Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Tower of London

If you are going to make a trip to London this summer, you may already be thinking about what to visit. London is one of those cities you can not do everything, and where you really need to plan ahead what you want to see and do. It is also one of those cities where it's worth getting online and advance tickets to various attractions. Sometimes this will let you get a discount. In other cases, even if the price is the same or very similar to what you pay for entry into the attraction itself, book your ticket online saves you the time would have to wait in line to get their input on the same day your visit.

This is also the case for the Tour at the Tower of London , we offer today. You can book your pass to see all the best the best of this attraction, a favorite of those who make tourism in London. This ticket allows you to save a few pounds for the cost of your admission ticket and you can enter the Tower of London through the line quickly , without having to wait longer in line with all those who still have to pay for his ticket. Especially for summer visits when he can get very crowded with tourists in London, our tickets to " skip row "for the Tour at the Tower of London are the best option to visit this attraction.

If you do not know much about the Tower of London, is an old building in the city of London, which opened in the eleventh century, more specifically, in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Successive monarchs worked in the modification, renewal and extension of this tower, which is listed as a World Heritage Site.

The strength of the Tower of London is incredible and allows you to make an imaginary journey into the past of England. The Tower of London and its ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, many of which will be revealed during his visit to London. The gardens are a multitude of crows pampered while the crown jewels shine in fortified vaults.

Considered one of the world's most famous fortresses, the Tower of London is about 900 years of history are revealed within its walls. During his tour at the Tower of London you can learn all about this place so special and different uses in the story. At various times, and in some cases with overlapping features, the tower served as a fortress, a royal palace as a place of execution, a prison, such as mint, a menagerie, and as an arsenal.

There's plenty to see and do during a tour of the Tower of London . Inside the tower you can find variety of permanent collections and buildings to visit as well as special activities, events and exhibitions throughout the year. Your ticket for the tour of the Tower of London includes admission to most of these events and various special activities.

So what is included in the tour of the Tower of London? Here's a rundown of the best things you can see during your visit to the Tower of London

• Your tour of the Tower of London includes a visit to the Jewel House, where you can see the crown jewels used and preserved by the sovereign of Great Britain. This stunning room will be allowed to look at the historic diamonds that are part of the royalties that are used when a new king is crowned in the UK. A total of 23,578 gems make these crown jewels. The collection is very special and is, therefore, carefully guarded by an armed guard.

• The White Tower is one of the visits are also included in the tour at the Tower of London. During the reign of William the Conqueror (from 1066MHz to 1087), the Tower of London had its beginning as a fortress and a royal palace. The White Tower, former home of William, now houses the different armor from the Royal Armouries collection. There you can see historic instruments of torture, as well as some armor as the famous Henry VIII.

• Tour of 'Beefeater' or Yeoman Warder, also part of his tour of the Tower of London is a guided tour led by a Yeoman Guardian. These people, popularly known as 'Beefeaters', are the ceremonial guards of the Tower of London. The Beefeaters will keep you entertained with his stories of executions, intrigue, torture, betrayal, imprisonment, passion, pain and much more. Arrogance and a smile of these guards, and how they articulate their positions as they tell these stories, make this tour an unforgettable experience. This is one of the most popular and famous excursions from those offered in the Tower of London. The tour of the Beefeaters is done every day, at intervals of every half hour from the opening of Tower of London and until 3.30 pm in summer and 2.30 pm during the winter. The tour lasts 60 minutes or so, and the meeting point to start the walk takes place at the main entrance of the Tower of London.

• Some of the most famous Tower of London ravens are also guardians of the Tower. Legend says that if the six ravens depart from the Tower of London would be the end and fall of both the Tower and around the UK. On arrival at the Tower of London, ask for "guidance of the Tower Ravens," which will be provided free of charge to the mere presentation of their ticket. Then the attempt to find and discover the charms of these crows while doing his tour of the different areas of the Tower of London.

• The Medieval Palace: With its stunning interiors, a visit to the medieval palace in the Tower of London allows you to discover what life was like in those days, and experience the aromas and sounds of medieval life in this house, that gives little luxury is in relation to the time period it belongs to.

