FEATURES

5 vacation spots for this summer

Ooty: Ooty, short for Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam is one of South India's most popular hill stations, situated in the Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of 2,240 mts. Spread out along a high plateau, Ooty is set among the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains, covered with green forests and valleys, tea plantations, streams and mountains. Though crowded during summer, Ooty remains a favourite for travellers across the country.

Manali:This is Himachal Pradesh's main summer destination for backpackers, trekkers and partygoers escaping the summer heat. A popular tourist destination at 570km from New Delhi and 280km from Shimla, Manali is the northern-most town of Himachal Pradesh's Kullu Valley. Situated on the national highway that leads to Leh, Manali is also the gateway to the remote and desolate valleys of Lahaul and Spiti.

Mahabaleshwar: This picturesque hill station, also known as the Queen of Maharashtra's hill stations, is located in the Western Ghats, cradled in the Sahyadri ranges. An altitude of 1,372 m gives it the distinction of being the highest hill station in Western India. Its popularity is not only as a honeymoon spot and a great summer getaway, but also because of its historical and religious significance.

Kodaikanal: A hilly retreat established by American missionaries around 1845 in order to escape from the high temperatures of the plains, Kodaikanal, or Kodai as it's better known, is a quiet hill station at an altitude of 2,195 m, on the southern ridge of the Palani hills in Tamil Nadu. It is popular amongst the locals as well as other tourists and has earned the nickname of Princess of Hill Stations.

Matheran: A popular getaway for people from Mumbai and Pune, Matheran is a quiet hill station located on the Sahyadri range, at an altitude of 800 mts. Meaning 'forest on top', Matheran was discovered in 1850, by a district collector of Thane, Hugh Poyntz Malet, and the foundations for its development was laid down by Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of Mumbai.

How To Plan Your Vacation

It is summer — the time when folk decide to escape the city heat - so, whether it's a holiday trip with the family, or by yourself, within India, or to foreign lands, here's a bunch of superb travel websites and apps that will help you plan a fun holiday. And even if you're an armchair surfer, there's something in here for you too.

Virtual tourist
Virtual Tourist is a social network for travellers that'll help you plan your next trip - it allows tourists to interact with one another and get a first-hand understanding of the place they intend to visit. Home to over 1.3 million members, this site has travel tips for over 63,000 destinations around the world. As a VT member, you also get to create individual pages for every destination. Each page is split into sections like Things to Do, Nightlife, Tourist Traps, Warnings, etc. You can browse by continent, destination, member, or by popular hotels. When you have a question, you can turn to the forum, which is always buzzing with activity. You can also use the PickPack app (Android, iOS, web) to share, organise and download photographs taken as a group.
www.virtualtourist.com

Tourist link
Tourist Link is very similar to Virtual Tourist. Navigation is kept simple, letting you first choose your destination, after which you can browse categories such as Tourist Essentials, Eating, Shopping, Nightlife, Recreation and Events. Besides, there's even a section where you can find and book a hotel room within your budget. This India-based portal has many users from the country whose perspective can be invaluable when planning a holiday abroad. Tourist Link also has a Deals section, which features readymade package.
www.touristlink.com

Fest300
What better way to discover a new place than to visit it during one of its festivals? Fest300 is a onestop resource for dope on the top celebrations from around the world. This year, the site lists 270 events - including our own Diwali, Onam, Christmas in Goa, etc - with details about festival history, statistics , photos, videos, and other essential information including dos and don'ts. Travellers are invited to select the final 30 to complete the 300, as well as contribute photos and video 'festimonials' of those that they've witnessed. You can browse content by category, and more importantly, even use F300's map and calendar section to identify festivals by location and time of the year to help you coincide with your holidays.
www.fest300.com

