Visiting Virginia Beach, Virginia can be an exciting way to spend your vacation this year. You will find that the beach is much of the attraction in this city of about 40,000 people although there certainly is much more to offer.
There are a number of beaches that you should consider visiting on your trip. For starters, go to Chick's Beach. It is the shortened name for the beach along Chesapeake Bay, one of the bodies of water that runs along this city. Chesapeake Bay has warm waters and mild surf most of the year, so this beach is a wonderful destination for people who are not so much into the wind and waves at the Oceanside beach. Instead you can sit back and read a good book or enjoy the sunshine without the hassle of a busy beach.
Sandbridge Beach is on the decidedly less touristy side of Virginia Beach. Sandbridge is the place where you will find many condos and rental homes instead of the typical hotel structures. There are three new apartment-like condominium complexes built on this side of the city, and you may want to see about a short-term stay in one of them.
If you are interested in leasing a timeshare or privately-owned house, then Sandbridge is the place for you. These houses range in size and price level, and you will find one of the comfort and amenity level you need, no matter what your desires. You also will be able to head out to the surf through the individual walkways leading you to the five miles of beach along Sandbridge. You can visit Little Island Park if you are having a family day at the beach. There you will find plenty of recreational activities and equipment, such as tennis courts and picnic areas with covered shelters and grills. This beachside location is one that the entire family can love.
If you want to know one of the best-kept secrets of the Virginia Beach area, then you should take a trip to the Croatan part of the beach scene. This out of the way beach area is far from the busy sections of town but has plenty of people. Those people are locals who consider Croatan to be their turf. They will not be bothersome, and the atmosphere can provide for a great day at the beach.
Atlantic Avenue is the lifeline of Virginia Beach. It is the street that lines the busiest of the city beaches. There are shops galore along Atlantic Avenue. You will find plenty of tourist digs, including t-shirts proclaiming local sayings, straw hats, sunglasses, suntan lotion, disposable cameras, and more. You also can find restaurants along the Atlantic Avenue side of the city. They range from fast food chain restaurants to nice local restaurants, so there is something for you with the kids and something for Mom and Dad when the sun goes down.
Atlantic Avenue also is host to the majority of the hotels in the area. You can find your basic, inexpensive family motel along with nicer resort-style hotels. Because most people who visit Virginia Beach stay in this section of town, you will find plenty else to do as well. There is a state boardwalk that boasts about famous Virginians. You can walk the boardwalk while you are touring the area. You also can visit the 24th Street Park, where you can walk along walkways and have food from vendors, see entertainment, and watch the ocean. There are miniature golf, basketball, and all of the other low-key forms of entertainment you may expect to find on a day at the beach.
Virginia Beach does not have the acclaim that other beaches around the United States may have. It is not crazy during spring break like Panama City or Daytona. It is not a haven for bikers, the wealthy, or families with small children. Instead this beach is a mix of everyone, and it is far less crowded and thus less expensive than many other beaches. In fact, even if you are not big on the beach, there are plenty of places you can find to keep you busy from museums to art centers. Whatever you want, Virginia Beach has it.
By Julia Mercer
Saturday, March 04, 2006
A Virginia Beach Vacation: More Than Ocean
Virginia Beach has a number of exciting places to visit besides just the ocean and bayside. One of the best parts about taking your vacation in Virginia Beach is that you can visit so many interesting places.
The first place you should stop if you are remotely interested in religion or philosophy is ARE. Edward Cayce, a mystic, founded this center, and it exists today as one of the leading places to find information on seminars and religious enlightenment. People who visit ARE can find seminars and interactive exhibits that will guide them through the beginnings of spiritual journeys.
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is another possible location for people who are visiting the area. This aquarium is really neat because it has 800,000 gallons of water! This water has fish and other marine life of all types. It also has a huge aviary, or bird sanctuary, where you can watch birds flying around overhead. The Marine Science Center has a number of interactive exhibits as well so that you can get a feel for various parts of marine life.
