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Exploring Wayanad- Get the Flavor of Kerala

by HotelreviewWriter on May 17, 2012

If you wish to get the cultural essence of Kerala and wish to experience the local flavor, a visit to Wayanad is a must for you. The name of this district has been derived from the expression “Wayalnadu”. The literal meaning of this expression is a land of paddy fields. River Kabini is the major source of water in this district. The delightful landscape of this district is a real treat to the eyes. The thick forests and the paddy fields make this district of Kerala breathtakingly beautiful.

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This district is home to the Banasura Project which holds an earth dam, which is not only the largest in India, but the second largest earth dam in the world. Another interesting factor about this district is that it has the highest concentration of tribal population in the state of Kerala. Wayanad has so much to offer to its tourists. Other than the natural beauty, you can also explore the rock caves, ancient temples, mosques, churches as well as ancient monuments. With end numbers of sights, Wayanad has become one of the major tourist attractions in Kerala.

Let’s have a look at some of the local attractions.

Kalpetta: The headquarter of the district; Kalpetta is home to the ‘Ananthaswami Jain Temple’. It will give you an opportunity to get a glimpse of typical Keralian architecture.

Erulam Sita Devi Temple: This temple is located at Pullapally which is about 8km away from Sultan Bathery. Godess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, is the presiding deity of this temple. Along with Sita, her two sons Luv and Kush are also being worshipped in this temple. Ritual dances are performed to invoke the deity during the two festivals Thevyams and Thira Utsavam.

Pazhassi Tomb: This tomb was built in the memory of the “Veera Pazhassi Raja”, who is referred to as the ‘Lion of Kerala’. He took part in the ‘Guerilla’ warfare against British East India Company. He was captured in the Pullapally Cave, which gave this cave historical significance.

Kuruvadweep: If you have come to enjoy Kerala holidays, with your family a visit to this island is a must for you. This place is uninhabited. You are sure to get overwhelmed by the unspoiled natural beauty of this place. But you will not find any hotel Kerala in this island. It is not ideal for overnight stay. You can simply enjoy a day’s outing here.

Chembra Park: Do you love adventure? Then this is the ideal place for you as it offers a great opportunity for trekking. Most of the hotels in Kerala can help you to get a guide to explore, Chembra Park, the highest peak of the district.

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Varkala beach – Enjoy its Peaceful Beauty and Heritage

by HotelreviewWriter on May 15, 2012

The Varkala beach is located in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. The Varkala beach is a fantastic holiday spot as well as a pilgrimage center for Hindus. The great reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, also rests atop a hill near the Varkala beach. The Varkala beach is known for its lovely coastline, beautiful beaches as well mineral springs from high cliffs. Its beaches are ranked among the ten most beautiful seasonal beaches by a popular and well known travel channel. Its pristine beaches are perfect for family vacations, romantic getaways as well as trip with colleagues. While looking for things to do in Kerala or Kerala attractions, make sure the beautiful Varkala beach is on the itinerary. During a vacation one can stay in one of the many hotels in Kerala. Hotels in Kerala provide a large variety to suit different budgets.

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The Papanasham beach is one of its popular spots. The fresh water spring from the cliff is considered very holy and it is said to wash away one’s sins. ‘Papanasham’ means destroyer of sins, as a result, lot of people come to the beach to wash off their sins.  Hindu devout can also visit the Janardhana Swami temple on the Varkala beach. The Janardhana Swami Temple is dedicated to Hindu God, Vishnu. It is also one of the oldest temples in the state of Kerala which still offers prayers to the God on a regular basis making the destination very popular amongst pilgrims. However, the main area of the temple is inaccessible to non-Hindus. Many pilgrims offer prayers to their ancestors in the temple. Since the temple itself is around two thousand years old, besides being a holy destination it is also a historical spot. One can expect a large number of people at the temple during special occasions.

Anchengo or Anchuthengu is a fisherman’s village located south of the Varkala beach. The region used to be ruled by the British and one can still see remains of the era. The remains of a British Fort is reminiscent of the country’s and region’s colonial legacy. The lighthouse in the village also belongs to the British era. One can see fishermen going towards the Arabian Sea to catch fish. There are plenty of places of historical importance in the region like the Sivagiri tunnel. The Sivagiri tunnel was built by rulers belonging to the Attingal Palace. Holiday packages including Varkala beach often takes travellers to this village. If you are travelling on your own, you can hire a bike to take a trip to the village.

