A 3 to 4 hour drive from Mumbai, Sula Vineyards is the oldest winery in India. It is a fabulous way to unwind from the hectic bustle of city life, where you can discover the place where Indians first experienced wine.
In 1996, Rajeev Samant planted the first wine grapes in Nashik and today this region is India’s premier wine-growing region, producing 80% of the country’s total wine.
Spread over a total of over 3000 acres, Sula’s vineyards are home to some of India’s finest grapes, so if you’re looking for a place for your next wine tour, you should visit Nashik, in Maharashtra state.
This is India’s Napa Valley; after Sula Vineyards was established in 1999, 35 other wineries followed suit in the region over the next decade. It’s quite incredible how one man paved the way for the emergence of India’s Wine Capital.
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Popular by the name of “The Pink City”, the Indian city of Jaipur is royalty well personified. Its enormous treasure of history, culture and architecture attracts a huge number of foreign tourists every year, and, full of colorful celebrations, there is a long list of interesting places to visit in Jaipur.
The city of Jaipur is reckoned exotic because of its royal palaces, temples, dance and music everywhere you go. Its charming rural serenity gives a sense of relaxation to every visitor.
Of the incredible places to visit in Jaipur, we have put together a shortlist of the best sightseeing. The following are experiences and Jaipur points of interest you shouldn’t miss!
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India is a magical destination, known for its grand architecture and rich cultural heritage. And one of the best ways to experience both is with a stay in a magnificent palace hotel.
Before the Republic of India was born, this was a region divided into 565 kingdoms. So there were (and still are) many opulent palaces, which have been converted into luxury hotels today.
The following is a list of the most incredible palace hotels in India, which will make make even the humblest traveler feel like a Maharaja. These hotels were actually once home to India’s royalty, and in some cases still are.
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What is the first thing that comes to mind whenever you think of India? Obviously, you try to picture its varied and diverse culture. But apart from being a land of multilingual and multi-ethnic communities, India has one more feather in its cap: it’s history.
India is probably the only country to boast of a rich and glorious past that spans for more than a 750 centuries. (Almost since the beginning of time!) So it won’t come as a surprise that the country has no less than a 100 monuments in each of its 29 states. You can do the math to arrive at that total!
To visit every single monument is, of course, an impossible task. But the following 7 structures and sites will offer a glimpse into the historical richness of the land.
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India is a land of remarkable diversity, though where nature lovers and romantics are concerned, its dramatic terrain is breathtaking, and we recommend heading for the hills.
There are many hill stations throughout India; towns located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley. Most were established by European colonists escaping the summer heat (temperatures in the hills are much cooler), and with over 20 mountain ranges, today they are spread all across India.
With awe-inspiring access to nature, and a romantic seclusion that modern cities rarely offer, choosing a hill station can be a very challenging task. But if you’re a nature lover or looking for a romantic escape, we’ve narrowed your list down to 8.
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India is a diverse country full of incredible history, culture, and nature, and one of the most popular ways to explore is by road trip or bus tour.
But I’ve never felt that flashes of a destination through a window is enough to fully experience its true beauty. I believe that “what we see through the windows is nothing but moving pictures which is kind a like watching TV”. After-all, should we not aim to feel and sense our own presence in the scene, as opposed to just watching it?
For this reason I became a fan of motorcycle travel. And where India is concerned, it’s very easy for tourists to buy or rent. But riding a motorcycle on Indian roads is a whole lot different than riding in the west. So, here are my few tips and tricks to easily ride your motorcycle on Indian Roads.
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Medical tourism is booming, and people from all around the world have become accustomed to traveling overseas for medical care in another country. Around 8 million patients each year.
Much of the time it comes down to procedures being substantially cheaper overseas, or not being able to find the right treatment at home. And traveling to another country for treatment often means being able to avoid long waiting lists for elective procedures. Though some medical tourists are immigrants who return to their home country for care, and others travel simply so they can avoid questions from family and friends (having the people of Thailand see the bandages from your nose job isn’t quite as bad as walking down the street at home).
The following destinations are leaders within the industry of medical tourism, and we have included information about the procedures they are most popular for. Just remember the golden rule: thoroughly research the clinic and the location before you go!
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Are you traveling to Bangalore with an extra couple of days to spare? Are you looking for some fantastic day trip options to make the most of your visit?
Here we have listed 5 amazing day trip options from Bangalore that are perfect for a quick rejuvenating trip (with driving distance beneath each subheading). Bangalore hotels are a great base for the following day trips.
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The small and picturesque town of Manali lies in a valley nestled between mountains in the northern state of India, Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful town is the gateway to an ancient trade route that leads to Ladakh and then to the famous Karakoram Pass connecting India and China.
Manali is natures treasure chest with its majestic mountains, flowing streams and rivers and mystical springs. To get a really immersive experience in Manali, one should stay there for at least a week.
