Wednesday, June 27, 2007

What you need to know about– paris travel

What you need to know about– paris travel
by: Mansi gupta
Life never sleeps in the capital city of France- Paris. The City of Lovers or the City of Lights, the city of Paris is exceptional for it has not just one but a multitude of attractions that leave each and every visitor bizarre. The aura of the city is such that the visitors are left spell bound. The city is so rich in its exotic and prized possessions that it becomes difficult to explore the entire city within a few days.

The Multiple Assets
From art to glamour, from the mystifying Eiffel Tower to the stunning Seine River, the wondrous city of Paris has it all. When we talk about the city’s art and architecture, Paris has some of the coveted monuments in the world. For instance the Napoleon’s eminent ‘Arch of Triumph’ (a piece of architecture that ascends the streets); the Square of Peace (known for its huge statues and fountains) and the wonderful pillar from Egypt called the Obelisk of Luxor. The Eiffel Tower has its own tale. Counted amongst one of the wonders of the world, the tower is 986 feet tall and weighs 700 tons.

The Unity in Diversity
Paris is endowed with a plethora of small regions that contribute to the pleasing diversity of this place. To name a few in this regard-

The Le Marais Region in Paris speaks of the rich history and tradition of the city. Marais, the land where the King Henry II took his last breath, is the home for some of the most archaic French buildings. The Musee Carnavalet museum has many archaeological discoveries along with breathtaking historical paintings, sculptures etc. Other eminent museums include-The Musee Cognaq Jay, The Musee de la Serrure Briccard, Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature (famous for stone age weapons) and last but not the least The Musee Picasso that has the worlds largest number of Picasso paintings. The Jewish Quarter that nestled in the Marais region and that familiarizes you with the Jewish customs and traditions has always been an apple of every visitor’s eyes.

The La Quarter region of Paris is a paradigm of unity and diversity. This is because people from all castes and creed inhabit the place. There is round the clock activity with plenty of markets, restaurants, gardens, parlors etc. in this ancient region that has streets of the Roman era.

Not to be overlooked is the popular Montmartre region of Paris. The area is bedecked by the Sacre Coeur Church, that has almost scaled to the height of the Eiffel Tower. The place is also more often visited for it’s being the land of illustrious artists like Zola, Van Gogh, Turgeney and Degas. Apart form this, the Montmarte region has an exclusive cemetery where the great souls of Degas, Stendhal, La Golie etc. lie in peace. There is also the famous The Musee de Montmartre where people like Renior, Dufy and Suzanne Valada had resided.

But this isn’t all. The Notre Dame Cathedral at the Notre Dame region is worth looking. The ancient cathedral that is an epitome of love also has an underground crypt and a small museum for the visitors.

A outstanding and enthralling place nestled in the city of Paris is the Louvre Museum. This museum has some of the world’s most prized sculptures, paintings, utensils and other antiques. If there is the globally treasured Mona Lisa of Leonardo Da Vinci, there are also the two giant winged bulls that long ago used to guard the palace of Sragon II and the Hammurabi Code. Other antiquities from Babylon, Mesopotamia, Sumeria etc. can also be seen. Amongst the several bedazzling galleries like Prints and Drawings Gallery, arts gallery etc. the sculpture gallery is also garlanded by the bewitching Michaelangelo Courtyard. On the whole, the Louvre Museum is a spectacular place to stop at.

The authentic magnum opus of art maestros like Renoir, Sisely, Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas and Pissaro can also be gazed at the Musee d’Orsay museum that also has
some exclusive primitive sculptures.

Also to be seen are the delightful gardens in Paris. For instance, The Rond-Point, The Grand Palais, the Petit Palais etc. being some of them.

However, one falls short of words and ink to appraise and express the brilliance and magnificence of the unusual and wonderful city Paris, the charm and charisma of which carries the potential to raise someone from the dead.

What You Need To Know About– Madrid Travel

What You Need To Know About– Madrid Travel
by: Mansi Aggarwal
The capital of Spain, pulsating city of Madrid is one of the eminent European cities that is famous for it’s more than a few attractions. The city nestled in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula is thronged by people not just for its nerve-wrecking night life but also for the succulent cuisine, mind boggling architecture at museums, monuments and gardens and jubilant festivals.

The Background
Madrid is an old city. Its origins can be traced back to as 1085 when King Alfonso VI of Castle reigned here. The throne passed into the hands of Felipe II in 1561 and things were never the same after that. There were wars followed by inflation, the draining of city’s wealth and settling down of a horde of immigrants. The development came in 18th and 19th centuries when there was construction of numerous wonderful buildings with exotic and splendid art and architecture.