• In the past, high-ranking personalities were executed in the Tower of London, specifically on the Green Tower. It was there that many of the familiar characters from the history of the United States died after the issuing of the order to kill them. Three queens of England are on the list of those executed in the Tower Green: The second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, which had about thirty at the time of his execution - the fifth wife of Henry VIII, Catherine Howard - she, with just over twenty years when the execution took place -, and Lady Jane Grey, who was only 16 years ... when it is executed (!!!!)!

• Speaking of Lady Jane Grey, do not forget to visit his graffiti and learn about it. Lady Jane Grey was queen for only nine days, after which he was first imprisoned and later executed in the Tower of London. But is it possible that at this time has left a graffiti on the stone? Visit the Tower of London to find out!

• The exhibition of prisoners is an interactive display for the whole family, where children and adults can explore the stories of people who were imprisoned in the Tower of London at different times since the beginning of the tower and along its history.

• If both tour, walking tour starts and give it a little peckish, you can shop around New Armouries restaurant (in Spanish: "New Armor". If you visit the Tower of London with his family, you can take advantage of supply of good family meal. This is by buying a main meal for an adult will receive a 50% discount on up to three plates of food for children.

• After eating, and if you feel a little crowded, you can relax in a walk through the east wall of the Tower of London. In this case, you can start from the Torre de la Sal in the courtyard, enjoying the beautiful views of the city of London and explore the four towers and the massive defensive wall or curtain inside.

If you have any questions while doing his tour of the Tower of London, you will be more than welcome to come Yeoman guards or keepers of the White Tower Jewel House at any time during your visit. They are ready and willing to respond with joy to all your questions.

The Tour of the Tower of London, we are offering right now is basically a ticket that allows you to "jump the line." By purchasing this ticket on our website, you can go directly to the group ticket window at the Tower of London. This way you can avoid the queue and does not waste your valuable vacation time. As explained above, this becomes especially useful for a city like London where there is plenty to do and tourist always feels like you do not have enough time on it. With our ticket for the Tour of the Tower of London, the entry procedure is quick and easy. Moreover, as you have to check out our detailed list of things to do in the Tower of London, all internal admission tickets - once you buy our ticket to enter the Tower - included in the ticket price .

This is a simple entrance ticket + sautéed row ticket, so no shuttle service to and from hotel included. You need to find their way to the tower, which is easy to find if you follow the River Thames. The Tower of London is on the eastern edge of the city of London. It's right next to the River Thames, next to the famous Tower Bridge (in English: Tower Bridge).

You can visit the Tower of London at any time during opening hours. From 1 March to 31 October, the Tower of London is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm. On Sundays and Mondays, the Tower is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Please note the time of the last admission is at 5 o'clock pm, although we recommend having at least 3 hours to fully enjoy your tour at the Tower of London.

In winter, from November 1st to the 28th of February, the Tower is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday and Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The schedule of the last entry in the winter is at 4 hours, but once again, we recommend staying there for three hours. There are many things to visit in the Tower of London, and it will not be able to see everything.

The tower is wheelchair accessible and is a great option to visit with his family while doing family tourism in London. The cost of the tour at the Tower of London ticket "skipping the line" will also save you some money. Each ticket costs £ 18.00 for adults, or the equivalent of € 20.40. Reduction is applied to older adults (60 to 99 years old) who pay £ 15.50 or € 17.57. Children 5 to 15 years of age (inclusive) pay £ 9.50 or € 10.77. In addition, infants and toddlers up to 4 years old may enter free with accompanying adults.

Your ticket to the Tour at the Tower of London includes a guided tour by the tour or Yeoman Warder 'Beefeater' tour in the White Tower, the historical setting that occur in vivo, the entrance to the exhibition on prisoners Tower and much more, including also all that mentioned above. What is not included in the ticket are food and beverages, gratuities, which are always optional and lending of audio guides, which can apply in their own tower for about 4 pounds.

If you are on a trip to London, especially if you are taking your children with you on this trip, the tour at the Tower of London is one the whole family will enjoy. Buying your ticket in advance will save you time and money, which will be appreciated by even enjoy your trip to London. See you soon in London!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Palitana Temple in Shatrunjaya

Near the town of Palitana are the hills of Shatrunjaya, One of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Jain faith. Palitana is located in the district Bhavnagar about 50 km southwest of Bhavnagar city. In a number of accommodation (dharmashalas) in Palitana town pilgrims and tourists find accommodation.

