Travel Guide | CSTCTD.org

With everything getting so much easier and convenient, people have a very open arms approach to most things. You never know from which quarters help comes along. The same thing can be said in context to a Tour guide which is the latest in terms of guiding you through a city. So those days of peering through maps and book guides to find your way around a new city will almost be obsolete. Though still at its inception, such technology is fast catching on and they aren’t leaving any stone upturned to ensure that there’s regular updates and everything is explained just the way you want.

So, when it comes to tours in London, Edinburgh or York, you are going to be fully loaded with information with your special Tour guide. So, finding your way around isn’t just going to be fun but it’s pleasant too because you don’t have to spend your time walking up and down the same corner for half a day.

A country surrounded by the towering Himalayas in the midst of forests on one side and snow capped peaks on the other with breath taking sunsets and sunrises. An artist’s delight and a visitor’s paradise, this small town is dotted with Hindu and Buddhist temples. Katmandu is the capitol of the mountain kingdom of Nepal.

Visitors to this valley can get a glimpse of the olden world of the monarchs and the rulers who lived in large mansions called bhavans and were attended on by a retinue of servants. This is still so in many households in Katmandu, who are descendants of the royalty. The opulence of their life style is to be seen to be believed.

The town has many interesting spots to visit and the temples and Buddhist monasteries are worth visiting. Spin the prayer wheels as you walk along and you will be on another plain in your thoughts, mingling spirituality with your vacation. Katmandu has many artifacts made by the Nepali people in brass and bronze and embedded with semi precious stones. Step into the by lanes of Patan and you will be dazzled by the shops here.

Katmandu has many activities to keep you occupied during your holiday with the many casinos that have sprung up and are doing roaring business. A daredevil’s experience would be to go down the river in you dinghy. This apart you can travel to all the smaller towns of Nepal and get closer to the mountain peaks. While flying into this valley you can see the complete Himalayan range which is orange during sunset and dazzling white at noon.

You can get into Kathmandu by air from any of the major airports in India like New Delhi, Patna and Kolkata. Going by road takes a long time and the mountain passes could prove to be not too safe. However, one could reach the foot hills by train or road and then go into the valley.

Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka which is in southern India. A high tech city which is growing at a fast pace, Bangalore still retains its charm with its numerous parks and gardens. A pleasant weather all through the year makes it easy for people from all over the world to acclimatize themselves to. This multi lingual, multi cuisine town has become home for people from all over the country and also for many foreigners.

The numerous cultural activities that Bangalore has become home to because of the settlers from other states and cities, gives it a cosmopolitan air. Visitors to this town can catch a glimpse of many cultures of India. There is much to do and see for persons with varied interests. Those who are interested in historical monuments can visit the neighboring towns where there are palaces and temples which would take one’s breath away with the carvings that are unique and cannot be found in any other part of the world. Belur, Halebidu and Hampi, the monuments in Mysore, Tupu Sultan’s palace in Srirangapatnam, to name just a few of these wonderful sites!

Wild life sanctuaries are not too far from Bangalore and there are tourist buses running every day on these routes that take the people out for site seeing on one day trips and also slightly longer excursions. The visitor can take pictures; buy postcards and shop to their hearts content. They can sample the local delicacies and see the village sites while they travel by the bus. For the more adventurous there are rock climbing expeditions which they could participate in.

For those who are interested in artifacts and silks this is a town that has a lot to offer. The emporiums are filled with exquisite mementos to take back with you and the silks are what no one can resist. Night life is something that the visitor can have in small doses as it is available only in the exclusive hotels and restaurants.

Bangalore can be reached by air, road and train. Hotels of various categories cater to every class and this is truly a must visit once in a life time place.

Suddenly you descend from the clouds and there is a peninsula jutting out into the sea. After hours of flying and seeing nothing but the emerald green sea below you which sometimes showed an angry black reflection of the sky it was good to see land. The drive from the international airport to the town is a long one but you get to see a lot of the country side of Seoul which is beautifully maintained with its farms on either side of the broad roads.