The City’s Charm
Once you land in the city of Madrid, there are many worthwhile places to visit. For the nature lovers, the Glorieta de Murillo botanical garden is a perfect destination with around 30,000 varied species of plants. These exclusive species that are scattered in different regions of the world were compiled at one place by the botanist Gomez Ortega and Juan de Villanueva for King Charles III.
The two pinnacle towers of Casa de la Panaderia grounded in the Madrid’s grand main plaza called The Plaza Mayor, never miss the tourist attention. The Plaza is flooded with people during festival celebrations and as a market place. The statue of Felipe III adds a feather to the fascination of the place.

The music and theatre both can be enjoyed in one of the oldest towns called ‘Moorish Quarter’ of Madrid. Your next step in Madrid can be towards the Parque del Buen Retiro Park. The parks is a home for two buildings that are most often used for art exhibitions and an artificial lake that gives you the pleasure of boating. The classical concerts of music and dance performances can be relished at the Auditoria Nacional de Musica and The Teatro Madrid, Teatro Lirico Nacional de la Zarzuela, Teatro Albeniz respectively.

Madrid City is known for its incredible nightlife that lifts your spirits and leaves you rocking. Some of the illustrious nightclubs on the street of Calle Huertas are The Kapital (a 7 floor club) and The Malasana. Besides this there is tremendous activity in The Paza de Chueca club, Alonso Martinez etc. The discobars and clubs are meant not just for couples or stag but for families as well.

The Madrid festivals lure people across the globe. There Fiestas de San Isidro is one of the biggest festivals of the year. It commences from 15th of May and bedazzles the visitors with excellent dance performances, concerts, and other performances. The delectable food during the festival remains acts as a magnet. The festivals like Feria de la Comunidad in May, Feria de Otono in September and Feria turnia etc. have at display the treasured game of bull fighting.

To add to the glory of Madrid is the spectacular Verbena de la Paloma festival from 6th to 15th of August. The festival mirrors the Madrid tradition and culture when people are decked up in their traditional attire and parade their customs. The ravishing decoration and the live performances by bands thrills you with almost all sorts of music heard round the globe. Last but not the least are the exotic new-year celebrations at Madrid and the renowned masked ball of Circulo de Bellas Artes that leave a remarkable impression on each and every visitor.

Apart from the fun and adventure, Madrid specializes in serving all varieties of cuisine. A person from any corner of the world can gratify his hunger conveniently in Madrid. There is French, German, Swedish, Chinese, Italian…diversity of food available.

Madrid can be the home for anyone be it the luxury or the budget travelers. From restaurants to accommodation all are designed in such a fashion that they cater well to the needs of the high as well as the low. However, it is judicious and preferable if you get all the reservations done in advance for this one amongst the largest European cities is swarming with visitors all the year round.

What you need to know about – Travel in Luxury

What you need to know about – Travel in Luxury
by: Mansi gupta
Luxury travel is diametrically opposed to traveling on budget. ‘Luxury’ as the term
Suggests, is to have the best of everything by paying the maximum for it. If you have money and want to make your vacations a dream come true then go for the luxuries available in the travel world.

The Hunt for a Perfect Place-
The first task to take up is to decide a lavish destination. You can go according to the season like if it is hot, its better to throng the beaches. There are three world’s top most destinations in this category and these are Caribbean, Europe and South Pacific or Oceania.

The Caribbean is the land of water. If you are a water lover then there is nothing like this place. Well known as the world’s fifth greatest water body, Caribbean has more than a hundred islands which turn from the bottom tip of Florida to the northwest of Venezuela.
These islands are blessed with exotic beauty of turquoise blue waters and sandy beaches. The temperature is perfect throughout the year at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. What else one can look forward to are the bewitchingly beautiful beach villas with the best of amenities ranging from food to entertainment.

The next outstanding destination can be Europe. The place has the best of everything and foe everyone. Besides a rich historical past, this wealthy destination has all sorts of scenic splendors. There are spectacular slopes of Scandinavia, the humid Mediterranean and the peninsulas to steal your attention.

