Comments (0)

By admin, January 12, 2010 7:33 pm

Alexandria, Virginia is an absolute must see for anyone who enjoys and appreciates U.S. History. There are few places that can rival Alexandria for importance in the colonial and Revolutionary War era. In addition, Alexandria played a prominent role in the Civil War. Alexandria was founded in 1749 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Alexandria has much to offer visitors, with its abundance of outstanding examples of colonial architecture, and numerous U.S. National Historic landmarks. One of the notable landmarks is Woodlawn, which has been termed “America’s First Family Home” as it was a gift from George Washington to his nephew. It is the first property of the National Trust. Christ Church is also a U.S. Historic Landmark, and is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the United States where George Washington and numerous other presidents have worshipped. Gadsby’s Tavern is another landmark that was the site of many political meetings during the Revolutionary and Early American years, and hosted many famous travelers, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
In addition to the National Landmarks, Alexandria also offers visitors the opportunity to see the boyhood home of Robert E. Lee, and the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Other sites of interest include the Alexandria National Cemetery, which contains the graves of 3,500 Civil War soldiers; the Carlyle House, a fully restored 18th century Georgian mansion that was home to one of Alexandria’s founding citizens, John Carlyle; Fort Ward, which is a well preserved Civil War site with daily reenactments; and the Frank Lloyd Wright Pope-Leighey House that is one of the finest examples of the architect’s innovative methods. Ghost tours have also become a popular attraction in Alexandria. Notable stops on these tours include the Ramsey House, which is now the Alexandria’s visitor’s center, and is said to haunted by its original owner, and the Old Town Theatre.
Alexandria is also adjacent to Washington, D.C., which makes it an ideal location from which to explore the nation’s capitol. While it is easy to travel by the Capital Beltway, those who are not used to driving in D.C. may feel uncomfortable with this idea. However, another convenient way to travel between the two cities is by boat. A water taxi service can take visitors across the Potomac River in about 20 minutes. In addition, the Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak both offer very fast train service between Alexandria and Washington D.C.
Any visitor to Alexandria will have a large array of lodging choices. Numerous national chains have properties at a wide range of prices. However, there are a number of charming bed and breakfasts which give a traveler the feeling of being in a truly historical place and they range in price from moderate to expensive. Dining choices also offer a wide range of choices. There are several colonial style restaurants, some with staff in full costume, as well as Southern barbeque, seafood, charming cafes, and various chain restaurants.
In summary, any traveler who loves history will find many great places to explore and appreciate in Alexandria.

Comments (0)

By admin, December 14, 2009 7:33 pm

If you’ve decided to travel abroad, why not make your first international trip one to a country with the widest possible range of attractions?  And if you do, you won’t find any country in the world which has more to offer a first-time visitor then India.  India, in fact, is so blessed with natural and cultural wonders that your first trip is sure to be only the first of many.  You simply will not be able to see everything you want to see in one vacation.

The sheer breadth of India will leave you both amazed and intimidated.  India is a country in which you will find some of the Earth’s most magnificent architectural accomplishment (like the Taj Mahal), as well as some of its largest and poorest urban slums.  India is a country in which sacred cows wander freely on the same streets were low-caste beggars plead for pennies.  India is a country immersed in spirituality, yet beginning to emerge as one of the world’s great economic powers.

How can you ensure that your first visit to India will let you take in its aspects which you find most appealing?  You should begin by consulting with a travel agent and requesting to have a tour package customized specifically for you.  Doing so is the best way to have a vacation which includes a properly-planned itinerary at the most affordable price.

The Internet is the best place for you to find a travel agent familiar enough with India’s attractions to create the best tour for you.  Deal only with a travel agency known for its high standards of honesty and customer service.  You can check on any travel agency are considering by looking for positive customer reviews at travel websites.

