Sri Nagar

SRI NAGAR

Srinagar   is the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.

Tourism

Srinagar is one of several places that has been called the "Venice of the East" or the "Kashmiri Venice"  It is known for its lakes, which include Dal Lake - noted for its houseboats — and Nagin Lake.

Srinagar has some Mughal gardens, forming a part of those laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent. Those of Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh; and the Naseem Bagh. The Tulip Gardens have been recently opened to public by Sonia Gandhi. 

MAJOR ATTRACTION

SHALIMAR GARDEN

Constructed by the great Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1616 for his beloved wife Nurjahan, the sprawling garden with four terraces, imposing fountains, well laid out manicured gardens, tall trees & fresh mountain air is one of the must visit places while in Srinagar. Located 15 km from the city the easiest way to reach the gardens is by taking a Shikara ride from Dal Lake.

NISHAT BAGH

Nishat Bagh, meaning the 'The garden of joy' located on the eastern side of the Dal Lake is a marvelous garden designed by Asaf Khan, Nur Jahan's brother. Laid out in 1633 it is among the largest of the Mughal Gardens. 

The garden with rare species of flowering plants and long avenues of chinar & cypress trees, has 12 terraces out of which the second terrace is considered the most impressive with 23 niches provided in its arched recess, just behind the cascade. It can be reached through the Dal Lake using water taxi of Kashmir, the Shikara.

CHASHMA SHAHI GARDEN

Chashme Shahi Garden, founded in 1632 with a length of 108 meters and breadth of 38 meters, is a small beautiful garden, the smallest among the famous Mughal gardens. This garden, also known as Royal Spring, is located near the Nehru Memorial Park in Srinagar and is easily reachable by road.

The garden is established in three sections with an aqueduct with fountains and waterfalls located along the middle. Different varieties of beautiful fragrant flowers and manicured lawns are the main attractions in this garden. 

It is believed that the fresh water spring in the garden has medicinal value. The garden provides splendid views of verdant greens, majestic mountain ranges and views of the Dal Lake. Pari Mahal and Char Chinar are few nearby attractions that are worth visiting.

DAL LAKE

Popularly known as 'Srinagar's jewel' the Dal Lake, spread over a straggling 26 sq.km, is the most popular tourist attraction in Srinagar. Renowned for its house boats and Shikara boat rides, set against the slow clad glorious Himalayas, the Dal Lake continues to be on the canvas & subject of several poets & artists.

Its unparalleled beauty & scenic environs makes it ideal to stay aboard the luxury houseboats & enjoy the gleaming evening sun shimmering on the lake as it goes down. The lake is partitioned in to four areas by four causeways, with the Western part of the lake dotted with many Islands attracting tourists with its serenity and solitude. It is first in the world to have secured Wi-Fi connection.

The lake located about 10 km from Srinagar and is easily reachable by taxis within 20 mins. Besides, it is also a hub for many water sports including water surfing, swimming, Shikara rides, kayaking, houseboat stays, angling and canoeing.  

WULLAR LAKE

Wullar Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in India, serves as a natural reservoir by drawing the excess water from the River Jhelum. Remains of a wonderful island built by King Zain-ul-abidin can be seen in the midst of the lake. Situated between the towns of Bandipore and Sopore, this unexplored and untouched lake is home to several species of birds.

NAGIN LAKE

Nagin Lake got its name from the trees surrounding the lake. Popularly known as the 'Jewel in the Ring’, it is one of the impressive lakes in east Srinagar (6 km reachable within 11 mins by taxi). The lake with its deep blue waters is separated from the Dal Lake by a thin causeway and is an exciting tourist spot with number of houseboats dwindling in the calm waters. Nagin   Water Skiing & sailing on fiberglass boats can also be enjoyed here.

HAZARATBAL MOSQUE

Also known as Dargah Sharif, Assar-e-Sharif and Madinat-Us-Sani, the Hazratbal Mosque on the western banks of the majestic Dal Lake is considered to be one of the most important shrines for Muslims. With the impressive Nishat Bagh in the vicinity, this enchanting white marble mosque offers great views of the Lake in the back drop of the majestic Himalayas.

The Mosque is a combination of Kashmiri and Mughal styles of architecture, with historical significance dating back to the 17th century. The distinctiveness of the Hazratbal Mosque is that it enshrines the 'Moi-e-Muqaddas' (the sacred hair) of the prophet Mohammed, which is shown to public only on special occasions.

TULIP GARDEN

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden  in Srinagar, is the largest Tulip garden of Asia spread over an area of about 12 hectares. It is situated on the foothills of Zabarwan Hills with an overview of picturesque world famous Dal Lake. This garden was conceived, conceptualized and created by Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, the then Chief Minister, of Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2006-07 with the aim to boost floriculture and advance tourism in Kashmir Valley.

SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE

Shankaracharya Temple, known to be built by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka around 200 BC, is an ancient shrine located on the Shankaracharya Hill (Takht-e-Suleiman) in Srinagar. This sacred site, situated at a height of about 1100 feet on the south-east of the city, offers splendid views of the valley and the snow clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range. Local folks tell a story that saint Shankaracharya spent some of his time at this site during his visit to Kashmir to revitalize Sanatan Dharma.

HOW TO REACH

By Road -  The city is well connected  by many highways, including National Highway 1A and National Highway 1D.

By Air - Srinagar Airport   has regular domesitc flights from Leh, Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi and occasional international flights. The International flights terminal was inaugurated on 14 February 2009 with an Air India flight from Dubai.

By  Rail -  Srinagar is a station on the 119 km (74 mi) long Kashmir railway that started in October 2009 and connects Baramulla to Srinagar, Anantnag and Qazigund. The railway track will connect to Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountains through the newly constructed 11 km long Banihal tunnel in 2012 and finally to the Indian railway network after a few years.

Bangalore

BANGALORE

The name Bangalore encompasses so many sobriquets like Garden City, Silicon Valley of India, Pub City and so on. One of the prettiest cities in India, known for its salubrious climate all year round, Bangalore is bestowed with tall tree lined streets & several parks adding to its greenery, hence it’s rightly called 'Garden City'. The Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is a melting pot of multi-linguistic cultures whose life is centered on the posh techno city offices. Bengaluru, as the city is officially called, is the final word in the IT field, as the city is the hub of multinational companies making the city their base.

Home to various public sector undertakings, software companies, heavy industries, telecommunications, aerospace, heavy equipment, machine tools, and defense organizations, Bangalore has developed into one of India's foremost fiscal centers and is referred to by CNN as one of the "finest places to do business in the hyper world".

Since Independence, Bangalore has shown an impressive growth in its educational institutions to commercial businesses making it the most sorts after city to relocate to. The city has also gained the acclamation of being the second literate metros in India.

With its gorgeous parks, boulevards, cinema complexes, bustling shopping bazaars & historical monuments, Bangalore is indubitably sparkling with life and vigor. Though a contemporary, busy city and a vital business center, Bangalore remains one of India's most appealing cities. One can get a sense of authentic traditions & celebrations along with the scurry of urban life.

 

MAJOR  ATTRACTIONS

Cubbon Park

In 300 acres of abundant serenity lies the Cubbon Park. It was laid out by Lord Cubbon who was the viceroy of India in the year 1864. The park, in the present days, is a haven of Green foliage, in the center of modern Bangalore. Mostly visited by tourists seeking calm and quiet atmosphere, the park is also an ideal place for nature lovers, walkers and joggers.

After its institution additions to the park in the form of fairy fountains and grand band stand have been made. New buildings have added beauty and cultural wealth to the park.

Lal Bagh

Lal Bagh is one of India’s most beautiful botanical gardens. Hyder Ali set out the garden and his son is supposed to have added horticultural wealth to the garden. He imported several plants and trees from different countries.The garden has about 1000 species of rare plants and herbs. The park is constructed in about 2400 acres. There is a glass house depicting London’s Crystal Palace and this is the main center of attraction. The garden is well protected with stone walls which act as enclosures. It has four approach gates.The garden remains open from 6 am to 7 pm throughout the year.

Ulsoor  Lake

Ulsoor  lake is centrally located. It is spread over an area of 1.5 sq km. The lake in its early years was known as "Halsur" or "Alasur". The lake dates back to the time of Kempe Gowda I and II. There are 2 springs which exists at the bottom of the lake. These springs are now covered with heavy silt. The then Commissioner of Bangalore Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring constructed the lake. The lake is a famous tourist spot. It is not fit for swimming. But one can go for boating in the lake.

Tipu Sultan's Palace

Tipu Sultan's Palace is located very close to the fort. It is now converted to a museum. The building of the palace was started by Hyder Ali and it was completed by Tipu Sultan. The construction of the Palace was completed in the year 1791 and it took ten years to plan and construct the palace.

The Palace was one of Tipu Sultan's summer retirements. It is a double storied flowery wooden structure. It has columns, curves and balconies which are laid with gardens on both sides of the path which leads to the palace. A dedication on the wooden screen reports the palace to be an "Abode of Happiness".

Vidhana Soudha

Vidhana Soudha is a noble building built exclusively of dressed Bangalore granite. It is a testimonial to temple architecture. The building is Bangalore’s best known landmark. It is 46 meter high. Vidhana Soudha is one of Bangalore’s important buildings. The building is constructed entirely on the Indian style of architecture. All the four corners have four domes. The main entranceway is eclipsed by the four headed lion. The lion is the symbolic representation of Indian sovereignty.

The Vidhana Soudha has twenty two departments and three hundred rooms. The construction of the building was started in the year 1952. It took more than five thousand manual laborers, 1500 scammers, masons and wood carvers and 4 years to complete the building.

The Bannerghatta National Park

The Bannerghatta National Park is situated 22 km away from the city. A variety of fauna in the picturesque surroundings of the park can be seen. It is a reserve of lions, Indian tigers and many other mammals. Crocodiles, picnic corner, pets corner and serpentarium with lion’s safari are among the many attractions in the park. The small zoo in the park displays many zoological items.

The country’s first butterfly park was set up in the Bannerghatta National Park on 25th of November 2006. The butterfly park is spread over 7.5 acres of land and constitutes a butterfly conservatory, museum and an audio-visual room. The conservatory is made of polycarbonate roof. The living environment has been so designed that it supports 20 species of butterflies.

September to January is the best time to visit, when one can spot Lions and Tigers while on a safari.

The Venkatappa Art Gallery

The Venkatappa Art Gallery is situated in the Karnataka Government Museum. It exhibits some of the rich art of Bangalore. The Art Gallery is comprised of two floors and displays 600 paintings.

The government museum was established in the year 1865. The museum has exhibits of antiquities from Mohenjadaro and terracotta from Mathura. It contains traditional paintings also. The museum is a must visit place for art lovers. It has some of the exclusive collections of scenic displays. The museum also has some of the great works of the famous artist K. Venkatappa.

ISKON Temple

The Temple is a dainty blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony with a unique combination of glass and gopurams. It is built on a hillock. The surroundings are beautiful. This temple was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning.

Thousands of devotees attend the annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra. The temple is built in a seven acre hillock. This area was discarded by the Bangalore Development Authority as waste land. A person by the name Pandit Dasa purchased the hillock from the BDA at a cost of Rs 11 lakhs and this temple was constructed.

Commercial Street

 Commercial Street in Bangalore is one of the main shopping complexes in India. The whole of the street is lit by a covering of lights that are threaded from lamppost to lamppost. The energy of the people shopping here is high and one can get a good sense of the chaos that is prevalent there.

The Commercial Street is one of the busiest areas in Bangalore. It is placed between Shivaji Nagar and Kamaraj Road. Garments, hosiery and textile stores form the major part of the shops. In addition there are shops selling shoes, art materials, jewellery, sport goods and other general goods.

How to reach Bangalore

BY RAIL - Bangalore Majestic, Bangalore Cantonment (8 km to Majestic) and Yeshwanthpur (10 km away from Majestic) are the three main stations in Bangalore. Bangalore Majestic is connected to all major cities in India.

BY AIR - Bangalore International Airport is 40 km away from the heart of the city, Majestic. It costs about Rs 300 by auto rickshaw and Rs 600 by taxi. Pre paid taxi facilities are available in Airport. Bangalore airport is well connected to almost all airports in India. International flights to major foreign cities are also operated from Bangalore.

BY ROAD - KSRTC buses connect all cities in the state to Bangalore. Many super deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore to Hyderabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Chennai, Mumbai, Goa and Mysore.

Gangtok

GANGTOK

 Gangtok is a bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The name Gangtok is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside, Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of 5,800 feet (1,800 m Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry. Gangtok is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and centres for Tibetology.

It is very widely known and esteemed for its scenic beauty and striking views of the mount Kanchenjunga, 3rd highest peak in the world. The hill resort is about 110 km from Siliguri and it is very well linked with other important places of this region.

With various cultures and religions thriving in perfect concord, Gangtok has proved that 'unity in diversity' exists in Sikkim. Sikkimeses possess firm bonding with their antique customs and traditions. Gangtok is emphatically not behind the rest of the places in the world in terms of modernization and urbanization. The town has broad roads, discothèques, educational institutes, fast-food centres, flyovers, posh markets, state-of-art hospital, and all other advanced and modern comforts that the heart can want for.

 The hospitality industry is the largest industry in Gangtok as the city is the main base for Sikkim tourism. Summer and spring seasons are the most popular tourist seasons. Many of Gangtok's residents are employed directly and indirectly in the tourism industry, with many residents owning and working in hotels and restaurants.  Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities. An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007.

ATTRACTIONS

SARAMSA GARDEN

Saramsa Garden is situated around 14 km away from Gangtok. It was constituted in year 1922 by the forest department of India. It is the home to numerous species of exotic orchids and other uncommon tropical plants of Sikkim. The garden also comprises many orchids and fruit trees. The garden has been established and sustained by the department of forests. It is a splendid recreational and picnic spot.

The garden covers an area of six acres. The garden would be an alfresco gallery and a watching deck in what respect the same the visitants can catch a glance of Rani khola and the worthy floriculture centre situated on its opposite side.

 TASHI VIEWPOINT

The late king of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal, has constructed the Tashi Viewpoint. It is located 4 km away from Gangtok, from where the visitors can get a perfect view of the opposite hills, besides mount Kanchenjunga. The snow range of Kanchenjunga could be seen on clear days. From this viewpoint, the visitors can easily see the Phodong Monastery and the Labrang Monastery on the opposite hill

A perching shed and a modest cafeteria are there at Tashi Viewpoint, which provides shelter and other comforts to the visitors. The park present near the viewpoint is a great place to savour the picnic.

TSOMGO LAKE

Tsomgo Lake is located in the north eastern part of Sikkim. It is situated 35 km away from Gangtok on the Gangtok–Nathula highway, which makes a role of the erstwhile trade route from India to China. This lake has been worshipped as a holy lake by Sikkimese. The average depth of this lake is about 50 feet and 1 km long.

The cool and tranquil water harmonies with the beautiful scenery around it attract so many visitors. During the winter season, the lake would be in frozen condition. A moderate-sized temple of lord Shiva is present on the lakeshore. Many beautiful flowering plants like primula and other plantations like alpine add beauty to the lake.

ENCHEY MONASTERY

Enchey Monastery, which means solitary temple, is a 200-year old monastery. This monastery is situated, on a hilltop, just 3 km away from the metropolis centre. There are about 90 monks in this monastery.

The monastery was constructed on this site blessed by the renowned Tantrik guru Lame Druptab Karpn, who is recognized for his flying powers. This monastery has been built as a small hermitage. However, during the period of Sikyong Tulku (from 1909 to 1910), the current monastery was constructed in the form of a Chinese Pagoda. No other construction is allowed built near this monastery. This monastery has icons of Goddesses, Gods, and other spiritual objects in its premises.

GANESH TOK

Ganesh Tok is a very small temple located next to the television tower on the hillock on Gangtok–Nathula road. Ganesh Tok is located 7 km from Gangtok. The altitude of this spot would be 6,500 m. This temple is devoted to lord Ganesh. It is so small; it can just accommodate one person. One must crawl to get into the temple.

From this temple, one can get a bird’s-eye view of the Gangtok town, the Raj Bhawan Complex, and mount Kanchenjunga – the world’s 3rd highest peak. There is a place called Smriti Van, which is close to the temple, where the devotees can plant saplings on behalf of their loved ones.

RUMTEK MONASTERY

Rumtek Monastery is also known as Dharma Chakra Centre. From its location on a hilltop, Rumtek Monastery is facing the city Gangtok. The monastery is located 24 km away from Gangtok, in the east Sikkim. This monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim, which is dwelling to the monk community. This is the place where the monks do the sacred rites in addition to the practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

The monastery is situated at an altitude of 5,800 ft. During summer, the maximum temperature would range between 13 and 21°C; however, in the winter the temperature would range between 8 and 15°C.

Rumtek Monastery consists of numerous sacred things; one of the most glorious things is the Golden Stupa that holds the treasured relics of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa.

FAMBONG LA WILDLIFE

Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 20 km away from Gangtok. This sanctuary is very famous for varied flora (like bamboo, champa, ferns, katus, kimbu, oak, orchids, rhododendrons, and so on) and fauna (binturong or bearcat, civet cat, Himalayan black bear, red panda, and so on).

It is a wonderful place to find many species of wild animals pursued with their day-to-day activities. It also domiciles many species of birds and butterflies. At the altitude of 7,000 feet, Tinjure has a wooden site-seeing tower, which has been maintained by the Forest Department. As a whole, this sanctuary would the best place for the nature lovers.

NAMGYAL INSTITUTE  OF  TIBETOLOGY

Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology is a premiere institute and research center located atop a small hill. The main attraction here is the museum which houses around 200 Buddhist icons, antique paintings,   statues,   masks and other religious works of Tibetan Art. Moreover, the museum is renowned for having one of the world’s biggest collections of rare manuscripts of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.

BAN JHAKRI FALLS

Set amidst natural greens and covering an area of around 2 acres, Ban Jhakri falls is quite a popular place amongst tourists in Gangtok. The site is just 4 km away from the town of Gangtok and it is enroute to Ranka Monastery, which is another tourist spot. A park with shamanistic theme, the ethnic sculptures and figures maintained in the park gives a picture of the Jhakri culture.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail - The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri, which is nearly 148 km away from Gangtok. Taxi cab will charge about Rs 2000. This is well connected to most of the major cities in India.

By Air - The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 124 km from Gangtok. The taxi fare from the airport to Gangtok is about Rs 2000. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad.

Helicopter services are available from Bagdogra to Gangtok, only once during a day. It takes about 20 minutes to complete one way journey

By Road - The Gangtok city is well connected to other cities in Sikkim and the neighboring states by bus services. Private tourist buses are available from Gangtok to Bagdogra (124 km) and to Siliguri (114 km).

Jaipur

JAIPUR

Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, after whom the city has been named.  and is India's first planned city. Jaipur was the capital of former Kachwaha rulers. This royal place is rich in heritage, culture and architecture. Later in 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh adorned the city in pink colour, which is supposed to be associated with hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to the city; and thus it acquired the name Pink City.

 The Palace quarter encloses a sprawling palace complex, formal gardens, and a small lake. Nahargarh Fort, which was the residence of the King Sawai Jai Singh II, crowns the hill in the northwest corner of the old city. The observatory, Jantar Mantar, is one of the World Heritage Sites.  Included on the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur is an extremely popular tourist destination in Rajasthan .

MAJOR ATTRACTION

Hawa Mahal , It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Ustad in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. Its unique five-storey exterior is also akin to the honeycomb of the beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas .  The original intention of the lattice was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen, since they had to observe strict "purdah" (face cover). 

Built of red and pink sandstone, the palace is situated on the main thoroughfare in the heart of Jaipur’s business centre. It forms part of the City Palace, and extends to the Zenana or women's chambers, the chambers of the harem. It is particularly striking when viewed early in the morning, lit with the golden light of sunrise

Amer Fort  is located in Amer , 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Jaipur. It is one of the principal tourist attractions in the Jaipur area, located high on a hill. Amer Fort was built by Raja Man Singh I. Amer Fort is known for its artistic style, blending both Hindu and Rajput elements.  

The aesthetic ambiance of this formidable fort is seen within its walls on a four level layout plan (each with a courtyard) in a well turned out opulent palace complex built with red sandstone and marble consisting of the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience", the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over the water cascade within the palace. Hence, the Amer Fort is also popularly known as the Amer Palace.  The palace was lived in by the Rajput Maharajas and their families. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is also a temple dedicated to Sila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult which was given to Raja Man Singh when he had defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604.   

Jaigarh Fort   is situated on the premonitory called the Cheel ka Teela of the Aravalli hill ranges; it overlooks the Amber Fort and the Maota Lake, near Amber in Jaipur. The fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh III in 1726 to protect the Amer Fort and the palace complex within it and was named after Jai Singh II 

The fort, rugged and similar in structural design to the Amber Fort, is also known as Victory Fort. It has a length of 3 kilometres  along the north-south direction and a width of 1 kilometre.  The fort features a cannon named “Jaivana”, which was manufactured in the fort precincts and was then the world's largest cannon on wheels. The palace complex (Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir and Aram Mandir) located within the fort has a well-tended garden where the royal family resided, the Shubhat Niwas (an assembly hall of the warriors), an armoury and a museum. Jaigarh Fort and Amber Fort are connected by subterranean passages and considered as one complex. 

Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the pink city of Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The view of the city from the fort is breath-taking.

Along with Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defence ring for the city. The fort was originally named Sudarshangarh, but it became known as Nahargarh, which means 'abode of tigers'. The popular belief is that Nahar here stands for Nahar Singh Bhomia[1], whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort[2]. Nahar's spirit was pacified by building a temple in his memory within the fort, which thus became known by his name .

Built mainly in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, the fort was constructed as a place of retreat on the summit of the ridge above the city. Walls extended over the surrounding hills, forming fortifications that connected this fort to Jaigarh, the fort above the old capital of Amber. Though the fort never came under attack during the course of its history, it did see some historical events, notably the treaties with the Maratha forces who warred with Jaipur in the 18th century . During the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the Europeans of the region, including the British Resident's wife, were moved to Nahargarh fort by the king of Jaipur, Sawai Ram Singh, for their protection.

 City Palace, Jaipur, which includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings, is a palace complex in Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan state, India. It was the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the head of the Kachwaha Rajput clan. The Chandra Mahal palace now houses a museum but the greatest part of it is still a royal residence. The palace complex, which is located northeast of the centre of the grid patterned Jaipur city, incorporates an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The palace was built between 1729 and 1732, initially by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. He planned and built the outer walls, and later additions were made by successive rulers right up to the 20th century. The credit for the urban layout of the city and its structures is attributed to two architects namely, Vidyadar Bhattacharya, the chief architect in the royal court and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, apart from the Sawai himself who was a keen architectural enthusiast. The architects achieved a fusion of the Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture with Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture.[

The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II at his then new capital of Jaipur between 1727 and 1734. It is modeled after the one that he had built for him at the Mughal capital of Delhi. He had constructed a total of five such facilities at different locations, including the ones at Delhi and Jaipur. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these. It has been inscribed on the World Heritage List as "an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period". Early restoration work was undertaken under the supervision of Major Arthur Garrett, a keen amateur astronomer, during his appointment as Assistant State Engineer for the Jaipur District

Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. 

The Jal Mahal palace has got an eye-popping makeover. Traditional boat-makers from Vrindavan have crafted the Rajput style wooden boats. A gentle splashing of oars on the clear lake waters takes you to Jal Mahal. You move past decorated hallways and chambers on the first floor to climb all the way up to the fragrant Chameli Bagh. Across the lake, you can view the Aravalli hills, dotted with temples and ancient forts, and on the other side, bustling Jaipur. The most remarkable change is in the lake itself. The drains were diverted, two million tonnes of toxic silt were dredged from the bottom, increasing its depth by over a metre, a water treatment system was developed, local vegetation and fish reintroduced, the surrounding wetlands regenerated and five nesting islands created to attract migratory birds

The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and now a luxury Taj Palace Hotel, located 5 miles (8.0 km) outside of the walls of the city of Jaipur on Bhawani Singh Road. Preferred by celebrities and sport stars across the globe, Rambagh Palace, is widely considered to be one of the best hotels around the world.

Chokhi Dhani, a Rajasthani village themed resort, situated in the outskirts of Jaipur, is a representation of the culture, traditions and lifestyle of village life in Rajasthan. Chokhi Dhani village consists of an ethnic village theme resort with 100 (cottages, royal cottages and haveli suites) and it has multicuisine restaurants, banquet halls, spa, barbecue and sheesha (Hookah) lounge.

The village fair attempts to encapsulate the feeling of the rural life and culture of Rajasthan, a state known for its cultural and historical richness. The chairman of Chokhi Dhani is Gulraj Vaswani, and the Managing Director is Subhash Vaswani.

Founded in 1989, it is now spread over 22 acres (8.9 ha) of land and has evolved as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jaipur and continues to be one of the major players in the hospitality industry across India

Raj Mandir Cinema is a famous movie theater in Jaipur in Rajasthan state in India. Situated on the Bhagwan Das Road, near M.I. Road, the meringue-shaped auditorium opened in 1976, and over the years has seen many movie premieres of Hindi films, and has become a popular symbol of Jaipur, it is often referred as the Pride of Asia.

Bhopal

BHOPAL

Bhopal     is the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative. Bhopal is known as the City of Lakes  for its various natural as well as artificial lakes and is also one of the greenest cities in India.  The city attracted international attention after the Bhopal disaster, when a Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide manufacturing plant leaked a mixture of deadly gases including methyl isocyanate on the intervening night of 2 / 3 December 1984, leading to the worst industrial disaster in the history of industrialization and a loss of thousands of lives. Since then, Bhopal has been a center of protests and campaigns which have been joined by people from across the globe.

Located on a slope in the Malwa Plateau, the city is a naturally blessed with woody forests, majestic hills and vibrant landscapes. Besides these natural bliss, the man made lakes, reflect the twinkling lights of city at night, which is a sight to be worth watching.

Though the city is not too well endowed with monuments, it has a unique character of its own. It presents a harmonious blend of Hindu and Islamic cultures with a perfect symphony of North Indian and South Indian traditions. The uniqueness of this historic city lies in the fact that, perhaps it will be the only Indian city which was ruled over by the powerful Begums over centuries. These progressive rulers outnumbered their male counterparts in every field and the beautiful mansions and mosques are the speaking edifices of their golden rule.

Modern Bhopal is a place where one can see the richness of tradition is intertwined with the modern life. The remnants of the glorious past live on in the havelis, grand mosques and the museums. These elegant structures exhibits a superb blend of Islam, Hindu and European style architecture. Steeped in to these magnificient past, Bhopal’s new face, presents, verdant parks and gardens, broad avenues and modern offices. In short, Bhopal has successfully transformed into a sprawling city coloured by its vibrant past.

A cradle of arts and culture, Bhopal provides numerous centers of contemporary and performing arts. Being the capital of a state with a large tribal population, Bhopal is a hub of the folk and tribal arts that give a feel of village life in the state. Besides all these, Bhopal is acclaimed for the famous cave paintings, which are not only valuable for their artistic values but also for their ethnicity.

A write up of Bhopal could not be completed, without a reference to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy that was one of the worst industrial disasters India ever had seen.

A rambling city with a celebrated past and a glittering present, Bhopal is all set to mesmerize the visitor with its enduring

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Upper Lake

A beautiful water body of the 11th century, Upper Lake is the oldest man-made lake in India. Locally called as Bada Talab, it is a massive earthen bund constructed across the Kolans River. Legend says that King Bhoj constructed this gigantic lake, which is believed to have cured his skin disease.

A massive lake with a catchment area of 36.1 sq km, the Upper Lake happens to be the major source of potable water for the people of Bhopal. An attractive royal garden called Kamla Park in the vicinity makes the surroundings more scenic. A favourite spot of the water enthusiasts, this lake is the hub of all water sport activities in Bhopal.

Lower Lake

A beautiful remnant of the great Mugal Empire, Lower Lake in Bhopal is situated in the serene surroundings of majestic hills and the massive upper lake. The Lower Lake, which is also called as the Chota Talaab, is separated from the Upper Lake by an over-bridge.

Hemmed by the magnificient Kamala garden, the Lower Lake presents aesthetic appearance. Exciting trips by sail, paddle and motorboats over the Lower Lake is fascinating attractions for adventure lovers.This lovely lake along with the magnificient Upper Lake have given Bhopal its title as the "City of Lakes". The beauty and charm of this wonderful pond is greatly affected by the human settlements from all sides.

The Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Bhopal exhibits an impressive collection of sculptures obtained from different parts of the state. Various articles on display in this museum helps to get a deep insight about the cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh.

The museum in Bhopal offers a wide spectrum of a rich tradition. The precious artifacts of this museum includes statues of Lakshmi, Buddha, images of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, paintings of various schools and copies of paintings from the Bagh caves among other things. The image of Shiva and Parvathi, Jain sculptures dating back to the 12th century, and a fine carving of two couples from Khajuraho make oneself spellbound.

The museum is open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm except on Mondays and Government holidays. Illustrating a rich heritage, Archaeological Museum adorns a remarkable place in the tourist map of Madhya Pradesh.

 Bharat Bhavan

A center of unparalleled excellence, Bharat Bhavan is a unique institution for performing and visual arts. This multi-art complex is so designed that its shape is in superb accord with the surrounding landscape and it offers a visual impact of spaciousness.

A place for contemporary expression, exploration, manifestation and innovation, this multi-arts complex provides interactive propinquity to the vocal, visual and performing arts. A thriving center of contemporary arts, which has its accolades countrywide, Bharat Bhavan is a must-visit for art enthusiast. Apart from a tribal museum, Bharat Bhavan has an art gallery where permanent exhibitions of the works of artists and sculptors are put on display.

Shaukat Mahal

Situated at the Chowk area of Bhopal, Shaukat Mahal is one of the architectural wonders of Bhopal. The Mahal is an odd combination of Indo-Islamic and European styles of architecture. Supposed to be designed by a profligate Frenchman, the building is very different from the rest of the Islamic architecture in the locality.

The unique feature of this Mahal is that it is made of beautiful white alabaster and the roof the building is adorned with a series of complicated triangular-shaped arches. The delicate floral patterns of on the exterior of the palace give it a very eco-friendly appearance.

Birla Museum

Birla Museum is a genuine endeavor to put on display the rich and varied culture of Madhya Pradesh. One of its kinds, Birla Museum occupies a significant place among the monuments and museums in Bhopal. The museum exhibits various objects from the primitive period onwards. Tools and equipments used by the Paleolithic and Neolithic man will catch the attention of the visitor.

It is certain that the stunning scale model of Bhimbetka rock shelter with its ancient murals will make the viewer dumbfound. Tourists who are interested in archeology will be greatly benefited by the display of stone sculptures from the 7th to 13th century and coins, manuscripts and Terracotta belonging to 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD.

Van Vihar National Park

Spread over a vast area of 445 hectors of land on a majestic hillock, the Van Vihar National Park is situated in the heart of Bhopal city. An oasis of greenery, this national park house a variety of herbivorous and carnivorous species in their natural habitat.

Van Vihar is more of a zoo than a national park. Most of the animals are either orphaned, brought from various parts of the state, or those which are exchanged from other zoos. Van Vihar is a place where the visitors are provided with the opportunity to enjoy, experience, understand and appreciate nature.