Wiki travel and wiki voyage
Like all wiki projects, both these resources rely on the collaboration of travellers from around the world to populate its pages. Here, netizens create, update, edit, and distil each travel article to ensure that it is up-to-date and accurate. You can find ready-made itineraries, destination of the month, travel alerts, phrase and pronunciation guides for foreign languages, UNESCO destinations, picture of the day, etc. Just make sure you refer to both wikis before you embark on your journey.
www.wikitravel.org |www.wikivoyage.org

When on earth
This web resource is tailor-made for travellers - real and the armchair variety. Here you can read about the hidden beach on Mexico's Marieta Islands, a sewage processing plant in London that looks like a Byzantine church, Germany's walkable roller coaster, a bridge in Norway inspired by Da Vinci's design, the tree-climbing goats of Morocco, and more. WOE also has a section called TravelHacks with tips on how to pack like a pro, how to speed your way through airport lines, click better photos with your smartphone, etc. And there's even a section dedicated to cool travel gear.
www.whenonearth.net

Tripomatic
Tripomatic is an app that lets you plan your holidays without any hassles. After you sign up—you can also use your Google or Facebook account to log in simply tap 'Add a new trip' from the main screen; then, select the city you are travelling to. If possible , also select the dates of your tour.Tripomatic will pull out ready-to-use travel itineraries depending on the duration of your stay; and even kid-friendly options. The app has details for over 400 destinations in its database. Tripomatic will list all the tourist spots and places you must visit, neatly plotted on a route map. You are also given the option to purchase offline travel guides for a fee. And finally, when you're on the road, you have all this information, readily available, at your fingertips.
Android, iOS | Free

Timescity
Timescity caters to the most happening cities in India. So when you're in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Jaipur, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad , Chandigarh or Ahmedabad, the app uses GPS location to give you information on eateries, pubs, events and movies near you.Click on 'Restaurants' or 'Bars and Clubs' , and you are served a list of establishments in your vicinity along with contact details, popular dishes, and even reviews. You can then sort the results based on distance from you, ratings and price. TC also lets users post their own reviews of the place they've visited: click on the 'Movies' button and you are shown all the flicks playing in theatres close by; you can even read reviews and watch trailers. Since Timescity uses your location, you also get detailed map routes.
Android, BB10, iOS | Free

Mapmyindia maps
If you are going to be visiting places within India, you should try MapmyIndia Maps. The app helps you with turn-by-turn directions, highlights places of interest (places of worship, ATMs, museums, malls, petrol pumps, police stations, etc) and traffic updates, if available.Maps cannot be saved for offline use, so your device will need to have an active internet connection. If your handset is not supported, you can still access the service on its website (m.mapmyindia.com) from your mobile browser. Also, if you are travelling in a group, it would be a good idea to also install ReachMe by MapmyIndia on all phones. When lost, you can send your coordinates to the rest of the group. The app, in turn, will give your friends directions on how to get to your location.
Android, Window Phone 8, iOS | Free

TRIP PLANNER
SINGAPORE

Indians made for the fifth largest visitor group to Singapore in 2012, and this year the number is expected to cross the 1 million mark. If you are planning a holiday, here are the things you should consider before flying out.

TRIP
TRAIL

Experts suggest you keep aside four nights to do justice to Singapore, or three nights at the very least. Take a flight that lands in Singapore in the morning so that you can be off to a running start.
Reserve the first day for the city tour on a FunVee bus, and if you are not too tired, you could take in the night safari before you crash. On Day 2, take it easy and soak in the myriad charms of the Bay South Garden, making sure you stick around for the light and sound show.

Make your way to Sentosa on the third day. There are a lot of attractions here, so you will have to pick and choose what you want to do.

If possible, keep Universal Studios for another day. The other option is to do the river safari, the Jurong Bird Park and zoo on day four. If you have time on your last day before you hit the airport, you can squeeze in some shopping too.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

It's a year-round destination, but in December it's at its best, from the Christmas light-up along Orchard Road, to ZoukOut, the annual musical fare.

BEFORE YOULEAVE......

