Adventure India Holidays

On an average travel agent 25 to 30 inquiries daily about prominent trekking routes, adventure sports, mountaineering, rock climbing and camping sites. Now, not only professional trekkers but also amateurs and children are trekking and climbing in the state,’ as per the report from travel agents. According to the tourism department, over 65,000 tourists, mainly from north and south India, have been travel to the Himalayan state over the past two months. Popular tourist town Manali is in the middle of a heavy rush of adventure seekers. ‘This season with heavy summer rays is actually responsible for quite good traffic as more than 20,000 tourists have reached Manali for adventure-related activities. The arrival of adventure tourists will continue till the onset of winter,’ disclosed by a prominent travel agent in Manali “Mehar Chand Thakur”. Manali has over 40 travel agents who specialize in adventure tourism India. ‘Most tourists, particularly foreigners, prefer to tread the lofty slopes in Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts,’ he said.

The Manali-based Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, which conducts mountaineering expeditions, high-altitude treks and white-water rafting, are also getting good response from professionals and amateurs. ‘A large number of enquiries have been received from trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world regarding trekking routes, mountain peaks, camping sites and climatic conditions,’ said Rajeev Sharma, a senior mountaineering instructor at the Institute. The institute, set up in 1961, is also conducting special activities while India holidays for corporate executives, students and families in adventure sports – mountaineering, backpacking, skiing, soft adventure, trekking, rafting, kayaking and paragliding. ‘The response (to adventure activities) is good. A number of camps are under way in the mountains,’ Sharma said.

Some popular treks include Tirthan-Sainj that passes through the Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district. Blessed with magnificent glaciers, lofty mountains and gurgling streams, the five-day trek is an ideal getaway for professionals. It takes one from an altitude of 1,700 metres to about 5,800 metres. Rohit Sood, who runs a rafting centre in Kullu town, said: ‘White-water rafting in the Kullu valley is gaining ground by the day as an adventure sport activity.

This year the rafting season is fine as a large number of daredevils are coming to test them. ‘There is a sharp increase in commercial activity in the valley. Now more than 40 agencies are dealing with rafting. Himachal Pradesh, with population of just over six million, attracts nearby 9.30 million domestic and 360,000 foreign tourists last year. Kullu and Manali are the hotspots for tourists, followed by Shimla and Dharamsala.

I Love Touring Italy – Bergamo and Lake Como

If you are in the mood for a European vacation, why not consider the city of Bergamo and Lake Como in the Lombardy region of northern Italy? Depending on your individual interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can savor classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. It is hardly undiscovered, but that shouldn’t stop you from going. With a little effort you should be able to find some relatively untouched spots. Be sure to read the companion articles in this series that present Milan, small town Lombardy outside of its capital Milan, and the Lake Garda district with its interesting political past.

We start our Lombardy tour at Bergamo east of the capital Milan. Then we head northeast to the shores of Lake Como and tour the lake in a counterclockwise direction exploring Bellagio, Villa Melzi, and Como at the southern tip of the lake and then head back up north stopping at the island of Isola Comacina, and then finishing our tour at Tremezzo with its centerpiece Villa Carlotta. If you so desire, continue your tour by heading west to Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. You won’t be disappointed.

Bergamo, population about 120,000, was founded by the Celts well over two thousand years ago. It is the only city mentioned here that is not on or near a lake, but really that shouldn’t stop you from visiting. This medieval city, tucked behind ancient walls, overlooks or perhaps we should say underlooks the Alps. It is divided into two sectors connected by funiculars (cable cars); the older Bergamo Alta (Upper Bergamo) and the modern Bergamo Bassa (Lower Bergamo). Can you guess which Bergamo I prefer?

The large Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was started in the Twelfth Century but its construction went on for centuries. The Torre Civica (Bell Tower) was completed towards the end of the Fifteenth Century. The church is right on the Piazza Vecchia (Old Square) in Bergamo Alta. Climb to the top for a great view of the Old City.

Bergamo was the birthplace and home of Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), composer of some 75 operas including the famous Lucia di Lammermoor, 16 symphonies, and a multitude of other musical works. He is buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore Church. If you like opera visit the Museo Donizettiano (Donizetti Museum.)

The Cathedral of San Vincenzo and Battistero are both situated on Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square), the old heart of the medieval city and in all likelihood the heart of the Roman city way back when. Their lovelier neighbor is the Fifteenth Century Renaissance Capella Colleoni (Colleoni Chapel).

