Ever wondered what India can offer to its tourist? Honestly, the country is home to hundreds of tourist destinations all rich with heroic histories. To cover all the destinations will cause thousands of pages so let us start our tour to India by visiting Jaipur, a state in Rajasthan dubbed as the Pink City.
Before I take you any further, let me assure you that while reading this you will definitely be joining millions of tourists wanting to visit India this coming year. To most Indians, Jaipur is considered one of the oldest and most progressive states in Rajasthan. Tourists can reach the place through air or land transportation facilities. Either means will give an astonishing experience.
Hawa Mahal : The Hawa Mahal is among the pride not just of Jaipur, but the entire India. Translated in English as the “Palace of Winds”, this two century old palace withstood the challenges of nature and changes of time. It was built in 1799 to resemble the crown of Krishna, the eight reincarnation of the Indian God, Vishnu.
Jantar Mantar : Another major tourist of the place is Jantar Mantar. The construction of the place began in 1727 and ended in 1734. It was created to serve as a laboratory for observing celestial movements essential for predicting its effects to the civilization. This remarkable architecture showcases fourteen geometric devices including the Samrat Jantar which was designed to tell the time of the day.
Amber Fort : Moving down is the Amber Fort. It is considered as one of the finest and oldest palaces in India built during the 15th century. The palace contains a mixture of Hindu and Muslim culture depicted from the architecture of the place. Some rooms are designed filled with thousands of tiny mirrors arranged to form wonderful figures.
Other tourist attractions of the Jaipur include the Albert Hall Museum, Birla Mandir, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, and the City Palace. Architectural designs of India are totally different from the rest of the world. This prides the Indian knowledge in architecture making thousands of landmarks through out the country.
Tourist Attractions of Jaipur
Delhi - Popular Tourist Place
The city of Delhi is divided into two parts - Old Delhi and New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital of India. It would be stating the obvious to say that New Delhi is then the region where all the administrative offices are situated. However, the area also includes other popular haunts which attract the bulk of the tourists. It is also the main business center of the city. You can navigate easily around the area with the help of a New Delhi map.
New Delhi may be called the metropolitan face of Delhi. It was designed by Edwin Lutyens who was a prominent British architect of the 20th century. It has a total area of 42.7 kms and serves as the center of the National Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is planned around two major promenades- Janpath and Rajpath. New Delhi map will help you navigate and reach places like Connaught Place and the areas around Rajpath, Defense Colony, Greater Kailash and Vasant Vihar where government offices are located. It lies to the south of Old Delhi, the original city which was designed by the Mughals.
New Delhi, as already mentioned, is the administrative capital of India. The Rashtrapati Bhawan, The Secretariat and the Parliament House are all situated here. It is also the home of several historical monuments as well as modern sights. The India Gate, Teen Murti Bhawan and various national museums may also be found here. Besides, New Delhi also spreads over seven ancient cities, namely, Lal Kot, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Kotla Feroz Shah, Jahanpanah and Indraprastha. Historical monuments such as Lodhi Gardens and Jantar Mantar are very popular for the foreign tourist. Tourist hotspots such as Janpath market, Sarojini Nagar market and Connaught Place are also situated in this region.
Romantic Khajuraho Temples to Visit
Khajuraho in India which are samples of finesse and great Erotic Sacred Art which in all its visual splendor raises the art of lovemaking from the Mundane to the Next Level of Consciousness. Though not for the Faint hearted, Khajuraho has many delights pleasing to the Eye if you are not too prudish that is.To know a little bit about Khajuraho which is situated in the Chhattarpur area in Madhya Pradesh County, you have to see it for yourself and take a grand tour of this intriguing place. The name of Khajuraho means date palm and it most famous for its medieval Erotic temples that were mainly build over a time span of approximately 100 years from around 950 A.D to 1050 A.D and there are many stories revolving around the building of these temples which are just as exciting to hear about as is visiting the Divine Places of Inspiration.
Moon Gods and Goddesses and tales of fair maidens, this place is like a centre for fairy tales and distant exotic stories and the Erotica is supposed to portray ways of lovemaking that were mainly used by Devotees in order to reach higher state of spiritual extact etc. There is one temple in particular dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva namely the Kandariya Mahadev temple which is an extremely ornate structure and is the tallest temple of them all. They all have intricate and complex structures which make this place increasingly popular with tourists from all over the World, no matter what their faith is.
So if you are looking to visit India and you want to see some signature Architectural pieces other than the Taj Mahal then Khajuraho should definitely be on your list.
Goa : A Honeymooner's Paradise
Choosing a destination for the experience of your drams isn't so easy but a place like Goa in India is a wonderful choice to make if you are head over heels in love and getting nearer to your wedding day. Lovely sandy beaches and laid back living make for a Paradise on Earth where service is par excellence and other goodies await you.
This former Portuguese colony boasts apart from miles and miles of endless beaches, great looking hotels and enchanting greenery that you won't find anywhere else. The scenery is not only unique but it is also enchanting which will fill you with memories for years to come. Taking a relaxing cruise could be right up your alley especially if you are looking to really indulge on your honeymoon adventure.
If you like culture and color then Goa has plenty of this when it comes to events that occur throughout the year especially the Easter and Christmas festivals where there is a lot of vibrancy and excitement going on. They also partake in fantastic New Year celebrations that will take your breath away so this might be an event in itself that you may wish to consider as part of your Honeymoon bliss.
There are ample of places to stay with accommodation ranging from snug little villas to glitzy and ritzy hotels depending of course on your taste and budget. The service and hospitality are second to none and the Local People are very warm and friendly as they are well accustomed to the Tourist Industry. Apart from having your honeymoon in Goa you could also maybe have a wedding in Goa too which are tailor made to your specifications and could be a great way to start your life together as a married coupe, getting married in a most scenic and beautiful resort like Goa.
Royal Bengal Tiger Tour India
A great and most unusual way to see parts of India is to go the Natural Route and take a Bengal Tiger Tour which will bring you face to face with the Infamous Bengal Tigers which make for stunning sight seeing of a different kind.
There are Royal Bengal Tigers and Rare White Bengal Tigers which makes Tiger watching in Bengal such a special experience. 3,250 - 4,700 Bengal tigers
The estimate fo the amount of Bengal Tigers in India ranges from between 3,250 - 4,700 tigers and apart from living in Tiger sanctuaries Bengal Tigers have also been successfully bred in zoos and Calcutta Zoo houses some fine specimens.
There are many places where you can find Bengal Tigers stretching from the Sundarbans to Kanha National Park. For a real safari trek to enjoy a good round of tiger watching can be experienced in Bandhavgarh National park where you will also enjoy the company of other wildlife such as elephant for example. This park was made a national park in 1968 and is home to so many species unique to the Indian Subcontinent and boasts other animals such as Sloth Bears and Indian Bison.
Another famous tiger reserve and national park is Ranthambore national Park and is situated in over 400 odd square kilometers of forest and is a site not to be missed by Tiger and Wild life Enthusiasts. This was originally a hunting ground for former Maharajas but now is a Tiger reserve with all the protection needed to keep the Eco Balance of the area at large.
There are so many other places to do tiger watching in India too and now there are special tours geared for Tiger Watching to suit all kinds of budgets. You can also combine other sightseeing with a trip to a tiger reserve included so you can have maybe some time to do other things on your vacation.
Kerala Backwater Tourism
Visiting the backwaters of Kerala in India can be an eye opening and wonderful experience especially for lovers of nature. There is just so much breath taking scenery to take in that one would need at least a couple of weeks just to indulge in the flavors of this fascinating part of the World.
1. Cochin is a place to find all types of remnant civilizations left from Chinese, Arabian and European travelers who surely left their mark on the Island and added to its oriental spice. This location has been dubbed the Queen of the Arabian Sea and truly lives up to its name. The tranquil setting is a place to unwind and relax and be one with your natural surroundings.
2. Alappuzha is full of romantic charm and has often been nicknamed the Venice of the East so it's appeal to the romantic courtships of old and new are still very apparent. There are lakes and lagoons to indulge in as well as activities such as boat races to give you an adrenalin rush.
3. Thiruvananthapuram being the Capital of Kerala is full of bustling joys and excitement and a Tourist's shopping paradise to boot. During the harvest season of Onam many festivities are taking place and you can visit holy shrines and Temples and partake in activities which wil refresh your spirit even if you are from a different faith, just the spiritual feel of the place will give you a sense of inner joy. This City is full of diversity and is famous for its beaches as well as politics.
4. The town of Kollam is known to be the doorway to Kerala's back drop destinations and has a history all of its own to lure travelers to its gates from all over the World. There are so many little islands and places to visit so be prepared to book a holiday of a lifetime before embarking on your journey as a few days isn't enough to soak in the beauty of Kerala's Backwater Sights.
The Heritage Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
Visiting Rajasthan is both enchanting and a romantic adventure. It is a place packed with palaces and forts entwining both the splendor and might of a once great hub filled with Maharajas and Princes who each had their own story to tell.
Here is a list of both the most important and prominent fortresses and palaces that any one who comes to this delightful part of India should not miss visiting.
