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Top Historical Destinations to Include on Your Indian Tour

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:38:16 +0000

The nation of India is a top tourism destination for countless reasons. The comfortable climate, incredible scenic beauty, vibrant cities and thrilling attractions all combine to make one truly wonderful holiday destination. For those interested in history, there are also plenty of architectural, historical and cultural landmarks worth a visit in India. In order to gain the most from your visit, learn as much as possible and feel safe throughout your journey, consider a tour that stops in one or all of these incredible historical destinations.

1. Taj Mahal: Without a doubt, this stunning structure is one of the most famous and most iconic landmarks in all of India. Built in the 17th century by the Shah Jahan in honour of his deceased wife, this is perhaps the most famous tomb on Earth. Built from marble, the Taj Mahal is a brilliant structure worth a tour of both the exterior and the interior. Tickets are limited each day and often sell out by mid-morning, but tour guides will generally purchase them in advance for their tours.

2. Golden Temple: Located in the city of Amritsar, the Golden Temple is a truly magnificent and massive structure. It is a religious Sikh building, and many of the tourists who visit the temple each day are actually religious pilgrims to visit the holy site. The temple is made up of several large buildings, as well as the Amrit Sarovar, a body of water for pilgrims to wash in front of the site. Come to the Golden Temple both during the day to experience the hustle and bustle of the site as well as at night to see it lit up in all of its glory.

3. Hampi: These ruins are found at the site of what once the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Although the empire reached its peak in the 14th century, today nothing remains but the giant expanse of Hampi ruins, occupying over 26 kilometers of land. The landscape is made of barren rock, making the majestic temples, shrines and monuments look as if they rise directly from the earth. With the buildings taking up such a large amount of space, it is recommended that you try a tour to take in any many of the sites as possible.

4. Ajanta and Ellora Caves: These famous caves are actually rock shrines built underground between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD. The walls of these caves, which number over 60, depict the detailed history of religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. With such a unique and rich history, it should come as no surprise that these caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour scan be arranged in advance or from the nearby city of Aurangabad, where many international travellers rest overnight before continuing their journeys elsewhere in India.

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Top 5 Places to See in Seville

Tushar Mathur — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:39:35 +0000

Top 5 Places to See in Seville

Centered in the heart of Andalucía, Spain’s southern region, Seville is all at once everything you imagine Spain to be and so much more. Seville proudly displays the fusion of Spanish and Muslim culture that has defined its rich and diverse history. The result is one of the most spectacular and vibrant cities in Europe. Here are the five sights you can’t miss:

Cathedral of Seville

The tallest building in the city and the third largest cathedral in Europe (largest in volume), the Cathedral of Seville is the city’s most recognizable attraction. Following the capture of Seville from the Muslims, the Spanish constructed the Gothic cathedral on the site of a mosque. The mosque’s presence can still be identified in the Giralda, the cathedral’s tower that bears the intricate brick trelliswork of the former mosque’s miranet. Take the kids to the top of the Giralda for the best view in the city. Inside the cathedral lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

Plaza de Toros

Indulge your inner Ernest Hemingway and take in the power and poetry of a bull fight. Seville is home to one of the most famous bull rings in Spain and offers locals and visitors alike the chance to experience this controversial yet exciting spectacle. Though not for the faint of heart, bull fighting is one of the quintessential elements of Spanish culture. The season starts in May and ends in September, so splurge for seats in the shade.

El Real Alcázar de Sevilla

Another fascinating example of the city’s multicultural history, el Real Alcázar de Sevilla has served as Seville’s royal palace since 913 AD and houses King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía on their visits to the Andalucian capitol. Like the Cathedral, the Alcázar’s palace complex is a wonderful opportunity to experience some of the elaborate mosaic architecture of Seville’s Muslim forebears. Complete with expansive patios and breathtaking gardens, El Real Alcázar offers no shortage of beauty.

Plaza de España

The Plaza de España was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and is one of the best photo opportunities in the city. Encompassed by a regal semicircle of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, it is clear why George Lucas chose to feature the Plaza de España in the second chapter of Star Wars. The plaza at dusk is a sight you won’t soon forget.

Metropol Parasol

The Metropol Parasol is the largest wooden structure in the world and was just completed in 2011. Built to offer shade to sevillanos and visitors in Seville’s summer months, the structure is the crown jewel of a local redevelopment project. Whether you’d like to sip sangria in the shade at one of the brand new bars or admire the remarkable structure from afar, the Metropol Parasol is a sight you can’t afford to skip.

Citations:

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Warren Howe lived in Seville for six months and is writer for for Classic Journeys a travel service that specializes in blending small-group walking tours with up-close exposure to local life. Warren has also travelled to England, Germany, France and Italy and highly recommends one of many Seville tours as a great way to explore his favorite city.

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Top 5 Places to See in Seville

4 Must See Places To Visit in Australia

Tushar Mathur — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:36:43 +0000

Australia’s history is complex, to say the least. An incredibly topographically varied land once primarily host to the aboriginals, and then later transformed into an English prison colony, Australia is now a thriving, sophisticated continent that has managed to preserve its wild side while sustaining one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the world. When visiting Australia, you absolutely must see these four places to get the full essence of the land down under.

1. Great Barrier Reef

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef isn’t exaggerating – there’s really no other place like it. The Reef stretches for 2600 kilometers and has about 900 separate islands. An incredible variety of sea life makes this place its home. The elaborate coral polyps that build the structures that make up the reef, which is the largest structure built by living creatures, make the Reef a beautiful view no matter what angle you approach it from, whether its from a scuba diving perspective, from the air, or even from space! Initially discovered by Western civilization in 1770 when James Cook accidentally ran his ship into the Reef, the Reef has been a spiritual place for the aboriginals for thousands of years, and continues to be a great place to fish and dive.

2. Uluru

This rock outcropping, which radiates in a gorgeous, deep red, especially at sunset, is located near the geographical heart of Australia, and figuratively is the continent’s center, and its actual highest point. Once a sacred aboriginal place (from which it derives its name) a visitor can climb Uluru in a day and take in an awe-inspiring view of the surrounding desert. The easy-to-walk plateau peak makes Uluru a place of contemplation and fun.

3. Sydney Harbor Bridge

If you prefer man-made wonders, the Sydney Harbor Bridge will delight your senses. Encompassing an iconic view of Australia’s capital city of Sydney, the bridge is both architecturally stunning and aesthetically pleasing. The world’s widest long span bridge, “The Coathanger” as it is called by locals, due its bowed out shape, takes in the Sydney Opera House and the gorgeous expanse of the city. For visitors who want to see the city all at once, there’s no better way than hopping a car across the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

4. Blue Mountains

While you’re in Sydney, you would benefit from planning an expedition to the Blue Mountains, which are within an hour’s drive of the capital. The gorgeous valleys, peaks and gorges feature incredible rock formations and vibrant outgrowths of vegetation. There are cave paintings, ancient dwellings and heart-stopping views interspersed among a variety of elevations. This is the place to get lost and let your soul roam in the heart of Australia—at least for the day.

About the Author

Mark is a writer for an Australian credit card website offering a range of frequent flyer and reward credit cards that make travel easier and more affordable. Mark is an avid traveler himself, having explored much of the Australian continent.

Copyright by Travel-Eat-Sleep
4 Must See Places To Visit in Australia