Tuesday, April 6, 2010

ENJOY A PARADISE IN AN ISLAND

COCOBAY RESORT, KUMARAKOM

HOW TO GET THERE


Cocobay resort is located 70 km from the Cochin International Airport and about 15 km from Kottayam Railway station. The resort arranges for boats to pick up from the mainland.

THINGS TO DO

Take a slow boat and drift on the waters.

Go speed boating or fishing.

Visit the bird sanctuary or the organic farm
.
Get on a household and travel through the backwaters.

De-stress with an ayurvedic massage.

TARIFF

A double bed suite costs Rs. 3,220/- off-season (till September 30) and about Rs. 5,000/- otherwise.

A family suite for four would cost around Rs. 5,000/- off-season and Rs. 7,500/- during the season. During high season (December 15-January 15) the rates are considerably high.

For reservations, call: 481-2523200, 2523400 or

E mail: reservations@cocobayresort.net.


VILLAGE VISTAS


HOTEL AANANDHAM SWAMIMALAI

KUMBAKONAM

HOW TO GET THERE

Aanandham Swamimalai is located in an agraharam in Thimmakudy village near Kumbakonam (4 km away) in Thanjavur (36 km away) district.
From Tiruchi, it is 91 km, from Madurai 211 km and from Chennai 300 km.

THINGS TO DO

Morning yoga and meditation classes are usually attended by all guests. So are the evening cultural programmes.

Visit the Swamimalai Temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, the Nagore Dargah, Velankanni Church or Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Shop for brassware, quality costume jewellery and iconography in Chidambaram, 74 km away.

Simply relax at the Bangla, feed the deer, ducks and hens, catch up with your sleep and reading after hearty meals.

TARIFF

There are 22 deluxe cottages, costing Rs. 3,000/- each; three deluxe suites costing Rs. 4,500/- each and a royal suite for Rs. 6,500/- (exclusive of taxes and meals).

For enquiries, call: 0435-2480044/385/406 or

Mail: swamimalai@indecohotels.com

Sunday, March 28, 2010

A RIVER SUTRA


AMBRRA RIVER RESORT

HOW TO GET THERE

The resort is an hour-and-a-half, by road from Coimbatore or Palakkad (both about 50 km away). Coimbatore is the closest airport. Pollachi (11 km) has a railway junction, but the nearest major rail head is Palakkad.

THINGS TO DO

Relax. Smell the earth, listen to the river and watch the birds. Enjoy the lush green fields and trek up the ghats. The hotel organizes trips to important spots such as Valparai and Top slip for Rs. 250/- per person. There is also a heritage tour to temples in the area.

The dams in Aliyar, Sholayar and Kadamparai are very close by.

TARIFF

A double bed A/C cottage costs Rs. 1,500/- on weekends and Rs. 1,200/- on weekdays. This includes the complimentary breakfast.

Non A/C cottages are available on weekdays for Rs. 850/-. An extra bed costs. Rs. 250/-.

For reservations contact: 9750761001, 9750761002, 9750761008 or
Visit: www.ecotour.co.in

BACKWATER HOMESTAY

                         ANTHRAPER GARDENS

                         A HOME ON THE BACK WATERS

                        HOW TO GET THERE


                        Cherthala is a 45-minute drive from Kochi and 30 minutes from Alleppey


                        THINGS TO DO

Ride a canoe on the backwaters, get a traditional Kerala massage, go fishing, sight-seeing, or head towards the beach.

TARIFF

The rates vary according to season. It ranges from Rs. 4,000/- to       Rs. 6,000/- for single rooms and Rs. 4,000/- to Rs. 8,000 for double rooms.

For details, call” 91-478-2813211 or



Visit: www.anthrapergardens.com



Friday, March 19, 2010

MISTY HEIGHTS


BLACKBERRY HILLS RESORT, MUNNAR

HOW TO GET THERE

The resort is well connected by road from major South Indian cities such as Cochin (140 km), Madurai (147 km) and Coimbatore (156 km), Alleppey (190 km) and Thiruvananthapuram (302 km).

THINGS TO DO

Go on a sight-seeing trip to nearby waterfalls and dams.

Take a guide and follow adventure trails, go trekking, mountain biking, and explore villages.

Go for hotel-organized jungle camps. The staff helps in organizing traditional games such as pakida, chaturangam and pallankuzhi

Stay indoors for an ayurvedic massage or read books from the small library.

TARIFF

Standard Cottages -Rs. 5,000/-
Deluxe Cottages- Rs. 5,750/-
Luxury Cottages-Rs. 6,500/- plus 15% tax.
The charge for an extra person is Rs. 1,000/-

This information gathered from a news paper.