The main town is full of skyscrapers and winding roads that go uphill and downhill on this sloping town. Filled with shopping malls and eateries you could walk into anyone of these for a typical Korean meal of bibimbap which is a mixture of rice and vegetables and meat and an egg to top it. You could ask for a vegetarian one but it will have fish in it as fish is considered vegetarian by the Koreans. There is a mixture of the modern skyscrapers and bright neon lights and then you have the small lanes which are marvelous for shopping at real bargain prices. The Namdaemun market in Seoul should not be missed by any tourist. This is the best place to shop for souvenirs and knick knacks to take back home. A lot of bargaining takes place here and it is surprising how the prices can be brought down. The market place is another great sight with ginseng roots sold in gunny bags alongside the bright red mushrooms which are supposed to be high in food value. The palaces and Buddhist temples are a must see if you visit Seoul.

Travel to Seoul from any part of the world by air and within the city by the mono rail, bus or taxi service which is excellent. There are hotels to suit every pocket, but life in Seoul is expensive by normal standards. Night life is hectic and tourists take full advantage of this.

Melbourne is the sort of cultural cocktail that is five parts elegance, five parts soul, served with a dash of pizzazz seven days a week. Strong on history and heritage, the city is a hub of theatre, art, festivals, movies and music, fine food, elegant fashion and lots of sports.

One notices harmony between nature and urban development. There are wide beaches that beckon visitors, a vast bay stretching further than the eye can see, hills, forests, and rich wine country. And there is the Yarra River. Melbourne was born on the banks of the river and the stories have always been closely intertwined. Seeing the city from the river offers a whole new perspective and one can take leisurely cruises up stream or down on anything from passenger ferries to Venetian gondolas and luxury cabin cruises.

Melbourne is more action packed than any other Australian city. Formula 1, Australian open, Cricket, Australian rugby and much more, it is the race that stops a nation….. More then anything else, it is this wide variety of attractions that make the city what it is- a bustling, urban melting pot. You can’t take the city by surprise because of the fact that it is always providing memories around every corner.

With the setting sun comes a different Melbourne. One that brooks no excuses for staying home, away from the swinging restaurants, cabarets and night clubs, where good, easy fun comes naturally. The brightest lights, biggest games, and headiest atmosphere are to be found in the Crown Entertainment complex.

People don’t seem to talk much about it but lost somewhere in the sporting activity and ballets and things, is some incredible wining and dining, ala Australian style. Melbourne is a ‘cut and come again’ magic pudding and its people explore food and appreciate its familiarity while searching for new ways to indulge.

What people do talk about here is the shopping, and it’s certainly worth a shout or two. It isn’t so much what you buy but the way you buy it, and the surroundings in which every thing is set. A fashion center since 19th century, Melbourne continues to set standards in customer service,. Move around, shop and explore at leisure.

The city awaits its visitors. It stays wide-awake even in the dead of night and its soul and spirit are there for all to see. This is no place for the bashful, certainly no place for the staid visitor who likes his sightseeing with the help of a guidebook and map. This is the kind of place where they encourage asking for directions, seeking advice on the best place to eat, or any conversation that touches in the city and its fortunes.

So, keep talking, mate….

All of April, all across Japan, people give parties under the tress, follow the weather forecast carefully, hunt out the best picnicking spots, and are generally seen to be happy. The reason for this outpouring of national bonhomie: cherry blossom season. The ‘Cherry Blossom Front’ takes acout a month to blow across the Japanese archpelago, from south to north. The peak season, where the trees are in full bloom, is short- for about a week in each place, the flowers open all at once, and the petals all fall soon after. One of the most popular blossom, viewing spots in the Tokyo area is Asukayama Park, where a costume festival is sometimes held to go with the spirit of season. Other famous viewing areas are around the imperial palace, along the palace moat, and in Uneno Park. Good time to go.

Set in the mountainous terrain of South Africa which juts into the Atlantic Ocean, this is one of the most popular towns of South Africa. The Table Mountain which is often covered with clouds is a striking feature which rises up in the middle of the town. The scenic beauty makes it a romantic attraction, where couples would like to spend their honeymoons. The city has vineyards, hiking routes, forests and wilderness and public gardens giving the visitors ample to do and see.

The Tabletop is a vantage point which overlooks the docks and the rest of the countryside. The vineyards and the botanical gardens are a feast for the eyes. The picturesque beauty of Capetown is worth visiting at least once in a life time but people keep coming back for more.

