If I'm asked to select a few places for a vacation ...

Introduction :

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How happy I would have been if I have had vacation only as the word 'vacation' has been used by the word 'sky' and thus has been used by none other than the great Indian Nobel laureate Tagore Rabindra Nath ! I have not chanced to present myself in different hemisphere of the globe although that one is one of my great dissatisfaction however. Still the little I have experienced I like to submit in these lines humbly.

1. Mount Abu

Mount Abu is an abode of green forests ornamented with coniferous trees and flowering shrubs and waterfalls and lakes embraced in the hills of the Araballi range, an oasis in the deserted Rajasthan of India.

History :

Mt Abu was a part of a tiny kingdom of Maharaja of Sirohi and was occupied by the East India Company of the Empire of Great Britain and it became a site for the Indian defence personnel.

Access :

Airways ------ Direct flight from Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur

Railways ------ Regular trains from Ahmedabadm Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur

Roadways ------ Deluxe bus from Delhi, Ajmer, Udaipur and many other Indian towns.

Special :

The marble art of Delwara Jain Temples

Height :

1219 meter above sea level

Climate :

Summer --- 33°/34°C Maximum

Winter --- 11°C Minimum

Accommodation :

First class lodges on behalf of ITDC and RTDC and private hotels of different standards.

Clothing :

Summer light tropical or light Winter Woolen.

Food :

All kind of delicious Indian and International

I have been happy there and a huge lake, Nakki by name, has such steel water that I find it in mind's eye even now.

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2. Costa Rica Pacific Coast

If you love to love your beloved it is the most fascinating hide in the universe, a hide you too will tell, if you arrive at a position on the high bluff within the mountaineous ridges in the Pacific Ocean in the northwest Guanacaster county of Costa Rica, yes, you will obviously tell with your eyes spellbound at the sight of the setting sun and in the unhindered isolation.

History :

Almost untouched by the civilization and the hotel business is a fresh venture methink.

Access :

Coasta Rica

Special :

Canopy tour in the rainforest

Climate :

Equatorial and also pleasant due to its situation very close to the sea-coast

Food :

One may not find here food of one's choice. It is because of its separation from the mainland. But the scaricity is compensated by the beach dens where drinks and snacks and fresh seafood are available and one may also remember a touch of nouvelle cuisine.

In the quiet environment of the Pacific coast you will definitely feel always protected at the edge of the rainforests and you will feel romantic and ready to sip the elixir of nature slowly and surely, honeymoon or no honeymoon.

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3.Puerto Galera (Phillipines)

It must be a marvelous experience to allow yourself at the mercy of the heaven of beaches where a marine reserve endowed with coves and shallow coral reefs and dozens of dive outfits will tell you how does she await to greet you. When you are sure to dance to the tunes of the east Pacific waves, sometimes at the chilling point of the suddenly rushing strong current through the steep slopes that have just forced the pelagic fish to move everywhere you will be awarded, I am sure to assure you, one thing free and that is absolute excitement.

Access :

From the port of Batangas City to Mindaro and from Mindaro to Escarceo Point hiring Bancas. Escarceo Point is the main dive spot in Puerto Galero.

Transports :

Buses from Pasay in Manila to Batangas Pier which is at the ouskirt of Batangas City.

Buses usually take three hours from Manila to Batangas Piers.

Next, a ninety minutes boat journey is required. One must avoid onward journey on Saturday and return journey on Sunday as the buses are overcrowded by the local residents on those days.

No flight you may have from Manila to northern Mindaro, but a seaplane can behired for US$300 one-way.

Accomodation :

Huts made of bamboos in general are cheap.

In the busiest beach of Sabang a number of accommodation at random along the seashore

Food :

If you are at Sabang you may have varities of eating substances. You will have to be satisfied with what you will be offered. You may be satisfied with sadines.

Still exciting scuba diving, quiet coves and wonderful ferry-movements will sure to pull you here next time. I do not think I shall be able to go there again.

