Delhi to Darjeeling Rajhdhani Express Train: A family-friendly train adventure.

If you ever hesitate at the notion of a long Indian road trip with small children – but nevertheless longed to get back to the good old days of the open Asian overland trails –Delhi to Darjeeling Rajhdhani Express Train might be just the easy, family-friendly adventure you are seeking.

The journey of some 26 hours or so (thus includes a descent night sleep onboard) will take you through the hinterlands of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, beginning its journey from India’s national capital Delhi to New Japaiguri, a junction town. Booking First Class AC tickets is a splendid way to watch Indian laze from the simple comfort of your own small cozy bed-equipped compartment. Freshly cooked food (curries, dhal, rice and chapattis) will arrive in a tray form on your lap in each four hours or so. Station stops provides you the opportunity to stock and munch upon tasty samosas, tea and bananas. Sufficient colouring books, indoor games and portable DVD, can offer parents immense relaxation and take them back in the days of backpacker travelling.

On reaching New Jalpaiguri, it’s still three hour drive up to scenic tea plantations of Darjeeling, wide spread beautifully along a steep mountain ridge. The journey can also undertaken by a 7 hour drive on famous ‘toy train’ of Darjeeling. In case, life on he rails has started to squeeze some of your luster, arrange yourself a stay at Glenburn Tea Estate, a charming working tea plantation hardly a one hour drive from Darjeeling. If you try it, you’ll discover yourself and your tedious charges picked up by some well-dressed driver, taking to a comfortable jeep journey, with idyllic surroundings all around.

If planning to stay in Darjeeling itself, a good bet with family is Mayfair Darjeeling, a luxuries property, nestled on a majestic hill, has hallowed halls where kids can giggle, scream and crash freely.

Explore ancient Buddhist gompas and pagodas. Let the little ones enjoy a pony ride up on The Mall or give a visit to Himalayan zoo. Early birds must climb Tiger Hill for amazing sunrise; enjoy a delicious lunch meal at historical Glenary’s café. After then water rafting on the River Teesta currents with older children can be a fun idea.

With all this, Darjeeling is one splendor which has lots to offer in terms of solace, adventure and fun. Pack your bags and gift your family a great time with a visit to lovely town this holiday season.

Where to go in December 2010?

 Patagonia, Argentina

What about an adventurous road trip along the coastal Rio Nego during Argentine lovely summer? Mild weather means exotic sea caves and fossil-laden cliffs. Plus, exploring Welsh settlements can be a splendid choice.

Austria

A chance to explore Europe’s best skiing, snow-covered streets of Salzburg’s and the divine festive fragrances of glühwein and cinnamon from the decorated Christmas markets can make Austria trip a fabulous way to screw winter blues.

Thailand

Thailand‘s fantabulous beaches are truly a hit during dry season. Try visiting Trang for exquisite islands and coasts; also don’t forget to pamper your taste buds with the exotic Thai cuisines.

Kerala, India

Just after monsoon says goodbye to Kerala, the entire state revitalizes and dresses up to entertain tourists. Begin your trip by visiting lush backwaters of Kollam, a serene trading town with abundance natural beauty all around.

Avoid visiting: Egypt

Sometimes, even the best of places can be dull by having to spend the entire time cheek-by-jowl with numerous other tourists. Half of the world will move to Egypt this December in quest of pyramids ‘n’ pharaohs’ experience. It’s better to wait for some time for your turn!

Top 5 Popular Festivals India

India is a highly religious country and festivals live in the hearts of people here. The many and varied festivals are celebrated all around the year and are truly a unique way to see Indian culture at its best. Below is the list of top 5 popular festivals of India that promise truly a lifetime experience.

Diwali

The festival of lights Diwali is a 5 day festival. The festival represents the beginning of a Hindu New Year. The candle, clay lamps, fireworks, exchange of sweets and infinite joy and happiness is what this beautiful festival is about. The festival of Diwali fills up the entire ambience with happiness and merriment.

Ganesh Chaturthi

The spectacular festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is an 11 day festival that portrays respect to the birth of the lovely Hindu elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha. The commencement of the festival observes huge, extravagantly crafted statutes of Lord Ganesha installed in homes and podiums, all of them exclusively constructed and beautifully decorated. When the festival ends, these statutes are paraded through the streets, with crowds singing and dancing joyfully, and finally submerged in the oceans.