One of the neatest things in the area near Virginia Beach is the Virginia Air and Space Center. It is located in Hampton, which is not far from Virginia Beach, and it has the command module for Apollo 12 as well as other artifacts from the American space race. The artifacts are housed there because it was one of the original places for training astronauts and studying space. The city school system in Virginia Beach also has its own planetarium, and there are public presentations available many nights throughout the summer.
The Atlantic Avenue area of Virginia Beach is home to a number of restaurants and shops that will be perfect for your trip. In addition, you can find all of the typical vacation activities located there. You can bowl, play miniature golf, visit an arcade, or go to the movies. These activities are mundane, but they are often needed on a fast-paced vacation. You will find that after spending a few days on the ocean, everyone needs to relax, and these games are just the thing that will help you rejuvenate for the rest of your trip.
If you are into water sports, then Virginia Beach is the place to be. There are scores of local outfits offering jet ski rentals for ocean riding as well as skiing over the bay. You also can take a kayaking tour of the area. This tour is something that the family can do together. The tours last only a couple of hours, so you are not committing yourself to being out on the open water all day. You will be able to see the water up close on these beginner-friendly kayaks. Some of the companies even specialize in getting you up close and personal with the bottlenose dolphins that are often seen near the banks in Virginia Beach.
There are two areas, the 17th Street Stage and the 24th Street Park, that offer a wide variety of entertainment. These areas are a bit low-key, but they are definitely local hot spots. They have little walk-offs where you can hear concerts or see thespians performing. You also will be able to just walk along and have an ice cream cone from one of the local vendors along these walkways.
If you visit at the right time of the year, you can find ethnic festivals going on. Diversity is important in the Virginia Beach area as there are people representing a variety of nationalities. They show their cultural roots throughout the summer months with weekend festivals and periodic concerts and celebrations. To find out about these festivals, contact the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce to see when they will be held.
Virginia Beach provides so much entertainment that you find fun for the whole family. Be sure that you look at the schedule ahead of time to see what will be there when you are. You may just find that you have such a blast that you will return again and again. My family has vacationed in Virginia Beach twice, and we are looking forward to our next trip. I know you will feel the same.
By Julia Mercer
The first place you should stop if you are remotely interested in religion or philosophy is ARE. Edward Cayce, a mystic, founded this center, and it exists today as one of the leading places to find information on seminars and religious enlightenment. People who visit ARE can find seminars and interactive exhibits that will guide them through the beginnings of spiritual journeys.
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is another possible location for people who are visiting the area. This aquarium is really neat because it has 800,000 gallons of water! This water has fish and other marine life of all types. It also has a huge aviary, or bird sanctuary, where you can watch birds flying around overhead. The Marine Science Center has a number of interactive exhibits as well so that you can get a feel for various parts of marine life.
One of the neatest things in the area near Virginia Beach is the Virginia Air and Space Center. It is located in Hampton, which is not far from Virginia Beach, and it has the command module for Apollo 12 as well as other artifacts from the American space race. The artifacts are housed there because it was one of the original places for training astronauts and studying space. The city school system in Virginia Beach also has its own planetarium, and there are public presentations available many nights throughout the summer.
The Atlantic Avenue area of Virginia Beach is home to a number of restaurants and shops that will be perfect for your trip. In addition, you can find all of the typical vacation activities located there. You can bowl, play miniature golf, visit an arcade, or go to the movies. These activities are mundane, but they are often needed on a fast-paced vacation. You will find that after spending a few days on the ocean, everyone needs to relax, and these games are just the thing that will help you rejuvenate for the rest of your trip.
If you are into water sports, then Virginia Beach is the place to be. There are scores of local outfits offering jet ski rentals for ocean riding as well as skiing over the bay. You also can take a kayaking tour of the area. This tour is something that the family can do together. The tours last only a couple of hours, so you are not committing yourself to being out on the open water all day. You will be able to see the water up close on these beginner-friendly kayaks. Some of the companies even specialize in getting you up close and personal with the bottlenose dolphins that are often seen near the banks in Virginia Beach.
