RAO TRAVEL- 15th AUGUST

Independence Day of India

Independence Day is an annual observance celebrated every year on 15th of August. It is a day of great significance for the people of India. At this day India got freedom from the British rule after long years of slavery. It has been declared as the National and Gazetted Holiday all across the India in order to independently commemorate the independence of country from British Empire on 15th of August in 1947.

It was not so easy for the India to get freedom from the Britishers however; various great people and freedom fighters of India made it a truth. They had sacrificed their lives in attaining the freedom for their future generations without worrying about their comfort, rest and freedom. They planned and acted upon various Independence Movements including violent and nonviolent resistance to get complete freedom. However, later independence Pakistan was partitioned from India which was accompanied by violent riots. That horrible riot was the reason of mass casualties and dislocation of people (more than 15 million) from their homes.

At this day, all the national, states and local government’s offices, banks, post offices, markets, stores, businesses, organizations, etc become closed. However, public transport is totally unaffected. It is celebrated in the capital of India with big enthusiasm however it is also celebrated in the schools, colleges and other educational institutions including public community and society.

Vansda National Park

Vansda National Park, a protected area representing the thick woodlands of the Dangs and southern Gujarat is situated in the Navsari District of Gujarat state,India.

Riding on the banks of Ambika River and measuring roughly 24 km² in area, the park lies about 65 km east of the town of Chikhali on the National Highway 8, and about 80 km north-east of the city of Valsad. Vansda, the town from which the name of the park is derived, is an important trading place for the surrounding area where the majority of the population is represented by adivasis. Vansda-Waghai state highway runs through the park, so does the narrow gauge rail link connecting Ahwa to Billimora.

Established in 1979 as a National Park, the deciduous forest area having groves of "Katas" bamboo owes its beauty to no felling of trees since 1952. Nestled in theWestern Ghats of Sahyadri range, it has a unique flavour of flora and fauna population.

Apart from the botanical garden, some of the other attractions include local tribes, "Gira Falls", and the "Conservation center". As a part of developing ecotourism Gujarat Government has developed a campsite at Kilad.^[There is also a deer breeding center maintained by Nature Club Surat in this region. The best time to visit is post-monsoon season till winter when the forests are lush green and streams are full.

RAO TRAVEL- DHARMSHALA

Along with being one of the most favourite places for tourists, Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is home to the holy Dalai Lama. Fringed by the lofty mountains and dotted by Deodar and Cedar forests, this beautiful hill station in India is amongst the most popular hill stations in the country. Dharamshala is situated at an altitude of about 1487m in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The city is divided into two parts namely, Dharamshala and Mcleodganj and is separated by a village called Ganchen Kyishong. The hill station has managed to attract the attention of many tourists due to its tranquil environ and scenic beauty. A large number of travellers throng here especially in the summer. However, many tourists like to visit in winter here to see the snowfall.

RAO TRAVEL- Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills is a summer hill resort in Andhra Pradesh, about 120 km from Bangalore, India via B. Kotha Kota, 144 km fromTirupati and about 278 km from Chennai. B. Kotha Kota and Madanapalle is the nearest towns and Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuaryis located 87 km away from Horsley Hills. World Famous Rishi Valley school founded by late Jiddu Krishnamurthy is falls other side of the hills. It is very near from the new Kempegowda International Airport via Chintamani and B Kotha kota route. Nearest Railway station Mulakala Cheruvu.

he narrow road to Horsely Hills is very scenic. It is surrounded with dense growths of eucalyptus, jacaranda, allamanda and gulmohar trees. The major tourist places around Horsely hills are Lake Gangotri, Highview seeing place, Gaalibanda, Environmental park and the Horsley Hills Museum. Horsley Hills is also one of the few places to offer Zorbingin India. But it requires prior reservation a day before and is normally offered on a group package of minimum 20. Other adventure sports conducted are Rapelling and Trekking. The Environmental park known as EEC Centre was built with the help of a hydro geologist and environmentalist from Hyderabad named Balijepalli Venkata Subba Rao, Director of the Center For Resource Education.

Accommodation is available at Harita- a AP tourism initiative. Other smaller private guest houses are available around this. The hills are ideally suited for a day trip and other than the activities at the AP tourism center, there is nothing much else to see or do.

As of October 2014, swimming pool, archery and a reasonably well maintained zoo with a few good attractions are also available.

RAO TRAVEL- Hotel Nilambag Palace, Bhavnagar

Nilambagh Palace in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, was originally built by a German architect for Sir Takhat Singh. This elegant structure built in 1859 has today been converted into a heritage hotel. The hotel is a blend of splendid royal charm and modern luxuries. There are 26 double bedrooms, including 2 executive luxury suites. Each room features lavish furniture of olden times and are fully equipped with all modern amenities.

travel tips-Luggage & packing

Luggage & packing

. Pack an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag.

. To check a bag or not to check bag. Each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags can be checked or carried on for free. Make sure to look up what your airline’s rules are to avoid any incremental fees.

. Bring snacks. Traveling abroad is fun, but eating in a foreign country can sometimes become a task. Bring small snacks that will tide you over until you find that perfect restaurant or food cart.

Travel Tips-Eletronics

Electronics

. Bring a charger adapter. Countries have different size plugs and voltage. So if you want to use your iPod, make sure you can charge it.

. Check the voltage of your electronics. From my own experience I know that nothing is worse than having an adapter and still not being able to use a blow-dryer or a straightener because the voltage isn’t high enough for that country.

