Agra

Agra, a city in Uttar Pradesh (India), has three UNESCO World Heritage sites and is worth visiting. The three UNESCO World Heritage sites are the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. If you come to India and do not visit Agra and see Taj MAhal, your visit will be incomplete.

When to go: In summer, temperature here is very high so it is advisable not to visit Agra during this time. The right time to visit is between September to March.

How to go:  Agra’s Kheria Airport has seasonal service. It is served by only Kingfisher Airlines and Air India Regional. Lateness problem is also so its better not to prefer flights.

The city is very well connected to other cities via train route. Everyday there are around 20 trains for Delhi and three to four for Mumbai and Chennai respectively. If you are planning to come via Delhi, then you must keep in mind that there will be very low temperature in Delhi during winter. There will be fog which will make trains late.  Driving in fog is risky so prefer trains and avoid coming via road. Agra Cantt, Agra Fort station and Raja Ki Mandi are three stations in Agra.

You can come to Agra via bus also. It takes around 4-5 hours from Delhi to reach here. If you are travelling towards Rajasthan/Madhya Pradesh, you will have catch bus from Idgah Bus Stand, 8 km from the Taj. ISBT at Transport Nagar is an interstate bus terminal. It is 12 km from the Taj. Except buses which start from Idgah Bus Stand, most of the othrt buses pass through this bus stand.

What to see: The Taj Mahal is a tomb made of white marble. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. Every day it is open from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM except Fridays. The entry fee is Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 250 (plus levy of Rs 500) for foreigners. Ticket counters at the west and east gate open at 6:00 AM while counter at south gate opens at 8:00 AM. The right time to see the Taj is during dusk and dawn to experience the full effect of changing sunlight on it. Security is very tight at the Taj and you must follow the rules. All electric goods except video camera, arms, fire, smoking items, liquor, food, chewing gum, knives, wire, mobile charger etc are prohibited inside the Taj Mahal complex. Mobile Phones must be kept switched off. Smoking and eating is strictly prohibited inside the Taj Mahal complex. Photography is prohibited inside the main mausoleum. The charge for video camera is Rs 25. Visitors should keep silence inside the mausoleum. Wheelchairs are available for disabled persons.

On the nights of a full moon and the two days before and after, night viewing sessions are held. But it is not held on Fridays and in the month of Ramadan. For these sessions, tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance.

Agra Fort is again worth visiting.  The entry fee is Rs 250 (plus levy of 50 Rupees if not paid the Rs 500 fee for Taj Mahal). Audio guides are available at the fort. The rental charge for English and other foreign languages audio guides is Rs 100 and for Indian languages, it is Rs 60.

Fatehpur Sikri, a town near to Agra, was Akbar's capital for approximately 12 years. Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti are the monuments within this area which are worth seeing. All these monuments are open on all weekdays. The timing is from sunrise to sunset. The entry fee for children below 12 is free and above 12 is Rs 5. On Fridays, the entry is free.

Travel within city: You can travel within the city by hiring a cab. Hertz, eCabs Enterprises and Car Rental are some of the companies which give cars for rent. The government authorized taxi stand is outside the railway station. It takes Rs 950 /day for 12 hours. Keep in mind that cars are not allowed near the Taj Complex.

Electric buses, tongas and electric tempos are also available. Auto-rickshaws are also available but fix the price before getting into it. Bargaining needs to be done for almost everything and especially for a foreigner.

Food: Other than the Taj, Agra is also famous for Petha and Daal moth. Petha is a type of sweet candy and Daal moth is a spicy lentil mix. If you love chaat then Agra is surely a heaven for you. Here you can find varieties of chaats.

Shopping: Here in Agra you can buy stone products and leather goods. But do bargain hard. While buying jewels, be careful of stones. The stones can be fake and you may be charged for the original. You can do some shopping at Sadar Bazaar.  

Where to stay: Dayal Lodge in Dayalbagh Road, Hotel Amba Inn near Raja ki Mandi Railway Station and Hotel Jaiwal in Sadar Bazar are some of the budget hotels in Agra. Hotel Mandakini Villas in Fatehabad Road and Laurie's Hotel in Mahatma Gandhi Road are some of the mid range hotels. You can also find five star hotels ITC Mughal, Oberoi Amarvilas and Trident Hilton. 

ALAPPUZHA

Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is a very good tourist spot in Kerala, India. The huge networks of lagoons, canals, and lakes along with the Arabian Sea in its West, the place is often called as "Venice of east". It is heaven for those who love nature and natural beauty. Alappuzha is famous for its beaches, marine products, houseboat holidays, boat races and coir industry. 

When to go: Kerala is a place where tourists can visit in any month of the year as the weather is never too hot and never too cold. Still April and May will be hot so better avoiding it. The best time to visit Kerala is from September to March.

How to go:  Alleppey is on the National Highway 47 and is well connected to other places by public state transport buses.  If you are travelling by air, Kochi International Airport is the nearest airport. It is around 85 km from Alleppey town. From airport, the best way to travel to Alleppey is by bus. There are frequent bus services and they will cost around Rs. 25. Alleppey Railway Station is there to welcome you if you are coming by train.  Auto rickshaws can be seen outside the station but travelers must insist on meter.  Alleppey is also connected through waterways. It is linked by boat and ferry services to Kevalam, Kottayam, Cochin, Changanassery and Chengannur.

What to see: Krishnapuram Palace, built in 18th century during the reign of Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore, is the place which displays characteristics of Kerala architecture. Gajendra Moksham, one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala, is kept here. This palace is around 47 kms from Alappuzha.

Pathiramanal is a beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake. You can come here only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma.

Karumadi village is famous for Karumadi Kuttan. Karumadi Kuttan is a black granite figure of Buddha. It is said that this belong to the 9th or 10th century.

Kuttanad, also called the rice bowl of Kerala, is the place where farming is done 1.5 to 2 ms. below sea level. 

Alappuzha Beach is a good picnic spot. The pier extends into the sea here and is over 137 years old. An old lighthouse nearby is also worth visiting.

Vijaya beach park is a park which has boating facilities also. Its entrance fee is Rs. 2 per person and there is free entrance for children below 5 years. Boating charge is Rs.10 for 10 minutes. Here the camera permit is of Rs. 5 while the video permit is Rs. 25.

Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of Kuriakose Elias Chavara, is a holy shrine and spiritual resort. It is 6 kms from Alappuzha and is accessible only by boat.

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, famous for the Palapayasam, is just 15 kms, south of Alappuzha. The Palapayasam is a deliciously sweet milk porridge which is used as the daily offering.

St. Sebastian's Church, an important Christian pilgrim centre, is just 22 kms north of Alappuzha.

Edathua Church, dedicated to St. George, is situated 24 kms away from Alappuzha. This church was established in 1810. There is a faith that prayers and offerings at this church helps in healing all mental disorders and other ailments.

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, 32 kms south of Alappuzha, is a serpent shrine.

The annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race which takes place duringAugust-September in Punnamada Kayal is an important event and should not be missed.

Travel within city: If you know how to drive a car, then the best way to travel around the town is by hiring a cab. They are cheap and you can hire them through local agencies. Auto rickshaws can also be preferred as they run on meter.  But there can be special night fares.

Food: Sree Durga Bhavan Udipi Hotel on Cullan road and Hot Kitchen on Mullackal road will be a good place for vegetarians.  Kream korner on Mullackal road and Vembanad Restaurant on AS Main road can be good options for multi-cuisine.  There are bar-cum-restaurants also like Chakara Restaurant on Beach road and Royal Park Hotel on YMCA road.

Shopping: Tourists should buy coir products. They can also go for areca nut, cardamom, carpets, pepper and coconut oil.

Where to stay: In Alleppey, you can find all types of hotels suiting your budget. Muthoot River Escapes House Boat and Tharayil Tourist Home are some budget hotels. Kovilakam Lakeside Villa, Arcadia Regency and Penta Green (House Boat) are of medium range. Aquabliss, Akkarakkalam Memoirs Resorts and Muthoot Backwater Cruises Hotel are the names of some luxury hotels in Alleppey.

Other important details:

Weather: Summer 20-36°C, Winter 16-32°C

Altitude: 2695 m

Languages: Malayalam, English

STD code: 0477