5 Things to do in Kerala

Situated on the south-western coastline this land of vast forests, waterways, and abundant in nature – God’s Own Country, Kerala. There are actually a million things to do in Kerala but these things are are must-do even if you visit this state for once.

You cannot say that you have visited the God’s own country without participating in these Top 5 Things to do in Kerala.

1. Visit a History Museum in Kerala

The first choice for history buffs is the museum of history and heritage situated in the capital city of Trivandrum. There are several different museums in this state stretching along the Arabian Sea coast. The top 3 of the famous museums are Hill Palace Museum, Museum of History and Heritage of Kerala, in Ernakulum, and Kerala Folklore Museum in Cochin. This land of spices and God’s own country is rich in the historical and mythological stories and there isn’t a better place to find out the relics at one of these museums.

2. Watch a Kathakali Performance

This is another activity that must are on top of your things to do in Kerala list. This land is so famous for this performance that even the non-regional people know they have to watch this dance show live. It is another way to know the culture of Kerala. The famous place to catch a live cultural show of Kathakali is at the Kerala a Kathakali Center with specialist performers, in their painted faces and costumes. It is relaxing and definitely best seen after a hectic day of walking tour or sightseeing in Kerala. If you are planning any trip to Kerala in a luxury way then you can take a ride the Golden Chariot luxury train.

3. Hit the Beaches along the Malabar Coastline

This activity does not need any introduction as the entire state is lined by the sea coast of Arabian sea. There are different types of beaches – natural – untouched by man’s invasion, and the fully bustling beaches full of adventure water sports, eateries, etc. One thing is promised – the soft sands of the sea coast, sunshine in the most wet atmosphere too, and excellent views of the ocean. If you would like the relaxing mind peace type of surroundings, head to Marari Beach and if you’re the partying beach bum then check out the very famous Kovalum Beach.

4. Walk through the Garden of Spice

Kerala is also known as ‘land of different spices’ and earned this title due to the massive spice plantations within this state. It would take 3 hours or more to go through these plantations for a refreshment of air. The aroma of the Garden of Spices will definitely refresh your senses. In addition to the spice lands, there are also the vast coffee plantations and the refreshing tea plantations that are worth the stroll. It is one of the best things to remember on your holiday trip to India.

5. Trekking through the Perriyaar Jungle

The jungle walk amidst the popular wildlife sanctuaries of the Periyaar region is one of the best things to do in Kerala. It gives a taste of the wild nature through the jungles where you can even spot rare species like giant squirrels, a million monkeys, and the massive Asian elephants and also see over 200 varieties of birds chirping in the forests. 

This is a must-do on your Golden Chariot itinerary if you’re visiting Kerala over the weekend. Walking in this jungle set against the backdrop of the scenic Western Ghats is a memorable experience that will remain forever.

Suggest Info About Luxury Train: Golden Chariot departure dates

These things listed above are some of the top things to do in Kerala that are not most popular but definitely worth doing even on a one-day trip to Kerala. A trip to Kerala is incomplete without participating in these activities and facilities listed above.

Also Read This Blog: 5 Things to Know about Golden Chariot Train

Travel Tips For Golden Chariot Train

Golden Chariot Train is being operated by Karnataka State Tourism board and also won the Asia’s leading luxury train award. It is the pride of the south and covers the destinations like Badami, Hampi, Mysuru and runs from Bengaluru to Goa.

The southern splendor will cover 3 states namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It is a great way to see South India in comfort, without any hassle. The road connects closely to the culture, history and wildlife, the route including stops in national parks and many old temples. Excursions are organized.

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Here are few tips while traveling in Golden Chariot train:

1. There are many routes to choose:
India had many luxurious trains that operate around India with the itineraries up to 1 week. There are 1 dozen or so different routes so that you can choose from Pride of the South and Splendor of the South, but here are common during the week that you can get started.

2. Be prepared if you are a light sleeper:
Even though the rooms are comfortable, the old Indian tracks are rickety which causes the cabins to shake while traveling. You should make some preparation before traveling on this Golden Chariot luxurious train. If you had motion sickness then you should bring Dramamine. You should carry earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

3. Choose the comfortable room:
The room contains comfortable beds, shower with hot water and proper running toilets. Although the decor and furniture are a bit outdated since the trains run for about ten years or more, the train Management Company and local tourism ministries plan renovations. The rooms also contain TVs which contain a variety of channels that plays local and western films throughout the day, and provides the more modern facilities.

4. Bring the Personal Hot-spot:
Trains travel through some pretty remote areas of India, wifi exterminates board from time to time, and are not always available throughout the length of the train. The Wi-Fi is made available only in the lounge cart and dining carts. Wifi is available on luxury rooms that will take you to attractions, but again, it can be slow and unreliable enough, according to the number of people connecting to it. The best way to sort out this problem is to bring the local sim card with you.

