Germany's oddest tourist attractions

Valhalla temple, Bavaria

This neo-classical structure perches high on the banks of the Danube and is an almost perfect copy of the Parthenon in Athens. Housing over 200 busts and plaques of eminent Germans, the Valhalla temple is a 169-year-old who’s-who of German history and is visited by over one million people annually.

German Hygiene Museum, Dresden

Less soap and scrubbing brushes, and more social and scientific revolution, The Hygiene Museum in Dresden receives over 300,000 visitors a year. Main exhibitions centre now centre around the human body, and the promotion of bodily awareness and health over the past century. During the Third Reich, however, it was used to produce material in support of eugenics.
 

Surfing on the Isar River, Bavaria

For the past 30 years, water sport enthusiasts in Munich have been turning their hand at city centre surfing on a tributary of the Isar River. A one metre high standing wave can be found just beyond the Haus der Kunst and during sunny days, queues of people can be found waiting for their turn to carve it up.

As Slow As Possible - John Cage performance, Saxony-Anhalt

One for the music aficionados, John Cage’s composition As Slow As Possible is being played one note at a time in St. Burchardi church, Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt. Played normally, the piece should last between 20 and 70 minutes, but in St. Burchardi’s the piece will end in 2640, making it the longest performance ever, lasting a whopping 639 years long. The next note change is scheduled for July 5 2012, when crowds are expected to gather to hear it.

Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Leipzig

One of the largest Goth events in the world takes place every spring in Leipzig, where 20,000 dark revellers will be getting their freak on. The global meet-up started in old East Germany, but was swiftly banned. Restarted again in 1992, Goths worldwide have been descending on the Saxon city over Whitsun weekend ever since.

Hermann memorial, North Rhine-Westphalia

Deep in the Teutoburg forest near Detmold stands a 54 metre tall homage to ancient Germanic war chief Hermann. The monument, atop of which stands a 26 metre tall figure of Hermann himself, was built in the 19th century to commemorate several battles in the area, in which German tribes triumphed over Roman legions in 9 AD.

Teufelsberg, Berlin

Teufelsberg, or "the devil’s hill" in English stands at 80 metres over Berlin and was built by the Allies post World War II using the mounds of rubble left over from bombing raids. The site was originally earmarked by Hitler as the location of a new military training school, but now hosts an abandoned Cold-War listening station. The stunning views from the top and sloping sides make it popular with both thrill-seekers and those looking to relax.

Mud Olympics, Schleswig-Holstein

North of Hamburg, around 500 contestants in the annual Mud Olympics – Wattolümpiade – throw themselves around on the soggy banks of the river Elbe. Teams take part in events such as mud volleyball, tug of war, and a wriggly eel relay race in this unorthodox battle of the fittest. Getting filthy isn’t just in the name of fun, however, as proceeds are donated to local charities.

Read More

Berlin to get spectacular new Wall panorama

Berlin is to get a new tourist attraction, near Checkpoint Charlie – a 360-degree panorama of the city when it was divided, painted by artist Yadegar Asisi. Check out our picture gallery of the panorama specialist's spectacular work. 

Asisi's spokesman announced on Wednesday that the new panorama would be open in time for the summer tourist trade in the German capital. The picture will be set inside a 16-metre high, free-standing metal rotunda, not unlike a mini gasometer – a resemblance that gives the planned structure its name: the "Panometer."

The image will show a view of the Berlin Wall as it was in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin. "We will see children playing by the wall next to a graffiti artist or a drunk at a colourful Currywurst stand," Asisi said in a report in Thursday's Berliner Zeitung newspaper.

"We will be able to see into open windows to flats in the East and in the West, where people go about their daily lives – watching TV, having parties, or reading the paper," he added.

Visitors will view the picture from a four-metre-high platform inside the Panometer.

Regular Berlin visitors will know this is not Asisi's first work in Berlin. He erected a similar rotunda in the courtyard of the city's Pergamon museum last year, which shows a vision of the ancient Greek city of Pergamon.

He has also created panoramas of the Amazon rainforest and a vision of the Himalayas, which is currently on display in Leipzig.