In the Temple City Shatrunjaya is one of the biggest tourist attractions is definitely in Gujarat. To the temples, between the 11th and 17 Century were built to go, you have to beat around 4,000 steps over 3.5 km.

Please note that no one is allowed to stay after sunset on the hill, even the priests retire to their monasteries and leave the gods alone among themselves. The more than 1,000 temples on the hill are mostly made of exquisite marble.
Getting there

Flights are available to our research, to follow only between Mumbai (Bombay) and 50km away Bhavnagar. After Palitana you will then local trains. Bhavnagar itself is next to the aircraft via Mumbai (Bombay) But also easily accessible by train. Direct connections from Palitana to Mumbai (Bombay) and Ahmedabad are being planned. Of course there are also bus and taxi connections between Bhavnagar and Palitana. The bus station in Palitana is situated at a 800 meters from the station.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Eco tourism in India

Eco-tourism is more than a catch phrase for nature loving travel and recreation. Eco-tourism is consecrated for preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world's natural and cultural environments. It accommodates and entertains visitors in a way that is minimally intrusive or destructive to the environment and sustains & supports the native cultures in the locations it is operating in. Responsibility of both travelers and service providers is the genuine meaning for Eco-tourism.
Eco-tourism also endeavours to encourage and support the diversity of local economies for which the India tourism related income is important. With support from tourists, local services and producers can compete with larger, foreign companies and local families can support themselves. Besides all these, the revenue produced from tourism helps and encourages governments to fund conservation projects and training programs.
Saving the environment around you and preserving the natural luxuries and forest life, that's what eco-tourism is all about. Whether it's about a nature camp or organizing trekking trips towards the unspoilt and inaccessible regions, one should always keep in mind not to create any mishap or disturbance in the life cycle of nature.
Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is typically defined as travel to vacation package destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible Eco-tourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water reuse, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities are an integral part of Eco-tourism.
Historical, biological and cultural conservation, preservation, sustainable development etc. are some of the fields closely related to Eco-Tourism. Many professionals have been involved in formulating and developing eco-tourism policies. They come from the fields of Geographic Information Systems, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Photography, Marine Biology and Oceanography, National and State Park Management, Environmental Sciences, Women in Development, Historians and Archaeologists, etc.
Eco-tourism is considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to the World Tourism Organization with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the world gross domestic product, 11.4% of all consumer spending - not a market to be taken lightly.

What is Eco-tourism?

Fundamentally, eco-tourism means making as little environmental impact as possible and helping to sustain the indigenous populace, thereby encouraging the preservation of wildlife and habitats when visiting a place. This is responsible form of India tours and tourism development, which encourages going back to natural products in every aspect of life. It is also the key to sustainable ecological development.
The International Eco-tourism Society defines eco-tourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." This means that those who implement and participate in Eco-tourism activities should follow the following principles:
Minimize impact

Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
Support international human rights and labour agreements
Aware of the Environment - Today the "Green Laws" of conservation are making people aware of how man and the environment can live symbiotically for more time to come and eco-tourism is the only way to maximize the economic, environmental and social benefits of tourism. Everyone is a stakeholder in the process and we clearly need to avoid our past shortcomings and negative impact that they have had.


In India too the movement is gathering momentum with more and more travel and travel related organisation's are addressing the needs of the eco-tourists and promoting tour itineraries through eco-tourism in the country. Some basic do's and don'ts of eco-tourism are listed below:
Do's
Carry back all non-degradable litter such as empty bottles, tins, plastic bags etc. These must not
litter the environment or be buried. They must be disposed in municipal dustbins only.
Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures.
Cut noise pollution. Do not blare aloud radios, tape recorders or other electronic entertainment
equipment in nature resorts, sanctuaries and wildlife parks.
In case temporary toilets are set-up near campsites, after defecation, cover with mud or sand. Make
sure that the spot is at least 30 meters away from the water source.
Respect people's privacy while taking photographs. Ask for prior permission before taking a
photograph.

Don'ts
Do not take away flora and fauna in the forms of cuttings, seeds or roots. It is illegal, especially in
the Himalayas. The environment is really delicate in this region and the bio-diversity of the region
has to be protected at all costs.

Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs while washing and bathing.
Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite.
Do not leave cigarettes butts or make open fires in the forests.
Do not consume aerated drinks, alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant and throw bottles in the wild.
Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them foodstuff or sweets. Respect local
traditions.
Polythene and plastics are non biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment and must not be
used and littered.
As a traveller, you will have an impact on the environment and culture of the place you are visiting. Here are some rules of thumb to make this impact positive!

