Last year, I had spent three days at Araku Valley with my family as an extension of our Vishakhapatnam tour. Araku Valley happens to be a very picturesque hill station about 115 kms away from Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, fast becoming a much popular tourist destination owing to its serene and calm ambience and scenic landscape. There is more than one way to reach Araku Valley. If you wish to take the flight – Vishapatnam Airport happens to be the closest airport. Trains are available to Araku Valley from Vizag. If you so wish, you can take the help of your hotel authorities in Vizag to arrange for a rented car to take you to Araku Valley. Again, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation takes tourists to Araku Valley in luxury buses at regular intervals. We had taken the train from Vizag and thoroughly enjoyed the stunningly beautiful route, intercepted by numerous tunnels. Araku Valley has a number of hotels, resorts and guesthouses with in-house restaurants in many of them. So accommodation and food are not a concern. Once we reached the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Resort, which is a very pretty and well-maintained one, we were greeted by a very vibrant performance by the local tribal women decked up in bright and colorful sarees. They sang their traditional songs and swayed and moved elegantly along with the beats. A lot of tourists also joined in to dance with them. It was a very enjoyable performance. We spent the three days at Araku Valley relaxing and taking leisurely strolls along the mountain paths with a cool pleasant mountain breeze blowing in our hair. Even sitting in the balcony and looking out at the picture-postcard scenery – majestic mountains smeared with lush greenery - right in front was an amazing experience. One evening, we walked over to the tribal museum, which has a nice collection of interesting arts and artifacts related to the culture of the tribals. After three satisfyingly pleasant days at Araku Valley, we hired a car back to Vizag. Along the way, we dropped in to see a pretty coffee plantation and quite a few viewpoints looking out to slices of gorgeous landscape. The driver proudly informed us that movies have been shot in these beautiful locales. However, the show-stealer was Borra Caves. This limestone cavern is a wonderful place, displaying stalactites and stalagmites and steps leading into the bowels of the cave. The cave is flanked by lush greenery. If you are going on a trip to Andhra Pradesh, do not miss the beautiful Araku Valley. Traveller: Anwesha, Kolkata … [Read more...]
Hill stations: Shimla
Shimla needs no introduction. Nestled in the picturesque Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is no less than a tourist hotspot. This stunningly beautiful hill station has attracted tourists from all corners of the country and even from across the globe with its pristine beauty, lush greenery, milky waterfalls and a tranquil, peaceful ambience. Shimla features in the itinerary of tourists traveling across North India and of course, is a much loved tourist spot by itself. This hill station, lovingly refered to as The Queen of the Hills’, is an idyllic location to spend a lovely holiday with your family, friends or loved one. How To Reach Shimla? The Shimla Airport is located at Jubbarhati, around 23 kms away from the heart of the city. Unfortunately, not all airlines have direct flights to Shimla. Shimla Airport is connected with Delhi and Kullu through direct flights. So one can travel to Delhi or Kullu and take a flight from there to Shimla. Alternatively, one can take the Kalka Mail from Delhi and after a overnight journey, reach Kalka. Several regular trains connect Kalka with Shimla; which comprises a six hour journey intercepted by unparalleled scenic views. Again, one can choose to take a bus or other modes of road transport from any major city/ town in North India. When To Visit Shimla? Shimla has very pleasant climate throughout the year. That’s the reason why it is a much favored summer haunt for tourists from the hotter parts of the country. If one craves the feel of feathery light snowflakes, the stunning view of stretches of white snow and majestic snow capped mountains, winter is the time to visit Shimla. In short, any time is a good time to visit this beautiful hill station. What To Do in Shimla? Shimla is the idyllic spot to enjoy some peace, quiet and solitude away from the hustle-bustle, stress and maddening crowd of daily life. One can take leisurely walks along the Summer Hill. Picnic is a very popular activity for turists to Shimla. One can have a nice meal with loved ones in the lap of nature. Favorite picnic spots are Potter Hill, Glenn and Annadale. The Mall is the focal point of attraction of Shimla. It offers a host of entertainment including shopping, movies, video games, billiard, restaurants etc. While touring there, it wouldn’t be wise to miss the Viceregal Lodge, Kamna devi temple, Himachal State Museum, Library and some really spectacular viewpoints. Where To Stay In Shimla? Luxurious 5-star hotels include Radisson Shimla, Shilon Resort, Hotel Wildflower Hall. 4-star hotels include Hotel Asia The Dawn, Hotel Pineview, Hotel Quality Inn Himdev. 3-star hotels in Shimla include Hotel Ashiana Regency, East Bourne Resort, Baljees Regency, Hotel Combermere, Fair Mount Shimla, Himani's Premium Shimla, Honeymoon Inn, Shingar Hotel, Surya Hotel, Hotel Willow Banks, The Destination Resort, Hotel Leela Regency, Toshali Royal View Resort. Heritage Hotels in Shimla: Chapslee Palace, Clarke’s Hotel, Hotel Springfields, Hotel Oberoi Shimla, Woodville Palace Resorts. … [Read more...]
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