There are many good hotels in Manali to suit everyone from the backpacker to the luxury traveler. Once you are settled in, you can embark on your voyage of discovery. Here is a list of top 5 places you must experience when in Manali.
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Cloaked from the world by largest mountains and evergreen forests, untouched by modernization, wild, flaunting its serene beauty, and maintaining its natural diversity, the seven sister states in north east India are cluster of varied cultures, languages and people.
Here are 5 destinations shouldn’t miss.
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A pinch of humidity, few spoons of fresh air, and a plate full of scenic views as far as the eye can see is Kerala for you. Between beaches, tea estates, paddy fields, mountains, rubber plantations, pepper, and beautiful backwaters, this Indian state has it all. It’s no wonder they call it God’s country.
And it’s possible to experience it all – to witness each of the stunning landscapes people flock to Kerala to see. You’ll just need to hop on a houseboat.
50 years ago, houseboats in this region were setup to transfer goods from one place to another, as most of the state was not reachable by land. Though in recent decades the secret of Kerala’s beauty has got out, and these historic houseboats have been made accessible to the public as tourism takes hold.
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If money was no object, where in the world would you go on vacation? Only a select few get to plan their vacation with abandon, not spending one second worrying about their budget.
Here are 5 places we would love to stay if we could afford to, or if someone else was picking up the tab! These are definitely worth the splurge if you’re not worried about your budget abroad.
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It was a hot summer afternoon in Ahmedabad, a historic city in Western India. It was the month of May and the temperature had soared well past 40 degrees centigrade. Hot winds blew across the city and singed my bare arms as I looked for an auto rickshaw (a three wheeler moto taxi) to take me to my destination.
I heaved a sigh of relief as one of the ubiquitous green and yellow vehicles slowed down. I sank into the cooler environs of the auto rickshaw, thankful for some respite from the glaring sun, and instructed the driver about my destination. I was headed towards a small village on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, called Adalaj. I had heard about a unique stepwell which was over 500 years old that was located here and wanted to have a look.
I had seen pictures, but pictures never do justice, especially to historic sites. You need to be there in flesh and blood to experience the strange vibrations and aura that one finds in these places. Moreover, I had been fascinated by the legend behind the building of this stepwell and this was one of the prime motivators for heading towards a sleepy village on the outskirts of the Indian city of Ahmedabad.
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When thinking of religion in India it’s generally Hinduism which comes to mind. But Buddhism is also well practiced here, and there many incredible monasteries to see.
Some are easy to reach while others are remarkably secluded, so remotely located that reaching them is no easy feat. You need to be physically fit to reach the following Indian monasteries, but those willing to travel off the beaten path will reap the rewards. The most secluded monasteries in India are also some of the most spectacular. Set among gorges and steep slopes, they offer splendid isolation from the world in their surroundings.
For those looking for a vacation off the beaten path, we recommend the following secluded monasteries. Many provide good accommodation facilities for tourists. The journey may be rigorous and unassuming but few things can compare to the bliss that manifests once you arrive.
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Rock cut architecture has been a major part of the history and culture of India. From temples and caves to living spaces cut into the hillside, Indian rock cut architecture is more diverse and found in greater abundance than anywhere else in the world.
The practice of creating a structure by carving it out of solid natural rock, there are more than 1,500 structures excavated in India today, and most of them still stand strong. These surviving examples represent the architectural excellence of ancient eras, and the evolution of the populous in India can be studied in amazing detail.
Some of the most spectacular examples of these rock cut temples are listed as follows below.
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I had been working as a bellydancer in the Arab world for years, when an opportunity in India popped up in 2014. For three months, I would be based in Delhi, performing in shows at different venues every night.
Sometimes our shows were as far as eight hours’ drive away – unless we were taking a plane. Hungry for a challenge, I took the leap. And I made sure I traveled with a camcorder to document the experience.
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There’s nothing better than traveling to an exotic destination with your significant other. The thrilling feeling of adventure combined with butterflies in your stomach guarantees an unforgettable experience, and you will be creating memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.
While planning for a romantic trip, it’s important to think outside the box. Destinations like Paris, Venice, and Bali are all iconic destinations for couples seeking romance, though you need to think about whether you really want to share your memories with thousands of other couples too.
The following are 10 romantic destination ideas for couples to visit this year. Consider traveling here if you are looking for something a little more exotic than Paris and an experience that is truly unique.
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As a traveler, the best way to get to know India is to board a train. Only train travel offers the combination of unique cultural insight into Indian culture coupled with incredible natural scenery; the ability to witness the landscape of a country whose scenery is diverse and continually changing.
The following is a complete guide to navigating Indian Railways for the international traveler – important guidelines to help you as you pack off for an interesting journey.
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