One of the ways to get the most out of your first visit to India is to hire the services of a professional Indian tourist guide.  Your tourist guide will make it his or her responsibility to see that your vacation time is spent in the way you imagined, regardless of whether your interests are in relaxing at the beach, participating in a pilgrimage, or hiking in the foothills of the Himalayas.  Your tourist guide will ensure that you have the opportunity to view some of India’s most spectacular scenery, enjoy her remarkably abundant wildlife, participate in a religious festival, or do whatever else will make your vacation complete.

Your Indian tourist guide will make sure that each moment of your vacation in India is different from what came before.  Perhaps he or she will arrange a trip to Indians “Golden Triangle,” by traveling between her three most vibrant cities: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.  At Agra, you‘ll be humbled by simple yet staggeringly beautiful Taj Mahal, perhaps the world’s greatest monument to romance. 

If you want your India vacation to leave you rested and relaxed, spend a few days at the peaceful beaches of Goa.  One of the best aspects of vacation in India is that traveling within the country is reasonably simple, because of the excellent bus and train service.  Your travel agency will be able to make your travel arrangements well in advance, even if you need to move about the country by air.  So why not start thinking about India as your next vacation destination, and be sure to include the services of an India travel guide to make sure that you don’t miss a thing!

Comments (0)

By admin, November 9, 2009 10:24 am

India’s railway network connects its greatest cities with its remotest villages, and traveling across India by train will give you a great opportunity to see sites not accessible any other way.  Traveling by train during your stay in India can be one of the high points of your journey, but only if you plan carefully and know what to expect.

 

Booking passage on second-class non–air-conditioned trains will let you view the passing scenery through open windows, free of the film which covers the windows in air-conditioned cars.  Purchasing a seat in air-conditioned car, on the other hand, will keep you comfortable even in the peak of India’s hot season.  India’s trains, especially those which travel to the smaller villages, have a reputation for being late, so you will have to get used to delays.

 

If you find yourself waiting to get a connecting train, however, take time to observe your surroundings and immerse yourself in the chaos around you.  You will see food vendors offering snacks like deep thought pride whole wheat bread and hard-boiled eggs as borders with massive piles of luggage balanced on their heads guard in and around the crowds.  You should always stay close to your own luggage when traveling by train in India, to the point of chaining it to the rack in your sleeping compartment.  Chains are available for sale on the platforms at urban railway stations.

 

While larger railway lines include meals in the cost of a ticket, if you are traveling a smaller line to be much better off by bringing along your own package snacks, bottled water, sandwiches, and juice.  You will also be very glad you bring sanitary hand wipes are and your own toilet paper. 

 

India, of course, has some world class luxury train service in addition to its ordinary commuter trains.  These luxury trains include some of the most famous names in the world:  Palace on Wheels; the Fairy Queen; the Royal Orient; Kalka Shimla; and Deccan Odyssey.  Each of these magnificent trains follows a different route, but all of them offer exceptional service, dining, and luxurious accommodations.  The most famous of them, Palace on Wheels, has 14 opulent sleeping compartments with baths along with two full-service restaurants and a bar.

 

The Palace on Wheel’s “Week in Wonderland” trip, starting at $4900 per person double occupancy, makes a round-trip beginning in Delhi and progressing through (among other cities) Jaipur, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra before returning to Delhi.  The fare includes meals, accommodations, and all sightseeing.  The Fairy Queen, which began operating in 1855, is the world’s oldest steam locomotive.

 

The most legendary of all Indian train journeys, however, is the the 15 day trip taken by the private train the Viceroy of India, which runs between Mumbai to Calcutta four times each year.  Tickets on the Viceroy of India run $9995 for Viceroy Class, or $14,995 for the Maharaja Suite.

 

The Deccan Odyssey is a 21-power luxury train which follows a seven day route along Maharashtra’s coast in western India, leaving from Mumbai and passing along the beach after unspoiled beach until arriving at the Goa.  The trip includes a visit to Pune and the opportunity to explore the Ajanta and Ellore caverns.  The Deccan Odyssey travels by night and stops for sightseeing during the day.  The price of the journey includes five-star meals, an on-board Ayurvedic spa, a gym, and much, much more.