a tram or by the traveller in one of the machines accessible in trams or at train/metro stations (tip - bethink to brand one added band than the amount of zones you intend to biking in, i.e. if you’re travelling in two zones you allegation to brand the third strip. Strange but true).

For visitors or the casual traveler, a 24-hour admission can be purchased that will acquiesce absolute traveling for any 24-hour period. It’s not financially applied for the circadian traveler, however. You can aswell acquirement an eight-day admission for casual accessible biking needs - again, not applied for the longer-term citizen who depends on the arrangement daily. For added abundant abstracts about the bus, tram and alms systems, appointment gvb.nl

Parking is at a exceptional and is about actual expensive. If you plan to drive a clandestine car in Amsterdam, parking may be added of an affair than abyssal the streets. Parking regulations are carefully enforced, abnormally in the close city-limits area.

Bicycles are actual accepted in Amsterdam and you’ll acquisition that a lot of city-limits streets cover an breadth for bike traffic. Abounding of the streets are narrow, authoritative them added ill-fitted for bicycles than for cars. Think you’re not up for a bike ride? Think again. The city-limits boasts “taxi-cycles,” baby cars powered by pedals and a disciplinarian but with a bench for up to two passengers.

Remember that Amsterdam’s history includes the architecture of two above canals. The Amsterdam-Rhine Aqueduct provided absolute admission amid the city-limits and the Rhine. A additional canal, the North Sea Canal, was created to accommodate agnate admission to the ports of the North Sea. As a aftereffect some places in the city-limits are artlessly easier to admission by baptize than by land. Aqueduct bus boats are one of the accepted baptize biking options. Regular routes are run to several above areas of town, including the arcade districts.

Multiple ferries in the city-limits can accommodate fast and simple carriage to and from credibility in the city. There are several bear options, including those just for cyclists and pedestrians, and some that are chargeless of charge.

There is so much to do in Europe these days and with open borders and cheap flights it’s even easier to visit those places you’ve always wanted to go.

But where to start? Well, the following are my top 5 European cities (that I’ve visited so far) and some of the things that I really enjoyed seeing and doing there…

1) Bruges

- concerts in Burg Square - just amazing to be listening to a band outdoors in such architecturally amazing surroundings

- eating mussels and chips in a restaurant in the centre of the old town

2) Tallinn

- breathing in the perfumes at the Viru gate flower market

- listening in at the annual international choir festival

- eating dumplings and broth at an old town restaurant

- buying some morning-after aspirin at the world’s oldest functioning apothecary!

3) Paris

- wandering down the Champs Elysees on a sunny day and admiring all the beautiful people

- Paris Marathon - watching the runners stream past from a vantage point next to the Louvre

4) Berlin

- walking through the stunning Brandenburg Gate and trying to imagine how it looked when the city was divided

- Checkpoint Charlie - with various street sellers offering assorted rubble for sale as “genuine” pieces of the Berlin Wall

- a night out in the vibrant Potsdamer Platz that is now the cultural heart of Berlin.

5) Prague

- magical restaurants and art galleries, interspersed with pretty cobbled streets (take good walking shoes!)

- incredible architectural sights such as the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge & Wenceslas Square.

- visit at Easter and try the Old Town Square for its fabulous 3 week long market.

For some virtual tours of Prague see these panoramic images.

I hope the above is useful. Enjoy your trip!

Article by Fiona Sheppard at http://www.360TravelGuide.com - leaders in interactive travel information

A country that is a whole continent to itself, Australia is popular with its natural beauty. It is the world’s smallest continent that is also a major tourist destination. What makes the country such an important and popular tourist destination is that it owns a diverse and untouched landscape.

Australia is divided into the States and territories and these make up the Commonwealth of Australia. These are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory. Canberra is the national capital of Australia. Sydney is the largest city. Other major cities of Australia are Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart.