Golden Rules When You Travel
Learn about your destination before you get there. Read guidebooks, travel articles, histories,
and/or novels by local authors and pay particular attention to customs such as greetings,
appropriate dress, eating behaviours, etc. Being sensitive to these customs will increase local
acceptance of you as a tourist and enrich your trip.

Follow established guidelines. Ask your eco-tour operator, guide and/or the local authorities what
their guidelines are for limiting tourism's impact on the environment and local culture. Staying on
trails, packing up your trash, and remaining set distances away from wildlife are a few ways to
minimize your impact in sensitive areas.

Seek out and support locally owned businesses. Support local businesses during your eco-travels to
ensure maximum community and conservation benefit from your spending.
Eco-Tourism in India is still at a very nascent stage, but there are for sure conscious efforts to save the fragile Himalayan Eco System and culture and heritage of the indigenous people, which is probably the largest concentration in the world.
Holiday Camping vis a vis Hotels accommodation are gathering momentum amongst the metropolis traveller. A plethora of holiday camping options are available in the Himalayan belt, where soft adventure tourism is packaged with holiday camping to create an acceptable eco-tourism product. Resorts tucked deep inside jungles of Karnataka, House-boats of Kerala, Tree Houses at Vythiri combine to make India one of the most diverse eco-tourism destinations on the planet.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Travel Guide

Several cities in Madhya Pradesh are extraordinary for their architecture and or scenic beauty. Three sites in Madhya Pradesh have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: the Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) including Devi Jagadambi temple, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003). Other architecturally significant or scenic sites include Ajaigarh, Amarkantak, Asirgarh, Bandhavgarh,Bawangaja, Bhopal, Chanderi, Chitrakuta, Dhar, Gwalior, Indore, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Mandu, Omkareshwar, Orchha, Pachmarhi, Shivpuri,Sonagiri and Ujjain. MP being very large geographically, and the history being spread over several millennia, a developing a comprehensive picture of heritage and architecture is a monumental task.
Bhimbetka
Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetka lies 46 km South of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. Here, in vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic cave-dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.
Did you know ?
Executed mainly in red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow, with themes taken from everyday events of eons ago, the scenes usually depict hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises, masking and household scenes.Animals such as bisons, tigers, lions, wild boar, elephants, antelopes, dogs, lizards, crocodiles, etc. have been depicted in some caves. Popular religious and ritual symbols also occur frequently.
Believe it or not
The colours used by the cave dwellers were prepared combining manganese, hematite, soft red stone and wooden coal. Sometimes the fat of animals and extracts of leaves were also used in the mixture. The colours have remained intact for many centuries due to the chemical reaction resulting from the oxide present on the surface of the rocks.

Must see
The superimposition of paintings shows that the same canvas was used by different people at different times. The drawings and paintings can be classified under seven different periods:
Period I - (Upper Paleolithic)
These are linear representations, in green and dark red, of huge figures of animals such as bisons, tigers and rhinoceros.
Period II - (Mesolithic)
Comparatively small in size, the stylized figures show linear decoration of the body. In addition to animals, there are human figures and hunting scenes, giving a clear picture of the weapons they used - barbed spears, pointed sticks, bow and arrows. The depiction of communal dances, birds, musical instruments, mother and child, pregnant women, men carrying dead animals, drinking and burials appear in rhythmic movement.
Period III - (Chaleolithic)
Similar to the paintings of Chaleolithic pottery, these drawings reveal that during the period, the cave dwellers of this area had come in contact with the agricultural communities of the Malwa plains and started an exchange of their requirements with each other.
Period IV & V - (Early History)
The figures of this group have a schematic and decorative style, and are painted mainly in red, white and yellow. The association is of riders, depiction of religious symbols, tunic-like dresses and the existence of scripts of different periods. The religious beliefs are represented by figures of yakshas, tree gods and magical sky chariots.
Period VI & VII - (Medieval)
These paintings are geometric, linear and more schematic, but show degeneration and crudeness in their artistic style.
SANCHI
Sanchi is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjayini, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant from adjacent Vidisha. Their son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Sri Lanka, where they converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism.
Did you know ?
A Chunar sandstone pillar fragment, shining with the proverbial Mauryan polish, lies near Stupa I and carries the famous edict of Ashoka warning against schism in the Buddhist community. Stupa 1 was found empty, while relics of the two disciples of Buddha enshrined in the adjacent Stupa 3 were carried away to England. The nearby modern temple has a reliquary containing the remains of a Buddhist teacher from another Stupa outside Sanchi.
The four gateways
Early Buddhist art has no finer expression than these toranas that surround the Great Stupa. The Buddha according to the tenets of early Buddhist art, is portrayed in symbols; the lotus representing his birth, the tree his enlightenment, the wheel derived from the title of his first sermon, the footprints and throne symbolizing his presence. These have been carved with such inspired intensity and imagery that, taken together with the surrounding figures, they are considered the finest of all Buddhist toranas and counter - balance the massive solidity of the stupa they encircle.Carved with stories of the Buddha's past and present lives and with incidents from the subsequent history of Buddhism, the gateways are the finest specimens of early classical art, which formed the seedbed for the entire vocabulary of later Indian art.
Two of the moving stories told on these portals are those of Prince Vessantara, who gave away his wealth, his wife and children out of charity and compassion, and of Buddha who, as the monkey king, sacrificed his life to save his companions.The inscriptions on the gateways mention donors from all over northern India and special mention is made of the ivory workers of Vidisha who sculpted the stone with the precision of jewellers.