Lake Como is a glacial lake shaped like an upside Y. It is about 28 miles (54 kilometers) long and at most 2 miles (3 kilometers) wide making it the third largest lake in Italy. Lake Como is one of the deepest lakes in all Europe.

Bellagio, population three thousand, sits at the center of Lake Como’s Y. It was a tourist center even in the days of the Romans. The famous composers Liszt and Schubert vacationed here, as did the writers Pliny the Elder (Classical Roman), Longfellow, and Shelley. This town is so special that Las Vegas has honored it with a hotel. I don’t need to see both Bellagios to know which one I prefer. Try to get here outside the high season of July and August.

Be sure to see the Villa Serbelloni surrounded by acres and acres of gardens laid out in a multitude of styles. It is now an international conference center for scholars and artists.

Back in 1801-1803 Count Francesco Melzi d’Eril was Vice-President of Napoleon’s Italian Republic. Several years later, perhaps to drown his sorrows over the Republic’s brevity, he built the Neo-Classical Villa Melzi in the south end of Bellagio right on the lake. Its garden, the only part of the Villa open to the public, is said to be the first example of an English garden on Lake Como. The spectacular garden includes a Japanese pond complete with waterlilies surrounded by Japanese maples and cedars, Egyptian sculptures, and Roman statues.

Como, population about sixty thousand, is situated at the very southern tip of Lake Como. Would you believe that it took Lombardy’s capital city Milan nearly a decade to defeat little Como way back in the Twelfth Century? Not very long afterwards, Frederick I, the Holy Roman Emperor, destroyed Milan and built several defensive towers ringing Como. Only the Bardadello Tower still remains. Climb up it and get a great view of the entire lake.

Like most Italian cities, Como has a fine series of old churches to tour. Here are some of them: The Duomo (Cathedral) a Fourteenth Century Renaissance-Gothic structure with statues of two of the city’s most famous residents, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger from Classical Roman times; San Fedele, an Eleventh Century Romanesque church with a beautifully carved door; and Sant’Agostino, Fourteenth Century Cistercian church proud of its old frescoes and Baroque decorations.

Italy produces over 90% of Europe’s silk and most Italian silk is produced in the Como region. Italian silk is a billion Euro (far exceeding a billion Dollar) industry. Find out more at the Museo Didacttico della Seta (Silk Museum). You can shop for fine silks at many nearby stores and warehouse outlets.

Isola Comacina (Comacina Island) is the only island in Lake Como. Do you remember the lengthy wars between Como and Milan? Well at that time the island residents sided with Milan and there was hell to pay. In the words of the then Bishop “No longer shall bells ring, no stone shall be put on stone, nobody shall be host, under pain of unnatural death.” At the start of World War I Isola Comacina was given to the King of Belgium who donated it to Italy after the war. It now hosts artists and scholars.

Head north to the resort town Tremezzo, population 1300. Its highlight is Villa Carlotta, built during a fifty some year period starting towards the end of the Seventeenth Century. When you see this villa you’ll know why it took so long to construct. The grounds are spectacular including for example more than 150 varieties of azelias and rhododendrons. Its art museum is dedicated to neoclassical art. For a change of pace, visit the Museum of Agricultural Tools located in an ancient greenhouse on the property. While the Villa Carlotta does not rent to tourists, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is definitely quite classy.

What about food? In this part of Lombardy the cuisine is divided into three main sectors. The lake cuisine specializes in fish with some local favorites such as dried shad. The area around Tremezzo is known for vegetables such as asparagus. The mountain cuisine is based on polenta, a sort of corn bread often flavored with cheese or cheese, butter, and garlic. Other mountain specialties include free-range chickens, kid, and game. The third category is valley cuisine based on cattle and cheese, especially Taleggio and various goat milk cheeses.

Let’s suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Fettuccine con Funghi (Fettuccine with Mushrooms.) Then try Agnoni all Comasca (Lake Como Fried Fish with Anchovy Filets). For dessert indulge yourself with Torte Paradiso con Mascarpone (Sponge Cake with Mascarpone Cheese.) Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.

We conclude with a quick look at Lombardy wine. Lombardy ranks number 11 of the 20 Italian regions when it comes to acreage devoted to wine grapes and the total annual wine production. The region produces about 62% red and ros?nd 38% white wine, but there is little ros?There are 15 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Over 47% of Lombardy wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the sparkling Franciacorta said to compete with French Champagne and priced accordingly, the red Sforzato di Valtellina, and the red Valtellina Superiore.