Read More

World-class trade fairs in the heart of Europe

Berlin Exhibition Centre

Once the frontier between two opposed political systems, Berlin is now home to an international exhibition centre that offers outstanding marketing opportunities in the heart of Europe.

With a turnover of €217 million in 2010, Messe Berlin is one of the ten highest performing trade fair organisers in the world with its own exhibition grounds. Located in the city centre, it offers an area of 160,000m² indoors and over 100,000m² outdoors for global trade fairs such as ITB Berlin, International Green Week Berlin, FRUIT LOGISTICA and InnoTrans. In 2010, an incredible 34,290 businesses showcased their products to an audience of around 2.3 million people at the fifth-largest exhibition centre in Germany.
The exhibition centre is connected to Europe's biggest conference centre, the ICC Berlin. On the strength of the events held there, the International Congress and Convention Association ranked Berlin fourth in the world ranking of leading conference destinations. From 2014, conferences will be held at the exhibition centre while renovation work is carried out.
Messe Berlin GmbH and its specialised subsidiaries provide a one-stop service:
MB Capital Services GmbH looks after stand assembly, technical services for exhibitors, ticketing and organisational services for conferences and the Virtual Market Place, the virtual communications and information platform for clients and business partners which operates 365 days a year.
Capital Facility GmbH & Co. KG is responsible for technical services.
Capital Catering GmbH provides food and drink to exhibitors, attendees and conference guests, arranges gala dinners and organises all event catering.

Key figures at a glance:

• Number of exhibitors: 34,290
• Number of attendees: 2,298,750
• Main sectors: travel & logistics, mobility & services, life sciences, facilities & construction, business & technology
• Number of events: 98

Read More

Forbes names Singapore's top hotels and spas

MANDARIN Oriental has become the first hotel in Singapore to earn Forbes Travel Guide's coveted Five-Star rating. It joins a prestigious list of 57 properties found in US, Canada, China and Singapore - where the travel ratings system is carried out - to earn the accolade for 2012. To earn a Five- or Four-Star Forbes rating, hotels must pass through an incognito service evaluation by a professional inspector and perform exceedingly well in a comprehensive 550-attribute assessment. Find out which hotels and spas in Singapore made the Forbes mark: 

#1. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SINGAPORE: Besides having the distinction of being the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel in Singapore, it's also the only new Five-Star hotel in Asia for 2012's list. 

#2. CAPELLA SINGAPORE: Four-Star rating in 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. Only 3 other hotels in Singapore received the Four-Star rating. 

#2. CAPELLA SINGAPORE: Four-Star rating in 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. Only 3 other hotels in Singapore received the Four-Star rating. 

#3. FAIRMONT SINGAPORE: Earns a Four-Star rating in 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#3. FAIRMONT SINGAPORE: Earns a Four-Star rating in 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#4. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SINGAPORE: Rated Four-Star by 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#4. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SINGAPORE: Rated Four-Star by 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#5. FULLERTON BAY HOTEL: Earns a Four-Star rating in 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#5. FULLERTON BAY HOTEL: Earns a Four-Star rating in 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#6. AURIGA SPA at Capella Singapore: Rated a Five-Star Spa by 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. Only one other spa in Singapore earned this rating, which is awarded following a strict evalution of 150 attributes of the spa. 

#6. AURIGA SPA at Capella Singapore: Rated a Five-Star Spa by 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. 

#7. THE SPA at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore: Rated a Five-Star spa by Forbes Travel Guide.

Read More

Singapore PMI: Manufacturing grew again in March

SINGAPORE - Singapore's manufacturing sector expanded for a second consecutive month in March, signalling the worst may be over as new export orders and production edged higher, the city-state's latest Purchasing Manager's Index showed.
The PMI stood at 50.2 points in March, slightly below February's 50.4 but still above the key 50-point level that shows an increase in activity, the Singapore Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (SIPMM) said on Tuesday.
A separate PMI for Singapore's important electronics sector rose to 51.5 in March from 51.0 in February due to further expansion in new orders from overseas and domestic markets, SIPMM said.
The PMI for electronics has now been in positive territory for three straight months. Asia's factories have been hit by weak demand in the West, particularly from Europe, although there are signs things are beginning to turn around.