How can one forget the incredible South Pacific or Oceania as a luxury destination…the place has a bunch of marvelous islands like New Zealand, Australia, Micronesia etc. that make you a prisoner of their lust. The place has fascinating lagoons and lively beaches to enjoy all types of water sports and other activities for instance spinner dolphins, humpback whales and the like.
The Means to Commute-
After you select the ideal place for your journey, think about the way to reach there. Several options are available of which private jets and helicopters top the list. These private air modes have lots of benefits and convenience. Their services are available round the clock. All you have to do is to call up a private jet or airways company and ask for a jet or plane. These jets not only take least time to reach the desired destination but provide you with privacy, peace of mind, no hassle of booking etc., luggage safety, all in all a perfect journey.
If you desire to sail then cruise ships are the perfect option. Silversea Cruise Ships are a good and wise choice. They offer you the best of rooms, restaurants, entertainment like casinos etc. So there is much more to enjoy along with the oceanic magnificence.
Yacht is also a favorable option for the sea admirers. Besides accommodation there is accurate planning for all other requirements. The most renowned luxury yacht so far is known to be SeaDream II.
The accommodation, food and entertainment-
Go for the best of hotels or resorts available. Make sure they have entire set up to take care of not just your lodging but food and entertainment (casinos, bars etc.). Health spas, gyms, parlors and the like add one more feather to it.

So what are you still waiting for--Travel in Luxury- Experience the Heaven on Earth…!

What you need to know about – Switzerland travel

What you need to know about – Switzerland travel
by: Mansi gupta
Since time memorial, Switzerland has proved itself as one of the most cherished tourist destinations. Every part of this country seems to be caressed and lying in the lap of nature. The land of magical Alps Mountains, Lake Maggiore and the home of cities like Zurich and Bern need no introduction.

An Encounter with the Swiss Cities

Switzerland greets you with one of the most beautiful cities on earth-Zurich. This metropoplis is a significant financial center in the world. Apart from its blessed location at the tip of Limmat River, the city has some of breathtakingly wonderful attractions that include Gothic Fraumunster, the Church of Our Lady, the Fluntern Cemetery where the soul of famous Irish writer James Joyce rests in peace. You can take some of the most expensive items home from the Bahnhofstrasse Street meant for the rich. Accommodation is not a problem in this city for there are many a great hotels like The Widder Hotel, The Baur au Lac Hotel, Arabella Atlantis Sheraton Hotel and the like that provide the best of all amenities.

Cuddled up on the shores of river Geneva is the historical city of Switzerland-Geneva. Amongst a multitude of pulls, the city is known for possessing the world’s tallest fountain, a beautiful flower clock (Hologe Fleurie), the archaic Cathedrale de St.Pierreand the renowned Musee de L’ Horlogere that enhances your knowledge about the worldwide recognized Swiss watches.

The great Luzren’s Lowendenkmal, also known as Lion Monument can be gazed in the city of Luzren. The city is endowed with beautiful surroundings that include villages and mountains. The Luzren city happens to be at the spot where the River Reuss flows out of Lake Luzren. The bees are related to honey and water to bridges. So there are some grand worthwhile bridges here. For instance The Chaff Bridge, the Kapellbrucke or The Chapel Bridge that

If you are stunned with the popularity and status of ‘bears’, you have stepped in the metropolis Bern. Bern is a delightful city that is the capital of Switzerland and is nestled in a curve in the River Aare. The ancient exotic fountains, the majestic arcades that seem to be eternal and caring, the Kunstmuseum or art Museum with the original magnum opus of the genius Swiss painter Paul Klee, are some of the outstanding features of the Bern city. Some more museums like Bern Historical Museum that presents exclusive archaeological artifacts; 15th century tapestries etc., The Natural History Museum, the Communication Museum and the Kunsthalle Bern Museum always receive the vacationers’ attention.

The Bernese Oberland region of Bern is an evergreen tourist destination. The area has some of the captivating spots like Interlaken town that is bedecked by three mountains namely Jungfrau, Monch and the Eiger. The spectacular Grindelwald Glacier near the recognized Grindelwald resort never lets one take off his eyes from it. To elate your spirits the Trummelbach Falls that can be distinctively viewed via an elevator built in the rock and the Staubbach Waterfalls await your visit.

To rock your body on the pulsating music, celebrate with the Swiss their highly acclaimed Montreaux Jazz Festival in the Montreaux city. What can also be relished is the amazing work of art of the mentally ill and criminals at the distinguished Collection de l’Art Brut museum that is to be found in the city of Lausanne. The town of Klosters is swarming with visitors for its fantastic ski resort that too is known as Klosters. Skiing can also be enjoyed at the popular skiing resorts in the town of St. Moritz. Since the town rests on the southern side of Alps Mountains at an altitude of 6000 feet, it is all the more appealing to the visitors.

What You Need To Know About – Students Travel

What You Need To Know About – Students Travel
by: Mansi Aggarwal
When traveling across the globe can be edgy for the adults, what to say of the students! However traveling abroad for learning or picnic can be entertaining for students too.