Interestingly enough no DOC wines originate in the vicinity of Lake Como, Lake Orta, or Lake Maggiore. However, Bergamo is home to two DOC wines, Valcalepio and Scanzo/Moscato di Scanzo. The Valcalepio DOC is vinified in several styles. The dry red and the dry white come from international grape varieties such as Merlot and Chardonnay. The sweet white wine comes from a local grape and has recently been classified at the Scanzo/Moscato di Scanzo DOC. I have not had the pleasure of tasting either of these wines. I have had the disappointment of tasting the sparkling Franciacorta DOCG wine made not far east of Bergamo.

How to Determine Whether a Single Trip or an Annual Travel Insurance Policy is Right for You?

There are many different types of traveler who requires travel insurance coverage. Many people save all year to enjoy a vacation at a beach destination or resort. Others, like business people, travel frequently as their lifestyle requires. The travel insurance industry has recognized the variety of traveler. In doing so, the Canadian travel insurance companies have designed different type of insurance plan to meet the needs of both types of traveler.

Travel insurance can be purchased with 2 types of duration;

1)a single trip plan which only covers the days that you are away, and

2)an annual plan that covered you for an unlimited number of trips up to a maximum length of stay.

Single Trip Travel Insurance

Single Trip travel insurance coverage is designed to cave the traveler for the exact number of days that they plan to be away. Coverage can be purchased for trip that last anywhere from 2 days to 182 days (212 days in Ontario). In special situations where the traveler has arranged to extend their provincial health coverage, the trip length may be extended to 1 year. The benefit of single trip coverage is that you purchase only the number of days you are away. This ensures you do not pay for days of coverage that you do not require.

Coverage normally includes Emergency medical insurance up to $5 million worth of major medical expenses and hospital expenses. This usually includes emergency medical evacuation, dental accidents and other benefits. Comprehensive or All-Inclusive coverage can also be purchased in Single Trip plans. Comprehensive normally plans bundle Baggage, Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage along with the Emergency Medical coverage.

To get details on the insurance benefits that some travel insurance companies offer, go to our website at http://www.travelinsurancequotes.ca

Annual or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

The other type of travel medical insurance is the annual or multi-trip travel insurance plan. This plan is perfect for business owners, corporate executives, and any other frequent traveler who requires travel insurance coverage for multiple trips within a year.

One of the key advantages of this type of plan is that coverage is already in force when last minute travel is required. This avoids the need to scramble to buy travel insurance at the last minute. Also, purchasing annual multi-trip insurance is cheaper for frequent travelers. The cost of an annual plan is normally the equivalent cost of 2 single trip plans.

Annual travel insurance plans normally include emergency medical coverage up to $5 million during the life of the policy. The plan is purchased to cover a set number of days for each trip. Trip lengths can be purchased with periods from 4 days to 180 days of coverage. If your trip happens to last beyond the maximum length allowed, you may then buy a top up to cover the days in excess of the number of days the annual plan covers.

Whatever plan you may choose to purchase, be sure to select the right one that suits your needs best. Always be sure to carry the policy of the insurance with you.

Cheap Europe travel tours: travel Europe within your budget

The second largest continent in the world is Europe and is considered to be a hub of holiday destinations and a continent with cultural diversities. It was never so reasonable to travel to Europe. It has now become possible and convenient to plan a holiday to Europe with the help of cheap Europe travel tours. This beautiful country has a lot to offer to its history lovers and nature lovers. It leaves the visitors from all across the world spell bound with its magnificent and beautiful destinations. Europe has numerous places of interest inclusive of World Heritage Sites as well as some of the Seven Wonders of the World; it has ample to share with its visitors in terms of history, culture as well as cuisines.

The popular countries of Europe such as Rome, Paris, London, Italy, Denmark, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain and Switzerland are some of popular countries of Europe that enjoy huge visitor rush. You will be able to visit and see some of the world famous places at reasonable rates from Eiffel tower to Colosseum museum in Rome. The wonderful sceneries, intriguing cultures and places of historical importance are common places. While moving from one destination to other it will be a totally unforgettable experience to encounter the contrasting customs and culture. With the help of this you will easily find useful and reliable information about all tourist spots which will enable easy navigation for you.

Cheap travel Europe is a complete tour package which is made available by many travel agencies. All the travel agencies make all the arrangements from tickets to room reservation, food and transportation arrangement and various such things. These package tours especially provide complete insight of Europe within your limited resources. Services provided by these agencies are of affordable rates. You can easily search online to compare various packages and apply for the one which suits you for a cheap travel to Europe.