The US Institute for Supply Management said on Monday its index of factory activity rose to 53.4 from 52.4, topping economists' expectations. Factory activity also strengthened in leading Asian exporters China, South Korea and Taiwan, although output was still far from robust.

Read More

Singapore non-executive directors second best-paid in ASEAN

Non-executive directors (NEDs) in Singapore receive the second-highest pay among their peers in four ASEAN countries, namely, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
These are the findings from a report released today by the global management consultancy Hay Group.
According to the report, at the median level, NEDs from large companies in Singapore received a remuneration of S$95,000 in 2010. Indonesian NEDs took the top spot at S$239,000 while NEDs in Thailand and Malaysia received S$59,000 and S$58,500 respectively.
The report is based on an analysis on data collected from 200 large companies in the four ASEAN countries from 2008 to 2010. The Hay Group report also shows that the remuneration for NEDs climbed steadily over the three years. Singapore NEDs saw a pay increase of 9 per cent in 2009 and 2010.
In Malaysia, the increase was 17 per cent in 2009 and 3 per cent in 2010. Indonesian NEDs observed an increase of 13 per cent in 2009 and 10 per cent in 2010 and in Thailand, the increase remained steady at 14 per cent in 2009 and 2010.
Mr Oliver Ricaille, Regional Director, Executive Compensation (Asia), Hay Group, said, "The recent upward trend in NED remuneration does not come as a surprise as these large companies have increased in complexity, often translating to more time commitment and a higher volume of intricate information to be processed by the board. At the same time, NEDs need to demonstrate the right skill sets to appropriately fulfil their duties, given this complex nature."
Industry-wise, the top three sectors in Singapore for median average NED remuneration are led by banks (S$152,000), followed by food (S$113,500) and transportation (S$110,000). Likewise, banks in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand offer the highest pay to NEDs compared to other industries.
Directors' fees and other remuneration
The Hay Group report shows that the remuneration for NEDs in Singapore's large companies is mainly composed of directors' fees (92 per cent) and share-based compensation (8 per cent). In contrast, benefits and perquisites are widely used for NED remuneration in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. In particular, benefits-in-kind in Malaysia account for a significant portion (30 per cent) of total remuneration for NEDs, in various forms like social allowance, car allowance, reimbursement, retirement gratuity and others.
Significantly for Indonesia and Thailand, NEDs receive bonuses which form a large portion of their total remuneration, with 52 per cent in Indonesia and 33 per cent in Thailand.
Mr Ricaille said, "Two key elements that should be eliminated without negotiation are benefits-in-kind that can be perceived as status driven and performance-based pay. These elements may jeopardise the independence of the directors and more importantly, the independence of their decisions."
Meanwhile, share-based compensation was not commonly used for NED remuneration among the four countries. In Singapore, 10 out of the top 50 companies offer stock option plans for NEDs and 13 companies offer full-value share plans for NEDs. Even fewer companies (less than 10 per cent) in the other three countries do likewise.
Under-representation of female NEDs
According to the report, the gender diversity in board leadership remained low, with the majority of the large listed companies in the four countries lacking female NEDs on their boards during 2008 to 2010.

In Singapore, the percentage of companies with one or more female NEDs on their boards remained largely unchanged at around 45 per cent. The prevalence of female NEDs in Indonesia (around 30 per cent) is the lowest among the four countries. In contrast, companies in Malaysia and Thailand are making greater progress and more than half of the companies have female NEDs on their boards in 2010.

Read More

Singapore's 'Lemon Law' passed in Parliament

Singapore's 'Lemon Law' was passed in Parliament today.

It is expected to come into force from September 1 this year, to allow sufficient transition time for the industry.

Lemon laws refer to laws protecting consumers against defective goods that fail to conform to contract, or meet satisfactory quality or performance standards at the time of purchase, colloquially known as "lemons".

It comprises amendments to the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA), the Hire Purchase Act (HPA) and Road Traffic Act and covers all general consumer products purchased in Singapore (e.g. stationery, apparel, electronics, bedding, and big-ticket items such as motorcycles and cars).

The amendments will make the transactional process between buyer and seller more open and transparent, with clearer rules on the burden of proof, and more certainty about the recourses available.

With this in place, there will now be additional remedies beyond just rejecting the goods and getting a refund.