Suggested Read: Golden Chariot Luxury Train Services Will Start from March 2020

5. You will put on a few pounds:
The edge of the food is delicious. You can have western, continental and 3-course dinner’s options on the train. The menu changes so you're never bored every day, and you will try some of the most incredible dishes local and international dishes.

6. Trains run only on specific times:
This is probably one of the most important things you need to know. Trains run on a seasonal basis about September to April, and each train has a different starting date for the different routes. You will need to check their upcoming Golden Chariot Fares, dates and itineraries for more details.

Also read this blog: 5 Things to Know about Golden Chariot Train

What Is Mumbai Famous For Shopping?

Mumbai is popularly known for its shopping destinations. Here you will get all types of needs that you want to purchase at reliable cost. If you are fashion lover no other place is better than the Mumbai. The city is also famous for its local cosmetics, garments, arts, and handicrafts that will blow your mind. Mumbai welcomes you with a lot of unique and top collections of jewellery.

Never miss to buy accessories, antiques, and décor items which are really at low cost. You will find different types of spices for your delicious food recipes. Here we have some things to do in Mumbai .

Décor Items

In our daily basis life decorating our home and surroundings is the primary task. There are so many places in Mumbai to look out for décor items which are so unique. Mumbai offers you a fabulous collection of bedroom furnishing, artefacts, tableware, roof designs and so many, from casual decors to custom decors. Décor items is one of the best things to do shopping in Mumbai.

Jewellery

Now-a-days in our society every one showing interest to buy jewellery at a preferable cost, and it is one of the major things to do shopping in Mumbai. Look out at Colaba Causey you will find out the best designs of gold and diamonds which costs up to your budget. Zaveri bazaar is also one of the famous places for jewellery shopping and the rates change day by day. Don’t miss to do shopping jewellery when you are in Mumbai.

Clothes

Mumbai is one of the best and right places for shopping for clothes. You will find out all types of fashion wears, traditional wares, wedding wears, party wears, which makes your shopping so great and to visit Mumbai for shopping again and again. Most of the ladies show their interest to visit the Hindmata market in Mumbai which is famous for specialized Indian dresses and you will find real fashion at old streets of Mumbai. Here some of the popular places for shopping for clothes in Mumbai are Fashion street, Linking road, Bhuleshwar market. No one can leave this city without shopping for their favourite design clothes with these affordable prices.

Accessories

In the present generation everyone surviving with their needy accessories. Colaba Causey is known as a paradise for accessory shopping lovers in Mumbai. You will get all type of accessories like camera lenses, wireless charging pad, selfie sticks, portable chargers, keyboards and so many at a low cost with a minimum guarantee and you can make vendors give you discounts.

Spices

In India, people are addicted to eating spicy food. Mumbai is also known for its varieties of spices. The flavour of the food is coming out from these several mixtures of spices like black pepper, jeera, saffron, cardamom, chillies. You will find out all these spices in the wholesale market of Mumbai at a cheap rate. The Mirchi gally near Crawford market provides the best quality of Mirchi spice for the market price. You can shop for all types of region spices here according to your needs. Never bothered about the quality of the product, it is good up to its manufactured date.

Arts and Crafts

Mumbai is one of the best places for shopping arts and crafts. There are so many art galleries in Mumbai that you can shop your favorite art designs that you can gift it to your loved once. Some of the most popular art galleries in Mumbai are Himalaya Fine Art, Chimanlals, Art Lounge here you can find the most beautiful and unique arts for preferable cost, you can also buy varieties of arts like 3-D, acrylic colours, poster colours and crayons which makes you fall in love with them. Don’t miss to take a walk-through Abdul Rehman Street which makes you surprise with all its unique art supplies.

These are all some famous and well-known things to do and shopping in Mumbai.

Get complete info- About Spend a one Day In Mumbai

Things To Explore In South Beaches Of Goa

If you were ever or saw images of India you should forget a little about them. The south of the country does not resemble anything. Goa, one of the southern states, brings me very, very good memories because of the impact caused by the difference with the north and its beauty by the sea. Traveling to Goa is traveling to an area of unforgettable beaches. But what are the best beaches in Goa? There are many and each one adapts to a different traveler.

It is the smallest state of India in terms of size and population. It is located on the west coast of India about 400 kilometers south of Mumbai. The state is divided into 2 districts North Goa and South Goa. Each of them in subdivisions and you can count on the best beaches of Goa .

The churches and convents of Goa have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.