AIR FARE

EXCHANGE RATE

VISA

TRIP EXPENSE

ACCOMMODATION

LOCAL COMMUTE

FREE

PAID

(approximate per person rates)
Singapore zoo: S$22
Sentosa (day play pass with cable car ticket): S$71.90
Universal Studios: S$74
Underwater world: S$25.90
S.E.A. Aquarium: S$29
River Safari: S$25
Jurong Bird Park: S$20
National Museum of Singapore: S$10

• you can consider buying a multi park pass, combining the zoo. Bird Park, Night Safari and River Safari for S$89 per person, thereby saving S$23 (http://eticketing.zoo.com.sg:81/Booking.aspx)
• Buy the Singapore Tourist pass to avail of unlimited travel on basic bus services. A three-day pass will cost S$20, plus a refundable S$10 Deposit.
• To save money, consider the three-day Singapore City Pass currentlycosting S$148.90, thanks to online promotion (http:/citytours.sg/singapore-3-days-attractions-city-passes.html).

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Tourism and Hospitality Sector in M.P.Potential and Prospect

M.P. is termed as a "Tiger Destination" and even if we go by this description we can not even see tigers so easily. Kanha, which is the ultimate destination, is not easily accessible for the Budget Tourists and Eco tourism is now the fashion for many Tour Operators. So far in M.P. we only hear Khajuraho, Mandu, Gwalior and some other Temples near Shivapuri and smaller places. M.P. Tourism has over promoted Khajuraho but why should people flock only to Khajuraho? Why not other less known places which have a potential to attract and which can provide attractions of a different type? First we must understand the culture, sociology and economic background of the Tourists' demand and what they like and what they do not like and why they come and what they want to see.

I have travelled the length and breadth of M.P. from Bundelkhand to Malwa to Chattisgarh and I have stayed in all types of Hotels - from M.P.Tourists Lodges to Star Hotels, Circuit Houses and Dak Bungalowas and the facilities available in M.P. for tourists can never be described as satisfactory. M.P. Tourism Lodges and Hotels from small ones to big ones at Khaujraho, Orcha, Shivapuri, and Kanha etc. may be termed as satisfactory. There are other places like- the unknown spots in Bastar, which have no international exposure or Indian or even M.P.exposure. These all need to be developed, but no spots can be made attractive & eye-catching all of a sudden. They need to be exposed and marketed systematically. The first and foremost requirement of any tourist spot is its accessibility, tolerable level of comfort to stay, easy telephone access and a fairly good availability of transport.

M.P. is a sprawling state and outside travellers are few and far between and if we have to attract outsiders then we have to have well developed infrastructure for attracting tourists. Let us first see what all that is needed to the attract both domestic and foreign tourists. With increasing Urbanisation and people's income going up a little, there is upsurge of Middle class travelers in India. Bengalis, Gujaratis are known for travelling whereas south Indians are least travel and tourism conscious. I saw, in Pachmarhi, some Bengali Brochures on MP Tourism that is a good sign. If we have to attract these Middle class tourists, who are mostly LTC beneficiaries, then we have to market the spots in M.P.

What are those spots?

Take Pachmari. We have either very costly M.P. Tourism Hotels or very cheap dirty restaurant-cum-few room Lodges. People want to live in clean rooms. Unlike Goa where families come forward to offer Bed and Breakfast facilities all along the coast, Pachmarhi has only salaried Class and Military background families, that are neither interested in such side business nor have they such a cultural attitude towards such adventures.