There are two areas, the 17th Street Stage and the 24th Street Park, that offer a wide variety of entertainment. These areas are a bit low-key, but they are definitely local hot spots. They have little walk-offs where you can hear concerts or see thespians performing. You also will be able to just walk along and have an ice cream cone from one of the local vendors along these walkways.
If you visit at the right time of the year, you can find ethnic festivals going on. Diversity is important in the Virginia Beach area as there are people representing a variety of nationalities. They show their cultural roots throughout the summer months with weekend festivals and periodic concerts and celebrations. To find out about these festivals, contact the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce to see when they will be held.
Virginia Beach provides so much entertainment that you find fun for the whole family. Be sure that you look at the schedule ahead of time to see what will be there when you are. You may just find that you have such a blast that you will return again and again. My family has vacationed in Virginia Beach twice, and we are looking forward to our next trip. I know you will feel the same.
By Julia Mercer
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
How to See the "City of Lights" Without Going Broke
While many of us embrace the idea of being able to go into any Parisian department store and pick out whatever we like, most of us have wallets that would groan at the effort. The truth is it costs enough to fly to the City of Lights and pay for the hotel and all of your meals; after this, many tourists are just about broke. There are ways to soothe your low-money syndrome; learn what to do in Paris that literally won't cost you a dime.
It's an impossible notion to visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Many of us delight at the very prospect. Again, you don't need to open your wallet to visit Paris' most famous attraction. Stand underneath this huge structure and you will be amazed at how tiny you feel as you gaze upwards. A little bit of back history: Although it seems like the Eiffel Tower has been a French landmark for centuries, it was actually only finished in the late 1880s. Parisians were hostile to the idea of this "ugly" thing gracing their land but now recognize its importance to their city.
Although there is an admission price, if you decide not to actually enter the tower, you can still come back at night to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle with countless lights. It's an amazing sight and human description cannot do it justice. Just make sure you have a camera that shoots at night. It would be a shame to miss the pictures you could get of this spectacular sight.
Moving on from the Eiffel Tower, the scope of free or almost-free attractions might seem to get a bit smaller. This is not necessarily so. Another beautiful place where you don't have to spend a dime to take in its beauty is the awe-inspiring Notre Dame Cathedral. This is quite easily one of the loveliest places in Europe and perhaps in the world. Not many gothic churches have stood the test of time as beautifully as Notre Dame (Our Lady). Take time to enjoy this medieval cathedral that was begun in the 12th century. Take note of the arches, towers and stained glass windows that have been the subject of numerous of photos and stories. It doesn't cost a thing to look, right? Don't forget to keep this in mind as you walk around the fantastic Notre Dame, snapping pictures and feeling the history of this dynamic place.
After your visit to Notre Dame, stop off at the Romanesque Arc de Triomphe. You may want to know the story behind its existence before you visit. The Arc de Triomphe was the brainchild of none other than France's infamous Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted the world to remember his wartime successes. The design is partly the work of Jean Chalgrin and was created to resemble the ancient Roman arches that can still be found in Italy. If you have the good fortune to get close, take notice of the extremely detailed work that was done to create countless artistic flourishes. Driving along at night (though perhaps not the best thing to do in Paris traffic) will provide a view of the Arc de Triomphe that will linger in your mind long after you return home.
For another eye-opening attraction that won't make your wallet groan, stop by Paris' Place de la Concorde. It may look harmless to the untrained eye, but if you were to step back about two hundred years, you would see some gruesome executions. It was the days of the French Revolution, and it was here that Marie Antoinette met her end. She was not the only one killed at this place, however. Many others were guillotined during those bloody times, and you may want to take a moment in silence as you stand at this now-peaceful spot, remembering those who lost their lives.
Walk around the Place de la Concorde, sit down and relax, enjoy Paris' often rainy but pleasant atmosphere. Take some pictures of the greens and perhaps some self-portraits at this historic spot. See if you can spot a famous landmark in the distance. There are very few things in Paris that do not have a long or at least a very interesting history.
Now, for an attraction you may have never heard of, visit the Pont Alexandre III. This is a lovely bridge that spans Paris' famous waterways. There are not many notions more romantic than standing on a Parisian bridge and looking out over the water to the City of Lights. The bridge was begun in 1896; Russia's Nicholas II set down the block that would officially begin the work on the bridge. Nicholas' father Alexander provided the bridge's name. Don't forget to take a moment to soak in your surroundings and actually register that you are overlooking Paris!
It's an impossible notion to visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Many of us delight at the very prospect. Again, you don't need to open your wallet to visit Paris' most famous attraction. Stand underneath this huge structure and you will be amazed at how tiny you feel as you gaze upwards. A little bit of back history: Although it seems like the Eiffel Tower has been a French landmark for centuries, it was actually only finished in the late 1880s. Parisians were hostile to the idea of this "ugly" thing gracing their land but now recognize its importance to their city.
Although there is an admission price, if you decide not to actually enter the tower, you can still come back at night to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle with countless lights. It's an amazing sight and human description cannot do it justice. Just make sure you have a camera that shoots at night. It would be a shame to miss the pictures you could get of this spectacular sight.
Moving on from the Eiffel Tower, the scope of free or almost-free attractions might seem to get a bit smaller. This is not necessarily so. Another beautiful place where you don't have to spend a dime to take in its beauty is the awe-inspiring Notre Dame Cathedral. This is quite easily one of the loveliest places in Europe and perhaps in the world. Not many gothic churches have stood the test of time as beautifully as Notre Dame (Our Lady). Take time to enjoy this medieval cathedral that was begun in the 12th century. Take note of the arches, towers and stained glass windows that have been the subject of numerous of photos and stories. It doesn't cost a thing to look, right? Don't forget to keep this in mind as you walk around the fantastic Notre Dame, snapping pictures and feeling the history of this dynamic place.
After your visit to Notre Dame, stop off at the Romanesque Arc de Triomphe. You may want to know the story behind its existence before you visit. The Arc de Triomphe was the brainchild of none other than France's infamous Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted the world to remember his wartime successes. The design is partly the work of Jean Chalgrin and was created to resemble the ancient Roman arches that can still be found in Italy. If you have the good fortune to get close, take notice of the extremely detailed work that was done to create countless artistic flourishes. Driving along at night (though perhaps not the best thing to do in Paris traffic) will provide a view of the Arc de Triomphe that will linger in your mind long after you return home.
For another eye-opening attraction that won't make your wallet groan, stop by Paris' Place de la Concorde. It may look harmless to the untrained eye, but if you were to step back about two hundred years, you would see some gruesome executions. It was the days of the French Revolution, and it was here that Marie Antoinette met her end. She was not the only one killed at this place, however. Many others were guillotined during those bloody times, and you may want to take a moment in silence as you stand at this now-peaceful spot, remembering those who lost their lives.
Walk around the Place de la Concorde, sit down and relax, enjoy Paris' often rainy but pleasant atmosphere. Take some pictures of the greens and perhaps some self-portraits at this historic spot. See if you can spot a famous landmark in the distance. There are very few things in Paris that do not have a long or at least a very interesting history.
Now, for an attraction you may have never heard of, visit the Pont Alexandre III. This is a lovely bridge that spans Paris' famous waterways. There are not many notions more romantic than standing on a Parisian bridge and looking out over the water to the City of Lights. The bridge was begun in 1896; Russia's Nicholas II set down the block that would officially begin the work on the bridge. Nicholas' father Alexander provided the bridge's name. Don't forget to take a moment to soak in your surroundings and actually register that you are overlooking Paris!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Illuminate Your Vacation: East Coast Lighthouses
It has been my pleasure to have visited many lighthouses in my travels up and down the East Coast. There is something majestic, mysterious and awe-inspiring about the sight of a lighthouse perched high above the water. No matter what the color scheme or design, each separate tower seems beautiful to those who love the sea. If you're taking a trip along America's Atlantic coastline, you'll be surprised at how many lighthouses you will encounter. This is just a small smattering of the structures that light the coast, but in my opinion are some of the most beautiful.
Cape May Lighthouse in New Jersey is an off-white tower soaring to the skies. It reaches a height of over 150 feet. The stunning lighthouse, built in the mid-1800s, is still used to help sea-farers find their way home. You can visit the Cape May Lighthouse and take a tour if you think you can weather the climb! The view would be well worth it, but it seems a daunting task to many.
Along the coast of New Jersey there is a place once named Anglesey that is situated near the tourist resort of Wildwood. The lighthouse in question is called Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind. Instead of sporting a huge tower that reaches to the clouds, Hereford Inlet is a short Victorian-style building with a handsome red roof and a squat tower that houses the all-important light. It sits high up, near a cliff, and so doesn't need to stretch tall to guide ships at sea.
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is as mysterious on the inside as it is on the outside; while media boasts of the lighthouse's hauntings, visitors take a tour through the place that was also once the keeper's home. Staircases are hidden behind walls, and narrow iron steps take you higher and higher until you reach the light tower. From here you can see the bleak, choppy waves.
For a bit of history, the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was originally built in the 1800s in a gothic style but moved to its current spot at a later date. When I visited, gardens and walkways tapered off in a lovely fashion to a cliff where you could see miles out to sea. It was a wonderful experience and helped to further my knowledge of the lives of those who depended on the ocean for their livelihood.
Heading down further south to Georgia, you may wish to stop off at the quaint and romantic St. Simons Island. Although you can't see the original (you can thank soldiers during the Civil War for that!) you can stop by the newest version of the 19th century lighthouse. St. Simons Island Lighthouse is a tall, white tower stretching over the narrow sandy beaches and St. Simons' rustic pier. A children's play area and a sort of family-friendly park stretch below its tower, and tours are available. Once you enter the lighthouse grounds you will see a picturesque brick building at its base; this was the keeper's quarters. The admission to tour the lighthouse is very reasonable, ranging from $5.00 for adults to $2.50 for children (over the age of 6 and under 12). If you are traveling with children younger than 6 they will be admitted free.
When you reach Florida you will see one lighthouse that stands out from the rest if only by virtue of the historic city it watches over: quaint St. Augustine, Florida. The St. Augustine Lighthouse, rebuilt and renovated throughout the years since its 19th century construction has more than its fair share of treachery and legend. The current lighthouse is a beautiful black-and-white tower located on Anastasia Island.
Although the island (located across from St. Augustine) is very commercial and tourist-oriented, the lighthouse seems to be on the quieter, more unspoiled end of the island. You can see the brick keeper's house and visit a spacious gift shop. For the admission price of $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids, you can visit the grounds and the museum. The admission to the tower itself is a bit different, ranging from $7.75 adult to $5.00 for a child's admission. You should know which parts of the complex you will want to visit before you arrive. Don't be afraid to climb the tower. The view of the city from the top of the tower will be one you won't soon forget.
Cape May Lighthouse in New Jersey is an off-white tower soaring to the skies. It reaches a height of over 150 feet. The stunning lighthouse, built in the mid-1800s, is still used to help sea-farers find their way home. You can visit the Cape May Lighthouse and take a tour if you think you can weather the climb! The view would be well worth it, but it seems a daunting task to many.
Along the coast of New Jersey there is a place once named Anglesey that is situated near the tourist resort of Wildwood. The lighthouse in question is called Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind. Instead of sporting a huge tower that reaches to the clouds, Hereford Inlet is a short Victorian-style building with a handsome red roof and a squat tower that houses the all-important light. It sits high up, near a cliff, and so doesn't need to stretch tall to guide ships at sea.
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is as mysterious on the inside as it is on the outside; while media boasts of the lighthouse's hauntings, visitors take a tour through the place that was also once the keeper's home. Staircases are hidden behind walls, and narrow iron steps take you higher and higher until you reach the light tower. From here you can see the bleak, choppy waves.