The best beaches of Goa

The best beaches of Goa have been selected for several reasons : for their parties, for their tranquillity or for their curiosities. But they all have something in common ... they are spectacular! .

Vagator Beach

He says that Vagator Beaches of the best beach in Goa , and although we cannot say it 100%, which is sure to be the largest of all. It is formed by, no less than, three beaches are linked together.

The largest of them is usually filled with travellers and tourists during the day. The next in size, ( Ozran) , is a strip of volcanic sand that is between rocky cliffs and is virtually inaccessible, so it is a very quiet place .

And the last one is little Vagator , which is famous for having a sculpture of the face of Shiva that appears on one of its rocks, which tourists always go to her to photograph.

Arambol Beach

Until a few years ago there were no roads that could reach this place . Today we do have them and now Arambol has become one of the paradises of neo-hippies . This culture has been established in Arambol, giving a traveling and free feeling.

At night, travelers gather on the beach and dance to the rhythm of the drums until the wee hours.

Ashvem beach

Another of the well-known and considered beaches of the best beaches in Goa is the Ashvem beach. Of calm and transparent , with large tracts of desert sand. There are usually not many people in it, although it is not complicated to get to Ashvem. The road ends at the beach itself. Another of the most recommended beaches that we cannot miss.

Anjuna

Anjuna is a place to party in South India. This is another of Goa's best beaches with several clubs, international artists and activities . In Anjuna we will notice an environment between hippies and Ibicencos.

Among its shows we have the Sunburn festival , which is celebrated at Christmas time flooding the Anjuna and Vagator area with electronic rhythms.

Bogmalo and the Cape of Rama

Another of the best beaches to visit in Goa is the beach of Bogmalo, considered the longest in Goa. About 25 kilometers long . It seems to have no end.

When the tide falls, the sand is hard and is the perfect place if you want to travel by bicycle . Bicycles are rented in many places in the surroundings, although you have to be careful that the tide does not rise quickly.

It is undoubtedly one of the best ideal for walking and photography, for its great beauty. If you want to explore South India, travel via Golden Chariot train which makes your journey memorable.

Cola Beach

Another highly recommended is Cola beach, a beach for those who seek tranquility . It is located in the south of Goa.

It is a less crowded place and with a tourism that is quieter, quieter . It is a few minutes from another of Goa's best beaches like the popular Agonda. Hidden among palm trees is this beach of cola.

It is not very easy to find since it is little known , so the last two kilometers are made on an unpaved road .

This relative isolation makes it a paradise for those seeking tranquility and fleeing from mass tourism.

This beach has some cabins that you can rent and spend the night there. For all the tranquility it is rated as one of the best and quietest .

Plan your trip to Goa and get to know more about the Golden Chariot train price for the March 2020.

How To Explore Agra On The Same Day

When we talk about the beautiful city of Agra, the first thing that comes to our mind is the majestic Taj Mahal. But is Agra only about the Taj Mahal? Well, not! The city has many notable historical sites to offer to its tourists, which could be easily explored just in one day.

If you are planning to visit the city of Agra and have no clue how to go about it, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we have provided our readers with a helpful one-day Agra trip schedule to have satisfying and fulfilling travel experience in the city.

The following places are a must-visit if you are planning for a one-day trip to Agra:

1. Taj Mahal: 

Of course the Taj will be the top one in the list. Located at a distance of 6km from Agra Cantonment Railway station and situated at the southern banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal has been successfully attracting millions of tourists every year from different regions across the world. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, it finds its place in the Seven Wonders of the World. That’s something we have been learning since childhood.

2. Taj Museum: 

If you are visiting the Taj Mahal, you surely have to pay a visit to the Taj Museum, which is located at the same complex. It has hundred of antiquities on display relating to the construction of the Taj Mahal. The antiquities include Mughal miniature paintings, manuscripts, plans and drawings of the Taj complex, marble pillars, paintings of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, and many more.

3. Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb

Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb is an antecedent of the Taj Mahal that is built with mosaic carvings and inlay works. It is also often referred to as the “Baccha Taj” and “Jewel Box”. Located at the eastern bank of the Yamuna River, the tomb is beautifully set in the middle of a four-quartered garden surrounded by beautiful walls and side buildings.

4. Ram Bagh :

Ram Bagh is the oldest Mughal garden built in the city of Agra by Mughal Emperor Babur. This is a Persian garden that is built with pathways and canals dividing the garden to represent an Islamic definition of paradise. The cool breeze from the Yamuna River will soothe your mind and body from all the exhausting sightseeing while you engage yourself in a leisurely walk through it.

 

5. Mankameshwar Temple

Mankameshwar Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are other small temples within the main temple complex devoted to various deities like Goddess Ganga, Saraswati, Gayatri, Hanuman, Narsimha, Krishna, Kaila devi, Rama and so on.