The retailer may first offer to repair or replace the defective good within a reasonable period of time and without significant inconvenience to the buyer. If this is not possible, the consumer may either keep the item and get a partial refund, or return the item and get a full refund.

The full refund amount will take into account the state of the good resulting from the consumer's use.

The Lemon Law will apply to defects found in goods up to the first six months, with the assumption that the defect already existed at the time of delivery, unless the retailer can prove otherwise or if the items have a short life span or consumable.

After six months, the consumer will need to prove that the defect existed at the time of delivery.

The Lemon Law would thus require retailers to ensure that their goods match their description as marketed and promoted. Descriptions include information and details on the good that can be found on the label, packaging, posters or any other print material, or given verbally by the sales representatives.

Retailers should also point out defects or limitations, if any, to the consumer before the consumer buys the good. They will not be held liable for defects which the consumer is proven to know about before he/she buys the goods.

To assist motor traders to defray costs and encourage them to offer replacements for lemon vehicles, the Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority have also proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Act.

The amendment would allow the transfer of the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) and Certificate of Entitlement (COE) from a defective vehicle to a replacement vehicle, provided the defective vehicle meets a set of criteria.

Read More

Singapore home prices suffer 1st quarterly drop in 3 years

SINGAPORE - Singapore's private home prices suffered their first quarterly drop in nearly three years as government measures to cool the property market begin to bite at the high end.
According to advance estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Monday, private home prices fell 0.1 per cent in January-March from the last three months of 2011. It was the first decline since the second quarter of 2009.
Prices of non-landed private residential properties in the core central region fell by 0.9 per cent, reflecting weakness in the high end of the property market. The mass market remained healthy as prices of apartments outside the central region rose by 1.2 per cent from the preceding quarter.

"I don't think this decline is sufficient to say policies put in place have worked as the sheer volume of sales warrants some concerns," said Wilson Liew, an analyst at Maybank Kim Eng. He said the fall in private home prices was partly due to most of the launches in the first quarter being cheaper mass market projects. Liew expected prices to soften further towards the end of the year.
Singapore is trying to cool home prices amid fears of a property bubble and public discontent over soaring prices.
The government last introduced measures to curb residential property prices in December, including a requirement that foreigners who are not permanent residents pay an additional stamp duty equal to 10 per cent of the property value.
But while prices have softened at the high end of the market, transaction volumes remain healthy, especially in the mass market.
Property blue chips reacted calmly to the news, with Southeast Asia's biggest developer, CapitaLand, slipping 0.3 per cent and City Developments declining about 1 per cent per cent.
Among second-liners, Wing Tai Holdings lost 0.4 per cent while SC Global dropped 0.9 per cent. The benchmark Straits Times Index gained less than 0.1 per cent.
"The risk of having another round of measures is higher than it was one, two months back," Png Poh Soon, head of consultancy and research at Knight Frank, said last week.
"Sales transactions are going up, homes are getting smaller, the psf (per square foot) rate is going up."
Png predicted prices for high-end prime residential units may fall up to 5 per cent this year, he said.
Separately, an index of resale prices for government-built HDB apartments showed prices edged up 0.6 per cent in the first quarter from the preceding three months, slowing from a rise of 1.7 per cent in the fourth quarter.

Read More

Agra Travel Guide and Attractions

Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. With a population of 1,686,976, it’s third most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most populous in India. Agra is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India having some great and ancient structures like The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and many more. It’s a must visit tourist place in India, as tourists come to this city from all over the world to see the true Indian culture.

Agra is well connected by Air, Rail & Road. It takes only 2 hours from New Delhi to Agra by road or by train.  Agra is one of the three tourist destination which lie in Golden Triangle of India (Delhi, Jaipur & Agra).  There are many travel attractions in Agra & nearby Places.

Taj Mahal: Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings around the world and one of the Seven Wnders of the World and the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal king Shāh Jahan as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is India's most fascinating and beautiful monument finished in marble. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630–1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewellers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens. Taj Mahal is the must visit place in India.

Agra Fort: Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal and it can be more accurately described as a walled city. The great Mugals, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers and dignitaries.

