Top Ideas for an Unforgettable Holiday in India

Thousands of travellers from all over the world head to India in search of memorable holidays by reserving tickets on flights. Most of these holidaymakers throng the usual attractions such as the Taj Mahal, the backwaters of Kerala, culturally stimulating Rajasthan or populous urban centres like Delhi and Mumbai. But the true essence of India lies far from the maddening crowd, where unique experiences flourish amidst tranquil surroundings. Read on to find some lesser known gems on the path less travelled.

Tea tasting is an art and very few people have the taste buds to get it right, but that does not mean one shouldn’t try. For those purchasing tickets on flights terminating in India, the hill station of Darjeeling provides this unmatched opportunity and the best place by far is the Tumsong Tea Estate. At this place tourists can enjoy the warmth of a home-stay and the comfort of a boutique hotel rolled into one awesome stay experience.

There are some travellers who can adjust to the experience of a lackadaisical holiday only for a short while. For these free birds straining to take flights into the wilderness, there are numerous trekking adventures spread throughout the Nilgiris, Himalayas and the Shivalik mountain ranges. Such a trip gives holidaymakers, especially city dwellers, an unmatched opportunity to come closer with nature and cleanse themselves in the clean mountain air. Those who reserve air tickets to the country and participate in such an adventure are sure to gain much in terms of health and relaxation. Top choices for such an adventure on paths less travelled include Sandakfu in West Bengal of east India as well as numerous destinations in the north eastern India. 

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Abu Dhabi-Based Hotel Chain to Enter India

Tourists who are keen on India holidays and look to incorporate quality accommodation options in their vacation packages are likely to have more alternatives made available to them by Abu Dhabi-based hospitality group, Rotana. The group has plans in place to set up 20 properties in India in the next 10 years, offering multiple choices to all sorts of vacationers seeking packages for India holidays. The firm is seeking to debut in India with its flagship brand Rotana in the upscale category and the hotel apartment chain, Arjaan. Also, the hospitality group will introduce another of its brand, Centro in India.

Rotana Hotels and Resorts is more of upscale brand that aims to target the big spenders on their holidays in India. On the other hand, Arjaan is likely to appeal to budget vacationers who plan holidays and include mid-level accommodation choices in their packages. Centro is another budget option and is most likely to be hit among tourists looking for pocket-friendly options when booking holiday packages for India tour.

The company’s first property is expected to become operational in 2016 in the National Capital Region of India.

Internationally, the company has 46 properties in 10 countries. The firm has another 44 in the pipeline that are expected to come up by 2016 across 10 more countries.

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India to Target Faith Tourism to Boost Foreign Tourist Arrivals

Authorities in India are looking to put out all the stops in a bid to encourage global tourists to get hold of flights tickets and holiday deals for the country. The latest offering from this incredibly multi-cultural nation is the development of the faith tourism. This is to be done by setting up and establishing of more religious tourist circuits to lure spiritual minded to bag tickets deals on India flights. Apart from making foreigners dig deep for cheap options on flights tickets that would take them to India in an affordable manner, this latest move is also likely to give a push to the nation’s blossoming domestic ravel market.

India is already a popular tourist destination among ASEAN countries given its massive lures for Buddhist travellers. India is looking to set up more Buddhist centres and is also hoping to tempt Jewish travellers into making tickets reservations on flights by setting a Jewish centre in Kochi, a city in the southern part of the expanse.

Moreover, the authorities are looking to develop British-era war cemeteries, which is sure to lure more Britons into making tickets reservations on flights arriving in India. Sufi centres could be other circuits that could enchant followers and encourage them to seek cheap deals for flights tickets.

There has been a noticeable increase in the number of foreign tourist arrivals in India and the government hopes to keep the momentum going and keep on tempting tourists to grab flights tickets and holiday packages for India by developing more tourist-centric sites.

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SpiceJet to Start Flights Connecting Delhi and Riyadh

Flyers looking for a connection between India’s thriving capital, Delhi and Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh will now be able to grab cheap travel deals with SpiceJet.   

Revealed by various online media sources, India’s popular no frills carrier, SpiceJet is now offering tickets deals on its newest daily direct flights services on Delhi- Riyadh route from January 4, 2013. 

The airline is expected to deploy its sleek 189-seater Boeing 737 NG aircraft to offer tickets for its new flights between India’s capital and the largest city of Saudi Arabia. The development is sure to tempt increasingly higher number of budget passengers who are often to be seen in a look out for cheap flights tickets on the route.

