Bhutan Traditional Dance

If you are looking to get away from the crowded world all around you for some real peace, you cannot do much better than paying a visit to the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas and sporting a centuries old Buddhist culture, the land of the peaceful thunder Dragon or “Druk Yul” is a travel destination that should definitely be on your list.

Bhutan has a single International airport at Paro. Flights from the national carrier Druk Air operate from nearby countries and regions to bring travelers down to Bhutan. Roadways into Bhutan are available from India, the most popular being from Phuentsholing in West Bengal. However, it is important to know that the tourism policy of the Bhutanese government states that foreign travelers  must either enter or exit the country using Druk Air.  So you cannot arrange for both ways via road.

Bhutan has quite typecast travel and tourism arrangements not offering you to the freedom to just pack your bags and set off. Once inside the country, daily charges for the tourist are fixed at a hefty $200. However, this gives you complete peace of mind as it includes accommodation, food, travel and even camping and hiking equipment! All tour operators out of Bhutan have to follow this same package, giving the tourist a uniformity that is helpful.

Places to visit abound in plenty, with almost the entire country being a giant tourist spot. Snow clad as well as green mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls make the sights and sounds a treat for the senses. Thimpu, the capital is a picturesque town, possibly the smallest and most picturesque capital in the world. It is considered by many as a Shangri- La of the eastern Himalayas! There are fortresses or Dzongs in plenty all over the country like the Trashi Chhoe Dzong. There are lots of Monasteries and memorials scattered all over the country as well.

When visiting Bhutan, leave your worries of life behind and just relax and take in the scenery. The peace is sure to penetrate deep into you.

Kerala - God's own country

Welcome to Kerala “God’s own country”. It is a place of sheer beauty and its every sight gives your eye a treat. Rarely do we find a place with such vast topographical differences. If you love hills and your spouse likes sea then Kerala is the right choice for your travel destination as it has velvety hills on one side and rich creamy beaches on the other.

Kerala provides a wide variety of travel destinations such as Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Periyar, and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Each of the location has several holiday resorts of a range of prices to choose from. Adventure lovers can go for trekking on the hills; wildlife sanctuaries are one of the major attractions of Kerala where one can watch animals and birds in their natural surroundings.

Most of the tourists come to Kerala to see the backwaters. There are more than 900km of interlinked waterways such as rivers, lakes and inlets which make the Kerala backwaters. The scenic beauty and the calmness of these backwaters provide a soothing balm on our body and mind. One can hire a boat and cruise along the backwaters and see several towns and cities while witnessing the smooth blend of old and modern cultures. Cochin, Alappuzha, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Thiruvallam, and Thiruvananthapuram are some of the key backwater destinations.

If, you are not much of a travelling person and relaxing is your main mantra then opt for a resort that gives ayurvedic therapy. Ayurveda is an ancient method used to heal body and mind. One of the most popular forms of ayurveda is its massage therapy with essential oils and extracts of different kinds of herbs which are used as basic ingredients for making a wide range of oils. The ayurveda masseur is an expert in providing relief to people suffering from sprains, spondylitis, backaches, joint and muscle injuries etc.

Kerala can be an ideal spot for honeymoon couples as well as for tourists of all ages. One can bask in its breathtaking beauty which gives solitude and complete relaxation. Its tropical climate and great infrastructure makes Kerala the ultimate travel destination.