There are many activities that visitors can partake in like sunbathing, picnicking and hiking. There are wild life safaris that are organized by travel agents and hotels for their tourists. Windsurfing is another exciting offer and the brave at heart can jump from the Lion’s Head or paraglide at the Cliff in Beachfront.

The architecture is a conglomeration of all the diverse cultures that have had their effect on Capetown. The English, Dutch and French have left their mark and so have the Muslim slaves who were freed and put up their minarets. All this adds to the beauty of this town.

Monarchy and The Beatles, you can get a taste of various aspects of London and it is a treat for persons with truly varied interests. For those who are interested in historical events the monuments, palaces, fortresses, museums and cathedrals will give them a glimpse into the past of the rich heritage of England. For art lovers and those who would like to shop there are the theatres, galleries, street markets and many other kinds of entertainment to make the day seem too short. There is a lot which any traveler can choose from and there is something of interest for everyone here.

There are several places on the banks of the river Thames like The Globe Theatre of Shakespeare, The Imperial War Museum and the Tate Modern Art Museum. The Tower of London and The Buckingham Palace would obviously top your list of places to visit while in London. Madame Tassaud’s would be another choice which no one who has visited London could possible miss. A popular method of traveling is by the subway or tube.

No matter what your choice of cuisine, London is famous for a variety of eateries. The pub culture which originated here is another not to be missed experience along with the underground train. If you are planning on visiting the Buckingham Palace then don’t forget to visit with watching the changing of the guard. A stones throw from the palace are some other sights in London like the Hard Rock Café and Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, The River Thames, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. A visit to London would not be complete without seeing all these places. London can be reached by air and also by rail and road.

The airport which is easily one at the highest elevation is in Leh which is the Capitol of Ladakh. As the aircraft descends into this beautiful countryside one feels closer to the heavens and truly one with the clouds. The cold air outside grips you and you want to get back into the cozy cocoon of the aircraft for a split second, but then you are here to see this beautiful and amazing country too. Carrying and wearing appropriate clothing is very important if you want to enjoy your stay here.

Leh is 3505 meters above sea level and is neighbor to Jammu and Kashmir. What draws ones interest immediately is the sprawling palace made of mud brick which is almost in ruins. This is the hub of the Tibetan Buddhist culture with its colorful gompas. Apart from the attraction of its scenic beauty, Leh is also a popular hiking locale. Surprisingly there are many tourists visiting right throughout the year and the town is full of Kashmiri craft and Tibetan restaurants. Once affected by the war between India and its neighboring countries this is now a tranquil town and a very calm and pleasant place to relax. The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa and the palace are two of the most popular tourist spots in Leh. The pristine mountains look close enough to stretch out your hand and touch and are a magnificent sight during sunset.

The wonder of being at this small town which is surrounded by dessert on one side and the Indus vegetation on the other surpasses all other things. A short but meaningful stay is definitely the outcome.

like the monks who are clad is saffron robes, the atmosphere in Thailand is of peace and tranquility. The Thai people are gentle and religious and their temples or wats are found all over the country. In fact they number almost 30,000 and are all magnificent in their glory. Every building or house has a small decorative house outside which has garlands and flowers adorning it and candles and incense burning at these shrines. These are spirit houses which are supposed to house the spirits of the territory which have been displaced from their original place of living by the concrete houses.

The wats or temples are worth seeing and the best amongst them is Wat Phra Kaeo. This temple is a part of the Grand Palace and is one of the oldest places in Bangkok and is on the banks of the river Chao Phraya. On the other hand is the vibrant night life in Bangkok. The tourist can see a diverse culture here and enjoy it all during his stay.

The city of Bangkok is quite unlike other cities of Thailand, and is abuzz with traffic and the streets are full of vendors and selling barbequed chickens and water melons. The floating markets and spas which rejuvenate you are some of the specialties of Bangkok. The best way to travel in this traffic is by tuk-tuk which is a three wheeler that can carry passengers.

Shopping is any tourists delight here and they can shop in the most elegant malls or in the streets markets. From designer wear to imitation jewelry, everything is available here. It is good to be able to bargain here as you can bet down the prices quite a bit. So from the ancient charm to the modern hustle and bustle, you can find it all here in Bangkok.