Fatehpur Sikri: Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The historical city was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the capital of his empire from 1571 until 1585. Though the court took 15 years to build, it was abandoned after only 14 years because the water supply was unable to sustain the growing population. The surviving palace and mosque are a tourist attraction and one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Agra.

Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb: Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra, india. Often described as 'jewel box', sometimes called the 'Baby Taj', the tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. Along with the main building, the structure consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens. The tomb, built between 1622 and 1628 represents a transition between the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture - primarily built from red sandstone with marble decorations, as in Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and Akbar's tomb in Sikandra - to its second phase, based on white marble and pietra dura inlay, most elegantly realized in the Tāj Mahal.

Akbar’s Tomb: A short distance from Agra, lies the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, in Sikandra. Akbar who ruled over the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605, began building his mausoleum in the spartan style of Timurid architecture. The mausoleum was completed by his son, the next Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, who added more decorative elements to the design of Akbar's tomb.

Mankameshwar Temple: Mankameshwar Mandir in Agra is devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at Rawatpara, near Agra Fort Railway Station. It is one of the ancient temples devoted to Lord Shiva.It is said that the shivlinga covered by the silver metal was founded by lord shiva himself during Dwapara era, when krishna was born in Mathura.  For child krishna darshan shiva arrived from mount kailash and rested here. It is one of the most holy places for hindus in Agra.

Guru Ka Tal: Guru ka Tal is a historical Sikh pilgrimage place dedicated to the memory of ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahudar Ji. Guru ka Tal is near Sikandra in Agra. The Gurudwara was built over the place where the Guru Tegh Bahadur laid down his arms to offer arrest to Aurangazeb, the Mughal Emperor. Several devotees gather every year to pay homage to the great Sikh guru in this Gurudwara. Earlier it was a Tal (reservoir) in the area near Sikandra. It was built in 1610 AD to collect and conserve rainwater in Agra during Jehangir reign. The water of the reservoir was used for irrigation purposes during the dry season. The reservoir was ornamented with stone carvings.

There are many other travel attractions in Agra. You can get all the world class seven star hotels in Agra.

Amar Yatri Niwas Hotel Agra - 181/1 Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Atithi Hotel Agra - Tourist Complex Area Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Clarks Shiraz Hotel Agra - 54 Taj Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Grand Imperial Hotel Agra - M.G. Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282001

Hotel Mandakini Villas Agra - Fatehabad Road Purani Mandi Taj Ganj Agra Uttar Pradesh282001

Hotel Royale Residency Agra - Near TDI Mall Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Hotel Taj Plaza Agra - Taj Mahal East Gate Shilpgram VIP Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Howard Park Plaza International Hotel Agra - Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

ITC Mughal Agra Hotel - Taj Ganj Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Jaypee Palace Hotel Agra - Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 003

Mansingh Palace Agra - Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Pushp Villa Hotel Agra - VIP Road To Taj Mahal Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

The Gateway Hotel Fatehabad - Taj Ganj Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra - Taj East Gate Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Trident Hotel Agra - Tajnagri Scheme Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001

Utkarsh Vilas Hotel Agra - Fatehabad Road Agra Uttar Pradesh 282 001 So, Plan your travel to see Agra and  the great Indian culture.

Read More

Delhi Travel Guide & Attractions

Delhi, known locally as Dilli and by the official name National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), is the largest metropolitan area and the second-largest metro by population in India. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with more than 12.25 million inhabitants in the territory and with nearly 22.2 million residents in the National Capital Region urban area (which also includes Noida, Gurgaon, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad). It is the capital of India and its major political & cultural center. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, Delhi has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BCE.

There are many tourist places and attractions for travelers in Delhi.

Red Fort: Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the masterpiece of Red Fort has the distinction of being chosen as a site from where the prime minister of India addresses the nation on the Independence Day. Popular as Lal Quila, the grand and imposing fort is today a regular haunt of tourists from all parts of the world. The unparalleled architecture is testimony to the grandness of supremacy of Mughal empire in India.

Dilli Haat: Dilli Haat is a medium sized market which exhibits speciality products from each state of India. It includes silk scarves and linens, wood and marble carvings, puppets, heaps of clothing and jewellery (including sterling silver and pearls). 