A Travelling Job Experience

If, like me, you dream of travelling around the globe but without the grim prospect of feeling out of pocket all the time, then travel jobs will be the answer for you. It is all good to spend more or less a year saving up for a long trip around the globe and unless you are super-efficient at budgeting on a daily basis, and have no problem with keeping track of your pennies when you are out abroad then perhaps this option is a safe bet for you.
However, if like me again, you want to be able to travel around without having to worry about how much you going to spend on a daily basis but would like to earn some money for the experience, then perhaps looking into travel jobs will be ideal and suited to you. Employment in travel can vary greatly. Some are geared towards going to holiday destinations and acting as a rep for the company. Others can be within a chosen career path as an intern and in a country as far away as India!
Most people decide to travel after graduating or during a gap year at university, within that time period they may have decided to take on a small bar work for a bit of extra cash or more specifically have had to apply for a work visa to work for a small company and extend their stay. Other travel jobs can come in the form of acting as a camping counsellor and working with youths abroad. These jobs require more information and experience from applicants; though they are well paid, it requires some skill in communication, arts, crafts, cooking and hands-on manual work.
Working in travel may require some language skills, particularly when applying in France, Germany, Morrocco, Italy and Russia. A basic understanding maybe enough for small businesses, but other internship roles will specify a strong understanding of the native language with proven evidence e.g. A-Level or degree in a specific language. These jobs can be offered through a special programme via British Council who is very selective of candidates applying.
Another popular form of travelling and working is enrolling onto a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, which requires applicants to follow a structured course in teaching English abroad (popular destinations include Italy, China and Korea), gaining an accredited certificate in teaching then being assigned to a designated country for a period of time. Some of the placements offer substantial lodging as part of your salary.
One thing that is vital before embarking on a decision like this, always do your research about the organisation you going to sign up for regarding travel jobs and the country of your placement. Having some knowledge about working abroad, your rights, your pay structure and boarding facilities will enable you to be prepared for the worst should anything go wrong. Very often, these programmes rarely face issues but it is always better to be prepared nonetheless. Therefore, if you are thinking about travelling one day, then perhaps a little researching may help. Travelling these days is not as expensive as they used to be, making it easier for people to just go and experience an opportunity that may not rise in the future.

Tulum: Mexicoâ??s Best Kept Secret

Coming from a far away country, it was such a surprise to find the Mexican countryside and coast: a refresher from the busy city in which I spend my days.

 

One experience took us deep into the Mayan Riviera near the town of Tulum. Itâ??s a semi-unknown wonderland where white sand beaches oddly appear to be deserted: the perfect cure to a lifetime of honking horns and fast-paced city life. Old men selling mangoes and chilies by the side of the road along with one-dollar beers that just seem to taste so much better when theyâ??re consumed on the spot.

 

My first trip to Mexico was years back when I visited Tulum on more or less a whim. My wife and I had been traveling Europe for some time but had wanted desperately to explore Mexico after hearing great things about it from friends. Tulum and the surrounding villages did not disappoint. A small hut would have done fine, but Tulumâ??s seemingly-out-of-place posh hotels were the icing on the cake for the two of us: we love luxury travel but understand itâ??s not available anywhere. We donâ??t mind roughing it now and again, but in Tulum, paradise seemed to be just a feet away from the crashing waves.

 

The sun in Tulum is warm and soothing on the skin, especially after morning dips in the ocean. Mexicoâ??s Riviera is a somewhat jagged coast backdropped by lush rainforestâ??a contrast many of the hotels take advantage of: being so close to both ocean and rainforest. The people in Tulum were also ultra friendly: we even bought a small native mask from a little stand for fewer than five dollars!

 

The owners of the hotel we stayed at were also spectacular. They had come from Europe and we oh so friendly. There had been recent chaos surrounding one local radio host named Gaston Alegre Lopez but while we were there, the beaches and surroundings were as peaceful as can be.

 

We would go back to Tulum in a heartbeat and often recommend friends to travel Tulum as well. Itâ??s a lush and exclusive climate for a beach resort which attracts none of the trashy Cancun crowd. We visited in the summer, and planned to return in winter. Hopefully things will be just as we rememberâ?¦

