Wednesday, October 31, 2012

India: A Country for All Seasons

India is a greatly diversified country that boasts of stunning natural beauties and multiple cultures. Natural beauty of the country peeks through gorgeous mountains, green forests, sandy desserts, deep seas, stunning valleys, cascading waterfalls and palm-fringed beaches. No, I am not taking about five different countries here; this is in fact a gist of about one-fifth of India’s natural treasures. 

Holidays in India are like having holidays in different parts of the world. No prize for guessing that India is a red hot tourist destination. Procuring cheap tickets to Delhi on flights to India is again not a very difficult job. There are numerous direct flights operating from London to India. Book your flights, get your tickets and enjoy your holidays in India any time of the year.

The country has four major seasons – autumn, winter, spring and summer. Each season has its own charms and attractions. The lovely pink winters of India are inviting and exciting. The northern part of India bathes in the wintery fog and chilly mist and brings out the romance in the environment. 

The summers of India are notoriously hot and no wonder people are forced to run to various hill stations of the nation. These hill stations are not only popular among domestic travellers but are equally loved by visitors from foreign countries. 

Spring is the harbinger of newness and happiness in the environment and it plays the exact same role in India. Great weather, blooming flowers in spring offer a picturesque setting that fills hearts with pleasure and joy. Autumn is another significant Indian season and the one that is all about celebrations and festivals. Most of the major Indian festivals take place in this part of year. 

Additionally, for individuals hoping to experience a slice of India’s renowned wildlife, autumn is the best time to visit India.

The Excitement of a Honeymoon in Australia

Now that the  disquiet  from the  marriage  is over, it's time to  believe  about that long awaited honeymoon. There are so  numerous   persons  that  design  their honeymoons to long tropical climates  for example  Cuba, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and the  register   proceeds  on. While these  locations  are  magnificent,   vitally  they  permit  you the  opening  to  ill  back and  rest   throughout  the day, while in the  night  you have the  choice  of going out and having a  large  time in one of the  numerous   associations  in the cities. However, there are other  choices  for a honeymoon. If you're looking for  exhilaration,   undertakings,  surfing and scuba diving, then Australia honeymoons are  precisely  the  kind  of honeymoon you should  gaze  into. There are  some   kinds  of Australia honeymoon  holidays  to  select  from.

Safaris

You may have considered a safari was only accessible in Africa, but it's rather the opposite. There is so much natural attractiveness to relish while on Australia honeymoons, there are safaris accessible on all components of the continent. There are packages accessible that offer a couple of days in the outback, and some days in a hotel. This is a large choice if you don't desire to spend your whole holiday trekking it through the wilds, which can be attractive rough sometimes. The safaris will take you on some of the most astonishing wilds adventures.

Hiking Ayer's Rock

Ayer's Rock which is now renowned as Uluru is a gigantic sandstone rock. The rock is roughly 8 miles in diameter. There are astonishing caves and waterholes to discover. Inside the caves you will find art which was decorated there years before by the Aboriginals. Be certain to have a good two of hiking footwear as the terrain is very rocky, and there is abounding of hiking and climbing. These are directed trips and accessible in all-inclusive holiday packages.

Katherine Region

Katherine Region
Stretching from the border with Western Australia to the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Katherine Region of the Northern Territory is full of things to do and see – including Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), historic Pine Creek, the beautiful Edith Falls, the remote Gulf Region, the thermal pools at Mataranka, and the premier fishing destinations of Victoria River and Daly River.

Lovers of the great outdoors will find plenty to do here – the landscape here is as diverse as it is beautiful - it is a combination of gorges, escarpments, rugged Outback, waterways, and savannah grasslands, making it the ideal place for fishing, bushwalking, camping, canoeing or bird watching. The region includes six national parks, and over ten nature parks, conservations areas and reserves, which are home to hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife.

The wildlife is easily spotted whilst walking in the region and there are numerous walking trails – Nitmiluk National Park alone has more than 60 miles of walking tracks, ranging from gentle strolls to challenging hikes.

Originally inhabited by the Dagomen and Jawoyn Aboriginal people, Katherine itself was “discovered” in 1862 when the explore John McDouall Stuart passed through. The town of Katherine developed following the arrival of the Overland Telegraph Line. After favourable reports about the suitability of the land here, the homestead “Spring Vale” was established here in 1879 – it still exists today, and is the oldest homestead in the entire NT. Katherine boasts a number of other “firsts” – it was here that the first flying doctor worked, and his original aeroplane is housed in the Katherine Museum. 56 miles from Katherine Township is Pine Creek, famous for its gold mining (which only ceased in 1995) and railway heritage.