· The reason of your trip
The foremost task is to mull over the raison d'être of your trip for this determines the destination, the monetary issues, accommodation etc. for your tour.

· For Holidays With Pals
If the sole motive is enjoyment then your destination should gratify your desires. If cartoons and rides fascinate and beguile you, place like Disneyland is just what you want. If along with merriment you crave to enhance your learning and art and architecture absorb your attention, Germany, Barcelona and the like should be ascend your list.

Subsequent to deciding a perfect destination, collect information about the expenditure that is likely to befall your parents’ pockets. Rummage around for some beneficial packages that can take you round the world in least overheads.
Try to go in groups for that might save good bucks. But individual traveling too can be economic if you know how to govern your outlay corresponding to what little you have.

· The Age Factor
The age of the student makes lot of difference. If a student is quite young he should be associated with a chaperone. If a young student takes on the flight for the first time without parents, packing and reservations should be considered in detail and significance. All the medicines, warm clothes etc, should be vigilantly packed. It is always better and prudent to pin the I-Card of the student on his shirt. Along with the phone numbers of the hotel where the kids will take a breather, parents should have the complete itinerary.

· Travel For Purpose
Most often students travel abroad to participate in some international competitions or to enhance their educational qualifications like going to States for a doctorate program. If studies have hogged your attention, search the university that can live up to your expectations. Surf the Internet; collect every small and big detail. Consult your teachers and other bigwigs in that area that which university will be an ideal one for you.

Once you through with it, look for the costs. The cost includes your lodging, the course fee, food and the means to commute. Hunt for scholarships. These can be your best pals in turning your dreams to reality. Scholarships are offered by the universities and also by different organizations working in this area. A case in point is the AIFS offers a horde of scholarships. Those who are traveling with AIFS are awarded with these scholarships. Online information about the domestic as well as international scholarships is available. For instance CIMO – Centre for International Mobility feeds you the style to fund your travel to Finland.

If your providence does not click to a scholarship, don’t abandon the idea to touch the skies for there are other channels too. Like you can resort to fund raising which apparently might seem appalling and unusual but has tremendous benefits. Last but not the least, knock the door of student’s loans. Loans are offered by government along with private companies and banks. All you have to do is to a little struggle, some running around but remember this sweat so dropped will make your fortune. Once you land up at your destination, you can even carry out a part time job to meet your day to day expenses and minimize the responsibility on your parents.

Lodging should also be deemed. If some of your friend or relative is already nestled in that place or even nearby, the idea to stay with them is not a bad one. Else try for hostels and rooms on rents. But make sure that some planning for this is done beforehand.

Finally, make sure that packing is accurate. Also initially new place, new people and their culture might perturb you but don’t get distressed by these petty things. Keep in mind that if you are good to others, they too will be amicable. All that is required is some time to get accustomed to the place, people and their customs.

So, waiting for what …go ahead and live your dreams!

What you need to know about – germany travel

What you need to know about – germany travel
by: Mansi gupta
Germany has always one of the centers of attractions on the globe. The place is as beautiful as the fantasy of an artist and the imagination of a poet. It has a rich history that’s speaks through the archaic and bewitching architecture and monuments, the culture and the convivial attitude of the locals. There are royal castles, magnificent castles and handmade houses that take you to the roads of the country’s glorious past. The wonderful cities of Germany like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt etc. treat you with an ecstatic unity in diversity.

The best time to visit Germany is summer season. When the sun is shining above your head during the months of April to September, Germany is an ideal place with mild weather and sunshine. Once you reach Germany, it is a pleasure and delight to explore the place via a train. These trains take you from town to town providing you the best of all amenities and an opportunity not just to explore the interior but also the enthralling outskirts of each city.

A Little about the Cities-
Berlin, the capital city of Germany is a city full of life and passion that never lets your spirits down. Besides the entertaining and unforgettable nightlife of Berlin there are other attractions too. The Brandenburg Gate and the remains of the Berlin Wall in Berlin sing the saga of the time of Second World War when Hitler reigned over Germany, are remarkable things to watch. While you are in Berlin be sure to visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum that throws more light on the history of Berlin Wall and has a collection of the relics related to unbeaten escape attempts across its borders. Apart from this you should also visit the Germaldegaleire or the traditional Picture Gallery that has an exotic collection of the 13th to 18th century art.

There are several good hotels to make your stay comfortable in Berlin. The archaic Adlon Hotel is quite a renowned hotel in Berlin. You can ask either ask your travel agency to reserve the lodging for you or search the internet.