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4. Pantai Cenang

Pantai Cenang of Malaysia is another paradise for the lovers of sea beaches.The excellent scenery of the sea beach, a long stretch of milky white and sandy beach with the coconut trees in lines that dance to the music of the sea waves appears to be eternal propriter of magic on the earth. The astounding experience is that the color of the sea water seems to change from blue to turuoise and to green again.

Destination ;

Pentai Cenang is nearer to Padang Matsirat which is the site of Langkawi International Airport.

Access :

Malaysia Airlines and also low-cost AirAsia and Firefly flights from Kualalumpur have frequent services. It is ajourney of about one hour. From Langkawi Airport to Pantai Cenang is a cab drive of ten minutes or so.

Accommodation :

Plenty of resorts and hotels are there and they are provided with modern facilities too.

Food :

There is no dearth of cuisines with not least of delicacies. Seafood in the Chinese restaurants, middle eastern cuisines at the Telaga Arabic Restaurant and Indian cuisines at Papadam Ria will sure to surprise you. Again, Italian cuisine of Pizza may speak out to you : Look, look, I am here at T-Jay.

Funtastic Spot

Choose any of the items furnished below ---

jet skiing, banana boat, parasailing, kayak and even snorkeling and diving.

Yes , at a considerate and affordable rate.

You may like to have a fun from spa or massage session. You may choose from hot tub bath, scrubbing, reflexology, body massage,or aromatherapy.

Wonderful !

In not such vast a beach !

What do you say ?

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5. Nainital

Nainital is a marvelous site in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas with lakes and waterfalls and with a great treasure of flora and fauna. Every year thousands of tourists visit this place and spent their holidays within the waved mountains ot the Himalayas.

Destination :

Nainital is In Uttaranchal, a northern state of India.

Climate :

Summer : 11°-27°C

Winter : 2°-16°C

Best Season :

Mar-Jun, mid-Sep to October

Access :

Airways : Pantnagar is the nearest airport at a distance of 71 kilometer from Nainital. Regular air flight from DelhiBareilly and Lucknow. The Ranikhet Express from Old Delhi links Delhi and Nainital.

Roadways : A good motorable network of roads connect Nainital to the nearby cities. From Anand Vihar in Delhi, you can board the Volvo buses to Nainital or Uttaranchal tourisms deluxe bus (Rs.300-350). The journey time is around 8-9 hours and a comfortable one.

Railways : Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. Shuttle train from Lucknow junction to Kathgudham. Lukhnow being the capital of Uttarprodesh is linked with Delhi and many important Indian town by the railways.

Accommodation :

Good number of Deluxe and Luxury hotels and varities of middle and low budget hotels

Cuisine:

This contains wide range of Indian and continental varities , vegetarian extra-ordinary and also Mughlai grandeur.

Restaurants are mainly on the Malls and neat and hygiene-conscious.

It was a moment of absolute amazement when I stood at the foot of the Naina peak (2611 meter) whose eyes are fixed on the eye-shaped Naina Lake (1938 meter ). Again from the Astronomical Observatory I have had the fantastic views of the Himalayan valleys and snow-clad peaks ( Trisul, Nanndadevi and other peaks ) at great distance.

The Corbett National Park in memory of the great animal lover and Kumaon-leopard-famous Jim Corbett (actually I have read his ' Man-eaters of Kumaon') is awful wealth of Indian wilderness.

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6. Kaziranga National Park

Last year I have been to Kaziranga, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, an extension of the Karbi Hills of Assam, on the bank of the vast Brahmaputra that submerges the forests with every monsoon flood after which the lass green forests let again tell its existence lika a phoenix.

Destination :

Central Assam, North-East India.

Area :

430 sq.kilometer

Climate :

Summer --- 18°-35°C

Winter --- 24°-7°C

Best Season :

Mar-April

Access :

Airways: Jorhat (97 km) and Guwahati (217 km) are nearest airports connected by air to major cities of India (including Kolkata).