The story Canberra - What to do in Canberra

The story goes that because Sydney and Melbourne were fighting amongst themselves as to which city should be the country’s capital, it was decided that a new capital city would be built somewhere in between the two! So became Canberra, Australia’s capital city and political centre. Its name is taken from an Aboriginal name ‘Canberra’, meaning ‘meeting place’, quite a fitting name given that the city is indeed a meeting place for many of the country’s influential figures. Canberra is one of only 2 of the world’s capital cities that have been pre-meditated in design, having come into being as a result of an international competition launched in 1911, for the design of Australia’s new Federal Capital. The result was a city with unparalleled symmetry, making it an easy job for new visitors to the city to find their way around!


Unfairly, Canberra has received a bad rap amongst many Aussies (generally the ones that have never been there!). They see it as lacking the glitz and glamour of its neighbouring cities. However, those that do make the journey are never disappointed. Few people realise that Canberra is actually one of, if not the, greenest of Australia’s main cities. This is an urban oasis waiting to be discovered. Instead of having parks fighting for space between high rise buildings, Canberra has architectural buildings fighting for space amongst the numerous big parks and areas of bush! The nickname ‘Australia’s bush capital’ is for a very good reason! There is no shortage of green space, some manicured to perfection, some native bush, to wonder at leisure, partake in romantic picnics by the waterside, canoe down the river ways, and don a pair of roller blades for those wanting more action.

What to do in Canberra


Museums and Galleries: The historical buildings and museums are the hub of all that makes Canberra tick. There are so many museums and galleries that house the national treasures in every respect, that there really is something to suit everyone’s taste. For the kids amongst you, why not take a trip to the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, where you can learn all about NASA, try an astronaut’s outfit on for size and see a piece of moon rock over 3.8 million years old – if that doesn’t impress then you’re a hard one to please! Art buffs should head over to the National Gallery, where they will find a diverse collection of art including heritage pieces of Aboriginal art alongside international pieces of all forms, including sculpture and textiles.

Whatever else you see, it would be criminal not to visit Australia’s Parliament House, one of the worlds’ most acclaimed buildings. Never mind the impressive building, you’ll be astonished by the massive Australian flag blowing in the breeze, the size of it is bigger than a double-decker bus! If you time your visit just after lunch, you might just catch the MPs in action at Question Time.

Activities for the kids: If you have little ones, take them for a fascinating interactive morning at Questacon National Science and Technology Centre where amongst other experiences they can see caged lightning or feel the force of an earthquake! Follow this with an afternoon either at the National Zoo and Aquarium where the kids can pat a cheetah on the ‘meet-a-cheetah’ encounter, or see them fall silent at the Australian Reptile Centre when they are asked to hold a ‘friendly’ python – after that they’ll be putty in your hands!

Hot Air Ballooning and Vineyards: With so much to see, you might want to take it easy on the legs the following day. Time to book a hot air balloon and marvel at the city sights whilst soaring high above the Brindabella Mountains that fringe this elegant city. You will probably be tempted by the many wineries you see beneath you as you make your way across the Canberra district, there are over 140 vineyards in total! Head out for a drive in the afternoon to sample the dazzling array of Sauvignons, Merlots, Rieslings and Pinot Noirs. With so many on offer, you’d be best to book accommodation as close to the vineyards as possible, preferably crawling distance!!

Cockington Green Gardens: For something completely different, head to Cockington Green Gardens and discover the world in 80 paces! The Gardens have been constructed from miniature buildings representing iconic structures from 19 different countries, with the buildings constructed exactly to scale.

Festivals and Events: Capital cities are often perceived as vibrant and although at first glance Canberra does not have the eclectic mix of architecture through the ages or of a carnival atmosphere, there is a busy calendar of public events and shows to keep even the most poker faced amused throughout the year! Take a trip there any time of year and you are almost certain to coincide with a festival of some sort, be it the flower festival in September and October, the Balloon Fiesta in April, not to mention the Canberra Birthday Festival every March, when the streets become a catwalk for the annual Mardi Gras parade!

So come along and see Australia’s friendly capital city and discover that it is much more than a bureaucratic centre, beneath it’s cool exterior lies a pulse waiting to be tapped into, be it lazing on the lawns of the many parks and gardens listening to native birdsong, ramping it up at the annual Canberra Car Rally, or just dining at one of the many stylish restaurants that are dotted amongst the leafy suburbs. It is all this and more.


Book your flight to Australia with Cheap Tickets and Air Tickets to get a gift voucher from the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre.