Posts Tagged “Lakes”

Honeymoon – It’s that time of your life when you are pumped full of love and to visit a place truly blessed by the cupid is all you need for a perfect post-wedding-cum-romantic getaway! While some newlyweds like the hustle-bustle of the crowd, others prefer a cosy silent place meant just for them and India with its huge diversity caters well to those diverse needs! From breathtakingly beautiful places that can make you fall in love even on your tenth honeymoon to the isolated peace bathed areas where you rejoice with your soul mate in silence, India offers a wide ranging options and you won’t be disappointed.

So, sit back with your better half as we tell you about some honeymoon destinations that will ignite the spark:

Goa

Goa

Be it winters or summers, Goa is a place you can visit anytime of the year! Watching the sun dip into the ocean while holding hands with your loved, the reassuring hug after a thrilling experience at water sports or the lingering touch as you talk a walk beside the ocean under the stars are some moments that will make for a perfect honeymoon! Goa has it all – from its unique blend of Indo-Portuguese architectural magnificence to the absolutely awesome sun-kissed beaches, come here to experience true bliss!

Agra

Agra, India

Agra, situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh is home to the Seventh Wonder of the World and the most exquisite symbol of love- The Taj Mahal. The city is adorned with architectural marvels of the Mughal era, each one impeccably beautiful. A romantic candlelit dinner while overlooking the glistening white Taj Mahal under the moonlight is all you need to make that everlasting promise of love and begin your new life.

Udaipur

udaipur

Also known as the “The City of Lakes” or “The Venice of East”, Udaipur is standing with arms wide open for you lovebirds! You’ll be blown away by the hypnotising beauty and charm of the royal palaces as you tread those paths with your queen/king. City Palace, Lake Palace, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Gulab Bagh are some places that are major tourist attractions especially during the honeymoon season!

Lakshadweep Islands

lakshadweep islands

The Lakshadweep islands are situated far off the south western coast of India. The islands provide the much needed isolation from the hustle-bustle of daily routine life. The island consists of exotic, jaw-dropping beautiful beaches that will leave you and your loved one absolutely mesmerised. What’s more? You could witness ethereal beauty of oceanic life while deep sea diving! Hear, hear all you adventure lovers! Here, at Lakshadweep Islands you can experience nature at its best and celebrate this new beginning of your life. Kavratti, Minicoy, Agatti, Kadmat and Bangram are some places you should checkout while you’re here!

Kerala

kerala

Kerala or God’s own country is one of the top honeymoon places in India. The state is equipped with sunny beaches like the Kovalam’s beach, hilly regions of Munnar and Wayanad and the most famous backwaters of Kerala! Yes well, here is where you get a full package of natural beauty as you make your way with your mate. To make your stay even more romantic, you can hire a houseboat (instead of a hotel), which are just as luxurious and experience love amidst the charming backwaters. Cochin, Munnar, Kollam are a few places that will leave you stunned.

Kashmir

kashmir

Surrounded by the mighty Himalayas and set atop as the crown of India, Kashmir is known as “heaven on earth” and indeed it is. The state is decorated by snow during winters and even during the summer months it offers respite from the hot humid weather down south. Kashmir with its awe-inspiring natural beauty and magnificent architectural monuments will provide the right setting for fairytale romance! The lush green valleys, sparkling lakes and the heavenly mountains will make this trip a memorable experience for you. Visit the Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar city, Leh/Ladakh to make your stay a blissful experience!

Karnataka

karnataka

The Kodagu region or the Coorg town is a particularly famous honeymoon destination in India. Often known as the Scotland of India, this place is known for its picturesque beauty. The place is bustling with the aroma of coffee, orange orchards and vast stretches of greenery-all of these adding up to make for a perfect romantic getaway! India, thus offers a wide range of choices to make your honeymoon a memorable experience. And it’s even budget friendly!

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The Italian lakes sound like a holiday for Nan and Granddad, but the reality is far from it. Streets are lined with honey coloured walls and decked with faultlessly glamourous Italians bathing in the warmth of the Dolce Vita (and it’s not difficult to see why this is truly an Italian phrase once you’ve consumed your third ice cream cone of the day).

Garda Icecream

More often than not ‘the biggest’ turns out to be the worst – think of chain restaurants and hotels, where giant price tags affix themselves to familiar names, all for a taste of roasted disappointment. This is not the case with Italy’s largest lake however, as the towns surrounding Lake Garda are small and authentic, still offering you the chance to find those teeny, backstreet restaurants with space for 8, whose chequered table cloths will recall quieter days.

The plan of attack for Lake Garda should involve a visit to the prettiest towns surrounding the lake, many a boat trip atop the pristine, aquamarine water and as much gelato, gnocchi and pasta as one can acceptable consume in polite society.

The most convenient airports for getting to the lake are Verona or Brescia, and from there you can take a short train ride on to one of the lakeside towns.