Look at Jaisalmer, orthodox Communities have started talking broken English and offering Bed & Breakfast lodging facilities and foreign Tourists are attracted. We cannot dream of such families in Pachmarhi. The only way is to use the empty Government Bungalows which are just kept by the Departments of M.P. Government for the use of Government Officers whenever they come on inspection tours, which generally take place in summer! Why not Young entrepreneurs get these buildings on lease and M.P. Government Tourism Department get into lease agreements with such 'Young Entrepreneurs' and give them loans to start catering and Lodging and attract Budget Tourists? Government thinks of only foreign Tourists and even for Indian Tourists it thinks of Five Star Travellers and not the budget travelers. This will increase employment opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Then we have Maheshwar and other religious places in M.P. Take the Narmada Ghats in Hoshangabad and so many other places. There are many Ghats in M.P. All these are stinking places and nobody even dead bodies want to float there. On Important Festivals and lunar dates when people get to dip in the sacred Narmada, they do not feel fresh after the dip. Here again M.P. Tourism has failed to clean up these ghats and offer attractive packages for special purpose tourists who want to come there on special occasions.

River cruise is a great attraction in some countries. In the whole of the Narmada there is not even one attractive river cruise for the people to come and enjoy. Maheshwar can be developed for such a river cruise.

Many Forest Sports in Mandla, Jabalpur, and Balaghat can be developed for jungle Tourism. We do not have to spend enormous funds to develop such spots. Here again all we need is clean and simple cottages and marketing these spots as silent zones where people can come and relax and meditate.

Chitrakoot is another spot which has not yet received attention from the Tourists and Experts Holiday Planners of M.P. People with small income want to spend a few days in good spots either playing with their kids or just wandering around. Where do they go in M.P?

Lots of Business Houses want to hold their workshops, round table discussions away from their Offices. In Indore some such Resorts have come up but they are not marketed as such. I had an occasion to choose such a place for workshop. They should provide, if they are serious to attract business, conference facilities like video and audio slide and Screen facilities etc. The Needs of Honeymooners and serious Business Holiday makers differ a lot. In Harayana once we had to hire the best Tourist Resort in Karnal for a workshop. But except the Hall there was nothing and the Manager remarked, "Sir, this Place is for honeymoon and not for serious business or intellectual discussions!"

M.P. is still to go a long way in fully exploiting its rich forest and natural potential of flora and fauna without endangering its forest resources for promoting tourism. There is no coordination between forest and Tourism Department. There are some fascinating Forest Lodges where there is no electricity and such places have to be developed as Eco Tourist Sports. Let M.P. Chambers of Commerce, Forest Department Tourisms and Culture Department put together their heads and design what and how they want to promote Culture friendly Tourism in the coming decade.

Madhya Pradesh is not called the "heart of India" only because of its location in the center of the country, but also as ,it has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the State. The natural beauty of the State is equally varied. Consisting largely of a plateau, the State has everything. Spectacular mountain ranges, meandering rivers and miles and miles of dense forests. In fact, a large part of the State is forested, offering a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife. In the National Parks of Kanha. Bandhavgarh and Pench you can spot the tiger, the bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope. But perhaps the best part about MP is its accessibility. Bordered by six States, it is equally close to major tourist destinations from the North, South, East and West. Whether you are in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata, you're never very far from Madhya Pradesh.

Bandhavgarh National Park : If yo u've somehow missed the Tiger at Kanha, you'll definitely spot one at Bandhavgarh. Once known for its White Tigers, Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tiger population in India. With rocky cliffs and densely forestedvalley bottoms, Bandhavgarh is surrounded by the Vindhyachal mountain range. Spread over 448 sq. kms, one of the most amazing sights of the National Park is the Bandhavgarh Fort that sits sedately overlooking the entire forest. One can spot tigers, leopards, deer and some of the most rare species of birds here.

Kanha National Park : Situated 165 km from jabalpur, Kanha National Park has earned the distinction of Asia's best National Park. Spread across 940 sq. km, Kanha is home to the tiger, leopard, hyena, wild buffalo and more than 200 of the avian species.
The only habitat of the rare hardground barasingha, Kanha has a thick vegetation of Sal and Bamboo forest. With its numerous streams and magnificent forest cover, every inch of Kanha has thrilling surprises in store for the nature and wildlife lovers.