Besides Riyadh, the airline is also offering tickets on direct flights connecting India and Guangzhou in China with effect from February 8, 2013. Including these two services, the airline sells tickets for seven international destinations in its network from India. Presently, the carrier operates only to Kathmandu, Colombo, Kabul, Dubai and Male.

In a recent development, the airline had announced its plans to launch new services on three new international routes, Kochi-Male, Kochi-Dubai and Ahmadabad-Dubai. Out of which, the airline has already launched its flights connecting South India’s city of Kochi to Male and Dubai on November 29 and December 10, 2012, respectively. It is all geared to kick start its new route connecting Ahmadabad and Dubai from December 19, 2012.

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Taj Group's Gateway to Expand Presence in India

Holiday makers and the business minded who think flights tickets for the incredible India is what they need to push their respective interests would be delighted to know that one of the world’s largest group of hotels, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has decided to establish few more properties in the country.

Gateway Hotels and Resorts, a part of the Taj group, will be opening new accommodation choices for domestic and international guests in different key cities of India. Meaning, foreign visitors booking tickets on flights arriving in India can now hope to enjoy the famous hospitality of the Taj at various places. And the setting up of new pads at metro cities of the nation could mean added options, in particular, for business travellers blocking tickets with airlines offering flights for the country.

In couple of years, hotels will be established in Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Faridabad and Hubli, allowing tourists taking flights tickets for all these places to enjoy premier choice of lodgings. As per sources, the Chennai one would be the first one to throw its gates open for guests. It is likely to do so by March 2013.

Furthermore, there are talks that the company would set up another 10 properties in several locations of India. Again, tourists taking tickets on India bound flights would be mighty pleased at the availability of quality rooms.

There are 22 Gateway properties in India, most of which are highly popular among domestic tourists and business travellers grabbing tickets on flights from Asian nations like China, Singapore and the Philippines.

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Jumeirah Group All Set to Make a Foray in Mumbai In 2017

India bound foreign business travellers and luxury seekers planning to book flights tickets in the future will have yet another lavish accommodation option as Dubai based hospitality giant, Jumeirah Group is all geared up to launch its first property in Mumbai, sometime in 2017. 

The maiden Indian venture of the renowned brand will feature 470 thoughtfully designed and tastefully decorated rooms, suites and serviced apartments to offer extremely comfortable and elegant stays to luxury seekers buying tickets on international flights for holidays to India’s entertainment hub, Mumbai. 

The property is also set to feature a wide range of restaurants and bars, extensive conference, wedding, banqueting and meeting facilities, and a Talise spa to delight sybarites visiting Mumbai after booking tickets on flights from across the world.  

Global luxury hospitality brand’s foray into the country is believed to be underpinned by its expansion strategy across the burgeoning India market. The company is also mulling over a few potential projects in other key destinations in India.

Jumeirah’s new property is sure to offer a fantastic set of facilities and amenities finely blended with its signature hospitality to tickets buyers for India bound flights. However, it would not be incorrect to say that the budget travellers who preferably book cheap flights tickets to the country are unlikely to opt for such plush property. 

Presently, the company operates 10 hotels and serviced apartments in the UAE, 7 properties in Europe, 2 properties in the Maldives and 1 estate in China.

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Top 10 Adventure Spots for Travellers Booking Flights to India

Millions of travellers book flights to India to explore the most thrilling adventurous spots in the country that make everyone exclaim "wow" out of excitement. The adventure holidays in India definitely add a pinch of excitement in everyone's life.     read more article........

Best winter holiday Destinations in India

As compared to the frosty weather in European nations, India witnesses pleasant climate during winters. Apparently, hordes of tourists take flights to India during December and January to enjoy awesome holidays complemented by balmy Indian weather.

India truly is a land of wonders that offers a unique experience with multitudes of panoramic sights, diverse sounds and unique smells. The snow capped mountains, teeming forests, lip-smacking cuisines, revered hospitality and diverse cultures - India surely is no ordinary holiday destination.

Winters are, unquestionably, the best time to experience the true Indian delights. While scorching heat and downpour ruins the fun of holidays in summers and monsoons, winter beguiles with soothing and rain-free clime. Unsurprisingly, throngs of tourists take flights to India during winter months of December and January for a perfect vacation to rejuvenate mind, body, and soul. Read on to know about 5 best destinations to travel during your India holidays in winters.

Munnar

A heavenly hill station located in Kerala, Munnar offers a perfect escapade from city’s hurly-burly. With picturesque mountains, leafy valleys, interminable sweep of tea and spice plantations and soothing climate, Munnar is one of the best Indian winter destinations to immerse in the pleasant climate and soak in the unceasing fun. Dotted with tea estates and lovely cottage villas, this quaint hill town remains incessantly covered with misty clouds. The cloud kissing mountain peaks here tempt adventurers to take cheap flights to India to partake in venturesome activities like paragliding and trekking expeditions.

Corbett National Park

Royal, statuesque and magnificent - Corbett National Park is one of the most sought after wildlife reserves in India. Known as tiger country, Corbett National park lures wildlife enthusiast with memorable adventure trips to explore the rich biodiversity and atypical flora and fauna of this national park that abounds tigers, elephants, hog deers and many other rare and exotic wildlife species. This amazing national park becomes hedonistically alive during winters teeming full with tourists.

Manali

With lush green hillsides, bubbling streams, cloud-kissing mountains and the majestic snow capped peaks - Manali offers the perfect winter holiday getaway. The beautiful hill town is one of the most important gateways to the snow caped mighty Himalayas. No wonder, the soaring peaks and leafy terrains of Manali tempt adventurers to take cheap flights to India to indulge in activities like skiing, hiking, mountaineering and river rafting. A walking tour to the Mall Road and the State Museum also remains on top of the wish list of those planning holidays here.

Delhi

One of the oldest cities in the world, Delhi is an ethnical conundrum. This vibrant Indian capital offers a rare encounter of modernity fused with antiquity at every nook and cranny. Delhi is known for its vibrant and colourful cultures and the best way to experience the rich culture of the city during winters is through its colourful festivals and events celebrated in winters. Many tourists on a shoe string budget browse through websites to find budget hotels and cheap flights to India during winters to partake in the gala celebrations of Indian Republic day observed on 26th January. The amazing acts and exhibits performed by the different units of the armed forces during the Republic Day Parade offers a fair idea about the rich history and the culture of the country.

Jodhpur

With numerous ancient monuments, architectural buildings, palaces, museums, gardens and temples – Jodhpur attracts a large number of tourists to book flights to India every year. This Blue City of Rajasthan is located in close proximity to Thar Desert, which massively lends a romantic aura to Jodhpur. The summers are generally scorching and extreme here. However, autumn through winter months are the most suitable time to visit this majestic city. The quaint antiquity morphed with the picture perfect setting of a vast desert coupled with the exquisite handicrafts, folk dances and folk music immensely add to the popularity of cheap tickets to Jodhpur.

India wins best destination award

More people could be looking to take cheap flights to India after the country was named as the best destination in the world at the World Travel Awards.

Union Tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai picked up the trophy for best destination and best marketing campaign from Graham Cooke, chairman of the World Travel Awards, at the ceremony in London on November 8th 2011.

Mr Sahai said that it was a privilege for the country to be given the prize.

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Catch flights to India to see a Buddhist festival

A traditional Buddhist festival is just one of the many cultural attractions in store for those catching flights to India this summer.

The annual celebration of Yuru Kabgyat takes place during the month of June at the ancient Lamayaru Monastery, which dates back more 850 years.

Known to the locals at Yuru Gonpa, this temple in the Ladakh region of Northern India was founded by monks from the Drikungpa School of Tibetan Buddhism.

The temple's founder Nimagon visited the site on which it stands in 1143 AD and, upon seeing that the entire valley was full of water, he said "may a monastery be founded in this place", made offerings to the gods, and the water drained away.

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Songs, shrines and shopping at Indian holy fair

The Indian celebration of Banganga Fair is due to take place this May, with thousands of Hindu worshippers drawn to the historic town of Bairath in the Jaipur region.

Marked on the full-moon day of Vaishakh season, devotees engage in rituals and blessings as part of a lively and exciting festival.

A visit to the holy site of Radha-Krishnaji Temple on the banks of the Banganga River is believed to purify the soul, as Hindus sing traditional devotional songs or bhajans.

The day also features bathing in the sacred river as well as processions to the nearby shrines to pay homage to various gods.

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Processions and dancing kick off Indian festivals

Culture vultures catching flights to India should take note - today (April 13th) marks the start of Baisakhi, a major Sikh festival that is celebrated throughout the country.

This day is widely celebrated throughout India, with devotees visiting temples to thank god for the harvest and take part in celebratory processions and traditional performances.

Local men will perform the bhangra dance, which tells the story of the agricultural process, from tilling the soil through to harvesting.