India Gate: India Gate was designed by Luytens and built in 1911 & its height is 42 meters. It was originally called All India War Memorial in memory of the 90,000 Soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War 1. The names of the soldiers are inscribed all along the walls of the India Gate. In1971, an eternal flame was lit here to honour the Amar Jawan (immortal Indian soldiers).

Purana Qila (Old Fort): The fort is located on a small hill which once stood on the banks of the river Yamuna. Legend has it that the fort marked the site of Indraprastha, the magnificent capital of the Pandavas, though the construction was carried out by Sher Shah Suri between 1538 to 1545 AD. The structure houses a mosque which has a double storied octagonal tower. It is said that the Mughal king Humayun fell from the tower and died. At the foot of the hill is a lake where the Delhi Tourism Corporation has arrangements for boating.

Jantar Mantar, Delhi: Within Connaught Place is the Jantar Mantar built by the Rajput King Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1724. It was believed to have been built with masonry instruments for observing the movements of the stars and planets.


 
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi: Taj Mahal is known have been inspired by Humayun's Tomb, and in many ways this magnificent red and while building is as spectacular as the famous Taj Mahal in Agra. Tomb is memorial by a grieving wife and was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1565-66, nine years after his death.

Chandni Chowk, Delhi: It was the eyes and ears of the Mughal's commercial instincts and is today one of the India's best known wholesale markets for textiles, electronic goods and many other items. The entire area was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan'' favorite daughter and was then inhabited by the well-to-do families of the time. In today's time, this area is highly congested.

Parliament House, New Delhi: A marvelous piece of architecture which can be admired only from outside on account of security restrictions. Close to President's House, it is circular structure almost a kilometer in circumference, and was designed by the famed architect Luytens. It is the seat of Indian Parliament.

Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House): The official residence of the President of the country, the building was also designed by Luytens. It was the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India. With 340 rooms and an area of about 330 acres. The Mughal Gardens within the complex are a treat for the eyes and are open to public during certain periods of the year.

Akshardham Temple: Representing the Hindu mythology and the Indian culture, the Akshardham Templestands on the banks of river Yamuna, covering an area of 100 acres. This modern-day wonder boasts 234 embellished pillars, 20,000 statues and a number of arches. The temple complex houses an IMAX theatre, exhibition halls and musical fountains. Surrounded by beautifully laid out garden, the temple attracts lakhs of tourists from far and wide. The temple is built in marble and red sandstone, symbolising devotion and eternal peace.

Lodhi Gardens: Lodi Gardens is a park in Delhi, Spread over 90 acres, it contains, Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century Sayyid and Lodis, a Pashtun dynasty which ruled much of Northern India during the 16th century, and the site is now protected by Archeological Survey of India. It is beautiful and serene, and is a hotspot for morning walks for the Delhiites.

Qutub Minar: The Qutub Minar a tower in Delhi 72.5 meters (237.8 ft) is the world's tallest brick minaret. Construction commenced in 1193 under the orders of India's first Muslim ruler Qutb-ud-din Aibak, The Qutb Minar is notable for being one of the earliest and most prominent examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as Qutub complex.






Lotus Temple: The Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi popularly known as the Lotus Temple due to its flowerlike shape, is a Bahá'í House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. It was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent. It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.

You can get all kind of hotels including lodges to seven star hotels like Trident, Redission etc in Delhi. The best way to commute in Delhi is Delhi Metro to save your time and money also. In Delhi you can see true Indian Culture & also enjoy Indian Foods too.

Plan you tour to India now. India is really great. All The Best!!!

Read More

Bangalore Travel Guide & Attractions

Bangalore also known as Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and fifth-most populous urban agglomeration.

Few Cities in the World have the power to attract and motivate a casual visitor to move there permanently. Bangalore is one of those rare cities which make people who are new to the City to call themselves proud Bangaloreans.

Bangalore, a real cool place on Planet Earth is the capital of Karnataka, in the southern part of India. It is indeed cool - the people, the place and of course the weather.

The headquarters of several public sector undertakings such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) are located in Bangalore. In June 1972 the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established under the Department of Space and headquartered in the city. Bangalore's IT industry is divided into three mainclusters — Software Technology Parks of India, International Tech Park, Bangalore and Electronics City. UB City, the headquarters of the United Breweries Group, is a high-end commercial zone. Infosys and Wipro, India's second and third largest software companies are headquartered in Bangalore, as are many of the global SEI-CMM Level 5 Companies.