Must see
The Sanchi hill goes up in shelves with Stupa 2 situated on a lower shelf, Stupa 1, Stupa 3, the 5th century Gupta Temple No.17 and the 7th century temple No. 18 are on the intermediate shelf and a later monastery is on the crowning shelf. The balustrade surrounding Stupa 2, carved with aniconic representations of the Buddha, was added in the late 2nd century BC under the Satavahanas.The adjacent Gupta temple no.17 was hailed by Sir John Marshall as one of the most rationally organized structures in Indian architecture. Though small, it was a herald of all the principles which went into the engineering of an Indian temple in the early medieval period. The Buddhas in the perambulatory surrounding Stupa 1 are not contemporary with the Stupa but belong to the Gupta period in the mid 5th century AD. The monastery and the temple with the tall pillars adjacent to Stupa 1 and the temple near the monastery on the crowning shelf illustrate the evolution of the architectural form after the 5th century Gupta temple.Below the hill, the Archaeological Survey of India Museum houses some of the earliest known stone sculptures in Indian art from the 3rd to the 1st century BC.
Great Stupa No. 1
The oldest stone structure in India. 36.5 mt in diameter and 16.4 mt high, with a massive hemispherical dome, the stupa stands in eternal majesty, the paved procession path around it worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.
The Eastern Gateway
Depicts the young prince, Gautama leaving his father's palace on his journey towards enlightenment and the dream his mother had before his birth.
The Western Gateway
Depicts the seven incarnations of the Buddha.
The Northern Gateway
Crowned by a wheel-of-law, this depicts the miracles associated with the Buddha as told in the jatakas.
The Southern Gateway
The birth of Gautama is revealed in a series of dramatically rich carvings.
Stupa No. 2
The stupa stands at the very edge of the hill and its most striking feature is the stone balustrade that rings it.
Stupa No. 3
Situated close to the great stupa. The hemispherical dome is crowned, as a mark of its special religious significance, with an umbrella of polished stone. The relics of Sariputta and Mahamogallena, two of the Buddha's earliest disciples, were found in its inmost chamber.
The Ashoka Pillar
Lies close to the Southern gateway of the Great Stupa, and is one of the finest examples of the Ashokan pillar and is known for its aesthetic proportions and exquisite structural balance.
The Buddhist Vihara
The sacred relics of the Satdhara Stupa, a few km away from Sanchi, have been enshrined in a glass casket on a platform in the inner sanctum of his modern monastery.
The Great Bowl
Carved out of one block of stone, this mammoth bowl contained the food that was distributed among the monks of Sanchi.
The Gupta Temple
In ruins now, this 5th century AD temple is one of the earliest known examples of temple architecture in India.
The Museum
The Archaeological Survey of India maintains a site museum at Sanchi. Noteworthy antiquities on display include the lion capital of the Ashokan pillar and metal objects used by the monks, discovered during excavations at Sanchi.