The park is open from 7 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 5 pm and closed on Tuesdays. It provides free entry to the park for schools, colleges and senior citizens. July to September is the ideal time to visit the park.

Taj-ul-Masjid

One of the largest and most elegant Muslim mosques, Taj-ul-Masjid is the most imposing structure in Bhopal. The literal meaning of the term Taj-ul-Masjid is ‘The Crown of Mosques’, and the building really presents a magnificent spectacle and is worthy for a watch. It’s pink façade and the huge white-domed minarets provide it a miraculous charm.

The mosque also has so many other spectacular features, which adds its natural charm. Among them the three huge bulbous domes, an impressive main hallway with attractive pillars, marble flooring and a spacious courtyard are very conspicuous. The mosque is also functioned as a madarsa, an Islamic religious school during daytime.

The serene premises of this marvelous shrine draws large gathering during the annual three-day Ijtima congregation.

Moti Masjid

Moti Masjid, a lovely shrine in Bhopal is a significant landmark in the history of muslim women in India. This marvelous shrine was constructed by the progressive muslim ruler Sikander Begum in the year 1860. The architectural design of the Moti Masjid has a close similitude to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi.

This pretty mosque is comparatively smaller in size, but grabs thousands of tourists with its architectural marvel. Its dark red towers and golden spikes are really fantastic. The façade of the mosque is of glittering white marble, which provides an ethereal look. The Moti Masjid is also called as Pearl Mosque because of this sparkling white fascia.

Sair Sapata complex

Sair Sapata is a tourism and entertainment complex situated on the banks of the Upper Lake in Bhopal. Developed by the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation, it is spread over an area of 24.56 acres, and was inaugurated on 29 September 2011 by State Chief Minister. Aimed at promoting tourism, the complex has attractions like musical fountain, two acres of children’s play area, toy train and a suspension bridge, among other things.

HOW TO REACH

BY RAIL - Bhopal Railway Station is a major railhead in Mumbai – Delhi broad gauge. It has connection trains to all major cities in India. Daily Shatabdi expresses shuttle between Bhopal and Delhi

BY AIR - Bhopal Airport, also known as Raja Bhoj Airport, is 15 km away from the heart of the city. Taxi Cab will charge about Rs 150, one way. Bhopal airport is connected to Mumbai, Indore, Gwalior and Delhi. International flights to Gulf cities like Sharjah and Dubai are operated from Bhopal.

BY ROAD -  Lots of bus facilities, public and private, are available in Bhopal. All cities in the state are connected to Bhopal by bus services. Overnight deluxe buses from Delhi, Gwalior and Jabalpur are available to Bhopal. Deluxe buses charge Rs. 3-4 per km.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, which is almost 500 years old, is the capital city of Telangana. It is located on the Deccan Plateau. The city has an average altitude of about 500 m above the sea level. Most of the regions have rocky terrain.

Originally, the city of Hyderabad was established on the southern banks of the river Musi. Now, the so-called original Hyderabad city is called as the historical Old City. The Old City is the dwelling to the Charminar and the Mecca Masjid. Many constructions – government buildings and landmarks – are going on in the city center, particularly on the south side of the Husai Sagar Lake. The fast development of the city, along with the development of adjoining city Secunderabad and adjacent municipalities, has resulted in the creation of a huge and densely populated metropolitan region.

With various software firms, call centers, and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies being set up during the early 1990s, Hyderabad has become one of the key areas for such information technology (IT) and IT-enabled service set-ups. Many pharmaceutical companies like Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Divis Labs, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Hetero Drugs Limited, Matrix Laboratories, and Vimta Labs are located in the city.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

  

Charminar

Charminar, an excellent blend of the Indo-Islamic architecture, is one of the places that will come to mind when one plans to visit Hyderabad. It is a square-shaped structure standing as a witness to the glory of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The structure is 56 meters high and 30 meters wide. There are four minarets standing on the four corners of Charminar, each minaret having double balconies. The balconies offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding. These minarets are crowned with small, bulblike copulas.

There are four grand arches facing the cardinal directions and major roads emanate from the arches, along the four cardinal directions. On the top floor is located a small mosque. There are 45 prayer spaces and people throng to this mosque for the Friday prayers. One should not miss the beautiful view of Charminar when it is illuminated.

Golkunda Fort

The Golconda Fort is situated due west of Hyderabad. The fort was founded as early as the twelfth century by the Kakatias. The Qutub Sahi kings converted this fort into a mighty fort with granite walls and ramparts that extend to around 5 kilometers in circumference. The perimeter of this massive fort measures around 11 kilometers, with 15 to 18-foot-high walls. There are as many as 70 ramparts besides 8 huge gates.

Golconda was once the market city for its diamond trade. Darya-e Nur, meaning 'sea of light', measuring 185 carats and housed now in Iran, was mined here. Many other famed diamonds—including the Kohinoor Diamond, Nur-Ul-Ain Diamond, the Hope Diamond, and the Regent Diamond—are believed to belong to the mines in this region.

Highlight of the fort is a light-and-sound show. The timings of the show are different during summers and winters. During November–February, the shows begin at 6:30 pm, and during March-October, the shows begin at 7 pm. On Wednesdays and Sundays the shows are presented in English; on Tuesdays, Fridays, and on Saturdays, in Hindi; and on Thursdays, Telugu.

Purani Haveli

Purana Haveli is the main residence of Mahbub Ali Pasha, the Nizam VI. One of the neo-classical structures, it is a sprawling complex built during the mid-nineteenth century. That the Nizam lived a lavish life can be seen from the Massarat Mahal, situated on the eastern wing of the building. It houses the Nizam’s wooden wardrobe, a giant 73-square-meter room having two closets and an elevator. The two closets are of two levels, and the mechanical elevator is used to reach the top level of the closets.The Nizam’s museum is also found in the Purana Haveli. Purana Haveli is open between 10:30 am and 5 pm, except on Fridays.

Salar Jung Museum

Salar Jung Museum is located on the southern side of the river Musi. It is the third most prominent museum in India domiciliating the largest one-man aggregations of antiques in the world. This museum is very famous throughout India for its well-known collections of materials belong to various civilizations starting from first century.

