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Theme Parties Have fun the Hawaiian way. The next day make it Arabian style. Throw a party that'll be remembered. |
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Beauty & Fitness You can't afford your looks or toning to let you down during this crucial time of your social calendar, can you? |
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Fashion You can sense a change in style long before hand. You believe in being a trendsetter rather than be a follower. Right? |
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| T r a v e l  Looking at the world from close quarters! |
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Bharatpur It is the awesomely beautiful Keoladeo Ghana National Park which teems with bird life that's placed Bharatpur on any wildlife enthusiast's itinerary in India. The park is now a World Heritage sanctuary and is home to 375 species of birds and numerous mammals and reptiles. It is truly a wonderful sight to behold on misty winter mornings as you traverse its length and breadth in an open jeep. This can be a great trip for groups of like-minded people and for families with energetic kids. Warning: if you are taking your kids along, better be prepared to answer their endless questions about everything they see. While there, do visit the Keoladeo (Shiva) temple within the park and the formidable 18th century fort in Bharatpur that withstood an attack by the British army in 1805 and a long siege in 1825. Stay At Jaipur Jaipur, the quintessential land of colour, valour, legends and romance, puts its best foot forward to greet visitors every winter. At this time of the year, you can wallow in the bright sunshine, enjoy camel rides, picnic in the Ram Niwas Gardens and stroll through the magnificent Amber, Jaigarh and Nahargarh forts. For more brushes with historic architecture, visit the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and the City Palace. Shop in the narrow, crowded Badi Chaupar and Nehru bazaars for leather juttis (traditional Indian leather shoes), silver jewelry, gems and precious stones, block-printed and bandhani (using the tie and dye technique) fabric without the heat getting to you. And don't even think of going away without tasting Rajasthan's fabled cuisine - try the Rambagh Palace (only if you are rolling in cash) and the Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar on Badi Chaupar. Jaipur is a city for everybody - for families with kids, lovers, honeymooners, culture connoisseurs and art and history freaks. Stay At Mussoorie Often referred to as the queen of hill stations in India, Mussoorie rises to a height of 2,000m from the picturesque Doon Valley. If you are enamoured of the mighty Himalayas the distant snow-capped peaks are a refreshing sight. Mussoorie is definitely the place for you. A favoured summer retreat, it can be a fun place to visit with your family for a week’s holiday. The Kempty and Bhatta Falls make delightful picnic spots. About 18km from town, you can while your time away on the banks of the Yamuna and even wade into its icy water. While there, don’t miss the Gemchen Gompa (Tibetan monastery) which is a 2-minute ropeway ride. However, if you are looking for a quiet solitary holiday with few people around, Mussoorie is definitely not the place for you. The town is especially crowded during summer with vacationers fleeing the scorching heat of the plains. Try it in winter - if you can handle the cold. Stay At Jaypee Residency Manor
Dharamsala Set amidst forests of pine, Dharamsala has many attractions. Located at different levels (between 1,250m to 2,000m) up a spur in the Dhauladhar Range, it still bears a faint colonial aura. McLeodganj is a charming Tibetan settlement with bustling bazaars and a splendid monastery on the main road. The Dalai Lama resides in McLeodganj so the town is simply crawling with foreigners who come to meet him and experience Buddhism. Consequently, McLeodganj is home to the Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts where courses are conducted for those interested. Apart from the charismatic presence of the Dalai Lama, there’s the added attraction of trekking, shopping for handicrafts, Tibetan medicine, astrology, tarot reading and meditation. Two of the best treks begin from Dharamsala and end at Chamba and Holi. Stay At Palampur Perched at a height of about 1,219m, Palampur is a charming little getaway far from the madding crowd. Quiet and unspoilt by tourists, it’s a great hideaway for couples who just wish to spend time with each other. You can spend hours walking through the luxuriant tea estates, visit the artists' village at Andretta and try your hand at hang/para gliding in Bir and Billing. In fact those interested in aero-sports have it really made - Bir-Billing and Dhelu are among the world’s best sites for paragliders and hang gliders. Stay At Lansdowne If you are looking for a cool getaway with a quiet old-world charm, Lansdowne could be just the place for you. Poised at an altitude of 6,000m, it is an easily motorable destination from Delhi. Established by the British as an army cantonment, it is still home to the famous Garhwal Rifles. Commune with nature, enjoy solitary walks - this is just the place to go to when you need to be by yourself. If you happen to be with your beloved, you won’t fall short of scenic spots to run around trees in. And believe us, there are many trees to choose from - oaks, blue pines and deodars, to name a few. The more religious-minded could try the many temples around Lansdowne: Karnva Ashram, Sidhbali Temple, Tarkeshwar Mahadev… Corbett National Park The Jim Corbett National Park can be an excellent weekend getaway for families with kids - there’s simply loads of stuff to do and see. A six-hour drive from Delhi, it is home to tigers (they are tough to spot), elephants and a variety of flora and fauna that’ll make you forget your workplace blues and recharge your batteries. Apart from the obvious charms of wildlife, you can laze on the banks of the Kosi River enjoying the awesome beauty of the Kumaon Hills, indulge in a bit of angling and visit the Girija Devi temple in the middle of the river. In fact there are countless activities for you to choose from: walking, trekking, cycling, camel safari, checking out the two museums or shopping for curios just outside the park gate. You can also pick up some delicious honey in the flavour of your choice - litchi, sunflower or apple. Wildlife freaks should park themselves inside the park, at the forest lodge at Dhikala or at Sarapduli but remember to book in advance. Stay At Tiger Camp |
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