Ideally, it is better to choose one lakeside hotel and stat put, rather than lugging your belongings back and forth across the lake. From your base point, it’s easy to access any of the towns by catching a lake ferry – though be careful to give those jetty timetables a thorough once-over, as the timetables aren’t always suited to the zippy, cram-it-all-in traveller. This is Italy, after all; the land where they appreciate “dolce far niente’ – the pleasure of idleness.

rocca_scaligeraEvery trip should include a visit to the town of Sirmione on the southern shore. The town’s moated, 13th century castle “Rocca Scaligera” (try pronouncing that one with Italian flair!) provides fantastic views across the lake, if you have the energy or motivation to make it up to the top. For those in it for the relaxation, a visit to the hot springs, such as Terme di Sirmione, is in order. Hot springs have been used over the centuries for their healing properties, and whilst the sceptic might find this notion a questionable tourism ploy, the waters will undoubtedly leave your skin softer and your mind refreshed after a good soak.

Next up on the agenda is Gardaland. You don’t need to be with kids to enjoy this fantastic theme park and, after all, not the entire getaway can’t be spent sighing over views of the lake and sipping wine.

castle_malcesineThe second town of interest is Malcesine, with the stunning Scaligero Castle, perched high on a cliff overlooking the lake. This is a popular wedding spot, so don’t be surprised if you see dozens of well-dressed, good-looking Italians skirting around. Literary lovers will also enjoy indulging in extracts of Goethe’s writing, and accounts of his castle visits.

Forgetting fears of heights will also allow you to take a cable car up Mount Baldo to visit the restaurant and shop at the top, as well as providing you with one of the best photo opps of the trip. Finally, after a tiring day of sight-seeing, the well-regarded Ristorante Al Gondoliere is the place to be for the best homemade gnocci around. This restaurant serves the kind of food that has you Googling local house rental prices.

Finally, top off your trip with a visit to Riva Del Garda. At the very north of the lake, the scenery here transforms from towns and medieval alleyways to glorious mountain backdrops and fjords. This part of the island is much less built up, and is also considered the best ice cream stop off point (a well-loved favourite is the Gelateria Flora whose sundaes will make you come back for round two). The more adventurous travellers will also delight in the treks into the mountains, which will bring you to waterfalls, Bronze Age settlements and castle ruins.

So what do you think? Have you packed yet? Let us know about your experience of Lake Garda below!

 

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Where is Lake Garda?

Lake Garda, ItalyLake Garda in Northern Italy is the largest lake in the country and one of the most popular. Its turquoise waters are ringed with mountains, beaches and ancient cobbled towns, lying halfway between Venice and Milan. The northern part of the lake is quiet and serene, while the southern section boasts a theme park and sandy beaches, so Lake Garda holidays offer something for every kind of traveller.

1. Explore ancient towns, castles, and hot springs.

Holiday resorts share waterfront with ancient towns all around Lake Garda. Start off with the picturesque cobblestone lanes of Sirmione, a fortified Roman spa town in the south. It is situated on a peninsula in the centre of the lake, offering unrivalled views and photo opportunities. After a morning visit to the healing sulphur springs, explore the 13th century Scaliger Castle and stop into the many restaurants and bars for a bite to eat. If you have more time, catch a ferry to explore the islands in the lake and spend a day at the popular Gardaland theme park as well.

2. Eat well.

The best part of holidays to Italy is surely the food and wine. The shores of Lake Garda are famous for their produce, particularly wine, olives and lemons. Catch a ferry to the colourful hillside resort of Limone, which is named for the yellow fruit. Stroll the waterfront promenade and stop into a café for a meal of fresh fish from the lake, or a hearty polenta dish cooked with local olive oil and a glass of Bardolino red wine which is grown in the area. Finish off with a tipple of limoncino for a totally local experience.

Lake Garda, Italy3. Get outdoors!

Lake Garda is a fantastic place to be active and get outside. The northern part of the lake is perfect for windsurfing and sailing due to the steady breeze coming out of the mountains, and there are many watersport centres that offer lessons and rentals. Explore miles of trails on foot or with a mountain bike, and you can even go rock climbing.  For families, peddle boats are available to rent in marked areas with lifeguards.

4. Take in the view.

The best view of the area is from the village of Malcesine in the northern section of the lake. Take the cable car 1750 meters up Montebaldo, a peak in the Italian Alps, for stunning views of Lake Garda below and the Dolomites behind. After taking pictures drop into the mountain-top restaurant or rent a mountain bike to explore the area.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Lake Garda

One Great Reason to Visit

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to find that Lake Garda offers something for every kind traveller!

Exploring Lake Garda

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Where is Patagonia?

Patagonia, ArgentinaPatagonia is most well-known for its wilderness taking up parts of Chile and Argentina and stretching from the most southern part of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean and across to the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the most popular travel destinations for its dramatic scenery and a good representation of Patagonia is Alerces National Park found in Argentina. It covers an area of 263,000ha and here you can see prairies, mountains, lakes and spry creeks. However, its biggest drawcard is the Alerce tree, a species that has survived for more than 4,000 years.

Patagonia was originally a remote backpacking destination, however it is now attracting increased numbers of cashed-up visitors, cruise passengers sailing by Cape Horn or visiting Antarctica, and activity holiday-makers. Patagonia offers terrific hiking opportunities, kayaking, horseback riding and vast photographic opportunities.

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Patagonia

One Great Reason to Visit Patogonia

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to appreciate the wilderness landscapes.

Patagonia – Argentina

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