Baisakhi is the commemoration of the day in the 17th century when the Khalsa (Sikh brotherhood) was founded by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

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Hotel chain acquires Jodhpur property

Design Hotels has added a unique property to its Indian portfolio after acquiring a 300-year-old mansion in Jodhpur.

RAAS is a 39-room hotel that was completely renovated by local brothers. It is nestled in the foot of the Meherangarh Fort and is close to the Clock Tower.

It is the first boutique accommodation in the region and could appeal to those looking for luxury when taking flights to India for a holiday.

"Every red sandstone, every pebblewash terrazzo panel is the product of hundreds of hours of local craftsmen. I'd be very happy if people who stay here don’t perceive luxury from just a big bed, but the luxury of the handcrafted work done especially for this place," explained RAAS co-founder Nikhilendra Singh.

Guests can enjoy the hotel's courtyard which has an infinity pool and terraced gardens or select from a range of activities on offer including camel safaris and desert picnics.

The hotel is a well-placed for those taking flights to Delhi as it is a 20 minute drive from the city's international airport.

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India: One of the Most Popular Holiday Destinations in the World

India is the most diverse country in the world. People flock to this country to have a experience of a lifetime. No wonder it is such a popular destination among tourists. Number of flights to India has increased drastically in the recent times.


Tremendously huge, interestingly ancient, exquisitely colourful - India is a mesmerising country that holds a special place in the world of tourism on the sheer basis of its beauty and diversity. India is a flamboyant kaleidoscope of landscapes, wonderful historical sites, majestic cities and quaint villages, beautiful beaches, colourful people, rich cultures and revelry. If you are intrigued by this fascinating country and plan to pay a visit then you would be happy to know that there is a plethora of airlines that operate flights to India. Apart from full service airlines passengers can also book with low cost carriers operating cheap flights to India. The country has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world due to several attributes. Some of them are listed below.

Tourist Attractions
India is a large country and there is no dearth of great tourist attractions in the region. Places such as Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Goa are great crowd pullers. Additional noteworthy tourist destinations include Manali, Kerela, Shimla, Jammu, Kashmir and Dalhousie and spiritual duo - Hardwar and Rishikesh among many others. Several airlines offer cheap air tickets for travelers to visit these destinations. Some of the major tourist destinations are:

Delhi
Delhi is the political capital of India that is renowned for its beauty and diversity. This charming city can be overwhelming for some visitors. The human and mechanical traffic at the city can be quite bewildering and scary but as you get over the initial uncertainties you will find that Delhi is full of glittering gems. Enthralling historical monuments, interesting museums, some of the world’s yummiest food and a vivacious performing-arts scene make Delhi a big hit among tourists.

Rajasthan
Rajasthan is considered as the royal state of India. It is also the most colourful region of the country with glorious wildlife, delectable cuisine, remarkable folk music and warm people. Jaipur, Udaipur, Mt. Abu, Jodhpur and Pushkar are some of the many tourist attractions in the state. Rajasthan is a big favourite among western tourists, especially from the UK. No wonder there are so many flights from UK to India including direct flights from London to Delhi which is perfect launch pad to start your Rajasthan expedition.

Agra
Agra holds the world’s most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, which draws tourists like moths to a flame. It is a remarkable structure that is a must visit on your holidays in India. Agra also holds several other brilliant monuments that are equally fascinating.

Goa
Goa is a mini Europe in India. Influenced heavily by the Portuguese culture, Goa is one of the places in India that is most frequented by the international visitors. The Portuguese culture is visible through various facets of Goa like food, festivals, language and religion. Goa combines great historical legacy with remarkable natural beauty. The region is best known for its pristine white sand beaches.

Food
The Indian cuisine is all about a variety and more often than not is cooked in lot of spices. Being a diverse country, each region of India has its own distinct cuisine. The food available in the country is absolutely delectable be it the legendary street food or the local or international cuisines dished out in the swanky restaurant in its cities. Quite often travellers fall in love with the spicy local delicacies. Mughlai food has always been on the top of the preference lists of British travellers and Delhi is a perfect place to try some. Although all major cities have popular places to eat, if you are in Delhi don’t miss the old Delhi area for a unique food experience.

Festivals
Indian festivals are as much fun to be a part of as they are intricate with quaint traditions, lights and tonnes of excitement. The numerous festivals in India are observed with gaiety and fervour. These festivals are like glittering gems in the crown of Indian culture. Festivals have always seen a surge in the number or travellers and holidaymakers heading towards India. If you really want to have a memorable holiday in India, visit the country during October or November which is the time for the country’s biggest festival, Diwali - the festival of lights which offers a profusion of lights, sounds and colours. Travellers are likely to get great deals on cheap flights to India during this time.