Panna National Park : Panna National Park spreads along the river Ken. Its jungle harbours many species of wildlife. The tiger can be glimpsed her along with other rare species such as the leopard, wolf and gharial. Herds of nilgai, chinkara and Sambhar are a common sight too. Alternating valleys and plateous, grassy fields, steep gorges and escarpments, forms enchanting cascade, presenting a breathtaking view. A Gharial sanctuary along the river Ken near the spectacular Raneh Falls is an added attraction for tourists. The river attracts a number of avian species, some pretty and others good songsters.

Pench National Park : Pench National Park, spread over a massive 292.85 sq. kms, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura Hills, has acquired the name owing to the river Pench, criss-crossing the land scape of the National Park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, touching Maharashtra, in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara.
One of the verdant parks of the country, is rich in Flora & Fauna some of the rare avian species can be located. The pure stands of Teak & that of Sal are abundantly available, making the whole a verdant look. Some of the big cats can be seen taking siesta near the water bodies, make the spectators spellbound.

Khajuraho : The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing a paean to life, love and joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying to the craftsman's artistry and the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Raiputs. The Khajuraho temples were build in the short span of a hundred years, from 950-1050 A.D., in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 still survive, constituting one of the world's greatest artistic wonders. The spectacularly mounted Khajuraho Son-et-lumiere Show evokes the life and times of the great Chandela kings and traces the fascinating story of the unique temples from the 10th to the 20th century.

Khajuraho Festival of Dances draws the best classical dancers in the country every year, who perform against the spectacular backdrop of the floodlit temples. The past and the present silhouetted against the glow of a setting sun, becomes an exquisite backdrop for the performer. In a setting where the earthly and the divine create perfect harmony-an-event that celebrates the pure magic of the rich classical dance traditions of India. As dusk falls, the temples are lit up in a soft, dream-like ethereal stage. The finest exponents of different classical Indian styles are represented Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchhipudi, Odissi, Manipuri and many more. With international status under Government of India programme categories, this seven-day extravaganza is a unique treat for connoisseurs from all over the world.

Sanchi : Sanchi (46 km via Diwanganj and 72 km via Raisen from Bhopal): Sanchi is known for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The Sanchi Stupa, the best known, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. His son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Sri Lanka, where they converted the king, the queen and their people to Buddhism. A chunar sandstone pillar fragment, shining with the proverbial Mauryan polish, lies near stupa and carries the famous edict of Ashoka's warning against schism in the Buddhist community. The four gateways of the Stupa built in the 1st century B.C. have stories of Buddha's past and present carved on them and are the finest specimens of early classical art. The adjacent town of Vidisha has a State Museum with important mediaeval sculptures. The 2nd century B.C. Heliodoros pillar nearby and the 5th century A.D. Udaigiri Caves are also well worth a visit.

Mandu : Mandu is a celebration in stone of life and joy. A tribute to the love shared between the poet-prince Baz Bahadur and his beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati, the balladeer of Malwa still sing of this euphoric romance. Perched along the Vindhya Ranges at an altitude of 2000 feet, Mandu's rulers built exquisite palaces like the Jahaz and Hindola Mahals, ornamental canals, baths and pavilions, Each of Mandu's structures is an architectural gem, some are outstanding, like the massive Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's Tomb, the architectural inspiration for the Taj Mahal. And the glory of Mandu lives on, in its palaces and chronicled for time.

Orchha : Orchha's grandeur is captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy of the ages. The Palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Founded in the 16th century, Orchha boasts of the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. In Raja Mahal and Laxminarayan Temple, vibrant murals bring the walls and ceilings alive.

Omkaraeshwar : Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the Narmada Valley, situated on the confluence of the Narmada and Kaveri, here one can visit the famous temples built in the medieval Brahmanic style. Omkareshwar also has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas enshrined at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. Pilgrims throng the temple everyday. Regular boats ride in the river Narmada upstream and downstream make your visit worthwhile.