Bangalore is unique in many ways. It has the most pleasant weather throughout the year which got itself the name "Pensioner's Paradise". It is the only cosmopolitan and multilingual city after Delhi in the country which has welcomed everyone who wanted to make their home in the city and this speaks of the hospitable nature of the Bangaloreans. Bangalore which was only a city known within India a couple of decades ago has now found its place in the World Map because of the export of best quality software and software professionals to the entire world. Bangalore is now on everybody's tour itinerary while visiting India and i have made a sincere attempt to provide all the necessary information both to tourists and residents of Bangalore. If there is any information which you feel should find a place in this blog, please drop a comment and would be certainly considered.

There are many great places to see in Bangalore. I have added some of the best places.

Vidhana Soudha: The legislative House of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. The then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13th July 1951. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 18.4 million. Marvel of neo-dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bangalore but in India.

Vikasa Soudha: This ultra modern construction, adjacent to majestic Vidhana Soudha built in the same classic style, is supposed to come fitted with the latest gizmos to help govern the state. It was inaugurated in February 2005.

Bangalore Palace: Bangalore palace was constructed by the Maharajahs of Mysore. For many years the building was neglected as a tourist attraction, but is now open to the public. This is a rundown building with paint peeling on the interior and generally a tourist trap to be avoided. The fee is Rs. 100/200 Indian/Foreigner and 500 to take photos even of the exterior. This includes a guide to point out things like the mounted elephant head, though no mention is made of the numerous nude paintings.

Tipu Sultan's Palace: This palace which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan. The two story structure is made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches.

The Bull Temple: Located in Basavanagudi, this temple is a typical Dravidian style temple & is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. 

The Maha Bodhi Society Temple: This temple is a relatively new structure, with the main shrine built as a replica of the historic stupa at Bodh Gaya. The temple grounds are very peaceful, and visitors are welcome to stroll around. In addition, the temple houses an excellent library of books on Buddhism, many of which are in English.

ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple: Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, This temple built on a hillock in Rajajinagar atop scenic surroundings, is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning, and abounds with shops selling devotional items and souvenirs.

Shiva Temple (Shiv Mandir), Old Airport Road: This temple has a massive monolith of Lord Shiva, located in the middle of an artificial pool. There is a cave-like walkthrough behind the statue. It is extremely crowded on the festival of Maha Shivaratri.

Cubbon Park: A 300 acre green lung in the center of the city. Sitting in the shade of one its many magnificent trees and watching towering bamboo sway in the breeze, it is hard to imagine that you are in the heart of a metropolis of over 8.8 million people and one of the world's most dynamic and fastest growing cities. Avoid the secluded areas. There is also a toy train offering children's rides.

The Lal Bagh: A meticulously cared for garden located on the southern part of the city. Throughout its 240 acre, there are lotus ponds, fountains, glass houses and stone formations that date back over 3.0 billion years. Described as the most romantic garden in India, it was laid during the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Bannerghatta National Park: This park is on the southern fringe of the city. This 100 sq.km national park consists mostly of dense forest and scrub land, and is home to wild animals like bison, leopard, wild boar as well as being an important corridor for elephants migrating between the eastern and western ghats.

Wonder La Amusement park: A new attraction in Bangalore. It is India's biggest amusement and water park which belongs to V-Guard firm. This park boasts of several rides (both ground & water). This is one of the best spots to visit in Bangalore. It is in the outskirts of the city off Mysore Road. This Park is very expensive so you should have enough money to enjoy.

Hesaraghatta Lake: This lake is 29 km from the city centre. It is a delightful artificial lake spread over 1,000 acre and provides facilities for sailing. A livestock breeding and poultry center have been established as a part od a Indo-Danish project.

There are many world class Five Star hotels available in Bangalore.

• The Lalit Ashok
• Taj Residency
• The Park Hotel
• Le Meridien
• Ista Hotel
• Royal Orchid Park Plaza
• The Chancery Pavilion
• The Paul

You can get some good cheap hotels all around the city.

Read More