Goa lies on the South West Coast of India on the Arabian Sea. The 105 km coastline of Goa has some of the loveliest beaches in the world. These Beaches have become a tourist’s haven and people from all over the world flock to them for vacations and even long jaunts. Some of these world famous beaches are Palolem, Betul, Colva, Harmal, Baga, Calangute, Anjuna and Vagator.

This was Portuguese territory for over 4 centuries, and now, though it is more than 4 decades since they have left, Goa is still very westernized and more so than all the modern major towns in India. The lifestyle of the Goan’s is very bohemian and they are very easy going in their daily routine. Most of them have a siesta time in the afternoon and the evenings are filled with fun. Some of the things that they are very enthusiastic about are food, music and dance. The Goan cuisine is extremely tasty and most Goans are excellent cooks. Their favorite drink is a locally brewed one called Feni which is made from cashew nuts or coconuts. Most locals are used to it but the outsider has to cultivate a taste for it.

Goa is a land of 5 languages and many cultures. It is famous for its wonderful churches and the most famous in the St. Francis Xavier Church which has the body of the saint in a glass casket. There are Christians, Hindus and Muslims living in peace and harmony in this city. Most people are very religious and also respect other religions. The staple food of Goa is fish and rice.

Goa can be reached by air, train, boat and road.

It is an understatement to say Dubai is a tourist’s paradise because it is also a shopper’s paradise. The two cities of Dubai and Deira are combined to form Dubai. Visitors to Dubai or even those who have come to stay will be spell bound by the beauty of the architecture and the planning of the town, Every care has been taken to make it as aesthetic as possible with no unsightly areas to mar the beauty of this princely town. The culture and the architecture ranges from the traditional Arabian style to the extremely modern glass and steel structures.

The sight seeing spots will take your breath away and the opulence of the lifestyle of those who live here with their villas that cover acres is equally breathtaking. Some of the places which are a must to visit are Al Boom tourist Village, Archeological Sites, Bait Al Wakeel, Bastakiya, Bedouin Village, Burj Nahar, Deira Covered Souk, Dubai Creek and Museum, The World Trade Center of Dubai, Gold Souk, The Grand Mosque to name a few of the places of interest. Apart from these you could also visit the Grand Mosque, Hatta Mountains, Heritage and Diving Village, June rah Mosque, Sheikh Saeed Al Makhtoum House which is a museum, Port Rashid in Dubai, Shindagha and Spice Souk. Once you have had the opportunity to visit these places it will be like returning to earth after being to heaven and will not be easy for anyone to come back to plant their feet firmly on ground again. The malls and the shops for jewellery are the most popular haunts for visitors.

Traveling in Dubai is pretty easy even for visitors as they can hire a taxi or one which they can drive by themselves provided they have an international license.

A town of many cultures and colors, Singapore is a mixture of hi-tech sky scrapers and business and trade and also “the other side of the coin.” This city which is an island and also a country is situated on the Singapore River which flows through the heart of Singapore. This is where all the business and trade takes place and also where all the entertainment and dining places are. The Little India commune and the Arab Street are separated from Chinatown by the Fort Canning and Hotel Raffles.

Apart from the places of entertainment which are always brimming over with people, shopping is a major past time for all those who visit Singapore. People from all over have settled here and more come pouring in to shop at the fancy stores that are a never ending source of temptation. Orchard Road is a place where you will never tire of shopping and if you have run out of all your money you could still take a stroll around and window shop till you drop. Other areas where it is great fun to shop and look around are the backstreets of Arab Street, Little India and China town.

All major airlines have flights to Singapore and land at the busy Changi International Airport. The airport itself is a haven for shoppers where you can spend half a day without even realizing how the time flew by. So you can fly into Singapore or take a train on the Malaysian rail system, use a luxury bus or get a ferry or taxi.

Most people who visit Singapore club in a trip to Malaysia also across the Straits of Johor. Bus fares are not too expensive and it is very easy to travel this stretch. While in Singapore there are many ways of getting around and you could use taxis or the rickshaws while you are checking out the backstreets.

This immaculately clean city with its stringent laws does not forget the less fortunate and there are a lot of helpful ways of making it easier for those who are confined to wheel chairs or have any other physical disorder.