Holi

It is a 2 day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, along with the prosperity of the harvest season (spring).  The festival is commonly called as “Festival of Colours”. On this beautiful day people joyfully throw coloured powder and water on each other and have parties. Bhang, a drink made from cannabis plants is a part of tradition and consumed during celebrations.

Navaratri, Dussehra, and Durga Puja

The first 9 days of this festival is called as Navaratri. It’s celebrated to pay homage to Mother Goddess. The tenth day is called Dussehra devoted to celebrate the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. The day also coincides with the win of the respected warrior Goddess Durga over the Mahishasura, an evil buffalo demon.

In east India, the festival is called as Durga Puja. Huge images of Goddess are made and immerses in holy waters of Ganges on the 10^th day.

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated with intense happiness all over the country especially in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Kanyakumari, India

When a large number of travellers within and outside India check out some of the most popular tourist spots like Goa, Mumbai, Delhi etc, an excursion to Kanyakumari, situated at southernmost tip of India, is also worth visiting.

Formerly called as Cape Comorin, the spectacular destination is amongst the few places of the world where both sunrise and sunset can be seen exactly from the same position. The moment you see 133 feet high stone Thiruvalluvar Statue, you have reached Kanyakumari.

What's more, the already amazing sunrise and sunset is enhanced with three bodies of water hanging out in the background - the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

Kanyakumari is immensely popular with tourists (about 2 million people visited Kanyakumari in year 2007). Hence, if possible avoid visiting it during months the months of April through September when it’s highly crowded. 

Travel Destinations for the Well Travelled

 In case you came across this blog for the first time or are a regular reader or desire to travel or are the one dying to have that lifetime, heart skipping, eye catching experience of a foreign land.  

Continue reading because the list below is compiled for the two types of travellers in you.

Adventure Rocks

• Hike in Ireland       
• Scuba Diving off  Indonesia   
• Ski in Vancouver Canada    
• Bicycle Thailand 
•  Surf Hawaii

 The Romantic Traveller

• Rent an enchanting castle in Italy ( mesmerizing April)
• Back Roads Tokyo
• Boating on the Nile
• Wine Country Chile

• Desert Safari, Yoga on a royal resort in Rajasthan India

My List of Top 5 European Islands

Perhaps it's because  there are some minute changes observed in the weather here in India  after those dreadful hot summers, I have started dreaming about an  exotic island vacation to some international destinations. And, happily for me, here is a list of the day that says top 5 best  European islands, perfect for that enchanting vacation to save oneself  from that chillingly cold climate.

Capri, Italy

Rhodes, Greece

Malta

Canary Islands, Spain

 Madeira Islands, Portugal

Have a favorite island that didn't make this list? Send me your photos and I'll add it to Mine!

Robots had a magnificent start at Box Office

Amidst all the cacophony of the Commonwealth Games, Bollywood fans witnessed two major releases last week - Robot starring Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai and Anjaana, Anjaani starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

Robot is a story of a robot created by scientist Dr. Vasi (Rajnikanth). Chitti, the name of the robot, is not just like any other ordinary robot that serves tea or coffee but also carries the power to serve humanity in more meaningful ways.

Perhaps, Chitti, the humanoid, completely resembles him and serves him in every possible way. The problem begins when he goes a step ahead and teaches him to feel. So, one fine day Chitti falls in love with creator’s daughter Sana (Aishwarya Rai). A war occurs and how the creator wins the battle forms the entire story.

The movie is a Hindi version of Enthiran, A Tamil film. The movie is an exceptionally big hit and is still scoring the numbers with every passing day.

As per several news reports, Robots have even crossed the earnings of Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots.

Rajinikanth is one Indian star who is worshipped as God.

As per Mumbai-based source the crazy fans of Rajinikanth surrounded around the film on its release day in Chennai. The numbers were so huge and have even exceeded the viewer ship or popularity of other major current breaking stories of the country like CWG or Ayodhya Verdict. None of the Bollywood actors have ever been able to grab so much coverage and fan following before. Rajini you are star!