HERE COMES THE SUN


THE CLARIDGES, SURAJKUND, HARYANA

Surajkund is not so far, after all 45 minutes drive from East Delhi by car.

THINGS TO DO

You can pay a visit to the 2000- year old sun temple surrounded by the Aravallis.

There is also an impressive sun pool with an amphitheater built by Raja Surajmal, after whom the place got its name. A quaint lake offers laid back boat rides under azure skies. If visiting in early February, you can enjoy the famous Surajkund Mela organized by Haryana Tourism.

TARIFF

The Claridge hotel has two introductory offers until September 30.

On weekdays, a one night stays in a deluxe room costs. Rs. 7,150/- excluding taxes. It includes buffet breakfast at oasis.

On weekends, one night and two days stay in a deluxe room costs Rs. 9,000/- excluding taxes. It includes a non-alcoholic welcome drink, sparkling wine with Sunday brunch at Oasis, 15% discount on food and beverages, happy hours at Bluebar, one complimentary massage, and late check out at 4 p.m.

For reservations, contact: 0129-4190000 or
email: resv.surajkund@claridges.com

This message is gathered from diffrent tourism web site.

Monday, March 8, 2010

OOTY


Often Referred to as 'The Queen of Hill Stations', Udhagamandalam, known as Ooty, is one of the most scenic and visited hill stations of India. Nestling at a height of 2240 m in Nilgiri's, Ooty is situated at a distance of nearly 105 Km from the famous city of Coimbatore. The scenery is surely the main attracting factor for tourists, but the other major reason for the huge inflow of the tourists is the salubrious climate that remains throughout the year.

Ooty first came into limelight when British found it in the year 1800. Although Ooty was inhabited way before, it was only in the nineteenth century that it became famous. Ooty was later chosen as the summer capital of the Chennai Presidency. The first railway track in Southern India also came up in Ooty. In fact, you can still take a ride in the one of the last few remaining steam trains in India that still operates here in Ooty. Apart from enjoying the splendors of Ooty leisurely, you can also indulge in some thrilling adventure sports like trekking, para gliding and hiking.

The attractions of the city !

Botanical Garden :

Botanical garden consists of numerous ornamental plants that adorn this garden. Botanical Garden is also the venue for the famous Flower Show held in May every year. The show itself attracts tourist from around the country and from foreign countries as well. The main attraction of the park is a fossil tree trunk which is proved to be more than 20 million years old.

Government Museum :

For all you history and culture buffs who wish to know more about the unique past and present of Tamil Nadu.the Government Museum is a must visit. Situated on Mysore road, the museum showcases items like tribal artefacts, district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of this wonderful state.

The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park :

Mukurthi Peak and the national park are situated about 40 Km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiri's Plateau. The area contains a noticeable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). The famous silent Valley is located on the Western side of these ranges.

St. Stephen's Church :

St. Stephen's Church is one of the oldest churches in entire South India. It is located on the Mysore road, near the Collectorate and dates back to the days of Rt. Hon'ble Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras. He laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. There are stained-glass painting on the Eastern side as well as behind the chancel. However the main attraction of the church is the glass paintings depicting Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On the Western wall, above the paneled doorways, is a large life-like painting of the Last Supper.

Pykara :

Situated about 21 Kms/13 Mile on the Ooty-Mysore Road, boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Todas settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir attracts many tourists.



Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary :

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nilgiri's District bordering Kerala as well as Karnataka State. The park is situated at an altitude of 1000 meters and covers an area of 321 sq. kms. The main fauna species found here are Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Wild Boar, Parcupine etc.

Doddabetta :

Doddabetta is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiri's and is only 10 km away from Ooty. Lying at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats, it is a must visit attractions for all tourists. The lofty heights of Doddabetta offers beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is also a telescope house run by TTDC.

What to shop :

Some of the most sought after items in Ooty are Eucalyptus oil, Honey, Cinchona products, coffee and Tea. Most of the shops are open from 9 am to till 8pm. Municipal Market, Co-operative Super Market and Upper and Lower Bazaar Roads are the main shopping destinations of Ooty.

Accessibility :

» By Air : Coimbatore at a distance of 100 Km is the nearest airport which is connected to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.

» By Road : Ooty is connected by good motor able road to Chennai and Coimbatore. There are regular bus services connecting Ooty to Coimbatore, Trichy and Bangalore

» By Rail : Ooty on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai.

» Close to the wheels :

Chennai - 539 k.m Bangalore - 290 k.m
Cochin - 281 k.m Coonoor - 13 k.m
Coimbatore - 98 k.m Koidaikanal - 236 k.m
Yercaud - 237 k.m

This information is gathered from a tourist web site.