THE WOODS ARE LOVELY

DUKE’ FOREST LODGE- Nedumangadu, Near Thiruvananthapuram

How to get there:

The resort is 48 km from Thiruvananthapuram on the Ponmudi Road.

Things to do:

Go trekking in the reserve forest adjacent to the property; get a guided tour of a working plantation. Ayurveda treatments at the spa; indulge in rafting, fishing and swimming in the Kallar river. Visit the hill station of Ponmudi less than 18 km away and the Upper Golden Valley waterfalls. The Peppara Wildlife sanctuary and Bonakkad tea estate are also nearby. Arippa-Sankhili is a great place for bird-watching and Chittippara for rock-climbing.

Tariff:

Independent pool villa Rs. 6500/-
Pool side villa Rs. 4500/-
Standard Rooms Rs. 4500/-
Single Occupancy 10% less on tariff.

For reservations: Phone: 0472-2859272/73/74

www.dukesforest.com

The news gathered from a daily news paper.

VILLA RETREAT

HOLIDAY IN THE HILLS – KODAIKANAL

Kodaikanal is 145 km by road from Madurai. “VILLA RETREAT” is located on the cliff side just next to the famous Coaker’s Walk.

The hotel arranges local half-day and full day sightseeing trips. Or, go walking in the salubrious forested hills and valleys. Go boating on Kodaikanal lake or gorge on home-made chocolates. Else, simply stay in the room and enjoy the valley view from 6000 ft. Sip on tea in the well-manicured hotel garden.

TARIFF

Cottage: Rs. 3375/-
Classic Room: Rs. 2813/-
Deluxe Room: Rs. 1688/-
Standard Room: Rs. 1350/-

The tariff covers only accommodation. There are also special honeymoon and economy packages available for “two days and three nights”, including free sightseeing, pick up and drop and meals.

Contact: Ph: 04542-240940, 243557

E mail: stay@villaretreat.com

This information is gathered from a daily news paper.

VISAKHAPATNAM

Location: In Andhra Pradesh, India.

Situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal, Vishakhapatnam is bounded by the rocky outcrop known as Dolphin's Nose boasting a beautiful beach with a long beach road. The dense forests of Eastern Ghats on its west and mighty rivers such as Godavari and Indravati on its east, it is also known as Vizag. Surrounded by three hills, each having a shrine of their own belonging to a different religion, namely Venkateshwara temple on Venkateswara Konda, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on Dargah Konda and Church of the Virgin Mary on Rose hill. The city has been named after the God of 'Valor-Vishakha', and was once a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, which came under Ashoka's rule in 260 B.C. and it is reputed that it was the Great War here that changed the heat of the emperor. After that the Andhra Kings of 'Vengi', Pallavas, Cholas and rulers of the Ganga dynasties ruled the city. Finally, it was annexed to the Vijayanagar Empire in the 15th century.

Dominated by the Europeans since the 17th century, the Dutch, the French and the English used this port city as a major trading center to export textiles, ivory, tobacco, indigo and other items. It was a major port during the reign of the Asaf Jahis and the Golcondas. An important shipbuilding centre, Vishakahapatnam has the glory of launching the first steamer built in India in 1948. It is the only protected harbor on the Coromandel Coast. The major industries of the are are agriculture, shipbuilding, oil refinery, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel mills and a naval base. The true attractions of Vishakhapatnam are its lakes, cool beaches, beautiful hill ranges, caves, temples and valley enclosures. The annual tourism event 'Vishakha Utsav' held for three days from the third Friday to Sunday in the month of January, is not the one to be missed.

Shopping Attractions:

A city of shopkeepers, the shops of one commodity can be found huddled together here. Earlier the area around Kurupam market was famous for Gold and Silver shopping. Jewellery shops at Dwaraka Nagar, saris and handicrafts at Lepakshi are good ideas.

This information is gathered from a tourist site.

ALPINE HAVEN

In the bosom of the high Alps in Tirol, Austria, discover the quaint, upper crust charms of ski haven Kitsbuhel.

Kitsbuhel is for the premium visitor, the prosperous adventurer, the affording guest, the discerning gourmand and the active nature lover.

DESTINATION KITZBUHEL

Reach Kitzbuhel from nearby Munich (two hours) on super highways. The most convenient, non-stop and direct connection to Munich from Mumbai is on Lufthansa German Airlines.

ATTRACTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE

If the wide open countryside is your take, cruise leisurely into charming Aurach and Jochberg where wealthy farmers with heritage Alpine chalets welcome you to sample out-of-the world country Camembert cheese, home-made breads and herbal pastes. Explore quiet hamlets with onion-domed church spires, neat villas and well-tended greens capes. And to top up the Alpine fiesta, ride up to “Rosi Sonnabergstubn” the fabulous Tirolean lunch and beer, and have the effusive singing chef and owner Rosi strum up local ballads for your dining pleasure.

THINGS TO SHOP

Shop for Tirolean handicrafts, crystal, glassware, choicest wines, designer apparel, cheeses and Schnapps.

This finding is read from a daily news paper.

ON THE COFFEE TRIAL

THE GATEWAY HOTEL, CHIKMAGALUR

HOW TO GET THERE

The Gateway Hotel is 260 km from Bangalore. There are Volvo buses from Bangalore to Chikmagalur.

The closest airport is Mangalore (160 km) and the nearest railway station is Kadur (33 km).

THINGS TO DO

Watch the magician Syed Sardar Hussain in action. He swallows iron nails and doles out wonderful melodies from his unique musical instrument made from a coconut shell. His show is on every evening at the banquet hall.

Go on treks, Nature walk and bird watching (A naturalist has recorded 40 different species of birds during his stay here). Take a bullock cart (available at the hotel) ride and visit the villages.

You can visit historical places such as Belur and Halabedu, especially the Chennakesava temple belonging to the Hoysala dynasty in Belur.

Agumbe, the Cherapunji of the South is just 60 km away.

Go on a coffee tour (see the plucking of coffee beans, processing and packaging) and visit the coffee museum to get a visual experience of how coffee is grown.

Or just laze around in hammocks.

TARIFF

Standard garden view room-single –Rs. 5100/-, double – Rs. 5700/-
Superior pool view room-single- Rs. 5300/-, double Rs. 5700/-
Cottages- single Rs. 6000/-, double – Rs. 6600/-
A luxury tax of 10% is applicable.
The charge for an extra person is Rs.800/- plus taxes.

For details call: 08262-660660, 08262-660661 or
Email: gateway.chikmagalur@tajhotels.com or
Look up, www.thegatewayhotels.com

This information is read from a news paper and published for the vacation lovers