The museum is a majestic treat to the cognoscenti with an accumulation of more than 43,000 art materials and 50,000 books and manuscripts. The collections contain Children Art, European Art, Far Eastern Art, Indian Art, and Middle Eastern Art along with a gallery of founders and uncommon manuscripts section.

Hussain Sagar Lake

Hussain Sagar Lake was built in 1562 by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali, during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. The lake was built on a tributary of Musi River and is located in the midst of Hyderabad city. The main Tank Bund links Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which are famously called the twin cities.

The bund is laid with a broad road with well-maintained lawns and houses 33 statues of famed personalities of Andhra Pradesh state. A 16-meter-tall, 350-tonne, monolithic Buddha statue is on the middle of the lake. Lumbini Park, which houses the Buddha statue, has a musical fountain. There is a Lower Tank Bund road, which mainly serves to decongest the traffic.

Budha Statue

The Buddha Statue is the world’s largest single-stone statue of Buddha, which is made of a white granite rock. It is 22 metres (72 feet) in height and 450 tonnes (4,50,000 kilograms) in weight. It is located in the center of the lake on the rock of Gibraltar in the tranquil waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake. It was a contribution of the Buddha Poornima Project held in the year 1985.

The statue was carved by 200 artisans for more than two years. The statue has been shipped to Hyderabad in November 1988, after some initial troubles, the Buddha statue was raised up on 12 April 1992. The atmosphere ponders peace and perseverance. A visit to the Buddha statue by boat would be an unforgettable experience.

Lumbani Park

Lumbini Park is situated a few yards from the famous monolithic Buddha statue of the Hussain Sagar Lake. Lumbini Park is part of the Buddha Poornima Project, and is named after the birthplace of Buddha. A large 'clock' designed using flowering plants at the entrance welcomes the visitors.The park is a serene landscape decorated with seasonal flowering plants, rocks and cacti. Children have a lot to be entertained here, including the musical fountain and water cascades. The musical fountain dances to the tunes of popular Hindi and Telugu numbers. The park is open to visitors on weekdays, except on Mondays.

Osman Sagar Lake

Osman Sagar Lake is situated about 20 km away from Hyderabad. It is commonly known as Gandipet. The important attractions of this lake are Elless World, Ocean Park, and Treasure Island. This lake is crowded in all the seasons. The water body was made by building a dam on Moosi River in the year 1920 by Mir Osman Ali Khan. The lake supply water to the cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Osman Sagar Lake covers an area of 46 square km. The environment here is very pleasing and the decorated gardens with a swimming pool are additional attractions to this lake. There is no any specific time to visit this place. It could be visited at any time of the day. It is open for the public - no entrance fee!

ISKCON Temple

ISKCON Temple is located at Nampally in Hyderabad. It is one of the famous temples constructed by the ISKCON organization. The main deity of this temple is Lord Krishna. Other deities of this temple are Sri Gaura-Nitai, Sri Jagannatha Baladeva-Subhadra, and Sri Radha Madana-Mohana.

The temple is usually crowded on Krishnashtami since thousands of devotees visit this temple. The temple has been kept under strict watch by the police personnels. Many metal detectors have been set up at the gateways by which no frisking was executed.

Usual programmes are performed on daily basis. On Sundays special programmes are performed. The temple also distributes the Krishna Prasadam to nearly 1,000 devotees every month. Bhakti Vrksha facilitates devotees to get personal attention and guidance on how to exercise bhakti yogas and sustain good association.

  Mecca Masjid

The construction of Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad employed 8000 masons working round the clock for 77 years. The Masjid is one of the oldest, and biggest, mosques in the entire country. This mosque is located 100 meters from the Charminar. The myth is that bricks used for the construction of this masjid comprised of bricks from Mecca.

The masjid houses a 75-foot-high hall, which has dimensions of 220 feet by 180 feet. Belgian crystal chandeliers adorn the mosque. The structure started withering and cracking, making the government announce the region to be traffic free.

Birla Mandir

The various Birla mandirs constructed across the country were built by the industrialists Birlas. Sri Venkateswara, or Lord Lakshminarayana, is the deity of these temples. Strangely, however, these temples are known by the family that undertook the noble cause. The Birla Mandir in Hyderabad is built on the 280-foot-high hillock of Kalapahad. Birla Mandirs are constructed entirely using marbles. It is believed that it took 2000 tonnes of white marbles brought from the Indian state of Rajasthan to complete this holy place.

The intricate marble carvings blending the South Indian architecture, Utkal temple architecture and Rajastani architecture is simply amazing. The view from the highest level offers the viewer a spectacular view of the Hussain Sagar Lake and the Public Gardens and Lumbini Park.

The temple is open between 7 am and 12 noon and between 3 pm and 9 pm.

HOW TO REACH

BY RAIL - Secunderabad, one of the twin cities with Hyderabad, is a major station with the head quarters of Southern Railway. Nampally railway station is well connected to all major railway stations in India.

BY AIR - Hyderabad International Airport, Rajiv Gandhi International Terminal, is well connected to many important cities abroad. Domestic terminal, N T Rama Rao domestic Terminal, connects to all major cities in India. All private air travel providers operate services from Hyderabad. The both airport are located side by side and are located at Begumpet, about 20 km away from the heart of the city. Taxi services cost about Rs 350 from Airport to Hyderabad city.

BY ROAD - Andra Pradesh state owned buses connect Hyderabad city with all cities in the state and the neighboring states. Hyderabad is a hub of deluxe, super deluxe, A/C and Volvo tourist buses. Hyderabad is connected by these superb buses to many cities, including Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakapatnam and Vijayawada.

SAUDI ARAB

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, is the largest Arab state in Western Asia  and the second-largest in the Arab world (after Algeria). It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, Yemen in the south, the Red Sea to the west and Persian Gulf to the east.  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud (known for most of his career as Ibn Saud) in 1932, although the conquests which eventually led to the creation of the Kingdom began in 1902 when he captured Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of Saud, referred to in Arabic as Al Saud. The Saudi Arabian government has been an absolute monarchy since its inception, and it describes itself as beingIslamic. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and the kingdom is sometimes called "the Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in reference to Al-Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca), and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (in Medina), the two holiest places in Islam.

Saudi Arabia has the world's second largest oil reserves which are concentrated largely in the Eastern Province.  Oil accounts for more than 95% of exports and 70% of government revenue, although the share of the non-oil economy has been growing recently. This has facilitated the transformation of an underdeveloped desert kingdom into one of the world's wealthiest nations. Vast oil revenues have permitted rapid modernisation, such as the creation of a welfare state. It has also the world's sixth largest natural gas reserves. It is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive.

Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government control over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 18%  of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC, although its influence has waned in recent years.

Tourism in Saudi Arabia

The mountains, valleys and Red Sea beaches with turquoise water are known for some of the world's finest diving and attract some, but comparatively few, tourists. Some other spots are hard to reach, such as the Nabatean ruins, a four-hour drive from Medina, the nearest city with an airport for visitors to fly into. The Kingdom is almost totally dependent on oil, a habit Prince Sultan Bin Salman wants to change by forming the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities in 2000. There is also the famous bridge to Bahrain.

Tourism in Saudi Arabia is largely based around religious pilgrimage. Mecca receives over three million pilgrims a year during the month of Hajj, and around two million during the month of Ramadan in Umrah.  During the rest of the year, Mecca receives around four million for Umrah. The Hajj, or pilgrimage to the city, is one of the five pillars of Islam. However, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter.

Destinations

Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, is the geographic and cultural hub of the country and its largest city. Once surrounded by mud-brick walls, modern Riyadh – whose name comes from the Arabic word for garden (rowdhah) – is a contemporary city with an ever-expanding network of modern roads, high rises, residential suburbs and industrial parks.

Despite being a modern city, Riyadh also retains much of its traditional appeal. The city’s historic Qasr Al-Hokm district has been carefully preserved and renovated to make it the city’s cultural, commercial and social center.

One of the highlights of Qasr Al-Hokm is the historic Masmak fortress, which King Abdulaziz recaptured the fortress in 1902 – setting the stage for the foundation of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Another highlight is the Murabba’ Palace, a former home of King Abdulaziz that has been renovated as part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh.

Twenty miles outside Riyadh lies the walled city of Diriyah, the ancestral home of the Al-Saud family and the first capital of the Saudi state.

Jeddah
The Kingdom’s second largest city, Jeddah is a sparkling, modern commercial center that is considered one of Saudi Arabia’s most vibrant cities. It is alive with more than 300 gardens, and is home to one of the world’s tallest fountains.

One of Jeddah’s loveliest features is the Corniche, promenades that extend miles along the Red Sea, interspersed with parks, fountains, lakes and kiosks. Its coastal location near the spectacular Red Sea coral reefs makes it a popular spot for water sports.

The city also has a number of beautifully restored historical buildings, including the Naseef House (Bayt Naseef), with more than 100 rooms and a broad staircase to allow camels access to the first floor for unloading.

Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea port. For centuries, its large harbor has handled ships carrying cargo to ports throughout the world, as well as vessels bringing pilgrims to the Hajj.

Eastern Province

The capital of the Eastern Province, Dammam – along with nearby Dhahran and Khobar – is an important hub for shipping, oil, commerce and industry, and the home of the national oil company, Saudi Aramco. It was in Dhahran in 1936 that the famous Dammam No. 7 oil well was discovered, proving beyond doubt that the Kingdom was sitting on vast oil fields.

Dammam is linked to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, an engineering masterpiece that stretches 15.5 miles across the sea and reclaimed land.

Asir Province

Located in the southwestern part of the Kingdom, Asir Province is an extensive region of steep mountains, lush greenery and cool breezes.

The picturesque regional capital, Abha, is noted for its brightly colored mud houses, built in the traditional style. Residents paint their homes each year, usually in preparation for the Eids, the religious holidays that follow Ramadan or the Hajj.

The Asir National Park, which covers 1.1 million acres, is a paradise for botanists, zoologists and ornithologists who come to study indigenous plants and wildlife. New varieties and species are still being discovered there.

Taif
The mountain resort city of Taif is located 5,600 feet above sea level in the southwest region of Saudi Arabia. Its pleasant climate, lush parks, sunny skies and exotic wildlife have long drawn Saudi families to this resort town each summer.

Its largest and most famous public garden is the King Fahd Park, which includes a lake, playgrounds, walking paths, and a mosque. Visitors can also take in the Shubra Palace, the former summer residence of King Abdulaziz and the most famous historical building in the city. Shoppers in Taif can browse its traditional souq for handcrafts, gold, silver, spices, perfumes and other trinkets.

Makkah and Madinah

The holy city of Makkah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Millions of pilgrims from around the world visit Makkah each year to perform the Hajj, the pilgrimage that is the religious high point of a Muslim’s life. The Holy Mosque in Makkah houses Islam’s most sacred shrine, the Ka’abah, to which Muslims around the world turn in prayer five times a day.

Muslims are drawn to Madinah not as a religious duty as with Makkah, but out of love and respect for God’s last Prophet, who established the first Islamic community there. Madinah is also where the Prophet Muhammad spent the last years of his life, and where he and many of his companions are buried. The city is home to the Prophet’s Mosque.
Both Makkah and Madinah are open only to Muslim visitors.

Najran
In the ancient trading center of Najran, the capital of Najran Province, old and new buildings stand side by side, giving the oasis city a special charm.

Visitors to Najran can enjoy several museums, including the ruins of the Al-Ukhdood settlement, a former commercial center that thrived from 500 BC through the 10th century. The Al-An Palace, a former governor’s residence, is a remarkable example of local architecture with its circular towers with white ramparts. Najran’s souq is well known for its traditional crafts such as colorful baskets, leather products and old Bedouin silver jewelry.

Also of interest is the Al-Madik Dam in Najran Province, the second largest dam in Saudi Arabia. The dam has become a tourist attraction with parks at each end and wide variety of palms, flowering shrubs and citrus trees.

Hail
The historic oasis of Hail, with its expansive boulevards, parks, playgrounds and refreshing climate, regularly draws large numbers of Saudi families.

In ancient times, Hail was a stopping point along the famous Darb Zubaydah caravan route stretching from Mesopotamia, Persia and Central Asia to Makkah and Madinah. Built 12 centuries ago and named after the wife of the Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid (763-809), the caravan route included hundreds of wells and cisterns. Remnants of these can still be seen in Hail today.

Al-Jouf 
Located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, Al-Jouf is famous for its ancient ruins, which show evidence of the presence of Assyrians and Nabateans in the region. The region was an important crossroads for traders heading into the Arabian Peninsula from Iraq and Syria.

Al-Jouf also has a special significance in Islamic history. Following its conquest by Muslims in the third year of the Hijra (the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD), Al-Jouf became a staging post for Muslim armies setting out to spread the message of Islam.