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Golden Triangle holidays - Explore the legacy of India

For any excursion to India to be meaningful, touring the Golden Triangle circuit is a must. Covering Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, tourists get to see the splendid Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Hawa Mahal and many other historical monuments that offer fascinating insights into India’s rich and complex history. New Delhi is an enigma for tourists who book flights to India for the first time. Be it the imposing Humayun tomb, colossal Qutab Minar, impressive Red Fort, captivating Jantar Mantar, celebrated Jama Masjid or the entrancing Lotus Temple. The city offers rare insights into India’s varied and complex history like no other city. No wonder all international airlines offer cheap flights from UK airports for those who want to explore India’s rich and fascinating history. Tourists can relive the grandeur of the British Raj by visiting the imperial India Gate, Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan that stand, even today, as classic examples of Victorian architecture. Experience the tempo and chaos of New Delhi in its busy markets, high streets & the rush hour traffic. It is beneath the commotion of the city appeal that one can discover the real Delhi.

Continue your Golden Triangle Tour and you will be enthralled by the sheer exquisiteness and architectural brilliance of the structures built during the Mughal era. Marble–white structures with sparkling blue pools, pillars stamped with intricate carvings, decorative staircases and sunlit vents with light streaming through the windows. The architectural splendour of these places would leave an indelible imprint on your psyche and you will surely count this Golden Triangle tour as the best part of your holidays to India. Though you will find forts and palaces in all the states of India, it is Rajasthan where you find the most opulence & grandeur. Rajasthan has preserved its royal heritage that is visible in the forts, palaces and havelis that still retain their pristine glory. Constructed by the legendary rulers of the Marwar state, forts, palaces and monuments in Rajasthan still retain their architectural splendour and have withstood the vagaries of time. The last leg of your tour should include a trip to the Agra where you get to see the iconic Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The city will cast a spell on you and you won’t feel like coming out of the place soon.

Wait no further, surf the web for all cheap fares to India as there are a number of airlines offering great deals. It is advisable that you ask you agent to book the package deal as you tend to save more when you book the flights and hotels together.

Driving holiday offer could be ideal for those on cheap flights to India

Holidaymakers heading to India on cheap flights to Delhi could take advantage of a new deal being offered by car rental firm Avis.

Avis India has announced a range of new driving holiday packages for both self drive and chauffeur drives, giving travellers taking a cheap flight to Delhi the chance to see this fascinating country in luxurious style. The driving packages have been put together to mark the country's hosting of the Commonwealth Games, which are due to begin on October 3rd this year.

Avis India is also offering as much as a fifth off the cost of car rental bookings made by those travelling to the nation for the event, as well as special packages including trips to famous temples and forts.

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Discover India 'with the locals'

Anyone who is considering booking flights to India may find the experiences of one couple useful when planning their itinerary.

Saurav Jha and Devapriya Roy have both left their jobs and are travelling around their home country, following recommendations by people on social networking site Facebook, Asian Lite reported. The couple told news provider IANS that they wanted to "see India as it is".

"We decided to move the way the locals do in an area - talk with them, hear their stories and become part of them," Jha explained.

Named the Heat and Dust project, the pair will write a book about their experiences once their trip ends, which is scheduled for publication in June next year. So far, they have visited destinations such as Mumbai, Bhopal, Kerala and Pune. Their journey is set to finish at the end of July.

People who have booked flights to India may be interested in one region's latest tourism campaign. The mountain area of Himachal Pradesh has come up with a scheme to promote "traditional cultures of hill villages" in an attempt to develop them as important tourism destinations.

Holidaymaker numbers to India on the rise

More people are taking holidays to India compared with last year, according to a new report.

The latest World Tourism Barometer from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) shows that tourist arrivals in India registered a double-digit increase in the first two months of 2010 over the same time last year.

Asia and Pacific destinations in general saw the highest growth compared with other global regions during this timeframe.

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Book flights to India 'for one of the world's best massages'

People in search of the perfect massage should book flights to India and pay a visit to Meena Guring, according to one travel writer.

Adriaane Pielou has picked out her ten favourite therapists around the world and Meena is one of the best when it comes to massages. The Daily Telegraph journalist highlighted a testimonial from Espa founder Susan Harmsworth, who commented that the Indian masseuse "touches the lives of everyone she meets".

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