. Activate your phone’s global capabilities. There’s usually a charge we doing this, but it is much less than the roaming charges you’ll get if you don’t.

. Download Travelzoo app. The Travelzoo app can help you find great deals in a variety of countries, and has options from local deals to transportation options.

RAO TRAVEL - BHAVNATH MHADEV FAIR AT GUJARAT

Bhavnath Mahadev Fair  The Bhavnath Mahadev Fair is held for five days during Mahashivratri in the month of February. This fair is held at the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, located at the foot of Girnar hill in Junagadh. The events which are associated with the fair are very colourful. The Mahapuja of Lord Shiva is held in this temple at midnight, on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Magh. When the puja starts, naga bavas (naked sages) living nearby move towards the fair on elephants, holding flags and blow conch shells, that sound tungis and turis. It is also believed that Lord Shiva himself visits the shrine on this occasion. During this fair, the visitors are served free meals by the organizers. In the fair there are special stalls that sell idols, sarees brought by vendors from Ayodhya and Mathura, utensils of brass and copper, sweets and fruits.

travel tips-local research

Local Research

. Buy tickets now for places you know you want to visit or see. By buying in advance you’ll be able to skip more lines, and find more deals targeted toward you.

. Get guidebooks. Guidebooks usually include maps, key words or phrases, and give you enough detail on certain sites that you won’t need to purchase the pamphlet at the venue. And download apps before you travel. Avoid downloading charges from your wireless carrier and get your apps before you leave.

. Research events going on while you’re there. This will help you make sure that you’re not missing be events going on in the city. Fun things like festivals, ceremonies and natural events. Also be sure to research as a few national dishes to try. You don’t want to leave the country without experiencing what its known for.

travel tips -money

Money

. Look up the monetary conversion before you go. Make sure you do your math before you travel to get a sense of where the conversion rate is at.

. Make sure your credit card will work in the country you’re visiting. 

. Go to a bank or ATM in the country you’re visiting. The conversion centers in the airport or around the city tend to be huge rip-offs. You won’t get charged as many fees at the ATM or the bank, and the conversion will be exact.

. Always have local cash. Not every place takes credit cards. Especially important places like trains or buses.

.Call your bank or credit card provider. 

.Check the country’s entrance/exit fees. Some countries require travelers to pay in order to enter or leave the country. These fees are not included in the price of your airline ticket.

Travel Tips

Security & Health

1. Check-in with your doctor and insurance carrier. Double check and make sure that you have all of the proper vaccinations and that you have renewed all essential prescriptions. Also, ask you medical insurance provider if your policy applies overseas for emergencies. If it doesn’t, and you want to add extra coverage,

2. Bring copies of your passport. If your passport gets stolen or lost you want to be sure that you can still get back into the country, or be able to prove your citizenship.

3. Leave a copy of your passport. For extra backup, leave a copy of your passport at home or with someone you trust. Consider making an electronic copy you can store in your email account as well.

4. Register with your embassy. If there’s a problem in the country, this will make it easier for your government to contact you and get you to safety.

RAO TRAVEL- Hotel Aram, Jamnagar

Situated in Jamnagar, Hotel Aram is a heritage building with beautifully maintained gardens. This exotic place is apt for a romantic stay; it is in fact one of those fairytale mansions that will definitely trigger romance in the air for you! It is perfect place for honeymoon couples and the architecture lovers. The hospitable staff and the fabulous services add on to the reason why you should be here.

http://www.raotravelservices.com

RAO TRAVEL - KANDALA PORT AT KUTCH

Kandla port


Kandla Port, a national port, is one of the eleven most important ports of India. This port is situated on Kandla stream. The first investigation of this stream…
Kandla, also Kandla Port or New Kandla (Gujarati: કંડલા) is a seaport in Kutch District of Gujarat state in western India, near the city of Gandhidham. Located on the Gulf of Kutch, it is one of major ports on west coast. Kandla was constructed in the 1950s as the chief seaport serving western India, after the partition of India from Pakistan left the port of Karachi in Pakistan.
Even as much of this growth has come from handling of crude oil imports, mainly for Essar Oil's Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, the port is also taking measures to boost non-POL cargo. Last fiscal, POL traffic accounted for 63 per cent of the total cargo handled at Kandla Port, as against 59 per cent in 2007-08.

http://www.raotravelservices.com

RAO TRAVEL - AINA MAHAl

Aina Mahal

Maharao Lakhpatji's old palace, built in traditional Kutchi style, is in a small fortified courtyard in the old part of the city. It's a beautifully presented museum and is one of the highlights of a visit to Bhuj. The entrance to the palace houses the tourist office, and this is also the site of the Maharao Madansinhji Museum, which has a varied collection of paintings, photos and embroideries. There's a 15m long scroll depicting the Royal Procession of Maharao Shri Pragmalji Bahadur (1838-75). Check out the expression on the last blue-turbaned figure in this epic painting he looks quite peeved at having to ignobly bring up the up the of the procession!

The real attraction here, though, is the Hall of Mirrors, created by the master artisan, Ram Singh Malam, under the patronage of his poet-ruler, Maharao Shri Lakhpatji around the middle of the 18th century. A blend of Indian and European artistry (Ram Singh acquired, his skills in Europe), the walls of the great hall are of white marble covered by mirrors separated by gilded ornaments, lighting being provided by elaborate candelabra, with shades of Venetian glass.

Another remarkable feature is the pleasure pool, in the middle of which rises a square platform where the maharao composed his poems and gave encouragement to the classical arts of dancing girls, bards and musicians.

http://www.raotravelservices.com