6. Akbar’s Tomb

Akbar’s tomb is named after Akbar the great, which used to be his resting place. One very important feature of this monument is that 99 names of Allah are inscribed on its walls.

7. Agra Fort

Agra Fort, also known as the Lal Qila is located at a distance of 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal at the banks of the Yamuna River. It is a pure work of marvellous architecture. The fort is surrounded by a 21.4 m high fortification walls made of red sandstone. It has four gates on four sides out of which the Lahore Gates and Delhi gates are the remarkable ones.

This place deserves a visit during the evening because of the majestic evening view it offers. And secondly, you can enjoy the evening sound and light show, which is a regular affair. 

If you can squeeze in some extra time in between, you should definitely give a visit to the popular Sadar Bazaar for some shopping destinations. The place offers many interesting items for sale including leather products, garments, sweets,  handicrafts, and souvenirs that you can purchase as a memoir of your visit.

Get More info about How to spend a 24 hours in Agra .

Places To Visit In Rajasthan With Family

Rajasthan, the land of kings, where each fort or monument tells the story of the king’s lavish life. Though being the largest state in India, Rajasthan is the home of some of the beautiful palaces that are in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. 

If you are looking for a vacation to reconnect with your family and friends, then Rajasthan is an ideal place for you to spend quality time with your family and therefore help you stay away from your hustles and bustle of your city life. Therefore, today, we will explore the various places to visit in Rajasthan with your family.

Jaipur

The capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the pink city of India for its pink coloured buildings, Jaipur hosts some of the beautiful and calm looking palaces and monuments that are tailor-made for the family segments. Jaipur also becomes proud of being in a top 10 spots to visit in Asia in Conde Nast traveller’s 2008 edition. Jaipur is not only a place for monuments, museums and royal palaces, but it is also one of the ideal shopping destinations to the tourists from both domestic and abroad. Items like Jewellery, Gemstones, Traditional Puppets and Blue pottery are available in Jaipur’s shopping district.

Udaipur

Regarded as both the “City of Lakes” and “Romantic City”, Udaipur is an ideal place if you are seeking a calm and tranquil atmosphere. Founded by Sisodia Rajput Ruler Maharana Udai Singh, Udaipur hosts some of the beautiful palaces in India that attract the overseas tourists. With Palaces and Lakes that are connected, this gives delight to the photographers in clicking some picturesque photos. Also, if you do not mind spending extra money, why not stay in the palaces that are now converted into hotels and enjoy the royalistic look of living in the palaces.

Jodhpur

The walls of Mehrangarh fort surround the second-largest city of Rajasthan, which is also known as the “blue city”. Visiting the Mehrangarh fort gives you the par anomic view of the Jodhpur city. Founded by Rao Jodha Singh of Marwar in the year 1459, Jodhpur is listed in various popular travel magazines of being one of the best places to visit in India. In addition, Jodhpur is called the Sun City, where it enjoys a pleasant and sunny climate throughout the year, thereby helping you to visit Jodhpur any time of the year.

Pushkar

One of the most underrated cities in both Rajasthan and the rest of India; Pushkar is famous for being the only temple in India that worship the Hindu creator: Lord Bhrama. Pushkar is best visited in October and November for watching Camel fair and Shopping.

Even though Puskar is famous for being a Pilgrimage site, Puskar has become one of the trending destinations for foreign tourists. Coming back to the Pushkar camel fair, it is held for five consecutive days where you can see merchants buying and selling camels, hosting Camel races and selling handicrafts and textiles.

Ranthambore.

Ranthambore is famous for two things, one is the Ranthambore Fort, which is considered as UNESCO World heritage and the other is Ranthambore national park, which serves as a habitat to the Bengal tigers. With October to April being the best time to spot Bengal tigers, the Ranthambore national park highlights the conservation of India’s national animal from the poachers. 

Taking a safari ride to the national park to view tigers in their natural habitat is exciting for the children and wildlife photographers. It would take a minimum of 3 days to explore both the fort and the national park. If you are looking to take a break from historical places in Rajasthan, then Ranthambore is an ideal gateway.

Bikaner

Yet the famous Rajput ruler, Rao Bika in 1488, founded another underrated tourist destination in Rajasthan, Bikaner. The city of Bikaner is famous for its sweets and snacks thereby attracting many food lovers in India. Despite being a hotspot of ancient wars, the city never stops itself to attract many tourists from all over the world. The famous camel safari and the Karni Mata Rat festival (where the locals worship rats) shows that Bikaner is a unique spot to visit with your family.

Have you visited Rajasthan with your family? Share your thoughts in the comments below.