Railways : Furkating, nearest railway station and 75 km from the Kaziranga National Park, is connected to Delhi.

Roadways :Kohora, the main gate of Kaziranga is on the NH-37 and connected with the major cities like Guwahati, Tezpur and other major towns.

Accommodation :

Hotels and Resorts are plenty and are with quality provisions for high, middle and low-budget tourists.

Cuisines :

Most of the varieties of Indian and continental delicious dishes.

As Kaziranga is the abode of boisterous rhinoceros and other animals such as elephant, wild buffalo, tiger, swamp deer and peace-loving parti-colored flying squirrel, hog-badger, hoolock gibbon and Chinese pangolin one is always tempted to experience the best of the sanctuaries as close as possible, be it with an elephant-drivers as a guide or be it with the drivers of the jeeps. And ther are birds of as many as 450 species ( Himalayan griffon, brahminy kite, Oriental honey buzzard, grey-headed fishing eagle ) any of them to steal the show at any moment.

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7. Kodaikanal

What a grand idea to have a stay of seven days or so with serenity and tranquility amidst green forests surrounded ! Yes, it is in Kodaikanal or 'gift of the forests' as termed by the local people traditionally. Yes, it is in Kodaikanal or 'princess of the hill stations' as the

modern day people call it.

Destination :

A Hill Station on the Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu

Height : 2,195 meter above the sea level.

By 1845 thanks to the American missionaries this hill resort was founded.

Climate :

Pleasing temperature throughout the year although there is, still in the chillness of the weather warm overcoats are needed.

Access :

Airways : Chennai or Coimbatore airport from where by train/car

Roadways : By bus from Kerala or Tamil Nadu, particularly from Kodai Road, Dindigul, Madurai or Madurai, Coimbatore.

Railways : Nearest railway station is Kodai Road linked with Madurai, Bangalore and Chennai.

Cuisines :

Food is sometimes a problem in South India and specially in the hill stations, it may sometimes seem tasteless and pleasure of the tongue may be had from roadside snackshops. Local chocolates and also Kodai cheddar cheese and home made jams are delicious. And fruits like lychees, star fruits, plums are really tasty. Otherwise food articles of Tibetan to Chinese to Tamil varities are available.

You will remember Kodaikanal and your walk on foot or by cycling in the vicinity of the waterfalls which are one and many and the parks deep inside the forested hill. And when the time to depart will be sooner you will be occupied with some melancholic feelings for the lake named Kodai because I am sure never in your life you will have a second chance to come across one star-shaped laked, though an artificial one (built in 1863).

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8. GOA

Goa is known as 'Pearl of the Orient' and Goa is internationally accepted as one of the best tourist centers in the world. Goa is really beautiful with the golden beaches and the long lines of coconut trees and with the architectural splendors in form of its temples, churches and old houses. Goa is full of scenic beauty largely famous for its beaches.

History :

Goa was a Portuguese colony for 450 years and in 1961 it has been liberated by India.

Destination :

Situated on the western coast of Indian subcontinent touching the shore of the Arabian Sea Goa is an Indian state.

Climate:

From August to September Goa takes on its monsoons. Goa is humid much of the year and the winter is pleasant.

Season :Goa's peak season is November-February and from mid October to March Goa is at its full season.

Access :

Airways :The international airport, Dabolim, is 29 km from Panaji (Panaji is the capital of Goa). Mubai is very close.

Roadways : Buses ply regularly from Karnataka and Maharastra, from Mumbai frequently.

Railways : Konkan Railway encompasses Goa. Goa is linked with Mumbai and other important towns of India by the railways.

Accommodation:

From north to south, the Goa coastline is marked by a number of beach towns, with relaxed ambiance. Deluxe and Luxury resorts and hotels are in plenty for people of different economic capacities.