International Travel Medical Insurance Tips To Help You Find The Cheapest Now

The domestic travel insurance plans are not designed to function very well with hospitals and doctors overseas, which can add to your frustration if you have problems while you’re traveling. The most serious problem the international traveler faces when he or she is on the move is the possibility of having a serious medical problem or uncovered travel insurance medical condition in a foreign country. However international travel medical insurance goes a long way in helping to take care of the problem.
In general terms, in the travel insurance market there are two types of insurance: travel medical insurance (or also called travel health insurance) which is more heavily weighted to cover you for any health-related problems that might occur while traveling outside of your home country and has a lesser amount of trip cancellation coverage included and the other type is trip cancellation insurance.
International travel for business or pleasure keeps growing at a fast pace and isn’t going to change anywhere in the near future. There are many types of international travel medical insurance today including student travel medical insurance, travel accident insurance and even backpackers travel insurance.
The watchword in international travel health insurance should be prudence and attention to the smallest details. Make sure to keep handy the addresses and phone numbers of the persons who are to be notified in the event you need to make a claim while you’re away. In case any emergency medical treatment is needed, have all the expenses listed in itemized bills so you can make your claim in the US or Canada.
It’s possible to get cheap international travel medical insurance. Some insurance policies don’t cover any pre-existing illnesses, and the agents will ask for a history of any health or medical problems. Medical costs all around the world are skyrocketing right now, due mostly to the advances in specialized equipment and the cost of advanced medicines and training specialists in a many different fields.
Be aware that you can exclude a medical condition that is pre-existing which can lower your insurance costs but you must be sure that the condition will not worsen while you’re are on your trip and cost you a lot more. Make sure that you have your coverage in place before you go abroad. Health insurance in the United States, like Medicare, should be carefully checked for the extent of the coverage in case you need to buy additional coverage.
There are so many types of health insurance today, each with its own range of small blueprints, that sometimes you’re better off getting help from reputable brokers or other professionals who are in the know. Whatever compromise you choose to make between the risks and the costs in your plan, shop around not only for cheap international travel medical insurance plans, but also for a stable reputable company that gives you total information, functions with an open view and does not evade any of your questions. The time frame for the insurance policy needs to be restricted to the actual time that you’re out of the country. The shorter this duration the lesser the cost, so shave off a few dollars there.
There are a few group insurance plans that are fairly cheap. If you’re with a tour group for foreign travel or a visiting business group or delegation you could save money with group travel medical insurance. Some international travel health insurance plans don’t accept hazardous vacations such as skydiving, paragliding, mountain climbing or ice skating. You want to make sure that the emergency evacuation is fully covered in any travel insurance that you buy.
International travel medical insurance is definitely a must for all travelers going out of their home country today. Whether you need coverage for your vacation or your relatives are visiting you from the old country, you want to make sure you all have proper coverage for any unforeseen major medical expenses
Remember that your greatest financial risk while you’re traveling outside of your home country is if you encounter any major health or medical problems. You want to avoid this risk with the proper coverage. If you already have travel insurance, check to make sure that it covers all major medical expenses including evacuation. Getting low cost or cheap international travel medical insurance is certainly possible without giving up any quality care you might need to have away from home.

Fresh Coffeeâ?¦You donâ??t Need To Go To Costa Rica For!

Travel is at the forefront of everyoneâ??s minds. Whether itâ??s just a week in the Costas or a month in the Medâ?¦we all love a good holiday.But when weâ??re not lounging in the sun, what do we love the mostâ?¦ relaxing at home with a tasty tea or a cool cup of coffee!Coffee is the nations pastime, and not just when weâ??re at home in front of the TV.More and more people are looking to gain that quality coffee taste when theyâ??re at work, at school or even on holiday!If we take office coffee  machine for example, when weâ??re at work on a Monday morning the first thing on most peoples lips isnâ??t: â??meeting the 12pm deadline,â? Itâ??s a cup of steaming hot coffee!â??Flaviaâ?? is one drinks machine manufacturer that I came across, who promises fresh tasting coffee every-time. Flavia are the leaders in implementing a source, seal and serve mantra, where only the best coffee beans are used. With other manufacturers following suite, itâ??s great for us as it means we get fresh tasting coffee every time. Many coffee machine manufacturers use coffee beans grown from master growers in parts of the world such as Colombia, Costa Rica and Kenya, this maintains a high level of quality and taste from start to finish. Unfortunately for us this also means that we donâ??t actually need to visit Costa Rica in order to taste their delicious coffee, these drinks machine manufacturers bring the taste to us! Coffee from around the world is big business and drinks suppliers know this. Coffee machine manufacturers such as Flavia want to keep us happy by providing us with fresh, fast coffee. You no longer need to visit your local coffee shop to find well traveled coffee, all you need to do is head to your local school, office or even a coffee connoisseurs home to find great tasting coffee from around the world in an easy to use, freshly sealed coffee machine. Enjoy well-traveled coffee without ever having to leave your homeâ?¦now thatâ??s what I call a holiday!