For a bit of history, the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was originally built in the 1800s in a gothic style but moved to its current spot at a later date. When I visited, gardens and walkways tapered off in a lovely fashion to a cliff where you could see miles out to sea. It was a wonderful experience and helped to further my knowledge of the lives of those who depended on the ocean for their livelihood.
Heading down further south to Georgia, you may wish to stop off at the quaint and romantic St. Simons Island. Although you can't see the original (you can thank soldiers during the Civil War for that!) you can stop by the newest version of the 19th century lighthouse. St. Simons Island Lighthouse is a tall, white tower stretching over the narrow sandy beaches and St. Simons' rustic pier. A children's play area and a sort of family-friendly park stretch below its tower, and tours are available. Once you enter the lighthouse grounds you will see a picturesque brick building at its base; this was the keeper's quarters. The admission to tour the lighthouse is very reasonable, ranging from $5.00 for adults to $2.50 for children (over the age of 6 and under 12). If you are traveling with children younger than 6 they will be admitted free.
When you reach Florida you will see one lighthouse that stands out from the rest if only by virtue of the historic city it watches over: quaint St. Augustine, Florida. The St. Augustine Lighthouse, rebuilt and renovated throughout the years since its 19th century construction has more than its fair share of treachery and legend. The current lighthouse is a beautiful black-and-white tower located on Anastasia Island.
Although the island (located across from St. Augustine) is very commercial and tourist-oriented, the lighthouse seems to be on the quieter, more unspoiled end of the island. You can see the brick keeper's house and visit a spacious gift shop. For the admission price of $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids, you can visit the grounds and the museum. The admission to the tower itself is a bit different, ranging from $7.75 adult to $5.00 for a child's admission. You should know which parts of the complex you will want to visit before you arrive. Don't be afraid to climb the tower. The view of the city from the top of the tower will be one you won't soon forget.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
The Essence of India: A Travel Guide
If there has ever been a place that stuck out most in the imagination, that place must be India. The very images it conjures up are foreign and exotic, waiting to be explored. Elephants ridden by white-robed figures, and beautiful scenery dotted with Hindu temples scamper across our minds when we imagine traveling to this far-off land. Many people do visit India, for many different purposes. It may be a spiritual calling, a desire to set up roots in the land of their ancestors, or just a curiosity, wondering if the place is really as awe-inspiring as the brochures say it is.
Rest assured, India meets all the criteria for a breathtakingly beautiful country, and in fact it exceeds it. If you're planning a trip to one of the most exotic places in the world, rest assured you will find plenty to see and do here. No one can claim boredom while traversing India's shores. If you're not sure where to start, a great starting point is Calcutta. Once you've arrived, you should have a checklist of the things you want to see, and allow yourself a certain amount of time to see each attraction. You may want your list to include some of these great trips:
1. Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. This striking place contains 13 separate temples and is a religious haven for many Hindu faithful. Built during the 1800s, Dakshineshwar can be toured free of admission and closes each night at 10:00 P.M. The temple is not located right in Calcutta but is part of the area. It is easy to imagine spending hours milling around one of India's many temples, dreaming and allowing the ambiance of the area to permeate the soul. Many choose to do so, and Dakshineshwar is a great place to experience the solitude. Be warned, though: if you don't want to share your solitude with the local population or other tourists, come at dawn right when the complex is opened.
2. St. Paul's Cathedral. You might think a Christian cathedral is quite out of place in India, a country known for its Buddhist and Hindu traditions. That is part of what makes St. Paul's a good place to explore. Stop by and stare at the stained glass and the Renaissance artwork, appreciating the missionary efforts to this area that most people probably considered "uncivilized" in the 1800s. Bishop Wilson, who had a big part in establishing St. Paul's, is buried here as well. Take at least half an hour to make sure you see everything this peaceful church has to offer.