It is the perfect destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. One can look at the gorgeous sunsets from the cliffs. Kerala is known for providing Ayurveda treatments, Varkala beach is no different. There are many Ayurveda retreat centers at Varkala beach which can provide you with relaxing natural spa treatments. Ayurvedic spas are great way to heal and distress. One can also try yoga at yoga centers for a more holistic approach towards healing. If you are looking for holiday packages that will help you distress and relax, look for holiday packages to Varkala beaches.  Since the beach attracts a lot of tourists there are plenty of accommodations available.

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Hill stations in Kerala – Enjoy the lush green beauty of nature

by HotelreviewWriter on May 13, 2012

There are plenty of things to do in Kerala and visiting the many beautiful hill stations of Kerala is a fairly popular tourist activity. Here are a large number of lush green hills in Kerala which offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy nature’s pristine beauty. There are many hotels in Kerala located amidst the beauty of the hills. Choosing one of the best hotels in Kerala would be a lovely way to experience nature’s beauty while living enjoying the comforts of modern amenities.

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The hill stations of Kerala are actually parts of the Western Ghats. Owing to the tropical forests in the Western Ghats, the region is extremely rich in both plant as well as animal life. There are a large number of such hill resorts in Kerala and picking up out of the many wonderful destinations is never an easy job.

Some of the most popular hill stations in Kerala are listed below –

Munnar Hills – Munnar hills is one of the top attractions of Kerala. It is also one of the oldest holiday hill destinations of the state. It used to be the summer resort of the British and since then has been very popular among the vacationers. There are plenty of resorts and hotel Kerala available in the Munnar region. It is very popular among young honeymooners as well as families. The Munnar region boasts of tea plantations that are a treat to the eyes. The towns of the region look like they belong to story books with winding lanes. While going towards the Munnar hills, one can also make a short stop at the Echo hills. As the name suggests the place is known for its natural echo phenomenon.

Eravikulam National Park – Those who want to enjoy a little bit of adventure along with the pristine beauty of nature should opt for Eravikulam National Park. Besides enjoying the greenery of Rajamalai hills, one can also try trekking. There are plenty of facilities available for those who want to attempt trekking. One can even attempt to climb up the highest peak in south India, Anamudi. The Eravikulam National Park itself acts as a sanctuary for the Nilgiri Tahr; the mountain goat is an endangered species. Those interested in having a look at the aforementioned endangered species can also go towards Rajamala. Rajamala besides being the natural habitat of the endangered mountain goat is also a beautiful place as well. Idukki- Idukki is a district in Kerala which is truly blessed by nature.

Idukki is the largest district in the state of Kerala with most of its area covered with forests and hills. The hill stations of the Idukki region are known for their beauty. There are plenty of accommodations available in the district. Owing to the beauty of its hills and rivers the region is extremely popular with tourists. There are plenty of tea and coffee plantations in the region which are a gorgeous sight and if you wish you can enjoy the scenery on the back of an elephant.

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Tours to India: 5 Must-See Attractions in Delhi, India

by HotelSpecial on May 11, 2012

India is an immense and spellbinding country. When you first touch down in Delhi, the kaleidoscopic swirl of colours, sounds and aromas can be overwhelming. There is a kinetic energy to this city that is unrivalled, and anyone who thinks that New York City is crowded is in for an earth-shattering surprise. Needless to say, Delhi can best be broken down into two parts: Old Delhi and New Delhi. The older section of the city is a rambling network of ancient streets, alleys, bazaars and mosques, whereas New Delhi has more modern buildings and skyscrapers. The contrast between Old Delhi and New Delhi is like a microcosm of India’s larger cultural juxtapositions. Visitors strolling through the busy capital should not embark on their tour without a map. However, one of the easiest ways to get around Delhi is to use its bus system. You can hop on and hop off the bus at your leisure. Whether you are exploring the city on foot or taking advantage of its extensive bus system, be sure to check out these 5 memorable highlights.

1. The Red Fort is one of the most popular attractions in Delhi. Designated at a World Heritage Site in 2007, the Red Fort was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. This beautiful, sandstone masterpiece fuses Indian, Persian and European architectural influences. It is located in Old Delhi.

2. Delhi may be a bustling metropolis, but it has many quiet gardens where you can escape the noise and tumult of the city. The Mughal Gardens are an idyllic place for a morning stroll. You will find Humayun’s Tomb at the centre of this exquisite garden getaway. Lodhi Garden is another place for a peaceful walk.