Gwalior : Gwalior has an indelible mark of valour etched upon its many monuments, palaces, temples and forts. The Gwalior Fort stands as a giant monolith of the Rajput Dynasty. Built by Raja Mansing Tomar, this colossal structure is a testimony to the victories of the Rajput dynasty. Emperor Babur described it as the Pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind. The entire landscape of Gwailor seems as if giving a standing ovation to the symbol of bravery and valour.

Pachmarhi : Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant gem. A lovely hill resort girdled by the Satpura ranges it offers absolute tranquility. Bridle paths lead into placid forest glades, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense Sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets. The valley, ravines and maze of gorges, sculpted in red sandstone by wind and weather aeons ago, add to this natural palette. Cascading waterfalls gush down the slopes and deep azure pools emerge like hidden delights. Wildlife enthusiasts are rewarded by glimpses of the animal and bird kingdoms. Complementing the magnificence of nature are the works of man. The cave shelters of the Mahadeo hills present astonishingly rich rock paintings. Most of these have been placed in the period 500-800 A.D. but the earliest paintings are an estimated 10,000 years old.

Bhopal : The Capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is known for its lakes and scenic beauty. The wide stretched landscape gives this city a beautiful look. Housing one of Asia's largest Mosques, Taj-ul-Musajid, Bhopal represents a harmonic symphony of the old and the new. The old monuments in the walled city symbolize the aristocratic past of Bhopal. The Upper Lake presents perfect setting for water sports freaks in the city.

Indore : Indore is a rich legacy of the Holkar State. Built by the Holkar queen-Ahilya Bai Holkar, Indore has turned out to be the most pulsating city of M.P. The business epicenter of the state, this vibrant city of Indore is famous for its Chhatris (Cenotaphs) and the 7 storied Rajwada, which was built by the Holkars.

Vidisha : Situated in the fork between the Bes and Betwa rivers, Vidisha is a well-known city today. A Political center during the Ashoka period, Vidisha was subsequently ruled by the Malwa, Mughal and Scindhia rulers. Vidisha's most important show piece today is the Heliodorous Pillar. Locally known as Khamba Baba, this pillar carries 140 BC inscriptions and is of great cultural & historical significance. The lower part is octagonal, the middle is 16 sided with a band above of 32 facets.

Ujjain : Ujjain houses one of the 12 "Jyotirlingas" that are consecrated in various Hindu shrines across India. Situated on the banks of river Kshipra, Ujjain is synonymous with the renowned poet, Kalidasa the writer of immortal epic "Meghdoot". Also much known as the city of king Vikramaditya, Ujjain is famous for its Kumbh Mela which is held once in 12 years. The next Kumbh Mela will take place in the year 2004. Pilgrims from all over India, sadhus and sages from the Himalayas & famous international celebrities are expected to visit this great Indian retreat. The famous Mahakaleshwar temple besides many others scattered all across form an Integral part of the city and contribute to the continuity of Ujjain's tradition of spiritual greatness.

Maheshwar : Situated on the banks of the river Narmada, Maheshwar (Mahishmati in the Ramayan and Mahabharat) is significant for its many temples built by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. This place is known for its bathing ghats and intricately woven "Maheshwari" sarees.

Udaygiri : Kanha National Park: - Situated 165 km from jabalpur, Kanha National Park has earned the distinction of Asia's best National Park. Spread across 940 sq. km, Kanha is home to the tiger, leopard, hyena, wild buffalo and more than 200 of the avian species.
The only habitat of the rare hardground barasingha, Kanha has a thick vegetation of Sal and Bamboo forest. With its numerous streams and magnificent forest cover, every inch of Kanha has thrilling surprises in store for the nature and wildlife lovers.

Bhimbetka : Over 600 cave shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were discovered in Bhimbetka, 46 km south of Bhopal. Surrounded by dense forests and craggy cliffs, one can see here, in vivid, panoramic details, the paintings & inscriptions depicting the life of prehistoric cave dwellers. Executed mainly in red and white, with an occasional stroke of green & yellow these paintings are an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.

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