3. No trip to a foreign country is complete without visiting a museum that helps to explain something about that country's identity. You can find out more than you ever imagined at the Jadu Ghar or India Museum. Constructed in the late 1800s, it has an old and venerable history and is probably India's biggest museum. Here you can browse many galleries each with their own exhibits and collections that better explain the past. This attraction may not interest small children, so you might want to consider another excursion if you desire to keep the peace in the family!
For your next city stop, you might want to visit Bangalore. Before actually visiting the main city, stop outside of town at the Belur Temple. Another peaceful retreat, this temple was built in the 12th century and covered with amazing architecture and decoration. You can find shrines and places of contemplation here, but as with Dakshineshwar, you'll want to arrive as early as possible before tourists try to take over the grounds! Once inside the complex you will be amazed at the amount of detail that went into creating this spiritual haven. Artwork and delicate masonry abound.
Another destination located outside the city is Bannerghatta National Park. This is like a small zoo and a park all in one, and you can find a zoological garden, safaris, beautiful scenery, and much more. This park covers over 20,000 acres and is home to many animals from "normal" creatures like lions and birds, to unusual animals like elephants and wild pigs. Take at least a day here to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Children will enjoy getting close to their favorite mammals, and adults will appreciate the beauty of the landscape. Safaris are also a good choice for a great family vacation.
Rest assured, India meets all the criteria for a breathtakingly beautiful country, and in fact it exceeds it. If you're planning a trip to one of the most exotic places in the world, rest assured you will find plenty to see and do here. No one can claim boredom while traversing India's shores. If you're not sure where to start, a great starting point is Calcutta. Once you've arrived, you should have a checklist of the things you want to see, and allow yourself a certain amount of time to see each attraction. You may want your list to include some of these great trips:
1. Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. This striking place contains 13 separate temples and is a religious haven for many Hindu faithful. Built during the 1800s, Dakshineshwar can be toured free of admission and closes each night at 10:00 P.M. The temple is not located right in Calcutta but is part of the area. It is easy to imagine spending hours milling around one of India's many temples, dreaming and allowing the ambiance of the area to permeate the soul. Many choose to do so, and Dakshineshwar is a great place to experience the solitude. Be warned, though: if you don't want to share your solitude with the local population or other tourists, come at dawn right when the complex is opened.
2. St. Paul's Cathedral. You might think a Christian cathedral is quite out of place in India, a country known for its Buddhist and Hindu traditions. That is part of what makes St. Paul's a good place to explore. Stop by and stare at the stained glass and the Renaissance artwork, appreciating the missionary efforts to this area that most people probably considered "uncivilized" in the 1800s. Bishop Wilson, who had a big part in establishing St. Paul's, is buried here as well. Take at least half an hour to make sure you see everything this peaceful church has to offer.
3. No trip to a foreign country is complete without visiting a museum that helps to explain something about that country's identity. You can find out more than you ever imagined at the Jadu Ghar or India Museum. Constructed in the late 1800s, it has an old and venerable history and is probably India's biggest museum. Here you can browse many galleries each with their own exhibits and collections that better explain the past. This attraction may not interest small children, so you might want to consider another excursion if you desire to keep the peace in the family!
For your next city stop, you might want to visit Bangalore. Before actually visiting the main city, stop outside of town at the Belur Temple. Another peaceful retreat, this temple was built in the 12th century and covered with amazing architecture and decoration. You can find shrines and places of contemplation here, but as with Dakshineshwar, you'll want to arrive as early as possible before tourists try to take over the grounds! Once inside the complex you will be amazed at the amount of detail that went into creating this spiritual haven. Artwork and delicate masonry abound.
Another destination located outside the city is Bannerghatta National Park. This is like a small zoo and a park all in one, and you can find a zoological garden, safaris, beautiful scenery, and much more. This park covers over 20,000 acres and is home to many animals from "normal" creatures like lions and birds, to unusual animals like elephants and wild pigs. Take at least a day here to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Children will enjoy getting close to their favorite mammals, and adults will appreciate the beauty of the landscape. Safaris are also a good choice for a great family vacation.
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