FORTS
1. The Amber fort is a fine example fo Rajput style Architecture and was built around 11 kilometers outside of Jaipur which was once in ancient times the capital of the Jaipur State. It was started by Rajah Man Singh a great Commander of the Jaipur army in 1592. It was eventually extended and completely constructed later on by the Jai Singhs before moving to Jaipur. The location of the Fort is on a picturesque hillside overlooking a lake making it extraordinary in it's habitat. It's reflection in the Lake make it an exquisite example for photography.
2. The Meharanghar Fort was built in Jodhpur by Rao Jodha in 1459 when he changed his Capital and moved from Mandore to Jodhpur. It stands high on a hill and has encompassed within it's walls palaces and other buildings which now serve as a large museum for the area.T he Moti Mahalfor example is embellished with stained glass windows. Other buildings in the Fortress like the Darbar Takhat, Chandan Mahal,Umaid Vilas and Rang Mahal are places not to be missed by the Tourist.
3. The Sonar Kila or Golden Fort as it is affectionately known is based in Jaisalmer and was one of the older style fortresses of the Medieval period having been erected in 1156 by Bhatti Chief Jaisal and the reason for it being called the Golden fort is because it is basically created from yellow sandstone which gives it the Golden Hue it is famous for.
4. Another Fort Built in Jaipur was the Fort of Victory or Jaigarh Fort and it was also the National Treasury for many years. This was built at a later date by Sawai Jai Singh in 1726. This fort which stands high up on the Hill is very famous for housing the biggest cannon in the world called Jaivan.
PALACES
1. Visitors to Rajasthan must visit the Amer Palace as this is a wonderful and romantic vision of sheer beauty and intricate artwork. It was built by one of the Mughal Emperor Akbar's Generals, namely Raja Man Singh in the year 1600 AD and is situated near other great buildings such as the Raj Mahal and Diwan-e-Am.
2. The City Palce of Udaipur comes into its own as the great complex of buildings was built overlooking a peaceful and enchanting lake called Lake Pichola by a Maharana named Maharana Udai Singh. Other that followed built more and added more buildings. Built from granite and Marble it is like a pearl coming from the Lake and there are other buildings
such as the Jagdish Temple to visit within the Complex.
3. The City Palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in Jaipur was a hot spot for the then Royal Family and is a famous place to visit within the Pink City. This palace is famous for its numerous courtyards and immaculately cultivated and laid out gardens. A must for those who love to take a romantic stroll.
Himachal Pradesh The Land of God
Himachal Pradesh otherwise known as the Land of God but which actually translates as Land of Snowy 
Mountains is an Adventurer's Paradise. Situated in the North of India and surrounded by other interesting like Kashmir and Tibet. Himachal Pradesh has so much to offer the Trekker and Hiker who love mountaineering and is actually classed as the richest state in India due to its luscious environment and it even sells hydro electricity to other neighboring Indian states.
Being part of the Hymalayan Mountain Ranges this beautiful and awe inspiring place is a wonderful way to get oxygen in your lungs and revived especially if you are a city dweller. There are so many ways in which to enjoy Himachal Pradesh, whether you like spiritual or religious activities or Eco tourism, there is something to please everyone's eye from every angle of the Tourist Industry.
If you are visiting Chamba you will be enjoying scenes of a spiritual nature with many temples and places of worship to visit ranging from the Laxmi Narayan Temple to the Champavanati Temple complex.
The Lahaul Valley offers an interesting array of Monasteries and Royal Houses as well as festivals and fairs where Lamas give good entertainment for for Local and Foreigner alike. The Spiti Valley also known as Little Tibet is similar in terrain and culture as its neighbor Tibet with many other interesting sites to visit being a valley with an ancient history and cultural identity. Taking a view of the breattaing Bara Sigri Glacier which is in fact the second largest glacier in the World would be a great memory to take back home. The villages dotting this location have great panoramic value with horse and yak riding lending it's ethereal charm to life in the Valley.
Shimla in contrast to other places in Himachal Pradesh offers a Shopping Mall with so many diverse artefacts for the Buyer's pocket and a theater as well as other sights to visit including the State Museum and Institute of Advanced Studies. Summer Hill is a place to take tranquil walks and it is also a known fact that Mahatma Gandhi used to take his walks here. With so much to do and see here there would be no time even to mention the word boredom and a second visit to this astonishing place would be recommended as packing a tight schedule in a few days would not give you enough time to visit.
Visiting Himachal Pradesh would be a life changing experience and to get the best out of it you would have to spend at least a couple of weeks in order just to get a taster of this Land of God.