Its Spring time. This year we has less chill, still sing is always anticipated a lot. Time of romance and enjoyment. Carnival time at places around the world. With Basant Panchami and Valentine Day just falling within two days of each other, time for some of the best festivals for different tastes- whether it is dance, theatre, crafts, books or just fun. Presenting top 10 travel ideas for February, might not be in that order as each one of them has its own speciality. Go ahead... 1. DESERT FESTIVAL, JAISALMER Once a year in winter and in the middle of the continually rising and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the Desert Festival. The festival is organized by the Departmen
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Well a hint of chocolate opens your taste buds. What if there is chocolate everywhere around! And that too Belgian chocloate!! Its a grand celebration of Belgian chocolates, in just five days from now. The third Salon du Chocolat in Brussels will take place from Friday 5 February to Sunday 7 February in Hall 1 of Brussels Expo. This year’s event which will be primarily dedicated to a celebration of Belgian chocolate and For the City of Brussels, the event is a clear boost to the economic development of the entire Region: “With more than 30 chocolate specialists, Brussels’ expertise deserves a spotlight! I am very happy that this international event has come to our capital,” said Marion Lemesre, alderwoman for economic affairs for the City of Brussels. Philippe Close, alderman for tou
Read MoreMusic is life. Whichever part of the world you go, in every place and in every culture, music has a tradition. It has always been fascinating to witness the different styles and languages of the music. Some of the images of music as captured my roving camera! Music brings courage to face the world! (In streets of Antwerp) Music for the 'God' (At a church in Antwerp) Music for harmony! (at a park in Brussels!) Music inspires rhythm! (at a launch festival in Delhi) Music illuminates! (at a launch festival in Delhi) Music brings confidence to perform! (At a hotel in Singapore) Music brings out a symphony! (At a hotel in Singapore) Music gives the ability to charm! (At a hotel in Singapore) Music relives the tradition! (At a hotel in S...
Read MoreWell, this post was always on cards, ever since I did my other posts on langurs of Ranthambore some time back. There were two immediate provocations (inspirations I should say). One was a post from fellow blogger Mukul Chand on Langurs and second one an invite from the #Indiblogger to take part in the #IndiMarathon. I fully agree with Mukul Chand that langurs are a photographers' delight and I have photographed them a lot, at many places. This post is about langurs of the Mandore Garden complex in Jodhpur. Ancient name of Mandore was Mandavyapura and it was capital of Marwar till the foundation of Jodhpur in the middle of the 15th century. However existence of the old fort on the hill is traced back to 4th century. Well, will discuss the history and architectural importance of Mand
Read MoreBrussels will be filled with the spirit of the Renaissance and its artistic and scientific innovations during the Carolus V Festival, which will run from May to September. The Festival will be shining the spotlight on Europe's 16th-century heritage and history thanks to a schedule packed with festive, cultural and family activities dotted across the European capital. And as of this year, the Carolus V Festival is also being honoured as a European cultural route by the Council of Europe. A look at the events in this year's festival that are not to be missed: Exhibition at the Brussels City Museum: Rebirth of an exceptional work of art: Pieter Coecke's tapestry cartoon (until 30 April 2017) The Museum is preserving an exceptional work of art: an immense picture measuring 3.40 x
Read MoreOne reason why I was elated in my last post about Adalaj Vav near Ahmedabad in Gujarat was that I had been earlier to a few of other step wells and had been very disappointed with their maintenance. One of them is Bawadi (Baori or Baoli or step well) at Neemrana in Rajasthan. Neemrana is more famous for its 15th century fort-palace which is now a heritage hotel. This hotel has also been base of India's first zip line tour- flying fox. Well, back to the step well. You can imagine by the photo below, that how grand it would have been. This bawadi is located inside the Neemrana village (although Neemrana is now more of an industrial township as well as education hub). Its not very far from the fort palace. The first sight itself proves how glorious it would have been. On the hindsig
Read MoreAdalaj is a suburb of Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Vav is a term in Gujarati which means a step well. This term is also probably derived from hindi term for step well, i.e. Bavari (बावड़ी). Adalaj Vav is among the few remaining step wells in Gujarat and among the most popular ones besides the Rani ki Vav in Patan. Being not so glorious as Rani Ki Vav, Adalaj gets a comparatively less number of tourists. Still it is very preserved, beautiful and an important landmark in the history of Vaghelas. It was built in 1498 AD for Rudabai, wife of Vaghela chief Veer Singh. As per inscription at the well, this Oblong step well runs from south to north. Entry to the Vav is from south through stairs on three sides which descend into a spacious landing with octagonal opening supported on eight pillar...
Read MoreSource: Deep in the Indian Jungle...
Read MoreEvery two years, in the month of August, the Grand-Place at Belgian Capital Brussels is adorned with its most beautiful attire and becomes a gigantic ocean of flowers. This year will be even more special, as the famous carpet of flowers will be celebrating its 20th anniversary! In 2016, Belgium and Japan will be celebrating 150 years of diplomatic and friendly relations. It is therefore perfectly natural that the organisers have chosen to let the colours of Japan inspire the design of the carpet. The general public will be invited to come and admire this Japanese creation on 13, 14 and 15 August 2016, from 10 am to 10 pm, on the Brussels Grand-Place. The traditional inaugural evening will be held on 12 August at 10 pm. The Flower Carpet is 75 m long by 24 m wide. 1,800 m2 of beg...
Read MoreRas Al Khaimah is one of seven emirates which together comprise the federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was the last one to join and is claimed to be on top as emerging tourist destination in the GULF. It is the strongest emerging tourism spots in UAE with its natural beauty and stunning scenery. It has a 64 km shoreline of superb sandy beaches and clear crystal blue waters. Ras Al Khaimah features a wealth of landscapes from rugged mountain peaks to coastal areas and deserts. Tourists have options of host of outdoor activities from swimming, fishing and golfing to desert safari, diving, paragliding, parasailing, Bedouin desert camp, Iceland water park and above all a microlight flight. Ras Al Khaimah is just a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and is the...
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