Places to visit in Australian Capital Territory:

Australian Capital Territory is a small one. However, it houses wildlife parks, national parks, nature reserves, bushlands and more. It is is home to the capital city, Canberra. Canberra offers museums, galleries and government buildings. The Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia and Questacon, The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Namadgi National Park are places to visit. Also, this territory is close to the Snowy Mountains.

Places to visit in South Australia:

The capital city is Adelaide and the city is an attractive one. Adelaide is popular with wining and dining. There are charming national parks here. Simpson Desert, Lake Eyre National Park, Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges National Park, The Murray River are natural beauties of the state. The vineyards and wineries of South Australia are special and famous for producing wines of international quality. The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra have reputation for being the state’s prized wine-growing regions. Among the attractions of South Australia there are Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Limestone Coast and more.

Places to visit in Victoria:

Victoria is located in the south-eastern corner of Australia. The capital of Victoria is Melbourne. It is a cosmopolitan city.The Australian Tennis Open is famous all around the world. The popular places of Melbourne are The Immigration Museum, Melbourne Aquarium, Gold Treasury Museum, Old Melbourne Gaol (Jail), National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Scienceworks. Among the attractions of Victoria there are The Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, Tasman Sea Coastline, The High Country, Sovereign Hill, The Macedon Ranges and much more.

Places to visit in Queensland:

It is a very popular travel destination located in Australia’s north east. It offers tropical rainforests, beaches and islands. Some of the attractions of Quuensland are The Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Daintree, Cape Tribulation, The Gold Coast, The Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island. Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville are the cities of Queensland.

Places to visit in New South Wales:

New South Wales is located in the eastern part of Australia. Sydney is the largest city of Australia and the capital of New South Wales. Sydney is regarded as one of the most stunning cities in the world. The Sydney Harbour and Opera House are must see places. Central Coast, Hunter, Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains, Illawarra, The Hunter Valley Wine Country, Port Macquarie, The Murray, Outback New South Wales, Lord Howe Island are among places to visit.

Places to visit in Northern Territory:

The Northern Territory is located in the northern part of Australia. The territory houses national parks and Australian Aboriginal culture. The travellers can visit these attractions: Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, Jim Jim Falls, Darwin Crocodile Farm, Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Devil’s Marbles Conservation Park. Among the cities and towns of this territory there are Tennant Creek and Darwin.

Places to visit in Western Australia:

It is it is located in the western region of Australia. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Kings Park, Perth Mint, Perth Cultural Center and the beaches are popular places of the city. Perth owns great weather. The attractions of this area are The Swan Valley, Rottnest Island, Rockingham, Shark Bay World Heritage and Marine Park, South Coast, Fremantle. Western Australia’s Diving and Marine Life is popular and people from all over the world come here to dive and swim with whale sharks.

Places to visit in Tasmania:

Tasmania is the island state of Australia. It is for the travellers who are in search of wilderness and hiking. Tasmania’s capital is Hobart. Purest air and purest nature call travellers. The Tasman Peninsula, The East Coast of Tasmania, Huon Valley and Bruny Island, Mount Field National Park, Cradle Mountain, Launceston & Tamar Valley, Freycinet, St Helens, Huon DEntrecasteaux Bruny are among the attractions.

In Australia the number of activities and adventure is countless. Here are some examples: hiking, bushwalking, diving, fishing, skiing, trekking, hot ballooning, climbing, sky diving etc.Australian flora and fauna is completely unique. There are animals which are the icons of Australia such as the kangaroo and the koala. A visit to Australia means seeing these animals.

Before visiting Australia, one would like to get more information. Sometimes only reading may not satisfy. For this reason travelovideo.com presents videos about Australia so that one can watch these and get more information.

- Copyright © 2008 Travelovideo: Online Travel Videos -

Note: Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine with the information about author/website info & links is included. (URLs in should be set as hyperlinks)

Travelovideo: Online Travel Videos - the place to watch travel videos online for free. Visit Travelovideo.com to view Australia travel videos and places to see in Australia.