The city of Munich is bustling with all sorts of people from students to musicians, artists and the like. The place is known for its nightlife and for the love for fashion. The season to visit Munich is from June to October when you can actually enjoy and taste the fun and flora of the city. The popular tourist spots are the Englischer Garden which has a Chineese Pagoda along with beautifully trimmed landscape parks. Then there are also the Residenz palace and Klostergasthof Andechs well known for its chilly beer.
Konigshof Hotel and Stachus Plaza are recommendable places to stay.

The city of Hamburg also known as the ‘gateway to the world’ is situated between the Lake Alster and River Elbe. The place has a horde of museums and historical buildings with a bubbling nightlife and delectable cuisine. Hotels like Kempinski Hotel Atlantic Hamburg located alongside Lake Alster can be opted to stay.
If you want to take a look at old timber houses along with skyscrapers then the city of Frankfurt is the right choice. The place has lots of attractions like Palmengarten (1869) -a home to thousands of wonderful plants, events of the sort Nokia Night of the Proms, the Frankfurt zoo and so forth.

Apart from these cities there are other celebrated cities are Cologne known for German architecture, long winding roads, restaurants and the hot favorite of children as well as kids-the Chocolate Museum, the city of Saarburg resting in the hills of Saar river valley and also the city known for giving birth too auto companies- Stuttgart.

All in all Germany is a perfect destination for your vacations!

What you need to know about – Barcelona travel

What you need to know about – Barcelona travel
by: Mansi gupta
Welcome to the home of 1888 World’s Fair and 1992 Olympics, the capital of Catalan region-a culture branded for its unique amalgam of Spanish and French mode of cooking. Known for its affluent culture and heritage, the city of Barcelona nestled on the shore of Mediterranean is of profoundly entrenched in the past.

The Spectacular Art and Architecture
Holidaying at Barcelona will treat your eyes with some of the worlds finest and out of the ordinary archaic architecture that stands unrivaled and unsullied till date. It is the work of the superlative Spaniard architect Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi’s exclusive masterpiece work can be sighted at the church of Sagrada Familia , the six storey apartment of Casa Batlo, Casa Mila also known as ‘The Quarry’-the multi family private residence that gives the impression of surging around the self same corner, Casa Vicens-the summer villa outside Barcelona that is a perfect blend of traditional and innovative designs and last but not the least the Park Guell an urban setting project, a magnum opus of this genius.

To intensify the magnificence of Barcelona, what waits ahead is the outstanding and exquisite work of Picasso. Picasso’s distinguished concerto is put on view at the Museu Picasso where wing of the museum parades Picasso’s take on Valazquez’s famous ‘Las Meninas’. The MNAC i.e. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya displays an exotic collection of the work during Gothic and Renaissance era along with numerous other stupendous things like coins, medals, sculpture and carvings etc. but this is not all. A plethora of 20th century art and sculpture by prominent Joan Miro, Botero, Basquiat and Motherwell can be treasured at the MACBA – Mueseu d’ Art Contemporani de Barcelona and Museu Fundacio Joan Miro museums.

Something more about Barcelona
The months of June and July flicker with the celebration of the Fest de Grec-Barcelona arts festival, October and November have the onus for the international film festival and May is swarming with all the grand prix aficionados. You may choose any of these seasons and even apart from these to marvel at the exquisiteness of Barcelona. The accommodations are conveniently available suiting to your pocket. There are some good hotels at Sur Diagonal, Eixample, Barri Gotic etc. and luxury villas t spoil your self on the countryside. Barcelona on the streets of Spain has not scaled heights demographically. The thin population of les than two million, the city permits you to liberally roam around everywhere without much hurly burly.

On your vacation to Barcelona do not leave untouched the Ciutat Vella-the old city that nests in the midst of Barcelona that speaks of its rich Gothic architecture of medieval times and a memorable march on the pedestrian street of La Rambla that grounds vibrant markets and street entertainers.

The nightlife can be savored in the relatively solitary area of Gracia near the middle of Barcelona that also possesses the coveted Gaudi’s project of Casa Vicens. Let the water caress and pamper your body at the beaches of Little Barcelona or Barceloneta and let your mouth relish the succulent seafood served here in Little Barcelona. A breath of air along the contemporary urban development project-Eixample where a grid is made with a garden adjacent to each block is unquestionably meaningful.

Once you step into this massive city that is bifurcated into numerous districts and zones, you will have no snag in getting around. From metros, buses and trains to rental cars all are at your service. To the budget travelers it is advisable to take a special ‘Barcelona Card’ that permits you free entry and discounts on hundred renowned venues along with priceless public transportation.
So are you ready to be bedazzled by the Barcelona curves and curvatures?