3. Food is an art form in India. There is nothing better than the local street vendors. Sample a chaat papdi, which is a fried wafer filled with potatoes, yogurt and chili. If that does not sound good to you, then order a golgappas for lunch. Fried dough and chickpeas never tasted this good.

4. If you like to shop when you are on holiday, then Delhi will not disappoint. From the emporiums on Janpath to the labyrinthine bazaars of Old Delhi, there is no shortage of places to explore. The Khan Market has upscale fashion boutiques, bookstores and cafes. Take a break and enjoy a strong Indian coffee.

5. Are you looking to do something romantic and nostalgic? Visit the Imperial Hotel and have a gin and tonic. The bar has been operating since 1911. Polished brass, glimmering chandeliers and walls of art create a luxurious and royal environment. It is the ideal place in Delhi for a nightcap.

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Booking A Hotel – What Should You Be Looking Out For?

by HotelSpecial on May 9, 2012

I was planning a holiday and decided to book each part myself to save some money. I’d picked my destination (Barcelona, in case you were wondering), booked my travel and then I needed to find a hotel. After years of seeing horror stories on the TV about holidays that were ruined by bad hotels I was nervous about booking somewhere I’d never visited before. While searching, I picked up some tips that I thought I’d share.

How I Found Out

I decided to start by asking family and friends if any of them had been to Barcelona before, knowing that I could trust their opinions on a potential hotel. Unfortunately, none of them had ever been so had no suggestions. However, I would always recommend this as an initial step as you can trust the opinions of those closest to you most.

I then decided to look through websites online to find reviews of hotels in the city. I found this fairly useful as people were readily sharing their opinions of places and in some cases there were accompanying photos. I would suggest that reviews cannot be relied on completely as everyone is different and has different standards. Although, if there are a large number of people saying similar things then it is probably likely to be a true reflection.

Refining The Process

After narrowing a few hotels down from the review sites I went directly to their websites. The best ones were those with a good user friendly layout with everything spelt correctly, with good descriptions, high quality pictures and a full address of the hotel. A professional website helped to give a quality view of the hotel.

Don’t Wind Up In The Boondocks

Before booking, I’d recommend finding the hotels address and looking the location up on a map. Some hotels will claim that they are a few meters away from the beach or city centre but in reality are a lot further away.  Checking out the nearby night life is also a great idea, making sure your hotel is close enough to the bars, restaurants and clubs if you want that kind of holiday or that you’re far enough away if you don’t.

Once you have chosen your hotel and are ready to book make sure you keep all your booking confirmation details to ensure everything is ready for your holiday.

And most important of all don’t forget to enjoy yourself and relax!

These tips worked for me, the hotel was beautiful and I had an amazing holiday. Do you have any other tips for finding a good hotel?

Your writer Leanie Frericci is a student working hard so really appreciates those summer breaks and to cool off especially for july breaks.

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Delve Deep into the Historical Scenario of Kerala

Kerala

If you are a history maniac and have decided to visit Kerala, be sure that you will not be disappointed. Kerala has a treasure trove for history lovers. The rich history of the South Indian state will simply leave you mesmerized. There are so many historical places in Kerala that covering all of them in [...]

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An Insight into the Arts and Crafts of Kerala

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Known as God’s own Country, Kerala has become one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world. People from all over the world come to this place to gain the rare experience of staying in a houseboat and cruising through the backwaters. But backwater is not the sole attraction of Kerala. The rich art [...]

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Interesting Places in Kozhikode, Kerala

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Kozhikode, which is more popularly known as Calicut has great historical significance. Exploring this place will be a memorable experience of your life. This is the place where Vasco-Da-Gama landed in 1498 AD and discovered India. It used to be the capital of the Zamorins. What makes this city one of the major tourist attractions [...]

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Kerala Shopping: An Exhilarating Experience

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When you hear the name Kerala what comes to your mind first? Isn’t it silk? Yes, it will not be an exaggeration to say that Kerala is synonymous to silk. But when it comes to shopping in Kerala there are a lot more to it. On one hand you can find traditional cotton and silk [...]

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Alleppey- A Dream Destination for Nature Lovers

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Breathtakingly beautiful backwaters, tranquil blue lagoon, pristine beaches and picturesque canals make up the most stunning district of Alappuzha and this is where the small town Alleppey is located. A network of canals passing through the heart of the city impressed Lord Curzon so much that he gave this place the title of “Venice of [...]

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