Cuisines :

One will feel easy with the food available in Goa and cuisines of the Indian and continental standards wont be missed. Save these, snacks & meals and bombay bhel poori and Delhi Chat and sea food and alcohol and cashew & feny will be ready to greet you.Goa is famous for the cheapest alcohol in India.

Funtastics :

Sun bathing on shacks are available in each beach. Water sports wind surfing, water skiing, sailing, water-scooters, and dolphin spotting cruises are there for you. Goa is famous for the best night clubs in India.

Are you ready for a trip to Goa ?

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9. Darjeeling

Last time I have been to Darjeeling the autumn was afflicted with political turmoil of the worse order when a section of the people of this beautiful hill station was engaged in a violent movement with a view to pressuring the the government of West Bengal and also of central government to award them a separate state. Still Darjeeling was to me as charming as before with its parades of pines and tea estates and the small lake inside and clouds decidedly blowing over my body and the mountaineering institute with the valiant statue of Tensing Norgey. I should humbly admit that I have been in love with this hill and separation from it pains me.

Destination :

Situated in the north of West Bengal, a state of India, and situated to the eastern extension of the Lower Himalayas with Tibet as one of its border.

Climate : Thanks to the monsoons of every year Darjeeling experiences rainfall from mid-June to early September. Winter provides extreme cold and in some places including the Mall snowfall occurs leaving the rest of the year a pleasant weather.

Season : March to early June ; September to November. Serious tourist are not afraid of moving to this hill station between December to February.

Access :

Airways : Bagdogra is the nearest airport which is connected with the international airport of Kolkata.

Railways : Darjeeling is the railway station which receives and returns a toy train famous with the acknowledgment of the UNESCO as one element of the World Heritage from and to NewJalpaigurii which is connected by railway with Kolkata and Delhi everyday.

Roadways : It is connected with Siliguri which has links with the national highway of India.

Accommodation :

Deluxe and Luxury lodges and hotels are in plenty and hotels are there to receive people of different economic cross-sections.

Cuisines :

Indian and contental varieties are available always. Chinese and South Indian dishes are preferred by many.

I can remember I have chanced to witness the brilliant Kanchenjunga magnificently colored and at a time brightly golden on receipt of the sunrays of the dawn. My heart danced with joy when I recalll the lash green valleys of the Darjeeling hills and suddenly the small and dear toy train passing through the loop at Ghum, the highest railway station in our country.

Recently again Darjeeling has again developed unrest and violence has become the buzzing word. Let me expect that the situation will change and we shall again be able to visit Darjeeling peacefully and happily.

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10. Puri

Let me submit what did happen in the very first entrance into Puri when I was just a major. A January morning it was and we were moving by a three wheeler to any address in search of a lodge. All on a sudden a vast stretch of blue water mass jumping and roaring appeared and I, just 18 with green lines of beards on the cheek, jumped down from the vehicle without paying attention to what might happen and ran to the vastly stretched golden beach to befriend with the nature's wonder.

Destination :

An age-old center of pilgrimage Puri was and is still and in the state of Orissa, a state in the eastern part of India.

Climate :

Monsoons are common, that is, from mid-June to September.

Summer -- Maximum temperature 40 degee +

Minimun temperature : 8 degree --

Season :

Good from November to February. People are now-a-days visit Puri almost in every month of the year.

Access ;

Airways : Bhuwaneshwar is the state-capital and the nearest airport and is connected by air with the international airports of Kolkata and Chennai.

Railways : Puri is a railway station and a railway junction named Khurdaroad which is linked by railway with Chennai and Kolkata.

Roadways ; Roads are good here and Puri is connected with the national highway and thus to different cities and towns of India.

Accommodation :

A very good number of lodges and hotels and dharamshalas are there for different income-groups of the people.

Cuisines :

All kinds of Indian and continental delicious dishes are available all through the hill station. The Chinese dishes and the Tamil dish are also available in the hotels around the mall.

Puri is one of my place of dreams. You will also love it.

Come on please !

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